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Bedford, NH Real Estate News

By Bill Burke, Associate Broker/REALTOR® Licensed in NH & MA
(BurkeLord® Real Estate Powered By Keller Williams Metropolitan)
Open House this Sunday 11/14/10 From 11:30 - 1:30. Stop by if you are in the area or if you have buyers in this price range for Bedford. Click here to view complete details and photos BEAUTIFULLY MAINTAINED BEDFORD, NH CONTEMPORARY CAPEBeautifully maintained, private 4 bedroom Contemporary Cape. Brand new completly remodeled kitchen w/ GE Profile Stainless Steel Appliances, porcelain title floor, beautiful stone counters and tile backsplash. Spacious bedrooms and bathrooms, Central A/C, Fireplace, Bang & Olsen Whole Home Audio System with ADS and Paradigm in wall speakers throughout and wired for surround sound, Lower level with Pool table and bar and large deck make this home great for enteraining. Newer roof, skylights and freshly painted inside and out with new patio with firepit and...
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By Bill Burke, Associate Broker/REALTOR® Licensed in NH & MA
(BurkeLord® Real Estate Powered By Keller Williams Metropolitan)
To add to my most recent blog on Social Media, I have come across a tool that is great for Realtors, especially if you use Facebook. It helps promote your listings. Real estate marketing and technology company RealBird has built a tool that integrates with Facebook, making it easier for agents to update interested people on details of a particular property. RealBird is using Facebook's recently released Open Graph platform, including a "like" button, to allow agents to create Facebook listing pages for their single properties, the company announced this week. A recent Inman News column by Gahlord Dewald highlights possible uses and impacts of Facebook's Open Graph for the real estate industry. In RealBird's implementation, an agent connects a RealBird single-property website to the soci...
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By Bill Burke, Associate Broker/REALTOR® Licensed in NH & MA
(BurkeLord® Real Estate Powered By Keller Williams Metropolitan)
I am big on Social media and I try to keep up on the latest trends. Aside from Active Rain, I find that three others work well for me. Facebook, twitter and LinkedIn are great tools. Here is some good information on these for Realtors.  Social media sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter work best when agents use them for the purposes for which they are best suited. One of the biggest mistakes many agents make today is taking the strategies that used to work in print advertising and employing them when they're using the major social media sites. Each of these sites has both strengths and weaknesses. Here are some tips about what works best with three of the most important social media sites. 1. FacebookIf you're posting your listings or open houses on your Facebook profile page, s...
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By Bill Burke, Associate Broker/REALTOR® Licensed in NH & MA
(BurkeLord® Real Estate Powered By Keller Williams Metropolitan)
I am big on Home Staging and have found that it does really work. I have written a few other blogs on staging that you may want to make reference to as well, but here is a short refresher of home staging. When selling your home, you need to make it impressive. So, you need to make sure that it is staged properly. Staging has become extremely popular due to the fact that it works! Staging a home can allow buyers to understand how to best use the space in each room. It keeps the room from coming off cluttered or over done. When you flip through a home magazine, you do not see all the clutter, no cords, papers everywher, magazines thrown around. It is very neat and organized. Very well put together. That is what you are trying to acheive with staging. You will notice cool objects, such as ...
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By Bill Burke, Associate Broker/REALTOR® Licensed in NH & MA
(BurkeLord® Real Estate Powered By Keller Williams Metropolitan)
Good information to pass onto your first time home buyers.   Buying a home is a complicated process, and it can be particularly daunting for the first-timer. The following timeline starts one year before you hope to start seriously shopping for a home. This is an ideal; you can arrange your finances and buy a home in less time, if necessary, but you'd be smart to walk through all of the steps in order. The more time you give yourself for this process, the better. A year out (or as soon as possible) Get your credit reports. Errors on your reports can force you to pay a higher interest rate on your mortgage or even torpedo your chances of getting a loan. You can get free copies of your reports from the three major credit bureaus - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion - at AnnualCreditReport.c...
