Luxe Living

Quirky actor Breckin Meyer and his soon-to-be-ex-wife, screenwriter Deborah Kaplan, have put their family home in Beverly Hills, CA on the market for $2,995,000, as first reported by The Real Estalker. They purchased the place in the Beverly Hills Post Office neighborhood on September 19, 2003 for $1,875,000.

The sale of this home is likely prompted by the news that Meyer and his wife were going their separate ways after almost 11 years together. Divorce is one of the biggest reasons why people sell their homes, and in Hollywood, it’s no different.

The Meyers’ now for-sale home has a grand entry on first floor that flows into open entertaining rooms with high ceilings, a gracious dining room with wood beamed vaulted ceiling and an elegant living room that opens to a private, serene pool with a vine covered pergola. Aside from the 4 bedrooms and office/den upstairs, the home also has a combo screening/family room, plus one office with its own private entrance. The master has a secluded roof terrace and fabulous walk-in closet with enormous modern redone bathroom.

Aside from all the bells and whistles inside and out, the home also boasts a celebrity pedigree – Joan Collins once owned the property!

Sometimes 2 isn’t better than 1. After more than 2 full years on the market, Christina Aguilera has finally sold the Beverly Hills mansion she purchased from Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne. Originally listed for $13.5 million, Aguliera never officially reduced the asking price on the home, but according to property records, she eventually ended up selling for $11.5 million – a full $2 million less than the diva wanted for her palace. The deal closed on April 29, 2013, and the buyer’s identity is still unknown.

Aguilera has since moved on to another Beverly Hills mansion in the exclusive guard-gated Mulholland Estates community. Her new 11,000-square-foot estate was reportedly purchased from multi-billionaire and global private equity mogul Tom Gores for an even $10 million.

Her just-sold home was the stage for Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne’s reality show “The Osbournes” many years ago and is in the heart of Beverly Hills on Doheny Drive. The estate is gated and extremely private and has 6 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms spread out over 10,000 square feet.

Glee starlet Naya Rivera is flipping her home in Beverly Hills, asking $2.1 million for a home she paid $1.475 million for on April 4, 2012. If she gets her full asking price, Naya is set to make $625,000 for less than a year’s ownership, minus what she paid to remodel this stunner. This kind of return isn’t common in every market, but in this celebrity-infested Beverly Hills neighborhood, buyers will pay big bucks for the 90210 zip code.

Rivera is making her house flip a family affair – she’s employed her mother Yolanda Rivera as the listing agent on the home, which hit the market in mid-March and already has “sale pending” sign hanging out front. Nice work, mom!

Rivera’s almost-sold home is on a cul de sac and has been remodeled. It features 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms and is a spacious 3,300 square feet.  The home includes a formal living area and dining room overlooking the courtyard and pool. The library includes a wet bar with its own kegerator! The master suite includes dual walk-in closets and a built-in sauna and steam room. The backyard includes a completely remodeled salt water pool, jacuzzi and fire pit.

Rivera is decamping to a 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom, 4,186 square foot East Coast traditional estate in Los Feliz that property records show she purchased on April 15, 2013 for $2,600,000.

Christina Aguilera has purchased another Beverly Hills mansion in the exclusive guard-gated Mulholland Estates community. According to TMZ, who broke the news yesterday, the 11,000-square-foot estate was reportedly purchased from multi-billionaire and global private equity mogul Tom Gores for an even $10 million.  Previously, the home was leased for $20,000 a month by Adrienne Maloof of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Located on a double lot in the Mulholland Estates community, this six-bedroom, eight-bathroom Mediterranean mansion features custom, high-quality finishes and fixtures throughout. The master suite upstairs features a fireplace, two walk-in closets, a private office, a large terrace with fireplace, and a spa-like bathroom lined in marble with a steam shower and tub. Five additional en suites include a large family room with built-in cabinetry.

The first floor of the home offers an even larger family room with exposed wood beam ceiling, formal dining room, wood paneled library, and screening room. The gourmet kitchen includes top-of-the-line appliances, a walk-in pantry with refrigerator and breakfast area, and a large center island. The enclosed loggia features wood paneled ceilings, hand painted details, fireplace, and arched glass doors that open to the lush yard. To take in the warm California sun and entertain, the home’s outdoor space includes a saltwater pool and spa, bathhouse, gazebo, and built-in BBQ.

But what of X’tina’s current home (you know, the 10,000-square-foot estate that she and former hubby Jordon Bratman bought from the Prince of Darkness and his wife AKA Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne)? A little birdie told Yo Mama of The Real Estalker that the home is currently in escrow.

