Live Auction of Lakefront Home Held by Concierge Auctions in Whitefish, Montana a Success: Extensive Outreach Efforts and "Without Reserve" Format Resulted in 100 Buyers Prospects and 8 Registered Bidders
WHITEFISH, MT – August 3, 2010 – 100 Scullers Way, a premier 3.5-acre estate with over 400 feet of frontage on Whitefish Lake, was successfully sold during a live, on-site auction this morning, announced NYC-based luxury real estate auction firm Concierge Auctions. The sale was conducted in cooperation with listing broker Pat Donovan of Glacier Sotheby’s International Realty.
Hosted on an idyllic summer morning beneath a white tent in the Montana mountains, with Whitefish Lake as the backdrop, potential buyers competed in a lively bidding session to own this magnificent property. Concierge Auctions’ extensive outreach efforts generated an astonishing 110 buyer prospects (following 2,896 visits to the auction website from 45 countries and all US states) and 8 registered bidders. The winning bidder reigns from Calgary, Canada.
“The auction exposure efforts generated more activity in six weeks than this property had seen in the past three years,” stated Donovan. “But the auction itself was the most exciting part of it all. To witness eight, active bidders competing ‘live,’ when 62 other Whitefish Lake residential properties are on the market, was a testament to the power of Concierge Auctions format. Whitefish is a treasured area, but like most other resort locations it has been a challenging few years for real estate sales. It was nice to see such strong buyer activity again.”
Nestled among a 60-square-mile stretch of lakes, wild and tranquil rivers, 100 Scullers Way contains a 3,360-square-foot main residence, guest house, and oversized four-car garage. With an immaculate log-cabin exterior, the main residence offers expansive views of the Whitefish Lake and beyond to the forests that surround Flathead Valley. It boasts three large bedrooms, two bathrooms and one powder bath situated on two levels, high ceilings, a stone fireplace, exposed beams and a wraparound outdoor deck for lakeside entertaining. A recent addition to the property in 2007, the guest home is a two-story, split-level residence modeled in the style of the main residence. The property also offers a floating dock on the lake that can accommodate two jet skis and an up to a 24-foot boat.
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Seclusion on Whitefish Lake
With 400 feet of frontage abutting the crystalline waters - four times the standard available for nearby lots - the property offers one of the largest stretches of waterfront on Whitefish Lake and features a natural, private bay. A limited number of homes surrounding ensures privacy and comfort.
The seclusion is extended in the layout of the property, which unlike its few neighbors, situates the main residence on a level lawn close to the winding shoreline. The open, grassy area is a unique treat, with only a half dozen residences on Whitefish Lake boasting one, and is the perfect place for outdoor entertaining or family enjoyment on the water. Residents are guided first to a four-car garage, the guest home, and then, on the rare lawn and waterfront, the main residence.
Outdoor and Indoor Living
Designed for open living with expansive views of the Whitefish Lake and beyond to the forests that surround Flathead Valley, the main residence boasts 3,360sf of living space with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and one powder bath on two levels.
High ceilings and open lakefront views are hallmarks of the home's upper level, dramatically emphasized with a stunning antler chandelier that stretches over the dining room and serves as an anchor for the home's design. Fully furnished, the lakefront home is designed to allow owners the best views of the waterfront. From the living room, one can enjoy immediate views through the outdoor deck, which spans the width of the house. An extension of the living room, the deck offers a fantastic area for outside enjoyment, with a Viking Professional gas grill and plenty of space for relaxation with family or friends. With multiple seating arrangements, the wraparound deck offers opportunities for lakeside entertaining, or for private, cozy moments with a book and a perfect view.
The living spaces on this level are centered around a large, stone fireplace that brings nature indoors with its natural setting and rugged tone. An expansive central living area is made cozy by the impressive wood paneling that envelops the home's interior. Packaged with heavy exposed wood beams, the paneling evokes every feeling of being in a private lodge. Large windows that open to the deck offer a lovely view of the lake's serene glass top.
