Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Mitt Romney, Real Estate Size Queen

Just as the race for the republican presidential nomination heats up–a vicious competition which promises to be a real damn Mister Toad's Wild Ride–gajillionaire contender Mitt Romney is making ugly headlines in all the real estate gossip blogs as a real estate size queen.

Three years ago the former Massachusetts governor and his wife Ann dropped a pocketbook punishing $12,000,000 for an oceanfront home in affluent (and republican leaning) La Jolla, CA, a pee in your pants gorgeous seaside enclave where well-documented covenants that ran with deeds once restricted property ownership to white folks of European ancestry only; Jews and other minority populations were, quite simply, not allowed. Those archaic property rules and regs were dropped in the 1960s and there are now all sorts of Jewish people and synagogues but the extremely wealthy community remains predominantly white.

Over the years high profile residents of La Jolla have included Gregory Peck, Raquel Welch, Raymond Chandler, Doug Flutie, Ivan Boesky, Andrew Cunanan, John McCain, Margaret Anne Cargill, and Deepak Chopra. Of course, Your Mama is not making any comment or inference about the prejudices or lack thereof of any of these people. We're only stating that they own or owned property in La Jolla. That's it, got it?

Anyhoo, reports out this week, reveal that Mister and Missus Romney have grand plans to raze their 3,009 square foot single-story Spanish-style ocean front residence and replace it with a two-story structure that comes in at a far more elephantine 11,062 square feet. Apparently, the existing house isn't large enough to hold Mister and Missus Romney's immediate family who include five adult married sons and 16 grandchildren.

The modest by multi-millionaire standards residence was originally built in 1936 and later owned by a man named Bob Peterson, the founder of the Jack in the Box fast food juggernaut. Local news stories state that a report prepared on the property came to the conclusion that besides the chain of hoity-toity owners, the house itself–extensively renovated in the mid 1980s–is of no particular architectural or historical significance. We're not sure who prepared or paid for the report.

Listen kids, certainly Mister Mitt Romney, a former financier turned politician, is free to spend his near quarter billion dollar fortune in whatever manner he chooses. However, the man ain't stoopid and must realize that a presidential candidate who pays twelve million bucks to buy a beach house for part-time use and then wants to knock it down to build an exponentially larger and no-doubt lavish mansion seems grossly out of touch with the grim and increasingly drastic economic realities of most Americans.

Despite a desire to balloon the size of their west coast retreat in La Jolla, Mister and Missus Romney have lightened their real estate load the last few years. In early 2009 the power couple took in $5,250,000 when they sold a faux-rustic luxury ski chalet in Park City, UT and another $3,500,000 when they unloaded the Romney family homestead, a 6,400 square foot Colonial mansion in Belmont, MA. The Romney's still own their $10,000,000 lake front summer house in Wolfeboro, NH.

listing photos: Willis Allen Real Estate (top) and Prudential California (bottom)

90 comments:

Anonymous said...

Excellent blog. But the (one-sided) political commentary isn't necessary especially considering how much there already is out there.

Thanks from a loyal reader.

Anonymous said...

Agreed, Anonymous. Not necessary.

Anonymous said...

Disagree. Totally necessary.

Anonymous said...

...and therein lies our current state of our political juggernaut.

T. B. said...

I shouldn't engage but I'm going to...How is it that right wingers can lambaste Obama for every detail of his life but pointing out how the high flying lifestyle of Mitt Romney might turn off less fortunate voters is totally out of line? Gimme a break.

lil' gay boy said...

I suppose the 1:51 temblor we just had was really the collective jaws dropping; truly a man of the people, no?

Anonymous said...

Speaking from Massachusetts, it wouldn't be so bad if the only ridiculous thing about Romney was real estate. Sadly the list is long and much more complex. He's always had a tin ear and I bet he's bewildered by the brouhaha about this. He is, after all, a Republican candidate who ridiculed the Obama's for their Martha's Vineyard vacation rental - while sitting in his NH lakeside home. Glass houses, rocks and all that.
By the way, best thing about La Jolla is the Salk Institute. -Steve

Anonymous said...

