For sale: in dollars, euros OR pounds
Remember that three-bedroom contemporary Mediterranean in the north-of-Sunset area of 90210 that 
was going to be listed for sale in dollars and euros? It's hitting the market tomorrow -- for $3,495,000 or 2,378,150 euros -- or 1,876,681 pounds. No yuan or yen yet.
"There are a lot of English people looking for houses now, and this seems like the natural thing to do," said Coldwell Banker listing agent Mark Goldsmith. "If this works out and I get positive feedback, I'll suggest this marketing to all of my sellers." He added that European buyers looked at the home last night and he expects more to do so after the formal open house on Sunday.
Not all agents are convinced this strategy will have traction, however, despite the weak dollar and an influx of foreign tourists showing up at open houses in L.A.'s toniest neighborhoods.
"Although there has been an increase in foreign interest in American real estate over the last six months, most of our business is U.S.-based," said Stan Richman, manager and VP of Coldwell Banker's Beverly Hills North office. "Only 2% to 3% of our deals are from out of the country."
Nonetheless, the attitude of many struggling agents remains "Whatever works."
-- Diane Wedner
Photo caption: The three-bedroom hillside manor in 3,600 square feet has pool and views.
Photo: Nick Springett
Questions or comments? E-mail diane.wedner@latimes.com
THIS IS JUST STUPID... IT IS ALL THE SAME AMOUNT. ARE THE BUYERS REALLY GOING TO BUY BECAUSE IT'S FOR SALE IN THEIR BRAND OF CURRENCY???? i run a car repair shop. i would take pounds if that is all someone had. i would just take it and exchange it!!! lame...
Posted by: mike | August 20, 2008 at 04:28 PM
I love that they think the English are going to come here, overpay and bail them out. I guess they haven't been reading the news that the UK real estate market is CRASHING. At all price levels. Much worse than here. Pray tell, why are the English going to think investing in a property thousands and thousands of miles away is a good investment when they see their own properties in the UK going down in value every month?
Posted by: Anonymous | August 20, 2008 at 05:06 PM
What works is lowering the price.
Posted by: IToldu2CashOut | August 20, 2008 at 05:55 PM
I'll pay 1,876,681 pesos!
Posted by: D | August 20, 2008 at 06:34 PM
I wonder how many "Ameros" it will be in the future.
Posted by: E | August 21, 2008 at 01:34 AM
I'll raises you 70 Trillion ZWD (Zimbawean dollars)...
Posted by: the problem | August 21, 2008 at 02:08 PM
this is goofy. is a european more likely to buy a house because the agent has converted the price into euros? call me nuts but i suspect europeans in the market for multi million dollar homes know how to use a calculator.
but it did get the house mentioned on this blog, so in that sense....
Posted by: frb | August 21, 2008 at 07:10 PM