Luxe Living

Everybody Loves Raymond star Brad Garrett has outgrown his Malibu beachfront estate and has relisted the property for $10,995,000. The deep-voiced, 6-foot-8 actor/comedian purchased the Spanish villa in 2007 for $8.81 million and originally put the home on the market in the summer of 2011 for $13.95 million. Unable to find a buyer, Garrett is now relisting the property two years later with a $3 million price chop. The house is stunning and should have no problem attracting attention with the recent price reduction. Perhaps a Garrett-voiced-over virtual tour of the home could reel in a buyer? Wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Located on the bluffs of Malibu, the five-bedroom, six-bath home is approximately 5,152 square feet and sits on a one-acre lot. Designed by local architect Douglas W. Buredge, the standout property features breathtaking ocean views and lovely custom details and molding inside and out. The home also boasts vaulted, beamed ceilings, wooden floors, a fireplace and custom mosaic tiling throughout. The gourmet chef’s kitchen comes with stainless steel appliances, a beautifully tiled center island, and wooden cabinetry. Additional posh amenities include a spacious home theater, two beachfront balconies, a heated pool, and a large living room with elongated sliding glass doors leading to the backyard and patio.

The king of game show hosts Howie Mandel is looking to unload one of his biggest prizes yet: a beautiful 5,936-square-foot, ocean-view Malibu estate. However, Mandel isn’t giving it away on one of his four game show gigs. Instead, he’s looking for a lucky buyer as he’s relisted it on the open market for a cool $7,750,000.

Back in December 2011, the former “Deal or No Deal” host had originally put the home up for sale and was looking to lock in a deal of his own for $7,250,000. Since taking down the original listing, Mandel is now taking a gamble in hopes of winning big by relisting the property for $500k more.

Located in the prestigious Point Dume area, this Cape Cod-inspired mini-compound was exquisitely crafted by renowned architect Douglas Burdge. Unveiled in 2009, the home boasts five bedrooms, five and a half baths, an office, theater, gym, and guesthouse. Constructed with the finest of finishes, the timeless architectural style weds both elegant sophistication and casual seaside living with a seamless indoor/outdoor flow. The airy main living area includes double-height formal living and dining rooms–both with French doors lining the walls–leading to a large, open kitchen with center island.

With panoramic Santa Monica ocean views, the home sits on over an acre of flat land with expansive lawns, a huge outdoor patio, and a gorgeous infinity pool.

Rihanna, one of the today’s hottest pop stars, recently snagged an exquisite $12 million dollar estate in coveted Pacific Palisades, according to X17 Online. The Barbados native cashed in on the massive 11,000-square-foot, seven bedroom, nine bath home in the midst promoting her seventh studio album, ”Unapologetic,” which features the hot number one single “Diamonds” and “Nobody’s Business,” a collaboration with her famous ex-boyfriend-slash-rumored-current-boyfriend, Chris Brown. After putting in such hard work releasing a new album, Rihanna can now relax poolside at her new resort-inspired home.

Built in 2010, the freshly constructed estate is nestled in the Los Angeles hills and features a neutral-to-warm color scheme throughout, with sandy walls and dark wood and tile flooring from head to toe. The home exudes a strong modern-Caribbean influence, offering simple architecture and sleek finishes, with a slight twist. Reminiscent of a tropical villa, almost every room comes complete with walls opening to the backyard allowing for plenty of natural light and easy access to the pool and spa. A super-modern kitchen offers 14-foot ceilings, stainless steel appliances,  and a full bar. In addition to the pool and spa, the outdoor entertaining area offers a 6,000-square-foot garden area with outdoor BBQ, bar, and sundeck.

One of the very talented and well-known American Idol success stories, David Cook, has officially packed up his guitar and platinum albums and walked away from his short-lived Hollywood Beachwood Canyon home. The tri-level, three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath sold yesterday for $1,365,000 – a sum almost identical to his March 2010 purchase price of $1,318,000.

The Season 7 winner has slowly worked his way through Hollywood‘s music scene, yet has made steadfast moves through it’s real estate game. After a brief two-year stint in the Hollywood nest, Cook put the property up for sale in March of this year and was able to sell just seven months later at almost the exact purchase price.

Despite such a speedy selling process, if you take a tour of the property, it practically sells itself. Offering stunning, close-up views of the world-famous Hollywood sign, a home in this price range with these features stands out significantly among competing Los Angeles listings.

The home features an open layout, gorgeous hardwood flooring and a custom remodeled interior. Fully equipped with wiring for a Smart Home system, this property has the potential of being navigated from anywhere in the world, just by using your smart phone. Various windows, skylights and two-level exterior decks offer plenty of natural light throughout with stunning views of the Hollywood hills and world-famous Hollywood sign. A selling point for any Hollywood recording artists, the home features a professionally designed recording studio, which also has potential to be converted to a home theater.

