Southern New Hampshire Homes for Sale and Virtual Staging: New Sales Method or Old Scam?

Home staging has long been a way to sell Southern New Hampshire homes. In short, stagers come into your home, look the place over and start packing (if it’s not already empty). They bring furniture, draperies and other things to make the home look warm, beautiful and inviting to buyers.

The trick is to make the Southern New Hampshire homes for sale inviting in a way that doesn’t overwhelm the buyer’s personal tastes. It works, selling thousands of homes that might not have sold otherwise, and selling them faster than non-staged homes.

For the past year or two, however, virtual (or conceptual) staging has come into the real estate world. Somewhat like traditional home staging, the virtual stager spruces up your home for sale. The differences are where the work is done and what the live house looks like. They may not sound like much, but these two differences have people asking, “Sales method or a snake oil scam?”

Virtual Staging
Home staging came about because the real estate industry realized that most buyers have a tough time visualizing what a place will look like with their unique touch on it. With more tech savvy buyers, however, some may not even visit the home to enjoy the staged view. Many buyers find their potential home online and, once they’ve viewed the online pictures, contact the REALTOR® listing the home.

Virtual staging provides beautiful images for buyers to look at online using digital enhancement. You may have a home staging team doing the computer work, or it may just be one person with fantastic design software.

Here are the benefits to virtual staging:
·    It may pull in more potential buyers than non-virtually staged homes.
·    It can be cheaper than having a home stager come to your home.
·    If you’re worried about vandalism and theft (some sellers have had the staging furniture stolen), it may solve this problem.

But there are potential pitfalls you need to be aware of before you try virtual staging:
·    The first and most obvious is not to use virtual staging to deceptively hide imperfections in your home. The purpose of these images is to enhance, yes, but if you hide issues it’s not only unethical, but, in some states, illegal.
·    The second is to be sure to let the potential buyer know that the home is either vacant or has different furniture than what’s shown.  You must be transparent and upfront that the images are computer generated. Otherwise, they will feel confused - or even scammed - when they get to the home to see and buy it.  This may seem a deal “killer”, but it all depends on how this information is presented.

Home stagers have written in favor of real life home staging (putting down virtual staging, of course). Virtual stagers have written the opposite. So which one is better? If you have one of the Southern New Hampshire homes for sale, consider your budget, your options and what you want to accomplish. As long as you’re willing to be upfront about the images, virtual staging may be the right option for you.

Need help preparing your home for sale?  I can help.  Give me a call today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com.

Europe’s Crisis a Plus for Southern New Hampshire Homes for Sale?

Europe, or more correctly, Greece, is having a debt crisis that may end up being a great boon for national and Southern New Hampshire homes for sale. The euro, Europe’s currency, dropped drastically and Europeans responded by exchanging euros for the American dollar.

Help for Southern New Hampshire Homes for Sale
As more money pours into the U.S. “safe haven,” interest rates drop. Although interest rates may rise again once global economies begin to recover, the real estate market will benefit during this period of European instability. In fact, the mortgage markets are already benefiting.

On May 20, Bankrate.com, known for its accurate reporting of average national mortgage rates, reported the lowest 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in almost 25 years. At the time of the report, national averages hit at 4.96% for a 30-year fixed mortgage, 4.34% for a 15-year fixed and 4.14% for a 5-year ARM (adjustable rate mortgage).

Pessimists vs. Optimists
Pessimists believe that the low mortgage rates won’t affect home sales, because of the large influx of buyers who beat April’s tax credit deadline. In short, their view is that all the eligible homebuyers have already signed closing papers.  They think that a few more buyers may trickle in before the busy season for real estate is over, but their general attitude is that the fat lady has already sung.

Optimists, as usual, have a much brighter point of view about the economy. Banks, they say, are finally letting some of the much-talked-about shadow inventory into the light. Unemployment seems to have slightly reversed, retail sales are up and manufacturing inventories are increasing – all of which indicate a stabilizing economy. Although even optimists aren’t betting on a huge real estate boon, they do point to an uphill trend.

Questions for You
Which are you, an optimist or a pessimist?  And, how can there be such a big difference in real estate market outlooks when all the experts are looking at the same information? Lastly, if you’re trying to sell your home, can you really afford to be pessimistic?

Here’s a hint: the attitude you have about your chances of selling will carry over to the results you achieve. Think positive, even when you hear about downturns.  You’ll have a better chance of getting your home sold than other Southern New Hampshire homes for sale!

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

Is Your Southern New Hampshire Home Prepared for Disaster?

