An Insider's Look at Santa's House

When Santa claimed his home on Zillow, updated the home's facts, and uploaded photos and a video walkthrough, we wanted to learn more about his house. We tracked down the people in charge of Santa's 2013 remodel - interior designer Mary N. Bright and general contractor Doug Fir - and asked them to spill the details.

What motivated you to take on this project?

Mary N. Bright (MNB): Santa is synonymous with the holiday season. He has inspired people around the world to change their home decor for at least one month out of the year. How could I say no to a challenge like that?

Doug Fir (DF): This is a man who appreciates fine craftsmanship and woodworking. One look at his gorgeous log home, and I knew I had to get my hands on it. This was my chance to impress the jolly old elf and get on the nice list for good.

How did you incorporate Santa's style into his house?

DF: I didn't want to compete with the rustic vibe of the cabin that Santa himself built. So I found ways to enhance that atmosphere with outdoor elements. I brought grandeur to the mantle with floor-to-ceiling river rock, since the fireplace is such a large part of Santa's background.

More windows and skylights were incorporated into the new open concept design, making the home feel more spacious - especially for his many tiny guests.

MNB: I wanted to meld Santa's iconic festive style with his wintery wonderland surroundings. That's why you'll find so much fresh greenery, knotty pine furniture and cozy linens all throughout. I call the look Falalala Fabulous.

Which area of the home proved to be the most challenging?

DF: Definitely the garage, which was converted from a rinky-dink one-sleigh space to a grease monkey's dream. Not only does Santa have dedicated parking for his all-weather sleigh, but he has room to work on it, too.

He was very specific about his needs for the area. I had to create space to accommodate a specialty lift, as well as incorporate an intricately wired system for the Elf Launch Staff who communicate with NORAD* for sleigh-tracking purposes on Christmas Eve. Who knew he was such a garage enthusiast?

MNB: For me, it was the living room. Doug created this masterful fireplace and I needed to match its stateliness with decor that could keep up - without overpowering the space.

That's why I mixed in just a few statement pieces around that mantle: 17th-century German nutcrackers, lanterns Santa used on a camping trip with Teddy Roosevelt, and a lovely painting by Mrs. Claus herself.

What inspired your designs?

MNB: There were so many wonderful pieces around the home that Santa had picked up from his world travels. One item that served as my muse was an apron with a Scandinavian print that he got for Mrs. Claus in Sweden. That helped inspire some of the Nordic elements that you see in the kitchen.

What's your favorite element of the design?

DF: Before Santa hired me, the area above the dining and living rooms was closed off. Opening it up gave the house a whole new look, with more room to breathe. So I'd have to say the lofted ceilings is my favorite feature in the house.

MNB: Doug's addition of the lofted ceilings allowed me to suspend a custom-made light fixture over the dining room table. I adore that piece. I commissioned it to be modeled after the property's landscape.

Want the full tour? See more photos of Santa’s house. 

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Feeling inspired to put festive cheer in your home?

See how you can get Santa's look with our five decor ideas for the holidays.

 

*Endorsement by the United States Department of Defense or NORAD is not intended nor implied.

Related:

• Bright Ideas for Holiday Lights
• Festive Porch Decorations That Go From Fall to Winter
• 5 Fresh Gift Wrapping Ideas

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2-Bedroom Rentals for Less Than $2,000

Finding spacious two-bedrooms for a decent price seems like a thing of the past in popular metro areas. But have no fear, you can still have extra space and enjoy city life without having to skimp on amenities.

These two-bedroom rentals include fantastic views, generous perks, and plenty of space to live comfortably - all for less than $2,000 a month.

Tampa, FL

502 S Fremont Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
For rent: $1,875/month

This 2-bedroom nestled within a historic district features a private balcony, lush carpet and vinyl flooring. You can opt to rent a furnished unit, and enjoy outdoor amenities such as a garden and picnic area.

See more Tampa rentals.

San Diego, CA

11505 Windcrest Ln, San Diego, CA
For rent: $1,953/month

This modern space boasts plank flooring, a built-in microwave and all-white cabinets. A fireplace, stucco ceilings and large window are additional perks, along with a sliding glass door that leads to a private balcony.

View more San Diego rentals.

Austin, TX

4330 Bull Creek Rd, Austin, TX
For rent: $1,825/month

Everything is bigger in Texas, and this apartment offers a spacious kitchen featuring an island, stainless steel appliances and plenty of cabinets. A work space with built-in desk, tile flooring, a carpeted living area and French doors leading to the balcony make this space a steal.

