For more than 25 years Dave Lefebvre has been in every aspect of commercial real estate including leasing, development, management, consulting and financial analysis, as well as acquisition and disposition of commercial properties. Additionally, he attained an appraisal status of Certified General Appraiser for the state of NH. During his tenure, he has enjoyed success working at firms such as The Tischler Group and Shanley Realtors®, in addition to founding his own firm, Source Real Estate.

Throughout the years, Dave has established himself as a consummate professional focusing on results for the clients he has worked with, including well-known firms such as Carlisle Capital, Parkstone Properties, Urstadt-Biddle, Westaim Biomedical, Ultra Fab and many law and marketing firms to name a few. Dave has a unique perspective and understanding of the seacoast area, and is equally comfortable working with regional and local tenants and retailers, earning the proud moniker “Downtown Dave.”

Dave has been instrumental in the successful completion of several noteworthy transactions, including: 175 Market Street, 999 Islington Street, 30 Maplewood Avenue, 16 Market Square and 145 Heritage Avenue, all in Portsmouth. Dave is currently working on a very exciting new project in the downtown area, 233 Vaughan Street, a state of the art mixed use development that will incorporate design features not seen in this area previously, and will include both a commercial and residential component within the development as well as fine dining opportunities.

Staying active within the commercial real estate community has always been and remains a top priority for Dave. He previously served on the New Hampshire CIBOR (Commercial Investment Board of Realtors®) as the 2004 President, and was honored as the CIBOR Realtor® of the Year in 2003 and 2009. Additionally, Dave is very active in CIBOR cares – a 501c3 organization dedicated to aiding local non-profits and others with immediate financial assistance and guidance.

Dave resides in Hampton, New Hampshire, and enjoys his time away from the office participating in numerous outdoor activities such as golf, skiing, fishing, camping, boating and carpentry – as well as being an automobile enthusiast who can “fix” almost anything! Perhaps the most impressive thing people learn about Dave is that he is an Eagle Scout, the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America and is a title held for life.

Dave is based in the Prudential Verani Portsmouth office located at 111 Maplewood Avenue. Dave can be reached at the following telephone numbers: Direct: 603-294-5710 or Commercial Division: 603-845-2500. Dave can also be reached via email at: dave.lefebvre@verani.com. 

As part of the recent news announcing Prudential Verani Realty and Real Living | The Norwood Group merging their two residential companies, we are pleased to have Deb Hanson from The Norwood Group join the Prudential Verani Team!

Deb combines Real Estate expertise and her unique Interior Design background to create a winning experience for her clients.

Both buyers and sellers have the advantage of Deb’s expertise in maximizing their home’s value with critical advise, often by investing minimal expense = a maximum return in this ever changing market. Customers can rely on her knowledge in their home search as she has managed over 330 successful transactions from corporate relocation, first home buyers, builders, sellers, investors and those fun waterfront properties.

Deb knows the area! She has become one of New Hampshire’s top negotiating sales agents in a market that requires hard work, excellence and determination.

Deb started her career as an Interior Designer for Ethan Allen which lead to designing interiors for corporate businesses for 15 years. Real Estate was a natural transition with design build expertise and attention to detail while always focusing on people.

“One of the largest and most important purchases of your life should be enjoyable while making informed and wise decisions.” notes Deb.

Deb is a true New Englander, growing up on the coast in Hampton, NH. She attended UNH and Mount Ida College in MA and enjoys spending family time in Maine. She enjoys navigating the coast of Maine and creating art in her spare time.

Deb is based out of the Prudential Verani Bedford Office located at 165 South River Road in Bedford NH. She can be reached at p: (603) 494-4023or by email at deb.hanson@verani.com.

Veranians’ Trick Or Treat Times

• Amherst: 10/31, 6-8 p.m.
• Bedford: 10/31, 5-7 p.m.
• Concord: 10/31, 5-7:30 p.m.
• Hampton: 10/31, 5:30-8 p.m.
• Londonderry: 10/31, 6-8 p.m.
• Manchester: 10/31, 5-8 p.m.
• Nashua: 10/31, 6-8 p.m.
• Portsmouth: 10/30, 5:30-8 p.m.
• Salem: 10/31, 6-8 p.m.

