Why Isn't Your Southern New Hampshire Real Estate Selling?

You've listed your property. You've spent your weekends with people traipsing through your home. You've done everything you can and your Southern New Hampshire real estate is still sitting on the market while others around you are selling. Why won't your home sell?

You've cleaned your home—you think. Let's examine a few areas many people overlook:

·     Did you stuff all your stuff in cabinets thinking no one will be bold enough to open cabinets and look inside? Hum… maybe. Maybe not. Lots of people open drawers, cabinets, and definitely will look in closets, so don't stash all your stuff in closets. Besides being untidy it is likely that overstuffed closets will fall out in an avalanche when an unsuspecting buyer happens to peek.

·    Are there dirty dishes stacked up, clothes in the laundry baskets, or used towels all over the bathroom? Just because you have to live in your Southern New Hampshire real estate until you sell it doesn't mean it looks good to your buyers. The 'lived in' look only makes your home look comfortable when friends and family visit, not prospective buyers.

·    Does your loving pet adore your visitors? Even the most well-behaved dog or cat may be a distraction. Not everybody is a pet lover, and even if they are they don't want to have to deal with your pets while viewing a home.   Have your dogs and cats in their crates when buyers come to see your Southern New Hampshire real estate listing.

·     Is the lawnmower sitting on the patio, the pool skimmer lying on the lawn, the kid's bikes piled up in the driveway? The inside of your home isn't the only place that shouldn't look 'lived in' when you are showing your home to the public.

Little things mean a lot. Don't let those little nail holes, stray wires from a removed fixture, or coffee stains on the carpet go unheeded. Your buyer is not going to want to fix those things when they move in. And, it makes potential buyers think that if minor repairs haven't been taken care of, most likely, major repairs have been let go also.  Take the time to do minor home fix ups and make your house look as inviting as possible.

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Green Building Still Running High for Southern New Hampshire Homes

At the beginning of 2008, it was predicted that green national and Southern New Hampshire homes would not only become a steady trend, but would also become the nationwide norm. As the home building industry struggled with economic upheaval, the building of green homes was one sector that kept growing.

Energy Star Designations
As of December, 2009, over 1 million homes have received the EPA's Energy Star designation since the program’s inception in 1995. Despite the many foreclosures, the glutted housing market and drowning homeowners, 75,000 more homes gained the Energy Star designation in 2009, raising the numbers to 1,024,200.

In 2007, 12% of single-family homes in the U.S. were Energy Star homes. In 2008, the numbers had reached 17%. Although the reports have yet to come in for 2009, there’s no doubt the numbers are increasing.

Two Other Green Home Certifications
Energy Star isn’t the only one with a green program; the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) also has a green home certification program. The number of participating homes is small (3,050 by the end of ’09), but noteworthy.

The National Association of Home Builders Research Center (NAHB) provides the National Green Building Certification, with over 500 participants.

The need for green national and Southern New Hampshire homes is, admittedly, consumer driven. Homebuyers want energy efficient homes - whether those homes are newly constructed or remodeled – and are willing to pay for them. Yes, the cost is higher, but most expect to make back the money spent on the house through future energy savings.

As we move forward in 2010, keep green in mind because energy efficient Southern New Hampshire homes are in high demand. If you’re trying to sell your home and can’t get it off the market, consider renovation towards a greener world.

If you’re trying to sell your home or find a green home to buy, I can help.  Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at dave@daveheeter.com.

How to Improve the Insulation of Your Southern New Hampshire Home

We’re all looking for ways to cut costs in our Southern New Hampshire homes.  One of the most efficient ways to save money is to insulate.  There are two simple ways to insulate your home that you may not have thought of before.  Here is the lowdown on each of them:

Add Weatherstripping
 You may be familiar with weatherstripping on your car, but have you ever thought about weather-stripping your house?  It comes in many different sizes, so you can easily choose the right kind for your Southern New Hampshire homes.  Pre-weather stripped doors are now sold in many home improvement stores. 

 When choosing which weather stripping to buy, consider the amount of friction that it will need to stand up to.  It would be better to use vinyl weatherstripping in high traffic areas. You could use felt weather stripping to protect areas that don’t get a lot of wear and tear.

