LandVest is pleased to announce the opening of a new Timberland office in the Pacific Northwest.  The office, located in Eugene, Oregon will service LandVest’s timberland transaction and consulting work in the western U.S.

The office will be headed by Dr. David Walters.  David comes to LandVest with over 25 years of experience in forest industry, academia, and consulting.   As Director of LandVest’s Institutional Timberlands Management (ITM) Group, David will oversee LandVest’s timberland marketing and consulting work throughout the western states.  As an accomplished and highly regarded biometrician and statistician, David will also contribute to inventory design, analysis and modeling work on ITM projects throughout the U.S.

Walters has worked in various levels of increasing responsibility for industry and private forest management, consulting and academia since 1987.  He holds an undergraduate degree in Forest Management from Oregon State University, a Masters in Forest Biometrics from Virginia Tech and a PhD in Forest Biometrics from the University of Minnesota.  David has authored or co-authored dozens of professional and academic publications.

“We are extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to work with someone of Dave’s caliber” noted Stephen Mongan, President of LandVest, Inc.  “His experience in all aspects of timberland acquisitions, divestitures and management, coupled with his integrity and commitment makes him an ideal team leader for this important western expansion.”

The Oregon office will be overseen by Joe Taggart, Managing Director of LandVest’s ITM Group.

“I could not be more pleased with the fit – both professionally and personally”, says Taggart. “The Institutional Timberlands transaction business has evolved to a highly technical process, focusing on transparency in data and professionalism in presentation.  As a highly regarded Biometrician, Dave offers our clients superior data management and analytical capabilities.  At the same time, his ability to understand and clearly explain the financial impacts of key property attributes will make him a valuable resource to our customers.”

The addition of the Oregon office will allow LandVest to service its growing timberland marketing and consulting practice in the west, which includes recent projects in Washington, California and Hawaii.  Over the past five years, the ITM Group has marketed 700,000 acres with a total value of over $1 billion in the Southeast and West.

For more information, contact:

David Walters

LandVest, Inc.
The Heron Building, Suite 202
576 Olive Street
Eugene, OR 97401
dwalters@landvest.com
541-790-2105   •    541-430-8605 cell

It is all about the Green Mountains, snow and New England tradition. Here are 6 keys to a great year-round property for the winter months:

1. 1.  Keep it close. Vermont is within driving distance
2. 2.  Give me the mountains. The Green Mountains stretch the length of the state
3. 3.  Out my back door: snowshoeing, x-country skiing, downhill skiing and skating
4. 4.  Escape for Dinner one night: Sophisticated local foods – Downtown Grocery
5. 5.  Private, not remote: Slopes, shops and village amenities
6. 6.  Room for the family and friends: Bringing together the people we love

Living room of Highlands Reserve
with exposed post and beam

Vermont barn in the winter
- a New England winter snowscape

LandVest’s great Vermont escape for sale:

Highlands Reserve: Set in the Southern foothills of the Green Mountains, bordering state and national forest, this 627± acre tract provides complete mountain privacy within six miles of the white clapboard village of Weston and ten miles of Okemo Mountain Resort. A summer trout pond becomes winter’s ideal spot for pond hockey at the center of this 20-acre± compound. The main residence is an exposed hemlock Post & Beam with 3,000± s.f. and three bedrooms. The New England Post & Beam barn with attached camp, and a 3,000± s.f. two-suite guest house overlook each end of the pond. A stone turret folly in a hillside field above the residence provides a perfect go to place at sunset. South of the pond is a glade with a stream at its border and the “Kids Camp” fitted with a wood stove and bunk beds and a well-framed mountain view. A short distance by snow shoe there is a series of ten connecting natural ponds in a beautiful woodland setting. A larger trail leads off towards the center of the property to an area of an old settlement identifiable by a series of stone walls. From here, there is a trail to “Tabletop” hill, a great site for a cabin with views of the valley and mountains. A five-mile network of trails, great for skiing, snow shoeing or snow machine, provide sightings of moose, beaver, grouse, woodcock and turkey. The 600 acre managed timberland provides additional value. Offered for $2,100,000.

Contact Story Jenks: sjenks@landvest.com, 802-238-1332

This entry is brought to you by Terry Sortwell and Shannon Thompson, who assist and advise real estate owners and buyers of fine homes and estates throughout Midcoast Maine.

We at LandVest
have seen increased activity this year,
with a number of encouraging sales. The statistics—and other characteristics of the
market—suggest that values and sales activity
are in a holding pattern at the bottom. Statistics from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) show that
in the coastal towns from Boothbay to Blue Hill there have been twenty sales of properties priced
over a million so far this year, with one sale pending. Of these, seven are LandVest listings.
Statewide, there have been 119 sales and 12 sales are pending. This is consistent with the number of
sales in 2010 (27 in the midcoast region, 140 statewide.)

