Big, bold photography distinguishes the recently revamped homepage of the award-winning LuxuryPortfolio.com. A more intuitive map search and several search options make it easy to find “your” luxury home. Direct links to the LuxeTrends® newsletter, Luxury Portfolio blog, Facebook page, Twitter feed and YouTube channel help you stay current on all things luxury.

And what if you’re on the move? Luxury Portfolio has you covered with the mobile version of our site. From your handheld wireless device you are able to perform a targeted luxury home search, view home details and multiple photos, as well as send inquiries. Check it out at www.LuxuryPortfolio.com/Mobile.

This past year Luxury Portfolio members across the globe participated in some extraordinary charity events and offered their support to honorable causes across the world. As 2009 comes to a close, we want to highlight these great stories that illustrate that even in midst of a rough economic climate, people have found the strength to aid the less fortunate.

Patterson Schwartz Real Estate Gives Back to the Community
Committed to making the community a better place to live, Patterson Schwartz Real Estate embraces the philosophy that being a good neighbor is more than just giving money to a worthy cause. The mission: to develop and invest in the community in which they live and do business.

Patterson-Schwartz donates a portion of the proceeds from every transaction to the Patterson-Schwartz Foundation. The Foundation lends support to local charitable organizations, including social services, health care research, youth programs and garden clubs. In 2008, the Patterson Schwartz Foundation donated more than $80,000 to several local organizations. Read more.

Long & Foster Holds Eleventh Annual Community Service Day
All 213 Long & Foster sales offices throughout the firm’s seven states participated in the company’s most inclusive day of volunteering during the annual company-wide Community Service Day. Hundreds of sales associates and employees throughout rolled up their sleeves and took their talent into local neighborhoods to help give something back to the many communities the company serves. Read more.

A magnificent soft contemporary home listed by Luxury Portfolio member First Team Estates recently came in at #6 on Top Ten Real Estate Deals’ list of Top 10 Coolest Beach Homes.

Situated above the white sand beaches of Laguna Beach and near the renowned Montage Resort, the amazing luxury home is filled with captivating views of ocean and sky through wall to wall glass windows and a glass ceiling. Private stairs lead down to the peaceful beach.

Reading more details and viewing pictures of this fine home leave no doubt as to why it appears on the list of coolest beach homes – see more on Luxury Portfolio.

In the video below, Bill Raveis, President & CEO of Luxury Portfolio member William Raveis Real Estate, shares some insight on purchasing a home in a recession and compares the current marketplace with past declines.

Taken from the William Raveis blog, where several recent posts utilize video to great effect.

Sleek, stylish, and functional beauty fused into elegance personify Daniel Libeskind designs. Yes, Libeskind's architecture is controversial, but so is paying one million euros for the newest Lamborghini, the Reventon.  Regardless of your taste one cannot argue that Libeskind designs employ cutting edge philosophies, boast awesome attention to detail, and push the limits of lines and geometric forms far beyond the norm. Libeskind's design philosophies are fully alive in his first signature series residential home, The Villa, the first of which is for sale in Ticino, Switzerland, represented by WETAG Consulting.

You can read more about Libeskind's design theories and this stunning home on the WETAG International Insights blog.

Casa Del Cielo (“House of the Sky”) crowns the entire 14th floor of Alhambra Place – an exclusive waterfront boutique building in Fort Lauderdale that houses only 23 residences. The custom penthouse was combined from two units and boasts outdoor living spaces with 360-degree views of the Fort Lauderdale skyline, the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway.

Inside and out, the home is completely unique, made up of finishes and design elements imported from all over the world. There are Venetian plaster and hand-painted accents, Honduran mahogany moldings, English fireplace mantles, Moroccan tile work, Tibetan and Indian columns and more. The matchless penthouse also includes deeded yacht dockage and three garage spaces.

The House of the Sky is currently listed at US $4,995,000 by Premier Estate Properties.

See more photos and incredible details on Luxury Portfolio.

Luxury Portfolio member Ebby Halliday Realtors was recently honored with a 2009 WebAward, presented by the Web Marketing Association, for their great website, Ebby.com.

Recipient of a Standard of Excellence Award, Ebby.com was recognized for outstanding achievement in web development.  Congratulations to Ebby Halliday for this great honor!  Read more about it.

Since the launch of the Luxury Portfolio blog contest, we have received some wonderful comments, including excellent insights, valulable tips and interesting feedback. Today marks the start of Round Four, so comment today!

The Prize:
In addition to being a world-renowned chef and restaurateur, David Burke also is the creator of Gourmet Pops — delightful desserts that are a play on the nostalgic lollipop, but so much more!

Satisfying both the savory and the sweet — from goat cheese pops (a mix of creamy mascarpone and sundried tomatoes coated in toasted almonds and pistachios) to cheesecake pops (cheesecake dipped in chocolate and covered with such toppings as toffee and peanut butter pieces)  — these hors d’oeuvres make a wonderful gift and serve as the perfect amuse for entertaining.

Our Round 4 winner will receive a sampling of these heavenly delicacies!

The Details:
We are rewarding those who write the most insightful and interesting comments to existing blog posts. It is that easy...

1. Read through some of the blog posts.

2. Select a post that you are interested in or have knowledge/experience in.

3. Type in your information, your thoughts, and comment...that's it!

From the highly visible (and operational) light topping the home to cabinets and exterior and interior lighting modeled after circa 1890s lighthouses, the owner’s admiration for the coastal structures is readily apparent in this truly unique luxury home. The deep water home on Polowana Island is a replica of the 104-year-old Boca Grande Lighthouse on Gasparilla Island, Florida.

The 360-degree widow walk atop the tower of this South Carolina home dubbed simply “The Lighthouse” provides for expansive views across the water and beyond. Douglass fir post and beam construction and old growth hickory floors are showcased within the home’s distinctive shell, along with a remarkable custom built gourmet kitchen.

This singular luxury property is currently on the market and listed at US $1,100,000 by Lowcountry Real Estate.

See more photos and details on Luxury Portfolio.

We are pleased to announce our Round Three blog contest winner: Liz Murphy of Harry Norman, Realtors.

Thank you Liz for contributing your insight on the Smart Facebook Marketing: Frank Howard Allen’s Property Trilogies post. We loved hearing about how Harry Harmon is utilizing Facebook.

Liz will receive a scrumptious sampling of products from the  Lush Cosmetics. Stay tuned for details about Round Four!