steve's White Mountain Blog

White Mountain Views of …the tallest peak in the North east.

From Loon mountain ski area in Lincoln New Hampshire is one of the most accessible ski resorts from metropolitan Boston. And on a clear day you can see for miles and miles, Mount Washington is about 6,300 feet at its peak. It is also about 60 miles away from my local ski area. Today, with the skies so clear and blue you can see it like its right beside you.

Being in the vacation home business this is my office on days like this.

I handed out three business cards on the lifts and one in the parking lot. The best thing about bumping in to people on days like this…is they are having a great time and buying a ski property can really be on their mind.                              

I’m here to tell you in my business this is not goofing off, this is networking.

At Least that is my story and I’m sticking with it!!

If you get the chance to get out and Ski with a client (Golf, boat etc) you have found a mutual like that can lead to a long term referral net work. I've been a Realtor for 26 years and been skiing all my life, combine what you do with what you love and both will bring you joy.

The Morning was filled with Bonuses for me. I attended a “core” course for license renewal with my beautiful wife, and it was at the spectacular Church landing property.

Thanks to Charline Mason our certified instructor, we beat the agency issues to death once again. Seller agency, buyer agency, sub-agency, disclosed dual agency, designated agency, and Facilitator discussions took up the entire first half of the 3 hour class. While Lead paint – Discrimination, and changes in the State real estate commission’s “letter of the law” were bantered around as they are every year…for another hour and a half.

My hats off to Charline, when I taught this class 25 years ago, the audience questions

usually over took the appointed material. We got through the meat and potatoes. I will be required to take 3 more three hour electives before the year is through but I enjoy these get togethers. Many of the topics are redundant, but I could tell by some of the looks there are a lot of people that need the update every other year.

As I said this was a bonus to me: The Lakes region board has a bunch of great agents and I was able to re-connect with many that I haven’t seen in far too long. The Church landing building was another bonus for me, the Adirondack style design is featured prominently in many of the custom homes well build. This hotel conference center has incorporated much of the Lake house, campy features in to their decorating. As a parting comment if you ever get the chance to have dinner at Church Landing take advantage of the location and get a table with a view of lake Winnipesaukee.

Congratulations to my wife for becoming a Realtor, she has been a licensed Broker for many years, but the developer she works for has finally seen the value of this national network and affiliation to a great group of professionals.  

I love the Adirondack Look of this place, and it was nice to knock out one of my required classes.

 Take a look at some of the homes we have done with the camp look - ADIRONDACK HOMES                                         

Comments and Connections – I’m reaching out to you, I hope someday you will think highly enough of me to share your trust in me. When I opened my Activerain Blog site this morning I noticed I was a few comments shy of 10,000. Is this sufficient evidence I am reaching out to my fellow bloggers? Or am I simply throwing a jumble of 10 words or more together and making little attempt to engage our connection.

I’ll admit, when I joined Activerain I had hoped to cull a New England Net Work of my peers. I have formed a bond with other Realtors, stagers, and mortgage brokers from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine and of course New Hampshire. What I didn’t count on was the regular dialog I found myself having with new friends in Minnesota, Georgia, Florida, New Jersey, California, Pennsylvania, Texas…and of course the list goes on and on, to the Farthest reaches of our country. I have talked regularly with new Friends in Hawaii and Alaska…how did that happen?

The Answer is kind of simple, we here…all have something in common, and it is “we want to connect”. And we want to connect for the connections sake, not because of any promise of profitability…that could (maybe) come from the connection. No, we live our lives and understand each others shared experience. I don’t comment on your blog because I’m a know it all…quite the contrary. I want to learn more, and I would like people like me to share what they know.

Subscribe to my Blog or friend me on Facebook, I’m reaching out to my friends on Activerain and I hope you will reach back to me. If you comment on this post or any post I have written, I will respond to your comment…this is a two way street and I’m here to make your acquaintance.

