Mitt & Ann Romney in Wolfeboro

A year ago July I wrote a blog titled Mitt Romney’s Summer Home, Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. The gist of the blog concerned the impact on the town of Wolfeboro if Mr. Romney became President of the United States. He is not yet President, but I can tell you there has been an increased impact on the town of Wolfeboro in terms of people coming here this summer, and also in increased interest in owning real estate in Wolfeboro, known as “The First Summer Resort in America” and “The Jewel of Lake Winnipesaukee”.

The ‘Romney Factor’ on Wolfeboro Real Estate

As Realtors at Maxfield Real Estate in Wolfeboro, Carol and I have seen a definite impact because of “The Romney Factor” on real estate sales. We always ask people looking at properties how they found us, where they are from and what draws them to Wolfeboro. The comment we keep hearing is that they have heard so much about Wolfeboro in the news because of Mitt Romney and that helped them to decide to look in Wolfeboro for property. I recently had a man call from Bethesda, Maryland asking if there were any waterfront properties for sale near Mitt’s waterfront home.

A Safe Investment

The observation from our Realtor colleagues at Maxfield Real Estate is that we have never been so busy even during the boom times of the early to mid 2000’s. The other thing we’ve heard from buyers is their frustration with the stock market and that there is a feeling that parking money in real estate is a more long term and safer investment for them. Why not buy in a town that a potential future President of the United States owns property and enjoys the most beautiful town on Lake Winnipesaukee.

So if you too want to explore real estate in what may be the Presidential summer retreat, please contact us or search Wolfeboro properties on our website. Who knows, you may just run into the Romney’s on the way to the grocery store or hardware store just a short walk from the Wolfeboro town docks.

Looking Presidential

What if Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney is successful in his bid to become the next President of the United States. How will that impact on the small summer resort town of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire or for that matter the whole eastern side of Lake Winnipesaukee? It is interesting to contemplate the “what if” when comparing the impact that the first President Bush has had on his summer home in Kennebunkport. I have seen the Bush compound on Walker Point as well and have talked with some of those living in this seaside area who have said that you eventually get used to the blocked roads, traffic jams, and masses of people all trying to see the former President or his home. It is even more dicey with all the security when the Bush’s go anywhere in the Kennebunkport area.

The difference for the potential Wolfeboro President is that there is no drive by from which to see Mr. Romney’s house. That may be a blessing for him. The only access to see his house is by lake and that will be patrolled 24/7. As with Walker Point in Maine, there is an established line where boats cannot enter and there will be a similar perimeter line drawn outside the potential President’s waterfront property.

It obviously would bring significant pride to be the summer address of an American President. It should eventually bring a fair amount of business to the Wolfbeoro area though in the first year of the first President Bush becoming President tourism and business in Kennybunkport decreased 10%. There will be the significant added cost to the Town of Wolfbeoro and State of New Hampshire for the expected role and needed security. Because Mr. Romney’s home isn’t easily viewable, there will be less interest in coming to Wolfeboro just to see the President, which hopefully won’t add appreciably to the lines of traffic coming in and out of Wolfeboro even now.

Wolfeboro Celebrates 250 Years as a Town

Last November 2009 the Town of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire turned 250! Its long tradition and place as a resort destination is unique. It is known as the “Oldest Summer Resort in America.” More recently that title has been updated to “America’s First Resort.”

Located on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee and surrounding Lake Wentworth, Wolfeboro is known as “The Oldest Summer Resort in America.” Royal Governor John Wentworth established a summer estate known as Kingswood on Lake Wentworth in 1770.

The original name of the town, Wolfeborough, was in honor of General John Wolfe, who was defeated in Quebec in 1759 and 1763 during the French and Indian Wars.

Downtown Wolfeboro is set right on Lake Winnipesaukee on Wolfeboro Bay. The many attractions, year round concerts, antique fairs, and fine restaurants, make this town one of the premier towns for visitors, seasonal homeowners, or those looking to relocate permanently. An additional benefit to living in Wolfeboro is its exceptional newly renovated hospital, Huggins Hospital. Here it is in 1916.

Huggins in 1916

Some of the other features of Wolfeboro are the Wolfeboro Historical Society Museum – Clark House, the Libby Museum, the Wright Museum, Wentworth State Park, New Hampshire Boat Museum, and a port-of-call for the MS Mount Washington.

Many famous people from all over the world have summered in Wolfeboro, including French president,

Nicholas Sarkosy, French President

Nicholas Sarkozy in 2007. Jimmy Kimmel and Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore Wolfeboro Summer Visitor

 have been sighted as recently as 2009. Wolfeboro is the summer home of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney Wolfeboro Summer Resident

, and it was the summer home of actor Jack Lemmon.

Wolfeboro has 13.1% of the total watershed for Lake Winnipesaukee. The Lake Winnipesaukee Watershed covers 381 square miles.