Monique Tenander, Waterfront Specialist

Every year that I have been in business I have tried to offer something that would help others as well as help me market my real estate business. In the past I have offered sellers who have listed with me a free home warranty if they sold their homes with me, and have offered buyers who have purchased homes through me a free home inspection with the home inspector of their choice. This year I want to try something a little different. I have been very forturnate to have two very healthy teenage sons and feel it is time to help others less forturnate than I. I have come across the charity called "The Smile Train."

The Smile Train is the world's leading cleft charity with thousands of partners and programs in 75 of the world's poorest countries. Their mission is to help more than 3 million children in developing countries who are suffering with unrepaired clefts. The free surgery and related treatment that they sponsor is performed by a local medical team in a local hospital. This "teach a man to fish" strategy builds in-country capacity while helping very poor but very proud communities become self-sufficient, one smile at a time.

For as little as $250 and in as little as 45 minutes, they can provide cleft surgery that gives a child not just a new smile, but a new life.

Since its beginning in 2000, The Smile Train has provided more than 335,000 free surgeries for children who would otherwise never have received it. They have also helped train tens of thousands of medical professionals and they manage more than 686 programs with a small staff of 38 people.

For each home transaction closed in 2009, I will donate $250 in honor of my buyer or seller client to "The Smile Train." List or sell with me in '09 and together we can change the world "One transaction and One Smile" at a time!!

Bob Harding the owner of Meadowbrook US Cellular Pavilion in Gilford, NH hosted a party on Sunday at Meadowbrook in celebration of his life. You see, Bob was diagnosed lung cancer a year ago. He thought "What good is it to come see me when I'm in the ground and can't talk to you?" He also said that the Irish have a tradition of doing things like this. The concert venue he built over 10 years ago was filled with over 300 family, friends and business associates. Some that attended included Citadel Radio VP Bob Adams, South Shore Music Circus and Cape Cod Melody Tent GM Vince Longo, as well as Verizon Wireless Arena GM Tim Bechert.

Since 1995, the venue has brought in some big names for all the Lakes Region to enjoy. Some of the performers have been Emmylou Harris, Boston Pops, Tim McGraw, Sugarland, Clay Aiken, and Reba McIntyre just to name a few. For more information regarding upcoming shows and ticket availablity at Meadowbrook, go to www.meadowbrook.net.

The media has hit the real estate business very hard in the past year. But what most people do not understand is that it is not all bad, everywhere. Last week the National Association of REALTORS reported that out of all the existing homes sold last year, 33% were not primary residences, they were vacation homes or investment properties.

The amount of investment homes that were purchased last year was 21% compared to 22% in 2006. The vacation home market was at 12% compared to 14% in 2006. That is not a huge drop. What this tells us is that there is still a large number of buyers out there with money to spend. From these numbers 19% of the vacation homes were purchased in the Northeast.

And now that April has finally arrived and the snow is finally starting to melt, we should begin to see more vacation type properties come on the market. Currently in Belknap County there is a wide range of waterfront properties available.

Beginning at $99,000 for a small cottage on Silver Lake in Tilton with 10' of its own waterfrontage...

and up to $4,995,000 for a 6,500 square foot, newly built home on Governor's Island in Gilford with 255' of waterfrontage on Lake Winnipesaukee...

This is a great time to buy!! If most homes are put under contract within the next month, you can plan on being in for the beginning of summer!!

I have years of experience representing buyers and sellers on waterfront or water access properties from the smallest pond to the largest lake. Please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss listing your property or to schedule a tour of available properties in your price range. I look forward to helping you...

"I'll Make Your Dream Home, Your Next Home!"

