Living the good life in New Hampshire

 

To think I spent 16 years living in the heart of Manhattan followed by 5 years in the North End of Boston before coming here. What I did discover was when I moved here on a small lake in Northwood surrounded by the sounds of loons and birds and a night sky that had stars in them which I hadn't seen for most of my life at that time. New Hampshire is 86% or so trees with 1300 lakes and ponds and 10,000 miles of rivers and streams. There are 40 4,000+ foot mountain peaks I am told--though I have only ventured The Mt Washington by car or the incredible narrow gauge Cog Railway and Mt Monadnock and Mt Major by foot. My Cholesterol dropped to normal levels all by themselves. My level of stress went to nothing. Afterall NYC and Boston advertising can add all kinds of stress. I was working 80 hours a week. Or I should say I was not having a life for 80 hours a week. 

So it is by no surprise New Hampshire was ranked among the least stressed states in the country. It was determined by WalletHub looking at stress levels by comparing them across 41 key metrics. Those metrics considered personal bankruptcy rate, average hours worked per week, and the share of adults getting adequate sleep.

You add lake life into the mix and - oh what a difference. Everyday for me is waking up to nature really. 

Here is a link to th story on l

https://www.wmur.com/amp/article/new-hampshire-ranked-among-the-least-stressed-states-in-new-report/39570351

TO FAKE OR NOT TO FAKE (tree)

 

Living in a state consisting of 86% trees I am blessed with fresh air all the time. So every year is the consideration of a live cut tree or the ever more realistic fake ones. Things have come a long way from when I lived in NYC 30 years ago, and was charged $3 for what didn’t even count as a “Charlie Brown” tree. Barely a branch you would discard on the ground.

I have in the past dug up a tree with a burlap ball covering the dirt and using that and then plant in a pre dug hole outside. For one where will I put another tree in the yard. And it is heavy.

During the Christmas season an average of 120 million trees are cut down across the world and 15,094,678 in the US based on U.S. Agriculture Department Data.

Did you know that in 2018 over 50 MILLION Christmas trees were sold in the US? And almost half of those were fake.

Fake trees have increased in popularity due to their affordable and long-lasting qualities. They look and often feel like the real thing, and with so many options, you can choose the one that fits best in the home you're selling.

"While a real tree may fill the property with the scent of Christmas, when staging your real estate listings this year, don't buy an expensive, messy tree that will wilt in a week and leave the property covered in pine needles. Real trees are even more likely to catch on fire - yikes!" -- Frederick Johnson, founder at Trees.com  

Other Fun Facts About Artificial Trees:

• Did you know that the first artificial Christmas tree was made in the 1930s by a company that made toilet scrubbers and brushes?
• Today’s artificial Christmas trees come in a variety of shapes and sizes with lifelike branches that mimic the colors and texture of real pine, fir, and spruce trees.
• Consumers opt for a fake tree during the holidays because there’s no maintenance, it’s less likely to trigger allergies, and it can be reused over many years.

Take a look at this article on fake trees (https://www.trees.com/artificial-christmas-trees)

In the end this year I did break down and bought a fake tree. Looks quite good really. I know I will use it for years and feel better that a real tree is left outside to grow and providing real air.

Every Home Has Story

 

I see a lot of homes in every style and every shape and size --just like the people behind their stories. 

In my NYC advertising days with Jerry Della Femina  I created perfect for a home equity loan ad for Chemical Bank in NYC and found the perfect house--one house in the shape of a shoe. 

It was called the Haines Shoe House built by a successful shoe salesman named Mahlon Haines (a.k.a. the ‘Shoe Wizard’. He gave one of his work boots to an architect and told him to “build me a house like this”.  And so it began. Built in 1948 or so a stucco-covered timber-frame building had stained glass windows with shoe designs in them. The top of the house from the heel reaches a height of 25 feet. The toe contains a living room, the heel contains the kitchen. Two bedrooms are in the ankle, and an ice cream shop was located in the in-step. So many stories about this house CLick here for more info on this wonderfully weird shoe home

Here is a wonderful video of many strange homes around the world--

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbhHb7qVjB0

So what is your story for your house--it is a story that can be cherished for generations to enjoy--even new buyers. 

 

 

Photo Credit: By Eliott, Joseph - https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/pa3974.photos.202918p, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=34384781

 

Selling an antique historic home in a modern world.

