Welcome to the Stone Ridge Properties Blog!

How technology and your REALTOR® can work together to make your real estate transaction seamless.

We are in the business of assisting clients buy and sell their homes. We believe that buying or selling your home is an extremely personal, and emotional transaction -- and we want to be your partner, advocate and negotiator throughout the process. Does this mean we think real estate apps, technology and website tools are completely unnecessary? Not really!

Technology has changed how we do business, and we would argue for better. Now you can browse homes from the comfort of your couch in the evening and we can have minute-by-minute updates on what is new to the market. It is exciting and fast-paced, and we can help our clients get a jump on their real estate goals by assisting them with home searches, market reports and pricing updates with a few clicks of our smart phone.

But, one thing won’t change. When it comes to walking through a home that you have only seen photos of online, or sitting down to write your strongest offer letter, you need more than a smart phone by your side. You need a professional licensed REALTOR® to go to bat for you and your family, and to advise you through the complicated decisions that go into buying or selling a home. Plus, we will work hard for you around the clock so you can turn off your phone and close your laptop and get on with your busy lives, because this is WHAT WE LOVE TO DO.

Technology has empowered home buyers and sellers to do research, browse homes, and even pick the perfect agent -- but it will never replace the human connection, experience and expertise your REALTOR® will bring to your transaction.

Welcome to our new website!

We are thrilled to offer our clients the latest in real estate technology. We hope you will find this site a helpful tool in your home selling or buying journey.

Stay informed this winter

Remain up-to-date on local real estate news and listings in your community:

• Register on our website: save the details for your most common searches such as you price range, town, number of bedrooms and you will be first to know when when homes that meet your criteria hit the market.
• Choose a REALTOR®: Come by either of our Amesbury or Newburyport offices and visit us online to meet our agents and learn about what sets Stone Ridge Properties apart. Each one of our agents will advocate for you during your home selling or buying journey.
• Stay in the know: Empower yourself with knowledge about the community, the market and properties in the community where you live or want to live by communicating often with your REALTOR®, reading our blog, and speaking with friends and neighbors about their recent real estate transactions.

Call us, come by our offices and follow us on our social media channels to stay in the know.

Newburyport Office

978-463-4322

1 Merrimac Street #2, Newburyport, MA 01950

Amesbury Office

978-388-0880

20 Market Street, Amesbury, MA 01913

Social Media

Facebook: facebook.com/stoneridgeproperties

Twitter: @StoneRidgeRE

Instagram: stoneridgeproperties

YouTube: http://bit.ly/SRPYouTube

We have been experiencing an incredible sellers market for several years in the Greater Newburyport area, however, the market is beginning to shift.

As interest rates slowly creep up (although still remaining historically low), and home buyers become extremely savvy, the market is leveling off for sellers, which is good news for anyone considering buying or selling in 2019.

2018 Trends

Home Buyers:

Although interest rates have gone up slightly, there are lots of ways that home buyers can make their purchase workable. Flexible options for down payments have made home buying achievable -- although buyers continue to put down an average of 13%. First-time home buyers who make up 33% of the market have been working independently as well as closely with REALTORS® to educate themselves about the market to stay on top of new listings and neighborhood trends. We are finding home buyers this year have been well prepared, and ready to move quickly on property decisions.

Home Sellers:

Home sellers are staying put longer and choosing to modify their homes for changes in their lives rather than simply moving. The are also not moving as far away as they have in the past and are hoping to remain in the communities where they have raised their families. The average home seller in 2018 has been in their current home for 9 years, with 44% opting to move for a bigger home. Home sale prices have been trending high, but locally, we are seeing that home buyers will no longer make an offer on a home that is even slightly overvalued. Home sellers need to price their home accurately and keep on top of their home maintenance if they are hoping for a quick sale in 2019.

Market information and stats courtesy of the National Association of REALTORS®

Sean joined our team 17 years ago, as a 21 year old intern in his senior year at Merrimack College. He was eager to learn more about real estate and instantly found his passion. By 2010, he had become a partner at Stone Ridge Properties. Sean wasn’t just a part of this company, over time he helped define who we were, and we are so grateful for that.

Everybody loved Sean, and his “work family” was no exception. We were just lucky enough to be the people who were able to see him most days, be mentored by him, and hear about his adventures with his family and his friends, all of whom he loved so much.

His clients were lucky too -- during Sean’s career he sold over 340 homes but more importantly he developed lasting relationships with his clients. In the end, for Sean, it was always about the people, not the house.

We are filled with grief and heartache that he was taken from us so soon. We will miss his smiles, his hugs, his professionalism and the passion and leadership he brought to our team. We won’t be the same now – but we must go on and honor his legacy by emulating his kind, generous spirit because that is exactly what he would have wanted.

