A pocket listing is a real estate industry term for a property that a broker has been given the exclusive right to sell by virtue of a signed listing agreement. However, the property isn’t listed on a multiple listing service (MLS). Why would a real estate agent want to sell a home without listing and promoting it on the MLS? Is this practice even legal?

In this article, we’re going to dive a little deeper to discover why some real estate professionals pursue pocket listings. We’ll explore their positive and negative effects on local markets and the industry as a whole, and what the National Association of Realtors (NAR) has to say about pocket listings.

Are Pocket Listings Legal?

Yes, at the time of this writing, pocket listings are legal in all 50 states. No existing laws prohibit a real estate agent from representing a contracted seller while withholding that listing from the MLS.

However, through a controversial vote held at their annual conference in November 2019, NAR’s leadership effectively eliminated the practice of pocket listings starting in May 2020. Their decision requires NAR members to post listings to their local MLS within one business day of signing any listing agreement.

Did NAR make the right move by effectively banning pocket listings? We’ve got our opinion on it, but before you make up your mind, let’s dig a little deeper into the effect pocket listings have on local markets and the industry as a whole.

How a Pocket Listing Can Be a Good Thing

First, let’s talk about the benefits of a pocket listing. For real estate agents, having a listing in your “hip pocket” means you have exclusive control over it. Since our first duty as real estate agents is to protect our clients’ best interests, having the option to keep a contracted property off the MLS is a good thing. Here’s why.

A real estate agent can limit the property’s exposure exclusively to qualified buyers with a pocket listing. For this reason, pocket listings are most prevalent in higher-end markets. According to Los Angeles-based The Real Deal, upward of 22% of the deals closed in the second quarter of 2019 were pocket listings.

Christopher Dyson, director of the Estates Division and a broker with The Agency in Los Angeles, confirmed this for us. “When you get to $10 million properties and above, pockets are probably about 20 to 25% of those listings.”

Discretion is another reason real estate agents choose to pursue pocket listings. A client may not want their property publicly listed for sale for privacy or security concerns. In many markets like Los Angeles, the listing itself can turn into a media spectacle, especially if the seller is a celebrity, government official, or high-net-worth individual.

What Pocket Listing Critics Are Saying

Many critics of pocket listings claim that we’re not giving our clients the best shot at getting the highest and best offer when we opt out of the MLS, which offers exposure to the broader market and the full range of potential buyers.

However, before giving your client’s property full market exposure on the MLS, both you and your seller may decide first to test the waters at a particular price point. It’s a calculated strategy designed to secure the highest and best outcome for your client.

While the best price and the client’s best interest are often the same, the NAR Code of Ethics doesn’t specifically say that a Realtor’s obligation is to the highest price. Rather, it says that our obligation is to the best interest of our client. More on that later.

If your client clearly understands the potential impact on an offer price by keeping their offer of sale private and still chooses to withhold their listing from the MLS, one could easily argue that you, as their agent, have fulfilled your fiduciary responsibility.

Why Pocket Listings Are a Bad Thing

NAR’s rationale for blacklisting pocket listings was that some of the Realtors who used this practice were doing so in pursuit of their own best interests and not those of their clients—or at least that was the perception.

By restricting the field of potential buyers, an unscrupulous listing agent may simply be boosting their chances of closing a double-sided deal. Well-connected listing agents with extensive ties to potential buyers might find pocket listings a relatively easy way to double their income. Obviously, this practice isn’t kosher if the Realtor’s primary motivation isn’t their client’s best interest.

Pocket listings can also negatively affect local markets since they’re often not reported to the MLS once they close, meaning they’re not included in data used by area real estate agents when conducting CMAs and area appraisers conducting area appraisals.

It can be argued that pocket listings limit reporting accuracy, thereby limiting our understanding of our market. Without a clear and comprehensive view of all sales transactions in our market, we collectively have a harder time serving our clients.

Additionally, if the sale of a pocket listing is reported to the MLS, the listing real estate agent has no duty to disclose the “list price” of the home—only the sold price. Again, unscrupulous agents can report that the home sold for 100% of the asking price.

This subtle manipulation might seem trivial to some. But skilled buyers’ agents often use a neighborhood’s list-to-sale ratio as a factor in deciding on a fair offer price, exacerbating the potential damage of incomplete reporting.

Finally, pocket listings can be a tool of disenfranchisement for minority communities who are often less connected to agents who hold pocket listings. Qualified buyers in minority communities or groups may have fewer opportunities to make purchases of pocket-listed properties.

If Pocket Listings Have Been Banned, Are They Still Happening?

The short answer is yes. But in practice, pocket listings look and feel a little bit different than they did before NAR’s landmark decision in 2019.

Savvy listing agents have taken to listing such properties on Friday mornings. In doing so, they relieve themselves of having to file with their MLS until the end of the business day on the following Monday. Many agents have taken to calling this period the “coming soon” window.

While this seems like a short window, a lot can happen in a weekend! Open houses, phone calls, emails, texts—outreach to the pocket listing agent’s buyer sphere. Choosing a holiday weekend gives the agent an additional 24 hours to market the home for sale without exposing it to the MLS.

Whisper Listings vs Pocket Listings

The practice of “whisper listings” is starting to become more commonplace, especially in high-end markets. The major difference between a whisper listing and a pocket listing is exclusivity.

A whisper listing isn’t technically a listing at all. It’s more of a relationship or even a conversation between an agent and a property owner that goes something like this: “If you know someone interested in buying a home like mine, I might entertain an offer, but I’m not putting my home on the market.”

Sellers who have this type of understanding with an agent have no obligation to remain exclusive. Nor do they have any obligation to abstain from reaching out to an interested buyer themselves, and arranging a for-sale-by-owner agreement. They’re free to date other people, so to speak.

Whisper listing arrangements are built on trust, and while they may work for some real estate professionals, they are inherently risky. For obvious reasons, they’re unlikely to become a major trend.

What’s the Best Way to Manage a Pocket Listing?

If you’ve determined that a pocket listing is the best option for your seller—at least in the limited form now stipulated by the NAR—there are a couple of things you should do.

Open & Transparent Communication

First, you need to have a clear and explicit conversation with your seller about the decision to hold their property off the MLS for as long as is allowable. Talk through the benefits, the potential harms, and everything in between.

We’d suggest drafting an addendum to the listing agreement with an “MLS live date” specified, as well as a disclosure of the seller’s understanding of the circumstance. This document will be very valuable to you should someone from your local association question your decision. You’ll have a paper trail that clearly lays out your intent.

Lay the Groundwork for a Pocket Listing

Second, before you sign a listing agreement, make sure you’ve done everything you can to prepare for the listing to go live so that the “pocket period” can be spent doing outreach and buyer generation, not taking listing photos. Ideally, this period should be between Friday morning and Monday afternoon.

Choose the Best Tools

Finally, make sure you’ve got a strategy in place to reach out to the right people at the right time. Having prewritten, templated communication is a good practice and sets you up for success with pocket listings.

A good real estate CRM gives you these tools. If you’re a solo agent, LionDesk is a fantastic option. They’ve got a great starting price point, they offer a ton of automated email and text message communication options, and they have a 30-day free trial you can use to check out the platform to see if it’s for you. We’ve done a full review of LionDesk to help you evaluate it.

Whether you’re running a team or a brokerage, Realvolve is a great platform that offers lots of customization options, including lead routing, custom lead drips depending on the agent and lead source, and more. We’ve explored these in our review of Realvolve to help you learn more, or check out our guide to the Best Real Estate CRMs of 2021.

NAR’s Official Stance on the Pocket Listing

You’d think that NAR’s position on pocket listings would be crystal-clear considering their leadership decision to effectively eliminate the practice. However, in the eyes of many of their members, that isn’t the case. Here’s why.

Article One of the NAR Code of Ethics says explicitly that “When representing a buyer, seller, landlord, tenant, or other client as an agent, REALTORS pledge themselves to protect and promote the interests of their clients.” We’ve already shared some pretty clear examples of scenarios where a pocket listing best serves the client’s interests.

Article Three of the Code goes deeper on this. It states that a Realtor must cooperate with other brokers except in situations where cooperation isn’t in their client’s best interest.

In Standards of Practice 3 through 10, the Code further elaborates on the duties laid out in Article Three, indicating that any cooperation and sharing of listing information with other brokers is obligatory only when “it is in the best interests of the sellers/landlords.”

By banning pocket listings, NAR effectively says that any potential benefit to property sellers is negligible compared to an agent’s obligation to cooperate with other Realtors in the professional community. But the NAR Code of Ethics seems to say otherwise. It gives priority to the seller’s best interests over any question of Realtor cooperation or sharing of listing information.

The Close Take on the Pocket Listing

We try hard to maintain an objective stance on things happening in the real estate industry, but occasionally, we weigh in with an editorial position. This is one of those times. NAR shouldn’t have banned pocket listings. While they can create situations where the client’s best interests aren’t being served, they are a tool that a real estate agent should have in their toolkit.

Are there problems with pocket listings? Absolutely. NAR’s policies force some of the more nefarious tactics and strategies to go underground and become unregulated.

Reporting

The lack of data reporting and the potential harm pocket listings have on minority communities are serious issues. But, the banning of this practice isn’t the solution to these problems, especially since the resulting rise in whisper listings actually magnifies these issues in those communities.

If we were making the rules, pocket listings would be allowed, but they would require significant documentation throughout their lifespan. They’d also be subject to as much review as a standard public listing.

Accountability

We’ll concede that the issue of accountability—the common complaint about pocket listings—is legitimate. They seem to happen in the shadows. However, real estate is a unique industry that involves nearly a dozen people in every two-sided transaction. Each one acts as an advocate for their side of the transaction and as a fail-safe against errors and impropriety.

Each transaction brings together a buyer, seller, at least two agents and brokers, mortgage company, appraiser, and title company—not to mention the leadership on local MLS boards and other governing bodies. As such, there are a lot of parties that monitor legitimate transactions.

By solving the accountability and transparency issues, the pocket listing as a practice could be made safe, less ethically risky, and a legitimate option for property owners.

So, do we agree that pocket listings are a good thing? Not necessarily. But should they be banned from happening? No.

