Archive for the 'New London Housing Market' Category

Is Your House Camera Shy?

Published on February 22, 2012 in New London Housing Market. 0 Comments Tags: , .

If you’re getting ready to put your house on the market, it is important to make sure it photographs well.  Since 90% of buyers start their search online, good pictures are essential to grabbing buyers’ interest.   Before your REALTOR® arrives to take photos, here are some tips to help maximize your online exposure.

  • De-clutter your house.  Pay attention to the small details like removing refrigerator magnets, soap & sponges by sink, and towels hanging on the stove.  Also, stash-or throw-all your piles away.
  • Watch out for strong colors as they may not show well in photos.   You may want to consider painting walls a more neutral palette or replacing too bold/busy bedspreads.  Ruffles and curtains may need to go as well.
  • Avoid having too much furniture in a room – remove excess pieces.
  • Make each room as light & bright as possible.
  • Pay attention to the exterior.  Good landscaping and a fresh coat of paint will look great on and off camera.

Talk to your REALTOR® to make sure they are using a camera with a wide angle lens and that they are putting as many photos as possible online.  You can count on me for this kind of good advice which will help your property stand out in the market and get the attention of serious potential buyers.  Give me a call – 603-526-4116!

Donna Forest, Broker Associate

Looking Under $200,000 in New London? This New Listing Could be for You!

Published on February 17, 2012 in Advice for Buyers and New London Housing Market. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

It’s not perfect, but it’s a great price for New London!  $178,000 for this 4 bedroom, 2 bath ranch in a great location with easy access to the medical center/hospital and shopping center.  Wood floors, some renovations started.  A great opportunity if you’re looking for a project with “home” work!  Call 603-526-4116 to schedule your showing.

Donna Forest, Listing Broker

First Offer – Best Offer??

Published on February 6, 2012 in Advice for Sellers and New London Housing Market. 0 Comments Tags: , .

It is commonly said among REALTORS® that the first offer is often the best offer.  And for good reason!  You would be surprised by how frequently we see sellers who are unable to come to terms with the first offer made, then end up selling the property at a later date for much less.  Usually the seller argues that the property has been on the market for such a short time, there must be more buyers out there willing to meet the price.  Sellers often get attached to that last $1000 – when buyer and seller fail to agree, the sale is lost for a tiny percentage of the overall price.  My advice to sellers?  Give serious consideration to the first offer and try to make it work if at all possible.  Hanging on to the property and paying taxes, mortgage, and maintenance for another few months may eliminate any perceived increase in selling price.  With the current market, sellers need to seriously consider a viable offer, especially if it is the first one presented.

Please feel free to contact me for any of your real estate needs, 603-526-4116, donna@donnaforest.com.

Donna Forest,  Broker Associate

Do You Find the Glass Half Full or Half Empty?

Published on January 24, 2012 in Advice for Buyers and New London Housing Market. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Positive signs for the housing market and economic conditions – read more. . .

Sellers – Don’t Forget the Garage!

Published on January 20, 2012 in Advice for Sellers and New London Housing Market. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

When it comes to getting your property ready to go on the market, most of the emphasis is on preparing the home.  The garage is an often-overlooked feature that can have an impact on the sale.  In order to maximize the sale potential, here are a few tips:

  • De-clutter the garage.  Get rid of as much “stuff” as you can.
  • Sort like items together.  Keeping similar things together make the space look more organized.
  • Use storage racks, bookcases, shelving units to organize.
  • Sweep out the garage.  Remove cobwebs, oil spills, etc.
  • Paint the doors if they need it.
  • Add garage door openers – many potential buyers consider this a priority.
  • Make sure your garage is adequately lighted.

Follow these basic guidelines and your garage will become an attractive feature adding value and desirability in the sale of your home.

Feel free to give me a call for any of your real estate needs.  As always, I appreciate your referrals!  603-526-4116

Donna Forest, Broker Associate

Is Now the Time to Buy Your Home?

Published on January 18, 2012 in Advice for Buyers and New London Housing Market. 0 Comments Tags: , .

Yes!  And here’s what John R. Talbott, previously a Goldman Sachs investment banker, a best selling author and economic consultant to families has to say about it.  Read more.

Give our office a call if you’d like professional assistance in finding your perfect home!  603-526-4116; www.cbmilestone.com, info@cbmilestone.com

Residential Home Sales Down 1 Percent in November

Published on December 28, 2011 in New London Housing Market and Sunapee Housing Market. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

After four consecutive months of steady residential sales gains in New Hampshire, November unit sales saw a slight decline compared to the same month a year ago, according to data released this week by the New Hampshire Association of REALTORS (NHAR).

The median price of those homes, meanwhile, decreased by 4 percent in November.

There were 822 homes sold in November 2011, 2.5 percent behind the 843 sold in November 2010. That came following jumps of 29 percent, 14 percent, 13 percent and 14 percent in the four months prior.  Year to date sales for this year, meanwhile, were 1.2 percent above those through the first 11 months of 2010: 9,790 compared to 9,674.

“We would expect to end 2011 a shade ahead of 2010 in terms of the number of residential homes sold,” said NHAR President Tom Riley, a 35-year veteran of the real estate industry and president of Riley Enterprises in Bedford. “This supports our contention that while we are not making huge gains, there seems to be a stabilization underway that we hope speaks to the early stages of a slow recovery, both in the New Hampshire housing market and the broader economy.”

The state’s November residential median price dropped from $202,000 in 2010 to $193,450 in 2011. Year to date, the $203,000 median sale price in 2011 is 6 percent below the $215,000 through November of 2010.

In local markets, November unit sales increased in five of the state’s 10 counties: 30 percent in Cheshire, 15 percent in Carroll, 14 percent in Belknap, 10 percent in Sullivan and 3 percent in Rockingham. New Hampshire’s largest county, Hillsborough, saw just a 0.5 percent November vs. November decline.

Median price fell in all counties other than Rockingham, which saw a dramatic increase in November compared to a year ago: a 52 percent jump, from $159,900 in November 2010 to $242,500 in November 2011.

November 2011 data residential

As for the number of November condominium sales in New Hampshire, there was a slight increase from 2010 (187) to 2011 (189), while the median price of those sales increased 4 percent, from $160,000 to $166,000.

November 2011 data condo

Source:  Dave Cummings, NHAR Director of Communications

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Published on December 22, 2011 in New London Housing Market and Sunapee Housing Market. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Many sellers are tempted to take their homes off the market between Thanksgiving and New Year’s.  They feel the market significantly slows down and that they have little chance of selling – so why disrupt their holidays?  While the slowdown may be true to some degree, there are several advantages for keeping a house on the market during this time frame.  First, the buyers that are out looking are serious buyers and are ready to offer on something they like.  In addition, there usually are fewer properties on the market this time of year so the competition is reduced.  Plus the holidays offer a perfect time to dress up a home for prospective buyers.  Sellers looking to sell should seriously consider keeping their home on the market through the holidays – it may turn out to be their most wonderful time of the year!

Visit my website www.donnaforest.com for more tips on selling your home and give me a call!  603-526-4116

 

Can a Rise in Housing Starts and Building Bring New Optimism?

Published on December 20, 2011 in New London Housing Market. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Read what’s happening in an article on Yahoo Finance today. . .

 

New Listing Near Highland Lake

Published on December 19, 2011 in New London Housing Market. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

This well-built, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath cape is only a mile from the beach on Highland Lake in East Andover.  Enjoy your morning coffee outside on your private patio.  2.026 acres and the abutting 5.7 acre lot is also for sale for $40,000.  Offered at $250,000.

Stacey Viandier, Listing Agent