The former home of one of the world’s best-loved comedians has a new owner. CBS San Francisco Robin Williams’ Napa Valley estate sold for $18.1 million, the Wall Street Journal reported. The report was published in January 2016, almost a year and a half after the actor’s death. It was first listed in 2012 for $35 million. The sale took years and resulted in steep price cuts.
A home that is designed to make people smile
The property was named Villa Sorriso. The name roughly means “house of smiles” in Italian. CBS San Francisco says the comedian has made it to 640 acres in Napa Valley. The land included hiking and horseback riding trails, a clock tower, a barn, and an 18-acre vineyard. The main house was approximately 20,000 square feet with five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a home theater, and a basement, while the grounds also contained a tennis court and a guesthouse. Other outlets give slightly different figures for bathrooms and other details, so the exact numbers vary by report.
a price that keeps falling
The property first came on the market in 2012, listed for $35 million. CBS San Francisco reports that the asking price ultimately dropped to $22 million. cnbc Gives a slightly different trajectory. It cited a listing of $29.9 million from nearly two years ago, which was later reduced to $22.9 million. The reports differ on some details, but they agree on the overall picture. This has decreased significantly in the last few years.
The final price was $18.1 million. That’s about $17 million less than the original asking price. Another way to look at this is that the home sold for more than half its listing price. This is a huge discount on a property that was on and off the market for years.
Who bought the property?
CBS San Francisco described the buyers as two French winemakers. They were Alfred Tesseron, owner of Bordeaux’s Château Pontet-Canet, and his niece Melanie Tesseron, who made it a family purchase rather than a deal between two unrelated business partners. According to CNBC, which cited the Los Angeles Times, the sale was all cash. That means buyers did not need a bank loan. This connection to winemaking makes sense, as the estate had a vineyard.
The report doesn’t explain why the sale took so long, so it would be unfair to blame any one thing. But this 640-acre estate with vineyards is no ordinary home. Not many people can afford it, and even fewer want to run a vineyard. A smaller pool of potential buyers could mean a longer wait. The numbers also teach a simple lesson. The price tag is a hope until someone is willing to pay it.
Why does Williams still matter to fans?
For many millennials, Robin Williams was part of growing up. he called the genie AladdinPlayed Mrs. Doubtfire and won an Academy Award for it good will Hunting. Williams died on August 11, 2014. At the time, the property had still not been sold, and it was reported to be on sale in January 2016. It’s a fittingly bittersweet ending, as the house was named for smiles and its owner made many people laugh.
What does this sale represent
Celebrity homes may grab headlines, but this story is about more than a famous name. It tells you how much a larger number can get smaller. It also shows that even a rare, beautiful property can sit around for a long time waiting for the right buyer. This is a useful reminder for young readers who dream of someday buying their own home. Prices are not set in stone; Timing, buyers and demand all play a role. So, the next time you see a big price on a famous home, remember this sale. The first number you see is not necessarily the number of the final deal.