Your Turn

We want to hear about your experience with pocket listings. Do you think they should have been banned? Have you had pocket listings before? Tell us in the comments below.

The post What Is a Pocket Listing? (& Are They Legal?) appeared first on The Close.

So turn your ringer off, tell your broker you’re taking a mini staycation, and get ready to gawk at some of the wildest real estate listings to ever go on the market—oh, and bad puns. There are lots and lots of bad puns in this article, too. We had an insanely long list to work from, but we managed to pare it down to just 15 very weird and very wonderful listings.

1. Dick Clark’s Flintstone’s-inspired House in Malibu

Location: Malibu, California
Asking price: $1,777,777
Did it sell?: YES!

More wonderful than weird, radio legend Dick Clark’s Flintstone’s-inspired house in Malibu was a no-brainer for our list. Believe it or not, it wasn’t actually built to look like Fred and Wilma’s beachfront vacation villa. In reality, the architect was tasked with appeasing the local home owner association (HOA), which didn’t want anything “crazy” built on the site. The design he came up with is intended to look like a natural rock formation. They accepted his design, and the rest is history.

2. At Least You’ll Never Forget Your Swim Trunks

Location: Margate, New Jersey
Asking price: $138 per night on Airbnb
Did it sell?: It’s still for rent!

At first glance, this place doesn’t really look that weird at all. Sure, that shade of red is a little strange, it’s super-narrow, the ceiling curves in a weird way, and those dueling doors and staircases don’t really make sense … but overall, kind of, well, normal.

OK, let’s step outside and see why this seemingly normal listing deserves its spot on our list of the weirdest listings of all time:

Yes, you can rent this elephant house in scenic Margate, New Jersey, for your next vacation. Like many New Yorkers, we love to get out to the Jersey Shore ivory now and then. Just avoid the summer months, if possible. There’s usually a stampede of tourists on the boardwalk.

3. I Dunno, This Listing Is Kind of Growing on Me…

Location: Pittsford, New York
Asking price: $5,500 per month
Did it sell?: Not yet! It’s currently still on the market.

OK, no more bad jokes. The listing agent here is a really fun guy, and deserves all the morel support we can offer. If you’re an out-of-state agent, just make sure to look up your state’s license portobello-ty laws if you want to bring their buyers over for a showing. Potential investors should know that the cap rate on this listing will continue to grow even if the local market isn’t all that sunny.

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4. If Sci-Fi Was Real Life

Location: Joshua Tree, California
Asking price: Unavailable
Did it sell?: Not yet! It’s currently off the market.

There’s just something about the desert in California that leads people to have visions of beautiful and strange things. In the spiritual enclave of Joshua Tree, one architect had visions of this actually beautiful shipping container home. Construction is currently on pause due to COVID, but we can’t wait to see this beauty in person.

5. Boldly Go Where No Realtor Has Gone Before…

Location: Boca Raton, Florida
Asking price: $199,900 per month
Did it sell?: It’s still for rent!

Realtors log: I’ve arrived at this very normal listing after battling my way through a crowded early bird special. I had the Grand Slam Breakfast, a highly caloric meal the inhabitants of this strange planet seem to rely on for sustenance.

From the exterior, this home is idyllic. Surrounded by swaying palm trees, this Spanish-style mansion has grounds that can only be described as a tropical paradise.

I am now stepping inside …

The entryway is opulent and stylish. I am still uncertain why I was put on this mission. This home seems rather normal for a Florida mansion.

I am now heading deeper into the home to investigate further …

There appears to be another bar area here. I have been invited by the listing agent to have a Mai Tai, an intoxicating drink made from local fruits.

This command center is highly unusual. Wait, the screen is not showing vital ship information. It appears to be showing a film by someone called “Adam Sandler.” Heading back to the bar for another Mai Tai before investigating further. Realtor over and out.

6. This Listing Is Ready to Take Off

Location: Eskridge, Kansas
Asking price: $1,599,475
Did it sell?: Not yet, you can submit an offer here.

Here’s another very normal listing that launched this year and then rocketed to the top of Realtor.com in a matter of days. Strange for such a normal-looking house though, right? I mean, that castle turret is a little weird, but other than that this is just a cozy cabin on a huge rural property. Not exactly something that would start a bidding war …

Let’s check out the basement. The entrance seems a little weird. Maybe the owners just like security? Can’t be too careful these days, I guess.

Let’s head inside. I’m sure this house is very normal and someone sent it to us by accident. Wait, why is this hallway so long … and so round?

Let’s see where it ends …

Welp, it’s a decommissioned Atlas E nuclear missile base. The current owner spared no expense transforming the base into a sprawling, six-bedroom underground home on 32 acres of prime Kansas prairie land. If you have clients looking for a place to wait out a zombie apocalypse, then congratulations, you just found them the perfect listing!

It’s actually pretty cozy:

7. This One’s for the Dogs

Location: Cottonwood, Idaho
Asking price: $132 per night on Airbnb
Did it sell?: It’s still for rent!

So here’s another very normal rental on Airbnb. Yup. Very, very normal. A little boring even. Why are we even bothering to include this very boring listing here?

Well, let’s take a step outside…

This rental in Cottonwood, Idaho, is very real, and yes, the entire home is actually an enormous dog. Still very cozy, but watch out for the changes in weather in Idaho—the wind can be a little ruff.

8. The Clocktower Apartment in Brooklyn

Location: DUMBO, Brooklyn
Asking price: $15,000,000
Did it sell?: Yes!

Straddling the line between supervillain and superhero lair, the DUMBO clocktower apartment was the talk of the town when it was first listed by Corcoran a few years ago. Brooklynites have gazed on that clocktower for many years wondering what was inside, and after a high-end renovation, we finally got our answer.

9. Your Buyer Will Need an Ironclad Contract to ‘Lock In’ a Great Deal for This Listing

Location: Fayette, Missouri
Asking price: $340,200 on Realtor.com
Did it sell?: Off market

There’s a lot to love about this sturdy and stately brick home in Fayette, Missouri. It has a beautiful yard with old-growth trees, 2,500 square feet of living space, and lots of Instagramable, turn-of-the-century details like this stunning antique door hardware:

Just make sure your buyers are on their best behavior when you show because the basement has a secret …

Built in 1875, this brick beauty was the former home of the local sheriff. For extra security, the city actually built the local jail in the basement of the home.

10. The Bubble Palace

Location: Theoule-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, 06590 France
Asking price: Price on request, Christies
Did it sell?: On the market

Sorry, we don’t have any cheesy puns for this jaw-dropping waterfront French estate. Estates in this region are highly sought after, so we know the local market is not in a housing bubb—never mind. Just look at this place:

It even has a 500-seat outdoor auditorium overlooking the ocean and the Bay of Cannes.

11. This Listing Is Still in Ship-shape

Location: Mercer Island, Washington
Asking price: $1,758,100
Did it sell?: Off the market

A veritable ocean of shiny wood paneling will greet your buyer as soon as they enter this listing on tony Mercer Island in Washington. A very normal, if a bit expensive home for Washington.

Well, not quite. It’s only when you step outside into the manicured waterfront property that the true weirdness begins …

Yes, that’s right, this home was built out of the stern of the USS Manzanita, a turn-of-the-century Coast Guard ship.

Here she is in her former sea-worthy glory:

12. What’s the Skinny on This London Listing?

Location: Shepherds Bush, London
Asking price: £950,000
Did it sell?: On the market

This sliver of real estate heaven is located in Shepherds Bush in London, which explains the cool £950,000 asking price. It’s also sandwiched between a doctor’s office and a hair salon, so you’ll look great and feel healthy when you pare down your furniture to fit into this skinny space. This six-foot-wide home actually has over 1,000 square feet of living space and a lovely garden out back.

13. A Work of Art You Can Live in … for $45,000,000

Location: Sutton Place, Manhattan
Asking price: $45,000,000
Did it sell?: Not yet, it’s currently on the market.

If you ever wanted to indulge your Andy Warhol fantasies and have a spare $45,000,000 lying around, then this Manhattan penthouse is for you. Kidding aside, this is a truly stunning space located in a landmarked Manhattan building designed by the famed architect for the 1% Rosario Candela.

14. The ‘One’ Most Expensive House EVER

Location: Bel Air, Los Angeles
Asking price: N/A
Did it sell?: Not yet, it’s currently off the market.

First listed for an eye-watering $500 million, this Bel Air mansion is a case study in impossible-sounding numbers: 100,000 square feet of living space, a 6,000-square-foot master bedroom, a 50-car garage …

Dubbed ‘The One,” this Bel Air mega-mansion has yet to find a buyer, but hopefully will soon.

15. The SCUBA House

Location: Lake Quivira, Kansas
Asking price: $5,750,000
Did it sell?: Not yet, it’s currently on the market.

Who knew Kansas was filled with so many weird houses and wonderful real estate listings? We sure didn’t. Of course, after the missile silo house, we stumbled across this palatial estate with a highly unusual feature that easily made our list.

The home boasts 17,000+ square feet of living space but also includes self-contained SCUBA diving tunnels, complete with fossils for intrepid divers to discover after taking a dip on a hot day.

The post 15 of the Weirdest & Most Wonderful Real Estate Listings of All Time appeared first on The Close.

1. The ‘Number Two’ Hallway

“So, I’m thinking instead of making your hot tub smaller or getting rid of the double sink, that we just put the toilet into this long skinny hallway here.”

“Are you really an architect?”

“No, I work at Arby’s, but my cousin always said I was good with drawing.”

2. ‘♫♬🎜 Come With Me & You’ll Be in a World of Pure Imagination …’

“OK, I’m thrilled you chose me as your listing agent. You won’t be disappointed with our marketing services. Now, I’m thinking we start with some virtual stag- …”

“My nephew Francis is good with the computer.”

“Right, OK, but we have a talented virtual staging company we work with who make some real- …”

“My nephew Francis is gonna do it. Don’t make me change my mind. Now, for pictures, my cousin Jenni has a real good camera.”

3. I Treat My Chickens Like Family & Vice Versa

“You know that show ‘Fixer Upper’ with that nice lady, Joanna [Gaines]?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Well, she said country chic is in this year.”

“Say no more. I’ve got a shed full of chicken wire.”