Dining Room and Kitchen
To the opposite side of the massive stone fireplace, the open dining room and kitchen area allows residents to celebrate food in formal or informal ways. Under the large antler chandelier and vaulted ceilings, diners can enjoy formal meals while reliving outdoor adventures. Built-in cabinetry perfectly matches the wood paneling that continues through to this space. A countertop bar separates the kitchen area from the dining room, creating the ideal space for informal conversations or quick bite before heading out for jet skiing on the lake.
Master Suite
Tucked behind the dining area is the master bedroom, which offers private, expansive Whitefish Lake views. Its simple design and large picture windows allow for nature's art to be the focal point, with clear views to the entertainment deck and the lake beyond.
This room, with ample space, has a vaulted ceiling and large walk-in closet, as well as a private bathroom. In the bathroom, a separate bathtub and shower, as well as dual sinks, offer plenty of space for residents.
Great Room
While the upper level houses more formal living spaces, the lower level of this residence provides opportunities for a variety of activities. Owners can access this lower level through a winding staircase in the upper level living room, which leads to a large, open great room with a panoramic view of the lake at eye level.
There's no being bored in this room during weather that brings you indoors – a pool table, Samsung flat-screen television, Sony DVD player and BOSE audio system offer all-weather enjoyment. An antique-style, cast-iron fireplace serves as an anchor for this informal living space.
Luxurious Amenities
Through the hallway, in which a series of windows gives way to stunning views of the views outdoors, residents have access to a large study, a dry sauna that can accommodate up to six people on its tiered benches and two bedroom suites with an adjacent bathroom. One bedroom is perfect for guests of this lakefront property; two sets of bunk beds await eager lake users.
Just outside, a porch area covered by the upper-level wraparound living space opens into the large lawn area unique to only a few properties on Whitefish Lake. It offers a natural transition to the beachfront via stairs constructed with indigenous, rich multi-colored glacial remnants in a naturally graded slope. A floating dock on the lake can accommodate two jet skis and an up to 24-foot boat – or any of the water toys that owners will want to use to take advantage of the summer weather, which averages in the perfect 70s.
But it's the panoramic vistas of the lake and beyond that will hold the new owner's attention from any view on this property. The stunning crystal waters of the lake and rich greenery of the forests beyond give way to wide open skies that boast clear access to stargazing once the sun goes down. This picturesque lifestyle is unique to the Great Northwest, and this residence is designed to enjoy the most of it.
The expansive four-car garage offers a bounty of storage space for Whitefish's active outdoor lifestyle. But getting the equipment or other supplies to the lawn and waterfront areas won't be a burden. In fact, the romance of the area's rich railway history is echoed on this property in the funicular track that runs from the garage at the top of the property to the main residence's outdoor deck. This unique, private feature sets a boxcar on rails, much like a rollercoaster, and ferries groceries, supplies or gear to the main residence. The previous owner has laid the track and installed the electric mechanism, and the new owner simply needs to select a car of choice and install.
Guest Home
A recent addition to the property, the guest home is a two-story modeled in the style of the main residence. The split-level residence, built in 2007, maintains the main living area in a studio suite on the home's upper level.
With a quaint, country-style kitchen that boasts wood countertops and custom wood cabinets with a distressed green paint treatment, guests will feel transported to cozy lakeside living. A farm-style porcelain white sink, vintage-looking chrome and white Heartland gas oven and GE Profile microwave round out the kitchen suite. The area gives way to the cozy living area, marked by wide-plank wood floors and anchored by an antique-style potbelly fireplace. Resting on claw-footed legs, the black and gold fireplace offers a unique focal point in the far corner of the room. Heavy wood beams create the frame for this country style home, providing the support for high ceilings and adding to the guest home's open feel. The antique cabin style continues into the sleeping quarters and the bathroom on this level, with a white claw-foot bath tub and unique commode with a pull-down flush handle.
A winding wooden staircase featuring an iron railing spirals to the downstairs area, highlighted by a bunk room that offers two bunk beds built of raw knotty wood, with two twin-sized beds and two queen-sized beds. From this area, a rounded wood door with iron hardware opens to a staircase leading to the main residence and the lake beyond.
