December 2010 turned out to be a very strong month for waterfront sales on Winnipesaukee with nine waterfront properties exchanging hands compared to just four last December. The average sales price came in at $1,306,044 which is up just slightly compared to $1,288,750 last December. All nine sales were mainland properties which really isn’t surprising as it is a bit difficult looking at island properties this time of year. The great news is that in 2010 Winnipesaukee waterfront sales were up 26% over 2009. There were 96 waterfront homes sold this year at an average price of $1,257,584 that took an  average of 237 days on market to find a buyer. In 2009, there were 76 waterfronts sold at an average price of $1,178,566 and 205 days on the market. So, all in all, even in a down economy it seems pretty evident that interest in owning a home on the big lake is still very strong. There are some great deals on the lake right now and savvy buyers can recognize it. These buyers believe that investing their money in lakefront property is not only a sound idea, but that they will get the added benefit of being able to enjoy the money they have invested. Try getting some enjoyment out of your mutual funds…

The least expensive property that sold in December on the big lake was at 469 Weirs Boulevard in Laconia. While this three bedroom home is located across the Boulevard from Paugus Bay, it does have a waterfront lot on the water with 96 feet of frontage, three docks, and a deck with its very own Tiki hut. This 1,540 square foot home has an eat in kitchen with hardwood floors and stainless steel appliances, a nice living room with views of the lake, a grand master suite on the upper level, a finished basement, and a one car garage under. This home was originally listed at $425,000, was reduced to $375,000, and sold after 306 days on the market at $299,900 which is 81% of the current tax assessed value of $371,600. That’s a great deal with instant equity!

Down in West Alton at  52 Woodlands Road a new 4,000 square foot, four bedroom, five bath Adirondack home also has some happy new owners. This beautiful, energy star rated home constructed by local builder Jason Drouin features two master bedroom suites plus two additional suites, a gourmet kitchen (of course) with all the bells and whistles, a wet bar and fieldstone fireplace in the living room, a nice screened porch and southerly views. The home sits on a level .32 acre lot with 103 feet of shoreline and a U shaped dock. There is an addition 17 acre parcel across the street that has a detached two car garage and 30’ x 35’ accessory building for storing all the toys. This property was originally listed at $1,995,000, was reduced to $1.75 million, and sold for $1.65 million after 538 days on the market.

The largest sale in December was at 49 McLeod Road in Alton. This property is a spectacular 23 acre family compound with three lots of record, a circa 1914 year round main home and four charming vintage cottages with a total of eleven bedrooms and 5,000 square feet of living space. The property has a private, tranquil setting with its own pond, 650 feet of shoreline, a sandy beach, covered boat dock, and long range views with beautiful sunsets. It was originally offered at $4.1 million, was reduced to $3.95 million, and sold after 471 days on the market for $3.5 million. The property is currently assessed for $1,918,516.

Over on little sister Winnisquam, there was only one sale in December at 101 Collins Brook Road in Meredith. This is a five room, two bedroom cottage built in 1938 that sits on a .65 peninsula lot near the north end of the lake. From the 472 feet of frontage you can look into the loon sanctuary making it a very nice spot on the lake. The property needs an overhaul but the call of the loons must have captivated the buyer. It was originally listed at $429,000, was reduced to $389,000, and sold for $340,000 after 221 days on the market. The current property assessment is $364,4000.

Sales were up for the year on Winnisquam if only marginally, but that’s still welcome news considering the economy. There were sixteen sales at an average price of $583,182 in 2010 compared to fourteen in 2009 at an average sales price of $496,536. That is right on par with the average number of sales on the lake over the past seven years. Winnisquam will continue to be an affordable and desirable alternative to Winnipesaukee for those looking for little more of a quiet lake experience.

Currently there are over 175 waterfront listings in Winnipesaukee ranging from $264,900 for a cottage on Bear Island to over $10 million for a couple of small estates on Governor’s Island. So if you are lucky enough to be in the market for a waterfront home, there’s bound to be something somewhere in between that will fit your lifestyle and pocketbook. There are currently nine properties on Winnisquam priced from $275,000 to just under $1 million and of course there are many more homes on the other smaller lakes in the area at even more affordable price points.  2011 just could be the year to make your dreams come true in the Lakes Region…

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 The number of waterfront sales on Lake Winnipesaukee continued to improve over last year with eleven sales in October at an average sale price of $1.464 million compared to seven last October at an average price of $1.856 million. The total number of sales this year on the big lake stands at 77 with an average price of $1.214 million compared to 64 for the same period last year at an average of $1.36 million. Total sales are up about 20% over last year and the average price is up 17%. Not too bad for being in a bad market!

The least expensive sale on the lake was actually a bank owned island property on Paugus Park in Laconia. This is a post and beam, 1,200 square foot, three bedroom home built in 2005 and is the only home on this tiny .14 acre island. The buyer doesn’t have to worry about neighbors, but the home is solar powered so he might be watching the weather some. This home was originally listed at $299,900, was reduced to $199,900 and sold for $189,500. Considering the current town tax assessment of $436,400, I would say this new owner should be very happy all by himself out there on his island!

The second highest sale for the month was at 65 Spindle Point in Meredith. This home is a 5,699 square foot, twelve room, three bedroom post and beam contemporary built in 2004. The home features an open living area, high cathedral ceilings and stone wood burning fireplace (one of four in the home) in the great room, the requisite master suite, a family room in the walk out basement, radiant in-floor heat, beautiful hardwood floors, screened porch, and even an elevator. The home sits on a wonderfully landscaped 1.39 acre lot with 170 feet of frontage on Meredith Bay and a deep water U-shaped dock. The property was listed at $2.925 million and sold for $2.6 million which was well above the assessed value of $2.055 million. This is a beautiful home in a great location!

The highest sale honors for the month of October go to the spectacular property at 59 Little Road in Meredith. This extraordinary home has 12,933 square feet of living space, 20 rooms, five bedrooms (including a first floor master suite), seven total baths, and a five car garage! This home obviously has all the high end features imaginable including beautiful wood and stone work, massive fireplaces, a gourmet kitchen, soaring great room, an in-law apartment, wine cellar, exercise room, an outdoor kitchen, and multiple decks and patios. This home sits on a 4.31 acre lot that provides total privacy and 830 feet of frontage with great views. This property was originally listed at $8.9 million, was reduced to $6.999 million and sold for $6.839 million after 419 days on the market. The town has it assessed at a$4.466 million. I wonder if these folks are looking to adopt?

There was not a lot of activity on Winnisquam in October this year, or last, as there was only one sale in each month. There have been 13 sales on the lake so far this year at an average price of $583,327 compared to 12 with at an average price of $485,375 for the same period last year. The sale this year was at 212 Black Brook Road in Meredith. This home is a very nicely done 2,200 square foot, eight room, three bedroom, contemporary sitting on a .67 acre lot with 100 feet of frontage. The home features an open concept living area with a large great room with cathedral ceilings, floor to ceiling fieldstone fireplace, a gourmet kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, radiant in-floor heat, a screened porch, and a great deck with broad views of the lake. The home was listed at $975,000 and sold for $814,000 with a current tax assessment of $594,400.

Right now there are over 250 properties available on Lake Winnipesaukee and Winnisquam with prices starting in the $200-300,000 range for island properties. It is a great time to buy your own spot on either of these fantastic lakes!

Click Here for the latest listings on Lake Winnipesaukee!!

“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