See more rental listings in Austin.

Madison, WI

306 W Main St, Madison, WI
For rent: $1,925/month

Waterfront living awaits in this stylish home featuring a private balcony and two-tone paint schemes throughout. Plank flooring runs throughout the living areas, while carpet adds plush comfort to the bedrooms. The generous master bath boasts tile flooring along with double sinks.

See more Madison rental listings.

Richmond, VA

823 E Main St, Richmond, VA
For rent: $1,768/month

You’ll love living in this high-rise space featuring stainless steel appliances, an in-home washer and dryer, and room for dining, along with 2 bathrooms. Bedroom closets feature double French doors and chrome finishes.

View more Richmond rentals.

Denver, CO

6950 E Chenango Ave, Denver, CO
For rent: $1,924/month

This home boasts a central living room, ensuring you won’t share a wall with your roommate. Each bedroom includes walk-in closets and carpet, while the living room features plank flooring and connects to the open kitchen.

View more rental listings in Denver.

Milwaukee, WI

425 E Menomonee St, Milwaukee, WI
For rent: $1,935/month

This airy loft comes with stunning floor-to-ceiling windows, a large balcony and chrome fixtures. Granite countertops and a tile backsplash provide the open kitchen with a stylish look.

See more Milwaukee rentals.

Minneapolis, MN

915 Washington Ave N, Minneapolis, MN
For rent: $1,950/month

This unit includes perks usually reserved for loft spaces, such as concrete flooring  and exposed air ducts. A large living room connects to the open kitchen, where all-white cabinetry and stainless steel appliances offer a clean look. A private balcony provides sweeping views of the complex, and each room includes a bathroom and walk-in closet.

See more listings in Minneapolis.

Atlanta, GA

600 Phipps Blvd NE, Atlanta, GA
For rent: $1,925/month

Floor-to-ceiling windows provide sweeping views of the surrounding city. Plank flooring throughout the living area seamlessly connects the room to the open kitchen, featuring an island equipped with a sink and dishwasher.

See more Atlanta rentals.

Philadelphia, PA

1512 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA
For rent: $1,886/month

Housed in a classic building but featuring modern flare, this large apartment includes several windows, a sprawling living area, and space to dine, along with classic fixtures and bathrooms with marble tiles.

See more Philadelphia rentals.

Related: 

• Rentals in the Cities Where Renters Most Wish They Lived
• The 4 Phases of the Landlord/Renter Relationship
• 10 Tips for Renting with a Roommate

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Jan Mulder Piano Concert - Date: December 4, 2016 4:00 PM

Location: Fort Myers - Dutch-born pianist and composer Jan Mulder will perform Christmas and inspirational musicaccompanied by instrumentalists. This concert is the first event in the 2nd annual Concert Series at Cypress Lake UMC. All concerts in the series are open to the public; advance tickets are not required.A voluntary donation will be taken at the concert.

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How to Break Up With Your Real Estate Agent

Buying or selling a home rarely happens overnight, and it's not uncommon for buyers or sellers to interface or even work with multiple agents. Best-case scenario, the right agent shows their face early, and the relationship (and transaction) is a huge success.

But it's possible though that, along the way, you may find that your relationship with your real estate agent just isn't working anymore. Maybe the agent is moving faster than you'd like. Or they're not as available as you need them to be. Maybe they just don't get you.

So what do you do? Is it OK to break up with your real estate agent? And if so, how can you gracefully end it?

The answer depends on whether you're working with an agent as a buyer or a seller.

Advice for buyers

Real estate agents earn their commissions from sellers, and the money is split between the sellers’ and buyers’ agents. As a general rule, as a buyer, you won't be asked to enter into a contractual or financial agreement with a real estate agent.

Instead, a buyer makes a (sometimes non-verbal) handshake agreement with the real estate agent. You're basically agreeing to exclusively rely upon that agent. And that's fair.

Agents often work hard and spend a lot of time engaging with buyers, watching the market, writing contracts, showing properties, reviewing disclosures, and so on. Imagine how they'd feel after spending months working with a client, only to be informed that another agent found them the home they want?

Before you shake hands, do your homework. Ask friends for references, and check out online agent reviews.

Going to open houses is a good way to meet and interview agents who work where you want to buy. Don’t jump in with the first agent you meet. Like any relationship, start slow and feel it out. It’s harder to break up with your agent if you have too deeply engaged.

