August 09, 2010

Peabody & Smith Realty Starts Using Bar Code Technology To Give Consumers Information Fast!

Posted to Chrissy Smith

By the year 2013, researchers at Gartner Predicts estimate that “mobile phones will overtake PCs as the most common Web access device worldwide.” For this reason we have begun using Quick Response (QR) codes on our signs for consumers to use to instantly access property information.

These QR codes are similar to a bar code, and a consumer with a web enabled smartphone can easily scan the code using a QR code reader and immediately receive information about the home or land they are looking at.

Okay, I admit, they look a bit funny on our signs, and we’ve had some curious looks when we put them up, but when we heard about this technology in the late fall, we did some research and began creating them for the properties we represent. We have begun placing them on our real estate signs, in areas that have cell phone coverage, which in this area, is not everywhere!

Now, if a consumer is driving by one of our properties for sale, they can stop, scan the code and instantly be taken to the property listing on our website. They can find out how many bedrooms, bathrooms, price of the home, download a listing sheet and more.

Each week, I’ve been bringing in magazine ads and catalogs that have a QR code in them to show our agents and staff. These codes are becoming more commonplace, and one of our agents was in New York City last week, and said she saw the codes everywhere!

Our goal and our reputation is based on the ability to sell property, and this is yet another tool to enable us to get information quickly to the consumer in an effort to get the property sold. So far, I haven’t heard of any other firm in NH or VT using this technology, and I believe we’re among only a few in the country using these.

To learn more about QR codes, feel free to give me a call. I would love to share the little bit I know, as I really believe these can be used by many businesses to promote their products and services.

Posted by:  Chrissy Smith



July 06, 2010

A New Furniture Store Coming to Woodsville NH

Posted to Chrissy Smith

Soon in Woodsville, NH a new furniture store will be part of their downtown area, as Modern Furniture and Bedding purchased the former Riverview Market property on Central Street Wednesday.

 

Modern Furniture & Bedding has locations in Newport and Lyndonville VT, and they are owned by two brothers, Dwight and Steve Abbott. They have over 25 years of experience in the furniture business and are excited about their new location.

 

Modern Furniture carries a number of product lines including: Serta, Tempur-Pedic, Ashley, and many more. The property was built in the mid 1980’s, has 7,700 square feet and plenty of on-site parking.
 

One of our commercial agents, Steve Horan represented the seller and assisted the Abbott’s in this transaction. Our dedicated Commercial Department is comprised of four broker/sales associates. They work out of our Franconia, NH office and focus on the sale and lease of commercial properties throughout New Hampshire and Vermont. In addition, they specialize in business brokerage throughout New Hampshire and Vermont. If you ever need their services, feel free to give them a call!

Posted by:  Chrissy Smith



June 21, 2010

Tom Carstens Joins Peabody & Smith Realty

Posted to Chrissy Smith

We are so pleased to welcome Tom Carstens to the Peabody & Smith Realty team. For almost a decade, Tom has been involved in the local real estate market as a Sales Associate, and is now bringing his experience to us. He will be working out of our Littleton office located at 11 Riverglen Lane.

 

Tom earned his New Hampshire Real Estate license in 2001, after moving to the area from Minnesota to be closer to his son and granddaughter. He originally hails from the midwest, and worked as an engineer and operations manager in the food and beverage industry.
 

Tom and I had lunch together today and we talked about what he likes about real estate. “What’s your favorite part of real estate Tom?” I said. He answered, “I have a sweet spot for selling and showing land parcels. I enjoy taking customers onto the land, showing them around and giving them ideas of where a house could be placed.” Its always fun to ask someone what they like and watch their face light up! Tom went on to explain how he was the general contractor in the building of his own log home a decade ago in Littleton and how he cares for his seven acres of land the home it sited on. Great lunchtime conversation.

 

In the winter, Tom can be found working as a handler for his son Matt Carstens at sled dog races from Minnesota, to Maine and Quebec!
 

Tom is a great addition to our team of agents. Like everyone at Peabody & Smith, he knows the area, he understands the real estate market, and he is a great resource for sellers and buyers. And if you have questions on how to build a log home, he’s your guy!

 

 

 

 

___________________________________________________________________________________

Chrissy Smith

Marketing Director

 11 Riverglen Lane, Suite 200



 Littleton NH 03561

Work: 603-444-1294 Cell: 603-903-3421

Direct Line: 603-259-1517

 Fax: 603-444-2517 E-mail:

www.peabodysmith.com

Members of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World ® & Luxury Portfolio® Fine Property Collection.

If you or anyone you know is looking to buy or sell a home anywhere in the U.S. or the World, we can help. We are members of the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. We would be honored to work with your friends and family.

P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail 



Posted by:  Chrissy Smith



June 10, 2010

Current Spring Market Data for the Greater Littleton NH, Plymouth NH and St. Johsnbury VT Real Estate Markets

Posted to Andy Smith

As summer begins, the trees have budded and it definitely feels like a time of renewal. A time of growth for the trees and for the real estate market too. In our travels, all of us are asked the timeless question, “How is the real estate market?”. For some, they expect an answer filled with despair and angst. However, as you can see from these charts, we are seeing more hopeful signs of market stabilization. While the “First Time Home Buyer and Move Up Home Buyer” tax credits have expired, the market continues to improve over last year.

In terms of county statistics, Caledonia, Grafton and Coos counties have all seen improvements in the average selling price year over year, as well as the number of homes sold. Essex still has numbers similar to last year, but they have had more homes sold, which is encouraging.

As we look at the towns in our service area, these totals show much improvement over the same time the year before with 44% more homes sold, average selling price up 43.5% and days on market just up slightly. We also have seen an increase in our luxury market with four homes sold over 1 million dollars recently, and several more under contract.

What does the future hold? The feds have held interest notes down much longer than anticipated. Most industry experts are now saying rates will start to rise in the fourth quarter. For now with rates still historically low, attractive prices for home buyers, and affordability indexes favorable, buyers will continue to purchase homes and land in Central and Northern New Hampshire and the Green Mountains of Vermont. With our low crime rates, quality of life opportunities, this truly is a great area to live in, and we know more people will continue to pursue their dreams of living here.

Posted by:Andrew Smith



May 21, 2010

Small towns in Northern NH, Central NH and Northeast Kingdom of VT

Posted to Chrissy Smith

Dateline: Lisbon, NH – A warm evening in May, the crack of the baseball in the background and kids laughing…

Farm League Baseball, a right of spring, a slice of Americana – especially in this small town of Lisbon NH. When looking at the quintessential small town, this is it. I sat watching these three coaches during warm ups before the “big game” (it’s a big game for these 6,7, and 8 year olds). I noticed these three guys never spoke, but they were all synchronized, all doing the same thing with the little groups of kids in front of them. Everyone was in motion. I wondered how they could do all this, in silence, moving from one drill to the next. I looked at each of them. At some point in their growing up, they had all played together on the same field. These “once players” were now the coaches, they were doing the drills they had all learned. This made me ponder more about Lisbon NH. These men graduated high school here, went to college, and chose to move back to this glorious town. For those who drive through the town, the Lisbon Main Street main not look like a Norman Rockwell painting, but like all our small towns in the area, you have to look beyond the main drag, and find the character…whether its on the baseball field, or on the side streets. Its there, go explore the small towns of the area, they are waiting for you. Who knows, you might be the “new” coach in town someday.

Posted by:  Chrissy Smith



May 07, 2010

Bretton Woods - The Final Four

Posted to Michele Penner

We just closed the first re-sale of a Presidential View home - it had been on the market a short 44 days before going under contract! For those of you who missed that opportunity, do not despair - you have not one, but FOUR more chances to make this dream your reality.

There are four more homes to be built in the Presidential View Association. Foundations are in and construction can begin just as soon as you are ready. If the decision making process of building your own home frightens you, have no fear; the team of Cargill Construction is one of the finest custom builders and will make this process an easy one for you. You can either go with the “standard” package – although I dare say, nothing really standard about it, or you can customize the homes interior to your specifications.

Two stand alone condominiums and one duplex unit are available to be built. Prices starting at $1,125,000. Check them out!  Also, take a look at the virtual tour of this property.

Posted by:  Michele Penner



April 29, 2010

Historical Home for Sale in Lisbon NH

Posted to Chrissy Smith

I’ve heard it said many times, “Home is where your Story Begins”. How true. From the minute you turn the key and walk in for the very first time, your story and history begins to unfold. Simple day- to-day living such as family gatherings, etc. - it’s all part of the legacy you pass down, and part of the history that a new owner will inherit.

