If you have driven by the intersection of Lake Ave and State Route 14A, you surely have seen signs of life.  Yes, the previous home of the Beverage Baron is now the Eastside Grill and Market ( The Market part will be open soon).  I finally stopped by today between appointments showing homes, partially because I was hungry and because I wanted to introduce the Eastside Grill to my readers. 

They have a nice menu to choose from when it comes to fast foods.  Rochester visitors will like the fact that they have included Red Ossier beef sandwiches to their menu.  Oh my… Kielbasa, and Zweigles add even more local flavor to the menu.

Ken Eveland, the owner was hard at work with  a nice steady lunch-time crowd.  I asked him about a sign and he said ” We have been just so busy,

Sometime in 2008 I decided to start a blog about lakefront properties in the Finger Lakes.  Blogs were becoming the hot topic and most people did not even know what a blog was, myself included.  I came across a professional group with the intent of educating realtors about blogs, and they referred to themselves as  ”The Real Estate Tomato“.  Having a marketing background, I found them very creative in their approach.

I wanted to be like them, only instead of being the authority on how to blog and what to blog, I wanted to be the real estate authority for the lakefront properties in the Finger Lakes,by blogging in my area. 

As things go, I took the classes, learned a lot of things about HTML, SEO, how to integrate photos and written text into an informational dialogue that folks would read.  So far so good.  But as I said, “As things go”, I was side tracked with another career at the time and only practiced real estate part-time and did not have enough time in my busy schedule to “Blog”.

Now that I am back into Real Estate full-time, I am finding more time to blog and enjoying it more than ever.  I am finally realizing, that the more I blog, the more feedback I receive.  Once folks start to find your blog, they start to interact with your site, it increases your site’s ratings, and people start to see you as a local “authority”.  Folks are looking at  my website for information about Keuka Lake and Canandaigua Lake. 

As you can see since you are visiting my site, that my blog is titled ” The Chair On The Lake” .  I try to keep the site informative and fun at the same time.  I blog about real estate in the area, events, restaurants, design ideas, decks and docks,  and local businesses that contribute to the enjoyment of those visiting these wonderful Finger Lakes.

I love any feedback you have to give, as this is a continual learning process for me.  My intent is to use more videos in my blogs and to keep the blogs minimal in content.   This is now 2012 and my blog has evolved and I would like to keep it that way.  I will continue to learn with the Real Estate Tomatoes and hopefully all of the knowledge I gain will make my blogs more enjoyable to read.

In the mean time if you have any real estate needs at all, I am a licensed real estate associate broker with Wine Trail Properties.  I can assist you with buying or selling a property.

This information brought to you by Mary St. George, your favorite lakefront realtor in the Finger Lakes, 315-719-8377

Recently Julie Sherwood, senior reporter with the Messenger Post, contacted me about the rumors circulating, concerning Faith Hill and her husband Tim McGraw purchasing Canandaigua Lake property.  I was flattered that she came across my blog article talking about the rumor. You can find her complete article in the Sunday Messenger Post on the front page.  We would love to see this Country Western duo purchase a vacation home on Canandaigua Lake or even Keuka Lake.

Michael Loccisano, Getty Images

Julie also referenced one of my clients that purchased a wonderful property on Canandaigua Lake.  You will see the kind words that they have for Canandaigua and the people in Canandaigua.

http://www.mpnnow.com/news/x1809305467/Sold-on-the-lake-Canandaigua-Lake-property-is-increasingly-coveted?zc_p=2&img=2

Everyone I know, knows that I love real estate, especially when it comes to selling real estate on Canandaigua and Keuka Lakes.  I love the other lakes as well, it is just that I am around Keuka Lake and Canandaigua Lakes more than the rest.    I love seeing what owners have done to their properties and of course always amazed at some of them. Lauren Dixon of Dixon-Schwabl, was also quoted in the article and is a lovely person.  I still remember her from her reporting duties on one of the news channels in Rochester.  The interior of her home on Canandaigua Lake was showcased in a magazine a few years ago and it was quite trendy.

But yes above and beyond the aesthetics of the properties on Canandaigua Lake, is the information that drives the numbers. what creates the desires and attraction to Canandaigua Lake ?  Why do people put Canandaigua Lake and Skaneateles Lake in the same searches when looking for lakefront properties to purchase ?  Why do some buyers of lakefront property prefer Canandaigua Lake over Keuka Lake?   These are all items I look at and talk to clients about.  I love finding out what drives their decisions.

Breaking down the numbers to date from last year during the same period, shows another great year for property sales on Canandaigua Lake.

If you are looking to buy or sell on Canandaigua Lake, just give me a call and lets talk about it  315-719-8377

This information brought to you by Mary St. George, Associate Broker and lakefront realtor, Wine Trail Properties

                                                                                image supplied from Ferris Hills website

Ferris Hills, known as the premier senior community in Ontario County, overlooks the gorgeous Canandaigua Lake in a peaceful and tranquil setting, and offers the best amenities around for senior living.  If you would like to learn more about this fabulous community, stop by and visit their Open House this Sat May5th, 2012 from 10 AM to 3 PM.

