New Announcement

Prudential Verani Realty and Real Living | The Norwood Group are pleased to announce the merger of their two residential companies. 

Margherita Verani, Giovanni Verani and Karl Norwood announced today the merger of their companies which are two of the oldest and best known real estate companies in New Hampshire. “The merger between us is a natural progression we welcome with open arms.” said Margherita Verani, President of Prudential Verani Realty. 

Both of these family run real estate organizations have had parallels throughout the past forty- plus years planting their roots in New England. Verani, founded in 1967, and The Norwood Group, founded in 1968, both started as companies based on the pillars of customer service. With Osvaldo Verani owning his own restaurant and Karl Norwood his own milk delivery business prior to founding The Norwood Group with his wife Louise, each taking with them their passion for providing quality customer service. This is what made them the real estate companies they are today.

Throughout the years both companies have cooperated and competed in delivering exceptional customer service to their clients. Earlier this year, Prudential Real Estate & Relocation was acquired by Brookfield Residential Property Services from Prudential Financial Inc.  And with The Norwood Group already under the Brookfield umbrella, this natural expansion seemed to be the perfect fit for both Verani Realty and The Norwood Group.

”When the purchase of the Prudential franchise by Brookfiled Properties was announced, the number of similarities between us made this natural alliance seem even more inevitable. We are both two long standing New Hampshire real estate families who share similar history, core values and company philosophies. We look forward to this new opportunity.” said Giovanni Verani, Vice President of Prudential Verani Realty.

“The Verani team and our group have always had mutual respect for each other over the years.” states Karl Norwood, President of Real Living | The Norwood Group. “With Brookfield’s purchase of Prudential, our two companies were already aligned. With the same corporate ownership, it made sense to continue that partnership at the state level.” Norwood went on to say “we feel this is a unique opportunity for our associates to have available the highest level of technology and expanded national relocation business ensuring continued exceptional service for our customers and clientele”. 

Giovanni added, “We are absolutely thrilled to have the wonderful associates of  Real Living | The Norwood Group joining us in providing home owners and buyers with the most professional real estate services available today.”

NAI Norwood Group, a large commercial real estate brokerage and consulting company, will continue to remain owned and operated by the Norwood family as they continue to build upon their worldwide affiliation with NAI Global. “Our clients, owners, and occupants of commercial real estate will continue to have the reputable Norwood name to turn to when they are in need of brokerage or consulting services.” stated Chris Norwood, Executive Vice President of NAI Norwood Group.

May Year to Date 2012 New Hampshire Sales

After the release of last month’s 1^st quarter NH Real Estate Market data showing that home sales have begun to increased, the New Hampshire Association of Realtors® (NHAR) recent release on June 12, 2012 has not only confirmed that home sales continued to climb but we are also seeing an increase in median sales prices.

In comparing data for the first 5 months of 2011 to the first 5 months of 2012, reports show a 28% increase in year to date sales. As per the NHAR, the sales spike in May followed increases in January through April totaling 4,440 home sales in 2012 compared to 3670 in 2011.

More than half of New Hampshire’s 10 counties have seen an increase in price, even though statewide May median price saw a 2.4% dip.

Hillsborough County showed 1,183 residential sales in 2012 compared to 965 residential sales for 2011 and 364 Condominium sales for 2012 compared to 326 sales in 2011. Statewide there were 4,440 residential sales in 2012 compared to 3,670 in 2011 and 1,076 condominium sales in 2012 compared to 959 on 2011

Median residential sales prices in Hillsborough County for 2011 YTD were $210,000 and $207,500 in 2012 YTD, and condominium sales prices in Hillsborough County was $138,000 in 2012 compared to $145,000 in 2012. Statewide condominium prices for YTD 2011 was $146,000 compared to $143,950 YTD 2012 and residential was $200,000 YTD 2011 compared to $193,000 YTD 2012.

