From incredible bargains to dark secrets and star names, 2017 has been an exciting year for property. With phenomenal homes selling for record-breaking amounts and unusual properties still finding eager buyers, we've rounded up the most luxurious, interesting and surprising sales of the year.

Originally put on the market for a whopping $135 million (£101 million), comedian Danny Thomas' incredible Beverly Hills property sold in early 2017 following a hefty price drop. It was bought for just $65 million (£52 million) after being on the market since 2015.

The compound was created for one of Hollywood’s most beloved stars, the comedian, actor, TV producer and philanthropist Danny Thomas. And it's a huge - the house is around 18,000 square foot, and the grounds sprawl across 2.5 acres with 360-degree unparalleled views of the entire Los Angeles basin.

The property includes complete privacy thanks to its hilltop location. But its pièce de résistance is the vast dining and viewing pavilions, that lead to a glorious outdoor pool overlooking the entire LA panorama.

Decorated lavishly with a 'Moorish' design influence, the property has eight bedrooms and 12 bathrooms, with stunning features including Baccarat chandeliers adding up to $2.5 million (£1.8 million), gold leaf ceilings and hand-woven carpets.

The new owner is investor Evan Metropoulos, whose brother Daren bought the Playboy mansion for $100 million (£75 million) in 2006. He'll be neighboring Minecraft inventor Markus Persson who bought the next door property for $70 million (£52 million) in 2014.

This beautiful home sold for a little under $2 million, but it's most notable for being the lowest priced property in Harbour Cove, Newport Beach, on the California coast north of Los Angeles. Newport Beach is famed for its depiction on TV in The O.C., Arrested Development and The Real Housewives of Orange County.

Boasting four bedrooms, a sizeable yard and a spacious kitchen, this house was pitched towards families wanting to get on the first rung of the property ladder in Newport Beach. Modern, high ceilings greet you when you walk in the door, and there's a great sense of space thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows and light hardwood floors. The kitchen has modern stainless steel and granite worktops and accessories, and there's plenty of space for socialising.

The spacious backyard is reassuringly private and the perfect place to host soirees in the California sunshine, with a brand-new built-in gas BBQ already installed. One thing missing, you might notice, is a private swimming pool, which might explain the comparative affordability. But the new owners won't miss out as there's easy access to the community pool near the property.

The bedrooms all feel light and airy thanks to the high ceilings throughout, and with walk-in wardrobes and clever storage, there's an abundance of space. Plantation shutters and air conditioning throughout the home helps to keep the atmosphere pleasant even during the hottest summer days. Plus you can always escape to the Newport Beach Yacht Club, if you can get a membership, of course.

It's not the price of this utterly unique property that makes it an interesting sale of 2017, but rather its creepy history. The lighthouse comes included in the sale of the island, which is just off the south coast of Scotland. And it's has a murderous backstory...

Back in 1960, a lighthouse keeper was murdered by his colleague at the property, so it's understandable that buyers have been wary every since. Locals recall that relief keeper Hugh Clark was shot by the assistant keeper Robert Dickson at very close range with a .22 rifle.

Dickson fled the island but was later arrested in Yorkshire and came to trial at the High Court in Dumfries. Many exaggerated tales of the murder have been told since, and of course he headlines of the day were extreme. In the end Dickinson took his own life in jail, and the reason for the murder was never truly uncovered.

However, 57 years later, there seem to be plenty of buyers unworried by superstition, as the owners reported numerous bids for the island when it went up for sale. And honestly, with stunning views and the cosy interiors, we're not all that surprised.

It's official - the most expensive home ever sold in the UK was bought for $120 million (£90 million) this year. Capital FM owner Ashley Tabor bought a massive four-bedroom penthouse flat at a luxury Knightsbridge apartment complex in April.

His plan is to knock it through into the apartment he owns next door, to create one massive, 15,000 sq ft "super-flat". He has already lodged a planning application with Westminster City Council.

The application reveals plans to create a 10-bedroom home, complete with two kitchens, a playroom and even a cinema room. When it's complete it will be one of the largest and most valuable apartments in the UK.

This stunning condominium atop the iconic Puck Building was bought for a whopping $35 million (£26 million) no doubt thanks to its utterly stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. The penthouse has been reverentially crafted to retain the authentic loft character, with barrel vaulted ceilings, cast-iron columns and oversized windows.

The home features three bedrooms, five baths, a home theatre/games room, a private library and a stunning landscaped private terrace. The Great Room has a huge fireplace and expansive north facing terrace with stunning city views, and the whole apartment has been designed to give a feeling of space and light.

