The first way you can grab attention from potential buyers is to focus on the curb appeal.  There might be snow on the roof or the lawn, but you can use that to your advantage.  People searching for a home during this season will be looking for something that looks cozy and warm underneath the snow.  It’s important to make sure you’re clearing pathways without getting rid of the white blanket on the lawn or roof.

To create a cozier feel you might want to think about hanging a wreath on the door or putting some festive branches in your planters.  Although the holiday has passed, these decorations can last all season as long as they’re kept simple.  Simplicity should be reflected in all parts of your home décor, not just the rooms inside.  Make sure not to go overboard with decorations, or you’ll hide the appeal of the house itself.  Most home buyers won’t be interested in a yard cluttered with inflatable snowmen or a roof covered with Christmas lights.  Just a few special touches should do the trick.

Also, in your home’s listing you should make sure to show photos from both the spring and winter season so home buyers get a good view of the home year-round.  Another way to catch attention is to post photos of the views from the home because they are likely to attract potential buyers.

Whichever way you choose to advertise your home, make sure to showcase its best features.  Happy home selling!

A press release from the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority website announced that $4 million in Community Development Block Grants would be awarded to various New Hampshire cities, towns, and counties.  The purpose of this donation would be to help create affordable housing for the citizens of New Hampshire as well as help to upgrade many public facilities.  These CDFA grants are meant to help the lower income residents of these areas.

The regions receiving the awards include Cheshire County, Marlborough, Winchester, Berlin, Coos County, Lebanon, Exeter, Laconia, and Franklin.  Some towns will be using them for community centers, child care facilities, low-income apartments, and learning centers.  So what does this mean for New Hampshire residents? Help is on the way for struggling towns and citizens.  The money the CDFA is donating is meant to help lower income families and businesses succeed and live more comfortably without the constant worry of money.

What do you think about these grants?  Will they make a difference for New Hampshire communities?

To see the full press release or find more information, visit the CDFA website.

Image via Gunstock

Visiting the Lakes Region this winter or just looking to try something new in the area?  Here are some suggestions for winter-themed activities to do while you’re here.  For a full list, visit the Lakes Region Tourism website.

Gunstock Mountain Resort – Gilford
One great option for hitting the trails is the Gunstock Mountain Resort which offers 220 acres of skiing and riding.  You can also go cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on one of their many trails.  Another option for thrill-seekers is snow tubing on New Hampshire’s longest tubing hill.  To find out more information or to purchase a pass, visit the Gunstock website.

King Pine Ski area at Purity Spring Resort - East Madison
If you are looking to do some skiing or snowboarding while in New Hampshire, check out the King Pine Ski Area at Purity Spring Resort.  They offer a variety of options for people of different abilities and skill levels.  Along with skiing and snowboarding, they also offer snowshoeing and ice skating.  Visit the King Pine website for more information on pricing and events.

SledVentures – Lincoln
Interested in experiencing the snow in a new way?  Rent a snowmobile with SledVentures!  You can take a guided or private tour as well as rent your own snowmobile for the day.  All gear is included in the price, so SledVentures provides a great deal for a day of snow adventures.  For more information visit their website.

Dexter’s Inn – Sunapee
Not only is Dexter’s Inn an affordable, family-friendly resort-inn, but it also offeres a variety of activities and adventures.  Spend the day skiing or snowshoeing with Dexter’s Inn Trails by Norsk.  If you are new to skiing, they also offer lessons and equipment rentals.  After a day in the snow, warm up by the fireplace at the Inn.  To find otu more or make your reservation, visit the Dexter’s Inn website.

For more suggestions on places to visit or activities for your New Hampshire Lakes Region vacation, visit the Lakes Region Tourism website.  Do you have any tips on places to visit in the Lakes Region in the winter months?  Share them with us!

Image via Santa's Village

Between winter-proofing your home and shopping for Christmas presents, make sure you find the time to check out some of these holiday events going on in New Hampshire’s Lake Region.  For a full list or more information on these events, visit the Lake Winnipesaukee Travel Guide website.

Kids Night Out: November 4th – December 16th
Sill need to finish your Christmas shopping without the kids? Bring them to the Laconia Community Center for games, crafts, and pizza with kids their age.  It’s happening every night November 4th through December 16th from 5:30-9:00PM.  The cost is $15 per child, per night and registration is required so make sure you sign up today!

Ho-Ho-Hobo Santa Express: November 25th – December 18th
Enjoy a holiday train ride every weekend from November 25th to December 18th with the Ho-Ho-Hobo Santa Express Train in Lincoln, New Hampshire.  The trip is 80 minutes and goes down along the Pemigewasset River to the Jack O’Lantern Resort south of Woodstock.  Kids get a chance to meet Santa, taste hot chocolate and cookies, and enjoy the scenery.  For more information, check out the Santa Express Train website or call 603-745-2135.

