LUXURY HOMES

IN REAL ESTATE, AS WITH MANY things in life, bigger doesn’t always mean better. But when you look at some of the top home sales of 1996, size-primarily lot size-was a major factor in price.

One of the largest sales of the year, a beautiful brick and stucco, copper-roofed home at 4004 Euclid Ave. belonging to Tram-mell Crow Company chairman Don Williams and his family, actually sold as a tear-down. No matter the five bedrooms, three-car garage, pool, cabana and guest quarters. Forget the flagstone terrace and walk, expansive beveled-glass front door, wide-planked hardwood floors, and circular iron and wood staircase.

The buyer, Sterling Williams of Sterling Software (although he’s not listed on the deed), was not interested in the woodwork. He was interested in the lot size of more than an acre, one of the largest (therefore, scarcest) pieces of residential property in Highland Park. Listed by Mary Plumlee of Ellen Terry Realtors for $3.25 million, it sold July 23 for $2,7 million.

Early in the year. Boone Pickens’ 2.3-acre mansion compound at 6909 Vassar Dr. in Volk Estates was priced at $8.9 million. It eventually sold for $6.95 million, making it the largest sale of the year.

Close by, in both price and proximity, is 6929 Vassar Dr., which sold Oct. 1 for $4.5 million. First listed by Ellen Terry for $5,395 million, the estate nestles on 2.4 lush, landscaped acres and has been touted as its “own private country club.”

Also in Volk Estates, 6812 Hunters Glen, originally listed at $3.95 million, sold Aug. 30 for $3.36 million. Set on 1.5 acres, this newer home designed by Frank Welch with vaulted, beamed ceilings, wide galleries and terraces that show off views of the creek, sold in just 60 days. Briggs Freeman’s Ginger Nobles represented the seller. A little further north inPreston Hollow, 9639 Hollow Way, originally listed for $3,375 million, sold for $3.15 million on July 19. The newer

home, built in 1991 on two park-like acres, is just more than 10,000 square feet. Betty Leavell of Adleta & Poston, Realtors represented the seller. 5505 DeLoache Ave. also ranks as one of the largest sales of the year, despite its bargain sale price. The home, originally on the market at $5.3 million, sold at auction and closed on Dec. 30 for $2.9 million.

Another Volk Estates sale that ranks near the top is 6801Baltimore Dr. Listed at $2.95 million, the home and its 1.2 acres sold July 5 for $2.65 million. This Colonial-style mansion has one-of-a-kind features, says listing agent Allie Beth Allman, including incredible architectural moldings, marble floors and limestone walls in the solarium.

5440 N. Dentwood Dr., also on about an acre, first listed for $2.4 million but sold for $1.8 million March 5. This French Normandy home on a wooded creek lot has all of the extras but sold, in part, says listing agent Charoise Wall of B.A. and Company, because of its “beautifully proportioned rooms with breathtaking views.”