Meredith vs Gilford: Two lakeside gems for different lifestyles

There are 25 towns and cities comprising the Lakes Region. This week, I thought I would highlight two desirable and similar communities, Gilford and Meredith.

Gilford

Gilford includes 38.85 miles of land area and 14.7 miles of inland water area. The population includes 7,921 residents, resulting in a density of 204 persons per square mile. The population ranks 41st in New Hampshire out of 239 cities and towns. The median age is 46 years young and 42% of the population has a bachelor’s degree or higher. The median household income is $115,423. Gilford has 5,178 housing units.

The town offers an abundance of recreational and cultural resources: Gunstock Resort and Ski Area, The Belknap Mountain Recreation Area and Belknap Range hiking trails, town beach set on 17 acres on Lake Winnipesaukee and town docks, multiple marinas and yacht clubs, an 18-hole golf course, Ellacoya State Park and Beach, Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, an excellent school system, a community center and expansive library.

Tax valuation: Gilford’s 2024 property tax rate is set at $11.25 per $1,000 of assessed valuation with a total valuation of $3.5 billion.

Sales Activity for 2024: 99 single-family home sales; 12 median days on the market; median sales price $548,000; average sales price $991,769; lowest sales price $160,000; highest sales price $7 million, and total sales volume $19.2 million. There were 45 condominium sales with 14 median days on the market; median sales price of $360,000; average sales price of $434,682; lowest sales price $24,500; highest sales price $1.3 million; and total sales volume $19.6 million.

Currently there are 24 single-family homes for sale with 18 median days on the market; a median listing price of $882,500; an average listing price of $1.1 million; lowest listing price $125,000; highest listing price of $2.7 million; and total listed volume of $27.4 million. There are six condominiums for sale with 14 median days on the market; median listing price of $644,950; average listing price of $611,466; lowest listing price of $269,900; highest listing price of $849,000 and total listed volume $3.67 million.

Meredith

Meredith includes 40.3 square miles of land area and 14.2 miles of inland water area. The population includes 6,888 residents, resulting in a density of 166 persons per square mile. The population ranks 50th in New Hampshire out of 239 cities and towns. The median age is 49 years young and 43.8% of the population has a bachelor’s degree or higher. The average household income is $92,951. Meredith has 4,972 housing units.

The town offers an abundance of recreational and cultural resources. The Meredith town beach at Leavitt Park on Lake Winnipesaukee and the Lake Waukewan Beach, town docks on Lake Winnipesaukee, waterfront sculpture walk along the bay, multiple marinas and yacht clubs, an 18-hole and 9-hole golf course, hiking/walking trails at the Hamlin Eames Smith Conservation Forrest, Hesky Park and Laverack Nature Trail at Hawkins Brook, an excellent school system, a community center and

expansive library, the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad, The Inns and Spa at Mills Falls, The Winnipesaukee Playhouse and the Interlakes Summer Theatre.

Tax valuation: Meredith’s 2024 property tax rate is set at $10.26 per $1,000 of assessed valuation with a total tax valuation of $3.89 billion.

Sales Activity for 2024: 100 single-family home sales with 15 median days on the market; median sales price of $700,000; average sales price of $1.1 million; lowest sales price of $75,000; highest sales price of $6 million, and total sales volume of $111.98 million. There were 13 condominium sales with four median days on the market; median sales price of $539,000; average sales price of $526,761; lowest sales price of $110,000; highest sales price of $890,000; and total sales volume of $6.85 million.

There are currently 18 single-family homes for sale with 32 median days on the market; a median listing price of $1.4 million; average listing price of $1.78 million; lowest listing price of $399,000; highest listing price of $5.2; and total listed volume of $31.9 million. There are three condominiums for sale with 91 median days on the market; median listing price of $650,000; average listing price of $650,000; lowest listing price of $650,000; highest listing price of $650,000; and total listed volume of $1.9 million.

You can see from the above that Gilford and Meredith have a lot of similarities. Both towns produced the same number of single-family home sales last year (99 versus 100), but Gilford had more condominium sales. Prices have appreciated considerably in both towns. The demand for both of the lakeside communities has been extremely strong.

At Roche Realty Group, we expect more inventory to come on the market this spring. It should be an exciting year. The bottom line is that both Gilford and Meredith offer all sorts of recreational and cultural amenities. We are fortunate to live in such a special place in New Hampshire.

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This article was written by Frank Roche, president of Roche Realty Group with offices in Meredith and Laconia, and can be reached at 603-279-7046. Visit rocherealty.com to learn more about the Lakes Region and its real estate market.