Clean and dry the area before applying the weatherstripping in one long strip.  When installing the weatherstripping to doors, make sure that the edges compress slightly when closing the door.  Install around each of the windows and doors to your house.  It will keep the cold air out, and help improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Insulate Your Water Heater
 Another way to conserve energy is to insulate your water heater.  A water heater jacket is one of the most inexpensive ways to protect from heat loss.  Look for an insulating jacket that has a rating of at least R-8.  You can buy them pre-cut for easy installation.  Most water heater jackets are held in place with belts provided in the installation kit.   

Check the manufacturer’s instructions before you set the temperature on the water heater.  A temperature setting that’s too high can cause the wiring to overheat.

These insulation tips are easy to do in your spare time.  You can save a lot of money on your utility bills by preventing energy loss and insulating your Southern New Hampshire homes.

Want to buy a well-insulated, energy-efficient home?  I can help.  Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at dave@daveheeter.com.

The Clock is Ticking on that Home for Sale in Southern New Hampshire - Again

Once again, the clock is ticking for first-time home buyers to get a home for sale in Southern New Hampshire before the tax credit runs out. Extended in November, 2009, the first-time buyers’ tax credit is set to expire in April, 2010, and there are no plans for another extension.

What does this mean for you? If you’re a home seller, it’s time to look over your home for sale in Southern New Hampshire, make sure all your t’s are crossed, i’s are dotted and that you’ve done everything you can to put your home at the front of the buying line. If you’re a first-time or repeat buyer hoping to take advantage of the credit, it’s time to start looking for your new home; the binding sales contract has to be signed by April 30, 2010.

Making the Buying Process Easier
Many times, the buying process can take forever.  Red tape, failing negotiations and other snags have caused more than a few possible sales to fall through. So, what can you do to make the buying process easier? Here are a few tips:

1.    Find out if you qualify for the first-time or repeat buyer tax credit. The home buyer requirements are many.  If you can’t afford to buy a home without the tax credit, make sure you qualify.

2.    Shop for lenders before hand. Choosing a mortgage lender can be a lengthy process, so finding one you want to use before you start looking for a home will cut down on the time it takes to buy the house.

3.    Get pre-approved. Getting pre-qualified is the first step in the loan process, but it’s based on an estimate, not verified facts. By getting pre-approved for a mortgage, you know exactly how much you qualify for, and how much house you can afford. Because this is a large part of the buying process, once you’re pre-approved, the lender can expedite the rest of the deal for a quicker closing, though you should still expect 5-6 weeks to close your loan these days.  With all the changes to lending practices in the past couple years, 3-4 weeks to close is a thing of the past.

4.    Negotiate wisely. Remember that you’re on a time-line and try not to let negotiations with the seller turn into a contest of wills. Yes, negotiate, but make sure your counteroffer on the home is realistic.

Buying a great home for sale in Southern New Hampshire before the tax credit expires is definitely possible, even with only three months to go.  Following the tips outlined above can make the sale go as smoothly and quickly as possible.

Have questions about the home buyer tax credit?  Contact me at 603-821-1134 or dave@daveheeter.com.  If you want to start browsing properties, enter your search criteria in my MLS Property Finder search.

Was Your Southern New Hampshire Real Estate Financing Declined?

If you’ve recently applied for credit to finance a Southern New Hampshire real estate purchase, and were declined, you might be wondering why a lender would deny you credit.  Most lenders have a checklist of qualifications necessary to get approval for a home loan, and some don’t have anything to do with what your credit score is.  Here are the basic reasons a lender may deny a mortgage loan (Or, as mortgage consultant Charley Farley refers to them, the Four C's of Mortgage Lending.):

Cash - The amount required really depends on what program you are going with.  (VA, FHA, Conventional, etc.)  Not having enough money for a down payment or closing costs doesn't necessarily mean waiting to buy until you've saved up more.  Maybe you can make use of a seller credit towards your closing costs, or perhaps a friend or relative is willing to 'gift' you some additional funds that will enable you to buy now while the tax credit is still available.

Collateral - Your lender will do research to ensure that the property you are buying is worth what they are lending you.  Also, different types of properties are seen as more or less of a 'safe' investment for lenders and will influence the lenders decision, since 2 Families and Multi-Families have higher default rates than single family and condo properties.

Credit - The lender will review your credit report as well as consider your credit score in determining whether you have a sufficient and satisfactory credit history.

 ·     Little or no credit.  You may be under the impression that no credit is better than bad credit, but you’d be wrong.  A blank credit history is not something a mortgage lender wants to see.  A lender needs some idea of how you make payments.  You can build your credit history by getting a department store credit card, and using a maximum of thirty percent of your available credit to make purchases (keeping a good Credit-to-Debt ratio).  Consistently paying off the balance in full every month will soon add up to good credit, and lenders will look more favorably at your loan application.