4. The Long Cow Is Watching You Cook

I mean, we get the cow theme and all. It’s as classic an animal kitchen motif as roosters are, but I mean … I think the idea is to use multiple cows in your kitchen, not a mythical long cow. Otherwise, you end up here in our bad listing photos article.

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5. They Spared No Expense …

Kind of hard to say what’s off about this listing picture―the red carpet with the red velvet saggy chair, or that strange-looking beige armchair. Maybe it’s the TV placement? That mantel also looks a little dated, or maybe IT’S THE GIANT FREAKING T. REX SKELETON WEARING A BRIDAL VEIL NEXT TO THE DOG (?!?!?) SKELETON IN THE LIVING ROOM. Could be the angle here too. I mean, taking this shot head-on would probably make a nicer overall picture.

6. ‘Honey, Should We Hire a Realtor? Nahhhh, We Got This’

Example number 7,861 that proves FSBOs are a goldmine for agents who aren’t afraid to pick up the phone and call them.

If you’re still not convinced, spend a few minutes scrolling through a FSBO site and you’ll learn just how horrible 99% of FSBO marketing is. When you get back, our best FSBO scripts article will be waiting for you.

7. Do You Remember 1990s Video Games? Do You Want to Live in One?

Well, here’s your chance. This uber-bad virtual staging made us say “what the hell” out loud in a crowded coffee shop. Did I mention this was done for a multimillion-dollar townhouse in Manhattan? A listing where the commission was well into the six figures?!

The agent shall remain nameless, of course. For now, we can all bask in the sheer awfulness of this virtual staging train wreck.

8. ‘♫♬🎜Strike a Pose, There’s Nothing to It’

This one is actually kind of fun in that “design is my passion” kind of way, but just imagine being in this place AT NIGHT.

9. YOU SHALL NOT PASS!

Unless you have a milk bone … or any treat, really. OK, OK, I’ll let you pass if you give me a quick head scratch.

10. Waterworld 2.0

Remember “Waterworld”? Kevin Costner fighting pirates or something in a post-apocalyptic world where everyone lives on floating, man-made islands in the ocean? This is like the bathroom fixture equivalent of that movie.

The weird part is that if you know anything about plumbing, then you know this would take an absolute eternity and a small fortune to install. The obvious question―and we have that monastery web page open in another tab just in case―is why?

11. ‘Why Yes, I Do Like Cats … How Could You Tell?’

In my daydreams, that jukebox only has one song on it and it’s “Eye of the Tiger“—and the owner plays it on a constant loop all day long.

12. Thomas Is Watching … Thomas Is Always Watching

This show was on well after my childhood ended, but isn’t there something just kind of creepy about Thomas the Tank Engine?

No? Did you see the one where they sealed a bad train-person into a tunnel with a brick wall “The Cask of Amontillado” style?

13. ‘Hear Ye, Hear Ye! The Yellow Emperor Is Selling the Yellow Palace!’

Sometimes, yellow gets a bad rap. Even though it’s a bright, happy color, it’s hard to see it in a listing photo and not think of all the less than well-thought-out design choices of the 1970s. Still, it can look just lovely in a kitchen, and a more subdued goldenrod shade can make a killer accent wall.

Of course, when it comes to bathrooms, yellow is probably not the best choice. Do we need to spell this out?

14. ‘Hear Ye, Hear Ye! The Queen of Flowers Has Decided to Sell Her Summer Palace’

So, is that carpet covered by a plastic tarp? Also, is that toilet seat made out of mother of pearl? Then, there’s the statues … and that wallpaper. I think I need to renounce all worldly goods and become a Buddhist monk. I will never know the answers to these questions, and I think I need spiritual help because of it.

15. The Pinnacle of 1970s Carpeted Chic & a Naughty Surprise …

Check out how enormous this room is. It has double doors and a built-in Jacuzzi. This room likely cost the owners a pretty penny when they first built the house in the halcyon days of the late 1970s. The somewhat cheeky new owner added their … uh … special feature over the bed. We’re thinking whoever owned this place drove a Corvette and wore lots of gold chains.

16. ‘Hear Ye, Hear Ye! The Red Prince Has Also Decided to Sell His Palace!’

Would you think I’m weird if I told you I kind of dig this look? I mean, not for a bathroom, but my cult’s ritual blood sacrifice room. We meet on Wednesdays and, this week, Harold is bringing donuts.

17. Is that … Jabba the Hut?

OK, maybe it’s the fact that I’ve been staring at stupendously bad real estate photos for the past what, five hours? However, I can’t help but see Jabba the Hut in that hideously bad mural over that hideously ugly tub that, for some inexplicable reason, is up on a pedestal along with the toilet and $99 special Home Depot sink.

18. ‘ GET OUT!!! ’

Speaking of creepy … yikes.

19. ‘The Ceremony Shall Begin at Midnight’

“Hey, thanks for letting me tour your house for my comparative market analysis. What’s happening in this room? Oh, I get it, this is just a storage issue where they put the chairs in the bedroom because you ran out of space in the dining room, right? Guys? Hello? Who are those people in the red robes?”

20. ‘My Nephew Said Twilight Listing Pictures Are Hot These Days’

I mean, there’s a house here for sure—somewhere in the deep dark gloom. Was the listing agent being chased by a werewolf when they took this picture? Is that why they didn’t just back up like 3 feet so we could see the whole damn house?

21. ‘Can You Make It Brighter?’

If I were a galactic overlord, I would make owning and using Adobe Photoshop a criminal offense for people who don’t know how to use it. Basic skills and sanity tests will be given before Photoshop licenses will be issued.

22. ‘Didn’t I Tell You My Nephew Was Good With the Computer? Look How Pretty!’

Please. No. No more. I can’t take it anymore. Someone, please make it stop. I’m going to have to spend all night on Mansion Global to detox from writing this article.

23. ‘OK, I Guess Looking at a Few More Won’t Hurt … Dear God, Why?!?!’

I mean, what goes through someone’s head when they get something like this and think, “Yep, that’s the one for Zillow!”

Let’s put aside the fact that this agent decided that putting a carpet on top of a rug was appropriate for a dining room and just focus on the sheer madness of it all.

24. A Chef’s Bedroom

“So, here, we have a formal dining room and sitting room. Next, we have the chef’s bedroom.”

“Wait, don’t you mean a chef’s kitchen?”

25. When Your Architect Mistakes His Viagra for Aspirin

Sometimes, a window is just a window. However, in this case, we can’t help but wonder whether the architect had something else on their mind when they designed this monstrosity.

26. The Lord of the Cows

Holy mother heifer! Pray for our sins, now and at the hour of our milking, or from the looks of it, before you leave for the country club social? We’d ask why but, yeah, just rolling with them now.

27. Must Love … Animals?

Or is it a love for weirdly folded blankets? Messed up panorama shot or maybe a dog moved too fast, so looked blurry in the picture? Never mind.

28. Ascending to the Throne …

… because only lowly commoners have thrones on ground level.

Seriously though, these toilet thrones are actually weirdly common. Is it a plumbing issue? Some weird throwback interior design trend from the 1800s? If there are any plumbers reading this, can you please solve this mystery in the comments?

29. ‘Yes, But It’s a Very Upscale Basement Dungeon Room’

Ah, yes, your throne in the royal basement awaits you, my grace.

I wonder if they take off that blue velvet (?!) tub cozy when they take a bath, though.

30. ‘Did You See What My Nephew Did With the Kitchen Pictures for Zillow? He’s Very Good on the Computer!’

You know, I’m actually pretty good at Photoshop and I have been wracking my brain trying to figure out how on earth they managed to mess up this badly.

31. ‘Where’s Your Bathroom?’

“Hey, where’s your bathroom?”

“It’s on the first-and-a-half floor.”

32. ‘Pfft, No Way I’m Hiring a Real Estate Photographer. I Can Do Fine With My iPhone!’

Actually, this might be the work of a conceptual artist who was trying to highlight the inherent absurdity of the commodification of living spaces in the digital age.

33. Perfect for Multitaskers!

Just think, you can stack some cook books on the back of the toilet and save some time.

How to Make Sure Your Listing Pictures Never End Up Here

While we can’t force your homeowner to have better taste in bathroom fixtures, we can leave you with some general tips to keep people from laughing at your pictures on Zillow. That’s why we reached out to our friends from Manhattan luxury brokerage Warburg Realty and the founders of Real New York for their expert opinions on what to avoid.

Trust me when I say Manhattan agents have seen all of the worst pictures you can imagine, and then some.

“When I am looking at interior photos, I like to be able to see what the view is from the windows. A DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera, which is what professional photographers [should] use to shoot listing photos, will not get the window view unless they expose it.

“It takes more time to expose properly for the windows but, in the end, it completes the image and tells a more accurate story about the home. When the windows are not exposed properly, it looks like a view of white light.

“Also, if there are blinds on the windows, make sure they are all the way up and even.”

“Listing photos are crucial for garnering interest in your property. It is essential that you make the rooms as neat as possible and remove any clutter. My tip is to view your apartment as if it was a hotel room or suite—how would you want it to look when you check in to a 5-star hotel?

“Some simple tips:

1. Make the room appealing: Set out flowers and add some life into the room.
2. Kitchen: Remove everything off the countertops—everything. Toasters, coffee makers, sponges, and any clutter on counters.
3. Bathroom: It is a must you remove all soaps, toothbrushes, and countertop items. Keep it clean and be sure to hide those extra toilet paper rolls somewhere else while photos are being taken.
4. Try to limit the family photos. A few are OK to have out, but it might be nice to pare back a little, and keep things looking lighter and more open.”

“Rule number one of any photo shoot: Lower the toilet seat. There is nothing that sends a worse message than looking into an open toilet. Another bathroom rule of thumb: There is a ‘trend’ toward removing the shower curtain prior to photography, but my thought is to leave the shower curtain in place and have it open to show the tub and tile work. If the shower curtain is closed, I am suspicious that it is hiding something.

“The bigger overall question regarding bad or inappropriate photography, in the age of digitally altering photos, Photoshopping, and virtual staging, is: Why show bad photos? If the role of the photo is to ‘sell’ the listing, why show a poor photo, unless the ‘bad’ photos are the best of the photo shoot? In that case, it is better to have the photographer return to reshoot or use no photo and rely on the description alone.

