It’s going to be a busy week in western Maine and the White Mountains! The leaves are reaching their peak, fall sports are in full swing, and the Fryeburg Fair is in town. (more…)

What do you get when you combine cardboard, duct tape, a steep mountain and hundreds of sun-drenched onlookers?  The King Pine cardboard box derby in Madison, NH of course.  This annual event marks the end of a long New England winter and is a great opportunity for locals to come out of

The race course

 hibernation, get their creative juices flowing and spend a day watching their contortionist kids crash Nascar-style on King Pine’s East Slope. (more…)

What is an APOD?

New product from Apple?

Sorry, Charlie.

Oh! I know.  A group of whales!

Nope.

No? It wasn’t Wales either?

Bad pun AND wrong again.

How about those things in the bottom of the pool in Cocoon?

Give up?

Yeah…what the heck is it? (more…)

-By Kyla Brustin

A couple of months ago I listed a home for sale in Madison. About 2 days later, the house next door sold for way less than anyone would have expected, driving down the value of my sellers’ home. My sellers lowered their price  to reflect the new market value, which was less than they ever thought they would have to accept. Shortly after that an offer came in, and the buyers and sellers were able to negotiate a price that was acceptable to both parties. The buyers had a home inspection, the home needed a few small things, and the sellers credited a little more money. Again, they were disappointed that the market conditions yielded the price they did, but they genuinely wanted the buyers to have  a solid home and they were ready to sell. The last hurdle was the appraisal. In the past, appraisals were not a huge concern. However in a market where there are foreclosures, short sales and lower prices in general, the appraisal is a huge concern. The appraiser went to the house, and we waited anxiously to hear. The sellers were ready to complete the sale. They wanted to clean out the house and move on with their lives. After 2 weeks of waiting, the appraisal came back at $5000 less than the purchase price. The buyers were disappointed. The sellers were disappointed. After all the negotiating, the appraisal presented another hurdle. By this time both parties were entirely committed to seeing the sale through, and fortunately they were able to agree on a way to make up the difference and move forward.  

In a year, the sellers will be doing something new and great, and the buyers will be happily installed in their new home. The appraisal value will be irrelevant.

The market has changed, and we can no longer coast to the finish after we negotiate through the home inspection, so we as buyers, sellers and real estate professionals need to be prepared for it. This too shall pass.

This weekend (April 10, 2010) the National Association of Realtors has organized nationwide open houses all day Saturday. If you are in the market for a new home, set aside some time to view homes for sale in your area. Here at Pinkham Real Estate, we will be holding open houses at 2 homes.

208 Crown Ridge Rd

From 11-2, drop by 208 Crown Ridge Rd in North Conway. To get there, take Kearsarge Rd out of North Conway village. Turn right on Old Bartlett Rd. After you cross a small bridge, turn left on Crown Ridge Rd. About a quarter of a mile in, you will see signs for 208 on the left. This 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath beauty features hardwood floors, wonderful wrap-around screened porch, brick hearth w/ efficient and stylish Scandinavian fireplace insert, woodstove in 2nd living area & views to Mt. Washington. With conservation land abutting the 1.4 acre property, you are assured privacy and unspoiled views. It is offered at $349,900.

From 12-2, go to Madison to visit Banfield Hollow Acres, a development of freestanding townhomes. To

Banfield Hollow Acres

get there, go south on Route 16 to Route 113. The entrance to Banfield Hollow Acres is on the right just past Eidelweiss. At Banfield Hollow Acres, you will find 2 different styles of customizable homes that you can have built on the site of your choice, which has been carefully laid out for privacy. All homes include a farmer’s porch and full basement. There are many additional options as well including finished 2nd level & 2 car garage. Beach rights on beautiful Silver Lake. Prices start at $149,900.

Whether you are trying to meet the deadline for the first time buyer tax credit or just starting your search, we here are Pinkham Real Estate are happy to help you find a home that you will love. Stop by and say hello this weekend at the open houses or give us a call at 800-322-6921!