Learn more about this Lakes Region Waterfront home on Ossipee Lake - before it's listed

Take this opportunity to own Lakes Region waterfront for $420,000. This spectacular home on Ossipee Lake was owned by a family member of one of our New Hampshire Realtors. Learn more about it before it’s listed in the MLS:

Located on the main lake in the desirable community of Mountview in Freedom, this four-bedroom home is on .32 acres and has 75 ft. of waterfront on Ossipee Lake. For you’ll own Lakes Region waterfront.

And as a member of Mountview you’ll  enjoy the community beach, tennis courts, and playground and have the opportunity to participate in the lottery for moorings.

Take delight in beautiful sunsets from your deck and gorgeous views across the lake. Contact Nicole Shamlian for more information about this waterfront home before it’s listed in the NH MLS.

For years I skied the “Champagne Powder” of Steamboat Springs and the advice I gave to talented teenagers was that if they wish to compete on a larger stage they should plan on finishing high school at a ski town in the Northeast part of the country. Why? Edging techniques can’t be taught in 2 feet of powder.

When I myself finally relocated I picked the Lakes Region of New Hampshire partly because of the proximity of Gunstock Ski Resort. Though now I teach by appointment only I did spend a half dozen enjoyable seasons instructing there. For me Gunstock is an instructors dream and the most teachable mountain I have ever experienced.

The secrets of Gunstock lie in the selective nature of the terrain slopes, the low number of mid-week skiers and the uniform consistency of the snow. Once over a period of 4 years a balance impaired skier from Florida, who maintained a second home on the Big Lake, and I worked together in 80 separate lessons that allowed him to become a capable intermediate skier.

The views of Lake Winnipesaukee and its islands from the summit of Gunstock are stunning. This one was taken on at dawn from near the top of the mountain off the intermediate Gunsmoke run. Its no wonder that many of the second homes in the region are principally ski chalets for family and friends. I suggest you check Gunstock.com for this season’s opening date.

Rattlesnake Island

Jim Ferriman Jferriman@spencerhughes.com 603-520-5385

Rational Self Interest of course! Adam Smith is my favorite philosopher and economist. And though he hasn’t been around for 200 years or so, his theory is relevant to selling Lakes Region real estate in today’s market.

The rational objective of putting a home on the market is to sell it in the most efficient manner. Over-pricing is the biggest barrier to an efficient sale. Common reasons for over-pricing are:

• Unreasonable expectations
• Sentiment – the seller’s inability to view the property as a simple commodity
• Listing agent inexperience

One the other hand, if a home is priced below market value the home will receive buyer attention and multiple offers which in turn drive the sale price to the true market.

Lengthy listing (of several months or years) and recurring price reductions always damage a property’s perceived value to the buyer pool. It is better to eliminate these harmful impressions with an initial accurate appraisal of the property.

Apply your own Rational Self Interest and you’ll avoid over-pricing by interviewing a number of experienced lakes Region Realtors. Be aware that the Realtor who presents the highest suggested listing price might be counter-productive to your goal.

Tuftonboro NH Real Estate - Waterfront Living on Cow Island Beyond the charm of the rustic yet luxurious amenities (expansive decks, cathedral ceilings, stone fireplaces and skylights), this Adirondack style home’s magic is in its location: the property is only accessible by boat. Imagine island living within driving distance of Boston! This exquisite property is very well priced at $829,900

Lake Winnipesaukee Waterfront Home - Alton NH The kitchen and living room and this luxurious 6000+ square foot lakefront home are right on the waterfront. Each room affords spectacular natural views; granite and hardwood finishes throughout emphasize the closeness of nature. Beach rights and a one-of-a-kind boathouse make it the quintessential Winnipesaukee waterfront home.

According to a National Association of Realtors (NAR) statistic the combined total of second home sales in 2005 accounted for 4 out of every 10 real estate transactions. The NAR determined that these second home buyers bought 41% of the time for vacation purposes, 31% for use as a family retreat and 28% to diversify their investments.

Now, why would anyone at the end of 2009 care about statistical data from 2005? We can assert that the underlying motivations for the buyers haven’t changed. Mortgage interest rates remain attractive, the stock market is still uncertain, the geo-political scene is roughly the same and congress is no more or less united on any clear objective.

From a realtor’s standpoint home values appeared to have reached a short term peak during the summer of 2006 and since then the difference between the listing and closing price of the average residence has widened, in short the market has shifted to the buyer’s advantage.

The basic axiom of real estate is and has always been that of location. This certainly holds firmly for the second home buyer. The appeal of the area, the activity options available, the quality of life, the distance from the primary residence, the services present and the general interest in the area are key to the second home buyer.

What does the Lakes Region offer in amenities to the second home buyer? The local chamber of commerce of Wolfeboro, Meredith, Gilford, Tuftonboro, Alton and Moultonborough would be happy to recount the outstanding features of the Lake Winnipesaukee area for you and I suggest that you take the time to review all the information available. The key to a happy and successful second home investment is the research effort and continued discussion involving the whole family.

What brought me to the area was water. The Western part of the country is drying up at the same time it is filling up. Water experts have for a number of years warned that the net result for the inevitable water restrictions on land west of the 100th meridian line may well be calamitous for the large population centers. I believe them. And as someone once said, “good waterfront acreage is becoming scarcer and scarcer”.

