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Bubba Watson’s home sits on lakefront property in North Carolina.

By Erika Riggs, Zillow

It’s been a busy month for Gerry Lester Watson, Jr., otherwise known to the rest of the world simply as “Bubba.”

Capping off a huge win at the prestigious 2012 Masters Tournament this past weekend, PGA golfer Bubba Watson has listed his North Carolina home for $1.499 million.

That’s not the only big news on the Bubba front. Just a few weeks ago, he and his wife Angie adopted a one-month-old boy, Caleb.

Best-known for his long, searing drives off his bright pink driver, Watson donned the famous green jacket of the Masters after defeating Louis Oosthuizen in a dramatic sudden-death playoff to win his first major championship.

Now that he has the Masters under his belt and an additional $1.44 million in his pocket, it looks like Watson is ready to move on from his North Carolina home, which is listed on the Lexington real estate market. According to Forbes, the move may also be due to the couple’s new adoption. They’re currently renting a home in Orlando while the adoption process is finalized.

Watson and his wife purchased the contemporary home in 2009 for $1.1 million. Built in 1988, the home sits on a little more than half an acre overlooking High Rock Lake. Watson’s home has all the amenities a lake house requires: a boat house, dock, covered boat storage, aluminum floating pier, and double jet ski dock.

Near the house, a patio holds a full exterior kitchen with barbecue, outdoor TV and salt water pool and hot tub. Inside, the home has two additional kitchens, 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths and 3,400 square feet of living space. Furnishings, according to the listing, are negotiable.

And for aspiring golfers looking to follow in Watson’s footsteps, the Lexington Golf Club is conveniently located just under 10 miles away for the home.

The listing is held by real estate agent Timothy Taylor of Tim Taylor Real Estate.

According to current mortgage rates on Zillow, a monthly payment on Watson’s house would be $5,533, assuming a 20 percent down and 30-year-fixed-rate mortgage.

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Bubba’s house has an indoor and outdoor kitchen.

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Spy a tribute to another athlete in Bubba’s home office?

photos courtesy of Tim Taylor Real Estate

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An old church in Seattle is now a single-family home filled with art and found items.

2007 NW 61st St, Seattle WA
For sale: $789,000

From the street, it looks like any church. Upon closer scrutiny, a few unusual features stand out: A cobblestone wall, rusted tricycles sitting on both the porch roof and jutting out of the wall. Then there’s an enormous window featuring a crow.

All the signs point to the possibility that this old church called Ballard Big House in Seattle has been transformed into something a little less ecclesiastic and a lot more personal.

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Filled with collected items, whimsical details and vibrant art, this former church is indeed part house, part gallery and part neighborhood gathering place.

Homeowners David Chatt and Ron Cole, Jr. were not actively home shopping when they stumbled across the property. Their former home, a duplex in another neighborhood of Seattle, was small, and when a friend told them about a church for sale in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, they stopped by to check it out.

“I am someone who loves old buildings,” Chatt explained. “I love places that have been a part of the fabric of the community. I walk around neighborhoods and am sad to see wrecking balls and I try to think how to recreate something that has a use that’s practical for now.”

The church was something that Chatt and Cole believed could be reinvented.

The two had to jump through some hoops to get a mortgage on the 6,000-square-foot building. There weren’t any showers in the two bathrooms, and, as Cole relates, the two men had to trek outside to the attached caretakers’ apartment to bathe when they first moved in.

Five years later, the home isn’t completely renovated, but Chatt and Cole have more than put their mark on it. The two bathrooms — one was formerly a baptismal font — are gorgeous, full-tiled modern installations, and the basement they use as a living space feels more loft-like than subterranean.

Other whimsical details include Chatt’s collection of beads and artwork — he’s an artist focusing mainly on glass beadwork and cast glass — as well as a 20-foot-high swing that hangs from the sanctuary rafters. One of Cole and Chatt’s favorite features? The church tower with views that span the city skyline, Puget Sound and surrounding mountains.

“The house is us,” said Chatt. “I like the place that I live in to reflect my choices and the way I live. I always find it surprising that people don’t want that.”

Not only is the house a showcase for Chatt’s artwork and scavenged materials, including an installation of found bowling balls on the front steps, but it’s been used for events: Community gatherings, CD releases, art shows, weddings and even a funeral.

It’s Chatt and Cole’s wish that their home continue to be used as a gathering place.

“I’d like to drive by this building and recognize it. I’d like it to be better than it is now, not torn down and replaced or turned into some plastic-clad monstrosity,” said Chatt. “I think it’s a great old building and I hope it continues to be a beloved part of the community.”

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The great room of the house, once the church sanctuary, is dominated by a large cast glass window created by artist David Chatt.

