Ah, Christmas, that magical time of year when we get together as a family, reflect on the blessings of the year, and strive to watch holiday movies. Christmas movies can be sentimental, hilarious, outrageous, or even disturbing (we’re watching you, “Silent Night, Deadly Night”), but almost all of them have one crucial thing in common besides the holidays themselves: fabulous real estate. .
“When you think of the movies, you think of the stars who played a key role,” says Bruce alion, attorney and real estate professional at Town and Country in Atlanta. “However, most of us forget that real estate was also a key component and a star in production.”
Which house from your favorite holiday movies would you choose to open for Christmas presents? Here’s a look at the beloved vacation classics and their iconic homes.
1. “It’s a wonderful life” (1946)
(It’s a Wonderful Life (1946))
(Photo courtesy of Bison Archives)
This everlasting vacation classic features Jimmy stewart like George Bailey, a man who gets a glimpse of what the lives of those close to him would be like if he wasn’t born. (Spoiler alert: it’s not very gay!) As the film takes place in the fictional town of Bedford Falls, the director Franck Capra filmed critical scenes at Seneca Falls in upstate New York.
And rumor has it that the Victorian style of Seneca Falls Avery Partridge House, at 54 Cayuga St., was the inspiration for the filming of the movie “Old Granville house” where George and his wife, Mary (played by Donna Roseau), live in the movie. The house was last sold in 1993 for $ 80,000 and has a current estimated value of $ 230,600. (This might be a good deal because the five-bedroom property only has 1.5 bathrooms.)
Yet the house “is exquisite real estate,” says Liz hutz, an investor and co-owner of Cash Home Buyers in North Carolina. “The current owners have kept the traditional atmosphere of the place.
In fact, the house still has a working fireplace in the music room and front living room, giving Santa of them entry points.
2. “Elf” (2003)
(Photo courtesy of the RP Miller Group)
“Santa Claus! I to know him, ‘shouts Buddy the elf (alias Will ferrell) in another must-see holiday movie, “Elf”. Even though Buddy is actually a 36-year-old male elf, his father (played by James caan) is doubtful. One thing that is very real, however, is the luxury co-op apartment where Dad lives. The art deco building, also made famous by “Ghostbusters”, is located at 55 Central Park West on the Upper West Side of New York City. You will probably recognize his large dining room where Buddy sprinkles his pasta with maple syrup for the first time.
“The co-op at 55 Central Park West is right across from the famous Tavern on the Green restaurant,” explains Annette Akers, certified associate real estate broker at Serhant. “And the building also has an amazing roof terrace for Santa Claus to park.”
Interested? While we’re not exactly sure which apartment inspired Buddy’s living quarters, a two-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment in this pre-war gem will set you back around $ 3,085,000.
3. “A Christmas Story” (1983)
(Photo courtesy of https://www.achristmasstoryhouse.com)
Nothing says Yuletide like the floor lamp featured in “A Christmas Story”. The film, which centers on young Ralphie’s obsession with getting a Red Ryder BB pistol for Christmas, takes place primarily in this pretty four bedroom, two bathroom home built in Cleveland in 1895.
“The unique color and design of the house of ‘A Christmas Story’ catches the public eye at first glance,” says Hutz. “No wonder the current owner has converted the property into a tourist spot for Christmas lovers.
Fun fact: the owner noticed the house for sale on eBay — for $ 99,990. (The property’s price rose to $ 233,000, according to Hutz.)
Yes, not only can you now book house tours to see a recreation of the original movie set, you can also stay overnight to $ 395. (Don’t shoot yourself!)
4. “Home Alone” (1990)
(Realtor.com)
You can’t buy the real Red Brick Colonial made famous by Macaulay Culkin, who played Rubber Face Trap Master Kevin McCallister in “Home Alone.” The 4,243 square foot, four bedroom home sold for $ 1,585,000 in 2012 and is now valued at $ 1,943,600.
