Skaneateles Real Estate - The Rainy Day Update

It has rained!  Our little pond is filled to almost overflowing, water is cascading down our driveway, and I am afraid to think of what might be happening at the camp.  We are getting new drainage put in...but maybe not soon enough.  At least the lake levels will come up.

Years and years ago I walked with Alex and a couple friends (they were all about 5) and our dog, Turkey, down the lake and through the causeway.  We were able to meander by way of the waterfront, and it was late fall so the level was low.  We traversed some muddy patches, climbed over docks and stairs, and had a grand time on a gorgeous day (unlike today).  That was an amazing hike...most likely 5 miles!  And then there we were, at the southern-most part of the lake!  This was in the day before cell phones.  Camps were closed for the winter, and very few people were around.  Oh my!  Someone finally answered a door and allowed me to use the phone to call one of the kids' fathers to pick us up, Turkey and all.  What a great memory it was for me - I doubt the kids remember it at all.

But on to the rainy day update:  Currently there are 73 listings in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service.  Of these, 28 are in the Village and 16 are considered waterfront.  Nine listings are reported as "new," but actually 4 of these are re-lists.  I know 188 East Genesee is among these;  the re-list was written to highlight the new staging and new photos.  Only one of the new listings is waterfront.

In the under contract category, there are 16 listings.  Six are newly contracted since the end of September and four of the six are Village homes.  Most of these will close before the end of the year, I would think, and will bring our sold and closed number to over 100.

Speaking of which:  There are now 95 sold and closed properties year-to-date.  Of these, 31 are in the Village and 12 are waterfront.  Last year at this time there were 104 closed single family properties.  Twelve of the 95 just closed since the last blog post.

Waterfront property listings remains low.  There simply aren't as many places for sale as there have been in other years.  Last year by this time it was a similar result: 11 waterfront homes were closed.  But in 2014 there were 20, and 2013 had 17.  I think pricing has a great deal to do with it.  The listings are overall much higher in price and demand is as great or greater due to the small amount of homes on the market.  Prices rise under these conditions.  I know Otisco Lake is seeing the same situation:  Currently there are only four listings, and one is shared lake rights.

Will it change?  As everyone says, "There is only so much lakefront out there."  Buy now!