The 2nd Twenty plus One

 These are the single family properties that have closed in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service since the first twenty closed.

Skaneateles Village

44 Jordan Street                $665,202

44 West Genesee St.         $600,100

24 State Street                   $511,000

59 Fennell Street               $410,000

73 East Lake Street           $388,000

146 East Genesee St.        $350,000

Town of Skaneateles

6518 Glen Cove Road       $2,000,020

2436 West Lake Road           $768,838

2660 Pine Grove Road         $675,000

2138 West Lake Road           $657,100

3795 Highland Ave.              $505,000

1879 Sugar Maple Lane        $468,419

1280 Sailboat Way                $425,000

690 Crow Hill                       $419,000

3547 Millrun Terrace            $410,000

3840 Knightsbridge               $400,000

4920 Foster Road                  $345,000

4086 Jordan Road                  $260,000

1511 Coon Hill Road             $189,000

3859 State Street Rd.             $180,000

689 Crow Hill Road              $150,000

Skaneateles Real Estate - The Beginning of Summer Update

 Things have only gotten slower, it seems. We slogged through a wet and cold Memorial Day weekend to begin to look forward to the summer months.  As I sit here in the office I look out on the gorgeous West Lake Street homes and their waterfronts.  So much has changed over the years.  It was only a few years ago that we had our first million dollar home.  Now a new listing came up at 15 million dollars.

Currently there are 22 (and only 22) active listings in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service.  Of these, 9 are in the Village and 11 are considered waterfront.  The median price is $600,000.

In the Skaneateles School District there are an additional 4 listings, all in the Town of Spafford.  Two of these are waterfront.

Amazingly there are 18 listings under contract.  Two are in the Village.  The median price is $550,000. The range in price is $140,000 to 3 million.

As of today, there are 43 single family homes that have closed in the Town of Skaneateles.  In the Village 11 homes have sold; 5 waterfront properties have sold but only 2 are right on the water.  The range is $73,000 to 1.8 million dollars.  The median price is $400,000.

Because there are 43 closings I will publish the Second Twenty soon.  Stay tuned!  And enjoy the warmer weather!

Only Four Lots Left on Calemad Drive!

 Take note!  This exquisite community is almost completely purchased.  Soon it will be filled with more beautiful homes.  It has been a pleasure to represent these lots over the years.  

This is the view of the first of the built-upon lots.  All are over 2 acres in size allowing for good privacy between the homes.  Calemad is a huge circle coming off Parcell Road, and only a few minutes from both Skaneateles and Auburn. It is surrounded by farms and large acreage estates. 

Coming around a couple bends you can see the remaining lots, notable for their woods.  The one on the interior will close soon, leaving only the four on the left.  At the bottom of the photo you can see the beginning of long driveways back onto two properties built a few years ago. 

 

The rooftops on the bottom left are the homes referenced above.  The lot containing the pond now has a home going up on it.  Your home would be nestled into the woods.

Skaneateles Schools - 2.3 to 3.3 acres - gas, electric and FiOS - $87,500.  You are in the country, so you will need a well and septic system.  Lot 5's MLS number is S1024381 for more information. Or drive by - slowly please...kids and dogs and people walk the circle daily.

The First Twenty

 Skaneateles has been a busy place for sales and closings so far this year.  I will start with the first 20 single family properties to close according to the multiple listing service.  This was accomplished by February 24th!  

The Town

2795 County Line Road              $1,809,860

2699 East Lake Road                      $920,000

2512 Lakeway Lane                       $799,500

1155 Hencoop Road                       $714,000

4011 State Street Road                   $599,500

1625 Pork Street                              $369,900

3703 Highland Ave                         $369,000

3719 Highland Ave                         $350,000

1614 Stump Road                           $326,000

2935 West Lake Road                     $300,000

878 Franklin Street                          $275,000

3396 East Lake Road                      $200,000

675 School Street                            $193,000

1901 Coon Hill Road                      $167,500

4708 Jordan Road                             $73,000

The Village

22 Lakeview Circle                        $869,000

24 Onondaga Street                        $699,900

24 West Elizabeth Street                 $450,000

36 Onondaga Street                         $351,000

73 State Street                                  $295,000

Skaneateles Real Estate - The Real Update

 I wrote last on April 1st, and repeated a blog written 9 years ago.  The world was a different place then - no pandemic, Trump just a crazy real estate guy, WelchAllyn was still WelchAllyn, and there were very few million dollar homes.  It's different today.

