Along came a young forward thinking man that decided to tear the old place down, build a new, larger, cleaner and more updated facility, and offer a deli. Since this stretch of road covers around 20 miles from Penn Yan to Hammondsport without any other stores, I see this as a wise decision to rebuild.  The name of the new facility is “The Olney Place” on Keuka, Market and Deli. The best part about it for the owner, is that it is opened seasonally allowing him to pursue other interests during the winter months when most lakefront properties sit empty.

Once Spring arrives, so do the lakefront owners.  I am sure they will all be meeting at Olneys, grabbing a fresh cup of coffee or maybe even the sandwich “Special of the Day”, and then discussing everything they missed during the winter. The area will be bustling.

As someone that has brought clients there for a quick lunch and a nice cold drink between home viewings, I can tell you first hand, they do have great food there.  The selection of sandwiches will make you hungry, even if you thought you were not.  The store is clean and has a great selection of items for your lakeside needs.

So when you are driving around the lake this summer, or you are stopping by your lakefront home, stop into Olneys, pick up something cold to drink, grab a sandwich and then tell Seth that Mary sent you.

Finger Lakes Information brought to you by Mary St George

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• 

  Make Your Case for a Property Tax Reduction

  To successfully challenge a real estate assessment and lower your property tax bill, you need to do a bit of sleuthing first. Read

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  A Financial Plan for Your Home

  A house is probably the biggest investment you’ll ever make. Create a financial plan that takes into account repairs, upgrades, mortgages, insurance, and taxes. Read

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  Create a Home Emergency Preparedness Kit

  Having a plan for an emergency and creating a preparedness kit that’s tailored to your needs could be the key to your family’s safety if disaster strikes. Read

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  Homeowners Insurance: Time for an Annual Check-Up

  An annual check-up on your homeowners insurance can result in a healthier policy and a healthier pocketbook. Read

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  Your CLUE Insurance Report Matters

  Your homeowners claims don’t disappear after your insurer cuts a check because CLUE reports keep them alive for seven years—and that could cost you. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

© Copyright 2010 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Brought to you by Mary St. George, Lakefront Property Specialist

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What a question, 

but ask 50 people and you will receive 50 very different descriptive versions.And of course the options are endless.  There are bungalows, cape cods, Victorians, traditional, fishing shacks, yurts and mixtures of all above that are available. Just like the various styles available, the price ranges are all over the map.

Sometimes I have to chuckle to myself when I first work with a buyer.  Many start out just looking to see what is available and in what price ranges, with some not even sure what their price range is.   Others are very specific about price and have an image in their heads, but are not quite able to describe that image. Better yet, some are not even sure about which lake they would like to be on. Of course, as buyers that is their choice.

 On the Finger Lakes you can find just about anything you are looking for.  The problems arise when the price and the style are not agreeable, property is too flat, too steep, not enough land, too much land, water is too shallow or too deep.  These are just options on the outside. Move inside and buyers have to decide on knotty pine, drywall, stone or marble, the cottage feel with painted floors or imported hardwoods.  Maybe there are just too many options.  Still there will be clients and for one reason or another, the lakefront home they imagine, is just not out there for them, or at least not one for sale.

 So if you are looking for a lakefront property under $200,000 and willing to live with the options being a fixer upper or fishing camp, there is a place for you.  If the 6000 sq ft estate is more your style and you won’t sneeze at the  2.5 million asking price, there are options for you also.

What ever you envision your lakefront home to be, there most assuredly is one out there for you.  Call me, I will find it for you.

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 As you can see from this chart sales on these six lakes did the best overall in 2007.  Cayuga  Lake showed the only increase in sales through the third quarter.  Sales spiked in 2007 on the lakes just like they did across the board in all types of sales which would include residential.  Because we are dealing with investment property, lakefront is still a viable option as shown.  The following chart will show the sales dollars comparisons through quarter three. 

Even though the number of sales went down on Canandaigua and Seneca  Lakes, the dollar values increased.  The two lakes would be considered in the sellers market.  Now looking at Cayuga Lake; sales have increased but dollar values have decreased, making this a buyers market. 

Buyers in the $300,000 and less market are purchasing properties on Cayuga, Conesus and Honeoye Lakes.  The upper dollar sales are being purchased on Keuka and Canandaigua with Seneca Lake showing sales across the board.

If you are seriously considering purchasing properties on the Finger Lakes between Conesus and Cayuga Lakes, call me and we can discuss the best strategy for you.

Information update brought to you by Finger Lakes Lakefront Specialist Mary St. George

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You are going to be moving, be it two months or six, you will still have to prepare.  Get a jump-start on the whole process. This is also going to assist you in the selling of your home.   Remember all of those closets, cupboards and drawers you have meant to go through and organize?  Well, right now is the time to do it.  This will give prospective buyers a clean slate to look at (remember that buyers will be opening cupboards and closets) and you will be a couple of steps ahead on your future move

Start with your closets.

