From Mischa Barton and LeBron James' sprawling mansions to Camille Grammer's five-acre estate, the celebrity-owned homes that have languished on the market for years

  • Many celebrities and other wealthy homeowners are seeing (or have seen) their mansions languish on the market
  • Fewer buyers are willing or able to pay millions of dollars for home and also wish to live in that particular location
  • Furthermore, celebrity-owned houses can be put on sale for above-market-value prices, which may put off buyers
  • Actress Mischa Barton and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills's Camille Grammer are still struggling to sell houses
  • Meanwhile, LeBron James's Miami home has only recently been snapped up - at $3.6m under original asking price

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They may be household names, high-flying executives and billionaires.

But that doesn't mean life is any easier for them in the marketplace.

From actress Mischa Barton and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Camille Grammer to NBA player LeBron James, many celebrities and other wealthy homeowners are seeing (or have seen) their sprawling mansions languish on the market - despite the properties' sizes and exclusive locations.

This is for a number of reasons - one of which is the fact that fewer buyers are willing or able to fork out millions of dollars for a home and also wish to live in the particular location that is on offer. Most people spending such a large amount of money would expect to live in their dream neighborhood.

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From actress Mischa Barton to NBA star LeBron James, many celebrities and other wealthy homeowners are seeing (or have seen) their sprawling mansions languish in the marketplace - despite the properties' sizes and exclusive locations
LeBron James speaks onstage during The 2015 ESPYS at Microsoft Theater on July 15, 2015 in Los Angeles, California

Housing struggles: From actress Mischa Barton (left) to NBA star LeBron James (right), many celebrities and other wealthy homeowners are seeing (or have seen) their sprawling mansions languish in the marketplace - despite the properties' sizes and exclusive locations

Still on the market: Barton, who starred in The O.C., purchased her mansion off Mulholland Drive, above Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, for $6.4million in 2006 when she was only 20. Around five years later, she put the property up for sale at almost $8.4million. But despite Barton's efforts to get rid of her mansion (pictured), it has since been on and off the market at least six times - at different prices

Still on the market: Barton, who starred in The O.C., purchased her mansion off Mulholland Drive, above Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, for $6.4million in 2006 when she was only 20. Around five years later, she put the property up for sale at almost $8.4million. But despite Barton's efforts to get rid of her mansion (pictured), it has since been on and off the market at least six times - at different prices

Finally gone: Until last month, Cleveland Cavaliers player LeBron James had also struggled to sell his mansion (pictured), situated in Coconut Grove, Miami. The four-time NBA MVP put his luxurious abode up for sale last October following his return to the Cavaliers

Finally gone: Until last month, Cleveland Cavaliers player LeBron James had also struggled to sell his mansion (pictured), situated in Coconut Grove, Miami. The four-time NBA MVP put his luxurious abode up for sale last October following his return to the Cavaliers

Docks: Originally on sale at $17million, the price of the 16,000-square-foot, six-bedroom property was dropped to $15million in March. However, it was recently snapped up for $13.4million by investors. Above, the mansion has docks that can host two 60-foot yachts

Docks: Originally on sale at $17million, the price of the 16,000-square-foot, six-bedroom property was dropped to $15million in March. However, it was recently snapped up for $13.4million by investors. Above, the mansion has docks that can host two 60-foot yachts

Profit: James had paid $9million in 2010 for the mansion (pictured in an aerial shot) - and ended up selling it for $4.4million more

Profit: James had paid $9million in 2010 for the mansion (pictured in an aerial shot) - and ended up selling it for $4.4million more

Another reason is that celebrity-owned houses can be put on sale for above-market-value prices, which may put off potential buyers, Variety reports. 

Alternatively, properties linked to famous names can generate publicity and attention, creating a demand that leads to a faster sale.

But in Barton's case, this does not appear to have worked, according to the magazine. 

The actress, who starred in The O.C., purchased her mansion off Mulholland Drive, above Beverly Hills, for $6.4million in 2006 when she was only 20.

Around five years later, she put the property up for sale at almost $8.4million amid international news reports about her personal struggles. At around that time, the actress had noticeably dropped several dress sizes and had been put under a psychiatric 5150 'hold' following wisdom tooth surgery.

But despite 29-year-old Barton's efforts to get rid of her mansion, it has since been on and off the market at least six times - at different prices.

The Los Angeles, California, property has also been leased out during this time, Variety reports.

Grammer, 47, the former wife of Cheers and Frasier star Kelsey Grammer, 60, has also encountered difficulties in trying to sell her home.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Camille Grammer, the former wife of Cheers and Frasier star Kelsey Grammer, has also encountered difficulties trying to sell her home.
And so has Connie Stevens, who has her own skincare range, Forever Spring

Famous faces: Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Camille Grammer (left), the former wife of Cheers and Frasier star Kelsey Grammer, has also encountered difficulties trying to sell her home. And so has Connie Stevens (right) who has her own skincare range, Forever Spring

Gated estate: Ms Grammer was awarded the five-acre estate (pictured) - situated in the Serra Retreat in Malibu - as part of her 2011 divorce

Gated estate: Ms Grammer was awarded the five-acre estate (pictured) - situated in the Serra Retreat in Malibu - as part of her 2011 divorce

Interior: The property - which boasts a swimming pool and a tennis court - was initially put on the market for $17.5million in August 2012

Interior: The property - which boasts a swimming pool and a tennis court - was initially put on the market for $17.5million in August 2012

Luxurious: But three years on, it is still unsold - and is now on offer at a reduced price of under $14million. Above, the outdoor pool

Luxurious: But three years on, it is still unsold - and is now on offer at a reduced price of under $14million. Above, the outdoor pool

The reality TV star was awarded the five-acre estate - which is situated in the star-studded Serra Retreat in Malibu - as part of her 2011 divorce.

