Open Houses of the Week: Jan. 27-29

There's something about that "Open House" sign that acts like a magnet. Whether you're looking for a new place to live, keeping tabs on real estate in your neighborhood, or just angling for a sneak peek at someone else's private domain, the lure of an open door is strong indeed.

From a tastefully renovated mansion in the proper South, to a ridiculously affordable bungalow in the City of Angels, we lay down the welcome mat at some of the most interesting open houses in the nation. So wipe your feet at the door and scroll right on through.


Open Houses for Jan. 27-29

Atlanta

Open house: Sun., Jan. 29
Location: Atlanta
Price: $1.125 million
Property details: Take a stroll through the garden of this sultry Southern estate's 2.5 lush acres. Inside, this six-bedroom, five-bath home features a completely renovated kitchen, a massive master bedroom and spa bath, and a stately two-story family room. The home may have been built in the 1970s, but you won't find any disco kitsch in this gorgeous 7,000-square foot mansion.

Madison, Wis.

Open house: Sun., Jan. 29
Location: Madison, Wis.
Price: $799,900
Property details: If you have this kind of scratch lying around, why waste it on a closet apartment in a crowded, overpriced metro when you can score a massive home in Madison? This four-bedroom, 4,715-square-foot family home sits on an expansive five-acre wooded parcel, perfect for raising a growing family -- or cattle, for all we care (just get that cleared with the city first). The home even includes a barn that can be converted into a quaint bed and breakfast or office space.

Dallas

Open house: Sun., Jan. 29
Location: Dallas, Texas
Price: $1.295 million
Property details: It's not every homeowner's dream to raise children, livestock or crops -- that's where this contemporary (and contemplative) stunner comes in. At nearly 4,000 square feet, this artist's haven includes a secluded master bedroom in a separate wing of the home, a fully-loaded gourmet kitchen, walk-in closets, an easily convertible multipurpose room (for your painter's easel or drum kit), and a second-story balcony for morning yoga. All this in addition to the fact that award-winning architect Susan Appleton built the place.

Naples, Fla.

Open house: Sun., Jan. 29
Location: Naples, Fla.
Price: $1.305 million
Property details: Floor-to-ceiling windows, dramatic 22-foot ceilings, a gourmet kitchen and access to a multimillion dollar members-only clubhouse -- do we have your attention yet? Built in 2004, this five-bedroom Mediterranean-style home gets you full access to lifestyles of the rich and famous -- 3 pools, a hot tub, gym access, dance studios, massages; and that's just at the clubhouse. See the listing for a look inside the home.

Plymouth, Minn.

Open house: Sat., Jan. 28 and Sun., Jan. 29
Location: Plymouth, Minn.
Price: $799,900
Property description: This hearty slice of Americana comes equipped with six bedrooms, 5 baths and nearly 5,000 square feet of rollicking family space. Built in 2011, this brand new home is completely move-in ready, and -- for the supernaturally inclined among us -- totally poltergeist free.

Baltimore

Open House: Sun., Jan. 29
Location: Baltimore
Price: $784,500
Property description: Feast your eyes on this six bedroom, New Traditional-style family home from 1928. Enjoy the best Baltimore has to offer without sacrificing the attractions that nearby Washington, D.C., has to offer. Located on a quiet cul-de-sac in suburban Baltimore, this home has everything an aspiring lawmaker could ask for -- without the hustle and bustle of big city life.

Whitestone, N.Y.

Open house: Sat., Jan. 28
Location: New York, N.Y.
Price: $1,798,000
Property description: If you're keen on living in the big city, nevermind the crowded streets and tiny apartments. Take it from your hardened New Yorker editors -- Queens is the place to be. Located just a short drive from the bright lights of Manhattan, Queens offers a semblance of suburban bliss in the middle of the concrete jungle. Take this brand-new brick home, for instance. Steep as the price may seem to out-of-towners, just try to find a comparable four-bedroom home in Manhattan for less. We dare you.

Los Angeles

Open house: Sun., Jan. 29
Location: Los Angeles
Price: $99,000
Property description: Speaking of deals in the big city, this bohemian bungalow in Los Angeles is riotously cheaper than anything you're likely to stumble upon in the near future. Curbed tells us that the house was recently flipped, and the outrageous price is a way to drum up interest in the listing. And not only is the home going to be on display this Sunday, the listing agent has even said that a "taco dude" will be on hand, to dispense some West Coast hospitality to interested looky-loos. Can't go wrong there. And if you think we're joking about how cheap this property is, peek at comparable Los Angeles properties below.