Don’t live in one of these towns? You can check with a few places to find out what time Trick Or Treating will be in your town. First, check your local city website for information. If you can’t find it there, NH.com has a list of times available. Still can’t find it? If you can’t find the info online, call your local town or city hall for information. It is essential for the safety of everyone that Trick Or Treaters are out during the designated times. Safety on Halloween is a top priority!

Staying  Safe for Trick or Treating in 2012

I remember trick-or-treating held during the day time on a weekend day in the fall for my entire childhood.  In the last few years trick-or-treat in Manchester, has been held on Halloween evening. This has brought some mixed feelings about having trick-or treat at night, we “Manchesterites” are used to having trick-or-treat during daylight hours.  If we wanted to trick-or-treat in the evening we would have to visit the neighborhoods of the surrounding towns.  Whether there are trick-or-treaters lining your streets on a crisp fall day, or a spooky autumn evening, we still must keep safety our #1 mission during the trick-or-treat season.   Here are a few safety tips that never get old!

• Trick-or-treat with friends and family, not alone.
• Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
• Check your candy before you eat it. Make sure there are no holes or openings.
• Trick-or-treat with flashlights so drivers and other trick-or-treaters can see you.
• Look both ways before crossing the street. Use crosswalks when you can.
• Use sidewalks! If there are none, do your best to stay off the actual road.
• Accept, but don’t eat home-made treats.
• Only go into homes (even the cool haunted ones) if you’re with an adult.
• Stay away from fire while you’re in costume, especially open candles.

Athena Henchey is a licensed REALTOR® based in the Verani Realty,  Bedford Office. She covers the Auburn, Manchester, and Hooksett markets, and is a specialist in foreign language. For more information about Athena, to contact her, or view her listings, visit her agent page.

safety tips courtesy of http://www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/ . Image courtesy of inspector_81

Ranked based on their on site activities, orchard quality and size, public reviews, personal experience, and website, here are the best 5 orchards in New Hampshire in 2012. Each of these are MUST visits in the coming seasons:

1. Applecrest Farm, Hampton          Falls, NH

Applecrest has everything an apple farm should have. It has lots of apples and fall harvest food, festivals and entertainment, farmers markets, educational tours, private parties, and a creamery to top it all off. Get it? Whipped cream for your apple pie… Right, all jokes aside, Applecrest Farm is a MUST visit if you’re searching for a place to spend a day picking apples and living out the autumn in New England lifestyle. A perfect review. For info about events or harvest picking, check out Applecrest.com

2. Mack’s Apples, Londonderry, NH

This orchard is more than just a wonderfully clever name. This one gets an awesome review as far as activities and orchard size. Mack’s offers pick-your-own, a farmer’s market, and extensive variety of apples and other harvest fruits/veggies, hiking trails, poetry, and the family favorite, ice cream in the warmer season.  A near-perfect review, with a great location in between Nashua and Manchester. For more info about Mack’s visit Macksapples.com

3. Brookdale Fruit Farm, Hollis, NH – *A Diamond in the Rough*

The only reason Brookdale isn’t ranked higher is because of it’s location compared to the first two. Brookdale is massive in comparison to many of the other orchards on this list. Complete with hay rides, a corn maze, ice cream, livestock petting, a grocery-store-sized farm stand, and opportunities to have private events and weddings on site. But wait, there’s more! Brookdale is a fully-stocked supplier of planting and harvesting goods. They grow it, but they supply you  with what you need to grow your own, too. Brookdale has also received a Best of NH award from New Hampshire Magazine. For more info about Brookdale, visit Brookdalefarms.com

4. Carter Hill Orchard, Concord, NH

Carter Hill received the strongest reviews in the public opinion forum, which is what boosted it up to the 4 spot. This orchard is a smaller operation, family owned, with pick-your-own, a variety of other harvest fruits/veggies, cider, a small bakery, and a small country store. Carter Hill will give you the warm feeling of a locally owned family business, right in the Capital City of Concord. For more information about Carter Hill Orchard, visit CarterHillApples.com

5. Gould Hill Farm, Contocook, NH

Gould Hill received a few strong reviews in the public forums, and has a good amount of things to do on site. Complete with a museum on the farm, Gould Hill includes pick-your-own, a small produce store, majestic views of the surrounding area, and the opportunity for a beautiful vista wedding. For more info about Gould Hill, visit GouldHillFarm.com

If you’re looking for something to do with the family or friends in the coming weekends, take a trip to one of these amazing orchards, and pick some apples. If nothing else, a trip to an orchard and a climb up a tree (don’t really climb, the signs all say not to climb these days) will make you feel like you’re a kid again.

