Archive for the 'Advice for Sellers' Category

Radon – A Red Flag for Sellers & Buyers

Published on November 14, 2011 in Advice for Sellers. 0 Comments Tags: , .

Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that occurs naturally in the ground from the breakdown of radium.  It is very prevalent in New Hampshire.  Studies show that high levels of radon increase the risk of lung cancer.  Radon enters your home through cracks in the foundation and even from the release of the gas in your water (taking a shower for example).

Today’s buyers test for radon in the air and water and expect sellers to mitigate levels that are higher than recommended guidelines.  Buyers can also use this as a negotiating point to reduce the sales price.  For sellers to maximize selling potential, it is best to test before listing and install mitigation systems as needed.  This will make the home more saleable and avoid a point of conflict with buyers.

In order to better understand radon, contact the State of NH at 721-4764, or give Donna a call for a free state environmental fact sheet on radon, 526-4116.

Donna Forest, Broker Associate

Skip These Minor Maintenance Chores Now and You’ll Spend More Later

Published on October 17, 2011 in Advice for Sellers. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon

Published: October 13, 2011

These often-overlooked home maintenance chores will cost you in the long run if you neglect them.

This time of year brings out the home maintenance scolds urging us to perform those annual chores that keep our houses safe and sound. It’s always the same — change your furnace filters, drain outdoor faucets, clean gutters. But we’ve found a fresh voice who adds a few surprises to his home maintenance list.

Lou Manfredini, host of House Smarts TV, has added some easy-to-forget chores to his home maintenance list that will cost you if you ignore them:

  • Drain water heaters to remove sediment (This video shows you how.)
  • Re-seal foggy windows
  • Replace curled roof shingles
  • Re-grout cracked kitchen and bath tiles.

Have you neglected a maintenance chore that bit you later?

Visit Houselogic.com for more articles like this.  Reprinted from Houselogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

Here’s the Latest on the Kitchen and Bath Trends for 2011

Published on March 22, 2011 in Advice for Sellers and Sunapee Housing Market. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

The National Kitchen and Bath Association just released its 2011 kitchen and bath study to predict trends for this year. While some trends are definitely on the rise, others that were hot (or not so hot) last year are gaining (or losing) momentum.

Here is the definitive list of what will be big in the coming months:

1. The Case for Space

If you recall, opening rooms was also one of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry’s predicted trends for 2011. It seems that today’s chefs don’t want to be stuck in a stodgy room. And for those who are more frugal, simply knocking down a wall may be enough: “Knocking down a few walls costs a lot less than adding square footage. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, though, make sure you’re not destroying load-bearing walls.”

2. Tough Counter to Crack.

Quartz is back in a big way. People are going for the hard mineral because it is the “perfect alternative to granite and marble for low maintenance and high durability” in both the kitchen and the bathroom. In fact, 85 percent of NKBA bathroom designers incorporate quartz into their designs.

3. Going Green.

While it is important to be eco-friendly, this year people are quite literally going green, especially in bathrooms. The calming, earthier tone saw a rise in popularity late last year; at the beginning of 2010 only about 1 in 7 people requested green in their remodel, but by December 1 in 4 wanted the color.

4. Shake It Up.

Shaker-style kitchens – an organized, wood-paneled, cabinet-centric approach design – are having a major comeback. While people are still leaning towards traditional models, the Shaker utilitarian approach has been used by 55% of kitchen remodelers last year.

5. Dark Times.

Dark natural and deep reddish-brown maple finishes are in this year for cabinetry and even floors. With more people turning to the dark side, medium natural, white, and glazed finishes have fallen by the wayside.

6. Relax in Style.

People are turning up the volume on in-home luxury; maybe because of the economy, people are finding ways to pamper themselves at home. From spa-like bathrooms to a rise in unchilled, wine cabinets being installed, homeowners are creating spaces in their homes to simply relax. For those on a budget, MSN Real Estate suggests “adding multiple showerheads to a shower typically costs just a few hundred dollars, making it one of the most economical ways to add a spa feel. Also, try to avoid moving fixtures, since that can add enormously to a project’s cost.”

7. Kitchen 3.0

Most people love new tech toys, so why should the kitchen be any different? From French-doored refrigerators with customizable freezers to an 8% rise in requests for induction stove tops, the future kitchen is here. Surprisingly, as people are integrating more high-tech gadgetry in the kitchen, they are leaning towards more traditional and functional designs (see #4).

