Special offer

Portsmouth, NH Real Estate News

By Jim Lee, REALTOR, CRS, ABR, Buying or Selling? Ann & Jim are the local experts
(RE/MAX Shoreline)
Navigating the world of real estate can be daunting, especially with the industry-specific jargon used by professionals. Whether you are looking to buy or sell a home, understanding common real estate terms is essential. As your dedicated real estate experts, we’re here to break down the most important terms you’ll encounter, ensuring you’re well-prepared for the journey ahead.  For Home Sellers 1. Listing Agreement: This is a contract between you, the homeowners, and a real estate agent (like us), authorizing the agent to represent you and sell your home. Let’s discuss how we can represent your interests.2. Asking Price: The initial price you set when your home is put on the market. It’s crucial to set a competitive asking price that reflects the current market conditions. We can provi...
Comments 7
CASA of NH Fundraiser at Flatbread Pizza Portsmouth NH March 1st! Flatbread Company is sponsoring a fundraiser for CASA of NH on Tuesday March 1st from 5:00 PM to close at its 138 Congress Street, Portsmouth, NH location.  Here is your opportunity to help support the efforts of CASA of NH (Court Appointed Special Advocates for abused and neglected children) while discovering the awesome pizza served up Flatbreads style. Expect the ingredients to be local organic produce with free range and clean meats. Flatbread Company donates $3.50 from each large pizza and $1.75 from each small pizza directly to CASA of NH. Flatbread Company cares about the community by sponsoring fundraising events for local organizations every Tuesday night at each location. If you are looking for a Flatbreads Pizz...
Comments 14
By Dick Cook, Seacoast & Lakes Region Specialist
(Coldwell Banker- Peggy Carter Team)
FHA 203(K) Loans Can be The Ideal Solution In a previous article I discussed an overview of the FHA 203(K) Rehab loan program. This loan program is an important tool for buyers looking to purchase a fixer-upper property. Many of these types of homes are available in Portsmouth NH, and they represent an excellent opportunity for someone to acquire an affordable home that can be renovated to meet both their needs and budget. Given the current number of foreclosed properties on the market that have been vacant for some time, along with homes that have not been adequately maintained by owners on the edge of losing their houses, it is customary to see homes that need work done to bring them up to the buyer's standard. As a prospective buyer looking to finance a Portsmouth NH fixer-upper, a f...
Comments 3
The Chase Home for Children Fundraiser at Flatbread Pizza Portsmouth NH February 22nd! Flatbread Pizza is once again sponsoring a fundraiser for The Chase Home for Children on Tuesday February 22nd from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at its 138 Congress Street, Portsmouth, NH location.   Here is your opportunity to help support the efforts of Chase Home for Children while discovering the awesome pizza served up Flatbreads style. Expect the ingredients to be local organic produce with free range and clean meats. Flatbreads Pizza cares about the community by sponsoring fundraising events for local organizations on Tuesdays at each location. If you are looking for a Flatbreads Pizza near you, they can be found at 10 locations from Portland, Maine to Paia, Hawaii to Whistler, British Columbia. The Chas...
Comments 9
By Patricia Aulson, Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes
(BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate )
WHAT ARE NEIGHBORS FOR............. Years ago neighbors helped each other out when they needed help. Nowadays that's changed quite a lot. People tend to stay more to themselves.  As a kid I can remember going next door to borrow an egg or a cup of milk or  sugar.  The neighbors didn't mind in the least , they were happy to oblige...   WHEN YOU CAN HELP A NEIGHBOR DO IT..........Helping out a neighbor in need is the right thing to do I thought.  Well that's what I did the other day.  My neighbors power was out for a couple of days due to burner/ furnace issues. I told them they could use our extra  bathroom to shower and so they did.    YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE SHOE MIGHT BE ON THE OTHER FOOT........ so as I was taught to  "Love thy neighbor as I would myself."    
