How would you like to live in a cozy, low-maintenance condo unit, tucked away in a private tranquil neighborhood, yet less than 5 minutes from the buzzing town center of New London? If so, look no farther than this special opportunity at Hilltop Place Condo Association. This one-bedroom, one-bath unit is very comfortable and roomy. Separate living and dining rooms, kitchen, bedroom, and bath can all be found on one level. Side sliders open to a sunny open field between units. Decent storage. Detached one car garage with opener. Visit www.newlondonnhcondo.com to learn more!
Marilyn Kidder, Listing Broker, 603-526-4116
Autumn is knocking. Whether you want to go out and enjoy the crisp, cool air or stay nice and cozy inside we have tons of activities, craft ideas, and recipes to fill your Fall!
Fall Activities
Get ready for Fall with these awesome activities.
- Start a new family tradition and create unforgettable blanket forts with the kids. Pick a new theme every few weeks to change it up. One night could be space themed–hang twinkling lights and paper mache planets.
- Uncover some clever ways to add fall flair to your porch.
- Check out these incredible tips on how to host a fall backyard gathering! If you set a buffet, don’t forget to disinfect the serving utensils.
- Get festive and get decorating.
- Apple picking is a great activity to do while practicing social distancing. Try out some of the apple recipes below and donate a basket of apples to those in need.
- Create your own family board game. Use the bottom of a cardboard box as the board and create little pieces of out clay. Make your own little world with silly rules and fun twists.
- What better thing to do with all that fall foliage than have a pet photoshoot? Don’t forget to film a slow-motion video of your pet plunging into a pile of leaves.
- Host a virtual paint and sip night! Pick a fall-themed subject to paint and send it to everyone before you start. Everyone can paint on a canvas or regular paper while catching up and sipping on warm apple cider or wine.
- We all could use some serious comfy relaxation time. Discover great tips on how to make your home cozier for Fall.
Fall Crafts
Below are some craft ideas you will Fall in love with.
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Click here for some unbe–leaf-able crafts using leaves.
- Fall is all about getting cozy! Since we’re spending more time inside, discover how to make a weighted blanket so you can stay warm and comfortable.
- Create your very own leaf-shaped dish to hold jewelry or change. Press a leaf that you like onto a rolled-out piece of clay. Using a knife, carefully trace the leaf. When you’re done, slowly pull the leaf off and gently curl the sides up. Place newspaper around the edges, so it holds its shape and looks like a dish. Once it’s dried, paint it any color you want and seal it with a gloss or matte sealer to protect the finish.
- Here are some simple fall crafts and handmade ideas to make your home ready for autumn.
- Discover gourd–geous farmhouse fall decor ideas.
- Treat yourself! Make your own Fall scented candles such as cinnamon, pumpkin, or apple. First, find a glass jar you want to use as the container. Double the amount of wax you would use to fill the container and melt it in a double boiler while stirring frequently. Mix in whatever fragrance oil you choose. Place the wick on the bottom of your jar and slowly pour in the wax. Secure the wick while the wax hardens by sandwiching it between two chopsticks. You can also glue cinnamon sticks onto the outside of an old candle to make your home smell incredible.
- Find festive fall decoration ideas here.
- Make a variety of pinecone creations! Create cute little hedgehogs by making a face and limbs out of clay. Adhere the face onto the pinecone and glue on googly eyes and a small black nose. You could also make a flower bouquet by gluing pinecones to the end of sticks and painting each one a different color. Another option is to design a wreath using pinecones and colorful leaves and flowers.
Fall Recipes
Stir up some delicious food and drinks.
- Get dipping with this scrumptious recipe for marbled caramel apples.
- An apple a day… Click here for an assortment of mouthwatering apple desserts.
- When it’s chilly outside we need chili inside.
- There’s nothing to laugh about when it comes to this snickerdoodle recipe.
- It’s pumpkin season. Click here if you’re craving some classic pumpkin pie.
- Uncover this unbe-leafable fall marshmallow tree recipe.
- Pumpkin spice makes everyone nice. Get cozy with this pumpkin spice latte recipe.
Ways to Give Back
Fall into a charitable spirit with these ideas on how you can give back.
- Spring isn’t the only time for cleaning. Go through your summer gear and gather things you can donate.
- Be neighborly. Check on your neighbors and see if there is anything you can help them with. Rake the leaves in their yard, clean their gutters, or pick up their groceries.
