Celebrity Houses and Mansions, Rich People Mansions & African Mansions for Sale !!!!

Rob Gronkowski House !!! Rob Gronkowski Home !!! Rob Gronkowski Mansion !!! Patriots’ Rob Gronkowski Splurges On Waterfront Tampa Home

2012-12-04T10:05:00.000-08:00

Is Florida ready for an extended stay from ‘Yo Soy Fiesta’? New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski has wasted little time in spending some of his new-found riches. According to the Boston Herald, the All-Pro tight end dropped $1.6 million on a posh new home in Cigar City shortly after inking a six-year, $54 million extension with the Patriots. The record contract extension, which included an $8 million signing bonus, came after Gronk set NFL records for most touchdown receptions (17) and receiving yards (1,327) by a tight end in a season.

To say that Gronkowski’s new Tampa oasis is a primo “party pad” would be putting it mildly. Sold move-in ready, the 4,781-square-foot home is loaded with top-tier luxuries: custom built-in fish tanks, wired iPhone-controlled surround sound, and 10-plus flat screen televisions are just a few of the finer things found inside, while the rear of the property boasts a boat dock, pool and a pair of fire pits. And if those amenities weren’t enough to sway a 23-year-old football star with cash to burn, a 26.5-foot speedboat was also included in the purchase. S.S. Gronk anyone?

Zsa Zsa Gabor House !!! Zsa Zsa Gabor Home !!! Zsa Zsa Gabor Mansion !!! Zsa Zsa Gabor’s $15 Million Bel Air Mansion Goes Hollywood

2012-10-22T10:53:00.000-07:00

Zsa Zsa Gabor was no stranger to the limelight in her heyday, so it stands to reason that the actress and socialite would own a home of a similar caliber. The woman who Merv Griffin once described as “glamour personified” is still taking offers for her $14.9 million mansion, but in the meantime the property’s breathtaking Bel Air views and elegant charm are being used in another capacity.

Already featured in the early Oscar contender Argo, which stars Ben Affleck, Gabor’s Bel Air manse will again be flexing some serious star power in the coming year. According to Gabor and husband Price Frederic von Anhalt’s realtor, Roger Perry of Rodeo Realty, the storied estate will continue to build on its already rich history as the backdrop for another highly anticipated film, Behind the Candelabra.

“It was built by Howard Hughes, rented by Elvis Presley and it belongs to Zsa Zsa Gabor,” says Perry of the 8,878-square-foot French-style home. “This property has a lot of history. Moreover, they just filmed the HBO Liberace movie, coming soon with Michael Douglas and Matt Damon. If only these walls could talk!”

And it’s not just film stars who have graced Gabor’s palatial abode. The property, which boasts six bedrooms, seven baths and a wealth of indoor-outdoor space dedicated to entertaining, has seen its fair share of U.S. presidents, CEO’s and other dignitaries over the years, including Queen Elizabeth, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush and even Ol’ Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra.

While the home, with its antique fireplaces, elegant touches and generous formal sitting areas, makes for a picture perfect movie locale, Perry speculates that it may eventually be retired from big screen – that is, depending on what the future owners decide to do.

“Since the home is somewhat dated, buyers in this price point will do one of two things: gut it and bring it back to its old glory, or tear it down and build a new 10,000-20,000-square-foot mansion,” says the Rodeo Realty broker, who indicated that the location of the property alone alone has attracted interest from builders, celebrities and even foreign buyers.

“Some love the old John Elgin Woolf architecture. Some love the view. Some came just because Zsa Zsa is there. It’s glamour from another time.”

Matthew Modine House !!! Matthew Modine Mansion !!! Matthew Modine Home !!! Actor Matthew Modine Lists Garden Loft Duplex In New York City

2012-10-07T06:51:00.000-07:00

He might not be leaving New York for good, but Matthew Modine is saying goodbye to his duplex in Chelsea. The veteran actor, who recently appeared in the summer blockbuster The Dark Knight Rises and will play John Sculley in the upcoming Steve Jobs biopic Jobs, has listed the Gallery District garden loft for $2.29 million.

Located just steps away from The High Line, the tastefully styled 1,668-square-foot residence boasts 17-foot vaulted ceilings, Nordic Ash hardwood floors and a host of other luxe finishes. Separate living room and dining room areas can be found on the upper level, along with a master suite that features a master bath lined in imported Porcelanosa ceramic tiles.

A chef’s kitchen has been equally styled and updated, and now includes limestone floors and an all-glass Italian kitchen by Schiffini. The loft’s lower level includes an ample family room area that has a half bath and laundry area, while a door off to the side leads to a private outdoor patio – a luxury “coveted by all NYer’s.”

Perhaps best known for his role as ‘Private Joker’ in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket, Modine’s filmography includes roles in such notable feature films as Vision Quest, Pacific Heights, and Bye Bye Love. The 53-year-old is also no stranger to television, having had various parts on Weeds, Law & Order: SVU and The West Wing.

Danny Granger Mansion!!! Danny Granger Home !!! Danny Granger Mansion LA !!!NBA All-Star Danny Granger Asks 25K-A-Month To Rent LA Crib

2012-09-20T11:50:00.000-07:00

Danny Granger earns millions playing basketball for the Indiana Pacers, but that’s not stopping the All-Star forward from trying to earn a little extra money on the side by renting out his sleek Hollywood Hills, CA home.

The NBA landlord-to-be is looking for a tenant with baller status in the cash department- to rent Granger’s one will need to produce a monthly rent check of $25,000 (at that price, you’d still think the lockout was still going on), not to mention a nice chunk of change for the security deposit.

It was less than two months ago that Granger came to own the 5,410-square-foot contemporary home, paying $3.715 million for the property in late July. Built to contour to a slanted lot, the eye-catching abode sports a modern minimalist feel thanks to a stark façade, rows of glass and a tiered design. Although the style is minimal, there is no shortage of amenities inside Granger’s luxe pad, of which range from a theater room to an exercise room and sauna to a pool area complete with a cabana and bar. Rounding out the Pacer rental is a master suite complete with its own sitting room and office, and an enormous walk-in closet that’s just waiting to be filled with a collection of Air Jordans.

Dorrance Hamilton Mansion !!!Dorrance Hamilton Home !!!Dorrance Hamilton Mansion Rhode Island !!! Campbell’s Soup Heiress’ $15.8M Rhode Island Estate is Mmm Mmm Good

2012-09-19T22:21:00.000-07:00

Heiress to the Campbell Soup Company fortune Dorrance Hamilton is selling her luxury oceanfront estate in Rhode Island. Hamilton, whose net worth currently hovers around the $1.1 billion mark, stands to add a few million more to her coffers after listing the iconic Newport property for $15.75 million.

Tucked away in the affluent Price’s Neck Cove, the shingle-style colonial home was designed by the collaborative duo of Irving Gill and Frederick Law Olmstead in 1902. Known as “Wildacre,” Hamilton’s luxe abode has been meticulously restored both inside and out, and measures a tad under 8,200 square feet with a total of six bedrooms and seven baths.

Exposed beam ceilings, custom woodworking and built-ins help the home hold true to its pre-war roots, while a backyard coastal wonderland is filled with mushroom canopies, manicured gardens and a spectacular infinity pool that reaches out towards the bay.

Johnny Depp House !!!Johnny Depp Mansion !!! Johnny Depp Home !!! Johnny Depp Says Adieu To Vanessa Paradis With A Lovely Parting Gift

2012-09-14T05:50:00.003-07:00

Johnny Depp has bought former partner Vanessa Paradis a $4.4 million home in the Hollywood Hills, proving that some folks don’t need things like “marriage certificates” or “prenuptial agreements” to do the right thing by the mother of their children.

Before their recent split, the Hollywood star and the French chanteuse/model were in a 14-year relationship that produced two children, Lily-Rose and Jack. Details of their June parting have been sketchy, with most ~~gossips~~ observers blaming that old bane of super rich power couples: spending so much time apart led to leading semi-separate lives which led to leading permanently separate lives.

The home itself is a Mediterranean-style manse cozily tucked into the Hills just below the Briar Summit Open Preserve, and ultra-convenient to Hollywood and the Valley via Laurel Canyon and Mulholland Drive. With 5 bedrooms and 5 baths in a 5800 square foot plan, there’s plenty of space for Vanessa and the kids to spread out in. Of course, if the kids start getting stir crazy they can always go visit dad on his private Caribbean island. You know, to stretch their legs.