Casey Kasem, longtime host of ‘American Top 40′ and one of the most iconic voices of all time, is saying goodbye to his Beverly Hills home, which comes complete with one of the romantic details we’ve ever seen – a heart-shaped pool! First reported by The Real Estalker, the home is newly listed for the sky-high price of $42,000,000. The estate sits on 2.4 acres and has 8 bedrooms, 11.5 bathrooms and 12,000 square feet.

Described as a “Classic Revival,” Kasem’s home has gone through a recent renovation and expansion. Now, the home includes a living room, salon, formal dining room, English-style library, bar room and a family-style kitchen. Double master suites feature  2 bathrooms, a hair salon  and dressing areas.

Outside on the expansive grounds, you’ll find the ‘love’-ly heart-shaped pool with 2 swim pavilions, a sunken, North/South tennis court and guest House.

Love Kasem’s house but don’t quite have the funds to afford the $42M price tag right now? Well, take Kasem’s signature advice to “keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars” – and maybe you’ll own it someday.

Images via the MLS.

Remember the super-sized sale of the iconic Spelling Manor in Beverly Hills in 2011? It took a super star agent to get that deal done, and we have the woman responsible for brokering the deal on Trulia Luxe Living today! Coldwell Banker Previews International agent Sally Forster Jones specializes in  luxury real estate across the greater Los Angeles area, and has achieved more than $1.5 billion in real estate sales over the past decade. When it comes to the big deals and even bigger homes, Sally seems to be the go-to agent.

Over the past thirty years, Sally has become one of the top real estate agents in Southern California with Coldwell Banker Previews International agent. Her reputation for professionalism, expertise, and successful execution has enabled Sally to develop a vast network of valuable industry contacts that has proven to be indispensable.

Let’s spend a little time getting to know Sally a little better!

How did you get your start in real estate?

When I first became interested in real estate, the market was on an upswing and I began purchasing income and rental properties as investments.  I quickly realized that I had a passion for the real estate business and I have been doing it ever since.

What sale or career milestone are you most proud of?

My career milestone is the listing and sale of the Spelling Manor in Holmby Hills, which is the highest brokered residential sale to-date in Los Angeles history and one of the highest in the country.

What is your dream home location?

I would love a beach house on the coast of Malibu.  The sandy beaches and ocean views are incredibly peaceful, and yet it’s just a quick drive to the hustle and bustle of the city.

What kind of car do you drive?



Right now I am driving a Porsche Panamera which I love!

iPhone, Android or BlackBerry?

I am currently transitioning from BlackBerry to iPhone.  So much of my business is done on-the-go and both phones have great advantages, so right now I am still using both.

What site/app do you check first when you wake up?



The first thing I check when I wake up is my e-mails.  I receive hundreds and hundreds of emails daily so staying on top of them and checking in with clients is the first priority! It is so important to stay constantly connected and in communication.
 
What was the last book you read? 



I just finished Silver Linings Playbook.  I saw the movie and loved it and heard that the book was a great read as well.
 
Name your favorite guilty pleasure.

My favorite guilty pleasure is rocky road ice cream.  There is nothing better on a hot Southern California day!
 
What’s one thing someone would never guess just by looking at you? 



I am really a thrill seeker and am always looking for the next adventure.  I have been white water rafting, zip lining, I love skiing black diamond trails and I hope to try sky diving someday soon!

Take a peek at some of Sally Forster Jones’ listings!

• $43,000,000 – N Kanan Dume Road, Malibu, CA
• $24,950,000 - South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA
• $13,900,000 – Evans Road, Pacific Palisades, CA
• $6,100,000 – Woodacre Road, Santa Monica, CA
• $5,495,000 – Estrondo Drive, Encino, CA

Billy Bob Thornton is downsizing!  According to public records, the aging actor sold his Beverly Hills estate on North Roxbury Drive on December 31, 2012 for $8,000,000. The estate, once shared with ex-wife Angelina Jolie, was massive – with nine bedrooms, eight bathrooms and 11,012 square feet.

Thorton’s new home officially became his on February 1, 2013, and is a more modest 2,818 square feet. Purchased for $2,700,000, the home has just five bedrooms and four bathrooms. Nestled in the Mandeville Canyon area of Brentwood, Thorton’s new home is a perfect Country Traditional that was seamlessly remodeled and expanded to create a two-story secluded retreat on a gated, flat lot. The living room has a fireplace, as does the open country dining/family room. Continuous French doors open to spectacular professionally-designed garden great room with a dry stacked stone fireplace, outdoor kitchen and salt water pool with solar heater.

