By Peter Francese

First quarter residential home sales in New Hampshire were 17 percent above 2011 and the highest they have been since 2007. Maybe it was the mild winter, or perhaps it was the rising stock market. Whatever it was, it may predict a very good year and the beginning of the end of this historically long period of flat home sales.

Every year for the past four years, first quarter residential home sales were in the narrow range of 1,675 and 1,900 units, and total sales for those years (2008 through 2011) never exceeded 10,800 units. During that same, four-year period, first quarter home sales averaged about 17 percent of the entire year’s sales.

First quarter home sales this year reached 2,223, the first time since 2007 that the number has exceeded 2,000. If that ends up being 17 percent of 2012 sales, the state would reach 13,076 homes sold in 2012, the most since 2006. If, as in 2007, first quarter sales end up being 20 percent of the year’s sales, we can expect about 11,100 homes sold in 2012, still higher than any year since 2007.

My view is that 2012 residential home sales will match the 12,000 sold back in 2007. Read more…

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Interested in learning more about what your REALTOR membership does for you?  The NHAR Member Resource Guide, which you are encouraged to download and print for free as a trifold brochure, is a tool for just that.  To find the statewide guide, click here.  NHAR has also produced customized guides for each of our 14 local boards, which you may request by contacting Director of Communications Dave Cummings.

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Do you know a REALTOR who’s doing outstanding volunteer work, helping to make his or her community a better place to live? Of course you do. And chances are, his or her organization could use this year’s $1,000 award, presented annually by NHAR to its Good Neighbor Award recipient. Please, consider taking the time to nominate a worthy REALTOR and help to recognize those among us who are living and breathing our REALTOR ideals.  Click here for details.

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By Alice Noyes

It’s very common these days to be asked for a letter of explanation, especially when the lending institution decides there is a skeleton in the closet that requiers an explanation. For example, 10 years ago, Mr. Buyer made a late payment on a charge account before he ever met and married Mrs. Buyer. How can they prove that perhaps he had a legitimate reason.

One of the most memorable letters was acceptable to the bank, once I removed the coffee stains from it and ran it throught the spell check. In memory of that whole affair, I took the most common errors made in letters of explanation and composed my own little version of dos and don’ts. When I pass this sample out to my clients, I often inform that I know of a ghost writer for hire if they should need one. First, I show them a letter which needed more than a spell check. Luckily, it was one of a kind, and as I said, I do know this ghost writer. (See sample below.)

To Whom it May Concern,

On April 24th, 2010, we leased a car from All Way Leasing Co. and by meantime we thought we got scr—d in the deal. And we called them for a car that was in are budget that wasn’t a leasing car. The kept on telling us to wait. We waited a month then brought the car down to them. They took the keys and and parked the car in there lot and it as there loss. They knew they were wrong for taking the keys and car. So they turned around and put are names in the creited bureau. I hope this doesn’t hurt are chances to get a loan. Thank you.

Alice Noyes is an 18-year real estate veteran and an agent with Choice Realty in Manchester.  Her column, “Alice From the Palace,” will be published every other Monday here, at the New Hampshire Association of REALTORS blog, nhpluse.com.  She can be reached at alice@nhchoice.com.

Dave Uncategorized

“It’s About Professionalism.”
Click on the image above to hear first-hand.

April 9, 2012

GRI 103: Know the Code (and earn 11 CE credits)

Enhanced education, enhanced professionalism, enhanced image. The bottom line: Enhanced (by $22,400*) income.

The year’s first course on the path to a Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation, GRI 103, is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, April 17-18.

And great news! It has been approved for 11 Continuing Education credits.

Led by longtime real estate instructor and 2010 NHAR President Monika McGillicuddy and NHAR attorney Matt Johnson, GRI 103 focuses on the Code of Ethics, REALTOR® professional guidelines, contracts, TrueForms and Agency. Numerous case studies are included, as is the current edition of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics.

The Code of Ethics portion fulfills NAR’s quadrennial ethics requirement.

To register online, click here. To register by fax, click here.

Read more…

Dave Uncategorized

Innovia training April 16, Social Networking April 19

The market is stirring, and the Women’s Council of REALTORS doesn’t want you to be left behind, which is why WCR is offering two technology-focused events on its April calendar.

Optimizing Your MLS Experience

Dennis Power of the Northern New England Real Estate Network (NNEREN), your MLS, will present “Optimizing the Features of InnoVia,” on Monday, April 16, at the Coldwell Banker office, 348 Court Street in Laconia.  Registration and networking is scheduled for 9 to 9:30 a.m., with the class to follow from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., including a 10-minute break.

