We put a 'zero' on end of our homes!

 

 

 

 

 

Actress Sela Ward and her husband, venture capitalist Howard Sherman, have listed their mansion for $39.995m The five-bedroom home features a miniature golf course, man-made beach, massage room, 30-seat movie theater and an outdoor kitchen A greenhouse, one-bedroom guest cottage, vineyard, and gazebo fill out the grounds of the massive estate The couple, who also have a home in Mississippi, plan to move to New York, because they will be empty nesters Actress Sela Ward and her husband, venture capitalist Howard Sherman, are selling their eight-acre Bel Air home for $39.995million. The five-bedroom home features a 100-seat outdoor amphitheater, miniature golf course, man-made beach, massage room, 30-seat movie theater, an outdoor kitchen with a pizza oven and an infinity swimming pool. Ward, 59, and Sherman bought the estate, which was originally built in the 1940s, in 2003 for $3.8million. They tore down much of the original structure and redeveloped the site using reclaimed wood from Mississippi and Louisiana in a nod to Ward's southern roots. In the extensive grounds there is a greenhouse off the kitchen that houses fruit trees, plus a one-bedroom guest cottage, vineyard, covered footbridge leading to a gazebo with an outdoor fire pit, and man-made pond. Ward, who is best known for her role on the 1990s drama Sisters, has her own art studio on the estate, to practice her love of painting, according to the Washington Post. She was attracted to this property because she felt it would give her two children the chance to spend plenty of time outdoors. 'I really wanted them to be outside more than not,' she said. She and Sherman, who also have a home in Mississippi, plan to move to a smaller property in New York, as they will soon be empty nesters, with their children now grown-up. The property is being listed by Rayni Williams and Branden Williams of Hilton & Hyland and Jade Mills of Coldwell Banker Previews International. +21 Actress Sela Ward and her husband, venture capitalist Howard Sherman, have listed their Bel Air mansion for $39.995million +21 Trees and flowers of all shapes, sizes and colors surround a tile-decorated pool in the couple's backyard +21 It's hard to tell where the couple's home ends and their outdoor space begins, as many rooms have doors leading into their backyard +21 The kitchen features a double stove, white cabinets, and a wood island that seats six +21 A grand piano sits by a staircase in the home and is accompanied by a full bar, which can be hidden by retractable wooden doors +21 The couple bought the estate in 2003. The tore down much of the home, which was built in the 1940s, and rebuilt it with wood from Mississippi and Louisiana +21 When rebuilding the home, the couple primarily used reclaimed wood from Mississippi and Louisiana in a nod to Ward's southern roots +21 Each room in the home has several seating areas and many overlook the estate's massive backyard, which includes a footbridge that leads to a gazebo and outdoor fire pit +21 +21 Ward, who is best known for her role on the 1990s drama Sisters, and Sherman, also have a home in Mississippi. They plan to move to New York, because they will soon be empty nesters +21 Even one of the bedroom sin the home has several doors that open to the luscious backyard through double doors +21 The couple have a movie theater, with a massive projection screen, in their home. The room can sit about 30 people +21 One room in the house has a massive wrap-around couch covered in a colorful pattern sitting across from two leather chairs +21 A large wine cellar in the home appears to hold hundreds of wine bottles in a wrap-around structure +21 One of several outdoor spaces on the grounds features grey couches and chairs that sit just outside the home's massive glass sliding doors +21 A bathroom in the home, which has both a shower and a separate tub, opens up into an outdoor space that has a table and chairs and a canopies couch +21 The couple have an outdoor kitchen at the home, as well as a eight-person dining table that sits across from a fireplace +21 A man-made beach with lawn chairs overlooks a massive pond, which Ward has called her personal 'swimming hole' +21 The eight-acre estate has its own putting green and miniature golf course on its grounds, which also features several fruit trees +21 An amphitheater on the grounds can seat approximately 100 people, and can be used for live music performances, among other things +21 Ward also has her own art studio on the estate, in which she practices her love of painting. Several of her works of art are displayed in the home Billionaires are battling to seal an idyllic