·     Bad Credit.  It'll be difficult to find a lender that will approve a person with bad credit.  It’s not the end of the road, however.  You can improve your credit score with a little hard work and still buy that Southern New Hampshire real estate you want.  You’ll want to get a copy of your credit report from all three of the major credit bureaus.  If you have frequent late charges or many items in collections, you’ll need to call each company and arrange to get your accounts current.  You’ll be surprised at the difference each timely payment makes on your credit score.

Capacity - Comparing how much income you have with how much debt you are carrying enables the lender to determine how much additional debt in the form of a mortgage payment you can afford.

·    Income-to-Debt Ratio.  Most mortgage lenders will decline a loan application if your income to debt ratio is too high.  The percentage of your income allowed to be applied towards debt can vary depending on how much money you are putting down and how high your credit score is, up to a maximum of 50% on government loans and 45% on conventional.  If you personally figure on just above a third of your income for all your debt, you'll be well within the lender's comfort zone.

Let me help you get on the road to a Southern New Hampshire real estate loan.  Call me at 603-821-1134 or email me at dave@daveheeter.com for more information.

2010 Forecasts for National and Southern New Hampshire Real Estate!

From national and Southern New Hampshire real estate to the U.S. economy, the predictions for 2010 are in.  Like any predictions, they vary from somewhat bright and cheery to doom and gloom:

CNBC’s Realty Check predicts:
·    the beginning of a housing market recovery after a post tax-credit lull
·    higher foreclosure inventory
·    rising mortgage rates, probably leveling off around six percent.
·    continued suffering of commercial real estate

The National Association of REALTORS®’ (NAR) chief economist is projecting:
·    A sustainable recovery.  The tax credit expansion will help to relieve extra housing supply through mid-2010.
·    A rise in existing home sales.  The NAR is expecting existing home sales to rise as high as 5.69 million, even with continuing unemployment issues.  That's a 13.6 percent increase.

In fact, the U.S. forecasts for national and Southern New Hampshire real estate are overall positive for 2010.

Housing Predictor, one of the first places to predict the wave of foreclosures, also forecasts positive numbers for 2010.  They anticipate rising home sales, market improvement and even value appreciation for some places. Again, the magic period for the start of stabilization is the middle of the year.

Although no one knows for certain what will happen in the future - especially for such struggling sectors as national and Southern New Hampshire real estate - we can all gain a little hope from the 2010 forecasts. There is one thing that is fairly well agreed upon according to these predictions:  there will be a real estate recovery in 2010.

To find out the current market values in your neighborhood or town, request a Market Snapshot

and receive a detailed report via email! 

If you're considering making a move in 2010, I can help make it a smart one.  Call me at 603-821-1134 or email me at dave@daveheeter.com for a free consultation.

Benefits of Exterior Lighting for Southern New Hampshire Real Estate

As many Southern New Hampshire real estate agents will tell you, curb appeal shouldn’t end when the sun goes down. Exterior lighting can be both utilitarian and create a welcoming atmosphere even at night. The huge variety in lighting types will also lend uniqueness to your property and make it stand out to potential buyers.

Benefits of Popular Lighting Types

·    Reduces crime:  Motion-activated flood lights on the front and back porch are essential in high-crime areas and always a good idea for any area. It’s been proven that criminals don’t like Southern NH real estate with bright exterior lighting.  The bright lights will draw attention to visitors before they’ve ever reached your door.  Additionally, you should never discount the value of being able to see clearly when arriving home in the dark.

·    Decreases trip hazards:  Solar lamps make beautiful walkway lighting. They’re generally not bright enough to be obtrusive or attract many nocturnal insects, but they will show the exact location of a walkway and reveal any trip hazards on the way. Solar lamps also provide an additional selling point on which Southern New Hampshire real estate agents can capitalize.

·    Improves safety:  Good garage lighting can help you find your way to and from your vehicle. More importantly, the garage is a potentially hazardous area. Good lighting ensures that anyone walking through or working in the area will have a clear view of their surroundings and the task they may be performing.

·    Relocates bugs:  In rural areas, a high outside light (similar to a street light) not only lights large areas enough to recognize any hazards, they can also draw nocturnal insects away from lights emanating from the home. Moths and other insects often plague rural residents as they like to fly into houses from any open door or window.

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