Originally Posted by codeman671 (Post 233177)

My wife was dead set against islands, especially building on one. Once the painful part was over she fell in love.

Originally Posted by MAXUM (Post 233175)

LOL you got that right! However the best thing to do is keep it a secret and not invite them out after you buy something, if anything make sure to tell them how miserable it is. That way they won't be tempted to visit and overstay their welcome! :D

When all is said and done, to sit by a nice campfire, it's dead quiet other than the distant wail of a loon and the sound of the water lapping on the shore, the stars are out and you have a nice ice cold adult beverage in hand, my GOD how does it get any better? Winter or summer there is just no better place to be. Best investment I ever made and no you cannot put a price tag on it either.

Originally Posted by jazzman (Post 233185)

Yea, all the places with "alternative" septic systems quickly got nixed by my wife... No sense of adventure...

I had her talked into no electricity, but that place didn't work out.

In the end, electricity and a flush toilet are awfully nice.

Originally Posted by codeman671 (Post 233177)

My wife was dead

Originally Posted by codeman671 (Post 233177)

set against islands, especially building on one.

Originally Posted by codeman671 (Post 233177)

Once the painful part was over

Originally Posted by codeman671 (Post 233177)

she fell in love.

Originally Posted by RidgeRunner31 (Post 232854)

Hello everyone ... I have been reading these forums for a few months and finally decided to join. I noticed people are very helpful and post a lot of good information.

My wife and I have rented a home (mainland) on Winnipesaukee every summer since 2006. We like it so much that we are toying with the idea of purchasing our own place.

I feel the only realistic waterfront/water access properties we can afford would be an island property or a home in an association with a shared beach and deeded boat slip. I’m leaning towards an island property, because we are adventurous, own a boat and it seems like the best bang for the buck for a vacation home. I’m aware that island living presents challenges such as trash removal, lugging stuff, and it’s seasonal, but I do like the allure of getting away from it all.

Be aware that taxes are high and will get even higher over time. Also, slip fees, boat storage and maintenance costs are getting higher each year at the local marinas. A decade ago our slip rental cost $1250; now it's $2600!!

One of my wife’s biggest concerns with island property is the distance to the mainland, because when friends and family come to visit we will have to ferry them back and forth. I was wondering which islands have the easiest access to the mainland? What islands have parking on the mainland? I guess in a nutshell, which islands make things logistically the easiest? I’m guessing Bear Island (a stones throw to Shep Brown’s) and Rattlesnake Island (association lot) would be high on the list.

I would be grateful to hear any experiences about island living. Does anyone have any regrets about purchasing an island property or was it one of the best decisions you made?

Also, what are some common expenses that come along with owning an island property that people typically don’t think of?

Finally, I know it’s a big island, but I noticed there are quite a few homes for sale on Rattlesnake. I was wondering if are any Rattlesnake owners that could help me out if I have any questions about the island. I figure it’s easy to get the info from owners before talking to an agent.

Any other helpful information would definitely be much appreciated.

Thank you!

Mike

Originally Posted by Leoskeys (Post 240428)

Any easy spot to see which islands have electricity and which don't?

Originally Posted by Leoskeys (Post 240437)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there isn't such a thing as "Island Taxes". If you live on an Island in Gilford, or on the mainland in Gilford, your tax rate is the same, correct? I understand the added cost of maintenance men, septic pumping, etc, is higher if you live on an island, but there are no additional taxes I'm aware of?

Originally Posted by Leoskeys (Post 240428)

Any easy spot to see which islands have electricity and which don't?

Originally Posted by ishoot308 (Post 240440)

Correct, the tax rate is the same in Gilford whether island property or mainland. The only difference is island property is considered seasonal yet you pay taxes year round.

Dan

Originally Posted by Leoskeys (Post 240437)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there isn't such a thing as "Island Taxes". If you live on an Island in Gilford, or on the mainland in Gilford, your tax rate is the same, correct? I understand the added cost of maintenance men, septic pumping, etc, is higher if you live on an island, but there are no additional taxes I'm aware of?

Originally Posted by wifi (Post 240451)

I think the universal theory goes like: if someone owns property, regardless of where they live, they owe taxes on it. Its like if I take a month vacation in Europe, can I just tell the town I won't pay taxes for that month? Noooo..

As far as voting, if I bought a place in Boston, because I liked looking at the snow, could I vote to lower taxes in Boston? Noooooo..

Not looking to start controversy, its just the way it is all over the US and is what someone must accept when buying anywhere in a town they don't live in.

Originally Posted by MDoug (Post 240458)

As far as painful taxes go, that's no balm.
Wasn't there a war somewhere about taxation without representation?
I'm old and forgetful::D

Originally Posted by wifi (Post 240461)

I was simply pointing out how this is SOP in the US and not a unique problem in the Lakes Region (to bring this discussion back home). Perhaps a constitutional amendment can be made that gives everyone one vote for each piece of land they own. This would bring on a host of other problems..... including zoning boards being overloaded with people subdividing :laugh:

Originally Posted by MDoug (Post 240477)

:rolleye2:

When I took freshman English long ago, that was known as oversimplifying, was it not?:rolleye2:

Originally Posted by wifi (Post 240494)

Originally Posted by Diana (Post 240465)

We are on an "unimproved" island, no electricity. The property value is easily 5 times that of the buildings on the assessment. But they measure your shoreline and figure that into the taxes, as well as a "view tax". Plus it is different from town to town.

Originally Posted by TiltonBB (Post 240532)

There is no such thing as a "view tax" or a "waterfront tax". The tax rate is exactly the same no matter where you are. It is simply based on the assessed value of the property multiplied by the tax rate. It is really not that complicated. If your property is worth more because you have a great view or it is on the water then it is valued higher by the assessor. But there is no different tax rate that depends on the location or the view.

Another post referred to the seasonal use of island property and the fact that they are taxed year round. That is true but the island property may have a lower assessed value because of that island location and that will be reflected in the real estate taxes.

If you have a condo boat slip, such as at Mountain View Yacht Club, you pay the same tax rate but cannot use any town services like the library or the town beach, even though you are a Gilford taxpayer.

Originally Posted by secondcurve (Post 240535)

It is a simple concept but so many have a difficult time understanding it. Thanks for trying once again to clarify this issue.

Originally Posted by secondcurve (Post 240535)

It is a simple concept but so many have a difficult time understanding it. Thanks for trying once again to clarify this issue.

Originally Posted by SAMIAM (Post 240539)

Always wondered how island residents can pay their taxes without choking.
Being seasonal,they are not using the schools.......have no city sewer,water,streetlights,access to police and fire services.
Why not get together and try to press for legislation for a special tax rate for residents without any services?

Originally Posted by SAMIAM (Post 240539)

Always wondered how island residents can pay their taxes without choking.
Being seasonal,they are not using the schools.......have no city sewer,water,streetlights,access to police and fire services.
Why not get together and try to press for legislation for a special tax rate for residents without any services?

Originally Posted by tis (Post 240538)

Our assessments do actually show if you are paying extra for a view or for waterfront or for a sandy beach or more water frontage etc. I think when people got upset about this was when they first started SHOWING it people actually SAW that they were being taxed extra for these things, even though they were always being charged for them because it made their property more valuable as TTB said. And TTB is right, the assessment is the same per thousand for everybody in their town. It's just how many thousands do they think your property is worth that makes up your tax bill.