Around the Globe with E&V December 2024
Around The Globe With E&V
Presented by Jennie Frank Kapoor
Hello, Friends! This month we’re highlighting two amazing sets of advisors, their “Shops” (E&V language for local office), and their local listings from: 1) Kiawah Island and E&V Charleston and 2) Sonoma and E&V San Francisco (presented alphabetically by Shop). You don’t want to miss this – the advisors and their listings are stunning! 😍😍
Enjoy the video preview here and checkout the in-depth feature article below on both incredible opportunities!
One again – when selecting where to call my luxury real estate sales business “home,” one of the main attractions to Engel & Völkers was the power of the global brand. This is truly a luxury first brokerage, along with relevant extensions like yachting, that fit the objective of helping provide advice and value to my clients as a lifestyle platform. A lot of brokerages speak about being “global,” but I found E&V to truly follow through with that promise.
It’s a tremendous value to my clients, whether buying or selling, to be able to network with global luxury real estate advisors who are experts in their local markets, many of which are feeders to the places I love and work – South Florida and The Bahamas. To illustrate the point, each month I’m highlighting expert luxury real estate advisors from around the globe who I’m proud to call colleagues and actively network with. Whether helping drive exposure to sell a property or mining unique opportunities for purchase, this is the true power of “local expertise with global reach” – not just a catchy mantra (it is catchy, though), but a way of life for this luxury real estate brokerage.
E&V Charleston
Meet Cynthia Miller
Cynthia Miller started her real estate career in the gracious city of Charleston, S.C., where she grew up and holds real estate licenses in both South Carolina and Georgia. She also has her Associate Brokers License. Over the past decade, she has provided general real estate brokerage services for both buyers and sellers, specializing in luxury, new home, investment, and commercial property sales, as well as business acquisitions. Learn more about Cynthia.
Featured Opportunity – 108 Salthouse Lane, Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Exclusive Riverfront Compound with Panoramic Views
10 Bd | 11 Ba | 6,540 SF | Offered at $12,750,000
Welcome to 108 Salthouse Lane, where function meets elegance. This exclusive riverfront compound with picturesque river and golf course views offers multigenerational living at its best. The homesite's allure begins with a welcoming open courtyard elegantly lined with lush native vegetation, mature oak trees, and palmettos ensuring privacy. You are then invited up the steps to an expansive covered porch. Nestled on a secluded 1.48-acre riverfront site, this home is the epitome of luxury offering a plethora of amenities on the main level including a heated, infinity pool surrounded by a huge deck for sunbathing, watching breathtaking sunsets and gazing at the stars, a custom outdoor kitchen for grilling, a full pool bathroom and an outdoor shower…. Learn more about this stunning compound and watch the beautiful property video.
Market Perspective
Cynthia is a tremendous wealth of knowledge, rooted from a distinguished career, and it was awesome speaking to her about insights on the local Charleston and Kiawah Island markets:
Why do you find Kiawah Island such a special place?
South Carolina is filled with breathtaking locales, but Kiawah Island holds a unique charm that sets it apart as an extraordinary place to live. Renowned for its pristine beaches, lush maritime forests, and unparalleled natural beauty, Kiawah Island offers a rare blend of luxury living and a serene coastal lifestyle. The island's thoughtfully preserved landscapes create a haven for nature lovers, with winding trails, native wildlife, and sweeping ocean views that make every day feel like a retreat. Beyond its natural allure, Kiawah Island is a golfer’s paradise, home to world-class golf courses, including the iconic Ocean Course, which has hosted major championships and showcases some of the most dramatic seaside views in the country. Whether you’re seeking a tranquil escape or an active outdoor lifestyle, Kiawah Island delivers a harmonious blend of both.
Adding to its appeal, Kiawah Island is just 25 miles southwest of Charleston, placing residents within easy reach of one of the most vibrant and historic cities in the United States. Charleston’s rich cultural offerings, culinary scene, and bustling arts community bring an added dimension to life on Kiawah. Residents can explore cobblestone streets lined with centuries-old architecture, indulge in world-class dining at award-winning restaurants, or attend lively festivals and performances that make Charleston a hub of creativity and activity. This proximity ensures that while Kiawah provides the peace and beauty of coastal living, residents are never far from the energy and conveniences of an exciting urban center. Together, Kiawah Island and Charleston create a lifestyle that combines the best of coastal luxury and dynamic city living.
Why do you feel it’s an attractive time to buy in Kiawah Island? And what’s the buyer profile?
Kiawah Island offers a compelling opportunity for buyers seeking luxury coastal living. The island's real estate market currently features a mix of stunning beachfront homes, golf community properties, and serene estates, many of which are competitively priced compared to other premier resort destinations. With ongoing demand for high-end properties in exclusive locations, buyers who act now can secure a piece of this sought-after paradise before inventory tightens further. Additionally, Kiawah’s continued investment in amenities, such as its golf courses, club facilities, and natural conservation, enhances both the lifestyle and long-term value of owning property here.
Typical buyers on Kiawah Island often include affluent locals from South Carolina or neighboring states in the Southeast region, particularly Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida. Many are seeking second homes or vacation retreats where they can unwind and connect with nature. Others are relocating permanently to enjoy the island’s tranquility, access to golf and outdoor activities, and its proximity to Charleston’s vibrant culture. Buyers from Atlanta, Charlotte, and even Nashville frequently gravitate to Kiawah for its blend of exclusivity, natural beauty, and the prestige of owning in one of the Southeast’s most desirable luxury enclaves.
Please share with us your thoughts and highlights on the local market activity.