- Make blankets to donate to the homeless and others who need to keep warm. You can recycle your old clothes to create a DIY t-shirt blanket as well.
- October is National Book Month so set aside some time to go through all of your books and make a donation box.
First published at https://www.bhgre.com/bhgrelife/fall-fun/
Typically, as we slide into our fall season of apple picking and pumpkins on the porch, the real estate market starts to slow down. Usually there are fewer buyers out looking and not as many homes for sale. But as we all know, this year is anything but normal! Homes are still selling quickly and values continue to rise. Data from the Mortgage Bankers Association showed loan applications were up more than 30% year over year and they expect buyer demand to continue into 2021. In the words of Lawrence Yun, National Association of Realtors' chief economist, “this market momentum is very solid.” He also stated "home sales continue to amaze, and there are plenty of buyers in the pipeline ready to enter the market."
“With unusually high buyer interest this late in the home buying season, buyers are moving much faster than this time last year to beat out competition and lock in low mortgage rates. This means homes are sitting on the market for much less time, despite notably higher price tags,” the report’s author, Realtor.com economist Danielle Hale, wrote. “Campisi, Natalie The Fall Real Estate Market Is Abnormally Hot As Mortgage Rates Break Records” Forbes 9/11/20
Bottom line, it’s not too late to get your house on the market! Contact me if you want to know how to successfully sell your home this fall. 603-526-4116; www.DonnaForest.com; Donna @DonnaForest.com
If a classic clapboard Cape Cod on a tree-lined street is your image of home, then give this one a look! Nicely set back from Shaker Road with a beautiful view of Mt Kearsarge, this house is situated in the midst of New Hampshire splendor: 3.5 miles to charming New London town center, 4 miles from Kearsarge Regional High School and within 2 - 4 miles of two 18-hole golf courses. The terraced backyard abuts a 4 acre pond with plenty of trails in the Cascade Marsh Wildlife Preserve for year-round outdoor activities. A wonderful house with a first floor master bedroom and an upstairs with 2-3 bedrooms off a loft/den area, along with a hobby room that can be multi-purposed. Other features include wood floors in the dining and living room, a wood-burning fireplace, a delightful screened porch to enjoy summer evenings, an attached 2-car garage, stand-by generator, and a brand new roof! Come check out this spacious house at a price you can afford! Call for details.
Donna Forest, Listing Broker, 603-526-4116
Teamwork from the Team that works –Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - The Milestone Team
This wonderful roomy farmhouse with rich local history is conveniently located near the village of Grantham, close to Rte. 89, and a short distance to Lebanon/Hanover to the north and New London/Sunapee to the south. Once part of an over 500-acre working farm, this 4br/2ba home sits along a beautiful stretch of Stocker Brook. The 3.2 acre mostly-level property features perennial gardens, shrubs, trees, and an open pasture area suitable for livestock or horses. The attached outer buildings were once used as an ice house and farm storage, later as horse stalls and snowmobile storage (with drive out and direct access to miles of trails maintained by the local snowmobile club). Other features: FHA Propane heat (new 2016), 4-bedroom septic (new 2020), double pane windows with screens, a standing seam roof, and a great screened porch in shade of an old maple tree. Excellent opportunity for someone who would enjoy its history and charm and undertake some 21st Century updates. Offered at $229,000.
Marilyn Kidder, Listing Broker, 603-526-4116
The real estate market continues to see low inventory and high buyer demand which means it is still a sellers’ market. In July, the state was reporting historically low inventory – half as much for sale this year compared to last year in July (which was also historically low). Buyers realize the importance of home ownership as evidenced by the Mortgage Bankers Association Aug.12 report which shows a 22% increase in mortgage home purchase applications over last year.
NH market data reveals the state had the highest July median sales price ever for that month at $340k. Year to date (thru July) the median sales price in NH is up 7% at $320k compared to $299k last year with the days on market at 56 days and sellers receiving 98.9% of the list price. In the combined towns of Newbury, New London & Sunapee, the number of home sales is a little ahead of last year (thru July) – 115 sales this year/110 sales in 2019. The avg. days on market is 74 and sellers are receiving 96% of their asking price. Currently there are only 43 homes for sale in the 3 towns; 29 of which are priced over $400k. Now is the ideal time to be selling as we expect buyer activity to remain strong thru early fall. Contact me if you’d like to know the value of your home in today’s active market! 603-526-4116; www.DonnaForest.com; Donna @DonnaForest.com
Teamwork from the Team that works –Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - The Milestone Team
On the eve of July 31st, 2020, the sun set on a record-breaking month for residential home sales in New Hampshire. NH REALTORS® reported 2,012 residential sales, the most in the state's recorded history for July---which even in slower years is a terrifically busy month for real estate transactions. The month's median selling price also coincided with New Hampshire's highest ever, at $340,000.