“It goes without saying that ‘inappropriate’ or ‘unphotographable’ items should be removed before the photographer’s arrival. I had to request that a seller remove a leather sling, prominently featured in the master bedroom, before the property was photographed.”

“Never, ever post photographs from your iPhone, even if you have the latest iPhone with the ‘best’ camera a phone can have. Always hire a professional photographer to showcase your listing.

“A photographer has the equipment, the software and, most importantly, the experience and eye to capture the property from the best angle. We live in a visual world and if photos of a property are not pristine, you are doing your seller injustice. Buyers are drawn to photographs that entice them.”

“I think putting a pet, no matter how cute, is a bad idea. I think it looks amateur to do this—we are selling a home, not pets—but, more importantly, it can be a turn off to anyone who doesn’t like animals. We are trying to bring in the widest audience possible, no matter how cute the overly groomed purse-dog looks. Furthermore, many people suffer from dog or cat allergies and can’t even visit an apartment that has pet dander. Just take the pet out of the photo. It’s tacky.”

“A few easy mistakes to avoid are:

1. Don’t leave dirty or heavily used dishes, coffee and/or teapots, dishtowels, toasters, toaster ovens, or microwaves on the kitchen counter. Kitchen photos should be as spare as possible—potential buyers are looking at finishes, appliances, and the layout. A full counter implies a lack of storage and, potentially, a lack of cleanliness.

2. The last square on a toilet paper roll shouldn’t be in the bathroom photo. It’s annoying when someone you live with strands you with it, and it’s annoying in a photo—it’s not pretty and looks a bit trashy.

3. For the same reason that the kitchen photo should be sparse, so should the bathroom. Leave toothbrushes, old soap bars, ugly plastic soap dispensers, and pretty much all personal hygiene products out. That’s your client’s business and no one wants to see it. Again, it implies a lack of storage and an inability to keep it organized.

4. Make the bed and make sure the old iron base is covered. Rumpled sheets, mismatched bedding, and a mattress or box spring peeking through the bedding could be shabby chic, but it rarely is. Tuck the sheets and bedding tight to imply cleanliness and order. It’s much easier to sleep in than a sack of fabric. This is a room that should feel like an oasis, so the bed needs to look aspirational and thoughtfully ‘pulled together’—pun intended. Throw pillows can substitute for limp, overused bed pillows.

5. Family photos need to be edited or taken out of most rooms. Distracting, not relevant to a potential buyer, and often unorganized, family photos should remain personal.

6. Don’t photograph the inside of a closet unless it’s impeccably organized and a selling point. Unless it’s a showstopper walk-in with great clothes arranged on well-crafted built-ins, it’s too personal and, if overflowing, implies a lack of storage space in the apartment. Let the floor plan do the talking when it comes to closets.

7. Jumbles of toys, playpens, and strollers should be taken out prior to shooting. If you’re photographing a child’s room, edit and compose cute toys and books. Too many toys and children’s things look messy and scream ‘we’ve grown out of this space and need out.'”

“Don’t take photos in poor lighting. Lighting is everything when it comes to taking pictures. Dark photos limit a potential buyer’s ability to see all the beautiful features of a home. Poor lighting can make a big difference. The darker the light, the smaller the room comes across.

“Natural light is utterly important in setting the mood within a house. Open your blinds and let the light inside. Don’t be afraid of using lights as a secondary source to brighten up the room.”

“Always avoid the reflection of the photographer when taking pictures of a listing. A house can have many reflective surfaces, like mirrors, windows, and even shower doors. Taking a picture while using the wrong angle might provide pictures where your reflection is visible.

“You want the potential buyer or renter to be able to picture themselves in the listing—and not the photographer. So, always check if you’re using the right angle before you’re beginning to shoot.”

“While it may be tempting to photograph every little detail of the home to make the buyer feel like they are really there, what you’re really doing is overwhelming them and/or causing them to lose their attention. Instead, find that sweet spot by making sure they are able to get an idea of the layout and features through listing photos, but are still intrigued enough to come see the home for themselves.”

“Don’t use photos that have holiday decor as it will date the photos if the listing does not sell immediately. If you do use photos that display holiday decor, be prepared to reshoot after the holiday if the listing is still being marketed for sale. The same goes for exterior photos that show snow, or trees without leaves if you are now in full bloom.”

“I believe that one of the biggest mistakes a photographer can make when photographing a property is the overexposure of light, which washes out the particular details of a room and its unique characteristics.”

“You don’t have to be Norman Rockwell to paint a scene. Clean up the space and move things around if necessary. Straighten that comforter, tuck in those sheets, move that pillow, declutter the kitchen counter. Don’t be in a hurry—you have one chance to visually attract a buyer.”

“Removing some of the more subtle things from your kitchen can really make the home look better for photos. Consider removing the kitchen garbage can, dog bowl, and dish towel, as this can make the photo so much cleaner.”

“Don’t only use a phone camera. Although phone cameras have come a long way, they often produce photos with bad lighting or that are too close that you can’t see the whole room, and I’ve even seen upside-down photos get posted.”

“Listings that promote great views need to show it in the photos. I see so many shots of downtown views, but they are a little tiny blob in the photos or don’t capture the entirety of the view. Either get a better photo of the view or don’t use it.”

“Not including photos of the area’s amenities or nearby activities (pools, shopping, bike paths, and so on). With so many folks relocating to Austin, people like to see the community as well as the home. And don’t take the photos that are already out or other agents have used, without at least asking first.”

“It always stuns me when agents do not declutter a home, or put away very personal items and even religious ones before taking listing photos. Buyers need to be able to picture it as their home, whatever that may look like for them. Don’t take photos without decluttering and properly staging.”

“More than just taking good photos, it’s a mistake to not add the description when oftentimes a room is not readily apparent, mostly in non-staged homes. Separating the pictures of one particular room makes it even more confusing. The buyer is left trying to figure out, ‘Wait, is this another picture of the office or is it the third bedroom?’”

“Clearly, not using a professional photographer is your first mistake. The toilet seat is my BIGGEST pet peeve. Other things that I notice are beds with sheets hanging out below the duvet, towels in the bathroom that are not folded properly, and items left out on kitchen counters or in the sink. As far as staging … bad staging is worse than no staging at all.”

Over to You

Have an unbearably bad real estate photo or a killer real estate photography tip that you can’t help sharing? Send it to us at info@theclose.com or share it with us on Instagram.

The post 33 Cringe-worthy Bad Real Estate Photos Agents Actually Posted appeared first on The Close.

In 1967 The Rolling Stones were arguably the biggest band in the world, with Mick and Marrianne the de-facto king and queen of swinging London. Of course it wasn’t all flowers and love on Carnaby Street, so when the Stones decamped to Marrakech Morocco, the whole world took notice.

Seemingly overnight, Moroccan design was everywhere. Inspired by the Stones and others, intricate brass lamps and brightly colored leather pillows made their way into homes around the world, and Morocco style became synonymous with cool.

Of course this wasn’t exactly a coincidence. After all, the Moroccan trend that made its way across the pond was originally designed for royalty… London rock royalty just happened to be the first to make it cool again.

In order to give you a sense of how American architects have interpreted traditional Moroccan homes for a new generation of wealthy socialites, we picked out three jaw-dropping examples currently on the market in Southern California.

Casbah Cove, Palm Desert, California

Asking: $16,100,000
Listing Agents: Jacquie Burnes & Ashley Wolf
Listing Brokerages: BIGHORN Properties/Aaron Kirman Group at Compass
Square Footage: 16,000 (12,925 interior + Outdoor living spaces)
All Photos by: Juwan Li, courtesy of Aaron Kirman Group

Inspired by traditional Moroccan Riads (Arabic for garden, Riads were large homes or palaces built with an open central courtyard) this sprawling 16,000 square foot estate offers an intoxicating mix of traditional design and modern luxury amenities.

Painstakingly built over four years with the help of Moroccan craftsmen, Casbah Cove blends seamlessly into the stark desert backdrop of the surrounding Coachella Valley and Santa Rosa mountains. In other words, you don’t have to close your eyes and pretend you’re in Marrakech; the natural beauty on display here fits the home like a glove:

Inside, the views are framed through massive windows and Beverly Hills style floor-to-ceiling walls of glass that open to bring the outside-in. The view from the office is particularly stunning:

Of course with a home like this the devil is in the details, and Casbah Cove certainly doesn’t disappoint when you zoom in for a closer look. Intricate tile mosaics and gracefully curved Moorish doorways frame the views from room-to-room as elegantly as the windows frame the views. …

Did we mention the place comes fully furnished?

11 Clancy Lane, Rancho Mirage California

Asking: $2,395,000
Listing Agents: Richard Bartholomew
Listing Brokerage: The Agency
Square Footage: 3,772
All Photos by: The Agency

Over the top in the best possible way, another serene Moroccan home that demanded our attention was actually built by the same artisans & craftsmen who built King Hassan of Morocco’s palaces and the Moroccan Pavilion in New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Talk about architectural street cred. …

As expected with artisans of this caliber, the details here are absolutely stunning and might even eclipse those at Casa Casbah. Just check out the detail of the tile work in the hallway. Even the ceiling here is a work of art to get lost in, and this is just a room you walk through to get to the kitchen to grab some snacks for your Netflix binge. …

The colors the designers chose here are also sumptuous and vibrant, with pops of jewel tones offsetting the intricate white tile and marble work.

Once you step outside, the Moroccan details blend in seamlessly with the massive swimming pool, fire pit, and other trappings of luxury California homes. From the right angle, the swimming pool even acts like the reflecting pool at the Taj Mahal. One can only imagine that comparison being made by guests who are not hip to Moroccan architecture.

Like Casbah Cove, you’re also surrounded by stunning mountain and desert scenery. Even better, it comes with part ownership of a 4-acre equestrian & tennis center.

Casa Blanca: 879 Sand Point Road, Carpinteria, CA

Asking: $6,895,000
Listing Agents: Daniel Zia
Listing Brokerage: The Zia Group: Keller Williams
Square Footage: 5,656
All Photos by: Keller Williams

If your personal Moroccan home fantasies veer more toward Casablanca than Marrakech, then Keller Williams of Santa Barbara has you covered. That’s because they have the exclusive on this jaw-dropping Moroccan style villa on a stretch on postcard-perfect beach in Santa Barbara.

