A house should have curb appeal, but what exactly does that mean? It means, if a buyer drives past a house at 10 mph, the front should be alluring enough for that buyer to stop the car. If the seller has done a good job, the buyer might then write down the real estate agent’s name and number.

You can achieve curb appeal, which the National Association of Realtors says sells 49% of all houses, whether you have a city townhouse with no front yard or a suburban house with trees and a lawn.

One facet of curb appeal you may not be able to control is the condition of your neighbors’ houses and yards. If they all look nice, then the buyer will become as intrigued with the neighborhood as with your house. If the other yards are filled with kids’ toys, and the buyer has children, that means potential playmates. If the other yards are filled with rubbish and junk cars… well good luck.

Armed with your down payment and your pre-approved mortgage loan, the next step is finding the house that will best meet your family’s needs. With realistic expectations, patience, and plenty of research, you’ll be well on your way.

Once you narrow it down to the neighborhoods you like, you’ll want to determine the maximum house price you can afford. Even though you’re pre-approved for a set loan amount, it doesn’t mean you can afford that. You’ll want to factor in other expenses, including retirement and college savings, vacations, and home maintenance and repairs, then you calculate how much you can afford for a monthly payment. And don’t forget to budget for homeowners insurance and property taxes.

Next, differentiate your needs versus your wants. You need three bedrooms, but a fourth room would be nice for a play room or guest room. You need a two-car garage, but a larger one would be nice for storage. You need a functional kitchen but want hardwood floor. You need two bathrooms but want a luxurious master suite. Etc.

As you begin on your house-hunting venture, you may want to prepare a checklist. Break it down between exterior and interior characteristics. Make notes on each feature and how important it is (1-10). Some of the exterior features to rate might include size of yard, quality of fence, paint condition, roof condition, window conditions, garage, back yard. When it comes to interior, think about square footage; the floor plan; the size and functionality of the various rooms - i.e, closet and storage space. Your checklist should also include any other factors you deem important — i.e., the amount of traffic, the appearance of the neighborhood, safety in the area, the reputation of local schools, etc.

Freddie Mac, the stockholder-owned corporation chartered by Congress in 1970 to create a continuous flow of funds to mortgage lenders in support of homeownership and rental housing, and other industry experts make additional suggestions, including:

Take a camera with you to capture an image of each house you look at that makes it to the “maybe” list. Don’t make a hasty decision, especially if you feel yourself becoming guided by emotion. Selecting a home takes time, thought, and analysis. You should carefully weigh the pros and cons of each house you like. Review your checklist and notes and compare it against your needs, wants, and budget. Bring your spouse, friend or family members with you to get a second opinion. They may notice a shortcoming that you’ve overlooked. Find out how much utilities and maintenance cost.

Stay on top of newly listed houses via a Multiple Listing Service by remaining in close contact with your Real Estate agent. This is extremely important if you’re in a market in which homes that are priced right go fast. You want an experienced Real Estate agent who alerts you of new listings and who shows you the houses as soon as they’re listed.

Be prepared to look at the potential of a house rather than what you see in front of you. It’s more important that the layout of the house and the number of bedrooms you need fit your needs versus your dislike for the avocado colored carpet or the lack of landscaping. Those types of cosmetic shortcomings can be easily remedied once you buy the house.

If you find a house you like, offer a competitive bid. Keep in mind you’ll likely be competing against other offers—especially if interest rates stay low and the buying season is in full bloom. Your Real Estate agent will help you make an offer contingent upon the findings of a professional home inspection. If any major defects surface, you’ll want to have the leverage to renegotiate or back out of the deal completely.

For homeowners aiming to sell their home and buy another, it’s the classic real estate question - buy or sell first?

If you sell first, you may find yourself under a tight deadline to find another house, or be forced in temporary quarters. If you buy first, you may be saddled with two mortgage payments for at least a couple months.

You may need the money from the sale of your original home in order to pre-qualify for a loan for your new home. You may be facing a job relocation and need to sell quickly. There are many variables involved; there is no universal correct answer. It basically comes down to your specific circumstances.

However, there is generally less pressure when you sell first. “It’s whether you want the risk of owning two houses, or possibly none at all.” If you have the money to make two mortgage payments, the pressure is off. But if you need to sell your house in order to qualify for a loan, then you have no choice but to sell first.

“You can write contingent contracts, but if you really want the home, you’ll pay a premium if the seller will even entertain a contingent offer. If you go ahead with a contingent offer, then you may end up settling for less for the house you’re selling in an effort to get it sold quickly.

Even in good real estate markets, sales frequently drag on much longer than you expect. Selling in a weak market usually compounds the problem. Homeowners tend to overestimate their house’s resale value and underestimate the length of the selling process.

Selling first eliminates financial risk - no double mortgages and double payments for property taxes and insurance payments. And no worrying about how you’ll come up with a down payment.

