Some Home owners looking to sell their homes right away in 2017, and they are ready to try anything to sell it. While some homes listed sell in mere days others may never sell at all. It may take a New Years resolution for Home Sellers to change their ways, skip the short cuts, skip the out of town listing agents and do not leave your home sale up to chance.  THE TOP 10 NEW YEAR RESOLUTION FOR SELLERS1. Avoid listing with your friend from works wife, who just got her license and wants to learn how to sell homes by listing your home.2. Avoid out of town agents who caught your attention with their big flashy TV commercial that's says if they don't sell it,m they will buy it.... Really?3. Avoid the thought on not bothering to clean or removing the clutter because you think buyers wont noti... 12/26/2016

Do you believe everything you see or hear? Well some do...The Internet is full of secrets, myths and tips. Many Home Buyers think that not hiring a Buyer Agent or hiring a Discount buyer Agent will save them them money. There is many MYTHS being posted online where Buyers share ideas to save the most money and take the best short cuts. I have a SECRET though, there are no short cuts when buying a home. Santa has brought us 10 tips for Home buyers to use to to navigate what is real and what is a myth.  THE TOP 10 TIPS of HOME BUYING SECRETS1. A buyers agents Job is NOT just to find you homes to see.2. A Buyers agents Job is NOT just to drive you around to see the homes you want to see.3. One of the top myths is that a Real Estate Lawyer can do everything a buyer broker can for less money... 12/19/2016

How many days should a home be for sale for, before a home seller will accept much less? The home Buyer then clarified wanted the best deal and read on line this was the way to get it. As I paused, the buyer further added they would like lists based on homes that have been on the market over 6 months, 5 months, 4 months and none that have not been for sale at least 3 months. As this strategic plan sounded less strategic, I started with my list of questions. What town/cities did they want to be in? "Doesn't matter". What style home? 'Doesn't matter.' How many Bedrooms? "Doesn't matter". What condition? "Doesn't matter". What price range did your loan officer approve you in? "Doesn't matter. Well Mr. Buyer it does matter, can i see your pre qualification paper. In deed there was an amount... 12/12/2016

As I sat here pondering the market, I saw a question in the Q and A section, which I was also wondering, as I am seeing big changes in my market. Have you seen an increase, decrease or no change to your market since the election? Here in the Manchester NH area we have seen a surge in Buyers. Although slight, an increase in new listings as well. The few weeks leading up to the election, the market really slowed. So, the increase in business is welcome.  In my opinion there is a two fold reason for the sudden surge. First, there is a new consumer confidence. A relief the election is over and we are moving forward. The stock market is booming. People are spending money again. Second is the sudden uptick in interest rates as spurred many waiting out the market to jump in now, afraid it will... 12/08/2016

Can there be "too may buyers" when selling your home? Is it possible to be "too busy" when selling your home? A woman selling her home told me both of these. No, she did not list her  Manchester NH area home with me She chose an entry only agent "a couple thousand" to post a listing in mls and she would try it herself. I quote her when she said "she was told things are slow this time of year so she would ease into selling her home as she does not have  time for this." Everything she said goes against what selling your home is all about. When selling your home you want buyers to see it, you want an offer and you want it to sell. You see... I brought a buyer over last week, the home was not for them, but I did realize i had another buyer, who this home would be perfect for. So when callin... 12/05/2016

HOW can some homes sell while other seem to stay on the market for ever? This is one of the most asked questions by home owners who have listed their homes for sale, but they have not sold. Here in the Manchester NH area over all there is a shortage of homes for sale. Many of our new listings sell within a couple of weeks and some within days. You do not have to look far though to those homes that have sat on the market the last 3 or even 6 months. In my 30 years of selling Real Estate, THE TOP 2 REASONS HOMES DO NOT SELL ARE are they over priced or a lack of marketing from the agent they listed their home with.  HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT MY HOME IS WORTH? The first thing that should be done, is the home should go through a new market analysis to determine what the home is worth in this mark... 11/25/2016

How do you know if  Home Buyer can get a mortgage or not? Why are Buyers given a pre-approval if they were not actually approved for a loan? The CONFUSION starts that they actually got a "PRE-QUALIFICATION" Letter and not a pre-approval. Many buyers and sellers are confused by the two terms. This sellers sale fell through because the Buyer could not get a mortgage and had a generic pre-qual letter from an Internet mortgage company that wasn't worth the paper it was printed on.   Please tell me what a pre-Qualification even means shouted a Manchester NH Home Seller. usually only looks at the buyers credit score and uses what the buyer states their income and debts are. It is contingent upon a formal application and verifications. A GOOD listing agent not just requires a pre-qual letter, ... 11/13/2016

