If you have visited the ski mountains here in the valley, you know how great and affordable they can be. Attitash Mountain and Cranmore Mountain are two awesome mountains with loads to do besides just skiing. If you haven’t been here before, check out this great article on TripAdvisor, it shows North Conway as the most affordable ski destination in the Northeast! It also shows New England as the most pocket friendly region in the US. Even more proof that the Mount Washington Valley has it all, at a price you can afford. The article can be viewed here.

For questions regarding Attitash Mountain Real Estate, Cranmore Real Estate, or anything else regarding skiing or vacation homes, contact one of our agents today!

Happy New Year! With 2012 right around the corner (just a few hours away)! I thought it time to think about some of the best ways to engage with the real estate market this coming year.  I came up with 8 great ideas to inspire you to action!

Buy your first home

If you are ready to buy your first home now is the time.  I would even go so far as to say that if you are ready stop reading this article right now and start searching or contact us.  Great prices and record low interest rates combine to make this the very best time to get started on home ownership.  The Buyers section of our website has some great resources.  And searching on JtRealty.com is simple and easy.  Don’t forget to register so you can save your searches and receive the notifications you choose with no obligation.

Become a real estate agent

For the go-getter, there is always money to be made in real estate!  Start now building your contacts and be in position to capitalize on any market changes. For more information on how to start your real estate career head over to the Careers section of JtRealty.com.

Take advantage of a 1031 Tax-deferred exchange

If you have been maintaining your rental property for some time now you may be losing margin.  Put the tax advantages of a 1031 exchange to work for you to acquire a more valuable rental property. Interested?  Check out these NH multifamily units for sale right now.  If you want to learn more about the advantages of a 1031 exchange you can connect with one of our preferred 1031 exchange vendors.

Buy your first investment property

So the 1031 exchange doesn’t apply to you because you don’t own a rental property? Make 2012 the year to change that.  With great prices and a selection of available income properties you can get started letting someone else pay for your investment!

Buy that lakefront property you have always dreamed of

Living in a lakefront home is a goal for many.  Start early and you could be enjoying the lake by summer, just dive in!  Or if you prefer rivers you might try a riverfront property.  With much to choose from you are sure to satisfy that dream.

Buy a ski condo

We just added four Attitash Mountain condos to our best buy page!  There are so many good deals on ski condos right now you have an amazing selection.  Make this the year you can simply ski home at the end of the day! On top of the great real estate available at the local ski areas Trip Advisor just ranked the North Conway as the most affordable ski destination in the Northeast and second in the US overall! Search for Attitash Condos or Mount Cranmore condos right here.

Trade up

With so many properties on the market right now, many people feel it is the wrong time to sell their home.  This may not be true at all.  While many properties are available, the right property at the right price will always move quickly.  If you have been in your home for a few years you may be able to take advantage of all that is available on the market right now.  At the very least it can’t hurt to look! Start your search today.

Renovate

This is the approach I often take.  Renovations add not only financial value to your home, they also add enjoyment value.  No matter how long you have been in your home, there is always something on the wish list.  In my house right now the wish is new countertops.  Whatever your wish, if you put a plan together now, you can start sooner.  Winter is a great time for many renovations as contractors can be less busy, giving you more attention and possibly a better price.  If you are the handy sort then break out the tools while the weather is cold. You can check our preferred contractors for a start on your project or look into other JtRealty preferred vendors under the About Us section above.

Conway Lake Foliage

Jaxson’s first day of preschool

The mornings are getting a little crisper up here in the mountains, and my husband took the air conditioners out of the windows this weekend. Traffic is getting easier to tolerate, advertisements for county fairs are flooding the radio, and I think I caught a little bit of red and orange peeking out of some green leaves looking out over the vista yesterday afternoon. Fall is upon us, and it isn’t looking like it is going to be a slow transition between seasons.