Indian Head, Northeast Harbor, Story Litchfield's LandVest listing, was the highest recorded residential sale in the state of Maine

Statewide at the very top of the market, above $3 million, there have
been nine sales statewide, and four sales are pending. Of these thirteen sales, eight were LandVest
listings, and four of the five sales above $4 million were LandVest listings. There were twelve
sales above $3 million in 2010.

A recent white paper by Edward
Chancellor from the global investment management firm GMO examined the stages of the real estate
cycle. Typically the peak is characterized by high valuations, high levels of private sector credit
growth, new forms of lending, high levels of construction, speculative purchasing, and rising
interest rates. A credit crunch and defaults on existing property loans generally signal the turn,
and then the market begins the long, slow slide into “the trough,” where the market tends to linger
due to the lack of liquidity in real estate. We are clearly in this trough, which is characterized
by low valuations, lower leverage, low housing turnover, pent-up demographic demand, and continuing
pessimism toward real estate. Since markets tend to move more slowly on a decline or when moving
laterally, they usually spend several years in the trough.

The Real Estate Cycle in Five Stages, source: GMO

The real estate market is moving through its paces, and there are
reasons for optimism, especially on the coast of Maine. On average, it has taken real estate markets
five years to hit the trough after a bubble, and it’s been five years since housing prices peaked.
And Chancellor believes there are other indications that the worst is over: valuations are
reasonable. Mortgages are available, and at lower rates than we’ve seen in decades. Supply remains
elevated relative to demand, but sales have fallen to an extent that if demand recovers to normal
levels, excess supply would disappear—and in some markets, be replaced by a shortage.

Caldwell Island, a record sale for Muscongus Bay, by Terry Sortwell, regional manager and principal with LandVest in Camden, Maine

Here in Maine, as in elsewhere in the country, buyers are holding back.
The vacation home market has many defining characteristics, and these days perhaps none is more
definitive than the fact that no one has to buy a second- or third- home. So the majority of buyers
are still waiting, and while they wait, demand builds, which bodes well for the future. Chancellor
believes, and we agree wholeheartedly, that the long-term fundamentals of the real estate market are
sound. When the economy recovers and unemployment declines, home prices and construction will both
pick up, and a real estate boom will follow. The new buyer, who is younger (ages 30-50) and more
mobile, is increasingly attracted to Maine,
its quality of life, and the relatively reasonable real estate values to be found here. We’re seeing
more and more buyers from this growing demographic, many with young children, deciding that it’s
time to fulfill their dream of a vacation home here.

Though we’re
in the trough, we’re not without hope, nor without sales activity. We can say with some confidence
that the stalemate between buyers and sellers that we’ve been talking about for the last couple of
years has broken. There have been enough sales of waterfront and other exceptional properties
to allow buyers, sellers, appraisers, and brokers to draw educated conclusions about valuation. With these sales we’re starting to have enough hard data to
begin to gauge real value in the current market. When sales offer more concrete rationale for
pricing, they also generate more confidence among buyers to move forward.

Lilyhaven, Isleboro, sold by Terry Sortwell and William Davisson

While we are beginning to have a better grasp on valuation and pricing,
it’s very difficult to predict what’s going to sell or in what period of time. At the top of the
market, most properties are experiencing slight decreases in value, though the very best among them
are holding value well. The sale (by our Northeast Harbor broker Story Litchfield) of a property on
Somes Sound for $12.25 million was the highest residential sale
ever in the state of Maine. In our own area, our February sale of Caldwell Island in St. George for $4.7 million is another
example of an exceptional property holding its value well, as is the sale of a property on Deep Cove inn Port Clyde for $1.9 million, and the sale of land parcels on
North Haven for $1.7 million. A property on Bremen Long Island that sold in early October for
$635,000 was one of several that attracted multiple offers.

Another peculiarity of this market has been dramatic bursts of activity in
very small markets. Islesboro, for instance, only had one sale over a million in 2006 and 2007. Then
in the three years between 2008 and 2011, sales activity jumped, with eight sales in this range.
There have been two sales this year. Similarly, the market on North Haven was dead quiet for years,
with only three sales above a million in the five years leading up to 2011. This summer and fall
there were six sales.

It remains to be seen whether these flurries
are isolated bubbles of activity or something of greater significance—pointing, perhaps, to renewed
confidence in Maine real estate. We certainly hope it’s the latter and
have many reasons to believe so.

