Hampstead, NH

New Hampshire Home sales it's more than statistics...much more

You can read all the statistics in the press and hear the dire reports on the news. In fact a recent issue of New Hampshire Business Review, business news and analysis, had a headline crying out "NH Home Sales Drop 23 % in August" which talks about the drop in the real estate market in comparison to 2007.

Those of us that lived through the infamous real estate year of 2007 know that it was a pretty bleak year so you can imagine how 2008 has been for many.

REALTOR membership numbers have dropped as well with many agents leaving the business. Those of us that are hanging in are finding it extremely hard but at the same time realize what a great opportunity we have.

I wish I had a crystal ball

The hard thing of course is to predict what will happen in the next year and how is the current financial crisis going to effect the real estate market. For buyers this is a prime picking season, as long as they are able to secure mortgage funds of course. Sellers are getting very creative and realistic if they have to sell. Last night I showed a new listing, it had been on the market one day and already had four above asking price offers in.<!--more-->

Listed below market price

One day on the market and 4 offers in- Wow. If you use a pricing pyramid you'll understand the value of pricing below market but the interesting thing was that all showings were held during a 3 hour period on the 1st day the listing was active in MLS... 2pm-4pm and 5:30 to 6:30. The afternoon shift of showings resulted in the four offers and I have no idea what the night shift brought but when I was there it was pretty crowded with lookers and their agents.

Creative Marketing and thinking outside the box

This home was not a bank owned listing or a short sale. These people wanted to sell and they also realized that when they buy they would make up the difference in potential price loss with a great gain. Very creative and for them a win-win.

A Paradigm shift in real estate

A Paradigm Shift...Most definitely and I feel bad for those that don't see it or get it. The market next year won't be much better as a whole but the opportunities will continue to be there for those looking for opportunities. And for those looking for a "deal" they'll be there too...of course those wanting a "steal" need to look now as we all know winter is coming. This past year the median home prices were down 9.4 % compared to last year...what will next year bring? Like I said, I wish I had a crystal ball but all indications are that prices will not be going up any time soon.

Should I list now or wait

My advice is if you need/want to sell do so now but if you can wait and don't need to sell now then don't do it. Your needs will dictate your decisions. I know people who are selling now simply because they can buy much more house than before and they feel it will equal out.

Should I buy now or wait

I really think you need to consider how much you're paying for rent and realize that money is going to pay off someone else's mortgage and that someone else will gain all the tax benefits that come with home ownership. Realize too that the investors are out there buying now and that especially with bank owned homes we're dealing with multiple offers on a regular basis. The real estate adage of what goes down must go up and of course down again...it's a cycle. If real estate is a long term investment then there is no better time to buy than when we're in a strong buyers market...if you're looking for a short term investment, position yourself to buy and CLOSE in December

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Professional Help

What ever you do, you need a professional to help you, so of course here is my "pitch" :) Call Monika or Jay for all your real estate needs. Start your NH Home search right here on our blog and call us at 603-548-7685 when you're ready to go look.

Monika McGillicuddy Real Estate Training

NewHampshireRealEstateBlog.com

Prudential Verani Realty

Hampstead NH Real Estate

Follow me on Twitter.com @monimcg

Summer in NH…a true waterfront mecca.

I love summer in New Hampshire. I love our rocky coastline and our wonderful lakes and ponds.

New Hampshire has so many lakes, ponds, streams and rivers that water recreation can be found just about everywhere.

The list is huge starting from the First and Second Connecticut Lakes, Lake Francis, Umbagog Lake, Lake Winnipesaukee, Squam Lake, New Found Lake, Winnisquam Lake, Big Island Pond, Pawtuckaway Lake to name just a few and then of course there are The Rivers.

We can't forget rivers like the Connecticut River, Piscataqua River, and the Merrimack River. Most offer paddling, sight-seeing, fishing and rafting.

We have wonderful whitewater boating rivers like the Saco River and many small pretty lakes and ponds all surrounded by woods and rocky shoreline which are ideal for boating and swimming.

New Hampshire also has a small but beautiful coastline boldly hugging the Atlantic Ocean which provide acres of estuaries, tidal waters and mud flats.

I really do love summer in New Hampshire and fall and of course spring. Winter? Well, I'm not such a big fan of winter anymore... but winter in the New Hampshire is pretty nonetheless.

