Littleton, NH — The Connecticut River flows between New Hampshire and Vermont, and people who live and work along the watery border easily cross back and forth on sometimes a daily basis for shopping, medical care and seeing friends and family. When individuals decide to sell or purchase a new home they are just as apt to crisscross the border while working with a sales associate from one of Badger Peabody & Smith Realty's New Hampshire offices.  

 "We're so close to the border, we have people looking in both states," says Andy Smith, President and CEO of Badger Peabody & Smith Realty. "Our associates who are licensed in both states help our buyers and sellers on both sides of the river. The dual license provides flexibility and continuity if our clients are selling in one state and purchasing a new home in the other – or just considering a purchase in another state."    

 Six Badger Peabody & Smith sales agents have recently obtained their Vermont licenses - Jason Cape, Jane Swett, Zach Hawkins, Steve Gorman, Doug Caulfield & Fran Matott. 

"My Vermont license allows me to handle business on both sides of the Connecticut River," said Jason Cape, a sales associate with the Littleton office. "There are a lot of people who want to sell a home in New Hampshire and purchase another in Vermont, or vice versa. Being licensed in both states is an opportunity to serve our clients better." 

 Sales associate Jane Swett, who is also with the Littleton office, agrees. "We're right on the Vermont border. As an agent, having both a New Hampshire and Vermont license widens the area where I can serve my clients because they are looking at property on both sides of the river." 

Zach Hawkins, who works out of the Littleton office as well, explains the benefit of being licensed in both states. "I actually live closer to Vermont than the Littleton office, so having the power to cross an imaginary line was inevitable. Being licensed on both sides of the river gives me the opportunity to better serve clients searching for real estate throughout the Northeast Kingdom. Our sister state has so much in common, and it draws many people for similar reasons people want to move to New Hampshire. Now I can stay with clients and help them reach their goals in a broader region. Looking forward to helping clients reach their real estate goals in the Green Mountain state." 

 "It just makes good sense," says sales associate Steve Gorman who lives in Vermont and works out of the Franconia office. "With both licenses I'm able to fully serve our customers." 

Doug Caulfield, a sales associate in the Franconia office, notes that holding dual licenses makes it easier for clients who are looking on both sides of the Connecticut River. "If they are selling in one state and buying in the other, for instance, they don't have to change agents mid-stream. It's an optimal situation for our clients as it streamlines the process." 

For Fran Matott, sales associate in Littleton, the Vermont license has enabled him to help a good friend as well. Matott said, "I'm glad to have my VT license because I can see the mountains of Vermont from my home in Littleton and it made perfect sense to be able to serve my clients in an area that is so close. Ironically, only two days after receiving my license, a good friend called and remarked 'I hope you're licensed in Vermont.' I was happy to answer with a resounding "yes" and have since had the pleasure of helping them secure a property."

 Badger Peabody & Smith Realty is the North Country, Mt. Washington Valley, Lakes Region of NH, Western Maine and Northeast Kingdom of Vermont representatives of LeadingRE (www.LeadingRE.com). With a membership that spans six continents, LeadingRE connects more than 550 firms and 135,000 sales associates who produce over 1.1 million real estate transactions each year. With combined resources of over 60 full time agents, and eight offices, Badger Peabody & Smith Realty can be reached online at www.badgerpeabodysmith.com.