Selling first isn’t always a perfect solution - here are some of the issues that may come up include:
The worst that can happen is the right home is no longer available and you end up in a short-term rental with the cash in your pocket and pre-approved financing for the balance you need. So you look like a cash buyer when you make an offer on the home you finally decide on. Where will you live? Where will your kids go to school? Where will you store your extra furniture while you live with family and friends or rent an apartment? How long are you willing to live in temporary quarters until you find a suitable house?

However, for most people, the stress level is lower when you sell first. You have time to get pre-approved for your mortgage and see all the housing options in the price range you’d like to buy. When your selling house is in contract, pick the three best homes of those you’ve viewed and prepare to make an offer on the one that best meets your needs.
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Alpine Lakes Real Estate of Lincoln & Campton New Hampshire has been through high and low cycles in New Hampshire before. Here are the facts that we know for sure:

• New Hampshire has no state income or broad based sales tax.
• More people will want to live here in the next ten years
• The dollar will be worth less compared to other currencies
• Labor, Materials & new construction will be more expensive
• With National Forest & other considerations there is no chance the government will make more land available for development
• Proffered locations sell for more money no matter the market

I don’t recommend shopping on the last day of a month long sale:

Because what’s left is the stuff no body wants and waiting for the market to “hit the bottom” is the same thing. Is it really going to matter if you paid 5% too much now-10yrs later? When you find the view, amenities, location and life style you and your family have been searching for, move forward with no regret. Real Estate has historically doubled in price over a 10 year period! Inventory & Choice are in the buyers favor buy now you’ll glad you did.

www.alpinelakes.com
steve@alpinelakes.com
800-926-5653

If you’re preparing to make the transition from renter to first-time homebuyer, you’ve undoubtedly been told by wide-eyed veterans of the homebuying process, “Watch out for that PMI. PMI, as in Private Mortgage Insurance. It’s a fact of life for homebuyers who put down less than 20 percent on their homes. From the lender’s perspective, PMI is a necessary protection. For homebuyers, it’s not likely to be the deciding factor that causes financial ruin; after all, you’ve got your principal and interest, which can make your PMI look like pocket change. Nevertheless, first-time buyers often experience trepidation when they see that mortgage payment on paper for the first time, so the addition of a PMI isn’t a welcome sight.

So how exactly does PMI protect your lender? First, let it be said that PMI was designed strictly for your lender’s protection and not yours. Essentially, there’s nothing in the PMI for you. The PMI gives lenders incentive to seek out more business—to find more homebuyers like yourself, many of whom have never bought a home before and, like you, are able to put down the bare minimum 3 percent down payment. In a sense, we can all be grateful for the PMI, because without it, if you didn’t have 20 percent to put down, you wouldn’t be able to purchase a home.

A few factors to consider:
Some lenders won’t ask you to pay a PMI, so you’ll want to do some comparison shopping, investigate your alternatives and discuss your options with your Realtor. If you want to make your PMI premiums tax-deductible, find a lender who will give you the option of including your PMI within the interest rate you’ve agreed to pay for your home loan. If you opt for a conventional loan (versus FHA), such loans will often eliminate your PMI when you’ve achieved 20 percent equity. For first-time buyers, it needs to be stated that it’s going to take you many, many years to reach 20 percent equity. National trends certainly indicate that most of us will move out of our homes long before we reach that mark; five to seven years is the average. But let’s say you remain in your home long enough to reach that 20 percent equity milestone. However, your PMI won’t just go away once you achieve 20 percent equity.

Homebuyers who obtained home loans either on or after July 29, 1999, have a loophole:
They’re entitled to the immediate cancellation of their PMIs upon their achievement of 22 percent equity. Another safeguard on your side is outlined in the Homeowners’ Protection Act of 1998, which actually enables homeowners to request the cancellation of their PMIs prior to reaching 22 percent equity. Homeowners—with the exception of those with FHA loans, who are not given the opportunity to cancel their PMIs before the entire loan is paid off—may request the cancellation of their PMIs upon reach 20 percent equity.

If you remain consistent with the national trend and either move out of your home within five to seven years or refinance it, including your PMI in your loan interest rate probably makes sense from a tax perspective. One other factor to consider: If you live in a region of the country where property values are skyrocketing and show no signs of slowing down, you’re likely to reach 20 percent equity in a much shorter amount of time than in a market where property values are more slow.

The silver lining of this “necessary evil” is that it allows thousands of renters each year achieve the American Dream of homeownership.

If you’re trying to decide between remodeling your home or moving to a new one, there’s one thing you must know: the wrong decision could wind up costing you and your family tens of thousands of dollars and months of your free time. Not to mention the untold emotional stress that comes along with it.

Whether you’re analytical or emotional, it’s helpful to understand the financial and emotional factors you must consider before making your decision.
Comparing the different scenarios is a great way to see how changes in your remodeling plans, for example, can affect the cost of the remodel.

Your feelings about your current home, neighborhood and the remodeling process are as important as the costs of your options in determining what is best for you.

If Alpine Lakes Real Estate can be of any assistance please do not hesitate to contact us.