 

Seems buyers these days are looking for new, turnkey homes that don't need anything done and in perfect condition. They may miss the perfect antique home thinking it is just simply too old--or is it that people are afraid of the ghosts from the past? Or do people don't know how to use a hammer or a screwdriver-- or is it impossible these days to even find a person to do the work on your house who use tools?  Is a new home better built than an old one?. WIll it last as long?

I have owned my own 1870s Victorian in East Haddam Connecticut--it was a little haunted with foot steps heard often and my cat would freaked out in the same hallway I heard footsteps all the time.  It wasn't a negative force in any way. And I do believe a home does have either a happy or sad or sometimes frightening feel to it. I have been in many. I believe it depends on its history of the past owners. You only have to look at episodes of "Ghost Hunters" or the many movies of Amityville Horrors to be nervous--however 99% of the time it is just a wonderful home with a history--and I can say with confidence better built.

Like any home, it is only as good as the last person to live in it. 

     

    

So take for instance the owner (Jack D.) of 567 Main Street in Farmington NH. In 1870, when this a stately home was born, the Civil War had just ended, Alexander Graham Bell used his new telephone invention to make his first call to assistant Thomas Watson. Thomas Edison had just invented the Phonograph and established his new electric company. Farmington native Henry Wilson was serving as the 18th Vice President in Washington DC. Can't find this history in front of a split level home anywhere in America.

He purchased it for his mother as a single family home to live in 25 years ago. Ever since then has been renovating it as if it was his own home not to flip or make money. As time passed he did take this stately home and created 3 units and then back to two units. Everyone who has stayed in this home has nothing but fond memories. It has a huge open span 3 story 30x36 attached post and beam barn that dates back to at least the turn of the century with hand-written inscriptions on the wall from 1907--and it is still standing tall and straight. There is something to be said for strength and thickness "old wood". The house had cool things like a round glass vent through the window pane, glass door knobs, high ceilings square head nailed wide plank floors, hand carved newel posts, plaster walls and 8 million pound granite stone foundation. FOr a more modern touch, it also had a new Buderus boiler, double paned windows, 50-year GAF shingles, oversized gutters with rain guards, 50-year GAF shingles, blown in insulation and stainless steel appliances. 

  .     

It became time for Jack to sell this magnificent home so he can move onto his next antique home renovation in an untouched antique federal style home in Exeter where Abraham Lincoln is pictured in front of in one of his famous speeches.. Yes he knows how to use a hammer and the people who can do the work as well. 

You could not begin to build a home of this size and quality for what it sold for. The appraisers don't have an adjustment figure for such quality. This is a home in perfect condition for over 150 years of history, yet new homes are adjusted for only being around for 70 or so. I believe this will outlast any new home any day. 

The new buyers are now living in history and got the best home for the money.  And antique home can be a great investment. It just needs to be taken care of like any new home will need in a very short period of time. Like they say "They don't build them like they use to"

 

Life on a quiet lake got crazy during an open house. 

 

In New Hampshire things are nutty. I had an open house on a wonderful waterfront home in Northwood New Hampshire and over 250 people showed up. 15 offers well over asking waiving everything from inspections to covering significant appraisal gaps.

With inventory down over 50% and prices up as high as 113% and days on market down by up to 66% and in some places People say to me it must be great for me as an agent--well it is only better for sellers.

So here are some details on what is happening in this New Hampshire Real Estate market.

Take a look at the full story in New Hampshire here.

https://issuu.com/michaeltravis/docs/nhar_mmi_2021-05

 

Current as of June 5, 2021.

All data from New Hampshire REALTORS®, Inc. and Northern New England Real Estate Network.

Report © 2021 ShowingTime.

 

 

DID THE PANDEMIC CREATE AN UNHEALTHY DEMAND

I have never seen a frenzie for waterfront buyers like I have seen in this real estate market. New Hampshire has for the last few years had low inventory. The change is that the Pandemic has created a demand. 

What's good for a seller is so tough for the buyers. And buyers are buying properties sight unseen, paying way over asking, waiving inspections or putting huge concessions on appraisals. Not necessarily the best for the buyer really.

MIGRATION IS FOR MORE THAN JUST THE BIRDS

We can talk about the migration trends. Are people flocking here like the birds in Spring. Or are they here to stay. Sellers think everyone from NYC are moving here. Or even Boston because they can now ZOOM up and work from a new home outside of the city. In reality the migration is real in every metropolitan area but really to the surrounding burbs. Manhattanites have moved to Brooklyn or their place in the Hamptons or Jersey City and Florida. That migration actually isn't the case so much.

I am seeing more buyers from Connecticut, New Jersey and Rhode Island and always from the Boston Area. 20 years ago, I moved here from Boston after living in Manhattan and CT for the same reasons people are coming here now. It was right after 911. I needed a life change then--but then my business at the time did not require me going into an office as I was a designer working from home. I also didn't need to be paying over $2,000 per month plus parking in rent. I bought my shack on a lake for $144k—way cheaper than rent-though I discovered what “seasonal” meant when I moved in on a day in January. It just is not too comfortable with single paned widows and little to no insulation. I had two pair of rose colored glasses on—however I also knew how to use a hammer. Apparently not any electrical tools as in the first week I blew out my computer TV and answering machine not following all the directions from my Home Depot Renovation Book.

I believe the pandemic has fast forwarded a trend that was happening already. People wanting more space. Home offices. and everything delivered. Have you seen the Malls--they are empty.

I have heard that 50% of the workers in Boston are simply not going back to an office. In the same respect I have heard that 4 Million people in this country last month have chosen simply not work at all. Not sure how that works--really for anyone or any business. I see so many signs everywhere looking for workers, with signing bonuses and way higher than minimum wage.

The frenzie I am seeing are really those who have money looking for a place they can reconnect with nature. That is what a waterfront has always been about. Most of the buyers I see are still buying a waterfront home for a second home and increasingly for a second income with hopes of gaining the VRBO or AirBNB world. I saw a 525k average house on a small average lake go for 680k in an area that never saw these kind of prices. There were at least 60 showings every 15 minutes, everyone wearing masks, and at least 23 offers mostly cash which meant there were 22 buyers going on to the next one. It did have $39,000 in rental income already in place for the summer. Amazing.

I caution buyers to think about what they are buying and the true value of it for renters to want to rent. Just like in Real Estate, Location Location Location. Turnkey is Key. And now you may need to contend with neighbors and towns restricting it.

So how long will this frenzie last? For me I see the demand staying in place. Again I am mostly talking waterfront homes. You can see on WaterfrontAgent.com in the section on "New Listings This Week" or plug in www.NewWatefrontForSale.com and see properties already pending within days.

In the end it is always worth living on the water.

 

 

Investing in NH is a Safe and Healthy Bet

Having lived in New York City and Boston I have seen the dark side of living close to millions of people. I have traveled all over America, and found that New Hampshire has all the best of everything I love in life natural beauty, mountains, lakes, trees, the ocean as well as charming and historic towns. Between every town you visit you drive past lush forests, stunning views, and mountain vistas. After all, NH is covered by 86% trees with a population of just over 1.2 million people. Is it all that fresh air with 1300 lakes and beautiful country roads that calm people down. Some of the most beautiful waterfront estates in the world are here for far less than what you would spend in other New England states.

Take for instance the estate at 337 Camelot Shores in Farmington on 3 acres with over 1260 ft of shore land on 3 acres, a main house guest cabana finished barn and lush mature gardens. And who need to leave this sanctuary when you can ZOOM in style. You are close to 3 international airports, 90 minutes to Boston.

     

 Millions of Americans have relocated in 2020 because of COVID-19. New Hampshire was the beneficiary of families wanting to move here from the surrounding states as seen by the surge of new students in the schools. Family and the natural environment are major reasons people move to stay in New Hampshire. Many second homes became primary homes.The 2020 Atlas Van Lines Migration Patterns Study found of their moves to New Hampshire there was a 61.6% rate of people moving here to stay, the top two highest rate in the country.  And why not.

New Hampshire is ranked America's Safest state.

For three years in a row New Hampshire was listed as the best state to live in*.

The lowest crime rate Top State for Quality of Life by based on FBI Crime Data.

There is no income tax or sales tax.

Top two in Overall Child well being*

Highest rate high school graduation in New England at 93.5% **

Lowest rate of births among teenagers in the country. 

