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Over the years
we have
been asked many of the
same questions by buyers
of Chautauqua Lake &
County Real Estate. This
page is an attempt to
answer many of the most
common questions.
E-mail us anytime
and I will answer any
specific questions you
have.
What
is lake access, deeded
lake rights, lake rights
etc?
As you
investigate the purchase
of a home on or around
Lake Chautauqua you will
come across the terms:
Lake Front: Self
explanatory and the most
valuable of all lake
related properties.
Canal Front:
Homes located on the
canals around the lake.
Example: Vukote, Keller
Road, Mill Road, Shore
Acres. Affordable water
properties generally
under $125k. Almost
without exception you
can dock your boat
outside your door.
Lake Access: An
overused marketing term.
Anybody from anywhere in
the world has "lake
access" to any public
lake. In Chautauqua
terms you are in an area
with a cut thru that
allows possible pick up
and drop off but, no
dock slip. Very little
value added to the Real
Estate.
Deed Lake Rights:
Generally means you have
in your deed access to
an area of the lake that
allows you to have a
boat slip and possibly a
shared or private dock.
DLR's are thru
neighborhood groups or
associations. Sunset Bay
on Rte: 430 and Sunrise
Cove on Rte 394 are
examples of Deeded Lake
rights communities. A
yearly fee maybe
involved. There is value
added to a home with
deeded lake rights.
Lake Rights: Is
interchangeable at times
with deeded lake rights.
It is best to
investigate and possibly
put a contingency in the
contract for sale asking
for a complete
understanding of the
meaning. Many old
homeowners have been
surprised to find they
have no lake rights they
just got along well with
the neighbors over the
years and developed a
camaraderie that allowed
a dock, boat slip etc.
Only to find when they
went to sell the home
there was no legal
conveyance of that
enjoyment. Which
affected value.
What
is the average sale
price of a Chautauqua
Lakefront Home?
From
1/1/2005-1/9/2006 there
were 55 Chautauqua
Lakefront sales. The
attached averages do not
take into account lake
rights, condos/town
homes, canal fronts or
land or community owned
lake frontage. The
figures reflect single
family homes with lake
frontage only. The
average LF home sale in
05 had 87 linear ft of
water frontage.
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COMBINED
AVERAGES:
Adjusted
Price
$443,592
List Price
$443,592
Closing
Price
$405,415
Bedrooms
3
Full Baths
1
Half Baths
0
Est Sq Ft
1,763
DOM
101 |
DOM refers
to Days on
Market. This
is from the
time a home
is listed
till it
closes.
A home can
get an
accepted
offer day
one on the
market and
take 4
months to
close
because of
complications
with
financing,
title etc.
The average
closing time
for an
accepted
offer is 60
days.
If you would
like a more
detailed
breakdown
that would
include all
sales
associated
with the
lake not
just
lakefronts
contact me.
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I can also
provide you
with info on
Findley,
Cassadaga,
Erie & Bear
Lake. |
Is
purchasing a lake home a
good investment?
Yes, They
don't make it anymore.
No one is digging a hole
and filling it with
water. We are within 2-4
hours from 5 major
metropolitan areas. Land
on the lake is getting
developed or being
purchased for
conservation which
drives what is left up
in value. It goes up
gradually with an
occasional spike so,
over a 3-5 year look
back your investment in
fun will pay off. Plus,
you have demographics on
your side baby boomers
are buying and we'll
continue to do so for
many, many years to
come.
Are
there better locations
than others?
There are NO
bad areas. As with any
real estate market there
are more desirable areas
than others. The whole
lake is nice and each
community has something
to offer. As I help you
guided by your
preferences I will
explain the pluses and
minuses of each location
your interested in.
What is the minimum
amount I can purchase a
2nd home for?
Waterfront on the lake
at the southern tip
140-200k are minimum but
can be done. A 75k
seasonal cottage with
25ft sold in Lakewood in
2004 that was the end of
an era. Off the lake
with lake rights 85K
would be about the
minimum. Keep in mind
this is not a science
what I'm saying is
purely a guideline. You
should really expect to
pay at least 200K+ for a
modest lakefront on a
small lot.
Are
there any waterfront
lots available?
Yes, they are
becoming very rare and
very expensive you can
anticipate paying
minimum 175k for a
lakefront lot.
In 2004
The average linear foot
$ amount for Chautauqua
lake frontage without a
home was $2,197. There
were 6 recorded
lakefront lot sales in
2004 in the Chautauqua
Multiple Listing
Service.
With a
home included the linear
foot $ amount is
$4,365.00
How
much of a down payment
do I need?
5% is the minimum.