October 2024 Insights. The single-family market on Kiawah Island showed notable activity in October 2024, albeit with some mixed trends compared to the previous year. New listings fell by 42.9%, dropping from 14 in October 2023 to just 8 this year, indicating tighter inventory. Closed sales also declined slightly, with 11 transactions compared to 12 in the prior year, an 8.3% decrease. Meanwhile, the median sales price experienced a significant 24% drop, falling from $3,225,000 in October 2023 to $2,450,000 in 2024. This suggests potential opportunities for buyers in the luxury segment. However, homes stayed on the market much longer, with days on market increasing by 162.5% year-over-year, from 8 days to 21.
Year-to-Date Summary. Year-to-date figures provide a broader perspective on the single-family market dynamics. New listings saw a modest decline of 9.1%, from 77 in 2023 to 70 in 2024, while closed sales grew by 5.7%, rising from 53 to 56 transactions. The median sales price saw a slight decline of 2.1%, reflecting a stabilization trend, while the average sales price increased by 4.7%, reaching $2,950,009. Days on market also climbed year-to-date, averaging 54 days compared to 39 in 2023—a 38.5% increase. Despite these shifts, the high-end segment continues to attract interest, offering both challenges and opportunities for buyers and sellers navigating Kiawah’s unique market.
To learn more about the opportunities in Kiawah Island and greater Charleston, please connect with Cynthia.
E&V San Francisco
Meet Blakely Hull
Blakely is the founder of Best Coast Collective and the leader of this insanely talented team. She is proud to be among the top 1% across the Bay Area and the top 1.5% nationwide in real estate sales. Blakely’s business comes exclusively from referrals and their network – because of the exceptional service provided. As a former global leader at Uber, disruption is in Blakely’s DNA. She closely follows the disruption happening in real estate and partners with various organizations to ensure their team are always offering the most cutting-edge services to their clients. Blakely’s motto has always been, “If there’s a will, there’s a way,” and you can count on her team to bring creative, personalized solutions to crush your goals! Learn more about Blakely and her team.
Featured Opportunity – 20600 Broadway Ave, Sonoma, California
Sustainable, Four Acre Utopia in the Heart of Wine Country
4 Bd | 5 Ba | 4,534 SF | Offered at $7,965,000
Explore this sustainable utopia, designed by renowned Sutro Architects, nestled on 4 acres only a few minutes from the historic Sonoma Plaza. This eco-friendly paradise features top-tier technologies, including robust solar power, Tesla batteries, a high-yield well, and an innovative water recycling system that nurtures the lush, expansive lawns -all of which contributes to nominal utility costs and low insurance premiums. The interior showcases a grand great room with retractable patio doors, leading to a 25-meter heated pool and spa, fire pit, Pickleball sports court, and beautiful garden areas. The floor plan combines intimacy with grandeur, offering private spaces like a 3-bedroom Northern wing with a media/game room. The Southern wing features the primary suite with panoramic views, plus an office and gym…. Learn more about this incredible property and be sure to check out Blakely’s super fun tour.
Market Perspective
Blakely is an extremely well-spoken, energetic and thoughtful wealth of knowledge about the Bay area and Sonoma. Here’s a succinct recap on what she had to say from our conversation:
Why is this the right time to buy in Sonoma right now?The Sonoma luxury real estate market presents a unique opportunity for buyers today. Many homes in the high-end market are currently trading at pre-COVID price points, creating significant value for opportunistic buyers. For example, my listing, which was valued at around $10 million in early 2022, is now priced just below $8 million—a compelling discount for those ready to act. Additionally, active listings have increased by approximately 20% year-over-year, giving buyers more options to find their perfect property.
What’s the luxury real estate market like in Sonoma currently?The luxury market in Sonoma remains slow following the COVID-era real estate boom. This is particularly true for high-end properties, many of which serve as second homes—a category that often feels like a discretionary purchase. Additional challenges, such as securing insurance for homes in hillside areas, contribute to this slowdown. Homes priced at $6 million or higher are staying on the market longer, often requiring price reductions or being withdrawn entirely. This trend benefits buyers, creating opportunities to negotiate favorable terms.
By contrast, properties priced under $1 million are seeing more activity, reflecting a market divergence. The overall median sale price for single-family homes in Sonoma is currently $1.05 million, roughly flat compared to last year. Meanwhile, the luxury segment’s median sale price is $3.1 million as of October 2024, with an average of 140 days on market, a slight improvement from the prior year.
What’s the buyer profile for Sonoma property right now?
The majority of buyers in Sonoma’s luxury market are Bay Area locals seeking second homes. However, the expanding reach of the Santa Rosa airport is attracting interest from out-of-state buyers as well. New direct flights from cities such as Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Seattle, Portland, Dallas, and Phoenix are making Sonoma more accessible, broadening its appeal to buyers from across the country.
What’s something unique and perhaps an underappreciated fact about the property you’re marketing?
One thing that is particularly rare about my listing is that it is on city sewer, vs septic, like almost all other properties of this size. This is a huge benefit to buyers and allows for all 4 acres to be usable, rather than worrying about leach fields and other concerns. Another part of this property that is rare is that there is an orchard, with 500 assorted fruit trees. While many people think that they want vines, what they often don't realize is how much work, time, and expense is involved in maintaining and harvesting a hobby vineyard. On the contrary, the orchard on this property, despite only being planted 1.5 years ago, is already bearing lots of fruit and is much more low maintenance.
To learn more about the opportunities offered in both Sonoma and greater San Francisco / the Bay area, I highly suggest you connect with Blakely and her team.
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It was so much fun collaborating with Cynthia and Blakely! I’m so honored to call them E&V colleagues, and it just goes to show the strength of our luxury global network. I hope you enjoyed this issue of Around the Globe with E&V – until next time!
With Gratitude,
Jennie