This beautifully designed brick-ended Federal Colonial was built with particular attention to detail. It features livability and versatility. This home is so beautifully and elegantly designed, yet is particularly comfortable and livable. It is open and fairly large, yet can be so private and cozy. You can entertain dozens of people easily, yet you can be as private as you want. 3+ bedrooms, 4 baths, 2 acres with private back yard. This wonderful home will definitely fulfill someone's dreams! Offered at $630,000. For more photos and details, visit www.ClassicNHCountryHome.com
Marilyn Kidder, Listing Broker, 603-526-4116
Teamwork from the Team that works –Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - The Milestone Team
Did you know 92% of buyers in the Northeast used a real estate agent to buy their home? Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you can make. Whether a first time buyer or not, using a buyer’s agent means you have a professional in the business committed to working in your best interest. Below are just a few of the many advantages you get:
- Local knowledge & insight
- Expertise in contract writing & negotiating
- A buffer to keep emotions from derailing a sale
- Guidance on the whole process from offer to inspections to closing
- A reputable list of inspectors, attorneys, etc.
- Advice on what to do in the event of…
A good buyer’s agent is an advisor and advocate so buyers can make informed decisions.
Thinking of buying? Contact me to work with an Accredited Buyer’s Representative® and put my 23 yrs. of experience to work for you! 603-526-4116, www.DonnaForest.com, Donna@DonnaForest.com.
Listen to our Broker Associate, Donna Forest, and Jim Giller of Mascoma Savings Bank talk about our area's real estate market. View the beautiful home in Sunapee that Donna is representing for sale. Own a piece of Heaven on Earth! Click on the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3rO109Ol0g&feature=em-share_video_user
If you would like to schedule a showing of this beautiful property and more, contact Donna Forest at 603-526-4116, Donna@DonnaForest.com, or www.DonnaForest.com
New Hampshire Realtors has published the stats for NH residential and condominium properties sold in the month of January. To see the report, click here.
Come enjoy tennis, golf, hiking, cross-country skiing, the lake and all the Eastman community has to offer. This picturesque cape nestled in the trees has a first floor master bedroom, kitchen open to the dining area, stainless steel appliances, vaulted ceilings, French doors, and finished lower level with plenty more living space. Large deck is great for BBQs and outdoor entertaining. Natural landscaping with minimal yard work means you can have time to enjoy all the activities. Eastman buy-in fee is $5,000. Offered at $189,900. For more photos and information, go to http://tour.circlepix.com/home/P7KTNF/3-Slalom-Drive-Grantham-NH-4619027
Donna Forest, Listing Broker, 603-526-4116
You’re finally ready to invite friends and neighbors into your new house, but before you send out invitations, take a few minutes to plan out how to make your party special. The best housewarming parties encourage old friends to visit your new digs and help foster new friendships with your neighbors!
1. Include a Handwritten Note
Printed invitations are a worthy and budget-friendly time saver, but don’t be afraid to add a quick note to entice new neighbors to attend. A simple “Hope to see you there!” will increase your chances of a higher turn-out and shows that you are truly excited to host your guests.
2. Include Directions
In the age of GPS navigation systems, it might be easy to forgo step-by-step directions. By including a simple map, hand-drawn or pulled from the internet, it’ll show your guests that you’ve taken the extra step to help them feel welcome. Plus, it will probably decrease the chances of anyone getting lost on the way to your new place!
3. Welcome Friends of Friends
Etiquette may frown on people bringing uninvited guests, but meeting friends of friends is a great way to expand your social circle. Therefore, encourage coworkers and new neighbors to bring friends if they’d like.
4. Finger Foods Galore
To encourage mingling, skip a sit-down dinner and offer plenty of finger foods. Label each food so guests with dietary restrictions know what they can safely eat.
5. DIY Party Favors
A simple DIY party favor can provide your guests with a cute keepsake of your amazing house party! By printing out colorful tags or cards with your new address, guests will know exactly where they can send you a “Thank you” note after they leave. You can even tie these tags on to bags of candy or nuts for an even tastier party favor!
6. Theme It Up
Having a themed party makes it easy to plan menus and decorations. You can also try coupling your housewarming with a holiday party. For example, a Halloween get-together that’s scheduled immediately after trick-or-treating can be a great way to meet the neighbors and initiate new friendships.
7. Create an Awesome Playlist
With just a few minutes spent on your computer, you can put together an amazing playlist that will start your party off right. If your new house has the space, consider moving furniture out of the way to create a makeshift dance floor. With the right tunes, your guests will be more than willing to get their groove on!
8. Have a Guestbook
Before your guests arrive, set up a fun and brightly colored guest book and place it by the front door. Ask your guests to sign it and add their contact information as well as any great tips for your new neighborhood, your new building, or if you’re new to homeownership, some tips to make the transition smoother!
9. Designate a Greeter
It’s easy to get distracted as the host of a party, but if you have an open house party, it’s imperative that you have someone manning the door at all times. If you’re not that gregarious, pick a trusted relative who’s ready to enthusiastically greet guests, take their coats and help them mingle with one another.
10. Have Some Activities on Hand
The best activities are short, don’t require everyone to participate and are plenty of fun for all ages. Try renting a karaoke machine, stock up on a few simple card games or have a game of charades ready to go.