Joanne Patton has generously offered her home and 27 acres on Asbury Street to the town of Hamilton.  Town officials discussed a plan that would include new playing fields, potential river access and possible housing opportunities.  Available open space for community use in our North Shore towns is becoming a big issue as the need for certain types of housing and recreation playing fields for baseball, soccer and lacrosse is increasing.  Local sports programs currently rely on the Pingree School, Gordon College and the town fields to meet their needs. Joanne Patton was married to Maj. Gen. George Patton who died in 2004 and daughter-in-law to the the famed WWII General George S. Patton. 

Hamilton is known for its equestrian estates and includes many historic homes and beautiful pastoral landscapes.  In 2011, Boston Magazine named the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District the ninth best public school district in the state.  In fact, the school’s athletic teams are called the Generals after General George S. Patton.

Hamilton/Wenham was named one of the “Best Places to Live” in 2010 by Boston Magazine, and is also ranked #1 as the safest city to live in for families with young children by Sperling’s “Best Places”.  Only 23 miles from Boston and an easy commute via commuter rail to Boston’s South station, Hamilton remains a popular choice to live. 

For available Hamilton, MA real estate for sale and nearby North Shore towns, contact Lanse Robb (lrobb@landvest.com) or visit the Lanse Robb website . 

Click here to view more North Shore Real Estate for Sale. 

Aquila Farm Equestrian Estate with its large post
and rail fenced pastures in Hamilton, MA

6 Black Brook Road is an equestrian's dream
situated on more than 10 acres in Hamilton, MA

With 3,375± acres of well-stocked timberlands and two pristine lakes, Hamilton Lake represents a rare opportunity in the heart of the Adirondack Park

In the Adirondack High Peaks, The Uplands is a significant Adirondack Great Camp with 26± acres, several buildings, numerous bedrooms, a heated pool and the site of many happy family and friend gatherings.

The Week magazine’s latest “Best Real Estate on the Market” feature was Adirondack Retreats.  Vincent “Vinny” McClelland of LandVest – Keene Valley NY, had two of the five featured high-end listings (see article).

With his  background in land use planning, environmental analysis, site planning and project development, Vinny McClelland has been a valuable resource to owners and buyers of significant properties in the Adirondacks.  If you are interested in buying or selling Adirondack real estate, you can reach Vinny at vmcclelland@landvest.com.  Click for here for additional contact info and click on the property name beneath the photos for more property details.

Northbrook Lodge

58 North Brook Rd, Paul Smiths, NY   12970

$3,800,000

REF #: NY0212 – Under Agreement

______________________________

The Uplands

35 Thorne Way, Keen Valley, NY   12943

1,950,000

REF:  NY0279

______________________________

Mays Pond

Judson Road, Long Lake, NY   13331

$1,500,000

REF#:  NY0287

______________________________

Pinewood

1745 Nys Route 73 Keene Valley, NY   12943

$975,000

REF#:   NY0275

____________________

Bark Eater Inn

124 Alstead Hill Rd, Keene Valley NY   12942

$795,000

REF#: NY0217

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The news that Cambridge based Vertex Pharmaceuticals will be relocating to Fan Pier in Boston was greeted with predictable applause from city of Boston officials and commercial real estate professionals in the South Boston/Downtown area, but there were cheers from the South Shore as well. Vertex Spokesman Zachry Barber reports that the agreed upon lease term is for 15 years and will include an average annual rent of $72.5 million. The two buildings to be built will total 1.1 million square feet, and will be the new home of thousands of workers. Vertex’s new addresses will be at 50 Northern Ave. and 11 Fan Pier Boulevard.

This new location is ideally situated to take advantage of the commuter transit options from the South Shore communities of Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate, Marshfield, and Duxbury. While commuters to Cambridge are more often traveling from the Metro West markets, workers heading to and from Fan Pier and the Financial District have more typically opted for the South Shore communities and the commute by boat or train.

This waterfront Cape-style home in Duxbury is only 33 miles south of Boston with easy access by highway, commuter rail or ferry.

The MBTA boat commute offers convenient hourly travel from Quincy, Hull, and Hingham right to Rowes Wharf or Long Wharf. For commuters, there is also the recently completed Greenbush rail line connecting South Station to Scituate. The walk from Fan Pier to Rowes Wharf or South Station is an easy 5-10 minutes. Real estate experts are expecting to see some commuting patterns change as the Fan Pier location becomes more of hub of employment.

About 20 miles southeast of Boston, this Nantucket Shingle-style home is an easy commute by car, bus, ferry or the commuter train.