island for a sizzling £50million where life is always perfect - whatever the weather. For that amount of money they will own one of the most picturesque retreats on the planet that offers the ultimate privacy without walls or fences. Surrounded by golden beaches, James Island is located at the heart of British Columbia’s famous Gulf Islands archipelago - 90km north from Seattle, USA - and is to be one of the world’s most luxurious resorts. Scenic: James Island is located at the heart of British Columbias famous Gulf Islands archipelago Stunning: It is to be one of the worlds most luxurious resorts with a golf course and private cottages Picture perfect: As well as the main house, there's a harbour to anchor the family yacht and enough dock space to keep a small fleet of boats and jetskis Rustic: There's room for golf carts - with of course an 18-hole championship golf course - electric service trucks, fuel, self-generating power, sophisticated telecommunications and private airstrip to touch down the family jet For any tycoons interested in snapping up the heart-stealing haven they will be able to put up lucky guests in their own private cottages and have a fleet of staff members to look after them. As well as the main house, there is a harbour to anchor the family yacht and enough dock space to keep a small fleet of boats and jet skis. There is room for golf carts - with of course an 18-hole championship golf course - electric service trucks, fuel, self-generating power, sophisticated telecommunications and private airstrip to touch down the family jet. The 5,000 sq ft manor comes with spa, gym, infinity pool, salon and a vast array of recreational facilities including hiking trails and bike paths. The family who are selling the island are desperate to ensure the next owner bestows the same values and really utilise the unique opportunities to entertain hundreds of friends and family on the 778 acre utopia. Luxury: A private harbour is also included in the package, with room to moor a large yacht Pool house: The 5,000 sq ft manor comes with spa, gym, infinity pool, salon and a vast array of recreational facilities including hiking trails and bike paths Sunshine: Billionaires are bidding over the 450million island paradise Fire pit: For any tycoons interested in snapping up the heart-stealing haven they will be able to put up lucky guests in their own private cottages and have a fleet of staff members to look after them Secluded: The entire island is hoped to sell for £50million Mark Lester, of luxury estate agents Sotheby’s who are selling the island, said: 'James Island is a breath taking private island that really has it all, including an entirely private Jack Nicklaus Signature 18-hole championship golf course, white sandy beaches, and a diverse array of flora and fauna 'The new owner will be able to arrive via private airstrip from nearby Vancouver or Seattle, or by float plane or boat to the island’s sheltered harbour and extensive docks. 'The island has ample unique and specialised gathering spots and entertainment venues including a pool house, a media room in a reclaimed barn, a western-style village and a converted warehouse that offers comfortable relaxation and the most spectacular sunsets. 'The meticulous details of James Island makes it a private retreat like no other.' Pleasant: The island includes an 18 hole golf course to entertain guests with Sunset: The lucky buyer will be able to relax playing golf in the afternoon Picturesque: The new owner will be able to arrive via private airstrip from nearby Vancouver or Seattle, or by float plane or boat to the island's sheltered harbour and extensive docks Bidding war: A number of interested parties are said to be ready to launch a bid for the island, which at one time had more than 800 people living on it A number of interested parties are said to be ready to launch a bid for the island, which at one time had more than 800 people living on it when it was used to produce 900 tonnes of dynamite each month during the Second World War. TNT production ceased in 1972 and the old village and quarters were dismantled and removed seven years later. The island was bought by communications billionaire Craig McCaw in 1994 for $19 million at the time to transform it into one of the world’s most luxurious resort developments. Views: It was used to produce 900 tonnes of dynamite each month during the Second World War luxury: An outside dining table looking onto the sea would provide the perfect venue for a sophisticated dinner party Comfortable: The plush master bedroom bedroom in the main house on the island Fitness: A gymnasium inside the home to keep fit while you enjoy the island

