Loon Mountain Real Estate - Lincoln & Woodstock, NH

Loon Mountain Real Estate - Pet Passage Provides a Lesson in Love

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:44:20 -0500

I don't get the chance to contribute to my own Blog nearly as much as I'd like. As a matter of fact, I just took a quick peak, and boy were my eyes opened! I mean, yeah ... I realize that we're all here to share ideas, learn from and grow with one another, while - at the same time - exposing our businesses to the largest audience possible. After reviewing my past Blogs though, I had to wonder just who in their right mind would bother reading this dry, factually-based, owner's manual of a schmuck anyway?

Nearly every one of the Blogs I've written up to this point have been business-related, focusing just about exclusively on my Loon Mountain Real Estate. Well, that's all good-n-fine, and even understandable ... to a point! In the process though, very few of you have really gotten to know "Scott, the Person". Based on the "slim-pickins" I've made available out here in good ol' Cyber-Space, I can only hope that some of you might actually see this latest addition, read it, and at least get to know a little about this simple, Loon Mountain Resort Country Boy up in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Now, although this is intended for absolutely anybody & everybody, as a special acknowledgment to all of the ladies out there...

If your husband, fiance, or significant other is one of those classic "tough-guy" types, who cringes at the slightest mention of an emotionally-based "talk", and prefers avoidance (or a good ball-game!) over a teary-eyed discussion, well, em, er...

I gotta admit, I'm guilty. I play that same role the rest of my gender does. Heck, just ask my wife. When we met, she had two cats and so did I. Of course, in my classic "tough-guy" facade, I stretched the truth by blaming my previous wife. Now, this isn't to say that I lied by any stretch. Before my first wife and I separated, we had already left my Loon Mountain Resort town of Lincoln, NH once to relocate south, to North Carolina. When, ultimately, we did "part ways", I returned north to my beloved Loon Mountain communities of Lincoln & Woodstock, NH ... but not alone. I had two (feline) brother-n-sister travel companions that I had thought my step-sons couldn't live without. Anyway, let's fast-forward roughly 13-years...

The brother, a 23lb +/- orange tabby called Alley, ran away several years ago. Both were indoor/outdoor cats, and I've since seen him around my little village, but he's obviously been fed by other locals and is enjoying his own life here in the mountains. His sister, Casper - who was the "runt of the litter" and yet had remained diligent to virtually every emotion this "tough guy" had undergone over the years - was diagnosed w/Cancer last year. Although the majority had been removed successfully, her quality of life had slowly but surely diminished. As such, your author experienced his first-ever euthanasia just a couple of weeks ago, and to all the pet lovers out there, let me tell you...

The water-works were in full-swing all the way home, and still well-up from time to time!

W/D LOON MOUNTAIN REAL ESTATE - Lodge Condo Resort @ Lincoln NH, Unit A201 W/D

Fri, 23 May 2008 16:01:12 -0500

* W/D DOUBLE-DECKER LOON MOUNTAIN VIEWS ... AND WITH PRIVACY TOO! W/D *

One of only four of these 1 Bedroom Suite style condos - which are located at the ever popular Loon Mountain area Lodge Resort - that has MULTIPLE UNIQUE FEATURES! Not only can you Wake to the Sunrise through your own HUGE Master Bedroom Window (select few available), but you also have...

Your own, Double-Length Private Balcony AND a Privacy-Door between the Master Bedroom and the Living Room (again, select few)! For those unfamiliar w/the Lodge...

It's arguably the most economical form of year-'round 2nd Homeownership in the Loon Mountain community of Lincoln, NH ... and it even makes onsite rentals available to its owners to help offset expenses! Of course, no one says you have to rent, but this would almost certainly be an enviable unit to have in the exlusive, onsite inventory! As if all this weren't enough...

There's a Clubhouse w/an Indoor Heated Pool, Hot-Tub, Saunas, and Game Rooms. Outside, there's another (seasonal) Pool, along with Tennis Courts, Two (2) BBQ Grill/Picnic areas, Horseshoes, a "Swimming-Hole" in the Spring-Fed, Pemigewasset River in your backyard, and your own Shuttle Bus to/from Skiing in the winter! But we're not done yet: it's also easier on the purse-strings than any other "Like-Type" condo at the Lodge too!

* All this & more for just $119,900.00! Please Click Here for more details/photos.

* W/D* LOON MOUNTAIN REAL ESTATE - Lodge Condo Resort @ Lincoln NH, Unit B210 W/D

Sat, 10 May 2008 21:07:46 -0500

* MAGICAL MOUNTAIN MYSTIQUE IN A MAGNIFICENT RIVER-FRONT SETTING! *

Beautifully appointed 1-Bedroom Suite style "Condotel" with breathtaking natural views! Offered fully-equipped and furnished, this unit comes complete with onsite club facilities, including:

GAME ROOMS, POOLS, HOT-TUB, SAUNAS, TENNIS COURTS, WiFi, a PROFESSIONALY-STAFFED, ONSITE RENTAL OFFICE, IN-SEASON SKI SHUTTLE to LOON MOUNTAIN, and COUNTLESS OTHER "PERKS"!

