Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

For millions of us, homeworking is here to stay for a while longer at least and some anticipate that they will never return to the office. However, many have struggled to find a satisfactory spot in their home where they can get on with their work undisturbed.

So its not surprising that lots of homeowners have been eyeing up their garden as a potential new working environment.

Research by Direct Lines home insurance arm found that since lockdown began almost 1 million homeworkers have splashed out on a shed or similar outbuilding to use as an office or workspace and a further 1.1 million are planning to do so in the next 12 months.

Companies specialising in shed offices (or shoffices) and garden rooms have reported a surge in inquiries and orders. That applies to the mass-market retailers, where the most basic summerhouses start at only a few hundred pounds, all the way up to the high-end players, whose often architecturally striking creations can cost tens of thousands of pounds.

The boom in demand means that some designs are out of stock or you may have to wait several months for a delivery.

The average shed worker spent just over 3,300 on their garden workspace, according to research from the digital bank Starling, carried out a few weeks before lockdown.

The average size of a garden workspace was 65 sq ft (6 sq metres), according to the survey.

There is a vast array of options depending on your budget and aesthetic taste.

Go online and its not hard to find small wooden summerhouses for under 500 but something that cheap is only really going to be usable in good weather.

Realistically, you will need to spend a few thousand pounds for something you can comfortably use all year.

At the specialist site Sheds.co.uk, insulated garden rooms and buildings start at 5,694 for a 3x3 metre structure, going up to 9,899 for a 6x4 metre one (these prices include delivery and installation). The walls, floor and roof are fully insulated and the windows are double-glazed.

At the log cabin specialist Summer House 24, offices start at about 2,400 but installation, insulation and roofing cover typically cost extra. For example, the 3.2x3.2 metre Nora B log cabin is priced at 2,430 but using its installation service costs an extra 850, while a floor and roof insulation kit is 570 and a roof shingle kit is 180. On its large Hansa log cabin offices costing 14,500, installation alone adds an extra 3,500 to the price.

John Lewis sells garden offices and studios made by Norfolk-based Crane Garden Buildings, including a 3x3 metre one costing 8,499, including installation and delivery. It is made in the UK from FSC-certified Scandinavian redwood, features floor-to-ceiling glass panels and is fully insulated, lined and double-glazed.

What is and isnt included when you buy can vary hugely. Sometimes the shed will come without a roof covering or the wood will be untreated. Importantly, you will need a solid, level base for your building. Some shed firms will be able to sort you out with a concrete base but you may be charged 1,000, or much more. You may have a local builder who could do it for a lot less.

If youre handy when it comes to DIY and joinery, you may be able to create a garden workspace for a lot less cash. A lot of DIYers will look at the cheaper options and do it themselves, says William Letterese, a director at Sixty Stores, which owns Sheds.co.uk.

For example, you could buy a cheaper shed and insulate it for perhaps a few hundred pounds. You can buy insulation boards for walls and floors well-known brands include Celotex, EcoTherm and Kingspan. There are lots of websites and blogs offering help and advice.

How about the Escape Pod, a striking structure clad in cedar shingles and made of birch ply and European oak? The Gloucestershire-based firm Podmakers says that with its adaptable interior, heating (woodburner or underfloor), electrics and insulation, the Escape Pod has the potential to be used in lots of ways but at the moment its really offices that people want weve just put one in where theres two people working.

The starting price is 19,800 plus VAT (or 17,900 in kit form). They are delivered and installed using a forklift or crane, though if there are problems with access, the components can be carried through the house and assembled on site (with this option, installation costs 2,000).

Generally, no. Sheds and other outbuildings are considered to be permitted developments, not requiring planning permission, provided certain conditions are met. In England the main ones include: the building must be single storey with a maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres and a maximum overall height of 4 metres with a dual-pitched roof, or 3 metres for any other roof; it cannot be used as a separate home to live in; and it cannot include a veranda, balcony or raised platform higher than 300mm.

Some firms offer a service where they will connect your garden building to the houses electricity supply but many dont, so you may need to pay a professional electrician.

Some say you need to dig a trench so you can run an armoured power cable underground. Others say its OK to put the cable under some gravel or run it along the fence. If you know a friendly electrician, ask his or her advice.

There are various options for extending your wifi to your garden office. Probably the simplest and cheapest is a wifi booster, a smallish device you simply plug in and which amplifies your signal, although the shed probably needs to be no more than 30 metres away. You can get fairly decent wifi boosters from companies such as Netgear and TP-Link for 20-40. Then there are so-called powerline adaptor kits, sometimes known as HomePlugs, which typically cost about the same.

Or you could run an ethernet cable from the house to the garden building (you could run it alongside your main power cable).

Many buildings insurance policies extend cover to outbuildings as standard, which means you would be covered against weather damage, Moneysupermarket.com says. The contents will typically be covered by your home insurance but you need a good idea of what the items are worth, and to let your insurer know, it adds. Dig out the paperwork and if in doubt, contact your insurer(s).

You may not have the cash or space for a separate home office, but there are ways to make a spare room or corner, into a work space.

Buy second hand. For example, Recycled Business Furniture, based in High Wycombe, offers a basic package of a desk and a quality adjustable chair for 150 plus VAT, and an executive package of an electric desk and a Herman Miller chair for 475 plus VAT (this option was sold out at the time of writing). Or you can just buy a chair for 40 or 95, both with VAT on top.

If you do end up buying new, websites such as Expert Reviews and TechRadar have detailed guides to the best office chairs for homeworking. Here are a few of their top picks:

45 Ikeas Torkel swivel chair. This month, Expert Reviews called it the best budget office chair.

About 50 Life Carvers mesh middle back office chair. Available on Amazon and elsewhere.

120 Argoss Home Orion swivel chair. It has a faux leather finish and a high back.

179 Ikeas Markus swivel chair. It comes with a 10-year guarantee.

TechRadar says the Furinno computer desk is, according to TechRadar, the best budget (and space-saving) office desk around, highlighting model 12095GYW, at about 107 and measuring 100cm wide by 86cm high by 40cm deep. If space is really at a premium, Argos sells a compact folding office desk for 40 that gets very good reviews. It is 86cm wide by 84cm high by 62cm deep, and folds flat.

