For sale (one wacko owner)

Selling up: Jacko

It has its own railroad and fairground, and is littered with statues of Peter Pan.

The troubled singer, experiencing financial woes, has put the 2,600-acre Californian property on the market for that sum, although estate agents estimate it is worth only £9 million.

It comes complete with a guest house especially for the children Jackson loves to invite to stay, even containing a castle-shaped Harry Potter loft bed. Sources say the sale of the ranch - featured in Martin Bashir's controversial documentary about the singer - will go some way to ending Jackson's money troubles: it costs £2 million a year to run.

He owes £6 million to a concert promoter after losing a court dispute over cancelled tour dates, and is battling two former managers over the rest of his fortune.

Here, David Thomas presents a guide to how an estate agent may market the property ...

The Property:

The Neverland Valley Ranch is a most attractive country estate - which includes a turreted mansion. Imaginatively decorated and provided with numerous unusual features, this most remarkable property, offered at a very reasonable price, will appeal to discerning buyers looking for an out-of-the-ordinary family home. The house boasts a rolling lawn spreading down to a secluded swimming pool.

The lake

Neverland's own lake is decorated with a Swan Boat, which experts liken to a craft found at Schloss Linderberg, one of many castles built by King Ludwig of Bavaria. He was declared insane, having bankrupted himself in an orgy of spending. Away from the lake, the ranch boasts two swimming pools and its own all-weather tennis court.

The theme park

The in-house theme park is Neverland's most remarkable feature. Children will love to frolic on the owner's go-round, pirate boat-swing and thrill-rides.

The railway

Neverland has excellent links, being less than two minutes from its own station ... even if the train never reaches the real world. Note the 'cowcatcher' on the engine - perfect for mowing down snooping members of the tabloid press - and the cute, child-like sculpture, standing guard over the line. Floral borders, in bright, municipal garden colours, adorn the grounds of the ranch, and lead the way to the impressive main house.

Drawing room

The new owner may wish to redecorate. But surely he willwant to recreate the happy scenes of a Neverland Christmas, with its glittering chandeliers, hanging from desirable farmhouse beams, its tasteful artworksand its pile ofpresents beneath the tree, just waitingto be opened.

The study

The unmistakable decorative style of Neverland is epitomised by the intriguing melange of slatted blinds, antique table, Welshdresser and oversized elephant statue. The owner is not a great admirer of the modern, minimalist aesthetic. For him, less is certainly not more. More is ...

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