Lake Winnipesaukee Real Estate: 2015 Year in Review

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Jim Mardis - Lake Winnipesaukee Real Estate

Lake Winnipesaukee Real Estate has strong year in 2015

Lake Winnipesaukee Real Estate

Lake Winnipesaukee Waterfront Sales up 36% year over year

2015 was a surprisingly strong year for Lake Winnipesaukee waterfront home sales. In total, there were 176 owned waterfront sales on Lake Winnipesaukee compared with 129 sales in 2014 – that’s an increase of 36% year over year.  Lake Winnipesaukee waterfront homes also spent less time on the market before finding a buyer. Average days on market decreased from 259 days in 2014 to 220 days in 2015 – a decrease of 15%.

The average sales price on Lake Winnipesaukee was $1,100,728, which was up just over 2% from the prior year. The median price (the midpoint of all waterfront transactions on Lake Winnipesaukee) increased 5% from $775,000 to $817,000.  While that’s certainly encouraging, it’s important to note that average and median sales statistics are not necessarily indicative of individual property values. There are many factors which contribute to the value of waterfront property on Lake Winnipesaukee including exposure, quality of the shorefront, and location among others.  Whether you are pricing your home for sale or are about to make an offer on a Lake Winnipesaukee home, it’s important to ask your REALTOR for a market analysis that is mindful of current market conditions, economic data, and recent comparable sales activity.

Lake Winnipesaukee Real Estate – Luxury Sales

2014 saw the largest Lake Winnipesaukee waterfront sale ever, a stunning estate property at 144 Springfield Point Road in Wolfeboro which sold for $8,975,000 after spending 440 days on the market. That record sale wasn’t eclipsed in 2015 as the largest sale on Lake Winnipesaukee was at 24 Tranquility Lane in Alton which sold for $5,850,000. The home features a wonderful double-bay boathouse and western exposure with expansive waterfront views. Nothing depicts old-time Winnipesaukee convenience and luxury quite like a boathouse at the water’s edge! 24 Tranquility Lane was originally listed at $6,380,000 and spent time on and off the market since 2012 before finding the right buyer last year.

Lake Winnipesaukee Luxury Real Estate

Although we didn’t break the record for largest sale, the overall strength of the luxury market on Lake Winnipesaukee was impressive last year. In a primarily a second home market the strength of the luxury segment is important to the overall health of our local real estate market. There were 66 Lake Winnipesaukee waterfront sales over 1 million dollars in 2015 compared with 48 sales in 2014 – that’s an increase of 37%. There were 24 sales over 2 million dollars in 2015 compared with 16 sales in 2014 – that’s a 50% increase. It’s important to note that although the luxury market was strong in 2015, as has historically been the case given the level of inventory and the limited pool of qualified buyers, sales over 4 million dollars remained few and far between. In 2015, there were only 3 sales over 4 million dollars.  Accurate market pricing is always critical to a timely and successful real estate sale. But if you’re trying to sell a home in the upper-end of the Lake Winnipesaukee waterfront market, where comparable sales can be difficult, it’s especially important that you come to market priced properly at the time of listing in order to attract a qualified buyer.

Interest Rates and Forecast

I often observe that many of our waterfront buyers on Lake Winnipesaukee are all cash buyers who are not dependent on financing for their purchase. Even still, it’s important to note that in December of 2015, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time in almost a decade. The rise in rates was both expected and extremely modest (only a quarter point). But the move marked the end (for now) of an unprecedented run where the Fed Funds rate was at zero (known as the “zero rate era”). According to many sources, including Bloomberg, the Fed has signaled that it intends to make up to (4) similar rate increases in 2016 (depending on how it sees economic conditions). Some analysts have been spooked about a rise in interest rates because inflation remains low. I’m not an economist, so I’ll leave the merits of the rate increase to the prognosticators. But it’s important to remember that raising interest rates have historically been a sign of a healthy economy.  And while slightly higher interest rates may mean slightly higher mortgage rates 2016, mortgage rates are still near their all-time lows.

As I tell all of our clients, we cannot predict where prices or levels of activity will be in the future – but they aren’t making anymore Lake Winnipesaukee waterfront! Interest rates remain low and inquiries to our offices from qualified buyers looking to own waterfront homes on Lake Winnipesaukee remains steady.

If you’re considering the purchase or sale of real estate on Lake Winnipesaukee and would like more information on the specific towns or segments of the waterfront market, please contact us.  You many also want to check out our easy-to-use category searches on www.LakesRegionRealEstate.com where you can search for homes by Lake, Town, Neighborhood/Sub-division or feature (such as homes with boathouses, sand beaches, or privacy).