All this and more, for just $139,900.00!

Please Click Here for additional information!

LOON MOUNTAIN REAL ESTATE - Baseball's Been Very, Very Good to Me!

Wed, 07 May 2008 13:19:00 -0500

First and foremost, please forgive any type-o's in this post. I'm not as well-rounded with the inner-workings of cyber-space as I'd hoped, and find my spell-check function isn't working as it should. Now, with that out of the way, let's PLAY BALL!

Mom's a big fan of the Billy Crystal movie "City Slickers", and especially likes to call on birthdays - at the precise moment of birth - and quote lines from the movie, just like his character's Mom did. She's also what I have come to refer to as our "Family Prophet", since she has an uncanny ability to forecast family events with an eerily-accurate record ... with one major exception.

Several years ago, I remember Mom forecasting that the "Born Dad" in the family would have lots of children. This article's author, by the way, is her only son. Although my life has been blessed in countless other ways, I'm afraid the "Family Prophet" struck out during this one particular time at-bat. As such, my beautiful wife and I have come to be known to many throughout our area as "Aunt Sally & Uncle Scotty".

Now, it's been years since I saw that movie, but a couple of the scenes had a lasting effect on my life. One of those included a dialogue between Billy's character and the shorter, more boisterous (sound like someone we know, Mom?) of his two friends. You remember, the guys who take him on his vacation Cattle Drive so he can "find his smile"? Well...

In that particular dialogue, he describes to Billy's character his "Best Day" and his "Worst Day". I believe that, in this particular character's case, those days were one-in-the-same. Yesterday, for me, was the Home Run of Best Days, and I just wanted to share it here...

Recently, a friend of mine named Mark made me one of those offers I simply couldn't refuse. This man, although already gainfully-employed, and a good supportive husband and father to his two sons, still finds time to pick-up a few, additional weekend hours during the summer. I first met Mark at the Lodge Resort just outside of Loon Mountain. He works for the HOA as their weekend Maint/Security man, whereas the team I represent handles Property Rentals and Sales under the same roof. Being well-over 6' tall, and considering my vertically-challenged stature, I commonly refer to my friend as our "Gentle Giant". Yesterday, my friend was responsible for my Best Day!

As an active part of the Loon Mountain communities of Lincoln and Woodstock, NH throughout his life, I had asked Mark long ago to allow me to "tag along" with him to any community events he might be involved with. As a result of my dual-position in both the rentals and sales with several of the Loon Mountain area's Vacation Condo Resort developments...

I am already familiar with a large percentage of our area's 2nd homeowners. Embarassingly-enough, however, I am nowhere near as familiar with several of my own, year-'round neighbors. Mark was gracious enough to invite me to not only attend one of his favorite springtime events w/his sons, but he extended to me the privilige and honor of taking on a participatory role. Early yesterday evening, I found myself at the Kancamagus Recreation Center here in Lincoln, NH helping to coach Mark's community baseball team ... the Linwood Red Sox!

This team, as I learned yesterday, is an incredibly-talented group of 9 and 10 year-old boys, and includes his sons Brandon and Andrew (hi guys and thanks!). The only stipulation Mark put on my posting a Blog about this event was that I mention his name, his team, his boys, and what an incredible coach they had! This stipulation was intended, of course, as a good-humored, tongue-in-cheek jab between friends. I figured I owed him anyway, so as they say in the big leagues...

* LET'S GO (LINWOOD) RED SOX! *

Thanks again for my "Best Day" guys ... hope to make many more of your scrimmages/practices (pictured here) and some of the games too! Oh, and for my readers...

Yes, that really IS a huge pile of leftover snow pictured between the Basketball Court and the Baseball Field. Again, these pictures were all taken on Tuesday, 05/06th (yesterday) at the Kancamagus Recreaction Center in Lincoln, NH. Notice, however, that we're all out in T-Shirts, with many also wearing shorts, so spring really has arrived in the White Mountains of New Hampshire!

W/D LOON MOUNTAIN REAL ESTATE - Lodge Condo Resort @ Lincoln NH, Unit D213 W/D

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:27:59 -0500

* COMFY, COZY, & CONVENIENT to LOON MOUNTAIN RESORT! *

Talk about Spectacular! This is an incredibly-desirable, 2-level "Studio w/Loft" style condo at the Lodge @ Lincoln Station. For those unfamiliar w/the Lodge, it's arguably the most economical form of year-'round 2nd Homeownership in the Loon Mountain community of Lincoln, NH ... and it even makes onsite rentals available to its owners to help offset expenses!

This specific condo comes fully-equipped & furnished, but is also unique because it is one of a select few of these (typically) "Sleeps-4" style condos that has sufficient Bedding for Eight! Use as your primary residence, an occasional mountain getaway, and/or take advantage of the onsite rental office that's available. Of course, no one says you have to rent, but this particular condo is already an enviable member of the onsite rental inventory!

