Fran MacDonald's Blog

THE PERFECT STORM

Fran MacDonald (Partners Realty Group) — Thu, 28 May 2009 12:47:01 -0700

With the FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER CREDIT OF UP TO $8,000 and interest rates at some of the lowest rates in ra history of 20years, I am amazed why we as Realtors aren't promoting this great gift to all potential buyers? But is it that we are not promoting it or---are buyers not listening---or too panic stricken to even consider taking a chance? After all, isn't life itself a chance?

I have read very recently that there has never been a better time to buy homes since Dwight D. Eisenhower was President.

I have posted this report on my website at

www.ManchesterBedfordHooksettHomes.com

with permission from the author of the "New $8,000 -First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Report, Julie Garton-Good for all to review. If buyers want to take advantage of this credit, they will need to act quickly as it ends December 1st and it can take 45 to 60 days to close on a property in this real estate environment. It's the Perfect Storm. This article is very clearly written and answers your most basic questions on this tax credit. As always if you have additional questions, your CPA is your best source of how this will apply to your situation.

It's PERFECT STORM; A Storm because with the decline of property values. seller foreclosures, short sales and bank owned properties. PERFECT because it a heavenly opportunity for first time buyers who can afford a home that was not within their means a mere two or so years ago; that coupled with some of the lowest interest rates in twenty years, puts first time buyers in a real position to purchase, to own their first home before the economy we are now experiencing recovers and they miss the opportunity.

Some of the reasons I heard are "well what if we loose our jobs?" Then what do we do?

My response was and is, and if you loose your job, won't the rent still be due? Now I am not advocating that if you know your company is going to lay you off that you act irresponsibly. In home ownership you have avenues to help you through the tough times better than in a rent. As the home owner you don't need permission from the landlord to rent out a room for additional help with the new rent payment known as the mortgage which could be the price of the former rent. It's yours and you do as you please other than you of course are not allowed to destroy the property. all I am suggesting is see a lender and act responsibly. Do your homework and see if this works for you. If it does, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE AND DECEMBER 1ST IS THE DEADLINE, SO PLAY SAFE, CLOSE BEFORE DECEMBER 1ST!

So let me strongly urge all renters and potential buyers to check out this gift. Go to my website and read the article for clarification---then call a lender and get pre-approved or--call me I can help. and out of my territory, not a problem I have a network of Qualified Buyers Agents (ABR) that I can refer you to.

LOW INTEREST RATES BENEFICIAL TO BUYERS!

Fran MacDonald (Partners Realty Group) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:18:58 -0800

With interest rates hovering in the +/- 5% range, along with declining property values, that brings about one good point. It's another opportunity. Is this beneficial to buyers only? Absolutely not!

Well now think about this, if you are looking to downsize, relocate, or upgrade, sellers become buyers and they too can take advantage of declining property values and the low interest rates.

So why put your life on "HOLD" for another moment waiting for the market to come back? It's as good a time as any for those of you who aren't in an under water situation, to sell and buy your next home. "Time waits for no man".

This last year made me realize that life is not forever and there is no time to waste, not even waiting for a better opportunity to sell, when you will only have to pay far more for your next property and a higher interest rate when that better market arrives. So what's their to gain by waiting?

Weigh out the pros and the cons and then decide what works with your given situation. Life is a chance, there are no promises, none! You have to decide; do you want to live life or wait it out watching time go by? As always, it's your call! But at least, think about it.

That's my thought for the day.

Fran MacDonald, Associate Broker, ABR, CRS, SRES

Manchester, NH 03104

www.ManchesterBedfordHooksettHomes.com

Listing a HOME FOR SALE during the holiday season?

Fran MacDonald (Partners Realty Group) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:29:37 -0800

BINGO: Yes absolutely, YES!

