Talk show host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres and actress Portia de Rossi are flipping their historic house in Montecito, California, for a quick, but potentially large-margin profit.
The couple, who are well-known real estate aficionados, put the 5,500-square-foot English Tudor residence on the market for $6.9 million earlier this week. Robert Riskin of Riskin Partners Group at Village Properties Realtors is handling the sale. He also represented them when they bought the home, via a trust, in January for $3.6 million.
“Although they have bought and sold many properties in the past, they always planned to live in those homes,” Mr. Riskin said.
“However, this is the first property they have ever purchased with the intention of renovating and selling. They loved working on this home and are thrilled with how it turned out.”
Ms. DeGeneres, 62, and Ms. de Rossi, 47, were not available for comment.
The residence, nestled in hedgerows in one of the most desirable neighborhoods of Montecito, was originally two barns built in the 1700s in Surrey, England. In the 1980s, the barns were dismantled, with each piece numbered and shipped to Montecito, where it was masterfully reconstructed, Mr. Riskin said.
The two barns were originally named “Porter Barn” and "Black Barn.” After the renovation, the whole property was renamed “The Porter House,” according to Mr. Riskin.
While preserving the integrity of its history and architecture, which include wooden beams, casement windows and grandiose fireplaces, the renovation brought the residence up to date and added a new kitchen, a study, a snack bar, and a new laundry room, as well as many light fixtures.
The home is now reconfigured with two bedrooms from the original three bedrooms when they bought it, and four bathrooms. Outdoors, the 1.35-acre ground has several brick terraces, lush gardens and stone pathways.
“It is beautiful, sophisticated and cozy,” Mr. Riskin said, and it’s ideal for “anyone who has a discerning eye and appreciates architecture and design.”