Check this out...Save $1000 on Your Next Home Purchase! With rates dipping recently, housing prices low plus a $1,000 credit at closing, I can't think of a better reason to start looking for a new home or investment property.  If you have interest, let me know.  Or, if you know of someone who could use our services and a $1,000 credit, please let pass this along.  Carol and I love referrals!!   Now let's take look at what is going on in the market locally... 21 homes sold in Rochester in August: - 13 single family homes, -   3 condos, and -   5 mobile homes. Year-to-date, 207 homes have sold in Rochester, NH: -133 single family homes -  34 condos, and -  40 mobile homes In addition, 10 Rochester homes went pending with active contracts in August. For more real estate information, check ... 09/17/2008

Having helped many Rochester NH home sellers work through short sales on their homes with their lenders, I know how important it is to understand this complicated process.  It can be VERY beneficial to a home owner to sell their home via short sale and thus, avoid foreclosure.  One important aspect to a successful short sale is writing a hardship letter.  This well written article details all the aspects of writing a hardship letter.  As always, I'm more than happy to assist you through any aspect of the home selling or home buying process in Rochester, NH or any other NH Seacoast town.  I'm only an e-mail or phone call away. Rob Gagnon www.RobGagnon.com The Hardship Letter:Learn More about this Important Piece of the Short Sale Package By Lauri Waddell When a short sale is negotiated w... 09/16/2008

Can you smell the cotton candy?  It's that time of year again.  The 133rd Rochester fair is back in town and with it comes fun for the whole family.  This year, the fair runs from 9-12 to 9/21.  The Rochester Fair has always been a favorite of mine ever since I can remember.  If you have never been, do yourself a favor and go.  Make it a tradition that the whole family will enjoy.  For a complete list of events, see this link: Rochester Fair Events Posted by: Rob Gagnon RE/MAX Executives Http://www.RobGagnon.com 09/09/2008

With over 125,000 people expected to attend this years annual Rochester Fair, this is sure to be something for everyone! Now running in it's 131st year, the Rochester Fair, located and held every September at the fairgrounds off Lafayette Street, Rochester NH, has been, and will continue to be a family favorite for local families and visitors alike. This year for the second year in a row, the fair will be featuring CIRCUS HOLLYWOOD, not your ordinary everyday circus, and free with the price of admission.   The fair will also feature it's usual acts such as musical guests, pig races, tractor pulls, livestock, and agricultural displays.  Of course, I can not leave out the fun of the carnival rides provided by Fiesta shows. The  annual Miss Rochester Fair pageant Sunday, Sept. 21st, at 3:3... 09/04/2008

Although, the housing market has slowed, Housing Predictor, an independent real estate market forecaster says that the next 12 months will be the best time to invest in the U.S. housing market.  I know what you're thinking...just another real estate agent telling me to get into the market.  BUT, veteran real estate investors know that when it looks bad, that is the time to pull the trigger and buy real estate to have the highest probability of making top profits.  With this said I'm hoping you can do me a favor...if you hear of someone who might like to take advantage of this market, would you give me a call or send me an email?  I'd be happy to help. Now let's take look at what is going on in the market locally... 20 homes sold in Rochester in July: - 15 single family homes, -   5 cond... 08/17/2008

Congratulations to Rochester Best of NH 2008 in this month's New Hampshire Magazine!  This year, we have a record number of businesses, both independent and franchised, recognized for unique offerings, great service and awesome quality.   Yo's Thai Cuisine, 101 North Main Street - Best Crispy Asian Duck Lago's Lone Oak, Milton Road - Reader's Choice Top Ten Hard Ice Cream Dunkin' Donuts, 8 Rochester franchise locations - Reader's Choice Best Cup of Coffee Rochester Opera House - Most Unique Opera House Editor's Pick McDonald's, 2 Rochester franchise locations - Reader's Choice Best French Fries Main Street Rochester - Best Double Entendre Name (Named after Parson Main) Rochester is certainly an up and coming community.  As more and more people move into the area, more and more great ide... 07/21/2008

Summer is here!  And, this is always a busy time for real estate because who really wants to move when snow is falling right?!  Let's see how the Rochester real estate market has fared over the last month:  37 homes sold in Rochester in June: - 22 single family homes, -   8 condos, and -   7 mobile homes.  Year-to-date, 160 homes have sold in Rochester, NH: -104 single family homes -  26 condos, and -  30 mobile homes In addition, 15 Rochester homes went pending with active contracts in June. I have also listed a couple of properties you might be interested in this month.  Just click on the links below for more information. **22 Muirfield Drive in Stratham, NH--a stunning 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath colonial priced at $649,900. **287 Austin Street in Portsmouth, NH--a charming English "cottage"... 07/15/2008

