First Steps to Getting a Mortgage for Your Southern New Hampshire Real Estate

You’ve reached that time in your life where you’re ready to buy Southern New Hampshire real estate.  Even though the mortgage approval process can be intimidating, you can get yourself ready to apply for a loan.  These are the first steps to buying your home:

Make a List
First, make a list of your finances.  Include all your income, and factor in your normal monthly debts.  Miscellaneous bills, like your daily coffee or weekly magazine, should be listed too.  Write down everything that you spend each month.

Calculate what 28% of your income is.  Most loan officers recommend not spending more than 28% on your housing costs.  You may not want to take on a mortgage loan for the maximum amount offered without consulting your list to see what money is actually available for you to spend.

Decrease Your Debt
 Once you’ve have detailed your finances, it's time to make a budget.  A good budget can help you eliminate wasteful spending which will allow you to pay off more of your debts.  When planning your budget, don’t forget to include some personal money. 

Start with the small debts first.  Pick the credit card with the highest interest rate and smallest balance and work from there.  After one debt is paid off, use the extra money that you’re saving from the first card, and pay off the next.  This way, you should be able to pay your balances down quickly.

 It only takes a couple of months of good payment practices to begin to see your credit score go up. With a good credit score, you can get a better interest rate.  This will save you thousands of dollars in mortgage payments over the life of the loan.

Save For the Down Payment
You’re ready to start saving for the down payment on your Southern New Hampshire real estate.  It has to be paid up-front at the loan closing, but sometimes the seller will pay the closing costs.  (And don't forget...if you can find a property by the end of April 2010, you may qualify for the first time homebuyer tax credit of $8,000 or the second time homebuyer credit of $6,500.)

If you’d like more tips on how to buy or finance Southern New Hampshire real estate, browse through my blogs labeled "Buying Tips" and "Financing" and feel free to contact me with any questions by calling 603-821-1134 or emailing Dave@DaveHeeter.com.

6 Tips to Reduce Stress While Selling Your Southern New Hampshire Real Estate

Selling your home can be a stressful experience. Your home is one of your most valuable possessions and holds memories of your time there. However, you can survive the process of selling your Southern New Hampshire real estate. Here are some tips to make this time period smoother:

1. Remind yourself that this is temporary. This will pass. You will eventually find a buyer. You will have a contract. You will close the deal. Everything else is just part of the process and will eventually be a memory.

2. Use lists. Lists help you keep track of what you need to do and what you’ve already accomplished. You can’t forget something if you write it down.

3. Hire a Southern New Hampshire real estate agent. Sometimes you just need professional help. You don’t have to go through this process alone. Find a real estate agent you trust and let him or her guide you through selling your home.

4. Know your limits. When you’re tired or stressed, you don’t have the energy or mental capacity to do too many extra things. Learn to say no. Shorten your to-do list. You may want to pack two boxes each day, but accept that you may only have time to pack one.

5. Practice a stress reduction activity. Find something that works for you to reduce your anxiety. Try exercise, yoga, meditation, or even light gardening. Remember to breathe.

6. Take care of yourself and your family. You still need to eat healthy and spend time together doing something everyone loves. Don’t neglect your life while your house is on the market.

Selling your Southern New Hampshire real estate doesn’t have to be an extraordinarily stressful experience. Know that you will survive it. Let me help you through the process of selling your home.  Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com.

Choosing the Right Southern New Hampshire Home for You

As you are looking for the ideal home for you and your family, you may find yourself trying to decide between two similar homes. You could have worse problems than this on your Southern New Hampshire home search, but how do you decide which home is better for you and your family?

Here are primary points to consider:

1.    Location. This is where you are going to live. You need to consider how far away it is from work, schools, and shopping. You probably want to do as little driving as possible. A Southern New Hampshire home close to where you will be spending your time away from home may be the better choice for you.

2.    Home repairs. What will you need to do to the home once you move in? Think about the time and money you will have to invest in the home before making your decision. A home in slightly better shape may be the better option for you so you can concentrate on getting settled in your new home after moving in.

3.     Age of appliances. This can make a big difference in your choice. Do you really want to have to replace the appliances soon after you move in? Your might be better choosing a home with newer appliances.