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This modern bathroom was once the baptismal font.

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The view from the church tower is phenomenal.

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The listing describes the property as a Balinese-Modern style home

3051 Antelo View Dr, Los Angeles, California
For sale: $6.995 million

He was the mastermind behind TV juggernauts “Jeopardy” and “Wheel of Fortune,” and the host of a popular, syndicated talk show. Later in life he was a real estate investor. A unique L.A. property he owned just returned to the market for $6.995 million.

If you guessed Merv Griffin, you guessed right.

Griffin’s former home is listed on the Bel Air real estate market for the first time in 20 years. Griffin sold the home to another celebrity in 1992 for $3.65 million.

The home was built in 1989 by a local real estate agent, who also had a penchant for designing and flipping homes, says listing agent Billy Rose of luxury brokerage The Agency. Attracted to the open floor plan and private location, Griffin bought the property.

Not much has changed since Griffin bought it Rose said. “It’s what Merv enjoyed — that old Hollywood feel to it.”

One aspect that attracted Griffin, as well as numerous other Hollywood A-listers, to the area is its location. While the enclave is secluded, “a little off the beaten path,” says Rose, it’s still easily accessible and gives residents multiple ways to get to the city.

It’s these factors that led Farrah Fawcett, Wilt Chamberlain, Prince, Mariah Carey and Beyoncé to buy homes in the area.

Some of the current neighbors are even in the process of increasing the security and privacy of the area with the installation of a gate to the main road.

Located at the end of the long drive ending in a circular motor court, Griffin’s former home boasts 5,600 square feet of living space, four bedrooms and five-and-a-half bathrooms. Details like octagonal wood-paneled ceilings and enormous lodge-like posts add dramatic flair to the property.

Outside, the 2.5-acre grounds feature an infinity pool and spa as well as a tennis court installed by Griffin, who was an avid tennis player.

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High ceilings, carved beams and an open floor plan define the home.

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The tennis courts were added by Griffin.

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The early colonial home could have been constructed well before 1700.

11 Lincoln Street, Gloucester, Mass.
Listed for $399,000

Around the time this home was built in the mid-1600s, the Anglo population in the colonies was around 275,000. Boston, with 7,000 residents, was the largest city, with New York next, having 5,000 folks. Colonial homes like this one dotted the countryside and had huge fireplaces that provided the only source of heat. Many of these homes still stand today.

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The plank and beam construction was common in early 18th century construction.

Massachusetts real estate agent Kristal Pooler says she’s sold old houses many, many times but the Haskell House listing is unusual. And not just because it’s on the National Historic Register of Homes.

“You can get old houses, but a lot of it has not been maintained as being an old house,” Pooler said. “I’ve been selling antiques for a long time and I’ve never seen a house this pure. I was very excited to have this listing.”

Set on a little more than two acres, the Haskell House appears nearly unchanged over 300-plus years. Two enormous, working walk-in fireplaces flank the living areas, and beams crisscross the ceilings. According to historic documents about the home, it is one of the few plank-and-frame constructed homes remaining in New England.

Situated on a salt marsh at the end of a winding country road, the two-story Gloucester home listing reports the building was built in 1700. However, Pooler says that documents have listed the home’s building date anywhere from 1650 to 1715.

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The home features two huge, working brick fireplaces.

The 3,045-square-foot home has three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Despite its historic appearance, the Haskell House has had some significant renovations in the past five years, including a new heating system, an updated kitchen and new master bath.

But as Pooler explains, it’s not about the updates.

“They have done a lot of ‘light’ things to preserve the house,” she said. “But it’s almost not (about) what has been done, but what hasn’t been done.”

According to Zillow’s mortgage calculator, a monthly payment on the home would be $1,472, assuming a 20 percent down payment on a 30-year-mortgage.

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The 1.5-acre home is surrounded by a coral reef.

E Sister Rock Island, Marathon, Florida
For sale: $12,000,000

Many homes in the Florida Keys boast private beachfront and spectacular water views. Few, however, can lay claim to having a 360-degree beachfront. This private island home does.

Located a quarter-mile off the Atlantic shore of Marathon, Fla., this small and private oasis on East Sister Rock Island is surrounded by white sand and coral reef.

Although the city of Marathon includes several keys and smaller private islands, the property is unusual for the size of its home, explains listing agent Marvin Arrieta.

“If (other islands in the city) have a home, it’s a little house,” said Arrieta. “This house is 5,000 square feet.”

Zillow: See more private islands for sale

The Marathon home for sale is completely off-the-grid. It relies on solar panels on the roof and side of the house for power, and cisterns collect rainwater.

