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Real estate developer offers beachfront home for a fraction of the cost
Fractional ownership has worked for private jets, yachts and luxury resort clubs, developed by the likes of Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons. So why not offer an exclusive home in a prime location? The idea is spreading.

“It is just getting off the ground,� said Dick Ragatz, president of Ragatz Associates in Oregon, a consulting and research company.
n a recent survey, Ragatz identified 254 fractional interest projects and private residence clubs. Of those developments, 135 are in active sales and 75 percent of them are in the United States. On average, the developments have 40 units, which can include everything from townhomes and villas to single-family homes.

Twenty-seven percent of the developments are concentrated in three states — Colorado, California and Florida, according to Ragatz. Total sales in 2006 in the shared-ownership resort industry is estimated at $2.1 billion. Prices range widely in the industry. For private residence clubs, the average cost per share is $247,700.

He said fractional developments can charge as much as $420,000 a year to cover maintenance and operating costs. With his property, owners pay less than $13,000. “It’s a great exit strategy,� King said. “I wish I could patent the idea. But I can’t.�

Nathan Shapell, real estate developer and philanthropist, 85
Shapell, Chairman & CEO of Shapell Industries, one of the most successful and highly respected homebuilders in California, died in his sleep on March 11, 2007, while on a vacation cruise. Nathan Shapell was a man of integrity and principle, a builder of lives who dedicated his life to helping others less fortunate. A survivor of the Holocaust, he was determined to not only rebuild his own life, but to help others rebuild theirs.

As Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Shapell Industries, Nathan Shapell personified the word “entrepreneur.” Along with brother, David, and brother-in-law, Max Webb, Nathan Shapell built one of the most successful real estate development companies in California that is recognized today as an industry leader. In recognition of his accomplishments, the Building Industry of California inducted him into the Builder?s Hall of Fame in 2001. Shapell’s philosophy was based upon the high priority he placed on family, community, and home — the very things that Hitler and the Nazis stole from him at a very early age.

As a result of Shapell’s surviving the Holocaust, he was extremely dedicated to the State of Israel. He traveled to the front lines to provide moral support for IDF soldiers during the Sinai War, Six Day War, and Yom Kippur War, and was frequently consulted by the country’s leaders. He built parks, schools and facilities for children and university students, as well as for the well-being of Israel s soldiers.

In lieu of flowers, the Guerin family requests that donations be made to either Friends of the Israel Defense Forces or to Women’s Guild of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Pulmonary Diseases Program.

Howard Ronson, 63, Builder of Towers, Dies
Howard P. Ronson, a British real estate developer who in the 1980s became one of the most prolific builders of office space in Manhattan, died Wednesday near his home in Monaco. He was 63. Since 1980, HRO International has built 12 office towers, with about 5.5 million square feet of space, in Manhattan. Among them are the 33-story Tower 56 on East 56th Street; 380 Madison Avenue, which is between 46th and 47th Streets and has 26 floors; and the 30-story Broad Financial Center on Whitehall Street.

Mr. Ronson started his career in commercial development in 1968. In addition to the New York buildings, more than 40 construction projects, including office towers and shopping malls, have been completed by his companies in nine European cities.

Hong Kong home prices may be going up
There is “moderate upward pressure on property prices,” Li, the 78-year-old chairman of Cheung Kong Holdings, said Thursday. Lee, chairman of Henderson Land Development, forecast a 10 percent rise.

The jobless rate has fallen to an eight-year low of 4.3 percent and the financial secretary, Henry Tang, this month cut stamp duty on property transactions for homes costing less than 2 million Hong Kong dollars, or $256,000; he also waived real estate taxes for six months. The government delivered salary tax cuts and announced one-time rebates of up to 15,000 dollars per person. Companies gave workers an average pay rise of 3.14 percent in the first two months of 2007, according to the Employers’ Federation of Hong Kong, which forecast an average increase of 2.9 percent for the rest of this year.

New housing offered in Davis
Sale priority for the townhouses will be given to individuals who work for Davis-based employers and those who run their businesses out of the home. The homes are being built by CastleRock Homes, a custom home builder. They will feature energy efficiency living with dual zone heating and air, low-E glazed windows, on demand water heater, and water conserving appliances. Homes will carry a 10-year transferable warranty and are being outfitted with designer appliances and fixtures.

A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at the development site on Thursday. For more information about the project, contact Jason Taormino or Robin Garland at Coldwell Banker Doug Arnold Real Estate, Inc. at 530-758-3080. Coldwell Banker Doug Arnold Real Estate, Inc. has been in business in Davis for 25 years. Community Business Bank is a locally based community business bank. The Bank is headquartered in West Sacramento.