Each year an average of 350,000 people travel from near and far to attend what has become one of the most popular events in the area. Motorcycle lovers and bike fans from all over the world crowd into a town only three square miles in size. The enjoyment of the races, sights, sounds, and freedom of a motorcyclist’s life is enough to keep people coming back for more. This event has been a New Hampshire annual tradition since 1923.

Laconia Bike Week is the oldest and one of the largest running motorcycle rallies in America. More people attend Laconia Bike Week than ever before. The races are held at New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon. There is a parade, and bikes line up and down Weirs Beach! They have become a bit outrageous in style, but one thing has always remained the same. If you love motorcycles and a free-spirited environment, Laconia and Weirs Beach have always been the places to be.

The 9 day long events continue in tradition again this year with even more events and recreation than ever before. Over 375,000 bikers are expected to attend and among them motorcycle gangs like Hells Angels, Pagans, Devil Disciples, and Iron Horsemen will return for the festivities.

If you like Motorcycles make the trip to New Hampshire for an experience you are guaranteed to remember.

Here are some of my favorite statements and how they apply to real estate!

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Don’t go armed with comps to a listing presentation with a firm asking price in mind only to be swayed by the seller to take the listing at a higher than market value number. “We can always lower it later,” no its too late, later buyers’ have passed on looking at it, and will not come back later because the price goes down, they’ll see it as a desperate move on a property with problems.

What goes up must come down. Unlike gravity there is no guarantee what went up is ever coming down, or at least not in the next 10 year cycle (we have seen a 14 year cycle in the last round), so waiting wouldn’t save you anything except the years of enjoyment you may have passed up being stubborn about price.

Good things come to those who wait. Not in this world - you get left - overs if you’re lucky and crumbs if you’re not.
Six of one or a half dozen of the other, one property is essentially the same as another, not true real estate is unique from one site to another I have had buyers’ return to a location at sunset to see which window has the best light at the end of the day (when they have just arrived home from work… it matters).

You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink, I say ask him if he thirsty first, we are so eager to show customers sometimes we don’t ask them when, where, or how before we waste both of our time. It could be next year before this buyer wants to buy why show him something that wouldn’t be available then. In keeping with the horse theme for a moment, “you can’t beat a dead horse”, sure you can but why would you want to, and don’t waste time on people killing time either (get their email address, put them in contact management) move on to live ones.

Honesty is the best policy, that is only true when it doesn’t hurt someone’s feelings, or I would have said things like” your kids are monsters, what is that smell, did a blind man decorate this place, I would have thought you would have cleaned up a little since I gave you three days notice, Does your father live with you or is that your husband” Many more come to mind but I don’t want to get off track.

Never burn a bridge behind you! Ok, that’s true, many of my past clients and customers come back to buy or sell again, or send friends to buy or sell because they trust I wouldn’t let them down. People who already bought love to convince their friends they made a great decision and the best way to do that is talk them into buying too (ride that to the finish line).

Share your favorite saying with me, and what it means to you.

Inconvenience is a Dealbreaker
Convenience is a must if recycling programs are to be successful. When consumers have to drive across town to drop off their recyclables, they’re more likely to question the impact that their individual contributions will make to the preservation of the planet. That’s a long-term decision, given that it takes glass an average of 1 million years to break down, aluminum an average of 500 years and tin approximately one century.

Drive by any landfill, and you’re likely to see what has become a national problem: overflow. As a result, cities have turned to incinerating their waste, which is hardly a solution because of the air pollution that such methods can produce. Ironically, incinerators often produce a variety of toxic ash which must then be stored somewhere, creating a vicious circle. Even more ironic is the estimate environmentalists have projected that nearly 70 percent of this waste could be recycled.

Recycling Begins at Home
What can consumers do within their own households to promote recycling, regardless of whether or not their communities have adopted environmentally conscious programs?

It starts the next time you’re at the grocery store. Instead of relying on the bags your store uses to package your groceries (most of which tear under the weight of cans and other heavy items), bring your own bag. If you didn’t bring your own bag and you’re making a small purchase of just one or two items, tell the clerk you don’t need a bag. While you’re strolling the aisles, seek out products - paper napkins and paper towels, for example - made of recycled material. They’re labeled with a series of arrows that form a circle, so they’re easy to spot. Yes, they often cost a little more, but the payoff is definitely worth the small investment. When you’re in the laundry detergent aisle, select containers labeled as refills, rather than brands packaged in large, plastic containers.

There’s no need to repurchase containers when you can simply reuse the one you already own. Avoid purchasing paper plates and cups and plastic utensils. They provide you with a shortcut come dishwashing time, but they also create needless waste.

Many modern grocery stores - and in particular, organic food stores - offer a variety of items sold in bulk, from spices to cereal to pasta to peanut butter. Take advantage of these items; they avoid using packing material and producing waste, and best of all, they’re often much less expensive.

Before you purchase anything - food or otherwise - consider how long it’s likely to last. It’s more cost-effective both to your bank account and the environment to save your money and purchase long-lasting, more durable items that translate into less waste.

When you arrive home, consider such measures as installing a trash compactor in your kitchen (or using yours if you’ve neglected to do so). While they don’t eliminate waste, trash compactors can at least reduce the amount of space consumed by garbage. t everything has to be thrown in your trash compactor, either; call your local utility company to determine which materials are safe for putting down your garbage disposal, if you have one. Some utility companies will tell you it’s safe to place such materials as coffee grounds down your garbage disposal, and others will tell you to avoid it.

If your community doesn’t have its own recycling program in place, you can still do your part and encourage your neighbors to do the same. Purchase your own separate containers for newspaper, glass, plastic, alumnium, etc., making the collection process easier for your family. Make a date once a week for delivery to your nearest recycled material drop-off center. Designating the same day every week will make the task easier to remember — and honor.

To help illustrate the significance that individual efforts can have on the environment, consider the following factoids:

Two plastic soft-drink bottles create enough polyester for a baseball cap.

