Another year has come to an end and a new one has begun.  2009 was a year of changes for many as well as the end of a decade.  What will 2010 hold for us as Realtors or as citizens of the United States and the World?  For me 2009 started out on the wrong foot, both from a personal view and a business perspective.  But on a more positive note, the year ended up much better than it started with good sales in the last quarter.

The question is, "Will this trend continue in 2010?"  What we all need is listings, listings, listings.  I have noticed all the expired listing showing up on the MLS reports from all the agencies in the area, but very few new listings.  What is going on?  Are people so discouraged that they are taking their properties off the market?  Do they think no one buys real estate in the winter? 

Let's get the word out to sellers that there are still many buyers out there looking to buy the house of their dreams.  The Government Stimulus Money is available for most buyers, both 1st time home buyers and buyers who have owned, and lived in, a home for over 5 years who need to make a change.  Don't miss out on this opportunity.  It is not a lot of money, but in many cases, it will pay most of the closing costs.  Call your local Realtor for more information and help in finding the home that will fit your needs.

Fall is the nicest time of year in New Hampshire.  As the night air turns crisp, the leaves turn to brilliant reds, golds, and yellows and, occasionally, the mountain tops get a frosting of snow along with the beautiful colors.  Well, this past weekend our neighbors in the southern part of the state didn't have to travel up to the mountains to see snow.  From Wakefield and south there were areas that had snow on lawns and fields.  This seems early to most people to have snow on the 18th of October, but I do remember having snow on the 12th.  So one may wonder about all this talk of "Global Warming".  Not much sign of that this year with the rainy, cool summer we have just had and the early signs of snow.

This early snow down south may make you think that it is too late in the season to be buying or selling real estate.  However, this is not the case.  We have been busier in the past month than we have been for quite some time.  This is also the concensus of other real estate offices in the Mt. Washington area.  Some people may say that is because of the stimulous money being offered by Uncle Sam, but I don't find this to be true in this area.  In our office I have not heard of any one who was taking advantage of that $8000.  To me this is a sign of a slow, but natural, recovery of the market.  Time will tell if I am correct, but let's hope so.

County Fairs are times to get outdoors and enjoy meeting old friends, viewing the fruits of labor of your neighbors, and having fun.  The Sandwich Fair opens Saturday, October 10th and runs through Monday, October 12th.  Many people come back to the Sandwich Fair every year so that it has become, not only one of the nicest agricultural experiences of the year, but a place to meet and greet old friends.  As you wander around the fairgrounds you will see exhibits of all kinds, ranging from draft horses and oxen pulling enormous loads,to poultry and rabbits, to the finest of handcrafted rugs, sweaters, baskets, and much more. 

The midway is located apart from the exhibits and has the usual array of rides and games of chance.  And, last but by no means least, is the delicious food.  (We don't count calories on Fair Day.)  The aroma of chicken and ribs wafts from the Barbeque; popcorn pops; onion blossoms abound; soups and chowders are served in bread bowls; sausages sizzle along with their companions. onions and peppers; fried dough is slathered with butter and cinnimon; pizza slices are everywhere.  The list of temptations is endless.

This all takes place in the middle of Center Sandwich Village at the foot of the beautiful Sandwich Mountains where the fall colors are at their peak, ablaze with reds, greens, and golds.  Highlights of the weekend are the Saturday morning parade of antique cars that winds through town and the Sunday Parade of everything imaginable including clowns, animals, floats, The Over The Hill Gang, and so much more.

Do yourself and your family a favor and visit this last fair of the season in beautiful Center Sandwich this weekend.  You can find more information at www.sandwichnh.com/fair.

 

SEE YOU AT THE FAIR

I am fairly new at this blogging business, but it bothers me no end when people spend the time writting these very interesting and meaningful blogs and then, obviously don't reread what they wrote before posting it.  The spelling is awful, words are missing, wrong words are used and sentences run on...Just a few of the errors I often see.  Sometimes the whole blog loses its impact because of the errors.  If a person is spending the time to write on these very interesting topics, the few minutes extra it takes to do a little editing is well worth while.

