• The existing South chair will be relocated for use on another part of the mountain. It will be replaced by a new quad lift.
• The tubing park will be relocated and enlarged.
• Some trails will be changed or altered to add more beginner terrain and decrease volume on the most popular trails.
• Additional and higher efficiency snow guns will be installed to improve ski conditions regardless of the weather.
• The Arlberg Lodge is being converted into a state-of-the-art children’s center.
• The Cranmore Fitness Center will receive a “face lift” to improve its outside appearance and will add a food and beverage venue.

With all there is to do at Cranmore, it’s a fun and easy place to spend your days. You can make it even easier by purchasing your vacation home close by.    

36 Cranmore Trailside

F2 Cranmore Birches

The race commenced Saturday morning with a run around the pond. We managed to eke out 17 laps and finished an unsurprising last in our division. Our second fared about the same although we did beat them in overall standings. We rode in dusty conditions day and night and survived to tell the tale to our children who were bored at the thought of hearing about it again. We packed our campers and headed home Sunday to relax in the glow of tired muscles and a feeling of a job if not well done at least done and over. Until next year.

We continue to train all season (to little avail) throughout Mount Washington Valley. There are hills and mountains and streams all over this grand peice of real estate and none of us would trade it for any other. Come see what all the excitement is about and take a look at some property that could be the setting of your next grand adventure.

This has been exerpted from an article on the New Hampshire Association of Realtors website (www.nhar.org) written by Matthew Johnson, Esq., Justin Vartanian, Esq. and Devine Millimet.

The Home Buyer Tax Credit has been a benefit to the real estate market, especially REALTORS® and first time home buyers. However, as the program winds down, we need to be aware of the potential future consequences of utilizing the Home Buyer Tax Credit.

Any transactions in the next few years which involve property purchased with the aid of the tax credit could result in a significant unexpected tax bill to the sellers. The major catch is that those receiving the credit may be required to repay the entire amount of the tax credit if for some reason they sell the home or cease to use it as their “primary residence” within three years of the initial purchase.

For purposes of the tax credit, a home is no longer considered the purchaser’s “principal residence” if the purchaser sells the home or converts it to business or rental property. It is also not considered a “principal residence” if the home is destroyed, condemned, disposed of under threat of condemnation, or if it is foreclosed on by the lender.

If the home ceases to be the purchasers’ principal residence for any of these reasons, the purchasers are generally required to repay the tax credit. The due date for repayment of the credit depends on the particular circumstances under which the home ceased to be used as the purchaser’s principal residence.

Under most circumstances, the credit must be repaid when the purchaser’s income tax return is due for the year in which the home ceased to be the purchaser’s principal residence. For specific repayment information, sellers should consult Internal Revenue Service Form 5405 and the form’s instructions, which are both available on the I.R.S. website (www.irs.gov).

In general, if the purchaser is required to repay the credit, the full amount is due. There are two major exceptions to this rule:

First, if the purchaser sells the home to an unrelated third party, repayment of the credit is limited to the amount of gain on the sale. This restriction provides a disincentive for those who were looking to receive the tax credit and then sell the home immediately. However, it also affects those who are looking to move any time within the three-year period for legitimate reasons, which are often unexpected and unforeseeable at the time the purchase is made.

Second, if the home is destroyed, condemned, or disposed of under threat of condemnation and the purchaser does not acquire a new home within two years, the purchaser must repay the entire amount of the credit. This provision can have particularly harsh results, especially where a home is destroyed or foreclosed upon and the purchaser is forced to rent afterward.

There are also specific rules which apply in case of the death or divorce of the purchaser.

Banfield Hollow Acres

     I really like the Conway and Madison area of Mount Washington Valley and feel it is often overlooked by those who come to visit the North Conway and Bartlett/Jackson areas. Many people vacation here and spent a lot of their time perusing the stores on the strip and shussing down the slopes at the beautiful ski areas we have. Most visitors know nothing other than the hamlet in front of their vacation property towns and may miss a great opportunity to enjoy all the valley has to offer those who want to own real estate here.

