Spring is in the air in New England, and residents love to celebrate the new-found warm weather with lots of outdoor events. May-June is an excellent time of the year for events in NH and MA. Be sure to mark these on your calendar!

Watch City Steam Punk Festival

Waltham, MA – May 10-12: This event is held outdoors in downtown Waltham. General admission is free, but in order to see and do some things you will need to pay for a button to let you in. Buttons are $15 for a day or $20 for the weekend and will also get you discounts at many local businesses. Proceeds support the Charles River Museum of Industry. Also, don’t miss special guest James Gurney author of Dinotopia! I visited this event last year and I plan to stop by again this year, it was a blast! I strongly recommend it.

Sheep, Wool & Alpaca Festival

Deerfield Fairgrounds, Deerfield NH - May 11-12: Organized by the New England Alpaca Owners and Breeders’ Association (NEAOBA), this event shows off the best of the best of NEAOBA members’ herds right in Deerfield, New Hampshire.  Tickets are $5, Seniors $4, and children 12 & under free.

NH Renaissance Faire

Kingston, NH – May 11, 12, 18 & 19: I’ve never been to this event but I’m hoping to drop by during the last weekend. Some friends have gone in the past though and say it’s a great time, and they recommend it for everyone. Tickets are $12 for adults, and $8 for children ages 5-12.

American Craft Beer Fest 

Boston, MA - May 31-June 1: The 6th annual American Craft Beer Fest (ACBF) is the East Coast’s largest celebration of American craft beer hosted at the Seaport World Trade Center, Boston by BeerAdvocate & Harpoon Brewery. The 2-day fest will feature 3-session and 600+ craft beers from 125+ American brewers. Tickets are about $50 for a session purchased online or $55 at the door, be sure to order them ahead online as they sold out early last year.

Rock’n Ribfest

Merrimack, NH - June 14-16: Rib-roasters, rib-lovers, and barbecuers from all over the United states converge at Anheuser-Busch in Merrimack for what Ribfest calls “New England’s premiere family weekend.”  Air shows, hot air balloon rides, concerts, and plenty more make this a must-see event for New Hampshire residents! Tickets are $7 online for advance purchase, $10 at gate, and children 8 and under are free.

Laconia Motorcycle Week 

Laconia/Weirs Beach, NH – June 16-18:  Motorcycle week is pretty famous here in New Hampshire, celebrating it’s 90th Anniversary in 2013. Riders from all over the world come to Laconia to celebrate the lifestyle of motorcycle riding, the friendships formed from group riding, and promote safe motorcycle practices.  If you’re coming from out of state, book a hotel room early because they sell out just about every year!

Bethany Dubeck is an e-certified Nashua based agent covering greater Manchester, greater Londonderry, and greater Nashua. For more information on Bethany, or to see her listings, visit her agent page.

Verani has teamed up with trashetc.com to help out with New Hampshire’s effort to go Green! This Saturday, April 20th, Verani will celebrate Earth Day with an electronics recycling day. Come on down to Verani Realty’s Londonderry Office from 9a.m. to 2p.m. and get rid of those old closet-cluttering electronics. Everyone who brings an electronic item to recycle will receive a $5 gift card to Play n’ Trade! For any questions please contact TrashEtc at 877-811-8727!

Here are some details on what will be accepted:

Devices that will be Accepted Free of Charge

Devices that will be Accepted with a Recycling Fee

• Computer Monitors – $20
• TVs – $20
• Large Copiers – $20
• Printers – $5

De Desharnais has an extensive background in residential construction and is the current Vice President of Operations for Ashwood Development Companies. Her responsibilities cover all aspects of new construction, from marketing to excavation. The skills she’s developed throughout her career are certainly beneficial in her new role as a real estate agent.

De’s draw to the real estate industry came from a strong passion for working with people and providing exceptional customer service. She has a great understanding of the sales interface and construction of new homes. Her broad knowledge and effective negotiating skills are sure to bring successful outcomes for her clients.

In addition to her work experience, in the past De’s served as National Director and Greater Manchester-Nashua President of the Homebuilders and Remodelers Association of New Hampshire. Currently, she is a member of the Rochester and Nashua Chamber of Commerce and the Granite State South Board of Realtors®.

De’s husband Mark is also involved in new homes as a builder. They have four children together, three of whom are in college. Two are studying Electrical Engineering/Computer Science and the other studies Psychology.  Their fourth lives in Boston. In her free time, De enjoys reading and hiking with a dream to one day conquer the Appalachian Trail.

