Not all remodeling projects deliver the same bang for the buck when it comes to resale. If you are planning to sell soon and think that renovations will increase the value of your home, then some research might be in order. Studies suggest that most renovation projects do increase the price of a house; however, the increase is typically less than the cost of the project. The 2020 Cost vs. Value Report shows a homeowner will generally experience a return of 60% to 75% on the dollar at resale. Some of the more cost effective improvements are minor kitchen upgrades (recoups 74% of cost), garage door replacement (recoups 99%), and window replacements (recoups 75%). Keep in mind the cost recouped can be affected by the quality of finish and even the type of neighborhood and local conditions.
One of the biggest advantages remodeling has is the fact it increases the appeal of your home to buyers. A gleaming state of the art kitchen with granite countertops and bathrooms with tile and glass can sell a house more quickly. Given the nature of this market, buyers are definitely willing to pay more for an updated, move-in ready home. Feel free to contact me for more advice on prepping your home for sale! 603-526-4116; www.DonnaForest.com; Donna @DonnaForest.com
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.
1. 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.
2. Spring is the best time to sell. Typically spring & summer are known as the selling seasons. However, any time can be best depending on the market. Given the lack of homes for sale, sellers are still seeing multiple offers and quick sales - we expect this to continue through the winter.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Good marketing includes open houses. The reality is only 6% of buyers find their home through an open house.
Contact me for more professional advice on the right way to sell your house. 603-526-4116; www.DonnaForest.com; Donna @DonnaForest.com
There’s a lot to love about Thanksgiving dinner. With many of us placing an increased emphasis on healthy eating, though, it can be difficult to prepare a holiday meal that meets our dietary criteria. Fortunately, there are plenty of Thanksgiving dinner ideas that easily convert your favorites to healthier versions.
Vegetable Sides are Foundational
Thanksgiving is inherently based around a variety of vegetable dishes, from green bean casserole to butternut squash to corn. It’s very possible to tweak many of these recipes so that they are healthier. Removing some of the butter, cream and cheese that many of these sides call for is a great first step. Food like sweet potatoes with brown sugar, too, can be changed to require less sweetener.
Give a roasted carrot and fennel dish a try for some healthy fall color in your meal. You’ll need to halve the fennel, trim the carrots of their greens and cook both with olive oil, salt and pepper on a baking sheet. You can add lime juice, cilantro, scallions and even feta or pistachios to taste.
If you’re a fan of green bean casserole but want to lighten it up, you can make a green bean salad instead. Adding a delicious Dijon vinaigrette provides the perfect degree of tanginess. Cherry tomatoes, walnuts and feta are nice toppers for this dish.
Lighten Starches and Meat
Looking for a healthy twist to your favorite sweet potato casserole? This one calls for making a peach and oat streusel to top the dish. Best of all, leftovers of this tasty side can grace your table at breakfast, dinner or even as a late-night dessert.
The star of the Thanksgiving meal, of course, is the turkey. While you can’t do much to change the bird itself, you can alter how it’s prepared. Avoid dark meat and skin if you are trying to lower your fat and calorie intake. Additionally, you could hold off on rubbing the bird with oil or butter before it is cooked.
Change your stuffing recipe to be a bit lighter. This homemade one calls for whole grain bread and copious herbs to compensate for less fat. It’s a delicious addition to your meal.
Lighten up Desserts
Desserts are one of the best parts of Thanksgiving, so it wouldn’t do to go without them entirely. However, you can put a twist on many popular holiday treats to make them fit your diet.
For instance, consider a single-crust pie instead of a double-crust pie. Fruit pies may have fewer calories than cream pies, depending on how much sugar is added. Some pies, like apple, actually don’t need sugar at all if you use sweet apples and enough cinnamon.
An alternative to pie is a baked apple or baked pear dish. This can be made in the form of a galette, tart or with freestanding fruit. These baked apples are stuffed with oats and have a streusel-type taste.
Top your treats with low-fat ice cream or whipped cream, and sample a small serving of each dessert, rather than having more than one normal serving. You can also set aside certain desserts that you would like to try and plan to have them the next day (perhaps for breakfast, if you can’t wait much longer).
Change How You Eat
You can also make changes to how you eat on Thanksgiving. Fill your plate most of the way with vegetable side dishes, followed by heartier parts of the meal like stuffing and turkey.
If you’ll be having appetizers before your meal, indulge in a little bit of everything, but don’t treat the pre-dinner course like a meal all its own. It’s easy to fill up on snacks and then feel like you’re still obligated to have a large dinner simply because it’s a holiday.
Limit how many drinks you have, whether you’re sipping soda or chardonnay. These can cause you to feel full quickly, but they contain a large number of essentially empty calories. If you’ll have a non-water beverage with your Thanksgiving meal, it’s best to drink it slowly through the course of the meal.
