new hampshire real estate

NORTH CONWAY, NH — Badger Peabody & Smith Realty's new Vice-President of Sales, Brendan Battenfelder, first visited northern New Hampshire and the Mount Washington Valley as a 14-year-old to hike the Presidential Mountain Range.

That initial visit set him on a trajectory to settle in the area in 2002 and "share the region I love with so many," he says. He joined the North Conway office of Badger Realty, now Badger Peabody & Smith Realty, a dozen years ago as a sales associate.

In his new role as Vice-President of Sales for the company, he intends to "help foster professionalism and grow and support agent talent, along with finding the resources to develop educational opportunities for agents and other staff." He will also continue as managing broker at the North Conway office to provide day-to-day operational leadership and agent support.

A Penn State graduate with a degree in Forest Management, Battenfelder is an Eagle Scout and has the distinction of paddling the length of the Mississippi River in 93 days. "I tend to go after my goals at full speed," he says. "My career with Badger Peabody & Smith has offered me the ability to explore the region, meet amazing individuals and to help others achieve their goals."  

With his wife Lauren, two daughters and one son, the family actively looks for opportunities to climb, bike, paddle, hike, horseback ride and ski across the region enjoying its rural beauty and sense of adventure.

"In his new position, Brendan will be providing support and oversight across the company," says Andy Smith, President of Badger Peabody & Smith Realty. "We value his expertise and talent, and Brendan's deep understanding of the real estate market will help all of our clients in their buying and selling decisions."

Badger Peabody & Smith Realty are the  North Country, Mt. Washington Valley, Lakes Region of NH, Western Maine and Northeast Kingdom of Vermont representatives of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®. 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. 

BERLIN, NH — Future plans of being her own boss at a real estate agency and the opportunity to meet and help people find a home are among the motivating factors that led Berlin Middle High School senior Jennifer Woodward to a semester-long internship at Badger Peabody & Smith Realty's Berlin office.

The internship is a component of the Extended Learning Opportunities program that is open to juniors and seniors at the high school. Program coordinator Brynna Kelley helps students with their plans for the future and that includes partnering with local businesses so they can gain real life experience in a field in which they are interested. "Our program and the internships offer personalized learning and college and career readiness opportunities," she says. "It becomes a transformative experience for the students."

Badger Peabody and Smith Realty supports several community outreach initiatives in the areas of home, health and education, says Janet Nickerson, Managing Broker at the Berlin office, "so this was a very good fit for us when the high school contacted us about a possible internship."

Nickerson cites her own experience as a teen and that of her kids in describing why the school to career program is so beneficial. "You have so many ideas of possible careers, from ballerina to scientist," she says. "A program like this gives students the opportunity to solidify their interests and discover if they really want to pursue a career in a particular area. The internship is a great opportunity for Jen to learn about the real estate business and also benefits us because internships give us a pool of potential new agents we can recruit."

Woodward's semester-long internship runs from February through the end of the school year. She is at the real estate office for one-and-a-half hours five days a week. As part of her internship, she is journaling about her experience and must write a final project paper.

Since her internship began, she has had numerous opportunities to participate in many aspects of the real estate business. "I've learned how to do the paperwork that goes into listing and selling the properties, along with going out to meet clients, going to inspections, and sitting through closings," she says. "All of the agents have been so welcoming, and they include me in everything they have been doing. It has been an amazing learning experience that I am so appreciative to be a part of."

Woodward notes that she grew up moving quite a few times and all of the houses her family lived in needed renovations. "My dad would do the work himself. With those experiences I became very fascinated with the process of buying, renovating and selling properties."

Once she graduates, Woodward plans to get her real estate license by the end of the summer and "hopefully continue working with Badger Peabody & Smith Realty. Eventually, I would love to create my own home renovation business while continuing to be an agent," she says.

Based on her experience, Woodward recommends that all students spend at least half a semester doing an internship in a field they are interested in.

"An internship is a great way to help students decide what career path they want to go into after graduation," she notes. "My internship is for the whole semester and in the few weeks I have been at Badger Peabody & Smith Realty so far, I have gained so much knowledge about real estate. I can't thank them enough for this opportunity."

