NFL Lineman Winston Justice Wants to Sell His Naples, Florida Home

There are no guarantees in life, and that lack of guarantees goes double in the NFL. Take offensive lineman Winston Justice, for example. After playing for eight solid seasons as a hulking blocker, he wasn’t able to latch on to a team in 2014, leaving his pro football career in doubt.

While we’re not sure if Justice will hook up with another NFL team, we do know that he has decided to sell his house in Naples, FL, after owning it for only a year.

Listed by Joseph Whitcomb, the house is for sale for $4.5 million—nearly $2 million over the price Justice paid for the property in 2013. The 6-foot-6 tackle is obviously hoping for a sizable profit in the real estate market.

Records indicate that the house was built in 2013, so it’s a relatively new development in the exclusive Escada Estates at the Tiburón Golf Club (the club is part of the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort). The house is located on the 14th hole on a lot that’s measured at 0.65 acres.

The living room has a unique recessed grid ceiling, large picture windows that overlook the pool, built-in cabinets and a fireplace. The family room is located next to the kitchen, which is a cascade of white, accented by stainless-steel appliances.

The 5,622-square-foot house has four bedrooms, four full bathrooms and a half-bath. The master suite has a view of the pool and sports lavender-colored walls. If you don’t care for the color, fortunately, it’s easy to paint the walls a new shade. The master bathroom has his-and-her vanities, a stand-alone tub and shower and chandelier light fixtures to give the room a classic touch.

The patio definitely exudes the Ritz-Carlton feel. The pool is inviting and the small palm trees add to the resort-like atmosphere. There’s also an outdoor kitchen and a covered seating area for when you need a break from the sun.

You also get access to the amenities at the Tiburón Golf Club, once you pay your quarterly HOA fees of $2,091.65. The club has a fitness center with a pool, a restaurant, tennis courts, transportation to the beach and, of course, 36 holes of golf.

Justice’s NFL career started when he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2006 NFL draft. He was later traded to the Indianapolis Colts in 2012. He signed with the Denver Broncos in 2013 but was released before the 2014 season. He starred in college for the USC Trojans.

Source: Realtor.com - http://www.realtor.com/news/nfl-lineman-winston-justice-wants-sell-fl-home/

Skin-Care Expert Nicholas Perricone Still Trying to Sell Vero Beach Mansion

Dr. Nicholas Perricone is an expert on healthy aging and skin care, and the 66-year-old feels confident enough in his future health that he’s willing to wait to find a buyer for his home in Vero Beach, FL. After all, he’s already waited more than 1,465 days—that’s just over four years.

A few notable events have taken place since Perricone’s place first went on the market:

- The U.S. planned to restore diplomatic and economic ties with Cuba.

- The Voyager 1 space probe left the solar system.

- Colorado became the first state to legalize marijuana use.

- Actor George Clooney got married.

In an effort to attract more potential suitors and avoid another four-year wait, Perricone recently dropped the asking price from $16.995 million to $15.995 million—a cool million-dollar cut. If the recent drop intrigues you, contact listing agent Cindy O’Dare.

This beachfront home is more than 14,000 square feet on over 2 acres of land in the exclusive John’s Island gated community. There’s access to over three miles of private beach, and downtown Vero Beach is minutes away.

The Georgian-style home has a living room surrounded by classic pillars and a series of French doors that open to the terrace by the pool.

An elegant kitchen features white wall cabinetry that provides a nice contrast with the dark brown island cabinets, and a gray tile backsplash ties it all together. The kitchen also has marble counters, a double oven, dual dishwashers, and a butler’s pantry.

The house has five bedrooms, six bathrooms, and two half-baths. The master suite is located on the ground floor so you can access the patio directly. The master bedroom not only has his-and-her walk-in closets, but also his-and-her bathrooms.

A second master suite is on the second floor, along with three other bedrooms. There’s also a gallery with a full-size bar that opens to a balcony that faces the beach.

The property also includes a 2,064-square-foot guesthouse with two bedrooms, three bathrooms, a gym, sauna, and juice bar.

Perricone, who is a board-certified dermatologist, considers himself the “father” of the theory that chronic and subclinical inflammation causes aging and disease. He has published several books, including The Clear Skin Prescription, The Wrinkle Cure, and Forever Young, and offers a line of popular skin-care products on QVC.

Source: Realtor.com - By: Roman Loyola

Former NFL Safety Darren Sharper Lists Florida Home Again

Former NFL safety Darren Sharper had an illustrious playing career: He won the Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints to cap off the 2009 season, was named to the All-Pro team six times in his 14-year career and played in five Pro Bowls. Sharper also was a member of the 2000s All-Decade Team.

However, since he last played a game for the Saints in 2010, Sharper’s life has been a little less glamorous. Now, he’s attempting to sell an enormous South Florida home he purchased during his NFL heyday: Sharper is asking for $3.6 million for the house in Aventura, FL, with Dmitry Viner as the listing agent.