8. Going Green…The Other Way.

Some choose to paint to be green, but homeowners are also becoming – not surprisingly – more eco-aware in their choices. From bamboo flooring to installing LED lighting, remodeling is taking a turn for the sustainable. NKBA members even said that 89% of the kitchens they designed included some consideration for pull-out trash and recycling bins, and a distinct rise in both garbage disposals and trash compactors.

9. You’re so vain.

Piggy-backing on the spa bathrooms, vanities are getting a redemption. Remodels are taking a turn from the super-industrial look with finished metal to vessel sinks and integrated sink tops, which have a warmer, more classic feel. The bathroom vanity is also seeing double-dual sinks are now a “given” in master baths.

10. Hit the (Hardwood) Floor.

While carpeting may have never been the best choice for the kitchen or bathroom, this year it is being panned for the entire house. Hardwood and tile remain a staple, but bamboo flooring is also gaining popularity. Liz Pulliam Weston of MSN Real Estate adds, “high-end linoleum – which sounds like an oxymoron, but isn’t – is being used in more fashionable homes.”

Source:  Ilyce Glink, CBSMoneywatch.com

Can You Smell That?

Published on March 9, 2011 in Advice for Sellers and Sunapee Housing Market. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

The history of Aromatherapy dates back at least to 4000 BC, although the term “aromatherapy” was first used in the 1920s by the French chemist René Maurice Gattefossé who accidentally discovered that lavender oil relieves pain and assists in the healing of burns.

Humans can discern about 10,000 smells. Remember Cleopatra? She placed layers of rose petals on her palace floors to entice Mark Antony. She knew the power of scent and got that part right, but according to recent studies, the scents that most attract men are pumpkin pie and anise. Well, she didn’t have our science or pumpkin pie.

Today, Aromatherapy is used in almost every bath and beauty product on the shelf.  It is also used by some for healing. “Set the Mood” for a sale in Real Estate. Aromatherapy is especially useful for Open Houses or to assist sellers with pet or cooking odors.

Studies have shown that the first thing people notice when they walk into a home is the smell. A strong or unpleasant smell can turn off a buyer immediately.

Studies have also shown that a buyer’s impression of a home is made in the first 30 seconds upon entering and a buy/no buy decision is not far after. Needless to say, this first impression is critical in the sale of a home, and smell is an important part of the experience.

So why not use the buyer’s senses to your advantage? It is possible to not only stage a home to be visually appealing and uncluttered but to also stimulate the buyer’s other senses – especially their sense of smell.

Set the mood for your home by the use of Essential Oils or candles that include essential oils. If the home is small, you may want to limit the scents to one or possibly two. If the home is larger however, you can set the mood for each of the major areas of the home.  Some examples include:

• Lavender Oil – Has a calming effect and would be ideal to set the mood for a master bathroom or bedroom.

• Bergamot - Has a fresh, sweet, citrus scent that is familiar to many as the flavoring in Earl Gray, would help create the ideal mood for a master bedroom or bathroom.

• Lemon or Citrus - Has a clean, refreshing scent and would be great for a kitchen, bathroom, or dining area.

• Peppermint - Has a clean, cooling scent and would be great on a hot summer day in the kitchen or main areas of the home.

• Balsam Fir - Has a soothing effect and would be great around the holidays in the main areas of the home.

• Jasmine - Has a warm, exotic floral fragrance that creates a feeling of “romance”, ideal for the master bath or bedroom.

Keep Your Home Sale on the Closing Track

Published on October 29, 2010 in Advice for Buyers, Advice for Sellers and Sunapee Housing Market. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Getting your house under contract is a great first step, but beware…there are five common mistakes often made by sellers which could endanger the eventual closing.  To keep your closing on track, be sure you …

Don’t ignore contingencies

This one is simple:  if your contract requires you to do something before the sale, do it, and do a good job of any repairs

Fix things that break

Remember, there will be a walk-through.  If the buyer notices that something has broken since he last saw the house, and it hasn’t been fixed, at the least, he could call for a delay of closing until the repair is made.  Even worse, he might lose confidence about your trustworthiness and the condition of the house and he may walk away from the sale.

Don’t get lax about deadlines

Follow the timelines required in the contract to a “T”.

