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.

3 Reasons to Have Your Southern New Hampshire Home Built With Sustainable Design

Some potential homeowners just don’t want a pre-lived in Southern New Hampshire home. They’d rather have their house built to their own specifications. They want a home that fits their needs exactly. If this is you, don’t worry; we understand. However, if you want to build a new home, take a good look at the future before you decide on a design.

The Future of Design
Thinking of the future might bring ideas of fantastic scientific miracles like smart houses that vacuum themselves. While building your Southern New Hampshire home, also consider using sustainable design. Here are just a few reasons why sustainable design is a great idea:

1.    Government mandates and incentives – Under the current administration, sustainable design is a big thing. In fact, many cities are passing mandates and offering incentives that encourage green building. In places such as Austin, Houston, Seattle and Portland, sustainable design is no longer a trend; it’s standard practice. Before having your home built, check into the homeowners’ incentives for green building.

2.    Cost of sustainable design – While sustainable design may be a little more costly than standard home building, don’t just assume that it is. Check with green building contractors as well as standard contractors and compare pricing. Keep in mind that the cost of the design is usually paid back with greatly reduced utility bills. Also, remember that it may be easier and cheaper to build a sustainable home rather than remodel one to be green later.

3.    Resale value – Although you may not ever want to move from your home once it’s built, you never know what will happen in the future. A sustainable design can up the resale value of the home by as much as 15%.

Between the government incentives, the cost savings and the resale value, your Southern New Hampshire home with a sustainable design may end up being the best investment you ever made!

If you’re looking for a green home or a contractor to build one, I can help. Call me at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com for more information.

New Southern New Hampshire Home Construction Scheduling Delays

Creating a home for your family, from the ground up, can be an exciting experience.  But with the numerous steps involved in building a Southern New Hampshire home and the sometimes unexpected setbacks that can plague new construction, it can also be a stressful experience. 

Knowing what potential setbacks lurk ahead can help you come up with a realistic schedule for the building of your Southern New Hampshire home.  Having a good idea of what can go wrong and preparing for the possibility of a setback will help lower your stress and make the process go much smoother.

Following are some of the setbacks commonly experienced in new construction:

·    Weather:  Depending on the stage of the home building process you’re in, rain can cause a work stoppage.  If you’re building your home during a time of year when there’s typically a lot of rainfall, you’ll probably have setbacks, especially if you’re just starting the building process during this time.

·    Building permits:  Numerous permits are required before building can begin, so there may be a delay.  Permits can involve a lot of paperwork and time.  Also, agencies which issue permits may not move as quickly as builders and homeowners would prefer.
 
·    Reworks:  Most people building a home visit the building site frequently to keep an eye on work in progress and make sure that what they’ve asked for is being done.  Even when you take this precaution, there are times when things will be done incorrectly.  This will slow down work because the incorrect item will need to be removed, reordered (in most cases) and then reinstalled.

These are just a few of the things that can put a Southern New Hampshire home building schedule out of whack. 

To take some of the pressure off you, hire a professional real estate agent who has experience working with new construction.  A Buyer's Agent can help keep tabs on the building progress and make sure the work schedule stays as close to the original timeline as possible and follows the new home construction checklist.

If you’re interested in having a new home built, I can guide you through the process and make sure you get exactly what you want.  Give me a call before you go to a builder or start home hunting: 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@daveheeter.com.

Taking the Plunge and Buying Southern New Hampshire Real Estate Makes Perfect Sense

There has truly never been a better time to think about buying a new home. The current economy has created a buyers’ market like never before. This works to your advantage, and the fact that the real estate market is recovering means that buying Southern New Hampshire real estate as a future investment is a smart move.

Consider New Construction

Although new construction always comes at a premium, even in weaker markets, if the brand new appeals to you and none of the resale properties strike your fancy, don't hesitate to pursue new construction. Right now, Builders are faced with unsold homes in developments and are willing to make deals. They are interested in all reasonable offers, and, especially if you have pre-approved financing, will negotiate with your real estate agent to give you better price and terms. It is in their best interest to get their existing homes sold.

Best Mortgage Rates in Current History

 You can take advantage of the low mortgage rates to get fantastic payments on your new Southern New Hampshire real estate. These low rates won't last forever, so if you have good credit and solid employment, buy now to make your new home truly affordable.

Tax Credits

 If you or your spouse has never owned a home, or if neither of you have owned a home as a principle residence in the past 3 years, buying a home now makes financial sense. You will get a large tax rebate at the end of the year for making a home purchase now (and may be able to file an amended tax return to get the rebate sooner).  However, you must act immediately because you have to have a binding contract signed no later than April 30, 2010, and close on the home no later than June 30, 2010, in order to qualify for this first-time home buyer tax credit.