1. Pack up a container of items you can donate.  You know, those items that you have thought about using, but have not in over a year - get rid of them.   Donate those items to a local charity and use it as a deduction on your taxes in the following year.  Keep good records - see form 8283 for non-cash charitible donations or visit the IRS website for more information.   http://www.irs.gov

2. Pack all of your out of season items and mark accordingly.  When you arrive at your new residence, you will be able to identify, allowing you to unpack and put away in its new location.

Now the only things left in your closets will be items you currently wear and use.  And look how neat and clean everything looks!  Do the same thing with drawers and cupboards.  Dishes and utensils used for special events and holidays can all be packed away and marked.  Any item you feel you don’t need, again - donate it.  You can also receive credit for household items you donate.

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Thanks Tom for the info

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Keuka Lake is one of the 11 Finger Lakes . It is distinctive from the rest of the Finger Lakes because of its unusual Y shape.  In the past it was also called or referred to as “Crooked Lake”.  It is conveniently located a short drive South from the New York Thruway and a short distance North from State Route 17 (US86).

So lets get onto the reasons to purchase your vacation home on Keuka Lake.

• A great investment - properties on Keuka Lake have continued to appreciate even in the midst of the housing decline - Yates County has not seen the effects of the housing crisis

• Beautiful clean lake-water - lake is approximately 18 miles long attracting all types of water-sports from kayaks, fisherman and sailboats - in the winter you can find ice boats

• Mostly residential except for the three villages located on the three points of the lake which consist of Penn Yan, Branchport and Hammondsport

• Great restaurants located on and near the lake - see other posts for restaurants to visit

• Diverse property types - from cabins to luxury custom built homes - traditional to contemporary

• Lake Real Estate is more affordable than other areas of the country making it more desirable as an investment

• Increasing desirability as rentals - increasing income value

• Surrounded by rolling hillsides covered with vineyards that slope down towards the lake

• Wineries, wineries, wineries…if you enjoy a great wine, you can visit any number of the wineries in the area and find a great selection to suit even the most discriminating taste buds from Ice Wines to Dry Reds with many of the wineries boasting award winners

• Many local events, fairs, art shows, farm markets, antique shops, local artists, museums

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“Torrey Park Grill’ is my recommendation this week. The menu has a wonderful selection including many Italian dishes. The appetizer choices are mouth watering and you will enjoy the extensive wine list. This restaurant serves great food, has a friendly service staff and has the ambiance expected to enjoy a wonderful meal. If you wander in for a cocktail with friends, you will also find an extensive bar menu, and oh yes, the regular dinner menu has an offering of smaller proportions.

They are located just off N Genesee St in Geneva New York.  Visit their website for hours and phone numbers.

 http://www.torreypark.com/index.html

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When a seller decides to put their property up for sale, they usually have an idea of what they would like it listed for.  Sometimes the offering price is dictated by what neighboring properties are listed for or have sold for (comparative analysis) and this price may actually have originated from an agent.  Or the price may have come from what they feel “inside” the value should be.  Remember it is the owners “castle”, except for when it is being assessed for tax purposes.

Most buyers expect the property to be in broom clean condition, a master suite, numerous baths, an updated kitchen with modern appliances and granite counter top.  They also want newer windows and a garage as well as having the other homes fit into their expectations.  You can have all of the “wants”, but if the property is nestled amongst properties that are just fishing shacks or small seasonal cottages that do not have the up-scaled landscaping, you most likely do not have a million dollar home. Buyers want to feel they fit into their environment. They want to know that the other owners share their lifestyle values. 

Currently there are quite a few properties  in the Finger Lakes area that are being marketed in the million dollar and up price range.  Many of them fit the price and then there are some that leave you wondering how that price was derived. These owners may justify their price based on their “million dollar view”, but in the Finger Lakes there are many properties with a “million dollar view” and would never command a million dollar price.

Of course if you put together privacy, ammenities, beachfront, and distictiveness  in area with similar properties, you will command a million or more for your property in the Finger Lakes.

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Farther South in Schuyler County you can find this secluded gem on 37 acres and can only be seen from the water. Talk about seclusion and privacy, this property also boast over 2000 ft of frontage on Seneca Lake.  What a perfect setting to host a wine tasting with your closest friends.  Eden Glen of Glenora can be yours for  a cool 2.5 million!

 This estate is located in the prestigious, close knit and secluded area of South Glenora.

There are currently 12 opulent estates located within Stueben, Schuyler, Ontario and Yates Counties of Upstate New York.

 If you desire the best in a fine home, you can view any of the following 12 properties by calling me at 315-719-8377 for a private viewing.  Only qualified offerings accepted for viewing.  Transportation and lodging can also be arranged.

The twelve estates are:

• 3817 West Lake Rd - Canandaigua
• 5029 Reeds point - Geneva
• 5132 East Lake Rd - Gorham
• 850 East Bluff Dr - Jerusalem
• 312 West Lake Rd - Jerusalem
• 2330 Cortland Rd - Milo
• 5543 Cliffside Dr - South Bristol
• 5400 & 5910 Seneca Point Rd - South Bristol
• 5860 Willis Point Rd - Starkey
• 10434 East Lake Rd - Urbana
• 9 Somerset Glen - Victor

Most of these estates are located on one of the Finger Lakes and most are secluded offering maximum privacy. 

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