Search results matching tag 'new construction Windham NH'

Bear Hill Estates, Windham NH: new construction home by Delbar Builders

27354 — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 01:55:00 GMT

For buyers of luxury real estate: Minutes of an open house.

by Mr. Janos, realtor, 603-438-9134

Facing the floor to ceiling triple window in the study of this luxury home built by Delbar Builders, I’m beginning to envy the future owners of this property. Today is a windy day and while waiting for inspiration to write this post, I’m watching the swaying tops of the tall oak trees sheltering this house. A quick recognition hits me; I wouldn’t mind living here, set up my office in this room, gaze down the winding driveway, then past the cul-de-sac and watch the flapping national flag on the portico of the house in the distance. No traffic, no noise, just the green of the grass, the weaving of tree tops, the blue of the sky and the white of the clouds chasing each other.

Then a car drives up the driveway: a young couple visiting my open house. They come in through the three-car garage and are immediately awed by the layout of the kitchen, the granite counter tops, the cherry cabinets and decorative vent hood. They live in Windham and are thinking about getting into a bigger home for their growing family.

Jim takes a step down into the two-story family room and is already placing his plasma TV over the mantle. Amy is admiring the extra deep windows and French door from the eat-in area to the deck, together they explore the front to back dining room and living room separated only by decorative columns. She is wondering how best to use and furnish this space and agree that it would be the place for large Thanksgiving parties with friends and family just like in her aunt’s house.

He is already poking at the triple window with the oval transom on top and wants to find out if people prefer vinyl or wood. The consensus is that that most people want low maintenance, no painting and wood is not coming back any time soon.

Climbing the hardwood treads of the turned staircase in the impressive two-story foyer brings the couple to the master bedroom. Jim likes the huge walk-in closet with wire shelves and is grinning; there is room here for him too. Amy is already in the luxurious bathroom caressing the smooth granite top of the double sink. He is complementing me for the on-line panoramic pictures of the custom shower while she is exploring the extra deep jetted tub.

When we move over to the wing with the three bedrooms over the garage, he recognizes that there are two staircases in this house and marvels how it feels like being downstairs when overlooking the family room from above. She loves the privacy of the master bedroom suite while being close to her young children.

In the bedrooms the utilization of space over the garage really impresses him. He comments how inefficient most floor plans are, with a monstrous game room or even worse; a super-sized master bedroom spanning three car stalls below. In all that space there is three bedrooms and a full bath here, and Amy quickly discovers that every last square foot is finished and used as closet or storage space. Jim also likes the views from the upstairs windows, although worries that curtains may be necessary when the adjacent lot is built on.

Down they go to the basement and have a brief argument about how best to use it. She mentions in-law apartment, he quickly replies: no, this is a workshop. Workshop it is (for now). The ceilings are 9 ft high, furnace, water heater and well tank, central vac are neatly out of the way. With two large windows on the left side, yes this space could be anything. They are both surprised by the extra stairs from the garage down to the lower level (for in-law or workshop) and appreciate that there is no bulkhead here.

Suddenly, we hear foot steps upstairs, I race up to meet the new visitors, leaving the young couple to their own devices to resolve their little contention about the lower level. It’s funny how open houses work: either nobody or multiple parties come at the same time.

The new arrivals are from Massachusetts, have an older home there and are considering to move to New Hampshire into a new upscale home. This couple is in a little bit of rush today, Mary is going to a party and explore the house together first. Later, Fred goes outside, checks out the mahogany decking on the farmers porch, he admires the workmanship of the beautifully finished fur ceiling. He inspects the round Portico columns and bends down to check the cobble stone pavers in the walkway to the front door and garage side entry. Then Fred decides to explore around the house, while Mary is lingering in the kitchen.

She opens most drawers, cabinet doors, glides her finger over the granite counter tops and comments that there is no pullout cutting board here. Mary has already discovered the pantry cabinet with the slide out shelves and is contemplating what kind of hardware she would pick that would go well with the cherry cabinets. She also likes the idea of choosing their own carpet colors for the family room and the bedrooms upstairs.

He is back from his backyard explore and is beaming after discovering the twin air exchangers for the central air. Now, Fred is on a quest to check the basement and his wife follows him. He is handy and would want to finish this space himself to take advantage of the 9 ft ceiling height and daylight windows on the lower level.

The young couple returns to the kitchen. They are pondering what price range would be ideal for them. He knows a lot about the real estate market, they have been doing this for a while. He has narrowed down their price range to the $600-750k range to stay near the sweet spot of home prices in Windham. They are concerned about the inventory of homes for sale and taxes going up. We discuss the long-term benefits of having a new high school in town and the effect of increasing real estate taxes. Overall Jim and Amy will be major beneficiaries of the high school and the anticipated appreciation of the homes in town.

On leaving, they pick up a copy of the article “Buying a home? Take your pick” that was published in the August issue of the WindhamLife Magazine about the recent real estate market trends and statistics.

The couple from MA emerges from the lower level and leave determined now that they need to put their house on the market. Fred and Mary seem to think that although this is a buyer’s market, homes like this one won’t last long.

See all pictures...

