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Storied 1897 Virginia Lighthouse Hits the Market for $450K—and It Comes With Very Strict Rules for Prospective Buyers

A historic Virginia lighthouse has splashed its way back onto the market for $450,000—complete with a very rigid set of rules around the terms of its sale, including that the buyer must be willing to pay cash for the 129-year-old abode.

Accessible only by boat, the dwelling offers a truly off-the-grid living experience, a feature that has helped to propel it to the top of the week’s most popular homes list.

Constructed as a working lighthouse in 1897, the structure has since been redesigned as the ultimate getaway in Chesapeake Bay, undergoing a significant overhaul from 2006 to 2009 that transformed it into a remote vacation retreat.

That three-year renovation added a modern kitchen, living room with vinyl plank floors, and three bedrooms upstairs. A fourth bedroom can be found in the top floor watch room.

The property, which is known as the Smith Point Lighthouse and is located 2.5 miles off the shore in Reedville, VA, at the mouth of the Potomac River, last changed hands in 2005. The sellers first tested the waters on the housing market in 2024, but have now relisted the property at the same price—with several contingencies in place.

First, all interested parties must note that the property is “on the National Historic Registry and subject to restrictions,” the listing says—adding that multiple repairs are needed in and around the lighthouse, including updates to the rails, appliances, windows, and floors.

According to the listing, the Coast Guard maintains the lamp “as an active aid to navigation.”

Only buyers who are serious about making a cash offer should inquire, the description adds.

Other properties grabbing attention this week are a former bank building transformed into a stylish residence in Virginia, a midcentury time capsule in Oklahoma, and a bridge-turned-architectural marvel in Ohio.

10. 160 E Howard St, Tryon, NC

Price: $249,000

Why it’s here: This colorful and modernized bungalow is a creative artist’s dream retreat!

The cheery open floor plan boasts 1,406 square feet of sun-soaked space with vaulted ceilings, exposed beams, and hardwood floors. Two bedrooms can be found on the lower level along with a sunroom that could be transformed into an office or studio. A private backyard overlooks a serene stream.

Located in mixed-use zoning just steps from the Saluda Grade Trail, the investment property could also be used for rental income or a business opportunity.

David Eshan of Keller Williams DRIVE is the listing agent.

Colorful bungalow in Tryon, NC, on sale for $249,000
Colorful bungalow in Tryon, NC (Realtor.com)

9. 122 Brooks St, Monroe, VA

Price: $315,000

Why it’s here: Built in 1889, this historic former bank building has been transformed into a stylish three-bedroom residence.

Grand exterior columns, double entry doors, high ceilings, wood beams, arched windows, exposed brick walls, and original hardwood floors all remain intact. The 1,572-square-foot open floor plan now offers an updated kitchen with white shaker cabinets and quartz countertops, and a primary suite found in the loft area that overlooks the living room.

A front porch or rear deck would be a nice spot for morning coffee.

Salina M Khanna of T.Y. Realty Incorporated is the listing agent.

Former bank in Monroe, VA, on sale for $315,000
Former bank in Monroe, VA (Realtor.com)

8. 1806 Mocking Bird Ln, Enid, OK

Price: $349,900

Why it’s here: It’s an affordably priced, midcentury modern time capsule still full of period details.

Built in 1960, this “timeless” two-bedroom residence features vaulted ceilings, wood-paneled walls, brick details, built-ins, and a carport. A spacious living room boasts a floor-to-ceiling brick fireplace and retractable glass walls designed to seamlessly blend in with the outdoor living area.

An in-ground pool, sundeck, and firepit can be found in the private fenced-in backyard.

Jimmy Nicholas of Nicholas Residential R E is the listing agent.

Midcentury home in Enid, OK, on sale for $349,900
Midcentury home in Enid, OK (Realtor.com)

7. 3418 Wetmore Ave, Everett, WA

Price: $400,000

Why it’s here: This investment opportunity could transform the property into a future multifamily development in a “rapidly growing area.”

According to the listing, the redevelopment site could be used to build a six-unit structure. Built in 1910, the existing 1,068-square-foot residence features two bedrooms on the main level with an additional one located upstairs. A sunporch overlooks the fenced-in backyard with gardens and fruit trees.

There is also a detached two-story outbuilding that offers additional potential.

Anton Stetner of KW North Sound is the listing agent.

Investment opportunity in Everett, WA, on sale for $400,000
Investment opportunity in Everett, WA (Realtor.com)

6. 3500 Kitzmiller Rd, New Albany, OH

Price: $799,900

Why it’s here: This 5-acre property started off as a bridge before a three-bedroom “architectural marvel” was added on in 1953.

Now, a long living room with brick fireplace and expansive windows spans over the creek flowing underneath. The 2,195-square-foot interior features an eat-in kitchen with oversized breakfast bar and dining area overlooking the water. A floating curved staircase leads up to the sleeping quarters.

Buyers should do their due diligence to determine if the property is located in a high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.

Joshua Neudecker of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services – Gahanna Downtown is the listing agent.

