Source: IMDb

If the shoe fits, wear it. And for David Hasselhoff, if the house fits, buy it.

The actor and singer just dropped $1.95 million on a Mediterranean mansion in Calabasas, CA. With a pool, waterfall, spa and outdoor kitchen, the home has “Baywatch” heartthrob written all over it.

By contrast, Hasselhoff’s Encino home, which he sold in April for $3.549 million, was a stately colonial — not exactly what you’d expect for the red-shorts wearing, chest-hair showing lifeguard.

Now Hasselhoff can enjoy a slightly smaller home decked out with several celeb-worthy amenities including 6 updated bathrooms, a family room wet bar, and large master suite with a fireplace, balcony and walk-in closet.

The backyard is perhaps the home’s biggest attraction with 1.5 grassy landscaped acres, a basketball court and poolside patio for outdoor entertaining — though we’re not sure how much entertaining the 60-year-old bachelor is planning. Rumor has it Hasselhoff may be looking to settle down and start a family with 32-year-old girlfriend Hayley Roberts. This is the actor’s first home purchase since his divorce from Pamela Bach in 2006.

The 5,767-square-foot estate last sold in June 2003 for $1.65 million. During the past 10 years, it has been listed 12 times with the price steadily dropping from $2.6 million, according to property records.

Related:

• David Hasselhoff Sells Encino Home
• Retired Laker Mitch Richmond Lists Ultimate Guy’s Home in Calabasas
• Celebrity-Studded Neighborhoods

Catherine Sherman, a real estate writer for Zillow Blog, covers celebrity real estate, industry trends and home improvement tips. Read more of her work here. 

Source: Baseball News Source

In 2010, Alex Rodriguez bought a parcel of prime oceanfront for $7.4 million.

He poured in $24 million to create his ultimate custom home — 18,000 square feet of modern, luxurious living space — that he ended up listing less than three years later.

Now Gossip Extra reports that the New York Yankee has sold his home for $30 million to a Palm Beach couple.

Originally it was rumored that Rodriguez was planning on building the home for he and actress Cameron Diaz, his girlfriend at the time. The two visited the building site, and gossip mags speculated the two were moving in together. But it wasn’t meant to be. The two split, and shortly after the home was finished and Rodriguez stuck it on the market, first listing it at $38 million.

He didn’t get any bites, so he took it off the market and focused on recovering from hip surgery. Curbed reported that the home was briefly rented to four Arab princes, but apparently the royal tenants weren’t interested in buying.

Although it was off the MLS, A-Rod’s house was apparently still being shopped around privately to interested parties — a tactic that worked.

A-Rod’s custom manse is completely modern. An enormous front door leads to open living spaces, with nearly all-glass walls looking out over the bay. Property records show that Rodriguez bought the home in his own name, but that doesn’t mean the house was short on security. The previous listing states the home has a gated, walled property line and 16 security cameras. Forget snagging an autograph.

Other amenities include an infinity pool, outdoor kitchen, enormous gym with batting cage and steam room, zen gardens and 275 feet of waterfront dominated by two large docks.

Related: 

• Hip Surgery Set, A-Rod Pulls Home Off Market
• Homes of 2012′s Top Baseball Players
• Tiger Woods Sells Corona Del Mar Condo

Erika Riggs, a real estate writer for Zillow Blog, covers celebrity real estate, unusual properties and home design trends. Read more of her work here. 

Among traditional kitchens, the most popular features Zillow Digs users comment on are cabinets and islands.

From a modern kitchen to an eclectic bedroom, homeowners have endless style and space choices when deciding how and what home improvement projects to tackle. For those planning or dreaming of a spring remodel, Zillow Digs is here to help!

We looked at Zillow Digs’ usage across the country to round up some of the biggest home improvement trends. So, what’s the hottest trend this season? Traditional kitchens. From fresh white cabinetry to detailed molding and antique hardware, traditional-style kitchens are popping up everywhere on Zillow Digs user boards. Of traditional kitchens, interesting features Digs users are commenting on are cabinets and islands.

And the love for kitchens continues. The majority of Zillow Digs boards revolve around kitchens, and the most popular trends by keyword are:

• Kitchen organization, storage and/or shelving
• Outdoor kitchen
• Practical/functional kitchen

From a complete kitchen overhaul, to a simple spring cleaning cabinet reorganization, check out these top trending traditional kitchens as you brainstorm or dream about your next home remodel.

No. 1

No. 2

No. 3

No. 4

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With Zillow Digs, homeowners can find their own unique design style by finding photos they love, and saving and sharing photos to create a dream home or to gather ideas for their next home improvement project.

Whether you’re just browsing or planning your next remodel project, Zillow Digs can help you get ideas and understand the cost of the actual bathrooms and kitchens you see.

Top trend: Storage and organization

Related:

• Digs Designer of the Month: Jamie Herzlinger
• Dig This Trend: Fast & Furious Garages
• Get This Look: Gatsby-Inspired Home Decor

Source: IMDb

When Jessica Simpson bought Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne’s former Hidden Hills mansion in March, she was in full mom mode, making space for 9-month-old daughter Maxwell and baby No. 2. Now with her summer due date fast approaching, Simpson is saying goodbye to her Beverly Hills bachelorette pad for good.

The “Fashion Star” judge just listed her longtime residence at 9555 Lime Orchard Rd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 for $7.995 million.

Custom-built in the early ’90s by award-winning L.A. designer Kerry Joyce, the 5,500-square-foot home is located in a private celebrity enclave with a gated entrance and vine-covered exterior. Simpson has owned the 5-bedroom property since 2005, when she bought it for $5.275 million following her separation from then-husband Nick Lachey.

“Ebonized hardwood floors and fabulous crown and [base moldings] throughout are just some of the quality details in this romantically emotional home,” real estate agent Jory Burton of Sotheby’s International Realty wrote in the listing description.

And Simpson isn’t the only celebrity with an emotional attachment to the place. According to Burton, Ellen DeGeneres, “Crocodile Dundee” star Paul Hogan and Hollywood manager Rick Yorn have also lived there.

Recently renovated by Rachel Ashwell of Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture, the interior is Hamptons shabby chic with white-washed fabrics and rich hardwoods. Touches of glam are also evident in the home, with antique chandeliers in nearly every room.

While Simpson now has a private veranda and ginormous swimming pool to enjoy in Hidden Hills, her Beverly Hills property provided her own secret garden. Spanning a third of an acre, its park-like grounds display lush landscaping and a secluded swimming pool. An eat-in kitchen also overlooks a stone courtyard with a serene koi pond.

An estimated monthly payment for Simpson’s home is $29,281, assuming 20 percent down on a 30-year mortgage.

Related:

• Jessica Simpson Makes Room for Baby in Osbourne Mansion
• Report: Jennifer Lopez Buys $10 Million Hamptons Mansion
• Christina Aguilera’s Beverly Hills Home Finally Snags a Buyer

Catherine Sherman, a real estate writer for Zillow Blog, covers celebrity real estate, industry trends and home improvement tips. Read more of her work here. 

Stanwood, MI

10545 Miller Dale Dr, Stanwood, MI 
For sale: $209,900

Built as a log cabin in 2002, this lake house has been completely remodeled, adding a large living room, master walk-in closet, jetted tub, oak kitchen cabinets and laminate flooring. The 2,064-square-foot property also boasts exceptional views of Rogers Dam Pond with 3 waterfront decks.

Belfast, ME

(undisclosed address), Belfast, ME
For sale: $199,000

Described by the listing agent as a “little piece of heaven,” this is one of three neighboring cottages asking the median list price in Belfast Bay. Enjoy summers in Maine with a shared beach steps away from your own private deck.

Ocean Shores, WA

678 Point Brown Ave SE, Ocean Shores, WA
For sale: $219,000

Looking for a Pacific Northwest beach getaway? Located on the Grand Canal of Ocean Shores, this contemporary 3-bedroom is just a few blocks from the sandy Pacific Ocean coastline. It’s also a 10-minute drive to Duck Lake, if you’re in the mood for some bass or trout fishing.

Kerens, TX

180 Pearl Valley Dr, Kerens, TX 
For sale: $220,000

This is no log cabin in the woods. Measuring 2,514 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, this home was custom-built in 2006 with french doors leading to a large covered balcony overlooking Richland-Chambers Reservoir. An unfinished workshop downstairs could also be turned into additional living space, making a 4,000-square-foot home.

Sparta, GA

325 Jamesway Dr, Sparta, GA 
For sale: $198,000

Located on Lake Sinclair, this Cape Cod colonial features an open floor plan with a fireplace, hardwood floors and lakefront porch. The 1.2-acre property also includes a large lawn, private dock and boathouse for summer entertaining on the lake.

Related:

• How Many Acres Can You Get for Under $200,000?
• Celeb Buying Season Starts in The Hamptons
• Behold the Best of Both Water Worlds

Catherine Sherman, a real estate writer for Zillow Blog, covers celebrity real estate, industry trends and home improvement tips. Read more of her work here. 

Zillow Chief Economist Stan Humphries appeared on Bloomberg this morning to discuss Zillow’s latest negative equity report. Zillow’s data shows that 22 million homeowners (44 percent) are “trapped” in their homes, and can’t sell because of little or no equity. This is leading to inventory shortages, particularly in the lower price tier of homes.

Watch Stan discuss how high rates of “effective” negative equity across the country are impacting the housing market.

Source: IMDb

It’s not surprising when actors buy a home (or two, or three) in Hollywood or the Big Apple. But where do they go from here? For Jennifer Lopez and Taylor Swift, it was the Northeast coast. The mom of twins just bought a $10 million house in The Hamptons, while the country-pop star picked up a $17 million waterfront manse in Rhode Island.

Christian Slater is also jumping the L.A. ship, though he won’t be neighbors with Lopez or Swift any time soon. The “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” actor just bought a Spanish-style villa in Coconut Grove, FL for $2.21 million.

Named “Villa Dolce Far Niente,” the home has been meticulously renovated while maintaining its late-’20s charm. A formal dining room with arched, mahogany french doors leads into a covered poolside patio, while the master suite has a large walk-in closet and a marble bath. Across the pool, a quaint guest house provides an eat-in kitchen and steam shower.

Slater also owns a 1,099-square-foot New York City condo and has previously owned Los Angeles homes with ex-wife Ryan Haddon. According to the Los Angeles Times, he was recently seen house hunting with fiancee Brittany Lopez. The two are planning a backyard wedding in July.

The 43-year-old actor’s professional life is also ramping up. Slater is staring in “Mind Games,” a new ABC drama set to premiere mid-season, and can be seen in recent films including “The Power of Few” and “Assassins Run.”

Slater’s new Florida home was last sold in August 2011 for $1.8 million. Soon after in February 2012, it was listed for $1.998 million, and in January of this year the property hit the market again with a significant price jump to $2.59 million.

Related:

• Olivia Newton-John & John Easterling Selling FL Beachfront Home
• Kevin James Drops $18.5 Million on Home in Delray Beach
• Bill Gates Renting FL Home for ‘Mere’ $600,000/Month

Source: IMDb.com

CORRECTION 5/23/13: An earlier version of this post misidentified Danny Bonaduce as the current owner of the home.

After a few years as a for-sale listing, Danny Bonaduce’s former Los Feliz home has changed to a for-rent listing — currently offered at $18,000 a month. The ginger-haired “Partridge Family” star turned radio host bought the home with his former wife, Gretchen, back in 2005.

The home served as the setting for the reality-TV show “Breaking Bonaduce.” Following the end of the show and the breakup of his marriage, Bonaduce left for Philadelphia, where he had a stint as a radio DJ. Currently, Bonaduce lives in Seattle, where he hosts a morning show on a classic rock station.

