Articles Tagged "Zoom Towns"

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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If you love to travel, you've probably vacationed in some spectacular places that hold special memories. Perhaps the ocean views, exotic cuisine, relaxing atmosphere, or abundance of nature make you want to return again and again to this special place.

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Covid-19 has taught us a lot this year, including how well many of us are able to adapt to a remote working environment. While many companies and employees believed working from home would be a temporary arrangement early on in the pandemic, it's becoming more and more clear that the virus has simply accelerated the inevitable shift to remote work. You can argue that working from home has benefits and disadvantages; however, many people, including our real estate agents, believe it is here to stay. Below are several reasons why.

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Our real estate agents have always loved living by the water, but is it possible that it's actually good for our health? We asked ourselves that question, and our research yielded some fascinating results. 

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With so many people working from home this year, many professionals are taking advantage of the opportunity to relocate. As Americans continue to move from big cities, Zoom Towns are becoming an increasingly popular place to work. These Zoom Towns are often summer vacation spots or retirement locations that are suddenly more accessible now that so many people are free of location-dependent jobs.

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Buying a home is quite an undertaking, even when you're just moving across the neighborhood. Relocating to a different state presents even more challenges. With so many individuals moving to a different climate, relocating for work, or simply packing up and heading to a city that suits their evolving lifestyle, buying a home in a different state is becoming increasingly common.

Zoom Towns are also driving out of state relocation. Zoom Towns are towns that are seeing an increase in residents, specifically professionals who desire a remote workplace in an area that offers more space and solitude than larger urban settings. For instance, the Zoom Towns are popping up throughout New England as professionals from the greater NYC and Boston areas seek out work-from-home opportunities.

If you're considering buying a home in a different state, here are a few things that you should know.

1. Do Plenty of Research
   If you think you've done enough research on your desired location, do some more! There are many aspects of your new area that will impact your life, such as new residential or commercial developments, new roadway construction, and school rezoning. Learn as much as possible about the area you desire so you can feel fully informed when you arrive.
   
   
2. Create a Moving Checklist
   While a moving checklist is helpful for all moves, it's especially vital when relocating to a new state. For instance, many homeowners forget to change their address for delivery services such as Amazon. By creating a to-do list that addresses all aspects of your previous home life, you can ensure that you have everything transitioned to your new home as smoothly as possible.
   
   
3. Try to Visit the Area 
   It may be difficult to travel to another state every weekend, but you should try to visit the area a few times before your move. Spend a night or two near where your new home is and live life like a local. Go for a drive during peak traffic hours. Discover where your favorite stores are located. Find a few hidden gems. The more frequently you visit, the more like home it will feel.
   
   
4. Understand the Other Costs of Living 
   Unfortunately, home values are not the same across the country. Not only do you need to understand how much home you can afford via the mortgage, but you also much take note of the cost of living in your new area. For instance, you may not pay a state income tax in Florida, but you will in Pennsylvania. Also, moving from Florida to Pennsylvania may decrease your air conditioning usage, but your electric bill may still rise as you use your furnace more often. Make a spreadsheet of your current yearly living expenses and try to find data from your new location to help you compare costs.
   
   
5. Ask "Stupid" Questions
   Buying a home is one of the largest financial purchases you'll ever make, so you should ask as many questions as you have. When it comes to real estate transactions, there are no stupid questions. Your agent will be happy to answer and address every concern you have, so you feel comfortable and confident in your purchase.

Moving to a new state doesn't need to be overly complicated. Whether you're headed to a Zoom Town for work or relocating for family, following these tips will help make the process as swift, smooth, and stress-free as possible. And you don't have to go through this process alone! Our expert agents and our extended network of real estate professionals across the country are here to assist. Contact us today to get started. 

With social distancing giving a boost to the already growing work-from-home trend, any place with a WiFi signal can become an office. If commuting is no longer an issue, why not live in a Zoom Town, where every day is a vacation?

Leave the urban hustle and bustle behind. Our real estate agents share some appealing reasons why Maine's Lakes Region should be your new home. 

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With this year's pandemic accelerating the shift towards remote work, living near the office is quickly becoming a thing of the past. With so many people working from home, many are taking advantage of the opportunity to reconsider their home's location. Not only is this spurring a quick recovery for the housing market, but it's also leading to an exciting new trend that's popping-up here in 2020: the rise of the Zoom Town.

So what exactly is a Zoom Town? It's often a beach town, lake town, or even just a peaceful secluded area of the country. More importantly, it's far away from the normal bustling cities that have traditionally served as the heart of the business world. Zoom Towns are seeing rapid growth this year, as many people are choosing to work where they vacation and vacation where they work.

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