So towards the end of last year my better half and I decided that we wanted to do all the 4,000 footers in NH and so far this year we’ve been off to a great start. This past weekend we did what is so far my favorite hike yet. Its about a 9 mile loop but you summit Little Haystack at 4,800 feet then follow the ridge to Mount Lincoln at 5,089 feet and continue up the ridge, which is just unreal to the summit of Lafayette at 5,260 feet.

We chose to go up via the Falling Waters Trail which if you have a dog I would highly recommend going this route as there is plenty of water for the pooch. The waterfalls and scenery along this section were just amazing. My pictures below do not do any part of the hike justice.

Once you make it on top of Little Haystack, you’re technically on Franconia Ridge Trail. From here you really feel like you are on top of the world. The views are unreal and along the ridge the drop offs are not for the weak stomachs!

Making it to the top of Lafayette was a great feeling but then you can see how far you need to travel back and it can be a bit overwhelming. We took Old Bridle Path back and in the picture below (keeping left) the trail basically follows the ridge all the way down!

 Here’s a slideshow of our trip. If you have ever hiked this trail, please feel free to share your experience in the comments below!

[Show as slideshow]

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As we are getting closer to summer, more properties have been coming on the market and with this addition of new “competing” homes for sale, sellers have been making regular price drops in our area. Below are 12 of the most recent price reductions in the past two weeks. Feel free to click here to see all of the 60+ recently reduced properties in the Sunapee Region or click through below.

Showing properties 1 - 12 of 58. See more Sunapee Region Price Reductions.
(all data current as of 5/18/2012)

1. $1,950,000 : 618 Main Street, New London
   
   4 beds, 3 full, 2 part baths

   Home size: 6,562 sq ft

   Lot size: 2.30 ac

   Year built: 1811

   Parking spots: 5

   Days on market: 66
2. $799,000 : 64 Upper Bay, Sunapee
   
   4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,357 sq ft

   Lot size: 1.50 ac

   Year built: 2001

   Parking spots: 3

   Days on market: 128
3. $579,000 : 273 Brookside Drive, New London
   
   4 beds, 2 full, 3 part baths

   Home size: 4,614 sq ft

   Lot size: 4.09 ac

   Year built: 1993

   Parking spots: 6

   Days on market: 47
4. $549,900 : 318 Fieldstone Lane, New London
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 2,151 sq ft

   Lot size: 3.96 ac

   Year built: 2004

   Parking spots: 6

   Days on market: 1
5. $529,000 : 19 Sugarbush Road, Wilmot
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 4,000 sq ft

   Lot size: 5.23 ac

   Year built: 1992

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 35
6. $499,000 : Tbd Rawson Ridge, Grantham
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 2,560 sq ft

   Lot size: 5.18 ac

   Year built: 2011

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 198
7. $499,000 : 22 Crockett Circle, Sutton
   
   4 beds, 2 full, 2 part baths

   Home size: 3,300 sq ft

   Lot size: 8.30 ac

   Year built: 1986

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 260
8. $475,000 : 57 Anderson Pond Road, Grantham
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 2,603 sq ft

   Lot size: 32,234 sqft

   Year built: 1994

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 679
9. $459,000 : 178 Grace Road, Wilmot
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 3 part baths

   Home size: 3,794 sq ft

   Lot size: 12.61 ac

   Year built: 1983

   Parking spots: 3

   Days on market: 401
10. $399,000 : 7 Rolling Hill, Grantham
    
    5 beds, 1 full, 3 part baths

    Home size: 3,493 sq ft

    Lot size: 37,461 sqft

    Year built: 1983

    Parking spots: 4

    Days on market: 312
11. $395,000 : 634 Main Street, New London
    
    6 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 4,170 sq ft

    Lot size: 30,492 sqft

    Year built: 1816

    Parking spots: 6

    Days on market: 1,096
12. $384,000 : 31 Malia Terrace, Newbury
    
    2 beds, 1 full, 2 part baths

    Home size: 1,568 sq ft

    Lot size: 2.03 ac

    Year built: 1983

    Parking spots: 2

    Days on market: 53

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

If you have any questions about a property or if you would like to know more about buying or selling real estate in the Lake Sunapee Region, please feel free to call 603-252-6428 or email me today! dano@colbyinc.com

