Helping Your Southern New Hampshire Real Estate Agent Get You into a New Home

Confident buyers

Buying a home is often considered one of the most stressful things you will do in your life.  Unless you're a seasoned real estate investor, you will most likely experience home buyer stress.

You can help your Southern New Hampshire real estate agent find you a home and successfully close the deal if you are as prepared and knowledgeable as possible. Here are a few tips to help you be ready and make your transition as painless and stress free as possible.

Have all of your financial records in order. This includes:

·    Income records: You usually need two recent pay stubs. If you are self-employed, it will get trickier.  Want to be even more prepared?  Get pre-approved for your mortgage.

·    A clean credit report: Make use of those free credit reports and check for errors, outstanding debts, and a high debt-to-income ratio.  If you find any errors, it's worth your time to get them fixed prior to applying for a loan or searching for a home.

·    Know what you want: As unusual as that seems, not knowing specifically what you need and want in a new home can prolong the search and have you and your agent running in circles trying to find the right home. Price is only one of the considerations. Know how many bathrooms and bedrooms you need. If there are specific amenities you desire, let them be known.  Don't wait until you've traveled all over the countryside looking at homes to tell your Southern NH real estate agent you absolutely must have a sunken tub.

Read up on everything you can find that will help you understand the options available to you and what you need to get financing and you will be your own best asset in finding the perfect home. Making your Southern New Hampshire real estate agent work smarter, not harder, is the way to a beneficial arrangement for you both.

If you’re looking for the home of your dreams, I can help.  Call me at 603-821-1134, or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com for more information.

3 Things You Shouldn’t Say No To With a Home for Sale in Southern New Hampshire

The point of having your Southern New Hampshire home up for sale is to… well, sell it, isn’t it? I mean, it makes logical sense, right? Yet, too often, home sellers seem to think that selling is as easy as “hire agent, put sign in front, sold.”

This attitude, especially in a slow real estate market, has left many a seller empty-handed. They say “no” when they should have said “yes.” They have all these reasons why they won’t “A, B or C,” rather than just doing “A, B or C” for their home for sale in Southern New Hampshire.

What am I talking about? Well, here are just a few of those “don’t say no” things:

Buyer Incentives
Listen – a slow market or not, you do have competition. What does this mean? You may have the best house on the block, but if your neighbor’s house has higher perceived value, yours will be left sitting there.

By offering buyer incentives such as a home warranty plan, pre-paid homeowner association fees or credit toward the closing costs, you’re giving the buyer more perceived value. Let’s face it; buyers want the best bang for their buck.

Home Showings
When an agent calls and asks if they can show your home, say YES!  It doesn’t matter if they want to show it in five minutes or five hours, your answer should be yes.  If your home doesn’t get seen, it won’t get sold.  That person you said “no” to might have been your ideal buyer.

Virtual Tours
Buyers like to be able to view a potential home online first. The best way for them to do this is with a virtual real estate tour, looking at the home with a 360-degree view. Because this is such a quickly growing trend (some buyers ignore listings without them), you can’t afford to pass it up.

If you have a home for sale in Southern New Hampshire and it’s been on the market for a while, you may have said “no” to too many things. Take some time to look at what you can do to market your home better. These pointers may very well make all the difference!

If you’re trying to market your home and need a professional, I can help. Call me at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com for more information.

3 Tips for Buying an Eco-friendly Home for Sale in Southern New Hampshire

Buyers are becoming more concerned about their personal environment, from eco-friendly carpeting to energy efficient appliances. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly home for sale in Southern NH, but aren’t sure how to find it, here are a few tips on what to look for:

   1. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) – Although the number is growing, only a few builders are employing eco-friendly practices during construction. However, those that do can qualify for the EPA Indoor airPlus designation. These homes are designed for better IAQ, which means a healthier home for you. Rest assured, if a builder meets this designation they’ll tell you about it. However, just in case – ask!

