Having a beach house in New Jersey during the summer was a sign of social status. While beach houses on the Jersey shore tend to be pretty simple affairs, the fact that a family (or person) could own two homes was a big deal. And even in this recession, some people are lucky enough to have that second home this summer. But more than likely they aren't spending millions on it.
Granted, these house are gorgeous and, in real estate, location is everything -- or at least really important. Also, the places on this list are lavishly equipped. One home in Carpinteria, California is going for a mere $37,500,000 but it does have an entrance lined with coral and eucalyptus trees along with a lighted tennis court and a guest house.
Another home in Honolulu, Hawaii is a steal compared to the California home at $15,000,000. Not only do you get views of the Pacific Ocean but they also throw in a media room, paddle court and a pool in with this 5 bedroom home. The listing states, "This is the kind of home you only see in the movies." Looking at the picture you can see why.
A beach house is a place you spend a few weeks to get away from it all. And, let's face it, if the house is on the beach, you probably won't be spending all that much time inside. So should it really matter what the house looks like?
I still laugh at those Jersey Shore friends that spend upwards of $20,000 on a piece of beach front property for just a week or two, but these "top ten" homes seem just plain insane. The real estate agents trying to sell these places are just doing their jobs and it can't be easy to sell this kind of property in this economy.
It makes me wonder in a time where more than half the people I know are out of work or about to lose their jobs who would buy a place like this? Sure the argument can be made that if you have it, you have the right to flaunt it but obviously nobody wants these homes right now -- why else would they even be on the market?
You decide, just because we can have nice things, should we?
