Rosie O'Donnell Selling Miami Beach Mansion for $19.5 Million

The Rosie Show isn't the only thing ending—so is Rosie O'Donnell's tenure as a homeowner in Miami Beach.
On the same day as the final episode of her OWN talk show (today), the New York-bound Emmy winner listed her lavish spread on tony Star Island Drive for $19.5 million.
Fair enough. It's pretty fancy.
O'Donnell purchased the 11,000-square-foot waterfront home on 1.11 acres of land for $6.75 million back in 1999, when she and ex-wife (then partner) Kelli Carpenter had yet to welcome their fourth child.
The house boasts six bedroom and five baths, plus there are two separate guest homes on the property, according to the South Beach Real Estate Blog.
Built in 1923, the house has since been completely restored with a modern kitchin, new fireplaces and a master suite with a private office and terrace. There's a pool on the grounds, as well as a dock and 203 feet of water access.
When the Chicago-based Rosie Show was canceled after one season, O'Donnell, who's now engaged to Michelle Rounds, said that she would be moving back to New York full-time.
"Me opening some #oprah wine—a toast 2 the final show tonight—thanks all," she tweeted this afternoon.


Read more

Area real estate sales up 20% last two months

Real estate sales regionally surged to more than $1 billion during the first two months of 2012, a gain of one-fifth over last year.

Sales totaled $1.05 billion for the year's initial two months in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties, a 20 percent jump compared with $874 million during the same period of 2011, county records show.

"I think it kind of comes back to the same story, the resumption of the flow of retirees and what kind of retirees are attracted to Southwest Florida," said University of Central Florida economist Sean Snaith.

That resumption is critical, because the region lost tens of billions of dollars in real estate wealth during the downturn.

This new round of retirees "is bringing back wealth that was lost," Snaith said.

The sales figures are based on a state 0.7 percent documentary stamp tax on deeds, data for which was released Wednesday. "Doc stamps," as they are commonly known, are collected on total prices of newly sold and conveyed property throughout Florida.