Applecrest Farm | A  Seacoast Gem

There is more to living in the seacoast area of New Hampshire than beach combing, seafood festivals, building sandcastles, and working on your tan.  In fact some say the fun really starts after Labor Day weekend when the summer tourists leave and fall settles in along the coast.  It’s a beautiful and majestic time, one when full moons and sunsets bring out wonderful fall colors all along our beautiful coast. When quiet afternoons at the beach is shared with a handful of people or on horseback.

 Apple Picking and Fall Harvest Celebrations

With that special season comes apple picking time and wonderful fall harvest events.  There is nothing better than biting into a crisp local grown apple from a Honey Crisp to a McIntosh and all the apples in between.  One of my favorite places to pick your own apples in the seacoast area is Applecrest Farm in Hampton Falls.

 A Seacoast Way of Life

Applecrest is more than a pick your own apple orchard…it has become a way of life for many.  From Strawberry and Peach Festivals to the very popular Fall Festival season starting the first weekend in September and running through the end of October. Applecrest hosts petting zoos, hayrides, pie eating contests, and even live music to entertain you. You can check out their full schedule on their website:  applecrest.com/festival-schedule

If you’re looking for something fun to do in the seacoast area…why not take a walk on the beach and head over to Applecrest Orchard in Hampton Falls. Be prepared to be enchanted!

Monika McGillicuddy is a REALTOR® with 26 years of experience, located in the Verani Realty, Portsmouth office. She specializes in Waterfront Homes, Relocation, and Fine Homes. Monika works the real estate market in the Hamptons, Sandown, Kingston, Rye, Danville, Atkinson, and occasionally inland in Salem and Derry.

Every fall, agriculturalists gather to celebrate the work they’ve put in for the long summer days. This tradition extends centuries into the past, when farmers were cultivating for more than just money; they were running the farm to survive the winter without food production. Since then, the world has gone through an industrial revolution, a depression, 2 world wars, and a technology boom. Today, these festivals are not only for agriculturalists to celebrate their season’s work, but they promote the industry to folks that would otherwise turn a blind eye.

New England hosts some of the oldest, and most popular festivals and fairs in the world. In 2011, 2 Massachusetts fairs landed on the Carnivalwarehouse.com Top 50 Fairs list (compiled based on all 50 states). So, to celebrate the 9th ranked fair in the country kicking off this weekend, here is a list of the Top 10 Fairs and Festivals in New England. Some have come and gone this year, while others have yet to arrive.

Any of these fairs are must-visits either this year or in coming seasons:

The New Hampshire Building on The Avenue of States

1. The Big E (#9)* - Springfield, MA

Held on what is by far the largest fairgrounds in New England, this 95-year-old fair is the center of attention in late September for New Englanders and beyond. The grounds boast life-size replicas of all 6 New England State Houses, a midway (rides area) that is unmatched by any other New England fair, and 2 of the largest fairground arenas in the country. National recording artists and comedians frequent the stage of the 6,000-seat Comcast arena throughout the 2-week fair. In 2012, the Big E will host the likes of Hot Chelle Rae, Alan Jackson, Jeff Dunham, and more. The 2012 Big E began September 14  and ends on September 30, for more visit TheBigE.com.

Fireworks behind one of the Great Pumpkin Towers

2. Keene Pumpkin Festival - Keene, NH

This is the youngest festival of the group at only 21 years, but it is the most renowned. The Keene Pumpkin Festival has set, and reset the World Record for Most Lit Jack-o-Lanterns 8 times. This event is a spectacle. Hundreds of thousands of people flood the streets of the small town of Keene to take part and see all the creative works, musicians, vendors, and games. This is a must-see event. The 2012 Keene Pumpkin Festival will be held Saturday, October 20, for more info visit Pumpkinfestival.org.

