OK, here we are: deep into the sweltering, extended days and steamy nights of midsummer. So what’s better than (briefly, blissfully) conquering the heat with a reviving dive into a great pool? Diving into a great pool in your very own backyard, of course.

It got us thinking: Where would we be most likely to find a home in the U.S. that’s pool-party ready? So, our data team took a deep plunge into millions of property public records of single-family homes to come up with a ranking of the top 10 medium-to-large cities with the highest percentage of backyard pools.

It’s no tremendous surprise that most of the cities with the biggest pool scenes are in Florida and Arizona, two of the hottest U.S. states. But here’s a water-logged reality check: most real estate experts will tell you that a swimming pool does not necessarily boost your home’s value. It can, in fact, be a turnoff (and health hazard) for buyers with young children (although plenty appreciate it as a source of family fun), and the recommended liability insurance is an extra expense. And some potential buyers are just turned off by the messy and expensive upkeep. But here’s the other truth: in some of the nation’s steamiest states, not having a pool when the temperature spikes is almost unthinkable.Or certainly not a whole lot of fun.

Florida

Two of the top 10 pool-loving cities are in the Sunshine State. Topping the list is Coral Springs, FL, where a remarkable two-thirds of homes have a pool . The number isn’t at all surprising to Shelly Lesser, a local real estate agent, who says only three out of 550 houses in her community are pool-free.

“Because here, it’s hot 10 months out of a year,” Lesser says. “Everybody wants to use the pool. My daughter is typically in the pool five days out of seven.”

Unlike some Florida cities with a higher percentage of seniors, Coral Springs is family oriented. Parents usually search for homes with a built-in pool for their kids, says Lesser, who recently sold a four-bedroom home with a pool to a couple with a 6-year-old and a baby on the way. Here, a pool not only contributes to a faster sale, but also adds an average of $20,000 to the price, she estimates.

Arizona

In the Grand CanyonState, a swimming pool is also considered crucial by most residents and potential home buyers—the temperature hits  over 100 degrees in the summer. In a cluster of cities in the Phoenix–Mesa–Glendale metropolitan area, one-third of the homeowners choose to upgrade their outdoor living space into an oasis.

Carol Royse, a Tempe-based agent, says any home with a price of $250,000 and up is almost guaranteed to have a pool. The majority of her clients—especially transplants—see it as a must-have feature for a new home. Recently, she says, she showed a “very nice house” to 10 of her clients, but they rejected it because of its distinct lack of splash-splash functionality.

And while Arizona, like California, is in the grip of a long-term drought, recent research shows that existing pools don’t actually use that much water, especially if you get a pool cover to prevent evaporation (and keep out debris).

Texas

In Plano, one of the most affluent suburbs of Dallas, a private pool is also a one of the most commonly sought-after features, agent say.

“There are not a lot of community pools being built here, which is probably why people feel the intense need to own their own pools,” says local agent Pedro Cabezas.

Another potential reason: the influx of new businesses in Dallas and surrounding areas. Non-natives in particular crave a refreshing pool nearby to get then through the Texas heat, says Chris Bentley, a Plano Realtor originally from the East Coast.

But unlike some of other top 10 pool-loving locales, a watery haven is neither a distinct dealmaker or deal-breaker in selling a home here. In most cases, a pool is well-received among families with children, not so much for older buyers.

On the other hand, it doesn’t take a water lover to enjoy Plano’s enormous and famous Texas-shaped pool—a public space now striving for landmark status. All it takes is some good ol’ Texas pride.

The post Top 10 Cities for Making a Splash in an Amazing Home Swimming Pool appeared first on Real Estate News and Advice - realtor.com.

There’s a reason they say everything is bigger in Texas: When Texans go big, they go huge—in this case, a full-scale French-style chateau comes with a two-story closet the size of most houses.

This $17.5 million megahome—measuring well over 30,000 square feet—is only a 30-minute drive from Dallas, but gazing upon the front esplanade (of course there’s a front esplanade), you’d never guess you were in the Lone Star State.

But why wander off the property when there’s an enormous closet to examine? You’ll do more than simply stash your clothes in this space—this closet is designed for a leisurely afternoon with the ladies and your own personal glam squad. First order of duty? Gliding across the black-and-white marble floor beneath the well-lit vanity worthy of a movie star.

“In a home of this size, you need quite a large closet,” says listing agent Joan Eleazer of the Eleazer Group.

She’s not kidding. With six bedrooms—and a veranda that can fit 450 people—the home’s scale demands a colossal closet.

A chandelier hangs between the closet’s open atrium, highlighting the bannister and mirrors throughout. While the home was modeled after the Louis XIV-style Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte—a 17th-century castle developed by the artistic team that worked on Versailles—the closet takes its cues from Chanel.

