Roy Sanborn - Waterfront 8-13

Lake Winnipesaukee and Winnisquam Waterfront Sales – July 2010

July was a good month for Winnipesaukee waterfront sales, at least when compared to last year. There were a total of six waterfront homes sold at an average of $955,333 compared to only half that number last July although the average sales price in July 2009 was higher at $1.82-million. Two of the six sales posted last month were island properties and those do obviously bring less money that mainland homes.

The least expensive home sold is at 260 Rattlesnake Island in Alton. This is an 1,166 square foot cottage with three rooms, two bedrooms, and the description in MLS said it had only a half bath. I guess maybe there was an outside shower or the bath tub was the lake? The cottage sits on a .7 acre level lot with 103 feet of frontage and nice southwesterly views. There is also an outbuilding on the property that would make a great bunk house for the in-laws. This property was originally offered at $429,000, reduced to $359,900, and sold for $324,000 after 432 days on the market. The property is currently assessed for $376,500, so that seems like a fair deal.

A beautiful 2,127 square foot contemporary at 368 Sewall Road in Wolfeboro also changed hands at $1.48-million after 349 days on the market. This home was originally listed at $1.95 million and subsequently was reduced to $1.875-million. The town has the current tax assessment at $1.677-million. This beautiful home at the entrance to Jockey Cove has 144 feet of sandy bottom frontage, an 8’ x 35’ crib dock, and broad views across the lake toward the Belknap Mountains. It has an open and spacious interior boasting thirteen rooms, four bedrooms, and two and a half baths. The exterior has nice perennial gardens, stonewalls, and a great patio area taking advantage of the wonderful views. Nice!

The highest sale in July was at 36 Broadview Terrace in Gilford. This Governor’s Island, 5,000 square foot contemporary has a bright and open floor plan featuring a great room with cathedral ceilings, stone fireplace, hard wood floors, and a wall of windows to take in the view. There are four bedrooms, five and a half baths, and a bonus room with wet bar for entertaining. This home sits on a .74 acre lot with 100 feet of frontage with a covered U-shaped dock. This property was originally offered at just under $2.6-million, then reduced to $1.995-million in March, and found a buyer at $1.7-million after a mere 641 days on the market. With an assessment of $2.035-million it seems like the new owner got a fair deal.

There was only one sale on Winnisquam last month which equals the one sale posted last July. The honors go to a six room, three bedroom cottage at 74 Black Brook Road in Meredith. This knotty pine paneled cottage epitomizes what lake living is all about. There is a great stone fireplace in the living room, a basketball court outside, and 130 feet of sandy frontage. What more could you want? Well, maybe a pitcher of Margaritas out by the lake? This little place was only on the market for 19 days and closed 17 days later. So, possibly there really was a pitcher of Margaritas waiting there! It was listed at $499,000, assessed at $369,500 and sold for $477,000. Es tiempo de fiesta, Señorita!

Log on to my blog at www.lakesregionrealestatenews.com for more information on these and other sales. Leave me your thoughts on this report or the real estate market in general. 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 8/11/10 using the Northern New England Real Estate MLS System.