Latest news with #propertyflipping
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi List Their English Countryside Estate for $30 Million
Looks like Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi are picking up right where they left off in the U.S.—only now, they're flipping multimillion-dollar estates in the Cotswolds instead of Montecito. Just months after snapping up a dreamy 43-acre estate in England's celeb-loved countryside, the couple is putting it back on the market for a cool $30 million with Andrew Barnes of United Kingdom Sotheby's International Realty. That's right: they bought it, overhauled it, lived in it for about a month, and now they're moving on. The rural property, tucked down a long private driveway and known as Kitesbridge Farm, blends 18th-century charm with sleek, modern updates. Think rustic stone walls and soaring ceilings alongside sculptural forms and tons of natural light, all wrapped around a central courtyard. More from Robb Report Cult Whiskey Brands Wolves and Willett Just Collabed on a New 10-Year-Old Rye A Posh New Movie Theater With Private Screening Rooms Is Coming to N.Y.C. Ralph Lauren's Oak Bluffs Collection Is a Masterclass in Classic Summer Style RELATED: Ellen DeGeneres Just Sold a Midcentury Bungalow in Montecito for $5.2 Million The main house has six bedrooms, including a luxe primary suite with marble finishes, two dressing rooms, and French doors that open to a private garden. There's also a giant eat-in kitchen, a handful of grand yet cozy sitting rooms, and a separate guest cottage for friends, staff, or whoever's lucky enough to get an invite. Atop the five-car heated garage, a massive room has been converted into a casual entertainment space complete with its own bar. There's also an indoor pool, a full gym, a kitchen garden, and even a helicopter shed among the pastoral, naturalistic landscape. The former talk show host and her actress wife bought the estate last June for about $20 million, reportedly paying more than $3 million above the asking price. Skilled and serial renovators, they wasted no time making it their own—bringing in 70 workers and finishing a soup-to-nuts renovation in just 10 weeks, The Wall Street Journal reported. Why sell so soon after such a rapid and Herculean effort? According to DeGeneres, it all came down to horses. The couple decided to relocate to the U.K. after the 2024 election and quickly realized their four-legged family members needed more space than Kitesbridge Farm. 'When we decided to live here full time, we knew that Portia couldn't live without her horses,' DeGeneres told the newspaper. 'We needed a home that had a horse facility and pastures for them.' RELATED: Bette Davis's Former Oceanfront Estate in Maine Hits the Market for $15 Million So, they upgraded. Their new place—just 30 minutes away—is a sprawling, ultramodern compound in Oxfordshire, with Japanese-inspired landscaping and all the space their herd could want. It's a major departure from the cozy English farmhouse vibe of Kitesbridge, but it checks all their boxes. DeGeneres recently spilled the beans at a speaking event in Cheltenham with the British broadcaster Richard Bacon, telling the crowd: 'We decided we needed a different house, and now we're selling that house. If anyone wants a beautiful stone farmhouse—it's available!'Best of Robb Report The 10 Priciest Neighborhoods in America (And How They Got to Be That Way) In Pictures: Most Expensive Properties Click here to read the full article.
Wall Street Journal
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wall Street Journal
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi Are Putting Their U.K. Farm on the Market for $30 Million
Less than a year after relocating from the U.S. to England, serial flippers Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have already moved on to a new house. The Hollywood couple is listing Kitesbridge Farm, a 43-acre estate in the Cotswolds, for £22.5 million, or about $30 million, according to listing agent Andrew Barnes of U.K. Sotheby's International Realty. They paid about $20 million for Kitesbridge in the spring of 2024 and did an extensive renovation, Barnes said. DeGeneres and de Rossi have already moved on to a larger, more contemporary estate nearby, he said.