Badger Peabody & Smith Realty are the North Country, Mt. Washington Valley, Lakes Region of NH, Western Maine and Northeast Kingdom of Vermont representatives of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. 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 65 full time agents, and eight offices, Badger Peabody & Smith Realty can be reached online at www.badgerpeabodysmith.com.

Franconia, NH – Two of the leading real estate firms serving New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont, Badger Realty and Peabody & Smith Realty have merged, creating Badger Peabody & Smith Realty.  

Andy Smith, President of Badger Peabody & Smith Realty said, "We've been very deliberate and thoughtful for the last year as we really worked to bring the best of our two brands together. Both brands have always been very similar in that we work as a team, and we meet the needs of our clients first. For us, this was a natural progression and we worked with everyone across both of our teams to best combine our strengths and merge our two brands and rebrand them as one solid firm – Badger Peabody & Smith Realty." 

Smith added, "Both the brand names, Badger Realty and Peabody & Smith Realty, have been synonymous as leaders in our marketplaces – representing property sellers and buyers in Northern, Central, the White Mountains and Lakes Region of New Hampshire, in addition to servicing the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and Western Maine. We knew the time was right to combine these two successful brands into one."  

He added, "Our goal has always been, and will continue to be, the commitment to put the needs of our clients first and foremost while best supporting our agents and staff and our local communities. We have a dedicated team of full-time real estate agents, now over 65 REALTORS®, and have the ability to promote our clients' properties both locally and globally through our affiliation with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® and Luxury Portfolio®." 

Badger Peabody & Smith Realty will be led by Andy Smith, while Badger Realty Managing Partner Brenda Leavitt will continue at Badger Peabody & Smith Realty in a senior advisor role through May. Leavitt began her career with Badger Realty over 40 years ago, becoming a partner with founding owner, Dick Badger, to create the leading real estate firm in the greater Mt. Washington Valley and western Maine.  

Leavitt said, "With the changes in the industry, it was important to the Badger family and me to ensure that the company has what's needed to stay at the forefront of the industry. Joining with Peabody & Smith Realty is a win for the staff, the community and the people we serve. The merger will enable us to offer more services and expand into new areas, all while keeping the same shared philosophies and values. And as always, the focus will be on how to better serve consumers." 

In 2021, both firms combined took part in over 1400 transactions throughout New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont with grand total gross sales over $447 million dollars in all property categories. This level of production places Badger Peabody & Smith Realty as one of the largest independently owned real estate firms in New Hampshire. 

Badger Peabody & Smith Realty has resources of over 65 full time agents, 21 staff members and eight offices in Berlin, Bretton Woods, Franconia, Holderness, Jackson, Littleton, North Conway and Plymouth, NH. In addition, they have a dedicated commercial real estate team as well. As part of the merger, Badger Peabody & Smith Realty has launched a new website www.BadgerPeabodySmith.com with many new features. Contact information for all agents and staff can be found on the website. 

Berlin Office

Bretton Woods Office

Franconia Office

Holderness Office

Jackson Office

Littleton Office

North Conway Office

Plymouth Office

New Hampshire is renowned for its breathtaking autumn vistas, when the mountains become a patchwork of reds, golds, and oranges. Peak foliage season begins in New Hampshire early in the season, with the Great North Woods showing moderate to peak hues in mid-September. Further south, in the White Mountains and Lakes Region, the best times to see the changing leaves is throughout October. With the advent of technology like online foliage trackers, you can schedule a trip that perfectly coincides with the height of autumn beauty in New Hampshire. Have a beautiful New Hampshire autumn!

1. New Hampshire Foliage Tracker

The foliage tracker provided by New Hampshire's state tourism department is one of the most user-friendly peak foliage tools available. The sliding bar lets you select any date between early August and late November. The color-coded map will indicate the state of foliage throughout New Hampshire at that time. Red indicates peak foliage, pinpointing the ideal time for a vacation or scenic drive.

2. White Mountains Foliage Tracker

The White Mountains are alive with color starting in early October. The region is crisscrossed with scenic drives, including the Northern Loop, the Southern Loop, and the White Mountains Trail National Scenic Byway. Your travels will take you through quintessential New England scenery, from quaint covered bridges to historic Underground Railroad sites. This area is also popular for hiking and outdoor recreation. The White Mountains tourism department maintains a foliage tracking page with user-submitted photos as well as regional reports on prevalent leaf colors.

