Articles Tagged "franconia nh real estate agents"

You're Invited! Badger Peabody & Smith Realty is having an Annual Customer Appreciation BBQ!

We couldn't do what we do without you... our customers and community! Please join us at our Annual Customer Appreciation BBQ on Friday, July 8th from 4 to 7pm at our Franconia office on 383 Main Street.

Come to say hello, meet some new faces and enjoy something to eat from the grill.

We look forward to seeing you and offering our thanks.

EVERYONE is welcome.

*Rain or Shine - We'll be under a tent.

So it was my turn this week to talk about my desk and my favorite things in my office, we are going to change it up a bit.  Instead we are going to talk about the dichotomy of the work office, the ying/yang of what an office really looks like and how its occupant views their space. First let me describe my office.  I have an office with windows on two sides, I am very lucky.  I look out towards the Dow Academy and Dow field, as well as down Main Street.  I have a perfect view of the hub of Franconia.  I get to see the activity and happenings of Franconia--the mountains, the lunchtime walkers, the weekend pickup soccer games and the occasional screech of tires from the intersection (Please be careful going through the main street intersection). I have an overhead light which I took the bulbs out of, I don't like the hum of fluorescent lights.  A bonus is I need to leave at 4:30 in the winter since it is dark outside.  When I first moved into the office, I had the grand plan to make it an extension of my home, you know pictures of the family, maybe a plant, nice pictures on the wall.  Then the phone started ringing and the emails started and work became very busy (seriously… there is little inventory of houses right now, if you want to sell, please call Peabody & Smith) and those plans had to be put on hold.  It is now almost 8 years later and I have settled in to my routine and my office. I struggle each day between the minimalist I want to be and the real estate professional I am.  I struggle with wanting to go paperless and the endless paper trails that come with the job.  I struggle with wanting to walk at lunch and working hard to keep the inbox empty. I struggle with my thoughts of my perfectly cleaned office and the mess it probably is. To help you understand (and sympathize) I have included a few pictures.  The first is how I see my office…Minimal, clean, organized. [caption id="attachment_3539" align="aligncenter" width="325"] How I see my office...[/caption] [caption id="attachment_3538" align="aligncenter" width="327"] How my office really looks.[/caption] And how it really looks. Papers, contracts, my empty soda (don't tell my wife I am still drinking soda), a broken chair… I do have a few favorite things.  A picture of a golfing scene which hung on my father's office wall, a picture of my wife and when we met and a picture of our kids. I have settled in and I am happy with my office.  Each day I arrive, I vow to clean up and keep it organized and then the phone rings Peabody and Smith, This is Steve…. To learn more about Steven, click here!

We thought we'd ask a few probing questions each week of our agents. This one is with Broker/Owner Andy Smith, who works out of our Franconia office. Our roving reporter Elspeth asked the questions:

  I am currently reading? "Tough Choices" by Carly Fiorina, and " The Power of Habit" by Charles Duhigg.  What is your favorite restaurant in the area? The Adair Favorite board game? Backgammon The person that influenced you the most? My late brother Rick. Although we disagreed on many subjects, he helped me develop a set of guiding principles and processes that I use every day when making difficult decisions. Your favorite song? Anything by Eric Clapton What are you most proud of? The impact our family businesses have had on the communities we love so much. What is your favorite thing to cook?  A big holiday meal What is your favorite winter activity? Skiing What do you like to do in your spare time? Finding the perfect motorcycling road, a great game of tennis or squash, watching a movie with my wife after a stressful week What is your pet peeve? People that are late to a meeting, and those people that do not take responsibility for their own actions. Do you have pets at home? What are they? What are their names? One dog, Beau. A cute King Charles Cavalier spaniel that has proven to me that "little dogs are real dogs too!" Real Estate memory? Although we all have crazy "war stories" about real estate deals, the most memorable ones are when we get to provide a solution to a tough problem. The clients and customers put a lot of faith and trust in our firm, and it is very rewarding to be able to help them achieve their goals. Do you like coffee or tea? Definitely coffee. Do you prefer the Ocean or the Mountains? I am a mountain guy. The ocean is a great place to visit. What is your ski mountain of choice? Cannon, it is just the best there is! For a more serious bio on Andy, click here!