Alex Rodriguez mansion !!!! Alex Rodriguez Home !!! Alex Rodriguez House !!! A-Rodchitecture: Yankees Slugger Lists $38M Miami Modern Pad

2012-09-10T08:36:00.002-07:00

After shelling out $24 million to build a luxury mansion on the Miami waterfront, New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez is looking to shed his modern architectural masterpiece.

The Bronx Bomber may have originally intended to use the property to serve as a love nest for then girlfriend Cameron Diaz; however, the power couple split before the 19,861-square-foot property was finished. Now, A-Rod aims to turn a tidy profit on the oceanfront home after listing it in August for a cool $38 million.

A-Rod’s property is quite the spectacle both inside and out. Clean lines, open terraces and rows of glass merge to create a sleek and streamlined façade, while the interior of the 9-bedroom, 11-bathroom abode takes on an organic feel thanks to the incorporation of native coral rock and white oak into the design.

In terms of amenities, A-Rod once again hits it out of the park. Ultimate privacy is provided thanks to a 16-camera security system, walled perimeter and 275-feet of private frontage that boasts a pair of docks. In the entertainment department, the Yankees third baseman rounds things out with a 3,000-square-foot sporting facility, including a batting cage, a billiards room, theatre, and an epic infinity pool- outdoor kitchen patio setup.

The Great House of Yao: Rockets Great Lists in Houston for $3.99M Read more: The Great House of Yao: Rockets Great Lists in Houston for $3.99M (PHOTO

2012-09-07T17:06:00.004-07:00

Yao Ming moved back to Shanghai following his retirement from professional basketball in 2011, so it comes as little surprise to learn that the former NBA star is selling his Houston, TX home. Ming, a former No.1 overall pick who spent his entire career with the Houston Rockets, has put the Hunters Creek Village estate on the market for $3.99 million.

At 7-foot-6 and 310-pounds, Ming obviously needed a home with plenty of room to move and the suburban property certainly fit the requirements with nearly 12,000 square feet of living space, six bedrooms and 9 bathrooms. A two-level foyer lined in marble starts things off in Casa de Yao and the luxe amenities don’t stop there.

Head to Yao’s formal dining room and you will bear witness to towering three-story windows and a magnificent chandelier. Further along is a wood-clad library complete with a wet bar and fireplace, while a second wet bar and wine room can be found just off the main entryway. Upstairs, the master suite features its own fireplace, along with a master both complete with a Yao-sized whirlpool spa set in marble. Rounding out Yao’s soon-to-be-former Houston digs is a massive backyard pool with a rock waterfall and obligatory mini-hoop.

[Photos via Dakon Realty]

Ray Rice House !!! Ray Rice Home !!! Ray Rice Mansion !!! Buy Ray Rice’s Pre-Big Contract Baltimore Townhouse for Just $340K

2012-09-05T08:30:00.002-07:00

We’re going to take a wild guess here and say that Baltimore tailback Ray Rice, fresh off of inking a $40 million dollar contract with the Ravens this offseason, is ready to make some changes to his real estate portfolio. With the new mega-deal in the bag, including $17 million in 2012 alone, Rice certainly has the means to afford many of the finer things in life, and as such the NFL All-Pro ready to say goodbye to his early beginnings, starting with his modest Baltimore, MD townhouse that has listed for $339,000.

It’s your run-of-the-mill 2,100 square-foot townhouse, so won’t bore you with a rundown of its “features” and “amenities.” However, we did find a few notable gems in the listing photos. For starters, Rice is on point in the bathroom with a mini-fridge conveniently placed above the bath tub for easy access to juice and protein shakes and yogurt and string cheese and whatever else Ray Rice might put in a bathroom mini-fridge. He also has a nice sneaker collection, as evidenced by the included closet shot. And then there’s the “man cave,” which comes complete with the obligatory framed poster of the Mr. Running Back himself. What, no Fathead, Ray?

CELEBRESTATE: Selena Gomez Buys From Jonah Hill, Ellen DeGeneres Flips and More

2012-08-31T16:05:00.005-07:00

After slowing down in the simmering summer months, the hamster is back spinning away on the great CELEBRESTATE wheel. There was a bevy of activity on the celebrity real estate trail this week, with primetime celebrities o’ plenty, buying, selling and flipping their way into the blogosphere.

Selena Gomez Reportedly Buys Jonah Hill’s Pad

Tarzana, CA –Justin Bieber is enjoying his newfound adulthood in a brand new mansion in Calabasas, but apparently that doesn’t entail shacking up with girlfriend Selena Gomez. The budding actress, who is currently filming scenes for her brand new movie, Feed the Dog, has reportedly zeroed in on a place of her own – the Tarzana bachelor pad of actor-comedian Jonah Hill.

It’s a quick flip for Hill, who purchased the 4,650 square foot property in September of 2011 for $2.175 million. Exactly how much Gomez shelled out for Hill’s former digs has yet to be reported, but the home previously sported a price tag of $2.9 million.

Ellen DeGeneres Flips Brad Pitt’s Former Beach House

Malibu, CA – Brad Pitt’s former Malibu beach house is changing hands once again. Less than year after buying from Angelie Jolie’s fiancé, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have decided to make a quick buck on the picturesque pad. The celebrity couple paid $12 million for the home back in December of 2011 and will bank roughly a million after selling it for $13 million.

DeGeneres has been one of the bigger celebrity real estate moguls of 2012. Back in June, the television personality offloaded her Beverly Hills compound to a certain American Idol host, which brings us to our next story…

Ryan Seacrest Sells Mansion For a Loss

Hollywood Hills, CA – Having taken up residence in Ellen’s former mega-mansion, a mega-mansion he paid approximately $37 million for, Ryan Seacrest opted to put his other home on the market. That particular property – a jammin’ 8,000 square-foot mansion with a detached nightclub and other very Ryan Seacrest-y features – has reportedly sold at a loss.

TMZ brings word that the television personality stands to lose roughly half a million on the property, which he previously purchased from Kevin Costner (who purchased it from none other than Richard Dreyfuss) in 2006 for $11.5 million.

Kelsey Grammer and Ex-Wife Camille Continue Real Estate Purge

Malibu , CA - The great real estate purge of Kelsey Grammer and ex-wife Camille continued this week with the former celebrity couple listing their former Malibu property – the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills mansion. The 4.75-acre oceanfront compound, which can be had for $17.5 million, is the third property of the Grammers’ massive real estate portfolio to hit the market since their divorce was finalized in 2011.

The pair previously listed a Beaver Creek ski home in October for $7.3 million and a Beverly Hills mansion in May for $17.99 million.

I guess the new thing among collegiate head coaches is selling their homes right before the start of the college football season. Not one, but two notable coaching names in the FBS world jumped on the ‘For Sale’ train this week. Cal’s Jeff Tedford was first, listing a picturesque Danville spread for $5.35 million, followed by Mr. Boomer Sooner himself, Bob Stoops, who is selling his own $2.1 million estate in Norman.

Is the cast of Friends gearing up for another real estate push? The sitcom stars were major players in 2011, but have been relatively quiet in 2012 – save for a Jennifer Aniston manse purchase, or two. That was, of course, until this week when Matt LeBlanc auditioned for a new role: landlord. The Episodes star is leasing his 1930’s Spanish Estate in Pacific Palisades for roughly $13,000-a-month.

Jeff Tedford Mansion !!! Jeff Tedford Home Danville !!! Cal Bears Coach House !!! Cal Bears coach Jeff Tedford Lists Danville Estate for $5.35M

2012-08-28T07:02:00.004-07:00

While Jeff Tedford and the California Golden Bears continue to prepare for Saturday’s home opener against the Nevada Wolf Pack, the team’s coach is apparently prepping for an open house on a more intimate level. Tedford, who enters his 11^th year as the Pac-12 school’s head coach, and his wife are selling their massive Danville, CA estate.

Mr. and Mrs. Tedford aim to turn a tidy profit on the family home. Property records indicate that the couple originally paid $3.15 million for the property in 2005 and are now asking a cool $5.35 million for the 8,900-square-foot estate. Set on a prime two-acre hillside lot, the Tedfords’ estate offers ridiculous 360 degree views of Mt. Diablo and the Contra Costa countryside. The home itself, a two-story Mediterranean design built in 1981, includes a total of five bedrooms and seven bathrooms, along with amenities ranging from a game room to a home theater to a wine tasting room.

Head to the Tedford backyard and you will see there is no questioning the coach’s school spirit. An outdoor kitchen and patio area give way to a pool with panoramic views, while further along is a putting green, bocce ball court and a blue basketball court adorned with the Cal logo.