     Conway has some great real estate to offer. The Saco River meanders past much of it and there is a lake hidden back there off Mill Street. It is not the largest  lake in NH but it offers a great place for swimming and boating. You are close to the everyday amenitites like the post office and supermarkets and the pharmacy which are all not far from our wonderful new high school. Madison offers some unique property off the beaten path but with much of the same convenience to North Conway and the demands of everyday errands. Madison boasts lovely wooded neighborhoods and a charming lake of its own with a well maintained public beach and park. King Pine Ski Area is a family owned resort with four season fun and only a quick drive from madison or Conway.

     Bartlett and Jackson are beautiful towns with rich histories steeped in skiing and mountain climbing and have a multitude of vacationing options but for those who are considering buying real estate or a new home in the Mount Washington Valley a good look at Conway and Madison will often prove very rewarding.  Those of us who live in Conway and Madison feel we get the rare chance to live and work where we like most to play. Come take a look at a new perspective on your next neighborhood. I look forward to hearing from you.

Greydon

Our house is on the market.

We have fallen victim to what must be a common phenomenon in the world of real estate. We are in love with another house.  In order to buy it, we have to sell our current house. To make matters worse, the other house is listed for sale, so our best chance at getting it would be to sell our house as quickly as we can. Wearing our realtor hats, we would say that the key to selling is lowering the price, but as sellers, we have to contend with the reality of how low we can afford to go. We bought our house in a much better market and put a lot of work into it. We are competing in a weaker market that has been brought down by short sales and foreclosures.

208 Crown Ridge Rd North Conway

Our house has been on the market for about 6 months. When we first listed it, we thought that  anyone who saw it would appreciate all the things we loved when we first saw it and would make an offer right away. After a couple of months and no sale, we started to become more realistic with ourselves about how our home stacked up against the competition. While we still feel that our home is special with its private North Conway location, unique style and Rockies-type view of the mountains, we saw a number of small things we could do to add value for a buyer. Rather than sitting back and waiting, we started to do them. We replaced our old electric range with a new Jenn Air gas range. We added a half bath on the main level. We replaced missing trim and fixed broken closet doors. We changed a dated light fixture to update a bathroom. We refilled crushed stone walkways that had lost their stones. We cut trees to bring in light and open up the view. We freshened interior paint and rearranged furniture. Even if the market goes down, we know we are selling a more desirable home than we were when we started. A buyer may not notice everything we have done, but they will notice what they don’t have to do, and that just may sell the house. 

If you are a seller, hang in there. The market will rebound, and eventually we will all be able to sell our homes. In the meantime, don’t just sit there-do something! It doesn’t cost too much to put on a new coat of paint, and it can make a huge difference to a buyer. Ask your realtor and your friends what they would do if you need suggestions. They may be able to offer a fresh perspective and interesting ideas.

If you are a buyer and you would like to buy a great primary or vacation home that offers privacy, a number of updates and is still close to everything, please give our house a look. Offered at $349,900, it features 4 bedrooms and 3 baths on 1.4 acres. For more information or to schedule a showing, call Josh or Kyla here at Pinkham Real Estate: 800-322-6921. We look forward to talking with you!

I love to drive.

By this I don’t mean running errands around town. I mean speeding up hills and around curves, testing the limits of my driving and of my beloved Subaru Legacy GT. A love of speed is in my genes. My mother raced dirtbikes in her 20s, and when I was growing up,  she always drove a 2 seater while my stepfather drove the family car. Some of my fondest memories are of listening to Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture with my mother while we detoured on roads less traveled for the express purpose of enjoying music and the excitement of speed.

When the weather is nice, I occasionally partake in my own little “Rally Mount Washington Valley.” In my mother’s tradition I turn up my music, open the windows and sunroof and head out on one of my well-loved routes. For me there is no nicer way to take in the beauty of our valley,  sing out my stress and feel the exhilaration of fresh air and speed. Besides, a little excitement is good for the heart.