Currently there are 16 single family properties for sale in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service.  Sixteen.  Of these, 6 are in the Village.  They range in price from $245,000 to 7.5 million. Eleven of these properties are over a million.  Ten are waterfront.  The median price is 2.9 million.

There are 19 homes under contract.  The median price in this category is $479,000, with only one over a million under contract.

If you look at Skaneateles Schools, you can add 4 in Spafford.  Wow!  Only 20 to choose from if you want the school district.

There are 30 single family homes sold so far this year.  Their prices range from $73,000 to 1.8 million.  The median is $369,000.  Seven are in the Village.

So let's compare:

In 2012 I said there were only 98 listings.   I predicted 2 Village listings would sell in the next 4 months.  These days, you can guess in the next 4 days.

Similarly, 25 homes were under contract.  Only 20 had closed.  That range was $128,000 to $980,000.  The median then was $269,000.  Of these, 40% were in the Village while today the percentage is 25%.

The greatest difference are the number of single family homes for sale.  HUGE!  And that 2012 figure was coming off highs close to 150 homes.  Imagine!  And yet the prices were relatively high, certainly the highest in Onondaga County and really, the median is only $100,000 lower than 2021's current median. 

Inventory.  It's all inventory.  I'd also add in the higher pricing of homes.  It's not the same market at all.

Oh yes - my favorite part is how low the rates were: 5%!  Today you can get a mortgage for a little over 3%.  Who knew?  And.......what's coming?

Skaneateles Real Estate - An Update

 I started the day off with a bang.  It was a hair day, so I went in to Carlo's on West Genesee in Syracuse.  The proprietor and owner, Carmen Logan, was celebrating his 75th birthday and looking great.  A client brought in champagne, and there we all were, sipping out of plastic cups at 9:30 in the morning.  I could get used to this!

Currently there are only 98 active listings in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service.  Of these, 30 are in the Village and 26 are considered waterfront.

Two new listings came on.  One is a lovely Village home priced to sell in the mid-$300,000 range.  Another is just at the end of the Village for well under $200,000.  I predict both will be gone by September 1st.

There are 12 properties marked under contract, none of which are new.  Thirteen others are pended, with one new one, a home needing work but having a great deal of acreage.

We have now reached the magic number of 20 for closings!  Very early this year, compared with other years.  The latest closing was a small Village home.

The lowest priced house this year sold for $128,000 and the highest for $980,000.  The median, as I am sure JT will ask, is a sale price of $269,000.  Of real significant interest is the fact that 40% (8) homes that closed are Village homes.  They seem to be selling well - is it the gas prices or just the houses themselves?

Please consider buying now.  The rates are the lowest they have been but who knows when they will rise.  You can get so much more house than you can for the same price even at 5% interest.  Do not wait!  Consider this a warning!

I hope you have realized by now that this is an April Fool's Day blog.  The actual date of publication was April 18, 2012.   I like going back and seeing the prices, the comments - "Do not wait!"  I wonder how many heeded that warning and bought then.  I can imagine they are doing quite well.  Carmen is still looking great, by the way....

Skaneateles Real Estate - The Low Inventory Update

The lots on Calemad Drive are selling.   Of the 40 original lots, there are only five remaining.  Now why is this, after years of having them on the market, why are they getting good looks, many inquiries, and offers?

Of course part of it is because they are in the Skaneateles School District and the Town of Sennett, a combination that produces low tax rates.  Very low.  They have been built out with gorgeous homes that retain their value.  The community is welcoming - a great place to walk your dog or your kids.  The lots are large - over 2 acres and the ones that remain are wooded and private.  Prices range from $80,000 to $87,500

Currently there are 19 active listings in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service.  Of these, 5 are in the Village and 9 are considered waterfront.  Coincidentally, 9 are listed for over a million dollars.  There are 21 single family properties under contract..  Since the beginning of 2021, 9 have closed; 3 were in the Village and none were waterfront.  Looking at the Skaneateles School District which encompasses parts of other towns, there are still only 19 active listings.