I am sure you aware, most all super expensive locations are predominantly white. Some nice towns around NYC like Darien and Bronxville also restricted ownership to Wasps until the 1950's or so. As far as Mitts house goes, if he is using it as a vacation home for his whole family to get together the size is not that extreme. He has a lot of kids and tons of grand kids. If it was just him and his wife that would be a bit much but I think its for his whole family to use.

Eric@URP said...

Mama, agreed. Hold off on the political commentary from either side.
Just a thought from a loyal reader who pays attention to ads.

Anonymous said...

in view of the current economic hardships most Americans are facing, it does come off as somewhat tone deaf, if not completely oblivious.

cracks me up when you see him campaigning in rolled up shirt sleeves posing as "just a regular guy".

there is nothing one sided about pointing out hypocrisy.

Anonymous said...

This was an interesting blog story, just didn't realize that the site was political. I thought of it as a refreshing relief from the world of politics...guess I was wrong.

Anonymous said...

To be fair to Mama, she made a nasty comment about Chelsea Clinton's wedding (which caused me to quit reading for awhile), so I think she is equal opportunity snark:)
As an aside, the timing of this purchase is exactly why Mitt will NEVER be president of anything other than another corporation or county club.

Anonymous said...

Oh Eric.

What are you saying? If Mama continues to point out the hypocrisy of politicians as it relates to their real estate transactions and public image that you're going to stop paying attention to the ads or stop reading the blog all together?

How pathetic.

This has never been just a real estate blog people. Mama has engaged in social/political commentary in posts many many many times before and I expect will continue to do so in the future. You think the minimum wage terlit gurls Mama talks about is just meant to be funny? Wise up angel boots.

Don't care for the occasional commentary? Don't read it. Don't mean to be a bitch about it but seriously Eric, you sound like a passive aggressive bully.

Anonymous said...

The house already looks wedged on to the lot so it seems to me that a house nearly 4 times the size of this one could easily be overwhelming for the location.

As for the political element of this, it seems to me that any actual news gathering operation might point out that the timing for this isn't great given that he's trying to be the president of a country where the general populace are fit to be tied with the sad state of the economy.

You did note that Mama said Romney can do what he wants with his money but it's the timing of his big expansion that seems ill advised, right? That's not left wing/right wing one-sided commentary, that's just political common sense. If Obama were to buy a $12M house tomorrow and make plans to tear it down and spend millions to rebuild a bigger house I suspect Mama would have something to say about that too...as would, I'm sure, all the people who don't care for what Mama pointed out about Romney here.

Even a Romney supporter can see the timing of this expensive expansion isn't great for him, right? No?

Anonymous said...

Seriously ... If you don't like Mama making the odd political comment then don't read! No doubt all those bitching would be fine if it was a democrat Mama was talking about ... such cry babies!

Anonymous said...

First off - we all read this to hear Mama spout off. Don't go spitting your drinks across the room if she doesn't agree with you politically. It's her blog -- if you think you can do a better job please give it a shot.

Secondly, it seems oddly ill timed for a presidential candidate of any party to be considering a massive, expensive construction project. Aside from the PR nightmares, think of all the various people employed on the project and neighbors who will have stories to tell, trade and sell...

Finally, if Mr. Romney weren't running for President I doubt he'd even rate a mention from Mama!

Anonymous said...

It's the Romney's property in LaJolla and their money, and I don't consider it my busiess what they do with either. If their neighbors or the community don't want him to tear the house and rebuild something bigger, then they will handle it.

Anonymous said...

None of you people worried about Mama's so called one sided political commentary would have cheered on Your Mama if you swapped Mitt Romney's name with that of any democrat.

Anonymous said...

WHy didn't he just buy a bigger house to begin with?

Anonymous said...

I just Google mapped 311 Dunemere Drive... and the house lot does not include the grassy knoll (had to throw in another political hot potato!) to the right in the aerial shot. So it will in fact be a towering McMansion, but the neighbors don't seem to mind. I for one think it looks like some previous owner must have sold off part of the land for that house closer to the ocean that sits right in the way of a clear view

Anonymous said...

any news on bethennys new penthouse? saw it on trulia and would love the deets.

Anonymous said...

