Prudential Dinsmore Blog

First-time home buyers dominated the U.S. real estate market in 2009, accounting for roughly half of all residential transactions, according to the National Associaition of REALTORS.

That trend is likely to continue well into the new year. That’s because interest rates are hovering near all-time lows, home-price affordability is near all-time highs and a third factor – Congress’ extension of the first-time homebuyer tax credit until April 30, 2010 – make conditions quite favorable for those considering homeownership for the first time.

Still, with the prospect of making one of the largest investments you’ll ever make in your life, you can easily become overwhelmed. Some of the questions you may be asking are: Will I be able to afford the home of my dreams? Do I have enough money for a down payment? Will I qualify for the tax credit? Will I make smart home buying decisions? If you go into the process prepared, your first purchase – like the current timing – can be just right.

Resources–Before starting out, educate yourself on the process. Attend a homebuyer seminar in your market, and check out the myriad real estate resources online. Among those helpful online resources is prudentialdinsmore.com, through which you can access thousands of property listings. Be sure to check out the “Buyer” tab where you can find valuable information about buying a home in southern New Hampshire. I-Central has a myriad of links to help answer all of your home buying questions. The “Southern NH Living” tab has detailed information and links about the towns of southern NH including detailed school information. Your real estate professional also is a great resource. Don’t hesitate to let him or her know that you are new to the process. Your real estate professional will expect you to have questions at each step, from house hunting to making an offer through closing. You should establish a business relationship with a competent real estate professional before you begin your home search. You can review Prudential Dinsmore Associates professional profiles here and then contact the agent that is the best fit for your needs. 

The costs involved in the purchase of a home can seem overwhelming to first-time homebuyers. There are mortgage costs, the down payment, and closing costs to think about.

Affordability–By looking at your income and debt ratio, your mortgage broker can help you calculate how much you can afford each month in mortgage payments. A sales professional can be a great source of information about which mortage professionals in southern New Hampshire have a strong track record for customer service.  But before determining your price range, you should also take into consideration other factors that will affect your monthly budget once you are a homeowner, such as property taxes, insurance, homeowner association dues, utilities and maintenance. And if your down payment is less than 20 percent of the cost of the home, you will be responsible for private mortgage insurance, more commonly referred to as PMI. There are also new rules for FHA mortgages that are based on your credit score which may require a larger down payment for these types of loans.

Mortgage payment–Fear of being rejected for a home loan is one of the main concerns for first-time homebuyers. To lessen the stress, you may want to get pre-approved for a loan before looking at prospective homes. This will not only help you feel more confident, it will also give you an advantage where there are multiple offers for a specific property. In addition, the fact that your loan has already been approved is of great value to the seller because it shortens the purchase process, and there is less of a chance that the buyer will back out of the sale. If you don’t have a specific mortgage lender in mind, ask your sales professional for a recommendation.

Down payment–The down payment amount varies depending on the value of the home you choose and your mortgage lender. Your real estate professional will be able to explain the different options available to you.

Tax credit–The first-time homebuyer tax credit, a key component of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, equates to as much as $8,000, or 10% of a principal residence’s purchase price, and is available to those who have not owned a principal residence in the past three years. You can use the tax credit to help purchase your home or help pay for its closing costs, or the credit can be used to remodel, refurnish and repair your property. See your tax advisor for details about the tax-credit program and how you may benefit. 

Making offers–Don’t feel pressured into making an offer on the first home you see. This is a common mistake of many first-time homebuyers. Make sure you view different homes to get a feel for the marketplace. When you decide on a home to make a bid on, work with your real estate professional to get all of your questions answered before making an offer. But don’t wait too long to make an offer. The longer you wait, the greater the chance other prospective buyers may place offers, making it harder for you to negotiate a good deal. This site allows you to search sold prices by town and street in southern New Hampshire.

Above all, remember there are no silly questions. Make sure you understand and are comfortable with every aspect of the transaction. Your real estate professional can be an invaluable asset in helping you make educated decisions so that your first home purchase is a rewarding experience.

Prudential Dinsmore Associates, REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity

To start off 2010 Prudential Dinsmore Associates has decided to offer our web site users a valuable new tool. Buyers and Sellers can now search southern New Hampshire sold home prices. This is a comprehensive search of all sales reported in Multiple Listing. In the dark ages of real estate, consumers had very little direct access to the information they needed to make informed decisions. Today, Prudential Dinsmore Associates is making this information available to you for free. You can now use this site to search for New Hampshire sold home prices by town, price range, and even street. This will allow you to do a quick check of what homes are selling for in your town or neighborhood.

