A cobroke transaction can be a positive experience,  but it isn't always. I sometimes dread the two months of my life when I realize the cobroke agent I am working with isn't really working with anyone in out transaction.  Sometimes I feel the agent is working against everyone and creating unnecessary friction.  There are times when an agent is reactive and likely creating a difficult situation.  I'm not sure why, maybe they are afraid that the counter offer they have to present is going to upset their client, or maybe they are personally insulted in some way by the cobroke's client's offer.  I just don't know but when the cobroke agent gets upset I know it's time to step back and find a way to diffuse the situation to cool things off. No one likes dealing with untamed emotions and I fi... 07/12/2011

Is your roof old? Are you planning on selling?   I am working with buyers who are currently working to purchase a home who's roof may be near the end of it's useful life.  Without the assurance from a home inspector, the buyers are having a difficult time insuring the property. If you have a roof that is older, and you are planning to sell, prepare yourselves for this to potentially become an issue for your buyers. It's summertime, a great time to have your roof replaced which will help sell your home quicker and for a better price, not to mention more conveniently for both you and the buyers. In my situation with my buyers, we are calling on the inspector to identify the condition of the roof and hopefully assure the insurance company that it is still in good shape, if it is. If it is ... 06/30/2011

  My Listings www.stephaniejacques.masiello.com NEW!  24 D Stonehouse Lane Keene, NH 03431 4 bedroom townhouse in desirable Meadowlands Estates Great Investment, Great West Keene Location   1,713 square feet of quality living 1st floor master bedroom with cathedral ceilings and master bathroom Sunroom with private backyard 3 Bright, spacious upstairs bedrooms 1 car attached garage with electric garage opener and storage above/walk in closet Ideal as an investement or owner occupied Virtual Tour     GREAT BUY! 38 Bellevue Street Keene, NH $110,000 subject to third party authorization (How to Buy a Short Sale) Virtual Tour     Price Reduced! 403 Pond Brook Rd. West Chesterfield, NH $150,000 Virtual Tour       Historical! 236 Cheshire Turnpike Langdon, NH $227,270 Virtual Tour   05/17/2011

I get asked a lot, "What's a short sale?" "How do I buy a short sale?" and "How does a short sale work?"  Because I have navigated many sellers through the difficult and sometimes long short sale process, I'd like to help answer those questions here in my blog. Simply, a short sale is when a home is being sold for a value less than what the seller owes.  Consequently, the seller has to get their lender's final approval to sell short of what they owe.  I'm not going to get into what happens with the deficiency but I am going to approach this from a buyer's position.  "What happens when we make an offer on a short sale?"  Since each lender handles their short sales slightly different and the process may vary greatly in regards to the length of time it may take, here are the basic "milesto... 05/09/2011

Tonight, March 22, from 5-6:30 pm Open House at 38 Bellevue St. Keene NH $134,900   This weekend:                 Saturday, March 26th   MLS#4039773             153 Armory Street., Keene                 12-1:30 MLS#4007734             187 North Street., Keene                    11-1 MLS#2818528             28 Owens Drive., Swanzey                  10-12               Sunday March, 27   MLS#2818528             28 Owens Drive., Swanzey                  11-1 MLS#2828271             4 Russell Rd., Langdon                        12-2       03/22/2011

OPEN HOUSES    Saturday, March 19th   MLS#4040895    73 Plain Road., Hinsdale                                10-12 MLS#4036374    18 Pine Street., Hinsdale                               10-12 MLS#4019051    7 Robbins Street., Hinsdale                          10-11 MLS#4027493    11 Springbrook Street., Hinsdale               11-12 MLS#4045046    11 Walnut Street., Keene                             11-1 MLS#4042792    22 Carolyn Lane., Swanzey                           1-2:30 MLS#2818528    28 Owens Drive., Swanzey                           10-12   Sunday, March 20th    MLS#4040111    37 Rockwood Pond Road., Fitzwilliam     11:30-1:30 MLS#2818528    28 Owens Drive., Swanzey                           11-1          Tuesday, March 22nd   MLS#4047507    38 Bellevue Street., Keene           ... 03/14/2011