The Los Feliz residence, located at 4039 Cromwell Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027, is situated on a street popular with A-listers. Katy Perry and Russell Brand’s former home was also on Cromwell, and “Frasier” star David Hyde Pierce once had a home on Cromwell as well.

Like those stars’ homes and most of the houses on the street, the property is gated and private. Built in 1926, the home sits on a promontory with views of downtown from many balconies and patios. The grounds are designed for indoor-outdoor living, with a “resort-style” pool, alfresco dining area and gardens.

Inside, the 5-bedroom home includes a “chef’s kitchen,” library with fireplace, movie theater with rotunda seating and a nautical-themed bar.

The listing is held by Jeneen Oh of Sotheby’s International Realty.

Related: 

• Radio-Free Danny Bonaduce Lists, Sells Philly Townhouse
• Katy Perry Buys Compound in Hollywood Hills
• Olivia Newton-John Lists FL Beachfront Home

Have you ever dreamed of living in an unconventional space? We’re taking a closer look at the six nominees in this year’s Converted Homes category. Barns, schoolhouses and concert halls — no space is too out-of-the-box for these architecture-philes.

Don’t forget to pick your favorites and enter to win $2,000 cash here!

Lavish farm in Bulger, PA

Located outside Pittsburgh, this 150-acre property features seven ponds, a waterfall, pastures, forests, streams and rolling hills.

With plenty of seating and a pool table, the inside of this farmhouse is perfect for large gatherings.

Historic schoolhouse in Robesonia, PA

Built around 1870, the Klopp School House has been converted into a charming, one-of-a-kind home.

In addition to a living room with a fireplace and a kitchen with a dining nook, the residence features a master suite with a recently added sitting area.

The Charles Street Meeting House in Boston

One of the first racially integrated churches in America, Boston’s Charles Street Meeting House has been converted into a gorgeous condominium accessible through a private courtyard.

Many original architectural elements — including massive beams, an impressive barrel-vaulted ceiling and handsome columns — still grace the residence.

Post-and-beam barn in Islesboro, ME

Situated on more than 10 acres overlooking West Penobscot Bay, this tastefully converted post-and-beam barn features 4 bedrooms, a cook’s kitchen, 2 large decks and an artist’s studio.

The older hardwood flooring lets the home keep a bit of its roots while the new appliances and granite countertops give the home an updated feel.

19th-century concert hall in New York

Known as Beethoven Hall, this building was one of Manhattan’s most popular social halls through the early 20th century.

This guest bedroom features a headboard niche and balcony view.

Former firehouse in Austin, TX

The large living room is the definition of luxury with high ceilings, rich color and a huge chandelier.

The bathroom features very clean lines and mirrored fixtures. The door was salvaged from the original firehouse and creates a very shabby-chic feel.

Don’t forget to pick your favorites and enter to win $2,000 cash here!

Related:

• Sneak Peek: Doory Awards City Stunners
• House of the Week: Home Made From Shipping Container
• Bomb Shelter or Ultimate Man Cave?

The national negative equity rate fell in the first quarter, to 25.4 percent of all homeowners with a mortgage, according to the first quarter Zillow Negative Equity Report. But another 18.2 percent of homeowners with mortgages, while not technically underwater, likely do not have enough equity to afford to move.

Slightly more than 13 million homeowners with a mortgage were in negative equity at the end of the first quarter. But when including homeowners with less than 20 percent home equity, the “effective” negative equity rate at the end of the first quarter was 43.6 percent, or a total of 22.3 million homeowners. These homeowners likely cannot afford a down payment for a new home or other costs associated with buying and selling a home, tying them to their current homes and contributing to inventory shortages.

A homeowner technically reaches positive equity as soon as the market value of the home exceeds the outstanding loan balance, even by 1 cent. But listing a home for sale and buying a new one generally requires equity of 20 percent or more to comfortably meet related costs.

“Reaching positive equity, even barely, is an important milestone. But things such as real estate agents’ fees and a down payment for the next home traditionally come out of the proceeds from the prior home’s sale. Without enough equity, these costs will instead have to come out of a homeowner’s pocket, leaving many still stuck,” said Zillow Chief Economist Dr. Stan Humphries. “Looking at the effective negative equity rate could explain why recent, healthy declines in the number of underwater borrowers haven’t yet translated into more homes for sale. The only cure is patience, as rising home values continue to build equity to the point where more homeowners can realistically sell.”

Among the 30 largest metro areas covered by Zillow, those with the highest effective negative equity rate, including homeowners with 20 percent equity or less, include Las Vegas (71.5 percent), Atlanta (64.1 percent) and Riverside, CA (59.7 percent).

Despite some hurdles that remain once a homeowner crosses from negative into positive equity, it is undeniably better to have some equity than none at all. The first quarter Zillow Negative Equity Forecast predicts the negative equity rate among all homeowners with a mortgage will fall to 23.5 percent by the first quarter of 2014, lifting more than 1.4 million additional homeowners nationwide into positive equity. Of the 30 largest metro areas, the majority of these newly freed homeowners are anticipated to come from Los Angeles (94,642 homeowners), Riverside (74,693 homeowners) and Phoenix (51,580 homeowners).

To find out the negative equity rate in your area, please visit our negative equity page.

Source: IMDb

Although home prices are skyrocketing in Los Angeles’ high-end Brentwood area, it doesn’t mean all sellers are quite out of the woods. Take, for example, a home owned by TV show creator and producer Bill Lawrence (he’s been behind “Scrubs” and “Cougar Town”) and his wife, actress Christa Miller, who currently stars on “Cougar Town.”

The couple’s home just hit the market for $10.995 million, well below the $12.6 million they purchased the property for in 2007. Even with a heated bidding war, which is happening more often with some celebrity home sales, it appears the home will sell for a loss.

This isn’t the first time the couple have tried to move on from the estate. The two-story home, located at 13124 Boca de Canon Ln, Los Angeles, CA 90049, was previously listed at $10.95 million in April 2011 but failed to attract a buyer.

The farm-house style residence sits on just under an acre with mature landscaping, including expansive lawns and patio space, as well as a pool.

Inside, the updated home has 9,552 square feet of living space with 6 bedrooms, an office, sun room and personal gym. The master suite includes his-and-her baths and a walk-in closet. Many of the living spaces are traditionally designed; Lawrence and Miller seem especially fond of patterned, whimsical wallpaper.

Although the couple are dumping this home, they also own another property in Malibu — a 4-bedroom spread that they bought in 2003 for $4.5 million from singer Pat Benatar.

Related: 

• Report: Ellen and Portia Buy in Montecito
• Katy Perry Buys Mid-Century in Hollywood Hills
• Anna Faris and Chris Pratt Upgrade in Hollywood Hills

Once a year — and only once — I allow the Zillow marketing team to go off-brand for one of the most challenging awards acceptance speeches around: the five-word Webby Awards speech. This is our seventh Webby Award win, and this year the team didn’t disappoint.

Zillow Account Executive Michael Botefuhr was on hand to accept this prestigious award, channeling his inner Macklemore in very special Zillow-ized rendition of “Thrift Shop.”

Enjoy. And thank you Webby Awards, and your esteemed panel of judges, for giving us the opportunity to once again have a little fun.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Thinking about giving your dated kitchen a new appearance? Fortunately, there is a cost-effective alternative to replacing your cabinets completely — you can reface them. Refacing is a quick and relatively inexpensive way to achieve a refreshed aesthetic with minimal disruption to your kitchen and daily life.

Source: excelconstructiontx.com

Cabinet boxes & trim

As part of a refacing project, cabinet boxes and frames are usually kept, while cabinet doors and drawer fronts are replaced. (The size and layout of your cabinets remains unchanged.) Assuming your cabinet boxes are are in good condition, the next step is to decide the look you wish them to have.

Painting the boxes is one option. If, however, you desire traditional stained wood or a smooth, glossy and modern finish, a veneer layer will need to be added. Veneers are available factory-finished or unfinished, the latter of which may be stained.

Note: Applying the veneer requires care and precision. Prefinished veneers are difficult to touch up, even if you make a minor mistake during installation. Unfinished veneers are very thin but can be touched up more easily.

Doors & drawer fronts

Standard cabinet door styles and sizes will be appropriate for most cabinet openings, and the same is true of cabinet drawer fronts. To reface older or custom cabinets whose dimensions are not standard, you can always opt to have specially sized doors or drawer fronts manufactured, but doing so can significantly cut into any savings you gain by choosing to reface.

Like veneer, cabinets doors and drawer fronts are available unfinished (which you can paint or stain) or prefinished. Given the wide selection available, it should be easy to find a standard factory finish to your liking.

Source: buzzle.com

Measuring

When shopping for new cabinet doors and drawer fronts, accurate measurements are of the utmost importance, particularly when purchasing online. To minimize error, provide your cabinetmaker with an old door and drawer front in each size that you will need.

Hardware

New hardware is an important part of refacing. If possible, coordinate your choice of knobs or pulls with the hinges of your cabinet doors. Remember, because re-hanging cabinet doors can be tricky, the smart move is to use adjustable hinges, which allow for changes and fine-tuning to be done with a screwdriver.

Final thought

Refacing cabinets with new doors and drawer fronts is a straightforward project for the experienced do-it-yourselfer. But even if you decide to hire a contractor, the cost remains significantly less than a complete kitchen cabinet replacement.

Most impressive of all is the fact that you can have a new kitchen within the space of only one or two weekends!

Related:

• Cabinet Door Styles: What’s Yours?
• 5 Creative Alternatives to Kitchen Cabinetry
• Painted Cabinets: 10 Reasons to Transform Yours Now

Bob Vila is the home improvement expert widely known as host of TV’s This Old House, Bob Vila’s Home Again, and Bob Vila. Today, Bob continues his mission to help people upgrade their homes and improve their lives with advice online at BobVila.com. His video-rich site offers a full range of fresh, authoritative content – practical tips, inspirational ideas, and more than 1,000 videos from Bob Vila television.

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.

A master panel in the bedroom controls all the indoor and outdoor lights, as well as turns on a coffeemaker in the kitchen. Built in Brentwood, CA to last several centuries, and withstand fire, earthquakes and temperature extremes, Popular Mechanics’ 1955 “House of the Future” still contains features desired by homeowners today.

Of course, some of the amenities have lost their novelty. A once-touted “new magnetic-impulse transmitter,” which opens a garage door from 100-feet away, now comes standard in most homes. Meanwhile, the intercom system that runs throughout the house went out of style in most single-family homes after the ’80s.

Yet, the house as a whole — with its open floor plan, large windows, heating and cooling-efficient design — is still attractive. It’s on the market for only the second time in its history, currently listed for $1.8 million.

“The engineering is extraordinary,” said real estate agent Deborah Glusker, who shares the listing with Crosby Doe of Crosby Doe Associates. “When people talk to me about changing things like the windows, as a purist, I think no, you can’t! It’s original and should be preserved as is.”

The “House of the Future” was designed in 1954 by Popular Mechanics magazine editor Thomas Stimson. In a 1955 cover story, Stimson explained his thoughts behind the prefab design.

The Brentwood home was featured in the January 1955 issue of Popular Mechanics.

“It was designed for comfort and easy maintenance … and contains striking innovations for efficient living,” Stimson wrote.

His words still ring true today, and the current owners have done little to change the house besides updating the electrical and HVAC systems.

“The present owners bought it from the architect and redid the kitchens and bathrooms, but didn’t touch anything else,” said Glusker. “They modernized everything without changing anything.”

