| |
Frequent questions about Chautauqua Frequently Asked Questions about Chautauqua Lake Real Estate
Over the years we have been asked many of the same questions by buyers of Chautauqua Lake & County Real Estate. This page is an attempt to answer many of the most common questions. E-mail me anytime at [Contact Vicki] and I will answer any specific questions you have.
What is lake access, deeded lakerights, lake rights etc?
As you investigate the purchase of a home on or around Lake Chautauqua you will come across the terms:
Lake Front: Self explanatory and the most valuable of all lake related properties.
Canal Front: Homes located on the canals around the lake. Example: Vukote, Keller Road, Mill Road, Shore Acres. Affordable water properties generally under $200K. Almost without exception you can dock your boat outside your door.
Lake Access: An overused marketing term. Anybody from anywhere in the world has "lake access" to any public lake. In Chautauqua terms you are in an area with a cut thru that allows possible pick up and drop off but, no dock slip. Very little value added to the Real Estate.
Deed Lake Rights: Generally means you have in your deed access to an area of the lake that allows you to have a boat slip on possibly a shared or private dock. DLR's are thru neighborhood groups or associations. Sunset Bay on Rte: 430 and Sunrise Cove on Rte 394 are examples of Deeded Lake right communities. A yearly fee maybe involved. There is value added to a home with deeded lake rights.
Lake Rights: Is interchagable at times with deeded lake rights. It is best to investigate and possibly put a contingency in the contract for sale asking for a complete understanding of the meaning. Many old homeowners have been surprised to find they have no lake rights they just got along well with the neighbors over the years and developed a camraderie that allowed a dock, boat slip etc. Only to find when they went to sell the home there was no legal conveyance of that enjoyment. Which affected value.
How much of a downpayment do I need?
Lakeshore Savings will do a vacation home mortgage for 5% down. That is the minimum I've ever seen. If you can get a downpayment for less on a second home please let me know I am always looking for good lenders. To better serve my customers.
Are homes being built?
Most towns are seeing a rise in permits: This information was posted in the Post Journal 9/4/2005
New homes By Town
Busti: 2001-2005 average: 15 new homes a year High: 17 Low: 13
Chautauqua: 1999-2005 average: 27 new homes a year High: 33 Low: 21
Ellicott: 2001-2005 average: 15 new homes a year High/Low: 15
Kiantone: 2001-2005 average 32 new buildings a year includes homes, business buildings, warehouses, factories etc.
Hunt Road in Busti has 40 new housing units (Shadow Creek) going in over the next 1-3 years. Havercamp Road in North Harmony will build the first phase of 10 vacation homes to be completed by late 2006 or early 2007. The village of Lakewood will see approximately 13 homes ranging about $250,000 each which will be built atop the former Lakewood Elementary School site. Bemus Point should see the start of a new Condo complex between the Surf Club and the Hotel Lenhart sometime in 2006.
Do I need an attorney to close?
Yes. You want to use a local attorney your transaction will go much smoother. If you do not know a local attorney I can refer you to a number of very pleasant competent ones.
Is there a better time of year to purchase than others?
Not really, prices do not fluctuate season to season. Inventory can take a traditional spike in the spring, summer and fall. The winter you tend to face less competition for a listing and if you like a place in the winter you'll love it in the summer.
How is the Fishing?
Great! Chautauqua Lake is known for being one of the finest fishing lakes for certain species in the Northeast and country.
How is the Golfing?
We were voted by Golf Digest:
The Best Little Golf Town in America !
It is said that you can play 30 days straight within a 1 hour radius of Jamestown and never repeat the same course.
Also check out www.wnygolfcourses.com for more info on courses and round fees.
Are the roads around the lake plowed in the winter?
The public roads are very well maintained in the winter. The towns and state have had centuries to perfect their skills. They are prepared for snow! Private roads are a case by case basis. Most are plowed by a resident or a formal or informal association of neighbors. If you want a driveway plowed there are countless people who will do that for you for a very reasonable fee. Ask me for referrals.
How many marinas are there?
Approx: Nine. Eight that do sales, repairs & dockage. Smith Boys and Holiday Harbor are the biggest. Long Point State Park is # 9 but, it just sells gas, supplies and boat slips.
What does dock space cost at a marina?
