Luxury real estate guru Chris Karas deals in a niche so elite, where privacy and keeping details on the ultra down-low is a given.
But when he closed the highest Arizona MLS real estate deal to date in November 2019, it begged for attention. The co-founder of Launch Real Estate and president of The Karas Group sold a 28,000-square foot Paradise Valley estate that went to its new owners for a record $19.25 million.
It boasts five bedrooms, a two-bedroom guest house, private exercise studio in the master, oversize spa, formal spaces, chef’s kitchen, bar, glass walls to make the outdoors part of the house, and an indoor basketball court. Views of Camelback Mountain frame the home that sits on five acres.
“It’s one of the most magnificent estates in Paradise Valley in one of the most sought-after locations. It checked every box for them,” says Karas, a 15-year industry veteran and Paradise Valley resident.
Professional athletes, entrepreneurs, investors and physicians are among his happy clients. He’s done speaking engagements with stars of Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing shows, and lent his expertise on documentaries about the luxury real estate industry.
Among his goals: To see every home in Paradise Valley. He estimates there are about 8,000 of them.
“Let’s just say I still have a few more to go,” Karas says with a laugh.