August 31, 2009

Bretton Woods: Living At the End of the Rainbow

Posted to Community Lifestyle, Michele Penner

Just on my way home the other day, I caught a glimpse of this beautiful rainbow. Having my camera with me at all times, I pulled over and took a picture. The rainbow seemed to end just over the Mount Washington Resort at Bretton Woods, which got me to thinking that Bretton Woods truly is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

I feel so fortunate to be able to call Bretton Woods my home. Aside from the obvious bonus of living at a resort with some of the finest skiing in the east, 27 holes of spectacular golf, access to an incredible brand new spa, some great dining options and the back drop of the most impressive scenery – the majestic Mount Washington, there are additional perks associated with life in the “north country”.

We have an abundance of wild life either at or nearby the resort. Just the other night we had a very small bear and her 3 little cubs visit our deck. While I do not encourage the bears visitation (after 4 wooden bird feeders and 2 hummingbird feeders, I have stopped feeding our feathered friends altogether), I do very much enjoy seeing them, albeit from the safety of my home! We also have several fox that visit regularly. The turkeys were daily visitors in the past, but we have not seen them around property much this summer. Perhaps the fox have claimed the territory as their own, forcing the turkeys out along Route 302 where we see them almost daily. While I have yet to see moose or deer at the resort itself, there is a “regular” spot just down the street where the moose tend to hang out, and an occasional deer has been seen.

Great skiing, great golf, great hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing and more, all within the beautiful White Mountains and including a fantastic array of wildlife, creating a lifetime of wonderful family memories…life just doesn’t get much better than this! If you have never visited Bretton Woods, put it on your “bucket list”!

Posted by:Michele Penner



August 13, 2009

Beal House Inn located in Littleton NH Under New Ownership

Posted to Chrissy Smith

Our commercial department of Peabody & Smith Realty has been busy for months now. Just this week they were busy with the transferring of ownership of the Beal House Inn located on West Main Street. This eight room bed and breakfast has won many awards over the years, including a four star review from the Union Leader’s “Our Gourmet”, and the North American Restaurant Association’s “Award of Excellence”. Other awards include the 2000 Yankee Magazine Editor’s Pick, and the Inn was highlighted in USA Today and the Boston Globe. Locally, it has always been a popular favorite with year round residents and tourists.

This historic Littleton landmark, has been around since the mid 1800s. The property has been purchased by G. David Keller. For the last couple of months, David has been in the inn overseeing the renovation. The first phase of renovation was completed to the Inn and Restaurant and the restaurant has been re-opened. The restaurant is a lovely fine dining establishment and they have opened a piano bar, a great addition to downtown Littleton and the whole White Mountains area! I have a friend who ate there on Sunday, and he said it was great.

David has hired an experienced crew to manage the Inn and Restaurant. Eleanore Imrie will continue continue in her position as Innkeeper in conjunction with Jimmy Caro who will focus on coordinating the marketing and public relations for the Beal House Inn and Restaurant. Brian Coffey joined the management team in June as the Executive Chef and will oversee all operations of the Restaurant and Piano Bar. And the Restaurant’s Sous Chef is Katie Green.

The prior owners, Joel and Cathy Bedor, are longtime Littleton residents who have an interest in historic preservation. They purchased the property in October of 2008 after a bank foreclosure. The Bedors immediately made some needed improvements and contacted us to search for a new owner for this treasured landmark property. Our Commercial Broker Associate Mary Doherty represented the sellers and assisted the buyer in this transaction.

Our commercial department is a department of Peabody and Smith Realty and consists of four Broker/Sales Associates focused solely on the sale and leasing of commercial properties and Business Brokerage opportunities throughout New Hampshire and Vermont and is based in our Franconia office. We are affiliated with the statewide New Hampshire Commercial Investment Board of Realtors, the Commercial Division is not only able to place properties and business opportunities on the traditional Multiple Listing Service but also on a commercially focused website which reaches all commercial brokers in New England with ties to other widely recognized national commercial websites.

So if you ever have a business for sale, or commercial property, feel free to call our commercial department in Franconia.

Posted by:Chrissy Smith



August 10, 2009

Asian Long Horned Beetle Threat in New Hampshire

Posted to Michele Penner

Please, please, please if you are coming to visit this beautiful state of New Hampshire, leave your firewood at home!

The state of New Hampshire and the White Mountains National Forest Campgrounds no longer allow firewood to be brought in from out of state, unless it is kiln-dried wood in its original package with label in place.