4.     Hobbies. Is there a car lover or avid crafter in your family? Look at which home has the most to offer these people. Perhaps one garage has been expanded or has built-in work benches. Maybe a closet already has a space to organize craft supplies.

Let me help you find the Southern New Hampshire home that best fits your lifestyle.  Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com.

Buyer’s Guide to Your Southern New Hampshire Home’s Appraisal Terms

If you're getting a mortgage on a home, your lender will require an appraisal. This is performed by a licensed appraiser who evaluates your home and determines its value. Here is a guide to your Southern New Hampshire home’s appraisal terms.

·       Age: The actual age of your home is how long since your home has been built. The effective age is the adjusted age of your home based on improvements and repairs.

·       Adjustments: Homes used for comparison are usually not exact replicas of your home. The appraiser will make adjustments for things like premium views or swimming pools to bring the home values closer together.

·       Appraisal: This is the estimated value of your home based on the appraiser’s documentation.

·       Comparison approach: A type of appraisal in which your home is compared with others in your area. Most appraisers use this approach because the market determines what your home will sell for.

·       Cost approach:  A type of appraisal in which your home is valued based on how much it would cost to replace it if it was destroyed. This is typically used on newer constructions.

·       Depreciation: Depreciation is a loss in value due to age or condition.

·       Easements: Your electric company or local government may have an easement, or right to use your land.

·       Encroachments: When you or your neighbors have items like fences resting on each other’s property, it is called encroachment.

·       Market value: This is the highest price you could expect to get for your home under normal circumstances.

·       Remaining economic life: This is the time from the appraisal when improvements become useless or valueless.

·       Subject property: Your property is called the subject property.

Let me help you through the process of buying your next Southern New Hampshire home. Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com for more information.

Remodeling to Sell Your Southern New Hampshire Real Estate?

Consumer Reports surveyed over 17,000 readers on the state of their home improvement projects. The results of the home improvement survey indicated that you should definitely do your homework before doing the home improvement on your Southern New Hampshire real estate.

Over half of those surveyed went at least $2,000 over budget for room additions. On basement finishing, 56% spent $1,350 over budget. Kitchen remodeling also had 56% going over budget, by $1,200. Lastly, 45% went over budget by $700 on deck additions. What was the reason? Surprisingly, they all had similar reasons:

·    Plan adjustments
·    Underestimated labor
·    Increased cost of materials
·    Special tools needed
·    Unexpected system upgrades

If you plan to remodel your Southern New Hampshire real estate in the near future, keep these tips in mind so your home improvement goes as planned:

·    Do your research – Factor in delivery and removal fees.  Make sure you know which products the contractor should have and plan ahead.

·    Don’t deviate – Once you have a well-developed remodeling plan, don’t deviate from it. Those who did ended up going anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 over budget.

·    Check the contract – Make sure your contractor's contract has a set amount for materials. Some have open-ended amounts, which makes it quite easy to go over budget. Read the contract before you sign it!

·    Check up on the remodeling contractor – Get the referrals and then put them to work. In other words, don’t just get a list of numbers and names, and then forget to check up on the contractor. Follow through and make sure the contractor is a good one.

A little remodeling can go a long way in helping you sell your Southern New Hampshire real estate.
Just make sure you know what you’re doing before you hire anyone to do it!

If you’re trying to sell your home, or looking for a great home to buy, I can help.  Call me at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com for more information.

The Emotional Aspects of Buying a Southern New Hampshire Home

Buying a Southern New Hampshire home can be a challenging process. Along the way you will experience a wide range of emotions. No matter how strongly you feel that you are alone, rest assured that most buyers feel the same way. Here’s a peek at what you can expect when…

·    Looking for a Southern New Hampshire home. Creating a wish list for a house that fits within your budget can cause the initial signs of stress. Once that list is created, a new panic may settle in as you wonder if you will find the right home for you within that budget. Expect this anxiousness to increase as you look at more homes.

·    Presenting an offer. No one wants to be rejected, even if it’s about property. Remind yourself that it is perfectly normal to worry about getting an accepted offer and that the sellers are also experiencing a similar feeling of concern at this point. Both sides want the same thing: a signed contract.