Santa’s Village: November 19th – December 31st
Visit Santa’s Village in Jefferson, New Hampshire every weekend from November 19th to December 21st to get in the holiday spirit with your kids!  There are plenty of sights and activities including cookie and ornament decorating.  You can also check out the shops, enjoy rides, and try some holiday refreshments.  Find out more on the Santa’s Village website.

Wolfeboro Festival of Trees: December 10th-18th
Visit the Wolfeboro Festival of Trees Charity benefit at the Wright Museum in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire.  The event is being held on the weekends between December 10th and December 18th.  There will be plenty of entertainment, refreshments, and more than 65 Christmas trees decorated by local businesses.  Visit the Wolfeboro Festival of Trees website to learn more.

Wolfeboro’s First Night: December 31st
Enjoy a night of fun, food, and entertainment at Wolfeboro, New Hampshire’s First Night event on December 31st.  Performances begin at 2:00PM and continue on into the night.  Some events include ice skating, Doo-wop music, fiddle playing, a parade, and fireworks.  You can find out more information or purchase a button and entry to the event at the First Night website.

For a full list of events in the Lake Winnipesaukee area, visit the Lake Winnipesaukee Travel Guide website.  If you have any other tips on holiday events happening this year, let us know!

Happy Holidays from Prudential Spencer-Hughes!

(Photo Credit: CBS - www.cbsnews.com)

This time around, the Lakes Region is receiving some extra focus thanks to Wolfeboro property owner Mitt Romney, who also happens to be a strong contender for the Republican party presidential noimation.  CBS News recently visited with our own Kathryn Aitken, who discussed Romney’s fabulous summer home on Lake Winnipesaukee and what it’s like to have a presidential hopeful living among us.

Read the full article, “Mitt Romney’s New Hampshire Getaway” and feel free to share your comments about what you think life in the Lakes Region might be like with the American president as a sometime neighbor.

260 Dan Jarvis, Weathersfield, VT

Spectacular country cape with 78 acres and views of Ascutney. Ideally situated with easy access to I-91, yet completely private and quiet end of the road location. Property consists of a magnificently landscaped yard with perennials, raised vegetable beds, blueberry bushes and fruit trees, swimming pool, approximately 6 acres of open pasture, sugar bush, wood lot with snowmobiling, hiking, cross-country trails throughout, brook and beaver pond.  Cape home has many desirable features: generous first floor master bedroom and bath, large kitchen, 3-season porch, office, stone gas fireplace and 2 woodstoves, plenty of storage including a 12×8 cedar closet, 2-car garage, a propane generator that powers the entire house, and incredible Ascutney views! AND there are several outbuildings including a 30′x 40′ 2-story barn, 20′x 50′ equipment barn, sugar house and sheep barn. Come take a look!

Listed by: Debra Staniscia/VCP Sotheby`s International – Ludlow

Adam Dow info@adamdow.com 603.569.6060

New Hampshire waterfront property owners appreciate a clean beach

Location, location, location is the rule of thumb for much of the national market. However, like politics, real estate is local and here in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire we will place a great emphasis on Clarity, clarity, clarity.

Waterfront property demands its own level of priorities, and a clean, sandy lake bottom with a pleasant swimming area is often at the top of the list. But, New Hampshire is not known as the Granite State for nothing and so the ideal beach is often a rarity. This does not preclude that most beachfronts cannot be improved by what I label “aqua landscaping.’’

The dynamics of each water body should be carefully considered by any buyer: average depth, nutrient recycling capabilities, dissolved oxygen levels, rates of decomposition and water temperature are the primary evaluative tools. Phosphorus is at the root of most beachfront problems; it promotes plant growth and is introduced to a water body by lawn fertilizers, soil erosion, sewage, animal waste and decomposing vegetative matter.

Over the past dozen years impressive technical strides in water treatment have led to effective means of improving or eliminating problem beachfront concerns. Ultrasonic procedures, electric powered mechanical weed rollers, chemical additives and tools that agitate the lakebed are being used effectively without any negative effects to the aquatic life.