Eat your food more slowly, and enjoy the time you have with family and friends. Savoring the meal you have labored over can be extremely satisfying, and it may also help you to feel full more quickly.
Finally, be sure to save room for dessert. Thanksgiving desserts are some of the best of the year, and you’ll want to pace yourself throughout the day so you can indulge in something truly worthwhile.
First published at https://www.bhgre.com/bhgrelife/traditional-thanksgiving-dinner-ideas-with-a-healthy-twist-bhgre-season-of-sharing/
With the national housing inventory down 39% since last year, the high buyer demand and low inventory means the housing market will continue to be strong through the end of the year and into 2021. Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors says “it will be one of the best winter sales years ever.” He also said “home sales continue to amaze, and there are plenty of buyers in the pipeline ready to enter the market…Further gains in sales are likely for the remainder of the year, with mortgage rates hovering around 3% and with continued job recovery.”
Like the rest of the nation, NH is experiencing strong buyer demand and not enough homes to sell. The median selling price thru September was $329,500, up 9.8% from 2019. The average days on market was 52 days, although it seems like most houses in our area tend to go under contract in a week! Bottom line, many economists feel the housing market will continue its momentum through the winter. Contact me if you are interested in taking advantage of this current sellers’ market!
603-526-4116; www.DonnaForest.com; Donna @DonnaForest.com
On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it.
~Jules Renard
If you are looking for your piece of heaven, then this might be the one! Only 10 minutes to skiing at Mt. Sunapee and an easy drive to almost anything, this country casual antique farmhouse sits on 9 acres of rolling field and woods, which means moonlit winter sledding parties are a must! The large deck beckons you out for morning coffee or evening cocktails so you can sit and absorb the wonderful mountain views. You’ll be enchanted by the warm wood floors, light and bright rooms, and the inviting den wrapped in windows and topped off with skylights. Curl up in the cathedral ceiling living room offering a classic brick fireplace with woodstove insert. Your personal retreat awaits as the spacious primary bedroom and bath encompasses the whole second floor. Additional features include a 2-car garage and a picturesque weathered barn standing proudly in the field. Numerous energy efficiency improvements have been made.
Donna Forest, Listing Broker, 603-526-4116
Teamwork from the Team that works –Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - The Milestone Team
Are you dreaming ... of leaving city life behind? Of working from home and bringing in additional income?
Well then, don't miss this opportunity! This incredible, meticulously updated property, situated in the heart of the Sunapee Region, offers many possibilities: live in the attached apartment and "Air BnB" the main house OR operate as a charming bed & breakfast for destination weddings and skiers at nearby Mt. Sunapee OR live in the mainhouse and rent out the in-law apartment (currently $2,500/month in rental income!). You are only limited by your dreams. This home as it all! Make your dreams a reality with this unique property. Come experience for yourself what it means to "love where you live"!
Click here for more information.
Anne Marie Appel, Listing Agent, 603-526-4116
Teamwork from the Team that works – BHG Milestone Real Estate.
Here are some common misconceptions when purchasing a home.
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We can find a loan AFTER we find a house.
- The first step in the home buying process is to get pre-qualified so you know how much you can afford. A letter from the lender should be submitted with any offer.
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We get a better price if we work directly with the listing agent.
- By definition, listing agents represent the sellers’ interests. Not yours. A buyer’s agent’s duty is to help you through the whole transaction.
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Zillow’s “Zestimates” are an accurate estimate of market value.
- Zillow uses an automated system to compute values of homes. It can’t take into account many other factors such as superior workmanship, recent upgrades or even major structural issues.
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The lower we offer the more the seller will come off their asking price.
- In this very competitive market, low offers will most likely be ignored or rejected by sellers. Buyers are competing with other buyers for homes. Properties are selling at or over their asking price in most cases.
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You need a 20% down payment.
- There are many loan programs available with financing up to 90-95%. If you qualify for an FHA loan, you only need 3.5%.
As an accredited buyer’s representative, I can help you successfully navigate the home-buying process. If you want to achieve your home ownership goals, give me a call. 603-526-4116; www.DonnaForest.com; Donna @DonnaForest.com
Purchasing a home is one of the largest financial investments you’ll probably make. It also can be a very emotional one as well. Here are some tips to help take the stress out.
- Work with a Realtor that not only is knowledgeable but also is comfortable fit with your personality.
- Don’t look for perfection. Every house has tradeoffs; focus on the most important features.
- Get pre-approved for a mortgage before you start looking.
- Don’t nickel & dime when it comes to negotiations. Yes, negotiating is part of the process but over-negotiating can kill the deal.
- Keep in mind that there is no “right” time to buy. Second-guessing interest rates or trying to time the market is next to impossible.
- Don’t ask for too many opinions. Some input from friends or family can be helpful. Too much – it’s confusing. Listen to the advice of your Realtor.
