Your local Nursing Homes can use a hand..... Now here's a way that I can help right within my town and not travel very far in the winter weather.  There are those people in Nursing Homes that are alone, lonely and would love to have you come and visit them.  Many times these residents don't have family that live near them, or any family at all.   Visiting the residents can help them and brighten YOUR day...... Visiting can work with my schedule. When I have the time in my every day schedule, I spend a few hours helping out by reading to some of the residents.  Many of these people love this as their eyesight isn't very good or their glasses need to be adjusted.  It's a very rewarding time to spend a few hours, give it a try , I think you'll agree it does the heart good. Those without fa... 01/28/2011

It’s the end of January in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Temperatures are in the mid 20s and we’ve had a couple of feet of snow so far. Perfect weather for a big, hot, bubbling pot of home made soup as well as an update on current and also bubbling Portsmouth NH real estate market. We finished up a ham last night for dinner. I took the nice sized bone with quite a bit of meat still clinging to it and boiled it for a couple of hours and stuck it in the fridge overnight. When I took it out this morning there was a big pot of jellied ham broth and all the flavor and goodness from that ham bone. So I diced up a couple of potatoes, some carrots, and a large sweet onion and tossed them in the pot with the ham stock and lots of pieces of ham. Next I put in a can of corn and another of Kidney bean... 01/28/2011

My Portsmouth, New Hampshire home staging consult's house was featured this morning on the Today Show.I just received a call from one of my favorite Realtors, Marion Barron, informing me that one of her listings was featured in Barbara Corcoran's Today Show segment "5 Great Homes Around U.S. For Less Than $400K". Marion had recently hired me for a home staging consult for this property so I was very excited to hear it's getting such great exposure. Marion has already received calls today, and has at least one showing scheduled because of the mention on TV.  She has no idea how the property was chosen and had no prior knowledge it had been chosen.  It was a great surprise!  For more information on this beautiful Portsmouth, NH home call Marion Barron at Tate & Foss Sotheby's Internationa... 01/21/2011

Why it's about me...er, you of course, hence the name. Most of us have many online personas scattered all about the web and until now there has been no central location to point or send people to have one single online identity that directs visitors out to wherever they need or want to go. Enter https://about.me/ In a quick to set up template site you can easily compile all your online personas into one page and direct all the friends and visitors there to find you on websites like Facebook, twitter, your personal blog, and lots of other sites; all gathered together in one, easy to find splash page.  You can set up the background, font sizes, easily install your Facebook and other links to social media and any other place you want people to go. I pointed www.JimLee.com to mine so now if... 01/18/2011

I'M HOMELESS AND NEED TO EAT-CAN YOU SPARE A BUCK PLEASE? That was the sign a homeless person had clinging to his jacket the other day in front of a store while he braved the freezing temperatures and blustery  wind. I'm struck by how many homeless people I see these days standing on corners begging. Sad to say but this has become a way of life for some people unfortunately. I'm a sucker for this kind of thing and well up with tears every time I see people begging. I immediately reach into my purse and handed him a $10 dollar bill.  "God Bless you" I said as I gave it to him, "I hope the New Year will bring you some good fortune and joy."  He smiled back at me with a toothless grin and kept repeating "God Bless You.....God Bless You" His smile alone was worth the $10 bucks and more.  I ... 01/07/2011

HOW TIME FLIES WHEN YOUR HAVING FUN!   It sure is hard to believe that I've been an active member of AR since 2007. What a trip it's been! Every day I've dedicated time, usually in the morning, to sit down and log in to AR.  Looking over the many wonderful posts that other members have taken the time to share with us is amazing.   Hardly a day goes by that I don't learn something.  Things constantly change as does the weather, especially hear in New England, so the best place to go to is Active Rain each morning and read the many interesting posts.   There are usually interesting contests you can participate in if you wish and earn some points as well. It's a fun thing to do as well as a challenge.   Friendships are nice and over this last 3 plus years I always love to hear from some of... 01/02/2011

  NEW YEARS DAY-January 1st 2011 - I had a New Year's Day celebration planned for my family today when things changed with the head count. As I was preparing dinner and everyone was scurrying about the house I suddenly see the ambulance in my next door neighbors yard.  The couple that live there are elderly. She is in her mid-eights and he is 91. She is rather frail and crippled up and has taken a few falls these last five years. He is rather spry for his age actually and manages to get around though slowly.   The Macguire's have been a happily married couple for many years and raised three children who have added to the family by having 4 children and then there are the grandchildren. They had hoped that their kids would be over to cook dinner today but that didn't come to pass as it t... 01/01/2011

