Interesting Real Estate information in these Classic Holiday Movies

Although Christmas has just passed and the New Year is on it’s way………  Here are a few Classic Holiday Movies to enjoy that include real life locations where some of the best holiday movie moments were captured.

Miracle on 34th Street (1947) The most recent version of this movie was made in 1994 starring Mara Wilson and Dylan McDermott.  A majority of the movie is centered around Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street in New York City.  One of the most memorable scenes is when little Susan’s Christmas wish comes true and she sees the house of her dreams for the first time.  The real home used as Susan’s dream home is located in Port Washington, New York.  The 1,703 sq ft home still stands to this day and looks practically the same as it did in 1947.

A Christmas Story (1983) This movie was set in the 1940′s.  The house that was originally used in the movie was completely restored and is now open to visitors who wish to walk in little Ralphie’s shoes.  Located in Cleveland, Ohio, “A Christmas Story House” is open for tours year-round and sits right across the street from a museum of movie moments, props and costumes.

Scrooged (1988) Inspired by “A Christmas Carol”, this is a comedy starring Bill Murray as a selfishly cynical television executive who bathes in wealth but is horribly cold-hearted to his employees and family.  The office building used in the movie is the 38 story, Midtown Manhattan skyscraper known as the Seagram Building.  According to the movie location website; on the set of New York, the corporate tower stands 516 ‘ tall and was built in 1958 as the headquarters for Canadian distillers’ Joseph E. Seagram’s & Sons.
Home Alone (1990) The antics of Macaulay Culkin in his claim-to-fame flick, “Home Alone,” are always a family favorite come holiday season.  Today, the picturesque house sits quietly on a tree-lined street in Winnetka, Illinois.  The home was built in 1920 and features five bedrooms, 3.5 baths and 4,243 sq ft of living space

Elf (2003) Starring Will Ferrell as “Buddy” a human raised by Santa’s elves who travels to New York City in search of his true identity.  As it turns out, the building where “Buddy’s” father lives is nicknamed the “Ghostbuster Building”, at 55 Central Park West, serves as the location to several scenes in 1974′s “Ghostbusters” movie and more recently, the home of Buddy’s cynical, naughty-listed father, Walter Cobbs (James Caan).

The Family Stone (2005) This star-packed, romantic comedy was set in a gorgeous house in Riverside, CT.  The 1860 Colonial is the home and place of gathering for the Stone family’s annual Christmas celebration.  The 3,554 sq ft house consists of 10 rooms, (5 bedrooms) 3.5 baths and sits on 1.4 acres.  With a classic, yet cluttered interior, this house is the ultimate, well-worn home that every family dreams of filling the holiday memories.

The Holiday (2006) This romantic comedy with a “two guy troubled women” (Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz) swap homes for the holiday season.  Both women find new loves at their new addresses.  The home that Diaz swaps into is a quaint cottage on the English countryside.  The swanky abode that Winslet temporarily takes over, is a Wallace Neff – designed home located in the small, affluent city of San Marino, CA. The 10,324 sq ft mansion has 9 bedrooms, 5 baths and a large outdoor pool.  Public records show that this home last sold in 1998 for $3,250,000.

Happy Holidays

Winter Curb Appeal

Crafty Ideas for Winter Curb Appeal………

Spruce up the exterior of your home to embrace the transition from Fall to Winter.

Add splashes of Green and Purple.  Plants, grasses and evergreens can liven up a home’s winter landscape.  Late fall and early winter, plants from the cabbage family add a vibrant purple color.  Make the front door the focal point with a large wreath adorned with a colorful ribbon.  You could even put that spotlight you may already have, shine it on the front door and you will be ready when it’s time for the Holiday Wreath!  To finish the look, place large, colorful planters filled with evergreens beside the front door.  More ideas……..

Federal Reserve to Boost Economy………

“The  Federal Reserve has signaled since August 2010 that it will begin purchasing government bonds in an attempt to drive down the bonds’ yield, or their return to investors.”  There’s considerable skepticism about whether the unorthodox step, called quantitative easing, will work.

6 Reasons to Buy a Vacation Rental Home

Second homes from Maine to Florida are really priced to sell.  Here are 6 great reasons as to why it is an opportune time to secure your vacation or retirement home.

• There have never been so many properties on the market
• Prices aren’t going to get much better
• Interest rates are very favorable for purchasing
• You have access to the best real estate professionals
• It’s never been easier to rent your vacation home
• If you buy now, you can be ready for the 2011 peak season

Impressive Jump in Sales !

Existing home sales rose again in September.  Those sales included single-family, townhomes, condos and co-ops which jumped 10% in September.  Not only have existing homes sales increased, but according to Freddie Mac, the national average interest rate for a 30 year conventional mortgage fell to a record low of 4.35% in September, from 4.43% in August.  In comparison 2009 featured 5.6% rates.

“A decade ago, mortgage rates were almost double what they were today, and they’re about 1.5% points lower than the peak of the housing boom in 2005”.   According to the National Association of Realtors’ President, Vicki Cox Golder.

Get a FREE Market Analysis of Your Home!

Have you considered selling lately but are just not sure now is a good time? Do you have a property you are interested in knowing the market value of? If so The Hamptons Real Estate is offering you  a FREE Competitive Market Analysis of your home. Call or email one of our agents today, and we would be glad to help you ASAP!

Welcome to Our New Site!!

Hello World!

Thank you for visiting the Hamptons Real Estate’s brand new web page. We would like to start out by saying WELCOME! As a real estate company on the seacoast of New Hampshire, we are looking forward to another productive year.

Though the economic recession has many buyers and sellers down, in New England, and especially in NH, we have really been shielded from the worst of the fallout. Did you know people in New Hampshire have the highest income in the nation currently?! On September 17, 2010 Realtor.com reported

“The U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday released the latest statistics about household incomes,
New Hampshire was the winner with a median income averaging $65,028 annually over the past two years.”

At The Hamptons Real Estate we ARE still busy! Our amazing Route 1 Hampton Falls location, our over 25 years of experience and our knowledgeable agents ensure that we remain competitive in this market! Contact one of our agents and let us know how we can help you.