Then take a look at this spacious expanded cape on 12+ acres in New London. 4 bedrooms, 3 baths plus one bedroom, one bath apartment over the garage. Views of Mt. Sunapee, 3 car garage. For more information and photos, visit www.1615KingHillRd.com.
Getting your house under contract is a great first step, but beware…there are five common mistakes often made by sellers which could endanger the eventual closing. To keep your closing on track, be sure you … Don’t ignore contingencies This one is simple: if your contract requires you to do something before the sale, do it, and do a good job of any repairs Fix things that break Remember, there will be a walk-through. If the buyer notices that something has broken since he last saw the house, and it hasn’t been fixed, at the least, he could call for a delay of closing until the repair is made. Even worse, he might lose confidence about your trustworthiness and the condition of the house and he may walk away from the sale. Don’t get lax about deadlines Follow the timelines required in the contract to a “T”. Don’t refuse to negotiate any further Be prepared to listen to requests by the buyer for reasonable price negotiations. Don’t fail to mention liens to your agent and the buyers These things will come up in the title search anyway and could derail the closing. Take care of them up front. Article source: BuyAndSell.HouseLogic.comBy: G. M. Filisko
Published: March 30, 2010
If your house has been on the market longer than expected and you’ve had minimal activity, it’s time to review the 4 things that impact selling: Price, Condition, Location, and Marketing Plan.
- Price – Evaluate the market with your agent to see the recent solds and new listings. Discuss where your house fits into this market data. Now may be the time for a price reduction.
- Condition – Look at your house through buyers’ eyes. Spruce up, fix problems, de-clutter. Review feedback from showings to see if there are any issues which should be addressed.
- Location – If you are located close to the road or packed in with other homes for example, you can only overcome a poor location by lower pricing. “What price will make the road ‘go away’?”
- Marketing Plan – Review where your property has been marketed with your agent. Look for heavy internet exposure, make sure your home is distributed to multiple sites, check the pictures on MLS to be sure there are as many as possible and that they represent your house to its best advantage, discuss the target market to consider other placement.
It takes time to market and sell a home – keep in mind that the average days on market in the Sunapee region is around 5 months (statistic derived from the NNEREN MLS). If you’re looking for an agent who has the expertise to get your home sold, then give me a call at 603-526-4116.
Donna Forest, ABR
Many folks probably don’t know that New London Hospital was organized during the First World War. It was in 1918 that the six-bed hospital opened to the public in the building which now houses Tracy Memorial Library. About five years later, a completely new building offering 12-beds was erected on Main Street; today this building is known as the Griffin House Condominium Association. The current site (a gift of 50 acres from a summer resident) and the original building on County Road were dedicated in 1958. In 2007, expansion continued with a 46,000 square foot addition, which was completed in 2009. “Today, New London Hospital is accredited by the State of New Hampshire as a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital, providing primary care, emergency and specialized clinical services to the community it serves, continuing its rich tradition of quality service and caring.” For our area, the value of a caring, committed and involved local hospital cannot be over-estimated. Visit their web site at: New London Hospital
Two bedroom cottage within walking distance of Sunapee Harbor offers a dock right across the street on Lake Sunapee. Imagine strolling out your door to take a quick boat ride on a warm summer's evening. Price reduced from $299,900 to $279,900. For more information and photos, please visit www.110LakeAve.com.
As winter approaches, you will want to take steps to insure that your property is prepared for the weather. If your property is seasonal and not winterized, here are some specific items to address:
- Turn off non-essential utilities
- Secure all windows and doors
- Turn on the alarm system
- Close storm shutters
- Dispose of trash and perishable foods
- Bring in outdoor furniture
- Unplug appliances and electronics
- Drain water lines to prevent freezing
If there are concerns about vandalism, you might want to consider installing a home security system. Another alternative is to hire a local caretaker who will regularly check on your property; look for good references and be sure the individual is bonded and insured.
By having a systematic approach to shutting down your seasonal vacation home, you can avoid expensive and unexpected repairs when you open up in the spring.
