Important message from NHAR 2007 President Bonnie Guevin…REALTORS please don’t ignore this plea.

 
Call to Action:  NHAR Opposes Increasing Real Estate Transfer Tax

Dear REALTOR ® Members,

From the beginning, REALTORS® have supported LCHIP (Land and Community Heritage Investment Program) and its predecessor, LCIP (Land Conservation Investment Program).  LCIP started under Gov. John Sununu in 1987 as a temporary program funded by a $20 million bond.  LCHIP came into being in 1999 under Gov.  Jeanne Shaheen (RSA 227-M).

REALTORS® have opposed funding these programs from a small group of taxpayers – the buyers and sellers of real estate. 

We believe LCHIP should be funded through the State’s general fund, and not through a tax increase paid only by buyers and sellers of real estate because:

• The RETT (Real Estate Transfer Tax) is already too high (second highest in the country), and this would increase the tax from $15 per $1,000 to $15.60 per $1,000.
• A RETT increase of any amount is not consistent with policies promoting affordable housing.
• LCHIP should be measured on its own merits, and not and not exempted from scrutiny by dedicated funding.
• Passing the RETT increase will create a harmful precedent: to use increases in the tax as a funding source for other state programs.  Such additional increases in the tax will further increase the cost of housing and discourage home ownership.  
  
• REALTORS® have been consistent in their position, and New Hampshire Legislators have agreed. 
  

Until now.

 The RETT increase, which was originally proposed as an amendment to HB 868, has now been placed within the budget bill, HB 2.  NHAR opposes an increase in RETT to fund LCHIP and opposes its inclusion in the budget bill.  At a minimum, the Legislature should vote on any increase in the RETT and the creation of a dedicated fund on its own merits, not as part of the larger budget bill.

 
Contact your State Representative and State Senator and ask that they OPPOSE funding LCHIP through an increase in the RETT.  
 

Special Note:  If the House passes the budget, which includes the RETT increase, the Senate will have an opportunity to defeat this increase.  It is imperative that the REALTORS® come out in force to the Senate public hearing on the budget, scheduled for Tuesday, April 17, from 3 to 5 and 6 to 9 p.m. at the

State House.

Last week I was invited to teach an Agency class for the North Country Board of REALTORS. Because they are located about 3 hours away from me they put me up in a hotel the night before.  It was a rainy foggy day as I arrived and the mist just enveloped the entire hotel...cradling it snugly! It was an awesome site to behold...lovely and serene and a bit spooky at the same time.  I just wish my camera would have done it justice.

Check out my other blog for more photos and a tour of a very unique pool...here

Serving Southern New Hampshire and Rockingham County

Jay and Monika McGillicuddy

Prudential Verani Realty

Hampstead NH 

We need your help!!!!

This is very important Information for all New Hampshire Property owners...and an UNFAIR burden on the backs of all property owners.

This Bill has been defeated before with the help of all New Hampshire REALTORS® and now it is being revisited again with House Bill 868. 

Please help us defeat it again!

If passed this will impact you and your pocket when you sell your home, we already have the highest real estate property transfer tax in the nation!!!

Please take action and help us fight this new tax Again!!!!   Pay close attention to talking point # 4...double taxation.

Thank you for your support and attention to this very important issue...we really need your help on this one!

Please call your Representatives- find them by clicking here. 

The following reprinted with permission from the NH Association of REALTORS®...

Please contact your local State Representatives regarding House Bill 868, relative to a surcharge on recording documents with the register of deeds to fund the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP).

HB 868 proposes a new tax on recording documents in New Hampshire.  The revenue generated by the tax is to be dedicated to LCHIP.

The New Hampshire Association of REALTORS® supports LCHIP, and to that end endorses the $12 million LCHIP line item in Gov. Lynch's proposed budget.  However, a new tax related to real estate is unreasonable.

The bipartisan majority of the House Municipal and County Government Committee voted 9-8 in favor of killing the bill, and the House will be voting on the legislation very soon.  Please take a moment and call your local Representatives to express your opposition to the new tax.