The design replicates the dark elegance of Chanel’s Paris flagship, with dark cabinetry interplaying with supple neutral textures, plenty of mirrors for constant self-admiration, and gold lighting and hardware.

There’s even a black rug with the fashion brand’s signature double-C crest running along the first floor of the double-decker closet.

“They were very diligent about making it as realistic as they could,” Eleazer says.

Once you’re properly primped, there are other rooms in the house besides the closet to explore. You could roll a strike in the two-lane bowling alley. Or head to the home theater, decorated in pink and gold with a painted ceiling.

But before you head off to a step and repeat, we recommend you practice your entrance by sashaying down the candelabra-flanked grand staircase in the spacious foyer, which is topped by a 78-foot dome that opens onto all four stories.

Don’t worry about authenticity and quality, says Eleazer: This is no mere rush-job replica à la the terrifying documentary “Queen of Versailles.”

“The very first time I saw it, I wasn’t sure what to expect at all,” she says. “But I was really, truly amazed by the quality of the construction.”

In fact, the home is quite a deal—at least compared with building a chateau from scratch. Built 13 years ago at a cost of $50 million, today it’s offered for less than half that price.

And if you won’t treat yo’self to a castle with a two-story closet for a mere $17.5 million, well, do you truly love yourself?

The post Two-Story, Chanel-Inspired Closet Comes With a $17.5M Mansion in Texas appeared first on Real Estate News and Advice - realtor.com.

There are birthday gifts—and then there are birthday gifts of the rich and famous.

When jet-setter Baron Enrico di Portanova was unsuccessful in buying a share of New York’s famed 21 Club as a birthday present for his wife, he decided to give her something a little closer to home: He enclosed the backyard of their Houston mansion, creating a 12,000-square-foot natatorium complete with a saltwater pool, massive chandeliers, and space for parties for 250 or more.

The baron and his wife hosted galas for the likes of diplomat Henry Kissinger and actor Roger Moore in the stunning air-conditioned space that sits behind their neoclassical eight-bedroom home.

Now, 15 years after the baron’s death and after a major renovation done by the current homeowners, the 21,500-square-foot palatial estate in the tony River Oaks section of Houston is on the market for $17.9 million.

“It’s very unique,” says listing agent Moni Bohnisch. “You have to see it in person to appreciate the detail and the quality and high-end finishes that went into this property.” The homeowners also upgraded the electrical and plumbing. “It’s like a brand-new property,” she says.

The baron, known as Ricky, was the grandson of fabled Texas oilman Hugh Roy Cullen. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Italy, Ricky came to Texas in the 1960s to fight for his inheritance and eventually bought this mansion in the early 1970s.

The natatorium became party central for the fast-living baron and his second wife, Sandra Hovas of Houston who would become known as Baroness Alessandra di Portanova.

“Friends recall one party in particular in which Sir Roger Moore, then starring as James Bond, arrived by helicopter while models in cat suits rappelled down the side of the house, klieg lights lighting up the scene,” wrote Culturemap Houston.

“Late-night pasta and caviar dinners, grand soirées attended by the rich and famous and extravagant fundraisers—all held in the lavish setting of a glass-enclosed, air-conditioned, swimming pool lit by numerous chandeliers—were all in a day’s (and night’s) play for the former host and owner of an opulent River Oaks mansion.”

The magnificent home also includes a master suite with a balcony overlooking the natatorium; paneled library; home theater; and fitness center. Marble floors, Venetian plaster walls, and gold-accented moldings are found throughout the home.

Perhaps this time around, the entire mansion will be a birthday present for someone looking to mimic the late baron’s lavish lifestyle.

The post In the Swim: This Stunning Houston Mansion Has an Amazing Natatorium appeared first on Real Estate News and Advice - realtor.com.

Retired MLB All-Star slugger Adam Dunn recently powered his way through the purchase of a new home near Houston. Dunn, a Texas native, purchased an English manor–style home in affluent Piney Point Village earlier this month.

It’s unclear how much the slugger paid for the home, although the property was listed in February for $5,995,000.

The six-bedroom manor features vaulted wood-beam ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and wide-plank wood floors.

The kitchen has an antique ashwood ceiling, adding a rustic element to the modern, open layout. It shares space with a living area, which features a brick wall, fireplace, and circular chandelier.

One of the home’s six bathrooms features French doors next to a marble tub, presenting the option for al fresco bathing.

Other spaces in the home also blur the line between the indoors and outdoors. Next to the kitchen is a covered patio with a vaulted ceiling and open archways.

The home was built by Midani Homes, a luxury residential building company operating in the Houston area. Dunn retired after the 2014 season. He slugged 462 home runs during his 14-year career in Major League Baseball.

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This Dallas mansion isn’t par for the course—golfer Hunter Mahan’s five-bedroom home soars like an eagle.

