Massachusetts’ Priciest Homes of 2024: Oceanfront Estates Dominate

NANTUCKET, Mass. — Oceanfront properties on Nantucket, Cape Cod, and Boston’s Back Bay dominated the list of Massachusetts‘ most expensive home sales in 2024, with prices soaring into the tens of millions, according to data from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and the Cape Cod and Islands Association of Realtors.

The top sale was a $26 million beachfront compound on Nantucket, originally developed as a private beach club in the 1930s. The property, spanning nearly an acre, includes a four-unit main beach house, two cottages, garages, and a courtyard. The Nantucket Land Bank purchased the estate with plans to transform it into a public beach. “It has an established parking area which, along with the flat nature of this north shore beach, will allow us to create a new ADA-accessible destination for the benefit of all,” the Land Bank stated in November.

In Barnstable, an oceanfront mansion in Osterville set a Cape Cod record, selling for $22.75 million. The 15,500-square-foot estate, built in 2012, features seven bedrooms, a private beach, and a 5,000-bottle wine cellar. “The epicurean kitchen, equipped with professional-grade appliances and custom cabinetry, showcases panoramic views through an open-concept family room,” the listing noted.

Boston’s Back Bay also made headlines with the sale of a historic Marlborough Street home for $16.5 million. Built in 1873, the property boasts radiant heated floors, an elevator, and a top-floor terrace with views of the Back Bay skyline. “The parlor level strikes the perfect balance of comfort and elegance,” the listing described.

On the North Shore, the OakLedge estate in Marblehead sold for $15.5 million. The 19-room mansion, rebuilt in 2009, features a heated seaside pool, an outdoor kitchen, and panoramic ocean views. Listing agent Holly Helliwell Fabyan called it a “mini estate” with “amazing character and modern conveniences.”

Rounding out the top five was a $14.5 million property on Cliff Road in Nantucket. The 1.84-acre estate includes a six-bedroom main house, a guest cottage, and a 50-foot pool. “The inviting front foyer boasts a custom white oak feature wall, setting the stage for the interior aesthetic,” the listing stated.

These sales underscore the enduring appeal of Massachusetts’ coastal real estate, with buyers willing to pay a premium for prime locations and luxurious amenities.