Checklist for Buying Southern New Hampshire Homes

Searching for the right home takes time and patience. Before you start looking at Southern New Hampshire homes on the market, you need to know exactly what you want in your new home.

Create a list of the features you want in your new home, so you make the most of your time by looking only at Southern NH homes that meet your criteria. Here is a quick guide to help you create a checklist:

1.    Must Have. These are deal breakers; features that you cannot live without. Do you need a certain number of bedrooms? Do you work from home and need an office, or maybe even an outside entrance to your home office? Perhaps you have small children or large dogs and need a fenced yard. Decide now what you must have in your new home.

2.    Like to Have. Features you would “like to have” are those you prefer but are willing to sacrifice if the home is perfect otherwise. Maybe you’ve always dreamed of having your own swimming pool or cathedral ceilings or an oversized garage. Include on this list whatever you would like to have in your new home, as long as it doesn’t take away something from the “must have” list or go over your price range for Southern NH homes.

 3.    Can live without. Some features just aren’t as important as others. Knowing what you don’t really care about can help you stay focused on what really matters to you. Add to this list home features that aren’t important. If no one in your home ever takes a bath, you may not care if you have a whirlpool tub. Perhaps you don’t really want to take care of an oversized yard, so lot size many not be important to you.

Once you have your checklist compiled, share it with your real estate agent.  It’ll speed up your home buying process, reduce time and frustration and get you in a home you’ll adore.

Let me help you find your dream home. Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com for more information.

When Southern New Hampshire Homes for Sale Don’t Fit the “In” Crowd

It’s time for some tough love, here. Your home doesn’t fit in with other Southern NH homes for sale. It doesn’t play well with others. When you put it on the market, you priced it more than 8% higher than the other Southern NH homes for sale. Frankly, it’s a market bully.

Look, I understand that you want to make the most out of your investment. Maybe you’ve done some serious remodeling that you feel warrants the price hike. I’m not putting any of that down, but I’d be doing you a disservice if I let you ignore the facts.

    * There is no longer a federal tax credit to entice buyers and motivate them to act quickly.
    * Your house is competing with several foreclosures – many of which are priced as low as the lender can handle.
    * The longer your house sits on the market, waiting for a buyer, the harder it will be to actually attract a buyer.
    * There is a very little incentive for buyers to go out and buy now, especially higher priced homes.
    * Mortgage rates are low, but lender qualifications are much tighter now.

Any seller hitting the market in today’s economy has two choices: wait or cut your losses. They aren’t pretty choices, but life is seldom convenient, no matter what commercials say.

If selling your home isn’t an absolute necessity (or at least an obviously positive move given your situation), consider the fact that it might serve you better to hang in there. If you don’t have a compelling reason to put it on the chopping block, don’t.

If you must sell your house, don’t let it be a market bully. Price it according to the local market, not the price of a home across the country.  In this case, you want your house to be part of the “in” crowd.  Listen to your real estate agent’s advice and use the data he or she provides in the Comparative Market Analysis to set the best price.  Pay attention to the feedback you get from showings and the amount of online interest in your home and adjust accordingly if necessary.

Although New Hampshire has a much lower unemployment rate than the US in general, the general economy is still down enough that you can bet that owners of competing Southern New Hampshire homes for sale are serious about selling.  The competition is tough, so, when pricing, be kind to your home and price it low enough to sell.

If you’re ready to sell your home, I can help get it sold. Call me at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com for information.

4 Reasons You Should Buy Southern New Hampshire Real Estate in a Down Market

The national and Southern New Hampshire real estate markets are constantly fluctuating, falling somewhere between more inventory and lower prices and less inventory and higher prices. People are often frightened when the home inventory rises, but a declining real estate market may just be the perfect time to find your next home.

Here are 4 reasons why you should consider buying Southern New Hampshire real estate in a down market.

1.    Inventory. When the market is down, more homes are for sale. This means you have more homes to choose from, which makes it easier to find a home in your dream neighborhood or closer to work or school.