If you're not quite ready to be tied down, it's better not to engage an agent until you are ready. Early on, a good real estate agent should read your situation well and provide the appropriate amount of attention as needed. They'll act as a resource, and be available when you need them. Once the search kicks into high gear, agents and buyers will spend lots of time together and communicate 24×7.

If you do find that a relationship is not working, be honest and upfront before more time passes. Offer the agent constructive feedback about why it's not working for you.

Advice for sellers

Since the seller pays the real estate agent's commission, the brokerage requires the seller to sign a listing agreement upfront.  During the listing period, you're contractually obligated to work exclusively with the agent and brokerage firm, specifically on the sale of your home.

In fact, even if you find a buyer on your own (such as a friend), the listing agent/brokerage firm is still due their commission.

Just as a buyer must do his homework, it's even more important for a seller to do her research, given the commitment. Most listing agreements state that if the listing agent brings an offer at the listing price and the seller doesn't accept it, the agent is still due a commission. This scenario happens sometimes when the listing agent and seller aren't getting along.

In most situations, if the listing agent isn't doing a good job but there's still time left on the agreement, you should simply tell the agent it's not working out. A good, fair and honest agent will apologize for not meeting your expectations and will agree to release you from the agreement ahead of schedule. But that's not always the case, and sellers typically respond by no longer agreeing to open houses or considering offers from the agent.

Sometimes, an agent wants to break up with the seller. Maybe the seller insists on keeping the price of the home too high or isn't cooperating to accommodate showings. The agent simply feels she can't be successful with the seller, no matter how much time she puts into the job.

If you're a seller whose agent wants out of the agreement because you aren't taking the necessary steps to sell your home, it's best to let them go - and to give serious consideration as to whether you're really ready to sell or not.

Related:

• Predicting the ‘Right Time’ to Buy or Sell a Home
• Why Home Buyers and Agents Need to Have Each Other’s Backs
• How to Find Your Perfect Real Estate Agent

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Zillow.

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Sally Mere Art Fair at Bell Tower Shops - Date: December 4, 2016 10:00 AM

Location: Fort Myers - Join amazing artists and crafters at the Art & Crafts Show at Bell Tower Shops on December 3-4! Just in time for the holidays, amazing gifts can be found in the parking lot just south of Bed Bath & Beyond. Hours are Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

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Sally Mere Art Fair at Bell Tower Shops - Date: December 3, 2016 10:00 AM

Location: Fort Myers - Join amazing artists and crafters at the Art & Crafts Show at Bell Tower Shops on December 3-4! Just in time for the holidays, amazing gifts can be found in the parking lot just south of Bed Bath & Beyond. Hours are Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

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Great Songs for a Great Cause - Date: December 3, 2016 6:00 PM

Location: Fort Myers - GGreat Songs For A Great Cause A fundraiser for De LaSalle Academy - a Beacon of Hope you Young People with Learning Challenges Featuring Mark Sanders and Friends Buffet Dinner by Jerry Snyderman Dinner 6:00, Show 8:00 Tickets $75 For information and reservations call (239) 245-8212 or e-mail jrobinson@delasallefm.org

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Vote for Your Favorite Homes of the Year (So Far)

Each week we shine a spotlight on a home with unusual features, outstanding architecture or a spectacular locale. We look back quarterly at the homes we’ve shared over the past few months, and you can cast your vote for the best House of the Week from each month.

With 35 percent of the vote, January’s top home was a villa on the Sunset Strip. February’s winner got 41 percent of the vote, thanks to the glass stargazer’s stunning floor-to-ceiling windows, while March saw a landslide 54 percent vote for a swim-up oasis that would help beat any case of the winter blues.

In April, a stunning Spanish Revival took first place with 34 percent of the vote. This seaside mansion's sweeping views and sprawling grounds captivated 38 percent of voters for the win in May. And June's winner (with 35 percent of the vote) ushered in summertime daydreams with its Tuscan-style architecture and graceful lap pool.

Take a look at the featured homes from the past few months and pick your favorites.