It is nice to have it stay light a little longer at the end of the day. I took a walk down by the river last night to see what last weeks flood water did to the huge slabs of ice in the Pemigewasset River.

These are some of nature’s ice sculptures, when the force of the rushing water encounters tons of ice it shoved up on the high-ground. As I stood in the nearly dry riverbed the Blocks of ice towered over me 12 to 20 feet high, many were the size of a small car.

I wish I could have found something to put in front of these flows to give the pictures a size and scale. These chunks are truly impressive, but it is difficult to tell just how big they are.

The River came up about 10 feet in a twelve hour period and remained high driving the loose ice up on shore for three days in a row. Then in a matter of a couple of days dropped again to leave this empty path where the water had flowed.

I hope you enjoy nature’s ice sculptures; these can be pretty dangerous to climb on they are very unstable and over the next few days with the warmth and the sun many will allow gravity to take its course. I sure didn’t want to get pinned by a slab letting go unexpectedly. From here forward I’ll watch from a bit more of a distance.

Let me share today’s Skiing Experience; when you don’t have any snow left in your yard don’t count the mountain out just Yet!! This is my favorite time of the year to strap on the boards. While the Monsoon rains hit most of New England Last Week above the 1,500 foot elevation mark…Loon Mountain receives 35 inches of new snow. How can I tell, look at the Photo I took of the lift line? This terrain was cut for the chair lift and is not a groomed trail or a location they have any reason to make the man-made stuff. There was enough snow that the illegal poaching of a non-ski trail was done by the Mad-Skiers.

   Lunch at Camp 3, on the North Peak Side is a right of spring, 55 trails open, 5 terrain parks two half pipes and 6 tree skiing areas currently compliment the great conditions.

  I started out on the South Mountain Side of Loon Mountain resort; this allows me to mix a bit of Business and pleasure. We have a couple of homes under construction and being able to ski while checking on the building progress is a bonus.

  The Gondola is a great way to get a bunch of runs in on a nice day. The Sun seekers beat a path to the chair lifts (to stay outside) while the hard core gang find the fast up hill mode of transportation and get as many vertical feet under their belt as they can.

This weekends event…fun and Fun raiser, with a great cause.

Join WXRV- The River at this year's 2010 Briefcase Race with Mike Lynch.  Friends and supporters of The Faulkner Breast Centre gather at Loon Mountain on the first Saturday in March to ski, have fun and raise funds for the fight against breast cancer.

The Race is a fun day for all.  Racers come dressed in costume with a briefcase in one hand and compete in an easy, dual nastar race.  Since its inception, the Briefcase Race has raised over $700,000 for The Breast Centre, helping to ensure that they are able to provide the latest diagnosis and treatment options to our patients. 

The race also helps to fund active clinical research projects, patient support programs and continued education for our staff.  Visit www.briefcaserace.org for registration information.   

Next Weekend Kostic Kup, A Fundraiser for the New England Disabled sports

Program...Putting people with specials needs on Skis. (March 13th)

Followed by , the Shop showdown event Costumes, Races and A BBQ

On the 13th and 14th of March...Will post these events later in the Week.

I received an email alert from American Express...questioning a T-Mobile charge on my card. Apparently while in Florida I purchased a new phone and extended plan. Problem is I haven't been to Florida for over a year.

Do you have your card in your possession? Yes Why? It was swiped in Miami for a new phone and a multi-year plan.Sounds like we caught this one due to it being an out of the ordinary charge, a new card was issued but to be safe check your next bill when you get it.

* SHOCK TIME* Then I got the next bill, Gas, Mickey- D's And something called BuyBuy Baby in New York City were all new charges on my card. Although I love the big city I'm sure I didn't go on a baby shopping spree to the tune of $1,100. I'm too old to be a new dad and too young to be a Grandfather (for a long time I hope). Nearly $2,000 worth of unexplained charges showed up.  Several trips to the same gas station (on the same day) nothing but the best Premium gas for all my friends. The first clue should have been the Premium un-leaded gas 3-times in Time square on the same day, I'm too cheap for premium and If I were in time square I'd let someone else drive, like a taxi.

