When entertaining friends or family at home, it is a wise host who provides multiple spaces for guests to get away—especially during seasons where social distancing is a concern. Communal areas, private nooks, peaceful libraries: all of these can offer visitors respite while they gather. Situated on 16.5 acres of what was once George Washington’s Mount Vernon landholding, River View estate is a prime example of how to bring people together with enough room for everyone to spread out and relax.

One of the benefits of owning an estate is being able to offer guests their own truly private space. Whether in California’s wine country, on the banks of a Long Island lake, or on a historic street in Santa Fe, these welcoming guesthouses encourage visitors to relax in comfort and seclusion.

Whether in the piazzas of Italy or the rushing falls of Niagara, water has the power to draw the eye and set a dramatic scene. From fountains to infinity pools to moats, water features also serve to augment our homes, and it’s the rare property that can’t be improved with the addition of aquatic art. Look to these five exceptional listings that lead by example, making the most of their grounds with architectural fixtures.

Charleston, South Carolina | Ruthie Ravenel, Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty

A glimpse of the idyllic outdoor spaces that envelop this elegant residence might immediately bring to mind a villa in the French countryside. With their orderly layout, timeless pea gravel, manicured plantings and trees, iron-trimmed French doors, and classical fountain—all overlooked by dreamy balconies—they have a decidedly romantic, Old World feel, but the location is as modern and New World as they come—a desirable thoroughfare in the fashionable Bird Streets of Los Angeles.

Sotheby’s International Realty today announced Schürrer & Fleischer Immobilien is the newest member of its global network and will now operate as Baden-Württemberg Sotheby’s International Realty. The addition marks the brand’s 15th office in Germany and its expanding presence in Europe with more than 140 offices.

As the landscape of the world continues to change every day, people are looking closely for investment opportunities. Placing their quality of life at the forefront of their decision making, some of these investments will inevitably mean relocation to a new home – and potentially even a new country. In this continuing series we’ll explore destinations around the world with benefits like residency and citizenship by investment programs, tax incentives, and more, as well as hear from local experts throughout the Sotheby’s International Realty® brand network along the way. 

A good first impression is everything. From Cape Cod to California wine country, these front doors greet guests with doses of cheery, welcoming color.

The Spirit of the Rose is a superb and exceptionally rare 14.83 carat fancy vivid purple-pink diamond. In this Sotheby’s video, see the wonder of this exceptional treasure, mined and cut in Russia, and named after one of the world’s most famous ballets.

West Hampton, Massachusetts | George Cain, William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty