Monthly Archive for December, 2010

There’s Still Time to Register for the New Hampshire Small Family Farm Conference

Published on December 30, 2010 in Sunapee Activities and Sunapee Community. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

This event is being sponsored through a collaboration of the UNH Cooperative Extension, NH Department of Agriculture Markets and Food, USDA Farm Service Agency, USDA Risk Management Education Program, and NOFA NH.  Speakers will address such questions as:  how do you make the transition to being a farmer?  What’s the best way to acquire land?  How do you structure operations and protect your business investment?

The speakers will talk about launching a farm venture, financing your purchase, leasing to get a start, farm business insurance and business ownership options.  There will also be a panel of beginning farmer organizations to discuss how they support new farmers.

For more information and to register (ASAP) go on line to:  http://extension.unh.edu/agric/Docs/smallfarm2011final.pdf

The conference is being held on January 6th from 8:45-3:30 at the Holiday Inn on North Main Street in Concord.  Cost is $25.

Source:  Weekly Market Bulletin, Dept. of Agriculture, Markets and Food

Housing Outlook Brighter for 2011

Published on December 28, 2010 in Advice for Buyers, Advice for Sellers and Sunapee Housing Market. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

According to the December 2010 Economic Outlook released by Fannie Mae’s Economic & Mortgage Market Analysis Group, improvements in consumer spending & confidence, increased demand for goods & services, and falling unemployment claims are all positive factors pointing to a housing recovery going into 2011.  Fannie Mae’s Chief Economist Doug Duncan says, “We expect modest increases in home sales, despite recent interest rate rises, due in part to modest additional declines in home prices, and we expect people to take advantage of affordability as their employment and income outlook brightens.”

While total home & condo sales in *9 area towns for 2010 were about the same as in 2009, with a slight decrease in the median selling price,  Springfield, Wilmot and Bradford all saw increases in their sales numbers – encouraging news for our market area!

Sold Listings Median Selling Price Ave. Days on Market

2010                261                  $236,500                            175

2009                257                  $245,000                            158

*Andover, Bradford, New London, Newbury, Springfield, Sunapee, Sutton, Wilmot, Warner

Donna Forest, ABR

Broker Associate

Holiday Happenings at Mount Sunapee – Come to New Hampshire and Ski!

Published on December 22, 2010 in Sunapee Activities. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Mt. Sunapee continues to make snow around the clock. By Sunday, December 26 they expect to have close to 50 trails open.  Over the course of the holiday week the few remaining snowmaking trails will open. They will also be building the beginner terrain park on Calypso. You should make your reservations now for children’s programs over the holidays. There is limited capacity in child care and the Snow Stars program for children 4-7 years old. Starting Monday, December 27 all 11 lifts will be operating daily. Over the holidays if you see their snowmakers in their bright yellow jackets, thank them for another white Christmas at Mount Sunapee. The forecast looks seasonably cold right through the holidays.

Holiday Happenings at the Mountain:

December 26 (and every Sunday through March 27)

GROM-A-THON

A jam at high noon in the Bob Skinner’s Six O’ Three terrain park on a small to medium feature for young skiers and riders. Emphasis is on fun. $5 entry fee includes a goodie bag. Register at the park shack.

December 28

SUGAR ON SNOW CELEBRATION

Sample delicious sugar on snow from Valley View Maple Farm in Springfield, NH. Other maple products are on sale on the patio at Sunapee Lodge.

December 29

ABSOLUTELY MAGIC

Andrew Pinard performs strolling table-top magic in Sunapee Lodge from 11:00am until 1:00pm.

December 31

NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION IN GOOSEFEATHERS PUB

Ring in the New Year “Sunapee” style as we dance the night away and enjoy a fireworks display.  A delicious family buffet is available in Goosefeathers Pub. Buffet at 7:00pm, fireworks at 9:00pm and DJ until 10:00pm. No reservations required.

January 1

JINGLE JAM RAIL JAM

A rail jam in the Bob Skinner’s Six O’ Three Terrain Park. $500 cash prizes provided by Golf & Ski Warehouse.

ABSOLUTELY MAGIC

Andrew Pinard performs strolling table-top magic in Sunapee Lodge from 11:00am until 1:00pm.

New Listing – Charming Home in Springfield, NH

Published on December 10, 2010 in Sunapee Housing Market. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

You’ll love chatting with guests in the large entertainment room with a slider leading to the sun porch.  Sunny and bright home has recently been updated.  For photos and details, visit www.563TownFarmRd.com.

Sara Ellis, Listing Agent

Selling Your Home? Hints for Getting Ready to Show your House to its Best Advantage!

Published on December 2, 2010 in Advice for Sellers and Sunapee Housing Market. 0 Comments Tags: , .

Since the most enjoyable part of selling your home occurs when the proceeds from the sale are deposited into your account, there are some things that you can do that will help you reach that goal more quickly.

Most sellers need to de-clutter, which means not only, removing knick-knacks and taking out excess furniture, but removing other distractions from your home which make it harder for buyers to picture themselves living there.

Many sellers like to sort through their personal property themselves, but there is help out there in the way of home organizers who specialize in assisting people through the selling and moving process.  Consider combining this service with a professional stager to make your house stand out from the competition.

Living in a home that is on the market can be disruptive. Ideally, you, your children and pets should be out of the house when it’s shown. Buyers feel inhibited by the sellers’ presence. They won’t say anything negative about the house while you’re there.

Work with your agent to set up a showing procedure for your home that you can live with, knowing that it gives your house the best chance to make a good impression if you, your children and pets skedaddle.  The perfect house doesn’t exist, so buyers always have to make compromises. It’s important for buyers to have an opportunity to weigh the pros and cons of a home while they are there with their agent.  Here’s a great hint:  Preparing for showings is easier if you have bins in the bathrooms for your personal effects, in the kitchen for things you use daily, and to store children’s toys.

These hints will help get you to the settlement table sooner!

Based on an article on InMan.com, November 15, 2010 authored by Dian Hymer, a real estate broker with more than 30 years’ experience, who is a nationally syndicated real estate columnist and author of “House Hunting: The Take-Along Workbook for Home Buyers” and “Starting Out, The Complete Home Buyer’s Guide.”