Simon Cowell Mansion !!! A mobile home fit for a mogul: Exclusive look inside X Factor boss Simon Cowell's $2million 1200-Square Foot trailer

2012-08-27T18:41:00.002-07:00

By FEHINTOLA BETIKU

PUBLISHED: 08:11 EST, 27 August 2012 | UPDATED: 11:38 EST, 27 August 2012

Once a year Simon Cowell spends his time cruising in the Caribbean relaxing aboard a luxury yacht in St Barts with a group of friends.

And when he's back on dry land he travels between exquisite accommodations both in the US and the United Kingdom.

But while as he journeys around America searching for talent to take part in the X Factor he spends his days living in a $2 million trailer.

A moving mansion: During the US X Factor Simon Cowell lives in a $2million luxury trailer

The largest of them all: Cowells trailer is a massive 1,200 square feet and weighs 30 tons

Cowell's trailer comes complete with two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

More...

It has a fully-equipped kitchen with Italian cherrywood cabinets.

And it is said to costs a massive $9,000 a week to maintain and as it is made up of marble flooring and the ceiling are lined with leather.

Luxurious: Cowell's mobile home boosts ceilings which are lined with leather complimenting the sofas

His not so humble abode: The mogul can transform the trailer from a one storey home to two in an instance

His 1,200 square feet mobile home also includes a cinema room with 100 inch screen, offices and an all-granite bathroom.

Made by Anderson Mobile Estates, it has 22 wheels and weighs in a whopping 30 tons.

At the touch of a button Cowell can transform the trailer into a two storey abode and another button a glass divider in the trailer from transparent to opaque when he requires privacy.

Showing off his style: The fully equipped kitchen is made up of Italian cherrywood cabinets

High end... Simon has a state of the art entertainment system in the trailer which also includes a cinema room with 100 inch screen and costs $9,000 a week to maintain

The interior has church-style arched windows which have full electric shades controlled by AMX touch screens.

There is also a space for Cowell to get his hair and makeup done in an upstairs room which has a large mirror surrounded by light bulbs.

Exquisite: The 52-year-old's mobile abode has plenty wardrobe and storage space

Very Hollywood: Simon has a vanity corner complete with a mirror which is surrounded by lights

A satellite hookup on the roof sends movies to a 50-inch plasma TV or 37-inch TVs peppered around the trailer which also features a 100-inch roll-down movie projector screen.

Upstairs holds a bar and an office big enough for 30 people including Cowell's assistants and staff.

Cowell time: There is a button in the trailer that enables Simon to change the glass in the house from transparent to opaque

The view from above: The trailer also boosts a spiral staircase

The 52-year-old music mogul's trailer also features $150,000 worth of medical equipment, including an EKG glove and a pop up TV that has his doctor on call 24/7 in case he ever feels ill.

According to RJ Anderson, the only other mobile medical unit in the world that is as sophisticated is located on President Obama's plane Air Force One.

At his service: The X Factor boss has a doctor on call 24 hours a day who he can speak to via satellite

Rob Dyrdek and Christopher “Big Black” Boykin Mansion !!! Mini Horse Not Included: MTV’s Rob & Big Home Lists in LA

2012-08-25T17:12:00.002-07:00

Prep ‘Meaty’ and ‘Mini Horse’ for takeoff, because the former stomping ground of Rob Dyrdek and Christopher “Big Black” Boykin has hit the Los Angeles, CA market. After putting up a ‘For Sale’ sign in front of his Hollywood Hills residence back in April, the Ridiculousness star is at it again, this time listing a property in LA for $1.25 million. Getting a dose of déjà vu looking at the mid-century mod? Well, that’s because it was used as the backdrop for Dyrdek and Boykin’s mid-2000’s reality show, Rob & Big.

Although no bulldog or miniature pony can be found roaming the premises, the 2,792-square-foot home appears to be relatively the same as it was on the TV show. Floor-to-ceiling walls of glass offer sprawling views of downtown, while an all-white interior with vaulted ceilings boasts hardwood flooring and a rising, two-story smokestack fireplace. The “entertainer’s kitchen,” which has been upgraded with high-end appliances and luxe finishes, sits at the top of the three-bedroom, four-bathroom home and leads out onto a private pool and patio area.

Joe Johnson Mansion !! Joe Johnson Atlanta Mansion !!! Brooklyn Nets’ Joe Johnson Looks to Unload Atlanta Mega-Mansion

2012-08-14T20:56:00.005-07:00

Joe Johnson will be rocking the black and white next season after being traded by the Atlanta Hawks to the new look Brooklyn Nets this offseason. However, it appears the NBA guard has some unfinished business in the ATL – unfinished real estate business, that is. Johnson, who is set to make $19.8 million this season and has a total of $89 million remaining on his current deal, has put his Atlanta, GAhome on the market, listing the 13,822-square-foot mega-mansion for a cool $4.7 million.

Johnson originally purchased the All-Star spread from former Hawks star and area native Shareef Abdur-Rahim back in 2005, paying $3.8 million at the time, and it’s exactly as you would expect of a multi-millionaire with baller status. Besides its sheer gargantuan size, the 8-bedroom, 9-bathroom mansion, which sports a modern minimalist interior design, is loaded from top to bottom with high-end comforts. Multiple rooms feature multiple flat screen televisions; a master bedroom sports at least three TVs, while a fully loaded bar room offers a total of five displays. There is also a private studio room, along with other luxe amenities like a full-service barbershop and salon, billiards room, weight room and the crème de la crème, a top-line recording studio.

Gilbert Arenas Mansion !!! Gilbert Arenas Mansion D.C. !!!Gilbert Arenas is selling his infamous, shark tank-laden mansion for $3.5 million

2012-07-26T12:39:00.004-07:00

Anywhere Gilbert Arenas lays his head is his home. (Getty Images)

When former Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas signed a gigantic $111 million contract extension back in the summer of 2008, we sharply disagreed with the move, while giving a knowing nod to Arenas' reputation as the NBA's lovable goofball prince. Undeterred, Arenas set to spending that money and enhancing that reputation by beginning construction on a massive D.C.-area mansion complete with a grotto, an infamous shark tank (that cost $5,000 a month in maintenance bills), seven bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and a couple of "sitting rooms" that sit between bedrooms and bathrooms that Gilbert clearly didn't use much as his knees (and reputation) fell apart over the years since.

Things bottomed out in 2011-12 for Gil, as he sat on the end of the bench in Memphis, two teams away from Washington and working for a minimum salary after hitting the waiver wire in late 2011. The contract has finally run its course, Gilbert's time in the NBA is likely done, and soon after the last of that confetti was swept away, Arenas put his mansion up for sale. According to his realtors, it can be yours for $3.5 million.

Via D.C. Sports Bog, Deadspin, SB Nation and Mouse on House you can now look at the mansion that once held so much promise. So much promise of shark and bikini but mostly shark grotto parties. Click the jump for a few pictures of the one-time palace:

The front porch. (Courtesy MouseOnHouse.com)The famous shark tank (Courtesy MouseOnHouse.com)The media room (Courtesy MouseOnHouse.com)How the foyer appeared, when Arenas descended his staircase (Courtesy MouseOnHouse.com)The master bedroom (Courtesy MouseOnHouse.com)The hot tub, from within the grotto (Courtesy MouseOnHouse.com)The outdoor patio, grotto to the right (Courtesy MouseOnHouse.com)The game room, where only the 'Scarface' poster remains (Courtesy MouseOnHouse.com)

Here's the description of the listing, from Arenas' realtors:

Truly unique - One of a kind! Expansive grand home sited on an exquisite gated lot. Soaring ceilings, gleaming cherry floors, CUSTOM details throughout, grand entertaining spaces and comfortable family living space, true CHEF'S kitchen w/large breakfast room overlooks the HUGE in-ground pool and Grotto, your own fantasy playground!!

(!!)

Andrew Sharp, at SB Nation, has penned a loving tribute to Gilbert's time in the house. Including his week-long "strike" away from his wife staying away from the mansion and sleeping in the Wizards' practice facility, the weird and Gilbert-heavy proposal ceremony that preceded that marriage, paintball fights with teammates that roped in some hired contractors to fill out a fair team for each side, all ending with this culmination from Sharp:

But what I'm saying is, Gilbert Arenas was the most delightfully batsh!t pro athlete we've seen in decades, out there living in the dream on a daily basis, and his "fantasy playground" house was a perfect extension of all that. The dreams are totally dead now, yeah, and that waterslide looks like it hasn't been used in years. But screw it.

