Archive for the 'Real Estate' Category

“Stone-Arch” is a magnificent waterfront property on Canobie Lake, which is set on 2.6 acres of land, with incredible privacy provided by 730 feet of frontage. It is on of my favorite properties in Windham NH. When you are ont the property you are taken by the incredible setting and the history associates with the stone arch. The massive stone arch serves as a reminder of the property’s past as part of the fabled Searles Estate and provides a masterful focal point. You will be captivated by the tapestry of changing scenery as Canobie Lake moves from season to season.The beautiful contemporary home was designed by architect John Minton and has been tastefully updated by the current owners. The use of wood, stone and other natural materials make a dramatic statement while fitting in perfectly with the pristine surroundings. The open interior takes advantage of full glass window walls that open the views of the lake from all the principle rooms.

Beautiful custom kitchen with rich wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances, granite counters, tiled backsplash. Great-room with stone fireplace and soaring vaulted ceilings. Intimate family room with fireplace and boxed bay window just steps away from a beautifully crafted wet-bar. First floor master bedroom suite. Bonus room over garage with adjacent office. The convenience of a two car attached garage. All in a one of a kind setting.

The property is located in a cul-de-sace neighborhood with very easy access to Interstate 93 and Boston which is just 35 miles to the south. One of the best waterfront values at $849,900

Its been an exiting year at Spruce Pond Estates in Windham NH. The current phase is shaping up nicely with many of the spec homes being enjoyed by new owners and other currently under agreement with buyers making their selections. Distinctive custom homes are being bulit on several lots with occupancy scheduled before the end of the year. A new road is being built which will connect this neighborhood to the Mitchell Pond neighborhood and provide easy access to the Windham recreational trail and the center of town. This will open a large selection of new lots for 2012.

There is only one spec home left that is up and ready for quick occupancy.  This home is a great value at just $514,900 and is being used as the model until it is sold. It offers an impressive open foyer. Formal living room. A great-room kitchen with beautiful custom details all opening to the family room with fireplace. Spacious master suite with spa bath. Gorgeous leaded window over the spa tub and in the kitchen. Handsome wainscoting in the dining room. The convenience of a two car attached garage and a walk-out basement with daylight windows! The home is set on a beautiful lot with a big deck overlooking the back yard.

Foundations are in for two new home styles. The rendering and plans shown above are  for a distinctive home that features a two story great-room. There is also and impressive two story foyer and with a landing overlooking the great room. There is a spacious master bedroom suite and the convenience of a two car attached garage. If you are looking for something different this may be the home for you!

As always there is an open house very Sunday from 12-3. You can meet with a sale professional who knows all about the area and can help you explore your opens at Spruce Pond Estates. You can also arrange a private showing by contacting us.

            Real estate consumers are realizing that there has rarely been a better time to buy a home. In fact, historically low mortgage rates coupled with lower home prices have even sparked bidding competition in markets around the country.

A good home in a solid location may attract ample attention only hours after being listed. Home buyers can make their offers stand out from the rest through one or more of the following strategies:

            Price. Obviously, price tends to be the primary consideration for sellers. When you’re competing for a home, to get an edge, think about adding a clause stating that you will beat the highest offer by “x” dollars up to “x” amount. Cash offers can be more attractive to sellers as well. Although sellers will receive their money at closing whether buyers pay with cash or take out a loan, cash offers don’t require lender approval.

Financing. It’s not enough to be pre-qualified. Pre-qualification only tells how much you can afford. Pre-approval goes a step further. Your lender will thoroughly evaluate your application—including verifying employment information and financial disposition—then clear you for a loan of a determined amount. Having your loan pre-approved gives you a sizeable advantage by putting you on equal footing with cash buyers.

Good Faith Deposit. Buyers offering a larger-than-customary amount of “earnest money,” a deposit that accompanies an offer, may get a seller’s attention. By committing more money up front, buyers demonstrate greater sincerity and motivation to close the transaction. Your real estate professional can guide you as to the appropriate sum for your specific transaction.

            Contingencies. Consider minimizing contingencies, those clauses that allow buyers to back out of a contract if certain conditions are not met. For example, it’s common for buyers to make the purchase contingent upon their securing satisfactory financing. Obviously, offers with the fewest conditions tend to be more attractive to sellers.