Do you also have a need to speed? If so, here’s a sample route my Valley Rally:

Start at the police station (which is indeed ironic) in Conway at the end of East C0nway Road. Take East Conway Road east toward Maine, continuing on until it becomes Green Hill Rd. Pass 403 Green Hill Rd, a great home listed for sale at $139,900 (see right),

403 Green Hill Rd

 and continue on through South Chatham and Stow, Maine until you end up on Route 113. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and curvy roads through Evans Notch which will eventually take you near Route 2 in Bethel.  Get on Route 2 in Bethel to head back west through Shelburne and Gorham. Turn left in Gorham on Route 16 to loop back toward North Conway through Pinkham Notch. This is probably the best section to exorcise your inner speed demon, and you will likely find someone else doing just the same. Enjoy the views, but watch the road!

Pass through Jackson, and stop by the Glen Chill Out in the log cabin on Route 16 for an ice cream cone. By now, the combination of fresh air, good music, fast driving and sugar should have you in a happy place. If you’ve enjoyed it enough to want to make it part of your routine, come see me at Pinkham Real Estate’s office in North Conway. Not only can I offer a number of Valley Rally routes, I can also help you find a home, condo or piece of land that allows you to make Mt Washington Valley your (primary or second) home. I look forward to meeting you!

We spent some great time boating on Conway Lake this weekend. The weather was gorgeous and the water almost as smooth as glass. We went tubing with our kids and then tied up with a couple of friends to enjoy some BBQ and conversation. 

I grew up on a large lake in central NH  and moved here about 16 years ago. Unfortunately, it took me about 10 years to discover the lake but I am glad I did. We spend a lot of time in the boat during the summer and the majority of  it is spent on Conway Lake. It’s a good sized lake with some great features. It is never crowded and and offers a couple of great spots for floating and relaxing in the sun. It is close to our home and we can generally be in the middle of the water in a short time from leaving our house in Center Conway, NH. Our two girls are avid swimmers and enjoy being dragged behind the boat, hitting as many waves as they can on the tube. Their tubing experience is rated by how often and how high in the air they can get on the tube. I love watching them fly into the air (and I confess I get a kick out of the look of shock on the face of my wife). Our friends are often out there and we spend many afternoons sitting together in a flotilla as we cook food and discuss the events of our daily lives. We mostly all live in North Conway and Conway and our kids go to school together. We are very lucky to have such a good group of people to spend time with. 

564 Old Mill Road Conway NH

Do summer afternoons floating in the lake appeal to you too? If so, there are a number of affordable opportunities to have a great White Mountains vacation spot for you and your family. One great home that’s just a 3 minute walk the beach and public boat launch at Conway Lake is 564 Old Mill Rd in Conway. This home has 3 bedrooms and is being offered at $149,000. It also has a garage to store your kayaks and boats! 

For more information on this or any other property in the area, please don’t hesitate to call (800-322-6921) or stop by our office in North Conway village. We look forward to seeing you soon!

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN | JULY 13 – JULY 24

After many requests, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN comes to our stage for the very first time. The Broadway version of the popular song and dance film, starring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds, takes us back to the early days of motion pictures when silent films make way for “talkies” and the stars can’t just look good…they need to sound good! You’ll be amazed at how many familiar songs are in the show: “Singin’ in the Rain”, “Lucky Star”, “You Were Meant for Me”, “Good Morning”…& more. Love toe tappers? This is your show! Also rated G…and lot’s of fun.

THE FULL MONTY | JULY 27 – AUGUST 14

THE FULL MONTY is one of our all time favorites. The story of six out of work, and out of shape, steel workers, who decide to put on a strip show to make money and earn back their manhood, is poignant, funny, and the bare-it-all ending…well,you’ll have to come and see! Plan now for “Girls Night Out!” Though guys will like it, too! And the music? Numbers such as “It’s a Women’s World” and “Man” are show stoppers…but there are beautiful ballads, too, like “You Rule My World” and “You Walk with Me”. THE FULL MONTY is rated Rx (good for what ails you!)