Or, buy it. Your move, eccentric millionaires

Drake Mansion !!! Drake House !!! Drake Home !!! Drake Is Buying, Nicky Hilton Is Selling, Both Are In SoCal

2012-07-18T12:22:00.001-07:00

In our mid-week celeb round up, we’re bringing you the deets on two completely unrelated celebrities and their equally divided real estate activities of the week. Socialite and designer Nicky Hilton and Canadian ‘recording artist’ Drake have both been busy in the Southern California market, trading up and trading out on some big-ticket digs. While Hilton is getting rid of her monochrome West Hollywood box, Drake shelled out the cash for an outsized estate in Hidden Hills.

The younger Hilton, who has scraped together a living as a handbag designer, is moving on from this ivy-covered white cube in West Hollywood, CA. The nondescript interiors of 4,000 square foot home are made even more so by a severe black-and-white color scheme, though the dining room does receive a bit of color from (of all things) vintage palm-print wallpaper. Not much of a backyard to speak of, though a swimming pool is squished in against the bordering hillside. Perhaps the home’s location just off Sunset Boulevard is the justification for its $3 million price tag…

In other news, hip-hop artist Drake reportedly paid about $2.8 million for a sprawling complex in Hidden Hills, CA. The 3 acre property has a wealth of attractions, including a 12,500 square foot main house, stables, and an extraordinary swimming pool, complete with waterfall and a torch-lit grotto (top and above). To me, the home looks like an amusement park mash-up of Snow White and California Adventure’s Grizzly River Run – but hey, to each his own. I’m sure living in Disneyland can’t be all that bad.

Yuri Milner Palo Alto Loire Chateau !!! Yuri Milner Mansion !!! Billionaire paid double mansion's worth, assessor says

2012-07-07T20:10:00.004-07:00

Last year tech billionaire Yuri Milner dashed sales records in California when he paid an astounding$100 million for a Silicon Valley mansion.

A year later, the tax man disagrees with its worth. On Tuesday the Santa Clara County assessor told the Mercury News that the estate, known as Palo Alto Loire Chateau, is worth markedly less than Milner paid for it: $50.27 million, to be exact. It means Milner, an investor in Facebook and Groupon, shelled out 100% more than the estate is arguably worth by market standards.

“For whatever reason, and we don’t know, Mr. Milner purchased the property at more than its fair market value,” explains Larry Stone, Santa Clara County assessor. “It doesn’t happen very often and we knew at the time that it was unusual…since the highest assessed residential property in Silicon Valley prior to that time was $28.5 million.”

Stone’s team compared the home, located in Los Altos Hills, to 11 other ultra luxury mansions throughout California’s most expensive ZIP codes. They found that comparable properties sold for less, from the 30,000-square-foot Los Altos Hills home that fetched $28.5 million to the 56,500-square foot Holmby Hills Spelling Manor that ultimately commanded $85 million last year. The office also dispatched three appraisers to make independent assessments of Milner’s 17-acre, 25,000-square-foot abode.

Click here to see photos of Yuri Milner's $100 million mansion

The assessment means the Russian venture capitalist will pay $600,000 a year in taxes — a bill that could buy three homes in other parts of the U.S. at the national median price. However, the Mercury News asserts that the assessment still represents “a big property tax break for Milner,” as the bill would have been more like $1.2 million if it had matched the sales price.

Still, $600,000 represents quite a revenue boon for the county: at the time of Milner’s purchase, the assessed value had been $25.7 million, according to Santa Clara County assessor records, and the tax bill $304,000 per year. It means taxes are almost doubling.

As is the case with less expensive homes, sales price typically serves as the fair market value number. But it’s important to note that in the world of trophy real estate, fair market value and sales price are not the same thing. Since price at the ultra high-end is glaringly subjective to both seller’s and buyer’s personal tastes rather than pocketbooks, it’s not uncommon to see expensive homes fetch more than their “market value.” It means affluent homeowners sometimes enjoy taxes affiliated with a lower value than they might command for the home if they decide to sell. For example, the 2011 tax assessment on the Spelling Manor is $66.3 million even though it sold for $85 million, according to the L.A. County Assessor’s office. Even so, a $50 million discrepancy is surprising.

“Our job is to figure out, if it was listed on the open market –which this was not, what would other buyers have been willing to pay for it?” says David Ginsborg, Stone’s Deputy. “Our conclusion was there was no way anyone would have paid $100 million.”

Nestled among 17 hilltop acres in Los Altos Hills, Calif., the French chateau-style mansion encompasses 25,545 square feet of living space including 14 bathrooms, two dining rooms, a ballroom, a library and staff quarters. Outrageous amenities include a home theater, a wine cellar, a gym, an indoor pool, and a sauna. There’s also a 4,600-square foot guest house and two three-car garages, even a private car wash. The chateau traded hands in “turn-key” condition, meaning move-in-ready. Rumor has it that Milner, whose primary residence is located in Moscow, hasn’t even occupied it yet.

“It’s like artwork: When some people want something badly enough, they will pay what they believe they have to pay to get it,” adds Stone. Indeed, it’s not the first time a billionaire has shelled out a staggering sum and possibly overpaid for a trophy home. Even so, “He may want to have a conversation with his Realtors.”

Mumbai's Boom Turns Renters Into Millionaires

2012-07-07T11:28:00.001-07:00

By Pooja Thakur

Mea Kadwani, 78, has lived in the same apartment in the Mukund Mansion in Mumbai since he was a toddler. Thanks to rent control laws, he paid less than $20 a month for decades, and $23 a month recently, for a 2,600-square-foot space in the upscale Nepean Sea Road neighborhood, where rents typically top $2,000 a month. Now he’s moving on: After three years of negotiations, he and his wife pocketed $2.5 million from Orbit, a real estate developer planning to turn the building into a garage for residents of its 29-story Villa Orb tower under construction next door.

The developer offered Kadwani an apartment in the new building. Instead, Kadwani took the money and moved to a first-floor flat nearby. “I refused an apartment in the redeveloped building, as the idea of staying in these tall towers didn’t appeal to me,” he says.

Thousands of rent-controlled tenants in India’s fast-growing financial hub are becoming millionaires as developers tear down crumbling colonial mansions to build luxury towers for the rich, according to Orbit and other companies. Home prices in Mumbai have climbed to a record 10,833 rupees ($200) per square foot, doubling in three years, according to Liases Foras Real Estate Rating & Research, based in the city.

South Mumbai, including a stretch of prime land hugging the Arabian Sea, has about 500 dilapidated stone structures dating back to the early 1900s with a potential value of about $40 billion if redeveloped, according to Pujit Aggarwal, managing director at Orbit, which specializes in buying old buildings and replacing them with modern towers. “For generations, most tenants were living a hand-to-mouth existence, barely making two ends meet,” says Aggarwal, whose firm is one of about 75 vying to oust Mumbai’s rent-controlled residents. “Now, with redevelopment, these tenants have become multimillionaires overnight as capital values of the properties they occupied soared.”

[Related: 10 cities with amazing deals for renters]

It’s still a good deal for landlords. At Villa Orb, five-bedroom units are selling for about $12 million, Aggarwal says. He expects to make four times the value of his investment in the project, after paying 1 billion rupees to the landlords to acquire the sites, 750 million rupees to the tenants, and construction costs. Not all rent-controlled tenants end up rich. Mitul Bhatia, a 33-year-old recruitment consultant, says he and his parents were forced to vacate their 972-square-foot, three-bedroom apartment in South Mumbai after the landlord turned off the water and electricity.

The Bombay rent control act of 1947 was introduced to provide relief to the city’s migrants after the partition of colonial India. Rents at about 19,000 buildings were set at 1940 levels to prevent owners from charging excessive rates during a time of distress. In Mumbai, the measures have been amended and the act rechristened the Maharashtra Rent Control Bill, which allows for 5 percent annual rent increases.

Like other colonial-era buildings, Mukund Mansion, built in 1923, is crumbling. Owners often can’t afford to maintain their buildings on the rents they receive. Barred from evicting tenants by the rent control statutes, their only way to cash in on rising property values is to sell the building to a developer who can afford to buy them out. Kadwani, who suffered a minor injury when part of the building’s roof caved in, sympathizes. “The landlord was in a pitiable condition,” he says. “We didn’t expect him to do much for the building given the rents we were paying him.”

[Related: Inflation Makes Big Incomes Smaller]

Of the nine families in Mukund Mansion, the Kadwanis held out the longest and got one of the highest payoffs, says Aggarwal. Before Orbit bought the building, Kadwani had wanted to move. “We tried to sell our tenancy rights several times, but the landlord refused to transfer the property to the new tenant,” he says. “In hindsight, it was a blessing that he didn’t agree, or we would have sold out for a fraction of what we got in the end.”

