It's almost here - The League of NH Craftsmen Fair, August 5-13, 2017 from 10am to 5pm daily at Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury, NH.
It's the oldest, continually running fine craft fair in America. You'll enjoy educational and fun events every day including some fantastic surprises. See new work from your favorite craftspeople and meet recently juried members. Get a head start on your holiday shopping and make sure to select a handcrafted piece for yourself.
Teamwork from the Team that works –Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - The Milestone Team
Great curb appeal! This classic Gambrel has a lot to offer. Nice country setting but not far from schools and town amenities. Many improvements have been made such as extensive site work around the house, an updated driveway, new cabinets and counters, and a new boiler (2014). Great space, hardwood floors (first floor), front and back decks, screened porch, a large yard and a barn/garage too. All carpets have been removed and will be replaced prior to closing. Seller is related to listing agent. Offered at $277,000. For more photos and details, go to http://tour.circlepix.com/home/QKHDLU/212-Ryder-Corner-Road-Sunapee-NH-4647879
Jane Snow, Listing Agent, 603-526-4116
Buying a home is a big investment. Knowing what to steer clear of will help make this experience a positive and rewarding venture. Here are some common mistakes to avoid.
- Not knowing what you can afford. Get pre-qualified with a lender. Lending standards have tightened considerably; it’s important to know IF you can borrow money and how much.
- Failing to consider additional expenses. Taxes, insurance, utilities, and maintenance are costs on top of your mortgage.
- Being too picky. There is no such thing as a perfect home. Every house has trade-offs. Evaluate what’s important to you and let the little stuff slide.
- Not researching the neighborhood. Check school systems, traffic, potential noise situations, etc.
- Not hiring your own agent. Hire a buyer’s agent and use their expertise to represent your best interests.
The more educated you are as a buyer, the better chance you’ll have for a smooth and easy home buying experience. Give me a call if you are looking for an accredited buyer’s agent! Donna Forest, Broker Associate, 603-526-4116; Donna@DonnaForest.com; www.DonnaForest.com
Looking for some fun? You'll find it in Sunapee Harbor! Here's what's happening:
Live at the Livery - One of North America's finest performers of traditional Scottish music, Jamie Laval, will be at The Livery in Sunapee Harbor, NH on Friday, July 7 at 7p.m. You can enjoy more Celtic music on Friday, July 14, with fiddler Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki performing. For more information and tickets, visit www.thelivery.org, tickets at the door are $15.
Hawaiian Hoopla - Check out your closet for the grass skirt and flowered shirt for the summer luau at Dewey Beach on Saturday, July 15, 4-7pm. The Flames will be performing, featuring selections from the 50s, 60s and 70s. There will also be a barbecue, games and more. Look for ticket information on Facebook. In case of rain, the event will be held at The Livery.
Poker on the Lake - The sixth annual Lake Sunapee Sailing Day will be held Saturday, July 15 at 1p.m. at Sunapee Harbor. Sponsored by the Lake Sunapee Cruising Fleet and is a poker cruise open to all sailboats. A reception will be held at 4p.m. at the Knowlton House in the harbor. Refreshments will be served and prizes for the best poker hands and crew costumes. Info 763-9610 or katebruce.mcloy@gmail.com
The entryway of your home holds a lot of power. Although it’s a small portion of your house, it’s the first thing people see when they walk through the door. If your guests are greeted with a pile of shoes and a heap of clutter, it can make the entire atmosphere seem chaotic. Instead, you want your entryway to be welcoming and beautiful. However, with so many essentials needing to be near the front door and with such a little space to work with, it can be hard to find a way to make the entryway effective as well as stunning. Fortunately, with these entryway ideas, you’ll see just how easy it is to turn your entryway into a practical masterpiece.
Open the Space with a Large Mirror
Entryways are small. The area is often crowded, and even more so when you have a plethora of guests arriving. However, hanging a large mirror on the wall will open up the space, making it seem significantly larger. It can also distract people from a small entryway. In addition, natural lighting from your front door will reflect in the mirror, making the space appear lighter and more inviting.
Separate the Entry from the Entryway
When people enter your home, they stop just after the front door. They take off their shoes, remove their jackets, set down their keys and handbags. This can quickly make your entryway crowded, especially if it’s a small space. Designate a portion of the entryway for practicality. Move the shoe racks away from the front door so people can enter without tripping. Also, trade in the floor coat rack for one mounted on the wall to free up more floor space. It’ll make coming and going within your home easy.
Prioritize and Organize
Decide what actually needs to be in the entryway. If it doesn’t serve a purpose, consider moving it elsewhere, even if it’s just down the hall from the front door. Look beyond the large furniture pieces. The smallest items can sometimes be the biggest culprits, taking away from the aesthetics of your entryway. Hats, mitts, scarves, magazines, newspapers, flyers, and anything else that is currently being collected in a heaping pile of stuff should be moved. Install more hooks in the hallway. Additionally, place decorative baskets to hide the clutter.