Terry Boyle, who works the high end real estate market on the South Shore for LandVest, points to the commuter boat as being a huge attraction for either relocation buyers or families leaving the city. “I have had two or three buyers in the last 12 months, who have fallen in love with the boat commute, the great schools, and the beaches. It’s great to hear they are that happy with the decision.”

For those interested in seeing the expanding inventory of homes and land available on the South Shore, please visit landvest.com

Aerial of Todd Pond and Estate

Front exterior of
109 Todd Pond Road Estate
in Lincoln, Massachusetts

Outdoor entertaining spaces
at the rear of the house capture
views of scenic Todd Pond

Completed in 2004, a young dot-com entrepreneur built his dream house on Todd Pond in Lincoln, Massachusetts.  The property, set on ten private acres, was developed in collaboration with the Lincoln Rural Land Foundation and resulted in preservation of 17+ surrounding acres and the linkage of a key piece of the Lincoln trail system.

Designed by Morehouse McDonald, the high tech home was built with “smart” technology including an advanced ground-loop geothermal system for cooling. The 15,000 square foot house with 28 zones of radiant heat is extremely energy efficient and according to the owners costs less to heat than a house half its size.

Outdoor living room with fireplace
and radiant heated floor

The house was built for both formal and casual entertaining. This outdoor living room with a fieldstone fireplace and radiant-heated floor extends the outdoor entertaining season until late fall or even early winter.

The reclaimed ten-pin commercial bowling lane is situated adjacent to the media room and entertainment area. It comes complete with computer scoring and automatic ball return.

Lower level bowling lane is seamlessly incorporated into the entertainment area

Two-level theater features state-of-the-art 120" screen with 1080p projection system.

The home theatre is integrated with the bowling lane seating area so that guests can hop up from a game and hone their bowling skills during half-time intermission – or any break in the action.

Hand-crafted wine cellar
made from oak timbers

Custom built in Europe by the finest craftsmen, this mahogany library was imported and installed on site

Kitchen with custom cherry cabinets
and granite countertops

Making thoughtful use of excess materials on the property during the construction process, the owners had this 1000+ bottle wine cellar hand-crafted from oak timbers that were harvested on site.

The ultimate chef’s kitchen boasts views of the Todd Pond and includes an 11-foot island for food preparation as well as gathering. There is plenty of room for more than one chef at a time and the top-of-the-line appliances, including a custom Lacanche Stove, imported from France, make it a pleasure to cook here.

Bright master bathroom with beautiful travertine marble floors. This luxurious bath features a custom 20,000-stone mosaic floor hand-crafted in Lebanon

Enjoy the view from the family room's curved wall of floor to ceiling windows

Living room with imported
Carrera marble fireplace

Both the family room off the kitchen and the formal living room offer the classic elements of high ceilings, triple-crown moldings and wood-burning fireplaces. In addition, the family room has French doors to the terrace overlooking Todd Pond.

This tennis court/basketball court is just one of many recreational features

The property boasts recreation opportunities for young and old alike.  This hard surface tennis court also doubles as a basketball court. The property links directly to trails allowing one to run, walk, cross country ski, hung or even ride a horse right from home.  Todd Pond offers fishing for bass and other fish and ice skating in winter.

Swimming pool/conservatory

This saltwater maintenance-free pool is a family delight!  Situated right off the kitchen, the pool is enclosed with mahogany window walls on four sides including two 26-foot-wide sliding doors that open to the outdoor patio. The family uses the pool year-round.

19-acre Todd Pond stocked with bass and other fish

This property has it all including ultimate seclusion and privacy with the ability to walk to Lincoln center for dinner or to catch the commuter rail to Boston’s North Station.  The owners chose this location for its easy access to Cambridge, Boston and to private aviation at nearby Hanscom Field.

Click here to see the many systems and features of the house.

This blog entry is brought to you by Terrence Maitland (tmaitland@landvest.com) who has been assisting buyers and sellers of Weston, MA Real Estate, as well as distinctive real estate in the Boston area for over 20 years.  Terry and his sales partner Nicole Monahan have achieved a portfolio of record sales in Brookline and Boston environs.

Aerial view of residence and studio guest quarters

LandVest, the recognized leader for Maine real estate, waterfront homes and estates throughout New England, offers a rare historic property in Cape Neddick, Maine.

The crowning achievement of distinguished Portland architect Antoine Dorticos, Cragmere-by-the-Sea is a masterful expression of Shingle-style vernacular, with Romanesque entry arches, granite stonework and definitive Arts and Crafts-inspired interiors.

Living room opening to the veranda and ocean views

Commissioned in 1888 by George M. Conarroe of Philadelphia as a summer home for his family,
this residential compound, situated on 1.410± acres, enjoys captivating views of the Atlantic Ocean, Bald Head Cliff, Nubble and Boon Island lighthouses, and the Isle of Shoals.

