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Design Disaster? Kooky Kessler Mansion Is This Week’s Most Popular Home

The “heinous mansion” in Indianapolis that set social media abuzz topped the most-viewed listings on realtor.com® this week. The Web couldn’t get enough of the outlandish Kessler Mansion, the sprawling spread that grew from a ranch home to a giant compound full of highly questionable decor, plus fountains, a grotto, and multiple statues. Page views on the property surpassed the six-figure mark, and it outpaced the runner-up by a factor of 10.

Speaking of second place, that’s where we found the unfinished megamansion of Texas Rangers ace Cole Hamels. The space—ideal for a buyer willing to come out of the bullpen and finish the work—is a catch. It comes with a 32,000-square-foot home, 104 acres, and 1,700 feet of water frontage in Branson West, MO.

There was another mansion on the list that caught our eye this week. Built for the founder of American Gas Company, the huge home stayed with the family over generations, but eventually sat empty for decades. At 8,000 square feet, the size of the house was way more space than the owners needed.

“It’s a massive old mansion,” says listing agent Leesa Belt-Haglund. Located near Pittsburgh, the listing attracted local history buffs and plenty of clicks.

For the rest of you real estate buffs, we have plenty to peruse. Simply scroll down to see this week’s most popular properties…

10. 150 Stratford Ave, Friendship Park, PA

Price: $275,000
Why it’s here: Built in 1910, this four-story, seven-bedroom mansion could be brought back to its gleaming glory days. Much of the original woodwork is intact, but the home, built for American Natural Gas Company founder Xavier Wittmer, has sat unoccupied for 40 years. It remained in the family for four generations because “Nobody wanted to let it go,” says listing agent Leesa Belt-Haglund. Perched on a hill, the home offers “details you just can’t buy anymore,” she adds. Buyers agreed. With multiple offers, the home is already in contract.

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9. 322 Water View Dr, Franklin Lakes, NJ

Price: $2,299,999
Why it’s here: “Real Housewives of New Jersey” fans, take note: Original cast member Jacqueline Laurita has gotten her home out of foreclosure and onto the market. Still looking for the right buyer who loves Bravo, the price on for the “freshly renovated” six-bedroom has been sliced from the last time it was up for sale. Relive your favorite family drama in the home’s spacious kitchen!

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8. 307 Oak St, Burkeville, VA

Price: $349,000
Why it’s here: This charmer from 1850 has been remodeled and is ready for you to move in and enjoy the wraparound porch, updated kitchen, grand foyer, and five bedrooms on 7.7 acres.

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7. 4720 Mellow Rd, White Hall, MD

Price: $2,600,000
Why it’s here: This 14,815-square-foot, castlelike stone home comes with its own kingdom of 203 woodsy acres. The property includes a pool, sport courts, outdoor amphitheater with fire pit, and trails.

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6. 4852 Wolfe Rd., Richmond, IN

Price: $1,850,000
Why it’s here: Live large! This 10,588-square-foot “French manor” is located on 45 rolling acres. The residence offers a two-story great room, plus a casual family room with kitchen. There’s also a library and five bedrooms, a theater room, gym, and rec room. Outside, there’s a lighted sport court, a heated pool and spa, and a stocked pond.

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5. 30 Widewater Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC

Price: $3,999,999
Why it’s here: Built in 2000, the home offers “6,700 square feet of remodeled excellence” in a private residential community on Hilton Head Island. Outdoors, you’ll find an oasis featuring a pool with rock water slide, swim-up bar, fountains, spa, outdoor kitchen, and fireplace. Plus, you can easily park your boat at the private dock with boat lift.

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4. 152 Bright Autumn Ln, Greece, NY

Price: $384,900
Why it’s here: A flipper’s special: This home has changed hands multiple times since it was first picked up for $45,000 in 2001. This year, some lucky buyer snagged it for the cut-rate price of $250,000 in May, and now it’s back on the market. The sparkling space includes four bedrooms spread over 3,094 square feet with a modern kitchen, living room with cathedral ceilings, built-in sound system, theater room, and master suite with spa and walk-in closet.

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3. 120 Fox Chase Ct, Swedesboro, NJ

Price: $799,000
Why it’s here: When shortstop Jimmy Rollins played for the Philadelphia Phillies, he hung his ball cap here. The Jersey retreat, in “pristine” condition, includes five beds, 3.5 baths, and 5,200 square feet. In addition to professional landscaping, there’s a two-story foyer and great room, open kitchen, plus game room, poker room, gym, and a backyard BBQ, oversized deck, pool, and hot tub.

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2. 2866 State Highway Dd, Branson West, MO

Price: $9,750,000
Why it’s here: If you want to relax on the level of a big baller, here’s your place. Texas Ranger pitcher Cole Hamels is selling his rustic retreat on 104 acres, but there’s a catch. The place isn’t quite finished.

When Hamels was traded to the Rangers, he relocated to Dallas without ever living in his Ozarks home. The buyer is tasked with finishing out 32,000 square feet of living space. What is complete? Well, the guesthouse and carriage house are occupant-ready, plus there’s a pool, outdoor kitchen, elevator, and wine cellar.

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1. 4923 Kessler Boulevard East Dr, Indianapolis, IN

Price: $1,750,000
Why it’s here: The over-the-top architecture that started as a modest ranch and morphed into a sprawling family compound has become a social media star. Love or loathe the finishes of this outlandish home, the infamous Kessler Mansion certainly caught the attention of the Web.

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