The White Mountains---One of the Most Beautiful Places in America

It comes as no surprise that the White Mountains region was named one of the most beautiful places in America by Jetsetter.com. 

Whether you like to to ski, hike, swim, camp, or simply bask in the views while driving through the Kancamagus Highway, the White Mountains have something to offer everyone during every season. Many are wondering what attractions are still accessible under the current Stay at Home 2.0 restrictions:

• Even with most events cancelled for the summer due to the pandemic, there are still many trails open to enjoy while practicing social distancing. 
• Select campgrounds are beginning to open at fifty percent capacity to New Hampshire residents. 
• Certain state parks (including Flume Gorge, one of my favorites) have an online day-use reservation system.  
• Golf courses are open in the towns of North Conway, Bretton Woods, Jackson, Bethlehem, and Whitefied. 
• Restaurants are now able to offer outdoor dining. Of course, takeout is still an option. It will be beautiful weather for a picnic this holiday weekend. 

So, despite the limitations, there is still so much that the White Mountains have to offer. Have a happy and safe Memorial Day!

~I Love My Mountain Life

Website: http://ilovemymountainlife.com

Email: 

lovewhitemountaiife@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/NHmountains/about/?ref=page_internal

Fenton's New Hampshire Adventures

Meet Fenton, my canine travel companion:

No words make my grand-dog, Fenton, happier than "go for a ride?". In all of his nine years, the thrill of going on a ride has not dimmed in the least. We recently took advantage of the beautiful Spring weather in the White Mountain area of New Hampshire. We visited Lincoln, Thornton, Chocorua, Bretton Woods, Carroll and North Conway. With an ample amount of spots to chose from to stop for a walk and a photo, it was easy to maintain safe social distancing during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. A few of our photos can be seen in the video above. By the end of the day, Fenton was happy to resume his spot on the couch to rest up for his next adventure.

One of the many benefits of living in New Hampshire is always being nearby a breathtaking view, whether it be a short ride away or right outside your window. This has become especially beneficial during the uncharted situation we are all facing with the coronavirus. Being amongst nature feels like an instant reset. My appreciation for getting to live in such a lovely state is abundant right now! I hope to help you find a home in this area so that you can also reap the benefits of all that the nature of New Hampshire has to offer. 

Visit my website to see the current homes available and contact me to schedule a viewing. I can do both virtual and in-person. 

~I Love My Mountain Life

Website: http://ilovemymountainlife.com

Email: 

lovewhitemountaiife@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/NHmountains/about/?ref=page_internal

Real Estate is Essential!

With all non-essential businesses being closed until further notice, you may be wondering if real estate is considered essential. 
In Maine, Governor Janet Mills has recently declared real estate as an essential business. She stated that buying and selling homes during this unprecedented time "is difficult but it is possible". In New Hampshire, Governor Sununu has also declared realtors essential. 
So while you may be holding off from entering the real estate market until the "stay-at-home" orders have been lifted, keep in mind that we're still open for business! Although there won't be any open houses due to the limits on group gatherings, staying six feet apart at property showings is still entirely possible. Realtors are strictly following the CDC's protective measures, including cleaning and disinfecting all touched surfaces, frequent hand washing and practicing strict social distancing. I make sure to keep a face mask on at all times during showings and bring extras, along with plenty of hand sanitizer. 
Prior to an in-person showing, virtual showings of homes are offered and taking a drive around the neighborhood to see how you like the area is encouraged. 
When it comes to the buying process, it is still possible to complete all the required documents while maintaining social distancing with the help of newly passed provisions by congress. Safe closings can also be arranged in which only the minimum required people are in a room at once. 
For the full list of real estate guidelines being followed, visit National Association of Realtors website. 

~I Love My Mountain Life

Website: http://ilovemymountainlife.com

Email: 

lovewhitemountaiife@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/NHmountains/about/?ref=page_internal

Photo Credit: www.dreamstime.com

Real Estate in a Post-Quarantined World

After weeks of being quarantined due to the Corona virus, those who are either looking to buy or sell their homes must be wondering if the real estate market will ever go back to the pre-Coronavirus days. 

