Eastman Real Estate Blog

I was just looking at the most recent sales stats for Eastman NH, Sullivan County and across the state of New Hampshire. I will get specific to Eastman in another post. To get the PDF click on NNEREN Stats 2011.

The biggest thing that I see for Sullivan County is the fact that the median residential home sale price is down 10.29% for the year compared to 2010. That is a healthy number, way to big than we want to see!!! The number of houses sold in 2011 v. 2010 are about the same (355 v.352) so prices have dropped!! Home prices across the state are down 6.19%

The median price of condos dropped 20.78% but when there is only 12 condos sold in Sullivan County for the entire year of 2010 then we sell 22 in 2011 I could see that number being swayed easily. Twelve condo sales for an entire year is just to small a number to be statistically accurate. If we look at the entire state the median sale price of a condo is only down 6.06%

Thanks to todays snow storm it looks a lot like winter now and hopefully a second storm is right behind this one.

If you are looking for things to do, this weekend there are some great options. How does comedy night on Saturday at the Bistro sound? The Nordic Nibbles is an annual event that was going to happen snow or no snow. How about Jazz On Sunday Afternoon?

These are just a few things you will be able to partake in. For a full list PDF click on Eastman Highlights 1/12/12

Well, it’s been a few issues since I posted the Eastman Happenings but there are several things that take place in the next week or two that I think many people should be aware of.

What I think is the highlight, is the visit from C. Everett Koop. The former Surgeon General will speak about his years as General and answer questions from the audience. This is an outstanding opportunity to get into an interactive discussion with someone as high profile as he.

Another high profile event and certainly an emotional one will be the last concert put on by the Eastmanaires,  “A Jolliest Christmas Concert.” After over 20 years the group will disband. Hopefully this group or one like it will start again in the near future.

Other events include the Golf Members Holiday Party, Chocolate Workshop (YUM!!), exercise classes and even a build your own Gram Cracker House with your kids or grand kids.

Recently I was fortunate enough to visit California and attend the NAR National Convention.

I was there for 4 days. Mostly I spent my time in classes and seminars. The education that I got was impressive. I am hoping I can translate that knowledge into making me a better Real Estate agent and better my service to my clients.

Some of the highlights were listening to Michael Eisner speak about management, using your time and resources to their fullest and making a budget that works. It was quite interesting to listen to him speak then show us examples of his work. It was, this is how I want to do it and this is how we did it watch this. Very interesting!!

Another highlight was listening to Lawrence Yun, he is the chief economist for the NAR. He spoke for over an hour and his outlook was for a recovery in housing to happen sooner rather than later and the historical charts and statistics he used really proved his point and made us believers. Well almost….It’s not that I didn’t buy into his theories, I just believe that (on a local basis) there are too many homes on the market to make a quick turn around. Eastman NH is still carrying 62 homes and 24 condos for sale. This number is down especially the homes but it is December and it’s just a few more weeks and new listings will start to hit the market right after the holidays.

I started to get off track but one other thing I wanted to mention how important QUALITY photos are. The internet plays such a huge roll in selling a home and I’ve always know that. Learning from some of the pro’s out in Anaheim will make me better and benefit my clients!!! One thing I have done is upgraded my camera and lens. I am certain this will pay off for my clients and as I learn more about the camera the photos will only get better and better.

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!!!

It’s been a few months since I posted some of the state sales figures but here they are. Some of them are rather scary if your a seller. Click on August Sales Stats if you want to go straight to the 3 page PDF file.

Some of the highlights are: The median sale price for all improved properties is $175,000 averaged out year to date. That’s down 6.42% from last year. Sullivan County is down 4.69% but Merrimack County is down 9.51%. I think locally, particularly in Eastman we are somewhat shielded from a 9% drop in a year. We just don’t have that many foreclosures driving prices down like they have in Concord area.

Another number going the wrong way is average selling price per square foot. At $120.00 that is not the lowest I’ve seen but these are August numbers. August sales are typically stronger than November and December. This year we peaked in June. July and August are trending down. It will be very interesting to see where Septembers numbers are.

Eastman specific: We have sold 19 homes so far this year vs. 39 for the same time period in 2010. Slightly less than half of last years numbers. Yet condo sales are up. Year to date there have been 8 units sold vs. 5 last year. By the end of the month the 9th condo sale will take place so that is a good sign.

Another extremely good sign is the fact that the average sales price for homes in Eastman has remained stable from last year. This years average sale price is $284,240. Last year there were three home sales over $600,000 and one sale at $530,000 which raised the average to $304,342. So even though the average is off this year by $20,000 realistically by taking out the highs and lows the average should be right around $280,ooo so this year we have a solid number!!

If you are a buyer, Interest rates are astoundingly low. 30 Year fixed rates with no points at 3.75% Who would have thought that??? The combination of interest rates and home prices are extremely attractive. Don’t be the one to say I should have bought then….It’s a great time to buy….and now is the time!

The results are in and the Eastman NH end of season tennis tournament is all behind us. What a fun season it was and the tennis tournament was just icing on the cake!!!

Winners of the men’s combined age of 125 years or more were Bruce Johnson and Glenn McKune

Winners of the men’s doubles are Peter Ericson and Jeff Adie

Winners of the women’s doubles are Jen LaChance and Christine Cecchetti

Winners of the mixed doubles are Jen LaChance and Jeff Adie

Fun was had by all who played!! Everyone is look forward to next year.  Tennis will continue for a few more weeks as the weather holds out and the courts are in outstanding condition.

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.

Yankee Barn 4 Winter Hill

4 Winter Hill, Eastman NH is a spectacular home. Meticulously maintained by the original owner, this home might be 20 years old but it sure doesn’t look like it. Yankee Barns have a timeless beauty that never gets old.

This home, priced at $359,900 with over 2700 square feet of living space, is one of the best values in Eastman today.

If you like the thought and feel of the warmth of that wood brings to a home, this property is for you. Everything is well thought out and you even get a seasonal view of Eastman Lake. The lot is primarily deciduous trees so in the heat of summer the home is shaded and in the winter you get solar gain from the sun room.

For more photos or a video tour, just let me know. jeffadie@gmail.com