"The Bear"

A New Member Of The Family!

This weekend we found a beautiful six month old Siamese Mix at the North Conway Humane Society www.ConwayShelter.org . He is perfect! Valerie had grown up with Siamese as a child and Thai was in need of a home. We lost our 17 year old Black Lab - Boxer Mix Winslow "Homer" The Furred last January and had waited to find someone special to fill the void. Thai is very mellow, loves to be held, and seems more like a dog than a cat.

Thai is very shy. But he is getting comfortable with us. He has started to sit with us as we read to the boys at night.

At first he wouldn't come out of his room and tried to hide in any small place he could find away from us.

Now I think Thai has started to become part of the family. He even has a "Bear" name.

TY-Bear

REALTORS push the Treasury department to drastically lower mortgage interest rates.

"What would it take to get you to buy a home in this market?"

The National Association of REALTORS have pushed the Treasury department to consider directly offering mortgages as low as 4.5% for a NEW 30 year fixed rate term. The mortgage markets have already dropped half a percent on the rumor.

But would a 4.5% mortgage make you go out and risk buying a new home or vacation property? First, you would need to ask, "Are the current 5.5% mortgages too high?" Second, if you can't qualify for a mortgage today due to bad credit or lack of a down payment, how would that change?

Over the last 5 years we have sold homes to everyone who wanted one. That is the problem. There are not a lot of people left in the "First Time Home Buyer" line. What would make a huge impact on the real estate market across the country is allowing people to re-finance at these discounted rates.

By using these 4.5% mortgages for re-financing, we lower monthly payments, eliminate the problem of adjustable rate mortgages, reduce foreclosures and increase cash available for stimulating all sectors of the economy. Most important we are offering a life line to millions of hardworking homeowners instead of a bunch of incompetent executives stock options.

Backed by issuing Treasury bonds at 3% and sold through Fannie May and Freddie Mac, these new loans would be profit generating in the long-term. The only reason the Banking industry doesn't want these rates to be used to re-finance current mortgages, is that they are greedy and want to keep those higher rate mortgages. They have no incentive to help the average homeowner as long as we keep throwing billions of dollars at them.

Take a Hike!

Fun Winter Hiking around North Conway

This time of year in the White Mountains it can be hard to get outside. The skiing is still limited to a few trails at each mountain and most people just hunker down inside.

But, if you get out and hike some of the great loop trails in and around North Conway you will love it. The woods have a totally different feel in the Winter.

The family & I took a 2 mile walk around Pudding Pond in North Conway. It's an easy trek through White Pines, Maples and Birches along the shore of a beaver pond. Here the kids are checking out the dam.

If you are planning a trip up before the Holidays give us a call or e-mail us at www.Black-Bear-Realty.com for more fun things to do in and around North Conway.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, we are celebrating the season with a festival of snow! This white gold has been falling over the last few days.

We took a little hike up to Diana's Baths off of the River Road in Bartlett. The Falls were beautiful.

The real estate market in the White Mountains is waiting to see how the economy reacts to the recent problems. Retirement buyers are still looking for deals in the upper range of the market $500k - $900k, but second home buyers, vacation rental investors and ultra high-end buyers are sitting on the sidelines. There are incredible deals to be had, but buyers need confidence that the market has reached the bottom before they come back in. By the time that announcement hits the cover of Time Magazine, it will be too late to get the best deals.

If you want a great deal, don't wait till Spring. Plan your ski trip and we will see you soon!

LET IT SNOW... LET IT SNOW.... LET IT SNOW!

The season has begun and the area ski resorts are working hard to get open for Thanksgiving!

Bretton Woods will be open on Friday the 21st and Attitash will open on the 22nd.

Everyone is looking for discounts this year and there are lots of great deals. With the economy in recession look for "Free" or "Big Deals" this year.

Attitash has a free snow belt for both kids and parents 7 days a week! If you have a little guy just starting out this is the best deal in the valley.

Bretton Woods has a $15 dollar per person to ride the "Learning Quad". A great way to transition from the snow belt and teach the kids to ride a lift. Also Bretton Woods offers locals a $15 full mountain Ticket on Sundays after Noon! The BEST deal in the white mountains!

Cranmore and Black Mountain still rule when it comes to families. If you are looking for value, variety and a mountain able to keep everyone from the Snow Bunnies to the Teen Thrashers happy, head to Cranmore. Their low ticket prices and specials like after "2pm ski free the next day" make this the number one mountain year after year!

Black Mountain in Jackson is old fashion skiing with a great value package Two adults and two juniors (Ages 6-17) can ski for $99.00 any day - $79 Midweek! (Non-Holiday Period). Plan on spending at least one day skiing Black this season, you can't beat the price and you will love the experience.

Finally there is Wildcat. They have a great progam for a total of $130, you ski & ride any 3 days you want during the 2008/09 season!

Each Mountain has lots of great deals. So don't give up on skiing this year. Just plan on moving around and trying something new.

www.SkiWildCat.com

www.Cranmore.com

www.Attitash.com

www.Blackmt.com

www.MountWashingtonResort.com

www.SkiNH.com

or feel free to call the crew at Black Bear Realty www.Black-Bear-Realty.com for our personal favorite trails and deals.