Best properties on the market

1. Ridgefield, Conn. The renowned architect Rafael Viñoly designed this two-bedroom home to highlight the site’s views and showcase the extensive art collection of its original owner. Features include both indoor and outdoor pools, a private master-bedroom tower, a guest wing, and a great room with a sculptural fireplace. The house sits on a five-acre wooded lot. $3,200,000. Michelle Genovesi, Michelle & Co., (203) 454-4663

2. Venice, Calif. Steps from Venice Beach, this dramatic three-bedroom home was designed by Viennese architects and features an open floor plan, a sculptural steel staircase, and a roof deck with views from the Getty Center to the Hollywood sign and the mountains beyond. $2,395,000. Litta Lee Glinert, Glinert Real Estate Group, (310) 432-6590

3. Fairfax Station, Va. This 6,400-square-foot, four-bedroom house is set on a secluded eight-acre property less than an hour from Washington, D.C. The home features five cantilevered balconies, four fireplaces, and a two-story foyer with a large rectangular koi pond. $1,349,000. Ronald Mangas, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, (703) 298-2564

4. Sarasota, Fla. This award-winning five-bedroom beach house on Siesta Key uses deep overhangs to provide shade and glass walls to offer dramatic gulf views. The outdoor pool features a waterslide. $14,500,000. Linda Dickinson, Michael Saunders & Co., (941) 350-3304

5. Sebastopol, Calif. Another award-winning residence, this four-bedroom house sits on a small organic farm with a century-old apple orchard and a vineyard. The home’s saltwater pool is solar heated, and its trim made from old wine barrels. The property also includes a one-bedroom guesthouse. $2,400,000. Peter Colbert, Paragon Real Estate Group, (415) 798-0203

6. Los Angeles This seven-bedroom Hollywood Hills home has frequently hosted celebrity events. Its soaring entry hall doubles as a party space, with glass walls that offer views spanning from downtown to the Pacific Ocean. Other features include a 12-person spa, a home theater, and a two-bedroom guesthouse. $9,950,000. Drew Fenton, Hilton & Hyland, (310) 858-5474

Steal of the week7. Phoenix Located in the Canal North neighborhood, this two-bedroom minimalist home was recently featured on the cover of Dwell. Curved interior walls capture natural light flowing through floor-to-ceiling glass, and custom shades cut the midday heat. A long wall of custom cabinetry eliminates clutter. $380,000. Greg Kilroy, Keller Williams Realty, (480) 235-4312