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Shannon Aldrich ~ NH & Maine Real Estate Seacoast

Broker Class starts August 31, 2009

Ever thought about getting your Broker's license? You have been a salesperson for how many years? Why not take the next step and insure your future in the business. What would happen to your license if your broker went out of business? Where would you go - what deal would you have to accept? Who do you really want to work for in the future? Or maybe you want to go into management in the future. Having your broker's license makes you a more desirable commodity. You can't get a job as a Managing Broker without a broker's license.

Or maybe you know of someone interested in getting into the business. There is a lot of opportunity in the industry right now for the right people. This is the licensing class for them. So what are the details?

Classes are starting in Portsmouth on August 31. Monday & Thursday nights from 5:30-9:30pm for 10 sessions. (No class on Labor Day) Cost is $299 with all books and materials included. The least expensive option out there currently. The 40 hour class counts towards the sixty hours you need to take the test in New Hampshire. This is a pre-licensing for salesperson class that will get you up to date on all the concepts you need to pass the simulation portion of the exam.

Need more information call me at 603-502-7660 or email me at saldrich@kw.com

Sign up at The Real Estate Learning Group's web site

What to Send a Solider in Iraq

My nephew just recently deplyed to Iraq. We are looking to put together a care package for him. I thought I would find an easy list - boy was I wrong. So here is my list that I put together after visiting many sites and reading lots of blogs.

If I can give some ideas even for one soldier's family - I am happy....

Personal Care: (Think travel size)

  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste Travel Size
  • Floss
  • Multi Vitamins
  • Unscented Baby Wipes Travel Size
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Lip Balm
  • Disposable Razors
  • Bug repellant (like Deep Woods Off) to keep the sand fleas off.
  • Waterproof sunscreen
  • Aloe Vera lotion
  • Deodorant
  • Lotion
  • Small packages of Kleenex.
  • Throat lozenges
  • Eye drops
  • Pain relievers, like Tylenol, Aspirin, Motrin, etc.
  • Jock itch powder
  • Feminine Itch Powder
  • Tampons
  • Feminine Hygiene Pads
  • Hair Bands
  • Small Mirrors
  • Foot powder, packed in a Ziploc bag.
  • Moleskin
  • Shaving gel in tubes (no shaving cream)
  • Toilet Paper
  • Boot insoles
  • Unscented Baby Powder
  • Nail Clippers
  • Nail Files
  • Ivory Soap
  • Medicated Face Wipes
  • Eye Drops
  • Cotton Balls
  • Mouth Wash

Snacks & Treats:

  • Hard Candy
  • Mints
  • Starburst
  • Skittles
  • Gum
  • Dried Fruit
  • Fruit Roll Ups
  • Cigars
  • Lifesavers
  • Pringles
  • Doritos
  • Cheetos
  • Beef Jerky
  • Crystal Lite Drink Mix
  • Peanut Brittle
  • Bubble Gum
  • Sardines.
  • Small packages of ground coffee
  • Instant hot chocolate.
  • Nuts
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Trail mix (no chocolate - it melts)
  • Crackers
  • Mrs. Dash
  • Hot Sauce
  • Tabasco Sauce
  • Mustard Packets
  • Relish Packets
  • Quaker instant oatmeal
  • Instant espresso powder
  • Instant Flavored Coffee
  • Tea Bags
  • Single Serving Dry Cereal
  • Spices (onion powder, red pepper flakes, garlic powder)
  • Lollipops
  • Ragu Express
  • Granola Bars
  • MILK Parmalat packs 2% milk
  • Powdered Creamer
  • Sugar Packets
  • Single Serving Mac & Cheese
  • Single Serving Hamburger Helper
  • Soup packets
  • Tuna lunch-to-go packs
  • Meal replacement drinks, such as Ensure in lightweight bottles
  • Powdered Gatorade
  • Ramen Noodles
  • Chewing Tobacco
  • Salad Dressing
  • Canned Chicken
  • Salsa
  • Snack Cakes

Other Desirables:

  • White Athletic Socks
  • Dark Green Boot Socks
  • Underwear
  • Beanie Babies (They are giving them to the kids)
  • Brown or Tan T-Shirts L & XL
  • Ziploc Bags Gallon Size
  • Stationary
  • Envelopes (no stamps needed)
  • Pens
  • Disposable cameras
  • Prepaid phone cards. (AT&T is good in Kuwait)
  • Cigarettes
  • Q Tips
  • Pipe Cleaners
  • Deck of Cards
  • Uno
  • Neck Coolers
  • Flashlights (ones that clip on and small hand held)
  • Battery Powered fans
  • Small colorful calendars
  • Portable Shower
  • Blow Kiddie Pool
  • iTunes Gift Cards
  • Disposable Hand Warmers
  • Stress Ball
  • Yo Yo's
  • Squirt Guns
  • Frisbees
  • Hackie Sacks
  • Balloons
  • Sidewalk Chalk
  • Miniature Nerf Footballs
  • Miniature Nerf Basketballs
  • Slinky
  • Bandannas
  • Small Board Games on Keychains

Magazines:

  • Fitness
  • Fishing
  • Hunting
  • Boating
  • Cars/Hot Rods
  • Guns/Ammo
  • Crosswords
  • Word search games
  • Anagrams
  • Pocket Bible
  • Paperback Books
  • Soduku
  • Rubik's Cube
  • Madlibs
  • Mail order catalogs, so military personnel can shop for friends/family back home.

