Though many view spring as the ideal time for selling and buying homes, there are compelling reasons to consider listing and purchasing properties during the winter months in New Hampshire.
For Sellers:
- Motivated Buyers: Winter buyers often have urgent needs, like job relocations, that can lead to quicker sales.
- Less Competition: Fewer homes on the market mean your home stands out more.
- Cozy Appeal: Winter in NH allows sellers to highlight the warmth and coziness of their home, making it inviting and appealing. Features like a fireplace, good insulation and efficient heating can be highlighted.
For Buyers:
- Serious Sellers: Sellers in the winter are often motivated, leading to better negotiation opportunities.
- Less Buyer Competition: Fewer active buyers means less competition, potentially giving better selection of homes without the multiple offer situations common in peak seasons.
- Winter Ready: By viewing homes in winter, buyers can gauge how well a home handles the cold — whether it’s adequately insulated, how effective the heating system is, or if there are drafts.
Buying or selling a home in New Hampshire during the winter months might seem unconventional, but it offers unique advantages that can benefit both sellers and buyers. With the right perspective and the help of a local real estate expert, winter can be an excellent time for real estate transactions in the winter wonderland that is New Hampshire!
If you’re thinking of buying, selling or renting, Deb has you covered!
 |
Deb ReesM: 603-454-8380deb@bhgmilestone.com |
Now that winter is here, it brings a new set of challenges for sellers. Here are a few common sense tips to follow.
- Make sure your driveway is always plowed and entryways clear.
- Keep walkways and stairs clear of snow and ice.
- Set thermostat in a vacant house to at least 55 to 60 degrees. A warm house holds more appeal and buyers will take their time looking. If a home is cold, buyers will rush thru and it leaves a negative impression.
- Put a large, heavy-duty rug in front of the door used for entry to provide space for buyers’ wet boots.
- Let in the light. Push back drapes, open blinds, install higher wattage bulbs.
- If you have great summer photos of the yard, leave them out for buyers to view.
If you are looking for an experienced Realtor with the common sense to help sell your house in any season, then give me a call!
 |
Donna ForestM: 603-731-5151donna@donnaforest.com Follow her on Facebook |
When it comes to selling, it is very tempting to price your house too high. A house is your biggest asset and emotionally it’s hard to be logical about the value. Here’s why you should NOT overprice your house.
- Timing is everything. The greatest potential for buyer traffic is in the first 2-3 weeks. If priced high initially, you miss this window of opportunity.
- Overpriced listings will not get shown. Agents & savvy buyers will only look at properties they feel are fairly priced.
- It benefits the competition by acting as a selling point for market-priced homes. It’s a cue to buyers to say “I can get a similar house for less!”
- Lender trouble. Even if you found a buyer willing to pay more (a BIG IF), the loan is based on accurate appraisals. Appraisers base value on comparable sold properties.
- Overpriced homes sit on the market longer and then buyers think there may be issues with the property itself.
Nothing hurts the selling process more than overpricing a property. It is the number one reason why houses don’t sell.
If you are looking for an agent who will give you an accurate, “must know” market pricing, then give me a call.
|
Donna ForestM: 603-731-5151donna@donnaforest.com Follow her on Facebook |
When you're thinking about selling your home, decluttering is a great first step! Here are some ways to make the process easier.
1. Come Up with a Timeframe
Once you know when you want to sell your house creating an attainable timeframe is key. That way it is more manageable to tackle the decluttering process. Once you know your timeframe for selling it'll make breaking up the process easier, whether you have weeks or months before listing.
2. Break Up the Process
Depending on your timeframe come up with a goal for decluttering. Whether it is one item each day or one area at a time. Maybe breaking up the process by category would work best for you, such as clothing, kitchenware, holiday decorations, etc. By making the main goal into small attainable projects, it will make the overall process a lot easier to overcome!
3. Write a List
A great way to help keep your decluttering goal on task is to write a checklist. It's so fulfilling to check off an item!
4. This is Still Your Home
While decluttering is great, don't declutter just to declutter. Your home does not need to look perfect in order to sell, but organizing and staging your home will help potential buyers imagine themselves in the space. Plus, it will make the photographs of your home look even better!
5. Is this a Job for Me or the Professionals?
If you have no idea where to start or feel overwhelmed by the process, hiring professionals might be your best option! There are great companies that can show you how to organize and declutter your space by teaching tricks that will help you in the future.
6. What to do After You Declutter
While you are decluttering it would be a good idea to create different piles or bins for every item you no longer need. Instead of throwing everything in the trash, make a donation, sell, or gift piles, that way your no-longer-needed items can go on to another home.
Contact us for more useful tips if you are thinking of selling! For the best selling, buying, or renting experience, call "The Best Team in Town" at 603-526-4116!
Sources:
https://www.stpaulrealestateblog.com/clean-declutter-eliminate/
https://www.homelight.com/blog/how-to-clean-out-a-house-to-sell/
If you want to sell your home faster and most likely for more money, consider hiring a home stage. Home staging is not decorating or interior design. It is the act of preparing and showcasing a home for sale to attract buyers. A home should be merchandised and marketed just like any other product. Staging is a proven marketing strategy - staged homes present and show better, they sell lifestyle and emotion, and they don't give buyers a reason to offer less money. Buyers are willing to pay a premium for a move-in home. Professionally staged homes stand-out above the competition and also photograph better - a key component in online marketing. It's hard to make the mental leap from this is your home to now being a commodity on the market. Stagers are trained professionals who understand exactly what is needed to get your property prepared for sale. On average, staged homes sell 88% faster and for 20% more than nonstaged homes. Bottom line, it is money well spent to properly prepare a house for sale.