The 33-year-old turned pro in 2003 and has notched six wins on the PGA Tour while racking up over $30 million in career earnings. And earlier this year, the golfer aced the $1.68 million sale of his Orange County, CA, home.

Entering the $8.5 million mansion—recently relisted with a $1 million price cut—is “like walking into an exquisite resort and getting excited about the trip to come,” says listing agent Erin Mathews with Mathews Nichols Group. “This home really grabs you.”

Despite its immense size—the home measures more than 10,000 square feet—Mathews says it feels comfortable and cozy inside. The first floor is filled with warm accents, such as wood beam ceilings, hardwood floors, and brick archways.

Yes, the upstairs is lovely, but the lower levels are where the home truly shines. An athlete’s paradise, you’ll find a custom pingpong table, a golf simulator, and a half-basketball court. Want spectators? They can watch from above—there’s a window cut into the nine-car garage.

“That’s the jaw-dropper,” Mathews says.

The post PGA Star Hunter Mahan Relists Dallas Mansion With $1M Price Cut appeared first on Real Estate News and Advice - realtor.com.

Enter this Old West Town in Cleburne, TX, and “it’s like you’re walking into the 1800s,” listing agent Karen Pile says. “It’s so uniquely Western.”

In Texas, this is high praise. The replica Western town (plus six-bedroom home) for sale is just 30 minutes from the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, a tourist draw for those who want to experience even more old-timey fun.

Currently run as a venue for family reunions, parties, and weddings, “it’s different from other wedding venues,” seller Belle Silva says. Picture the wedding party in cowboy boots, and you get the idea.

Silva, the home’s third owner, says she bought the place in 2013 from a gentleman named Billy Cate. The musician, apparently known as the “Chisholm Trail Cowboy,” recorded his music on the property, and added the small Western town, which he used for private events. (It’s not our first rodeo either—we rustled up a similar replica Western town for sale in California a few months back.)

Silva had other ideas. “I came along and I saw it—I just had this vision,” she recalls.

She converted the place into the Chisholm Trail Inn, and in fact is still booking events—there’s a wedding planned for early August.

Silva has decided to leave the hospitality business for a career in public policy. Meanwhile, she could be described as a one-woman whirlwind, handling the lawns, plumbing, and electrical, she notes.

She’ll continue to run the place until a buyer is found—and has even offered to stay on as a consultant during a transitional period.

The $399,500 price includes “furniture, fixtures, and equipment,” Pile says. Along with the six-bedroom residence, the property comes with a saloon, banquet hall, and Spanish mission–style church complete with crucifix and preacher’s table.

The one-bedroom guesthouse, also called the Cowboy Hotel, was reconstructed from a historic structure moved from nearby Alvarado, according to Silva. There’s also a landscaped garden, an outdoor kitchenette, and a fire pit—perfect for sitting around and swapping tall tales.

The sale price includes all the memorabilia—from a covered wagon and life-size fiberglass horse, to a mounted longhorn head, wood stove, and wagon wheels.

“It’s fully decorated and ready to go,” Pile says. Yee-ha!

The post Cowboy Up: Buy Your Own Old West Town in Texas for Less Than $400K appeared first on Real Estate News and Advice - realtor.com.

Fresh off of buying a new mansion in Houston, TX, retired MLB slugger Adam Dunn just listed his former home in The Woodlands, TX, for $4,499,000.

Built in 2005, this 9,193-square-foot Mediterranean-style house is located in Carlton Woods, a gated community overlooking a golf course.

The sprawling first floor of the five-bedroom home features marble flooring, a double oven range, and a wine closet.

The master bathroom is impressive, featuring a double walk-in shower, dual vanities with picture mirrors, and a soaking tub.

Adjacent to the media room is a game room, which currently houses several jerseys of Major League Baseball All-Stars.

The backyard on the 1.4-acre property has a spa and pool combo. When the Texas sun gets too hot, you can seek shade in the covered patio.

The home was listed in April 2010 for $2.95 million. Dunn bought it in 2011 for an undisclosed amount.

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Good fences make good neighbors, wrote the poet Robert Frost. But sometimes even fences don’t keep the dogs out. And sometimes neighbors are so mad about marauding dogs that they forcefully ask their next-door neighbors to keep their beasts inside until 9 a.m. And when that doesn’t work, they call animal control, who hand out a $121 ticket, thereby escalating a dispute into an all-out war.

So what’s a dog-owning neighbor to do? Maybe erect a sign in his yard proclaiming, “House for sale by owner because my neighbor’s a douchebag!”

That’s what happened in Farmers Branch, TX, a suburb of Dallas, writes the Houston Chronicle. A couple rented a house next to James and Lisa Price and quickly set about complaining about the Prices’ pups.

“Shortly after a retired couple moved into the rental house next door about two years ago, Price said the wife came over ‘a few times’ to ask that the Prices keep their four dogs inside the house until 9 a.m. because the retirees liked to sleep late,” writes the Chronicle.