Street level features include a cozy living room, a dining area, master suite with fireplace and large kitchen with Center Island, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. The lower level includes two extra bedrooms, full bath, studio, and custom laundry area.

In Los Angeles, the residential real estate is one-of-a-kind, so it’s no surprise that Josh Altman, one of the best real estate agents in the area, is exactly that: a shining star in a land of glamorous Hollywood celebrities and big time business moguls.

You likely recognize Josh Altman as one of the stars of Bravo’s “Million Dollar Listing: Los Angeles.” On TV, he wheels and deals and closes big time real estate transactions. Off camera, he’s passionate about giving back to his community, and in his free time, you’ll find him spending time with his family and two rescue dogs, Diego and Lucky.

Fascinated by the man you see on TV? Let’s learn a little more about Josh Altman:

How did you get your start in real estate?
My brother and I bought our first condo together in 2002. We had bought it to live in and got such a good deal that once we moved in and fixed it up a little (just cosmetic things–small touch-ups, nicer furniture), as kind of a joke, we put it on the market. We bought for $400k and sold it for $600k. After that I quit my job and never looked back.

What sale or career milestone are you most proud of?
There have been a lot of milestones and every year is different. The one I’m most proud of is the one I just did. I closed a sale for $20,100,000 in South Beverly Park, a gated community in Beverly Hills. It was the biggest sale of my career (so far) and the biggest sale ever in South Beverly Park.

What is your dream home location?
A beautiful home in the mountains of Aspen, Colorado.

What kind of car do you drive?
I’m currently driving a Fisker Karma. I collect cars, so I also love my 1964 Shelby Cobra and my 1967 Chevelle.

iPhone, Android, or BlackBerry?
iPhone and Blackberry.

What site/app do you check first when you wake up?
The first thing I check every morning is the MLS. Then I love the Real Estalker and Curbed.

What was the last book you read?
“The Wolf of Wall Street” by Jordan Belfort. It’s basically the true story of the movie “Boiler Room.”

Name your favorite guilty pleasure?
Skiing and hanging out with my dogs.

What’s one thing someone would never guess just by looking at you?
I’m a lot nicer than people think.

We had a blast talking with Josh, so we can vouch for that!

Take a peek at some of Josh Altman’s Listings!

• $15,995,000 – Potrero Road, Thousand Oaks, CA
• $9,350,000 –  Caminito Pacifica Trail, San Diego, CA 
• $2,399,000 – North Knoll Drive, Los Angeles, CA

NFL great Jerry Rice has recently re-listed his massive 14,000 square-foot Atherton, CA home for a reduced price of $10.5 million. According to property records, Rice first purchased the land in 2001 for just $2.1 million. After building on the property, he listed it for sale in 2007 for $22 million, then once again in July of this year for $13.88 million. After a few million in price cuts, this state-of-the-art mansion is tackling the real estate market yet again, seeking a new owner – preferably a tech savvy candidate that would take advantage of all its bells and whistles.

Located in California’s Bay Area, this estate is a tech mogul’s dream come true. Made for a champion, the seven-bedroom, eight full, and three partial bath estate comes with a built-in elevator to access its three-levels, a seven-car-garage, and $2 million dollars worth of installed electronics, including a cutting edge security system and exquisite home theater. Sitting in one of the priciest zip codes in Silicon Valley, this estate is a tech hub within a tech hub. Fully equipped with automated smartphone capabilities, residents have the capability to remotely control various appliances and security via mobile, from anywhere in the world. After tearing down the original home in 2001, and building this “smart home” masterpiece, it seems Rice was looking to add tremendous property value. It’s no doubt he clearly went all….the….way.

Versace limestone floors, an aquarium, gym, sauna, and Swarovski crystal accents glam up the property, offering stunning elegance throughout. To appeal to the inner chef in us all, the over-the-top gourmet kitchen includes the latest stainless appliances, a deep fryer, steamer, and pizza oven. The spectacular exterior grounds offer a large entertainment area with a massive pool, Jacuzzi tub,  outdoor built-in barbecue, gazebo with built-in heat lamps, and large grass area.

In the wake of a recent break up from Victoria Secret model girlfriend Erin Heatherton, Leonardo DiCaprio is also now officially “departing” from his seven bedroom, six bath Malibu beachfront home. Today, the hunky actor listed the property for a whopping $23 million.

We thought DiCaprio would “never let go” of his Cape Cod inspired home as he listed it for lease with a $150,000 price tag earlier this summer. Now that we’re caught in limbo between the end of California’s Indian Summer and the beginning of Fall, the beachfront is seeking a new buyer in hopes of catching one before next year’s summer months.

Purchased on October 9, 2002 for $6 million, the unique property is made up of three separate houses sitting on one coveted, 2,633 square-foot lot. A four-bedroom main house sits on the stunning Malibu ocean-front, and a two-bedroom detached guest house and third detached loft with gym, media room, seventh bedroom and office area follow behind. Completely renovated from head to toe, this unique home also includes private parking, maid quarters, gardens, lawns and private beach entry making it one luxurious beachfront compound.