This recent summer boom comes on the heels of five consecutive months of declining sales in the New Hampshire residential housing market. Ever since January 2020, sale volumes had been falling...but July swiftly reversed that trend. Not only that, but it soared ahead to achieve a 6.4% increase over 2019's July sales. July 2020 ushered in a strong seller's market, with sales prices increasing by 22%, and pending sales increasing by 19%. At the same time, the market supply dwindled: homes for sale decreased by a staggering 54%.
July has come and gone, but this trend continues. We're now in the the final golden days of summer, in August, and "healthy buyer demand and constrained supply continue to be the story," reports NH REALTORS®. "A competitive market for buyers...is expected to continue into the late summer and early fall market."
Read more in-depth about this trend: https://www.nhar.org/assets/docs/NHAR_MMI_2020-07.pdf
Today’s market is a bit on the crazy side right now as we don’t have many homes for sale and buyer demand is high. Sellers receiving multiple offers seems to be the new normal. Here is some advice for sellers when they are considering more than one offer.
- With multiple offers, sellers can ask for “best and final” from all buyers, accept one offer if it is outstanding, or pick one offer to negotiate with and set the others aside.
- Be sure to note all the terms of the offers. Closing dates, down payments, financing, inspections, and type of loan can be impactful.
- Be aware if an offer is significantly over asking; there is an increased risk the house will not appraise if the buyer is getting financing. Which means the buyer can’t get the amount needed to purchase.
- Cash is king. Even if the offer is for a little less money, it might be worth accepting as you skip all the steps required with a loan.
- Offers should come with a pre-qualification or pre-approval letter from the buyers’ lenders or they are not worth considering.
Offers have many variables so discussion with your listing agent on how to choose the right one for you is vital. If you are thinking of selling, contact me and put my 26 yrs. of experience to work for you. 603-526-4116; www.DonnaForest.com; Donna @DonnaForest.com
This sound and well-loved cape offers a terrific woodsy setting on 5.03 acres in conveniently located Andover NH. With ample sunny and open outdoor garden space for your vegetable and flower crops, the interior of the house features 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths, with the master bedroom and bath on the first floor. The basement has tall ceilings, daylight, and access from the interior and exterior. The house features a lovely farmers porch on the front of the house, a covered porch at the back of the house, and a ramp along the side of the house should wheelchair access be needed. The property also has a wonderful and sturdy barn with high ceilings, storage space, a poured concrete floor, interior stairs to a room above the garage with solid flooring and joists which could potentially support a finished living space. There are no columns at the parking level inside the barn/garage for a wide-open 24 x 30 interior area. Access to The Northern Rail Trail is just over a mile away for trail biking and walking. Andover serves as a centrally located town for commuters to Concord, the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Region, and the Lakes Region of NH. Also the home of Proctor Academy, host to Ragged Mountain State Forest, steward of Highland Lake, Bradley Lake, and The Blackwater River, and part of the Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway; Andover has much to offer folks looking to be part of a caring and welcoming community. An ideal home with access to all NH has to offer! Offered at $319,000.
Susie Moore Listing Agent 603-526-4186
1. Can I Sell During the Pandemic?
Yes, in NH selling real estate has always been considered an essential business. In fact, it’s a great time to be selling as we have low inventory and high buyer interest. Homes are selling quickly and typically at or above asking prices.
2. Is It Safe to Sell Now?
Assuming you are in good health, then yes, there are precautions agents will take to safely show your home. Steps such as requiring masks and gloves, asking health questions of buyers prior to showings, and limiting showings to only decision-makers are all standard protocol.
3. How Long Does It Take to Sell?
The avg. days on market in NH is about 60 days. We are seeing many homes going under contract in a week or less in our area. Typical closing dates are 45-60 days out.
4. Is Moving Allowed Right Now?
According to the American Moving & Storage Assoc., moving is deemed an essential service but of course, always do your research and plan ahead.
Thinking of selling but still have questions? Contact me for more advice and insight on how to safely sell for maximum dollars! 603-526-4116; www.DonnaForest.com; Donna @DonnaForest.com
Teamwork from the Team that works –Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - The Milestone Team