September 29, 2009

Lookers turn into buyers, market turns a corner

Posted to

Finally, we have the data that shows the market has turned. In the last 30 days, the real estate market has really picked up. Over the summer, the market has had a lot of activity in the properties priced under $100,000 - due in large part to the First Time Homebuyers Tax Credit, but now all ends are seeing a solid uptick. As of mid-September, we have three homes over a million dollars under contract, as well as several in the over $500,000 range.

Statistics from the New Hampshire Association of Realtors show that statewide home sales have increased over the previous year for three consecutive months. Sales data released recently by them showed that the number of residential unit sales in August 2009 was up 4 percent over August 2008 sales – from 1,104 in 2008 to 1,169 in 2009. Increased sales activity is having the expected response: Average Days on Market has decreased from a high of 160+, to a more reasonable 137, according to data from the Northern New England Real Estate Network (NNEREN). With the inventory continuing to shrink, we predict that this will continue to decline over the next 12 months. A healthy market is considered to be in the 90 day “Days on market” range, which we last saw in late 2005. The median sales price, according to NNEREN, is leveling off in the $192,000 range, after bottoming out under $170,000. As the mid and upper markets continue to recover, over the next 12 months I expect this to show a steady but slow increase until we plateau again just over the $210,000 mark.

The final data provided by industry expert Steve Harney clearly illustrates how the market rebound has been heavily weighted to the lower price segments as First Time Home Buyers and investors are scooping up great values. As the mid and upper level Buyers gain more confidence over the next 6 months, and recognize the values that are being offered, I believe this market segment will also turn, and turn quickly.

$0-100,000 sales up 38.8%

$100,000 – 250,000 sales up 8.7%

$250,000 -5 00,000 sales down 6.2%

$500,000 – 750,000 sales down 8.9%

$750,000 – 1,000,000 sales down 10.6%

$1,000,000 – 2,000,000 sales down 23.3%

$2,000,000+ sales down 32.4%

All in all, with the real estate busy season typically busiest in the summer, this year it seems to be happening just a little later in the fall as Buyers are realizing that with the low interest rates, home affordability at an all time high, and properties at competitive prices, and the economy stabilizing, this truly is the time to buy. While the $8,000 First Time Home Buyer tax credit has provided an incentive to buy, many of our other buyers are buying without the tax incentive, as they are buying knowing that they can invest their money in an asset that they can live in and use, vacation in, or hold onto a beautiful land parcel for future use. Real Estate is a tangible asset that will prove to be a wise investment.

If you are thinking about selling your home, we’re here to help you decide if this is the right time for you to sell given the market conditions. We take our role as real estate advisors seriously and are prepared to give you honest information regarding your options.

If you have decided this is a great time to buy, we’re here to help. We can show you homes that we have listed, but we can also represent homes that may be listed by another firm. Real Estate firms and Realtors are known for working together, and we are no exception. Whether you are looking for a first home, a condo, a second home, a special piece of land, whatever it may be, we can help.

Being the market leader in any business is not to be taken for granted. We are the leaders based on the range of services we offer you. We can advise you on if you should sell, offer price recommendations, negotiate through a contract and in the end, offer a solution that fits you. We’re here to help, find out how by clicking here.

Posted by:Andrew Smith



September 29, 2009

Windy Ridge Orchard in Haverhill NH - A Great Destination for People of All Ages!

Posted to Chrissy Smith

Windy Ridge, an incredible apple orchard in Haverhill, NH – it’s a must to put on your fall “to-do”activity list! Located off Route 116 in Haverhill, the Fabrizio family have created a true destination full of apple picking, the Cider House Café, an activity path, playground area, farm animals for the kids to feed, gift shop and more. This place has it all.


As a family, we go every year, but this was the first year we ever tried picking apples. Usually we wimp out and buy them in the gift shop, but this year we decided to give it a try – what fun! Having never picked an apple, it was a lot of fun. Although I discovered that it’s much like picking out a Christmas tree with my husband – we had to travel to the farthest part of the orchard, and find “the” most perfect MacIntosh apples. He wouldn’t travel to the Empire apples section, we had to have the Macs, and we had to have the Macs in the very back, but what a great time we had. Our 7 year old enjoyed pulling the wagon, picking the apples and then riding in the wagon on the return trip to the Cider House Café. Even the baby got into the action, she was able to get under a tree and giggled the whole time.

We had a great time, spending over 2 hours and taking it all in. Lunch in the café was delicious, one of the best sandwiches I’ve had in a long time - turkey, apple, maple mayo on a wrap! The cafe is also known for their Cider House donuts, they are yummy and you can eat them there or get some to go.We then visited the farm animals, and went through the adventure trail.