From a contingency standpoint, first-time buyers are often better prospects for a seller’s home than move-up buyers. That’s because first-time buyers’ offers are not contingent upon the sale of a present home. Even if a move-up buyer has an offer in hand, that buyer’s offer may be contingent on another contingency, and so on down the line. If one transaction derails, they all might.

            Relationship. Help the seller get to know and identify with you by looking for ways to connect. Find common interests, such as a shared appreciation of gardening. You can then persuade the seller that her prize roses will be well tended. Share brief family stories. The more the seller gets to know and like you, the better chance your offer will stand out in a competitive environment. 

            Considerations for Short-sale and Foreclosure Transactions – Bank-owned properties represent a significant portion of today’s housing inventory. Competition can be most keen for these homes as their prices can run 10% to 20% below current market value.

            Banks conduct extensive research to set these prices and generally base them on current market value less the cost of required repairs. Make your offer based on your own check of comparable sales and other due diligence. Banks won’t get offended by a low offer, yet a realistic offer will more likely keep you in the running.

            Remember, patience is essential when buying bank-owned property as the process can take up to six months and longer.  

      Work with your local Prudential Real Estate sales professional to buy your dream home or investment property. His or her knowledge, skill and expertise will help you make sound real estate decisions today or any other time.

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

When listing their home for sale, the only commission number sellers typically pay attention to is the “gross commission” charged by the listing agent. One broker may charge a little more, another a little less, and that gross commission number can become a huge factor in who a seller lists with.

 But there’s another number on the listing agreement that is equally, if not more, important — the “co-broke” commission (or portion of the gross commission) that the listing broker will offer to another cooperating broker who brings the eventual buyer. Some brokers do offer a 50/50 split but quite a few don’t, only offering a smaller fraction of the gross commission to a cooperating broker.

As a seller, should this matter to you? Absolutely. It is more likely that the buyer for your house will come through a cooperating broker, not your listing broker. In fact, of the 77 single family and condominium sales handled through the NNEREN Multiple Listing Service, during the first half of 2011 in Windham NH, 77% were sold by a brokerage other than the listing broker! (Note: that isn’t another agent in the same company, but an entirely different brokerage company altogether.) So it is important for you as a seller to know what competing sellers (listings) are offering for cobroke fees.

If a seller presses a listing agent on why they aren’t offering an equal commission split, they’re likely to get a laundry list of reasons such as they need to keep a bigger share of the commission because of the costly marketing and adverting they’re going to put behind your property. But unless they’re doing some special niche marketing on your property alone, say advertising a horse property in horse magazines, or an estate in many elite publications, that argument is very hollow.  At Prudential Dinsmore Associates, REALTORS we also invest in marketing and advertising to attract buyers yet we still offer a 50/50 co-broke fee because we feel it is in the best interest of the Seller to do so.

Frankly, given the data and the fact we are in a Buyer’s market, an adequate amount of your commission dollars should be targeted at motivating cooperating brokers to short list, show and sell your house. We would even go so far to venture that, particularly for higher priced properties, a strategy to generate interest among an appropriate group of cooperating agents can be more important than slick advertising. 

 The 50/50 split is not only a great marketing strategy in a buyer’s market it is also a fair way to compensate the sales professional who may be bringing the buyer into the transaction.  Most of all, it is fair to you as a Seller.

If you’re getting ready to sell your home please feel free to contact us so we can explain our 50/50 cobroke split plan and how it could benfit you along with all of our other effective market strategies. Contact us at prudinsmore@att.net

Have you been looking to move into Windham NH and felt priced out of the market? Things have changed dramatically in this southern New Hampshire town with affordable homes and condominiums being in large supply. There are 72 single family homes and condominiums on the market between $150,000 and $300,000 as of June 15th. Who wouldn’t want to move into this desirable town with its renowned schools, state of the art high school and a location near interstate 93 that can’t be beat! Here as a few of the homes in our inventory in the affordable price range in Windham. Just click on the photos for full details:

$299,900	$279,900	$279,900

$279,900  Sale Pending	55+ $184,900	$219,900

$259,900  Sale Pending	$245,900	$239,950

If you haven’t been to Spruce Pond Estates in Windham, New Hampshire why not take a tour this Sunday. There is an open house every Sunday from 12-4. In addition to the custom homes being built there are currently four homes under construction in various stages of completion. Most of these home can be availabe for a quick close so new construction may be an option for you.

