Diamond River Currents...Monadnock Region...Keene, NH

If Buyers Are Liars, then I'm the Biggest One of All

Kim Brown, Keene, NH...New England at its Best! (Diamond River Realty LLC) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:21:18 -0400

Susan Haughton, of Alexandria, VA hits this one out of the park! A good lesson reminding REALTORs that the homebuying process can be overwhelming and our "must haves" are negotiable. Even when we're absolutely, positively adamant that they are not.

And, for those of you "outside" our crazy industry...let this put your mind at ease! Some of us really do "get it!" and that's the truth! :)

Via Susan Haughton Alexandria, VA REALTOR® www.susanmovesyou.com (Long & Foster REALTORS® Old Town Alexandria):

Although I pride myself on being pretty darn patient with my clients who are searching for that perfect home here in Alexandria and while I assure them they should take as much time as they need to feel comfortable with their home buying decision, wow, until I started going out with my husband out to look for a new house for us, I was not prepared for what a PITA client *I* was going to turn out to be.

After looking at dozens of homes (not to mention dozens more online), all of which met our needs ON PAPER, I realized the other night how seriously out-of-control I apparently was when I heard my husband uttering these words, "well, with the dirt that they dig up for the new pool, they could fill in the other pool and we could build the patio over that. We wouldn't have to worry about removing the other pool."

The problem he was trying to solve? A house we sort of like has an enclosed pool adjacent to the house but I don't like where the pool is.

Sigh.

When my husband starts talking about filling in a practically-new-perfectly-good-not-inexpensive pool in order to build another not-inexpensive pool (something in which he has absolutely zero interest, I must add), something is seriously out of whack in the universe. (Or perhaps he is as tired of the indecision as I am and simply wants it to be over). Of course, if I LOVED LOVED LOVED the house, I wouldn't be making such a big deal over the pool...problem is, I want to like the house, but, I just don't even though it has every single thing - every thing - I said I wanted.

We have seen a number of houses we really like, all of which come with "but we would need to...." qualifiers ranging from the simple to the ridiculous. Electric cooking? Blech. Electric heat? No way. One full bath? Really? Seriously? No. What do you mean, this area doesn't have cable? How do you get, uh, your high speed internet? Oh, you don't. Hmmm...no.

Is the perfect house out there? I don't know. Have I have done a 180 degree turn from my "ABSOLUTELY-MUST-HAVE-NO-COMPROMISE-CONSIDERED" list? Oh, yeah. And the hunt continues, with ever expanding parameters.

Sometimes as an agent - I readily admit and suspect I am not alone - I get a wee bit frustrated when I have looked and looked and previewed for clients only to have them say, "nope, this isn't it" when everything - EVERYTHING!!! - is telling me it SHOULD be it. How can this NOT BE IT? Come on! It has absolutely everything you told me you wanted. Seriously, this really isn't it?

It's even more frustrating when they suddenly start sending ME listings they have found in LISTINGBOOK that aren't AT ALL what they told me they wanted...frustrating because I feel *I* should have found those listings for them, but...but...but they weren't what they said they wanted.

But, I do understand. Totally. Sometimes we really DO have to look at a lot of properties - and a lot of totally different properties - before our clients can start to hone in on what their priorities REALLY are. Sometimes what they discover surprises even them.

While it is critical to listen to what our clients say, it's also important to be a little creative in our searches, too....and when it becomes apparent they are no longer sure of what they really want, it's even more important to have our antennae up for those important clues that will help us help them.

Through it all, we need to be flexible and empathetic - folks cannot always articulate WHAT they want until they have had a chance to work through some things in their minds and with each other.

At the end of the day, we need to go with the flow sometimes and trust our client's intuition. And we also need to resist the impulse to call them liars.

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Stay on top of what's happening in Real Life and Real Estate in

New Hampshire's Beautiful Monadnock Region

*******************

Kim Brown, REALTOR

~CALL~ 603.545.1632 ~TEXT~

Diamond River Realty LLC

~ 603.358-3123 ~

~ 138 School Street, Keene, NH 03431~

Keene NH REALTOR Braves Boston RainCamp and Lives to Blog About It

Kim Brown, Keene, NH...New England at its Best! (Diamond River Realty LLC) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:00:46 -0400

Keene NH Realtor® braves Boston RainCamp and lives to blog about it!

I've been a member of Active Rain since October 2007. My point accumulation is nothing to write home about, since I've been more of a reader and commenter than a blogger. I'm ranked as the #1 real estate agent in Cheshire County and Keene, NH, but that's more a result of the lack of AR members in my neck of the woods than anything else. It's easy to get complacent when you don't have much competition, but my complacency isn't paying the bills or bringing me the business I know is out there for me.

Having spent almost three years lurking and learning, commenting and connecting, I know that this blogging thing has helped thousands of AR members increase their business, even in a less-than-stellar market, and I know it's time to start putting it to work for me.

