Date Archives: May 2019

Congratulations on your marriage! Now that the honeymoon is over, it's time to walk hand-in-hand into the next chapter of your lives! If you're ready to buy a house together, our real estate agents know exactly how excited you are to start picking out your dream home. While we are here to help you through the home buying process from viewing through closing, we also want to help you responsibly prepare for this purchase. We've put together this handy homebuying guide for newlyweds to follow.

1. Don't rush!
   Buying a house is a significant accomplishment, and although you may be ready to start this new chapter together in a new home, this is another major life decision that you don't want to rush. Remember that buying a home is not like planning a wedding — there is no exact date that you need to have everything ready. Take your time and responsibly prepare so that you can make your home buying goals a reality.
   
   

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As we embark on another Memorial Day weekend let 's be sure to say a Thank You to the honored people for whom the holiday is dedicated.

Below are some  "Amazing Facts" regarding the Tomb of the Unknowns and a brief history of Arlington National Cemetery, a good read for our children and grandchildren.

Have a fun and safe weekend!

Gratefully,  C-

Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna (Custis) Lee, a great grand-daughter of Martha Washington. The cemetery is situated directly across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?
21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why?
21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1

Why are his gloves wet?
His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.

Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and if not, why not?
He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.

How often are the guards changed?
Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?
For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10" and 6' 2" tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30." Other requirements of the Guard: They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin. The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.

The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame.

Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.
In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington , DC , our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, "No way, Sir!" Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a serviceperson. The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.

Our Peterborough Office opened their office to the local Peterborough Chamber, Friends, Family, and Community May 23rd to celebrate their recent office remodel.
The office remodel design was created to offer flexible, comfortable and productive spaces. We are thrilled with the results! 

The office features local artists; Daniel Thibeault and Debra Caplan.  

A special thanks for all of the hard work and dedication from those that made this opening a success and to Cafe 532 for catering - the food was fantastic! 

Click here to find out more about our Peterborough office and agents and stop by to check out the new space! 

95 Grove Street | Peterborough, NH | 603-924-8373

Congratulations on taking the first steps in finding a new home for your family. Of course, your family may include furry friends and it's important that they feel at home just the same. As you tour homes for sale around town, our real estate agents have these points to keep in mind as you search for a pet-friendly home.

• Start with the inside.
  Before you start hunting for the best backyard space, remember that your dog or cat may spend most of their time indoors. There are certain features or floor plans that will facilitate pets. Mudrooms or outdoor decks are great places to give dirty dogs baths. Ceramic flooring is durable and easy to clean. Low windows and loft spaces give cats great places to sit while single-story homes give older animals the opportunity to explore the house without contending with stairs. Inspect that layout and features of the home from the perspective of your pet the same way you would if you had children or older adults moving in with you.
   

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As a seller, you should know that curb appeal and updated kitchens alone won't sell your home. Believe it or not, your etiquette during the listing and purchasing process can have just as much influence on the success of your home sale as a remodeled bathroom or close proximity to schools. Buyers want to feel comfortable throughout their search. Unfortunately, if you practice poor seller etiquette, there's a chance your home could leave viewers with a bad first impression.

Our real estate agents want your potential buyers to have the best possible experience while touring your home. Here are a few etiquette tips sellers can use to ensure that they are making this process as comfortable as possible for the buyer.

1. Let the buyers tour your home without you. 
   As excited as you may be to show off all of the wonderful features of your home, it's best to let a real estate agent give the grand tour. In fact, you and your family should kindly leave the property and allow the potential buyers the freedom to view the home on their terms. They'll fall in love with their idea of the home but not necessarily yours. By letting them tour each room alone, they are free to envision the life they could have there.
   
   

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Welcome to your new neighborhood! Every move is the start of a new adventure and our real estate agents want to help you take the first step on your next journey. We've gathered the following six tips to help you get acquainted with your new neighborhood.

1. Accept Invitations
   Right when you move in, don't be surprised if your new neighbors stop over and introduce themselves. They may even invite you over for dinner or out for a cup of coffee. Say yes to these kind requests and get to know those who surround your home. This is a great opportunity to make new family friends, learn about community resources and get honest opinions on everything from schools and shopping to the restaurants and recreational parks.
    

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