Ron Fredette

Hooksett's recent town wide real estate taxation revaluation is not without dispute. Informal hearings have begun with many homeowners with owners questioning their home's new value along with ammenity valuation. The new tax increase seems ill timed. With the holiday season just ending and with many residents loosing their jobs, the tax increase has met with increasing challenge by owners. The town has reported that more than 500 residents have debated the increase approximately 15% of Hooksett's population. For more information about revaluation or abatment go to www.nh.gov/revenue

I had the opportunity to show a home in Laconia, NH today. It was built in the early 1900's and showed significant wear. A roof was needed, windows, heat system, kitchen and bathroom upgrades were also needed. What was most surprising however was the price. It was very reasonable making this home hard to pass up for my buyer. What surprises most buyers is that there is a loan program that will allow the borrower access to funds to repair all these items. It's called the FHA 203K program. You should check it out. The buyer must have a contractor do the work and must owner occupy the home upon purchase. The borrower gets access to 1/2 the sum of the repair costs at closing and the remainder once the work is completed. These funds are added to the principle loan amount which happens to be an FHA federal government loan program. You get to buy the home with 3 1/2 percent down and get a fixed rate. Trust me with rates so low, and prices the same, this very reasonable loan program is a win-win for the buyer!

Check out the new Bedford Community Calender. The town's first and free community calender has been direct mailed to every 8,200 residents in zip code 03110. This calender called the Town Planner features community events, clip & save coupons, a dining guide, and a free personal messenger. This is all sponsored by local businesses and organizations that service the local community in a special way. Not only can you get a free calender, but also you can access the info online at:

http://www.townplanner.com/cgi-bin/communities/selectevents/1294

If you missed it and would like a free copy mailed to you, just email me ronald@kw.com and I'll be sure to get one out to you right away!

The Bedford tax rate for 2009 has been set. The new 2009 tax rate for Bedford residents is $18.95 per $1,000 assessed property value, a slight drop from 2008 which was $18.95. The breakdown is as follows: town at $3.81, the county at $1.09, the local school rate at $11.78 and the state school portion at $2.27. Although the town has not yet been officially set, since it is usually done in February. Town officials have anticipated losses of revenues from vehicle regristrations and interest earnings. For Bedford NH home searches go to www.BuyinBedford.com

For the past two weeks local boy scouts of Manchester have been conducting a food drive called Scouting for Food to benefit the community. Over 200 voluntees, scouts parents and the like turned out to sort collect and pack the over 30,000 pounds of food collected. The Daniel Webster Council benefited with good weather conducted the food drive to assist people in need and those who have suffered hard times. The scouts would like all to know that it's never too later to give!