Lacey Helen Blog's: September 2020

Wednesday, 30 September 2020

Prolific TV Producer Ryan Murphy Sells Luxurious Laguna Beach Estate at a Discount

Ryan Murphy Laguna Beach — realtor.com, Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The television producer Ryan Murphy has finally sold his luxury compound in Orange County, CA. Murphy accepted an offer of $10.65 million, after initially putting the place on the market in early 2018 for $18.75 million.

Murphy acquired part of the property in Laguna Beach for $4,475,000 in 2005, and proceeded to buy an adjacent parcel in 2007 for a little under $3 million.

He combined the two parcels and toyed with the idea of selling them as a package, listing the property for $8 million in 2011.

But instead of letting go of the lush locale, with scenic views of the coastline, islands, and canyon, he hired the renowned architect Mark Singer to redesign the compound completely.

He also brought in the designer Cliff Fong to create a museum-quality interior. The finished product earned a spread in Architectural Digest.

“I wanted to nest, to create a weekend getaway for my growing family,” Murphy told the magazine. “The idea was to make both houses steel and glass, and the gardens modernist but bold and odd (like much of my work, I have been told).”

Ryan Murphy’s estate in Laguna Beach, CA
realtor.com

It took five years to complete the remodel to Murphy’s exacting specifications.

“Peaceful, clean-lined, modern, and oddly quirky, my finally finished family home embodies my fantasy of California—glamorous but effortless, a place to dream and retreat—and how I pictured myself living here when I was kid,” he told AD in 2017.

Once finished, the estate became something of a landmark in Laguna Beach. It sits on a lush green hillside with unobstructed views of the ocean. The property includes a 5,000-square-foot main house, plus a two-bedroom live/work guesthouse.

There’s also a two-story pool pavilion, a pool and spa, an outdoor kitchen, dining areas, fireplaces, and exquisitely manicured and walled gardens, with olive trees shading it all.

The gracefully curved citrus allée also adds to the allure of the property.

The single-story main house features four bedrooms and an open floor plan. Floor-to-ceiling walls of glass, plus folding doors and skylights, let in plenty of California sunlight.

Polished concrete floors and wraparound patios add to the airy, coastal vibe.

The owner’s suite could be a complete residence in and of itself. Luxe amenities in the suite include a spa-style bath/lounge, rosewood built-ins, office space, and a private herb/vegetable garden right outside.

Owner’s suite bedroom with sunset views
realtor.com

Spacious bathroom in the owner’s suite
realtor.com

The estate had most recently been listed in July 2020 at the reduced price of $12.5 million. Kevin Augunas and Chris Cortazzo of Compass were the listing agents, and Dan Bushman of Coastline Real Estate Group represented the buyer.

According to Variety, Murphy’s main residence is a Spanish Revival near Sunset Boulevard that he bought from Diane Keaton.

He also owns a large, hacienda-style mansion in Brentwood.

Murphy, 54, recently released “Ratched,” his latest series for Netflix. It follows on the heels of “The Politician” and “Hollywood,” Murphy’s first two creations after signing a $300 million contract with the global streaming service.

The post Prolific TV Producer Ryan Murphy Sells Luxurious Laguna Beach Estate at a Discount appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

source https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/ryan-murphy-sells-laguna-beach-estate/

Singer Elle King Is Close to a Sale of Her Hollywood Hills Home

Elle King Los Angeles home — realtor.com, Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

The singer and songwriter Elle King is serious about bidding a fond farewell to her cool home in the Hollywood Hills. King recently reduced the price on the place, described as “California Spanish meets Hollywood Hills boho chic,” to $1,665,000.

Her strategy seems to have paid off—the home is now in contingent sale status.

Nestled on a hillside not far from Universal Studios, the 3,500-square-foot classic Spanish-style home was built in 1988.

King didn’t intend to stay there for long, apparently, and is willing to take a hit on the price. She purchased the place in January 2018 for $1.72 million, and has had it on and off the market since May 2018, when it was listed at $1,795,000.