Built in 1980 as a family getaway spot, the home holds all the vacation essentials: a wrap-around porch measuring 2,700 square feet, private dock and 21-foot-long boat, which is included in the sale. The island also has a helipad for ease of transportation to the Marathon and Miami airports.

Zillow: Luxury beach home rentals

The Bahamas-style residence was updated in 2001 and features enormous windows and 19 sliding glass doors that open out to veranda. In addition to the three bedrooms and two bathrooms in the main home, there is a smaller, detached 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom guest house.

The owners, according to Arrieta, are listing the property because they no longer use the island as often as they’d like.

“When they bought this property, they had one small child and they spent a lot of time there,” he said. “Now they have four children that are almost grown and they don’t go to the island.”

The property is designed to be a vacation paradise. The coral reef surrounding the home is perfect for snorkeling and just off the home’s shores are plenty of fishing areas or other opportunities for water sports, explained Arrieta.

If you find the $12 million price tag a bit too much too swallow at once, the private isle is also available for rent: $5,000 a week.

According to Zillow’s mortgage calculator, a monthly payment on the private island would currently be $44,803 assuming a 20 percent down payment on a 30-year-mortgage.

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A wraparound porch is the perfect spot for watching evening sunsets.

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Sandy beaches and a private boardwalk to the dock add to the island’s appeal.

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Getting away from it all, but not too far away. East Sister Rock Island is just a quarter-mile off the shore of Marathon, Fla.

 
It’s as much as a small, two-bedroom apartment might cost on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. But in Ireland, Paul Diver has purchased a spectacular 55 bedroom hotel overlooking the Donegal coastline for a mere $860,000, down from the $6 million price the original owners sought for the Sandhouse Hotel three years ago.

Diver, who managed the Sandhouse Hotel in Rosnowlagh for 20 years, was delighted to secure the 50 staff members their jobs. He told msnbc.com on Friday that he had been willing to go “a bit higher” when the hotel was auctioned this week in Dublin, but was delighted when his reserve-price bid was accepted by the auctioneers.

The 50-year-old hotel went into liquidation in 2009 after the previous owners failed to sell it during the dramatic skid in the country’s economy.

 Overall, Irish real estate prices have crashed since 2007-08, when the so-called “Celtic Tiger” economy collapsed. Home values have fallen more than 60 percent below their peak five years ago, and commercial properties have suffered similar declines.
For Diver, it was an opportunity he couldn’t turn down.

“It’s just a total adrenalin rush; I can’t believe it. It’s been a long, long road but we have made it,” he told the Irish Independent newspaper.
Diver hopes the fantastic location off the Rosnowlagh beach will remain a lure for visitors from home and abroad. He noted the beach has hosted the European Surfing Championship a few times over the past 15 years and boasts “fantastic waves.”

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This Massachusetts home was built in a classic Greek-revival style.

By Erika Riggs, Zillow

110 Summer Street, Hingham, Mass.
For sale by owner: $2,975,000

How about a piece of Civil War history for your next home? Built in 1930, this  was previously owned by Massachusetts Civil War Governor John Andrew.

A close friend as well as distant cousin of Abraham Lincoln, Governor Andrew worked closely with the Federal government and Frederick Douglas to allow black men to join the Union army. He authorized the formation of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment, who were immortalized in the film “Glory.”

The classic Greek-revial style home was built in 1830 by Reverend Henry Hersey. Andrew used the home as his summer house while serving as governor from 1861 to 1966 . The home remained in the Andrew family until 1929.

Reportedly, Governor Andrew spoke of the property as “the home of his heart.”

Situated on nearly three acres about 20 miles outside of Boston, the home features white columns, an elegant flagstone front porch and over 6,000 square feet of living space.

Current owners Tatiana and Alex Cochis purchased the home in 2009 for $1,381,000 and set out doing a full renovation in 2010. Much of the 5-bed, 4.5-bath home’s original character, like its pumpkin pine flooring, marble fireplaces, and ceiling medallions and molding, were maintained in the remodel. Important upgrades in the kitchen include granite countertops and high-end appliances.

Despite its age, the Hingham home for sale is anything but stuffy.

“Our favorite feature of the house is the bright, sunny and open floor plan,” Tatiana Cochis said.

According to Zillow’s mortgage calculator, an estimated monthly payment would be $11,022 a month, assuming a 20 percent down payment on a 30-year-mortgage.

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Bright, sunny rooms keep the house feeling modern.