Keep in mind that home pricing is based on many factors. It is important to have all the details about a sale including condition of the property, location factors and market conditions that affect value. This is where Prudential Dnsmore Associates can help you!  No matter whether you are buying or selling a home in southern New Hampshire, you need a real estate professional who knows the local real estate market inside and out.  When one of their agents is representing you they can prepare a market value report for you. This will provide you with all the information you need to understand current home pricing in southern NH. 

They would be glad to answer a question or have a sales professional to contact you a

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The Journey to Bethlehem is a Christmas Tradition in Windham, New Hampshire every year. The members of the Windham Bible Chapel offers this presentation as their Christmas gift to the region. I have attended the event many times over years past with my family.  It is a very enjoyable and low key way to bring the real meaning of Christmas into your family celebration. If you have young children they will especially enjoy the event. My two boys were always a little worried by the Roman soldiers seeking their identity scrolls. Thousands of local people have attended the event over the years. There is a short presentation given inside the Bible Chapel while you wait for your guide to arrive. Then your travel to Bethlehem along illuminated trails in the woods begins. along the way you stop and hear about Joseph and Mary’s journey to Bethlehem by various characters in front of a warming fire. All of the characters are in period cosutmes.   Especially this year, when many of us are down playing the materialistic side of Christmas, this offers a free way to experience the Holiday.

As a resident of Windham I would just like to thank the members of the Windham Bible Chapel for putting this production on free of charge. If you want more information click here for the Windham Bible Chapel  site and once there click on the “Journey” tab. In 2009, the presentation will be Thursday, December 3, 7 to 9 PM, Friday, December 4, 7 to 9 PM and Saturday, December 5, 5 to 8 PM. This is an outdoor drama so be sure to dress warm!

Merry Christmas to all of the customers and friends of Prudential Dinsmore Associates.

Sold New Hampshire Waterfront: 28 Horseshoe Road, Windham, on Cobbett's Pond

The selling season on Cobbett’s Pond in Windham was one of the best in recent memory. The fact that this beautiful lake is within easy reach of I-93 and Boston has made Cobbetts a very desirable waterfront address.

Many waterfront homes changed  hands, including Prudential Dinsmore Associates, REALTOR’S listings at 28 Horseshoe Road and 16 North Shore Road. Both of these homes sold in a very short period of time indicating excellent demand exists for waterfront property on the lake. 28 Horseshoe Road was listed by Debbie St Jean and sold by Eliane Unsworth both with Prudential Dinsmore Associates.

28 Horseshoe Road closed for $1,250,000 and 16 North Shore Road closed for $815,0000.

Kristie Dinsmore of Prudential Dinsmore Associates also represented the buyers in the purchase of a single family detached condominium at Heron Cove which sold for $540,000.  Debbie St. Jean at Prudential Dinsmore Associates also worked with the buyers of 9 Grove Street which was a bank owned waterfront cottage which sold in March for $265,000.

There were also several private sales on the lake. 28 Ash Street was a waterfront contemporary which sold for $745,000 and 21 Rocky Ridge Road sold for $457,500 according to public records. 17 Armstrong Road, a year round waterfront cottage,  also sold privately for $280,000 according to public records. Currently (11/4/2009) there are two more homes pending on the lake.

The inventory in Windham on Cobbett’s Pond is still dynamic and varied. These two listings, Cobbett’s Pond waterfront and water access, give you an idea of the variety still avialable:

MLS# 2777196 - Windham 2-Bedroom - Cobbett's Pond Water Access This charming, reasonably priced Windham home has 2 bedrooms, a Boat Mooring, a wood fireplace, and 50′ of private water access for under $350K.

Windham NH Real Estate - Cobbetts' Pond Waterfront “Waterfront elegance with 114 feet of lake frontage on Cobbetts Pond” This spectacular property has 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, custom kitchen,  and the “Luxurious master bedroom suite features spa bath with lake views” for less than $1M.

