The last couple of years show slow BUT SURE growth in the number of homes sold in Lebanon – ’11 (126) is currently showing a 4% growth from ’10 (121) which was up about the same percentage from ’09 (116)…. Coming off a high in ’07 with 158 homes selling YTD.

Average DOM is starting to come down from 118 in ’10 & 111 in ’09 to 96 in ’11 – this is down by around 20%. Median DOM in ’11 (50) is down around 17% form ’10(60) & ’09 (59).

The average selling price which was the same in ’10 & ’09 ($215K) has gone down in ’11 to 200K which is around a 7% correction in the market. Median selling price has gone down 3% in ’11( $194K) from ’10 ($200K) and around 8% from ’09 ($211K).

This is good news for the Lebanon NH housing market in that more homes are selling and in a shorter period of time than any time since the ’08 crash. It seems that seller’s are more realistic about pricing their homes and buyers are are seeing value in purchasing instead of renting with the current low interest rates and price corrections!

MORE ON THE RENT VS. BUY MARKET NEXT WEEK!

Cheers, Carol

So while the numbers look okay it is still a long way off from the peak year of ’05 when 112 homes sold YTD and Average DOM was 66/Median DOM 31…….

This tells me that though the number of homes selling is up from ’10 they are staying on the market longer. This could be for a number of reasons but most likely it has something to do with seller’s not recognizing the correction in the market and taking time for them to reduce the pricing to a point where buyers are willing to make an offer.

The average selling price of a home in Hanover went down but only by 1.5% in ’11 ($519K) from ’10 ($527K)…..however it is up dramatically 22% from ’09 (406K). Median selling price is up 4% in ’11 (($475K) from ’10 ($449K) and again a big increase of 18% in ’09 ($385).

Some conclusions that could be drawn are that in ’09 and ’10 the 1st time homebuyers credit was in effect and many new buyers came into the Hanover market but with limited purchasing power. Also, in ’10 and ’11 more buyers came back in the $500K and up market, which took a beating in ’09 and early ‘10 after the October ’08 crash.  However, the homes that are selling in the upper end of the market are taking much larger hit in the list/sell ratio – 7% in ’11 and 8% in ’10.

So, it seems that Hanover and the Upper Valley area continue to feel the effects of the current economic circumstances but in relation to a large part of the United States we continue to be more insulated than most.

Happy Thanksgiving, Carol

Generally speaking, waterfront sales on both lakes have been solid both this year and last year with 11 properties selling on the lakes in 2010 and 7 closed and 1 pending at this point in 2011.  That compares with 3 sales for both lakes in 2009, 5 in 2008, 11 in 2007 and 3 in 2006.  It is interesting to note that lakefront sales in terms of unit numbers and sales dollars have been relatively strong this year and in 2010 in spite of or perhaps because of the recession.

One thing that stands out year to year is that in 2010, 9 of the 11 sales were on Mascoma Lake and sold on average at approximately 1.13% of assessed value.  In 2011, 5 out of 7 sales were on Crystal Lake and have been on average selling for approximately .98% of assessed value.  It seems 2011 has been a good year to buy Lakefront property, particularly on Crystal Lake

If you are looking for a camp on Crystal Lake, 80 Hawley Drive (MLS 4058271) appears to be well priced at $329,000 when compared to its assessed value of $378,000.  The price also compares favorably with recent sales of similar 4 season camps with approximately 100 feet of shore frontage.

If you would consider renovating an antique cape on a nice .74 -acre lot with 401 feet of water frontage, 436 Lockhaven Rd. (MLS 4085081) is priced at its assessed value of $349,900.  While not having the water views, this would make a great home with its very nice lake frontage to enjoy.

Lastly, if you are looking for a place to park a camper and a boat on Mascoma Lake, how about a .15 acre lot with 59 feet of lake frontage a public and a sewer hook up available on Rt. 4A (MLS4079586) priced at $134,900, $8,100 below its assessed value.  While you won’t have much elbowroom you will have very inexpensive access to a great lake.

A particular sale that stands out in 2010 is 64 Shaker Boulevard on Mascoma Lake, a very nice four season cottage with 230 feet of shore frontage on .6 acres that sold for $350,000 after just 19 days on the market in October of 2010.  This same cottage was listed for sale in late May of 2007 at $274,900 and sold after 9 days on the market in a bidding war for $350,000.   As good an indicator as you will find that lakefront values have remained reasonably stable over the last few years.

When you look at the lakefront inventory remaining on the market at this time, it shakes out like this.  There are 7 properties currently listed on Crystal Lake and 6 on Mascoma Lake, of the 13 properties, 9 are priced well above their assessed value and in general have spent significant time on the market.  The remaining 4 properties are priced at or below assessed value which indicates to me that the Sellers are in tune with the actual market and motivated to sell.