As if all this weren't enough, inside there's a huge common area living room - w/an immense fireplace, flatscreen TV, and wraparound porch - known as the Great Room! Also inside is your Clubhouse w/an Indoor Heated Pool, Hot-Tub, Saunas, multiple Game Rooms, and more! Outside, there's another Pool, along with Tennis Courts, Two (2) BBQ Grill/Picnic areas, Horseshoes, a "Swimming-Hole" in your backyard, and your own Shuttle Bus to/from Skiing in the winter!

That Swimming-Hole, by the way, is part of the spring-fed and crystal-clear Pemigewasset River ... another Area-Favorite ... and can be viewed from that wraparound porch off of your Great Room! Sheer Magnificence! Oh yeah, did I mention that the Lodge makes a phenomenal home-base to "Hub-n-Spoke" from too? With over thirty (30) Natural & Man-Made attractions within a short drive, it's an ideal location for an overnight, week-long, or seasonal getaway.

Full ownership with an over abundance of attractions, nature, games, relaxation and - if desired - potential rental income ... all for just $109,900.

Please Click Here for more information ... let's talk soon!

LOON MOUNTAIN REAL ESTATE - Lodge Condo Resort @ Lincoln NH, Unit A311

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 21:02:24 -0500

* YOUR WORK, PLAY, and/or RELAX LOON MOUNTAIN GETAWAY! *

What a spot for both the active go-getter and the casual observer alike! While the get-up-n-go'er is out-n-about, keep an eye on much of their activity while sitting riverside in your own backyard or while picnicking by the pool & enjoying a good book!

Fully-equipped & furnished, 2-level Studio w/Loft style condo at the Lodge @ Lincoln Station. For those unfamiliar w/the Lodge, it's arguably the most economical form of year-'round 2nd Homeownership in the Loon Mountain community of Lincoln, NH ... and it even makes onsite rentals available to its owners to help offset expenses!

This Sleeps-6 condo unit reflects outstanding craftsmanship throughout a multitude of upgrades, and it comes complete w/pools, saunas, Wi-Fi, games, and more! Use as your primary residence, an occasional mountain getaway, or take advantage of that onsite rental office that's available to you. All of this at an incredibly reasonable cost, w/equally reasonable condo fees, and Loon Mountain's South Peak just over the Pemi River from your backyard!

At just $109,900 with its newly-installed cedar-siding closet, new cabinetry and countertops in kitchenette, all of the clubhouse "perks" that accompany homeownership, its proximity to Loon Mountain, and onsite rental income availability, this is a true, undiscovered mountain gem!

Please Click Here for more details and photos.

W/D LOON MOUNTAIN REAL ESTATE - Lodge Condo Resort @ Lincoln NH, Unit A112 W/D

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 17:55:33 -0500

EAT YOUR HEART OUT CURRIER & IVES ... PICTURE POSTCARD PERFECTION @ LOON MOUNTAIN!

This is an ideal setting for making memories! Listen to the river while you watch the sunset behind Loons South Peak from your private deck. This Sleeps-6, "1-Bdrm Suite" style condo is located at the Lodge @ Lincoln Station. For those unfamiliar w/the Lodge, it's arguably the most economical form of year-'round 2nd Homeownership in the Loon Mountain communities of Lincoln and Woodstock, NH. In addition...

This specific condo faces west, w/an incredibly-desirable and unobstructed view of Loon Mountain's South Peak expansion. That view, by the way, is just beyond one of the area's favorite "swimming holes", which happens to be part of the equally enviable, crystal-clear and spring-fed Pemi River. That's right, she flows right through your backyard! As if that weren't enough, it's easier on the purse-strings than any other "Like-Type" condo at the Lodge AND there's an onsite rental-office available to help offset expenses too!

Cozy Country Motif, Private Deck w/Front-Row River & Mountain Views and More for just $134,900!

Please Click Here for More Details (and more Pictures too)!

W/D LOON MOUNTAIN REAL ESTATE - Lodge Condo Resort @ Lincoln NH, Unit A103 W/D

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:06:23 -0500

* PAMPERED LOON MOUNTAIN LUXURY @ SMALL-TOWN PRICES *

Phenomenal, top-rated efficiency-style condo with new everything. "A River Runs Through It" (well, the back-yard anyway), w/the South Peak of Loon as a back-drop! Relax & unwind in your comfy-n-cozy mountain getaway. And while you're away, feel free to take advantage of the onsite rental-office to help offset the costs associated with ownership.

Those already reasonable Association fees, by the way, include full Clubhouse Facilities (both indoor and outdoor), with "perks" such as: pools, saunas, games, tennis, shuttle to skiing, wireless internet, and much more!

Million-Dollar Mountain Views, Spring-Fed Pemi River for Swimming, Kayaking & Canoing, Trails for Hiking, Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding, or just sip Cocktails by the Grill (ie: "Shrimp on the Barbey") and...

Well, you get the idea. Your Vacation Your Way ... and You Own It!

All this and more for just $76,900!

Please Click Here for more details (and more photos)!

