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Sotheby's Realty

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Sotheby's Realty

Life By the Beach

Right around the time of year the sun starts sticking around longer and the temperatures creep upward, a house by the beach starts to sound mighty nice. Though with far less beachfront property available than people who want to own it, that can be a costly proposition. With help from Realtor.com, Trulia and Sotheby's International Realty, we found a few gorgeous beachfront spots just waiting for buyers who have the capital to spare. The rest of us will have to settle for some time at restful beach resorts to figure out our path to riches.

Sotheby's Realty

Marco Island, Florida

Price: $2.7 million
The community of Hideaway Beach has 117 feet of beach frontage, including this ready-to-build property. It's a third of an acre convenient to amenities including a clubhouse, pool on the beach, casual to formal dining, golf course, fitness center, tennis, boardwalks, and two miles of pristine white sand beaches.

Trulia

Malibu, California

Price: $5.3 million
Edward Norton may have starred in "Rounders," "American History X," and "Fight Club" nearly two decades ago, but he took that experience and money and poured it into this 1,000-square-foot investment property. Built in 1928, this Malibu bungalow has 43 feet of beach frontage, a massive wood deck overlooking the ocean, and a tiki hut in its private, sandy yard.

Realtor.com

Maui, Hawaii

Price: $6.6 million
If the amount of beachfront is your foremost concern, the 70 feet of state conservation land in North Kihei takes care of it. The property itself is no slouch: A lush courtyard, grand front entrance, salt water pool and spa, 21-foot-wide bi-folding glass doors from the pool to the family room, 14-foot recessed ceilings, smart home technology, a floating staircase, and four ensuite bedrooms are just a few of the modern amenities. Even the detached two-car garage has an ocean view and ensuite bedroom/office.

Realtor.com

Miami Beach, Florida

Price: $7.8 million
Yes, it's a condo. But this three-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom, 2,621-square-foot oceanfront corner condo just south of South Beach is a dream. With floor-to-ceiling windows, multiple balconies, a marble-ensconced spa master bathroom, electric shades, smart house electronics, 24-hour security and valet, front desk and concierge service, patio restaurant pavilion, and beachfront services, this condo gives its owners all the amenities while securing a view from the sky.

Sotheby's Realty

Sarasota, Florida

Price: $8 million
You can get two acres along 240 feet of gulf beachfront. Even better, you'll be within steps of the white sands of Siesta Key's Siesta Beach. The bad news? This is just a lot awaiting a home. There are building plans, but the lot can be sold separately and used for whatever kind of home you'd like. All the swimming, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and dolphin watching awaits anyone with enough imagination to put their dream home here.

Realtor.com

Sanibel Island, Florida

Price: $8 million
This three-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom, 6,639-square-foot home on the Gulf of Mexico was built in 2003 to resemble a Mediterranean mansion. With a pool, multiple balconies, elevator, multiple game rooms, wine room, theater, indoor/outdoor kitchen, office, and optional additional bedrooms — not to mention a walkway down to a private beach — this property matches its stunning views with similarly impressive features.

Realtor.com

Laguna Beach, California

Price: $9 million
Originally an artists' community and more than a decade removed from its time in the spotlight of Fox's "The O.C." and MTV's "Laguna Beach: The Real O.C.," Laguna Beach is now perhaps best known for its prime beachfront and oceanfront property. This three-bedroom, four-bathroom, 3,169-square-foot mid-century modern home dates back to 1974 and retains some of its period features, but it also has gorgeous views from its cliffside perch onto the beach and cove below. The oceanside patio and pool are particularly enticing, especially to those who can do without the upgrades and move into this home as-is.

Sotheby's Realty

Holmes Beach, Florida

Price: $9.5 million
Why should a bunch of corporate suits get 2 acres of waterfront property all to themselves? This corporate retreat has 190 feet of sandy beach along the Gulf of Mexico and a main building with 14 residences enjoying full gulf views. The property includes an Olympic-sized pool and tennis courts that can be yours instead of theirs.

Realtor.com

Avalon, New Jersey

Price: $9.5 million
When people in New Jersey say the Jersey Shore doesn't bear much resemblance to MTV's "Jersey Shore," this town is evidence. A community of fewer than 1,500, Avalon is the kind of place where someone could've built a six-bedroom, five-and-two-half-bath, 4,581-square-foot "cottage" 10 years ago in the midst of the housing crisis and no one would've batted an eyelash. Parked on 110 feet of beachfront, this stone, brick, and slate home has a heated pool, lush landscaping, floor-to-ceiling windows, ornate woodwork, multiple fireplaces, oceanside dining room, chef's kitchen, and three-story elliptical staircase leading to a master suite with its own bar and laundry.

