Print written by Amy Le on Friday, December 12, 10:04AM
I'm addicted to American Idol. That's right, I said it. Since the popular reality talent show first debuted in 2002, I have watched each choreographed moved and every off- pitch note religiously. And thanks to my ever growing collection of US and People magazines, I have faithfully followed the contestants as they transitioned from their small-town lives into reality- star limelight. So you can imagine my disappointment when the blogosphere and gossip columns were blowing up this week with news that season three Idol winner, Fantasia Barrino, is the latest celebrity to have a home fall prey to the foreclosure epidemic. Fantasia is facing foreclosure on her home at 5500 Bevington Pl. in Charlotte, NC, according to several news sources.
The New York Post reported that the gargantuan 6-bedroom, 6,500-square-foot house — which Fantasia bought last year for $1.3 million — will be auctioned off Jan. 12. The two-story stucco home is located in one of Charlotte's ritziest neighborhoods on a golf course. Currently valued at $1.1 million, the home boasts a large arched wooden front door and is decorated throughout with exotic art and a duel sweeping staircase greets visitors in its front hall, reports the Post. The singer also has a second home a couple miles from the one scheduled for auction in Charlotte, that was purchased in July 2004 for $740,000. Records show the second home is not in financial trouble.
The former Idol winner is accused of defaulting on a $68,000 loan from Florida-based Broward Energy Management, according to court papers. The company allegedly loaned Fantasia the money to pay back-taxes she reportedly owed the IRS. Fantasia has repaid $10,000 of the loan, according to the court documents. The Post reported that 'Fantasia took a $1-million mortgage on the property in Charlotte from the Bank of America.
With an autobiography appropriately titled 'Life is Not a Fairy Tale,' looks like Fantasia has a new chapter to add to her saga.
Got hot local housing tips or a story you want to share? Contact Amy Le at openingdoorsblog@HomeFinder.com.
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Print written by Dean Moss on Thursday, November 20, 11:27AM
On the South Side of Chicago, the ethnically-diverse Hyde Park and Kenwood neighborhoods boasts some of the city's oldest mansions and majestic brownstone apartments. The Kenwood neighborhood contains some of the largest homes in the city. And according to local historians, Kenwood was once one of the most elite neighborhoods in all of Chicago. The Hyde Park and Kenwood neighborhoods today also showcase some new high-rise condominium developments, trendy restaurants, taverns, hip coffee houses and unique bookstores.
The South Side neighborhoods are also the stomping grounds for the University of Chicago and the Museum of Science and Industry (a favorite play place for my brother and me when we were just kids). Some of the best blues clubs can also be found on this end of the city. I guess that's why it's no surprise the Obamas have called the area home for so long. Hyde Park is where Michelle and Barack Obama shared their first kiss — outside the Baskin Robbins on 53rd and Dorchester, which is now a vacant unit in a strip mall.
Take a tour of Obama's Hyde Park Neighborhood with Google Street View:
Security clearance
The Obamas' Colonial-style home is situated on a double lot and is located near the corner of 51st Street (Hyde Park Boulevard) and Greenwood Avenue (on the Kenwood side). But since Barack bumped up his status from senator to president-elect, the days of strolling past the family's home is long gone. Curious onlookers are quickly chased away by a phalanx of Chicago police officers and secret service agents.
Today, the Obamas' home is guarded by protective fencing and concrete barriers to keep the family secure, according to the Chicago Tribune. Parking is prohibited, and no thru traffic signs on Hyde Park Boulevard — a local thoroughfare running right in front of the Obamas' home — has since been posted. Even CTA Buses have been diverted to nearby side streets. The dozens of neighborhood residents that live nearby are subject to multiple ID checks, questioning and fingerprint registration. Even members of a nearby church have been registered by the FBI.
Chicago Police vehicles are also subject to close inspection by the secret service. Each car's engine and chassis must be carefully inspected for any security breach.
Celebrity status
Neighborhood businesses have definitely felt the impact of Barack's newly garnered celebrity status. Valois Restaurant at 1518 E. 53rd Street, has been a long time favorite dining spot for the president-elect. He'd often stop in for lunch whenever he was back in town from Washington. Today of course, he can't drop by without fanfare, and chooses to order carryout instead. But the owners can still count on the steady stream of reporters who stop by looking for an Obama tidbit or two to share with their readers. The morning after the presidential election, Valois treated some 2,000 neighborhood residents and visitors to a free breakfast.
My visit to the neighborhood included parking my car near the corner of Greenwood Avenue and 52nd Street, exactly one block south of the Obamas' residence. The neighborhood looked like any normal community. There were kids frolicking in a playlot and some college students hanging outside their brownstone apartments. But as I got closer to the home, I was quickly shooed away by both Chicago Police officers and one onerous FBI agent (both heavily armed, I might add)!
Most from the Kenwood and Hyde Park neighborhoods consider living in such close proximity to their now-famous neighbor a real honor — but not without considerable inconvenience!
Visit DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO at BlogChicagoHomes.com.
Print written by Amy Le on Wednesday, December 10, 3:26PM
About three months ago, I blogged about an 'Extreme Makeover' home in Georgia that succumbed foreclosure. The owners, Milton and Patricia Harper, used the house at 5489 Ahyoka Drive in Clayton County, GA, as collateral for a $450,000 loan, the Associated Press reported.
Records at the law firm handling foreclosures for the lender, JPMorgan Chase Bank, confirmed at the time that the home was in foreclosure. The house was built in January 2005, after Atlanta-based Beazer Homes USA and ABC's 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' demolished their old property and its faulty septic system.
