Why Josh Duhamel Ditches LA, Lists $2.9M Encino Home After MN Move
Josh Duhamel Says Bye to His Los Angeles House: A Super Simple Story
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Meet Josh and His House for Sale
Josh Duhamel is a movie star who is 53 years old. He has decided he wants to sell his house in Los Angeles (a big city in California).
Where is the house and what’s the price?
- The house is in a neighborhood called Encino, which is part of the San Fernando Valley.
- He is asking for $2.9 million (that’s a lot of piggy-bank money!).
- He is getting help from a home-selling helper called a listing agent named Thomas Atamian. Thomas works at a company called Coldwell Banker Realty in a place called La Canada Flintridge.
What the selling helper says about the house
Important: Thomas says: "It’s rare to find a property that flawlessly combines dramatic architecture, modern updates and total privacy. The defining feature of this home is its positioning. It captures breathtaking jetliner and mountain views from almost every angle. It’s an absolute standout offering in a premier location."
In kid words: This house is special because it looks cool, has new fixes, and is very private. From almost every window you can see airplanes flying and big mountains. It’s a star house in a great spot.
The House Details (Like a Picture Book)
Basic facts
- Built a long, long time ago in 1962.
- It is 3,310 square feet big (imagine a giant playroom!).
- It has four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms.
- You can see the mountains all around from inside.
Inside the house
- There is a big living room with super tall ceilings. It connects to a kitchen made for a chef, with a large island in the middle to eat or cook.
- The main bedroom (called primary suite) was just updated. It has:
- Two closets you can walk inside (walk-in closets)
- Its own private bathroom (ensuite)
- Other cozy spots:
- A sitting area near the kitchen with bookshelves
- An open plan so the living room and dining room flow together
- Kitchen with white counters and a big island
- Main bedroom with a large sliding door to the backyard, letting in sunshine
Outside the house (the backyard fun)
- An outdoor fire pit (a safe ring for fire)
- A large swimming pool
- A built-in barbeque (grill for yummy food)
- Many spots to eat outside or relax
- A sauna (a warm tiny room to sit in)
- Lots of seating areas
Important: Photos from the article show all these rooms and yard spots, taken by Hillary Campbell and Getty Images. The house really is made for both relaxing inside and playing outside.
Why Sell? Josh Moved to the Woods!
Here are the simple steps that led to the sale:
- Josh spent 15 years building a home in Minnesota.
- A little over a year ago, he told Parade magazine he decided to leave Los Angeles for that off-the-grid home.
- He moved there with his family (wife Audra, toddler Shepherd, baby Rocca, and visits from 12‑year‑old Axl).
- Now he put his LA house up for sale with an agent.
What does "off-the-grid" mean?
It means the house is not tied to city power or water – kind of like a fancy camping cabin that he made himself.
He told Parade:
"The closest store is 40 miles away. Once we get there, it’s really about everybody taking care of each other – making memories, spending time with family and friends."
His Family Adventure
Josh moved with:
- His wife, Audra Mari
- Their son Shepherd, who is 2 years old
- His older son Axl, age 12 (from his previous relationship with ex-partner Fergie), who visits sometimes
- They also welcomed a baby daughter named Rocca in May
He says this new life lets them "get back to the basics." That means less screen time! His older boy is not on his iPad all day but instead:
- Plays sports
- Explores the woods
- Enjoys nature
Important: Josh said about his baby: "And then I have a little baby who’s going to experience the same thing. Someday, I hope to pass this on to them [so] they’re able to share it with their kids. It’s really important to me that they have this. It’s not just about having all the amenities and all the luxuries that we become so used to. It’s really about family. It’s about legacy."
Simple words: He wants his kids and grandkids to love nature and family time, not just fancy things.
The "Doomsday Cabin" and Being Ready for Emergencies
Living off-the-grid also gives Josh peace of mind. He knows he has a safe place to go if something really bad happens in the world.
In August 2025, he spoke to People magazine. He called his Minnesota home his "doomsday cabin" (a hideout for worst-case scenarios). He said he is:
- "Probably 70%" ready for an apocalypse (that’s a word for a world-ending event).
He admitted:
"I could be a better hunter, I could be a better fisherman. I could stockpile a little more food supply."
That means he thinks he should practice catching food and store more snacks just in case!
Other Things Mentioned in the Original Article
- Fox News also wrote about a famous "Scarface" mansion in Florida that is being sold for $237 million (even bigger than Josh’s!).
- The original story had friendly reminders to:
- Sign up for the Entertainment Newsletter
- Read more Entertainment News
- Download the Fox News App
- The article was written by Lori A. Bashian, an entertainment news writer at Fox News Digital.
Summary
Josh Duhamel, a 53-year-old actor, is selling his Encino (Los Angeles) home for $2.9 million with help from agent Thomas Atamian. The 1962 house is big, has mountain views, a chef’s kitchen, pool, sauna, and more. He is selling it because he moved to a self-built off-the-grid house in Minnesota with his wife Audra, kids Shepherd, Axl, and baby Rocca. He loves the simple family life and even calls his woods home a "doomsday cabin" that’s 70% ready for emergencies. The original Fox News piece also noted you can listen to articles now, and included other promos and author info.
FAQ (Simple Questions and Answers)
1. How much does Josh Duhamel’s Los Angeles house cost?
It is listed for $2.9 million.
2. Why did Josh move away from Los Angeles?
He wanted to live a simpler, off-the-grid life in Minnesota with his family, close to nature and away from distractions.
3. What does "off-the-grid" mean in kid words?
It means his Minnesota house is not connected to regular city services like power lines or water pipes—like a smart cabin in the woods.
4. What did Josh say about being ready for an apocalypse?
In People magazine, he said he is about 70% ready and joked he needs to get better at hunting, fishing, and storing food.
5. Who is helping sell the house?
A listing agent named Thomas Atamian from Coldwell Banker Realty is helping put the house on the market.