Cheers,

Jim Mardis

Jim Mardis

If you are considering the sale of your Lake Winnipesaukee or Squam Lake waterfront home, contact Jim Mardis ~ waterfront sales expert in the Lakes Region since 1980 ~ for a no obligation analysis of your home’s value in today’s market

*Data provided by  Northern New England Real Estate Network (NNEREN) for the period of 1/1/2015 to 12/31/2015. Statistics include all closed Lake Winnipesaukee owned waterfront sales and include the sale of 88-90 cattle landing road which was a non-MLS sale.          Statistics are deemed accurate but are subject to errors and omissions and are not guaranteed or verified. If your home is currently  listed   with a broker, this is not meant as a solicitation
© 2016 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.© Equal Housing Opportunity. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty, One Verani Way, Londonderry, NH. (888) 723 - 0306

117 Hauser Estates Road Moultonborough, NH

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117 Hauser Estates Road Moultonborough

117 Hauser Estates Road in Moultonborough, NH

A fantastic Lake Winnipesaukee Home 

built by renowned builder Skiffington Homes

 

JUST LISTED!  117 Hauser Estates Road in Moultonborough is a magnificent home in an extraordinary lakeside setting. This home features a finely crafted blend of wood and stone and is sited on 1.3 acres of land with 295 feet of private Lake Winnipesaukee waterfront!  Moultonborough is one of the most sought after towns on Lake Winnipesaukee to own a waterfront home due to its low tax rate, and 117 Hauser Estates Road is certainly a rare offering.

This well-appointed Lake Winnipesaukee home features details which include an open concept floor plan with a wall of glass and soaring wood trusses that frame majestic lake and mountain views.  The home also features a gourmet kitchen with an island and professional grade appliances.   A fabulous three season porch may become your favorite room in this house with its beamed ceiling, a floor to ceiling stone fireplace to relax around and an indoor built-in stainless grill with hood.

You’ll fall in love with the inviting first and second floor master suites, each with their own with fireplace. On the second floor, a guest wing features two private suites and additional bedroom and living room. The lower level provides a large family room with fireplace, Billiards room, wine cellar and exercise room.  Perhaps best of all, you’ll love walking out the lower level to a private yard with sand beach, large dock and wonderful views from this beautiful protected lakeside setting.

If you’re looking for a waterfront home, you’ll want to add 117 Hauser Estates in Moultonborough to your list of home tours. You’ll be impressed by the quality and craftsmanship of this immaculate lake home-built by renowned local builder, Skiffington Homes.

Contact us today to schedule a tour of 117 Hauser Estates Rd in Moultonborough (by appointment only please).

Best,

Jim Mardis 

Lakes Region Realty Group at Berkshire Hathaway Verani Realty

Lake Winnipesaukee Real Estate ~ Waterfront Sales YTD

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Lake Winnipesaukee Real Estate

This time of year many things are wonderfully predictable in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. We know that the heat of the summer will yield to cooler autumn days and that the bright colors of fall will surround the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. But, at the close of the third quarter, what was less predictable this year was the strength of the Lake Winnipeasukee Real Estate market.  Through September 30th, there were 126 owned waterfront sales on Lake Winnipesaukee compared with 94 sales for the same period last year – that’s a 25% increase in the number of waterfront home sales on Lake Winnipesaukee! Also encouraging, the median price (the midpoint of all waterfront transactions on Lake Winnipesaukee) increased 3% from $790,000 to $816,000.  Lake Winnipesaukee waterfront homes are also spending less time on the market before finding a buyer this year. Average days on market have decreased from 263 days last year to 228 days in 2015 year to date.

Lake Winnipesaukee Real Estate – Luxury Sales:

Importantly in a second-home market, luxury real estate on Lake Winnipesaukee has been stronger this year. Through September 30th, there were 46 waterfront sales which closed above 1 million dollars compared to 35 sales for the same period last year – that’s a 24% increase.  There were 17 waterfront sales which closed above 2 million dollars on Lake Winnipesaukee compared to 12 sales for the same period last year.

While we can’t predict where prices or levels of activity will be in the future, we do know that interest rates remain low and inquiries to our offices from qualified buyers looking for waterfront homes on Lake Winnipesaukee remains steady.