De is based in the Prudential Verani, Londonderry office, located at One Verani Way in Londonderry, NH. She can be reached at m: 603-321-9260 and e: de.desharnais@verani.com.

As per the reports, the figure of total transaction revenue is supposed to rise to about $216 billion within 2013. This is supposed to be much higher than that of $180 billion of 2012, and also the $115 billion of 2010. One factor leading to this could include the increase in the number of jobs in comparison to the after situation during and after the recession.

It is not only the figures and the expansion that is going through a positive phase, the number of the distressed properties with regards to commercial real estate were seen to have lowered by quite a high amount. This report was released by the Delta Associates in the month of January.

Furthermore, according to Peter Roberts, the chief executive officer of the Americas division of Jones Lang LaSalle, as a result of the spike in hiring in different locations and areas like those of Silicon Valley and also some of the well known metropolitan states like that of Texas, the rents are supposed to increase significantly.

What this Means for Commercial Real Estate

This means consumers and sellers of commercial real estate can begin to feel some relief. An industry that has seen itself on-edge for the past couple years, is starting to come back around to prosperity. Have you been holding out on purchasing or leasing that perfect commercial space just because the market is strung out? Your time to buy is fast approaching, and for some, may already be here!

Scott Reiff is a Commercial Real Estate Agent located in the Prudential Verani, Londonderry office, and serving southern New Hampshire’s commercial needs. Scott is e-Certified, and has been recognized as a recipient of 3 prestigious Prudential awards including: The President’s Circle, the Leading Edge Society, and The Top of the Rock. To contact Scott, or to find information about his listings/coverage area, visit his agent page.

Now that school vacation is here, you’re probably looking for some fun things to do with your family. The lakes region in New Hampshire is a great place to enjoy all kinds of winter activities like skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. Some of my fondest memories are of my husband and I bringing the kids up north in the winter. We would start the day with ski lessons and end the day with rosy cheeks and hot chocolate in the lodge. In addition to the mountains, there are other local programs that will make this winter a memorable one.

Over the next couple of weeks I’m planning on checking out some of the programs offered at Prescott Farms in Laconia. Snowshoeing is my favorite winter activity, so I’m excited to check out their Full Moon Snow Shoe Walk on Monday, February 25th. Continue reading “2013 February Vacation Fun with Prescott Farms” »

Ray has been active in the real estate industry since 1984, possessing valuable experience and insight. He joined Prudential Verani Realty to identify and research undeveloped land for new construction development potential as an integral part of the New Homes division. Previously, he worked as Vice President for Sales and Marketing for R.J. Moreau Communities. Ray remains exclusively within Southern NH and the Seacoast Region focusing strictly on land development and new construction. He has earned numerous sales awards and recognition throughout the years for his achievements.

Before entering into the real estate industry, Ray spent time as an architectural draftsman which transitioned perfectly into learning about land development and construction. Ray has an extensive network of colleagues in all aspects of the building and development process from Engineers to Architects and Designers to large and small scale Developers and Builders. Ray has resided in Hooksett, NH for over 12 years and served 8 years on The Hooksett Planning Board serving as its Chairman and also as its liaison to the Conservation Commission and Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission.

Aside from the world of new construction and development, Ray’s leisurely activities include teeing it up at the golf course and showcasing his musical talents. Ray is a member of a band where he plays keyboard, guitar, and vocals. He also enjoys spending time with his three adult children and two grandchildren.

Ray is based in the Prudential Verani, Londonderry Office, located at One Verani Way in Londonderry, NH. He can be contacted at p: 603-434-2377, m: 603-235-4706, and e: ray.guay@verani.com.

Mike Toth is very excited to be joining the Prudential Verani family.  With over 20 years of sales leadership and entrepreneurial experience, Mike is looking forward to applying his signature blend of exceeding clients’ expectations with exceptional personalized service and the utmost integrity in the real estate industry.

Still active in the healthcare industry, Mike possesses a passion for helping people who live with diabetes.  His career in healthcare sales sends him all over New Hampshire, giving him a strong understanding of the state’s diverse offerings in real estate and in communities.  This work has also strengthened his belief in going above and beyond to exceed expectations, and he knows this will serve him well in any business endeavor, especially with Prudential Verani.

Mike and his family have lived in Londonderry for 10 years.  He and his wife enjoy watching and supporting their active children (ages 12 and 9) in soccer, lacrosse, and dance.  They also love to spend time skiing together during the New England winters.