Mama says he ain't "stoopid" but I would alter that to he ain't "completely stoopid." He doesn't have a clue about Macroeconomics or whom to go to for advice re same. He is a typical GOP airhead whose concern if only for the rich like him. And so on and so forth. I congratulate Mama on having some social and political sense at a time when so many have none. Romney would be, IMO, a lousy President, but a shade better than Bachmann or Palin both of whom are unbelievably and completely "stoopid." BTW I hope his house plans work to ruin his political career.

angie said...

This home had to be turned at an odd angle to fit on the lot to begin with, and now he's tripling it's size. Oh, the presidential caliber vision.. not.

Anonymous said...

Mr.Romney has earned his money through means other than writing books like our President. He has put many people to work, unlike our President. And I am sure he didnt need Tony Rezko to help him purchase this property or help with the future remodeling budget. As a Dem, I never thought I would come to Romneys defense.

Anonymous said...

At least Romney is spending his own money unlike the free spending(with our money)Obama's who took two seperate private jets 4 HOURS APART to get to one of the world's most exclusive vacation islands to hang out with millionaires and billionaires all the while talking about the evils of private jet owners and rich people. No one begrudges our hapless pres a vacation but did he have to go to Martha's Damn Vineyard while this Country crumbles - how about his house in Chicago or going to Camp David?

What happened to that shared sacrifice?

Finally - Lay off Momma - it's Momma's column she can write what she damn well pleases from whatever slant she pleases!!

Anonymous said...

Oh la la... Rich Republicans building a lavish home at the beach? This is hardly mindblowing... What I saw(as a democrat) let em build it... just because other's are not as fab doens't mean he has to be average.. viva the house viva the consumption... loves it for him... It is America do as you will... but honey Romneys... you will never get elected with this extravegance... so Obama kiss your home hello again... the White house is yours for another term thanks to this future McMansion

Kisses off to Champagne Toasts.

Anonymous said...

Amazes me that anyone in this country who has lost a job or a home because of these despicable Rethuglicans would go out of their way to vote for someone who has $12 mil to drop on a house. Puhleeze. If you vote for anyone other than Roseanne in 2012, you get what you deserve.

Anonymous said...

@ Anonymous4:34pm: Hate to break it to you, but you Dems are no better than the Thugs. You're half the problem in this country. Green Party forever.

Anonymous said...

You could say any company President has "put people to work." The government puts a lot of people to work too and would put more to work were it not that people like Romney and the Tea Party want to cut spending and that will put a lot of people out of work. The idea that only private sector jobs are miraculous and praise-worthy is silly. The mob put people to work too. The idea that Obama hasn't "put people to work" shows you know nothing about the stimulus or its size or much of anything else re Macroeconomics. I would assign Krugman's blog to you for remedial daily reading if I thought you could understand it. Some Keynes wouldn't do you any harm either.

dave said...

Funny, I keep up with politics pretty closely, and compared to what is on other blogs, I didn't even think for a minute that there was anything political about Mama's blog. It was just common sense! Way too many people trying to be divisive and blinded by their politics. Not everything is about "sides". It appears to be a ridiculously small lot for an 11,000 square foot house!

hippie canyon said...

Is it just me or does any one else wonder how the hell he will get the Coastal Commission's approval? And if I was one of his neighbors, like the house that sits cock-eyed next door, I would be filing a law suit to prevent the obstruction of my view -- and hence the collapse of my home's value. And speaking of out-of-touch politicians, remember the days of the West Coast White House in San Clemente? The Southern White House in Key Biscayne? Maybe The Mitt should consider plans based on someone other than Nixon. Just sayin'

Anonymous said...

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/23/businessmen-and-macroeconomics/

Anonymous said...

Mama....what did you start? LOL!

Anonymous said...

Wow, how absurd that you would point out that La Jolla is predominantly white. I don't need to point out the inconsistency vis-a-vis almost every other locale you write about. As for any covenants in La Jolla, I challenge you to produce as they don't exist. La Jolla is a section of the city of San Diego. Maybe you're thinking of the Palos Verdes penisula where in fact there were covenants in some/all of those communities restricting ownership based on race and religion --though they are long gone.