The main residence presents fourteen beautifully restored rooms, five bedrooms and six baths. The original stained glass windows, vaulted ceilings, five fireplaces and views over mature gardens to the sea provide the welcome.

2 story entry foyer accesses all first level rooms

A sweeping staircase
frames the two-story entry foyer, central to the living, dining, library, and exterior terraces and decks. 
A seaside master suite with an observation deck, four additional bedrooms, two with fireplaces, three baths and a center-hall laundry envelope family and guests. A third level features
an office with mesmerizing
sea views, an expansive entertainment room, guest rooms and bath. A studio guest house, built in 2010, extends the Shingle-style personality of the property, steps from the residence.

The two-car garage includes an expansive second floor storage/studio space. A circa 1895 grand residence
with expansive sea views and radiant heat is a rare offering, indeed.

• Cragmere is a convenient forty-five minutes from Portland, its cultural, recreational, business amenities and transportation hubs, and approximately sixty-five miles to Logan International Airport and Boston.
• The Town of York and Ogunquit, Southern Maine’s most popular summer resort, features seaside inns, sandy beaches, golf and tennis facilities, popular arts and entertainment venues, and critically acclaimed restaurants and merchant offerings.
• Cape Neddick presents some of the most spectacular rocky oceanfront along the coast of Maine.
• Seaside environs along the bucolic shore road between York and Ogunquit are signed by wooded driveways and landscaped grounds.
• Deepwater marinas access exceptional sailing and fishing along the Maine Atlantic coastline.

A fully modern kitchen with access to the dining room and side deck

Stewardship of Cragmere continues, as restorations acknowledged with a 1999 Maine Society for Preservation Award, the first residential property to receive the recognition, enjoy ongoing refinements during 2009-2010.

This blog post is brought to you by William Davisson, who advises and assists distinctive real estate homeowners, and buyers of land, estates and farms in the Portland, Maine and surrounding areas. Contact William Davisson (wdavisson@landvest.com) in our Portland, Maine office if you would like more information about this property or his other real estate listings in Maine.

MAINE WATERFRONT PROPERTIES
IN HIGH HEAD, HARPSWELL

This entry is brought to you by William Davisson, who advises and assists distinctive real estate homeowners, and buyers of  land, estates and farms in the Portland, Maine and surrounding areas.

Maine waterfront properties continue to attract buyers.  The incentive of market prices being perceived as investment grade, and the ability to “live the dream”, is a strong attraction.  Significant high-end sales in York, Yarmouth, Islesboro and Mount Desert Island during recent weeks reaffirms that oceanfront property is a desirable asset.

High Head Farm Residence, Harpswell, ME

Best places to live and value can be found throughout Maine oceanfront communities. The High Head Yacht Club neighborhood in Harpswell is a prime example. Cherished deepwater access, world-class sailing, fishing and naturalist venues are enhanced by low property taxes.  High Head is a small community of seventy-five properties, with a long and successful history of attracting residents from many areas of the country.  Charles Bridge, a long time resident and one of High Head’s many distinguished Bowdoin College alumni, describes High Head as “a beautiful peninsula jutting into Harpswell Sound with private waterfront homes enjoying the pleasure of interesting neighbors with diverse backgrounds and experiences.”

The sunroom at Seal Watch accesses elevated deck and waterfront over upper Harpswell Sound

All High Head residents enjoy deeded access to their High Head Yacht Club facility, with its neighborhood boat launch, dock, mooring field and clubhouse facility for social gatherings.

High Head is located only fifteen minutes from downtown Brunswick, two hospitals, Bowdoin College and the Brunswick Executive Airport at Brunswick Landing, the high-tech manufacturing and educational park located on a former naval air base.

Harpswell boasts 216 miles of waterfront, believed to be the most shoreline of any town in America. Naturalists find exceptional shoreline birding while hiking the Harpswell Conservation Trust’s Cliff and Long Reach Preserve trails, kayaking and boating the archipelago of some forty-seven islands.

Refined Coveside living room offers waterfront and southerly views along Harpswell Sound

The cherished quality of life in the Harpswell and Brunswick communities is enhanced by award-winning restaurants, arts and entertainment venues, convenient transportation hubs, high quality healthcare and retirement facilities, along with extensive shopping and business amenities.

LandVest, the recognized leader for Maine real estate, waterfront homes and estates throughout New England, offers three exceptional properties in High Head Yacht Club.