Awhile back Jay and I started a blog for our waterfront listings and it has morphed into a site that covers not only some New Hampshire waterfront listings but also some New Hampshire Lakes and Pond information.

If you haven’t stopped by…check it out here http://nhwaterfronthomesforsale.com/ It’s still a work in progress but we’d love your suggestions and or opinions.

Monika McGillicuddy

New Hampshire REALTOR

NewHampshireRealEstateBlog.com

http://www.nhviewfinders.com/ (Through the NH Lens)

Our Web marketing statistics for April 2008 have just been released and I have included April 2007 also so we can compare the activity between the two years.

Broker showings were up from last year which seems to be a good sign or is it less buyers seeing more homes?

April 2008 Web Statistics

April 2007 Web Statistics

Jay McGillicuddy,REALTOR

Serving Southern New Hampshire and Rockingham County

NewHampshireRealEstateBlog.com

Prudential Verani Realty

Hampstead NH Real Estate

Visit our Listing Blogs at...

• 17 Marilyn Park Drive Listing Blog
• 39 Boulder Drive Danville
• NH Waterfront Homes for Sale
• 14 Higgins Ave Sandown
  

Big Island Pond is located in Southern New Hampshire in the towns of Atkinson, Hampstead and Derry NH.

It is a very popular 500 +/- acre lake, with 15 miles of shoreline and clear waters as deep as 75 feet that. Big Island Pond enjoys a great real estate reputation, meaning that property values traditionally have remained strong.

Big island Pond is a private pond with no public beaches or access other than a day fishing permit. The pond has one campground located in the town of Hampstead called Sanborn Shore Acres which is family owned campground that is always booked solid, mainly due to its prime waterfront location in Southern NH.

Waterfront homes for sale on Big Island pond currently range in values $289,900 to $800,000 and there are 7 waterfront homes available in MLS.

Big Island Pond has an excellent commuting location with easy access to all major routes both north and south.

The Pond has a rich history dating back to 1665 and the famous Abenaki Warrior Chief Escumbuit. It is a pond that can be enjoyed in all seasons as in the fall the waters are lowered and many folks enjoy ice skating once the remaining water has frozen solidly.

I recently closed on a HUD owned home in Collettes Grove and while doing the final walk through before closing I went down to check out the community beach.

The water was so calm that I decided to film a little video. Jay and I have been out on Big Island Pond many times and really love the pond.

The video was shot on April 25^th and the pond waters had not yet risen to normal levels and the docks were not in nor had the little beach been cleaned up. But still it was very pretty.

My buyers bought a 2 bedroom home with a good sized kitchen and a huge great room plus a 2 car detached garage all located a few minutes away from the community beach.

Even though it was a Bank owned home, a HUD home, the sale went relatively smoothly with the exception of some near major hiccups from the internet lender. Thankfully we were able to work through the issues and closed on time.

My buyers are now proud owners of a home they can enjoy and call their own. It sure beats renting and they even have a lovely beach a few minutes away.

Enjoy another amateur production by Monika…

Monika McGillicuddy,REALTOR

Serving Southern New Hampshire and Rockingham County

Monika McGillicuddy Real Estate Training

NewHampshireRealEstateBlog.com

Prudential Verani Realty

Hampstead NH Real Estate

Follow me on Twitter.com @monimcgill

Visit our Listing Blogs at...

• 17 Marilyn Park Drive Listing Blog
• 39 Boulder Drive Danville
• NH Waterfront Homes for Sale
• 14 Higgins Ave Sandown

Everything and everybody is bursting with sunshine and activity...oh the joy of spring! I love it!

Not only is the weather cooperating but the NH real estate market is as well. Everyone I talk to reports the same thing...It's busy in NH. Real Estate most definitely is local!!

And in my local area buyers are out there looking and buying real estate and sellers are pricing their homes to get them sold.

Interest rates are excellent, flowers are blooming and if you listen carefully you can hear the birds chirping with happiness. Spring has definitely sprung in NH!

It's pretty in NH right now as mud season is behind us and hopefully we won't see any more snow until 2009...won't that be sweet!

Looking to buy or sell real estate in southern NH...don't hesitate as there are some excellent opportunities out there.

Happy Spring!

Monika McGillicuddy,REALTOR

Serving Southern New Hampshire and Rockingham County

Monika McGillicuddy Real Estate Training

NewHampshireRealEstateBlog.com

Prudential Verani Realty

Hampstead NH Real Estate

Follow me on Twitter.com @monimcgill