Luxe Living

36 days after listing his palatial Encino mansion for $5,495,000, ‘King of Queens’ actor Kevin James has sold the spread for $55,000 more than the asking price. He must of priced it just right, because the home flew off the market at record speed. The incredible 11,291 square-foot home on Bertella Drive in Encino, CA has 5 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms. Property records show that James purchased the home on August 14, 2003 for $3,200,000. Looks like he made a tidy $2 million+ profit on the sale!

Lauren Conrad has the look of a budding LA real estate mogul as TMZ is reporting she has just purchased her largest property yet, a $3.7 million gem of a home in the exclusive Brentwood neighborhood. LC is best known as playing herself on MTV’s iconic, although short-lived show, “Laguna Beach,” after which she moved onto entirely new levels of drama, hooking-up, and general shenanigans on “The Hills.”

LC’s real estate resume is starting to get pretty long these days as she has parlayed her early reality TV star fame into ventures as a fashion designer and author.

She sold the famous ‘Hills’ home for a loss in September of 2011, leaving not only the home but her friendships with surgically-enhanced Heidi Montag and Audrina Patridge behind.

LC went on to purchase a $1.3 million condo in the exclusive 90210 ZIP code in Beverly Hills. Although the original pictures of the place looked frumpy, one can assume that she put her own personal touch to spruce up the large, multi-story penthouse. She still owns this condo and also owns a four bedroom home in Laguna Beach.

Now Lauren is moving on to bigger and better things. Brentwood is one of the more exclusive areas in a city that is full of exclusive areas. Her newly-remodeled, two-story home is on a quiet street and includes six-bedrooms and five-bathrooms in a massive 4,303 square foot floor plan.

The traditional style home was built in 1959 and features a chef’s kitchen, a master suite, and dark hardwood floors, as well as multiple fireplaces and a massive patio, basketball court and yard for soaking up the LA sunshine.

Images via MLS.

SNL alum Chris Parnell, who is also known for his role as Dr. Leo Spaceman on NBC‘s Emmy Award-winning comedy series 30 Rock and his co-starring gig as Fred Shay on the ABC sitcom Suburgatory, has just purchased new home in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles. Property records show the actor/comedian closed on the deal on March 15, 2013 and paid $1,700,000 for a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 2,482 square foot home.

Common for the neighborhood, Parnell’s home is a 1920′s Spanish Revival home that got a modern day makeover. Prior to Parnell’s purchase, the home was majorly overhauled. The integrity of the basic structure and character of the house was maintained while the interior was expanded and reconfigured to incorporate the prior owner’s extensive library and art collection. The resulting floor plan organized all the rooms around a new central atrium with a large oculus and surround by an arcade of book shelves.

Outside, a drought tolerant California native landscape was designed using the existing mature trees on the property. Inside, features include: custom lighting with graphic eye controls, whole house filtration system, wood and limestone floors, kitchen and bathroom fixtures from Waterworks, Viking appliances and a 14 panel photovolactic solar system.

This isn’t the first home Parnell has purchased in this hip and happening Los Angeles neighborhood. He also owns another property on Silver Lake Blvd that he purchased on November 20, 2007 for $620,000. That 1,360 square-foot home has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. With this new Parnell purchase, it’s likely we’ll see his older, smaller home pop up on the open market soon!

Actress Brooke Shields is under contract to purchase a charming Southampton hideaway for $4.3 million, as first reported by the New York Post. The owner is former NFL tight end Vyto Kab, who played for the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions during his career.

Beautifully renovated, the home reflects all of the charm of an historic home but comes complete with every modern convenience and amenity – perfect for Brooke and her family.

The 1920 classic shingled home has 6 bedrooms, including a master suite with tray ceiling and fireplace, and 6 full and 2 half baths. A gourmet kitchen opens to the dining area/great room with a fireplace and French doors giving way to expansive terrace, separate formal living and dining rooms with fine wood finishes, library, state-of-the-art media room, and mud room/laundry.

The half acre, beautifully landscaped private grounds feature specimen trees, flower and vegetable gardens, 20 x 50 freshwater heated gunite pool, and pool house with full bath, kitchenette, cathedral height living area, and laundry.

While not beachfront like some of her Hamptons neighbors, Brooke’s new home is perfectly located in the heart of the village with immediate access to shopping, dining and ocean beaches.

Back in the city, Brooke and her family live in an incredible townhome they overhauled and recently showed off in Architectural Digest.  In January 2012, she sold her NYC Chinatown co-op for $2.95 million.

Bob Costas — the famous voice of of NBC Sports television since the early ’80s — has just purchased a mansion on the California coast for $4.7 million! According to public records, Bob and his wife closed on the property on October 9, 2012, and paid $4,700,000. The Newport stunner has four bedrooms, five-and-a-half bathrooms, and clocks in at 4,534 square feet.

The Costas’ sprawling new residence is situated on a 28,249-square-foot private corner lot within the exclusive guard-gated community of Crystal Cove. The gorgeous interiors of the home are complimented by the breathtaking grounds, complete with salt-water pool and spa, cabana with fireplace, pool house with kitchen, bocce ball court, expansive rear lawn, built-in BBQ, and well-manicured lawns surrounding brick patios. No detail has been overlooked inside the home either, with custom lighting fixtures throughout, gorgeous hardwood floors, crown moldings, and beautiful built-ins. The gourmet kitchen features dark stone countertops, crisp white cabinetry, and stainless steel appliances — including a Thermador range, SubZero refrigerator, and a wine fridge. Additional amenities include an upstairs bonus room, office, and a separate guest casita with living room, bedroom, and bath. And the sportscaster really scored with his new real estate acquisition since this distinctive home was offered fully furnished!

