The Most Expensive Homes In The World

If a lifestyle change is in your cards, there is nothing better to kick it off than by purchasing a new home. But just like everything else, it has to be done with style and inspiration. And nothing beats buying an opulent residence, capable of making your in-laws green with envy and, above all, darn expensive.

There is just such a place, a 103-room mansion spreading out over 58 acres of gardens and woodlands called Updown Court located in Windlesham, Surrey, England. Now, this is quite a home for the extrovert purchaser who is into sports and doesn't mind carrying a little extra mortgage. This particular property offers several ballrooms, an indoor squash court, a two-lane bowling alley and a poolroom just as well. If the wife likes gardening, she will find her pleasures in the 11-acre landscaped and manicured garden, and chatting with fine neighbours the likes of the Duchess of York, Elton John, and, at nearby Windsor Castle, the Queen of England has never been easier.

To impress your friends, the entrance hall features a sweeping dual staircase modeled after one in the late fashion designer Gianni Versace's Miami home. Behind the staircase, a great hall supported by marble columns looks onto an ornamental pond, which holds a fountain that, at the flick of a switch, sprays water 200 feet in the air.

Marble abounds. Five acres of more than 30 different types of imported stone line the floors, driveway, and expansive terraces. One indoor swimming pool is styled as a Roman bath, while another is set off by a two-story stone mosaic depicting a snow-capped Mount Fuji (that would be in Japan ...).

This 50,000 square foot house may be just what you need to escape your daily routine, with its heated marble driveway, 24-carat gold leafing on the mosaic floor of the study, a helipad for your flying trips to the store, the 50-seat indoor movie theather and the underground garage that has enough room to harbor eight limousines. Guests can be lodged in anyone of the 23 bedrooms but really - and in my professional view this is perhaps the most important bonus - the cost of upkeeping is a modest USD 2 million per year.

Conveniently priced at USD 138 million (that's right, million with a "m" as in Mary), this is no doubt Luigi's hand-picked bargain of the year. And the added plus is that it can be paid for also in Sterlings - now, who could ask for anything more. Just the perfect place to drop your darn Yankee accent ... yeah.

If, on the other hand, you do not wish to leave North America and like horses, may I suggest the Hala Ranch to your otherwise inquisitive attention. The Hala Ranch - as one can intuitively deduct from the name - is the property of Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud (but make an offer and you can call him Al). The Prince, who used to be the Saudi ambassador to the United States, is selling as he has taken up the position of National Security Counselor back in Saudi Arabia. This 56,000 square feet home is just what you need if you are looking for a little country décor, peace and tranquility. The estate has its own wastewater treatment plant thus allowing you to save on sewer charges, and a mechanical shop with its own gasoline pumps and carwash. Cross-country ski trails are maintained throughout the property. The centerpiece lodge of the estate is larger than the White House, so if Hillary wins you are going to make her green with envy too. It is built in a rustic style, with massive timber beams and stone columns, and contains 15 bedrooms, all with patios, and 16 bathrooms, just in case one gets all clogged up.

Conservatively priced at USD 134 million, this is an opportunity one can hardly afford to pass. Trust me on this one, or my name is not Luigi ...

Have you ever considered relocating to Turkey? I'm asking because, as you know, although still in Asia (Asia Minor, to be exact) Turkey is poised to become Europe in the not too distant future. The perfect Europe, one might add - without the Europeans ... But really, if you wish to cultivate your talent for archaeology and ancient history there is nothing better than this 30,000 square foot residence overlooking the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey, (Europe). Sited on three-quarters of an acre, the Waterfront Estate ofAD8fers opulent living with its 64 rooms, which feature large windows looking to the water. You can even fish from your bedroom. This mansion boasts not only gilded mouldings and crystal chandeliers, but it even has a rare quay that is nearly 200-feet long (as I said, you can fish from the bedroom). If you need a boat, the Turks can rent you one for about 1 Euro an hour.

Presently offered for sale for USD 100 million, there is a little room for negotiations here. Sorry, only American Dollars accepted by way of cash, Visa or Mastercard or, of course, debit card.

How about a pied-a-terre in none other than New York City for your week-end leisurely trips? Or for your next New Years Eve in the Big Apple, close to Time Square? Think about it, you wouldn't have to watch it on CNN anymore. If this is the case, may I recommend The Pierre Penthouse, a chateau in the sky that occupies the top three floors of one of the poshest hotels in New York City, right abutting Central Park. Guess the price, just guess it - USD 70 million! Now, this is what I call cheap, cheap, cheap! The original 3,500-square foot ballroom boasts a 23-foot high ceiling, and on each of the two west-facing corners, soaring French doors open up onto terraces offering breathtaking views of Central Park and beyond. The master bedroom suite has two additional corner terraces so that, all in all, the balconies and windows have 360 degree views of Manhattan, Central Park, the East River and the Hudson River. And, with an annual maintenance fee of USD 464,600 which includes the services of a uniformed housekeeper and houseman (yes, I know, I didn't believe it myself), this is a true deal in the making. Hurry, it won't last.

