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Andy Roddick and Brooklyn Decker List Farmhouse-Chic Austin Estate for $6M

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Retired tennis pro Andy Roddick and actress Brooklyn Decker have listed their 15-acre estate in Austin, TX, for $6 million.

Like the couple themselves, the home is upscale and fashionable, yet totally approachable. The five bedroom, 6.5-bathroom home was designed for classic Texas farmhouse living, with a dash of stylish appeal.

Built in 2003, the home has undergone several recent upgrades, including a redesigned kitchen, layered with luscious marble and stainless appliances, a wine cellar, and butler’s pantry.

One wing of the home features a guest quarters with master bedroom, three closets, office, and wood-burning fireplace. The other wing features a recently added owner’s hideaway, three smaller bedroom suites with bathrooms, a family room, and office. Outdoors, the pool overlooks the property’s private wooded acres. Roddick and Decker purchased the home in 2006.

Exterior

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Living

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Kitchen

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Butler’s pantry

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Master bed

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Master bath

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From the beamed ceilings to the plank-wood floors, the interiors take rustic-chic to new heights—but the undeniable peak is the copper soaking tub-with-a-view located in the master bathroom.

Roddick and Decker have ties to the Austin area—they were married there in 2009. The “Grace and Frankie” actress and the former top-ranked tennis player in the world have two children.

This isn’t the first pricey piece of real estate the couple has sold in recent years. In 2016, they listed a home they built in Cashiers, NC, on a pristine piece of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Nantahala National Forest for $2.75 million. Later that same year, they listed a sleek, contemporary mansion with a killer view in Los Angeles in the Cheviot Hills neighborhood for $3.4 million.

It’s likely the parents of two kids under 3 want to simplify their lives a bit, leaving a grand slam Austin address up for grabs.

The post Andy Roddick and Brooklyn Decker List Farmhouse-Chic Austin Estate for $6M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.


A Pink Panther and Mosaic Medleys: A Houston Artist’s Eclectic Paradise

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For most homeowners, selling a home means scrubbing it of all traces of personality—but for this lucky Houston seller, an enormous dose of personality proved wildly fruitful.

There’s nothing plain once you get past this brick home’s unassuming exterior. There are no generic photos of smiling families, no fresh carpeting in an unassuming white, no beige walls bedecked with bland hotel art.

Instead, it’s a display of pure, unabashed personality. The foyer alone should be preserved in a museum: There are black walls, colorful murals, and bold mosaics. Marbles are arranged as a life-size pink panther on the back of the door. And it all—somehow—matches perfectly with the floor’s siena tile work.

“People love creativity,” says listing agent Amy Lynch Kolflat about the eclectic three-bedroom, 1,894-square-foot home, which is listed for $179,900. “There’s been a positive outpouring. The seller is incredibly brave for doing this and giving it to the world.”

Front room

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Staircase

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The seller is exchanging her masterpiece for 9 new acres to transform into artwork. When she began hunting for an agent, a number of them suggested covering the painted walls with white and replacing the elaborate mosaic tiling, which is featured in a number of the rooms.

In the majority of cases, their advice is exactly the right thing to do—but Kolflat saw an irresistible challenge.

“My car is zebra-striped and has been for 20 years,” she says. “I’m also a folk artist. She reached out to me, and I went over and said, ‘Oh my god, don’t change a thing—this is perfect. We’ll find the right buyer.'”

And together they did: Not long after listing, the home went under contract.

The buyers will enjoy art in every room—especially the kitchen, which Kolflat says was the home’s most popular space during showings.

“It’s a hodgepodge of different art forms she was testing and trying,” Kolflat says. The mosaic (of course) counter and backsplash are held up by a wall of black-and-white tiling, with Parisian-inspired artwork in its center. Cabinetry comes in every color: teal shelving, vivid red doors, and mustard-yellow frames. The busy, eclectic result is a dream for art lovers.

Kitchen

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Master bathroom

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Guest bathroom

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The home’s basic, but beautifully landscaped exterior will never give away the wonders inside.

“There is a very strong HOA,” says Kolflat. “All of the houses are cookie-cutter and look the same—until you go inside.”

But there’s plenty of quirky outdoor space under the sun to enjoy as well. The enclosed backyard features ginormous palm trees, beautiful mosaics inset in the walkway, and murals and artwork all over the red walls.

The master suite is also an escapist’s haven. Peach walls—offset with just a little pink—create a dreamy, romantic feel. But the master bath is the real surprise: The entire tub and surround (yes, even the faucet) is covered with an intricate mosaic

If that’s not enough artwork to entertain you while you’re using the loo, take a peek in the guest bath. Rock walls, glued-on seashells, and glimmering bathtub tiling make the room feel seaworthy—except for the enormous, pink tiger pelt hung on the wall. The space is just another example of how the right artist makes the disparate feel cohesive. And how not every home must be … beige.

The post A Pink Panther and Mosaic Medleys: A Houston Artist’s Eclectic Paradise appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

Once a Model Home, One of Houston’s Oldest Houses on the Market for $2.8M

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One of Houston‘s oldest houses got its start in a thoroughly modern way: as a model home for buyers back in the 1890s.

Stroll through the hallways of this immaculately preserved five-bedroom home, listed for $2.28 million, and you might notice a few unusual details: an excessive selection of period sconces and a stairwell with mismatched finials.

Just like today’s model homes, this 3,719-square-foot house showcased a range of options for buyers over a century ago. One finial is an acorn, and another a ball, “so someone could come in and say, ‘I really want my staircase to look like this,'” says listing agent Amy Lynch Kolflat. Originally, 17 similar homes were built in the area, and this property is one of the two remaining ones.

Naturally, it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Period details include the wooden door and window frames, as well as the stained-glass panels. A previous owner had a few panels manufactured to match the original style.

Classic look

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Lit up at night

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When a previous owner purchased the estate in 1974, it was in a “state of distress,” says Kolflat. He spent two years renovating the property before showing it off to the world in 1976, in honor of America’s bicentennial. He also made some infrastructure modifications to help ease Houston’s steamy summers.

Pool

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Basement

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“They didn’t have air conditioning back in the day,” Kolflat says.

There’s also another way to cool down. In the backyard, a path wends through lush greenery to reveal a small pool and a lounge area.

This special home also comes with a greenhouse/aviary, with the finch cages and chicken coops included in the sale.

The home has one other unique feature rarely found in Houston: a basement. And this basement is neither shabby nor scary. Dressed up, it could host a rollicking wedding. The space features brick columns and large windows.

Even the basement shower is vintage luxe: The showerhead is inset in a raw brick wall, creating an open shower perfect for rinsing off after a dip in the pool—or wiping off your I-can’t-believe-it’s-real sweat after scoring a home— this grand.

The post Once a Model Home, One of Houston’s Oldest Houses on the Market for $2.8M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

This Waco Home Was Built by Chip and Joanna Gaines, but It’s No Fixer-Upper

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Even before “Fixer Upper,” Magnolia Market, and waves of Chip and Joanna Gaines-related projects, the renovation reality TV stars were busy building and flipping homes.

One of their early projects was the Magnolia Villa housing development. In 2011, the couple and their business partners bought a 6-acre parcel of land in downtown Waco, TX, and subdivided it into 36 lots.