According to BlockShopper, Sharper tried to offload the home in 2009 for $3.3 million. He bought the property in 2007 for about $2.9 million.

The three-story Mediterranean house is 6,362 square feet and has four bedrooms, five bathrooms and a half bath. It features arched room entries, marble floors, high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

The house is part of the Villa Flora gated community in Williams Island area of Aventura, a northeast suburb of Miami. It’s located on the eastern shore of Little Maule Lake. A dock is available, if you have a boat.

Sharper was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1997, and he spent eight seasons roaming Lambeau Field. Sharper also played four years for the Minnesota Vikings (2005-08) before joining the Saints for his final two years.

Memories of his illustrious NFL career have been dimmed lately by the details of his alleged off-field behavior: Sharper was charged separately in Arizona, California and Louisiana with sexual assault in 2014.

Source: Realtor.com - By: Roman Loyola

NBA’s Stephen Jackson Puts San Antonio Home Up for Rent

Back in February, NBA free agent swingman Stephen Jackson put his San Antonio, TX, home up for sale for $3 million. He’s since slashed the price twice, and the home’s now sits at the list price of $2.7 million.

However, Jackson still hasn’t found any takers, and the house just went up for rent for $12,500 per month; Kimberly Howell is the listing agent.

The monthly rent does get you a lot of house: the traditional, Colonial-style home is over 10,000 square feet on two-plus acres of land. There are seven bedrooms, 8.5 bathrooms and an 11-car garage.

Entering the house, you’re greeted by a dramatic double marble staircase—and while it’s tempting to go upstairs, you won’t want to miss the first floor’s shared spaces: The living room has large single-hung windows and a fireplace. Also, the family room is a spacious 34 feet by 30 feet with support columns that add flair to the room and recessed lighting.

The kitchen, with its big island and modern appliances, sits next the the family room, although there is a wall with an entryway that separates the two rooms.

The master bedroom has access to the outside, a sitting room, walk-in closets and a fireplace as well. The master bathroom has a huge shower and a whirlpool tub with a chandelier over it, to give it a little dramatic touch. This space also leads to a gym, which makes it easy to access for your morning workouts.

Other rooms include a study, a theater, a formal dining room and four “other” rooms that you can use based on your imagination or need. Outside, you’ll find a pool in the backyard with a large patio for gatherings. There’s also a separate cabana for getting ready for a swim.

The house is located in The Dominion, a gated community. Residents must pay homeowners association fees, which include access to The Dominion Country Club.

Jackson’s career in the NBA started in 2000 with the New Jersey Nets. He played for eight teams and won an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2003. During his career, he has averaged 15.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. Jackson last played for Los Angeles Clippers in 2014.

Source: Realtor.com 

Behind the Sale: How Minecraft Creator Beat Out Jay-Z

The story of how the man who created Minecraft aced out Jay-Z and Beyoncé for an ultra-luxe Beverly Hills, CA, mansion makes for great headlines and easy jokes about a nerd vanquishing the glitterati.

It’s also pretty easy to list off the amazing amenities packed into the 23,000-square-foot SoCal home—the candy wall, the 16-car garage and the Toto Neorest toilets in every one of the 15 bathrooms—but we wondered how difficult it was to keep the complex transaction quiet until closing.

We spoke with Sally Forster Jones, president of Aaroe International Luxury Properties, who was one of two brokers to represent Markus “Notch” Persson in his successful purchase. Jones worked together with Katia De Los Reyes on the buyer’s side of this $70 million transaction.

“The people who knew about the transaction were kept to a total minimum,” Jones said. “We were able to keep the purchase very hush-hush, and that in itself requires a lot of work. It’s pretty close to a miracle that there were no leaks prior to the announcement.”

Beyond keeping the prying eyes of the press at bay, there was a lot of work taking place behind the scenes to ensure the purchase went off without a hitch.

“It was intense, to say the least,” Jones said. “There was lots of coordination, lots of moving parts. Everyone pitched in and worked together. There were no conflicts—which makes it a very special transaction.”

Jones drew on plenty of expertise and experience in high-profile sales, having worked on the sale of the multi-multi-million dollar Spelling Manor in Beverly Hills.

She said it also helped to have plenty of previous experience with the brokers who worked for the dazzling spec home’s seller, Bruce Makowsky.

Branden Williams and Ben Bacal represented the seller, and Jones told us, “We know each other and there’s a credibility factor that truly makes a smooth transaction possible.”

“We all worked well together,” she added. “The property is a great property, the buyer was a great buyer—it was just a very smooth transaction from start to finish. The buyer saw the property and came back to view it one more time. From there, we made an offer, went into escrow and closed in six days.”

We also asked Jones about high net-worth buyers (such as Persson) coming into Southern California to look for properties to add to their real estate portfolio.

“Right now, we’re seeing a lot of international interest in the L.A. area,” the agent said. “We’re dealing with buyers coming in from China, Russia and Europe. They’re all looking for high-end luxury properties.”