Do
I need an attorney to
close?
Yes, we can provide a
list of Reasonably
priced Real Estate
Attorneys.
Who
owns these homes and
where do they come from?
People from
all walks of commerce.
Our clientele are
entrepreneurs, business
executives,
professionals at law,
medicine, education and
a smattering of affluent
retired folks.
They
come from Cleveland,
Pittsburgh, Buffalo,
Erie & Cincinnati and
Columbus. The dominate
clientele is Cleveland.
It is 2-2.5 hours away
by the time your tired
of driving your here, so
Chautauqua Lakes makes
for a great weekend
getaway.
Why
is a seller selling?
Sellers sell
for primarily two
reasons 1) They move up
to a larger vacation
home. 2) The most common
reason is they never use
it anymore or their
preferred location to
vacation changes.
Is
there a better time of
year to purchase than
others?
Not really,
prices do not fluctuate
season to season.
Inventory can take a
traditional spike in the
spring, summer and fall.
The winter you tend to
face less competition
for a listing and if you
like a place in the
winter you'll love it in
the summer.
Can
I rent out my Chautauqua
home, how much will I
get?
Yes, rentals
are a large part of the
lake economy. I offer
property management for
summer lake rentals
please vist my website
www.richardlakefront.com
for more information.
Rental amounts are
determined by locatiion,
size and number of
people you can sleep.
You can anticipate in
season to get
$1000-$2,500 + per week
for a Lakefront with
dock. The average is
$1,500.00. Off seson
rentals are spottier
but, a steadily growing
market.
Weekly
rentals are prohibited
in R-1 districts in the
town of Ellery. 4 to 5
areas in the town of
Ellery do allow weekly
rentals with a permit.
If you
want to rent your
property we will be
happy to help you once
we have a specific
property to talk about.
Rental service charges
are available upon
request.
How
far is to Holiday
Valley, Peak N Peak and
Cockaigne?
40 minutes to
the Peak www.pknpk.com
and 45 minutes to
Holiday Valley
www.holidayvalley.com
from the Rte. 394/86
interchange. Cockaigne
www.cockaigne.com is
about 15-30 minutes from
Chautauqua Lake.
Which
makes a home on
Chautauqua Lake ideal
for year round
enjoyment.
What
about weeds?
Weeds are
being addressed on many
fronts by private and
government agencies. It
is an in-depth subject
with many view points.
Our experience as
Realtors over the past
12 years of being
associated with the lake
is that there are many
good people working hard
to address the weeds and
other quality of life
issues that affect the
lake and local economy.
The subject is much to
broad to cover on this
page. Please refer to
www.chautauqualake.org ,
www.chautauquawatershed.org
Also the
local newspaper has
archived articles on the
subject.
http://www.post-journal.com
I will
say that the economic
impact Chautauqua Lake
has on the local economy
is enormous and getting
bigger. The tourist
dollars and real estate
taxes generated are in
the millions upon
millions of dollars. It
serves everybody to have
the lake as healthy a
recreational area as
possible.
How
is the Fishing?
Great!
Chautauqua Lake is known
for being one of the
finest fishing lakes for
certain species in the
Northeast and country.
Please
click on
Community Info/Links
and scroll down to
Fishing for complete
info.
How
is the Golfing?
We were voted
by Golf Digest: The Best
Little Golf Town in
America !
It is said that you can
play 30 days straight
within a 1 hour radius
of Jamestown and never
repeat the same course.
Please click on the
Community Info/Links
and scroll to Golf for
more info.
Also check out
http://www.wnygolfcourses.com/chautauqua_county.htm
for more info on courses
and round fees.
Are
the roads around the
lake plowed in the
winter?
The public
roads are very well
maintained in the
winter. The towns and
state are prepared for
snow they have had
centuries to perfect
their skills. Private
roads are a case by case
basis. Most are plowed
by a resident or a
formal or informal
association of
neighbors. If you want a
driveway plowed there
are countless people who
will do that for you for
a very reasonable fee.
Ask me for referrals.
Can
I hire people to
maintain my home?
Yes! Anything
you want done there are
numerous competent
people to do it for you.
How
is the crime around the
lake?
There is
none. Other than an
occasional drug bust, D
or BWI it is a very safe
quiet area.
How
many marinas are there?
Approx: 9
that do sales, repairs &
dockage. Smith Boys and
Holiday Harbor are the
biggest. Long Point
State Park is # 9 but,
it just sells gas,
supplies and boat slips.
Please click on
Community Info/links and
scroll down to Marinas &
Boating for more
detailed information.
What
does dock space cost at
a marina?
You can
expect to pay around
$20.00 per foot.