Their plan was to build smaller homes for “empty nesters and pre-nesters,” according to Chip. The homes were designed for downsizing couples whose children have departed or buyers dipping their toes into the market before starting a family.

The couple built homes ranging from 1,500 to 2,000 square feet and in the $150,000–$200,000 price range. Buyers had 11 floor plans to choose from.

Now one of those Magnolia Villa homes has landed on the market, and we can take a peek inside.

The home’s price has jumped since it was built, and it’s now listed for $244,900. The price increase can be partly attributed to the Gaineses, who made their signature farmhouse chic style insanely popular on their hit HGTV show and raised the profile of their hometown of Waco.

Let’s see what the Gaineses were up to seven years ago. There are a couple of caveats: The home is part of a subdivision and Joanna’s expert staging skills weren’t available. But you’ll see glimpses of their signature style throughout.

The 1,652-square-foot home has three bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Joanna will tell you that the powder room makes all the difference in a small house.

In a small house, a powder room makes a huge impact.

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The front door is bright red. Chip and Joanna often use neutral colors on a home’s exterior, often leaning toward gray and white. However, they always manage to add cheery and inviting pops of color somewhere. This home is no exception.

Cheery red front door

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The floor plan is open, with the living room, dining area, and kitchen seamlessly merging with one another. It’s become a signature flourish of the “Fixer Upper” duo—if they’re renovating a home without an open floor plan, they give it one ASAP.

Open floor plan with cooking, dining, and living spaces merging together

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If they were building this home today, they’d likely lower the bar to table height for better visibility to the rest of the house. The kitchen features a walk-in pantry, and we all know that Joanna places a high premium on kitchen storage space, and strives to provide as much of it as possible.

Kitchen with walk-in pantry

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The living room has built-in bookcases, lending a cozy Craftsman feel.

Living room with built-in bookcases

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There’s a master suite with a “generous” walk-in shower. Chip and Joanna are all about adults having their own bathroom.

Bathroom with walk-in shower, no tub

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By the back door, there’s an area with a bench, shoe cubbies, and coat hooks. Joanna likely added this convenient farmhouse touch.

Mudroom with coat hooks and shoe cubbies

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One thing the house is missing? A spacious backyard. Although the home does have a generous back deck. Older buyers may see this as a plus, as a smaller yard means less lawn care and maintenance.

Deck overlooking the (small) backyard

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With the homeowners association taking care of the front yard, you’d be hard-pressed to find an easier (or less expensive) way to live in a Gaines signature home.

The post This Waco Home Was Built by Chip and Joanna Gaines, but It’s No Fixer-Upper appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

Wilde House for Sale! Escape to Texas Countryside in Pinterest-Perfect Style

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Fulfill your most Pinterest-worthy dreams in the magical and mystical Wilde house. This four-bedroom, two-bathroom, 2,000-square-foot home, listed for $450,000, is located deep in the heart of Texas—and we mean deep. The home is 10 minutes from the tiny town of Canton, which is in turn about an hour from downtown Dallas.

But thanks to some smart design decisions by the sellers, this country home is a chic oasis for design lovers.

The seller is an interior designer who “just has a really good look,” says listing agent Jenni Stolarski. “She’s really got her finger on the pulse of relaxed-meets-sophisticated design. There’s an ease about how she puts things together.”

Hammock

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Living room

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That ease begins with a bold statement: the all-black exterior, an almost witchy aesthetic that somehow manages to not overpower the property. White cement-block walls surround the side patio, which is strung up with fairy lights to create an ethereal feel.

Expect instant relaxation once you step inside. Knotty pine walls add a natural earthiness to the low-key living room, and Scandinavian-inspired whitewashed brick surrounds a vintage stove and stack of wood. Concrete floors stay cool, even in the searing heat of a brutal Texas summer.

The kitchen redefines “open floor plan”: Open shelving provides plenty of space to store dishes, plates, and glasses—just make sure to buy good-looking tableware. The basin sink adds a hint of farmhouse chic to the spare space. Overhead, the exposed piping is painted deep black, giving the room surprising depth.

Kitchen

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Bedroom

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All four of the bedrooms are bathed in light, and we’d recommend following the current owner’s lead by covering the windows with gauzy white curtains. Waking up will feel like bathing in a cloud—and if you’re sleeping in the master bedroom, you’ll even have a view of “a quaint little pond” next door, says Stolarski.

Or, sleep in the hammock stretching across the closed-in patio—we bet you’ll never experience a night as calming as one spent here, deep in the country.

“I see it as a getaway from the city,” Stolarski says. The property is perfect for “someone who has to be in Dallas or Fort Worth for work during the week and wants to get away from it all. It’s got an urban-meets-nature vibe.”

Not able to use this sweet abode every weekend? Take a cue from the sellers, and list it on Airbnb. The $210 per night rental rate can help offset your mortgage, and you’ll be pulling from a well-established pool of weekend-trippers who already love the space.

Point your guests to Canton’s famous First Monday Trade Days, one of the largest flea markets in Texas. This enormous spread features vintage goods, local artisans, and other goodies from across the Lone Star State.

The flea market is also the perfect place to shop for decor items for the unique architectural details of this home. Beautifully designed, this home will draw many vacationers for weekend getaways.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfTpIVaFv1g/?hl=en&taken-by=thewildehouse

The post Wilde House for Sale! Escape to Texas Countryside in Pinterest-Perfect Style appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

A Classy Makeover! This Texas School-Turned-Home Gets an A-Plus

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Passers-by might mistake this low-slung structure in Mart, TX, as nothing more than an old school and dismiss the building as a creepy relic. The characteristic red brick, large windows, and rusted basketball hoops outside scream deserted schoolhouse.

However, a peek inside reveals a full-on residential home. The cool converted ’60s-era school is now on the market for $465,000.

The homeowners, Jack and Rita Code, simply needed a project, says listing coordinator Patti Gentry.

“I asked them the same question you’re asking me,” she says with a laugh. “Why in the world would you renovate this old school?”

The Codes had a vision, and they stayed way after class to make it happen. And if they were to receive a grade for this project, it would be an A-plus.

Bedroom

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Hallway

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The school, which was sold at auction, was originally purchased by local real estate agent Carolyn Potts and her husband. The Codes wound up buying a section of the school from the Potts, while a separate section was sold to another buyer.

With a swath of classrooms, lunchroom, and offices now in their possession, the Codes went about the renovation, which took about 10 years to complete.

“It’s probably one of the most unique properties I’ve ever seen,” Gentry says.

Game room

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Each room was renovated from top to bottom, while retaining some original touches as a place of learning.

In the master bedroom—a massive space that was once the school library—the school’s original bookshelves are used as decoration and storage space.

Another bedroom still has the original chalkboards on the walls.

Bathroom with lockers outside the doorway

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Likewise, what’s now the home’s hallway features intact original lockers. The Codes did their homework when converting the science lab into the kitchen and dining room. The windows were so large that sliding glass doors were installed, and the space itself was large enough to hold a few dining tables.

The Codes added a breezeway, which now serves as the front entrance of the home. It’s also connected to the garage, aka the school cafeteria and auditorium.

Kitchen

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Seating in the dining area

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The renovation costs were just as impressive as the transformation itself.

