Upgrading parts of your home or replacing things in your fixer upper can be exciting and yield positive change fast. When you are planning these upgrades, it’s always wise to see how you can make your improvements as energy efficient as possible. It’s also a good idea to double check if you are eligible for any home energy efficiency rebates. The Adirondacks can have some tough winters so finding the right energy efficient products can save you money in the long term. While energy efficient products might add more cost up front, there may be savings over the long term Read More
Lake Placid Real Estate Updates Tips For Buying in the Adirondacks

Margie Philo, Real Estate Broker & Owner
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Adirondack Premier Properties
Welcome to “The Brokers Suite,” our blog with updates about new listings, real estate buying and selling tips, and more real estate topics updated regularly. Stay up to date with the latest Adirondack and Lake Placid real estate market information. Find insider advice and tips to assist you in selling or buying a residential or commercial property in the Adirondacks.
"Where Experience Isn't Expensive, it’s Priceless."
Lake Placid Real Estate Market Expert
See below for our latest blog posts. Some posts are republished as part of the Berkshire Hathaway Home Services collection of real estate education content.
How To Prepare The Outside Of Your Home To Sell
As the summer real estate season winds down, you may be feeling nervous if your property hasn’t sold. Not to worry! The Adirondack weather typically stays nice well into fall, and there’s a lot you can do improve your sale chances including sprucing up the front and exterior of your property. When considering how to prepare the outside of your home to sell, plan to take advantage of the cool fall days to get some work in. Autumn in the Adirondacks is gorgeous and a perfect time to add curb appeal to the exterior of your home. At ADKPP, we’ve Read More
September 2023 Newest Listings
WATERFRONT CAMP PINE GROVE ON SILVER LAKE – PENDING! 4 BED | 1 BATH | $495,000 Camp Pine Grove is a 2-acre lot with 180 feet of shoreline on private Silver Lake. There are 3 Buildings that were built in 1951. The main building is a seasonal camp with 2 bedrooms / 1 bath and a beautiful stone fireplace and a cozy-screened porch. View more on Camp Pine Grove On Silver Lake. SUNNYBROOK LODGE – PENDING! 7 BED | 5 BATH | $5,695,000 Sunnybrook Lodge a newly built Log Camp on the shores of Upper Saranac Lake with 2 Read More
6 Benefits of Buying a Condo
Whether you are looking to purchase a single-family home or downsize, a condo could be the perfect housing choice for you. At Adirondack Premier Properties, we enjoy introducing buyers to this option of buying a condo. Once they see a unit and investigate further, many homebuyers become excited about the many benefits of buying a condo. A condo is a single-family residence that is generally part of a larger building. Essentially, it’s an apartment that you own. You typically share walls with neighbors, and also have common areas to enjoy. While sharing walls might not seem that enjoyable to some Read More
10 Trips Within 2 Hours Of Lake Placid
Lake Placid, nestled in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, is a destination with much to offer. However, if you’re a seasonal inhabitant or looking for something to do when you are visiting, you might crave a change of scenery. Luckily, the region surrounding Lake Placid offers great options for day trips with interesting attractions that can be visited all year round. Since we are very familiar with the area at Adirondack Premiere Properties, we’ve taken our collective experiences and divided these excursions into those best suited for the snowy winter months and those to enjoy during the warm summer Read More
Secret to Success – Pricing Your Home To Sell
Pricing your home to sell is one of the most important things a home seller can do! If you are listing your own property, finding that magic number can be a difficult process. Asking for help from a real estate agent or agency is a crucial step if you are putting your house or property on the market. At agencies like ADKPP, experienced agents can leverage knowledge of the current market to help you find the right price point. Pricing your home to sell at the correct number can lead to more showings, faster sale and possibly more money in Read More
5 Things To Consider When Buying Your First Home
