Hot Home News: Thomas Jefferson, John DeLorean & Peter Madoff

Online, June 6, 2013 (Newswire.com) - This week's Top 10 homes spotlight at TopTenRealEstateDeals.com includes a look at a Virginia plantation that was partially designed by Thomas Jefferson. Brandon Plantation was part of a land grant issued by the King of England, James I, to Captain John Martin of approximately 4,550 acres. Captain Martin was one of the first colonists who established Jamestown in 1607. The plantation's main house was built in 1765. Thomas Jefferson later designed the central section and wing connections. Brandon Plantation is going to auction on June 26th.

Located on 3.5 miles of the banks of the James River in Prince George County, Virginia, the expansive estate contains more than 4,500 acres. The farm operation has 14 farm structures, including a horse stable, two-story brick mule barns, a dairy barn, wood and metal frame buildings for storage of farm equipment and three grain elevators. There are also 11 tenant homes on the property for staff or guests.

The main house consists of 7,700 square feet with 7 bedrooms and 7 baths and is in the Palladian architectural style of a Roman country house. Having weathered the Indian Massacre of 1622 and both the Revolutionary War and Civil War, cannonball pockmarks in the rear wall of the center section have been retained for posterity. Although it is a private residence, Brandon Plantation has been designated a National Historical Landmark and the house and gardens have been open for tours.

In other home news:

John DeLorean was a maverick of his time. He was an extreme self promoter who had lots of ideas, was the youngest division head ever at General Motors, part owner of the New York Yankees, and ended up badly. He was the guy who brought us the 1960's Pontiac muscle cars like the GTO and is best known for the futuristic DeLorean that may have been way ahead of its time, but was almost impossible to get in and out of and frequently broke down. John was charged with cocaine trafficking in 1982, filed bankruptcy in 1999 and died in 2005.

John's former home in Pauma Valley, California is now on the market. A mid-century ranch on 17 acres in the Pauma Valley Country Club, it has stunning hillside views from every window and even its own horse facilities. Built in 1960 at 7,000 square feet, the home has 4 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. All rooms are large and filled with light keeping in the Southern California Mediterranean style open to the outdoors. The country club provides golf and other outdoor activities and a pool.

Feds Selling Madoff Home

After pleading guilty in federal court last year to his part in his brother Bernie's Ponzi scheme, part of Peter Madoff's plea deal was to turn over all family assets to the federal government which will be put into the victims' fund for later distribution. That included both of his homes and all personal possessions. His New York apartment has already been sold for $4.6 million, and now his Old Westbury, New York home of 20 years has also been put on the market with a $4.5 million price tag. In addition to forfeiting the homes, Peter was also sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The Madoff Long Island estate is an impressive two-story home on 4 acres sized at 7,992 square feet with 5 bedrooms and 7 baths. Built in 1935, the English-style home has a winding drive, 2-car garage, pool, formal gardens, tennis court, pool house-guest cottage, an elevator and generator.

Real estate is never boring at TopTenRealEstateDeals. Check out today's most entertaining and unusual real estate news stories of the week. News such as America's top ten bargain mansions, Monaco's $250 million penthouse and haunted homes you can actually buy.

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