Southern New Hampshire Home Warranty FAQ

In today’s real estate market, it’s helpful when homeowners add incentives to sell their Southern New Hampshire homes. Incentives may include paying a portion of the buyer’s closing costs, reducing the sale price or offering a home warranty.

Many sellers and buyers are unaware of the advantages of home warranties, so below are answers to some frequently asked questions about home warranties:

●    What is a home warranty? A home warranty is a policy that covers the repair or replacement of home systems and appliances. They are typically annual policies that can be renewed and usually cost between $400 and $600.
●    Who pays for a home warranty? Either the seller or the buyer can pay for the home warranty, but sellers usually cover the cost as an incentive for selling their Southern NH home.
●    What is covered? This will depend on the terms of your warranty. Most warranties cover the air conditioner, dishwasher, furnace or heating system, water heater, ductwork, garbage disposal, inside plumbing, electrical systems, range and oven, and telephone wiring. Check with your home warranty for your specific coverage.
●    What is not covered? Again, this will depend on the terms of your warranty. However, most warranties do not cover outdoor sprinklers, certain faucet repairs, refrigerators, washers and dryers, garage door openers, spas, and pools. Check with your home warranty for your specific coverage.
●    How do I file a claim? If you have to file a claim, contact your home warranty company. They will call a service provider who will set up an appointment. You will have to pay a small service fee that is usually less than $100.

Want to buy a Southern New Hampshire home that comes with a warranty? I can help.  Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com.

Consider the Investment Value of Southern New Hampshire Real Estate

If the Southern New Hampshire real estate you are looking to buy is going to be your primary residence, you probably know the features that are important to you.  However, in today's economic environment, the resale, or investment value, of Southern NH real estate is as important as the practical value of the number of bedrooms or bathrooms and the size of the kitchen.

In the past, a home buyer rarely worried about the resale value of a property because homes were always considered good financial investments. With today’s fluctuating home prices, property values are as important for home buyers to understand as they are for real estate investors to understand.

Location and Property Values

Before the housing and mortgage crisis, even if the home that suited you was not in a prime location, it would likely increase in value over time.  Now, you want to be sure you research a potential home before purchasing it to be sure:

1. The home is in a great neighborhood.
2. It’s at the lower end of the market value for that neighborhood.

If you buy a home in a neighborhood that is already considered a lower value area, it’s possible that those prices will not recover as quickly as better areas.   Or worse, home values could decline more leaving you with a home worth less than what you paid for it.

Now more than ever, it’s important to work with a real estate agent who specializes in the area where you’d like to live.  As a specialist in Southern New Hampshire real estate (specifically about a 45 minute range West, North, and East of Nashua), I can give you the detailed information and advice that you need to move with confidence.  Contact me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com.

Seller’s Remorse: What Happens After Your Southern New Hampshire Home Sells

It happens to everyone at some point. You walk away from the closing table wondering if you made the biggest mistake of your life. Did you sell your Southern New Hampshire home for less than it was worth? Will you be able to create good memories in your new home? This is called seller’s remorse.  Here are some tips to prepare for it and survive it:

• Seller’s remorse is a fear, and you should deal with it just like you would any other fear. Talk about it with your friends, family, and real estate agent. They can listen to you and reassure you that you made the right decision.
• Remind yourself of the facts. Facts are the opposite of fear, and they will help take your focus off your fears. If you are moving because of a job relocation, you had to sell your home. If you had to sell your home because you couldn’t afford it, whatever you got for the home is better than ruining your credit.
• Find out what other Southern New Hampshire homes are selling for. Look through the classifieds. Drive around town. Ask your real estate agent.  When you see what other homes have sold for, you can rest assured that you got a good price. Remember to look at the sale price instead of the asking price.
• Treasure your memories. The memories go with you when you leave; they are not confined to four walls and a roof. 
• Look to the future.  Now, it’s time to start a new chapter in your life and make fresh memories in your new home.  Enjoy this new turn your life is taking.  Look back fondly, but embrace your new path.

