Gilford Recognized For Its Quality of Life

Gilford, New Hampshire on Lake Winnipesaukee

Gilford, New Hampshire, has always been a popular destination and a great community to live in. This past year the Realtor® community has seen unprecedented demand with very little inventory to show. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why the town has flourished and what makes it so attractive.

Gilford’s history began in 1777 when it was first settled. At that time, it was considered the “Gunstock Parish” section of the Town of Gilmanton. In 1812 Gilford was incorporated into a separate town. Gilford started attracting tourists with the construction of the Lake Shore Railroad, followed by snow trains that carried skiers and spectators up from urban areas to Laconia and Gilford. 

Skiing at Gunstock Mountain
Skiing at Gunstock Mountain

This activity led to the development of what today is called Gunstock MountainResort, constructed by the WPA initially. It was completed in 1937 and is owned by Belknap County. This four-season mountain resort offers 48 trails with a summit elevation of 2,267 ft with 7 lifts, a tubing hill, nordic skiing trails, and night skiing. The summer/fall operation includes a 4,100 ft mountain coaster, ziplines with the longest at 3,981 ft, an aerial treetop adventure, and a campground with 290 sites. Gunstock Mountain Resort is a huge attraction for Gilford.

The town includes 38.9 square miles of land area and 14.8 square miles of inland water area. There are over 7,500 residents with over 5,000 housing units. Gilford’s diverse landscape includes the Belknap Mountain State Forest with 1,

300 acres and an intricate extensive trail hiking system offering panoramic lake and mountain views of Lake Winnipesaukee and Lake Winnisquam. The conservation commission and Lakes Region Conservation Trust have worked hard to preserve thousands of acres of land from future development.

In addition to an extensive amount of shoreline on Lake Winnipesaukee’s mainland, there are 19 unbridged islands in Gilford on the ‘big lake,’ which includes 240 seasonal homes.

Governor's Island on Lake Winnipesaukee
Governor’s Island on Lake Winnipesaukee, Gilford NH

Governor’s Island in Gilford is one of six bridged islands on Lake Winnipesaukee. The island includes a total of 504 acres and is the 4th largest island on Lake Winnipesaukee’s 258 islands. Welch Island is the 6th largest at 187 acres. On Governor’s Island, you will find some of the finest luxury homes located on the big lake.

Gilford boats one of the finest and largest (1,700 ft sandy beach on 17 acres) town beaches on Lake Winnipesaukee for its residents only. The town beach also includes a covered ice skating rink for winter activities. The town also has public docks for town and island residents in Glendale and large parking adjacent to the new state-of-the-art marine patrol headquarters. The town also hosts Ellacoya State Park on Lake Winnipesaukee with its 600 ft long natural sandy beach with magnificent lake and mountain views. Adjacent to the beach is a 37 site RV campground with 3-way-hookups.

Enjoy music? The Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion is a 9,000 seat amphitheater next to the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee in Gilford. This venue is Northern New England’s premier summer concert complex playing host to top national county, rock, and pop stars. It was named one of USA Today’s 10 best concert venues across the USA.

Gilford offers the largest number of marinas and private yacht clubs in the Lakes Region. There are 3 marina/boat sales facilities, 4 yacht clubs, and the Glendale Town Docks…a boaters paradise where you can explore Lake Winnipesaukee’s 44,586 acres of sparkling water with 200 miles of shoreline and 258 islands.

Laconia Municipal Airport, located at 65 Aviation Way in Gilford, includes 448 acres. This regional general aviation facility is the gateway for the Lakes Region’s busy aviation scene.

There are miles and miles of snowmobile trails throughout the town on marked corridors with access to the frozen lake during the winter months.

The Gilford Elementary School, Middle School, and High School’s total enrollment is approximately 1,166 students. This desirable school system is located in historic Gilford Village with excellent soccer fields, baseball diamonds, 4 lighted tennis courts, a lighted basketball court, and a bandstand at Gilford Village field on 28 acres.

