Celebrity Real Estate: Funnyman Kevin James Lists One of His Encino Homes

[Update April 1, 2013]: This home sold for $1,660,600 on March 29, 2013 which was $65,600 above the asking price of $1,595,000 first set on February 7, 2013 and $210,600 above the original purchase price of $1,450,000 back on August 8, 2002. Kevin James just recently listed his second and much larger Encino property (about double the size of this Encino home) for $5,495,000 on April 1, 2013 which was no April Fool's Joke.

[Original Post]:

Above images courtesy Partners Trust Beverly Hills

Fresh on the MLS is an Encino home by Kevin James (real name is Kevin George Knipfing) who is best known for playing "Doug Heffernan" on the CBS sitcom The King of Queens which originally started on Everybody Loves Raymond. James is also known for playing roles in comedy films such as Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Grown Ups, Zookeeper, Hitch, and Here Comes the Boom. James is currently working on Little Boy, Grown Ups 2, and Valet Guys scheduled to be released in 2013. 

The home for sale measures 5 Beds/5.5 Baths on 5,386  on a total lot size of 0.28 acres built in 2001 and currently listed at $1,595,000 on February 7, 2013. The listing description states:

Stately Mediterranean-inspired contemporary home set on a gated, semi-private cul-de-sac, just North of trendy Ventura Blvd. Enter through double doors into the 2-story foyer with grand, sweeping staircase and the abounding use of exceptional craftsmanship and fine materials is apparent. An intelligent floor-plan provides a balance between openness and privacy, in a gracious, yet comfortable scale. Formal living & dining rooms w/ high ceilings, compliment the open chef's kitchen and family rooms which flow outdoors, to the lush, intimate backyard w/ heated pool & spa. 5 bedrooms with en suite baths include a lavish master suite, complete with a sitting area and fireplace, private balcony, spa-like bath, and dual walk-in closets. With nearly 5,400 sq/ft of living space, and a full, 3 car garage with a private, gated driveway, this grand residence provides the luxurious lifestyle everyone aspires to, but few can attain.

James purchased this home back on August 08, 2002 for $1,450,000 which if sold at today's asking price would represent a decent gain of $145,000 before taxes, commissions, carrying costs, and any other related expenses. 

As the title mentioned, this is one of two Encino home that James owns. The second (shown below) was purchased roughly one year later on August 14, 2003 for $3.2 million and measures 7 Beds/11 Baths on 10,042 sqft on a total lot size of 2 acres. I am guessing that James' first home in Encino was later used as a  rental property or extra living quarters for his family when he acquired the much larger Encino home. Its not known why James is selling this home but part of the reason could be additional funds needed to pay for the newly acquired Delray Beach, Florida back in August 2012. The Florida home was purchased for $18,500,000 which measures 26,509 sqft with 8 Beds and 9 full and 3 half bathrooms. This home was discussed in greater detail at the Realestalker.

Image courtesy Google Maps

James  faces some serious competition as the Encino market has been hit lately with high priced celebrity homes which are currently available:

1. The late Warren Cowan, who was a publicist to the stars, listing for $1,799,000. 
2. Shirley Jones of the Partridge Family is currently available for $2.1 million.
3. The late Fred Travalena's long time Encino home currently listed at $1,425,000. 
4. David Hasselhoff's long time Encino Mansion currently priced at $3,795,000.
5. Joe Simpson's Royal Oaks Mansion which is currently listed for $4,395,000
6. The former Al Jolson Estate which was owned by Charlie Sheen at one time is listed for $6.5 million. 
7. The former home of Selena Gomez is available for $3,699,0000.  Just sold for $3.5 million.
8. Heidi Saban Stills (father is billionaire Haim Saban) home is available for $2,999,000. 
9. The former Macy Gray home is available for $5.9 million.
10. The former Joey Lawrence home is available for $2.250 million. 

There are many celebrities who previously or currently call Encino home like Tori Spelling (former), Scott Baio (former), the Jackson Family compound, Leighton Meester, Annette Funicello's fire destroyed home, Brian Bloom, Tamar Braxton and Vincent Herbert (former), Vampire Diaries Director (former), Jennifer Morrison (former), Dave Grohl, Donald Penn, and Shirley MacLaine (former) to name a few (or several).

You can view more Celebrity Real Estate here.

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Write by: Unknown - Friday, February 8, 2013