Houses.com - Real Estate News

Legendary Malibu Retreat and Recording Studio Listed

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMT

The famous Malibu, California beach house known as Shangri-La Ranch has been placed on the market with an asking price of $3.195 million. It's so much more than a beach house, as it was the recording site for some of the who's-who in music. Recent artists to record here include Kings of Leon and Adele, the multiple-Grammy winner.

The home with ocean views features 4,449 square feet of living space, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a detached guesthouse, formal gaming room, and of course, the fully-equipped recording studio. The home was also featured prominently in the 1960's television show, 'Mr. Ed.' It was here that guitarist Mark Knophler of Dire Straits recorded his 2004 solo album, 'Shangri-La' in tribute to the property.

Other legends to record and rehearse here include Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Metallica, Keith Richards, and Pete Townsend. Eric Clapton wrote and recorded his 1976 album, 'No Reason To Cry.'

Matthew McConaughey Purchases 9-acre Texas Spread

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:30:00 GMT

Hollywood hearthrob Matthew McConaughey, newly engaged with two little boys, has recently purchased a 9-acre spread just outside of Austin, Texas. Though it is reported that he still plans to keep his bachelor pad in Malibu, California, it seems the actor is investing in family in the Lone Star state, which he has called home his entire life.

The house features 10,800 square feet of living space, 7 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms. Highlighting this home are the several outdoor patios, decks, and outdoor entertainment areas. It went on the market originally in 2008 with a $6 million price-tag, but was reduced to $4 million in October of 2010. Mr. McConaughey likely got a price considerably below the last listing.

Matthew McConaughey has been a leading and supporting actor in many hit movies, mostly romantic comedies. He gained notoriety for his comedic work in 'Dazed and Confused' in 1993, and went on to star in other films, such as 'A Time To Kill,' 'How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days,' and 'The Wedding Planner.'

Al Capone's Miami Getaway Now Listed

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:30:00 GMT

The house in Miami Beach, Florida that notorious gangster Al Capone used as a vacation home is being listed for sale, while undergoing renovations that are expected to be complete in the summer of 2012. The current asking price is $9.5 million.

The bayfront home at 93 Palm Avenue features 6,103 square feet of living space, 7 bedrooms, 5 full and 2 half-bathrooms. Simple and serene, just as the Chicago-area mobster liked it, this home also features a backyard pool and one-car garage on 30k-square foot lot.

The home was originally built by Anheuser-Busch heir in 1922, in the midst of national prohibition. Capone bought the house in 1928.

Whitney Houston's Home Still for Sale

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:30:00 GMT

The late Grammy Award-winning singer Whitney Houston still has a home in New Jersey on the market, and it is currently being offered in a private listing. The asking price is $1.75 million. The home was the setting of the BRAVO television show, 'Being Bobby Brown,' which featured Houston and her then-husband, New Edition singer Bobby Brown.

On the market since 2009, the home at 22 North Gate Road in Mendham Township, New Jersey, originally listed at $2.5 million, features 12,600 square feet, 5 bedrooms, and 5 bathrooms. The home is currently being shown to pre-selected applicants who have $1.5 million in equity.

Houston, who died February 11th, also owns homes in North Bergen, New Jersey, Alpharetta, Georgia, and her final home in Laguna Beach, California.

Celebrity 'Love Nests' Now on the Market

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

In honor of Valentine's Day, let's showcase a few of our most famous lovebirds former homes, which are now available.

Beyonce and Jay-Z

The former home of Beyonce and Jay-Z in Indian Creek Village, Florida between Miami Beach and Bal Harbor, is listed for $9.5 million. It features 7,888 square feet, 7 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, pool and tile roofing.

Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart

The Hollywood power couple listed their NYC penthouse in Chelsie's City Prairie building for $16 million. It features 5,500 square feet, 4 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms, plus all the luxuries that the building has to offer.

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban

With construction blocking the view that made them buy the New York home in the first place, Nicole Kidman and her man have moved uptown, meaning their pad is now for rent at $45,000 a month. It features 3 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms and a chef's kitchen.

A House for $16? The Dream Ends as Eviction Begins

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Is it possible to file a claim for an empty house after paying the fee? In Dallas, Texas, one man did just that. After paying the $16 filing fee for an empty, $340,000 home, he moved all his belongings in, and became a national celebrity. Now, he's being kicked out.