While the fall is arguably the most beautiful season, and certainly a personal favorite of mine, rather than sit back and enjoy the apple cider I always find myself getting excited for the holidays. My son, Jaxson, started preschool this week, and will be enjoying his first winter break come December. It is so great to live in this area, where no driving is necessary to enjoy the winter favorites that tourists come from miles to take advantage of. And it is especially nice not to have to pay for a vacation rental! I have met several tourists over the years, and am always amazed at the people that continue to visit the valley year after year. I can’t even tell you how many people I have heard say “I’ve been coming here in the winter since I was a kid!” And yet these people continue to stay in hotels, or other rentals in the area, at inflated “in season” costs. When you are referring to a place with 4 equally fun and beautiful seasons, it isn’t often you will run into “off season” prices. The solution? A vacation home! I know what you are thinking, that you can’t afford a second mortgage, but you would be surprised at some of the options that are available to you. It isn’t every day that you can go on vacation, especially if you have children and a full time job. Don’t waste time and energy worrying about the quality of your rental, check in, check out, and crossing your fingers that the pictures you saw online weren’t taken five years and thirty keg parties ago.

Let us help to take the stress out of your vacation, and find you your home away from home, no matter what your price range is.

Emily

Your family is cruising Route 302 hoping to get first tracks at Attitash. There is a gentle snow falling but the steady heat from your floor boards, your all wheel drive, and your thrumming coffee inspiration allows you to innocently slip by The Seasons at Attitash without a second thought.

Wait, you didn’t  see this condo development nestled into the National Forest? You didn’t realize that many owners here enjoy cash flow from the on-site rental program? You didn’t realize The Seasons at Attitash enjoys an inside pool, massive hot tub, and fitness facility open to all owners? You didn’t realize this kid-friendly development has been the weekend home for scores of New England families the last two decades? And I’ve only got more to share:

Rest After a Long Day

Ryan’s New Listing 13C with $6,000 Profit from the 2010 Rental Season

A Family Surprise Story at The Seasons

Chris & Joy have been traveling to Mt. Washington Valley ever since their kids were old enough to strap on skis. Accommodations included staying with family, friends, or renting from various North Conway motels. However, as their kids grew and weekend trips became more frequent, Chris and Joy considered a purchase.

In brief, with the help of Ryan the Realtor we found the perfect unit at The Seasons and after a multiple offer situation, we closed without a hitch.

Chris and Joy dropped their teenage kids at Settler’s Green for the closing, and then escorted their kids to what they thought would be another weekend rental. “This place is great,” they responded upon dropping their bags.

“Well, you might as well get comfortable and pick out your rooms, we just bought it.”

For a complete list of Season’s listings, contact Ryan the Realtor today Ryan@JtReatly.com or direct phone 207-462-3874.

As another ski season draws to a close we are reminded that the Mount Washington Valley is a special place on this earth for many reasons.  So special, in fact, that it not only has spring, summer, autumn, and winter as seasons…it has a 5th season. Yes, here in ‘The Valley’ we enjoy what is affectionately known as ‘Mud Season’.  It is a short stretch each spring when the melting snow cover and warming temperatures begin the cycle of feeding the earth in preparation of the spring growth of plants, flowers, trees and lawns.

If the spring thaw is gradual most everyone has reason to rejoice, but,with a quick thaw and when the ground it still frozen a few inches below the surface, the mud puddles are abundant.  It can be downright sloppy in some unpaved areas if heavy rains accelerate the melting of snow in the mountains. A popular feature of many homes, as in one of our new listings, is a mud room. Very handy, indeed.

Water always finds its level so you can count on waters flowing down the mountainside and feeding into the rivers, streams, and lakes.  Hey, Mud Season isn’t all bad.  Some river paddlers prefer the faster pace that waters flowing down the Ellis, Saco, Swift, or other nearby rivers experience, enjoy it.  Those waters are icy cold this time of year so you’d better be prepared if your dare to navigate them.

During Mud Season the tourist traffic slows and many local home and business owners take advantage of the free time by assessing property improvements and lining up landscaping services, painters, general contractors and handymen, or sometimes just taking a short vacation to be rested for the late spring and summer visitors.  If you are looking for help with property improvements you can find many listed in the Conway Daily Sun, Mountain Ear, and some right here on the JtRealty ‘preferred vendors’ page. It is advisable to plan early so you get your work booked.