Add in a Multi-Purpose Storage Bench
Multi-purpose furniture pieces are excellent, especially in smaller areas of the home. A storage bench is the perfect piece of furniture for entryways. It allows your guests to sit down to remove or put on their shoes, while you get the added benefit of hidden storage compartments. Storage benches also come in various shapes and styles. Some look like actual benches whereas others look like vintage trunks. Either way, they’re perfect for your entryway.
Display Personality
Don’t put everything away. Your entryway should still showcase the things that make your house a home. Hang photos on the wall and little mementos with sentimental value. The best decorating tip is to make your home perfect for you.
Your entryway doesn’t have to resemble that of a schoolyard when the recess bell rings and all the kids are trying to squeeze through the door at once. Gone are the days of tripping over shoes. With a little TLC and these decorating ideas, your entryway can be just as practical as it is beautiful.
Source: www.bhgre.com
Tranquil private retreat on a winding country road, nestled between Route 114 in Sutton and Route 103 in Bradford. Savor your peaceful evenings on the back deck, overlooking the lush lawn, listening to the peepers and watching the sun set over the marsh. Relax in the hot tub or hammock or by the fire pit. Watch the kids play ball in the rambling backyard from the huge picture window indoors. Cozy country kitchen and large open first floor with two bedrooms and two bonus rooms to use as an office or exercise space - plenty of room to spread out! Retire to the second floor master suite with attached bath. Separate one car garage and lovely barn to store the toys. Minutes to Mt. Sunapee or New London and easy commute to Concord or the Upper Valley. Come home and relax! Offered at $199,500.
For more photos and details, visit http://tour.circlepix.com/home/AF4HGH/35-Old-Sutton-Road-Bradford-NH-4641584
Anne Marie Appel, Listing Agent, 603-526-4116
This outstanding home offered with a highly desirable Sunapee Harbor South Club Boatslip is tucked back from the road on 2.5 landscaped acres and within walking distance of Sunapee's charming Harbor. Custom built by Carey Builders with carefully chosen materials and a craftsman's incredible attention to detail, this home blends together necessary spaces with those extras which make such a lifestyle difference. Sit by the pond, read in the Elmm Room, lunch on the side deck, enjoy friends and family cooking out on the patio. 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, approximately 4,800 sq. ft. of living space on two levels. Location, style, quality, crafted details, access to Lake Sunapee. . . all the makings for the best of vacation or year-round living. Offered at $1,538,000. For more photos and details, visit www.LakeSunapeeNHAccess.com
Marilyn Kidder, Listing Broker, 603-526-4116
As our area market continues to see strong demand and low supply, it becomes more important for buyers to be prepared and ready to make an offer when the right property comes along. Here are a few tips to help strengthen your buying position:
- Do your homework and know what you are looking for in a home.
- Get pre-qualified for a mortgage before looking.
- Stay in touch with your agent and be ready to view any new listings that match your criteria.
- Don’t play games when bidding; you’ll likely be competing with other offers.
- Don’t make your offer contingent on selling your house first. It will be the last offer considered if you do.
While it can be discouraging to buy in a tight market, remember, “Luck favors the prepared”. Be ready to act and to present an attractive offer. Contact me if you’d like to know how to make home buying an easier process. Donna@DonnaForest.com, www.DonnaForest.com, 603-526-4116
This custom Colonial is currently being built. Open concept first floor, large mud room, covered entries, optional second floor master. Possibility for details to change as progression of construction continues. Plenty of room for expansion in the walk-out basement (plumbing for bath is roughed in) or over the garage. Buyer may have options if purchased before work is completed, so make your appointment today! Offered at $685,000. Agent interest.
Jane Snow, Listing Agent, 603-526-4116
If you want to sell your home faster and most likely for more money, consider hiring a home stager. Home staging is not decorating or interior design. It is the act of preparing and showcasing a home for sale to attract buyers. A home should be merchandised and marketed just like any other product, but somehow this is woefully overlooked by most sellers. Staging is a proven marketing strategy - staged homes present and show better, they sell lifestyle and emotion, and they don't give buyers a reason to offer less money. Buyers are willing to pay a premium for a move in home.
Professionally staged homes stand out above the competition and also photograph better - a key component in online marketing. It's hard to make the mental leap from this is your home to now being a commodity on the market.
Stagers are trained professionals who understand exactly what is needed to get your property prepared for sale. Bottom line, it is money well spent to properly prepare a house for sale. Contact me for more useful tips if you are thinking of selling. Donna@DonnaForest.com, www.DonnaForest.com, 526-4116