No, I'm not talking about the economic crisis, or any other type of personal disaster. I'm talking about the kind that Mother Nature doles out with predictable uncertainty. Your Southern New Hampshire home can never be prepared to the extent of knowing when disasters will happen, but you can be ready for anytime they do.

Know What Type of Disaster is Most Likely

While some types of natural disasters can happen anywhere such as fires and floods, other types like earthquakes, landslides, tornadoes and hurricanes are less likely in certain regions. For example, tornadoes are unlikely in California and earthquakes are less common in Wisconsin.  While a recent tornado watch for Southern New Hampshire is a reminder that they can happen here too, floods and power outages are the most common disasters in this area.  (Being the state with the second highest percentage of tree coverage at 84% plays a significant role in the frequency of power outages.) 

Different types of disasters require different preparations so knowing what your Southern New Hampshire home is most likely to experience is of great benefit.  For instance, you do not want to be underground in an earthquake, but in a tornado picking the lowest spot in a home such as a basement is wise.

Gather Supplies

 Some things are common to all types of disaster preparations. Having these items on hand should be on every homeowner's "must have" list.

·    Extra blankets
·    Water
·    Several days worth of food (best if prepared or easy to make without electrical appliances)
·    Candles or other forms of emergency lighting
·    Battery operated radio
·    Dust mask
·    Can opener
·    Moist towels
·    Emergency escape plans
·    Shelter listings
·    Pet food (if you have pets)
·    Fire extinguishers (every home should have at least one per floor if not more)
·    Infant supplies (if applicable)

Plan for Fast Action

Have disaster plans worked out for a variety of disaster types:
·     In the event of a fire, have an escape plan prepared for every level of your home.
·    If your Southern New Hampshire home is in a flood zone, have sandbags ready and stored for use at a moment's notice.
·     For tornado safety, know the best place in your home to go for shelter.

Being prepared can save you a lot of grief. Disasters are a nuisance at best and fatal at worst.  By planning for the worst, you’ll get through them in the best manner possible.

 If you need more information on preparing your Southern New Hampshire home for a disaster, I can help. Call me now at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com

Things to Consider When Buying Southern New Hampshire Homes

Many home buyers walk into prospective Southern New Hampshire homes with a "what you see is what you get" attitude. They fail to consider that the home sellers may be willing to make repairs or updates in order to get the home sold.

This isn't surprising. Most people do not buy Southern New Hampshire homes frequently so they aren’t familiar with exactly what they can and cannot ask for. A home isn’t like a car that you might purchase new every few years, or clothes that you shop for all the time and know how to investigate, compare, and price appropriately.

This lack of knowledge is possibly the best reason for seeking the help of a qualified professional REALTOR®. They handle home purchases daily and can help you with what to watch out for, what price to pay and what you can and can't haggle over.  They’ll even handle the negotiations for you.

So let's look at some repairs, updates or price reductions you may want to have your agent negotiate for you:

·    Electrical Wiring:  Especially in older Southern New Hampshire homes the wiring is likely to be old, outdated or even hazardous. Make sure you have the wiring thoroughly inspected. This is not a cheap fix.  If there are problems, they should be solved before you purchase, or you should be offered a greatly reduced price to reflect the cost to you of replacement. This is a very important item and even if you accept a price reduction do not be tempted to simply enjoy the extra cost benefits without using it to make the needed repairs. Bad wiring is a fire hazard that can destroy your purchase, not to mention be fatal if not fixed.

·    Breaker Boxes:  Older homes may still have fuse boxes. These are very outdated and some may even use types of fuses that are hard to find. While updating an old fuse box to a breaker switch box isn't extremely expensive, it should be done by a qualified electrician. This is something that should be done before you buy. It isn't worth asking for a price reduction, but it also isn't something you should have to deal with when you move into your new home.

These are just a couple of negotiable items to think about when you look at a prospective purchase.

If you would like more information on things to consider when viewing a home, I can help.  Contact me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com.

Is a Reverse Mortgage on Your Nashua Condo a Good Idea?

Did you know that cash could be hiding in your Nashua condo?  If you are sixty-two or older, you may be able to qualify for a reverse mortgage and never have to make a mortgage payment as long as you live in the home.  Let me tell you a little more about a reverse mortgage:

What Is A Reverse Mortgage?

A reverse mortgage uses the equity in your Nashua condo to make payments to you.  You aren’t required to make any payments for as long as you live in your home.  The loan doesn’t become due until you have not lived in the home for at least twelve months.  Your home can pass to your descendants if they refinance the loan themselves.  The money can be used for any purpose you want. 

Funds are received as a lump sum, a line of credit, or a monthly payment.  You’ll have access to more money with the line of credit, but the interest rate is variable.  If you decide on a lump sum or a monthly payment, you will have a higher interest rate.  The line of credit can be a credit card or like a checking account.  You can buy groceries, gas and pay your bills out of this account.  