If you are considering buying property on either Mascoma Lake or Crystal Lake, please come in and talk with Carol or I.  Not only can we help you sort through the market data; we can help you assess all the attributes that contribute to the value of a particular lakefront property.  Having just purchased property ourselves on Mascoma Lake in 2010, we are uniquely qualified to help with your lakefront purchase.

Cheers, Matt

The numbers are looking good in Lebanon with 17 units sold, which is an increase from last year’s 14. The average price has increased to $254,382 up from $183,259 last year, a jump of 38.81%!  The average number of days on the market has increased to 195, up from 150.

Condo sales in Hanover, unfortunately, have been less promising and have actually seen a substantial dip in 2010.  So far there have only been 8 units sold, down from 21 last year.  The average price has stayed constant at about $310,000.  The average number of days on the market is also up to 268, up from 199 last year.

Chris

Carol and I recently met with Kevin and Shannon Purcell who are the developers behind Natures Walk condominiums in Lebanon.   They have sold 50 % of the project thus far and are optimistic the remaining 17 units will be absorbed into the market in the next year or so.  If you are looking for single level living with an on site fitness center and easy access to walking trails, Nature Walk is worth considering.

Quarry Hill is another new condo development in Lebanon that is aggressively looking to move units in 2010.  We have helped a Buyer in 2010 purchase one of their units and we can attest to the flexibility and responsiveness of the Developer.   A particular advantage of working with this group is the opportunity to modify the floor plan to your needs.

Westboro Woods, along with all area developers has suffered the effects of the declining real estate market and economy.  The developer of this project has been steadily dropping prices to accommodate for the lackluster demand in the market.  With these units now priced in the +-$200,000 area I think they are priced well for what they offer.

Gile Hill in Hanover has reached the end of Phase one of their development plan and are now on to phase two with some new products.  They are adding townhomes with attached garages to the mix this year, which I expect will be well received.  They are priced between $300 and $400,000 depending on size, style and location in the complex.  Being “Green Built” and on the access road for Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center should continue to draw buyers to this complex.

If you are looking for a condominium in the Hanover/Lebanon area, give us a call, we help people buy them all the time.

Matt & Carol

It was interesting to hear from Miro how the Hartland Group has adapted their plans as the economy and housing market have changed over the past year.  The most significant change is that Estes & Gallop of Lyme NH has replaced Trumbull Nelson of Hanover NH as the general contractor for the project. Miro indicated that rebidding the buildings in 2009, along with a better understanding of what consumer’s value, will help them deliver a better product well suited for the market in 2010.

They have indeed made some significant design changes and seem to have good value for moneyin their product when compared to other condominium complexes in Hanover.  The 2 bedroom flat units range in price from $289.000 to $310,000 depending on how they are situated in the buildings relative to stairs, proximity to parking and views.  The initial asking prices are somewhat higher in 2010 when compared with actual sale prices in 2009 for comparable units, a strategy often employed by developers as sales momentum is gained. When looked at in comparison to other 2 bedroom, 2 bath flat style units in Hanover and age is factored in, Gile Hill still seems reasonably priced.  The big change in design is the addition of 2 and 3 bedroom townhouse style units with their own garages, an amenity clearly valued in the winter time.  Two bedroom prices start $309,000 and three bedroom units start at $379,000 and again when compared to other Hanover 2 and 3 bedroom townhouse units the prices are in line with the market.

It seems like the real value questions facing buyers at Gile Hill boil down to two primary factors. New and green built vs. 20 – 30 year old construction technology and walk to downtown Hanover vs. walk to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center from a proximity standpoint.

More later – Matt & Carol

For information and most asked questions this is a good article by Laura Saunders in the Wall Street Journal!

The Hanover NH Condo Market

The condo market in Hanover NH has faired well through the current economic downturn. The number of closed units for the 3^rd quarter is up 49% (10 in ’08 to 19 in ’09).  The average selling price is down 13% ($279,780 in ’08 to $242,758 in ’09).

This information leads me to believe that the 1^st Time Home Buyer Tax Credit continues to drive the sales of condominiums in  Hanover NH and the rest of the Upper Valley.

More to come! Carol & Matt

54 DAYS AND COUNTING

Time is running out for 1^st time home buyers to take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit. To qualify, home buyers must complete the purchase of their home before December 1^st 2009! This is a great the opportunity to purchase a single family home in the Hanover and Lebanon NH area.

The IRS has recently issued a news release which reviews the qualifications for the 1^st time home buyer credit. Other resources that explain in detail include a You Tube Video and a First-Time Homebuyer Credit website.

In addition to the tax credit, the New Hampshire Housing Financing Authority Home Advantage Program allows buyers to monetize the tax credit at the time of purchase to provide up to $10,000 towards down payment and closing cost.

For help understanding the tax credit regulations and the Upper Valley real estate  market, don’t hesitate to email, phone us at 603-643-4800 or just stop by our office on Allen Street in Hanover, NH.  As Exclusive Buyer Agents, we represent buyers only —  at no extra cost to you!

More to come! Carol & Matt