By Erika Riggs, Zillow

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Norumbega Castle in Camden, Maine

Norumbega Castle, Camden, Maine
For sale: $1,790,000

As explorers crisscrossed the oceans in search of The New World, facts of their journeys sometimes mixed with fiction. Some searched for the lost city of Atlantis. Spain’s Juan Ponce de Leon went after the Fountain of Youth. France’s Jean Allefonsce spoke of Norumbega as a large, rich native city alongside the banks of an enormous river in what is today the state of Maine.

Explorers were never able to find that fantasy city, but the legend never died. In 1886, Bangor, Maine, embraced the legend of Norumbega, when eccentric inventor Joseph Stearns built his tribute to the fabled city: An enormous stone castle sitting on the coast of Camden.

Camden Real Estate Company

Norumbega Castle circa 1800s.

Originally from Maine, Stearns became a millionaire with his invention of the duplex telegraphy, which he sold to Western Union.

When Stearns decided to build the Norumbega Castle, he spent a year visiting European castles for inspiration. He hired New York architect Arthur Bates Jennings to incorporate his favorite castle features.

Situated on nearly four acres, Norumbega is 10,330-square-feet and has 12 bedrooms and 13.5 bathrooms. Stunning period woodwork, ornate stone fireplaces and views of the bay are featured prominently throughout the house.

Listing agent Scott Horty of the Camden Real Estate Company explained his favorite details of the home:

“[It] has the coolest stair landing complete with a fireplace and built-in window seats and stunning woodwork,” he said.

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Bookcases wrap around the top of the landing.

And in case you’ve ever wanted to sleep like royalty, the main turret is a bedroom.

Converted into an inn in 1984, the home is still available as a single-family property. Described as the “jewel of the Maine coast,” Camden is a historic hamlet nestled between mountains and ocean.

According to Zillow’s mortgage affordability calculator, the estimated monthly payment for the Norumbega Castle would be $6,602 a month, assuming a 20 percent down payment on a 30-year-fixed mortgage rate.

In addition, the carriage house that once belonged to the Norumbega Castle is also for sale.

In the 1970s, the carriage house was split from the property as a separate, single-family residence. Like the castle, the carriage house is listed on the Camden real estate market, and features Victorian-era design.

Priced at $4.75 million, the Norumbega carriage house has had a complete renovation.

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The Norumbega carriage house is separately listed.

By Erika Riggs, Zillow

50000 Royal St., Park City UT
For sale: $49,500,000

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John Huntsman Sr’s house.

When you have nine children and 56 grandchildren, your winter vacation getaway probably leans more toward mansion than cabin.

Jon Huntsman, Sr.’s Park City home has 20,000 square feet of living space and 12 bedrooms — two of which are bunk bedrooms with 20 mattresses — enough room for his children and grandchildren, as well as any guests.

The father of former Republican presidential nominee Jon Huntsman, Jr., Huntsman Sr. began his business career in an egg-producing company in Los Angeles. He rose through the ranks, culminating with his contributions in the invention of the plastic egg carton. That success led him to form the Huntsman Container Corporation, which manufactured the “clamshell” container for McDonald’s Big Macs and as well as plastic plates, bowls and containers for other fast-food companies. He then founded Huntsman Chemical, transitioning it to the Huntsman Corporation, which went public in 2005.

The Huntsman patriarch designed the home for his family in 1989 out of reclaimed logs from the forests surrounding Yellowstone Park, said listing agent Paul Benson of Summit Sotheby’s International Realty.

“The whole home, even the guest rooms, are filled with timber ceilings and walls,” explained Benson.

The home contains several living areas with cathedral ceilings, stone fireplaces and picture windows, as well as a dining room that seats 20, a paneled library, fitness center and children’s playrooms and massive indoor pool.

Many of the furnishings in the home are available for purchase as well. Benson notes that the estate holds one of the largest collections of American Indian art in the U.S.

Situated in Utah’s ski haven of Upper Deer Valley on 60 acres, the property is private, yet accessible. The seclusion of the home is perfect for the Huntsman family to entertain high-profile guests. Huntsman Sr. previously served as the national committeeman for the Republican Party of Utah, as well as special assistant and staff secretary to President Nixon. Before running as a Republican party presidential nominee this past year, Huntsman Jr., was governor of Utah and an ambassador to China under President Obama.

Huntsman Sr. first listed his home on the Park City real estate market in September 2009 for $55 million. The house was removed in April 2010 and later re-listed with its current lower price. According Benson, Huntsman is letting go of the property to focus on his new development: Huntsman Springs, a golf course and high-end community in Driggs, Idaho

According to Zillow’s mortgage payment calculator, a monthly payment on Huntsman’s estate would be $182,093, assuming a 20 percent down payment on a 30-year-fixed rate mortgage.

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Huntsman’s home includes an enormous indoor pool.

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Some of the rugs, art and other furnishings are also available for sale.

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