The following is a press release issued by the New Hampshire Association of Realtors:

For the second consecutive year, the New Hampshire residential real estate market continued a modest correction from its 2005 peak, as sales volume lagged and prices remained relatively flat throughout the state.

There were 11,989 single-family homes sold in 2007, a drop of 10.3 percent from the 13,364 sold in 2006. The median sale price of those transactions, however, fell only 1.6 percent – from $265,000 in 2006 to $260,800 in 2007.

It was the second consecutive year of a slight median price decline, as 2006 showed a 1.9 percent drop from the 2005 median price peak of $270,000, but members of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors pointed to the value surge of the late-1990s and early-2000s as evidence that as a long-term investment, real estate is healthy as ever.

“We had such a price boom up through 2005, it’s no surprise that prices have lagged a little,” said 2008 NHAR President Jim Lyons. “There are going to be ebbs and flows to the real estate market, but we like to think of real estate as a long-term investment and to look at trends over substantial periods rather than just year to year.” To that end, Lyons cited the fact that residential median prices in New Hampshire doubled over a six-year period from 1998 to 2004, increasing from $127,500 to $254,702, an average annual increase of 16.6 percent.

An upward trend continued through 2005, during which the median home price peaked at $270,000, and that was followed by the slight declines of the past two years. Even with those drops, the nine-year period from 1998 through 2007 has seen an overall median price increase of 105 percent, an average of 11.7 percent per year, what Lyons called “a very solid rate of return.”

In local markets, the largest one-year value decline was in Rockingham County, where median prices dipped by 4.2 percent from 2006 to 2007, a fact mitigated by a volume decline of a modest 2.4 percent. Meanwhile, median prices over that period increased in Sullivan (1.9 percent), Grafton (1.5 percent) and Belknap (0.3 percent) counties.

“Every market is different, which is why we stressed the value of a local Realtor in the area buyers are interested in to assess particular choices for each individual looking to buy or sell a home,” Lyons said. “Short-term investing is always going to be subject to short-term market forces, but as a general rule we truly believe that long-term investing in real estate is a still a sound choice.”

The latest quarterly report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) indicate that condo prices showed resiliency.

With a 2% rise compared to 12 months ago. Regionally the Northeast is the best performing area -for the 3 months ending 9/30/07 - the median home price rose 3.2%. Locally, the Lincoln / Loon Mountain area is even less affected by downtrend.

So tell buyers if they are waiting for the bottom it has already passed. Excellent choices are available but waiting for a give away just isn’t proving to be prudent if you are looking for a special location, view or amenity to own. Now is the time to buy.

How often do I hear, I should have bought when there was good inventory? After every rebound we’ve had over the past 25 years… says Steve Loynd, the Managing Broker at Alpine Lakes Realty, at our Loon Mountain office.

Don’t wait till it’s too late.

Alpine Lakes is combating that trend by reaching more potential buyers and more qualified buyers looking to purchase the type of property we are offering for sale. The days of putting ads in the paper and waiting for the phone to ring are over (although we continue to use proven print media). Web sites, search engines, real estate blogs, vitual tours, contact management systems, and organic content are just some of the new real estate requirements. We have incorporated all of these advances into the business of selling your property.

If you search for property in the White Mountains, you will see Alpine Lakes prominently featured in REALTOR.COM, CRAIGSLIST & UTUBE, we have a strong presence when searching for information on South Peak Resort, and we have purchased and maintained several domain names closely associated with the area. I invite you to read my real estate blog at www.alpinelakes.com/blog

We feature a lot of useful content about local activities and events, we attempt to educate buyers and sellers in the use of 1031 exchanges, the advantages of “current use land status” we share real estate definitions and terms, and we offer creative solutions to everyday real estate issues.

In order for us to place your listing in the National Realtors Association data base, and begin to market your property we will require you to sign a listing agreement and seller disclosure. Please feel free to contact us at your convenience to discuss the best way to market and sell your unique property. Steve Loynd Managing Broker - Alpine Lakes Real Estate (800-926-5653 or steve@alpinelakes.com)

Originally, on this day unmarried women’s names were put into a pot. Unmarried men would choose a name and the pair would become romantic couples for the year. These matches often resulted in marriage.

Saint Valentine was considered the patron saint of betrothed couples, greetings, happy marriages, lovers & young people. Valentine’s Day became known as the day for young men to gain their chosen gal’s affection.

It is believed in England & France that birds begin to choose their mates around the middle of February. This helped lead to the romanticizing of Valentine’s Day. Superstition says that the bird you watch on Valentine’s Day will hint at the man you will marry. If you see a squirrel it means you’ll marry a cheapskate. Seeing a goldfinch means you will marry someone wealthy. Seeing a robin means you will marry a crime fighter & if you see a flock of doves that means your marriage will be peaceful and happy.