We have a wonderful property available for sale in Lisbon, New Hampshire that is rich in history and has a great story. Located along the , it was originally part of the Richardson Farm, built in 1781 by John Richardson, grandson of Ebenezer Richardson, one of the first settlers of Lisbon, New Hampshire. John and his wife, Olive, lived and raised 16 children in this house. Oh, can you imagine the stories? Well, we’ll just have to imagine the comings and goings in that house then, but we don’t have to imagine the evidence of John’s handiwork and the original materials native to the land back in the late 18th century. One can still see the hand hewn oak pegged beams throughout the house, the original granite hearth and 24” wide cedar roof planks. The walls in the living room (if they could only talk!) are covered with the original attic pine floor boards which measure up to 27” in width. The beautifully landscaped yard is lined with original stone walls, and granite steps which lead to the upper field.

Not to be outdone by the original owners, the current owners Mike and Jan Carver began their own story in this house in 1996. They have lovingly restored this property, keeping with the character of the period while adding modern conveniences. They have added a nicely appointed one bedroom in-law apartment, beautiful landscaping and have restored the wonderful three-story barn adjacent to the house, which they used as a retail antique center for more than 10 years, and now use for their auction business.

You have to see this property in person, or view it below to get more details:

Imagine you and your family sitting around the fieldstone fireplace in the cozy living room or gathered for dinner, sharing tales of your day…skiing, golfing, hiking, or working. Unleash the entrepreneur in you and open a business in the barn where you will greet customers, both local and tourists, who will take stories of you and their experiences back to their families. From the Richardsons to the Carvers, there’s quite a story to be told about this house. Make it your home and begin your own story.

Posted by:  Chrissy Smith



April 28, 2010

Bretton Woods April 28th!

Posted to Michele Penner

Not sure if any of us really believed the weather reports yesterday, after all it was 62 degrees, sunny and absolutely beautiful. The daffodils were in full bloom gracing “mud season” with bursts of yellow everywhere. Today, I sit in my office listening to the rumbling of over a foot of snow falling off the metal roof of our building. Looking across the parking lot towards the ski area, well… you would just have to know that it was there, because you cannot see it through the snow. A foot of snow overnight and still snowing! If this were November we would all be hooting and hollering, thankful that mother nature had blessed us with a wonderful base for the upcoming ski season, but since this is April, and not JUST April, but the END of April, we are just a little on the blue side. The good thing about April snow is they say it is good for the lawns.

  

The better thing about April snow, is that historically it should melt QUICKLY! Yesterday we were spreading mulch in our flower beds, today we are shoveling our paths! Life is full of excitement and full of challenges..think I’ll head out and build a snowman!

Posted by:  Michele Penner



April 28, 2010

Peabody & Smith to Host Free Seminar on Self Directed IRA's

Posted to Chrissy Smith

Have you ever been frustrated by the lack of options in your retirement plans? As more people look to control their own retirement funds, some people control them using a self directed IRA. A self directed IRA is a great option for some, and to better explain how they can be used to invest in real estate, we will be hosting a seminar with a representative from PENSCO Trust at our Littleton office.

PENSCO Trust is a national leader in providing self-directed IRA & individual 401(k) education and custodial services. PENSCO Trust will give a presentation to better explain how they work, what they can be used for, and how to get started.

This educational seminar will take place on Thursday May 13th from 6-8 pm at Peabody & Smith Realty’s Littleton office, located at 11 Riverglen Lane . I recently asked our Commercial Sales Manager Erin Hennessey about these and she said that tr aditional 401K/IRA fund managers only offer the participant options limited to their company’s approved family of mutual funds and stocks and a self-directed IRA allows much more flexibility and control. She added that it expands the investment opportunities to include other options including real estate and debt obligations.

With the current inventory levels, competitive prices and more, this is a great time to purchase real estate. With a self-directed IRA, people will be able to make it work to their advantage, while providing them with the control they desire.

For more information on the free seminar, or to RSVP, please feel free to contact Erin Hennessey at Peabody & Smith Realty, 603-823-5700 or email her at: erinh@peabodysmith.com.



We look forward to seeing you on May 13th! And light refreshments will be served!

Posted by:  Chrissy Smith



April 26, 2010

Peabody & Smith Realty Launches New Rental Website

Posted to Chrissy Smith

Our rental department is growing by leaps and bounds and in an effort to make online reservations for vacation rentals easier and more user-friendly, we recently launched a new rental website, peabodysmithrentals.com.

While our website, peabodysmith.com, used to host rental information, as the rental department expanded and grew, it became apparent a separate website was needed. When discussing the rental website with our Rental Manager Steve Gorman at the beginning of our launch, we felt having our own rental site would enable us to better promote our rental selections and provide our customers with an abundance of information and pictures for each property. On the backend of the system it creates efficiency which allows us to focus efforts on our high level of customer service with our guests.

The site also allows us to have a streamlined booking process which benefits the homeowner and is user friendly for the consumer. The site also hosts multiple pictures of the rental properties, there is local information, and potential guests can compare properties and view guests reviews and much more.

Feel free to check out the rental website, and all our rental properties at www.peabodysmithrentals.com. Inventory changes daily, so check back often!

Posted by:  Chrissy Smith



April 08, 2010

Bretton Woods in Transition!

Posted to Michele Penner

It’s transition time here at Bretton Woods! The snow is melting and the grass is greening. The Bretton Woods ski area will be closing April 11th after a record 2009-2010 season.

The Mount Pleasant Golf Course will open weekends beginning April 16th. The recent warm temperatures have established the greens to their post reconstruction form! We hope to see the beautiful Mount Washington Golf Course open by May 1st! Keep your fingers crossed!

So, it is officially time to store away the skis and dust off the clubs!

We are looking forward to a wonderful summer season here at the resort!

Stop by to visit us at the entrance to the ski area to learn more about properties available for sale or rent at the resort.

Posted by:Michele Penner



March 26, 2010

Leeann Trahan Joins Peabody & Smith Realty in Littleton

Posted to Chrissy Smith

We are so proud to have Leeann Trahan in our Littleton office! Leeann has decided to join our team of agents as a Sales Associate. Leeann is also the owner of a day spa in Bethelehem called Razzmatazz. Leeann is taking her administrative and management background and expanding it into a real estate career. Leeann served four years in the military, where she met her husband David. While the military has its benefits, Leeann and David felt that giving their family a home was more important. They decided to settle in Lisbon, NH in 1996, where they still reside today. Before becoming an investor at Razzmatazz, Trahan served as the Human Resources Manager at Tender Corporation for four years.

As a licensed esthetician, business owner and investor she understands the importance of delivering accurate knowledge and information to customers & clients.

We know that Leeann has a strong knowledge of the local area, and a firm understanding of the real estate market. Already, she has proven herself to be an asset to our company, and we know she’ll work exceptionally well for our clients and customers, because at the end of the day, our firm is client and customer focused. The Peabody & Smith Realty motto is, ‘a reputation for results’ and our team of agents works to deliver just that, results.

Welcome aboard Leeann! You are a great addition!

Posted by:Chrissy Smith



March 24, 2010

Spring in Bretton Woods!

Posted to Community Lifestyle, Events & Activities, Michele Penner

We woke up this morning to find the trees once again completely snow-covered! Not exactly what one hopes for on the 3rd day of spring – even at a ski area! However, it is great news for those looking forward to this weekend’s Beach Party here at Bretton Woods. Beach Party Weekend is always a fabulous time. Smelling the hamburgers cooking on the rooftop deck (weather permitting) gets your mouth watering! The highlight of the day of course is the “slush pool”, where young and not so young alike attempt to ski, snowboard and some even canoe across the icy waters! The ski area is scheduled to be open until April 11th, but you won’t want to miss out on all the fun this weekend.

While you are here, please stop by the new Peabody & Smith office to say hello and check out current properties listed for sale here at the resort. We are located just at the entrance of the ski area. Not able to make it up? Check out properties on our website.

Posted by:Michele Penner



March 08, 2010

Land in Vermont – Spectacular

Posted to

Sometimes land comes along that seems so unbelievably beautiful that it takes your breath away. That is what happened when I first saw my new land listing in Danville, Vermont. Coming from Arizona a year and half ago, my real estate experience was in new construction or existing homes. As you can imagine, most of the land was gone and developed into subdivisions. In Vermont, however, you can be rural and private and away from it all, and experience every beautiful thing in nature from mountain views, deer, moose, fox, eagles and more.

