The numbers are finally in. Although on a national level they are not great, locally they are not bad.

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 If a listing is withdrawn then entered as new after 30 days (which is perfectly legal).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.

A great new listing just came on the market at a great price.

For starters the lot is level with level driveway, you can walk to the Center At Eastman (restaurant and golf pro shop) it’s about 300 yards away. There is a 2 car attached garage that brings you to an ample mud room. The kitchen is huge and has a charming antique wood cook stove. A great room with a brick fireplace that is open to the loft above. A 14×14 screened porch that has a wood stove to take the chill of those cooler nights, leads to the multi-level decks. One deck has a brick fire pit.

The second floor has three ample bedrooms. Two for guests or kids and a master suite that has a very impressive bath. A second full bath, tastefully tiled, is accessed from the hall leading to all the bedrooms.

Additional features include sky lights, leaded glass window, vaulted ceilings, easy access to Eastman’s main entrance, newer roof and washer and dryer.

This one won’t last…. click for more info

Light Filled Living Room

A new listing to the market.

Out side with setting sun

This Eastman home has many great features to go along with all the amenities that Eastman has to offer.

Click on the link below to go to www.jeffadie.com for all the information and photos. If more info is needed than email me or call my cell    jeff@eastmanrealestate.net  or 603-568-0609

Eastman Home for Sale 11 Barn Owl Overlook

In the State of New Hampshire starting January 1st, 2010 all building inspectors “practicing or conducting home inspections” must be licensed by the The New Hampshire Board of Home Inspectors.

The new statute RSA 310-A:189 reads like this:

License Required. Beginning January 1, 2010, no person shall practice as a home inspector or conduct home inspections in this state without a home inspectors license issued by the board.

I know there are two sides to this story. Some inspectors say that if an inspector is bad or not doing a good job, they will eventually disappear as they will not get enough work to survive. I believe that is true as with any business, especially in the service industry your only as good as your last job. The good survive and the others find a new line of work or work for someone else.

My thinking on why this license requirement is good is; It will create a minimum standard for all inspectors. There will be a place to go if someone has issues, either bad or good. A central location to find inspectors, this is always an issue with new buyers. Buyers need information and it is hard for them to find an inspector an compare one to another. There are many different certifications that inspectors carry and hopefully a central board will help sort these designations out.

I am fortunate to have worked with several very good inspectors over the years but I think the consumer or buyer will benefit from this license requirement.

I have a great listing for a four bedroom home for sale in Wilmot NH. Click the continue reading button to get the hot link the the YouTube video I posted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nso2ncZUcIM

For additional information go to www.jeffadie.com http://jeffadie.com/listings.asp?listing_id={4308F021-350F-4E6B-9EAB-9182DF9AE1C8}

To get the Eastman Highlights for this week click on the continue reading button then click the Eastman Highlights link to download the PDF.

Eastman Highlights Nov 13-20

Check out the enclosed PDf file of this week highlights in Eastman. There’s a lot going on you don’t want to miss it.

And for those of you that ask, Eastman homes and condos are selling and at good pace this fall. Much better than last year!

Eastman Highlights Nov 6th

The latest on the first time home buyers tax credit is it will be expanded to include current home owners too.

The first time buyer is still eligible for the $8000 and income levels have been increased to $125,000 for a single buyer and $225,000 for couples. A buyer has to have a binding contract signed on or before April 30th, 2010. You will then have until July 1st, 2010 to close the transaction.

Current home owners are eligible for a $6500 tax credit. The house they are selling must have been their primary for 5 consecutive years out of the past eight years. Income, contract and closing dates are the same as the first time buyer. The part I had to laugh about is the purchase price of the new home can not exceed $800,000.

My opinion is that this credit for time buyers will help them get into a home now that homes are at their most affordable pricing in decades. This is based on income to cost ratio. I know there are many people out there that have the ability to pay a mortgage most often a payment that is lower than the rent they are paying. The only things missing was a large enough down payment. This is where the credit comes in. It helps that buyer get the down payment they need.

Eastman is a community not to be missed. This is what it’s all about:

A 3500 acre four season community centrally located between the college towns of Hanover, NH (Dartmouth College) and New London, NH(Colby Sawyer College) known as the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Region. There are about 1000 homes and 336 townhouse style condominiums surrounding the 325 acre Eastman Lake. Residents that live here come from all walks of life. There are young families, working couples, empty nesters and retirees.

Eastman Lake is a speed restricted lake located in the center of Eastman. Swimming and sunbathing can be enjoyed for the six beaches. Canoeing, sailing, fishing and kayaking can be enjoyed by all. Even Loons love Eastman Lake. There usually is a nesting pair that raise their young on the lake.

South Cove Activity Center, a new building that opened in July of 2009. What a great building, the indoor heated swimming pool, fitness center with all new equipment, WiFi Internet, flat screen TV’s, community rooms. A home for the recreation department which they desperately need. The best part is the building is LEED certified for energy efficiency.

The Center At Eastman is home the Bistro Nouveau, an outstanding restaurant, the golf pro shop that becomes the ski touring center in the winter.

Eastman Golf Links is 18 holes of championship golf. Major improvements took place in 06′-07′ and the course has never been better.

Tennis is another summer activity that you will find many residents taking part in. There are 12 courts in the community. Five of the courts were built in 2007. Hard True surface is the preferred surface and there are 8 courts now that are Hard True.

Miles of nature trails can be accessed from many different locations. The “Lake Trail” is just that. I like this one the best. It is a real hiking trail for 3/4 of the way around the lake. The last 1/4 is a fire lane that is a little less adventurous, which is just fine with most people, especially when there a bit tired. Other trails abound through the forest and are well marked so it is easy to find your way.

The sports field area is home to the soccer, baseball/softball fields and basketball court.

Cross Country Skiing is right out so many back doors. Easily accessed and miles of trails. Beginner to expert skier, all will be happy on these trails.

Ice Skating, when the lake freezes that’s great, but Eastman maintains a skating pond right near the Center At Eastman. So if you don’t want to shovel there is a place to skate.

Sledding, this is New Hampshire. You have to have a sledding hill! There are certain areas on the golf course where sledding is allowed.

I can go on and on……. If you would like an Eastman Info packet please sign up for one and you will receive one in a few business days. If you would rather come for a visit, I would be glad to take you on a tour.

Today was a big day for us. Changes for the better are taking place.

As of late yesterday 10/30/09 Coldwell Banker Redpath became Country Houses Real Estate!

Today there is a new energy here in my office and I could not be more excited to start working and moving forward with my new company.

A lot of people have asked me where are you going. The answer is: I am staying right in the same office at the same desk. I will just have a new name behind me. Hopefully the new sign will be up tomorrow, the new conference room will be up and running along with wireless internet too!!!!

I am personally taking a new step and will start to post video to this blog and to YouTube. I will have footage of Eastman homes and condos along with some general video of the area and some happenings in the Eastman Community. It might take a few attempts but with my Mac and iMovie I don’t expect anything to troubling or difficult to over come.

Time to head up to the Bistro Nouveau for the some Halloween fun.