A substantial $4.2 million-dollar mansion on America’s exclusive Nantucket Island is being offered to a new owner at no cost, under one crucial condition: the recipient must arrange for its relocation from its coveted waterfront block.
The classic panelled residence, located at 140 Surfside Road, is being offered for nothing as part of Nantucket’s unique Demolition Delay Bylaw program.
The initiative, expanded in 2024, actively encourages the relocation of existing homes rather than their demolition, aiming to reduce landfill waste and preserve the island’s architectural heritage.
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“Why would we put these houses into a landfill when someone can use them?” local real estate agent Shelly Lockwood of Pepper Frazier Real Estate told Realtor.com.
The three-bed, two-bath 161 sqm home sits on a 1.04-acre lot, and is far enough away from the shoreline that it’s not subject to the erosion that usually calls for Nantucket homes to be relocated, according to the outlet.
This home on Surfside Road, pictured above, can be purchased for zero dollars if the buyer is willing to move it off the property. Source: fishernantucket.com
It was purchased by its current owner, Dean Lampe, for $4.2 million (US$3 million) in December last year.
He is now seeking to divest himself of the property which was built in 1994.
The house boasts an elevated front deck and a second rooftop deck, promising stunning views wherever its new foundation may be.
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Nantucket has long been regarded as a popular holiday spot for the rich and famous. Source: Getty
Prospective owners must be prepared to move the substantial dwelling to a new site within 180 days of the sale, with Mr Lampe, a seasoned real estate player on the island, intending to retain ownership of the land.
While the concept of moving an entire house might seem unusual, it has become a practical tradition on Nantucket, an island grappling with exceptionally high property costs.
According to Zillow, the median sale price on Nantucket exceeds $4 million, a staggering 142 per cent higher than the national average in the United States.
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Nantucket has implemented a program to prevent older homes from being demolished. Applicants must relocate the houses within 180 days. Pictured above is a home relocation shared by the Nantucket Preservation Trust
Since the Demolition Delay Bylaw program was implemented, permit requests for home relocations have skyrocketed.
Blue Dot Living reported a remarkable 163 house transfers on Nantucket during 2022 and 2023 alone.
To avoid disrupting the bustling summer season, these intricate house moves must be completed between September 15 and June 15.
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