Outside on the private terrace is a cool oversized chess game, and elegantly designed space for relaxing and entertaining. Don't fancy cooking? No problem - a full catering service is available from the in-house chef.

The custom designed Saint-Damase Chef’s Kitchen with a windowed seating area features top-of-the-line appliances by La Cornue, Sub-Zero, Wolf and Smeg, as well as custom Arabescatto Oro marble and Ceramica Design Italia lava stone countertops and hand-poured radiant heated Terrazzo floors.

The five-room Grand Master Suite offers sweeping views and an original barrel vaulted ceiling with two dressing rooms and two spa bathrooms with Arabescatto Oro and Stormy Grey Travertine marble, Waterworks fixtures and radiant heated floors.

Melling Manor in Lancashire, England, changed hands for just £2 (less than $3). But the seller was as delighted as the new owner, because it was part of a huge raffle. Dustan Low sold raffle tickets to win his home, achieving the asking price he hadn't managed to find an individual buyer for.

The gamble paid off after he raised nearly £900,000 ($1.2 million) from selling more than 440,000 tickets to people across the world. It also came with the title of Lord or Lady of the manor, which is definitely worth the punt.

The new Lady of Melling Manor is Marie Segar, who upped her chances of a win by purchasing 20 tickets in the raffle, costing her £40 ($53). Probably the best £40 she ever spent! She was chosen by a random number generator, and called by the owner, who delivered the good news.

The house has its own cinema room, a new family bathroom and kitchen and large gardens with space for six cars. It comes complete with both original features and new upgrades, made by the sellers. Mr Low told the Manchester Evening News, which picked up the story, that the raffle helped him recoup everything he spent on the house and gave him a small profit.

To sell this stunning Los Altos property the owners eventually had to drop the asking price by almost $5 million. But at $8,500,000 it still sold for well over the median property price for the zipcode, $6.1 million.

The property is close to Silicon Valley and good schools, so is popular with highly educated families working in the tech industry. And the house caters for education and entrepreneurship too, with two offices and an art studio.

One of the key selling features was this impressive Carrara marble kitchen, as well as a den, fitness area and large family room, plus a recreation room (complete with full bar). Modern design updates have added a chic sophistication combined with earlier era details of mahogany millwork and parquet wood floors.

With plenty of space for family fun and entertaining, the property is packed with additional extras such as pool tables and even a spa. Built on four levels, there is a private elevator for residents to get around easily and recent upgrades have given it a fresh, modern feel.

The exterior and grounds of the property are beautiful too. The gardens are the perfect backdrop for a romantic stroll, with a pond and waterfall, as well as carefully manicured lawns and flowerbeds.

The apartment block Aykon London One won't be open to residents until 2020, but as of the middle of 2017, half of the luxury flats had already been pre-sold. Decorated lavishly in partnership with high end Italian fashion brand Versace, the block includes incredible views over London - even from the pool.

One-bedroom apartments in 'Versace Tower' start from £747,000 ($996,348), while a top-floor duplex will set you back an eye-watering £13.5 million ($18 million). There will be 360 residential apartments in total and the residents will gain access to opulent private areas including a gym and chandelier-bedecked lounge.

Versace has designed the wallpaper, carpets and furniture including sofas and chairs, fittings and fixtures both in the communal spaces and inside each of the apartments. The V logo will be inlaid into marble at the entrance to each abode.

Based in Nine Elms on the Southbank, the views from the pool will look out over central London adding the finishing touch to the fashion-statement high rise. Residents will be able to use Versace towels when they take a dip and relax under opulent lighting.

There will also be a children's play area (tastefully decorated of course) for families and visitors, while adults can recline in the luxury residents' lounge.

This home is bigger than some hotels, and as it backs right onto the seafront, it's hardly surprising it sold for a tremendous $40,000,000. Described as a modern 'Balinese' estate it has one of the largest view-scapes on the east coast.

Inside, the property is exceptionally spacious, with nine bedrooms, 10 full baths and five half size baths. Fully furnished, the interior is by Marc-Michaels design with plenty of light throughout and design elements taking into account the natural surroundings.

As well as being a stone's throw to the beach, there is a beautiful outdoor pool, overlooking the ocean, surrounded by palms, and plenty of outdoor space for BBQs and entertaining. Huge lawns allow for outdoor games, and there is ample space for multiple car parking.

The house also comes with its own tennis courts, for when swimming and sunbathing just doesn't cut it. The property actually sold slightly under the asking price (originally $49 million) but is still one of the priciest in the entire US. Along with California and New York, Florida has remained one of the most expensive and elusive states for impressive property sales like this one.