Read Story HERE.

Have a great 4th. 

 

For some home is haven, for others it is part of a diversified portfolio of investments. Whichever it is for you, you’ll want to protect it from pests and rodents.

Let’s take a big picture view of your Seacoast home. Check landscaping first. Tree branches that touch your home become a bug bridge and poorly directed downspouts and drainage keep the basement moist for spiders, centipedes, and other bugs.

Next, inspect the exterior for rot, tiny holes that allow mice and chipmunks in or gaps in the roof-line which invite squirrels and bats into your attic.

Then go inside. Cardboard clutter in the garage or basement is a perfect habitat for cockroaches and pet food stored haphazardly is an easy food source for little critters.

While you might not be able to keep your NH property totally bug free, there are some easy DIY pest control practices you can employ.

• Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the home including entry points for utilities and pipes. Pull nests from the soffit gaps and then fill these openings with expanding foam. After the foam hardens, cut off the excess with a utility knife.
• Caulk between trim and siding with acrylic latex caulk. Keep a wet cloth handy to clean up any stray caulk. Smooth the bead with a wet finger.
• Repair fascia and rotted roof shingles; some insects are drawn to deteriorating wood.
• Seal doors, windows and basement sashes with adhesive-backed weather stripping. Clean the surface first so the weather-strip will adhere well.
• Look for gaps in the dryer vent. Make sure the damper isn't stuck open or broken off completely. And check that the seal between the vent and the wall is tight.
• Keep tree branches and shrubbery well-trimmed and away from the house and clean your gutters twice a year; ants will nest in clogged gutters.
• Make sure basements, attics, and crawl spaces are well ventilated and dry. Insects and other small pests are attracted to moist spaces.
• Store garbage in sealed containers and dispose of it regularly. Same for pet food, store in a metal trash can, mice can’t climb up the slippery material, or sealed plastic container. And if you have a fireplace or woodstove, stock fire wood at least 20 feet away from the house and five inches off the ground.

There are some problems you need a qualified pest professional for. If you have cockroaches, it's usually best to hire an exterminator. You can try and do it yourself but the products are expensive and only effective if strategically placed. Add to that, if you miss any they will completely repopulate in just a few months. For just a little more money, you can hire a professional who understands the insect, will place the bait in hard to reach crevices, and will probably guarantee the work.

Need help maintaining a pest-free property? Our property management team will provide a basic inspection to source any problems and make necessary fixes.  For more information, please email Property Manager, Anthony Sillitta at anthony@maddenre.com or visit www.maddenre.com

 

It’s never been a better time to buy. Interest rates are at an all-time low and real estate can be a great way to invest. Real estate investments have excellent return potential and will diversify your portfolio.

There are so many ways to invest in real estate, each with varied capital needs, risk levels, and investment dynamics.

Rental Property. Owning one or more rental properties is the most obvious way to get into real estate to diversify your holdings. You have an income stream from the rental proceeds while the asset appreciates over time.

My clients often ask advice on purchasing their first investment property. After all, owning rental properties isn’t for everyone. Before you become a landlord, know thy self. It can be a significant time commitment. That’s where a good property management team comes in handy to help you screen applicants, market the property, and follow local ordinances you may not be aware of.

Financing your first rental property can be very expensive. Most lenders will require at least a 25 percent deposit. And you’ll want to be sure to have 60 days’ worth of expenses in savings as a cushion.

Vacation Rental. If you are looking at real estate in Seacoast NH and Maine, you might consider buying a vacation property. Vacation rentals can be quite a bit easier to finance, especially if the property meets your lender’s definition a second home. Add to that, vacation rentals tend to bring in more money per day than a long-term rental. The drawbacks include promoting and managing the rentals, which generally turn over weekly. Again, a good property management team can alleviate the stress and keep your vacation rental near 100 percent occupancy.