Gilford Village, with its white clapboard antique homes, charming country store, beautiful library, Gilford youth center, and community church, preserve the historical charm.  The Gilford old home day parade retains the ambiance of bygone days. Gunstock hosts a huge craft fair, ski swap, Oktoberfest, and antique car show. The Soulfest concert in August at Gunstock attracts up to 8,000 attendees and close to 100 artists. Gilford offers convenient shopping pubs, including Hannaford’s & Shaw’s supermarket, Wal-Mart, Lowe’s, TJ Maxx, Home Goods, and a multitude of shops, many fine restaurants, and pubs.  The 18-hole Pheasant Ridge Country Club is a popular golf course with great views.

Gilford Cinema, Beans & Greens farmstand and a diversified mix of hospitality choices from motels, Inns, B&B’s, waterfront resorts, and the Marriot Town Place Suites attract visitors.

Gilford offers a huge selection of single-family homes, condominiums, water access communities, and country properties.

So how is the real estate market in Gilford performing:

  • In 2020 there were 164 single-family home sales. The median sales price was $393,000. The average sales price was $676,308. The lowest sales price was $41,000. The highest sales price was $4,900,000.
  • In 2020 there were 64 condominium sales. The median sales price was $231,750. The average sales price was $257,241. The lowest sales price was $13,000. The highest sales price was $750,000.
  • In 2021 for the first 3 ½ months, 28 single-family homes sold. The median sales price was $401,750. The average sales price was $479,800. The lowest price was $200,000. The highest price was at $1,095,000. However, there are presently 32 single-family homes under contract.
  • In 2021 so far, for condominiums, there were 19 sales. The average price was $147,757. The median price was $135,000. The lowest price was at $16,000. The highest price so far was at $425,000. However, there are presently 6 condominiums under contract.
  • At the present time, there are only 16 single-family homes for sale. The average listing price is $1,838,731. The median listing price is $659,500. The lowest listing price is at $55,900, well the highest listing price is at $10,000,000. There are 6 condominiums for sale. The average listing price is $155,966. The median listing price is $99,200. The lowest listing price is at $18,500, well the highest listing price is at $499,999.

In summary, you can see why Gilford is such a desirable community to live in. The current real estate market certainly reflects that.

Frank Roche, President of Roche Realty Group, Inc. with offices in Meredith and Laconia, NH

This article was written by Frank Roche. Frank is president of Roche Realty Group with offices in Meredith and Laconia, NH, and can be reached at (603) 279-7046. Gilford sales data was compiled by a NEREN search on 04/20/2021 at 111:00 am EST and is subject to change. Please feel free to visit www.rocherealty.com to learn more about the Lakes Region and its real estate market.

Massachusetts and New Hampshire - a Tale of Two States

Massachusetts and New Hampshire – a Tale of Two States

Most of my articles talk about housing, trends, home values, and the desirable lifestyle we ...
Read More →
Spring flowers at the Belknap Mill in Laconia, New Hampshire

Spring Trends in Lakes Region Properties

It’s been one of those winters, or should I say lack of winters, that we ...
Read More →
Sales Snapshot: The Current Highest Prices Property For Sale in The Lakes Region Is on Governor's Island for $12,998,000

Sales Snapshot: New Hampshire’s Affordability Challenge

As we spring into March and approach our busy spring selling season, I thought I’d ...
Read More →
Gunstock Mountain in Gilford, NH

Gunstock: Gem of the Lakes Region

Nestled among the stoic peaks of the Belknap Mountain range in the heart of New ...
Read More →
Roche Realty Group Announces Top Producers for 2023

Roche Realty Group Announces Top Producers for 2023

Meredith — Frank Roche, president of Roche Realty Group, announced the top five producers for the ...
Read More →
AI and the Future of Real Estate

AI and the Future of Real Estate

Imagine, if you will, looking at a mysterious picture box filled with a whole world ...
Read More →
Prices rise Broadview Condominiums originally sold to the developer for $500,000

Prices Rise Ahead of Super Bowl Sunday

We’ve got a great match coming up for this year’s Super Bowl…The 49ers vs. the ...
Read More →
Smart Moves in Condominium Ownership Samoset

