Vendor Spotlight: Elizabeth Widmer of Market Street Settlement Group

You’ve found the perfect home, the terms have been agreed upon, the contract has been signed; you’ve chosen a lender and made application for your loan. What’s next? Now it’s time for the title request to go to the title and closing company. Most lenders will ask if you have a preference for a particular company. Market Street is approved by nearly all of the lenders you would be dealing with. Just as it was “your choice” of which real estate agent had the most to offer you and which lender offered the best financing, it can also be “your choice” as to which closing company can provide you with the best service. Market Street will work closely with you, your real estate agent and lender to insure that your closing is an efficient and pleasant experience.

What Happens Next?

What’s expected of the buyer on or before closing?

Homeowners’ Insurance

You will need to obtain a homeowner’s insurance policy for the property you are purchasing. Your lender requires this insurance. The agent of your choice needs to call Market Street with information regarding your new policy as quickly as possible. This information is essential for the title company to prepare the final closing figures.

Cashier’s Check

A cashier’s check is required for any final closing cost amounts over $500 and should be payable to Market Street Settlement Group, Inc.

Identification

At closing, you will be asked for a copy of your Driver’s License, or some other form of identification that includes your picture and signature.

Contractual Obligations

The sales contract should contain all agreements between the buyer and seller and must be signed. Both parties must initial any changes. Market Street will prepare and conduct your closing only according to the terms agreed upon in your contract. If you have any questions about any item in your contract, please discuss this with your real estate agent. If possible, it is always best to get any issues resolved before getting to the closing table.

Miscellaneous

If you or anyone that is a part of your transaction will not be available to attend the closing, you must notify your lender and Market Street at least 3 business days prior to closing. The absent person will be required to execute a “Specific Power of Attorney” to appoint someone to sign on his or her behalf to permit the closing to continue without that person being present. This procedure will also require the approval of your lender.  If you or anyone that is part of your transaction is in the process of bankruptcy, divorce or any other court proceedings, you must notify your lender and Market Street as soon as possible. These issues could take time to resolve and need to be handled prior to closing.

For more information or if you have any questions, you can contact me at ewidmer@mssg.com or visit us online at www.mssg.com

Just released is our January 2013 Market Report for Carroll County and it can be viewed here: January 2013 YTD stats. Residential sales are still looking good! Number of sales are up 19% (great!) but new listings are up 30% (not good), compared to this time last year. So it’s a slight buyer’s market, but still pretty balanced. The median sale price is up 2.5% and if you do the math you’ll see that the average sale price is slightly lower than this time last year: it was $184,500 at the end of January 2012 and is $182,268 now, a temporary correction, I hope.

The Condo market continued to see stabilization in January. New listings are the same compared to this time last year, and sold listings are up 10%, which means we are using up condo inventory! The median sale price is up 29% and if you look at the average sale price, it went from $106,930 at this time in 2012 to $134,000 now, which is great news. The lower priced condos have sold and now the higher end units are selling, resulting in a higher average price. In not so great condo news, the average days on market went way up compared to this time last year, from 121 in 2012, to 265 in 2013. Since we have consistently seen the days on market going down in the past few months, I think that it’s safe to say that the number could be from the sale of a few condos that had been on the market for a very long time, which might not paint the most accurate picture of the market as a whole.

Make sure your listing has what it takes to stand out from the rest of the inventory. Mortgage rates are still low, but predicted to rise significantly in the next few years and it is still a great time to buy. We’ve rounded the housing market corner and are in this great time where buyers aren’t as scared to make a move and mortgage rates haven’t bounced back from their all-time lows. This is still a price driven market, so be sure you’re positioned competitively. If you’d like an updated Market Analysis on your property, just ask, or fill out an online CMA.

Your Realtor,

Joy

Carrol County NH Real Estate Sales Report 2012

The 2013 real estate sales market is predicted to slightly improve compared to 2012, so it is more important than ever for buyers to stay abreast of local market conditions. Here is a quick review of the statistics for Carroll County NH*.

As you can see, the real estate market in our area is definitely improving, with less inventory, greater sales volume and average sale price, and fewer days on market. So how did JtRealty Lakefront to Mountainside do?

• Our list to sell price ratio is 2% higher than the rest of Carroll County, with an average of 95% compared to 93%. That means we get you an average of 2% more money!
• Our average Days on Market are 139, shorter than the rest of the Carroll County agencies with an average of 158, meaning we will sell your property an average of 19 days faster.
• In 2012 JtRealty sold one out of 3 sales over $1,000,000.
• JtRealty continues a strong hold on the Luxury Home market, participating in almost half of all sales over $570,000.

Rest assured that if you are working with a JtRealty Lakefront to Mountainside sales associate, you are working with the best.  Our agents are trained to give you the best advice, and make sure that we are doing everything possible to assure that you sell for the most favorable price and terms. Joy is a Lifetime Member of the Realtors Honor Society, and holds the CLHMS (Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist) designation which was awarded for her significant experience in the luxury home market, high-volume real estate sales, and rigorous educational requirements.

