REAL ESTATE CORNER

Helping Families Turn the Page

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Whether easy or hard, the transition from summer to scheduled classes, homework, sports, and extracurricular is as much an autumn tradition as is New England’s foliage. With one foot back in high school and one out the door, our family is also back to experiencing the excitement (and equally exhausting task) of finding good fit and affordable colleges. Having been through the process twice before, we do feel better equipped to handle expectations. As such, based on our past experiences, we also found that paying for expert college search guidance translates into less stress and more affordable opportunities.

For me, helping families buy and sell properties during their many life transitions, comes with high expectations, heartfelt dedication, and service mindedness; what I expect when paying for professional guidance. The overwhelming feedback I receive from people I work with is that it is extremely valuable to have a knowledgeable and caring professional walking with them through the entire process. As one of the most expensive purchase decisions of people’s lives (although college expenses continue to gain ground), it magnifies the importance of being willing and able to help serve at a such a crucial point. Providing buyers and sellers with an overview of knowledge, understanding their personal limits and goals, and being able to share firsthand experiences, all translates into positive transactions and relationships.

While some purchases or sales are a well-planned and carefully executed desire, others are happening with much less enthusiasm, sometimes abruptly. Many are exciting and fun, while others are tinged with sadness, perhaps due to life’s changing needs. In fact, every individual’s reason to buy and/or to sell, along with the uniqueness of the property itself, become part of a story and are an important part of a much bigger picture of why someone is opening or closing a literal door into their next chapter or journey.

Recent examples being: ~ Buyers from the Cape considering buying a home in the Jackson community to retire to, but propelled by the pandemic to make their decision sooner because flights and pre-planned vacations were canceled. The new goal became having a vacation home that will also be a “perfect” primary home when they retire. ~ Buyer/seller, very busy locals whose goals were to buy bigger, in the same neighborhood, but had to figure out logistics of timing and negotiating with a difficult seller. ~ Buyers moving back from Florida to be closer to kids and grandkids. Looking for easy maintenance, some privacy, sunlight, and good space. Wanting affordable options and willing to own in NH or ME. ~ Sellers moving into a nursing facility,tinged leaving relatives to help clean; it involved weekends of yard sales, sweat, and determination. Deciding to take a less-than-full-price due to timing and not having to make needed improvements. ~ Buyer coming to New Hampshire after becoming an empty nester from the D.C. area, looking for a simpler life. Finding a hilltop hideaway with 20 acres of privacy and gorgeous mountain views. Excited to improve the property and be able to invite the veterans he works with to enjoy this serenity, too. ~ Sellers taking the opportunity that this unprecedented market offers to help make a very difficult decision to sell a little bit easier. From their much-loved summer home, which has brought so much joy, to now needing it to be part of this family’s fondest memories. ~ Buyers committed to the search to find a retirement home in the mountains of NH. But living out west, need expedience and guidance when homes come on the market—especially with multiple offers and above-asking bids in an area they are unfamiliar with. ~ Sellers whose homes need to be spruced up and staged to help show in its best light. Looking to sell for the most money so they can move closer to their son, who is in a state where the prices to buy are much higher. ~ Buyers who have traveled the world and are ready to settle down, wanting a home with hundreds of acres they can nurture in forest management so they can leave a legacy. Making their offer as if they are applying for a job to an elderly seller who lovingly passes the baton of her life’s work.

On and on, from new beginnings to new endings, a career in real estate is a career in caring for people as well as their property. I am always honored and grateful to be part of people’s real estate decisions and journey. As the need for new and different housing is necessitated by life’s transitions, my best advice is to work with someone who you like and trust and who you believe will be your best advocate for now and possibly for years to come.

Bernadette Donohue is a seasoned real estate professional. Bernie has dedicated her career and lifestyle to serving the community and helping clients reach their housing goals.

For a complimentary 2021 Guide of Tips for Buying or Selling, Bernie can be found in Badger Realty’s North Conway office, (603) 356-5757, (207) 542-9967. Bernie@BadgerRealty.com; www.berniedonohue.badgerrealty.com