And what do these buyers from around the world look for in a home?

“The international buyer is very impressed with views,” Jones told us. “The grander the view, the greater the demand. It’s exponential when you have views such as the ones offered by this home. Everyone wants to live the indoor-outdoor lifestyle L.A. offers.”

Because Jones has walked through so many high-end properties, we had to ask what she thought when she first saw the place that Persson is now calling home.

“It’s a very sophisticated and sexy house,” she said. “The quality inside and outside are above and beyond. It’s extremely well-crafted and has so many unique features. The views are breathtaking. I can sum it up in four simple words: view, volume, openness and quality.”

Source: Realtor.com By: Erik Gunther 

Matt Damon Sells in Miami Beach

Actor Matt Damon has sold his roughly 12,700-square-foot Mediterranean-style home in Miami Beach to mortgage company CEO Patrick Markert, according to public records and listing agents Jill Eber and Jill Hertzberg. It was listed for $18.999 million, down from $20 million in 2013.

The 1-acre property includes a main home, a guesthouse and a pool house with a summer kitchen and terrace, for a total of seven bedrooms, 9½ bathrooms and 170 feet of water frontage. The home is located on North Bay Road, an exclusive stretch overlooking Biscayne Bay.

Mr. Damon bought the property in 2005, the agents said. Public records show that he bought the two-parcel property for $14.5 million. Mr. Damon, who is set to star in the Ridley Scott sci-fi film “The Martian,” couldn’t be reached for comment.

The sale was fortuitous, the agents said. They were also representing the buyer, Mr. Markert, who had just closed on the $27.5 million sale of three adjacent units in South Beach’s Continuum high-rise condo building. The units, located on the 36th floor of the 42-story south tower, include a media room, wine cellar and several terraces. The buyer of the condo units was represented by Zuzia Borucka of Florida Realty of Miami.

“It was a puzzle to put these two sales together,” said Ms. Eber. Mr. Markert, chief executive officer of Atlanta-based AmeriSave Mortgage, was looking to move to a single-family home to raise his family, the agents said. He couldn’t be reached for comment.

Sales in the Miami Beach single-family luxury market have nearly doubled since last year, Ms. Hertzberg said. So far 14 homes priced between $10 million and $20 million have sold this year, compared with eight last year. Ms. Eber and Ms. Hertzberg, of the Jills team with Coldwell Banker Previews International, had the listings.

Former NBA Guard Chris Duhon Lowers Price on FL Home

Point guard Chris Duhon is done with the NBA after a career that didn’t match the success of his college days at Duke University, and earlier this year, he returned to the college ranks to join the men’s basketball staff at Marshall University as an assistant coach.

Duhon is spending the bulk of his time on the university’s West Virginia campus and on the recruiting trail, so he put his Florida home up for sale in July. Listed by Andrey Bustamante, the price has been reduced from $2.25 million to $1,999,990 now.

Located in Sanford, the house is just minutes away from the southwestern shore of Lake Markham—and downtown Orlando is just 21 miles south on U.S. Interstate 4. The home has five bedrooms, five bathrooms and three half baths overall.

The Spanish/Mediterranean-style residence is large, measuring a total of 8,111 square feet on an acre of land. Some features of the property include crown molding, a radiant barrier, a medical alarm and an in-wall pest system.

When you enter the home, you’ll find a sitting room with a sky-high ceiling and a room of picture windows that offer a view of the pool. The arced hallways throughout the house are a nice touch, and the spiral staircase with ornate metalwork is very artistic.

The kitchen has two islands, so there’s plenty of workspace on the granite countertops. The walk-in pantry, modern appliances and the large refrigerator give a chef everything needed to make great meals.

The master bathroom is luxurious, with dual vanities, a spa and a walk-in shower in a large sunny space. Other rooms include a family room, a game room with a wet bar, a formal dining room, a theater, an office and a basement.

The backyard is huge and well manicured, with plenty of space to toss around a football. The in-ground pool is heated, and there’s also a safety fence to protect the kids.

Duhon played for 10 seasons in the NBA; he was a second-round pick by the Chicago Bulls in 2004. He also played for the New York Knicks, the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers. In college, Duhon guided the Duke Blue Devils to a national championship in 2001.

All-Stars: The Best Athletes’ Home of 2014

While we’ll never achieve the on-field greatness of professional athletes, we can always take a look at how they kick back when they’re off the field.

A peek at the real estate machinations of athletes gives a bit of a window onto what that player is like when they’re truly at home.

With that in mind, we took a look back at the hundreds of professional athlete homes we’ve featured over the past year. It was hard to narrow the field to only 10, but we battled through adversity and came out with our favorite pro homes of 2014. Game on!