July

From a Mediterranean-style party palace in Miami to a floating home in Seattle, July was packed with amazing homes.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Learn more: Party Palace, Floating Home, Vibrant Colonial, Bel-Air Mansion, Converted Fire Station

August

With homes featuring a one-of-a-kind design, a celebrity past, a lazy river, and a former tavern, August's offerings were all about fun.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Learn more: Fishing Reel House, Groucho Marx Home, Lazy River Mansion, Colonial Tavern

September

Innovative design was the name of the game for September's homes, which included a mid-century comprised of three pavilions connected by a lap pool, a wildly different modern masterpiece, and a castle constructed of glimmering stone.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Learn more: Three-Pavilion Mid-Century, Wavy Home, Glimmering Castle, NOLA Art House, Tiny Beach House

Related:

• Home Design Quiz: Would You Rather … ?
• Essential Kitchen Updates Before Selling Your Home
• Here’s the Wackiest Tiny Home You’ve Ever Seen

Originally published October 12, 2016.

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Festival with Music - Date: December 2, 2016 6:00 PM

Location: Fort Myers - Free Admission!! A fabulous & festive chocolate sampling event! Featuring sinfully delicious chocolate creations from area restaurants, festive holiday spirits, live entertainment and a sensational silent auction (auction closes at 7:30 p.m.). Proceeds benefit the Southwest Florida Reading Festival to be held March 18, 2017. Purchase $1 tickets to trade for chocolate samples

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Chocolate & Spirits Festival - Date: December 2, 2016 6:00 PM

Location: Fort Myers - Free Admission!! A fabulous & festive chocolate sampling event! Featuring sinfully delicious chocolate creations from area restaurants, festive holiday spirits, live entertainment and a sensational silent auction.(auction closes at 7:30 p.m.) Proceeds benefit the Southwest Florida Reading Festival to be held March 18, 2017. For more information: 239-533-4826 www.readfest.org

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Mother-In-Law Apartments Provide Benefits With Relative Ease

8 DIY Ways to Redo Your Bathroom (Without Remodeling)

Rufus Wainwright Buys an Enchanted Cottage in the Hollywood Hills

When Rufus Wainwright goes home at the end of a long day in the Southern California sun, a cozy, Hobbit-like world of cubbyholes and window nooks awaits.

The crooner recently bought a home in the Hollywood Hills that matches his creative soul, with a storybook footbridge and window seats with sylvan views. He paid $1.45 million for this 3-bedroom, 3-bath warren of enchanted spaces, which starts with a long stucco staircase leading to a half-oval front door.

A foyer with dark, exposed ceiling beams leads in four directions: To a sunny dining room, a tiled powder room, up winding stairs to the second story, or down winding stairs to a sunken living room. Topped by the same Tudor-like beams, the living space also features a fireplace, French doors and floor-to-ceiling built-in bookcases.

Wainwright’s new kitchen is updated with a double-wide oven, a vast refrigerator and a farmhouse sink. It adjoins a breakfast nook with built-in seating, and the entire room is paved, like an outdoor garden, with gorgeous, slate paving stones.

Most rooms in the 2,100-square-foot home look out onto a forested landscape, and some offer doors that will take you there. There’s also a large outdoor deck for dining alfresco or taking in music.

The listing agent was Anita Rich of Keller Williams Realty. Hat tip to the Los Angeles Times for finding the transaction.

Related:

• Goldie Hawn & Kurt Russell List Their Longtime LA Mansion
• Tina and Ike Turner’s Former Home on the Market
• We Belong in Pat Benatar’s Home on Maui

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Mortgage Rates Spike to End 2016

Mortgage rates have spiked 0.5 percent since the U.S. presidential election earlier this month. On a 30-year fixed loan of $300,000, this increases your monthly payment by $85.

If you were waiting to refinance, this is a wake up call, and if you plan to buy a home, it's time to reevaluate your budget - because rates are unlikely to drop.

Let's review what happened, and where we go from here.

Why rates are rising

Rates rose after Donald Trump became president-elect because market participants believe his proposed policies - infrastructure spending, tax cuts, and trade tariffs - will be inflationary if enacted.

Rates are tied to bonds, because bonds pay a rate of return to investors each year. If policymaking fuels inflation, a bond investor's rate of return will be worth less in the future. Investors sell bonds on inflation fears, and rates rise when bond prices drop in a selloff.

This is exactly what has happened. Since the election, bond selling has led to the biggest bond losses in 26 years.

Thirty-year mortgages have jumped into the low 4-percent range from the mid 3-percent range at record speed.

This dramatic rate spike might level off near-term, but don't count on a reversal back to record lows.

Where we might go from here

Jeffrey Gundlach, one of the world's most respected bond investors, thinks we've seen about 80 percent of a post election rate spike ahead of the Federal Reserve meeting on December 14.