The Prices say they tried to keep them in until 8 (when a dog’s gotta go, a dog’s gotta go), even though they say the city says they can let them out at 7.

No word on if they’ve had any offers on their house, or if the neighbors have erected signs of their own, but, should such an unfortunate situation happen to you, we thought we’d give you a few sign ideas of your own.

“House for sale because neighbor mows lawn every single hour of the weekend.”

“House for sale. Comes with next-door neighbors who blast ABBA until 3 in the morning.”

“House for sale because neighbors air out their family disputes at extremely high decibels—every night.”

“House for sale. Neighbor’s McMansion destroyed our views.”

“House for sale because next-door neighbor is a hoarder and his house smells like a sewage plant.” 

More good news: You can get a lawn sign for around $15. Got any good (or bad) sign ideas for us? Drop us a line.

The post Got Terrible Neighbors? Here’s One (Spiteful) Solution appeared first on Real Estate News and Advice - realtor.com.

Most people go to the garage to get in their car. It’s a transactional place in most homes—enter garage, get in car, leave. But in this Texas mansion, the garage is the destination—to watch a movie, relax at the bar, or polish your fleet of luxury cars.

Listed for $6.45 million, this Italian-style mansion in Plano, TX, has everything: a movie theater, infinity pool, chef’s kitchen, and five-car garage.

But it isn’t just any old garage.

“The garage is completely stocked,” says listing agent Cliff Kessler, listing agent with Allie Beth Allman & Associates/Christie’s International Real Estate.

There’s a workspace with a hydraulic vehicle lift, ideal for tuning up a precious sports car. Next to the workspace is parking space for five cars. When you tire of tuning up engines or polishing rims, you could take a break and kick back in front of the massive TV screen, which is mounted on the garage wall.

“The owner is a car dealer, so he had the garage built to his specifications,” Kessler says, “It is very functional.”

But this garage isn’t only about oil, spark plugs, and Turtle Wax. It also features a wet bar and trophy area. The wet bar has wraparound countertops, loads of cabinet space, a fridge, and a big-screen TV mounted on the back wall.

Opposite the bar, a row of shadow boxes sits on top of cabinets. With plenty of space and recessed lighting, it’s ideal for displaying trophies and automobile memorabilia.

The garage opens to a long driveway, which is separate from the circular driveway in the front of the home. The long driveway snakes along the home’s privacy gate and lets out onto a side street, providing space to park several more cars.

Besides the gorgeous garage, “no detail was spared on the home,” says Kessler. The ceilings were hand-painted. The floors are travertine. Even the mirror is magnificent.

“The mirror in the foyer was flown in from Italy. It had to be installed by the Dallas Museum of Art, because it is a historic piece,” Kessler says.

But Kessler’s favorite aspect is the open feel of the home. With soaring ceilings and walls of glass, it has a spacious feeling that’s hard to match.

“At night it is just absolutely beautiful,” Kessler says. All it needs is a buyer who is a car buff.

The post This Texas-Size Garage Has to Be Seen to Be Believed appeared first on Real Estate News and Advice - realtor.com.

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Huston Street is taking a new approach with his five-bedroom home in Austin, TX: Renting it out for $10,500 a month. (The home went unsold after 150 days on the market. But, if you still want to buy it, it’ll cost you $2.95 million.)

The Austin-born closer played for the Oakland Athletics, Colorado Rockies, and San Diego Padres before settling with the Angels in 2014. He recorded his 300th career save, against the Minnesota Twins, earlier this year—becoming only the 27th pitcher to reach that milestone.

He’s also made a few moves in the Austin real estate market, which we detailed earlier this year. The reliever listed a different home in the capital city in January, but it was pulled from the market without a sale and property records still show him as the owner.

Despite its steep cost, this 5,401-square-foot Craftsman-style home will be a sweet score for a renter. It has stone and dark wood galore, giving the two-story home a neo-Gothic feel. The cavernous arches and lofted, beamed ceilings only add to the effect.

The home’s large bedrooms offer plenty of space for a growing family (Street has three sons), but it’s the backyard that really shines. It features a huge covered patio with a built-in grill, and there’s plenty of landscaped, grassy fields for the kids to play.

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If it’s revived Mid-Century Modern you’re looking for, this Houston home on the banks of the Buffalo Bayou is a must-see. Listed for $3.45 million, the Frame-Harper house has the vintage vibe of the 1960s complemented by modern-day luxuries, which makes for one stunning property.

The exterior of the residence is unassuming. From the street the home is hard to spot amid the trees and greenery surrounding it. However, once you enter the front gate, you see a sprawling one-of-a-kind property that is impressive inside and out.

With five bedrooms, five bathrooms, and more than 5,000 square feet, the home offers plenty of space to roam, but its incorporation of outdoor space is also central to its design. Each room, including the bathrooms, in the main house has a patio.

