There have been a number of recent studies conducted by NNREN, the Northern New England Real Estate Network, and NAR, the National Association of Realtors, of the various methods by which interested buyers initially learn of suitable properties and subsequently contact a real estate agent for information and representation. The conclusions of these reviews determine that the majority of buyers utilize the resources of the Internet to discover, research and compare properties in which they develop interest. Upwards of 85% of all contact originates not with the traditional forms of real estate print marketing but begins with the electronic media.

Over the past few years forward thinking firms have directed a large part of their resources to effectively addressing this fact. Real estate web design has evolved into an expanding and lucrative business for many nascent firms of often just a few talented employees. Competitions among national realty groups for the most user friendly and informative web sites is very real and will only grow. But, problems do surface for major groups as they attempt to tailor design efforts to support their larger corporate objectives.

Recently, Realogy, the parent corporation of Coldwell Banker, Century 21, ERA and other firms which are “numbers based” have reported staggering losses in their financial statements. Realogy went through a leveraged buy out late last year of over $6 billion dollars and staying current on their debt load may be presenting problems as their main revenue source fell. Business models dependant upon employing as many agents as possible with commensurate pressures of performance function best in stable and rising markets, something which is has not been present for several years, and do not always serve the client’s interest in the best manner. Again, statistics have shown that after 5 years the real estate profession experiences a 95% turnover in personnel. Personally I believe only the barest essentials of any profession can be inculcated in so brief a time and though the major firms have in place training methodology their emphasis is rigid and inflexible.

Bob Hughes has always emphasized teamwork among his realtors and has crafted a strong vision of the future for his firm as we enter the early part of the 21^st century. Not a boutique agency, Spencer Hughes nevertheless has a strong presence crafted around the unique market of the lakes region of New Hampshire. Our agents bring knowledge and a coordinated expertise to the interests of our clients. An early proponent of a well-designed web site Spencer Hughes has not rested on past innovations but has continuously sought to improve our marketing efforts to provide the maximum exposure to our client’s homes.  Many of our individual agents have established their own web presence which enhance the corporate website.  Newly created blog communications, such as this one, provide additional information and increase focus upon our firm and the clients we represent.  Because our marketing decisions are made independently and without the input from a distant controlling parent corporation we have been able to target the specific needs of the Lakes Region. Spencer Hughes regards as a major asset its ability to offer and implement creative solutions to difficult real estate questions and situations. Without the hobbles of an out of state controlling authority we offer a flexibility and immediacy that larger corporations cannot not compete against.

Each week the firm receives an account of the “hits” to our web site. The interest is broken down from international queries down to interest by each state. This analytic input gives the firm the ability to monitor outside interest in our product, the exposure to the serious buyers of our client’s properties.  Check with one of our agents for the most current report of the key indicator of trends and focus on Lake Winnipesaukee. The second home interest in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire is always present and matching that interest to our client’s objectives is what we do best.

Jferriman@spencerhughes.com              (603) 520-5385

For some the joy is in the journey. For others it is where the journey can take them. Now I enjoy a day on the big lake by whatever mode of transportation I happen to using. But I have noted that sailing offers additional pleasures over motoring, at least for me. I like the involvement of handling the lines, the feel of the tiller, the positioning of the boat to the wind. That sense of accomplishment of having moved from point A to point B and back using only the natural forces and physics.

There are several sailing organizations operating on Lake Winnipesaukee. The Winnipesaukee Yacht Club dates from 1937 and operates as a private club based in Gilford. The Meredith Bay Sailing Association on Lake Winnipesaukee is a certified community sailing program whose objective is to provide people of Lakes Region sailing opportunities. There are also well established programs at several summer camps along the lake and Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro offers sailing seamanship as part of its curriculum.

I am an avid supporter and member of The Lake Winnipesaukee Sailing Association. The LWSA runs a sailing school for children from 8 to 16 years of age. Their fleet of over 20 boats supports an active classroom and water program for all interests, abilities and means. Sponsoring adult racing activities for a mixed fleet the association offers a convivial atmosphere before, during and after every event. Serious racers can participate in the J/80 fleet events held weekly through the summer months. The LWSA has the impressive national credentials of being named Fleet 1 of the J/80 class sailboat. This season’s kick off dinner will be held May 14^th at the Lyon’s Den in Glendale. This is a very active and committed group supporting and promoting interest in sailing for all ages and skills. Visit them most any Saturday morning a Fay’s Boatyard in Gilford and perhaps you’ll be invited to crew on a boat for the day’s sail. 

Regardless, every boater on Lake Winnipesaukee has many of choices for itineraries: lunch in Meredith, cocktails in Alton Bay, dinner in Wolfeboro, island hopping and sightseeing everywhere. The big lake is the crown jewel of the Lakes Region and provides unique experiences for everyone sampling the lifestyles offered here in New Hampshire.

Jferriman@spencerhughes.com   (603) 520-5385

The appeal of gated communities in the Lakes Region has been present since the founding of some of the earliest communities along Lake Winnipesaukee. Original motivations centered primarily upon security and safety. This appeal, while still present, has been by and large replaced by the desire of a property owner to have greater privacy and a greater increase in property value. The exclusivity of membership in a private community where a visible effort has been made to provide a safe environment for families sharing similar values is a powerful desire. Private communities that have well established rules for construction, maintenance and use serve to protect the value of homes of the members. This added emphasis of additional security and preservation of value is a strong incentive for post-9/11 baby boomers.

The international development efforts have experienced tremendous growth fueled by retirement and second homebuyers seeking to maximize their value of their fixed income projections. In Panama, Mexico and many Asian states entire communities have been designed from the ground up incorporating their own power supply, sanitation and security infrastructures. X-pats have migrated to take advantage of rather huge income gaps between the haves and have-nots within the host country. Political stability of host countries and environmental issues have taken distant secondary positions to financial interests with the result there are a number of ill-defined risks for the buyer.

Lake Winnipesaukee has competed directly for the second homeowner market with those emphasizing other domestic locations. Our region has not experienced the wide speculative interests of Florida and Sun Belt real estate and as a result has presented a more reliable economic forecast of value and worth. The wide disparities of construction efforts around the periphery of the lake do however skew appreciation expectations lowering or raising appreciation rates due to the proximity of more expansive dwellings.

Which brings us back to the subject of this blog. Premier gated communities along Winnipesaukee such as Grouse Point and the newer community of Meredith Bay present to the discriminating buyer well-conceived master plans that provide stable predictable environments for their families and their investment. These well-financed residential projects designed by experienced development groups take much of the stress out of the buyer’s decision concerning their major investment. And a good deal of the concerns of property maintenance can be eliminated from the buyer’s equation. Over the course of time I’m certain we will see similar development efforts of various profiles. The interest is not and never will be limited to only the wealthier of the second homeowners. The desire to physically and psychologically lock out the outside world remains as strong a motivation for the second homebuyer as it always has.