La Jolla was in it's more romantic past a place, much like Santa Fe and Santa Barbara, for the wayward (re. artistic and not inclined to make more money) children of the very rich. Republican, perhaps, but in a definition that has no relevant meaning today.

La Jolla today? It's full of very smart, successful people, many affiliated with UCSD, which is in town, and it is a town of extremely cultured people, many of whom are involved with the visual as well as the musical arts. This is a very special, very unique place. My sister and her husband have lived here for thirty years, several blocks from the Romney's property, and I know the place and the scene very well.

The Romney's property is adjacent to the property that was owned by Cliff Robertson, which contains one of the most important houses in what is known as the Barber Tract of La Jolla. That house is now owned by the Romney's closest friends, and is the reason they bought the house next door. Their house has zero architectural significance.

Anonymous said...

Some people are so fucking sensitive.

The fact is the community has a documented history of race discrimination when it came to property ownership. Mama was clear that these restrictions are no longer in place but not pretend they didn't exist is revisionist history. Would you prefer that history books not mention slavery because it's an ugly part of American history?

It may be a perfectly inclusive community now but five minutes on the web turned up many references to La Jolla's past property restrictions. Like it or not, that's the way it was.

Not sure if these links will work or if they need to be copied and pasted. Sorry

http://goo.gl/dz6Hg

http://goo.gl/RbJmy

http://goo.gl/SUcUu

http://goo.gl/4S5UE

http://goo.gl/Gskna

http://goo.gl/zXOvI

Anonymous said...

Mama, thanks for providing corroboration for your claims. I'm assuming no one else came up with these references on such short notice.
I think the same kind of steering away of potential Jewish buyers could be claimed for many, many of the communities you write about from Greenwich Ct. to the Brookvilles and Old Westbury on Long Island to Coral Gables in Florida to Pacific Palisades in California among many other Los Angeles area communities, and let me tell you about Southampton and East Hampton New York. . . So the fact that you would suddenly bring it up when you are talking about Romney, who as far as we know has not made any anti-semitic remarks, and was elected Governor of arguably the most liberal state in the union, is ridiculous.

Mama's Friend said...

All you people are bonkers. Esp. you right up there. Mama made no inference that Mitt Romney harbors any anti-Semitism. What's ridiculous is that you read that into the posting.

P.S. I have a feeling ol' Romney will rethink this renovation until after the election.

Anonymous said...

Hey, at least he can maybe count how many homes he owns.
As for the comment on the deed restrictions, they were very common up until the 60s in SoCal.
Saw my gma's deed from Npt Beach...no Jews, Blacks, Asians, etc.

Anonymous said...

Romney would be a bad President for the USA. So let us hope he (1) goes ahead with this house scheme; (2) sucks up to the Tea Party big time so that he gets in bed with the Fundamentalists who are its majority; (3) tries to pretend he is not a Mormon; (4) keeps contradicting himself on health care, pretending he can't abide "Obamacare" when he instituted almost the exact same thing when he was governor; (5) gets into a knock down drag out fight with Perry to take the title of "most ignorant" and super religious candidate around; (6) invites Architectural Digest to do a spread about his lavish new home. Plus many other missteps I cannot imagine right now.

Anonymous said...

How is he going to make this house any bigger, theres barely enough room on this lot as it is.

Scorpio said...

oh for shame. Those of you, who cry out with disgust at Mama.. to stop sharing her feelings on this blog..Really...?...Mama keep writing and reading those biyatches for their many many terlits and so so sensitive sycophants who- NOW - mouth filth about your opinions.Thats why WE come here.

Anonymous said...

a man named Mitt? really?

midTN said...

Hmmmmm......politics AND the race card...

...next thing you know, the earthquake in the East will be reported as occuring on BUSH'S FAULT.
***

p.s.....there are NO rich democrats or liberals...just ask them.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, Mama's Friend, Mama did make the inference by referring to the alleged/true long ago practice of steering away potential Jewish buyers. Today, La Jolla has many Jewish residents including one of the richest families in all of California -- that would be Joan and Irwin Jacobs as well as their two sons and their families. But the inference is that the Romney's chose this place because somehow they are sympatico with its anti-semitic past. There is absolutely no other reason any of that would be brought up. Do you think if, say, Ben Stiller (who is half Jewish) or Jerry Seinfeld bought a house in La Jolla this practice would have been brought up? Of course not. How about when Al and Tipper bought in Montecito, a place that I would bet had the same kind of steering way back when? Of course not.