One recycled glass bottle saves enough energy to illuminate a 100-watt light bulb for four hours.

A recycled park bench contains approximately 1,000 bottles and jugs.

Loon Mountain epic skiing but limited property inventory! Skiing and Real estate are both holding their value, 95% National forest land 5% for all other developments.

Some of the best skiing of the year can still be found, great coverage and all trails open for business. The same can be said for the area properties, with prices down an average of 12% since the 2005’s peak, excellent interest rates and no foreclosures on the horizon here. We can offer great property value, without the worry of missing the bottom. We’ve been consistently gaining price and diminishing current inventory over this record snow fall winter.

If you are considering a 2nd home in the White Mountains of New Hampshire the best deals are going to disappear faster than the snow. Once the current listings are gone we would expect them to be replaced by seller’s with higher expectations.

View current listings @ www.alpinelakes.com or contact me directly at: steve@alpinelakes.com

I have written about this before, when young people these days get in trouble they call they’re parents to bail them out. When they grow up they buy homes, expensive cars, flat screen TV’s and get into trouble and file bankruptcy. There seems to be a sense of entitlement, if you live in America you are entitled to the American dream, but it comes at a cost - it involves hard work and some basic respect for what we are given (including loans we agree to pay back) and the ability to achieve limitless possibilities.

There are no parades for people who do the right thing everyday, and all of the king’s horses and all of the king’s men don’t cheer when negative equity is all paid back.

I worked for a developer who began to construct a 5 story highrise condominium complex and through the normal course of building we began to market the property and had more than half of the units sold under non-binding reservations. The real estate market then crashed in 1991 after only two condos were closed, the remainder baled on their reservations (which was there right). The balance of the condominiums took an additional year to sell at 65 cents on the dollar, leaving the developer $1,000,000 short on his construction loan. Did he file bankruptcy, no he paid back the money on a loosing project because he was responsible for the loan (the fact it didn’t work out for him was not the lenders fault).

I know there were some shady things that some lenders have done recently, but most trusted borrowers to pay them back, and deserve to work out a plan that can be mutually acceptable – this is not your parents or your Governments fault.

Write to me, vent to me, but don’t make excuses to me or you’ll have your children living in your basement till their 35.

When we were kids we were lucky enough to have a vacation place in the White Mountains of NH. Of course, as kids we didn’t see it that way since our friends went to camps or Cape Cod and we hung out in New Hampshire and hang out with our parents. Who knew those were going to be some of the best days of our lives? While our friends went to arcades and the ocean we walked in the woods or swam in the Pemi River. We would hike up to Franconia Falls and/or cross the river at Hancock campground. We would stay in the water until our lips turned blue and only got out because mom said we had too! Our favorite swimming hole was the Lady’s Bath Tub; we would ride our bikes up the Kanc and look for the path that ran though the woods (this is now the Lincoln Station Riverfront condo’s development). The big treat then was going to Clarks’ Trading Post for the bear show and if we were good getting an ice cream cone.

Today my teenage son has a seasons pass to the Whales Tail water park with it’s colossal wave pool, multiple slides, hot tubs, arcades and a variety of food services. He has a group of friends that go quite often and I think he has fun there. It’s hard to tell because he says everything is boring but he comes home penniless and wants to know “what’s there to eat”.

I hear myself saying you know when I was your age we didn’t have anything cool to do all summer. Maybe less really is more, a banana bike and a hidden swimming hole kept us from being bored all summer. Don’t get me wrong I’m glad there are more choices for entertainment than when I was a kid, but a hike in the woods that ends at a swimming hole should still be on the list of cool things to do at any age.

Who remembers the Lady’s bath tub before they built condos there?

You can read about marketing, sales, and advertise in a slew of books. The effective agents have lived the failures and triumphs that come with trial and error. I was working on a parcel of land my client wished to develop into a small subdivision, and later sell as single family home sites. My client asked me to talk to the property abutter and offer him a reasonable sum of money for a 50 foot piece of land. The abutter said no, we raised the price after all the profits from the lots were worth paying a bit of a premium (for the small strip of land). His answer was he wouldn’t sell at any price.

I began to analyze his objection and found it wasn’t about the money, it was his land where he raised his family and he wanted to keep it (in his words) “as long as I am in an upright position”. We talked some more about life, kids, ride-on lawn mowers, and what had changed with the neighborhood over the years. I spoke with the hopeful developer and we offered to give the abutter access to the back of his lot from this proposed street so he could build a shed, we designed a landscape plan that protected his house from new head lights that would be turning that corner, and we offered to name the street after his only daughter. The 50 foot strip of land would be a permanent right of way rather than a change of ownership and in the end our new friend the abutter wouldn’t take any money for this agreement so long as we paid for the legal documents and did what we promised. There are many true stories how seemingly insurmountable objectives are remedied, my favorites aren’t the ones resolved by throwing more money at the problem (although that’s what it takes sometimes).

I would love to hear your experiences, and I promise to tell you more of mine.

#1) taking a guess when you should say “I don’t Know but let me find out”.
An experienced agent should know most of the answers they are asked, but when they don’t, guessing can be the undoing of a sale. This is especially true if it’s a material fact associated with the property (square footage, age of roof, various costs of ownership).
Simple Solution
You will win the buyer respect (and have a reason to call them back) by getting the correct answer later, and you will reduce the clients liability by getting the facts right.

#2) being responsible for every detail of the transaction “let me take care of that”.
Ok we all do it, but haven’t you found yourself apologizing for the plumber or waiting for the cable company because you said you would take care of it. Worse yet having your new buyer mad because the home inspector (you recommended) missed something.
Simple Solution
Delegate if you can, your job is to find buyers for your clients’ property. Or compile a list of Plumbers, electricians, home inspectors, and all the utilities phone numbers and put it in a nice package that the buyers’ can take with them (include your info for referrals).

