In the Seacoast area of New Hampshire and Southern Maine there are a lot of Irish decendents out celebrating their heritage today, but do you have to have the luck of the Irish to have a successful real estate transaction?

Here at Great Island Realty we are big believers in making your own luck! That is why all our agents are continuously honing their skills and knowledge of the real estate market trends for the Seacoast and beyond!

 When it comes to selling your home, a great realtor can make all the  difference! By  listening to your real estate agent's advice on pricing,  staging, marketing techniques and  offer negotiations you just might find  that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

 If you are buying a new home an exceptional realtor can provide you  with realistic  comparables, negotiating tactics and knowledge of the  area to find you the best home  for your four leaf clover collection!

 So when it comes to real estate it's true that a talented and educated realtor can make    all the difference! With, or without a lucky little  leprechaun to assist!

  Happy St. Paddy's Day! After all a little extra luck can't hurt!

Portsmouth is a pretty darned romantic place. From the beautiful lamppost-lined streets to the stately North Church, just a stroll through downtown screams romance. That got us thinking about the best restaurants in Portsmouth to go for a date night. There are so many, but we chose our top ten below!

1. Mombo - Located in historic Strawbery Banke adjacent to Prescott Park, this warm, inviting space has exposed wood beams and water views. The cuisine is New American with an international twist, and it's delicious!
2. Demeter's Steakhouse - A contemporary American steakhouse located in Route 1, Demeter's has an excellent wine selection, incredible steak and seafood and live music.
3. The Library Restaurant - Located in Portsmouth's mainstay, the Rockingham House, the rich wood and historic book selection feels so warm and comfortable! Traditional New England fare is served by some of the friendliest servers and bartenders in town!
4. Rudi's Market Square - We love the flagship restaurant, but when Rudi's expanded into the Market Square space (the spaces are connected by a function room) we REALLY fell in love! Stunning exposed brick, incredible cuisine and an wonderful wine list create a perfect combination here.
5. Ristorante Massimo - Two levels of brick, wood tones and leather seating are home to world-class Italian cuisine in possibly the coziest restaurant in Portsmouth!
6. The Black Trumpet - A gorgeous spot in the alley on Ceres Street, this waterfront dining is incredible! We love the bar space upstairs for a cocktail and small and medium dishes to share.
7. The Wellington Room - This charming space has incredible views of the Piscataqua from a second floor Bow Street location. The food is out-of-this-world and we love the valet parking option across the street!
8. Cava - Specializing in small plates, Cava is a destination spot with an open kitchen, delicious tapas and a wine list that makes our mouth water just thinking about.
9. Brazo - This eclectic Spanish restaurant has bold colors, funky latin music, creative cocktails and delicious Spanish cuisine. It's the perfect blend of fun and romance.
10. Cafe Mediterraneo - One of our all-time favorite restaurants in Portsmouth. Delicious Italian cuisine in an authentic atmosphere. You MUST get the lobster ravioli!

Mangia!

Mortgage lenders are making it easier get approved for a mortgage.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have announced a new low-down payment mortgage program which requires just 3% down payment, joining other government agencies in offering loans which require little or no money down.

The new, retooled 97% LTV program is more forgiving toward first-time buyers and the new program can be used for home refinances as well with few restrictions.

In offering a 3% down-payment program, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac bring yet another financing option to today's home buyers wanting to minimize their down payment.

Among the most popular low-down payment options in today's market is the FHA loan.

FHA loans require down payments of 3.5% and provide for flexible underwriting standards. Home buyers with less-than-perfect credit may find FHA loans to be more cost-effective than loans via Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac; and simpler to get approved.

VA loans are another popular option. Available to Veterans and active members of the military, VA loans allow for 100% financing and never require mortgage insurance.

USDA offers a ZERO down program. USDA loans are sometimes called "Rural Housing Loans" and do have income limitations as well as geographical limitations (i.e.- RURAL locations). USDA loans offer very low rates and allow for 100% financing. They also require just a small mortgage insurance premium as compared to other low- and no-down payment loans.

Lastly, each state often has a State Housing program with low down payment options.  Ask me for details about your state.  Today's home buyer has plenty of financing options to get you in a home!

Article Courtesy of

Scott McCauley, Mortgage Planner

Regency Mortgage Corporation

Phone: 603.610.8852

Email: scott.mccauley@regencymtg.com

NMLS #174108

Licensed by New Hampshire Banking Department, NMLS # 1938

Updating your kitchen is one of the single best investments you can make in the value of your home. Many potential buyers are drawn to a beautiful kitchen... even if they don't cook! It's often the center of the home - a gathering place for entertaining, family time and morning coffee.

Kitchen updates that add value don't have to break the bank! You can make a big impact by spending a few hundred dollars or really go for the 'wow' factor and spend thousands. However, if you do go for it and completely remodel your kitchen, it's a great idea to consult a real estate professional first to determine the value of your home. Doing this provides a safeguard against 'over-improving', which won't allow you the return on your investment when it comes time to sell your property.

Looking to make a few minor improvements?

Here are a few quick updates you can make for around $200 or less:

• Replace a small appliance - Update the microwave or dishwasher with stainless steel for a clean, fresh look.
• Freshen the paint color - Choose a light, bright and semi-neutral color to appeal to all tastes.
• Install a new light fixture
• Replace your cabinet hardware

Ready for a more significant change?

Consider these higher-ticket updates:

• Replace all appliances with popular stainless steel package
• Install new tile or hardwood flooring
• Reface or replace kitchen cabinetry
• Install a tile or natural stone backsplash
• Upgrade your countertops to granite, quartz or other natural stone product

  Check out our Beautiful Kitchens board on Pinterest and get inspired!

We all know that the Seacoast region of New Hampshire is a wonderful destination in the warmer months. With our beaches, parks, outdoor concerts and plays, waterfront dining and other fun activities, who could argue with that! But don't rule out the Seacoast in the winter. You may have to bundle up a little more, but there are so many fun things to do around Portsmouth, Dover and the Greater Seacoast in the winter months.

Ice Skating at the Puddle Dock Rink

Strawbery Banke in the historic South End of Portsmouth has a beautiful, brand new ice skating rink and people are flocking from all over the region to take in the atmosphere. Skating day or night is fun in this picturesque environment adjacent to Prescott Park. Grab a cup of hot chocolate at a coffee shop downtown, lace up your skates and enjoy!

Indoor Public Skate in Dover or Exeter

If indoor skating is more your speed, many of the local rinks have public skating hours almost every day. The Rinks at Exeter and Dover Ice Arena are two popular area rinks that offer this service. They also offer skating lessons and hockey league play.

Snowshoeing and Sledding at Wagon Hill Farm in Durham, NH

If you've driven along Route 4 in Durham anytime that there's snow on the ground, you've likely seen sleds and saucers flying down the large hill, perfect for sledding! It's an institution in our area. Many people have slopes in their yards or a favorite sledding spot on the Seacoast, but Wagon Hill Farm is the unofficial mecca on the Seacoast!

These are just a few of the local winter activities that are popular in the Seacoast. The wonderful thing about New Hampshire (and New England, for that matter) is it's drivability. In just a few hours you can be downhill skiing on Gunstock or Canon Mountains, taking all those holiday gift cards on a shopping trip to picturesque North Conway or going on a sleigh ride at Charmingfare Farm in Candia. We are lucky to live in such an incredible, versatile state that is fun year-round!