This means rates could rise a bit more in the coming weeks, then the next catalyst will be Fed policy. The Fed has two main policy influences on rates.

First, they control an overnight bank-to-bank lending rate that serves as a benchmark for overall rate levels in the economy. In December 2015, they hiked this rate 0.25 percent after keeping it near zero since December 2008, when the financial crisis was at its worst.

There's almost 100% probability of a rate hike at the Fed's December 14 policy meeting. If the Fed does hike, this will reinforce inflationary expectations, driving higher rates. It will also increase rates on home equity line of credit (HELOC) second mortgages.

Second, the Fed has helped to keep rates low since January 2009 by buying bonds that directly impact mortgage rates - rates have dropped (or stayed low) on this Fed buying. Rising rates will hurt the Fed's ability to buy enough bonds to continue holding rates down.

All of this means the Fed won't be as rate-friendly as we've become accustomed to since 2008. This is why it's very unlikely rates will drop from here, and may rise instead.

Nobody knows how much more until we get policy clarity from the first 100 days of a Trump administration, and the corresponding Fed reactions February 1, March 15, and May 3.

Implications for home buyers and owners

Below are some things you should be aware of as you evaluate your options in a rising rate environment. These predictions incorporate the latest available economic estimates (from November 16) from the Mortgage Bankers Association.

• Last call to refinance. Rates are still low historically, but if you've been waiting to refinance - for a lower rate/payment or to take cash out of your home - look at your options immediately, before rates rise further.
• HELOC rates will spike next. If you have a HELOC second mortgage, it's tied to the Prime rate, which will rise in lock step with the Fed rate noted above. The Prime rate is expected to rise .25 percent in December, then rise steadily to be a full 1 percent higher than today by late 2017. Talk to your loan adviser about refinancing your HELOC into a fixed rate second mortgage so your rate can't rise.
• Homeowners, re-calculate your budget. If you've been pre-approved to buy a home, that pre-approval was done using a debt-to-income ratio, which will increase with rising rates. Ask your lender to refresh your pre-approval with current rates to see what your budget looks like, and to ensure you still qualify for your target home price.
• Home prices shouldn't spike. Rising rates may help keep home prices from rising too quickly. Median existing home prices are expected to go from $233,300 in 2016 to $244,100 in 2017, and median new home prices are expected to go from $305,900 to $311,500 in the same period.

• Healthy home-buying market in 2017. Total home purchase loans made will increase from $990 billion in 2016 to $1.1 trillion in 2017, while refinances will plummet from $901 billion in 2016 to $484 billion in 2017. Existing home sales will increase from 5.4 million in 2016 to 5.7 million in 2017, and new home sales will increase from 575,000 in 2016 to 649,000 in 2017.

Related:

• Mortgage Rates: You’d Better Shop Around
• The 4 Most Important Mortgage Documents You’ll Sign
• 5 Mistakes That Delay Mortgage Approvals (& How to Avoid Them)

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Zillow.

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Don't Let Your Feast Go Up in Flames: Preventing Thanksgiving Fires

By Shannon Ireland

The countdown to turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie has begun. Thanksgiving’s arrival means many of us are scouring the closet for pants with stretchy waistbands so we can prepare to feast.

The holiday is all about giving thanks and spending a day with loved ones. But cooking the festive Thanksgiving meal can lead to fires. And fires can lead to injuries, deaths, or property loss, so make sure to follow some safety suggestions for this holiday.

Check the stats

Thanksgiving Day is the pinnacle of home-cooking fires, accounting for about three times as many fires as any other day of the year, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Each year between 2011 and 2013, Thanksgiving Day produced an average of 2,100 residential building fires, resulting in $28 million in property damage, 50 injuries, and 10 deaths, according to a report produced by the U.S. Fire Administration.

What causes most Thanksgiving fires? More than 71 percent of fires were attributed to cooking, and the highest percentage of fires (24.6 percent) occurred between noon and 3 p.m., the report said.

Eyes on the prize

Er, turkey. Leaving food unattended while it was cooking was the leading cause of Thanksgiving cooking fires, according to the NFPA. You’ll want to visit with your guests during this holiday, but it's far more important to pay attention to what's in the oven or on the stovetop so that you don't become a statistic.

Also, assign guests items to bring for the meal. Having a potluck-style Thanksgiving dinner will prevent you from doing all the cooking, so you won’t be trying to cook multiple dishes at once. Giving your undivided attention to one dish at a time will help to keep food from burning and starting fires.