Inside, a gourmet kitchen has stainless steel appliances, Carrera marble counters, walk-in pantry, and large eat-in banquette breakfast room. Downstairs, the home has four bedrooms, 2.75 bathrooms, and a maid’s suite off the kitchen.

Upstairs, Thorton’s master suite has an adjacent office/den/gym/nursery and private balcony.

This is quite the family-friendly estate for a man not always known as the most domestic man in Hollywood. Married and divorced five times, most notably to Angelina Jolie, Thorton has said that he believes marriage “doesn’t work” for him. Since 2003, Thornton has been in a relationship with makeup effects crew member Connie Angland, with whom he has a daughter, Bella.

Think Thorton and his family are slumming it in this newer, much smaller home? Not quite. The star still owns a home in Malibu that he paid $2,350,000 for in 2007.

Armand Marciano, co-creator of the Guess? Jeans empire, has put his Beverly Crest-area estate back on the market for $54.5 million. That’s quite a chop from the $63 million he was asking for the estate two years ago.

Built in 2001 and set on nearly 20 acres overlooking the city, the Mediterranean-style mansion clocks in at 30,000 square feet of space that spans three stories. It features seven bedrooms, 13 full bathrooms and nine-and-a-half baths and includes an elevator, nine fireplaces, a wine cellar, and parking for 27 cars.

Standard for an estate of this size, the home has staff quarters with three bedrooms and a separate full kitchen.

The interiors have been designed for modern lifestyles, yet pay homage to timeless European elegance, which include a formal living room, dining room, library, commercial-grade gourmet kitchen, breakfast nook, family room, gym, game room, projection screening room and wine cellar.

According to the listing, “the grounds inspire the kind of serenity found in the world’s most secluded villas, with immaculate lawns and gardens, orchards, fountains, a mosaic-tiled swimming pool, outdoor pavilion, pool house with kitchen and pizza oven, tennis court and pavilion, walking paths and a view to envy.”

 Joyce Rey of Coldwell Banker holds the listing.

Rock legend, Chris Cornell is strappin on his guitar and leather jacket, hoppin on his motorcycle and hittin the long, open road into the sunset…aka he’s moving. Earlier this month, the Soundgarden front man - former Audioslave lead singer - listed his five-bedroom, six and a half bath, Beverly Hills estate for a little under $5.4 million and is now just “waiting like a stone” for a lucky buyer.

In addition to having an iconic rock-and-roll voice, Cornell also has one of the most unique Mediterranean-style villas in 90210. Offering stunning hilltop views, the whopping 5,700 square-foot rock-star palace features large, open living spaces – decorative guitars likely not included -custom limestone and hardwood flooring, sleek, designer finishes, a state-of-the-art gourmet kitchen with island, and small connected breakfast area with views of the fabulous backyard. The master bedroom comes complete with two bathrooms and closets. The remaining bedroom suites include a maid’s room, gym, office and media room.

The exquisite exterior of the house includes a cabana with outdoor living space and attached fireplace, an infinity pool that’s to die for, and grassy shrubs surrounding the property for ultra-privacy.

Images via MLS.

The Beverly House, the iconic estate that was the former residence of William Randolph Hearst, Marion Davies , and the honeymoon hideaway of Jacqueline and John F. Kennedy, is back on the market, this time as a $600,000 a-month rental! Formerly listed for sale for $95 million and then for rent at $500,000 a-month, the home is now demanding more for anyone who wants to call this iconic and storied residence home.

Worth the price? You can’t put a price tag on history and infamy, so let’s look at the numbers. The estate has 17 bedrooms, 27 bathrooms and sits on 3.7 acres, just three blocks away from Sunset Boulevard. The mansion also has a nightclub, a cinema, a living room with 22-foot ceilings, two tennis courts, a 75-foot-long pool and an outdoor seating terrace that can host 400 sit-down guests. The property also has two separate guest houses and a two-bedroom apartment.

Beverly House may be notorious in the high priced real estate world, but it’s also famous after appearing in the movies  ”The Godfather” and “The Bodyguard.”

In 2012, the property was listed at $95 million. A massive sum, but much less than the $165 million it was listed for in 2007. According to the LA Times, the Beverly House’s current owner, Leonard M. Ross, purchased the mansion in the 1970′s and refurbished and expanded the estate, including buying back the adjacent property which was sold off after Hearst’s passing in 1951. Recently, Mr. Ross ran into financial difficulty and filed for bankruptcy protection, thus prompting his desire to sell or lease out this prized property.

Images via the MLS.