Island camp wanted
 

Our family is looking for an island camp and was wondering if anyone was thinking of or knew anyone that might be selling. All situations considered and can offer a quick closing. Thanks Steve H

Island Real Estate
 

I would contact Island Real Estate at 609-569-3972, they only handle island properties and would have access to almost all properties currently on the market or coming on the market. John Bridges or Betty Ann Gagne are both a peasure to deal with and have helped many of us to live the wonderful life of an Islander. Can also get them at info@islandre.com.

There will be a piece of property on Rattlesnake Island. This home is a log home located on the Alton side of the island. The location is awesome. Not sure of the asking price but Island Real Estate is the place to go. I bought property from Betty Ann and she was awesome to deal with. Good luck.

Property Search
 

Hello Steve, my name is Jon Briggs and work for Curry Realtors in Alton Bay. I would be more than happy to find you a camp you and your family will love, so please call me and lets talk about what you would like. 315-1628.
Thank you in advance Jon Briggs.

They do not have a listing on it at this time, nor is it on MLS. Do you know who to contact or could you have the owner contact me?

There is a place on Cow - I believe it is listed with Island Realty.

Alton Side ?
 

I don't understand the "Alton side" the whole Island is in Alton.

camp for sale
 

Hi steve I may have a camp for sale call or email me at masstrane@aol.com or call me on cell 508-726-1339 Rick

People may be referring to the direction the camp faces. For example the Broads side faces Wolfeboro and th Alton side faces Alton. Big difference in terms of protection from prevailing winds, lot terrain, etc.

I can't vouch for Jon but when we decided to "try" to buy, we used Curry as a buyers agent. This is the only time I have used a buyers rep and they did a good job for us. We still paid over the asking price but those were the days. It helped having someone who knew which Banks and insurance companies are even worth talking to about a property that fire trucks can't get to. You are in for some interesting challenges but we would not trade the island for anything.

Island Real Estate is not a member of the MLS so you can only find their listing by contacting them directly or viewing their web page.

Sorry if I was not clear, I was indicating that neither Island Real Estate nor an MLS subscribing agency have the property listed that was mentioned, which is why I wanted to be put in contact with the owner.

I will contact the owner and see if he's ready to move on the property. He sent me a post card letting me he will be listing. Maybe the process can be down without a realtor. The camp faces Sleepers Island and is in the cove.

Why so many properties for sale on Rattlesnake?
 

As I mentioned in this posting a 2 days ago my family is looking to purchase an island camp. Since then I have receive 4 emails from owners on Rattlesnake Island only that want to sell their property. This large response coupled with the many homes already for sale on Rattlesnake is starting to make us wonder if there something going on with Rattlesnake. Is the island sinking, taxes to high, location or is it the housing situtation hitting second homes?

I have been on the island for 3 years. I know that the people next to me and 2 houses down are older. In talking with my neighbor, who is selling, it is to much for him to do each year as this is his permanent residence for the summer. I would take that into consideration as well when thinking about the homes for sale. I think the taxes are relative to having a piece of property on the water.

Rattlesnake
 

Steve,
Its a combination of things. There are a lot of camps on Rattlesnake. Also historically there have been relatively cheap prices for the steep lots on the broads side. If you have ever been out there during high winds you will know why they are cheaper. During the boom lot prices escalated dramatically where a 45000 dollar lot increased to a 200000 dollar lot.Access can be an issue. Also many of these lots are small and with the new shoreland protection law that requires State permitting and maximum impervious coverage and increased setbacks. For example a small lot with a tiny sleeping cabin was sold last fall as having permits to build 30 feet from the water which was Altons setback. As of April 1st 2008 State law preempts Altons zoning. Under the rules if the foundation was not in by April Ist they will have to comply with the new rules of a 50 foot setback and all the complex state permitting requirements.
I think as people realize that they are limited in what they can do with their small lots that there will be a scramble for the exits before buyers savvy to what has happened.
With that said if it is a large lot with a breakwater already installed and or is already developed to your satisfaction so that you do not need permits then there might be camps that meet your requirements.
Good luck

We have owned a steep lot on the broads side of Rattlesnake for 5 years now. The tax rate we pay seems lower than what most towns around the state pay. IMO. It is right about 1% per year. The lack of year round occupancy may explain the issue.

There are many times I would prefer to be on the main land but most of the time, I would not trade it for anything. No roads, no lawn, no neighbors to been seen or heard.

Island life takes some effort which could turn off some. I have to say, I have often wondered if there is a lot of turnover on Rattlesnake or is it just the fact that I now notice the name more often. Sort of like buying a car and then realizing that 1000 other people drive the same car in your town alone.

Two lots next to us sold last year (one to us :)) as the owner wanted to invest in his business. We bought our camp from a couple who wanted to travel. The prices have gone up a lot in the last 10 years and some folks may be just wanting to cash out.

When we started coming up years ago I mentioned to a local that it seemed like an awful high percentage of the properties around the lake were up for sale. It was explained to me that some property owners live in a semi permanent state of "for sale". If someone is crazy enough to give them a million bucks, they are willing to take it.

I paid attention and sure enough the signs go down and up and down. I find it hard to believe that all of those places that have been for sale actually change hands as often as the signs go up. Perhaps the island has some of that as well.

And there are the Rattlesnakes....;)

RG, the seemingly low tax rate doesn't have anything to do with the number of days you can occupy it per year. They don't care that we can't be on our islands for most of the year, we get hit with the same relative tax rate. If Alton is anything like some of the other towns, you're getting a pretty decent break on your tax rate because of the steepness of your property. Level island properties pay more, steep island properties pay less. They have a formula they use for figuring out what percentage of a tax break to give you.

Island Life,
My steep lot makes my camp less valuable to everyone including the tax assessor. What I was referring to is that Alton's tax rate is about $10 per 1000 and my house in Hollis is about $24 per 1000. I am sure that you are right about the lack of consideration of not being year round. That is probably already reflected in the lower island property values. That discount makes our place up front possible in the first place. Thank God.

Rattlesnake property turnover??
 

I have been on Rattlesnake since 1995 and wouldn't sell for anything, on the numerous properties for sale, one thing you have to understand, there is about 130-160 lots on the island, if there are 5% who sell, that's 8 camps (bid deal) I'm on the Broad side, the views are Breath taking but have to deal with the weather and especially the wind, which makes it interesting. Numerous trails and wildlife to be had also. Islands may not be for everyone but the seclusion is worth it.
They deal maker is that we have property deeded to the residence on the mainland for parking, boat ramp/dock, short term boat docking and upper boat/trailer parking. How many islands can say this.
Great people out here also, makes the weekend more enjoyable. I have a horseshoe pit on the hill and was hoping to have competing games with the other side of the island (the Whimpy side as we call it), you might say East meets West but I heard the Whimpy side doesn't know how to have fun.
Great times to be had by all!
Pray for Ice out, two and a half weeks away!