You can expect to pay around $20.00 per foot. Additional services such as winterizing, cleaning, winter storage, shrink wrap are all extras and generally priced on the length/size of the boat.
Are there public boat ramps?
Yes. Almost every town has one or more public boat ramps
What is the Chautauqua Institution?
A fantastic place to spend a day, a week, a month or the 9 week summer season. Also a good place to invest in Real Estate.
The Chautauqua Institution is a not-for-profit, 750-acre educational center beside Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York State, where approximately 7,500 persons are in residence on any day during a nine-week season, and a total of over 142,000 attend scheduled public events. Over 8,000 students enroll annually in the Chautauqua Summer Schools which offer courses in art, music, dance, theater, writing skills and a wide variety of special interests.
The Institution, originally the Chautauqua Lake Sunday School Assembly, was founded in 1874 as an educational experiment in out-of-school, vacation learning. It was successful and broadened almost immediately beyond courses for Sunday school teachers to include academic subjects, music, art and physical education.
While founders Lewis Miller and John Heyl Vincent were Methodists, other Protestant denominations participated from the first year onward, and today Chautauqua continues to be ecumenical in spirit and practice. Chautauqua's Department of Religion presents distinguished religious leaders of many faiths from this country and abroad, both as preachers and teachers.
The oldest continuous book club in America, the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle (CLSC), has enrolled at least a half-million readers and at one time sponsored 10,000 reading circles throughout the country. The CLSC introduced learning by correspondence even before the School of Theology and Chautauqua University developed such courses. Its book selections are offered today with continuing education emphases. Chautauqua University functioned for approximately 12 years until other universities began offering summer courses. New York University conducted summer courses at Chautauqua for approximately 30 years, ending in the early 1950s, followed by Syracuse University and SUNY College at Fredonia. Now a wide variety of special studies attract vacationing Chautauquans.
By 1880 the Chautauqua platform had established itself as a national forum for open discussion of public issues, international relations, literature and science. Approximately 100 lecturers appear at Chautauqua during a season.
Music became increasingly important at Chautauqua, especially after the turn of the century. A symphony orchestra season became part of the regular program in 1920. The Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1929, now performs thrice weekly with leading soloists in the 5,000-seat Amphitheater, Chautauqua's program center. Popular entertainers perform other evenings. The Chautauqua Ballet Company also appears in the Amphitheater, sometimes with guest artists, while the Chautauqua Conservatory Theater presents its season in Bratton Theater. The Chautauqua Opera Company, also founded in 1929, performs in English in Norton Hall.
Chautauqua plays a unique educational role today, offering studies on a vacation level, a more serious level and a professional level. In addition, there are enhanced learning opportunities within Chautauqua's other programming. Music, the arts, religion, recreation and the pursuit of knowledge are all available. Younger and older students often share learning experiences in an open, congenial atmosphere. Children and young people are also provided with their own special programs.
The Chautauqua Institution is governed by a 24-member board of trustees, four of whom are elected by property owners. The board establishes the policies and direction of the Institution, electing the officers who are responsible for the operation of the Institution. Smith Memorial Library and the Chautauqua Institution Archives are open year round. Between-season conferences are held at Bellinger Hall, the Athenaeum Hotel and other facilities on the grounds.
What fees are involved in owing an Chautauqua Institution property?
For 2006:
The service fee per $1,000 of appraised value is $1.12 per K
Trash is $161.00 per year
If you rent out the home for a week or more during the 9 week season the charge is $15.00 per bed.
What is the floating stage?
The Italian Fisherman Restaurant in Bemus Point has a large stage that floats. From Memorial day thru Labor Day they host weekly concerts of all types that can be viewed from land or boat.
Is the Casino really a gambling casino?
No. It is a restaurant in Bemus Point that can be accessed from land or boat. If you do want to gamble the Seneca Nation Casino is right off Rte 86 about 30 minutes from Bemus Point.
www.senecaalleganycasino.com
How is the water quality?
You can check it out daily on
www.co.chautauqua.ny.us
Is Lake Chautauqua and Chautauqua County serviced by broadband (internet)?
Yes, both DSL and Road Runner Cable are available from Time Warner, Adelphia and Alltel some rural areas are serviced by one or the other most locations on or around the lake have both to choose from. Plus satellite is available
| |
