Despres Real Estate Blog

What can we do for you?

What your plans and goals for the sale of your home? waterfront_property_monadnock_region_nh

Buying another? Hitting the road?

You tell us what you need and we’ll help you get there. If you’re getting in the RV and hitting the road, we’ll work to get closed on time and make sure you have your money in hand when you need it.  If you’re buying another house, we’ll help you find it and work with the closing and title companies to get you through both closings. We can also recommend area lenders to finance your new home.

Are you looking to sell quickly or are you able to wait a bit for that perfect offer?  Pricing your home correctly makes all the difference in how much interest it generates and ultimately how quickly it sells. If you’re looking for a higher price point and can wait for that perfect buyer, they’re out there.  But if you want to sell quickly then pricing your house at the lower end of the range will help immensely.  We have the experience and knowledge to know where to price your house so it doesn’t have to face repeated price drops to sell.

Do you know how your house compares to others in the area? We can perform a no charge Market Analysis, comparing your home to other similar homes in the area that have recently sold.  Using that and other property information, we can suggest a price that we feel will sell your home in the time frame you want.  Once you have set a price, we get your home marketed: online and in print.

Should you paint or remodel the whole kitchen?  We can help you decide which improvements or projects will get you the most return on your dollar.  We know what buyers in this area are looking for.  For some hints on getting ready to sell, see our blog: Spring is coming and buyers are looking! 

So, it really is all about the money.  And we’re here to help you.  Whether it’s pricing your home, negotiating the best Purchase & Sale agreement, finding financing, or getting the house ready to sell, we have the experience and knowledge of the market to make your plans and goals happen.

Waterfront Property in the Monadnock Region

waterfront property monadnock region new hampshireWater, water everywhere in the Monadnock region to satisfy those who like to swim as well as those who like to fish or go boating.

When we moved to Jaffrey 37 years ago, what a surprise it was to find that there were two town beaches that the Town Recreation Department manned in the summertime, including lifeguards on duty and swimming lessons. At Lake Contoocook, Jaffrey closes the road in the summer and expands the beach area. When school is back in session, they re-open the road so people can drive by and enjoy the view.

Thorndike Pond provides the second Jaffrey town beach complete with picnic area. The Thorndike Pond Town Beach is directly across from one of the Monadnock State Park’s entrances, where lots of people begin their ascent of Mount Monadnock.

Gilmore Pond is pristine water with limited development around the shore. There is also public access right off Gilmore Pond Road. There are no motorized boats on Gilmore Pond, but kayaking and canoeing are favorite pastimes for those who like to be out on the water.

In neighboring Rindge, there is Pool Pond, Pearly Pond and Lake Monomonac, which is the largest body of water in the area. In neighboring Fitzwilliam, Laurel Lake is a wonderful cold water lake that provides great fishing, swimming and boating.

In the Cathedral Estates neighborhood of Rindge all have beach rights to Emerson Pond, which is a man-made body of water. From the shores of Emerson Pond, you can hear the bells chime from the Cathedral of the Pines.

Dublin Lake in Dublin, New Hampshire is beautiful. Folks from the Boston area would summer at Dublin Lake in years gone by, and there are some very large homes existing today that are part of that era.

I would say that Lake Nubanusit is the most coveted body of water in the Monadnock region. So little development of the shoreline gives the properties there a much higher value.

If you are interested in fun in the sun in summer and skating, snowmobiling and ice fishing in the winter, come to the Monadnock region.  There are waterfront homes available and homes with beach rights, but regardless of where you settle, a lake or pond will be accessible to you.

Let Despres and Associates help you find your first home, second home, waterfront home or mobile home.

Skiing and Snow Boarding in the Monadnock Region

Whether you’re a newbe, a shredder or a ripper; prefer alpine or nordic – there’s plenty of snow within and hour and a half of Jaffrey.