Read more:
Shed quarters: how to set up an office in your garden - The Guardian

Nobody was injured and the ceiling was quickly repaired, say officials

The repaired section of ceiling on the first floor at Dubai Mall. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

The repaired section of ceiling on the first floor at Dubai Mall. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

The repaired section of ceiling on the first floor at Dubai Mall. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

Nobody was hurt when a section of ceiling collapsed at Dubai Mall. Courtesy: Dubai Media Office

A section of the ceiling at Dubai's largest mall has been repaired after it fell on Monday night.

The section fell near Laduree on the first floor of Dubai Mall but no one was injured, authorities said.

An image of the collapsed section of ceiling was shared on social media. It showed part of the ceiling facade hanging by wires as small groups of people looked on from a safe distance.

Dubai Mall has taken immediate measures to restore the damage caused to a small section of the ceiling yesterday evening. There were no injuries and all precautionary measure are in place to ensure the highest safety for Dubai Mall's visitors. pic.twitter.com/ctarQtaP9u

On Tuesday, Dubai Media Office said the mall took "immediate" measures to fix the broken ceiling and that "all precautionary measure are in place to ensure the highest safety for Dubai Mall's visitors."

The emirate's malls reopened at full capacity in June, after months of restrictions to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Visitors are still required to undergo temperature screening on entry to the mall, wear protective face masks and maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from others.

Other key safety measures include the provision of an isolation room for suspected cases of the virus and the installation of hand sanitiser dispensers.

Updated: September 8, 2020 05:56 PM

See the article here:
Ceiling that collapsed at Dubai Mall is repaired - The National

Both the Savannah and Albany come with a smaller footprint but designed with todays families in mind an open floorplan that feels spacious and roomy at a very affordable price.

UNIONTOWN, Ohio (PRWEB) September 11, 2020

Wayne Homes, an Ohio-based custom home builder that specializes in on-your-lot custom homes, has released two new floor plans today, the Albany and the Savannah.

The Albany is a single-story, three-bedroom, two-bathroom home with just over 1,300 square feet of living space, while the Savannah is a two-story floor plan with three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, and 1,710 square feet.

The Albany is the smallest ranch floor plan that Wayne Homes offers but includes big features, such as an open concept main living area, large island with a flush eat ledge and plenty of counter space in the kitchen, and a roomy owner suite with a walk-in closet.

The Savannah, now Wayne Homes smallest two-story floor plan, includes a large walk-in closet and bathroom in the owner suite, and larger-sized secondary bedrooms. The spacious kitchen allows room for an island and the dining room will comfortably fit the whole family for holiday meals.

Building a new home has become a reality to more people than ever before, Maurie Jones, Senior Vice President of Marketing, said. With interest rates at historic lows and low numbers of existing homes for sale, families are looking at new construction as an option. Both the Savannah and Albany come with a smaller footprint but designed with todays families in mind an open floorplan that feels spacious and roomy at a very affordable price.

Both the Albany and the Savannah are available in four exterior elevations, including the Classic, Craftsman, Farmhouse, and Tradition elevations.

For more information about building a custom home with Wayne Homes and the Albany or the Savannah, please visit WayneHomes.com.

About Wayne Homes

Wayne Homes is a custom home builder in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia (see all Model Home Centers). We offer over 50 fully customizable floor plans and a team dedicated to providing the best experience in the home building industry. For more information, Ask Julie, our online sales team, by live chat or call us at (866) 253-6807.

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Wayne Homes Releases Two New Floor Plans, the Albany and the Savannah - PR Web

New commercial

5G SMALL CELL: 200 Energy Parkway, Lafayette; AT&T Small Wireless Facility, owner; Karen Douglass / Mastec, applicant; Joseph Ted Lyons Construction LLC, contractor; $8,000.

MEDICAL OFFICE:204 Crescent Ranch Blvd., Lafayette; Lafayette Dental Office, owner; description, site development and shell; Tarr Group LLC, applicant; Sahene Construction LLC, contractor: $275,895.

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MEDICAL OFFICE: 2807 Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette; Dr. Opal Office, owner; NCM Contractors Inc., applicant and contractor; $20,000.

OFFICE BUILDING: 201 Energy Pakway, Lafayette; Jeremiah Supple, owner; description, adding wall with double door on third floor; Joseph Ted Lyons Construction LLC, applicant and contractor; $8,000.

SWIMMING POOL: 2201 Verot School Road, Lafayette; The Vincent, owner and applicant; BH Shreve LLC, contractor; $180,362.