But a lucky few were recently able to book the house on Airbnb for just $ 25 per night.. A slumber party at the iconic Winnetka, Illinois home included movie-inspired touches such as a “candlelight dinner of highly nutritious microwave macaroni and cheese,” according to NBCChicago.com.
“It’s a growing trend for iconic movie houses to be available for rent on Airbnb,” says Brandon zeller, a Spears Group real estate agent in Destin, Florida. “This creates an instant buzz not only during the holiday season but all year round, ultimately adding value to rentals in the surrounding area.”
And while reservations are sold out this year, keep an eye out for 2022.
5. “The Holidays” (2006)
(Realtor.com)
Christmas and love seem to go together like Santa Claus and cookies when it comes to holiday movies. It is no wonder then that “The Holiday”, with a star cast of Kate winslet, Cameron diaz, Jude law, and Jack Black, appears on the must-see vacation lists year after year.
The plot of the film centers on two women who exchange their homes – the charming cottage in Winslet in England and the Mediterranean beauty of Diaz in Los Angeles – at Christmas. And surprise, Winslet and Diaz find romance in each other’s charming mansions.
“Diaz’s Mediterranean gem was the star of this movie and perfect for the holidays,” says Chantay bridges, Senior Real Estate Specialist at World Enterprise Marketing in Beverly Hills, Calif. “Everything from the doors to the two-story balcony is perfect. You can feel the magic.
The seven-bedroom, six-bathroom home sold for $ 9.5 million in 2019. And since the sprawling property features a backyard with a fountain, pool, spa, and paddle court. tennis court, a rose garden and guest space, plus a pedigree from the film – the seven-figure price tag could well be worth every penny.
6. “The Best Man’s Vacation” (2013)
(Photo courtesy of the Toronto Star)
“The best man’s vacation”, with Taye diggs and Regina Room, revolves around a group of friends who come together for the Christmas season as they solve personal problems. Still, sometimes it’s hard to pay attention to the characters because the house where most of the dramatic comedy takes place is a 34,000 square foot mansion.
Located in the upscale Bridle Path neighborhood of Toronto, the house, complete with an indoor pool, was listed for sale in 2013 at $ 29,000.00!
“One of the most exciting types of real estate sales is selling these famous homes,” says Ailion.
One can only hope that this mansion will eventually be offered for $ 25 a night on Airbnb.
7. “Love in fact” (2003)
(Photo courtesy of Knight Frank)
Who doesn’t love a good Christmas romantic comedy starring fabulous real estate and a host of movie stars (Hugh Grant! Emma Thompson! Colin Firth! Chiwetel Ejiofor!)? “Love Actually” weaves nine love stories that all reach a crescendo by Christmas. And one of the often-cited scenes from this holiday movie takes place on Christmas Eve in front of a London house. You know, this is the one where Juliette (Keira knightley) stands on her doorstep as Mark (Andrew Lincoln) confess her unrequited (and not at all scary) love using cue cards.
While there is no information available on the current value of this romantic movie house, the house next door was recently listed for a holly, merry $ 4.3 million.
However, we will be waiting for the “real” house located at 27 St. Luke’s Mews in Notting Hill. As one of Mark’s cue cards put it: “To me you are perfect. “
8. “I really like” (2021)
(Netflix)
(Google)
Soon to be a Christmas classic – according to Rotten Tomatoes’ 93% audience score – this holiday movie takes its title from the combination of “Love Actually” and “Die Hard” (1988), which, of course, takes place Christmas Eve.
“Love Hard” finds Natalie (Nina dobrev) trapped in a small town after being fished by Josh (Jimmy O. Yang). Hilarity ensues, and much of the action in the romantic comedy centers around a craftsman supposedly located in Lake Placid, New York in the film.
However, the six-bedroom, four-bathroom home used during filming is located in historic Queens Park in Vancouver. The two-story house was last sold in 2007, for approximately $ 740,000.
“The Gordon D. Drew House was originally built in 1921 and enjoys a prime location,” says Lutz. “The director probably chose the house because of its beautiful, pointed roofline and rustic old staircases with rock columns. It is a perfect family home.
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