Third Quarter 2010 A review of the Portsmouth, NH condominium market data reflects a relatively flat market year-on-year. In relation to the data reflected for the second quarter of 2010, seen here, this information seems to reflect a market that may well have benefitted from the home buyer tax credit that expired on April 30th. Full year data for 2010 will be available shortly, and I will be very curious to see what type of advancement is shown year on year. In the Portsmouth, NH condo market there were 20 condos sold through third quarter 2010 as compared to 27 in 2009.                             This represents a 26% decrease in the number of condos sold. The average sales price of a condo in Portsmouth, NH through third quarter 2010 changed negligibly from $307,307 in 2009 to $307,... 12/22/2010

I read a fascinating article today about a common problem faced by many Baby Boomers attempting to plan their retirement and age in place in a comfortable home. Have a look at USA Today’s article here. Given the massive economic downturn that the US economy has seen employment opportunities for Baby Boomers have dwindled, rendering the prospect of a comfortable future very distant for some.  Housing is a primary consideration for most people’s retirement plans, however most Boomers have seen a significant decline in the value of their properties. This decline may limit their ability sell on and move into a suitable home for retirement on the back of decreasing income. It is for these very reasons that my skills as a Senior Real Estate Specialist, along with the team of professionals th... 12/21/2010

There are an estimated 77 million Baby Boomers in this country born between 1946 to 1964, which represent 28% of the population.  This is the largest segment of our population, and one that may very well shape the economic future of this country over the coming years.  That being said, all aspects of the Boomers transfer of wealth and changes in their housing, draw great attention in the real estate industry.  Their needs and expectations regarding housing have changed from those of their parents.  The Boomers reshaped a host of industries, services, and trends that are now part of our everyday lives.  Rock and Roll is here to stay, as is online shopping (shop till you drop in the hot tub), Botox (wrinkle free zone), and Viagra (forever young).  As we move into 2011, understanding the n... 12/21/2010

Is your Portsmouth NH condominium association approved for FHA/VA lending? If it isn’t it should be! Tens of thousands of condominium owners around the country as well as here in Portsmouth NH are in danger of limiting their ability to sell or refinance their units.  Without “Project Approval”, the FHA will no longer insure loans sought by prospective purchasers, eliminating the possibility of FHA /VA lending within the effected developments.  With many Portsmouth NH condominium approvals expiring soon there is a tidal wave of applications being submitted. It is possible for Associations to go directly to HUD to obtain this full approval; however, the process is cumbersome and not entirely transparent and easily understood by the layperson. Many local associations have utilized the serv... 12/21/2010

Café Mediterraneo,  Portsmouth NH   I wanted to meet a friend for a light dinner in a Portsmouth restaurant and she chose Café' Mediterraneo on Congress Street.    I knew it was going to be good when David from Ceres Street Wine (the best wine store in Portsmouth and a great guy!) walked in.  He's a regular. The atmosphere is warm and comfortable, although the tables are very close together.  Don't try private conversations here.   We started with soups - asked the waitress what soups they had and she replied, "Soup du Jour and Soup Café Mediterraneo".   Very helpful.  J     But nothng exciting here. My companion wanted to share the main course and recommended Baked Salmon in creamy dill on lobster ravioli.  It was perfect, delicious and nicely presented.   The menu seems fairly standar... 11/15/2010

Probably my favorite arts & crafts event in NH is the annual Open Studio weekend at the Button Factory in Portsmouth, NH ... so let me tell you all the things I love about this event ... History - The event takes place in some old mill buildings (red brick with really tall ceilings) dating back to the late 1800s. The name comes from the fact that they used to manufacture buttons there, when people wore high-button shoes ... a long time ago. More recently, 2 entrepreneurs bought the building and turned it into artist studios. Event - This year celebrates the 25th year as an artist's building, and I continue to be amazed at the incredible array of talent that I see there each year. My favorites are the woodworking (some incredible furniture & clocks) and fabric crafts (I'm a quilter) and ... 10/29/2010