New Hampshire's high level of peace may be a reflection of its superior economic conditions.

Only 4.7% of state residents are living in poverty the lowest rate in the country.

New Hampshire has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country at 2.6% a strong job market.

One of the lowest rates of income inequality rate.

New Hampshire ranks first for Crime & Corrections, 2nd for Natural Environment, 3rd for Opportunity***

 

All these factors I believe make NH such a safe bet.

Visit www.BaxterLakeEstate.com for more info.

 

* Annie E. Casey Foundation ** Worldpopulationreview.com. *** US News & World Report

Below are links to every town website for every County in New Hampshire to get very detailed info on each town.

Feel free to contact me with any questions on properties in any town. Thank you

CITIES & TOWNS IN BELKNAP COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE WITH HOMES FOR SALE  

Alton l Barnstead l Belmont l Center Harbor l Gilford l Gilmanton l Laconia l Meredith l New Hampton

Sanbornton l Tilton

 

CITIES & TOWNS IN CARROLL COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE WITH HOMES FOR SALE

Albany l Bartlett l Brookfield l Chatham l Conway l Eaton l Effingham l Freedom l Hale's Location l Hart's Location

Jackson l Madison l Moultonborough l Ossipee l Sandwich l Tamworth l Tuftonboro l Wakefield l Wolfeboro

CITIES & TOWNS IN CHESHIRE COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE WITH HOMES FOR SALE

ALSTEAD l CHESTERFIELD l DUBLIN l FITZWILLIAM l GILSUM l HARRISVILLE l HINSDALE l JAFFREY l 

KEENE l MARLBOROUGH l MARLOW l NELSON l RICHMOND l RINDGE l ROXBURY l STODDARD l 

SULLIVAN l SURRY  l SWANZEY l TROY l WALPOLE l WESTMORELAND l WINCHESTER

CITIES & TOWNS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE WITH HOMES FOR SALE

Amherst  l Antrim  l Bedford  l Bennington l Brookline l Deering l Francestown l Goffstown l Greenfield l Greenville l 

Hancock l Hillsborough l Hollis l Hudson l Litchfield l Lyndeborough l Manchester l Mason l Merrimack l Milford l 

Mont Vernon l Nashua l New Boston l New Ipswich l Pelham l Peterborough l Sharon l Temple l Weare l Wilton l Windsor

CITIES & TOWNS IN ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE WITH HOMES FOR SALE

Atkinson l Auburn l Brentwood l Candia l Chester l Danville l Deerfield l Derry l East Kingston  l  Epping l Exeter 

Fremont  l  Greenland l Hampstead l Hampton  l Hampton Falls l Nottingham  l Portsmouth  l  Kensington  l Raymond 

Kingston l Londonderry l New Castle  l Newfields l Newington l Newmarket l Newton l North Hampton l Northwood  l Plaistow

 Rye  l Salem l Sandown l Seabrook l South Hampton l  Stratham l Windham

CITIES & TOWNS WE SERVE REAL ESTATE IN SULLIVAN COUNTY

Acworth l Charlestown l Claremont l Cornish l Croydon l Goshen l Langdon l Grantham l Lempster l Newport l Plainfield l 

Springfield l Unity l Sunapee l Washington

CITIES & TOWNS MERRIMACK COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE WITH HOMES FOR SALE

Allenstown l Andover l Boscawen l Bow l Bradford l Canterbury l Chichester l Concord l Danbury l Dunbarton l Epsom l Franklin l

Henniker Hill l Hooksett l Hopkinton l Loudon l New London l Newbury l Northfield l Pembroke l Pittsfield l Salisbury l

Sutton l Warner l Webster Wilmot

CITIES & TOWNS IN STRAFFORD COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE WITH HOMES FOR SALE

Barrington l Dover l Durham l Farmington l Lee l Madbury l Middleton l Milton l New Durham l Rochester l Rollinsford l

Somersworth l Strafford

CITIES & TOWNS IN GRAFTON COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE WITH HOMES FOR SALE

Ashland l Bethlehem l Bristol l Canaan l Enfield l Hanover l Lebanon* l Lincoln l Lisbon l Littleton l Mountain Lakes

North Haverhill l North Woodstock l Plymouth l Woodsville

CITIES & TOWNS WE SERVE BUYERS AND SELLERS FOR REAL ESTATE IN COOS COUNTY

Berlin l Carroll l Clarksville l Colebrook l Columbia  l Dalton l Dummer l Errol l Gorham l Jefferson l Lancaster l Milan
Northumberland l Pittsburg l Randolph l Shelburne l Stark l Stewartstown l Stratford l Whitefield

. 

