1. Portsmouth/Rye, NH

Odiorne Point State Park and the Seacoast Science Center are the perfect spot for a daytrip along New Hampshire’s seacoast. The state park offers hiking trails and tucked away beaches; as well as a playground and plenty of spots for a picnic. Escape the sun for a bit and explore the Seacoast Science Center to learn about the history of the area, the NH coastline and its ecosystem.

If you are looking to extend your stay, an overnight in the quaint town of Portsmouth will offer shopping and dining options to round out your trip. While visiting, definitely check out what’s happening in Prescott Park as well. The Prescott Park Arts Festival offers plays, concerts and movies in the park for a small donation.

2. Amesbury/Salisbury, MA

Right in our backyard, is Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury, MA. This family run farm offers it all, whether you are looking to shop, eat, play or pick your own flowers and/or fruits. They host regular events, as well, all dependent on the season, so check their website and events calendar.

For Laffely’s Broker/Owner, Sally Laffely, this is a favorite spot. Sally notes, “I like taking my granddaughter here so she can play in their little playground area, see the chickens and other animals and we’ve been flower picking since the fruit picking season isn’t underway yet.”

In downtown Amesbury, there are great options for lunch or dinner; or visit Hedgehog General Store and sit at the old -fashioned soda fountain for a refreshing treat.

If it’s a warmer day, heading over to Salisbury Beach is another option. Whether you are looking for a grab-and-go-lunch on the beach, ice cream, or some time at the carousal or arcades. Definitely a great place to unwind after time on the farm.

3. Freeport/Portland, ME

Looking to head a little further? Just a short drive up 95 you’ll find lots to do and see in Freeport, ME. One of our favorite spots is Wolfe’s Neck, located on Casco Bay and just a short ride from downtown Freeport. There are hiking trails, an agricultural center with farm animals, a café where you can grab a bite to eat and even a variety of camping options – from tents to cabins – if you are looking for a longer stay on Maine’s coast.

In town Freeport offers shops, restaurants and the not to be missed L.L. Bean flagship store. My boys love checking out all the outdoor and camping gear when we visit Freeport! They could get lost in there for hours.

If you decide to head south after your day in Freeport, you can always stop for dinner in Portland, ME. Dine in the Old Port and meander through the shops, or catch a Portland Sea Dogs game. If you are looking for a more relaxed evening, check out Thompson’s Point. On Thursdays and Fridays during the summer months they host Summer Sunsets, complete with food truck vendors and beverages from local businesses. This is a great spot to pull up a chair or set up a blanket, relax, and take in the day (see photo above).

We could go on. There are so many wonderful places to visit and explore in New England. There are the mountains and natural water slides in North Conway; a trip up to Cape Ann through Gloucester and Rockport offers quaint towns, castles and parks to explore; and a day trip into Boston offers museums, restaurants, history lessons, harbor rides and so much more. New England definitely offers a world of day-trip possibilities if you are looking to stay local and save some money this summer.

We are certainly lucky to live close to so many wonderful places and attractions. Take time, get out and explore!

The post The Perfect Season to Daytrip appeared first on Laffely Real Estate Associates.

Last weekend, clocks sprung forward which brings longer days and soon warmer temperatures. This can trigger feelings associated with Spring Fever.

While patiently waiting for the season to officially spring, I find myself wanting to clean, organize and freshen up inside. That way, my family is ready to relax and have fun in the sun!

As I consider how to tackle this year’s spring cleaning, I thought it would be helpful to share some insight found on Zillow’s blog. You may already do many of these things as part of your spring-cleaning routine, but it’s always helpful to get a fresh perspective to get you started.

Earlier this month, Zillow posted a blog titled, “Spring Cleaning 101: Make it Fast, Easy and Effective.” The post includes seven suggestions for tidying up your home as we move into the new season.

1. Create a plan: Assign jobs and select areas to clean and organize.
2. Minimize cleaning supplies: Take inventory of what you already have and buy cleaners that can do more than one job.
3. Clean room-by-room: Focus on one space at a time to feel more accomplished.
4. Focus on the most important areas: Select the most visible and used areas of the home first.
5. Work smarter, not harder: Think about how to make a task easier before starting (i.e. self-clean setting on the oven).
6. Get rid of clutter: Create four categories when sorting items to help you decide what is important and needs to be kept versus what can be donated or tossed.
7. Create more efficient habits: Decide on one new way to help keep things clean (i.e. go paperless).

