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 Autumn, Fall, Foliage Season.....whatever you wish to call it....Mother Nature cloaks herself in glorious color trimmed with deep blue skies and saturated with the smell of crisp fallen leaves! It is her way of softening the Winter chill to come.

This year has been especially glorious! the colors are brilliant and the leaves seem to be staying on the trees longer so we can see the full effect!

Today we took our annual Fall drive. Usually we go to the notches or an area we have not yet traveled, but this year we stayed close to home to save a little gas!

 The show started even as I left my Driveway! I believe Merrimack Conty may be at peak!

We stopped to get this view! There was a man sitting in a rocker on his porch. We asked if we could take a shot? He said with the new View Tax....it would be $20 bucks!

Spotted a Pumpkin Patch! You could pick your own!             

                 You're A Good Man Charlie Brown! 

 Off to Pittsfield for some Perfect Reflections!

I call this "Swimming In Watercolor Water" 

  As Far As The Eye Can See

The governor of NH, Governor John Lynch has proclaimed October as "Parent Involvement In Education Month".

This is as a result of a collaboration between NH State PIRC (Parent Information and Resource Center), The Parent Information Center (PIC) and the Department of Education.

The Parent Information Center has been promoting Parent Involvement in Education for over 30 years. They feel that every child can do better when a Parent takes an active role in his/her education. Studies have shown that students with above average parent involvement rated 30% higher improvement than students whose parents were not significantly involved.

Being involved in your childs education is not as difficult as you think. There are the traditional avenues...attending parent teacher conferences,volunteering in the classroom, and getting involved with the PTA. But there are simpler strategies.....

• Let your child know that school is important. Ask questions about school and homework.
• Read everything that is sent home from school. Show your child that you are well informed.
• Encourage your child to read at home. Maybe cut back on TV and read with them?
• Interact with your child by sharing what you yourself are reading.
• Challenge your child to read the book....before seeing the movie
• When your child asks for help with homework...provide guidance not answers.
• Ask questions and share thought that promote critical thinking. What if? Why? What? Is there another Solution?
• Be willing to learn from your child.

PIC is a wonderful resource for families....with or without disabilities. Be sure to check out their website for information on resources, programs and free parent education.

Parents do make a difference!

Concord NH Realtor Area Information

There are those of you who may think I have a personal relationship or stock shares in the Mill Brook Gallery......I can assure you that is not the case! I just happen to really like the place.

We took a trip out there this past weekend (I will share the pictures in a later Blog) and I picked up some information on an "Event" next Saturday (October 11th ) being sponsored by the Concord Chamber of Commerce ( 224-2508). It is a "round robin" type of event great for the whole family and art lovers of all ages. Several area businesses are displaying art for the Public to view. There will be raffles, and refreshments at selected sites! (The gallery is having make your own sundaes)

There will be maps available at all locations!

LOCATIONS:

• BAGELWORKS-42 N.Main Street
• FRANKLIN PIERCE LAW CENTER-2 White Street
• KIMBALL-JENKINS SCHOOL OF ART- 266 N.Main
• LEAGUE OF NH CRAFTSMEN GALLERY 205- 205 N.Main
• MILL BROOK GALLERY & SCULPTURE GARDEN- 236 Hopkington Road
• NHTI-CONCORD'S COMMUNITY COLLEGE GALLERY-31 College Drive
• ST.PAULS SCHOOL HARGATE GALLERY- 324 Plesant Street

Concord NH Realtor Local Information

When you think of New Hampshire in October your mind immediately goes to brightly colored trees, crisp air, apples, pumpkins and Local Fairs.

These are all wonderful and worth seeing in their own right....but one of the most popular October festivities that is enjoyed by all ages ....is Halloween.

Here is a list of area celebrations!

Coppal House Farm and Corn Maze- Lee NH                   

The corn maze is open from August through November. October is filled with special events. There is a Corn Maze Contest with a prize of Free tickets and a week from 10/24 thru 11/1 called Haunted Overload featuring "Fright" for all ages! Be sure to check out their website for details and directions (and when you get to Haunted Overload....turn down the volume!)

Celebrate Samhain- Peterborough NH 

A celebration of the Final Harvest and Ancestors Past is happening October 25th. Meet a Druid Princess and learn the truth about Spirits, Visions and Apparitions. See web site for details!

Fright Kingdom- Nashua NH                                    

Fear geared for all ages...come see "Bloodmare Manor"& "Psycho Circus" Check out their Spook numbers for age appropriate choices. See website for details!

Ghoullog Halloween Haunted Chairlift Ride-North Conway         

Have you ever been on a Haunted Chairlift? I doubt it! Well now you can say you have on this nite time ride to the summit a haunted tour. Promising to be bigger and scarier than last year! See web site for details!

Some of these websites are an adventure in themselves....so check them out, but turn your volume down!

I will be posting more Haunted Adventures in the near future....so keep      an eye out!

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Concord NH Realtor Area Information

Stephen Baker is a writer who works for Business Week.

This evening I heard him on NPR talking about his Blog and his quest for page one in Google (I may be helping him with that!).  He was talking about his exposure to the concept of SEO and the effort to "wrap his mind around it". 