#3) talking instead of listening is the kiss of death; we all fall into the trap of being the tour guide and spouting information that can turn your buyers’ off. I once said that “the locals come here to skinny dip” I had read the buyers’ wrong and they were not thrilled by what I thought was an amusing story (or the possibility of trespassers after the sale).
Simple Solution
Ask questions that get the buyers’ talking, find out what is important to them and how the property you are trying to sell can fulfill their needs, desires and long term goals. Then and only then tell them why they should buy this property.

The list of mistakes and solutions will continue, let me hear from you about your experiences, and amusing stories.
www.alpinelakes.com/blog

I know being a life-long real estate broker, I have a bias towards property as an asset. However, follow this train of thought if you would. The value of an ounce of gold is around $900.00, and I understand it is a commodity recognized internationally for trade. What makes gold valuable is its relative scarcity and peoples’ desire to possess it (lets’ say ownership). Aside from hiding it under your bed, keeping it in a vault or making jewelry from it how else can you derive pleasure from owning it?

Now let’s look at property, not so easy to trade or cash in granted, but a lot more ways to enjoy it. It provides many of our basic needs, shelter, safety, food, water and even a place to fall in love. This thought came to me the other day when I saw the price of gold: we have mapped out the surface of the earth and know how much of the planet is dry, we also know how much is inhabitable (and once we subtract government parcels) we know what is left for private ownership. We don’t know with any certainty if we have discovered all the gold buried on this planet or if some other planet isn’t made of gold. So unless you can grow an ear of corn on a brick of gold I think real estate has a greater value. What do you think? I’d love to hear your comment.

Steve Loynd
Alpine Lakes Realty
Lincoln NH
Steve@alpinelakes.com

“Real estate remains top investment choice” reports Realtor magazine in their December issue. Despite a real estate slowdown in some areas, investment real estate remains the Number 1, sought-after asset among investors with self directed IRAs reports a survey by Guidant Financial Group. Almost 65% of all the investors who make their own investment choices rather than let fund managers do it, want real estate in their portfolios.

Your money need not sit in a mutual fund as your only option when it comes to IRAs. Do your home work, and find out how the self-directed IRAs can offer other investment choices including real estate for long term investing. Like any tax deferred offering make sure you set up the transaction correctly as it requires you to file specific paperwork to qualify the use of funds from your IRA.

There are many questions when it comes to real estate:
Q) Where can I find an experienced agent?
A) Call Alpine Lakes Real Estate and have all your questions answered.

Recently published in the Remodeling Magazine’s annual “Cost vs. Value Report” are comparisons by region for specific types of repairs and the return on these investments.

In the New England states the best return on money spent when compared to several alternatives were:
Wood or Composite decks in the Additions category
Minor to Major kitchen changes in the Remodel category (followed closely was an attic bedroom)
Siding and Windows in the Replacement category scored as the best use of funds for your return

The national average mirrored the New England states with the four best returns for money spent on repairs:
#1 Siding
#2 Decks
#3 Kitchens
#4 Window replacement

When considering repairs after a purchase consult feel free to contact Alpine Lakes Real Estate - we will be happy to recommend several trust worthy contractors and help you compare quotes.

We must protect ourselves and our family by learning how to be safe and calm in the event of an emergency.

1.) Make an emergency supply kit.
Set aside supplies you’ll need to survive 3 days. You’ll need cloths sleeping bags, nonperishable food and a gallon of water per person, per day. Other idems that will be helpful is a flashligh, battery-operated radio, extra batteries, first-aid kit, and toiletries.

2.) Make a family communication plan.
Make sure family members know how to contact each other in an emergency. It may be a good idea to have everyone call an out-of-state friend/relative. Keep a list of emergency numbers near the phone. Plan now you will evacuate if needed.

3.) Be informed.
In emergencies, planning is necessary. If your family knows what to expect, all of you will be able to be calmer and act smarter in a crisis.

Small things gone unnoticed or unrepaired can lead to big problems once the weather turns cold, wet and windy. Here are ways to avoid major damage.

We asked the experts to identify the easily overlooked issues that, when left unaddressed, cause major headaches once Old Man Winter rambles down the block. Here are their tips:

Don’t let the small stuff go
The first thing you want to do this weekend is slowly walk around the outside of your home, keeping an eye out for anything amiss. You’re looking for anything as simple as storm windows that haven’t yet been put in place, to shrubs that have been allowed to grow in front of south-facing windows, which will block out much-welcome sunlight during the winter. But you’re also looking for small damage that needs repair. Even a few missing or loose roof shingles severely compromised the integrity of the whole house when winds reached high speeds. Researchers have seen shingles and tiles dislodge at winds up to 80 mph — bad workmanship isn’t evident prior to the simulated storm. And even a few shingles ripped away during a heavy storm can lead to serious water damage.

Repair leaks
Time was, if you had some moisture weeping or water leaking around a window, the wood framing and sheathing around it could take some yearly winter-time wetting and, combined with summer-time drying, survive it. But today’s lesser-quality buildings don’t ventilate nearly as well. Since things are built more air-and weather-tight, there isn’t that same drying that used to occur during the summer months. Translation: Once water gets in through a gap around a window or door, for example, that water doesn’t leave. It just wreaks havoc. How bad can it get? A homeowner not long ago who took good care of his home — it was repainted, the balcony deck waterproofed. But there was a window that wasn’t properly flashed and sealed, and water had gotten inside. They had no idea that water was migrating inside, causing relatively major structural degradation and decay. As a result, one whole end of the deck and a wall will have to be dismantled and completely rebuilt with new wood and sheathing. We’ve seen these incidences cost $20,000+ in roof repairs and wall-repair work cost $10,000+ on single-family houses. Also, look closely at the wall siding. You’re looking for places that wind can drive the precipitation into the wall and where that moisture can migrate down into the wall cavity, but also where water droplets can be drawn back into the adjacent balcony, deck, roof or wall. Make sure that everything is properly flashed and sealed, and that the flashings are intact with overlaps sealed so that during wind-driven rain, water can’t migrate into the wall cavity. Leaks aren’t always where they appear, either. Evidence of one sometimes pops up 20+ feet from the actual leak. If you suspect a leak, and can do the following test safely, train a garden hose on the suspected hole and see where water emerges. For covering the openings, a durable flashing like those made by Grace Construction Products — elasticized membranes that will “heal” around staples or nails and make a tight, waterproof seal.

