Portsmouth, NH Real Estate News

By Jim Lee, REALTOR Emeritus, Buying or Selling? Ann & Jim are the local experts
(RE/MAX Shoreline)
Multigenerational living, the practice of several generations living together in one household, is becoming increasingly popular in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This is due to its many benefits, which include cost savings, family bonding, caring for older generations, and helping young adults get started.One of the most significant benefits of multigenerational living is cost savings. Families can pool their resources to pay for housing, utilities, and other living expenses by living together. This can be particularly beneficial for young adults who are just starting and may struggle to make ends meet.Another advantage of multigenerational living is the opportunity for family bonding. By living close to one another, family members have more opportunities to spend time together, share meal...
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By Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager
(Sharon Tara Transformations)
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...
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By Jim Lee, REALTOR Emeritus, Buying or Selling? Ann & Jim are the local experts
(RE/MAX Shoreline)
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.  
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By Jim Lee, REALTOR Emeritus, Buying or Selling? Ann & Jim are the local experts
(RE/MAX Shoreline)
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...
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By Patricia Aulson, Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes
(BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate )
"PAY IT FORWARD"  I was more than happy to help out a new family who was relocating from Europe. When they bought their home after a few weeks of looking they found the house they wanted and closed a short time after. They were new to seacoast NH are and had no connections here.   She was from England and he was from the west coast. Laurie is her name and she was very pregant with her first child when we met. After a short time looking, Laurie and Robert found a home and closed on the property on a Monday. They were in the midst of moving their personal belongings into the home when she went into active labor.  You guessed it....eight hours later a new baby girl was born. Her name is Jen and after a two day stay in the hospital they went home  Robert had an important business trip plann...
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By Jim Lee, REALTOR Emeritus, Buying or Selling? Ann & Jim are the local experts
(RE/MAX Shoreline)
This past Sunday Ann and I decided to take the day off and head for the mountains. No showings scheduled and no appointments so it was a perfect opportunity for some R & R. We headed north from Portsmouth up Route # 16 and after a couple of stops in North Conway and other spots, ended up in Jackson, New Hampshire just outside the White Mountain National Forest. Jackson was having their annual “Pumpkin People” contest/display/festival. I’m not sure what you would call it but pretty cool nevertheless. The only rule was all the displays had to have heads made of pumpkins. Here’s some of the coolest ones we saw: This "Pumpkin People" couple and baby are ready for the snow to fall. Next we saw Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. From the orange stockings sticking out from the picket fence ...
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By Bill Somerset, ABR, e-PRO - Realtor - NH Real Estate Agent
(Re/Max Realty Group)
Green Alliance Funky Fall Foliage Tour Date: Sunday - October 3, 2010 - 03:30 PM Location: Isles of Shoals Steamship Company - Portsmouth - Green Cruise Boarding Starts at 03:00 PM   This October 3rd, a Sunday from 3:30-7pm. The Green Alliance and WXGR present the “Green Alliance Funky Fall Foliage Cruise” with funky lounge music and green drink specials and spectacular views up and down Portsmouth Harbor of the colors of fall, all set to lounge music with a special DJ from new Green Alliance Business Partner WXGR 101.5 FM. Tickets are going for $25 and include a FREE membership to the Green Alliance which includes thousands of dollars in discounts to local "Green" Businesses. This is an all ages event and will feature live entertainment by a WXGR 101.5 FM DJ. Join us aboard the Victori...
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Portsmouth area Realtor John P. Wells presents a 2 BR, 3.5 bath condo at beautiful Spinnaker Point in Portsmouth NH. Amenities!! Indoor and outdoor pools, fitness center,tennis courts, and one of the best located condos at beautiful Spinnaker Point. Cathedral ceilinged Great Room for living and dining, well appointed kitchen and 2 bedrooms, each with own full bath, plus a half bath downstairs. Pergo hardwood flooring has been installed in the Great Room . Brand New Carpeting now in the hall and bedrooms!! Spacious one car garage for parking and storage.