Let me guide and advise you through the selling process of your Southern New Hampshire home so you can move with confidence! Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com.

Nashua Housing Market Statistics in a $30,000 Price Range - A Quick Overview

Market Overview

The Nashua Housing Market as of 8/24/10 in the price range of $250,000-$280,000

Active Residential Listings: 8

Contingent or Pending Residential Listings: 2

Sold Residential Listings (past 90 days): 4
Sold Residential Listings (past 180 days): 11
Sold Residential Listings (past 365 days): 20
(Average Days On Market for those Sold properties was 80)

Based on the average of 1.6 sales per month for the past 365 days,
the current inventory represents about a 5 month supply of Nashua homes in this price range.
(5-7 months worth of inventory is generally considered a balanced market)

Wondering if your local market has stabilized?

I provide a free resource so you can research property values in any New Hampshire community, including Nashua, Merrimack, Hollis, Hudson, Brookline, Milford, Amherst, Bedford, Manchester, Derry, Litchfield, Londonderry and Windham!

Sample Report!

Click here

Market Snapshot Request Form

to receive a detailed report with list prices, sold prices, maps and charts on your community or neighborhood sent directly to your email!

Includes Bird's Eye view of properties!

5 Ways to Pet Proof Your Southern New Hampshire Home

If you’re like most pet owners, your pets are part of your family. Do your part to help them out and pet proof your Southern NH home for their safety.

1.     Inspect your yard. As your dog or cat walks through your yard, harmful chemicals from pesticides, herbicides and fungicides can adhere to their fur and get on their paws. Once inside your Southern NH home, your pets will lick their feet and legs clean. This licking causes them to ingest many harmful chemicals.  Keep pets away from the yard if you’ve recently applied chemicals to it,  and be sure to follow manufacturer’s recommendations.  Better yet, switch to pet safe yard products or a natural yard that doesn’t require chemicals at all.

2.    Examine your garage.  Antifreeze has a sweet taste that attracts animals and is deadly if consumed in even small quantities.  Just one teaspoon can kill a seven-pound cat.  Switch to a safer antifreeze. Look for antifreeze that contains propylene glycol, which won’t harm animals if ingested in small amounts.

3.    Secure items. Your pet is curious. Take the time to place medicines, cleaning solutions, and chemicals out of their way. Make sure they cannot open cupboards and cabinets. You may want to install cupboard latches and cover electrical outlets, if you have a smart pet that’s good at opening things.

4.     Guard your food items. Chocolate is poisonous to dogs and cats. While you’re busy, your pets may be rummaging through the kitchen and eating whatever they find.

5.    Beware of breakage.  Broken light bulbs present a danger to pets of all sizes. Glass from a broken bulb may be stepped on, swallowed or inhaled.  Ethylene glycol, the dangerous yet sweet tasting ingredient in many antifreeze products, can also be found in common household items like snow globes.  The ethylene glycol may spill out if the snow globe cracks or breaks.  Keep animals away from broken objects, thoroughly clean up the broken bits and safely dispose of them. 

Looking for a pet-friendly Southern New Hampshire home?  I can help.  Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com.

4 Reasons to List Your FSBO with a Southern New Hampshire Real Estate Agent

Going it alone and listing your home as for sale by owner can be exciting at first, but there is a turning point where the prospect of losing money makes it necessary to bring in help. Here are four reasons to change your plan and list your home with a Southern NH real estate agent in order to facilitate a sale.

1. Speed:   If your property has been languishing on the market for more than three months, it is no longer fresh. People will avoid it simply because it hasn't sold. A Southern NH real estate agent can give your home wider exposure and get traffic moving through it again.
2. Knowledge:   Fresh eyes on a project are helpful in any business endeavor. You can be too close to your home. You love it and see it in a positive light that can often overlook minor items that will kill a sale. Your Southern NH real estate agent can help you see the problems you didn't even know existed.
3. National Exposure:   As a FSBO (for sale by owner) seller, you are not able to list your home on the official MLS (multiple listing service). That exposure alone can get much faster responses and sales. Additionally, a professional real estate agent markets your home on multiple websites which gives your home a virtual Open House 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
4. An Earthly Advantage:   Many FSBOs price their homes way over market for two reasons.  First, they love their home and see certain aspects of their home as more valuable than they really are.  Second, they don't have extensive knowledge of the real estate market nor do they have the ability to do accurate home price comparisons. You 'might' know what your neighbor's house sold for 5 years ago, but do you know what it is worth now?  And even more importantly, do you know exactly how comparable your house is to that one? A professional real estate agent has access to all that information.

