Costly Listings In Boston, San Francisco, North Carolina Might Break House Sale Information
Topline
Homes for sale in some of the country’s hottest real estate markets—including Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood, located as the heart of the country’s most expensive zip code—stand to break state sales records if they sell for their tens-of-millions listing prices, including those for sale by venture capitalists, philanthropists and a famous interior designer.
Key Facts
The market for high-end housing is continuing to thrive, particularly in the United States and Canada, according to the May report of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing.
The sales of luxury properties have grown month over month since the start of 2024, the report says, and homes are selling for an average of 99% of their list price, indicating a seller’s market.
The highest median sales prices for luxury homes so far this year have been in Manhattan; Vail, Colorado; Naples, Florida; and San Francisco, according to the Institute, with the highest sales ratios (places where sales exceed inventory) seen in Howard County, Maryland; Fairfax County, Virginia; and Arlington and Alexandria, Virginia.
Luxury home prices rose 9% year over year in the first quarter of 2024, according to RedFin, twice as fast as non-luxury prices, and sales of luxury homes were up 2%, compared to a 4% decline in non-luxury home sales over the same period.
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North Carolina Estate’s Sale Would Break A State Record
A 40-acre property in the resort town of Highlands, North Carolina, would become the most expensive home ever sold in the state if it fetches anywhere near its $49.9 million price tag, the Wall Street Journal reported. Sagee Manor, initially built as the summer home of London-based lighting executive and venture capitalist Andrew Johnson, includes a 12,000-square-foot main house with four bedrooms, a wine cellar, garden-inspired sitting room and seven fireplaces, as well as a three-bedroom guest house with a movie theater. The grounds feature a pool, English gardens and outdoor amphitheater.
San Francisco’s Most Expensive Listing
A home famous for hosting prestigious names like former President George H.W. Bush and the late Prince Philip of England is listed for sale at $38 million—the most expensive home currently on the market in San Francisco. The 10,000-square-foot house in the city’s famous Pacific Heights neighborhood is listed by the son of area philanthropists George “Fritz” and Lucy Jewett and includes four bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, a spiral staircase, full-service bar, solarium, seven-car garage and views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz.
A Record-Expensive House In Boston’s Back Bay
A 10,000-square-foot home in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston would become the city’s most expensive single-family home ever sold if it fetches its $29.9 million asking price. The house has seven bedrooms and 10 bathrooms spread across five levels and includes an elevator, cathedral ceilings, five fireplaces, a library, temperature-controlled wine room and roof deck with skyline views.
A Lovingly Restored Estate On The Hudson
A Victorian home in Palisades, New York, restored by designer Sara Story is listed for sale at $28.5 million. Named “Niederhurst,” the estate has had only four owners in the last 150 years and comes with several structures on 13 acres of land, including an 8,000-square-foot house with eight bedrooms and nine bathrooms, small observatory, antique barn, stone shed and stable built in the 1870s. The three-story main house is finished with Pannozzo, Nero Marquina and Calcutta marbles and hand-troweled Venetian plaster walls.
A Venture Capitalist’s Home Sale Will Benefit His Foundation
A $26 million seaside home in San Francisco’s Sea Cliff neighborhood has been listed for sale by the Sarlo Family Foundation, the philanthropic group founded by venture capitalist George Sarlo. The 7,890-square-foot, Mediterranean-style home has four bedrooms, six baths, private courtyard, and sprawling ocean views that include the Golden Gate Bridge.
An Asheville Estate Built With The Biltmore In Mind
Marcus Katz, who made his fortune in the student loan business, and his wife Pearl chose Asheville, North Carolina, to build their $24 million family estate following the lead of George Vanderbilt, who built his own famous estate, the Biltmore, in the same area, Katz said in an open letter to prospective buyers. Called Deerhaven Gardens, the property is five acres with more than 13,000-square-feet of living space sprawled across a main residence and guest house, a full gym, steam room, sauna, spa room with massage, pedicure and manicure stations, 50-foot infinity pool, tennis court outdoor kitchen and expansive landscaping that includes manicured gardens, extensive trails and waterfalls.
Big Number
$43.5 million. That’s how much the record-holding most-expensive home in San Francisco sold for in 2021, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. That home was on the same street as the Jewett’s, which is currently the most expensive house for sale in the city.