I am not too good at this blogging business.  I would love to know where everyone gets these catchy cartoons etc., but I will learn in time.  In the meantime, I hope I have written this so someone can follow my train of thought.

What better place to view fireworks that celebrate the birth of our country than in a quaint country village setting?  The lovely village of Center Sandwich traditionally holds their fireworks display at dusk on July 3rd on the fairgrounds.  This location allows for several points around the village for comfortable sites for full views of the display.  Dusk usually means that the fireworks will be set off at about 9:30 PM. 

The local church holds an ice cream social in front of the Baptist Meeting House beginning at 8PM.  This is by donation only and there is always plenty for all including a choice of toppings, such as homemade chocolate sauce, butterscotch sauce, strawberries, and sometimes blueberries.

Come one and all to this old fashioned celebration of the birth of our nation.  Meet local residents and enjoy the beauty of one of New Hampshire's most special towns.

What a great opportunity for the first time home buyer!!!!  Just think what you will be able to do with $8000.00!!!!  Unfortunately you can't have that money up front to help with your down payment or closing costs, but you will get that money so you can use it for new furniture or to do the things you may want to do around your new home.  It may even come close to building that garage you have always dreamed of having so your car will stay free of ice and snow next winter.

There may be those buyers out there who do not listen to the evening news or read a newspaper that have not heard of this bonus.  If you have not, NOW IS THE TIME to make some inquiries to find out how it works and how it will effect your ability to buy now while there are bargains to be found.  Begin today by contacting your local Realtor who can help you in your search for the home you have always wanted.

How can we overcome the bad press that the real estate market is receiving from the media?  For example, our office received an offer from another agency on a house that has been on the market for quite a long time.  The offer was from a buyer from England.  After some discussion that offer was accepted verbally with paper work to follow.  The buyer subscribes to a Boston newspaper on line and read over the weekend how depressed the real estate market is and that it had not yet reached bottom.  So, he proceeded to withdraw his offer.  (He was really getting a good buy.) 

As we all know, the real estate market is all about LOCATION.  The market can be distressed in one area and a few miles away be HOT.  Buyers read about the depressed areas and never hear about the better sales areas because the media only talk about the bad news.  How can we get the word out there to buyers that there are some GOOD BUYS available?

Spring has finally sprung all through our beautiful state of New Hampshire.  Memorial Day Weekend is upon us and we are ready for the usual influx of "flatlanders".  With gas prices such as they are, it should prove interesting to see what happens this weekend.  For those of you who are visitors to our state, this is a good time for you to buy your own vacation home where you have the amenities your family will enjoy without having to get out on the highway everytime they want to go swimming or hiking.  Prices are down, mortgage rates are very reasonable and you have a lot to choose from, so call, come, and choose the vacation dream you have always wanted.  We are here and ready, able and willing to help.

The longer I am in this business the more I realize how important relationships with others can be.  There are relationships you build with fellow Realtors, with local builders and carpenters, buyers, sellers, local cleaning people, neighbors, family - the list goes on and on.  Through these relationships you are likely to get referrals to buyers, sellers, or any number of services.  This can all be called reciprocity.  In other words "what goes around comes around".  The next time you have the opportunity to help someone or answer someone's question, be as thorough as possible, give them extra information to back up your experience.  Eventually, they will come back to you because they remember how helpful you were when they needed assistance.

For many years there has been a group of concerned citizens working to try to make Chocorua Village a safer place for drivers and pedestrians alike.  Beginning June 1st those plans will begin to be put into reality.  There will be sidewalks, crosswalks, street lights and an improvement in the traffic pattern.  Hopefully these improvements will make it safer for the walking public and Route 16 traffic will realize they are going through a village and MUST slow down.  In the summer this area is hazardous for cars and pedestrians alike, with visitors to the Dam Ice Cream Shop, the U.S. Post Office, the Chocorua Library, Runnells Hall and other businesses in the village, needing to cross the road.  I will do my best to keep up with reports on this much needed project.