Pop stars may come and go, but their music will live on forever. Aside from the auditory contributions that musicians have added to the world, they have also contributed to the real estate landscape by owning and selling homes worthy of their status. For lucky individuals with either unlimited financial resources or the credit score worthy of getting approved for the best rates on jumbo mortgages, there is a slew of homes for sale, all featuring ties to pop stars that topped the charts during their celebrity hey-day.
Judy Garland's Bel-Air Manse
American songstress and actress Judy Garland had been a performer for most of her life. As a teenager she was signed to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and became part of the legendary studio system of the time period. Nearly everyone knows Garland from her performance in the 1938 classic film "The Wizard of Oz," and from films co-starring Mickey Rooney. However, it was after her break with MGM that she committed more time to her musical career, live stage performances and taking on the role of leading lady (as opposed to the wholesome girl next door). Her work garnered her many accolades including a Tony Award, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (posthumously) and several of her songs have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Aside from those achievements, Garland also made a lot of money and those resources were used to buy her Bel-Air, California home, which is now currently listed for sale at $5.5 million.
The home was designed by Hollywood's architectural golden boy, Wallace Neff, in 1938 and may be considered the home that "Oz" built. The spacious 5,513 square foot home features all the amenities worthy of Hollywood Royalty including a kidney-shaped swimming pool, 5 bedrooms, 6.5 bathrooms and an assortment of fireplaces throughout the home. Since the home stayed standing longer than Garland did, other musical stars including Quincy Jones and Marvin Gaye have called the place their own. Private sellers who have been the official home owners for 35 years are now selling the property.
Sonny Bono's Palm Springs Estate
The desert city of Palm Springs, California has always been a magnate for celebrities and pop star turned politician Sonny Bono was no exception. In his youth, Sonny's musical career was kicked of when Sam Cooke sang Bono's "Things You Do to Me." Bono started working for the notorious record producer, Phil Spector. While those tasks helped him flush out his resume, it was his performing career with his then wife, Cher, that helped put him on the map. Sonny and Cher were very popular and their combined fame continued to rise, courtesy of their television variety show in the early 70's. It was that device that introduced all of America to songs such as "I Got You Babe" and "The Beat Goes On", both of which were written by Bono.
The couple eventually separated and while Sonny continued on his musical career path, he never achieved success as a solo performer. However, as a politician, he certainly held his own. With the assets he acquired during his lifetime, Bono bought the Palm Springs home that is now currently listed for $3.995 million. While living in the spacious 6,648 home (that features two separate guest houses and a swimming pool) Bono got fed up with the local politics of the town. It was frustration that led him to run and become the elected mayor of Palm Springs, which was the spring board for launching his role as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Billy Ray Cyrus' Toluca Lake Home
Before the world caught Miley Cyrus fever, her father captured the attention of the nation courtesy of his pop hit "Achy Breaky Heart" and his mullet hair style. For a while, Billy Ray, his wife Tish and Miley, lived comfortablely in the sprawling McMansion, but that living scenario has come to an end. Billy Ray and Tish are now nursing their own achy-breaky body parts as the two have recently filed for divorce. As a result, their Toluca Lake, California home has been listed for sale for $7 million.
Consumers interested in living out their dreams of pop stardom can count on Mortgage Marvel to deliver up-to-date mortgages rates needed for financing a home purchase. No matter if a mortgage seeker is looking for a traditional fixed rate mortgage or a jumbo loan to finance the purchase of a house with star-studded power, Mortgage Marvel will deliver the accurate home loan information needed for the task.