Mike is based in the Prudential Verani Londonderry Office, located at One Verani Way in Londonderry, NH. He can be reached at p: 603-845-2124, m: 603-965-5454, or e: mike.toth@verani.com.

So much happened in 2012 at Prudential Verani Realty that it would be impossible to summarize the plethora of stories in one blog post. This was a great year for the business, for it’s staff and agents, and for the communities in which Verani agents do business. At Verani it’s not just about selling houses. It’s about making sure New Hampshire and the surrounding area remains the best place to live in the country! Here are a few of the biggest stories to recap a very busy year at Verani:

1. The Norwood Group | Real Living Merges with Prudential Verani Realty

OCTOBER – In what was most likely the biggest business-side story for Verani in 2012, the residential services branch of The Norwood Group joined forces with the Verani family. After decades of competition in New Hampshire the two joined forces in light of a parent-company purchase. After Brookfield (who already owned Real Living) purchased Prudential Real Estate, the presidents of both companies agreed that a partnership was the most natural course of action. The original story can be found here.

2. Prudential Verani, Bedford Launches “12 Days of Giving” Campaign

DECEMBER – In an effort to raise the seasonal spirit, Regional Manager Ed Buczynski of Bedford organized a 12-day giving campaign with what he calls his “Pru Crew.” The Pru Crew (Bedford-based agents and Verani partners) went to various locations throughout the Bedford and Manchester area and randomly gave away gifts to unsuspecting people. For videos of all of the 12 days of giving, visit the Verani Youtube Channel.

3. Team Walther Ranks #118 in the U.S. for Closed Transactions

JULY – This summer one of the most successful real estate teams in the state was named #118 Continue reading “Happy New Year! A Very Verani 2012 in Review” »

The largest provider of electricity in New Hampshire, PSNH, has published it’s rates effective January 2013. According to a release on the PSNH website, rates will be going up by nearly 2 cents/KWh. What does this mean for PSNH customers? For a household with folks that work full-time on weekdays: About $200 more in 2013 on electricity. More for stay-at-home workers and parents.

Is there a Way Out? 

For PSNH customers, the only way to save that money in 2013 is to switch providers. The most common response I hear from people when I make this suggestion is “wait… I can switch providers? I thought PSNH was the only one.” In fact, there are 2 other options that New Hampshire residents have to choose from. While PSNH quotes government budget issues for it’s increase, the 2 other options are privatized companies that control their own pricing.

Both of these companies offer solutions to customers that allow them Continue reading “PSNH to Raise Supply Prices: 5 Minutes Saves $200+” »

Thursday, November 1^st marked the official start of one of the largest coat drives in the state of New Hampshire. For the 11^th year running, Prudential Verani Realty will be collecting coats from all over the state and distributing them to charities in need. In past years the drive has brought in 12,000+ coats, and the coat drive team at Verani Realty looks to make 2012 another banner year of bringing warmth to those who need it in New Hampshire.

The Verani Realty coat drive was established 11 years ago. Since the initial coat drive in 2001, the Prudential Verani Realty Coat Drive has been responsible for distributing coats to the shoulders of well over 50,000 of those who needed help staying warm.

In 2012 the committee is headed up by Val Lewis. Val is a Customer Account Manager in the Londonderry office and is handling the coordination of the company’s coat drive efforts for the first time. Val has worked with Verani Realty for 6 years, and has participated in the coat drive since she started in 2006. Val is coordinating the efforts of 7 team leaders, Steve White from Londonderry, Tanya Verfaillie from Nashua, Suzanne Butcofski from Portsmouth, Debbie Paone from Salem, and Patty Bixby, Genevieve Gheorghiu, and Athena Henchey from Bedford. The coat drive team consists of several current agents, administrators, and corporate team members who are committed to making 2012 another great year.

If you have coats that you would like to donate to this cause, there are 5 primary drop-off locations in our Verani Realty Office lobbies:

Bedford: 165 South River Road, Bedford, NH 03110

Londonderry: One Verani Way, Londonderry, NH 03053

Nashua: 187 Main Dunstable, Nashua, NH 03060

Portsmouth: 111 Maplewood Avenue, Portsmouth, NH 03801

Salem: 236 North Broadway, Salem, NH 03079

If you are interested in helping contribute as a drop-off location, large donation contributor, sorting volunteer, or any other form of volunteer, visit coats.verani.com for more information. If you are a charity in need of coats in or around any of the above cities, the coat drive is open to requests at coats.verani.com/charities.