Homes of the Hopefuls

When every part of a presidential candidate’s life and history goes under the microscope, it’s not surprising that some of their homes have led to controversy. In fact, for one candidate, two properties have become the center of a heated debate. Getty Images

When every part of a presidential candidate’s life goes under the microscope, it’s not surprising that some of their homes have led to controversy. In fact, for one candidate, two properties have become the center of a heated debate.



One hopeful’s Federal-style house was formerly the headquarters for a culinary reality series. One candidate owned a collection of mansions, while another created a website to sell his comparatively humble house. The GOP hopefuls' home values range from $325,000 up to $12 million, and range in size from around 3,000 square feet to 9,500 square feet.



Click ahead to learn about these abodes, located in nine states, and find out who owns, has owned, or rents each house.



By Colleen KanePosted 2 November 2011

Mitt Romney

Location: Park City, UtahCost: $5.25 millionBedrooms: 7Bathrooms: 9.5Square Footage: 9,500Mitt Romney wins the award for the Republican presidential candidate with the most real estate. In 2009, he had four mansions. His post-and-beam-log lodge (pictured here) was listed that year for $5.35 million (then removed), but real-estate website the value around $2.6 million. That year, he also his Boston-area 1930 house for $3.5 million. Rounding out the collection are a $12 million in La Jolla, Ca Headshot: Getty ImagesHouse: zillow.com

Location: Park City, Utah

Cost: $5.25 million

Bedrooms: 7

Bathrooms: 9.5

Square Footage: 9,500



Mitt Romney wins the award for the Republican presidential candidate with the most real estate. In 2009, he had four mansions. His post-and-beam-log lodge (pictured here) was listed that year for $5.35 million (then removed), but real-estate website Zillow.com estimates the value around $2.6 million.



That year, he also sold his Boston-area 1930 house for $3.5 million. Rounding out the collection are a $12 million beachfront compound in La Jolla, Calif., and a lake house in Wolfeboro, N.H.

Newt Gingrich

Location: McLean, VirginiaCost: $995,000 in 2000Bedrooms: 5Bathrooms: 4.5Square Footage: 5,206Newt Gingrich’s house on a cul de sac in McLean, Va., was built in 1987. The real-estate website Zillow.com now the home’s value at nearly $1.275 million. Headshot: Getty ImagesAerial: bing.com

Location: McLean, Virginia

Cost: $995,000 in 2000

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 4.5

Square Footage: 5,206



Newt Gingrich’s house on a cul de sac in McLean, Va., was built in 1987. The real-estate website Zillow.com now estimates the home’s value at nearly $1.275 million.

Ron Paul

Location: Lake Jackson, TexasCost: $325,000Bedrooms: 4Bathrooms: 5Square Footage: 5,500Ron Paul announced in April on his Facebook page that he’s selling the house where he and his family (including son Sen. Rand Paul) have lived for more than four decades. He created an official website for the house, “,” which says “generations of Liberty [] loving kids have grown up here, and you can continue the tradition.” Although there are numerous photos of the pool and patio area on the site, it did no Headshot: Melina Mara | The Washington Post via Getty ImagesHouse: bing.com and BuyRonPaulsHouse.com

Location: Lake Jackson, Texas

Cost: $325,000

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 5

Square Footage: 5,500



Ron Paul announced in April on his Facebook page that he’s selling the house where he and his family (including his son, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul) have lived for more than four decades. He created an official website for the house, “Buy Ron Paul’s House,” which says “generations of Liberty [sic] loving kids have grown up here, and you can continue the tradition.”



Although there are numerous photos of the pool and patio area on the site, it did not seem to occur to the three-time presidential candidate to include any photos of the front of the house or the interior.

Rick Santorum

Location: Leesburg, VirginiaCost: $850,000 in 2007Bedrooms: N/ABathrooms: 3.5Square Footage: 5,040In addition to his more modest house in Penn Hills, Pa., Rick Santorum also lived in this two-story residence on 3.76 acres in Leesburg, Va., until 2007. It was new in 2001 for $643,361. The question of Santorum’s residency location was the catalyst for a frothy controversy spanning more than a decade, as detailed . Headshot: Getty ImagesAerial: bing.com

Location: Leesburg, Virginia

Cost: $850,000 in 2007

Bedrooms: N/A

Bathrooms: 3.5

Square Footage: 5,040



In addition to his more modest house in Penn Hills, Pa., Rick Santorum also lived in this two-story residence on 3.76 acres in Leesburg, Va., until 2007. It was purchased new in 2001 for $643,361. The question of Santorum’s residency location was the catalyst for a frothy controversy spanning more than a decade, as detailed here.

Michele Bachmann (Campaign Ended)

House: Joe Bush | Designer/Builder | jpbushhomes.comHeadshot: Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez | AFP | GettyÂ Images