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.