Celebrities make investments in real estate. Millions of dollars go into buying the property, renovations, etc. The main goal is to turn a profit if at anytime the superstar decides to sell the property. Sometimes they can, sometimes they can not. Either way, money afforded them the opportunity to live in ultimate luxury. In 2015, several celebrities wanted to sell their mansions for various reasons. Places like California, New York City, and even St. Tropez saw celebrities part ways with their home. Of course, vying for the highest dollar. Here are a few famous celebrity homes up for sale in 2015: “Johnny Depp’s French Village Sold for $25 Million” Hitting actors’ gold with his Pirates of the Caribbean films franchise, in 2001 Depp bought an entire French village 17 miles north of St. Tropez. The original 12 structures were built in the 1800s and cover 37 acres near the village of Plan-de-La-Tour. Depp spent millions renovating the buildings over a period of 15 years during his 14-year relationship with French actress and singer, Vanessa Paradis, and their two children. The couple called it quits in 2012 and Depp put the compound on the market closing the door on that part of his life after his marriage to Amber Heard. Unlike most wealthy celebrities who bring in decorators and architects, Depp decorated each building himself. With approximately 10,760 square feet of living space, the property has 12 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms, a main house, several guest cottages, a chapel, bar and restaurant, a workshop/garage and a staff house. There is a pirate-themed wine cellar, a skate park enjoyed by his children and two swimming pools. Also conveyed to the buyer were the contents including books, DVDs, furniture and some works of art. Johnny Depp’s private ancient stone village in the South of France, restored and updated over 15 years. Listed for sale priced at $25.76 million and sold for $25 million. “Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch” Michael Jackson’s Neverland will never be forgotten by his fans, but for a new owner the compound has been stripped of most of the King of Pop’s toys. Before the estate was placed on the market in 2015 asking $100 million, most of the signs of Michael’s life, menagerie of animals and carnival rides were removed. It was renamed Sycamore Valley Ranch and restyled back to the home built and designed in 1982 by Robert Altevers for William Bone. The main house at 12,000 square feet has rooms of large scale containing formal rooms, fireplaces, a comfortable but commercially functioning eat-in kitchen, hardwood floors from an 18th century French villa, six bedrooms including a master suite complex on two levels with fireplace in sitting room, two large baths and cedar walk-in closets, one with a hidden safe room. There is a four-bedroom guesthouse, a two-bedroom guesthouse, a free-form swimming pool, large covered barbecue area, basketball court, tennis court, 50-seat movie theater with private balcony and stage, and a four-acre lake with waterfall. Long distance views include meadows and mountains. Michael’s flowerbed clock is still at the walkway entrance. There are numerous structures on the property including several barns, animal shelter facilities, corrals and a maintenance shop. “Miley Cyrus’s Tuscan Mansion Sold” It wasn’t until the onset of filming “Hannah Montana” in 2007 that the Cyrus family moved from their 500-acre Tennessee farm to a new home in Toluca Lake, California – an easy commute to the Disney studios for Billy and Miley. The home was where Miley spent most of her teen years and after the series was over, the family moved back to Tennessee and the home was placed in a trust for her. In 2015, she put it on the market for $5.995 million. Tuscan style, gated and tucked privately away inside walls and thick tropical vegetation, the home is accessed by a long-bricked drive bordered by trees and thick hedging opening onto a brick motor court. Designed and built in 2007 by architect Bob Easton, its appearance with patches of vine-covered walls, red-barrel tile roof and Old World ambiance belies its youth. At 8,700 square feet on just under an acre, it houses six bedrooms, seven baths, grand entry foyer with curved staircase accented with wrought iron and formal rooms that open to views of the pool and lush landscaping. There is a large chef’s kitchen with ogee-edged granite countertops, family room, home theatre and Billy’s former guitar display room. Built on two levels, the master suite has a rooftop terrace with fireplace and large walk-in dressing rooms. Both inside and outside are multiple venues with fireplaces for lounging and entertaining both covered and open air. A state-of-the-art security system and cameras protect all areas of the property. The listing agent is happy to report that the home was sold at the full $5.995 million asking price. “President Obama’s Vacation Home” President Obama likes to take some family time with his children at the end of the summer before they start school in the fall. It’s always a mini vacation not far from Washington, D.C., but having grown up with the love of the ocean pulsing through his veins, one can be sure it will be somewhere near a beach. A favorite family destination has been Martha’s Vineyard. One of the prettiest vacation spots for the Obama family was this lovely private compound on Chilmark Pond, with views over the pond and crashing waves on the beach just a short row boat ride away. Originally built in 1961, the house had a complete redesign in 2006 by Seattle architect Rick Sundberg and landscape architect Steve Stimson. Emerging from the rebuild as a sophisticated, light-filled residence taking full advantage of the view in its reconfiguration, the home on almost ten acres is contemporary design similar to the Obama winter vacation rentals in Hawaii. A special perk for the president is the half basketball court and home gym. There is a heated infinity pool and a private boat dock on the pond as well as three beachfront lots for enjoying sand and sea. The 6,967-square-foot main house sits 120 feet above sea level and features six bedrooms and seven baths including a private master suite with its own den. The open floor plan includes pool, pond and ocean views from the chef’s kitchen, living room and dining room. There are three fireplaces, custom millwork, marble baths and floor-to-ceiling windows. Also on the property is a two bedroom guest house. Originally listed at $22.5 million, the property has been reduced to $19.125 million. “Tyler Perry’s Atlanta Home” Tyler Perry, creator of the character Madea and his successful TV series “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne,” is the first filmmaker in history to have five films open at #1 in five years beating the records of Steven Spielberg, James Cameron and Quentin Tarantino. His thirteen most popular films have grossed over $600 million at the box office but cost less than $10 million to make. By being independent with his own studio and filling the major roles himself, Tyler has been able to rake in a larger share of the profits. During the years of his growing success, Tyler understood the value of real estate and has bought and sold real estate across the country. Currently focusing on the Atlanta area where he lives and found most of his success, Tyler has acquired over 1,000 acres where he plans to build his new home. He put his current Atlanta mansion on the market in 2015 asking $25 million. The French provincial mansion is perched atop 17 acres with views over the Chattahoochee River in the upscale Buckhead neighborhood. Palatial in every conceivable aspect, the 34,688-square-foot home has seven bedrooms and fourteen baths, stately formal rooms, a two-story library, infinity-edge swimming pool, lighted tennis court on top of a two-story parking garage, fully equipped gym, spa, theater, hobby house and an underground ballroom with catering kitchen. There are both formal and informal gardens, an entire estate generator, guard house, caretaker’s suite and presidential-level security system including two gated and secured residential entrances. Perry’s impeccable Atlanta estate is still listed at the original price of $25 million. Visit TopTenRealEstateDeals.com for a tour of the remaining 2015 Top 10 Celebrity Homes.
