I love celebrities.  I don’t like that I do, but I do.  I always wonder what it must be like to be them – to be recognized by nearly everyone any time you go out in public.  The celebrity home must be a true sanctuary.  Beautiful, relaxing, happy.  Like Sarah Jessica Parker’s.

Happy New Year, Shak & Jill’ers!  In 2012 we shared 200 posts here talking about a variety of topics including inspections, negotiating for the best price, marketing, updating kitchens, and much more.  We saw housing begin to make a recovery and it continues to look positive for 2013, especially since the “fiscal cliff” has been averted.

With this kind of positive news, a fun way to start our New Year is announcing the Gangnam Style singer Psy has bought a new place in Los Angeles!

Psy was already a phenomenon in Korea before his catchy song “Gangnam Style” made its way to America via YouTube. The video has been viewed over a billion times and parodied nearly as much. Psy signed a record deal with Scooter Braun, (the manager for Justin Bieber), in early September, and with this Westwood home purchase, it looks like his transition to American fame is complete.

The glassy and modern condo measures 2,776 square feet on one of the lower floors of the Blair, a luxury building constructed in 1989. Psy’s unit features large windows and modern fixtures.

He paid $1.2 million – cash – for the home. Indeed his song was catchy!

My friend’s daughter said she got her Mom a leg lamp for Christmas! I didn’t have the heart to say, “Ew. What will she do with it?”  I jsut smiled and said I was certain she’d love it and laughed!  Merry Christmas, everyone!

If you’re like every other person in the U.S. who has a television set, computer, or reads the newspaper, you are past ready for this election season to end!  But whoever wins the presidential election, one thing is certain – the White House will be decorated with the personal touch of whatever family lives there.

From NBC News.com,

The second floor of the White House is the first family’s residence, where their bedrooms and private sitting rooms are located. This level has 16 rooms — including the Lincoln bedroom — one main corridor and six bathrooms.

Some presidents have been less private than others when it comes to the private residence. The Clintons, for example, hosted official events there, and first lady Laura Bush allowed documentary crews to film her White House home.

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, on the other hand, have worked to ensure the family space is for family only. Journalist Jodi Kantor, whose book “The Obamas” was released in August, has been in the White House dozens of times but has never been to the family’s private quarters.

Whatever the second floor of the White House looks like today, it is certain to be beautiful!

If I ever had the opportunity to buy a house with the address of 1313 Mockingbird Lane, I would jump all over it.  There is genuinely an address like that in a neighboring town, but I have yet to see a “For Sale” sign hanging in the yard.

Driving by houses that were used for television shows- or just driving by celebrities’ homes – is a big business in Los Angeles.  With maps on street corners, they are easy to find.  You have to wonder what they look like in real life, so it was fun to see the following article on NBC News.com,

“Happy Days”
565 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif. 
Although “Happy Days” took place in Milwaukee, like most TV shows, it was actually filmed in Los Angeles. The white-columned house that played home for the Cunninghams was built in 1923 and has six bedrooms, two baths and measures 3,904 square feet.

I wouldn’t have thought the house to be nearly 4,000 square feet! Guess there was plenty of room for The FONZ and Potsie to stay when they came for a sleepover!

President Barack Obama owns just one home.  The Chicago house is quite pretty. According to NBC News,

He and wife Michelle bought the brick home in 2005 for $1.65 million. Located on Greenwood Avenue, the home, pictured below, was built in 1917 and offers 6,199 square feet of space. Although Obama hasn’t owned any other properties, an apartment he rented while attending Columbia University in the mid-’80s is on the rental market in New York.

Presidential candidate Mitt Romney owns three houses, not as many as the five he previously owned. Located in New Hampshire, California, and Massachusetts, the houses include this lovely vacation home,

The Romneys own an 11-acre property, pictured above, smack dab on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee in Wolfeboro. Purchased for $3 million in 1997, the Romneys’ 5,400-square-foot main house and additional guest houses are home to the extended Romney family each summer.

Looks like whichever way the election goes in November, they person who does not win will have a nice place to go to if their address isn’t 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Chalets all over the United States are much desired because of their rustic feel and phenomenal views.  The house listed in Utah by Jeffrey Katzenberg for $20 million is no exception, except this is expensive elegance!  From the Real Estalker,

Current listing information shows the multi-level hillside pile, on two cul-de-sac lots behind the gated Bald Eagle Club, measures 14,100 square feet with a total of seven bedrooms and seven full and three half bathrooms.

Pre- and après ski-time can be spent in a multiple of airy but woodsy living and lounging areas as well as a billiard room, game room, indoor plunge pool and spa and, right outside the so-called ski room (complete with lounge, bar and fireplace), there’s a super convenient ski run.

It is simply beautiful!

Olympian Michael Phelps has swam into the hearts and into the national psyche of Americans.  The extraordinarily talented athlete is the most decorated medalist of all time, so you’d think people would be clamoring to buy his house.  But no so much according to NBC News.com,

The 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath loft-like home has hardwood floors, granite countertops, large master suite with a spa bath and floor-to-ceiling windows for taking in city and water views. Other amenities include a rooftop lounge and a 2-car garage.

And of course there’s access to the building’s heated indoor swimming pool and fitness center.

If you want to live in the Baltimore area and have about $1.5 million, you could be the proud owner of a home that has a fantastic swimming pool and fitness center!

Keep up the good work, Michael Phelps! We’re proud of you!

The very popular late night television hosts we all either love or hate have exquisite taste and a big pocketbook for their personal homes. MSNBC.com shows some of the wonderful digs where these comedians hang their hats at night.

Last year, Ferguson’s rival Jimmy Fallon purchased a gorgeous $5.7 million home in the Hamptons. A born-and-raised New Yorker, Fallon’s 2.2-acre Sagaponack estate includes a six-bedroom main home, two adjacent guest cottages, a barn, a heated pool and a four-car garage. Fallon’s childhood home, located in upstate New York, is currently for sale.

I think the beautiful homes of the Northeast are some of the best!

Somewhere in Hollywood – on the other side of the rainbow – Judy Garland’s former home is for sale.  The legend lived in this lovely home for just a few years, so it really is sad that it’s now in foreclosure.  From Curbed,

Notice of Sheriff’s Sale. Magnificent estate on prestigious Rockingham Avenue in Brentwood Park. Formerly the site of acting icon Judy Garland’s home, this French estate has plenty of appeal and class. With close to an acre of land, the lush and serene grounds will make you second guess where you are. The charming one story French beauty has it all. Large kitchen, many bedrooms, pool, recessed lighting and crown molding throughout. With over 6,000sf. of living space, the estate’s potential is limitless. See private remarks for more details of the sale.

Photo from listing by Kameron Eliassian.