We thought we'd ask a few probing questions each week of our agents. This one is with Mary O'Toole, who works out of our Franconia office. Our roving reporter Elspeth asked the questions:

  I am currently reading? "How to use Quickbooks for Dummies"! I like to read how-to books; and also real-life stories/documentaries. What is your favorite restaurant in the area? Never disappointed with the Beal House Inn in Littleton. Favorite board game? Scrabble and any word-game; especially against my Mom! The person that influenced you the most? I had many outstanding influences in my younger life; including my parents, siblings; music instructors, swimming coaches, Girl Scout leaders, employers, college professors; just too many to mention any one influence in my life….and in my later life; it would be my partner, John; who has given me greater confidence to forge thru challenges; and spirit to enjoy life to its fullest and look forward to the adventures that await. Your favorite song? Any song with Josh Groban singing or David Garret playing violin fills me with Zen. What are you most proud of? I am proud of my equestrian capabilities, and dog and horse care and training knowledge and passion which I have had since childhood. My Great-Grandfather was a famous horse breeder in Galway Ireland; and the family says it is his genes I acquired. What is your favorite thing to cook? I love to cook and share our O'Toole family Irish Bread recipe What is your favorite winter activity? I enjoy snowshoeing; easy to do right from our dooryard Do you have pets at home? What are they? What are their names? We have a 1 ½ year old tri-colored Chihuahua, named Diogi(D.O.G.) whom we adopted from a rescue in Massachusetts. She is the sweetest, loves-everything and everyone little soul! Do you have a nickname? What is it and how did you get it? My family nickname is "Mare-z-dotes'; a nickname I got as a child because of the little ditty song…."Mares eat oats, and Does eat oats, and little lambs eat ivy….etc." I always thought the first word was "Marezdotes"! Do you like coffee or tea? I prefer coffee, and like it steeping hot with flavored creamers and whipped cream. Do you prefer the Ocean or the Mountains? Was born and spent my childhood in Portland, Maine; so I have an affinity to the ocean. I love walking the beach and the rock shorelines and say that is a great place to contemplate the meaning of life. For a more serious bio on Mary, click here!

We thought we'd ask a few probing questions each week of our agents. This one is with Beth Horan, who works out of our Franconia office. Our roving reporter Elspeth asked the questions:

  I am currently reading? I love my book club. These ladies are so smart, they really put you to the test and DO discuss the books. Especially one of our friends - I love her cliff notes. What is your favorite restaurant in the area? Chang Thai in Littleton, NH . I order the same thing every time. Favorite board game? Sounds lame but its Sequence, always with the same other couple, always with great music, with little talking and lots of laughing. Cribbage too. The person that influenced you the most? My Mother and Grandmother, both now gone, both very much the same. I was very close to both. I can only hope to be as kind and gentle as they both were. They were also like a rock, hard shoes to fill! Your favorite song? Our National Anthem What are you most proud of? Cliché to say but my children for their curiosity and kindness, my husband for his strength to endure a once difficult health issue and his never ending love, my family, I'm proud and very grateful to have such a great family and extended family. Proud also to be working with such a wonderful company, Peabody & Smith. What is your favorite thing to cook? Baking, I love to bake. Cooking is fun but only when I can spend time enjoying it which is not often. Fortunately I have a wonderful husband who likes to eat…..and cook! We divide and conquer in the kitchen, more often he cooks, I bake. Strawberry Rhubarb Pie and Boston Cream Pie are the family favorites, so therefore my favorite to bake. Favorite family tradition? Sledding on Cannon Mountain on Christmas day with other families and Fondue for Valentine's Day. What is your favorite winter activity? Skiing or sitting in front of a fire. What do you like to do in your spare time? Anything, preferably active or the act of discovery. What is your pet peeve? Buying bottled water and looking at blue tarps in yards. Do you have pets at home? What are they? What are their names? Chase a black lab. We used to have 2. My husband's cousins raise them, so he's extra special to us. He's a big love bug, a "goober" and often smells like a dog, ugh! He is such a good boy! Do you have a nickname? What is it and how did you get it? Bethie- with family. "BH" at work. "Yo Betty" with certain friends. Theb with cousins. Do you like coffee or tea? Coffee, lots of it. Hot, scalding hot. Not after 12 noon though! Have you ever tried Ski Hearth Farm's? Did you know that they roast their own beans? It's my current favorite, love all those guys do and bring to the community! Do you prefer the Ocean or the Mountains? Both, depends on the season! What is your ski mountain of choice? Cannon Mountain, Alta, Deer Valley all preferable with sun and thigh high powder. For a more serious bio on Beth, click here!

We thought we'd ask a few probing questions each week of our agents. This one is with Patty O'Brien, who works out of our Franconia office. Our roving reporter Elspeth asked the questions:

  The person that influenced you the most? My Mom and Dad, who had very little, but always had enough to share. What is your favorite thing to cook? No favorites, cooking is my Zen. What is your pet peeve? Having my sales receipt, bills, and coins put in my hand all at once, and the resulting mayhem that ensues…. Do you have a nickname? What is it and how did you get it? Trisha is my family's nickname for me Do you prefer the Ocean or the Mountains? Nothing compares to the sound of the Ocean as it rushes to and recedes from the shore Do you have pets at home? Yes, Abby, a German Shepherd, AKA "The Hurricane", Wills, a Beagle, AKA "Lost Boy", Darla B, a Papillon, AKA, " Tiny Dancer" For a more serious bio on Patty, click here!

