If you’ve ever found yourself lamenting the lack of lakeside grandeur in suburban New Jersey—or you’ve thought, “Surely there’s a place where I can sip espresso while watching herons and also roast a duck in my second kitchen?”—then allow me to introduce you to 40 Puddingstone Way.

Tucked away at the end of a cul-de-sac with the sort of privacy usually reserved for B-list celebrities and witness protection participants, this 5,540-square-foot behemoth is perched on the edge of Spring Garden Lake. And yes, that Spring Garden Lake—the one that’s more tranquil than a yoga retreat but without the need for stretchy pants.

Built in 1982, this home is very much of the “they don’t make them like this anymore” persuasion, unless “they” are eccentric millionaires who believe kitchens should have two of everything and decks should be large enough to host NATO talks. The main floor delivers a bedroom suite in case stairs offend you, and upstairs you’ll find four more—including a primary suite so indulgent it might get jealous of itself.

The views? Think Tuscany, if Tuscany had a Canoe Club and deer. The outdoor space is flatter than a Kansas highway, which is exactly what you want when you’re setting up croquet or contemplating your third gin and tonic. Mature foliage wraps around the house like a soft whisper of wealth—no new-build saplings here, thank you very much.

Downstairs is where things go full Bond villain: walkout level, second kitchen, and an “inspirational office,” which I assume means the WiFi is excellent and the view is even better. Entertainers will be delighted, hermits less so—but let’s be honest, if you paid $1.39 million to hide, you're doing it wrong.

Listed by Anthony Verducci Jr. of Serhant, N.J. (yes, that Serhant), and snapped up by someone clever enough to bring in Lisa Wang from RealMart Realty, this home blends “lakeside calm” with “suburban flex” like a Pinot Noir in a Solo Cup—unexpectedly perfect.

Oh, and the taxes? A very Jersey $16,869.58 per year. Think of it as your membership fee to nature, privacy, and being able to say, “Oh, we’re right on the lake” at every dinner party until you die.

Verdict:
If you’ve grown tired of open-concept sameness and long for a home with personality, space to host and hide, and a backyard that requires neither explanation nor apology—this one hits different.

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