Hit the roof
The roof is a major point of vulnerability for a home. During your inspection, or when you’re on a ladder cleaning your gutters, take a close look around.

Pay particular attention to the following:

Break the dam
Ice dams form when snow melts off a warmer rooftop, then freezes again when it reaches the colder eaves. The resulting mass of ice blocks the gutters and downspouts. Water that comes later can’t drain, so it runs under shingles and enters the walls of a home and can cause serious damage before you ever notice. If you’ve got electrified de-icing cables on your eaves check to make sure they’re working. You should be able to switch them on and they should feel lukewarm to the touch.

Other things you can do:
Keep your attic chilly so that snow doesn’t melt in the first place. Do this by insulating under the roof, and blocking any places where heat rises into the attic. During the winter, try to keep snow off the roof with a roof rake. And filling an old nylon stocking with snowmelt and placing it atop an ice dam (perpendicular to the gutter edge) will create a channel off the roof’s edge for water to flow.

Make the grade
The best defense against a flooded basement or water-damaged foundation is a good offense. We want our water flowing away from our foundations. Make sure you have the proper grading. If the ground looks like it’s sloping down toward the foundation, it probably is. Bring on the dirt-filled wheelbarrows! You’ll need enough to get some slope in the other direction - at least one inch of fall per foot. Segrete recommends six inches over four feet. If you hire someone for this job, make sure he uses water-phobic clay, with only about an inch of absorbent mulch or topsoil atop it.

Repair stairs, seal concrete paths
Before snow and ice covers them, fix even slightly damaged steps. You get the most damage done to the exterior of the property because of the temperature changes and freeze-thaw cycles. Daytime rain insinuates itself into crevices in wood and concrete, then freezes at night, further weakening often-used places such as stairs. Concrete is not waterproof. It’s porous, like a sponge. As a result, it soaks up water during warmer days, then freezes at night, expands and cracks. It also heaves with the ground below it. But sealing it — as well as keeping the surrounding area well-drained will help reduce the amount of cracking and heaving, and prolong the concrete’s life. Many people use sodium chloride (salt) to keep pathways clear. That’s a mistake - it eats away at concrete. Instead use a product with calcium chloride, which causes no damage and is safe for pets. Simple steps can save you major, major work in the long run.

Alpine Lakes Real Estate and Allied Home Mortgage both with offices at Linwood Plaza in Lincoln, NH, have teamed up to collect non-perishable food and/or cash for the State of New Hampshire food bank. There will be collection boxes available in our lobbies for the up coming holiday season. Canned or dry food donations would be appreciated - a one dollar gift will purchase four meals.

If our hours of operation don’t coincide with your schedule please call us and we’ll be happy to make arrangements to open early, stay late or pick up your donation for you.

Our mission is to fill stomachs and hearts this holiday season so give if you can.

Alpine Lakes Real Estate
Linwood Plaza
78 Main Street
Lincoln, NH
603-745-3601

Here are some tips for saving energy and money both at home and on the road. By following a few simple tips you can make your home more comfortable and easier to heat / cool—while you save money.

• Set your thermostat comfortably low in the winter and comfortably high in the summer. Install a programmable thermostat that is compatible with your heating and cooling system.

• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs.

• Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s heating/drying cycle.

• Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use.

• Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips; turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use (TVs and DVDs in standby mode still use several watts of power).

• Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120°F.

• Take short showers instead of baths.

• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.

• Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gasoline.

• Look for the ENERGY STAR® label on home appliances and products. ENERGY STAR products meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

• Check for open fireplace dampers.

• Make sure your appliances and heating / cooling systems are properly maintained. Check your owner’s manuals for the recommended maintenance/cleaning.

• Study your family’s lighting needs and use patterns, paying special attention to high-use areas such as the living room, kitchen, and outside lighting. Look for ways to use lighting controls—like occupancy sensors, dimmers, or timers—to reduce lighting energy use, and replace standard (also
called incandescent) light bulbs and fixtures with compact or standard fluorescent lamps.

• Check the insulation levels in your attic, exterior and basement walls, ceilings, floors, and crawl spaces.

• Check for holes or cracks around your walls, ceilings, windows, doors, light and plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets that can leak air into or out of your home.

$2.42 Sam’s Club 304 Sheep Davis Rd/Rt 106 (Members Price), Concord

$2.53 Supreme Gas 36 West River Rd, Hooksett

$2.54 Hess Corner Bridge & Chestnut (Corner Bridge), Manchester

$2.55 Shell US-4 US-4, Northwood

$2.55 Irving Oil US-4 US-4, Northwood

$2.55 Cumberland Farms 1725 Dover Rd, Epsom

$2.58 Mobil Central St, Franklin

$2.59 BJ’s 119 Laconia Rd off Exit 20 I-93 (Members Price), Tilton-Northfield

$2.63 Citgo 311 Main St (across from train station), Tilton-Northfield

$2.63 Irving Oil 90 Laconia Rd (Exit 20 I-93) , Tilton-Northfield

Cooking Safety

A grown-up always stay in the kitchen when food is cooking on the stove.

Stove tops and counters are clean and uncluttered.

Pot holders within easy reach of the stove.

Pot handles turned inward so they can’t be bumped.

Curtains and other flameable items that can burn well away from the stove.

Keep a “kid-free” zone of three feet (one yard) around the stove when cooking.

Heating Safety

Portable/space heaters are always turned off when leaving the room or go to sleep.

If space heaters are used in your home, they are at least three feet (one yard) away from anything flameable that can burn, including people, furniture,
and pets.

Your fireplace have a sturdy screen to catch sparks.

Your chimney been inspected and cleaned during each year.

Your furnace been cleaned/serviced by a professional each year.

