Anchorage is an important thing to keep in mind when examining if an island for sale is suitable for your needs.  After all, you want to be able to land on your island.  Perhaps more importantly, you don’t want to be stranded on your island, unable to leave.  The anchorage, also known as the stability to the ground, is a key factor in both of these situations.

What traits make up suitable anchorage?  There should be access to the beach with water of a sufficient depth.  You’ll need a sandy bottom if you want good hold.  You want to avoid coral and rocks that could damage incoming watercraft.  And lastly, you’ll want your anchorage to be sheltered from prevailing winds.  To make sure that your potential island’s anchorage is of sufficient quality, make sure that you examine it during both low tide and high tide.

One of the oldest homes located in the Brentwood area has been listed for sale. Built back in the 1920’s, this hacienda-style home has had a slew of famous owners over the years, including power couple actress Michelle Pfeiffer and TV producer David E. Kelley, as well as actress Melanie Griffith and actor Antonio Banderas. The house is currently owned by actor Dylan McDermott, who coincidentally waited on Michelle Pfeiffer back when he was still a struggling actor in New York.

The home features four bedrooms (three of which are suites), three bathrooms, and a two-story great room with cathedral ceilings. The walled and gated property features a pool, a 250 year old oak tree, a fountain, a pergola with climbing roses, and an expansive yard. The 4000 square foot home was purchased back in 1999 for almost $4 million. It is currently listed on the market for $6.9 million.

There are a number of factors that go into choosing a private island to purchase. Although determining your budget will tell you a lot about the size of the island you can afford, it’s also important to take into consideration the type of development plans you have for your purchase. It might be that you don’t quite needs as much island as you budget will allow for. In that case, it might be better to save some money on the purchase of the island itself and put it towards construction and other development costs.

If you’re planning to build a small vacation house, an island that measures between 2.5 and 12 acres is probably large enough for your needs. For a larger house or additional guest cottages, a medium-size island (12 to 24 acres) is a good bet. For a large-scale resort property, you’ll need a large island at least 37 to 48 acres in size, with 14 to 24 acres of land flat enough for building.

Part of the fun of having your own private island is the isolation factor. No longer will you have to contend with the crowds when you want to get away from it all, whether you’re planning a weekend away from home or an extended vacation. Of course, just how isolated you will be should be a major factor that you consider when looking to purchase an island.

It’s important to take into consideration just how much traveling you’re willing to endure to reach your new property, and just how uncomfortable you’re willing for that travel to be. If you have extensive experience with boats, that will make accessing your island easier, particularly if it is in an ocean as opposed to a lake. Keep in mind that the water conditions are an essential aspect to research. The distance from an established town or village can also make it easier or harder to access your new island. Those located closer to civilization will be more expensive.

In this current housing market, which has yet to show a sign that it has bottomed out, seeing new heights reached for home sales is a sign that we can take consolation in. A new watermark has just been set for the highest price paid for a home in the state of California when a mansion in Beverly Hills sold for a fairly impressive $31.5 million.

The French Normandy-style home measures 27,000 square feet and sits one a two acre lot. It’s three stories and has ten bedrooms, thirteen bathrooms, and seven fireplaces. Designed by Richard Landry, it also features a grand ballroom, a library with a glass floor, and a large wine cellar.

While the price might seem impressive, it must be taken into account that the mansion was originally listed for $45 million and sat on the market for a lengthy 255 days. That sounds more like the market we’ve come to know.

When many people think about owning a private island, having a slice of tropical paradise is the image that springs to mind. However, there are several climate options available for those who are looking for something other than a place to catch a tan. The aforementioned tropical islands are generally those located in between the tropic of Capricorn and the tropic of Cancer. If those aren’t to your liking, you might be a fan of Mediterranean islands. These generally have warm temperatures but less rainfall. Aside from the Mediterranean itself, islands of this variety can be found in the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Canary Islands, and so on. Temperate islands are a good choice for those who prefer cooler temperature and might be more interested in an island that’s closer to home. You can find these islands in the northern United States, Canada, and northern Europe. Be sure to learn more about each climate type to decide what’s best for you.