Michael Travis's Weblog

Plow your field–buy a house.

Michael Travis—Your Waterfront Agent — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 00:47:38 +0000

“You cannot plow a field by turning it over in your mind.” A great statement that relates to so many people on the fence to do something–like buying a home—so let me help you push the plow.

For one, this is a great time to buy a home–the rates are incredible–the lowest in memory.

For two, all indications are that the market in NH isn’t really looking to drop — afterall New Hampshire is the 5th wealthiest state in the country with the third highest number of second homes and the lowest poverty rate in the country—hey not bad.

For three, there is great inventory–even for affordable waterfront properties. Just go to my site and see the deals at www.WaterfrontAgent.net.

New Hampshire is considered the healthiest state in the country–just ask my blood pressure and cholesterol–it has dropped just living on my little Northwood paradise with the loons compared to NYC and Boston where I resided prior to here. Didn’t need pills to do the job.

I can’t say this is a time to grab and flip properties in general–but there are still deals for that. Cash is king. This is not a rehearsal for another life for sure–so ejoy it now.

Let me help you plow through all the maze called real estate so that together we ca turn that field called home. Just email me at michael.travis@me.com or give me a call at 617-756-9869.

Enjoy, Michael

Michael Travis has moved to Prudential S

Michael Travis—Your Waterfront Agent — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 12:35:39 +0000

Michael Travis has moved to Prudential Spencer-Hughes up in the Lakes Region. Yet another loon on the lake.

545 people control all of us–how’s that working?

Michael Travis—Your Waterfront Agent — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:54:50 +0000

545 vs 300,000,000
EVERY CITIZEN NEEDS TO READ THIS AND THINK ABOUT WHAT THIS JOURNALIST HAS SCRIPTED IN THIS MESSAGE. READ IT AND THEN REALLY THINK ABOUT OUR CURRENT POLITICAL DEBACLE.

Charley Reese has been a journalist for 49 years.

545 PEOPLE
By Charlie Reese

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered; if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don’t propose a federal budget. The president does.

You and I don’t have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.

You and I don’t write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don’t set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don’t control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one cotton-picking thing. I don’t care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator’s responsibility to determine how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party..

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The president can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? Nancy Pelosi. She is the leader of the majority party. She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want. If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million can not replace 545 people who stand convicted — by present facts — of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can’t think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it’s because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it’s because they want it in the red.

If the Army &Marines are in IRAQ , It’s because they want them in IRAQ

If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it’s because they want it that way.

There are no insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like “the economy,” “inflation,” or “politics” that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people and they alone, are responsible.

They and they alone, have the power.

They and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.

Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.

We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!

Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper.

What you do with this article now that you have read it………. Is up to you.

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge T ax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Sales Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Ser vice FeeTax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge=2 0Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

THINK THIS IS FUNNY? Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.
What in the ____ happened? Can you spell ‘politicians?’
And I still have to ‘press 1′ for English!?

I hope this goes around THE USA at least 100 times!!! YOU can help it get there!!!
GO AHEAD – - – BE AN AMERICAN!!!

This is not a rehearsal for another life.

Michael Travis—Your Waterfront Agent — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 06:20:56 +0000

Today is not a rehearsal for another life–though there are those who believe that we are always transistioning to and from another life. What I want to have you do is to empower yourself to enjoy this life today–a life to be proud of. A life full of love. A life full of joy. Remember you are always surrounded by people who care and who are willing to help. Sometimes you may feel a cloud of dispair–remember there is always a clear sky above the clouds with endless possibilities. Clouds are not walls. We create our own walls which we have the power to remove.

If you were in an airplane that was suddenly thrown into an emergency situation, all of the air masks drop from the ceilings. You are instructed to put the mask on yourself first before assisting your own loved one, or even the perfect stranger sitting next to you needing help. You have to take care of yourself first before you can help others. As you walk around feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders–think of each one of your challenges as an individual sandbag filled with 100 pounds of filthy dirt on your shoulders. As you allow those sandbags to accumulate on your shoulders, you find yourself literally walking slower, slumping over, a perfect candidate as a patient for a physical therapists like myself. Just take this moment to see how you are sitting or standing. Are you slumped in a chair or dragging your feet. Are you comfortable? Nobody can remove those sandbags for you. Only you can. For each sandbag you deal with, the lighter the load. When you go into a room and see the thermostat set at 72 degrees, to you it may feel warm. To someone else it may seem cold. Which one of you is correct? How you and the other person feels is yours and their own reality. Trying to convince the other of your reality is frustrating, even maddening, but ultimately a waste of everyone’s time. Remove those sandbags of frustration. Feel the weight lift off your shoulders. You have the power to empower not only yourself but many others to accept their own realities. Before you can love someone else, you have to love yourself. You can’t “change” somebody. You do have the ability to “inspire” people. and to “accept” people for who they are.

