Colorado resorts are opening and the ski equipment is coming out of storage as locals and tourists start to hit the slopes. Though certainly ideal places to live year-round, Vail and Aspen have each had recent notable luxury home sales just in time for new owners to enjoy the gorgeous winter season.

Last listed at $10.9 million by Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate, this stunning mountain contemporary home is situated at Vail Golf Course and boasts commanding views of Gore Range. The architectural masterpiece is a rare private sanctuary with easy access to the village restaurants and entertainment. Expertly designed and built, there is flawless detailing throughout, including in the huge great room and dining area, gourmet kitchen, large master suite, private study and two-tiered media room.

Southwest of Vail in Aspen, another recently sold home exudes a different kind of impressive contemporary style. Situated on the main road to town, the award-winning luxury residence features environmentally conscious rammed-earth walls as well as walls of glass to connect the home to its majestic surroundings. Additional features of the five bedroom, six bath custom created work of art are pitched high ceilings, modern lighting, wine room, full gym and gorgeous Japanese-inspired Zen gardens. The home was last listed at $10.75 million by Joshua & Co.

A winding brick drive beyond commanding entrance gates leads to an extraordinary recently sold luxury home in the ultra-exclusive Estate Section of idyllic Manalapan Beach, Florida.

The new owner of this Venetian-inspired estate joins a select club in an enclave comprised of only 25 homes stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Intracoastal Waterway.  A grand estate befitting of its elite location, it offers swimming in the ocean or heated pool, a relaxing beach, space to launch a yacht, tennis, outdoor entertaining spaces and amenities that rival the finest resorts.

Inside the 23,500 square foot oceanfront luxury mansion is a grand salon with ornate detailed ceiling, columned banquet-size formal dining room, professional kitchen with breathtaking ocean views, paneled library and oceanfront office each with a wet bar, custom home theater, an expansive master wing and countless examples of supreme luxury.

One of the world’s great estates, this property was last listed at $29,950,000 by Luxury Portfolio member Premier Estate Properties, Inc.

The Ticino region of Switzerland is known for a highly desirable convergence of a great location in central Europe, Mediterranean climate, vineyards, and stunning landscapes of palm trees, mountains and famous lakes. A beautiful luxury villa set amid this idyllic backdrop recently sold; and sold quickly.

The villa was listed by Luxury Portfolio member WETAG Consulting, and a quick examination of the grandeur reveals why it wasn’t on the market for long. From the main living area with curved wooden volume ceilings and two-story windows with sensational views of Lake Maggiore to the chef’s dream gourmet kitchen and amazing outdoor entertaining space, this home is a masterpiece of modern luxury living.

Two truly remarkable luxury homes on opposite ends of the United States have made headlines with their July sales.

One widely publicized closing is the sale of the Spelling Mansion - the extraordinary Manor built by entertainment moguls Aaron and Candy Spelling in Holmby Hills, California. The world-famous palatial estate was purchased by 22 year old Petra Ecclestone, daughter of Formula 1 billionaire Bernie Ecclestone, now the proud owner of the largest residence in Southern California - an amazing 56,000-plus square feet. Set on nearly 5 acres of some of the most exclusive real estate in the world, the home features unique spaces including a bowling alley, wine cellar and tasting room, beauty salon and even a dedicated gift-wrapping room. The Manor was last listed at $150,000,000 by Hilton & Hyland.

Across the county in the Georgetown area of Washington, DC, an historic 220 year old estate has a new owner after being offered for sale for the first time in 87 years. Known as “Evermay” since the 18th century, the American landmark has hosted presidents, dignitaries and international diplomats and is a one-of-a-kind American classic. Last listed at $25,900,000 by Long & Foster® Real Estate, Inc., the estate is set on a rare 3.5 acre property in the heart of Georgetown, with commanding views of Rock Creek Park and the Washington Monument.

Congratulations to Luxury Portfolio members Hilton & Hyland and Long & Foster® Real Estate, Inc. on the momentous sales!

A stunning modern home – Compass Pointe – with spectacular views of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains recently sold. The creation of the Whistler, British Columbia luxury home was a collaboration between a distinguished award-winning team, including architect Sean Anderson, builder Vision Pacific and designer/HGTV host Kelly Deck.

A 10-foot Italian pivot door opens into the remarkable residence which showcases natural beauty from local stone, open beams and a sandblasted wood wall made from local fir. The living area features floor to ceiling windows to admire the views, heated tile floor, beautiful beam work in the open ceiling and a stone wall made from Haddington Island stone – which is also used for notable stone carvings and statues in British Columbia.

