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Bill Gates’ first major real estate property was an expansive property on Lake Washington. He’s since spent more than $100 million on homes across the country.
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While most of that is farmland, he owns homes in Washington, California, Florida, and Montana.
Here’s a look at his real estate portfolio, which he spent $150 million and three decades building.
Ten years ago, in an interview with The Telegraph, Bill Gates discussed his goal of giving away his fortune — which was worth $65 billion then and sits at $129 billion today.
“I’m certainly well taken care of in terms of food and clothes,” he said. “Money has no utility to me beyond a certain point.”
He didn’t mention, though, the proverbial roof over his head. Or, in Gates’ case, roofs.
As one of the richest people in the world for decades, the Microsoft cofounder has built up an impressive real estate portfolio. With 275,000 acres across the United States, he’s the country’s 42nd biggest landowner, according to the Land Report.
The vast majority of that — about 242,00 acres — is farmland, with the most acreage in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Arizona, per the Land Report.
“I have invested in these farms to make them more productive and create more jobs,” Gates said in a Reddit Ask Me Anything last year. “There isn’t some grand scheme involved — in fact, all these decisions are made by a professional investment team.”
But he also owns dozens of properties across Washington, California, Florida, and Montana that are for his personal use.
Over three decades, he and his ex-wife, Melinda French Gates, spent more than $150 million on their current real estate portfolio. Following their 2021 divorce, a number of the properties were transferred from one trust to another — so it’s hard to discern who owns exactly what, as all of their trusts are linked to the same Seattle bank.
Here’s a look at Gates’ many homes, along with details about transfers around the Gates divorce. Neither Gates nor French Gates responded to requests for comment from Business Insider.
Xanadu 2.0, Medina, Washington
Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates own 10.5 acres of lakefront property in a tony Seattle suburb.
Ted Soqui/Corbis via Getty Images
Known as Xanadu 2.0 — a name inspired by “Citizen Kane” — Gates’ home base is Medina, Washington, a wealthy suburb of Seattle that’s home to many tech titans. Gates owns at least 12 parcels of land there, totaling about 10.5 acres.
Purchased for about $34 million between 1988 and 2009, the current combined assessed value of the Lake Washington-adjacent properties is $183.5 million.
Built into a hillside and accessible via a driveway that feels “like arriving at Jurassic Park,” according to a former Microsoft intern, the estate, which took a reported seven years and $60 million to build, is home to a 2,100-square-foot library (with one of Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks on the shelves), a 60-foot-long swimming pool with an underwater sound system, and a room with a built-in trampoline. The primary residence has seven bedrooms and 18.75 baths, according to public filings, and there’s reportedly a 20-car garage for his Porsche collection.
It was also built to be energy-efficient and technologically advanced, with a heating and cooling system that automatically adjusts to guests’ liking and lights that turn on and off automatically as people go from room to room.
“My house is being designed and constructed so that it’s a bit ahead of its time,” Gates wrote in his 1995 book “The Road Ahead.” It is made of wood, stone, glass, concrete, and “silicon and software.”
“I’ll warn you, though,” he added. “When I describe the plans, people sometimes give me a look that says, ‘You’re sure you really want to do this?”
One of those people could have been his then-wife, Melinda French Gates, whom he married after he had already begun work on the house. While she changed his plans for the kitchen and added her own office space, she may have never warmed up to the house.
“We won’t have that house forever,” she told The New York Times in 2019. “I’m actually really looking forward to the day that Bill and I live in a 1,500-square-foot house.”
Vintage Club home, Indian Wells, California
The Vintage Club, where Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates purchased a home in 1999.
TrevorFairbank
Many of Gates’ homes are situated on or near the grounds of a golf course.
“Bill got into golf in the same addictive way he gets into anything else,” Steve Ballmer, his Harvard classmate and former Microsoft CEO, told Time in 1997. “It gets his competitive juice flowing.”
In 1999, he purchased a $12.5 million home on the grounds of Indian Wells‘ exclusive Vintage Club, known for its Tom Fazio-designed golf courses. The six-bedroom home is now valued closer to $15 million.