As per NHAR President John Rice, “these are very solid numbers, in the context of where we have been in recent years, where in the past we have been merely hopeful that things would start to turn, now we appear to have substance to justify that hope”.

Residential home sales: Will 2012 be the breakout year?

 April 23, 2012

Here is some good news. Residential homes sales in New Hampshire are up 17 percent above 2011 and the highest they've been since 2007.  Read the new article from the NH Association of REALTORS


Read The Article...

New Hampshire Housing Market: Current Snapshot

On many levels, New Hampshire’s financial well being is the real estate market.  Not only are our tax revenues derived from the sale and assessment of real estate, our home owners also have a vested interest in what is taking place in the market and where we stand versus years past. The chart below shows the home sales for the first two months of 2012 versus 2011. The trend that was predicted in December of last year has played itself out so far in the first 60 days of the year: many more homes sold at slightly reduced or even pricing.

The trend of move units sold is almost universal across the state while the depreciation (and appreciation) on prices is more volatile. One of the main reasons for the resurgence of the housing market we feel is due in part to interest rate stabilization.

Many Realtors® feel that although we are experiencing some problems, the road to recovery has begun.Home affordability is at an all time high, if you are planning on staying in one place for more than 4 years, you have a steady job, good credit and a good savings than purchasing a home is the right path for you as a home buyer.   Taking advantage of today’s market is the best long term investment a buyer can make.  With interest rates at an all time low a family who was looking for a home a year or more ago can expect lower interest rates today, and their monthly payments may end up being lower as a result. 

Now is the time for home buyers to take advantage of programs such as USDA’s Rural Development  financing programs or NH Housing grants for those who qualify and FHA now qualifying people with as little as 3.5% down.  Also many credit unions and banks are offering special financing in their local communities.

For many families this market is creating an opportunity to purchase a home for much less than before.Many analyst hope that with all these opportunities we may see a positive change to the Real Estate market in the future.

Trends in NH Real Estate

The January 202 New Hampshire residential numbers are in...volume is up in Hillsborough County and across the state. With the current interest rates and great value in homes today, we expect to see more of this for the rest of the year.

What do you think?

Check out the report here

Cold Weather and Snow Anyone?

At the risk of jeopardizing things, Mother Nature has given us a very quiet winter. With the distinct exceptions of Halloween and Leap Year Day, we have been given very little in the way of snow fall or in the way of cold weather. Perhaps you even saw spring flowers making their way up or a golf friend getting ready for some March tee times. For us as home or condo owners, the question is… what does this weather mean for us?

Depending on where you live and how you operate, you may plow your own driveway or hire a neighborhood kid to help shovel. Perhaps you hire it out to a contractor or perhaps you are part of an association that does it for you. The question for homeowners this year is “Do you pay by the storm?” if the answer to that is yes, then you may be in the money as it relates to that part of your budget. If you are part of an association you may want to ask the home owners or condo association how they budget and contract.

Flower confusion aside the warmer weather has also meant a gentler heating season than in years past. Foreign and domestic oil volatility has kept prices high, but the net affect for most home owners is a more favorable heating season. Perhaps you purchased a few cord of wood, and only used some of it. Or perhaps you only needed to fill the tank once or partially instead of a few times. No matter what we hope that you have come out ahead.

If you have been the beneficiary of some unspent fuel or snow plow budget funds how are you going to allocate them? In a recent WMUR article, the State Department of Transportation is going to use the unspent snow plowing monies on road improvements that otherwise would have been pushed back. Can we as homeowners do the same?

Where can we invest these dollars to earn more value? Can the extra money you saved go to improvements such as better insulation in your attic? What about looking into weather stripping around your doors or windows? What about recycling the old AC window unit and purchasing a more efficient one.

If you are part of a home owners association or a condo association, ask the board or the management company what these unspent dollars could be used for around the grounds.

