First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit The credit is available for homes purchased between April 9, 2008 and July 1, 2009. The credit amounts to 10% of the purchase price of the home not to exceed $7,500. A first-time homebuyer is defined as someone who has not owned a home in the last three years. Single taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 and married couples with incomes up to $150,000 qualify for the full tax credit. The tax credit works like an interest free loan and must be repaid over a 15 year period. A homebuyer claiming a $7,500 credit would repay the credit at $500 per year. The home owner does not have to begin making repayments on the credit until two years after the credit is claimed. So if the tax credit is claimed on the 2008 tax return, a $500 payment is not due until the 20... 10/27/2008

I found this article in Realtor.com today and thought it was worthwile sharing with you folks!  It does NOT make me feel warm and fuzzy... Government Takes $250 Billion Stake in Banks The U.S. Treasury announced plans today to purchase up to $250 billion in preferred stock from the nation's top banks. The move is part of a plan that President Bush says will help prevent recession and preserve the free market. "Government owning a stake in any private U.S. company is objectionable to most Americans - me included," Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said in a statement. "Yet the alternative of leaving businesses and consumers without access to financing is totally unacceptable. When financing isn't available, consumers and businesses shrink their spending, which leads to businesses cutting ... 10/18/2008

So much of media hype these days centers around having perfect bodies!  Everywhere you turn there are diet books, exercise programs, and fitness guru's.  What about your business health????  After authoring a satirical blog on Botox, a fellow-blogger Michael Sahlman suggested that I write something on developing your abs...here it is Michael! (If you're inclined, check out Michael's Website). The state of the market has made it imperative to try new approaches (or old ones revisited).  With that in mind, here are my tips for developing your ABS - Advanced Business Systems: #1 - Activity:  EVERY day that you work you must create result-oriented, focused ACTIVITY.  Gone are the days of donut-munching and newspaper reading (or aimless web surfing!)   (NOTEl DO NOT DO THIS!) WHAT IS RESULT-... 10/06/2008

Bartlett versus Ossipee Soccer 1-2   It was a great day for a soccer game.  Two great teams.  But sadly only one team can win.               Jim Miller did a great job as the referee.  Both teams played hard.               Ossipee made the first goal in the first half.  Bartlett came back in the second half and scored!              But as dusk fell, Ossipee scored a tie breaking score and Carter, Peter, Ian & Jon headed down field to congratulate the other team.    "We'll get you next time!"       09/30/2008

"BUY LOW, SELL HIGH!" My father and I always joke about how easy investing is, just buy low and sell high.  Well the recent market crash and upheaval in the financial industry have left everyone unsure of what to do next.  Do we bail out the Wall Street elite who made tens of millions of dollars a year selling fraudulent derivatives, and in turn send the US economy into recession for the next 5 years? Do we buy up risky mortages and put a freeze on foreclosures, allowing the average American to catch his or her breath and keep their primary homes? What should you do next, if you are planning to buy? Contact a local Mortgage Broker who lives and works in the community you are looking to buy in.  Choose an agent based on referrals from trusted, experienced Real Estate agents.  Ask them wh... 09/23/2008

Blogging is an opportunity for you to express yourself.  But what is it saying about you?  There is a website that showcases "snapshots" of our world.  Hourly, computers monitor world news and portray in pictures and words what is happening in world events.  If this computer were to track you what would it reveal about you?  What theme would dominate your life?  Blogging is a powerful medium; it is also a significant and insightful window into who you are!  What story will your blogging tell?    Are you a "joyful" blogger?  If so, you are a gift beyond comparison.  Joyful bloggers look at life through joy-filtered glasses.  Experiences that would stymie most people, doesn't faze these folks!  Often they use bad circumstances to look at their own lives and learn.  They live by this credo... 09/19/2008

