Bugs on the islands?

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by jazzman

We got a rough estimate for 30-35K to install a septic system... Plus the house would have to be re-plumbed from it's current graywater/poop burner configuration. I worry that it would be very difficult to get equipment in place too. The hill is so steep behind the house that there is a rope strung through the trees to pull yourself up the hill.

We love the decks and privacy but......

Its really nice that the Alton assessment database is online so it's very easy to get recent sales prices to compare to assessment value. Most of the houses for sale on Alton islands are priced significantly higher than what the recent sales vs. assessment values indicate they might sell for.

We didn't even bother with an offer because our real estate agent said it was a lost cause at the price we were willing to offer.

Are you stuck on alton? There are some fair priced properties on cow presently, plus you get the low tax rate. Gilford properties tend to bring a higher price and bear the tax bill to along with it. Assessed values are crap. I can tell you that the market value on ours is far above assessed value.

[Rattlesnake Guy]

Don't underestimate the power of the seller being under water on their property. Many people are not anxious to bring a big check to the closing.

Also consider that people have been putting their properties up for sale at high prices on Winni for an awfully long time, even when the prices were at the high. If someone buys it for the asking price, great. If they don't, what's the cost. They have a place on the lake. The real problem with the strategy these days is the banks are not going to lend the exaggerated selling price which cuts the pool of available buyers.

[jazzman]

Actually it's nice that the taxes are low enough to allow this strategy. We're moving from a small "lake" place that is worth similar to winni island places, but the taxes are 8K+...

No need to wait out the market here because you'll lose any potential gains in taxes.

[Barney Bear]

There have been very few mosquitoes on the east side of Bear Island this season at the shore. I have not hiked up to the chapel [St. John's-On-The-Lake] this year. One frequently encounters them in the interior of the island. Found a large female dock spider carrying an egg sack on board our boat - caught her in a jar and removed her. I showed our "guest" to friends and relatives who were staying at our cottage, then released her in the woods with her egg sack intact.