Smart Moves in Condominium Ownership

Here in the Lakes Region, a good part of our residential housing inventory is in ...
Read More →
Land Sales Unveiled: New Hampshire's 2023 Market

Land Sales Unveiled: New Hampshire’s 2023 Market

New Hampshire The Granite State… true to its motto, “Live Free or Die”, which encapsulates ...
Read More →
Exploring Cash Sales Dynamics in Lakes Region Real Estate

Exploring Cash Sales Dynamics in Lakes Region Real Estate

I was at a sales meeting at Roche Realty Group the other day, and we ...
Read More →
Roche Realty Meredith

Roche Realty Group Reports Over $150 Million in Sales

               Meredith- Frank Roche, President of Roche Realty Group, Inc., ...
Read More →
Lincoln, New Hampshire Riverwalk Resort

Lincoln, New Hampshire: From Mill Town to Ski Destination

Tucked in the heart of New Hampshire, sprawling across 131 square miles of varied terrain, ...
Read More →
Lakes Region Towns Stand Out For Their Spirit of Giving

Celebrating the Spirit of “Giving” in the Lakes Region

Nestled in the picturesque landscapes of New Hampshire, the Lakes Region stands out not only ...
Read More →
AI's Impact on the future of real estate

Real Estate’s Future: The Impact of AI

The other day, I was talking with my son Chris about the changes in the ...
Read More →
NH Lake Sales Activity - picture of lake with mountains and homes

Lakes Region Waterfront Sales 2022 vs. 2023

We’re getting near the end of the year, and I thought I would pull up ...
Read More →
Winter Snowmobile

Real Estate in a Winter Wonderland

As I drove around the other day with my kids, I was looking at some ...
Read More →
Toys for Tots Drive

Roche Realty Host Annual Toys for Tots Drive

As the holiday season approaches, Roche Realty Group is excited to announce the kickoff of ...
Read More →
Small Business Saturday New Hampshire

Small Business Saturday Living Gratefully in New Hampshire

We have so many things to be thankful for here in New Hampshire: plenty of ...
Read More →
Annie Brown Joins Roche Realty Group

Annie Brown Joins Roche Realty Group

Meredith — Frank Roche, President of Roche Realty Group, Inc., with offices in Meredith and ...
Read More →
Gunstock Mountain in Gilford, NH

Gunstock Upgrades for Winter as Real Estate Shows Resilient Growth

As the leaves of New Hampshire’s forests transition from the vibrant hues of fall to ...
Read More →
Preserving New Hampshire's Lakes

Preserving New Hampshire’s Lakes: A Community Effort

With over 250 lakes and ponds throughout New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, there are unlimited outdoor ...
Read More →
Home Inspections — The Uninspected Abode: A Spine-chilling Tale of Regret and Terror!

The Uninspected Home: A Spine-chilling Tale of Regret and Terror!

One night, not many years ago, in a quaint, somber town nestled amidst the haunting ...
Read More →
Interest Rates

Interest Rates Impacted by Treasury Yields

It looks like the national picture for housing stats has not improved in recent months; ...
Read More →
Local Housing Crisis: Challenges and Solutions

Local Housing Crisis: Challenges and Solutions

Our communities are facing a shortage of both residential and commercial properties, a scenario that’s ...
Read More →
Fall Splendor In New Hampshire

Fall Splendor in New Hampshire

New Hampshire in the fall is akin to stepping into a live canvas painting — ...
Read More →
Samoset Condominiums on Lake Winnipesaukee

Condominium Sales Surge in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region!

As we start entering October’s bright fall colors, I thought I’d take a look at ...
Read More →
Empowering your offer

Empower Your Offer in a Sizzling Real Estate Market!