The white twinkling snow, rolling hills and plains, pastures of black and white Holstein cows, is like a beautiful painting. I know when I put on my snowshoes and hiked up the sloping land to the vista where rock formations and perfectly placed trees were, I looked around and the views are panoramic, and the mountains draped with snow with hues of the sunset, blues, pinks, yellows…why wouldn’t you want to be sipping a cup of tea or coffee in your kitchen admiring this everyday of your life? You can.

In Vermont, you can select a beautiful piece of land like this and build your dream home. This land is convenient to VAST for snowmobiling, Town of Danville, Danville schools, and restaurants like The Creamery and Bed & Breakfasts like The Danville Inn. Take Rte 2 and be at Joe’s Pond quickly, and continue on to Montpelier or Burlington. Stop by Marty’s First Stop and say hello to your friends in the community. When you live in a Town in Vermont, you will experience neighbors and community again. The cold weather never chills you with the warmth you experience. Come to Danville, Vermont and build your future!

Posted by:Kris Still



February 15, 2010

Dick McGinnis Joins Peabody & Smith Realty in Bretton Woods NH!

Posted to Chrissy Smith

Our Bretton Woods real estate office, located right at the entrance of the Bretton Woods Ski Area at the Mount Washington Resort has been busy and we are pleased to announce that long time Bretton Woods Broker Associate, Dick McGinnis has joined us at the office.

It’s not an unfamiliar commute for Dick McGinnis, as this has been his home base for a number of years. Dick has been selling real estate since 1987, and in 2002 he became the principal broker at Bretton Woods Real Estate, which later turned into Mt Washington Resort Realty. Peabody & Smith Realty recently acquired the Mt. Washignton Resort Realty office, and this is the office that Dick has spent the last decade working at. We are so pleased to have Dick on our team, and look forward to combining his expertise and knowledge of the area to the benefit of our sellers and buyers who are interested in purchasing a home at Bretton Woods. Here are some of the homes now for sale at Bretton Woods. We also have just started offering the last four slopeside ski homes to be built at Presidential Views, more on that soon!

Dick can be found on his days off skiing with his grandchildren at the Bretton Woods Ski Area, along with other Peabody & Smith agents! The Peabody & Smith office at Bretton Woods is staffed with Managing Broker Michele Penner, Sales Associate Terry Penner, both longtime Bretton Woods owners, and Dick. He is a long time resident of Lancaster, where he resides with his wife Annetta. He can be reached at the office at 278-1440, or via email at richardm@peabodysmith.com.

Posted by:Chrissy Smith



February 04, 2010

Looking for Vacation Home in Scenic Northeast Kingdom Vermont on VAST Snowmobile Trail

Posted to

I am so proud to tell you about a vacation home for a combination-family purchase that I listed in St. Johnsbury, Vermont! This home is so unique because it is very updated, very spacious and has interesting separate areas throughout. What I like about it is that there is a main-floor master bedroom, then you can go upstairs with a choice of two staircases. One staircase leads you to 3 bedrooms, and a spiral staircase with other rooms above. It has its own bathroom. All beautiful and brightly painted colors, and modernly updated. The next staircase, leads you to another 2 bedrooms with a full bathroom. Take the staircase down to a finished basement, with living room retreat and bookshelves. More rooms for sleeping are available, as is a nice workshop. The perfect part about it, is that more than one family could purchase this together and have privacy and plenty of room for entertainment. The kitchen is open with an eat up bar, and an amazing pantry. Sitting rooms and sitting areas are throughout, and a lovely office. First floor laundry is a plus, as is the large 2 car garage with storage, and mudroom with dog shower and dog door out to a run. Walk outside and you are on the VAST Snowmobile trail! Just take off. 20 min. from Burke Mountain, for skiing or biking, 30 min. from Cannon Mountain, 40 min to Mt. Washington Ski Resort and Bretton Woods!

I am so proud of this home, it would be an amazing place to call your own!

My love for Vermont is enhanced by unique opportunities like this for others to find Vermont a home away from home. You can also visit our other listings at www.peabodysmith.com

Posted by:Kris Still



January 19, 2010

Our New Office Opens at Bretton Woods!

Posted to Chrissy Smith

Peabody & Smith Realty recently joined forces with Mount Washington Resort Realty to become the premier provider of real estate services for both Bretton Woods Land Company and existing home owners at the resort. Our new office is located at the entrance of the Bretton Woods Ski Area, right here in Bretton Woods, NH.

As with any alliance, the combining of each party’s strengths creates a union for future growth. Each of our firms saw a need to augment each other in order to focus on their individual goals. For Bretton Woods Land Company, that goal is the development of future neighborhoods including the village; and building a vibrant new community. By working with Peabody & Smith Realty, they can focus on what they do best, while allowing us to focus on existing town home sales, rentals and marketing of the new construction currently underway at Stone Hill and Presidential Views.

Mount Washington Resort Realty is the real estate brokerage arm of Bretton Woods Land Holdings and is headed by Mike Brunetti, the Director of Development. Brunetti said, “We are delighted and know that we have entrusted Peabody & Smith Realty to take over the inventory of existing homes for sale in the many villages here at Bretton Woods. With this opportunity with Peabody & Smith Realty, we’ll be able to continue to focus on planning and developing the future neighborhoods at Mt. Washington Resort.”

For Andy Smith, Broker/Owner of Peabody & Smith Realty, this opportunity enables them to provide a long term presence and stability at the resort. He added, “We are able to provide our full service real estate solutions to both the current property owners at the resort, and to Mount Washington Resort Realty.”

We have purchased the “Story Center” located at the entrance of the Bretton Woods Ski Area located at the Omni Mount Washington Resort. The office makes the fifth office for us, we have other New Hampshire offices in Franconia, Littleton and Plymouth and one in St. Johnsbury, Vermont.

Andy Smith added, “This will allow us to better serve our Bretton Woods clients and assist our customers. We have represented a number of Bretton Woods home and condo owners over the years, and this lets us better serve their needs. Like all of our offices, we will be open seven days a week, and ready to service our Bretton Woods buyers.”

The office will be under the direction of Michele Penner, Broker Associate. Penner has lived at Bretton Woods for years, along with her husband Terry, and has worked for Peabody & Smith Realty for the last two years. Smith said, “Michele and Terry understand Bretton Woods, the real estate market and are attentive to the needs of our customers and clients.”

We are looking forward to helping you, so if you are out skiing at Bretton Woods, stop by and say hello!

Posted by:Chrissy Smith



January 15, 2010

Vermont - My Move to Paradise

Posted to

Most residents of Vermont have been here for generations, in fact some families settled the original State of Vermont. Some of us are fortunate enough to get to come here and experience all that Vermont has to offer. If you are considering a move to Vermont, perhaps your life-long dream is to open a Bed & Breakfast, or own an Antique Farmhouse, or a Colonial, I can help make your dreams come true! I am a Native of Houston, Texas, having relocated to Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona for years. You can imagine that my exposure to winter, has been very minimal. I remember as a child getting to miss school for a very rare “snow shower”, that amounted to a powder that barely stuck to the ground, about twice. However, we ran outside and scraped together enough to make a tiny snowman! Arizona, where the low was about 40, and we were all freezing! A single mother of 5, decided to join eHarmony to find that perfect someone for me and my three boys and two girls, one with special needs. After meeting the perfect guy, and 7 months of commuting, we decided to load up the moving truck and move to Barnet, Vermont.

Being a Realtor for 4 years in Arizona, I went to work for Peabody & Smith Realty, in St. Johnsbury, VT. We moved in June of 2008, to his home on Harvey’s Lake. I have been through a real winter and real seasons, and am now in my second winter. Sub zero temperatures, don’t seem so bad when you enjoy all there is to offer here in Vermont, from snowshoeing, skiing, snowmobiling and more!

We love the schools, Barnet School and St. Johnsbury Academy, and all they have to offer my special needs child and my other children, from all sports, great education, small classroom sizes, Arts programs and Ski program at Burke Mountain. I will be blogging further as to my experiences here in Vermont and how this was the Best Move and Decision of my life, and it can be yours too!

