ann cummings: Friends. Family, Fun, A little Sadness, A Lot of Learning and 300,000 Points!! - 01/03/09 02:29 PM
Life is a journey as we've all been told our whole lives.  Active Rain is a journey as well, and it becomes whatever we choose to make it for ourselves.  My journey to 300,000 points has been full of all kinds of things!  Sort of like the journeys the Flat Active Rain Dudes took all over the country - remember those fun posts??   ;-)
I joined Active Rain back in July 2006, and I think there were barely 4,000 members back then.  I had no idea what this place was nor any notion of what it could be or what to do now that I had … (66 comments)

ann cummings: Here We Go AGAIN ~ An Easy Bookworm Meme! - 11/20/08 01:19 AM
Have you ever been tagged by a 'meme'?  I've been tagged numerous times here in the Rain, and a couple of times outside as well.  Some are fun, some cause me to struggle to think about just what to write that any one would care to read.
This week must be my 'lucky' week for some reason.  I was tagged twice for 2 different memes, once for this 'bookworm meme' by our sweet Texas friend Linda Scanlan, and for the "friendship ball - I hate memes' meme by our Miami Shores dynamo, Ines.  I still have to put that one together - I … (23 comments)

ann cummings: NAR Orlando - Active Rain and Social Networking - What a Blast!! - 11/09/08 03:06 AM
This year's NAR Convention is a very different one for me for several reasons.  I've always attended governance meetings and NAR educational sessions.  This year is the first where most of what I've done, and will be doing, is outside all the NAR stuff.
And what a blast this convention has been so far!!  I've had the great pleasure of attending the Cyber Professionals meeting as a guest of Linda Davis, along with fellow guests Monika and Jay McGillicuddy.  Chris Griffith was a guest as well.  Other AR members who are part of the Cyber Professionals are Kristal Kraft, Jim Lee, Angus "Moo" … (8 comments)

ann cummings: 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Portsmouth NH Homes and Condos - 05/03/08 12:55 PM
                                       Portsmouth New Hampshire Homeowners - Do You Need to Sell  Your Home or Condo?
Homeowners in the Portsmouth NH Seacoast areas are lucky to be in an area where the interest level in living in such a gorgeous area hasn't caused our market to drop as much as some real estate markets in other areas around the country. 
Our sales are off a little compared to the fast-paced markets of just a few years ago, and because of that, if you have a home or condo that you need to sell fairly quickly in today's market, you need to be aggressive in … (7 comments)

ann cummings: Portsmouth New Hampshire Homes - 8 Tips For Great Curb Appeal on a Budget - 05/01/08 12:35 PM
                                     Portsmouth New Hampshire Homeowners - Spring is HERE! 
With the advent of spring, thoughts turn to buying and selling real estate in the Portsmouth New Hampshire and Maine Seacoast areas.  If you're a homeowner thinking about putting your home on the market, you really want to create some great curb appeal that beckons buyers from the road to come on in and see the rest of what awaits them inside.
Creating nice curb appeal doesn't have to cost a lot of money.  There are plenty of things you can do that are pleasing to the eye and really cause potential homebuyers … (18 comments)

ann cummings: Pricing Your Portsmouth New Hampshire Homes to Sell! - 04/01/08 07:46 AM
Are you a Portsmouth NH homeowner thinking of selling your home or condo?  Do you have a multi-family in the Portsmouth area that you're thinking about selling?  If so, this pricing information may help you price your real estate correctly right from the start.
Your asking price on your home or condo is the single most important component of getting your home or condo sold.  Sure, the condition and the location both play major roles, but the price you put on your property is the cricitical factor as that takes into account both location and condition. 
And to help determine the correct … (19 comments)

ann cummings: Brookside Drive #A3 Norrisbrook Condos - Exeter NH - 12/10/07 04:43 AM
New to the market ---> A SWEET one bedroom condo in Norrisbrook Condos in Exeter NH! 
And when I say sweet, it really is!  And for only $144,500!
 