Chris Bosh, NBA — Pacific Palisades, CA:

Speaking of folks who can dunk, Miami Heat center Chris Bosh listed this gorgeous Pacific Palisades pad in July. After deciding to stick with the Heat during a summer of wild free agency speculation, Bosh also decided to re-calibrate his real estate holdings.

The two-time NBA champ has yet to find a buyer for the SoCal spread, and had to slice the original asking price of $14.5 million down to $12.5 million in early December.

Phil Mickelson, PGA — Rancho Santa Fe, CA:

After a winless 2014 on the PGA Tour, golfer Phil Mickelson would probably like to put this year in his rear-view mirror. He’s also hoping to leave the past behind with the sale of his fabulous Rancho Santa Fe, CA, spread.

The spacious 9,100-square-foot home hit the market with a list price of $5.99 million in early November. It’s now listed as sold, making it the popular golfer’s sole major victory this year.

Dwight Howard, NBA — Longwood, FL:

One of our most popular athlete homes this year was the ostentatious Florida mansion of NBA All-Star Dwight Howard. Purchased in 2008 for $7.8 million by the then-Orlando Magic center, the 11,025-square-foot Chateau D’Usse went on the market in February for $4.9 million.

That loss-leader price point still wasn’t enough to entice a buyer to pony up for the Gothic-inspired mansion. The Houston Rockets center finally unloaded the Chateau for a huge loss when he closed on a final sale price of $3.4 million in July.

Mansion With World’s Most Famous Closet Lists for $12M

Theresa Roemer made national headlines this past summer and not for her work as an entrepreneur or as an advocate for fitness and nutrition.

It was her Texas home that grabbed everyone’s attention—specifically, her “female man-cave” closet that spans 3,000 square feet over three floors. Some people loved it, while others were astonished.

Apparently, Roemer thinks it’s time for a change, or maybe she just needs a house with a bigger closet. She’s put her The Woodands, TX, home on the market, and she’s asking for $12 million. Beth Wolff REALTORS® is the listing brokerage.

The infamous closet makes you feel as if you’re browsing through your own personal Beverly Hills boutique: There are hundreds of shelves, and the lighting is positioned to properly showcase your wardrobe and accessories.

A vanity is located on the second floor so you can do your hair and makeup as you prep, and there’s also a champagne bar for relaxation before your big night on the town. The first floor has cabinets with glass doors; this is where Roemer kept her jewelry and handbags.

Of course, the house isn’t all about the most famous closet: The house totals 17,315 square feet, and every inch is done in grand style.

It starts with the entryway, with tower water fountains outside, a commercial-grade window wall, a Swarovski Crystal chandelier and a elegant staircase. The living room has another window wall and a 20-foot high ceiling—it’s a room flooded with light in the daytime.

The family room has a fancy wet bar, so your guest can enjoy a cocktail or two. Across from the family room is a huge kitchen made for the homeowners, with two islands, high-end appliances and cushion-cut Carrera Italian marble backsplash and accent walls.

There’s actually a second kitchen, made for caterers when it’s time to party—conveniently out of plain sight but still an attractive space. There’s no shortage of storage, either, and the staff will love the appliances (including a double dishwasher and a washer and dryer).

The master suite has a sun area with a view of the grounds, while the master bathroom has a spacious Italian marble shower with dual shower heads and additional water jets. There are also his-and-her vanities and toilets with bidets, plus a stand-alone tub. The master bathroom has its own entrance to the aforementioned “most famous closet” as well.

Other rooms include a second-floor family room with full bar, a second-floor living room that overlooks a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course (part of the Club at Carlton Woods), a guest suite, a theater, a study and an extra room that can be used as a shared space or a gym.

Outside, the house has a lap-sized pool with several fountains, a kitchen with a grill and a covered veranda.

Roemer started her fortune in fitness, opening a chain of fitness facilities and venturing into fitness fashion. Her work with the American Heart Association is just part of her many philanthropic efforts.

At $195M, This Is the Most Expensive Home in America

With a price tag of $195M, the Palazzo di Amore does not skimp on luxury.

This Beverly Hills, CA, estate sits on almost 25 acres, and it features 12 bedrooms, 16 full bathrooms and a 27-car garage—all this is guaranteed to leave even Bruce Wayne awed.

In fact, the word “mansion” doesn’t quite do it justice; even the word “palace” comes up a bit short.

Guard house? Check. Opulent theater? Yup. Tennis courts, pool, spa, discotheque, bowling alley and vineyard that produces hundreds of cases of wine each year? Oh, indeed.

The home hit the market on November 6 and is currently the most expensive home in the country. The Palazzo di Amore is owned by real estate mogul Jeff Greene, who rents it for approximately $475,000 per month, according to CNN Money.

Greene purchased the home for $35 million back in 2007 and married his wife Mei Sze Chan there that same year. Fun fact: Mike Tyson served as best man, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Since he bought the house seven years ago, he’s invested in $25 million worth of upgrades, the Los Angeles Times reports.

After all, to make money in America, you have to spend money. As a Harvard Business School graduate, Greene knows this very well.

