Well, today is day four for many people in New Hampshire with NO power. My heart goes out to them all!
Thursday's storm really tore things up! I lost power myself Thursday night. I was lucky to get it back on in about 16 hours. I spent most of Friday on the road and couldn't believe my eyes! Huge trees up rooted, flooding, lines down every where.... and the debris! Branches and pine needles covering everything. It's going to be a heck of a clean up this Spring! I hope to have pictures up soon. ....if time allows.
Spring! It's March people! Oh, how I LOVE Spring! It's hard to envision myself in my gardens anytime soon with the two feet of snow still covering my yard, but I'm pretending! I started with Spring Cleaning.... which quickly turned to Spring Redecorating! The walls in my house are currently painted with large swipes of color samples. I love the samples. You get to spend a day or two with the colors, and compare them in different light before committing. I have my work cut for me today though! Tomorrow is my birthday.... which means I have to get all this painting done TODAY! I will not be a happy girl with the house in shambles. What have I gotten myself into? My poor family. Good luck dear family.
I better get busy! I have someone to prove wrong ;)
I CAN get this all done today and work too! I CAN!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Get Ready Sellers!
It’s time to start thinking SPRING!
Yes, even though here in New Hampshire we received a new coat of fresh snow just yesterday. Home owners considering selling this year need to get on the ball. The Spring market is the most active time for new listings. Competition will be abundant so there is NO room for error. Getting that house ready to sell is priority number one.
The most important place to start is CLEANING! I know you’ve heard it before. That’s because it’s true. Clean everything. Throw away, give away, donate! Box it up and store it if you have to. Just get that house sparkling clean and clutter free. Remove the wall of photos. Wash windows and walls, carpets and floors.
Once you have that place sparkling consider some minor upgrades. Just a few changes here and there can really change the appearance of the home.
So what has the greatest effect?
• Replace light fixtures- You can give a room a whole new feel with a simple, low cost replacement
• Organize Kitchen Cabinets- Buyers WILL open doors. Using organizers will help cabinets look roomy
• Replace those knobs- Changing the knobs on kitchen and bath cabinets will give them a fresh look
• Clean or replace grout
• Add a backsplash- Tile or tin are both excellent options
• Add glass shower doors
• Paint- Just be sure to chose mellow, neutral colors
These are just a few of the many things you can do to improve your homes salability.
For more information visit my website http://www.ballouhomes.com/
You will find an abundance of information pertaining to selling your home.
Or call me for a Home Evaluation! 603.502.0154
Check the Market in your area- CLICK HERE!
Yes, even though here in New Hampshire we received a new coat of fresh snow just yesterday. Home owners considering selling this year need to get on the ball. The Spring market is the most active time for new listings. Competition will be abundant so there is NO room for error. Getting that house ready to sell is priority number one.
The most important place to start is CLEANING! I know you’ve heard it before. That’s because it’s true. Clean everything. Throw away, give away, donate! Box it up and store it if you have to. Just get that house sparkling clean and clutter free. Remove the wall of photos. Wash windows and walls, carpets and floors.
Once you have that place sparkling consider some minor upgrades. Just a few changes here and there can really change the appearance of the home.
So what has the greatest effect?
• Replace light fixtures- You can give a room a whole new feel with a simple, low cost replacement
• Organize Kitchen Cabinets- Buyers WILL open doors. Using organizers will help cabinets look roomy
• Replace those knobs- Changing the knobs on kitchen and bath cabinets will give them a fresh look
• Clean or replace grout
• Add a backsplash- Tile or tin are both excellent options
• Add glass shower doors
• Paint- Just be sure to chose mellow, neutral colors
These are just a few of the many things you can do to improve your homes salability.
For more information visit my website http://www.ballouhomes.com/
You will find an abundance of information pertaining to selling your home.
Or call me for a Home Evaluation! 603.502.0154
Check the Market in your area- CLICK HERE!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Open House Saturday- Boxwood Lane, Dover
Open House
Lot 4 Boxwood Lane, Dover, NH
Saturday 01/23/10 from 11-1
MLS#2797175
Come view the exceptional craftsmanship and design of one of Dover's top builders.
Homes starting at $399,900 in sought after Haven Farm Development.
