Are Private Islands Going Out Of Fashion?

Boat required: For those who want to get away from everyone, Jonathan Island is one of 600 islands up for sale around the world

Are Private Islands Going Out Of Fashion? The Elite Flee Their Luxury Isles As Owners Find Trouble In Paradise (And These Homes Have Sat On The Market For Months) -- Daily Mail

600 islands on the market around the world - ranging in price from $50,000 - $100 million
Petra Island in New York, which has property designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, available for undisclosed sum

With white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters and unadulterated solitude, a private island is most people's vision of paradise.

But all may not be as it seems as a number of private islands languish on the market and experts warn that some buyers are realizing that the hassle of living on one is more than it is worth.

There are now 600 islands up for sale around the world, according to experts, from the Caribbean to the chillier waters of northern Scotland, ranging in price from $50,000 to $100 million. The number of isles on the market has jumped three-fold since 2006.

A number of stunning island properties have also been on the market for some time.

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My Comment: I would love the privacy .... but I guess for some it is too much of a sacrifice.

Inside Frank Sinatra's Sprawling Manhattan Penthouse

Party times: The apartment, pictured, was the setting for many wild parties

Start Spreading The Views: Inside Frank Sinatra's Sprawling Manhattan Penthouse On The Market For $7.7m -- Daily Mail

* New York apartment was the setting for many a Rat Pack party
* President John F Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe and Andy Warhol were all guests there

It was the setting for many a wild party, even attracting the likes of President John F Kennedy, screen siren Marilyn Monroe and avant garde artist Andy Warhol.

Now the Manhattan penthouse once belonging to crooner Frank Sinatra can be yours - for a cool $7.7 million.

The sprawling 3,000 sq ft apartment - on New York's East 72nd street, is to go on sale - but these days it looks quite a bit different.

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My Comment: A lot of history in this penthouse.

A Look At President Obama's $24 Million Martha's Vineyard Getaway That He And His Family Stayed In During Their 2011 Summer Vacation

We're sure the President appreciated the massive American flag out front. Wallace & Co./Sotheby's International Realty

Inside President Obama's $24 Million Martha's Vineyard Getaway -- Business Insider

Last week, we told you that Blue Heron Farm, the Martha's Vineyard estate where the Obama family has vacationed for the past three years, was about to be put up for sale.

Now the listing is official. The 28.5-acre property, owned by Republican businessman William Van Devender, was just listed by Wallace & Co. and Sotheby's International Realty for $23.7 million.

The private retreat, in Chilmark, has two full-size homes, an eight-stall horse barn and six paddocks, and a waterfall pool with hot tub.

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My Comment: It is the perfect summer home.

Dark Knight Superfan Creats His Own Home Cinema Replica Of Bruce Wayne's Cave

The Batcave: A superfan has spent £1.29million creating a home cinema inspired by Batman's secret underground lair

Holy Obsession, Batman: Dark Knight Superfan Spends $2MILLION Creating Home Cinema Replica Of Bruce Wayne's Cave -- Daily Mail

A Batman fan has created a $2 million home cinema based on the Gothic look of the Caped Crusader's home.

It includes a Batmobile, batsuits, 180 degree film screen, winged gargoyles, private cylindrical stainless steel elevator with glowing bat symbol, mock secret tunnel exit, bat computers, and race-car inspired home theater chairs.

It is being built by Canadian-based Elite Home Theater Seating at a private home in Greenwich, Connecticut, USA.

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My Comment: Movie night must be pretty cool at this place.

Mansion In Beverly Hills Goes On The Market For $58 Million

Editor: The inside of this mansion is breathtaking. The photo gallery starts here.

Batman Forever Director Joel Schumacher Puts His Home For Sale

Plenty of space: The home is comprised of four separate buildings, totalling 6,500 square feet

Batman Forever Director Joel Schumacher Puts His $9.5Million California Property Up For Sale -- Daily Mail

Batman Forever director Joel Schumacher has put his California compound up for sale.

According to reports, the 72-year-old made the decision to sell because he wasn't spending as much time there as he used to.

Schumacher's property is on sale for a robust $9.45 million.

The estate, in Carpinteria, was designed by Schumacher himself as a four-parcel compound.

The rustic-style property is filled with art and unique wooden furnishings, including reclaimed barn wood.

Murals on the walls give the place a distinct personal touch.

Huge beams across the ceilings add character to the large, airy rooms, which have an 'epic' farmhouse feel.

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My Comment: I love his kitchen and library.

How 750-Year-Old Mansion Was Brought Back To Life

Magnificent: The house is now a thriving business and proud home to the Fortescue family, who said it was a privilege to be a part of the renovation

The Stately Home... That Used To Be A State: How 750-Year-Old Mansion Was Brought Back To Life With Award-Winning Restoration -- Daily Mail

A 750-year-old stately home where Charles I hid during the English Civil War has been restored to its former glory after falling into serious disrepair thanks to an award-winning renovation.