2.    Negotiation. There’s a reason down markets are called “buyers’ markets.” Sellers want to sell their homes, and they are often willing to do whatever it takes. This means you have the advantage and can buy a home for a great price. You can also ask the seller for other incentives like paying all or a portion of your closing costs.

3.    Mortgage Rates. When the real estate market begins falling, interest rates get cut. This can mean considerable savings for you over the course of your mortgage. You can even buy a larger home within your price range than you can when the market is booming.

4.    Long Term Strategy. Even though doom and gloom is popular in a down market, your home will still most likely go up in value or at least retain its value in the next 5 to 10 years. Keep in mind that your home is your most personal investment. It’s a place where you will create memories and maybe even raise a family.  If you can settle down in one place, you can someday finish paying the mortgage and own your own home outright!  Now there's a nice feeling!

If you’re considering buying a home, let me help you find a wonderful home at a great price. Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com.

How to Set the Right Price for Southern NH Homes for Sale

Setting the asking price for their Southern New Hampshire homes for sale is one of the most important decisions homeowners have to make in the selling process.  Why is it so important?

    * You only get one chance to make a good first impression.  With so many competing Southern NH homes for sale, yours has to pop out immediately as a good value or buyers will move on, unlikely to return. You get one stab at your home's debut, and it's easy to blow it.

    * Set the price too high and you could hurt your chances of selling your home.  The amount of traffic a home gets in the first week on the market is about 5 times what it gets the following weeks.  The traffic continues to decrease every week. You might say, “Well, I’ll just lower my price.”  This can result in merely chasing the market down.  It conveys to buyers (the few who are still considering your home) that your home was overpriced and may still be.  Unless you drop the price to significantly below market value, you can be sure that you've missed your chance for getting an offer at your ask price, and the longer your home remains on the market, the more buyers will ask themselves "What's wrong with it?".

    * Setting the price too low is also risky. Buyers who are looking in a specific price range may not consider your home because of the low price tag.  They assume it will not fulfill their needs or worry that there’s something wrong with it.  If not enough buyers are aware of the deal you are offering, you won't get the benefit of competition to bring the price back up to it's highest market value and you'll likely end up selling for less than if you had priced it appropriately and competitively to start with.

How do you know what that magic number should be for your home?  Here are 3 factors to take into consideration when setting your asking price:

   1. Neighborhood sales prices:  Recent closed sales in your immediate neighborhood offer the most pertinent data for predicting the sale price of your home.  List prices of homes still on the market should be taken into consideration also, because they show the current pricing trend and they are the properties that buyers will be seeing and comparing yours too.  A professional real estate agent will do all this research for you as part of their services.

   2. Condition of your home:  If your home has been better maintained, is more up to date and shows better than the other Southern NH homes for sale, it will sell faster and for more money. Updates, even those as minor as having current paint colors, impact pricing.  Updated kitchens and baths are especially important to buyers. 

   3. Appraisal value:  As the seller, you can get an appraisal on your home before putting it on the market.  You’ll have to pay for it, but it may be worth it to get access to this pricing tool.

Ready to sell your home?  Let me do the research for you and help you set the best price to get your home sold.  Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com.

Buying a Southern NH Home for Sale – Fixed or Adjustable-Rate Mortgages?

As soon as you decide to buy a Southern New Hampshire home for sale you’ll be looking at loans. You’ll see balloon loans, fixed-rate mortgages, adjustable-rate mortgages and a few others. Fixed and adjustable-rate mortgages are the most common, but why and what’s the difference?

The biggest differences are in cost and security. Fixed-rate mortgages can cost more, but have a measure of security. Adjustable rate mortgages, or ARMs, can cost less, but have less security.

As with all things, ARMs and fixed-rate mortgages have pros and cons. Here are just a few:

The Pros and Cons of ARMs
When you buy a Southern New Hampshire home for sale with an ARM, your payments will be lower than a loan with a fixed-rate mortgage. Because the payments are lower, you can afford to buy a more expensive home. As well, ARM payments are based, in part, on interest rates. When interest rates fall, your payments go down.  (It's not an immediate effect: the payments are recalculated at regularly scheduled intervals predetermined by the loan paperwork - could be every 2 years or 5 years, etc.)

