The ultra-luxury segment of the Hamptons real estate market has surged to unprecedented levels, with $10 million-plus home sales hitting record territory and outpacing even the frenzied pandemic-era peaks. This resurgence demonstrates remarkable resilience and appeal for high-end buyers seeking prime East End properties.
Data from leading appraisers and brokerages shows that the number of homes sold above $10 million on Long Island's East End reached extraordinary heights in 2025. Early tracking indicated 74 such transactions by October, with projections pushing the annual total to at least 94—the highest figure recorded in over two decades of market monitoring. This surpassed the 2021 COVID-driven high of around 54 deals and marked a sharp rebound from slower periods in 2023 and earlier, when high interest rates and limited inventory had cooled activity.
The momentum continued into broader ultra-luxury trends, where the $10 million to $50 million range emerged as a key indicator of sustained strength rather than fleeting speculation. Buyers in this bracket, often cash-rich from Wall Street bonuses, stock market gains, and diversified wealth sources, prioritized turnkey, renovated homes with ocean views, privacy, and immediate usability. These properties frequently moved quickly, sometimes within weeks of listing, reflecting tight supply and intense competition for the best locations in enclaves like Further Lane, Georgica, and Meadow Lane.
Standout transactions underscored the market's firepower. A single-parcel oceanfront estate in Amagansett traded for $115 million in an off-market deal, setting a new record for individual residential parcels and highlighting billionaire-level demand for rare acreage with direct beach access. Other notable closings included multi-parcel compounds fetching $70 million and various $20 million-plus properties, contributing to elevated dollar volumes. Overall Hamptons sales reached $6.3 billion in 2025, topping even 2022's post-pandemic highs, while the median price in the top tier climbed to around $11.4 million.
Experts attribute this durability to several factors: recovering financial markets fueling buyer liquidity, a shift toward viewing the Hamptons as more than a seasonal escape—now a lifestyle anchor for tri-state elites and out-of-area wealth from Texas, California, Florida, and international sources. Cash dominance in these deals insulates the segment from mortgage rate pressures affecting lower price points, allowing the ultra-high end to operate in its own robust ecosystem. As 2026 begins, the $10 million-plus category shows no signs of slowing, with ongoing interest in new construction, oceanfront rebuilds, and established trophy homes.
While inventory remains constrained, the combination of limited developable land, prestige, and proven appreciation continues to draw sophisticated capital. This strength at the top not only elevates overall market averages but reinforces the Hamptons' position as one of the world's premier coastal luxury destinations, where demand for exceptional properties remains fiercer than ever.