Posted by:Kris Still



January 15, 2010

Bethlehem, NH: A Scenic, Small Town

Posted to Diane Johnson

Bethlehem New Hampshire is a scenic, small town that that has retained all of it's charm in the years since it was settled in the 1800's. There were many Grand Hotels in Bethlehem and although most are now gone, there are still active bed and breakfast establishments and hotels. It was a railroad line stop on the way north to Dixville Notch and the Balsam's Resort, with as many as 7 trains coming everyday to Bethlehem to unload vacationers.

My father has told stories of my grandparents traveling to The Balsams for summer vacations, (I imagine to beat the heat from Forest Hills, NY) and commenting on how many people would depart the train in Bethlehem. It's funny to think that 80 years later I would settle in that same town! I love living in a small rural New Hampshire town. It is very similar to the town I grew up in, just south of Syracuse NY.

     

One of the things that I love about Bethlehem is that you can walk on Main Street and explore the shops, duck into an ice cream shop (yes, even in the winter!) and enjoy a great indie flick at the Colonial Theatre (Sorry that IS closed in the Winter), or in the summer enjoy a Sunday concert at the gazebo on a residential street just past the Elementary School is a home for sale. 166 James Street The home is a split level home on .51+/- acres, at the end of dead end road. New windows and new siding.

Contact me at diane@peabodysmith.com if you have any questions.

Posted by:Diane Johnson



January 05, 2010

Snow, Snow and More Snow at Bretton Woods

Posted to Michele Penner

The storm of 2010 was extremely generous to Bretton Woods. Snow started falling, well, it is actually hard to remember when snow started falling, as it seems it is almost always snowing in Bretton Woods; but anyway the snow finally stopped Sunday night around 11:30 PM. Total accumulation: somewhere in the vicinity of 33 inches – almost 3 FEET of snow. Some left the resort early Saturday morning in order to get home safely before the bulk of the storm hit, but those who stayed were treated to some unbelievable amounts of snow and a powder experience not to be forgotten. Most people I talked to in the lodge on Sunday confessed to only being able to take 3 runs and then had to break.

  

The powder was so deep it was hard to navigate – especially for those of us who aren’t used to the deep stuff. More snow on Monday! I am thinking if the sun comes out today it is going to be a fabulous day of skiing at Bretton Woods. The crew has been busy grooming trails and as of this morning a reported 99 out of 101 trails were open. If you can’t make it today, Wednesday is 2 for 1 day at Bretton Woods…if you have the chance, it is worth taking!

Click Here for further ski condition reports.

Posted by:Michele Penner



January 04, 2010

5+ acres located in the quiet town of Lyman, NH

Posted to Diane Johnson

Tucked back on a quiet road in Lyman, NH lies a piece of land that incorporates views, seclusion and close proximity to Littleton. The pleasure of this land lies in the fact when you build your home you will be close, yet far away to amenities. The small town feel is truly alive here. Located only 10 minutes from Littleton Regional Hospital and the town of Littleton,NH with shopping, resturants, and the award winning Main Street it is an easy trip to “town.”

Posted by:Diane Johnson



January 01, 2010

Best Place for Finding Jobs

Posted to Joy Moore

Grafton Country New Hampshire is Rated Tops…This reported on TV Channel 9, WMUR Evening News this evening ”CNN and Money magazine rated Grafton County the sixth best place in the country for jobs”

Posted by:Joy Moore



December 30, 2009

The RCC Designation and What It Means

Posted to Chrissy Smith

I recently earned the “RCC” designation from the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®. Now I can be referred to as, “Chrissy Smith, RCC.” But what does the RCC abbreviation mean?  Well, it stands for “RELO Certified Coordinator” and it means that I have met a number of educational requirements and demonstrated a working knowledge of how to handle relocating clients and customers, and the policies and procedures of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®. For the last year, I have been the point of contact for companies who call us because they have a client or customer who may be relocating here to the White Mountains of NH or the Green Mountains of VT. Or even to Central NH. We have offices in all locations, and I am the point of contact for those firms who are also members of LeadingRE, and looking to help their customers find a firm and agency in this area. We also are able to help clients and customers who live here in the Greater Littleton, St. Johnsbury or Plymouth markets, but who may be purchasing a home in another area, or even selling a home in another area. We are able through our network of LeadingRE affiliates, to find an independent real estate firm, who can assist them as they reach their goals. We try to offer a solution for them, whether they need real estate help in this area, or in another state, or in another country.

Through our LeadingRE affiliates, we help locally, and globally. So if you need any help relocating, or looking for a second home in another area, or need to sell your second home in another state, please feel free to give us a call at 603-444-1294 or email me at chrissy@peabodysmith.com, and let’s see how we can help you. Its a free service we offer, and we love to help!

Posted by:Chrissy Smith



December 29, 2009

Winter wonderland in the White Mountains of New Hampshire

Posted to Diane Johnson, Events & Activities

I was privileged to enjoy a few days of “rest and relaxation” while the kids were on Christmas break from school. We went skiing at Bretton Woods, sledding in the back yard most of all enjoyed our new toy for Christmas, a Wii console. If you are not familiar with the Wii system it is the most incredible gaming system with intuitive controls that literally my 75(ish?) father can play and scads of games that everyone in the family can enjoy. Now that that Bethlehem has more snow the kids have been clamoring to get the snowmobiles out and I am looking forward to riding the local trails in our area. My husband has dad time with our 2 oldest sons and he goes on the longer snowmobile trips. From the Bethlehem trail system he can easily connect either to Twin Mountain that connects all the way to Canada! Or Littleton trails- the possibilities for travel on the snowmobiles are endless. One of the things I am asked frequently is “Where can we get warm and get a quick bite to eat then get back on the sleds in Bethlehem?” The Village Store on Main Street is a great place to grab a hot, homemade sandwich, chili and more even more importantly it is warm and inviting unfortunately there is no seating inside because it is a grocery store but stay for a while chat with some of the people, you never know who you will meet and how welcome you will feel even at a local grocery store. So now I am rejuvenated am ready to get back to work! I am looking forward to more posts about Bethlehem and White Mountains area real estate soon.

Posted by:Diane Johnson



December 29, 2009

Snow Glorious Snow in Bretton Woods

Posted to Events & Activities, Michele Penner, Ski Homes in NH

So this year was one of the few years we did not get any snow fall on Christmas Day. The ground was covered, but none magically falling fresh as we have come to expect each Christmas morning. Apparently Mother Nature’s calendar was just a few days off. We have been getting clobbered with snow since yesterday afternoon. I would estimate over a foot has fallen already. I have to admit I have not strapped on the skis yet… don’t really know what I am waiting for as conditions have been superb at Bretton Woods! We did have rain that spoiled some of it the other day; however as of this morning there are 55 of 101 trails open, and with a foot plus of fresh powder, what more could you ask for? For all you Nordic skiers, there are 17 of 49 trails open. For non-skiers, or for a special treat after a day or two of skiing, you must try out the spa. It is an experience you won’t soon forget. Bretton Woods offers a variety of great outdoor activities, from dogsledding, tubing, sleigh rides, ice skating, Snowshoeing and high-alpine eco tours, to the usual alpine and Nordic skiing. Last year the canopy tour was introduced and it has been a favorite ever since.

Lots of fun things going on in the next few days…check it out. The torchlight parade is back!!!

There are plenty of opportunities to make Bretton Woods your home away from home. Click here to view available properties for sale.

Posted by:Michele Penner



December 28, 2009

Snowmobile Lots in Lancaster

Posted to Joy Moore

With the winter here and snow on the ground, the snowmobile enthusiasts are calling our Peabody and Smith offices for properties with snow-mobile access in our north country area of New Hampshire. I have listed for sale 2 lots, (10 and 11 acre) with access to the VAST Trails of Vermont, linking with trails where you can ride from Portsmouth, NH to Montreal Quebec, Canada.

Posted by:Joy Moore



December 23, 2009

Missy Sullivan Joins Peabody & Smith Realty

Posted to Chrissy Smith

We are thrilled to announce that we have expanded more in our Plymouth NH Office and we recently welcomed Missy Sullivan, a veteran Real Estate agent as a Sales Associate.

Missy has had a real estate license for eighteen years, and began actively practicing for the past five years. Missy is a Plymouth NH native, and is knowledgeable about the area as a whole. Like our other agents in the office, Missy has a strong understanding of the schools, recreation opportunities, and more for buyers who may be relocating to the Plymouth area.