Roundup: Peek Inside Justin Bieber’s Beverly Hills Rental

TMZ recently reported that Canadian national treasure Justin Bieber is going to plunk down $59,000 a month to rent an interesting spread in the rarified air of Beverly Hills, CA.

The TMZ team also mentioned Bieber only plans to rent this glassy Bev Hills mansion for a short period of time—which is probably a relief to neighbors. The pop star’s shenanigans already have earned him the unofficial title of “Worst Neighbor Ever” in a different 90210 neighborhood and in Calabasas, CA, as well.

As for the rented house, Curbed LA has the history of the home that they’ve dubbed the “Salad Spinner”: Designed by architect Ed Niles, the home’s use of glass and steel reminds us a bit of a home he designed in Malibu, which hit the market earlier this year.

However, while the Niles-designed home in Malibu is all straight lines and severe angles, the Beverly Hills pad that Bieber’s renting is dominated by swooping curves. The aesthetics and arches of Niles’ design failed to impress the folks at LAist, who said the home resembled “a cold office building.”

While the merits of its design are up for debate, it’s a fact that Justin’s new SoCal rental originally listed for sale about a year ago with an asking price of $14.995 million. However, with no buyers lined up after months on the market, the home was offered up as a luxury rental.

Enter the Bieber.

X17 remarked that the home’s 6,500 spacious square feet will offer Bieber a “party palace” with “plenty of space for his entourage”—but the Daily Mail added a cautionary note against boisterous blowouts because, “the structure is almost completely transparent so (it) may not be the best long-term choice if he wants his antics to remain private.”

The Daily Mail also offered up some of the first photos of a newly blonde Bieber working out on the deck of his new home.

If you’d like to see more of the Bieb’s new digs, a video tour offers a glimpse behind all that glass: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05w9FtobtPg

Celebrity Real Estate: Iconic Actor Burt Reynolds Lowers Price on FL Home

Three years ago, actor Burt Reynolds put his home in Tequesta, FL, up for sale for just under $9 million. It’s still available, but its price has been slashed to $4.9 million, as listed by Douglas Rill.

The Hollywood legend also is auctioning off a huge truckload of items next week: It’s a mixture of personal items, pieces of his art collection and movie memorabilia.

The auction—along with a past history of financial troubles—spurred speculation that Reynolds might be broke. The actor has denied this, telling Entertainment Tonight that he is “simply selling some of my memorabilia that I have enjoyed for so many years but do not have use nor room for them anymore.”

Reynolds’ career spans over 50 years, but it was during the 1970s that he established himself as a superstar. His Florida home in Palm Beach County seems like a ode to those bygone days of the ’70s, with details and fixtures reflecting the period: Naturally, the massive 12,527-square-foot house was built in 1975.

Looking at the pictures, it’s easy to be distracted by the vast amount of possessions Reynolds has accumulated; presumably, much of that will be for sale in the auction.

But if you look beyond the clutter, you’ll notice mirrored walls, wallpaper and ornate metalwork: The house could be a luxurious project for the right person.

The property has five bedrooms and seven full bathrooms. All the bedrooms—including the master—measure 16 feet by 16 feet. The family room has large picture windows, sliding glass doors and arc windows to let in lots of light; the space leads to the patio, the gazebo and a pool.

Also included in the home are a theater, gym and billiards room.

The house is located on the shore of the Hobe Sound and borders the Jonathan Dickinson State Park. The property has access to a boat dock, and there’s even a helipad for those times when you need to take your helicopter for a spin.

Reynolds made his film debut in 1961 and has appeared in over 80 movies and TV shows. He is a three-time Golden Globe nominee and won a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1997 for “Boogie Nights.” Reynolds graduated from nearby Palm Beach High School and played collegiate football at Florida State University before pursuing his acting career.

Celebrity Real Estate: ‘American Idol’ Creator Simon Fuller Cuts Estate Price

Entertainment mogul and producer Simon Fuller knows how to find talent. Now he’s trying to find a buyer for his home in Beverly Hills, CA.

The man behind TV’s “American Idol”—no, not that Simon—Fuller has reduced the price of his house to $19.995 million, a 7% reduction from the initial asking price of $21 million back in April 2014. Trista Rullan is the listing agent.

Built in the Contemporary style, Fuller’s house features many art deco details: The stark color contrasts between the walls and flooring are most noticeable when you step into the house and encounter the swooping staircase.

The same bright white walls and deep dark floors are in the family room, kitchen and formal dining room—and the light fixtures follow along with the art deco theme.

The living room has the home’s only fireplace, and it’s a marble one at that. French doors open to a terrace with a fantastic view. The family room and kitchen lead into each other in a space with several more French doors that allow plenty of natural light.

The kitchen is gourmet, but it’s divided by a wall that houses the stovetop—you have to walk around it to get to your cabinets. The family room opens up to a patio.

