"Would you present an offer you received verbally to your seller?"Whether another agent or a potential buyer, if they call you with an offer, what you do with it?HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A VERBAL OFFER IS REAL?The toughest thing with a verbal offer is that the buyer can change their mind without recourseIS A VERBAL OFFER BINDING?in virtually all states verbal offers are not binding, they need to be in writing and accompnied by a earnest money deposit.DO YOU CONTACT YOUR SELLER WITH A VERBAL OFFER?I would not call my seller with that offer, i would encourage the buyer broker to write the offer on a purchase and sales agreement, get the buyers signature and a deposit check, they could scan and email it to me or fax it it as well for me to present immediately.If it was a buyer i would tell them... 01/18/2011

#1.  What is a condominiumsA condominium (often refered to as a condo) is a type of ownership, a towhouse is the style of condominium it is. Condominum should be considered a way of life. In a condominium you are buying an individual unit and the land is owned in common with the other unit owners. in most condominiums exterior maintenance is completed for you such as lawn care, snow removal and some have amenities like a pool, clubhouse or tennis courts.#2. What Styles of condominiums are there?There are several style of condominiums that are called different names in different parts of the country. I will go over the common terms here in New England.Townhouse: Uually 2 stories and sometimes more, it has an upstairs and a downstairsGarden Style. Usually in a building with a common hallw... 01/18/2011

I often read about communities that go up against the cell phone giants for their placement of their towers. I always feel for the residents and think, isn't there a better location not in a residential area.Well last week this issue was dropped close to my neighborhood in South Manchester. AT&T is trying to build a 100 foot tower in a residential area of South Mammoth Road. The zoning board gave AT&T 30 days to meet with neighbors. Most towers are not approved for residential area's in a city and for good reason as they can bring down property values and cause an eye sore for those who have enjoyed peaceful neighborhood views for all their lives.In my opinion there as Industrial and commercial areas that are within a mile in all directions that would not affect the residential area and... 01/18/2011

After reading some early morning blogs i was reminded if what i heard all week. Be careful what you wish for... See i, with many of Patriots nation was wishing last Sunday to play the JETS, it seems that i as well as the whole Patriots team took them for granted.Please put me back on the schedule next SundayPlease cancel that trip to Dallas.How long until the Daytona 500?When do the Red Sox start?CAN YOU PLEASE HAND ME ONE OF THISE TERRIBLE TOWELS.... 01/17/2011

As the nation celebrates MLK day, their is a mix of businesses open and closed, the Government of course is closed with the post office, the banks and schools. Most other businesses seem to be open. Sunday i had the unpleasurable converstaion with a couple of brokerages that i wanted to set up showings with for today that are closed today and one who admonished me for working on a holiday. Unfortanately my thinking is i have to be open when customers want to see homes, after all that is the goal of my business to sell homes and i can not sell them if the buyers can not see them. I have a couple of asset management companies that have already called me this morning just before 8am est asking if i could take some work. They seemed surprised i answered my own phone, that i was answering so... 01/17/2011

Do you know the Golden Rule for viewing a foreclosed home?If you are eating... look away now....Whether you are a buyer or an agent, listing or selling broker or just completing a bpo, there is 1 golden rule i pass onto every buyer and fellow agent who goes into a bank owned home that has not been cleaned yet.DON'T OPEN THE FRIDGE!!!!!Why would i possibly share this in a blog to you, because despite my best efforts today of sharing this, a buyer agent who was previewing a new listing just had to look.Updated Jan. 14, 2011 01/14/2011

Manchester New Hampshire Real Estate Market Report 4th quarter 2010 Single Family Homes In the 4th quarter of 2010 there were 118 homes that closed in Manchester New Hampshire. This is a decrease of 65 homes, as there were 183 homes that closed in the 4th quarter of 2009. The median list price for the homes that closed in Manchester for the 4th quarter of 2010 was $189,850. The median list price for the homes that closed in Manchester for the 4th quarter of 2009 was $199,900. The median sale price for the homes that closed in Manchester for the 4th quarter of 2010 was $181,100. The median sale price for the homes that closed in Manchester for the 4th quarter of 2009 was $190,000. The median market time for the homes that closed in Manchester in the 4th quarter of 2010 was 75 days. The m... 01/14/2011

