Buying on Winnipesaukee: An emotional decision or a logical one?

[Dad sold the C * C]

Congrats to both of you, and Welcome to the lakes. I hope all goes well, buying a lake property can be interesting; especially if it is an older property. Deeds and lot lines are not always what they seem at first

During this first summer don't bother counting how many times:
you say "what a view"
you say "what a great decision"
you say "what were they thinking" when they built this place
you say "no not that switch, the other one"
You go to "Orange store" (Home Depot)
you go to "Blue store" (The other one)
> Unless you are lucky to have a good local hardware store near by
>
Occasionally you may say "WHAT WERE WE THINKING"
> But that only last as long as it takes to sit on the deck, patio, dock, in the water or in a boat.

oh and one more... you say "is it time for drinks"

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Congratulations arttwood and NewHaHagirl!!! You all are going to have the best summer of your lives!!! Welcome to the lake!

[Pricestavern]

Originally Posted by Dad sold the C * C

oh and one more... you say "is it time for drinks"

I've found that the Lake sits at the point of a geographic anomaly - no matter where you are or what time of day, the sun is always over the yardarm.

[polarisman14]

I can only hope I am fortunate enough in the future to be in your position where owning waterfront property is even an option. That said, here's what I would consider doing before only zoning in on winni:

Look into Newfound, Squam, and Winnisquam lakes. They are all within a half-hour or less of Winnipesaukee, afford very nice views and clean water, reduced boat traffic, and give you the same waterfront feel with a much reduced price tag. At this point you can easily and inexpensively trailer your boat to Winnipesaukee (provided it's a trailerable boat) and enjoy everything that the big lake has to offer as well. Consider renting during off-season months if possible to help cover expenses.

[jeffatsquam]

Originally Posted by polarisman14

I can only hope I am fortunate enough in the future to be in your position where owning waterfront property is even an option. That said, here's what I would consider doing before only zoning in on winni:

Look into Newfound, Squam, and Winnisquam lakes. They are all within a half-hour or less of Winnipesaukee, afford very nice views and clean water, reduced boat traffic, and give you the same waterfront feel with a much reduced price tag. At this point you can easily and inexpensively trailer your boat to Winnipesaukee (provided it's a trailerable boat) and enjoy everything that the big lake has to offer as well. Consider renting during off-season months if possible to help cover expenses.

I think you would find Squam to be about triple what you would pay for a similar home on Winnie.

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by polarisman14

I can only hope I am fortunate enough in the future to be in your position where owning waterfront property is even an option. That said, here's what I would consider doing before only zoning in on winni:

Look into Newfound, Squam, and Winnisquam lakes. They are all within a half-hour or less of Winnipesaukee, afford very nice views and clean water, reduced boat traffic, and give you the same waterfront feel with a much reduced price tag. At this point you can easily and inexpensively trailer your boat to Winnipesaukee (provided it's a trailerable boat) and enjoy everything that the big lake has to offer as well. Consider renting during off-season months if possible to help cover expenses.

Hmm I have yet to see anything on Squam that is cheap. It's like Sunapee, if you don't have at least a million to play with forget about it. Newfound and Winnisquam are on par with Winni. In fact if you're not careful what town you're in forget about purchase price the taxes will eat you alive. Look at Merrymeeting Lake, it's a beautiful lake, best water quality in the state and usually pretty quiet. Comparatively speaking waterfront on that lake is inexpensive, so long as you don't mind dishing big money on property taxes. Everything is relative.

[laketrout]

Wish I did it sooner! Bought a place in Southdown 12 years ago, sold that and moved to the neibghboring community of Long Bay and had a house built. I'm not on the water but close enough,to walk to my boat and beaches and or take my Golf Cart. Family, friends love it.

Previous to buying a place we traveled back and forth for years to the lake from southern NH to our boat on the Big Lake. Only regret I wish I bought 10 years earlier when prices were lower..

Is it practical for me financially with 2 houses and taxes? NO. But LIFE IS SHORT. If things don't work out I can always rent it (don't want to do that) and pay my expenses but so far no need..

I pulled the trigger and bought, the best decision I made for me and the family & my 11 year old loves the place, thinks it's normal for people to have a lake place but she is learning not everyone does and that we are very forunate.

[polarisman14]

The goal is always to give your kids a better life than you had--I was lucky enough that my parents made that a VERY difficult goal for me to top. I'll be lucky if I can give my daughter half of what they gave me. Unfortunately, the only part of that I didn't have was life on the lake.

I became close with a friend when I was about ten years ago and later found out his family had a cabin on Bear Island, that being my introduction to summers on Winnipesaukee. Ever since then I have my sights set on being able to provide something of that nature for my children when time and finances allow.

I can't imagine being in the position to do that and not doing it. Having a cabin on an island would be unbelievable to begin with, but living on the mainland and being able to stay year-round would be my main focus if it were at all possible.

Good luck with your search and let us know what you come up with!