A free standing Webster style unit with just under 2000 square feet. Three total bath’s, a full on the main and second floors and a 3/4 bath on the lower level. Two of the three sliders will be new within the next few weeks. There is a bedroom on each level which is great for kids or visiting guests.

This unit is in move in condition! Carpets have been replaced, paint is fresh, kitchen and bath updates. All you need to do is show up and enjoy the lake!

For more info click here.

802 Covered Bridge Ln

The snow is melting, rain and drizzle are in the air. It’s just not fun to be outside. The good thing about today is what I found. I found a great list of 100  Things To Do In The Upper Valley. I don’t remember when I got this list or where it came from what an exciting list it is!

This list isn’t something you can do in one day or even a month, but a list that can be used year round. Indoor and outdoor, summer and winter. There’s something on the list for everyone.

Take a moment and print it, save it in a place where you can find it and have a great time!

If your looking to do things outside of Eastman, there is still plenty of skiing at MT Sunapee. Have you tried Grantham Indoor? Driving golf balls or playing a round of golf on their indoor simulators is a great time.

Try this link for activities in The Upper Valley. This is more general information but it’s a good place to start.

So I broke out my computer and pulled up my most recent settlement statement or more commonly referred to as a HUD statement.

The biggest expense that a seller has is the commission paid to the Real Estate Broker. I know it’s expensive but there is an unbelievable amount of work that goes into selling a property. After the commission the next biggest expense would be the New Hampshire State Transfer Tax. The rate is 1.5% of the sale price usually split between the buyer and seller. Let’s take a $300,000 sale price. Multiply buy 1.5% and divide by two and the buyer and seller would pay $2250 that goes to good old New Hampshire.

Legal fees usually are not much for a seller. The seller has the deed prepared and barring any unusual circumstance the cost runs about $125-150. Town taxes can vary widely depending on the date of closing. Some time a seller will get a credit back for pre-paid taxes and other times they will have to pay in. Like I said it all depends on the date of closing and the tax billing cycle.

Most closing the seller will see a credit or money coming back to them for fuel in storage. If you use oil or LP Gas and there is fuel in the tanks, the buyer will reimburse the seller for that fuel. Association fees are another credit back to the seller. If you live in a community like Eastman, sellers will get money back as long as their dues are paid in advance.

And of course if there is a mortgage balance, the balance must be paid in full at the time of transfer. The mortgage is secured as a lien on the property and is recorded at the County Registry. This really isn’t an expense but a settling of debt.

This might not be the entire list of expenses for all property transfers but for the basic home or condo, this should give most sellers a good idea of what to expect.

For the full details down load the News Release PDF issued by the town.

Still want more, Things to do in Eastman 3-4-10 we help you find what you are looking for.

Home sales dropped 7.2% from December to January but the good news is January 09′ to January 10′ sales were up 11.5%
I see this as a positive number as inventory seems to be declining also.

As for the Northeast, existing-home sales fell 10.9 percent to an annual pace of 820,000 in January but are 22.4% above a year ago. The median price in the Northeast was $245,300, a gain of 8.8% from January 2009. When prices start to go up that is never a bad thing.

On a more local basis. January was a so much better this year than last. In the Eastman Community there were 5 home sales in Jan. 10′ vs. 0 home sales in Jan. 09′. There were also 2 condo sales this January vs. 0 units sold in 09′

Statistically these numbers are staggering but I think they are way to unrealistic to put percentages on them. Here’s something to consider though. It took, starting Jan. 1st through May 31st to get a total of 10 home and condo sales in Eastman last year. Are we going to have a better year than last. I believe so! Will prices start to increase? That, I do not anticipate. There is just to much inventory on the market for prices to increase. Price stabilization? Maybe… it will depend on weather we sell 40 units or 60 units.  If we get into the 60’s for total unit sales that would help to cut the inventory, which will help pricing power.

I’m including the State, Merrimack and Sullivan Counties Sales Stats Jan-2010. As you will see on page one, all trend lines are still heading in the wrong direction. Again, I am not a huge fan of days on market as that number can be manipulated several ways. If a listing changes from one agency to another. If a listing is withdrawn then entered as new after 30 days (which is perfectly legal). There are others but you get my point. Cost per sq. foot and median sales price are good to look at.

The big event this week is the Chili Cook-off is Sat. 2/20 10am -2pm. It’s an awesome time and a great fund raiser for David’s House.

What I really want to talk about is what has happened to Eastman in the last year to year and a half. Here are some great numbers that to look at:

After the financial crisis of September 08′ buyers that were in the middle of a transaction kept going and stayed the course. In the fourth quarter there were 10 total transactions, 6 homes and 4 condos were sold. A respectable number considering buyers basically vanished. We didn’t see the affects of the melt down until the first half of 09′ particularly the first quarter. There was one condo sale and three homes sold. By the end of the second quarter there were 11 home sales and one condo for a total of twelve for the quarter. The total home/condo sales for the first half of 2009 is 16.

The third quarter 09′ things in the financial markets were starting settle down and the stock market was showing signs of recovery bouncing as much as 20% from the lows of the year. This stabilization brought out some home buyers along with tax incentives, low interest rates and fallen home prices. Buyers were looking, but the weather played a roll as the early summer months brought plenty of rain. From 07/01/09 through 09/30/09, six homes and four condos sold. A slight drop from the previous quarter.

Nicer weather and the looming end to tax credits brought buyers out the decision to buy was made. There were 17 total transactions. Twelve homes and five condos were sold. This momentum seems to have carried over to this year as the first five weeks of 2010 we have had five home sales and two condo sales, far surpassing 09’s first quarter already.

As long as interest rates stay around 5% we should see this momentum carry on. The forecast is for rates to rise to 6% or higher and I believe that will stop the rebound in housing sales. I can only hope we don’t see a fourth quarter like the first quarter or 09

Eastman Home Sales Chart