Notes from us to the soldiers to let them know we are supporting them. They can hold a letter and read it again and again. They can't hold an email. You can include a self addressed envelope - you might get a pen pal.

Send small boxes - and check with the post office for the right way to mail them. Lots of mail calls makes a happy soldier.

21 Reasons to Buy Title Insurance

Hidden risks of defects in the title can cost thousands in legal fees not to mention the stress and frustration. The best way to protect yourself is to purchase owner's title insurance. Notice I am saying owner's title insurance not lender's title insurance. If you have a mortgage on the property the bank will require you to buy the lender's policy. The owner's policy is optional and many buyer's think they can save some money by passing it by. This is not a good plan. Even the most meticulous search of the public records by a title attorney can miss hidden defects. The owner's title insurance policy pays the legal fees to defend your title in case of something missed. It is a one time charge that you see on the HUD at closing. Don't pass it up because it can protect you from the following errors -

  1. Forgery
  2. Fraud in connection with the execution of documents
  3. Undue influence (pressure) on the grantor (seller) or executor of a will
  4. False impersonation by those puporting to be the owners of the property (This is why we bring licenses to the closing - are you really who you say you are when signing that deed? Or are you pretending to be the wife/husband and are really the girlfriend/boyfirend)
  5. Incorrect representation of marital status of a grantor (Saying you are single when you are married)
  6. Undisclosed or missing heirs
  7. The will was not properly probated
  8. Mistaken interpretaion of wills and/or trusts
  9. Mental incompetance of grantors (Not all there in a legal sense)
  10. Conveyance by a minor (Under 18)
  11. Birth of heirs subsequent to the date of the will (The parent died before the baby was born and the will wasn't updated)
  12. Inadequate surveys
  13. Incorrect legal description
  14. Non-delivery of deeds
  15. Unsatisfied claim not shown on the record (A lien that was not discharged)
  16. Deeds executed under false poer of attorney
  17. Confusion due to similar or identical names (Very common with juniors)
  18. Dower or curtesy rights (homestead) of ex-spouse or former owner
  19. Incorrect indexing of public records
  20. Clerical errors in the recording of legal documents
  21. Delivery of deed after the death of a grantor (Death stops everything)

Don't pass up owner's title insurance. Being penny wise and pound foolish could be a costly error when buying a house.

(c) Shannon Aldrich, Keller Williams Coastal Realty

Get Your NH Broker's License Now

Ever thought about getting your Broker's license? You have been a salesperson for how many years? Why not take the next step and insure your future in the business. What would happen to your license if your broker went out of business? Where would you go - what deal would you have to accept? Who do you really want to work for in the future? Or maybe you want to go into management in the future. Having your broker's license makes you a more desirable commodity. You can't get a job as a Managing Broker without a broker's license.

Or maybe you know of someone interested in getting into the business. There is a lot of opportunity in the industry right now for the right people. This is the licensing class for them. So what are the details?

Classes are starting in Portsmouth on April 6 and May 18. Monday & Thursday nights from 5:30-9:30pm for 10 sessions. Cost is $299 with all books and materials included. The least expensive option out there currently. The 40 hour class counts towards the sixty hours you need to take the test in New Hampshire. This is a pre-licensing for salesperson class that will get you up to date on all the concepts you need to pass the simulation portion of the exam.

Sign up at The Real Estate Learning Group's web site

Lockbox Safety Tips for Real Estate

Lockboxes - most real estate agents use them. Some are electronic, some combo (think school locker). There are various reasons to use them from ease of access for other agents showing the property to the agent always knowing where the key is. They are attached with a heavy shank to the door, side wall or fence. This small metal box becomes home to a key or two. The electronic ones can track the name of the agent who used it and what time they entered the property.The electronic lockboxes can also be programmed so that they only open at specified times. Or they can be programmed to open 24hours.

Why use a lockbox? Well, motivated Buyers do not want to wait to see a house or maybe your agent can't make it to all the showings on the new listing. They help by keeping a prospect motivated to see your house without the extra effort of picking up keys. If Buyers can't inspect a home at their convenience they just might move on to another house. Especially true for the out of town relocators on a tight schedule.

Even with an electronic lockbox, simple precautions should still be made to the home. Thefts are not commonplace, but even still, it is wise to eliminate temptation.

  1. Lock up or remove firearms.
  2. Never leave money in plain sight - this includes piggy banks and bottles of pennies.
  3. Remove extra keys from hooks in the kitchen, garage, mudroom or any other room they can be seen and picked up.
  4. Turn down the volume on any answering machines. You do not want someone to overhear personal information.
  5. Consider storing furs and jewelry somewhere else. Put the fur in storage and the jewelry in your safe deposit box.
  6. Remove all prescription medications from the cabinets. People do open the cabinets. You want that asthma inhaler to be there when you need it!
  7. Don't leave any items around that can tip off a person that you will be away. This includes calendars, theater tickets, itineraries for your next plane flight, etc.

All real estate agents should go through a check list with their Sellers to make sure the process goes smoothly and the house gets sold!

(c) 2009 Shannon Aldrich, Keller Williams Coastal Realty Portsmouth NH