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- Michael Jackson's famed Neverland Ranch is on the market for $31 million, less than half its previous asking price.
- The property has been on and off the market for more than four years despite millions of dollars in renovations, price cuts, and a new name.
- It was originally listed for $100 million in 2015, discounted to $67 million two years later, and slashed to $31 million in 2019.
- Jackson's former 2,700-acre property boasts a French Normandy-style 12,598-square-foot main residence, two guest houses, a lake, a 50-seat movie theatre, a tennis court, a 14-foot lagoon-style pool, a barn, and a Disney-themed train station.
Michael Jackson's famed Neverland Ranch is back on the market for $31 million, less than half of its previous listing price of $67 million.
In 2015, the 22,700-acre property hit the market for a whopping $100 million under a new identity as Sycamore Valley Ranch.
But the 12,598-square-foot French-Normandy style residence located in Los Olivos, California sat on the market for two years before its price was slashed to $67 million in 2017.
Jackson, who bought the property for $19.5 million in 1987, defaulted on a loan after financial hardships and entered Neverland into an ownership agreement with private investment firm Colony Capital in 2008 for $23 million, according to ABC News.
After millions of dollars in renovations, the 2,700-acre ranch boasts a main residence with five bedrooms and eight bathrooms, two guesthouses, a four-acre lake, a 50-seat movie theatre, a tennis court, a 14-foot lagoon-style pool, a dance studio, barns, and separate staff facilities.
For $31 million, the King of Pop's former home could be yours, although you'll have to pass "extensive prequalification," according to The Wall Street Journal. Here's what Sycamore Valley Ranch has to offer.
Welcome to Sycamore Valley Ranch, the former Neverland Ranch that once belonged to Michael Jackson. Jackson originally purchased the property for $19.5 million in 1987.
Source: Variety
That's a discount of $69 million — or nearly 70% — from its original $100 million listing price in 2015.
Source: Bloomberg
The ranch spans 2,700 acres in California, about 130 miles northeast of Los Angeles.
Source: Sycamore Valley Ranch
Under Jackson's ownership, Neverland Ranch was a Peter-Pan inspired fantasyland with an amusement park, exotic animals ...
Source: CBS News
... and a Disney-themed train station. Jackson famously threw parties and held events at the ranch, including a 14th birthday party for Kim Kardashian, who called the ranch "the most magical place on earth."
Source: PopSugar
But in 1993, Jackson and his home made headlines when child sexual abuse allegations were brought against him. He would go on to defend himself against more lawsuits over the next decade, which contributed to his mounting debt. By 2008, he faced foreclosure on Neverland Ranch.
Source: Billboard
After he defaulted on a loan, Jackson entered Neverland into an ownership agreement with private investment firm Colony Capital for $23 million.
Source: ABC News
Neverland Ranch was rebranded as Sycamore Valley Ranch and put on the market for $100 million in 2015.
It was renamed Sycamore Valley Ranch for the rolling hills, majestic sycamore trees, magnificent oaks, and manicured grounds that Santa Ynez Valley is known for.
Source: Sycamore Valley Ranch
There are a few possible reasons why Sycamore Valley Ranch hasn't sold yet.
According to Zillow real estate expert Brendon DeSimone, the property sits about 130 miles northeast of Los Angeles and five miles from Los Olivos, which is outside of the proliferation of highest-end homes.
Source: Bloomberg
The property also wasn't at its most attractive during California's drought, one of the listing agents, Kyle Forsyth, told the Wall Street Journal.
Source: Business Insider
That's not to say there isn't a chance for Jackson's former home to sell. It's typical for properties listed for more than $3 million in Santa Ynez Valley to be on the market for two to three years, Village Properties real estate broker Wayne S. Natale told Bloomberg.
Source: Bloomberg
Sycamore Valley Ranch is secured by a gate, and a long, scenic road weaves through the property grounds leading you to various points of interest.
Source: Sycamore Valley Ranch
The property boasts a 12,598-square-foot French-Normandy style main residence with five bedrooms and eight bathrooms.
Source: Sycamore Valley Ranch
The mansion is crafted with exposed timber beams, brick and stonework, five fireplaces, and 18th-century French oak parquet flooring from two chateaus in France.
Source: Sycamore Valley Ranch
Entering through the front doors brings you inside to the spacious main foyer. The door to the right connects to the kitchen.
Source: Sycamore Valley Ranch
Down a few sets of stairs from the foyer is the main living room with two fireplaces.
Source: Sycamore Valley Ranch
Walking back through the main foyer under an arched doorway brings you to the newly renovated kitchen.
Source: Sycamore Valley Ranch
Though the main house is unoccupied, a full-time staff keeps the kitchen pristine.
Source: Sycamore Valley Ranch
Sycamore Valley Ranch has a guest house about 150 feet from the main house, where staff members can reside.
Source: Sycamore Valley Ranch
Walking through the kitchen to the main dining room, you'll find more wall-length windows that offer a view of the backyard.
Source: Sycamore Valley Ranch
A hallway lined with windows connects you from the dining room to other rooms on the first floor.
Source: Sycamore Valley Ranch
There are eight bathrooms in the main residence. This one features a copper bathtub.
Source: Sycamore Valley Ranch
Down the hallway is the first-floor master bedroom where the King of Pop slept. The master includes a private loft and two baths, two walk-in cedar-lined closets, and a private outdoor garden.
Source: Sycamore Valley Ranch
A massive walk-in closet connects you to the master bedroom and bathroom. Jackson stored valuables in a "secret room" hidden around the corner in his closet, according to the Associated Press.
Source: Associated Press
The master bathroom sports a sunken bathtub and is surrounded by large windows.
Source: Sycamore Valley Ranch
Exiting the master bedroom will bring you back to the hallway. Continue down the hallway back to the foyer and you'll find a staircase.
Source: Sycamore Valley Ranch
Moving up the stairs to the second floor, you'll find four bedrooms. Here is an upstairs bedroom with polished oak flooring.
Source: Sycamore Valley Ranch
Walking down a hallway will lead you to another bedroom with white carpeting and walls lined with shelves.
Source: Sycamore Valley Ranch
Coming back down the stairs to the first floor, you'll see doors across the main entryway that lead you to the back grounds of the ranch.
Source: Sycamore Valley Ranch
The property's grounds include two guest houses, a lake, a 50-seat movie theatre, a tennis court, a 14-foot lagoon-style pool, a pool house, barns, and separate staff facilities.
Source: Sycamore Valley Ranch
Next to the pool house is a sunken, lighted tennis court with a viewing area.
Source: Sycamore Valley Ranch
... full of stone work and colorful flower beds.
The property features a four-acre lake with two fountains, swans, boat stops, and a private beach.
Source: Sycamore Valley Ranch
Other playful touches include this tree, which has a set of steps to climb up.
Source: Sycamore Valley Ranch
A gazebo complete with lighting and a grill offers a space for outdoor entertaining.
Source: Sycamore Valley Ranch
Although Sycamore Valley Ranch no longer has exotic animals like elephants, you can still find pigs, lambs, and a llama on the property.
Source: Sycamore Valley Ranch