This spacious colonial is set on a beautiful lot and has a wonderful attached familyroom. Big eat-in kitchen opens to the family room. Priced at $429,900 this home can be ready for a quick close. Time to choose finishing touches.

4 BEDROOMS | 2502 Sq. Ft.

2 CAR GARAGE.

.79 ACRE LOT

Spruce Pond. The popular Morrison model offers all of the features you’re looking for in a new home including a 3 car garage! If you’re looking for a level back yard this lot has it. Dramatic familyroom with cathedral ceilings, arched Palladian window and fireplace all privately set at the back of the home and opening to the kitchen. And speaking of kitchens, this home featurs a wonderful, spacious custom kitchen. You’ll also enjoy entertaining in the gracious formal diningroom. Luxurious master bedroom suite. Hardwood floors included in the price in the foyer, DR, Kit and stairs to 2nd fl. Generous allowances. Before you buy in Windham you need to see what you could be enjoying at Spruce Pond Estates. 4 BEDROOMS, 2,600 Sq. Ft. $469,900

The Hopkins model is a spacious 3,000 Sq. Ft home with a two car attached garage. This four bedroom home includes hardwoods in the foyer, kitchen and diningroom. The lot is level and will make a great yard. This home is framed and available for a expedited delivery. .87 acre lot.

4 Bedrooms.  $514,900

The fourth house that is up and framed the Lt. Reid model. This wonderful 3,420 Sq.Ft. home has a wonderful floor plan that includes a first floor study tucked off the foyer. This house has a big custom mitichen that opens to the familyroom. There is also a spacious master bedroom suite with spa bath. This home is priced at $569,900

Spruce Pond Estates is conveniently located in Windham New Hampshire just 35 miles north of Boston.

OPEN HOUSE DIRECTIONS: From Interstate 93 bear left onto Route 111. Take a right onto Route 28 north. for approximately 2 miles. Watch for Spruce Pond signs on the left. Follow signs…Northland Road.

Well if you’ve been wanting to own a home on or near Cobbett’s Pond in Windham New Hampshire, 2011 just may be your year! There is a lot of inventory currenty for sale. Year round waterfront homes on Cobbetts start at just $320,000 for a rustic year round home right on the water near the Narrows. Waterfront home prices run up over a million dollars.

Cobbett’s has the advantage of being very close to the greater Boston area so you avoid the hassle of driving two or more hours north on weekends to enjoy lakefront living. On Cobbett’s, you can enjoy the lake every day! Come home from work on a summer’s evening and kick back and relax as the sun sets over the lake.

Our office currently has four waterfront listings on Cobbetts Pond. Request a showing today.

This property is very unique in that it has 1.5 acres of land and 167 feet of water frontage. You rarely find this kind of privacy and long lake frontage on Cobbetts.  It is located on what is considered to be one of the best roads on the lake. A very nice contemporary home overlooks the “Big Pond.” There is also a two car garage. There are very impressive surrounding homes so you can invest with confidence in this location.  $769,900. Call Kristie Dinsmore at 603-548-7230 for more information.

This property is located at the end of a private road with a oversized lot at 148 feet of water frontage. The open contemporary home has very nice features and amenities. Cathedral ceilings, brick fireplace and hardwoods add to the appeal. Look out the windows and enjoy the sweeping panorama of the lake! Plus this home has an attached two car garage. $739,900 Call Brad Dinsmore at 603-898-9038 Ext 27.

This property is considered year round but is being sold as a building lot with appovals from the town of Windham to build and contemporary home with two car garage.  This poperty is located on a town road and has great veiws down the “Little Pond.” $339,900 Call Kristie Dinsmore at 603-548-7230

Distinctive contemporary on oversized, level lot on Cobbett’s Pond in Windham. Wonderful great room with cathedral ceilings and handsome granite fireplace. Big family room with second granite fireplace opens to the waterfront with sliders. Huge enclosed porch with skylights overlooking the lake. $599,900 Call Kristie Dinsmore 603-548-7230

If you want to see all the homes for sale on Cobbetts Pond in Windham NH just click here.