·     Signing the contract. Once the contract is signed, a new nervousness may set in. You may wonder if you got a fair price or if you chose the right property for you. From this point until closing day, you will think about this decision and about all the changes before you. Moving means finding new stores and restaurants and new roads to work.  This is called buyer's remorse.  Just remember, it's a common phenomenon and you'll get through it.

·    Closing. Once the papers are signed and the check has been turned over to the title company, a sense of finality takes over. You know that there is no turning back at this point and may still wonder if you made the right decision. Again, this is perfectly normal and happens to almost everyone.  Focus on moving in and starting to enjoy your new home and you'll be feeling comfortable again before you know it.

Don’t navigate the deep waters of home buying on your own. Let me help you find the Southern New Hampshire home for you.  Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com.

Southern New Hampshire Homes -- Household Net Worth Is On the Rise!

The news is everywhere – and it’s good!  Although household net worth (the difference between the value of assets and liabilities) isn’t what it was three years ago, it’s on the rise.  Even if housing values don't go up quickly, as long as they aren't declining, the act of paying down a mortgage increases a homeowner's equity.

The Fed’s most recent “flow of funds” survey indicates that the net equity of national homeowners grew by almost $1 trillion in the final quarter of 2009, with a total increase of $2.8 trillion for 2009 as a whole. Compared to before the bubble popped, that’s really not that impressive. However, after three straight years of steadily dropping equities, it could signify the long awaited end of the housing crash.

In the housing markets of several cities, negative home equity is dropping; Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami and Seattle are just a few examples. Good news for those with Southern New Hampshire homes, but even better news for some of the hardest hit cities, such as Phoenix, AZ, and Fort Myers, FL.

This is the best news yet for those trying to sell their homes, especially with most residential real estate markets' busiest season getting started. A few other things have been happening over the past couple of months that just might be the beginning of a slow but steady recovery of the market:

·    Median home prices are rising slowly but surely; potential homebuyers are getting a little more serious. Rather than wait for a cheaper house, they’re starting to realize that it might not get any cheaper.

·    The housing supply is shrinking. At the peak, we had 11 months worth of inventory. By the end of 2009, we were down to 7.2.  (Remember that 5-7 months of inventory is typically considered a 'balanced' market!)  Want a detailed market snapshot of your area?  Request one on my website!

·    30 year fixed mortgages dropped to the lowest point of 4.95% (median), and are now slowly on the rise. Buyers waiting for lower mortgage rates – just like those waiting for lower housing prices – should get serious about buying now.

Last and most importantly, consumer confidence is growing – something we badly need to get the economy on track.

What’s the moral of the story?  You don't need double digit gains in home prices to be able to build equity or to be able to leverage that equity when you sell and buy your next property, and this is a good market for either first time homebuyers, investors, or homeowners of 6 years or more.

If you’re trying to sell your home or would like to purchase one, I can help. Call me at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com for more information.

Should You Consider a Short Sale on Your Southern New Hampshire Home?

A short sale happens when a lender agrees to accept less than the balance remaining on a home. It is a way for underwater sellers to avoid foreclosure and sell their Southern New Hampshire homes.

It seems like a good idea for people who owe more on their home than it’s worth, but that doesn’t mean it is right for everyone. Should you consider a short sale on your Southern New Hampshire home?

 Pros to doing a short sale:

·    You will be able to sell your property, get out from under a mortgage you cannot afford and lower your debt.
·    You can still sell your property in a declining real estate market, even if you owe more than the home is worth.
·    Buyers sometimes get good deals on the property or may be able to buy a home at market value in a popular area they couldn't previously afford.
·     While a short sale isn't ideal, it is typically better than a foreclosure which stays on your credit report for 7 years.  (Bankruptcies stay on your credit report for 10 years!)
·    If your home goes into foreclosure and is sold at auction for less than the mortgage, you can still be held responsible for making up the difference.

Cons to doing a short sale:

·     The lender may refuse to do the short sale, or they may still hold you responsible for the remaining debt.
·    The bank’s loss is considered taxable income for you, and you may have to pay taxes on the amount.  (Consulting a tax professional and an atty is probably a smart move.)
·    Short sales do stay on your credit report and may make it difficult for you to a get loan in the future for at least a few years
·    You will have to find a real estate agent willing to put in anywhere from several months to a year's worth of work with no guarantee of income.
·    Short sales take longer to close than traditional home sales and can definitely be frustrating process.