Stimson also accurately predicted one feature of the future, declaring in his article: “About the only addition it may require in the next 50 years or so would be a solar battery to provide all light, heat and power mounted on the roof!”

Located in the heart of Brentwood, the L.A. home has 4 bedrooms, 2.75 bathrooms in a 2,362-square-foot space. The home also has an attached two-car garage and lanai.

Erika Riggs is a real estate writer for Zillow Blog. 

Related: 

• House of the Week: Mid-Century Modern in Bothell, WA
• House of the Week: Austin Artist’s Retreat
• House of the Week: Home Made From a Shipping Container

Source: IMDb

Ellen DeGeneres is well-known for her sticky trigger finger when it comes to real estate. The comedian and daytime television host goes through properties the way others go through designer shoes — listing or buying a new property nearly every year.

So it’s no surprise to hear a report from TMZ that DeGeneres, along with wife Portia de Rossi, picked up a new property in Montecito, CA for $26.5 million — a gorgeous, bluff-front estate called the Saladino Villa. Although DeGeneres likes to pick up “projects,” admitting to Elle Decor recently that she’s always ready to move, this home looks pretty move-in ready.

“Indeed, there’s nothing the television star and comedian loves more than designing a house,” the article stated, and quoted Los Angeles designer Cliff Fong, who quipped: ”Ellen has moved more times than any person I know.”

Although the home boasts everything “streamlined and modern for easy living,” expect an overhaul of the 1928 home from DeGeneres.

Designed by architect Wallace Frost, the home was redone by designer John Saladino around 2009. Offering 6 bedrooms, 9 fireplaces and 7 baths, the home sits on 13 acres with ocean views. The two-parcel property is, of course, incredibly private, with luscious landscaping and gracious indoor and outdoor living areas.

Now that DeGeneres and de Rossi have a new “project” on their hands, will they dump their enormous horse ranch? While it seems DeGeneres wouldn’t mind listing, it’s de Rossi, an avid horseback rider, who likely wants to keep the property. But with a feature in Elle Decor, the home may end up on the market regardless. Besides, this new home in Montecito does have room for stables and barns.

Related: 

• Ellen and Portia Sell Malibu Home a Year After Buying
• Drew Barrymore Lists in Montecito
• Katy Perry Buys Mid-Century in Hollywood Hills

Motorcycle showroom

A classic car and motorcycle restoration and display area offers floor space for up to six cars and 30 motorcycles. An attached limo garage also shows off special-occasion vehicles.

High gloss

With 8,500 square feet of raw horsepower eye candy, this freshly polished showroom is a worthy home for even the rarest automobile collections.

Custom car lift

A hot rod lover’s dream, this garage by Zillow Digs Designer Remodeling Guys features Viking flooring and a custom organization system on the walls to keep everything sleek and tidy.

Secret lair

For your inner secret agent, a hydrolic car lift turns this Mediterranean home into a hidden underground parking garage.

Throwback

Keep vintage vehicles at their prime with a high-tech work space that includes air conditioning for precise climate control.

Fill ‘er up

What do you give to the man who has it all? A custom man cave complete with a deionized-water car wash and gas station that’s sure to be the envy of the neighborhood.

Lights, cars, action

Neon wall hangings pack a flashy punch  in this custom-heated and cooled garage.

Sports car palace

With a dedicated turntable accommodating up to 15 roadsters, a European-esque mansion creates the ultimate showroom for luxury vehicles of every make and model.

See more fast and furious garages on Zillow Digs!

Related:

• Bomb Shelter or Ultimate Man Cave?
• Houses for the Price of a Car
• Design the Driveway of Your Dreams

To fan the flames of your real estate eye candy lust, we’re taking a closer look at the six nominees in this year’s City Stunners category. Prepare yourself for an urban home lover’s paradise.

Mod apartment in Denver

Enjoy the mountain and city views from three fabulous outdoor spaces, including a 14,000-square-foot patio that can easily accommodate 200 people.

Drawing inspiration from the kitchen’s bold red hue, the dining room relies on red leather chairs as an accent piece for the space.

High-style high-rise in Las Vegas

Floor-to-ceiling windows and a huge, 32-foot terrace showcase sweeping views of desert mountains and the glittering Las Vegas Strip.

Wool and silk carpets, lacquered finishes and sparkling metals line this chic 3-bedroom residence.

Garden-view mansion in Boston

Overlooking the Boston Public Garden, this urban mansion was built in 1846 and still boasts many original details: stained-glass transoms, a dramatic staircase and wood paneling.

The bathroom’s simple and fresh design incorporates traditional marble countertops and a patterned floor design to provide a bit of texture.

Waterfront penthouse in Miami Beach

Filled with custom furnishings and appointments, this entire penthouse offers dazzling vistas of South Beach and the Miami skyline.

The best place to admire the surrounding scenery is the 2,000-square-foot rooftop terrace, complete with plunge pool and built-in seating.

Classic contemporary in San Francisco

Accessible by elevator, the dramatic great room is flooded with light, thanks to skylights and a cathedral ceiling.

Kick back and relax or do some work in the home office nook while surrounded by bright light from the mezzanine’s windows.

Prewar penthouse in New York

This magnificent penthouse has a lot going for it: gorgeous prewar details, grand-scale rooms and a great location on Fifth Avenue.

Sometimes, the view from the top just can’t be beat. Take in the city skyline on your very own rooftop deck.

Don’t forget to pick your favorites and enter to win $2,000 cash here!

Related:

• NASCAR Driver Jeff Gordon Lists NYC Penthouse for $30 Million
• Sky-High Living: America’s Most Over-the-Top Condo Amenities
• Manhattan’s Most Expensive Listing Hits the Market at $125 Million

Source: IMDb

Want to stay under the radar? Buy a home that’s currently off the market. Such is the tactic of many celebrities, and most recently Katy Perry.

The pop princess bought three adjoining parcels of land for a total of $11.2 million, reports The Real Estalker. One of the parcels holds a mid-century modern previously owned by Max and Rebecca Weinberg.

According to property records, the Weinberg home was purchased for $3 million by a trust held by Katy Perry’s manager. The same trust held the singer’s other real estate purchases, including Perry and Russell Brant’s home in Los Feliz.

The Weinberg home is strikingly different from Perry’s previous homes. Perhaps now that she’s single, she’s figured out what kind of architecture she likes. Her former home in Los Feliz was a “stately” traditional; her other property currently on the market is decidedly Spanish.

This new home is a mid-century modern, complete with an angular roof, open floor plan, and floor-to-ceiling windows that fully open to seamlessly connect with outdoor living spaces. Built in 1953, the home has been updated to include high-end appliances in the kitchen and brand-new bath features. Measuring 2,916 square feet, the home has 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.

Best known for catchy, chart-topping songs, it’s been rumored that Perry has been home-searching for awhile. Buying three parcels was a wise move; the singer is one of the most recognized stars in Hollywood, and with often pastel-colored hair, she is easy for paparrazzi and fans to spot.

Related:

• Drew Barrymore Lists in Montecito for $7.5 Million
• Anna Faris and Chris Pratt Upgrade in Hollywood Hills
• Jennifer Lopez Drops $10 Million on Hamptons Estate

Curious what $15.95 million buys you in prestigious Holmby Hills? For one of the most influential people in the music industry, it’s a gated contemporary villa with maid’s quarters on 1.5 park-like acres.

Irving Azoff, who now manages Christina Aguilera and the Eagles, has represented a long line of recording artists including Neil Diamond, Steely Dan and New Kids on the Block. He’s also served as CEO of Ticketmaster Entertainment and executive chairman of Live Nation Entertainment.

With this resume, it’s not surprising the music mogul has purchased 9,632 square feet in L.A.’s coveted “Platinum Triangle,” formed with the 90210 ZIP code to the east and Bel-Air up north. The property had been on and off the market since May 2011, last listed for $18.5 million. Azoff walked away with the home for $15.95 million in April.

With 7 bedrooms and 10 baths, a sleek modern kitchen, covered outdoor patio, full-sized gym, pool and spa, the home boasts all the amenities you’d expect in celebrity real estate. Azoff also owns another 7-bedroom home in Beverly Hills.

In 2008, the music manager made headlines when he dropped Jennifer Lopez as a client, allowing Marc Anthony to call the shots for the star. Since resigning as chairman of Live Nation in January, Azoff has continued to manage the artists he brought to the company.

Related:

• With Sale, Michele Lee Not Landing in Little Holmby Hills Home Anymore
• Connie Stevens Lists Holmby Hills Estate for $17.999 Million
• ‘Tonight Show’ Bandleader Rickey Minor Selling Major Mansion

Update the vanity

An old chest gets new life as a vanity.

“The epicenter of the bath is the vanity,” said Marc Thee, founder and principal designer at Marc-Michaels Interior Design. “There’s two things you’re trying to accomplish: the aesthetic and the function. I’m a firm believer that when those two collide, really good design happens.”

There’s many ways to acheive a good marriage of design and function in the vanity — and it often doesn’t involve picking up a standard, built-in piece from a local hardware store.

“Try a repurposed furniture piece, a former hall chest, a vessel sink mounted on a chest of drawers,” said Thee. “You cannot convince me that a wooden top is not practical because there’s so many marine finishes you can apply.”

Storage is always paramount, but if you go with a traditional vanity, it doesn’t mean you need to stick with the usual storage options.

“Big, built-in vanities are full of storage, but they just look like big boxes. I prefer a separate wall-on cabinet to keep everything at your fingertips,” said Thee.

A silver tray holds accessories in this bath by Marc-Michaels Interior Design.

For the little stuff, try a decorative tray on the counter. Everything you use, from deodorant to lotion, can sit in the tray and, when paired with a few attractive pieces such as a plant or little sculpture, create a balanced arrangement.

Splurge on the backsplash

A decorative backsplash updates this bathroom.

The area above your sink is a small piece of real estate in terms of the entire bathroom, so it’s a place where even the most expensive tile can become affordable.

“Try a glass tile, a sculptural tile there,” said Thee. “Your bathroom floor tile or shower tile can be cheaper.”

Accessorize right
Hang towel bars low so you can put art work above them, advises Thee. And when thinking about paint color, think about a color that will look good in different lighting at all hours.

“Choose something a little more saturated, something more flattering to the skin,” he said. “Any shade of green will make you look sick, so think about the paint color and how it will make you look.”

When accessorizing the bath, go for items that will soften the room.

“The bathroom is all hard surfaces,” explained Thee. “The more softness, the better. I believe in white towels; they’ll give any bathroom that spa lift. The more towels, the softer the bathroom.”

White towels are an easy and affordable bath accessory.

A soft, tufted stool or a basket holding decorative items can add to a room. A plant — even if it’s dried or silk — can bring a sense of life to the bathroom.

See more bathroom looks on Zillow Digs.

Related:

• Get This Look: Great Gatsby-Inspired Home Design
• Get This Look: Brass is Back
• The New Neutrals: Infuse Bold Color into Your Home

The 30-year fixed mortgage rate hovered between 3.46 and 3.56 percent for the majority of the week before rising to the current rate this morning.

“This past week, mortgage rates jumped to highs not seen since March on the back of strong domestic economic data,” said Erin Lantz, director of Zillow Mortgage Marketplace. “Looking ahead, we expect rates will remain fairly flat as markets wait for upcoming Fed meeting minutes to verify whether the QE3 stimulus program will be scaled back earlier than expected.”

Additionally, the 15-year fixed mortgage rate this morning was 2.70 percent, and for 5/1 ARMs, the rate was 2.30 percent.