Anonymous said...

Did you miss the part where Mama said these rules and regs were dropped in the 60s? Or the part about how there are lots of Jewish people in La Jolla now? Or the part that says "Your Mama is not making any comment or inference about the prejudices or lack thereof of any of these people?"

Whatever.

Anonymous said...

Oh, my.

As a native Masshole, I shudder at the thought of Mitt running anything but a comb thru his coif. As a business man, he made money by laying off employees. As a governor, he signed that silly Romneycare into law, which has increased the number of medical bankruptcies. Single payer was and is the only just & equitable solution for health care. Hopefully, he'll be going for bronze yet again as a candidate and can enjoy his new digs in La Jolla.

Lady J

ps - the Romney's replaced the Belmont mansion with a townhouse.

Anonymous said...

enough of the political b.s.... anyone who reads this blog knows "momma" is a hard core left wing liberal. so when it comes to repub's or right wingers "she" will try and make an example out of them. when it comes to dem's and liberals... they get a free pass. b.t.w.. liberals- how's that whole obama thing working out for ya?????????????

Anonymous said...

No, I didn't miss that part. One can make all sorts of denials and qualifications after an inference or accusation, but the inference or accusation remains present in the mind. My point once again was that this bit of La Jolla real estate history was brought up in relation to the Romneys, and would not have been brought up in relation to just about anybody else save perhaps someone else Mama doesn't like. Regis Philbin comes to mind.
But enough.

Anonymous said...

To drive the point home here is a quote from the blog of Ezra Klein in the Washington Post. Klein is a very bright guy.

"Bain Capital, where Romney spent much of his time as a businessman, is a private-equity firm that has almost certainly fired many more people than it has hired."

Mama has made it very very clear that she does not say Romney is anti-Semitic and does not say that La Jolla is anti-Semitic now. So why the constant accusations that she has?
I would not call her a "liberal" (though there is nothing bad about that at all except in the minds of a few) but rather a realist who can face facts about US society. Something many Tea Party types cannot do. The US is a very very unequal and "unfair" society (FACT) and her blog has the side effect of showing some evidence of that.

Anonymous said...

Keep it up, Momma. You keep pointing out the hypocrisy, I'll keep reading. You may not change any opinions among your readers, but you can sit back later, after the results roll in, and quietly say to Mr. Romney (under your breath -- or in a column), "I told you shouldn't have knocked down your beach house right before the election."

Susan D. said...

I think maybe some of you are missing the actual point being made in this post. Whatever you might think of him (or Obama or any other politician) it's probably politically unwise for Mitt to undertake a multi-million dollar renovation of a $12M beach house on the eve of a presidential election while the American economy sucks toilet water. It makes him look insensitive.

P.S. I'm a card carrying republican and Mama rocks even is she's a liberal so back off.

Anonymous said...

50 comments and counting, on Mitt Romney? Who knew!

Anonymous said...

Next up: Looking back at Hitler's mountain retreat and the comeback of "traditional Nordic charm".

hippie canyon said...

Que the music..."Mama said there'd be days like this. There'd be days like this mama said."

Anonymous said...

i wonder if obama decided to redo his beachfront hawaiian compound would any of u liberals bat an eye or say anything??? hmmm.. i doubt it but since it's a reublican and they are the only political group w/money??? hasn't that brit obama and pelosi and reid etc... spent more in the last 4 years than repub's in 8yrs w/bush. get ur facts right lib's... countdown to freedom and saving this country 11/2012.

Anonymous said...

Uh oh. Tea Party in the house!

Not defending Obama–even this lib can't find much to defend–but just FYI so ur facts right, Obama doesn't own a beachfront compound in Hawaii. He's rented in Hawaii for vacation, but he doesn't own a house there.

l.a.guy said...

Wow-- quite a reaction. I guess now you know the secret to generating traffic. I'm no liberal and it seems like a pretty benign commentary on Romney to me. The facts is the facts. Keep up the good work!

Anonymous said...