Propane tanks and other fuels are stored outside your home.

Electrical Safety

Extension cords used safely - Are they not under carpets or accross doorways.

Electrical cords in good condition, without cracks or frays - unplug before inspecting the cord.

Kitchen appliances – such as the coffee-maker, toaster oven, and microwave are plugged into separate receptacles/outlets.

Smoke Alarms/Home Fire Escape

Your home has smoke alarms on every level, including the basement, and outside each sleeping area.

The batteries are working in all your smoke alarms - push the test button to find out.

All the exits in your home clear of furniture, toys, and clutter.

Your family have a home fire escape plan that includes two (2) exits (usually a door and a window) from each room.

Your family has picked a safe place to meet outside after you exit your home.

You and your family practice a home fire drill every six months.

You know the fire department’s emergency phone number (which you should call from a neighbor’s or nearby phone once you get outside.

Planning and practicing a home fire escape plan is a smart thing to do. Get together with your family to draw a plan of your home that includes all windows and doors. Here are some important tips to help you make your plan:

1. Two Ways Out: Every room should have two ways out. One way out would be the door and the second way out may be a window. If your first way out is blocked by fire or smoke you should use your second way out. Emergency escape from a second story window may involve using a home fire safety ladder. If your escape plan includes an escape ladder, practice using it from a first floor window.

2. Working Smoke Alarms: Make sure your home has at least one smoke alarm on every level and outside the sleeping areas. If you sleep with your bedroom door closed, install a smoke alarm inside your bedroom. Test your smoke alarms monthly - by pushing the test button, and replace batteries once a year or sooner if it makes a chirping sound - which means the battery is running low.

3. Outside Meeting Place: Pick a family meeting place outside the home, where everyone will meet once they have escaped. A good meeting place would be a tree, a streetlight, a telephone pole, or a neighbor’s home. Be sure it’s a safe distance from emergency vehicles.

4. Lots of Practice: Practice your plan with your family at least twice a year. Get your family together and practice your “great escape.” Never go back inside a burning building. Once out, stay out!

Perennials are a wonderful addition to any garden. Our first 3 nominees for the longest bloom are right at home in the sun:

Rudbeckia Goldsturm offers up showy yellow-orange petals and bronze-brown central cones that make it ideal for cutting, especially considering the flowers’ three- to four-inch span. Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’ is easy to grow from seed or transplant.

Coreopsis ‘Moonbeam’ is shorter — about 14 inches tall compared with the rudbeckia’s two to three feet — and more delicate in appearance, if not in performance. Its two-inch soft, yellow flowers also like to be brought indoors. The needlelike leaves of this coreposis is a wonderful contrast to the sunny yellow flowers.

The “red” in Penstemon ‘Husker Red’ refers not to its flower but its dramatic bronze-red foliage. Another floriferous toughie, this 30-incher sends up a score or more of airy flower stalks topped with hundreds of tubular white flowers. Plant Penstemon ‘Husker Red’ at the back of your bed for an eye-catching background.

Coaxing flowers from the shade is not really the bugaboo it’s cracked up to be. While you can always rely on hostas and ferns to thrive under your trees, many other plants will readily blossom and brighten shady spots. Here are 3 perennials that go one step further, blooming for an extended period to provide color for up to three months:

Bleeding hearts (Dicentras) vary in height from 1 to 3 feet. The cultivar ‘Luxuriant’ is especially prolific (the common variety tends to die down in the summer). Dicentra’s ferny foliage is just as attractive as its flowers.

Lenten roses (Hellebores) grow up to 15 inches, blooming in late winter through early spring. Lenten roses look delicate but are very rugged.

Astilbes, with their feathery plumes, come in a range of colors “even peach” topping out at 2 to 3 feet. Astilbe look great planted in
masses, brightening shady areas.

REALTORS® do more than assist real property buyers and sellers – they are active members of your community, volunteering their time to help a variety of local, national and international organizations. I for one am proud of the work that the members do.

The NHAR Good Neighbor Award program was established in 2003 to recognize the efforts of New Hampshire REALTORS® who are making exceptional contributions to improve the quality of life in their communities. Eligible activities are not limited to real estate or housing issues and may include such things as crime prevention, youth mentoring and homelessness prevention.

Each year a couple winners are selected from applications and honored at the NHAR Annual Convention. Each winner receives:
$1,000 donation in their name to their community charity
Coverage in their local media and on NHAR.com
Registration fee to attend the NHAR Fall Convention
Prestigious crystal award presented at the NHAR Convention
Use of the Good Neighbors Awards logo on their Web site and promotional materials
The Good Neighbor Award Program begins early each year, with all applications due by May 14.
For more information, please contact NHAR at 225-5549.

We are proud to recognize the Good Neighbor Award recipients listed below:

2006 Winner:Mary Magnell was honored with the 2006 NHAR Good Neighbor Award for her ongoing support of David’s House, a comfortable home-away-from-home for children receiving treatment through the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. “She has been such an inspiration to others,” said Dawn Stanhope, executive director of David’s House. Magnell has worked as a volunteer coordinator at David’s House and then as president on its board of directors, but as Stanhope pointed out, she takes a very hands-on approach as well. Magnell has been known to cook for David’s House events, and in general she is one who is consistently ready to help. “Whenever there is something we need, day or night, Mary is there,” Stanhope said. “We couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of this recognition.”

2005 Winner:
Mary Beth Gustitus
A winter coat drive which started by Mary Beth in 2003 with a mission to collect outerwear/blankets to deliver to those in need. Organizations benefiting from Mary Beth’s efforts include:
Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter
Nashua Children’s Home
Southern NH Children’s Services
Tolles Street Mission
Upper Room
Norwell House
The Gathering Place
Pine Street Shelter for Men
Kinsley Street Shelter for Women & Families
The Boys & Girls Club of Nashua

2004 Winners:
Rick Ruo
The Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter is dedicated to providing shelter and food to those in need. The overall objective of the agency is to advocate, create and operate programs and services that promote dignity and self-sufficiency for those we serve. To ensure that basic needs are addressed, the NSKS is committed to joining with others in a community-wide ethic of caring.
Judy Williams
New Hampshire Dream Factory

It all started with a dream. Not the dream of a critically ill child, but the dream of a young businessman who wanted to share himself. The year was 1980, and the place was Hopkinsville, Kentucky.