Additional services such
as winterizing,
cleaning, winter
storage, shrink wrap are
all extras and generally
priced on the
length/size of the boat.
Are
there public boat ramps?
Yes. Almost
every town has one or
more public boat ramps.
Is
there winter storage
available for my boat?
Yes. The
marinas can handle your
boat bow to stern. There
are also building and
barn owners who store
boats for the winter.
Costs are generally
determined by length of
boat and services
desired. We dock at
Ashville Bay Marina. We
do nothing with our boat
except get on it in May
and off it in
September/October. They
take very good care of
us for a reasonable
cost. Before the Marina
we stored the boat in an
Amish barn for $150.00
for 6 months then he
decided to turn it into
a sawmill. (That was a
sweet deal we still cry
about it).
If I
want to add on or
renovate do I have to
get a building permit?
Outside yes,
Inside maybe most likley
no. Your contractor can
give you an informed
opinion.
How
big a boat can I put on
the lake?
I would guess
most boats on the lake
are between 20-25ft.
Pontoon boats are very
popular.
When
can I put my dock in?
As soon as
the ice melts, you can
also hire it to be done.
When
do I have to take it
out?
General
understanding is by
November 1st.
What
do you do around here
for fun?
Please click
on the "Community
Info/Links" button on
our home page and
everything you want to
do is on it.
What
is the Chautauqua
Institution?
A fantastic
place to spend a day, a
week, a month or the
9-week summer season,
also a good place to
invest in Real Estate.
Please
click on the "Community
Info/Links button on our
home page and scroll
down to Chautauqua
Institution for a
complete guide.
The
Chautauqua Institution
is a not-for-profit,
750-acre educational
center beside Chautauqua
Lake in southwestern New
York State, where
approximately 7,500
persons are in residence
on any day during a
nine-week season, and a
total of over 142,000
attend scheduled public
events. Over 8,000
students enroll annually
in the Chautauqua Summer
Schools, which offer
courses in art, music,
dance, theater, writing
skills and a wide
variety of special
interests.
The
Institution, originally
the Chautauqua Lake
Sunday School Assembly,
was founded in 1874 as
an educational
experiment in
out-of-school, vacation
learning. It was
successful and broadened
almost immediately
beyond courses for
Sunday school teachers
to include academic
subjects, music, art and
physical education.
While
founders Lewis Miller
and John Heyl Vincent
were Methodists, other
Protestant denominations
participated from the
first year onward, and
today Chautauqua
continues to be
ecumenical in spirit and
practice. Chautauqua's
Department of Religion
presents distinguished
religious leaders of
many faiths from this
country and abroad, both
as preachers and
teachers.
The
oldest continuous book
club in America, the
Chautauqua Literary and
Scientific Circle (CLSC),
has enrolled at least a
half-million readers and
at one time sponsored
10,000 reading circles
throughout the country.
The CLSC introduced
learning by
correspondence even
before the School of
Theology and Chautauqua
University developed
such courses. Its book
selections are offered
today with continuing
education emphases.
Chautauqua University
functioned for
approximately 12 years
until other universities
began offering summer
courses. New York
University conducted
summer courses at
Chautauqua for
approximately 30 years,
ending in the early
1950s, followed by
Syracuse University and
SUNY College at
Fredonia. Now a wide
variety of special
studies attract
vacationing Chautauquans.
By 1880
the Chautauqua platform
had established itself
as a national forum for
open discussion of
public issues,
international relations,
literature and science.
Approximately 100
lecturers appear at
Chautauqua during a
season.
Music
became increasingly
important at Chautauqua,
especially after the
turn of the century. A
symphony orchestra
season became part of
the regular program in
1920. The Chautauqua
Symphony Orchestra,
founded in 1929, now
performs thrice weekly
with leading soloists in
the 5,000-seat
Amphitheater,
Chautauqua's program
center. Popular
entertainers perform
other evenings. The
Chautauqua Ballet
Company also appears in
the Amphitheater,
sometimes with guest
artists, while the
Chautauqua Conservatory
Theater presents its
season in Bratton
Theater. The Chautauqua
Opera Company, also
founded in 1929,
performs in English in
Norton Hall.
Chautauqua plays a
unique educational role
today, offering studies
on a vacation level, a
more serious level and a
professional level. In
addition, there are
enhanced learning
opportunities within
Chautauqua's other
programming. Music, the
arts, religion,
recreation and the
pursuit of knowledge are
all available. Younger
and older students often
share learning
experiences in an open,
congenial atmosphere.
Children and young
people are also provided
with their own special
programs.