Comments 64
By Patricia Aulson, Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes
(BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate )
Your local Nursing Homes can use a hand..... Now here's a way that I can help right within my town and not travel very far in the winter weather.  There are those people in Nursing Homes that are alone, lonely and would love to have you come and visit them.  Many times these residents don't have family that live near them, or any family at all.   Visiting the residents can help them and brighten YOUR day...... Visiting can work with my schedule. When I have the time in my every day schedule, I spend a few hours helping out by reading to some of the residents.  Many of these people love this as their eyesight isn't very good or their glasses need to be adjusted.  It's a very rewarding time to spend a few hours, give it a try , I think you'll agree it does the heart good. Those without fa...
Comments 11
By Jim Lee, REALTOR, CRS, ABR, Buying or Selling? Ann & Jim are the local experts
(RE/MAX Shoreline)
It’s the end of January in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Temperatures are in the mid 20s and we’ve had a couple of feet of snow so far. Perfect weather for a big, hot, bubbling pot of home made soup as well as an update on current and also bubbling Portsmouth NH real estate market. We finished up a ham last night for dinner. I took the nice sized bone with quite a bit of meat still clinging to it and boiled it for a couple of hours and stuck it in the fridge overnight. When I took it out this morning there was a big pot of jellied ham broth and all the flavor and goodness from that ham bone. So I diced up a couple of potatoes, some carrots, and a large sweet onion and tossed them in the pot with the ham stock and lots of pieces of ham. Next I put in a can of corn and another of Kidney bean...
Comments 5
By Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager
(Sharon Tara Transformations)
My Portsmouth, New Hampshire home staging consult's house was featured this morning on the Today Show.I just received a call from one of my favorite Realtors, Marion Barron, informing me that one of her listings was featured in Barbara Corcoran's Today Show segment "5 Great Homes Around U.S. For Less Than $400K". Marion had recently hired me for a home staging consult for this property so I was very excited to hear it's getting such great exposure. Marion has already received calls today, and has at least one showing scheduled because of the mention on TV.  She has no idea how the property was chosen and had no prior knowledge it had been chosen.  It was a great surprise!  For more information on this beautiful Portsmouth, NH home call Marion Barron at Tate & Foss Sotheby's Internationa...
Comments 32
By Jim Lee, REALTOR, CRS, ABR, Buying or Selling? Ann & Jim are the local experts
(RE/MAX Shoreline)
Why it's about me...er, you of course, hence the name. Most of us have many online personas scattered all about the web and until now there has been no central location to point or send people to have one single online identity that directs visitors out to wherever they need or want to go. Enter https://about.me/ In a quick to set up template site you can easily compile all your online personas into one page and direct all the friends and visitors there to find you on websites like Facebook, twitter, your personal blog, and lots of other sites; all gathered together in one, easy to find splash page.  You can set up the background, font sizes, easily install your Facebook and other links to social media and any other place you want people to go. I pointed www.JimLee.com to mine so now if...
Comments 7
By Patricia Aulson, Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes
(BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate )
I'M HOMELESS AND NEED TO EAT-CAN YOU SPARE A BUCK PLEASE? That was the sign a homeless person had clinging to his jacket the other day in front of a store while he braved the freezing temperatures and blustery  wind. I'm struck by how many homeless people I see these days standing on corners begging. Sad to say but this has become a way of life for some people unfortunately. I'm a sucker for this kind of thing and well up with tears every time I see people begging. I immediately reach into my purse and handed him a $10 dollar bill.  "God Bless you" I said as I gave it to him, "I hope the New Year will bring you some good fortune and joy."  He smiled back at me with a toothless grin and kept repeating "God Bless You.....God Bless You" His smile alone was worth the $10 bucks and more.  I ...