I can't remember any home that I have ever seen from the most humble of homes to the most luxurious that isn't more appealing, and wouldn't be more desirable to own than one seen during the Holiday Season when all the fancies are on display and the Christmas Tree is decorated with lights illuminating that whole part of the room, or when the front door is more inviting with it's beautiful Christmas wreath hanging, than one listed and shown at any other time of the year.

Even the snow could add and element of joy, excitement especially if there are children and there is room for them to play out in the snow. So don't let that keep you from listing your home during the month of December, January or February.

Get those pictures taken, then change them as necessary giving the property a fresh look during the time it is listed. That's a very important component of the listing. You want to sell it, then give it a new face as seasons change whenever possible.

First is Christmas, festive and beautiful with the sound of Christmas Carols, that all lend themselves to the feeling of happiness.

Then comes New Year. In my home the Creche (or manger) is prominently displayed under the tree where it will remain until the Feast of the Magi in January. To me, that's the true Spirit of Christmas. Though that may not be for everyone, depending on the area, however.

February is Valentine, roses in a vase, real or beautifully artificial along with an ornament hanging at the front door again make the home inviting to visit and exudes a feeling of warmth perhaps helping buyers make their decision.

And March is looking like spring is just around the corner, so again, tulips and seasonal flowers inside and in some areas outside make this home look like it is lovingly maintained.

Although not every idea is for everyone, take advantage of those that could work for you. You can now call your Realtor to list your property.

I remember just before Christmas one year I took a cruise that started in Porto Rico where I saw no Christmas Trees, but pots of poinsettias displayed on tree shaped frame with shelves that held the pots that were covered in red foil. Luckily I was going to be home in time to enjoy the tree I started putting up before I left for my trip.

I moved twice in two and half years and once in March and the next time in October and both times, I encountered rain and mud so the importance is not what the weather will be like when you move, but how well it can show before it is about to acquire new owners.

Any time is a good time to move into a new home as it is the beginning of a new life.

Good Luck with your listing and Happy Holidays to All!

Fran MacDonald, Associate Broker. ABR, CRS, SRES, Realtor

LIVE, LOVE, VISIT AND ENJOY NEW HAMPSHIRE

Fran MacDonald (Partners Realty Group) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:16:52 -0800

This is the state where I live, where I work, where I enjoy many friendships. For those who have thought of visiting or relocating to our state, here is another reason for you to consider it.

In the process of reading my email, I received a newsletter and upon reading it, I discovered a beautiful blog with breathtaking pictures of one of my very favorite areas, Franconia Notch. I contacted the author Barbara Weigel and obtained her permission to share these with my ACTIVE RAIN NETWORK.

I hope you appreciate them as much as I did.

http://holeinthedonut.com/2008/10/20/another-gorge-ous-day-at-new-hampshires-franconia-notch-state-park/

Thank you Barbara for allowing me to post your blog, the fruits of your labor. This is awesome!

Fran MacDonald, Realtor

www.ManchesterBedfordHooksettHomes.com

NEW HAMPSHIRE, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL STATE TO VISIT AND A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE!

Fran MacDonald (Partners Realty Group) — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:41:57 -0800

For those of you have thought of moving or visiting to NH, please let me share this blog with you.

NH is beautiful indeed and here is what the glaciers have left for us to enjoy.

With thanks and permission from the author, Barbara Weigel, please visit our beautiful state through the lens of her camera.

http://holeinthedonut.com/2008/10/20/another-gorge-ous-day-at-new-hampshires-franconia-notch-state-park/

Thank you Barbara for allowing me to share these wonderful pictures and you explanation on the process that occured over millions of years to form our beautiful Franconia Notch in the northern part of NH.