100 Kingfisher Drive, Lafayette;Clifton Bolgiano; $396,000.

122 San Sebastian Drive, Youngsville; Signature Series Homes Inc.; $189,000.

118 San Sebastian Drive, Youngsville; Signature Series Homes Inc.; $184,500.

625 Elysian Fields Drive, Lafayette; Greatwood Homes LLC; $580,500.

419 Red Robin Trail, Lafayette; Alrefaey, Haky & Mariam; $369,000.

214 Harvest Creek Lane, Lafayette; Acadiana Dream Home LLC; $301,500.

614 Greyford Drive, Lafayette Parish; South Louisiana Custom Homes LLC; $378,000.

110 Wilmington St., Lafayette; DSLD LLC; $315,000.

414 Atmos Energy Drive, Lafayette; DSLD LLC; $234,000.

412 Atmos Energy Drive, Lafayette; DSLD LLC; $288,000.

400 Atmos Energy Drive, Lafayette; DSLD LLC; $315,000.

104 Grassy Meadows Lane, Lafayette; DSLD LLC; $319,500.

102 Tracewood Bend, Lafayette; Shivers Brothers Construction; $256,500.

110 Spider Lily Lane, Lafayette; DSLD LLC; $238,500.

205 Spider Lily Lane, Lafayette; DSLD LLC; $229,500.

117 Gable Crest Drive, Lafayette; Manuel Builders; $225,000.

103 Bird Of Paradise Lane, Lafayette; DSLD LLC; $243,000.

127 Wild Cherry Lane, Lafayette; DSLD LLC; $252,000.

100 Cezanne Drive, A, Rayne; Jay Castille Construction Inc.; $193,500.

415 Atmos Energy Drive, Lafayette; DSLD LLC; $265,500.

107 Wilmington St., Lafayette; DSLD LLC; $229,500.

100 Tall Meadows Lane, Lafayette; DSLD LLC; $207,000.

100 Cezanne Drive, Rayne; Jay Castille Construction Inc.; $193,500.

425 Langlinais Road, Youngsville; Jeff Wood Construction LLC; $580,500.

1766 Sawmill Highway, Breaux Bridge; Manuel Builders; $247,500.

1428 Ridge Road, Duson; Devin Alleman; $85,000.

118 Fair Grounds Drive, Lafayette; Peter Nguyen; $346,500.

118 Cherrywood Drive, Lafayette; Lancaster Construction LLC; $292,500.

211 Gable Crest Drive, Lafayette; Manuel Builders; $202,500.

206 Durke Road, Lafayette; Manuel Builders; $193,500.

207 Greyford Drive, Lafayette Parish; Acadiana Home Builders LLC; $459,000.

107 Red Deer Lane, Broussard; DSLD Homes LLC; $207,849.

116 Lillian St., Broussard; DSLD Homes LLC; $289,917.

294 Canary Palm Way, Broussard; Van Alan Homes LLC; $256,842.

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A California-based manufacturer will open operations in north Lafayette in a $5.1 million investment that will create 67 jobs at an average sa

Target plans to increase the number of Black employees by 20% throughout the company over the next three years, company officials said Thursda

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Keep Louisiana Beautiful has elected as its board chair Samantha Bonnette, a marketing and development manager for the Shreve Memorial Library

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Who's building where in Lafayette? Here are the building permits issued for Aug. 31-Sept. 4 - The Advocate

HGTVs Hidden Potential is a home improvement series that follows home builder and designer Jasmine Roth as she instills joy and satisfaction in the mundane lives of several families by putting the extra in ordinary cookie-cutter houses. Throughout the show, we see Jasmine working her magic to make sure all the houses she works on, stand out from the rest in their own unique way. By following the DIY concept, the designer transforms suburban houses of indistinctive designs into custom dream homes.

To map out a plan for the abodes, the fitness instructor turned home builder uses her creativity, imagination, and experience that she has garnered over seven years of being in the business. She often puts quaint and fancy twists like a hidden bar behind a bookcase or a dog cave to surprise her clients. Since its inception in 2018, the home renovation series has spawned over three seasons. Naturally, many of you must be wondering about the filming location of Hidden Potential. Well, we have got you covered!

Jasmine Roth, the supremely talented host of the series, grabbed the attention of the producers through all the pictures and videos on her social media accounts, which reflect her hard work and determination to beautify lack-luster homes. Unlike several HGTV shows, this one doesnt chronicle around the country but is based in Roths native itself California. Yes, the show is extensively filmed in the Golden State in the U.S. Here is the specific location where it is shot!

Jasmine Roth, her husband of seven years, Brett Roth, and their adorable little daughter Hazel, live in the seaside city of Huntington Beach, in Orange County, Southern California. All the seasons of the aesthetically appealing series are set in the Surf City, where Roths home and business are located. Huntington Beach is the most populous beach city in Orange County, which helps Roth get more clients for her home improvement company, Built Custom Homes.

Initially, the production company wanted to base the show around beach houses. However, that didnt pan out once they learned the time frame of the completion of one beach build. So, here we are! For filming, the production team moves to the location of the project in Huntington Beach. Filming a season usually takes six months, i.e., 12 hours a day into six days a week. In season 1, Roth deals with 13 houses, while in season 2, we see her transforming 17 homes.

Most of the artwork and custom furniture are either made-to-order or bought from local artisans in the area. To capture all the candid and insightful moments, the filming team puts cameras in Roths car, house, and backyard. It basically follows her every move as she talks to the families and tries to create a customized dream home based on their desires.

Read More:Best Home Improvement Shows on Netflix

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Where is Hidden Potential Filmed? HGTV Show Filming Locations - The Cinemaholic

LISTING OF THE DAY

Location: La Jolla, California

Price: $22 million

When Tyler Jones, founder and CEO of Blue Heron, a Las Vegas-based custom home builder, decided to branch out of Southern Nevada, his homing instincts brought him directly to La Jolla, a California beach community where he spent many happy childhood summers.

Our approach to building is to create a living environment thats connected to nature and makes people feel good while pushing the design envelope, Mr. Jones said. This lot offered a thrilling inspiration to be able to see all the way to Point Loma to the south for energy and to look straight west into the ocean for calm.

The design of every space in the house was totally driven by the view, Mr. Jones said.

More: Matthew Perry Looks to Unload His $15 Million Malibu House

We also wanted to be respectful of the neighborhood, which doesnt want a lot of mansions that block the view of the ocean from pedestrians, Mr. Jones said. One of our signature elements is to create a long entry sequence for our homes, so we created privacy with a stone and glass wall that also allows you to see straight through the home to the ocean.

The contemporary architecture of the house includes lightwells that vertically connect all four levels to provide natural light to the rooms. Two glass bridges connect the front and back of the house, while terraces provide space for relaxing, dining and entertaining on three levels. Fully retractable walls on the main level provide seamless indoor-outdoor space overlooking the waves.

We deliberately designed the interior to be soothing, relaxing and timeless to let the space make the connection to the outdoors, Mr. Jones said. We want the house to offer a compelling four-dimensional experience that speaks to all the senses.

More: Lachlan Murdoch Buys $14.1 Million Los Angeles Home of Model Cheryl Tiegs

Natural elements indoors and on the terraces, meant to complement the natural power of the ocean, include fireplaces, fire pits and an infinity-edge lap pool that spills into two interior water features.

Biophilic design makes humans comfortable, so we deliberately integrated these natural elements with the sound of water and the long view of the ocean, which makes people feel safe, Mr. Jones said. Our goal was to make this house a multisensory experience that speaks to each person on an emotional level.

The third-floor primary suite features walls of glass that open onto a private oceanfront terrace.

For extra entertaining space, Mr. Jones opted to add a basement level with unexpected indoor-outdoor space including a living area that can be opened to the sky, a bar, a wine cellar and a media room with a game table that can be fully opened to the outdoors with corner glass pocket doors. The rooftop terrace, high above the Pacific, can be reached by a high-speed elevator to whisk guests from the wine cellar to the covered dining area.

