‘Bad boy’ gets nice price on home

Lolita Harper

WEST NEWPORT -- The city’s resident bad boy, Dennis Rodman, is

trading his beachfront party pad -- which sold Thursday for $3.8

million -- as well as his wild reputation, for a more mild,

family-oriented lifestyle.

Strada Properties real estate agent Christopher Parr, who

represented Rodman as well as the buyers in the transaction, said the

home in the 4800 block of Seashore Drive sold in an all-cash deal

after being listed for two days.

“He’s going to get himself a nice, big house, with a yard for his

kid, in a family neighborhood,” Parr said. “I am sure he will fit in

well in his new neighborhood.”

Parr, who is also Rodman’s neighbor and friend, said the former

basketball star has not had a drink in more than six months, has been

working out consistently and was pursuing a healthier lifestyle with

hopes of rejoining the ranks of the National Basketball Assn.

“I’m his neighbor and I can tell you that he hasn’t had a party at

that house in about two years,” Parr said. “He’s been on a good

track.”

That good track is a change of pace for Rodman, whose name was

once synonymous with trouble. His wild antics, various arrests --

ranging from drunken driving to physical altercations -- rocky

marriages, tattoos, dyed hair, piercings and occasional

cross-dressing have all contributed to his less-than-stellar

reputation.

His image was less of a concern to his West Newport neighbors than

his actions, most notably the loud, reckless parties. His seeming

disrespect for those around him made Rodman a very unpopular pop

culture icon in West Newport.

His Seashore Drive home was the residence most frequently visited

by Newport Beach police in 1999 -- a dubious distinction that

overshadowed more positive accolades, such as Rodman having been a

seven-time NBA rebound champion.

And who could forget his entrance by helicopter to his 40th

birthday party, which police called not only illegal but dangerous?

However, the former hoopster’s 43rd birthday on Thursday was

devoid of such grand standing, a symbol of Rodman’s new lease on

life, Parr said.

Rodman has made previous declarations in regard to getting back

into professional basketball, running for political office and

leaving his petty disputes with Newport Beach behind.

The former Lakers forward had been toying with selling his

beachfront home for a year, but finally decided to list it Tuesday,

Parr said.

“Until he finally signed the paperwork, I was leery myself,” Parr

said.

Kent McNaughton, a realtor with First Team Estates in Newport

Beach, said Rodman got a fair deal for his 5-bedroom, 2 3/4-bathroom

home.

“The average lot value [for that area] is about $2.5 to $3 million

depending on location,” McNaughton said. “And then, a

celebrity-status home often generates a little better price than

market value.”

Rodman’s is one of the five home sales in Newport Beach to close

for more than $3 million this month, McNaughton said. In fact, he

said, Newport Beach’s pricey homes have been a hot selling item,

maintaining levels of sales between five and 11 homes per month since

January.

“Even with the interest rates starting to go up, there doesn’t

seem to be any lack of activity at that price point,” McNaughton

said.

Those who are hopeful that this sale means Rodman will look for a

new city should not hold their breath. Parr said Rodman definitely

wants to stay in Orange County and is looking at homes in Newport

Coast and Shady Canyon.

Laurie Stiel, who lives only a couple of blocks away from Rodman,

said his new neighbors won’t be getting such a raw deal.

“He hasn’t bothered us at all,” Stiel said.

* LOLITA HARPER is the Forum editor. She also writes columns

Wednesdays and Fridays. She may be reached at (949) 574-4275 or by

e-mail at lolita.harper@ latimes.com.