 If you would like to know more about how a professional real estate agent can help you sell your home, I can help.  Give  me a call today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com for more information.

How Buying Southern NH Real Estate is Like Running a Marathon

It's true.  There are a lot of parallels between buying a piece of Southern New Hampshire real estate and running a marathon.

The Starting Line

At first, there is excitement. The idea of buying a new home pulses in your veins and you can't wait to get started.  You're like a runner in the blocks just itching to begin. Your muscles twitch in anticipation with every piece of Southern New Hampshire real estate you see. That's when the real adrenaline rush kicks in.

Start Out Slowly

Keep to a steady, consistent pace and you’ll make it to the finish line.  There's so much to do before you can get your Southern New Hampshire real estate. Home appraisals, inspections and financing to apply for…

You start to think about all the 'what ifs,' like what if you don't get the financing, what if something goes wrong, what if….. the worry list can go on forever.

Stay Mentally Tough

Don't give in to periods of self-doubt. Remember all that you’ve done and have faith in yourself and your real estate agent. Think about how hard you’ve worked and how rewarding it will be when you’re in your new home.

Hit the Wall

You feel like you simply can't go on any more and the ordeal is never going to end. Your mind hurts from the strain, but you keep pushing onward because it’s the only direction you can go after coming so far.  Remind yourself that you'll get past this feeling.  Keep day dreaming about that finish line.

Breakthrough Bliss

Suddenly things begin to happen.  Home inspection reports come back.  Financing is approved.  You begin to breathe easier, the pain goes away, and you are sailing free and clear toward the finish line.

The Finish Line

You sign all the papers at closing and the keys are placed in your hand.  Congratulations!  You’re a winner.

When you’re ready to buy a home, I can help you from start to finish.  Contact me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com.

10 Things to Do While Waiting for Your Southern NH Home to Sell

Selling a home is sometimes a long process. You can sit around worrying and wondering when you’ll have a buyer, or you can get busy to help the time fly.  Here are 10 things to do while waiting for your Southern New Hampshire home to sell:

1.  Clean. I’m sure you’ve already cleaned every part of your Southern New Hampshire home to prepare it for sale. Make a game of it this time.  Time yourself to see how fast you can clean one room or one drawer.  Or, take out every type of cleaner you have and use it in each room.
2. Plant a container garden. The best part of a container garden is that you can take it with you. Plant some herbs or easy to grow vegetable plants, like tomatoes or cucumbers.
3. Sort through your magazines. Now you have the time to read all those magazine articles you’ve been saving.  Cut out coupons and recipes.  Send articles to your friends to let them know you’re thinking of them.  Throw out the magazines when you’re finished.
4. Clear the pantry and freezer. You don’t want to take all your excess food with you when you move. Clean out the pantry, and donate supplies to your local homeless shelter or food pantry.  Eat something from your freezer every day until it’s all gone.
5. De-clutter and eliminate.  Clean out your makeup stash. Weed through the kids’ toy box. Do any small task that will lighten your moving load.  Ask yourself, do I really want to pack this item, move it and then unpack it?  If the answer is no, pitch it or give it away.
6. Finish crafts. Go ahead and finish the quilt or scrapbook you’ve been working on. This will help clean out your craft closet and will make packing your craft supplies that much easier.
7. Empty your medicine cabinet. Do you really need that bottle of medication from your surgery 12 years ago? Toss anything that’s out of date or that you no longer need to keep.
8. Save your digital photos to a disk. Choose only the photos you want to keep and save them to a CD or flash drive. You never know when your computer is going to crash.
9. Have a yard sale. You need to clean out your closets anyway. You might as well make some money off the items.
10. Throw a barbeque. Take the proceeds of your yard sale and have a barbeque for you and your neighbors. Think of this as a going away party.

