November 13, 2009

How Green Are You?

Posted to

Having recently completed the educational requirements for the National Association of REALTORS® Green designation, I have spent some time analyzing my own daily practices and finding out how “green” I am.

Take a look at this list that describes relatively inexpensive ways that you and your family can conserve energy provided by the NAR and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Posted by:Michele Penner



November 10, 2009

Bretton Woods Opens!

Posted to Events & Activities

Their website said they would open mid-November, but not many believed it. For all you nonbelievers, the ski area was opened on November 7th! 1 out of 101 trails opened, but hey what did you expect! A few anxious skiers did take advantage of the $10.00 fee to ski, what I have to believe, is the first skiing in NH for the season. Proceeds of the day went to the Adaptive Ski Program and/or the Ski Team, so not only did you get the chance to say you skied first in the New Hampshire 2009/10 season, but you had the opportunity to help out two worthy causes!

Temperatures expected in the 50’s, actually 60’s yesterday, may make this a short term opportunity, however the snowmaking crews are ready, willing and able to make snow whenever the conditions allow!


Posted by:Michele Penner



November 10, 2009

Our St. Johnsbury Office Is In Their New Building!

Posted to Chrissy Smith

After a few weeks of renovations, our St. Johnsbury office is up and running at our new location, 683 Railroad Street, St. Johnsbury. We installed the sign on a chilly Friday afternoon, Andy Smith and our Renovation Specialist Lon Ashton handled the installation. This year, we have doubled our staffing in St. Johnsbury to 4 agents and added an administrative assistant. At the office, you’ll find: Robin Jacobs, Toni Morris, Kris Still, Sam Vance and Stacey Brisson. Stop by sometime and say hello! We’d love to show off our new place, with its new paint job, new decor and more! The real estate market is picking up in St. Johnsbury and we’re ready to help you.

  

Posted by:Chrissy Smith



November 09, 2009

Landaff NH Cheese featured in Martha Stewart Living

Posted to Chrissy Smith

It’s not everyday that someone you know gets featured in Martha Stewart Living magazine, especially when they are from the tiny town of Landaff, New Hampshire. But that’s what happened in the November issue. The Landaff Creamery showed up on page 169 in an article entitled, “Made in Vermont” that discussed cheese making in the Green Mountain state. This Landaff cheese is the only one made in New Hampshire, but it is aged at Jasper Hill Farm in Greensboro, Vermont. The Landaff Creamery, located on the Mill Brook Road in Landaff creates a traditional welsh style semi firm cheese, that is creamy, mild and tangy.

Landaff is a tiny hamlet of 300 people, the place I call home. If you want to live near the Landaff Creamery, we have a house available on the road, and some land, come check it out – you could see the cheese making process up close and share the results with your neighbors! And try some of their cheese, you can order it online.

For more on Landaff, visit this older blog post that discusses more about the town

Posted by:Chrissy Smith



November 09, 2009

Are You Ready To Buy A Home?

Posted to

Many buyers think that there are just three steps to buying a home. Look at houses, find a house you like and buy it!

There are actually quite a few more steps and educating yourselves on the process might be the single best thing you can do. Buying a home can be an overwhelming, stressful time, but if you have an understanding of the process and know what to expect, you might actually enjoy it. Working with a REALTOR® who can assist you step by step throughout the process is important as well.

  1. First and foremost you need to address your financial situation. Make an appointment with a lender. They can help determine how much of a loan you can afford, what types of loans you may qualify for, and can get you a “pre-approval” which will get you started on your search for a home. Allowing you to zero in on only those homes that you can afford to purchase!

  2. Now that you know “how much” of a home you can afford, you should sit down and identify your actual needs in a home. If you are purchasing with a spouse or partner each of you should separately sit down and make a list of all “must haves.” Compare your lists, discuss the differences, and come up with a joint list that you can both live with.

  3. If you are moving to a different area, it will be important to research the communities in the area that you are moving to. If you have children, for example, you may want to contact the schools and find out about the programs that they offer. Find out which communities fit your wants and needs and make sure to visit them.

  4. You will also want to be sure you know what property types you are interested in.

  5. As you will be a buyer, competing with other Buyer’s in the market, you will need to do some research. Your REALTOR® may be the best source in helping you with this step. You need to look at properties that fit the description of the property you have identified as what you are looking for – find those that have sold, those that have expired and those that are actively on the market. This data will tell you what other Buyer’s have been willing to pay for similar homes (the solds), what prices other Buyer’s have rejected (those expired) and what is currently available on the market. This is an important step in understanding and being able to negotiate a price on the home that you find to purchase.

    6. Read the complete article >



November 02, 2009

Attention Bretton Woods Skiers and Riders!

Posted to

I awoke to find a fine snow on my car, which when I opened the door and heard the wonderful hum of the snow guns, realized was the over spray from the ski area, and not just a heavy frost.

It won’t be long now before we are out on the slopes! Traditionally the ski area has opened Thanksgiving weekend, however, this year they are hoping to open mid-November, providing Mother Nature cooperates with temperatures.

Remember the weather is always different at Bretton Woods! Click here to follow the latest weather conditions at the resort, and get ready for a great season!

Posted by:Michele Penner