What are the rates right now? Check Zillow Mortgage Marketplace for up-to-the-minute mortgage rates for your state.

*The weekly rate chart illustrates the average 30-year fixed interest rate in six-hour intervals.

Source: IMDb

Although she walked down the aisle in the backyard, Drew Barrymore’s Santa Barbara home doesn’t seem to have too much of a hold on her. The actress has listed the Montecito-area home for $7.5 million just a year after getting married, according to property records and The Real Estalker blog.

Barrymore reportedly bought the home in June 2010 for $5.705 million. The estate is out of the way from the buzz of Hollywood on a secluded 2 acres — ideal for a quiet, paparazzi-free wedding and starting her family with new husband Will Kopelman.

With a spacious 6,000-square-foot floor plan and 6 bedrooms, an upgrade in size isn’t needed. However with Kopelman from New York, the couple could be considering a move back East. Barrymore also owns another SoCal-area home she bought in 2002.

The “Never Been Kissed” actress’ two-story classic was built in 1937 with a long gravel driveway and a separate guest house. Inside, the home is markedly traditional, although Barrymore’s quirky nature is apparent in the kitchen, where a sunny yellow table serves as the island and the two fridges are vintage — one in a bright aqua shade. The grounds feature a long stretch of lawn, as well as a grove of citrus and avocado trees.

The home is listed by Suzanne Perkins of Sotheby’s International Realty.

Related:

• Anna Faris and Chris Pratt Upgrade to Hollywood Hills
• Reese Witherspoon Buys Brentwood Home Next Door
• With Baby on the Way, Vince Vaughn Buys in La Canada Flintridge

Source: IMDb

What do you get when you combine a four-time Grammy winner and the founder of Florida’s Amazon Herb Company? Cypress tongue-and-groove vaulted ceilings, natural coral stone flooring, custom driftwood cabinetry, bean bag seating and a rainwater harvesting irrigation system.

Olivia Newton-John married John Easterling in 2008 and moved into the $4.1 million plantation-style pad a year later. Now the Florida couple are selling the place for $6.2 million, The Real Estalker reports.

Located in the affluent Jupiter Inlet Colony community at 104 Lighthouse Dr, Jupiter, FL 33469, the 5,500-square-foot home received several eco-luxury renovations totaling $2 million in 2010. The windows can now withstand hurricane impact, the kitchen is equipped with Sub-Zero stainless steal appliances, and the media room is decked out with a state-of-the-art sound, video, shade and lighting system.

And for those more interested in simple pleasures, a vine-draped lanai, lagoon pool and spa, beach access and dock are steps away. The third-of-an-acre property is situated on the Jupiter Sound Intracoastal Waterway — ideal for snorkeling, boating or kayaking.

The “Grease” star decided to remarry at age 60, and her singing career spanning more than four decades is still going strong. This year, the England native embarked on a United Kingdom tour. As a breast cancer survivor, she’s also committed to educating and promoting women’s health.

We’ll see whether Newton-John and Easterling remain Florida beach-bound. Jo Ann Jacobson of Seawind Realty, LLC is the listing agent for the property.

Related:

• Stevie Nicks’ Old Hollywood Home Asks $1.6 Million
• Country Legend George Jones’ $8 Million Estate
• Ray Lewis Lists Florida Beach Property, Gets Ready for ESPN

A majority (55 percent) of the 365 metros covered saw home values climb in April from March. Of the 30 largest metro areas covered, Sacramento experienced the largest monthly increase, with home values rising 3.4 percent. Other large metro areas with notable monthly increases include Las Vegas (3 percent) and San Francisco (2.8 percent).

“April marks the sixth straight month of annual home value appreciation of 5 percent or above, the longest such streak since the height of the bubble in 2006. In the short term, this has been welcome news for homeowners. But in the long term, this cannot be sustained, and consumers entering the market today should not expect this kind of appreciation to last,” said Zillow Chief Economist Dr. Stan Humphries. “Overall, we expect home value appreciation to moderate as more supply comes on line over the next year, but in some areas, runaway home value appreciation, combined with expected interest rate hikes in coming years, runs a real risk of pricing out many potential buyers. Home values in these areas will have to flatten or even fall to come back in line.”

The Zillow Home Value Forecast calls for 4 percent appreciation nationally from April 2013 to April 2014. Most markets have already hit a bottom — with only 7 out of 251 not projected to hit a bottom within the next year — and 65 out of the 251 markets covered are forecasted to experience home value appreciation of 4 percent or higher. This is a decrease from the 5.2 percent annual rate of appreciation recorded between April 2012 and April 2013, and reflects anticipated shifts in supply and demand in some of the nation’s hard-hit markets.

National rents declined slightly in April compared with March, down 0.2 percent to a Zillow Rent Index of $1,288. Rents were up 3.9 percent in April on a year-over-year basis. Demand for rental housing remains strong, and many investors continue to purchase homes (many times lower-priced homes or distressed inventory) and convert these properties into rental units. As a result, many markets are seeing tight inventory and sharp home value appreciation in part brought on by active investors. Nationally, the number of for-sale listings on Zillow was down 14.4 percent in late April compared with the same period in 2012. Over the course of the month, however, year-over-year inventory constraints did ease slightly, which may indicate more supply slowly coming on line as builders construct more homes and more sellers enter the market.

What are home values and rents doing where you live? Dive into Zillow’s data, available all the way down to ZIP code and neighborhood levels, here.

There’s Versace’s former home, priced at $100 million, Steven Cohen’s $115 million apartment and a Manhattan penthouse listed at $125 million. But none of them hold a candle to the 50 acres of waterfront in Greenwich, CT that recently hit the market at $190 million, becoming the most expensive listing in the U.S.

While the house is impressive —  public records measure it at 13,519 square feet with 12 bedrooms and 9 baths — it’s the spectacular land that pushes the price tag up to nearly $200 million. The home sits on 4,000 feet of coveted waterfront property on Long Island Sound, which doesn’t includes the additional access to two private islands in the Sound. The two parcels, one at 30 acres and one at 20, contain a grass tennis court, formal gardens, carriage house, apple orchard, two greenhouses and a 75-foot-long heated pool. Considering that a 75-acre Greenwich property nowhere near the water is listed at $32.5 million, the $190 million ask is a little more understandable.

An 1,800-foot-long driveway leads to the home, which The Wall Street Journal describes as in need of a few upgrades. Heavy on Old-World charm, the house has 12-foot ceilings throughout the main rooms, a solarium with a coffered ceiling, and sleeping porches. Most of the buildings throughout the estate hold details from the home’s original build date of 1898: the carriage house still has a clock tower, and the garage includes milking stalls.

The home was built by the Lauder Greenway family — George Lauder was a partner in Carnegie Steel. It was sold 31 years ago to its current owner, John Rudey, who leads several timber companies, including U.S. Timberlands Services Company and American Forest Services.

It’s hard to say whether the home will go for its asking price. Candy Spelling originally listed her home at $150 million but ended up selling it for $85 million to British heiress Petra Ecclestone. One of the most expensive sales recorded in the U.S. — the $100 million Silicon Valley estate bought by Yuri Milner — is still significantly under the Greenwich estate ask.

Thinking about financing a place like this? According to Zillow’s mortgage calculator and assuming a 20 percent down payment (which would be $38 million) on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, a monthly payment would be $687,734.

The listing is held by David Ogilvy and Associates.

Related: 

• See 10 Most Expensive Homes for Sale
• Manhattan’s Most Expensive Penthouse Hits the Market at $125 Million
• Katharine Hepburn’s CT Family Estate Listed for Sale

Refinance

Still haven’t gotten around to doing a refinance? What are you waiting for? To see how much you could save, firsthand, use Zillow’s refinance calculators on the Web, or use the Zillow Mortgage Marketplace apps for iPhone, iPad and Android. The numbers will likely inspire you to take action!

Appeal property taxes

According to the National Taxpayers Union, between 30 and 60 percent of taxable property in the U.S. is over-assessed. And get this: Middle- and lower-income taxpayers’ properties are among the most often over-assessed, yet fewer than 5 percent of taxpayers challenge their assessments. Appeal and you could save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars a year.

Make energy-efficient improvements

Make energy-efficient improvements — new doors, new windows — and you’ll not only save money over the long term, but you might additionally qualify for a tax credit that’s worth up to $500. This credit is due to expire at the end of the year.

Become a landlord

Whether you’re not quite ready to sell your home (waiting for prices to go even higher?!), or a job opportunity has taken you to another city, you might find yourself interested in becoming a landlord to make financial ends meet. When done the right way — you’ve crunched the numbers, estimated your carrying costs, priced it right, found a decent tenant and taken into consideration all the responsibilities that come with the territory — it can be a win-win for all. You can post your home on Zillow for free.

Related:

• What to Expect When Refinancing
• Are You Ready to Be a Landlord?
• Refinancing? It’ll Likely Take Longer Than 30 Days

Vera Gibbons is a financial journalist based in New York City and is a contributor to Zillow Blog. Connect with her at http://veragibbons.com/.

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.

Source: IMDb

After living in a home designed by famed Los Angeles architect Hal Levitt, Michael C. Hall’s real estate bar must be set high. The actor’s latest purchase — a beautifully restored 1923 Spanish colonial home — has an upscale kitchen, media room, guest house and green hillside views from almost every window.

The “Dexter” star purchased the 6-bedroom, 6-bath home in Los Feliz for $3.825 million, according to property records. It’s significantly bigger than his former Hollywood Hills home, which he sold last August for $1.83 million.

Hall has earned a Golden Globe for his role as Dexter Morgan, a forensic analyst and serial killer, on the hit Showtime drama series, which is set to air its eighth and final season this summer. He’s also known for playing David Fisher on “Six Feet Under” in the early 2000s.

Now the actor can look forward to a master suite with wood-beamed ceilings, a private sitting room, view of downtown L.A. and luxurious master bath. A large swimming pool in the backyard with white, plush lounge chairs also provides a place to relax and entertain.

The home last sold in May 2012 for $2.09 million. Hall closed the deal for less than the asking price of $3.927 million.

Related:

• Michael C. Hall’s Hal Levitt-Designed Home Hits the Market
• Sean Patrick Flanery Sells Modest Home, Gets Ready for ‘Dexter’
• Ali Landry Lists Spanish-Style Home in Los Feliz

The Cadillac inside the house is a real Cadillac, a 1959 Caddy that was driven from the beach into the house and turned into a working bar.

“It was backed into the house, and they cut the gas tank out and the back seat and put in a tank and beer taps in the trunk,” said listing agent Barry DeNicola Jr. of Barry DeNicola Realty.

“The whole room is covered in collector license plates and model cars.”

The car was put in the game room just a few years ago, DeNicola said, and it’s just one of the features in the beachfront game room.

“It’s got a full sports theater with TVs, slot machines, darts, an authentic ice cream bar that came out of the Midwest,” he said. “It’s the ultimate party room, and of course it sits on the beach.”

The whole beachfront home was designed to be a party home — a place to set up and entertain. From the Cadillac bar to the commercial-style theater upstairs, the Florida residence has unique amenity atop unique amenity.

Looking to star gaze? The house also has an observatory with a professional telescope under a retractable roof. There’s also a commercial elevator, a regulation beach volleyball court, an 8-car garage with a 3-car lift as well as a pool and spa.

“It’s just one thing after another,” DeNicola said. “It’s for someone who wants to show off every toy and gizmo and still be on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.”

In terms of the normal house features, the house measures 8,000 square feet with 5 bedrooms and 7 baths. A monthly payment on the home would be $31,390, using Zillow’s mortgage calculator and assuming a 20 percent down payment on a 30-year mortgage.