“We know that the cost of renovating the bathrooms alone was around $30,000,” says Gentry.

The Codes are now looking to retire, and ready to sell their cool home. With this much space, the home could easily work as a deluxe short-term rental on Airbnb, retreat center, or summer camp venue.

The post A Classy Makeover! This Texas School-Turned-Home Gets an A-Plus appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

At $9.75M, America’s Most Expensive Foreclosure Is a Massive Houston Mansion

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Houston takes the … honor? A huge country club estate in the city’s River Oaks neighborhood has fallen into foreclosure, and the bank is willing to let it go for $9.75 million. The nearly eight-digit price tag makes the home America’s most expensive foreclosure.

The home was listed earlier this year for $15.9 million, but the reduced price is expected to spark a buyer into action.

“It’s listed at a very aggressive price for such an exceptional property,” says listing agent Claudia Fathivand of Nan Properties. “It’s been well maintained, and is in move-in condition for someone of this particular taste.”

River Oaks is one of Houston’s finest neighborhoods—Fathivand compares it to Beverly Hills—and the mansion is just a block away from the prestigious and exclusive River Oaks Country Club.

Elegant Houston mansion

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Grand, two-story marble entryway

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90210 or not, the bank-owned mansion measures just over 15,000 square feet, and features a wealth of amenities including meticulously manicured grounds, a circular motor court leading to a five-car garage, a ballroom, an elevator, a massive dining room, an extensive wine cellar, and two laundry rooms.

What could be considered a ballroom

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However, the mansion’s pièce de résistance is the ornate natatorium—an elaborate indoor heated pool room featuring bronze columns, French doors, paneled walls, and a windowed gallery running along the perimeter.

The overhead ceiling features a mural of blue skies and fluffy clouds, so it feels like the space is open to the outdoors.

Elaborate natatorium

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But wait … there’s more. There’s also a massive projector screen and high-end audio system in the natatorium. Who needs to go to a drive-in when you have your own swim-in film festival?

Indoor pool with giant video screen

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All five ensuite bedrooms are located on the second floor with access to grand terraces.

Spacious terrace

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The mansion’s bathrooms are true standouts. The master bath features green marble and cherrywood paneling, and a guest bathroom has a shower made of sparkling black granite. There are faucets of gold, showers for four, harlequin tiling—even the pool bathroom has a gorgeous green and blue tile floor depicting ocean waves.

Cherrywood and green marble tiled bath

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Sparkling black granite shower

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Harlequin tiled bath

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Natatorium bath with ocean wave mosaic floor

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Other luxe features include a gym with a mirrored ceiling, a double-island kitchen with a Wolf gas range and SubZero refrigerators, and an ornate breakfast room that could easily pass for a formal dining room. A Tiffany-style glass dome tops the mansion off.

Gym with mirrored ceiling

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Double-island kitchen

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Breakfast room

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Fathivand, who also has the listing for the Houston home with one of the world’s largest and most lavish closets, doesn’t think this foreclosed mansion will last long on the market.

“It’s been listed as a foreclosure for about three weeks, we’ve had a lot of interest, and all sorts of interesting feedback,” says Fathivand. “Some people want to add an outdoor pool, some have said they’d build a new ballroom where the pool is, some have even considered tearing it down and building something new.”

It’d be a shame to scrap all the mansion’s fabulous finishes and start from scratch, but the teardown option is a testament to the property’s valuable location. It’s simply up to a visionary buyer to make a move on this abandoned mansion.

The post At $9.75M, America’s Most Expensive Foreclosure Is a Massive Houston Mansion appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

Dream On and Rock Out in Texas Home Owned by Aerosmith’s Joey Kramer

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Joey Kramer

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images; realtor.com

Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer is selling his rockin’ home in Boerne, TX, for $3.9 million.

While Kramer and his wife weren’t there long, the couple put their stamp on the place.

“He and his wife, Linda, found it under construction,” says listing agent Megan DiBartolo. 

She told us they bought the 7,700-square-foot estate in 2016, and worked with the builders to make a few customizations. They expanded the closets, installed state-of-the-art audiovisual components controlled by an iPad, and built a second multi-car garage across from the first one. 

Yes, Kramer does own some nice cars, but the 68-year-old also placed his drum set in the new garage, where he could practice his heart out, according to DiBartolo. 

Joey Kramer’s rockin’ home

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Open kitchen with living and dining space

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Dining room

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Outdoor kitchen and lounge space

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Living space and bar

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Pool and spa

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The one-story Cordillera Ranch gated estate offers easy entertaining with open spaces, both inside and out. There’s a large living room with vaulted and beamed ceilings, as well as an outdoor dining and lounging space with a fireplace, pool, and spa. 

The home, made in part from hand-cut stone, features four beds, four full baths, and two half-baths. It sits on 14 acres that qualify for a wildlife tax exemption. The home was built by custom home builder Todd Glowka, and the custom closets were designed by Lisa Adams of L.A. Closets. 

The kitchen includes a large island with bar seating, plus a separate breakfast area. And here’s another perk: The Rockin’ and Roastin’ coffee company owner added a built-in Miele espresso maker for incredibly impressive cups of caffeinated beverages.

One other quirky addition? The musician had an area meant for a wine collection turned into a “Grammy closet.” (Yes, he has that many.) Squint and you can see them peeking out behind the bar. However, we’re guessing they’re not included.

The couple bought the home after leaving the Austin area in search of a more remote, private spot. Perhaps they went a little too far. DiBartolo notes that they have once again decided to move to be closer to family elsewhere in Texas. But the last two years were well spent.

“They like projects,” DiBartolo says.

The home, which won local and national building design awards, is “better than new,” according to the agent.

“They lived in it and were able to make sure all the components were put into place and added a bunch of extras that a buyer wouldn’t have to worry about with a new construction.”

The drummer won’t have too much time to settle in to his next pad before heading to Las Vegas for the Aerosmith residency at the MGM Grand in 2019, celebrating the rock band’s 50th anniversary.

The post Dream On and Rock Out in Texas Home Owned by Aerosmith’s Joey Kramer appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.


Retired Rockets Great Mario Elie Lists Houston Mansion for $3.45M

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Jim McIsaac/Getty Images; realtor.com

Three-time NBA champion Mario Elie is selling his huge mansion in Houston for $3.45 million.

The former Rockets great has lived in Houston since his playing days, but now that he’s settling into his role as an assistant coach for the Orlando Magic, a sale may signal a move to Florida.

Elie and his wife, Gina, have teenage triplets—Lauren, Gaston, and Glenn. Even after Elie’s playing days were over, the family maintained a high-profile presence in Houston. Gina—a local TV anchor and yoga enthusiast—was voted to the “Best Dressed Hall of Fame” by the Houston Chronicle in 2017. Unsurprisingly, the family’s home is equally stylish.

Built in 1996, the stately property features six bedrooms, six full bathrooms, and two half-bathrooms and more than 7,500 square feet of living space.

Located in the Piney Point Village, the home is designed for formal family living, with traditional areas like the wood-paneled office, housekeeper’s quarters, and dining room. Those formal features complement a host of carefree lifestyle amenities, including a home theater, gym, pool, and basketball court out back.

