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6 Reasons to Sell your Lake House this Spring

Spring signals the awakening of the housing market, especially for buyers looking for lakefront property. If you’re considering selling your lake house, now is the time to list! Here’s why:

1. The Cabin Fever is real. We are just now starting to see the first signs of spring and for many, the only thing that got them through the long, snowy months was the dream of spending sunny days on the lake. Those who spent the winter browsing lakefront listings for inspiration now have the opportunity to get out and see what’s really on the market, especially if they’re coming from out of state. Make sure your home is one of the first ones they see!

2. Average sales prices are up 23%. According to our 2018 Lake Front Real Estate Report, the average sales price for all Finger Lakes increased 23%, with the largest gains occurring on Keuka and Seneca Lakes. It should also be noted that total days on the market are down 10%, meaning lakefront property in the Finger Lakes is selling for more and in less time.

3. It’s a seller’s market. There are far more buyers looking for the lake life than homes on the market, giving an upper hand to the seller in negotiations. It may seem that lakefront property is shielded from fluctuations in the housing market because of affluent buyers, but a recent study found that 55% of prospective vacation rental buyers make under $150k a year. Our advice: sell while the market is strong.

4. Buyers are eager to use their home THIS summer. Listing your lakefront home in the spring gives buyers the appropriate amount of time to tour what’s on the market, make an offer, negotiate, and close with enough time to actually enjoy their new lake house. Summers are so short in upstate New York and buyers want to make good use of their investment. And the sooner you list, the sooner your home will be seen by the thousands of visitors to the Finger Lakes that start pouring in once the weather get warmer.

5. Vacation Rental Potential. Buyers who are looking to purchase your home and make it a vacation rental will want to secure bookings for the summer in order to earn as much income as possible for 2019. Our real estate team provides rental projections for all of our listings, so you might even consider joining our rental program in the future!

6. Spring Cleaning. Chances are you’re going to be cleaning debris from the beach, considering upgrades to the décor, and doing minor repairs around the house this spring. With a minimal extra effort and suggestions from our lakefront real estate specialists, it will be easy to get your home in the ideal condition to sell.

Our real estate team specializes in lakefront home sales, providing you with the top advice, up-to-date market research and years of experience necessary to sell your home to the right buyers and for the right price. Call us today! 844-248-3917

Don’t Miss These Great Spots for Shopping in the Finger Lakes

Whether you’ve forgotten something vital at home or you’re looking for something to do during a rainy day, shopping is a great option all year-round! The Finger Lakes is home to some fantastic malls scattered all over the region. Check out three of our picks for the best places to go shopping in the Finger Lakes.

What You’ll See at the Finger Lakes Boating Museum

Big or small, the Finger Lakes Boating Museum has got them all! This is a locally-run institution dedicated to educating the public on the boating heritage of the Finger Lakes. The museum is a perfect example of what makes this region so special. Housed in a historic building near Keuka Lake, the museum has three floors of fascinating exhibits, perfectly preserved vessels, and beautiful murals. Discover why you should add this to your next Finger Lakes getaway, as well as some of the other great museums in the region!

The Best Ways to Spend a Spring Day in the FLX

Spring is often overlooked as a time to visit the Finger Lakes, but for many travelers it’s the perfect way to cure cabin fever lingering from the long winter months. Plan a wine tour, fishing trip or weekend getaway with fewer crowds, lower rates, and our 3for2 Discounts. Our vacation rentals still feature the same great views and gorgeous sunsets, and are often equipped with cool weather activities, like billiard games and hot tubs.

In addition to spending quality time at your lakeside home, here are some suggested itineraries for your spring stay:

Canandaigua Lake

The Naples area is full of glens and gullies with beautiful waterfalls to experience – the best and easiest to access being in Grimes Glen State Park. Post hike, head into Naples for a tour of the old Witmer Wine Complex, home to Hazlitt’s Red Cat Wine Cellars. Your spring visit should include checking out the Bristol Valley Theater – more information on their Swing into Spring series is coming soon – and stopping at Monica’s Pies for a famous grape pie. Head north for dinner at Brew & Brats at Arbor Hill Winery and enjoy dessert back at the lake house!

Recommended Rentals: Deer View, Glen Hollow

There’s something for everyone in Downtown Canandaigua! Spend all day discovering your new favorite shops and restaurants or plan your spring visit around one of these attractions:

Stop and smell the flowers at the Spring Wildflower & Orchid Show at Sonnenberg Mansion & Gardens. Celebrate the arrival of spring with guided tours, educational talks and family activities. A true history buff will want to continue onto the Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum and the Ontario County Historical Society.
See what New York Kitchen has going on during your stay. This culinary center is home to a tasting room, restaurant, and food truck and holds events year round, like cooking classes, Beer Bingo, comedy nights and more.
Let your favorite wineries come to you! Spend your evening strolling around downtown and sampling local wine and food on the Canandaigua Wine Walk.