High Head Farm is a beautifully renovated, three-level refined Cape, featuring south and west ocean views over Harpswell Sound and frontage on Mill Cove. Commanding the promontory on 4.6± acres of the original High Head Peninsula farmstead, two parcels are included allowing a house and guesthouse on each.  The original sheep barn, mature gardens of herbs and perennials and an orchard above Mill Cove set the scene.

Seal Watch presents precious privacy in this light-infused residence. Features include a first floor master suite with private sunspace, a seaside guest suite, mahogany decks, remarkable interior finishes, Smart Home technology sound, lighting and electronic amenities, and immediate access to the waterfront.

Coveside is privately sited on 1.80± acres, with 185± feet of waterfront and southerly views along Harpswell Sound.  Completed in 1995, this elegant four-bedroom, three and one-half bath residence presents 4,532± square feet of refined living space, custom cabinetry, crown moldings and a first floor master suite.

For more information on Maine Real Estate for sale in the Portland, Maine and surrounding area contact William Davisson at wdavisson@landvest.com or click for William Davisson’s contact information

Vermont's numerous ski resorts
attract thousands of skiers every year

Vermont’s natural beauty and mountain environment provide a striking setting and a true escape from the everyday with some of the best ski and hiking terrain in the East. Located 45 minutes from Burlington, Vermont’s International Airport, a three-hour drive from Boston and five hours from the George Washington Bridge, the area boasts diverse terrain, tons of snow and an idyllic way of life.

LandVest’s  listings in the heart of Vermont ski country offer exceptional opportunities.

Panoramic view of Sugarbush Bowl as seen
from Wakanta in Warren and Waitsfield, VT

“Wakanta” meaning “Mountain Spirit”, is aptly named for it captures the essence of this property.  Set on a mountain hillside on 44± private acres, overlooking a spring-fed swimming pond, Wakanta is surrounded by stunning mountain vistas, and offers full-on views of Sugarbush resort. The well-designed and impeccably constructed 4,750 square foot Vermont vernacular residence has enough room to handle a crowd but is just as easily adept at smaller gatherings with comfort and style.   Wakanta features 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, an 8-person steam room and wonderful spaces for entertaining, including a spacious living room with Rumford fireplace and an outdoor heated stone terrace with hot tub.  Located within minutes of two of Vermont’s most popular ski areas, Sugarbush and Mad River Glen, Wakanta also includes a 2-story barn.

Worcester Range Farm, Middlesex VT
- just a few miles to Stowe and the best downhill skiing in the East

Worcester Range Farm offers end-of-the-road privacy and a classic setting of a proper Vermont hill farm with 649± acres of woods, meadows, trails, and stunning mountain views. The historic farmhouse, c1900, was renovated in 1991 and 1997 to the highest standards by Vermont craftsmen leaving the magnificent original features, and adding all the required upgrades. The home includes 3 bedrooms, 4 baths, a formal living room, a chef’s kitchen, a sun porch, sauna, and all new mechanicals.  It’s location in Middlesex is a few miles from shopping and services in Vermont’s Capital city of Montpelier, and some of the best downhill skiing in the East is in nearby Stowe.

Watershed Farm, Roxbury, VT 570 acres of stunning mountain and valley views provide diverse recreational opportunity for the sports enthusiast

Just over the gap from the Mad River Valley, Watershed Farm also offers incredibly diverse recreational opportunities for the winter sports enthusiast.  Miles of trails wind through this 570-acre hilltop property approached by a mile-long driveway and is absolutely private.  The 6,400 sq. ft. Victorian residence is well-maintained and offers stunning mountain views from almost every one of its 15 rooms as well as from the wide wrap-around porches.  Also included is a 20-stall barn, indoor riding arena and an observatory.

Vermont is fortunate in that we are never over-inventoried with quality properties.  Many of these properties only come available once in a generation.  Although we have only mentioned above the properties that are in the Sugarbush Valley region, there are several other outstanding opportunities with large acreage and with extraordinarily well-maintained and private houses all within a very short distances of major ski areas up and down the Green Mountains.  Please check our website regularly for new property opportunities in Vermont.

For more  information on these or other Vermont real estate for sale, contact Wade BC Weathers Jr .   Phone: 802-651-5392, Email: wweathers@landvest.com

Panoramic view of Charles River from the terrace of
this outstanding 6,111 sq ft residence at the Mandarin

Looking for Boston’s highly coveted address? You will find it at 776 Boylston Street – in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay – home of The Mandarin Oriental. This spectacular five-star hotel and residential complex was completed in 2008, with some 49 luxurious private residences with full hotel and dedicated concierge services.

On the day the doors opened, The Mandarin Oriental residences were already sold out, as the new residential owners had contracted for their units in some cases years earlier, before the ground had even been broken on the 14-story building adjacent to the Prudential Center.

