http://www.remax-insight.com en psbrown@remax-insight.com Copyright 2010 2010-07-31T22:23:09+00:00 http://www.remax-insight.com/blog/article/free-recycle-freecycle/ http://www.remax-insight.com/blog/article/free-recycle-freecycle/#When:21:23:09Z Gotta move and unload a lot of furniture fast?  Maybe you just don’t want to take that entertainment center?  Need some bar stools to stage your home and don’t want to spend the cash? Hundreds of people in and around southern New Hampshire have been tapping into the kindness of neighbors through a local website called FreecycleSalemNH.  There are local groups in Lawrence, Derry, Methuen, Newburyport, Danvers, and North Andover, as well as in major cities around the country! How does Freecycle work? When you want to find a new home for something—whether it’s patio furniture, a pet stroller, a television, piano, or extra siding - you simply send an e-mail offering it to members of the local Freecycle group.  Or, maybe you’re looking to acquire something yourself.  Simply respond to a member’s offer, and you just might get it.  It’s up to the giver to decide who receives the gift and to set up a pickup time for passing on the treasure. Our main rule:  Everything posted must be free, legal, and appropriate for all ages.  FreecycleSalemNH does not allow pets; many other groups do. How long has Freecycle been around? Freecycle began in Arizona back in May 2003, when Deron Beal began The Freecycle Network™.  At the time he worked with a small nonprofit organization, RISE, which provides recycling services to downtown businesses and transitional employment to Tucsonans in need.  As the team recycled, rather than watching perfectly good items being thrown away, they found themselves calling or driving around to see if various local nonprofits could use them.  Thinking there had to be an easier way, Beal set up that first Freecycle e-mail group in a way that permitted everyone in Tucson to give and to get. With a Yahoo chat board and a snazzy name, the concept has spread like wildfire! Freecycle is now active in over 120 countries, where there are thousands of local groups representing millions of members—people helping people and ‘changing the world one gift at a time.’ It’s all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills.  Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer.  As a result, we are currently keeping over 500 tons a day out of landfills!  By giving freely with no strings attached, members of The Freecycle Network help instill a sense of generosity of spirit, and at the same time we strengthen local community ties and promote environmental sustainability and reuse. I began our Salem, New Hampshire group in January 2004.  Steve and I had a home in Salem, NH, that our sellers were scheduled to close in two weeks – but they still had a garage full of professional clothing racks and boxes of maternity clothes!  (The seller had previously owned The Sensible Duck, a maternity shop in Salem.) Local charities were glutted with donations and nobody wanted to come to pick up any of the stuff!  What a shame it would have been to dump these items!  At that time there were only two Freecycle groups in our area: one in Newmarket had about 25 members and one in Cambridge, Massachusetts with about 250 members.  After posting the items, a professional clown contacted me in just TWO DAYS, from the Cambridge group, to arrange pick up all of the items.  She wanted the clothing racks for her alter-ego, and she promised to deliver all the maternity clothes to the Salvation Army!  I met with the Seller and the clown lady when she came for the pick-up; the whole experience was efficient … and so much FUN!  I immediately recognized the tremendous value this offers to our clients, as well as to other Realtors who may be faced with an impending closing and overwhelmed sellers who may still have a big metal desk in the basement, or workbench and tools in the garage, piles of wood scraps, or old fencing that the new buyers do not want.  We used to scramble to have the items removed. Instead, we now simply take a few photos and post the items descriptions on FreecycleSalemNH.  The recipients are typically very appreciative for the opportunity to come and pick up the items.  One of our past clients actually had a Freecycle “Yard Sale.”  They posted that everything would be available FREE at 8AM on the front lawn … and within 2 hours it was all gone! In other instances, former clients or friends have just had a major life change, and are living in a new apartment but don’t have the money for decorating or for kitchen items.  Many people are experiencing budget challenges these days, and they either respond to the postings, or post for items they want. Take a look around your home. Do you have stuff that is there just because you don’t have the right place to put it, or you no longer have a use for some items—but tossing them out seems so harsh?  Have clothing that your children have outgrown?  Need an extra booster seat and don’t want to spend the cash?  Or want a tennis racket for your kid?  Non-profit organizations also benefit from The Freecycle Network™. Post the item or items you want to give away and specify that you wish the gift to go to a nonprofit cause.  The recipient is entirely your choice!  It’s a free cycle of giving.  