I noticed people of all ages and areas were there, and they all seemed to have a great time. In the winter, Windy Ridge also has Christmas trees to harvest. If you get a chance to visit, go see the Fabrizio family at Windy Ridge Orchard, Route 116 in Haverhill. And if you are lucky enough to live here, make sure you stop by!

If you are in that area this weekend, also make sure you stop by the “green” home we have for sale. This home is located in Woodsville, NH and will be part of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association Open House tour going on all day on Saturday, October 3rd from 10-4 pm. This home will be part of the largest sustainable energy event in the Northeastern US.

Posted by:Chrissy Smith



September 15, 2009

Dodge Pond in Lyman NH - A Spectacular Sight

Posted to Chrissy Smith

This morning I got to take a side road through Lyman NH before I got to our Littleton office. In my travels I had the pleasure of passing by Dodge Pond in Lyman. Dodge Pond has some lovely little homes and camps that dot the landscape, and its a great neighborhood. I’ve traveled through before and have seen people out on the public beach, swimming, fishing, riding bikes and more. And the activity doesn’t slow down in the winter, at that time of year you can see plenty of folks out there ice fishing. This morning, there was one lone fisherman in his boat, taking it all in. The mist coming off the pond was stunning this morning, the foliage is starting to turn and the sun was in just the right spot to capture it on my camera as I drove through.

Dodge Pond is a 35 acre pond in this quaint town between Lisbon and Littleton. Lyman has some other lovely water spots including Ogontz, Round Pond and more. As I continued past Dodge Pond, I stayed on the road that also took me through Partridge Lake in Littleton this morning. What a great way to start the day. I envy those who live on Dodge Pond, and on Partridge Lake, it looks like it would be very calming each day to see the water with the morning mist rising above. If you think you’d like to live on Partridge Lake, we have a property just for you…take a peek !

And as an aside, taking a new road this morning made me think of the Robert Frost poem, “The Road Not Taken”, did you know that Robert Frost used to live in Franconia NH, we’ll tell you more about that in another post!

Posted by:Chrissy Smith



September 14, 2009

Northern NH & Northeast Kingdom VT Foliage Report

Posted to Chrissy Smith

This is such a beautiful time of year here in Northern NH and the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. This is fall, foliage season, leaf peeper season…a spectacular time of year. Shortly before Labor Day, I noticed a few trees starting to turn red. It takes a few weeks to have “all the colors” showing on the leaves, and its a real treat to live here and get to watch it change daily.

Scores of people visit our states to view the foliage, and the states of New Hampshire, and Vermont even have their own foliage reports. I thought I could bring you one each week, and show you the same tree on King Hill Road In Landaff, NH. We can watch the foliage turn together! There are some beautiful roads in this area, but two of my favorite to see the foliage are: the Mt. Eustis Road in Littleton, and King Hill Road in Landaff. What makes these roads so special is the way the trees curl over top of you, and you end up driving through a tunnel of foliage, its beautiful.

If you think you would like to move here and see the scenery change every fall, we can help. And if you are interested in Landaff, NH, we have a beautiful home to show you on the Mill Brook Road, and some other nice homes in the area, we’d love to show you!




Posted by:Chrissy Smith



September 14, 2009

Riverglen Challenge

Posted to Events & Activities

The first Riverglen Challenge, a 5 mile race for both walkers and runners, and a 2 mile fun walk was held this past Saturday at the Riverglen House in Littleton, NH. The day was perfect and although the weather forecast had called for rain, it held off for the entire event. There were several multi generational teams of walkers, including one with walkers from age 8 to age 87! The oldest racer to not only to compete in the event, but to complete the 5 mile walk is turning 90!!! When she approached me and asked if she was the only one walking with a walking stick (and it was NOT a cane), I had no idea that she was that old! She looked absolutely fantastic.

This race was organized by David Dodge from the Riverglen House, and several local sponsors also contributed to the event. The proceeds will help to fund health and fitness programs at the Littleton Senior Center. A great cause to keep our seniors active and healthy! The fact that a woman turning 90 could compete on this rather grueling course is certainly a testament for keeping active!

Food and music was provided after the race and gave everyone a chance to cool down and enjoy the afternoon.

I hope that this will be the first of many annual Riverglen Challenges!