Charles Henault wanted to do something to help children in his town who were critically ill and needed a rainbow in their lives. Charlie knew that the years of suffering took a heavy toll on these youngsters’ physical and emotional health and on the health of their families.

With the help of friends and coworkers, Charlie fulfilled his first dream when he sent 7-year-old Tammy Keel and her family on her “Dream” vacation to Walt Disney World. Not long after her trip, Tammy passed from this world. But Tammy’s spirit lives on in The Dream Factory’s mission to grant the wishes of critically ill children at a time when they need it most.
The Dream Factory has grown into one of the nation’s largest wish granting organizations, with local chapters throughout the nation and a national headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky.
In the first ten years The Dream Factory has granted wishes to over 7000 children. We are about to celebrate our anniversary of 20 years, granting wishes to those who need a smile in their lives.

2003 Winners:Marybeth Angeli
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing organization.
We welcome all people to join us as we build simple, decent, affordable houses in partnership with those who lack adequate shelter.
Since 1976, Habitat has built more than 175, 000 houses, providing shelter for nearly 900,000 people worldwide. Now at work in 100 countries, we are building a house every 26 minutes. By 2005, Habitat houses will be sheltering 1 million people.
Local Habitat affiliates coordinate house building and select partner families.
Paul Sargeant
The mission of the Manchester Boys & Girls Club is to reach out to all youth, with special concern given to those in at-risk situations, providing programs and services that inspire and enable members to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring individuals.

From rugged mountains to fine shopping near the beach, New Hampshire’s pleasures are abundant
From the magnificent White Mountains in the north of New Hampshire through the Lakes Region to the state’s strip of Atlantic seacoast, the Granite State is a vacationland of rugged outdoor adventure and urban charm. The White Mountains, with its muscular collection of ski areas, is home to every form of snow sports, as well as summer festivals and activities that exploit the best of the mountains’ features: hiking, rafting, scenic railroad excursions, even sky rides in gondolas used by skiers in the winter. The Lakes Region, with its epicenter at Lake Winnipesaukee and the Squam Lakes, offers water sports all year, from the extremes of sunbathing in the summer to ice fishing in the winter. Lake Sunapee and its neighbors, Little Sunapee and Pleasant Lake, provide ample opportunity for all kinds of water sports. Nearby are Mount Kearsarge and Mount Sunapee, where winter sports enthusiasts can find skiing and snowmobiling.

Hampton Beach on the Atlantic is New Hampshire’s major saltwater ocean beach, and it pleasures include old-fashioned family fun, concerts in an open-air bandshell, fireworks, festivals, a sand-sculpting contest, and even a Casino Ballroom with live entertainment. Portsmouth, an old fishing and shipbuilding port city, has a refurbished downtown with plenty of great dining and shopping. Inland, the old mill city of Manchester is reviving its textile heritage by using the old mills as homes for fascinating historical and science and art museums. Concord, the capital, is a lovely, walkable New England city with beautiful parks and historic attractions close at hand. Shoppers flock to outlets in North Conway and the Lakes Region. The Monadnock region, a landscape of rolling farmland below the shadow of Mount Monadnock, is a place where summer visitors can enjoy live chamber music at the Monadnock Music Festival and Apple Hill Summer Festival, or take in a play at the Colonial Theatre in Keene or the Peterborough Players Summer Theatre.

Throughout New Hampshire, visitors can find the best of New England: lovely small towns that welcome strolling, dining, and shopping; exciting snow sports paired with the pleasures of the ski lodge, including a growing selection of luxuries like spas; lots of attractions for families and kids; and, of course, the ocean’s white beaches and charming port towns and cities. Accommodations cover the full gamut, from small, romantic inns to rugged campgrounds.

THE NEW HAMPSHIRE REAL ESTATE COMMISSION WHICH IS ADMINSTRATIVELY ATTACHED UNDER RSA 21-G:10 TO THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FOLLOWING:
Administering the New Hampshire broker’s and salesperson’s real estate exams.
Approving and monitoring real estate courses and programs of instruction.
Accrediting and supervising real estate schools and instructors.
Issuing, and renewing, the real estate licenses of qualified broker and salesperson candidates and real estate firms. There are approximately 11,598 licensees and 2,132 licensed firms in New Hampshire.
Maintaining official department records of schools, instructors, license/exam applicants, consumer complaints and licensees.
Adopting administrative rules under RSA 541-A relative to the effective enforcement of RSA 331-A, the New Hampshire Real Estate Practice Act.
Monitoring the statewide practice of real estate brokerage in New Hampshire and investigating complaints of illegal activity.
Conducting administrative disciplinary hearings under RSA 541-A and, where necessary, imposing disciplinary sanctions.

Realtors are required to list a lot size of property on an MLS listing. Depending on your region, some real estate agents list it by acres and some by square feet. (i.e. A lot size that is listed at 0.22 would be slightly less than 1/4 of an acre or approx. 9583 sq. feet.)

1 acre is defined as 66 x 660 feet

1 acre foot is exactly 43,560 cubic feet

4840 square yards = 1 acre

6272640 square inches = 1 acre

We can’t all be doctors and lawyers, but that’s OK, because securing a top job doesn’t always necessarily require you to have a graduate degree or work a 60-hour week. What makes a job great, of course, is different for everyone, but in terms of offering a stellar combination of growth potential, pay and education requirements, there are some jobs that outshine most others.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the following jobs to be among the fastest-growing occupations. By 2010, demand for these positions will have grown between 30% and 50% just since 2005. What’s more, most of these jobs require only a associates or bachelor’s degree, and yet the pay won’t have you clipping coupons.

