Ashley came to us from Beauparlant Law Offices where she worked for 10 years as a paralegal and office manager. During her time there, she extensively worked with the Multiple Listing Service preparing Current Market Analyses for bankruptcies. Frequently, Ashley found herself spending hours evaluating and looking at properties. She noticed most listings were lacking in certain areas like pictures and descriptions. Ashley felt that she could do a better job and has become passionate about jumping into the real estate industry.

Ashley feels that her background as a paralegal and time spent as an affiliate of TheMLSonline.com has prepared her for the scenarios she will come across as a Realtor®. She has an abundance of experience representing people, especially in financial and legal situations. At one point, Ashley worked to save homes for people by completing loan modifications with mortgage companies to make it affordable to stay in their homes. Newly married, she and her husband are building a house in Raymond, only subcontracting the projects that require licenses. This experience is giving Ashley a feeling of what the process is like first-hand which will help her relate to future clients.

During her free time, Ashley enjoys spending time outdoors while mountain biking, playing tennis, and kayaking. Also, any time she gets with her husband she enjoys, since both of them have busy work schedules. But Ashley’s favorite pastime is to travel. Her dream is to travel all around the world and experience as many different cultures as possible.

Ashley feels that she has made the right decision joining Prudential Verani because of their prominence in New Hampshire and all the great agents that have already worked for the company.

Ashley is based in the Prudential Verani Salem office, located at 236 North Broadway in Salem, NH. She can be reached at m: 978-918-3310 and e: ashley.robbins@verani.com.

It’s hard to believe that it is that time of year again: Sugar Season.  Folsom’s Sugar House is an actual working sugar facility that makes pure maple syrup on site just minutes from the center of Chester. The facility operates from mid/late February and generally through March, when the weather conditions will cause the sap to “run”. Warm days of 40-degrees coupled with cold nights in the 20’s are ideal to get the sap flowing in the trees.

It is hard to miss the steam billowing from the chimney as the sap is boiled. Their collection truck travels through town with the 210-gallon gathering tank on its 25 mile route.  It takes an average of 40 gallons of sap to produce 1 gallon of syrup.  It is such a treat to visit the sugar house. The design was inspired by Colonial Williamsburg. Come see which grade of syrup you prefer: Light or Dark Amber. One of my favorite stops in Chester.

Visit all year long to purchase maple products like cream, candy, taffy and dry sugar. Located at 130 Candia Road, www.folsomsugarhouse.com.  A proud member of the New Hampshire Maple Producers Association.

Michelle D’Aoust is a licensed REALTOR® based in the Verani Realty, Salem Office. She covers the Salem, Windham, Chester, Atkinson, Hampstead and Northeastern Mass markets. She is a specialist in fine homes, waterfront, equestrian, relocation, and new construction. For more information about Michelle, to contact her, or view her listings, visit her agent page.

image provided by Maria O’Brien of Two Shots Photography 

Submitted by Maryann Little

In the current real estate climate, many investors and rehabbers are taking advantage of the deals that can be found. In the process, they are adding to the quality of many neighborhoods by taking an abandoned home that is bringing down values and turning it into a gem. For the investor who is considering purchase of a property out of a short sale transaction with the intention of selling it months later, there are a couple potential issues to keep in mind and prepare for.

1.  Insurable Title versus Marketable Title: After weeks, maybe even months, of carrying a property and putting work into it, the investor will get it under contract with a potential buyer. The title is then pulled by the buyer or buyer’s counsel. Because of the short time between acquisition and sale, there may still be mortgages on the title that were paid off upon the purchase, but have not been discharged from record yet. This situation is called insurable title- the investor likely can produce proof of payoff and title insurance, which covers or indemnifies the new owner and their underwriter. The new owner or their attorney, however,  may reject this approach and require the title be marketable, or completely clear of liens. In this situation, the investor gets stuck carrying a property for longer then they had planned while they wait for the paid off shorted lenders to get a discharge to record. The investor that is aware of this issue up front can alert their buyer and the buyers attorney of the situation so the investor knows before an offer is accepted whether the buyer will take insurable title and close on time.

2.  The Anti Flip Provision: Sometimes an investor will make an offer on a property that is in the process of short sale negotiation, therefore, no final payoff has yet been obtained. The investor has to understand going into this situation, that they may wait for months for the payoff to come. The smart investor would therefore be wise to put very little money down, include provisions in the contract alerting the shorted lender that they intend to resell, and avoid putting any money or time into the property until the final payoff is in hand.

Generally, the more an investor discloses to everyone involved about what his or her plan is with the property, the better off he or she will be. The more attorneys, agents, and buyers deal with short sales and learn from prior mistakes, the smoother the process will be all around. Short sales will perhaps lose their bad reputation as scary transactions, and be treated for what they are, a process that allows a property to be used for its best potential while allowing a seller in a bad situation to see light at the end of the tunnel.

