James Biden and his wife Sara Biden, are selling their house at 27 Raynham Road in Merion. John Duffy at Duffy Real Estate is the listing agent. The asking price is $1,950,000.
The Duffy Website describes the house as follows:
James Biden bought the house in 1997 while Joe Biden was still Vice President. [Correction, he was a U.S. Senator.]
They paid $649,000 for it.
Beyond a grand gated entrance lies this impressive Mediterranean style Villa which is complemented by a distinctive red tile roof. Superb architectural details, unparalleled craftsmanship and the finest materials are on display throughout the well-proportioned, spacious rooms which are wonderfully suited for comfortable family living as well as grand scale entertaining. The exquisite grounds are separated into open-air rooms with woodland walks between and include a sparkling heated swimming pool and charming cottage with a fireplace and office or studio space. The detached garage features a 2nd floor guest suite which overlooks the beautifully planted gardens. Enjoying easy access to metropolitan Philadelphia, this pre-eminent estate is truly an exceptional offering. Enter into a Grand Hallway, with inlaid marble floor, which opens to a brick terrace with steps leading down to a patio with a fountain. French doors from the hallway open to the spacious formal Living Room featuring a carved mantel gas fireplace, exquisite moldings and custom built-ins including two arched niches. The adjoining fireside Study with a terra cotta tile floor is enhanced by five sets of French doors with circle top windows which bathe the room in natural light. The formal Dining Room exits to a lovely terrace. Cooking is a pleasure in the granite eat-in island Kitchen with handsome cherry cabinetry which opens to a brick walkway and flagstone patio. Adjoining the kitchen is a Family Room with a decorative fireplace and adjacent Sun Room with circle top French doors and a brick terrace. A short hallway between the kitchen and the entrance hall features a Powder Room and a Laundry Room. A graceful turned staircase with a circle top window leads to the second floor with its luxurious Master Suite comprised of a spacious Bedroom with an awninged deck, his and her Baths and a Dressing Room with custom built-in closets. There are two additional Bedrooms with a connecting Bath on this level.The expansive third floor features a Bedroom/Sitting room with tile Bath, 3 additional Bedrooms and a large Bath and Kitchenette.The lower level includes a fireside Sitting Area, a Bedroom with a gas fireplace and bath, a billiard area, wet bar and home theater.
Recently, James Biden has been in the news for more than just matters having to do with a high end realestate transaction. According to Politico.com reporter Ben Shreckinger, members of Joe Biden’s family, including his brother James, “have gotten involved with business ventures that have raised questions.” James Biden and Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden bought a company in 2006 called Paradigm Investments.” Shreckinger notes that “Paradigm was never found to have committed any criminal wrongdoing.” However, three former executives of Paradigm sued the Bidens, accusing them of fraud. Shrekinger claims that “Paradigm became associated with a number of alleged and confirmed frauds, including Allen Stanford’s multibillion-dollar Ponzi scheme, while seeking to draw on their powerful relative’s political allies for financing.”
