With the sizzle of summer, it’s easy to think of owning (or at least renting!) a vacation home this year. In fact, recreational home buyers came out full force in the 2nd half of 2020 thru April 2021 in search of that lakefront home or cabin in the woods. The National Assoc. of Realtors (NAR) just released The Vacation Home Counties 2021 Report analyzing how the pandemic impacted this demand and not surprisingly, vacation home sales jumped 57% year-over-year during Jan-April 2021. “Vacation homes are a hot commodity at the moment,” says Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. “With many businesses and employers still extending an option to work remotely to workers, vacation housing, and second homes will remain a popular choice among buyers.” We saw it in our area this spring with bidding wars on the smaller ponds like Chalk Pond resulting in prices over $600,000. While our market seems to have settled down from the earlier months of frenzied buying, the second home market is expected to remain strong given the low supply and high demand. Thinking of buying or selling that second home? Contact me and put my 21 years of local expertise to work for you.
Donna Forest ~ donna@donnaforest.com ~ 613-731-5151
Beautiful Open Concept Colonial in Gramercy Park Subdivision. Private 2.05 acres on Park-like setting on end of cul-de-sac backed by woods. Huge finished room above the garage with many options for use. Newly carpeted and painted neutral colors. 3 miles to shopping, schools, and hospital, 50 minute commute to Boston. Yard is beautifully landscaped with fruit trees, gardens, playground area, newly finished walkway and retaining wall and nice hill for sledding.
Possibility exists to finish walkout basement as separate entrance apartment. The preliminary framing and footwork has been completed and owners have confirmed with the town that it is allowable.
Enclosed porch room off the kitchen/dining area is unfinished and waiting for final touches.
Showings begin July 10th. OPEN HOUSE Sat 7/10 & Sun 7/11 11-1pm. By appt.
7 Stony Point Drive, Londonderry NH 03053
Jenna Sievers~603-391-6799~Jenna@bhgmilestone.com
Have a blast this July 4th using the following recipes, backyard décor ideas, and fun outdoor activities.
Fourth of July Recipes
- These delicious July 4th picnic recipes will result in an all-star gathering.
- Stir this Provencal pesto into a bowl of boiled potatoes or pasta salad with shredded chicken.
- Mix a refreshing pear vinaigrette with this grilled vegetable and mozzarella ensalada.
- These open-face pesto-chicken mozzarella melts will be a huge hit at any gathering. Serve these grilled chicken burgers on a slice of ciabatta bread with a few fresh basil leaves for one incredible meal.
- Serve flavor-packed black bean chipotle burgers that will make everyone’s tastebuds dance with joy.
- Easy to grab, delicious to eat, these hamburger sliders with cranberry chutney are perfect for any backyard gathering.
- Bake one white and one red velvet cake. After they have cooled, cut each cake into about 1-inch slices and stack them alternating each layer, so it looks like the stripes on the American flag. Add blue food coloring to icing before spreading it on top, and then for the final touch, add white star sprinkles.
- End the day with a fresh and berry-topped, berry delicious flag cake.
- Bake an Independence Day cookie pizza! Press and flatten cookie dough into a 14-inch pizza pan and bake it until golden. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, and then scatter mini marshmallows across the top. Then sprinkle the top with red and blue candy-coated chocolates. Easy and delicious.
- This patriotic berry flag tart is just as tasty as it looks.
- Make American flag pretzel sticks by dipping a pretzel into melted white chocolate about 5 inches. After it has cooled, dip the same end of the pretzel into melted blue chocolate about 1 inch and place white start sprinkles on the blue portion before it dries. Fill a piping bag with red icing and drizzle it back and forth across the white chocolate to create the stripes.
- Get your patriotic party on with incredible 4th of July drinks.
- Enjoy these refreshing summer cocktails that are exactly what your guests will enjoy at the end of a hot day.
Backyard Preparation and July 4th Décor
- Check out creative benches and built-in seating solutions for your deck or patio that are practical and look great.
- Learn how to build a freestanding deck to enhance your home’s exterior and host memorable outdoor gatherings.
