The first is www.walkscore.com .  This site ranks how walkable certain neighborhoods are.   What this means is that it approximates the distance from your home to grocery stores, restaurants, schools, hospitals, and more!  Whether you are looking to purchase a home or just want to see how your current home fares, this is a fun way to get to know a neighborhood.

Another great way to find the perfect neighborhood is http://drivescore.fizber.com.  This site is similar to the Walk Score site, however it rates addresses by the proximity to community establishments by driving rather than walking.  This site is another fun way to see how close you are to local amenities and is also great if you prefer driving.

If you are looking to find out what communities like Lebanon, Hanover, Enfield, Norwich, and Hartford have to offer, these sites are nice resources to help you find your perfect neighborhood.

Chris

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

Good News! As the first five months of 2010 have come to a close, the Lebanon Real Estate statistics continue to show steady improvement and are encouraging for a successful year.  The number of homes sold is up 14.29% from this same period last year with 40 homes sold compared to 35 in 2009. The average sale price has increased from $186,831 to $220,858, which is an increase of 18.21%.  However, the average days on the market has risen slightly to 165 which is up 5.77% from last year’s average of 156 days. Overall, things are looking positive and more updates will follow as the statistics become available.

Specific condo stats coming soon…

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

Real Estate Stats for Lebanon NH

The Lebanon NH real estate market is showing some interesting stats for the 1^st part of 2010.  The following statistics are taken from the Multiple Listing Service.

In the 1^st 2 months of 2010 the number of single family homes sold in Lebanon NH are down by 22% from the same period in 2009 ( 7 in ’10 – 9 in ’09). The good news is that the average selling price was up 25% ($257,625 in ’10 – $190,700 in ’09). The average days on market was up 44% (161 in ’10 – 90 in ’09).

As of the 28^th of February there had been no condo sales in Lebanon. In 2009 there had been 8 sales.

More Later!
Carol

Real Estate Stats for Hanover NH

The Hanover NH real estate market is starting to show improvement in the first couple of months of 2010.  The following statistics are taken from the Multiple Listing Service.

In the 1^st 2 months of 2010 the number of single family homes sold in Hanover NH are up by 65% from the same period in 2009 ( 9 in ’10 – 4 in ’09). The other good news is that the average selling price was up 30% ($580,825 in ’10 – $402,000 in ’09). The average days on market was up 11% (112 in ’10 – 99 in ’09). The challenge continues to be in the homes over $1,000.000.

In the 1^st 2 months of 2010 the number of condominium sold in Hanover NH was down 25% from the same period last year (6 in ’10 – 8 in ’09).  The average selling price in down 18% from ’09 ($304,167 in ’10 – $372,898 in ’09). The average days on market was up 15% (339 in ’10 – 287 in ’09).

More later on Lebanon Home & Condo sales!

Carol

More later ……… Matt

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!

Sales for Condominiums in Lebanon NH

The following statistics are from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).

The Condo market in Lebanon NH has not faired well in the ¾ Quarter.  Sales are down by 42% (33 in ’08 to 14 in ’09).  The average sale price is about the same ($181,135 in ’08 to $182.025 in ’09).  New Condo listings are up 37% (12 in ’08 to 19 in ’09).  It seems that more first-time home buyers are opting for single family homes instead of condos.

There seems to be a number of older condos that are competing with new developments that are cutting pricing or offering concessions for up-grades……

More Later!  Carol & Matt