After selling their old mega-compound to Ryan Seacrest for $49 million, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi are really downsizing ... into a cozy $18 million mid-century modern Beverly Hills estate.

In their new "modest" digs, Ellen & Portia will have to find a way to make due with 8,500 square feet featuring 4 bedrooms, 6 baths, a commercial kitchen, several patios and only one rectilinear swimming pool, according to The Real Estalker.

While their new crib is still ridiculously awesome -- the place has a tree in the middle of the living room --  the ladies will be packed in like A-list sardines compared to the 9,200 square foot mansion, 3 guest houses and 2.7 acres they just sold to the "American Idol" host.

Times are tough for everyone in this economy ... except Ryan Seacrest.

It's official ... Ryan Seacrest is the owner of Ellen DeGeneres' epic, Beverly Hills estate. 

We've learned title was officially transferred to Ryan on Wednesday.  

We have now learned exactly what Ryan paid for the property. Ellen listed it at $49 million, and although one of our sources told us Ryan paid close to the asking price, we have now confirmed Ryan paid just under $39 mil. 

We broke the story Ryan snagged the estate, which covers a city block and is just shy of 3 acres.  In addition to the 9,200 square foot main house, there are 3 other houses on the property.  The gym is the size of a large health club.

As for Ellen, she bought the main house from "Will and Grace" producer Max Mutchnick for $29 mil and then purchased the surrounding properties.  Bottom line ... we're told Ellen lost money on the deal, but given the real estate slump, she still did ok.

Forbes says Ryan raked in $59 mil last year, so he can afford it.

Ryan Seacrest has snagged Ellen DeGeneres' amazing Beverly Hills estate, which was listed for a cool $49 million, and he paid close to the asking price ... TMZ has learned.

Seacrest, who is reportedly worth $125 million and rakes in $45 million a year (these reports are sometimes off -- he probably makes more) ... will be the proud owner of the 9,200 square foot main house, 3 guest houses, and a couple of cement ponds. The estate sits on 2.87 acres -- for Bev Hills, that's huge. It basically covers an entire block.

Our sources say Ryan is paying within a couple of million dollars of the asking price. The deal is in escrow and it will close this week.

One realtor -- Kurt Rappaport -- repped both Ryan and Ellen in the deal ... nice commission.

The house was formerly owned by Max Mutchnick, co-creator of "Will and Grace." Ellen paid $29 mil, but then purchased the adjacent properties.

It pays to have 20 jobs.

Seal may or may not have a message for Heidi Klum -- singing Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" on today's episode of "Ellen."

Barack Obama performed his own rendition of the famous break-up song just days ago -- but given the timing of Seal's split from Heidi ... we doubt his performance was an homage to POTUS.

Among the lyrics -- "Baby, let's, let's stay together / Loving you whether, whether times are good or bad, happy or sad."

The song appears on Seal's new album -- but there are plenty of other songs he could have chosen to perform.

So we gotta ask ...

Seal kept his promise to appear on Ellen's show, and he explained that he's keeping his ring on -- despite the breakup of his marriage -- because he still has a connection to Heidi Klum.

Seal adds he has no intention of taking the ring off anytime soon.

The show will air today.

Seal is scheduled to appear on Ellen DeGeneres' talk show today to promote his new album, and so far it's all systems go ... sources connected with the production tell TMZ.

We're told Seal is supposed to appear in 2 segments -- an interview segment and another where he sings. 

The taping is scheduled for 4 PM PT ... and so far Seal's team has not called to cancel.

If Seal does appear, it's possible if not likely that his people will ask that Ellen not talk about the story TMZ broke .... that Heidi will file for divorce.

The show will air tomorrow.

Good news boys and girls ... Mr. Robinson might actually return to the neighborhood.**

Eddie Murphy just told Ellen Degeneres he's finally gotten over his beef with "Saturday Night Live" ... the show that helped launch him into superstardom 25 years ago.

During the interview, Ellen asked, "Is there something going on that you have not been back for a while on SNL? Will you go back and host?"

Eddie replied, "Not anymore. Now, I’m cool.  I would go back if it was the right stuff, situation."

When Ellen asked why Eddie had issues with the show, he didn't come all the way clean ... but explained, "It was couple ... Over the years ... they did little s**tty  stuff where I was like, hey, f*ck y’all. I’m not trippin. It was years ago. I don’t have any bad blood with that show. And that show is such a big part of my past. I love being part of it. Yeah, I wanna go back."

It's long been rumored that Eddie's problem with "SNL" started with a sketch on David Spade's Hollywood Minute segment ... when a picture of Eddie appeared on screen and David said, "Look children, a falling star ... quick, make a wish!"

**For those too young to get the reference, check out Eddie's old Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood sketch (below) ... hilarious.

Ellen DeGeneres wants everyone to know ... her heart scare that triggered a 911 call Monday morning has been happily resolved ... and she gave TMZ special mention for spreading the word, Paul Revere-style.

Ellen taped her show hours after paramedics arrived on the Warner Bros. lot to check her out.  She says she felt a tightness and heaviness in her chest and felt she needed to have it checked out.

Her explanation is actually pretty hilarious.  Thanks for the shout out, Ellen.

Ellen DeGeneres suffered chest pains during a producers' meeting on the Warner Bros' lot ... TMZ has learned.

Someone from Ellen's staff called 911, and the Burbank Fire Department dispatched a crew to the scene at 11:53 am. 

We're told Ellen is doing fine. She was seen walking on her own after the Fire Dept. left.

Story developing...

First, Petra Ecclestone bought Candy Spelling's $85 million mansion -- now her sister Tamara is shopping for her own mega home ... in the $50 million range! Since when did money buy popularity? Oh, right ... silly question.

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Petra Ecclestone's older and hotter sister, Tamara, is shopping in L.A. for a mansion of her own, and we've learned she spent time Friday looking at Ellen DeGeneres' compound (a portion of which is seen above), which she could snag for around $50 million.  But Tamara tells us the house was just not for her.

Fact is ... Ellen's house is priced like a bungalow compared to Petra's $85 million mansion that she just bought from Candy Spelling.



Petra looked at seven homes on Friday, ranging in price from around $7 million to $50 mil.

And here are some of the other houses Tamara eyed on Friday.