Donations will be accepted to help offset the cost of an included continental breakfast.

The course has been approved for three New Hampshire Continuing Education credits.

For more information and to sign up, please contact Monique Tenander at mtenander@remax.net.

Connecting to Grow Your Business

One of the state’s foremost experts in the field, 2010 NHAR President Monika McGillicuddy, will present “Social Networking and Real Estate” at the Intervale Country Club in Manchester.

The presentation is scheduled for 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 19, and breakfast will be served.

There is a $15 registration fee, and anyone interested should contact Larraine Lencki at 800-999-7788 or larrainel@firsteastern.com.

Dave Uncategorized

Getting Inspired to Be Here

Dave Uncategorized

“It’s About Professionalism.”
Click on the image above to hear first-hand.

April 3, 2012

GRI 103: Know the Code (and earn 11 CE credits)

Enhanced education, enhanced professionalism, enhanced image.
The bottom line: Enhanced income.

The year’s first course on the path to a Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation, GRI 103, is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, April 17-18.

And great news! It has been approved for 11 Continuing Education credits.

Led by longtime real estate instructor and 2010 NHAR President Monika McGillicuddy and NHAR attorney Matt Johnson, GRI 103 focuses on the Code of Ethics, REALTOR® professional guidelines, contracts, TrueForms and Agency. Numerous case studies are included, as is the current edition of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics.

The Code of Ethics portion fulfills NAR’s quadrennial ethics requirement.

To register online, click here. To register by fax, click here.

Among the benefits of the GRI designation, graduates will be more knowledgeable, reduce risk and liability, enhance their professional image and, bottom line, earn more money. Based on 2011 survey data, the median income of REALTORS without a designation was $26,900, while the median income of those with at least one designation was $49,300 … a difference of $22,400.

The GRI program consists of eight, two-day modules, and students must complete all modules and receive at least a 75 percent passing grade in order to obtain the GRI designation. Modules may be taken in any order, and must be completed within five years from the student’s start date.

REGISTER ONLINE for any one of the GRI modules by visiting NHAR’s Class Registration page.  

Questions? Call NHAR at (603) 225-5549, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Dave Uncategorized

By ALICE NOYES

Real estate seems to be mired in a paper chase mystery these days that calls for a bird dog.  There are those who call it the secondary market, and others who call it PMI.  It’s a very elite group consisting of Fannie Mae and her barnyard cousin Freddie Mac, along with a multitude of undisclosed relatives and friends.

You see, when Mr. Mobility bought his home, it was purchased by Fannie Mae.  She in turn farmed it out to a servicing lender and Mr. Mobility thought he must have the best credit in the world to have such a desirable loan.  In addition to all this flattery and attention from his lenders, he was also very busy being transferred to another state, much too busy to read all the fine print he was getting from these lenders.  He called his Realtor to let her handle it.  Within six months, his Realtor called the bank to see if Mr. Mobility’s loan could be saved or modified.  He had already been laid off in his new position.

One year later, Mr. Mobility’s home went to auction and several of us attended.  I listened to the auctioneer as I stifled a yawn, when I suddenly heard,

“Sold, to that woman in red for $30,000!”

I looked all around for a woman dressed in red.  Somebody handed me a purchase agreement and somebody else in the crowd yelled, “Leave it to a Realtor to pick up a property at auction!”

I’m still in shock.  And I’m still looking for a woman dressed in red.

Help!

Alice Noyes is an 18-year real estate veteran and an agent with Choice Realty in Manchester.  Her column, “Alice From the Palace,” will be published every other Monday here, at the New Hampshire Association of REALTORS blog, nhpluse.com.  She can be reached at alice@nhchoice.com.

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By ALICE NOYES

Judge: You were clocked at 70 miles per hour in a 25 mile per hour zone!

REALTOR: Yes, your honor.

Judge: By air, as well as by land!

REALTOR: Yes, your honor.

Judge: What excuse do you have for this excessive speed?

REALTOR: I was late to show a house.

Judge: Where was this house located?

REALTOR: At your address, your honor.

Judge: You were showing … my house?

REALTOR: Yes, your honor.

Judge: Before I pass sentence, have you anything to add?

REALTOR: I have a contract, your honor.

Judge: Contract? Mmmmmmm … well … I’m going to … uh … uh … take this under advisement … good record … one more chance … Case dismissed!

REALTOR: Yes, your honor.

Alice Noyes is an 18-year real estate veteran and an agent with Choice Realty in Manchester.  Her column, “Alice From the Palace,” will be published every other Monday here, at the New Hampshire Association of REALTORS blog, nhpluse.com.  She can be reached at alice@nhchoice.com.

Dave Uncategorized