Trophy rooms, saltwater pools, horse stables: Most expensive homes that sold in Central NJ this year

It might be a difficult time to be a home buyer, but 2023 wasn't a bad year to be a home seller.

In New Jersey, which already has the ninth-highest home prices in the country, Central Jersey home prices soared as the supply of homes for sale stagnated. The region saw many homes sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars more than the market has ever demanded before. Many homes sold far above their listing prices in just a matter of days.

Here are a few of the homes in Somerset, Hunterdon, Middlesex and Union that sold for the most jaw-dropping prices of the year.

A $10.5 million historic Tuscan-inspired mansion in Bernardsville

A historic Bernardsville mansion featuring Tuscan architecture at 00 Mountain Top Road snagged $10.5 million when it sold in July. What's known as the Faircourt Mansion was built in 1897 during the Gilded Age when rich New Yorkers came to the Somerset Hills.

Its 13-acre grounds were originally landscaped by John Charles Olmsted, the son of Frederick Law Olmsted who designed New York City’s Central Park and the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. The property was profiled in Architectural Digest in 2015.

With some features straight from Italy, the mansion includes cabinets imported from the country as well as a glass-enclosed loggia with marble and granite floors and a living room with gold leaf-accented moldings.

The new homeowners can reach the home's four floors, which include seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms and two half-bathrooms, via elevator. The primary suite includes a quartz wet bar and a dressing room.

Inside, the mansion also has a 60-foot-long gallery, a trophy room with a stone fireplace, and an oak-paneled library with built-in bookcases imported from France.

Across the property, there's also a tennis court, heated saltwater pool, putting green, heated parking courtyard, and an orchard.

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A nearly $6 million, 100-acre equine paradise in Montgomery

1459 Great Rd. in Montgomery left the MLS just days ago when it sold for $5.975 million. With 111 acres, an equine facility with 12 stables, an indoor riding area, paddocks and separate residence for a caretaker, it's much more than just a home.

On the property is also a solar field, an organic greenhouse, barn, certified organic field and saltwater pool, perfect for a resident who treasures sustainable living.

The main home on the estate carries the same rustic charm, but with a modern edge as it was built in 2010. Inside, it has heated reclaimed wood floors, seven bedrooms, seven bathrooms, two half-bathrooms, a wine cellar, gym, and conservatory dining room with views of the pasture.

A more than $5 million Georgian Colonial estate that's a half-mile from downtown Summit

Unlike some other prestigious Central Jersey towns, Summit's hottest mansions have the best of both worlds as they have luxury and are just short walks to downtown. That's what 175 Springfield Ave. in the city has, too. This Georgian Colonial estate sits on more than an acre, but is just a half-mile to downtown.

The seven-bedroom, seven-and-a-half bathroom home built in 1850 sold for $5.375 million in July after a renovation, nearly $500,000 more than it was originally listed for a little more than a year prior.

Through its 9,500 square feet of living space, the new residents enjoy cabinetry imported from Italy as well as an Italian marble center island in the kitchen, which opens up to a family room with 20-foot high ceilings and a gas fireplace. The primary suite also has its own gas fireplace.

The house also has a nanny's suite, playroom, pool house, and pool.

A $2.35 million country estate and horse farm in Tewksbury

Tewksbury is known for refined country living, which is exactly what 3 Fieldview Lane in the township delivered when it sold for $2.35 million in July.

This horse farm set upon 33 acres on a private road includes a two-bedroom visitors' cottage, eight-stall horse barn, indoor and outdoor riding arenas, pastures, restored historic barn, pool, greenhouse, gardens, pond, and fruit orchard.

The house has seven bathrooms and six-and-a-half bathrooms and a cobblestone courtyard. Inside, the home features a sauna and steam room, hardwood floors, oversized windows, and a primary suite on the first floor.

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A more than $2 million Monroe home in a prestigious neighborhood

Dynasty Estates is home to several luxurious properties, and one home in the Monroe neighborhood sold at one of the highest prices in Middlesex County this year. 5 Princess Court sold for $2.015 million in November, bringing its five bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms throughout over 6,000 square feet of living space to a new owner.

Located on a cul-de-sac, 5 Princess Court features a grand entrance with a large foyer and a butterfly staircase, as well as a family room with a fireplace, and a dining room with a floating ceiling. For more casual meals, the breakfast nook overlooks the backyard, which has a saltwater pool, a covered pergola and a hot tub.

A first-floor primary suite includes an en-suite bathroom, while another primary suite upstairs has two enormous closets and a spa-like bathroom.

Contact: JIntersimone@MyCentralJersey.com

Jenna Intersimone has been a staff member at the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey since 2014, after becoming a blogger-turned-reporter following the creation of her award-winning travel blog. To get unlimited access to her stories about food, drink and fun, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. You can also follow her on Instagram at @seejennaeat and on Twitter at @JIntersimone.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Most expensive homes sold in Central NJ in 2023