Houston’s top 10 home sales in October

Memorial neighborhood has most expensive mansion sale ever in Houston

120 Carnarvon Drive, 3996 Inverness Drive and 62 Hallbrook Way (Zillow, Getty)
120 Carnarvon Drive, 3996 Inverness Drive and 62 Hallbrook Way (Zillow, Getty)

October broke records for luxury home sales in greater Houston, as the most expensive mansion ever listed in the area sold for $21 million.

Mansions listed for over $5 million were also sold in the River Oaks, Carlton Woods Creekside and Tanglewood subdivisions.

Inspired by English and European architecture, 120 Carnarvon Drive in Houston’s Memorial neighborhood sold for $5.5 million under the listing price of $26.5 million, with agent Caroline Billip of Greenwood King Properties. Mansions across Houston have been selling for significantly under listing price in recent months. The Memorial mansion is the first single-family home in Houston to sell for north of $20 million, sources told The Real Deal.

For another month, River Oaks had two mansions listed in the top five go off the market. The 2-acre estate at 3996 Inverness Drive, listed for $7.8 million, is the second-most expensive home bought in October and was sold by Nancy Almodovar, president and CEO of Nan and Company Properties.

In third place, a $6.7 million mansion at 62 Hallbrook Way in Carlton Woods Creekside was sold by Sara Gair of Lucky Money Real Estate.

Another River Oaks property, at 2148 Chilton Road, listed for $5.75 million and was sold by James Ford of Boulevard Realty.

A $5.2 million mansion, at 5464 Sugar Hill Drive in Tanglewoods, sold by Sharon Poindexter of Keller Williams Realty to round out the top five.

The data was collected by the Houston Association of Realtors, based on list prices, and doesn’t include off-market deals. Here are the top five:

1) 120 Carnarvon Drive, $21 million

Previously owned by Stephen Way, founder and CEO of Houston International Insurance Group and built in 2003. The 26,600-square-foot house has six bedrooms, seven full bathrooms, nine half bathrooms, professionally equipped primary and catering kitchens, a primary suite with separate baths and dressing areas, a fitness center with a spa, a home theater and a wine vault.

There’s also a separate 3,700-square-foot, two-bedroom guesthouse on the grounds of the 2.8-acre property. The estate’s manicured parterre gardens are based on those of Versailles. An oversized sapphire pool and yard are surrounded by mature magnolia trees.

The property, which is secured by stone walls, iron fences and electric gates has open grass fields, multiple terraces, a cabana with an outdoor kitchen, a sports court and a playground. The buyer has not yet been disclosed. Mark Menendez of Douglas Elliman Real Estate had the listing.

2) 3996 Inverness Drive, $7.75 million

This 18,000-square-foot River Oaks mansion was inspired by castles in the English countryside and was designed by Robert Dame. The mansion was built with $1 million in stonework. It includes limestone arches, five carved fireplaces and flooring imported from the Cotswolds.

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The listing had been on the market for over 6 months and was originally priced around $11 million.

The 2 acres of grounds were designed to resemble English Tudor gardens and feature disappearing fountains, a saltwater pool and a pavilion with a custom kitchen. Jay Monroe of Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty had the listing.

3) 62 Hallbrook Way, $6.7 million

This modern, luxury mansion in The Woodlands Carlton Woods Creekside neighborhood finished construction earlier this year and sold in October. The six-bedroom, 13,000-square-foot estate was built with a minimalist design and is located adjacent to the Tom Fazio Championship golf course.

The home features a 2,400-square-foot pool, a modern open floor plan, double gated entryway and Italian porcelain mezzo fireplaces. Aaron Harris of Arron Harris Realty had the listing.

4) 2148 Chilton Road, $5.75 million

This four-bedroom River Oaks property had been on the market for 125 days and has had two previous owners since 1999.

It was constructed by Brookstone Homes and designed by JD Bartell. The design includes open floor plans with an emphasis on natural light. The three-story home has a climatized wine room, a bar and an elevator.

Alexandra Heins of Greenwood King Properties had the listing.

5) 5464 Sugar Hill Drive, $5.2 million

This 8,800-square-foot mansion finished construction earlier this year and was on the market for 97 days. Built by Iraj Taghi Custom Homes, the property includes six bedrooms, eight bathrooms and combines modern design with classic English architecture.

The design combines high ceilings and glass walls to draw in natural light. It features a pool, three garages and a lounge-bar area. Michael Afshari of Compass Real Estate had the listing.

Top 10 Houston metro home sales for October
Source: Houston Association of Realtors’ Multiple Listing Service

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