Fran MacDonald, Associate Broker, ABR, CRS, SRES, Realtor

Partners Realty Group

Manchester, NH 03104

www.ManchesterBedfordHooksettHomes.com

www.111Derryfield.com

GREAT TIME TO BUY A HOME

Fran MacDonald (Partners Realty Group) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:43:42 -0800

Given the real estate market conditions with bank owned properties, this is a great time for first time home owners "just out the gate" to perhaps, own their own home. Sure these rough gems have been sitting on the market ofr months and that isn't what maintains a property in good condition.
But here is an opportunity for you because you can purchase a property for a fraction of what they were worth in yesterday's market. They are rough, yes most of them are but let's explore that scenario for a minute:

They need TLC, and that a given

Banks are often very slow in responding and often unrealistic about asking price. Remember the bank is not within eye-shot of the property so they aren't always quick to accept a low offer with such a high volume of first time buyers on the market, but don't give up. With the help of a Buyers Agent (ABR), a Realtor that is trained and experienced in negotiating offers and advising clients, coupled with patience and trust in the Realtor you have chosen, things can start to happen.

Bear in mind that the Buyers Agent Council recently stated that 40% of all Realtors are new to the business and 40% of all buyers are first time home buyers. That means you need someone strong and experienced, who understands your needs in your corner working for you.

It is speculated that Banks are going to start working with home owners that are in jeopardy of will negotiate a better rate of to help these owners with mortgages they can handle. If that happens that will be great for the economy of our country. Then fewer foreclosures mean fewer properties for you, as a buyer to select from. Now having this information, if you are a motivated buyer and have the ability to make repairs to a property, my thoughts are, why not act now? Begin your search for a Buyers Agent, someone you can work with and trust, and get pre-qualified to start your search while interest rates are still affordable. There may be no better time to ACT than now!

Begin your search, searching doesn't obligate you to purchase, but it will enlighten you in what is available and the condition of these homes, you can make a decision from there, yes I am interested---or---no--- thanks, I will pass!

Fran MacDonald, Associate Broker, ABR, CRS, SRES, Reator

Manchester, NH 03104

Bank Foreclosures-no panacea

Fran MacDonald (Partners Realty Group) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 20:21:12 -0700

Working with first time buyers who are looking for the foreclosure deals is no PANACEA but rather a heart wrenching, frustrating, experience that can be downright madening at times. Thought I don't profess to be an appraiser by any means, there are properties where the "highest and best use" of that property, in my opinion, would be to level it right down to the foundation and build new.

Not all properties fall in these categories but a significant number of them do. Foreclosure properties are often no deal. And working with the some banks can present a nightmare to all involved. They haven't seen the property but yet they are looking for unrealistic prices when often these properties have mold and other problems that occur when a property is left vacant for a large amount of time. I have seen bats in the shower stall, the tail of some animal under the floor left open, insects, and other small dead animals in a few of the properties.

Some of these properties are in need of immense repair, and even at that, will never bring back the money that tearing this building down and replacing the structure, would bring as a future return to any buyer not to exclude property taxes for the City. In the city that I work in, there is a new law that was recently enacted. This information I come by from a listing agent that works primarily with foreclosure properties. It states that;

"once a property is bank owned, the existing Certificate of Compliance known as the COC becomes void whether residential or muti family then the city will has to inspect the property confirming that it is in compliance with their requirements before it can be occupied again."

This is a move in the right direction as I see it!

This could present a great opportunity in those instances for cities and towns purchase these properties and start cleansing the areas. On one property, as I left to get a flashlight, when the storm door let go, hit me on the arm and broke my skin forming a one inch break in a V formation. I ran to my car and quickly put an anitbiotic creme and a large band aid that I carry as an emergency. The buyer I was working with tells me that he has written a lengthy letter to the NH Real Estate Commission on the subject. Later I came home and cleansed the area with peroxide and again nursed the wound. I had a tetanus shot a year ago. I notified the listing agent who never followed up with me on this. Now looking back and for health reasons, I was foolish not to go to the emergency room for treatment. Somebdy should be responsible to assure that the property is safe to enter and exit. Another property had nails coming from the underside of the floor, perhaps a hundreds or more of them that could have pierced the sole of my shoe and/or also injur my buyers who were accompanying me at these showings. On that property I did notify the managing broker of that listing office.

