Not long ago some friends asked me whether owning my lakefront home was worth the extra cost given the amount of time spent vacationing at the property.  My response was yes, because it costs a lot less than you might think.  As my friend pointed out it is precisely the fact that we are not always there that makes the difference.

You see, lakefront property or ski homes can have a higher initial price tag, costing up to double or more than a principal residence but you may reside there for only a few weeks per year.  The trick is to look at the property as an investment property and rent.  Of course this scares some people, who have no desire to be landlords.  Often, however, that doesn’t need to happen.  Many vacation home properties have onsite rental programs, for example properties associated with Attitash Mountain Village can be included in the rental program there.  If your vacation property isn’t part of an association with a rental program prime vacation regions like the Mount Washington Valley have plenty of property management companies that can take care of business for you.  Of course we would be more than happy to help you put together a plan that will change the bottom line and bring that vacation home well into your budget.

JtRealty specializes in vacation properties at Attitash Mountain, Mount Cranmore, Conway Lake and Hale’s Location Country Club.  Let us know if we can help you.

-Rick

The naming of Hale’s Location dates to just prior to the American Revolution when King George III of England through Governor John Wentworth established several land grants in New Hampshire. In 1771 one of these grants was given to Major Samuel Hale for meritorious services to the Crown during the French and Indian War, known in Europe as the Seven Years’ War or King George’s War. As an officer in the New Hampshire Provincial, Hale participated at the siege and conquest of the Louisburg Fortress which guarded the St. Lawrence Bay and River at Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

The original tract of land (Hale’s Location) he received from King George III was over 1200 acres and adjoined North Conway, Albany and later the White Mountain National Forest. Accepting the grant was not without obligation. Certain duties and responsibilities came with it. He was the representative of the Crown in maintaining the land and for the people who lived there. It was his job to collect a “Head Tax” or “Poll Tax” to be sent to the King of approximately $2 for each resident. In addition, he was to record all marriages, births and deaths, to cut and maintain a road through the area, to settle or cause to be settled the land, and to make trees available to the Royal Navy for ships’ masts. A copy of the original charter is in the States Archives in Concord, NH.

To learn more about the benefits of owning at Hale’s Location and the available Country Club Homes or to take a virtual tour of the golf course please visit www.HalesLocation.com. Yes, the grass is really greener here and the modest $3.04 tax rate will save you a lot of green as well. Free unlimited deeded golf for 4 is included in the low home owner’s fee of $1750/ year with water, trash removal, and more. If you would like a personal tour or would like to view available properties contact the Hale’s Location Golf Community Specialist, Brenda Lyon. Brenda@JtRealty.com

School is out, the summer solstice has come and gone, but the real kick-off to the summer is still ahead of us…. The Fourth of July! This year the 4^th falls on a Saturday, so it is sure to be more fun than usual! If you haven’t been in the Mount Washington Valley for the celebrations then you are in for a real treat.

Here is the schedule of events:

Friday, July 3rd

Wentworth Golf Course, Jackson Village

9:00pm – Fireworks Show!

Saturday, July 4th – “Independance Day!”

Main Street, Conway Village

2:00 pm – Independence Day Parade featuring the Kennett High School State Champion Hockey Team.

Schouler Park, North Conway Village

4:15 pm – Independence Day Ceremony

4:45 pm – Tina Titzer Act One Dance Company

5:45 pm – Kennett High School Drumline

6:30 pm – Mount Washington Valley Theatre Company (High School Musical)

7:30 pm – Discount Gigolos take the stage (main event)

9:30 pm – 4^th of July Fireworks celebration!

The park is open for everyone, so bring a couple blankets, your favorite friends, and enjoy. There is lots of dancing and awesome fireworks viewing to be had.

If you don’t like big crowds, but love a good fireworks display, why not watch them from afar? Suzie Laskin from our office watches the fireworks from atop Black Cap. Although you don’t get the full effect of being close to the fireworks, it’s cool to see them from above, and you can see several other town’s firework displays, all the way down to Ossipee! Pack a picnic dinner, maybe even a bottle of wine, and be sure not to forget a flashlight or headlamp for the hike back down!

If you would rather watch the fireworks from the privacy of your own home, why not buy this lot in Hales Location and build a home with a fabulous porch perfect for watching the fireworks! It has 5 acres, amazing panoramic views of Cranmore Mt, is surrounded by beautiful homes, and comes with free deeded golf for 4 at the Hales Location Country Club!

If you would like to share your favorite spot to watch the 4th of July fireworks in North Conway NH feel free to write a comment or send us an email.