Her loss will be a lucky buyer’s gain, as the home is full of custom charm, with features like rich dark wood floors, crown moldings, unique wrought-iron railings, built-in cabinetry, and period archways leading from room to room. Underfoot, there’s a fun mix of hardwood, slate, and travertine flooring.

Elle King’s Hollywood Hills home
realtor.com

Luxury features in the four-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home include a wine cellar, an elaborate custom chandelier, a stacked stone fireplace, and a kitchen with gorgeous marble and granite countertops, as well as top-of-the-line appliances.

Kitchen with rainforest marble
realtor.com

Few homes in Southern California have basements, but this is a rare example. Counting the basement, this could be considered a four-level home.

The backyard is skillfully terraced, with multiple conversation and dining areas. Several balconies, patios, and decks overlook the backyard.

King’s career in entertainment began when she was 10, when she appeared in “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo,” which starred her father, the comedian Rob Schneider.

After that experience, she turned her attention to music, and scored a huge hit with the double Grammy-nominated, Top 10 single “Ex’s & Oh’s.” She’s currently nominated for two Academy of Country Music Awards, and is promoting her latest EP, “In Isolation.” She wrote, recorded, and shot the video for it in this very house.

Denise Rosner of Compass has the listing.

The post Singer Elle King Is Close to a Sale of Her Hollywood Hills Home appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

source https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/elle-king-close-to-sale-of-hollywood-hills-home/

Lake Tahoe Ranch That Served as Ponderosa on ‘Bonanza’ Sells for a Record $38M

You can’t help but wonder what Hoss and Little Joe would say about the sale of the site of TV’s fictional Ponderosa Ranch for $38 million. It set the record for the highest-priced waterfront residential sale on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe.

Now known as Sierra Sunset, the 24-acre property in Zephyr Cove was used as backdrop for the popular TV series “Bonanza,” which aired from 1959 to 1973. You may remember the family riding horseback on the pine-forested property along the shores of the massive freshwater lake.

The property wasn’t always a TV star. It was originally the site of the historic Bourne estate, named for Singer sewing machine heir Arthur Bourne. Not so coincidentally, the new owner was a childhood friend of the Bourne family. He spent summers at the beach and at the original home that existed before the construction of Sierra Sunset.

“The new owner is the perfect steward for this historic property. He will maintain the natural beauty of the meadows and lakeside setting. It’s exciting to see the Bourne history will live on through the ties back to their family,” says listing agent Lexi Cerretti of Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty.

Built in 2004, the main residence would have dropped the jaws of the Cartwright family. The 17,700-square-foot mansion features two living rooms, a game room with bar, a home theater, an eat-in kitchen, a wine room with seating, two offices, a home gym with full bath and sauna, and a crafts room.

Sierra Sunset front exterior
realtor.com

In addition to the master suite, there are seven en suite guest rooms. A two-bedroom guesthouse includes a full kitchen and living area. In total, there are nine bedrooms and 9.5 baths.

The main house has a number of luxe touches, including nine fireplaces, oversize mahogany doors, and heated stone and wood flooring. After all, it does get cold in this part of the country in winter.

In the spring, summer, and early fall, residents and guests can enjoy 378 feet of sandy beachfront highlighted by a pier, boat hoist, and buoy.

In an echo of its TV past, Sierra Sunset is also a property for equine aficionados. There’s a 7-acre parcel with a 15-stall stable, wash rack, and grooming area for horses. The home’s sellers were known for raising champion thoroughbreds—including the property’s namesake, Sierra Sunset.

And as is the case with many multimillion-dollar properties, the record-setting sale took a few years to come together. The world-famous ranch has been on and off the market since 2016, when it was listed for $59 million.

The post Lake Tahoe Ranch That Served as Ponderosa on ‘Bonanza’ Sells for a Record $38M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

source https://www.realtor.com/news/unique-homes/lake-tahoe-ranch-that-served-as-bonanza-ponderosa-sells/

Home Buyers Give Puerto Rico Another Look During Pandemic

Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico — Javier_Art_Photography/iStock

Sales of Puerto Rican luxury houses and condominiums are spiking during the pandemic, with buyers from New York, California and other higher-tax states embracing the island’s low-tax status.