Enter: RainCamp Boston

"WOW" doesn't even begin to do it justice. Ben Kinney really knows his stuff and has the ability to deliver the goods with a humor and ease that makes even the most "long-tail-S-E-O-say-what?" among us relax and let the information just soak in. All the snippets of information I'd been gleaning and testing online suddenly started to make sense. I have a much clearer picture of what I'm doing right, and more importantly, what I'm doing wrong. I'm actually able to connect the dots of the various Social Media platforms, and I left Boston's Seaport Amphitheater confident that I can accomplish it. That, my friends, is not only encouraging, it's empowering.

My advice to my fellow Active Rainers? Get thee to RainCamp!

If you're committed to bringing your business to the next level, it really is a no-brainer.

BUT WAIT....There's MORE!

Did you know that there are real, live human beings behind those profile pictures? Seriously! I've seen it for myself. RainCamp is an extraordinary opportunity to travel through the looking glass computer screen and connect with some of the folks you've been "socializing" with right here on AR.

During my time here on Active Rain, I've made some really great friends. I can safely say that at least 30% of my Facebook Friends are people I've met through AR. Some have become such close friends that it's easy to forget that I've never actually met them. We're able to get acquainted a bit more easily through reading blogs or commenting on Facebook updates or re-tweeting 140-character-or-less epiphanies. Social media often allows us a little more insight into what makes people tick, and I think we're better able to bond without some of the boundaries that we might have to maneuver IRL. (that's In Real Life...and don't feel bad, I didn't know either ‘til my kids told me)

But...every now and then we might just have the chance to see beyond the keyboard voice and profile pic.

I was able to re-connect with my favorite "wedding crasher" after nearly 24 years!

I exchanged FB messages with my newest Facebook Friend, Connecticut's own "Running Realtor", like we were passing notes in school. I was fortunate to have lunch with some terrific real estate agents and stagers, including New Hampshire's own Sharon Tara, and I finally got a chance to apologize to former Keene, NH resident, Liz Bolton (who moved to Cambridge right around the time I moved to Westmoreland, NH) for not following up on some fabulous blog ideas she had for me.

To transition from info-surge to life as we know it, our day of inspiration and education was followed by the after-party where we could all begin to relax and make the most of a little more "facetime". I so enjoyed chatting over a glass of wine with Marianne Cherico and Annie (I wish I could remember her last name!!) about staging, antique homes, kids in college and facing the ups and downs of a challenging market.

Sadly, it wasn't until today that I realized that I missed catching up with some of the folks who were there. (A great reason for AR to provide a list of attendees, so we don't miss our "connections" Hint, hint, AR gods) Crystal, we won't make that mistake again, my friend!

I think it's safe to say that a good time was had by all! I sure didn't see anyone grousing. Reeling from information overload, perhaps, but definitely not grousing!

Some things to remember, when you attend your region's RainCamp:

Bring your laptop or, at least, a notebook. You'll need it to write down a lot of stuff. I typed up six pages of notes and wish I'd taken more!

Bring business cards. Lots of them.

Get a good night's sleep the day before. You want to be fresh and ready to soak everything in.

Seasoned pro or nervous newbie, be prepared to be blown away.

Oh, and if you want to be one of lucky owners of an official RainCamp t-shirt, don't just sit there.

Trust me on that one!

******************************************************************************

Stay on top of what's happening in Real Life and Real Estate in

New Hampshire's Beautiful Monadnock Region

*******************

Kim Brown, REALTOR

~CALL~ 603.545.1632 ~TEXT~

Diamond River Realty LLC

~ 603.358-3123 ~

~ 138 School Street, Keene, NH 03431~

Be The One

Kim Brown, Keene, NH...New England at its Best! (Diamond River Realty LLC) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:20:25 -0400

Read the post below, watch the video, sign the petition. Will it help? Perhaps. I'd like to think it will. It certainly won't hurt. If you'd like to share the link on your own blogs, FB pages, etc. you'll find a link when you watch the video.

Forget the blame for now. There are bigger problems to address, and it's easy for us to forget that when we're not right there living it.

Doing nothing begets nothing.

Via Lisa Heindel, New Orleans West Bank Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty Crescent City West Bank Partners):

If you don’t live along the Gulf Coast, you probably haven’t been inundated every single day, multiple times a day, for the last 3 months with the images of oil spewing uncontrollably and the memories of lives lost in the initial explosion of the Deepwater Horizon.

Your local newspapers probably are not filled with oil spill related stories from the front page to the back.

You may have seen photos of oily pelicans, but not realize how many people are now out of work.

You may have watched a report on the cleanup of the beaches of Grand Isle, LA, but not seen how the marshlands are dying from a combination of oil and dispersants.

This disaster will take many, many, many years for our eco-system and Gulf to recover from.

And we need to make our voices heard. Now.

Be the one.

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Stay on top of what's happening in Real Life and Real Estate in

New Hampshire's Beautiful Monadnock Region

*******************

Kim Brown, REALTOR

~CALL~ 603.545.1632 ~TEXT~

Diamond River Realty LLC

~ 603.358-3123 ~

~ 138 School Street, Keene, NH 03431~

Gorgeous West Keene, NH Colonial Open House TODAY! June 5 from 1-3pm at 18 Morgan Lane, Keene, NH

Kim Brown, Keene, NH...New England at its Best! (Diamond River Realty LLC) — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 10:27:56 -0400

I love open houses. I love attending them, and I love hosting them. Today's my lucky day!