I searched for homes under $200,000 this past week for a client.  She was able to go to other school districts, so I explored everything west of Syracuse in Onondaga County.  In Marcellus, Jordan-Elbridge, and Skaneateles combined there were 9 homes listed under 200K - out of only 35 homes altogether.  I added Westhill, Onondaga and West Genesee School Districts; 81 was the total and of these only 24 were under that $200,000 limit.  

Amazing.  Skaneateles alone has had 81 listings in the past few years.  

Low inventory alert!  Rates are incredibly low, so a mortgaged $200,000 would have a much lower payment of course, so presumably you could spend more...but still.  If you see a home in this price range so has everyone else.  Listings arrive on the market with the date and time when multiple offers will be negotiated.  

Calemad Drive's lots are therefore very appealing.  You can buy and wait, or build a huge house or a modest one of (at least) 2200sf.  It's only minutes to the Village going east, and Auburn to the west.  You'll find it off Parcell Road which is off Franklin Street Road.   Look for my signs please!

Thoughts on Last Week

 I was tired.  I had stayed up to watch the Georgia returns, so about 1:30 I built a fire in the fireplace, got my book and a cup of tea (a cookie too, I am sure), a blanket and turned on the overhead light which simulates sunshine to me.  Soon Boss had snuggled in, the book was closed and I slept.

I awakened around 4:00 and checked my phone for the time.  It had blown up with cryptic texts - "He should be arrested."  "I can't believe this is happening."  There were others.  I turned on Jake Tapper - but got the videos of the Capitol being stormed.  

I responded to everyone who had texted and watched, unbelieving.  Only later did I start to think how much worse it could have gotten, how we had watched "Designated Survivor" the first season and realized the possibilities.  I was shaken.

It reminded me of a time in Norway, my second trip to Europe.  I was so young, so idealistic.  I hitched by myself, going where and when I wanted.  I followed my own "rules" - never hitch at night, say no to a ride if I caught weird vibes, drink only with friends. For the most part - unlike my first trip - I was alone.  Hey - I knew what I was doing.

I had come across on the ferry to Norway, and was hitching with a young man from Victoria, B.C.  Hitching with Canadians bought a sense of protection.  America was not the most loved country then; Canadians were revered.  We were picked up by a couple who invited us to spend the night at their camp high in the mountains.  We had a marvelous time - they loved showing us around and then dropped us off the next day on our way east.

Somehow we were let off at a store later in the afternoon.  A group of older boys were hanging around.  My friend was asked to look at something inside the store and I was left with the group.  They knew by then that I was American.  They surrounded me and taunted me, saying I supported Nixon if I was American.  I looked for escape and there was none, just waited it out.  They grabbed at my backpack containing everything I owned - clothes, money, passport.  At that point my hitching partner came out and I pulled him back into the store for my safety and to tell him what had happened.  He shrugged it off, the small crowd of boys dissipated, and we hitched a ride somehow out of there.  I had never felt so American as I did then.  And so surprised that I could be targeted.  Especially for something a President I had never supported had done.  But I felt I needed to defend him, somehow.  Weird.

So what will it be like for other Americans traveling abroad after last week.  I can't imagine.  I know I am happy to be here in Central New York, fairly removed from conflict, "safe."  But I am very saddened that the innocence I had they will never know.

Skaneateles Real Estate Update - Now and Then

 I hadn't done a review of the listings and sales of single family homes in months.  I knew that homes were going fast and for higher prices than in the past.  Was this a bubble?  Could Skaneateles sustain these prices?  What would happen when the pandemic was over and people started returning to the cities?  Or would they return?  I already miss NYC - but will it be the same?  Such a stark time.

But what we do know is that there are currently only 20 active listings in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service.  Of these, 6 are in the Village and 9 are considered waterfront.  List prices range from $170,000 to 7.5 million dollars.  Of the 20 active listings, 10 are over a million.