Don’t refuse to negotiate any further

Be prepared to listen to requests by the buyer for reasonable price negotiations.

Don’t fail to mention liens to your agent and the buyers

These things will come up in the title search anyway and could derail the closing.  Take care of them up front.

Article source:  BuyAndSell.HouseLogic.com

By: G. M. Filisko
Published: March 30, 2010

Advice for Home Buyers: It’s Not Just About Chewing on Lead Paint Chips!

Published on September 30, 2010 in Advice for Buyers, Advice for Sellers and Sunapee Housing Market. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

You’ve found the perfect home, but before you close, you will most likely want to have a home inspection.  This should include consideration of the possibility of the presence of lead paint in the house.

Lead is a highly toxic metal and is especially dangerous to children – their bodies absorb more of the metal.  Even low levels of lead reduce IQ & attention span, cause learning disabilities and retard development.  Lead poisoning is a major health problem in this country for children.  It even impacts adults by increasing blood pressure and damaging the kidneys, nerves, and brain.  Any amount of lead is bad.

Why am I writing about it?  Because about ¾ of the homes built prior to 1978 contain some lead paint.  And there are plenty of older homes in this area.  The most obvious source of contamination is peeling paint.  However another primary source, and one not as noticeable, is contaminated dust created from the friction of opening and closing of windows, doors, scuffing of feet on stairs, renovations, etc.  Even though most houses today are completely repainted inside and out, the danger of lead dust still exists.  This dust clings to carpets, floors, furniture, and toys. Young children get it on their hands and then put their hands in their mouths.  I’m sure I don’t have to delve into the problems with the dust created from renovations.  You get the picture.   Whether you’re selling or buying a pre-1978 house, you need to be aware of the requirements, disclosures and risk assessments available.  Contact me for a free pamphlet “Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home.”

Donna Forest

603-526-4116

10 Staging Tips if You are Selling a Home

Published on September 27, 2010 in Advice for Sellers and Sunapee Housing Market. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

RISMEDIA, in their real estate magazine, often offers great tips for both buyers and sellers.  An article published in early spring summarized these timeless great suggestions for anyone trying to sell their home from Sandra Rinomato, host of HGTV’s popular “Property Virgins” show.

Before staging, the first step is to, “Get it clean, clean, clean,” said Rinomato. “If your house isn’t clean, it instantly sends up negative thoughts that the home is not well maintained. If your house is spotless, you’re ahead of the game,” she said.  Next, “stage” your house so “…potential buyers can superimpose themselves and their lifestyle on the house.”

Here are her tips:

1. Visit model homes and check out magazines for inexpensive decorating ideas which will appeal to the general public.

2. Home improvement can be as simple as spiffing up the outside with a fresh coat of paint, new shiny hardware on the front door and plant some flowers.

3. Declutter everywhere.   This will make rooms look larger, and don’t forget closets.

4. Replace light bulbs with energy-saving, but bright, bulbs.  Open or remove curtains. “Light, bright rooms give the impression this is a happy place—and everyone wants to move into a happy place,” said Rinomato.

5. Feature only a few pieces of furniture with broad appeal. Pieces pulled away from walls will make rooms look bigger.

6. Make sure a room’s primary use is obvious.

7. Keep kitchen counters clear; the same for nightstands and bureaus. Clean under the sinks in the kitchen.

8. Minimize the presence of your pets. Deodorize thoroughly.

9. Organize storage spaces.  It’s even worth renting a storage locker.

10. When you’re done, call in your friends and REALTOR to get an objective opinion.

RISMEDIA, March 19, 2010—(MCT)—

(c) 2010, The Orlando Sentinel (Fla.).

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

Helpful Hints for Selling a Home: What do you do with a “low-ball” offer?

Published on September 14, 2010 in Advice for Sellers and Sunapee Housing Market. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

First thing is don’t get mad!  These may be the buyers (in disguise) you have been waiting for!

Here are some helpful things home sellers should know about “low-ball” offers:

1. First, understand that, in this market, you should be prepared for the possibility of an unacceptably low offer.

Your agent will help you be ready and work with you to agree ahead of time what constitutes a “low-ball” offer on your house.  If you have an understanding and a plan ahead of time, it will ease the process.

2. Don’t automatically assume that buyers are trying to be insulting.  There are many reasons a buyer might submit a low offer.