Manchester New Hampshire Real Estate Market Report 4th quarter 2010 Condominiums and Townhomes In the 4th quarter of 2010 there were 62 condominiums and townhomes that closed in Manchester New Hampshire. This is a decrease of 21 condos, as there were 83 condos that closed in the 4th quarter of 2009. The median list price for the condominiums and townhomes that closed in Manchester for the 4th quarter of 2010 was $122,450. The median list price for the condominiums and townhomes that closed in Manchester for the 4th quarter of 2009 was $128,900. The median sale price for the condominiums and townhomes that closed in Manchester for the 4th quarter of 2010 was $118,700. The median sale price for the condominiums and townhomes that closed in Manchester for the 4th quarter of 2009 was $120,0... 01/14/2011

Do you call it a snow mobile? Snow Machine? of a Sled?I call it a deal killer... See if you are a buyer, and you are in the process of buying a home, you do not go out and buy 2 of these just before your closing.  Your debt to income ratio will go up and with 1 couple i am working with, their ratio's are now higher than what their mortgage company will allow and just had their mortgage declined after we had been cleared to close. So what is important to you, buying a home? or playing in the snow? The moral of the story is wait until after your closing to buy your toys, you can not live in your snow mobile trailer afterall?Updated Jan. 14, 2011 01/14/2011

  One of the most common questions as of late is; 'No one is looking at my house, What can i do?"#1. CHECK YOUR PRICE The first thing you have to do is get a new brokers price opinion completed to see where your house is priced in teh market. If your house is priced above market value, with the increase in listings, your house my be priced too high to attract buyers. You want your house priced at or below market value, most often no lookers comes from too high of an asking price.#2. CHECK THE MARKETING AND ADVERTISINGThe other common problem with a lack of showings is a lack of marketing or advertising on your poperty. Is your agent advertising and marketing your property? Where are they searching for buyers? Are they giving your home the time and energy it deserves?#3. ASK YOUR AGENT A... 01/14/2011

I got an interesting phone call today from another agent., usually the "interesting" questions or comments come in the form if an email or a blog comment, but this agent had enough free time to call me."Why do you waste your time working bank owned homes and your bpo's her in xxx town? she asked followed by 'This is not (your) area, you should give those bank owned listings and bpo's to me that you complete up here and save yourself some time."Hmmmmmm.... was the first thought...Why do i waste MY time?What makes an area exclusiverly 'Yours"?Why again can i not work in your town?Are you telling me or asking me for my Listings and BPO's?Do you think i would really give you my Listings and BPO's?What were you expecting me to say?Really..... you called me asking me this?I can go on and on b... 01/13/2011

The most peaceful time is the morning after a storm, this morning brought a beautiful pink sky just before sunrise after a classic New England Blizzard that brought us near 20 inches of fluffy white snow. Yesterday gave us a snow day, closing early as business ground to a halt, The peaceful morning did not last long as the business of yesterday become the business of today on top of today's tasks. Asset managers from California, Texas and Florida just do not get the halt in everyday life such as the ability to drive down a road. In Real Estate we make of the best of it, get our work done and do not complain. Tonight i finally get a call to make today all worth while. An asset manager called to thank me for getting my 5 bpo's done today, and all the pictures taken on the 2 new bank owne ... 01/13/2011

TOP 5 Things to look out for if you are buying a home that is sold "AS IS"#1. WHAT IS SOLD "AS IS" This situation happens mostly with bank owned properties where they do not know anything about the home, they have no reports or history. Homes that are listed "as is" usual are done so to indicate the seller will not make any repairs to the property, it was priced for its current condition. #2.  WILL A BANK ALLOW AN INSPECTION? Some banks will not allow an inspection contingincy specifically writing that the home inspection is for the buyers own knowledge. Those that do allow a home inspection remind the buyer and the agent that the home is sold "as is". #3. SHOULD YOU ASK FOR AN INSPECTIONUnless you are an experienced buyer or quite knowledgable with buildings, plumbing, heating, electri... 01/12/2011

