Dual Broker Open House ~ April 21 !

The Necessity of Change

In the beginning, Weirs Beach Village was originally structured as a development which would consist of 85 detached condominiums on leased land. The City of Laconia gave us the green light. We built four models ~ the Gilford, the Wolfeboro, the Meredith, and the Alton. People were curious. We landscaped, we paved, we began our marketing strategy. People became interested. We signed contracts, we courted a variety of financial institutions. We waited.

All around us, the economic climate was shifting dramatically. The government was responding by demanding strict changes in banking and lending institutions guidelines. The new Fannie Mae guidelines put severe restrictions on condominium financing. We watched and wondered what this meant for our project.

"Your success in life isn't based on your ability to simply change. It is based on your ability to change faster than your competition, customers and business." ~ Mark Sanborn

Skip Kelley, the developer, the brain and the heart of Weirs Beach Village, did what he does best ~ he problem solved. He investigated. He calculated. He knew there had to be a change at the project. He figured out what that change had to be and he then made that change. And that is why he has been so successful in the NH Real Estate scene for the past 25 + years.

So we have made the decision to abandon the condominium concept. Weirs Beach Village is becoming a Homeowners' Association.  We have begun the process of making the necessary legal changes through the NH Attorney General's Office and have been given permission to accept non-binding purchase and sales agreements. We expect to have all final approvals in place within the next 45 days.

The change was necessary. And the people are excited. All six of the homes which we have built are under agreement (non-binding). Prudential-Verani have had to add more hours and more staff up at the project to handle the calls and visits from customers. But there are some aspects which have not changed and will not change ~ we are still building high quality, affordable houses in the Lakes Region. Customer satisfaction is still a priority. It always has been and it always will be ~ some things never change.

Up Close and Personal with Skip Kelley.

 

I recently had the opportunity to interview Skip Kelley, the man with the vision and the knowledge to build Weirs Beach Village. It is important for customers to respect and trust the builder of their home. Mr. Kelley is very aware that a home is the biggest investment most people ever make and he keeps that in mind throughout the building process. The following interview will allow one to gain a little insight into the man who has been building homes for nearly thirty years in the Granite State.

Mr. Kelley, have you always been a developer/builder?

I began my work career at Mt Carmel nursing home back in 1974. I was a maintenance man. We maintained the boilers, the emergency generating system, did carpentry repairs, repaired plumbing, minor electrical work, and lots of painting. I continued to work full time there but I enrolled at the New Hampshire Vocational Technical College as a full time student in the industrial electricity program. In 1977 I graduated Summa Cum Laude from college and immediately  went to work as an electrician at Disogrin Industries as a maintenance electrician and became a licensed Journeyman Electrician. After a year, I became a Master Electrician.In 1979, I was hired by Sanders Associates as an electrician. Sanders at that time, was the largest employer in the state.

When did you make the leap from electrician to builder?

I had wanted to build homes from a very early age, all the way back to childhood and building tree forts and club houses. I always got great satisfaction from driving nails. I had always loved taking things apart and finding out how they worked. My Dad was an intrepid remodeler himself. Duct tape was his tool of choice. He tackled many handy man jobs around the house and would impress his kids into service.

My wife and I were married in 1978 and bought the first of many apartment buildings. We jumped in with both feet and created an additional apartment that we subsequently occupied. We had the first of our four children in 1979.
I bought more apartments and continued working many nights and weekends while our family grew. In 1984 we bought a 5 acre parcel of land in Deerfield, NH. It was then that I actually built my first new construction from start to finish. I decided a career in real estate/construction would become my full time occupation. I continued buying apartments and  single family homes which we would remodel and resell.

In 1989 just as the market was entering its last big downslide, I decided to do more new construction. This may seem counter intuitive given the economic climate, however, I reasoned that if I could build homes profitably in that market, I would thrive when things got better. Although I took my share of lumps throughout that time I proved the old adage was true, "If it doesn't kill you it makes you stronger".