Another tradition that got its start in the middle ages was giving roses. The Greeks & Romans believed Eros (the son of Aphrodite - Greek) or Cupid (the son of Venus - Roman) was bringing sweet nectar to the gods on Olympus when he dropped some of the nectar on the ground, out of that spilled drink grew a rose. Because Eros/Cupid is the god of love, the rose became considered the flower of love. As such it became the signature gift of Valentine’s Day.

Today the holiday is no longer restricted to couples but is seen as a day to honor someone special. Have a happy Valentines Day from the staff at Alpine Lakes Real Estate.

A skilled real estate professional finds the answers to today’s property questions.

The most asked question today is what will it take to sell my property without taking a loss?

First I would question what you intend to do after the sale. Are you planning on buying another property? Or are you selling to leave the area completely? In the first case you are trading equity, when selling now and buying now you’re sale and your purchase is being done in the same economic climate. In other words if you are selling for less than you want, remember the property you plan on buying is in the same boat as you, and it’s likely that it is going to go for a similar discount (or below prior market value) as yours did. Another solution that we have worked out for sellers is a direct trade, when two seller own different types of property and they are seeking each others as their ultimate replacement. We have had a land owner who wished to own a condo with amenities and an on site management company to care for the property as this buyer was out of state, and matched this property with a condo owner who was looking for a retirement home but had needs that required him to build a custom structure. In this case the condo was a lower value than the land so the land owner received a deed to the condo plus the additional money to off set the price difference.
When forced to sell now and not be replacing the property you are really at the value of the market and by definition that is what a buyer is willing to pay for it today.

Let Alpine Lakes Real Estate help you with creative real estate solutions. We look beyond the obvious to get our sellers the best results.

The “ORDINANCES” or local laws enacted to control the use of a property in a given location. Many people I talk to are offended that the governing body (towns in this case) set a boundary on private citizens and impede their use and enjoyment. My answer is if zoning predates your purchase than you assumed the current standards and should know or had the right to find out what these limitations are on the property you are buying.

Most zoning regulations were enacted to protect the public and by extension protect your property value as well. Some examples of this public interest being served is no adult book stores near a school, no gas stations in a federal flood zone, no go-cart track in a residential neighbor, etc.

The affect and control of general design criteria and development can come in the following areas:
1) Permitted use/commercial, residential, industrial, agricultural
2) Lot size or density; how many condos per acre, square footage of lot for a single-family home, etc.
3) Type of structure: multi-family, trailer park, retail space, etc. 4) Building height
5) Set backs (from street, neighbor, sidewalk)
6) Style and appearance: Towns can require a landscaping plan, minimum pitch of roof, no log siding or many other things
7) Protection of natural resources; no salt sheds in a wetland area, no tree cutting to close to a stream, or no neon signs on a nationally designated scenic highway.

Alpine Lakes has been through the development process for many clients and we are happy to represent your next project. Feel free to call us for any of your real estate needs.

This transaction may require you to place even more trust in the listing broker than you typically think of in selling your primary home. When your permanent address is on the market the day to day interaction between broker and client can be a live stream of information. Let’s face it you know when the property is being shown because you are part of that coordination and planning. You have a chance for better feed back as you are curious about each and every showing. Why should your vacation home be any different?

I majored in real estate studies in college, have been license to practice for almost 25 years now, and taught brokerage and appraisal at the institute for practicing real estate, I live by these simple rules of real estate. Work hard for your clients as you have a fiduciary relationship to them (a Bond of Trust and Confidence) and in the case of a listing agreement (which is a personal service contract) you are agreeing to protect their interest first and foremost.

It is my opinion that too many listing agents sacrifice some of their clients trust to expedite the offer and get the deal done. When a seller tells me he can be flexible on his price that is not an endorsement to give away your clients money (I would say I’ll present all offers as a requirement of my listing agreement) you will never hear me say “I think he’ll take less.” When the market softens we need not sacrifice our duties to our clients, after all - your sellers’ today may become your buyers’ tomorrow.

Give me your thoughts and experiences in the seller/broker or buyer/agent relationship (Your comments are valuable, please leave one).

The National Association of Realtors, is forecasting existing-home sales and prices to stabilize in the second quarter and rise throughout the second half of the year (reaching 5.7 million sales by the end of 2008).

It’s been my experience in the second home market (vacation properties) that the season of the year and buyers anticipated future use will dictate when they make a purchase decision. When we couple this understanding with our knowledge of how long it takes a new property listing to reach all of its potential buyers’. We can recommend a client list their vacation property 60 to 90 days ahead of the next notable shift in activity.

With the summer months on the not too distant horizon, now is the time to think about listing your White Mountain Ski Property. Your buyers’ will finish this ski season thinking about next ski season and when they should act to secure their dream far enough in advance to personalize their new surroundings.

If you are thinking of selling your White mountain Retreat call me!
Steve Loynd Managing Broker
Alpine Lakes Real Estate
Lincoln NH
800-926-5653

Richard Gaylord, 2008 President of the National Association of Realtors says, “Regardless of where we are in a cycle, there are always plenty of people ready to buy and sell”. The NAR president backs up this claim with these facts: the 2007 existing-home sales surpassed those of 2002 (which were at the time a record year).