Also known as "Pajamas in the Park".  The city of Rochester, NH is presenting a free concert series geared toword fun and family entertainment.  Friday June 11th, 2008 from 7:00pm to 7:50pm. Put the kiddos in their jammies and head to the Common for a great night of family music. GOOD TIMES!!! Tune Buggy is made up of New Hampshire Music Together teachers who felt the passion and need to bring the rock! Influenced by Hendrix, Zepplin, Zappa, Beatles, Motley Crue, Indigo Girls, Greatful Dead and so much more. If you know that feeling of wanting to chuck that annoying children's cd out the window after hearing it for the billionth time then you know what makes Tune Buggy a welcomed relief. Tune Buggy presents a family-friendly rock set that is fun for adults and children of all ages. If t... 07/10/2008

An important thing to keep in mind when it comes to real estate is that each and every town is different.  Depending on where you are in the country, one town can be thriving and the next town over can be in a slump.  This can also be true for large cities-certain sections of a city can be desirable...others not so much.  Please keep this in mind when you listen to the news.  Reporters are often giving you statewide or national market data and your home town is not the "national market".  With that said, let's see what's been going on in Rochester. 32 homes sold in Rochester in May: -22 single family homes, and -2 condos, and -8 mobile homes.  Year-to-date, 123 homes have sold in Rochester, NH: -82 single family homes -18 condos, and -23 mobile homes In addition, 23 Rochester homes went... 06/15/2008

The latest forecast by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) claims that existing-home sales are projected to trend up in 2008.  I definitely see that happening here in the Seacoast.  In fact, Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for NAR was quoted recently saying, "The improvement in the Northeast reaffirms a trend apparent for some months now that shows signs of recovery, noteworthy because that was the first region to slump." Yes, he said did say improvement in the Northeast! Let's check out what's been going on in Rochester, NH. 25 homes sold in Rochester in April -19 single family homes, and - 4 condos, and - 4 mobile homes.  Year-to-date, 90 homes have sold in Rochester, NH: -60 single family homes -16 condos, and -14 mobile homes In addition, 16 Rochester homes went pending with ac... 05/16/2008

Worried about this years flooding in Rochester New Hampshire?                           Well anyone living in the Rochester area knows the past few years have been very interesting when its come to our flooding rivers, streams and dams.  The 100 year flood ... has hit us twice now ... imagine that.  Well with the record snow falls we had this year and the up coming spring thaw and rainy season begs to ask will we have another flood season.  Several of our roads and bridges have now been repaired or replaced .. some still under construction.  So are we any better off and will our homes be safe?                                                                                                 I can tell you it was very difficult to get around when roads and bridges were closed for several da... 04/15/2008

Rochester New Hampshire's new garbage collection programCART (Collecting All Recyclables &  Trash)Start Date to be May 12th, 2008After some great debate in the city chambers and lengthly review of the city's agreement with the Waste Management facility located at Rochester Neck Rd, Rochester has oppted to implement its new CART (Collecting All Recyclables & Trash) program for the city's garbage collection.The goal is to make garbage collection more streamlined and efficient.  This new collection system will increase the collection rate of recyclable materials and keep them from being dumped into the current land fill which will soon reach its maximum capacity.The city has been using a pilot program in some parts of the city to see how this program would do ... now it will be implemented... 04/15/2008

Need to start your spring cleaning?SATURDAY MAY 3, 20088:30am - 12:30pm        Waste Management located on Rochester Neck Road in Rochester New Hampshire is holding its annual Household Hazardous Waste Day.If you're a resident of Rochester, Barrington, Milton, Middleton, Farmington, New Durham,Strafford, Northwood or Wakefield you can go to the transfer station located on Rochester Neck Road in Rochester to drop off a variety of fertalizers, stains and other household items.For a more comprehensive list of items and instructions you can visit the "2008 Hazardous Waste Flyer" located on Rochesters city website.  04/14/2008