That means instead of austere mountain views, you’ll get to gaze on the Pacific Ocean from your meditation cushion. From the outside, you also get the soothing minimal white plaster walls, Moorish arched doorways, and graceful lines that make Moroccan homes so coveted in the first place.

The interior is another story. With few exceptions like arched windows and door frames, you get … well, you get the same high-end finishes you’ll get in pretty much any luxury home in California these days. All the better to put your personal stamp on, or better yet, incorporate more modern touches. Of course if you ever want to go full Moroccan Sultan, the option is always there.

That said, there are hidden antique gems with more North African flair in the private community this house is located in. There are tennis courts, a boat ramp, and an absolutely stunning pool house designed by turn of the century architect George Washington Smith.

BONUS: 30826 Broad Beach Road, Malibu California

Asking: $15,500,000
Listing Agents: Madison Hildebrand
Listing Brokerage: The Malibu Life Team: Compass
Square Footage: 3,655
All Photos by: Compass

Okay… we don’t normally do this, but this delectable Malibu morsel was slipped over our transom at the last second and we couldn’t resist. One look at the jaw dropping views, the subtle Moroccan/Spanish design elements, and the daydream-worthy floor plan and location and well… have a look for yourself.

We’re really, really, digging these chevron floor tiles. Then there’s the view… and oh what a view it is:

Everything is perfect here, but unlike so many tacky Malibu Mcmansions, this place oozes a hipster cosmopolitan cool that any Instagram model would chop off their left leg to shoot in for a day.

Of course they’ll have to fight off an army of Vogue editors first, but something tells us whoever buys this place won’t be hurting for location fees or cool points for that matter. Is an invite to a housewarming party too much to ask for?

Your Turn

What did you think of our picks for the most luxurious and decadent Moroccan mansions in SoCal? Have an extraordinary listing you think we need to write about? A non-tacky mansion in Malibu? Let us know in the comments or send us an email: info@theclose.com

The post Listings of the Week: 3 Serene Moroccan-Style Mansions in SoCal appeared first on The Close.

Like every great American city, Los Angeles seems to ride a razor’s edge between tacky and timeless. If the city had a golden age, it would vary based on who you ask. Some might point to the swinging 20s, or hell, even the 1980s. Others can make very convincing arguments that we’re living in it. There’s no wrong answer here of course. Like Manhattan, LA is a blank canvas for the American dream.

But you’re not here for that. You’re here to see what someone who actually gets paid to stare at impossibly beautiful real estate listings thinks is the best, the coolest, the most interesting. So in an effort to keep you from flipping back to Instagram, here are three of the most beautiful, timeless Spanish Colonial Revival style homes that slipped over our transom this week.

3259 Deronda Drive, Los Angeles

Address: 3259 Deronda Drive, Los Angeles
Asking: $4,537,000
Details: 4 beds, 4 baths, 4,009 sf
Listing Agent: Konstantine Valissarakos, Nourmand & Rick Yohon, Sotheby’s

First up is this stunning circa 1927 Spanish Colonial in the Hollywoodland area of the Hollywood Hills. Named Casa Canem—cave of the wolf—by architect Carl Lindbom in 1927, this four bedroom, four bath home ticks all our boxes for a historic Los Angeles Spanish Colonial dream house.

Starting outside, like many houses in the Hills, Casa Canem cuts a dramatic, if deceptive figure from the street. The angles here work perfectly, and give the impression that this house was always here. It blends into the hillside like Falling Water blends into its river—a parlor trick that’s seemingly been lost to the ages by today’s standards.

It even has a Hollywood pedigree that wouldn’t be out of place in a much larger home in a much snootier neighborhood. Former owners include actress Gale Sondergaard and writer/director/producer Paul Weitz.

It also has one of the coolest doors I think I’ve ever seen on any house ever. Have a look:

I’m not sure if that goldenrod yellow is period correct, but I don’t really care. I’m in love. Sorry Brooklyn, we can still be friends, but you just can’t give me what I need right now.

Then we have this room, which is in another universe as far as cozy/elegant spots to read a book (ehhh maybe a script?). As you’ll see, the owners here have done an absolutely incredible job of making me very happy and very jealous at the same time … everything is just so … perfect:

I mean, check out that arched fireplace mantle and white beamed ceiling and wide plank floors in the living room:

It’s the type of place you might expect to find Rudy Valentino and Douglas Fairbanks discussing a comeback film sipping vodka gimlets while Gloria Swanson practiced the title theme for Sunset Boulevard.

I’m stealing that chevron tile and charcoal painted ceiling idea. Sorry not sorry.

Check out just how warm and inviting those painted terracotta tiles look with those arches and curved French doors. The backyard isn’t too shabby either. I’m going to take the listing agent’s word that this is not a postcard he swiped from like, the LA cool museum or something …

Not bad right? Next, we’ll hop in the Duesenberg and head north to Santa Barbara for something a little more secluded, and a lot more dramatic. Don’t worry, it’s worth the drive.

4225 Cresta Avenue, Hope Ranch, California

Address: 4225 Cresta Avenue, Hope Ranch, California
Asking: $13,750,000
Details: 5 beds, 6.5 baths, 7,348 sf
Listing Agent: Jason Streatfeild, Douglas Elliman

What did I tell you? The fountain out front, the gravel driveway, the lush vegetation … it’s enough to make this place feel more like an opulent equestrian resort than a home. Built in 1942 with an extensive renovation in 2014, 4225 Cresta boasts jaw-dropping ocean and sunset views from every room, soaring ceilings, a gym, and a lush but manicured 5.23 acres of land to explore.

Let’s take a look around.

Yup. That’s the ocean behind the house.

Neighbors? What neighbors?

That whole dark mahogany floors with creamy plaster walls is what really gets me here. A trademark of Spanish Colonial style. Oh, and yes, that’s the ocean.

Maui or Santa Barbara?

1098 Golf Road, Santa Barbara, California

Address: 1098 Golf Road, Santa Barbara California
Asking: $5,495,000
Details: 5 beds, 4 baths, 4,759 sf
Listing Agent: Jason Streatfeild, Douglas Elliman

If your vibe is a little more comfy, a little less resorty, oh, and you’re short $10 million or so, 1098 Golf Road could be your own little slice of Spanish Colonial heaven in Santa Barbara. Like the other two places we looked at today, it also ticks all the boxes and then some. If some kind soul gave me $5 million with the caveat that I had to spend it on a Spanish Colonial home in California, deciding between this place and 3259 Deronda might very well be the end of me. I can’t pick just one. Don’t make me.

Again, everything here is just … perfect. The warm glow from the house at golden hour, the way the landscaping suits the house, the creeper vines that look like west coast ivy… Actually, you know what? There’s a video for this one. No need for the flowery language here. Something tells me you just want to leer at another Spanish Colonial dream home. No argument here.

The post 3 Impossibly Cool Spanish Colonial Revival Houses In LA & Beyond appeared first on The Close.

When most people think of a dream house, it’s hard not to think of Hollywood. It’s what the crusty old detective, pulled from retirement to solve one last case, is shown working on in between gun battles and love scenes. I’m getting too old for this %#$@!

The only problem is that Hollywood is a liar. What they never tell you about dream houses (or dreams, for that matter), is that most of them, even the most beautiful ones, are always, well, a little bit weird.

Although California is a shade or two removed from reality, it’s the one place on earth where we regularly see dream houses made real. Like their Hollywood counterparts, the dream houses built in California’s tony enclaves never quite come together. Always a little too plastic-y, a little too cold, a little too cheesy—they just never really work as anything but curiosities that start to look dated even before the paint is dry.

The Kid Stays in the Picture

Unless, of course, you happen to be B movie producer turned over-the-top-and-then-some real estate developer Nile Niami. Sure, even his name sounds like it’s from a dream, and we’d bet the rent that he worked on a few retired-cop-goes-rogue movies, but paired up with Los Angeles starchitect Paul Mclean, he’s one of those rare birds who manages to keep his head in the clouds and his feet firmly planted on terra firma.

With a track record that includes the truly opulent $100 million OPUS house in Beverly Hills that would make Tony Stark blush, it’s hard not to imagine this duo’s creations surviving as architectural icons for future generations to gawp at in wonder.

Luckily, you don’t have to wait a generation to it. This dream house is real. It exists. Want to take a peek inside?

With interior vistas like this, whoever comes up with the $65 million asking price for this Bel Air dream home might not even bother leaving the house. We’re getting some serious Le Corbusier vibes here, but mellowed just enough to make sense in Bel Air instead of Manhattan. Can you imagine what this hallway would look like at sunset?

As far as exteriors go, it doesn’t get much more dramatic than this. Oh, and yes, the sculpture comes with the house.

Once inside, you’re welcomed by 25-foot ceilings, a staircase that wouldn’t look out of place in a museum, and what seems like acre upon acre of Calacatta marble. Seriously, there’s probably a quarry (or two) in Italy with nothing left but scraps.

Then we have this master suite. Huge without feeling overwhelming (thanks in part to the lower ceilings), with a zinc-clad fireplace that’s actually holding the roof up. It even somehow manages to look, dare we say it, cozy?

This sitting room boasts even more Calacatta marble and yet another fireplace that doubles as a structural element. We love the simplicity and symmetry here.

Stunning. Absolutely stunning!

Can you ever go wrong with book-matched marble?

You know you’ve made it when your kitchen looks like the monolith from “2001: A Space Odyssey.”

Or when your home office looks like it came from an Art Deco landmark in Paris.

Or maybe when your home theater looks like a somehow even more exclusive hidden VIP section of SOHO House.

Over to You

Have a scoop on an amazing listing that you think we need to know about? Drop us a line: info@theclose.com Want to learn how to get luxury listings of your own? Check out: 10 Easy Ways to Break Into the Luxury Market (If You’re Not Rich)

The post Listing of the Week: Nile Niami’s Bel Air Dream House appeared first on The Close.

Don’t lie. You know you do. Maybe a guilty pleasure for you too-cool-for-school hipsters out there, but you and I both know you secretly want to have a drink with the guy. Why wouldn’t you?