We have all been struggling with the concept...tags, keywords etc. Some understanding more than others. I personally have been reading  and trying to absorb.... only reaching a general grasp.  Mr. Baker presented the concept in an analogy that I was finally able to relate to what I personally am trying to achieve! Marketing, making myself visible, having my name show up when someone is looking for Real Estate....rising to the top of Google.

He explained that we are now in a different age. The age of Numerati. 

In the past to make ourselves "memorable" we did many things: wore a signature perfume, had a strong handshake, sought stellar recommendations or a distinctive paper or font in a resume. That was fine for the analog age....but we are now in the age of "Numerati"  We are ranked by data and if the machines can't find us, our public can't.

Those of us who are investing our time and energy into creating and understanding Websites and Blogging are learning how to market ourselves for the new age of Marketing.

I guess you could say we're ahead of the curve!  

Concord New Hampshire Realtor                                                                                                                                           

 I have (had) a listing that has been on for over a year! It is modestly priced but the area it is located in is historically depressed. It is now a "rated" County and is a good 45 minutes from a center of good employment opportunities. The Owners are teetering on the edge of a"Short Sale".

The Owners were one of my first Clients. I sold them the house...they made the mistake of a re-finance at the wrong time. They have re-located to NC because of employment changes and are in an apartment. They have been desperately trying to hold on....

Here in New England the smell of Fall is already in the air. The nights have been as low as 40. We are coming into Heating Season.

I had been trying to convince them to bite the bullet and lower the house to where it needed to be. We all knew they wouldn't be able to afford the $1000/month it will cost for oil this year.

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A few days ago I got a phone call from a woman who had been driving around with her husband, in my listings area, looking for rental signs. They were writing down random Realtor numbers and calling looking for a Rental. They were both originally from the area, she was about to have another child and wanted to be back near her family. When she called she repeated her story to me adding that no-one she had spoken to had any rentals available. I told her that my Seller may be willing to rent.(We had discussed rental before but my Clients weren't keen on it and were concerned with the oversite of the property. But now....it was looking a lot more attractive! )

To make a long story short....my husband agreed to oversee the property. We did a credit check on the interested family. They have a few small blips but are still good prospects. They can't afford as much as the mortgage...but will be paying a chunk, plus heat and electric. They are interested in a possible rent to own. I told them which issues they need to clean up and will be setting them up with a Mortgage Broker towards the end of the rental agreement if they have shown a good payment history.

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So...if it all works out, we may have a win win.The burden is lifted off of my Clients, I got a Rental Commission and could potentially have a Buyer for the house in about two years!

Boy, times have changed ......but creativity still works! 

Concord NH Realtor

                                                                  Our Local Board had a Membership Meeting today. It was extremely well attended.  I'm guessing it was for two reasons: It was a B'fast Buffet and the speaker was a known name in the States Financial circles...namely the Banking Industry.

From the beginning the questions asked were focused on Short Sales and Foreclosures. Why aren't the Lenders holding these properties more co-operative in working with Buyers. Why aren't they more co-operative in restructuring loans for the Owners? Why do they feel justified in dragging out the procedure and then looking for additional Funds (from the Buyers or the Agents) using the threat of "not closing"? Why are they allowing these properties to fall into such terrible condition?

I must say the response from this Local Banking authority was less than helpful. His response was that he couldn't do anything unless it was a State regulated Bank(not too many of those left)....Actually I believe he was saying"it was not his problem" He then gave us the number of the State "hot line". There were no hints on how to navigate the sea of red tape.

Perhaps the most interesting observation of the whole meeting was a comment he made in closing:

"The ones who can pull us out of all this are you Realtors"

Are we really the "Magic Bullet"? Weren't we originally seen as the cause?

Oh well, I guess I'd rather be perceived as a solution. I look much better in wings!

Concord NH Realtor

 The Townhouse Condominiums at the Vineyards offer affordability and luxury....a rare combination!

These mid-pricerange units have many of the fine features offered by more expensive "upscale" developments.

They provide all services...lawn maintenence, landscaping,trash removal and even driveway plowing for a reasonable monthly fee.

Some of the interior ammenities are tray ceilings, a spacious second floor laundry, 3 bathrooms, oversize decks and an open floor plan.

If you haven't seen the Vineyards....come do yourself a favor! You'll be glad you did!

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                                                                      TOUR

Concord New Hampshire Realtor Local Information

MIKES AFFORDABLE AUTO                                                                                                                                              

Mikes Affordable Auto (223-6774) is at 124 Manchester Street(also known as Route 3). Mike has been in this location for several years. He was formerly Manchester Street Auto and recently re-opened under his new name (right next door) in his new "Art Deco" style building!   
 

  Mike Albert                                              

  Mike has been in the Auto Business for over 25 years. He started as a kid ...working with  his Dad in Rhode Island.

 Mike's Affordable Auto is a Full Service Establishment. Mike does Repairs, Inspections and Detailing. If you are seeking somthing special....give Mike the particulars and he will look for  special "pre-owned" vehicles at auctions.     Mike Stands By What He Sells!