More: Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber Selling Beverly Hills Home

Stats

This seaside single-family home has 6,884 square feet of interior space with four bedrooms, four full bathrooms and two partial bathrooms. The four-level house includes more than 3,000 square feet of outdoor living space.

Amenities

Amenities include an outdoor lap pool with waterfalls to create indoor water features, a rooftop hot tub, four indoor and outdoor fireplaces, a media room with a game table, a wine cellar, a wet bar and a private elevator.

Neighborhood Notes

Sea Ridge is part of the Bird Rock community in La Jolla, about 10 miles north of San Diego.

Bird Rock is within a short drive of one of the best known surfing locations in Southern California and recreational amenities including beaches, hiking trails and the Torrey Pines Golf Course. Also nearby is the picturesque village of La Jolla, art galleries, award-winning restaurants, downtown San Diego and institutions such as the Scripps Coastal Reserve and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies.

Agent: Brett Dickerson, Pacific Sothebys International Realty

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A New Contemporary House in California Clings to the Cliffs Overlooking the Pacific - Mansion Global

Among the tools Mr. Vitrofsky uses in his work: air-purification systems that remove impurities, pathogens and (for a steeper price) particles that carry viruses; custom water filters based on local aquifer data; and dawn-simulation lighting that mimics natural sunlight.

Most of Mr. Vitrofskys clients are wealthy, but his companys packages start as low as $2,500 for a simple installation that includes basic lighting, air and water monitoring with Darwin technology. From there, the prices climb exponentially.

Mr. Feirstein, who hired HEDSouth to customize the technology in his home, spent around $300,000. Doug got the best in class of everything, Mr. Vitrofsky said.

Since the onset of the pandemic, Mr. Vitrofsky said, he has seen interest in his companys services more than double. Whole Foods is wellness, Smartwater is wellness, Equinox gym is wellness everybody has taken this wellness term to try to sell their product, he said. But nobody was talking about wellness on its own. Now the whole world is focused on being healthy, on not wanting to die.

In Florida, the epicenter of real-estate wellness, some developments are taking health tracking a step further by building homes with private on-site health care. CC Homes, a builder in South Florida, last month announced a partnership with Baptist Health South Florida. Residents of two of its communities, Canarias at Downtown Doral and Maple Ridge at Ave Maria, will receive telemedicine services from Baptist doctors through a health kit that includes HD cameras and infrared thermometers that will check on ears, noses, eyes and lungs, all from within their own homes.

And in downtown Miami, the Legacy Hotel and Residences will include an on-site, AI-powered medical diagnostics center to track residents health using body scanning, posture analysis, blood work and more.

As a society, were pretty consistently being told that technology and wearables will produce data about us, and what you can track you can change, said Noah Waxman, the founder of Cactus, the company building out Legacys diagnostics center. Spaces and places like this one are only becoming more desirable. Because there is no way that in the next five years your phone will be able to do what this diagnostic center can do.

For weekly email updates on residential real estate news, sign up here. Follow us on Twitter: @nytrealestate.

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Meet the New Caregiver: Your Home - The New York Times

The Weekend Edition is pulled from the daily Stansberry Digest.

New buildings are appearing in many suburban backyards...

They look something like this...

It's not quite a gardening shed and not quite a pool house, either... It's a home-office pod.

It includes just enough space for a desk and a chair, as well as some walking room and natural light... kind of like those "tiny houses" that became all the rage starting a few years ago.

Except this is a getaway from your house. It's a place to work in our "stay at home" pandemic times.

Construction of these new buildings is a certifiable trend, as the Chicago Tribune noted last month...

Tiny house builders and garden shed manufacturers across the country are pivoting to create home office structures that range from compact, prefabricated deluxe sheds to more elaborate custom designs. And business is booming.

"A soon as the quarantine and having to work from home started, the requests for our sheds doubled," said Brennan Deitsch, online marketing manager for Heartland Sheds. "A lot of people never really had their home set up as an office, so having a quiet place allows them to make the most of the work-from-home lifestyle," he said.

Have you been working at home longer than you thought you would be?

We have. I would be lying if I said I didn't think we'd be back in the office for at least a few days a week by now.

Don't get me wrong, working from home if you can has its perks... starting with the simple fact that I have a regular-paying job that allows me to think big and share what all of our Stansberry Research editors are saying each and every day.

However, productivity and morale considerations aside, it would be nice to simply get out more during the day. Maybe it's just me, but I'd prefer to see the familiar faces of coworkers instead of interacting through e-mails and video chats.

Everyone has their own feelings about our new work world, and there's plenty to discuss on this topic in the months ahead.

We speak from an office-worker perspective today, but the point is... remote work isn't going away anytime soon.

All things considered, we're fortunate at Stansberry Research...

First off, I'm healthy, and I have a job. But not everyone has been so lucky.

More than 190,000 Americans have reportedly died from COVID-19. The disease is the third-largest cause of deaths in the U.S. this year with four months to go... trailing only heart disease and cancer.

And of course, the pandemic and government shutdowns have taken their economic toll as well. They've shuttered many physical businesses like retailers and restaurants for good... and have limited regular business for so many others.

At least 18 million Americans who say they want a job right now don't have one. And nearly half of all work-eligible Americans don't have a job, either by choice or by necessity.

We're hearing all kinds of stories about people and families adjusting to kids going back to school (or not), offices closing (or not), and jobs coming back (or not).

COVID-19 has left a lasting mark on the economy. Life is different.

And of course, none of this has done anything to ease the brick-and-mortar retail "apocalypse"...

We saw it on display at a single shopping center in suburban Baltimore. At one end, home-improvement retailer Home Depot (HD) had giant orange letters We're Hiring! painted on its front windows.

Just a few stores away, Modell's Sporting Goods one of the dozens of nationwide retailers that has filed for bankruptcy over the past few months was selling literally everything in the store for at least an 80% discount.

And when I say it was selling everything, I mean it... down to the cash registers, mannequins, tape dispensers, and employee lockers.

If you're not an "essential" business, you're in trouble...

Why "go to Mo's" when you can buy the same sporting goods online and get free shipping (in many cases)?

Take food as another example... We all need it. But we can eat at home, too.