5 celebrity homes on the market

2012-07-06T16:52:00.001-07:00

By Jason Notte | TheStreet.com

MORE FROM THE STREET

Real estate is perhaps the only area where the decidedly less-than-famous can realistically live like celebrities.

It doesn't require talent, charisma or camera time. It just requires money, and usually a star trailer full of it at that. If you've got a face for radio and a dearth of god-given talent that makes long-forgotten Real World cast members look like Hollywood Walk-Of-Famers by comparison, throwing enough money at the right property could help boost your Q rating.

We teamed up with the folks at Zillow and found five properties being sold by celebrities. Living in one of these homes won't make you a celebrity, but it'll help you live like one without having to chase the paparazzi away every few days or so:

Ryan Murphy's Malibu digs
Location: Malibu, Calif.
Price: $6.995 million

The Glee creator just held a fundraiser for President Barack Obama at his Beverly Hills home, but Murphy's looking to recoup a little cash for himself by selling this beachfront property that he just bought from actress Charlize Theron last year. The house may have been drained of its original glee after Theron's split from husband Stuart Thompson forced its sale last year, but it still has enough amenities to coax a smile out of Sue Sylvester. The 2,095-square-foot home has three bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths as well as beachfront perks including an oversized waterfront deck with lounge, cabana, spa, fire pit and outdoor shower.

Gianni Versace's Miami mansion
Location: Miami Beach, Fla.
Price: $125 million

What makes the late fashion designer's estate worth nine figures, besides the Versace label? How about Casa Casuarina's 18,838 square feet, 10 bedrooms, 11 baths and a 54-foot mosaic pool lined in 24-karat gold? Versace paid $10 million for it 20 years ago before making another $33 million in upgrades.

It was last bought by telecom mogul Peter Loftin for $20 million in 2000 and converted into a boutique hotel back in 2009. Loftin's kept the place in exquisite condition, but some buyers may still have misgivings about buying the place where Versace himself was killed on the front steps 15 years ago.

Michael C. Hall's Hollywood Hills home
Location: Los Angeles
Price: $1.995 million

The star of Showtime's Dexter would have had plenty of space for plastic-cloaked kill rooms and a "dark passenger" in this 3,535-square-foot home. Designed by famed Los Angeles architect Hal Levitt -- who designed homes for Olivia Newton-John, Dean Martin, Debbie Reynolds and Lionel Ritchie -- Hall's home has four bedrooms, five baths, a downstairs gym with guest room with its own bath, extensive patio space and canyon views. Hall has owned the home since 2008, but it's been a bit emptier since his divorce from Dexter co-star Jennifer Carpenter.

Claire Danes' Soho apartment
Location: New York City
Price: $6 million

Danes has come a long way from playing sullen, disaffected Angela in the ever-so-'90s drama My So-Called Life to winning this year's Best Actress Golden Globe for her role in Showtime's Homeland. Her taste in real estate is apparently evolving as well. Danes and husband Hugh Dancy are parting with their 4,000-square-foot loft and its high ceilings, 16 windows, exposed brick and hardwood floors. The three-bedroom, three-bathroom home on quiet, cobblestoned Wooster Street also includes a wood-burning fireplace and direct elevator access. Only Danes knows what the next step is from there, but that foundation's nothing to sulk about.

Zsa Zsa Gabor's Bel-Air home
Location: Los Angeles
Price: $14.9 million

It's kind of tough explaining Zsa Zsa Gabor to people these days. Was she Paris Hilton with better breeding and acting talent? Were she and her sisters more presentable Kardashians? In either case, the woman perhaps most famous for being famous and never pronouncing the "r" in "darling" is in ill health and selling off her sprawling 26-room, 8,878-square-foot home. The estate's seven bedrooms, seven baths and several indoor/outdoor entertaining spaces hosted Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor and presidents Ronald Reagan and both Bushes. Sitting on more than an acre overlooking Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean, the estate is a near-perfect statement on Gabor herself: Lavish and a bit gaudy, but an enduring reminder of a Hollywood that's slowly fading away.

The World's Best Business Schools

2012-07-02T09:40:00.002-07:00

Jennifer Polland

(AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

Picking the right business school is more important than ever.

The right school gives you an advantage in a tough market. The wrong school could be a critical waste of time and money.

Our survey has determined that the best program out there is Stanford Business School.

Harvard, which held the top spot for the past two years, came in a close second, with Wharton in third.

Our results are based on an extensive survey of the people who matter most to your future: real professionals. Over one thousand of our readers responded, of which 87 percent had attended business school and 71 percent had hiring experience.

Many respondents said a network of contacts was the most important thing you get out of business school (43 percent); while others named the skills & knowledge acquired in courses (34 percent) or the brand value associated with a school (23 percent).

Besides the usual top American contenders, more international schools ranked in the top 10 category this year, with London Business School coming in at #5 and INSEAD ranking at #10. Respondents also suggested that we include other international schools next year, like Cambridge (Judge Business School), the Rotterdam School of Management at Erasmus University, the Indian Institute of Management, the Indian School of Business and The University of Hong Kong (HKU).

Click here to view as one page >

#50 University of Minnesota (Carlson)

Carlson scored a 1.94 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #28
US News: #30
Economist: #65
Forbes: #28

Last year's list: NR

#49 University of Washington (Foster)

Foster scored a 1.96 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #31
US News: #35
Economist: #35
Forbes: #36

Last year's list: #50

#48 Queen's University

Wikimedia Commons

Queen's University scored a 1.98 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #2 (Non-U.S.)
US News: NR
Economist: NR
Forbes: NR

Last year's list: NR

#47 Brigham Young University (Marriott)

BYU.edu

Marriott scored a 1.98 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

Tie Breaker: Marriott had a 1.1% excellent rating with 7 votes, while Queen's University had a 1.1% excellent rating with 6 votes--the difference of only 1 vote.

BusinessWeek: #27
US News: #34
Economist: NR
Forbes: #15

Last year's list: #46

Comments: "BYU's Marriott Business School is one of the best, and at a very affordable price. Why pay hundreds of thousands of dollars every year when you can pay just a couple thousand and have the same level of education as Stanford or Harvard."

#46 Purdue University (Krannert)

Wikipedia

Krannert scored a 1.99 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #41
US News: #42
Economist: #85
Forbes: #40

Last year's list: #43

#45 Washington University - St. Louis (Olin)

Wikimedia Commons

Olin scored a 2.01 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #40
US News: #22
Economist: #42
Forbes: #47

Last year's list: #36

#44 Ohio State University (Fisher)

Twitter (@GerdOzone)

Fisher scored a 2.02 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #32
US News: #25
Economist: #51
Forbes: #34

Last year's list: #40

#43 University of California - Irvine (Merage)

Wikimedia Commons

Merage scored a 2.02 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

Tie Breaker: Merage had a 1.0% excellent rating, while Fisher had a 0.8% excellent rating.

BusinessWeek: NR
US News: #49
Economist: NR
Forbes: #69

Last year's list: #40

#42 University of Western Ontario (Ivey)

Wikimedia Commons

Ivey scored a 2.05 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #6 (Non-U.S.)
US News: NR
Economist: NR
Forbes: NR

Last year's list: #49

#41 George Washington University

Wikimedia Commons

George Washington University scored a 2.06 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #52
US News: #57
Economist: #68
Forbes: NR

Last year's list: #42

#40 Babson College (Olin)

babson.edu

Olin scored a 2.07 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #39
US News: #61
Economist: NR
Forbes: #44

Last year's list: #39

Comments: "Babson flies under the radar with great pride, almost like a stealth drone. Given the over-riding power of other school brands, Babson students come out swinging and ready to roll up their sleeves. Basically, 'Babos' are trained and more than prepared to take on bigger fish!"

#39 Georgia Institute of Technology

Wikimedia Commons

Georgia Institute of Technology scored a 2.09 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #23
US News: #32
Economist: NR
Forbes: #43

Last year's list: #44

#38 Indiana University (Kelley)

nichcollins

Kelley scored a 2.14 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #19
US News: #23
Economist: #39
Forbes: #27

Last year's list: #38

#37 University of Toronto (Rotman)

Flickr/bobistraveling

Rotman scored a 2.15 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #8 (Non-U.S.)
US News: NR
Economist: NR
Forbes: NR

Last year's list: #41

Comments: "The city you're in matters. An MBA is partly about networks, and it's a lot easier to build a network when you can go meet professionals for quick coffee meetings whenever they are available. Going to Rotman I used to get down to Bay St. (Canadian Wall St.) after class or even in between class to meet people who would later be scanning my resume. These meetings were critical to me getting the job I wanted."