Just ½ an hour north, Crotched Mountain Ski Area in Bennington has 100% Terrain Night Lighting and one of Southern New Hampshire’s highest peaks at 2,066 ft. with a High Speed Detachable Quad Chairlift, The Rocket. Crotched has the most vertical in Southern New Hampshire with 1000 ft. and approximately 100, skiable acres including 3 terrain parks.snowboard photo for website

45 minutes to the northeast is Pat’s Peak in Henniker offering a variety of terrain for all abilities, plus terrain parks, a snow tubing park, and 100% snowmaking coverage. Longest top-to-bottom beginner run in New Hampshire, open for day and night skiing. It’s one of the state’s most accessible learn-to-ski and snowboard mountains, with three separate beginner areas. They have two new trails and one new glade, part of the Cascade Basin expansion with additional snowmaking guns; new rental equipment and new LED lighting in the base area.

45 minutes to the west is Granite Gorge Ski Area in Keene and Roxbury, NH, Granite Gorge has downhill skiing, weekly recreational races, snowboarding and terrain park, x-country skiing – 12K groomed trails for both skating and classical skiing, 4-laned snow tubing park with linking and snowshoeing.

The Monadnock Region’s mountains are all very Family Friendly – with something for everyone. From the least confident learner to the most independent teens to the most experienced adult; you’ll find magic carpets, terrain parks and trails to keep everyone entertained.

Monadnock’s ski mountains have made great investments in their snow making equipment and maintain fantastic coverage well into the spring making for an extended season you can enjoy all week long.

If you want to ski cross country you can go to the Inn at East Hill Farm in Troy, or Road’s End Farm and Ski Touring Center in Chesterfield, or to Windblown Cross Country Ski Area in New Ipswich, Or just down the road to the Woodbound Inn in Rindge. Enjoy the beautiful vistas of Mount Monadnock made famous by artists like William Preston Phelps, Abbott Thayer and Rockwell Kent.

Vermont has Mount Snow (1.5 hours), Stratton Mountain (1 hour 40 minutes), Magic Mountain (1.5 hours), or Okemo Mountain (1.5 hours). In Massachusetts, you can ski Wachusett Ski Area in 40 minutes or Nashoba Valley Ski Area in an hour.

If you’re looking for New England’s biggest mountains, the ski slopes of New Hampshire’s White Mountains and Vermont’s Killington Ski Area are each about 3 hours away.

So much fun to be had! The Monadnock Region is the perfect place to start!
For more information:

Crotched Mountain Ski Area: 615 Francestown Rd, Bennington, NH 03442 (603) 588-3668. http://www.crotchedmountain.com

Granite Gorge Ski Area: Keene, NH 03431. (603) 358-5000. Granite Gorge is located Web Site: www.granitegorge.com

Pats Peak Flanders Road: Route 114 Henniker, NH 03242 Phone: 603.428.3245 Snow phone: 888.PATS.PEAK – See more at: www.patspeak.com.

Inn at East Hill Farm: 460 Monadnock Street, Troy, NH 03465. (603) 242-6495.

Road’s End Farm and Ski Touring Center: Jackson Hill Road, Chesterfield, NH 03443. (603) 363-4703.

Windblown Cross country Ski Area: Rt 124, 1180 Turnpike Road, New Ipswich, NH 03071. (603) 878-2869.

Woodbound Inn: 247 Woodbound Road, Rindge, NH 03461. (603) 532-8341.

For information on Mount Monadnock:

http://www.monadnockmountain.com

Selling Real Estate With Pets

Hunter1Pets are wonderful, and an integral part of the family when they are planning to sell or buy a home.  From a REALTOR’s perspective, the loyal family dog can turn into a tiger at the prospect of strangers entering a home which they have been left in charge of.

I have seen even golden retrievers, known for their great dispositions, feel threatened by my presence when showing a house and react accordingly. Continue reading

Location and Logistics in Real Estate

55RedGateRindgeOne of the most difficult tasks in real estate is working out the logistics of selling a house and buying a house at the same time.

Whenever a prospective buyer calls for information on a property, we always ascertain if they are ready, willing and able to purchase, or if they have the encumbrance of a home to sell before one can be purchased. Continue reading

Using a Property Management Company

PageSlider_ProperyManagement_RENTblocksOwners of property choose a property management company for a variety of reasons. Often times it is because they will be absent from the property for a period of time, or simply that they live out of state and are unable to oversee their investment property.  For others, retirement allows them to travel and having their properties professionally managed allows them to tour, cruise and explore without worry.