I'm holding my fabulous 18 Morgan Lane, Keene listing open today, June 5, from 1:00--3:00pm. This beautiful colonial has all the features today's buyers demand and then some. Located in Meadowview Knolls in West Keene, you'll find this wonderful family home on a quiet cul-de-sac in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Keene, NH.

You know, I could go on and on, but pictures are worth a thousand words, so take a peek below. Also, be sure to click on the link to see even more pictures and information. Then, plan on stopping by for a visit. If you think the photos are enticing, just wait until you see it "live and in person"...you'll fall in love!

And I really love it when *that* happens!

18 Morgan Lane, Keene, NH 03431

For more information visit:

www.18MorganLane.com

For Sale $379,900

You've been biding your time...and it was worth the wait.

More Photos Below Bedrooms: 4 + Bathrooms: 3 2 Full, 1 3/4 Area: Meadowview Knolls, West Keene Style: House Lot Size: .39 acres Year Built: 1992

Your patience and persistence have paid off. This beautiful colonial delivers the "wants" and the "needs". Granite and stainless in the eat-in kitchen. Plenty of room to relax or entertain in the huge, fireplaced family room featuring gorgeous windows, oak floors and brick hearth. Escape to your Master Bedroom suite which offers a spa-like bath with jetted tub, separate steam shower and dual-sink vanity. 3 additional bedrooms and another full bath to keep the kids close, but not too close! Find your peace and quiet in the den with window seat and built-ins. The basement level offers even more great family space..built-in office area plus large rec room for exercise or play, closets galore and mudroom entry from the 2-car garage. Still want more? You've got it: formal DR and LR, huge deck w/built-in seating, sep. rear entrance to additional main level mudroom, beautiful landscaping, peaceful dead-end location yet still easy access to the association pool/tennis/clubhouse and just a few minutes from Downtown Keene. Truly a dream come true!

Nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac

A place for your family to call home

Family Room
Stunning, comfortable and spacious. Gorgeous floor to ceiling brick with raised hearth. And those windows? ...swoon...

Family Room
Plenty room for all your family and friends to enjoy.

Family Room
Cozy up by the fireplace to enjoy the game.

Family Room
So inviting...feels like "home"

Kitchen
Be a part of everything from the kitchen.

Kitchen
Brand new granite and stainless appliances await your culinary adventures.

Kitchen
Bay window to enjoy the beauty outdoors.

Kitchen
When the dishes are done, step through the sliding glass door to your huge deck.

Kim Brown
Diamond River Realty LLC
Office: 603-358-3123 Mobile: 603-545-1632 Fax: 603-352-4822 Email: kim@diamondriverrealty.com Website: DiamondRiverRealty.com

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******************************************************************************

Stay on top of what's happening in Real Life and Real Estate in

New Hampshire's Beautiful Monadnock Region

*******************

Kim Brown, REALTOR

~CALL~ 603.545.1632 ~TEXT~

Diamond River Realty LLC

~ 603.358-3123 ~

~ 138 School Street, Keene, NH 03431~

The home you've been waiting for has finally hit the market in Keene, NH and just in time to take advantage of that Tax Credit you keep hearing about!

Kim Brown, Keene, NH...New England at its Best! (Diamond River Realty LLC) — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 15:01:58 -0400

You've been biding your time...and it was worth the wait.

Your patience and persistence have paid off.

This beautiful colonial delivers the "wants" and the "needs".

Granite and stainless in the eat-in kitchen.

Plenty of room to relax or entertain in the huge, fireplaced family room featuring gorgeous windows, oak floors and brick hearth.

Escape to your Master Bedroom suite which offers a spa-like bath with jetted tub, separate steam shower and dual-sink vanity.

(And there are 3 additional bedrooms and another full bath to keep the kids close, but not too close!)

Find your peace and quiet in the den with window seat and built-ins.

The basement level offers even more great family space..built-in office area plus large rec room for exercise or play, closets galore and mudroom entry from the 2-car garage.

Still want more? You've got it: formal DR and LR, huge deck w/built-in seating, separate rear entrance to an additional main level mudroom, beautiful landscaping, peaceful dead-end location yet still easy access to the association pool/tennis/clubhouse and just a few minutes from Downtown Keene, NH.

Truly a dream come true!

***Plus...there's still a little time left to qualify for the IRS Homebuyers' Tax Credit, but you'll have to have a contract in place before May 1, 2010. (note: I said "contract"...you have through June 30, 2010 to close!)***

Visit www.18MorganLane.com for more pics and links or give me a call to set up a showing. I'd be delighted to take you through, but I warn you: once you get there, you may never want to leave!

******************************************************************************

Stay on top of what's happening in Real Life and Real Estate in

New Hampshire's Beautiful Monadnock Region

*******************

Kim Brown, REALTOR

~CALL~ 603.545.1632 ~TEXT~

Diamond River Realty LLC

~ 603.358-3123 ~

~ 138 School Street, Keene, NH 03431~

What Have You Done For Me Lately?