#36 Boston University

Flickr/wallyg

Boston University scored a 2.17 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #38
US News: #37
Economist: #49
Forbes: #61

Last year's list: #35

#35 Vanderbilt University (Owen)

Wikimedia Commons

Owen scored a 2.17 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

Tie Breaker: Owen had a 2.0% excellent rating, while Boston University had a 1.4% excellent rating.

BusinessWeek: #37
US News: #25
Economist: #34
Forbes: #33

Last year's list: #37

#34 Michigan State University (Broad)

Nike

Broad scored a 2.28 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #20
US News: #44
Economist: NR
Forbes: #19

Last year's list: #34

#33 Thunderbird School of Global Management

Thunderbird

Thunderbird School of Global Management scored a 2.28 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

Tie Breaker: Thunderbird School of Global Management had a 3.0% excellent rating, while Broad had a 2.2% excellent rating.

BusinessWeek: #45
US News: #75
Economist: #87
Forbes: #54

Last year's list: #33

Comments: "Hard to match Thunderbird's global focus, and they were doing it far before it became obvious."

#32 University of Notre Dame (Mendoza)

business.nd.edu

Mendoza scored a 2.30 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #24
US News: #25
Economist: #40
Forbes: #31

Last year's list: #29

Comments: "Notre Dame lives up to their reputation in delivering top candidates who can execute and operate with integrity. Additionally, they have heavy executive support and engagement from top levels at GE." [GE recruiter]

"Notre Dame is overrated because the quality of the graduates is weak. The academic curriculum only affords students a few core classes by the time they graduate which leads to weak analytical skills. Alumni network makes up for this deficiency."

#31 University of Southern California (Marshall)

Wikimedia Commons

Marshall scored a 2.31 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #26
US News: #21
Economist: #22
Forbes: #39

Last year's list: #32

#30 Emory University (Goizueta)

Goizueta scored a 2.40 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #22
US News: #19
Economist: #28
Forbes: #22

Last year's list: #25

Comments: "Emory is a marketing and brand management must go. The professors get it and if you are smart enough to get what they are sharing you'll make more money more often as an entrepreneur or marketer when you leave the school."

"Emory is a small school but they have a strong health care presence and they definitely hit the geographical component for us in terms of our Alpharetta offices." [McKesson recruiter]

#29 Georgetown University (McDonough)

Flickr/stevemadsen

McDonough scored a 2.45 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #33
US News: #24
Economist: #44
Forbes: #35

Last year's list: #24

Comments: "I think the value of business school is dependent on where you want to get a job after. A Georgetown MBA probably looks great in DC or the mid-Atlantic where there are not tons of other MBAs. While a Georgetown MBA will be lost in Silicon Valley where there is a huge concentration of Stanford, Harvard, and Haas people looking for jobs."

#28 University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler)

Wikimedia Commons

UNC scored a 2.51 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #16
US News: #19
Economist: #47
Forbes: #16

Last year's list: #27

#27 University of Texas - Austin (McCombs)

McCombs scored a 2.52 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #25
US News: #17
Economist: #31
Forbes: #17

Last year's list: #23

Comments: "UT is one of the highest value for your money schools out there. It is relatively easy to score an in-state tuition, it's consistently ranked among the top 20 schools, but most importantly it gives you comparable access to top consulting firms, banking institutions, and many Fortune 500 companies. If you are willing to stay in Texas (great lifestyle, low tax rates, affordable in general) you have an unmatched network in top companies. And, while base salary is lower than many east coast offers, life is much more affordable."

#26 ESADE (Escuela Superior de Administración y Dirección de Empresas)

Wikimedia Commons

ESADE scored a 2.55 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #4 (Non-U.S.)
US News: NR
Economist: #17
Forbes: NR

Last year's list: #28

#25 IE Business School (Instituto de Empresa)

Altisidora via wikimedia

IE scored a 2.66 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #3 (Non-U.S.)
US News: NR
Economist: #24
Forbes: #3 (Non-U.S.)

Last year's list: #31

Comments: "The IE Business School forms some of the best professionals I have met. They seem to have a better understanding of the international environment than students in the United States."

#24 IMD (International Institute for Management Development, Lausanne)

Flickr/Sklathill

IMD scored a 2.81 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #7 (Non-U.S.)
US News: NR
Economist: #3
Forbes: #1 (Non-U.S.)

Last year's list: #26

#23 Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper)

Wikimedia Commons

Tepper scored a 2.84 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #15
US News: #18
Economist: #16
Forbes: #23

Last year's list: #18

#22 IESE Business School (University of Navarra

IESE.es

IESE scored a 2.85 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #12 (Non-U.S.)
US News: NR
Economist: #10
Forbes: #3 (Non-U.S.)

Last year's list: #30

Comments: "Set in a beautiful campus in one of the most vibrant cities in Europe, IESE provides a truly global exposure with students and professors from over 60 countries. It tests our decision skills while preparing us to be better managers in the world with its strong focus on ethics."

"IESE is far ahead of other business schools in adapting to post-crisis educational needs. Business school is no longer just about names and networking and IESE ensures that its students are prepared and disciplined to be skilled and thoughtful leaders in a shifting world."

"I was aiming to move from investment banking into the niche sector of impact investing and social entrepreneurship. Through IESE I was introduced to key players in that community and have since landed a job in exactly the sector I was aiming at. Without the IESE connections this would not have been possible. I would gladly repeat my decision to go to IESE Business School and would have no doubts about recommending the school to prospective students."

#21 University of California - Los Angeles (Anderson)

Anderson scored a 2.87 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #17
US News: #15
Economist: #27
Forbes: #20

Last year's list: #21

#20 HEC Paris (École des Hautes Études Commerciales)

Wikimedia Commons

HEC Paris scored a 2.89 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #14 (Non-U.S.)
US News: NR
Economist: #14
Forbes: #8 (Non-U.S.)

Last year's list: #22

Comments: "Value depends on geography - HEC Paris is immensely valuable if you want to work in France. Outside of France its cache is far less valuable (I work in London and it has very low value compared to LBS). LBS however seems to be a more global school. Also depends on sector - HEC is great if you want to work in luxury goods / strategy, finance less so."

#19 University of Virginia (Darden)

Flickr/beaunose

Darden scored a 2.95 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #11
US News: #13
Economist: #4
Forbes: #9

Last year's list: #19

Comments: "Ultimately an MBA is an investment and you should evaluate it based on two metrics: return on investment (financial) and the students' evaluation of the program. Although I am clearly biased, Darden scores very high on both accounts (Forbes' ROI metrics for the financial; many other surveys for student satisfaction)."

#18 University of Michigan (Ross)

Flickr/cseeman

Ross scored a 2.99 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #7
US News: #13
Economist: #30
Forbes: #14

Last year's list: #20

#17 University of Oxford (Saïd)

domeheid on flickr

Saïd scored a 3.23 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #16 (Non-U.S.)
US News: NR
Economist: #60
Forbes: #6 (Non-U.S.)

Last year's list: #17

Comments: "Said Business School provides a unique experience combining first-class professors, a 21st century approach to business, an unrivalled international network of colleagues, and an amazing connection to one of the world's oldest and best universities."

"Said Business School is an extremely innovative school with a flexible curriculum, top-notch faculty, and a truly international student body (from every continent). They are very much focused on entrepreneurship and the VC community. And the prestige of Oxford is the cherry on the cake that opens doors all over the world."

#16 Cornell University (Johnson)

Johnson scored a 3.33 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #13
US News: #16
Economist: #25
Forbes: #8

Last year's list: #14

Comments: "Cornell's MBA program is the only program with a student-run venture capital fund. It's invested hundreds of thousands of dollars and has a good track record. It's called BR Ventures."

"Cornell University is consistently the business school of choice, as proven by the number of hedge fund managers and Forbes' list of the Top 400 Billionaires in the World."

#15 Duke University (Fuqua)

Fuqua scored a 3.41 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #6
US News: #12
Economist: #20
Forbes: #12

Last year's list: #13

Comments: "Duke's Fuqua School of Business has a collaborative, innovative and entrepreneurial spirit that continues to pay dividends and be exhibited by alums long after graduation."

#14 Yale University

Yale scored a 3.42 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #21
US News: #10
Economist: #26
Forbes: #11

Last year's list: #12

Comments: "Most business school rankings focus on criteria that were important to a pre-bubble economy. I feel like my business school and my experience was rooted in a curriculum that attempted to look forward and prepare for the changing paradigm of economic activity. Yale does a good job breaking the silo approach to business education and forcing you to participate in social osmosis with your peers. That combined with the fact that the people are chill made for two of the best and most intellectually rewarding years of my life."