The property - which is gated and boasts a swimming pool and a tennis court - was originally put on the market for $17.5million in August 2012.

But three years on, it still remains unsold - and is now on offer at a reduced price of under $14million.

Until last month, Cleveland Cavaliers star James had also struggled to sell his mansion, situated in Coconut Grove, Miami.

The four-time NBA MVP put his luxurious abode up for sale last October following his return to the Cavaliers after four years with the Miami Heat. 

Originally on sale at $17million, the price of the 16,000-square-foot, six-bedroom property was dropped to $15million in March.

However, it was recently snapped up for $13.4million by married real estate Florida investors Timo and Nathalia Kipp.

Rajon Rondo is having trouble getting rid of his Massachusetts home
Rondo is seen playing for the Boston Celtics in 2009

NBA star: Rajon Rondo (left, and, right, playing for the Boston Celtics in 2009) is having trouble getting rid of his Massachusetts home

Price cut: The property (above) had been up for sale for nearly a quarter of a year for $2.5million - but has now been slashed to $2million

Price cut: The property (above) had been up for sale for nearly a quarter of a year for $2.5million - but has now been slashed to $2million

ModerN: Covering more than 6,500 square feet, the home features seven bathrooms, an entertainment room, and vaulted ceilings

ModerN: Covering more than 6,500 square feet, the home features seven bathrooms, an entertainment room, and vaulted ceilings

Sprawling: This photo shows one of the bedrooms in the Sacramento Kings player's  Lincoln, Massachusetts, home, which is still on sale

Sprawling: This photo shows one of the bedrooms in the Sacramento Kings player's Lincoln, Massachusetts, home, which is still on sale

Multi-million dollar home: Rondo's property boasts an indoor movie theater (left) and an enormous living room with a black sofa (right)

James had paid $9million in 2010 for the mansion, which also boasts docks that can host two 60-foot yachts, according to The Bleacher Report.

Speaking to Variety, Sotheby's agent, Marc Silver, said the right price can attract buyers - regardless of a property's shortcomings.

 'A house that backs up to a busy freeway isn’t loud at the right price,' he said, using what the magazine described as 'an extreme example'.

Another wealthy homeowner to have experienced difficulty in selling his mansion is TV syndication tycoon Richard King, whose 17,000-square-foot Georgian home in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, remains unsold at its original asking price after being put up for sale in 2011 for a staggering $65million.

Meanwhile, actress Connie Stevens, who created her own skincare range, Forever Spring, is also struggling to sell her own Holmby Hills property.

Stevens put her nearly two-acre Colonial estate - which she bought for just $350,000 in the 1970s - on the market in 2012 for almost $18million.

However, the mansion, which also comes with two modern-looking guest houses, is yet to be sold - and the price has even risen to $18.5million.

Appealing to boatowners: This photo shows the docks behind LeBrown James's Cocunut Grove, Miami, home, which has now been sold

Appealing to boatowners: This photo shows the docks behind LeBrown James's Cocunut Grove, Miami, home, which has now been sold

Celebrity-owned: James, who had paid $9million in 2010 for the mansion, had dropped the asking price from $17million to $15million

Celebrity-owned: James, who had paid $9million in 2010 for the mansion, had dropped the asking price from $17million to $15million

All the trimmings: Like Rondo's home, James's property also boasts an indoor movie theater - one of many luxurious features

All the trimmings: Like Rondo's home, James's property also boasts an indoor movie theater - one of many luxurious features

Sunny: This photo shows an outdoor area of James's mansion. Despite his and other wealthy homeowners' difficulties in selling their properties, others have had an easy ride. Indeed, some buyers are reportedly only interested in purchasing celebrity-owned homes

Sunny: This photo shows an outdoor area of James's mansion. Despite his and other wealthy homeowners' difficulties in selling their properties, others have had an easy ride. Indeed, some buyers are reportedly only interested in purchasing celebrity-owned homes

And Sacramento Kings star Rajon Rondo is also having trouble getting rid of his five-bedroom mansion in Massachusetts, according to Realty Today.

The Lincoln property had been up for sale for nearly a quarter of a year for $2.5million - but has now been slashed to $2million, it is reported.

Covering more than 6,500 square feet, the home features seven bathrooms, an entertainment room, a game room and vaulted ceilings.

But despite the aforementioned stars' and wealthy homeowners' difficulties in selling their properties, others have had an easy ride.

Indeed, reality TV star and Douglas Elliman real estate agent Josh Altman said some buyers are only interested in celebrity-owned homes.

'I sold Kim Kardashian's house, and I sold it for probably more than it was worth, maybe because it was her house,' he told HuffPost Live in 2013.

 

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