A Home Seller was really confused when they should allow showings and when they should say NO. I met them when their listing expired with their other agency. They invited me over to their Auburn NH Home and they asked me this very question.  You see their old agent left showings up to the seller? I was a bit confused, as that is the job of a listing agent. They clarified that they would not only set up showings direct with buyer, buyer brokers but have to be there to let them in. As I sat with my mouth open, I replied with the simple words of "that is not how it is suppose to work."  It was easiest to tell them the "right way" that home showings should be. When listing with me, all showings are requested through myself, some by phone, some by email and some by modern technology. All sho... 10/31/2016

If what can not be controlled is scary to you, then the appraisal process could shake the best buyers out of their socks. Today is day 5 of my series of the SCARIEST Horror stories in Real Estate. Today we talk about the Real Estate appraisal. When Buying or Selling a home, It does not need to take a trick to buy or sell a home these days. Many consumers learn the hard way here in the Manchester NH. Enjoy my blog based on stories through 30 years of Real Estate so you can learn from others mistakes and gain an advantage when Buying or Selling a home.  The top 30 collection of Horror StoriesToday's feature story:#26. "Is the appraisal the scariest part of Buying?" The appraisal process sure has changed over the last couple of years. Loan officer can no longer pick up the phone and order ... 10/06/2016

If A Home Seller hires 10 agents, will it be better than just hiring 1 agent to sell your home? Today is day 2 of my series of the SCARIEST Horror stories in Real Estate. When Selling a home, It does not need to take a trick to get your home sold these days. Many sellers though, are learning the hard way here in the Manchester NH area when their offers get rejected. Based on stories through 30 years of Real Estate so you can learn from others mistakes and gain an advantage when Buying or Selling a home.  The top 30 collection of Horror StoriesToday's feature story: #29. "How Many Agents does it take to sell a home."    # 29. A home seller got advice to hire several agents to all list and sell their home. They chose 10 agents thinking they would sell the home 10 times faster. The home ne... 10/01/2016

How is the Auburn NH Luxury market holding up this year? As the leaves will start to turn soon, the FALL MARKET has begun in our area.  With the smell of Pumpkin spice, Apples turning red and the fall mums in bloom, our market continues to grow. Located just East of Manchester, Auburn is an upscale town desired by many.  There is still many more buyers looking for homes though than there are homes to sell them. What does this mean you ask? It means now is a great time to sell a home. It also means it is a good time to buy with interest rates still so low.  CALL TODAY FOR A FREE MARKET ANALYSIS  What do we see for the rest of 2016?  Typically in NH the fall market is as busy as the Spring market. There tend to be less homes for sale and the buyers looking are ready here and now to buy be... 09/22/2016

Where should I be looking for my dream home? By now the first 2 steps of the buying process should be done. You have hired that great buyer agent and have been pre-qualified. What is next?  Welcome to Day 3 of my 10 blog series of the "Top 10 tips" for Home Buyers looking to buy their dream home. #8. When do we start seeing homes for sale?Most often how you start looking for a home is more important than where. The first step in most processes is looking online at what is for sale. The MLS has the most complete list of homes for sale. Other sites may not be updated as frequent and have homes that say they are available, but have been ending for a couple of weeks.  You should be driving through neighborhoods to identify what areas you like and what you do not. If you have school age kids... 09/19/2016

One of the most asked questions is "Should the home owner be home for a home showing?The answer to this never ending question will always be the same.  Today is day 4 of 10 in my blog series of the "Top 10 tips" for home owners selling their homes. #7. Should the home owner be home for a home showing?. The answer is absolutely never, not now, not tomorrow and not ever. This is the buyers time to see your home, to feel comfortable opening doors, looking at the home and to fall in love. A seller who stays at home is often a complete hindrance, not a help in the sale of a home. Take a drive, take a walk or head to the store. Sitting in your car across the street is also not acceptable. Here in the Manchester NH area,  one of my first conversations when listing a home is what to expect for ... 09/07/2016