The Vintage Club, whose membership reportedly includes billionaires Charles Koch and Dennis Washington, costs $300,000 to join and charges another $45,000 in annual dues.
Gates was spotted at the club in 2021, following his divorce from French Gates, and was more recently seen at the Indian Wells Open.
Del Mar Country Club home, San Diego
Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates’ first San Diego property is on the grounds of the Del Mar Country Club.
EarthExplorer
Gates amassed a small real estate empire in San Diego County, and it started with a property in Rancho Santa Fe.
Purchased in 2008 for $3.1 million, the home is 4,300 square feet, and at the time of sale, it featured a 500-bottle wine cellar, saltwater swimming pool, and outdoor bar. It’s part of the guarded and gated community on the grounds of the Del Mar Country Club, which reportedly costs six figures to join.
Like some of the other properties in the Gates portfolio, the Del Mar Country Club house was transferred “due to the dissolution of a marriage” in 2021 — the same year Bill and Melinda divorced — according to property records. It is likely now solely owned by one of the two Gates, though it isn’t evident which one.
Rancho Paseana, San Diego
An aerial view of Rancho Paseana, Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates’ 220-plus acre property that is used as an equestrian center.
EarthExplorer
Six years later, Gates purchased the nearby Rancho Paseana for $18 million. Stretching 228 acres over 4 parcels, the property was originally a horse farm — which makes sense, given Gates’ daughter Jennifer Gates Nassar’s equestrian career.
At the time he purchased it, Rancho Paseana featured a racetrack, guesthouse, office, veterinarian’s suite, olive orchard, and five barns with living quarters attached. It was previously owned by Jenny Craig, the weight loss personality, and was developed by thoroughbred racer Gene Klein and his trainer Wayne Lucas, according to a listing.
Like the rest of the San Diego Country properties, Rancho Paseana was transferred between trusts in 2021, around the time of Bill and Melinda’s divorce.
Santaluz Club home, San Diego
Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates purchased another San Diego county home in 2014, this one on the grounds of the Santaluz Club, pictured here.
Courtesy of Rees Jones, Inc.
The Gates purchased another house about 10 minutes from Rancho Panseana a couple of weeks later in 2014 for $3.2 million.
The 5,780-square-foot home has ocean views and an infinity pool. Like the Gates’ first home in San Diego county in Rancho Santa Fe — all of 15 minutes away — this one sits on the grounds of a country club. The Santaluz Club features Rees Jones-designed golf course, hiking, and a spa.
Like the other San Diego homes, it was transferred between trusts in 2021 — and 5% is owned by the French Family Trust, Steven French, and Kristin French — likely relatives of Melinda. That could imply she is the current owner.
Del Mar beach house, San Diego
The Del Mar coast, where Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates purchased a fourth San Diego property.
Art Wager/Getty Images
Gates and then-wife Melinda purchased their fourth San Diego property, this 5,800-square-foot beach house, for $43 million in Del Mar, California, in 2020. A year later, when they divorced, it was moved into another trust.
The property’s most expensive feature is likely its 120 feet of Pacific coastline, but the move-in-ready mansion was listed as “one of the most prominent coastal contemporary beach homes” and boasted a 10-person jacuzzi and a two-bedroom guesthouse.
That doesn’t seem to have stopped whichever Gates owns the property from doing major construction, with local outlets reporting noise and construction following the purchase.
Yellowstone Club lodge, Montana
One of the lodges at the Yellowstone Club, where Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates own a property.
Yellowstone Club
Bill Gates has long been reported to be a member of the exclusive Yellowstone Club — a ski and golf club tucked away in Big Sky Montana.
Montana is a nondisclosure state when it comes to real estate, and the Yellowstone Club is very private in what it releases about its owners, but a 2009 county resolution helped point to which home belonged to the Gates.
The lot, which sits on 2.76 acres, has the same tax address as Gates’ many other properties and was linked to his lawyer and family office. Its assessed market value is $29.4 million — up from $5.8 million in the 2009 county record.