Looking for something larger and more elaborate? We have those as well.
But time is running out! Only a few lots left.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Monotony, Loss, Gain, BUYERS....
My Mangrove Street listing came off the market this week. The baby is due soon and being settled is important. Look for it again in six months, maybe a year. Such a cute house.
I showed it to a couple a month or so ago. They had just started their search. They too have a baby due. This job still amazes me all the time. It's funny how things happen. And I'm truley amazed at the people I meet. These guys are just so cute and so sweet. I don't know how many agents they met before me, but we have been working together since. We went to just four other houses. Three days of showings. And what do you know! We found the house for them. It's now under agreement! In just 3 days! I have to stress the power of the internet, a good agent and an active, well prepared buyer! There really is no need for a hundred showings. Months of frustration. Well, not usually anyway. There is always the exception to every rule. But with the right guidance, a buyer really can find what they are looking for without all the mess.
How?
First, by using the power of the internet! You can get a VERY good feel for a home from what is available online. And ask questions BEFORE going all the way there. We all feel that our time is precious. Life moves faster and faster by the minute. Wasting it looking at houses you would never want is not an appealing thought. And take a drive by the houses before scheduling that showing too. You can change a house, but you can't change it's location OR the neighbors. A few simple steps can really change your buying process and save you lots of frustration. I used to be surprised at how many of my buyers would tell me "Hey, that was WAY easier than we were told it would be!". Now I understand that just a few shifts in the process can have huge effects. I want happy buyers.
I am still surprised though, at how much I end up liking my buyers! Maybe I'm just a sap and my perception is skewed, it could certainly be true, but I always find they become friends. I enjoy working with them. I find myself feeling a bit saddened when the closing date nears. Knowing it's nearly over. And as life does, things get busy and we don't see each other again for quite some time. But it's so wonderful helping people find a home AND aquiring friends in the process. I love this business.
Marco and Elisa, thank you so much for chosing me!!!
If you've been following my blog (thank you SO much) or noticed the gap in posts, you can see I have had a serious case of writer's block. Strange for me... as anyone who knows me well will tell you, when I get started it can go on for what seems like forever. There is hardly a simple email. My poor friends have to wade through paragraph after paragraph. Agents rarely get just a simple response. When I write, I write. So this block, as you can imagine has been rather painful. This was a very forced event. Let's hope something breaks soon!!
I showed it to a couple a month or so ago. They had just started their search. They too have a baby due. This job still amazes me all the time. It's funny how things happen. And I'm truley amazed at the people I meet. These guys are just so cute and so sweet. I don't know how many agents they met before me, but we have been working together since. We went to just four other houses. Three days of showings. And what do you know! We found the house for them. It's now under agreement! In just 3 days! I have to stress the power of the internet, a good agent and an active, well prepared buyer! There really is no need for a hundred showings. Months of frustration. Well, not usually anyway. There is always the exception to every rule. But with the right guidance, a buyer really can find what they are looking for without all the mess.
How?
First, by using the power of the internet! You can get a VERY good feel for a home from what is available online. And ask questions BEFORE going all the way there. We all feel that our time is precious. Life moves faster and faster by the minute. Wasting it looking at houses you would never want is not an appealing thought. And take a drive by the houses before scheduling that showing too. You can change a house, but you can't change it's location OR the neighbors. A few simple steps can really change your buying process and save you lots of frustration. I used to be surprised at how many of my buyers would tell me "Hey, that was WAY easier than we were told it would be!". Now I understand that just a few shifts in the process can have huge effects. I want happy buyers.
I am still surprised though, at how much I end up liking my buyers! Maybe I'm just a sap and my perception is skewed, it could certainly be true, but I always find they become friends. I enjoy working with them. I find myself feeling a bit saddened when the closing date nears. Knowing it's nearly over. And as life does, things get busy and we don't see each other again for quite some time. But it's so wonderful helping people find a home AND aquiring friends in the process. I love this business.
Marco and Elisa, thank you so much for chosing me!!!