11. Keep Gifts Out of the Way
If you’re lucky enough to receive gifts, find a spot to put them where they won’t be noticed. Sitting around while opening gifts is a guaranteed party killer. Plus, every good host knows that you should always focus on your guests and save the presents for later!
12. Skip the Grand Tour
Instead, give quick, individual house tours to people as you meet them. This plan ensures that you get a chance to have a one-on-one chat with everyone at your party and they get to see your new digs!
13. Spiff Up the House
Unlike other parties, guest will expect to see most of the rooms in your house during the house tour. Before you give them a tour, be sure that each room is spotless, no laundry is left on the floor and that the trash has been taken out.
14. Keep it Casual
Save the fancy cocktail party for another gathering. Your guests will likely be more comfortable in their casual attire, and besides, your floors may thank you for saving them from the effects of high heels and wooden soles.
15. Write Thank You Notes
Always remember to be a gracious host and send “Thank you” cards to all of your guests after the party. Keep it simple and buy a small card that will only fit a few lines of text. Be casual and genuine – now’s the time to let them know that you hope to see them again soon!
Spacious, tastefully renovated, expanded cape within walking distance of Main Street, New London. Open floor plan with first floor master bedroom - abundant windows take in sunshine, sunsets and the spectacular southwest mountain views from every room! Entertain in the enormous sunroom connected to the living room or your family and guests can enjoy the outdoors on your amazing 26' x 70' Trex deck. Plenty of nooks and crannies to find your own private cozy corner. Granite kitchen with stainless steel appliances. And don't forget the walk-out in-law apartment downstairs! Detached 2 car garage and lovely 1.6 acre lot. A must see! Offered at $449,000. Contact Anne Marie Appel, Listing Agent, 603-526-4116 or annemarie@bhgmilestone.com, or www.MyNHLife.com
Teamwork from the Team that works –Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - The Milestone Team
If you are thinking about selling but plan to wait until spring – you may want to reconsider. Redfin (an online real estate company) analyzed 7 million home sales over the past 4 years and divided the data into 4 seasons. They evaluated which season was best for listing a home according to the 2 most common goals for sellers; selling over list price and in the shortest time. Spring was the best time to list a home, but just barely. And surprisingly, winter came in a close second.
“Among spring listings, 18.7 percent of homes fetched above asking, with winter listings not far behind at 17.5 percent. While 48.0 percent of homes listed in spring sold within 30 days, 46.2 percent of homes in winter did the same.”
If you plan to sell, hibernating until spring may not be in your best interest. Contact me if you want to find out how to take advantage of getting a jump on the selling season! 603-526-4116, Donna@DonnaForest.com, www.DonnaForest.com
Attached is our Summary of New London Sales for the past year. The data includes, to the best of our abilities, all the sales which took place in 2016 (not just Multiple Listing sales). Click here for the data.
Searching for the perfect home can be challenging, regardless of the market, and even more so when it’s a seller’s market. It can feel like you’re constantly hitting roadblocks and meeting dead ends, as the sellers are in full control. However, all you need is a bit of momentum, encouragement, and these five tips from our Ask a Pro expert Karlton Utter to survive a seller’s market and find your perfect home:
1. Come to the Table Prepared with a Prequalified Loan
Be fully prepared with a prequalified loan as soon as possible. Obtaining a prequalified mortgage shows sellers that you are a serious buyer who is able to meet your end of the sale to close the deal. This puts you on an entirely new playing field, with a little more control than what you would have had without a prequalified mortgage.
2. Be Taken Seriously by Bringing all the Paperwork
Show the sellers that you’re not kidding around. In a seller’s market, it’s important to show them that you mean business and that you and your offer should be taken seriously. Show up to the table with not only a prequalified loan but with all the paperwork that supports the proof of funds, such as an approval letter from the lender. Actions speak louder than words, and this will definitely entice the seller to work with you!
3. Be Flexible and Discuss Compromising
In a dry market, it’s important to remain flexible. Placing too many limitations on the real estate market will make it even more challenging to find a home. Widen your horizon within the real estate market, as this could introduce you to new homes that you would have never seen otherwise. Being more flexible can also make the process of buying a home easier. If you are hesitant to look outside of your pre-determined boundaries, it’s important to consider compromising. You may be required to give something up – such as a desired feature in a home – just to stay within the area you’re set on. Sometimes by compromising a little, you could have it all and possibly for less.
4. Be Readily Available to Sellers as Much as Possible
With so many buyers looking for homes, timing is essential. It’s important to remain readily available and open for communication with your sellers, and be prepared to make a move on an offer at a moment’s notice. Make it a goal to respond quickly and follow up on requests – or just follow up to get updates if you have not heard back. Communication is not only important for timing, but it also builds rapport with your seller. This can make the difference in getting the offer and property that you want.
5. Don’t Play Hard to Get
Now is not the time to play hardball. A seller’s market leaves very little control to you as a homebuyer. As such, you need to be willing to follow the seller’s lead, as opposed to challenging it with bullheaded negotiation tactics that work in other situations. Limit the contingencies, make a bold offer and if the sellers make a counter offer, proceed carefully by negotiating from there.
With the proper approach, you can find your ideal home – at your ideal price – even in a seller’s market.
Source: reprinted from www.bhgre.com