 
These owners have done some really nice things to upgrade it, and it's in a fabulous location within the complex.  PLUS it has one of the very few rare private entrances.......gives you great access to the yard, just as it were your own yard to enjoy, along with a patio area, tool
Norrisbrook Condos in Historic Exeter NH 50 Brookside Drive #A3, Norrisbrook Condos, Exeter, NH 03833 View Map Beautifully updated and meticulously maintained one bedroom … (21 comments)

ann cummings: Portsmouth NH Holiday Concerts Around the Area - 12/08/07 01:59 AM
 
Holiday concerts abound in Portsmouth and the surrounding areas right now!  If you love Christmas and holiday music, you'll certainly want to make note of some of these concerts for some glorious holiday sounds.
 **  Dec. 8 - Portsmouth Men's Chorus, performing at St. John's Masonic Temple at 7pm, in                        Portsmouth.                  - "Amare Contare" being performed at St. George's Episcopal Church at 8pm, in Durham.                  - "Sing We Joyously" performed by the NH Gay Mens Chorus at Christ Episcopal Church at                        7:30pm, in  Portsmouth.
 ** Dec. 9 - "Sounds of the Season" Holiday music, performed by the Seacoast Wind Ensemble                        at South Church at at … (34 comments)

ann cummings: Portsmouth NH Condos ~ Market Information - 12/02/07 08:20 AM
If you're looking to live here in the Seacoast areas of NH and southern Maine, condo living in Portsmouth New Hampshire offers wonderful options for many people looking to make Portsmouth and the Seacoast their home.  Condominiums are perfect for those looking for low-maintenance living, for those who travel and want to worry less about their home, and they're also perfect for those looking for 2nd or 3rd homes for weekend get-aways and or vacation homes.
As a New Hampshire REALTOR specializing in the Portsmouth area, I can assure you we've got a condo for everyone here! 
If you want to be right downtown in the heart of … (23 comments)

ann cummings: Portsmouth NH Homes Market Information - 11/30/07 04:37 AM
 
             
The real estate market here in Portsmouth NH is a busy one, and we have homes in all sizes and price ranges.  We have some newer construction homes and we also have antique historic homes dating back to the 1600's and 1700's, and of course everything in between as well.
We currently have 68 homes for sale in Portsmouth, and they range in price from $197,900 to $9,500,000.  Our housing styles in this area cover ranch styles, capes, garrisons, federals, victorians, New Englander (farmhouse styles), and colonials. Here are some pictures of some of the homes around town:
         
To … (28 comments)

ann cummings: Portsmouth NH Seacoast Holiday Fairs and Festivals ~ Get Ready to SHOP!! - 11/26/07 12:25 PM
                     The start of the holiday season signals the advent of craft fairs, church fairs, holiday art shows, parades, and so much more, all with the holiday theme in and around the Portsmouth NH and Maine Seacoast areas!  We were lucky to have had a sampling of them just before Thanksgiving, and we've got even more coming up starting this coming weekend. 

 
Nov 29 & 30 - Evergreen Fair at the Memorial Union Building (MUB) at UNH in Durham, 10am to 8pm and 10am to 4pm .... specially selected craftsmen and artists.These are all on December 1st:
Christmas Fair at St. James Church … (23 comments)

ann cummings: Portsmouth NH - Free Citywide Wi-Fi! - 11/26/07 05:37 AM

 
Portsmouth New Hampshire implemented a free wi-fi area a couple of years or so ago in the downtown business area.  It's gone over so well and the use of it has grown so much that the City of Portsmouth will be expanding our free wi-fi area. 
This new expansion will include most areas of the town, and that is great news!  Terrific news for residents and businesses alike!  And I'd bet our visitors will be loving having access to free wireless internet while visiting our lovely seaside town, too!
 
As we've heard on the news, a number of cities and towns around the … (19 comments)

ann cummings: Portsmouth Holiday Charitable Giving - 11/10/07 12:20 PM

The upcoming holiday season brings family fun and good times, and it's also that time of year when many turn their thoughts to those less fortunate. 
 
 
 
 
 
There are several wonderful charitable opportunities coming up to help others in the Seacoast area:
~  Seacoast Local Food Drive - benefits the Seacoast Family Food Pantry here in Portsmouth NH and the Footprints Food Pantry in Kittery Maine.  This food drive is running now through Nov. 17th, and again from Dec. 15 - 22nd.   Seacoast Local and Buy Local programs are heading up this food drive, and donations can be dropped off at any "Buy Local" member … (19 comments)

ann cummings: Seacoast Holiday Fairs!! - 11/08/07 06:11 AM
   
 
If you love holiday fairs as much as I do, you'll want to mark down these dates and locations!  The holiday fairs have already started, with a couple of early ones this past weekend.  Not to fear though, as there are plenty more coming up all around the Seacoast areas of Maine and New Hampshire!
 
