In all your years as a real estate agent, have you ever sold a megamansion? Or have you tried marketing luxurious estates? From historic palaces and estates to ultramodern megamansions, let’s look at the world’s most expensive houses, their estimated value and features, and tips for marketing a luxury listing.
1. Buckingham Palace
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Price/Value:
$1.6 billion
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Location:
London, United Kingdom
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Owner:
The British monarch
The British monarch’s official residence for over 180 years, Buckingham Palace, holds the title of the most expensive house in the world. Since its construction in 1703 and Queen Victoria’s occupation in 1837, the palace has undergone various renovations. The 828,821-square-foot structure reportedly has about 775 rooms—including 78 bathrooms, 52 royal and guestrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 19 staterooms. With that many rooms, it’s practically a small city!
2. Antilia
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Price/Value:
$1 billion
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Location:
Mumbai, India
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Owner:
Mukesh Ambani
Here’s an interesting real estate fun fact. Located in the south of Mumbai, overlooking the majestic Arabian Sea, stands Antilia, the second most expensive home in the world. Owned by Mukesh Ambani, one of India’s wealthiest individuals, this 27-story skyscraper spans 400,000 square feet. The Antilia isn’t just about luxury; it’s about living in another world. I’m talking about amenities like a health spa, ice cream room, temple, movie theater, salon, helipads, 168-car garage, swimming pools, and ballroom. However, despite its extravagance, the Antilia drew controversy for being built in the middle of an impoverished area.
3. Villa Leopolda
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Price/Value:
$750 million
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Location:
French Riviera, France
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Owner:
Mikhail Prokhorov
Overlooking the French Riviera, Villa Leopolda is famous for its rich history, art collection, luxurious interiors, and 80,000 square feet of grounds that offer breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea. This straight-out-of-a-romance-novel-fantasy villa, currently owned by Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, has 11 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, a helipad, a greenhouse, and—get ready for this—12 swimming pools. Did you know that they filmed Alfred Hitchcock’s “To Catch a Thief” starring Kelly and Cary Grant in Villa Leopolda?
4. Villa Les Cèdres
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Price/Value:
$450 million
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Location:
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France
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Owner:
Rinat Akhmetov
Villa Les Cèdres, the fourth most expensive house on this list, is a stunning 18,000-square-foot estate with a rich history dating back to 1830. Bought by King Leopold II of Belgium in 1904, the villa was transformed into a lavish property featuring 14 bedrooms, an Olympic-sized pool, and 35 acres of gardens. Over the years, it has been home to prominent figures like the Marnier-Lapostolle family and Italian distiller Davide Campari-Milano. Villa Les Cèdres’ interiors include crystal chandeliers, 19th-century oil paintings, and a majestic library.
5. Les Palais Bulles
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Price/Value:
$390 million
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Location:
Théoule-sur-Mer, France
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Owner:
Pierre Cardin
Here’s a megamansion that looks like a sci-fi dream come to life. Nestled about nine miles from Cannes, France, Les Palais Bulles, or the “Bubble Palace,” is a futuristic home designed by Hungarian architect Antti Lovag. Fashion icon Pierre Cardin now owns the Bubble Palace, originally built between 1975 and 1989, and definitely fits our criteria for weird and expensive houses. It features bubble-like rooms with three swimming pools, lush gardens, and a 500-seat amphitheater.
6. The Odeon Tower Penthouse
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Price/Value:
$330 million
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Location:
Principality of Monaco
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Owner:
SCI Odeon
Now look at that pool slide! Towering over its neighbors in Monaco, the Odeon skyscraper stands 170 meters tall and is estimated at $330 million—another most expensive house in the world. The five-story luxury pad was completed in 2015 after six years of construction. It’s packed with high-end amenities like a private elevator, rooftop pool, and private cinema. SCI Odeon, a real estate development company and Marzocco Group subsidiary, owns Odeon.
