One of my favorite things about being in the real estate business is the opportunities it provides to serve our community. Heroes for Children is a nonprofit organization that our firm feels strongly about.

Heroes for Children provides financial and social assistance to Texas families with children who are battling cancer. Formerly known as Taylor ‘s Angels, the organization was created in memory of Taylor Anne Brewton and Allison Leigh Scott.

Dave Perry-Miller & Associates is a proud sponsor of the annual Heroes & Handbags event, which benefits this worthy organization. This year the event takes place from 9:30 to noon on April 3 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. The brunch with silent auction features one-of-a-kind vintage and new designer handbags donated by area retailers. Attire for the event is casual chic with a fabulous handbag!

An estimated 12,400 children in the U.S. are currently diagnosed with cancer. With diagnosis comes the challenge to provide financially for the family. The money Heroes for Children donates directly to families helps relieve some of the strain and stress during this difficult time in their lives. A social worker at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, says, “When a child is diagnosed with cancer, it seems that the family, even a financially stable family, has financially hard times. Having the added stresses associated with financial burdens is more than families should have to bear. It is so nice to have an organization that is available to help in these types of situations. No strings attached!”

Tickets for the Dallas Heroes & Handbags event are available for purchase through March 31. For more information about the Dallas Heroes and Handbags event, contact Danielle Soffa at dsoffa@heroesforchildren.org. Interested in reading more about what Heroes for Children does to support families in Texas? Visit www.HeroesForChildren.com.

By: Dave Perry-Miller, a luxury real estate expert serving Dallas, TX

Every year we see new trends in the Seattle area luxury real estate. However, this year, as we see the whole world change as we once knew it buyers are asking themselves “What really matters in life?” And the answer is time with our family and friends. As the economy continues to change around us, affluent buyers in the Seattle area are re-prioritizing what they really want in a luxury home. A floor plan that works for them.. and that means focusing on spaces for casual entertaining and family time. The kitchen is the new “center of attention,” as we have been calling.

It is now more than ever the focal point of the home…homework with the kids, wine tasting with friends, Sunday brunch with family. A fabulous, open kitchen tops buyers’ lists over and over again. Buyers are also wanting a smaller footprint – less square footage to maintain and fill up. They are willing to trade space for more quality finishes and a better floor plan. They want to live the luxury lifestyle in a more understated and manageable way. It’s all about doing more with less.

By: Tere Foster, a luxury real estate expert serving the Seattle, WA region

Interior Design on The Runway

This week, I will be attending WESTWEEK, Los Angeles and Fashion Week, El Paseo. Exquisite furnishings and fashion runways fitting this into an already busy schedule is harder than getting into the size 4 pencil thin suits and dresses I’ll be sporting to the shows!

I’m a believer in high-end luxury markets previews like WESTWEEK tailored to the lifestyle of our clients. This gives us an up close look at what we are going to offer this year. Luxury minded clients expect the designer to not only know design, they expect practical knowledge of the latest and archived products, fixtures and amenities that are to be perfectly assimilated into their homes and projects. At Miller Young Design, it is not only our job, it is our goal to achieve the desired result and complete each project through co-creation with our clients.

Today’s top market clients intend to be indulged in the design of their homes – homes that can be defined as “comfortable luxury,” “trendy California contemporary” and some will even exude confidence in a home of “stately magnificence” yet all in a contemporary world.

Total Luxe! This is a week for admirers and buyers of the luxury interior design market, to see the newest and the best in home furnishings at The Los Angeles posh interior design showrooms. Edelman Leather launches their first LA Showroom ever this season at The Pacific Design Center and I understand it is lavished of course with luxurious leather and the most stunning showroom in that location. I will be there!

The same week, I will be attending “The Great White Tent.” Fashion minded trend spotters are to view models in couture dresses adorned in jewels toting the finest designer handbags. I can’t miss this! What a week.

By: Linda Young, a nationally known high-end interior designer

Preston Hollow ... Chances are, regardless of where you live, you’ve heard of this North Dallas neighborhood. It’s been in the news recently because it is the new home of former U.S. president George W. Bush.

Preston Hollow is also home to some of Texas’ wealthiest residents and most expansive and expensive homes. The Bushes bought an 8,500-square-foot residence valued at approximately $2.1 million -- a relatively humble abode by Preston Hollow standards. The former president’s new neighbors include Tom Hicks, owner of three professional sports teams as well as a 29,000-square-foot Preston Hollow mansion. Other notable Preston Hollow residents include Dallas Mavericks owner and billionaire Mark Cuban, billionaire oilman T. Boone Pickens and former presidential candidate and billionaire H. Ross Perot. At present there are 22 homes for sale in Preston Hollow priced above $5 million, making now an ideal time to invest in this legendary Texas neighborhood. (Photos shown are of 10731 Bridge Hollow Court in the gated Creeks of Preston Hollow neighborhood. Contact Me for further details.)

By: Dave Perry-Miller, a luxury real estate expert serving Dallas, TX

We are the winners – again! Bellevue has consistently received national recognition for being one of the top cities to live and work in and we just did it again as CNNMoney.com announced that Bellevue is the #1 “Best Places to Live and Launch”

They chose Bellevue because of the business climate – it’s no wonder companies like Microsoft, Expedia and Symetra all are located here. And also because of our amazing access to lifestyle amenities – from outdoor recreation to the arts community there is something for everyone. All of that with one of the top rated public school districts in the country and who wouldn’t want to call Bellevue home?!