The dining area steps down to the family room, which then steps down to a formal living area with soaring ceilings and windows with beautiful views of the backyard.

“Since the home is basically a wall of windows, it feels like you’re in a secluded wooded area with Mid-Century Modern design,” says listing agent Donoush Haghpeykar.

Built in 1960 for David Frame, this modern masterpiece was designed by Harwood Taylor, a noted Houston architect and a friend of Frame’s. In the ’80s, unfortunate updates by the home’s second owner obscured the home’s natural beauty. Artist Dana Harper purchased the home in 2004 and, with the help of Stern and Bucek Architects, restored its swanky grandeur.

The renovations included stripping white paint from the exterior and interior brick and restoring the flat roof. Inside, walnut paneling was installed, coffered ceilings were restored, and the kitchen and bathrooms were renovated.

Attention was also paid to the outdoor spaces. Thoughtful landscaping was added, exterior terrazzo flooring was installed to match the interior terrazzo, and the wooden deck around the pool was replaced with grass to accentuate the green space of the backyard.

The result of all the work is amazing.

“It’s perfect for someone who appreciates Mid-Century Modern design with a desire to entertain and use outdoor space,” Haghpeykar says. “It would also be a great property for families with young kids.”

There’s just one caveat for buyers. Rusty Bienvenue, executive director of the Houston chapter of the American Institute of Architects, said it best in Houstonia magazine in 2013: “If I were a guest here, I would never go home.”

The post Mid-Century in the Heart of Houston: Frame-Harper House on the Market for $3.45M appeared first on Real Estate News and Advice - realtor.com.

When the Commerce Department reported Wednesday on the economic growth of certain metropolitan areas across the U.S. in 2014, The Wall Street Journal was quick to note a common theme among these boomtowns: the energy sector! All of them are major centers for mining and other energy-related natural resources.

So it’s not surprising that half of the top 16 cities on the list are in Texas.

Holding the top slot is Midland, which saw its economy grow 24.1% from 2013 to 2014, sunstantially driven by mining. It’s the same story in nearby San Angelo, which is next on the list with 11.4% growth.

Of course, one of the main reasons that people relocate is for work, so you might want to check out our list of median-price homes in the top 10 cities with the fastest-growing economies.

Midland, TX

Economic growth 2013–2014: 21.4%

Median household income (in 2014, from the U.S. Census): $55,814

Median list price (from realtor.com August 2015 data): $250,000

This four-bedroom, two-bathroom home boasts an open floor plan, a patio for entertaining, and even a workshop/storage shed out back. And it’s listed exactly at the median price for the area, $250,000.

———

San Angelo, TX

Economic growth: 11.4%

Median household income: $43,143

Median list price: $194,000

You’re definitely getting a whole lot for your money ($195,000) with this four-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home that sprawls over 2,244 square feet. There’s a nice flagstone patio for your barbecue parties, and an enclosed patio when the weather isn’t so nice.

———

Lake Charles, LA

Economic growth: 10.3%

Median household income: $76,395

Median list price: $192,000

This adorable three-bedroom, two-bathroom cottage has style to spare. It’s recently been updated, while preserving the original red oak wood floors. Like the furniture? Hey, it’s yours! List price: $195,000.

———

Greeley, CO

Economic growth: 9.9%

Median household income: $96,803

Median list price: $298,000

Here’s a grandiose four-bedroom, three-bathroom home that features an open floor plan and 16-foot ceilings downstairs. There’s a granite kitchen island and wood floors, plus it’s all energy-efficient with green-certified construction. List price: $290,000.

———

Wheeling, WV

Economic growth: 9.5%

Median household income: $58,775

Median list price: $112,000

You get three bedrooms, one bathroom and a grassy yard for kids, dogs, and guests to enjoy. What more could you want for $112,000?

———

Dallas,TX

Economic growth: 8.5%

Median household income: $59,530

Median list price: $272,000

This four-bedroom (or five, if a study counts), 2.5-bathroom home listed at $272,000 features “updates galore,” according to the listing. They include crown molding, wood floors, granite counters, and—in true Dallas style—much more.

———

Bismarck, ND

Economic growth: 7.6%

Median household income: $63,356

Median list price: $294,000

Four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and four levels?! There’s a charming porch, a brick fireplace, and plenty of space (2,309 square feet) for $294,000.

———

Victoria, TX

Economic growth: 6.7%

Median household income: $50,107

Median list price: $236,000

Its location on a corner lot means this four-bedroom, two-bathroom home sits on 9,148 square feet of land that could be yours for $234,000 (less than median list price!). A vaulted ceiling gives the main level a spacious feel, and there’s even an upstairs loft that would work as an office.

