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dam Weitsman, a scrap‑metal magnate, set a new Onondaga County record when he sold the Bruce Kenan estate in May 2025 for just under $18 million. The 19th‑century property had been purchased by Weitsman in 2021 for $13.1 million from Kenan, a longtime partner of late Destiny USA founder Robert Congel, in a sale‑leaseback deal. Public filings show the estate later transferred to philanthropist Samuel Nappi and his son, film producer Justin. A few doors away, Weitsman sold another mansion to Villa Dovest LLC for $5.3 million.
In 2025, 44 of the county’s top 50 residential sales exceeded $1 million. More than half of those transactions occurred in the lake‑front communities of Skaneateles and Spafford, with all ten most expensive homes located in Skaneateles. Home prices in the area have surged, driven by fierce buyer competition and a historically low inventory. Skaneateles’ average home price now sits around $1.19 million.
The county’s 50 most expensive sales, recorded through December 9, are listed in a table that includes only arm‑length transactions—those between unrelated parties—making them a reliable gauge of the open market. The list is dominated by single‑family homes, though it also features seasonal residences and vacant land. A photo gallery at the top of the article showcases several of the properties.
Additional highlights include the “House of the Week” features: a year‑round indoor pool in Marcellus, a historic Elbridge Wayside Irish Pub seeking a new owner, and a 1931 Fayetteville Colonial described as a “perfect family” home. Kevin Tampone, the article’s author, focuses on data journalism for Syracuse.com, covering real estate, crime, the economy, education, and more.
