Living in a small town in Northern NH can certainly have more than a few  surprises, whether it’s a power outage from a storm, or a seemingly random visit from a neighbor. In the season and month of giving it’s important for us to stop and reflect on how to be better neighbors, respectful guests, and or considerate friends. Characters run rampant particularly around the shorter daylight days and holiday season.

It doesn't matters where we live on this vast planet of ours, or what our traditions are, male, female or economic status, the beauty of it is that we all come from different places and backgrounds with different upbringings, with that said, there’s no excuse for bad behavior as a guest in someone’s home, place of business or in your home. I must admit I was a bit of a wild child in my family and I’ve broken nearly every rule and social etiquette at some point in my life, more

Whether you planned to search for a home during the holiday season (November to January) or outside forces made the decision for you, you’re actually house hunting at a good time.  While there is less inventory in July, there will also be less competition.  There are more advantages at this time of year as there are fewer buyers for one and the homeowner; if their property has been on the market for a while may let the sale of their property go below asking price.  Sellers may be willing to stay in their homes through the end of the calendar year, but rest assured, they’ll want to seal the deal for the New Year. Just because there are limited buyers doesn’t mean you’ll get a fire sale price, sellers who keep their homes on the market through the winter typically are motivated but also willing to wait until they get a fair and reasonable offer.  Every home and every seller are different; here are 12 tips to remember when looking for a home during the holidays.

1. Balance your budget – Have a firm number you can comfortably afford for a mortgage. The last thing you want to do is make yourself house-poor.
2. Check your credit – You don’t want your lender to be surprised by any forgotten accounts – good or bad. more

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The cold weather is settled in and holiday gatherings are on the horizon. Filled with family time and long-standing traditions, the season is bursting with joy. It’s the perfect time to create memories with family and friends but, if you don’t plan ahead, you could find yourself quite overwhelmed with all the details. Check out our 25 tips to help you get prepared for any size gathering.

1. Start decorating early, get your outside lights and decorations up before the weather gets cold – or it snows. This doesn’t mean you have to turn them on until you’re ready.
2. Be considerate of your guests’ safety, make sure outdoor lights are working properly and the walkway is free of snow and ice.
3. When adding a fresh pine wreath to your front door, spritz it with water then with hairspray. This preserves your wreath and it will last longer.
4. Declutter the main living areas of your home; foyer, kitchen, living room, dining room, etc.
5. Deep clean your home from top to bottom, you want it to look spic and span but also smell fresh and clean.
6. Create a warm and welcome first impression by organizing your foyer; clean up the space by removing extra shoes and coats. Add a bench where guests can sit to remove their boots and decorate the area with tasteful lights and greenery. more

If you’re looking to purchase a new home in a seller’s market you are likely to hit a few barriers; limited inventory and increased competition from other buyers, just to name a few.  The best offense is a good defense so be sure to get pre-approved with a reputable lender and have hearty funds on hand for a down-payment. Accept that you are trying to buy in a seller’s market and prepare yourself to be patient until the home in your area and price-range comes along.

While you’re waiting for that one home to come on the market, use the time to become familiar with listings in your area.  Pay particular attention to listing prices in comparison to the amount a property actually sells for. Most local real estate agencies have a link on their website for sold properties. In Waterville, Campton and Thornton, NH, single family homes are selling for an average of 91% of the listing price. Keep this in mind when you’re putting together an offer, you don’t want to submit an more  

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, real estate has consistently increased in value from 1940 to 2006, then proceeded to dip and rebound from 2008 to 2010 and has been increasing overall.

Real estate investing involves the purchase, ownership, management, rental and/or sale of real estate ultimately for profit. Being a real estate investor isn’t always glamorous but it’s a great way to make your money work building your wealth with proper maintenance and upgrades’ as needed over the long-haul.  There are several ways to consider investing in real estate, buying properties with the intention of renting them as a way to generate income, 1031 Exchange or, buy, fix, and flip to other buyers. All involve your due diligence; the old adage of Location, Location, Location should be adhered to.

When considering investment options you can put funds into a 401K, buy  stock in companies you know about and let them sit in your brokerage account or spend a great deal of time hedging with puts and call, all the while hoping you make the right choices  to increase your value. 

On the other hand you can invest in a rental property of multifamily buildings or single homes. Ask yourself if you’re ready to take on the responsibilities of becoming a landlord. more

Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans living or departed. This well deserved day especially gives thanks to the veterans currently serving our country honorably or are retired from doing so during war or peacetime.

