steve's White Mountain Blog

Slope Side, Riverside,Showplace condo – Loon Mt, NH.

Ski home to your front door and walk out your back door to the river…now that is my idea of recreational living in a very upscale condominium. Some of the amenities include Granite Counter tops, Stainless steel appliances, Gas fireplace, Central A/C, attached garage, Opulent master suite with glass shower and separate soaking tub, walk-in closet, cherry cabinets and cherry floors, covered entry , covered patio over looking the river, an out side (common area) hot tub, fire pit, and owners walking trails. $469,900

Floor plan / Location and other attractions: This 3 bedroom 2 bath, one car garage condo is a total of 2,000 square feet, it is a one lever villa style floor plan and is walking distance to shops, restaurants and entertainment. Ski trails in front the river behind and a performing art center is a short stroll away. All you recreational and entertainment requirements are near by. Add the easy access to area attractions and being adjacent to the White Mountain national forest and you can see there is something for every one in this spot.

Enjoy some pictures of the condo and surrounding landscape.

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South Peak Summit on Loon Mountain - ski home at days end.

....More Slope side properties at Loon Mt...

Use MLS Icon on the bottom of this post to see all area listings.

One of the most affordable four bedroom condos available for the 2011- 2012 season. But don't wait these places book fast. Wood burning fireplace, efficient heating system 2 full baths in a three level end-unit town house. Walking distance to the Woodstock Inn& Brew pub - three miles to Loon Mountain Ski Resort and ten minutes to Cannon Mountain Ski Resort. Terms $8,000 for 6 months - plus utilities - and a $1,000 security deposit for this Alpine Village condo.

Common wall between condos feature a 6 inch concrete block fire wall -very quiet and comfortable space.

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Living room fireplace                                                                        Dinning Room

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Bedroom #1                                                                                    Bedroom #2

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Bedroom #3                                                                               Master suite top floor.

Loon Area Winter Seasonal Property ready to Rent...November 1st 2011 - May 1st 2012 $8,000 (+ utilities).

  Highland Point Road –Home site for sale Thornton New Hampshire

The asking price is $79,900 for this 1.6 acre southern exposure view lot.

 There are wonderful views of Franconia Notch -& - The Pemi River.

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              Well                                      Electric                                      Blueberries

The property features, an on-site well drilled and capped for your water supply, a state approved septic design, under ground utilities, seventy percent of the site is flat but falls off to the south offering excellent solar gain for a house design and recently paved roads.

 Nice eastern views for your morning coffee, and the property is located across the road from an eighteen hole golf course and one of the areas favorite restaurants (but maintains a very private location on a cul-de-sac).

MLS # 4034656

Interested in what your Clearbrook - Village of Loon mt property is worth today?

The Number of sales has rebounded since market lows of 2009. With more sales in general, inventory of existing listings is getting smaller. This is a sign sellers will be able to be more firm with their asking prices, so long as they are listed at established current market values.

Currently there is a relatively low inventory of listings in your neighborhood. Buyers are felling more confident and as interest rates remain attractive, the timing may be right to sell your property. Traditionally the best seasons for completed sales in the Lincoln are Summer and through the Fall. If you are considering selling, we would be happy to give you a current market appraisal. Even with the pending roof assessment ($10,000 will be paid over a 3 year period for new metal roofs starting soon) we are selling Clearbrook properties actively. Please contact us as soon as possible so that we are able to work out the details and prepare your property to be marketed properly in this busy season.

On the rental Front - we’ve booked our entire Clearbrook winter seasonal inventory and are looking for more 6 month leases to represent. The tenant pays all the utilities and we take care of all the set up and security deposits.

Give us a call or send an email;

Alpine Lakes Real Estate – 800-926-5653 toll free – local 603-745-3601

Email: alpinere@alpinelakes.com  Website: www.alpinelakes.com

States with the Healthiest Housing Markets.

Loon Mt ski Area -Lincoln NH

New Hampshire Makes #3 out of all 50 states.