One of the most popular events that marks the passage of the winter season into the season is the Tuckerman Inferno Race.  The Inferno is a Pentathlon consisting of an 8.3 mile run, 6.2 mile kayak, 18.2 mile bike, 3 mile hike, and culminating in a 1 mile ski at Tuckerman Ravine.  If you have all your spring/mud season chores done, you won’t risk missing it.  Read more at the Friends of Tuckerman.  You can always volunteer to assist with the event if you’re not participating as a racer. There are plenty of spots for spectators to come out and support the racers too.  You can also get some great photos of kayak/canoe racers from the banks of the river or skiers near the ravine.  Go for it!  Chances are your shoes are already muddy.

Of course if your vacation home was riverfront, your water views would be year-round. Check out these kayak-friendly homes.

-Joe

Looking for a good deal on some great ski gear?  Mark your calendar for the 40th annual Eastern Slope Ski Sale.
The Eastern Slope Ski Club supports the youth of the Mount Washington Valley by promoting a healthy , exciting lifelong activity.  All students in local elementary schools have the opportunity to get out, once a week at local ski areas.  Volunteers provide small group lessons to kids on these days. The sale is at the North Conway Community Center in Schouler Park on Friday, November 12, 3:00-9:00 pm and again on Saturday, November 13 9am to 3pm.  Get there early as there is always a line on Friday afternoon!
Do you have good equipment in good shape?  This is a great chance to clean out the ski closet.  Sale tags cost $1 and your equipement can sell for a 15% commission.  Proceeds from the sale benefit this Junior Ski Program of the Mount Washington Valley.
For more information or to become involved go the the Eastern Slope Ski Club Website.

Pick up your skis, and walk to the trail

By Suzie Laskin

Mount Cranmore, now under new ownership, has major plans to infuse the North Conway, NH resort with millions of dollars of improvements, ensuring the resort will undergo a facelift in time for winter operations in November, 2010.  Among those improvements is the installation of a fixed-grip quad chairlift to replace the South Double. The new lift, a Doppelmayr eco-Drive fixed grip quad, will double the capacity of the current South Slope lift.  The existing South Double chair will be relocated to a new location near the Beginner Basin area (near the former North Chair line).  It recycles most of the parts of the South chair but will feature new lift towers and is 1,050 ft. long. It will run about half way up the Lift Line slope. Cranmore is changing some of the trail layouts in that area of the mountain to accommodate the new lift and to provide additional beginner terrain including lower Lift Line, Quad Chute and Summit Alley. Also in the works is the relocation and enlargement of Cranmore’s tubing park.  Other on-mountain improvements include a significant investment in snowmaking equipment including the installation of 70 new energy-efficient tower guns.  Cranmore also has plans for its base facilities. The current Arlberg Lodge is being converted into a state-of-the-art Children’s Center. Its facilities will be reserved for kids enrolled in Cranmore’s Penguin and Adventure Camps, and home to the Cranmore Play Room for Young Children. Families will enjoy unparalleled convenience as the Center will have its own ticketing and reservation center, rental services and lesson drop off areas.  Cranmore’s former “North Chair” building, now the Cranmore Training Center, will see renovations for Cranmore’s race program participants. The main base lodge is undergoing changes as the current space for its children’s programs is moving over to the new Center, freeing up facilities for additional seating, and food and beverage options for guests. Guests entering the building will now be greeted by a Guest Services desk and basket check area.

The Cranmore Fitness Center will be modified to accommodate a food and beverage venue, ticketing for the Mountain Coaster and Tubing Park, plus a new façade, roof repairs and other renovations. The Fitness Center will continue with a full array of cardio and weight equipment, group fitness classes, personal training and more. The Fitness Center just invested thousands of dollars in new cardio equipment.

Cranmore Mountain is located in the heart of North Conway Village, New Hampshire and can be contacted at 1-800-SUN-N-SKI and online at http://www.cranmore.com/

by Suzie Laskin

I Love Cross-Country Skiing! The woods are so quiet.  A sublime feeling of joy and contentment overtakes me when I’m gliding along the white woods in winter.   It’s been said that if you can walk, you can ski, and I do believe that’s true.  Trust me, you don’t have to be an athlete to get the hang of it rather quickly. 

