Q
What was a sure way to accumulate wealth through the 1970s and early 1980s? | A
Many people made their fortunes in real estate during this period. |
Q
Into what category do forty-four percent of home buying households fall? | A
Forty-four percent of home-buying households are made up of married couples with dependents. |
Q
What site discovered in 1965 is considered the world's oldest known habitation? | A
The Terra Amata site in Nice, France has the remains of 21 huts belonging to the Acheulian culture from 400,000 years ago. |
Q
What famous monument was designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen? | A
The stainless steel Gateway Arch in St. Louis, MO, completed in 1965, is the world's tallest monument. |
Q
What has a tremendous impact on the U.S. economy, comprising between $10-$15 trillion of the nation's wealth? | A
Real Estate--it goes through cycles, but still has a long-term record of strong investment return. |
Q
Which former Dallas Cowboys Quarterback is now working in Real Estate?
| A
Roger Staubach began selling real estate while playing football for the Dallas Cowboys and began his own company in 1978. |
Q
What is the most-visited Historic Home in the United States? | A
More than 600,000 visitors a year tour Graceland in Memphis, TN, the palatial home of Elvis Presley. |
Q
What famous American building was originally built in 1792, burned and rebuilt 1814-1818 and restored in 1952? | A
The White House in Washington, D.C., modeled after an Irish palace, is a sumptuous example of post-colonial architecture. |
Q
According to recent studies, which regions of the nation have the strongest job, housing and mortgage markets? | A
The South and the West have been and will continue to be the nation's strongest economies. |
Q
What government is considered the world's largest landowner? | A
The United States government holds 728.8 million acres of land, making it the world's largest landowner. |
Q
What famous $40+ million home has a 60-foot pool with underwater music and a 20-car garage? | A
The home of Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, features the latest futuristic computer technology. |
Q
What city ranks #1 for housing appreciation among the 50 biggest U.S. metropolitan areas? | A
Portland, OR is tops with an average rise of 5.6%; Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Denver and Phoenix average 4% or more. |
Q
What kind of home construction is considered to be the safest in seismic areas? | A
Straw-bale homes in seismic zones have proven resilient enough to withstand the shock of earthquakes. |
Q
Which estate has two pools--one on the east side for the morning sun and one on the west for afternoon enjoyment? | A
The former estate of John Lennon in Palm Beach has two pools plus guest quarters. |
Q
What holds the title as the tallest reinforced concrete building in the U.S.? | A
311 South Wacker Drive in Chicago was completed in 1990 and is 65 stories high. |
Q
What upscale neighborhood is home to actor Robin Williams? | A
Robin lives in the Sea Cliff area in San Francisco where a typical four-bedroom mansion is currently valued at
$1,250,000. |
Q
What is the short name for "El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles de la Porciuncula"? | A
The full Spanish name for Los Angeles is usually shortened to LA. |
Q
What was the world's highest viewing platform before the opening of the Empire State Building in 1939? | A
The Eiffel Tower, built between 1887-1889, was for 42 years the highest viewing platform in a man-made structure.
|
Q
What now famous island was originally sold for goods valued at 60 guilders ($24)? | A
The Indians sold Manhattan to Peter Minuit, a Dutch settler in 1626--what a deal! |
Q
What building has been named the 21st Century Townhouse project? | A
4 townhouse in Bowie, MD made of giant foam/board panels, concrete/styrofoam block frames, steel, and aerated concrete. |
Q
Which metropolitan area has the highest median price homes in the U.S.? | A
Honolulu, Hawaii blends its cultural history with the action of a major metropolitan area; the median price home is $360,000. |
Q
Who was given the largest land grant ever given to an English subject for only two beaver skins per year? | A
William Penn received what is now Pennsylvania and Delaware from King Charles II to settle a debt owed to his father. |
Q
What is the conclusion of a real estate sale where title is transferred and the necessary funds exchange hand? | A
In real estate, settlement, closing and passing papers describe the finalization of a real estate transaction. |
Q
What amenity do eighty-nine percent of all Westerners want included with their new home? | A
Most Westerners want a garage because they don't have a basement for storage as well as their sheltering cars. |
Q
What is the average price you will pay for a home in the United States? | A
Studies indicate the median price of existing homes is $109,800; the median price for newly-constructed homes is $132,000. |
Q
What structure famous for its size and beauty is located 14 miles southwest of Paris? | A
Requiring 30,000 workmen, the Palace of Versailles, built for Louis XIV, is considered the second largest palace in the world. |
Q
What is considered the single most important factor in high-profile rental markets? | A
Name association--Shirley MacLaine hasn't lived in her Encino home for 19 years, but her property rents for $13,500 a month. |
Q
What famous building is known as the tallest building in New York City? | A
The north tower of the World Trade Center, completed in 1973, is 1,368 feet tall, making it the world's tallest building at the time. |
Q
What nation captured the world's tallest building title with the completion of twin towers? | A
Fueled by an oil and manufacturing boom, Malaysia build the Petronas Towers, the world's tallest buildings at 1,483 feet. |
Q
What weighs 320 tons and is considered the largest single block building? | A
Pyramid of Mycerinus (Third Pyramid) at El Gizeh, Egypt is the largest single block building and the world's oldest pyramid. |
Q
Upon completion this year, what will be the tallest residential building south of New York and east of Chicago? | A
Located in Biscayne Bay, Florida, the $120 million, 51-floor luxury condominium will be called The Santa Maria. |
Q
What female pop singer recently put her Spanish Gothic home in Beverly Hills on the market for $2,695,000? | A
Paula Abdul's home features a restaurant-style kitchen, full gym, flagstone bridges and waterfalls and a koi pond. |
Q
What piece of property is known as the most expensive ever on record? | A
The Mediya Building in central Tokyo was valued in October 1988 at 358.5 million yen ($248,000) per square foot. |
Q
What prestigious 16,000 sq. ft. California-style home owned by a celebrity is located in the foothills of northern Georgia? | A
Beaver Dam Farms, 10 bedrooms and 12 full baths owned by Kenny Rogers can be yours for $12 million! |
Q
What building was under construction for over 38 years, the longest continuous construction? | A
The Winchester House in San Jose, CA was under construction for 38 years. |
Q
What is considered one of the key elements of the American Dream? | A
Homeownership has long been an integral part of the American Dream for personal and financial reasons. |
Q
What word was first used in the 18th century to mean "a high-flying flag on a ship"? | A
Skyscraper was first used in the 1880s when office buildings of 10 stories or more were built in Chicago and New York |
Q
Among the nation's 100 largest metro areas, which area ranks seventh in terms of home affordability? | A
Atlanta is an important distribution, transportation, communication and financial center. |
Q
What is considered one of the few remaining tax shelters in the 1990s?
| A
Homeownership--property taxes on a residence or vacation home are deductible up to $1 million. |
Q
What city boasts ten of the eleven biggest hotels in the world? | A
Las Vegas has 10 of the largest hotels; latest and most extravagant is the $450 million New York-New York. |
Q
What hazardous substance is contained in sixty-four million houses and apartments? | A
According to HUD, sixty-four million homes or apartments built before 1978 contain lead-based paint. |