So online ordering and curbside pickup have become normal... Yet at the same time, more and more restaurants killed by customers' reluctance to sit among strangers during an airborne virus pandemic have been closing down for good.

On the other hand, if you're an "essential" part of these essential businesses, you're doing quite well...

That might sound confusing at first, but here's what we mean...

In today's world, data is the new oil. That means the companies that control data, including cloud-based vendors and storage companies, are the new pipelines and oil fields.

As our colleague Alan Gula wrote in the August issue of our flagship Stansberry's Investment Advisory newsletter, one area of technology that many of our editors love is Software as a Service ("SaaS")...

This type of software lets you order food from a local restaurant... or connect to your company's networks and do business around the world from your house or even a shed in the backyard.

As we've written in the past, DocuSign (DOCU) is one of our favorite SaaS companies. The company, which sells e-signature software, has more than tripled since the Investment Advisory recommendation in November last year.

Not only are SaaS businesses practical for the user, they're incredibly capital-efficient and a "win-win" business model for software vendors and customers. As Alan wrote in August's Investment Advisory issue...

For customers, it lowers costs they don't need to pay a large, upfront perpetual license fee, buy expensive computer hardware, pay to have the software deployed, and then pay a "maintenance" fee on top of all that. Under the SaaS model, there's just one regular subscription fee, and software updates and upgrades are automatic and seamless.

For the software vendors, cloud-based application hosting creates economies of scale. There's also only one software version to support since the upgrades occur behind the scenes on the vendor's servers.

In short, the SaaS model is superior to the perpetual license model. SaaS software is cheaper and easier to get up and running. It attracts many more new customers. And good SaaS businesses tend to have high renewal rates, leading to lots of recurring revenue.

All of these factors have led to explosive revenue growth.

Today, the five biggest tech companies account for 25% of the S&P 500 Index...

By market cap, Microsoft (MSFT), Amazon (AMZN), Google parent Alphabet (GOOGL), Apple (AAPL), and Facebook (FB) constitute roughly one-fourth of the benchmark U.S. index.

Think about that... Overall, the index is just about breakeven for the year. And those five stocks are up an average of 44% in 2020.

This performance surely doesn't say much for the other 495 stocks in the index... But it does prove that tech stocks continue to thrive. And today, a lot of the major tech companies are cloud companies in one way or another.

The biggest SaaS player is Adobe (ADBE), which switched from a license model to a SaaS approach back in 2013... Its stock price is up more than 850% since the move.

But there are dozens of other "pure play" companies in the SaaS world that have outperformed even the biggest tech stocks over the years.

As Alan wrote in the August issue of the Investment Advisory...

We consider 59 public companies "pure play" SaaS businesses. We've created an equal-weight composite of these stocks, called the Stansberry SaaS Composite.

Take a look at how it has performed this year compared with the overall market and the Nasdaq...

The Stansberry SaaS Composite is crushing both. It's up an astounding 64% this year... more than double the Nasdaq. And that's during a global pandemic.

In short, SaaS technology has become "mission critical" for thousands of companies...

And the footprint of the technology will only grow in the years ahead.

Change, especially changing the behavior of so many people, can be hard... But once that change is made, it can be even harder to convince people to go back and do something the way they did before.

In this case, a virus forced massive changes in the way we work and do business...

And now, there's no putting the "genie back in the bottle." People are putting up their own "work sheds" in their backyards. Cloud vendors and SaaS companies are bringing in piles of cash. The future is here. There's no turning back now.

All the best,

Corey McLaughlin

Editor's note: The push for "togetherness while apart" has the SaaS sector riding a wave of wealth... Because of increased work-from-home setups and accelerated demand for technology worldwide, we believe SaaS stocks are set to soar by 1,000% or more. And one stock in particular is positioned to skyrocket 3,000% long term. Get all the details right here.

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The Future Is in the Cloud... And There's No Turning Back - DailyWealth

First it was toilet paper, now its lumber, which is suddenly elusive and very expensive due to surging demand and COVID-related supply-chain disruptions.

This summer, Steve Rendine watched boards of pressure-treated decking in his Smithfield lumber yard disappear like the most recognizable symbol of COVID-19 scarcity.

Its similar to what happened with toilet paper, except the process to make toilet paper is much easier than lumber, Rendine, the general manager at Douglas Lumber, said. Theres panic buying. Stuff gets snapped up at prices that, realistically, three months from now will be astronomically expensive.

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Like the toilet paper shortage that perplexed Americans in the first two months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the more recent lumber shortage caught many by surprise and has been difficult to remedy.

On Friday, lumber futures hit yet another record high, more than double the price at the start of the year, but locally many people would be willing to pay more if they could find product to buy.

What we are seeing is historic in a number of ways, from pricing to availability, Rendine said.

Builders like Tim Stasiunas, of Stasiunas Construction in Charlestown, are sending trucks out of state in search of building materials, understanding that hell be paying more than usual for what they find.

For me, it is causing a lot of headaches, Stasiunas said Friday. We have an exposure of thousands of dollars of loss per house we are building, because we are locked into contracts signed six and seven months ago.

So what happened to all the wood?

Rendine calls it a perfect storm of problems that started with President Donald Trumps 20% tariff on Canadian softwood lumber, which raised prices on a source New England relied on.

Then when COVID-19 landed on American shores, mills and building materials producers like counterparts in many industries ratcheted operations down as the economy went into hibernation.

But unlike in other markets, Americans never pulled back on real estate or home improvement spending. In fact, being stuck at home encouraged many people to redirect resources they used to spend on restaurant meals and travel into improving their living space.

Ramping up production at sawmills and factories was much harder than slowing it down. Some workers got COVID. Others were forced to quarantine, and measures to prevent the spread of the virus slowed output.

As with toilet paper, once shortages began, hoarders gobbled up whatever was left. And because wood is a commodity, speculators swooped in, sensing a market opportunity.

The first thing to start drying up was pressure-treated lumber, used on outdoor structures like decks, and other wood products that involve manufacturing, Rendine said. The price of pressure-treated lumber went up 250% at one point, he said, and plywood went up by 130%.

Once boards and wood became scarce, it had a knock-on effect on other building materials, such as engineered panels, windows and doors. And contractors unable to find pressure-treated boards snapped up composite decking.

