Joshua Matthews

Those who know me know I like working on projects around the house, inside and out. Those who know me really well, know I love saving money on those projects. The habitat for humanity organization recently opened the Re-Store in Dover NH. When I first heard of the idea, I thought "this place is going to be full of junk people don't want". When I actually stepped foot inside Re-Store, I could not believe the bargains they had on all sorts of construction materials both donated from companies like Home Depot and Lowe's, to salvaged items from remodels in perfectly good shape. From flooring to kitchen cabinets to closet organizers, this place may not have it all, but it's got enough for the D.I.Y. homeowner, landlord, or contractor (as a matter of fact, the day I went, it was being raided by several contractors buying up CHEAP items to put in their projects). The Re-store's stock turns quickly so, what you see today might not be there tomorrow so you should visit often. In my years as a home-owner, land-lord, and Real Estate Agent, I've seen my fair share of waste, so it's not hard for me to get behind a project that just makes sense. Although the "What's my Carbon Footprint" movement is still in it's infancy, I have started to grasp just how much impact we have as individuals and anytime we can reduce, recycle & re-use as a community we can infinitely multiply our efforts.

Hope to see you there!

Joshua Matthews-Licensed Realtor in NH & ME

I am attending a Timber Framing Home Planning Event this Saturday in Manchester. If you are unfamiliar with "Green" building, this is a great way to see some of the cutting edge construction techniques being used. Timber frame homes help with your impact on the earth and reduce your carbon footprint so if you're interested in this sort of thing make sure you register (or if you just want to peek at some of the most beautifully constructed homes) at Riverbend Timber Framing, here's is the itinerary for the day:

HOME PLANNING SEMINAR

Best Western Executive Court Inn & Conference Center
Manchester, New Hampshire

Saturday, November 15, 2008

ITINERARY:

12:30-1:00 Welcome; Sign in

1:00 - 1:45 "Green Home Design", Jeremy Bonin AIA NCARB LEED AP,

Bonin Architects & Associates, PLLC

1:45 - 2:30 "Timber Framing", Aaron Caswell, Riverbend Timber Framing

2:30 - 2:45 Break

2:45 - 3:15 "Financing Your New Green Home", Wayne Barrows, 1^st Metropolitan Mortgage

3:15 - 3:45 "Solar Energy Systems", Jay Lowrie, Sea Solar Store

3:45 - 4:00 Group Questions & Answers

Best Western Executive Inn & Conference Center

13500 S. Willow Street, Manchester, NH 03103

Traveling on Interstate 93 north or south, take Exit 5. The Best Western Executive Court Inn & Conference Center is 3 miles north on Route 28.

Traveling on Interstate 293 take Exit 1. The Best Western Executive Court Inn & Conference Center is 2½ miles south on South Willow Street.

From airport: Exit terminal to Perimeter Road and turn right. Follow to end. Then take a sharp right onto Route 28 south (South Willow Street). The Best Western Executive Court Inn & Conference Center is 1 mile on the left.

I hope to see you there!

Joshua Matthews-Licensed Realtor in NH & ME

This is the most difficult market the real estate industry has seen in almost the last 20 years. Families who made an investment in their homes are now finding that for verying reasons not only are they unable to pay their mortgage, but they aren't even able to sell their homes for what they owe. Whether it's the common theme of an increased mortgage payment or other reasons like relocation or divorce, some families feeling like there is no other choice, just pack their bags and walk away from their home and let it be foreclosed on. This dibilitating choice ruins a persons credit by about 300 points and also prevent the ability to buy another home for at least 4 years. Most people aren't aware that there are other options, and a mortgage company won't bother to educate their clients about them. Short sales are becoming a wide spread option for most home owners in this exact situation and talking to a company who specializes in these is your best option. I have directed clients in the past to call Tom Girard from The Loan Workout Group and they have found a huge deal of success. Take the time to educate yourself on the options and don't hesitate to call me if you have any questions. This problem is a widespread issue nationwide and has plagued hundreds of thousands of people throughout the country, so I understand the issues and there isn't any reason for embarrasement. Many agents haven't educated themselves on the process yet and without the experience, won't be able to sell your house even if they get an offer you and the bank would be willing to accept.

I am a member of the R.E.Expert network, endorsed by the Real Estate Advocate. If you would like more information either as a buyer or seller, please don't hesitate to contact me, I would be more than happy to help and earn your business.

Joshua Matthews-Keller Williams Coastal Realty-Portsmouth NH

I was in shock when I read this most recent addition to a contract with a bank addendum because it essentially gave the bank carte-blanche over the P&S.

Article 15. The Seller reserves the right to terminate the Contract for any reason in its sole discretion. Should the Seller terminate this contract, the Seller's sole liability to the Buyer will be to return the Buyer's deposit, at which time the Contract and all addendums thereto shall cease and terminate and Seller and Buyer shall have no further obligations, liabilities, or responsibilities to one another.

In the dozens of addendums I've had the opportunity to review, this is the first time I've seen this. It was easy for me to find this in the 5 page addendum the bank sent over, but it might not have been in the 22 page addendums I have seen in the past. This becomes another issue of disclosure to your buyer. If you have not fully disclosed this issue to your buyer, and the bank actually does back out, the buyer could have already paid for (and you are now responsible for): dewinterization of the property, a home inspection, a septic inspection, a water test, radon air/water test, lead paint test, pest inspection, site survey, and an appraisal-all of which could come up to a few thousand dollars. This is a huge risk for all parties involved on the buyers end, so with proper disclosure by the SELLING AGENT it will be up to the buyer to decide if they want to enter into a contract with this clause.

I have had the opportunity to review dozens of bank addendums, I know the "tricks" they hide in the contract. If you are a buyer, please, please, please make sure you are working with an agent who is familiar with both Short-sales and Foreclosures as they require a different skill set than an ordinary transaction.

Joshua Matthews-Keller Williams Coastal Realty-Portsmouth NH

With the current economy the way it is right now and foreclosures rolling into the market in waves, I'm sure many of my fellow agents have seen this clause already, but buyers may not have. The importance being, make sure you disclose the following clause to your buyers and the lender they are working with so all parties understand the timetable they are bound by.

Article 10. (Which can vary) Buyer(s) may take possession after the final closing papers are signed by the Seller and the Contract is funded. Possession to the property may not be taken before the occurrence of both transactions stated previously. Any violation will be considered a breach of contract. If the closing does not take place on the originally scheduled close by date due to a Buyer(s) delay, Buyer(s) shall pay a fee of $100.00 per diem to Seller until the closing is completed.

If you have not disclosed this to your buyers, your commission could be at risk. Make sure you set the expections of the contract to both the Buyer AND THE LENDER. If you're working with a lender who you have not used before, make sure they understand that if they drop the ball on their end, they should be the one to foot the bill.

I have had the opportunity to review dozens of bank addendums, I know the "tricks" they hide in the contract. If you are a buyer, please, please, please make sure you are working with an agent who is familiar with both Short-sales and Foreclosures as they require a different skill set than an ordinary transaction.

Joshua Matthews-Keller Williams Coastal Realty-Portsmouth, NH