Here are addresses, numbers and links to information for the towns in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. For more information please feel free to call me anytime on specific events. I have also listed the lakes in each town

 

Town of Alton

PO Box 659
Alton, NH 
(603) 875-0102

Half Moon, Hills Pond, Sunset Lake, Winnipesaukee

_____________________________________________ 

Town of Alexandria

47A Washburn Road

Alexandria, NH 03222

(603) 744-3288

Newfound Lake

_____________________________________________

Town of Ashland
PO Box 517
Ashland, NH 
(603) 968-4432

Big Squam, Little Squam

_____________________________________________

Town of Belmont
PO Box 310
Belmont, NH 
(603) 267-8300

Silver Lake

_____________________________________________

Town of Bridgewater

5 School Street,

Bristol, New NH 03222

(603) 744-3354

Newfound Lake

_____________________________________________

Town of Bristol

5 School Street,

Bristol, New NH 03222

(603) 744-3354

Newfound Lake

_____________________________________________

Town of Center Harbor
PO Box 140
Center Harbor, NH 
(603) 253-4561

Squam, Waukewan, Winnipesaukee, Winona

_____________________________________________

Town of Gilford
47 Cherry Valley Road
Gilford, NH 
(603) 527-4700

Winnipesaukee

_____________________________________________

Town of Gilmanton

503 Province Road

PO Box 550

Gilmanton, NH 03237

Crystal Lake, Sunset Lake

_____________________________________________

Town of Holderness
US Route 3
Holderness, NH 
(603) 968-2145

Squam, Little Squam, White Oak
_____________________________________________

Town of Laconia 
45 Beacon Street East

Laconia, NH 03246

(603) 524-3877

Opechee, Winnisquam, Winnipesaukee

_____________________________________________

Town of Meredith
41 Main Street
Meredith, NH 
(603) 279-4538

Pemigewasset, Waukewan, Wicwas, Winnisquam, Winnipesaukee

_____________________________________________

Town of Moultonborough
PO Box 139
Moultonborough, NH 
(603) 476-2347

Kanasatka, Squam, Winnipesaukee

_____________________________________________

Town of New Durham

4 Main Street

New Durham NH 03855

(603) 859-2091

Merrymeeting

_____________________________________________

Town of New Hampton
6 Pinnacle Hill Road
New Hampton, NH 
(603) 744-3559

Pemigewasset, Waukewan, Winona

_____________________________________________

Town of New London

375 Main Street

New London, NH  03257

(603) 526-4821

Pleasant Lake, Sunapee

_____________________________________________

Town of Sunapee

23 Edgemont Road 

Sunapee, NH 03782

(603) 763-2212

Lake Sunapee 

 

_____________________________________________

Town of Tilton
257 Main Street
Tilton, NH 
(603) 286-4521

Silver Lake, Winnisquam, Winnipesaukee, 

_____________________________________________

Town of Tuftonboro
PO Box 98
Center Tuftonboro, NH
(603) 569-4539

Dan Hole Pond, Lower Beach Pond, Mirror Lake, Winnipesaukee

_____________________________________________

Town of Wolfeboro
84 South Main Street
Wolfeboro, NH 
(603) 569-8161

Beach Pond, Crystal Lake, Mirror Lake, Rust Pond, Sargent's Pond, Wentworth, WInnipesaukee

NH Bills impacting Waterfront Homes and Lakes

Septic Inspections 

House Bill 426 relative to shoreland septic systems is strongly supported by NH LAKES as an opportunity to improve water quality in New Hampshire’s lakes by identifying underperforming and uninspected septic systems. The proposed bill requires assessment at the time of sale for certain septic systems on properties within the developed waterfront. The bill would require inspection of septic systems installed prior to the state permitting process, or systems whose approval is over 20 years old, and copies would need be filed with the local health official and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

Information on this provided by NH Lakes 

Michelle Davis, Advocacy Program Coordinator
mdavis@nhlakes.org