The Main Event in the Topsfield Fair Arena

3. Topsfield Fair (#42)* - Topsfield, MA

Currently holding the 42nd rank on the Carnivalwarehouse.com Top 50 list, this fair has withstood the test of time. The Topsfield Fair is an astonishing 194-years-old, but is still not the oldest fair on the list. Looking for an experience unique to Fall Fair Culture? Check out the demolition derby at Topsfield. Along with traditional Demo Derbies, the Topsfield Fair features a figure 8 race, where daredevil drivers compete against each other on a high speed, intersecting, full-contact track. The 2012 Topsfield Fair will be run September 28 – October 8. For more info visit TopsfieldFair.org             Continue reading “New England’s World Famous Fall Festivals” »

By: Maryann Little

I was recently asked the question: “should you ever raise your short sale price?” The normal reaction to this question would be: “In this market? Of course not!” Here are a couple examples I’ve come across in my recent experience, in which listing agents were forced to raise their prices:  

Hampton, NH (Seacoast) – 2011

This property was the first re-sale out of a condo complex that was built in 2006.  The condos originally sold between $650,000-$800,000 when they were brand new. The selling agent listed the property for $350,000, which was competitive based on other condo resales with comparable locations and layouts. We got two offers in.  The first was for $310,000, financed and the second was for $300,000, cash.

We went in to the bank  with the offers and immediately were told it was too low.  Their valuation showed it to be worth $400,000. After some discussion with the listing agent, he said, “let’s show them it’s not worth $400,000,” so we listed it at that price. The first buyer offer was eliminated because they would not increase their offer from $310,00. We didn’t receive another inquiry after increasing  the price.  People seemed to understand that it wasn’t worth $400,000.

We waited until about 2 weeks before the next auction and we submitted the $300,000 offer again. The new negotiator ordered a new Broker’s Price Opinion (BPO), which is the process by which an institution determines the value of the home without a formal appraisal. After the new review, the listing was within range.  By the time the sale closed, the bank and the buyer agreed on $317,000, and the homeowner had a perfect approval with no deficiency.  

Middleboro, MA – 2010

This sale was initiated in the fall of 2010.  After extensive conversations with the homeowners, and the listing agent, it was agreed to list it at $199,000 because the house needed some work.  An offer came in close to list price and was presented to the lender. Just like the first time, the offer was considered too low by the bank. The lender considered it to be a listing that was being rushed just to get it sold.

In this case, the BPO came in at and he said the $260,000 range, so we relisted at $254,900.  The listing stayed on the market, and from January 2011 to October 2011, small progressive price drops brought it back down to it’s original listing of $199,000.  We finally got an offer in October, at just about the same price as the first one, and closed early in 2012. he initial offer was essentially accepted 2 years later without anything changing.  

What this Means for Short Sale Sellers

In each case, relisting at the higher amount did nothing but waste the homeowners’ time, banks’ time, list agents’ time, and continued to drain the homeowners more financially. In some circumstances raising the price may be inevitable because of an aggressive BPO from the bank. All this will accomplish is showing the bank that the true value of the house is much lower than their agent believes. In the end the listing agent will likely be correct with the original listing, but a lot of time will have been wasted.

If you can avoid it, stay away from raising your short sale listing price at all costs!

Maryann Little is the VP of Mitigation and Negotiation at Short Sale Mitigation, LLC where she serves as a liaison between lenders and homeowners in New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

photo courtesy of: Images_of_Money

According to CNNMONEY in a July industry report, home prices have not only reached their bottom but are bouncing back upward. Across the country, home values rose 0.2 percent when figures are compared year-over-year. Nationally, the median home price was $149,300 during the second quarter, which provides the very first annual increase since 2007. (First quarter prices rose 2.1 percent.)

This has real estate experts across the county saying, “The worst is over … really!”