Contact me for more useful tips if you are thinking of selling!
|
Donna ForestM: 603-731-5151donna@donnaforest.com Follow her on Facebook |
There are a number of myths about how real estate actually works. These misbeliefs can hurt your chances of selling at the right price and in a timely manner. Below are a few common misconceptions.
- Overpricing leads to higher offers: Quite the opposite is true. Overpriced homes sit on the market longer and end up with lower offers. They become stale listings and buyers wonder what is wrong with them.
- Spring is the best time to sell: Typically spring & summer were known as the selling season. However, given the lack of homes for sale, any time of the year can be the best time.
- If you get an offer right away then the house was underpriced: A correctly priced home will receive offers right away. After all, isn't the goal to sell the house and not have it sit on the market for weeks on end? Buyers are online constantly looking and are ready to jump when something comes on that fits their needs.
- Homes don't need to be prepped for sale: This couldn't be further from the truth. Most buyers want move-in condition homes. Houses that are decluttered, cleaned, and staged sell faster and for more money.
- Good marketing includes open houses: The reality is only 7% of buyers find their home through an open house.
Contact me for more professional advice on the right way to sell your house.
|
Donna ForestM: 603-731-5151donna@donnaforest.com Follow her on Facebook |
- A BRAND WITH A LEGACY ®
It’s more than just a name you know, it’s a name you trust. The Better Homes & Gardens brand has been a trusted source for homeowners, buyers and sellers since the 1920’s. - AUTHENTIC CONNECTIONS
The Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate brand comes with a network like no other; which means more connections to potential buyers and sellers for your next home transaction. - PASSIONATE PROFESSIONALS
We are affiliated with a network of over 12,000 affiliated real estate professionals who are united by common core values and compassionate culture… all with the main goal to serve YOU! - A BRAND FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE
We know that you are not buying a home but buying the home in which to live your best life in; our unique tools allow us to help you in that process. - EXPECT BETTER®
Our promise to you: to bring all the skills, credibility and marketing power that you would expect from a brand whose focus is to help you achieve your dreams of homeownership and beyond. - INDUSTRY-LEADING TOOLS
Our cutting-edge tools, technology and resources will allow affiliated agents the ability to help guide you through your transaction with ease. - PART OF A FAMILY
As part of a great Better Homes & Gardens family, affiliated Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate agents are a step ahead on things such as interior design, outdoor design and lifestyle trends and can share this with you to help you live your best life. - TOP SEARCH ENGINE RESULTS
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate listings are prominently displayed on major search platforms, and affiliated agents can promote these listings through a highly targeted digital marketing campaign to ensure they are seen by thousands of potential buyers. - A BRAND WITH A SOUL
We are fueled by the desire to make a difference in our community and the world community. The Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate network has teamed up with New Story, a charity devoted to building life-changing homes for impoverished families in El Salvador. - FACILITATING A STRESS-FREE MOVE
When you work with an affiliated Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate agent, you have access to amazing discounts from companies like PODS®, Mohawk® Flooring, and ADT that you can use to help with your transition into your next home.
©2024. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Better Homes and Gardens®, the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Logo, BHGRE, Be Better and Expect Better are service marks owned by Meredith Corporation and licensed to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated. The above companies are independently owned and operated from Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC and Realogy Holdings Corp. and are the owners of their respective marks and logos.
What is a seller’s market? Historically a balanced market has a 6-month supply of homes for sale in which there are enough homes available for active buyers. The most recent report (Jan.) from The National Assoc. of Realtors (NAR) shows the US inventory at just a 3-month supply. NH has about a month’s supply but at least new listings are up 26% YTD thru Feb. compared to 2023. As a result of the low level of housing supply, properties sell quickly and for much higher prices. Currently there are only 975 homes for sale in the whole state of NH. Sellers are in prime position to best negotiate price and terms favorable to them. The median sales price in NH (thru 2/2024) is $460,000, up 9.5% for the same time frame last year. Will it last? Looking at the predictions of 7 home price forecasters, they are predicting, on average, a price appreciation of 3.2% for 2024.
If you are considering selling, contact me to find out why this is the ultimate time to be a seller!
|
Donna ForestM: 603-731-5151donna@donnaforest.com Follow her on Facebook |
If you are thinking about selling in the next few months, you can increase the value and desirability of your house by making upgrades and changes now. Here are a few proven strategies to help get you started.
- Decluttering and cleaning are two of the most important and cost-effective ways to increase value. If you do nothing else, do this!
- Kitchen and baths sell the house. Consider replacing dated light fixtures, adding a new bathroom vanity, changing out old appliances for stainless steel, updating cabinetry hardware, etc.
- First impressions count. The landscaping & exterior appearance should be attractive and welcoming.
- A simple and worthwhile improvement is to freshly paint rooms using neutral colors and high-quality paint.
- Energy efficient upgrades like adding new windows and more insulation can help you net a higher sales price.
Contact me if you want more tips on how to increase buyer interest and resale value of your home.
|
Donna ForestM: 603-731-5151donna@donnaforest.com Follow her on Facebook |