Some people judge celebrity star power by awards and money, others by beauty. For us at realtor.com® it’s all about home, sweet home.

Unlike previous years when over-the-top architecture, islands and fortresses-for-sale ruled the scene, 2013′s news was dominated by tech billionaires, pop songstresses and Hollywood royalty whose homes — whether bought or sold — provided a peek into their private lives.

Here are the celebrity homes that attracted the most interest from realtor.com® visitors in 2013:

Taylor Swift’s Childhood Home
Taylor Swift made one of the biggest celebrity purchases of the year when she paid $17 million cash for a waterfront mansion in Rhode Island; but it was a home linked to the “I Knew You Were Trouble” singer’s early beginnings that produced the greatest buzz. Every pop icon’s path to stardom has to start somewhere, and fans got a glimpse of Swift’s when her childhood home hit the market in Wyomissing, Pa. in July.

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi’s Ranch
Notorious real estate addicts and amateur interior designers Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi were at it again, making real estate moves across the board. The celebrity couple scored a big purchase in May, buying a $26.5 million Montecito estate. However, it was a dreamy 26-acre property designed by Ellen herself that proved to be their biggest draw. Originally shopped for as much as $16.5 million, DeGeneres and de Rossi eventuallypocketed $10.85 million for their Hidden Valley wonderland. Luxuries that include a yoga pavilion, a “romantic barn” and a tree house pretty much ensure the new owner will live a charmed life.

Bill Gates’ Waterfront Equestrian Estate
Microsoft nerd and second richest man in the world Bill Gates saddled up in a big way in June when he shelled out$8.7 million for a waterfront equestrian estate in Florida. Gates’ purchase in the affluent village of Wellington came after he and his family rented the property last year. Apparently, the tech magnate took a shine to the estate, which boasts horse-friendly amenities aplenty and nearly 7,300 square feet. Still, it’s a far cry from his modern, 50,000-square-foot behemoth of a mansion on Lake Washington near Seattle.

Frank Sinatra’s Mountain Retreat With  Helipad
The biggest stars often need time away from the spotlight and a place to escape, and Frank Sinatra was no exception. Hitting the market in April was the Mountain Center, Calif., retreat of Ol’ Blue Eyes himself. Looking to stay cool in the summertime, Sinatra apparently chose a granite mountain plateau above Palm Springs as the ideal locale for his hideout, complete with its own helipad, which was completed in 1967. Besides acting as his own personal sanctuary, the chalet was said to have been used by Sinatra to wine and dine the Rat Pack, various dignitaries and a host of social elite.

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s Country Royal Farm
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill delivered a little country to our A-list of real-estate stars. The country music power couple were the talk of the town in July when they listed a 753-acre parcel in Franklin, Tenn. Adding intrigue to the listing was the fact that the stately plantation-style home, which hit the market for a whopping $20 million, was previously linked to country music royalty. It’s previous owner? Hank Williams Sr.