Related: 

• House of the Week: Off-the-Grid Island in the Florida Keys
• House of the Week: Al Capone’s Miami Beach Estate
• House of the Week: Frank Lloyd Wright Jr.’s Dorland Home

Source: Wiki Commons

The frontman of successful indie band Foster The People has also been fostering a love for real estate.

Mark Foster — lead singer for the band’s popular song “Pumped up Kicks” and debut album “Torches” — has picked up a 1970s ranch-style home in Hollywood Hills. According to the Real Estalker blog, Foster bought it from “General Hospital” soap star Maurice Benard. Property records show Foster paid $2.155 million for the home, a steal compared to the original ask of $3.599 million in 2008.

Benard and his wife have had the home on and off the market since 2008, with records showing a pending sale last year. That deal fell through, however, leading the way for another price cut and Foster’s offer.

The Benards picked up the home for just $420,000 in 1997 and completed a kitchen overhaul — adding granite, high-end appliances and new cabinetry — as well as updates to the baths and a new custom home theater.

Measuring 4,637 square feet, the 3-bed home is built in a traditional ’70s style with wood-paneled, angled ceilings and big windows. Sitting on over 1.2 acres, the home has mature landscaping, which frames an unobstructed views of the city skyline.

Related:

• Anna Faris and Chris Pratt Upgrade to Hollywood Hills Home
• Chris Evans Buys in Hollywood Hills
• Boys Like Girls Frontman Martin Johnson Lists Studio City Home

But unlike store merchandise or a car, you can’t ‘try before you buy’ a home, which makes your decision to buy or not buy even more stressful. Not only is a home the largest investment you’ll probably ever make, it’s also where you’ll lay your head at night, spend years of your life, and make memories.

We’ve entered a busier real estate market, with competitive bidding and limited inventory. In the hype of the hot new listing, and knowing there are other buyers zeroing in on the same property, you might feel compelled to go the extra mile to “win” the home. And then, it’s quite possible that, within hours or days of getting into contract, you may start to feel buyer’s remorse. Once you’ve had some time to ‘cool off,’ you realize the home may not be the best one for you or that there are issues you overlooked previously. You want to pull out of the contract.

How do you avoid buyer’s remorse? Throughout the home buying process, stay grounded by asking yourself the following questions.

Must ‘own’ this house or must ‘win’ this house?

Often, in a competitive situation, a buyer just wants to “win.” If you’re competing and forced into a multiple counter-offer situation, step back and ask yourself: Is this the home I really want or do I just want to beat out the other buyers?

Also, has the potential purchase price exceeded the list price? Putting an offer on a home at $425K is one thing. But a few rounds of counter offers may bring the price up to $500K. This can create a completely different set of circumstances, and the home may no longer be right for you.

Have I seen the home more than once?

There are hundreds of buyers who, through the years, saw a place only once. There are even savvy international buyers who buy places in New York City sight unseen. But this is the exception, not the norm. No matter how much you think you love the home, if you’ve only seen it once, you could be heading for buyer’s remorse. Going back in the evening or a different time of days provides another perspective. Also, you may see things differently the second time around. Often, you miss something in your first pass that stands out the second time around.

Have I walked through every room?

A quick tour of the home provides a basic understanding of the floor plan, condition and size. But to really know a home, dig deep. Walk to the end of the lot and look at the back of the home. Open every closet and go in the attic, basement, and garage. Look at the neighboring houses, too, and try your car in the garage.

Have I seen a floor plan (if available)?

Seeing an architectural floor plan provides an opportunity to see the home in a different context. It’s possible you’ll pick up on things you might have otherwise missed.

Have I reviewed the photos after seeing the home?

Going back to the listing photos helps jog your memory. Seeing the photos, which are snapshots in time, will give you a different perspective. Was the shade closed in the photo and if so, why? Did you ever look out that window? Does the photo remind you that the bedrooms are small because there are only twin or queen-sized beds without any nightstands? These types of questions are a great way to evaluate if a home will work for you.

Have I toured the home privately?

Visiting a home with hordes of other buyers isn’t the best way to see it. You may feel cramped or rushed. You might want to sit in one of the rooms in silence for a few minutes, but it’s often not possible during an open house. There may be questions you or your agent would like to ask the listing agent, but don’t want everyone to hear. Or you just would want the time and attention of the listing agent. If you’re serious about a home, go back for a private showing. A lot more is revealed when you have time alone in the property.

Have I read the seller’s disclosures?

If you haven’t seen or heard about any disclosures before making an offer, it could be a red flag. In many markets, disclosure packages are available prior to making an offer. If not, a good listing agent will reveal the major disclosure items verbally. Ask if any disclosures are available and read them thoroughly before making an offer. If you’re too busy to review the disclosures, you shouldn’t make an offer. Also, find out if there are inspection, termite, or other reports you haven’t seen yet.

Is this home what I set out to look for in the first place?

Many times your path changes once you’re in the market. You may realize that another neighborhood will give you more for your money. Or the home that’s in the school district you want needs a lot of renovation, which you hadn’t counted on doing. You may discover that with lower rates and being open to a new or emerging neighborhood, you could afford a single-family home and not have to settle for a condo.

When buyers are in the throes of a competitive home market, it’s easy to settle on a home that “kind of” works, or to lapse into autopilot mode. You may just be ready to buy and be done with it. You don’t think about things like the commute from the new neighborhood to your job, that you aren’t the renovating type, or that you never signed up for lawn mowing and maintenance issues associated with a single-family home.

A good agent will bring you back to your original plan before you sign a contract. You and your agent should review all the reasons why the home isn’t the right option. It’s better to flesh that out in advance than to ignore the warning signs and cancel.

To help protect you from buyer’s remorse, always have an inspection contingency in your purchase agreement. An inspection contingency should be reserved for something serious about the property you didn’t know before making your offer. However, some agents call it the “cold feet” or “buyer’s remorse” contingency. It allows you to exit the agreement should something come up.

If you think you’ve found the home of your dreams but have the littlest doubt, or you can’t answer all of the above questions, think twice about accepting that final counter or even writing the offer to begin with. Ultimately, never sign an agreement if you aren’t completely convinced this is the home for you.

Related:

• Top 5 Things Home Buyers Want
• 5 Ways to Find a Home to Buy During an Inventory Shortage
• Why Buyers Should Consider Foreclosures or Short Sales

Brendon DeSimone is a Realtor and one of the nation’s leading real estate experts.  He has collaborated on multiple real estate books and his expert advice is regularly sought out by print, online and television media outlets including FOX News, CNBC, Good Morning America and Forbes. An avid investor himself, Brendon owns real estate around the US and abroad and is licensed to sell in California and New York. You can find Brendon on Facebook or follow him on Twitter or Google Plus.

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.

In general you probably want to earn wealth on real estate based on risk you are taking, while minimizing the amount of time you need to spend attending to the property. In order to accomplish this, you need to make some smart choices upfront when buying investment property. Your goal should be to strive to get as close as possible on as many of these optimal scenarios as possible:

Pays a Fair Cash-on-Cash Return

When you buy property you are taking money out of your liquid financial assets – stocks, bonds, CDs – and investing it into a very illiquid asset – real estate. You were earning a rate of return on your financial assets, such as 4 percent or 6 percent, and you should strive to earn a fair cash-on-cash rate of return on your real estate. To do this, you need to pro forma your deals and buy cash flow-positive properties that earn you decent returns – not those prize properties that are negative, negative, negative. For more guidance on this, see Smart Investing – A Tale of Two Townhomes.

Isn’t Too Risky an Investment

All real estate is extremely high risk. Development of real estate, land, Tenant-In-Common (TIC) investments, private real estate funds, fixer uppers, etc., all have much higher risk profiles than just simply buying a nice established cash flow investment property. In many of those investments, you will never see a dime of your money again because there are just so many things that can go wrong! So if you want to own real estate, consider simply taking fee simple title in your own name – or an entity you wholly own – to the properties you purchase. In addition, you must do the proper due diligence, analyze, test, review reports, etc., to make a lower risk real estate decision.

Doesn’t Require a Lot of Time or Managing

Some properties just require way too much time and management to make them smart investments. Examples include vacation rentals, low quality properties in bad areas, college rentals, etc. Nice boring properties rented for as long as possible to decent credit profile tenants seem to take the least time to manage. In addition, treating your tenants fairly and with respect goes a long way towards keeping good relations with them; and reducing your hassles when there is an issue you need to address. And believe me — there will be issues!

It’s the nice, boring, wholly owned, in good shape, cash flow-positive properties that are the best investments. They are out there for your picking, but it’s not as simple as finding a property on the MLS and buying it.

You need to do some hard work, research, read up, and make smart, educated decisions to acquire the best real estate investments!

Related:

• How to Pencil Out a Real Estate Deal
• Rental Property Investing 101 – Tips for Future Property Moguls
• Rental Homes: Making More Money by Keeping Your Tenants Happy

Leonard Baron, MBA, is America’s Real Estate Professor® – his unbiased, neutral and inexpensive “Real Estate Ownership, Investment and Due Diligence 101” textbook teaches real estate owners how to make smart and safe purchase decisions. He is a San Diego State University Lecturer, blogs at Zillow.com, and loves kicking the tires of a good piece of dirt! More at ProfessorBaron.com.

Email Your Questions to: Leonard@ProfessorBaron.com

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.

Groundcovers are a great addition to a garden, when done right.

But groundcovers gone wrong can smother out other garden plants, jump fences and invade natural habitats. In fact, the very traits that make some plants popular ground covers – the ability to spread quickly and grow anywhere – are the same ones that have earned them reputations as menaces,
Even worse, once groundcovers reach the problematic stage, many are incredibly difficult to get rid of. Groundcovers such as lippia, and English ivy can be pulled out, but any bit of root or stem that you leave behind will sprout again, meaning eradication must be an ongoing process.

Because established groundcover is so tough to remove permanently, you don’t want to think of it as a temporary landscape decoration. These tips should help you maintain a healthy relationship with your groundcover – allowing it to grow where it should, do what it should, and not stray from its intended spot.

Groundcover is a great addition to this walkway.

1. Research, then plant. Read gardening books specific to your region and talk with the pros at your local nursery. Plants that are labeled “spreads rapidly” and “grows anywhere” may be clues that the plant could become a problem.

2. Anticipate the spread. When buying a groundcover, read the label – specifically the section concerning mature height and width. Plant according to these guidelines, understanding that your plants’ growth could exceed prescribed dimensions.

3. Consider your site. If you just have some gaps in an already-prepared garden bed, use annuals and tender perennials to fill in. Save ground covers for tough sites where you have trouble getting other plants to grow, such as spaces under trees or on steep slopes.  Select groundcovers, according to your yard’s conditions: Sun or shade? Clay soil or sand? Moist or dry? Select groundcovers that will thrive under your conditions rather than require heroic measures to keep them alive.

4. Steer clear of invasive ground covers. Invasive plants out-compete other species for water, nutrients, sunlight, and space. As a result, invasive species can displace native species, reduce plant diversity, alter ecosystem processes, and hybridize with native plants. Most state agriculture departments and county extension offices work to educate people about local invasive plants. Talk to them and ask if there are groundcover plants you should avoid altogether. The lists will vary from region to region. In the Portland, Oregon, area, for instance, Lesser celandine, Italian arum, Yellow archangel, Lamium, Creeping Jenny and Vinca are all considered invasive groundcovers. In the San Francisco Bay area invasive groundcovers include Iceplant or Hottentot fig, Licorice plant, Vinca and English ivy or Algerian ivy.