Take advantage of the time you have while waiting for your Southern NH home to sell.
Need help selling your home?  Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com.

Wish You Could Refinance Your Southern NH Home But Think Your Home Isn't Worth Enough?

If you’re a homeowner who is unable to refinance to a lower interest rate because your Southern New Hampshire home’s value has decreased, there’s hope.

A program called the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) has been extended for another year. This program, intended to help borrowers whose homes have fallen in value, was due to expire as of June, 2010. Fortunately, HARP has been extended and will now stay in effect through June 30, 2011.

How does HARP help?

The program allows qualified borrowers who owe more than their homes are worth to refinance at lower interest rates. It’s projected to help 4 to 5 million homeowners with loans owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

If you’re a Southern New Hampshire home owner whose mortgage interest rate is significantly higher than the current market rate, you could see an immediate reduction in your payments. However, some homeowners may not see their interest payments go down if they refinance to a fixed rate and payment. Those include homeowners who:

• are paying interest only 
• have a low introductory rate that will increase in the future
• face a balloon payment

If you are one of these homeowners, you should still consider refinancing because it could save you a great deal of money by reducing the amount of interest you pay over the life of your mortgage.

Who qualifies for HARP?

You may qualify if:

• You own and live in your home.
• The loan on your home is owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. 
• When you apply, you are current on your mortgage payments. 
• The amount you owe on your mortgage does not exceed 125% of the current market value of your property. 
• You’re able to pay the new mortgage payments. 
• The refinance improves your ability to pay your mortgage long term.

If you have questions about HARP or any other questions about Southern New Hampshire homes, please give me a call today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com.

4 Tips to Help Your Kids Adjust to a New Southern NH Home

Are you moving to a new Southern New Hampshire home or thinking about it?  When you have young children, it can be a dramatic - or even traumatic - event.  Here are a few tips to help your children adjust to a new home:

Tip #1: Share exciting points about your new Southern NH home.
Does the house have a big back yard? Is there a park or bike path close by? Talk about the things you might be able to do together at the new place. Build up excitement, so your kids can’t wait to see where they’re going to live.

Tip #2: Let your kids be part of the packing process, if they’re old enough.
Children like to help when there’s a lot of hustle and bustle going on. You’ve probably noticed this yourself; every time you’re busy, they become your shadow. One way to let them help is to give them a moving box to fill up. Depending on their age, you’ll probably want them in the same room as you, but a little supervised packing can keep them out from underfoot and happy.

Tip #3: Let them chose the packing labels for each room.
Online or at most local office supply stores, you can find several types of packing labels. If you choose different colored packing labels, you can let your child decide which label color or type should be used for each room. While moving in, you can even supervise a “treasure hunt” for each room’s labeled boxes.

Tip #4: Involve them in unpacking their rooms or family areas.
By asking, “Where do you think this should go?” and letting your children choose, you’re also helping them make the new house their own. If you’re worried about an oddly decorated home with a picture of Daffy Duck over the mantle, give them a few choices of places you wouldn’t mind an object being for a while. I say “a while” because if you move the objects, your child will notice, which could make it harder for them to begin feeling at home.

Moving into a new Southern NH home is a big adjustment for anyone, not just children. However, children seem to have a harder time getting used to a new place.  Keeping them involved in the packing, moving and unpacking can help turn your new home into their new home.

If you’re looking for a new home for your family, I can help. Call me at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com to get started today.

The FSBO Mindset: Successful Ways to Sell Your Southern NH Real Estate

When you first set out to sell your home, you are probably excited by all the possibilities, maybe a little scared, and often thinking about the best ways to save money. Many times saving money when selling Southern New Hampshire real estate means trying to sell it as a FSBO (For Sale By Owner). If you have the conviction, the salesmanship and the know-how, you might be able to sell your home yourself and keep the commission in your pocket. There are, however, a few key elements you should be aware of when attempting to sell your own home.

