Developers break ground on first net-zero NH housing units geared towards middle class
Developers, clean energy advocates and public officials celebrated the groundbreaking Wednesday for New Hampshire’s first net-zero energy housing development geared toward middle-class home buyers.
The 26 market rate duplexes, developed by Aspire Residential, are designed to produce or save as much energy as they consume. They are expected to all go on the market at the end of next year.
Representatives from Aspire said this development is unique because it is neither a custom-built luxury home nor a heavily government subsidized housing project geared towards low-income residents. The state’s first net-zero public housing project opened in West Lebanon in 2019.
The groundbreaking comes as New Hampshire continues to face a significant affordable housing challenge, with experts estimating the state in need of more than 20,000 additional units to meet demand.
At the event in Hudson, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen said affordable housing remains a top concern for many residents.
“The more we can encourage housing units and development, the better,” she said.
John Gargasz, the founder of Aspire, said net-zero homes end up being more affordable than traditional construction, with utility bills that he described as “effectively zero.”
“We believe this is just fundamentally the right way to build,” he said. “It’s efficient on resources. It saves you money, and it’s a more valuable home that is going to last longer.” — Kate Dario, NH Public Radio
Concord property reassessments continue in South End
Concord’s project to visit and reassess every property in the city is continuing to move through the South End, with property owners roughly between Broadway and I-93 next on the list.
Every five years, the city is legally obligated to reappraise all property. But those updates, called statistical revaluations, are mostly based on existing information about a property that’s kept in the assessor’s office, such as its size, number of bedrooms, and heating system.
Over the next eighteen months or so, for the first time since 1990, assessors are going to all 15,000 properties in the city to do internal and external physical inspections — called a full measure and list. It means that property values will be determined using an in-person inspection rather than an estimate based on the sales of surrounding and similar properties. The information collected about properties now will be used to estimate new values for years to come.
Assessors are going neighborhood by neighborhood throughout the city. They started in the Southeast corner, and this week started moving more into the heart of the South End: on the assessor’s map, that’s neighborhood 15.
If you don’t want to let the assessor into your home or onto your property, you don’t have to. Stephen Whalen, the project manager for Vision Government Solutions, who is leading this effort for the city has said, though, that allowing an inspection will lead to a more accurate value of a home.
Conversely, residents who don’t want any surprises can set an appointment with the assessment office to ensure that they’re home and in the driver’s seat for the inspection process. — Catherine McLaughlin, Concord Monitor
Kate Frisk achieves national recognition
Kate Frisk with Badger Peabody & Smith Realty has been awarded the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) designation by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC) of the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
Frisk joins more than 27,000 real estate professionals in North America who have earned the ABR designation. All were required to successfully complete a comprehensive course in buyer representation and an elective course focusing on a buyer representation specialty, both in addition to submitting documentation verifying professional experience.
Frisk said, “I decided to get my ABR because, in a real estate world with increased prices and interest rates, my buyer clients deserve any competitive edge I can provide. The specialized education and resources an ABR designation provides has proven valuable not only for my buyers, but also for sellers. The unique perspective of an Accredited Buyers Representative can help predict possible trends and scenarios presented by potential buyers. In short, I chose to earn the ABR designation to assist my clients to the level they deserve, and this is one of the many ways to achieve just that.”
Brendan Battenfelder, VP of Sales at Badger Peabody & Smith Realty said, “Kate consistently delivers exceptional service to her buyers and sellers that is described through survey results as above and beyond by many. Kate has been a great part of our team of agents at the Gorham office and throughout the whole company. She always exceeds expectations for her clients and customers.”
In 1999, Frisk started her family in the Berlin area and appreciates the heart and character that are unique to the North Country. She has been a real estate agent for almost three years and enjoys working to deliver results for sellers and buyers. For Frisk, “I enjoy helping people bring their real estate dream to life, while prioritizing relationships with them.” Frisk is based in the firm’s Gorham office at 603 Main Street.
REBAC, founded in 1988, is the world’s largest association of real estate professionals focused specifically on representing the real estate buyer. There are more than 40,000 active members of the organization worldwide. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is the world’s largest professional association, representing over 1.4 million members involved in all aspects of the real estate industry.