We will miss you so much, Sean,

Your SRP family

Find us on Youtube!

Lights, Camera, Agents!

Explore our community, tour our homes and learn about our agents from the comfort of your couch. We have started creating and sharing beautiful videos about our company, community and our properties on YouTube. View them all by searching Stone Ridge Properties on YouTube or visit us at this link: http://bit.ly/SRPYouTube.  

We would love to hear what you think!

The combination of rising interest rates and low inventory is creating a high-urgency market, and quick action from potential home buyers. 

However, home sellers should take caution, over-valuing or raising the price of your home may have the opposite of the desired effect. Stone Ridge Properties owner Jennifer Germain reminds sellers “with the threat of rising interest rates a properly priced home will always sell.”

Owner Cathy Toomey agrees and adds, “I think the increase in inventory should allow buyers better choices while acknowledging that properties properly priced will still move quickly.”

If your home, or a home you have had your eye on has been sitting on the market for a while, usually that means the price should be reconsidered. “A home that’s priced correctly in Newburyport shouldn’t have any trouble selling, if your home isn’t getting much activity or any offers - you have to look at the price” says Stone Ridge Owner, Sean Perkins.

What else should home sellers and home buyers consider heading into Fall?

Potential home sellers:

• Rising interest rates tends to ignite a sense of urgency in potential home buyers, as interest rates steadily increase, home buyers that were hesitating to buy may jump in with offers.
• If your home isn’t selling quickly, speak to your REALTOR®. It is likely the price may need an adjustment.

Potential home buyers:

• It may be in your best interest to act quickly because it is likely the rates will continue to increase through the end of the year and will unlikely return to the historic lows we have been seeing since 2014 (Forbes)
• Remember there will always be highs and lows in this market, and if you wait for the initial rush of buyers to die down, home prices will level off as the interest rates continue to go up. 

Time to sell? One way to highlight your home’s strengths is through home staging. Home staging is the process of preparing and presenting your home in the best possible manner to appeal to the widest possible audience.  

Staging your home has the potential to greatly decrease the amount of time it spends on the market by allowing buyers to visualize themselves in the property. Here are some reasons why home staging has proven effective.

• Allow the buyers to envision themselves in the space by removing any excess items and personal belongings.  According to the NAR 2017 Profile of Home Staging, 77% of buyers’ agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home (National Association of Realtors). Rather than seeing the memories your family made, they should be imagining creating memories of their own.  
• Neutralizing the decor can be best done by decluttering, rearranging, and simplifying.  Painting the walls simple colors and having minimal decorations makes it easier for the buyer to envision their own belongings in the space.
• Appearing move-in ready: in today’s market, potential buyers will be quick to negotiate, and needing repairs or replacements will only justify their argument.  Remember, home buyers want to throw their house warming party as soon as possible. 
• Buyers want to invest in a property that has been well-maintained, simple fixes and touch ups will put them at ease.
• Gain a competitive edge by landscaping, deep cleaning, and removing pets.
• First impressions matter, put in that extra effort! An entrance can be made that much more welcoming with a simple walkway, some potted plants, and a freshly painted door.  

Check out these professionally staged photos of 5 Moseley in Newburyport when it was on the market earlier this year!

Use Technology to help you stage!

If home staging isn't an option for you, some apps and other programs can help home buyers visualize furniture in empty rooms. Stone Ridge Properties Agent Cheryl Grant says, "I used a program called Modsy that did a great job virtually filling my empty living room."

Modsy photos are below....

Browsing real estate online can be a great way to explore what is available in your area and get a sense of prices and home styles from the comfort of your couch.

However, when it comes to getting serious about your home search or sale, it is essential to work with a licensed REALTOR® to assess your home value and make a plan for your home sale, or visit listings.

Why is it best to find a professional local REALTOR® for your home sale or purchase?

1. Knowledge and Expertise: You aren’t just buying a home, you are committing to a neighborhood and community. Our agents live, work, and raise families in the greater Newburyport area and will be an invaluable resource to you long after your transaction has closed.

2. Personalized Guidance: You will never feel like a “number” or an “online profile” if you work with a trusted agent; you are a person with a family, values, and specific needs for your future home or for your home sale. You should meet with REALTORS® prior to your real estate transaction to make sure you are working with someone who is a great fit for you and for your family.

3. Connection: Let’s face it; buying or selling a home is one of the most important decisions of your life and can be an emotional experience. We will help you work through finding a dream home that suits your budget or selling the home your kids grew up in with empathy and understanding.

