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There is a massive collection of stately, wholesome homes in the international circuit. A 75,000 – square foot villa on the Beverly Hills in California owned by William Randolph Hearst is the most expensive home in the world as at the end of 2007.

The exclusive home was built in 1926 in the style of a Mediterranean villa and was featured in the 1972 film “The Godfather”. The sprawling compound comprises six buildings, three swimming pools and a movie theater. It is worth a whooping $165 million.

Fast on the heels of the Beverly Hills home is the $140million Bran Castle “Old World” in Brasor Romania. The 17 – bedroom castle rests on the top of a cliff and offers views across the countryside and surrounding mountains.

It was once inhabited by Romanian Prince Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Count Dracula and was built in 1212. It is worth $138million. It is a 103 - bedroom home that sprawls over 58 acres of gardens and woodlands. An idyllic English country home for those flush with cash. It is larger than either Buckingham or Hampton Court palace

The Hala Ranch Aspen, Colo is worth $135million in today’s market. The Starwood Ranch Estate comprises 15 bedrooms with 16 baths and sprawls over 56,000 square feet of living space and 95 acres in land area. It is owned by Prince Bandar bin Abdul Aziz, former Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United States and is the currently the most expensive home in the Saudi Kingdom.

The Mansion de L’ Amitie Palm Beach, Fla is worth $125 million. This former palace of health care executive Abe Gosman was acquired in 2004 by real estate mogul, Donald Trump at a bankruptcy auction for $41.25million. Worth $ 99 million and inching fast towards the $100 million mark is the Bishop Avenue, Hampstead, London. The Toprak Mansion was built by Turkish entrepreneur Halis Toprak and it sprawls over 28,000 square feet of living accommodation.

About thirty minutes north of the coastal town of Santa Barbara, California is a vault – breaking home called Ranch Ecantado situated precisely in Santa Ynez. The price tag on it is a relatively modest sum of $13,900,000! The ranch is described as one of the “last pieces of an old, historic land. It has facilities for one to enjoy vast, open – range land, world class vineyards and the feeling of stepping into a romance novel. It is absolute fantasy. The enchanting home is comprised of 350 lush acres and is bounded by the Santa Ynez River and the Juan Y Lolita Ranch.

Also in California, in San Clemente is Talega Gated Estate. It is situated one street away from the Talega Golf course and has $6,800.000 as the price tag. Its main living areas are located on the first level including four bedrooms. The main floor master suite boasts a fire place, backyard access and a very prominent master bathroom. The gated estate ushers the beholder into a meandering driveway and one of the largest lots there can be.

The Grand Mediterranean Villa, situated in the Hidden Hills district of California is another breathe – taking property. With a price tag of $7,995,000, it offers a stately formal dinning room ample room for lavish entertaining. It is situated precisely in the Prestigious Ashley Ridge area of the exclusive Guard – gate community.

The estate offers the ultimate in luxurious living. The open and dramatic foyer offers glimpses into the adjacent expansive rooms which include a stately library, light filled living room which features views of the magnificent pool and grounds.

A remarkable feature of the transactions involving these properties is that they are shrouded in ultimate secrecy in order to cut down taxes and to veil the identity of the aristocratic buyers so as not to embarrass them.