New Favorite Website - Lovelylisting.com

Sara Lorimer is your host and commentator for some of the most intriguingly weird, tasteless, and hilarious real estate photos taken from Multiple listing services from around the world. She's really very funny.


Via Lovelisting.com

Check it out:

http://www.lovelylisting.com/

Modular Homes Made From Shipping Containers

I don't know about you but I sometimes wonder about how many shipping containers there are floating around in the world. You know, those rectangular steel boxes that you see unloaded from cargo ship and either attached to railroad cars or dropped on the back of semis.

Consider all the goods manufactured in China and shipped to ports in North America. Some estimate that there are around 18 million containers in use each year. That's a mind-blowing number.

Well, thousands of those sturdy steel containers are retired every year. Some very clever forward-thinking builders have begun using these containers as the building blocks to create prefab dwellings. Check out this posting From The Daily Green. By using existing structures like these, builders can reduce their construction costs by about 50%. If you've ever been down near the port of LA there are acres of these containers blighting the landscape due to our nation's trade deficit with China. More good are coming into the ports than we are shipping out.

Here's a 2006 Video reported by CNN:

Castillo Del Lago LA Landmark For Sale

I finally got a chance to view the magnificent former home of Bugsy Siegel and Madonna. It is currently on the market for $9,995,000. A steal given that it was listed in April for over $14 million. Yes, the market has taken a dive at all price points.

It is really something else. I could have stayed there all day. To see the MLS profile click here.

You enter the property and take either an elevator or walk up spiralling staircase to reach the reception level. After that, thanks to the glorious renovation undertaken by the current owners you are transported to 1926 when this estate was built. There are hidden rooms and grotto-like hideaways, and the views of Lake Hollywoood are stunning. The detailing in the tile, wood and stone work, are outstanding.

Interesting factoid: Their are still bullet holes in a wood railing above the living room from when the LAPD raided back in the 30s. This is not the home where Bugsy Siegel met his demise. That house is in Beverly Hills.