- Summer is in full swing; here are a few outdoor patio ideas that will help you enjoy your July 4th gathering and all future outdoor parties.
- Red, white, and blue, these Fourth of July crafts are for you.
- These DIY planter rockets will be a blast to create and will make your yard look fabulous.
Outdoor Activities for the 4th of July
- Get your game on and discover some family fun with fourth of July games for kids.
- Make a photo booth in your backyard! Use construction paper to cut out patriotic themed props such as red hats and blue bowties. Take silly photos and share them with loved ones.
- Discover endless entertainment with these games you’ll be playing all summer long.
- Build a rocket out of cardboard boxes so the young ones can fly high. Take a large cardboard box, cut out ½ of one side, and place it upright so the opening serves as a window. Cut out two wings and tape one to each side. For the top of the rocket, cut out a triangle and attach it to the top. If you want to take it another level, you can paint the outside or wrap it in fun wrapping paper. Glue painted bottle caps on to look like buttons and use a paper plate as a wheel. Blast off!
- These fun outdoor yard games are great family entertainment and will be a hit at parties.
- Set up a kid’s craft table. Use toilet paper or paper towel tubes to make little rockets! You and the kids can paint the cardboard red, white, and blue and then glue ribbons or tassels onto one end. Paint little stars on the outside to give it a boost! For the top of the rocket, make a cone shape out of paper to glue it to the top.
This post was originally published on BHGRE Life. https://www.bhgre.com/bhgrelife/have-a-memorable-fourth-of-july/
Home prices in NH as well as the US continue to climb upwards as we still are experiencing a shortage of houses for sale. Multiple offers are driving the median sales price of a home in NH to a high of $375,000 (YTD thru May) while the median sales price for the US is $350,000. The average days on market is 34 days and the selling prices are 102% of the asking price. Looking at our local market, in the 3 towns of Newbury, New London & Sunapee combined, there were a total of 53 homes sold thru May 2021, 56 sold in 2020 and 65 sold in 2019. The median selling price is $495,000 thru May compared to last year at $341,250. The average days on market is 24 days and last year was 91 days.
Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Assoc. of Realtors predicts by year end that we will see “less multiple offers, less hurried decisions, less frenzy” as he expects more inventory to come on the market. He anticipates bidding wars would no longer be prevalent by 2022. On the other hand, many articles I’ve read predict it will be years before the housing shortage catches up with demand. My advice – it’s hard to time the market so you should buy or sell when it’s right for you. Contact me to learn more about how the market could impact your plans in this challenging environment!
Donna Forest ~ donna@donnaforest.com ~ 603-731-5151
In such a hot market, sellers may tend to think, "Hey, the house will sell regardless of how it looks!", and so nothing gets done to prep it for sale. While this may be the easy road to take and yes, it will most likely sell despite the lack of preparation, sellers are leaving money on the table. A house is usually one of the biggest assets someone will have. A staged home will generate more buyer interest and therefore more offers. Multiple offers tend to mean the seller will get over the asking price. Over 95% of buyers are searching online and if you don’t have great photos, your property will be bypassed in seconds. Professional photos, videos, and virtual tours have become even more important since the beginning of the pandemic. Sellers should have an honest conversation with their agent on how to best prepare their home for sale. With some time and effort, you will end up putting thousands of dollars more in your pocket. Contact me to work with someone who cares about getting you the most out of your sale.
Donna Forest ~ 603-731-5151 ~ donna@donnaforest.com
Buying your first home can feel like both the best of times and the worst of times. Here are 10 facts nobody tells you when you’re buying your first home.
1. Something will go wrong
No move is ever perfect. Something will get broken or there will be something you’ve forgotten to bring or do. With any luck, the setback will be minor, and you can chalk it up to the old adage, “things happen.”
2. Some of your conditions might not be met
One of the least enforceable clauses in offers to purchase is one for cleaning requests. You can stipulate that carpets, refrigerators and ovens be cleaned. However, if they haven’t been, there is often very little that you can do about it.