The extension and expansion of the home-buyer tax credit is good news for buyers, sellers and REALTORS in southern New Hampshire. The federal government hopes that the extension will have a positive effect on the real estate market. The first time tax credit had a big impact on the lower end of the market in southern New Hampshire towns like Derry, Salem and Londonderry. The expansion of the credit to move up buyers means that the upper end of the market should benefit, especially in a town like Windham NH with higher priced homes.  At one point in October there was only two home available for sale in the $200,000 to $275,000 range in Windham. The inventory was depleted as a result of first-time buyers rushing to put homes under agreement before the November 30th deadline. Now all buyers have a chance to benefit from the program. This should help with the inventory of higher priced homes in town. Here are the details:

The time limit for the program has been extended. You must have a home placed under agreement before April 30, 2010. The closing on the property must take place before June 30, 2010. First time buyers will still qualify for up to $8,000. Income limits have been raised so that single buyers can earn up to $125,000 and still get the full credit while a married couple can earn $225,000. A FIRST TIME BUYER MAY NOT BE WHAT YOU THINK! Under the program, you are a first time buyer if you have not owned a home during the last three years.

Now, buyers that want to trade up can also qualify. Those who have owned and occupied a residence for the at least five of the past eight years can claim a $6,5000 tax credit if they close on a purchase before the end of June.  Also, this program does not require you to pay the money back to the government as earlier versions did. Prudential Dinsmore Associates, REALTORS are not accountants or tax advisors and if you plan to participate in the program we urge you to consult with a tax planning professional before you purchase a home. Here is the IRS link to the program information.

If you want to explore your options, why not contact Prudential Dinsmore Associates, REALTORS today.

Cemetery W A L K

The friends of the Windham NH Historic Commission will be hosting a cemetery walk to benefit Searles School and Chapel on October 11th from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Local residents will play the roles of those buried beneath the ground. Among those portrayed will be David Greg who was killed by Indians near Golden Brook in 1740 when he was just nine years old. Tickets are $10 for adults and $3 for children under 18. Why not come and find out who lays slumbering in the dust in the Cemetery on the Plain in Windham NH.

Gravestone EPITAPHS

For those of you who plan upon your death to have your body placed in the cold, still, earth rather than the more free spirited spreading of ashes, the question becomes how will you mark your grave? Today people have their faces and their Harley’s etched on their head stones.  In the past, the historic stones have reflected the inevitability of death and how best to approach it.

    Many years ago, before I was married, my wife and her cousin Sue Alosky stopped by my house after they had just walked through the “old” Cemetery on the Plain. They recited the following epitaph to me.  

“As you pass by remember me, As you are now so once was I, As I am now so you must be, Prepare for death and follow me.”

 A few weeks ago, my wife and I walked through the “old” cemetery again and found the stone and the epitaph. This particular verse is very popular and is found on several grave stones in town.  We also noticed that many of the stones are becoming very difficult to read which is sad because they have stories to tell. Take the stone of Hannah Campbell who died in March of 1789. On the stone with her are the names of four of her children who died before the age of four and of another infant who was still born. Her epitaph reads:

 “Tis God that lifts our comforts high, Or sinks them in the grave, He gives and blessed be his name, He takes but what he gave.”

The epitaph on the stone of Lieutenant Jeremiah Hills sums up the eternal question;  Why am I here, what is the meaning of life, is there a God and if there is a God am I a part of an eternal future beyond death. People who live to find out often leave with more questions than answers. Lieutenant Hills epitaph: 

Tis a point I long to know, Oft it causes anxious thought, Do I love the Lord or no, Am I his or not?”

Many of the stones reflect the belief in the resurrection of the body. Jennet Park who died at 81 in 1830’s has on her grave,:

 “These ashes poor, this little dust, Our father care shall keep, Till the last angel rise and break the long and dreary sleep.”

 Mary Meeker who died in March of 1836 at the age of 19 indicated that her spirit will be in heaven to be rejoined later by her body:

“Let all who now behold me here, be faithful till the Lord appears, Farewell dear friends, a short farewell, Till we shall meet again above, I go from you to heaven to dwell, To realize a Saviors love. Though friends and kindred weep around, my body slumbers in the ground, Till the last trumpet shall bid it rise, To meet the Savior in the sky.”

 Nancy, the wife of Isaac Cochran, who died in 1826 has a stone that states:

“From husband torn for friends and family dear, At life’s bright moon of death laid her body here, So let it rest from joys and sorrows driven, Till Christ shall call her sleeping dust to heaven.”