Unlike Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day honors those who died while in military service and Armed Forces Day, a minor U.S. remembrance that also occurs in May, which specifically honors those currently serving in the U.S. military.

Did you know Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on November 11, 1919?  The first anniversary of the end of World War I.   Major hostilities of World War I had formally ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 but in 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day. to learn more 

Black Friday… Cyber Monday… Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday is a day of giving which is celebrated the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.  This global movement is fueled by the power of social media. Won’t you consider giving to these organizations providing services right here in our local community. 

In the great words of Winston S. Churchill…"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give."

CARC (Campton Area Resource Center)

CARC has been serving area residents since 2008; their delivery system includes four main programs.

~ Thrift Shop, offering discounted clothing, furniture, books and housewares;

~ Food Pantry, providing food for those in need;

~ The Hancock Fund Financial Assistance Program, helping those in emergency financial crises;

~ Got Lunch! Campton & Thornton, delivering nutritious lunches to students during summer school vacation. Click here to find out how you can help.  To view more ways to help the community…….

Having a good credit score isn’t just necessary for financing a home; it’s also used to keep insurance premiums down and for screening applicants by some employers.  The use of credit scores is the same across the board, It’s to mitigate risk, plain and simple.  Banks want to know if they lend $300,000 for a home that they will get the money back within the terms set forth in the loan. The insurance industry has also proven time and time again that individuals who pay their bills on time have less insurance claims. And now employers are using credit scores with the same premise that on time bill payers make better employees.  How does your credit score stack up? Check out this chart and see which category you fall in to.  If you don't know your credit score you can sign-up for free with Credit Karma. Learn more on how insurers use credit information. more

Wedding day on the Horizon?

Welcome to Weddings at Waterville Estates. Weddings at Waterville Estates is a low volume facility to better focus on the bride and groom, and their family and friends for the personal attention you will not likely experience at most higher volume venues.

Waterville Estates, Campton NH

Waterville Estates is a private community providing quality service to its owners. Only two hours north of Boston, Waterville Estates is located in the beautiful White Mountains of NH.

Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall, there is always something to do at or near Waterville Estates.  Whether you are a skier, like to snowshoe or prefer snowmobiles you’re in the right place for easy access to all your winter activities. If Waterville Estates is your summer home or would like it to be, your in luck; there are many things to do for the whole family here; indoor swimming pools, mountain bike, swim outside on the pond, hike, play tennis and much more.  

Would you like to own property in Waterville Estates contact Realtor Art Marks a member of the community for over nine years. He can share the in’s and outs of this beautiful area.   

 As a private community Waterville Estates offers many for their homeowners. As quoted by #lovewvestates “When you buy a property at Waterville Estates your investment includes ownership of millions of dollars worth of communal property”

Deed restrictions and Covenant – good the bad and the ugly- ask the expert?

Many subdivisions have strict bi-laws to prevent owners from pitching a tent on their site and camping out. This Covenant comes in the form of “no” a temporary shelters provision. One step further we often see no mobile homes, or a minimum square footage [...]

New Hampshire Condominiums purchased with second home loan…ask the expert.

A great choice for many looking for a family get away is an association managed property; this most often comes in the form of a condominium. But can also be a single family property within a home owners [...]

    Forest Ridge in Lincoln & Deer Park Resort, Woodstock New Hampshire are just two of the 4 seasons recreational places to land. 

Offer a view of Loon's South mountain ski slopes...or a man made swimming pond, you can't go wrong with either.       

A funny thing happened on the way to the ski slopes at Loon Mountain?

We found that we loved the white mountains in the Spring - Summer - Fall and Winter...It's not just a place to ski, it is a feeling that families seek out to reconnect and find the time to listed to each others stories.

The Journey is as important as the destination. Two hours in the car on the way to the mountains can be the most important part of the trip. Parent have a captured audience, ans they sometimes reveal more about their school, friends, sports...likes and dislikes during those road trips. The Bonus of course is the recreational goals when they get to New Hampshire's best attraction...the forest.

Enjoy the destination, but don't forget the trip starts when you leave your driveway. See you soon in the White mountains Of New Hampshire.

   www.alpinelakes.com           real estate in the mountain 800-926-5653

With Mount Washington breaking records with its largest snowstorm in May with 33.3" of snow, we are all looking forward to warmer weather here in the White Mountains. Memorial Day Weekend kicks off our summer season and all the great attractions in the area are opening! Here at Alpine Lakes we are all excited for the upcoming Celebration of [...]

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