North Hampton, NH

Fitness Revolution in North Hampton New Hampshire is the gym where getting fit is fun! Fitness Revolution is the gym of choice if you want to get fit, be healthy, and have fun.

Their exercise classes, like ZUMBA and BODYPUMP, are second to none. All classes are multi-level, anyone at any fitness level can participate. Martial arts, dance, yoga, strength training, and cycling are just some of the classes available.

No matter what your lifestyle or your fitness goals, Fitness Revolution could change your life.

I visited Fitness Revolution this morning just as the BODYVIVE Class was ending. I had the opportunity to meet with several of the ladies who had just taken the class. Two of them told me they have been coming to the gym for more than ten years.

One of them told me that she had recently moved and she would not have been able to handle the move as well if not for the strength she has gained from attending this class.

These ladies meet each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday not only to keep fit, but also to enjoy time socializing afterward at a table by the Beach Blends Smoothie Bar.

Every month there is a "special" drink at the all natural smoothie bar, and they change seasonally. The August special is the Citrus Fruit Fat Buster, which is what I sampled. It was delicious!

The gym has been in business at this location since 1985. Formerly called Positive Steps Fitness Center, it was renamed, Fitness Revolution, in April, 2006 when Jim and Sonja Dearden purchased it.

Jim and Sonja's story:

Back in the eighties, while in school, Jim had a membership at this gym. He remembers thinking it would be really fun to own a gym someday. In 1999 while working as Sales Program Manager at Sunday River in Maine, Jim met Sonja who was the Marketing Manager. Sonja missed the city and wanted to move to Boston, but Jim enjoyed the rural lifestyle.

Their compromise was to relocate back to Jim's hometown of Hampton. Sonja continued her career in marketing and design and Jim began his career in financial services with MetLife. Sonja's passion for exercise led her to the gym where, after a year of membership, she was asked to be a BODYPUMP instructor. In 2005 they made the decision to purchase the gym from the previous owner. Jim still works for MetLife and Sonja now manages Fitness Revolution.

They currently offer 10,000 square feet of space, with plenty of strength and cardio equipment and over 40 world-class group exercise classes.

Fitness Revolution's newest program for small group personal training is a Navy Seal developed program called TRX.

The TRX is extremely efficient because you can get a total-body ALL CORE workout in as few as 15-20 minutes.
TRX Suspension Training engages the core in each exercise and requires postural stabilization, thereby reinforcing the body alignment essential in swimming, golf, tennis, other sports, and everyday life! It's a workout for your core.

One last thing:

You may be surprised to see some familiar faces at Fitness Revolution...

I was lucky enough to see Santa while I was there.

Yes, he is a member!

Yes, he is the real Santa!

He gave me his business card. Check out his website.

Fitness Revolution 18 Lafayette Road North Hampton NH 603-964-2348

The latest forecast by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) claims that existing-home sales are projected to trend up in 2008. I definitely see that happening here in the Seacoast. In fact, Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for NAR was quoted recently saying, "The improvement in the Northeast reaffirms a trend apparent for some months now that shows signs of recovery, noteworthy because that was the first region to slump." Yes, he said did say improvement in the Northeast!

Let's check out what's been going on in Hampton/North Hampton, NH.

25 homes sold in the Hampton area in April

- 12 single family homes, and

-12 condos, and

- 1 mobile home.

Year-to-date, 71 homes have sold in the Hampton area:

-41 single family homes

-25 condos, and

-5 mobile homes

In addition, 13 Hampton area homes went pending with active contracts in April and there are currently 429 active listings in this area as well.

If you are thinking of selling, now is a great time with home sales trending upward. Price your house right and it will sell.

If you are thinking of buying, now is definitely the time. If you are waiting for home prices to go lower I believe you may have missed the bottom so now is the time to get off the fence.

If you or someone you know is looking to buy or sell, please feel free to call or email me--I'm never to busy for your referrals!

For more real estate information, check out www.SeacoastHomesForYou.com.

To receive a FREE on-line home market analysis, check out www.GetFreePropertyValues.com .

