The Socialist Senator’s Portfolio: How Many Homes Does Bernie Sanders Own?

The question of "how many homes does Bernie Sanders own" has been a persistent point of curiosity and political debate for years, often used to highlight a perceived contradiction between his socialist platform and personal wealth. As of December 2025, the U.S. Senator from Vermont and his wife, Jane O'Meara Sanders, are widely reported to own three properties: a primary residence in Burlington, Vermont; a working residence in Washington, D.C.; and a controversial seasonal lake house in North Hero, Vermont. The details of these properties, and the source of the funds used to acquire them, offer a fascinating glimpse into the personal finances of one of America's most prominent progressive politicians.

The controversy first gained widespread attention following the purchase of the third property in 2016, leading to the viral "socialist with three houses" narrative. While the number has remained consistent—three homes—the context and value of these properties are often misunderstood. This article provides a fresh, detailed breakdown of Senator Sanders' real estate holdings, the financial sources that made them possible, and his defense against the political criticism.

Senator Bernie Sanders: A Full Biographical Profile

Bernard "Bernie" Sanders is one of the most recognizable and longest-serving independent politicians in U.S. history. His life and career are marked by a commitment to democratic socialism and progressive policy, which is often contrasted with his personal financial success.

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• Full Name: Bernard Sanders
• Date of Birth: September 8, 1941
• Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York
• Spouse: Jane O'Meara Sanders (m. 1988)
• Political Affiliation: Independent (Caucuses with the Democratic Party)
• Current Role: Senior United States Senator for Vermont (since 2007)
• Previous Roles:
  • U.S. Representative for Vermont's at-large congressional district (1991–2007)
  • Mayor of Burlington, Vermont (1981–1989)
• Notable Achievements: Longest-serving independent politician in U.S. Congressional history. Two-time candidate for the Democratic Party presidential nomination (2016 and 2020).
• Estimated Net Worth: Approximately $3 million, largely earned from royalties from his best-selling books.

The Three Properties: A Detailed Breakdown of the Sanders' Real Estate Holdings

The real estate portfolio of Bernie and Jane Sanders consists of three distinct properties, each serving a specific purpose. Senator Sanders has consistently defended these purchases as necessary for his role and affordable due to his successful book sales, not his Senate salary.

1. The Primary Residence: Burlington, Vermont

The Sanders' main home is a modest property located in the North End of Burlington, Vermont. This is the house they consider their true home and where they spend most of their time when not in Washington, D.C.

• Location: Burlington, Vermont.
• Purchase Year: 2009.
• Purchase Price: Approximately $405,000.
• Details: A four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom home spanning about 2,500 square feet.
• Context: Senator Sanders describes this as a "nice house" in a "middle-class neighborhood," emphasizing its lack of extravagance compared to the homes of other wealthy politicians.

2. The Working Residence: Washington, D.C.

As is customary for nearly all members of Congress, the Sanders own a secondary residence in the Washington, D.C. area. This property serves as a necessary base of operations while the Senate is in session.

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• Location: Washington, D.C.
• Purpose: Used as a residence during his time serving in the U.S. Senate.
• Context: Sanders has pointed out that owning a home in D.C. is a practical necessity for a U.S. Senator, allowing him to avoid the high cost and inconvenience of renting for decades.

3. The Seasonal Lake House: North Hero, Vermont

This is the third property, purchased after his 2016 presidential run, which became the main focus of media scrutiny. It is a seasonal vacation home on the shores of Lake Champlain.

• Location: North Hero, Vermont (in the Champlain Islands).
• Purchase Year: 2016.
• Purchase Price: Approximately $575,000 to $600,000.
• Details: A four-bedroom, three-bath property with waterfront access to Lake Champlain.
• Context: The purchase was made using a portion of the royalties from his best-selling book, Our Revolution: A Future to Believe In. The sale was prompted by a family inheritance from Jane Sanders’ side.

The 'Socialist with Three Houses' Controversy and Defense

The ownership of three homes—especially the lakefront vacation property—has been repeatedly used by critics to question the authenticity of Senator Sanders' "democratic socialist" ideology. The argument is that a politician who rails against the "millionaire and billionaire class" should not personally be a millionaire with multiple homes.

However, Sanders and his supporters have a consistent and straightforward defense, which centers on two key points: the source of his wealth and the nature of the properties.

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Source of Wealth: Book Royalties, Not Senate Salary

Senator Sanders' net worth and the funds for the North Hero purchase came primarily from the success of his books. His Senate salary is roughly $175,000 a year, but the book royalties provided a significant, one-time influx of cash. He has argued that he is not a "billionaire" or a "corporate CEO," but a successful author.

He has stated, "I wrote a bestseller. If you write a bestseller, you can be a millionaire, too." This defense reframes his wealth as a result of labor and a successful product, rather than exploiting workers or benefiting from the capitalist system he critiques.

The Nature of the Homes: Practicality Over Extravagance

Sanders also differentiates his properties from the lavish estates of the hyper-wealthy. He contends that the Washington, D.C., home is a necessity for his job, and the Burlington home is a modest, middle-class residence. The North Hero home, while a vacation property, was purchased to accommodate his extended family and was specifically a family decision following a family inheritance.

In essence, the Senator's defense is that his personal success does not negate his political belief that the system is rigged in favor of the ultra-wealthy. He advocates for systemic change to lift the entire working class, not a personal vow of poverty for himself. The fact that he owns three homes, while a compelling political attack line, is a practical and financial reality of a successful author and long-serving public servant.