5. Be prepared. Once you select your groundcover, control existing weeds and test the soil for pH and fertilizer recommendations before planting. Till the soil to a depth of 8 to 12 inches incorporating any fertilizer and lime needed, as well as, a 2- to 4-inch layer of organic matter such as pine bark mulch or compost. If the site is on a steep slope, you may need to apply netting to help reduce soil erosion. Groundcovers are capable of providing long-lasting beauty and function, but their performance is only as good as the effort one puts into soil preparation.

Related: 

• Picking the Right Fence For Your Yard
• Don’t Plant These Trees in Your Urban Garden
• Get This Look: Greenery in the Home

Before you rule out being a homeowner for less than six figures, check out these houses on the market for around $50,000. You might find a diamond in the rough.

Trenton, TN

612 S Brownsville St, Trenton, TN 38382
For sale: $57,000

If you can picture yourself sipping tea in this 1946 Cape Cod-style home, Trenton may be the place for you. Known for its annual Teapot Festival, the town has lots of character and affordable homes. For $57,500, you can get 5 bedrooms and 3 baths on more than half an acre.

Neillsville, WI

205 Hewett St, Neillsville, WI 54456
For sale: $54,900

Less than 30 miles from Marshfield, this 3-bed, 2-bath home includes an updated main bath, hardwood floors, new carpeting and built-in storage. While it’s currently being rented, the 1960 construction is in good condition, priced well below the Neillsville median list price of $99,900.

Mullens, WV

515 Church St, Mullens, WV 25882
For sale: $50,000

Built in 1941, the previous owners of this home have maintained its architectural charm. Step inside and find beautiful hardwood floors, an original fireplace and an updated kitchen. The 3-bedroom, 2-bath home also backs up to the Guyandotte River, a tributary of the Ohio River.

Oak Grove, KY

1021 Poppy Seed Dr, Oak Grove, KY 42262
For sale: $57,000

This $57,000 home has curb appeal with flower beds and a recent coat of paint, indicating the interior is in good condition. Located in Oak Grove adjacent to the Fort Campbell Army base, the house has 5 bedrooms and 2 baths measuring 1,217 square feet.

Phoenix, AZ

921 S 6th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003
For sale: $56,000

This Phoenix 2-bed, 2-bath home is a fixer upper with potential. Built in 1916, it could serve as a great rental or investment property for less than half of the Central City median list price.

Related:

• How Much House for $75,000?
• Affordable Homes for Sale With Acreage
• Get a Modern Bathroom for Less

Its use in residential applications has skyrocketed in recent years. A 2012 survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of The Marble Institute, found that 75 percent of homeowners who intend to remodel their kitchens in the next two years indicated they want granite countertops.

Granite’s durability, longevity and good looks make it ideal for kitchen countertops and other heavily used surfaces, including table tops and floors. Still, it’s expensive (typically $60 to $100 per square foot installed), it’s extraordinarily heavy (requiring reinforcement of base cabinets) and requires considerable upkeep.

Beyond granite, there are a multitude of countertop options available and their number just increases over time. If you’re in the market for a kitchen makeover, you may find one of these great, non-granite surfaces is just what you need:

Marble countertop

Carrara marble

Marble is softer than granite, which means it stains and scratches. “But it creates its own patina when it does that,” says Alan Zielinski, immediate past president of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and president and CEO of Better Kitchens Inc. in north-suburban Chicago. “That aging process gives the marble a nice, warm look. That warmth appeals to some people – if you’re not one of them, you probably should avoid marble.”

Wood countertop

Wood

Wood countertops are enjoying a resurgence in popularity, largely due to their durability and style. Adding a wood top to an island, while using a contrasting material for perimeter counters is a great way to add interest to the kitchen.

Butcher block is the most common type of wood countertop, but slabs can be crafted from a variety of woods, ranging from cherry and bamboo to zebra wood and iroko. Wear will give wood counters a charming patina, but you’ll need to periodically oil them to prevent drying.

Soapstone countertop

Soapstone

Soapstone is a smooth, matte natural stone that comes in a hues ranging from soft grey to charcoal. It is one of the only natural surfaces that is not affected by acids, so spilled coffee or orange juice won’t leave a stain. Soapstone is also heat resistant.

No special cleaners are needed to keep soapstone clean but mineral oils can be used to enhance the stone’s natural beauty.

Quartz countertop

Engineered quartz

Although some quartz countertops are actually made of quarried slabs of stone, the new engineered material is created through a manufacturing process that mixes approximately 95 percent ground natural quartz with 5 percent polymer resins. The result is a super-hard, low-maintenance, natural looking countertop that’s available in a wide range of colors.

“Because quartz is a composite material, it brings with it both the practicality of natural stone and the consistency of a manufactured product,” says Zielinski. “It’s resistant to scratching, but it can be scratched and it’s resistant to heat, but you don’t want to set a hot frying pan on it.”

Concrete countertop

Concrete

New colorizing and stain techniques have made concrete counters more popular than ever. Skilled craftsmen can create beautiful concrete countertops in any color, shape and size. Embedded stones, tile or even silicone chips can be added to the mix to create a piece of art. The result is a beautiful counter that’s durable as well as scratch- and heat resistant.

The counters, which can be extremely heavy, are susceptible to damage from acidic liquids and must be sealed and regularly maintained to resist stains.

Glass countertop

Glass

Glass countertops can endure high heat without cracking or scorching, they won’t stain and they’re non-porous, which makes them very hygienic. “I really like glass because it’s so versatile,” says Zielinkski. “You can laminate three pieces together and use a crackled surface or other art layer between the top and bottom. They can be painted on the back, or lit. They’re very high-end and very versatile.”

Glass counter tops are typically three-quarters to one-and-a-quarter inches thick. Glass is tempered;  polished square edge finishing or edge banding is generally recommended. Under-mount sinks are not recommended due to the transparent nature of glass.

Stainless steel countertop

Stainless steel

Stainless steel countertops can be found in any style of kitchen, from contemporary to traditional, because they complement many of today’s appliances. Stainless steel is stain- and heat-resistant but it can be scratched or dented. Of course, steel isn’t the only metal countertop material on the market. You might also consider copper, pewter or zinc.

Solid surfaces

Solid-surface countertops can look like natural stone but they’re generally less expensive and require less maintenance.

“Another big advantage,” says Zielinski, “is that solid surface counters can be created with virtually no seams. That can be a plus not only in terms of appearance, but it also makes cleaning much easier.”  These counters are heat- and moisture-resistant and easy to clean. They can, however, be scorched and scratched.

Related:

• Create a Pro-Style Kitchen in Your Home
• 5 Favorite Home Appliance Features
• Let Us Vent! Options for Clearing the Air in Your Kitchen

Source: IMDb

Newlyweds Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris may need to set a price limit for exchanging gifts. Shortly after Harris made her husband a homemade gift for his 87th birthday, the Playboy magazine founder dropped $4.995 million on a Hollywood Hills mansion for the 27-year-old Playmate.

The couple finally tied the knot in January. They’d been engaged for awhile, but Harris called off the wedding in 2011. Now the newlyweds have sealed the deal with their first real estate purchase. According to TMZ, Harris is a co-owner of the property.

The modern manse is constructed in a decidedly different style than the traditional and Tudor-esque architecture of the Playboy Mansion. The 5,917-square-foot home was built in 2011 with several modern amenities, as well as a view of the city lights. A gated entrance leads into a contemporary kitchen and up a floating wood staircase into a luxurious master bedroom and bath. Outside, a white-glass infinity pool and deck provide secluded relaxation while sliding doors out front provide open-air living space.

Hefner has lived in the famous Playboy Mansion for several years, but it may come as a surprise that the millionare doesn’t own it. According to details of the lease, filed with the SEC as an appendix to his employment agreement, Hefner pays rent for the 29-room house.

With the Playboy Bunny House (across the street from Hefner’s not-so-humble abode) recently listed for $11 million, time will tell whether Hefner decides to make the Hollywood Hills home is primary residence.

Related:

• Anna Faris & Chris Pratt Upgrade to Hollywood Hills Home
• ‘Anna Karenina’ Actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson Buys in Hollywood Hills
• Superhero Actor Chris Evans Wins Bidding War for Hollywood Hills Home

Today, we are rolling out a new feature for on-the-go home shoppers that takes advantage of cool new location technology that Google announced publicly yesterday, but made available to Zillow in advance.

Now, any time a shopper who has the Zillow Real Estate Android App physically gets near a home they’ve saved to their “Favorites,” the phone will automatically provide them with directions to get to the home. And once the shopper is standing out front, they’ll get quick access to photos and notes, so they can record their impression of the property and store all info about the home in one place.

It’s not every day that Google lets a company on the inside of a new product offering – especially something as cool as their new location feature. We are honored that Zillow was chosen to be part of a select group of companies given early access to the technology.

At Zillow, our focus is to create the best mobile experience for the user and we are always looking to innovate that experience with new tools and features that disrupt the status quo for the better. You can download the Zillow app from Google Play, and we look forward to hearing how the feature helps your home search!

Listen and watch: Beyond the Blue Dot: New Features in Android Location 

It has long been a rule of thumb that if you plan on staying in a home “long-term,” then you should buy instead of rent. But how long is “long-term,” really? Just how long does it take to recoup the upfront costs of buying, or to realize the savings inherent in a mortgage payment instead of a rent payment?

In some places, the answer is as short as one year – or as long as 20 years.

Zillow’s breakeven horizon incorporates all possible costs associated with buying and renting, including upfront payments, closing costs, anticipated monthly rent and mortgage payments, insurance, taxes, utilities and maintenance costs. It helps renters or prospective buyers determine the point, in years, at which buying a home becomes more financially advantageous than renting the same home. Because neighborhood selection is such a critical part of the home shopping process, the breakeven horizon is now available at the ZIP code and neighborhood level within individual cities and towns, and can often vary widely from neighborhood to neighborhood.

Maybe you’re trying to decide whether to buy or rent in New York City. The breakeven horizon for New York City as a whole is 6.1 years. But at the neighborhood level, the breakeven horizon ranges from a low of 2.5 years in the Parkchester neighborhood in the Bronx, to a high of 11.9 years in the Carnegie Hill section of Manhattan.

Nationwide, the neighborhood with the lowest breakeven horizon is the Shelby Forest-Frayser neighborhood in Memphis, Tenn., at just one year. The neighborhood with the longest breakeven horizon is the Sandbridge area of Virginia Beach, Va., at 20.3 years.

So, if you’re thinking of moving to the Shelby Forest-Frayser part of Memphis in the next few months, and you think you’ll be there for at least a year, you should consider buying a place there instead of signing that one-year lease. And if you’re looking to find that perfect place in beautiful Sandbridge, well, you should feel comfortable signing that multi-year lease, or get ready to live there at least 20 years if you want to break even.

5 neighborhoods with shortest breakeven:

5 neighborhoods with longest breakeven:

To find the breakeven horizon in your city or neighborhood, use the tool below.

Source: Dakota Unlimited

Through the ages, fences have been made from a variety of materials. Around my neighborhood, I see vinyl, cedar, metal and a number of other fence types. Which is best for you? The answer depends on your budget and stylistic preferences. Here are the pros and cons of homeowners’ most popular choices:

Jamie Herzlinger

Recognized by Women’s Wear Daily and The New York Times for her women’s fashion design in the ’80s, Jamie Herzlinger‘s transformation into a nationally celebrated interior designer is something of a tour de force — and she’ll be the first to tell you so. With features in Traditional Home, Trends, Luxury Living, and Lonny Magazine, her propensity for drama, fantasy and originality have captured the imagination of homeowners across the country, and earned her the title of Zillow Digs Designer of the Month for May 2013.