One of the things I hold very dear to my heart are the words spoken about my from those I respect the most.  The people who have taken the time to really, truly get to know me and what I'm all about are the people who can speak without false judgements.  These are the people for who a mutual influence occured at one point in our lives.  I am going to post a letter of reference written about me not too long ago, after completing a masters degree program at Antioch University in management and leadership.  I couldn't have picked a better program of study, nor a better place to shape my learning experience! Reading this letter strengthens me during weak times and reminds me of the inner fire that was re-ignited from within during my studies at Antioch.  This letter was written by my practi... 03/03/2011

My 6 Year Old Singing Ariel song always amazes me. I am forever blown away by the fearlessness and by the confidence my daughter has in front of an audience. She's like her dad, Kris Kleine, who provides DJ and Karaoke Entertainment services in the Keene, NH region.  I just wanted to share with you all what I am most proud of, what keeps me going and what allows me to be less selfish, less self centered. My children have truly helped me grow as a person into someone I am happier being. Thank you for watching, please forward her video if you enjoy it! 02/10/2011

Keene NH Weather Forecast Today, White The white weather forecasts up to 20" of snow for the next 2 days here in the Monadnock Region. Driving around last weekend I took this photo of a beautiful, typical New England style colonial home covered in snow and dripping with icicles, wreath in door. With almost 2 more feet of snow on the way, I look at the "paths" we maintain with a snowblower across our yard for the dog and wonder how much taller they could get! It's been several years since I've seen snow like this before.  We used to travel to Quebec several times each year where snowbanks were over my head and I would make tunnels through them.  And now I am going to do it with my own children. Nothing beats a true New England winter and I have to admit, I'm pretty giddy about it.  With ... 02/01/2011

SEE VIRTUAL TOUR: 403 POND BROOK ROAD WEST CHESTERFIELD NH $170,000 Cute, expandable 2+ bedroom home with attached 2 car garage in a super location close to Brattleboro and Keene. Beautiful wooded backyard with babbling brook and privacy, paved driveway, large breezeway with large window overlooking the serene woodside. Newly upgraded electricals with additional space to expand the home through the attic.  Low taxes and a desirable town to live in. Must see!   3 season porch Living room with woodstove and hardwood flooring Click on Virtual tour to see more! 01/11/2011

Flippers improve homes and neighborhoods by fixing, remodeling and improving conditions of a home and selling it to a buyer who can not afford to make repairs. It's good to know there is some money in this economy as many flippers pay cash for a home below value, fix it up and then sell it for a profit and move onto the next. So many people have purchased homes at a lower price thinking they will be able to remodel and repair while they are living there only to find out they can not afford to finish their projects. With the current market values being so low, I see it as a real opportunity for flippers to improve homes and neighborhood conditions and bring homes up to a better standard where the common buyer can affordably live in once again. But is this guy for real?  This person made ... 01/06/2011

Happy Holidays! Thank you all for making this a great year. I have enjoyed meeting my newest clients this year and intervening at a time in their lives when one of the biggest decisions was made.  This year I sold homes in Goffstown, Keene, Jaffrey, Stoddard, Chesterfield, Hinsdale, Charlestown and the inner surrounding towns.  It's been a wonderful year. Have a wonderful holiday season and I'll see you in 2011! 12/20/2010

The year 2010 was an interesting one, to say the least. Government tax incentives and a flurry of buyers making moves the first half of the year led the way to a solemn lull as only the most serious and ready buyers continued to shop the real estate market after the removal of the tax incentives. For me, I've come to embrace the top social media activities as those I prefer to use, and let loose those that were too time consuming with little to no return.  Blogging was one I chose to diminish, and I only use my blog when I have something of significance to share.  One thing I've found helpful is going back and linking to previous blog articles I've written, as annual events tend to bring back similar thoughts and photos.  Facebook is one I utilize for my "A" list customers though I don'... 12/14/2010

MLS# 4027493                       11 Springbrook, Hinsdale       Saturday 10/23                        11:00-12:30 MLS# 2833865                       20 Cedar, Hinsdale                 Saturday 10/23                        12:30-2:00 MLS# 4027322                       54 Eastview, Keene                Saturday 10/23                        11:00-1:00 MLS# 2835946                       762 Rte 63, Chesterfield         Saturday 10/23                        10:00-4:00  *NEW PRICE* MLS# 4008724                       5 Spring Street, Chesterfield  Saturday 10/23                        11:00-1:00 MLS# 4028737                       10 Main Street, Gilsum           Saturday 10/23                        1:30-3:00 MLS# 2818528                       28 Owens Drive, Swanzey     Saturday 10/23      ... 10/18/2010