W/D LOON MOUNTAIN REAL ESTATE - Lodge Condo Resort @ Lincoln NH, Unit A109 W/D

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:46:03 -0500

* SNUG AS A BUG IN YOUR LOON MOUNTAIN RETREAT RUG! *

Absolutely FANTABULOUS 1-Bdrm (sleeps 4) Condo PLUS it's being offered fully-furnished and equipped! All this, and you STILL get: Pools, Saunas, a Hot-Tub, Tennis, Games, In-Season Shuttle, & Loons South Peak across the Spring-Fed Pemi River in backyard!

Onsite rentals are available to help offset expenses, making this an ideal "Hub-n-Spoke" location to the more than 30 man-made attractions and natural wonders, all within a short walk and/or drive.

* All this and more, at just $114,900.00! *

After a day of communing with Mother-Nature, return home and enjoy a relaxing bubble-bath in the privacy of your new Jacuzzi-Jetted and "Bear-Friendly" tub. Before settling in for that proverbial "long winter's nap", warm your toes by that Working Stove on the way to your Master Bedroom. This is the true definition of North-Country Comfort!

Warmest of Welcomes to Mother-Nature's Spring conditions...

Say Goodbye to Old Man Winter & Cabin-Fever...

Come to Rest with the Best or, if preferred, simply Rent-n-Invest!

Just Click Here for More Details (and more photos) on this North-Country Gem!

SOLD Lodge Resort @ LOON MOUNTAIN, Unit B303 - Lincoln, NH 03251 SOLD

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:56:57 -0500

* SWIM, HIKE, or SKI LOON MOUNTAIN and Lodge for Less ... with Perks! *

One of the more desirable 2-level/sleeps-6 "Studio w/Loft" style condos at the Lodge @ Lincoln Station. For those unfamiliar w/the Lodge, it's arguably the most economical form of year-'round 2nd Homeownership in the Loon Mountain community of Lincoln, NH ... and if you choose, there's even an onsite rental office available to help offset expenses! This specific condo comes more than just fully-equipped & furnished though; it's got several new additions that place it "above & beyond" current standards, including:

Bunks in Loft, A/C, VCR, as well as multiple TV's, CD & DVD Players! Of course, no one says you have to rent, but this is currently an enviable member of the onsite inventory! As if all this weren't enough, there's a Clubhouse w/an Indoor Heated Pool, Hot-Tub, Saunas, and Game Rooms. And the fun doesn't stop there, 'cause...

Outside you'll find you have yet another (seasonal) Pool, along with Tennis Courts, Two BBQ Grill/Picnic areas, Horseshoes, a "Swimming-Hole" in that Spring-Fed, Pemi River in the summers, and your own Shuttle Bus to/from Skiing in the winter! Great shape, area-appropriate decorations, and - at time of entry - it's even easier on the purse-strings than any other "Like-Type" condo at the Lodge!

All this and more ... Absolutely Fantabulous

... yours for just $104,900.00!

Please Click Here for more details (and more photos)!

Really wanna ABSORB what's going on? Then...

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:58:58 -0500

"...read the news rather than watch it"!

Now, I can't take credit for this concept, since it was part of an article I read in my most recent copy of Money Magazine ... but you'll notice I said I was READING it as it caught my eye (and attention), so what does that tell ya? This is NOT, however, to say we should eliminate TV altogether. In fact, for many of you/us out there (yes, I'm guilty too) you/we might find it difficult to survive without our shows. However...

As part of that same "How I'm Coping with a Scary Market" article, Jean Chatzy quotes Kathleen Gurney as saying: "Anxiety inhibits our ability to perceive what we're hearing and seeing" and then goes on to say: "When anxious people listen to the news on TV or on the radio, sometimes they pick up only the negative information". Reading at our own pace (twice over for some of us!) allows us to take what we've read in at our own pace - rather than the Announcer's - thus absorbing and digesting the content that much better. Anyway...

Within April's edition of Money Magazine, Jean Chatzy offers consumers sound advice in her Time to Hunt for a Vacation Home article. This comes just 1-month after another well-written/well-presented Time Magazine article by Mr. Dan Kadlec known as: Ignore the Headlines!

My opinion? Well, um, er...

I'd share it with you here, but then you might not read either one ... and that's assuming you've made it this far! Of course, any of you can always contact me right here, through our office, or - better yet - my cell!

Loon Mountain, NH Real Estate Gets Good News!

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 19:53:11 -0500

Some months ago, I calculated the Absorption Rate for Condotels throughout the Loon Mountain region using four (4) developments within the communities of Lincoln and Woodstock, NH. Today, I've run those same numbers once again, and was so pleased with the results, I simply had to share them here. For those of you wondering...

A Condotel is just a shortened term used to represent Condos that are rented in a fashion similar to that of a hotel. Those used here are all 100% Full (year-'round) ownership, and simply make onsite/overnight rentals available to their owners to help offset expenses for those interested. As a matter of fact, having actively manned the "front-of-house" operations for 3 of the 4 developments I chose to poll, I know - first hand - that all four of those used in my calculations are what I refer to as "Like-Type" properties, allowing for a true "Apples-to-Apples" basis for comparison. As far as that 4th development is concerned, I am intimately familiar with their staff, management, and general operations.