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By Jim Lee, REALTOR Emeritus, Buying or Selling? Ann & Jim are the local experts
(RE/MAX Shoreline)
No, I'm not being facetious or implying you're a dummy because you haven't bought a house yet.   In fact, just the opposite; waiting until now to buy has saved you thousands of dollars more that than measly 8 grand credit a lot of your friends got earlier this year. Here's how. Let's take a look at the facts and mortgage market now compared to what they were then. The $8,000 federal tax credit that got everyone excited earlier this year expired at the end of April, 2010. Buyers that had a contract dated prior to that were able to claim the credit up to the maximum amount of $8,000. and also got a loan with an interest rate around 5.5% or so. If they bought the median priced house in the Knoxville, TN area, which would have been around $180,000, and got an FHA insured loan with the minim...
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By Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager
(Sharon Tara Transformations)
Thirty two years ago today, September 9, 1978, I married my best friend.It hasn't all been perfect - it certainly wasn't easy.  We didn't always know where the money was going to come from to pay the bills, but we always knew we would be ok.  We always knew we had each other. I supported him when he really wanted a dog, when he really wanted a pool table, when he really wanted a boat...even though we couldn't afford any of them.  I eventually forgave him when he bought the motorcycle even though he knew I was dead set against it.He has supported me through panic disorder and anxiety attacks, healthy lifestyle changes that replaced his favorite foods with spelt and rice substitutes.  He supported me starting my business and filling the house with staging props and he has somewhat accepte...
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By Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager
(Sharon Tara Transformations)
Last weekend Portsmouth, New Hampshire hosted it's first air show in over twenty years at Portsmouth International Airport at Pease.  The stars of the show were the amazing US Navy Blue Angels.  For days, leading up to their performance, the Blue Angels buzzed the area with booming sound and roaring speed, practicing their craft just above our heads. For many locals, just having the Angels practice in the area, was exciting enough.    It is estimated that 70,000 people were in attendance for the two day show.   Local businesses couldn't be happier with the results.This year, the Blue Angels received 400 applications for appearances and accepted approximately 30...Portsmouth was lucky to be one of the chosen locations. The Angels weren't the only thing blue around here last weekend...   
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By Marty Patrizi, Multiply Your Propertunities
(The Bean Group)
Portsmouth NH Real Estate Market Activity Report A comparison of homes sold data for the last four years and the last 12 months will show us where the Portsmouth NH Real Estate market trends are.  2006 saw 316 homes sold with an average days on market of 92 days.  In 2007, the number of homes sold grew 4% to 329 homes sold in an average of 81 days.  In 2009, the number of homes sold plunged 22% to only 257 with average days on the market at 94.  Another 11% less or 229 homes sold in 2009 with an average days on the market at 103.  Within the last 12 months we see the number of homes gain the 11% back at 255 and the number of days on the market ease to 95. Portsmouth NH Real Estate Average Sales Price Average sales price for 2006 was at $337,061 and increased in 2007 at $345,089.  With l...
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By Scott Godzyk, One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents
(Godzyk Real Estate Services)
The Boston/Portsmouth air show did not dissappoint today with a thundering show by the US Navy Blue Angels. Do not worry if you missed it today, they are doing it all over again on Sunday Aug. 29, 2010. There was an  incredible ground display of over a 100 aircraft. There was a kids zone and play area for the little ones. Bring some comfortable shoes for walking and some sunscreen. Sunday promises to be in the 90's.Tickets can be purchased ahead and online at www.BostonPortsmouthAirShow.com or you can get them at the gate.Another reason why New Hampshire is a great place to live, visit and play.UPDATED August 28, 2010Blog written by:Scott GodzykGodzyk Group RealtyManchester NH
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By Bill Somerset, ABR, e-PRO - Realtor - NH Real Estate Agent
(Re/Max Realty Group)
The United States Navy Blue Angels will appear on August 28th and 29th at the 2010 Boston – New England Air Show at the Pease International Tradeport in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. I decided to take a half day today and pickup my 9 year old son Michael and head to Portsmouth.  While out with a client yesterday, 8/26/10, the sky rumbled above me, when I looked up. it was the U.S. Navy Blue Angels on a practice run.  I figured it would be a nice day for my son and I to spend a few extra hours, just the two of us and take in today's practice.   When we arrived at Pease Air Force base, there was about 50 to 75 people in a grassy area near the end of the runways.  We were able to grab a great viewing spot at the top of a small hill and meet a few other on-lookers.  Around 3 p.m. more people s...