Our Plymouth office at 85 Main Street, now has four full time agents, and one licensed administrative professional. We are looking to grow further in the Plymouth area, and continue to assist our new and existing clients.”

Personally, Missy was a cheerleading coach for 12 years at both Plymouth Regional and Newfound High School. She says she can now be “a cheerleader for her listings to help get them sold!” She is married and has two teenagers. Missy can be reached by phone in Plymouth at 238-6990 or using her direct line at the “Push to Talk” button below.

email fax

Missy can also be reached by email at missys@peabodysmith.com. Our direct lines, for our Plymouth and St. J offices are set up to ring at their desks, then at their cell phone, so they are available anytime.

Welcome Missy! We’re thrilled to have you on the Peabody & Smith Realty team!

Posted by:Chrissy Smith



December 14, 2009

Four of our Peabody & Smith Agents Achieve the CBR Designation

Posted to Chrissy Smith

Once again, we are so pleased at how our agents continually learn new things, take new classes and earn designations to help their clients and customers. Recently, four of our Broker Associates completed the Certified Buyer Representative Program and now have the initials CBR® after their name.

Beth Horan, Joy Moore, Mary O’Toole, and Susan Jones were recently certified by RealNet Learning Services of McLean, Virginia, as CBR®-Certified Buyer Representatives. They are now trained in the professional representation of home purchasers. Buyer Representative is a cooperating agent who legally represents the real estate buyer. Each agent completed three days of extensive training to earn this Designation. According to the CBR website, less than 1% of the agents in the country have earned this designation.

Beth is one of our bloggers at www.guidemehome2thewhitemountainsofnh.com. She has been with Peabody & Smith Realty for over a decade. She is licensed in both New Hampshire and Vermont and works out of their Franconia office.

Joy Moore is another one of our bloggers, and works out of the Littleton office of Peabody & Smith. She was also named in 2009 as the Lakes Region Board, Realtor of the Year. She has worked at Peabody & Smith for 15 years, and is also licensed in the state of Vermont. Real Estate has been her passion for over twenty years.

Mary O’Toole has been with Peabody & Smith for almost five years. She is licensed in New Hampshire and works also out of their Franconia office.

Susan Jones obtained her real estate license almost a decade ago. She has worked for Peabody & Smith during that time. She is also licensed to sell real estate in Vermont.

“As always, I am so proud of these agents. They continue to exceed expectations in order to make their clients experience with them, and with the company, the best it can be through their continued knowledge and education.” said Andy Smith, Broker/Owner of Peabody & Smith.

With 28 full time Realtors, and a support staff of seven, we have offices in Franconia, Littleton, Plymouth and St. Johnsbury. We are members of and one of only 600 firms chosen as part of The Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. As a member, Peabody & Smith Realty, Inc. is affiliated with the finest real estate firms worldwide. The relationship also enables us to assist individuals relocating to virtually any community in the U.S. or abroad. Just give us a call if we can help.

Posted by:Chrissy Smith



December 04, 2009

December Market Watch from Peabody & Smith Realty

Posted to Andy Smith

It has been quite a ride in 2009, rising foreclosures, lower housing prices, and at the beginning of the year it all was looking so bleak. However, it would appear we have hit bottom and are rebounding, both nationally and locally. Fed Chairman Ben Bernacke was recently quoted as saying,

“Housing in the coming year is going to be a relative bright spot - a helpful driver of national economic growth, rather than the wet blanket it’s been for the past couple of years.”

The headlines are everywhere:

“Pending home sales have risen for nine months in a row, a first for the series of the index since its inception in 2001, according to the National Association of Realtors.

“New Hampshire home sales show 8 percent increase in October” according to the NH Association of Realtors.

Locally, from the graphs you can see we have compared the first 11 months of 2009 to the same time frame in 2008. For some towns like St. Johnsbury VT the numbers stayed relatively the same. 30% more houses were sold, with a slightly lower sales price from the year before and the days that the houses stayed on the market actually decreased, so for St. Johnsbury, the market really held its own year over year. However, for the towns of Lyndon and Burke, average selling prices dropped just over 20%, which are numbers that have been seen on the national scale.

In New Hampshire, Littleton experienced a similar feat as St. Johnsbury. More houses sold, with a similar sales price year over year, but a higher number of days the house stayed on the market. For the town of Plymouth, more houses sold in 2009, the average selling price was up by 20% and days on market increased slightly. Very encouraging indeed.

So while doom and gloom seemed to prevail in the media, and in water cooler discussion, many of our larger area towns held their own and weathered the storm in decent shape. Granted this data is only through the first of December, but we don’t expect huge changes at the end of the year.

What drove the market this year? Well, certainly the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of $8,000 helped, as some buyers raced to beat the November 30th deadline, which has now been extended until the end of June. For others, they recognized the good values of the homes being offered, and made purchases either for themselves to live in, or are going to use them as an investment tool.

For 2010, we expect that the new Move Up Tax Credit of $6500 will certainly help drive some sales. This tax credit is for buyers who already own a home, but are purchasing another one, and it doesn’t have to be more expensive than the one they currently own. The First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit has been extended until June of 2010, and that’s an $8000 tax credit for someone who hasn’t owned a home in 3 years. There is more information about these tax credits on our website, www.peabodysmith.com

But we can’t talk about 2009, and even 2010 without discussing the foreclosures and short sales we have seen. Homes are selling that have been foreclosed on, and we have helped to facilitate a number of “short sales” - sales where the sellers owes more on the property than they can sell it for. For sellers, this is a terrifying position to be in, but its imperative to be pro-active and reach out for help. There are two area resources to help - AHEAD Home Ownership Center in Littleton (and they serve Plymouth and beyond) and Gilman Housing Trust in Vermont Both of these non-profits have programs to try to help you should you find yourself in this position. But please, give us a call, talk to an agent, and let’s see what we can do to help.

2010 should certainly see the market rebound a bit, but it will be many years before we see the same price levels that we unnaturally hit in the boom times of 2005. The rebound will be at more sustainable levels over many years, leading to a healthy market again.

I’ve said it before, and it bears repeating. Interest rates are at their lowest levels right now, and the housing affordability index is at its lowest since 1970, if you are ready to buy a home, or invest in the market for the long term, this is the time to do it. Selection is good, and its a buyers market. Give us a call, develop a relationship with an agent. Let us get to know you, so we can help you find the home, land, business or rental that you’ve been waiting for.


Posted by:Andrew Smith



December 04, 2009

3 Peabody & Smith agents awarded Green Designation

Posted to

We are so pleased with our Peabody & Smith agents continually taking new classes in order to better help their customers and clients. We are pleased to announce that three of our agents, Beth Horan, Terry Penner and Michele Penner have been awarded the National Association of REALTOR®’s (NAR’s) Green Designation, the only green real estate professional designation recognized by NAR.

Beth, Terry & Michele achieved this prestigious designation after completing 18 hours of course work designated specifically for REALTORS®. The Courses were created in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of industry experts from across the country, ensuring designees gain comprehensive knowledge of green homes and buildings and issues of sustainability in relation to real estate.

They were each trained in understanding what makes a property green, how to help clients evaluate the cost/benefits of green building features and practices, and how to distinguish between industry rating and classification systems. They learned about a number of other topics also including: listing and marketing green homes and buildings, discussing the financial grants and incentives available to home owners, and helping consumers see a property’s green potential.

As NAR Green Designees, Beth, Terry and Michele have gained the knowledge and the tools necessary to become a trusted green resource for the North Country. We do have a number of green homes in the area for sale, including this one in Woodsville NH.

Beth has been with Peabody & Smith Realty for over a decade. And the Penner’s have owned property at Bretton Woods since 1996 and moved here full time a few years ago to pursue a real estate career.

Congratulations to Beth and the Penner’s, from all of us at Peabody & Smith Realty!

Posted by:Chrissy Smith



November 13, 2009

How Green Are You?

Posted to Michele Penner

Having recently completed the educational requirements for the National Association of REALTORS® Green designation, I have spent some time analyzing my own daily practices and finding out how “green” I am.

Take a look at this list that describes relatively inexpensive ways that you and your family can conserve energy provided by the NAR and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Posted by:Michele Penner



November 10, 2009

Bretton Woods Opens!