An Absorption Rate, by the way, provides us with an indication as to the pace at which properties are selling in a particular region. As many of you may already be aware, a Six (6)-Month Supply is considered balanced. If property-inventory dips below the 6-month mark, many consider it to be a "Seller's Market" whereas a property supply of greater than 6-months typically reflects a "Buyer's Market". Now, with all that in mind...

When my initial computations were run some months ago, the Lincoln & Woodstock, NH communities had approximately 24-month's of "Condotel" property inventory to exhaust. I suspect this comes as no big surprise to those of you reading this entry, especially in light of the current economic conditions that are - admittedly - at least partially attributable to the mortgage market. At time of entry though - and again, just a few short months later - our Loon Mountain communities now find ourselves at just over a 16 month supply! Granted, based on the facts presented above, this is still far from ideal. It is, however, a clear indication that the Housing Market is improving here in Lincoln & Woodstock New Hampshire!

I do use the general "housing" term (as opposed to specifying "condotels") for a reason too. Simply click on the link provided (below) for further Good News as relates to Single-Family Residential Homes. Using figures obtained from the Northern New England Real Estate Network (NNEREN or our MLS), the New Hampshire Association of Realtors have put together several, indisputable, Statewide and County Specific lists of 9-Year Data, covering from 1998 - 2007. Since it is home to the Loon Mountain communities of Lincoln & Woodstock, I ask that you turn your attention to Grafton County when convenient. As mentioned in the link/web address introduction: "most importantly it is a picture that is based in actual data rather than speculation."

Here's that link:

http://www.nhar.org/97-08stats.htm

Loon Mountain & Lincoln/Woodstock New Hampshire Market Reports

Sun, 22 Apr 2007 18:00:51 -0500

Thanks in no small part to my new-found family and support-group at ActiveRain, I've recently had the pleasure of meeting a handful of truly magnificent Realtors - from right here in my own home state of New Hampshire - who I may never have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. Based solely on my own observations thus far (and please, feel free to jump in and correct me if I'm wrong), a large majority of AR members appear to be from the west coast. I would ask that my readers, of course, draw their own conclusions, but come on...

HOW GREAT IS THAT?!?!?

In the words of American Idol's Randy Jackson, let's "give props" from the "dog-pound" ... or, more appropriately, the "Moose-Pound" ... to each and every AR member! Now, with that said, I am adding yet another name to my most recent blog (see Education AR-Style Better than Sliced-Bread). A truly phenomenal woman, as well as a fellow New Hampshire Realtor, Mrs. Monika McGillicuddy gets my vote as one of my own, personal "Featured Members"! As noted above, not only has AR helped to introduce me to several of my own local Realtors, but Monika McGillicuddy - one of the finest representatives of this very group - has provided me with sufficient guidance and continued "thumbs-up" to produce this first-in-a-series of New Hampshire Market Reports, with a focus on the Loon Mountain & Lincoln/Woodstock areas!

The statewide chart and data reflected within the attached NHAR Real Estate Market Trends report (below) breaks these statistical figures down, yet a step further, to include 1st Quarter Sales figures for each of our ten (10) counties. Grafton Co, NH is the location of Loon Mountain as well as the communities of Lincoln/Woodstock.

Mr. Peter Francese - an articulate author who provides his analysis for NHAR through this Real Estate Market Trends April '07 report - succinctly focuses our attention on the fact that New Hampshire - although having avoided much of the "sub-prime tsunami" (IMHO, a misnomer) that has afflicted others - is facing what he terms a "negative natural increase". I urge anyone who's read this far to not simply scan this invaluable article, but to read it in its entirety. I would appreciate any/all suggestions as to what small part I might play in helping my great state to overcome this looming concern too.

Prior to the state and county figures (provided by NNEREN, our MLS), I have provided a brief 1st Quarter Report of my own, specific to the Loon Mountain area (Lincoln/Woodstock communities) that I call home. I have deliberately focused my analyses on condominiums, as the majority of properties in our Resort Village are vacation/second homes rather than residential. Although presentation may be lacking in this brief report, I proudly state, with the utmost of confidence, that all figures and analyses are factual and accurate. With that said, let's get the (perceived) worst behind us by starting off with a quote from Mr. Francese...

"Condominium sales were down 12.6 percent compared to the first quarter of last year".

That, of course, is a statewide drop. For those prospective NH Property Buyers, this should be a red-flag of sorts for you. If you have been wavering on the sidelines, wondering where the market's going to go next, I beseech you, please ... for your own benefit ... do not wait much longer. Mortgage rates are still relatively low, but speculative forecasts project that this, too, cannot last forever. In addition, as Mr. Francese is quick to point out, the NH Housing Market has managed to avoid the widespread foreclosures that so many other areas have been pummeled by. Even without the addition of foreclosed properties, the housing inventory currently available in NH is still solid. As a result, NH Property Buyers will find that NH Property Sellers are offering far more incentives than would have been done during the unsustainable boom market. The majority of adjustments such as these are directly attributable to that very boom, and buyers are well-advised to take full advantage of it while it lasts.