Boconnoc House near Lostwithiel, Cornwall, has been home to the families of 18th-century prime ministers and is linked to one of the most famous jewels in history, the Pitt Diamond.

But it was left empty for nearly 30 years from 1969, during which time many of its precious features were damaged by rainwater.

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My Comment: They certainly have done a good job in restoring it.

A $100 Million New York Penthouse For Sale

The triplex penthouse at 150 W. 56th St. was recently listed for $100 million. Evan Joseph/Prudential Douglas Elliman

$100 Million! The Most Expensive Apartment In The Country Hits The Market -- New York Daily News

The 8,000-square foot “one-of-a-kind gem” is believed to have the highest outdoor space in any New York City residence.

The most-expensive apartment in the country — a triplex, wrap-around penthouse on W. 56th Street — can now be yours for just $100 million.

Raphael De Niro, the son of actor Robert De Niro, has the exclusive listing on the 73rd through 76th floor aerie atop CitySpire — the deluxe apartment in the sky owned by Long Island real estate developer Steven Klar.

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More News On The Most Expensive Apartment In The US Hitting The Market

Meet New York City's $100 Million Penthouse For Sale -- Forbes
New York City penthouse lists for $100 million -- Reuters
Every room with a view: America's most expensive apartment hits market for $100 million -- Examiner
An octagon in the clouds: a peek inside New York's $100 million flat -- The Telegraph
Three-Story Penthouse in NYC Asks $100M -- NBC
Steven Klar’s NYC penthouse listed for $100M -- Libn.com
Will CitySpire penthouse get its $100M asking price? -- The Real Deal

Luxury Mountain Home Up For Auction In Idaho

Photo Courtesy of Concierge Auctions

Luxury Mountain Home Up For Auction -- Just Luxe

Have you ever wanted your very own luxury ski resort just steps away from the chair lift? Now may be your chance. The 5,900-sqaure-foot Howard Estate is ready to be auctioned off by Concierge Auctions and Sun Valley Sotheby's International Realty on July 19, 2012. Set at the base of Bald Mountain's slopes, the large luxury home is in Sun Valley, Idaho, one of the world's more popular ski destinations. With no minimum bid required, the tri-level home was originally listed for $5.995 million and offers people the chance to own their dream home or vacation resort.

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My Comment: It looks like an ideal winter vacation home.

Arnold Schwarzenegger And Maria Shriver Struggle To Sell Their $4.5million Santa Barbara Ranch

For sale: Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver are struggling to sell their Santa Barbara ranch

Arnold Schwarzenegger And Maria Shriver Struggle To Sell $4.5million Santa Barbara Ranch -- Daily Mail

They have moved on with their lives since splitting in May last year but it hasn’t been so easy for Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver to move out of a property they shared together.

The estranged couple have had their Carpinteria ranch on the market, listed at $4.495million, since January, but it seems no one wants to buy the luxury home.

The duo paid $4.7million for the historic Santa Barbara Ranch Monte Alegro tract back in 2008 and have privately listed it through realtor John Vogel.

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My Comment: It does not help when Maria Shriver herself reportedly says that .... the ranch is surrounded by negative energy

Mark Wahlberg Puts His Beverly Hills Home On The Market

Selling up: Mark Wahlberg has heavily discounted his Beverly Hills mansion in order to sell

Mark Wahlberg Puts His Beverly Hills Home On The Market For $13Million As He Seeks More Space For His Rapidly Growing Brood -- Daily Mail

Marky Mark Wahlberg has relisted his Beverly Hills home for the third time in four years at a new asking price of $12,995,000 - $3 million less than the first time he put it up for sale.

It seems that the actor has outgrown the sprawling estate which he shares with his model wife Rhea Durham and their four children Ella, 11, Michael, six, Brendan, four, and Grace, two.

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My Comment: Mark Wahlberg and his wife certainly have a taste in homes.

Two Los Angeles Mansions Are On Sale For $150 Million

The Owlwood estate is on sale for $150 million.

RUMOR: Not One, But TWO Crazy Los Angeles Mansions Are On Sale For $150 Million -- Business insider

For anyone who thinks the luxury real estate market in California is in peril, just take a look the wealthy neighborhoods of Los Angeles.

Not one, but two properties in the area are reportedly being shopped around with $150 million price tags.

Today celebrity real estate blogger the Real Estalker reported that billionaire widow Dawn Arnall was quietly shopping her spread, called Owlwood, for that amount. And just last week, the same blogger reported that real estate tycoon Jeff Greene was rumored to be listing his Beverly Hills Palazzo di Amore for the same amount.

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My Comment: $150 million for a home .... not for me.