The Freecycle Network™ is incorporated as a nonprofit organization and is tax-exempt under the IRS 501(c)3 ruling. FreecycleSalemNH was formed to serve the Salem, NH area with surrounding towns around southern NH …for individuals, groups and businesses.  Membership is free. Connect with people who are throwing away unwanted items that you want, or who want what you have to throw away … and have a little fun in the process!  Please join us at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FreecycleSalemNH.  Or find your local group at http://www.freecycle.org/group/US/.  Tell a friend about Freecycle! Press Releases 2010-07-31T21:23:09+00:00 http://www.remax-insight.com/blog/article/lip-service-will-fha-changes-put-buyers-at-more-risk/ http://www.remax-insight.com/blog/article/lip-service-will-fha-changes-put-buyers-at-more-risk/#When:12:30:47Z On July 15th, FHA released the latest policy change proposal to their loan program geared toward boosting their capital reserve by, allegedly, minimizing risk.  According to FHA, default risk is compounded when low down payments are combined with low credit scores, high debt to income ratios and low or zero cash reserves.  I am awed by their superior powers of deductive reasoning. While I completely agree that rational lending guidelines are necessary, the benefit of the three proposed changes appear to me to be questionable at best.  Two of the three proposals merely give lip service to the idea of risk reduction and the third could actually increase risk (IMHO) by lowering a borrower’s available reserves. The first policy change revolves around credit score.  FHA says that only borrowers with a credit score above 580 would be eligible for the regular 3.5% down loan program and that anyone with a credit score between 580 and 500 would have to put 10% down.  That sounds like a prudent and well thought out policy change but bear in mind that FHA only insures the loan.  Someone else actually funds the loan (puts up the money) and they have something to say about things such as credit scores also.  So, when you take in to account that the “large financial institutions in the mortgage industry” (the people that put up the money) introduced a minimum credit score of 580 in 2008 (for all types of financing including FHA) and then raised it to 620 in 2009 this policy change has, for the most part, a net effect of zero. LIP SERVICE Policy change number two revolves around underwriting guidelines.  FHA is proposing that in manually underwriting loans such things as the borrower’s credit history, their income to debt ratio, their housing to debt ratio and their reserves should be looked at.  There are a few other things thrown in to this bucket about what the ratios should be and how much the borrower should have in reserve after closing but the main gist is that the lender should strive to determine that the borrower can actually afford the loan.  What a novel idea!  Again, this sounds like prudent policy but again the net effect of this proposal is pretty close to zero since those “large financial institutions in the mortgage industry” have already gone well beyond this in tightening up guidelines.  Ask anyone in the industry, whether it’s a real estate agent or a lender, and they’ll tell you that it’s become almost ridiculously difficult to obtain a loan, any loan.  So… LIP SERVICE The third policy change revolves around allowable seller paid closing costs and is the one that I believe could actually raise the risk of default by lowering the amount of money the borrower has in reserve after buying a home.  FHA is proposing to lower the allowable amount of seller paid closing costs from 6% to 3%.  In many instances, a healthy portion of the money the buyer has to bring to closing is actually for their “escrow reserves” which is money put aside by their lender for future property tax and insurance payments.  When you take that in to consideration you can see how this reduction would be particularly detrimental in a situation with a relatively low sale price and high property tax and insurance costs.  We have that here in Southern New Hampshire to some degree with properties that are still sporting tax assessments born out of the boom years and greatly devalued market prices.  I believe that there are other parts of the country that would be just as negatively impacted by this. The final point is that if you look at a $200,000 sale price, which is in the starter home price range here in Southern New Hampshire, once you add together the 3.5% down payment, the actual closing costs, the prepaids and the escrow reserves, you’re talking about something in the vicinity of 14 or 15 grand.  I think that’s a lot of money for anyone today to be able to fork over but particularly a young person just starting out.  In instances where there is “room” for it, I’d rather see the seller pay the closing costs out of proceeds thereby allowing the buyer to keep the extra dollars in their bank account as reserves.  If lowering the risk of default is truly the goal, FHA should look at raising the required reserve from the currently proposed one month PITI instead of reducing the allowable seller paid closing costs. HUD is accepting public comments until August 16th.  If you’d like to put your two cents in you can do so at http://www.regulations.gov. You should do it.  