An 11-bedroom, 60,500-square-foot mansion in Hillsboro Beach, Fla., modeled after Palace of Versailles, is thought to be the most expensive listing in the U.S. at $139 million.
The 4.4-acre property includes a 30-car garage, a private IMAX movie theater, a $2 million marble staircase and a pool with a double-loop waterslide.
Listing agent William Pierce of Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate knows a thing or two about moving such high-end merchandise: He garnered more commission dollars in 2013 than any other Coldwell Banker agent nationally, according to his online biography.
For those tempted to consider the home, remember that today’s low interest rates would make it more affordable than ever. With a 20-percent down payment, the monthly principal and interest payments would amount to a mere $556,000, according to Pierce’s Web site. Property taxes? They would be about $143,000 per year.
A number of local real-estate professionals were asked by the Sun Gazette if they would want to be the listing agent on such a property and what challenges it would present.
Here are their thoughts:
Joan Stansfield, Keller Williams: “I’d love to be the listing agent. For one, I’m always up for a challenge. Obviously, you’re looking for a niche buyer, someone who has that kind of money, so you’d market it very differently than other lower-priced properties, and it would require more money to market as well as some outside-the-box marketing ideas. Two, it would be tremendous exposure for you as an agent, and your brand, especially if you had a successful transaction.”
Eric Ritland, American Realty: “I would love to be the type of agent who would be considered for a house like that. Would it be a huge headache or could I contribute toward the sale? The agent would certainly have to know that market well.”
Karen Briscoe, Huckaby, Briscoe, Conroy Realty Group: “Sure, why not? The risk/reward would be worth it and it would be exciting. The more expensive homes take longer to sell and more time is involved, but you would learn a lot. The opportunity would be fantastic.”
Casey Samson, Samson Properties: “Absolutely. Bring it on. If you have a system and the system works, price range does not matter. If you don’t feel like you’re the best person to represent a seller, you should not be in the business.”
Kelly Tierney, Re/Max Distinctive: “Price does not matter. I’m a Realtor. That’s what I do, so I would love to be the listing agent on a house like that. I’m sure it would be a beautiful house to show, and it would be a challenge to find that buyer.”
Karen Close, Century 21: “Put my name on the list. The price tag of a property should not be a consideration. Every house, no matter the price, has its separate challenges. But if the seller and agent fit, that should be the determining factor.”
Gloria Adams, TTR Sotheby’s: “It would be a challenge. That house would need a special buyer. An agent would have to have a list of people in that price range.”
Dawn Wilson, Keller Williams: “A $139 million house is not a house for the average buyer and the market for a house like that is pretty small. I would like it and enjoy the challenge of attracting the right buyer and getting the deal done.”
Craig Mastrangelo, Re/Max Allegiance: “I believe when you get into those price points, a listing agent has to be well-defined as far as having an idea about buyers and prospects. For the listing agent, a lot would depend on the circle of influence you have.”
Dean Yeonas, Yeonas and Shafran Real Estate: “As I would approach any listing, if you can justify that the price and data is right for that market and it makes sense, I would definitely take it. But if you are fighting upstream and the seller wants $100 million and it’s only worth $50 million, then I would defer. It’s no different from anything else.”
Billy Buck, Buck & Associates: “A property like that is an anomaly. I would have to see the property and meet with the seller to see if that’s a good fit. A house wildly priced like that is a different market and it has to be marketed as such. Super-high-end properties seem to march to the beat of their own drummer.”
Jack Shafran, Yeonas and Shafran Real Estate: “The price is really irrelevant. I take a listing on my belief and ability to sell the property on a case-by-case basis.”
Lilian Jorgenson, Long & Foster: “I think to take a listing like that you need to be specialized only in that caliber of properties to be able to represent your client to the fullest.”
Rob Ferguson, Re/Max Allegiance: “Absolutely. It’s great exposure. It will cost a lot to market, so you have to plan marketing a little differently. That is a very specialized market, so you have to look at hitting the people who have that kind of money.”
Steve Wydler, Long & Foster: “A property of that level can be a huge undertaking, but it would be great exposure. You would have to have a good plan in place, and the agent would have to be on the same page as the owner.”
Betsy Twigg, McEnearney Associates: “Yes, I would love to be an agent for that $139 million house. I would like to hold a reunion there for the cast from that old movie “Where the Boys Are.” That could generate a lot of [baby] boomers interested and generate a lot of publicity for that home.”