Realtor.com

Dana Point, California

Price: $9.5 million
Dana Point was incorporated only roughly 30 years ago, but its history of whale watching, tall-ship festivals, and surfing stretches a bit further. This well-heeled corner of Orange County gives residents a ferry to Catalina Island, coastal views all the way to La Jolla, and a historic harbor about to undergo a nine-figure renovation, which this home takes full advantage of. With 4,000 square feet, four bedrooms, six bathrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows, fireplaces, and views of Catalina and Salt Creek Beach, this home within the gated Monarch Bay community not only has a spot on the sand, but access to the private Monarch Bay Beach Club.

Realtor.com

Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Price: $9.9 million
With numerous parks and lighthouses, including the iconic Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth is a gorgeous cliffside town no matter where you live in it. Living in this sprawling eight-bedroom, 8.5-bathroom, 15,455-square-foot home has certain advantages, though. Located along 650 feet of private coastline, this 5.5-acre property features an oceanfront swimming pool, terraced patio, outdoor kitchen, full chef's kitchen, butler's pantry with sink, formal dining room, conservatory, two-story library with spiral staircase, wine cellar, game room, gym, and a four-bedroom guest house next to a tennis court.

Sotheby's Realty

Key Biscayne, Florida

Price: $10 million
It's a five-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom house spread over more than 5,100 square feet, but you could drop a shack onto this property along Biscayne Bay and still be set. With Miami's lights twinkling in the distance and the waterfront just steps from the pool, you could settle into this modern home, enjoy the fireplace on cool nights, tie a boat to your private dock or just fish right off of it. With staff quarters, a garage, an outdoor kitchen and sweeping views of Hurricane Harbor, this humble home is made a whole lot less humble by its location.

Realtor.com

Sands Point, New York

Price: $10 million
Before the Hamptons were "The Hamptons," Sands Point in Nassau County was where the Guggenheims and Vanderbilts spent their "old money" on lavish summer homes. F. Scott Fitzgerald used it as the basis for East Egg in "The Great Gatsby," but an eight-bedroom, seven-and-three-half-bathroom, 9,000-square foot home on a 2-acre lot brings some new-money charms to its 250 feet of beachfront. A waterfront pool, private sand beach, cabana with full kitchen, wine cellar, putting green, gym, five fireplaces, a seven-car garage, and generator are just some of the perks of this bright, recently renovated home.

Sotheby's Realty

Mamaroneck, New York

Price: $10 million
It isn't in the Hamptons, but 12.8 acres and 300 feet of sandy beach along Long Island Sound just a half-hour from New York City (depending on traffic) is hard to come by. Surrounded by Mamaroneck Harbor, Otter Creek, and Long Island Sound on three sides, this 18,000 square-foot mansion dates back to 1885 and has a 6,000-square-foot waterfront ballroom at its center. Its marina can accommodate a 90-foot yacht, while two swimming pools and a tennis court give the property some old-money playthings that compete with the new-money construction a bit farther east.

Realtor.com

Maui, Hawaii

Price: $11 million
This four-bedroom, five-bathroom, 4,647-square-foot home in Paia doesn't have a whole lot of beachfront of its own, but when you can watch the turquoise waters and breaking waves, rainbows, turtles, and whales, the footage of actual beachfront is trivial. The beach you do have is visible from the in-ground pool or bedroom lanais and a walk from Kuau Point, Hookipa Beach Park, and Mama's Fish House (just 67 feet away).

Sotheby's Realty

Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Price: $11.5 million
Located on two oceanfront acres, this eight-bedroom, nine-bathroom home has nearly 7,500 square feet and a whole lot of amenities. A library with fireplace, salt-water pool and hot tub, outdoor kitchen with stone fireplace, private study in the master suite, elevator, Sonos music system, separate guest house (three bedrooms, three bathrooms) and a private boardwalk to the beach make a strong pitch. If you're still on the fence, a seven-car garage and a shot at full Kiawah golf club membership might entire you.

Realtor.com

La Selva Beach, California

Price: $11.5 million
Like the beach, but don't necessarily like the heat? Even in the hottest summer months, La Selva's average high is only in the lower to mid-70s, making this four-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom, 4,931-square-foot home perfect for a very specific kind of beachfront living. Renovated in 2015, this home's reclaimed antique hickory and oak beams, distressed European oak floors, fireplace, spa master bath, and bi-fold doors onto an oceanfront patio make this a cozy beachfront home that can open up in the dry months but batten down for some storm watching.

Realtor.com

Laguna Beach, California

Price: $11.9 million
This four-bedroom, five-bathroom, 5,300-square-foot floating glass house on the edge of a bluff has an ocean view from every room and a three-car underground garage with an automated lift. The house is controlled by an Elan home system and integrated with Amazon Alexa for lighting (including chromotherapy LEDs), music, and the shades to a large-format theater screen. Either take the sliding glass doors out to multiple terraces, or use the private walk down to Thousand Steps Beach.