There are no photos available of the home online, but property records indicate the main house is 6,993 square feet, with eight full baths, eight bedrooms, two half baths, a sauna, and a home theater. It’s almost guaranteed to match the surrounding homes, which heavily feature timber and stone.
The house sits in the Andesite Ridge neighborhood, which is described as “a tree-topped hillside where luxury homes wind along the mountain offering a secluded alpine sanctuary” on the club’s website. Its homes are largely ski-in, ski-out.
The club’s annual dues were $41,500 in 2018, the most recent year for which data are publicly available, plus another $12,000 for the property owners’ association. That buys access to the club’s 15,200 acres, more than 100 ski trails, 18-hole golf course, and spa.
The home switched hands in 2021 — the same year Bill and Melinda divorced. A trust connected to a Seattle bank used by both of the Gates is the property’s new owner, and it was never listed for sale. All signs point to one of the two still owning it.
Wellington equestrian compound, Florida
Jennifer Gates Nassar, Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates’ daughter pictured here, uses the Wellington property for horseback riding. The town is home to many equestrian centers, including the one pictured here.
Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
Gates’ Wellington, Florida, estate in tony Palm Beach County is the main home of Jennifer Gates Nassar’s horseback riding facilities.
Gates purchased the properties over three years for about $35 million, and together, the estate stretches a total of 20 acres. Most of the land is exclusively for riding. It’s part of Gates Nassar’s Evergate Stables, a collection of training facilities she and her husband, Nayel Nassar, run throughout the country and in Belgium.
There are at least two mansions, one 6,668 square feet, and the other 5,716 square feet, on the property, according to records. He’s added a basketball court and pond to one, and both have pools.
The equestrian center was originally even larger, but Gates sold 5.5 acres for $26 million in 2022, reaping a $5 million profit.
He’s one of many billionaires with properties in the horse-loving community. Michael Bloomberg and Laurene Powell Jobs have homes nearby — and daughters who ride.
MONTREAL – The Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers says Montreal-area home sales rose 9.3 per cent in August compared with the same month last year, with levels slightly higher than the historical average for this time of year.
The association says home sales in the region totalled 2,991 for the month, up from 2,737 in August 2023.
The median price for all housing types was up year-over-year, led by a six per cent increase for the price of a plex at $763,000 last month.
The median price for a single-family home rose 5.2 per cent to $590,000 and the median price for a condominium rose 4.4 per cent to $407,100.
QPAREB market analysis director Charles Brant says the strength of the Montreal resale market contrasts with declines in many other Canadian cities struggling with higher levels of household debt, lower savings and diminishing purchasing power.
Active listings for August jumped 18 per cent compared with a year earlier to 17,200, while new listings rose 1.7 per cent to 4,840.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 6, 2024.
In the quest to find cities where renters can enjoy the best of all worlds, a recent study analyzed 24 metrics across three key categories—Housing & Economy, Quality of Life, and Community. The study ranked the 100 largest cities in Canada to determine which ones offer the most to their renters.
Here are the top 10 cities that emerged as the best for renters in 2024:
St. John’s, NL
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, stand out as the top city for renters in Canada for 2024. Known for its vibrant cultural scene, stunning natural beauty, and welcoming community, St. John’s offers an exceptional quality of life. The city boasts affordable housing, a robust economy, and low unemployment rates, making it an attractive option for those seeking a balanced and enriching living experience. Its rich history, picturesque harbour, and dynamic arts scene further enhance its appeal, ensuring that renters can enjoy both comfort and excitement in this charming coastal city.
Sherbrooke, QC
Sherbrooke, Quebec, emerges as a leading city for renters in Canada for 2024, offering a blend of affordability and quality of life. Nestled in the heart of the Eastern Townships, Sherbrooke is known for its picturesque landscapes, vibrant cultural scene, and strong community spirit. The city provides affordable rental options, low living costs, and a thriving local economy, making it an ideal destination for those seeking both comfort and economic stability. With its rich history, numerous parks, and dynamic arts and education sectors, Sherbrooke presents an inviting environment for renters looking for a well-rounded lifestyle.
