Portsmouth NH Real Estate Agent - Rebecca Skane, Realtor®, e-PRO®

If you are trying to pay two mortgages, chances are you can't keep it up for much longer. Many people have to sell their homes in a down market because they have needed to move to another area for one reason or another. Although the market is improving, and we are seeing a significant rise in home sales, we are not out of the woods yet. Many homes remain on the market simply because the owners can't go low enough to match the market rates, usually because the existing mortgage won't allow it, not without a heavy remainder being owed on the property.

If your property has not sold and you can no longer hold two mortgages, think about renting. It is a viable and very reasonable alternative (and temporary!) to selling. You can even rent your home and keep it for sale on the market in the interim, so long as you advise your prospective tenants of your intentions.

Have your current real estate agent market the property as a rental. Long term rentals get leased the quickest. Screen your tenants well. If you are worried about your new hardwood floors, decline tenants with large dogs (to prevent claw scratches). Leave a lawnmower at the property so that the tenants can keep up with the yard work. If you still want to sell the property, you will want to keep that curb appeal!

This way you will get that extra money for the double mortgage and you can even start to relax. Just remember, real estate markets ALWAYS work in cycles. We are on our way back up right now, so it won't be long! Also remember:

"Not everyone can get a mortgage, but everyone still needs a place to live."

Rentals do not last in any market!

Vist my site! Seacoast NH Real Estate

You are looking for a home. Maybe you want to take advantage of the great prices and this buyer's market, maybe you want to get a hold of that tax credit, or maybe you are relocating for work. You spend countless hours pouring through real estate websites and search engines looking for that perfect house. You didn't realize how much time this would take!

As a real estate agent, I would encourage you to conduct your own searches before making a move. It will help you to see what is out there and find out what you are interested in, what you really need and what you can afford. But after making some preliminary searches, contact a real estate agent.

An agent can help narrow the search for you, and find the perfect home! A licensed Realtor® is able to conduct very specific searches on the MLS and narrow down those searches using specific criteria that you might not be able to do. Thanks to the advancement of modern day technology and the Internet, we can pinpoint the perfect home for you with a few mouse clicks!

Here are some of the searches that only a real estate agent can do for you on the MLS. We can search by:

• Square footage - in case you just can do without 3,000 sf or more.
• Year built - Do you want an antique or brand new construction?
• Lot size - Are you looking for a few acres with rolling fields, or a small garden?
• Fireplace - we can actually search by GAS or WOOD BURNING fireplaces!
• Other amenities - Must have a home with a jacuzzi, patio and washer/dryer? We can find it!
• In-law apartments - yup, we can search by that too.
• Pools - We can narrow it down to in-ground or above.
• Lot description - We can narrow the search down to waterfront, water view or any type of view!
• Radius searches - We can find homes within, for example, a 20 mile radius of any town!
• Garage - Need a two car garage? We can search by this as well.
• Type - Want to entertain anything but Capes? Yup, we can do this.
• Water - Do you want to find a home on city sewer and water because you don't want to deal with a septic?

Honestly, we can search by almost anything! If you called me right now and said that you needed a shingle style home, close to the ocean, with at least two bedrooms, at least 1 acres and with a gazebo......I can find one for you. There are 8 right now you might be interested in.

If you need something very particular, we can find it. The searches I gave you above do not even scratch the surface. There are actually hundreds of search criteria we can use. Call me to find out more!

As a buyer's agent, my first time home buyers took advantage of the new tax credit and purchased a beautiful new residential construction by TC Corliss, LLC in Berwick Maine. We closed last Friday, and they were in for Memorial Day.

Recently Added: I also have a new sold section on my website.

Two Portsmouth Book Club Announcements!

Annoucement One: Our June pick is, The Reader, by Bernhard Schlink. We will meet, as usual, on the second Tuesday of the month in June at 7pm. Here is a brief synopsis of the novel from the editor:

"Set in postwar Germany, The Reader is a provocative, morally challenging, and deeply moving novel about a young boy's erotic awakening in a clandestine love affair with a mysterious older woman. Falling ill on his way home from school, 15-year-old Michael Berg is rescued by Hanna, a woman twice his age. For a time, the two become passionate lovers. Then, one day, Hanna disappears without a word. Years later, as a law student observing a trial in Germany, Michael recognizes his former lover on the stand, accused of a hideous crime. And as he watches Hanna refuse to defend herself against the charges, Michael gradually realizes that she may be guarding a secret more shameful than murder."

Announcement Two: We have our old venue back! When Molly Malones of Portsmouth was closed and sold, we moved out group to the Coat of Arms in Portsmouth while I searched for another suitable place to hold our book club which would be quiet enough for a group discussion but would still cater to our demands for adult beverages and good eats. Most venues wanted to charge per person but I wanted the casual book club goer to be able to simply order nothing but water if desired, this is a free group above all. Molly Malones has reopened under the new name of McMenemy's Restaurant & Pub, has been redone and is wonderful. I was lucky enough to meet with the new owner, Tracey, who agreed to let us have the downstairs dining room once again for book club night!

I am thrilled! It is a beautiful room, quiet Irish music playing in the background and we shall have the whole room to ourselves for the most part. You can have wine, beer, food or nothing at all! Just come and enjoy yourself over a good book and good conversation. WE NOW HAVE OVER 120 MEMBERS!!

McMenemy's Restaurant & Pub

Tuesday, June 9th 7pm

Book: The Reader

Portsmouth Book Club Website

Last week we discussed, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, which was a great novel. Most people liked it. I couldn't put the darn book down. I picked it up and started to read it. Before I knew it, it was 4am and I was forcing myself to get to the pinnacle. This was a mystery novel which had me hook, line and sinker. It was a bit vicious, however. The book was translated from Swedish and I guess the American marketers changed the name intentionally. The original name for the book, in Sweden is, Men Who Hate Women. I know why they changed it. I would have never suggested a book with this name.

A few weeks ago I passed the Maine State Law Exam and received my Maine Real Estate License by reciprocity. I am only just now getting around to announcing the good news! I am now able to help clients who would like to conduct home searches in the seacoast area whether it be in New Hampshire or Southern Maine, and I am now able to list Maine real estate for sale as well.

Give me a call today to discuss your seacoast real estate needs, I will be more than happy to help! 603.610.8944

Portsmouth NH Real Estate