The impact of The New Hampshire Shore Land Protection Act by establishing rules for waterfront property owners has become a valuable piece of legislation for maintaining the quality of the way of life for waterfront owners in The Lakes Region. I encourage you to contact our offices and speak with our knowledgeable realtors prior to making your buying decisions.
Jim Ferriman Jferriman@spencerhughes.com 603-520-5385

The first was the chance encounter with a man in his 80s who happened to drop in at our Alton Bay office with a question. Specifically, could I tell him if Camp Mishe Mokwa was still operating? He still has wonderful recollections of the 4 summers he spent there on Treasure Island in Lake Winnipesaukee, way back in the early part of last century. With a little research I informed him that it was no more, as of 1937. We chatted for some time, though, about Alton Bay and the Lake of his memories, and he grew more animated and specific of those halcyon days.

Subsequently I counted more than 47 camps had at one time existed along the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee and Squam. Most have long since gone; Camp Tecumseh in Moultonborough, however, is still often rated among the top camps in the country. It struck me that there must be hundreds of thousands of people, perhaps many, many more, who harbor a strong fondness for the special qualities of our area. These shared memories have a force of their own, almost tangible lingerings of happy experiences; I’ve felt them, and so have others.

Moultonborough Real Estate Gem with a Long History & a Bright Future?

My second observation concerns a new real estate listing of Spencer Hughes: That of the unique gentleman’s estate of Kona Farms, MLS #4068978, in Moultonborough. At a mere $7,995,900.00, this remnant of the American Age of Elegance exudes a touch of class and a propriety of another time. Why the name?  Well, it stems from the legend of the tragic love affair between the Indian princess Ellacoya and her suitor, the mighty Kona. Personally I’d love to see a creative school obtain this property to continue a reverence for the continuity of an earlier time. A Chautauqua, perhaps. We’ll see.

Jim Ferriman:  Jferriman@spencerhughes.com,  (603) 520-5385

Image via Wikipedia

There has been some welcome, and overdue, legislation from the NH State Senate regarding the New Hampshire Comprehensive Shoreland Protection Act, which clarifies and simplifies the 2008 revisions of the original 1991 act.  NH State Senate Bill #154 will allow the waterfront owners and builders in the Lakes Region to efficiently schedule and manage costs concerning waterfront property alterations by greatly reducing the confusion and unknowns of the state’s position regarding an owner’s project proposal.

The bill will also keep in tact all of the provisions that protect the water quality and waterfront beauty, hence the property value, upon which the purpose of the Act rests. I believe that this bill will eliminate what had been in my mind some of the unenforceable aspects of the earlier revisions and provides that most permits would be issued or denied within 5 days of the application date. This includes applications for new construction, landscaping, excavations, water runoff management, repairs and alterations to existing structures and general improvements to waterfront property beneficial to the goals of the Act.

The NH publication “A Shoreland Homeowner’s Guide to Stormwater Management – Protecting Your Home & Environment” can be accessed on the web and consists of ten worthwhile articles that should be part of any waterfront owner’s library. Mr. Jay Aube (jason.aube@des.nh.gov), the director of the Shoreland Program, can be easily contacted and offers clear and valuable advice regarding all aspects of the Act.

With each new spring season, waterfront owners walk their property with an eye toward making long-term improvements and value appreciation efforts. Should this bill pass the NH House and gain the NH Governor’s signature, the law is expected to take effect on June 30, 2011.  Overall it will provide an understanding of the needs and expectations on everyone’s part in protecting the high standards of the Lakes Region. After all, out-of-state second home owners can buy their dream house anywhere.  This proposal will help determine that the NH Lakes Region and Lake Winnipesaukee will be able to showcase our lifestyle well into the future.

Jim Ferriman

603-520-5385 or 603-520-2020

The basics of the case are as follows: A Connecticut couple bought a second home for vacation use on Long Island for approximately $260,000.00 some years ago. During their ownership they complied with all tax laws regarding mortgage interest and property tax deductions based upon their minimal personal use.  New York state income tax had been assessed only on the husband’s income earned while working in New York.

With this new ruling, the couple has been found to have been in non-compliance with the New York State Tax Code, and the state has made an additional demand regarding income earned by both husband and wife outside of NY. This additional tax bill amounts to $1.06 million. New York tax experts say this ruling is a complete departure from how summer second homes have been treated by NY.  It has the potential to raise the tax bill for thousands of second home owners in the city and other vacation home areas in the state.

Last week’s analytic report numbering visits to the Spencer Hughes website showed gains in the number of inquiries from Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey residents. Small surprise to me, for I expect an increase of inquiries to New Hampshire, which has no state income tax, should this interpretation be applied to out-of-state second home owners in the Catskills, Finger Lakes, Adirondacks and Thousand Islands areas. And the possibility of other cash-strapped states adopting the NY ruling is also very real. This would certainly provide support for second home property values in our state.
Jim Ferriman    Jferriman@spencerhughes.com     603-267-9866 & 603-520-5385