Zillow: Your family has been a fixture of the New York garment industry since the 1920s (Herzlinger’s mother was Nan Herzlinger, notable women’s sportswear designer in the ’60s and ’70s. Her great aunt spearheaded Bergdorf Goodman’s millinery department). How did growing up in such a fashion-centric culture influence your decision to become a designer?

Herzlinger: When you are around beautiful things all the time, you wind up with a great skill of scale and proportion. Attention to detail is key — jackets that aren’t too big, pants that aren’t too long and then all of the small bits like buttons and seams. These details carried over easily into my own aesthetic as I tend to be much more refined.

Jamie Herzlinger blends functionality with fantasy in the Solano residence.

Zillow: Closing a nationally recognized fashion line to completely start over in a new industry takes a sense of fearlessness. What inspired you to pivot careers just at the height of your success?

Herzlinger: After taking over nearly all of the shop windows along 57th Street and Fifth Avenue in downtown Manhattan one season, I found myself wondering, “How do I top this? Where do I go from here?” So I got in my car and decided to go west to Arizona and chase this new experience. I wound up at a luncheon, and a woman came up and asked me whose outfit I was in. Funnily enough, it was my own line and when she found out why I was in Arizona, she said, “Oh my gosh, I have all your clothes! Would you design my house?” Bingo, that’s what I knew I was meant to do.

The master bedroom in the “Caron Street” residence by Zillow Digs designer Jamie Herzlinger

Zillow: Your fashion line was directed specifically towards women wanting to take a daily activity such as getting dressed and turn it into a celebration. Does your home design approach embrace the same philosophy?

Herzlinger: Part of the beauty of being a woman is always maintaining an air of mystery and fantasy. I like to play with that same sensuality in my designs, incorporating the fantasy life everyone has into the way they live. Many spaces today are made to look androgynous, creating a feeling that’s flat and cold. It’s like sitting down to dinner and having no seasoning in your food. Who wants that?

The living room in the minimalist-inspired “Enclave” project

Zillow: Often clients have a different idea of what is beautiful. What has been the most challenging design style you’ve experimented with?

Herzlinger: One of my projects, the “Enclave,” was a strictly minimalist approach to home décor. I can appreciate that style from an intellectual perspective, but I don’t subscribe to it. So, I had to try and make it my own by finessing it to be more feminine. Teak and rosewood, exotic materials and tactile surfaces made it feel more warm and sexy.

A contemporary kitchen in the “Valley Vista” residence by Zillow Digs designer Jamie Herzlinger

Zillow: We see texture making a prominent statement in recent interior design trends like the shabby-chic movement and the current industrial look. What would be your top design tip for homeowners looking to incorporate a sense of fantasy in their spaces?

Herzlinger: Paint. It’s like changing your nail polish — when you’re ready for something different you can just paint over it or take it off. How easy could it be? I especially love a red kitchen with white countertops. Or, carry the American flag motif throughout with white walls and navy cabinets. Simple.

Related:

• Meet April Digs Designer David Scott
• Dig This Trend: Not Your Mom’s Wallpaper
• The Power of Paint: 10 Ways to Step Up Your Staircase

Source: IMDb

Although both grew up in Washington, Anna Faris and Chris Pratt have traded the evergreen state for the ever-sunshine of Hollywood. The actors recently spent $3.3 million on a Hollywood Hills home, previously owned by Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino, according to The Real Estalker.

Both Faris and Pratt are well known for their comedic roles — Pratt in “Parks and Recreation” and Faris in the “Scary Movie” franchise and “What’s Your Number” — but they were serious about snagging their new home.

Property records show the couple paid $3.3 million for the estate — $325,000 over the last asking price of $2.975 million.

The two seemed to think the home was worth the extra bid, and it’s easy to see why. The property is nestled above Nichols Canyon and sits on over half an acre. Described as an “ultra-private gated compound,” the home has lush landscaping, giving it a villa-esque quality. Other exterior amenities include a gym and tennis court, saltwater pool, motor court leading to three-car garage, and a built-in barbecue area.

Inside, the home spans 4,710 square feet, with 4 beds and 3.5 baths. Starting with a turret entry, the home’s living spaces contain vaulted ceilings and open windows.

As Faris and Pratt’s careers in Hollywood ramp up, so does attention from paparazzi. Therefore, not only is their new home private; it’s also wired for a full security system.

Related:

• JLo Drops $10 Million on Hamptons Estate
• Ali Landry Lists in Los Feliz
• Jennifer Love Hewitt Buys Modern Place in Pacific Palisades

Some people are too nice. Often renters, especially new renters, fall into this category: they’re so concerned with being a “good” tenant that they let their landlord walk all over them. It’s fine to be friendly and understanding – but if your landlord is taking advantage of your kindness, it may be time to stand up for yourself. Here are some instances where you should know your rights:

Landlord Keeps Entering Your Apartment

Yes, the landlord owns your property. And, yes, he or she should expect that you’re taking reasonable care of it. However, that does not mean that your landlord can enter your apartment any time of day or night. It’s still your apartment after all.

Most states have laws governing this type of behavior. In Illinois, for example, a landlord must give two days notice to enter an apartment in a non-emergency situation. In the case of an emergency, or building repairs for which the landlord unexpectedly needs access to your place, the landlord can enter without notice, but must give written notice of having entered your unit within two days of the incident. If the landlord is repeatedly entering your place, even in a lawful manner, it can qualify as harassment under Illinois state law.

Check the laws in your state, but if you feel like your landlord is making up excuses to enter your place, you likely have cause to take action. 

Landlord Does Not Make Timely Repairs

Your landlord keeps telling you that the dishwasher in your unit will get fixed “next week,” except that now it’s been two months. At first, you were understanding, but now it’s becoming ridiculous – it doesn’t seem like the landlord’s ever going to fix that dishwasher.

Again, most states have laws governing this type of situation. The general outline of what to do is as follows (though check the specifics within your state): first, make the request for repairs in writing and mail it to your landlord with certified mail (including return receipt). Wait two weeks (or whatever amount of time prescribed by your jurisdiction), and then, if you get no response, call a contractor and have him or her make the repairs. Pay for the repairs out-of-pocket, but keep the receipt. The next time your rent is due, deduct the cost of the repair from your rent check, and include a copy of the receipt. Voila! Your dishwasher has been fixed, it didn’t cost you anything, and you followed the law to the letter.

Renewal Comes, and Your Rent Goes Up – A Lot

Sometimes, there’s nothing you can do – perhaps you’d been getting a deal because the landlord didn’t realize how popular (and expensive) the neighborhood has become – and the raise in rent is just a correction. Or perhaps the rental market in your area has tightened considerably, meaning there are several renters in line behind you, who would be perfectly happy to take your place at the new rates.

In other cases, though, you may have some leverage, particularly if you’ve been a responsible tenant. It’s a pain for everyone if you have to move: not only do you have the bother of moving, but your landlord will have to spend time finding and vetting a new tenant, repainting and sprucing up after you move out, and hoping that the new tenant will be suitable.

So, it doesn’t hurt to ask for a lower rent price – if you want to stay and your landlord wants you to stay, you could probably lop off a few bucks. Often, the landlord will expect you to ask – and will plan on making at least a small concession, if not more. But you won’t get it unless you get up the nerve to ask.

And that’s the lesson from all of this: being a good tenant is different from being a doormat. If you stand up for yourself, you’ll have a better living situation, and your landlord will respect you all the more for it.

> Find Rentals on Zillow

Related:

• Rental Perks You Might Get, If You Ask
• 10 Steps to Finding Your First Rental
• How to Know if an Apartment is Right for You

You may know Rickey Minor as the cool, beret-wearing bandleader on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” He’s also the owner of a West Hollywood gated compound with a cliff-side swimming pool on over half an acre.

How’s that for cool?

The music director’s jaw-dropping home, located at 2925 Montcalm Ave, West Hollywood, is now on the market for $4.95 million.

The interior is beautifully decorated, playing off 1930s architectural details including overhead beams, dramatic chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows revealing a 180-degree canyon view. In fact, the view is perhaps the biggest selling point of the home with verdant gardens, sweeping tiered terraces and multiple outdoor dining areas showing the valley and Hollywood sign in all its glory.

Minor reportedly purchased the property in 2010 from “Sons of Anarchy” actress Katey Segal. According to property records, there were multiple offers at that time, but Minor closed the deal for $3.77 million.

Minor listed the home just a week ago, but with several sought-after amenities, it’s likely to get snatched up by another Hollywood regular soon. In addition to a library, eat-in kitchen, soaking tub and walk-in closets, the listing boasts a standalone guest house, complete with another bedroom, office and music studio, kitchenette and gym.

Minor is truly a self-made man and taught himself to play and compose music. He took over “The Tonight Show” band after Kevin Eubanks left in 2010. Minor has also served as a musical director for “American Idol” and several singers including Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys and Beyonce.

The listing for Minor’s mansion is held by Hilton & Hyland’s Marcie Harley.

Related:

• ‘The Late Late Show’ Host Craig Ferguson Sells LA Home
• Late-Night Funny Men Own Some Pretty Serious Real Estate
• Another Rascal Flatts Band Member Selling His Home

Sometimes people reach retirement and discover that, for whatever reason, they just don’t have enough money put away. If you find yourself in a similar situation – and you’re a homeowner age 62 or older – a reverse mortgage may help you take advantage of the resources you already have in place. You may ask yourself, “What is a reverse mortgage?.” Reverse mortgages are FHA-insured loans that can help you maximize the equity in your home so you can live a more comfortable retirement.

Here are 10 things you need to know about reverse mortgages.

1. Reverse mortgages are approved by the FHA

Also known as Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM), reverse mortgages are insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). They are not a wildly inventive financial instrument, but rather a loan product designed specifically for older adults. Reverse mortgages are a federally-approved mortgage product, and as such have regulatory requirements and oversight to insure borrower safety and protection. Learn more.

2. A reverse mortgage eliminates your current mortgage and mortgage payment

If you currently have a mortgage on your home, a reverse mortgage can be used to pay off the remaining balance. A reverse mortgage has no monthly mortgage payment because the loan (both principal and interest) is paid in full once the home is sold. The amount you owe grows over time as the interest accrues based on the outstanding balance. There is no requirement to pay on the loan until you vacate the property. You can analyze your current scenario by using a reverse mortgage calculator.

3. You can use a reverse mortgage to purchase your primary residence

If you’re able to pay the difference between the reverse mortgage proceeds and the sales price of your new home, you can use a reverse mortgage to purchase a primary residence. This allows you to downsize your current home, move closer to your family or find a home that meets your physical needs. You won’t have a monthly mortgage payment as long as you remain in the home.

4. You retain title of your home

Not the bank, not the lender, no one but you. The house is yours and remains yours as long as it remains your principal residence for at least six months a year, and you continue to pay your real estate taxes, homeowner’s insurance and maintain upkeep on the property.

5. The loan isn’t due until you stop living in the home

A reverse mortgage isn’t due until the last surviving borrower passes away, sells the home, or fails to live in it for 12 consecutive months. (This assumes taxes and insurance are current, and the property is properly maintained.) A reverse mortgage loan must be paid off once the home is sold. Any excess balance from the sale of the house is yours (or your heirs) to keep.

6. You choose how the money is distributed

As a lump sum, as monthly payments, or as an ongoing line of credit, the choice is yours. Some folks can use the extra monthly income; some just prefer a line of credit to have accessible for emergencies. A reverse mortgage can be paid out in whatever way best suits your needs. Additionally, there are no restrictions on how you use your reverse loan proceeds: it’s your money, you can use it however you see fit. An online reverse mortgage calculator allows you to compare different scenarios.