Mother Nature may not be through with us just yet, but if she decides to let the flowers grow and we are fortunate enough to walk away with a few dollars in our pocket, think of what we can do to help next winter.

Chris Norwood

Erin Pontbriand Joins Real Living | The Norwood Group

We are pleased to announce that Erin Pontriand has joined Real Living | The Norwood Group at our office in Nashua, NH. Erin comes from Reflections Realty Group. 

Here is Erin's Bio - in her own words. 

"I believe that good things happen to good people.  I live my life by that motto, both personally and professionally.  As my client, you will be treated with respect and represented with integrity.  Your needs, wants and desires come first, above all else.

I work in the Salem, Derry, Londonderry and surrounding areas.  I am experienced in the area of short sales and bank owned purchases.  I specialize in working with investors purchasing distressed properties.  With a degree in Interior Design, I enjoy helping clients with staging their homes and assisting investors with design ideas.  Whatever your real estate needs, I will make you feel like you are the only client I have.

I enjoy spending time with my husband of 12 years and our two daughters.  I love to read, paint and draw."

Welcome Kathleen DeMello!

Real Living | The Norwood Group welcomes Kathleen DeMello to our Nashua office!

 

 Born in Chicago, Illinois, Kathleen DeMello moved to New England with her New England native husband, Bob DeMello in 1971.  Once established in the Boston area she began building her career in space planning, design, project and facilities management, and corporate real estate, while she and Bob raised three beautiful daughters.  She served as president of the Boston Chapter of the International Facilities Management Assoc.   

In 2004 Kathleen gathered all her skills and embarked on another career path in residential real estate, obtaining her license and hanging it at Keller Williams Realty, in Nashua, NH.  In 2010, yet another opportunity presented itself to team up with two wonderful partners and open Reflections Realty Group, LLC, servicing residential real estate needs in Southern New Hampshire. She is now a proud member of Real Living/Norwood Realty Group and is happily ensconced in this great career at the Nashua office of 150 Broad Street. 

 She invites you to give her a call at 233-3673 and talk about your real estate needs!

Reflections Realty Group Joins Real Living | The Norwood Group

We are pleased to announce that Reflections Realty Group has joined our firm in the Nashua office located at 150 Broad Street in Nashua, NH.
 
In the last 24 months of combined sales we have helped over 250 families buy or sell a home. 

Kristina Prior of Reflections Realty Group said "It is wonderful to put together so many quality brokers into one location to service the greater Nashua Marketplace. If I created a team I would want to become a part of, this team would be the template. The professionalism and support has been nothing but exceptional. “

“Having Reflections join our team helps to expand our Nashua location and is an exciting way to start our rapid growth plans for 2012 throughout Southern New Hampshire.” says Karl Norwood.

If you are looking for residential, commercial, and relocation services please call us at 603-889-1875, visit us today at www.RealLivingNorwood.com.

Welcome Tim Leger to the Team!

 

We are please to announce that as of January 1^st, 2012, Tim Leger, a 15-year resident of Hooksett, NH, has relocated his residential real estate practice to Real Living | The Norwood Group’s office at 116 South River Road in Bedford, NH.

 Originally, Tim grew up in western Massachusetts in the Springfield area and spent his college years in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  His degree in broadcasting from Colorado College sent him into the world of DJ and videography.

Tim brings over 14 years of buying and selling experience with RE/MAX in Manchester, NH, where he was a member of the 100% club for six years.  The two organizations that have benefited greatly over the years from Tim’s efforts are the Miride Network Charity and the local Chamber of Commerce.  Thoday his focus is helping everyday people with their marketing of hard to sell homes by using his Certified Distressed Property designation.

 Tim has two daughters, Samatha and Jessica, who have grown up in Southern New Hampshire.  Tim can be seen traveling everywhere with his two infamous maltise/poodles, Lilly and Penny.

If you have worked with or would like to experience the Tim Leger difference, you can check out his website, email him, or just give him an old fashioned call at 860-4474.