If you look at the Skaneateles School district which includes parts of other towns, there is only one additional listing.  Overall, there are 3 single family homes under contract.

These numbers are historic lows.  A house goes on the market and a bidding war ensues.  This holds true not only for Skaneateles but also the surrounding communities, to a lesser degree.  Prices reflect this - one home sold for well over $100,000 after multiple offers. 

In 2020, in the Town of Skaneateles, 113 single family homes closed.  Of these, 48 were in the Village.  There were 14 true waterfront homes (not shared lakefront) that closed.  Prices ranged from $91,000 to over 6 million.  Ten of the 113 homes were over one million; 9 were under $200,000.  

In the Skaneateles School District there were 141 sold and closed properties.  Of these, 25 were waterfront homes.

I looked at other years, years that did not have a pandemic or ridiculously low interest rates, and found that overall 2020 was not all that different.  

• In 2019, there were 108 sales of which 32 were in the Village.  The median price was $340,000.  
• In 2018, there were 94 sales of which 38 were in the Village.  The median price was $322,000.
• In 2020, there were 113 sales of which 48 were in the Village.  The median price was $415,000.

The trend in the past few years has been towards Village living, and why not?  Skaneateles is a truly beautiful place to live, pandemic or not.  People are willing to pay for this privilege, and with the rates so low this was the year to buy - if you found the home.  That's the difference - so few homes are on the market.  This year will be very interesting - but I can't imagine it will be as wild as 2020.

The Start of a New Year

 How amazing...after years and years of writing this blog I gave it up during the height (I hope it was) of the Covid-19 pandemic.  I had time, supposedly, to write.  We had the kids a lot - Alex, Rachel and the boys had rented a home in the Village to escape Manhattan.  We served as "recess" and then summer camp when school was out.  They moved to Connecticut in July, giving up their apartment and city-living after almost 14 years.  They needed a full, 3 bedroom home with a yard and basketball hoop.  You couldn't squeeze them into their Upper East side home after they had lived the good life in Skaneateles.

They were gone, I had time to write.  My computer didn't cooperate, the office was not as enticing when I was trying to be safe and hunker.  I was busy - very busy - with real estate.  It was a good, if chaotic, year.

Moreover, I didn't really miss writing.  I read instead, enjoyed my neighbors at the lake.  It was a year like no other and frankly, I hope it stays that way.  As an only child I knew how to be alone without being lonely.  It was time for many deep breaths and long walks.

This past weekend it hit me.  A friend, past and possibly future client who I hadn't seen in years, called and asked to see a house.  I was thrilled that she had remembered me, and tracked me from RE/MAX to Berkshire Hathaway.  

As we walked the property she noted "Your blog is down." 

I agreed.  Yup, it was.  And why?

I keep a Pearls Before Swine cartoon by my computer.  Pig writes:  

            Dear World, 

           You've done lots to try to bring me down this year.

           But I'm still standing.

           IN YOUR FACE, WORLD.

     (He comments to Mouse:)  "Sometimes you gotta let the world know who's boss."

So in an odd, only child way I think I was letting the world know I could make choices - to write or not to write.  To come out of my hunkering and see people (or not).  To be a Grandma playing with her grandsons, walking the dog, watching the tree house be built - and loving it even while the world fell apart elsewhere.  

Sara Green Carmichael wrote a column on New Year resolutions.  I paraphrase:

       1.  Make only one resolution.

       2.  Small goals are better than big ones.

       3.  Frame the resolution as positive.

       4.  Give yourself a time limit.

       5.   Aim for progress.

Years ago I was very successful with one resolution, which wouldn't meet her standards.  I resolved not to rush (a negative as I phrased it.)   I learned to be un-rushed.  I got to appointments early, amused myself with Words with Friends or opening, seeing the property.   Enjoyed the time I had earned by not rushing.  It changed a lot.

So this year my one resolution is to connect with people.  Over the holidays two clients I had known for years passed away.  I spent time putting up bags of goodies for my in-laws, which meant I baked a lot.  There are no measurable goals - the time limit is open-ended, hopefully a lifetime.  Progress is in my eye.  I will not burden myself with a blogging demand as I used to do years ago.  But blogging is part of connecting.