Stamp duty? Who cares about stamp duty...? We put a 'zero' on end of our homes! George Osborne’s revamp of stamp duty in last week’s Autumn Statement was seen as bad news for anyone looking to buy a £1 million house.  But properties worth more than a million are no longer the preserve of the super-wealthy. Hundreds of thousands of homeowners have bought cheap, sat back and let property inflation make them millionaires. And if you buy in the right areas, you don’t even have to sit tight for very long – Rupert Murdoch’s daughter Elisabeth recently paid £38.5 million for a home that sold just seven years ago for £3.26 million, effectively adding a zero to the price. Here The Mail on Sunday speaks to homeowners whose properties are worth ten times what they paid – and some who have added two zeros with homes worth 100 times the price they originally paid. Scroll down for video    +7 +7 +7 +7 +7 +7 +7 George Osborne's Autumn Statement in three minutes One of the UK's first bungalows that was built in the 1880s in colonial style goes on sale for £1million Pleasaunce Cottage in Dormans Park near East Grinstead has been lovingly maintained since the 19th Century The unique property has a large veranda, original oak panelling, four bedrooms and stained glass windows It is one of the last surviving bungalows in Britain built in the same style as original properties found in India In the Victorian age bungalows were the reserve of the wealthy Upper Classes were used to escape heat of cities An Indian-style bungalow that was built in Sussex in the Victorian era and preserved to maintain its 1880s facade has gone on the market for £1million. Pleasaunce Cottage in Dormans Park near East Grinstead has been lovingly upheld to how its first owners intended it in the 19th Century. With wood paneling on indoor ceilings and a large veranda at its front, the unique property is one of the first ever bungalows built in the country. It has gone on the market for £985,000, with historians eager to put it forward for listing to further protect its heritage. +13 Pleasaunce Cottage in Dormans Park in East Grinstead has gone on sale for almost £1million. The property is one of the last surviving bungalows in Britain that were built on the design of Victorian houses in India +13 An early photograph of the house shows how it has been lovingly preserved by its owners since its construction in the late 19th Century +13 Inside, original oak panelling adorns the ceilings and walls. The double height living room is one of the house's main features with a quirky gallery serving as a make-shift office +13 A sketch of the property's main sitting room shows how its Victorian design has been maintained to how architects originally intended it Built in the 1880s by RA Briggs, known as Bungalow Briggs, the property is not all split over one level as modern bungalows are today. At the time the term was used to describe small, country homes used by the wealthy upper classes as a retreat to escape the heat of pulsing Indian cities. The design soon infiltrated British architecture. Briggs, a renowned architect, published his interpretation of the style in the 1891 book Bungalows and Country Residences. A hallmark of the traditional Indian-Victorian bungalow was a large veranda at the front of a property like the one found at Pleasaunce Cottage. Set over 2,542sq ft, the house has four bedrooms, four reception rooms and a cellar. The main sitting room is double height with a gallery and the original inglenook fireplace. Its current owner has lived in the property for more than 30 years, having bought the house in 1983. +13 Unlike bungalows as they are referred to today, the property is set over three levels. The original term was not exclusive to one-storey properties, instead referring to mountain retreats favoured by the Upper Classes +13 An architect's drawing of the property in the 20th Century. Historians are eager to put the house forward for listing to further protect its heritage +13 One of the house's most distinct features is its large veranda at the front. These were a common feature among Victorian properties in India +13 The house's current owner said she fell in love with its unique design and layout when she bought it in 1983 and has tried to preserve its character +13 Other unique features which make the property so notable are two stained glass windows that have Victorian messages inscribed on them +13 One of the four bedrooms in the house that is set over more than 2,000sq ft. Original oak and wood flooring has been maintained +13 The property has four bedrooms, four reception rooms and two bathrooms, one of which is en-suite. It is being sold for £985,000 'It’s a great place, I fell in love with it 32 years ago and I still love it after all these years,' said Marian Parker, 60. 'The big drawing room is double height and has this little gallery which I use as a study. The room opens on to the veranda and is a lovely room with lots of light in summer but it also has an open fireplace and is really cosy in winter. 'It looks very different from the front to the back. From the front it looks like a normal bungalow but when you go round to the back it looks like a three-storey house because you can see the cellar.' With two stained glass windows and an original oak panelling in the hall and lounge, historians are eager to put the property forward to be listed. Dr Kathryn Ferry, an architectural historian and author of the book Bungalows, said: 'This is one of the earliest surviving bungalows in Britain and certainly one of the most important. 'What makes this one so significant is it was part of a bungalow settlement as if built in India on a hill station where the colonial British went to escape from the heat of the cities, sitting on their verandas in the cool breeze. 'There are a couple of bungalows in the development left but this one is the most original. 'Bungalows weren’t about single storey living, they were more of a leisure house and this exemplifies that. Bungalows aren’t just boring suburban homes. 'It is not listed but it ought to be. We can’t put it forward for listing yet in case it puts off buyers. But hopefully whoever does buy it will appreciate its importance enough to support a bid to list it.' The house is being sold  by Hamptons International for £985,000 and has not yet attracted any offers. +13 A view of the property from one of its gardens. It is set over almost one acre of land in the Sussex countryside in East Grinstead +13 While the house is one of many of the same style built in the area by architect RA Briggs, historians have described it as one of the best remaining examples of a Victorian-Indian bungalow