We emerged from the down cycle far stronger than before. We have since owned somewhere around 400 - 500 apartments and condominiums. We have bought, remodeled and sold somewhere around 80-100 single family homes. We have developed land all over southern NH. We have built new homes in Bedford, Auburn, Deerfield, Manchester, Hooksett, Bow, Londonderry, Candia, Raymond, Pembroke, Allenstown, Goffstown, Weare, Sanbornton, Laconia. I would estimate I have built somewhere between 100-150 homes. I have built roads and developed several subdivisions in Manchester, Weare, Candia, Deerfield and now Laconia.

What attracted you to Weirs Beach ?

We see Weirs Beach Village as a unique opportunity. The location is outstanding with the proximity to Lake Winnipesaukee and all it has to offer. The units themselves are built of high quality and cutting edge materials. They are being built with an eye to traditional architectural elements such as high pitched roofs, wide corner boards, water tables and traditional looking clapboard siding. The intention was not so much that we were competing with others but rather leading the way with a concept in housing which combines the best of the old with the best of the new. We are proud of the fact that we are building high quality homes that are affordable and energy efficient. We are creating a community of homes which will provide years of enjoyment to the owners and adds a new dimension to Weirs Beach.  

So what do you do when you are not working at Weirs Beach Village ? Any hobbies or other interests?

I am a collector of sorts. I have collected many old signs and advertising pieces from many of the properties we have bought and sold. My wife and I have an extensive collection of antique penny banks including both mechanical and still banks.
I love to spend time with my metal detectors exploring old cellar holes and other old sites. Being in real estate has afforded me many opportunities to find coins and relics from bygone eras.
My latest hobby is stone wall building. For the last three years I have been building a stone wall in front of our home. The stone wall has gone from being a project to a hobby. It has been the site of many conversations with passersby!  The size of this wall is so large that I began looking at other sources for the rock in it. I began with other properties which I own, then began searching my friends and neighbors properties for appropriate material. I estimate that I have brought some 10-15 pickup loads of rock from Weirs Beach Village and incorporated them into my wall.  I have a rock, with fossils in it from Florida, a rock from PEI and a rock from India!
My wife and I are also are now grandparents of two twin boys and one granddaughter. I am looking forward to building them their first tree house someday soon.

Walk This Way

I had the good fortune to be up at Weirs Beach Village on a recent February afternoon. The air was brisk, reminding me that I was alive. It was the perfect day to take a two mile walk through Weirs Beach and I decided to share my pictures from that afternoon with you. So much to see and do ~ all within walking distance from the homes at Weirs Beach Village. Step outside onto the deck at the 'Center Harbor' model.
We are going to take a right onto Endicott Street. There are sidewalks throughout our walk so no worries about being hit by passing vehicles.

Are you a music lover and enjoy an outdoor concert? Then the Meadowbrook Musical Arts Center is the place for you - and it is only 4 miles away ! Go to their site at www.meadowbrook.net and check out the 2010 calendar. Reba will be there on August 21 and you just might see me there !

Who doesn't enjoy going to see a play? 'The Laramie Project' is currently playing. There are shows year round at the Playhouse so when you are living at Weirs Beach Village and wondering what to do in the winter, you will have many choices.

As we continue our walk down Endicott Street we pass 'The Lobster Pound' ~ nice to know there are several restaurants within walking distance from your front door. Brunch at 'The Lobster Pound' starts at 10:00 AM ~ leave some pancakes for me !

Need to get your boat serviced ? You can walk right down to Thurston's Marina and have all of your boating questions answered.

If it was in the middle of summer we would have reached our destination possibly - the beach ! It is just down the hill from your home in Weirs Beach so you don't have to worry about finding a parking spot - just grab a towel, walk down and jump in !

Here is a view of the beach from a distance. Love that gazebo ! Bring a picnic lunch and make a day off it !

Another restaurant within walking distance. Just think, you can even have dessert since you will be walking off those extra calories when you head home !

This is the historic landmark sign letting you know where you are ~ when I see this sign lit up at night I feel like I have gone back in time ~ to a place where life was simpler and less complex. That's what Weirs Beach Village is all about.

