Presidential Retreats: Appreciation Rates of 7 U.S. Presidents’ Vacation Home Destinations

While we may never live in the White House, we can still indulge in some presidential luxury by exploring the vacation spots of U.S. presidents. 

And thanks to Pacaso’s recent report, we have the inside scoop on the counties where U.S. presidents have vacationed—and the appreciation rates in these destinations. 

Appreciation Rates of Vacation Home Destinations

Pacaso, the leading real estate platform that helps people buy and co-own a luxury second home, analyzed appreciation rates for second home destinations where U.S. presidents have vacationed. 

The seven counties with the highest price appreciation are: 

1—Goleta, California (Santa Barbara County)

Ronald Reagan and his family often retreated to Rancho Del Cielo in Goleta, California. 

The famed “Western White House” is located in Santa Barbara County, where luxury home values have grown 20.55% year-over-year, bringing the average luxury home value to $2,249,471. 

2—Hyannis, Massachusetts (Barnstable County)

Home to Cape Cod, Barnstable County was a favorite of the Kennedy family starting in 1928, when John F. Kennedy’s parents bought a home in Hyannis Port. JFK and his siblings later bought neighboring homes to create the Kennedy Compound along Nantucket Sound.

Over the past year, luxury home values have grown 19.73% in Barnstable County, bringing the average luxury home value to $1,247,645.

3—Riverside Mirage, California (Riverside County)

Gerald Ford retreated to his vacation home in Riverside County, which was on the 13th hole of the Thunderbird Country Club. 

Luxury home prices in Riverside County increased 19.61% year-over-year, which brings the average luxury home value to $851,481.

4—Crawford, Texas (McClennan County)

George W. Bush’s favorite secluded getaway is Crawford, Texas, which has a population of fewer than 1,000 people. 

Despite Crawford being small in size, McClennan County saw an 18.98% increase in the value of luxury homes year-over-year, bringing the average luxury home value to $512,931.

5—Rehoboth, Delaware (Sussex County)

Sussex County is home to many popular Delaware beach towns, including Bethany Beach, Dewy Beach, Fenwick Island, Lewes, and Rehoboth Beach—a second home destination for Joe Biden. 

Sussex County saw an 18.27% increase in luxury home values over the past year, bringing the average luxury home value to $778,373.

6—Kennebunkport, Maine (York County)

George H.W. Bush inherited a “Summer White House” in Kennebunkport, part of the Bush family’s three-home estate called Walker’s Point Estate. 

Luxury home values increased 17.16% year-over-year, with the average luxury home price at $784,686.

7—Edgartown, Massachusetts (Dukes County)

Last on the list is Dukes County, which includes Martha’s Vineyard, the Elizabeth Islands, and Nomans Land. Barack Obama bought a second home in Edgartown in 2019, where he enjoys 29 acres on Martha’s Vineyard. 

Dukes County saw an 11.11% increase in luxury home values over the past year, bringing the average price point for luxury homes to $2,590,922.