So, when we heard Ryan was giving a tour of one of the most pants-on-head crazy listings we’ve ever seen, we knew we weren’t going to have to work hard to find our listing of the week this week. So, without further ado, we give you the Gateway Canyons Ranch.

The Numbers Alone on This Place Will Blow Your Mind

While we’re rarely at a loss for words―ask our poor office mates―this place left us stumped. We thought about just listing out a bunch of synonyms for “crazy” and looked in vain for an obscure German compound word (mindblowenhaus?) that captures this place, but we gave up.

There was nothing we came up with that even touched the madness of just listing the features this place has:

• A 22,000 square foot main house with 8 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, and walls of real fossils.
• 9,000 acres
• Several of your own mountains
• A $3 million helicopter and multiple landing pads
• Your own private planetarium
• A car museum with a $55 million car collection included
• 8 buffalo
• A fishing pond
• An airstrip and airplane hangar
• Horses (a bunch of them)
• A 72-room resort
• 3 pools
• 2 restaurants
• Spa
• Baja race track
• Shooting range
• Log cabins

Is it me, or is this place starting to sound like a freaking bargain?! Listing agent Kerry Endsley from LIV Sotheby’s International Realty calls it, “the finest land and estate property in the great American West.”

Hard to disagree once you see the view from a helicopter:

Your own private planetarium complete with a high-powered telescope at night:

If that doesn’t do it for you, how about the view from the main house?

The inside isn’t too shabby either:

All this and you get the pedigree of the founder of the Discovery Network, John Hendricks. As you can imagine, this was a labor of love for someone so connected to nature. It shines through at this historic property. Every element seems to have been built to pay homage to and reflect the awe-inspiring landscape of the American West.

OK, OK, we get it. You came here to watch Ryan Serhant get his mind blown. Here’s the video:

Your Thoughts

Alright, let’s all weigh in here. What’s your favorite part of this listing? Have an incredible listing you think is worth a feature? Pitch me at emile@theclose.com

The post WATCH: Ryan Serhant Loses His Mind at Bonkers $279 Million Ranch appeared first on The Close.

Since we’re suckers for everything ornate, impractical, and imposing, we decided to try to pick out our favorite Victorian confections on the market this fall.

1. The Burrage Mansion

Address: 314 Commonwealth Ave., Unit 1, Boston
Asking: $6,900,000
Year Built: 1899
Square Footage: 4,382
Listing Agent: Tracy Campion
Listing Brokerage: Campion & Company Fine Homes

Any time a building has a name rather than just an address you know you’re in for a treat. In Manhattan we’re spoiled for gilded mansions and apartment buildings fit for Robber Barons; the Carnegie Mansion, The Apthorp, and Dakota all inspire a defensive jealousy in your average New Yorker. In Boston … well, we knew they must have their share, but we weren’t expecting them to look like this inside.

Originally built for a copper baron in 1899, the lavish home was used for a variety of seemingly unworthy purposes in the decades that followed. This included a doctor’s office, a senior care facility, and most recently, a condo conversion for four extremely lucky, and extremely deep-pocketed Bostonites.

2. The Henry Block House, Lenox Hill, Manhattan

Address: 18 East 76th St., Manhattan
Asking: $28,000,000
Year Built: 1881
Square Footage: 10,800
Listing Agent: Miky Bonazzoli
Listing Brokerage: Compass

Slightly less ornate than the Burrage Mansion, The Block House has a far more glamorous past. Previous owners included luminaries of Manhattan society and industry, and the home was regularly featured in society columns hosting celebrities like Grace Kelly.

Nestled on a tree-lined block off Central Park and Museum Mile, this elegant home is a case study in the eclecticism of Victorian architecture in the United States. Built in 1881, the home underwent an extensive renovation in 1906 that included a limestone facade with Beaux Arts and neoclassical features.

The interior is also more restrained than the Burrage Mansion, but certainly not at the expense of elegance or grandeur. Rooms are scaled as if the architect was expecting a family of elephants to move in, and judging by the stunningly beautiful details, elephants with exceptional taste.

3. A Stately San Francisco Painted Lady

Address: 705 Broderick St., San Francisco
Asking: $3,095,000
Year Built: 1892
Square Footage: 2,836
Listing Agent: Ric Rocchiccioli
Listing Brokerage: Compass

While the house may not have a name, the block does. Located on a row of brightly painted Victorians and Queen Anne homes on historic Broderick Row, we can look past the lack of a name and just enjoy the beauty on display here.

After all, since we’re in the city that brought us Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead, even the most opulent homes here have an irresistible warmth that you just don’t get in Manhattan or Boston.

Not surprisingly, this home has also been featured in House Beautiful magazine, and it looks like a Jonathan Adler catalog come to life. There’s just something about midcentury furniture that offsets the wedding cake details that Queen Anne homes tend to hide in every corner. Combine that with an extremely well thought out renovation, and well, you have a pretty much perfect city home.

4. A Palo Alto Daydream

Address: 1023 Forest Ave., Palo Alto
Asking: $5,988,000
Year Built: 1900
Square Footage: 4,516
Listing Agent: Ken Deleon
Listing Brokerage: Deleon Realty

When we first stumbled across this pale blue charmer in Palo Alto, we had to do a double take to make sure it was real. Just look at the pictures and you’ll see what I mean. Everything is just so … perfect. There’s really no other word for it.

Once again we have Victorian charm and a super thoughtful renovation with so many cool details it’s actually hard to know where to look. Do yourself a favor and linger a bit on some of these pictures and check out the insane detail the owners managed to preserve/restore.

5. A Soundview “Cottage” in Greenwich

Address: 75 Byram Shore Rd., Greenwich
Asking: $14,295,000
Year Built: 1892
Square Footage: 6,859
Listing Agent: David Ogilvy
Listing Brokerage: Sotheby’s International Realty – Greenwich

It takes a certain kind of wink-and-a-nod cheekiness to refer to an almost 7,000 square foot home with six and a half baths as a “cottage,” but this was par for the course back in New York’s gilded age.

And of course those steel and railroad barons needed an escape from the stifling Upper East Side in the summertime, so they sought out tranquil, waterfront towns like Greenwich to build their summer homes.

While it’s hard to imagine a home this opulent as anything even remotely resembling “laid back,” on closer inspection the details are far more restrained than any of the city homes we’ve picked out. When you wear petticoats and corsets and gloves for a stroll in Central Park, this is basically a farmhouse.

The details here are just as jaw dropping as anything we’ve seen if you look a little closer. For example, check out those built-in mirrors and delicate inlays on the wood floor in the dining room. Not exactly rustic.

Of course this being Greenwich, you also get a swimming pool, a solarium, a carriage house, a porte-cochere entrance, a boat house, and absolutely stunning views of the Long Island Sound. Not bad for a cottage right?

6. A Converted Church in Pennsylvania

Address: 316 N Essex Ave., Narberth, Pennsylvania
Asking: $1,585,000
Year Built: 1890
Square Footage: 5,408
Listing Agent: Patrick Clark
Listing Brokerage: Long & Foster

Another example of how eclectic Victorian architecture in America can be, this cozy old church in Narberth, Pennsylvania, looks more medical than decadent wedding cake. That doesn’t make it any less pretty though, and this is one home that had us lingering in Zillow for a little longer than our deadline called for. Lots to love here.

A spirited drive from Philadelphia, Narberth is one of the many historic towns on the Pennsylvania Main Line. Home to commuters and families, these towns have kept their charm and well preserved homes on the Main Line and still command a pretty penny these days.

How could you not love a stone church built in 1890? Elegant wooden paneled walls, beamed ceilings, stone details, and priceless stained glass windows are not only rare, but pretty much impossible to duplicate today.

We can’t help but feel like even scrolling through Instagram on a rainy day in these formerly hallowed halls would feel more like meditating on Chaucer rather than hate-clicking your friend’s vacation photos.

But it’s not all pomp and circumstance here. A tasteful renovation left in just enough of the churchiness to feel special, but not overwhelming enough to be afraid to covet thy neighbor’s shiny new BMW.

Over to You

What did you think of the Victorian confections we picked out for our listings of the week? Have a listing you think we need to write about? Let us know in the comments or email us at: info@theclose.com

Looking to get luxury listings of your own? Check out: 10 Easy Ways to Break Into the Luxury Market (If You’re Not Rich)

The post 6 Elegant Victorian Homes on The Market This Fall appeared first on The Close.

That means if you want to become a hyper local expert, you’d better know the different home styles in your region, state, and farm area. After all, wouldn’t you rather ask your client if they liked the Queen Anne with herringbone floors and Palladian windows they saw yesterday instead of “the old red house with the cool floors?”

Thought so.

If you’re even a little unsure about the common home styles you’re going to be selling in your farm area, check out our cheat sheet of common home styles, window styles, door styles, and flooring styles below.

Cheat Sheet for Common American Home Styles

Although Europeans love to joke about how new and boring American architecture is, in reality we have dozens of influential styles of homes. Since you’re a real estate expert, you should be able to identify each style listed below. If you can’t, read the style and description below then come back to this article in a few days and quiz yourself.

Here are the most common home styles in the United States to get you started:

Craftsman Style Homes

Period: 1900-1930
Commonly found in: California, Seattle, Oregon

With design elements from the British arts and crafts movement of the late 19th century, craftsman style homes became extremely popular in the early 20th century. The characteristic elements of a craftsman style home include a low slung roof, large front porches with a staircase leading up to it, large squared off columns that were usually exposed or decorated with stones or brick, and minimal decorative elements.

Brownstones

Period: 1840s-1890s
Commonly found in: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Boston

Built from the eponymous stone quarried in Connecticut, brownstones were a very popular style of townhouse in many East Coast cities like New York, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, and Boston. When first pulled from the ground, brownstone is actually pink, but settles into a rich dark brown over time.

Many brick townhouses are mistaken for brownstones because of the way they’re painted, but true brownstones were always made from actual brownstone which was a preferred building material because of its softness and ease of working with.

Rowhouses

Period: 1820s-present
Commonly found in: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington D.C., Baltimore

A rowhouse is a single family home that shares a roofline and one or more walls with a group of other homes on a single block. Frequently built at the same time by the same developer, rowhomes were a very popular style of housing in 19th century American cities due to the cost savings of building multiple homes at once on one plot of land.