The Sun
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
I'm in £3.7m debt but still live a millionaire lifestyle with less work – people think I'm a lunatic but it's brilliant
JUST seven years ago, Abi Hookway was a broke single mum struggling to get by. Now, the 39-year-old has totally transformed her life, building an £8 million property portfolio and a £10 million business. 7 7 7 But having said that, the Property Expert and Entrepreneur has confessed that she is in £3.7million of debt. Despite this, the mum-of-two isn't bothered by the debt and still lives a very lavish, millionaire lifestyle. Abi doesn't work a standard 9 to 5 job and people have called her a 'lunatic' as a result, but she isn't phased, as she's too busy living the dream. Posting on social media, the businesswoman, who spends £800 a month on a housekeeper and has £70,000 in savings, got candid on her financial situation. Instead of working for someone else, Abi earns money by property flipping - she buys a property, renovates it, and sells it for a profit. As she filmed directly from a concert, she said: "I'm £3.7million in debt and I sleep like a baby - honestly, it is the best time of my life right now being in so much debt. 'Most normal people would go 'oh my gosh, you're in so much debt, you're a lunatic, what are you doing?' - for me, it makes me happy. 'Why? Because my debt is good debt. It's leveraged on properties that pay for my lifestyle.' Abi then explained: 'I don't work a 40-hour a week job, I don't have a boss, I do what I want, when I want, because I've got all these houses paying passive income to me so I can do what I want in life, I can be at peace and fulfilled doing what I love most.' Abi stressed the importance of understanding how to earn passive income and knowing the difference between 'good debt and bad debt.' I racked up £15k debt - here's how I paid it off as a single mum She acknowledged: 'We're taught all debt is bad, but it's not - good debt is leveraged on assets to make you money. Figure it out.' To have debt leveraged on assets involves borrowing money specifically to acquire or invest in assets with the expectation that those assets will generate enough income or appreciate in value to not only cover the cost of the debt (interest and principal payments) but also provide a net positive return. Despite her 'debt', Abi has an £8 million portfolio, which includes buy-to-let properties, holiday homes in the Lake District and Peak District, and commercial properties. And her ambitions don't stop there, as in the next 10 years, she plans to become a billionaire. 7 7 7 How exactly did Abi get started? After finding herself consumed by 'fear and anxiety' as her credit card debt spiralled, Abi took the plunge in property flipping. Her breakthrough came during a conversation with her dentist, who admitted he'd love to invest in property but didn't have the time. Abi seized the opportunity and her dentist agreed to fund her first property flip, in exchange for a 10% return on his investment. Her first project was a neglected house in Doncaster that had been vacant for 18 months. Using her dentist's investment, Abi successfully flipped the property, paid back the loan with a 10% return and walked away with £72,000 in just six months. Abi previously told Fabulous: 'I said goodbye to my £24,000 debt, and the rest of the money was reinvested. 'I'd just made double my annual salary in less than six months, working less than six hours a week. Why wouldn't I do it again?' Now, Abi earns between £50,000 and £100,000 with every property flip. 5 Tips to Get on The Property Ladder Saving for your first property is tough, but it is possible. Here are a few steps for first-time buyers. 1. Cut back on luxuries and start saving Consistent monthly saving is the best way to accumulate enough money to get on the ladder, for a deposit and purchase fees. To do this, you need to take a look at your monthly outgoings and think about what can be cut out - holidays, new clothes, weekly takeaway. Using a savings calculator can help you to establish how long you will need to save for a deposit. Based on your income, you can figure out a realistic amount to save each month. 2. Have a realistic property search Set a budget for the property price you would like to buy, and think realistically about the location and size of your property. While we all may want that house with a view or extra bedroom, can you afford it? 3. Research Help To Buy and Shared Ownership schemes The government has introduced a few ways to help first-time-buyers get on the property ladder and they're great for those on lower incomes or to buy a property in more expensive areas like London. 4. Consider buying with another person Investing with somebody else you know is a sure way to get onto the property ladder. You only need to save half the amount you would otherwise, so you can work towards getting your property sooner. You can invest with a friend, family or partner. Naturally, it is a big step and a huge commitment so be open and honest about what you expect from living together — if you haven't already. 5. Talk to a mortgage broker and get your documents in order A mortgage broker can tell you exactly how much you can borrow for a mortgage, what you will need to pay monthly and in upfront costs. Abi added: 'My most recent deal is a three-acre plot of land used to store caravans and containers. I've got about six or seven holiday homes and four or five commercial properties. 'The next big goal is taking my business to the £100 million mark. "This year, my business should turn over around £10 million, but I want to fast-track it.' Social media users react The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ abihookwayproperty, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 414,400 views. It's also amassed 20,200 likes, 121 comments and 1,036 saves. Social media users were stunned by Abi's claims and raced to the comments to share their thoughts. One person said: 'I want to do what you are doing.' Another added: 'Passive income is a game changer. Love it!'
