Housing Market Influences

I recently watched a presentation by acclaimed economist Elliot Eisenberg titled Economy 2022 Growing & Slowing. He was extremely informative and I thought it is worth sharing just a few of the interesting points he mentioned.

  • The housing shortage is due in large part to years of insufficient building. This will not be changing any time soon as builders face a lack of workers, a lack of affordable land to buy, and a scarcity in building materials. The cost of supplies are so high builders are not building entry level homes.
  • The labor shortage is due to multiple factors – more than 3 million excess retirements - above the normal pre-pandemic retirement rate, the lack of daycare means one parent is staying home and not working, immigration has fallen, over 600,000 people left their current jobs to start their own business and more than 700,000 people have died of COVID.
  • About 70% of the home sales in NH this year were purchased by people who already live in NH. Approx. 20% of the buyers were from MA and the remaining 10% of buyers were from other states/countries.

There are many factors and issues affecting the housing market. Whether buying or selling, contact me to work with someone who keeps up-to-date with the latest news and its impacts on you.



Contact Donna Forest: 603-526-4116; www.DonnaForest.com; Donna@DonnaForest.com



You’ll be moving in the right direction with Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - The Milestone Team

5 Reasons to Use a Buyer's Agent


5 Reasons to Use a Buyer’s Agent

Recently a friend asked me to give them some advice for their son who is trying to buy a home in Utah. It’s an extremely competitive market there. My first question was does he have a buyer’s agent and if no, why not?! If you are trying to buy a house, it only makes sense to use an experienced professional to guide you through the process. Here are only a few of the reasons why buyers should use a buyers’ agent.

  • A buyer’s agent works in your best interest. The listing agent works on behalf of the sellers and not for you.
  • An experienced buyer’s agent will advise on how to structure a competitive offer to help better position you as the winning bid in a multiple offer situation.
  • Buyers will need inspectors, lenders, closing companies, etc. Good agents will provide a recommended list of top performing providers.
  • You get local knowledge and insight into the market area.
  • A buyer’s agent will help overcome setbacks and provide advice on how to proceed and negotiate.

When you hire a buyer’s agent, you’re hiring a professional to look out for your best interests during one of the largest purchases you’ll ever make. Contact me to put my 27 years of experience to work for you.


Contact Donna Forest: 603-526-4116; www.DonnaForest.com; Donna@DonnaForest.com


Teamwork from the Team that works –Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - The Milestone Team

The Finer Points





The Finer Points


In the emotional swirl of negotiating on a home, it’s easy to overlook some of the finer points of the contract. Below are some thoughts to keep in mind during this process.

  • While most sales close on time, the closing date is more of a target date. Time is of the essence doesn’t apply here. As long as both parties are making good faith efforts to close, there is no breach of contract.
  • Buyers can move into the home right after closing and typically do a walk-thru inspection 24 hrs. prior to closing. This means sellers should be completely moved out prior to the day of closing.
  • There is an insurance clause in the contract stating sellers need to keep the home insured including replacement cost coverage until closing.
  • Firewood and wood pellets are considered fuel and buyers are expected to reimburse sellers for what is left. Best to address this upfront in the offer with regards to quantity and price.
  • TV brackets, bookshelves that look built-in, and Nest thermostats for example, can become points of contention. Again, addressing these items in the contract is prudent.

Contact me if you are looking for an experienced realtor to help you navigate your real estate transaction!




Donna Forest ~ donna@donnaforest.com ~ 603-731-5151


Real estate markets are local, and we have the real scoop on ours. 

Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - The Milestone Team

What is an Appraisal Gap?


What is an Appraisal Gap?

An appraisal gap is when a lender ordered appraisal comes in lower than the contracted sales price. It happens in competitive markets such as ours where buyers typically need to bid over the asking price in order to be successful in purchasing a home. According to the NH Assoc. of Realtors latest data thru June, homes in NH are selling at 102.9% of the listing price. A low appraisal decreases the amount that can be borrowed and buyers are faced with how to make up this difference. For example, if a seller agrees to accept an offer of $410,000 on a home listed at $400,000 but it appraises for $390,000, there will be an appraisal gap of $20,000. There are a few options buyers can try to keep the sale together:

1) Make up the difference in cash (consider gift funds from family or borrowing against a 401K if short on cash)

2) Shift the down payment so you end up borrowing more money and putting less into the down payment - with lender approval

3) Appeal the appraisal if there is incorrect information or bad comps

4) Renegotiate with the seller. 

Good agents will discuss the concept of low appraisals with buyers and sellers before offers are even made. Many offers with financing are written to say buyer will pay the difference between the appraised value and contract price up to a certain amount. Contact me to work with someone who will prepare you for the “what ifs” in this competitive market.


Donna Forest ~ donna@donnaforest.com ~ 603-731-5151




Teamwork from the team that works the hardest for both buyers and sellers!

Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate The Milestone Team




The Cost of Waiting to Buy



Every buyer wants to purchase at a great price and a low mortgage rate as that determines the monthly cost. Here’s how today’s buyers are being impacted:

Price – Based on a home price expectation survey released by Pulsenomics on June 10, more than 100 forecasters predict an 8.7% annual gain in home values for 2021. This rate is expected to slow to approx. 5% in 2022 and about 2.5% for the following year. In other words, if you are waiting for prices to go down, it could be a while.

Mortgage Rates – The average fixed 30 yr. rate is near 3% right now. The Mortgage Bankers Assoc. expects the 30-year fixed rate to reach 3.6% by the end of 2021. Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate states “the tug of war over whether mortgage rates will move higher or lower from here largely revolves around inflation.” The latest Quarterly Forecast from Freddie Mac predicts the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage to be 3.1% in 2021 and 3.7% in 2022.

Increases in prices and rates impact you; your housing expense will be more a year from now if you need a mortgage to purchase your home. My advice is to buy now - it could lead to substantial savings as even a small change in interest rates can have a big impact. Contact me if you would like expert advice on buying in today’s challenging market.

Donna Forest ~ donna@donnaforest.com ~ 603-731-5151



You’ll be moving in the right direction with Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - The Milestone Team.

Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - The Milestone Team

Vacation Homes are Hot



With the sizzle of summer, it’s easy to think of owning (or at least renting!) a vacation home this year. In fact, recreational home buyers came out full force in the 2nd half of 2020 thru April 2021 in search of that lakefront home or cabin in the woods. The National Assoc. of Realtors (NAR) just released The Vacation Home Counties 2021 Report analyzing how the pandemic impacted this demand and not surprisingly, vacation home sales jumped 57% year-over-year during Jan-April 2021. “Vacation homes are a hot commodity at the moment,” says Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. “With many businesses and employers still extending an option to work remotely to workers, vacation housing, and second homes will remain a popular choice among buyers.” We saw it in our area this spring with bidding wars on the smaller ponds like Chalk Pond resulting in prices over $600,000. While our market seems to have settled down from the earlier months of frenzied buying, the second home market is expected to remain strong given the low supply and high demand. Thinking of buying or selling that second home? Contact me and put my 21 years of local expertise to work for you.

Donna Forest ~ donna@donnaforest.com ~ 613-731-5151



Teamwork from the Team that works –Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - The Milestone Team  Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate The Milestone Team


It’s an Upward Climb

Home prices in NH as well as the US continue to climb upwards as we still are experiencing a shortage of houses for sale. Multiple offers are driving the median sales price of a home in NH to a high of $375,000 (YTD thru May) while the median sales price for the US is $350,000. The average days on market is 34 days and the selling prices are 102% of the asking price. Looking at our local market, in the 3 towns of Newbury, New London & Sunapee combined, there were a total of 53 homes sold thru May 2021, 56 sold in 2020 and 65 sold in 2019. The median selling price is $495,000 thru May compared to last year at $341,250. The average days on market is 24 days and last year was 91 days.

Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Assoc. of Realtors predicts by year end that we will see “less multiple offers, less hurried decisions, less frenzy” as he expects more inventory to come on the market. He anticipates bidding wars would no longer be prevalent by 2022. On the other hand, many articles I’ve read predict it will be years before the housing shortage catches up with demand. My advice – it’s hard to time the market so you should buy or sell when it’s right for you. Contact me to learn more about how the market could impact your plans in this challenging environment!

Donna Forest ~ donna@donnaforest.com  ~ 603-731-5151


Teamwork from the team that works the hardest for both buyers and sellers! Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate The Milestone Team

First Time Home Buyer? Ten Facts Nobody Tells You

Buying your first home can feel like both the best of times and the worst of times. Here are 10 facts nobody tells you when you’re buying your first home.

1. Something will go wrong

No move is ever perfect. Something will get broken or there will be something you’ve forgotten to bring or do. With any luck, the setback will be minor, and you can chalk it up to the old adage, “things happen.”

2. Some of your conditions might not be met

One of the least enforceable clauses in offers to purchase is one for cleaning requests. You can stipulate that carpets, refrigerators and ovens be cleaned. However, if they haven’t been, there is often very little that you can do about it.

If a major repair hasn’t been completed as promised, one of two things will happen: you either won’t take possession of the property on the day you planned or your funds will have to be placed in escrow pending resolution of the issue.

3. If you don’t have the closing fees, you don’t get your new home

Legal fees are due on closing, and your funds won’t be released to the seller unless your lawyer is paid. Closing costs usually range from two to five percent of the purchase price, but be sure to verify this information before arriving on closing day. This money is in addition to your down payment.

4. Good schools increase a home’s value

You’ll pay more for a house in a good school district. Of course, the good news is you’ll get more for it when you decide to sell. If the home you’re planning to buy is your “forever” home and you don’t have, or plan to have children, this may not matter. Still, it’s something to think about.