Next blog (sometime) will be about Skaneateles Real Estate (I think).

  

    

Skaneateles Real Estate - The Second Coronavirus Update

We are getting close to opening.  One last metric and we will be into Phase One of NYS's plan, hopefully by this weekend.  We've earned it!  Masks are everywhere now and they weren't a month ago when the last update was written.  More casual.  The boys were still playing basketball in Austin Park; I think by then the playground had closed, but tennis and the hoops remained.  I went to BJ's without a mask but with a planned quick shopping list.  Now I search for masks online and have bought a few to give away with proceeds going to charity.

Houses have been listed, "shown," and sold.  Doors are opened and buyers go in - masked, gloved - then report to their agents.  A vacant house is easier to show, but homes are sold with sellers leaving the house for a period of time.  So there is progress to update.

Currently there are only 37 single family homes for sale in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service.  Of these, 13 are in the Village and 11 are waterfront (as in on the lake, not a creek or with a pond.)  Seven of these listings are new in the past month, with one being a re-list.  In the Skaneateles School district there are 47 active listings, with 8 new in the past four weeks.

Four others have come on and been placed under contract since April 14th.  If you hit the "right" price (whatever that is) there are buyers out there.  Multiple offers have become commonplace.
Overall, under contract there are 14 in the Skaneateles area.  Three are in the Village and four are waterfront homes.

Sold and closed: 23 single family homes so far this year in Skaneateles.  Twelve of these are in the Village, and one is waterfront.  The range is under $150,000 to under one million.  The median is $389,000.

Last year sold and closed:  24 single family homes.  Only 5 were in the Village but four were waterfront.  The price range was $45,000 to $850,000.  The median then was $310,000.

There is no question that Village homes are in demand.  I hear weekly from parents whose children have moved back from or want to move back from urban areas to the relative safety of Central New York.  We are blessed with lower numbers of cases, a governor and county executive who want to keep us safe, and a population that recognizes that we must do what is right for ourselves and our neighbors.

But yes - you can buy a home, for yourself or family members.  I can assure you that the mortgages you find here are a lot less expensive than the rents in the cities.  Buying a home here ensures that you will have a place to get away - a beautiful place! - if you need it in the future.

New Listing - 82 Lakewood Lane

This photo, taken by Kate Ibanez, is one of my favorites.  She was standing in the front (lakeside) lawn of 82 Lakewood Lane and no, she did not position the boat for the picture.  It simply captures the tranquility of this property on the west side of Skaneateles Lake.

The side deck is where I enjoy sitting when I wait for people to arrive.  I can see the lake as well as the driveway.  The afternoon or morning sun comes in.  Peace and serenity.

 
This drone photo shows the home the best, I think.  On the left corner is the side deck and my favorite sitting place.  There are two stories, both with plenty of room to sit and admire the lake.  The deck up and the patio down extend the living space in the good weather.  To the right are bedrooms with double windows.  The downstairs window and door open into a family room.  Above is the living room/kitchen.  With the double door thrown open it feels as if you are outside.

Just a few representative interior photos...The one on the far right is of the family room downstairs.  There are 3 bedrooms in this solidly built home - 100 feet of waterfront - and a light and bright interior with views outside every window.

                                                               82 Lakewood Lane
                                                                 Town of Niles
                                                               Skaneateles Lake
                                                                ML#S1270705
                                                                    $410,000

Note:  Kate Ibanez is the owner of Skan Drone - Aerial Photography  Facebook.com/SkanDrone

A Walk Through the Village

I walked through the Village yesterday intent on getting some focused exercise.   I've been good about getting my 10,000 steps per day, but a lot of it has been casual.  Yesterday I needed to go and go...I started up near St. James and went literally through the Village on Genesee and up the other side to the Red Apple, then back down to the car.