   2. Energy Efficient – If it qualifies for the EPA Indoor airPlus designation, the Southern New Hampshire new construction will also be energy efficient. However, if you’re not looking at a newly built home, look for those homes that are Energy Star efficient. According to the Energy Star website, “These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient than standard homes.”

   3. Eco-friendly – Energy Star and EPA qualifications aside, you can also find homes in which the seller has made eco-friendly changes that will help you even though they may not meet the guidelines for qualifications. For instance, solar paneling, wind turbines and geothermal heating aren’t covered by the EPA or Energy Star qualifications by themselves, but they’re eco-friendly and can lower your utilities.

An eco-friendly home for sale in Southern New Hampshire may be hard to find, but the numbers are growing. If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly home, I can help. Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com.

Big Kitchens Becoming Bigger Selling Points for Southern NH Homes

If your Southern NH home for sale has a big kitchen and you haven’t already marketed this feature, it may benefit you to do so, thanks to a recently noted trend.

With the wobbly economy, the national unemployment rate is still sitting above 9%.  (New Hampshire's unemployment rate was only 5.7% in August.) Many young adults just out of college are having trouble finding jobs. In fact, the age group hardest hit seems to be between 16 and 24. As well, there are a number of people without homes due to foreclosure. How are Americans weathering the economic fallout? Many are doing so by consolidating multiple generations into one home.

2 Things That May Change How You Market Your Southern New Hampshire Home for Sale
A Pew Research Center study on living conditions and an Associated Press - iVillage poll on dinner habits may change how you market your home.

The Pew study, based on information gained from the Census, shows that over 16% of U.S. households had multiple generations living together by 2008. Although the results of 2009 and 2010 aren’t in yet, you can assume with reasonable surety that this trend continues to rise.

The iVillage telephone survey shows that over 60% of families – no matter how big or small – still eat together. Granted, dinner may be full of texting, phone calls and TV, but it’s also full of home cooked meals most of the time.

What does this mean for you and your home?
A larger family in one household, eating home cooked meals together, equals the need for a bigger kitchen. According to several surveys through the years, dinnertime is one tradition that’s held on – despite both parents working. Also, keep in mind that the cost of eating out may have many more people eating at home.

Lastly, buying bulk food, which also needs bigger kitchens, is fast becoming another trend. According to the Bulk is Green Council, bulk buying is one of the biggest money-saving trends for this year.

The next potential buyer may just be looking for a big kitchen. If you have one, it may be the number one benefit of your home. Don’t sell it short. Make sure the large kitchen and/or dining area is highlighted in the marketing material for your Southern New Hampshire home for sale. With the above-mentioned trends, big kitchens are – well, big!

If you’re looking for a home with enough room to make and sit down to a home-cooked meal, I can help. Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com for more information.

Southern New Hampshire Home Inspection: What it Covers

The home buying process isn’t complete without a home inspection. Your real estate agent will mention it. The lender will ask about it. Even your closer will make sure the Southern New Hampshire home you’re purchasing had an inspection.

Home inspections are important. No matter how much you trust the seller, there are some things you need to know about your Southern NH home before you purchase it.  While you’re not required to attend the inspection, it’s an excellent idea to do so.

So you’ll know what to expect, here are the basics that a typical home inspection covers:

    * Appliances. You will know if the appliances are in working order.

    * Electrical. The inspector makes sure the main panel, circuit breakers, lights, and outlets are working.

    * Exterior. An inspector looks for defects on the outside of the home, like problems with the wall covering, landscaping, trim, and exterior electrical outlets.

    * Garage. You don’t have to worry about what the garage is hiding. You will know if the slab, walls, vents, and entries have any problems that need to be addressed.
 
    * Home structure. The inspector checks the foundation, ceilings, floors, roof, and wall construction for any defects and will alert you to any issues requiring the advice of a structural engineer.