I can help you decide if a short sale on your Southern New Hampshire home is right for you. Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com for more information about your selling options.

Benefits of a Green Southern New Hampshire Home

If you’re thinking of building a new Southern New Hampshire home, you should consider incorporating some green building practices or materials into your plans. Green building designs can include anything from using recycled materials to installing a rainwater collection system outside your home.

Here are just a few reasons why a green home is better for your health, your bank account and the environment:

·     Better health. Surprisingly, indoor air pollution from toxic materials and cleaning products is usually far worse than outdoor air pollution. This aggravates conditions like asthma and allergies. Green homes tend to have better ventilation and fewer problems with mold and mildew. A simple switch to toxin-free building materials and cleaning products makes everyone breathe easier inside your Southern New Hampshire home.

·     Lower cost. It’s true that building a green home will cost more upfront. However, the difference is probably not as great as you think. Green building materials are more available and less expensive than they used to be because more people are using them. You have to look at more than just the cost of the home, though. A green home will consume up to 40% less energy and up to 50% less water than a standard home. This means you will save money on your utility bill each month.

·     More environmentally friendly. Green homes use less energy which helps us reduce our dependency on non-renewable energy sources.  Plumbing, environmentally-friendly bathroom fixtures and water-conserving irrigation systems lower water consumption and help protect our water resources. Most green building materials are made with recycled products and reduce the amount of waste that ends up in our landfills.

You can build a green Southern New Hampshire home that’s ideal for your family. To help you get the best price and terms for your new home, call me before you visit the new home building sites.   Even better, call me today to find out how I can help you save money when building a new home.  You can reach me at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com.

Does Your Southern New Hampshire Real Estate Team Know What They’re Doing?

If you’re thinking of buying Southern New Hampshire real estate, now is the time to take advantage of this buyer's market.

Back in the “good old days,” (a few years ago) it was easier to qualify for a loan, with one-page loan applications, stated incomes and “no doc” (no documentation, meaning nothing had to be proven) loans. There were amazing loan programs, like 125% loan on the purchase price with no down payment.

Now, buying Southern New Hampshire real estate is more burdensome. No more “no doc” loans; lenders want every piece of documentation you can come up with. So then, why is it the best time to buy? And what does this have to do with your real estate team?

Although the current loan situation isn't ideal, it’s worth the effort to find a home you can afford. Here are two reasons:

·    First time homebuyers tax credit – this is a big one. If you can get into escrow (under contract) by April 30 and close by the end of June, you can qualify for the $8,000 ($6,500 for existing homeowners) federal incentive.

·    Mortgage rates – It might be hard to get a loan, but it isn’t hard to get a loan with low interest rates. Unbelievably, many are still waiting, hoping the mortgage rates will go down further. Stop waiting for that to happen.  It's not going to be long before they’ll be going back up – not down.

This doesn’t include the incredibly low prices for many homes, as well as the huge housing supply. "Slim pickings" doesn’t apply to our current housing market.

With all these incredible opportunities, it makes sense that your team – the people who represent you – should know what they’re doing. In this day and age, your dream team doesn’t just need knowledge; they need experience.

At a minimum, your dream team should consist of:

·    Your real estate agent who needs to be able to guide you to the best housing opportunity available for your area.
·    Your lender (who is actually supposed to be helping you) who should be able to build a loan package that fits your specific needs and budget. As well, that loan package must stay within the lender’s guidelines to make sure your loan application is successful.

The more you know – and the more your team knows - the better the chance you have of buying the home of your dreams, at a price you can afford, with a low interest rate, before the April 30 deadline. By July, you could be sitting pretty with your own piece of Southern New Hampshire real estate and a cool $8,000 in your bank account!

Putting together your dream team?  I'd be honored to have the chance to interview for the position of your knowledgeable, experienced real estate agent.  Call me at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com today.

How to Choose Paint Colors to Sell Your Southern New Hampshire Real Estate

When you’re ready to sell your Southern New Hampshire real estate, you want to make sure it's attractive to potential buyers. A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for your home, but with all the paint colors available to you, you may wonder which colors are best.