Now is a great time to be a consumer “Today, buyers have more choices and favorable interest rates”. With the help of a professional Realtor we can put together good deals.

In my opinion; people I’m currently working with who have adopted a wait and see attitude, will soon miss the opportunities and will be facing “I waited and saw” only to realize they waited too long and then bought for more than they could have in retrospect. It’s been my experience prices never stay down long, and given time will exceed the last market peak after a short correction.

Statewide statistics from the NH Association of REALTORS show that from January through September 2007 the average price of residential homes held fairly steady with a decline of only 1%. This is good news compared with what’s happening in many other parts of the United States, where double-digit price declines have been common.

Although we continue to see a decline from the high sales reached in 2004, many homes are selling - and selling quickly. The key is to price your property appropriately and follow up with effective advertising and marketing strategies. Alpine Lakes Realty has almost 25 years of experience available to help you price your property for the best results. Our marketing approach and dedication to our customers gives you the edge in this ever changing real estate market. We use a comprehensive marketing plan for your property with a wide variety of advertising tools, from our professional designed brochures to websites with virtual tours.

Please feel free to contact Alpine Lakes Real Estate for your FREE Market Analysis and let us show you how our tradition of service will lead to your success.

I was reading a report from Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of research for the National Association of Realtors, he was talking about figures provided by the Federal Reserve Board which have consistently show the staggering difference in net worth when the government compares home owners to renters. - Would you believe, in the latest study home owners had an average net worth of $184,400 while renters had an average net worth of just $4,000.

So no matter what the latest news is on the economy or interest rates Americans that buy their own home rather than rent consistently have a better nest egg.

You’re not just buying real estate; you’re buying a dream of ownership and accumulating wealth as a side benefit.

Exceptional value, private location (abuts State forest Land) and move-in condition. These are the key elements being offered at Alpine Village. Offering a proven on-site rental program which allows owners to make this three-level Townhouse their primary home, second home or rental income property. We are presently listing a furnished 3-bedroom for $199,900 which includes all the appliances, fixtures, decorations and window treatments making for a true turn key sale.

Our client has priced the property below the most recent selling prices for comparable units and wishes to sell quickly. This represents an excellent opportunity to buy in the quaint village of Woodstock, NH, with shuttle service to Loon Mountain, and acquire real estate at below market value.

For more information on this 3 Bedroom & 2 Bath Condo priced @ $199,900 (for a limited time) feel free to contact steve@alpinelakes.com in our Lincoln, NH, office (800-926-5653)

Every woman has the dream of owning her own home? Unfortunately, many women believe that they can’t afford the cost of a house. It’s actually a lot easier than you may think.

There are many individuals who mistakenly believe that they need to have money upfront, to buy a home. Most people use financing/loans, provided by financial lenders, to buy a home. If you have yet to consider getting mortgages for a home purchase, this may be the time to do so. There are many kinds of loans including secured loans where you need to use your assets as a form of guarantee. Whatever you decide in fulfilling your dream of having your own home, do your homework and compare your options. But remember if you dream it you can live it.

The holiday season (November -through January) is a great time to find a bargain on a home, so instead of hitting the malls, you might want to take advantage of the slower market and talk to one of our Real Estate agents.

Home sales peak from spring through summer in most states. As the weather turns colder and kitchens everywhere begin churning out a series of holiday feasts, people become too preoccupied with the festivities to go house hunting. However, the slower market has its advantages.

Supply and demand.
With fewer home buyers demanding a dream house and plenty of listings still sitting on the market, prices tend to be reduced.
Sellers may be motivated to make a deal, especially if the house has been on the market for a while.
You are less likely to enter a bidding war with other potential home buyers, which could increase the cost.

Better interest rates.
Lower demand also affects mortgage lenders.
You may get a better interest rate or see fewer mortgage-related fees at the closing table.

Tax deduction.
If you close on or before December 31, you may be able to deduct the interest on your 1st monthly mortgage payment from your taxable income.
You may also be able to deduct any money you pay for points to reduce the interest rate on your loan.
Your tax advisor can go over exactly what deductions you can claim.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from the staff at Alpine Lakes Real Estate!

Packing up all your belongings can be a nightmare… a daunting task. Here are some pointers to help you quickly gain control of the situation:

Getting Started
Set up a table in the center of the room as a “staging area”. Place your boxes and packing materials near the table so they are easily accessible.
Pick a starting point in the room and begin packing in a clockwise direction.

Packing the Boxes
Put heavier items at the bottom of the box and lighter, more delicate things on top.
Try to fit items closely together in the box to avoid them from shifting during the move.

Packing Breakables
Line your box with soft padding material - crumpled newspaper works well.
Lay out a piece of bubble wrap or several sheets of clean newspaper - put your item several inches below one corner and fold it over so the item is covered and so the backside is exposed and wrap a side corner over, turn it over and wrap the other side corner over. Keep repeating this process until the item is safely protected.
If you’re wrapping dishes, you can stack four to five together, as long as there is bubble wrap between each dish.

