What to expect when you are looking for that dream home in the dead of winter.

Dress for the weather, leave trendy clothes and shoes at home and wear boots. It's winter and  snow is on the ground so plan on temperatures in the teens you can always take a layer off. Most of the homes you are going to look at are not primary residences so if the homes are heated the interior temperatures may be set around 45 degree's.  Dress warm!

Viewing the interior of the home should go smoothly. The exterior of the home depending on the snow depth could be a bit dicey.  The shoreline is another story unless you brought your ice skates along. If you would like to examine the shoreline closely your agent should have some pictures of the beach area and in the past we have brought an ice auger to the second showings to view the lake bottom to verify if it is sandy or depths.

In New Hampshire January, February and March lakes are iced over. In the later part of March, the shorelines begin to melt first giving you the opportunity to view in full what's on the bottom.

Prior to setting out to view homes set up a wish list. Outline the top features you require?

View - Open water, mountains, quiet cove?

Sun Exposure, morning sun or sunsets?

Deep water docking?

Sandy Beach?

The size of the lake?

Water Quality?

Fishing, trout or bass?

Quiet lake kayaks, canoes or no boating restrictions? 

Snow Skiing?

Distance to shopping, attractions and hospitals?

The lot is more important than the home.  You can change the home but not the lot. We spoke with one buyer looking to purchase a new lake property.  Over and over again they fell in love with a home but remembered their past experience of watching those across the bay basking in the afternoon sun while they sat in the shade. 

Contact your banker to establish a price range you are comfortable with. If your dream home features need 3000 square feet and granite counters but your budget does not match that dream a lake access home might be the perfect alternative. When ready call us so we can help you locate the perfect lake and home for your family.   We are knowledgeable in all the quality lakes in the region along with lakefront regulations. 

Important note! New lakefront listings begin to get into the inventory the end of March as many homes are completely shut down for the winter. 

Call 1-888-737-5550, e-mail at info@nhlakesrealty.com or visit our websites to view lake homes in New Hampshire at www.nhlakesrealty.com or www.lakeorskirealestate.com  to begin your search

 

 

Contact Carl Sack or Paula Hinckley both specializing in NH Lakes Realty  #nhlakesrealty

 

 

Most people would like a retirement or vacation home on the ocean that is close to major ski areas. Typically the ocean salt and snow don't mix well, from ocean shoreline to skiing the car ride can turn into hours. The alternative is a lake where you can sail, water-ski and fish in the summer and also use your vacation/retirement home as a ski or snowmobile house in the winter.

 

 

There are  literally thousands of beautiful lakes in the United States only a few states give you the opportunity for 4 seasons of activity.  Nevada, California, Washington are destinations that may work for you and your family but either you have limited lakes to choose from or  travel time can be prohibitive. Travel time from the lake home in California  to the ski areas may reach upwards to 4-5 hours. New Hampshire's Lakes Region on the other hand is where the lakes meet the mountains. We have over 250 lakes to choose from all just a short ride to a major ski area.

New Hampshire Lakes Region is just being discovered by executives on the West Coast. New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts residents have been enjoying NH close proximity to lakes and mountains since the turn of the century.

NH is just plain friendly, we don't even have a sales or income tax.

Commuting  to the Lakes Region - NYC 5 hours - Boston 2 hours - Hartford 3 hours - Manchester 1 hour, with major airports in Boston and Manchester NH.

Once you're at your lake home, Lakes house travel time to  a major ski resort is typically less than 45 minutes and often 15 minutes or less.  Pricing for a year round home on one of the smaller 500-1000 acre lakes runs $399,000 to $695,000. Homes on the larger lakes start at $700,000 and top out at $10 million for luxury 22,000 square foot  home just minutes to Gunstock Ski Area.

NH boasts over 250 crystal clear lakes in the Lakes Region alone, some of the major lakes include; ( Ossipee 3091 acres- Winnipesaukee 44,585 acres- Squam 6764 acres - Newfound 4105 acres - Sunapee 4090 acres - Winnisquam 4264 acres - Wentworth 3017 acres )    ( Merrymeeting - Bow - Silver - Waukewan all 1000 acres - Great East Lake 1706 acres )

 

 

Major Ski Areas Include: Sunapee - Loon - Cannon - Waterville - Ragged - Bretton Woods - Attitash - Cranmore - Wildcat and in the spring hike an ski Tuckerman's Ravine on Mount Washington.