There are two primary things to consider:

1.     Function. What is the room primarily used for? Some rooms are easy to label. After all, there are only one or two uses for the kitchen or bathroom. But what about great rooms or family rooms?  Rooms like that are most often used for relaxation and recovery from a busy day and therefore should be painted in soothing shades of blue or green. Busier rooms, like the kitchen, can handle stronger colors like red, orange, or bright yellow.

2.     Size. Generally, the smaller the room the lighter the wall color. Lighter colors make rooms look bigger, while darker colors make rooms look smaller. Your bathrooms and smaller bedrooms will mostly likely look better with a lighter shade than your living room or family room. Since colors are part of a spectrum, you can find a shade of any color that will work for you.

Buyers like to picture themselves living in a home before they buy it. This is why you should stick to neutral colors throughout your Southern New Hampshire property.  As your buyers walk through, they can imagine their own furniture and art and belongings up against a white or cream colored wall. It’s a little trickier to do this when the walls are bright orange.

Don’t overlook the power of a new paint job. Let me help you prepare your Southern New Hampshire real estate for a fast sale.  Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at dave@daveheeter.com.

How Much Mortgage Can You Really Afford for a Southern New Hampshire Home?

Owning a Southern New Hampshire home can be a sign of independence and success.  It allows you to build up equity and the mortgage interest and property taxes are tax-deductible.  Can you afford it, though? 

Reputable lenders look at a list of criteria to decide how much they’ll loan you.  This list includes:
·    Credit score
·    Existing assets including cash
·    Car leases or loans
·    Credit card balances
·    Debt consolidation loans
·    Home equity loans
·    Installment loans
·    Student loans
·    Other monthly debts
·    Size/source of your down payment

If you’d like to get an idea of what you can afford before talking to a lender, here are a few tools you can use to decide whether a Southern New Hampshire home is within your budget:

·    As a rule of thumb, your house hunting budget can be about 2.5 times your pre-tax annual income.  If you earn $50,000 a year, your budget for house hunting should be around $125,000.  The more money you have to put down and the less other debt you have, the higher your budget can be (up to about 4 times your annual income).

·    Your Housing Expense Ratio, which is principal, interest, taxes and insurance (PITI) shouldn’t be more than 25% to 28% of your pre-tax monthly income.

·    Your Debt-to-Income Ratio should be no more than 36% of your pre-tax monthly income.  This is the ratio between how much you owe and how much you earn.

·    Use an online calculator to figure how much home you can afford, or talk to a mortgage consultant.

“Qualifying for” and “can afford” can be two different things.  Shopping for a Southern New Hampshire home within your budget will save you a lot of heartache now and in the future.

If you'd like help determining how much mortgage you can really afford, I can help.  Call me at 603-821-1134 or email me at dave@daveheeter.com for more information.

National and Southern New Hampshire Homes for Sale – Economists Predict Housing Shortage

As a real estate agent in Southern New Hampshire, part of my job is keeping up with current real estate news. Most of the time, I’m largely unsurprised by the news that comes across my desk, but this little tidbit blew me away.

For two years now, we’ve seen mass foreclosures, people walking away from their underwater mortgages and warnings that there’s more to come. Foreclosure numbers reached all time highs, housing prices have dropped back to levels from nearly a decade ago and close to 10% of the country is unemployed. It’s enough to make a homeowner with one of the Southern New Hampshire homes for sale have a mental breakdown.

However, in February, the news went out, flooring most in the real estate industry: severe shortage of property predicted by the middle of 2011. This may sound unbelievable.  (It was a hard one for me to swallow.)  But, the construction industry has also been hard hit by the economic downturn, which means that fewer homes are being built. Combine fewer homes being built with population expansion and suddenly there’s a housing shortage.

Good News for Homeowners
In a recession, people have a tendency to live together because it’s cheaper. College students continue to live with their parents, divorce rates go down and more people share homes. However, we currently have over 300 million people living in the U.S. and we’re down to less than seven months’ inventory.

This is great news for homeowners trying to sell their homes – or even homeowners who just need more equity - although the repercussions may take awhile to spread.

In several high population areas and college towns, the demand for housing is on the rise. As we’ve talked about before, this brings in the age-old laws of supply and demand. The lower the supply and the higher the demand, the higher prices rise. The more value a home has in price, the higher the equity.