Foreclosures remain and will continue to come onto the market, but experts predict that buyers’ increasing demand will absorb these listings and things will eventually balance out.

Locally, the state’s year-over-year median price points are increasing in many New Hampshire communities. Stratham currently ranks in the top position with an increase of 33.08 percent in its median price for single-family homes. Following that remarkable increase are the beautiful oceanside towns of Rye with an increase of 13.40 percent and Hampton at 12.6 percent. Holding on to a solid price increase is Portsmouth at 10.40 percent and Derry coming in at 10.01 percent.

So what does this mean? Well, though not all N.H. communities are experiencing the increases in home prices yet, a trend is being seen throughout the state and around the country for home prices to continue to rise.

This means that now is an excellent time to buy! The smart buyer looks to purchase a home at a great price but also in a period where that home will continue to slowly increase in value. It is also financially wise to purchase before prices rise so that you actually obtain the best price. This is a point in time where waiting to purchase could cost you because that home you dream of will likely cost more a year from now.

For homeowners weighing their options on whether to sell and move, you need to remember that though you may get slightly more money for your home if you put off listing the property, you will also pay more for your next home if you wait.  In other words, your home’s sale price may increase but so will the home you wish to purchase. On the bright side, the latest market trends indicate a healthy recovery so it is a great time to sell your house and find that perfect new home.  Interest rates are at a record low, so you will probably be able to afford more home!

What should you do first? The first step is choosing a REALTOR® you can trust to make the process as easy as possible while looking out for all your financial concerns. The next step is getting pre-approved for a loan, so you know how much house you can really afford and so you can prove to any seller that when you make an offer on their home, you are a serious buyer with buying power.

Next you need to decide what it is you are looking for in a new home and what communities you wish to consider. Prudential Verani offers town profile websites, like this one for Portsmouth, NH, that assist buyers who wish to check out current market conditions as well as get a feel for what each community is like, details about their school system and even travel-commuting distances.

Once you know what you are looking for and what communities you wish to look in, the next step is viewing a few homes on the market. Your REALTOR® can make this an exciting and fairly easy process, so listen to their advice and get started now to get the best value.

We’re Excited To Welcome Mo Seiler To The Verani Family!

Mo Seiler returned to her native New Hampshire after many years in the Florida marketplace. Not only are her roots here, but she has always felt connected to this area and New England’s four seasons. Originally from Berlin, NH Mo has lived in the Seacoast area since 2008 and currently lives in Rye – where the ocean is steps away!

While in Florida, Mo owned a catering company as well as an upscale bistro on Bonita Beach. As her friends and customers would say, “You will never go hungry as Mo loves testing new recipes and is a wonderful gourmet cook! When you meet her, you will feel like you have known her forever!”

Licensed since 2000, Mo began her career in real estate at Remax Action First in Florida. She then continued on with her career after moving back to NH working for Rye Beach Real Estate. Now, as a new associate with Prudential Verani in the Portsmouth Office, Mo continues to specialize in Condos and Residential real estate and serve her Seacoast clients in Rye, Portsmouth, Hampton, Stratham, Exeter, Greenland, Newton and Kingston. Plus, with her first-hand knowledge of the Florida real estate market, she can assist snowbirds with their relocation needs.

Mo is known for offering a stress-free, smooth transaction for her buyers and sellers. She understands their needs and never backs away from a challenge, only embraces it! She also never sits still. She is very active and has been a hospice volunteer since 1994 and was a member of the BNI Chapter in Palm Harbor, FL.

Continue reading “Prudential Verani Realty Welcomes Mo Seiler” »

On February 5, 2012 nearly 1,000 people plunged into the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean.  It was a cold sunny day and the crowds started gathering early, all trying to nab the perfect spot to watch their friends, family and perfect strangers strip down and gleefully jump into the ocean.  I was lucky enough to get a front row spot thus being able to shot some videos of the event.

The  Penguin Plunge and the High School Plunge, which took place on the Saturday before the Penguin Plunge,  was able to raise  $688,380 to benefit the Special Olympics New Hampshire!  Great job everyone!

Will I see you there next year?

Video Highlights of The 2012 Penguin Plunge