7. The money you receive from a reverse mortgage is normally tax-free

Reverse mortgage loan proceeds are generally not considered taxable income and will not affect Social Security or Medicare benefits. However, your monthly reverse mortgage advances may affect your eligibility for some other programs. Consult either your tax professional to determine how, or if, monthly reverse mortgage payments might affect your eligibility for benefits to which you are entitled.

8. There are no mandatory repayments

A reverse mortgage doesn’t have to be repaid until you vacate the home; should you choose to repay early, there are no pre-payment penalties.

9. And what if your home appreciates in value?

Again, when you sell the house and the reverse mortgage is paid off, any excess balance is yours or your heirs to keep. A home that appreciates in value just gives you more money in the end.

10. But what if the value of your home depreciates?

As long as you continue to occupy the home as your primary residence, pay the appropriate taxes and insurance, and maintain upkeep, there shouldn’t be a concern. Should the home, when you decide to sell or leave it, be worth less than the outstanding loan amount, its sale fulfills the debt in whole; FHA mortgage insurance satisfies any difference.

So how do you qualify?

There are some basic requirements to obtaining a reverse mortgage.

• All individuals on the title must be at least 62 years old.
• The property must be your primary residence; you must live in the property at least six months or more every year.
• You must own your home free and clear, OR your current mortgage must be paid off with the proceeds from your reverse mortgage.
• Educational counseling with a HUD-approved counselor is required.
• You cannot be delinquent on any federally-insured debt.
• You are still responsible for property real estate taxes and homeowner’s insurance.

Related:

•  10 Mortgage Misconceptions
• Think You Know Mortgages? Take the Mortgage IQ Quiz
• HARP Program Has Been Extended

Matt Allen (NMLS# 415037) is the Director of Reverse Mortgages at North American Savings Bank (NASB). Founded in 1927 on the principles of strength and security, NASB is a federal savings bank based out of Kansas City, Missouri. Reach a reverse mortgage expert by phone at 866-207-6272, or visit NASB’s website today. Equal Housing Lender. (NMLS# 400039)

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.

(Click photo to see larger image)

Since launch, Zillow Digs has experienced significant growth in user-generated content with home improvement professionals and consumers. Users have contributed nearly 34,000 photos to Zillow Digs, representing 165 percent growth since launch, and created more than 93,000 Zillow Digs boards.

Also, according to a recent Zillow survey, more than 80 percent of Zillow Digs’ users are actively working on or planning a home improvement project and nearly 70 percent are using Zillow Digs to collect ideas or get inspired. Also, nearly 60 percent plan to reference Digs Estimates during their next bathroom or kitchen remodel.

Developed first for the iPad and featured by Apple at launch, the Zillow Digs iPad App experiences 10 times the page views per session versus the desktop. This builds on Zillow’s mobile success where more than half of our traffic comes from mobile devices.

Zillow Digs’ users can browse tens of thousands of photos from Zillow’s database of more than 110 million U.S. homes, plus those provided by home improvement professionals and homeowners, and see Zillow’s proprietary Digs Estimates for the estimated cost of the actual bathrooms and kitchens they are viewing. They can create, save and share boards of ideas and décor they love, and browse boards created by others, comment on photos and follow people with similar interests. And, they can connect with local home improvement professionals for help – for free, on iPad and the Web.

Visit Zillow Digs today to be inspired, and save and share design ideas.

Source: IMDb

Jennifer Love Hewitt listed two of her homes earlier this year — one for sale and one for rent — so the news that “The Client List” actress just picked up a new home is no surprise.

According to property records and a report from The Real Estalker, Hewitt paid $3.25 million for a super modern pad in Pacific Palisades. The property was first listed for $3.399 million in early February and reported a pending sale — assumably due to Hewitt’s bid — in mid-March.

The home was previously owned by 7 for All Mankind jeans co-founder Peter Koral, who sold the high-end denim company for a hefty sum in 2007.

The same year, the house was designed by local architect Melinda Gray using contemporary wood and glass. The kitchen includes top-of-the-line, energy-efficient appliances and, like many modern homes, the floor plan is open, leading to a sleek outdoor living space. The home boasts both a rooftop deck and a private patio, which has a pool and lounging area complete with a fire pit and flat-screen TV.

Hewitt first burst on the Hollywood scene in the mid-90s with her role on “Party of Five.” From there, she released a CD and starred in a few teen films, including “I Know What You Did Last Summer.”

Related: 

• Jennifer Love Hewitt Lists and Leases
• Report: Rihanna Buys in Pacific Palisades
• Rumor Confirmed: Matt Damon Picks up New Place in Pacific Palisades

Source: IMDb

Sometimes there’s no rhyme or reason to finding fame. Take, for example, Ali Landry, who launched her career by eating Doritos on a commercial during the ’98 Super Bowl. From there, Landry had a variety of film and television parts, as well as a brief marriage to Mario Lopez.

Her bit roles made it possible to buy a Spanish-style home in Los Feliz in 2004. She’s now hoisted the property, located at 3692 Lowry Rd, onto the market for $1.925 million.

According to property records, Landry bought the home shortly on the heels of her marriage annulment to Lopez. She’s now married to director Alejandro Monteverde, and the couple has two children together.

It could be her growing family that’s leading Landry to sell the 4-bed, 3,700-square-foot home.

Built in 1927, the house is described as having loads of Spanish detailing including tiles, stained glass windows, stone floors and an “authentic Mexican patio with fountain.”

The listing is held by Dorothy Carter of LF Assoc., Inc. According to Zillow’s mortgage calculator, a monthly payment on the home would be $6,912, assuming 20-percent down on a 30-year-fixed mortgage.

Related: 

• Katherine Heigl Lists Los Feliz Home 
• Kristen Stewart Buys New Home in Los Feliz
• Jack Black Buys Flea’s Los Feliz Home for $6 Million

Rupert Murdoch has given mixed signals about wanting to own the Los Angeles Times, but he’s made it clear how he feels about his latest real estate purchase.

The media mogul is closing the deal on a Bel Air property, last listed for $29.5 million. While the sale is pending on the MLS, Murdoch decided to share the news on Twitter.

About to celebrate buying beautiful small vineyard right in LA.Great wine, Moraga, owned by great Angelino, Tom Jones. Time cover,1961!

— Rupert Murdoch(@rupertmurdoch) May 10, 2013

While the vineyard might be small by wine-making standards, it’s a large parcel for Los Angeles measuring 13 acres. The land includes Moraga Vineyards and Winery, which Tom and Ruth Jones have owned since 1959. A 7,500-square-foot home built in 1940 by “Gone With the Wind” and “The Wizard of Oz” director Victor Fleming — as well as a wine cave, guest house and 4,400-square-foot office — come with the property.

According to Business Insider, Murdoch first checked out the listing after reading about it in The Wall Street Journal. Mr. and Mrs. Jones reportedly said they were “ready to pass on the vineyard to ‘someone who will carry on their story.’” Moraga is the first commercial winery to be bonded in the city of Los Angeles since the Prohibition ended in 1933.

“We are proud to be the ‘Vino Locale’ for Los Angeles as well as preservationists for our piece of rural California,” Tom Jones said in a quote on the company’s website.

While Murdoch doesn’t have experience owning a vineyard and is currently facing demands to step down as chairman of News Corp., he knows how to juggle multiple homes. He owns an 11-bedroom in Beverly Hills, as well as two New York City properties.

Related:

• Steven Cohen Asks $115 Million for Manhattan Apartment
• Report: Kanye West and Kim Kardashian Buy in Bel-Air
• Zsa Zsa Gabor’s ‘Argo’ Home Finally Snags a Buyer

The 30-year fixed mortgage rate hovered between 3.39 and 3.41 percent for the majority of the week before rising near the current rate on Friday.

“Prompted by rumors that the Fed would begin scaling back the QE3 stimulus program earlier than anticipated, mortgage rates rose late last week to a level not seen since early April,” said Erin Lantz, director of Zillow Mortgage Marketplace. “This coming week, we expect rates will continue a longer-term upward trend as economic data points towards continued signs of economic recovery.”

Additionally, the 15-year fixed mortgage rate this morning was 2.62 percent and for 5/1 ARMs, the rate was 2.30 percent.

What are the rates right now? Check Zillow Mortgage Marketplace for up-to-the-minute mortgage rates for your state.

 *The weekly rate chart illustrates the average 30-year fixed interest in six-hour intervals.

Source: IMDb

Jennifer Lopez might just be “Jenny from the Block,” but her newest block is a stretch of three acres in exclusive Water Mill, NY.

According to the New York Post, Lopez has toured the estate several times with her twins and current boyfriend, 25-year-old Casper Smart. Lopez reportedly paid $10 million for the home, which previously demanded $425,000 as a summer rental. Lopez has been looking for a Hamptons-area estate for years; there were previous rumors that she picked one up back in 2011, shortly after her divorce to Marc Anthony.

The singer and actress’ new place is not only luxe — a must-have for someone who brought in $52 million last year and is ranked above Oprah on Forbes’ Most Powerful List —  but also incredibly private.  Situated on its own cul-de-sac, the updated but classic estate is made up of two lots, with room for plenty of celebrity musts, like guest houses and tennis courts.

Built in 2004, the 8-bed, 4.5-bath measures 8,500 square feet. The landscaped grounds include a large pool, patio area and plenty of hedges to keep paparrazi at bay.

Lopez hasn’t purchased a home in quite some time. The entertainer still owns an enormous spread in Hidden Hills that she purchased with Anthony in 2010, as well as two homes in Glen Head, N.Y. The star previously owned a waterfront estate in Miami Beach and another home in Beverly Hills.

Coincidentally, Anthony also bought a home this week — but on the other coast. His new home is in Encino, CA and he spent about $2.5 million on it.

Related: 

• Jennifer Lopez’ Former Miami Beach Home on the Market
• Reese Witherspoon is Girl Next Door with Third Brentwood Purchase
• Taylor Swift Buys in Rhode Island

Source: IMDb

If Sean Patrick Flanery comes to mind when picturing a crime-fighting vigilante or FBI agent, you’re not alone. The Louisiana-born film and TV actor, most well-known for his role in “The Boondock Saints,” has made appearances on “CSI,” “Numb3rs” and “Criminal Minds.”

Set to play a new character in the upcoming season of “Dexter,” Flanery has decided his 2-bedroom at 6351 Bryn Mawr Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068 no longer suits him.

According to the MLS, he recently sold the property for $910,000, after buying it for $759,000 in 2003.

Compared to the median Hollywood Hills home value of $1.266 million, Flanery’s place sold for thousands less. But measuring 1,364 square feet, it’s also a lot smaller than the typical celebrity real estate in Los Angeles.

The new owner likely isn’t going for maximum square footage, though. Built in 1970, the home has been updated with several modern amenities throughout. From an open floor plan and stainless steel appliances to a sleek private deck — the house has some great selling points.

It’s also located in the desirable Vine Hills area with glass-paned French doors providing panoramic views of a landscaped yard and downtown L.A.

The eighth and final season of “Dexter” is set to air June 30 with Flanery playing Deb’s new detective-agency boss. Time will tell what the crime-fighting actor does next on-camera and in real estate.

Related:

• ‘Dexter’ Actor Michael C. Hall’s Home Hits the Market
• ‘Numb3rs’ Star David Krumholtz Lists Estate for $2.175 Million
• Superhero Actor Chris Evans Wins Bidding War for Hollywood Hills Home