So, for those who have Southern New Hampshire homes for sale or are hoping to sell in the next few years, take heart! A housing shortage may be hard to believe right now, but, if what the economists say is true, it’s on its way. Stay on your toes, make sure all your ducks are in a row and prepare for the rush on home sales.

If you’re trying to sell your home or are looking for a great home to buy, I can help.  Call me at 603-821-1134 or email me at dave@daveheeter.com for more information.

Taking Advantage of Southern New Hampshire Foreclosures

Many potential homeowners are starting to look towards Southern New Hampshire foreclosures as a way to get the home of their dreams without spending their life savings. What they may not realize is that the sheer amount of foreclosed properties can be daunting. Some are so completely overwhelmed by the choices that they give up and walk away.

Southern New Hampshire foreclosures can be great deals, but you’ll have a few decisions to make before you even go looking. Because there are so many options, here and throughout the nation, it’s important to figure out what type of foreclosed home is best for you.

Government Foreclosures
Homes with federally sponsored loans, such as HUD homes, are repossessed by government housing agencies. Because these homes offer a lot of opportunities for discount purchases, they move quickly.

Foreclosure Auctions
One of the most common ways to buy a foreclosure is while it’s on the chopping block of a traditional real estate auction. The auction is public, with homes sold to the highest bidder.

REO Foreclosures
Repossessed by the bank, real estate owned properties have been through a foreclosure auction  without being bought. There’s not necessarily anything wrong with the home itself.  In fact, many foreclosure auctions fail to sell the home.  The primary reason foreclosure auctions do not succeed is that the minimum auction price is more than what the property is worth. When the auction does fail, ownership reverts to the bank and the home becomes an REO.

REO foreclosures also have auctions, but the bidding process is closed and blind – no haggling allowed. You look over the available properties and come up with an offer to buy the home directly from the bank, rather than competing with other buyers in a public sale.

One feature of REO foreclosures is that you can also set up the financing and mortgaging options through the same bank. Often, this gives the bank encouragement to give you a better price for the home, though you should always compare loan terms, conditions, and rates with other lenders.

Whether you’re looking at Southern New Hampshire foreclosures for investment opportunities, or to buy your dream home, you have a myriad of options. Knowing what you want - before you start looking - is one of the best ways to ensure you get the deal of a lifetime!

If you’re unsure which type of foreclosed home is best for you, or if you want help finding a great deal on a foreclosure, I can help.  Call me at 603-821-1134 or email me at dave@daveheeter.com for more information.

Southern New Hampshire Home for Sale Wins Academy Award!

Okay, it never happened; when the Academy Awards were handed out, obviously, none went to a Southern New Hampshire home for sale – but the Academy Awards are still relevant. Bear with me a moment.

When someone wins an Academy Award, don’t we expect more from him or her in the future? Why? Because the Award defines their abilities in some way, and here is where they’re relevant to your Southern New Hampshire home for sale. Just like the Awards, our homes seem to define us in some strange way.

Think about it. When you see a large home with manicured lawns, lighted pathways and a pool, don’t you automatically assume the owners have money? They’ve won the “dream home” award.

Likewise, if you see a home with a scraggly lawn and a bad paint job, you may assume the opposite. In other words, it doesn’t automatically occur to us that the people with the manicured home may just be good at money management or that the owners of the scraggly lawn home may make plenty of money but not manage it well.

We, as human beings, are good at judging a book by its cover. We assume certain things based on what we see, not reality. So what does the home you’re selling say about you? What will it say about the buyer? Would it win the dream home award?

Looking At Your Home with New Eyes
When preparing your home to sell, it's important to look at the home you’ve lived in for years with new eyes.  Because you’re used to the cracks in the sidewalk, peeling paint or missing shingles, you probably don't even notice it any more.

Potential buyers, however, are looking for Academy Award winners. Little things, such as unwashed windows, really can make all the difference. Trees with dead branches, lawns that haven’t been mowed, numbers falling off of mailboxes – all of these things may seem small, but they can quickly lose a sale.


Buyers see the outside of a Southern New Hampshire home for sale and have certain expectations of what the inside will look like. If the inside and outside don’t match, you have work to do. Don’t let the home you’re selling wallow on the market. If it’s been sitting on the selling block for months without a peep, it’s time to see what you can do about turning it into a dream home award winner!