On Sunday the Federal Government took over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage companies, quasi-government entities that purchase or guarantee most of the home mortgages in the U.S. & got into trouble with subprime lending.  This basically, is similar to Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. Some people are saying this is a good thing.  A good thing for the Stock Market, The Banking Industry, and the overall U.S. Economy, maybe.  Not such a good thing for the Buyers and Sellers in the real estate market.  Don't expect any positive news from this move for at least a year. The first impact of the take over will likely be a short term drop in interest rates on new mortgages of about a quarter percentage.  Not enough to change the current market conditions. Any drop in Federally funded mort... 09/08/2008

Your Dream Property! After running and owning Hotels and Inns for over 20 years prior to opening Black Bear Realty, there is nothing I enjoy more than the process of matching a hopeful innkeeper with the perfect property. I am lucky to be working with two such buyers these days. Unlike most Buyer Agents in the lodging industry I approach the search a little different.  Most Inn Brokers keep lists of Inns & B&B's that are ready to sell and try and shoe-horn the Buyers into an quick and easy fit to earn a quick and easy commission.  We do, of course, still market Inns in the White Mountains for sale such as this beautifully renovated property, The Inn At Jackson.  But, by focusing on the buyer's needs not our seasonal inventory, we have access to hundreds of properties.  But, I work backw... 08/29/2008

COULD IT GET ANY BETTER!Americans felt better about the economy in August, as a barometer of sentiment posted the biggest boost in two years amid falling gas prices. Two reports suggested that a bottom could be nearing for the housing market, but economists caution it's too early to proclaim that the worst is over. The Conference Board, a private research group, said Tuesday that its consumer confi dence index rose to 56.9, up from a revised 51.9 in July. That's the largest gain since August 2006, and is ahead of the 53 expected by economists. It's also the second month in a row that sentiment improved, after a six-month slide since January - but it remains about half what it was a year ago, and worries about the job market persisted. "It's still too early to call a bottom" on both conf... 08/27/2008

Ask The Expert "What is Going On with The White Mountain Real Estate Market?" You don't have to have a degree in economics to understand that the Vacation / Retirement market present in The White Mountains will rebound faster than other areas in NH.  Even with Foreclosures and Distressed Sales, the Carroll County market has seen a 28% increase in the median price of homes since April 2008.   So, call your agent and get a candid appraisal of the the current market.  There are great properties out there at great prices. Don't be greedy if you are a buyer or seller.  Grab the perfect mountain home for a fraction of cost of just a year ago. My son  will be glad to help you with all your Real Estate needs!  He knows more about the local market than the National Media, any day! 08/22/2008

TWO IMPORTANT THINGS HAPPENED RECENTLY IN BARTLETT, JACKSON, & NORTH CONWAY THAT AFFECT THE REAL ESTATE MARKET. First, last week, a leading gauge of U.S. home sales showed surprising strength. April pending home sales rose 6.3% from March.  This is the highest level in six months, the National Association of Realtors reported. The recent surge in oil and food prices has caused traders to bet that the Federal Reserve will increase interest rates as soon as September, following seven rate reductions in the past nine months. Increasing inflation concerns also sent mortgage rates higher last week. The prime 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose 26 basis points to 6.52% The local real estate market has benifited from bank owned property sales establishing new target prices.  These lower prices, w... 06/17/2008

MOUNT STANTON, Bartlett New HampshireIt was a perfect day for a hike.  So up the mountain we go.   Mount Stanton is an easy 2.5 hour round trip hike that is great for the family. Take Covered Bridge Lane off Rt #302 by the Covered Bridge Gift Shop & Inn.  Drive to the end of Covered Bridge Lane were it takes a hard right.  Park on the left hand shoulder of the road by the trailhead sign.     On the way up the trail you come upon this great glacial erratic.  As you climb higher the trail gets steeper and you scramble up the last little bit to get to the summit.             There are a couple of nice outlooks as you first break out of the forest.  But push on up the trail another 10 minutes.  You will appreciate the effort and get a great view!         The Slopes of Attitash across the va... 06/07/2008

