Real Estate News

As actor Mel Gibson proceeded with his highly publicized divorce from wife Robyn last year, it was revealed that a lot of Gibson’s wealth is tied up in real estate. Last year, he put his Old Mill Farm estate on the market for $35 million and it looks like it’s still for sale, but at a big price cut. The Greenwich, CT property is now listed for $29,750,000. (See more celebrity price cuts).

Now, another Gibson estate is up for sale, but this one is on the other coast. Gibson’s Lavender Hill Farm is for sale for $14.5 million. Located in a secluded area of Malibu known as Serra Retreat, it is Gibson’s own private escape. The 2.75-acre grounds have mature trees, a fruit orchard, and organic gardens.

The home is newly remodeled and has 6 bedrooms and 6 baths with a hardwood/stone floors. The master bedroom is on the upper floor and includes a sitting room. Extras include a lighted tennis court, pool, three guest houses, two offices, a detached gym, library, and a garden cabana with game room. It sounds, well, divine. But, don’t take our word for it — see more photos of Mel Gibson’s Malibu home.

> See Malibu real estate

> See Malibu home values

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Real estate pros in Houston: We just wanted to give you a heads up that Zillow COO, Spencer Rascoff, will be in Houston on March 30 to talk about how Zillow — one of the most popular real estate Web sites — can help you and your business.

Spencer will address:

• Zestimate® values and accuracy
• Networking with consumers in your local area
• How to leverage Zillow’s 8M+ monthly users to promote your listings, yourself and your expertise
• How to dominate ZIP codes where you work

What: Zillow A to Z: From Advertising to Zestimates, Learn How to Make Zillow Work for You
When: Tuesday, March 30, 11:30 am to 1 pm
Where: Hilton Houston Post Oak

PLEASE REGISTER HERE

Hope to see you there!

View other Zillow events.

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It’s been a tough couple years for borrowers who are looking to secure a home loan or to refinance an existing loan. Today, the Wall Street Journal reports in the article “Where to Find the Money,” that “…U.S. banks posted a 7.5 percent decline in 2009 in total loans outstanding — the steepest drop since 1942 — and consumer lending fell by 3.8 percent as roughly 7,200 banks and credit unions pulled back on mortgages, credit cards and other loans.”

What is interesting, according to the article, is that while the largest 10 percent of banks by asset size shrank their consumer lending by 4.7 percent, consumer loans actually grew nearly 3 percent at smaller financial institutions — the ones that fell in the bottom 50 percent of the industry in assets. Seems like there is some money to be had if borrowers know where to look.

That’s just part of the beauty of using Zillow Mortgage Marketplace to shop for a home loan.  Zillow’s network of lenders range from individual brokerage firms and small local banks to the larger, national banks.  Borrowers simply submit an anonymous loan request and receive custom quotes from a wide range of financial institutions almost instantly.  Even better, borrowers can compare all of these quotes on an apples-to-apples basis inclusive of all fees, and review lender ratings and reviews before deciding which lender to contact.

As the WSJ writes, the trick to getting a good deal on a loan is to compare costs and there is no easier way to do so than on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace.

More:

Perfect Furnished Florida Condo in Palm Coast in Palm Coast, FL – $105,000 – 2 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms –

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Perfect Furnished Florida Condo in Palm Coast

Ina Tan Kaanab in Akumal, Akumal – $995,000 – 4 Bedrooms 4.5 Bathrooms – Casa Ina Tan Kaanab

Award winning property located in North Akumal, Oceanfront with incredible views.
The main house has 4 bedrooms and 4 ? baths, fabu…

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Ina Tan Kaanab

American pro tennis player Andy Roddick, known for his blistering serves (he has the fastest serve on record at 155 mph) and his inability to solve his rival, Roger Federer, is selling his Austin, TX home for $4 million. It’s the same home where he married his fiancee, Brooklyn Decker, last year.

Roddick’s home at 4104 Shimmering Cove, Austin, TX, is located in a gated community on Lake Austin, with popular Mount Bonnell — all of 775 feet — “towering” just behind. Roddick’s home is perfect for water lovers and includes a boat house, plus it has an oversized parking area with a two-car garage. A large kitchen opens to living areas and an outdoor covered patio. Scored concrete and hardwood floors flow throughout all rooms except the master bedroom on the main level and oversized bedrooms and media room upstairs. Additional rooms include an office/study/game room, formal dining, and breakfast area.

As we reported in 2008, Roddick purchased this 5,558 sq ft home in November of 2003 for $1,463,000. See more photos of Roddick’s Austin home.

> See more Austin real estate

> See Austin home values

This must be the week for tennis stars to post their homes for sale. See Pete Sampras’ home and the home of Jennifer Capriati.

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BANK-OWNED LAKE HOUSE BARGAIN! in Delavan, WI – $299,900 – 3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms – Spectacular Savings. This newer 3 bedroom, 2 bath contemporary home was designed to take advantage of the lake views from almost every room! The main level…

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BANK-OWNED LAKE HOUSE BARGAIN!

LARGE LAKEFRONT ON DELAVAN’S SOUTH SHORE in Delavan, WI – $1,100,000 – 5 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms –
Leave your worries behind & enjoy long summer days on beautiful Delavan Lake. This classic 5 bedroom, 3 bath lake house has room for all your family & f…

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LARGE LAKEFRONT ON DELAVAN’S SOUTH SHORE

LAKEFRONT DREAM HOME W/GUEST HOUSE in Delavan, WI – $2,499,900 – 6 Bedrooms 4.5 Bathrooms – Experience the extraordinary in this 5 bedroom, 3 bath home that focuses on quality throughout the open floor plan. Located on 132′ lake front with exquisi…

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LAKEFRONT DREAM HOME W/GUEST HOUSE

WOODED LAKEFRONT ESTATE in Delavan, WI – $1,975,000 – 4 Bedrooms 3.5 Bathrooms – Prestigious secluded estate on the shores of Delavan Lake! Nestled in mature forest, this 10.7+/- acre property with 221 feet of gently sloping frontage of…

WOODED LAKEFRONT ESTATE

LAKEFRONT RESORT CONDO in Delavan, WI – $259,900 – 2 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms – Indulge yourself with the fine amenities of a premier lakeside resort! Enjoy breathtaking views & unforgettable sunsets from beautifully landscaped 3 acre …

LAKEFRONT RESORT CONDO

It’s about to get tougher to qualify for a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage, often considered the replacement loan for the collapsed subprime market.

Originally posted here:
Tighter Requirements for FHA Loans Loom

A question from Bay City, MI, asked by chummydog in Zillow Advice is:

What does “house in redemption” mean?

Do you know?

P.S. Real estate agent Mike Emery received the “Best Answer” vote.

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We’re still feeling some Oscar® fever, so allow us to indulge with yet another home owned by an Academy Award nominee — Glenn Close. Yes, we still have vivid memories of her role as deranged stalker Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction and were curious to read about the sale of her Manhattan “aerie” from none other than Real Estalker.

Close’s Upper East Side condo is on the market for $11,800,000 and her apartment, 19-D, is described as being one of Central Park West’s most glamorous since it’s part of the “… coveted “D” line east over Central Park, south over the Planetarium and all the way down the Park to the Manhattan skyline.” A spacious 19

Harvey Cedars Cape Cod in Harvey Cedars, NJ – $769,000 – 4 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms – HARVEY CEDARS CAPE COD…..

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Harvey Cedars Cape Cod