Luigi Frascati

Luigi Frascati is a Real Estate Agent based in Vancouver, British Columbia. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Economics and maintains a weblog entitled the Real Estate Chronicle where you can find the full collection of his articles on Real Estate Economics and Finance. Luigi is associated with the Sutton Group, the largest real estate organization in Canada, and is based with Sutton-Centre Realty in Burnaby, BC.

Luigi is very proud to be an EzineArticles Platinum Expert Author. Your rating at the footer of this Article is very much appreciated. Thank you.

London Builders

- How To Increase Your House Value

Professional advice reduces costly mistakes in home improvements when you are looking to raise your property value. Big decisions to make change your home require extensive planning to ensure you get the added value you want with NO mistakes.

In a recently published survey by The Nationwide Building Society, the most common types of home improvement have been rated in terms of the percentage value they are likely to add to a property. The results are as follows:

Added Value to property %

Extension - large kitchen / family room into garden area 15%

Extension - adding floor space 12%

Extension - extra bedroom by adding floor space (2 bed to 3 bed) 12%

Extension - extra bedroom by adding floor space (3 bed to 4 bed) 8%

Alterations - extra bedroom without adding floor space 6%

Loft Conversion - extra bedroom and en-suite 21%

Adding an extra bathroom or en-suite 5%

Off-street parking space 6.5%

Garage - detached or integrated 7-14%

Double glazing 5%

Central heating value added 7%

Making the most of your home

Kitchens

Choose units that will not date and where-ever possible fit granite worktops. The kitchen should be of a generous size and preferably ove1C64rlooking the rear garden.

Bathrooms

White sanitary fittings are a must. A 4 bed house should have 1 bathroom and 1 ensuite, a 5/6 bedroom house should have 1 bathroom and 2/3 ensuites.

Downstairs

WC

A downstairs toilet can be located almost anywhere. An external window and separate lobby are now not required. A downstairs WC is on most home-buyers wish-list.

Reception Rooms

Preferably a house of over 4 beds should have at least two separate reception rooms. One of the reception rooms shoud have an outlook to the rear garden. Layout

An aspect often overlooked. The layout and circulation of a house should flow. Increase circulation space when adding extra rooms and avoid through-rooms.

written by Brook Adyn
http://www.londonrefurbs.com/
info@londonrefurbs.com

Stair Runner and Stair Building

How To Use A Stair Runner

By Greg Vanden Berge 1/9/2008

What is a stair runner? I've heard of stair climbers and stair builders but what in the world is a stair runner? Well it has nothing to do with exercise, jogging, running or climbing. Actually it is a strip of carpet that you can use in the center of your stairway. The carpet comes in many different styles and colors plus it comes in different widths and thickness.

Don't be alarmed if you have never heard of a carpet runner. Over the years I have been in a lot of homes doing work while remodeling other peoples houses. I've seem a lot of different things in the form of protecting the carpet and furniture. A stair runner is basically just that. A piece of carpet designed to protect the wood stairs.

The stair runner is a great idea for eliminating the constant scrapes and scratches that simple walking up and down the stairs on a daily basis will cause. There is very little we can do about them. A carpet runner will act as a barrier between your shoes and your stairway protecting the wood from future damage. When I say future damage I mean minor damage. If you are going to roll a refrigerator up the stairs the runner might have little effect on the possible damage that can be done to your stairs.

Stair runners can be purchased over the internet and at some building supply stores. They come in different lengths to fit your needs. You will also need to purchase stair rods to install the carpet stair runner. These stair rods come in different styles and lengths. The stair rods are normally screwed into your wood stairs so you will be using the carpet runners from now on.

If you choose to go back to the wood stairway without the carpet runner you will have some patching to do. This is not that big of a problem if done right you will not notice the repaired holes. The reason why I mentioned the screws into the wood stair treads and risers is because they don't tell you this when you are buying the stair runner or stair rods. If you don't want to damage your stairs by screwing the stair rods in find another way to protect your stairs.

The stair runners are pretty easy to install and don't require a building contractor. It is a simple straight forward process.

Another advantage to the stair runner is that they can be changed as often as you like. Your stairway is one of the major traffic areas in the house. You will save your wood stairs a lot of wear by using the stair runner. With out using the stair runner you will end up refinishing the wood stairs in this area. Instead of refinishing the wood stairs you can install a carpet runner and cover up the minor stair damage. This will give you a nice new look to your staircase. Great idea as a alternative to refinishing the stiars.

About The Author:

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more stair building books and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry. Visit Stair Don'ts To find out how not to build your stairs.