Best,

Jim

James W. Mardis, Broker Associate, GRI

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices ~ Moultonborough  (Rte. 25, Harbor Square – formerly Lakes Region Realty Group)

 

If you are considering the sale of your Lake Winnipesaukee or Squam Lake waterfront home, contact Jim Mardis ~ waterfront sales expert in the Lakes Region since 1980 ~ for a no obligation analysis of your home’s value in today’s market

                                      James.Mardis@verani.com  |  603-253-3217

© 2015 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.© Equal Housing Opportunity. Information not verified or guaranteed. If your home is currently listed with a Broker, this is not intended as a solicitation. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty, One Verani Way, Londonderry, NH. (888) 723 - 0306

Lake Winnipesaukee Waterfront Market Report

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Lakes Region Realty Group Is Pleased To Present Our Recent Lake Winnipesaukee Waterfront Market Report

Lakes Region Realty Group is pleased to present our recent Lake Winnipesaukee Waterfront Market Report.

Once again in 2013, Lakes Region Realty Group was Lake Winnipesaukee’s TOP SELLING Waterfront Real Estate Office. We take great pride in our ability to accurately advise our clients resulting in the successful sale of more Lake Winnipesaukee waterfront homes year after year.

Let Us Put Our Experience To Work For You!

Lake Winnipesaukee Waterfront Real Estate Report

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 Winnipesaukee Waterfront Salesre up; Average Sales Price is Down

Lakes Region Realty Group #1 in waterfront transactions on Lake Winnipesaukee (as of 8/31/13)

There were 84 waterfront sales on Lake Winnipesaukee through August 31st 2013.  This compares to 80 waterfront sales on the big lake in 2012 for the same time period – that’s an increase of 4.8% year-to-date.   However, although sales are up, the average sale price on Lake Winnipesaukee is down 7.54% from the same period last year. The average sales price through August 31st was $884,094 compared to $956,021 for the same period in 2012.  We note that there have been four sales over 2 million dollars on Lake Winnipesaukee this year compared to seven sales over 2 million dollars for the same period last year contributing to the lower average sale price for the Lake Winnipesaukee.

The largest sale on Lake Winnipesaukee so far in 2013 has been at 37 Spindle Point Road in Meredith. This spectacular 10,000 square foot Adirondack-style home was originally listed at 4.3 million dollars in 2010. It was relisted at $4,150,000 in 2012 and was sold in June for 3.6 million dollars.37 SPINDLE

Encouragingly, average “days on market” for properties on Lake Winnipesaukee is down over 25% from 297  days on market in 2012 to 219 days on market in 2013 year to date. On average, properties on Lake Winnipesaukee are selling at 87% of their original list price in 2013 year to date. Interest rates have risen about 125 basis points in the past six months, but are still near historic lows. 

Once again this year, Lakes Region Realty Group is proud to be leading the market in Lake Winnipesaukee waterfront sales (as of 8/31/13).  We take great pride in our ability to accurately advise our clients. If you are considering the purchase or sale of property in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, please give us a call today and let us put our experience to work for you!

 

SALES

Lake Winnipesaukee Real Estate Report: 2013 Off To A Slow Start – But Activity Appears To Be Picking Up

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We haven’t reached the end of the first quarter of 2013 yet, but with the Dow Jones Industrial average reaching all time highs this week it seems appropriate to check in on the market a little closer to home – the Lake Winnipesaukee Waterfront Market.

So far in 2013 the largest closed waterfront sale on Lake Winnipesaukee was at 34 Boathouse Road in Moultonborough .  This 5,500 square foot Adirondack home was built by Scott C. Fuller Development and features 4 large bedrooms (including a master suite), 6 bathrooms, a great room with an elegant fieldstone fireplace, gourmet kitchen, a finished media room and bar area. The property features a sugar sand beach with 180 feet of clear Lake Winnipesaukee water frontage. The home was originally listed at $2,500,000 and sold 94% of its listed price at $2,350,000.  Lakes Region Realty Group was pleased to have provided all brokerage services in this transaction.

The least expensive sale so far this year took place at 11 Craig Way in Tuftonboro (Melvin Village). This property features a charming main cottage home, as well as two additional smaller cottages. The property has 95 feet of frontage on Lake Winnipesaukee with expansive southerly views which stretch across the lake all the way to Gunstock.  11 Craig Way was originally listed at $625,000 and sold for 86% of its listed price at $535,000.00