Kim Brown, Keene, NH...New England at its Best! (Diamond River Realty LLC) — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 08:02:47 -0400

What have you done for me lately? is hardly the mantra of a professional who is putting their clients' interests first.

Is it me? I read a blog post this morning in which the author asks whether or not she should stop referring her clients to a mortgage professional who, by her own account, does a top-notch job for her clients.

He's efficient, thorough, and gets the job done. So...what's the problem? Glad you asked. The problem is that "he doesn't reciprocate." The author has sent him lots of business, and he hasn't returned the favor. In fact, she even informed him that he'd better remember that business referrals are a two-way street or else she would cease to refer him.

It's clear that the author knows how to do her job. She obviously knows a good mortgage pro when she sees one, and she recognizes the value he provides to her clients. However, I can't help but walk away from her post believing that she feels cheated. He does a good job but...

But what? He does a good job. Isn't that enough? Isn't that what we expect? Isn't that what we look for in the service providers we recommend? In today's world, a great mortgage pro is worth his/her weight in gold. To stop referring an excellent provider simply because they don't return the favor, regardless of how good a job they do for our clients, is just a wee bit self-serving, is it not?

Want to grow your business? Give your clients the very best. Refer them to the very best.

Do that and watch what happens...when someone asks them to refer the real estate agent they believe is the very best, they will undoubtedly think of you.

That's the two-way street you'll find my business on.

******************************************************************************

Stay on top of what's happening in Real Life and Real Estate in

New Hampshire's Beautiful Monadnock Region

*******************

Kim Brown, REALTOR

~CALL~ 603.545.1632 ~TEXT~

Diamond River Realty LLC

~ 603.358-3123 ~

~ 138 School Street, Keene, NH 03431~

Dogs That Detect Bed Bugs...Is There Anything Our Four-Legged Friends Can't Do?

Kim Brown, Keene, NH...New England at its Best! (Diamond River Realty LLC) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:47:00 -0500

Most of us are familiar with this common bedtime rhyme:

Good night...sleep tight! Don't let the bed bugs bite!

Apparently, a bed bug infestation can happen anywhere...in luxury hotels, apartment buildings, college dorms or homes. Housekeeping, or lack of it, has little to do with a bed bug's chosen place of residence. They're not picky, as long as there are humans or other warm-blooded animals to provide them with their sustenance. These uninvited guests bite their host, feed on their blood, and leave their hapless victim itchy as all get-out.

According to a recent article in The New York Times, this resurgence (or perhaps it's just renewed awareness?) of the pests has not only brought additional business to exterminators, but has also led to a new business niche for (wo)man's best friend: Dogs That Detect Bed Bugs.

How long before we start adding companies like New York City's The Bed Bug Inspectors to our list of service providers we recommend to our real estate clients?

Fortunately, I haven't heard of any major infestations here in the Keene, NH area. But still, just writing this has made me itchy, so I'm hitting the shower...

******************************************************************************

Stay on top of what's happening in Real Life and Real Estate in

New Hampshire's Beautiful Monadnock Region

*******************

Kim Brown, REALTOR

~CALL~ 603.545.1632 ~TEXT~

Diamond River Realty LLC

~ 603.358-3123 ~

~ 138 School Street, Keene, NH 03431~

What Do Home Staging and Online Dating Have In Common?

Kim Brown, Keene, NH...New England at its Best! (Diamond River Realty LLC) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:58:52 -0500

This is a terrific analogy to explain the importance of staging your home for sale. And, since I couldn't have said it better myself, I'm delighted that Pangaea has allowed it to be re-blogged so I can share it with my readers.

Let's face it, these days your home is up against a lot of competition, and Buyers can afford to be very choosy.

Staging doesn't mean you have to rip everything in your home down to the studs {no pun intended! :) }...but you do want to make the most of what you've got to offer.

So, read on...and if you're interested in learning more about what you can do to give your Cheshire County home a leg up in today's market, give me a call! As a staging-consultant-turned-real-estate-agent, I have a few tricks up my sleeve, along with some sound advice, that can help you get your Keene, NH home sold quickly so you can get on with your life!

Via Pangaea Interior Design Home Stager - Redesign - Model Homes (Portland Oregon):

Lately, speaking to many of my home staging clients, I find that the HGTV version of staging has really confused and distorted the idea of what staging is all about in real life. It is NOT about ripping out walls and doing a full kitchen remodel in 2 days. It is NOT all about putting phoofy trays on the bed with a split of champagne and a copy of Gone With the Wind. So what is staging, really? – and why do it? – and how?

Simply put: Home Staging is the thorough preparation of your property within your means and time frame to show it in it’s best light and make it appeal to the greatest number of people possible.

Okay, that was accurate, but boring, so here’s the more imaginative way of explaining staging.

Imaginatively put: Home Staging is like online dating for houses.

That might sound a little crazy, but it’s a better analogy than you might think.