For your Representatives' contact information, click here.

Talking Points:

• New Hampshire has the highest uniform state real estate transfer tax in the country.  New taxes will create higher burdens for individuals attempting to purchase new property and could reduce housing opportunities across income spectrums.

• LCHIP is already funded in the proposed budget.  Why should LCHIP, a non-state agency, receive a dedicated funding source with no oversight, while other human service programs must justify their needs through the budget process?

• Almost all county registrars of deeds oppose the new tax.  Many testified that the bill creates administrative burdens for the counties and were unclear whether the $40 tax applies to every page recorded in a deed, mortgage or recording of plats.

• Is this double taxation?  The Department of Revenue did not take a position on the bill but did provide a list of serious concerns, including the issues of whether the counties should be collecting a tax for a non-state agency and whether the proposal was, in fact, double taxation.
  

Jay and Monika McGillicuddy

Prudential Verani Realty

Hampstead NH 

New Hampshire...Apple picking time!

By Monika McGillicuddy

New Hampshire...Apple picking...Home Picking time!

Waiting for a good deal to come along before you make a decision to buy a house? 

Good news is that your wait may finally be over. It seems unlikely that interest rates are going to go down in the near future in fact they may increase by spring. Housing economists are saying we've bottomed but the most importantly it looks like other buyers are starting the home search ...our Internet stats show an increase in buyers searching on our web site. 

Traditionally Spring is when the market comes alive...but to capture and take advantage of the lower prices maybe now is when you should start buzzing around.

Check out our web site for available homes by following this link and if you want to read a great article about home buying and why now might be your window of opportunity check out this article written by Blanche Evans of Realty times magazine . 

Jay wrote about Prudential Verani's Internet stats and comparison to last months stats on his blog called Our Company's Internet Advertising stats....some good food for thought
 
Remember....If you need the help of qualified buyers agents give us a call....we'd love the business! We offer a no obligation Buyer Counseling session...meet with us and let us show you how we may be able to help you save money and find the home of your dreams.  No obligation ...you don't like us ...no problem.
 

 Jay and Monika McGillicuddy

Prudential Verani Realty

Hampstead NH 

_{By Monika McGillicuddy}

The weather outside is delightful...winter's coming...just in time for the Holidays and New Hampshire's Ski season.

New Hampshire  offers a wide variety of outdoor activities and pursuits..from coastal beaches to the White Mountains...there is a little bit of everything and something for everyone!

Traveling to New England don't forget to pack your skis...don't have any skis? not to worry there are plenty of rental shops and ski shops that will gladly fit you with the perfect pair. Explore Ski NH... it is a jam packed website full of ski and snow boarding information.

While my children were growing we spent many weekends skiing in New Hampshire and Maine.  Ski clubs, ski lessons, ski meets and races...It was a great family activity, one that involved the whole family and our extended group of friends. Nothing better than being on white powder on top of a mountain on a bright sunny day...ahhh perfection!  So whether your an expert skier or just beginning you'll be delighted by our ski areas.
Personally I can tell you..I am!

Let's take a peak at some of our fine New Hampshire Ski areas...but be sure to check out for SkiNH for complete listings and maps of all ski areas in New Hampshire.

Attitash in Bartlet NH states "We are making loads of snow!" check out the website for pricing and trail information.

Black Mountain  in Jackson NH has a long ski history extending all the way back to 1935 when NH first began to make people sit up and take notice of it's beautiful ski areas.

Bretton Woods Mount Washington  Ski Resort...This is where my kids learned to Ski and I spent many weekends on the trails.

Cannon Mountain  Franconia Notch State Park...the views here are phenomenal!!!

Cranmore Mountain in North Conway, When you tire of skiing this is the home of New Hampshire premiere shopping outlets...bling-bling-bling!

Crotched Mountain located in Bennington NH, they claim that snow making is currently active on about 90% of the mountain and they're not kidding around.

Gunstock Located in Gilford NH, will  be open for skiing and riding on December 19th.