Another beautiful day in Bartlett! Soccer in The White Mountains is a sign that Summer is here and the school year is coming to an end.  The Mount Washington Soccer Club coaches students from across the valley every Sunday.   Enjoy the Kids!         05/29/2008

MOUNT WASHINGTON VALLEYS K I    D A Y !!!Every year the ESSC program has a great all valley, all student, SKI DAY!This year the weather was PERFECT!  The day started out in the 30's.  Attitash had groomed the hill "to within an inch of its life".  Just kidding! It was corduroy from top to bottom. The early cold temps meant the snow set up hard and the groomers could do their magic. But for the rest of the day it was Clear and Warm!  Perfect weather for a couple of hundred kids to ski form 9am to 3pm.Thank you to everyone involved! Sit back and enjoy the smiles! Nice to have you back, Teacher!Can You Tell If They Had A Great Day? 03/11/2008

More Of TheMOUNT WASHINGTON VALLEYS K I    D A Y !!!Bartlett !SLAMOOOOOOM RACING  Everyone WON their Race. 03/11/2008

Got a lot of high resolution Real Estate photos that your client wants e-mailed to them?Down load this Microsoft resizing program and you can adjust the size of multiple images with one click.Just select the photos you want to resize by highlighting them.  Then "Right Click" and choose a size and hit OK.Done! Microsoft Image Resizer            For more information on The White Mountains or Real Estate in general contact us at www.Black-Bear-Realty.com .            03/10/2008

SPRING SKIING!Thanks to The Eastern Slope Ski Club!We had an outstanding day at Attitash today!   No Real Estate sales today, but hundreds of smiling faces!        The snow was "soft corn" with the temperatures up in the 40's.  This was the first time this year that the kids didn't have to cover every inch of exposed skin in 3 layers!     In fact the official dress for the day was....     Locals will recognize the famous "DanBo", a committed coach here at Attitash with his kids, and "The Voice Of The Mountain Meister's" at Cranmore.                Now more pictures of the kids!                              And what about the Volunteer Coachs!                                        Do Not Look Below This Line If You Do Not Want To See FUN!_________________________________________________... 03/06/2008

GOT SNOW?Bartlett NH is a winter wonderland.I think the look on my son's face says it all!  Real Estate may be slow but that's not the most important thing in life.10 Important ThingsBuilding Snow FortsHitting Dad With A SnowballCross Country SkiingHot Coco With MarshmallowsWarming Up In-front Of A FireSucking On IciclesDownhill Skiing In PowderSledding With Your BrotherEating Snow FlakesBeing Happy! 03/02/2008

NEVER TO COLD TO SKI!Here are students (and my 7 year old son in yellow) from the Bartlett school, enjoying the Eastern Slope Ski Club ski program at ATTITASH this Thursday.Boy was it cold!!!One day a week in January, February & March the kids from 1st - 6th grade leave school and head to one of three local mountains to ski.  Even "Home School" students are included.  Not a bad PE class!The Eastern Slope Ski Club has supported local ski programs for over 70 years.  We real estate agents volunteer along with 400 other local parents and skiers to coach over 1500 students a week in Alpine, Nordic and even snow shoe hiking. http://www.skimuseum.org/page.php?cid=doc92 The perfect snow conditions this year have made it a year to be remembered.  Many trails that the young ones would never have... 02/29/2008

All Right, Have You Had Enough Snow Yet?It is getting harder and harder to sell houses.  Not because of the soft real estate market, but because we can't find them under all this snow!Last night's storm dropped another 12 inches in Bartlett, North Conway & Jackson and we expect another 3-4 inches throughout the day.We are on the way to a 34 year record for snowfall.Attitash http://www.attitash.com/, is just up the notch from where I took this picture this morning.  They said they got 14 inches in the last storm.The snow is attracting lots of skiers and when we can dig through the snow to get to them, we Realtors have been doing more showings than in the past.  But Buyers are still waiting for a signal that the bottom has been hit before they make offers.So nothing to do but SKI!!!!"See ... 02/27/2008