Market Profiles for Investing in the New Hampshire Lakes Region breaks down how different waterfront markets behave across the region—from nationally recognized, high-demand lakes to quieter, community-driven options. Using a consistent set of market indicators (buyer profile, demand depth, historical price resilience, and typical days-on-market tendencies), this guide helps you compare where demand is deepest, where pricing has held up best over time, and where liquidity tends to be thinner—so you can align lake choice with your investment and lifestyle priorities.
1. Lake Winnipesaukee
Typical Buyer Profile: Luxury second-home buyers, primary waterfront homeowners, legacy family ownership
Demand Depth: Deep
Price Resilience: High
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Faster for well-located properties; slower for over-improved or poorly sited homes
Overall Investment Profile: One of the strongest and most resilient waterfront markets in New Hampshire, driven by national demand, limited supply, and high replacement costs.
2. Squam Lake
Typical Buyer Profile: Conservation-minded buyers, legacy estates, privacy-focused second-home owners
Demand Depth: Moderate to deep
Price Resilience: High
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Slower due to limited inventory and selective buyer pool
Overall Investment Profile: A scarcity-driven market where values are supported by conservation controls, privacy, and limited new development.
3. Lake Winnisquam
Typical Buyer Profile: Primary residents, regional second-home buyers, lifestyle-focused families
Demand Depth: Moderate
Price Resilience: Moderate to high
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Average to faster for well-priced homes
Overall Investment Profile: A stable, accessible waterfront market with consistent regional demand and broader affordability than Winnipesaukee.
4. Newfound Lake
Typical Buyer Profile: Quality-focused second-home buyers, clean-water advocates, lifestyle-driven families
Demand Depth: Moderate
Price Resilience: High
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Average; premium for quality frontage
Overall Investment Profile: Values are supported by water quality reputation, controlled development, and steady buyer interest rather than speculation.
5. Lake Ossipee
Typical Buyer Profile: Recreational buyers, families, value-oriented second-home purchasers
Demand Depth: Moderate
Price Resilience: Moderate
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Average; varies by basin and access
Overall Investment Profile: A value-oriented waterfront market with steady demand and greater sensitivity to pricing and condition.
6. Lake Wentworth
Typical Buyer Profile: Privacy-seeking second-home buyers, estate-oriented purchasers
Demand Depth: Moderate
Price Resilience: Moderate to high
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Slower; limited inventory and selective buyers
Overall Investment Profile: A scarcity-driven market where privacy and frontage size support value, but liquidity is thinner than on high-traffic lakes.
7. Great East Lake
Typical Buyer Profile: Recreational buyers, cross-border second-home owners
Demand Depth: Moderate
Price Resilience: Moderate
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Average
Overall Investment Profile: Values are supported by recreational appeal and dual-state access, with pricing influenced by shoreline location and jurisdiction.
8. Merrymeeting Lake
Typical Buyer Profile: Community-oriented buyers, families, value-focused second homes
Demand Depth: Moderate
Price Resilience: Moderate
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Average to faster for entry-level waterfront
Overall Investment Profile: A more accessible waterfront market where affordability and community use drive demand rather than scarcity.
9. Paugus Bay (Lake Winnipesaukee)
Typical Buyer Profile: Boating-focused buyers, lifestyle purchasers, proximity-driven owners
Demand Depth: Deep
Price Resilience: High
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Faster for well-located properties
Overall Investment Profile: Benefits from Winnipesaukee’s demand engine, with strong liquidity tied to access, marina proximity, and boating lifestyle.
10. Silver Lake (Madison)
Typical Buyer Profile: Quiet-lake buyers, families, lifestyle-driven second homes
Demand Depth: Moderate
Price Resilience: Moderate
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Average
Overall Investment Profile: A steady, lower-profile market where water quality and quieter use support long-term value without heavy speculation.
11. Lake Waukewan
Typical Buyer Profile: Primary residents, proximity-focused second-home buyers
Demand Depth: Moderate
Price Resilience: Moderate
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Faster than average due to town proximity
Overall Investment Profile: A convenience-driven market where access to Meredith supports steady demand, but price ceilings are lower than larger prestige lakes.
