Luxuryrealestate.com will award Shari Chase, CEO and president of Chase International, with its Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual spring retreat, which will be held from Sunday, April 26 to Wednesday, April 29. Being held in Las Vegas, Nev., the retreat will host Olympic gold medalist Mary Whipple as its keynote speaker.

Winning an Olympic gold medal and being awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award are not simple tasks; they take perseverance, teamwork and energy. Both Chase and Whipple have exemplified these traits throughout their careers and continue to do so.

According to luxuryrealestate.com, the Lifetime Achievement Award is given twice a year to the Luxury Real Estate member who has set an example for the real estate industry, displayed excellence throughout their career and is truly a legend. For the past 23 year, Chase, president and CEO of Chase International, has been fitting the bill.

An award-winner herself, Whipple will discuss turning weaknesses into strengths, recognizing your place in a team environment as well as acknowledging the importance of one’s teammates. 

—Lauren Varga
 

If you don’t mind your neighbors throwing loud, out-of-control parties, you can live next door to the Playboy mansion for only 28 million dollars. Hugh Hefner and his wife, Kimberley Conrad Hefner, who have lived in adjacent mansions since their 1999 separation, are listing Ms. Hefner’s Los Angeles home for $28 million. Standing next door to the Playboy mansion in Holmby Hills, the 1929 brick and wood English manor-style house, on 2.3 acres, measures 7,300 square feet and has a pool and a three-car garage, as well as a door in the wall separating the home from the Playboy mansion. Original wood paneling and a hand-carved staircase are just a few fine highlights.

Joyce Rey and Stacy Gottula, of Coldwell Banker Previews International, are representing the listing, according to The Wall Street Journal.

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Patrick Dempsey, also known as Derek Shepherd/Dr. McDreamy on ABC’s staple drama Grey’s Anatomy, is listing his four-bedroom, five-full- and one-half-bath New England Traditional in Bel-Air for $3.595 million. Though, with his character’s long-awaited nuptials soon to air, the actor’s well equipped home might garner an even higher price.

Perfect for entertaining with adults and children, the gated and hedged property features a pool, brick patio, flat lawn and a matching treehouse with a porch, which sits high up on the slope of the property.

Brett Lawyer, of Sotheby’s International Realty, is representing the listing, according to the Los Angeles Times.

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Eli Stone’s Natasha Henstridge has listed her 3,825-square-foot, five-bedroom, five-bath Sherman Oaks Traditional for $1.75 million. Boasting views of the San Fernando Valley, the home includes an entertainment deck, formal dining room, and hardwood floors and high-beamed ceilings in the public areas. The half-acre lot also offers a pool and a pool deck area.

Henstridge, 34, plays lawyer Taylor Wethersby on the ABC comedy-drama.

Matt Epstein, of RE/MAX on the Boulevard, is representing the listing, according to the Los Angeles Times.

– Sarah Binder

Attention football fans—It’s first and goal for a chance to place a bid on the suburban Atlanta home of Atlanta Falcons quarterback, Michael Vick. The home is expected to hit the auction block on March 10th. Previously listed at $4.5 million, the residence will now start with opening bid of $3.2 million. The auction will be held in either Atlanta or Gwinnett County.

What can one expect to find with the purchase of the Duluth mansion? A two story foyer with double curved staircase, a home theater, a workout room with sauna, an elevator and a full bar for starters. For more on Vick’s home, check out the story by AP writer Larry O’Dell: Auction of Vick’s Georgia Home.

—Robert Burke

Depending on how you look at it, entrepreneurs are either hindered greatly by the current financial climate, or they are best positioned to weather these uncertain times. Either way, bold self-promotion these days can’t hurt, and real estate daredevil Frank McKinney continues his unique career with the February 13th co-unveiling of Acqua Liana, his $29 million green mansion in Manalapan, Fla. and his three new books: Burst This! Frank McKinney’s Bubble-Proof Real Estate Strategies; The Tap; and Dead Fred, Flying Lunchboxes, and the Good Luck Circle.

Guests to the soiree, who are asked to dress in Valentine’s Day or Friday the 13th-inspired costumes, will enjoy “Friday the 13th Manalapan Mojitos” while awaiting the traditionally dramatic arrival of McKinney and the debut of his island-inspired estate, which will be hidden beneath a massive curtain.

