Monthly Archive for January, 2011

Good News for Sellers! Owners and Renters Agree: Owning a Home is a Smart Decision

Published on January 28, 2011 in Sunapee Housing Market. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

A substantial majority of both home owners and current renters agree that owning a home is a smart decision over the long term. That’s according to the results of a National Association of REALTORS® survey of 3,793 adults conducted online by Harris Interactive.

The American Attitudes About Homeownership survey found that in today’s challenging economy, 95 percent of owners and 72 percent of renters believe that over a period of several years, it makes more sense to own a home. In addition, an overwhelming majority of home owners are happy with their decision to own a home – 93 percent of owners surveyed would buy again.

“Home owners and renters agree that home ownership benefits individuals and families, strengthens our communities, and is integral to our nation’s economy,” said National Association of Realtors® President Ron Phipps, broker-president of Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I. “The results of this survey illustrate just how important issues related to home ownership are to people in this country.”

The survey uncovered some differences between home owners and renters, as well. While more than half of owners are “very” or “extremely” satisfied with the overall quality of their family life, only one-third of renters report the same levels of satisfaction. Similarly, 43 percent of home owners are very/extremely satisfied with their community life, compared with 30 percent of renters.

A majority of renters – 63 percent – said that it was at least somewhat likely that they would purchase a home at some point in the future. Among this group, young adults (18-29 years old) have the strongest aspirations for home ownership; only 8 percent of young adults said that it was “not at all likely” that they would purchase a home at some point in the future.

In today’s market, many aspiring home owners are faced with worries about job security and creditworthiness. Among renters who are very or extremely likely to buy a home in the future, three out of five consider confidence in job security and creditworthiness to be an obstacle.

One point of agreement between renters and home owners was support of the mortgage interest deduction (MID). Seventy-four percent of owners and 62 percent of renters say it’s “extremely” or “very” important that the MID remain in place.

“At a time when the middle class is under increasing economic pressures, both home owners and renters agree that the mortgage interest deduction should not be targeted for change,” said Phipps. “Given strong public support of and aspirations toward owning a home, we need to keep policies in place that support and encourage responsible, sustainable home ownership for our future.”

This survey was conducted online within the U.S. and fielded October 6-20, 2010. A total of 3,793 adults, 18 and older were surveyed, including 1,880 home owners, 1,115 renters, and 798 young adults. All samples came from the Harris Poll online database and were weighted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income to be representative of the U.S. general population of adults 18 and older. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents’ propensity to be online.

Results are available online at www.realtor.org/statsanddata/homeownership/attitudes_homeown.

The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

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Source:  National Association of Realtors, January 19, 2011.

REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark which may be used only by real estate professionals who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics. Not all real estate agents are REALTORS®. All REALTORS® are members of NAR.

The Glades are Open on Mt. Sunapee, NH

Published on January 26, 2011 in New London Activities and Sunapee Activities. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

The big news this week is that 7 of the 8 glades are now open. Mt. Sunapee received 32 inches of snow during the past two weeks. They received an inch Monday night that freshened things up and it looks like  they may get some more light snow Wednesday night into Thursday as the coastal storm heads north off the East coast. The weather looks great for this weekend with temperatures in the upper 20’s both days. The snow doesn’t get any better than it is right now. Check out their web cam or click on the 30-second TV spot on their home page which is shot every Tuesday.

They have some great deals Sunday through Thursday during non-holiday periods.

Magic Monday: Everybody skis or rides all day for only $45
Ladies’ Day Tuesday: For $50 ladies get an all-day ticket and a delicious buffet lunch in Goosefeathers Pub.
Two Fer Wednesday: Two can ski or ride all day for only $66.
Free Lunch Thursday: Purchase a full-price, full-day, all-mountain ticket and lunch is on us.
NH Resident Sunday: New Hampshire residents can ski or ride from noon until 4pm for only $39.