Former bridge turned residence in New Albany, OH, on sale for $799,900
Former bridge turned residence in New Albany, OH (Realtor.com)

5. 99 Posey Cir, Saint Joseph, TN

Price: $7,995,000

Why it’s here: It’s a luxurious farmstead located on a massive 457 acres that feature multiple ponds, a creek, pasture, and crop fields.

A four-bedroom estate surrounded by columns and stunning wraparound covered porch boasts a 7,673-square-foot interior designed for grand-scale entertaining.

Opulent details include ash wood floors, pocket doors, a grand curved staircase, a gourmet chef’s kitchen, designer lighting, private terraces, and eight fireplaces. A finished lower level could be transformed into an entertainment room. The fourth floor widow’s walk serves as the “lookout point of the property.”

A detached four-car garage, metal storage barn, and shed can also be found on the enormous lot.

Darci Ann Caesar of Onward Real Estate is the listing agent.

457-acre mansion in Saint Joseph, TN, on sale for $7,995,000
Mansion on 457 acres in Saint Joseph, TN (Realtor.com)

4. 2851 Perry St, Denver, CO

Price: $1,900,000

Why it’s here: The historic Lobach House is an 1893 Victorian that has been well preserved over the years.

Period highlights include a grand foyer with sweeping staircase, custom millwork, inlaid wood floors, stained-glass windows, built-in cabinetry, original pocket doors, vintage hardware, and a fireplace with hand-carved mantel. Designed for entertaining, the 4,112-square-foot interior boasts a sitting room, sunroom, formal dining room, first-floor guest suite, a new kitchen with Carrara marble countertops, and an upstairs primary suite with walk-in glass shower.

A covered wraparound porch overlooks the private fenced-in yard with brick patio and gardens.

Jenny Apel of Compass is the listing agent.

Lobach House in Denver, CO, on sale for $1,900,000
Lobach House in Denver, CO (Realtor.com)

3. 1903 Ogden Rd, Adams Township, OH

Price: $495,000

Why it’s here: It’s a dome-style round home tucked away on 15.06 acres of privacy that also boasts a private pond.

Built in 1994, the uniquely designed time capsule features a throwback interior with glass block walls, skylights, some wall-to-wall carpeting, and a jetted tub. A primary suite has built-in cabinetry, mirrored bifold closet doors, and triangular-shaped windows. An enormous deck for entertaining sits atop a two-car garage.

There is also a shed for storage, and an outbuilding that could be transformed into a cabin or workshop.

Billie Madden of Keller Williams Pinnacle Group is the listing agent.

Round home in Adams Township, OH, on sale for $495,000
Round home in Adams Township, OH (Realtor.com)

2. 26715 E Still Creek Rd, Rhododendron, OR

Price: $275,000

Why it’s here: It’s a secluded three-bedroom cabin located on a private wooded lot just minutes away from Still Creek and Mount Hood.

Built in 1924, the 1,460-square-foot cedar home, offering the “opportunity for thoughtful updates,” features a two-story living room with stone fireplace and a loft-style sleeping area upstairs. The eat-in kitchen has direct access to the backyard.

A front covered porch was designed for soaking in the peaceful views.

Cassandra Skelley of PDX Dwellings LLC is the listing agent.

Secluded cabin in Rhododendron, OR, on sale for $275,000
Secluded cabin in Rhododendron, OR (Realtor.com)

1. Smith Pt, Reedville, VA

Price: $450,000

Why it’s here: Smith Point Lighthouse has once again splashed on the market in Chesapeake Bay.

The decommissioned landmark was built in 1897 and sits just 2.5 miles from the shore. A three-year renovation completed in 2009 now offers an updated kitchen with cherry cabinets, range, portable dishwasher, and microwave. There is even a shower bathroom, a living room with original trim, three second-story bedrooms and a fourth bedroom nestled upstairs in the watch room.

Offered fully furnished, the lighthouse also comes with a portable generator, a water heater, and a wastewater treatment system. Some repairs are needed, and it is being sold as is.

Smith Point Lighthouse in Reedville, VA, on sale for $450,000
Smith Point Lighthouse in Reedville, VA (Realtor.com)

Bruce Willis’ Former Beverly Hills Mansion Fetches $41.3 Million in Off-Market Deal—but Adjacent Home Is Still Up for Grabs

A stunning Beverly Hills mansion once owned by actor Bruce Willis has quietly been sold for the sky-high price of $41.25 million in an off-market deal, more than a decade after the Hollywood star offloaded it for less than half that amount.

The property, which is located inside the coveted Benedict Canyon neighborhood within the iconic 90210 ZIP code, was built in 1928, but has undergone significant updates in the 12 years since Willis, 71, sold it.

Images of the expansive 10,300-square-foot dwelling offer a glimpse at the modern, fresh elements that were added to the historic abode, including enormous windows that flood the living spaces with sunlight and offer beautiful views of the elegantly landscaped gardens.

The newer design details blend perfectly with the historic touches throughout the property, including exposed beams and original fireplaces.

Records show the property was listed with Jon Grauman, Adam Rosenfeld, and Bennett Bidwell of Resident Group.