Disclaimer:

Characters in this post are imaginary; any resemblance to real persons is an act of coincidence.

Windham Life Magazine: Buying a home? Take your pick.

27354 — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 20:27:00 GMT

Buying a home? Take your pick

By Amylynne Baker-Santagate
WindhamLife Writer

Around every corner it seems there am more and more houses for sale in town. On Kendall Pond Road four homes within a mile went up for sale within just a few weeks of each other. Many are wondering what is happening with the market and Windham in particular.

"The market is stable and secure in Windham. Houses are selling; it's just that they are taking longer to sell" explained Windham resident Janos Kovacs of Prudential Verani Real Estate.

"Windham is actually very fortunate because there is a broad area of price ranges available, where in Londonderry the majority of houses are in one price bracket. For example, Windham has approximately 30 to 35 houses available in hundred thousand ranges from $300,000 up to $700,000 where Londonderry has one large spike in their listed homes in the $300,000 to $400,000 range."

Regionally, Windham continues to have many of the most expensive homes. The highest price home in Windham is a $1,936,000 home on Heritage Hill; the most expensive home in Hudson is $679,000 and the highest price tag in Londonderry is $749,900.

"There are also seasonal trends," says Janos. "Listings always increase in the spring. The monthly total of new listings is about the same as it always is for this time of year."

With the exception of Salem and Derry, Windham has more homes on the market than any surrounding town.

While the numbers change daily, one recent July day saw 184 Windham single family homes for sale, not including condos and For-Sale-By-Owners (FSBO's). Only the more populous Salem and Derry had more with 218 and 243 respectively.

It's an extraordianary difference from Atkinson where just 47 homes are for sale.

Paul Redmond of ERA Masiello in Windham explained that new construction makes the difference.

"Atkinson has a smaller amount of new construction. In Windham there are 67, versus three in Atkinson," he says. "It wouldn't shock me to find that there are 150 buildable lots in Windham. They've approved a lot of stuff."

"The market is definitely slower. Things are picking up, but there's an over-abundance of properties (for sale) in this town," says Paul, a 23-year veteran of real estate. "Homes have to be priced right. This is my third re-adjustment of the market. Prices were artificially high. The national Association of Realtors says prices will stop dropping off by the middle of next year."

And while it is a buyer's market Janos says, "The sellers need to take a deep breath, be patient, and say to themselves `No, I don't have to give it away.' Buyers have a lot to choose from, and sellers really need to be serious about selling. They have to be willing to hang in there for six months or in some cases a year."

"On the other hand, houses are being sold faster for the sellers who price their houses aggressively. A seller who can't wait should look at the price range they are in and price accordingly. There are quick sales out there. It can be done."

In May of 2007, 24 houses in Windham were sold compared to the 14 that were sold in May of 2006.

There are three trends as to why people are buying and selling in town, according to Janos. "First, local families from Windham are moving to bigger homes in Windham. Generally they have children and want to stay for the new high school," says Janos. "They are selling one home in town and purchasing another. They also are the ones most immune to slow/small changes in the market, because they are on both sides."

"Second, there are the older generations without young children. This group is often deciding to live up North, buy a condo or buy a place in Florida. Third are the buyers who continue to relocate from Massachusetts and other parts of the country. New Hampshire is becoming a more and more popular place to live.

Realtors who spoke with WindhamLife agree the downside of Windham's market began in the fall of 2004, but at the same time this has created a much more balanced and stable market in the town market over the years.

"We're actually right where we should be," says Janos.

As the prices of homes slid, mortgage rates rose. But not sharply.

Says broker Debbie Mackenzie of Windham, "People get nervous when they see mortgage rates are up a bit, but historically they are still at a low. This is the best time to buy. Most sellers don't want to see their homes on the market in the winter. I know people are waiting for the prices to go lower, but they won't stay low much longer."

Single family
homes for
sale on
July 16, 2007

Pelham 130 Plaistow 37 Hampstead........82
Atkinson	47
Hudson	143
Londonderry .'.^T....	165
Derry	243
Windham	184
Salem.	218

Adopted by permission from WindhamLife Magazine, August 2007

Windham NH Luxury Homes: Castle Reach Estates

27354 — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:36:00 GMT

Luxury real estate New Hampshire: The Roosevelt in Castle Reach Estates Windham NH. New construction 3,300 sqft luxury home on a cul-de-sac with 2-story family room overlooking non-buildable open space.

The open floor plan of this fine home connects the state of the art kitchen with an eat-in dining room to the family room with two story windows. Front to back formal living room and dining room, separated by stately columns provides space for entertainment.

A turned staircase leads the way to the extra wide upstairs landing overlooking the 2-story family room.

A spacious master bedroom with a luxurious bathroom provides retreat for the discriminating owner.

The curb appeal of this luxury home is enhanced by a brick walkway and curved stairs leading to the front door. Arched Palladian windows and optional brick front add to the commanding appearance.

Customize your floor plan and amenities now. Call Mr. Janos 603-438-9134 or visit Roosevelt.ofWindham.com

More luxury homes in New Hampshire:

Castle Reach Estates Windham NH: The Chatworth

Heritage Heights Windham NH: The Colorado