Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Opening Day of Yves Saint Laurent Collection Sets Record in Paris
A record total of €206 million (US$266 million) was achieved at the inaugural sale session of the Collection of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé at the Grand Palais in Paris. The first of the three-day sale series from February 23rd to 25th, offered by Christie's in association with Pierre Bergé & Associates auctioneers, became the most valuable private collection ever sold at auction and realized the highest sum for any sale in Europe. The top lot of the evening, which featured 59 works of Impressionist and Modern art, was Les coucous, tapis bleu et rose by Henri Matisse, which sold for €35.9 million (US$46.4 million)—a new world record for a work by the artist at auction.
Christie's Great Estates was present at the historic auction, where magazines, property brochures, and a video presentation of luxury real estate were displayed. Click here for more information and photos from the sale.
(Pictured above, the inaugural sale session at the Grand Palais exhibition hall in Paris)
The Legendary Collection of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé
Christie's, in association with the Pierre Bergé & Associates auctioneers, will offer the Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé Collection at the Grand Palais in Paris. The three-day sale from February 23rd to 25th, which is expected to realize between €200–300 million, will showcase one of the most important private collections ever to come onto the art market. Amounting to more than 700 objects, the collection was formed over the course of 50 years and consists of masterpieces of Modern Art, Art Deco, European furniture and works of art, antiquities, and Old Master and 19th–Century paintings and drawings, among others. Proceeds from the sale will go to the Pierre Bergé–Yves Saint Laurent Foundation and to a new foundation Bergé has created to fund scientific research to fight AIDS.
(Pictured above, the late fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent)
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Abraham Lincoln's Original Re-election Speech Sells for a Record $3.44 Million at Christie's New York
The original 1864 victory speech, handwritten by Abraham Lincoln, was sold by Christie's New York on February 12, the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth. The four-page document realized $3,442,500, a new world auction record for a Lincoln manuscript, a presidential manuscript, and any American historical document. The Speech was delivered at the White House on 10 November 1864, immediately after Lincoln's re-election to a second term as President. The precious manuscript remained with Lincoln's papers until 1916, when Robert Todd Lincoln, son of Abraham and Mary Lincoln, presented it to New York Congressman, John A. Dwight, as thanks for his efforts to secure Congressional funding for the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. In 1926, Dwight's widow gave the document to the Southworth Library Association in Dryden, New York. Proceeds from the sale will fund construction of a new addition to the library.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Graham4 Featured by Christie’s Great Estates at the Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge Collection Auction in Paris, France February 23, 24 and 25

The Regions Most Successful Real Estate Partnership, Graham4, comprised of Bob Graham, Karen Terra, Matt Faupel and Julie Faupel, is proud to be featured by Christie’s Great Estates in the most widely acclaimed art auction in recent history

Paris - Christie's is honored to announce the sale of the Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé Collection, which will take place in Paris on the 23rd, 24th and 25th February 2009 at the Grand Palais, in association with the Pierre Bergé & Associates auctioneers. Graham4 will be featuring a premier Jackson Hole property in the Christie’s Great Estates promotional video presentation that is accompanying the auction.

As in many instances where an artist’s signature style defines a décor, the word “Collection″ is uniquely deserved by that of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé. The works of art found in their respective apartments at the rue de Babylone and the rue Bonaparte, were brought together to become one of the most important collections ever to come onto the art market. A reflection of 50 years of passionate and detailed search for rare and unique pieces, this shared collection is a truly moving exhibition of their shared eye. It is one of the most sumptuous private collections of our time, a French paragon of quality and taste, consisting of masterpieces of Modern Art, Art Deco, European furniture and works of art, antiquities, Old Master and 19th century paintings and drawings. The works, amounting to more than 700 in total, are estimated at between 200 and 300 million Euros.

“Christie's auction of Yves Saint Laurent's art collection in Paris is being called the "sale of the century" by many who closely follow the art world; we are privileged to have the opportunity to expose some of Jackson’s finest properties to this unique group of art connoisseurs,” said Bob Graham, of Graham4, the exclusive affiliate for Christie’s Great Estates in Wyoming and Teton Valley, Idaho. The Graham4 listing will be showcased in a video presentation amongst other fine properties from around the world being represented by Christie’s Great Estates. “Our affiliation with Christie’s Great Estates and the Christie’s Auction House provides our sellers with unparalleled marketing exposure to highly qualified clientele; this level of coverage is why Christie’s Great Estates continues to be the leader in the marketing and sales of important properties worldwide,” continued Graham.