The way people shop for houses has changed drastically in the past few years. Eleven years ago when my husband and I were looking for a home, our broker decided which homes to show us and our first view of them was when we pulled up in front. Fast forward to four years ago, when my husband and I were again looking for a home — I went online to look before ever contacting a broker. I skipped past anything that didn’t have several photos that looked great. I sent my broker a list of properties I wanted to see and that’s where we went. Any house that only had one photo or had poor photos didn’t stand a chance.

So this is where the “online dating” similarity comes in. If you were going to join one of those websites, sure, you could put up a blurry photo taken one day when your hair was a mess, you hadn’t shaved or applied make-up (pick your gender) and your shirt had a spaghetti stain down the front — but do you think you’d get any calls? NO! People skip right past the ugly ones. And even if you do show a nice picture of your face, but then when your prospective date meets you in person, they find you wearing a leather fringed vest with flower print, bell-bottom pants from the 80″s — or just as bad, they find you to be completely vacant and without charm — do you think the meeting will last past the first drink? Again, NO!

If you want to get calls, you’ll fix yourself up to look your best, and splurge on a professional portrait. That’s what will get you the best shot at getting calls in the first place. And on those first dates, you’ll want to dress up in the most flattering outfit you can and be your most inviting and charming self. Do that and you have your best shot at finding “the ONE”!

Exactly the same principle for houses! You need to have your home staged beautifully so that it looks it’s very best in the photos in the first place. Have a pro take the photos too so that they really stand out from the competition. And once a potential buyer makes the decision to see your property based on the photos, when they arrive, it needs to be in tip-top shape, looking fresh and up to date. Vacant white rooms are completely lacking in any charm!

And just how do you stage the property in the first place? Here are a few of my most popular articles from the past year on home staging.

People will just drive right past if your house doesn’t look good on the outside. The changes can be simple but have a lot of impact. The house in this article could use just a bit more landscaping, but look at how much they did with just two changes!
Just Two Changes Make All the Difference

You’ll want to have your home freshly painted – but don’t go for white walls throughout. It’s cold! Read this post to get color ideas.
Paint Color to Sell Your Home: It Isn’t White!

People want light and bright homes. Here are some tips about windows.
A Room With a View

Here is a success story about how home staging helped sell this home in ONE DAY!
Success Story: Home Sold In One Day in THIS MARKET! – See How

I hope these articles put you on the path to staging your home beautifully for sale. It can be hard to see your own home through a stranger’s eyes though, so if you want help with it, I’m just a phone call away!

Oh, and by the way — NONE of the people in the photos above were on an online dating site. I just liked their headshots, so don’t ask me for their phone numbers ;0)

For the latest on Hot Design Trends, Trade Secrets, DIY Tips & Design Advice, SUBSCRIBE to My FREE Eziine on Design by clicking here.

******************************************************************************

Stay on top of what's happening in Real Life and Real Estate in

New Hampshire's Beautiful Monadnock Region

*******************

Kim Brown, REALTOR

~CALL~ 603.545.1632 ~TEXT~

Diamond River Realty LLC

~ 603.358-3123 ~

~ 138 School Street, Keene, NH 03431~

20 Overview Drive, Jaffrey, NH...Beautiful Views...Southern Exposure...3.59 Acres. Stop dreaming...start building!

Kim Brown, Keene, NH...New England at its Best! (Diamond River Realty LLC) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:16:14 -0500

Home to the famed Mount Monadnock, Jaffrey, NH is New England living at its best!

Charming towns, amazing scenery, and a warm and welcoming embrace that defines community in this beautiful corner of the Granite State.

This 3.59 acre building lot offers southern exposure, valley views and a wonderful location. Convenient to Route 202 in Jaffrey, NH, you're just minutes from Peterborough, Keene, and the varied and beautiful towns of the Monadnock Region.

Let the rat-race be run without you...you know what's really important: friends, family, and a place to call your own. If home is where the heart is, then consider this the courtship that leads to a lifelong love affair...

It's time to stop dreaming and start living!

Kim Brown | Diamond River Realty LLC | 603-358-3123

20 Overlook Drive, Jaffrey, NH

It's time to build your dream so you can relax and enjoy the view in beautiful Jaffrey, NH

3.59 acres Vacant Land

offered at $63,400

Lot Size 3.59 acres

DESCRIPTION

Sloping land leads to level area above to build your dream. Valley views to take in year-round. Conveniently located near Route 202, this special site allows you to get away from it all. Land perced in 2005 by Monadnock Septic. It's time to make that dream a reality!
see additional photos below

LOCATION FEATURES

- Southern exposure - Beautiful views - Convenient location - Lovely setting with perfect blend of newer homes and farms

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

- Southern exposure allows for advantage of passive solar design

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

Photo 4

Photo 5

Photo 6

Contact info:

Kim Brown

Diamond River Realty LLC

603-358-3123

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Feb 23, 2010, 11:18am PST

Links of Interest

Town of Jaffrey

Jaffrey Grade School

Jaffrey-Rindge Middle School

Conant High School

Monadnock State Park

******************************************************************************

Stay on top of what's happening in Real Life and Real Estate in

New Hampshire's Beautiful Monadnock Region

*******************

Kim Brown, REALTOR

~CALL~ 603.545.1632 ~TEXT~

Diamond River Realty LLC

~ 603.358-3123 ~

~ 138 School Street, Keene, NH 03431~

Word to the Wise: USE YOUR NOODLE! (If you don't monitor your credit, you could be paying rent and eating ramen for a very long time.)