If a major repair hasn’t been completed as promised, one of two things will happen: you either won’t take possession of the property on the day you planned or your funds will have to be placed in escrow pending resolution of the issue.
3. If you don’t have the closing fees, you don’t get your new home
Legal fees are due on closing, and your funds won’t be released to the seller unless your lawyer is paid. Closing costs usually range from two to five percent of the purchase price, but be sure to verify this information before arriving on closing day. This money is in addition to your down payment.
4. Good schools increase a home’s value
You’ll pay more for a house in a good school district. Of course, the good news is you’ll get more for it when you decide to sell. If the home you’re planning to buy is your “forever” home and you don’t have, or plan to have children, this may not matter. Still, it’s something to think about.
5. Your neighborhood may be about to change drastically
The municipality may be planning a park, a school, or a playground for your area. Depending on your lifestyle, that can mean profound changes in a short period of time. Check with local administration and the area’s local representative. The first can tell you what the plan is. The latter will have a far better grasp of whether outlined timelines are accurate or not. You can base your decision on the information they provide.
6. You need to read all the documents yourself
It’s tempting when you’re paying a lawyer to review HOA or condo documents to simply delegate this task. However, a close reading of the minutes of meetings will teach you a lot about your neighbors-to-be and help you avoid nasty surprises, like planned increases in fees or devolving renovations that used to be the condo board, or HOA’s responsibility to individual owners.
7. Don’t apply for other credit while mortgage shopping
Applying for a loan or another credit card may seem like a good idea when you’re about to take the home ownership plunge and know you’re going to need to buy things like garden tools, a gazebo, and a grill. Don’t do it unless absolutely necessary. It can negatively affect not only the amount of your pre-approved mortgage, but it can also mean you don’t get pre-approval. Wait until after you’ve bought your home to apply for more credit.
8. You’re going to need “earnest” money
Also known as a deposit, you’ll likely need about $1000 per $100,000 worth of house available when you make an offer. This money is required as a show of good faith and will be held in escrow. You’ll get it back if your offer isn’t accepted, or it may be applied to your down payment. You may forfeit this money, though, if you’re the one who withdraws from the deal.
9. Your neighbors-to-be may be your best source of information
Walk around the area you where you want to live. If you see people out gardening or mowing their lawns, talk to them. Strike up a conversation and explain that you’re thinking of buying. Ask receptive individuals what the neighborhood is like, how long they’ve lived there, and how long they’re planning to stay. If you learn that your new home is located next door to some party animals who blast music every single summer evening, you may not enjoy your own backyard, so you may want to reconsider.
10. Check for rebates you may be entitled to
You may qualify for first-time homeowner rebates. There may be other municipal, state, or utility-provider rebates available, too. Start investigating early. It may make more sense to invest in attic insulation than an air conditioner if you’re going to get a rebate that covers some or all the cost of the insulation. Some areas offer rebates on newer, more energy-efficient appliances. You won’t know that unless you do your homework.
A good real estate agent can talk you through the buying process. Now you’re already ahead of the game with these ten facts nobody tells you, and you’ll be able to focus on offer strategy rather than the fundamentals.
15 Juniper Lane, Wilmot ~ 3 BR, 2 BA
One floor living! Appreciate the ease and comfort it brings...and enjoy the privacy of being surrounded by nature. Tucked in on 2 acres, the location is private and peaceful yet not far from downtown New London. Not your cookie cutter ranch, this inviting sunlit home offers vaulted ceilings with large windows and sliders, birch floors in the main living area, a gas fireplace for cozy gatherings, a generous sized kitchen open to the dining/living area, and a sweet breakfast nook perfect for morning coffees. Enchanting garden spaces around the exterior of the house will surprise and delight you all season long. And let’s not forget about the front porch, which beckons for a relaxing sit after a long day. If you are looking for that one special place where coming home is as comforting as a cup of hot cocoa and fuzzy slippers, then give this one a look!