If you are on a roll with spring cleaning, you may also find this Zillow post helpful covering how to organize and declutter the garage.

The most important takeaway is to tackle spring cleaning area-by-area and day-by-day. This makes it more manageable to feel you’ve accomplished something as you work towards your goals.

Photo by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash

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What are some ways to embrace the best of the winter season, though? This Zillow Porchlight blog post from last December leans on the Danish concept of hygge, which is the idea of creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying simple pleasures and comforts. I think we can all agree that the Danes understand how to thrive during the cold, winter months and Zillow’s post channels that way of thinking with these ideas:

1. Set the mood: Light some candles and enjoy the extra warmth, and refreshing aroma they bring.

2. Bake something: Many of us are prepping to bake for the holidays, especially Thanksgiving, and are already dreaming of the warmth of the oven and the delicious smells that will fill our homes and get our mouths watering.

3. Add texture: Fill your space and get ready to snuggle…think soft rugs, cozy blankets and throw pillows; and don’t forget a good pair of slippers.

4. Get out the board games: This is a great way to gather and enjoy time together not on a screen, and they can be competitive or fun. As the blog notes, even a simple game of cards can create warm and lasting memories. I agree. My teenage son and I still love to play crazy 8s!

5. Perfect your hot drink game: From hot chocolate to hot toddies to a nice cup of tea, these drinks can definitely soothe the soul on a cold day!

6. Embrace sweater weather: And every other layer you put on! Whatever you choose it should be cozy and comfortable.

7. Curate your cold-outside playlist: Create a mix of your favorite music to inspire you, whether it’s for a kitchen dance party (a fav winter activity of my family) or a mellow Sunday morning making breakfast.

8. Do seasonal activities: These can be beyond holiday preparation and celebration, like building a snowman, sledding or jumping in a leaf pile. It’s up to you!

The post ‘Tis The Season To Think Cozy appeared first on Laffely Real Estate Associates.

Tis the season to get outside, especially as we celebrate the fourth of July this year with family, friends and fireworks. Many of the local events we know and love are back on, with safety recommendations in place. These include fourth of July fireworks shows in Amesbury and Gloucester Mass., as well as Portsmouth and Hampton NH (see image).

Amesbury’s fireworks also close out the 121st Amesbury Days, a multi-day celebration that includes concerts, a yard sale, movie nights, a 5K and more. These events are happening now through July 4th. The fireworks show is held at Woodsom Farm on Sunday, July 4th at 9:30 p.m.

Other shows listed in the image above include:

• Grand Fireworks over Gloucester Harbor: Watch from Stage Fort Park on Saturday, July 3rd at 9:30 p.m.
• Portsmouth’s Fourth of July Fireworks: Downtown and from Leary Field on Saturday, July 3rd at 9:15 p.m.
• Hampton Beach’s Independence Day Fireworks: At the main beach, near the Sea Shell Stage on Sunday, July 4th at 9:30 p.m.

If you can not make it to one of these fireworks shoots, don’t worry. There will be other opportunities to see these colorful displays, including Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. in Hampton Beach through a Special Shoot on Saturday, September 11th at the Seafood Festival.

Yankee Homecoming will also take place in and around Newburyport, Mass. from July 30th to August 8th. The celebration includes a parade, road race, movie nights, cornhole tournament, heritage tours and so much more. This includes a fireworks celebration on Saturday, August 7th at 9:15 p.m.

There are many events happening around July 4th and all summer on Salisbury Beach, as well. Check the Salisbury Beach Partnership website for events and information.

There’s so many ways to get outside, celebrate and enjoy this summer! Have fun, and be prepared to follow any rules put in place by event organizers. We recommend checking event websites or town event pages to ensure you have the most up-to-date information and for cancellations.

The post Get Outside: Fourth of July Spotlight & Local Events appeared first on Laffely Real Estate Associates.

The current housing market has many buyers and potential buyers frustrated. As prices drive higher and inventory seems nonexistent, they are feeling like something has to give…this bubble has got to burst.

According to the National Association of Realtors chief economist, Lawrence Yun, in a recent Axios.com story, we are not in a bubble. “It is simply lack of inventory,” Yun says. For some context, we turn to Realtor.com, where they note that the total number of active listings is down 54 percent from this timeframe last year. This is driving prices higher, especially from bidding wars on the inventory that becomes available.

