Jeff Adie’s Blog

The Eastman New Hampshire Real Estate market for the first half of the year (2009) was an interesting one.

Some days I thought would never end and other days I was so busy I could hardly keep up with all the phone calls, emails and showings.
I have shown a lot of property to a lot of people this year. The bad part is most people are still waiting for the “bottom” or the “perfect” house.

Over all the numbers are down from the previous year but we are seeing some encouraging signs even in the wake of interest rates rising slightly. Better than a half point move on a 30 year fixed rate mortgage might have helped spur some buying? The jump did slow down refinancing according to lenders I have spoken to.

Here are some numbers from Hanover, Eastman and New London based on January 1 through June 30, 2009 compared to 2008.

• Hanover: Homes 21 v. 30   Condos 21 v. 10
• Eastman: Homes 16 v. 28  Condos 2 v 11
• New London: Homes 17 v. 8 Condos 4 v. 9

As you can see home sales are down in Hanover and Eastman but are up significantly in New London. Condo sales more than doubled in Hanover but are way down in Eastman and New London.

What does this tell us? Last year New London home sales had a terrible year, this year’s sales are much better. Last year Hanover condo sales had an average year but this year sales are off the chart in a positive way. Eastman? This is a bad year for both home and condo sales. Only one land sale too. What will happen?

With the amount of activity and what is currently a contingent sale or pending sale I don’t think the numbers will stay this low. Look at how low the sales were in New London in 08′. They bounced back, Eastman will too. If your a buyer, don’t you want to buy now while everyone else sits on the side lines? There are great values out there and next year prices could be moving up. If the activity picks up like it did elsewhere you might find multiple buyers for the same property. When that happens the power to negotiate goes to the seller.

Here is a list of ideas that my cost a little bit more than the tips provided in my previous blog but these ideas can make a big difference to all home owners. Energy savings or healthier living, it all good.

• Conduct an energy audit.
• Tune up the HVAC
• Replace carpets with no-VOC styles
• Replacing wood floors? Try bamboo or cork flooring
• Install a tankless hot water heater
• Insulate attice and other areas
• Use drought resistant or native plants for landscaping
• Install window shading to prevent heat loss or gain
• Buy recycled products if possible

Most of these items are not to just go out and do, but if you are renovating or in need of replacing items in your home or business you don’t have to look hard to find a GREEN solution.

Have you ever complained about a high priced electric bill? What about heating costs? Have you ever used a public water system where they restrict your use? Does anyone in your family have breathing problems? These are just a few issues that can be addressed by going GREEN.

We are not talking major projects in this blog just 16 low cost improvements that you can easily accomplish that will help save our resources.

1. Compact Fluorescent or LED lights
2. Install low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators
3. Start a compost pile
4. Plant trees
5. Insulate hot water heater
6. Weatherstrip and caulk doors and windows
7. Collect rainwater to water plants
8. Paion with low or no-VOC paint
9. Replace filters
10. Install programmable thermostat
11. Plant a rain garden
12. Plant native plants
13. Install motion sensors in offices and other common area’s to turn off lights when not in use.
14. Install water efficient restroom fixtures
15. Take advantage of day-lighting
16. Provide recycle bins

Can you imagine if everyone were take advantage of these ideas how much better off the environment and life will be? The impact would be huge!

For other great ideas that can help sustainable life email me at jeff@cbredpath.com

Does anyone believe that Real Estate is a good investment because prices have come down so much in recent years? Do you think that Real Estate will be worth more in ten to fifteen years from now? Do you wish you had the money to buy now but just don’t have a down payment? Well maybe you do.

Have you ever heard of a Self Directed Retirement Account? Do you know you can buy Real Estate with funds from you self directed account and any gains are tax deferred just like any other gains you may have. All real property is eligible. There are some rules to follow with buying Real Estate, as there are with all IRA’s but some good tax advise from your accountant will help clear the way. Here are a few

• The transaction may be leveraged using the property as collateral for the loan. The loan must be non-recourse, meaning that the loan is secured by a pledge of collateral, typically real property.
• The entire transaction must flow through the IRA
• Fractional interests are allowed, usually as tenants in common.
• You may not buy or sell a property you already own to or from your IRA. Your IRA cannot deal with “disqualified people”. Disqualified people include lineal realatives.
• You may not live in a property owned by your IRA.
• Your business may not lease or be located in a property owned by your IRA.

The tax savings can be significant and rolling your money into a self directed IRA is fairly easy to do. Try googling “Self Directed IRA” or “Self Directed Retirement Account”. You will be surprised at what you will find. I would not ask your retirement account holder as they most likely do not offer that type of account. They may even tell you it can’t be done, but it can.