It’ll be cheaper than your closing costs will be if this passes. Press Releases 2010-07-31T12:30:47+00:00 http://www.remax-insight.com/blog/article/the-race-is-back-on/ http://www.remax-insight.com/blog/article/the-race-is-back-on/#When:22:06:54Z ...Along With Jobless Benefits The race to close is back on.  Yesterday, the Senate failed to pass a hotly contested catchall bill that included an extension to the deadline to close for the First Time Home Buyer’s Tax Credit, which is currently set at June 30th.  According to a number of sources there is a backlog of 180,000 homebuyers who were in contract by the April 30th deadline but have not yet closed.  News that the closing deadline had been extended spread like wildfire last week after the Senate approved an Amendment proposed by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) on June 16th.  Apparently few people realized that all the passage of the amendment did was approve the addition of it to a bill that was anything but a sure winner. There were apparently some attempts to “decouple” (as Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine called it) some of the items in the bill, most notably the extension of jobless benefits for the long term unemployed, from the rest of the legislation, but that was also unsuccessful. The finger pointing and name calling are now in high gear and it appears to be something of a Mexican Standoff – the Republicans remain unwilling to pass the entire piece of Legislation because of concerns about adding another $30 billion to the already staggering deficit and Democrats are resistant to unpacking the Legislation and addressing some of the issues individually.  According to Harry Reid (D-Nevada) the Senate will now move on to other matters. If you’re involved in a transaction that qualifies for the Tax Credit…get out your track shoes. The race is on!!! Press Releases 2010-06-25T22:06:54+00:00 http://www.remax-insight.com/blog/article/joy-baker-and-alison-kennery-join-re-max-insight/ http://www.remax-insight.com/blog/article/joy-baker-and-alison-kennery-join-re-max-insight/#When:21:51:45Z Joy was first licensed as a real estate agent in 1987 and has a cross-functional background in mortgage banking, title and real estate.  She has many years experience helping buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals through traditional transactions, however, in today’s environment she believes her most important skill is the ability to compassionately guide people through difficult and confusing times.  Joy credits her background as a teacher of Kripalu Yoga, the Yoga of Compassionate Awareness for the development and fine-tuning of this skill.  Joy has helped many people successfully navigate through the frustrations and potential pitfalls of purchasing a foreclosure property.  She also has extensive experience helping folks who don’t know what to do because they owe more on their home than it’s worth.  Joy makes her home in Londonderry with her husband Stephen, a talented musician who is one of the founding members of Beatlejuice – New England’s Premiere Beatles Band. Alison also started her real estate career in 1987.  She has focused on residential real estate in both new construction and resales.  She has extensive experience working with relocation buyers, and is a Certified Buyer Broker and has her GRI Designation.  Alison brings to her real estate career knowledge, experience and a long history of caring for her clients from first meeting to long after the closing.  Alison resides Derry with her husband Jerry and daughter Paige in Derry, where they are all very active with Kid’s Coop Theatre, whose mission is to provide a venue for children to showcase their abilities as actors.  Alison has also been active with the local PTA since 1998. Joy and Alison both believe strongly that they have an obligation to the people they are working with to help them interpret how the many changes taking place today impact their ability to achieve their goals and, as such, have a strong commitment to continuing education. Together, Joy and Alison have what you need in today’s challenging times: Knowledge Compassion Help Press Releases 2010-06-04T21:51:45+00:00 http://www.remax-insight.com/blog/article/meet-the-experts-appraiser-panel/ http://www.remax-insight.com/blog/article/meet-the-experts-appraiser-panel/#When:16:33:45Z Date/Time: Tuesday, May 25th 5:00 – 6:30 PM Realtors are invited to meet the experts at MAG Mortgage and participate in our round table discussion & open forum on the state of the appraisal business and the effect of HVCC (Home Value Code of Conduct) on our industry.  We will have three (3) local appraisers, licensed in both MA and NH, on our panel and available to answer your questions! Learn what hurdles HVCC has caused and how to avoid them so your transactions close more smoothly. Learn how to set proper expectations for your buyers and sellers around the appraisal process. Learn how to voice your opinion on the potentially damaging effects of HVCC. Discuss the future of HVCC and its impact on your business! RSVP Now! Please RSVP as soon as possible and indicate if you will be joining us in person or via our remote webinar session.  Space will be limited and reserved for the first (20) people in person; and the first (20) on the webinar. To RSVP, please contact us via email at and indicate your name, email address and whether you are attending in person or via webinar; or call Diane DiLorenzo at: 603.952.4655.  