The housing market may be bouncing back for a lot of people, but not Katy Perry, because we've learned she's about to list her Hollywood Hills house for WAY less than the purchase price.

Katy bought the house with Russell Brand when they were married. She has full title and has been quietly trying to sell it for a long time, but she's not getting anywhere near the $8 million she wants.

Katy wanted to avoid putting the house in the multiple listing service -- which is the Paul Revere of the real estate world. She wanted to sell the house on the down-low, but it's just not happening.

We've learned she's agreed to put the house in the MLS in 2 weeks, and she'll reduce the asking price to the mid 7s -- as in millions. But here's the deal ... Our real estate sources say she'll definitely sell it if someone offers in the high 6s.

The real estate market ... hot again for most -- cold for Katy.

Trying not to make eye contact, former couple Katy Perry and Russell Brand sat on opposite sides of the court at the Lakers game at Staples Center in L.A. on Tuesday.

Both Katy and Russell -- who divorced earlier this year -- employed one of the hardest acting techniques known to man ... pretending it's not awkward when you run into your ex.

At least they can agree on which team to root for.

(For the record, the Lakers lost to the Mavs.)

Katy Perry and Russell Brand have officially severed ties -- their divorce became final today.

Russell filed for divorce at the very end of 2011, and the settlement was hashed out quickly, but it takes a full 6 months before a divorce in California can become final. 

We broke the story ... even though there wasn't a prenup, Russell walked away from half of the $44 million fortune that Katy racked up during their 14-month marriage.

Even though they had to wait for a legal divorce, they didn't wait to move on. Both have been seeing other people for months.

Divorces, violence, and even a racial controversy -- it seems the "Rock of Ages" cast has been smothered in bad fortune from the moment the project began. It's almost like ... THEY'RE CURSED!

Think about it ...

Tom Cruise -- "Blindsided" with divorce papers from Katie Holmes ... who filed in New York instead of California because she's gunning for sole legal custody of their daughter.


Russell Brand -- Marriage to Katy Perry goes belly up after production begins on "Rock" ... later investigated by police in New Orleans for smashing an iPhone belonging to a paparazzo.

Mary J. Blige -- Engulfed in racial controversy back in April ... after she was featured singing about fried chicken in a Burger King commercial. Mary's charity's went broke and was sued after failing to pay back a $250k loan.
Alec Baldwin -- Kicked off a flight in Dec. after screaming at a flight attendant who asked him to stop playing "Words with Friends." Later went to cops to report an alleged stalker. Investigated by the NYPD after allegedly attacking a photog.

Julianne Hough -- We can't think of anything ... yet ... but don't say we didn't warn you.

The rebound is officially underway for Katy Perry ... who was all about the PDA with her new man at Coachella ... hugging, caressing and full on making out.

The guy is Robert Ackroyd -- the guitar player for Florence and The Machine.

The two were also spotted together at the music festival last weekend ... and according to some reports, Katy was already referring to him as her "boyfriend."

Guess she's finally ready to move on from her soon-to-be ex-husband Russell Brand -- who filed for divorce back in December.

As TMZ has previously reported, Brand and Perry have been on relatively good terms since the breakup ... with Brand refusing to make a play for any of the millions of dollars Perry raked in during their relationship.

Russell Brand is one step closer to severing all ties with Katy Perry -- because he's surrendered his interest in the house they bought together while they were happily married -- if they were ever really happily married.

TMZ got hold of a quitclaim deed that Russell filed in L.A. ... giving Katy all rights to the $6.5 million house -- lock, stock and barrel.   

Sources tell us ... it's all part of the property settlement agreement between Russell and Katy. 

It's further proof of what Russell said -- that he doesn't want a penny of Katy's money and wants the split to go as amicably as possible ... so far, so good.

Katy Perry and a hot guy who's definitely not Russell Brand stepped out in L.A. -- but we have solid evidence the BF is waaay more likely to be a BFF. Drift caught?

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Katy Perry and Russell Brand never entertained the idea of signing a prenup -- and if they could do it all over again ... they wouldn't have changed a thing, sources close to the couple tell TMZ.

According to sources, Katy and Russell's marriage happened so fast, they never really had the opportunity to summon their lawyers and hash out a prenup ... nor did either really believe they needed one.

We’re told both felt comfortable one wouldn’t screw the other in the event of a divorce -- they both knew where the other person stood on money, life, religion ... everything.

TMZ broke the story ... Russell refused to accept $20 million of Katy's money he was entitled to as part of the divorce -- exactly half the money she made during the course of their marriage.

Sources tell us, Russell was never a materialistic person and never spent much -- he never got into entertainment for the money.

As one source put it, "Russell is a very simple person who doesn’t need much to make him happy."

The source adds, “He would never take money that [Katy] earned. That’s not Russell. And if it was the other way around, Katy wouldn’t have taken it either. They respect each other too much."

Where is Hollywood and what have you done with it?!?!

Russell Brand is either a champ or a chump for turning down a $20 million divorce payday -- and the only way to figure it out ... is to play Harv's version of "Family Feud."

Katy Perry's not only keeping all the cash she made during her marriage to Russell Brand -- she's also taking back her maiden name ... according to new divorce docs.

Katy's response to Russell's divorce filing -- filed yesterday and obtained by TMZ -- states the ex-couple reached a "comprehensive written settlement." As we first reported, that includes Russell passing on their community property -- aka 50% of Katy's approximate $40 million in earnings!

The doc also includes a check next to the box -- "Respondent's [Katy's] former name be restored to."  It goes on to specify her full name ... Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson.

Most amicable Hollywood divorce. Ever.

Russell Brand is entitled to approximately $20 million of Katy Perry's fortune ... but TMZ has learned he will not take a single penny of it.

Russell's lawyer filed final divorce papers Tuesday ... although the judge will make the divorce official on June 30, because there's a 6 month waiting period.

Informed sources tell TMZ ... Russell and Katy did NOT have a prenup. As a result, everything they earned during their 14-month marriage is community property -- which means they're each entitled to 50% of the pot.

Katy made $44 million between May, 2010 and May, 2011 -- according to Forbes. The couple married in October, 2010, so Russell could have scored a fortune if he exercised his community property rights. 

But here's the deal. As one source put it, "This divorce is as amicable as it gets, and Russell was a mensch (Yiddish for a good person)." He doesn't want Katy's money. He's happy to walk away with the money he earned -- which is far less than what Katy raked in.

So we gotta ask ...