For a full press release from Christie’s regarding the sale please visit http://www.graham4jh.com/ or contact Graham4 at 888.301.2402.

GRAHAM4 JACKSON HOLE

RATES FROM OUR FRIENDS AT FIRST INTERSTATE BANK

Home Loan Rates:

30 Year Fixed (Conforming) - 5.00%
15 Year Fixed (Conforming) - 4.50%
5/1 ARM (Conforming) - 4.875%

30 Year Fixed (Jumbo) - 6.75% (Lowest we've seen in awhile)
15 Year Fixed (Jumbo) - 6.625% (Lowest we've seen in awhile)
5/1 ARM (Jumbo) - 5.875%

If you have any questions, please contact Graham4: 307-690-0204

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Overview of the Economic Stimulus Plan from our friends at Bank of Jackson Hole:

Economic Stimulus Plan Benefits the Housing and Mortgage Industries
Revised February 17, 2009

Just signed and sealed…a $787 Billion Stimulus Plan made up of tax cuts and spending programs aims at reviving the US economy. Although the package was scaled down from nearly $1 Trillion, it still stands as the largest anti-recession effort since World War II.
Home owners and potential homebuyers stand to gain from key provisions in this stimulus plan. Here is what we know as of today...

Tax Credit for Homebuyers
First-time homebuyers who purchase homes from the start of the year until the end of November 2009 may be eligible for the lower of an $8,000 or 10% of the value of the home tax credit. Remember a tax credit is very different than a tax deduction – a tax credit is equivalent to money in your hand, as opposed to a tax deduction which only reduces your taxable income.
The tax credit starts phasing out for couples with incomes above $150,000 and single filers with incomes above $75,000. Buyers will have to repay the credit if they sell their homes within three years.

Additional Housing-Related Provisions
Tax Incentives to Spur Energy Savings and Green Jobs — This provision is designed to help promote energy-efficient investments in homes by extending and expanding tax credits through 2010 for purchases such as new furnaces, energy-efficient windows and doors, or insulation.
Landmark Energy Savings — This provision provides $5 Billion for energy efficient improvements for more than one million modest-income homes through weatherization. According to some estimates, this can help modest-income families save an average of $350 a year on heating and air conditioning bills.
Repairing Public Housing and Making Key Energy Efficiency Retrofits To HUD-Assisted Housing—This provision provides a total of $6.3 Billion for increasing energy efficiency in federally supported housing programs. Specifically, it establishes a new program to upgrade HUD-sponsored low-income housing (for elderly, disabled, and Section 8) to increase energy efficiency, including new insulation, windows, and frames.
Expanding Housing Assistance—This provision increases support for several critical housing programs. It includes $2 Billion for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program to help communities purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed, vacant properties.

More Help for Homeowners in the Future
Another thing to keep an eye on in the coming weeks is President Obama’s plan to help struggling borrowers before they are faced with a default on their mortgage.
According to reports, the Obama administration is discussing plans to help borrowers who are struggling to stay afloat, but who have not yet fallen behind on their payments. At this point, details are scarce; however, reports indicate that President Obama is looking to spend approximately $50 Billion to directly help homeowners before they face foreclosure and financial disaster.
While this is good news for individual homeowners, it will likely be good for the housing industry as a whole. That’s because, assisting struggling borrowers before they default should help stop the wave of foreclosures, which are estimated to top two million this year. That, in turn, will help stabilize home prices.

The Economic Stimulus Plan is huge, and impacts a number of industries. Highlighted above are just some of the major provisions that may impact you now and in the future.

Please contact Graham4 with any questions: 888-301-2402

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

MORTGAGE RATES FROM OUR FRIENDS AT FIRST INTERSTATE BANK

Mortgage Interest Rates as of – February 17, 2009

30 Year Fixed
Conforming - 5.000
Supper Conf - *
Jumbo - 7.125

15 Year Fixed
Conforming - 4.500
Super Conf - *
Jumbo - 6.500

5 Year ARM
Conforming - 5.125
Super Conf - *
Jumbo - 5.875

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Teton Springs Lodge and Spa on the Today Show!
Check out the link below.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/18424824#28892662

View 2 beautiful Teton Springs Listings below:














Click below link for more information:
http://www.graham4jh.com/idahoproperties/homes/08_5512/Profile1.html














Click below link for more information:
http://www.graham4jh.com/idahoproperties/homes/1_6782I/Profile1.html