                        Rochester New Hampshire Multi Family News   Great news may be coming our way for investment multi family rental properties (apartment style buildings) in Rochester New Hampshire.  From a recent article in Foster's News it sounds like the City Assessors office may be taking a closer look at assessed values of multu unit buildings in the city.This could give some multi unit property owners a little relief when the next tax bills comes around.To read more on this article visit Foster's NewsLooking to invest in multi unit buildings?  I own rental property here in Rochester myself so I can definately help you through the process .... visit my website at www.movingwithscott.com or give me a call today!Scott PattersonRE/MAX Executives(603) 994 - 8040 04/13/2008

You might not believe it, BUT, the National Association of Realtors stated recently that sales of existing homes rose to a 5.03 million annual rate in February which is an unexpected 2.9% increase.  Why?  The answer is that sales are being spurred by lower prices.  Falling prices improve affordability and encourage people to make purchases.  In addition to existing home sales, new construction homes for sale at the end of February dropped to 471,000 units (in the US), the fewest since July 2005.  Rising sales and lower prices have also stimulated the mortgage market.  This is due in part to recent Federal Reserve actions that have allowed the 30-year fixed mortgage to remain near 6% and the 15-year fixed to hang around 5.5%.Now that your all up to date on the national market.  Here's wh... 04/07/2008

Rochester is the 5th largest City/Town in New Hampshire with 30,117 residents according to the 2006 Census. There are 13,324 housing units in the City and currently there are 257 single family homes & condos on the market. Homes in Rochester are ranging between $39,900 and $689,500. In reviewing the first quarter of 2007 to the first quarter of 2008 we see a drop of 30% total units sold. In 2008 we sold 72 homes whereas in 2007, 103 homes were sold. The average sale price has also dropped by 10% from $192,167 to $173,049. Average days on market have increased by 34 days. It will take a whole month more to sell a home in Rochester. 150 days is the average for homes sold in 2008. We will have to wait until the end of the second quarter to know if this down turn is the market or the fact t... 04/02/2008

Buying your first home - so exciting, such an adventure, what an emotional high. You have reached a new peak in your life. How do you avoid some of the common pitfalls other first-timers have made and know you made the right decision? Mistakes can be costly when you let your emotions run away with you instead of treating this as a major financial investment. The exhilaration of finding that dream home of your own can make you blind to what you are really ready to handle. Buying more house than you can comfortably afford even if you "qualify" leads to stress and lack of joy in home ownership. Sleepless nights, relationship breakdown and possible financial disasters can easily be avoided by buying wisely in the first place. Here are some simple things to consider before you fall in love w... 03/22/2008

Although the snow continues to fall, there are still folks out there that need to buy homes!  February was no exception in Rochester, NH.  Here's the statistics for Rochester home sales in February:19 homes sold in Rochester-15 single family homes-Two condo, and-Two mobile homes.  In addition, 21 Rochester homes went pending with active contracts in February.  There are also 314 active listings in Rochester, which includes residential, condo and mobile home listings.Year-to-date, Rochester, NH homes sales are as follows:33 homes sold in Rochester in the first two months of 2008:-22 single family homes-6 condos, and-5 mobile homes.  BUY low, SELL high.  It's always the best real estate advice!  The time to BUY is when prices are low and sellers are motivated.  Sounds a lot like today doe... 03/04/2008

 I recently came across a problem with mold in my own home in Rochester, NH, so I figured since Spring is right around the corner, this may be something all home owners should be looking out for. I received some information from the NH Department of Environmental Services on mold. First of all, mold is a source of indoor air pollution and, in large amounts, can cause mild to serious health problems. Mold can cause structural damage to homes that can effect resale. According to The NH Department of Environmental Services, there is No Need To Panic. You should, however, be concerned.   If you think you have a problem, go searching for mold. Look for the visible evidence. Mold appears cottony, velvety, granular or leathery, and may be white, gray, brown, black, yellow, or green. You will a... 02/28/2008

 Your identity is valuable, and Identity Theft is serious. Identity Theft occurs when someone steals your personal information and uses it to commit fraud or other crimes. If this happens to you it can effect your credit, getting a job, medical care, and ruin your good name. It can take years to repair the damage that Identity Theft can cause. The most important thing to remember is, It Can Happen To Anyone.   Here are some common ways  Identity Theft Happens (Info received from the Federal Trade Commission): Dumpster Diving- These criminals look for bills or other papers with your personal information on it. Skimming- They steal credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing you card. Phishing- They pretend to be a financial institution or companies and sen... 02/20/2008