Kim Brown, Keene, NH...New England at its Best! (Diamond River Realty LLC) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 11:18:56 -0500

After months, or even years, of working toward your goal of buying a home in Keene or the surrounding towns of Cheshire County, NH, the time has come!

You've sacrificed and saved, carefully built and maintained your credit and collected countless recipes for budget-friendly meals built around ramen noodles.

At last, you are ready to begin the process...

Being the financially responsible person that you are, you've already researched and discussed various loan products with a mortgage professional. You've kept abreast of current interest rates, down payment requirements, etc. and are finally ready to reap the reward of your careful planning and preparation.

While your favorite real estate pro is working on compiling a list of potential properties that meet your needs, you sit down with your favorite mortgage expert to take the plunge and begin the application process.

You've done your homework, and you know that in order to be in a position of strength when you are ready to make an offer on your dream home, you need that pre-approval from your lender. The document that tells the sellers that you are worthy! You can and will put your money where your mouth is.

The Golden Ticket to gain admission into the Wonderful World of Homeownership.

Having submitted the necessary information and documentation to your loan officer, you are confident in your credit-worthiness. You didn't scrimp and save and forego vacations, dining out and that incredible flat-screen TV for nothing! Pull that credit report, Mr. Mortgage Pro...and let's get this show on the road....

~~~~<RECORD SCRATCH>~~~~

"I'm sorry, Mr. and Ms. Pennywise...your credit score is considerably below our guidelines. The maxed-out, past-due credit cards are a real problem. There are some serious blemishes on the report which need to be cleared up before we can consider offering you a loan..."

"SAY WHAT???"

Turns out that while you were busy living a life of frugality, Joe Slime has gotten ahold of enough of your personal information to have himself a major shopping spree. He's racked up all kinds of debt, courtesy of your identity, which he has absolutely no intention of paying.

So what's a financially responsible, frugality-embracing, ramen-noodle gourmand to do in order to avoid becoming a victim of Joe Slime?

Proactivity is the name of the game! Here, courtesy of fellow Active Rainer Nevin Williams, a mortgage broker with First Priority Financial, are some links and suggestions for keeping tabs on what's going on with your credit while you chow down on your 14th variation of Ramen Noodle Cassoulet:

COMMIT TO CONDUCTING A REGULAR CREDIT REVIEW

You can pull 3 credit reports a year at no cost. (One from each of the major credit reporting agencies.)

Where: www.annualcreditreport.com

Instead of pulling all three at once, consider pulling one from each credit bureau every four months.

Set up a FRAUD ALERT with the credit bureaus. (click on the link for details on how to initiate this and for information regarding any charges for this service.)

YOU MAY WANT TO REQUEST A CREDIT FREEZE

Where: Experian Transunion Equifax

(Click on the individual credit reporting agency links for details pertaining to each agency's requirements and any fees involved.)

These suggestions are for those who prefer the Do-It-Yourself approach to monitoring credit activity.

There are companies who will, for a monthly fee, monitor your credit for you.

However, it's important to remember that the cost of this service can be about $30 per month.

That's $360 a year. And $360 buys a lot of ramen noodles! ;-)

Don't bury your head in the sand...Joe Slime counts on the ostriches to maintain his luxurious lifestyle.

Stay alert, stay informed, and stay on track.

While Joe is busy working his way toward the Big House, you can be creating another ramen noodle delight for your in-laws in your Dream House!

******************************************************************************

Stay on top of what's happening in Real Life and Real Estate in

New Hampshire's Beautiful Monadnock Region

*******************

Kim Brown, REALTOR

~CALL~ 603.545.1632 ~TEXT~

Diamond River Realty LLC

~ 603.358-3123 ~

~ 138 School Street, Keene, NH 03431~

Great 2-Family on Large, Level .43-Acre In-Town Lot in Keene, NH ~ REDUCED ~ Just $189,500!

Kim Brown, Keene, NH...New England at its Best! (Diamond River Realty LLC) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:25:08 -0500

Plenty of space for cookouts, outdoor play and gardening surrounds this classic Keene, NH 2-family New Englander, featuring identical 2-bedroom/1-bath units, complete with screen porches, updated systems and separate utilities. Charming original features include beautiful hardwood flooring, high tin ceilings and large windows to bring the sunshine in! Build equity, generate income, and perhaps plan for the expansion of the existing building to incorporate a third apartment for even more rental income!

Imagine a comfortable, affordable lifestyle in which you can enjoy all the benefits and culture of Keene city living while generating additional income from a 2-bedroom apartment. Take in a show at The Colonial Theater, grab a bite to eat at Luca's Mediterranean Cafe, The Stage, Armadillos Burritos or any of the numerous and varied restaurants along Main Street.Priced right at just $189,500! But wait!...There's more: Owner-occupied unit may qualify for the IRS Homebuyer Tax Credit.(Don't delay, it expires soon--home must be under contract before May 1, 2010 and must close before July 1, 2010) Consult your tax pro to see if you qualify for either the $8,000 or $6,500 credit.