What should contractors or homeowners with a big DIY project on tap do?

If you can wait, wait, Rendine said. At some point this year, there is going to be a market correction, and it will go down faster than it went up. That may not happen until theres a vaccine. I would advise anyone, unless they have to build now, not to build right now.

Although having inventory fly off the shelves as soon as it comes in, even at higher prices, is generally a good thing for business, Rendine said he fears the long-term impact if the shortage continues and projects are canceled.

John Marcantonio, executive director of the Rhode Island Builders Association, said the strong residential real estate market is helping the economy bounce back, and he worries the lumber shortage could slow the recovery.

Demand for residential construction is higher than it has been in years, he said. With the concern about nursing homes, people are keeping grandma home and doing the multi-generational thing, so they build [accessory dwelling units.] And people are working from home instead of the office, and I think some part of that is going to be permanent.

Stasiunas says the jump in lumber prices is unlikely to damage the high end of the market, where a $20,000 to $30,000 increase in materials wont derail a $1-million custom home.

But the middle range of the market $400,000 to $600,000 houses built without a specific buyer might not be as desirable. And the subsidized affordable market could really slow down if this continues, Stasiunas said.

I think we are in this for a while, he said.

panderson@providencejournal.com

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Whered the wood go? Lumber is the latest COVID victim - The Providence Journal

Real EstatePublished: Thursday, 10 September 2020 12:29 Joanne Wallenstein

A huge week for home sales in Scarsdale, with homes sold ranging in price from $850,000 to $4,600,000. The hot market is yielding many sales at prices that are wildly divergent from their assessed values. See below for homes that sold for more than $1mm less or $1 mm more than their assessed values.

Sales

6 Overlook Road: A complete suburban oasis you will never want to leave with sophisticated style in prime Fox Meadow location walk to all! Enter through the light filled gallery with views of the stunning vacation like property complete with pool and Jacuzzi, loggia for entertaining, outdoor kitchen, shower, and over half an acre of exquisite mature gardens and space for play and gracious living. The epitome of chic lifestyle follows you from the sunken living room to the fabulous open kitchen with custom banquette into the great room with floor to ceiling windows next to family room perfection. The exquisite dining room, library with fireplace, and elegant powder room finish off the first floor. The second floor boasts a beautiful master suite overlooking the property along with four more bedrooms and three full bathrooms. The walkout basement features another large media area with a wall of windows, exercise area, flex office/room with full bath, immaculate mudroom, large laundry room, and storage galore.

Sale Price: $4,600,000Real Estate Taxes: $83,221Assessed Value: $3,350,000

21 Sherbrooke Road: This extraordinary Colonial, located on a tranquil cul-de-sac in the heart of the Murray Hill Estate area, had a spectacular renovation and two story addition designed by award winning architect Roger Bartels and completed in 2011. This sun-drenched trophy home has high ceilings, large banks of windows and floor to ceiling doors overlooking 1.55 acres of professionally landscaped private property with room for a pool. Some of the many special features are: Kitchen: curly maple cabinets, professional stainless appliances, granite and stainless steel counters, two Sub Zero refrigerators and freezers, 2 custom islands, Open floor plan, Master suites on each level, Living Room: 22' cathedral ceiling, solid stainless decorative beams, California stucco masonry fireplace, 8 zone Hydro Air/ CAC, central humidifier, M&S intercom throughout house, 4 masonry fireplace's, laundry on 2nd floor and basement, 3 car attached heated garage. This premier Murray Hill estate with its exquisite architectural detail and light-filled spaces is the perfect home for living and entertaining.

Sale Price: $3,631,750Real Estate Taxes: $114,787Assessed Value: $4,725,000

6 Rocky Hollow Drive: Estate living in this eight-bedroom, Shingle-style home set on 1.15 park like acres with mature plantings, an infinity pool with hot tub, built-in gas grill and much privacy. The perfect home for everyday living and entertaining. This quality constructed luxury home is an entertainer's dream, with nicely proportioned rooms, oversized windows streaming with sunlight, a chef's kitchen with island and breakfast room. Some additional features include wainscoting throughout, brick accent floors, coffered ceilings, three stately stone fireplaces, several french doors for easy access to the sunny decks overlooking the property, vast lawns and perennial cutting gardens. Six bedrooms and five bathrooms on the second floor and an enviable lower level equipped with a rock climbing wall, play areas, gym, kitchenette, cabana area w/ shower, bedroom w/ bath.

Sale Price: $3,100,000Real Estate Taxes: $108,069Assessed Value: $4,565,000

19 Overlook Road: Welcome to this refined and genteel home in the heart of Fox Meadow, situated on a perfect, level .59 of an acre. With six-bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths and a superb flow from interior to exterior rooms, porch, patios and specimen gardens, this home encompasses the design sensibilities and tastes of the modern buyer and homeowner. Enter through the spacious front door to the welcoming foyer, relax in the 30 x 17 foot living room with fireplace and doors to the screened-in porch. Tucked away and surrounded by year round greenery, enjoy the romance of a stone patio off the living room. The oak library has new windows, the kitchen has light streaming through the new slider adjoining the lovely breakfast room with a door to the bluestone covered walkway to the driveway. So many delightful surprises: walk-in china closet, silver and cedar closets, four fireplaces, two pair of staircases, and laundry chute. Major upgrades include: Vermont Slate roof, copper gutters, leaders and snow guards, extensive landscape designed by Renee Buyers (specimen trees, plantings) hardscape (stone terraces, bluestone walkways).

Sale Price: $2,375,000Real Estate Taxes: $82,599Assessed Value: $3,325,000

86 Catherine Road: Perfectly placed on over half an acre in a prime Heathcote location. This beautiful 5 bedroom home warmly welcomes you as you enter into a grand two story foyer. A smart layout is perfect for today's lifestyle where every room is just where you would expect it. An oversized eat in kitchen with skylights and floor to ceiling windows with views of the yard. Connecting family room with stone fireplace and access to the deck and flat park like property. Upstairs are three generously sized family bedrooms, one with en-suite bath. A large master bedroom suite with dressing room and marble bath. Separate fifth bedroom is conveniently located off the back stairs.