Click Here to search for all Lake Sunapee Region Homes, Land and Condo’s for sale

Connect with me:     

 *All data used is from NNEREN MLS and is subject to Human Error : )

One of my favorite things about NH is how easy it is to get in some fantastic hiking. This weekend we decided to do our first 4,000 footer for the season and headed for Mount Osceola. Osceola is 4,315ft and is an awesome hike to start the year with as it’s not your typical stair master hike. Unfortunately I didn’t take any pictures of the trail but there are all these great brook crossings, little waterfalls and really cool boulders. Huge perk about going this time of year was that there were no bugs! We started late morning and for the most part had the trail to ourselves. At the summit there were probably a dozen people hanging out enjoying the view and having lunch. This link will take you to additional info about the hike and how to get there http://4000footers.com/osceola.shtml

Here’s a video from the summit

Click here to view the embedded video.

Here’s our reward!
Biederman’s Deli in Plymouth for beers and and boa’s! http://www.biedermansdeli.com/

This past April there were 38 home sales in the Sunapee Region. Surprisingly enough this is was the exact same amount of homes that sold in April 2010! The big difference however is that the median sales price in April 2010 was $153,500 and this April it jumped over $40,000 to $196,450! Another interesting fact is that the number of home sales in our area is currently at 2007 levels! From an affordability standpoint the median sales price for our region compared to 2007 is down over $50,000 at $191,450. Here’s a quick snap shot of cumulative sales.

Below is the historical home sales data and what sold by town this past month.

Lake Sunapee Region Historical Home Sales

To see the full 12 month break down of sales please click here

42 homes went under agreement in the Sunapee Region this April

Andover NH

• $640,000- 241 Flaghole Road, Andover NH

Grantham NH

• $194,000- 45 Hummingbird Hill, Grantham NH
• $225,199- 72 High Pond Road, Grantham NH

• $249,948- 132 Main Street, New London NH
• $359,000- 169 Wilder Lane, New London NH
• $360,000- 524 Otterville Road, New London NH
• $760,000- 719 Little Sunapee Road, New London NH
• $1,247,875- 910 Lakeshore Drive, New London NH
• $4,500,000- 0 Lake Sunapee, New London NH

Newport NH

• $20,600- 154 Maple, Newport NH
• $95,000- 37 Middle Street, Newport NH
• $130,000- 5 Victory Drive, Newport NH
• $149,500- 119 Pike Hill, Newport NH
• $157,000- 19 Ayers Road, Newport NH

Sunapee NH

• $363,100- 43 Upper Bay Road, Sunapee NH
• $1,075,000- 231 Lake Avenue, Sunapee NH

If you have any questions about the market data or if you would like to know more about buying or selling real estate in the Lake Sunapee Region, please feel free to call 603-252-6428 or email me today! dano@colbyinc.com

Click Here to search for all Lake Sunapee Region Homes, Land and Condo’s for sale

Connect with me:     

 *All data used is from NNEREN MLS and is subject to Human Error : )

Below is a great article from Peter Frances who is an Exeter demographer that serves as a columnist for NHAR (New Hampshire Association of Realtors). In this latest report from Peter, he highlights how New Hampshire home sales have held up this first quarter compared to past years.

In the Sunapee Region our numbers are also very similar to the statewide stats…home sales year to date for 2012 are at 2007  levels! I will have a more detailed post about that soon.

Enjoy Peter’s report

-Dan

Residential home sales:
Will 2012 be the breakout year?