Some owners request a rental service only to lessen the possibility of getting an irresponsible tenant. In this case, the owner collects the rent and maintains the property himself once the tenant is identified and the paperwork complete.

Being professionally managed means that the Management Company is on duty 24/7 to satisfy tenant concerns or emergency repairs.

Rents are collected on a monthly basis and an Income Statement of monies collected and expenses paid is provided to the owner.  Checks are sent directly to the owner, or deposited into a designated account.

Despres and Associates has been providing Property Management and Rental Services in the Monadnock Region for over 25 years.  Call us to manage your property.

 

What To Look For When Buying Bank Owned Properties

MortgageWhen looking to purchase a bank owned property, there are several things that need to be taken into consideration depending on whether you are able to pay cash or are planning to mortgage.

If you are mortgaging, no offer on a bank-owned property will be accepted without a pre-qualification letter from the bank.  If you are paying cash for

Continue reading

Tips for First Time Home Buyers

first time home buyers outside their new homeBuying your first home is a little bit like learning to use a computer. Although I consider myself to be less computer literate than my 8 and 10 year old granddaughters, writing a blog does make me feel like I am at least in the right century. If someone were to ask me what is the most important step that one should take if they are serious about  home ownership, I would say that you need good credit.

It would be nice to have some savings, but oftentimes loan programs are available that require very little money down, however, you have to have good credit to qualify.  This means pay your rent on time and keep receipts if you pay in cash. You may need to provide a lender with copies of the checks that you wrote for rent, but these can be obtained from the bank that maintains your checking account.To build good credit, make loan payments in a timely way with no late payments. Also, pay more than the minimum required on your credit card accounts.

Take care that your spending is well within your means so a lender can see that you earn enough household income to cover your debt and still be able to afford a mortgage payment that includes taxes and insurance.

Most sellers require at least $1,000.00 as a good faith deposit on a home, and you should be prepared for the costs of a building inspection, septic inspection, water and radon testing as needed.

When you are ready, call us at Despres and Associates, Inc. at (603) 532-8742 and we will refer you to an appropriate lender who will provide you with a pre-qualification letter and give you some guidelines about what would be affordable to you.  The rest is fun and games!!

 

Tips on Shopping for Rental Property and Apartments

lease agreement - tips on shopping for rental propertyLooking for a rental? Keep in mind that when calling a landlord you may be talking to the owner of a property management company. The company has an obligation to the client (the owner of the rental property), to provide a tenant who will be responsible to pay rent in a timely way and to someone who will care for the property as if it were their own.

Most property management companies have an application process that will include a credit check and calling previous rental references and/or other references provided on the application. In addition to good credit, a property management company will want to know that you have a steady income and that you have job security. Your household income must be sufficient enough to provide a level of confidence that the rent will be paid each month.

Finding an apartment to rent with pets is always difficult.  It is just not possible to have them in multifamily buildings, but occasionally we do have owners who will allow a dog or cat in the individual houses that we have for rent.

If you are renting for the first time, know that this is your opportunity to build a reputation as a good tenant. Pay the rent and take good care of the property. Be considerate of your neighbors when playing music or the television. When it is time to vacate, provide the appropriate 30-day notice and leave the unit clean with all items removed and no trash left behind.

Security deposits need to be returned no later than 30 days after vacating. Disbursement can be held up if there is damage to the apartment and the landlord is waiting for final bills for any necessary repairs (another good reason to leave the unit in good condition). Be sure the Management Company has your forwarding address when you return the keys.

Top 5 Mistakes Home Buyers Make

senior_couple_sitting_outside_house_with_for_sale_sign2

Some home buyers fall for common pitfalls when purchasing a home. How can you help make sure you don’t fall for one?

Credit.com recently featured some of the biggest mistakes home buyers often make. Their list included:

1. Trying to fix credit scores before buying a home.

Home buyers may do more harm than good if they don’t consult a financial expert first. “Even paying down credit card balances, which is a good thing as Continue reading