Lake Winnipesaukee Waterfront: By the Numbers:  Those who have followed our blog and market reports found on the homepage of LakesRegionRealEstate.com  know that in 2012, overall unit sales on Lake Winnipesaukee were up 17.5% and total dollar volume sales increased by nearly 20% over 2011.  2013 however, has gotten off to a slower start. From 1/1/13 to 3/6/13 there were only 7 closed waterfront sales on Lake Winnipesaukee. During the same period last year, there had been 15 closed waterfront sales – this represents a decrease of about 54% in unit sales. We believe some demand may have been pulled forward as sellers looked to negotiate the sale of their property in 2012 in order to avoid an increase in the capitals gains tax which took effect this year. In fact, the above referenced sale at 11 Craig Way was one of only two sales to occur on Lake Winnipesaukee in the month of January. Despite the slow start to 2013, there are signs of strength in the market. Although the sample size is small, the 7 transactions that have occurred year to date have yielded an average sales price on Lake Winnipesaukee   $909,285.71  –  that’s an increase of 8.4% over the same time period last year. In addition, there are currently 10 waterfront sales which are pending on Lake Winnipesaukee. Of the 10 sales that are pending, 6 of those sales have a list price of over $1 million dollars and there is one sale pending which is listed at over $4 million dollars.

We cannot predict future prices or activity levels, but there are several factors which lead us to be optimistic.  First, we are beginning to see increased buyer inquires to our offices. We invest significant resources to ensure buyers of Lakes Region Real Estate find Lakes Region Realty Group and our firm’s web site, LakesRegionRealEstate.com at the top of search returns.  But, perhaps more importantly, we believe increased buyer interest is being driven by a slowly but steadily improving employment picture as well as interest rates which remain near record lows.  In addition, our neighbors to the south in Massachusetts are seeing a very strong housing market in many parts on the state. This becomes important to our local market as many of our Lake Winnipesauke buyers come from MA and CT. As their primary home markets continue to recover, these buyers will be in a better position and more inclined to invest in a second home in our market on Lake Winnipesaukee.   

If you would like more information about specific sales in your neighbourhood or if you would like an opinion of value for your Lakes Region home in today’s market, please contact one of our offices: Meredith: 603-279-6000 or Moultonborough: 603-253-7766

Cheers,

Jim

James W. Mardis

President – Lakes Region Realty Group

An affiliate of Luxury Portfolio International

Real Estate Market Poised For Rebound

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January 1, 2013
MARKET POISED FOR CONTINUED GROWTH.
Having been in the real estate business for over 35 years, I’ve been close witness to several major pull backs in our market. I think all would agree that this one has trumped them all . We can’t complain. Other parts of the country have been ravaged in foreclosures and short sales while here in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region we have been, to a large extent, spared from the economic forces which have created havoc in so many other markets. I believe quality real estate such as you ‘ll find in our Squam and Lake Winnipesaukee areas is less vulnerable to the ups and downs in the market place.
The Lakes Region, overall, has offered a higher level of resilience to the negative market forces thus resulting in far fewer foreclosures and short sales on most any of the lakes you will find in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. “HOLD” power has been impressive as owners price their homes and are willing to wait to get their price, confident that the market is going to move favorably.
The past three years have shown positive trending which would indicate we are in “stong recovery mode.” As an example, on Lake Winnipesaukee, unit sales have increased in each of the past three years.
2012 saw an 17% increase in unit sales and an 18% increase in dollar volume transactions on real estate sold on Lake Winnipesaukee. (Includes all towns which front on Lake Winnipesaukee.
Another indicator that the health of our economy is improving can be measured the greatly increased level of activity (bookings) realized last summer as families feel more comfortable in spending dollars for, in some cases, those long awaited vacations. As long as the interest rates remain anywhere near their current record low levels, low rates coupled with good incentives to buy should result in continued positive news for our local real estate market. Positive incentives would be price stabilization. I believe that buyer’s are noticing that the rate of declining prices has leveled off substantially in many cases. If prices are at or near the bottom and the cost of money remains historically low, now truly is the time to jump in and purchase real estate if, of course, all of your other stars are lining up for you.

The Vacation Home Rental business in the Lakes Region is experiencing strong demaind, for the third year in a row.
Many people choose to rent a private vacation home on or by the lake prior to making their pruchase decision.
Visit www.LakesRegionRentals.com for further details.

We’re optimistic, and we wish you all the very best for a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!

Winnipesaukee Real Estate Sales Moving Along

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We are fortunate to be able to specialize in and focus on the real estate activity that occurs on and around Lake Winnipesaukee.

