Rochester Parade

Rochester Parade, Sunday December 6, 2010

Well, it was a chilly day in Rochester, NH Sunday for the Annual Holiday parade. Light snowflakes slowly drifted down to add to the holiday spirit.

To the left is a picture of the young group of elves all bearing down to endure the chilly temperatures to help advertise the businesses of downtown Rochester, NH through the Rochester Main Street Program.

Keep your home safe and secure

"For happiness one needs security." -Anne Morrow Lindbergh

In the United States, a burglary occurs every 8 seconds. Thieves average 8-12 minutes in your home, searching for valuable items like electronics, money and jewelry. Despite this, the vast majority of burglars are not professional thieves and can be thwarted with a few basic measures.

5 Quick and Easy Crime Deterrents

1. Neighborhood Watch- Valuable method for sharing information and spreading the word about recurring incidents. Members are also much more likely to be more aware of warning signs that can help prevent crimes. Also, a good way to meet your neighbors.
2. Security Systems- Helps alert authorities of a break-in and allow response teams to respond quickly. If you can not afford a security system, placing a security company sign in the yard is an effective and economical approach.
3. Dogs- One of the most effective ways to prevent crimes. Even smaller dogs can be great ways to scare of criminals by barking and alerting trouble (though, I do not think my Yorkie will do the trick, he would run and hide).
4. Exterior Lighting- Bright lighting near outside entrances prevents most criminals from entering your home. Motion sensors will startle any trespassers and will also alert you by grabbing your attention.
5. Panic Button- If your car has an alarm, keep your keys handy. The cars alarm is a great way to frighten off someone who is lurking on your property or attempting a break-in.

7 Tips When Away on Vacation:

1. Leave a TV or Radio on
2. Have a car parked in the driveway
3. Give a key to a relative or neighbor instead of under a mat
4. Leave lights on timers
5. Make sure stove tops and irons are off
6. Have neighbors pick up your mail
7. Hire a house sitter

Rochester NH Property Taxes

This just in, Rochester property tax rate is increased 95 cents per $1000. This mixed with a decrease in assessments, means that Rochester property taxes will remain roughly the same (though my tax bill seemed to have gone up about $80). I think we have done fairly well keeping the taxes low when you see the larger increases in property taxes that Somersworth and Dover have come out with.

My opinion, I would love to see the city not adjust the tax assessments and keep the tax rate lower. Yeah, sure, the city will probably get a lot of complaints from homeowners saying that their taxes are too high. Don't we get the complainers already anyway?

Here is why I think it would be beneficial for the city. Home buyers always seem to want to look at the city assessment and say that is what the property is worth, while we all know this is an inaccurate assumption the buyer is making. If the city keeps assessments a bit higher, people may think the property could possibly be worth more. This could have a positive impact on the cities property values. Mix that in with a much lower tax rate in comparison to surrounding towns, and you may create even more positive impact. Just a thought and only my opinions. What do you think.

Top Tips Before Winter Hits

Yes, winter is coming! For some of us this is a good thing for others its more of a time to relax and hibernate. Here are some tips to keep you ahead of old man winter that go beyond sharpening your skis and getting out your holiday decorations.

-Change your batteries in your smoke detectors

-Vacuum the coils on the back of the fridge, this will help your fridge run more efficiently.

-Service your heating system, now is the best time to make sure it is in good working order and running efficiently.

-Empty the gas from your lawn mower. This will ensure that it works better come spring time.

-Clean your gutters properly, to prevent from icing up or overflow.

-Trim back your trees

-Clean the garage out, make sure to put paints and liquids that can freeze into a warm location.

-Sharpen your hockey skates and get the old skis tuned.

Its just a couple ideas, but it should make the winter go by a little smoother. Oh...and one last thing, contrary to popular belief, houses do still sell in the winter time. So, if it is that time for you, call your local Realtor. I know just the guy. Call me anytime!

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A Short Sale as an Alternative to Foreclosure

Let's face it, it's not enjoyable going through financial hardships, especially when you are on the edge of losing your home. Try to avoid going down the foreclosure route by entertaining the idea of doing a short sale. Let's face it a short sale is far from hassle-free, however, it is a better alternative than foreclosure.