Living

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Office

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Kitchen

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Master

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Master bath

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Theater

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Powder room

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Famous for his “kiss of death” shot against the Phoenix Suns in the 1995 Finals, Elie won two NBA titles with the Houston Rockets and one with the San Antonio Spurs. A native of New York City, Elie was inducted into the New York Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007 and has been named one of the top 10 Rockets players of all time.

The post Retired Rockets Great Mario Elie Lists Houston Mansion for $3.45M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

Blue Jays Great Vernon Wells Selling Huge Texas Homestead With a Batting Cage

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Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images

We’ve found nirvana for baseball fans—or any type of athlete. Not only does the estate of three-time All-Star outfielder Vernon Wells come with a batting cage, a sport court, and a professional gym, it also has a legacy of pro baseball players partying on the premises.

Now Wells has put his mansion in Westlake, TX, on the market, and you can score all the athletic accoutrements and much more for $8.5 million.

Vernon Wells’ estate

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Pro athlete gym with batting cage

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Wells is proud of the home, but his playing days ended after the 2013 season, and he’s ready to part with it. “Having teammates who are as financially successful comment on how stunning our house is, how comfortable it feels despite the size, and how well designed it is was a huge compliment,” says the 13-year big league veteran.

Backyard

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Besides all the athletic pursuits, a new owner can indulge in such luxuries as a lavish spa with a steam room and infrared sauna, a therapy tub, massage room, and a hair salon.

There’s an enormous game room with a billiard table, a walk-around bar, and an arcade game alcove, as well as plenty of space to celebrate victories.

Game room

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For entertaining friends, there’s a luxe wood-paneled media room with plush seats, as well as a red oak-clad wine room with a high-tech cooling system.

Home theater

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Paneled wine room

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After guests depart, there’s a two-story office/library with oodles of wood paneling.

Office/library

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There are three kitchens, including one outside and one for catering. The main kitchen opens to the dining area and has two islands, plus a posh breakfast nook.

Family kitchen

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Outdoor kitchen with pizza oven

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When it’s time to truly unwind, there’s a master suite that includes a dining area, media area, and an enormous bathroom with its own fireplace.

Master bedroom

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Master bath

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Master suite sitting/dining area

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In total, the Mediterranean-style mansion measures 16,238 square feet and has five bedrooms, seven full bathrooms, and two half-baths.

Out back, there’s a 90,000-gallon infinity pool with a beach, water slide, and a swim-up bar. There’s also a tennis court, fire pits, and many landscaped paths.

Pool area

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Best of all? The home is smart. Wells explains, “We recently updated the entire backbone of the system. All touch panels and remote control around the house were upgraded. During the process, the entire Wi-Fi network was upgraded as well.”

Wells, 39, played for the Toronto Blue Jays, the Los Angeles Angels, and the New York Yankees, and slugged 270 home runs over the course of his career. He grew up in Arlington, TX, which explains his home base nearby.

The property is represented by Alicia Chmielewski of Keller Williams Realty.

Vernon Wells’ mansion

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The post Blue Jays Great Vernon Wells Selling Huge Texas Homestead With a Batting Cage appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

‘Prickly Pear House’ From ‘Fixer Upper’ Season 4 Is Listed for $499K

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The last time we saw the Severn family on “Fixer Upper,” they were “blown away” by the work Chip and Joanna Gaines did to transform a tired ’80s home into a dreamy, modern residence. At the end of the episode, Chip hoped the Severns “would live happily ever after” in the house remodeled on Season 4 of the popular HGTV series.

The episode aired in February 2017. A year and a half later, the “ever after” fairy tale has come to an end. The Severns have put the Gaines-redesigned home in Woodway, TX, on the market for $499,000.

Don’t be deceived by the goofy nickname Chip gave the residence. He and Joanna teamed up to turn the 3,444-square-foot “Prickly Pear House” into a sparkling retreat, one of the many wonders they work in the Waco, TX, area.

The nickname was inspired by the giant, overgrown cactus in front of the four-bedroom, 3.5-bath home. Ripping out the enormous plant was among the first things the couple did to the property.

They replaced the big Opuntia with a bed of mulch and sweet lavender, making the front of the home more inviting.

Also on the exterior, they covered the old red brick with their famous “German schmear,” a rough application of white plaster. They also added a front porch and pergola with access to beautiful French doors.

The “Prickly Pear House” on Season 4 of “Fixer Upper” is for sale.

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Chip and Joanna Gaines putting the finishing touches on the interior

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Front porch and pergola with access to French doors

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They also expanded the kitchen, adding a custom island with bar seating, marble countertops, and a matching backsplash. The custom wood vent hood they installed is stunning.

Kitchen

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They also created a comfy living room and reading nook for the family with two kids.

Living room with reading nook

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The home office is spacious and offers plenty of built-ins, something any telecommuter would desire.

Home office

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While not all the bathrooms were completely redone, the master bath and a half-bath were freshened up.

New master bath

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New half-bath

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The Severns purchased the house for $230,000 and had $145,000 for Chip and Joanna to work their magic on it. If the couple manage to snag their half-million-dollar asking price, they’ll walk away with a sweet profit to complement their Season 4 appearance.

The median price per square foot in the Woodway area is about $114, and this home is priced at $145—a clear indication that the “Fixer Upper” treatment can increase the ROI.

“Chip and I loved designing this home for the Severn family and dreaming up little places for them to retreat and enjoy,” Joanna wrote on her blog.

“This may be the first home we’ve done where the focus was specifically on creating these little hiding spaces for the family to sneak away and read a good book.”

Now, it’s simply time for a new owner to write the next chapter in this ready-made, Gaines-approved residence.

The post ‘Prickly Pear House’ From ‘Fixer Upper’ Season 4 Is Listed for $499K appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

NFL Coach Wade Phillips Switches Strategy, Offering Dallas Home for Rent

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Wesley Hitt/Getty Images; realtor.com

Tackling a fresh approach, NFL defensive guru Wade Phillips has pivoted to the possibility of offering his Dallas mansion for lease. The Hill Country home is now available for $15,000 a month.

The longtime football coach—currently the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams—has tried to draw up a number of plays to sell the property, but has been sacked when it comes to finding a buyer.

The 71-year-old Texas native first put the property on the market in 2014 for $2.95 million. He relisted the home about a year ago for the same price. 

The home is also available for sale, at the reduced price of $2.75 million.

Wade Phillips’ mansion in Dallas

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Living room with beamed ceiling

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Kitchen with counter seating

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Wood-paneled office

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Formal dining room

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Pool and patio

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The 8,742-square-foot home has five bedrooms, six bathrooms, and two half-baths. 

Along with a living room with a vaulted ceiling, there’s a formal dining room, a kitchen that opens to a family room, and a home theater. Details include beam ceilings in the kitchen and den, five wood-burning fireplaces, and a master suite with a luxe bath. 

The den features French doors that open to the landscaped yard with pool. There’s also a covered patio with a fireplace and TV, along with a separate guesthouse.  

Phillips purchased the place in 2007, shortly after joining the Dallas Cowboys as head coach. In 2011, he joined the Houston Texans as defensive coordinator, and then as interim head coach. 

The Denver Broncos hired him in 2015 as defensive coordinator, the same position he now holds with the Rams. He’s served as head coach for the NFL’s Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, and Dallas Cowboys.

Allie Beth Allman with Allie Beth Allman & Associates holds the listing.