We thought we'd ask a few probing questions each week of our agents. This one is with Mary Doherty, who works out of our Franconia office. Our roving reporter Elspeth asked the questions:

[caption id="attachment_2913" align="alignright" width="150"] Mary Doherty[/caption] I am currently reading?  "Leaving Time" by Jodi Picoult What is your favorite restaurant in the area?   So many great ones in the area. Inn at Whitefield is one I frequent often. Favorite board game?     Why Monopoly, of course! The person that influenced you the most?   I would have to say my parents and I am very lucky to still have my Mom to influence me. What are you most proud of?   My family! What is your favorite thing to cook?    Anything with good friends! Favorite family tradition?    I have two…Thanksgiving and Mother's Day. What is your favorite winter activity? Sitting on a beach somewhere!! What do you like to do in your spare time? HA! The few minutes I do have are spent golfing, gardening and entertaining friends. Do you have pets at home?   I have two wonderful rescue dogs, Maddie and Ben. Real Estate memory?      There is not enough room here to adequately answer this question! Stay tuned for the book. Do you have a nickname? What is it and how did you get it?   Yes. "Mimi". A friend's young son could not pronounce Mary so he anointed me with the "Mimi" which has been a lesser known fact for years so keep it quiet. Do you like coffee or tea?   Both, actually, but I drink more coffee. Do you prefer the Ocean or the Mountains?   Hmmmm. The great part of living where we live is that we can easily enjoy both within a few hours drive. For a more serious bio on Mary, click here!

We thought we'd ask a few probing questions each week of our agents. This one is with Steve Gorman, who works out of our Franconia office. Our roving reporter Elspeth asked the questions:

  What are you currently reading? The Clifton Chronicles by Jeffrey Archer What is your favorite restaurant in the area? Black Mountain Burger in Lincoln. I'm a midwest guy, so the hamburger is king. What are you most proud of? – Everyone says the same, but I mean it---My family. Very proud of them all. What is your favorite thing to cook? I love to grill in the summer. Nothing better than the smell of a good BBQ. Favorite family tradition? My entire family gets together every Thanksgiving at a state park in Indiana for our family reunion. We have been going there since 1977, so it is like a second home to us all. What is your favorite winter activity? Is there anything else in New Hampshire in the winter - - skiing. What do you like to do in your spare time? A career in real estate, wife, 2 kids, dog and lots of friends…. What is this thing you call spare time? Do you have pets at home?   We have one old lazy dog, Gretta. The only time she moves is when you stand next to the treats bag. Real Estate memory? I could not believe the time that my wife and I bought a foreclosure without seeing it while standing in the driveway. It has all worked out and we love the house. Do you like coffee or tea? Love the smell of coffee, but even if you put a pound of sugar in it, it still wouldn't taste good to me. Tea it is. Do you prefer the Ocean or the Mountains? I have always loved the mountains for skiing until my 7 and 5 year old children are better skiers than I am, so I would say Ocean. What is your ski mountain of choice? Locally it is Bretton Woods on Sunday, but I have great memories of skiing at Steamboat Springs in Colorado. Can't wait to take my kids there!

For a more serious bio on Steve, click here!

We thought we'd ask a few probing questions each week of our agents. This one is with Charles Crannell, who works out of our Franconia office. Our roving reporter Elspeth asked the questions:

  What are your favorite restaurants in the area? There are many great restaurants in our area. I am currently reading? Start Up Nation - The Story of Israel's Economic Miracle by Dan Senor & Saul Singer Favorite board game? Monopoly Empire The person that influenced you the most? My Father Your favorite song? All Music from Classical to Jazz What are you most proud of? My heritage What is your favorite thing to cook? Whole Foods Favorite family tradition? Holidays What is your favorite winter activity? Keeping warm What do you like to do in your spare time?  Spend it with the people I love Coffee or Tea?   Both; Fair Trade Coffee & Green Tea. Do you prefer the Ocean or the Mountains? Both; raised by the ocean but live in the Mountains What is your ski mountain of choice?  Cannon, where I sell real estate.

For a more serious bio on Charles, click here!

We thought we'd ask a few probing questions each week of our agents. This one is with Anne Foss, who works out of our Franconia office. Our roving reporter Elspeth asked the questions:

  Favorite board game? Scrabble The person that influenced you the most? My Parents Your favorite songstress? Ella Fitzgerald What are you most proud of? My Daughter and Quitting Smoking What is your favorite thing to cook? Chicken and Mushrooms Favorite family tradition? Thanksgiving What is your favorite winter activity? Walks, staying home where it is warm and watching movies What do you like to do in your spare time? Listen to music, play the piano, play with my grandkids, make fun trouble at work What is your pet peeve? People who take up 2 parking spots where one would do Do you like coffee or tea? Both Do you prefer the Ocean or the Mountains? Both, but spend more time in the Mountains For a more serious bio on Anne, click here!