The cons of adjustable-rate mortgages are just as big as the pros. For example, because they are based on whatever the current interest rate is, you can end up having a higher mortgage payment if interest rates rise over the term of your loan. If rates rise sharply and the cap on how much the rate can rise per adjustment is set high, a 6% ARM can turn into an 11% ARM within four years. Another negative is that because ARMs aren’t easy to understand, borrowers can be confused, which makes it easier for shady mortgage companies to trap them in a bad deal.

The Pros and Cons of Fixed-Rate Mortgages
With fixed-rate mortgages, your payment stays the same whether interest rates rise or drop. This makes budgeting easier and is a plus when interest rates rise. However, homeowners with fixed-rate mortgages have to refinance if they want to take advantage of dropping interest rates.

Likewise, because the payment never changes, fixed-rate mortgages cost more. Mortgage lenders don’t offer rate breaks on fixed-rate mortgages. The other con, which may be a big one to some, is that fixed-rate mortgages don’t vary from lender to lender. With adjustable-rate mortgages, the lenders are flexible and can customize the loan to your needs; this isn’t true with fixed-rate mortgages.

The biggest question to ask yourself when considering an ARM or fixed-rate mortgage is, “Can I afford my home if interest rates spike?” You could start paying $875 a month, and, with a quick rate rise, end up paying $1,514 within four years.

My Advice
With interest rates as low as they are right now, I see no value in getting an adjustable rate mortgage.  As long as interest rates are in the 6% and under range, I would ignore the adjustable rate option and stick with the security of the fixed rate mortgage. 

When considering which type of home loan to use for buying a Southern New Hampshire home for sale, don’t be afraid to ask a lender to explain the pros and cons of each type in depth. Don’t ever consider signing the contract if you aren’t sure what you’re signing.

If you’re 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.

Seller’s Disclosures: What Do You Have to Tell about Your Southern NH Real Estate?

There was a time when Southern New Hampshire real estate was ruled by the phrase “buyer beware.” This meant the seller did not have to share any information about defects in the home. Today, however, more than two-thirds of all states in the U.S. require some form of seller disclosure. This means that sellers are required to share certain information with potential buyers. What do you have to share when selling your Southern NH real estate?

●    Lead-based paint. For all homes built before 1978, a disclosure is required. This gives the buyer 10 days to have the home inspected for lead-based paint. Some real estate brokers require this disclosure for all homes because some lead-based paint was still sold and/or kept in storage for later use after the cutoff date.

●    Material facts. Material facts are items which may affect a buyer’s decision to purchase a property. What material facts are required varies from state to state, so talk to your local real estate agent about the laws for your state. Material facts can include any of the following:

     ○    Death in the home. Some states require sellers to disclose if anyone died in the home, though usually only in the case of violent death. Buyers may be uncomfortable buying a home in which someone has died.

     ○    External issues. You may need to disclose issues that could affect the property, like earthquakes, zoning changes, flood zones and pollution.
     ○    Foundation problems. Damaged slabs and accompanying moisture problems may need to be shared with the buyers.
     ○    Repairs. You don’t have to disclose every repair you’ve made to your home, especially since a repair means the problem has been taken care of. However, you can let buyers know when you had a new roof put on or the air conditioner replaced.

Don’t go through the process of selling your home on your own. Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com for more information about what you have to disclose when selling your home.

Foreclosures in Southern New Hampshire: A Great Investment or Bad Disaster?

With all the talk of the great deals you can get on foreclosures in Southern New Hampshire, you may be tempted to step into the investment market. Or, you may get the idea that buying a foreclosure is your best bet for a great deal on a home. Well, it’s possible, but remember that the foreclosure market is full of perilous pathways and competitive investment pros who know what they’re doing.