The reverse mortgage process is similar to the conventional mortgage process.  The property will need an inspection and appraisal.  There are origination fees and closing costs associated with this type of loan.

Who Qualifies for a Reverse Mortgage?

The first requirement is age; only those sixty-two or older are able to qualify.  There are no income or credit requirements to be approved for a reverse mortgage.  Some lenders even let you roll the down payment and closing costs into the loan so that you don’t have pay any money up front.

The loan is based on the age of the youngest borrower.  The older you are, the more money you will qualify for.  The good news is that the money will not affect your Social Security benefits or Medicare, though it can affect Medicaid and Supplementary Security Income payments.
 
There are advantages and disadvantages to a reverse mortgage, so be sure to do your homework before making this important decision.

If you have questions about reverse mortgages, or would like to discuss buying or selling a Nashua condo, give me a call today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com.

Sprucing Up Your Home for Sale? Pay Attention to the Permits for your Southern New Hampshire City

A lot of owners who have their homes for sale in Southern New Hampshire are taking advantage of the remodeling sales going on around the nation.  From tools and building supplies to the remodeling agencies themselves, they're finding they can save money.

Unfortunately, a lot of homeowners are also choosing to forgo the legal building permit process, trying to further save money.

Every building, occupied or unoccupied, has a set of building codes. Any changes that you make to your home must comply with those building codes, which means most home improvements, whether done by you or by a professional you hire, needs a permit. Depending on your locality, the home improvement that requires a permit could be as simple as installing a water heater.

Hire Someone to Get the Permit
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) says hiring a contractor can actually save you money and time, even if all they do is handle the permit process. They also warn that a contractor who expects you to handle the permits is a contractor you don’t want to use.

Get the Permit Yourself
So how do you get a home improvement permit if you’re doing your own remodeling for your home for sale in Southern New Hampshire? Submit a building plan for big projects or a description of the work for smaller projects. The plans are approved for a fee (if they comply with building codes). Building inspectors will look over the job while it’s in progress, after it’s finished or both, and make sure you used the right materials and techniques.

Cost of Not Getting a Permit
It may sound like a lot of trouble to go through, but the cost of not getting a permit can be a lot worse. For instance, if a potential buyer hires a home inspector to look over your property, the home inspector may see signs of your remodeling. They might then look for the permit record. Without one, you could lose the deal.

As well, home appraisers may look for permit records to see if a remodel changed the property value. If the work wasn’t covered by a permit, there’s a very real possibility of the escrow not going through.

If illegal home improvement is found, you might end up paying hefty fees for further inspections. You might even have to tear down sheet rock inside the house so framing, insulation and other interior work can be seen. In addition, you might have to tear out what you’ve done just so you can legalize the work and sell the home.

If you have a home for sale in Nashua or another Southern New Hampshire city and are thinking about sprucing it up to attract more buyers, a word of caution. Don’t skimp on the permits!

If you’re ready to 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.

Make the Transition to a New Southern New Hampshire Home Easy on Your Kids

Moving to a new Southern New Hampshire home and, in some cases, to a new location all together, can be an exciting event.  It can also be a difficult thing, especially for children. 

When a move means a new Southern New Hampshire home, new school and new friends, children realize they’re leaving their comfort zone for the unknown.  This can be frightening, especially to very young children.

Along with packing up boxes and making plans for a move, parents need to spend time thinking about how to make the transition as easy as possible for kids.  Following are some suggestions for doing just that:

·  Make a scrapbook:  Let your kids take pictures of friends and places they would like to remember.  Then put together a scrapbook you and your kids can take to your new home and look at, especially when homesickness strikes.

·  Listen to your kids:  Children often have fears that they don’t share with their parents.  Your children may be very ambivalent about moving, but afraid to say so or don’t know how to put it into words.  Take time to discuss the move with your children.  Ask them how they feel about the move and then talk out any fears they may have.  Don’t dismiss the fear of making new friends by simply saying “of course you’ll make new friends.” Explain that you’ll also be without friends and together you’ll meet new people.

·  Visit your new Southern New Hampshire home:  If possible, take your children to the home you’ll be moving into.  Let them visit their new school, walk around the neighborhood and play at the local park.  Giving them a chance to visit the place they’ll soon call home will help alleviate some of their fears and perhaps even get them excited about the move.  If physically visiting your new home isn’t possible, virtually visit it.  Help your children explore their new hometown online.

Need to move to a new home?  Whether you want to move within Southern New Hampshire or you need to relocate to another state, I can help.  Give me a call today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com for more information.