Salt air or fresh water: Where luxury buyers are investing in NH

It has finally arrived … Memorial Day weekend. The unofficial start to the summer season in the New Hampshire Lakes Region. Restaurants open up the patios, boats return to the water, and local resorts kick off their summer hours. Expect a flurry of activity, and get out there and enjoy our beautiful region.

I was down at Rye Beach last week, taking a walk up to Straws Point, an oceanfront cluster of homes I used to jog by all the time in my younger years. It has changed radically, and I thought it would be an interesting read about New Hampshire’s most expensive homes, which have sold recently.

Historically called Lockes Point in Rye, it began as an exclusive Gilded Age summer colony in the mid-1880s, a fashionable seaside retreat for wealthy families, consisting of grand Victorian “cottages” in a circular grouping. I was amazed to see the transition where the homes were undergoing major transformations and have morphed into ultra high-end estates, raising the bar in New Hampshire for the ultimate price points.

It started in December 2022 when a coastal mansion at 30 Straws Point in Rye sold for a state record-breaking $25 million. The 6,572 square-foot mansion dates back to 1926 and includes over an acre with 225 feet of rocky oceanfront overlooking Jenness Beach, where I’ve spent many summers.

In May 2024, another luxury home sold within the colony, only doors away at 17 Straws Point, for $18.5 million. This expansive 10,000 square-foot rocky oceanfront estate stands as the second-highest priced single-family home in state history resale. It sits on 1.38 acres with views of the Isles of Shoals, where I used to go fishing with my cousin in a small boat when we were youngsters and courageous. This modern masterpiece includes a large pool, hot tub, and wet bar overlooking the rocky coastline, a theater room, wine room, outdoor kitchen, and every imaginable amenity.

The story gets better … The owner of 30 Straws Point purchased their neighboring home at 36 Straws Point Road for $8.5 million and obtained approvals to raise and tear down both existing structures ($25 million plus $8.5 million) and construct their new home modeled off a “French Country Manor.” Spanning 8,500 feet plus a new pool house and large carriage house, all of which was built between the two lots where the combined lot purchase alone was $33.5 million plus demolition costs, the cost of construction, and infrastructure, plus landscaping. I guess this is a new state record.

Yes, the seacoast is on fire with many homes hitting up in the millions in Rye, Portsmouth, Newcastle, North Hampton and Greenland. However, our lakefront towns throughout New Hampshire are likewise experiencing record sales. Many of them are classic lakefront estates, newly constructed, not resales that have multimillion-dollar price tags associated with their construction costs and waterfront land acquisition. Roche Realty Group listed and sold one of these at Wagon Wheel Trail in Meredith. The waterfront compound estate and guest house that was erected on this magnificent 7-plus acre site is a magical setting, and we also sold them the farm across the road for protection and conservation.

Take a drive down Sewell Road and Springfield Point in Wolfeboro, or Clay Point in Alton, where Speedway founder Bob Bahre constructed a 63,000 square-foot mega compound with his son. Governors Island in Gilford is speckled with numerous lakefront estates, and Spindle Point in Meredith and Black Cat Island include many fine estates. Moultonborough, with its 66 miles of shoreline, is likewise endowed with many glamorous lake homes.

Let’s take a look at the third most expensive resale luxury home in New Hampshire, 73/74 Spindle Point Road in Meredith on Lake Winnipesaukee. It closed in June 2023 at $14 million and included 10,016 square feet of living space on 3-plus acres with 407 feet of waterfront with five docks plus a guest house with a three-car garage.

The fourth highest resale was at 14 Point Beach Lane in Alton on Winnipesaukee. It closed in May of 2023 at $13.9 million and featured 15,831 feet of living space with 7 bedrooms and 9 baths on 2.1 acres, 297 feet of shorefront, including a boathouse and guest house.

There’s currently a luxury compound for sale at 30 Leopards Leap in Meredith on Winnipesaukee that includes 9.96 acres with 989 feet of waterfront at $15.9 million This 11,080 square-foot luxury home with 7 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms and 20 rooms plus, a 2-bay mahogany boathouse, 4 bay garage, 2 spring ponds, and a huge toy barn with an apartment above. It sure seems like a lot of house to clean from my perspective.

Let’s give Winnipesaukee a break (I know there were many other big sales) and move over to Squam Lake, which includes 6,791 acres of tranquil waters. I can remember in 1980 when I was asked to locate a site for the future film of “On Golden Pond.” Boy, what that movie did for that lake.

There was a big sale at 32 Greg Point Road in Holderness on Big Squam Lake that sold in September 2022 for $8 million. The 4,409 square-foot cottage/camp built in 1920 on 4.35 acres within an amazing 1,200 feet of shorefront was at true vintage Squam Lake cottage, a unique legacy property.

There was another $7.9 million sale “on Golden Pond” at 45 Paugus Road in Holderness in October 2023. This property included 2,819 square feet of living space on 5 acres with 237 feet of short front, which was built in 1900 and featured great views of Mount Chocorua and Church Island. The lake fiercely protects its privacy, vintage homes, and serene, undisturbed atmosphere as featured in the movie.

Right now, there is a new listing that is shown as pending and under agreement at 294 Pinehuest Road in Sandwich on Squam Lake. This saltbox-designed home is listed at $6.5 million, with 4,208 square feet of living space on 6.2 acres and 355 feet of shorefront. The artisan who helped build “Nine Pines” carved nine pine trees throughout the main house.

Let’s move over to the western side of New Hampshire and take a look at beautiful Lake Sunapee, a pristine 4,136-acre lake neighboring Mount Sunapee ski area. There was a $9.5 million vintage waterfront sale in April 2025 that was built in 1929 and included 5,761 square feet of living space on 7.3 acres with 608 feet of pristine shorefront, including a 2-bay boathouse and a sandy beach.

There’s currently a pending sale (active under contract) at 75 Westwood Road at $6.75 million with 6 bedrooms, 7 baths, and 5,221 square feet of living space with 236 feet of shorefront and a 2-bay boathouse plus a large docking system that’s coming up for a closing. I’m sure the new owners can’t wait to experience “lakefront living” in New Hampshire.

So, there you have it, some of New Hampshire’s most expensive resale homes.

Our state has been discovered for obvious reasons. We present a quality of life and natural amenities that are unsurpassed in the northeast. Our striking, easily accessible geography from the White Mountains to the Lakes Regions to the Atlantic coast is unsurpassed … we live in a very special place.

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This article was written by Frank Roche. Frank is the president of Roche Realty Group, located in Meredith, and can be reached at 603-279-7046. Data was compiled from PrimeMLS and is subject to change. Visit rocherealty.com to learn more about the Lakes Region and its real estate market.