Nov. 10 - Holiday Fine Arts and Crafts Fair - 10am to 4pm, Portsmouth High School, Portsmouth NH.Nov. 10 - Jingle Bell Fair, First Congregational Church, Hampton NH. Nov. 10 - Holiday Craft Fair, Moose Lodge - 9am to 3pm, Portsmouth NH.Nov. 11 - Holiday Alternative Gifts Fair - 11:30 … (16 comments)

ann cummings: Campaign Signs Will Be Coming Down!! - 11/06/07 01:10 AM
 
Today, Nov 6, 2007, is Election Day here in Portsmouth New Hampshire, as I know it is in many towns around the country. 
I'm glad today is finally here, not just because we can exercise our right to vote and have a say in how our local towns are going to be run, but because all those campaign signs will be coming down very soon.
 
 
Here in Portsmouth, anywhere there's a couple square feet of city-owned land, you'll find that space crammed with campaign signs from all the candidates running for one office or another.  And that means that just about every intersection … (25 comments)

ann cummings: Portsmouth's November Area Fun! - 11/03/07 10:36 AM
Autumn is fully upon us now here in New Hampshire, and most of the gorgeous fall foliage has fallen or been blown out of the trees.  There's a chill in the air, and the furnaces have begun kicking on to keep us warm.
BUT, have no fear, there's still plenty of fun things to do in Portsmouth and the surrounding Seacoast towns of Maine and New Hampshire!
 
Check out this sampling of the variety of things going on during the month of November.  I'll sure you'll find something to please everyone!  And you'll see that November is certainly the month for Holiday Arts and Crafts … (25 comments)

ann cummings: Cell Phone Companies and Water Towers - 11/01/07 08:52 AM
We just got back from spending a week with my dad down in Clermont, Florida, which is where we're originally from.  I fly down several times a year, and it makes for a nice little break for some R & R, and I LOVE being with my family, too!
This time while we were down there, Bear noticed something neither of us had ever noticed before - all the water towers had cell phone antennas or cones on them.  A LOT of them, too. 
Imagine the revenue that town is collecting by using something they already had in place that's tall enough to … (40 comments)

ann cummings: Portsmouth NH - A Special Place to Call HOME! - 10/31/07 12:39 PM
                       "One of the top five best places to live in America"
That's what Money Magazine dubbed Portsmouth New Hampshire not all that long ago.  That's quite an honor, and a great distinction for people when considering a move to Portsmouth.
We have so much to offer both residents and visitors alike.  As a matter of fact, many buyers I've worked with over time initially came here as visitors, returning again and again, and then decided to make Portsmouth their primary home.    Five GREAT reasons to make Portsmouth YOUR home:~~  Portsmouth has a terrific location!  We are right here on the coast of New Hampshire, just 45 … (19 comments)

ann cummings: Portsmouth NH's Glorious Fall Colors! - 10/21/07 09:20 AM
 To live here in New Hampshire is to live in one of the prettiest states in the country, especially in the fall.  Our fall foliage is enjoyed every year by millions of people from all over the world.
And the best thing ever -  I live RIGHT HERE and get to enjoy all of this everywhere I drive!
Here in Portsmouth NH, where I live, our foliage lags behind most of the rest of the state by a week or two.  We're the southeastern part of New Hampshire, and right here along the coast. 
Ah, the good life - the town of Portsmouth … (44 comments)

ann cummings: Fairs and Fun in Seacoast NH and Maine! - 10/11/07 12:18 AM
Fall is certainly fair and festival time here in New Hampshire and Maine!  For the last few weeks, we've had the pleasure of lots of fairs all over the place, and this coming weekend is no exception.
We've got 3 great festivals here in the local Portsmouth NH area - check them out!!
 One of the local favorites here in Portsmouth is the 18th Annual Chili Cook-Off.  This is a long-standing favorite that's held at our beautiful in-town Prescott Park along the Piscataqua River.  Lots of area restaurants compete and vie for the "Best Chili" title to proudly display in their restaurant for all to … (31 comments)