Keene, NH

I teach first time homebuyer workshops several times each year and during these workshops I have tried to emphasize some key point for buyers when it comes to shopping for a home. Below I've listed a few that tend to come to mind right away:

• The importance of selecting an agent for representation. I like to convey the importance of choosing an agent who the buyer not only gets along with, but who communicates with them in a way that they will respond. What I mean by that is, if a buyer is a heavy texter, their agent must have text messaging to make communication faster and more efficient and, thereby, creating a smoother transaction.

• The second point I bring up is, choose an agent who listens to you. The old cliche "the buyer is always right" is pretty true when it comes to purchasing a home. I've found, however, that the buyer doesn't always know what's right for them without a little guidance. For instance, if a buyers tells me their search criteria for a house and we look at 5 homes that all fall within that criteria and they don't like any of them, I find myself wanting to guide them through a re-assessment of priorities. Is it really the school district they want or is it a 2 story home they want? Do they really want a fixer upper or is it really a move-in ready home at a good price that they need? Would they take a 2 bedroom home if there was a finished basement, or do they really need a 3 bedroom home? After this re-assessment, many buyers are more open to viewing other homes that might best suit them.

• The buyer-agent team is not complete without the right lender. Too many times a transaction becomes disasterous when the buyer is unable to get clear answers from their lender. Sometimes they are unable to reach their lender. Choosing the right lender is as important as choosing the right agent. I can't emphasize enough the obstructions that can be avoided when the team is selected well and everyone works together. This makes for a happy new home buyer!

Thanks for reading. If you live in the Monadnock Region and would like to learn more about me as a potential agent, please Click Below

For over 8 years On-Tap DJ and Karaoke Entertainment has offered disc jockey music services in the Monadnock Region. Kris Kleine, business owner, is also in the band "Version Six" that frequently plays at Waxy O'Connor's in Keene, NH. If it involves music and livens up a party, Kris will do it!

Kris offers karaoke and dj services for almost any party or event.

Some of the most popular events he's asked to dj are:

Weddings, graduation parties, birthday parties, holiday parties, work parties, bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs, rehearsal dinner entertainment (karaoke is fun for this), charity events, school functions, campgrounds, clubs and regular house parties.

Kris is a dj who reads the crowd.

He teaches line dances, brings along props and offers special lighting options for the ultimate dance party!

If you're looking for someone to dj or provide karaoke services at your next event, contact Kris Kleine 603-209-4151 for rates and for more information on availability.

While his business is mostly spread through word of mouth, mention you saw this post on my blog and he'll give you $10 off.

2011 was a GREAT year! Looking back I feel hopeful our local economy is on the improve-direction though there's no real easy way to predict that. I can look at the steadiness of my business and the variety of leads coming not only as buyers ( as was heavily the case in 2010 with the homebuyer tax credit) but as sellers. Buyers are realistic about their positions and sellers are as well. Though there was a fair share of short sale and foreclosures I saw an increase in cash purchases of all price range, especially upper end!

In Keene NH, I've seen lots of new apartment buildings go up, Keene State College growths and, in general, an increase in commercial development. Our Main Street is vibrant and busy, some of our more popular retail rental spaces have shifted over to Main Street but I am aware of some businesses who are going to take advantage of those vacancies, bringing altogether new energy to those vacant spaces. Though it will take time, I am definitely an optimist here but I can truly say that Keene NH is a wonderful place to be. We are, in so many ways, buffered from the rest of the nation's extreme ups and downs and we have strong community local support to small business owners and local consumerism.

I've been in Keene since 1994 and feel blessed to have chosen this region to raise my family!

"I love this listing but my house hasn't sold yet..."

I've heard this over and over this past year. Especially from folks who are searching for a condo in Keene, New Hampshire. To be the first to sell your home you need aggressive marketing and a competitive price from the start. Let's face it, there are dozens of homes available on the market for buyers in your price range. You have to be the one to get chosen NEXT.

This condo is located in desirable West Keene and right besides our new, state of the art YMCA facility scheduled to open in just 2 months. It's my listing at 24D Stonehouse Lane in Keene. While it the dream of so many who have looked at it recently, what's the problem and why hasn't it sold? The comment I've received time and time again is, if only our house would sell we could move on and make an offer.

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Let's hope some of these sellers sell by winter and get to move on with their plans. With lowered interest rates and so much to choose from, buying today is an affordable options to renting. I would sure love to help my sellers move on with their plans.