Wine connoisseurs will toast to the wine cellar, which can store hundreds of bottle of vintage wines. And since it has its own table and benches, you can gather in the cellar for private wine tastings or use it as a meeting spot when you need a change of venue to get the creative juices flowing.

Overall, the property has five bedrooms, five bathrooms and three half baths. There’s also a theater, gym and a separate guest house.

Hailing from England, Fuller is an entertainment producer, manager and entrepreneur. He has launched the careers of many musical artists, including the Spice Girls and Kelly Clarkson. Fuller also created the popular TV show, “So You Think You Can Dance.” His latest venture is Blackwell Fuller, a management company specializing in entertainment and sports.

Celebrity Real Estate: Former NFL QB Byron Leftwich Sells South Florida Condo

Five years after he bought the place—and nearly two seasons after his last professional game—former NFL quarterback Byron Leftwich has sold his waterfront condo in Aventura, FL, for an even $1 million.

Located about 12 miles north of Miami Beach, Leftwich purchased the Peninsula I condo after he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009. Built in 2003, the unit sits on the 21st floor and has stunning views of Dumfoundling Bay to the east and Little Maule Lake to the southwest.

Listed by Billy Brown, the 2,984-square-foot condo features a flow-through floor plan, two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a half bath and a set of resort-like amenities.

Open the front door, and you find marble floors that run through the shared space of the condo, while the bedrooms feature hardwood floors providing atmospheric warmth and comfort. Plenty of natural light flows through the unit, too, thanks to the large windows.

The living room is large and ideal for entertaining, with access to a balcony that faces the water. The kitchen has modern stainless steel appliances, able countertops and a complementary backsplash. A dining room sits next to the kitchen, also with a view.

Both bedrooms have balcony access, and since the balconies face to the east and west, you can watch the sunrise as you wake up in the morning—and you can watch the sunset as you retire for the evening.

Or maybe the sunset is the signal for the fun to begin, and you don’t have to leave the building to find it: Peninsula 1 has two swimming pools to cool off during those hot summer nights, plus a full spa for relaxing after a long day. When you want to get a workout in, you can visit the two gyms or play on the tennis court.

If you have friends over, you can hang out in the trendy billiard room and shoot some stick or enjoy a barbecue in the picnic area.

Leftwich was picked seventh overall in the 2003 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played for four NFL teams, amassing 10,532 passing yards and 58 touchdown passes, while compiling a 78.9 career passer rating. Leftwich won a Super Bowl ring as the backup quarterback to Ben Roethlisberger when the Pittsburgh Steelers won Super Bowl XLIII.

Celebrity Real Estate: UCLA Football Coach Jim Mora Unloading Washington Home

When we talk about football in America, we discuss big tackles, long touchdowns and thrilling games won in overtime. Legendary coaches—like Bill Belichick, Jim Mora and Nick Saban, for example—evoke memories of great gridiron battles and a nation’s passion for football.

Those names also wind up on the move at times due to the fickle nature of the football coaching carousel.

Football scion Jim L. Mora, son of former NFL coach Jim E. Mora, took the head coaching job at UCLA in 2011 and left behind a luxurious home in the Seattle area. This Northwest home is a remnant of his unsuccessful one-season stint as the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks head coach in 2009.

The property in Yarrow Point, WA, is listed for $3.149 million. The six-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom contemporary residence is presented by REALTOR® Debbie Jaeger and has been totally overhauled since Mora originally purchased it.

Now filled with beautiful finishes and jazzy improvements, there are beautiful blonde hardwoods—sleek and satiny—that complement the home’s clean lines and sharp finishes.

The gourmet kitchen, with the requisite stainless steel appliances (side-by-side ovens with a six-burner gas range, a SubZero fridge and more) as well as custom cabinetry and an expansive island, is the heart of the home and appointed with every imaginable accoutrement.

There also is a master suite with a private deck, complete with gorgeous lake views. A theatre room, a gaming center, a wet bar and an art studio round out the special touches—not to mention seven built-in, flat-screen TVs.

On top of all of this, the property includes separate guest house with its own bath, as well as a relaxing patio and built-in BBQ station.

Jim Mora has led the Bruins to two straight bowl appearances in his first two seasons in Westwood, and he is aiming for an even bigger prize with this year’s squad, currently ranked No. 14 by the Associated Press: a Pac-12 championship.

Along with his wife, Mora also runs the Count on Me Foundation, a group that helps underprivileged children. He played collegiate football at the nearby University of Washington from 1980 to 1983 and began his coaching career there as a graduate assistant in 1984. Mora’s first head-coaching position was with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons from 2004 to 2006.

Celebrity Real Estate: MLB All-Star Plácido Polanco Sells Florida Home

Three-time MLB Gold Glove winner Plácido Polanco sold his Pinecrest, FL, house on Halloween this year, and he knocked it out of the park.