12. Webster Lake
Typical Buyer Profile: Primary homeowners, value-oriented waterfront buyers
Demand Depth: Moderate
Price Resilience: Moderate
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Average to faster for well-priced properties
Overall Investment Profile: A functional waterfront market driven by affordability and accessibility rather than scarcity or luxury appeal.
13. Pine River Pond
Typical Buyer Profile: Recreational buyers, fishing-oriented second homes
Demand Depth: Moderate
Price Resilience: Moderate
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Average
Overall Investment Profile: A traditional recreational lake market where value is supported by consistent regional interest rather than national demand.
14. Lovell Lake
Typical Buyer Profile: Privacy-focused buyers, estate-style purchasers
Demand Depth: Shallow to moderate
Price Resilience: Moderate to high
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Slower due to selective buyer pool
Overall Investment Profile: A low-turnover market where privacy and frontage support value, but transactions are infrequent.
15. Crystal Lake (Gilmanton)
Typical Buyer Profile: Families, lifestyle buyers, regional second homes
Demand Depth: Moderate
Price Resilience: Moderate
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Average
Overall Investment Profile: A balanced waterfront market with consistent demand tied to family use and accessibility.
16. Lake Opechee
Typical Buyer Profile: Primary homeowners, proximity-driven buyers
Demand Depth: Moderate
Price Resilience: Moderate
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Faster than average due to urban proximity
Overall Investment Profile: A convenience-oriented waterfront market where access to Laconia supports steady turnover, with pricing sensitive to condition and location.
17. Upper Suncook Lake
Typical Buyer Profile: Community-oriented buyers, value-focused second homes
Demand Depth: Moderate
Price Resilience: Low to moderate
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Average to faster for entry-level waterfront
Overall Investment Profile: A price-sensitive market driven by affordability and community use rather than scarcity.
18. Lake Kanasatka
Typical Buyer Profile: Quiet-lake buyers, family second homes
Demand Depth: Moderate
Price Resilience: Moderate to high
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Average
Overall Investment Profile: A stable, lower-profile market where water quality and quieter use support long-term value.
19. Lake Wicwas
Typical Buyer Profile: Regional buyers, family recreation users
Demand Depth: Moderate
Price Resilience: Moderate
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Average
Overall Investment Profile: A consistent regional waterfront market with values supported by family use and accessibility.
20. Mirror Lake (Tuftonboro)
Typical Buyer Profile: Privacy-focused buyers, second-home owners
Demand Depth: Shallow to moderate
Price Resilience: Moderate
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Slower due to selective buyer pool
Overall Investment Profile: A quieter market where privacy and limited supply support value, with fewer annual transactions.
21. Lower Suncook Lake
Typical Buyer Profile: Entry-level waterfront buyers, community-oriented purchasers
Demand Depth: Moderate
Price Resilience: Low to moderate
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Faster for well-priced properties
Overall Investment Profile: A price-sensitive market where affordability drives transactions more than scarcity or prestige.
22. Halfmoon Lake
Typical Buyer Profile: Regional buyers, family recreation users
Demand Depth: Moderate
Price Resilience: Low to moderate
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Average
Overall Investment Profile: A modest waterfront market with consistent regional interest but limited upside driven by affordability.
23. Lake Pemigewasset
Typical Buyer Profile: Primary residents, convenience-driven waterfront buyers
Demand Depth: Moderate
Price Resilience: Moderate
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Average to faster due to town proximity
Overall Investment Profile: A functional waterfront market supported by accessibility and year-round usability rather than second-home scarcity.
24. Sunrise Lake
Typical Buyer Profile: Community-oriented buyers, recreational users
Demand Depth: Moderate
Price Resilience: Low to moderate
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Average
Overall Investment Profile: A participation-driven market where values are supported by community use and affordability.
25. Sunset Lake (Alton)
Typical Buyer Profile: Families, regional second-home buyers
Demand Depth: Moderate
Price Resilience: Moderate
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Average
Overall Investment Profile: A balanced waterfront market offering steady demand without extreme volatility or scarcity premiums.