Buying real estate as a first-time home buyer can be an exciting and nerve wracking experience. Overwhelm can take over with so many things to consider when buying your first home. For many, this is one of biggest financial decisions of your life. At ADKPP, we get it. Our experienced team excels at matching buyers and sellers with properties that meet their needs, and also at coaching them through the sometimes scary transaction process. To help first-time home buyers navigate these new waters, our office prepared a comprehensive list of things to consider when buying your first home. Read on Read More
10 Expenses When Purchasing A Home
Congratulations on deciding to buy a home! Now is the time to start planning for all of upcoming expenses when purchasing a home. Most first-time buyers realize that a down payment will be due, but there are some additional expenses to plan for as well. Meeting yourself where you are and reviewing all the details of your current financial situation is the very first thing you should do after deciding to buy a house. Be sure to save more than you think you’ll need to leave some wiggle room for unexpected issues or additional expenses. Our experienced ADKPP agents ensure Read More
August 2023 Newest Listings
WATERFRONT Log Home On Gull Pond In Tupper Lake 3 BED | 2 BATH | 7.7 ACRES | $899,000 The sought after waterfront Adirondack Log Cabin nestled in the woods is ready for you to own!This property is a year round winterized home with high speed internet located privately on over 7 acres with 657 feet on crystal clear Gull Pond. Gull Pond is a 1 mile long glacial lake known for pristine water quality and privacy. View more on this Log Home On Gull Pond. Harbor View On Lake Champlain 5 BED | 3 BATH | 2.64 ACRES Read More
Buying Commercial Real Estate
Interested in buying commercial real estate, but unsure about where to start? New opportunities are available every day for entrepreneurs like you who are looking for investments. Commercial real estate opportunities can be a great addition to your portfolio. Passive income as well as having the potential for growth are two of the best benefits. Buying Commercial Real Estate – 5 Property Categories Commercial real estate is generally used for business purposes or includes buildings with five or more units. It can be broken down into five main categories: 1. Multifamily – Residential properties with multiple units like duplexes, triplexes, Read More
A Guide To Living In A Lake House Or Cabin With A Well
If you’re a homeowner who relies on a well for water, or are considering purchasing a lakefront property with a well, it’s important to understand how to perform well water management. Private wells are common in rural areas, including lake houses and cabins, providing homeowners with a reliable water source. Adirondack Premier Properties has sold and rented dozens of homes in recent years and wanted to share our experiences. This article will provide key facts about owning a lakefront home with a well and how to maintain it, especially for properties that are winterized each year. Understanding the Basics of Read More
Fact Check – 10 Myths About Real Estate
Thinking about entering into a real estate deal? Chances are you’ve done some research online and picked the brains of your inner circle to get some advice. While it would be great if all real estate advice were on the mark, many people believe some pervasive myths about real estate that can trip you up as your deal starts to progress. At Adirondack Premier Properties, our many happy clients will tell you that our experience and expertise goes a long way in helping you navigate a successful deal. Read our advice below and prepare to let go of some of Read More
Lake Placid Summit Lacrosse Classic
The Lake Placid Summit Lacrosse Classic occurs annually the first week of August. This event is not to be missed by players or spectators. With the Adirondack High Peaks and Olympic attractions as the backdrop, there’s no better setting to enjoy Lax. Bringing in Scholastic as well as Adult divisions, the action of this popular Lacrosse tournament is framed perfectly by the Olympic Ski Jumps. The setting, game play and mixed age divisions makes this a perfect family event. Scholastic aged kids, parents and grandparents can all enjoy playing and cheering each other on. Your team not coming to the Read More
Can Am Rugby Saranac Lake Summer Highlight
The Can Am Rugby Saranac Lake takes place in Saranac Lake each year the last weekend of July. Considered one of the largest rugby events in the world, this rugby tournament is a summer highlight for ruggers and rugby fans alike. It was started in 1973 by Mountaineers Rugby. Initially the tournament featured eight teams. Today it has grown to over 100+ teams and expanded across two villages, playing on fields across Saranac Lake and Lake Placid. Can Am Rugby Saranac Lake – Plan Your Weekend The Can Am Rugby Saranac Lake tournament can be a family affair with Read More
When Is The Best Time To Refinance Your Home?