The sure-handed infielder bought the home back in 2008 with his wife Lily. Earlier this spring, the couple decided it was time to sell and listed the home for $4.85 million. The final sale price was $4.59 million, so the transaction missed its original target by the tiniest of margins.

This spectacular south Floridian playground drips with tropical goodness: It has seven bedrooms, eight full bathrooms and two half bathrooms, while sited beautifully on a lot just a tad over three-quarters of an acre.

Reminiscent of a Tuscan estate, the home—which is almost 9,000 square feet in size—feels a lot more like a resort than a home.

In addition, there are two family rooms, a full gym, a professional-grade home theatre and an expansive wine cellar.

The property also features an oversized sapphire-blue swimming pool, flanked by gorgeous and mature queen palms, as well as a fully decked-out summer kitchen tucked away under a nearby loggia. There are comfy seating areas all around the poolscape, as well as cozy outdoor fireplaces where the new owners will doubtless relax once the sun sets.

The gourmet kitchen inside features mahogany cabinetry and granite-topped counters, warm and rich with earthy colors. Tray ceilings, dramatic mahogany crown moldings and a broad range of chef’s grade appliances round out a room that is, to say the least, a home cook’s dream.

We congratulate the Polancos’ listing agent Josie Wang on a job very well done and wish the major-league couple well on their new path.

Over the course of his 16-year career, Polanco played in two All-Star games and was named MVP of the American League Championship Series in 2006 while with the Detroit Tigers. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Polanco became a naturalized U.S. citizen after taking the oath of citizenship at Comerica Park in 2008.

Celebrity Real Estate: Tom Cruise Listing 298-Acre Telluride Estate for $59M

In the southwest corner of Colorado lies the small town of Telluride: Indescribably beautiful and home to one of the premier ski resorts in the world, the town is also the sometime home of one of the world’s biggest movie stars.

A couple of decades ago, A-list actor Tom Cruise began amassing land in the former mining town, and by 1994, he’d completed construction on a four-bedroom, six-bathroom house on his mountain property. In doing so, he created one of the most stunning Rockies retreats in existence.

Sited on 298 acres of glorious purple mountain majesty, the home—which was designed by renowned architects James Hardy and Larry Yaw—and all its accoutrements, bells, whistles and loveliness can be had for $59 million.

As estates go, this one is mightily impressive—and for perspective, it’s roughly the same size as the European sovereign city-state of Monaco.

There are extraordinary views of the Colorado Rockies and its vast aspen, spruce and pine forests. The property has an intricate network of private trails along which one might gather one’s thoughts and reflect on the mysteries of life—or simply take a nice stroll.

There’s a guest house—why shouldn’t guests feel like they’re on vacation here?—that’s 1,600 square feet all on its own, and this smaller space still has three bedrooms and three full bathrooms.

Inside the main home, warmly appointed bleached cedar timbers, classic dovetail joinery and native Coloradan stone just exude mountain charm. For a place that’s as prodigious as this, it’s downright cozy.

In addition to the sweeping mountain splendor all around, the home has a top-of-the-line chef’s kitchen, a fully tricked-out gym, a rec room, a library, an office suite, multiple porches and patios from which one can sit and gaze out at the nearby 14,000-foot peaks and no end to relaxing, evergreen-tinged goodness.

With all the effort that went into it—this place is clearly a labor of love—why is the famous Hollywood star selling?

REALTOR® Bill Fandel of Telluride Sotheby’s International Realty says that it’s because, given his acting schedule, Cruise simply hasn’t been able to spend as much time at the home as he’d like: the three-time Academy Award nominee wants it to be in the hands of someone who will really enjoy it.

While Fandel is deftly handling the sale of his home, Tom Cruise is in Europe filming “Mission: Impossible 5″ and, as announced this fall, he will be returning to the screen as Maverick in the Jerry Bruckheimer-produced “Top Gun 2″ someday soon.

Celebrity Real Estate: Hall of Fame Golfer Nick Faldo Buys and Sells in Florida

Lifetime golf professional Nick Faldo is a busy guy.

Since he stopped playing full-time on the PGA Tour in the mid-2000s for a second career in television broadcasting, Faldo has kept himself occupied designing over 50 golf courses around the world.

He’s also been active in Florida real estate: This month, he sold one home in Winter Park, FL, and bought another just down the street. Both houses are in the Chain of Lakes neighborhood, not far from Orlando and its delights.

The home he sold was a four-bedroom, four-bathroom brick affair, which closed for $2.55 million.

Sited on a canal front, the home has a private boat house, lush tropical landscaping, a koi pond and a fountain—as well as a three-car garage and a motor court.

There are cathedral-height ceilings, rich wood floors, raised galleries, coffered ceilings, and lavish wood built-ins.

The kitchen, sitting in stylistic juxtaposition to the rest of the house, is sleek and European in its feel, boasting every imaginable culinary accoutrement.

Faldo loaded up the moving trucks and headed down the street to this Floridian delight, which he bought from NASCAR Foundation VP Jennifer France Bates. The sale price? A cool $3.5 million.

