The Crème de la Crème of Luxury Homes
Wherever you go, you’ll find plenty of perfectly nice homes on the market at prices that are commensurate with what the local market will bear. But there will always be a few standout examples – homes that for one reason or another are so sought after that they command stratospheric prices.
The reasons vary from place to place. In urban markets such as NYC where space is at a premium, particularly capacious residences fetch a pretty penny. And it goes without saying that sprawling estates with ample land and living space will always be more expensive in any market.
The level of craftsmanship and quality of materials can also drive a home’s value skyward, as can its historical or architectural significance. Owners of homes with particularly dazzling views can tack a premium onto the asking price. Having prestigious neighbors certainly doesn’t hurt, nor does being situated in a highly sought after zip code such as Beverly Hills or Vail, Colorado.
Lots of real estate listings can check a few of these boxes, but the ones that command out-of-this world prices have more than their share of lust-worthy features. They’re uncommonly desirable residences: rare, precious, and reserved exclusively for those with exquisite taste and the means to indulge them.
And as it turns out, certain states have cornered the market on ultra-luxe listings. So where should you go house hunting if you’re looking for a truly dazzling home?
California Real Estate Tops the List
It’s no shocker that California claims the lion’s share of the spendiest homes in the nation. Here, you’ll find the iconic, silver-screen allure of Hollywood, the entertainment capital of the world. Or you can bask in the beauty of San Francisco, the picturesque, legendary counterculture bastion of the west coast. You can live the good life in San Diego, with its endless summer, towering palm trees, and shimmering beaches. And of course, these three cities are just the beginning in the Golden State: there’s also Newport Beach, Redwood City, Sunnyvale, San Mateo… we could go on and on.
Florida Home Values Are High
With its miles of sunbaked coastline and preponderance of dream homes, Florida nabs the second-place spot on our list of states that are rich in exclusive estates. From the dazzling renaissance palaces of Palm Beach to modern minimalist masterworks in Hobe Sound and Lantana, the astounding mansions of Ft. Lauderdale to Star Island compounds surrounded by private jungles, you’ll find no shortage of homes sure to make your heart pound and your checkbook open.
Real Estate Listings Skyrocket in New York
New York might not have the sheer volume of dazzling real estate listings that you’ll find in states like California or Florida, but their relative rarity makes them all the more precious. And according to a recent survey, three of the most expensive cities in America are in New York: Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.
In Manhattan, one can easily spend $2 million or more on an apartment that might be considered relatively average elsewhere. Of course, the really special properties cost considerably more. Want three penthouses of your own at the top of a ritzy hotel? If you’ve got $120 million in the bank, you can have exactly what you want. How about a mansion on West 56th St? $115 million should cover that. The bottom line in the Big Apple is that your wildest homeownership dreams can be yours… but only for a price.
Honorable Mentions for Home Value Across the Country
California, Florida, and New York are where you’ll find the vast majority of the most expensive homes in the nation, but Colorado, Hawaii, Connecticut, and Texas are no slouches either, when it comes to fancy homes.
And if you’re not finding your dream home in say, Iowa or Oklahoma, where the real estate prices tend to be the most reasonable, you could always become a trendsetter and commission a castle among the corn fields, or a palace on the plains. After all, if you’ve got the cash, the choice is yours.
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Christine is the Content Marketing Coordinator for Homes.com. She's a small town girl at heart, who currently lives in Norfolk, VA with her husband and their fur baby. When she's not working, she enjoys cooking, decorating, traveling, and binge watching Netflix. As a proud Virginia Tech alum, she also loves cheering on the Hokies!