Québec City, QC
Québec City, the capital of Quebec, stands out as a premier destination for renters in Canada for 2024. Known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant cultural heritage, this city offers an exceptional quality of life. Renters benefit from affordable housing, excellent public services, and a robust economy. The city’s charming streets, historic sites, and diverse culinary scene provide a unique living experience. With top-notch education institutions, numerous parks, and a strong sense of community, Québec City is an ideal choice for those seeking a dynamic and fulfilling lifestyle.
Trois-Rivières, QC
Trois-Rivières, nestled between Montreal and Quebec City, emerges as a top choice for renters in Canada. This historic city, known for its picturesque riverside views and rich cultural scene, offers an appealing blend of affordability and quality of life. Renters in Trois-Rivières enjoy reasonable housing costs, a low unemployment rate, and a vibrant community atmosphere. The city’s well-preserved historic sites, bustling arts community, and excellent educational institutions make it an attractive destination for those seeking a balanced and enriching lifestyle.
Saguenay, QC
Saguenay, located in the stunning Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec, is a prime destination for renters seeking affordable living amidst breathtaking natural beauty. Known for its picturesque fjords and vibrant cultural scene, Saguenay offers residents a high quality of life with lower housing costs compared to major urban centers. The city boasts a strong sense of community, excellent recreational opportunities, and a growing economy. For those looking to combine affordability with a rich cultural and natural environment, Saguenay stands out as an ideal choice.
Granby, QC
Granby, nestled in the heart of Quebec’s Eastern Townships, offers renters a delightful blend of small-town charm and ample opportunities. Known for its beautiful parks, vibrant cultural scene, and family-friendly environment, Granby provides an exceptional quality of life. The city’s affordable housing market and strong sense of community make it an attractive option for those seeking a peaceful yet dynamic place to live. With its renowned zoo, bustling downtown, and numerous outdoor activities, Granby is a hidden gem that caters to a diverse range of lifestyles.
Fredericton, NB
Fredericton, the capital city of New Brunswick, offers renters a harmonious blend of historical charm and modern amenities. Known for its vibrant arts scene, beautiful riverfront, and welcoming community, Fredericton provides an excellent quality of life. The city boasts affordable housing options, scenic parks, and a strong educational presence with institutions like the University of New Brunswick. Its rich cultural heritage, coupled with a thriving local economy, makes Fredericton an attractive destination for those seeking a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle.
Saint John, NB
Saint John, New Brunswick’s largest city, is a coastal gem known for its stunning waterfront and rich heritage. Nestled on the Bay of Fundy, it offers renters an affordable cost of living with a unique blend of historic architecture and modern conveniences. The city’s vibrant uptown area is bustling with shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions, while its scenic parks and outdoor spaces provide ample opportunities for recreation. Saint John’s strong sense of community and economic growth make it an inviting place for those looking to enjoy both urban and natural beauty.
Saint-Hyacinthe, QC
Saint-Hyacinthe, located in the Montérégie region of Quebec, is a vibrant city known for its strong agricultural roots and innovative spirit. Often referred to as the “Agricultural Technopolis,” it is home to numerous research centers and educational institutions. Renters in Saint-Hyacinthe benefit from a high quality of life with access to excellent local amenities, including parks, cultural events, and a thriving local food scene. The city’s affordable housing and close-knit community atmosphere make it an attractive option for those seeking a balanced and enriching lifestyle.
Lévis, QC
Lévis, located on the southern shore of the St. Lawrence River across from Quebec City, offers a unique blend of historical charm and modern conveniences. Known for its picturesque views and well-preserved heritage sites, Lévis is a city where history meets contemporary living. Residents enjoy a high quality of life with excellent public services, green spaces, and cultural activities. The city’s affordable housing options and strong sense of community make it a desirable place for renters looking for both tranquility and easy access to urban amenities.
This category looked at factors such as average rent, housing costs, rental availability, and unemployment rates. Québec stood out with 10 cities ranking at the top, demonstrating strong economic stability and affordable housing options, which are critical for renters looking for cost-effective living conditions.
Québec again led the pack in this category, with five cities in the top 10. Ontario followed closely with three cities. British Columbia excelled in walkability, with four cities achieving the highest walk scores, while Caledon topped the list for its extensive green spaces. These factors contribute significantly to the overall quality of life, making these cities attractive for renters.