1. North Dakota

Debt as percent of income: 14% 
Unemployment rate: 3.7% 
Home ownership: 67.1% 
Negative equity: 37.7% 
Average home price: $173,000 
Loan as percent of home value: 60.1% 
Percent of U.S. Market: 0.07% 

the healthiest real-estate market in the U.S. is … North Dakota! “There’s a very low cost of ownership and very low unemployment.

2. Minnesota

Debt as percent of income: 17% 
Unemployment rate: 6.7% 
Home ownership: 72.6% 
Negative equity: 22.2% 
Average home price: $224,000 
Loan as percent of home value: 65.6% 
Percent of U.S. Market: 1.01% 

the low rate of unemployment is what really stands out with Minnesota

3. New Hampshire

Debt as percent of income: 18% 
Unemployment rate: 5.4% 
Home ownership: 74.9% 
Negative equity: 25.2% 
Average home price: $243,000 
Loan as percent of home value: 69.8% 
Percent of U.S. Market: 0.42% 

New Hampshire has a very low unemployment rate at 5.4%, compared to the national rate of 8.8%, which helped the state keep its debt as a percent of income to just 18%. There’s a high percentage of home ownership here and the average home price is below the national average of $298,000.

Squam Lake -Holderness NH

4. Maine

Debt as percent of income: 17% 
Unemployment rate: 7.5% 
Home ownership: 73.8% 
Negative equity: 30.1% 
Average home price: $210,000 
Loan as percent of home value: 58.6% 
Percent of U.S. Market: 0.11% 

Debt as a percent of income is pretty low in Maine, and the loan as a percent of home value is the lowest in the top 10. They have the second-highest home ownership rate in the top 10. 

5. Iowa

Debt as percent of income: 13% 
Unemployment rate: 6.1% 
Home ownership: 71.1% 
Negative equity: 42.9% 
Average home price: $152,000 
Loan as percent of home value: 66.7% 
Percent of U.S. Market: 0.42% 

Iowa has some of the lowest real estate prices in the top 10. But it has one of the highest rates of negative equity in the top 10, which is probably what kept them from ranking higher on the list,

#6 Wyoming Home ownership 73.4% debt ratio to income 18%

#7 Alaska    Home ownership 65.7%   Debt to income Ration 17%

#8 Nebraska Home ownership 70.4% Debt to income ratio 15%

#9 Texas      Home ownership 65.3% Debt to income ration 16%

#10 Indiana Home ownership 71.2% Debt to income ratio 15%

These numbers were supplied in a study Published by Lending Tree mortgage services with additional number supplied by the U.S. census bureau.  What is the common thread in the top ten housing markets? The Percentage of Home ownership is in excess of 65% with 7 of the top ten boasting over 70% home-ownership, and overall debt to income ratios all at or under 18%. Last but not least - better unemployment figures compared to other parts of the nation also contribute to the top ten housing markets for stable prices.

If you are seriously considering buying property in any of the top ten states waiting for the prices to drop further is not a good strategy.

Lincoln - Woodstock New Hampshire First Quarter real Estate sale comparisons - 2010 vs. 2011

Lincoln Woodstock NH first Quarter Report on sales.

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It is helpful to compare real estate with a strict set of criteria; here is what I have compiled for your review:

Search criteria: Jan – March 2010 Vs. Jan – March 2011

All sales of Homes and Condominiums listed over $50,000 and under one million (eliminating time share sales and the odd $1 Million + sale that would skew the results in a way that could make the averages meaningless).

Results of all sales first quarter of 2010

25 total sales / average: sq. ft. 1,642 / list price $247,900 / closed price $221,300 / and average days on the market 258.

Results of all sales first quarter of 2011

19 total sale / Average: sq. ft. 1,876 / list price $259,100 / closed price $239,800 / and average days on the market 268.

The report may not appear rosy (total sales are down 25% from 2010 -2011 for the same period), there is some good news to take away from these number. There were fewer sales but prices were up $18,500 and asking price to selling price ratios were also up from 89.3% in 2010 to 92.6% in 2011.