1. Physician assistants : Unlike medical assistants, who perform routine clinical and clerical tasks, physician assistants practice medicine under the supervision of physicians and surgeons. Average salary: $63,792 according to salaryexpert.com - Growth: 49.6 percent. Education level: Bachelor’s degree

2. Computer applications software engineers, applications : These professionals analyze users’ needs and design, construct and maintain general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Average salary: $56,184 - Growth: 49.4 percent. Education: Bachelor’s degree

3. Dental hygienists : Dental hygienists examine patients’ teeth and gums to detect diseases and abnormalities, teach patients how to practice good oral hygiene and provide other preventive dental care. Average salary: $49,309 - Growth: 43.3 percent. Education: Associate’s degree

4. Computer systems software engineers : They coordinate the construction and maintenance of a company’s computer systems and plan their future growth. Average salary: $59,297 - Growth: 43 percent. Education: Bachelor’s degree

5. Network and computer systems administrators : They design, install and support an organization’s local-area network (LAN), wide-area network (WAN), network segment, Internet or intranet system. Average salary: $62,534 - Growth: 38.4 percent. Education: Bachelor’s degree

6. Database administrators : Database administrators work with database management systems software and determine ways to organize and store data. They identify user requirements, set up computer databases, and test and coordinate modifications to the computer database systems. Average salary: $70,016 - Growth: 38.2 percent. Education: Bachelor’s degree

7. Computer systems analysts : These analysts solve computer problems and apply computer technology to meet the individual needs of an organization, such as helping it realize the maximum benefit from its investment in equipment, personnel and business processes. Average salary: $55,811 - Growth: 31.4 percent. Education: Bachelor’s degree

8. Diagnostic medical sonographers : Sonographers operate the sonograph equipment, which collects reflected echoes and forms an image that may be videotaped, transmitted or photographed for interpretation and diagnosis by a physician. Average salary: $51,648 - Growth: 34.8 percent. Education: Associate’s degree

9. Biomedical engineers : Biomedical engineers apply their knowledge of biology, medicine and engineering to develop devices and procedures that solve medical and health-related problems. Average salary: $62,533 - Growth: 30.7 percent. Education: Bachelor’s degree

10. Environmental engineers : These engineers apply the principles of biology and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems, assisting with pollution control, recycling, waste disposal and public health issues. Average salary: $53,362 - Growth: 30 percent. Education: Bachelor’s degree

How it happens: You inhale Legionella, pneumonia-inducing bacteria that thrive in water and are found in industrial air-conditioning units and water pipes. The result is Legionnaires’ disease, named after a 1976 American Legion convention where the bacteria killed 29 people.

The fix: Every 3 months, crank your hot-water heater above 140°F and run all the faucets on hot for 10 minutes. The heat kills off the bacteria.

How it happens: You replace your incandescent lightbulbs with more energy-efficient compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFL). But when these eco-friendly beacons break, they release mercury gas, a neurotoxin that attacks the nervous system and can cause chronic kidney problems.

The fix: Hold the bulbs by the plastic base, not the glass, when inserting and unscrewing them. Put spent bulbs into the original boxes or in double plastic bags before recycling them.

How it happens: Those assembly-required bookshelves may be more trouble than they’re worth. Particleboard is glued together with the toxin formaldehyde, the vapors of which irritate the eyes and skin of some people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The fix: Slap on a coat of varnish to trap the formaldehyde. You’ll stave off exposure and hide cheap shelves.

How it happens: Your home may be built on soil with dangerous levels of decayed uranium, called radon. “A home is like a vacuum cleaner over soil,” says Laquatra. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. (Cigarettes are the first.)

The fix: Conduct a radon test every 2 years. If your home fails the test, hire a contractor to install a ventilation pipe that stretches from below the basement floor to above roof. It will siphon off the deadly radon particles - an easy fix for a dangerous problem.

While there are many factors to consider when choosing hardwood flooring, the durability of a particular hardwood is definitely one factor to consider. The harder a wood is the more durable it tends to be. A very popular choice in wood flooring is Northern Red Oak, so popular that it has become the benchmark in measuring and comparing the hardness of wood flooring.

The hardness of wood is measured with the Janka Hardness test. The Janka Hardness test measures the force needed to embed a .444 inch steel ball to half its diameter in a piece of wood. The higher the number the harder the wood. Although this is one of the best methods to measure the ability of wood species to withstand indentations, it should be used only as a general guide when comparing various species of wood flooring. The construction and finish also play an important role in the durability of wood floors.

Brazil Walnut - Ipe 3684
Brazil Teak - Cumaru 3540
Ebony 3220
Brazil Redwood - Paraju 3190
Bloodwood 2900
Red Mahogany 2697
Spotted Gum 2473
Brazil Cherry - Jatoba 2350
Mesquite 2345
Santos Mahogany - Cabreuva 2200
Brushbox 2135
Karri 2030
Sydney Blue Gum 2023
Bubinga 1980
Merbau 1925
Brazil Oak - Amendoim 1912
Jarrah 1910
Purpleheart 1860
Tigerwood - Goncalo Alves 1850
Hickory - Pecan 1820
Doussie 1810
African Padouk 1725
Kempas 1710
Wenge 1630
Sapele - Sapelli 1510
Hard Maple - Sugar Maple
Australian Cypress 1375
White Oak 1360
Tasmanian Oak 1350
Ash 1320
American Beech 1300
Red Oak (Northern) 1290
Yellow Birch 1260
Heart Pine 1225
Black Walnut 1010
Teak 1000
American Cherry 950
Southern Yellow Pine 870
Douglas Fir 660

I love the area I live in, I feel like there should be a HUGE sign that says; “Welcome to the Squam Lakes Region Bobi you’re finally home.” As you wander through the Squam Lakes Region (Ashland, Center Sandwich, Center Harbor, Holderness, Moultonborough, etc.) you will notice wildlife, breathtaking views of the lake(s) and mountains that absolutely do capture your attention but even more than that the people… the people up here will capture your heart and bring you back to the Squam area year after year.