Well, deer season starts in a week. Most of the Lakes Region fall into the J1 and J2 hunting sections, among the most productive in the state. Time to put away the golf clubs, stow the boat and clean the rifle. Another compelling reason for the New Hampshire second home buyer to consider property in the Lakes Region.

Regards,

Jim Ferriman      Jferriman@spencerhughes.com     603-520-5385

Those of you lucky enough to live along the shores of Lake Wentworth already know that the most notable event in all of the Lakes Region is the Cardboard Classic. The Classic is a duct tape and cardboard boat race, the pinnacle event of Family Day at the New Hampshire Boat Museum. It happens in early August every year.

This year, boat builders at the museum were on hand to assist family and youth teams in the design and construction of these remarkable water crafts. Certificates were given for the most original crafts and the longest floaters. The family event also included toy boat building, a cook out, and the unforgettable War Canoe Water Skier event. The event was a great success.

Check out these Lake Wentworth properties, paddling distance to the Cardboard Classic:
80 Townsend Shore Road, Wolfeboro NH  -  MLS# 2785112
70 Churchill Rd., Wolfeboro NH -  MLS# 2782090
Mark your calendars and start collecting cardboard for next year.

A few more serious Lakes Region boat shows  include:
The 33rd Annual Alton Bay Boat Show
The 36th Annual Lake Winnipesaukee Antique & Classic Boat Show

I think that the summer season has begun. We’ve had some rain its true, as well as some unseasonable cooler weather for the past month, welcome to New England. At one time New Hampshire was thought of as a place to go to escape the heat and humidity of Massachusetts. Now the Lakes Region has become the much desired summer destination for those folks seeking to escape the drought and searing heat of an area from San Diego to Miami. I can certainly understand their very sensible objective. Having lived in west Texas, New Mexico and Colorado where the summer sun seems to trap everything in a deep dust dry as chalk, photographs of New England were overwhelming. Even those enamored by the skyline of a city as seen through the velvety smog of their high-rise condominium windows develop an irresistible urge to venture out to the frontiers in search of what, change. Perhaps in an effort to balance their lives and or sanity.

At any rate the cabins, motels and campgrounds are full. The influx of happy visitors, they’re on vacation, is invigorating to our region. I’ll hazard that one out of every three who stay a week or more will make an inquiry as to the local real estate market during their visit. Now, many of our incomers have visited Washington D.C., New York City, Glacier National Park and even Orlando, Florida but I suspect few ever feel the desire to inquire about real estate there. Why is that? Is the Lakes Region that unique? I would say of course, by all means, the primary goal of this blog is to convey this very singular perception.

I’ve written blogs highlighting the desirability of New Hampshire and the Lakes Region for business incentives, living standards and geographical superiority. But, probably for me the tipper is the sense of unity a family experiences while here. One of our agents, Jeremy Osgood, recently listed a magnificent gated waterfront estate in Moultonborough consisting of 4 permanent residences, 4 seasonal cottages, clay tennis court, gym, studio and 2 boathouses. It is difficult to imagine a family compound in a more graceful setting.

Last week’s analytic report on visits to the Spencer Hughes web site tallied 3,935 from a total of 21 countries. An encouraging figure for a firm whose specialty is the limited area surrounding Lake Winnipesaukee. Our realtors have an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the Lakes Region. If they don’t have a ready answer for your inquiries they know how to research for the solution. Enjoy your visit and we welcome your interest.

www.jferriman@spencerhughes.com             Jim Ferriman 603-520-5385

For some the joy is in the journey. For others it is where the journey can take them. Now I enjoy a day on the big lake by whatever mode of transportation I happen to using. But I have noted that sailing offers additional pleasures over motoring, at least for me. I like the involvement of handling the lines, the feel of the tiller, the positioning of the boat to the wind. That sense of accomplishment of having moved from point A to point B and back using only the natural forces and physics.

There are several sailing organizations operating on Lake Winnipesaukee. The Winnipesaukee Yacht Club dates from 1937 and operates as a private club based in Gilford. The Meredith Bay Sailing Association on Lake Winnipesaukee is a certified community sailing program whose objective is to provide people of Lakes Region sailing opportunities. There are also well established programs at several summer camps along the lake and Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro offers sailing seamanship as part of its curriculum.

I am an avid supporter and member of The Lake Winnipesaukee Sailing Association. The LWSA runs a sailing school for children from 8 to 16 years of age. Their fleet of over 20 boats supports an active classroom and water program for all interests, abilities and means. Sponsoring adult racing activities for a mixed fleet the association offers a convivial atmosphere before, during and after every event. Serious racers can participate in the J/80 fleet events held weekly through the summer months. The LWSA has the impressive national credentials of being named Fleet 1 of the J/80 class sailboat. This season’s kick off dinner will be held May 14^th at the Lyon’s Den in Glendale. This is a very active and committed group supporting and promoting interest in sailing for all ages and skills. Visit them most any Saturday morning a Fay’s Boatyard in Gilford and perhaps you’ll be invited to crew on a boat for the day’s sail. 

Regardless, every boater on Lake Winnipesaukee has many of choices for itineraries: lunch in Meredith, cocktails in Alton Bay, dinner in Wolfeboro, island hopping and sightseeing everywhere. The big lake is the crown jewel of the Lakes Region and provides unique experiences for everyone sampling the lifestyles offered here in New Hampshire.

Jferriman@spencerhughes.com   (603) 520-5385