Posted by Carol Shepherd on Wed, May 02, 2012 @ 01:35 PM
New Hampshire real estate market data for the 1st quarter was recently released by both the New Hampshire Association of Realtors® (NHAR), as well as national market data from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Despite small decreases in March sales, overall the real estate market, both locally and nationally, continue to improve and the conditions remaining ripe for buyers.
NAR recently released statistics that existing-home sales (completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops) in the Northeast dipped 1.7% in March compared to the previous month, but those sales numbers are still 5.5% higher than they were in March 2011. (NAR News)
This was reiterated by NHAR, who released that first quarter residential home sales for NH were 17% above that of 2011 and, with record-breaking months in January and February of this year, the highest 1st quarter numbers they have seen since 2007. (NHAR eNews)
Home sales increased by double digits in nine of New Hampshire's 10 counties, with Merrimack rising 6%. However, the median home selling price declined in every county except for Merrimack and Coos. (NHAR eNews)
Some newer statistics available reveal that "out-of-state buyers purchased 22% of New Hampshire's home sales." (NHAR eNews) Carroll County saw 44% out-of-state buyers, Grafton saw 36%, and Rockingham 25%. Additionally, more than 22% of New Hampshire's home sales were second homes.
Whether in-state or out-of-state buyers, or first or second homes, the overall New Hampshire home sales projections for 2012 are looking very promising.
Contact CG Shepherd Realty, LLC to find out more specific market statistics for your community.
CG Shepherd Realty, LLC: Serving New Hampshire's Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee & Upper Valley Regions, Eastman, and Vermont's Real Estate Buying & Selling Needs for Over 20 Years.
Posted by Carol Shepherd on Fri, Apr 20, 2012 @ 06:20 PM
Now that the weather has warmed up and the flowers are in bloom in New Hampshire and Vermont, it's that time of year again…time for spring cleaning! This ritual of homeowners and renters alike provides a rejuvenating lift for a home that has been closed up all winter long during our New England hibernation. For home sellers, spring cleaning is especially important. The spring market for real estate is the prime time for showings and open houses. Help your home to look it's best so that it attracts the buyer's eye.
Whether you're a spring cleaning veteran or new to homeownership, your spring cleaning
experience doesn't have to be intimidating or overwhelming. No matter the size of your living space, here are 5 simple tips and tricks from HouseLogic to jump-start a thorough spring cleaning of your home:
1. After vacuuming up the cobwebs and dust, wash down your walls, but don't use spray cleaners. They like to leave streaks behind. Instead, soak a cloth in an all-purpose cleaner and wipe walls; then rinse with a cloth soaked in plain water.
2. Vacuum and wipe down your baseboards after you clean your floors because debris can easily get kicked up onto baseboards from the floor.
3. For washing windows, use a microfiber cloth soaked in a solution of ¼ cup vinegar, ¼ to ½ teaspoon dish soap and 2 cups water. Too much vinegar in the solution will leave windows cloudy, so don't go overboard.
4. Use a "whipped detergent" to spot clean upholstery. Mix equal parts dish soap and water and beat to a froth. Use a cloth soaked in the mixture to wash stain and rinse with a clean damp cloth.
5. To clean ceiling fan blades without sprinkling dust all over yourself and the floor, spray the inside of an old pillowcase with cleaning solution, slip the bag over blade and wipe clean.
Find more spring cleaning tips and tricks on the Spring Cleaning List for your home's interior and exterior. For room-by-room tips, check out Spring Cleaning 101.
If you're a home seller who really wants to make an impression on buyers, take a look at this article for Staging Your Home to Sell from the Shepherd Realty blog.
CG Shepherd Realty, LLC: Serving New Hampshire's Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee and Upper Valley Regions, Eastman, and Vermont's Real Estate Buying and Selling Needs for Over 20 Years.
Posted by Carol Shepherd on Fri, Apr 06, 2012 @ 02:20 PM
Flavors of the Valley is the Upper Valley's premier tasting, informational, and buying event for locally grown foods. Organized by Valley Food & Farm, a program of Vital Communities for the greater Upper Valley Region of New Hampshire and Vermont, this annual event showcases local food and farm products of the Upper Valley (Flavors of the Valley). Dozens of local farmers and chefs answer questions about their products, including meats, produce, maple, dairy, baked goods, and prepared foods.
