Articles Tagged "Lake Living"

With winter almost upon us, it's time to start thinking about winterizing your property. If you have a lake house or a vacation house, don't overlook it. It's even more important to pay attention to winterizing if you're not going to be using the house over the winter. Here are a few tips from our real estate agents for getting your lake house ready for cold weather.

1. Clean Your Gutters
   The exterior of the house is what gets hit with winter weather the most, and your gutters are more crucial than you may realize. Clogged gutters will prevent water from draining properly off your roof. Roof shingles and siding are designed to keep water flowing away from your house, but if your gutters are clogged with debris, water can get in underneath the shingles and siding and cause damage. Cleaning your gutters of fallen leaves and other debris before you leave the lake house for the last time this fall can prevent any damage from happening in your absence over the winter.
   
   
2. Check the Roof for Damage
   While you're up there to clean the gutters, be sure to give the roof a once-over. Look for damaged or missing shingles. Also, keep an eye on the trim and siding for signs of leaks that have already started. Any soft or rotten wood should be replaced now before winter kicks in.
   
   
3. Disable Your Sprinkler System
   If your lake house has a sprinkler system in the yard or garden, be sure to have it blown out to clear all the water from the lines before winter sets in. Leaving water in the lines can cause frozen and burst pipes, which will leak once they thaw again. The result could be disastrous and expensive, especially if the leak goes unnoticed for a while due to the house being empty.
   
   
4. Seal Around Windows and Doors
   Whether you plan to use your lake house in the winter or not, it's a good idea to check for and eliminate drafts. Check around all your window and door frames for cracks or drafts. If you can see daylight through any gaps, the space needs to be sealed. Gaps between the door or window and the frame can be sealed with weatherstripping. If there are cracks between the wall and frame, seal those with caulking.
   
   
5. Check Pipes and Insulation
   Before shutting the house up for the season, or even if you plan to use the lake house in the winter, be sure to make a thorough check of all your pipes. Check to make sure you have no leaks, either in visible plumbing or detected from moisture damage to the walls, ceiling, or floor. Especially if you plan to leave the house shut up for the season, the last thing you want is to come back to a flooded mess in the spring. Also, be sure to check any exterior pipes to ensure they've been insulated properly so that they won't freeze over the winter.
   
   
6. Set the Thermostat for Winter
   If you leave the furnace running in the winter to prevent the pipes in your lake house from freezing and bursting while there is no one there, you will probably want to set the thermostat to the lowest possible temperature. No sense in using more energy than needed to heat an empty house! To keep an eye on your home's heat while you're away, consider getting a smart thermostat where you can have the temperature available on an app. This can help give your peace of mind while you are away from your lake house.
   
   
7. Tidy Up
   Before leaving your lake house for the season, be sure to clean everything and tidy up the yard one more time. Not only will a clean house be nicer to come back to in the spring, but you may also save yourself some trouble by doing these tasks now. For instance, be sure to remove any stains from the carpet before you leave so that they don't set over the winter and become harder to clean in the spring. Also, be sure to rake up all the fallen leaves in your yard and mow the lawn one more time if needed. Leaving debris covering the grass over the winter can damage your lawn.

It's important to winterize your property properly so that it remains a relaxing retreat to return to when the weather warms up. Ready to sell your lake house, trade up, or simply looking for something new? Contact us today, and we'll help you find the perfect home away from home.

New Hampshire's mountains: they're not just for winter. When it comes to summer fun, our real estate agents head for the hills and all the entertaining activities found at these wonderful local mountain resorts.

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For many of us, owning lakefront property is a dream. Who wouldn't want to wake up to the sounds of loons on the water, watch the sunrise through a big bay window, and sip a cup of coffee on their own private dock?

Despite being thought of as a fantasy by many, lakefront living is a lot more accessible than you might think. Our real estate agents have helped countless families find their dream homes on the banks of New Hampshire's beautiful lakes, and we're here to share some tips on how to find your perfect lake house.

What to Look for in a Waterfront Property

Waterfront properties are as varied as the bodies of water they overlook. You might prefer a cozy cabin, a spacious family home, or a modern condo. The first step to finding the right home for you is determining your needs. 