Just one of the majestic views which I saw during my walk. Truly breathtaking.

Now we are walking down Scenic Ave. ~ in the summer you can't find a parking space on this street so it is a good thing that you can walk right on down here from your home at Weirs Beach Village. The winter time is quieter and allows one to reflect as they wander through the streets of Weirs Beach.

Tired of walking ? Jump aboard for a scenic ride around the lake.

Trains aren't your thing ? How about a dinner cruise on the Mt. Washington ? How lucky you are to have choices !

The emphasis here is on FUN ! Arcades, food... just chillin' on the boardwalk. Oh, the memories your family will create and keep...forever.

I am the queen of the bumper cars. I can't wait until they open for business in May ! I'm the one in the red car ~ watch out !

I really wish this stand was open for business as I walked by...peppermint stick ice cream in a sugar cone, please.

The Tower Hill Tavern is hopping in the summer ~ usually it is standing room only. Notice the small print - fried dough. Life is good.

And now the part of the walk which will allow us to break into a sweat - up Tower Hill. Ready ? I will race you to the top!

At the top of Tower Hill, take a left, cross the street and we are back at Weirs Beach Village.

Hope you enjoyed our virtual walk together. There is so much to do at Weirs Beach and if you live here, it is all within walking distance. It doesn't get much better than that. See you at the bumper cars !

Neither rain, nor snow...

nor ice, nor wind, can stop the construction at Weirs Beach Village. We are currently building two more homes for customers. So while the tourist traffic up at Weirs Beach has slowed down we haven't slowed down at all. Our schedule has been intense while dealing with Mother Nature. Framers, roofers and sheet rockers can be found on site working under the watchful eye of Project Manager, Jeff Kelley. Our realty team, Prudential Verani, hosted successful Open Houses throughout the holiday season and are now working on creative marketing strategies for the upcoming months. So at a time of year when many people go into hibernation mode, all of us connected with Weirs Beach Village are dressing in layers, shoveling snow and waiting to greet all visitors to the project. So if you are looking for something to do during these long winter days come on up to Weirs Beach Village and see for yourself the changes that are taking place during the months of winter. And feel free to bring Jeff a cup of hot cocoa ! He'd appreciate it.

You are invited...

New paint, new signage, new team, new energy...come see for yourself ! Food, raffles, holiday spirit...come be a part of the celebration !

There is no " i " in team.

I love basketball and was recently cheering on my favorite team ~ the Boston Celtics. I become quite passionate and involved as I watch the games especially if it is a nail biter. During a game this past weekend I yelled at the TV screen, "Pass the ball, there is a man under the basket...he is waiting for you to pass it to him. DO NOT GO FOR THE THREE. A man is open. Play as a team ~ basketball is a team sport."

Through the years I have been a part of many teams and the ones which have been most successful and enjoyable are the teams which are organized, well-managed, and with open lines of communications. Effective teams have members who work together creating positive synergy. The focus is on getting the job done, not on individual glory.

The Weirs Beach Village team has the energy, enthusiasm and skills that will allow us to reach our goals. When we have our team meetings led by our leader, Realtor Bonnie Gravel from Prudential Verani, creative ideas and 'out of the box' thinking bounces off the walls of the conference room. We believe in this project ~ we always have and we always will ~ and the plans going forward are cutting edge. We all have our roles on our team but at the same time none of us are afraid to pitch in and do what needs to be done. At any time you might see the developer of the project mowing lawns or the realtor moving furniture. Our philosophy is get the job done effectively. We have high standards for the entire project and for each individual home. Our team has a strong foundation built with respect, honesty and strong work ethics. We are a team of like minded, hard working people who have a vision. We invite you to come to Weirs Beach Village in the near future and witness for yourself the power of our team. Call Bonnie today at 603-845-2232 or email her at bonnie.gravel@verani.com with any questions or comments you might have about Weirs Beach Village.

And when you come up to visit us ~ wear your green, mention that you are a Celtics fan and you will feel the magic of our team. Go Weirs Beach Village !!