Whether you’re considering purchasing foreclosures in Southern New Hampshire as investments or as your personal residence, here are a few tips that will help you get a great investment and avoid a bad disaster.

●    Gather a Team of Professionals:  Your team of professionals should include a home inspector, a real estate agent and an appraiser.  You may also want to include a professional repairman, if you’re not handy. With foreclosures, you often have to be ready to move on the home immediately, so establish relationships with these professionals ahead of time.

●    Buy a Pre-foreclosure:  According to the experts, pre-foreclosure is one of the best times to buy. The seller will probably be more willing to accommodate you because they want to avoid ruining their credit. Which means you’ll have a much better chance of getting a good deal – something more than the seller owes the bank, but less than market value.  The variant of this where the seller owes more than market value on the property (a short sale) can also be a better option than bank owned, though it takes considerably longer.  Look for properties noted as 'preapproved' short sales.

●    Skip the Auction:  While going to foreclosure auctions is another possibility, it isn’t for the beginning investor. You may find that you’ve done a whole bunch of research for nothing, because the auction was cancelled. You may end up with a trashed property because the previous owners didn’t want to move, or because the house has been empty for a long while.

●    Be Careful Buying Bank-Owned Properties:  This option is seldom as great as it sounds. Not all banks price homes at fair market value. Many of them are trying to get their money back, which, with current depreciation, could be much more than the home is currently worth.  Also, with the current uproar about improperly handled foreclosures, there may be more risk involved in buying from a bank than previously thought. 

If you’re considering buying foreclosures in Southern New Hampshire as an investor or a homebuyer, I can help.  Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@daveheeter.com for more information.

Southern NH Homes 101: Fall Maintenance Checklist

Leaves are changing color, nights are getting cooler and pumpkins are appearing on porches of Southern New Hampshire homes.  All signs that fall is here.

That means it’s time to do fall preventative maintenance on all Southern NH homes.  To help you get started, here’s a quick checklist: 

●    Have a professional heating contractor inspect your Southern New Hampshire home’s heating system.  An annual furnace inspection ensures that your heating system is operating at peak efficiency and most importantly that it is running safely.

●    Replace your furnace filter.  Furnace filters need to be replaced frequently to allow your heating system to operate properly.

●    Hire a certified chimney sweep.  Have him inspect your wood burning stove or fireplace and clean the chimney.

●    Check your home for water damage.  Look for water stains on the ceilings or leaks under the bathroom and kitchen sinks.  This minor water damage may seem trivial, but can lead to real problems, like a weakened roof or rotten boards.

●    Prepare your pipes.  Every year, approximately a quarter-million families have their homes ruined due to water pipes that freeze and burst.  Prepare your pipes, both inside and outside, before the cold weather hits.  Caulk around pipes where they enter your Southern NH home.  Insulate pipes in unheated areas.  If you have a separate valve for outside faucets, shut it off.  If you don't have a separate valve to turn off outside faucets, wrap outside faucets or hose bibs.

●    Tend your garden tools and equipment.  Run all lawn equipment until the gas is gone.  This removes flammable liquid from your garage.  Drain water from garden hoses and sprinklers.  Clean shovels, hoes, trowels and spades.

●    Inspect your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.  Replace batteries and clean the alarms if needed.

●    Examine caulking.  To prevent water from seeping into the sub-floor, inspect and repair the caulking around your bathroom fixtures.  To reduce heat loss, inspect and repair the caulking around doors, windows and outlets.

Want more home maintenance tips like these?  Subscribe to my blog now.  It’s free, fast and easy.  Or, email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com, and I’ll set up your free subscription for you.

The Difference a Price Range Makes for Southern NH Homes For Sale

Although in a general sense, the Southern New Hampshire real estate market is not in very bad shape the way much of the US is, there are Southern NH towns and price ranges that are still struggling.  Price range is a huge factor that both buyers and sellers need to be aware of.

