What house would you pick if you were them?
Chris Toogood is British - American if you did't know and this news is exciting to our international family))
Oh, and soon I will post where Prince Harry partied in San Diego several years ago;)
While the coronavirus has put many people's house hunts on hold, there's one couple who's forging on: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
According to the New York Post, the ex-royals are shopping for mansions in the $15 million to $20 million range near Los Angeles. Eager to put down roots with their sweet tot Archie, who's nearly a year old, they're homing in on such tony enclaves as Beverly Hills and Brentwood.
Meanwhile, they continue to rent a 10,000-square-foot estate in the great white north of Canada on Vancouver Island.
o is a forever home in L.A. finally in the cards for the couple?
"While it may seem like there are endless options for the newly 'unroyal' couple, it really comes down to what's going to make the most sense as they balance an energetic, growing family with the need for utmost privacy and security," says Cara Ameer, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker in Los Angeles.
To that end, we asked the pros (aka real estate agents) to sift through the luxe amenities and expansive landscapes of L.A.-area homes for ones that would suit the power couple. Here are the five megamansions they deemed worthy.
1. 9520 Hidden Valley Road, Beverly Hills
Price: 19,950,000
New construction is always a draw—and this seven-bedroom, 12-bath manor with a pool, pool house, and six-car garage is part of a gated community, adding necessary privacy for the famous pair.
"This house has a traditional feel with a modern spin, so it blends with Harry's British roots and Meghan's contemporary style," says Ameer.
This 12,000-square-foot abode is wired for smart technology, which should appeal to a younger set that's used to running their lives with apps, she adds, and the built-in home theater and fitness center mean the couple won't have to leave the property to hang out with friends or to exercise.
2. 815 Paseo Miramar, Pacific Palisades
Price: $19,896,680
This move-in ready manse has a quaint English cottage aesthetic thanks to its Nantucket style and paved driveway flanked by grass.
"The layout is very well-appointed with finishes that are transitional and universal, which would work well for a young family," says Ameer. The only neighbors here are verdant hills and the ocean—and the elevated perch affords spectacular views of both.
Along with an infinity pool and spa, plus 12 bedrooms and eight baths, the master suite features its own balcony and fireplace. And when it's time to entertain, the 11,800-square-foot mansion doesn't disappoint: There's a 10-seat theater, billiard room, and wine cellar that holds nearly 1,000 bottles.
3. 940 E. Oakmont Drive, Los Angeles
Price: $16,900,000
This swanky six-bedroom, 10-bath aerie sits high up in Brentwood Hills and offers endless canyon views and an acre lot for roaming with a toddler.
"And while the house itself is stunningly large, it flows in a simple yet elegant style that makes it livable and conducive to children," says Odest T. Riley Jr., CEO of WLM Financial, a real estate brokerage firm in Inglewood, CA.
This Cape Cod–style home features a gym, home theater and a wine cellar within, plus a pool, spa, and putting green on the grounds.
"It makes good sense that the young couple would choose this neighborhood as it's a community in which they can easily move around without their wealth and celebrity being a huge deal," he adds.
4. 1235 Tower Road, Beverly Hills
Price: $16,500,000
"For something a little more secluded at the end of a cul-de-sac, this choice might be the perfect situation," says Riley.
City and water vistas are included in this Mediterranean-style villa, along with six bedrooms, six baths, a wine room, and a walk-in refrigerator for convenient late-night snacking.
But a price cut may help it to move.
"If the house could be had for around $12 million instead, it'd be a great deal because the ocean views make it worth enduring a renovation project, and with the $3 million to $8 million left in the budget, you can customize it to meet all of your needs," says Cedric Stewart, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Capital Properties in Washington, DC.
5. 14175 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles
Price: $16,950,000
This glass-front wonder makes it seem more museum than home, but the grounds, including over 4 acres with plenty of recreational options out back, add up to a quality find for the couple, says Stewart.
Security abounds in this 10-bedroom, 11-bath manse, with a gated enclosure and 200-foot driveway.
Drenched in sun, thanks to sparkling glass walls and windows in every room, this spot also includes a 30-car motor court for guests and staff. And the outdoor property is a veritable wonderland, complete with koi ponds, waterfalls, a grotto, pool, and tennis court.
"Archie would have his choice of playing basketball, tennis, swimming, chasing his puppy—you name it," Stewart adds.