Posted by:Michele Penner



September 08, 2009

Labor Day Weekend in the White Mountains of NH

Posted to Chrissy Smith

It was a great Labor Day weekend here in the White Mountains with lots of great activities. My family took in a few events, including the Lancaster Fair. But once a summer, we make it out to the town of Bethlehem to visit their summer concerts. We happened to make it Sunday night, to the last concert of the season. These outdoor concerts take place on the Main Street, overlooking the mountains on a great green space they have in the downtown. The performer was Mark Shelton, and he did a whole bunch of 50s and 60s music. What a sight, my mother said he was so kid friendly and I guess - there were children everywhere in front of him dancing away…adults were dancing also! Mark put on a great show -see some of his photos here! He has an excellent voice (obviously to be up there performing) and he had a great stage presence. He had a bubble machine creating some ambiance, he has a group of dancers, and a hula-hoop contest for those who want to participate. Every year I am astounded how many people come to these concerts in Bethlehem, and the other night was no different. It was crowded. I enjoyed seeing so many people who are proud to call the White Mountains home, but I enjoyed watching people who were traveling through on Route 302 pull over and sit down on the lawn.

These free concerts happen every Sunday through the summer, and I’m sure they are booking entertainment for next year. I had a great time seeing the families who walked to the concert from their home, and the rest of us who traveled in from nearby towns. The American Flag hung proudly from the gazebo, the mountain views were just behind. I loved watching the kids and adults dancing. And I can’t hide my pride when I saw I’m proud to live in the North Country of New Hampshire. Where else does everyone know your name, and if they don’t they ask where you are from. Where else can you see kids and adults dancing together on the green grass on a town common? Well, ok, I know there are other places that have similar concerts, but here in the White Mountains - I think its all pretty special. Check it out next year, you’ll see why so many of us make Bethlehem NH and the White Mountains our home!

If you have ever thought about living in Bethlehem NH, we do have some great homes for sale in this beautiful town. Here are just a few:

This one is just a few miles from the downtown, yet in the country on 20 acres.


And this condo is located at the Village of Maplewood, just a mile from the Free Summer Concerts in Bethlehem! A short commute for great entertainment!


Posted by:Chrissy Smith



September 03, 2009

Open House Saturday, September 5, Plymouth, NH

Posted to

On your way home from the Annual Coop 5K on Saturday, September 5, 2009, why not stop by the great open house at 11 Broadway St. in Plymouth.(MLS 2792192) The house is a tastefully updated 1950 home with 3 bedrooms, an elegant dining room and a kitchen to create a lovely dining experience with a comfortable sitting area that your friends can sit and enjoy your company while the meal is being created. Send the spouse into the large family room with the fireplace to watch the game or have them sit on the comfortable screened back porch. The large Jacuzzi completes the back porch area.

This property sits on a gracious welcoming corner lot in a quiet neighborhood setting in Plymouth. It takes minutes to walk downtown, to the banks, college, hospital or the library. Stop by and see the Peabody & Smith agents, we would love to show you around!

Posted by:Sue Sampson



September 01, 2009

Luxury Living in Sugar Hill, NH

Posted to Chrissy Smith

Well this past summer I have spent a considerable amount of time venturing out throughout the North Country of New Hampshire on all our lovely country roads. One of my favorite rides is on Route 117, the road connects Franconia NH to Lisbon NH and goes right through the picturesque town of Sugar Hill NH.


Driving through Sugar Hill last week, I turned onto Sunset Hill Rd., the most enchanting road in Sugar Hill and was captivated by the views of the Franconia Notch and the Presidential Mountain Range. At the end of Sunset, past the Sunset Hill Golf Course (a great 9 hole fun course if you ever get the chance go play there), sited on a knoll is this charming Cape Cod style home, which looks directly over Franconia Notch to the south and the Presidential Mountains to the east. I had a chance to finally go into this home, and this particular site was once the home of the prestigious Overlook Hotel, long past from the gilded age of affluence, however, the opulent view remains…

The home was completely updated in 1998 with a new state of the art kitchen with custom hand made cherry cabintry, cherry floors, new bathrooms and a new rear deck to capture the westerly views of the Green Mountains of Vermont. This home boasts three bedrooms, two baths, and two fireplaces with beamed ceilings in the intimate living room, the master suite looks over Cannon Mountain. This home is a real treat to enjoy here in the White Mountains of NH. It has a park like setting with lush perennial beds. Everything about the home is stunning.

If you ever get a chance to see Sugar Hill, make sure you check out some of the other local attractions also like the Sunset Hill House The Sugar Hill Sampler, Polly’s Pancake Parlor and of course, Harman’s Cheese & Country Store. Sugar Hill is a great place to call home, and it’s a great vacation destination!

In June, Sugar Hill and some of the surrounding towns host a “Field Of Lupine” festival. More on that next spring!

Posted by:Chrissy Smith