I believe everything happens for a reason–which is why I believe you are reading this book. If you recieved this book from another person, know they care enough about you and think you are worth it. If you got this book for yourself, then know you care enough about yourself because you are worth it. Keep this book as a guide. You are not alone in your feelings, so there is no reason not to share them. Give this book to all you care about. Even to a perfect stranger you see looking as though they have a million pounds of sandbags on their shoulders.

As you allow those sandbags to accumulate on your shoulders, you find yourself literally walking slower, slumping over, a perfect candidate as a patient for a physical therapists. Just take this moment to see how you are sitting or standing. Are you slumped in a chair or dragging your feet. Are you comfortable? Nobody can remove those sandbags for you. Only you can. For each sandbag you deal with, the lighter the load.

When you go into a room and see the thermostat set at 72 degrees, to you it may feel warm. To someone else it may seem cold. Which one of you is correct? How you and the other person feels is yours and their own reality. Trying to convince the other of your reality is frustrating, even maddening, but ultimately a waste of everyone’s time. Remove those sandbags of frustration. Feel the weight lift off your shoulders. You have the power to empower not only yourself but many others to accept their own realities.

Before you can love someone else, you have to love yourself. You can’t “change” somebody. You do have the ability to “inspire” people. and to “accept” people for who they are.

Pass these thoughts on to all you care about. Even to a perfect stranger you see looking as though they have a million pounds of sandbags on their shoulders.

Real Estate Agent sells Northwood Tornado House to its Owner.

Michael Travis—Your Waterfront Agent — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:27:35 +0000

Michael Travis is an agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Portsmouth, gets a call from a lady in December, 2008 to sell her waterfront on Northwood Lake–well that part isn’t unusual since he is known as the waterfront agent (hence his website WaterfrontAgent.net)

But this isn’t your ordinary lake house—It has unobstructed floor to ceiling views —primarily because the walls were literally blown away from the deadly tornado in July 2008 that weaved a path of destruction from Deerfield to Ossipee. A dock slammed into the side of the house,—half ripping a 6 foot gapping hole in the second floor and the other half souring through the kitchen like a torpedo shattering everything. Only 3 windows in the house didn’t’ smash to smithereens. However, the bed in the guest room upstairs was still made.

You couldn’t miss this house from Route 4 since the walls on 2 floors of the north side were missing. For months it lay open to the elements while the insurance company was working out a settlement–and while thieves were working out removing anything of value including copper piping.

I was contacted by the owner to sell this tornado house. I told her she can’t sell it. It was clear she had been contacted by many unscrupulous people trying to steal it for nothing. Instead I put a good team together to redesign and fix the house. She liked the plans so much, she wants to keep it, and I am out of a job—sort of.

James O’Reilly, first generation Irish here, is the general contractor and one of the finest craftsman I know. He spent 20 years renovating high end units in Manhattan until he moved to his 76 acre mountain top paradise in New Durham.

Also working on this project are James Rowe and Brendon Madden (both Irish Natives) along with Michael Travis–a formally red headed non Irish real estate agent who helped with grunt work and who has discovered muscles never used before during the demolition work. Thank God for Advil.

James O’Reilly is also used local Northwood talent Freddy Walker for septic design, and Fusion Mechanical for Heating & AC, Portsmouth’s Dave Walters of All Pro Electric, Lakes Region Designer Steve Melbourne for architectural services Instead of tearing the house down, it was rebuilt from the ground up including a new foundation—why—well the insurance company was a bit stingy on funds and the owner is on a fixed income. Besides it is fun digging holes in the frozen ground and mixing 6 tons of concrete with a shovel.