Costas has made his fortune over the years as the ongoing face of sports and has been the prime-time host of a record NINE Olympic games! He and his wife also own an $11 million condo in New York City and another home in Clayton, Missouri.

TV star Eriq La Salle is selling his stunning Beverly Hills hilltop estate for $7,950,000, according to property records and some sleuthing by The Real Estalker.

La Salle’s main claim to Hollywood fame comes via his long-running role as Dr. Peter Benton on the hospital drama ER. He played that role from 1994 to 2002—an eternity in television years. Since ER ended, we’ve seen less of La Salle, but he has popped up here and there in supporting roles on 24, How to Make It in America, A Gifted Man, and Blackout.

His long TV career has banked him some serious bucks, but interestingly enough, property records show La Salle purchased this here property on October 21, 1988 for $1,700,000–long before those big ER checks started rolling in. Listing information shows that the estate was extensively remodeled in 2006, right around the time La Salle was a true, bona fide TV star. Now that his career is slightly less spry than it was a decade ago, he’s likely looking to make a nice profit on this home and downsize.

The for-sale “Tuscan Villa” has panoramic skyline views that stretch from the ocean to Downtown L.A. The exquisite four-bedroom, five-and-a-half bathroom property features incredible 180-degree views, a pool, spa, and full guest house.  Oversized entry doors open to voluminous open living spaces, highlighted by dramatic wood beamed ceilings, a copper fireplace, formal dining room, gourmet chef’s eat-in kitchen, temperature controlled wine cellar, weight room, impressive wood paneled office, and floor-to-ceiling retractable walls of glass that create a seamless indoor/outdoor entertainer’s paradise. A Moroccan-inspired master suite takes up the entire top floor and includes a spa-like bathroom and adjacent lounging area. A 400-square-foot, private rooftop deck–with outdoor shower and hot tub–completes this remarkable property.

Jennifer Love Hewitt has just sold her longtime Toluca Lake home for $2.15M: according to public records, the home just closed on December 13, 2012. Perfect for a party (or family) of five, the spacious 5,921 square foot home features 6 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. Hewitt has owned the home since 1998, originally paying $1.7M for the private and secure home on one of Toluca Lake’s most desirable streets. The actress just pocketed $450,000 in the deal.

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

Maroon 5 frontman and ‘The Voice’ judge Adam Levine has just bought himself a new little ditty – a $4.8 million-dollar home in the Beverly Hills area.

Levine’s rocking new Beverly Hills pad is a historic estate with panoramic canyon views located atop the famed tennis court row of Benedict Canyon. The property clocks in at 3.6+ acres and the actual home is situated on over 1 flat acre. Known as the “Benedict House,” this property offers complete privacy and seclusion behind the gates of Wallingford Estates, a community of about 14 homes.

As the anchor property of the Wallingford development, it remains the prized gem of the neighborhood. Located down an incredibly long, private, gated driveway with a large circular motor court, Benedict House was called “a perfect family home” in the listing information. Should Adam not be content with the existing property, his new home sits on a wonderful site with more than enough room to build a 20,000 square foot house. The existing 6,500+ square foot ranch home and guest house consists of 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms and is meticulously maintained. The house boasts an enchanting living room, formal dining room, cooks kitchen and family room. It’s also got a spare den/office, and an expansive studio space which can be easily adapted to a screening room, music studio, or extra bedroom space.

Looks like the perpetual bachelor has just bought himself the perfect family home.

Britney Spears has reportedly bought a chart-topping new home in Thousand Oaks, CA. First reported by the in-the-know Real Estalker, Spears and fiancé Jason Tratwick are smack in the middle of escrow on a 5 bedroom, 7 bathroom, 8,456 square foot home that was listed for $8.5 million.

Rumor has it that she was given away by her new neighbors, who were so excited that the pop star and X Factor judge would be moving into the hood that they couldn’t keep their mouths shut about the pending sale.

Brit Brit’s new house is not the cliffside Malibu mansion she’s been passing off as her “judges home” on the recent episodes of X Factor. In fact, Britney’s new family home is along the lines of what we’ve seen her live in before. She, Jason and the kiddos have an affinity for big, sprawling mansions with tall ceilings, neutral colors and massive outdoor living areas. This new Thousand Oaks home is no difference – and doesn’t disappoint. The massive home is exactly the kind of home you’d expect the Princess of Pop to live in. She’s putting that $15 million dollar X Factor paycheck to good use on this one.

Completed in 2010, the single-story home is multi-winged and located behind the 24-hour guarded gates of the Sherwood Country Club. It’s a a true one of a kind modern mediterranean masterpiece and only the finest materials were used to construct/design this spectacular estate.

The many luxe attributes of this home include vanishing pocket doors, limestone and custom oak flooring, soaring beamed ceilings and a grand master suite with his & her bathrooms and two massive walk in closets.

Two separate offices, a massive, temperature controlled wine cellar, home theater bonus room and more complete the open, desirable floorplan. The exterior was designed to mimic a resort, and no doubt Britney’s two young boys will go crazy for the infinity pool, manicured lawns, rose garden, outdoor fireplace and BBQ area.

Built on two lots, Britney’s stunning new estate sits on over 1.4 acres. Her new neighbors are tennis champ Pete Sampras and his wife Bridgette Wilson, who are actually trying to sell their $20M estate.

This neighborhood just got a lot more exciting.