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By Bill Burke, Associate Broker/REALTOR® Licensed in NH & MA
(BurkeLord® Real Estate Powered By Keller Williams Metropolitan)
Last quarter (3rd Quarter)  of 2010 there were 69 homes that closed in Bedford New Hampshire. This is a decrease of 11 homes, as there were 80 homes that closed in the 3rd quarter of 2009. This is during the timeframe of 7/1/10-9/30/10 The median list price for the homes that closed in Bedford for the 3rd quarter of 2010 was $429,500. The median list price for the homes that closed in Bedford for the 3rd quarter of 2009 was $384,700. The median sale price for the homes that closed in Bedford for the 3rd quarter of 2010 was $412,500. The median sale price for the homes that closed in Bedford for the 3rd quarter of 2009 was $371,000. The median market time for the homes that closed in Bedford in the 3rd quarter of 2010 was 65 days. The median market time for the homes that closed in Bedfo...
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By Bill Burke, Associate Broker/REALTOR® Licensed in NH & MA
(BurkeLord® Real Estate Powered By Keller Williams Metropolitan)
Came across this on Trulia and I can appreciate it seeing how I just moved into a new house a couple of months ago and felt this was a good piece to share.  After getting the keys to their new homes, many first-time home buyers are excited about finally having the opportunity to personalize and furnish their new house. From coffee tables to lamps to lawnmowers, many previous renters leap into homeownership quickly realizing they need to do a lot of shopping to truly make their house a home. "Whether you've been living in an apartment with roommates or at your parents' house, many first-time home buyers do not think about all the items they need - and want - when moving into a house," said Janice Jones, national vice president of merchandising for Centex. "With a little advance planning ...
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By Bill Burke, Associate Broker/REALTOR® Licensed in NH & MA
(BurkeLord® Real Estate Powered By Keller Williams Metropolitan)
A great piece I came across on Trulia from Tara Nelson about if you got a good deal on your house. Buying or selling a home is a funny endeavor (but not ha-ha funny - puzzling funny!).  It's your biggest purchase ever, but unlike many smaller purchases, making an offer on a home can feel like pulling numbers out of a hat.  And selling's no easier - the stakes are so high, and the market's so tough that you want to take any offer you can get, but at the same time, it's difficult to know whether you're leaving money on the table when you do finally sign on the dotted line.Buyer's remorse often arises as soon as you get the contract back with the seller's signature on it - that desperate hope that your offer will be accepted instantly plummets into an "oh no - they took it - I must have of...
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By Bill Burke, Associate Broker/REALTOR® Licensed in NH & MA
(BurkeLord® Real Estate Powered By Keller Williams Metropolitan)
I always include the option of holding an open house or multiple open houses in my listing presentations and I am asked all the time if they really help to sell the house. It's hard to say. I think that it depends on the house. I personally have never sold a house from holding an open house at that particular house, however that doesn't mean that it can't happen. I do know agents who have. I don't think it is anything that the agents are doing differently than me, I just think it depends on the house. If it is new construction, I definately think open houses are necessary and you tend to get a lot of foot traffice to new houses. If it is an existing home, then it will depend on the home and location. Even though houses can be sold through an actual open house, it tends to be more of a b...
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By Bill Burke, Associate Broker/REALTOR® Licensed in NH & MA
(BurkeLord® Real Estate Powered By Keller Williams Metropolitan)
I have had a lot of seller and buyers ask "me who pays the closing costs?" Well, it depends. I tell my sellers that in this market, it is not uncommon to get an offer requesting the seller to pay toward that buyer's closing costs. I am finding that with it being a buyers market, some buyers try to ask for everything under the sun. It doesn't mean that they will get what they ask for. Lately, I have had a lot of sellers tell me that they have never heard of a seller paying for the closing costs and that that they don't feel that it is something that they need to do. They are right, they don't need to do it, however, depending on the situation and if they want to get the house sold, it might be something that they will have to consider in order to make the deal happen. A lot of buyers, ev...