We recycled as much of the debris as possible. A local resident unscrewed and removed the old deck boards and old 2x4s – nails and all-for a project at his house. All the scrap aluminum and copper was recycled—(at least what wasn’t stolen) Much of the scrap wood is being used for campfires for the summer.

This home now has a new layout, additional bathroom, larger windows to enjoy the view, a great kitchen and a new life of its own. And I am out a listing.

No wonder the owner wants to keep it. I would too.

Michael Travis is a REALTOR

Prudential Spencer-Hughes

22 South Main Street

Wolfeboro, NH 03894

A resident of Northwood.

Michael.Travis@me.com

www.WaterfrontAgent.net

603-515-9459

Talent used on this project.

James O’Reilly—Contractor (603) 515-3422 www.FineHomeDesign.net

Steve Melbourne Design —architect (603) 293-7862 www.stevenmelbournedesign.com

Fred Walker —Septic Design (603) 942-5405

Fusion Mechanical — Heating & AC (603) 463-7611 www.fusionmechanical.net

All Pro Electric, LLC Dave Walters (603) 433-2458

Loons–the perfect bird with the imperfect landing.

Michael Travis—Your Waterfront Agent — Tue, 26 May 2009 04:05:38 +0000

Loons have always been a big part of my life even before I ever saw them “in the flesh”–or is it “in the feather”.

I remember when I watched the Academy Award winning film written by Ernest Thompson “On Golden Pond” It is a story of the relationship between Ethyl Thayer (played by everyone’s favorite mother, Katherine Hepburn) Norman Thayer (played by real father Henry Fonda) and his daughter Chelsea -(played by real daughter Jane Fonda) and her boyfriend (played by her not real boyfriend Dabney Coleman) and 13 year old son (played by Doug McKeon real son to someone’s parents.)

Click here for a link on the movie.

You see, before I came to live and enjoy the New Hampshire lakes, I heard the loon’s distinctive call in the theme music for “On Golden Pond”. The music was written by Dave Grusin, conducted by Eric Kunzel and performed by the Cincinatti Pops.

Our family had an island up in McGregor Bay, Ontario where loons were everywhere. My wonderful childhood memories include these magnificent birds.

And when you think of water birds, you think of their uncanny abilities to navigate the skies above like those orderly Canadian Geese in formation. You think of their grace like that of the swan on a quiet pond, You think of their colorful displays like Flamingos (whose color have much to do with their diet). You think of their families of babies, like the Wood Duck swimming in groups.

The loon color scheme is quite simple–black and white with red eyes and blue all over (the blue is the water).

Loons are very good swimmers, using their feet to propel themselves above and under water and their wings for assistance.

To watch them fly is an experience–but not as much of one watching them land. Loons need an entire lake to take off —and only 2 feet of space to land–actually crash land. Because their feet are set far back on the body, loons are poorly adapted to moving on land. They usually avoid going onto land, except when nesting.

The larger loons have difficulty taking off from land and must swim into the wind to pick up enough velocity to get airborne. Only the Red-throated Diver can take off from land.

The beauty of these birds is not to watch them swim or fly–They can disappear under water for long distances and show anywhere after what seems far longer than we with huge lungs could hold.(I can barely hold my breath for 1 1/2 minutes)

So what is it about loons and my life.

It seems by no accident that I ended up buying a lake house with resident loonson the lake in New Hampshire–near where On Golden Pond was filmed, — a lake house that reminds me of our family’s island cottage in McGregor Bay, Canada– And somehow having gone to college near Cincinnati where the “On Golden Pond” theme music was created may have something to it. And my college sweetheart Cincinnati girlfriend Karen whose talented mother was taught art by our next island neighbor in McGregor Bay. I even met Ernest Thompson while living in NYC. And I find it interesting I am now with Prudential Spencer-Hughes in the Lakes Region selling real estate in New Hampshire with a focus on lake homes. Check out my site www.Waterfrontagent.net.

And last but not least–some people have accused me of being “crazy as a loon” with my wacked sense of humor. (there happens to be 160 definitions of “loon” according to the Urban Dictionary.)

With all the nature I am surrounded by, the loon will forever be my favorite bird with my favorite bird sound to keep me sane at night.