Mount Sunapee works with 19 lodging properties in the area to create affordable Ski & Stay packages. These packages include lodging, lift tickets and in some cases breakfast. One-night midweek packages that include lodging, an all-day lift ticket and breakfast start at just $73 per person, double occupancy. Weekend packages including lodging Friday and Saturday nights, skiing or riding Saturday and Sunday and breakfast daily start at just $215 per person, double occupancy. Keep in mind that a midweek ticket costs $66 and a weekend lift ticket costs $128. Do the math. Book on-line at mountsunapee.com

Enjoy the Snow! Upcoming Winter Hikes On The Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway Coalition

Published on January 25, 2011 in New London Activities and Sunapee Activities. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

We’ve written about this wonderful area resource before, but it’s important to remind our readers what a special opportunity exists for winter enjoyment of these great hiking trails which cover 75 miles surrounding Lake Sunapee and going over Sunapee, Ragged and Kearsarge mountains.

Here’s their winter schedule of planned hikes:

These hikes are free and open to all and offer a variety of terrain and conditions.  They will include snowshoe and cross-country ski events. A special feature again this year will be a moonlight snowshoe hike over a forgiving three-mile course.

Hikes range from easy to difficult. Hike leaders will offer full details for each event, including starting place and time and equipment needs. There is absolutely no cost to participants, except for personal food, equipment, and transportation to the hike site.

Since winter hikes require special attention to physical conditioning, weather and snow conditions, hikers are encouraged to evaluate their capabilities carefully before joining any group.

The hikes:

January 29
SNOWSHOE OR X-C HIKE over trails in Wilmot’s Patterson Road area. Refreshments afterward. Brian Faughnan, 526-7838.  3 miles, moderate.

February 5
VISIT ANDOVER’S SCENIC SMALL PONDS, including Hopkins, Elbow and Mud. Lee Carvalho, 735-5719. 6 miles, easy to moderate.

February 12
A MOSTLY DOWNHILL traverse of the Greenway’s Trail 6 from Wilmot to Pleasant Lake.  Art Robbins, 927-4377. 3.5 miles, moderate

Thu. Feb 17, Fri. Feb. 18 or Sat. Feb. 19
MOONLIGHT MADNESS, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., on the clearest night. Install fresh batteries in your headlamp and call leader Dave Cook, 526-4570, 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. nightly, to confirm date, details. 2 miles, moderate.

February 26
A REPRISE of Susan and Michael Chiarellas’ Hot Chocolate Ramble. Snowshoe Greenway trails in Springfield. Call 763-4661. 3 miles, moderate.

Saturday, March 5
JOURNEY ALONG Sunapee Ridge to Lucia’s Lookout to appreciate the unique view seen only by dedicated trekkers. Call Gerry Gold, 526-2857. 10 miles, difficult.

Sunday, March 6
TRACK WILDLIFE along Sutton’s Lincoln Trail to Black Mountain. Led by Forest Society naturalist, Dave Anderson, RSVP to SPNHF at 224-9945, Ext. 313, or e-mail signup@forestsociety.org. 3.5 miles, moderate, with some steep places.

The SRKGC was formed in the mid-eighties by, as their brochure says, “a group of creative environmentalists” who were associated with the Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust, the Society for the Protection of NH Forests, the Lake Sunapee Protective Association and local conservationists.  That early group has evolved into a non-profit corporation led by directors from those towns which have SRKGC trails in them:  Andover, Danbury, Goshen, Newbury, New London, Springfield, Sunapee, Sutton, Warner & Wilmot.  The brochure best states their mission:  “…to create and maintain a forever-green great circle of trail corridors and protected lands providing walkers with access to the mountains, lakes, vistas and historical sites of the region.”

The SRKGC is a wonderful example of the cooperation of enthusiastic volunteers, private landowners, and state and local governments.  The organization welcomes new volunteers and memberships.  Visit their site at: http://www.srkg.com/ There you will find a wealth of information on other hiking resources, as well as additional information about the trail network itself.