Cross country skiing, also known as Nordic Skiing,  is one of the reasons why I love winter! I’m a classical skier; I get into my head with the rhythm of the kick and glide; kick and glide. Some people prefer skate skiing which is much like ice skating on skis. Working up a good sweat, getting some aerobic exercise and staying perfectly warm and comfortable is so satisfying and rewarding.  What makes it even better is that it’s relatively inexpensive and the dogs come along and enjoy the day too. They get so excited! As soon as they see me putting on my ski boots, they impatiently prance by the door with absolutely no time to wait for me to tie my shoes or find my gloves.

There are a multitude of places where you can cross-country ski–or snowshoe–in the Mt. Washington Valley. With proper equipment, you can go into the National Forest and use the hiking trails. These trails are not groomed, so if you’re not experienced you will probably want to learn to ski first at one of the ski touring centers where the trails are groomed and tracked.  All the touring centers offer rental equipment and lessons. Or, go into the woods with a pair of snowshoes, practically anywhere that you can walk.  Safety note: don’t forget to let your friends know where you are going and when you expect to return.

Some of the ski touring centers include Bear Notch Ski Touring Center in Bartlett, Jackson Ski Touring Foundation , Mount Washington Valley Ski Touring and Snowshoe Foundation in North Conway and Intervale, and Great Glen Trails in Pinkham Notch.

You may bring your dogs along to enjoy the fun at Bear Notch and Whitaker Woods, which is in the North Conway section of Mount Washington Valley Ski Touring.  Of course they must be supervised and please don’t forget to bring  plastic bags so you can pick up after them. 

Here is a wonderful Townhome that is absolutely perfect for anyone who loves Nordic or Alpine skiing. Situated right on Mt. Cranmore, it is across the road from the Kandahar Trail, and it is also within walking distance to the Nordic Trails at Whitaker Woods.

Gorgeous Townhome For the Alpine or Nordic Skiier

Ski homes, trailside homes…  With prices down like this the timing is great!

While we New Englanders are finally enjoying August weather in September, some people are planning ahead to ski season. Did you know that August and
September are the busiest months for ski home sales in the Mt Washington Valley? Well that might explain why a wonderful family from Massachusetts
are buying a trailside townhouse at Mountainside on Attitash, and a couple from Rhode Island are in the process of buying a home in Jackson
(with amazing views). And why I got an offer last week on a condo at Partridge Woods, and an offer today on this amazing 8+ acres in Jackson . Not to mention a closing last week for a house in Bartlett, and another closing next week on a view lot in Jackson. Where are all these buyers coming from? Yep — the realization that the market is down down down and the prices are too, has brought buyers out of the woodwork. After all, you can’t always time the bottom of the market perfectly, but how close do you have to get to pick up a bargain?

To get you in the mood for ski season, here’s a video of my son Ace on a training run in Chile yesterday. He’s down there with the rest of the Dartmouth Ski Team and getting some great snow time!

Bargain of the Week: 44 Alpine Village, an adorable 3 bedroom 2 bath home ski home within walking distance to the Base Lodge at Bear Peak and a fantastic deck. Its only $219,000 and we had 7 showings last week, so if you are interested hurry up and see it!

Until next week, your ski and lake home specialist,
Joy Tarbell

RISMEDIA-You’d love to buy a vacation home, but (let’s be honest) the recession and the not-so-dim memory of the housing bubble have you a bit skittish. If only you could see what the future holds. But since a reliable crystal ball has yet to be invented, you must resort to less mystical indicators.

According to Christine Karpinski, the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) 2009 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey suggests that the iron is sizzling hot-and if you’re going to strike, the time is now.

“A few years ago when prices were escalating rapidly, people were kicking themselves for not having bought earlier when real estate was far more reasonable,” notes Karpinski, director of Owner Community for HomeAway.com and author of How to Rent Vacation Properties by Owner, 2nd Edition: The Complete Guide to Buy, Manage, Furnish, Rent, Maintain and Advertise Your Vacation Rental Investment. “Well, in 2012 or so, people will look back on 2009 as another missed opportunity.”