While they could not be reached for comment, property records show that the sprawling Mediterranean-style dwelling last changed hands in 2014, when it was purchased by businessman Carlos Alberini, the current CEO of Guess and the former co-CEO of Restoration Hardware.

Alberini and his wife, Andrea Alberini, purchased the property from Willis for $16.5 million in 2014—and later snapped up the adjacent home for $15.75 million in 2021. That second dwelling is now on the market for $17.99 million—having been listed for sale on Jan. 30.

Living space with large hanging lighting in Bruce Willis' former home in California
A stunning Beverly Hills mansion once owned by actor Bruce Willis has quietly been sold for the sky-high price of $41.25 million in an off-market deal. (Andrew Bramasco)
The entrance to Bruce Willis' former home in California
The property, which is located inside the coveted Benedict Canyon neighborhood within the iconic 90210 ZIP code, was built in 1928, but has undergone significant updates in the 12 years since Willis, 71, sold it. (Andrew Bramasco)
The kitchen in Bruce Willis' former home in California
Records show the property was listed with Jon Grauman, Adam Rosenfeld, and Bennett Bidwell of Resident Group. (Andrew Bramasco)
Living space in Bruce Willis' former home in California
The home was sold by businessman Carlos Alberini, the current CEO of Guess and the former co-CEO of Restoration Hardware. (Andrew Bramasco)
Office in Bruce Willis' former home in California
Alberini and his wife, Andrea Alberini, purchased the property from Willis for $16.5 million in 2014—and later snapped up the adjacent home for $15.75 million in 2021. (Andrew Bramasco)

The identity of the person or persons who bought the couple’s primary property in the off-market trade, in which they were represented by Carl Gambino and John Bercsi of the Gambino Group at Compass, is unknown.

As first reported by The Real Deal, the $41.25 million sale marks the second-highest price for a residential real estate purchase made in Los Angeles County this year so far, falling second to a nearby dwelling that sold for $47 million in March.

The Alberinis gained a significant profit in the sale of their dwelling, more than doubling the price that they paid for it—although that doesn’t account for the money that they poured into the renovations of the home.

New MLS records that reflect the latest sale indicate that several of the bedrooms in the home may have been expanded or transformed as part of that work; when Willis sold the home, it was listed with 11 bedrooms, however it now has only seven.

The stunning primary suite features a private terrace that leads out into a private patio area, while the en-suite bathroom features an enormous soaking tub framed by a large picture window, and a separate walk-in shower. Two walk-in closets complete the elegant retreat.

Elsewhere in the home, there are an array of enormous living spaces, including a grand double-height entryway with a beautiful tiled floor that leads into a cozy living room that features a wall of sliding glass, which can be opened up to the inner courtyard at the center of the property.

That living room also features an enormous fireplace and exposed wood beams to add a cozy touch to the space.

Across the courtyard—which features an enormous stone firepit at its center—is the large kitchen, as well as another, more casual sitting room, and a formal dining space.

A bedroom with a balcony at Bruce Willis' former home in California
The Alberinis gained a significant profit in the sale of their dwelling, more than doubling the price that they paid for it—although that doesn’t account for the money that they poured into the renovations of the home. (Andrew Bramasco)
Wine room in Bruce Willis' former home in California
Numerous entertaining areas and living spaces are found throughout the home, including a dedicated wine storage room. (Andrew Bramasco)
The pool at Bruce Willis' former home in California
Outside, the grounds are home to a pool and a private sports court. (Andrew Bramasco)
Outdoor dining table at Bruce Willis' former home in California
There are also ample external entertaining spaces, including a dining area that is located in a covered patio. (Andrew Bramasco)
Landscaping details at Bruce Willis' former home in California
The identity of the buyer has not yet been revealed. (Andrew Bramasco)

The second sitting room also features a wall of retractable glass doors that open to a covered outdoor dining space and what appears to be a sizable pizza oven.

The kitchen offers ample space for entertaining, courtesy of two giant islands, as well as a breakfast bar.

A wood-paneled office space, a dedicated wine storage room, a private movie theater with large leather recliners, and a wet bar round out the common-area spaces.

Meanwhile, the outdoor spaces in the home appear to have been designed to create several different entertaining areas, all of which are framed by lush trees to add another layer of privacy to the spaces.

A large outdoor fireplace features ample room for guests to relax and soak up warm summer evenings, while the glittering swimming pool, which is framed by perfectly manicured hedges, has space for multiple loungers.

In addition to the main residence on the property, there is also an elegant pool house found on the grounds, which features its own full kitchen and opens up to a private sports court on the other side.

Before Alberini purchased the dwelling from Willis 12 years ago, the actor had spent more than a year trying to sell it, having originally listed it for the much higher price of $22 million in May 2013. Willis bought the home in 2004, four years after he split from his first wife, actress Demi Moore.

It is unclear what has prompted Alberini to part ways with both of his Benedict Canyon abodes—which were maintained as separate residences, despite being located directly next to each other.

However, records show that the fashion CEO owns another California residence, a sprawling property in Manhattan Beach that was purchased for $16.25 million in 2021.