The post NFL Coach Wade Phillips Switches Strategy, Offering Dallas Home for Rent appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

QB Robert Griffin III Relists Spectacular Texas Lake House for $2.6M

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Robert Griffin III has relisted his spectacular mansion in Conroe, TX, for $2.6 million. It was on the market last summer for the same price.

Custom-built in 2007 on the banks of picturesque Lake Conroe, the 9,000-square-foot mansion has seven en suite bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and three half-baths.

Sitting on three lots totaling a full acre in a gated community, the remarkable retreat has double staircases, fireplaces, and living rooms. There’s also a wine grotto, media room with stadium seating, and multiple balconies.

The backyard includes a pool with swim-up bar and several waterfalls, an outdoor kitchen, and a private boat dock with two boat slips. The home comes with a massive nine-car garage and a golf cart garage.

Front exterior and courtyard

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One of two living rooms

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Kitchen

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Master bedroom

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Master bath

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Home theater

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Office

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Pool

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Griffin, nicknamed “RG3,” has deep roots in Texas. He won the Heisman Trophy while starring at Baylor University, in Waco.

He purchased this lake property in 2016, but football has meant more time away from the Lone Star State. After sitting out the entire 2017 season, he was picked up as a backup by the Baltimore Ravens. Whether he’ll make an NFL roster or play for the 2019 season is still an open question.

The post QB Robert Griffin III Relists Spectacular Texas Lake House for $2.6M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

Ramp House in Austin Invites a Buyer to Roll On In for $1.1M

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Grab your skateboard and get ready to roll. A fascinating two-level Austin, TX, home with ramps instead of stairs is on the market for $1.1 million.

The aptly named Ramp House was designed and built by MJ Neal in 2002. Neal subsequently moved in for a time before selling the home.

“I think it was kind of whimsical,” listing agent Brian Linder says. 

Ramps connecting the floors are at the center of the home, with bookshelves built around them to hold the architect’s huge collection of books. 

“I wanted people to experience the sequence of space differently than just racing upstairs,” Neal explained at the time.

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Watch: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Iconic Ennis House in L.A. for Sale—Look Inside!

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Instead, the home is kind of an indoor playground, reminiscent of a halfpipe. We’re not the only ones who thought “wheels!” when we saw the design.

Neal’s daughter would shoot down the ramp on a skateboard when the family lived there, Linder says.

“Kids especially love the ramp,” says Neal.

Sloping walkway to the second floor

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View of the ramp

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Open kitchen and living and dining space

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Third bedroom or media room

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Kitchen with black stone counters

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Master bedroom

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Courtyard with dining space

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Roof deck

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The sculptural slope leading to the second floor begins as you enter the home. The ramp—constructed of steel beams and ipe wood—also doubles as a bookcase with a grid of shelves between the ramps. Red- and yellow-hued glass inserted into the bookcases adds a playful element of light and color. 

It’s not all ramps, though. A spiral staircase leads to a roof deck with views of downtown Austin. 

The 2,245-square-foot layout includes two bedrooms, and a third that could be enclosed, and 2.5 baths. There’s an open kitchen with black stone counters and stainless-steel appliances, a living and dining space, and glass walls that open to a courtyard. Abundant light streams through thanks to the skylights. Flooring is polished concrete.

“This was one of the first pieces of modern architecture in the neighborhood,” Linder says. “It really stands out as signature design.”

The Ramp House first came on the market last spring for $1.3 million, before its recent price reduction. It’s also available for rent for $6,000 a month.

The post Ramp House in Austin Invites a Buyer to Roll On In for $1.1M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

Far From a Boring Barn, These 9 Texas Barndominiums Offer Stylish Digs

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barndominiums

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In the last few years, savvy homeowners have developed innovative ways to make prefabricated metal buildings comfortable enough to settle down into for life. These rural homes we’ve come to know and love are called barndominiums. They may not offer a ton of visual pop from the exterior, but it’s amazing how stylish and livable they can be.

The trend hit an inflection point a couple of years ago, when Chip and Joanna Gaines renovated one in Waco on “Fixer Upper.” When it landed on the market later for $1.2 million, it put a posh public face on prefab steel.

Barndominiums have been popping up across the country ever since in rural areas, but they’re a true sensation in Texas.

We found nine beautiful barndominiums for sale across the Lone Star State. Open the barn door and have a look!

4859 County Road 3521, Greenville, TX

Price: $225,000

Club Lake barndominium: Sitting on nearly 9 acres near Club Lake, this 2,100-square-foot structure includes a two-bedroom home with stained concrete floors and 9-foot ceilings. Under the same roof, there’s a 1,000-square-foot workshop and two-car garage with roll-up doors. For aspiring farmers, the property also includes a chicken coop and loafing shed. Best of all? Electric bills at this barn are low, thanks to the solar panels on the roof.

Greenville, TX

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2923 Krenek Road, Crosby, TX 

Price: $375,000

Off the beaten path barndominium: Situated on more than 6 lush acres with its own 320-feet-deep well, the building houses a one-bedroom residence with custom cabinetry, stained concrete floors, and a large upstairs storage space. The adjoining metal workshop also has its own bathroom. The listing adds that the property, which is described as being “off the beaten path,” could be expanded by purchasing the adjoining 3 acres.

Crosby, TX

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2703 E. County Road 238, Henderson, TX

Price: $325,000

Big family barndominium: Built in 2015, this barndominum on 21 acres is meant for big family living. You’ll find three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and more than 2,000 square feet of cozy comfort. And it doesn’t skimp on creature comforts, highlighted by a custom bath and a walk-in closet off the main bedroom. Thanks to huge front and back porches, there’s plenty of room for an extended family.

Henderson, TX

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175 County Road 308, Cleveland, TX

Price: $265,000

Safety-first barndominium: Secured with an entrance with an automatic gate and a master closet that doubles as a safe room, this place is ideal for a buyer who desires peace of mind. Built in 2018, the two-bedroom barn sits on a fenced-in acre, complete with a large, covered front porch.

Cleveland, TX

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11110 Choctaw Trail, Amarillo, TX

Price: $469,900

Wine fridge barndominium: Don’t let the big red barn exterior fool you. Inside is a luxury three-bedroom residence with high-end fixtures, 14-foot ceilings, custom kitchen cabinetry, a granite island, and wine fridge. The large, attached shop has LED lighting, two large utility doors, and french doors, and has been insulated with spray foam for soundproofing.

Amarillo, TX

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10116 County Road 6200, Idalou, TX

Price: $262,000

Country living barndominium: Sitting on almost 19 acres, this property offers plenty of outdoor country fun, including a pecan orchard, a pond, and a backyard designed for dirt bikes and hunters. The property also includes RV hookups and its own well and septic tank. The three-bedroom residence was built in 2016, and features a separate laundry room and pantry. The attached shop is a huge 65 feet by 45 feet, with electric doors.

Idalou, TX

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10759 North Highway 78 Highway, Ravenna, TX

Price: $425,000

Barndominium estate: Built in 2014, this place sits on just under 22 wooded acres near the Red River. The two-story main house includes wood floors, suspension stairs, a stone fireplace, and a gourmet kitchen with large pantry. There’s also an additional smaller one-bedroom barndominium with its own living and kitchen areas, making this an ideal family retreat.