About Whitefish, MT
Tucked between two majestic national forests in the Great Northwest lies the small town of Whitefish, with its strong sense of community and an open invitation to a year-round outdoor playground. Whitefish, whose storied journey from a rugged fur-trading site to an all-year recreation site that draws action-seeking visitors and nature lovers alike, sits at the northern edge of Montana's scenic Flathead Valley.
Nestled among a 60-square-mile stretch of lakes, wild and tranquil rivers and the majestic peaks and forests, Whitefish owes much of its heritage to the timber and railroad industries near the turn of the century.
But it's nature's all-weather amenities – snow, sun and pristine lakes – that draw revelers now.
Access to the Great Northern Railway helped timber and farming become the economic mainstay for Whitefish, which was dedicated in June 1903, for the next half century. Hoping to take advantage of the area's distinct seasons, families and developers built summer cabins made of logs and slabs along the Whitefish Lake shores. Over decades of growth, the area's natural charm and year-round, picture-perfect weather attracted visitors to enjoy outdoor recreation, including what has become Montana's only 36-hole golf course, the Whitefish Lake Golf Course, and the new, highly-acclaimed Tom Fazio-designed
Iron Horse Private Golf Club.
The first skiers took to the mountains in 1934, a mainstay that continues commercially today. In that year, hikers climbed to the upper reaches of Hellroaring Mountain just north of Whitefish. A little over a decade later, they built a ski lift that would become Whitefish Mountain Resort, which sits a mere four miles from the city of Whitefish. Offering more than 3,000 acres of varying terrain, slopes cater to experienced or first-time skiers alike. Residents have plenty of space to store their outdoor equipment at home, but rental equipment is available in several locations across Whitefish. Getting there from town is easy – a shuttle allows residents instant access to the resort.
Today, Whitefish boasts an intimate community with international recognition as a recreational haven. Nestled into the west side of the Continental Divide, the town is protected from extreme weather conditions the rest of the state sees. Instead, with an average high in the 70s during the summer and an average high of 30 in the winter, Whitefish offers perfect opportunities for all-weather sports.
In winter, residents take advantage of the about 12 inches of snow that cover the valley, either cross-country or downhill skiing, or hiking in the coveted Glacier National Park, a mere 25 miles from Whitefish. The park's stunning peaks draw the eyes and the adventure spirit of any spectator, and tours of the breathtaking scenery along its 1,600 square miles are plentiful. Residents can travel the Going-to-the-Sun Road, a national historic landmark.
Come summer, naturalists can enjoy fireside talks, hikes and boat cruises anywhere in the Flathead Valley. With daylight stretching to 16 hours per day during the summer, the mild weather invites cyclists, golfers, photographers and fishermen to partake in nature's bounty. Whitefish Lake, which like the city is named after the native species that early settlers pulled from its waters, offers sandy beaches surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. Fed by Swift Creek, Lazy Creek and Hellroaring Creek, the recreational uses are endless. Whitefish Lake is 7 miles long, 2.5 miles wide and 222 feet deep, and has both public and private access points. Whitefish River offers additional recreation opportunities for canoers, kayakers, swimmers and fishermen.
Residents in this vast outdoor playground have the best of a small-town lifestyle with natural charm. Cafes and gourmet restaurants offer a chance to sample the best in dining experiences, galleries and boutique shopping share roadways with general stores, and evening entertainment highlights the best of the western attitude. A number of rustic lodges, inns and outdoor gear storefronts shore up that attitude.
This property is listed for sale by Patrick E. Donovan of Glacier Sotheby’s International Realty (Bk#8027). Concierge Auctions LLC is the provider of auction marketing services, is not a brokerage, and is not directly involved in selling real property. The services referred to herein are not available to residents of any state where prohibited by applicable state law. Concierge Auctions LLC, its agents and affiliates, broker partners, Auctioneer, and the Sellers do not warrant or guaranty the accuracy or completeness of any information and shall have no liability for errors or omissions or inaccuracies under any circumstances in this or any other property listings or advertising, promotional or publicity statements and materials. This is not meant as a solicitation for listings. Brokers are fully protected and encouraged to participate. © 2008 Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. Each Sotheby’s International Realty office is independently owned and operated. Neither Sotheby’s, Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC nor any of their affiliated companies is providing any product or service in connection with this auction event.
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