A short sale is an agreement between you and the lender to sell your home for less than you owe. Although, there is no guarentees that your lender will allow you to avoid foreclosure by going the short sale route, Uncle Sam has put forth regulations intended to encouraging lenders to do so. HAFA or the Home Affordability Foreclosure Alternatives program provides incentives for lenders and borrowers to avoid foreclosures and pursue short sales and deeds in leiu of foreclosures.



Advantages of a Short Sale:
- You can purchase a home much sooner after a short sale rather than a foreclosure. Fannie Mae guidelines help you qualify more a mortgage in as little as 2 years after a short sale rather than the 7 years of a foreclosure-
-No social stigma of "Foreclosure"
-You have more control over the sale, where as in a foreclosure the bank has control.
-Some lenders may not report to credit bureau, though some will report, "Settled"
-Credit scores tend to raise quicker after a short sale.
-Help your communities home values by not having the foreclosure stigma.

Disadvantages of a short sale:
-Your credit score will still take a hit (probably already has since you most likely missed payments before the short sale)
-In some states the lender may be able to come after you for the difference in sales price and mortgage payoff amount. Check with your lender and state laws.


If you are considering a short sale it is best to contact myself or a local qualified Realtor® in your area. It is a good idea to speak to an attorney about your options ( I am not an attorney and can not give legal advice.) If you decide to proceed with a short sale, gather all information you can to support your need to sell your house short (loss of income, divorce, debt, illness, etc). You will need to write a hardship letter (your opportunity to complain about your situation) and you will have to provide the lender with financial information.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions - Mark Zoeller (603) 817-4113
Realtor®- NH and Maine

FHA Changes

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to let you know what changes will be happening in FHA. First, there will be no more spot approvals for condos. All associations must be newly approved through FHA every 2 years (Effective February 1, 2010). Second, FHA's MIP (Mortgage insurance) will be increasing from 1.75% to 2.25% as of April 5, 2010. Third, Seller contributions will be reduced from the allowable 6% to 3%. This possibly may take effect sometime this spring. FHA has not finalized the allowable closing costs, yet. If you have any questions about these changes please feel free to call me and I will try and answer them for you.

Pending home sales rise in June for 5th consecutive month

Pending home sales index rises again in June
More good news: Pending home sales rise in June for 5th consecutive month
On Tuesday August 4, 2009, 11:01 am EDT (An article from the Associated Press)

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Pending U.S. home sales rose in June for the fifth straight month, another encouraging sign of life for the embattled U.S. housing market, the National Association of Realtors reported Tuesday.
For June, the Realtors group said its pending home sales index rose 3.6 percent to 94.6, from an upwardly revised reading of 91.3 in May. The last time there were five consecutive monthly gains was July 2003.
The results were far better than analysts expected. Economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters expected the index to come in at 91.2.
The report tracks signed contracts to purchase previously owned homes and is considered a barometer for future home sales. Typically there is a one- to two- month lag between a sales contract and a completed deal.
The jump in pending home sales coincides with other positive trends in the residential real estate market.
"The housing market is healing and the patient is getting healthier at an accelerating pace," said economist Joel L. Naroff, president of Naroff Economic Advisors Inc.
For the first time in five years, home resales have risen for three months in a row, increasing almost 4 percent in June. Low prices, attractive mortgage rates and a first-time homebuyers tax credit of up to $8,000 have kick-started sales.
"Because housing is so affordable in today's market, job security and the first-time buyer tax credit are bigger factors in influencing home sales," said Lawrence Yun, the Realtors group's chief economist, in a statement.
Also Tuesday, homebuilder D.R. Horton Inc. said its fiscal third-quarter losses shrank from the year-ago period, as it took smaller charges against the falling values of its land and unsold homes.
D.R. Horton's results followed similar numbers from Pulte Homes Inc. and Centex Corp., which reported quarterly earnings Monday that showed new-home orders picked up during the first half of the year.
Yun said he expects existing home sales to gradually rise over the balance of the year, with conditions varying around the country.
"It appears home sales are on a sounder footing and inventory is gradually being absorbed," he said.
Regionally, the pending home sales index jumped 7.1 percent to 100.7 in the South and 2.9 percent to 100.4 in the West. The index inched up 0.4 percent to 81.2 in the Northeast, and up 0.8 percent to 89.9 in the Midwest.