———

San Jose, CA

Economic growth: 6.7%

Median household income: $96,481

Median list price: $878,000

In the “capital of Silicon Valley,” this three-bedroom, two-bathroom home features Brazilian walnut floors, a remodeled kitchen with granite counters, and high-end appliances. Total square footage is 1,320, and the price tag is  $878,000. Too pricey? Go back to Texas! We won’t hold it against you.

———

Corpus Christi, TX

Economic growth: 6.5%

Median household income: $52,050

Median list price: $238,000

Ah, four bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and 2,153 square feet of living space for $238,000. Maple cabinets and granite counters in the kitchen, dual showerheads in the master bathroom, and a walk-in master closet with built-in drawers is livin’ large, indeed.

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We’ve been fascinated by our most expensive listing, a 25-acre Beverly Hills estate now priced at $149 million, since it went on the market almost a year ago—and so have you. Week after week, the 12-bedroom compound with 16 bathrooms is a constant on our list of top 10 most popular homes.

Well, now there’s a new contender—and it’s huge. CNN brings us the tale of Texas’ Waggoner Ranch, which comprises 510,527 acres and more than 100 buildings. Yes, it’s true: 1700 Deaf Smith in Vernon has more land than Los Angeles and New York City combined. It’s also more than half the size of Delaware. It reaches across six North Texas counties; according to its website, it’s “the largest ranch in Texas under one fence.”

What to fill up all that property with? “Rolling stock, ranch equipment, oilfield equipment, cattle inventory, horse inventory, horse facilities, brands, intellectual property and the Waggoner Office Building in Vernon,” according to the listing. There are creeks, rivers, and lakes; level and broken land; and cedar, hackberry, and soapberry trees. Also, if 19 cowboy camps weren’t enough for you, this one has 20.

So, is this tidbit a good thing or a bad thing for a Texan buyer? There’s never been any commercial hunting allowed on the land, so there are “good populations of deer, turkey, quail, dove, water fowl and feral hogs,” who love the water and the wheat fields.

The other thing in abundance here: oil, in the form of 1,000 producing wells. But don’t go joining the Beverly Hillbillies yet. The winner gets only 41.67% of the mineral rights. In other words, you can have all the land, but you can’t have all the oil. Two other parties will also retain rights to the mineral profits, says Bernard Uechtritz, the listing agent with Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International.

Uechtritz, who took on the listing in August 2014, has fielded about 700 inquiries since. But it’s getting time to round up those offers. Potential, and pre-qualified, buyers have to submit their offers by Oct. 20; a couple of dozen viable offers have purportedly already been made. And if you want to tour the property before that, you’d better act fast. Uechtritz says it takes three to four days to fully tour the place.

If you decide that the property is just too expensive, or there’s too much land, perhaps you can pick up a Waggoner Ranch hat. You can get that for $14.95.

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Robert Edsel, the author of “The Monuments Men,” is selling his meticulously restored Mediterranean estate in Dallas for $11.2 million. His best-seller was adapted into a film directed by George Clooney in 2014.

Built in 1916, the 6,717-square-foot home was the second home ever built along the banks of Turtle Creek, according to listing agent Madeline Jobst. Edsel bought the house—named Bellosguardo, Italian for “beautiful view”—in 2005.

After moving in, the author of three books about the plunder of artworks during World War II spent a year studying the home and “getting a feel for what he wanted to do,” Jobst says.

Then he went about renovating the classic home. “His whole thing is about preserving history. … He spent years working on this house, uncovering things that have been covered up, discovering things about it,” she says.

The three-bedroom home sits on just over 2 acres of land and features a great room with a 25-foot ceiling, a solarium, a library, and a 1,500-bottle wine room. Outside, you’ll find a saltwater pool, a loggia, a stone terrace, gardens, and a fireplace with seating area surrounded by vine-covered walls.

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This resort home in Possum Kingdom Lake, TX, isn’t just a great place to enjoy the good life. It’s also the perfect survival spot for when the good life comes to an abrupt end. That’s right—this luxury home doubles as a prepper’s paradise.

Listed for $985,000, the three-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom home has all the modern conveniences and amenities (including incredible lake views) buyers want, but there’s more.

The entire basement has been converted into a fallout shelter that could sustain you, your family, and many of your friends for years to come.

“From the main level of the home you are totally unaware that all of this is there,” says listing agent Dee Dee Jordan with Pondera Properties.

Jordan is referring to the 1,000-square-foot bunker that comfortably sleeps 12 using a system of military-style bunk beds. And everyone will be able to sleep soundly and live securely regardless of what’s taking place in the outside world. The two-by-four reinforced steel walls and periscope viewing system have you covered no matter what’s heading your way.

The bunker is outfitted with everything you need to survive in style, without having to venture topside, for years to come.

The house comes with an NBC filter system to provide fresh air. If that fails, there are “six compressed air tanks for backup oxygen,” says Jordan.