When you're selling, sometimes the difference between being on one side of a price point versus the other is the difference between having showings on your home and wondering if your home is actually on the market.  (Don't forget to track online viewings -- many buyers today are more savvy about searching for a home and will only go see their favorites in person after a vigorous online vetting process.  Your online presence must be top notch.)

For buyers, you have to realize that even if most of the market is sluggish, when you are looking in the lower price ranges at the best houses, you may have competition, and you're not going to get a huge discount off the asking price on the pick of the litter, so to speak.

To illustrate my point about price ranges, let's take a look at some basic market statistics for the 4 towns of Nashua, Merrimack, Hollis and Hudson.

First, for the price range of $150,000 to $250,000

• As of today, there are 173 residential homes for sale in these four towns.  
• 62 homes are under contract.
• 89 homes have sold in the past 90 days and a total of 201 in the past 6 months.

This means that there is currently about 6 months worth of inventory in this price range, which actually is within the 'Balanced Market' range for supply v.s. demand.  (Keep in mind, this doesn't mean prices are going up yet, it just means there isn't a strong downward pressure on prices due to lack of demand.)

Next, for the price range of $250,001 to $350,000

• Nashua, Merrimack, Hollis and Hudson have 156 homes for sale in this price range.
• 25 homes are under contract.
• 64 homes have sold in past 90 days and a total of 171 in the past 6 months.

This means there is currently about 7 months worth of inventory in the higher price range (yes, it keeps getting getting worse - or better, if you're a buyer! - the higher you go in price).

Differences in market activity are most obvious at $100,000 and $50,000 price points, but even above and below a price like $275,000 can have a noticeable difference in market activity.

If you're a seller and would like to know what the supply v.s. demand situation is in your price range and location, I can provide you with a 1 page Market Overview for your home.  Just give me a call at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com.

How to Resolve a Conflict with Your Southern New Hampshire Homeowners’ Association

More than sixty million Americans live in developments overseen by Homeowners’ Associations.  HOAs can sometimes strike fear in the hearts of Southern New Hampshire homeowners, especially owners who have violated the rules and regulations established by the HOAs.

Although you may not purposely violate a HOA policy, at some point you may find yourself in that situation. Here are some tips on how to resolve a conflict with your Southern NH Homeowners’ Association.

●    Start right away.  Conflict rarely gets better with time.  Resolution is most easily achieved early on.  As soon as you’re aware there’s a problem, contact your HOA.

●    Be polite. A little politeness goes a long way. Refrain from using foul language or insulting the HOA members. State your case clearly and ask for their help. Let them know that you need their assistance as a community member.

●    Admit your mistake. If you violated a rule established by your Southern NH Homeowners’ Association, you are not going to help your case by arguing that you did nothing wrong. Be open and explain how it happened.  Perhaps it was a careless oversight or a rule that you were unaware of. People are more likely to help someone who is willing to admit they’re wrong than someone who argues they’re right.

●    Stay away from the courtroom. Whenever possible, try to resolve conflicts outside the courtroom. If you decide to sue your HOA, you will need indisputable evidence that the HOA did something wrong. You always stand the chance of losing your case and being charged with your legal fees and the HOA’s legal fees and costs. Paying the HOA’s fine is almost always a much cheaper solution.

If you’re ready to buy a Southern NH home, I can help you find one with an effective HOA or without an HOA, whichever you prefer.  Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com.

Buying a Southern NH Home: Death, Taxes and Closing Costs Guaranteed

You know you’re going to pay a mortgage for however many years once you sign the paper on a Southern New Hampshire home. You know your agent is going to get paid for the absolutely wonderful, amazing (put extra descriptive text here) job he or she did to help you find the home of your dreams. What you may not be expecting, however, are the closing costs.

The saying goes “nothing’s guaranteed except death and taxes,” but you can add “closing costs” in there. Now, I’m sure the mortgage was expected, and you don’t mind your agent earning a bit, but what the heck is this “closing cost” business? While the government forms attempt to explain them, they might as well have been written in chicken scratches; government lingo has never been exactly easy to understand.