Katie Bentzen of Arete Estates in Malibu is the listing agent. Images via the MLS.

The New York City penthouse which once housed the world-famous fashion mogul Calvin Klein is making its second on-the-market debut–this time for $35 million, reports The New York Times. The current owner Steve Gottlieb, who previously put the property on the market in 2008, was a neighbor to Klein and currently resides on the 18th floor below the property. He purchased the space for $8.6 million from the designer himself, and has since then been utilizing it as a party/event room.

Over the years, Mr. Klein coveted the 5,000 square-foot duplex so much that he owned it twice – apparently nothing could come between him and his penthouse.  During his first ownership in the 80’s, Klein upgraded the home by installing a hot-tub on the roof-top terrace. After purchasing it a second time in the 90′s, he tore down the interior walls and created a larger, open living space with a strong minimalist design, a common theme seen throughout his fashion line and world-famous ads.

Mr. Gottlieb had major plans for his two 55 Central Park West penthouses, despite only using the upstairs property for party festivities for the past dozen years. His long-term plans included transforming the space into a three-bedroom family residence with a top-floor entertainment area, highlighted by a large corner terrace and fireplace. After investing around $5 million into renovations, Mr. Gottlieb is over his “Obsession,” and is ready to find a buyer.

The grand, two-level duplex penthouse includes twelve rooms, four bedrooms, and four and a half baths, totaling over 5,000 square feet, 300 of which border Central Park. Dramatic glass walls allow for natural sunlight to illuminate all throughout, and two large terraces perch you right over the park. A sprawling master suite with fireplace overlooks the Eastern and Northern terraces, and includes French Doors opening to the East-facing wrap terrace. Each spacious bedroom includes ample closets and full baths, en suite. The minimal design gives prospective buyers a fresh canvas to work with, allowing for original ideas and design to shine through this glass masterpiece onto all of New York.

Listing agents include John Burger of Brown Harris Stevens and Raphael De Niro and Howard Margolis of Prudential Douglas Elliman.

As part of one of the biggest trades in baseball history, the Los Angeles Dodgers closed a huge nine-player swap with the Boston Red Sox earlier this fall, acquiring Boston’s star left fielder Carl Crawford. Crawford, a former four-time All-Star for the Tampa Bay Rays, hit a solid .282 with Boston during his early 2012 season before being hit with news of the trade and shipped off to LA  mid-season.

For the past few months the left-hander has been on the disabled list recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery, a very common baseball injury. He has also been busy becoming acquainted with a completely new team, new city and new home due to another common occurrence in the professional baseball world: a sudden cross-country trade. Fast-forward to the MLB’s playoff-month of October and the Los Angeles Dodgers are out of the running, now switching gears to prep for a new 2013 season. Crawford too is now ready to officially start over in California as it is confirmed he has listed his Wellesley, Massachusetts mansion for an asking price of $2.99 million.

This 7,426 square-foot estate has New England-style charm on the exterior and a contemporary, luxury design on the interior. Custom built just a year ago in 2011, the home sits on a privately gated cul-de-sac in historic Wellesley, Massachusetts, an expensive suburb of Boston that features high-priced properties with an average listing price of $1.6 million. The ultra-private living quarters offer five bedrooms, six baths and a three car garage. The estate’s interior is professionally designed with warm, nude color schemes gracing the walls and flooring, while splashes of bright greens, reds and browns on the furnishings accentuate the space and add some spicy personality to each room. But beautiful interior décor will not go to waste – according to the listing, buyers may purchase completely furnished!

Other ultra-luxe amenities include: a home theater, game room, an in-house barber shop, three fireplaces, an enormous master suite, and last but definitely not least, an extra large exercise room with batting cage. Like other athlete and celeb properties, this estate does not disappoint!

Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch has recently closed on a $3.6 million dollar waterfront Bay Area property located in Richmond, California, sources say. Lynch, a Bay Area native, attended high school in Oakland, CA and college at Cal Berkeley where he was an essential asset to the Cal Bears football program. While at Cal Berkeley Lynch set the school’s record for most 100-yard rushing games and was a strong candidate in the running for the famous Heisman Trophy.

According to sources, the 7,000 square-foot-home includes five bedrooms and five and a half baths with extraordinary panoramic views of the beautiful San Francisco Bay. With a custom built 58-foot boat dock, Lynch can “ghost ride” his boat to and from Richmond and San Francisco and go “beast mode” with his water toys on the Bay Area waters, a.k.a., his new backyard. The property is contemporary in style and offers additional luxe amenities including a wine cellar, theater room and elevator.

Lynch not only scored big with his recent real estate purchase, but earlier this year landed another huge contract deal with the Seattle Seahawks, extending his contract until 2016 and earning him a total of up to $31 million. Number 24 is making big moves on and off the field.