Khaleej Times
19-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
SmartCrowd launches Flip: A game-changing way to invest in Dubai's multi-million dirham property renovations
SmartCrowd, the Middle East's first regulated real estate crowdfunding platform has officially launched Flip, opening doors for everyday investors to participate in high-end property flips through fractional ownership. Much more than just another real estate investment product, Flip is proven, powerful, and now accessible. With four successful Flip projects already completed and sold, SmartCrowd is inviting more investors to take part in a market previously reserved for high-net-worth individuals. Traditional property flipping often requires millions in upfront capital, deep industry expertise, and access to top-tier contractors, designers, and project managers. SmartCrowd has eliminated those barriers, enabling investors to co-invest in renovation projects valued up to Dh35m+, without the stress of managing the process themselves. Flip is already delivering incredible results. In just 10 days, SmartCrowd's latest Flip project in Dubai Hills — valued at Dh16.2m — secured over 50% funding, demonstrating the immense demand for these exclusive opportunities. SmartCrowd handles everything end-to-end — from sourcing undervalued properties in prime locations to overseeing the execution of high-quality renovations and reselling for maximum returns, typically within nine to 18 months. Investors simply choose a project, invest fractionally, and share in the profits upon resale. SmartCrowd's Flip model has already funded 10 projects worth over Dh200m, with four successful exits generating over Dh90m in value from Dh63m invested. With an average investor return of 28% over 15 months, Flip is setting a new benchmark in real estate investment efficiency. "Most people don't realise they can invest in large-scale property renovations without millions in the bank," said Riz Ahmed, CEO of SmartCrowd. "Flip brings a rare opportunity to everyday investors — one that's already working and delivering results. We're making elite real estate flipping possible for more people than ever before. People use the phrase game-changing a lot, but Flip really is." Dubai's soaring real estate market has seen a surge in demand for modern, move-in-ready homes, particularly in communities like Dubai Hills Estate, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Jumeirah Islands, Al Barari, and The Palm. Flip capitalises on this trend, transforming overlooked properties into premium assets that command high resale value. With limited access and strong investor demand, Flip opportunities don't stay open for long — giving investors a rare chance to be part of something exclusive, lucrative, and backed by a strong track record.
Zawya
17-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
SmartCrowd launches Flip: A game-changing way to invest in Dubai's multi-million-dirham property renovations
Dubai, UAE: SmartCrowd — the Middle East's first regulated real estate crowdfunding platform — has officially launched Flip, opening doors for everyday investors to participate in high-end property flips through fractional ownership. Much more than just another real estate investment product, Flip is proven, powerful, and now accessible. With four successful Flip projects already completed and sold, SmartCrowd is inviting more investors to take part in a market previously reserved for high-net-worth individuals. Traditional property flipping often requires millions in upfront capital, deep industry expertise, and access to top-tier contractors, designers, and project managers. SmartCrowd has eliminated those barriers, enabling investors to co-invest in renovation projects valued up to AED 35M+, without the stress of managing the process themselves. Flip is already delivering incredible results. In just 10 days, SmartCrowd's latest Flip project in Dubai Hills — valued at AED 16.2M — secured over 50% funding, demonstrating the immense demand for these exclusive opportunities. SmartCrowd handles everything end-to-end — from sourcing undervalued properties in prime locations to overseeing the execution of high-quality renovations and reselling for maximum returns, typically within nine to 18 months. Investors simply choose a project, invest fractionally, and share in the profits upon resale. SmartCrowd's Flip model has already funded 10 projects worth over AED 200M, with four successful exits generating over AED 90M in value from AED 63M invested. With an average investor return of 28% over 15 months, Flip is setting a new benchmark in real estate investment efficiency. 'Most people don't realise they can invest in large-scale property renovations without millions in the bank,' said Riz Ahmed, CEO of SmartCrowd. 'Flip brings a rare opportunity to everyday investors — one that's already working and delivering results. We're making elite real estate flipping possible for more people than ever before. People use the phrase game-changing a lot, but Flip really is.' Dubai's soaring real estate market has seen a surge in demand for modern, move-in-ready homes, particularly in communities like Dubai Hills Estate, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Jumeirah Islands, Al Barari, and The Palm. Flip capitalises on this trend, transforming overlooked properties into premium assets that command high resale value. With limited access and strong investor demand, Flip opportunities don't stay open for long — giving investors a rare chance to be part of something exclusive, lucrative, and backed by a strong track record. About SmartCrowd SmartCrowd is the MENA region's first regulated real estate investment platform, licensed by the DFSA and registered with the DIFC. As a pioneer in fractional property ownership in Dubai, SmartCrowd opens the door for global investors to access prime real estate through a secure, transparent, and regulated framework. Whether through long-term rental income or short-term renovation strategies, SmartCrowd empowers individuals to grow their wealth in UAE real estate with confidence. For more information visit or follow SmartCrowd on Instagram and LinkedIn.