• Amenities - Like any home, a waterfront property can be as rustic or as modern as you want it to be. Make a list of your must-have amenities, and keep in mind that while some lake houses might be right in the center of a populated area, many are in remote rural locales where internet and cell service might be spotty. 
  
  
• Lake Activities - A lakefront home is an investment that allows you to pursue some of your favorite pastimes. If you're into fishing, kayaking, swimming, or water sports, look for a lake and property that are well-suited to your interests. 
  
  
• Drive Time - Be sure to factor in how much time you'll have to spend in the car going to and from your new home. Whether you're commuting to work or simply making trips to the store, some lake houses are more far-flung than others. You might also need to consider distances to the nearest hospital and other services. 
  
  
• Year-Round Habitability - Do you plan to live in your lakefront property year-round or use it more as a seasonal retreat or vacation home. Some seasonal lake houses, especially in northern New England, are referred to as "camps" because they're ideal for the warmer months but lack the insulation and amenities to be lived in during winter. 
  
  
• Property Features - Look beyond the house itself. How close is the structure to the water, and is the landscape flat enough to build on if you so choose? What kind of lake access do you have? Is there a beach? Do you have sufficient privacy from your neighbors?

Lake Living in New Hampshire

New Hampshire is blessed with some of New England's most beautiful lakes. Some are wild and undeveloped, but most feature homes along at least part of their shorelines. These New Hampshire lakes include: 

• Lake Winnipesaukee - New Hampshire's largest body of water, Lake Winnipesaukee spans 71 square miles at the foot of the White Mountains. The lake is dotted with islands, and its 240-mile shoreline is a meandering series of coves, points, and inlets. Although some of Lake Winnipesaukee is undeveloped, many lakefront homes are available in several towns and villages along the lakeshore, including Meredith, Wolfeboro, and Glendale. Even some of the lake's islands have houses on them! 
  
  
• Ossipee Lake - A popular vacation lake, Ossipee Lake's shoreline includes numerous camps, cottages, and resorts. It also features several housing developments with year-round residences, and the nearby communities of Freedom and Ossipee offer classic New England charm. The lake itself spans 3,257 acres and is great for fishing and boating. Anglers frequently catch bass, pickerel, and trout. 
  
  
• Squam Lake - Although Squam Lake is just a short drive from Lake Winnipesaukee, it feels like a world apart. It has the ambiance of a wilderness retreat and is one of New Hampshire's best destinations for kayaking and canoeing. There's great fishing in Squam Lake too. Hundreds of private residences are located around the lake, but most are hidden from view by trees, giving paddlers the impression that the shoreline is virtually untouched. Nearby communities include Sandwich and Holderness. 
  
  
• Newfound Lake - A glacial lake spanning 4,106 acres, Newfound Lake is known for its deep, crystal-clear waters that are among some of the cleanest in New Hampshire. It also has a reputation as one of the most beautiful lakes in the state, with homes available in nearby Bristol, Bridgewater, and Hebron. The lake's water is fed by 8 natural springs, and parts of the shoreline are protected within Wellington State Park and Grey Rocks Conservation Area. 
  
  
• Lake Sunapee - 4,155-acre lake Sunapee is a picturesque lake in Western New Hampshire and a great place for swimming, boating, and sightseeing. Homes are located along most of the shoreline in the towns of Sunapee and Newbury, but the lakeshore is also densely wooded, helping it maintain its wild character. This is also an excellent lake for residents who like to be close to civilization; the cities of Claremont and Lebanon are both just a short drive away. 

Contact us today to learn more about finding the perfect waterfront property in New Hampshire. Our real estate agents are here to help. 

It's no surprise that national sources frequently rank Vermont among the top places to live in the United States. Our real estate agents take a deep dive into the features that make Vermont "A Place All Its Own" and the regions that make up this wonderful state.

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New England is justifiably proud of its spectacular Atlantic Ocean shoreline that makes the region a top tourist destination year after year. But residents know that the scenic lakes in New Hampshire and Maine offer an unbeatable sense of serenity as well.

Both states offer relaxing lake living activities such as boating, canoeing, swimming, fishing, etc. But when you look closer, you'll see what makes these areas truly one of a kind. 

Our real estate agents share some of the things that make Maine and New Hampshire unique for lakeside living.

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