It is almost a wrap for everything in 2015 and real estate news and events are one of them. In Lower Hudson Valley, New York, here are the top real estate stories that splashed the headlines of the year 2015, courtesy of Iohud Journal News.
1. The Most Expensive Home In Westchester. Ever!
The Hillandale estate in Pound Ridge is the sale that broke the record. It was sold at $75 million from an original listing price of $95 million way back in 2008. The property, amazing beyond words, was owned originally Arthur Hays and Iphigene Sulzberger of the New York Times Sulzbergers and subsequently by the Haroche family. Iuhud Journal describes the property as "built in the 1920's and includes a 20,000-square-foot home with original details: stained glass, mosaic tiles and an indoor pool; 5 acres of roads, a pool and pool house, tennis court, and so on."
2. Biggest Sale in Rockland
It sat on the market for four years but finally, Piermont's historic 30-room castle sold for $5,050,000 in June. It is the most expensive residential sale this year and it was paid in cash. "The house, a 15,000-square-foot turreted castle and 18-acre property, has had only three owners in its history, and some historic ivy supposedly planted by Washington Irving," notes Iuhud Journal. The buyers were from New York City.
3. Fastest Selling Luxury Propery
The first luxury estates of Greystone on Hudson, the new 20-mansion gated community in Tarrytown and Greenburgh, sold $9 million just nine days after it was listed in the market. The mansions include amenities like an indoor basketball court, 11 bathrooms and an 800-square-foot 'hers' closet in the master suite.
4. Best Use of A Castle
Greystone Court has been restored and excellently at that. Is us being used as film location, tv and magazine shots. The money is being used to fund the renovation. Kohle Yohannan purchased it way back. Julia Roberts, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez have used it and Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Brooks Brothers, Victoria's Secret and Yves St. Laurent are among the brands that also use the castle. However, it is now in the market for $4,950,000.
5. Celebrity Homes Hit The Market!
The childhood house of Angelina Jolie is up for sale. Former Knick superstar Allan Houston is giving up his indoor basketball court and heated swimming pool, putting green, sand trap and the rest of his swank 10-acre Armonk estate for $19.9 million. Making the list is Ingrid Michaelson's Nyack home and the Mad Men House, a hit AMC show. Take your pick, really.
6. Sister Houses Are A Real Thing
Iohud Journal says, "A pair of side-by-side sister houses in Larchmont Manor that vaudeville magnate Frederick Proctor built for his daughters Henrietta and Eleanor went on the market at the same time, for the first time since they were built in 1912, priced at $2.995 million and the other at $2.475 million.
7. A Historic Home Was Saved!
A house that served as a President's house since 1960 was saved when it was purchased by Ali Hamoudeh. It is a a lovely 1920s brick Georgian house with 12-bedroom, eight bath home known as Beechwood House.
8. Property Brothers
Jonathan and Drew Scott of HGTV spent about six months working with homeowners in the Lower Hudson Valley to film episodes of two shows, "Buying & Selling," and "Property Brothers" and they will be back come 2016.
9. We Got A Look Inside The Hand Mansion!
"It is distinctive 6,855-square-foot house that had been owned by generations of the Hand family for more than a century is in a lovely location," Iohud Journal says. "It was acquired by Azariah Ross in 1856 and people has always been curious about it. It was opened during a local fundraiser and it was as lovely as people imagines," Iohud Journal concluded.
Expect more headlines come 2016 for Hudson Valley.