And there were these signs.  The Press-Observer which serves Skaneateles, Jordan-Elbridge, Marcellus and Camillus had a great article on the front page this week about the signs.  They were started by a group of friends who wanted to honor healthcare workers.  They've placed 100 so far and another 100 are on order.  There's a Facebook page and fundraiser:  facebook.com/HealthCareHeroProject/  

The Village was quiet, eerily so it felt at first.  I had come through a snowstorm - literally whiteout conditions on 321 near WelchAllyn - and continued because the weather can change drastically.  And it had - by the time I parked and got Boss attached to his lead, the sun was out over the lake.  Honestly - I kid you not!  It was still 29 degrees but the sun was quite welcome.

I crossed to avoid a couple coming up the street with their goldie; of course, they had crossed also to avoid us but proceeded much faster than we did.  Boss had to smell every plant along the way, especially some greenery in front of a house by the Presbyterian Church.  By the time we reached Chestnut Cottage the Village felt much better to me.  Years ago I used to walk our little dog, Koko, at 6:00 AM, and it had that feel.  Lots of dogs being walked, stores closed, only the smell of donuts from the Bakery missing.

I crossed over to walk by the park and the lake.  We saw no one to avoid once we were past Hannum.  The houses were so familiar, the Krebs porch so inviting. 

I could look across and see the home I had sold, then re-listed and sold again.  This photo is from early spring in 2011.  What great memories emerged, of people and places, and extended contacts and new friends because of this home! 

We continued on, past the place where a house used to stand near the firehouse which used to be a gas station.  On up towards the cemetery, crossing as the sidewalk ran out.  There's an open pit now, but in the back on a hill I could see Mirbeau as I had never seen it.  We could be in France!  It was lovely - amazing - and would I get back to France some day?

The gates at Mirbeau were open, but I could see only one car.  At Rosalie's music played.  We had held a mini-reunion in the courtyard one year, old girlfriends gathered together.  (I will spare you the photos.)  Later Alex and Rachel had their rehearsal dinner upstairs.

I plopped Boss's poop bag in the trash at the gas pumps, avoiding cars, and walked back down the hill on the new curving sidewalks.  We ran into one group, then a couple men working on the light post.  I put my mask up and went out onto the lawn to pass.  It was really the first time I'd worn it, at least properly. 

We went back by the stores, window-shopping.  Each one had a sign that they were closed because of the virus, but still reachable.  Roland's added "Sadly..."  Very sadly. 

We had our exercise - maybe two miles?  And Skaneateles - virus or not - is still a wonderful and beautiful place to be at any time.

New Village Listing Continued....

This is 32 Onondaga Street.  Yesterday I shared exterior photos and a brief description.  Today I will take you inside. 

On the other side of the open door is a small foyer - enough room to sit and take off your shoes or boots.  On the wall you see hooks.  Perfect for coats and dog leashes.

Notice throughout these photos how many windows there are - and therefore how much light comes inside.  Currently lightly furnished, if you needed a place immediately the possibility exists that you could rent until closing.  Just a thought!

The den is off the living room, and those windows on the right are what you see when looking at the front of the house.  It's been used as an office, a real den, a dining room, a child's play area... how would you use it?

There are many more photos on the actual listing, but this one combines the kitchen with a glimpse of the slider leading to the deck.

Nooks and crannies define the 3 bedrooms...the lower photo has two closed doors.  The door on the left leads to a great attic which could be - possibly - refinished for additional living space.   

Look at those hardwoods!  They must be duly noted, as they run throughout the home.  Lovely!

                                                                *   *   *

I hope you've enjoyed this introduction to 32 Onondaga Street....the full listing with another 20-some photos is ML#S1259721.  The price of the home is $325,000 and fully available at this time.

Come sit on your deck, in the sunshine, and enjoy your new home!

And as always, stay safe.

New Village Listing!

I love this photo!  In these days a back yard is worth a lot - privacy, room to explore, time away from being inside...and when it gets warm again this deck will be a gathering place for close family.

This is the home that has that great deck and yard.  A charming home, based on an English cottage,
it resides at 32 Onondaga Street, a short walk from the lake and schools.  That last part is important - not only do you have the freedom of the yard, but you can get out and walk the dog, the kids, and even yourself.