• It is Cinco de Mayo, so you will be entertained with Music by Trio Los Claveles.
• You will get to be a judge for a Top Chef cook-off
• Door prizes will be given out, including an elegant dinner at Ferris Hills
• Staff will be available to answer your questions
• End your tour with a “make your own Sundae station”

-For more information visit their website www.ferrishills.com or call 585-393-0410

This truly is an amazing place that will allow you greater freedom with the upscale lifestyle that you are accustomed to.

Per website instructions:

Ferris Hills is best accessed from the 3300 block of West Lake Road (County Road 16) in Canandaigua, via Peg Rayburn Drive.

The staff would like to see  you,

 Live the Good Life at Ferris Hills!

This information brought to you by Mary St. George, Associate Broker, Wine Trail Properties, 315-719-8377

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OK I am always posting great pics, showing you homes, talking about trends and rumors.  Now I am asking for your help.  I would love my readers to send in some of their favorite Keuka Lake photos.  The photos can be of anything such as mailboxes, docks, boats, people vineyards and so on.  Be creative and I will be sure to give you credit for your photos.  The amount of entries I receive will dictate what I do with all of the photos, (maybe a little contest) or maybe I will attempt to blog about the subject in the photo.

So go ahead and put me to the task.  I am ready willing and able to share your photos and give a little insight to them.

You can send your photos to: [email protected]  I look forward to them !

These are the lake sales for Canandaigua Lake for the last 90 days.  3 sales were for cash and three were via conventional mortgages.

These sales do not reflect any of the high-end sales in the last year.

	ADDRESS	LIST PRICE	SALE PRICE	TYPE OF SALE
	4759 West Lake Rd Canandaigua NY 14424	$685,000	$655,000	CASH
	657 Fisher Rd Rushville NY 14544	$325,000	$312,000	CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGE
	5300 Sunnyside Middlesex NY 14507	$339,900	$320,000	CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGE
	7065 State Route 21 Naples NY 14512	$329,000	$312,000	CASH
	4500 Lake Dr Canandaigua NY 14424	$675,000	$520,000	CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGE
	3516 Sandy Beach Canandaigua NY 14424	$299,900	$315,000	CASH

If you would like more information about the Canandaigua Lake property market or any of the other Finger Lakes.  Just give me a call.

Reviewing some of the statistics will help you determine a good pricing strategy to sell your property and will assist buyers in determining a fair price for your market.

This information brought to you by Mary St. George, Associate Broker, Wine Trail Properties, 315-719-8377

As a Realtor, we view a lot of homes via an aerial view and for many reasons. Sometimes our buyers want to know the lay of the land or how densely populated the area is.  During these viewings we come across some interesting shapes of homes as seen from the air.

Do you see the shape of the cross ?  This home is owned by the Robert Wegman family.  Mr Wegman was very involved with the Catholic church in Rochester, NY and was responsible for many generous donations to the Catholic Church and its schools.  So it only makes sense that the roof line would be in the shape of a cross.

Robert Wegman was also the father of Danny Wegman who helped make the Wegman name well known all over the country for its innovative approach in grocery merchandising and for being a top 100 place to work.

 The Wegman family owns many properties on Canandaigua Lake, but this is my favorite.  It is easily spotted when flying overhead.

If you are looking to own a lakefront property on Canandaigua Lake with a similar luxury setting, then give me a call.  Offerings of properties similar to these are few and far between, but I can let you now when one becomes available allowing you to act fast.

This information brought to you by your favorite lakefront Realtor, Mary St. George, Associate Broker, Wine Trail Properties, 315-719-8377

Everyone on the East side of Keuka Lake knows Seth for his great deli specials and they all love him for his special offerings and great service.  He is one of the well-known proprietors of  ”The Olney Place” .   Biting into one of his famous “Rachel” sandwiches, you know you are on the lake and the season to enjoy is here.

Well now you can go to Seth for your other needs, with that being real estate.  Yes, he will assist you in buying or selling your Keuka Lake properties.  Looking for great hunting land?  Being a native of the area, he knows all about the great hunting areas.

Seth is a welcome addition to our office and can be your connection to lakefront living, all with a personal touch.  Stop in and say Hi – tell him Mary sent you!

This information brought to you by your favorite Keuka Lake Realtor, Mary St. George, Associate Broker, Wine Trail Properties, 315-719-8377  Your Personal Connection To Lakefront Living !

Since many portions of Keuka Lake freeze during the Winter, with the exception of this past Winter (2011-2012) portable docks are used so that they may be removed .  The weather has been unseasonably warm so far, and it seems like the docks should already be in the water.  Of course we are just going into April, which means the possibility of bad weather still.

Soon enough you will see figures of people dressed in their wet suits quickly and efficiently redesigning the shoreline as it should be.

The dock inserts stacked and ready to go.

The moss and zebra mussels ready to be reacquainted with their familiar Keuka Lake environment.

Besides food and drink, there are a few things expected at all cottages.  Without a fire pit, how do you cook your marshmallows ?  Telling ghost stories without a fire, is just not right.   

Those cool nights command a couple of extra quilts and blankets.

Rainy days bring out the board games and puzzles.

For those great days on the water rowing around and fishing off the dock ….

 A clothes line to dry the wet suits, a line to pull the boat in,  to use in tug of war, to hang off a large tree limb and swing into the lake, Yes, of course I am talking about a rope.  You can never have too many ropes at a lake house or on a boat.