During the 1990s boom in manufactured home sales, Ted Parker, a mobile-home magnate, constructed his lavish mansion on the outskirts of Lumberton. This opulent residence, spanning 13,000 square feet and situated on 115 acres, boasted Swiss woodwork, a pool inspired by a Puerto Rican resort, and chandeliers originally crafted for singer Michael Bolton. Parker even funded a turn lane on a rural stretch of N.C. 72, anticipating the attention his mansion would attract.
Over the years, the property became a spectacle, especially after a “for sale” sign appeared. Now, a new prospect has emerged, and it’s from an unexpected corner of the globe: China.
In the past, the notion of Chinese real-estate investors and tourists making a 15-hour journey from Shanghai to Myrtle Beach seemed improbable. However, with Founders Group International acquiring 22 golf courses on the Grand Strand in 2014-15 and other Chinese investors exploring Myrtle Beach for a potential $100 million theme park resembling a Chinese cultural village, the dynamics have changed.
As of mid-April, Founders’ parent company, Yiqian Funding, faced an investigation by the Chinese government for alleged fraud, as reported by Chinese publications.
Real-estate agent Craig Dierksheide remarks, “If you’re flying halfway around the world,” another hour and a half to reach a mansion in Robeson County may not seem like a significant detour. The property is currently listed at $3.29 million, inclusive of furnishings.