Just open the exquisite front door and go!  You join neighbors and friends, get to Austin Park in a few minutes, and the town for window-shopping.  All social-distancing, of course!

"On the street where you (will) live..."  Pretty sidewalks, unique homes, and blue skies (not always).

       Stay tuned for interior photos - but I thought you might want to know about this home:

                                                   32 Onondaga Street

                                     

                                                   3 Bedrooms, 1.5 Baths

                                                        $325,000

                                                      ML#S1259721

Skaneateles Real Estate - The First Coronavirus Update Edition

You may have seen these signs around the Village and into the Town.  They honor the people who come out and take care of the rest of us.  It felt important to start here.

Personal - I left for a trip cross-country in my MINI with Boss (the dog) on March 1st, meeting up with friends in Pennsylvania and stopping at a friend's home in North Carolina.  As always happens, along the way a property came on the market that I knew a buyer wanted, and we made the deal when I was in Florida.   Bob got a very cheap flight to Orlando and joined me a week later.  We celebrated getting out of the cold with friends on a pier in Titusville.  We headed west. 

In Panama City the MINI got a flat.  It took a couple days for the tire to arrive, so we explored, watched the (last) SU game, and listened to the news.  By the 12th we came to the conclusion it was time to go home.  We spent a last day in one of my favorite towns, Fairhope, Alabama (so like Skaneateles!)  then pushed home, arriving on the 17th, positive we had made the right decision.  Alex and family surprised us by making the same decision, the same day, and are enjoying the beauty and relative safety of Central New York in their rented home in the Village.

Real estate continues on, whether agents are essential or not. 

Currently there are 40 active single family listings in the Skaneateles area of the multiple listing service.  Of these, 13 are in the Village and 11 are waterfront properties.  Prices range from $175,000 to 7 million.  The waterfront listings are all over 1 million dollars.  The median price not including waterfront properties is $484,000.  With waterfront - $654,900.  The median Village price is $669,000 without including waterfront listings, but starts at $325,000.

Using "On waterfront" and "Skaneateles Lake" as my criteria - which you should always do - there are 16 active properties listed.  They range in price from $750,000 to 7.5 million.

I also check the Skaneateles School District which includes some listings in other towns like Spafford and Owasco.  There are 49 active properties, with 16 considered waterfront.  Two of these are under a million.  The overall price range is $79,000 to 7.5 million dollars.

Under contract in the Town of Skaneateles there are 12 listings.  Only 2 have gone under contract since March 15th.  The District has 18 under contract and the same 2 since March 15th.

How many have closed this year?  17 in the Town, and 20 in the District.  Respectively 7 and 8 homes have closed since March 15th.  All this compares favorably with last year when 19 had closed by April 14th.

Where do we go from here?  People will always need to buy and sell.  Some, I imagine as after 9/11, will look for a getaway place not too far from The City.  Summer is coming - what better way to spend it than in Skaneateles or on the lake?  Can we show houses? - in more ways than we have in the past, I would say.  And what is true today may not be true when you read this.  The rules change - the industry is in flux - we are all trying to work our way through the rhetoric and do it safely.

One thing is true - I would rather be here hunkering and isolating and distancing than anywhere else.  Please - stay safe, stay healthy - for yourself and others.

The Final Town Closings for 2019 - Under $340,000

I love this photo and had to share it with you.  It came from the Skaneateles Chamber's newsletter and I believe it is credited to Pride & Joy, the children's shop on East Genesee Street.  We live and work in a magnificent Village!

On to the closings:

3756 Highland Avenue          $333,000

4181 NW Townline Road      $330,000

1562 Heifer Road                   $311,500

2411 Wave Way                      $310,000

3678 Fisher Road                    $285,000

3824 Knightsbridge Road       $284,900

859 Old Seneca Tpke             $284,000

2428 West Lake Road            $279,000

3943 Highland Avenue          $275,000

1371 New Seneca Tpke         $270,000

3052 East Lake Road             $270,000

4550 State Street Road          $265,000

1833 Benson Road                $265,000

4574 Vinegar Hill Road        $262,500

2726 West Lake Road           $255,000

867 Milford Drive                $255,000

4542 Vinegar Hill Road        $254,000

987 Old Seneca Tpke            $247,000

2886 West Lake Road          $245,000

1570 Coon Hill Road           $245,000

3920 State Street Road         $227,500

4014 Jordan Road                 $215,000

1031 Old Seneca Tpke         $200,000

4704 Foster Road                 $187,500

860 Crow Hill Road             $185,000

1638 New Seneca Tpke        $185,000

1000 Stump Road                 $169,000

4284 Jordan Road                 $100,000

The Final Town Closings of 2019 - $340,000 and Above

Why $340,000?  This is that quiz you've always dreaded....Answer: Yesterday I wrote that the median price of all Skaneateles single family residences was $340,000, so using that number breaks up the statistics a bit with some rational explanation.  (These are just the Town listings here.)


3406 West Lake Street       $7,000,000

3101 East Lake Road         $2,200,000

3187 West Lake Road        $1,446,000

2707 East Lake Road         $1,225,000

2815 East Lake Road         $1,079,000

1813 Russells Landing          $875,000

1056 Butters Farm Lane        $825,000

3373 East Lake Road             $749,000

3124 County Line Road         $649,000

1031 Butters Farm Lane        $585,000

1013 The Lane                       $515,000

4079 Center Street Road        $504,900

3350 County Line Road        $487,000

1863 Sugar Maple Lane        $483,055

1155 Hencoop Road              $445,000

1383 Foxfield Drive             $442,000

1552 Heifer Road                 $419,000

2502 Lakewatch Lane          $405,000

2873 West Lake Road          $400,000

1406 Lacy Road                   $390,000

1390 Thornton Heights        $370,000

The Final Village Closings of 2019

I thought I'd break it up, seeing as there are so many I missed last year.  These are the Village closings from the end of July.


1 Clift Lane                $750,000

2 West Lake Street     $750,000

104 Sinclair Street     $747,600

1 Barrow Lane           $643,000

52 W. Elizabeth st.     $545,000

98 East Lake Road     $533,000

91 East Lake Road      $510,000

8 Orchard Road           $445,000

45 Onondaga St.          $435,000

147 East Genesee St.  $406,000

25 Griffin Street          $385,000

61 Jordan Street          $380,000

21 East Lake Street     $378,940

4 East Street                $370,000

17 Onondaga Street     $346,500

52 West Genesee St.    $330,000

70 Fennell Street         $300,000

33 Hannum Street        $261,000

10 East Austin Street   $205,000

Skaneateles Real Estate - The End of 2019 Update

The blog got put on hold...still, it's been a long, long time!

The world is changing - have you noticed?  For years I was obsessed with getting a weekly update out there, and then that became stressful.  I also realized that it had gotten boring, because the statistics had overwhelmed my initial fervor.  I was bored - it was boring - you, poor readers, were bored.  I find statistics fascinating most of the time; they are the true reflection of what is happening, unfiltered by subjectivity.  But it's the subjectivity that makes them interesting.  Can't win!

Let's finish 2019 so we all can move on.  To what, I'm not sure yet.  I enjoy writing, and this promises to be an interesting and historic year.

Keeping it simple:

108 single family homes in the Town of Skaneateles sold this past year.
The median price was $340,000 (the same as in 2018).
The range was from $45,000 to 7 million.
Of these, 76 were in the Town and 32 in the Village.
The median Village price was $380,000.
Only 14 waterfront properties were sold. (More on that later...)
In the Skaneateles School District there were 138 sold and closed listings.

Discussion:

Waterfront has become expensive.  Of the 14 listed as waterfront, only 7 were right on the lake.
The sold prices ranged from $749,000 to 7 million (as you might have guessed.)
Another nine in Spafford closed ($410,000 to $875,000)
Niles had seven closings ($260,000 to $479,900).
Sempronius and Scott at the very south end of the lake added 4 more.

Overall, the year looked similar to 2018.  Fewer houses sold then, but the median price was the same.
The jump came from 2017, when 123 homes sold and the median price was $293,000.

Currently there are only 40 active listings in the Town of Skaneateles.