In a recent article on Fox News, real estate experts proclaim that "there is no need to fear putting your home on the market" (read article here). To build on my previous blog post, virtual tours of homes are becoming a necessary new normal for the current situation. While it may feel odd now, there is a good chance that increased reliance on technology will continue even after the current quarantine is over.
As we see with many other elements of our lives, technology has become integrated in ways that we likely would have never imaged a few decades ago. Remember when phones were just used for making and receiving calls? Now we have advanced computers in the palms of our hands and think nothing of it. You can even buy cars using only an app. It's inevitable that real estate is heading in that direction as well, we are just seeing it happen at an unusually rapid pace due to our current state of home-quarantine. 
We can use this time to acclimate to the new role of technology in real estate, and even embrace it and the creativity that comes along with it. I personally enjoy talking "walks" around neighborhoods using Google Earth to see what the area surrounding a home is like. 
Contact me for more information on doing virtual tours! 

~I Love My Mountain Life

Website: http://ilovemymountainlife.com

Email: 

lovewhitemountaiife@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/NHmountains/about/?ref=page_internal

Photo Credit: Karissa Ostheimer

New Hampshire Life - It's Good For Your Health

During a time when many people in the world are housebound due to the coronavirus pandemic, there is also an undoubted outbreak of cabin fever, especially as the new warmth of Spring invites us outside. 



If you live in a dense urban setting, this can be downright painful! Getting outside and exercising in fresh air is deemed an essential activity in the stay-at-home executive orders being enforced in many states, including New Hampshire, but it also comes with the rule of staying at least six feet apart from other people. 
The "living free" part of New Hampshire's state's slogan, "Live Free or Die" is certainly striking a chord in a lot of people right now. Thankfully, it is possible to follow the executive order while embracing the beauty of Spring in this scenic state. 
The simple act of being out in nature offers both physical and mental benefits that we all could use now more than ever. From reduced anxiety, improved focus and creativity, and a stronger immune system, there's nothing like a good dose of nature.
 Living in New Hampshire means you likely aren't far from a quiet trail to walk (Find nearby trails easily on https://www.alltrails.com/us/new-hampshire). It's still possible to submerse yourself in this state's beauty with zero chance of face-to-face contact with other people just by getting in your car and going for a calming ride through one of the many picturesque roads here (the Kancamagus Highway is a particular favorite). 
Whether it's to view the striking mountain scenery or the serene lakes, the health benefits of nature can be right outside your door.  
If you are searching for a home close to nature, I offer virtual showings of my listings so you can get the full experience of your new home without having to step foot from your current one. Contact me for more information!

~I Love My Mountain Life

Website: http://ilovemymountainlife.com

Email: 

lovewhitemountaiife@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/NHmountains/about/?ref=page_internal

Photo Credit: Karissa Ostheimer

COVID-19’s Impact on the Real Estate Market

Unless you’ve been burrowing in an igloo in Antarctica for the past few weeks, your life has inevitably become deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic regardless of if you’ve contracted the dreaded virus or not.

Life as we know it has drastically changed in the blink of an eye. I’m sure this is not what anyone had in mind at the start of 2020! 

With the economy being dealt a hard blow by this, the real estate market is particularly impacted due to the necessity of person-to-person interaction in the home-buying process. The rules of home buying as we knew it must undergo drastic changes in order to thrive in the new (hopefully temporary!) requirements for a quarantined lifestyle. 

While the days of going to view a house for sale in-person seem like yesteryear, people still need to buy and sell homes. So how will the real estate market navigate this uncharted terrain? 

With the situation undergoing drastic changes on a day to day basis, it is impossible to know for sure what lies ahead but the short video series below provides a clearer picture of what we are dealing with.

After watching, hopefully you are able to step outside for awhile to breath in some fresh Spring air!

~I Love My Mountain Life