Meet our agents and contact us today!

Stone Ridge Properties is a locally-owned, leading real estate agency in Amesbury and Newburyport, but we stand for a lot more than just helping our clients to buy and sell real estate.

Community involvement and charitable giving are core values of Stone Ridge Properties. Both the agency’s owners and agents are deeply invested in local organizations and pride themselves on contributing both through volunteer efforts and financial giving.

Every time a Stone Ridge Properties Agent closes on a home, they have the opportunity to give a part of their earnings to the non-profit organization of their choice.  Stone Ridge Properties then matches the donation (up to $100.)

Where do we give?

Each of our agents has the opportunity to give. Here are what a few of our agents have told us about their efforts in the community.

Newburyport agent Jennifer Germain says, “I believe in giving back to the community that helped pay me through selling homes in the area. I am passionate about several local charities  but my top two are Our Neighbors Table which feeds our local people in need and The Pettengill House that assists the needy in so very many ways. For me it is a full cycle process, people have paid taxes on their homes for years to help support the community then I sell their house and am paid for my efforts. I believe part of those proceeds should go to the part of the public that is struggling to stay in the community.”

Erica Puorro chooses to support the Friends of the Amesbury Public Library through the Charitable Foundation and volunteering her time. She says, “I believe the library and its programming enriches all community members – children, teens and adults. Since the Library receives limited municipal funding for programs we have been focussing on fundraising efforts, membership and our used book shop sales.”

Nancy Purcell is an avid birdwatcher and supports Massachusetts Audubon, Joppa Flats through the Foundation and Lori Lacey volunteers weekly I volunteer at Our Neighbors Table in Amesbury weekly. She says, “It is an amazing resource for people who need a little help and a great group of people.”

Our owners are all very active in community service and philanthropic giving as well. Owner Cathy Toomey is passionate about giving back to the community and participates in numerous community projects and organizations. She has been a member (and past President) of the Amesbury Rotary Club and sits on the Board of Advisors for the Pettengill House. Owner Sandy Berkenbush is on the board of the Pentucket Education Foundation and has been an active fundraiser for Dana Farber since 1994 raising over $290,000 with her annual Cruise for a Cure event.

When you work with Stone Ridge Properties, not only will you be working with a licensed REALTOR, you will be partnering with an agency that walks the walk when it comes to “giving back.” We love where we live, and we know you do to.

If you would like to buy a home, sell a home, or learn more about our Charitable Foundation, stop by either of our offices!

A look ahead into Real Estate Market Predictions for the Greater Newburyport Area and Southern New Hampshire

Welcome 2018! It is no secret that 2017 was a seller’s market in the Greater Newburyport Area and the North Shore. With home inventory extremely low and many homes selling over their original asking price, buyers were struggling to keep up with the pace of home sales.

The bottom line: although some local home buyers were successful in finding homes this year, many were left looking ahead, hoping for more inventory to come onto the market in 2018. Well, for homebuyers and sellers, the future looks bright!

What does 2018 hold for homebuyers in the area?

By now, homeowners are aware that there are eager buyers poised and ready (with mortgage pre-approvals) to make offers.  A fast and easy transaction is very motivating for people who would like to downsize or relocate. Plus, the National Association of REALTORS is reporting that, “home shoppers may have it easier in 2018. Inventory constraints of for-sale homes and rising home prices may finally start to ease next year, according to realtor.com®’s 2018 National Housing Forecast.” The same report indicates that home prices will level out in 2018-2019. If they haven’t already, homebuyers should move quickly to partner with an Accredited Buyer’s Agent to ensure they have an advocate alerting them to new listings and price changes in the area. If you are just beginning the process of looking locally, or are a first-time homebuyer, reach out to us to help you set yourself up for success (and avoid surprises) when it comes to the entire home purchasing transaction. The market will be still be very competitive, so it is important to know exactly what you want so you will not hesitate when the perfect property comes along!

What does 2018 mean for homesellers?

First and foremost, the seller’s market will continue to be strong. Inman News predicts that “Real estate experts and economists agree sellers will continue to hold the cards” especially in “hot markets” like the North Shore. When working with an experienced local agent, home sellers can expect sell their home quickly if the price is right. If you are just beginning to think about listing your home, now is the time to reach out to a trusted REALTOR® even if you are not completely ready to put your home on the market. He or she can walk you through the market trends and offer home value estimates and tips to prepare your home to be listed.

Spring will be here before we know it, so now is the time to choose a REALTOR®, create an ideal timeline to set up your home sale or purchase, and get a jump on the competition.

Contact us to discuss your real estate transaction and get a head start on what will surely prove to be another exciting year!