“Ice-Out” on Lake Winnipesaukee was officially declared on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at 2:00 pm and was the earliest ice out ever recorded. While the global warming advocates will undoubtedly point to rising temperatures caused by increased concentrations of greenhouse gases, I know better. The following statistics will prove beyond a shadow of doubt that the early ice out was caused by an unseasonably hot month of waterfront sales! Well, at least compared to last March when there was only one sale on the Big Lake. We had eight sales on Winnipesaukee with an average sales price of $1,020,675 last month. It was the best March that we have had since way back 2005 when there were 13 sales at an average of $904,308. OK, so March wasn’t blistering hot as far as sales on the lake go, but it is sure better than it was last year.

For details of the above sales click here: Waterfront Sales March 2010

But we are definitely off to a pretty good start in 2010. During the first quarter there were 17 Winnipesaukee waterfront sales at an average of $1.21 million compared to just 6 sales during the first quarter of 2009. The best prior start was in 2007 when there were 25 sales in the first quarter at an average price of $1.75 million. Activity has been pretty strong as far as waterfront inquiries and the number of showings are up as well. As of April 14, there were 230 Winnipesaukee waterfront properties available (including island property) at an average asking price of $1.86 million. Of those, 97 were priced below $1 million and 19 were below $500,000.

The highest sale on Winnipesaukee in March was the property located at 68 Sewall Road  in Wolfeboro which was on the market for $4.9 million and sold at $4.295 million. This is an elegant, vintage waterfront home built in 1903 that has been updated with all new systems. The home has 6,630 square feet of living space, seven bedrooms, eight baths, a grand dining area, a formal living room as well as a family room, and great porches to enjoy the views. There is also a beautiful boat house with guest quarters above. The home sits on a 1.1 acre lot with 247 feet of frontage. This is great waterfront property in a great location in the oldest summer resort town in America! Congratulations to the happy new owner!

There was only one sale on Winnisquam in March and that was at 14  Lakeside Drive  in Belmont.  This property consists of a 1960 vintage main house and separate year round guesthouse on an acre lot with 76 feet of frontage with western exposure. Both structures have been completely remodeled. The main house features an open concept design with cathedral ceilings and features a gourmet kitchen with granite countertops. Great sunset views. This home was on the market for $625,000 and found a new buyer at $605,000

There was also only one sale on Newfound Lake at 311 Deer Path Lane  in Bridgewater. This four room, two bedroom, seasonal cottage was built in 1951 and sits on a half acre lot with 105 feet of frontage. It was originally listed at $625,000, reduced to $549,000 and then sold for $520,000.

So the ice is out, the days are getting warmer, and waterfront buyers are hopefully going to keep the temperature turned up high during the coming sales season! If they keep it up maybe the lake won’t freeze at all next winter…

 We had three sales on Lake Winnipesaukee in January of 2008. That compares to 10 in January of 2007, and 6 in 2006 and 2005. I don’t necessarily think things are slowing down too much on the lake as there are currently 12 other waterfront properties pending and we are seeing increased activity on all listings. Now is the time that serious buyers are out scouting for property so that they can be on the lake for summer. 

The highest sales price honor this month goes to the property at 230 Edgewater Dr on prestigious Governors Island in Gilford. This home is a stunning 8,000 square foot Adirondack style home constructed in 2006 with all the amenities and attention to detail expected in this price category. This fabulous home sits on a 1.6 acre lot with 300 feet of waterfront, a sandy beach, and docking for five boats. You also have a garage big enough to park all seven of your cars too!

 Click on this link for rest of report:

january-2008-lakes-winnipesaukee-sales.doc

Here’s a report of all the sales on the Big Lake in November of 2007. Who says you can’t sell a waterfront when it is cold outside??

Click on this link to view report:

nov-2007-winnipesaukee-sales.doc