For those NH Property Sellers, make note of these very same statistical-facts, remain open-minded, keep an open-line of communication with your Realtor, and - in addition to really listening to his/her advice, and to the extent possible - remain actively involved throughout the entire process. A property sale, although oftentimes trying and emotional, should be viewed, first-and-foremost, as a Business Transaction ... and likely the largest that one will make in their lifetime. Those currently reading this who may have New Hampshire Homes for Sale, be as flexible in your housing demands/requirements as you feel comfortable with, and realize that the above advice to buyers is likely being given by multiple 1000's more around the nation.

Here's how Condo sales in and around Loon Mountain (Lincoln/Woodstock, NH) have fared in the first quarter of this year, as compared to that of 2006. Please note that this analysis is made up of all condo-types, inclusive of quarter-shares:

In January of '06, thirteen (13) condominium sales closed, ranging from $18K to $430K. The average DOM's ("days on market") was 86
In January of '07, nine (9) condominium sales closed, ranging from $35K to $500K. The average DOM's ("days on market") was 128

In February of '06, eighteen (18) condominium sales closed, ranging from $25K to just shy of $400K. The average DOM's ("days on market") was 102
In February of '07, ten (10) condominium sales closed, ranging from $27K to just over $600K. The average DOM's ("days on market") was 238

In March of '06, fourteen (14) condominium sales closed, ranging from $29K to $525K. The average DOM's ("days on market") was 88
In March of '07, thirteen (13) condominium sales closed, ranging from $32K to $283K. The average DOM's ("days on market") was 178

See that pattern? With the exception of the high-end of the sales price-range for March '07, the year-to-year price-comparisons for each month of the 1st quarter increased in every aspect across the board ... as did the DOM's! In contrast, the actual number of units sold decreased from year-to-year, also across the board. With the limited property sales activity, the one anomaly (max price-range dropped from March '06 to March of '07) proved easy enough to explain. The communities of Lincoln and Woodstock New Hampshire are a major tourist destination in the Northeast, making the Travel & Tourism industry our area's largest employer. As such, we cater to a wide variety of customers, guests, and clientele. We pride ourselves in the fact that we offer "something fun for everyone" ... including those of us in the NH Housing Sector. In March of '06, four (4) of the 14 closings were what Las Vegas would refer to as "Whales", buying properties above this year's statewide average sales-price of $292,200.00

Thoughts, comments, suggestions and/or constructive-criticisms on this - the first Market Report for the Lincoln/Woodstock/Loon area of New Hampshire, would be a tremendous help and much-appreciated. With any luck, the "local" presentation (above) can be cleaned-up and refined before submitting the next (shorter) NH Market Report!

* Moose Photo, courtesy of: brewrat

* This state report (below) is reprinted with permission from the NHAR.

Spring is around the corner, we hope

APRIL 2007

Spring is Around the Corner, We Hope
-by Peter Francese

Well, spring is coming, sort of. April has certainly lived up to its reputation as the cruelest month. The only nice thing we can say about it is that at least the aquifers are full.

From a Realtor's point of view, the first quarter of 2007 was better than feared but not impressive. Residential sales, excluding condominiums and manufactured homes, were down 6.1 percent compared to the first quarter of last year, and the average home took a full month longer to sell.

"We need more starter homes to attract more young adults ..."

But average residential sale price ($292,200) was just 2.5 percent below last year, and the average condominium sale price ($209,000) was 3.5 percent higher. Condominium unit sales were down 12.6 percent compared to the first quarter of last year, whereas residential unit sales were down 6 percent.

The first quarter data reminds me of a prize fighter at the end of the fifth round of a bruising contest. Having survived four punishing rounds in 2006, the pugilist thinks Round 5 wasn't all that bad, is happy to be standing up and is looking forward to the next round.

As the table below shows, first quarter sales were down in all counties except Rockingham and Strafford. Average sale prices rose in Strafford, Sullivan and Belknap counties.

The average sale price statewide has slipped below $300,000, where it had been since 2005, but prices in the four counties with the highest values (Rockingham, Carroll, Belknap and Hillsborough) have remained above that figure.

County	Units sold	1Q change '06 to '07	Avg. price	1Q change '06 to '07	Migration net '05 to '06
Belknap	138	-16%	$337,200	+10%	148
Carroll	146	-22%	$344,500	-4%	536
Cheshire	134	-14%	$217,900	-5%	215
Coos	75	-3%	$111,900	-2%	-19
Grafton	157	-11%	$246,800	-7%	528
Hillsborough	634	-10%	$304,400	-2%	178
Merrimack	257	-2%	$267,000	-5%	998
Rockingham	496	+5%	$351,200	-6%	981
Strafford	240	+4%	$267,800	+2%	493
Sullivan	95	-2%	$210,000	+3%	211
Statewide	2,372	-6%	$292,200	-3%	4,270

Source: Northern New England Real Estate Network (NNEREN), except migration figures, which are Census Bureau estimates. Statistics are based on information from NNEREN for the respective periods shown for the respective regions in the State of New Hampshire or all towns in the State of New Hampshire. All analysis and commentary related to the statistics is that of the New Hampshire Association of REALTORS® and not that of NNEREN.