Be Prepared to Pay
“Closing costs” is a catch all term for all the expenses that wouldn’t fit under a convenient title like “mortgage.” Be prepared, because they can range anywhere from 3% to 8% of your total loan. For example, if you have a $150,000 loan, your closing costs could be anywhere from an additional $4,500 to $12,000.

What are you paying for?
Aren’t you already paying for the Southern NH home? What’s with these closing costs? It probably feels like hidden fees, but they aren’t. Here are just a few of the fees you might end up paying, depending on the lender and the circumstances:

·    Prorations – The allocation of property taxes, interest, Home Owner Association dues, insurance premiums or rental income between buyer and seller proportionate to time of use.  For example, if the property tax is paid up to a period after you close on the house, the seller might be entitled to reimbursement.  Heating fuel in storage is one you may come across for homes heated by oil or bottled gas.

·    Appraisal Fee - The fee charged for a written appraisal by a qualified person setting forth an opinion of a property's fair market value.

·    Hazard or Fire Insurance – Just in case you burn the house down after you buy it, lenders might require you to have an insurance policy.

·    Purchase Points – These are known as “discount points,” or just “points” but it’s more like “pay the lender less now or pay the lender more later.” Each point costs 1% of your loan amount and reduces your interest rate for the life of your loan (usually by fractions of percentages). Since it can take a few years for the lower payment difference to offset the initial closing cost, it's probably only a good idea if you plan to live in the house for five years or longer, and with interest rates as low as they are now, it may not make any sense.

The good news is you won’t have to guess what the closing costs are for your new Southern New Hampshire home. The lender is required to give you a list of each of the potential closing costs and an estimated amount for each, so you won’t be completely surprised when it's time to bring a large check to the closing table.

If you have questions about closing costs or any other real estate related questions, I’m happy to help. Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com.

Halloween Decorations for a Southern New Hampshire Home for Sale?

The fall holidays are just around the corner, starting with the scariest day of the year – Halloween. You may have always enjoyed Halloween in the past, but the most frightening thought now might be, “I have a Southern NH home for sale! I can’t do Halloween right now!”

Sure, sure. Right, right.

Take a deep breath. Don’t panic. First, if the idea of Halloween or autumn decorations this year (versus before you had a Southern NH home for sale) freaks you out, you need the break anyway. Secondly, it’s the perfect opportunity to sell your house. Holiday decorations can help buyers imagine the decorations they might use for a warm, inviting atmosphere.

There is, however, a difference between decorating before you put your home on the market and decorating now. For example, don’t go overboard. You want potential buyers to enjoy a relaxing stroll through the house, not scream when the skeleton falls out of the closet.

Pumpkins

If you decide to decorate for Halloween rather than just an autumn theme, that’s okay. Pumpkins, used wisely, can draw attention to an area. However, growling faces are a thing of the past until your house is sold. Use harmless, happy pumpkin expressions to help build the overall cheerful holiday house-buying mood.

Candles

Forget about burning candles right now.  The last thing you want is to have a candle fall over during negotiations and set the curtains on fire. It’s a sure bet the buyers will change their minds.  Consider using flameless candles as a safer alternative.  They’re even available in autumn scents such as Pumpkin Spice and Cinnamon Fusion.

Colors

You can use autumn colors to warm a room.  A bowl of chrysanthemums and dried leaves will make a special touch in the bathroom, while pumpkin gourds can add warmth to a porch.

Because of the holidays coming up, autumn makes people nostalgic. For most, it brings thoughts of family and friends, pumpkins and turkey, fun and light-heartedness. A warm, inviting decorating scheme can further bring out that nostalgia, and get a SOLD sign put in front of your Southern New Hampshire home for sale.

If you’d like to sell your home before the holidays begin, I can help. Call me at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com for more information.

Buying Southern New Hampshire Homes: Should My First Home Be New or Pre-Owned?

Buying Southern New Hampshire homes can be scary, especially for first-time buyers. One of the things that makes it scary is that the home buyers have to make a lot of decisions.  