Living room has stunning views on
three sides and access to two terraces

The complex was the brainchild of developers Steve Weiner and Robin Brown, the latter a former hotelier who knew exactly what would appeal to a clientele interested in the ultimate luxury, convenience and location. The pair, with an able assist from CBT architects, who designed the building, fashioned a product filled with the finest amenities.

What is it that attracts residents to the Mandarin and commands some of the highest prices in Boston? Start with high ceilings, walls of glass, terraces and outdoor spaces (in many cases), and top quality design and materials. Next, the vibrant location with fine dining, chic boutiques and bustling activity at every turn. Add in the full concierge services, from valet parking (or self-park) to package delivery and a staff that anticipates your needs. Mix in full hotel services at your fingertips including catered cocktail and dinner parties in your own home, and you have a wildly successful formula. This is the place to be.

Entertain on a grand scale in this dining room with terrace access and breakthtaking views

The most outstanding listing at the Mandarin Oriental at present is LandVest’s Unit West 11-B, a 6,111-square foot residence that offers generous and luxurious spaces, not to mention views on three sides, including the panoramic tableau of Back Bay roof tops and the Charles River – from Fenway Park to Beacon Hill.

The master bedroom suite
offers "his and hers" baths

The unit offers abundant natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows and two outdoor terraces.

The floor plan reads like a single family home and includes a large dining room and living room, each with incredible views, access to outdoor space and gas-log fireplaces.

The family space offers a luxurious master bedroom with his and hers closets and full baths, along with two generous family or guest bedrooms with en-suite baths. A walnut-paneled library with fireplace also commands stunning views.

The offering price of Unit West 11-B, one of the largest units at the Mandarin, is $12,500,000

By way of comparison, since its 2008 opening, the Mandarin Oriental has experienced 17 sales and resales above $6 million, including five above $10 million. The per square foot prices have ranged as high as $2,475.

This unit is the largest and most desirable unit offering one-floor living available in Boston at this time.

This blog entry has been brought to you by Terrence Maitland (tmaitland@landvest.com) who has been assisting buyers and sellers of Weston, MA Real Estate, as well as distinctive real estate in the Boston area for over 20 years. Terry and his sales partner Nicole Monahan have found homes for buyers that were not yet for sale, and have achieved a portfolio of record sales in Brookline and Boston environs.

Impressive 6,000 square foot home with dramatic water views on 2.4 acres with private sandy beach and dock

Smith’s Point Estate by the Sea

2.49 acres

14 Smith Point Road, Manchester by the Sea, MA   01944

$5,695,000

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Handsome Colonial in the historic section of Beverly known as Prides Crossing with rights to private West Beach Corp

Avalon at Prides Crossing

1.66 acres

3 Avalon Avenue, Beverly, MA   01915

$2,195.000

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For more information on Boston’s North Shore real estate market, contact Lanse Robb (lrobb@landvest.com) or visit the Lanse Robb website  www.lanserobb.com.

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This Warren's Point property is four parcels with three cottages on more than 25 acres.

LandVest has had a long relationship with Little Compton, Rhode Island representing both buyers and sellers of Little Compton’s most distinctive properties.  Our success stories include the highest residential sale in Little Compton, sold by Terry Boyle (LandVest-Boston) and located on Warren’s Point.  Little Compton is located in southeastern coastal Rhode Island, is approximately 28.9 square miles, and its history dating back to 1670’s has created a small community of coastal homes rich in history and beauty.  Many of the grand homes are generational assets with but one or two family ownerships.  We took the opportunity to poll several of our current and previous clients about why they love this coastal community in Rhode Island.  Here are some of their comments:

• Beaches, “sandy”, “public” and “private”, particularly Goosewing Beach and South Shore Beach
• Fishing, from shore or boat, Rhode Island is a fisherman’s paradise. The diversity and abundance of game fish found in Rhode Island waters, combined with accessibility of our shoreline provides angling excitement year-round.
• Boating, cruise over to Newport, RI (Mansions, Castle Hill Lighthouse, Rose Island
  Lighthouse, Jazz and international music festivals) or Cuttyhunk Island
• Slower pace of life
• Small town vibe
• Vibrant artistic background
• Agriculture and open space
• Stone walls and Vineyards
• Great surfing
• Beautiful Golf Course and Idyllic Yacht Club

On Warren's Point eastern shore, this 2 acre oceanfront property offers spectacular views of Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and the Elizabeth Islands.

18.90 acre farm has a three-bedroom c1690 Colonial situated in a pastoral setting of open fields, conservation land and a pond offering privacy, bird watching and walking trails.

