Eastman Real Estate Blog

For those of you that are thinking of selling your home, not just in Eastman but anywhere, one huge issue is often over looked, PHOTOS!!!

Let me start by saying that the ultimate key to selling a home in this market is price. The right price will get it sold every time. After price what makes you home look good when buyers are looking on line? Photos. Everyday I look in MLS and see bad photos. It is amazing to me that sellers don’t complain more. Buyers won’t look at a home if the photos are bad. I see crooked photos, dark photos, blurry photos, what the hell is that photos and more.

In my office we have a large flat screen tv that we use as a computer monitor. I show potential buyers listings this way. Two out of every three listings, the buyers comment about the photos. Not all of them are bad but a few per property. All it takes is one bad photo for either the husband or wife to discard a property. There are a many times that I can not get them to over come a bad photo so that property will not be shown.

So, what is a seller to do? Before you list, look at the agents listings online. If the agent has their own web site you can go there and all of that agents listings will be right there. If there are bad photos then maybe you help choose the photos that agent is going to use. If that agent doesn’t have his own web site, you might want to think twice before you list with that person anyway.

ASK what kind of camera and lens do you use? If they use their phone or some kind of cheap point and shoot, you might want to think twice. ASK what kind of photo-shop program do you use? If they don’t you might want to think twice. It doesn’t take much to go into iPhoto and straighten and crop photos. This makes a huge difference in the appearance of a home.

All my photos are now shot with a Nikon D200 with a 10x24mm lens. It’s a really nice set up and takes great photos. There are no parabolic curves that a lot of lesser cameras give you. I put all my photos through iPhoto too. I crop and straighten, brighten or what ever needs to be done to make the house a beautiful home. I don’t change the colors of things or alter photos in any other way. ie: If there is a propane storage tank on the side of a house and it looks terrible I will either not get the tank in the photo, crop it out if I do get it in or just not use that photo. I will not photo-shop the tank out of the photo as that would not be a “true picture” of that property.

635 Marmot

This well maintained and upgraded Parkhurst  condo offers a great family floor plan on three levels. The custom finished lower level offers expanded sleeping and room for kids and guests and still has plenty of storage for kayaks, bikes and other toys. On those hot summer nights turn the AC on and relax. The unit has been painted throughout, newer flooring and carpeting. The beach and lake are an extremely short distance easily walked by young kids. Access to RT 89 is quick for a commute to the Upper Valley, New London or Boston.

For more info go to www.jeffadie.com

Hard to believe that we are three weeks into the new year already….how time flies!!!

For all you condo owners, potential and future here is what 2011 looked like for Eastman Condo sales.

For the year there were 9 units sold. The lowest priced was 68 Pintail Knob for $130,000 The highest priced was 24 Pleasant Dr. a waterfront Parkhurst, selling for $260,000. The median price was $185,000 and the average price was $191,100. Usually the median price is used but since there are only 9 sales using the median or average is fair and realistic.

On a business note…. All the condos that sold last year were listed by Country Houses. On the buyer side Country Houses brought the buyer to 7 of the 9 units. I think it’s fair to say that we at Country Houses will get your condo sold!! 9 sales equals 18 transaction sides (buyer/seller) and we had 16 of 18!!!

This condo is a special one. There are not a lot of properties that have views and distant views for that matter in Eastman NH but this unit does!

Located in the middle of the Barn Owl condos this unit looks out over Eastman Lake and the old Eastman ski hill. Another reason this condo won’t last is it is a B model. The B is the most desired model with over 2300 sq. ft. Level entry, first floor master, 2nd floor master suite if desired, and a lower level with a large laundry room, full bath, family room and a bed room with walk in closet.

This condo won’t last long when it’s priced at $239,000

34 Barn Owl

A new condo is hitting the market and it has an amazing view!!!

2 Water View Waterfront Condo

Eastman water view condo, attractively priced and an attractive unit! This one wont last long, with all the updates and the unfinished walk out lower level. You can truly have a special place to call home or get away and relax. If you have kids the beach is a stones throw, kayaks can be stored under the deck or in the near by kayak rack. The tennis courts are also near by and a short drive to Eastman Golf Links and The Bistro Nouveau. If your into cross country skiing you can right from the back door!! Here is my write up for the MLS listing:

Water view condo that has a lot to offer. Updates in the baths and other interior improvements make this unit unique. An expanded loft makes the area much more usable and versatile. A full unfinished walk out lower level is ready to be completed. The shower and plumbing are in place, gas stove for heat has been installed, a nice size laundry room is established, bring your finishing touches just the way you want. Walk out your back door to the large grassed common area where kids can play, or go to the beach or fish the cove. The nice thing is you can do all this without crossing a road!! Other Eastman amenities included in the association fee are: indoor heated pool, fitness center, tennis courts, golf driving range and cross country skiing. If you golf Eastman Golf Links is an outstanding golf course.

Looking at the most recent condo and home sales in Eastman, NH it is extremely clear, we are by far the leading real estate company! Especially in Eastman!!

Right now there are seven properties either pending sale, or contingent. Contingent means that there is a signed Purchase and Sales Agreement and there are either inspections to complete or financing to obtain. Pending is when the property is about to be transferred. Usually within a few weeks of going from the contingent status to pending.

Here are the numbers: Of the seven properties, four are houses and three are condos. Six are Country Houses listings, six buyers are Country Houses Buyers, one house is listed by an out of area agency and as of right now I do not know who brought the buyer.

Here’s another way to look at this. There are two transaction sides to each sale, the seller side and the buyer side. So 7×2=14 total transaction sides. Country Houses is part of 12 of the 14 sides.

Why should you list with Country Houses? These numbers are just proof that our location, right here in Eastman, is the place buyers come to find their Eastman home or condo.

Eastman condo sales seem to be picking up a bit. Last year in 2010 there were 6 condos sold all year. In 2011 there have been 3 sold and 3 are in the pipeline to be sold. They are either contingent or pending.

This is great news!! Last year the condo market was dreadful. To only sell 6 units when in the good years there were 20 to 30 sales just made it a extremely tough year. Units are also getting shown more so the potential that more units will sell is there.

It would just be great if we can to twelve or fifteen units sold this year….

This Eastman waterfront condo offers views to Eastman Lake, privacy because the unit sits back from the lake a bit yet you can walk to the beach without crossing a road and be there in less than a minute. Ease of access to the Upper Valley or New London is really easy.  Custom paintings on the walls make this condo very unique.

For all the details visit www.jeffadie.com

It’s the beginning of March 2011 and after a very slow year of condo sales in 2010 things appear to be picking up. Currently there is only one condo under agreement but considering that is the first potential sale on almost 6 months this is great news!!!

Activity with potential buyers has increased too. Currently there are 27 condos on the market and buyers have been looking. I’ve personally shown some of my listings to buyers and  representing my sellers on showings with other agents. Showings in the last quarter of 2010 were few and far between. This month is historically the busiest month for condos to go under agreement as May is historically the busiest month for condo property transfers.  My thinking for this is, if a buyer wants a condo, they want to get it before the start of the summer season. Closing in May gives the new owner a bit of time to make the condo theirs before the start of summers play time.