During this year's Flavors of the Valley on April 15, 2012 from 11am-3pm at Hartford High School in White River Junction VT, over 50 farm, restaurant, nonprofit, and retail vendors will provide you with scrumptious samples and offer products for sale, such as plant starts, produce, value 
added products, and CSA farm shares (Grantham NH News and Events, Lorie McClory, 3/30/12). View this year's list of vendors. The cost is $8 per person; children 6 and younger get in FREE; $25 maximum per family. Bring your own plate, cup, and napkin for sampling the delicious locally grown foods, and don't forget your checkbook or cash for purchases as well as a reusable shopping bag or cooler to take your goodies home with you!
Valley Food & Farm continues to carry out its mission to "foster the relationships that make agriculture a vital part of daily community life" in concrete and practical ways by helping people find farmers and local farm products and promoting local agriculture through marketing efforts and special events like Flavors of the Valley (About Valley Food & Farm). Flavors of the Valley has been an integral part of this mission since the annual event began in 2002.
Last year, there were around 1,000 people who attended the Flavors of the Valley event. So whether you're a chef, gardener, consumer, wholesale or retail buyer, come be a part of Flavors of the Valley 2012 at Hartford High School in White River Junction VT.
This is just one of the amazing offerings of the Upper Valley Region of New Hampshire and Vermont. If you're interested in being a part of a community that appreciates local farmers and food products, search for New Hamshire homes for sale or Vermont homes for sale at sheprealty.com to find your home in the Upper Valley.
CG Shepherd Realty, LLC: Serving New Hampshire's Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee & Upper Valley Regions, Eastman, and Vermont's Real Estate Buying and Selling Needs for Over 20 Years.
(image courtesy of Valley Food & Farm)
Posted by Carol Shepherd on Fri, Mar 30, 2012 @ 10:30 AM
As homeowners, there are preventative measures we can take to mitigate damage to our New Hampshire homes. "Each year, sewer and drain backups cause millions of dollars in damages…Waste water normally backs up through bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, floor drains and sump pump holes" (MMG Insurance, Spring 2012 Newsletter). There is nothing pleasant about waste water backup. Although our New Hampshire homes could be susceptible to water backup and sump pump overflow, I think we can agree that we want to do all we can to avoid finding ourselves in this messy situation.
Here are 7 Tips to Prevent Waste Water Backup courtesy of MMG Insurance from their Spring 2012 Newsletter:
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Make sure your drainage system is working properly.
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Seal all foundation cracks to prevent surface water from entering the basement.
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Gutters & downspouts should extend at least 10' from the foundation.
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Lawns and driveways should slope away from the home.
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Backflow inhibitors installed on drain lines can stop the backflow of sewage and waste water.
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Sump pumps should not be connected to the home's sewage or drain lines.
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Use a sump pump that can also be operated by battery backup or generator.
Bonus Tip: Check your perimeter drains to make sure they are free of tree roots and animal nests each year, and do not block the ends of drains.
If backup occurs, proper precautions need to be taken if you are cleaning it up yourself. If the backup is extensive or beyond your control, you should contact a water clean-up expert who is trained to deal with this issue.
Here are some tips for proper precautions before cleaning up:
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Put on gloves, eye protection and face masks to protect against pathogens.
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Disinfect all surfaces, washing your hands frequently.
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Properly ventilate and dry the exposed areas by using floor fans, air scrubbers and dehumidifiers.
Hopefully, these tips and regular monitoring and maintenance of your home's drainage system can prevent your home from a water backup or sump pump overflow disaster.
CG Shepherd Realty, LLC: Serving New Hampshire's Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee and Upper Valley Regions, Eastman, & Vermont's Real Estate Buying and Selling Needs for Over 20 Years.
(image courtesy of
Diy Plumbing & Drain)
Posted by Carol Shepherd on Fri, Mar 23, 2012 @ 10:38 AM
For the third consecutive year, January residential unit sales in New Hampshire increased from the prior January. According to recently released MLS data by the New Hampshire Association of Realtors (NHAR), the 656 single family homes sold in the Granite State in January 2012 showed a 20% increase from 549 homes sold in January 2011. The median price of those homes, meanwhile, continued to lag slightly behind, having dropped 4% from $207,000 in January 2011 to $198,500 in January 2012.