This drastic, but necessary measure has been taken due to a very destructive and invasive insect – the Asian long horned beetle. This beetle thought to have been transported here from China via wooden shipping pallets, first showed up in Brooklyn, New York in 1996. In August of 2008, the beetles were discovered a bit closer to home, in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Asian long horned beetles prefer maple trees, although they have infected others such as birch, ash, poplar, elm, willow and more. Maples play an integral role in NH. Not only do they provide some of the finest, sweetest maple syrup, but they offer the spectacular array of colors in fall which drive tourists to our state in droves -tourism that helps provide economic stability to businesses throughout the state.

Other nearby states understand the severity of this threat. Connecticut, Maine and Vermont are among states that have declared August, Asian long horned beetle awareness month. New Hampshire is hosting two separate awareness workshops, one in Manchester and one in Portsmouth. Click here for more details.

There is currently no cure, except to cut the infected trees down, chip and burn them. This could certainly be devastating to New Hampshire forests. Please be considerate, help us protect our forests - leave your firewood at home!

Posted by:Michele Penner



August 07, 2009

Cash for Clunkers and the $8,000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

Posted to Chrissy Smith

As I passed by Littleton Chevrolet one of our local car dealers, I couldn’t help but notice the large dumpster out front with the two “clunkers” in it. I love the visual, and I think its such an effective way to promote the Cash for Clunkers program. In fact I was going to take a picture of it, but the Associated Press beat me to it, and I saw one of Littleton Chevy’s sister dealerships - Springfield Auto Mart in the Wall Street Journal with their own dumpster and clunkers.

But I digress, what does the “Cash for Clunkers” program and the “First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit” have to do with each other. Well, they are of course both government stimulus programs, and they both seem to be having strong success.

We have some great information on how the $8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit works and it’s easy to understand. But for both of these programs, time is of the essence. To qualify for the $8,000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, you need to have closed on your new home by November 30th. Since a closing can take 45 to 60 days, you will want to be looking now, and acting soon. We’re happy to aid you in your search, just give us a call.

By the way, I loved the dumpster idea at Littleton Chevrolet so much I called their Sales Manager Duane Coute and told him how effective I thought it was. Now if I could just think of something as effective to promote the $8000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit - perhaps I could move a home in front of our Franconia office, with a first time home buyer inside, and they can give tours discussing why they love homeownership…and how they are building equity in their home over the long term…how it’s more affordable to own a home now more than ever with lower prices and low interest rates. Ok, I could go on and on as to why owning is often times better than renting…but I have to go move a house, find a willing first time home buyer to be on display and get a house mover!

Posted by:Chrissy Smith



August 07, 2009

The Mountain Bean in Twin Mountain, NH

Posted to Michele Penner

Conveniently located on Route 3 in Twin Mountain in the Twin Village Plaza, the Mountain Bean is the perfect place to stop for breakfast or lunch. Warmly greeted by owners Christopher & Elizabeth Sparks, you may have a difficult time deciding on what to order.

For breakfast you have a choice of breakfast sandwiches served on English muffin, bagel or croissant. Or choose from their selection of bagels, muffins, croissants, scones, donuts or pastries. All goods baked fresh daily on premises. Of course there is a large selection of coffees and teas, with daily specials of brewed flavored coffees encouraging you to try something new!

Lunch time offers some delicious wraps and panini served on your choice of white, wheat, sun dried tomato or garlic & herb wraps. My favorite has been the “Old Man” which is roast beef, sharp cheddar cheese, horseradish mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato and red onion. There is usually another treat/dessert option tantalizing you right on the counter – whether it be fresh home baked cookies, brownies, cupcakes or the like.

The Mountain Bean offers a few tables, both inside and out, or take your order to go as you head out on your mountain hike, fishing adventure, day of canoeing, kayaking, or whatever adventure calls you to the White Mountains!

The Mountain Bean is clean, friendly and most of all DELICIOUS!

Posted by:Michele Penner



August 07, 2009

Northern NH and VT Real Estate Market Watch and Real Estate Tid-Bits

Posted to Andy Smith, Fair Housing

Has the bottom hit? Are we at the bottom? We got an email the other day from a major newspaper looking for an answer to just that question – it is the question of the year, and one that we are trying to answer. Positive indicators are in the news, according to Bloomberg.com “Home prices posted their first monthly gain in three years in May, a gauge of values in 20 major U.S. cities showed, reinforcing signs of stabilization in a market hammered by the worst slump since the 1930s. The S&P/Case-Shiller home-price index rose 0.5 percent from April, the first monthly gain since July 2006 and biggest since May of that year…”

We are seeing more and more buyers come into the marketplace. Some are local folks who are looking to move up to a larger home, some are downsizing to accommodate their empty nest, and some are buying for the first time.

Read the complete article >