Look into it, you have nothing to loose and the opportunity to buy Real Estate hasen’t been this good in a very long time.

For more information you can contact me at jeff@cbredpath.com

Today was the first day I had the chance to get inside the new building down at Eastman Lake. The South Cove Activity Center is really starting to take shape!

There are several rooms that have walls with finish paint. Trim work is being installed, kitchen cabinets are already in and there are many craftsmen working on all phases of the project.

According to Ken Ryder June 18th is the date for opening and there is absolutely no reason to doubt that. Below are some photos form today’s tour:

Front entry, main entrance.

The wood and stone work look great!

This will be the fitness center. What a huge improvement over the existing room.

The pool is getting ready for the final poor, adding the ramp and “kiddie pool” section this week.

This is the main room for gatherings and events. The view to the lake is awesome!

We always hear about staging a home, but what about a yard? A yard can have a huge impact on a buyer as it is the first thing you see when you look at a property.

Here are some simple, easy, inexpensive tips to try:

• Trim trees and shrubbery- overgrown plantings can hide a homes features.
• Power wash- Siding, walkways, decks and patios. Everything will look so clean.
• Green grass? If not, fertialize, A green lawn just looks great!
• Mulch- Flower beds look so good with a fresh layer of mulch.
• Edge- the finishing touch to great lawns and gardens are a crisp edge.
• Plant annuals- colorful plantings brighten and create an uplifting feeling.
• Plant a garden- nothing say’s “home” like a garden. I’m talking outside not inside where a fresh baked apple pie or cookies are number 1.
• Hammock- put one up, it give a sense of relaxation. When was the last time you sat in one? On vacation or a weekend getaway? That’s my point.

www.jeffadie.com

This waterfront condo is a three level, know as an “A” model. It has over 2300 square feet of space and a nice view of the lake from almost every room. The kitchen window give you a great look.

The below shot is my favorite. There is nothing like being on the lake in the fall. Cool night and warm days, the kids are back in school and you have the lake all to yourself. Eastman Lake is quiet anyway and has little motor boat activity as the lake is speed restricted. Most lake activity is kayaks, canoes and sun fish sail boats.

For more information go to www.jeffadie.com or email me at jeff@cbredpath.com

Are you looking for a waterfront property? Do you want to get to your weekend retreat and have fun? Owning a condo may be the answer.

15 Pleasant Dr. is a stones throw to Eastman Lake. Almost as short of distance to the NEW South Cove Activity Center. (For more info on South Cove in previous blogs) or a quick walk to the East Lake beach which is a little more private and gets great afternoon sun and spectacular sunsets. This photo is Eastman Lake looking south from the North Cove Beach. I would normally post a photo that is from the property but there is still ice on the lake. It won’t be long, maybe another week or so and the ice will be gone and I can post some pic’s right from the deck and waters edge in front of the unit.

Here is a photo of the condo, it is a 2 bedroom “Webster” style with an open loft, 2 baths, nice size living room, eating area, and a kitchen with newer appliances.

It is hard to tell just how close you are to the water in the winter photo but you are close!

For more information please go to www.jeffadie.com or email me @ jeff@cbredpath.com I would be glad to send you a floor plan…

Are you looking for a waterfront property? Do you want to get to your weekend retreat and have fun? Owning a condo may be the answer.

15 Pleasant Dr. is a stones throw to Eastman Lake. Almost as short of distance to the NEW South Cove Activity Center. (For more info on South Cove in previous blogs) or a quick walk to the East Lake beach which is a little more private and gets great afternoon sun and spectacular sunsets. This photo is Eastman Lake looking south from the North Cove Beach. I would normally post a photo that is from the property but there is still ice on the lake. It won’t be long, maybe another week or so and the ice will be gone and I can post some pic’s right from the deck and waters edge in front of the unit.

Here is a photo of the condo, it is a 2 bedroom “Webster” style with an open loft, 2 baths, nice size living room, eating area, and a kitchen with newer appliances.

It is hard to tell just how close you are to the water in the winter photo but you are close!

For more information please go to www.jeffadie.com or email me @ jeff@cbredpath.com I would be glad to send you a floor plan…

The home buyer tax credit is one of 10 elements of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that President Obama signed into law back in February.

The law allows a $8,000 tax credit that would be available to first-time home buyers (or someone that hasn’t owned a home for 3 or more years) for the purchase of a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.  The credit does not require repayment. The law is similar to the 2008 credit. The credit will be claimed on a tax return to reduce the purchaser’s income tax liability.  If any credit amount remains unused, then the unused amount will be refunded as a check to the purchaser.

If you have further questions I can email you a PDF file of 26 of the most frequently asked questions concerning the 2009 credit.

My email is jeff@cbredpath.com