Good News! December Home Sales Jump

Published on January 21, 2011 in Advice for Buyers, Advice for Sellers and Sunapee Housing Market. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Existing-home sales rose sharply in December, when sales increased for the fifth time in the past six months, according to the National Association of REALTORS®.

Existing home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, rose 12.3 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.28 million in December from an upwardly revised 4.70 million in November, but remain 2.9 percent below the 5.44 million pace in December 2009.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said sales are on an uptrend. “December was a good finish to 2010, when sales fluctuate more than normal. The pattern over the past six months is clearly showing a recovery,” he said. “The December pace is near the volume we’re expecting for 2011, so the market is getting much closer to an adequate, sustainable level. The recovery will likely continue as job growth gains momentum and rising rents encourage more renters into ownership while exceptional affordability conditions remain.”

The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $168,800 in December, which is 1.0 percent below December 2009.

Total housing inventory at the end of December fell 4.2 percent to 3.56 million existing homes available for sale, which represents an 8.1-month supply at the current sales pace, down from a 9.5-month supply in November.

NAR President Ron Phipps, broker-president of Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I., said buyers are responding to very good affordability conditions despite tight mortgage credit. “Historically low mortgage interest rates, stable home prices, and pent-up demand are drawing home buyers into the market,” Phipps said. “Recent home buyers have been successful with very low default rates, given the outstanding performance for loans originated in 2009 and 2010.”

Regionally, existing-home sales in the Northeast jumped 13.0 percent to an annual pace of 870,000 in December but are 5.4 percent below December 2009. The median price in the Northeast was $237,300, which is 1.4 percent below a year ago.

The National Association of REALTORS®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

Source:  From the National Association of REALTORS, Washington, DC, January 20, 2011

And the Snow Keeps Falling at Mount Sunapee, Newbury, NH!

Published on January 20, 2011 in Sunapee Activities. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Another coastal storm made its way up the East coast and delivered another 6” of new snow giving us 25 inches in the last 7 days. The skiing and riding has been awesome.  The area may pick up a few more inches into Friday setting up fantastic snow for the weekend.  Mt. Sunapee now has 56 features in the three terrain parks and four mogul runs. Come this weekend for what looks to be some of the best snow so far this season.

Ticket Prices Go Up Feb. 1 for O.A.R. Concert – Buy Now!

As part of the Bud Light Concert Series the popular rock band O.A.R. will be performing at Mount Sunapee under a huge performance tent in Parking Lot #2 on Saturday, April 2.  The Pete Kilpatrick Band will open.  The second half of FestEVOL weekend will be anchored by the wild and zany 13th Annual Slush Cup on Sunday.  FestEVOL is presented by Evol Burritos, the Bud Light Concert Series, Reverb and Nordica.  All weekend the IZSTYLE Winter Tour & Reverb Eco-Village will be present showcasing businesses and products that support a sustainable environment, all natural/organic food sampling, ski & snowboard demos and music.  This is a weekend that you won’t want to miss.  Learn more about FestEVOL.

Kids Ski/Ride Free with January On-line Family Values Promotion

Mt. Sunapee’s popular Family Values on-line promotion is underway in January. For each full-price, full-day, all-mountain parent ticket purchased, one dependent child ages 6 through 18 skis or rides for FREE. Family Values is offered Sunday through Friday excluding holidays (Jan. 15-17) through January 31, 2011. Each parent must print an on-line coupon and present it to the ticket window. Limit one free child per parent.  Learn more and print the online coupon.

Ultimate Groove Telemark Camp for Women Returns to Mount Sunapee

On Saturday January 22 and March 12 Mount Sunapee is hosting Ultimate Groove Telemark Camps for women. Created by Heather Paul, two-time national telemark champion, the camps emphasize adventure, camaraderie, and fun. Each Camp includes a full-day of instruction, under the supervision of local telemark expert Tori Burke, in small groups with video analysis to help visualize improvement. The Camp caters to all ability levels including beginners. Rental equipment is available at Mount Sunapee. The cost including a lift ticket is $217 and $170 for season pass holders. For more information or to register go to ultimategrooves.com.