3. New Hampshire Fall Scenic Drives

Nearly every region in New Hampshire offers an abundance of photo-worthy views, if you know where to look. The New Hampshire page at Visit New England offers excellent suggestions for scenic drives by region, providing links to maps and area attractions. Featured drives include the Kancamagus Highway, the Pinkham Notch Loop, and the Lake Winnipesaukee Loop. If you're interested in real estate in scenic New Hampshire, contact us today to find out more about homes for sale in the White Mountains and the Lakes Region.

In the dog days of summer, it's only natural for people to want to stay cool. But if you're in the beautiful Lakes Region of New Hampshire, there's no point staying inside with the air conditioning on when you could be taking a dip in one of the many pristine lakes in the area. Is your favorite lake for taking a swim on our list? Wade in and take a look!

Lake Winnipesaukee

It comes as no surprise that Lake Winnipesaukee is number one on our list. Covering about 70 square miles, it's New Hampshire's largest lake.  And being that Winnipesaukee translates to "beautiful water in high places," it shouldn't surprise you that it's also great for swimming. Lake Winnipesaukee features a handful of public beaches for swimming or visitors can boat out to one of the lake's 250-plus islands for a more secluded swimming experience. If you're dreaming of your own Winnipesaukee lakefront home, our listings include many remarkable properties that put the beautiful water within easy reach. 

Winnisquam Lake

New Hampshire's fourth-largest lake is also one of the more convenient ones in the Lakes Region to reach, located right off of three major through roads. Aside from offering excellent swimming for the whole family, the lake is also home to many species of fish from rainbow trout to northern pike. A Winnisquam Lake waterfront home, of course, is  a wonderful way to have the lake right in your front yard.

Lake Wentworth

Covering over 3,000 acres, Lake Wentworth is New Hampshire's seventh-largest lake. It's easily accessed for swimming via two public access points and is considered a smaller and more secluded lake compared to the nearby Lake Winnipesaukee. It's perfect for a family day trip that includes swimming and picnicking.

Silver Lake

The Lakes Region has more than one Silver Lake. We mean the one in Hollis that gives Silver Lake State Park its name. One of the neat things about this smaller Lakes Region lake is that it features many natural springs. Another nice feature that pertains to swimming is that Silver Lake doesn't have a public boat launch. And while boats are permitted on the lake, they can only exceed speeds of 10 miles per hour at certain hours of the day. New Hampshire's Lakes Region offers year-round lakefront living and memorable lakeside vacations. Contact us today to learn more.

"Lake Winnipesaukee – New Hampshire" by Doug Kerr is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

On Thanksgiving night on November 28, 2013, disaster struck in the small Lakes Region town of Moultonborough, New Hampshire. About one hour after the last employee left The Woodshed, a favorite local restaurant and bar, fire broke out in the 19^th century farmhouse. The beloved landmark restaurant, in business since 1979, burned to the ground. A popular dining venue, The Woodshed's demise was lamented by locals and visitors alike. Some said that it felt like a piece of the town was destroyed, while others wondered where they would go to meet family and friends. [caption id="attachment_3925" align="alignright" width="275"] PHOTO BY DAN SEUFERT/UNION LEADER CORRESPONDENT[/caption] Thankfully, one of the regulars got wind of the property going up for sale earlier this year. Real estate broker G. Arnold Haynes bought the property and immediately started making plans to reopen the neighborhood favorite. Now, thanks to a seasoned manager, an experienced executive chef, and some of the original employees, the Woodshed—the New Woodshed—is back in business. The New Woodshed is housed in a relocated, circa 1810 barn, sure to evoke the same kind of nostalgia that the original Woodshed inspired. Complete with pub, dining room, and farmhouse porch, the New Woodshed is already delighting old regulars and new customers in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. What inspired Mr. Haynes to go to all the trouble of relocating a Strafford County barn, board by board, to Lee Road? Perhaps he's a bit of a romantic. After all, the original Woodshed restaurant was where he and his wife Carol enjoyed meals together. It's a love story with a practical twist. When Mr. Haynes found out that long-time owners Lyn Seley and Bob Fee weren't planning to rebuild, he took it upon himself to raise the barn, so to speak. Now visitors to the region can enjoy a similar ambiance and experience at the New Woodshed. Executive Chef Siobhan Magee and Sous Chef Ed Bigwood are serving up succulent prime rib, along with delectable fare like scallops wrapped in Applewood smoked bacon, classic New England clam chowder, shucked little neck clams, and Atlantic lobster steamed to perfection. The New Woodshed is truly an example of honoring the past and looking to the future. It's this kind of devotion to tradition that makes the Lakes Region of New Hampshire a great place to live. Contact us today to find your home among friends on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee.  

