This morning as i am reading through the blogs i came upon the Kodak and Active Rain "Printing on the Go Challenge". These days in Real Estate i am always on the go in and around the Manchester NH area. Every day i hit the road early checking bank owned homes, meeting with home owners on short sale listings and showing buyers homes. I take my I Pad or lap top with me everywhere but i can not print from them on the road. I often would email myself what i needed to print when i got back to my office or home. Upon finding this blog i read up on Kodak and Googles Cloud print. Google in short describes it as a new technology that connects printers to the web. It works on your phone, table, PC or any device that connects to the web . It was kind of brief so i headed over to the link to read u... 10/14/2011

As a leading Listing Agent in Manchester NH, I conduct a lot of showings. With all the bank owned homes, short sales and foreclosures buyers often get confused and are stressed out over the process. However lately I am often asking myself if I am a "Showing Agent" or a Referee?Take the other night when a young couple, they were recently married and the husband travels alot for business. The wife styated she wants a townhouse style condo so upkeep is minimal and she is in a community setting. The wife drove through the complex and actually seemed to know some things about it, the husband just flew in that afternoon.I got there early, and the buyer showed up shortly after. We walked through the condo which was completely redone, it showed beautifully. The wife kept looking out the windows... 10/12/2011

"What is a Reasonable price in this Market" is a frequently asked question? I often find myself talking to the buyers about how LOW is "TOO LOW". Here in The Manchester NH area we did not get hit as bad as some parts of the country. Our prices did decline though and that has created some incredible opportunities for home buyers. The key ingredient with any buyer is how serious are they about buying a home that they will fall in love with and meet their needs as opposed to a buyer looking for the biggest deal out there that they will make fit no matter what it is. Where to start?The first thing you need to do is be pre-approved for a loan. Most sellers will not look at your offer without it. There is a difference between prequalified and preapproved. A pre qualification looks at your cre... 10/11/2011

Is now the time for you to buy a home? That is the question being pondered across the country. The answer though is as individual as you, depending if you are ready, willing and able to buy and what part of the country you live in. Here in New Hampshire it is a wonderful time to buy a home. The Real Estate market has stabilzed in some areas, unemployment rates are some of the lowest in the country, interest rates are at rock bottom and prices are still low. The trend has been good clean homes priced at current market value are selling. Homes needing alot of work are also selling when priced for quick sale just below market value. Currently listed homes downs 30% over last month. With a decrease in homes on the market, it is a sign of stability of prices. The following scenario is for a ... 10/11/2011

Today was my earliest start for work on a Sunday in 25 years. I had a contractor want to see a house at 645am this morning. It is vacant so there is no occupant to ask to be out so early. After receiving his showing request last night i checked his company out and he is indeed a ready, willing and able cash buyer. He said he has to be on the road at 730am so his time was limited but if he liked it, he would put in an offer on the spot.I told him i would meet him... I got up early, hit Dunkin Donuts and headed to the property. He told me over and over how much he appreciated me accomodating him. We spent a half hour there, he gave me is offer, i filled in the purchase agreement, signed it on the hood of my car and he was off. As he got in is Land Rover, he asked if i was working this aft... 10/09/2011

I can not believe i did it, i waited, i trulely tried... It started with that sound click, click, click as water rushed through the forced hot water system. Yep i had to turn the heat on this morning for the first time this year. With fall in full swing here in New Hampshire, the night time temperature dipped down to 31 degrees last night allowing mother nature to kiss everything with a frosty touch.  With the seasons first frost it is teh magic formula to bring out the brilliant colors of teh leaves. The New Hampshire board of tourism is estimating over 600,000 visitors to our great stae this weekend to enjoy the fall foilage and what NH has to offer. The weather man forgot it was fall as the temperature is expected to swing from 31 to 80 degrees today and 85 is forecast for Sunday. As... 10/08/2011

MARKET UPDATE  and Report for MANCHESTER NH for SEPTEMBER 2011 compared to  August 2011  What do market updates mean? Basically this is a snap shot from September 2011 compared to August 2011 of what the Real Estate market was doing here in Manchester NH. I wanted to take the stats and break them down for you. So sit down and enjoy them a please email me any questions on my report or buying or selling a home in New Hampshire.* Currently there are 586 properties for sale in MANCHESTER NH * There were 138 new listings in SEPT 2011, That is  42 LESS than in August 2011 * There were 89 properties put under contract in September 2011, That is  8 LESS than in August 2011  * There were 101 properties that Closed in September 2011, That is  the same as in August 2011 IN SUMMARY The amount of c... 10/08/2011