Happenings at Mount Sunapee

January 22
Gravity Wars
Slope-style competition in the Bob Skinner’s Six O’ Three terrain park.  Golf & Ski Warehouse has added $500 to the cash prize.  Plus, have a chance to win a pair of skis or a snowboard.  Learn More

Cross-Country Skiing in the Dartmouth-Sunapee-New London Area

Published on January 18, 2011 in New London Activities and Sunapee Activities. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Now that the snow has arrived, there are tons of ways to get outside and enjoy it.  One of the most satisfying is to hit the trails at one of our nearby cross-country centers.  The information below is from the web site and directory of the Cross-Country Ski Areas Association.  The most local areas are listed alphabetically.

1/Dartmouth Cross Country Ski Center has two facilities: one based out of the DOC House on Occom Pond, which provides equipment rentals for skiing and other activities; the other is at Oak Hill, located two miles north of Hanover, where group and private cross-country ski instruction and rentals are offered.

Area Facts

Total Kilometers 30
Groomed 20
Tracked 20
Skate Groomed 20
Backcountry 10
Snowshoe 5
Miles to Alpine Ski 13

Trail Passes

Adults $10
Juniors $10

Other Amenities

  • Snowshoeing
  • Lessons
  • Ski Rentals
  • Snowshoe Rentals
  • Ice Skating

2/Dexter’s Inn Trails by Norsk
258 Stagecoach Rd
Sunapee NH 03782
Main phone: 603-763-5571  Snow conditions and lodging: 800-232-5571

dexters@tds.net
www.dextersnh.com
Opened for skiing in 06-07 to enthusiastic reviews. Trail system, originated in 1948, has been completely renovated & updated. Over 20 groomed Km and a loop for leashed dogs. Trails are unique, winding their way through forests & fields. A must-try for ski tourers! Classical parallel track skiing only. No skate skiing. The Inn offers comfortable accommodations, a cozy warming room with fireplace, food service, and a welcoming atmosphere. Full operation on weekends & holidays. The best way to see what we’ve done is to visit our website. Trails and ski services: Ski rentals; ski lessons PSIA; changing room; wax room; pulk sled rental; 35km snowshoe trails; snowshoe trails are shared with skiers; snowshoe rentals; 1km dog trails
3/Eastman Cross Country
10 Clubhouse Lane
Grantham NH 03753
main phone, ski center and snow conditions: 603-863-4500

recreation@eastmannh.org
www.eastmannh.org/ski
Join us at our convenient location off Rt. 89 in the beautiful Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee Region. Full service cross country and snowshoe center, also offering sledding and ice skating. Lessons, guided tours and group rates are available. Trails & ski services: 36km groomed; ski rentals; ski lessons PSIA; changing room; pulk sled rental; retail shop; 36km snowshoe trails; snowshoe trails are shared with skiers; snowshoe rentals

4/Pine Hill Ski Club

www.pinehillskiclub.com

220 Mountain Road

New London, NH  03257

603.381.8685

Pine Hill Ski Club, Inc. is a community-based ski organization located in New London. The parking facility is located three miles from the Lake Sunapee Country Club at Mountain Road off Shaker Street. Children under 12 are free when accompanied by adult. Rentals available at Village Sports, New London, NH 603-526-4948

Area Facts

Total Kilometers 20
Groomed 22
Tracked 15
Skate Groomed 7
Backcountry 4
Snowshoe 5
Miles to Alpine Ski 5

Trail Passes

Adults  (18+) $12
Juniors  (12-17) $5

Other Amenities

  • Snowshoeing
  • Lessons
  • Ski Rentals
  • Snowshoe Rentals
  • Dogs permitted on some trails.  See pinehillskiclub.com for details.

