When it comes to mixing work with play, about the only thing I like better than watching House Hunters on HGTV is hanging out with real life house hunters attempting to find their dream home. And since this is Los Angeles, many of the house hunters I’m involved with are of the upscale, celebrity variety. Yes, it’s true, most of the houses I view are WAY above my own price range, but the dreams are priceless, and I also get fabulous ideas for things I can do (or not do) here at the old homestead.

So I was absolutely thrilled when I was invited to cover the house hunt of Beverly Hills dentist to the stars Dr. Sam Saleh. He’s the tall, dark and handsome guy you see on all the makeover shows, brightening everyone’s smiles, and it’s his posh Ora Dentistry Spa, located in a penthouse suite on Rodeo Drive, where you’ll see A-list celebs slipping in and out, their new grins about 1,000 watts brighter and their teeth umpteen degrees straighter. Incidentally, when my girlfriends swipe the pix on my iPhone to see photos of my new puppy, they always get fixated on the images of Dr. Sam in cool houses, exclaiming “Who’s THAT?” Apparently Dr. Sam is more riveting than a new puppy.

But I digress. Dr. Sam got married a few years ago, he and his gorgeous wife had a baby girl, and another one is on the way, so it’s time for the family to move into more spacious digs. Dr. Sam is a particularly discerning buyer, because, in addition to being a cosmetic dentist, he ‘s an artist with an eye for design, and he’s decorated his own home with exquisitely good taste. His office, too, is far more elegant, comfortable and relaxing than any medical office I’ve ever visited. So he’s not impressed with just any old decor — this guy knows his stuff.

Real estate agent Sam Plouchart of The Agency has not only listed Dr. Sam’s current place, but is taking him around the hills of Beverly and Hollywood, in hopes of finding the perfect home before the new addition arrives. I was lucky enough to tag along. They narrowed the search down to three. Here are the details on each:

Hillside View Home: This is a four bedroom, four and a half bath home with a pool, spa, outdoor TV, home theater, smart home system and even a dumb waiter! Plouchart thought this would be a good choice for Dr. Sam because of the it has million dollar views and has newer construction with the high end finishes Dr. Sam likes. At about $905 per square foot, it is the least expensive of the three.

Dr. Sam’s Impressions: He was intrigued by the views—and also loved the kitchen, which has four ovens, and two hidden refrigerators. What he didn’t love about the house was the fact that it has three stories, all connected by steep staircases both inside and out — not ideal for little ones. It’s also a little far east for his taste — his office is further west in Beverly Hills.

Single Story Modern: This one-level, four bedroom, five bath home is located in the coveted 90210 area code, where the schools are good but the taxes are high. Plouchart thought Dr. Sam would enjoy the open floor plan, the walls of glass that bring the outdoors in, the soaring 14 foot ceilings, and the fact that it’s minutes from his office on Rodeo Drive, yet secluded and private. At about $1,418 per square foot, this is the most expensive of the three.

Dr. Sam’s Impressions: “The size is ideal, and it has a good layout,” Dr. Sam said, noting that he also likes the location, just up the canyon from his office. What concerns him are the finishes, which are not up to his standards. He surmised that they’d tried to spruce the home up quickly, sacrificing quality. “A little like trying to brighten up a dark smile with poor quality veneers,” he said.

Two-Story Architectural: Also in the 90210 area code, this is a five bedroom, six bath, extremely modern architectural. Plouchart thought Dr. Sam would appreciate tfeatures such as waterfalls, high ceilings, museum walls and entertainer’s floor plan that includes a wine cellar and Fleetwood glass doors. It has it’s own pool and spa and is also part of a community that provides club facilities and tennis courts. It’s the largest of the three when it comes to square footage, and is priced at about $1005 per square foot.

Dr. Sam’s Impressions: He thought this one has gorgeous modern architecture with stunning, masculine finishes, and is absolutely turn-key. ”It was so me ten years ago, and exactly what I would have wanted as a bachelor,” he said. But now he acknowledged that childproofing would be necessary—especially on that main staircase, which is beautifully designed as is.

So: Which one will Dr. Sam pick? Which one would you pick?

I’m going to send you over to my gallery on HGTV.com for more pix, info, and the final decision. I’m sneaky that way.