Recommended Rental: Sunny Slope

Spring Events on Canandaigua Lake: Spring Carnival Weekend at Bristol Mountain, Spring Wildflower & Orchid Show, Canandaigua Wine Walk

Cayuga Lake
North

A day of hiking and bird watching at Montezuma Wildlife Refuge is naturally followed by a spirit tasting at Hidden Marsh Distillery at Montezuma Winery. Bring home a bottle of your favorite to make craft cocktails next to the lake.

Recommended Rental: Lakeside Getaway

Experience the real “Bedford Falls” – Seneca Falls is dedicated to being the inspiration for Its A Wonderful Life. This small town is also home to the Women’s Rights National Historical Park and countless museums and historic landmarks. Take a sunset walk along the canal and end the evening with small plates at 84 Fall.

Recommended Rental: Stonepoint

Many Cayuga Lake Wine Trail stops are clustered at the northern end of the lake – take a whole day and try them all, from Swedish Hill to Thirsty Owl. For the craft beer fan, there’s Fleur de Lis Brew Works, a French inspired beer parlor, and further south, Lost Kingdom Brewery and Firehouse Distillery, which has an actual firetruck mounted to the wall – the perfect spot for a group photo!

Recommended Rental: Blue Heron Lodge

Cayuga Lake
South

A hike to the iconic waterfall at Taughannock Falls State Park is a must for any Cayuga Lake stay. While near the town of Trumansburg, stop into Americana Vineyards and Bacchus Brewing for tastings or lunch at the Crystal Lake Cafe. Schedule your stay during Maple Weekend at Wellspring Forest Farm to take a sugar bush tour and taste local sap and syrup made right on the farm while enjoying live music and food.

Recommended Rental: Camp Lotta Bull

Ithaca is a city like no other. Be sure to check out the Ithaca Farmers Market in the morning, then hike the roaring spring rapids of Buttermilk Falls. Head across the street to Ithaca Beer Co. for pub fare and tasty brews or over to the Commons for a unique shopping and dining experience.

Recommended Rentals: Lakeview Landing, The Lily Pad

If you’re staying on the East side of Cayuga Lake, be sure to check out the village of Aurora, home to Mackenzie-Childs – take a tour of the Farmhouse and shop their collection of eclectic home décor. Get lunch at the Fargo Bar & Grill, then head up to Long Point Winery and Aurora Ale & Lager Co. for libations. End your day at Treleaven Winery for their Barrel Room Music Series or Trivia Nights – they’re open much later than the average Finger Lakes winery.

Recommended Rental: Aurora Escape

Spring Travel Tip: April and May offer the perfect conditions to fish for Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout, brown trout and northern pike on Cayuga Lake and its tributaries.

Spring Events on Cayuga Lake: Bacon on the Lakein, Wine & Herb Festival, Maple Fest

Honeoye Lake

A day trip along Route 20A will bring you to Golden Oak Alpaca Farm and Store for local goods and alpaca products, Wizards of Clay for handmade artisan pottery, then land you at Noble Shepherd’s Brewery for local craft beer tastings and live music every Saturday night.

Recommended Rental: Riesling Rod & Reel

Start your Sunday with the ultimate Bloody Mary from The Honeoye Boathouse Grill. This over-the-top cocktail comes complete with a giant lobster tail and half a cheeseburger! Walk off brunch with a spring hike through Harriet Hollister Spencer State Park, offering the most breathtaking and instagrammable views of Honeoye Lake.

Recommended Rentals: Heart of Honeoye, Good Vibe Getaway

Spring events on Honeoye Lake: Spring Carnival Weekend at Bristol Mountain

Keuka Lake

Penn Yan is clad with modern amenities and old world charm. Start your day with breakfast at the Penn Yan Diner followed by a tour of the historic Oliver House Museum. Take a stroll through Downtown and shop stores stocked with locally crafted goods, like Staving Artist Woodwork – they use the staving from wine barrels to create home décor and furniture that is uniquely Finger Lakes. Travel just outside the town’s limits for a tasting at Abandon Brewing. Take in unobstructed views of Keuka Lake for as far as the eyes can see while the trees are just starting to bud.

Recommended Rentals: At The Lake, Maya’s Place, Crooked Lake Lodge

A day trip to Hammondsport, the “Coolest Small Town in America,” is a must this spring. Venture out to the Finger Lakes Boating Museum and Glenn H. Curtiss Aviation Museum before stopping into the Brewery of Broken Dreams for a tasting. If you prefer wine, no worries! Nearby wineries include Bully Hill Vineyards, Heron Hill Winery and Dr. Konstantin Frank’s Vinifera Wine Cellars. Stop into Crooked Lake Creamery for a sweet treat mid-day.