The distinctive custom home boasts two master suites, a wine cellar, gym, recreation room with full bar, two rooftop patios and much more. It was last listed at $5,250,000 CAD by The Whistler Real Estate Co.

Hawaii Business Magazine recently announced the Top 100 Realtors in Hawaii and we want to congratulate three Luxury Portfolio members who appear in the top 25:

#1    Pat Choi – Choi International
#19  Neal Norman – Koa Properties, Land & Homes
#23  Myra Brandt – Kahala Associates

We’re thrilled our members have received this much-deserved recognition. The list was compiled based on total sales volume for transactions that closed in 2010. See the full list here.

Just east of bustling Manhattan, Long Island provides a popular haven for those searching for more relaxed living close to everything New York City has to offer. Substantial homes in Nassau and Suffolk Counties are surrounded by lush green expanses, with several resting on Long Island Sound with breathtaking water views.

Two luxury homes currently on the market highlight some of the best of Long Island living. Listed at $7.6 million by Laffey Fine Homes, this Old Westbury estate features 6 bedrooms, and 7.5 baths on a large 4-plus acre parcel with pool, spa and tennis court. The Georgian home is both welcoming and functional, featuring handpicked architectural elements throughout the living spaces.

Further east, in Suffolk County, a magnificent all brick home presides over 10 acres on the sound. The home features 6 bedrooms and 6 baths and exudes the luxury of a bygone era. It is currently listed at $12.5 million by Coach Realtors – the result of a successful referral from another Luxury Portfolio member located in New York State, Houlihan Lawrence. To see the selection of Long Island homes on Luxury Portfolio, click on the links for Nassau County and Suffolk County.

In the world of luxury real estate, the process from listing to closing in just 63 days is unusual, especially with a beachfront property that closed for $6.25 million. Luxury Portfolio member Watson Realty Corp. just guided such a transaction.

The quick sale of the spectacular home overlooking the ocean in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida was the result of the exclusive marketing campaign of Watson’s Ponte Vedra Beach Luxury Team. Using tools and membership benefits through Luxury Portfolio International and Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, the team was able to showcase the property quickly to thousands of potential buyers on a global scale. They also highlighted the property with an exclusive cocktail party for top power agents servicing Northeast Florida and their customers. In fact, the marketing was so successful, two offers were negotiated.

Congratulations to Watson and their top office on this remarkable sale!

Unique Homes Magazine ULTIMATE Issue is on sale NOW at most major bookstores so be sure to pick up a copy! The Luxury Portfolio pages are, as usual, in the very front of the book!

Luxury Portfolio would like to congratulate our 18 Luxury Portfolio members whose incredible properties qualified them for inclusion on the 2011 Ultimate Homes list.
They are:

- Alain Pinel Realtors (San Francisco Bay Area, CA)
- Chase International (Lake Tahoe, NV)
- Choi International (Honolulu, HI)
- Disher, Hamrick & Myers Residential, Inc. (Charlotte, NC)
- Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell Realtors (Miami, FL)
- Greenwich Fine Properties (Greenwich, CT)
- Harry Norman, Realtors (Atlanta, GA)
- Houlihan Lawrence (Westchester County, NY)
- Illustrated Properties Real Estate (Palm Beach Gardens, FL)
- Joshua & Co. (Aspen, CO)
- Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. (Chantilly, VA)
- McGuire Real Estate (San Francisco, CA)
- Premier Estate Properties, Inc. (Boca Raton, FL)
- Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate (Vail, CO)
- Village Properties (Montecito, CA)
- William Raveis Real Estate, Mortgage & Insurance (Shelton, CT)
- Willis Allen Real Estate (San Diego, CA)
- Windermere Real Estate (Seattle, WA)

A West Indies inspired waterfront home on Siesta Key sold just last week for $5.9 million, establishing an early and encouraging benchmark for luxury home sales in Southwest Florida for 2011.

The home’s sense of casual Caribbean sophistication was created by accomplished Sarasota architect Wm. Thorning Little. Brilliantly executed interiors feature 100-year-old European fixtures, Calcutta marble in the kitchen, a three-stop elevator and a 600-bottle wine cellar.

In addition to flawless design, the home’s location on the shores of Sarasota Bay provides dramatic views of downtown Sarasota and the Ringling Bridge and offers deep water harborage. A restored separate guest house completes the ideal waterfront compound.

Congratulations to Luxury Portfolio member Michael Saunders & Company – and listing agents Kim and Michael Ogilvie and co-listing agent Michael Hays – on this noteworthy sale.