As a seasoned real estate professional, I often consider the market conditions to keep myself, ...
Read More →
Reviews of New Hampshire's Lakes Region

Reviews of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region

We’ve had a great summer in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, and we’re approaching the brilliant ...
Read More →
Waterfont Sales Activity Wolfeboro, New Hampshire

Waterfront Sales Activity in the Lakes Region

As we head into September, I have compiled data and insight into what is happening ...
Read More →
Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day Weekend in The Lakes Region

Labor Day Weekend has arrived, and the weather forecast for the Lakes Region looks fantastic, ...
Read More →
Interest Rates

The Mortgage Interest Rate Dilemma

This past week, we saw an increase in mortgage rates following a rise in bond ...
Read More →
Best State To Live In — New Hampshire at #3

New Hampshire 3rd Best State To Live In!

WalletHub just released its rankings of the best state to live in for 2023. It’s ...
Read More →
City/Town Comparison can make the research process easier

City/Town Comparison For Your Move

Some studies place moving to a new location as one of the top ten most ...
Read More →
New Hampshire Real Estate Lacks Inventory

New Hampshire Real Estate Inventory Crisis

A Multifaceted Analysis of Rising Interest Rates and Beyond New Hampshire is currently facing a ...
Read More →
Peaks of New England

Exploring the Peaks of New England

In my younger years in school, I always loved geography. Living in New Hampshire, there ...
Read More →
Climate Exodus: Insurance Companies Seeking Refuge from High-Risk Sates

Climate Exodus: Insurers’ Fleeing High-Risk States

Flooding, Forest Fires, Heat Waves, Tornados, oh my! The recent stretch of weather has certainly ...
Read More →
Real Estate News Headlines - Lakes Region NH

Real Estate Tidbits to Consider

Here are a few real estate tidbits I’ve pulled to keep you up to speed ...
Read More →
Roche Realty Group Sells out Lakeside at Paugus Bay

Roche Realty Group — 6 Months in Review

Closed sales for the first 6 months of 2023 have been impressive at Roche Realty ...
Read More →
Newfound Lake

Lakes Region Waterfront Sales Activity 6 Month Comparison

Below you will find data and insight into what is happening in sales activity on ...
Read More →
Buying Land

Buying Land in New Hampshire — Comprehensive Guide

New Hampshire, also known as the Granite State, offers a diverse landscape that includes picturesque ...
Read More →
Weirs Beach: A Tale of History, Community, and Natural Beauty

Weirs Beach: A Tale of History, Community, and Natural Beauty

As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the oldest bike week in the country, let’s ...
Read More →
First Five Months of Lakes Region Real Estate

Five Months of Lakes Region Real Estate Activity

The month of May’s real estate statistics just came out for New Hampshire, and it ...
Read More →
A bird's eye view of Long Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee

South Down Shores and Long Bay on Lake Winnipesaukee — Its History

When construction started in 1981, Laconia’s South Down Farm offered a picturesque setting for condominium ...
Read More →
Memorial Day — rows of gravestones with flags in military cemetery

Memorial Day Weekend Arrives in the Lakes Region!

The long-anticipated Memorial Day weekend has arrived after a long winter, and the Lakes Region ...
Read More →
Unlike the dandelions new listings aren't popping up in the Lakes Region

Will Listings Start Bloom Like Dandelions?

Will Real Estate Listings Bloom Like Dandelions? During my rides around the Lakes Region, I’ve ...
Read More →
boat launch

Public Boat Launches in the Lakes Region

New Hampshire’s Lakes Region is a paradise for boating enthusiasts and we are now entering ...
Read More →
Real Estate Scams

Real Estate Scams to Be Aware of

One of my Realtors® received a call today from a gentleman purporting to be the ...
Read More →
Brant Point Lighthouse, Nantucket overlooking the ocean

From the Lakes Region to Nantucket

I spent a few days on Nantucket Island this past week for a quick getaway. ...
Read More →
Lakes Region Real Estate Is Still Hot

Lakes Region Real Estate Market is Sizzling

The real estate market in the Lakes Region and the state of New Hampshire is ...
Read More →
Lake Winnipesaukee Kayak

Buying a Lake House — Where to Start?

Owning a waterfront home in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region is a treasured experience. For many ...
Read More →

Leave a Comment