7. 15B Kensington Palace Gardens
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Price/Value:
$254 million
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Location:
London, United Kingdom
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Owner:
Leonard Blavatnik
I know, it sounds like property from Monopoly. Located in London’s “Billionaires’ Row,” this mansion is owned by Leonard Blavatnik, owner of Warner Music Group and the second richest man in Britain. With 13 rooms, a luxury basement, a 25-meter pool, gym, massage room, cinema, and wine cellar, 15B Kensington Palace Gardens ranks among London’s top five largest homes.
8. Four Fairfield Pond
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Price/Value:
$248 million
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Location:
Long Island, New York
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Owner:
Ira Rennert
Spanning an estimated 110,000 square feet, Four Fairfield Pond rightfully earns its place among the world’s most expensive estates. Located in the Hamptons on Long Island, New York, the property, owned by Renno Group’s Ira Rennert, is currently valued at $248 million. It features 29 bedrooms, 39 bathrooms, a 91-foot dining room, squash courts, tennis courts, a basketball court, a bowling alley, and three swimming pools. Wow, they could probably hold the Olympics here!
9. One Hyde Park
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Price/Value:
$209 million
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Location:
London, United Kingdom
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Owner:
Rinat Akhmetov
Ukraine’s richest man, Rinat Akhmetov, purchased an apartment in One Hyde Park for $209 million. The 25,000-square-foot, two-story penthouse offers a panoramic view of Knightsbridge, London. Its amenities include two wine cellars, heated marble floors, and parking lots. It’s a property where even the wine has its own luxury suite. Safety is a top priority in One Hyde Park, which is why smart home features were installed. The windows are bulletproof glass, and the elevators have iris recognition technology.
10. Beyoncé & Jay-Z’s Malibu Mansion
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Price/Value:
$200 million
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Location:
Malibu, California
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Owner:
Beyoncé and Jay-Z Carter
As Beyoncé sings in “My House,” “When I grow up, I’m gon’ buy me a house,” and she did—several times, quite excellently, too. The Carter couple’s exquisite Malibu mansion, valued at $200 million, overlooks the Pacific Ocean. The massive mansion has a private beach, swimming pool, and a water feature. With its modern design, Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s estate boasts environmentally sustainable features, combining eco-friendly materials with energy-efficient technologies.
11. Ellison Estate
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Price/Value:
$200 million
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Location:
Woodside, California
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Owner:
Larry Ellison
Another of the most expensive homes, the Ellison Estate, is owned by Larry Ellison, cofounder of Oracle Corporation. Located in Woodside, California, its home style is inspired by Japanese architecture. Besides the main mansion’s 8,000 square feet, the estate features a variety of amenities, including an artificial lake, tea house, bathhouse, boat dock, expansive Japanese-style gardens, koi pond, and cozy guest cottages.
12. Palazzo Di Amore
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Price/Value:
$195 million
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Location:
California, United States
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Owner:
Jeff Greene
Twelve bedrooms, 23 bathrooms, 15 swimming pools, tennis courts, a theater, and a waterfall? It sure sounds exactly like my house in The Sims! However, this Beverly Hills estate owned by entrepreneur Jeff Greene is the real deal—in the flesh! The 53,000-square-foot home was built by developer Mohamed Hadid, architect Bob Ray Offenhauser, and designer Alberto Pinto after Greene acquired it in November 2014. It’s so grand even Sims would be envious!
13. Seven the Pinnacle
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Price/Value:
$155 million
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Location:
Montana, United States
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Owner:
Tim Blixseth
As beautiful as it is in the summer, it looks even more magical, surrounded by snow in the winter. Seven the Pinnacle is the largest property in the Yellowstone Club, featuring a private golf course and ski community. The property even has a ski lift! Italian luxury furniture company Edra and real estate developer and Yellowstone Club cofounder Tim Blixseth own it.