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By Bill Burke, Associate Broker/REALTOR® Licensed in NH & MA
(BurkeLord® Real Estate Powered By Keller Williams Metropolitan)
So recently I have been talking with potential sellers (Whose properties I am trying to list) and everyone seems to think the same thing. They tell me that they want to sell their houses, however they say they want to wait till spring. I ask them why? Now I know from being in the business and living in New England, that spring market is obviously the busiest and most common time to list properties, but I wanted to hear from them, why they thought so, so I asked. Just about all of them told me it was because they felt that buyers don't really look for properties any other time of year. Well, if you are from New England, then you know that the winter months tend to be a little slower. I actually like to call them the "dark months in realestate", however, there are still buyers that are ou...
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By Bill Burke, Associate Broker/REALTOR® Licensed in NH & MA
(BurkeLord® Real Estate Powered By Keller Williams Metropolitan)
So I have had a few sellers who's houses I have listed, end up getting offers in a matter of days. Each one of the sellers had said to me that they didn't think that they should accept the offers and wait it out longer. I asked them why. Each one thought that we priced the house too low and that they could get a higher price if they hold out. I told each of them, to be happy that we got an offer so quickly, especially with the amount of inventory that is out there and with how picky buyers are being. Each seller still felt that we priced too low. One seller decided to stand firm at their price and not budge and countered with the full asking price. A second seller, decided to reject the offer all together and wanted to wait for a better offer to come in. The third seller, after much tal...
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By Bill Burke, Associate Broker/REALTOR® Licensed in NH & MA
(BurkeLord® Real Estate Powered By Keller Williams Metropolitan)
Good Article I came across on Trulia on from Tara Nelson on why buyers are not biting in this market even though rates are low and prices are down.   Interest rates are at historic lows: less than 4.5% on a 30-year-fixed and below 4% on 15-year fixed rate loans. And prices are low, too - at or near bottom in most of the country.  Together, these items mean that affordability is near an all-time high.It's like a massive, pre-holiday sale on real estate!Nevertheless, home sales are only "gradually" creeping up, according to the most recent data published by the  National Association of Realtors.  And sellers are clearly still feeling price pressures; on Trulia's October price reduction report, an all-time high 27% of American homes listed for sale had had their price cut at least one time...
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By Bill Burke, Associate Broker/REALTOR® Licensed in NH & MA
(BurkeLord® Real Estate Powered By Keller Williams Metropolitan)
Here are Four Main Reasons why your house is NOT selling.   Price: The hard truth is, if your house was on the market and didn't sell, most likely it was overpriced. Prices are fluctuating weekly. If it was overpriced when it was first listed, the price reductions you may have done may not have kept up with the market. talk to your agent about pricing ahead of the market. Instead of pricing with your competition, price below them. This in turn will draw buyers away from the competition to your listing. This helps generate more activity, which could result in multiple offers and bidding upwards. I present this strategy to all of my sellers and the ones who go along with this end up selling their houses quicker and usually for more than what they would have if they priced higher to begin ...
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By Bill Burke, Associate Broker/REALTOR® Licensed in NH & MA
(BurkeLord® Real Estate Powered By Keller Williams Metropolitan)
Just came across this piece and thought it was interesting.   "If you don't own a home, buy one. If you own one home, buy another one. And if you own two homes, buy a third and lend your relatives the money to buy one." - John Paulson 9/27/2010 WOW! That's a powerful statement. There is no question that John Paulson is a bull when it comes to residential real estate right now. Should we care what Mr. Paulson thinks? Should we listen to him? The answer to both questions is a resounding ‘YES'. Here are several reasons why. Who is John Paulson? Paulson is the person who made a fortune betting that the subprime mortgage mess would cause the the real estate market to collapse. He understands how the housing market works and knows when to buy and when to sell. What do others think of Paulson?...