Our clients are most important to us, and we want to live up to your expectations. To further improve our services to you, we have committed to implementing a paperless office system by March 2013, by contracting with dotloop for their upgraded Dashboard program. Yes – you will be able to sign contracts on your iPad!

We’d love to hear from you. If you would like to discuss the market or real estate sales in general, please email Joy@JtRealty.com.

Just released is our YTD November 2012 Market Report for Carroll County and can be viewed here: November 2012 Stats. Residential sales are still looking really good! Sales are up just about 18% again this month which means we’re still using up the extensive inventory, as new listings are only up 1%. In fact, inventory is even getting a little low, which is good news since demand is high because of low mortgage rates, but now buyers don’t have as many options as they did a few months ago. The median sale price is down a little bit (1%) yet if you do the math you’ll see that the average sale price has gone way up since this time last year, $305,220 this year compared to $280,568 last year!

Finally, some HUGE news in the condo market, sold listings are up 25% compared to this time in 2011! And new listings are only up 3%, which means we are using up condo inventory too! Condo sales are still happening quicker this year  – 155 days on market compared to 174 last year at this time. Unfortunately the average sale went down again, by 22%. While that news isn’t so great, when you look at the same month last year, November 2011 only saw 12 Carroll County condo sales, but November 2012 DOUBLED that number and had 24 sales.

Make sure your listing has what it takes to stand out from the rest of the inventory. This is still a price driven market, so be sure you’re positioned competitively. If you’d like an updated Market Analysis on your property, just ask, or fill out the online CMA form.

Your Realtor,

Joy

Discover why Birch Hill might be one of the best neighborhoods in Mt. Washington Valley — Ryan the Realtor and Nicole share their thoughts and the 2012 year-to-date market activity below.

With an almost 50/50 split between full time residence and vacation homes, Birch Hill is likely to provide you with exactly what you are looking for. Home owners will find zero congestion and traffic between Birch Hill and the many ski mountains of Mt. Washington Valley or simply between you and the grocery store.

Download your FREE report here.

Want a list of current Birch Hill properties on the market in North Conway, New Hampshire? Simply send Ryan an e-mail and we’ll forward. Cheers!

The Valley is full of quaint villages, amazing authentic New England charm, ancient stone walls, covered bridges, and spectacular farms that make this one of the most interesting and beautiful areas to live.

Not only known for its beauty, the North Conway area takes great pride in its school system. If you are looking for the perfect place to raise a family, or relocate, check out the school statistics and lifestyle in The Mount Washington Valley.

When my daughters were little they attended The Waldorf school in Conway NH. I believe it has contributed greatly today in making them the outstanding young women they’ve grown into. Shannon is in her Junior year in college at UNH.  She has made the Dean’s list every semester and is working on a major in journalism. Erinn is attending UNH this year, majoring in Sciences.  Her goal to be a cardiovascular surgeon one day! They grew up in the heart of the Mount Washington Valley. Their Pre-school days filled with story time at The Conway Library, picnicing and hiking the trails of the National Forests. Then on to grade school at John Fuller with activities like skiing Cranmore every year in the Junior ski program, working with the local theater companies, volunteering for Angels and Elves, climbing, hiking, mountain biking, field hockey and the list goes on. Then on to Kennett High School where their accomplishments were endless, from theater to academics, both members of the National Honor Society! Their accomplishments during their school career are far too long to mention, however growing up in this valley has made them the fine young adults they are today. I am proud of them, and of our community and I feel there is no finer place to raise healthy well rounded children than in the Mount Washington Valley.

While doing your back to school shopping, be sure and look at the properties for sale. Make an appointment with a realtor at JtRealty Lakefront to Mountainside and see what is out there. Whether you’re looking to relocate or vacation there is no place like our valley!

Holly Reville

The Hurtful Costs of Impulsive Investing

Before I was a licensed Realtor I had read a half dozen books on the practice of real estate investing. With great zeal and self-disciplined study I collected dozens of templates, forms, and cash flow statements in preparation for my first purchase, renovation, and eventual flip. I could almost taste the money I was about to make! Maybe I’d even buy my wife a fancy vehicle!

I attended several real estate auctions, usually in the heart of winter, and stood shivering with my $15,000 bank check in hand and praying no other investors would arrive at the scene…full story click here.

Personal Questions and Answers from Ryan the Realtor

 I am not talking about your bootie, but rather examining the quality of one’s life by the junk in the back of your vehicle that allows you to get outside and do your groove thing. While Ryan the Realtor at 35 years of age still asks big questions of himself, “What is the meaning of life grasshopper? Am I living to my full potential? Am I the type of man my children can admire?”

When dark days of contemplation fall I am reminded of the junk in my trunk, literally. Let me paint a scenario from Thursday of this week about the Man-Van and amazing life in Mt. Washington Valley:

The dog and I stretched our legs at early sun-up, my wife and beautiful babes slumber in the midst of morning dreams. I survey the skies of questionable weather after rain drummed the tin roof all night and filled the rusty wheelbarrow in the yard. My animal responses awake.

