steve's White Mountain Blog

Short Sale Alert:

We are on to you; this is lost leader advertising at its finest.

Bank work-out, short sale or Foreclosure:

These are come-ons to get you in the door; the location you want is not a short sale.

Ever slow down and stare, when there is an accident on the road?     

Sure you do its human nature, but: If help is there, don’t you continue to your destination as planned? You don’t pull over and volunteer to shuttle people to the Hospital, offer to work the Jaws of Life, or photo the scene for future prosecution.

I had a client ask to view short sales this weekend:

I asked why? will you only be satisfied if your purchase is at someone else’s expense , do you know where the short sales are?  She said well no, but you haven’t sent me any of the bank deals yet and I would really like to see what I can get for the money.

I reminded her; you only wanted to see slope side locations    

People that bought 5-10 or 20 years ago slope side don’t loose their property to the banks.  Well still I want to see the good deals. I said why would I bang my head against the wall, it doesn’t do the wall or me any good.

Should I call the broker advertising the Short sale listing?

He will show you the dump with the cannibalized kitchen then take you to the traditional client listings when you rule that out. I am saving you that step.  

Please ..someone with a short sale list with me so I can advertise the hell out of it. Then take the customers to where they really want to be.

After a while we begin to realize everything in life depends on our view

One need not travel far to find peace, it's something we carry within.

Glover Brook, Spills from the National Forest land into the Pemigewasset wilderness.

Take Life's Scenic Route, you'll stay on the road a little longer but isn't that the point?

Tranquility can't be found on a map it can only be experienced when allowed to be.

My Official Blog Sign in Name is "Mountainwater"..Where do you think I came up with that?

When you live in the White Mountains, and these are the scenes you see everyday do you begin to take them for granted? I think every climb whether difficult or easy in life is always worth the view.

All of the shots are from properties listed or sold this past year (some still available).

Steve@alpinelakes.com / www.alpinelakes.com /800-926-5653

I sent a photo to a customer, who's #1 criteria is a great view; Photo sent below, Am I puffing?

The Customer sent me back a note, "you are right this is an awesome view- where did you take it from?"

I took the photo from the deck..right in front of the picture window..I returned  as my response. Here it comes, well no offense but before we drive 2 hours to take a look at the property, can you show me that this was taken from the house you are representing? I was offended, but the interior pictures were enticing enough for (this would be buyer) to follow up with a simple (if not accusatory request) so off I went to take the following photo..through the living room window (Second photo taken 10 feet from the first-facing the same direction).

I forwarded this note: Sorry about the dark photos, it's hard to take an outdoor shot through a living room window. Be assured this is the subject property being offered in the short sale. There is a 22 foot wall of glass looking out at the most spectacular view in my area, I opened the binds just enough for the enclosed photos.

Have we soiled our reputation to the point where actual photographs of a property are called into question?

  Customers want a great deal, a great view and have lost some level of trust with us. This saddens me I have been selling real estate for 25 years and have never had a customer question my ethics. A man or woman's reputation is only as solid as their character. What do my fellow Realtors think of this dilemma? Is there something you say to a potential client or customers that smooths the path to trust, prior to a face to face meeting? Or is it the market that is making everyone gun shy and question our representations?

Property listed 12 months ago $799,900 - Current Asking $499,900..Subject to a bank short sale ...What's wrong with this Picture?

 The Simplicity and strait forward message on the sign, is something of yesterday

 The Post and Beam Work has held up for over 100 years, this spans the Pemigewasset River.

Last shot of the Bridge exterior ,less than a mile from Exit 27 of Interstate 93. Take a minute when traveling north on your next New Hampshire White mountain ski trip, or site seeing tour and stop by this Campton site.

One Last Picture, This one is from Holderness NH. off Rte 175..close to Squam Lake..where the Movie Golden Pond was filmed.. Cool Farm Stand..

The Farmer uses Mannequins to keep things fun and colorful, at this road side stand..The back roads of New Hampshire are a great place to find photo opportunities and historic subjects year after year.

               steve@alpinelakes.com  / www.alpinelakes.com  / toll free: 800-926-5653

Homeowners Private Warming hut, Slope side at Loon mt.

The Lift travels in both directions to get skiers over to the new

slopes at the South peak side of Loon.

Outdoor Hot-tub and fire pit area on the Pemigewasset river

a cool spot open year round for South Peak Owners to meet.

Beautiful Custom homes that you can ski home to.

First of it's kind in the east, a skiers bridge so the home-

owners can across over the road on groomed snow to get home.

Riverside Condos featuring a private garage and great water

front views. Lifts and trails will make this ski home spot soon.

A home owners walking trail..and several home sites have

direct access to the river and it's many swimming holes.

White mountains Real Estate Broker & Building experts

         Call or View our web site:

   www.alpinelakes.com - 800-926-5653 - Realtors

www.cargillconstruction.com 800-926-5003 builders

Come Ski With me on Loon's new South Peak Trails & Lifts

              steve@alpinelakes.com