So is the foreclosure market a panacea for first time home owners? You decide and let me hear your comments. Together we can make a difference.

Fran MacDonald, Associate Broker, ABR, CRS, SRES, Realtor

Manchester, NH

Learning with the help of my NEW FRIEND Jeff Turner on ACTIVE RAIN

Fran MacDonald (Partners Realty Group) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:43:56 -0700

Watching the video from Jeff Turner I learned to work with a new Piece of software to re-size pictures known as PICNIK and I am now working to master FLICKR, not that I have quite mastered PICNIC but two days ago, I knew nothing about these free sites that could offer me so much.

Awesome, I am motivated and I am going to do some neat stuff. Just watch me GROW!!

What a good guy!!! He takes the time to teach us Active Rain that are interested in learning more! WOW!!! Gotta to love this guy!!!

Jeff got any other neat tricks to teach me? How about an outside Blog?

Fran MacDonald, ABR, CRS, SRES

www.derryfield.com

www.ManchesterBedfordHooksettHomes.com

Won't you visit and comment on "what are you selling" Hopefully it spells out the property!

What are you selling?

Fran MacDonald (Partners Realty Group) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:15:21 -0700

This delightful 4 bedroom condo is located in the prestigious No Manchester area, near all major highwaysand can be viewed at www.11Derryfield.com 2 1/2 baths, C/A. I wll honor all referals!!! call me at 603-644-0151 or cell 603-785-2374. Quick close!!!

Fran MacDonald, Associate Broker, ABR, CRS, SRES

Partners Realty Group, Manchester, NH 03104

franmacdonald@comcast.net

Remembering Karen George who lost her fight today with cancer

Fran MacDonald (Partners Realty Group) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:49:18 -0700

To Brad and and all of you ACTIVE RAIN members who knew and loved her. My heart and prayers go out to you.

I share your grief. I share your loss. I also share your heart. I too lost my sister Pauline to breast cancer metastases on April 22, 2008, my sister Louise is also plagued with the same illness and currently on chemo therapy. There is however no know cure as I write. She has been gallantly fighting this for nearly two years now and we need a miracle to save her life.

My mother is a breast cancer survivor and has been for over 30 years and her mother before her again for 30 years with no recurrence, but amazingly, my sisters weren't that lucky at least as we know today. I will do the March for Cancer on October 19th. We must eradicate Cancer from this planet.

Keep Louise and in your prayers and Karen in your heart. Remember for all that she has contributed to help your business and to your life.

If anyone would like to help to (I need to raise my share as well) send me a check made out to the American Cancer Society to:

Fran MacDonald, Partners Realty Group 66 Prospect Street Manchester, NH, 03104.

We march to raise money and we create Cancer Awareness so that others may live. Karen is in a better place now. She will now be helping those of you who have loved her from a far more powerful place.

Fran MacDonald, Associate Broker, ABR, CRS,SRES

www.ManchesterBedfordHooksettHomes.com

www.111Derryfield.com

08/25/2008 06:12 PM

by Fran MacDonald

I am selling a property

Fran MacDonald (Partners Realty Group) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 11:14:27 -0700

Today Donna Harris, ASP, Texas posted a blog that said "what are you selling" showing pictures, of treadmills, lamps etc... and I must agree with her wholeheartedly. SHE IS RIGHT ON.

Too often we see pictures in the MLS where the toilet is shown, I may be old fashioned but in my opinion, that is poor taste. I even hate to those scenes in the movies, after we all don't we all have one and our bodies all funtion the same way (if we are luckly perhaps). So whay show it, why talk about it?

Cluttered counters, refrigerators full of magnets, toys everywhere and pictures of properties that should be taken over, it shows no curb appeal. Now there are times where an agent has to work with what he has. There are times where I would rather not show a room because, I can't do it justice (too small a room to get a good picture, lightning is't conductive to making it look right, etc). I have even seen in the MLS listing even shows an older car in the driveway a that comes with the house. That didn't do it for me.

