luxury homes

Today we round out our economic outlook for 2010 with expert perspectives from several different sectors of the local economy: a leading automotive company, a luxury realty firm, and custom home builders. All are encouraged by the positive signs in the economy and are looking forward to more improvement as the year progresses.

Carl Sewell, Owner, Sewell Automotive Companies: “We are seeing rising automobile sales in Dallas and Texas.  There is a shortage of large SUVs in Lexus, Cadillac, and the Yukon.  In fact, the larger the car, the larger the demand; the smaller the car, the smaller the demand.  People want to be safe and comfortable.  This is true throughout the country, but particularly Dallas and Texas.”   

Gregg Antonsen, Sr. Vice President Christie’s Great Estates:  “The highest-priced homes in the world and in the United States for 2009 were sold by affiliates of Christie’s Great Estates, of which Briggs Freeman is our only Dallas affiliate.  These sales – a West Indies beach estate for approximately $89 million, and a private residence for $43 million cash in Aspen, Colorado – affirm that important properties continue to command the attention of buyers around the globe.”

Javier Arreola, Founder Terrasse Properties, and Bob Cresswell, Cresswell Custom Builders, are both encouraged by seeing last year’s inventory dwindle.