Deacon Samuel Morrison who died in 1816 at 69 has an epitaph that reads:

“Forgive, blest shade, the tributary tear that mourns thy exit from a world like this, Forgive the wish that  would have kept  thee here, And stayed thy progress to the seats of bliss”

NEW DATE!!!!! So see you on October 11th…there is no telling what you might find among the stones.

Big Island Pond is a 532 acre lake located in the towns of Derry, Hampstead and Atkinson New Hampshire.The lake has a long and varied history going back to the aboriginal peoples and the possible settlement nearby of Irish Culdee monks over 1,000 years ago. Chief Escumbuit’s life from 1665-1727 intertwines with the history of the Big Island Pond. Into the twentieth century there was even a brothel located near the pond called “Laverne’s Place.” All of the interesting history is available in the book “Legends of the Pond, Stories of Big Island Pond, Atkinson, Derry and Hampstead”  by Alfred E. Kayworth. Mr. Kayworth’s book gives a fascinating look at the pond and the people who have lived nearby.

One interesting character on the pond was George Eli Whitney.  “Derry from Turnpike to Interstate,’ says that  ”For nearly fifty years a steamboat provided enjoyable trips on its waters. It was unique in that the man who built the boat in 1900 operated It for forty eight summers. He was George Eli Whitney, a descendant of Eli Whitney, inventor of the cotton gin. No Sunday school picnic or family reunion at the pond was complete without a ride on Whitney’s steamboat. At a certain point along the way, in a shaded cove, Whitney always stopped the craft for a few minutes while he related a fanciful tale about pirates. Adults might smile, but the children listened eagerly.”  According to Hayworth the boats name was the “Ida F.” Whitney built steam yachts and launches in Boston. He designed and built a small steam engine for automobiles for the Mason Regulator Company. It was one of the first production engines for automobiles. Soon after Whitney was building steam automobiles of his own design. Whitney was an early resident of Big Island Pond and lived at what is stilled remembered as Whitney’s Grove.

Today, I wanted to share with you to beautiful old photographs of Conley’s Grove on Big Island Pond. These photographs were identified by the original photographer as “Westville, N.H. which was the mailing address for Atkinson at the time.   Conley’s Grove and pavillion were both located in Atkinson,  New Hampshire. Hayworth says that, “By the end of the Roaring Twenties people began to explore the world beyond the ethnice neighborhoods of the city. As more and more people bought automobiles, the unerringly headed for the seashore and the country in their time off. The “Big Band” era was in full swing and the dance halls located at lakes and ponds were a strong draw for city-bound people. Big Island Pond features two dance halls; one was built on the shore at Conley’s Grove and the one at Chases Grove is still active. Working class people were able to afford the cost of a mass produced automobile and people were no longer limited to electric trolleys. Big Island Pond with its scenic beauty and its dance halls became a big draw.”  The cottages pictured at left were owned by Elsie Lippold. The descendants of the Lippold family still live in Conley’s Grove today.

Big Island Pond is a beautiful lake with a beautiful shoreline and water depths that reach up to 70 feet. Governor’s Island is “the big island” in the middle of the lake for which the name is derived. If you want more information about real estate for sale on Big Island Pond please follow this link.

On one of the signs at the front of the pavilion is the name “Jack Mills ___ Orch.”  Jack Mills Company represented many orchestras in the twenties including Duke Ellington. Another sign on a tree advertises “Bathing suits and boats to let.”

Cobbett’s Pond, in Windham New Hampshire, has experienced a dramatic transformation over the past twenty years. The summer cottages and seasonal lifestyle have been totally replaced by upscale homes with year round residents.  

My great-grandfather’s farm ran to the shore of Cobbetts Pond in Windham and my grandfather rented summer cottages along the shore. I grew up on Cobbetts and still live there today. The changes that are taking place along the shoreline are simply amazing to me.  The old summer cottages are being replaced by luxurious waterfront homes and the recession has had little impact on the pace of change.

A little history first: Cobbett’s Pond was named for the Reverend Thomas Cobbet, a minister from Lynn and Ipswich, Massachusetts who received a grant of 500 acres on its northern shore in 1662. The first summer cottage was built in 1886. From then until the 1970’s the pond remained largely a summer community with public beaches, a dance hall over the water and a thriving summer theater nearby. When I grew up on Cobbetts most of the residents disappeared after Labor Day. There were a smattering of year round residents but all my lake buddies were gone in the fall.