I want like to see the features that will help sell a home, show the spaciousness, the curb appeal, a beautiful yard, the pride of the seller in how well he/she maintained the home during their tenure. A sunken living room might be instrumental in positioning a special feature, hight of the ceiling, make a beautiful hardwood floor look spacious or beautifully show off a floor to ceiling fireplace, two story foyers, large rooms, perhaps large windows that invite the sunshine to come right in. Make it look inviting and cheerful! We aren't selling caves!

Pictures will call attention to a property, its "Show and Tell Time" so why not put it on stage like it deserves and if you can't get nice interior pictures show the yard, the area, the nearby lake anything but make it say something about the property such as it's located near Massabesic Lake, or near all major highways, or if it's in a historical area that's an interest!

I wanted to repsond to her Blog but somehow I couldn't but she had something to say and she said it so well.

www.111derryfield.com

Kudos Donna. You did it right!!!

Thank you for sharing that with us. We can all gather something from your blog.

Fran MacDonald, Associate Broker, ABR, CRS, SRES

www.ManchesterBedfordHooksettHomes.com

Want to try a walkable listing?

Fran MacDonald (Partners Realty Group) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:34:11 -0700

Here is how to do it. Go to www.walkscore.com

Type in the address; ei... 384 Bartlett St, Manchester NH

This website will show you what's in the area, and how easy it is to walk to it. Remember when going to unfamiliar places, you might go to the website, enter the address and city and state and print out the area's conveniences. It could come in very handy in an emergency.

I use it when bringing my buyers to unfamiliar places. I think it adds an element of safety should the unexpected happen. Bad weather, shelter, help, even a cold drink.

Enjoy today and everyday.

Fran MacDonald, Associate Broker, ABR, CRS, SRES Realtor

Partners Realty Group, Manchester, NH

Walkable listings

Fran MacDonald (Partners Realty Group) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:02:10 -0700

With the high price of gasoline, walkable listings are becoming more popular than they have been in a long time. Buyers are now checking for conveniences!

Convenience stores for bread, milk, and other incidentals, schools, banks, anything that will save on gas. and of course the upsideto that is, good for your health, lessens yoru stress level, and often enhance your mood.

I live in a great private and quiet area, with 20 some odd homes on a street ending on a cul de sac. The street is about one mile long yet 15 minutes from the all of NH. I love the area. (Just last week I took a picture of a turkey buzzard high up in a tree,a real treat when your love nature, I wish I could insert it for you to see)shopping, but when I leave my home, I do everything in one trip; I do grocery shopping, fill up my gas tank, do my banking, and stop at department stores etc... There are trade offs. I live on the outskirts, I pay the high price of gasoline but I now make the very best use of my gasoline mileage.

I am adding www.walkscore.com so that buyers can check the listing, it's location and anything nearby.

So why not try it? First to www.111.derryfield.com now you will see the listing, then proceed to www.walkscore.com put in the address , street, city and state, and it will show you the area. A nice feature and I am adding this site in the remarks of all my listings.

An Inspiration

Fran MacDonald (Partners Realty Group) — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 09:18:39 -0700

No matter what life deals to us, it's how we handle things that utimately will make the difference. Here is a person who, through the ultimate adversity, facing the end of his life, and what he is doing about it. The link to this video has been downloaded millions of times. You will soon see why.

I hope you will take the time to view and listen. It will inspire you and make a difference in the way you view your life as it is doing to mine.

Don't short change yourself. This will inspire you no matter where you are or what you are facing.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5700431505846055184

Copy and past this into your browser and listen.

Please email me your comments. Fran MacDonald, Realtor, Manchester NH 03104

What's my MO?