Donna Forest, Listing Broker ~ donna@donnaforest.com ~ 603-731-5151
Nearly every real estate contract contains contingencies. How you deal with a real estate contract contingency might make or break the sale of your home. Some contingencies are easier to deal with than others, of course. Generally speaking, the faster you can fix the issues or make the accommodations stipulated in your real estate contract, the sooner your home can be sold.
What is a Real Estate Contract Contingency?
A real estate contract contingency is any condition outlined in the contract that must be met prior to the sale of a home. These stipulations exist to protect both buyers and sellers. If any of these conditions are not met, the contract would be void and the sale might not be able to move forward.
Common real estate contingencies include mortgage contingencies, which state that a mortgage loan must exist for the contract to move forward, and a home inspection contingency, which protects the buyer by requiring the house to be checked by a certified home inspector before the sale can move forward. In the case of a mortgage contingency, the stipulation is removed from the contract as soon as the loan is obtained. If a buyer cannot obtain a loan, they are usually able to gracefully exit the pending contract without penalty.
For a contingency like the home inspection requirement, once documentation of the check is obtained, the contract can proceed. If the home inspection finds faulty wiring, pests, structural damage, or other major problems with the property, the buyer can exit the contract without penalty. In this instance, the buyer would also receive any deposits or earnest money back. Alternatively, the buyer can request that repairs be made at the expense of the seller. If the seller does not wish to proceed and make the repairs, they can choose to void the contract. This again necessitates a return of all of the buyer’s deposits.
Another contingency that is often placed in a real estate contract involves the sale of the buyer’s current home. This stipulates that the buyer has a certain amount of time to sell their current home before purchasing a new one. If the home does not sell during that set period of time, the contract is voided. This protects the buyer from a scenario wherein they have to purchase a home they’re under contract for while they still have a mortgage on or equity in an old property. In a cash-poor situation like this, many buyers would not be able to obtain a mortgage or pay all-cash for a home, regardless.
Dealing with Contract Contingencies
As the seller, it’s important to have a real estate agent and attorney you can trust. These parties may review your contract with you and point out any contingencies that could prove problematic to you. If you know, for instance, that the home you are selling needs a new roof, chances are good you’d have to disclose it anyway.
However, under those circumstances, it’s important that a contingency for home inspection be worded properly and allow for the buyer to take possession of the home and then make their own repairs, in exchange for a lowered purchase price. This sort of phrasing can be critical if you’re a seller with a timeline for leaving your current property. You may not be able to wait to vet roofers and make the repairs yourself.
Similarly, if you are willing to accept an all-cash offer for a home so that you can move on more quickly, you should verify with your real estate agent that the contract is not contingent on the buyer having a mortgage loan in hand. There are unique issues that arise in all-cash deals, but if you are comfortable with that sort of arrangement, your contract will need to reflect it.
Most real estate contracts are fairly standard, but it’s always possible you are dealing with an inexperienced or even unscrupulous buyer and buyer’s agent. For this reason, and to protect your best interests in general, you should carefully review any contract you are considering signing. After all, it’s much easier to walk away before you have signed something than to have to find a way out of an executed contract later.
For advice with contingencies and much, much more, you can trust Better Homes and Gardens - The Milestone Team. There's a reason we're The Best Team in Town!
This post was originally published on the BHGRE Life Blog - https://www.bhgre.com/bhgrelife/
Buyers are crying and realtors are pulling their hair out in this competitive housing market. There simply are not enough homes for sale to meet current demand. Why? Here are some of the major reasons.
The housing shortage has been brewing for a long time. After the 2007-2008 financial crisis, builders mostly stopped building. There was less demand and financing for these projects was harder to get. On top of this, builders have a hard time finding labor. Many left to find other jobs after the downturn and fewer people are now going into the trades.
The cost of lumber and building supplies has nearly tripled. Lumber companies shut down during the pandemic and when they came back, production was reduced as much as 50%. They underestimated the housing surge as well as the increased demand in remodeling. Trump era tariffs on Canadian lumber did not help.
It’s a tsunami of events where unprecedented demand has collided with this period of under production. Millennials are now at the home-buying age, COVID has changed job markets, investors are buying 20% of all homes in the US, and there has been an increase in vacation home buyers. Builders are making progress but it will take some time to catch up. The housing market will not be changing much in the foreseeable future. Whether buying or selling, contact me to put my 27 years of knowledge to work for you.