If you’re ready to sell your home, I can help.  Call me at 603-821-1134 or email me at dave@daveheeter.com for more information.

What Does It Mean To Go Green in Your Southern New Hampshire Home Construction?

Working to have a safe Southern New Hampshire home environment is important to everyone.  We want our children to have safe water, clean air, fresh food and a healthy earth for their future.

One area where you might consider decreasing your impact on the environment is in your own home construction.  There are several ways you can have a safe and clean green home construction.

·    Find a “green” builder to help with your Southern New Hampshire home.  Search the Internet for professional green builders.  It takes a special contractor to coordinate the elements of home building to ensure maximum energy savings.  Buying green materials is just one step toward having a green home.  To achieve ultimate efficiency, the different structural parts of plumbing, electricity, gas lines, and framework need to be coordinated.

·    Buy green materials from different vendors.  Shop around to ensure you are getting the best deal.  One vendor may sell stone at an exceptional price, but his timber may be overpriced.  Natural supplies can be in short availability in some areas.  Natural builders and vendors are working together to build a greener home construction industry, but it is still a business.  It is your responsibility as the homeowner to make sure that you are getting the best deal.

·    Continue the "green" theme with your home decorations and furnishings.  The construction of your green home saves resources and energy.  You can reduce your impact on the environment even further by using energy saving appliances, eco-friendly interior paint, and sustainable wood flooring in your home.
Building your Southern New Hampshire home using green construction is a great start to a cleaner, brighter future. 

I can help you learn more about green home construction options.  Call me at 603-821-1134 or email me at dave@daveheeter.com for more information.  

How to Take Great Photos of Your Southern New Hampshire Home

Pictures are one of the most important parts of your home’s marketing plan. They are usually the first thing potential buyers see and can be a deciding factor in whether or not they actually walk through your home.  Here are some photo tips for taking the best possible pictures of your Southern New Hampshire home:

·        Choose the right time of day. Lighting is the single most important factor in taking a good picture. Shoot on a bright, sunny day. Use natural light, when possible, inside your home. If your Southern New Hampshire home has a beautiful view of the sunrise or sunset, take a photo of the view during that time.

·        Prepare your home. Make sure your home is clean and the yard is free of debris. Keep the pets and children out of your photographs. Remember, this is your buyer’s first impression, and they want to see your home, not its occupants.

·        Find the right angle. Don’t take flat pictures, like a dead-on photo of the front of your house from the street or a single shot of the bedroom from the doorway. Angles create definition. Get creative. Stand on chairs or ladders for interesting photographs.

·        Use a digital camera. Digital cameras are surprisingly affordable. You can take as many pictures as you want, choose the best shots, and easily upload or email them without the time-consuming scanning process.

·        Take your time. Don’t rush through the task of photographing your home. Spend time in each room determining its best features. Take several pictures of each room from as many angles as possible. You want the best possible pictures.

Let me help you sell your Southern New Hampshire home. Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at dave@daveheeter.com and I'll take photos that will make your home shine.

Buying Southern New Hampshire Real Estate and the Good Faith Estimate

If you’re buying Southern New Hampshire real estate and talking to lenders, you’ll hear about the Good Faith Estimate. Because the Good Faith Estimate is required by law and lists all the costs associated with a mortgage, including closing fees with estimated pricing, it's a good place to start when searching for a lender.

Best practice for buying Southern New Hampshire real estate is to shop for lenders first. While you’re looking, ask for a Good Faith Estimate and then compare them. This will be your first indication about which lender is best for you.

Not All Estimates are Created Equal
Many closing fees for buying Southern New Hampshire real estate are considered typical and have an average price range, such as:

·    Title search and title insurance: $450 - $600
·    Appraisal: $150 - $400

Because real estate closing practices vary depending on where you live, your location helps to determine what those closing costs will be. However, you might also find some extra padding on your closing fees, which some in the mortgage and real estate industries call “junk fees."

Most Good Faith Estimates (GFEs) have a break down of individual charges, but some may just be a lump sum amount such as: “Total of lender’s fees $1,395.” As long as the fees add up correctly to the estimated amount, there’s no problem. However, watch out for and question general wording like “miscellaneous fees,” “packaging fees” or “marketing fees.”