Victoria, BC, emerged as the leader in this category due to its rich array of restaurants, museums, and educational institutions, offering a vibrant community life. St. John’s, NL, and Vancouver, BC, also ranked highly. Québec City, QC, and Lévis, QC, scored the highest in life satisfaction, reflecting a strong sense of community and well-being. Additionally, Saskatoon, SK, and Oshawa, ON, were noted for having residents with lower stress levels.
For a comprehensive view of the rankings and detailed interactive visuals, you can visit the full study by Point2Homes.
While no city can provide a perfect living experience for every renter, the cities highlighted in this study come remarkably close by excelling in key areas such as housing affordability, quality of life, and community engagement. These findings offer valuable insights for renters seeking the best places to live in Canada in 2024.
The provincial regulator responsible for policing B.C.’s real estate industry has ordered a former Realtor to pay $130,000 and cancelled her licence after determining that she committed a variety of professional misconduct.
Rashin Rohani surrendered her licence in December 2023, but the BC Financial Services Authority’s chief hearing officer Andrew Pendray determined that it should nevertheless be cancelled as a signal to other licensees that “repetitive participation in deceptive schemes” will result in “significant” punishment.
He also ordered her to pay a $40,000 administrative penalty and $90,000 in enforcement expenses. Pendray explained his rationale for the penalties in a sanctions decision issued on May 17. The decision was published on the BCFSA website Wednesday.
Rohani’s misconduct occurred over a period of several years, and came in two distinct flavours, according to the decision.
Pendray found she had submitted mortgage applications for five different properties that she either owned or was purchasing, providing falsified income information on each one.
Each of these applications was submitted using a person referred to in the decision as “Individual 1” as a mortgage broker. Individual 1 was not a registered mortgage broker and – by the later applications – Rohani either knew or ought to have known this was the case, according to the decision.
All of that constituted “conduct unbecoming” under B.C.’s Real Estate Services Act, Pendray concluded.
Separately, Rohani also referred six clients to Individual 1 when she knew or ought to have known he wasn’t a registered mortgage broker, and she received or anticipated receiving a referral fee from Individual 1 for doing so, according to the decision. Rohani did not disclose this financial interest in the referrals to her clients.
Pendray found all of that to constitute professional misconduct under the act.
‘Deceptive’ scheme
The penalties the chief hearing officer chose to impose for this behaviour were less severe than those sought by the BCFSA in the case, but more significant than those Rohani argued she should face.
Rohani submitted that the appropriate penalty for her conduct would be a six-month licence suspension or a $15,000 discipline penalty, plus $20,000 in enforcement expenses.
For its part, the BCFSA asked Pendray to cancel Rohani’s licence and impose a $100,000 discipline penalty plus more than $116,000 in enforcement expenses.
Pendray’s ultimate decision to cancel the licence and impose penalties and expenses totalling $130,000 reflected his assessment of the severity of Rohani’s misconduct.
Unlike other cases referenced by the parties in their submissions, Rohani’s misconduct was not limited to a single transaction involving falsified documents or a series of such transactions during a brief period of time, according to the decision.
“Rather, in this case Ms. Rohani repetitively, over the course of a number of years, elected to personally participate in a deceptive mortgage application scheme for her own benefit, and subsequently, arranged for her clients to participate in the same deceptive mortgage application scheme,” the decision reads.
Pendray further noted that, although Rohani had been licensed for “a significant period of time,” she had only completed a small handful of transactions, according to records from her brokerage.
There were just six transactions on which her brokerage recorded earnings for her between December 2015 and February 2020, according to the decision. Of those six, four were transactions that were found to have involved misconduct or conduct unbecoming.
“In sum, Ms. Rohani’s minimal participation in the real estate industry as a licensee has, for the majority of that minimal participation, involved her engaging in conduct unbecoming involving deceptive practices and professional misconduct,” the decision reads.
According to the decision, Rohani must pay the $40,000 discipline penalty within 90 days of the date it was issued.