14. Broken O Ranch
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Price/Value:
$132.5 million
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Location:
Montana, United States
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Owner:
Stanley Kroenke
For $132.5 million, Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke bought Broken O Ranch in 2012. One of the most significant properties in Montana, the ranch spans three counties, with the main house covering 10,000 square feet. The estate offers views of the river and amenities such as an indoor swimming pool and wildlife observation areas. In addition, the ranch’s fertile land produces small-grain crops and alfalfa hay, housing livestock, including cows, heifers, and range bulls. Broken O Ranch’s value has gone up since it was bought, making it one of the most expensive real estate in the world.
15. The One
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Price/Value:
$126 million
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Location:
Los Angeles, California
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Owner:
Richard Saghian
Developed by Nile Miami, the 105,000-square-foot mansion, The One is the ultimate LA dream house. The One sits atop Bel Air as a compound, featuring a primary residence and three modern-style homes. After its completion in 2021, it was sold in March 2022 to Richard Saghian, CEO of Fashion Nova, for $126 million. Saghian got a great deal when he snagged it from the real estate market. The property has 21 bedrooms, 42 bathrooms, a four-lane bowling alley, a 30-car garage, a sky deck, a “philanthropy wing” for charity galas, and a Monaco-style casino.
Tips for Marketing the Most Expensive House
Similar to creepy real estate listings, having luxury listings and promoting them requires a unique approach for high-end clients. Here are some strategies to effectively market the most expensive houses:
Tip 1: Know & Understand the Luxury Market
If you want to dip your toes into the ultraluxury market, knowing your audience isn’t enough—you need to really understand them. I’m talking about the highly exclusive, megarich crowd: foreign investors, elite celebrities, and investment tycoons. Understand the type of properties and amenities that appeal to them, enabling you to tailor your marketing strategies.
Tip 2: Personalize Your Services
Your service has to feel as exclusive as the properties you’re selling. Think of yourself as a personal concierge offering white-glove service from the first showing until you close a transaction. These luxury clients have expectations; they’ll want everything to be handled with care. Personalize every message you send them, as your attention to their needs can result in a lifetime of referrals.
Tip 3: Be More Tech-savvy
Besides being up-to-date on real estate trends, you must know the latest innovations. Create single-property websites to show off your listing, research new smart home technologies, and explore gadgets that can take your house tours to the next level. And hey, don’t just follow the tech trends—lead them because staying ahead of the curve in luxury real estate impresses clients.
Tip 4: Host Exclusive Open Houses
Make your potential and existing clients feel like they’re stepping into an exclusive club. Invite them to private open houses or exclusive property showings in the form of cocktail parties or art exhibitions. This way, potential buyers can taste what living in the property feels like. Add a touch of flair—whether it’s a jazz band or a gourmet tasting menu, make the experience unforgettable.
Tip 5: Be Patient With Longer Days on Market (DOM)
Let’s be real, selling luxury properties sometimes takes weeks—months even! But that’s all part of the game; it’s not a homeselling myth. The key is to be patient with longer sales cycles and stay consistent with your marketing efforts. Remember, dealing with these megamansions is always worth the wait.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the world's most expensive house?
The world’s most expensive house ever is the Buckingham Palace in London, United Kingdom, with its estimated value currently at $1.6 billion.
Who owns the most expensive house?
The most expensive private house is Antilia, located in Mumbai, India. It is owned by Mukesh Ambani, an Indian billionaire and the chairman of Reliance Industries.
Where are the most expensive houses in LA?
The most expensive houses in Los Angeles are in Beverly Hills, Holmby Hills, and Bel Air. These areas are usually celebrities’ and entrepreneurs’ residents. Some of the most expensive LA houses mentioned above are Beyoncé & Jay-Z’s Malibu mansion and Richard Saghian’s The One.
Bringing It All Together
Whether you’re marketing the most expensive mansion, a historic Sears catalog home, or a high-end rental property, the fundamentals are the same. You must know your target market, highlight the home’s best features, and personalize your services. What’s the most expensive house you’ve ever set foot on? Let us know in the comments!
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