Give me a call if you are looking for a knowledgeable Realtor to help guide you through the home buying process! 603-526-4116; www.DonnaForest.com; Donna @DonnaForest.com
Teamwork from the Team that works –Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - The Milestone Team
How would you like to live in a cozy, low-maintenance condo unit, tucked away in a private tranquil neighborhood, yet less than 5 minutes from the buzzing town center of New London? If so, look no farther than this special opportunity at Hilltop Place Condo Association. This one-bedroom, one-bath unit is very comfortable and roomy. Separate living and dining rooms, kitchen, bedroom, and bath can all be found on one level. Side sliders open to a sunny open field between units. Decent storage. Detached one car garage with opener. Visit www.newlondonnhcondo.com to learn more!
Marilyn Kidder, Listing Broker, 603-526-4116
Autumn is knocking. Whether you want to go out and enjoy the crisp, cool air or stay nice and cozy inside we have tons of activities, craft ideas, and recipes to fill your Fall!
Fall Activities
Get ready for Fall with these awesome activities.
- Start a new family tradition and create unforgettable blanket forts with the kids. Pick a new theme every few weeks to change it up. One night could be space themed–hang twinkling lights and paper mache planets.
- Uncover some clever ways to add fall flair to your porch.
- Check out these incredible tips on how to host a fall backyard gathering! If you set a buffet, don’t forget to disinfect the serving utensils.
- Get festive and get decorating.
- Apple picking is a great activity to do while practicing social distancing. Try out some of the apple recipes below and donate a basket of apples to those in need.
- Create your own family board game. Use the bottom of a cardboard box as the board and create little pieces of out clay. Make your own little world with silly rules and fun twists.
- What better thing to do with all that fall foliage than have a pet photoshoot? Don’t forget to film a slow-motion video of your pet plunging into a pile of leaves.
- Host a virtual paint and sip night! Pick a fall-themed subject to paint and send it to everyone before you start. Everyone can paint on a canvas or regular paper while catching up and sipping on warm apple cider or wine.
- We all could use some serious comfy relaxation time. Discover great tips on how to make your home cozier for Fall.
Fall Crafts
Below are some craft ideas you will Fall in love with.
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Click here for some unbe–leaf-able crafts using leaves.
- Fall is all about getting cozy! Since we’re spending more time inside, discover how to make a weighted blanket so you can stay warm and comfortable.
- Create your very own leaf-shaped dish to hold jewelry or change. Press a leaf that you like onto a rolled-out piece of clay. Using a knife, carefully trace the leaf. When you’re done, slowly pull the leaf off and gently curl the sides up. Place newspaper around the edges, so it holds its shape and looks like a dish. Once it’s dried, paint it any color you want and seal it with a gloss or matte sealer to protect the finish.
- Here are some simple fall crafts and handmade ideas to make your home ready for autumn.
- Discover gourd–geous farmhouse fall decor ideas.
- Treat yourself! Make your own Fall scented candles such as cinnamon, pumpkin, or apple. First, find a glass jar you want to use as the container. Double the amount of wax you would use to fill the container and melt it in a double boiler while stirring frequently. Mix in whatever fragrance oil you choose. Place the wick on the bottom of your jar and slowly pour in the wax. Secure the wick while the wax hardens by sandwiching it between two chopsticks. You can also glue cinnamon sticks onto the outside of an old candle to make your home smell incredible.
- Find festive fall decoration ideas here.
- Make a variety of pinecone creations! Create cute little hedgehogs by making a face and limbs out of clay. Adhere the face onto the pinecone and glue on googly eyes and a small black nose. You could also make a flower bouquet by gluing pinecones to the end of sticks and painting each one a different color. Another option is to design a wreath using pinecones and colorful leaves and flowers.
Fall Recipes
Stir up some delicious food and drinks.
- Get dipping with this scrumptious recipe for marbled caramel apples.
- An apple a day… Click here for an assortment of mouthwatering apple desserts.
- When it’s chilly outside we need chili inside.
- There’s nothing to laugh about when it comes to this snickerdoodle recipe.
- It’s pumpkin season. Click here if you’re craving some classic pumpkin pie.
- Uncover this unbe-leafable fall marshmallow tree recipe.
- Pumpkin spice makes everyone nice. Get cozy with this pumpkin spice latte recipe.
Ways to Give Back
Fall into a charitable spirit with these ideas on how you can give back.
- Spring isn’t the only time for cleaning. Go through your summer gear and gather things you can donate.
- Be neighborly. Check on your neighbors and see if there is anything you can help them with. Rake the leaves in their yard, clean their gutters, or pick up their groceries.
- Make blankets to donate to the homeless and others who need to keep warm. You can recycle your old clothes to create a DIY t-shirt blanket as well.
- October is National Book Month so set aside some time to go through all of your books and make a donation box.
First published at https://www.bhgre.com/bhgrelife/fall-fun/