Your House—Not Your Home

The first trick of selling your own home is to immediately stop thinking about it as your home. It may seem like an insignificant change and purely a matter of semantics but as your 'home' you will have far less ability to coldly asses its value than simply as a piece of Southern New Hampshire real estate—a house.
As a 'home' it will be harder to handle rejection, off-handed comments by viewers, and a feeling of general violation as strangers traipse through your rooms at all hours of the day interrupting your home life. As a house it is simply a piece of property you have to move. Thinking about your property as just a house, a structure you need to get rid of, will help you detach emotionally enough to have realistic expectations and the ability to handle the stress of selling.

Be Realistic

Carefully assess the value of your Southern New Hampshire real estate. Check out the competition. Know what others have to offer in your same neighborhood and what their prices are.

Prepare and Market

Get rid of personal items. Put them in storage. Eliminate all the clutter of everyday living and make your home sparkle. Also remember that no one will be viewing your house if they don’t know it’s for sale. Get the word out in as many ways as possible.

If you would like help selling your home, give me a call at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com.

10 Low-Cost Tips to Cool Your Southern NH Home this Summer

If higher electric rates and lower budgets have you searching for creative ways to cool your Southern NH home without spending more, read on:

1. Stop generating heat. Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use. Lower the thermostat on your water heater. Air dry your dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s dry cycle. Grill outdoors or use your microwave instead of your oven.
2. Install shades or blinds. The best way to keep your Southern New Hampshire home cool is to keep the heat out. White window shades, drapes, or blinds reflect heat away from your house. Close blinds, shades and draperies facing the sun to keep the sun’s heat out and help fans or air conditioners cool more efficiently. 
3. Use a programmable thermostat. Automatically adjust your air conditioner’s setting at night or when no one is home.
4.  Improve your air conditioner’s efficiency. Add insulation around A/C ducts that are in hot spaces such as attics, crawl spaces and garages. Make sure your fireplace damper is closed.
5. Turn on a fan. Whether you use a box fan, a ceiling fan or an oscillating fan, this one appliance can make your room feel 6 to 7 degrees cooler. You can keep a fan on for 12 hours a day and still spend less than $10 a month on electricity for it. 
6. Open your windows. Once the sun goes down and it gets cooler outside than inside, turn off your A/C and open your windows. Getting a breeze of fresh air after your home has been closed up all day is very refreshing.
7. Run your furnace fan. Check your thermostat to see if it allows you to run your furnace fan without engaging the furnace or air conditioner. By running your furnace fan, the air circulates throughout your home balancing out any cold or hot spots. This makes your entire home feel more comfortable. Additionally, allergens that entered your home when your windows were open (see tip 6) will be trapped by the furnace filter. 
8. Move heat generating appliances. Don't place lamps or TVs near your air conditioner's thermostat. The heat from these appliances will cause the air conditioner to run longer.
9. Live in your lowest level. Because heat rises, the basement and first floor of your home are naturally cooler than the upper levels. Spend as much time as possible in the lowest levels of your home this summer. If the majority of your time is spent there, you may want to close up the A/C vents in the unused upper levels to save even more money.
10. Hang laundry outside to dry. Your clothes dryer is like a spinning oven. Don’t heat up your home by turning it on. Instead, go for the green fix and hang your laundry outside to dry. If your neighborhood bans outdoor clotheslines, wait until the cooler evening hours to use your dryer.

Stay cool and enjoy your summer for less!

How do you save on energy bills? I’d love to hear your ideas. Post a comment here, or email your tips to me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com.

Buying Southern NH Real Estate and the Right of Conquest – A History

Before Southern New Hampshire real estate – or real estate anywhere, for that matter – was bought and sold, it was just… owned. I.E.: “Possession is nine-tenths of the law.” If you wanted some land, you found it, fought for it and kept it. Legal rights weren’t even a thought.

