Just the facts:
100 feet of waterfront on Firelane 21B in the Town of Niles, Cayuga County
Price: a paltry $89,900 ML#S349323
I love those photos, looking through the trees. The views are spectacular. The Firelane is located about 10 miles down the lake on the west side, so you can look up the lake and see the lights of the Village at night. Look south and you see the quiet part, the cliffs on the other side with few lights.
I've listed and sold property on this particular Firelane for most of my real estate career, so I know it well. When I first started I knew quickly I would have to get in better shape in order to climb the stairs. These lots and the subsequent camps built on the lots are on a cliff. I hate to say this - kind of one of those real estate hahas - but this cliff isn't as high as some of the others. "A short cliff? Are you serious?" "Well," I would reply, "not as high..?"
The lot is wider than most of the others at 100 feet. The minimum at the time of subdivision was 75 feet of waterfront in order to build, so most met that basic requirement. For some reason this and the last one are wider, as is the first on the road.
It is a very easy to understand lot. No stairs, no septic system, no sheds or outbuildings. A house would set back 35 feet from the edge and there would be 15 feet setbacks on either side....plenty of room to build a very good-sized home. The land slopes, and most of the cottages on the road have walkout basements.
I like the location, second to the end. Not that there is a road that would bother anyone because it's at the far end of each lot. This lot is over 300 feet in depth. Just that I like being at the far end. Kids, dogs, general busy-ness.
I say "paltry" $89,900. It's still a goodly sum, but in the past 15 years I haven't seen a lot sold or listed even below $100,000 on that road. Think of it - spend $200,000 on building a cottage, put in a septic system and some stairs, and you will have a lakefront brand new home for under $350,000. With 100 feet of lakefront, even.
I'll talk about assessment another time....call and ask if you have questions. It's too long a story for here. I want you to go see this lot, imagine what you would build on it, look at all the other lovely homes on the road - each unique - and dream a bit. My sign is at the top of the Firelane - the lot is almost at the end. My Fiat made it down last week and has done so over the years without difficulty. Seasonal road, yes, but let's hope there's no more snow this year! Go see it - pictures really don't do it justice!