Sale Price: $2,270,000Real Estate Taxes: $48,664Assessed Value: $1,950,000

79 Walworth: Fabulous, freshly updated Colonial on sought after Walworth Avenue, only a short walk to Metro North express train and shops, in the heart of Greenacres. The owner has just renovated the kitchen, refinished all the floors, painted the entire interior, and carpeted the lower level! The first level features a double height entry foyer, formal living and dining room, gorgeous eat-in-kitchen with brand new Miele stainless appliances, quartz counters, glass tile backsplash and sliding doors to the deck, adjacent spacious family room with fireplace, powder room, mudroom, laundry room, guest bedroom with full ensuite bath and attached 2 car garage. The second level boasts an impressive master suite with two walk-in closets and a luxurious master bath, bedroom with ensuite bath and two more bedrooms with a large hall bath. The expansive lower level has 10 foot ceilings, a huge rec room, gym and bedroom with full bath. Relax on the deck, play soccer in the yard and enjoy all Scarsdale has to offer.

Sale Price: $2,225,000Real Estate Taxes: $37,774Assessed Value: $1,525,000

17 Hillview Drive: This beautifully renovated and maintained home is set on a half-acre of private property in a sought-after neighborhood, just a short walk to Crossway playground and tennis courts, the Scarsdale Municipal Pool Complex, Boulder Brook riding stables, the Little School Nursery School, the Five Corners shopping area with Balducci's, and one block to the commuter bus to the Scarsdale Metro North Train station.The first level features a formal living room with fireplace, screened porch, dining room, renovated eat-in-kitchen and a fabulous adjacent family room with doors to patio, powder room, back stairs, laundry/mud room/pantry and two car attached garage. The second level boasts a fantastic master suite with a luxurious bath, sunny terrace, wet bar with fridge and cozy sitting room/office, two bedrooms with ensuite baths, and two bedrooms with hall bath. Lower level includes a great playroom and second laundry. Dine outside on the patio all summer and enjoy the level, fully fenced private property!

Sale Price: $2,125,000Real Estate Taxes: $41,071Assessed Value: $1,650,00016 Lincoln Road: Uniquely private and move in ready, this 5 bedroom 3.2 bath Heathcote Colonial has a wonderful layout for gracious living inside and out! Expanded and updated in 2016, this spacious home has great flow for entertaining, features an elegant living room with fireplace and a generous formal dining room. Gourmet eat-in kitchen is a chef's delight with a large center island, custom cabinetry, gas cooktop, twin ovens and dishwashers. Kitchen includes a breakfast area and desk, is entirely open to the spacious family room and flows seamlessly to garden, mudroom, two car garage, and a home office set off by French doors. Second floor features spacious master suite with built-ins and bath with separate tub and shower, three spacious bedrooms with great closets, and hall bath and the fifth bedroom suite with vaulted ceiling and spectacular bath. Large basement. Beautiful patio and gardens.

Sale Price: $2,000,000Real Estate Taxes: $38,295Assessed Value: $1,538,500

20 Donellan Road: Fabulous Greenacres Mediterranean. The heart of this gorgeous home features a phenomenal gourmet kitchen boasting custom cabinetry, granite countertops, Thermador double wall ovens, warming drawer, oversized SubZero refrigerator, SubZero refrigerator drawers, 2 Miele dishwashers, Wolf 6 burner range and 2 SubZero 48 bottle wine refrigerators! Every chef's dream kitchen! This enormous eat in kitchen, opens onto a bright and sunny family room. The second floor boasts a beautiful master suite with glamorous marble bathroom, as well as a spacious walk in closet. There are three additional generous bedrooms and a hall bath. With a completely new roof, as well as 3 new air conditioning units, this house is move in ready!

Sale Price: $1,705,000Real Estate Taxes: $39,126Assessed Value: $1,575,000

5 Ridgecrest North: Stylish & modern colonial nestled in Scarsdale's idyllic Greenacres. Completely renovated in 2017, you will fall in love with this thoughtfully designed residence located less than a mile from the train station and elementary school. Perfect for stylish entertaining, the spacious open layout features expansive living spaces including an incredible family room w/ property views and custom bar area! The oversized family room also opens to the eat-in kitchen w/ breakfast area & doors to the patio, backyard & outdoor firepit. The formal dining room, modern powder room w/a floating vanity, mudroom w/access to a dog run and attached garage complete the 1st level. The 2nd level includes a large & luxurious master suite with 2 oversized custom walk-in closets, ensuite master bath w/ his-and-her sinks, soaking tub & separate glass-enclosed shower, and 3 additional bedrooms, a full hall bath, plus an office. The basement features a playroom, half bath, wine room & laundry. Flat park-like backyard.

Sale Price: $1,605,000Real Estate Taxes: $27,435Assessed Value: $1,153,875

6 Penny Lane: Pool, property and privacy! This stunning, renovated Colonial in the Edgemont School District sits on a beautiful .39 acre with a heated gunite pool, hot tub and plenty of level extra property perfect for today's living. The gorgeous new gourmet kitchen has custom white cabinets, high-end stainless appliances, quartz counters, breakfast bar, built-in banquet and doors out to deck. The redone master suite has a large custom walk-in closet, built-ins and a luxurious master bath. Some of the other special features include: 2013 addition of first floor bedroom/office with full bath, mud room, laundry room all just a few steps up from kitchen and near garage; automatic pool cover, new pump and filter; replaced roof, gutters, heating and air conditioning; renovation to all baths; additional 900 square feet in lower level with door out to property has unbelievable potential for gym, office and recreation room

Sale Price: $1,550,000Real Estate Taxes: $38,466Assessed Value: $1,135,200

239 Mamaroneck Road: Be the first to own this sun drenched new construction in sought after Scarsdale! Everything above the foundation is brand new. The flexible floor plan can be worked to fit your individual lifestyle. Main floor master suite is sure to please with 2 huge walk in closets/white marble bath. Huge Chef's kitchen with a massive quartz island to entertain at least 8 comfortably/Monogram appliances, Pella glass sliders lead to 12x22 Mahogany deck steps down to lush level backyard(.30 acre) room for a pool. 100x130 property. Pella Windows, 3 1/4" hardwood floors through out,6 1/2 "crown molding in every room, wood burning/optional gas fireplace,96% high efficiency hydro air heating/3zones. 2 car garage. Each room is wired with it own sound system. All windows and doors are hardwired and first floor motion sensors on alarm system.

