Home Foreclosure Help on the Way? Local NH Foreclosure Results

A plan is being discussed to provide federal guarantees to entice lenders to ease up the terms of troubled mortgages. Already rules are in effect in many areas to stall foreclosures to allow homeowners time to pull things together and work with lenders. Unfortunately, even though foreclosures are being stalled, lenders have been reluctant to work with homeowners to renegotiate loan terms. I have had a number of homeowners calling with frustration that they cannot even get their lenders to return their calls! Yesterday it was announced that US regulators are working on a federal program to guarantee up to $600 billion of home mortgages. The idea is to induce lenders to lower mortgage payments for approximately 5 years for troubled homeowners. The concern of course is will the lenders actually do it or will they not act to help these individuals, just as they are hoarding the $700 billion bailout funds they just received! What is going to keep other homeowners who really can make their payments from going to into default because everyone else was bailed out? Yes, I am frustrated with the current situation with these lenders as there are homeowners out there who just need minor loan adjustments to keep afloat and they are being ignored by their lenders. Instead, the local communities are suffering with the following record number of foreclosures from Jan-Sept 2008: Examples: Rochester: 78! , Dover 41, Farmington 24, Somersworth 22. I encourage your comments on this issue as it effects everyone as tax payers, homeowners, renters and buyers.

Photo: Isinglass River, Barrington NH good cold water fishing

One Level Living in Somersworth NH Just Listed

I just listed this home on Lil-nor Ave in Somersworth NH. Do you know anyone who needs one level living?Look at these room sizes! This is a 2119 sq ft home all on one level plus full basement. Double lot, landscaped including fruit trees. The living room is over 23 ft long. Tremendous storage throughout, many closets. Granite fireplace with efficient insert in fam rm. Anderson windows, multi-zone heating, large bedrooms. The basement is ready for your finishing for a great room. Granite chimney and granite home exterior behind landscaping. Real plaster walls, whole house fan.....the best of materials were used to build this home.

Tips for Getting The Most Value for Your Property

Tips for Getting The Most Value for Your Property
With the Least Amount of Work

When doing market evaluations of homes, my Seller’s often ask me “ What can I do around my house to increase the value with the minimum amount of expense or work?” Keep in mind that what may be a small defect in the Seller’s mind, such as flaking paint on the base of a garage door frame may add up to thousands less in what a Buyer may offer. Inspect the exterior of your property, especially the trim. The Buyer’s first impression of your house is going to be the exterior when they drive by after seeing an ad. Is there debris around the yard that may distract the viewer from the home. If the exterior appears to need a lot of repair; it is likely they won’t set up an appointment view the interior.
Next the interior. Buyers always want more space. To make rooms look more spacious: Ask yourself these questions: Is there furniture I could store or remove? Can I store away visible items from any open shelves and living room coffee tables? Keep photos and wall decoration to a minimum. Also, the lighter the rooms, the bigger they look. Pull back heavy curtains, use higher watt bulbs and make sure there are sufficient lights to turn on during showings. Glue back down any loose vinyl floorings. Has a pet chewed the rug next to a door opening. Consider installing a threshold to cover defect and better secure the rug. They may be obtained at any hardware store. The biggest value for your dollar is white paint, it is a neutral color and still the most desirable. Water stains on the ceiling? Provided you have repaired the leak in the past; brush on some Kiltz or a similar product. It comes in white and is really the only effective way to cover the iron that leaches from the stain. It costs about $10 a gallon, needs no prep work and covers any stain, even on glossy surfaces. It is also useful for painting dark covered kitchen or bathroom cabinets to give a new brighter look. Light scratches on dark wood trim or window sills? Ask your hardware store for a brown wax pencil or use a simple dark crayon to fill the marks. All these things cost very little but will bring you back thousands.