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By Bill Burke, Associate Broker/REALTOR® Licensed in NH & MA
(BurkeLord® Real Estate Powered By Keller Williams Metropolitan)
I have been asked a lot lately buy numerous buyers and friends as to what exactly a short sale is. Everyone tells me that they keep hearing the term, but they are not familiar with what it is. I personally have gone through the short sale process and have a better insight now from doing so. What is a Short Sale? Homeowners in financial distress often consider various options, including a short sale, prior to foreclosure. Their goal is to negotiate future financial liabilities and preserve their credit. In New Hampshire, the laws governing foreclosures provide incentives for lenders to work with homeowners that can no longer afford their homes. The foreclosure process takes time and money and may prove to be more costly to the lender. Under the Home Affordable Alternatives Program (HAFA)...
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By Bill Burke, Associate Broker/REALTOR® Licensed in NH & MA
(BurkeLord® Real Estate Powered By Keller Williams Metropolitan)
Click here to view complete details and photos Bedford home Newly Updated Open Kitchen with Granite, New Appliances, and a large granite island that looks out to the tranquil setting with private pond & large open yard. Kitchen has a beautiful cathedral wood ceiling with recessed lighting and is a MUST SEE! Master Bedroom w/Bath open to balcony overlooking kitchen. Cozy family room with sky lights and french doors that lead to deck. New carpets, beautiful hardwood floors and tons of deck space with nice level yard. Newer roof, Newer windows and new siding to ease your maintainance concerns. Close to shopping, access to highway and situated on a deadend street. This house must be seen to be appreciated. Seller still has minor renovating to complete and will be finished by closing. John ...
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By Bill Burke, Associate Broker/REALTOR® Licensed in NH & MA
(BurkeLord® Real Estate Powered By Keller Williams Metropolitan)
Click here to view complete details and photos BEAUTIFULLY MAINTAINED BEDFORD, NH CONTEMPORARY CAPEBeautifully maintained, private 4 bedroom Contemporary Cape. Brand new completly remodeled kitchen w/ GE Profile Stainless Steel Appliances, porcelain title floor, beautiful stone counters and tile backsplash. Spacious bedrooms and bathrooms, Central A/C, Fireplace, Bang & Olsen Whole Home Audio System with ADS and Paradigm in wall speakers throughout and wired for surround sound, Lower level with Pool table and bar and large deck make this home great for enteraining. Newer roof, skylights and freshly painted inside and out with new patio with firepit and landscaping make this an enjoyable yard! If you want privacy, size and upgrades at an affordable price, this house has it all!!Contact ...
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By Bill Burke, Associate Broker/REALTOR® Licensed in NH & MA
(BurkeLord® Real Estate Powered By Keller Williams Metropolitan)
Here is an interesting article that on Trulia from Tara Nelson of Ask Tara About forclosures and robo-signing   I double-dog dare you to watch a TV news show or spend more than 5 minutes on the web without hearing about the massive "robo-signing" foreclosure scandal that is rapidly encompassing the biggest banks in the country.  Here are 4 things home buyers need to know about this breaking real estate news, and how it impacts them. (Hint: I threw in a couple of bonus items at the end!)1.  What is robo-signing is, and what all the fuss is about?  The phrase robo-signing refers to what we're now realizing has been a very common practice in the banks' foreclosure document processing divisions, where one person was essentially given the job of signing as many 10,000 foreclosure documents p...
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By Bill Burke, Associate Broker/REALTOR® Licensed in NH & MA
(BurkeLord® Real Estate Powered By Keller Williams Metropolitan)
With the market being in a lagging state, home inspection can show buyers what "as is" really is. It can give them the negotiating edge needed to get cash or repair concessions. For the seller, a home inspection serves as an anti-haggling tool and keeps the bargaining down as little as possible.   It is also a good way to estimate a home's integrity after a natural disaster such as flooding, an earthquake or a wind/rain storm. For someone who does not plan on selling their home right now, having a home inspection done keeps them up to date with what is happening with their home. They will know what maintenance and or upgrades are needed to keep their home up to date. You always want to keep the future in mind in case one day you do decide to put your home on the market. It is always a g...
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