If you are interested in buying or selling real estate in Little  Compton or its surrounding coastal towns, contact Terry Boyle, tboyle@landvest.com

The New York Times recently chose to feature Little Compton, RI as part of their My Favorite Place: Little Compton, R.I.  Click here to read the article.

Sandy Hollow - 6.48 acre waterfront compound on North Shore's Gold Coast

Elegant restored home on 2.4 acres has dramatic water views and access to beach and dock

Magnificent Victorian shingle-style home designed by Peabody and Stearns on 1.46 acres with access to a private sandy beach and association dock

For more information about the above properties, contact Lanse Robb (lrobb@landvest.com) at LandVest in Boston, MA.

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Private and exquisite Vermont Gentleman's farm on 104 acres within three miles of Woodstock Village

Uphill Farm is the Vermont farm, perfected.  It is an idealized Vermont landscape, protected by abutting conserved land, with each of the components: meadows, views, ponds, ski hill, brook, red barn, cow pastures and ancient maple trees… on a manageable scale.  From the air, the artists’ palette of green rolling meadows, and managed landscapes begin to tell the story of the exceptional detail of Uphill Farm.  To fully understand the quiet excellence of this property, one needs to experience it in person. There is a magic to the place.

We are struck by the effect Uphill Farm has on visitors.  They step out of their cars, take a big, deep breath and just stand quietly for a minute.  They visibly relax and their shoulders drop as they take in the clean air and the sounds of the breeze in the big old sugar maples and the brook down the hill.  And so it begins…

The current stewards of this farm took great care in keeping the property fresh without interfering with its sense of place and history.

Main residence is a 5564 sq ft expanded/renovated post and beam farmhouse

The renovated and expanded c1805 Post and Beam main residence has all the expected luxury amenities, with tremendous craftsmanship and Vermont farm character.   The main house is manageable for a couple, but expands to accommodate children and guests due to its well-designed floor plan.  The main living space includes open areas that flow well to accommodate today’s lifestyle with plenty of light and top of the line amenities.  The ground floor master suite is separate enough from the main living areas to afford privacy, but close enough to accommodate a young family.  Amenities are as one would expect for a property of this caliber.   The kitchen, for example, comes equipped to serve a crowd with two Dacor wall ovens, two SubZero refrigerators, and two Bosch dishwashers.  The library has a stone fireplace and French doors that lead to the summer dining porch, and SubZero wine cooler. The elegant billiard room features cherry raised panel molding, fireplace surround, coffered ceiling, built-in cabinetry, a wet bar and bay window overlooking the rear yard and pool.  The master bath has a jetted tub with marble surround and heated towel racks.

The artfully crafted Gunite pool and spa includes a cascading waterfall and heated terrace

The master suite also has a dressing room with two cedar closets, and wonderful big marble tub.  The outdoor living touches are also remarkable with several covered porches and patios to choose from.  The nature-scape pool with cascading waterfall and spa offers respite after a day of being out and about the farm and the pool terraces are heated to keep your feet warm on your way to a soak.

Ample guest accommodation is provided by the open and airy three story 19th century farmhouse at Down The Hill Farm, which also features an elegantly updated floor plan and amenities, and can comfortably sleep a couple or a big extended family.  Both residences are offered completely furnished and the extensive inventory of farm equipment, vehicles and carriages convey with property as well.  The new owner need only bring a toothbrush!

Renovated in 2008, stable has 6 box stalls, cedar shake roof, cedar doors and teak and copper walls.

The multiple barns are  well equipped for horses and provide ample storage and opportunity for creative and functional endeavors.

There are so many opportunities for a family and friends to enjoy the property, from casual meals in the open and bright kitchen to a big celebration in the huge Down the Hill loft, sugaring at the sugar house, skiing with the snow cat on the little ski hill, mountain biking, cross-country skiing or horseback riding on the beautifully maintained trails, fishing in the brook and ponds, quietly gathering herbs and flowers in the charming fenced kitchen garden, a barbeque in the outdoor kitchen followed by an evening of friendly competition in the billiard room, or curling up by the fireplaces with a good book.  The tour is not complete without mentioning that this private escape is within three miles of everything the charming village of Woodstock has to offer, and a quick hop over the hill to a great day of skiing at Killington or a fun family day at Suicide Six.  This is a true dream farm.

LandVest has recently produced a short video which distills the essence of Uphill farm and we invite all those considering buying or selling a farm to view this video (see link below).
For those who are interested in Vermont Farms for sale, or, if you have a farm and are considering it for sale, contact Ruth Kennedy Sudduth. (rsudduth@landvest.com)

Click link to View Uphill Farm, Woodstock, Vermont Video