The migration data in the last column are the net interstate migration plus immigration numbers from mid-2005 to mid-2006. They are below the six year (2000 to 2006) annual average for every county except Grafton. This is another indicator that population growth, which drives a lot of housing demand, is slowing.

The New Hampshire population growth rate is now 0.6 percent per year, which is below the nationwide annual growth rate of 1.0 percent, but far above the 0.1 percent annual growth rate for the other New England states. Maintaining our status as the fastest growing state in the region, however, is not much to brag about.

In addition, our aging population is starting to affect the state's overall growth rate. Five counties now have more deaths that births, which obviously diminishes growth and is called negative natural increase. They are Coos, Carroll, Sullivan, Belknap and Grafton.

The New Hampshire housing market appears to have avoided being pummeled by an excess of sub-prime mortgages, speculative buying gone bad and subsequent widespread foreclosures that have afflicted other states. But avoiding that bad stuff is not sufficient to ignite a long-term recovery from last year's sales decline.

We need more starter homes to attract more young adults of childbearing age to replace the ones we have lost since 1990 and reverse the negative natural increase described above. Because the number of births have been declining for some years, elementary school enrollment is dropping in every county in the state. This is not a good trend, because it foretells rapidly rising cost per child and shrinking support for public education, which ultimately will diminish demand for housing.

Home sales will surely rise as spring finally shows itself. But it's the longer term picture we should all be concerned about. Without more young people, we will surely lose one of the more precious things we have: the New Hampshire Advantage.

The Real Estate Market Trends newsletter is provided for the benefit of the members of the New Hampshire Association of REALTORS®, Inc. ©Copyright 2007 New Hampshire Association of REALTORS®, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Peter Francese is the Demographic Advisor to the New Hampshire Association of REALTORS®.

Education "AR-Style" Better than Sliced-Bread

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 14:42:38 -0500

...and a close 2nd to "Mom-Style".

Consumers, Practitioners, and Other Industry-Professionals ... Lend Me Your Ears!

I joined ActiveRain on March 14th, knowing nothing of blogging and not much more about the ins-and-outs of how the web operated beyond double-clicking the IE icon and typing in an address. In these 4-5 short weeks, mixed in among tags and spiders and foreign terms like SEO's, I have quietly sat in awe at the generous nature of countless educational opportunities, provided so freely by so many.

Continuing to acknowledge every quality blog by offering a comment of positive feedback and/or a well-deserved ranking, although sincere, risks being perceived as nothing more than a quest for points ... in addition to presenting a Herculean task, based on the sheer number of quality posts out here. Of course, a blanket "thank you" - beyond the lacking point incentive - can also appear wanting for sincerity and cliche.

Resigning myself to the fact that there simply aren't enough hours in a day to read every one, but also knowing that "thank you" seemed so Hallmark, I sifted through a handful of blogs that I had found valuable enough to bookmark - along with several members' blogs that I'd subscribed to - and decided to acknowledge a select few of these unwitting mentors of mine who are, undoubtedly, mentors to others as well. If any readers of this post don't actually participate in this phenomenal, online-networking forum (AR) on a regular basis, you really need to. In fact, here's 6 shining examples as to why. Although a very small sampling of the many resources available here, each plays an integral part in all our successes, and represents my personal "Featured Members"!

Jeff Turner -

IMHO, this man is a technical genius yet (thankfully) also willing to share much of what he knows with all of us. When compared to my current "comfort zone" out here in cyber-space, the technological limitations I brought w/me to AR make me wonder what it was I used to accomplish each time I sat at a computer? About 2-weeks ago, our friend Mr. Turner was kind enough to present a site to all of us where we could obtain Free Photos at the Flickr of a Mouse. This is, of course, just one of many "Must Read" blogs. As I've learned since joining though, links like these will help in getting you there! This "technical-genius", by the way, has a soft side too. Click on his name to view his full bio (6 children!), and yet he still has time to mentor all of us through posts that aren't entirely technical. In It's Not About S.E.O. It's About Y.E.O. he reminds us of the important roll played by computers and blogging while, at the same time, reminding us of the subordinate position these tools play to that of engaging people directly. Did I mention the fact that he's also mentoring Julie Ferenzi in ActiveRain's Project Blogger competition?

Karen George -

This dedication, of sorts, will be significantly shorter than the preceding behemoth. As a matter of fact, my apologies to everyone in advance, as my writing has been defined as the "Short-Story-Turned-Novel" style up here in our little corner of the world. The reasoning behind keeping Karen's entry shorter is rather simple actually: much like my suggestion (above) to participate as often as possible in AR - and with regular frequency - when it comes to our friend Mrs. George and her blogs ... "you really need to" applies there as well! Karen is the member responsible for helping me to understand all those foreign-terms (and then some!) in my opening paragraph! You would be well-served to subscribe to her blog and bookmark several key posts for future reference! Simply click on her name, as there's far too many good-reads to list them all here.