“If the rain cometh in dark skies after my day in the office, and my son’s Little League game is postponed relieving me of coaching duties, I will have a window of time to dance upon the rising and angry waters in my kayak, king of the waves who will surf to freedom until the sun shall bow for the evening. I must act now, for he who hesitates is lost. To the Man-Van I say!”

(My Trunk: Maya’s kite, football aka pigskin, Eli’s baseball bat, bag of gloves and batting practice balls, paddling bag with cold water gear, helmet, PFD, bag of running gear to get in my Dean Karnazes two miles per day).

While the rain did not cancel my son’s baseball game, I was prepared and will remain forever vigilant to leap at waves, climb tall mountains, drop a line for the Lake Trout of the season — breathe deeply and selfishly at my treasured surroundings.  In Mt. Washington Valley adventure awaits and can provide the penitent with all the riches one can dream.

Call Ryan today for real estate or outdoor guidance (207) 462-3874.

Specializing in lakeside and mountainside homes for sale not only as a career but also a lifestyle. A former raft guide and mountain climber, Mt. Washington Valley has provided a brilliant setting to work, play, and raise a family since 2000. This New Hampshire land provides quiet pockets of wilderness while Conway, North Conway, Bartlett, and Jackson real estate provide comfort as well as convenience. Healthy retirement in New Hampshire is too important for casual approaches — contact  Ryan@JtRealty.com

If you have visited the ski mountains here in the valley, you know how great and affordable they can be. Attitash Mountain and Cranmore Mountain are two awesome mountains with loads to do besides just skiing. If you haven’t been here before, check out this great article on TripAdvisor, it shows North Conway as the most affordable ski destination in the Northeast! It also shows New England as the most pocket friendly region in the US. Even more proof that the Mount Washington Valley has it all, at a price you can afford. The article can be viewed here.

For questions regarding Attitash Mountain Real Estate, Cranmore Real Estate, or anything else regarding skiing or vacation homes, contact one of our agents today!

Happy New Year! With 2012 right around the corner (just a few hours away)! I thought it time to think about some of the best ways to engage with the real estate market this coming year.  I came up with 8 great ideas to inspire you to action!

Buy your first home

If you are ready to buy your first home now is the time.  I would even go so far as to say that if you are ready stop reading this article right now and start searching or contact us.  Great prices and record low interest rates combine to make this the very best time to get started on home ownership.  The Buyers section of our website has some great resources.  And searching on JtRealty.com is simple and easy.  Don’t forget to register so you can save your searches and receive the notifications you choose with no obligation.

Become a real estate agent

For the go-getter, there is always money to be made in real estate!  Start now building your contacts and be in position to capitalize on any market changes. For more information on how to start your real estate career head over to the Careers section of JtRealty.com.

Take advantage of a 1031 Tax-deferred exchange

If you have been maintaining your rental property for some time now you may be losing margin.  Put the tax advantages of a 1031 exchange to work for you to acquire a more valuable rental property. Interested?  Check out these NH multifamily units for sale right now.  If you want to learn more about the advantages of a 1031 exchange you can connect with one of our preferred 1031 exchange vendors.

Buy your first investment property

So the 1031 exchange doesn’t apply to you because you don’t own a rental property? Make 2012 the year to change that.  With great prices and a selection of available income properties you can get started letting someone else pay for your investment!

Buy that lakefront property you have always dreamed of

Living in a lakefront home is a goal for many.  Start early and you could be enjoying the lake by summer, just dive in!  Or if you prefer rivers you might try a riverfront property.  With much to choose from you are sure to satisfy that dream.

Buy a ski condo

We just added four Attitash Mountain condos to our best buy page!  There are so many good deals on ski condos right now you have an amazing selection.  Make this the year you can simply ski home at the end of the day! On top of the great real estate available at the local ski areas Trip Advisor just ranked the North Conway as the most affordable ski destination in the Northeast and second in the US overall! Search for Attitash Condos or Mount Cranmore condos right here.

Trade up

With so many properties on the market right now, many people feel it is the wrong time to sell their home.  This may not be true at all.  While many properties are available, the right property at the right price will always move quickly.  If you have been in your home for a few years you may be able to take advantage of all that is available on the market right now.  At the very least it can’t hurt to look! Start your search today.

Renovate

This is the approach I often take.  Renovations add not only financial value to your home, they also add enjoyment value.  No matter how long you have been in your home, there is always something on the wish list.  In my house right now the wish is new countertops.  Whatever your wish, if you put a plan together now, you can start sooner.  Winter is a great time for many renovations as contractors can be less busy, giving you more attention and possibly a better price.  If you are the handy sort then break out the tools while the weather is cold. You can check our preferred contractors for a start on your project or look into other JtRealty preferred vendors under the About Us section above.