What more could you want? How about proximity to Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth Hitchcock Keene, area schools (this home is in the Fuller School district) and the Keene Rec Center? Perhaps a little higher education is in order...Keene State College offers a multitude of full-time and part-time educational opportunities.

So...what do you say? Want to know more? Additional details and photos of this amazing property are below. Take a peek, and if you'd like more info, give me a call or shoot me an email or find me on Facebook! I'd be delighted to introduce you to your future...

Great 2-Family on Large, level .43 Acre In-Town Lot in Keene, NH REDUCED to $189,500

Overview
Maps
Photos
Features
Description
Neighborhood

$189,500 Multi Family
For Sale Main Features 4 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
2 Units
Interior: 1881 sqft
Lot: 0.43 acre(s)
Location

81 Armory Street
Keene, NH 03431

Kim Brown

Diamond River Realty LLC
(603) 358-3123
kim@diamondriverrealty.com
http://www.diamondriverrealty.com

Listed by: Kim Brown

Our recent listings

First-Time Buyers, Owner-Occupied or Savvy Investors--Great Opportunity under $200k in Keene, NH
Classic Ranch in Great West Keene Neighborhood

Subscribe to our listing feed See more Keene, NH real estate for sale

******************************************************************************

Stay on top of what's happening in Real Life and Real Estate in

New Hampshire's Beautiful Monadnock Region

*******************

Kim Brown, REALTOR

~CALL~ 603.545.1632 ~TEXT~

Diamond River Realty LLC

~ 603.358-3123 ~

~ 138 School Street, Keene, NH 03431~

Make Every Day a Getaway...183 River Rd., Hinsdale, NH...Fantastic 3BR/2BA with river views, 3 acres, secluded location that's convenient to everything!

Kim Brown, Keene, NH...New England at its Best! (Diamond River Realty LLC) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:17:59 -0500

At the end of River Road in Hinsdale, NH you'll find this well-maintained 3BR/1 and 3/4 BA home, sited on high, level ground to take advantage of the gorgeous views of both the Connecticut and Ashuelot Rivers.

3 acres of perennials, fruit trees and natural beauty. Relax on your wrap-around porch and drink in the calming views or take a hike or a ride along the rails-to-trails path nearby. Need to pop in to town? Just a couple of miles down the road. Brattleboro, VT or Northfield, MA? Just minutes away...

You work hard, you play hard, you deserve a vacation every day! Your well-earned retreat awaits...

Asking just $170,000

Kim Brown | Diamond River Realty LLC | 603-358-3123

183 River Road, Hinsdale, NH

Year-round vacation living with views of Connecticut and Ashuelot rivers...gorgeous end-of-road location. Make every day a get-away!

3BR/2BA Manufactured

offered at $170,000

Year Built 1991 Sq Footage 1,404 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking 4 Uncovered spaces Lot Size 3 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Make every day a vacation get-away! This well-maintained double-wide is perfectly sited above both the Connecticut and Ashuelot Rivers...relax on the wrap around porch and drink in the solitude. 3 bedrooms, 1 and 3/4 recently updated baths, updated kitchen with breakfast nook and nature's beauty all around. Convenient to Keene, NH; Brattleboro, VT and Northfield, MA.
see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Central heat - High/Vaulted ceiling - Living room - Breakfast nook - Dishwasher - Stove/Oven - Laundry area - inside - Balcony, Deck, or Patio - Yard

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

- High above two beautiful rivers - Beautiful lot with perennials, fruit trees - Convenient to rails-to-trails for walking, riding, etc. - Gorgeous wrap-around porch to enjoy the natural beauty all around - Updated baths, kitchen - Secluded end-of-road location, yet close to town

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Welcome Home!

Ashuelot River View

Updated kitchen/lots of c

Coffee and a view!

almost home!

Connecticut River

Contact info:

Kim Brown

Diamond River Realty LLC

603-358-3123

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Mar 1, 2010, 7:30am PST

Hinsdale School District

Town of Hinsdale

******************************************************************************

Stay on top of what's happening in Real Life and Real Estate in

New Hampshire's Beautiful Monadnock Region

*******************

Kim Brown, REALTOR

~CALL~ 603.545.1632 ~TEXT~

Diamond River Realty LLC

~ 603.358-3123 ~

~ 138 School Street, Keene, NH 03431~

Planning To Take Advantage of the $8000 First-Time Homebuyer Credit? The Clock's a-Ticking...

Kim Brown, Keene, NH...New England at its Best! (Diamond River Realty LLC) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 12:25:52 -0500

If you're a first-time homebuyer ready to take the plunge, this is information you need to know to determine whether or not you qualify for up to $8,000 in tax credits. Regardless of how frigid it is outside at the moment, April 30 is closer than you think (110 days and counting...)

Everything you ever wanted to know about the First-Time Homebuyer Credit directly from the IRS can be found here!

Provided you meet the income and eligibility guidelines, you may be able to claim an $8,000 credit on your 2010 Federal Income Tax Return.