A long, long time ago…
William, Duke of Normandy, felt he had a claim to the throne of England. King Harold Godwinson, crowned king in January 1066, didn’t much agree. While it took until October to arrange, William and Harold met on the battlefield at Hastings; Harold was killed, William moved on to storm London.

Upon his coronation, William became King William I of England. He then made a proclamation that went something like, “I came. I conquered. Give it.” William I claimed the complete ownership of all land in England based on right of conquest. He won the battle, so it only made good sense to claim the spoils, and possession equaled ownership.

English aristocracy and the feudal system began. Lords could bargain with the King, who then might make them tenants-in-chief through tenure, or estate. The most extensive and complete estate was called the Fee Simple Estate (also known as an estate of inheritance, fee simple absolute or fee ownership), the basis of our real estate laws now, in America.

When our British ancestors spread across the pond to American soil, they brought Fee Simple Estate with them. And, they claimed America by King William’s idea of “right of conquest.” However, they also developed the concept of an informal association of agents in the 1880s.

Inception of National Association of Realtors®
In 1908, they formed the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). At that time, the NAR had all of 19 Real Estate Boards and one state association!

While the history of real estate associations probably isn’t that exciting unless you’re trying to pass a test, modern real estate laws are based off that history.

Although things have changed in terms of law, they really haven’t changed that much in terms of conquest. Okay, so maybe now the army is real estate agents and the weapons are contracts, but you still have to fight for the land you want.

If you’re looking for Southern NH real estate to buy and you’re feeling tentative, it’s time to buck up a little. Buying and selling is still a matter of conquest, and it can still get rough. Negotiations, for instance, aren’t usually quiet discussions over Earl Grey tea. Before you go house hunting, do yourself a favor and make sure you’re armed… with a good real estate agent.

If you’re looking for a great piece of land to call your own, I can help. Call me at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com for more information.

Is Your Southern NH Home for Sale a Victim of DIY Remodeling?

Has your Southern New Hampshire home for sale been victimized by DIY remodeling projects? Did they not quite turn out like you thought they would? You aren’t alone; I’ve walked into houses with cabinets hanging at a slant and the owner proudly telling me they did it themselves.

Leave it to a pro.
Not everybody can be a remodeler. Not everybody is handy at everything. For instance, I can change the oil on my car, but I leave engine overhauls to the professionals. Why? Because that’s what they do, and they do it well.

Now, many people choose to do remodeling themselves because they think it’s cheaper – and it often is when done right. However, knowledge is power. It’d be cheaper for me to do my own engine overhaul, too, but I’ve never done it before and don’t know how. I’m not going to start learning on my own car, either.

Consider the quality.
If you’re considering a major remodeling project to add value to your Southern NH home for sale, I strongly recommend hiring a professional remodeler. I especially recommend this if you don’t know anything about plumbing, wiring or building standards. Keep in mind that your house will have to pass inspection. If your remodeling project doesn’t stand up to building codes, it won’t pass inspection.

As well, when you remodel to add value in order to sell, quality is of utmost importance. The first DIY project you do very seldom ends up looking right, and – although you may be understandably proud of sloping countertops or unevenly stained molding because you did it yourself – it won’t help sell your home.

Start small.
If you’re remodeling and you plan to stay in your home, I strongly suggest – if you must DIY – that you start small. Here’s a hint: expanding your bathroom or kitchen isn’t considered a small project. A small project is like fixing a squeaky stairway or replacing a door.

DIY sites like This Old House and Do It Yourself make big projects look easy, I know. However, if you want to, say, strip your wooden kitchen cabinets, try starting with a piece of furniture. Go buy a cheap wooden chair from a flea market and see how it turns out first.

Whether you’re remodeling to get more value from your Southern NH home for sale or just to make it a more comfortable space to live, I implore you – your home implores you – at least think about a professional. If you don’t know what you’re doing, your home may end up as just another victim of random DIY.

Are you good at remodeling and looking for a home with potential? I can help. Call me at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com for more information.

Southern New Hampshire Real Estate Do It Yourself Project: Staining Kitchen Cabinets

You’d like to remodel your kitchen, but like many Southern New Hampshire real estate owners, you need to do it as inexpensively as possible.  Consider cutting costs by staining the kitchen cabinets yourself.

