Why Hasn’t Anyone Bought Mel B’s Hollywood Hills Home?

Mel B‘s posh (not scary) home in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood has been on and off the market for nearly two years, at prices ranging from $9 million to the current $5.9 million.

The place is completely redone and it’s located in one of L.A.’s most coveted areas, so why the heck hasn’t it sold?

The four-bedroom, six-bath home was relisted at the end of February, and co-listing agent Ben Belack of The Agency believes that this time (the sixth, to be exact) will be the charm.

New marketing plan in effect

“Our plan is to deploy marketing capital that is exceptionally captivating to target buyers,” he says, citing The Agency’s ability to reach buyers who’d be interested in this particular property.

And it appears the strategy is already paying off, with two well-attended open houses and numerous showings to highly qualified buyers.

Belack says sharing an abundance of listing photos also gives potential buyers an idea of what it’s like to actually live in the home.

Verticality vexes some buyers

The 5,454-square-foot home is located in the Bird Streets neighborhood and overlooks West Hollywood and Beverly Hills. To take advantage of those views, there are four stories built into the hillside. However, shuttling between the stories could be a turnoff to some buyers.

“It’s a vertical house,” says Belack, noting the home’s many steps may not be for everyone. When it was being renovated from top to bottom, the owners decided against an elevator.

“Sometimes with a vertical home, it takes a little longer,” says Belack. But he’s confident he’ll find the right buyer soon.

And there’s plenty here to attract that right buyer. Slick amenities include a Control4 Smart Home system that operates everything from sound, lighting, shades, fireplaces, and security; a fully equipped gym; state-of the-art screening room; and recording studio.

The master suite is also something special—there are four large TVs within. There’s one in each of the two bathrooms, one in the sitting area, and one mounted over the fireplace.

The master suite also has dual walk-in closets and a balcony.

The grounds aren’t huge, but the space is well-used. The backyard features a pool and spa, television, fire pit, built-in grill, and beer tap.

Still a ‘value’?

“The current price is a value,” says Belack, noting that other homes of this size in the area are going for over $10 million. He admits those homes are higher up in the hills, but this one still offers plenty of views. That it’s not at the very top means it’s much closer to all the action on Sunset Boulevard.

Belack cites another advantage the home has over many of the new spec homes higher up the hills: It’s done in a natural palette with warm woods.

Many buyers say the big, glass modern boxes being built with white and gray color palettes feel cold, and are beginning to feel dated, Belack adds.

Belack and Blair Chang of The Agency are representing Mel B’s ex-husband Stephen Belafonte, while Lusine Nargizyan of Dilbeck Real Estate is representing Mel B. The couple purchased the property in 2014 for $4.3 million. The home went on the market shortly after they split in 2017.

Mel B, 43, skyrocketed to fame with the Spice Girls, performing as Scary Spice. Along with her solo albums, the U.K. native has served as a judge on “America’s Got Talent.” She can currently be seen as the presenter on “Lip Sync Battle UK” and as a panelist on the TV show “Loose Women.”

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