Kenneth Robinson filed an 'adverse possession' claim for the then-abandoned home that features 3,200 square feet and a swimming pool. Now Bank of America, which aquired the home in January for $400k, is beginning foreclosure, and a Texas judge has ordered him to vacate the home in the affluent Flower Mound area if he does not provide $8,900 in rent.

Although Robinson is not facing any charges yet, Tarrant County officials are investigating his claim and actions, which have spawned supporters and copycats. Reports of more than $8 million in homes have been 'squat-in,' though mostly of them done illegally, with violators being prosecuted. Robinson knew back in July when he first began his occupation of the home that the possibility of losing it loomed. He wrote a book and started a 'How-To' website to promote 'adverse possessions.'

Although Robinson expected a settlement, Bank of America stated that there will be no such payments made.

Coco Chanel's French Riviera Paradise Listed

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:00:00 GMT

French fashion legend Coco Chanel was given a gift by her lover, the Duke of Westminster-a parcel of land and a sum of cash to have the home of her dreams built. It was on this 9-acre property near Monte Carlo that she designed and had built an elaborate 10,000-square-foot home that features 7 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, and offers a panoramic view of the Mediterranean Sea. She lived in the home from its completion in 1929, until 1953, when she sold it to literary agent Emery Reves.

Elegant and sophisticated, the home's guests cover a who's-who of history and entertainment. Igor Stravinski, Pablo Picasso, Aristotle Onassis, and Greta Garbo have been visitors, among others. During the late 1950's, it was the rented summer home for former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Daryl Hannah's Hippie Home For Sale

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Actress and activist Daryl Hannah has placed her Malibu, California home on the market for nearly $5 million. Designed in 1963, after the renovation of a former nursery, this 17-acre beauty in a gated community was again renovated by the star in 2001. The project reportedly took 10 years to fully complete, with a reported investment of $1.4 million.

The home and property feature two renovated 1927 river-stone hunting lodges, which combined total 1,540 square feet, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, large walk-in closets, in-floor heating, and a Japanese soaking tub in the main lodge. Though considered slighly below-average for a world famous beach town, the property does offer a passing view of the ocean, orchard-ready irrigated landscaping, giant cacti, and exotic plants and trees.

The actress' attempt to save the world has led her to relocated to an 'intentional' and 'off-the-grid' compound near Telluride, Colorado. Her most memorable works include 'Clan of the Cave Bear' and 'Splash,' in the 80's, and 'Attack of the 50-foot Woman,' and the 'Grumpy Old Men' series of films.

Filmmaker and Actress Sofia Coppola Lists and Buys Homes in NYC

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:30:00 GMT

Sofia Coppola recently listed her apartment in downtown Manhattan with an asking price of $2.75 million, not long after buying another home in New York City. Coppola bought the 1,770-square-foot loft-like home in September 2002. The modest apartment has two bedrooms, two baths, wide-plank hardwood floors, walls of windows, 11-plus foot ceilings and nearly a dozen over-sized windows.

Before listing the apartment, Sofia Coppola and her husband Thomas Mars of the French band Phoenix purchased a townhouse in Greenwich Village, also in New York City, for $9.85 million. That’s a little more that $1 million over the asking price. The home was built in the 1850s, and the property features a 2,000-square-foot garden in the back.

Sofia Coppola, daughter of famous film legend Francis Ford Coppola, directed and won an Academy Award for best screenplay for the 2003 film Lost in Translation. She most recently starred in the 2010 film Somewhere.

Rapper ‘Drake’ Puts 2 Miami Homes on the Market for $2.5 Million

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:18:00 GMT

Celebrity rapper Aubrey Drake Graham, who performs under the name Drake, has listed both of his Miami homes for sale with an asking price of $2.5 million total. The condo units are adjacent to each other in the swanky Marquis Residences high-rise that towers over Biscayne Bay. The Marquis offers residents a fitness center, an open-air sky pool deck, spa and private elevators.

The larger of the two condos has three bedrooms, 3.5 baths, a media room, and a marble stairway between floors. It is priced at $1.9 million. The second unit is offered at $599,000 and has one bedroom, 1.5 baths and a den. Together, these South Florida condominiums offer nearly 5,500 square feet of living area. Both have 20-foot ceilings, custom soundproof walls, glass walls and balconies overlooking the bay. Drake, 25, bought the two apartments for $1.9 million in January 2011.

Drake came onto the entertainment scene when he played Jimmy Brooks on the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation. Drake is Grammy-nominated recording artist whose current rap album is No. 1 in America.