This event will be hosted at the RE/MAX Insight office at 254 N. Broadway, Suite 201; Salem, NH 03079 (Directions).  For remote attendees please indicate your cell phone as well.  We will provide the webinar details the day before our session. Food & Refreshments will be served.  We look forward to seeing you on the 25th! Press Releases 2010-05-03T16:33:45+00:00 http://www.remax-insight.com/blog/article/re-max-insight-helps-to-launch-new-re-max-university-training-platform/ http://www.remax-insight.com/blog/article/re-max-insight-helps-to-launch-new-re-max-university-training-platform/#When:16:34:45Z RE/MAX Insight is proud to have played an instrumental role in the launch of the new RE/MAX University Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) training platform - released nationwide on March 1st, 2010.  RE/MAX has always been at the forefront and a leader in delivering comprehensive real estate training curriculum and tools to its agents.  Now, RE/MAX and RE/MAX Insight have given their agents access to the new RE/MAX University - a 24/7 source for the best ideas, training and real estate information in the industry.  Replacing satellite television with online, on‐demand TV and mobile access – at home or in the office - means the RE/MAX University ever‐expanding inventory of educational programming is now more timely, accessible and cost‐effective than ever! “The RE/MAX training platform has been the hallmark of our organization and this new on-demand technology matched with our award-winning education programming will revolutionize the industry and gives our agents the advantage in any market,” said Tom Kramig, RE/MAX Vice President of Multi-Media and Education.  “We selected leading RE/MAX offices across the country, like RE/MAX Insight, to evaluate the new media and become a part of the development phase. Their critical insight and practical application allowed us to test the viability of the new platform and provided the valuable feedback we needed to make RE/MAX University a reality.” For more information on RE/MAX Insight and how the new RE/MAX University can help you learn and earn more, please visit: http://www.remax-insight.com/about/training-and-coaching/. Press Releases 2010-04-02T16:34:45+00:00 http://www.remax-insight.com/blog/article/re-max-insight-joins-the-fight-against-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma/ http://www.remax-insight.com/blog/article/re-max-insight-joins-the-fight-against-spinal-muscular-atrophy-sma/#When:00:47:45Z The RE/MAX Insight team is proud to announce their support of a cause that is both personal and rewarding; and partner with the SMA Foundation, an organization that has made tremendous inroads in the fight against Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).  RE/MAX Insight will be donating funds to the SMA Foundation-on behalf of its REALTORS® and in the name of their customers-to help these children fight for a future.  “For every RE/MAX Insight office transaction, our real estate professionals’ customers will receive an In Honor Letter from the SMA Foundation,” says Mark Bishop, Broker / Owner.  “This In Honor Letter lets these customers know that a donation has been made, in their name, to the SMA Foundation and on behalf of our RE/MAX Insight REALTOR®.” “We’re very happy that we can help such a worthy charity,” said Bishop.  “This is also a very personal cause for the ownership group here.  We’re excited to do our best and help beat this devastating disease.” “We greatly appreciate RE/MAX Insight’s commitment to support SMA research.  Each donation increases the power of our work together to find a treatment as rapidly as possible,” said Cynthia Joyce, the Foundation’s Executive Director. SMA is a deadly and relatively common genetic disease and is the leading genetic cause of death in infants and toddlers.  SMA has a devastating and deadly impact on children.  Victims either never acquire, or progressively lose, the ability to walk, stand, sit and eventually move; ultimately succumbing to fatal respiratory complications.  Children’s minds are unaffected, however, leaving their developing brains trapped in weakening bodies. Scientists now believe SMA may have a greater probability of realizing a treatment or cure than any other major genetic disease! RE/MAX Insight wishes to thank all of its real estate team-and its customers -for helping these children and families fight for their future and a cure for SMA! For further information and/or to donate, please see: www.smafoundation.org/donate  Or Mail: SMA Foundation 888 Seventh Ave., Suite 400 New York, NY 10019 877-FUND-SMA 100% of every dollar given goes directly to the conduct of charitable programs and activities dedicated to finding a treatment or a cure for SMA. The SMA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity as designated by the Internal Revenue Service. Press Releases 2010-03-19T00:47:45+00:00 http://www.remax-insight.com/blog/article/guide-to-beach-properties-in-seacoast-area-nh/ http://www.remax-insight.com/blog/article/guide-to-beach-properties-in-seacoast-area-nh/#When:01:26:57Z After the holidays are over, many people turn their attention to the beach. The early beach buyers are out looking now for their summer properties.  I am receiving more calls than usual from people inquiring about beach property who have never been to the Seacoast area or who have not been here for many years.  