Seattle-based Microsoft founder Bill Gates - and second richest man in the world - remarkably, doesn't own an excess of properties. Previously, when his horse-loving daughter competed in Florida, the multi-billionaire rented homes for his family rather than buying. Not any longer. According to South Florida's Gossip Extra and property records, Gates now owns a place in Wellington, FL, paying US$ 8.7 million in cash. The Mediterranean-style residence is vastly different and much smaller than Gates' high-tech and modern compound spanning over 5 acres with 4650 square meters of living space on Lake Washington, about 13 kilometers east of Seattle. The home Gates just purchased in Wellington is reportedly a residence he and his family rented last year in January while his teenage daughter competed in the Winter Equestrian Festival. Built in 2010, the estate has 4 beds and 4 baths with a 670 square meters, open floor plan. Horse-friendly features like a 20-stall barn and show-jumping arena were likely part of Gates' decision to buy the home. Gates isn't the only business man buying in Wellington. New York City Mayor and Bloomberg Founder Michael Bloomberg has a home there as well as the former owner of the L.A. Dodgers, Frank McCourt.

Fabulous villa La Pausa with beautiful sea views built for Coco Chanel put into market. The 1325 square meter villa was designed for Gabrielle "Coco" Bonheur Chanel by the architect Robert Streitz in the hills of La Toracca, and this is where she was inspired to create the perfume Chanel No 28. It has seven bedroom suites, a staff house, guardian's house and chauffeur's apartment, and is on at 40 million euro. Coco invited a stream of glitterati, including the Duke of Westminster (with whom she had a fling), Igor Stravinsky, Jean Cocteau, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. The house was later bought by the writer and pacifist Emery Reves whose guests included Greta Garbo, Prince Rainier, Aristotle Onassis and Sir Winston Churchill, who commandeered an entire wing in which to work on his A History of the English-Speaking Peoples (Reves was his literary agent). Villa La Pausa is a superb villa commanding a plateau high in the hills of Roquebrune Cap Martin enjoying spectacular romantic panoramic views up and down the Mediterranean coastline. Specifically built for Mademoiselle Coco Chanel, the property is nestled amongst ancient olive groves believed to have been planted for the former princes of Monaco. The principal villa is of excellent proportions, with large receptions rooms and tall ceilings.

At the end of last year Spain officials decided to offer foreigners residency permits if they buy houses worth more than 160 thousand euro - to try and reduce the country's bloated stock of unsold homes. Today the same decision made Greece. According to countries officials, Greece will offer residence to non-EU investors purchasing or renting property over 250,000 euro, in a bid to revive its moribund real estate industry. Non-EU foreign investors since may can buy tourist, commercial and residential real estate and get 5-year residence in Greece. The permits will enable the holders, their spouses and children under the age of 18 to freely travel - though not work - in the Schengen area for three consecutive months at a time. The initiative comes in response to strong demand from Arab, Chinese and Russian investors. In addition to controlling stakes in state enterprises, a large number of state real estate has been put up for lease or sale, including ministry buildings and consulate buildings abroad. Greece holds an extensive privatization program to increase revenue and reduce the budget deficit. At the end of last year Greece's Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund announced, that one of the best real estate properties - the Athens former airport in the coastal area of Athens Ellinikon will be sold. Earlier Greece HRADF has identified 40 uninhabited islands and islets that could be leased for as long as 50 years to reduce debt as pressure grows on the country to revive an asset-sales plan key to receiving international aid. At the beginning of last year Archaeological treasures including the temple of Delphi, the most popular site after the Acropolis, were available as backdrops for filming and photographic shoots.

A London house is set to smash Britain's price record after going on sale for US$ 388 million - 700 times more than the US$ 565 thousand average property value in the capital. With 4645 square meters of living space, it is 30 times bigger than a typical London family house. The new owners of the Grade I listed Regency property, described as the biggest private home in central London, would be neighbors of the Queen and enjoy views of St James's Park. The price tag comes as figures show million pound property sales in the capital boomed last year with the total passing 5,000 for the first time. New figures from agents Savills show that demand for multi-million pound homes in London is reaching new highs despite the global economic doldrums. There were 5,115 sales over US$ 1.9 million in London last year, eight per cent more than 2011 and 12 per cent more than in 2007 the last "boom" year before the banking crash triggered a temporary collapse in prices. The house on 18 Carlton House Terrace is in the hands of an elderly member of a Middle East royal family (some sources refers Saudi Arabian royal family) who is discreetly trying to find a buyer. The mansion is at the end of a quiet street between the Mall and Lower Regent Street that was once the most fashionable address in London. The house has four storeys above ground and two below that currently hold facilities such as the huge boiler and strong rooms that could be converted into a basement with swimming pool, spa and cinema. The stuccoes mansion, built to a design by John Nash between 1827 and 1832, was once one of London's most important and glittering political salons. In the First World War the property served as the the Enquiry Department for Wounded and Missing, the British Red Cross and Order of St John from where thousands of British families learned of the fate of their loved ones.

Monaco, a luxurious Mediterranean city-state renowned for being home to some of the world's wealthiest moguls, will soon boast the world's most expensive penthouse, a residence expected to fetch US$ 387 million when it goes on the market next year. The world's current most expensive penthouse is a US$ 222 million flat in London's One Hyde Park. The penthouse will be housed inside Monaco's tallest building, Tour Odeon, a double-skyscraper standing 170 meters tall. Tour Odeon is due to be completed in July 2014 and will feature 259 units, including 73 private luxury residencies, two 1,200-square meter Sky Duplexes and the five-floor, 3,300-square meter Sky Penthouse. Excavation and demolition work on Tour Odeon began in December 2009. Upon completion it will be the second-tallest tower on the Mediterranean coastline, trailing only the 186-meter Gran Hotel Bali in Spain. The architect of project is Alexander Giraldi. European design agency Alberto Pinto has been tasked with creating interiors that exude "exceptional elegance and comfort," while architect Jean Mus has been chosen to complete the landscape. One of the Tour Odeon penthouse's most talked about features is its spacious outdoor area and private circular infinity pool that can be entered via a water slide. The five-storey penthouse features interiors inspired by the French Belle Epoque era, which is captured in the stenciled floors, marble, slate and earthy color palette that reflects the surrounding landscape of the Liguria Sea. Practical while still exuding elegance, the penthouse features top-notch fittings and finishes. Advanced appliances have been installed in the fully equipped bathroom and kitchen and the entire penthouse offers a centralized home automation system. Sculpturally-inspired light fittings hang in formal areas and throughout the penthouse's private lobby while 360-degree views of the south of France just add to the incredible opulence of the space. It is not only Tour Odeon's penthouse that will benefit from panoramic views, as each apartment throughout the building features floor to ceiling windows and expansive private terraces. Natural light is abundant and the interiors have a timeless and elegant feel. Pools are a prominent feature throughout the structure with Tour Odeon offering an extensive wellness centre, a hammam (Turkish bath), Russian bath, private spa suites and multiple pool options. Encouraging an entrepreneurial lifestyle, the building will include a state-of-the-art business centre, which will serve as professional space for residents who opt to work from home. Each apartment features an integrated touch screen that can be used to organize housekeeping, dry cleaning, valet and car washing service while a full-time concierge, private chauffeured limousines and a cinema are also on offer.