Posted to Events & Activities, Michele Penner

Their website said they would open mid-November, but not many believed it. For all you nonbelievers, the ski area was opened on November 7th! 1 out of 101 trails opened, but hey what did you expect! A few anxious skiers did take advantage of the $10.00 fee to ski, what I have to believe, is the first skiing in NH for the season. Proceeds of the day went to the Adaptive Ski Program and/or the Ski Team, so not only did you get the chance to say you skied first in the New Hampshire 2009/10 season, but you had the opportunity to help out two worthy causes!

Temperatures expected in the 50’s, actually 60’s yesterday, may make this a short term opportunity, however the snowmaking crews are ready, willing and able to make snow whenever the conditions allow!


Posted by:Michele Penner



November 10, 2009

Our St. Johnsbury Office Is In Their New Building!

Posted to Chrissy Smith

After a few weeks of renovations, our St. Johnsbury office is up and running at our new location, 683 Railroad Street, St. Johnsbury. We installed the sign on a chilly Friday afternoon, Andy Smith and our Renovation Specialist Lon Ashton handled the installation. This year, we have doubled our staffing in St. Johnsbury to 4 agents and added an administrative assistant. At the office, you’ll find: Robin Jacobs, Toni Morris, Kris Still, Sam Vance and Stacey Brisson. Stop by sometime and say hello! We’d love to show off our new place, with its new paint job, new decor and more! The real estate market is picking up in St. Johnsbury and we’re ready to help you.

  

Posted by:Chrissy Smith



November 09, 2009

Landaff NH Cheese featured in Martha Stewart Living

Posted to Chrissy Smith

It’s not everyday that someone you know gets featured in Martha Stewart Living magazine, especially when they are from the tiny town of Landaff, New Hampshire. But that’s what happened in the November issue. The Landaff Creamery showed up on page 169 in an article entitled, “Made in Vermont” that discussed cheese making in the Green Mountain state. This Landaff cheese is the only one made in New Hampshire, but it is aged at Jasper Hill Farm in Greensboro, Vermont. The Landaff Creamery, located on the Mill Brook Road in Landaff creates a traditional welsh style semi firm cheese, that is creamy, mild and tangy.

Landaff is a tiny hamlet of 300 people, the place I call home. If you want to live near the Landaff Creamery, we have a house available on the road, and some land, come check it out – you could see the cheese making process up close and share the results with your neighbors! And try some of their cheese, you can order it online.

For more on Landaff, visit this older blog post that discusses more about the town

Posted by:Chrissy Smith



November 09, 2009

Are You Ready To Buy A Home?

Posted to Michele Penner

Many buyers think that there are just three steps to buying a home. Look at houses, find a house you like and buy it!

There are actually quite a few more steps and educating yourselves on the process might be the single best thing you can do. Buying a home can be an overwhelming, stressful time, but if you have an understanding of the process and know what to expect, you might actually enjoy it. Working with a REALTOR® who can assist you step by step throughout the process is important as well.

  1. First and foremost you need to address your financial situation. Make an appointment with a lender. They can help determine how much of a loan you can afford, what types of loans you may qualify for, and can get you a “pre-approval” which will get you started on your search for a home. Allowing you to zero in on only those homes that you can afford to purchase!

  2. Now that you know “how much” of a home you can afford, you should sit down and identify your actual needs in a home. If you are purchasing with a spouse or partner each of you should separately sit down and make a list of all “must haves.” Compare your lists, discuss the differences, and come up with a joint list that you can both live with.

  3. If you are moving to a different area, it will be important to research the communities in the area that you are moving to. If you have children, for example, you may want to contact the schools and find out about the programs that they offer. Find out which communities fit your wants and needs and make sure to visit them.

  4. You will also want to be sure you know what property types you are interested in.

  5. As you will be a buyer, competing with other Buyer’s in the market, you will need to do some research. Your REALTOR® may be the best source in helping you with this step. You need to look at properties that fit the description of the property you have identified as what you are looking for – find those that have sold, those that have expired and those that are actively on the market. This data will tell you what other Buyer’s have been willing to pay for similar homes (the solds), what prices other Buyer’s have rejected (those expired) and what is currently available on the market. This is an important step in understanding and being able to negotiate a price on the home that you find to purchase.

    6. Read the complete article >



November 02, 2009

Attention Bretton Woods Skiers and Riders!

Posted to Michele Penner

I awoke to find a fine snow on my car, which when I opened the door and heard the wonderful hum of the snow guns, realized was the over spray from the ski area, and not just a heavy frost.

It won’t be long now before we are out on the slopes! Traditionally the ski area has opened Thanksgiving weekend, however, this year they are hoping to open mid-November, providing Mother Nature cooperates with temperatures.

Remember the weather is always different at Bretton Woods! Click here to follow the latest weather conditions at the resort, and get ready for a great season!

Posted by:Michele Penner



October 23, 2009

CU 4 Reality Financial Literacy Fair

Posted to Beth Horan, Community Lifestyle

CU 4 Reality Financial Literacy Fair was held at Profile High School in Bethlehem, NH. Profile School services the towns of Franconia, Sugar Hill, Easton and Bethlehem.

This was a fascinating program that (from left to right) Beth Horan, Diane Johnson and Steve Gorman from Peabody & Smith Realty participated in. A mix of sorts between career day and real life budgeting. Approximately 170 students grades 9-12 interacted with local business owners and professionals from Franconia, Littleton and surrounding towns. The students role played as consumers with assigned monthly incomes as we helped establish monthly spending guidelines for them with regards to “the real world of housing”.

Each student had a name tag, below was their already accomplished profession such as Veterinarian, dancer, engineer etc. and given an annual salary to work with. At the end of the day it was hoped students would walk away having developed a better understanding of budgeting, and the reality of making real life buying decisions. This included everything from house rentals, home utility costs, home insurance, car purchases, health insurance, clothing for work, the cost of working out at a gym, owning a pet and many others costs they may encounter as they venture out living on their own.

There were some great questions from the students on the housing front:

-Is it furnished or unfurnished?
-Does it cost extra for a pet?
-Do I have to buy my own appliances?
-How long do I have to commit to this apt. for?
-How far from stores is the house? Did they need a car or transportation?

Some on the other hand only cared about who they lived with! Few took note of the aesthetics of the home.

Peabody & Smith hopes this was an enriching day of learning for the students at Profile. We feel privileged for the invitation to take part, it was a delightful way for us to spend the day as a day in the life of a Realtor®!

Posted by:Elizabeth Horan



October 19, 2009

Our St. Johnsbury Office is Moving

Posted to Chrissy Smith

For over three years, we have been operating an office in St. Johnsbury in leased space at 357 Western Avenue. Well we don’t just advise our customers to buy real estate, we buy ourselves! Starting in November, we will be working from our new location at 683 Railroad Street in a building we recently purchased. The building had been previously occupied by Highland Travel, and also has two one-bedroom apartments upstairs. We purchased the building early this fall and have been renovating the office space for the last few weeks.

This new location will mean more space for the staff that has recently doubled to four agents and one assistant. Broker/Owner Andy Smith said, “It’ll be great for our customers because we’ll have more space to meet with our clients and customers. In addition, it’s a highly visible location, right near the heart of downtown.”

We love the St. Johnsbury community, and are committed to the St. Johnsbury real estate market. It was a great opportunity for us. The St. Johnsbury office is comprised of:

  • Robin Jacobs
  • Toni Morris
  • Sam Vance
  • Kris Still
  • Administrative Assistant Stacey Brisson

Posted by:Chrissy Smith



October 14, 2009

First Snowfall at Bretton Woods

Posted to Michele Penner

Today we awoke to our first snowfall at Bretton Woods! You know what that means, time to put away that lawn furniture and get out the skis, snowboards, snowshoes and all the winter garb!

Fittingly, Ski Magazine just came out with their Reader Resort Survey for the Top 10 ski resorts in the East for 2009. Bretton Woods was number 1 for weather, number 2 for family programs, number 3 in snow making, grooming, on-mountain food, service and scenery; number 5 in lodging and number 6 in dining and lifts. Those of us that ski here regularly know all of this, but for those of you who don’t, you may want to take the opportunity to check out Bretton Woods this ski season.

Bretton Woods has always been a family friendly resort, a place many a child has grown up loving and calling “home”! There are currently several opportunities to become a part of this great community. Click here to view properties available for sale.