TIP: Don’t forget to write down on your inventory sheet and each box a code for what’s inside.

An example of a White Mountain real estate investment strategy as it can work for income property sellers. I had a buyer with a low basis (original purchase price) and a high return (resale price) on an apartment building he sold out of state. We made sure he qualified the sale (of the disposed property) as a 1031 like kind exchange, which required all the proceeds of his sale to go directly to a qualified intermediary. My buyer had some time prior to the completion of his sale to look at alternative investments, and he had an additional 45 days after the transaction to identified potential “replacement property”.

We went back and forth over buying one property for the $400,000 target reinvestment or buying multiple properties adding up to the target number. Some of the concerns raised in buying the one property was he would have some of the same issues but from further away if he bought another apartment building, if he purchased a single family home in a nice neighborhood with the proceed of the exchange it couldn’t provide the returns the relinquished property had. The creative solution that worked best in this case was to buy two different types of property and treat them as separate investments.

One issue that came out of our conversations was the overhead was increasing in the property being sold there where maintenance issues, rising taxes and long term tenants that caused constant work for my customer. We settled on the purchase of a condominium with a short term rental program and on-site maintenance and a second purchase of a large parcel of land. The Condo provided some monthly income but no long terms tenants (the work was provided by the management company), and allowed for some periodic visits to the resort property (near a Ski area). The land is to be held for long term investment with an eye towards eventual resale, and in the mean time there is virtually no maintenance required and a very low tax bill with over 10 acres being in current use. As land in the area becomes more scarce it may prove to be a better return for the owner to subdivide, or develop the land but with no mortgage on the land, wait and see is the strategy for now.

Alpine Lakes is experienced in 1031 exchanges, and we realize the shortest distance between two points is not always a straight line (when it comes to real estate).

Everyone’s idea of a dream home is as different as each of us are. That’s why there is a different style house for everyone. What is your favorite?

A-frame - a style of house with steeply angled sides that meet at the top in the shape of the letter A.

Bungalow - is traditionally small, only one story, thatched and had a wide veranda.

Cabin - is small in size, feature a gable roof, and tend to be simple in design

Cape Cod - is traditionally characterized by a low, broad frame building, generally a story and a half high, with a steep, perfectly pitched roof with end gables and a large central chimney.

Chalet - also known as a Swiss chalet is a wooden dwelling with a sloping roof and widely overhanging eaves, common in Switzerland and other Alpine regions.

Colonial - is more or less flat, symmetrical facade with double-hung, shuttered windows with dominant divided Dutch doors and central chimneys.

Contemporary - has eye catching features as asymmetrical design, unusual angles, flat roofs with varied or multi-level rooflines, boldly articulated windows, silo-like towers, little ornamentation and vertical siding.

Cottage - the exterior, commonly features half-hip roofs, shingles or stucco siding.

Farmhouse - has a porch that stretches along the front of the home and may wrap around to the side or rear with a steeply pitched roof typically runs along the length of the home and is sometimes accented by dormers and gables.

Federation - homes have front verandas with decorative timber features, tiling on the patio floor and entry paths.

Garrison - typically two stories with the second-story overhanging in the front.

Log Home - also known as Log Cabin is a combinations of natural wood, stone and glass creating a timeless and rustic charm with the advantage of their thermal mass heat retention, which makes them an excellent insulator against the cold weather.

McMansion - is large like a mansion, but is in-expensively built, often built in neighborhoods all at the same time with, no difference between individual structures.

Modular or Mobile Home - built in factories, rather than on site, and then taken to the place where they will be occupied.

New England - often incorporates dormer windows for an even warmer touch and tend to have dominant rooflines that extend down to the first floor ceiling level.

Prairie - are usually marked by horizontal lines, flat or hipped roofs with broad overhanging eaves, windows grouped in horizontal bands, integration with the landscape, solid construction, craftsmanship, and discipline in the use of ornament.

Ranch - makes great starter homes, owing to their cost-effective construction with more than rectangular floor plans - noted for its long, low to the ground profile that offer little exterior ornamentation, with basic exterior framing.

Saltbox - is a wooden frame house with a long, pitched roof that slopes down to the back.

Split-Level - is a style of house in which the floor level of one part of the house is about half way between a floor and its ceiling of the other part of the house that creates three floor levels of interior space.

Stick Built style - a translation of the balloon framing used in New Englander houses in the era by alluding to them through plain trim boards, soffits, aprons and other decorative features, while eliminating overtly ornate features such as rounded towers and gingerbread trim.

Victorian - often three stories high with asymmetrical massing, “gingerbread” ornamentation, fishscale shingles, turrets and/or towers at the corners, oval glass in the front door, elaborate and intricately decorated porches, and varieties of patterns and sometimes quite vibrant colors.