The crazy thing was my wife's card had some strange charges as well...I argued with the Fraud department  that Amazon.com , ticket master, and Barnes and Noble didn't appear correct either. It turns out these we all Birthday gifts for me, charged by my wife on our joint account ...with the bill going to me. Thanks Honey, it's the thought that counts...but the bills that add up.

American Express will Credit my account for the items that were not mine...25  years as a member and for the first time I see where membership has it's privileges. Nearly $2,000 worth of charges taken care off with one call. I am not a world traveler, I rarely leave my White Mountain's home state but it is nice to know when you are scammed you can take care of the potential loss with one call. Thanks American Express - I wouldn't  leave home with out you, but anything to do with Baby stuff...trust me it ain't mine!!

Developer has learned to keep it simple…stupid.

Fancy is out, smart and simple is in, this developer has figured it out.

Vinyl siding isn’t sexy but it’s smart, low cost of maintenance and in a condo project upkeep is minimal. People say they want a wood burning fireplace until they find out what it cost to build, and how much work it takes to buy the wood, build the fire and wait until it goes out before you can vacate for the day (or Week). Gas fireplaces look great and they are on –or- off at a flip of a switch.

Holding its value in a down market…is a neat trick.

Across the area I market properties in this Forest Ridge Condominium project has held its value very well. The building did sacrifice fancy for square footage. But the buyers vote with the check book, and 2,700 square feet, with a one car garage, Gas heat and Central A/C was a hit when it was built. It remains a hit as owners re-sell this floor plan (after buying at real estates peak in 2005-2006).

What does a close Recreational family really want…room to get away from Family?

A four bedroom layout offers a very spacious master suite (because that’s who is writing the check every month) and there is room for boys, girls and adult guests. The other big must is a second living space for the kids to watch their programs, play the newest game or stay up past their parent’s bed-time.

What to do when the kids are bored…and you are beat!

The last key to this success is what can you or them (the short in stature runny nose crowd) walk too in close proximity to your home away from home. Like many condo projects there is a club house, this one has an indoor pool (#1 request in a recreation center) it also has weights, steam room Hot- tub, tennis and a T.V room. Beyond the onsite access this project abuts the town’s recreation park, with a single slope ski area with night skiing (if you didn’t get enough at the big hills) a ball field, basketball hoops, swing sets, sledding hill and skating rink.

Forest Ridge sold for $370,000 in 2005-2006, and is getting $400,000 now in 2010. No big deal you may say…but a 10% gain is far better than a loss that many others are living with right now.

 White Mountain Skiing and Recreational Activities are right out your door, make Lincoln New Hampshire your first choice for a second home.

Resort Ownership on the cheap.

If you are a true outdoorsmen /women I’m betting you spend very little time in the place you are staying when you vacation. This was the thought of the Lodge at Lincoln Station developer. The smallest floor plan available in the complex – still offers the same recreation as the biggest (and most expensive condos).

Furnished Studio Condominium asking $59,900.

No that was not a misprint…for the cost of an expensive car you can own this condo.

Sure it’s not big (less than 400 square feet) but it has a fully applianced kitchen, a full bath, a queen size bed and a fold-out couch for the occasional guest or child.

It also has a large covered patio and is air conditioned for those hot summer nights.

What else will you find on the property?

Here is where the amenities make the purchase an easy decision, the condo offers indoor & outdoor pools, Tennis, River frontage, Shuttle service to the near by ski resort, saunas, hot tub, game room great room with fireplace, and WiFi and laundry in the common areas.

What is close by…that makes this a resort condo?