Here are some links of interest

The Loon Preservation Committee

The Loon Center and Markus Wildlife Sanctuary

Info on Loons

The Wildlife Society

Loon Info on Wikipedia

Great loon photos

http://www.loon.org/

Don’t wait in a buyer’s market.

Michael Travis—Your Waterfront Agent — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:18:59 +0000

After 14 years of consistent price appreciation in NH, real estate scene has finally cooled off–or as some call it—”corrected”, making it a buyers’ market again. If you are looking to buy a house, you have great advantage over home sellers because there are plenty of new and existing homes available, with each seller competing with the others for your offer. Prices in many areas of the state are lower than they have been in years and interest rates are still low based on historical standards. The Seacoast and specifically Portsmouth is holding its own though.

Even with all this on your side, it is possible to slip up. Here is what you need to know to make the most of this buyers’ market:

Get a Great Real Estate Agent- Like for instance me.
A real estate agent can be an invaluable resource in helping you find and buy the perfect house at this time. I work on your behalf in your best interest to locate potential homes for you. While you can certainly use the newspaper and the internet to search for homes for sale, agents specialize in learning exactly what is out there at any one time and can do the searching for you and to get information about the property you probably can’t get. Let me know your criteria and I will provide you with a list of possibilities and arrange for appointments. Once you find the house you want, the fun begins. I will walk you through the buying process.

Don’t Wait If You Find the Right House
There is a lot of hesitation in a buyers’ market because buyers think thre is always a better deal to come—well a better deal is not guaranteed and the inteerest rate could go up again which will negate any “Deal” out there. Ther is also the unfortunate belief that New Hampshire is like the rest of the countrywhere you can be a bottom feeder and steal properties. The reality is that New Hampsire is far above the national average in wealth, second homes, emplyment rates and far below the national average in home depreciation. Properties have more than doubled in the last 10 years. Ther are less than 1% foreclosure. It is 3rd in the nation for second homes and 5th for wealth. The seacoast only saw a 4% decline in value in the worst year in deades.

Buyers are scared that prices will keep going down and they will miss out on better deals, or that they will experience negative equity. While those scenarios could happen, the truth is that it is impossible to predict whether the market will keep falling and there is even a chance that prices might start to rise before you find the “right” deal. The best plan is to aggressively search for a home and only buy one that you can truly afford, no matter what the market does. Most home prices will appreciate over the long run, so in the end a little negative equity at the beginning will not hurt you if you start out in a sensible, affordable home loan.

Use Your Negotiation Power
In a buyers’ market, sellers are very eager and sometimes even desperate to sell their houses. This gives you enormous bargaining power to negotiate for a really good price.

If you’re looking for a great real estate investments during this buyer’s market, have me work with you, Afterall my job goes far beyond simply finding a house for you and doesn’t end even after the sale. Come to my site at http://www.waterfrontAgent.net. or simply call me at 617-756-9869.

Michael Travis

Michael Travis is a REALTOR

Prudential Spencer-Hughes

22 South Main Street

Wolfeboro, NH 03894

A resident of Northwood.

Michael.Travis@me.com

www.WaterfrontAgent.net

603-515-9459

Can a man who makes $92 a year really do any work.

Michael Travis—Your Waterfront Agent — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:14:25 +0000

In this day and age, who in their right mind work for 92 bucks a year. Amazingly I have had a bad plumbers who could ring up a bill for $92 in under 90 minutes who couldn’t weld a pipe together with his eyes open.

But you see, Jack Barnes is in his right mind—because he is in the mindset to really help his constituents in New Hampshire. I had an issue with my treatment with bogus tenants from Hell who used the legal system to get away with not paying rent. So I appealed to every senator in the State in an email.

The next day, I got a call from Senator Barnes–the next day after that we met with a state attorney to write a change in legislation which I was then able to present to the senate directly. All from an email.

One email lead to one Senator to make one phone call to make one big difference in a problem that not only helped one resident in his district, but thousands in the state. And Senator Jack Barnes happily did it all for 25¢ a day—it cost more for me to park in an hour that I met him.

Of course if you are a Yankees Fan—well he may not respond quite as quickly. Most likely he will be wearing a Red Sox Tie or button. I was very diplomatic in my answer since I lived ib Both New York City and Boston. He will most likely ask you what you think of the “evil empire” I saw his ask a room full of elementary kids if any liked the “evil empire” a few raised their hands—though they thought he was referring to the one on “Star Wars”

Senator Barnes owned five McDonald’s restaurants before retiring—though he never really retired has he—he is now in the big bucks at $92 a year .