"Yale is grossly underrated -- very interesting, dedicated student body, trying to do creative things with the curriculum."

#13 University of California - Berkeley (Haas)

Wikipedia

Haas scored a 3.48 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #8
US News: #7
Economist: #6
Forbes: #13

Last year's list: #10

#12 New York University (Stern)

Flickr/Julio Costa Zambelli

Stern scored a 3.48 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

Tie Breaker: Stern had a 15.7% excellent rating with 121 votes, while Haas had a 15.7% excellent rating with 116 votes--the difference of only 5 votes.

BusinessWeek: #18
US News: #11
Economist: #12
Forbes: #18

Last year's list: #15

Comments: "Stern has a convenient geographic location in lower Manhattan as well as a technical emphasis on finance and accounting that are second to none, particularly with its staff of all-stars that Wall Street banks often look to for insight and training. These include: Aswath Damodoran (corporate finance), William Silber (finance), Nouriel Roubini (Economics) and Dhananjay Gode (accounting)."

"I feel that it is important to focus on the bottom line of going to business school. It is not the professors, no matter how good they are, the campus, no matter how nice it is, etc. that matter. What matters at the end of the day is what type of job are you going to obtain after business school. A school that opens the doors to your desired field is the ideal school for you. There is no single school, in my experience, that excels at everything. In my case, NYU Stern allowed me to make a 180 degree career switch, from a career in sales/marketing to Investment Banking. So for me, in terms of ROI, my school is the best school. The incredible network that I built and the life as a student in NYC was just a great sweet bonus."

#11 London School of Economics

Flickr/adewale_oshineye

London School of Economics scored a 3.51 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: NR
US News: NR
Economist: NR
Forbes: NR

Last year's list: #9

Comments: "LSE gets a 3 (for Americans) because we have some unfounded belief in its prestige. Meet any LSE 'MBA' student (I think technically they offer a Master's in Management) and you'll want to give them a 1."

#10 INSEAD (Institut Européen d'Administration des Affaires)

entrypark.com

INSEAD scored a 3.62 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #1 (Non-U.S.)
US News: #NR
Economist: #19
Forbes: #2 (Non-US)

Last year's list: #16

Comments: "INSEAD has the most diverse, most international, student body and alumni network. They are ALL multi-lingual."

#9 Dartmouth College (Tuck)

Wikimedia Commons

Tuck scored a 3.69 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #14
US News: #9
Economist: #1
Forbes: #6

Last year's list: #8

Comments: "Having started at CUNY Baruch and finished at Tuck at Dartmouth, I am not impressed by the distinctions between the curriculums; they are both largely vocational (although Tuck benefits from brand name professors such as Ken French, the curriculum doesn't really delve into enough depth to take advantage of such expertise). Rather, the distinction lies in the programs' reputations (don't bother if its not Top 10) and the alumni network that you gain access to post-graduation."

#8 Northwestern University (Kellogg)

Flickr/Frank Gruber

Kellogg scored a 3.83 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #4
US News: #4
Economist: #18
Forbes: #7

Last year's list: #7

Comments: "I was lucky to get into Kellogg, and I had an amazing experience. I learned a lot from my classes, but I also learned a lot about where the value of an MBA really manifests: in the connections. Most MBA programs of any value teach similar lessons and methodologies--I have friends that went to 2nd and 3rd tier schools that learned the same substantive lessons as we did at Kellogg, but they simply don't have the same high caliber network that the higher ranked schools offer."

#7 Columbia University

David Lerman

Columbia scored a 3.93 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #9
US News: #8
Economist: #7
Forbes: #5

Last year's list: #5

Comments: "Columbia Business School's ivy league prestige and location in NYC with access to the best financiers, VC's, techies cannot be matched by most other top schools."

"Columbia is the best b-school because the professors have been/are practitioners, the network is diverse, CEOs of Fortune 500 companies are on campus daily, the faculty sincerely cares about the students and the students are smart and have social skills. "

#6 University of Chicago (Booth)

Flickr/Solidarity Drive

Booth scored a 3.98 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #1
US News: #4
Economist: #2
Forbes: #3

Last year's list: #6

Comments: "The University of Chicago is where bulk of the modern finance theory was invented. Combine that with their strong alumni network and you get the best pound-for-pound b-school in the world!"

"My experience working with MBA graduates is that Chicago Booth candidates were the smartest and most hard working but HBS candidates had access to a larger alumni network and thus better opportunities."

#5: London Business School

Bjoertvedt via wikimedia

London Business School scored a 4.07 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #5 (Non-U.S.)
US News: #NR
Economist: #13
Forbes: #1 (Non-U.S.)

Last year's list: #11

Comments: "In the ever increasingly global nature of the business world, an international degree from a top business programme proves to be most valuable. London Business School, with 90% international students from all over the world is one of the few that can be categorized as truly international."

"Just as the Stanford GSB was the new HBS at the turn of the century, London Business School is quickly becoming the world's pre-eminent school for the calibre of its faculty and students, its international outlook, and the career-accelerating opportunities available to its alumni."

"London Business School provides a great environment nourishing entrepreneurship. Initiatives like the business incubator provide a means for new businesses to get off the ground."

#4 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan)

Wikimedia Commons

Sloan scored a 4.10 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #10
US News: #4
Economist: #11
Forbes: #10

Last year's list: #4

Comments: "MIT's Sloan school has good things about its VC and independent programs for students to really go off on their own."

#3 University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)

Jack Duval via flickr

Wharton scored a 4.24 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #3
US News: #3
Economist: #15
Forbes: #4

Last year's list: #3

Comments: "My two years at Wharton far exceeded my expectations. Not only does the school provide students with world-class management and technical skills, but it also offers a wealth of experiential learning opportunities through its vast network of student-run clubs, entrepreneurial programs, and school-sponsored leadership programs. I have also found that the Wharton brand is invaluable - prior to school I worked as a fundraiser for nonprofits and was ready for a career change. Earning a degree from Wharton opened up opportunities that were not previously available to me, and I ended up receiving multiple job offers from top consulting firms."

"Wharton's unusually large array of majors and electives make it an excellent choice for those looking for a highly-tailored experience."

#2: Harvard University

Patricia Drury/ Flickr

Harvard scored a 4.40 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #2
US News: #1
Economist: #5
Forbes: #1

Last year's list: #1

Comments: "Differentiation is critical in the business world, and it's the same in the business school world: Harvard's emphasis on research, and it's continual innovation on the curriculum and pedagogical approaches to business education, is remarkably different from other schools. That's what guided my decision to attend, and it's something that should factor into more decisions."

"Harvard is both among the most selective and has the largest graduating class of any of these schools listed. This means that students can find like-minded colleagues in almost any field in which they're interested. Given that I believe that networking is the primary value provided by a full-time MBA program, those two factors (tightly screened yet large student body) make Harvard an excellent choice."

"If you're looking for someone with textbook answers, a broad network, and willful obedience, hire a HBS grad. If you're looking for someone with vision, an innovative drive, and exceptional interpersonal skills, hire a Stanford GSB grad."

#1: Stanford University

Flickr/naotakem

Stanford scored a 4.45 out of 5 on Business Insider's rating.

BusinessWeek: #5
US News: #1
Economist: #8
Forbes: #2

Last year's list: #2

Comments: "Stanford is an incredibly inspiring place to learn. They push their students to be the best they can be and accept an incredibly diverse group of students from all backgrounds and disciplines."

"When you graduate from Stanford GSB you know precisely who you are, as well as who you are not. That pays more dividends professionally and personally than all the other assets combined."

"With a sparkling new campus to add to its amazing culture, intimate, responsive network and world-class faculty, the Stanford GSB has become a no-brainer top-pick for most incoming domestic students. The school still has a way to go to build its brand outside the United States to rival Harvard's, and it's not yet clear which educational model will prevail."

Michael James Marin $3.5 million Biltmore Estate !!! A Former Wall Street Trader May Have Swallowed A Deadly Pill In Court Before Dying Minutes Later

2012-06-30T11:25:00.004-07:00

Julia La Roche

A former Wall Street trader and Yale-educated attorney, who was convicted of arson yesterday for burning down his Phoenix mansion, appeared to pop a pill after hearing the guilty verdict in court and died minutes later, according to Fox 10 News in Phoenix via New York Daily News.

Michael James Marin, who once reached the summit of Mount Everest, was convicted in Maricopa County Superior Court "of arson of an occupied structure" after setting his $3.5 million Biltmore Estates mansion on fire because he could no longer pay his $17,500 monthly mortgage, according to media reports.