Recommended Rental: Pinot Point

Spring Travel Tip: Travel by boat once OnKeuka Water Taxi starts their Spring 2019 season!

Spring Events on Keuka Lake: Keuka in Bloom, Tapas & Wine Weekend

Seneca Lake
North

Go fishing! Geneva is the “Lake Trout Capital of the World” and host to the National Lake Trout Derby on Seneca Lake – plan your stay in May to get in on the action. For excellent fishing anytime this spring, cast off the dock of your lakeside rental or charter a fishing boat for the day with an experienced guide.

Recommended Rental: Sunrise on Harmony

Take a day to explore walkable downtown Geneva – stop into the quirky shops that line the streets, see what’s happening at Smith Opera House, or taste your way through the diverse dining options, from English-American Beef and Brew to The Elephant Thai restaurant. Walk to downtown breweries, like Lake Drum and Twisted Rail, then cross the street and watch the sunset over Seneca Lake at the newly reconstructed waterfront park. The lake view goes on for miles!

Recommended Rental: Lake Orchard View

You can make a day out of tasting at the northernmost Seneca Lakes wineries, including Three Brothers Estates, Zugibe Vineyards, Ravines Wine Cellars, and White Springs Winery, to name a few. Make Ventosa Vineyards your final Sunday stop for live music, crispy oven-baked pizza and gorgeous views from their Tuscan villa style patio.

Recommended Rental: Heron House

Seneca Lake
South

Watkins Glen State Park is worth seeing in any season. Water levels may be higher than usual due to winter snow melt, creating more intense cascading waterfalls. Don’t miss the Spring Run of Rainbow Trout on Catherine Creek this spring for some of the best fishing of the year! Spend the rest of your day in downtown Watkins Glen – pick up locally roasted coffee for the morning from Seneca Sunrise Coffee or stop into Babcha’s Pierogies, a hidden gem serving meals you swear were cooked by your grandma!

Recommended Rental: SailWinds

Stretch your legs and dirty some paws with a spring hike through Finger Lakes National Forest. Nearby is a pocket of some of the Finger Lake’s best breweries – Lucky Hare, Two Goats, Grist Iron, and Scale House Brewing, all within minutes of each other and each with their own stunning views of Seneca Lake. Best of all, many of these places welcome your furry friends!

Recommended Rental: Absolutely Shore

Just west of Watkins Glen sits a 175-acre Farm Sanctuary. Opening back up in May, you can take guided tours and spend the day with happy, healthy farm animals. They also offer helpful resources for cruelty free dining during your stay.

Recommended Rental: FairWinds

Spring Travel Tip: Available through the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, the Polar Passport and Wine Weekday passports allow to explore wine country during the off-season without breaking the bank. Learn more!

Spring events on Seneca Lake: Seneca 7’s, Pasta and Wine Weekend, Spring Wine and Cheese Weekend, National Lake Trout Derby, Spring Run of Rainbow Trout

For more recommendations and a complete list of all there is do in the Finger Lakes this spring, contact our local vacation planners.

Where to Find the Best Finger Lakes Paddleboard Rentals

The newest water sport to hit the Finger Lakes region is stand-up paddleboarding! This low-impact activity is well-suited towards a broad range of skill sets and allows visitors to explore these gorgeous lakes easily. In between exploring the local wine trails and visiting some of the outstanding state parks, why not get out on the water for some scenic fun! The first step is to get your equipment. There are some fantastic Finger Lakes paddleboard rental facilities nearby. However, we know an easy trick to get use of a paddleboard for no extra cost! Find out all the details below.

3 of the Best Finger Lakes Farmers Markets

During your stay in the Finger Lakes region, you may get inspired by the amazing local restaurants, wineries, and farms to create a feast of your own. If you’re staying in one of our vacation homes, you’ll have access to a gourmet kitchen with everything you need to whip up a delicious dinner in no time at all. The first step to creating the meal of a lifetime is visiting some of the best Finger Lakes farmers’ markets.

All the Best Things You’ll See on the Keuka Lake Wine Trail

Enjoy world-class wineries, fun events, and plenty of gorgeous scenic views when you explore the Keuka Lake Wine Trail! The smallest of the trails in the Finger Lakes Wine Region, this route features five outstanding family-owned wineries. Learn about the businesses on this path and discover where to book a gorgeous vacation rental for your Finger Lakes getaway!

Why You Need to Attend Woodstock 50th Anniversary Festival

The magic of the iconic Woodstock Festival returns in 2019 with å much-anticipated 50th-anniversary event! Once again, music-lovers will flock to New York for a three-day event celebrating love, peace, and good times. The Woodstock 50th Anniversary Festival will take place in Watkins Glen, which is great news for the Finger Lakes! Discover why you should plan on attending, and where to find the best accommodations in the region!