There's no better time to express our appreciation to our valued clients and friends. From all of us at Peabody & Smith Realty, our warmest wishes for a Thanksgiving filled with family, friends, happiness, and all the bountiful joys of the season!

Farmer's markets in Central New Hampshire are a staple, so buying real estate within proximity of them is a no brainer. Here is the essential information you need to know about central NH farmer's markets in our wonderful family-oriented towns. The Plymouth Farmer's Market The Plymouth Senior Center hosts this farmer's market every Thursday from May to September. The market takes place between 3 PM and 6 PM. You can feast on the freshest local fruits, vegetables, baked goods, meat and even personal care products. EBT cards are accepted here. The Ossipee Farmer's Market Also known as the Granary's Farmers and Artisans Market, this is a year-round celebration of the freshest foods and flowers along with meat and crafts. The people who run this market run it rain or shine. The Laconia Farmers' Market Located at 45 Beacon St. E. every Saturday is the Laconia Farmer's Market. This is another rain or shine market that runs from 8 AM to noon from June to September. You can buy local fruits, plants, maple, meats and baked goods here along with maple products. So what is so special about these markets? The farmer's markets bring together towns in Central New Hampshire as a community. Nearly every major city in New Hampshire has one, joined by the New Hampshire Farmer's Market Association. Follow this link for an official list from the New Hampshire government about the farmer's markets in your area with contact information and times of service. You may also join the New Hampshire Farmer's Market Association (NHFMA) for more information about the culture. To find out more about Central NH real estate that is near to farmer's markets, please call or email our offices today. We are ready to help you find the best lifestyle possible for your family.

Welcome to fall, it's a wonderful time of year here in New Hampshire! With so many fun outdoor activities and amazing colors that change before our eyes, we are lucky to call this place "home". We thought we would ask one of our agents, what are some of the fun things you think folks would like to do and where they might be located.

Here are some suggested fall activities from our own, Carmen Burns!

 

• [caption id="attachment_3254" align="alignright" width="200"] Read more about Carmen Burns![/caption] If you like outdoor activities…kayaking or canoeing on the Pemi (short for Pemigewasset) or Baker Rivers is gorgeous, and Stinson Lake in Rumney sits in a little mountain bowl, just bursting with color at this time of year.
• Lots of great hiking trails all through the White Mountain National Forest in every local town. Just pick your favorite one!
• The folks who like riding ATV's and UTV's should check out the trail system coming out of Warren, NH. Miles and miles and riders are allowed to drive right through town to get gas and eat at Calamity Jane's.
• If you are into rock climbing, the Rumney Rocks are now world famous and located in the quaint town of Rumney, NH. There is a new B & B opening called the Little House and the Common Café and Tavern that has great food all day long. The Rumney Rocks Bistro serves lunch and dinner and has some yummy choices too!
• If you are looking for night time activities you can catch a live performance at either the Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Theater or the Silver Center for the Arts at Plymouth State University in downtown Plymouth.
• [caption id="attachment_3255" align="alignright" width="300"] Rumney Rocks[/caption] If shopping is your game, there are some cute shops on Main Street in Plymouth. Dressers Unlimited has great antique and re-purposed furniture in addition to awesome clothing selections.
• Also in Plymouth, Artistic Roots has a wonderful array of hand crafted items and some unique and beautiful original art.
• A few miles west on Route 25 in Plymouth you'll find a shop called Inspire to Knit, that carries all types of yummy and colorful yarns, books and patterns for the knitter. It's a sensory wonder!
• Almost next door is North Country Quilters & Sew and Vac, great fabric, notions and sewing machines. They will get you going on that project you've been wanting to do for the last 5 years.
• If you are a bargain hunter, maybe the Tanger Factory Outlets in Tilton, a half hour from Plymouth, will hold some appeal. There is a huge variety of clothing, shoes and home goods.

Read more about Carmen Burns here.