It a mixed picture for real estate sales in Windham and Southern New Hampshire in the first quarter of 2011. Rockingham County Sales which run from the I-93 corrider to the seacoast were pretty consistent between the first quarter of 2010 and the first quarter of 2011. In Rockingham County in 2011 there were 424 single family sales and 119 condominium sales. During the same quarter of 2010 there had been 436 single family sales and 131 condominium sales. So there was a slight drop from 2010 to 2011 but keep in mind that 2011 was one of the most brutal for snow and winter weather in many years.

In Windham there was also a drop in sales from 2010 to 2011. In Windham during the first quarter of 2011 there were 17 single family homes sold but only 2 condominiums sold. This compares to 2010 when there was 21 single family sales and 8 condominium sales. Again, winter weather may have affected sales in Windham but it seems to me that a greater issue in 2011 is the lack of salable inventory. Single family homes that are properly priced are selling quickly.  There are currently 39 single family homes pending in Windham.

So if you are thinking about selling your home, the market continues to be good for homes that are properly priced. If you’re a buyer, especially in Windham, you need to establish a relationship with a local real estate professional, who can make sure that you get into listings when they first hit the market.

This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the Multiple Listing Service of the Granite State South Board of REALTORS, Inc. Neither the board or its M.L.S. guarantees or is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the Board or its M.L.S. may not reflect all activity in the market. Sales of Windham Homes and Condominiums from 01-01-2010 to 3-31-2010 and 1/1/2011 – 3/31/2011

Mortgage Rates Drop and the 15 year is below 4% as reported by Amy Hoak with MarketWatch:  “The average rate on the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell this week to its lowest level since mid-January, as the crisis in Japan caused investors to buy U.S. Treasury bonds, Freddie Mac’s chief economist said Thursday.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.76% for the week ending March 17, down from 4.88% last week and 4.96% a year ago.Fifteen-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 3.97%, down from 4.15% last week and 4.33% a year ago. This week, the mortgage rate hit its lowest level since December.Meanwhile, 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages averaged 3.57% this week, down from 3.73% last week and 4.09% a year ago.

And 1-year Treasury-indexed ARMs averaged 3.17%, down from 3.21% last week and 4.12% a year ago.

To obtain the rates, the fixed-rate mortgages required payment of an average 0.7 point, while the ARMs required an average 0.6 point. A point is 1% of the mortgage amount, charged as prepaid interest.“With the crisis in Japan, investors rushed to buy the security of U.S. Treasury bonds, which lowered its yields and other interest rates as well. This allowed fixed mortgage rates to drift lower this week,” said Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist at Freddie Mac, in a news release.”

There are lots of exciting possibilities for building a new home in Spruce Pond Estates this spring. If you need a home right away, there is a home nearing completion that offers it all at the very affordable price of $579,900.

From the moment you walk into the front entrance hall with its gleaming hardwood floors, wainscoting, custom staircase and soaring space you will know this is the home you have been searching for in southern NH. The formal rooms feature hardwoods, crown moldings and handsome architectural details. The grancious formal diningroom features a sweeping bay window and distinctive wainscoting. One of the best features is the office or study that is privately tucked away of the front hall. The wow moment comes as you experience the spacious custom kitchen that opens into the family room. The family room is a dramatic, light filled space with cathedral ceilings and gas fireplace. The master bedroom suite offer a private retreat with with sitting area, luxurious spa bath and one of the biggest dressin area / walk-in closet that you’ve ever seen. Three more spacious bedrooms. Three car attached garage. All offering a tremendous new home value in Windham NH.

In addition, there are several foundations in the ground that will allow you to get the construction process moving right now!

Lot 842 Jacob Road: Everything is ready to start constuction on the 3,000 Sq.Ft. Hopkins model featuring a two car attached garage. $514,900

Lot 899 Jacob Road: The Lt. Reid model offers 3,420 Sq.Ft. with a two car attached garage. Construction can begin quickly and you can be in your new home this summer before the start of school.

If you don’t see what you’re looking for why not stop by the furnished model this Sunday from 12-4 P.M. to discuss your needs. There are many plans available including styles with first floor master bedroom suites and homes featuring in-law suites.

I-93 exist 3 in Windham NH. Left on 111. Left on 28 to Northland Road