As a brief update to Monday's story, Team Ellison (legal team that is, not yacht racing team or Oracle softball team) has released Larry's response to news reports that he would be buying up the former home of San Francisco socialite Dodie Rosekrans. As recounted on Curbed today, Larry says, "No one has ever offered to sell me the house next-door for $40 million or any other price. If someone does offer to sell me the house next-door for $40 million or an amount anywhere near $40 million I will not buy it."

Of course, the first rule of real estate sales is: do not talk about real estate sales. (The second rule is: do not talk about real estate sales until close of escrow.) Besides, when you're the fifth richest man in the world you don't really need to wait for people to offer to sell you things. You just dangle cash in front of them until they move out of your way.

[CurbedSF]

Curbed's original story: Larry Ellison Buys House Next Door for $40m
Previously on SFist: Frustrated With Obstructed Views, Larry Ellison Buys Neighbor's House for $40 Million