Comments 39
By Patricia Aulson, Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes
(BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate )
HOW TIME FLIES WHEN YOUR HAVING FUN!   It sure is hard to believe that I've been an active member of AR since 2007. What a trip it's been! Every day I've dedicated time, usually in the morning, to sit down and log in to AR.  Looking over the many wonderful posts that other members have taken the time to share with us is amazing.   Hardly a day goes by that I don't learn something.  Things constantly change as does the weather, especially hear in New England, so the best place to go to is Active Rain each morning and read the many interesting posts.   There are usually interesting contests you can participate in if you wish and earn some points as well. It's a fun thing to do as well as a challenge.   Friendships are nice and over this last 3 plus years I always love to hear from some of...
Comments 6
By Patricia Aulson, Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes
(BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate )
  NEW YEARS DAY-January 1st 2011 - I had a New Year's Day celebration planned for my family today when things changed with the head count. As I was preparing dinner and everyone was scurrying about the house I suddenly see the ambulance in my next door neighbors yard.  The couple that live there are elderly. She is in her mid-eights and he is 91. She is rather frail and crippled up and has taken a few falls these last five years. He is rather spry for his age actually and manages to get around though slowly.   The Macguire's have been a happily married couple for many years and raised three children who have added to the family by having 4 children and then there are the grandchildren. They had hoped that their kids would be over to cook dinner today but that didn't come to pass as it t...
Comments 6
By Dick Cook, Seacoast & Lakes Region Specialist
(Coldwell Banker- Peggy Carter Team)
Third Quarter 2010 A review of the Portsmouth, NH condominium market data reflects a relatively flat market year-on-year. In relation to the data reflected for the second quarter of 2010, seen here, this information seems to reflect a market that may well have benefitted from the home buyer tax credit that expired on April 30th. Full year data for 2010 will be available shortly, and I will be very curious to see what type of advancement is shown year on year. In the Portsmouth, NH condo market there were 20 condos sold through third quarter 2010 as compared to 27 in 2009.                             This represents a 26% decrease in the number of condos sold. The average sales price of a condo in Portsmouth, NH through third quarter 2010 changed negligibly from $307,307 in 2009 to $307,...
Comments 0
By Dick Cook, Seacoast & Lakes Region Specialist
(Coldwell Banker- Peggy Carter Team)
I read a fascinating article today about a common problem faced by many Baby Boomers attempting to plan their retirement and age in place in a comfortable home. Have a look at USA Today’s article here. Given the massive economic downturn that the US economy has seen employment opportunities for Baby Boomers have dwindled, rendering the prospect of a comfortable future very distant for some.  Housing is a primary consideration for most people’s retirement plans, however most Boomers have seen a significant decline in the value of their properties. This decline may limit their ability sell on and move into a suitable home for retirement on the back of decreasing income. It is for these very reasons that my skills as a Senior Real Estate Specialist, along with the team of professionals th...
Comments 1
By Dick Cook, Seacoast & Lakes Region Specialist
(Coldwell Banker- Peggy Carter Team)
There are an estimated 77 million Baby Boomers in this country born between 1946 to 1964, which represent 28% of the population.  This is the largest segment of our population, and one that may very well shape the economic future of this country over the coming years.  That being said, all aspects of the Boomers transfer of wealth and changes in their housing, draw great attention in the real estate industry.  Their needs and expectations regarding housing have changed from those of their parents.  The Boomers reshaped a host of industries, services, and trends that are now part of our everyday lives.  Rock and Roll is here to stay, as is online shopping (shop till you drop in the hot tub), Botox (wrinkle free zone), and Viagra (forever young).  As we move into 2011, understanding the n...
Comments 4
By Dick Cook, Seacoast & Lakes Region Specialist
(Coldwell Banker- Peggy Carter Team)
Is your Portsmouth NH condominium association approved for FHA/VA lending? If it isn’t it should be! Tens of thousands of condominium owners around the country as well as here in Portsmouth NH are in danger of limiting their ability to sell or refinance their units.  Without “Project Approval”, the FHA will no longer insure loans sought by prospective purchasers, eliminating the possibility of FHA /VA lending within the effected developments.  With many Portsmouth NH condominium approvals expiring soon there is a tidal wave of applications being submitted. It is possible for Associations to go directly to HUD to obtain this full approval; however, the process is cumbersome and not entirely transparent and easily understood by the layperson. Many local associations have utilized the serv...