Loon Mountain in Lincoln NH, has had a Santa spotting-Santa is a skier and he likes to relax before the holiday by skiing at Loon Mountain. So you better be good and look for Santa on the slopes!!!

Mount Sunapee  in Newbury NH, is open with terrain for all abilities including top-to-bottom skiing and riding from the Summit and South Peak.

Pats Peak in Henniker NH, claim they've fired up the snow guns and plan on keeping them going to bring you even more open terrain as soon as possible!

Waterville Valley in Waterville Valley NH...This place is a legend in my household as my boys ski raced here most winters.

Wildcat Mountain in  Pinkham Notch NH, ride NH's highest 4 passenger Gondola for awesome scenery.

Looking for some wonderful places to rest while skiing check out the offerings at Ski NH's Lodging Guide


For your learning pleasure...Some Snow Surface Terminology

I'm sure there are more but these are the most common;

Packed Powder - very dry natural or man-made compacted snow...fun to ski on.

Packed Snow - packed surface of natural or man-made snow...nice-nice stuff.

Groomed Snow - machine groomed...not bad at all :)

Groomed Granular - old snow base that has been machine-groomed to provide loose granular surface...nice.

Loose Granular - old base that is loose...not bad at all.

Frozen Granular - hard-surfaced granular base that has been frozen after thaw..."Opps" type of skiing for me.

Wet Granular - loose or frozen granular snow that has been subjected to warm temperatures...mushy stuff.

Spring Skiing - my favorite...old base that has been thawed and re-frozen by cold nights and warm days so that the surface becomes heavy...I like this stuff because it keeps me slow. I'm not a speed freak!

If you want more inside information about New Hampshire real estate visit our website here  or if you'd like to search NH homes for sale on or near ski areas of your choice or anywhere at all in the state of New Hampshire.

Remember even if you don't have snow...New Hampshire's ski areas have the finest snow making equipment available and that means you can enjoy skiing even if you see green out your window!

Need more info e-mail me at monika@monikamcgillicuddy.com

Have a Happy and a Safe Holiday Season!!!

Let me tell you about my old man…

He was a very old man indeed…. some say he was born an estimated 2,000 plus years ago during the post-glacial period.

Even though he was so very old his passing was deeply mourned by New Hampshire residents as well as those of its sister New England States.

The Old Man in the Mountain.  What a sight he was…so majestic…so proud.  He sat boldly on the shoulder of Profile Mountain, which juts out into space, some 1200 feet above Profile Lake.

His profile was not to be missed by anyone visiting New Hampshire’s Majestic White Mountains.

I can’t tell you how many times we’ve pulled off the highway to stop at the viewing station simply so we could look at him, take pictures and just marvel that he was there.

A natural phenomenon…not created by man, but cherished by mankind. The joy never wore off…never became a yeah so what…been there done that type of attraction. 

One day when we least expected it he was gone…simply gone. We didn’t have a chance to say good bye, take one last photo.

We knew he was ailing a little bit and had heard about tentative gentle repairs being done and minor mending needed but no one expected this… I am talking, of course, about The Old Man of the Mountain, whose stony countenance simply vanished overnight and was discovered missing on May 3, 2003.

May 3 2003 is a day many New Hampshire ites will never forget…like remembering where you were when JFK or Bobby got shot…9-11 and Martin Luther King...of course while nowhere near the same tragic scale and magnitude those events where, but a day we’ll not forget anytime soon.

I’m sorry if you never got to see him in real life…my shots don’t do him justice but I’ve included many links that have great photos of New Hampshire’s Old Man in The Mountain for your viewing pleasure.

Former New Hampshire governor Craig Benson can sum it up much better than I can …so I’ll leave you with his words.

"From its mountainous perch, the Old Man has stood for centuries as a testament to the steadfastness of New Hampshire's Yankee character and the resolve of its people. This rugged yet beautiful monument fit the character of the pioneers who founded this state, the immigrants who built it, and the spirit of those who live here today. It was the ultimate symbol of those who would "Live Free or Die." And while that symbol may have fallen, that spirit still remains."

-- Governor Craig Benson