Grouse Point Club is a gated community on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee in the town of Meredith, New Hampshire. The community consist of 19 condominium style homes and 63 single family homes with a condominum form of ownership. The community fees help with the maintenance of the amenities and common areas. There are seperate fees for the docks and moorings. Some of the amenities that are available to Grouse Point residences are; a 7000 sq foot club house that is open year round to residents and their guest, an indoor heated pool, fitness room overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee, function room, library and manager's office. There is also an outdoor sundeck with grills for cooking. There are 3 sugar sand beaches. One beach is for launching watercraft and the other two are for swimming. The Yacht Club has 35 docks and currently 20 moorings. Two of the docks are owned by the club and the others are owned privately by the residents. The moorings are by seniority. Once you have a mooring to use, you are allowed to use the mooring as long as you continue to have a registered watercraft. You will also find a Dockmaster to help prepare your boat for a day on the Lake. There are also 2 lighted tennis courts, playground and basketball hoops located near the club house. Most residents travel through the community and the waterfront by way of golf cart.Grouse Point Yacht Club...

Homes at Grouse Point were carefully planned and built by one of New Hampshire's most reputable builders. There are many home styles with some situated high on granite cliffs overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee very much like this one that I sold in April of 2007.

It consisted of over 4,000 square feet of living space, 11 rooms, 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, 2 car attached garage, open concept living with gas fireplace, sunroom, large private master suite and an oversized deck overlooking the Lake.

Gouse Point is only minutes from downtown Meredith where there is plenty of shopping at Mills Falls Marketplace and fine dining in the many restaurants that Meredith has to offer.

Currently there are 4 homes available for sale in Grouse Point beginning at $639,000. "The Bear House" which was redone in 2006 offers superb views of Lake Winnipesaukee and the mountains. Some of the homes amenities are the 3 fireplaces, an in-home gym, pool room with cd juke box, 2nd kitchen, sauna and hot tub on the deck. The home comes furnished and has a boat slip included. This home is being offered at $2,399,000.

Please contact me for more information or to schedule a tour of Grouse Point Club in Meredith, NH.

Monique Tenander | Associate Broker
"I Make Your Dream Home, Your Next Home!"

Bean Group | 10 Endicott Street | P.O.Box 450 | Wolfeboro, NH 03894 | cell 603.387.8235 | direct 603.875.7431 | fax 760.875.7438

Photo by: Mike McDavitt

Are you tired of being couped up in your house due to all the snow??

If you are looking for a great time, bring your friends and family to the Alton Bay Winter Carnival this weekend. It will be held on February 17th with lots to do. The most popular event is the Great Alton Bay Bed Race. Meredith Village Savings Bank will be donating cash prizes to the top finishers. In order to participate, you must create a bed, any size will do. Most people put skis on the bottom. A team of 5, 4 people pushing and 1 on the bed. Cleats or spikes are not allowed and it is advised that the person on the bed wear a helmet. Pre-registration is required by February 11th. You can register by calling the Alton Parks and Recreation Department at 603-875-0109 or email at parksrec@alton.nh.gov.

The schedule for the day is as follows;

8 am Pancake Breakfast and later a Hotdog/Hamburger Lunch at Alton Bay Christian Center

9 am to 4 pm Plane Fly-in

9 am to 1 pm Kid's and Adult Fishing Derby

11 am Snowshoe Obstacle Course- all ages and prizes

11:30 am to 12 noon Puppet Show at the Shoppes on the Bay building

12:30 pm Tug-of War- all ages

1 pm D.J. Music and Ice Bowling

1:30pm- Family Scavenger Hunt with prizes

2:00pm- Cross Country Skiing- Pre-register by 2/13;

2:45pm- Parade of Beds

3:00pm- The Great Alton Bay Bed Race- cash prizes donated by Meredith Village Savings Bank awarded to top finishers

3:30pm- Hat Parade and Crazy Hat Contest-all ages and prizes

3:30pm- Name the Penguin Contest Winner announced-all ages and prizes

Hot food and drinks will be available for purchase from the Alton Business Association tent.

Storm date is scheduled for Sunday, February 24.

Photo by: Mike McDavitt