Price is the ultimate equalizer when it comes to second home properties
#1) What the prior owner liked you might not like
#2) Many properties in your price range share similar floor plans.

So if the comparison can’t be made from the outside what are we left with to determine which property meets our needs and objectives?
Interior design, location within the complex, view, proximity to the amenities, and relative density compared to the alternative offerings.

You can take into account the cost of upgrading the interior compared to an updated version of the same plan. You can decide if you can live with road noise or if you’d pay more for the waterfront location, and in some locations terrain and building code changes can effect the number of condos/ homes allowed to be built per acre.

My advice is to prioritize your wants and deduct the negatives to arrive at the best available alternative. Price can narrow the field but it can’t be the only factor.

Alpine Lakes is here to help you find the perfect property that meets your priorities.

Here is a unique situation, exterior finished, with town water & sewer hook ups. Interior framed, insulated, and sprinklers installed, needs a buyer willing to do the sweat equity. You could own this 1,464 square foot condo as is for a little as $50/sqft (asking $73,200).

The previous (expired) building permit will need to be re-filed with the town of Woodstock. The seller is agreeable to a delayed closing, a lease until construction is completed or a reasonable offer on a cash sale (construction bids are also available). For further details on this property view MLS# 2647396.

Experienced Alpine Lakes agents offer Creative Real Estate Solutions. We can help with all you’re buying and selling questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.

It wasn’t long ago that the laundry room consisted of an alcove for the washer and dryer - more often than not it located in the basement. Today, laundry rooms are for multitaskers, providing a pleasant environment not only for washing, drying and ironing clothes but also reading; surfing the Web; arts/crafts; gift wrapping; bathing pets, etc. - generally located near the kitchen, garage or sometimes part of a mudroom.

One reason for bigger and better laundry rooms is consumers’ frustration with the way laundry rooms are typically designed. Homeowners obliged to fold clean clothes in the living room or on the dining-room table wished they could do everything in one space, but their laundry rooms weren’t set up for it.
It’s not unusual for laundry rooms to be 12′ x 12′ or larger now days. People sometimes take a room, about the size of a bedroom and convert it over to the laundry room. The room can include a tall cabinet for the ironing board, mops and other cleaning supplies; open shelves for clean towels and linens, etc. The cabinetry used is often the same quality you’d put in the kitchen. In some laundry rooms they include dog showers, litter box enclosures and pet doors leading to the yard or garage. Even a small laundry room can be tweaked for double duty. You can put a countertop in with a bulletin board and open shelves above it for more space. Think of your new laundry room as a home management center - a place for conducting daily chores and keeping everyday clutter out of the main living areas. It relieves demands on kitchen countertop space. You could even install a laundry chute near the bedroom(s) upstairs can sends dirty clothes into a cabinet in the laundry room. There are multiple storage options you can include, such as: rollout shelves for detergent; drawers for mending kits; and cabinets to hold supplies for projects; an island or work table to provide an additional work surface; and a kitchen sink deep enough for arranging flowers and potting plants.

Front-loading washers and dryers are more popular than ever with homeowners, as much for their good looks as for ergonomic reasons. They’re available with optional pedestals that raise the machines to a more comfortable height. Some pedestals double as storage drawers for extension cords and other items. New appliances are one of the reasons laundry rooms have transformed. They’re very energy-efficient, they use less water and they’re considerably quieter than they used to be.

One part of the slow housing market is accelerating - the shift to green. Propelled by the promise of cutting energy costs, homeowners are investing in environmentally friendly upgrades. But is going green really worth the money? Will all those eco-friendly touches add value to your home when it’s time to sell? The concept of a well-built home is one that it is energy-efficient, meaning that it is functioning like a human body, with all of the systems in sync.

The essential things to keep in mind:
Aim for a tight thermal envelope - Getting the outside tight so there is no leakage of conditioned air.
Thinking solar doesn’t just involve solar panels - It’s important to pay attention to where the sun streams into your house. Controlling the amount of light coming in can drastically affect your heating or cooling bills.
Consider your home’s circulatory system - Evaluate the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems and make sure they are running at peak efficiency.
Factor in fluids - If it’s time to upgrade your washing machine, consider water-saving and energy-efficient front loaders.
For the yard - Think about sprinkler systems that automatically respond to weather conditions.
Power-up - Always consider Energy Star appliances, compact fluorescent lightbulbs and flooring and paints with low-volatility organic compounds.

The main thing is to have your house diagnosed and see how it fares on the Home Energy Rating System. Once you’ve identified problem areas, fixes can be relatively cheap. Whether it’s replacing windows or fixing insulation problems, most upgrades don’t require a major overhaul of a house. Also, contact your local utility and inquire about a “blower” test (That costs about $300.00), which will pressurize your house and calculate how much air conditioning or heating is leaking out.

Great South Facing Mountain Views (HOT), overlooking an Icy Alpine River (COOL).