Posted by:Michele Penner



October 13, 2009

Congratulations to Beth Horan & Susan Jones

Posted to Chrissy Smith

It’s always nice when your colleagues are recognized, and today we are pleased at Peabody & Smith Realty to announce that our own Beth Horan, CRS, SRES and Susan Jones, CRS, GRI have been named to the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® Power Producer group. According to Leading RE, this select group of real estate professionals represents some of the highest-performing agents in the LeadingRE network. The Power Producers gather by phone each month and share successful ideas and strategies that they have experienced, and that may be helpful to the network’s 150,000 sales associates worldwide. These calls are focused on exploring the most effective ways to serve home buyers and sellers.

Susan Jones, CRS, GRI has been with Peabody & Smith for almost a decade. Jones has earned the GRI designation (Graduate Realtor Institute) and the highly coveted designation of Certified Residential Specialist. She also has a Vermont Real Estate Brokers license.

Beth Horan, CRS, SRES (Senior Real Estate Specialist for agents specializing in properties for senior citizens) has been with Peabody & Smith Realty since 2000. Horan was awarded the Peabody & Smith “Sales Associate of the Year” in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2008. Horan is also Licensed in Vermont and is one of our bloggers who writes for this blog.

Congratulations to Beth and Susan. All of us feel that with the continual sharing of ideas with other brokers around the country, it helps our agents to brainstorm about new ways to position a home in the marketplace. For our clients, it’s a benefit, because these agents are continually learning new things, in an effort to enhance their clients experience. If you need information on how we can help you sell your home, buy a home, or find an agent in another area, feel free to give us a call, or visit us online at www.peabodysmith.com.

Posted by:Chrissy Smith



October 13, 2009

The first snow of the year!

Posted to Beth Horan

This is the sight from 994 Profile Road this A.M. The first snow of the year! Yippie!

Hope you all have your fall yard clean up done!

Posted by:Elizabeth Horan



October 07, 2009

Ski Season is on the Way!

Posted to Beth Horan, Ski Homes in NH

As we listen to the weather forecast for the upcoming weekend that wonderful 4 letter word is mentioned, SNOW! It’s time to put away the beach bags and gear up for ski season. Cannon Mountain is wrapping up its base lodge expansion, flurries are in the air and skiing is just around the corner!

Looking at Cannon, this picture is taken on 10-1-09 from the yard of a spectacular mountain home in Franconia. You’ll love the convenience to slopes, town and interstate. A delightfully warm Adirondack feel with 4 fireplaces that glow from room to room! Cross country ski or hike from your back door to over 80 kilometers of trails.

The Franconia Ski Club is hosting its annual ski swap on Saturday, November 7th from 8am-1pm at the Lafayette Elementary School in Franconia. Get there early as things go fast. Also, don’t forget our favorite folks at the Franconia Sports Shop, check out their great line of apparel and goods with things arriving daily.

Looking to make lasting family memories? Have you ever considered a vacation home in the area? With great inventory, low interest rates and real estate prices at an all time low, you may be surprised how much your money can buy! There is a colonial with 4 bedrooms that is located half way between town and skiing. This home would be comfortable for 2 families to share as a ski home. Or an in town beautifully restored home, again with plenty of room for more than one family to enjoy.

If your vacation style is more suited to condominium’s, The Village At Maplewood in Bethlehem, New Hampshire is located 1/2 way between Bretton Woods Ski Area and Cannon Mtn. A beautiful end unit with 5 bedrooms and 3 full levels of living space is available at the Village At Maplewood. Tucked in off the road this quiet complex is most special. You can enjoy the walking trails, rec center with indoor pool, workout room and Jacuzzi.  Or follow the side walk to town and take in a movie at the Colonial Theatre, shop at WREN and dine at Cold Mountain Cafe. Ah so much to do yet such a quiet little spot!

In any event, as foliage winds down I hope the brisk air brings on the excitement of skiing and winter. Think snow!



Posted by:Elizabeth Horan



October 07, 2009

Is My Home Ready to Sell?

Posted to Beth Horan, Joy Moore

Are you thinking about selling your home? In today’s market, it’s true that properties priced closer to market value will sell first. In addition, the better “primed” your house is, the chances are it will show better than the next and therefore possibly sell before other similar properties.

With the current market conditions and surplus of inventory, as agents we find the first time we take buyers out they are often shopping to remove homes from their list. Removing any homes that they recognize as not fitting their criteria and also those that don’t show well, in short, those that don’t leave a lasting impression.

In the buyer’s eyes, the care you show for your home can be an immediate correlation to how you have maintained your home. The servicing of the furnace, pumping of the septic, cleaning the chimneys. lawn mowing etc. Current service records and a house that is uncluttered and gleams will set yours apart and leave it at the top of their list to consider for a 2nd showing.

As members of the Council of Residential Specialists we would like to share with you the helpful hints list to preparing your home to sell. These suggestions will help you gain a competitive edge. Just remember EVERY detail matters when we have the opportunity to show your home!

If you would like more information on what you can do, please feel free to give us a call, we’re happy to help.

Posted by:Joy Moore and Beth Horan



September 29, 2009

Lookers turn into buyers, market turns a corner

Posted to Andy Smith

Finally, we have the data that shows the market has turned. In the last 30 days, the real estate market has really picked up. Over the summer, the market has had a lot of activity in the properties priced under $100,000 - due in large part to the First Time Homebuyers Tax Credit, but now all ends are seeing a solid uptick. As of mid-September, we have three homes over a million dollars under contract, as well as several in the over $500,000 range.

Statistics from the New Hampshire Association of Realtors show that statewide home sales have increased over the previous year for three consecutive months. Sales data released recently by them showed that the number of residential unit sales in August 2009 was up 4 percent over August 2008 sales – from 1,104 in 2008 to 1,169 in 2009. Increased sales activity is having the expected response: Average Days on Market has decreased from a high of 160+, to a more reasonable 137, according to data from the Northern New England Real Estate Network (NNEREN). With the inventory continuing to shrink, we predict that this will continue to decline over the next 12 months. A healthy market is considered to be in the 90 day “Days on market” range, which we last saw in late 2005. The median sales price, according to NNEREN, is leveling off in the $192,000 range, after bottoming out under $170,000. As the mid and upper markets continue to recover, over the next 12 months I expect this to show a steady but slow increase until we plateau again just over the $210,000 mark.

The final data provided by industry expert Steve Harney clearly illustrates how the market rebound has been heavily weighted to the lower price segments as First Time Home Buyers and investors are scooping up great values. As the mid and upper level Buyers gain more confidence over the next 6 months, and recognize the values that are being offered, I believe this market segment will also turn, and turn quickly.

$0-100,000 sales up 38.8%

$100,000 – 250,000 sales up 8.7%

$250,000 -5 00,000 sales down 6.2%

$500,000 – 750,000 sales down 8.9%

$750,000 – 1,000,000 sales down 10.6%

$1,000,000 – 2,000,000 sales down 23.3%

$2,000,000+ sales down 32.4%

All in all, with the real estate busy season typically busiest in the summer, this year it seems to be happening just a little later in the fall as Buyers are realizing that with the low interest rates, home affordability at an all time high, and properties at competitive prices, and the economy stabilizing, this truly is the time to buy. While the $8,000 First Time Home Buyer tax credit has provided an incentive to buy, many of our other buyers are buying without the tax incentive, as they are buying knowing that they can invest their money in an asset that they can live in and use, vacation in, or hold onto a beautiful land parcel for future use. Real Estate is a tangible asset that will prove to be a wise investment.

If you are thinking about selling your home, we’re here to help you decide if this is the right time for you to sell given the market conditions. We take our role as real estate advisors seriously and are prepared to give you honest information regarding your options.

If you have decided this is a great time to buy, we’re here to help. We can show you homes that we have listed, but we can also represent homes that may be listed by another firm. Real Estate firms and Realtors are known for working together, and we are no exception. Whether you are looking for a first home, a condo, a second home, a special piece of land, whatever it may be, we can help.

Being the market leader in any business is not to be taken for granted. We are the leaders based on the range of services we offer you. We can advise you on if you should sell, offer price recommendations, negotiate through a contract and in the end, offer a solution that fits you. We’re here to help, find out how by clicking here.

Posted by:Andrew Smith



September 29, 2009

Windy Ridge Orchard in Haverhill NH - A Great Destination for People of All Ages!