Sitting at Dunkin Donuts in Manchester NH this morning, the conversation quickly changed to the housing market when they saw me walk in. Everyone always asks how the bank owned homes, the foreclosures and the short sales are affecting our market. This morning was an interesting conversation on the news and its affect on people. No matter what you pick up to read or what channel you turn to, the lead stories always seem so negative. Well good news is not as exciting as bad news, it does not set off those alarm bells the media is looking to ring that brings you back to watch again and again. The fact is the housing market is stablized in some areas and has actaully began a recovery in many more. There are areas that are still in a decline due to the high un-employment rates in some areas ... 10/07/2011

The Manchester NH Highway Department has announced the city will be waiving "dump fees" for the week of Oct. 10 -15, 2011 for bulky items that you bring to the drop off center on Dunbarton Road. In an effort to cut down on couches, mattresses and furniture abandoned on sidewalks City residents will be granted this opportunity. The highway department does offer a pick up service for a fee anytime of the year but find themselves backed up 2-5 weeks at any given time. Not charging next week if you bring you own items saves the city man power, time and gas. Some items not accepted are refrigerators, air conditioners and hazardous waste.The drop off facility is open 7:30am to 3pm daily qnd 7am to 11:30 am on Saturday. If you have any questions please call 603-624-6444 If you are looking to b... 10/07/2011

The Manchester NH Fire Department will kick off “Fire Prevention Week” with New England’s largest parade of fire apparatus on Sunday, October 9, 2011.  Starting time for the parade is 12:00 noon from the assembly point at Elm and Webster Streets.  There will be an apparatus show and firematic flea market from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM in front of Central Headquarter on Merrimack St.  Also on the agenda is a live burn demonstration. The public is cordially invited to attend.  Questions regarding this event may be directed to Sandy at the Manchester Fire   Department, Fire Prevention Bureau: 603-669-2256 x3405 . I have alot of friends that are firefighters, i am proud of them and all of their fellow firefighters that protect our community every day. See you all on Sunday... If you are looking to... 10/07/2011

Today, on this Friday October 7, 2011 it is Customer appreciation Day at the Manchester Boston Regional Airport in Manchester NH. This day-long celebration is designed to acknowledge and thank our very supportive and very loyal airport customers.  MHT Customer Appreciation Day will include some great music by 92.5 FM The River and lots of contests and prize give-aways. I fly into and out of the Manchester Boston Regional Airport in Manchester NH over Boston MA for several reasons, convenience is the first thing that comes to mind. I can drive directly to the airport without sitting in traffic, i can park directly across from the terminal, (with affordable parking fees unlike Boston) I can than hop on a people mover and be in front of the "check in"  counter in a matter of minutes of arr... 10/07/2011

Texting is the preferred way to communicate for many. There are many advantages to texting but i never thought of any dis-advantages... until yesterday. I had an agent who called today and said "did you get my clients offer?" I said no, did you email it as a pdf file as stated in the MLS listing, did you fax it or drop it off? "NO, they said, i texted it"..... You what??? ".....I texted it they replied" I paused for a few seconds which seemed like minutes as they yelled hello into the other end of the phone. As they started to get irritated and started raising their voice, i had enough already... I told them "unless i am missing a technology breakthrough, how can you text the 5 page purchase agreement, a copy of the deposit check and a copy of their pre-quailfication letter to me?"They ... 10/05/2011

A short sale does not need to be frustrating, It seems to go as well as the agent handling it is experienced in listing, negotiating and selling them. I list and sell short sales, foreclosures, bank owned homes and reo properties in and around the Manchester NH area so i see it all.To get a short sale to to be approved and limit frustration, there are some things that everyone involved has to do and some things you should  avoid. SHORT SALE CLARIFICATIONS1. The bank is not the seller in a short sale - the home owner is the seller.2. The listing agent works for the home owner - not the bank.3. The bank does not set a list price - the listing agent does.4. The home owner accepts the offer - their bank must then approve the saleSHORT SALE MYTHS - THINGS YOU NEED TO AVOID1. THE LISTING AGEN... 10/04/2011

