House hunting: 7 homes with gorgeous tropical gardens

Galveston, Texas. Built in 1885, this two-bedroom house is located within walking distance of downtown. Renovated over a three-year period, the home features original ornamental plaster roses, filigreed door hinges, five fireplaces, and curly-pine wainscoting. $641,500. Tom Schwenk, The House Co., (713) 857-2309.

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Dorado, Puerto Rico. Located next to the Ritz Carlton, this five-bedroom home has direct access to the golf course and beach club. Features include an elevator, arched doorways, crown molding, and a master suite with an outdoor terrace.

Property amenities include a pool, a stone waterfall, and elaborate landscaping. $4,400,000. Nicole Franceschini, Sotheby's International Realty, (787) 354-2327.

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San Diego, Calif. This five-bedroom home is set on 5.9 acres in Mission Hills. Interior details include retractable walls, wooden-beam ceilings, and a master bedroom with a dressing room.

Outdoor features include a wall of wisteria, a front courtyard with a koi pond, and a pool with a kitchen area. $5,500,000. Maureen Tess, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, (619) 297-9910.

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Fort Myers, Fla. Set on a peninsula in the Caloosahatchee River, this three-bedroom home was built in 1973. The interior includes a glass-enclosed sunroom, a sunken conference room, a carved wooden bar, and French doors.

The property has tall palms, exotic foliage, deep water dockage, and a private boat launch. $3,250,000. Sheila Meeks, Michael Saunders and Co., (941) 661-2257.

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Englewood, Fla. Built in 1981, this three-bedroom house sits on a large lot with a private yard. Interior features include coffered ceilings, detailed moldings, and a glass sunroom off the back of the house. Located in a country club, the home has easy access to golf, tennis, and dining. $379,900. Bob Linthicum, Sotheby's International Realty/Premier, (941) 228-9206.

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Georgetown, S.C. This six-bedroom house is located on the Atlantic in a beachfront community north of Charleston. Interior details include a marble entrance, a winding staircase, and a workroom. A tiled deck extends the length of the home and overlooks the water. Community amenities include a tennis facility, a beach, and golf. $2,999,000. Robbie Buice, The Lachicotte Co./Christie's International Real Estate, (843) 997-8424.

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Sarasota, Fla. This 11,000-square-foot Moorish-style home overlooks Sarasota Bay. The six-bedroom house has marble floors, a sunroom, an elevator, and French doors.

The 2.5-acre property includes a tennis court, exotic trees, and guest and pool houses. $9,990,000. Klaus Lang, Michael Saunders and Co., (941) 383-7591.

**For more information on these homes, please contact the realtor listed**

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