Call it bad luck or the 'extreme jinx,' but another one of the popular reality television show's home is on the market for sale. After only three years of calling the sprawling Washington property home, the Kirkwood family has placed their McMansion — located at 1366 SE Spruce Road in Port Orchard, WA — up for sale, according to the Kitsap Sun.com.
Washington home for sale
The price tag for the 5-bed, 4.5-bath home was once $650,000, according to the Windemere Real Estate Web site, but the price has been reduced to $550,000, Dawne Kirkwood told the Kitsap Sun. The home, which was built in the fall of 2005, boasts three large cleaners and filters that keep the home's air cleaner than that of a hospital.
But unlike the 'Extreme Makeover' home in Georgia, the Kirkwood family is not being forced out by the bank. Despite her efforts to stay in the home, Dawne Kirkwood and her ex-husband, Michael, are selling due to their divorce. She has little choice, she told the Kitsap Sun, citing Washington's community property law. She and Michael divorced in August, and the law says property between the divorced parties must be halved.
Dawne also told the newspaper that because of 'back property taxes, money owed to lawyers, and life's expenses, selling the home has become their only option.' Dawne currently shares the home with her five children. Her ex-husband has since moved to Tennessee.
I guess you don't get more realistic than divorces and hefty property taxes in this day and age.
View more photos of the 'Extreme Makeover' Washington Home for sale.
Got hot local housing tips or a story you want to share? Contact Amy Le at openingdoorsblog@HomeFinder.com.
Print written by Amy Le on Thursday, September 11, 9:42AM
NBA hotshot Allen Iverson may be living the highlife, driving around town in expensive cars, eating at the finest restaurants and shuffling past long lines at the hottest night clubs. But even superstars are feeling the pains from one of the worst housing slumps in U.S. history. According to The Wall Street Joural the Denver Nuggets guard has been struggling to sell his home in Villanova, PA, for a year now. The Wall Street Journal's Private Properties column first reported on it last year. Now a year later the same column reveals that Iverson has dropped the price on the 14,000-square-foot-home to a desperation price of $3.9 million. The former Philadelphia 76er shelled out $5 million for it in 2003 and originally listed it for $6.3 last year.
The home entails
According to the listing, this modern chateau encompasses 14,000 square-feet of award-winning design. It's nestled on four acres of meticulously arranged landscaping and boasts a pool house, stream and cascading waterfall. The home is a haven of tranquility with four complete levels of lavish appointments, beginning in the foyer and great room, which are adorned with floor-to-ceiling Palladian windows, custom rail work and breathtaking moldings.
French doors and soaring ceilings throughout the property lend drama and grace. The master suite boasts his and her floor-to-ceiling marble baths, coffee bar, media area, marble fireplace and slate veranda overlooking the grounds.
Four additional ensuite bedrooms are custom designed to meet the highest standards. Separate guest quarters features living room, bedroom and kitchenette. The entertainment level boast 12-seat movie theater, billiard room, lounge with custom wood-carved bar accommodating 200-plus wine bottles. This main line estate is designed for connoisseurs of fine living.
Misery loves company
Iverson isn't the only NBA star having a rough time getting his home sold. Rasheed Wallace, the Detroit Pistons forward, lowered the price of his Portland, OR, home to $4.9 million from $5.2 million. He played with the Portland Trail Blazers before signing a six-year deal with the Pistons. Wallace's 5-bed, 5-bath Tudor-style home sits on more than two acres of land. Wallace purchased the property in 2000 for about $3 million, according to The Wall Street Journal.
I guess while money can buy you anything, it can't sell your home.
Got hot local housing tips or a story you want to share? Contact Amy Le at openingdoorsblog@HomeFinder.com.
Print written by Amy Le on Wednesday, December 10, 3:30PM
On Donald Trump's realty television show 'The Apprentice,' the tough-talking, no-nonsense real estate tycoon has very little patience for excuses from his batch of whiny, ego-centric job candidates. But even the Donald makes exceptions.
Los Angles Times staff writer, Ann Brenoff, reported last week, that Trump has agreed to buy Ed McMahon's foreclosed Beverly Hills home for an undisclosed amount and allow the retired TV personality to remain on his property.
The Wall Street Journal reported in June that McMahon was $644,000 behind on a $4.8 million loan for a home in Beverly Hills. McMahon, who has lived in the 6-bed, 5-bathroom mansion for 18 years, was facing foreclosure within two weeks. The 85-year-old McMahon has told reporters that he fell behind on payments after he was unable to work due to a serious neck injury last year.
Struggling to sell
Recon Trust, a division of Countrywide Financial, filed a notice of default related to the loan of the home on Feb. 28. Earlier in the year, Forbes.com reported that McMahon's 7,000-square-foot Beverly Hills home was put on the market in July 2006 for $7.7 million. He had since dropped the price not once, but three times, and the property was last listed at $4.6 million. McMahon purchased the house in 1990 for $2.6 million, according to public records.
McMahon has been among a growing list of celebrities, facing foreclosure on their homes this year. In a similar gesture of goodwill from high profile Hollywood celebs, last month jazz vocalist Ernestine Anderson's home was rescued from foreclosure thanks in part to her musician friends, legendary songwriter Quincy Jones and contemporary jazz artist Diane Schuur. More than $43,000 poured in from donations from Anderson's fans and friends, just in time to keep her home off the auction block.
Got hot local housing tips or a story you want to share? Contact Amy Le at openingdoorsblog@HomeFinder.com.
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