By Peter Francese

First quarter residential home sales in New Hampshire were 17 percent above 2011 and the highest they have been since 2007. Maybe it was the mild winter, or perhaps it was the rising stock market. Whatever it was, it may predict a very good year and the beginning of the end of this historically long period of flat home sales.

Every year for the past four years, first quarter residential home sales were in the narrow range of 1,675 and 1,900 units, and total sales for those years (2008 through 2011) never exceeded 10,800 units. During that same, four-year period, first quarter home sales averaged about 17 percent of the entire year’s sales.

First quarter home sales this year reached 2,223, the first time since 2007 that the number has exceeded 2,000. If that ends up being 17 percent of 2012 sales, the state would reach 13,076 homes sold in 2012, the most since 2006. If, as in 2007, first quarter sales end up being 20 percent of the year’s sales, we can expect about 11,100 homes sold in 2012, still higher than any year since 2007.

My view is that 2012 residential home sales will match the 12,000 sold back in 2007.

Here’s the sales data for the first quarter and annually since 2006:

Year	1Q Sales	Annual Sales	1Q Percent of Year	1Q Median Price
2006	2,500	13,300	19%	$262,000
2007	2,400	12,000	20%	$255,000
2008	1,750	10,200	17%	$235,000
2009	1,675	10,800	15%	$195,500
2010	1,885	10,525	18%	$207,000
2011	1,900	10,710	18%	$197,500
2012	2,225	12,000*	19%*	$188,000

* Projected by author; Source of historical data: NNEREN

Despite a sharp, 17 percent rise in home sales statewide from first quarter a year ago, the median residential home selling price in that period was 5 percent below last year. First quarter year-over-year homes sales increased by double digits in all New Hampshire counties except Merrimack (where it rose 6 percent). But home prices declined in every county except Merrimack (up 6 percent) and Coos (up 25 percent).

Residential home prices in New Hampshire are now just three times the median household income of $61,000 (from the 2010 American Community Survey). If that’s not a historic low, it’s very close to it. As economic conditions continue to improve, as they are forecasted to do, home prices have no place to go but up, in my opinion.

New Hampshire Realtors now have a new source of information about home buyers in our state: the buyer origin report from NNEREN, which includes quarterly data for 2010, 2011 and first-quarter 2012. This report shows the total residential home sales for each county and then reports how many of those buyers came from either out-of-county (from where the home was sold) or out-of-state.

Statewide, 22 percent of all sales were from an out-of-state buyer. But in Carroll County, 44 percent of buyers so far this year have been from out of state. That was the case for 36 percent of buyers in Grafton and 25 percent of buyers in Rockingham. Data from 2010 and 2011 shows that out-of-state buyers typically increase during the summer and fall months, rising to half of all sales in Carroll County.

In seven of New Hampshire’s 10 counties, more than one in every four homes sold were to someone from out of the state. This speaks loudly to the importance of maintaining a first-rate and very accessible website that is rich in detail and frequently updated.

This same NNEREN report also shows how many homes were purchased as a primary home or as a secondary home. As has been reported here, New Hampshire ranks third in the nation (behind only Maine and Vermont) in the percent of homes (10 percent) that are second (or in a few cases, third) homes.

Of those sales which completed the primary-versus-secondary report, more than one in five (22 pecent) of home sales statewide (and 58 percent in Carroll County) were second homes.

There is no doubt in my mind that with many thousands of affluent Baby Boomers reaching their peak asset years, combined with more buyers from other countries, the demand for second homes in New Hampshire will continue to increase for the foreseeable future. Just another reason to have a well designed website, with all the information second-home buyers are looking for.

NHAR columnist Peter Francese is a demographic trends analyst for MetLife Mature Market Institute and a demographic forecaster for the New England Economic Partnership. His most recent book, with co-author Lorraine Stuart Merrill, is titled Communities & Consequences, and is on the future of New Hampshire. Francese is the recipient of the Silver Bell Award from the Advertising Council for distinguished public service and is a graduate of
Cornell University. He can be reached at peter@francese.com.

