Lincoln, NH

Out with the old and in with the new...

Lincoln New Hampshire: for the past 23 seasons the North Country center for the arts was housed in a machine room once used to makes paper.

The Old Paper mill...was turned into a theater for the last 23 summer seasons.

The Paper Mill Theater was born from the ashes of the Franconia Paper Mill the areas largest employer from the mid-1800’s through the mid 1970’s.

When Former New Hampshire Governor Sherman Adams came back to Lincoln New Hampshire to build a ski resort, many in the timber and paper industry didn’t have his vision. Fast Forward over 40 years, Loon Mountain Ski Resort is the largest ski ticket seller in the state and attracts visitors year-round. The North Country Center for the Arts new play house will be named after Sherman Adams Daughter Jean Hallager. Jean’s playhouse will boast 15,000 square feet – 250 seats and will cost over 2.5 million to complete. The New Entertainment venue will be on land donated from the town of Lincoln and will sit adjacent to the old Machine room #1, which is being torn down to make way for future expansion plans near the entrance to Loon’s new South Mountain ski area (base lodge, lift & ski slopes done).

We have waited a long time to see these old building come down and make way for the exciting Arts center and the towns new River walk park along the Pemigewasset River. By 2012 much of the anticipated ski area expansion, 20 acre park and new commercial building plans will be completed and this will forever change the face of this sleepy ski resort town that was once a paper mill town. I have high hopes for the town of Lincoln NH, Loon Mountain Ski Resort and the NCCA performing art center as a year round destination for future generations to enjoy the beautiful White mountains of New Hampshire

The first Part of the Foundation walls were poured on Monday November 16th, 2009 in a dedication ceremony attended by nearly 100 patrons of the arts...we are all very excited to have Jean's Playhouse in full operation over the next few seasons.

Rustic , Chalet, Log and Adirondack Homes...simple ski chalet have gotten bigger and much more complicated than the early days of "Camp". The early Adirondack style was a summer camp, using what ever local material was available to build. These vacation get aways where in remote places and more often than not the stone, tree bark, and local species of timber were employed to build your "camp".

A Colorado Log home shipped from across the country...stone covered foundation, and a heated driveway to keep the ice melted are construction methods available to clients that want custom conveniences in their vacation homes. People have fallen in love with the look and feel of the rustic cabin and can have as much or as little built in to their homes these days, with out the constraints of just using local timber and material.

Stone and exposed beam are employed in the Public as well as private areas of the modern ski home, featuring over 4,200 square feet of living space...and offer slope side access to your home at Loon Mountain's South peak Resort (in Lincoln NH).

All of the land I walk is technically build-able...if you have enough money and the ambition you can build anywhere. With the cost of material, labor and site work these days....compared to the value of existing resales, I would suggest buyers look at the current inventory before they settle on building. There are some wonderful properties that families just don't get to enjoy as much as they used to.

When you discover affordable farm land with stone walls, open fields and incredible views building your dream home with all the amenities and modern conveniences your family wants...is a sign building is the way to go.

Custom Post & Beam designs. log and Adirondack style homes are a great way to incorporate natural exposed materials. But these homes also have to be energy efficient and rely heavily of good insulation and high-tech heating & cooling systems. The trick is to make your modern home appear rustic and complete the exterior with wood and stone products that are still reminiscent of a camp. If you are looking for a ski home, vacation condominium or a custom designed post and beam in the White Mountains of New Hampshire give me a call.

The use of Birch bark is a nice touch. A wooded setting with views frame this home perfectly.

www.cargillconstruction.com

Most of the homes above where built by our parent company. For more of our Portfolio of homes designs and use of natural material check out our in-house builders web site.

Despite the groans of the slow market, and repeated claims that its a worse market than last year...lets take a look at actual numbers.

All Closed sales in the first 3/4 of the year (January 1st- September 30th 2008)

Land sales: 9 closed sites, Asking price 193,200 - Selling Price 175,800 ( 91% ratio) Day on market 262.

Home sales 6 closed average asking price $387,400 - Average selling $351,800 ( 91% ratio) DOM 319

Condominiums 49 closed, average asking $250,800 - Average selling $235,600 (94% ratio) DOM 202

Condominium sales fared well in the market as the best of the asking price to selling price ratio, and the shortest number of days on the market compared to the other two categories. Total sale first 9 months of 2008 for all real estate in Lincoln NH 64 units sold (compiled by Realtor transactions).

All Closed sales in the first 3/4 of the year (January 1st - September 30th 2009)

Land sales: 5 closed sites, asking price 188,300 Selling price $171,000 (91 % ratio) days on market 104

Home Sales: 10 closed Average asking $167,200 Average selling $155,800 ( 93%) days on market 193

Condominium sales: 42 closed, asking $222,300 average selling price $205,400 (92% ratio) DOM210

Selling prices were down considerable in the homes sector, but with twice as many single family homes sold over the prior years number, and total sales for all units counted as Realtor transactions 57.

I do believe the bright spot will still come before the end of the year, with a few sales closed and pending for the final quarter of 2009...in the higher end of the price range.

This home closed two weeks ago in the Landings project here in Lincoln NH for the price of $1,850,000. Several other sales are pending over $500,000 and three new homes are under construction at south peak resort in Lincoln...slope side at Loon Mountain with price tags all over $1,500,000.

South Mountain Pemi Base Camp....nearby several new custom homes are currently being built.

The Conclusion is the low end is selling with less days on the market , the high end is moving, and the middle of the market have more competition...so buyers seem to be under little pressure to make a buying decision.

All of the Home inspectors I have ever recommended are Members of Either- NACHI (National Association of Certified Home Inspectors) /or/ ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors). In addition to those affiliations and certifications the State of New Hampshire will require they be licensed by the New Hampshire Board of Home Inspectors, by January 1, 2010.

I have had a few inspection issues missed over the years and welcome the additional education and certification that a licensing body will bring to the practice of home inspections. Check out the attached NH.Gov web site for more information.

November 16, 2009

Mandatory licensing of home inspectors in effect Jan. 1

All New Hampshire REALTORS® should be advised that pursuant to New Hampshire statute RSA 310-A:189, all home inspectors practicing or conducting home inspections in the State of New Hampshire must be licensed by the New Hampshire Board of Home Inspectors by January 1, 2010.

New Hampshire RSA 310-A:189 reads as follows:

310-A:189 License Required. Beginning January 1, 2010, no person shall practice as a home inspector or conduct home inspections in this state without a home inspector's license issued by the board.

Information regarding licensure as a home inspector in New Hampshire, including a listing of New Hampshire licensed home inspectors and other pertinent information, can be found at www.nh.gov/jtboard/homeinspectors.htm.

White Mountain rains are filling Loon Mountain's snow making ponds, in time for the snow machines to get cranked up. I drove up to the ski slopes today and the Snow guns were all out and ready for the first cold snap to start blowing the white stuff.

I have to say the Late October showers and the total lack of leaves, makes me ready for a change of season. The sign winter is near the clocks falling back, Wet cold weather,and tripping over my ski bag recently signaled change. Above shot: Bear Claw trail, view of Mount Washington over my left shoulder (last year).

See you on the hill soon...Loon Mt Lincoln NH