LT. GOV. KARYN POLITO and her husband have jumped on the pandemic-induced second home craze, paying nearly $1.8 million for a large house in Dartmouth.
According to assessing records, Polito and her husband Stephen Rodolakis paid $1.795 million for the 4,800-square-foot house located not far from the water on Ricketson’s Point.
A Polito spokesperson said the home in Dartmouth is a second home, and the lieutenant governor is not moving from her hometown of Shrewsbury.
A real estate listing describes the home as a five-bedroom, five-bath home with “casual elegance,” steps from a private white sandy beach. Photos show an expansive, elegant interior and a sprawling backyard with manicured gardens.
The house was initially listed for sale in May 2019, relisted in November 2019, and went under agreement in July 2020. It was previously owned by Rochester Town Planner Steven Starrett.
Polito’s purchase came as Massachusetts was in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many Massachusetts residents have been seeking homes outside the city, either to vacation in or to live full time. Home prices have soared.
In October 2020, the month Polito closed on her home, there were 27.1 percent more sales than in October 2019, and the price of the median single family home was up by 17 percent, according to the Warren Group. In Dartmouth alone, there were 41 sales that October, a 24 percent hike year over year.
Polito and Rodolakis live in Shrewsbury, where they own a $1.5 million home along Lake Quinsigamond, near other members of their family.
Polito, a Republican, is widely considered to be gearing up for a run for governor, if Gov. Charlie Baker does not run again. Whether he will run again – or she will – remains one of the biggest questions in Massachusetts politics heading into the November 2022 election season.
Polito’s family owns a real estate development company, which Polito owns a part of and was the president of before she became lieutenant governor. Rodolakis is an attorney.