You have the right to request an explanation for any fee listed on the GFE. Although most GFEs have an explanation after each listing, some may not. If a fee seems odd to you, ask about it.

It's Only an Estimate
One final tip:  The GFE is only an estimate, not the exact amount you'll be paying.  There are new regulations this year about which costs are allowed to change and by how much, so check out the 2010 HUD Booklet, which also has some general homebuying advice.  At least one day before closing, get your final tally of the closing costs from your lender.  Compare this to your Good Faith Estimate to make sure no additional fees were added.  If you see inconsistencies, talk with your lender immediately to resolve these issues.

Need help finding a good lender?  I can help.  Call me at 603-821-1134 or email me at dave@daveheeter.com for more information.

Is 2010 the Year for You to Buy Southern New Hampshire Real Estate?

Is it possible? Is this the year to buy Southern New Hampshire real estate? Why would 2010 be special? Well, let’s look at the current house hunting conditions, which might give some insight:

·    Home prices are lower than they’ve been since 2003. According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the median price of homes in the U.S. was around $170,000 by November of last year.

·    Fixed mortgage rates are still at record lows. Although they are subject to change from week to week, at the time of this writing, 15 year fixed and 30 year fixed mortgages averaged 4.5% and 5.12%, respectively.

·    The high number of foreclosures has been painful for many homeowners. However, it has also created great deals for those who want to buy Southern New Hampshire real estate, but don’t want to spend their entire life savings at once.

·    The extension and expansion of the Obama administration’s homebuyer tax credit has been a driving force for many home sales. The government has handed out a large amount of tax credits to many first-time buyers, and will be paying out more as the purchase deadline draws closer.

So, is it the year to buy a house? Only you know for sure. The economy is up and running once again, but the unemployment rate is still at 10%, and may go higher.  (New Hampshire's unemployment rate is still lower than much of the U.S.) The answer to “Can I buy a home?” depends on whether you have a stable job or not; look at your industry, company and job before answering. The good news is that, while unemployment may still rise, it’s expected to level off and start decreasing mid-year.

For those who can afford a home, want to buy one, but are waiting for the bottom of the market, don’t wait too long. The Southern New Hampshire real estate around the corner with the “SOLD” sign might have been your dream home!

If this is a good year for YOU to buy a home, I can help. Call me at 603-821-1134 or email me at dave@daveheeter.com for more information.

Want an $8000 Tax Credit? Buy a Southern New Hampshire Home for Sale Now

Last November, when Congress approved an extension on the first-time homebuyer tax credit, potential homebuyers who missed the original deadline were excited. It was another chance to buy a Southern New Hampshire home for sale and receive an often badly needed $8,000 credit on their tax return.
  
Real estate agents were excited as well, because the tax credit extension expanded to include “upgrade” buyers – those who wanted to replace their current home with a bigger one – thus making it easier to to sell a wider range of homes.  However, the expansion to include upgrade buyers wasn’t the only change.
  
If you’re hoping to buy a Southern New Hampshire home for sale and take advantage of the tax credit before the new 2010 deadlines, here are a few things to keep in mind:
  
·       Two dates are crucial.  You must sign a contract before April 30.  The closings must be complete by June 30. One of the best ways to make sure things go smoothly is to get pre-approved for a mortgage before you go home shopping. Having a pre-approval tells you, as well as the seller, exactly how much home you can afford. This way, you don’t waste your time or the seller’s.
  
·       Negotiate without emotion. Potential buyers have lost the home of their dreams because they became competitive. If you’re negotiating for closing costs, housing price or anything else, make sure that your requests are reasonable. Don’t change something “just because.”
  
·       Taxes must be mailed in.  Due to people trying to scam the system, you won’t be able to file your taxes electronically; you’ll have to mail them in. Make sure you’re using the right forms, and, if you need your tax refund by a specific time, you might want to file early.
  
·       Documentation is truly priceless.  Again, thanks to scammers, buyers will have to include a signed mortgage statement, proof of residency and a driver’s license with their taxes.
  
You still have until April 30th to sign a contract on a Southern New Hampshire home for sale to get the tax credit. Today’s real estate market is beneficial for buyers.  Put it to work for you!
  
If you’d like to take advantage of the homebuyer tax credit, I can help. Call me right away at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com so we can beat the deadlines.