Zombie Apocalypse Laser Tag

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Did you know that Pelham NH has a zombie problem?  

Zombie Patrol Central

Zombie Patrol Headquarters

The Pelham Rec Department did, and started the Pelham Zombie Patrol (PZP).  Tour through Veterans Memorial Park, starting with a hayride. Enter the deep dark woods, travel out of the “safe zone” to combat the zombies with laser guns. Quite the adventure!

The Pelham Python Robotics Team are offering goodies for sale: from chili, tacos, kielbasa, sweets, and more. Offerings change nightly!

pumpkin fire log pelhamEvent runs: Friday and Saturday nights from 7pm-10pm until Halloween NIght!

Here’s the Pelham Rec Department site: http://www.pelhamweb.com/pelham-parks-and-recreation/urgent-alerts/are-you-aware-of-the-pelham-zombie-problem

Well done Pelham Recreational Department and all the high school student zombies!!

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Short Sale Hardships in NH

Call or Email Me with Questions

If you think your home is underwater one of the first questions that may come to your mind: “Is my house eligible for a short-sale?” One of the most important components in determining if you are eligible for a short sale is the hardship letter.

Hardship is defined as an adversity.  Something, difficult or unpleasant, that you must endure or overcome. www.yourdictionary.com

If you’ve already done some research you may have heard of the typical hardships like job loss, divorce, or illness, but sometimes other types of hardships can be approved. You also need to show a financial hardship…you need to be in a position that you cannot pay the deficiency. Every situation is different, every bank is different, and every transaction is different. So there are no guarantees, but the letter of hardship is extremely vital to the success of a short-sale.

One example of a not-so-typical hardship:

I was helping a couple who lived an hour from their kids school (divorce situation-the kids remained in the same school system).  The bank approved this short-sale.

 

Next, we need to determine the current market value of the property. You need to sit down with a real estate agent who is familiar and EXPERIENCED in short-sales. There are obstacles that need to be explained to you, so you can be prepared.

Reconcile

Reconcile

Once we determine your property is indeed underwater. I work with experienced short sale attorneys and negotiators, and this program is of no cost to you.

Call me today to talk; I will answer all of your questions.

I will help you sell your home so you can have fresh start.

 

An excellent explanation of short-sales can be found on Realtor.com: http://www.realtor.com/blogs/2011/08/15/demystifying-the-short-sale-process/

If you’d like to know when I post another article on this topic “like” my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/TopNHhomes

Just my thoughts.  -Jenn

NOTICE: I am not associated with the government or a lender. Keep in mind your lender may not agree to a short-sale. If you stop paying your mortgage, you could lose your home and damage your credit rating. Short-sales in Nashua, Hudson, Merrimack, Amherst, Pelham, and Windham.

-Just my thoughts. -Jenn

 

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Negative Environmental Influences in Real Estate

We’ve all heard the saying that when buying real estate it’s about location-location-location.  Houses in some towns have higher predominant values than others, the same with some neighborhoods, but what I’m talking about is more specific: negative environmental influences.

An appraiser looks at surrounding lots to determine the uses and influences that would affect the subject property.  It could be a positive influence like conservation land or a park.  In many cases there can be negative influences such as commercial or industrial businesses, high-tension power lines, or even contaminated or Superfund sites.

What is a Superfund site?  It’s a site where toxic waste has  been dumped and the Environmental Protection Agency has designated the site to be cleaned up.  Typically the area has restricted access and is fenced in.

A more detailed explanation on the differences between a Superfund site and a Brownfield site can be found on this post: www.jennifercote.info/superfund-or-brownfield/

The typical buyer wouldn’t know how to begin a search on site influences other than what they see driving by.  Would your typical real estate agent know this information?  If they know, they should be disclosing it to you, but they don’t always know.   The appraiser would be reporting site influences in the appraisal report…you need to read that report thoroughly.  Unfortunately, by the time you get a copy of the appraisal you will be near your closing date, or worse, you find out after you move in!  In many cases these sites have been cleaned up, but it could affect the marketability long-term.

Whether it be buying a house, stocks, or even a Doctor’s diagnosis, you need to be your own advocate.  Do your own due-diligence.  Research, research, research…takes time and practice but the more you do it the better you get.  I happen to do it for a living, and my endless curiosity pushes me to take extra steps in researching a property…be it for an appraisal or a client.

The reason for this post is because I did an appraisal on such a property in Nashua, NH.   The state owns the property behind this lot, the tax records do NOT indicate it’s a Superfund site, but town has the owner as the State of NH, Dept of Environmental Services.  Hmmm, so I went on the EPA site and found out it indeed is a contaminated brownfield.

contaminated site in Nashua NH

A well labeled site in the picture to the left is very obvious.  The Mohawk Tannery Site is located in a neighborhood close to downtown Nashua and adjacent to the Nashua river. 

The EPA defines a brownfield site as: “the redevelopment or reuse which may be complicated by the presence, or potential presence, of a hazardous substance…”

 

Check it out to see what’s near you. EPA website: http://www.epa.gov/swerosps/bf/index.html

Just my thoughts.  Jennifer Cote- Everything Real Estate

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1 Storybrook Ln in Amherst, NH For Sale Real Estate

1 Storybrook Ln, Amherst, NH

Four-bedroom, 2.5 baths, backing up to open space in Jasper Valley.  Tons of wood floors! Step-down family room with beamed ceiling and beautiful brick fireplace with built-ins. Tons of crown molding (even bedrooms), new quartz counters in kitchen.

Serene wooded backdrop in rear with pergola covered in Wisteria over deck and large brick patio overlooking granite boulders and wooded open space.

This home has character, just needs your imagination and elbow grease to make a masterpiece.