Trulia

Windermere, Florida

Price: $28 million
Shaquille O'Neal may not leave behind his oversized, Superman-themed bed, but this 31,000-square-foot home has far more to it than personal touches and lakefront beach and dock space. The gated estate is set on three sprawling acres and has a 15-foot-deep swimming pool with its own rock waterfall feature; a summer kitchen, sprawling patio space, and cabana all overlook peaceful Lake Butler. When Shaq bought in 1993, he must have liked the 17-plus car garage with showroom details and walk-in humidor. The 6,000-square-foot indoor basketball court and giant Superman statue by the lake seem like they're all him.

Sotheby's Realty

Tiburon, California

Price: $37 million
Yes, there is sand beach along San Francisco Bay. Yes, it costs as much as you think it does. This estate encompasses 14.5 acres and 2,000 feet of San Francisco Bay shoreline and has changed hands exactly once in the past 100 years. The forested private estate site comes with plans for a 15,000-square-foot main residence, on the Bluff's point, a 2,200-square-foot separate guest quarters and a 700-square-foot caretaker's cottage. It's believed to be the last undeveloped waterfront property in Marin County.

Sotheby's Realty

Sagaponack, New York

Price: $45 million
Billed as a "designer's private oceanfront retreat," this three-bedroom, three-bathroom, 4,500-square-foot home should provide some idea of the premium placed on the homes of this Southampton village's elite. Owned by fashion designer Elie Tahari, these 2.5 acres sit on 250 feet of beachfront and are the only private property in Sagaponack. This century-old barn has been reimagined with walls of windows, roll-up glass doors, a master bedroom with spa bath, private porches, and a 60-foot lap pool. But the same architects who designed Calvin Klein's waterfront estate have planned an eight-bedroom, 10,000-square-foot home for the property. The buyer would have access to those plans.

Sotheby's Realty

Wainscott, New York

Price: $45 million
This seven-bedroom, 7.5-bathroom, 5,000-square-foot home perched over the Atlantic isn't famous because of who owns it, but because of what it is. Built by ship carpenters in 1877, this house is on sale for only the second time in its 141-year history. It sits on 3.4 acres with 330 feet of oceanfront and has been restored completely. There are wrap-around porches, pumpkin pine floors, nine fireplaces, 85 windows, a wildflower meadow, 60-foot heated pool, zen meditation garden, and private walkway to the beach. In an area of the Hamptons that prizes celebrity, this home is a celebrity unto itself.

Sotheby's Realty

Zephyr Cove, Nevada

Price: $47 million
This 10-bedroom, 12.5-bathroom home of more than 18,000-square-feet qualifies as beachfront, even if that beach is on Lake Tahoe. Great for stepping right outside and relaxing, fishing, or boating in the summer or heading to the slopes in the winter, this estate was built in 2004 alongside 378 feet of sandy beach with a private pier, boat hoist, 2 boat buoys, and 24 wooded acres, as well as a game room with full bar and billiards area, home theater, grand family room, gourmet kitchen with butler's pantry, formal dining room, wine room with seating, adjoining offices, a craft room, laundry room, multiple fireplaces, lakeview terraces, a library, and a master suite with adjoining home gym. There is also a 1,448-square-foot two-bedroom guest home complete with kitchen and fireside living room with its own laundry and ensuite baths.

Sotheby's Realty

Manalapan, Florida

Price: $139 million
Palm Beach and West Palm Beach have some impressive properties, but few as all-encompassing as the estate known as Gemini. A 15-acre ocean-to-lake estate with no other homes for almost a mile, Gemini sits on 1,200 feet of dune-lined Atlantic beach and another 1,300 feet of Lake Worth. Along with 360-degree views, Gemini has underground tunnels that includes a 15-foot-wide gallery. The 62,200-square-foot main residence has 12 bedrooms, but the property also includes two four-bedroom beachside cottages; the seven-bedroom Mango House; and a guest or staff house with four studios and apartments. That's 30 bedrooms in all, a series of formal and informal living and dining areas, a media room, libraries, offices, numerous terraces, a wine cellar, and two elevators. All of that is surrounded by a swimming pool, PGA-standard golf area, regulation tennis court, half basketball court, fitness center and spa, and dock and pier on the lake.

Sotheby's Realty

Molokai Ranch, Hawaii

Price: $260 million
These 20 miles of beachfront – on 55,575 acres that make up 35 percent of the island of Molokai — have potential. If you need some ideas, there are already two hotels and two golf courses on the property.