Conclusions: We still have some shadow inventory (short sales and foreclosure) that haven’t hit the market yet – but the higher end is finding its way in to the hands of people that will appreciate better quality property.

This means future equity growth for those making current purchases of better quality and larger size properties. The low end may be stagnant but the upper-end is being purchased by those with the ability to hold. The 2011 first quarters’ purchases were 60% cash deal (while last years were 40% cash sales) Want an opinion of value on your Lincoln –Woodstock NH property call me at 800-926-5653 or email steve@alpinelakes.com

An Application has been filed for a Presidential permit, on behalf of Hydro-Quebec.

These are the opinion of the author – feel free to voice your own.

I only needed to attend one Public meeting to hear enough for my decision...we don't need you nor want

you in our state.

The Department of Energy will review an Environmental impact (draft) statement, prepared by hired engineers and other on behalf of the U.S. government. The Application seeks to run a high voltage D.C. line 180 miles over ground through New Hampshire. Most of the line will use existing right of ways over the Public Service (ROW) but there are places that land purchasing or "forced" eminent domain taking of land may be employed to complete the 180 track south.

Here are some of the issues I have with this application:                            Current A.C. lines over I93

1) All alternatives route have not been adequately studied (Vermont has existing power lines that could be looked at) many have asked about burying the lines underground (which is a significant increase in cost).

2) The Appalachian Mountain club is against the "preferred" route which crosses over this pristine wilderness trail.The New Hampshire state forest and national forest will have these transmission lines passing through them. Our state's revenues count on a significant amount of Tourism dollars coming in to the state.

                                                                                                   100 ft+ High Voltage D.C. towers

3) By all accounts this Northern Pass project does irreparable harm to all known species of wild life that make the White Mountain national forest and surround areas their home, and the migratory birds who nest and raise their young in these parts. These lines hum and bang loud enough to scare away feather and fur from a distance.

4) Health concerns have not been adequately studied, by some accounts the incidence of childhood leukemia spikes in areas near these type of power lines...and the route comes with in 500 feet of dozens of schools, where children spend seven or more hours a day.

5) The visual blight is a huge concern, the existing power lines in the Public service right of way average 40 feet in height...theses are awful to look at, but they provide power to New Hampshire customers and are A.C. lines, not the voltage of the proposed 85 to 140 foot Steel towers required to hold the high voltage D.C. lines.                                                                                                                                                                            Katie Rose

6) Real Estate values, we have to think beyond the not in my back yard attitude. Yes not everyone will be affected by the Northern Pass...many of us wouldn't see these lines at all. But as the Grafton County Registrar of Deeds pointed out at one public hearing: we will all suffer from diminished real estate taxes, transfer tax collected in county's affected by the power lines, and property values of those homes anywhere near these power lines.

7) We don't need the power, depending on which report you read the amount of power slated to be used in the state most affected by the Northern Pass project will account for less than 9% over the next 7 years. This power which is being proposed to travel over 140 foot steel towers that will be seen for miles and miles is headed to other states.

8) Not addressed at all that I have heard (is just foot noted) in the application, which makes a vague reference to the fact that these lines could transmit power in either direction. If a private power company chartered in a foreign country has the right to provide power, restrict power or buy power from our grid -couldn't they manipulate the price of power and monopolize Americans business and power costs. They are a multi-billion dollar company, and have (by a lot of accounts) caused much negative environmental impacts in their own country.

Click on the picture of Katie Rose to hear her song

  If you live anywhere in New England, please voice your concerns to the Department of Energy, we need to turn down this application for a Presidential permit, from Hydro - Quebec.

Please- Click on the Picture of Katie Rose, and listen to her song with beautiful picutres of New Hampshire*

Live Free or Fry –We don’t need your power

We don’t want your business, Go Away!!

Please pass this message along; we intend to keep our state Beautiful

Please suggest this post, we need Maximum exposure to fight this foreign companies influence over our land and the north -east power grid.