NH is just plain friendly, we don't even have a sales or income tax. For additional information on NH Lake Homes call 1-888-737-5550, e-mail at info@nhlakesrealty.com  or visit our website to view  lake homes in New Hampshire at www.nhlakesrealty.com or www.lakeorskirealestate.com.

Contact Paula Hinckley or Carl Sack for NH Lakes Region Real Estate today!  #nhlakesrealty

You may not be ready right now but looking towards those golden years you might envision a lake home in your future.

 

 

In New Hampshire most people focus is on Winnipesaukee, Squam or Sunapee but we are surrounded by over 250 lakes all having unique qualities that may meet your future needs. ( fishing - boating - sailing - kayaking etc )  We have been specializing in lakefront sales in the lakes region for over 15 years and can guide you to a quality lake in the area. We cover all the lakes from Ossipee to Sunapee and can fit a lake and a home to your lifestyle. Cottages to Luxury Compounds.   Call me with your retirement or vacation home questions? For additional information on lake homes call Lady of the Lake Realty at 1-888-737-5550 or e-mail at info@nhlakesrealty.com or visit our website to view lake homes in New Hampshire at www.nhlakesrealty.com or www.lakeorskirealestate.com.

Contact Paula Hinckley or Carl Sack today, we can get started now by sending you homes for you to preview.

 

 

New Hampshire has over 200 lakes in the lakes region and all of the lakes are just a short drive to a major ski resort or golf course.  For those who are truly ski fanatics and would like to own a lake home close to skiing there are a couple of our larger lakes that are a 10 to 15 minute commute to a major ski area.

1. Lake Sunapee is almost slope side, this 4000 acre pristine lake is anywhere from a 5-15  minute ride to Mount Sunapee Ski Resort.  Mount Sunapee has 11 lifts and over 1500 feet of vertical drop.  Homes around the lake are priced $750,000 up.
2. Lake Winnipesaukee our largest lake at 43,000 acres sits at the base of Gunstock Ski Resorts.  With 1400 feet of vertical this mountain is 4 seasons of fun.  Skiing, Zip Line, Segway Tours to Cross Country Ski Trail and Horse Back Riding.  The closest towns to the ski area are Gilford, Alton and  Laconia.  Home prices on Winnipesaukee start at $650,000 and go up to $13 million.
3. Newfound Lake is one of the cleanest lakes in the United States, this spring fed glacial lake is over 180 feet deep and is just over 4000 acres.  Your commute to one of my favorite ski areas is 15 minutes to Ragged Mountain.   Ragged has a wonderful Golf Course for summer activity and is the only area in NH with a 6 passenger high speed lift.  The whole family rides on one chair. No lift lines at this 1250 foot vertical mountain.
4. Winnisquam is also just over 4000 acres and is located just off Interstate 93.  Gunstock is a 15 minute ride from Laconia, Tilton or Belmont.  Prices start at $500,000 and go up to $1.2 million.
5. Conway Lake is on the Route 16 corridor. This hidden gem of a lake is 1200 acres and puts you  in the Mount Washington Valley. From Conway Lake you can be slope side at Attitash or Cranmore in 20 minutes or less. Some of the best snow conditions in the state are found here.  North Conway is an adventure in itself, from all types of entertainment, outlet stores, scenic train rides to cross country skiing.  Lots to do in this area. Prices start at $450,000 up.
6. Squam Lake our second largest lake at 6700 acres and the location of the filming on Golden  Pond  is one of the most pristine lakes in the country. This quiet lake with islands and open shoreline to explore is a 20 minute ride to Waterville, Loon or Cannon.  Waterville and Cannon are home World Cup Racing events while Loon is our largest ski resort in NH.  Vertical drop of 2100 feet and a summit elevation of 3100 feet.  12 lifts and 61 trails.  Homes start at $1.5 million.

For those of you who are snowmobile enthusiast you can park you sled in your front yard and snowmobile to anywhere in New Hampshire.

For additional information on NH Lake Homes call Lady of the Lake Realty at 1-888-737-5550 or e-mail at info@nhlakesrealty.com or visit our website to view  lake homes in New Hampshire at www.nhlakesrealty.com or www.lakeorskirealestate.com.

Contact us today!

November 2013