If you've been following my blog (thank you SO much) or noticed the gap in posts, you can see I have had a serious case of writer's block. Strange for me... as anyone who knows me well will tell you, when I get started it can go on for what seems like forever. There is hardly a simple email. My poor friends have to wade through paragraph after paragraph. Agents rarely get just a simple response. When I write, I write. So this block, as you can imagine has been rather painful. This was a very forced event. Let's hope something breaks soon!!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Home for the Holidays?
It’s the time of year when friends and families gather, laughter is shared and people rejoice. We all have our favorite traditions or ways to celebrate our various beliefs. Or maybe it’s just a time for you to celebrate life, family and friendship. For me the holidays are about celebrating the ones I love. Family are the people who make me happy, make me laugh. My friends are as much my family as anyone.
But what if all that wasn’t so? What if you found yourself alone. Without anyone to visit. Without family to laugh with. I have a client who spends his days alone. He is an 87 year old former Marine. He fought in the battle of Iwo Jima. And he doesn’t have anyone. We are trying to sell his property so he can move to a place where there are people to spend his days with. It’s all he wants. I have watched him shed tears over it.
I didn’t realize the situation was as severe as it is until a few days after Thanksgiving. I went to see him. Asked him how his holiday was. His response- fine. I asked if he went anywhere, only to find he spent the day alone. Just as he does every day. My heart was broken! If only I had known. I would have gladly brought my family to visit him. Brought him a proper dinner. Anything to make his day better.
Selling this property is all I want for Christmas this year! To help this man find happiness. To add people and friends to his life.
On Christmas Eve this year my mom and I are going to take this gentleman a proper dinner. Maybe a gift. And we will spend a little time with him. And I will hope that he finds joy.
This man is not alone. There are so many people out there who are lonely. If you can, go do something nice for them!
And if you know anyone looking for a private 2 acre lot in Barrington PLEASE call me!!!
Happy Holidays!
But what if all that wasn’t so? What if you found yourself alone. Without anyone to visit. Without family to laugh with. I have a client who spends his days alone. He is an 87 year old former Marine. He fought in the battle of Iwo Jima. And he doesn’t have anyone. We are trying to sell his property so he can move to a place where there are people to spend his days with. It’s all he wants. I have watched him shed tears over it.
I didn’t realize the situation was as severe as it is until a few days after Thanksgiving. I went to see him. Asked him how his holiday was. His response- fine. I asked if he went anywhere, only to find he spent the day alone. Just as he does every day. My heart was broken! If only I had known. I would have gladly brought my family to visit him. Brought him a proper dinner. Anything to make his day better.
Selling this property is all I want for Christmas this year! To help this man find happiness. To add people and friends to his life.
On Christmas Eve this year my mom and I are going to take this gentleman a proper dinner. Maybe a gift. And we will spend a little time with him. And I will hope that he finds joy.
This man is not alone. There are so many people out there who are lonely. If you can, go do something nice for them!
And if you know anyone looking for a private 2 acre lot in Barrington PLEASE call me!!!
Happy Holidays!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Here's a story for you...
I'm on a home inspection, it's FREEZING cold out and these buyers just happened to choose THE most long winded inspector one could find. (No pun intended- you'll see)
So there we are, shivering. I'm repeating in my head "please hurry up, please hurry up" hoping to will him into shutting up soon. Really, I want these buyers to get all the information they need, but this is going beyond anything necessary. And my toes are one step away from falling off.
Deep into conversation over the grade near the foundation..... Mom let's out the loudest, ickiest fart one has ever heard! Seriously. I thought she needed a bathroom!
What do people do under such circumstances? Pretend it never happened. Minus the slight pause, wide eyes and moment of confusion. But thank God for Mr. Talks Alot! He hardly missed a beat..... and spared some of us the emabarrassment of what could have been.
So there we are, shivering. I'm repeating in my head "please hurry up, please hurry up" hoping to will him into shutting up soon. Really, I want these buyers to get all the information they need, but this is going beyond anything necessary. And my toes are one step away from falling off.
Deep into conversation over the grade near the foundation..... Mom let's out the loudest, ickiest fart one has ever heard! Seriously. I thought she needed a bathroom!
What do people do under such circumstances? Pretend it never happened. Minus the slight pause, wide eyes and moment of confusion. But thank God for Mr. Talks Alot! He hardly missed a beat..... and spared some of us the emabarrassment of what could have been.
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