Stephanie Jacques

10/24/2009

103 Richmond Rd, Winchester 10:00-12:00

104 Merriam Rd, Walpole 1:00-3:00

100 Forestview Drive, Chesterfield 10:30-12:30

29K Windsor Court, Keene 12:00-2:00

185 River Street, Keene 12:00-1:30

65 Langley Rd, Keene 12:00-2:00

3 Leahy Rd, Keene 10:00-11:30

175 River Street, Keene 12:00-1:30

28 Owens Drive, Swanzey 10:00-12:00 (Please note new Open House hours)

10/25/2009

76 Howard Street, Keene 10:00-11:30

61 Liberty Lane, Keene 2:00-3:30

38 Pine Street, Hinsdale 11:30-1:00

44 Pine Street, Hinsdale 11:30-1:00

17 Hillcrest Street, Hinsdale 1:00-3:00

46 Robbins Street, Hinsdale 1:00-3:00

143 Fish Hatchery Rd, Richmond 12:00-1:30

55 Windsor Court, Keene 11:00-12:30

19C 20 Gates Rd, Marlborough 1:00-2:30

37 Base Hill Rd, Keene 11:00-1:00

62 Timberlane Drive, Keene 2:00-3:30

38 Skyline Drive, Keene 12:00-1:30

28 Owens Drive, Swanzey 11:00-1:00 & Weds 4:00-6:00

327 Old Homestead Hwy, Richmond 12:00-1:30

I recently read an article originally printed by the Associated Press and printed in the Keene Sentinel called "A home's new owner should ask seller for lowdown". Of all buyers, especially, first time buyers would benefit from this experience. It's easy to forget the newness of home ownership and what it was like that first year of owning your first home. Not knowing what new things you hadn't thought to ask about your home, what new challenges you faced in figuring out your home with each seasonal change. Getting to know your home is a 12 month process, and sometimes longer.

Here are somethings first time buyers should think to ask before or during the closing of their home:

1. Is anything under warrenty still? Where are the docs for this?
2. When was your last chimney and furnace cleaning? Who did it?
3. Are there any boundary disputes between your neighbors?
4. What do I do with trash, recycling, leaves?
5. What contractors have worked on the house in the past, who knows the home?
6. How do you care for the outdoor landscaping?
7. How do you operate all of the lights and what are some of the homes idiosyncracies?
8. If you left for a week, what would you need to tell your house sitter (that could be beneficial to us?)
9. Where are the children on the street?
10. How do the systems work (pool especially) and what annual mainenance tasks should be kept up?

These are the top questions on my list though any agent could add to this list. During times like this when sellers often have not lived at the property (bank owned) it becomes especially crucial to hire the right inspector and to take your time at the home inspection.

 No one knows for sure what will become of the buyers who missed out on the tax credit offering.  Will it be extended or modified to incorporate all buyers? Who knows but for one, I wonder if we will become a JCPenney's country where sales, discounts and incentives are expected for consumers to purchase anything?  If I were a buyer right now, missing the tax credit, I'd certainly be waiting to see what next offering will come to "encourage me" to buy a home. 

I feel we could see a bit of a lull if buyers do wait this winter for another incentive, but hope I am wrong!! 

See what this article predicted after the 2008 tax incentive...

If you're a first time buyer hoping to tap into the tax credit this year, you already know you need to close on or before November 30, 2009.  For many who require an FHA loan, it's just about the last week to make an offer on a home and get the process started.  This is because of the length of time it will take to process the loan, oftentimes 45 days. 

For those first time buyers who are fortunate enough to obtain conventional financing, there is still some time to shop, and SELLERS this is a great time to list at the RIGHT PRICE if you want a chance at selling before winter!  The conventional loan process takes closer to 4 weeks and is a lot more flexible than FHA financing. 

Appraisers, too, are feeling the pinch! They are forced to turn over their appraisals at record speed these days to help buyers meet the tax credit deadline.  Everyone is working double time on behalf of the buyer and, in the end, the buyer receives their credit that will hopefully help stimulate the economy during the year's most challenging time- winter.

10/17/2009

65 Broad Brook Rd, Winchester- 1:00-3:00

28 Owens Drive, Swanzey- 10:00-12:00 (please note new open house hours)

270 Wentworth Rd, Walpole- 2:00-4:00-New Price!

33 Richmond Rd, Troy- 10:00-12:00

51 Summit Ridge, #51, Keene- 3:00-4:30

81 Summit Ridge, Keene- 2:00-3:30

155 Roxbury Street, Keene- 12:00-1:30

26 Red Oak Drive, Keene- 10:00-11:30

18 Balsam Street, Keene- 12:30-2:00

10/18/2009

634 Rte 10, Gilsum- 12:00-1:30

28 Skyline Drive, Keene- 12:00-2:00

28 Owens Drive, Swanzey 11:00-1:00 & 10/21 (Weds) 4:00-6:00

I'm often asked the question "How's the market?" at house parties, when meeting new people or when getting together with family. My answer always reflects my own personal experiences, which doesn't necessarily represent the broader view of the market.

My own niche (the first time buyer) did quite well this year, despite the lower income I earned based on lower selling prices:) I have had more first time buyers this year then in the past 8 years of my business selling real estate. Very few of them purchased homes that had an actual seller residing in the home ready to move up and make another purchase.

Some Stats:

The Cheshire County (Keene, NH are surrounding towns) region has seen a dramatic change in average listing and selling prices of homes sold during the 08 and 09 months of September.

September 2009 Cheshire County had 67 closed residential sales (as listed in the MLS) with an average days on the market of 153. The average listing price at time of an accepted offer is $214,231 and average accepted and closed price of $204,315.

September 2008 Cheshire County had 74 closed residential sales (as listed in the MLS) with an average days on the market of 106. The average listing price at time of an acepted offer was $250,616 and average accepted and closed price was $238,906.

Wow, what a downward shift in prices we saw this year and so many of them reflect the foreclosures and short sale prices bringing apparent values of "normally selling" inventory down with it. I'm hopeful the first time buyers will continue to experience incentives towards their purchase in the upcoming year as they are purchasing in price ranges which seriously need fixing up. The boost in our local economy is helpful as contractors receive work and new furniture and home appliances are purchased. I wish I were a first time buyer this year!!