$8,000 can buy you a lot of paint, furniture, window treatments...whatever it is you need to make your new house a home...but you must have a purchase & sales agreement in place before May 1, 2010 and you must close before July 1, 2010 in order to take advantage of the tax credit.

Buying a house takes time...time to find the right property, time to complete inspections, time to obtain financing commitment from your lender, time to complete title work. It can take 6 weeks or more to make the transition from first offer to receiving the keys to your new home. Even though it may feel like time has stood still during this process, rest assured it has not...Tick-Tock-Tick-Tock.

Hard as it may be to believe right now, Spring is coming...Don't be left out in the cold!

******************************************************************************

Stay on top of what's happening in Real Life and Real Estate in

New Hampshire's Beautiful Monadnock Region

*******************

Kim Brown, REALTOR

~CALL~ 603.545.1632 ~TEXT~

Diamond River Realty LLC

~ 603.358-3123 ~

~ 138 School Street, Keene, NH 03431~

Free H1N1 Vaccine Clinics in Cheshire County

Kim Brown, Keene, NH...New England at its Best! (Diamond River Realty LLC) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:19:05 -0500

This year's Flu Season and availability of the H1N1 flu vaccine has been getting an awful lot of press...for any of you who are interested in getting vaccinated against the H1N1 Flu Virus, here's a list of upcoming clinics, their locations and scheduled dates. All clinics are free, no pre-registration is required, and all NH residents ages 6 months and older are eligible.

Schedule of Free Public H1N1 Vaccine Clinics

Sponsored by the Greater Monadnock Public Health Network

These clinics are free and no pre-registration is required.

All New Hampshire residents ages 6 months and older are eligible to attend.

Chesterfield Town Offices, 504 NH Route 63, Chesterfield, NH

Friday, January 8, 2010 - 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Boynton Middle School Cafeteria, 500 Turnpike Road, New Ipswich, NH

Saturday, January 9, 2010 - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Rindge Memorial School, 58 School Street, Rindge, NH

Sunday, January 10, 2010 - 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Sullivan Town Hall, 452 Centre Street, Sullivan, NH

Tuesday, January 12, 2010 - 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

E.L.M.M. Community Center, 20-21 Durkee Street, Winchester, NH

Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Great Brook Middle School, 16 School Street, Antrim, NH

Thursday, January 14, 2010 - 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Troy Elementary School, 44 School Street, Troy, NH

Saturday, January 16, 2010 - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Keene Recreation Center, 312 Washington Street, Keene NH

Sunday, January 17, 2010 - 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Keene State College, Young Student Center - Mabel Brown Room (2nd floor), Keene, NH

Monday, January 18, 2010 - 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Marlow Elementary School, 919 NH Route 10, Marlow, NH

Tuesday January 19, 2010 - 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Monadnock Regional High School, 580 Old Homestead Highway, Swanzey, NH

Friday, January 22, 2010 - 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Monadnock Regional High School, 580 Old Homestead Highway, Swanzey, NH

Saturday, January 23, 2010 - 9 AM - 11 AM

Greater Monadnock Public Health Network

Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene

580 Court Street o Keene, NH 03431

For up-to-date flu clinic information or in case of inclement weather on a scheduled clinic day,

please call 603-354-5454 Ext. 3030.

For a complete schedule of free H1N1 clinics, visit http://co.cheshire.nh.us/PublicHealth/

WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY AND HEALTHY 2010!

******************************************************************************

Stay on top of what's happening in Real Life and Real Estate in

New Hampshire's Beautiful Monadnock Region

*******************

Kim Brown, REALTOR

~CALL~ 603.545.1632 ~TEXT~

Diamond River Realty LLC

~ 603.358-3123 ~

~ 138 School Street, Keene, NH 03431~

Open Concept Ranch Home on 1 Acre in Hinsdale, NH...just $165,600

Kim Brown, Keene, NH...New England at its Best! (Diamond River Realty LLC) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:14:27 -0500

Open Concept Ranch in Hinsdale, NH

Overview
Maps
Photos
Features
Description
Neighborhood

$165,600 Single Family Home
For Sale Main Features 4 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
1 Unit
Interior: 1672 sqft
Lot: 1.00 acre(s)
Location

110 Plain Road
Hinsdale, NH 03451

Kim Brown

Diamond River Realty LLC
(603) 358-3123
kim@diamondriverrealty.com
http://www.diamondriverrealty.com

Listed by: Ruth Venezia

Our recent listings

Open Concept Ranch in Hinsdale, NH
First-Time Buyers, Owner-Occupied or Savvy Investors--Great Opportunity under $200k in Keene, NH
Classic Ranch in Great West Keene Neighborhood

Subscribe to our listing feed See more Hinsdale, NH real estate for sale

******************************************************************************

Stay on top of what's happening in Real Life and Real Estate in

New Hampshire's Beautiful Monadnock Region

*******************

Kim Brown, REALTOR

~CALL~ 603.545.1632 ~TEXT~

Diamond River Realty LLC

~ 603.358-3123 ~

~ 138 School Street, Keene, NH 03431~