Is this any way to sell a house?

Less is more in the lean, spare boxes that are the hallmark of modern architect extraordinaire Richard Neutra. Except when it comes to selling them at auction, says Christopher Hawthorne.

... Christie's produced a glossy booklet on the house and its setting. Near the front was a quote from Neutra himself: "The desert is subject to an infinity of moods, some of them violent."

So, it turns out, is the real estate market, even at the highest levels.

The house quickly sold, then just as quickly, the deal fell apart. And then came the finger-pointing. Real estate as high art, high finance and high drama in Christopher's full story.

-- Veronique de Turenne

Photo: David Glomb/for The Times