Developers of luxury projects are reporting increasing sales volume and prices compared with 2019. The uptick comes despite years of natural disasters and financial and political upheavals that made many wary of buying property in Puerto Rico.

Residents of the territory—who must live there at least 183 days a year—pay a Puerto Rico income tax of up to 33% but no other federal or local income taxes. Many wealthy individuals also are exempt from taxes on interest, dividends and certain capital gains.

Some U.S. cities or states, where some people already pay over 40% in income taxes, might raise taxes further to cover budget shortfalls. New Jersey Gov. Philip Murphy reached a deal this month with legislative leaders to increase taxes on incomes over $1 million. Opponents of that “millionaires tax” have said it would trigger an exodus of wealthy people from the state.

“As awful as the [pandemic] is, it breathes new life into the Puerto Rican economy,” said Rodrick Miller, chief executive of Invest Puerto Rico, a not-for-profit organization trying to attract business investment.

While up-to-date residential sales figures for the island overall aren’t available, developers of high-end projects report brisk business in recent months. The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, a high-end hotel and residential project developed by hedge-fund manager John Paulson, has made 34 sales of condominiums and home lots since the pandemic hit. That compares with 20 sales during the same time frame in 2019, according to Fahad Ghaffar, Mr. Paulson’s partner in Puerto Rico.

The average price of a beachfront condo has increased to $1,360 a square foot from $1,000 a year ago. “We’ve had a closing with a Zoom buyer that purchased a $5.4 million penthouse that hasn’t even been here,” he said, referring to the popular videoconferencing platform.

Demand also has been strong at the Dorado Beach resort. Developer CPG Real Estate LLC has signed 46 contracts for homes in The Isles, one of the resort’s new phases, with prices in the $1.9 million to $4 million range, according to Kenneth Blatt, a principal.

Most of the sales were signed after the pandemic hit. Buyers from the mainland are seeking low taxes while those from San Juan are seeking the open spaces and lower density of the gated community.

“It’s not dissimilar from what you’re seeing with people leaving New York for Westchester and Greenwich,” Mr. Blatt said.

Puerto Rico still hasn’t recovered from its own budget problems and Hurricane Maria in 2017. But rebuilding efforts were stoked earlier this month when President Trump said he was releasing $13 billion to rebuild the island’s electrical grid and schools.

The U.S. territory also is pressing hard to attract remote workers and businesses that face prolonged and uncertain returns to their traditional offices. Invest Puerto Rico has beefed up its outreach efforts to educate remote workers about the island’s tax incentives.

“In this Covid[-19] environment, [remote workers] can’t go to all the places that they used to because they’re not open to the U.S.,” Mr. Miller said.

These efforts are helping bring failed Puerto Rican residential developments back to life. Mr. Ghaffar said that he and Mr. Paulson in 2016 purchased 150 units of a failed project in the Palmas del Mar Resort on the island’s east coast that targeted middle market buyers. “We were selling about 10 per year and this year we sold over 28 units,” he said.

The demand also has encouraged some developers to plan groundbreakings on their first new Puerto Rican projects in years. Royal Palm Cos. plans to announce two branded resorts next year including a total of 95 residences on the island’s northeast coast, with prices for three-bedroom units starting in the $1 million to $2 million range.

The venture has changed its plans to increase the number of residences because of the pandemic. “It made sense because of the demand for residential now,” said Daniel Kodsi, chief executive of Royal Palm. “The primary driver right now in Puerto Rico is taxes.”

The post Home Buyers Give Puerto Rico Another Look During Pandemic appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

source https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/home-buyers-give-puerto-rico-another-look-during-pandemic/

Country Music Star Alan Jackson Selling Massive $23M Mansion in Tennessee

Alan Jackson Franklin house — realtor.com, Phillip Faraone/Getty Images

The country music legend Alan Jackson is strumming a farewell tune to his massive mansion in Franklin, TN. The chart-topping singer has put the home on the market for $23 million, which makes it the most expensive home on the market in Williamson County.