Aside from the largest ski resort in the state of New Hampshire, the area also features hiking, biking, water parks, amusement attractions, golf, lakes, and 750,000 acres of national park lands all a short distance for this affordable condominium.

For more listing information log on to our web site & MLS search site:

www.alpinelakes.com open MLS# 2820478 or search from all 44 towns in our county…From Dartmouth College to the White mountains of NH

Loon mt. Waterville valley, Squam lake, Cannon mt, New Found lake Lebanon to Littleton …all of Grafton County is Alpine Lakes territory.

The Early Bird Gets the Work, Many clients wishing to build think time and the current economy is on their side when it comes to deciding to start construction projects. Not true, site work contractors are lining up their spring work and have signed contracts to begin projects when the road bands are lifted…or the frost is out of the ground which ever comes first.

Planning for a fall moving date, you may have already missed that window. If you are thinking of building you will need to have a firm set of plans by now to get your state and local permits. We typically have 50 items on the “schedule of values list”; these items include multiple quotes for everything from Masonry work to roofing materials. The home owners choice of Cabinets, counter tops to window styles and siding colors all have to be in the bag before a realistic quote can be targeted.

Construction Delays are inevitable, try as any good builder will hold ups occur and nothing but time can fix those issues. When you hit ledge during your site work the cure is blasting…when your roofing materials are out of stock or three squares short of the order all you can do is wait. When your electrical is held up on another job all the work scheduled after him is held hostage (you can’t sheet rock if the walls aren’t wired).

Seriously if you want to be in your new house before next winter, your should be ready to pull the trigger on that project before the end of this winter. A Custom 4,000 square foot home with extensive site work and special order materials will take 9+ month to complete after breaking ground. Many home product manufactory are not warehousing the back stock like they use to. It is expensive to have all your choices sitting on the self while you are deciding. So many companies have slowed down their manufacturing process to save money while construction start is slow. But when everyone wants to turn on the faucet at the same time everyone will only receive a trickle…even if you are a good customer.

Home owners…Now is the time to set your project in motion before it occurs to everyone else…to do the same thing.

Handicapped Accessible New Construction Condominium listed at Loon Mountain Resort.  The White Mountain Adaptive Snow Sports Program at the Local Ski Area ranks among the very best in the country for teaching skiing to athletes requiring special services. Loon is renowned for their Wounded Warrior programs getting Veterans back on the slopes no matter their unique physical needs.

I challenged a local builder to design a one level condo that would be practical for the resort home buyer and those that need a handicapped floor plan. I’m thrilled to report the plan, fit and finish are spectacular, and any one that would like a brand-new condominium in the White mountains of New Hampshire will love this place. If you need one level living the design offers an added bonus for those with special needs or wheel chair requirements.

Here are some of the Specifications for the condo, and the pictures will give you a good idea of the design.

1,586 Square Feet.

3 bedroom / 2 bath Gas Forced Hot Air by L.P.Gas.

Central A/C  Hardwood floors,                           

Cherry Kitchen Cabinets

Granite Counter Tops

Stainless Steel Appliances

Gas Fireplace (direct vent)

Built for Handicapped adaptive access.

Sprinkler system / 200 amps Electrical

Electric Hot water tank.

Condominium Dues $190/ month

Taxes currently (2009 assessment) $1,580

Make Arrangements to come see this beautiful condo.

No Expense was spared to build this brand new Condominium. The Forced Hot air heating system by L.P.Gas is state of the art, Central A/C is a bonus, Stone fireplace, beautiful hardwood floors, and cherry Cabinets Throughout, Glass enclosed showers and the safety of a fire protection sprinkler system are but some of the high-lights. Ultra modern 1,500 square foot design also offer easy access single level living space and is Handicap adaptive and luxury living all in one.

Alpine Lakes Real Estate Loon Mountain & Waterville Valley area offices.

For listing information: www.alpinelakes.com MLS # 2820172

 Toll Free 800-926-5653 / Email: steve@alpinelakes.com