The first home of its size to be certified green by the U.S. Green Building Council and the Florida Green Building Council, Acqua Liana lies on 1.6 acres and encompasses three stories and 15,000 square feet. The seven-bedroom, 11-bath residence is accompanied by meandering water gardens, floating sun terraces, a waterfall spa with a fire feature in the water and a guesthouse partially submerged in a lagoon. A 2,180-square-foot oceanfront master suite, fitness studio, oceanfront glass office, two glass elevators and a glass wine cellar are just a few features of the green masterpiece.

Proceeds from sales of the books will benefit McKinney’s Caring House Project Foundation, which creates a self-sustaining existence for underprivileged families across the globe.

For more information on the event, the three books, Acqua Liana or McKinney’s real estate philosophies, visit www.Frank-McKinney.com

– Sarah Binder

President Bush leaves Washington, D.C. this month to begin his post-presidency life, reportedly in Preston Hollow, a high-end North Dallas suburb. If you’re hoping to run into Mr. Bush on an early evening stroll near his new abode, or to borrow a cup of sugar from the former First Lady, consider purchasing one of the following three homes for sale in Mr. Bush’s new neighborhood:

A six-bedroom, seven-bath, 13,000-square-foot newly constructed estate on 1.1 acres in the Creeks of Preston Hollow boasts large walk-in closets; marble, wood and stone floors; a library; wine cellar; mud room; elevator; two wet bars and six fireplaces, all for an asking price of $7.4 million.

At $4.6 million, a six-bedroom, seven-full- and one-half-bath, 7,400-square-foot estate in Meadowood is nearer the reported price of President Bush’s new sanctuary ($3 million). Perfect for the car enthusiast, the 1.4-acre property includes an attached four-car garage and three additional covered carport spaces. A large formal dining room and family room with a terrace overlooking the pool provide entertaining space.

A Mediterranean estate built in 2008 in Meadowbrook at Walnut Hill features hand-carved Italian mantles, a large formal entertaining area with onyx columns and oak, onyx and limestone floors. A double iron gate in the driveway leads to the seven-bedroom, eight-bath, 11,500-square-foot residence with a facade of hand-cut limestone and a blended southwestern-style tile roof. For $6.4 million, you can own this home on a 1-acre lot. 

– Sarah Binder

Savannah, Ga. - Don Zeman, known to millions of radio listeners and television viewers across the country as “America’s Home Improvement Expert,” died suddenly on December 31 while on vacation in Mississippi. He was 55 years old. Zeman was host of Homefront with Don Zeman, the nationally syndicated home improvement radio show heard each Saturday morning in more than 300 markets across the U.S. and Canada.
   
A native of Missouri, Zeman was born May 26, 1953 in Springfield to Donald H. Zeman Sr. and Ruth Chalupny. He attended schools in Florissant, Mo. and took up bowling at an early age. He learned to bowl before his sixth birthday and became a professional bowler before his 16th birthday. He competed across the Midwest and earned a place in the Bowling Hall of Fame in St. Louis, Mo. Zeman bowled at all of the Dick Weber Lanes and opened a pro shop with Richie Weber.

Zeman was a salesman before he began renovating homes in the historic Soulard district in St. Louis, as well as South St. Louis. He later moved to Pensacola, Fla. and Columbia, Mo., where he built and renovated homes. On December 29, 1994, Homefront was born when Columbia radio station KFRU asked Zeman to fill in for their regular home improvement host who quit suddenly. Zeman’s radio career was launched.

Zeman grew Homefront into the premier home improvement program on radio. Homefront was heard by more than 3.2 million listeners across the U.S. and Canada. He added a second franchise, Hints from the Homefront, 90-second daily radio hints in 218 markets across the U.S. In 2002, he established News from the Homefront TV segments. In addition, Don Zeman regularly conducted media tours discussing energy savings, water savings, hurricane preparedness, and curb appeal, appearing on television news programs across the country. He appeared on CNBC’s Squawkbox, The Daily Buzz, and top 25-market stations across the U.S.

Zeman married the former Nancy Roberts of Paris, Ill. on March 26, 2002, in Las Vegas, Nev. They were partners in work, life and love. In March 2006, they purchased their dream home in Savannah, Ga. and renovated the historic property. The house is home to the state-of-art television and radio studios, the Homefront offices and their three beloved cats, whom he named Maggie, Rachel and Darla.