Jackson’s single-family home can’t really be described as a place for a single family. Completed in 2011 by the architect Ron Farris, the vast residence features five bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms, spread over a whopping 22,000 square feet.

Just outside Nashville, the mansion sits on a hilltop with over 4 acres of property. The surroundings are heavily wooded, and the property is shielded by an additional 120 acres of green space, which provides plenty of privacy and gorgeous views.

Jackson’s lair is in a gated community with a constantly manned gate. Once you get past the community gate and approach the cul-de-sac stone driveway, you’ll find Jackson’s second gate, which leads up the long driveway to his “monumental stone residence.”

The grand foyer features beautiful hardwood floors and an elegant chandelier. It opens onto a dramatic staircase that leads to the upper and lower levels.

A large chef’s kitchen offers an abundance of counter space, as well as double ovens, a gas stove, and custom cabinetry.

On the upper level, you’ll find the master suite, with a large sitting area. The suite has French doors that lead out to a balcony to soak in the fresh country air.

The master bathroom features a spacious walk-in shower and a separate tub with double doors that open out to lovely vistas of the well-manicured yard below.

And as you might imagine with an estate of this kind, the living and family rooms are built on a grand scale. Outside, there’s a pool with a poolhouse, an outdoor kitchen, and lush green lawns.

The garages, which can be both heated and cooled, are capable of housing up to 15 cars.

Jackson originally purchased the property in March 2009 for $795,000, and then proceeded to construct the mansion, which was completed in 2011.

The singer still owns over 84 acres in the area, which he purchased in April 2017 for $3.6 million. It’s not clear whether he’s built a new residence on that property or whether he’s decided to relocate elsewhere.

In 2010, Jackson sold a different mansion in Franklin for $28 million, after initially listing it for $38 million.

Jackson, 61, has won two Grammy Awards, 16 Country Music Awards, and 17 Academy of Country Music Awards. He’s sold more than 75 million records worldwide and is one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

Rick French with French King Fine Properties has the listing.

The post Country Music Star Alan Jackson Selling Massive $23M Mansion in Tennessee appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

source https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/alan-jackson-selling-massive-23m-mansion-in-tennessee/

‘Nobody Wants It’: Colorado Home at the Center of Netflix Murder Documentary Hangs in Limbo

The nation was horrified and captivated in 2018 when Chris Watts murdered his picture-perfect family in Frederick, CO—then scrambled to cover his tracks. The case is about to achieve new notoriety thanks to a new Netflix documentary, “American Murder: The Family Next Door,” which will start streaming on Wednesday. But the home at the center of the macabre tragedy is languishing in its own kind of legal purgatory.

The documentary details how Watts strangled his pregnant wife, Shanann Watts, in their five-bedroom home during a fight in the early hours of Aug. 13, 2018. Chris told her he was having an affair with a co-worker and asked for a divorce. Shanann reportedly shot back that he’d never see his daughters again. So he killed her.

That same night Chris murdered daughters Celeste, 3, and Bella, 4, after driving them to Anadarko Petroleum, where he worked as an operator, and smothering them in his car. He went on TV the following day, begging his wife and children to return home. But he would eventually fail a polygraph test and confessed his grisly crimes to the police.

Shanann’s body was found in a shallow grave on the Anadarko site, and his daughters were discovered in oil tanks.

He is now serving multiple life sentences behind bars. But the fate of the Watts’ roughly 4,200-square-foot, brown house, at 2825 Saratoga Trail in Frederick, is still uncertain. The unassuming, single-family house in the suburbs sits in legal limbo.

The lender that owns the mortgage on the home, built in 2013, foreclosed on the property and put it up for auction. But no one bought it within a year of when it went up for sale. So the county took it out of foreclosure.

That means that it’s still owned by convicted murderer Chris Watts.