Broker Bryant -

Yet another AR "wow" man (sorry ladies, wow person)! Bryant Tutas has managed to keep all of us sharp by pushing us to think more. Through his ever-insightful blogs, he encourages active-participation by other AR members (see Broker Bryant's Advice. Sound or Foolish? ), allowing for us to act as both student and teacher at the same time. He constantly reminds us that, by keeping our lines of communication open, not only do we create a much smoother work-environment for everyone involved, but - in the process - we make an environment that is conducive to the sharing of thoughts and ideas, allowing still further for each of us to teach and learn, one from another. Mr. Tutas also has a flair for reminding us that success requires a strong work-ethic, saturated in the highest of integrity, with just a dash of Humble-Pie! Keep in mind, readers, that although a "tongue-in-cheek" description, my admiration for his posts has placed him within my own "Featured Members" list.

Colleen Kulikowski -

Much gratitude for the wealth of "able-to-put-to-immediate-use" information Ms. Kulikowski provides for all of us! My personal favorite is her recent, back-to-basics reminder blog How to Become the Expert in an Area. This post had a profound personal effect on me, as it re-awakened a multitude of character-traits feared dead-and-gone not too long ago. Because this personal favorite of mine is designated as a Members Only post, any visitors out there reading this are strongly-advised to visit Colleen's Blog where you can brush-up on everything from the Media vs. Blogging to the importance of the Personal-Touch to Business to Flat Stanley!

Gena Riede -

Many, many thanks to Gena for not only having established the Listings by Address group, but also for making herself available to address the questions, comments, and/or concerns voiced by those who join it. For all those members who are technically-challenged (as I am), although Ms. Riede's instructional blogs are concise, well-written and clearly-detailed, if you still can not seem to grasp their content, don't hesitate in letting her know. Gena takes immense pride & interest in whatever she does, as evidenced by the coast-to-coast phone calls and multiple e-mails we shared as the initial fear of all this technology subsided. As if her unwavering assistance in helping to overcome that (in my case) lingering "learning-curve" wasn't enough, she walked me through building My First Listing with AR!

Jay McGillicuddy -

A fellow AR member from New Hampshire, Mr. McGillicuddy is one of just two New Hampshire members I've had the privilege to speak with from this open forum. Jay is also responsible for my having been able to work on this blog, from multiple terminals at multiple locations, by having referred me to Google Docs (my whole-hearted thanks, Jay!). My home is in a different geographic location, significantly farther north in New Hampshire, so we've never had the need and/or opportunity to meet face-to-face. By simply glancing through some of Jay's Blogs however, one can readily see that he is well-versed and articulate. Much like the profound effect that Colleen Kulikowski's blog-post provided me, Jay has unwittingly caused a change-for-the-better too. Mr. McGillicuddy's recent Active Rain Way Too Active in NH post - in which he shares how the effects of Monday's Nor'easter to our area caused a wide-spread, natural-disaster - has given me the incentive to hurry along and finish this post so that I can wrap-up my next blog. Spent some long-overdue, quality time w/my wife playing "amateur storm-chasers" on Monday - w/digital camera in tow - for just that purpose.

Again Jay, many thanks for lighting that proverbial fire!

Realize, readers, that I hold each and every member of this entire AR group in the same, high regard as the six (6) I've highlighted above. Again, please do not mistake this for favoritism in any way. These members in particular, although each an ideal candidate for the title of "mentor" in their own area of expertise, just happened to be in the right place at the right time to help "prop me up" when I needed it. I fully-expect to shower my thanks upon many, many others as I grow with this group and - in time - give back as much, if not more, than I receive!

* Photos Courtesy of:

1) Leadership/Forest - 2757

2) Leadership/Dog & Leadership/Ski - Thorne Entrprises

"How To" Use Flickr Photos in our Blog Posts?

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 12:23:25 -0500

Sometime back, Jeff Turner wrote an enlightening tutorial entitled Free Photos at the Flickr of a Mouse. The combination of this post - along w/countless, more than worthy others - has turned me into a computer-geek of sorts. I've found myself spending as much (if not more) time researching the wonders of technology, on a relentless quest for more information, primarily to better my position out here in good ol' cyber-space. However...

The next day, Jeff posted It's Not About SEO, It's About YEO, in which he focused on the importance of people above and beyond that of these technological wonders. Based on the fact that I bring this post to light here, I assure each and every one of you that it has not gone unnoticed. For the moment though, I feel like a kid in a candy-store, and would very much like to have a better grasp on this world in addition to my relationships with people. With that said...

Can anybody tell me exactly how we go about importing (if, indeed , that's the correct "lingo") photos from Flickr into our blog posts as Jeff did in his? I have already confirmed that those I'd like to use are CC compliant.

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