5. Your neighborhood may be about to change drastically

The municipality may be planning a park, a school, or a playground for your area. Depending on your lifestyle, that can mean profound changes in a short period of time. Check with local administration and the area’s local representative. The first can tell you what the plan is. The latter will have a far better grasp of whether outlined timelines are accurate or not. You can base your decision on the information they provide.

6. You need to read all the documents yourself

It’s tempting when you’re paying a lawyer to review HOA or condo documents to simply delegate this task. However, a close reading of the minutes of meetings will teach you a lot about your neighbors-to-be and help you avoid nasty surprises, like planned increases in fees or devolving renovations that used to be the condo board, or HOA’s responsibility to individual owners.

7. Don’t apply for other credit while mortgage shopping

Applying for a loan or another credit card may seem like a good idea when you’re about to take the home ownership plunge and know you’re going to need to buy things like garden tools, a gazebo, and a grill. Don’t do it unless absolutely necessary. It can negatively affect not only the amount of your pre-approved mortgage, but it can also mean you don’t get pre-approval. Wait until after you’ve bought your home to apply for more credit.

8. You’re going to need “earnest” money

Also known as a deposit, you’ll likely need about $1000 per $100,000 worth of house available when you make an offer. This money is required as a show of good faith and will be held in escrow. You’ll get it back if your offer isn’t accepted, or it may be applied to your down payment. You may forfeit this money, though, if you’re the one who withdraws from the deal.

9. Your neighbors-to-be may be your best source of information

Walk around the area you where you want to live. If you see people out gardening or mowing their lawns, talk to them. Strike up a conversation and explain that you’re thinking of buying. Ask receptive individuals what the neighborhood is like, how long they’ve lived there, and how long they’re planning to stay. If you learn that your new home is located next door to some party animals who blast music every single summer evening, you may not enjoy your own backyard, so you may want to reconsider.

10. Check for rebates you may be entitled to

You may qualify for first-time homeowner rebates. There may be other municipal, state, or utility-provider rebates available, too. Start investigating early. It may make more sense to invest in attic insulation than an air conditioner if you’re going to get a rebate that covers some or all the cost of the insulation. Some areas offer rebates on newer, more energy-efficient appliances. You won’t know that unless you do your homework.

A good real estate agent can talk you through the buying process. Now you’re already ahead of the game with these ten facts nobody tells you, and you’ll be able to focus on offer strategy rather than the fundamentals.

Is This a Housing Bubble?

You might be wondering if the housing market will crash given the high demand, record prices, and bidding wars. The short answer is “there is no bubble.” It would be natural to assume the same thing is happening that led up to the economic crash in 2008. However, the influences are very different. Below are 3 reasons why you can still sleep at night.

  • The limited supply of homes for sale is driving up prices. It is simple economics of supply & demand. Inventory has been declining for years yet buyer interest is increasing.
  • Demand has risen as millennials, currently the largest generation in the US, are entering the housing market. Throw in historic low interest rates, the ability to work remotely, and rethinking of housing requirements due to COVID, and now the need exceeds supply.
  • Poor lending practices was a big contributor to the housing implosion. If you could breathe you got a loan. Also homeowners used the equity in their homes like an ATM machine and ended up owing more than what their house was worth.  As a result, foreclosures & short sales depreciated home values nationwide. Lending guidelines today are much stricter and refinancing over the last 3 years is 1/3 of what it was 3 years before the crash. 

Here is a quote in late January from Laurie Goodman, director of Urban Institute’s Housing Finance Policy Center, “I’m feeling very optimistic about the health of the US housing market.” Whether buying or selling, contact me to take advantage of today’s great market!

Donna Forest ~ donna@donnaforest.com ~  603-731-5151


Real estate markets are local, and we have the real scoop on ours.  Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - The Milestone Team

Beware the Escalation Clause

In this market where multiple offers are common, buyers are pulling out all the stops to try and successfully compete. Some buyers are resorting to the use of an escalation clause. This works by offering the seller $1000 (for example) more than the highest bid the seller receives from other buyers. The clause may contain a cap to limit the buyer’s price exposure.  Below are just some of the reasons why this is not a good idea.

  • An accepted offer with an escalation clause may not be an enforceable contract since it does not contain definite terms. Potentially either buyer or seller could later change their mind and claim no legal contract was formed.
  • If the escalation clause contains a cap, it basically tells the seller the top price this buyer is willing to pay. A smart seller could reject all offers and counter back to every buyer with a request for new offers not less than the cap.  
  • Escalation clauses create exposure for buyers since they don’t know what they will actually be paying for the property. Will they qualify? Will the house appraise? 
  • What if several offers come in with an escalation clause? Who wins the bid? 
  • If a legal escalation clause were to be written by an attorney, it would probably be a page long of legalese in order to protect the buyers. Not exactly enticing to a seller.

There are many ways to write a compelling offer without an escalation clause. Whether selling or buying, contact me if you want to effectively navigate this complex market. 603-731-5151; donna@donnaforest.com

You’ll be moving in the right direction with Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - The Milestone Team.