“It’s not getting any bids because people know the sordid history of the house, and nobody wants it,” says Denver-based bankruptcy attorney Clark Dray, who works with foreclosures.

“It just sits in limbo until [a creditor] comes along and tries a foreclosure again,” says Dray, who is not affiliated with the home or its former owners.

The couple purchased the brand-new home for $399,954 in May 2013. It’s now estimated to be worth $648,100, according to realtor.com®.

“Usually at least the mortgage company will attempt to buy the home so they can resell it,” says Dray. That could mean the lender is worried the home won’t fetch a good price or simply won’t attract a buyer. Real estate investors also shied away.

It’s also likely to lead to significant price cuts.

“The longer the house sits vacant, the bigger the discounts. [And] it’s been vacant over two years,” says real estate appraiser Orell Anderson, of Strategic Property Analytics.

“When there are kids involved, the discounts are higher. People really don’t like that,” says Anderson, who specializes in real estate damages, which include properties where crimes occurred.

The Netflix documentary will likely exacerbate the stigma, making the house even more toxic. Anderson expects the house will need to be discounted by 15% to 25% to sell.

“It’s a great neighborhood of nicely built homes. It’s family-friendly. It’s a great location. You can get to Denver quick from there, you can get to Boulder,” says local real estate agent Tanja Nelson, of Sellstate Peak Properties, of the upper middle-class community. But the crime “was a huge deal. … It was talked about for months.”

If it sells at all, it will likely be to an out-of-state buyer, Nelson says.

“Everybody knows the story around here,” says Nelson. “It’s a nice enough house and the neighborhood’s awesome. It would have sold by now if someone local felt comfortable enough to buy it.”

For the Watts house to be auctioned off, one of the creditors owed money from the property would have to put it back up for foreclosure. Or the state could do it if the delinquent taxes pile up. Creditors are those who have liens on the property for unpaid bills. They include Shanann’s parents, Sandra and Franklin Rzucek, who won a $6 million wrongful death lawsuit against Chris, according to the property’s title report. There is also the mortgage lender, water company, and local homeowners association.

Potential buyers who aren’t scared off by the heinous act that occurred in the home may be scared off by the attention it will likely continue to receive. They may want to alter the home’s appearance, with a new color of paint or different landscaping. Or they may want to knock it down and put up a new home on the property.

“If you can make the house look different from [how it was portrayed in the media], you don’t get all the looky-loos,” says appraiser Anderson.

The post ‘Nobody Wants It’: Colorado Home at the Center of Netflix Murder Documentary Hangs in Limbo appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

source https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/chris-watts-murder-house-in-limbo/

Tuesday, 29 September 2020

Former 49ers Coach Steve Mariucci Selling $8.7M Home in Del Mar, CA

Steve Mariucci Del Mar house — realtor.com, Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Former NFL head coach Steve Mariucci is drawing up a play to sell his delightful Del Mar, CA, home for $8,699,000.

Mariucci’s beach retreat is located in what has become somewhat of a nirvana for NFL players, coaches, and referees. The town of Del Mar has been home to quarterback Drew Brees, football coach Norv Turner, and other notable gridiron names.

In fact, the area was so filled with NFL legends, Mooch, as he’s known, would host a bunch of football minds at his Del Mar home for a get-together at the start of training camp, according to a 2016 article in the New Orleans Times–Picayune.

“It’s just a relaxing evening, a way for all of us to get together and enjoy each other’s company before the start of the season. We looked forward to it every year,” Mariucci told the Times-Picayune. In fact, the group began calling itself the Del Mar NFL Club.

If the home’s NFL pedigree isn’t enough to entice a buyer, the ocean vistas are pretty great, too.

Steve Mariucci’s Del Mar, CA, home
realtor.com

Built in 2006, the 3,200-square-foot bungalow has three bedrooms and 3.5 baths. It boasts “amazing views from almost every room,” according to the listing.

The bright and airy abode features a nautical aesthetic, with white walls and touches of ocean-inspired blues. The main living and dining area has exposed beams, a vaulted ceiling, and dark wood flooring.