To keep the lights on, the heat churning, and the food cooking, there are tracking solar panels, a backup generator, and a 1,000-gallon propane tank.

And, speaking of food, in one of the most interesting deal-sweeteners we’ve seen, the home will come with a fully stocked pantry of MREs and other survival meals, enough to last 10 years for 12 people, according to Jordan. But you won’t be stuck eating entirely out of a foil pouch—hydroponics are also down here. “There is an Ebb Monster system for growing plants,” Jordan says.

The bunker also has a full kitchen, living space, bathroom, and laundry facility so life can resume as normal downstairs while all hell breaks loose above ground.

Speaking of all hell breaking loose, if someone (or something) does come at your bunker, you’ve still got a plan B. “There are two additional hidden escape hatches in the bunker for exit in the event of damage to the primary entrance,” Jordan says.

While you wait patiently for the world to end, upstairs has plenty to enjoy. This high-end survival home has an open floor plan full of quality finishes. For example, the custom kitchen has rich hardwood cabinets, stainless-steel appliances, and a massive eat-in bar.

The spacious master suite has an en suite master bath with soaking tub. Outside, there’s plenty of porch space, incredible views of the lake, and even a putting green.

We think it’s a great spot to enjoy life’s greatest pleasures—while you still can.

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A few weeks after being unceremoniously sacked as the head coach of the North Texas football team, Dan McCarney is getting out of Denton, TX, as fast as he can. McCarney’s five-bedroom home is on the market for $774,900.

McCarney joined the Mean Green in 2010 after spending 12 up-and-down years as the head coach at Iowa State, where he led the Cyclones to five bowl appearances before resigning in 2006.

After his four so-so seasons at North Texas, the team’s 0-5 start in 2015 and a devastating 66-7 loss to Portland State in early October led to his immediate dismissal—a decision that led some fans to rejoice.

Unlike his win-loss record, his home is delightful: The nearly 6,000-square-foot home sits on 1.68 grassy acres. Around the back, kids will enjoy the pool with waterslide.

Neutral colors and hardwood flooring make the interior an ideal canvas for your favorite decor. The two-story great room, capped by a catwalk, offers plenty of room for lounging. If you’re looking to worship at the church of football, you couldn’t find a better spot than the chapel-like bonus room, complete with a wet bar and vaulted ceiling built with dark wood.

We’re sure the home’s North Texas decor will go with McCarney—or be dumped unceremoniously in the trash—but its country-luxe style is certainly worth saving.

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After a three-season stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA star J.J. Barea is back in the saddle with the Dallas Mavericks, for whom he manned the point from 2006 through 2011. For his return to the Big D, the point guard splurged on a stunning $1.6 million home in Dallas.

The five-bedroom, 5.5-bathroom house was designed by Ken Ellefson of LM2 Group DFW. With an open floor plan, large master suite, and outdoor kitchen area, the home has a hip, contemporary feel.

High-end finishes and unique touches make the rooms pop. The fireplace in the living room, for example, is stone with a red oak mantel. “I distressed the mantle by hand, so it is unique,” says Ellefson.

The kitchen is on trend with white and frosted glass cabinets (backlit by rows of LEDs), a steel-gray island, and stainless-steel appliances. The backsplash is gray Italian marble that appears to change shade depending on how the light hits it. “It is kind of my signature,” Ellefson says.

The master suite is spacious and comfy with his-and-her walk-in closets that are larger than most bedrooms, according to Ellefson, and master bath with an impressive walk-in shower. “You could fit 30 people in that shower if you wanted to,” says Ellefson.

If you don’t want to stuff your guests into the shower, they can enjoy the outdoor living spaces, including the kitchen with a 52-inch Viking grill, a gas fireplace, and enough space to fit a basketball court.

Barea will have plenty of time to practice (and relax) in his new Dallas home. He signed a four-year, $16 million deal with the Mavs in July.

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We first noticed this insanely huge and lavish custom-built castle in Southlake, TX, when it was our most popular listing of the week in late October. But we yearned to know more about this $4.9 million castle and what buyers will find when they pull their sword (or checkbook) from the stone. What we learned is that it’s fit for a king.

1. The ceiling twinkles in the theater room

A regular old home theater is for mere mortals, not for royalty! This home’s theater room comes with tiered seating and high-tech lighting, including on the floor to help guide you to your comfortable leather recliner. Also, the lights dim naturally before the movie starts.

Perhaps the best feature about the room is the ceiling, which displays different lighting effects. “There’s a panel in there you can adjust—one is twinkling stars,” says listing agent Diane Gallichio.

2. 14 air-conditioning units cool the castle

It gets hot in the Lone Star State, so 14 air-conditioning units are required to keep this 19,763-square-foot castle cool.

3. 14-car garage doubles as a man cave

When the sellers bought this castle, they upgraded the meager four-car garage into a 2,500-square-foot showroom that can hold 14 or more cars, “depending on how you park them,” Gallichio says. Additionally, the garage has a man cave with a bar, half-bathroom, television, and gaming area.