Posted to Chrissy Smith

Windy Ridge, an incredible apple orchard in Haverhill, NH – it’s a must to put on your fall “to-do”activity list! Located off Route 116 in Haverhill, the Fabrizio family have created a true destination full of apple picking, the Cider House Café, an activity path, playground area, farm animals for the kids to feed, gift shop and more. This place has it all.


As a family, we go every year, but this was the first year we ever tried picking apples. Usually we wimp out and buy them in the gift shop, but this year we decided to give it a try – what fun! Having never picked an apple, it was a lot of fun. Although I discovered that it’s much like picking out a Christmas tree with my husband – we had to travel to the farthest part of the orchard, and find “the” most perfect MacIntosh apples. He wouldn’t travel to the Empire apples section, we had to have the Macs, and we had to have the Macs in the very back, but what a great time we had. Our 7 year old enjoyed pulling the wagon, picking the apples and then riding in the wagon on the return trip to the Cider House Café. Even the baby got into the action, she was able to get under a tree and giggled the whole time.

We had a great time, spending over 2 hours and taking it all in. Lunch in the café was delicious, one of the best sandwiches I’ve had in a long time - turkey, apple, maple mayo on a wrap! The cafe is also known for their Cider House donuts, they are yummy and you can eat them there or get some to go.We then visited the farm animals, and went through the adventure trail.

I noticed people of all ages and areas were there, and they all seemed to have a great time. In the winter, Windy Ridge also has Christmas trees to harvest. If you get a chance to visit, go see the Fabrizio family at Windy Ridge Orchard, Route 116 in Haverhill. And if you are lucky enough to live here, make sure you stop by!

If you are in that area this weekend, also make sure you stop by the “green” home we have for sale. This home is located in Woodsville, NH and will be part of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association Open House tour going on all day on Saturday, October 3rd from 10-4 pm. This home will be part of the largest sustainable energy event in the Northeastern US.

Posted by:Chrissy Smith



September 15, 2009

Dodge Pond in Lyman NH - A Spectacular Sight

Posted to Chrissy Smith

This morning I got to take a side road through Lyman NH before I got to our Littleton office. In my travels I had the pleasure of passing by Dodge Pond in Lyman. Dodge Pond has some lovely little homes and camps that dot the landscape, and its a great neighborhood. I’ve traveled through before and have seen people out on the public beach, swimming, fishing, riding bikes and more. And the activity doesn’t slow down in the winter, at that time of year you can see plenty of folks out there ice fishing. This morning, there was one lone fisherman in his boat, taking it all in. The mist coming off the pond was stunning this morning, the foliage is starting to turn and the sun was in just the right spot to capture it on my camera as I drove through.

Dodge Pond is a 35 acre pond in this quaint town between Lisbon and Littleton. Lyman has some other lovely water spots including Ogontz, Round Pond and more. As I continued past Dodge Pond, I stayed on the road that also took me through Partridge Lake in Littleton this morning. What a great way to start the day. I envy those who live on Dodge Pond, and on Partridge Lake, it looks like it would be very calming each day to see the water with the morning mist rising above. If you think you’d like to live on Partridge Lake, we have a property just for you…take a peek !

And as an aside, taking a new road this morning made me think of the Robert Frost poem, “The Road Not Taken”, did you know that Robert Frost used to live in Franconia NH, we’ll tell you more about that in another post!

Posted by:Chrissy Smith



September 14, 2009

Northern NH & Northeast Kingdom VT Foliage Report

Posted to Chrissy Smith

This is such a beautiful time of year here in Northern NH and the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. This is fall, foliage season, leaf peeper season…a spectacular time of year. Shortly before Labor Day, I noticed a few trees starting to turn red. It takes a few weeks to have “all the colors” showing on the leaves, and its a real treat to live here and get to watch it change daily.

Scores of people visit our states to view the foliage, and the states of New Hampshire, and Vermont even have their own foliage reports. I thought I could bring you one each week, and show you the same tree on King Hill Road In Landaff, NH. We can watch the foliage turn together! There are some beautiful roads in this area, but two of my favorite to see the foliage are: the Mt. Eustis Road in Littleton, and King Hill Road in Landaff. What makes these roads so special is the way the trees curl over top of you, and you end up driving through a tunnel of foliage, its beautiful.

If you think you would like to move here and see the scenery change every fall, we can help. And if you are interested in Landaff, NH, we have a beautiful home to show you on the Mill Brook Road, and some other nice homes in the area, we’d love to show you!




Posted by:Chrissy Smith



September 14, 2009

Riverglen Challenge

Posted to Events & Activities, Michele Penner

The first Riverglen Challenge, a 5 mile race for both walkers and runners, and a 2 mile fun walk was held this past Saturday at the Riverglen House in Littleton, NH. The day was perfect and although the weather forecast had called for rain, it held off for the entire event. There were several multi generational teams of walkers, including one with walkers from age 8 to age 87! The oldest racer to not only to compete in the event, but to complete the 5 mile walk is turning 90!!! When she approached me and asked if she was the only one walking with a walking stick (and it was NOT a cane), I had no idea that she was that old! She looked absolutely fantastic.

This race was organized by David Dodge from the Riverglen House, and several local sponsors also contributed to the event. The proceeds will help to fund health and fitness programs at the Littleton Senior Center. A great cause to keep our seniors active and healthy! The fact that a woman turning 90 could compete on this rather grueling course is certainly a testament for keeping active!

Food and music was provided after the race and gave everyone a chance to cool down and enjoy the afternoon.

I hope that this will be the first of many annual Riverglen Challenges!

Posted by:Michele Penner



September 08, 2009

Labor Day Weekend in the White Mountains of NH

Posted to Chrissy Smith

It was a great Labor Day weekend here in the White Mountains with lots of great activities. My family took in a few events, including the Lancaster Fair. But once a summer, we make it out to the town of Bethlehem to visit their summer concerts. We happened to make it Sunday night, to the last concert of the season. These outdoor concerts take place on the Main Street, overlooking the mountains on a great green space they have in the downtown. The performer was Mark Shelton, and he did a whole bunch of 50s and 60s music. What a sight, my mother said he was so kid friendly and I guess - there were children everywhere in front of him dancing away…adults were dancing also! Mark put on a great show -see some of his photos here! He has an excellent voice (obviously to be up there performing) and he had a great stage presence. He had a bubble machine creating some ambiance, he has a group of dancers, and a hula-hoop contest for those who want to participate. Every year I am astounded how many people come to these concerts in Bethlehem, and the other night was no different. It was crowded. I enjoyed seeing so many people who are proud to call the White Mountains home, but I enjoyed watching people who were traveling through on Route 302 pull over and sit down on the lawn.

These free concerts happen every Sunday through the summer, and I’m sure they are booking entertainment for next year. I had a great time seeing the families who walked to the concert from their home, and the rest of us who traveled in from nearby towns. The American Flag hung proudly from the gazebo, the mountain views were just behind. I loved watching the kids and adults dancing. And I can’t hide my pride when I saw I’m proud to live in the North Country of New Hampshire. Where else does everyone know your name, and if they don’t they ask where you are from. Where else can you see kids and adults dancing together on the green grass on a town common? Well, ok, I know there are other places that have similar concerts, but here in the White Mountains - I think its all pretty special. Check it out next year, you’ll see why so many of us make Bethlehem NH and the White Mountains our home!

If you have ever thought about living in Bethlehem NH, we do have some great homes for sale in this beautiful town. Here are just a few:

This one is just a few miles from the downtown, yet in the country on 20 acres.


And this condo is located at the Village of Maplewood, just a mile from the Free Summer Concerts in Bethlehem! A short commute for great entertainment!


Posted by:Chrissy Smith



September 03, 2009

Open House Saturday, September 5, Plymouth, NH

Posted to

On your way home from the Annual Coop 5K on Saturday, September 5, 2009, why not stop by the great open house at 11 Broadway St. in Plymouth.(MLS 2792192) The house is a tastefully updated 1950 home with 3 bedrooms, an elegant dining room and a kitchen to create a lovely dining experience with a comfortable sitting area that your friends can sit and enjoy your company while the meal is being created. Send the spouse into the large family room with the fireplace to watch the game or have them sit on the comfortable screened back porch. The large Jacuzzi completes the back porch area.

This property sits on a gracious welcoming corner lot in a quiet neighborhood setting in Plymouth. It takes minutes to walk downtown, to the banks, college, hospital or the library. Stop by and see the Peabody & Smith agents, we would love to show you around!

Posted by:Sue Sampson