    * Plumbing inspection. Although inspectors do not check sewer systems, they can tell you if you need to do any work to toilets, showers, sinks, and faucets.

    * Roof and attic. The roof inspection is not a guarantee of its condition, but you will know what type of roof you have and what condition the roof covering, flashing, vents, and gutters are in.

    * Systems. They will also check the effectiveness of your air conditioner, duct work, fireplace, and heating system.

A quality home inspector will look at every nook and cranny to gauge structure stability, present and potential dangers. But remember, a home inspection is not a guarantee or a warranty - it may not find everything.

No house is perfect, so you should expect your inspector to find some issues with the Southern New Hampshire home.  If significant problems are discovered, you can ask the seller to repair them, reduce the sale price or you can even back out of the deal without consequences, as long as your contract includes this contingency.

Let me help you find the right home for you. Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com for more information about home buying.

Southern New Hampshire Home for Sale? 6 Tips for Selling Now

If your Southern New Hampshire home for sale isn’t selling, you’re probably wondering if you’re missing something. Well, here’s a list of things you might not know that could make all the difference:

1.    If the location of your Southern NH home for sale isn’t great, the price and terms are the only thing that will sell it. Make them outstanding!

2.    Attractive, competitive terms may help you get a higher price. For instance, if you’re allowing the option of owner financing, and also allow a smaller down payment (say, 3-5% of the sale price), you may be able to sell your house for a higher overall amount.

3.    Because of the current high competition, your home has to be in the best condition at a competitive price. Check out the competition, accept that yours might need work, and get to it.

4.    You can’t set a limit for home improvement. If your home needs something done to beat the competition and you can do it, do it! You aren’t just spending money; you’re investing in the sale of your home. Although you may not get all your money back, you just might get a quick sale at full value.

5.    Staging – you’ve heard of it; tons of agents are talking about it. If you want to get your house sold, either invest in staging services or do your homework and stage the home yourself. It’s all about presentation.

6.    Remember that you are no longer the host/hostess of the house. You are a business person, and your business is getting that house sold. Don’t let your emotions get in the way of a solid business deal.

Putting your Southern New Hampshire home up for sale is a daunting prospect. If it’s been up for a while, it can be an exercise in frustration. However, keep the above points in mind, listen to the experts and put what you learn to work for you.

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

How Does a Second Mortgage Work on a Southern NH Home?

You may not know it, but you can take out a second mortgage on your Southern New Hampshire home if you have equity in the property.  A lender may offer you a home equity loan (HEL) or a home equity line of credit (HELOC).  Which one is right for you?  Here are a couple of tips to help you decide:

    * A home equity loan is commonly referred to as a second mortgage.  Expect the process to be similar to getting your primary mortgage.  Your home will have to be inspected, and you’ll need to arrange for another appraisal.  Home equity loans frequently have a higher interest rate than primary mortgages because the lender is at a greater risk of you defaulting on the loan.

    * The HEL can be a fixed-rate mortgage, which means that your interest rate and payments are fixed for the duration of the loan.  This makes it easier to plan for the payments, so you’ll be able to borrow responsibly and not get in over your head.

    * A home equity line of credit is more like a credit card secured by your Southern NH home.  It allows you to withdraw money, up to a set limit, whenever you need it. There is generally a minimum payment due each month.  Unlike a loan, you'll increase your available credit each time you make a payment.

    * A line of credit usually has a variable interest rate, like a credit card.  It may have a low introductory interest rate for a short time, and then increase for the rest of the loan term.  You can access the funds with a bankcard or checks drawn off the HELOC.

If you are borrowing for a single project like remodeling the kitchen of your Southern New Hampshire home, you might think about a home equity loan.  However, if you’re looking to finance a re-occurring expense like college tuition, an open line of credit might work best for you. 

Have questions about mortgages or real estate?  I’m happy to help.  Call me today at 603-821-1134 or email me at Dave@DaveHeeter.com.