Below is a chart that breaks down home sales statewide here in New Hampshire  for March 2012. As you will see, this March compared to March 2011, sales were up 16.5% statewide and the median sales price was down 3.2% to $188,750. Sales year to date are up 16.8%!

Sales in the Lake Sunapee Region for March 2012 were down 21.8% compared to the March 2011.  Sales for the first 3 months of the year though, are up just over 22% compared to 2011. The year-to-date median sales price for the Lake Sunapee Region is down $13,000 to $187,500.  To read about home sales in the Lake Sunapee Region for March, click here

If you would like more information about a property, market information about your town or just want to talk real estate, please don’t hesitate to give me a call or shoot me an email 603-252-6428 dano@colbyinc.com

To search for Sunapee Region properties, please click here 

Home sales in the Lake Sunapee Region dropped 21.8% this March compared to March 2011. The median sales price however, only dropped $1,500 to $211,000. Even though sales dipped a bit in March the numbers still look good when you compare the first three months of this year with the first three months of previous years.

The first three months of this year, sales were up 22.2% compared to 2011!

Below is the historical home sales data and what sold by town this past month.

Lake Sunapee Region Historical Home Sales

To see the full 12 month break down of sales please click here

54 homes went under agreement in the Sunapee Region this March

Andover NH

• $172,000- 131 Flaghole Road, Andover NH

Grantham NH

• $115,000- 48 Troon, Grantham NH
• $305,000- 69 New Aldrich Road, Grantham NH
• $450,000- 2 Hilltop Place, Grantham NH
• $575,000- 37 Longwood Drive, Gantham NH

• $185,000- 350 County Road, New London NH
• $425,000- 135 Brookside, New London NH

Newport NH

• $18,000- 490 Unity Road, Newport NH
• $178,000- 130 East Mountain Rd, Newport NH

Sunapee NH

• $230,000- 110 Brook Rd, Sunapee NH
• $623,000- 141 Garnet Street, Sunapee NH
• $1,200,000- 21 Scotts Cove Rd, Sunapee NH

If you have any questions about the market data or if you would like to know more about buying or selling real estate in the Lake Sunapee Region, please feel free to call 603-252-6428 or email me today! dano@colbyinc.com

Click Here to search for all Lake Sunapee Region Homes, Land and Condo’s for sale

Connect with me:     

 *All data used is from NNEREN MLS and is subject to Human Error : )

Below is a chart that breaks down home sales statewide here in New Hampshire  for February 2012. As you will see, this February compared to February 2011, sales were up 13% statewide and the median sales price was down 2.8% to $179,900.

Sales in the Lake Sunapee Region for February 2012 were up 34.78% compared to the February 2011.  The year-to-date median sales price for the Lake Sunapee Region is down $10,000 to $159,000. To read about home sales in the Lake Sunapee Region for February, click here

If you would like more information about a property, market information about your town or just want to talk real estate, please don’t hesitate to give me a call or shoot me an email 603-252-6428 dano@colbyinc.com

To search for Sunapee Region properties, please click here 

With the second month of the year down, the positive real estate trends continue. This past February had 31 sales which is the most home sales since February 2002! In 2002 there were 35 homes sales. We are up 34.78% compared to February 2011. The median sales price this February was down $10,000 to $159,000.

There are a couple big events coming up in our area that should be on your calendar.

March 17th NH SkiUp at Mount Sunapee

• If you like skiing, snowboarding, tailgating, networking, discounted ski passes and free stuff, this is the event for you!
• NH SkiUp was created as a fun way to bring people together to enjoy a low cost way of skiing/boarding, good food and quality networking with local business owners.
• $50 all day ski pass, includes all you can eat and tons of raffle prizes
• $5 if you have a seasons pass or just want to join us for lunch. This also gets you in on the raffle prizes

March 31st at Mount Sunapee

• All-day – IZSTYLE Winter Tour & Reverb Eco-Village: Features businesses and products that support a sustainable environment, all natural/organic food sampling, ski & snowboard demos and music.
• Bud Light Concert Series presents Barenaked Ladies with The Pete Kilkpatrick Band. Barenaked Ladies just released their greatest hits album, Hits From Yesterday & the Day Before, in September.