Rather than focusing on a single town fronting on Lake Winnipesaukee, observing activity in all towns  on the lake serves as a better barometer for trending on a wider level.  Take a look at the Winnipesaukee Market Report for the third quarter of 2012. ( Link:  http://upload.terabitz.com/u/videoNavigation/lakesregionrealestate/video/vm_292_31497.pdf )   While the average indicators were bright for the third quarter, you will notice that the  average sales price for property sold in Moultonboro has been progressively lower, quarter for quarter, in the past few years. For example, the average sale price for Winnipesaukee waterfront property sold in Moultonboro in the third quarter of 2012 was about 15% lower than for the same period last year.  This does not mean that Winnipesaukee waterfront property in Moultonboro has depreciated by 15% period for period, although that average is expected to be down for the year.  It does mean that the price point where real estate sold is 15% lower than last year. This translates into a slower market in the high end and a better market in the lower end in terms of waterfront activity during the quarter. The activity that “closes” in the third quarter is generally the result of sales activity which occurred in the summer months. The third quarter got off to a very slow start this year with activity picking up quite well by the end of the summer.  This activity will be reflected in the Winnipesaukee Market Report to be published on our website, www.LakesRegionRealEstate.com , at the end of the fourth quarter.

One of our offices is located in Moultonboro. The total number of Winnipesaukee waterfront transactions in Moultonboro in the first three quarters of 2012 was up by about 25% over the same period last year. (29 verses 22)   So, while our summer market did not help numbers, we had a good spring season and we have a number of strong sales in process which should help brighten the fourth quarter and the picture for the year as a whole.

HGTV’s House Hunters Showcases Lake Winnipesaukee September 5th

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Lakes Region Realty Group’s own Nicole Watkins will have some of her listings feature in this evening’s number one rated tv show, HGTV’s “Househunters” where the focus will be on New Hampshire’s Lake Winnipesaukee market.

The search for a couples dream home on Lake Winnipesaukee focused in part around the couples interest in having a boathouse be a part of the picture.  For those of you who know the lake, the nearly 27 mile long lake has 240 miles of shorefront with 365 islands, several of which are bridged.  It’s a lot of real estate to cover but the search narrowed to the couples two favorite towns on Lake Winnipesaukee , Meredith and Wolfeboro.

Our active spring season was followed by a “slow” July.  August proved to be a much better month with a notable increase in activity which is still the case today.  Over the weekend, we were pleased to have negotitated the sale of one of the finest year round homes on one of our bridged islands.

I hope all will have a chance to view tonights episode of House Hunters.  In the event you are unable to view the show, you’ll be able to find the show on Youtube. We’ll be sure to post the link.

For more information about this evening’s show, take a look at Nicoles Blog.

 

 

Moultonborough Charette

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Two weeks ago I had the priveledge to participate in the Plan New Hampshire Charette held in July for the town of Moultonborough. The Charette was held  in an effort to allow free thinking with regards to how a plan might look for the revitalization of our historic village district.

The Charette was a unique opportunity for the town where talented people from throughout New Hampshire formed a team to put ideas together for the town to consider in future planning. Team members included  landscape architects, land planners, highway engineers, preservationists, civil engineers and a real estate cosultant.  We met over a two day period to gather input from the community in an effort to prepare a couple of possible future development plans for the village area.
The neat thing about a charette is that you can “free wheel” in that you are free to think and to plan without restriction or the need to conform to existing subdivsion and zoning regulations. What a great feeling to be able to design in this way. Every development plan I’ve created over the years had to comply with a multitude of regulations and standards.
At the end of two days work, two plans were presented to the citizens of Moultonborough showing what the village might look like if “all stars were to line up”. The plan would require that either the town or private sector would have to acquire a couple of key pieces of real estate in order to see the plan become reality. These parcels are currently likely to be available. Some key objectives of the plan were to create pedestrian walks and to slow or “calm” traffic as it moves through town. Envisioned were two new roads which would parallel route 25, one of which would allow school traffic to exit onto Old Route 109 without the need to access Route 25. The plan also detailed new walkways from the school to the village district. High (er) density housing would be a goal within some of the areas to be developed.
If you haven’t seen the plans, you really should head over to the town offices and take a look. (or you can take a look at the recorded video of the plan presentation to the community:  http://moultonborospeaks.blogspot.com/2012/07/moultonboro-charette-plan-nh.html )

Towns throughout the state of New Hampshire submitted applications in the hope that their town would be selected for a Plan New Hampshire Charette. Moultonborough was fortunate to have been selected.  It was a great opportunity to meet some very talented people who volunteered their time to create a forward thinking plan for our historic village. I hope to see this plan come to reality. It will improve safefty in the village, improve the appearance of the district, increase commerce in the village area and bolster real estate values. What’s not to like?
Jim Mardis

Broker/Owner

Lakes Region Realty Group

Moultonborough, NH