Fran MacDonald (Partners Realty Group) — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 19:17:45 -0800

I love what I do. I find homes for folks and add to the quality of their lives. What's better than that? I work the Manchester, Bedford, Hooksett and surrounding towns in New Hampshire. I feel an affinity to help my clients find the home that best fits their needs. Right now is a great time to purchase properties. The prices have come down and interest rates are great! That's what I see, that's how I feel. FHA has just raised their guidelines and the market is beginning to buzz, other than a few snags like a number of snow storms, things are picking up.

The days are getting longer and Spring is just ahead. The crocuses will soon make an appearance by peeping their heads above the blanket of snow. The grass will be green once again and Oh yes, I can get put the snow blower away and make plans for the lawn tractor that will keep that grass looking green. Did I say Green? That's a topic for another time. Right now, I can't wait to see the colors of spring, the flowers, the warm weather and the beauty of nature in full bloom! I am excited because there is so much ahead to live for and enjoy and I have two properties coming to the market very soon and either home a good value that many buyers would be proud to own.

I often have thought and said as the market has had it's trials, It's not intelligent to work as hard as I work. and with the liability that is involved, without any benefits, yet, if good Realtors dedicated to the profession, Realtors with integrity and ethics and a burning desire to make a difference, don't stay with it, then wh what will happen to keep the market hones? Who will help the clients both buyers and sellers? Then I think, Oh well, who said we all have to be Einstein, gravity has already been discovered, so--I am moving on, doing what I do best. That is working with buyers and sellers and getting the job done in the best possible way with the least amount of stress on my clients.

I have worked with buyers who looked at 5 homes and found the right home and bought, others take two years and more. They either can't find the right home with all those nice details that they really want, or they just aren't ready to commit or what they want is not in their price range just yet. But check out the market Mr. and Mrs. Buyer, it might surprise you. You might be in that special home before the next season. I work with buyers who take time, I work with buyers ready to move, I work with them all and I have the references to prove I do it well.

I have acquired so many friendships in my business of real estate, I can't think of what my life would be like without my clients--my friends, and for that reason I get up every day and start the process all over again with the same enthusiasm as yesterday and the day before and the years before that. I am ready to laugh and have some fun and enjoy the day. Now how many people can top a job like that? It's a labor of love. That's why I sell real estate!!!

Market conditions for selling your home

Fran MacDonald (Partners Realty Group) — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 20:33:17 -0800

If you are planning to sell your home and waiting for the market to pick up, why wait. Acting now will save you money and provide you with a lesser mortgage payment. Let me explain;

You will sell you present home for somewhat of a lesser price, on the other hand by upgrading now you will purchase your up graded, pricier home at a substantially lesser price than you would have two years ago, that with interest rates that are now incredibly low, may allow you the flexibility to put 20% down which will avoid the PMI (private mortgage insurance which by the way, only protects the lender should you default) and provide you with a far more attractive mortgage payment.

I have no crystal ball indicating how long it will take for the market to appreciate, nor would I know how to use it ,but if I did; but all things being equal, by acting now you will rejoice later, for you may come to believe that this purchase has been the "best move of your life", with "timing is everything", as the market increases so will interest rates meaning a higher monthly payment as well. By acting now you will have a lesser mortgage payment when all is said and done. So don't let anybody steal your dream even though though the news media promotes stories of doom and gloom, be pro-active for your own needs.

I will leave you with a statement by the late David Brinkley, American News Broadcaster known for his his clipped speech, terse and biting commentary, candor, and dry wit;

"THE ONE FUNCTION THAT TV NEWS PERFORMS VERY WELL IS THAT WHEN THERE IS NO NEWS - WE GIVE IT TO YOU WITH THE SAME EMPHASIS AS IF THERE WERE." David Brinkley

http://www.manchesterbedfordhooksetthomes.com/

Fran MacDonald, Associate Broker, ABR, CRS, SRES, Realtor

Partners Realty Group

Manchester, NH 03104