Short Sale Transaction I am presenting at a short sale workshop in Keene, NH on October 13, 2010 and wanted to post this outlined information for anyone else who might be interested. As we all know, nothing is set in stone but I've put together the most systematic way I can to approach the short sale transaction.   The Short Sale Decision If property is not on the market: •·         Agent has told them the value of their home is less than what is owed If property is on the market: •·         Listing has been on the market for several months with several price reductions •·         price cannot be reduced any lower without dropping below sellers "break even" point Agents Role •·         Ultimate Role: To sell the house and get the mortgage released (becoming an unsecured debt) •o   To co... 10/05/2010

Keene, NH We've all been to short sale workshops and trainings as agents, but now here's one to put the sellers at ease. A short sale seminar for THEM (the sellers).   With Keene Housing Trust I am presenting at an upcoming short sales seminar. If you know someone with questions about short sales, headed in this direction and doesn't know what to do, or in trouble and their sale might turn into a short sale, please offer this seminar to them. I will absonlutely not be soliciting clients if they are working with you. This is going to be a well rounded information seminar with other key speakers. A sample outline will be as follows:     (Date is scheduled for October 13th, Wednesday. Registration through Cheshire Housing Trust, Susan Walthour is recommended. 357-7603) 6:00 pm: Introductio... 09/27/2010

We always hear that it's important to keep in touch with our sphere, our A and B list, or whatever we call those top people in our lives who help promote our business.  They are the cream of the crop.  They are the people we most enjoy working with and know whomever they refer to us is going to be just as pleasant to work with.  Brian Buffini teaches to cultivate this group and to Work By Referrals.  I decided to lauch a new component of my social media marketing and try out enewsletters. I sampled Constant Contact's 2 month trial over the summer to learn more about their service. It offered 60 days for free.  There were certain limitations such as the number of photos you could upload and the number of contacts that could be added to the database, but it was a good way to see what I co... 09/20/2010

"I want my children in a good school" I hear this all the time when working with buyers looking and comparing schools in the Monadnock Region.  Due to one my children being school aged, currently, I am hearing the same words come out of my mouth. There is a price to pay for giving our children this opportunity.  For some it involves paying higher taxes and living in a higher taxed town.  For others it involves private schools and we have several top schools available in our region for those considering this very option. St. Joseph School located in Keene, NH is known for instilling a good, solid core of values and education in their students.  Pre-K through 8th grade, the teachers at this school are phenomenal as is the leadership. Parents who send their children to this school really s... 09/15/2010

Monadnock Real E-Stats (derived from NNEREN) Cheshire County Single Family Active Residential Listings    as of 9/13/10:   Total=796   OF THOSE   81 are $125,000 or less 517 are $125,001-325,000 178 are $325,001-800,000       Cheshire County Single Family Residential SOLD Listings between  8/13/10 - 9/13/10:   # Sold Listings = 53 Ave Days on Market = 89 Med Days on Market = 47   Ave Sell Price = $186,446 Med Sell Price = $155,000   Highest Price Sold During this Time: $795,000   Lowest Price Sold During this Time: $12,000   14 Sold <$125,000 35 Sold $125,001-$325,000 4 Sold $325,000-$800,000   With interest rates dropping as low as 4% this past month, it IS a great time to sell because buyers can afford to offer a little more.   The trouble is that sellers have so much competition in t... 09/13/2010

Yup, it still exists. In fact, 1/3 of my sales last year were through this government loan option.  You can't get it through a lender, which is why so many people aren't using it.  USDA Direct Rural Development VS. USDA Guarenteed Rural Developement are both great loan programs to buyers with limited income, but only the Direct option offers as low as 1% interest to those who qualify. How do you know if you qualify for 100% financing at 1% interest? OR How can you see if your buyer qualifies for this simple-to-work-with loan? Each state has one or more main offices where you can call in to request an application.  The application is lengthy and no one will get an approval over the phone. They take 1-2 weeks to review the application and, in somes cases, will give you a verbal "OK" to be... 09/08/2010