At the time, he was reportedly found outside the home wearing a SCUBA gear after escaping from the second-floor.

The video in court shows Marin appearing to swallow something after hearing the jury read the verdict.

Moments later he started having convulsions and was pronounced dead before he arrived at the hospital, the reports said.

Maricopa County authorities told Fox 10 News they can't verify the cause of death until the toxicology report results come out.

The New York Daily News points out that the crime would have put Marin away for about 16 years.

Check out the video from Fox 10 News in Phoenix.

A $4.2 Million Tear-Down House in Belvedere, California

2012-06-29T10:16:00.003-07:00

By ALAN FARNHAM | ABC News – 5 hrs ago

It's not, say locals and real estate professionals.

"There are houses being torn down all the time," says Bill Smith, realtor and ex-mayor of Belvedere. In neighboring Tiburon, he says, a buyer not long ago paid $20 million for the home of tennis star Andre Agassi and wife Steffi Graf, then announced his plan to raze it.

[Related: 7 steps to selling your home]

"People tear down homes for all kinds of reasons," says Smith, including the two ascribed by Marin's Independent Journal to the Winslows: They want to improve their view, and they want to plant some bushes.

For persons unfamiliar with Marin, a bit of background may help:

What Will Rogers once said about real estate's being a good investment ("They're not making any more of it") may hold truer here than anywhere else in the U.S.

In Belvedere there truly are golden lots. The best, perched atop high cliffs, look out upon San Francisco and its Bay, upon the Golden Gate, and through it, the Pacific. Natives say half-jokingly that on a clear day you can see Japan.

Asked if it is possible, here, for a view to be worth $1 million, Smith scoffs. $1 million? That's nothing. "There are multi-million views."

Thus, the idea that you'd tear down a $4.2 million house to improve your view becomes a simple exercise in property enhancement. (The extra bushes are just so much gravy.)

A call by ABC News to the Winslows asking for their comment went unreturned.

Scott Dingwell, a 20-year resident of Marin, lives in Kentfield, to the north. His lovely 1950s home has extensive gardens, a swimming pool and a commanding view of Tamalpias, the local mountain. Were he to put it on the market, he thinks, its' value would be around $1.3 million.

It's almost certainly a tear-down, Dingwell says.

"If Larry Ellison or Bill Gates wants to buy my house and tear it down," he says, "more power to him -- he'd have a better view. I'm fully supportive of this trend."

Ricky Watters House !!! Ricky Watters Home !! Ricky Watters Mansion !!Running Real Estate: Ricky Watters Lists Isleworth Luxury Home

2012-06-29T08:26:00.004-07:00

Ricky “Running” Watters ran his way to five Pro Bowl selections, a spot in the 10,000 rushing yards club and a Super Bowl championship over the course of a polished pro career, and it now appears the former NFL tailback is running away from The Sunshine State after listing his Windermere, FL home. Waters, who spent ten seasons in the NFL as a member of the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks, is asking $1.85 million for the 5,638-square-foot property.

A custom-built luxury home found within the confines of the affluent gated community of Isleworth, which boasts an All-Star lists of residents that includes Tiger Woods, Shaquille O’Neal, Grant Hill, Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Larkin, Watters estate offers an open floor plan designed to blend outdoor and indoor spaces. Stacked sliders can be moved to instantly connect various sitting rooms to a screened lanai, creating vast entertainment space complete with fireplaces and an outdoor kitchen. Likewise, each of the four bedrooms, including a master suite that features a wet bar, his and hers closets and a spa-like bath, and many verandas face out towards the resort-style pool and surrounding conservation. Besides its stellar pool, Watters’ property measures a whopping 1.65 acres in size, meaning there’s plenty of space should a backyard football game just happen to break out.

America's 5 richest counties

2012-06-27T21:46:00.003-07:00

By Colleen Kane |

(Photo: Keith J. Shipman | Flickr)

Just as counties are made up of more than towns and cities, the income of county residents depends on more than the local businesses. What follows are the five richest counties in America, according to the Average Income by County report from the Census Bureau, which includes the average annual household income from 2006-2010.

These counties don’t just contain Fortune 500 business headquarters (though some of them do), and they're not just appealing vacation destinations (although two are) and it’s not just the acres of upscale retail that at least one county has that’s providing all the jobs and high incomes. In many of the following cases, the high income of a county is directly tied to the nearest commutable city. Although the workplace is becoming ever more virtual and working remotely has never been more possible, commuting to major metropolitan centers is clearly still a factor driving local economies.

See full story: America's 10 Richest Counties

5. Hunterdon County, NJ
Average income: $130,723

Hunterdon County is located in the northwestern part of New Jersey between this list’s No. 9 county, Morris, to the northeast, and No. 7, Somerset County, to the east. It’s more rural than its Central Jersey neighbors and is a destination for fishing and hunting white tail deer. In Hunterdon, commuters are split between New York City and Philadelphia.

(Photo: Jay Cross | Flickr)

4. Fairfax County, Va.
Average income: $132,662

Fairfax is a bedroom community to Washington, DC, as well as home to the CIA such companies asVolkswagen, Capital One and Sallie Mae. In addition, the county has three large malls in the unincorporated census-designated place of Tysons Corner: Tysons Corner Center, Tysons Galleria and Fairfax Square. Tysons Corner was the 12 th -largest employment center in the country in 2008, the New York Times reported.

(Photo: Douglas Graham | Roll Call | Getty Images)

3. Loudoun County, Va.
Average income: $134,098

Historic Loudoun County, another suburb of Washington, DC, is the neighbor to this list’s No. 4 county, Fairfax. However, in another 2010 ranking from the United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, Loudoun County was the highest-income county in the U.S. for 2010 (with Fairfax still coming in at No. 4 on that ranking). Loudoun is the site of numerous vineyards and the headquarters for Verizon Business, Telos Corporation, MCI and others.

(Photo: Mark Donoher | Flickr)

2. Pitkin County, Colo.
Average income: $134,267

Pitkin County — a mountainous area in the center of Colorado with fewer than 20,000 residents — might not ring a bell. But considering that Pitkin’s county seat is the upscale ski resort city of Aspen, it all makes sense that this is the No. 2 wealthiest county in the U.S. The many luxury ski chalets of Aspen earned it the distinction of being the most expensive real estate market in America, with average home prices at $6 million in 2010.

(Photo: Tom Herde | The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

1. Nantucket County, Mass.
Average income: $137,811

Let’s just say if all the old men in Nantucket kept all their cash in a bucket, they would need a lot of buckets. The island of Nantucket (along with the two smaller islands making up Nantucket County), located south of Cape Cod off the coast of Massachusetts, is an upscale vacation destination and summer colony. The entire island is an historic district, with many pre-Civil War structures as well as a cobblestone Main Street and the oldest functioning windmill in the country. Tommy Hilfiger, John Kerry and Teresa Heinz, and Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara all have summer homes on Nantucket

Mike Love Home !!! Mike Love Mansion !! Mike Love House !!!This Pebble ‘Beach Boy’ Is Downsizing: Mike Love’s Mediterranean-Style Manse For Sale

2012-06-27T06:51:00.004-07:00

Mike Love has lost that California Feelin’, and has put his 8,995 square foot mansion up on the market in Pebble Beach, CA. Love’s reasons for cutting ties? He and his wife, Jacqueline, are now empty nesters, and are looking to downsize.

The bright Mediterranean mansion was first listed in 2009 for around $7 million, but recently experienced a 12% price slash and is now back on the market with the slimmer tag of just under $6 million. The residence is still a catch, though. ‘Soulful Old Man Sunshine’ pours through the many windows into a classy, honey-colored interior that is floored with blonde wood and accented with hand-painted murals. Aside from the high-ceilinged living room and gourmet kitchen, the floor plan also boasts a wine cellar, game room, exercise room, theatre and five fireplaces.

The outdoor living areas are just as luxurious: ‘Take A Load Off Your Feet’ on the spacious flagstone patio, where an outdoor kitchen and Nuvo sound system create a great entertaining space. The home’s guest apartment will put up the occasional ‘Passing Friend’.

Mike Love was one of the founding members of the popular 1960s group The Beach Boys, whose numerous Top 40 Hits included ‘Surfin’ USA’ and ‘Help Me Rhonda’. In 1988, The Beach Boys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and were awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001. Apart from The Beach Boys, Love also released a solo album (1981’s ‘Looking Back With Love’) and cowrote a Top 30 Hit Single, ‘Almost Summer’.