Ravenna, TX

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11505 Highway 110, Van, TX

Price: $230,000

Best-of-both-worlds barndominium: Close to downtown, yet situated on its own sprawling 7 acres, this barn is the perfect mix of country and city living. Built in 2013, the two-bedroom home includes upgrades like a dreamy kitchen with granite counters and a six-burner gas range. The master suite has a custom tile walk-in shower and clawfoot soaking tub. Entertain guests and soak in the sunshine on the home’s large covered patio, or simply take a few steps to work in the adjacent shop.

Van, TX

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1631 County Road 134, Ovalo, TX

Price: $214,900

Modern loft barndominium: Recently finished and sitting on 10 scenic acres just outside Abilene, this ultramodern take is more Soho loft than rustic retreat. Take in the rugged beauty of the surrounding land from the home’s back porch, while you contemplate building a larger dream home or purchasing the additional 50 acres also available. The only limit of this property is a buyer’s imagination.

Ovalo, TX

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The post Far From a Boring Barn, These 9 Texas Barndominiums Offer Stylish Digs appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.


Hey, ‘Fixer Upper’ Fans! Chip and Joanna Gaines Built a Spec Farmhouse in Texas

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realtor.com; HGTV

Even if you’ve watched every episode of “Fixer Upper” that’s ever aired, chances are you haven’t seen every home Chip and Joanna Gaines have ever built and designed.

For example, take this gorgeous new modern farmhouse for $624,900 in China Spring, TX.

Recently finished, the four bedroom, 4.5-bath, two-story home was built on spec by Magnolia Design and Construction, the Gaines’ own real estate development company. As per usual, Chip oversaw construction and Joanna took the lead on design .

Chip and Joanna were working on homes in the Waco area long before “Fixer Upper” was an HGTV sensation. They’ve continued to do so even after the bright lights and boom mics have been stored away.

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Watch: Sayonara, Shiplap: What’s Next for Chip and Joanna Gaines

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The new property is located in an area outside of Waco in a subdivision called “The Preserve.”  Built with the couple’s signature touches, the four-bedroom home offers 3,150 square feet of interior living space.

And about those touches: There’s an abundance of gleaming white shiplap, wide-plank French oak flooring, and antiqued wood doors. Joanna also added heavy, natural wood-beamed ceilings and black paned windows—two other elements familiar to “Fixer Upper” fans.

A new house Chip and Joanna Gaines designed and built

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Backyard

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Entryway

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Living room

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The open kitchen also has Ms. Gaines written all over it, thanks to its open metal shelving, galvanized stove hood and overhead lights, white drawers and cabinets, and central island with natural wood sides.

Kitchen

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And, yes, there’s a mud room with individual cubbies for each family member. An adjacent shiplap-lined laundry room is also part of Joanna’s design.

Mud room

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Laundry room

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There’s custom cabinetry throughout the home and high-end finishes including Carrara marble vanity tops. Spacious porches anchor the ground level, and an attic bonus room tops it all off.

Carrara marble vanity

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Attic bonus room

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But the famous duo aren’t the only builders and designers in this new Central Texas subdivision. Several other contractors have also built homes nearby, so the area is chock-full of new homes—but without the cookie-cutter feel you see in most new housing tracts.

And if your heart is set on a brand-new Magnolia home and this one vanishes quickly, never fear. All the lots in phase one of the development have been sold, but there are a number of lots still available in phase two.

Lots range in price from $75,000 to $120,000. A buyer could snag a lot and then contract the coveted Magnolia team to build a dream house. Just try to catch the couple before they begin work on their new Magnolia-branded TV network.

The post Hey, ‘Fixer Upper’ Fans! Chip and Joanna Gaines Built a Spec Farmhouse in Texas appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

Recently Retired Texas Ranger Adrian Beltre Selling $3.3M Dallas Mansion

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Adrian Beltre

Rick Yeatts/Getty Images

Future Hall of Fame third baseman Adrián Beltré is selling his ornate French-inspired mansion in Dallas, TX, for $3.38 million. The listing comes just months after the popular player announced his retirement from baseball.

The home is a winner—just like its famous owner. The over-8,000-square-foot gated mansion features intricately carved wood paneling and hand-scraped hardwood floors. Built in 2008 and sitting on a meticulously manicured three-quarters of an acre lot, the home is formal and traditional. There’s a distinct French chateau flair across its roomy five bedrooms, five full bathrooms, and two half-bathrooms.

According to the listing details, the property’s layout was carefully considered to create a space tailor-made for both family living and entertaining in high style. The kitchen has double sinks and a double oven, as well as a six-burner gas stove and grill. A breathtaking formal study includes a wet bar and adjacent wine cellar. The home also includes a comfy eight-seat home theater, large game room with kitchenette, a home workout space, and a craft room.

Outdoors, the covered living area—complete with video screens—offers a relaxing space with lovely views of the yard, pool, and spa.

Exterior

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Living

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Study

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Kitchen

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Master bedroom

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Master bathroom

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Home theater

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Outdoor living

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Pool

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Widely expected to be a lock for the Baseball Hall of Fame, thanks in part to his record-setting 3,000 career hits and 400 home runs, Beltré has also made a name for himself in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for being an all-around great guy.

“Adrián is one of the best people I’ve had the opportunity to work with. He stands out as much off the field as he does on it,” said Rangers general manager Jon Daniels when Beltré announced his departure from the major leagues after 21 seasons. “He is a Hall of Fame-level teammate, husband, and father. He helped raise the Rangers’ franchise to a new level.”

Beltré and his wife, Sandra, are the parents of three kids, Cassie, AJ, and Camila.

Judging by the listing photos, the home is empty and ready for a new owner to move in. As for the Beltré family, there’s no word whether they are planning to stay in the Lone Star State or move elsewhere. Regardless, the third baseman has left his mark on the city, and this house offers an opportunity to live like a true legend.

The post Recently Retired Texas Ranger Adrian Beltre Selling $3.3M Dallas Mansion appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

Ousted Cowboys Coach Scott Linehan Is Selling $2.3M Dallas Home

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Leon Halip/Getty Images; realtor.com

Just a month after losing his gig as the offensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys, Scott Linehan is selling his Highland Park, TX, home for $2.3 million.

Located in an upscale suburb just a few miles north of downtown Dallas, the home was built in 2007 and completely remodeled in 2016. The property’s lovely landscaped front yard, complete with flowers, mature trees, and manicured lawns, gives the home a friendly, welcoming feel. Inside, you’ll find four bedrooms, five bathrooms, and two half-bathrooms in 4,700 square feet of living space.

The interiors are elegant, understated, and sophisticated, which lets beautiful finishes like the Caesarstone quartz countertops and hardwood floors truly shine.

Other luxe amenities offered include two offices, custom closets, wine storage, workout room, and outdoor living area. There’s even a newly remodeled guest quarters with its own full bathroom over the garage. An Airbnb opportunity?

Front exterior

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Living room

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Kitchen

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Main bedroom

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Main bathroom

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Pool and backyard

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The Cowboys announced in mid-January that they were parting ways with Linehan after four seasons as the play caller.

“I’ll miss my fellow coaches and my players a great deal,” Linehan said in a statement. “But life is about change and growth, and I very much look forward to my next challenge.”