There's little to no chance that this property could ever be used by a President Romney as a vacation retreat because it would be pretty much impossible to secure it.
The beach in front of the house is public, and is often occupied by groups of young people with coolers who come from various inland towns. They sit right below the seawall that Cliff Robertson, who owned the big property next to this one, erected amidst much controversy many years ago. For privacy and security, this is one of the worst oceanfront areas of the village. Much better to be south of here on Camino de la Costa (the "street of dreams" in local real estate parlance. . .) where the ocean meets the cliffs above which are the very expensive houses, or else up on the other side of the Cove on Spindrift.

Anonymous said...

sure obama owns???? just like he's really an american???? once again get the facts straight.... he's a brit and has defrauded the american govt. next he does own http://www.hawaiilogue.com/celebrity-homes-in-hawaii.html.... i'm sure liberal momma can find the property records.. who rents a 9 million compund??? really are we that dumb. isn't he supposed to be from hawaii??? once again liberals are blinded by their inept to see the whole situation and not just their hidden agendas.

Anonymous said...

Get the facts straight? I'm no fan of Obama and I'm not defending him or his policies but I've never even heard he's a Brit. Can you prove that? Please show me the proof because I'm interested.

As for owning or renting in Hawaii, even the link you provided says he rented the house. Just because he was born there 50 years ago doesn't mean he would own a house there. That's just bizarre logic. It's not even logic it's just silliness. There must be tens upon tens of millions of people who were born in one state but don't live or own property in the state of their birth.

People don't rent $9M homes? Really? Where do you come up with this stuff? Do you have any idea how many people rent $9M houses every summer in Malibu and the Hamptons and other places like St. Tropez, and St. Barts and, yes, Hawaii. I personally know several wealthy people who have rented multi-million dollar homes in Hawaii.

I think maybe you're being provocative just for the sake of being provocative because you're saying a lot of things that don't make a whole lot of sense and you're not providing any actual proof to support what you're saying.

Anonymous said...

Great blog but let's try to not be tooo liberal. Did you cover John Kerry's much more expensive real estate portfolio when he ran for President?

lil' gay boy said...

You'd think after three years that certain folks would have gotten over the sour grapes of being poor losers & start concentrating on the next election...

...which is where the facts come in; tearing down a $12M house to build a bigger one in this economy is simply bad PR. And please don't tell me about how it's going to stimulate jobs ––– the only folks working on this project will most likely be already well-off, high-end contractors and not your average, can't-make-the-bills Joe Schmoe. One multimillionaire does not an economic recovery make.

Aunt Gina said...

Mitt Romney is a billionaire, there it is. In that respect, he is no different than many other politicians of both parties and political persuasions.

What makes him unique, in this instance, is that he is running for President during a recession, and thinks it is perfectly acceptable to announce the teardown of a $12 million dollar vacation home to build a much larger, and presumably, much more expensive one.

Regardless of your political stance, this is ill-timed and does not at all support an image he is trying desperately to portray as a man in touch with everyday America.

It has nothing at all to do with President Obama's citizenship, which is clearly not in question save for a few deranged zealots.
It is about bad PR, and if Mr. Romney is at all serious about winning the confidence of the American people, he, or his advisors, should know better.

Unfortunately, most people of great wealth and fame live in somewhat of a bubble, mostly oblivious to how the rest of us live. Mr. Romney has just taken away all doubt that he is the exception.

Babe Parish said...

What i love about this whole political scenario is that most poeple seem to have forgotten once thing: yes, while obama has spent a lot in attempting to get this country back on track after the wall street debacle, which basically raped the american people, none of this would have been necessary had not GWB stolen the surplus left by clinton. REPUBLICAN ELITE STOLE THE ELECTION TO GET THEIR FILTHY PAWS ON IT. here's an idea: end the war and bring back all of the jobs that have been outsourced to other countries. provide incentives for companies to hire people living in the united states. it's down to the haves and the have-nots these days. hold those responsible for the pillaging of our country- wall street and washington-special interests...enough with the bullsh*t! at this point these vulgar displays of wealth are disgusting. fixing this economy is like untangling fucking christmas lights and it doesn't help that the republican party has done absolutely nothing but cock block the President and behave in a completely self righteous and counter productive manner. The Tea Party is an ironic joke. YOU CANNOT TAKE THE EFFECT AND MAKE IT THE CAUSE.

