CBRB Spring Newsletter

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
#1 in Maine and
New Hampshire

SALES VOLUME:
$845,000,000

RESIDENTIAL TRANSACTIONS:
3,511

SOLD OVER 365 DAYS:
One Transaction Every
2 hours 52 minutes

TOTAL LISTINGS:
3,196

Real Estate as a Commodity: A Tip to Attract More Buyers

Real Estate is a commodity. Commodities sell everyday with prices fluctuating based on market conditions and perceptions influenced by supply and demand. For example, people wanting to buy IBM stock determine how much they will pay on any given day based on the current information about the company and the market. Those wanting to sell the stock may request a price, but the buyer's knowledge of the market influences what they pay.

The real estate market operates very much like the stock market in that a property is only worth what a buyer will pay for it at a certain point in time. Buyers make their decision based on current conditions and their perception of value. In most areas, home inventory is high, indicating a downward pressure on home prices. Sellers who understand that real estate is a commodity and price their homes accordingly will be much more successful in attracting the interest of buyers.

Please Contact Me for Sales Statistics in Your Town!

Spring Buying Season Starts Early Due to Tax Credit

The Spring buying season typically takes off in March and runs through May. But buyers who want to claim this year's tax credit, up to $8,000 for first-time buyers and up to $6,500 for repeat buyers, must have signed purchase contracts by April 30th and complete the deal by June 30th.

Jim Gillespie, President and CEO of Coldwell Banker said it all with this statement. "Sales are going to take off in February and March and really take off in April. My concern is that the move-up buyer hasn't thought what they need to do. Their window is really short. They have to coordinate closing dates."

—Jim Gillespie, President & CEO of Coldwell Banker, "Springtime House Hunters out Early Thanks to Tax Credit", by Stephanie Armour, USA Today

Fitch Ratings Service: More Signs for a Housing Recovery

Fitch Ratings said there are further signs of a housing recovery, though more foreclosures are likely as many adjustable-rate mortgages are reset to new rates. "More positive signals and developments are emerging for U.S. housing and related industries than at any time in the past three years," the credit ratings agency said in a news release. Fitch cited the U.S. economy's shift from recession to expansion in last year's third quarter, and expects that growth will continue this year.

—"Fitch: Housing Recovery Seeing Gains", Associated Press.

What Is Green Drinks?

Green Drinks International is an environmental networking organization with 574 chapters in cities worldwide. Everyone is welcome! Each month the event is hosted by a guest speaker who leads a discussion on an eco-issue. Networking begins at 6pm, with a short presentation by the guest speaker around 7pm, followed by more networking and opportunities to meet the guest speaker. To learn more about the history of Green Drinks visit www.greendrinks.org or e-mail joeharrison415@gmail.com.

Upcoming Green Drinks Gatherings

March 18th: Goodwill Industries, Michelle Smith
April 15th: Timberland, Betsy Blaisdale, Sustainability Director

Seacoast Eat Local
Winter Farmer's Markets
Saturdays: 10am - 2pm.
Wentworth Greenhouses in Rolinsford, March 27. Exeter High School, March 13 & April 10.
www.seacoasteatlocal.org

Rye Winter Farmer's Market
Rye Congregational Church Saturdays: 11am - 2pm.
mimiwhite@earthlink.net

Newmarket Winter Farmer's Market
Stone Church, Saturday March 2
9am - 1pm. Click here for more information.

Restaurant Week in Greater Portsmouth
Friday March 26 thru April 3
3-course prix fixe menus.
restaurantweekportsmouth.com
Phone: 603-610-5510
Seacoast Home & Garden Show
Whittemore Arena, UNH.
March 26, 27, & 28
homegardenflowershow.com
Phone: 866-295-6438

29th Annual Red's Race:
5 mile run / 3 mile walk
Red's Shoe Barn, Dover
Sunday April 25 at 12pm.
redsrace@gmail.com
Phone: 603-742-2218

19th Annual Kitchen Tour
Portsmouth Music Hall
Saturday May 1 at 10am.
Kitchens in Kittery & Kittery Point, ME.
info@themusichall.org
Phone: 603-436-2400

Children's Day
Sponsored by Pro Portsmouth
Sunday, May 2 in downtown Portsmouth.
info@proportsmouth.org
Phone: 603-433-4398

I Survived Breast Cancer and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt
Comedy show at Portsmouth Music Hall. Saturday, May 15 at 8pm. info@themusichall.org

Springtide
A Celebration of the Arts in Southern Maine. May 14, 15 & 16.
Celebrating the Culinary, Visual, Performing, and Fine Arts.
www.gatewaytomaine.org
Phone: 207-363-4422

Runner's Alley & Red Hook
Memorial 5k Race/Health Walk
Redhook Brewery, Portsmouth
Sunday, May 30 at 10am.
runnersalley.com/redhook.html
Phone: 603-430-1212

ADDRESS

156 Front St.#306, Exeter
50-J-6 Brookside Dr.#6, Exeter
26 Ashbrook Rd., Exeter
1 Sterling Hill,Unit #134, Exeter
11 Bayberry Ln., Exeter
4 Riverbend Circle, Exeter
9 Hillside Ave., Exeter
8 Dearborn Brook Circle, Exeter
82 Montrose Dr.Unit 82, Stratham
38R Lovell Rd., Stratham
9 Alderwood Dr., Stratham
1 Linda Ln., Stratham
1 Holmgren, Stratham
289R Portsmouth Ave., Stratham
2 Smith Farm Rd., Stratham
34 Chisholm Farm Dr., Stratham
18 Easton Hill Ln., Stratham
114 Tidewater Farm
200 Landing Rd.Unit 22, Hampton
64 Esker Rd., Unit#7, Hampton
22 Mason St., Hampton
3 Donna's Ln., Hampton
426 Winnacunnet Rd. Unit 4, Hampton
12 Elaine St., Hampton
6 Dumas Ave., Hampton
50 Falcone Circle, Hampton
10 Sherburne Dr., Hampton
43 Meadow Ln., Greenland
18 Rolston Ave., Greenland
50 Caswell Dr., Greenland
Lot 12 Falls Way, Greenland
41 Great Bay Dr. East, Greenland

SALES PRICE ($)

117,000
121,500
201,300
210,000
265,000
325,000
475,000
655,000
169,000
184,000
286,900
314,900
320,000
345,000
460,000
550,000
619,000
809,000
111,000
110,000
219,000
229,000
235,000
275,000
410,000
444,000
529,767
240,000
260,000
382,500
425,000
750,000

CLOSING DATE

1/15/10
12/18/09
12/30/09
12/1/09
1/11/10
12/1/09
1/19/10
11/30/09
11/24/09
11/27/09
12/11/09
11/18/09
11/16/09
12/1/09
12/16/09
12/7/09
1/15/10
1/11/10
11/20/09
1/12/10
12/15/09
11/6/09
12/16/09
11/27/09
11/16/09
11/12/09
11/20/09
12/15/09
12/13/09
11/30/09
12/2/09
11/2/09