While rowhomes generally share many of the same features including window styles and placement, front stoops, and yards, some rowhouses were built with eclectic styles of homes grouped together. When building homes, workers built doorways connecting each rowhome together so they could easily walk from one home to the next to finish construction. These doorways were then sealed when the homes were sold to buyers.

Cape Cod Style Homes

Period: 1740s-present
Commonly found in: East Coast, Midwest

Cape Cod style homes were very common with early American settlers due to their relative ease of construction and simplicity. They generally feature a single pitched steep roof, front door in center with rows of windows on either side. Shingle or clapboard siding, sparse and minimal decorative elements. Dormer windows were common additions to Cape Cod homes.

Ranch Style Homes

Period: 1920s-present
Commonly found in: West Coast, Everywhere

Ranch style homes were the modernist answer to affordable family living. With only one story and low slung roofs, ranch homes allowed for open-plan layouts and a more laid back, less formal style of living that became popular in the early 20th century modernist movement.

A hallmark of American suburbia, ranch homes became so popular that by the 1950s nine out of 10 new homes built were California ranch homes. Ranging from luxurious and sprawling midcentury modern homes to the most basic starter home, ranch houses were truly versatile and built for American families from every walk of life.

Split Level Homes

Period: 1950s-present
Commonly found in: West Coast, Everywhere

Split level homes are multi-floor houses with short flights of stairs connecting each level. On the East Coast, split levels almost always have an entryway that opens on to two flights of stairs, one going up to the second level, and another heading down to the first or ground floor. The top floors of a split level home tend to have full height ceilings while lower levels might have lower ceilings.

Midcentury Modern Homes

Period: 1940s-1960s
Commonly found in: New Canaan Connecticut, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

Inspired by high modernist European architects like Le Corbusier and Ludwig Meis van der Rohe, the midcentury modern movement in American houses began in the 1940s and became extremely popular. Common features include minimalist design with no ornamentation, single story construction, large picture windows, flat roofs, and an attempt to blend the natural surroundings into the design of the home. Interiors usually had open layouts with few walls separating the space which allowed rooms to blend into one another.

Bungalow Homes

Period: 1940s-1960s
Commonly found in: California, Oregon, Everywhere

Often borrowing elements from craftsman design, bungalows are relatively small, single story homes. They often have small front porches and double pitched roofs often with small dormer windows.

Want a fun talking point for your clients when you’re showing a bungalow? Tell them that the style and term originated in the word “bengala” which referred to homes built in the style of the Bengal region of India.

Greek Revival Style Homes

Period: 1820s-present
Commonly found in: Southeast, Middle Atlantic Region

Often called America’s first unique architectural style, Greek Revival homes were inspired by elements of ancient Greek architecture. These frequently include large columns in at the entryway or along the entire front of the home, symmetrical double hung windows, and large front doors with sidelights. Ornamentation is generally very restrained and almost minimal.

Also called the national style, Greek revival homes were very popular in the South, especially for mansions and plantation homes.

Postmodern Style Homes

Period: 1980s-present
Commonly found in: California, Everywhere

The postmodernist movement was a philosophical and artistic movement in the 1980s that questioned traditional modernist ideals and employed irony and pastiche in home design.

Postmodern homes might borrow elements from Spanish, Midcentury modern, or even Victorian elements into one house.

Storybook Style Homes

Period: 1920s-present
Commonly found in: California, Everywhere

Storybook homes are houses that take design cues from medieval European homes that were popularized by fairy tales and castles. Often incorporating stone and shingled roofs, you can usually tell if you’re looking at a storybook home if it wouldn’t look out of place in a Disney cartoon about knights and princesses.

We recently wrote an article featuring seven excellent examples of storybook homes here.

Contemporary or Ultramodern Style Homes

Period: 1990s-present
Commonly found in: Everywhere

Contemporary homes are homes that follow up-to-the-minute architecture and design trends. That means that a contemporary home built in 1990 will look significantly different from one built in 2017 like the example above.

Some common elements of contemporary or ultramodern homes include walls of glass, open concept layouts, high ceilings, kitchen islands, formal and informal living rooms—and large open kitchens.

Spanish Style Homes

Period: 1920s-present
Commonly found in: California, Southwest

Inspired by the architecture of Spain, Spanish styled homes generally have low slung roofs, terracotta roof tiles, and white plaster walls. The interiors frequently have tile floors, and arched entryways and windows are common.

Tudor Style Homes

Period: 1850s-1970s
Commonly found in: East Coast, Midwest

Tudor homes generally have high sloped roofs with multiple pitches, brick or stone construction of facades, chimneys, and the trademark faux exposed timbers set in white stone or stucco. Tudor homes saw a resurgence in popularity in the 1920s, and entire neighborhoods like Forest Hills in Queens are almost entirely Tudor houses.

Victorian Style Homes

Period: 1850s-1920s
Commonly found in: East Coast, Midwest, San Francisco

Based on the Victorian design movement in England, Victorian homes in the United States featured ornate decoration on the outside of the home including steep gabled roofs, bay windows, rounded turrets, and dormer windows.

Colonial Style Homes

Period: 1700s-1780s
Commonly found in: Northeast, Southeast

Colonial houses are characterized by gently sloped roofs, an entrance door in the middle of the home, with two windows flanking the entrance door. Colonials can also have dormers, sunrooms, or other smaller additions to the sides of the home. They are frequently found in the northeast and southeast, and have been a popular style that is still built to this day.

Federal Style Homes

Period: 1780s-1800s
Commonly found in: Northeast, Southeast

When colonial style homes fell out of favor in the 1780s, federal style homes took their place. Federal style homes are very similar to colonials, except they tend to have more ornamentation, decorative or even round windows, columns, and dual chimneys.

Queen Anne Style Homes

Period: 1880s-1920s
Commonly found in: Northeast, Southeast, California

Queen Anne style homes are a type of Victorian home that is even more ornate than a typical, earlier era Victorian. Queen Annes tend to have features like large rounded turrets, steeped roofs with many pitches, stained glass, finials, ornate shingles, and enclosed rounded porches.

Common Window Styles of American Homes

Now that you’ve got a good grasp of some of the more common house styles in the United States, let’s check out some common window styles.

Dormer Windows

A dormer is a small structure with a roof that extends out on the roof of Colonial, Cape Cod, Victorian, or Federal style homes. They generally have double hung windows and were often designed to allow light into lofts or even attic spaces.

Bay Windows

Bay windows are large, segmented windows that extend out from the wall of a house. Bay Windows generally have three angled window panels, and can sometimes have a built in seating area as in the picture above, or add slightly more floor space to a room.

Bow Windows

Bow windows are very similar to bay windows except instead of having three panels, they often have five or more panels which creates a more curved look. To remember the difference, try and associate a bow window with a bow and arrow and a bay window with three bays.

Double-Hung Windows

Double hung windows are rectangular windows with two panes of glass (called sashes), each of which can be raised or lowered to open either the top or bottom of the window. Multiple double hung windows can be installed in one large opening in order to create one larger window. The picture above shows three double hung windows installed into one opening.

Single-Hung Windows

Single-hung windows are identical to double-hung windows except for the fact that only one window sash slides up and down. In most cases, the movable sash will be the lower one.

Casement Windows

Unlike double hung windows which open and close vertically, casement windows are hinged on one side to open horizontally into a room.

Palladian Windows

Palladian windows are made up of one long rectangular panel with a rounded top flanked by two shorter rectangular windows with flat tops.

Sidelights

Sidelights are long, thin, rectangular window panels traditionally installed on both sides of entry doors. In more modern homes, there may be only one sidelight, and instead of paned glass, it will be one large section of glass.

Arched Windows

Arched windows are rectangular windows with a rounded top. One arched window makes up the center window for a Palladian window.

Picture Windows

Picture windows are large, rectangular windows that are longer horizontally than vertically. Picture windows are made up of one large piece of glass without any separate panes. Picture windows let in lots of sunlight and great views, but generally do not open. The picture above shows a picture window with a casement window section that opens.

Paned Windows

Paned windows are windows that are broken up into smaller square sections by wooden frames. They are designed this way because breaking one pane of glass means you only have to replace that single small pane instead of the whole window. Since glass is much cheaper these days and construction costs higher, many modern windows have faux wooden frames to separate a sheet glass window into panes. The picture above shows a paned casement window.

Common Door Styles of American Homes

While getting familiar with windows is helpful, doors are arguably more important for many homeowners, and something any weekend warrior can handle replacing. That means knowing some basic door styles can only help you as an agent. Here are the most common exterior and interior door styles in America.

French Doors

French doors, sometimes referred to as dual doors, are sets of two doors that are hinged from the right and left to open in the middle. French doors usually feature paned glass, and were traditionally used indoors to separate common rooms without sacrificing light. Sometimes, French doors are used to open onto a deck, patio, or back garden, but are rarely used as entry doors.

Pocket Doors

A common feature in turn of the century brownstones and mansions, pocket doors are similar to French doors except, they slide on tracks instead of opening on hinges. Each of the two doors in a set of packet doors slides into the wall. This gives the homeowner the choice between totally closing off rooms for privacy, or keeping them totally open without any visible doors at all.

Barn Doors

Popularized on Pinterest and many home renovation shows, barn doors are generally repurposed sliding front doors from barns. While some barn doors have windows, many do not and only feature minimal panels, or even just planks. They are almost always made out of repurposed vintage barn wood, or new wood that has been weathered to look like vintage barn wood. Like pocket doors, barn doors allow homeowners to put furniture very close to them without worrying about the space required to open the door.

Panel Doors

Very common for interior and exterior doors, panel doors are doors with either decorative or structural panels on both sides of the door. While there are many different patterns and sizes of panels for panel doors, most interior doors have only two or three panels. Panel doors are very common in any pre 1950s house style.

Flush Doors

Flush doors on the other hand are most often found in midcentury or contemporary homes. Unlike panel doors, they have one solid plane of wood on either side of the door. They can either be one solid piece of wood, or made with wood veneers on either side of hollow constructed frame.