April 1st at Mount Sunapee

• All-day – IZSTYLE Winter Tour & Reverb Eco-Village: Features businesses and products that support a sustainable environment, all natural/organic food sampling, ski & snowboard demos and music.
• Bud Light Concert Series presents Guster &  Big Head Todd and the Monsters.  Guster is known for great hits such as “Amsterdam”, “Satellite” and “Do You Love Me”. Band member Adam Gardner and his wife, Lauren, founded the non-profit organization Reverb.

Below is the historical homes sales data and what sold by town this past month.

Lake Sunapee Region Historical Home Sales

To see the full 12 month break down of sales please click here

28 homes went under agreement in the Sunapee Region this February

Andover NH

• $32,500- 32 O’Neil Drive, Andover NH
• $126,900- 69 Switch Rd, Andover NH

Grantham NH

• $99,000- 11 Deer Run, Grantham NH
• $266,000- 72 Troon Drive, Grantham NH
• $270,000- 00 Stocker Pond Road, Grantham NH

• $225,000- 658 Bog Road, New London NH
• $385,000- 361 Stoney Brook Rd, New London NH
• $515,000- 62 Fox Run Lane, New London NH

Newport NH

• $55,000- 18 High Street, Newport NH
• $58,000- 88 Sargent, Newport NH
• $102,700- 324 Corbin Road, Newport NH

Sunapee NH

• $106,000- 101 Bradford Rd, Sunapee NH
• $149,000- 16 Cooper St, Sunapee NH
• $209,000- 102 North Rd, Sunapee NH
• $239,400- 50 Sioux Path, Sunapee NH
• $953,800- 31 Upper Bay Road, Sunapee NH

If you have any questions about the market data or if you would like to know more about buying or selling real estate in the Lake Sunapee Region, please feel free to call 603-252-6428 or email me today! dano@colbyinc.com

Click Here to search for all Lake Sunapee Region Homes, Land and Condo’s for sale

Connect with me:     

 *All data used is from NNEREN MLS and is subject to Human Error : )

The third annual NH Ski Up at Mount Sunapee is here. Block your calendars for Saturday March 17th. NH SkiUp at Sunapee is the best networking, skiing and tailgating event in the area!

NH SkiUp was created as a fun way to bring people together to enjoy a low cost way of skiing/boarding, good food and quality networking with local business owners. This year it’s $50 for an all day ski pass, raffle ticket and all the food you can eat. If you have a seasons pass or would just like to hang out with us, it’s only $5 to enjoy all the same benefits. Attendees are encourage to make a donation to NEHSA and NH SkiUp will also be making a donation from our proceeds.
Check out the website for more info and to register www.NHSKiUP.com

We have the same awesome sponsors from last year-

• Northcape Design Build
• Outspokin Bicycle and Sports
• Sugar River Bank
• Colby Real Estate
• db Landscaping
• Colby Insurance
• Bell Excavating
• Bonin Architects

And some fantastic news ones-

• Lumber Barn
• Yankee Farmer Market (food sponsor!)
• Marzelli’s Deli (another food sponsor!)
• Keelin Studio for Strength and Wellness

As usual tons of great prizes. Plus as you can see from our new food sponsors, lunch is going to be awesome! The first 50 people who register and attend the event get a free NH Ski Up t-shirt, so click here to register today!

Curious about the event? Check out this post about what went on last year

If you have any questions or would like to be involved in the event, please feel free to call or email me anytime!
-Dan
603-252-6428
dano@colbyinc.com