The new Faldo residence is slightly bigger and slightly newer than the old digs: It’s got five bedrooms and nine bathrooms. Mediterranean in style with a Spanish tile roof and gorgeous tropical flora, this house is situated on 125 feet of lake frontage on Lake Maitland.

There are magnificent lake views, which can be enjoyed from the Cypress tree-lined lanai. And don’t forget the private boathouse and four garages.

Things seem to be working out quite well for Sir Nick Faldo, who has 47 professional tournaments wins to his credit—including three Masters championships and three British Open titles. He was inducted into the Golf Hall of Fame in 1997. Faldo has been a broadcaster for ABC, CBS and the Golf Channel over the last 20 years.

Others for whom things are working out well include Mick Night, who represented the sellers in both these transactions.

Celebrity Real Estate: Dolphins’ Brent Grimes Drops Price on Chic Georgia Home

Big, bold and filled with all things on a grand scale, professional athletes’ homes are the stuff of which dreams are made. Miami Dolphins cornerback Brent Grimes’ Atlanta-area house is no exception.

Sited on a half-acre lot on a lovely course, this five-bedroom, six-bathroom house in Duluth, GA, is decidedly swanky. At just about 7,800 square feet, it has enough space to house and entertain the entire roster of an NFL team.

And with its recent price reduction—it was just lowered by $145,000 to $1.25 million—the property is within reach for aspiring ballers.

Filled with gleaming hardwood floors and crowned with intricate architectural details, this house oozes elegance. There are cathedral ceilings, tray ceilings, dramatic crown moldings, catwalks, bead board, wainscoting and more—seemingly no detail has been overlooked or expense spared.

The newly remodeled kitchen is open, airy and jam-packed with stainless Viking appliances: restaurant-grade range hood, side-by-side fridge/freezer and six-burner gas range.

There’s a spacious center island perfect for dishing up party platters or for gathering the team for a cozy breakfast, with an expansive fireplace to make those breakfasts even cozier.

The master suite—cleverly and conveniently located on the main level of the house—has plenty of space to get ready, with his and hers closets, a morning bar and a spa bath.

Out back, beneath a spacious covered porch, there’s an expansive patio overlooking the home’s Pebble-tech pool and spa, as well as wide-open views of the golf course beyond.

If you know anyone who’s game, give listing agent Tracy Haskins a ring; she’ll do all she can to help you score with this property.

Brent Grimes, who roamed the defensive backfield for the Atlanta Falcons from 2006-2012, moved down to the Miami Dolphins in 2013 and is ready to bid adieu to this Georgia home. He is a two-time Pro Bowl performer (2010, 2013).

Celebrity Real Estate: Designer Alexander Julian Offers 30-Acre CT Estate

There are houses, and then there are houses.

This one falls solidly into the latter category.

Set on 30 densely wooded acres in Ridgefield, CT, the Alexander Julian Estate—named for the American clothing designer who owns the property—is a masterpiece of architecture in which no detail was overlooked.

Best known for his signature Colours label and his original design of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets uniforms in 1988, the designer’s home is now listed for $8.5 million.

The hipped-roof Craftsman style home was inspired by the works of Frank Lloyd Wright and designed in 1992 by renowned architect John Marsh Davis.

Just an hour’s drive from Manhattan, the home—with its 10 bedrooms, seven full bathrooms and two half baths—is nothing short of extraordinary.

Filled with sumptuous wood finishes—a solid mahogany front door, mahogany balusters on the staircases and 11-foot mahogany French doors that flank the 42-foot by 13-foot dining room—the house is simply grand.

The living room has a six-foot Rumford fireplace—a tall and shallow fireplace that reflects more heat and warms rooms more efficiently—surrounded by massive mahogany moldings, along with floor-to-ceiling mahogany bookcases.

This is, clearly, the anchor of this stately mansion.

The kitchen, with its glass-front cabinets designed an extra 6 inches deep to accommodate the countertops and sinks, is outfitted with twin 36-inch Viking ranges and a SubZero freezer, as well as black Vermont slate countertops. There’s a dramatic plate rack that spans the length of the room and offers a homey feel quite unexpected in such an elegant home.

The master bedroom has a pine-paneled ceiling with mahogany beams, a separate dressing room and an en-suite bath with a luxurious steam shower and a charming claw-foot bathtub.

The grounds are rounded out with a 3,000-square-foot guesthouse, two ponds (stocked for fishing pleasure), a pool, tennis courts and a greenhouse.

Truly special, the home is presented by REALTOR® David B. Everson of William Raveis Real Estate.

In addition to his work for the original Charlotte NBA franchise, Alexander Julian also did uniform design work for the men’s basketball team at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill back in the early 1990s.

Furthermore, Julian was the costume designer for the 1992 Robert Altman film, “The Player,” and he won five Coty Awards before the honor was discontinued in the mid-1980s.