The open kitchen comes with a large island with bar seating, stainless-steel appliances, and a turquoise tile backsplash. The kitchen area looks out to the cozy family room. A lower-level lounge includes a wet bar.

In a nod to the ideal weather in this part of California, the living area extends outside with a deck, fireplace, and lounge seating.

All the bedrooms feature beach decor, including surfboards hanging on the walls. The master bedroom includes a fireplace, and opens out to a balcony with water views.

Mooch has clearly enjoyed quality time there with his family. In 2017, he tweeted a photo with his grandson on the beach at sunset. The caption: “Nothing like a Del Mar sunset with your grandson ! #MiniMooch.”

Nothing like a Del Mar sunset with your grandson ! #MiniMooch pic.twitter.com/cdJkiC3Pzh

— Steve Mariucci (@SteveMariucci) September 9, 2017

Mariucci served as head coach for the San Francisco 49ers for six seasons and the Detroit Lions for 2.5 seasons. Since his midseason dismissal from the Lions in 2005, he has worked as an analyst for the NFL Network.

Mariucci and his wife also own a six-bedroom home in the exclusive Bay Area enclave of Monte Sereno, a residence they purchased in 1999 while he was working for the 49ers.

Brian Guiltinan with The Guiltinan Group holds the listing.

The post Former 49ers Coach Steve Mariucci Selling $8.7M Home in Del Mar, CA appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

source https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/steve-mariucci-selling-del-mar-home/

Would You Burrow by the Beach in This Underground ‘Dune House’?

It’s difficult to know the “dune house” even exists if you’re not looking for it. But that’s what makes it so enticing.

From the street, all you see are two staircases, two concealed doors, and grass.

“It’s kind of built like the natural shape of an oceanfront dune,” says listing agent Jan Shields.

The two units on Beach Avenue in Atlantic Beach, FL, must have the same owner, but they can be independently occupied, Shields explains. “A good buyer is somebody that would really like to live in half of it and possibly rent [out] the other half.”

The asking price for the one-of-a-kind offering is $1,795,000—and after less than two weeks on the market, it’s under contract.

Each unit measures about 750 square feet.

“They are a small amount of square footage, but when you walk in, the area is so well-planned it feels bigger,” Shields says. “There’s a big staircase to one side and a dome ceiling. Every inch is well-planned. It’s just beautifully done.”

Each side has one bedroom and 1.5 bathrooms. But their finishes are slightly different. One unit has a Murphy bed on the lower level. Both have laundry facilities, efficient kitchens, and living space.

“It’s amazing how well-equipped they are for such a small space,” Shields says.

Modernist architect William Morgan built the unique units for himself in 1975. Based in Jacksonville, FL, Morgan created a variety of structures, including several that used the earth as either walls or a roof.

“When you go in, you’re amazed at how an architect had a small space, but it feels so cozy but kind of large,” Shields says.

The residences reveal themselves when you enter, Shields explains. The front door leads down a hallway to the bedroom, bathroom, and staircase. The curved stairs go down to the main living space, which has sliding glass doors that open to the outside.

“It all opens up, and you just walk straight out to the ocean. Right there is your ocean view,” Shields says. “There is a little area where you can sit or take a few steps down and walk to the beach. It’s probably 100 feet to the ocean.”

The current owners bought the property from the Morgan family in 2012 and made some updates.

“They completely refreshed, renovated, and updated it,” Shields says. “Everything is in really good shape, and they added the oceanside rooftop decks.”

The area leading up to the decks is grass, which means someone will need to mow the roof.

The furnishings are included in the sale, Shields says.

“We hope that somebody will keep it as it is,” she continues. “The worst-case scenario would be if someone wants to tear it down and have the lot, but we hope that that doesn’t happen. Our hope and dream is that somebody wants to keep it because it is an icon. It’s an incredible property.”

The post Would You Burrow by the Beach in This Underground ‘Dune House’? appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

source https://www.realtor.com/news/unique-homes/underground-dune-house-florida-oceanfront/