Zeman was proud of Homefront where his trademark was, “Grab Your Tools; You Can Do This Stuff!” He believed his mission was to educate homeowners and consumers. He once said, “When we open the phones up each Saturday morning, I never know what we’re going to talk about. It’s the listeners’ program. That’s why I love it.” He was especially proud of the relationships and friendships he forged over the 14 years of Homefront with Kohler/Sterling, Simonton Windows, Fypon, Rust-Oleum, Zinsser, Wolman, Woodcraft, Icynene, Original Brand Sawblades, The Big Green Egg, Spectrum Brands and The Original Grille Pad.

Surviving besides his wife are a son, Timothy Alan Zeman and his wife, Andrea, of High Ridge, Mo.; three grandchildren, Chloe Fletcher, and Corey and Olivia Zeman, all of High Ridge, Mo.; his father and his wife, Don and Debbie Zeman of St. Peters, Mo.; two sisters, Debbie and Mark Oesch of Hazelwood, Mo. and Donna of Gerald, Mo.; 11 nieces and nephews and six great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Zeman, and a niece.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Camp Courageous in Iowa at www.campcourageous.com

Angela C. Eliopoulos of Global Owner Properties at the Georgetown and McLean offices of Long & Foster Real Estate-Washington Metro area was recognized as the national award winner for Most Unique Property by Leaders in Luxury, a networking symposium for upper-tier Realtors.

Hosted annually by The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, Leaders in Luxury represents an exclusive, invitation-only educational and networking opportunity for the top 100 luxury agents nationwide who work in the million- and multi-million dollar housing market.

The Realtor collective met in Miami for the event, where Eliopoulos’ entry was chosen by an advertising agency executive from Dallas-based Brand Agent.

Eliopoulos’ winning estate is a 4,200-square-foot waterfront penthouse, complete with a roof-top sundeck, a wine cave with a talking “ghost,” and a “stealth limo” with the purchase of the home. Eliopoulos said, “Not only was this a fabulous luxury condo, it had a long list of unique features and surprises. It was a joy to market!"

Eliopoulos continued, “Attendance at Leaders in Luxury is important to an upper-tier level professional’s success. With the current real estate market, we have to be proactive to stay on top of market conditions. By networking with the best in the business, sharing ideas, and learning about the latest trends and outlooks, we can help my affluent clients find success where others are finding challenges.”

—Holly Marie Busacca

In 1991 he played the role of Luke Brower, a mere homeless boy taken in by the Seaver family, on the sitcom Growing Pains. Today, actor Leonardo DiCaprio has 2,374 square feet of living space to spare in Malibu, Calif.

The Contemporary home that rests above the pacific is listed at $8,999,000, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. Within the main house are two bedrooms, two baths, marble accents and a four-car garage. A separate guesthouse offers two one-bedroom suites.

The private property is landscaped with verdant lawns and offers easy access to a beach cove.

DiCaprio’s works include Titanic, Romeo + Juliet, Catch Me If You Can and The Departed, among many others. DiCaprio’s upcoming movie, Revolutionary Road, is slated to open on Dec. 26, 2008.

—Lauren Varga
 

 When the Yellowstone Club debuted in 1999 it captured lots of attention and its fair share of big names from business, sports and government. After all, who wouldn’t want to have their own private place to play in Montana’s Big Sky country especially when it comes with a totally private ski resort, Warren Miller as director of skiing and security headed by a former member of the Secret Service?

As idyllic as it sounds, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for the club. The much publicized divorce of founders Tom and Edra Blixseth coupled with ambitious expansion plans led to some of its current financial difficulties. In mid-November the club filed for bankruptcy. According to a comment released to The Associated Press, the club has been unable to secure financing with its creditors and bondholders. Read about it here.     

—Camilla McLaughlin

The Associated Press is reporting that pop star Michael Jackson has transferred the deed to his Neverland Ranch in Los Olivos, Calif., to a company he partly owns. Jackson had gone into default on the $24.5 million he owes on the property and had faced foreclosure before Colony Capital LLC bailed him out earlier this year by purchasing his loan. On Monday, Jackson transferred the title of the ranch to Sycamore Valley Ranch Company LLC. But Jackson may effectively still own the property, since Sycamore Valley Ranch is a joint venture between Jackson and an affiliate of Colony Capital. See the AP story here.