By: Tere Foster, a luxury real estate expert serving the Seattle, WA region

The Park Cities -- made up of Highland Park and University Park -- are “island cities” that are actually surrounded by the much larger city of Dallas.

These two small towns’ reputations for quality housing is enhanced by their scenic settings among parks and creeks. Approximately 11,500 households, including some of America’s best-known and wealthiest families, live in the Park Cities. Local residents include Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys football franchise; and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman.
Families, in particular, flock to the Park Cities because of the towns’ shared school district, which is known nationally for its high-quality public schools. Many people who grew up in the Park Cities later return there to raise their own families, thus perpetuating the small-town feel of the neighborhoods.

Currently available in this small slice of Americana are 298 properties priced at $1 million or more. Of those, 24 are priced at more than $5 million. In other words, now is truly an ideal time to purchase a residence in the Park Cities.

Historically, buying property in Highland Park and University Park has proven to be a sound investment. A friend mentioned to me recently at a cocktail party that had she put the same money into Park Cities real estate that she has put into the stock market in the last few years she would be much better off financially, and be sleeping much more soundly at night.

Photo caption: Among the notable properties currently available in the Park Cities is Dave Perry-Miller & Associates’ listing at 3500 Beverly Drive. The 18,841-square-foot mansion by Andrew Merrick Homes is offered for $17.9 million.

By: Dave Perry-Miller, a luxury real estate expert serving Dallas, TX

1. Exceptional Waterfront Living - From Puget Sound to Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish, everyone can enjoy the waterfront lifestyle.
2. Endless Outdoor Recreation activities - As home to REI, the Greater Seattle area offers some of the best activities for outdoor enthusiasts. From hiking, to kayaking to mountain biking to watersports to skiing, the options are endless for year round fun.
3. Thriving Arts Community - Whether it’s the theater, symphony or visual arts that draw you, Seattle has one of the strongest arts communities in the country.
4. Exciting Restaurants & Dining – From world renowned seasoned chefs like Tom Douglas to new chefs gaining international acclaim like Jason Wilson, the Seattle area boasts quite the reputation for culinary hotspots. From coastal inspired fare to Asian fusion, there is always something new and exciting to try.
5. Wine Country - Quickly becoming a destination for wine enthusiasts, the Eastern side of the state has long been home to many wineries. Now closer to home, the Woodinville area is host to many wineries as well. Whether it’s an evening of wine tasting, or a short drive for a weekend away, there are endless options for your palette.

By: Tere Foster, a luxury real estate expert serving the Seattle, WA region

Dare we say rebound? It looks like it. The numbers for Bellevue jumped up in February, both for single family residences and condos in the downtown core. There were 22 luxury home sales above $1.1 million, the median home price for the “West Bellevue” area. Compare that to January where we only had 2 sales and the median price was $800,000. We are continuing to see an increase in activity with buyers recognizing that this may be the optimal time to buy before interest rates start to rise. West Bellevue continues to be one of the most desired areas in the Greater Puget Sound region. With great public schools, a vibrant and growing downtown core with restaurants and great shopping, and easy access to corporate offices it truly is THE place to live.

By: Tere Foster, a luxury real estate expert serving the Seattle, WA region

Dallas is known as the “city that works,” in other words people move to Dallas because of its business-friendly environment and its international access due to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Dallas attracts many people because of its low tax base, available land and large work force.

Unique characteristics of Dallas:

1. Corporate headquarters - the Dallas-Fort Worth area is home to more than 10,000 corporate headquarters. A few of the Fortune 500 companies based here include Exxon-Mobil (which earned more than $40 billion in 2007, making it the most profitable company in the United States), Texas Instruments (which invented the handheld calculator and the integrated circuit), American Airlines, Electronic Data Systems, J.C. Penney, Kimberley Clark, Southwest Airlines and Neiman Marcus.
2. Temperate climate - Dallas residents enjoy year-round outdoor living. While much of the U.S. is experiencing cold weather in the winter months, affluent Dallas residents enjoy entertaining poolside in their outdoor cabanas with kitchens.
3. Fashion sense - outside of New York and L.A., no other U.S. city is more fashion-conscious. Luxury retailer Neiman Marcus is based in Dallas. Its president, Stanley Marcus, was responsible for many innovations in the fashion industry. In 1939, he established the annual Neiman Marcus Christmas Catalogue, which became famous for extravagant “his and hers” gifts, such as airplanes.
4. Dining - While many cities claim this recognition, studies have shown that Dallas has more restaurants per capita than any city in the United States. Dallasites enjoy eating out often. The city is home to several of the nation’s top chefs, including Dean Fearing (whose Fearings restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton-Dallas was named No. 1 in the U.S. in hotel dining by Zagat), Stephan Pyles (the founding father of Southwestern cuisine) and Kent Rathbun, who has created some of the most talked about restaurant concepts in the nation.
5. Shopping - Dallas is not only the home of Neiman Marcus, it is the home of Dallas Market Center, the world’s largest wholesale merchandise resource with more than $8 billion in annual transactions. Shopping is the favorite past time of many Dallasites. The city is home to scores of upscale stores such as Barneys New York, Tiffany & Co. and Nordstrom.
6. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport - in terms of passenger traffic, it is the seventh-busiest airport in the world. It is operated like a small city. It has its own ZIP code, post office and public services. It serves 128 domestic destinations and 36 international destinations, offering Dallasites and visitors to Dallas an ease of access that is rare among American cities.

By: Dave Perry-Miller, a luxury real estate expert serving Dallas, TX