If you’d like to know when I post another article on this topic “like” my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/TopNHhomes

 

Just my thoughts.  –Jenn

Contact Me At: 603-821-8285 or Jenn@TopNHhomes.com

www.TopNHhomes.com

www.JACoteAppraisals.com

RE/MAX Properties – 169 Daniel Webster Hwy Nashua, NH 821-8285

J.A.Cote Appraisals, LLC – 142 Lowell Rd Hudson, NH

Homes for sale in Nashua, Hudson, Merrimack, Amherst, property in Pelham, and Windham.

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CHANGE: HAS A PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT ON THE MIND

-TO THE FEARFUL IT IS THREATENING: THINGS MAY GET WORSE.

-TO THE HOPEFUL IT IS ENCOURAGING: THINGS MAY GET BETTER.

-TO THE CONFIDENT IT IS INSPIRING: THE CHALLENGE EXISTS TO MAKE THINGS BETTER.

King Whitney Jr.

 Live outside your comfort zone…it’s a confidence builder for me.

Changing Leaves

The Changing Leaves in Hollis NH

 

Just my thoughts.  –Jenn
 

If you’d like to know when I post another article  “like” my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/TopNHhomes

Contact Me At: 603-821-8285 or Jenn@TopNHhomes.com

www.TopNHhomes.com
www.JACoteAppraisals.com

RE/MAX Properties – 169 Daniel Webster Hwy Nashua, NH 821-8285

J.A.Cote Appraisals, LLC – 142 Lowell Rd Hudson, NH

040713_1653_NashuasPast2.jpg

 Real Estate in Nashua, Hudson, Merrimack, Amherst, Pelham, and Windham.

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Finding Properties That Can Use Government Assistance Programs

There’s a wonderful new web tool called “Down Payment Resource” that is integrated into New Hampshire’s MLS system.  It helps determine if a buyer is eligible, and if a property is eligible, to use government-funded programs for down payDownPaymentResourceNashuament assistance, affordable fixed-rate mortgages, mortgage credit certificates, and rehab loans.

This tool was voted most Innovative New Techonology in 2011 by Inman News.  Click on the image and it will direct you to the site.

“Opening New Doors to Home Ownership”

Just my thoughts!

 

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Government Sponsored Program Helps Families Buy a Home.

The government has a sponsored program that can assist lower-income households purchase a home with a low or even no down payment.  One of my favorites is the Rural Development Loan program

Rural Development Loans are available in these New Hampshire communities: Amherst, Bedford, Brookline, Hollis, Lyndeborough, Mason, Mont Vernon, New Boston, and Wilton.  For a full list of New Hampshire towns, and income requirements, read the FACT SHEET.

The ineligible area list for NH is far smaller: Concord, Derry, Hudson, Keene, Nashua, Londonderry, Manchester, Merrimack, Portsmouth, Rochester, Salem, parts of Goffstown and Hooksett.

Not all lenders can do Rural Development loans.  Contact me for more information.


More information:

Federal Site: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/

Local NH/VT office: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/vt/

State by State: http://www.topnhhomes.com/FinanceAgencies

-Just my thoughts.

Jenn

www.TopNHhomes.com
www.JACoteAppraisals.com

*Information is from the rural development government websites listed above.  I am not a mortgage professional.  This is for informational purposes only and you should do your own due-diligence.  Contact me and I can guide you to the appropriate resources.

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Top Towns In A Declining Market

Something I noticed in the recent real estate debacle was that more “desirable” areas fared better overall. They were the last to start declining and they were the first market areas to stabilize. This may not be news to everybody but I thought it was rather interesting to point out.

-Just my thoughts.

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“HUD TAKES ACTION TO SPEED RESALE OF FORECLOSED PROPERTIES TO NEW OWNERS”

This is great news for investors!  FHA is temporarily removing the restriction for investors.  FHA didn’t allow a new buyer to purchase a home that has been owned less than 3 months by the seller (typically an investor-aka flipper).  The regulation was for curtailing flipping the property.

This change is a smart move for FHA/HUD because many of the homes being purchased by investors are in pretty poor condition and a typical buyer wouldn’t want to, or just couldn’t, purchase the home.  This allows investors to purchase the property, do the necessary improvements, which will usually help the new buyer get a conventional loan on the property.  Many, and I do mean many of these foreclosed properties don’t quality for conventional lending because they are, well, basically a mess!

Doing a quick search for “Flippers” brought up some very negative comments.  They are often looked at as the bad guy, and that is just inaccurate.  There is good and bad in every aspect of life, profession, business…you get the point.  Flippers are ultimately just investors.  Just like any other opportunity they are looking for a profit…is that bad?  They are assuming the risk.  A property might look like it just needs a couple cans of paint and new baths, but underneath all that could be a dragon rearing it’s ugly head.  The investor will do their due-diligence, but things are often missed, and herein lies the risk.

Moving foreclosures off the market is great.  In this market investors will typically price these properties low for a quicker sale and this helps your first-time home-buyer get a house that’s fixed up and a pretty good deal.  Southern New Hampshire has seen it’s fair share of foreclosures, but it has not been the dominant market.  Arms-length transactions have been the norm.

Just my thoughts…

www.TopNHhomes.com

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Sorry…delay in posting due to busy real estate market.

Once a week is turning into once a month…yikes!

Well I now have my real estate license.   I will be working with Brin Realty Group in Amherst, NH in addition to appraising. Previous clients of mine who do rehab projects wanted my help in listing their properties.  Another adventure for me!

The market has been nuts as most are aware (those who are not aware don’t pay attention and don’t read blogs either).  I, like most others, am waiting for the election to see how the housing market will fare.  Everything is too uncertain now.  The bailout, the economy, the election…man what an exciting year!

Post Soon,

Jenn

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