Here’s the basic 4-step process to staining kitchen cabinets for your Southern New Hampshire real estate.

1.    Gather supplies:  120-grit and 220-grit sandpaper, wood conditioner, paintbrushes, tack cloths, rags, stain and polyurethane.  Some experts recommend water-based stain and sealer because they’re easier to work with, while others insist on oil-based products because of their durability.  Do some research to make the right choice for you.

2.    Prepare the wood:  Using 120-grit sandpaper, lightly sand the wood in the direction of the grain.  This removes small scratches.  Wipe off all of the loose dust with a tack cloth.  Then sand the cabinets again, this time using 220-grit sandpaper.  This creates a smooth finish.  Remove all the loose dust with a tack cloth and apply a coat of wood conditioner to the cabinets.  Let it dry completely.

3.    Stain the wood:  Brush on a coat of stain with a paintbrush following the grain of the wood.  Then take a rag and rub the stain into the wood using a circular motion. Finish the staining by wiping along the grain of the wood one final time to ensure an even finish.  Let the stain dry completely.

4.    Seal the wood:  Apply two coats of polyurethane following the manufacturer’s directions.  Once you’ve sealed the cabinets, make sure you give them ample time to cure.

Staining the cabinets for your Southern New Hampshire real estate kitchen remodel can save you a lot of money.  Just be sure you take the time to do a quality job.  You’ll be living with the results for a long time, so make sure it looks good.

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3 Things You Need to Know About the Mortgage Payment for Your Southern NH Home

When you look for a mortgage, you want to find one that allows you to buy the biggest house possible for a monthly payment you can afford. This seems simple enough. All you need to do is a little division to determine your monthly payment.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the entire picture of your monthly mortgage payment, and lenders don’t always explain this to you. Here are three things you need to know about your monthly mortgage payment for your new Southern New Hampshire home:

1.    Interest and Principal. Only part of your monthly mortgage payment actually pays down your loan. A portion of your mortgage payment goes toward your loan principal and part of it pays the interest. The longer you have your loan, the more money goes toward your principal each month. Be aware that at the beginning of your loan term, most of your payment goes toward interest and does little to reduce the amount of money you owe on your home.

2.    Homeowner’s Insurance and PMI. Typically, your lender collects money to pay your homeowner’s insurance premium. This increases the amount of your monthly payment and can change if your insurance company raises or lowers premiums. Depending on your loan amount and property value, you may also have to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) which protects a lender against loss if you default on your loan.

3.    Property Taxes. In most cases, your annual property taxes will be paid through your lender. The lender collects extra money each month that they pay to your local government at the end of the year. When local taxes increase or decrease, so does your payment.

Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com to help you find the home (and mortgage provider) of your dreams.

Choosing the Right Southern New Hampshire Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home

Choosing the right Southern NH real estate agent for you is a vital task. This is someone who will be inside your home, interacting with your family and working with one of your most valued possessions—your home. You need to find someone you trust to take care of you and give you the best advice. So what should you look for in an agent?

·    Personality. You need to get along with your REALTOR®. Interview Southern NH real estate agents. Get to know them. Do you trust them? Can you ask them questions? Are you comfortable around them? Be honest as you answer these questions. If something doesn’t feel right to you, trust your instinct.

·    Work Ethic. Does your real estate agent return your calls within a reasonable amount of time? Do they answer your questions without making you feel foolish? Do their office hours fit with your schedule?

·    Environment. REALTORS® either work for brokers at a large franchised real estate agency or for brokers with a small boutique agency. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. This is your own personal preference. Choose which you think will work for you.

·    Experience. Agents with years of experience tend to understand more about market fluctuations. On the other hand, newer agents don’t always have as many clients at one time, so they may be able to provide more individualized care.

·    Specialization.  To get the best advice, find an agent who specializes in selling homes in your community.

I may be the Southern New Hampshire real estate agent for you. Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com to find out more about my experience and areas of specialization.