Comments 0
Café Mediterraneo,  Portsmouth NH   I wanted to meet a friend for a light dinner in a Portsmouth restaurant and she chose Café' Mediterraneo on Congress Street.    I knew it was going to be good when David from Ceres Street Wine (the best wine store in Portsmouth and a great guy!) walked in.  He's a regular. The atmosphere is warm and comfortable, although the tables are very close together.  Don't try private conversations here.   We started with soups - asked the waitress what soups they had and she replied, "Soup du Jour and Soup Café Mediterraneo".   Very helpful.  J     But nothng exciting here. My companion wanted to share the main course and recommended Baked Salmon in creamy dill on lobster ravioli.  It was perfect, delicious and nicely presented.   The menu seems fairly standar...
Comments 0
By Tina Gleisner, Home Tips for Women
(Home Tips for Women)
Probably my favorite arts & crafts event in NH is the annual Open Studio weekend at the Button Factory in Portsmouth, NH ... so let me tell you all the things I love about this event ... History - The event takes place in some old mill buildings (red brick with really tall ceilings) dating back to the late 1800s. The name comes from the fact that they used to manufacture buttons there, when people wore high-button shoes ... a long time ago. More recently, 2 entrepreneurs bought the building and turned it into artist studios. Event - This year celebrates the 25th year as an artist's building, and I continue to be amazed at the incredible array of talent that I see there each year. My favorites are the woodworking (some incredible furniture & clocks) and fabric crafts (I'm a quilter) and ...
Comments 2
By Tina Gleisner, Home Tips for Women
(Home Tips for Women)
Usually we think of Halloween and we think of trick-or-treating, the haunted house or a hayride ... any one of the numerous activities to celebrate the holiday. Sometimes we may be too busy to get to these events but we still want to enjoy the spirit of the holiday and Portsmouth is one town that lets you, ... in fact reminds you, of the Halloween spirit any time of day or night during October. Portsmouth has added lots ofpumpkin scarecrows throughout the city. They're actually quite fun to see, all a little different and what's important is they're simple reminders that make you smile each time you walk, bike or drive by them. So if you're thinking about a nice walk around town, or a trip to Market Square for a cup of coffee ... then keep on the lookout for our scary friends this Octob...
Comments 0
By John P. Wells
(Wellsco Realtors LLC)
The Portsmouth/Boston commute   From Portsmouth you have a choice between driving and park ‘n ride.  Park ‘n ride wins hands down, in my opinion.  Very comfortable couches, leather seats that tilt back, wifi and laptop tables, tv, music, cold bottled water free on board and free coffee before boarding.  Same day round trip is $27 and it takes just about an hour and a half to South Station or Logan Airport.  Clean, great service, and free parking.  Takes about one hour, and it's painless. The same buses originate in Dover NH, and go on to Portsmouth before stopping in Newbuyrport on the way to Boston.   There is no rail alternative. By car it's about an hour and 20 minutes without traffic, rush hour you never know.  The Rte. 95 part of the drive is always clear.  Parking in Boston costs ...
Comments 0
Café Mediiterraneo,  Portsmouth NH   I wanted to meet a friend for a light dinner in a Portsmouth restaurant and she chose Café' Mediterraneo on Congress Street.    I knew it was going to be good when David from Ceres Street Wine (the best wine store in Portsmouth and a great guy!) walked in.  He's a regular. The atmosphere is warm and comfortable, although the tables are very close together.  Don't try private conversations here.   We started with soups - asked the waitress what soups they had and she replied, "Soup du Jour and Soup Café Mediterraneo".   Very helpful.  J     But nothng exciting here. My companion wanted to share the main course and recommended Baked Salmon in creamy dill on lobster ravioli.  It was perfect, delicious and nicely presented.   The menu seems fairly standa...
Comments 0
Explore Portsmouth, NH
Portsmouth, NH Real Estate Professionals