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By Sharon Tara, Retired New Hampshire Home Stager
(Sharon Tara Transformations)
New Hampshire Home Stager, Sharon Tara, earns Prestigious RESA-PROTM Designation Portsmouth, NH  August 13, 2010  Sharon Tara, of Sharon Tara Transformations, has become the first home stager in New Hampshire to earn the RESA-PROTM designation from the Real Estate Staging Association.As a RESA-PROTM stager, Sharon is held to the highest standards of business, ethics, and integrity.  Designees must meet strict legal and ethical guidelines that include but are not limited to:       Must pass the RESA® Ethics Exam Must agree to follow the  RESA® Code of Ethics Must have business license and business insurance   No lawsuits pending against business Must complete a minimum of Continuing Education classes  The RESA® Ethics class and exam is an extremely important factor in raising the bar for...
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By Patricia Aulson, Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes
(BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate )
DO YOU WEAR YOUR REALTOR PIN?  August 9, 2010-  If you don't perhaps you should. I love the add in the Realtor book, issue July/August 2010 showing the photo of an agent with the Realtor pin on. THE AD SAYS "THE MOST VALUABLE SQUARE INCH IN REAL ESTATE" I love that comment. Statistics show that three out of four consumers want to work with an Realtor and not just a licensed agent who isn't a member of the National Association of REALTORS  THE REALTOR HOLDS TO AND LIVE BY A HIGHER STANDARD- That says  a lot about the person wearing it now doesn't it. The Code of Ethics is upheld and thought of as important. How you conduct your business is perhaps a "cut above" those who don't choose to be members of the National Association of REALTORS. Now I'm sure there are some  reputable agents who...
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By Jim Lee, REALTOR Emeritus, Buying or Selling? Ann & Jim are the local experts
(RE/MAX Shoreline)
This past Thursday night I had the opportunity to go on a harbor tour/cruise of Portsmouth, New Hampshire along the harbor out to where it runs into the Atlantic Ocean. Portsmouth is a beautiful coastal city on the northern end of the New Hampshire seacoast. In the harbor view above you can see a new, waterfront condo project under construction and the white steeple of the Old North Church to the far right. At only 13 miles long, the New Hampshire coastline is shorter than any other state that borders an ocean. Memorial Bridge over the Piscataqua River connects Portsmouth to Kittery, Maine Because Portsmouth is a working harbor with lots of large ship traffic in and out, two of the bridges over the river are drawbridges which raise every 30 minutes from 7:00 AM until 7:00 PM to accommod...
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By Jim Lee, REALTOR Emeritus, Buying or Selling? Ann & Jim are the local experts
(RE/MAX Shoreline)
The Washington Examiner posted the first photo of the devestation caused by the recent earthquake in the Washington D.C. area. FEMA and the Red Cross are standing by to deliver aid if needed.  
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By Bridget Hayward, Experienced ~ Energetic ~ Effective
(Bean Group)
Movie lovers in the Portsmouth area should go check out the amazing deals at the Blockbuster store closing on Islington street.
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By Bridget Hayward, Experienced ~ Energetic ~ Effective
(Bean Group)
Bridget Hayward | Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage | 603 834 4031 32 Taft Road, Portsmouth, NH Welcome home to this truly unique open concept home in Elwyn Park! Home features a custom kitchen open to dining room, spacious lofted family room 3BR/2BA Single Family House offered at $320,000 Year Built 1960 Sq Footage 2,217 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 2 Parking Unspecified Lot Size Unspecified HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Welcome home to this truly unique open concept home in Elwyn Park! Home features a custom kitchen open to dining room, spacious lofted family room, choice of master bedrooms, wood and tile floors. Bright and sunny living space with large windows & sky lights, recessed lighting and ceiling fans adding to the open feel. One car attached garage....
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By Jim Lee, REALTOR Emeritus, Buying or Selling? Ann & Jim are the local experts
(RE/MAX Shoreline)
For some strange reason the post below I wrote several years ago popped on a Google alert. After re-reading it I decided it was still very relevant to today and hopefully you will find it worthwhile: I just received my July/August issue of “The Real Estate Professional”, a great magazine sent to all REBAC (Real Estate Buyers Agent Council) members. A feature story is titled “Technology and Home Sales: How the Internet is Changing the Real Estate Industry”. Boy, ain’t that the truth. I found some of the technology do and don’ts for using technology in your listings to be especially relevant. I think a lot of us don’t quite realize yet is that most buyers (and sellers) are way more tech savvy than the average Realtor. Probably something to do with their average age being in the 30s and o...
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