The most expensive listing in Massachusetts

Pool, jacuzzi flowing into pool (right), and cabana behind James and Raina Ring's home .



By Linda Matchan, Globe Staff



EAST ORLEANS -- When Jim Ring got a call from his realtor saying his home on Cape Cod had the distinction of being the most expensive house currently for sale in Massachusetts, ``it sort of blew me away," he says.



True, the asking price is $25 million, but Ring is from California, land of super size trophy homes where the most expensive house for sale, in Malibu, is $65 million, according to Ultimate Homes magazine, which tracks such data.



``I find it hard to believe," says Ring, a real estate developer, in a telephone interview. ``I come from an area in Los Angeles, in Malibu, where that sort of price is, I don't want to say common, but not unique. Fortunately or unfortunately. Massachusetts is a state that I would think would have expensive and beautiful homes priced accordingly."



Well, at least it has this one, and a few others. Twenty-two Massachusetts homes made the Ultimate Homes list of the 1,000 most expensive homes publicly listed for sale in the United States . They include a $12.5 million Japanese hand-joined, wood-framed residence in the Chilmark community of Seven Gates; and a six-story townhouse in Boston's Louisburg Square priced at $8,950,000 with ``the best roof deck in the entire city," says broker John Forger. (Donald Trump's oceanfront mansion in Palm Beach, Fla., is the most expensive, listed at $125 million.)



What does $25 million get you in Massachusetts? Nothing quite as exclusive as it would in the Virgin Islands, where for a million dollars less you can buy a private , 230-acre island.


Still, the East Orleans property is nothing to sneer at. It's not just a home, it's a ``retreat,"

according to the literature prepared by Century 21 Beach Road Real Estate/Fine Homes & Estates in Orleans, which is offering the estate jointly with Ring's California realtor, Kay Cole of Ewing & Associates/Sotheby's International Realty. Needless to say, homes of this caliber aren't sold the usual way. No ``For Sale" signs or open houses, says Myra Brink-Dennis of Century 21.


According to Rick Goodwin, publisher of Ultimate Homes, the magazine's research does not represent private listings, but is based on a comprehensive national search by the publication.



Your first impression of the property, located on more than 10 wooded acres on Beach Road, is that you're entering a gated community. Drive up the long, tree-lined road, dotted with blue- and gold-engraved signs (``Caution Children," ``Keep Off Grass," ``No Trespassing") and behold a veritable resort where Ring lives, when he's on the East Coast, with his wife and three daughters. There's a guest house; a barn (``equestrian facilities" in real estatespeak); a tennis and basketball court; a trampoline; heated pool with cabana and a jacuzzi that empties into it like a waterfall; an outdoor kitchen with a pizza oven and dishwasher; and a putting green, featuring a golf ball washer and two hazards -- a sand trap and a pond.Continued...

Orleans for Sale - $1,175,000

East Egg classic with deeded beach, association dock on Pleasant Bay AND a splendid guest house. Private Sandy Beach! Renovated and architectually impressive main residence flows from one comfortable room to the next and is ideal for entertaining. Fireplaced front-to back living room, sunny family room w/beamed cathedral ceilings, warm & inviting kitchen w/handsome pine cabinetry and a spacious dining area. Private rear deck overlooks 50+ acres of conservation and watershed. Oversized 2 car garage with finished space above. Charming year-round guest house is offered tastefully furnished and has two bedrooms, full kitchen, laundry, garage, deck, separate driveway and even its own address! All set on a manicured acre lovingly maintained by meticulous owners. A rare chance to accommodate family & friends to share in the Cape experience. Sleeps 12 easily.

source : century21

$25 million - The most expensive listing in Massachusetts

EAST ORLEANS -- When Jim Ring got a call from his realtor saying his home on Cape Cod had the distinction of being the most expensive house currently for sale in Massachusetts, "it sort of blew me away," he says... "I find it hard to believe," says Ring, a real estate developer, in a telephone interview. "I come from an area in Los Angeles, in Malibu, where that sort of price is, I don't want to say common, but not unique. Fortunately or unfortunately. Massachusetts is a state that I would think would have expensive and beautiful homes priced accordingly."

Well, at least it has this one, and a few others. Twenty-two Massachusetts homes made the Ultimate Homes list of the 1,000 most expensive homes publicly listed for sale in the United States . They include a $12.5 million Japanese hand-joined, wood-framed residence in the Chilmark community of Seven Gates; and a six-story townhouse in Boston's Louisburg Square priced at $8,950,000...

The Most Expensive House For Sale In The United States

by Deidre Woollard

There's a new top to the list of the most expensive houses on the market in the United States. Topping the list now is Beverly House, the Beverly Hills mansion of William Randolph Hearst and Marion Davies. It has hit the market at an astronomical $165 million. The pink stucco home also comes with 6.5 acres of land that include four houses, an apartment and a cottage for the security staff. The stats here are dazzling: three separate pools, 29 bedrooms, a movie theater and a disco (the main house has just nine bedrooms). The home was built in 1927 for banker Milton Getz and designed by Gordon Kaufmann. Hearst bought it for $120,000 in 1947. The LA times reports that the home is currently owned by attorney-investor Leonard M. Ross, who is looking for a "lifestyle change." Ross bought the home in 1976. If you had acted fast 20 years ago, when the home was briefly on the market, you could have picked this place up for $25 million. As Curbed LA mentioned the home has been in several movies including The Godfather, The Jerk and The Bodyguard.

No house in the U.S. has sold for over $100 million yet, although the deep-pocketed have plenty to choose from, including the $155 million mansion being built in Montana, Prince Bandar's compound in Aspen for $135 million, Fleur de Lys also in Beverly Hills for $125 million and Trump's offering in Palm Beach for $125 million. Check out a gallery of the previous leaders of the pack here. And for even more real estate gawking, a look at some of the homes the world's billionaires have constructed. Maybe one of these guys needs a Beverly Hills mansion as a second home.