While buyers work with local real estate agents to navigate the housing market in their area, they can also use this extra time wisely. Okay, yes, we know, you didn’t ask for this extra time but we are trying to look on the bright side. This time can be spent planning, preparing and saving. Use it to create a wish list and to ask yourself some important questions that might normally get overlooked during a typical home search.

You can use this thorough questionnaire we found in a Zillow blog post from last year. It focuses on questions homeowners or potential homeowners should ask when thinking about their living space – both inside and out. Also, what is most important when it comes to a neighborhood and community?

Yes, we know many have asked these questions before, but have you really considered your answers? Have you written them down, and revisited them to see if your feelings have changed? Zillow’s post proposes this question, for example: “If money were no object, what’s the one feature your new home would have?”

A beautifully landscaped yard or patio

A garage or workshop

An extra unit or space to rent out

A dedicated home office

A master bedroom with bath

If I had asked myself this question last year, my answer would have been a large, covered patio area to extend our living space outside. However, after a winter that saw my husband and I working from home and our boys with virtual school days, I’d lean towards a dedicated home office space. Somewhere we could have privacy when on a call or the ability to focus, on say writing a blog post.

Patience will be key in the current market, but the list of questions is long. Really take your time to consider everything, including what you can’t live without and what you’re willing to sacrifice in order to make a move.

The post Finding Your Next Home May Require Patience appeared first on Laffely Real Estate Associates.

Now where to go, what to do and will some of our favorite outdoor areas be open to the public? We are all pondering these same questions, so we set out on the web to find some answers.

The first link we came across was not for our home states of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, but Ohio. Even though they are miles away, we still thought this list from Ohio’s Department of Health could be useful. Check out the link for things to do, both inside and out.

After reviewing this list, we decided to check out our State Park websites for updates. Many list guidelines so we can all share and enjoy our many outdoor spaces. They also list open and closed areas, and if reservations are needed before you head out. Definitely check these sites for more information.

Massachusetts State Parks

New Hampshire State Parks

Finally, another resource we came across with great information, particularly for our area because we are lucky enough to have rail trails for biking, walking and jogging, is Rails to Trails. This website provides updated information regarding these paths.

While getaways and vacation plans have been thwarted, now is a great time to get outside and enjoy spring in New England. We are fortunate enough to have beautiful coastlines and budding forests. Get outside and see for yourself; but remember, safety first, now and always! Be well!

The post Get Outside…Safely appeared first on Laffely Real Estate Associates.

When spring arrives, especially in New England, we are all ready to open our houses back up and let in the fresh air. This is true now more than ever. Spring also brings the task of “spring cleaning.” We may all be thinking that we’ll make this year’s task more of a deep clean. After all, currently we are spending more time at home.

What to clean with and where to clean comes next. With cleaning supplies in high demand, what can we do if the cleaning spray or wipes we want aren’t available? And, are we sure we cleaned every nook and cranny we could get to?

Luckily we found two posts online to answer these questions! First, the cleaning supplies which have become quite the commodity in recent weeks. Realtor.com posted a recent story with five DIY hacks for sold-out cleaning items. There are several household essentials, mentioned in the post, that make great cleaning products, including:

1. Alcohol
2. Baking soda
3. Vinegar
4. Olive oil
5. Lemons and limes

I regularly use a few of these DIY cleaning hacks at home. For example, I don’t even buy shower cleaner anymore. I’ve found that a mixture of vinegar and dish soap works even better. In a pinch, see for yourself how well these essentials clean.

The second post comes from Houzz.com and addresses the where to clean. If you are ready for a deep spring clean, they list 20 spots you might want to look at, including:

1. Light fixtures and lamps
2. Doors, knobs and handles
3. Wall scuffs and dings
4. Tops of window frames
5. Bookshelves
6. Underneath area rugs
7. Picture frames and mirrors
8. Upholstered furniture
9. Oven and range hood
10. Small appliances
11. Grout
12. Inside kitchen drawers
13. Food storage jars
14. Underneath beds and behind furniture
15. Laundry room dust
16. Vents and hoses
17. Kids’ toys
18. Shower and tub walls
19. Bathroom shelves
20. Tech

Pick a few or clean them all. I’ve definitely added a few to my spring-cleaning list, and will be enlisting the help of my “cleaning crew!”