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 woodleywonderwork

We offer our congratulations to Anne for obtaining her real estate license and joining the Prudential Verani team! Anne was first introduced to the industry through a family mortgage business where she worked for 5 years.  She also took an elective focusing on real estate during her time at Southern New Hampshire University where she remains a member of the Nu Delta Honor Society. Anne is excited about getting out in the field and building relationships. She believes her personal touch and communication skills will contribute to successful outcomes for her clients.

Anne has also been a hair stylist for the past 20 years and has kept clients on the side. Recently, she had shoulder surgery which prevented her from styling hair but gave her the time to work on getting her real estate license. In her free time, Anne enjoys staying active and being outdoors. Before her surgery, she participated in triathlons and spent time out on the water skiing and surfing.  Anne has three children ages 9, 8 and 4 who are all actively involved in baton.

Anne is based in the Prudential Verani, Salem office, located at 236 North Broadway in Salem, NH. She can be reached at p: 603-893-7999, m: 603-234-3946, and e: anne.mcdonough@verani.com.

Pam comes to the real estate industry as an expert in the area of finance and legality in the home buying/selling process. Prior to her entrance at Verani Realty, she was a self-employed Certified Public Accountant in Windham, covering New Hampshire and Massachusetts, specializing in taxes. She’ll be using her knowledge and expertise in the field of finance and monetary law to keep buyers and sellers educated throughout the process.

As a CPA, Pam has a knack for details and deadlines. She knows that the client’s interests are always the most important part of the process, and that applying her client’s interests to the process; she can make it smoother for all parties involved. Along with her knowledge of finance and law, Pam brings a strong knowledge of Southern New Hampshire to the table, having been raised in Merrimack Valley, and now a Southern New Hampshire resident of 15 years.

Pam is very involved in New Hampshire communities and organizations. She has been the Treasurer of the Windham Co-op Kindergarten Board of Directors, is involved with the Board of Directors of the Windham Wolverines Football & Cheer, and is a member of the Granite State South Board of REALTORS®. Pam is a graduate of UMass Dartmouth, and carries real estate licenses in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

In her free time, Pam enjoys running, specifically in 5K road races with her friends. She also enjoys vacationing on the beaches of Maine and Florida. Pam, her husband, and 2 children live in Windham.

Pam is based out of the Prudential Verani Salem Office, located at 236 North Broadway in Salem, NH. She can be reached at p: (603) 893-7999, m: (603) 475-9825 or e: pam.keenan@verani.com

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.

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

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.

At an appointment with my chiropractor and former client, Dr. Holly Ruocco in Salem, I found out about a new charter school that just opened up in town. Her 8-year-old daughter, Sarah, is attending the school. I did a little research, and I found out that this new school has some really interesting programs and ideas.

First Charter School in Southern New Hampshire

On September 4th, after a long process of gaining approval from the powers that be, Birches Academy opened its doors. Right away, the academy will create an effect on local youth communities. Starting this month, Salem area youth will have the opportunity to take part in the Before and After School Enrichment Program. This program includes learning and entertainment experiences for children including dance, drama, piano, “Lego League,” foreign languages, crafting, creative writing/thinking, and more.

A Different Kind of Before and After School

The before/after school classes at Birches range in age and type, based on the child’s current level of education. Many of the classes are grades 1-8, but others are more specialized based on where a child is in the stages of development. Here are a few classes:

Drawing

This class is for grades 1-8 and is designed Continue reading “Exciting News for Youth Community in Salem, NH” »

Athena likes a challenging work environment, where hard work and dedication really pays off for not just her, but for the people with whom she’s working. She works by the phrase “shoot for the moon, even if you miss you’ll land among the stars.” She has carried that work ethic with her through school, a graduate of Southern New Hampshire University, and through her work in New Hampshire.

Deeply rooted in New Hampshire communities, Athena has worked in Salem and Goffstown High Schools as a business teacher. She has also worked with Public Service of New Hampshire and State Farm Insurance in a combination of customer service and accounting roles. Her move to real estate comes as a result of the opportunity to balance family with work. She will be able to spend time with her husband and 3 children, while not sacrificing any work required to help her clients get results.

When asked why Athena chose Verani Realty, she responded “It’s clear that Verani not only wants to hire REALTORS®, but they also want to ensure that each one is a positive reflection of the company. I don’t feel as if I am being ‘thrown to the wolves’ to fend for myself or that I will be ‘in trouble’ if I don’t meet a certain quota by a certain date.” Athena believes that it is important to be armed with the tools needed for success, and that Verani Realty offered that for her.

Athena spends most of her free time with her children. When she’s not with them, she enjoys going to the beach, cooking, outdoor activities, “jazzercising,” and is a self-proclaimed yard-sale addict (ask her kids!). She is an active member of the Greater Manchester/Nashua Board of REALTORS®, and on the board for the New Hampshire Business Education Association.

Athena 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) 472-1010, m: (603) 315-5319 or e: athena.henchey@verani.com.