ATTENTION PARENTS who have children in the Manchester NH School DistrictNews Release October 3, 2011 regarding School Re-distictingI wanted to update you all on the plan to redistrict our children by the Superintendent of schools Thomas Brennan, Ther Mayor and School Board which are in the works to switch schools so that K-4 will be together, 5-6th grade will be together , 7 and 8th grade will be together and then maintain the High Schools.They have not placed a link on their website as they said they would for their survey. I have a copy of the survey, please email me at sctprop@aol.com and i can email it to you and you can fill out and send it in or send back to me and i will do it for you.===============This plan and these politicians are NOT taking into consideration the impact it w... 10/03/2011

The 2011 WORLD CHILI COOK OFF kicked off Friday Sept. 30, 2011 ends today Oct. 2, 2011. Saturday afternoon i made my way down to Vetran's Park in downtown Manchester NH. The weather most off the day was cloudy but the showers kept the crowds down which was actually nice for those of us there, not so nice for the vendors.. With  a $25,000 Grand Prize up for grabs, between 1 and 3pm Saturday you were able to sample and vote for your favorite Chili. I tried Red Chile and Green Chile, Hot Chile and Sweet Chile. I tried Chile from Maine to Alaska. From the southwest and midwest. Everyone was very friendly except the 2 guys from NY who i must report were "kind of rude" with me wearing my Red Sox shirt. You know what, we lost, season is over, now im on to football season. I didnt try their Chi... 10/02/2011

I entered into an interesting debate fueled by  a question i saw in Voices, that if you purchase a bank owned property, "Are you supporting the banks, financial institutions, fraud, bailouts and greed that created this recession? As a leading listing agent of Bank Owned Homes in the Manchester NH area I have some ideas and insight form dealing with these same institutions on a daily basis.First in my opinion you are not supporting the bank by when you purchase a reo. You are supporting the neighborhood who will have an owner occupied home with someone taking care of it's maintenance, cleaning up an usually un-maintained home. You will support the local economy by buying goods and service to clean, repair and furnish the new home. As far as the 'Banks" there are some very good ones to wo... 10/01/2011

The 2011 WORLD CHILI COOK OFF kick's off Friday Sept. 30, 2011 and runs to Oct. 2, 2011 at Vetran's Park in downtown Manchester NH. The Last Chance Cookoff will take place on Friday, Sept 30th. which provides the general public and those who were unable to qualify for the World's Championship Chili Cookoff through regional or district cookoffs a second chance to earn a spot in Sunday's Red Chili Division and the opportunity to win the $25,000 Grand Prize!There is also a Restaurant Division which provides restaurants the opportunity to have their chili judged by sanctioned judges from the International Chili Society for the title, "Best Chili in New Hampshire".  Restaurants will also have the opportunity to provide chili samples to the general public and earn the title "People's Choice C... 09/29/2011

This week in Manchester NH a home owner called asking me "Why their house had not sold". The strange thing is, that it was not for one of my listings. I asked the address so i could look it up on MLS. Now it was not a short sale, it was not a foreclosure and no bank was involved. The listing expired with their former Real Estate agent.I asked if they had re-newed their listing and they said "never in a a billion years would they re-list, that this out of town agent listed the home and they never saw them again". They pushed me on the phone to tell them why their house did not sell. I told them i could not tell them without seeing their home, that i would like to see the home and could give them my honest opinion.So the other evening i headed over to the house. It is a good neighborhood,... 09/29/2011

The city of Manchester New Hampshire announced that the single stream Recycling Program has been delayed to April 1, 2012 for a citywide start. Single stream recycling will allow residents to put all recycling items into 1 large toter instead of seperating eveything into seperate bins.    The publc works department did not want to start a program going into winter and wanted time to better educate the public on the trash pick up changes. The prgram kicked off in the downtown area as a pilot program but was plagued with low participation. In my opinion most downtown buildings are businesses and apartment buildings. A tough nut to crack in either direction compared to single family households which often have a higher participation rate. We are anxious for it to begin city wide.          ... 09/29/2011

Comcast announced Monday at a news conference in Manchester NH that it will offer "Comcast Internet Essentials" to low-income families in the 105 communities it service here in NH. It will be available to any household where at least 1 child is eligible for the public school's free lunch program. It works out to a $25,000 income for a family of 3.Families will also be given a certificate in which they can purchase a new computer for only $150. Comcast included a statement that there will be no equipment rental fees, no price increases or activation charges. This program will soon be launched nation wide in areas where Comcast seervices. To enroll in the service please call 1-855-846-8376 If you are looking to buy or sell a home in New Hampshire, please call us first. We strive to provid... 09/28/2011