Usually we think of Halloween and we think of trick-or-treating, the haunted house or a hayride ... any one of the numerous activities to celebrate the holiday. Sometimes we may be too busy to get to these events but we still want to enjoy the spirit of the holiday and Portsmouth is one town that lets you, ... in fact reminds you, of the Halloween spirit any time of day or night during October. Portsmouth has added lots ofpumpkin scarecrows throughout the city. They're actually quite fun to see, all a little different and what's important is they're simple reminders that make you smile each time you walk, bike or drive by them. So if you're thinking about a nice walk around town, or a trip to Market Square for a cup of coffee ... then keep on the lookout for our scary friends this Octob... 10/28/2010

The Portsmouth/Boston commute   From Portsmouth you have a choice between driving and park ‘n ride.  Park ‘n ride wins hands down, in my opinion.  Very comfortable couches, leather seats that tilt back, wifi and laptop tables, tv, music, cold bottled water free on board and free coffee before boarding.  Same day round trip is $27 and it takes just about an hour and a half to South Station or Logan Airport.  Clean, great service, and free parking.  Takes about one hour, and it's painless. The same buses originate in Dover NH, and go on to Portsmouth before stopping in Newbuyrport on the way to Boston.   There is no rail alternative. By car it's about an hour and 20 minutes without traffic, rush hour you never know.  The Rte. 95 part of the drive is always clear.  Parking in Boston costs ... 10/28/2010

Café Mediiterraneo,  Portsmouth NH   I wanted to meet a friend for a light dinner in a Portsmouth restaurant and she chose Café' Mediterraneo on Congress Street.    I knew it was going to be good when David from Ceres Street Wine (the best wine store in Portsmouth and a great guy!) walked in.  He's a regular. The atmosphere is warm and comfortable, although the tables are very close together.  Don't try private conversations here.   We started with soups - asked the waitress what soups they had and she replied, "Soup du Jour and Soup Café Mediterraneo".   Very helpful.  J     But nothng exciting here. My companion wanted to share the main course and recommended Baked Salmon in creamy dill on lobster ravioli.  It was perfect, delicious and nicely presented.   The menu seems fairly standa... 10/27/2010

PLEASE VISIT YOUR LOCAL SPCA SHELTER TODAY.....    I wasn't planning on doing anything but dropping off some canned cat food yesterday at my local SPCA I'm such a sucker for all these precious animals who have been abandoned , left behind and forgotten. How sad it is. I wish I could bring them all home and smother then with attention and love.  While waiting to give the bag of canned cat food I brought, I casually looked around at the many beautiful, and in some cases sad and lonely faces that were looking at me from inside their cage. I have a cat at home, she is  8 years old so I wasn't looking to get another,  I was just dropping of the needed cat food. As I walked around there was one cat that caught my attention and my heart, although I tried to remain indifferent, it didn't work! ... 10/21/2010

There are two FREE Halloween events in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, that you really shouldn't miss.  The first is the Portsmouth Halloween Parade, held October 31 at 7 pm - rain or shine.  Always a lot of fun! The second is a house, 292 Middle Road in Portsmouth.  I look forward each year to seeing what theme they have come up with for their ghoulish, amazing, Halloween display.  To say they "decorate for Halloween" would be a massive understatement.  Each year their barn and surrounding area is spooked out to the max, each year a different theme, and each year I am left more amazed at the lengths one family will go to celebrate the holiday. It's a visual display, no monsters lurking about...no physical interaction...stop by and check it out and stay as long as you wish.    This year's th... 10/17/2010

Now there's a super easy way to keep track of your business expenses and have it all gathered in one handy place come tax time. www.TEXTHOG.com Texthog is the answer. You simply text, email, or enter from the web, your expenses for the day, week, or however you keep track and it all automatically goes into TextHog and gets sorted into the categories you set up.    Here's a short video that shows texthog in action.     Texthog from Doejo on Vimeo.   How's that for easy? And of course there's an ap. Visit texthog to see the options and how you can use it to make your life easier and your tax returns less stressful at tax time. Great Portsmouth New Hampshire Living information here.   10/14/2010

Spent the day in Boston Wednesday at Inman's "Agent Reboot" an event billed as a: "power-packed, low cost, local event for real estate professionals. This one-day, fast-paced program, will equip agents with the latest in business development, technology and marketing skills to help them be more successful. Agent Reboot is being offered in 12 cities across the United States." Well, with a promise and a build up like that who could resist so I went. Pretty cool stuff all day long, Daniel Rothamel, Founder of RealEstateZebra.com, and @realestatezebra on twitter was the moderator and presented some of the fast paced material. One of the perhaps unintended but certainly surprising tips revealed was that Zillow's "Zestimates" for home values through the United States are not 100% accurate but... 10/13/2010