  Listing new foreclosed homes is hazzardous enough but now there is something else you need to look out for. I had a new listing where someone shut off the main breaker, took all the lights fixtures from the house and then twisted the hot and ground wires together and tucked them up.Because a national provider comes in to manage and service the house for this bank, they turned on the power but did not have anyone there to check it, they had turned on the main and when the electric company turned on the meter on the outside... poofIt smothered for a little while but it is a good thing the the breakers eventually popped cutting off juice.The moral of the story is listing agents should now check or have checked the wires before getting the power turned on.Updated January 10, 2011 01/10/2011

Recently my Active Rain seems to be running at a snails pace with some pages freezing. I am not sure if it is me or for everyone, after last night trying to restart my computer and even switching laptops, i think the site is getting overloaded at night. I wanted to know if anyone else is experiencing the same problems. 01/10/2011

TIPS TO AVOID FORECLOSURE!!! What you need to know, tips and advice...   There is help and there are opportunities to avoid foreclosure. It starts with you "The home Owner" though. There is no quick fix and no magic formula however, you will need some faith and persistance.#1. Avoid being Scammed...First thing is do not be scammed, do not sign your deed over to anyone, do not pay anyone with a boatload of promises of quick results and big promises, chances are they are not realistic or true. Real and genuine companies do not charge anything upfront.#2. What got you behind? Different reasons mean different solutionsIf you find yourself behind becuae of a high interest rate, you lost your job, illness or divorce. You need to take the first step for assistance. What is available to you wil... 01/10/2011

I have seen alot of blogs with tips for short sales, but none that warn you of what not to do.TOP 5 SHORT SALE "WARNINGS"#1. DO NOT SELL TO A RELATIVE. The number 1 myth of a short sale is it can be used to sell the home to a relaitive, child, spouse, cousin or other person and you will be able to re-buy  your home at a cheaper price. The reality is the bank who holds your loan will require you to sign an affadavit you are not selling to a relative under penalty of perjury.#2. DO NOT USE AN IN-EXPERIENCED AGENT OR TRY TO COMPLETE YOURSELF. A short sale is hard ennough for an agent highly experienced in short sales, an agent who is not experienced or trying to do it yourslef will virtually asure a negative result. You can hire an experienced agent and a professional negotiator to work on... 01/08/2011

If you are looking to rent to own a home, here are some tips to get you started.# 1. Get Prequailified for a mortgage...It is a good idea as the first step, to get prequailified. Meet with a local and trusted bank or mortgage company. Stay away from internet lenders. You need to find out how long it will take you to get a mortgage so you know how long of a lease your need. As well as what you will need to do to be quailified by the time that lease is up. You can get prequailified at no cost at most trusted lenders. Then you need to know what price range you will be able to purchase in. you do not want to lease a home out of your price range as you may never be able to purchase it. #2. HIRE A BUYER BROKERYou may not have the resources to find the properties that are not being offered as ... 01/07/2011

PRE FORECLOSURES ARE SIMPLY THAT, A HOUSE ENTERING INTO THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS... The home owner is usually gets to the 60 day late window and the process starts.THE TOP 5 MYTHS AND TIPS "getting a deal on a pre-foreclosure". 1. Most houses in pre-foreclsoure are not even on the market for sale2. Most home owners in pre-foreclosure owe more than the house is worth in todays market. 3. If they are in foreclosure and a foreclsoure date has been set, there is not enough time for them to complete a short sale.4. Most home owners in foreclosure are not going to invest their time, what resources they have left or their emotions for someone else to get a deal on their home they are losing.5. The Reality is working pre-foreclosures is a long and stressful task, you need to have a strong will w... 01/07/2011

One of the most asked questions is how to purchase a bank owned home. I deal with alot of bank owned homes throughout New Hampshire. The basic premise though will appy to anywhere in the USA as all banks virtually operate the same way.TOP 5 TIPS FOR BUYING A BANK OWNED HOME#1. Where to start?The first thing you need to do is be pre-approved for a loan. No bank will look at your offer without it. There is a difference between prequalified and preapproved. A pre qualification looks at your credit score, your income and liabilities you state and gives you a sales price you should be searching in. however a pre-approval will confirm you are able to get the loan by verifying your income, assetts and liabilities. #2. What is being sold "as is"?The second thing you need to know is the house yo... 01/06/2011