4. The multiplier effect

The castle has eight fireplaces, two full kitchens, six refrigerators, six dishwashers, eight bedrooms (each with its own full bathroom), four half-bathrooms, an elevator, five wet bars (including the wine room), and an outdoor fire pit.

5. Pool area is bonkers

The beach-entry saltwater pool has a waterfall feature, but the adjacent grotto is bananas! At the flip of a switch, flames come out, presumably to announce that the king (or queen) has arrived.

6. Master bathroom has chandeliers in its two showers

Royalty don’t bathe like peasants. The master bathroom is a sprawling his-and-her affair with vanity mirrors and counters, toilets, and dressing area split evenly on each side. There are two jetted showers with chandeliers on their 15-foot ceiling. The two showers connect to a whirlpool-style tub.

“She goes to the right and he goes to the left, and they meet in the middle,” Gallichio says.

7. There are 7 types of flooring

Counting indoor and outdoor surfaces, flooring varies among brick, marble, tile, adobe, wood, carpet, and slate.

8. One of the towers can be turned into an observatory

The tower with the parapets is intended to be an observatory. After they bought the castle for an undisclosed amount in 2011, the sellers added the three-story, circular area.

“It’s all there, but you have to add the dome and a telescope,” Gallichio says.

When it’s done, a new owner can look to the stars and plan an intergalactic siege.

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Football players may not seem like purveyors of avant-garde modernist architecture, but former Dallas Cowboys safety Gerald Sensabaugh is a clear exception. His recently listed $1.82 million mansion in Frisco, TX, “definitely sticks out—in a good way,” says listing agent Brittany Stewart of Keller Williams.

Sensabaugh retired from the Cowboys in 2013 and the very next year started his professional fishing career, with the goal of becoming the first “two-sport” pro bass fisherman.

His five-bedroom home is “sleek and ultramodern,” Stewart says. That’s clear just by glancing at the exterior, where colorful LED lights refract off the circular windows atop the towering white foyer. “It’s a very different property for the area.”

Acknowledging the difficulty of selling an ultracontemporary home in Texas, Stewart hopes the 7,528-square-foot home will appeal to relocating Californians. “It will make them feel a little more at home,” she says.

From the master bedroom—circular, with floor-to-ceiling windows mimicking a stage—to the sunken living room’s sculptural ceilings, there’s not a space in the home not touched by a bit of modernity.

For Texans—or Californians, or anyone, really—seeking something a little different from the state’s bigger-is-better Revival-style homes, there’s nothing better.

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Texas-size equates to ginormous. Those same gargantuan dimensions invariably affect the state’s real estate. So as fans of tiny houses, imagine our surprise at finding a 288-square-foot pad nestled in Houston, TX, on the market for $110,000.

Just as surprised? Listing agent Cory McDonald. After all, Houston recently made the realtor.com® list of top cities with the largest homes.

“My listing is one of the first of its kind in Houston,” he says. “As yet, I haven’t come across a tiny home here.” McDonald has noticed a company that teaches DIYers how to build RV-style houses on wheels, and believes the tiny-home movement in the Houston area is “just starting to trend.”

The buzz should be big on this tiny home. Builder Conrad Tips, who runs a Husbands for Hire contracting service, built the elevated home from the ground up. It’s his first go at a tiny home, according to the agent.

The property is still under construction and scheduled to be finished in mid-January. The photos already show a clever space-saving and environmentally friendly design.

The one-bedroom, one-bathroom home will include a built-in queen-size bed that folds into a couch for a flexible living space. But the deck, which wraps the building, may be the tiny home’s biggest selling point.

“The deck is four times the size of the house,” McDonald says. The outdoor space offers tree-filled views in a neighborhood about a block from the water.

Architectural details include reclaimed oak flooring and doors, crown moldings, a 4-inch thick concrete kitchen countertop, and slate tile in the bath.

The home’s sloped ceiling allows for loft storage as well as huge windows to let in natural light. Energy-efficient heating and cooling keep costs low and the temperature comfortable.

Outside, the builder added stylish copper gutters, a tile roof, and hand-crafted bars on the window for an artistic touch to home security.

The ground-level area provides room for covered laundry, parking, and more storage.

“With more people looking to downsize, yet live near the hub of the Houston scene, I started searching for properties that were a bit of an oasis within or near the city, yet affordable and appealing to recycling visionaries,” Tips explains in an email.

The real estate is located in Bayou Estates, an older area in need of a boost. McDonald says Tips is “trying to rejuvenate the neighborhood.”

In fact, Tips already has his next project in mind: a home crafted from shipping containers. Eventually, he’d like to expand to a community of tiny houses—which we guess would make this small-space living totally Texas-size.

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