A One Bedroom Condo with all the amenities, wonderful views and a purchase price under $150,000 (furnished). Appealing? You bet! As the Loon Mountain Resort town of Lincoln, New Hampshire, HEATS up there are still some COOL deals to be had.

The excitement is building with the anticipation of the long awaited South Mountain Ski Slopes. The initial lifts are in, the base lodge built, snow making pipes laid and we have condos with views of all this for short money.

Forget the pourage and give Alpine Lakes Realty a call while the bears are hibernating. Once they wake it may be too late for great deals.
Developing, marketing, and selling real estate at NH Ski Resorts for 25 yr.

Alpine Lakes Real Estate:
Loon Mountain Office
800-926-5653

Waterville Valley Office
800-926-5653

Now with so many search engines and websites available what is the most successful way to search/find the house, condo or land that you’re looking for?

The market is a little slow and everyone needs a place to live, plus sellers are a little more motivated than they have been in the past few years. Some of my out of state property seller’s, have vacant homes or condos and would consider renting if it could turn into a sale.

The upside for the buyer is they have time to improve their credit rating; they can negotiate a fixed price in advance of the sale and often can accumulate some credit with the seller to be put towards their closing costs.

The seller gets a tenant who will treat the property well since they intend to buy it at the end of the lease, and may even have some improvements made to the property along the way. To alleviate the concerns of a seller in a recent lease with the option to buy deal it stipulated that the property remain on the market and if any back up offer was made the current tenant would have 5 days to match the agreement or step aside and let the third party move forward with the purchase (and vacate the property in 30 days upon notice). This agreement will allow the seller to keep looking for an immediate buyer, and motivate the tenant to complete the steps necessary to buy the property as soon as they are able. These agreements are drawn up as separate lease and sales agreements, (with each referencing the other) have security deposits, and good faith sales deposits in order to keep the contracts legal and binding on all parties to the agreements.

Looking for a creative solution; Call Alpine Lakes Real Estate for more information.

As you may have guessed my answer is it depends. Are you going to build right away are you holding for long term investment, or do you plan on flipping in less than three years?

If you can afford to pay cash than by all means do so, this will allow you to have no monthly debt and when financing a construction loan no additional money will be required to build your house. The bank will generally finance 80% of the completed projects appraised value, so if you paid $100,000.00 for the lot and you need $400,000.00 for your new home and the appraisal comes in at $500,000.00 (80%) you’ll have the $400,000.00 for the rest of the project. Also mortgage interest on raw land is not tax deductible, but once there is a structure on the property a number of tax savings are available.

The long term hold plan is much the same, since there is no write off created by the raw land and the interest can quickly double your cost of ownership this would be a pay once and hold plan.

The flip only works when the market forces make for quick gains. For example getting in on a new subdivision when the developer needs to cover road costs early on, but plans to raise prices in future phases. If, you bought at 100,000.00 financed with 20% down and paid 8% interest then sold at the end of one year for $160,000.00 you would have spent $20,000.00 (down payment) $8,000.00 (interest) and say $2,000.00 (legal & closing costs) you would have spent $30,000.00 to make $60,000.00 100% profit. Same case paying cash for the property $100,000.00 down $0 interest plus $2,000.00 closing costs spent $102,000.00 to make $60,000.00 nice return at 58%. But in 7.5 years of paying interest this would be break even at best.

Let Alpine Lakes Real Estate help you with your plans.

A short sale is initiated by the homeowner, usually in an attempt to avoid the foreclosure process.
A foreclosure is started by your lender because you haven’t made good on your promise to pay them back.

Distressed Homes in Default
Not all homes that go into default go all the way through foreclosure. Many sell before the notice of default is finalized. Home buyers and investors are attracted to short sales / foreclosures because they want to buy a home for less than the market value. Sometimes sellers in default and buyers who want a short sale / foreclosure are able to see eye-to-eye and enter into a profitable transaction for both parties. However, distressed home sales are often complicated. Both sellers and buyers should seek advice from a professional before entering into a contract.

Sellers in Foreclosure
It’s all too common for sellers in foreclosure to want to ignore the problem and hope it’ll go away. Short Sales is an option to transfer title to a buyer before the redemption period ends by persuading the lender to accept less than the unpaid mortgage balance. However, not all lenders will accept a short sale. Negotiation is key.

Buying Foreclosures & Short Sale Homes
Buying Distressed Homes involves 3 ways to purchase: from the seller in foreclosure, negotiating a short sale or buying from the lender after a public auction. Buying Short Sales is complicated and can take much longer to close than an ordinary transaction. Buying Foreclosures before the home goes to a public auction involves negotiating directly with the seller. Buyers also have the option of bidding on a foreclosure at the public auction. Buyers who bid at public auctions will benefit from getting as much information as possible beforehand.

Fixing Up Foreclosures / Short Sale Homes
One way to make money in real estate is to “buy low and sell high.” Couple that principle with fixing up the home / improving it, and the amount of profit can be even greater. Many distressed homes fall into disarray and require repairs. Repairs Before Resale can boost bottom-line profit.