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THE HOUSING MARKETS across the world may be on the mend, but that doesn’t mean it hurts to dream about your ultimate home – one designed just for you.

The owners of an all-purple house near London certainly got people talking.

Unsurprisingly, the US has a rake of unusual properties that are up for sale. Here are just a few of them.

This Malibu shack comes with an underground system of tunnels

(Image: Estately)

It may not look like much from the outside, but the thousands of dollars you sink into this property will actually buy you 40 acres in the Malibu Hills, prime real estate surrounded by state protected land on three sides.

The previous owner dug a series of underground tunnels around the property, believing that Spanish gold was hidden there

Price: $579,000

Here’s a crater-inspired oasis in the middle of the Arizona desert

(Image: Estately)

This Arizona home is noteworthy for its largely circular architecture. The great room has a 20-foot beamed ceiling.

The whole property sits on five acres, with a 75-foot negative edge pool and 5,840 square feet inside.

Price: $2.5 million

You can live in a replica of the Alamo

(Image: Estately)

Lovers of Texas heritage will enjoy living in a replica of the state’s most recognisable symbol.

While it’s all 19th century on the outside, inside, the house has all the modern amenities of a place in a waterfront gated community. It has an elevator and a nearby hangar for your plane.

Price: $1.35 million

Live like a king or queen in this DC castle

(Image: Estately)

This Maryland castle is based on a Scottish Tudor with a four-story tower.

It also boasts a circular staircase, gargoyles, fountain and terrace overlooking the “loch.”

Price: $1.5 million

You could call a private island home

(Image: Estately)

It’s not too shabby to own your own island with one acre of space. This one in Putnam Lake features a single-family home and a guest cottage.

The buildings come fully furnished and the island’s a five minute motor boat ride from the mainland.

Price: $995,000

This Miami mansion has a moat

(Image: Estately)

Called Chateau Artisan, this three-story mansion sits on 14 acres including the private lake.

A long tree-lined drive leads you into the main house that can be closed off for privacy with immense wooden gates.

Price: $12.8 million

- Paige Cooperstein

Read: Ever wanted your own private island? For €22 million, this could be yours>