HAIR | AUGUST 17 – AUGUST 29

One of the most talked about shows ever on Broadway is even sassier, fresher and more relevant today. HAIR brings the 60s back to life with all its exuberance. In their search for meaning, for love, for a tribe…the flower children demonstrate against the establishment, against hypocrisy. A little bit wild (even shocking), and lots of fun, you’ll join the “be-in” and sing “Let the sun Shine In”, “Aquarius” and “Hair”. Yes, it’s rated Rxx (R double X!) A tonic, for sure…but not for children or those sensitive to language and scanty dress.

For more information on any of these shows or to get tickets, call or email the box office at 603-356-5776 / boxoffice@mwvtheatre.org. You can also visit the website: www.mwvtheatre.org. See you at the theatre! 

By: G. M. Filisko
Published: June 04, 2010

Keep your emotions in check and your eyes on the goal, and you’ll pay less when purchasing a home.

Buying a home can be emotional, but negotiating the price shouldn’t be. The key to saving money when purchasing a home is sticking to a plan during the turbulence of high-stakes negotiations. A real estate agent who represents you can guide you and offer you advice, but you are the one who must make the final decision during each round of offers and counter offers.

Here are six tips for negotiating the best price on a home.

1. Get prequalified for a mortgage

Getting prequalified for a mortgage proves to sellers that you’re serious about buying and capable of affording their home. That will push you to the head of the pack when sellers choose among offers; they’ll go with buyers who are a sure financial bet, not those whose financing could flop.

2. Ask questions

Ask your agent for information to help you understand the sellers’ financial position and motivation. Are they facing foreclosure or a short sale? Have they already purchased a home or relocated, which may make them eager to accept a lower price to avoid paying two mortgages? Has the home been on the market for a long time, or was it just listed? Have there been other offers? If so, why did they fall through? The more signs that sellers are eager to sell, the lower your offer can reasonably go.

3. Work back from a final price to determine your initial offer

Know in advance the most you’re willing to pay, and with your agent work back from that number to determine your initial offer, which can set the tone for the entire negotiation. A too-low bid may offend sellers emotionally invested in the sales price; a too-high bid may lead you to spend more than necessary to close the sale.

Work with your agent to evaluate the sellers’ motivation and comparable home sales to arrive at an initial offer that engages the sellers yet keeps money in your wallet.

4. Avoid contingencies

Sellers favor offers that leave little to chance. Keep your bid free of complicated contingencies, such as making the purchase conditional on the sale of your current home. Do keep contingencies for mortgage approval, home inspection, and environmental checks typical in your area, like radon.

5. Remain unemotional

Buying a home is a business transaction, and treating it that way helps you save money. Consider any movement by the sellers, however slight, a sign of interest, and keep negotiating.

Each time you make a concession, ask for one in return. If the sellers ask you to boost your price, ask them to contribute to closing costs or pay for a home warranty. If sellers won’t budge, make it clear you’re willing to walk away; they may get nervous and accept your offer.

6. Don’t let competition change your plan

Great homes and those competitively priced can draw multiple offers in any market. Don’t let competition propel you to go beyond your predetermined price or agree to concessions-such as waiving an inspection-that aren’t in your best interest.

Interested in more tips and advice about the best way to get the home you want at the best price? At Pinkham Real Estate we have been representing buyers for more than 40 years, and we are happy to share our expertise with you. Give us a call (800-322-6921) or stop by. We look forward to meeting you!

It’s exciting to see so many signs of confidence in our valley. For example:

Cranmore Mountain is under new ownership. The new owners have committed $7 million for improvements including a new south slope quad to replace the aging double chair. They are focused on bringing new activities to the mountain including a Mountain Coaster. Click here for more information.

The Red Jacket resort recently added a multi-million dollar water park (Kahuna Laguna).

In addition to its numerous summer activities, Attitash ski area is now offering a mountain coaster.

The Marriott Residence Inn just opened its brand new North Conway property, and there are a number of new shops and restaurants throughout the valley.

Finally, one of the nicest things about our valley is that we are surrounded by state and national forest. Not only does this provide a wonderful setting to live, but it also ensures that we are never going to experience the sprawl that has so negatively impacted other communities.