"Although it's human nature to look for that one defining month that signals to everyone that the recovering in the housing market is afoot, that's just not the nature of this economy," said NHAR President John Rice, a 40-year veteran of the real estate industry. "As we continue to hear from economists, we're probably in the early stages of a slow upward climb." Rice said he was encouraged by the fact that the 656 January sales were the most since 2007, but he pointed out that this mild winter, particularly compared to last year's frigid and snow-caked January, has likely played a role in the up tick.
"We're happy to report positive news in terms of the market, but we also need to be clear about the context," Rice said," and right now the context is that we've had positive conditions compared to last year."
The drop in the median price continues to be influenced by the foreclosure market. The New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority reported 368 foreclosure deeds recorded in December 2011, the highest December number since NHHFA began its reporting in 2005.
In terms of local markets, eight of the state's 10 counties saw unit sales increases in January compared to a year ago, including a 108% jump in Sullivan County, 45% jump in Belknap County and 36% in both Cheshire and Rockingham counties, and a 13% jump in Grafton County. Median price, meanwhile, saw increases in four of 10 counties, the largest of those being 22% in Coos County.
Grafton County also saw an increase of 27% in condo sales this January and a 54% increase in median sales price compared to January 2011.
Here are some local statistics from the Northern New England Real Estate Network MLS regarding changes in residential unit sales from January 2011 to January 2012: both Lebanon NH and Sunapee NH residential sales increased by 300%, Grantham NH showed an increase of 67%, and Hanover was down 33%.
With inventory still relatively high, interest rates low and prices competitive, Rice said he would not be surprised to see an excellent spring in terms of sales. "No predictions, but the market is certainly ripe for continued increase in activity," he said. "Those looking to buy a home have excellent opportunities right now." (Information provided by Dave Cummings, NHAR Director of Communications, Press Release, 23 February, 2012)
So take advantage of these great buyer opportunities and contact CG Shepherd Realty, LLC to talk to one of our qualified REALTORS® or begin your search for New Hampshire homes for sale on our website.
CG Shepherd Realty, LLC: Serving New Hampshire's Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee and Upper Valley Regions, Eastman & Vermont Real Estate Buying and Selling Needs for over 20 years.
Posted by Carol Shepherd on Fri, Mar 16, 2012 @ 03:07 PM
Spring has sprung and there are many local Grantham NH events popping up throughout the next couple of weeks. Some for youth, some for adults, and some for sweet-tooth's of all ages! From brain-busting trivia to the artistic stylings of jazz, Grantham NH community is chock full of things to do. Here are some events courtesy of Lori McClory with the Grantham News on 3/16/12:
Parents can register children for the following two youth events between 7:30 and 8:15 a.m. on March 19-23 in the Grantham Village School gym or after school March 27 in the gym foyer.
Kids’ Learn to Knit class: Youth between 9 and 12 years of age are welcome to the free Learn to Knit class being held Thursday March 29th and April 12th in the Grantham Village School library. No experience or supplies necessary.
Dodgeball Socials: A new youth dodgeball social program will be held Tuesdays in April from 3 to 4 p.m. in the school gym. The game is free and just for the fun of it.
Girl Scout Cookies March 24th: The Grantham Brownie Girl Scout Troop #42060 will sell Girl Scout Cookies for $3.50 per box from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 24th at Grantham Pizza Chef. If you want to support the Girl Scouts without consuming the cookies, you can purchase boxes to donate to the U.S. Troops or the Grantham Food Pantry.
Trivia night March 24th: The last Bistro Brain Busters Trivia Night of the season will begin at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 24th at The Center at Eastman. Teams of 2 to 6 players come for a free night of friendly competition with hostess Kathy Pomer and her team of triviologists. Register in advance at 863-8000. Cash bar and bistro menu available.
Next JOSA (Jazz on a Sunday Afternoon)March 25th: Trumpeter and vocalist Christine Fawson performs during Jazz On a Sunday Afternoon beginning at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 25 at The Center at Eastman. Tickets are $18 for adults and $16 for seniors and students. Reservations at 763-8732; day of show after 2 p.m. call 863-8000. Sit-in musicians welcome and enjoy reduced ticket price. For more information, visit www.josajazz.com. A la carte menu and full bar service available from Bistro Nouveau during the show.
Find more Grantham NH news and events at Lake Sunapee Region, NH Local News and Information.
If you want to become part of this active, close-knit community, contact CG Shepherd Realty, LLC to learn more about all of the wonderful amenities that Grantham NH has to offer.
