Today's home in Phoenix, Arizona was once the home of John and Cindy McCain. The home, on over two acres, was Cindy McCain's childhood home, where she was raised as a privileged beer distributor's daughter. When the McCains lived there they spent $250,000 remodeling the home back in the 1980s. In 2006, the couple downsized into a condo and put the home on the market. When I first heard about it in 2006, they had a bit of trouble selling the house, listing it for around $3.75 million.

The current owner is going for a bit more. They have listed the home, which has seven bedrooms in the main house and two bedrooms in the guest house, for a hefty $12 million. The home includes a master suite with a Mexican-tiled private patio with a spa and built-in fireplace and seating. The gourmet kitchen has slate floors, granite counters and heavy commercial stainless steel appliances. The guest house also has an attached his/her dressing cabana. More pics at the virtual tour. It seems to have had quite the renovation since the McCains lived there. Check out the pics from 2005 when Architectural Digest visited the McCains. It's virtually unrecognizable except for certain telling details like the fireplace in the master bedroom. I have to say, I prefer Cindy McCain's version of this house.

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We've seen some pricey homes in the Sedona, Arizona area before but this one is stratospheric. The reason? Land. The El Rojo Grande Ranch has 173 acres of prime land located 1.5 miles west of the Sedona city limits. The main home is a 6700 square-foot circular home which was built in 1994. The home is designed around a central courtyard with rooms that spread out like wheel spokes. Inside a mix of stone, wood, curvilinear plaster walls and picture windows give it a modern yet completely Southwestern feel. The estate also includes a 1,350-square-foot guest house and 1,700-square-foot caretaker's quarters. The ranch is also home to the El Rojo Grande Equestrian Center which sits on approximately 9.1 acres. It includes a box stall barn with nine stalls and a veterinary clinic, a corral barn with tack rooms and an office, a working barn with a blacksmith area and locker room, a hay bar, three arenas and a round pen and two corrals. The land also includes a separate 2.5 acre park located at the foot of one of Sedona's famous red rocks with picnic tables, a bandstand and room to hold special events. It is an amazing property. It's also got an amazing price, $29 million which may be a bit too rich for Arizona blood.

Some of the wackiest houses I encounter are built in the desert. Something about no neighbors close by and plenty of room to roam lets the imagination take flight. Case in point, Casa Mariposa, the Butterfly House, in Fountain Hills, Arizona is a 18,595-square foot main home with four bedrooms, a 70 x 40-foot great room, two elevators, a library, study, billiard room and two garages with room for 10 to 15 cars and a maintenance pit. The home is on 3.4 acres and has a grotto, pool-sized waterfall and nearly as much outdoor square footage in the pavers as the house itself. The butterfly theme is reflected in the marble floor, the doors and even some of the windows. This estate is listed at $9 million.

Today's estate takes us to the peaceful and scenic town of Sedona, Arizona, the several resorts and spas. This Italian villa sits on a 8.78-acre hilltop site which borders National Forest Service land and offers views of the famed red rocks. It has a natural stone facade and inside there are 9362 sq ft of living space. The home has four bedrooms, a billiard room, media room and a separate office with a gym. Special details include Venetian plaster, reclaimed timber and stone floors. Outside there is a swimming pool, hot tub and a summer kitchen and a covered patio with a fireplace. The furnishings and art can be purchased separately. It is listed at $8.5 million.  A few pictures after the jump but this home can be seen more clearly in the virtual tour.

What is it that makes a house special? Today's estate in Tempe, Arizona has a number of desirable features including its own two-acre lake and seven total acres of tranquil Arizona land. The home itself is a single-level dwelling that rambles over 11,000 square feet. It has gorgeous wood ceilings, cool stone floors, a curved stone fireplace and stained glass details. The home gets much of its charm from the uses of arched windows and doorways. The master suite has a gas fireplace and opens to a private outdoor spa.  One of the most impressive features is the incredibly over-the-top million-dollar kitchen designed by Kitchen Expo.There is also a two-story guest house, expansive outdoor entertaining area and parking for 10 cars. It is listed at $.8.5 million. Pictures of the interior, including that ridiculous kitchen, after the jump.