Owner-Occupied Home. Another option, is the good ole owner-occupied investment. That is buying a multi-unit residential property that you live in while renting the other units out. This is a great way to alleviate your own rental costs, while building equity in a more valuable property had you only bought a single-family home. This is a great way to leap frog into the real estate investment market. Let’s say somewhere down the line you find your dream home. Owning the investment property first makes it much easier to finance a new primary residence.

Whatever approach you take to real estate investing, know this, investing in real estate can offer lower risk, greater returns, and diversification. If you are planning for retirement, saving for college, or earning extra income, investing in real estate can help you achieve these goals.

To learn more about how our team can help you make real estate part of your investment portfolio, email REMAX Rising Tide Real Estate Owner Jennifer Madden at jenn@maddenre.com or visit www.maddenre.com

3 en suite bedrooms, 3100 Square feet, 2 garage parking spaces

Check out the video HERE

Direct riverfront on Badgers Island West, offering unparalleled views from every room, morning noon and night. With over 3100 SF this garden-style condominium with private dock offers one-level living consisting of an open concept kitchen/living/entertaining space surrounded by decks overlooking the Piscataqua River and the downtown Portsmouth waterfront, as well as three en suite bedrooms. The living area is overflowing with natural light (if you are a *light* person this is your home). There's a double-sided gas fireplace in the LR that is also accessed from the deck. The chef's kitchen has everything you'll need to prepare a fabulous meal including Commercial grade appliances & Sub-Zero refrigerator, or just gather around the large island with your guests and take in the views. The master suite is spectacular with a large walk-in closet, an oversized bathroom with soaking tub and steam shower, and a *bonus* room that's perfect for a workout area or reading nook. There are custom Planation shutters throughout the MBR suite. This well-designed home left nothing out - there's a laundry room, wet bar, walk-in pantry, cedar closet, office with a huge storage closet, hardwood and central air throughout the unit, additional storage in the basement, 2-car garage with direct access via elevator to the unit. And don't forget the dock with approximately 38 feet of deeded boat slip! One unit on each floor. The building is self-managed. Walk to downtown!

The Governor of NH has just extended the stay at home order through June 15^th however, new guidelines allow short term rentals to begin taking reservations on June 5^th, so what can you do to get your property rental ready and meet new requirements while sheltering at home?     

As the property owner, you have due diligence items to attend to for your short-term rental.

It goes without saying, pandemic or not, if your real estate investment has urgent needs, such as pipe breaks, gas leaks, or other utility troubles these are considered vital and can and should be quickly attended to. As maintenance and construction workers are deemed to be essential in most areas, these companies are still working. Get in touch with your preferred contractors to set up maintenance as soon as possible.

However, there are two very important pandemic-related conditions for short term rental owners to follow:

1. All out-of-state guests should be made aware at the time of the reservation they will be asked to attest via signed document that all guests all staying in your rental remained at a home for at least 14 days before arriving in New Hampshire. Upon guest check-in to your seasonal rental, you should be prepared to fulfill this requirement and collect all guest signatures and keep this documentation on file.

2. When the guest departs, you will need to perform enhanced cleaning and disinfecting of the property including pool, hot tub, door handles, faucet handles, and all other guest touch-points. You can find housekeeping sanitation guidance outlined in the New Hampshire Universal Guidelines.

These conditions take a little more coordination and may not be practical for out of state property owners as each state, county, city has different degrees of shelter-in-place orders in effect at this time. 

If you are a property owner outside NH, check your specific local government’s declarations or contact us.  As essential workers, our property management team can help you comply with the State ordered short term rental opening conditions.  

 

To learn more email Property Manager, Anthony Sillitta at anthony@maddenre.com or visit www.maddenre.com

 

https://www.nheconomy.com/NHEconomy/media/NH-Economy/Stay%20at%20Home%202.0/guidance-lodging.pdf

Easy Landscaping Tips for Your Rental Property

Low maintenance landscapes are helpful for your primary home, but a necessity for your rental property. Smart choices and design can bring down your time managing your vacation or long-term rental.