The answer to the question, “When is the best time to refinance your home?,” really comes down to the homeowner. Refinancing a mortgage involves paying off your existing loan to replace it with a new product ideally offering better rates and terms. Trying to determine when is best time is to refinance your home can be difficult to determine. Many factors must be considered including what is going on with your personal finances and also the economy at large. During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, mortgage rates were almost half of today’s current market rates. Those conditions made a Read More
How To Maintain A Lake House Septic System
If you’re considering purchasing a home with a septic system, or already own one, it’s essential to understand how it works and the maintenance required to keep it functioning properly. Septic systems are commonly found in rural areas, lake houses, and cabins where access to public sewer systems is limited. Here we’ll outline the most important facts about owning a home with a septic system and address the additional considerations for properties that are closed-down for the winter. What is a Septic System? A septic system is an onsite sewage treatment and disposal system. It’s composed of two main components: Read More
Lake Placid Ironman
The Lake Placid Ironman comes into town each year on the third weekend of July. This world class triathlon brings in top athletes from all over the world to compete on the renowned course set in the beautiful Adirondack mountains. In 2022, the Lake Placid Ironman course was voted the Best Race Venue and 3rd best on Overall Race, Bike Course, Finish Line and Post Race Experience. Traveling from Lake Placid to Keene and on to Wilmington and back, the course allows athletes to enjoy the beauty of the Adirondacks while testing their stamina and endurance. Lake Placid Ironman – Read More
Buying Lakefront Real Estate? Here Are 5 Things To Consider
Owning lakefront real estate is a dream come true for many people. The tranquil sound of water, the stunning views, and the opportunity for a waterfront lifestyle all make it a very appealing investment. With over 3,000 lakes, rivers and streams the Adirondacks are the perfect place to start your search. Similar to the Adirondack towns each waterway has its own feel and rules. This is why buying lakefront real estate requires careful consideration and planning. At ADKPP we have helped dozens of families and investors buy houses on or near our regional lakes. Here are some important factors Read More
10 Step Checklist For Buying A Home
Buying a home is an exciting and sometimes confusing process. Tap into our experience to make it easier by following our 10 Step Checklist for Buying A Home. We’ll guide you through the process with a handy and concise list. Join our many happy Adirondack Premier Properties clients who have successfully purchased the Adirondack real estate of their dreams! Getting Started – Checklist for Buying a Home Step 1 – Determine How Much Home You Can Afford Before you start the search for your perfect home, take a close look at your financials. How much home you can afford is Read More
July 2023 Newest Listings
RESIDENTIAL SARANAC LAKE RANCH NEAR DONNELLYS 3 BED | 1 BATH | $115,000 This property is an opportunity for an owner to remodel and design to their own plans. The 4 acres are wooded and private with state land across the road for a forever wild view. View more on this Saranac Lake property. FAWN RIDGE LOG HOME IN LAKE PLACID – PENDING! 3 BED | 3 BATH | $1,995,000 Exceptional custom details and included furnishings in this newly renovated log home in the Fawn Ridge neighborhood with stunning Whiteface Mountain and Lake Placid year round views. View Read More
ADKPP Guide To Fishing In The Adirondacks
Whether you’re planning to cast your line in the serene waters of Lake Placid, Upper Saranac Lake, or any of the numerous riverside and creek fishing spots within the Adirondacks, it’s crucial to understand New York State’s fishing licensing requirements. In this post, we’ll guide you through the process and provide some handy tips to ensure you’re ready to enjoy a memorable fishing experience in the Adirondacks. Do I Need a Fishing License? If you’re over 16 and plan to fish in any of the freshwater bodies in New York State, you’ll need a fishing license. There are exceptions during Read More
June 2023 Notable Sales
ADIRONDACK CHALET IN LAKE PLACID 4 BED | 2 BATH | 2,406 SQUARE FEET | $699,000 Location, location, location for this Adirondack Chalet home with direct access from the property to “Henry’s Woods” for hiking and exploring. Vaulted ceilings with views of Whiteface Mountain, open floor plan, and a cozy fireplace for those who love to entertain, the living room has new wood bamboo flooring. COTTAGE IN ST. REGIS FALLS 4 BED | 2 BATH | 3,000 SQUARE FEET | $399,000 A stunning and completely remodeled Adirondack home built on almost 69 acres of wooded private land with two ponds! Read More
New In Town? Important Phone Numbers and Service Providers
Welcome to the Adirondacks! At Adirondack Premier Properties we want all members of our community to be prepared for emergencies and also know how to access local services. We’ve compiled these important phone numbers to help you set up your new home with the essentials as well as the many comforts our area has to offer. Check below for important phone numbers including emergency contacts, utilities, and code enforcement. As applicable, important phone numbers are categorized by community. IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS – EMERGENCY In Case of Emergency Always Call 911 Lake Placid Lake Placid Fire Department – 456 Old Military Read More
ADKPP Advice – How To Win A Bidding War On A House
At the height of the housing market, many buyers were left wondering how to win a bidding war on a house. Seemingly out of control, bidding wars popped up frequently in the Adirondacks and in markets across the U.S. With escalation clauses, “love letters,” and removal of contingencies, many bidders lost out as these tactics influenced sellers to choose other buyers. At Adirondack Premier Properties, we aren’t big fans of bidding wars. When we find ourselves heading into a competitive situation, we prefer to have best and final offers ready. As a buyer, if you are interested in purchasing a Read More