Roy Sanborn - July Winnipesaukee, Winnisquam & Squam Lake sales

There were 10 waterfront sales during the month of July, 2011 on Lake Winnipesaukee, at an average price of $1.223-million. That’s up from the six sales on the big pond last July at an average price of $955,333. Half of the sales for both months were over the $1-million mark but this year’s average was bumped by a nice $3-million new construction sale on Governor’s Island in Gilford.

For the year thus far, there have been 51 sales on Winnipesaukee at an average price of $1.162-million compared to 45 at an average of $1.211-million for the first seven months of 2010.

As often is the case, the least expensive sale on Winni was an island property and this time it was at 842 Rattlesnake Island in Alton. This 1987 post and beam cape and an adjoining guest cottage are connected by a large deck and have a total of 2350 square feet of living space including three bedrooms. The .92-acre lot offers some great views and has 150-feet of frontage, a covered boat slip, and a sandy beach. This vacation get-a-way was priced at $499,000 and went under contract in just 15 days at $465,000. The current tax assessment is $485,300. Rattlesnake Island is two miles long and rises to about 400-feet above the mean water level of the lake. The story goes that Rattlesnake Island was named after the abundance of rattlesnakes that used to make their home on the island. I read that the island was once set on fire to try and get rid of the snakes. But these buyers don’t have to worry as it has been many, many years since a rattlesnake has been seen out there. I believe they all slithered down to Washington some time ago. Isn’t it amazing when you can mix real estate, lake lore, politics, and geography all in one paragraph?

Just a short distance across the lake at 23 Viewpoint Drive in Wolfeboro a property willed to Massachusetts General Hospital also found a live one (some pun intended). The 1970’s vintage ranch and separate guest cottage are likely tear down candidates on this private 1.35-acre level lot that has 360-feet of frontage, a sandy beach, a 60’ permanent dock and breakwater, and long range views. This property was on the market for 675 days starting at $2-million. It was eventually reduced to $1.5-million and sold for $1.4-million. The tax assessed value is $1.729-million so it seems like someone got a good deal, but Mass General got an even better one.

The largest sale on the lake for the month was a new construction by Skiffington Homes at 432 Edgewater Drive on Governor’s Island. This 5,000-square-foot, four bedroom, four and a half bath Adirondack lake home has four fireplaces, a first floor master suite, the requisite great room and gourmet kitchen, lower level walkout, bonus rooms over the three car garage, and the high quality fit and finish that Skiffington Homes are known for. This home sits on a prime 1.06-acre lot with 185-feet of frontage, boat dock, and great long views. The purchase price of $3.1-million exceeded the asking price of $2.995 undoubtedly due to upgrades and changes requested by the lucky new owner.

Over on Winnisquam there was but one sale in July and that was at 24 Lakeside Drive in Belmont. This property is a 1924-square-foot log home built in 1995 which has two bedrooms, two and a half baths, a living room with wood burning fireplace, lower level family room, 50-feet of frontage, a sandy beach, and, most importantly, a boathouse. This home was originally offered at $524,900, reduced to $499,000, and sold for $470,000 after 240 days on the market. The Town of Belmont has the property assessed for $456,800. It looks like a neat place and I bet the buyer is having a great time this summer!

There was also only one sale on Squam and that was at 119 Keewaydin Road in Center Harbor. This 1971 vintage cape style home has 2,280-square-feet of living space, three bedrooms, a finished family room in the basement, a three season porch, and a nice deck overlooking Dog Cove. The beautiful 1.08-acre lot is at the very end of the road and has 190-feet of unspoiled frontage plus all the Squam Lake appeal imaginable. The new owners are planning to build their dream home on Golden Pond. This property was offered last year at $1.695-million, relisted at $1.299-million this year and sold for $1.105-million. The property is assessed for $1.61-million.

In the Three Stooges 1940 short film "No Census, No Feeling," the Stooges are census takers (some say the census takers are now the stooges!). Curly answers a question about where he was born with "Lake Winnipesaukee." When Moe asks him to spell it, he stammers a few syllables but blurts out "Make that Lake Erie. I've got an uncle there!”

Log on to my blog at www.lakesregionrealestatenews.com for the details on these sales and others. You can also receive these reports by email. Roy Sanborn is a REALTOR® for Roche Realty Group, at 97 Daniel Webster Highway in Meredith and can be reached at 677-8420. Data was compiled as of 8/08/11 using the Northern New England Real Estate MLS System.