PROPERTY PROFILE A Hidden Gem on Lake Warren

For many home buyers, finding a house that is both affordable and located on a picturesque New Hampshire lake can seem like an impossible dream. However, real estate agent Nancy Thompson may have just the property. &emsp;Thompson, an agent with the Masiello Group in Keene — one of the Monadnock Region's premier realtors — has a standout listing in just such a setting, offered at a reasonable price. Lakeside Location Thompson specializes in residential listings, mainly homes, and describes this property as a true find. "This listing is really unique," she says. "It's set on Lake Warren in Alstead, about 20 miles north of Keene. Although it's currently a seasonal property, it could easily be converted to year-round." &emsp;Priced at $479,000 fully furnished, Thompson thinks it's priced right for such an ideally situated property with lake frontage. With three bedrooms and a single bath, the house has been carefully remodeled. "It's charming, quaint, and cozy," she says, "and it's recently been used — very successfully — as an Airbnb, with repeat guests returning year after year. It has its own dock and a great view of the lake, and it's been pretty lucrative as an income producer for the owners." &emsp;The cottage boasts a bright, cheerful sunroom with multiple windows, a living room with a soaring knotty-pine ceiling, and a first-floor master bedroom. The kitchen features new appliances and ample cabinet space. Just outside the front door, a 75-foot path leads to the lake's edge and a small dock, perfect for sunbathing or relaxing by the water. &emsp;Built in 1950, the cottage is just minutes from Alstead Village Market and is nestled among a network of wooded hiking trails. A 'Gem' of a Setting Beyond the house itself, Thompson emphasizes the property's remarkable setting. Of the Monadnock Region's roughly 156 lakes, she describes Lake Warren as "a beautiful, rustic lake — not overly developed and one that prohibits some noisy, motorized watercraft." &emsp;A good portion of Lake Warren's 186 acres is under the protection of the Monadnock Conservancy, a land trust for southwestern New Hampshire that works with communities and landowners to conserve the natural resources, rural character and scenic beauty of the Monadnock Region. The protected section, along with the lake's rustic Pine Island, is being maintained as a wildlife haven to preserve and safeguard the region's scenic history. Additionally, Thompson explains, the entire lake boundaries are under the guidance and supervision of the Lake Warren Preservation Association (LWPA). &emsp;In sum, Lake Warren is widely considered a "hidden gem" of the Monadnock Region, offering swimming, sailing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and picnicking among its many recreational pleasures. Solid Agency Of course, finding the ideal property to purchase may be one thing, but doing so with the right agent is nearly as important. In that regard, Nancy Thompson clearly knows her way around the home-buying and selling business; she's been with Masiello for the past 22 years. Interestingly, Masiello Group's offices on Keene's Island Street are housed in a beautifully repurposed factory building that was once the local branch of the New England Box Company, an early 20th-century, Massachusetts-based manufacturer of all manner of wooden boxes, including apple crates, hemlock panels and cheese boxes, among others. &emsp;Owned by Chris Masiello and founded by his father, Jim, the agency got its start as an insurance business in 1966, but soon branched into real estate. Although it was once headquartered in Keene, its flagship office is now located in Bedford, New Hampshire. &emsp;"What makes us a great agency is our reach, our size, the training and support we all benefit from and the collaboration that we share with other agents," Thompson says. "You have to remember that, in its entirety, Masiello has over 700 agents in New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont, and that gives us an enormous amount of leverage." Sidebar If you're seeking a charming waterfront cottage home set on one of the Monadnock Region's most rustic small lakes, consider this small gem of a property. Location: Lake Warren in Alstead, New Hampshire Property Size: 1,094 square feet Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 1 Lot Size: .12 acre Lake Frontage: 18 feet Selling Price: $479,000