It’s different for everyone… the loons, the ripple of the water, the beautiful restored wooden boats, the little islands, the restaurants and inns where you relax and enjoy your friends and family. Now you know why Squam Lake was chosen out of all New England for the filming location of the award winning moving “On Golden Pond.”

I realized we’re getting close to another Summer coming to a close with Fall weather creeps in across NH, as this morning showed it’s first signs of Fall with a cool weather change. However, I do love the rainbow-colors of Fall foliage and knowing the Holiday seasons are right around the corner.

Fall in New England attracts tourists from all over the Country to photograph our beautiful changing leaves. In some States, Mother Nature changes without actually being able to appreciate the true meaning of the 4 seasons. New England is known for it’s change in seasons and we are thankful New Hampshire is such a generous State, giving us 4 beautiful seasons to appreciate.

The French-Alpine Goat is a breed that originated in the Alps. The goats of Alpine type that were brought to the United States from France where they had been selected for much greater uniformity, size, and production than was true of the goats that were taken from Switzerland to France.

Size and production rather than color pattern have been stressed in the development of the French-Alpine. No distinct color has been established, and it may range from pure white through shades of fawn, gray, brown, black, red, bluff, piebald, or various shadings or combinations of these colors. Both sexes are generally short haired, but bucks usually have a roach of long hair along the spine. The beard of males is also quite pronounced. The ears in the Alpine are of medium size, and fine textured.

The French-Alpine is a larger and more rangy goat and more variable in size than are the Swiss breeds. Mature females should stand not less than 30 inches at the withers and should weigh not less than 135 pounds. Males should stand from 34 to 40 inches at the withers and should weigh not less than 170 pounds.

French-Alpine females are excellent milkers and is also referred to as the Alpine Dairy Goat and registration papers for this dairy goat use both designations and they are synonymous. These are hardy, adaptable animals that thrive in any climate while maintaining good health and excellent production.

Alpine colors are described by using the following terms:
Cou Blanc - (coo blanc) literally “white neck” - white front quarters and black hindquarters with black or gray markings on the head.
Cou Clair - (coo clair) Literally “clear neck” - front quarters are tan, saffron, off-white, or shading to gray with black hindquarters.
Cou Noir (coo nwah) literally “black neck” - Black front quarters and white hindquarters.
Sundgau - (sundgow) black with white markings such as underbody, facial stripes, etc.
Pied - spotted or mottled.
Chamoisee - (shamwahzay) brown or bay - characteristic markings are black face, dorsal stripe, feet and legs and sometimes a martingale running over the withers and down to the chest. Spelling for male is chamoise.
Two-tone Chamoisee - light front quarters with brown or grey hindquarters. This is not a cou blanc or cou clair as these terms are reserved for animals with black hindquarters.
Broken Chamoisee - a solid chamoisee broken with another color by being banded or splashed, etc.
Any variation in the above patterns broken with white should be described as a broken pattern such as a broken cou blanc.

Only in New Hampshire can you start your day shopping by the beach and end it with a romantic dinner looking out at the highest peak in the Northeast.

Those lucky enough to have a summer camp in New Hampshire, the Granite State will always hold a special magic. Everything from family attractions and theme parks to the great outdoors awaits you throughout New Hampshire. Visit one of New Hampshire’s many state parks, go downhill or cross country skiing; visit a waterfall; visit the Museum of New Hampshire History or one of the many other museums and historic sites that New Hampshire has to offer. There’s an endless list of things to do with your family in New Hampshire!

You can take a scenic train ride on the Winnipesaukee Railroad in Weirs Beach; The Conway Scenic Road; Hobo Railroad in Lincoln; Mount Washington Cog Railway in Bretton Woods; or the White Mountain Central Railroad at Clark’s Trading Post in Lincoln.

Explore the stars at the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium in Concord.

Find out what the weather will be at the Mt. Washington Observatory’s Weather Discovery Center in North Conway or the Museum of American Weather in South Haverhill.

Explore a children’s museum; there are several throughout the state including the Children’s Museum of Portsmouth, Children’s Metamorphosis in Londonderry, the SEE Science Center in Manchester and the Museum of Childhood in Wakefield.

Visit one of New Hampshire’s State Parks for hiking, biking and water fun.

For up-to-date local weather forcasts in New Hampshire check out The Weather Channel

Members of the Ashland Elementary School gathered for a surprise assembly to be told that their school was named the School of Excellence. On Friday, students, faculty, staff, School Board members, representatives from McDonald’s of America and the “EDie” Board of Directors gathered for the celebration. The award was part of the New Hampshire Excellence in Education, which is commonly referred to as “The EDies.” The purpose of the “EDies” is to recognize New Hampshire schools and individuals who meet high standards of excellence. The primary sponsor, McDonald’s restaurants of New Hampshire, has been dedicated to sponsoring the “ED”ies since they began in 1994.

LaCasse said that, when the board members viewed the school, they were amazed with the students. She commented on their educational excellence as well as their overall status as great students.

Ashland is such a nice village. It’s great to see a small town rewarded for a job well done.

Boston Comedians as seen on TV stations such as Comedy Central, will come to the Days Inn located at 1513 US Route 3, Campton, NH 03223 to perform every Friday.

This is the start of a regular weekly comedy night in central NH, the only place of its kind in a 30 mile radius. Comedy night will happen every Friday at 9pm, doors open at 8pm.

The North Shore Comedy Club is located in Q Restaurant in Days Inn, located right off I-93 Exit 27, 4 miles north of Plymouth University & right across from the Country Cow Restaurant and Blair Bridge.

Tickets are available in advance for $10.00 / $12.00 at the door, $5.00 tickets for anyone with student or senior ID & all in-house guests of Days Inn.

Q Restaurant is a new highlight at the base of the White Mountains and just north of New Hampshire’s great Lakes Region. Open to the public exclusively on Friday and Saturday nights 6 pm to midnight.

Go to www.DaysInnCampton.com for more info on the venue.