Australian celebs-turned-Hollywood greats have poured millions of dollars into luxury mansions around the world.
But Chron Australia has exclusively revealed that her high-end lifestyle isn’t all sunshine and rainbows as we dive into A-list property secrets from Down Under.
From houses that have sat unfinished for years to penthouses that just can’t be sold, these movie stars have proven that more money really means more problems.
First up is Hollywood’s Barbie Margot Robbie, who made a financial blunder by investing $5 million straight into a property in May 2019.
Four years later, the Venice Beach home is still a shell of a home and an eyesore on the streets of Los Angeles.
Australian celebs-turned-Hollywood greats have poured millions of dollars into luxury mansions around the world. Pictured is Margot Robbie
Her high-end lifestyle isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, Chron Australia has exclusively revealed. Pictured are Rebel Wilson (left) and Ruby Rose (right).
From houses that have sat unfinished for years to penthouses that just can’t be sold, these movie stars have proven that more money really means more problems. Pictured is Hugh Jackman
The 32-year-old “Wolf of Wall Street” star and her husband Tom Ackerley added a second basement building at the back, which is now their primary residence.
The front of the building, on the other hand, is a huge cube with hardly any windows, painted beige and with a two-car garage underneath.
Current photos show that the work is still in progress. A portal is clearly visible at the front of the property behind the wall.
And the latest photos from Google Earth show that the central pool is unfinished, as are the front gardens.
Elsewhere in Hollywood, Rebel Wilson bought a five-bed, five-bath “traditional masterpiece” in West Hollywood in May 2016 for $2.9 million.
First up is Hollywood’s very own Barbie as Margot Robbie, 32, made a financial blunder when she invested $5 million straight on property in May 2019
Four years later, the Venice Beach home is still a shell of an estate and an eyesore on the streets of Los Angeles
Current photos show that the work is still in progress. A portal is clearly visible at the front of the property behind the wall
And the latest photos from Google Earth show that the central pool is unfinished, as are the front gardens
The 43-year-old “Pitch Perfect” star spans 4,000 square feet, has an outdoor pool and a climate-controlled glass wine cabinet, and has “only” posted a $500,000 deposit.
But in a bizarre move, she then borrowed the remaining $2.4 million from the seller herself – Isabel De Mayo.
Seller financing is not an uncommon arrangement in the US, especially when the buyer may have difficulty obtaining a mortgage with a regular bank’s strict lending criteria.
The two parties agree that the seller will finance the purchase and the buyer will make periodic payments until the debt is repaid, typically over a period of five years.
Luxury realtor Tony Mariotti, founder of RubyHomes in Los Angeles, explained the possible rationale behind Rebel’s decision.
“Lending criteria play a role in that.” When Rebel bought, the interest rate was 3 percent, but she had to put down more than 20 percent, have excellent credit, and not own multiple homes,” he said.
“The down payment, credit history, and owning multiple investment properties would significantly change the interest rate.”
Elsewhere in Hollywood, Rebel Wilson, 43, (pictured) bought a five-bed, five-bath “traditional masterpiece” in West Hollywood in May 2016 for $2.9 million
The “Pitch Perfect” star spans 4,409 square feet, has an outdoor pool and a climate-controlled glass wine cabinet, and “only” posted a $500,000 deposit. But in a bizarre move, she then borrowed the remaining $2.4 million from the seller herself – Isabel De Mayo
“Moreover, Rebel could have been a foreign buyer, which is not a deal killer at a bank, but an additional factor.”
He went on to say that the comedian’s citizenship status at the time of purchase could also have influenced a lender’s decision.
Rebel isn’t the only Australian celebrity taking out a huge mortgage in Los Angeles: Ruby Rose took out a $1.9 million loan in July 2021.
The 37-year-old model invested $2.6 million in a gorgeous four bedroom, four bath, 3,138 square foot home in Valley Village.
Like many celebs, she bought it through a trust and took out a mortgage with City National Bank, nicknamed the “Bank of the Stars” for its reputation for providing celebrities with prime real estate loans at discounted rates.
That means Ruby’s mortgage would be about $8,200 plus property taxes each month at a typical interest rate of 3 percent.
Rebel isn’t the only Australian celebrity taking out a huge mortgage in Los Angeles: Ruby Rose, 37, (pictured) took out a $1.9 million loan in July 2021
The model invested $2.6 million in a gorgeous four bedroom, four bath, 3,138 square foot home in Valley Village. Like many celebs, she bought it through a trust and took out a mortgage with City National Bank, nicknamed the “Bank of the Stars.”
Elsewhere, Hugh Jackman is struggling to sell his $40 million Manhattan penthouse.
The 54-year-old Wolverine star had no trouble paying $21.1 million — with no mortgage — for the 100 Eleventh Avenue penthouse last July.
However, he hits a roadblock trying to sell the triplex apartment, which occupies the top three floors of a building designed by internationally acclaimed architect Richard Meier.
The 11,000-square-foot, five-bedroom, six-bathroom property launched for $38.9 million in June last year, but due to lack of buyers, the price dropped to $34.8 million in April this year Dollar.
Then, earlier this month, on June 19, Hugh had to take another hit, dropping the asking price to $29.9 million as the star appears to be in a rush to sell.
Elsewhere, Hugh Jackman is struggling to sell his $40 million Manhattan penthouse. The 54-year-old Wolverine star (pictured) had no trouble paying $21.1 million — without a mortgage — for the 100 Eleventh Avenue penthouse last July
However, he had to lower the asking price for the triplex by $10 million because no one has bought the luxury home yet