RE/MAX Bayside- Lake Winnipesaukee Waterfront Specialist

Michele Fausnacht

Licensed for over 12 years, Michele has been selling real estate in the Lakes Region for 5 years and is excited about her new association with the RE/MAX Bayside team. She has been awarded as a RE/MAX New England Top 25 Sales Associate in '06 and is a multiple year member of RE/MAX's 100% Club. She resides in Moultonboro, NH with her husband and son.

Scott Knowles

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pa I have called the Lakes Region home for the last 15 years. I have been involved in real estate in the Lakes Region for the last 10 years. I originally started working with rentals but five years ago I joined a partnership with Sandy Price and have been working since strictly in sales. Sandy and I have been one of the most successful sales teams in the Lakes Region and we look forward to continuing our success with ReMax Bayside. I live in Laconia with my beautiful wife Holly and when not selling or listing real estate I enjoy playing golf, hiking, boating, and just taking in the beautiful area around us. Please do not hesitate to contact me or my partner Sandy. We look forward to meeting all you real estate needs.

RE/MAX Bayside is always looking at different trends in the Lakes Region market to best prepare our buyer and seller clients as we move forward in this ever-changing real estate market. Today we are going to focus on waterfront activity on Lake Winnipesaukee using the eight towns that border the "Big" lake. As we look back, I can tell you that 2007 was "the year of the Waterfront" as far as sales on Lake Winnipesaukee is concerned. In 2007 we were just moving into this new economy where many residential properties are no longer able to command the price they once did and values of Lake Region properties were starting to fall. Contrary to residential properties, in 2007 waterfront properties on Lake Winnipesaukee were trading at an all time high both from a value stand point as well as the number of units that were transferred. A good majority of these transfers were started in 2006 and carried over into 2007 for the final transfer. In 2007 there were 110 property transfers of waterfront homes on Lake Winnipesaukee with an average sales price of $1,281,000.00. In 2008 there were only 76 transfers of Lake Winnipesaukee homes with an average sales price of $1,160,000.00. So between 2007 and 2008 the number of sales of Lake Winnipesaukee homes decreased by 31% and the average price sale fell roughly 10%.

As of February 21, 2009 there are presently 151 Lake Winnipesaukee waterfront homes on the market, more than any other of the recent previous years for this time period. There have been 5 sales thus far this year with an average sales price of $1,050,000.00 and there are only four Lake Winnipesaukee properties presently pending to close with an average list price of $812,000.00. The trend that we are seeing in 2009 is that buyers are once again expressing the need to see value in what they purchase or they will not buy. We will discuss how to create that value you soon.

Let's break down the inventory right now available on Lake Winnipesaukee and see where the best value for you might be today.

Meredith presently has 16 homes for sale on Lake Winnipesaukee 4 homes available between $400k-$1m, there are another 3 homes on the market from $1m-$1.5m, another 2 homes from $1.5m-$2m and 7 homes on Lake Winnipesaukee right now in Meredith, NH for over $2,000,000.00. As you may know Meredith is the home of RE/MAX Bayside and offers much for its residents and visitors alike with a quaint NE town look, waterfront parks, public beaches, shops to explore, street fairs, arts and craft venues, a movie house with top run films and hundreds of acres of conservation owned land to hike and enjoy. Although the low range of Lake Winnipesaukee homes starts above $400k when you live in Meredith you are close to all that makes the Lakes Region of NH special.

Center Harbor is the smallest of the waterfront towns on Lake Winnipesaukee as well offers the least amount of shorefront around the lake. There is presently only one property on the market at this time and RE/MAX Bayside is marketing this property at $2,995,000.00. If you would like more information please go to our map based search and view the home, it is spectacular.

Moultonboro is the one town on Lake Winnipesaukee that has the most amount of frontage on the lake and because of that is certainly the most sought after for many reasons. First and foremost Moultonboro offers the lowest tax rate of any of the towns bordering Lake Winnipesaukee with a present rate of $7.66 per thousand of the assessed value. Because of this rate we see some of the higher priced properties being transferred on Lake Winnipesaukee in Moultonboro. There are presently 34 Lake Winnipesaukee waterfront properties to choose from in Moultonboro ranging from the low of $300k to a high of $4,500,000.00. There is really almost anything you want to find on Lake Winnipesaukee found in Moultonboro from small seasonal camps to massive waterfront estates. If you like the idea of rural waterfront living Moultonboro might be perfect or you.

