Each Friday, Robbie Briggs, president and CEO of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty, writes about luxury, trends, business and more in the advertising pages of the Mansion section of The Wall Street Journal. Below is his letter of February 5, 2021.

I bet you’ve heard the news. (It’s definitely gone viral.) Sotheby’s just shattered the auction record — by almost 10 times — for a work by Sandro Botticelli. One of the greatest Renaissance works ever to come to the market, [...]

Bubbling up in the U.S. in the 1930s, Ranch homes grew in popularity with the postwar middle class. Characterized by single-story layouts, low-pitched rooflines and open floor plans, Ranch homes continue to be in demand with buyers of all ages. In recent years, Ranch homes have made a comeback because of their simple aesthetics, connection to the outdoors and place in America’s architectural [...]

What can we expect from the Texas real estate market in 2021? The coronavirus pandemic has certainly made real estate market predictions more difficult, but potential homebuyers can still take encouragement from several consistent trends that predated Covid-19. Topping the list? Texas real estate remains hot property, particularly for buyers from out of state. What remains to be seen is the degree to which pandemic uncertainty affects the general momentum. Here is our take on the Texas [...]

You might assume that a real estate move is off the table for the unpredictable year ahead. After all, buying a home during a coronavirus pandemic could mean risking a tentative job market, economic uncertainty and even restrictions on viewing a property, right? Not so fast. The beauty of a long-term, 15- to 30-year investment is that you can ride out the storms along the way. Depending on your financial circumstances, 2021 could be the year to invest in your dream home. Let’s dig [...]

With easy access to beautiful countryside and bustling city life, Texas is the ideal location for someone who wants the best of both worlds. If you’re looking for a ranch or estate that allows you to entertain, spend time with nature and enjoy your favorite pastimes, look no further than the Lone Star State. We’ve rounded up four Texas mansions on the market right now that deliver on both style and setting — 100 percent dream-home [...]

When seeking out the best neighborhoods in Texas, set your sights on Dallas-Fort Worth for some of the most livable country you’ll ever dream of calling home. Like a supergroup of expert matchmakers, the agents of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty can help you find exactly what you’re looking for in both a home and its surrounding community. Below, you’ll discover seven of the hottest neighborhoods and cities in the DFW metropolitan area. 

1. Colonial Hills

Whether you’re an avid golfer or you simply enjoy the lush settings of an [...]