Mount Sunapee – NEHSA – Winter Sports Clinic for Disabled Veterans

Published on January 13, 2011 in Sunapee Activities and Sunapee Community. 0 Comments

“The connection between the earth and my body is not through my feet and legs but through my hips and shoulders for the first time since [my injury] on June 27th. Tears of joy stream down my face. I just cannot believe it. You guys saved my life. I love you.” Wounded Warrior at the New England Handicapped Ski Association/Veterans’ Administration Winter Sports Clinic after his first run on a sitski at Mount Sunapee.

Looking for Some Good Outdoor Exercise this Winter?

Published on January 10, 2011 in New London Activities and Sunapee Activities. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Friday, January 14th will be the opening hike for a series of Friday winter walkabout hikes on the Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway.  On the 14th, starting in Springfield, NH, at Baptist Pond, the walk will go past Snow Bound Farm and Star Lake Farm to NH 114.  Distance 4.1 miles.  Time c. 3 hours.  An easy walk or snowshoe.  This is SRK Greenway Section #4 in the SRKG Trail Guide.

This starter hike/walk is followed on 21st January with a moderate, woodsy hike in Newbury from Chalk Pond to Newbury and its Lake Sunapee Harbor.  Subsequent Fridays will get longer and more difficult.

The idea is to hike sections of the SRK Greenway every Friday through March 18th, although not necessarily in section sequence.

IF INTERESTED: Reply to geecubed@yahoo.com for info on time and place.

Lee Carvalho of Andover and Gerry Gold of New London are co-leaders for the time being.  There are 10 Fridays and do not plan to complete all 14 sections this winter.

It’s been a few years since a planned Winter Walkabout of the Greenway’s 14 sections was last announced.  Aside from the exceptionally impressive certificate awarded to hikers who complete the circuit in winter, the trails and hills and valleys (and road walks) have special beauty and vistas in winter.

These Friday hikes are open to Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway Coalition “friends and family” looking to begin or complete the SRK Greenway in winter, or just looking for winter hiking partners.  Feel free to forward to other likely hikers.

For more details on the trail sections and the SRK Greenway look at www.srkg.com and the “SRKG Trail Guide” (sold in Warner Bookends and in New London at Village Sports and Morgan Hill Books).  For this season’s SRKGC schedule of weekend hikes click on http://www.srkg.com/winter_schedule_2011.htm.

New Hampshire’s Tax Climate is High on the List of our State’s Pluses

Published on January 6, 2011 in Advice for Buyers and Sunapee Community. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

This was the gist of the headline in “Closing the Deal”, a weekly feature column by Christopher Thompson, which appeared in the New Hampshire Sunday News of December 26, 2010.  Here are some highlights of his article.

In looking at the tax challenges of our neighboring states, Thompson found that Maine has an 8.5% income tax (the 7th highest in the country).  Massachusetts has a 5.3% income tax and Vermont, one of 8.95%.

The 2010 Census results show that New Hampshire is the fastest growing state in New England at 6.5%, with the next closest being Connecticut, at 4.9%.  He queries if the lack of an income tax is driving people to New Hampshire over the other New England states.  While that may or may not be so, his primary point was how lucky we are to live in New Hampshire…particularly if we “work, sell or have businesses” here.  Among other pluses:  we have the 9th highest per-capita personal income in the country, and we are one of only 5 states in the country to have no sales tax.  As Thompson concludes, “…we live in a state which provides one of the best climates for businesses and their employees,” and that’s something to be thankful for!

Affordable Access to Lake Sunapee – Recent Price Reduction

Published on January 4, 2011 in Advice for Buyers and Sunapee Housing Market. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

This diamond in the rough has its own private, permanent dock directly across the street on Lake Sunapee.  Area of nice homes and a ten minute drive to Mt.Sunapee Ski Resort.  Price reduced to $269,900.  Visit www.110LakeAve.com for more photos and details.

Donna Forest, Listing Agent