First, start with a neutral theme. Especially with vacation properties, which will host many tenants with varied styles who likely will spend more time outside than usual. Your goal should be to make each temporary dweller feel comfortable in the setting you prepare.

Then contemplate your hardscape and plant choices.

Hardscape

Consider using hardscaping features to cut down on mowing needs. Replace a large section of lawn with a patio which includes a walkway to the sitting area. Place a bench on a hardscape surface in a corner of the yard to create a little oasis. Added bonus is the extra curb appeal and an inviting and homey yard.

Be mindful of Seacoast New Hampshire ordinances. There may be restrictions on the amount of area you can hardscape. Before you begin a project, read local ordinances and, if your property is in a homeowner’s association, review any restrictions established by the HOA.

Plants

Using low maintenance landscaping plants can help save time and money and keep your rental looking sharp.

Consider these:

• Perennials: offer great ROI, blooming year after year and create pleasing curb appeal.
• Ornamental Grasses: super low maintenance, but will need pruning back at least once a year.
• Evergreen Trees: easy maintenance and usually drought tolerant.
• Dwarf Shrubs: easy to grow and need little to no pruning; added benefit, when placed under a window, dwarf shrubs can deter intruders while making your property look great.

Another low maintenance landscaping tactic is to use native plants which are suited for survival in your local climate and will reduce money and time spent on plant replacement.

Don’t forget weed control, nobody likes to spend time pulling weeds. Lay down a protective barrier cloth and mulch in your beds and gardens to help with managing weeding time.

Most landlords are busy enough. And you can’t rely on your tenants to keep your rental property tidy and looking great, our team can help you arrange for routine lawn care, pruning, flower bed updating, or special projects for your seasonal or long-term rental.

To learn more, please email Rising Tide Realty Property Manager, Anthony Sillitta at anthony@maddenre.com or visit www.maddenre.com

 

Here are the cdc guidelines for cleaning your home. These are the guidelines we recommend our rental property owners follow for cleanings that occur between guest turnovers. 

CDC Guidelines for Cleaning link 

As always, please reach out with questions.

 

It's clear consumers, companies, and property owners want the COVID-19 epidemic to be controlled as quickly as possible. Everyone is taking the proper measures to contain and reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

What is not clear is how quickly the short term rental market will recover.

We recognize there is strength and resilience in leisure travel destination markets, like Seacoast NH and Maine, where travelers face far less risk than they do in urban crisis centers.

The impacts of this pandemic are highly localized, meaning the markets affected are largely limited to where the virus outbreaks are.  In fact, short term rentals on seacoast shoreline may be more resistant to this temporary slowdown than other markets. Here’s why:

• Vacation rentals are often in more remote locations with less direct exposure to other travelers
• Vacation rental guests often visit destinations within driving distance which allows them to bypass the potential risks of airline travel
• Because vacation rentals are booked further in advance than hotels, canceling is often more cumbersome with tougher cancellation policies

Vacation rentals are open for business. That said, it becomes even more challenging for property owners to manage and maintain their seasonal or secondary homes when faced with a stay home order.

That’s when having a local, trusted management company is important.

Rising Tide offers customized property management services for Seacoast property owners to choose from. With more than a decade of managing properties in Seacoast NH and Maine, our team provides guidance navigating the rental market to maximize your real estate investment.

From arranging repairs, monitoring security, and routine maintenance to meeting tenants and guests, running background checks, and handling emergency, middle of the night calls. You can breathe easy knowing our team is responsible for the details of your New Hampshire area rental property. 

Only time will tell how long the industry will continue to take a hit, here’s hoping for a speedy recovery and a thriving summer and fall. In the meantime, if you are faced with managing your property while hundreds of miles away, we can help. Our customized property management packages will meet your needs, large or small.

To learn more about how our team can maintain and manage your property while under shelter in place orders, please email Property Manager, Anthony Sillitta at anthony@maddenre.com or visit www.maddenre.com