Tired of Paying Rent? New Listing in Sunapee, NH

This large, affordable home offers room to grow - so much for so little!  Large country kitchen with wood floors is the heart of the home and the corner wood stove radiates warmth throughout.  3 bedrooms, 2 baths and detached 2 car garage.  Jump out of bed and be on the slopes of Mt. Sunapee, less than 4 miles down the road.  For more photos and details visit www.SunapeeNHHome.com.  Offered at $197,000.

Donna Forest, Listing Broker, 603-526-4116

Teamwork from the Team that works – Coldwell Banker Milestone Real Estate.

Sold Your House? Now Prepare for the Closing

It’s time to go to the closing.  How should buyers & sellers prepare so all goes smoothly?  While the closing agent (an attorney or title company) handles most of the details, there are some actions you can take to avoid last minute surprises.  Be sure you know where the closing is and at what time and bring photo ID.  Your REALTOR® should review the closing statement with you for accuracy prior to the closing. Buyers should bring closing funds in the form of a certified or cashier’s check.  Funds can also be wired, as long as it’s done in time to arrive for the closing.  This usually means at least a day ahead.  Wiring is not instantaneous. Sellers should bring the new deed, keys, and paid receipts if work had to be completed as part of the contract.   Be aware that it is customary for the closing agent to disburse monies after depositing collected funds and recording the deed at the appropriate Registry of Deeds.   This means there could be a delay in disbursement after the actual closing.  Again, keep in mind that even wired funds take some time. The bottom line is that if you’re well prepared, closing day will be exciting and stress-free!  Call me if you want to work with a REALTOR® who will make your closings stress-free.  603-526-4116, donna@donnaforest.com, www.donnaforest.com

Known for service, trusted for results – Coldwell Banker Milestone Real Estate

Get Ready for Winter Carnival in New London, NH

You can now buy your tickets for Dinner with Jack Frost on January 31 from 5:30-7:30pm.  Come enjoy this fun, progressive dinner complete with live music, tiki torches and warm campfires on the Town Green.  $10 for adults and $5 for students.  You can buy your tickets at the Recreation Department at Whipple Hall or the Chamber of Commerce on Main Street.  Click here for listing of events throughout the week.

Winter Carnival in New London, NH

You can now buy your tickets for Dinner with Jack Frost on January 31 from 5:30-7:30pm.  Come enjoy this fun, progressive dinner complete with live music, tiki torches and warm campfires on the Town Green.  $10 for adults and $5 for students.  You can buy your tickets at the Recreation Department at Whipple Hall or the Chamber of Commerce on Main Street.  Click here for events.

New Listing, Close to Skiing

This 3 bedroom ranch is "move-in" ready! Many updates have been made over the years and the property has been well-maintained. The basement offers a large multi-purpose room with new pellet stove to expand your living space. Enjoy barbeques outside on the level yard with established garden and shed. Two car detached garage. Mt. Sunapee is just down the road for winter skiing and summer fun. Offered at $184,000.

What's Your Crystal Ball Saying for the Real Estate Market in 2014?

Many people are wondering what the new year will bring for the housing industry. Below is a summary of what experts are predicting for the 2014 real estate market on the national level.

  • Home values are expected to appreciate around 4.3% or even higher by some optimists.
  • Home sales will surge. Many housing pundits expect sales to be higher in 2014 than 2013. The three categories of buyers that will create this demand are first time home buyer, the move-up buyer, and the immigrant buyer.
  • Demand may exceed supply. Experts expect a dramatic increase in demand for housing. As the spring selling season approaches, we will need to see a new wave of salable housing inventory to keep up with the increasing demands of buyers.
  • Interest rates will increase by end of 2014. Projected rates are anywhere from 4.8% to 5.3%, although some experts predict even higher rates.

Bear in mind these are projections based on the US as a whole. While they give a good overall picture of the industry, we need to bear in mind that all markets are local and may not follow the national trends. Contact me to know how your local market is impacting the value of your home. 603-526-4116, www.donnaforest.com, donna@donnaforest.com.

Donna Forest, Broker Associate

Real estate markets are local, and we have the real scoop on ours. Coldwell Banker Milestone Real Estate

Create a Garden Room: It's a Natural Choice

By Caralee Adams Turn a common mud room into a glorious and natural garden room.