The ice is out on the Pemigewasset river, Where I stood a few days ago on a floating mass of stable slabs has been replaces with a fast flowing waterway. If you are looking for a White Mountain NH property expert, your search is over...Alpine Lakes Real Estate of Lincoln & Campton New Hampshire.   

  The Middle of March and the ice is moving down stream. A twenty foot wall of ice moves separately, yet together along the parade route. It slows a bit now and then to feature one act then picks up the pace and is gone making room for the next show.

    Here is the same exact spot on September 15 th 2010 - a 6 months rehearsal for the ice performance.

 This spot is 600 feet from my back door, do I love the changing seasons of the White Mountains in New Hampshire? What do you think?

Giant slabs the size of small cars are breaking up and pushing past my vantage point. Taking along with it trees and debris swept up in the wake of these icebergs.

The sound of frozen boulder grinding and crashing in to the rock and the shore, dissipates quickly as I step away from the water edge.

Making way for another mild March melting day.

I enjoy the change of seasons in the White mountains of New Hampshire. It's never boring, there is always something to look forward to and if you have digital pictures there is something to look back at as well.

Things are about to get a lot busier in my neighborhood...we get a surge of Vacationers and second home owners when the February school vacation weeks hit (Presidents day- week for Massachusetts and the week after for other New England States). My last chance to ski for a couple of weeks - fell on a gray sky day.

   If you want any real estate information on the Loon Mountain or Waterville valley areas - Lincoln and Campton New Hampshire, visit my web site (both office are on one site).  

   Alpine Lakes Real Estate :                             Slope side property Info:                                   Slope Side on South Mountain

 To search properties in the White Mountains - and see all 44 towns of Grafton County, click on the MLS button on the bottom of this post. Search by towns, price or type of property from one spot.

I'll be in the office every day for the next two weeks. It is a lot of fun working in the resort real estate business, but when folks are visiting - we are at our busiest. Call Me 800-926-5653

   Want to get out and ski with your favorite Loon Mountain Realtor? I'll see you on the slopes again in March until then I'll be riding a desk.

   The View From South Peak at Loon - New Slope side homes are being built at the bottom of this lift. If you live near Boston , you can get here in two hours and enjoy empty chairs just like the locals do.

I was recently ask by a client to give him some historic data to support the notion we were in a real estate recovery for my market area. With an idea where prices were headed in the up-coming months or years.

I chose one segment of the market so as not to dilute the findings, with one sale or one bad year. I chose to look at condominium sales as reported to my MLS for the past ten years. This was for a wide spread price range from a low of $50,000 to a high of one million (this excludes deeded timeshare condos).

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We were on a strong growth and development course through 2006, in the year 2007 prices were still up slightly but sales of this segment were off by nearly 40%. Experience tells me not only was the market running scared but those that had properties for sale held out for un-realistic returns meaning many didn't sell that wished to.

2008 and 2009 reversed further with the number of sales coming in at less than half the 2006 peak numbers.

But the good news appears to be 2010 - showed a better number of sales, and reversed the slide in average sales price. In fact the number of sales Equals those of 2004 and average selling price is on par with the 2005 prices. With gross sales and selling prices back to where they were prior to the 2006 bubble burst, I would suggest it is a good time to list (in an improving market) and a good time to buy with prices still off by $20,000 to $30,000 from their average dollar values in the peak years.

Your Lincoln & Woodstock Property is worth more than when you purchased if you bought prior to 2004 -and for the buyer their is room for equity growth in the coming years...as the market improves and the resort area expands it's amenities and services.

   Forest Ridge condo - 4 bedroom 2,700 square feet current selling price $375,000 (peak $425,000)

Deer Park condo - 2 bedroom 1,600 square feet current selling price $185,000 (peak $235,000)

Rivergreen Condo-hotel 2 bedroom 1,100 square feet current selling price $120,000 (peak $185,000)

Now is the time to sell (if you have owned for 7 or more years) and it is the time to buy if you don't want to wait to see if we get back to the peak prices of five years ago.

**** Use the MLS icon on the bottom of this post to see all current listings in my market area***