And when you want to chat with your guests while you're cooking, call them into the kitchen with you. Leaving the room while food is in the oven or on the burners is a risky move that makes your home insurance provider sweat.

Don't wear loose clothing while cooking

Let's set the scene: You're wearing a baggy sweater while sauteing vegetables in oil, and you divert your attention to talk to a family member. A fire ignites, and, in a panic, you attempt to move the pan to the sink to run water over it. When you move the pan, your loose sleeve connects with the flames and, in a flash, your entire arm is on fire.

There are several things wrong with this scenario. The first is that you should avoid wearing loose-fitting clothes while cooking, as it puts you at an increased risk to catch fire and get injured.

Secondly, never move a pot that’s on fire, or try to put out a grease or oil fire with water. It's best to put a lid on top of the pot to smother the fire, leave the pot where it is, and turn the heat off when the fire has been tamed.

And we won’t even mention getting distracted while cooking.

Keep fire hazards away from the stove

Just like ill-fitting clothing is a hazard that can easily ignite, so are things like potholders, wooden utensils, towels, and flowers. Keep these items away from burners and the oven to reduce the chances of having a kitchen fire.

It's also important to keep pets out of the kitchen. Say you just turned off the burner, but Fido comes sniffing around, puts his paws up on the counter, and accidentally slides a towel on top of the still-hot burner without you noticing, causing it to be engulfed in flames. Avoid this type of scenario by keeping the dog in a gated room and by keeping other hazards at bay.

Know the biggest risks

Frying puts you at the greatest risk for home fires. So if you're deep-frying the turkey this year, take extra precautions.

• Keep the fryer away from the house and on even ground. The fryer should be set up more than 10 feet away from the home, and on level ground to keep the oil even.
• Completely thaw and dry the turkey first. Only fry a turkey after it has been fully thawed and dried off to reduce the possibility of splattering grease, which can ignite fires.
• Keep children and pets away, and have a fire extinguisher nearby. The last thing you want on Thanksgiving Day is for a child or pet to knock over the fryer and get injured.

If you experience a Thanksgiving Day fire

The majority of non-fatal Thanksgiving Day fire injuries occurred when people tried to fight the fires themselves. If your home catches fire when you're preparing Thanksgiving dinner, and you don't have a fire extinguisher on hand, just get everyone out of the house.

Keep yourself, your family, and your guests safe. You can call 911 when everyone has evacuated.

The good news is that property damage and liability coverage for incidents involving fires are typically eligible for coverage under standard home insurance policies. That’s something to be thankful for.

Related:

• Set a Fabulous Table for Fall
• 10 Ways to Get Your Kitchen Ready for Thanksgiving
• Insuring Your Home Against Fire Damage

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Zillow.

Originally published November 20, 2015.

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Now Half Off: Bob Hope's Mid-Century Mansion in Hollywoodland

“Bob Hope partied here” makes a great selling point, but it hasn’t been enough to reel in a buyer for the entertainer’s celebrated home outside Los Angeles.

Hope’s nearly 15,000-square-foot mid-century modern mansion, where stars from Frank Sinatra to Bing Crosby hung out, has been on the market for more than three years. It’s taken a couple price cuts, and is now down 56 percent from its initial asking price of $27.5 million — to $12 million. That’s just a million shy of the price the Hopes’ estate in Palm Springs fetched this fall.

Walled and gated, the 5-acre estate includes a 2-bedroom guesthouse and staff quarters. It’s located near a golf course in Toluca Lake, which over the years has been home to Jennie Garth, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Miley Cyrus.

Walls of glass in the living room bring the outdoors in, with views of the gardens, a putting green and pool. Looking in from the outside, peeping neighbors back in the day might have seen Old Blue Eyes tossing back a whiskey and water with his buddy, Bob, by the stone fireplace or at the mirrored bar.

Hope and his wife, Dolores, designed their Hollywoodland home in 1939 and renovated it in the 1950s. Bob died in 2003 and Dolores in 2011.

The listing agent is Craig Strong of the John Aaroe Group.

Check out the surroundings:

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Photos by Erik Grammer & EGP Imaging.

Originally published July 20, 2015.

Related:

• Leonardo DiCaprio Charges by the Night for Mid-Century Modern Compound
• Miley Cyrus’ Childhood Home in Toluca Lake: $5.995M
• Mid-Century Modern Mania in the California Desert

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