What would you do if a car pulled up to your next showing and everyone got out wearing bathing suits? Not too long ago, As I sat a home yesterday waiting for a buyer to show up at a  Manchester NH home. They pull in and pile out of the car all wearing bathing suits. Looking more ready for a beach day then for looking at homes. I did wonder but was already there, so we started my tour. They loved the home, thanked me and said they were off to the beach.  They head off to the beach letting me know they will discuss making an offer. In the mean time the phone rings, it is the seller shouting how i could let buyers who were not qualified through the home. Why do you think they were unqualified I asked? I have seen their pre-qual letter from a loan officer i frequently use. The seller scream... 09/02/2016

No, I did not move... I got a call from a consumer. They relocated here and found their agent and home online. They came here, bought it, flew home and moved across country. After a week they hate it. They do not know what to do or where to turn. They were so unhappy with the agent they searched online. That is where they found my Active Rain blog. The leading option was to sell the home. However they did not want to lose any money. The first step was completing a free market analysis. Looking at the comps and data, they did purchase the home lower than market value so it may be a good option to sell. The second step was to ask why they hated it. After a very long talk, it was more of an uneasy feeling than hate. They did not do any research on the area. The agent was from out of town a... 08/26/2016

Would you rather know or take your chances? I bet most people would much rather know than guess and be wrong. BEFORE i show any home I always call and ask if it is available and if there any offers already submitted. I must say that all agents do not update the MLS after a home goes under contract. That is also the case alot of times here in the  Manchester NH area. Therefore I feel it is my duty to know this information before showing my client a home that may not be available. Why get them excited about a home and take the time to show it and write an offer on a home already under contract? I list a great deal of homes. I actually like when other agents call me on my listings because it gives me a chance to update them and promote that listing in real time. Answering calls from buyer ... 08/01/2016

When home as a mix of brown, red, purple and mauve carpets, will it affect the home sale? A home that was listed for sale for 6 or so months had just this. The seller claims no buyers came to look at this Manchester NH area home,  because buyers saw the colors in the mls and did not want view it. The former agent wanted them to change all the carpet however they are really struggling to get by. What is the best option for them they asked at a listing appointment? I viewed the home. Despite the carpet colors the home is neat and clean. About 20 years old and in a desired area. The problem i saw is that they mentioned needing to change the carpets in the mls comments. Who does that?    I completed a Broker Price Opinion and the price was in the middle of what has sold. They had some room ... 07/22/2016

When a home inspection shows that something needs repair, what is the best choice a Home Buyer can make? The choices are often asking the seller to fix it. Asking for a reduction in sales price or asking for a credit so the buyer can fix it. Here in the Manchester NH area, contractors do not have to be licensed, they should be insured but not all are.  Which is why my "Best Advice" is to get estimates and ask the seller for a credit so you can hire a trusted contractor to complete the repairs. There is an however, because if you are getting a FHA mortgage, they may require the work be completed before you close. In those cases i include the words. The seller to hire a professional contractor to complete the repairs. When it comes to an electrician or plumber,they do have to be licensed ... 07/20/2016

Do you like to close quickly? The closing date on my new Manchester NH area listing is for Sept. 31, 2016. I invite you all to the closing. All airlines will let you fly free that day. It will be one crazy fun day. Everyone will get $100,000 cash and a Pokemon. Are you sensing any sarcasm yet? It is common for a buyer and or their agent to type the last day of the month for a closing, some times that falls on a Saturday or Sunday. Some months though, do not have 31 days in the month. When the buyer stopped by, I let them know we needed to change the closing date. Everyone got a good laugh and they knew they would read this today in my Active Rain Blog.  YOU deserve the BEST service when Buying or Selling a home  As the sun sets on this Sale.... LEARN THIS ONE FACT: One should know that ... 07/12/2016

The trend is slapping a "coming soon" sign on that new listing. You see them more and more. But is this helping or hurting a home seller? You only have 1 chance to be a "New Listing" so why waste it on "coming soon" when the house is not ready to show yet? NOTHING makes a buyer madder during the home search period than not being able to see a house they can not see. The trend started here in Manchester NH area with REO a.k.a. Bank Owned Homes when the bank demands a sign be placed day 1 of the listing yet the home still needs to be cleaned and appraised. For owner occupied homes, i do not think coming soon is a good choice marketing as buyers and some agents will come knocking on that sellers door for more info...    YOU deserve the BEST service when Buying or Selling a home. Real Estat... 07/08/2016