Photo by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash

The post Right Time for a Deep Spring Cleaning appeared first on Laffely Real Estate Associates.

Every year, news stories focusing on the housing market seem to move spring earlier and earlier. For the past few years, articles have discussed the spring market kicking off as the Superbowl is wrapping up and Punxsutawney Phil is declaring how much more winter we’ll endure.

2020 has been a bit different. Many believe the spring market started even before the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers knew they’d be competing in Superbowl LIV. We’d have to agree based on market activity and interest we are hearing from buyers and sellers, alike.

So, what does this mean for you if you are considering buying or selling this year? A recent article from NBC 4, out of Washington, D.C., highlights 4 things buyers and sellers should each be doing if they are thinking of joining the game this spring.

For buyers, the list includes:

1. a knowledgeable realtor,
2. securing financing,
3. set escalation clause amount, and
4. a home inspector.

For sellers, their list notes:

1. a compelling list price,
2. fresh coat of neutral paint,
3. update landscaping, and
4. staging.

While April to June are typically the hottest months for real estate, particularly in New England, you can’t count out the serious buyers and sellers who are looking to tackle their 2020 real estate goals early. A main reason, there’s less competition for sellers this time of year and often only serious buyers are looking. Another plus to early spring market transactions, third parties are not as swamped – think mortgage brokers, banks, appraisers, home inspectors, etc.

So, while you are making your plans for the game this weekend, you may want to think about visiting that open house; and you’ll definitely want to watch the market in the coming weeks as spring heats up.

If you’ve thought about buying or selling in 2020, we’d love to sit down with you and discuss your real estate goals.

The post Spring Market for the Touchdown appeared first on Laffely Real Estate Associates.

Spring has sprung. With this comes spring home sale listings (aka the spring market). Thinking of tossing your hat, or house, into the ring? If you’ve considered selling, spring can be a great time to show off all your home has to offer a potential buyer – both inside and out.

When preparing to sell, you’ll want to consider any improvement projects that will make your home more appealing to buyers. HGTV.com put together this list highlighting 10 projects that could make an impact when you sell:

1. Address the Exterior: Curb appeal can go a long way to getting potential buyers in the door.

2. Go Neutral: Soft, light colors create a fresh and clean appearance, and can even make a space appear larger.

3. Update Light Fixtures: As the HGTV slide notes, “Light fixtures are the jewelry of the home…” Make sure yours dazzle potential buyers.

4. Focus on Floors: Replace stained and dated flooring; especially in high traffic areas.

5. Remove Popcorn Ceiling: With a smooth ceiling, potential buyers won’t see another task they’ll need to put on their to-do list.

6. Upgrade Master Closet: Custom storage and built-in shelves can create a walk-in closet that wows!

7. Create a Squeaky-Clean Slate: If your bathroom is outdated, especially the tile, replace with white tiles to give the space a fresh appearance.

8. Install Molding: Sleek baseboards and crown molding can add a polished touch to your home.

9. Replace Dated Hardware, Mirrors & Plumbing Fixtures: New accents can give your bathrooms a more modern look and feel.

10. Take Your Stairs to the Next Level: Take out worn and dated stairway runners, and freshen up with a neutral paint.

This list may seem daunting but any updates you make can have an impact when selling your home. Choose the improvements that will give you the most bang for your buck. Not sure where to start, sit down with a real estate agent in your area who can guide you through the process and help you figure out what buyers are looking for; as well as the value of your home.

Photo credit: CC BY-SA 3.0 Nick Youngson / Alpha Stock Images.

The post 10 Home Improvement Ideas To Consider Before You List appeared first on Laffely Real Estate Associates.

Before we know it, we’ll be ringing in the New Year! If buying a home is a 2019 goal, you’ll want to start planning now.

Even if you are not prepared to hire an agent or start your home search, there are necessary steps to make buying a home a reality. At realtor.com, they’ve pulled together a great video that features “5 Habits to Start Now to Buy a Home Next Year.”  You’ll want to pay attention…

#1:  Automate your down payment savings.

#2:  Build your credit history and keep it clean.

#3:  Practice living on a budget.

#4:  Get your handy on so you’re ready for basic home maintenance tasks.

#5:  Do your homework.

The post 5 Habits To Start Now If You Plan To Buy A Home In 2019 appeared first on Laffely Real Estate Associates.