There’s no word yet on where he’ll wind up next. And while it must be bittersweet to end his time in Texas and part with this beautiful home, relocation is nothing new for Linehan and his wife, Kristen. Linehan began coaching in the NFL in 2002 after rising through the college coaching ranks and has since coached for the Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, and Detroit Lions. He had a 2.5-season stint as the head coach of the St. Louis Rams and finished with a record of 11-25.

What the Linehans leave behind in Dallas is this lovely home, ready and waiting for a new chapter of its own.

The post Ousted Cowboys Coach Scott Linehan Is Selling $2.3M Dallas Home appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

The Real Border Wall Battle: It’s Texas Homeowners Who May Pay the Price

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Getty Images; Mauricio Vidaurri; realtor.com

Texan Mauricio Vidaurri fears he will soon lose his father—again.

The elder Vidaurri, a World War II veteran, is buried in a 200-year-old cemetery on his 1,300-acre La Laja Ranch, which was passed down to Mauricio and his seven siblings. The Zapata County property has been in their family since the late 18th century. It was issued through a Spanish land grant before the United States of America declared its independence.

But now the younger Vidaurri worries that a portion of the property, which lies along what is now the U.S.-Mexico border, will be seized by the federal government to make way for the wall championed by President Donald Trump. And he will be forced to surrender the graves of generations of his forebears.

Texas is about to become the front line of the real battle for Trump’s border wall—one that could pit the U.S. government against an estimated 5,000 landowners who have no intention of giving up their family legacies or hard-earned homes. It’s a conflict that could drag on for years and cost taxpayers far more than the nearly $1.4 billion congressional leaders have allotted for fencing along the border in their latest proposal. (Trump has estimated the price tag for a full wall could be as little as $15 billion, but his adversaries have pegged it at as much as $70 billion.)

Trump hasn’t signaled whether he’ll sign the latest bill, which funds only 55 miles of fencing along the border in the valley. He had wanted 215 miles.

Currently, only about a third of the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico boundary is fenced or walled, or has barriers in place. It’s typically in the most populated areas in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Much of that land is government-owned, so there was no need to invoke eminent domain to seize it.

The barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border

Tony Frenzel

But in Texas, where most of the border property is privately owned, the Rio Grande has served as a natural border and deterrent. The last big round of border fencing, part of President George W. Bush‘s Secure Fence Act of 2006, triggered hundreds of lawsuits in Texas, dozens of which are still in the courts.

“If this goes forward, this will be one of the largest exercises in eminent domain in the modern history of the federal government,” says Ilya Somin, a law professor at George Mason University and an adjunct scholar at the Cato Institute, a think tank. “Realistically, hundreds, even thousands of people will lose their property. There will be legal battles over the legal compensation.”

The court challenges are likely to multiply even further if the president bypasses Congress and declares a national emergency to get the wall built. A particularly contentious battlefield could be the 62 miles of a Native American reservation along the Arizona border. It’s not clear if the president could seize that property without congressional approval. And it’s unlikely that a Democrat-controlled House of Representatives would approve the emergency taking of that land.

Of course, not all lawmakers believe the wall is necessary. The only Republican member of Congress along the border, Rep. Will Hurd, called the proposed barriers a “third-century solution to a 21st-century problem.” All nine members of Congress serving the districts along the border oppose its construction.

Mauricio Vidaurri fears the federal government will seize his family land along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Photo provided by Mauricio Vidaurri

Residents such as Vidaurri aren’t interested in political squabbling. For them, the barrier is personal.

“We’ll lose our history that goes back almost 300 years. … That’s painful,” says Vidaurri, 60. He lives in Laredo, TX, about 22 miles from the family land. But he visits his 140 acres of the ranch at least twice a week to check on the graves of four generations of his family. The land is currently used for hay production, hunting, and natural gas drilling.

This doesn’t mean that Vidaurri and his family would lose all of their property on the Mexican side of the wall. They would cede the land under and around the wall—which in Vidaurri’s case would likely include the family cemetery. Under the Secure Fence Act, gates were erected that landowners whose property straddled the border could open with a code. But many property owners don’t feel safe having such gates.

“You’re putting a big ol’ bull’s-eye on my back,” Vidaurri says. “Guess who wants that code? The cartel, the drug smugglers, and the human smugglers.”

Legal challenges could drag on for decades and jack up costs

Landowners aren’t likely to win a David-and-Goliath-style battle with the federal government. But they may be able to successfully challenge the amount of real estate they ultimately cede, says Jim Burling, an eminent domain attorney at the Pacific Legal Foundation in Sacramento.

They can also push back against very low offers—in effect, driving up the price tag for the wall.

“Local, state, and federal agencies are notorious for trying to pay as little as possible for properties they take,” says Burling.

About a decade ago, the government took less than 10 acres of Tudor Uhlhorn‘s property along the border to put up fencing. But it lowballed him, so he went to an attorney and received a larger settlement.

That’s typical. Of the 334 eminent domain lawsuits filed in the southern part of Texas during the George W. Bush years, about 70 cases are still in court, according to the Washington Post. Most of those lawsuits revolve around money. And property owners with attorneys received about triple what they were initially offered, according to ProPublica and Texas Tribune.

“Everybody needs to have an attorney that knows what he’s doing,” says Uhlhorn, the commissioner of the city of Harlingen, TX.

The Tohono O’odham Nation, which has 62 miles along the border on their Native American reservation in Southern Arizona, already has its attorneys in place.

“The land on the U.S.-Mexico border is precious, sacred land. This land is not for sale,” says Verlon Jose, vice chairman of the Tohono O’odham Nation.

The tribe has about 34,000 members, although only 9,000 to 10,000 of them live on the reservation. The pain of losing the property, Jose says, would be akin to “taking a knife and cutting it across your heart.”

But even as the question of funding remains unresolved, the government is gearing up to take private property from scores of homeowners.

The federal government is planning to survey Nayda Alvarez’s land, a preliminary step before seizing it.

Krystal Anne Gonzalez

High school speech teacher Nayda Alvarez, 47, received a letter from U.S. Customs and Border Protection in January stating the agency will be filing an action in federal court that will allow it to access her property on the outskirts of Rio Grande City, TX, for 12 months to conduct “necessary” surveys. It’s one of the first steps toward an eminent domain seizure.

“Border security tactical infrastructure, such as border walls, lighting, and roads, are critical elements to gain effective control of our Nation’s borders,” reads the letter dated Jan. 9. “The purpose of border security infrastructure is to deter illicit cross-border activity such as drug smuggling, border violence and illegal immigration.”

The agency did not respond to a request for comment.

These are very real issues along the boundary of the two countries. About a year ago, drug smugglers abandoned a car on Alvarez’s property as they were pursued by border control. (They didn’t cross into the U.S. through her property.) The vehicle was removed before she came home from work.

But Alvarez still feels safe in her four-bedroom, two-bathroom home, where she had planned to retire. She scrimped and saved to build it 12 years ago, and now is afraid the government will take it away.

“I’m very upset. I’ve worked my [butt off] to pay for it,” says Alvarez, who shares the home with her 22-year-old daughter. “And now I’m going to start at zero.”

Last year, the Army Corps of Engineers attempted to lease part of her grandfather’s property, next door, for four years for a grand total of $750.  She refused.