The
Chautauqua Institution
is governed by a
24-member board of
trustees, four of whom
are elected by property
owners. The board
establishes the policies
and direction of the
Institution, electing
the officers who are
responsible for the
operation of the
Institution. Smith
Memorial Library and the
Chautauqua Institution
Archives are open year
round. Between-season
conferences are held at
Bellinger Hall, the
Athenaeum Hotel and
other facilities on the
grounds.
Is
Bemus Point the middle
of the lake?
I don't know
if it is the geographic
middle. But, it is the
activity and fun middle.
All boats and all roads
around Chautauqua Lake
eventually lead to Bemus
Point.
What
is the floating stage?
The Italian
Fisherman Restaurant in
Bemus Point has a large
stage that floats. From
Memorial day thru Labor
Day they host weekly
concerts of all types
that can be viewed from
land or boat.
Is
the Casino really a
gambling casino?
No. It is a
restaurant in Bemus
Point that can be
accessed from land or
boat. If you do want to
gamble the Seneca Nation
Casino is right off Rte
86 about 30 minutes from
Bemus Point.
Are
there public docks in
Bemus, Mayville?
Yes, in Bemus
Point they are located
to the north or left of
the Casino viewing the
Casino from the lake. In
Mayville they are
outside the Watermark
restaurant. Lakewood
does not have public
docks.
Can
you swim in the lake?
Yes you can
swim in the lake. There
are a number of good
places to anchor your
boat and go swimming
around the lake where
the water is 3-4 feet
deep so you can relax
and the kids can have
fun. You'll hear some of
these places referred to
as "Sandy Bottom" the
name implies what they
are.
Can
I ride my snowmobile on
the roads?
If you see a
green sign with a white
snowmobile on it you can
ride. There are hundreds
of miles of roads and
trails. It is estimated
that Chautauqua County
generates 19-20 million
$'s per season in
snowmobiling and that
figure is growing.
Please go to our
Community info/link and
scroll down to
Snowmobiles for more
information on trails,
clubs etc.
Do
you get a lot of snow?
Yes, Yes we
do. Chautauqua County
has had a number of
years in the past 10
years that have been
mild winters but, 2002 &
2003/04 we received a
lot of snow. Great for
snowmobiling, skiing,
Ice fishing, cross
country skiing.
If you enjoy plowing and
shoveling snow you would
have been in seventh
heaven.
Do
you have an airport?
Chautauqua
County Airport a tower
controlled airport
capable of handling a
small jet is located in
the town of Ellicott off
West Oak Hill Road. It
is serviced daily by a
commuter line.
Dart
airport in Dewittville
outside of Mayville is a
grass strip for
recreational pilots.
What
is the Summer Wind?
A
dinner/lunch/special
occasion charter cruise
that does multiple daily
tours of the lake. We
have been on it a number
of times, good food,
spirits and music.
http://www.summerwind.com
How
big is Chautauqua Lake?
The mean
elevation is 1,308 feet
and the lake has an area
of about 20 square
miles. The distance from
Celoron to Mayville is
14.7 miles. From the
boat landing at
Jamestown through the
Chadakoin River (known
locally as the outlet)
to Mayville is 17.7
miles. The width varies
from about 1000 feet at
the Bemus Point-Stow
ferry to two miles wide
at three places. The
upper, northern end of
the lake is the deepest
section from 20 up to 75
feet in the Long Point-
Maple Springs area. The
lower lake runs from 30
feet deep near Bemus
Point to less than 10
feet near Celoron. The
lake has approximately
45 miles of shoreline.
If 10ft
doesn't seem like much.
I said that to an old
timer years ago, and his
reply was, "its over my
head".
What
does the name Chautauqua
mean?
It is a
Seneca Indian name. From
above, the lake does
resemble a long bag tied
in the middle, and that
is now the favored
translation of
Chautauqua. See our
homepage for more
information on " The
History of Chautauqua".
What
about Bear, Cassadaga,
Erie & Findley Lake?
Very nice
lakes which we service.
Bear, Cassadaga &
Findley are considerably
smaller. They are about
the size of a bay on
Chautauqua Lake. Erie is
and inland ocean and has
a lot of cliffs on the
NY side. Docks are
impossible to put out
and the roughness of the
water makes small boat
usage difficult. Homes
on all those lakes on
average are less
expensive than
Chautauqua they also
don't have the market or
appreciation Chautauqua
Lake has. ALL the homes
sell though. Findley has
seen some good
appreciation over the
past few years driven
primarily from its
proximity to Peak N
Peak. Contact us anytime
about any lake in the
county Julia & I work
all of them.
A Better Way to Buy &
Sell Chautauqua Lake
Real Estate
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FAX (716) 484-2394