Even when the price had been reduced, from $12.5 million to $9.75 million, the 25-acre estate on the Potomac River was still one of the two most expensive properties listed for sale in Alexandria as of May 2007. In December, Bellapais was purchased for $8 million by Stephen OKeefe, CEO of the OKeefe & Company technology-marketing firm. He and his wife Maureen have since sold their Old Town Alexandria home for $3 million.

A neighboring riverfront estate was also for sale at $9.75 million last May. Ferry Landing is now the most expensive house listed in Alexandria, at $7,999,000, and only one listed for more than $4,500,000. The 66-year-old Southern Colonial mansion features a short walk to the river, an outdoor swimming pool and cabana, a guest house, a river terrace, a 300-foot private dock and a ten-car garage. The schools are Washington Mill Elementary, Whitman Middle and Mount Vernon High. Call Kim Harrison at Long & Foster in Springfield: 703-451-9400.