He is passionate about eliminating hunger in this country, He stated “I don’t think we should have people going hungry in this country, “This is not a Third World country.” He doesn’t plan on running for President anytime soon stating “If I had the money to campaign, I’d give it to the food kitchen,”

You can read all about Senanor Barnes at http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/senate /members/senate17.asp
Even his profile photo sports a Red Sox tie

: Senator Jack Barnes

Life Without Parents for the First Time

Michael Travis—Your Waterfront Agent — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 01:27:59 +0000

College is where most of us first begin life without parents. We discover our first true loves without parents. We discover about having roommates without parents (I had a twin brother so I always had a roommate since the womb) We discover our first dates without parents. We discover parties and drinking without parents—We discover doing laundry without parents. We discover our first time sick with a cold without parents—no one to make you chicken soup.

What we really discover is what we are made of–without parents, Actually we learn about our parents–their worries, their generosity, their care, their unconditional love, their trust in you– when we are away from them. As a Resident Advisor at Miami University in Ohio, I saw the changes in others from the position of a pseudo parent being away from their real parents–like when they got their first phone bill. When they slept with a person without having to sneek past their parents. When they had too many drinks without having anybody to face but themselves. Some experiences good. Some very bad.

We still use what we learn throughout life–even if it is the social skills learned at the frats or sororities. Yes we don’t have homework every night–but we use our skills of work to succeed in life. College is a part of our life forever–can’t take it back or change it–but it somehow has changed us all– As people—and if we are lucky—as parents—for the good I think–don’t you?

Author’s note: I was an art major at Miami of Ohio which lead me to advertising in New York City, then Boston which then lead me to Real Estate in New Hampshire at Coldwell Banker. I use my talents from back then even today designing my own brochures and websites and marketing.

My parents are still married after a million years, have known each other since they were five. They have helped me through good times and bad with 2 marriages. I was one of five kids and have one incredibly wonderful daughter who teaches me everyday about being a parent as well—not sure how I will handle her being away from me in college for the first time.

My Favorite Words of Wisdom

Michael Travis—Your Waterfront Agent — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 01:24:27 +0000

“You can never win an argument with an idiot because an idiot will never know he is wrong.” —unknown

“You can’t argue with insanity.”—unknown

“This is not a rehearsal for another life” –My Uncle Jim–possibly my grandfather

“The difference between a “relationship resolved” and a “relationship evolved” is only a few letters”" –Michael Travis

“We are a subtotal of our mistakes.” —Sitaji Devi

“Don’t wait 30 years to tell someone you have a crush on them—in fact don’t even wait 30 seconds.” —Michael Travis after hearing from an elementary school crush after 30 years

“There is no such thing as a mistake—only experiences that make us wiser There is no such thing as a problem, only a challenge” —Michael Travis

“The dumbest question is the one not asked.” —unknown

“The thing about lieing is that you have to remember what you said.” —Paul Martyn

“The sweetest sound a person can hear is their own name.” —Dale Carnegie

“As soon as you say the word “but” the preceding words vanish.” —Sitaji Devi

You have to believe it to see it.” —Sitaji Devi

“Being a twin isn’t half bad” —Michael Travis or was it his twin Tim

“Human bullshit only piles up into mountains of crap which is directly reflective of the quality of life for the person that is being flung at. The only shit that should ever be thrown is during the “cow chip throwing competition” –at least those cow chips will land somewhere and fertilize the ground below creating life.” —Michael Travis

“Sometimes the only thing we have in common with friends is our past. It will remind us of what a wonderful life we have had. Maybe even answer questions we always wanted to know.

“There is no better time than right now to be happy.
Happiness is a journey — not a destination.” —unknown

“Don’t be afraid for life to end—be afraid for life not to begin.”

“Never allow someone to be your priority while allowing yourself to only be their option.” —Mark Twain

“Age is like mind over matter—if you don’t mind, it don’t matter.” —Mark Twain

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” —Dr Seuss

“Either you have patience–or you become a patient.”—Michael Travis

“Denial is a wonderful thing–until reality sets in” —Michael Travis