If you need help planning your upcoming trip, download our free Vacation Guide! You won’t need to spend hours researching restaurants, wineries, and activities to enjoy during your stay. Instead, you can rely on our personal recommendations and have the trip of a lifetime!

Lakefront Real Estate Trends

For Real Estate trends, 2018 was quite a year for waterfront homes in the Finger Lakes. As you can see from the chart below, many lakefronts saw a decrease in the number of homes sold, average sale prices, and overall volume sold. However, looking at the days on market, we can see the complete story.

The overall lakefront market has seen an increase in buyer’s self-education of the market conditions. Many can recognize an overpriced listing and will wait for another appropriately priced home, rather than making a low offer. So we have seen new listings entering the market sell quickly, typically in under 2 weeks time. For example, 12 of the homes we listed for sale in 2018 sold in less than 10 days. Another 4 sold in less than 2 weeks.

The market is not down because of disinterested buyers. It is down because there were not enough homeowners wanting to sell in 2018. This has created a seller’s market here in the Finger Lakes. Owners are seeing full price or more on the offers for their homes. This is true for those that are priced appropriately for the market. These market conditions exist even on lakes such as Honeoye or Conesus. Though there was little change in the average sale prices on these lakes, there were large decreases in their average days on market.

In these conditions, now is a great time to sell your lakefront home to get the most money in the shortest amount of time. There remains a large pool of potential buyers looking for the perfect lakefront home in our region. Especially as the Finger Lakes grows as a popular vacation destination. Despite spring being seen as the popular time for real estate transactions, with limited competition, new listings are getting optimal exposure and quick turnover in this first quarter.

For more information about lakefront trends, contact our Real Estate team today at 833-311-5575 or email us at sales@FLPPlake.com.

Looking to buy a lakefront home or investment property in the Finger Lakes? Search our listings today!

Smart Home Tech Upgrades Guests Will Love

It’s no secret, technology and innovation have exploded into every facet of our lives. Homes are no exception to this technological revolution. With Smart Home technologies now available, many consumers—whether buying or renting—allow smart home features to influence their purchase decision. “Approximately 81% of home buyers prefer smart homes over non-smart homes,” according to VRM Intel. Ranked by consumer demand, the following features are ones that homeowners should consider installing in their vacation rentals to increase appeal and bookings.

1. Fast Wi-Fi

We’re in the 21^st century. A home without Wi-Fi is like living in the Dark Ages. A home without fast Wi-Fi isn’t much better—possibly worse. Just imagine your guest, waiting for a website to load, waiting for twenty seconds. Unthinkable. If you want to see bookings, fast Wi-Fi is a necessity.

2. Smart Security Systems

This could include electronic access or high-tech door locks. You wouldn’t think smart security systems would be at the top of the list for vacation renters. For a homeowner, yes, but not a guest. Yet, in a study conducted by August.com, 93% of guests showed interest in smart security systems over other smart features. Sounds like a win-win for both homeowners and guests. Nobody has to worry about keys getting lost or stolen and the access code can be changed, preventing previous guests from returning to pick up that phone charger they forgot. At Finger Lakes Premier Properties we have accommodated this trend with our remote smart locks. Not only providing guests with an extra sense of security but also the peace of mind with an easy check-in process to begin their vacation.

3. Smart TV

If you want guests to have a positive experience and keep them coming back, install a smart TV if you haven’t already. Smart TV’s ranked just as high as security systems in the previous study. Why? Because guests enjoy connecting to their personal Netflix or Hulu account to watch whatever their heart desires.

4. Voice Assistant

Go over the top and impress your guests with a voice assistant such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The hotel and vacation rental industries are already incorporating smart home features. Why not jump ahead of the pack and get a larger share of market? The voice assistant is able to provide local information, accessing music, weather reports, and the answers to a wide variety of other questions. Think convenience. Think comfort. Anything to make your guest’s vacation easier and more enjoyable.

5. Smart Tablet

The days of ink and paper are dwindling. Digital is the way to go. In addition to or in place of a voice assistant, you could include a welcome tablet. So instead of flipping through a book to find information, guests can use the tablet for an interactive experience. The smart tablet is just another way to make your property stand out from others as modern, hip, and techy. If you are worried about the tablet or voice assistant mysteriously disappearing, don’t worry. Anti-theft security grips or cable lock kits have you covered.

Another recommendation is to ask your property manager what they offer in terms of guest apps. At Finger Lakes Premier Properties, our guest app not only provides information about a reservation and details about their rental, but it also offers local information on restaurants, attractions, and events.

Finger Lakes Premier Properties Can Help!

Unsure where to begin or how to proceed with tech upgrades, let us help you. Our Owner Services department has over twenty-five years experience working with guests; they know what guests want. Contact Owner Services today for professional advice on technological upgrades you can implement in your home.