CG Shepherd Realty, LLC: Serving the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee and Upper Valley Regions, Eastman & Vermont Real Estate Buying & Selling Needs for over 20 years.
(Image courtesy of EastmanNH.org)
Posted by Carol Shepherd on Thu, Mar 01, 2012 @ 01:09 PM
Grantham NH was featured in this month's issue of the New Hampshire To-Do magazine! The March 2012 issue includes a town spotlight on Grantham NH with a nice four-page article on Grantham and an additional two-page spread just on the Eastman NH community. This article, written by the magazine's editor himself, Daron H. Libby, provides an out-of-towner's perspective of this friendly, close-knit community, and I think you'll find that Grantham and its residents give off a very positive vibe.
The article brings attention to many of the local businesses on Route 10 in Grantham NH, including Closet Treasures, Pizza Chef, Sugar River Flooring and Greenwood Kitchens and Bath and, of course, CG Shepherd Realty, LLC. Shepherd Realty received a great mention on page 58. It also explores the history of Grantham, eateries, shops, and the amenities of Eastman NH.
For those of us who live in Grantham NH, we know what a treasure this community is nestled in the Green Mountains along the Sugar River, but it's great to see that others are recognizing the features of Grantham that make it a desirable community in which to live, and we appreciate New Hampshire To-Do magazine wanting to capture the essence of Grantham NH for their readers.
View page 1 of the Discovering Grantham NH article. If you're interested in viewing the full article, stop by CG Shepherd Realty, LLC on Route 10 in Grantham NH or at our new Lebanon branch office just off I-89 exit 18 to pick up a copy of the March issue on us! You can also find the magazine for sale at a number of newsstands in New Hampshire and around New England.
If you want to know more about Grantham NH, a bedroom community of Hanover NH, rated the #6 best place to live in CNN Money Magazine in 2011, contact CG Shepherd Realty, LLC. Our team of qualified Realtors® are extremely knowledgeable of this community.
CG Shepherd Realty, LLC: Serving New Hampshire's Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Region, the Upper Valley, Eastman & Vermont's Real Estate Buying & Selling Needs.
(Image provided by CG Shepherd Realty, LLC)
Posted by Carol Shepherd on Sat, Feb 25, 2012 @ 11:55 AM
Outdoor winter recreation is a popular pastime for New Hampshire residents and vacationers alike. With an abundance of mountains, and usually an abundance of snow, New Hampshire is the prime location for a number of ski resorts, including Mount Sunapee, Eastman Cross Country, Bretton Woods, Pats Peak and more. For snowboarders, skiers, snowshoers and the like, New Hampshire's gorgeous mountain backdrop provides much more than beautiful scenery.
To encourage and inspire activity and exercise during the winter months, the annual Winter Wild Series was started in 2010, by Recreation Director Chad Denning of the New London Recreation Department along with Team AMP(Athletes Multisport Partnership) and Earthtec, offering a series of uphill/downhill races for all ages and all levels of experience (La Vigne, Patricia. Winter Wild Series, New Hampshire To-Do, January 2012, p. 37). Participants ski, snowshoe, or hike up the mountain and use the same gear to come back down to the finish line at the base. Snowboarders can carry their board up and ride down. These are early morning races, being completed before the public mountains open at 8:00 am.
This year's 2012 Winter Wild Series has been expanded to 5 races at 5 different locations. The 
next race will be held at Mount Sunapee on March 3, 2012. The Mount Sunapee race is a 4.0-mile course that will run from 6:30 – 8:00 am and end with an awards ceremony at 9:30 am in the Spruce Lodge. Awards are given to the top 3 male and top three female participants by age and category, but there's also a raffle for all participants(Mount Sunapee Race Details).
Interested participants can register for a fee of $20 before race day or $25 the day of. Age groups are male and female: 18 & under, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+. Categories are Open Category (Micro-spikes, running shoes, snowshoes, yaxtrax, etc), Track Skis (lightweight skating/diagonal gear), Telemark (full metal edged skis with a 3-pin or cable binding) and Heavy Metal (alpine skis, randonee bindings, plastic boots). All categories include a Challenged Athlete Division(Winter Wild Rules). You can register online for the Mount Sunapee Race.
"The Town of New London Recreation Department has partnered with the Let's Move Campaign in offering all of the Winter Wild events for FREE to schooled children in our region. The school district with the most percentage participation in the 5 Winter Wild events in 2012 will receive a $2000 donation for their PTO courtesy of Lake Sunapee Bank"(New Hampshire Winter Wild).