Both first-time home buyers and veteran buyers have to make decisions about whether to buy new or pre-owned Southern NH homes. Which is right for you? Well, that depends on your particular situation, but knowing some of the differences between the two will help you make the best decision.

Home Warranties:  New Homes vs. Pre-Owned Homes

Home warranties vary, but essentially cover mechanical breakdowns, such as furnace failures and clogged pipes, not usually covered by home insurance.

·    New Homes:  For new homes, the warranty begins from the moment you close the deal. Normally, appliances have a years’ warranty, which can be extended. As well, the builder’s warranty covers things such as structural or roofing systems.  However, new home warranties are precise about what they cover. For instance, if you have a bunch of kids and a couple of animals, you’ll have a hard time saying the carpet should be covered if it starts pulling up.
·    Pre-Owned Homes:  With pre-owned homes, you have the option to negotiate on the warranty and what it covers. It could cover appliances, the air conditioning system, dishwasher - any major home component.  However, if you end up with a shady seller who cosmetically covered up mold (for instance) and you don’t know there’s a mold problem, the warranty may not cover it. Note: this is one of the reasons I always say, “Get a home inspection before buying.”

Out of Pocket Costs:  New Homes vs. Pre-Owned Homes

·    New Homes:  Developers often offer home buying incentives to close the deal. In slow markets, they may add bonus cash incentives, upgrades or other things to entice you. However, if the market picks up, developers may reduce those incentives. Rather than offering you a dishwasher and other appliances for free, developers may charge you a premium for them.  Another big out of pocket expense to keep in mind is landscaping.  It’s an expensive proposition today for the cost-conscious home builder.
·    Pre-Owned Homes:  Landscaping is a big plus to buying a previously owned home. Mature trees, hearty shrubs, rose bushes and lush well-watered lawns are some of the rewards of a pre-owned home.  Additionally, very seldom do the sellers take their dishwasher and other appliances with them when they move. You also have the ability to negotiate with the sellers about furniture and other amenities. However, you don’t always know the condition of these amenities. They may end up costing you more on upkeep than if you had just bought new appliances.

Whether you’re looking at new or pre-owned Southern New Hampshire homes, I can help. Call me at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@Daveheeter.com for more information.

Your Home for Sale in Southern New Hampshire – Missing the Morse Code of Sales

The “Home for Sale" sign in your Southern New Hampshire yard has been up for quite awhile. Are you somehow missing Morse code signals floating through the air that might give you the magic equation? Are you afraid the house won’t sell until hell freezes over? Are you looking desperately for signs of frost?

Well, even with the ever-pervasive issues continuing to make a mess of the economy in general and the real estate industry specifically, it’s still possible to replace that Southern New Hampshire “Home for Sale” sign with a “SOLD” sign. You just have to figure out why it’s not selling, and fix it.

I know; it’s easier said than done.  If you knew what the problem was, you’d already have fixed it. So here you’ll find the top three reasons a house won’t sell until pigs fly:

1. Price is the number one deal breaker.
Price and value are the two things you need to wrap your thoughts around. As well, it’s not about what you consider good price and value for a home, but what the buyer considers a good deal.

You can’t beat the competition by simply lowering the price. You have to compel the buyer with the “Goldilocks” price. This price says, “It’s not cheap, so you aren’t getting a fixer-upper. It’s not expensive, because it’s less than others are. It’s just right, because you can afford it and it’s beautiful.”

2. Home selling is a beauty contest.
Real estate agents say curb appeal and many potential clients roll their eyes. It’s as if we’ve said it so much that it’s become a myth of epic proportions. I assure you, curb appeal is very, very real.

Let a buyer pull up to a house with chipped paint and rusted hardware, and that’s one less buyer to worry about. The first impression is everything, and a poor impression never goes away.

3. People don’t want to see your stuff.
Whether your “stuff” is an old, favorite easy chair with rips and springs poking out or a closet full to bursting, it’s a turn off to buyers. They don’t want to see what the home looks like with your footprint on it; they want to see what it would look like with their footprint on it.