“I’m a born U.S. citizen, and I don’t feel like it’s right for someone to take away what is mine,” says Alvarez.

Will a wall save—or sink—struggling border towns?

With the exception of San Diego, about 30 miles north of Mexico, border towns tend to be sparsely populated and lack good jobs.

The border cities of McAllen and Brownsville in Texas, about an hour apart, are two of the poorest cities in the nation. Both already have some fencing along the U.S.-Mexico line.

In the 80 U.S-Mexico border ZIP codes, median home prices are about a third lower than the rest of the nation, at just $195,282 as of December 2018, according to a realtor.com® analysis. And annually, homes aren’t appreciating nearly as much as those in the rest of the country—2.3% compared with 7.1% nationally.

“In Texas alone, you’ve got cities on the border where you have high levels of unemployment and poverty—and real estate values reflect that,” says Terence Garrett, a public affairs and security studies professor at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Brownsville. “[We’re] so far away from the state capitals and Washington, DC, [we] become an afterthought, an area that is not well-understood.”

But the wall could also have benefits for some in these struggling communities and real estate markets. It would make some folks feel safer as they wouldn’t have to deal with the repercussions of immigrants crossing through their properties illegally. (Opponents say immigrants without documents will still find ways to enter the United States.)

“Once those problems are pushed out of those areas, it raises the property values,” says Tom Fullerton, an economics professor at the University of Texas at El Paso, who specializes in border economies.

“It’s going to be viewed as a safety [protection],” adds Sue Ann Taubert, a Texas real estate broker and president of the Harlingen Board of Realtors.

While a wall may not be a scenic sight, it’s not likely to affect too many folks on a day-to-day basis. The areas where it would be built tend to be fairly rural.

And in the short term, construction of the wall could create an employment boom for nearby towns and cities. Although most new workers would likely be temporary, they would still be spending money locally, including on housing.

Intertwined economies are difficult to unwind

But the economic picture is complicated on the border. Communities often have large sister cities on the Mexican side, and locals go back and forth between them frequently. Those economies tend to be closely intertwined.

Mexican customers “are extremely important to support businesses on the American side,” says Garrett. “This is the fear about amping [up] border security: It drives customers away.”

It could also affect U.S. businesses that have workers, plants, and warehouses in Mexico as well as the Rio Grande Valley’s emerging eco-tourism sector. A wall would cut through the National Butterfly Center in Mission, TX, and the 2,088-acre Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge in Alamo, TX. Congress previously spared the refuge, a popular destination for bird-watching, from division by a barrier.

The National Butterfly Center is expected to be plowed over to clear the way for President Donald Trump’s border wall after the U.S. Supreme Court rebuffed a challenge by environmental groups.

SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP/Getty Images

Already talk of the wall, and the weaker peso, has deterred Mexican nationals buying homes in the Rio Grande Valley, says McAllen, TX–based real estate broker Rene Galvan, of RGV Realty. Many are selling the vacation homes they already own on the American side—for a loss.

“All of these things are mounting up,” Galvan says. “It’s like pulling the welcome mat off the front door.”

The post The Real Border Wall Battle: It’s Texas Homeowners Who May Pay the Price appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

States With the Highest/Lowest Mortgage Rates

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The mortgage rate someone lands when they buy a house depends on many things, including their credit score, debt load and the particular lender. But a new study by online mortgage marketplace LendingTree reveals there’s another factor that plays a surprisingly significant role in the rate they lock in: which state they live in. An even bigger surprise? The state that emerged as the bargain of the bunch.

Currently, the national average for a 30-year, fixed-rate conforming loan is 4.84%. But California—emblem of all that is expensive in every other aspect of real estate—has the lowest average mortgage rates in the nation, clocking in at 4.74%. Even when folding in other costs related to securing a mortgage, including points and fees—a calculation known as the annual percentage rate, or APR—California fares the best of the bunch, at 4.83%. The next best performers, rate-wise, include other states not particularly known for real-estate steals: New Jersey, Washington and Massachusetts, in that order.

Does that mean other states famed for high costs also smell like roses? Not so fast. The biggest loser on the list, from the borrower’s perspective, is New York, where rates average 4.96% and APR reaches 5.07%. But while you might expect expensive everything in Manhattan’s homeland, high rates were also found in less assuming locations, including Iowa, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Maine.

“The differences in the states are driven by local competition and business costs,” said Tendayi Kapfidze, chief economist for LendingTree, which is headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. While LendingTree’s study analyzed conforming loans, “it would be logical to assume that jumbo loans would follow this pattern,” he said. This study is the first time LendingTree has looked at average rates by state, Mr. Kapfidze said.

Business costs include whether a state requires “judicial foreclosure,” whereby a lender has to go to court to foreclose on a borrower, said Mr. Kapfidze. Judicial foreclosure adds an average of one year to the process and $1,100 to the cost of foreclosing on a property, said Brian D. Feinstein, assistant professor of legal studies at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

However, while judicial-foreclosure rules add costs for lenders, it’s simplistic to assume they jack up rates. In a 2018 study published in the Journal of Empirical Legal Studies, Mr. Feinstein found that judicial foreclosure makes lenders more conservative—meaning they turn down borrowers who might have been approved in non-judicial foreclosure states.

“But then they do offer lower rates to those who are approved for those loans,” said Mr. Feinstein, citing his own research and that of other academics.

That California offers the lowest average rates in the nation left Mr. Feinstein “frankly surprised.” The state is famous for high costs and high regulation. However, another California high—its real estate prices—make it an appealing place to do business. Many fixed costs to originate a loan—the financial analysis, signature-gathering and processing—are the same whether the loan is for $100,000 or $1 million, said Mr. Kapfidze. The average conventional loan size in California is $313,508, 68% higher than in Oklahoma, one of the states with the highest average rates, according to LendingTree’s data.

Competition also drives down price. There were nearly 100,000 people based in California who were licensed to engage with consumers in some aspect of mortgage lending in 2017, according to data from the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System, a registrar of non-depository financial services. That’s nearly twice as many as in Texas, the state with the next-largest number of people licensed to work in real-estate lending.

A few things to consider when comparing average mortgage rates by state:

• Who is applying. “A big part of the variation is in who is walking in the door to get loans,” said Mr. Feinstein. In states where regulations make mortgages harder for some borrowers to secure, they may not even try to get a loan, which can skew statewide results.

• What’s your number? Credit scores have a far bigger influence on the rate consumers get than the state they live in. Nationwide, consumers with scores over 760 averaged APRs of 4.79%, compared with 5.16% for scores from 680 to 719, LendingTree found.

• Keeping it close. Even with digital marketplaces and online lenders that allow borrowers to cast a wide net when hunting for a mortgage, borrowers still typically hire a local broker, said Mr. Feinstein. That means they may not be exposed to the full spectrum of competition.

Highest

New York: 4.96%

Iowa: 4.93%

Arkansas: 4.92%

Oklahoma: 4.91%

Maine: 4.91%

Lowest

California: 4.74%

New Jersey: 4.75%

Washington: 4.76%

Massachusetts: 4.76%

Utah: 4.77%

NATIONAL AVERAGE

4.84%

The post States With the Highest/Lowest Mortgage Rates appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

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