The year’s most expensive home sold for $6.5 million — a record in the history of the annual list. Coming in at nearly 10,000 square-feet, it sits on its own hill northeast of Clovis. Via REALTOR.COM

It was a record-breaking year for luxury home sales in the Central Valley.

The Business Journal’s annual list of Most Expensive Home Sales features a No. 1 home with a selling price largely double the top annual sales price going back at least 10 years.

A whole chunk of foothill ranch land was the sweetener in that deal.

The most expensive home sold this year went for $6.5 million, according to a report on the Multiple Listing Service. Just shy of 10,000 square feet, the six-bedroom, nine-bathroom home sits atop its own hill off Tollhouse Road, in the foothills northeast of Clovis. It’s a ranch property with a Mediterranean feel situated on about 1,963 acres billed as “a world-class cattle, equestrian and recreational property,” according to the listing.

Representing the seller was Todd W. Renfrew of California Outdoor Properties, Inc. in Vacaville. James G. Huebner of Guarantee Real Estate represented the buyer. Originally built in 1991, Renfrew listed the home for $7.75 million in October 2018.

The details are what make the property unique. It features an entertainment room with a full bar that opens to an outside walkup pool as well as an outdoor grilling station. It has a temperature-controlled wine cellar as well as an additional dining room in the basement, as well as an entire equestrian facility in a valley below the home that comes with a covered round pen, covered arena with lights, a tractor/trailer barn and racetrack. Additional activities include tennis courts and a 9-hole golf course.

It also has three additional homes on the expansive property, which was a key selling point for his buyer, said Huebner, who also has extensive experience selling vacation-home properties in Shaver Lake.

Having space for families to spend time together is often the key factor, as it was with this sale, he said.

“A very solid family unit in general,” Huebner said. “That’s the same up in Shaver. We sell a lot of luxury homes where two or three generations of a family enjoy their time together.”

The listing describes it as “modern extravagance, tranquility and panoramic views.”

The sale price was a significant step up from the most expensive home sold in 2018 — a 7,218-square-foot home near Shepherd and Temperance avenues that went for $2.35 million.

 

The No. 2 property on this year’s list is a 6,600 square-foot, four-bed, six-bath home set high on five acres overlooking Copper River Country Club in northeast Fresno. It went for $3.32 million in a March sale. Not skimping on the amenities, the home features disappearing lanai doors that open to a beach entry pool/spa with multiple waterfalls and a slide, according to its MLS entry. It also has an oversized Pergola with outdoor kitchen, putting green, basketball court and a four-stall barn that includes a private two-bed, one-bath apartment.

Built in 2014, the home is billed as an “entertainer’s dream.” It has plenty of parking and a private master suite with one of the finest home theatres in town, according to the listing, as well as a second story game room and third-story observation tower.

Brian Finegan represented the buyer and seller in the transaction. He said the market requires the finest materials and construction.

“In the luxury market, the quality of build has to be there,” Finegan said. “People in that market discern good quality and less-than-perfect quality.”

 

Rounding the top 3 is a Bass Lake property with 5,080 square feet in five beds and four ½ baths that sold in April for $2.79 million. The listing agent was Beth E. Carver from Bass lake Realty. Theresa Wilson with Bass Lake Realty represented the buyer.

As for who is in the market for these types of homes, Huebner said area farmers are the usual buyers, especially in Shaver Lake.

Adding to that, Finegan — who is also sales manager for Clovis Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram — said young professionals, entrepreneurs and second-generation business owners inheriting family businesses represent a new pool of buyers.

Conditions in home financing are also a driver in an uptick of interest and sales, Finegan added.

“Interest rates are unbelievably good,” he said. “There’s not a lot of inventory. As it becomes available, it gets snatched up quickly.”