Cut down on your furniture, keeping the best (though not necessarily more comfortable) pieces for show. Pack up your knick-knacks, bric-a-brac and family photos. Take half your clothes out of the closets and pack them away in moving boxes. Less is more!

If you’re having problems with getting your home for sale in Southern New Hampshire off the market, don’t panic. Clear your head and see what you’ve missed!

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.

Is Buying a Southern New Hampshire Home for Sale Ever Going to Be a Good Move?

If you’ve thought about buying a Southern New Hampshire home for sale, you may be wondering, “Is it ever going to be a good idea?” I understand; there’s an endless stream of media pouring out bad housing news. It’s discouraging to say the least if you’re a homebuyer or a home seller.

Yet, the problem with the news from the home buying standpoint is that it focuses on profit. The media says, “You can’t make a profit from buying a home.” They talk about prices dropping and more homes hitting the market, among other things. What they miss, however, are the real reasons most people buy a Southern New Hampshire home for sale.

It’s your home. Period.
You can do what you want with it. You don’t have to worry about whether painting a mural on the wall will get you an increase in rent. You don’t have to deal with the noisy people who just moved into the apartment above you, who obviously brought a zoo because something’s pounding on your ceiling all the time. You can paint the walls black and nobody can say “Boo” about it, because it’s your home.

Fixed-rate mortgages stay put.
Unlike rent, which can go up and up and up, fixed-rate mortgage loans stay the same. They work exactly like they sound; the rate you start at when you buy your Southern New Hampshire home for sale is the rate you end at when you finish paying off your mortgage.

You can eventually stop paying out.
Rent will always be owed. At no time in the future will your landlord say, “You’ve paid enough rent. You don’t have to pay anymore.” Mortgages, however, will eventually be paid off. Therefore, while renters pay for 15 years and then must continue to pay, homeowners who have a 15-year mortgage can pay for 15 years and then stop.

It’s your castle.

Nobody owns it but you. There’s a certain pride to owning a home that far outweighs profit. The excitement from making a profit, however small or large, is a fleeting, momentary thing. When you buy a Southern New Hampshire home for sale, you’re buying a castle – a safe haven where you can get away from the world; a place where you can relax and be comfortable.

If you’re ready to find your castle, I can help. Call me at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com for more information.

Step by Step Plan to Spruce-Up the Garage in Your Southern NH Home

De-cluttering your Southern New Hampshire home is an important part of preparing it for sale. Buyers want to be able to imagine themselves and their belongings inside your home. However, this idea isn’t limited to the inside of your home. It also applies to your garage.

Cluttered, over-crowded garages turn buyers away. Fortunately, sprucing up your garage is easier than you think. Here are some tips to get you started.

   1. Start with a list. If you’re like most people, you probably don’t even know what’s inside your garage. Take a pencil and paper and walk through your garage, writing down everything you see. You don’t need a detailed list. For example, screws, bolts, and nails can be listed together as hardware.

   2. Reduce the list. Cleaning your garage means getting rid of anything you no longer need or want. Just like inside your Southern NH home, the general rule is that you can toss any item you haven’t used in 1 year. If you don’t use it, it’s only taking up space. Give it away, trash it, or recycle it.

   3. Group related items. It just makes sense to store items together. If all your camping supplies are stored in one place, you won’t waste time anymore looking for them. Place each item on your list in a group, like painting supplies, home repairs, winter blankets, etc.

   4. Create zones. Decide what you want to do with your garage. If you want to park a car inside, designate a parking zone and don’t let anything but your car in that zone. Choose a work area where you can place a workbench or household projects. Garage storage zones should be at different heights throughout the garage.

   5. Give it some personality. Once your garage is organized and clean, make it more attractive with some decorative touches. Paint the garage floor. Decorate it with an automotive theme. Upgrade to an automatic garage door.

With a little work, your Southern NH home will be ready to sell in no time. Let me help you prepare your home to sell. Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com.