(Photos courtesy of Winter Wild)
If you love the winter recreation New Hampshire has to offer, including the Winter Wild, and want to find a permanent residence or a second home in New Hampshire, contact CG Shepherd Realty, LLC.
CG Shepherd Realty, LLC: Serving New Hampshire's Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Region, Upper Valley, Eastman & Vermont Real Estate Buying and Selling Needs.
Posted by Carol Shepherd on Fri, Feb 17, 2012 @ 11:52 AM
New Hampshire seasonal homes are a great asset, providing a summer getaway or vacation retreat for their owners. But they can also be a liability if they are not properly maintained, especially during the New England winter months. Winter temperatures, snow and ice can be damaging to your seasonal home, but there are preventative steps you can take to ensure that your New Hampshire seasonal home remains damage-free this winter.
Here are 9 Tips to Prevent Winter Damage courtesy of MMG Insurance from their Fall 2011 Newsletter:
1. Maintain the heat between 55-60 degrees
2. Install a temperature monitor. A battery-powered monitor can notify you if the temperature falls below a safe level.
3. Make sure pipes are properly insulated. Extremely cold temperatures can freeze water in the pipes, which can cause a plethora of issues.
4. Drain water heater and pipes, if the home will be unoccupied for a longer period of time. Once everything is flushed, double check that the main water line to the property has been shut off.
5. Remove any fire hazards. Discard loose papers, old rags or chemicals. Turn off all utilities and unplug all appliances.
6. Inspect the roof and replace missing or broken shingles to prevent leaks.
7. Trim overhanging or dead branches. Weight from ice and snow can cause branches to snap and potentially result in damage to your property.
8. Remove snow from your roof and decks. If there is a heavy amount of snowfall, arrange to have the snow removed to prevent ice backup and snow load issues.
9. Check on your property periodically. If you are unable to do so yourself, ask a trusted neighbor or hire a property management company to check on your home.
Find more Tips for Snow and Ice Removal Safety.
Although this is not one of New Hampshire's harshest winters, drastic fluctuations in temperatures and a cycle of freezing and thawing is just as dangerous for an unoccupied residence. So keep your New Hampshire seasonal homes safe and ready for your return.
CG Shepherd Realty, LLC: Serving New Hampshire's Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Region, Upper Valley, Eastman & Vermont's Real Estate Buying and Selling Needs.
Posted by Carol Shepherd on Thu, Feb 09, 2012 @ 01:25 PM
The Eastman NH community is holding its first Loppet for David's House on February 11, 2012. "'Lopp' is the Swedish word for 'race,' in this case a ski race" (Eastman NH News). This all-day event is a great opportunity to ski and snowshoe on groomed trails and promises fun for all ages. If you've already pre-registered to participate, here is the most recent update on the logistics for the event provided by David's House:
o Lack of snow on the Eastman cross country trails will mean the skiing portion will not take place at Eastman XC.
o Eastman does have enough snow in the woods to safely snowshoe so the snow shoe portion of the event will move forward. Eastman will provide free use of snowshoes.
o Individuals who signed up to ski have the option to snowshoe at Eastman or if they would like to ski, can ski free on Feb.11 at Trapp Family Lodge, Bretton Woods Nordic Center or The Jackson Ski Touring Center. This fantastic offer by these establishments will be honored only if participants have pre-registered online before midnight on Feb.9 (TONIGHT) and met the pledge minimums online. If participants have registered by paper we (Eastman) need to have the registration and pledges in hand by midnight on Thursday. Feb.9. Eastman will supply each establishment with a roster of participants who met the minimum so they can be checked in.
o Plenty of food and great entertainment from 11am-4pm, so we want to encourage anyone to come down, make a donation of and enjoy the food and music. Event organizers are encouraging a $10 donation at the door for adults and $5 for a child. Entertainment participants don’t have to ski or snowshoe.
(Image courtesy of David's House)
Funds raised will go to benefit David's House. "David's House provides a home-away-from-home and support for families with children receiving treatment through Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. " (David's House)
Eastman NH is a 4-season residential community that loves to come together for occasions such as these to support local organizations. CG Shepherd Realty, LLC has been serving the real estate needs buyers and sellers in Grantham NH and the Eastman NH community for over 30 years. Contact CG Shepherd Realty, LLC to learn more about this friendly and generous community.