Joe Gorga, the self-described 'Michelangelo of New Jersey of building homes,' listed it in May for $2.65 million
"Real Housewives of New Jersey" stars Joe and Melissa Gorga have found a taker for the giant Franklin Lakes home they expected to make their own but never lived in, their real estate agent says.
The couple has accepted an offer on the nearly 10,000-square-foot "dream home" for close to the asking price of $2.65 million, according to agent Jerry Sahlman of RE/MAX Village Square/Upper Montclair.
The home became a plot point for the couple when they were on the outs with Joe Gorga's sister-in-law Teresa Giudice. Both the Giudices and the Gorgas lived in Montville Township, and the Gorgas decided to build the Franklin Lakes home in part to escape the Giudices. But clearer heads (and plot progression) prevailed, and the two couples are cozy again in their respective Montville mansions.
The 5-bedroom, 6-bathroom home, on a nearly 1-acre corner lot, features a two-story great room, a kitchen with coffered ceilings and marble floor, and huge walk-in closets. It was first listed in May.
During the show's sixth season, Joe Gorga, a spec home builder and developer who has an apartment complex coming on line in Morristown later this year, crowed over the architectural plans for the Franklin Lakes house: "A Joe Gorga house is impeccable. When you open up those history books and you look in Rome, that's what I build. I just have that gift. I'm the Michelangelo of New Jersey of building homes."
The deal has not yet closed. Taxes assessed are for only the vacant lot, at $7,467.
Vicki Hyman may be reached at vhyman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @vickihy or like her on Facebook. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook, and check out TV Hangover, the podcast from Vicki Hyman and co-host Erin Medley on iTunes, Stitcher or listen here.
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