Source: National Association of REALTORS, homelogic.com; Donna Fuscaldo, author
In addition to covering the Sunapee area and New London area, the Lake Sunapee VNA, founded in 1920, also brings their services to the following communities in Merrimack, Sullivan and Grafton Counties: Andover, Bradford, Claremont, Croydon, Danbury, Enfield, Goshen, Grantham, Lebanon, Lempster, Newbury, Newport, Salisbury, Springfield, Sutton, Unity, Warner, Washington, and Wilmot. Their mission statement describes their commitment: “Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice provides comprehensive, high quality health care services, within its financial resources, to support the dignity and independence of individuals and families in community settings. Commitment to innovation and collaboration with health care providers and community members promotes a supportive work that enhances this mission of excellence.” Services to their communities include: Home Care and Long Term Care Health Education Wellness and Social Services Physical and Speech Therapy Occupational Therapy Hospice Pediatric Programs Home Tele-monitoring Medication Monitoring Community Clinics and Personal Support Services Provided through their “…network of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, licensed nursing assistants, medical social workers, homemaker/ companions, and physical and occupational therapists.” The Lake Sunapee Region VNA and Hospice is an incredible asset to our area. For more information, visit their website at: Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice
Don’t buy a house without having a Building Inspection by a professional home inspector. A home inspection can not only educate you on the current condition of the home, but also, can minimize costly surprises in the future.
Here are four things you really need to know about home inspections:
1. Be sure you hire a qualified inspector with an excellent reputation. How long has he been in business? Can he give you referrals? Has he had any formal training? Is he licensed by the State? Does he carry Errors & Omissions Insurance?
2. Request a copy of a sample report. Check that it appears thorough with clear and easy to understand explanations; pictures are really helpful. Also, ask how long it will be before you receive the report.
3. Inspect the other systems and conditions. Some companies will also offer septic system inspections, testing for radon water or radon air, pest inspections, water tests, mold screening, lead testing, or uranium and arsenic testing. As a minimum, inspect the septic and test the water for quality and the presence of radon. Educate yourselves so you can decide if want to do any of the other testing which is available.
4. Be sure to go along on the inspection, if at all possible. (Be wary if the inspector discourages you from coming!) The inspector can be very helpful in explaining how to operate the home’s various systems and will often provide helpful tips on maintenance or energy-saving. Going along on the inspection will also make it that much easier to understand the final report.
Have fun and good luck!
These tips appeared in HouseMaster and appeared in RIS Media in April, 2010.
This very short list of local farms was obtained from a really wonderful web site where you can find out about much more than just apple-picking! Pick Your Own! Visit the site for tons more information!
Apple Hill Farm - Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, black currants, apples & flowers 580 Mountain Road, Concord, NH 03301. Phone: 603-224-8862 Email: applehill@fcgnetworks.net. Open: June-November, varies with picking season. Special Events: Call or email for calendar
Appleview Orchard - apples, pumpkins, raspberries (red), strawberries, other vegetables, already-picked produce (of the pyo crop), gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, Bouncy castle or moon bounce, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours, 1266 Upper City Road, Pittsfield, NH 03263. Phone: 603-435-3553 Email: apples@applevieworchard.com. Open: Daily from 10 am to 6 pm for picking Late August through Late November; Late May to Late November Ice Cream and Gift Shop open Daily! Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: Appleview Orchard is located just over a mile off New Hampshire Route 28, situated atop beautiful Jenness Hill. We are only about 20 minutes from downtown Concord; yet we are a world away from it all!. Click here for a map and directions. New in 2010 Haunted Halloween!. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard.
Carter Hill Orchard - apples, blueberries, pumpkins, raspberries, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, school tours, 73 Carter Hill Road, Concord, NH 03303. Phone: (603) 225-2625 Email: carterhillorchard@comcast.net. Directions: From I-93 take Exit 15W, go to the end of the exit and take a right (this is North State Street). At the second set of lights (between the Sovereign Bank and Irving Gas Station) take a left onto Penacook Street. Follow road straight fro approximately 4 1/2 miles. Stay to the left of the V in the road. A half mile later, you'll see Carter Hill Orchard on the left. Click here for a map and directions. Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Crops are usually available in August, September, October, November. Open: seven days a week; 9 am to 6 pm in September and October, and 9 am to 5 pm from November 1 to December 22; We close for the season at noon on December 23. Click here for current open hours, days and dates.
Gould Hill Orchards - apples, pumpkins, 656 Gould Hill Road, Hopkinton, NH 03229. Phone: 603-746-3811 Email: info@gouldhillfarm.com. Open: Apples from Labor Day to late October - daily 10am to 5pm. Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard, Discover. (UPDATED: March 26, 2010)
You've come to the right place! Great cottage on Lake Kolelemook in Springfield, NH has open concept living area and long lake views. A sandy, shallow beach is just steps away from your door. Visit www.21SandyBeach.com for more photos and details. Offered at $244,000.