A lowball may be all the buyers can afford; it could be an investor looking to steal the property, or a buyer who really likes your property and is just taking a shot at it, never knowing if you’re going to say yes or no.

3. If the initial offer seems out of the question, should the seller just ignore it or make a counter?

Even if the offer is so low, you wouldn’t consider selling at that price, make a counter-offer.  Keep the negotiation lines open.  You never know where it will take you.

4. In such a case, the next move will be revealing.

The smaller the move, the closer the buyer likely is to his goal.  A big jump could mean that there is hope of reaching agreement.  And you may have found yourself a buyer!

Based, in part, on an article written by Mary Umberger, a freelance writer in Chicago, which appeared in the September 8, 2020, issue of Inman News online.

Helpful “Do It Yourself” Selling Tips

Published on September 10, 2010 in Advice for Sellers and Sunapee Housing Market. 0 Comments Tags: , .

RISMEDIA recently reprinted an article which was provided by Kiplinger and focused on 8 do-it-yourself projects which would add value to your home, and could be completed in less than a day’s work for less than $1,000 apiece.  Homes for sale need to stand out in the marketplace and such home improvement projects will make a difference.

1. Replace Sinks & Faucets

Especially in the kitchen, which is such a focal point for most buyers.  Incorporate low-flow aerators, as a significant number of buyers are seeking energy efficiency in their new home.  Kitchen remodels score high for recouping cost, usually 70-80%.

2. Backsplashes

This is one of the easiest ways to zip up your kitchen, especially if you use the peel-and-stick tile options which are now available.  If you have the skills, the grout-and-tile options will appeal to a larger number of prospective buyers.

3. Vanity Cabinets/Toilets

This is another area where the return is excellent.  New water-saving models of toilets are “surprisingly easy to install”.  If you have an old (attractive) dresser, consider using that as the base of a new basin sink.

4. Paint

For about $30 a can, a fresh coat of paint will immediately transform a room for dramatic return on your investment.  Use lighter shades to brighten and make a room feel larger; keep shades neutral to appeal to the largest number of buyers.

5. Crown Molding

Crown molding might not give you the highest return, but it will make your home stand out from some of the competition.  It’s a “wow” factor!  You might want the help of an experienced friend for this one, as it can be tricky.

6. Storage/Organization

Make your space more functional for storage and organization.  De-clutter, particularly in the garage, basement and closets.  Use new shelving or clear storage bins.

7. Replace The Front Door

It’s the first thing your buyers will see.  Consider using a steel door which will recoup more of its cost.  If you buy an energy-efficient door, you’re likely to get a tax credit as well.

8. Landscaping

Actually, before they see the front door, buyers will be looking at your landscaping.  This is a first impression which can color the way they view the entire home.  Add color that will complement your house.  Plants are better than trees or shrubs which can take a long time to mature and perennials are less work and offer immediate gratification and results.

These are excellent suggestions which will give your home a better chance of appealing to more buyers, thus increasing your odds of selling sooner than your neighbor.

This was reported by John Miley, Kiplinger.com

Is Your House Camera Shy?

Published on September 9, 2010 in Advice for Sellers and Sunapee Housing Market. 0 Comments Tags: , .

If you are getting ready to put your house on the market, it is important to make sure it photographs well.  Since 90% of buyers start their search online, good pictures are essential to grabbing buyers’ interest.   Before your Realtor arrives to take photos, here are some tips to help maximize your online exposure.

  • De-clutter your house.  Pay attention to the small details like removing refrigerator magnets, soap & sponges by sink, and  towels hanging on the stove.  Also, stash-or throw-all your piles away.
  • Watch out for strong colors as they may not show well in photos.   You may want to consider painting walls a more neutral palette or replacing too bold/busy bedspreads.  Ruffles and curtains may need to go as well.
  • Avoid having too much furniture in a room – remove excess pieces.
  • Make each room as light & bright as possible.
  • Pay attention to the exterior.  Good landscaping and a fresh coat of paint will look great on and off camera.

Talk to your Realtor to make sure they are using a camera with a wide angle lens and that they are putting as many photos as possible online.  You can count on me for this kind of good advice which will help your property stand out in the market and get the attention of serious potential buyers.  Give me a call!  603-526-4116, www.donnaforest.com.