 If you’re a repeat home buyer, you too might qualify for a tax credit.  Again, you must act fast.  The same dates apply for this repeat home buyer tax credit as for the first-time home buyer tax credit. 

Affordability and Availability

The market is wide open for buyers now, and finding the perfect home at a reasonable price is easier than ever before. Waiting too long can prove to be a very costly decision. The market is getting stronger and tax credits are coming to an end. Over the course of the next year, it will become increasingly more difficult to buy Southern New Hampshire real estate at prices and rates now available.

If you would like more information on the wisdom of buying a new home now, please call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com.  I look forward to talking with you!

Benefits of a Green Southern New Hampshire Home

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2010 Trends for Southern New Hampshire Homes

Even though it may sometimes seem like it, home building and design trends are not conjured up using a crystal ball. They are the result of surveys, observations, lifestyles, socioeconomic issues, entertainment, technology, and most importantly, the needs and desires of buyers.

Here are some of the national and Southern New Hampshire homes trends to expect in 2010.

Green is growing.
A study conducted by Burst Media in late December, 2009, found that 90 percent of Web users surveyed have incorporated some aspect of going green into their lives, and overall, they are willing to pay a premium for environmentally friendly products.

Homes are getting smaller.
For 2010, home builders say they will focus on lower-priced and smaller homes. More than 95 percent of home builders surveyed by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in January said that was the way they saw their businesses evolving.

Single-story homes are in.
Because of the rise in homebuyers who are 55 years of age and older, more single-story Southern New Hampshire homes are being purchased. According to NAHB, barely over half of new homes today are built with two stories or more. Two-story homes peaked at about 55 percent of the market in 2006.

Lower cost, more practical homes are being purchased.
In an attempt to respond to consumer demands for practicality, as well as hold the line on prices, home builders surveyed by NAHB are most likely to include these features as standard in their houses this year:

•Walk-in closets in the master bedroom
•Laundry rooms
•Insulated front doors
•Great rooms
•Energy-efficient windows
•Linen closets
•Programmable thermostats
•Energy-efficient appliances and lighting
•Separate shower and tub in master bathrooms
•Nine-foot ceilings on the first floor

Here are the features builders said they are least likely to add to houses in 2010. You'll notice a lot of the items being eliminated are luxury features, as builders try to lower costs.

•Outdoor kitchens
•Outdoor fireplaces
•Sunrooms
•Butler’s pantries
•Media rooms
•Desks in kitchens
•Two-story foyers
•Multiple shower heads in the master bath
•Smaller kitchens

Want to buy one of the new Southern New Hampshire homes in 2010?  Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com to get started.

Cost for New Construction Homes in Southern New Hampshire May Rise

Not too long ago the “Greening of America” was just an idea.  Now, it’s a government mandate.  The latest requirements for new construction may just cause the cost of new homes for sale in Southern New Hampshire and around the nation to rise.

In December, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new stormwater management requirements for new construction.  These new requirements have the National Home Builder’s Association (NAHB) up in arms. In a news release posted on the NAHB website, the Chairman said the new housing regulations are unrealistic, "a standard that no builder, anywhere, can consistently expect to achieve – and EPA’s own studies show it’s not the answer to reducing pollutants in our nation’s waters...".

It all comes down to stormwater. When it rains, water hits the ground and seeps into it. In most cases, that water is absorbed and filtered by the ground, and then replenishes the world’s water supply. Not so in developed areas, where pavement and roofing, among other man-made surfaces, prevent the water from being absorbed.

The remaining water becomes runoff, which, according to the EPA, damages the infrastructure of surrounding development, causes downstream flooding and bank erosion. In addition, the water carries pollutants, which are carried into streams and water supplies. The new regulations have set stricter limits on pollutants in stormwater from construction sites, as well as requiring that the stormwater has little to no soil or sediment in it.

While less pollution is a fantastic idea, NAHB says something is missing – such as understanding soil differences. Certain types of soil absorb water better, reducing the amount of run off, while other types of soil produce a naturally high amount of sediment. The cost for homebuilders to meet these regulations can be expensive – an expense that will be passed on to those looking for newly built homes for sale in Southern New Hampshire.

The EPA has done some wonderful things for environmental protection, such as the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), that already affect construction costs. However, for new homes being constructed in Southern New Hampshire, this new stormwater requirement may end up not only being impossible to keep but impossible to pay for.

If you’re looking for greener new home construction (either in a new development or on a pre-existing lot), I can help.  Browse properties on my mls search or contact me at 603-821-1134 or dave@daveheeter.com for more information.