Oh and by the way, Republicans, stop patronizing women by thinking that Michelle Bachmann or Sarah Palin are the type of woman females want to see in the White House. Wing ding lightning rods do not a political candidate make. The fact that the real, legitimate Republican female candidates worthy of the job are not stepping forward simply illustrates the "send in the puppet" mentality that gave us GW in the first place.

Watch what will happen unless someone with an ounce of decency in the republican party acts like a grown up and truly compromise with the President in order to fix these problems. I can see it now, Kim Kardashian and her sisters (well, Kourtney not so much) standing on top of the bluffs of Montecito screaming, "LET THEM EAT SHOES!©"

Luv you Mama, keep rippin 'em a new one.

Anonymous said...

Everything momma says is so true, that's why Im a faithfull visitor. Keep it up! I think this is still America so keep expressing your opinions. If this was the Obama's beach house, I just can't even imagine the uproar.

hippie canyon said...

Don't let that Kardashian bitch tell you they taste like chicken. Shoes taste more like snails without the garlic. Ugh!

Scrufff said...

Really mama, i had no idea you had so many Republican readers?

I thought your lovely must read blog only attracted a gay cabal of architecture and decorating aficionados, such as myself. For the most part, i wouldn't think that most Repubs would get your (our) campy gay sense of humor.

Furthermore, i wouldn't be surprised if they thought you were really were a women!

Anonymous said...

Well, Mama's blog also attracts this old straight Australian woman who just appreciates her style.

The Aussie

Anonymous said...

Mitt Romney is a retard.
The country is in a recession and he is running for President, so what does he do, buy a $12 million house that he is going to tear down and build a bigger house.

No wonder this moron can never be President.

midTN said...

10:26 pm

Then your sainted Obama must be a retard...

...he is running for re-election and vacationing for 10 days with his family on Martha's Vineyard when this country is in a recession, (still),...and at huge tax payer expense.
***
It's amazing this moron was ever elected President.

Anonymous said...

As it happens and is reflected in the huge number of comments on this post, there are a bunch of gay and straight afficionados of real estate news that read this blog, some of whom don't have the same opinions. As usual the lefties think anything that they like is special and reserved exclusively for their use. The others, the people that don't think exactly like them, are someplace else and have absolutely no connection to them. They couldn't possibly!
The fact that the Romneys have filed this application should delight all the liberals and Obama supporters (liberal and Obama supporter no longer going hand in hand, it appears). If they think it's such a bad move on their part, then I would think It would be in their interests to encourage, not discourage, the Romneys.
Personally, I think their filing reflects a down deep understanding by them that he's not going to be the nominee, so they might as well get going on an application that could take literally years to be approved by the Coastal Commission in some revised form.
Meanwhile, the Obamas reportedly are spending $50,000 a week on their Vineyard rental, for which they are getting almost no criticism from their supporters, just outrage that anyone should begrudge them a vacation. So it goes.

Anonymous said...

...and I'm sure if this was Clinton, Brown or Newsome's house, most would be excitedly crowing about architecture, fabulous decorators and how many people the project will employ.

I truly enjoyed this witty blog when it didn't seem so left leaning and political. I'm very sad to say goodbye.

Anonymous said...

That's all it took to get political conservatives to stop reading this blog? To suggest that perhaps Mitt Romney's renovation plan was ill-timed? Not that he shouldn't do it but that it was perhaps not the best time to undertake such a thing?

Wow. There are some seriously thin skinned conservatives out there.

Anonymous said...

I suspect all these people who are so quick to denounce Obama and every policy position or breath he takes are the very same people who were screaming and yelling about how liberals/democrats were treasonous and anti-American for not supporting Bush as he started two wars and presided over a near collapse of the economy. (Not blaming Bush, just saying he was president when these things went down.)

Now, of course, we have the very same two wars Bush initiated still being waged and one of the worst economic crises in almost 100 years to be cleaned up and all those same people who supported and defended Bush in the advent of these epic events can't even see their way to legitimize Obama as the president in their minds despite the fact that he won the election fair and square.