While all home sales were down significantly in 2008 (as one would expect)-and vacation property sales were down some 30%-so were real estate prices. That, of course, makes for an extremely favorable buyer’s market. It’s not surprising at all, therefore, that the NAR report found that 80% of vacation property and investment property owners surveyed believe that now is a great time to purchase real estate.

These sentiments echo those of Walter Molony, spokesman for NAR, who said in a recent CNBC article that the second home market is “fundamentally healthy.”

Karpinski says the NAR 2009 survey results, in conjunction with a proprietary Special Report done for HomeAway, constitute clear evidence that now is an ideal time to buy a vacation home.

She offers the following insights:

- Home prices are way, way down. The National Association of Realtors survey showed that the median sales price of the typical vacation home was $150,000-down 23.1% from 2007′s median price of $195,000. (To put this in perspective, consider that when NAR started conducting this survey, the median vacation home price in 2003 was $190,000 and reached a high in 2004 of $204,100.) When combined with the rock bottom interest rates, says Karpinski, all signs point to the likelihood that we’re now at the picture perfect time to buy.

“Anecdotally, I can tell you that people who would never have purchased a detached single home on the coast are now seriously considering it,” she notes. “Homes that would have once cost $3 million have now fallen to $1.5 million. And these buyers know that the price won’t stay down long, and will never be this low again.”

- It’s never been more obvious that real estate is a sound long-term investment. The NAR survey results revealed that the share of speculator sales is down from 29% to 16%. Combined with the fact that 34% of buyers are purchasing properties within 100 miles or less of their primary residence-which suggests they intend to use it themselves-this trend indicates that more and more people are embracing a “buy and hold” strategy. Plus, Karpinski says she constantly sees evidence that people are beginning to see the long-term benefits of real estate investing earlier in life. (The median age of vacation property buyers in 2008 was a relatively young 47.)

- The vacation home rental market is booming. While 89% of vacation property owners surveyed cited “to use for vacations or as a family retreat” as a reason for purchasing their second place answer is telling, indeed. Twenty-seven percent of respondents said they were purchasing their home “to rent to others.” While this number is up from the 25% cited in last year’s survey, Karpinski predicts next year’s survey will really tell the tale. As recession-crunched homeowners pursue new income streams-and as it becomes ever more evident that the vacation rental market is booming-2009 will prove to be a huge turning point in the renting out of second homes.

- People are more in touch with “rental realities” than they once were. In the past, says Karpinski, a first-time vacation homeowner might have expected to rent out their property an unrealistic number of weeks (say, 50 weeks out of the year). But NAR’s Special Report for HomeAway shows that 44% of respondents said they plan to rent anywhere between 9-26 weeks.

- Renting by owner has become mainstream. The NAR Special Report for HomeAway reveals that 54% of respondents plan to market their homes themselves. This do-it-yourself attitude reflects not only a burgeoning confidence index among vacation property owners, but also the wealth of support resources available to those who want to rent out their homes themselves.

Everything has changed. The truth is it’s gotten so easy and so affordable that there’s no valid reason not to do it yourself.” Need one more reason to take the plunge? Consider the fact that last month Fannie Mae rescinded its four-property limit for investors. If you’re financially secure and can come up with the requisite 20% down, chances are good you’re going to easily qualify for a mortgage.

“Of course there are always risks when buying any kind of real estate,” Karpinski acknowledges. “But investors who are comfortable with risk have to realize that conditions are ripe right now for a ‘perfect storm’ of success. Even if housing prices do go lower, interest rates surely will not. And once the turnaround comes, selection won’t be nearly as good as it is right now.

“Naturally, you should be cautious and do your homework before you buy any property-but don’t be so cautious that you miss this window of opportunity,” Karpinski adds. “These windows do have a way of slamming shut, and you don’t want to be stuck on the other side wistfully looking in a few years down the road.”

Christine Karpinski is the author of How to Rent Vacation Properties by Owner, 2nd Edition: The Complete Guide to Buy, Manage, Furnish, Rent, Maintain and Advertise Your Vacation Rental Investment andProfit from Your Vacation Home Dream: The Complete Guide to a Savvy Financial and Emotional Investment.

Reprinted from RISMedia Real Estate News Service April 2009 with permission of RISMedia, Inc. www.rismedia.com, Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.