Ilyce Glink

No stranger to controversy, it seems R&B singer/songwriter, superstar R. Kelly is facing foreclosure on his Chicago home. How can this happen when his net worth is estimated to be in the neighborhood of $150 million? On My CBS Moneywatch Home Equity Blog, I explore some popular theories behind his situation.

But is R. Kelly's bank account to blame or the city in which he chose to live? Chicago may not have more foreclosures than, say, Las Vegas, Phoenix or Miami. But, according to RealtyTrac, Chicago has some less-than glamorous housing statistics such as:

• Most ongoing foreclosures.
• Selling fewer homes than any other metropolitan area with exception to New York.

Want to know more about his house? Curious to why a multi-millionaire is facing foreclosure? Read the full post.

Ilyce R. Glink is the author of several books, including 100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask and Buy, Close, Move In!. She blogs about money and real estate at ThinkGlink.com and The Equifax Personal Finance Blog, and is Chief Content Strategist at RealtyJoin.com, a community for real estate investors.

Who hasn't been fascinated by movie stars? From the globe-trotting to the opulent home life, an outsider perspective is endlessly entertaining, but part of the charm of reading tabloids and gossip blogs is to imagine what it's like to live like one. Well, you might get your chance.

One of the greatest movie stars homes is up for sale. 12 time Oscar nominee and 4 time winner, Hollywood legend Katharine Hepburn's summer home is for sale. On my CBS Moneywatch Home Equity blog, I give you all the details of the beautiful Connecticut estate.

The house is just as grand and elegant as you'd imagine but you get more than real estate value with this gem, you get stories:

• The house replaced another Connecticut home that was literally washed away, taking her 1932-1933 Best Actress Oscar for Morning Glory with it.
• The design for the house came from a set of building blocks from which Hepburn erected a model.
• In 2003, Hepburn died of natural causes in the comfort of the home.

How much would you pay for a home that you could host Guess Who's Coming To Dinner dinner parties? To learn how many bedrooms, baths, square feet and how much the house is going for, read the full post.

Ilyce Glink is the author of several books, including 100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask and Buy, Close, Move In!. She blogs about money and real estate at ThinkGlink.com, The Equifax Personal Finance Blog and CBS Moneywatch She is Chief Content Strategist at RealtyJoin.com, a community for real estate investor

With Florida consistently making the top 5 states for depreciating home values, owners may be suffering, but buyers have a great opportunity to take advantage of prime real estate deals. On today's CBS Moneywatch blog, I share one truly unique property that is hot on the market in the Sunshine State.

You have no doubt heard of the trendy Florida Keys but have you heard of the 40 year-old community situated inside called The Ocean Reef Club? On the northern tip of Key Largo, the club has more than 1,700 water-front estates including private homes, condominiums and boat slips. And they don't call it "club" for nothing. Only the exorbitantly wealthy can gain access to the 175-slip marina, two 18-hole golf courses, tennis and lawn sports and entertainment for children.

Within this prestigious development, a new $11 million home has entered the market, and you're getting a lot more for your money than location, location, location. How about:

• A Giant gourmet kitchen?
• A 1,025 square foot master suite?
• Three floors?
  
• Guest quarters?
  

For all the details about the house, community and how you can live like a billionaire (or millionaire), read the full blog post.

Ilyce Glink is the author of several books, including 100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask and Buy, Close, Move In!. She blogs about money and real estate at ThinkGlink.com, The Equifax Personal Finance Blog and CBS Moneywatch She is Chief Content Strategist at RealtyJoin.com, a community for real estate investor

Whether you are in the market for a home for your family or looking for a place to foil burglars, the home from the 1990's movie Home Alone can be yours. On today's CBS Moneywatch blog, I give you the scoop about this iconic piece of real estate and movie history.

Home Alone was ranked number one in the box office and grossed $476,684,675 worldwide. The protagonist "Kevin!" played by Macaulay Culkin, is left behind over Christmas and successfully defends the 4 bedroom, 3 bath 4,250 square foot, three-story home from burglars. The home could be yours for just $2.4 million.

The home is located in Winnetka, an affluent suburb of Chicago and is just blocks from the shores of Lake Michigan. The property was built in the 1920s and features a red-brick, Georgian-style architectural design. Of the four bedrooms, one is a four-room master suite, which stretches across the entire west wing of the dwelling.

For more about the couple who have lived in the home since before the movie was filmed, and about why screenwriter John Hughes selected it, read the full post.

Ilyce R. Glink is the author of several books, including 100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask and Buy, Close, Move In!. She blogs about money and real estate at ThinkGlink.com and The Equifax Personal Finance Blog, and is Chief Content Strategist at RealtyJoin.com, a community for real estate investors.

The Great Recession has wreaked havoc on the real estate market but there is a silver lining in the shape of some amazing and unique deals. On today's CBS Moneywatch blog, I share one particular opportunity that is on the market.

Have you ever dreamed of owning your own country club? It might be easier than you think. On Tuesday, May 10, a Connecticut country club will be put up for auction. Located near Yale University in New Haven the 180-acre property includes a 24,000 square foot clubhouse an 18-hole championship level golf course, three pools, tennis courts, and a groundskeeper’s home.

The real estate auction, sponsored by Integrated Property Group LLC of Connecticut, offers the occasion to buy property while taking over an established business. Integrated Property Group requires a minimum reserve price of $1,590,000. That may sound steep, but remember, you’re getting 180 acres and several structures for your money.

For more details about how to place a bid, read today's CBS Moneywatch blog.

Ilyce R. Glink is the author of several books, including 100 Questions Every First-Time Home Buyer Should Ask and Buy, Close, Move In!. She blogs about money and real estate at ThinkGlink.com and The Equifax Personal Finance Blog, and is Chief Content Strategist at RealtyJoin.com, a community for real estate investors.