Are they treasonous anti-American now or is that a label that only gets slapped on democrats and progressives?

Before all you conservatives jump on me you should know that I did not vote for Obama and will not be voting for him in the next election either.

midTN said...

This conservative will most certainly continue reading this blog.

I love it.

I am also entitled to my opinions just like every person posting here.

I'm VERY thick skinned Anon 8/25 9:10 AM..........wanna feel?
***
:o)

hippie canyon said...

I had "thick skin" once. Took me six weeks of treatment to get rid of it. Goes to show... not every deep tissue masseuse is the real deal. Just sayin'

Anonymous said...

thanks for not posting my info re obama being a brit. way to censor free speech- just like your typical liberal self.

Your Mama said...

Settle down hunny. We did not not post your info about Obama being a Brit. I never received your comment about such a thing. Send along again and I'm absolutely happy to post it.

hippie canyon said...

I do love poppy cock! Cheerio Oh.

RudyLarue said...

I don't live far from La Jolla and it's an amazing area. Very expensive, and, yes, very white. There's also a strong Jewish community, not unlike many upscale communities. I don't think there's so much of a racial issue but more of a socio-economic prejudice that exists within that area. Nothing unusual for upper-class communities.

That said, Mitt can kiss my grits.

Anonymous said...

2:52 STFU with your Obama vacationing with his family costing tax payer money.
He will never have cost this country as much money and as many lives lost as under Bush with two fake wars.

And what he can't take a vacation because he is black? All the other Presidents in history have taken vacations and much more than he has. Half of Bush's goddamn presidency he was on vacation.

If Obama is such a moron, how come the stock market is double what it was under Bush and we are not losing 700,000 jobs a month?

If that war criminal Cheney had had his way we would be at war with Iran and Syria too right now.

Anonymous said...

It doesn't look like I missed much in the way of interesting realestate porn. I hope these political distractions will die down after the election. One can only watch so much Xtube.

Anonymous said...

The actual property that Romney bought is not the one pictured in Mama's column. The house is set back on the lawn you can see to the right of the photo. It sits on 1.4 acres and is a wonderful old Spanish style home, one of the few original homes built in the area. It once stood alone on a much larger lot, but is now surrounded by homes on three sides. They could easily expand the house without destroying the existing structure. JimD

lil' gay boy said...

Good heavens; isn't this horse beaten to death yet?

Anonymous said...

11:08am .... u stfu. have u been watching the news moron????? as of today in 2 1/2yrs obama has eclipsed bush's vacation totals in 8 yrs.. oh, yeah obama has been in office how long???
next... do u read? wall street journal, fox business, bloomberg- all report the dow jones is at it's worst all under obama, and u think he has better numbers than bush?????
as far as jobs... ummmm.. the cbo says unemployment will higher than 8% until 2014! ummm.....how many jobs lossed is that per month? how many unemployed for sustained periods? whose in the white house? whose been running congress for the last 4 yrs??? f u democrat.

Hyacinth said...

Although it gave me a headache, I slogged my way through all 86 comments-yikes-what a bunch of whiners. I am a devoted reader of Dear Mama and adore all her snarky comments, as well as her extensive knowledge of architecture,design, great eye and taste.
I am also a woman of a certain age and to the right of Attila the Hun politically. Unfortunately, after reading these posts, I am beginning to think my mother was correct about discussing religion, politics, and money in public.

I won't be inviting most of these "lovlies" to my next "Candlelight Supper".

midTN said...

That's ok Hyacinth.........we'll just order a pizza and enjoy it without you.
***

Anonymous said...

BTW, top photo misleads one into thinking that the red-tiled-roof home at the center is Romney's house.nIn fact, his house is the one at the top of that big-ass lawn. Having spent many of my junior and high school years at my friend's house next door, I'm pretty sure that I'm accurate!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...

Well, when you have all the money in the world, you wouldn't care about what people have to say. If you wish to upgrade, then you upgrade. When you feel like refurbishing, then go ahead and refurbish. Whether it's your money of the people's money, you shan't bother and just proceed with your lavish plans. I think he would rather buy a land and convert to a self storage to make more money rather than building houses for the homeless.