Treat yourself to a garden room devoted to potting plants, growing seedlings, and bringing the sights and smells of the good earth indoors. A garden room is also a little something extra that can help market your home. Here’s how to create a natural retreat.
Garden room must-haves Sink: If you already have a laundry hookup or your intended garden room shares a wall with a kitchen or half bath, you can easily add a deep sink for rinsing off garden vegetables and cleaning muddy trowels. (If not, forget the sink, which will be crazy expensive to plumb.) A stand-alone stainless steel sink from a kitchen supply store is a workhorse ($250 to $1,400), but a plastic tub ($80) will do, too. Installation typically costs $200 to $350 if tapping into existing plumbing; $800 to $900 if your plumber has to open up walls to access pipes. Countertops: When it comes to garden rooms, the more counter space, the better. Place counters next to the sink for easy cleanup after repotting plants. Stainless steel is best, because it won’t rust and you won’t care about scratches, which only make stainless look more interesting. Cost: $100 to $200, installed. If your budget is tight, use an old wood table that a few more scars won’t hurt. Storage: Throw up some cabinets in your new garden room; you can get deals at Habitat for Humanity ReStore Resale Outlets ($45 for a single cabinet). Rescue school lockers from a yard sale, or stack and anchor fruit crates to a wall (you may be able to liberate free crates from a grocery dumpster). A forged iron curtain rod with some large J hooks is a great place to hang baskets for less than $100. Light: Your seedlings and hanging plants will love natural light. Replace wood doors with swinging all-glass doors, which you can price online or a home centers. Take down window treatments to maximize light. Flooring: Choose a surface in your garden room that won’t show dirt and is easy to clean. Vinyl sheets ($8-$10/sq. yd.) are best. Ceramic tile (typically $1-$10/sq. ft.) is sturdy. To hide dirt, use darker tiles and grout. Also, make sure you periodically reseal grout lines to keep out dirt.

Visit Houselogic.com for more articles like this.  Reprinted from Houselogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

New Listing in Sunapee, NH

This  home may need some updating, but was custom built with pride and added extra features like central air and central vac.  3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths on 3.4 acres.  There's a two car detached garage, plus a three story detached, heated garage with room for cars on two levels with a large, unfinished room above - great for the car enthusiast, hobbyist, workshop or just storage.  Mt. and Lake Sunapee are just up the road for year-round enjoyment - plenty of room to store your boat!  Offered at $224,500.

Jane Snow, Listing Agent, 603-526-4116

You’ll be moving in the right direction with Coldwell Banker Milestone Real Estate.

Still Renting? Look at this Affordable New Listing in Andover, NH

  • Dec 18, 2013

Don't miss out on this turn key property with lots of updates and a view of Ragged Mountain.  Three bedrooms, 5.4 acres.  Located very close to the Northern Rail Trail, it's the perfect location for the walker, biker or snowmobile enthusiast.   Enjoy warming up in front of the woodstove when you get in!  The open concept is great for entertaining.  Lots of space inside and out.  Offered at $146,000.

Stacey Viandier, Listing Agent, 603-526-4116

Real estate markets are local, and we have the real scoop on ours.  Coldwell Banker Milestone Real Estate

Know the Benefits of Home Ownership?

  • 88% of current homeowners report that owning a home has been a positive experience
  • A homeowner’s net worth is 34 times that of a renter’s
  • 95% of homeowners believe that over a period of several years, it makes more sense to own a home than to rent - you are paying for housing whether renting or owning
  • 77% of homeowners say it helps them achieve long term financial goals
  • Homeowners reported higher life satisfaction, higher self-esteem, happiness, and higher perceived control over their lives
  • Homeowners have better health outcomes, better physical and psychological health and also have a general increase in a positive outlook to life

Home ownership makes sense for many social and family reasons.  It also makes sense financially.  Give me a call if you are ready to pursue the benefits of home ownership!  Donna Forest 603-526-4116, www.donnaforest.com

Source: Realtor.org

You’ll be moving in the right direction with Coldwell Banker Milestone Real Estate.