There has been a lot of positive press about the revitalization of the beach areas of Hampton and Salisbury which has prompted these calls. Prices have come down at the beach but not as much as inland areas.  Buyers from all over New England, New York, Pennsylvania and now, Canada have decided that the beach is a safe investment. When you drive around the Seacoast area you’ll see multimillion dollar homes being constructed and expensive additions being built. The prices of property at Hampton Beach range from studio getaways at $69,900 to million dollar residences right on the beach and everything in between. Visitors have their favorite areas of Hampton: the Island Section, the Church St. area, the letter streets, the area above the Ashworth Hotel, Plaice Cove and North Beach.  Cottages, condos & multifamilies, there is something for everyone at Hampton Beach. Salisbury Beach is a smaller market than Hampton and has fewer low cost units but you do get more for your money in Salisbury. There are low priced cottages and condos very close to the beach. Beachfront is available for $750,000 and up.  A major redevelopment is planned for the Salisbury Center. Prices at Seabrook Beach have come down but are still much higher than Hampton and Salisbury.  Seabrook Beach is very much a family beach with little commercial activity. It is less dense than Salisbury or Hampton. Cottages start in the high $300,000’s. Beachfront properties are priced over $1 million.  All around the Seacoast area, people are turning their beach houses into their year round residences or retirement homes. This is very evident in Seabrook. Many of the buyers I work with plan to rent their properties. Some want to rent as much as they can. Others only want to rent for a few weeks to help with taxes and insurance.  Homeaway.com is an invaluable tool for them. If you would like to purchase a property that is being used as a rental, your Purchase & Sale Agreement will commit you to honor the rental reservations in place at the time of closing. If you plan to rent your property, this is a great advantage. Traditionally, return guests are given priority for the same week they rented last year. These guests have until mid February to complete their reservation. After this date, available weeks are opened up to the general public.  If you are looking at property in March, you might find that some are fully booked for the summer. I live at the beach. I walk on the beach every morning. I love it here. I’m lucky to have a job that keeps me at the beach where I help people find the beach property that’s right for them.  I’d be happy to assist you with your search! Best wishes, Darlene RE/MAX Insight 2010-02-10T01:26:57+00:00 http://www.remax-insight.com/blog/article/re-max-insight-announces-darlene-dolan-as-newest-team-member/ http://www.remax-insight.com/blog/article/re-max-insight-announces-darlene-dolan-as-newest-team-member/#When:12:13:55Z RE/MAX Insight is very happy to announce the addition of Darlene Dolan to the team!  Darlene joins the RE/MAX Insight team from Carey & Giampa and is a REALTOR specializing in NH & MA beach and coastal properties; with a focus on the communities of Hampton, Seabrook, North Hampton, Rye & Salisbury.  She works with second home buyers, investors and people who want to move to the beach.  Darlene loves what she does - helping people find the property that’s right for them.  “Darlene brings with her such a professional manner - she is an expert in her field and in the seacoast communities,” says Mark Bishop, Broker/Owner.  “We are ecstatic to have her join the team!” Darlene is very proud to have been a Peace Corps Volunteer after graduation from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.  She has many years experience in management and real estate.  Her favorite activities include traveling, reading, swimming and hanging out with her two sons. For information, please see Darlene’s website at: http://www.nhbeachrealestate.com. Press Releases 2009-12-19T12:13:55+00:00 http://www.remax-insight.com/blog/article/sandy-goetz-joins-the-re-max-insight-team/ http://www.remax-insight.com/blog/article/sandy-goetz-joins-the-re-max-insight-team/#When:18:06:30Z RE/MAX Insight warmly welcomes Sandy Goetz as the newest member of its Salem, NH team!  “Sandy has terrific real estate transactional experience, which will be of tremendous value not only to her customers, but to our team overall,” says Mark Bishop, Broker/Owner. A licensed Realtor in both MA & NH, Sandy brings her extensive 16-year experience to RE/MAX Insight.  With her expertise as a real estate paralegal, Sandy has intimate knowledge of the entire transactional process and is eager to help her clients understand and feel comfortable about their own unique situation.  She is committed to providing excellent service – with constant communication – throughout her clients’ home buying or selling experience. Sandy is a graduate of UMass Lowell and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology.  She is also a graduate of the Paralegal Certificate Program at Northeastern University.  Sandy was born and raised in the Merrimack Valley region and is currently raising her family in Southern New Hampshire, where she is an active member of the PTA. Press Releases 2009-12-11T18:06:30+00:00