Sale Price: $1,499,000Real Estate Taxes: $32,000Assessed Value: $925,000

34 Graham Road: Modern conveniences blend with old world charm in this storybook five-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath home. A short walk to Heathcote school, Five Corners, bus to train and more, this delightful home is nestled on a gorgeous, level .31 acre lot (110feet X 125 feet) with mature plantings and garden. The entrance foyer opens to the spacious living room with random width pegged oak floors, and ceiling beams. The gourmet kitchen features a two story beamed eating area, a suite of Bosch appliances including a 5 burner gas cooktop and French doors to the patio. Accented by arched doorways are the spacious dining room with ceiling beams and office/computer area/den with front facing windows. A few steps up lead to two generous bedrooms and hall bath, and then a few more steps up to the master bedroom suite with vaulted ceiling and another bedroom with ensuite bath. Storage in attic from master bedroom. The lower levels feature a new family room, fifth bedroom with full bathroom, television area, laundry room, mudroom, wine cellar, and garage.

Sale Price: $1,193,000Real Estate Taxes: $24,598Assessed Value: $1,000,000

25 Cushman Road: Charming house welcomes you to the perfect setting of easy living. Relax on the large covered porch with its rustic stone pillars surrounded by flowering plants. Enter the centrally air conditioned home to find a cozy living room, dining room with stone fireplace and a beautifully renovated kitchen with granite counter tops and rich wood cabinets. The large windows bring in abundant sunshine. A full bath and laundry room complete the downstairs. The second level includes three large bedrooms plus an office, and full bath. 3rd floor has potential for a 4th bedroom, as the finished space already has heat, central a/c, 3 sunny dormer windows, hardwood floors, a sink, and plumbing for a potential full bath. Located on .17 acre of flat, serene property in one of Heathcote's most desirable estate neighborhoods, this special home offers plenty of upside potential.

Sale Price: $1,030,000Real Estate Taxes: $27,326Assessed Value: $1,100,000

19 Edgemont Circle: First time on market. Lovingly lived in, maintained, updated, and now ready to welcome new buyers. Positioned on a cul- de-sac, surrounded by mature trees, plantings, and lush green grass, this home presents a private haven while close to all-- schools, shops, downtown Scarsdale, and the metro north train station. Featuring custom kitchen cabinetry by Rutt, Wolf gas cook top, Thermador wall oven & microwave, sub zero refrigerator /freezer, tile floor, modern renovated baths, wood floors throughout, and a family room that opens out onto the patio and the awesome side yard. Versatile open floor plan. Additional 589 Sq. feet in the family room level. Easy living and a great flow from room to room.

Sale Price: $937,500Real Estate Taxes: $31,152Assessed Value: $984,300

3 Crossway: This very spacious sun-filled split level home features central air, redone hardwood floors, and renovated kitchen with a new refrig and baths. The third floor's very large room is multi-purpose with additional storage and a bathroom. The attic was recently painted, has new window sills and newly finished walls. The lower level/basement has a large playroom, bedroom and bath with a door to the side property. The open floor plan is perfect for entertaining. Enjoy outdoor activities in the large private backyard and a barbecue on the deck Living room floors were recently refinished.

Sale Price: $905,000Real Estate Taxes: $26,704Assessed Value: $1,125,000

88 Palmer Avenue: Four bedrooms on the same floor, plus CAC, plus an attached 2-car garage! This house is a must-see. New master bathroom has marble wall/floor tiles; Beautifully refinished wood floors on 1st; Kitchen has new stainless steel appliances, new glass tile backsplash, and new flooring; Lower level family room with new flooring and new French doors that open to the backyard; New fixtures in lower level powder room; New thermal-pane windows throughout. In addition, the entire house has been repainted, both inside and out. The level backyard has a gazebo for entertaining, plus a patio for your barbeque grille. The attached 2-car garage offers additional storage area. Enjoy the Japanese maple tree featured in the front yard.

Sale Price: $850,000Real Estate Taxes: $23,024Assessed Value: $925,000

Featured Listings

2 Harvest DriveScarsdale, NY

Luxurious, chic, modern, custom-built five-year young dream home. Bask in an ingenious layout, one that handily creates this grand, yet intimate residence. The open, airy flow of rooms, high ceilings and compelling natural light is unrivaled. Enter the two-story paneled hallway and immediately appreciate the clean and thoughtful lines of this 6551 square foot, seven-bedroom, six-and-a-half bathroom home. Highlights of this stylish home include a sun-filled family room leading to ultimate state-of-the-art kitchen, high-end appliances, a large island with two inch thick Mount Blanc countertop, marble accented butlers pantry/wine refrigerator, master suite/tray ceiling, two walk-in closets, a spa-like master bath with walk-in shower and soaking tub, four en-suite bedrooms, laundry room on second floor, lower level with gym area, au-pair bedroom, bath and room for wine cellar, with full house generator. Endless custom finishes: all closets and cabinetry, 2.25 inch custom front door. Built by one of Scarsdale's finest builders - not only is there room for a pool, the sellers have filed the permits! This home is sited upon a picturesque piece of property, in an ideal location walkable to Five Corners shopping area, Crossway Field and the Scarsdale pool complex. Learn more here:

List Price: $3,168,000

40 Park RoadScarsdale, NY

Exquisite custom built, modern home on 2.45 acres with pool and tennis court. True California feel with perfect infusion of natural materials and light make for a wonderful balance of indoor/outdoor living. A welcoming alee of beautifully pruned hornbeam trees welcome your entrance and continue in the backyard. Portuguese Bateig Azul stone throughout the exterior and outdoor living spaces. A spectacular open entertaining first floor draws your eye to the backyard through custom 12' steel French doors. Limestone floors (with radiant heat) flow from the kitchen/family room out to the patio/pool area. High-gloss ebony oak and limestone floors throughout. Every aspect of this truly unique custom home was designed for modern and highly functional living and entertaining. Learn more here:

List Price: $8,500,000

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Another Huge Week for Home Sales - Large and Small - Scarsdale10583.com