Dutch Doors

Dutch doors are almost always found in vintage homes and rarely found in homes built after the 1960s. They have one unique feature that sets them apart from other entry doors. There are two hinged sections of the door rather than just one and each section can be opened or locked independently. Dutch doors are great for pet owners who want a breeze but don’t want their pets to escape.

Interior Design Elements of American Homes

Now that you’ve talked your way inside, it’s time to learn about some of the trickier interior design elements that are common in American homes. While most of these elements will be found in historic homes, you will find them in newer homes as well.

Crown Molding

Crown molding is the decorative trim at the corner where the top of the wall meets the ceiling. Found in many historic homes, crown molding was originally made from plaster with molds and returned to the wall. Today, crown molding and other decorative elements traditionally made from plaster are made from wood, MDF (Medium-density fiberboard), or PVC (polyvinyl chloride). The benefits of using wood or synthetic materials is that they are much easier to work with and require fewer skills to install.

Chair Rails

Chair rails are a type of molding that is attached to the wall at chair height in dining rooms or eat in kitchens. The idea was to protect delicate plaster from being constantly bumped into by people pulling out chairs and hitting the wall. Chair rails are frequently installed along with wainscoting, decorative panels installed below the chair rails in order to protect the plaster wall.

Shiplap

Formerly used as a type of exterior siding in cold climates, shiplap is now a trendy feature for country chic homes. What makes shiplap unique from ordinary boards nailed to the wall is that shiplap boards interlock together creating a tight and weatherproof seal that made shiplap ideal for colder climates before the advent of modern weatherproof siding.

Picture Frame Molding

Another decorative wall element common in turn of the century homes, picture frame molding is any molding used to create rectangular shapes that are reminiscent of picture frames on walls that already have crown and baseboard molding.

Baseboard Molding

Baseboard molding is molding that is installed on the bottom of the wall where it meets the floor. Baseboard molding can be decorative, or serve to protect delicate plaster from kicks, moving furniture, or anything else that might hit the lower part of the wall.

Wainscoting

Wainscoting is a decorative element often installed below chair rails that features large, rectangular panels made out of painted wood or plaster.

Ceiling Medallion

Often used to accent a chandelier or lighting fixture, ceiling medallions are either painted wood, MDF, PVC, or plaster decorative elements that are installed on the ceiling. They can be purely decorative or used to hide wiring or support systems for chandeliers.

Types of Wood Flooring Common in American Homes

What’s beneath your client’s feet is also a very important interior design element to know about. After all, replacing doors is easy, windows more challenging, but replacing floors can be extremely expensive and will change the look of any home since flooring is usually at least one quarter of the visible space in any home. Here are a few common styles of wood and tile floors.

Parquet

Parquet, French for “a small compartment,” is a style of wood floor that uses small pieces of wood cut into shapes that fit together to make larger patterns. The classic parquet is the interlocking squares version seen above. Herringbone and chevron are also common patterns used in parquet flooring.

Herringbone

Without a doubt one of the most eye catching wood floor styles you’ll see as an agent, herringbone floors are made with small strips of wood installed in an interlocking “V” pattern on the floor. Herringbone floors have been used as a decorative element in homes since the 1500s, and continue to be a popular, if expensive, option for wood flooring today.

Chevron

Chevron floors are a variation on herringbone parquet floors with a simpler, easier to install pattern that does not interlock. Instead, small strips of flooring are simply cut at matching angles and installed on the floor.

Inlays

Inlays are purely decorative parquets that are often used to make border decorations or central medallions on high end wood floors. Due to the cost and expertise involved in installation, inlays are very rarely used today except in very high end homes. They are however somewhat common in turn of the century homes.

Laminate

Laminate flooring, also known by the earlier trademark “Pergo,” is a modern flooring product that uses layers of synthetic materials that have a wood grain pattern applied to them. They provide the look of hardwood floors, but for a fraction of the cost. Laminate flooring is also easier to install and maintain than hardwood flooring.

Hardwood

Hardwood flooring is made of thin or wide strips of actual hardwood like oak, walnut, hickory, maple, or cherry. These wooden strips generally also have a tongue and groove construction which allows them to be locked together for a tighter more water resistant seal. Note that the different varieties of hardwood species can be stained pretty much any color. Grain pattern is the best way to differentiate between species of wood used for flooring.

Cork

Cork flooring is a flooring product made from the bark of the cork oak tree. The bark is processed into sheets, and used as a flooring alternative to hardwood. Cork flooring is thought to be more environmentally friendly than hardwoods as the bark of cork trees can be harvested again and again.

Strip Flooring

Strip flooring is made up of thin strips of wood, generally cut from less attractive areas of the tree including limbs and the upper portion of the trunk. If used in larger pieces, imperfections such as knots would be visible making the floor less uniform. Strip flooring can be made either from solid wood, or more commonly, thin strips of hardwood glued to other cheaper species of wood to save cost.

Wide Plank Flooring

Wide plank flooring on the other hand is flooring made up from large sections of the trunk of the tree. Imperfections such as knots are sometimes included in wide plank flooring. Since large sections of grain are visible and wide planks can only be cut from the most expensive parts of a tree, wide plank flooring is the most expensive hardwood flooring material there is. That said, wide planks are more common in 18th century homes as wood was less expensive.

Common Tile Flooring in American Homes

Natural Slate Tile

One of the most attractive and surprisingly affordable types of floor tile in American homes is natural slate, which is made up of large, sometimes rough sections of slate stone. Since slate stone can have natural imperfections, it provides a warm, natural look that is difficult to duplicate with synthetic materials. Slate tile is commonly found in entryways, basements, kitchens, and living rooms.

Terracotta Tile

More common in the Southwest, terracotta tile is a ceramic tile with a warm, reddish brown color that is also commonly used for roofing on Spanish style homes. Terracotta tile is commonly found in kitchens.

Over to You

What did you think of our list of common styles of homes, windows, doors, and flooring in the United States? Anything we missed? Have something you think we need to add to the article? Let us know in the comments!

The post An Agent’s Guide to Home Styles, Architecture, & Design appeared first on The Close.

That vintage Ferrari you want is a cramped, slow deathtrap once you finally get behind the wheel. A Manhattan penthouse with curtain wall floor-to-ceiling windows? Get ready to have your retinas blown out during the daytime.

So the story goes with Frank Lloyd Wright homes. Yes, they’re iconic. Yes, they’re works of art, but I’ll bet you didn’t know that Falling Water had significant structural issues that gave it a more than even risk of literally falling into the water. Like almost all Wright homes, it was also poorly insulated—drafty and freezing in the winter and sweltering in the summer. Cracked beams and a leaky roof had to be repaired at a huge cost in 2001.

The cost for upkeep for Hollyhock House in Los Angeles due to similar issues? A cool $20 million. Surely, there must be a way to own a piece of architectural history without the constant nightmares about collapsing roofs or sinking foundations.

Luckily, there is. Even better, it’s not in some far-flung suburb of Ohio or a charming but freezing part of Illinois. No, this Wright home is just above tony Westchester County, one of the most desirable suburbs of New York City.

So, why is this Wright home worry-free while the rest are a gamble? Simple. This home was built with plans originally drafted by Wright to, as he put it, “surpass Falling Water.” Due to cost overruns and legal drama, the plans were shelved until 1996 until the island’s owner hired Wright scholar and architect Thomas A. Heinz to bring the plans to life.

Amazingly, today, Wright’s vision as interpreted and modernized by Heinz is now for sale along with another original Wright bungalow on an 11-acre private, heart-shaped island in Lake Mahopac above Westchester.

OK, that was a lot of details, and a ton of you just skipped my introduction and scrolled straight to the pictures, so let’s recap quickly:

1. Your own an 11-acre private island
2. Two Frank Lloyd Wright-designed homes that won’t fall down
3. One hour to Manhattan
4. 6 bedrooms and 26 skylights

If that’s not enough to get you to commit a few minutes to finish this article, nothing will, so let’s jump right in.

Can you imagine being able to walk into this room without saying something like, “whoa” out loud whether you intended to or not? We can’t.

I mean, just look at the stunning triangular beams framing more skylights than we’ve ever seen in one room before. Even better, unlike almost all Wright homes, none of them leak.

The tradeoff here is that the skylights themselves are domed rather than flat, but this is like faulting a modern Rolls Royce for having seat belts.

Then, the kitchen, with its dramatic island rock face as a part of the design is just mind-blowing. Tons of natural light, tons of space, and an iconic design ― it’s hard not to fall deeply in love with this kitchen.

Along with Wright staple designs like the long angular benches, Petre Island also boasts a truly stunning wood ceiling, and more natural stone touches to help bring the outdoors indoors. The only thing not quite working here are those ghastly chairs. Some dark-colored modern furniture would pop in here.

Then, there’s this bedroom. Just wow. It’s hard to articulate just how lovely a space this is. It reminds us a bit of a super elegant ship’s berth. Whatever the reference you get from this room, all we know is that we want to spend a few days writing at that desk overlooking Mahopac Lake.

The original Wright Bungalow out back is the ideal entertaining retreat or studio for the main house. The scale is much smaller, but it just oozes relaxation and calm.

Inside, we’re almost getting some John Lautner vibes from the low-slung beamed ceiling and long built-in benches. Heck, come to think of it, that triangular motif in the main house is the spitting image of the Sheets Goldstein house in Los Angeles. Considering that house was built a few years after Wright died, there’s no real question who inspired who here.

This bathroom with the natural stone feature and Scandinavian feeling wood is another room we can’t stop thinking about. Everything just works here. Again, without the leaks.

Property Details:

Address: 1 Petre Island, Carmel, New York

Asking: $12,900,000

Rooms: 6 Beds | 3 Baths | 1 Half Bath

Number of skylights: 26

Commute to Manhattan: ~1 hour, or 20 minutes by helicopter (the home has a helipad on the roof)

Approximate Square Feet: 8,415

Lot Size: 10.37 Acres

Listing Agent: Margaret Harrington, Douglas Elliman

Over to You

What do you think of our pick for the listing of the week? Does Petre Island stack up to other Wright houses? Let us know in the comments. Want to learn how to get luxury listings of your own? Check out: 10 Easy Ways to Break Into the Luxury Market (If You’re Not Rich)

The post A Hidden Jewel: Private Island With Two Frank Lloyd Wright Homes appeared first on The Close.