Patricia Aulson, REALTOR Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes

"EXPERIENCE ISN'T EXPENSIVE....IT'S PRICELESS!" I love this phrase and it's so true I think. At least for the most part it's true. When I'm looking for a doctor I always look at his/her experience, how long they been practicing, where they went to medical school, what is their specialty, are they Board Certified and so on.

When I'm looking for "legal advise" I generally feel that those attorneys with the most experience have an edge by virtue of there experience. Years of practical work in court and dealing with the many different leagal cases must give them the knowledge one is seeking for advice.

Do those sellers and buyers looking into the real estate market look for Realtors who have years of experience? Do Certifications like Buyer Agency, Sellers Agent, GRI, Licensed in more than one state give the Realtor an edge? I wonder....I've been in the business over two decades and can only remember one time when I was asked what any of these designations mean and if they asked do they care? I've never had anyone ask me how long I've been a Realtor either..Would they move on to another agent if they weren't satisfied with the answer? Has anyone asked you what all those designations mean?....I wonder?

I think who they chose to work with is based on a connection and the service they give.

Curious what your thoughts on the subject. Please leave a comment below.

Thank you,

Patricia Aulson

www.patricia4realestate.com Portsmouth NH Real Estate Hampton NH Real Estate

MEMORIES OF MY CHILDHOOD HOME /August 2009

Historic Essex Street- Salem, Massachusetts

Where the infamous "Witchcraft Trials of 1692" took place

only a few blocks away

I grew up in Salem Massachusetts near “Gallows Hill where the witches were hung. As a teenager in High School I worked summers at “ The Witch House” and “The House of Seven Gables.” The hidden stair case always fascinated me. Families would hide in the staircase when the house was raided . Being a tour guide was fun as well as interesting. I met many interesting people from everywhere around the world. One million visitors come from all over the world each year to take in the Historic sights. Salem is a pedestrian friendly city where residents and visitors can walk around downtown to stores, shops, resturants and local attractions. These Historic places are located only a few blocks from the home I grew up in pictured aboved . Click on the links below and go back in time with me.

http://www.salemweb.com/guide/witches.shtml

http://www.oldhouseweb.com/architecture-and-design/the-house-of-the-seven-gables.shtml

http://salem.org/free.shtml

My childhood was happy and carefree. As I write this blog I realize how lucky I was to grow up in Salem, otherwise known as the "Witch City." I'm told I hide my broomstick well. Life was a whole lot simpler then. I migrated back and forth between my best friends house and mine. Little supervision was needed. You could play in your yard with friends and not worry like moms do today.

Fond memories come to mind when I reflect on time spent in this big, beautiful historic colonial home. A grand home- three stories high, with a widow’s walk on the top of the roof. In case you don’t know what a widow’s walk is, it’s a railed roof-top platform typically build on coastal homes originally designed to observe vessels at sea. It’s where the wives and widows of sailors who have gone to sea go and look longingly out at the ocean hoping their spouses would return after months of being at sea....My sister and I used to take a towel and lay out hoping to get a sun tan. The next door neighbor would always call my mom and tell her we were on the roof. Ha...thank God we didn't fall off. It was a long way down.

This stately old home had multiple fireplaces, magnificent hard wood floors, and front and back staircases. The Beacon Hill gardens as they were called were lovingly attended to by my father who enjoyed the time spent nurturing the flowers we all enjoyed. I remember the flagpole that had beautiful purple and while morning glories winding around it. What a sight to see. The above picture is how it looks today, not when I lived there. The front was all beautiful gardens then. Sad to see the present owners have done away with the flower garden using the space to park cars. The front yard is deep as the house is long.This home was perfect for relaxing or entertaining in the life style associated with living in Historic Salem.

In those days neighbors were friendly and helpful. They cared about you in good times and bad. They were “there if you needed them, and when you didn’t. Times sure have changed. Nowadays people often don’t know their neighbors or their names, let along what they do for a living. No one seems to have time anymore to get to know and help their neighbors. When was the last time a neighbor knocked on your door to borrow a cup of sugar?

My family consisted of an older sister and younger brother. I was the middle child. My parents were loving and kind. In those days parents, especially the father figure didn’t display outwardly any soft caring ways with their children like they do today. We never talked back or even thought about questioning anything my folks said... We did what we were told and that was that!

It’s been fun doing this post for you today stirring up fond memories of years gone by. A bit of nostalgia has set in actually. Another time and place…a different place, gone but not forgotten.

I hope you enjoyed my tour.

Sincerely,

Patricia

www.patricia4realestate.com For all your real estate needs. Portsmouth NH Real Estate Hampton NH Real Estate

"Experience isn't expensive....it's Priceless"

There are those agents that believe in "updating their voice mail daily.

I curious though as to how many agents do this. Changing the voice mail, with the date and time and message seems somewhat repetitive and not needed to me. Most of us have a voice message that answers any calls and we check for these messages through the day.

Do you think that changing the voice message daily allows you to be more in control or not?

My updated daily message today might go like this.....

.." Good morning, this is voice mail for Patricia Aulson @ Prudential Verani. It Thursday, July 23rd...At this time I am unable to answer your call but please, do leave me your name, contact number and nature of your call. I'll return your call promptly and welcome the opportunity to speak with you today. Thanks for calling ... hop you are having a great day!"

Do you think that changing the voice message daily allows you to be more in control or not? Also do you think that the person calling you feels that this daily message will be returned sooner?

Please leave a comment with your thoughts on this when you have time.

Thank you, hope your having a nice day!.

Patricia www.patricia4realestate.com Portsmouth NH Real Estate seacoast NH & ME Hampton NH Real Estate

According to the New Hampshire associations of Realtors this past week, home sales in NH saw a slightl rise in June transactions, another increase in the past four months.

June sales numbers recently released by the New Hampshire Association of Realtors showed the number of residential unit sales in June was up 0.5 percent over June 2008 — from 1,145 in 2008 to 1,151 in 2009.

While this may be be a huge increase it is some good news . There appears to be a declind in NH housing inventory and a decrease in foreclosures statewide. Also the news shows that the home sales overall in NH is up some. This is some encouraging news to read on a Sunday...

For those of you who are interesting in property in seacoast NH can go to my website @ www.patricia4realestate.com and search the entire MLS for New Hampshire and Maine. Please let me know if I can be of help at EM: sold@patricia4realestate.com

Thank you!

www.patricia4realestate.com Portsmouth NH Real estate Hampton NH Real Estate

STRAWBERY BANKE MUSEUM....

History Happened Here...there is lots of wonderful places to tour if you are in Portsmouth NH but one of my favorites is Strawbery Banke Museum which is located at 14 Hancock Street, Portsmouth NH You are taken back in time when you stroll about marveling at the way people lived back in those days. You can experience four centuries of American life at this wonderful place in Portsmouth New Hampshire's oldest waterfront neighborhood.

Lots of newly added exhibits and expanded buided tour options await you.

Open Daily at 10:00AM-5PM during May - October

For more inforation-check out their website @ www.strawberybanke.org

For Portsmouth NH real estate check out my website @ www.patricia4realestate.com