26. Rust Pond (Wolfeboro)
Typical Buyer Profile: Entry-level waterfront buyers, local and regional purchasers
Demand Depth: Shallow to moderate
Price Resilience: Low to moderate
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Average
Overall Investment Profile: A small-pond market where affordability and location drive demand more than long-term scarcity.
27. Silver Lake (Tilton & Belmont)
Typical Buyer Profile: Primary residents, affordability-driven waterfront buyers
Demand Depth: Moderate
Price Resilience: Low to moderate
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Faster for competitively priced homes
Overall Investment Profile: A convenience-oriented market supported by proximity to I-93 and regional services.
28. Hermit Lake (Sanbornton)
Typical Buyer Profile: Regional buyers, family recreation users
Demand Depth: Moderate
Price Resilience: Moderate
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Average
Overall Investment Profile: A stable, mid-tier waterfront market driven by family use and regional demand.
29. Lake Winona
Typical Buyer Profile: Privacy-seeking buyers, second-home owners
Demand Depth: Shallow to moderate
Price Resilience: Moderate
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Slower due to limited transaction volume
Overall Investment Profile: A quieter, low-turnover market where privacy and setting support value over time.
30. Locke Lake
Typical Buyer Profile: Community-oriented buyers, affordability-driven purchasers
Demand Depth: Moderate
Price Resilience: Low
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Faster due to lower price points
Overall Investment Profile: A high-turnover market driven by affordability rather than long-term scarcity.
31. Belleau Lake
Typical Buyer Profile: Recreational buyers, family second homes
Demand Depth: Moderate
Price Resilience: Moderate
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Average
Overall Investment Profile: A balanced recreational lake market with steady but not speculative demand.
32. Lees Pond
Typical Buyer Profile: Niche buyers, local or regional users
Demand Depth: Shallow
Price Resilience: Low to moderate
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Slower
Overall Investment Profile: A small-pond market with limited buyer pool and lower transaction frequency.
33. Wakondah Pond
Typical Buyer Profile: Community-oriented buyers, seasonal users
Demand Depth: Moderate
Price Resilience: Low to moderate
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Average
Overall Investment Profile: A participation-driven market where community use supports value more than scarcity.
34. Hill’s Pond (Alton)
Typical Buyer Profile: Entry-level waterfront buyers, local purchasers
Demand Depth: Shallow to moderate
Price Resilience: Low to moderate
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Average
Overall Investment Profile: A smaller-scale market where affordability and location drive transactions.
35. Sawyer Lake
Typical Buyer Profile: Community-oriented buyers, primary or seasonal residents
Demand Depth: Moderate
Price Resilience: Low to moderate
Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency): Average
Overall Investment Profile: A residential lake market supported by steady local demand rather than scarcity-driven pricing.
FAQ
What does “Demand Depth” mean in this section?
Demand Depth is described as shallow, moderate, or deep, reflecting how broad and consistent buyer demand is for each lake.
What does “Price Resilience” mean here?
Price Resilience is labeled low, moderate, or high and refers to historical stability—not a prediction.
What does “Liquidity (Days-on-Market Tendency)” mean?
Liquidity is described as faster, average, or slower, relative within the region, and reflects typical days-on-market tendencies (with some lakes noting it varies by pricing, siting, or inventory).
Which lakes are described as having deep demand depth?
Lake Winnipesaukee is listed as deep demand depth. Paugus Bay (Lake Winnipesaukee) is also listed as deep demand depth. Squam Lake is listed as moderate to deep demand depth.
Which lakes are described as having high price resilience?
Lake Winnipesaukee, Squam Lake, and Newfound Lake are listed as high price resilience. Paugus Bay is also listed as high price resilience.
Which lakes are described as having slower liquidity?
Squam Lake is described as slower due to limited inventory and a selective buyer pool. Lake Wentworth, Lovell Lake, and Mirror Lake (Tuftonboro) are also described as slower due to selective buyer pool and/or limited transaction volume. Lake Winona is described as slower due to limited transaction volume.