All that began to change in the eighties when a few cottages were demolished to make way for modest year round homes. The real change occurred in the early 1990’s. Prudential Dinsmore Associates sold 3 waterfront lots on the “big pond” that had remained vacant for years.  The prices in the $225,000 to $250,000 range raised the bar at that time. At that same time, we also sold quite a few summer cottages in the $300,000-$350,000 range which were torn down for new upscale homes. This was the beginning of the changes on the lake. Today, it seems that a cottage is being torn down every time you go out in your boat being replaced by a lavish new home. 

The increased desirabilty of the town of Windham has raised the cache of Cobbetts. The main appeal is that you can enjoy waterfront living close to work. If you are going to make a large investment it is nice to know you can enjoy your lake house each and every day without having to travel two hours to the north. Many business owners and professionals from southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts call the lake home. A good many of the new homes are being built by Windham residents who want to stay in town but want to live on the water. Of course Boston is a straight shot down Interstate 93, less than 35 miles to the south.

The market for waterfront property on Cobbetts remains strong in spite of the current downturn. Waterfront properties that are priced correctly are selling to the pool of buyers who want to be on the lake.  

Imagine enjoying your ”front” yard by the water as the warm sun rises over the lake while a Great Blue Heron flys by, low over the water.  Savour the drive home from work, turn onto your narrow road, knowing the day is done, and walk barefoot to a lakeside patio to enjoy the an evening cocktail. That is until the kids start begging to go tubing or water skiing. There is a firework display over the water on the fourth of July. Even the winter is enjoyable watching the carnival of ice fishermen, skaters and snowmobilers. This is lakeside living at its best and it all can be yours.

Cobbetts Pond is a 302 acre spring fed lake with an average depth of about 30 feet and with 50 feet being it’s deepest. The “Big Pond” and the “Little Pond” are divided in the middle by the “Narrows” giving the outline the lake an hour glass shape. There is a seperate village district that taxes for lake improvements and water quality initiatives. All waterfront construction is governed by local Windham zoning laws and the state of New Hampshire Shoreline Protection Act.  More information about waterfront living in southern New Hampshire here. 

Overlooking the “Narrows” this exquisitely appointed residence offers crown moldings, hand-crafted cabinetry and designer fixtures. Incredible custom kitchen features granite and opens to the great-room which offers panoramic lake views. Luxurious master bedroom suite with fireplace an spa bath overlooking the water. Over 6,000 Sq.ft with ten rooms. 3 car attached garage plus a 3 car carriage house with an unfinished bonus room above. A unique lot with over 100 feet of frontage and offering beautiful views and sunsets.  Offered at $1,395,000. Click here for full details and more pictures.

Waterfront elegance can be enjoyed in this beautiful custom home. 114 feet of lake frontage allows you to enjoy sweeping lake views. Impressive entry with leaded glass doors and handsome wood and cast iron staircase design.  Designer kitchen with granite counters. Beautiful master suite and attached two car garage. Offered at $1,150,000. Click here for full details and more pictures.

BUILDING LOT WITH ALL APPROVALS ON COBBETT”S POND.  $349,900 CALL OR E-MAIL FOR FULL DETAILS

See all of the current homes for sale on Cobbetts Pond in Windham NH.

Prudential Dinsmore Associates is proud to announce that they are one of the sponsors of the upcoming Windham NH Flat ‘n Fast 5K to be held at the picturesque Windham Rail Trail. This annual event is scheduled for Sunday, June 7, 2009. This is a fun event held on the paved Rail Trail that runs through the scenic woodlands of Windham NH with several tranquil ponds, rock gorges and abundant wildlife. The race starts at 8:30 with the walk starting immediately after the last runner. This event is sponsored by the Windham Rail Trail Alliance in conjunction with the Windham Recreation Department. Please check Cool Running for on-line registration.  Register online of on race day from 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 A.M. Certified 5K race starts at Roultson Road and finishes at Windham Depot. The course is fast, point to point, shaded with no cars, no intersection or hills. Free shuttle bus takes your from registration (near finish) to the starting line. Buses will run from 7:00 to 8:10. Entry fee is now $25 for and individual and $7o for a family. Click on the following link for full details of the event. Be sure to check out this great running-walking event in Windham, all for a good cause. Click here for a Windham Trail Map.