Tuftonboro, NH is between Moultonboro and Wolfeboro and is one of those townships that you do not want to blink as you go through for you will miss the town proper. Tuftonboro is an active town for second home buyers who are looking for the destination where they can relax and enjoy their vacation time. With 14 Lake Winnipesaukee homes on the market today the prices range from $300k to $4m+, from small waterfront lots to large parcels that have been in the family for years. Depending on where your home base is located, Tuftonboro maybe a great spot for you to land for your weekend and vacation travels.

Wolfeboro, known as America�s Oldest Resort Town, is a pure Lake Winnipesaukee gem. Downtown hustles and bustles during the summer months with vacationers and tourists from all over the world walking the streets, shopping, stopping for an ice cream or eating at one of the many waterfront taverns. Wolfeboro gives you the feeling of "old" money with many of its shops catering to a more affluent cliental. Wolfeboro as well offers some of the most and highest ticket transfers on Lake Winnipesaukee. There are 17 Lake Winnipesaukee homes for sale today in Wolfeboro from the low end of $700k and offering 10 homes priced for more than $2,000,000.000. Once you have landed in Wolfeboro you have all the comforts of home so you need not go far for what you are looking for.

Alton, NH is multifaceted with a beautiful bay, shoreline with long lake and mountain views and small coves for those who are looking for a quiet spot. Alton presently has 29 Lake Winnipesaukee homes for sale with the majority of them available for less than $1,000,000.00. Alton, NH is a location that offers a wide variety of Winnipesaukee ownership and is close to all the amenities that one would need in a second home. Not far from Wolfeboro and close to Gilford and Laconia, this Lake Winnipesaukee town makes a perfect get-a-way for many families.

Gilford is one of the larger communities in the area and is home too many of the local professionals in the Lakes Region. Gilford is the town on Lake Winnipesaukee that is home to the majority of the owners on Governor's Island. Governor's Island is the second largest bridged Island on Lake Winnipesaukee and an area that brings the highest dollar amount on average for sales of Winnipesaukee home sales. There are presently 11 homes for sale in Gilford, NH for $2m+ with the majority of them for sale on Governor's Island. There are as well 15 other homes for sale right now that will get you on the lake with great location, views and opportunities for your primary of vacation home. Gilford's geographic location puts you right in the middle of all the Lake Region activities with Weirs Beach close by, Gunstock Mountain right there, area shopping centers, etc... Gilford is a great place for you and your family to vacation in today and retire tomorrow.

Laconia is the final area we will visit as we cruise around Lake Winnipesaukee. Laconia, NH is the City on the Lake. Laconia is famous for many reasons but for 10 days each year Laconia, NH hosts the oldest motorcycle rally in the United States. In June of each year the entire strip of Route 3 from Meredith to Weirs Beach is transformed into motorcycle heaven with venders, sideshows, and visitors from many different countries looking to enjoy our countryside and show off what they've got. Laconia, NH is much different from the other towns surrounding the lake. In Laconia you are offered more seasonal cottages, old Victorian lake houses and large camps giving the feel of days gone by. There are 9 homes right now in Laconia with lakefront on Lake Winnipesaukee that can be had for under $1,000,000.00. Laconia is often the location where buyers begin their ownership in the area because of its affordability. Laconia might the place for you right now.

If you are looking to sell your Lake Winnipesaukee waterfront home in 2009 understand that the competition is fierce. You need to listen to your local professional and make the initial position of your property the most important task while listing. If you list your property for more money than it is worth today you will not win. If you want to win, take my advice, higher a local REALTOR who knows how to market and promote Lake Winnipesaukee real estate and listen to what they say. My hope is this professional will guide you properly as to what the market has to offer and will position your property so it shows to be a MUCH better value than your competition in today's market. This is how you will sell your Lake Winnipesaukee property today.

Chris Kelly, RE/MAX Bayside