Donna Forest ~ donna@donnaforest.com ~ 603-731-5151
One of the first things your real estate agent will discuss with you when giving you tips for selling your house is the importance of “curb appeal.” While that includes your front door, windows, exterior light fixtures, walkways, fencing, and your front deck or porch, it’s also all about your yard.
You may not be able to choose precisely when you put your house on the market. But as soon as you know you want to sell, you should start the outdoor work, preferably at least a month before you list the house and have an open house or book showings.
Here are a few tips on things you’ll want to tackle to make sure your home has enough curb appeal to get people in to view its interior.
Rent a Power Washer
Great for cleaning vinyl or brick siding, gutters, and paved surfaces, a weekend with a power washer is a great way to start the exterior clean up your home will need before you list it. As you clean the walkways, make note of any cracked or broken paving stones, and replace them.
Don’t forget to use the power washer on any birdbaths, water features, or small ponds you’ve created to wash away stains and lichens that may have started to sprout.
As you make your way around your home, check your exterior light fixtures and clear out the bugs that have collected in them and replace any burnt out lights.
Trim Shrubs and Trees
Now is the time to tackle low-hanging or damaged branches and shrubs that have overgrown the space allotted to them. It won’t just make the place look better, it will invigorate your trees and shrubs and force new growth in the direction you want to encourage it. If you have large trees that are beginning to encroach on power lines, consider hiring an arborist to do this work for you.
Invest in half a dozen paper yard waste bags and rake up any dead leaves and twigs. Most municipalities have yard waste collections or drop-off depots. Take advantage of them, and get rid of all your yard waste at once.
Unless you have perennials already planted at the base of your trees, consider investing in some top quality mulch instead of planting annuals later on. Invest in a few extra bags so you can top up the mulch once your house is listed. Cocoa mulch, if you can find it, is the husks of cocoa beans. When it’s fresh and shortly after it rains, you get the bonus of the lovely scent of chocolate spreading throughout your yard.
Remove Must-Have Perennials
If you have cherished perennials with a lot of sentimental value (bleeding heart, cherished rose bushes, or lily of the valley from your great-grandmother’s home), it’s better to remove them before showing the house. If you don’t have another place to plant them immediately, just put them in pots and make sure the pots are listed as an exclusion when negotiating a sale.
Invest in Annuals and Hanging Pots
Keeping a house immaculate while it’s listed for sale is enough work without constantly worrying about the exterior as well. This year, no matter what your usual garden plan is, invest in tons of long-blooming annuals and fill up all your garden beds with them. Spread mulch around them and you won’t have to weed.
Petunias and pansies are particularly nice because they come in so many different colors and bloom all summer long. Chicken and eggs are a good investment too, as they’ll expand to fill the space available to them and grow densely enough so there won’t be any weeds creeping in amongst them.
Depending on the timing, you can also invest in roll-out flower gardens, seeds embedded in biodegradable material. While germination should only take a week or two, most take five to six weeks for full bloom, so this solution might or might not work, depending on the season and how early you’re starting the garden spruce up before you plan to sell.
Lush hanging pots of flowers or some attractive tall planters filled with a variety of flowers and decorative grasses are always a nice touch too, and they’ll keep the focus on your entryway.
It goes without saying that you should ensure any patches of damaged lawn are reseeded as one of the first steps prior to selling. It will take a while for the grass to catch up to the rest of your lawn, but it will make a huge difference. A sad or patchy lawn plants a negative seed in potential buyers’ minds, making them wonder, “If they haven’t taken care of this, what else has been neglected?”
Try not to let that thought take hold. Your real estate agent may have other tips for selling your house that relate to the garden and exterior. Listen to them and do as much as you can. It will make a difference in the number and quality of offers you receive and the number of days your house is on the market.
This post first appeared on https://www.bhgre.com/bhgrelife/how-to-spruce-up-your-garden-before-selling/.