North Hampton NH was first settled in 1639 and was known as North Hill Parish, a part of Hampton. In 1738 North Hampton became a town of its own. The picture here is of the old Fishing Huts that have been converted to summer homes. Very unique to our area. There are currently 4,553 residents and 1,917 housing units according to the 2006 Census.

During the first three months of 2008, 9 homes were sold which is a large change from 2007 when 20 homes were sold. This is a decline of 65% total units sold. Now I have already mentioned the record snow falls this year. So we will have to see what happens during the Spring market in North Hampton. The average price of homes sold in 2008 was $555,241. In 2007 the average price during the same period of time was $500,105. Days on market have also increased this year - 222 days vs. 169 days in 2007. So it is taking longer to sell a home in North Hampton and we have 15 months of current inventory available.

There are currently 48 homes for sale in North Hampton NH ranging in price from $199,900 to $2,995,000 and 1 home is currently under contract. This could be the right market for Buyers looking to find their dream home as it is definitely a Buyer's market in this town.

Interested in living in North Hampton? Search MLS

Visit The Seacoast Sold Report for more information about North Hampton and surrounding towns.

Winter is halfway over and Spring is just around the corner. Hard to believe when there is an ice storm pounding down on us. Still, now is the time to start planning your home maintenance projects. Performing regular maintenace not only preserves the value of your home but it can also help you avoid major repairs in the future. Chores are never fun or something we look forward to but they go a long way in enhancing the quality of your home. A well maintained home also improves your re-saleability in any market. Spring is a time for cleaning and preparing for Summer's intensive tasks. It is also a good time to start hiring contractors to repair those items you can't do yourself or don't have time to do. Getting your project on their schedule early can sometimes even save you money.

First of all walk around the outside of the home to see what damage has been done by Winter storms. Looking up is the key here. What shape is the roof in? Any missing or curled shingles visible. You want to keep the roof in shape so you don't have water damage inside the house or under the eaves. How about the gutters? Anything sagging or loose? Do you need to get up there to clear them out of leaves and debris? What about the chimney - any missing bricks or mortar you should have fixed. Schedule the chimney to be professionally cleaned and inspected. Finally look at all the siding - what needs to be fixed, cleaned, painted or replaced this season.

Next thing to do is look at the yard like you are a visitor. What kind of impression would it make to a Buyer. Clear away last year's leaves and fallen branches taken down by Winter storms. Prune shrubs and trees. Pruning shrubs/trees away from the house/driveway and mulching around them gives a yard good curb appeal. Plan your Spring planting now. Are you going to add any new perennials, put in a vegetable garden or have attractive annuals decorating the yard.

So how did the deck fair over the snow season. Any loose nails, railings or rotted boards? Is it dirty or mildewed? Do you need to stain or paint this year? Should you rent a power washer to clean the deck or siding? The same goes for the front porch or entry way. Now onto patios and walkways - do you need to repair or replace is the question. Safety is the big issue with these projects.

The fence - Is it still standing? Do you have broken fence boards or does it need a fresh coat of paint. Do you want to replace the fence this year with something more attractive; or higher; or made of man made materials.

Get ready to wash the outside of the windows, screens and window sills. Is it time to paint the trim? Plan it into your schedule just like a business appointment. Speaking of windows - is it time to replace them is a big question to ask yourself.

Finally make sure the air conditioning unit is in good working order and vacuum the main condenser coil at the top of the unit. Also check all vents that they are clean and clear, especially the dryer vent is free of lint. Stop a fire before it starts with this chore.

Owning a home is the largest financial investment most people have, so it is in your best interest to be diligent with home maintenance. Spring is the perfect time for planning and cleaning. So make your list now and start checking off the tasks at hand. Soon the daffodils, forsythia and crocus will be in bloom, well looking outside today I certainly hope that is the case!

Shannon Aldrich, Keller Williams Coastal Realty, Portsmouth NH

Buy or Sell, Shannon Serves You Well

"Your Seacoast Second Home & Vacation Home Specialist"