Live in one apartment and let the two tenants pay your mortgage! Could also be converted back to a large single family home. First floor unit (B) has spacious living room with oak floors and exposed beams, kitchen has a new floor and neweer appliances, updated bathroom. First floor unit (C) has a gorgeous stone fireplace with woodstove insert and cozy loft. Second floor unit (A) has two bedrooms, spacious open concept living area and washer/dryer in full bath! Each unit currently has garage space. Enclosed wraparound porch. Ask me about the 100,000 yards of gravel if you're looking for some additional income. All on almost six acres of level and rolling land! Offered at $320,000. For more photos and details, visit http://tour.circlepix.com/home/H7CG7X/51-Franklin-Highway-Andover-NH-4693083
Anne Marie Appel, Listing Agent, 603-526-4116
Teamwork from the Team that works –Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - The Milestone Team
- Don’t try to second-guess interest rates or the market by waiting for the “right time”. If you find a home you like, buy it.
- Accept the fact that no house is perfect. Concentrate on the items important to you and let the minor flaws go.
- Get approved for a mortgage first before even looking. This will set your price range and also enhance your offer.
- Don’t look at every house on the market just because they are there. Be picky and look at the most appealing. Then add to the list if nothing fits.
- Don’t worry if you feel buyer’s remorse after making an offer. It is common and will pass. Buying a home is a big decision but the benefits far outweigh the negatives.
- Work with an experienced local agent. Buying can be emotional so pick someone you’re comfortable with and respect.
Contact me if you are looking for an accredited buyer’s agent with over 24 yrs. of experience to make your buying experience a success! 603-526-4116, www.DonnaForest.com, Donna@DonnaForest.com
Curb appeal is important for many homeowners who want to feel good about where they live or attract a new buyer. Whether you want to freshen up a home you’ve owned for years or plan on selling, here are some exterior makeovers you can give without spending a fortune. Focus on designs that make a big impact.
A fresh coat of paint
Outdated brick and worn concrete rejuvenate with lighter paint selections. For shutters, window casings, eaves and the front door, consider khaki in a shade just a bit darker than the house.
A makeover for focal points
Thoughtful improvements like an updated roof, glass front door or new windows can make a vast difference. Consider also revamping your pathways and planters. Create a focal point with landscaping for one of the easiest and most effective ways to transform a house from blah to beautiful.
Accentuate the positives
If you have a charmer hidden under overgrown shrubs, bushes and trees, clear away the clutter to allow the home’s frame to speak volumes. Reveal a stunner simply by getting rid of anything in the way of the authentic style of your home. Doing a bit of research into your home’s beginnings may offer some ideas for enhancing its character.
Showcase your entryway
Create visual appeal and a welcoming environment by showcasing the entryway. Go with a new color for your door, add an inexpensive portico or tear down one that hides your home. New garden beds around the entrance warm up a bland exterior. Clustering plants along your home’s foundation near the entryway ties in the natural surroundings and makes it more welcoming. Make the most of the grand entrance to your house.
Green up the walls
Choose decorative vines or crawling foliage with fruits and vegetables. This is a great way to develop a formal look for your exterior or maximize space for a garden. The key to growing on your home’s walls is using an anchoring system that works with your siding and keeps plants from rubbing against the walls or adhering to them. This can damage your house and your vertical garden. Blend landscaping into your home by growing plants up the sides of walls.
Soften hardscapes
Large slabs of stone on a patio or steps can look handsome or cold. Take the edge off by surrounding them with small-leaved ground covering like deadnettle or creeping thyme. Plant crawling ground cover around rock edges and in between pavers. It’ll add warmth and color contrast, and offer an aesthetic that says “natural” instead of “ignored.”
Expand or add a deck or porch
By expanding or adding a deck or porch, you can make your exterior a haven for relaxing and gathering. Think about how you can craft an outdoor living space that works year-round. For instance, include built-in benches with storage, plenty of space for flowers and seasonal greenery, pull-down clear porch curtains to keep the elements out, and maybe even a firepit to warm things up.
Working with local home exterior design professionals or contractors can make the job of revamping your exterior much easier. But, if you have the time and motivation to attack the project yourself, it can be truly rewarding.
Teamwork from the Team that works –Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - The Milestone Team
With rising prices and low inventory, it’s challenging to buy your dream home. Below are some tips to help position yourself for success.
- Get pre-approved for a mortgage before looking. This is different than getting pre-qualified. Pre-approval requires documentation and is not based on estimates.
- Work with a Realtor who has experience and a proven track record. They will provide invaluable advice.
- Be prepared to move quickly. You don’t have days to think it over.
- Don’t make lowball offers. Your offer should be as attractive as possible. Things to consider – make a larger deposit, offer a flexible closing date, don’t sweat the small stuff, and have as few contingencies as possible.
- Decide what you are willing to compromise on ahead of time. Figure out what matters most – is it location? Size? Style?
It’s expected to continue as a sellers’ market and you need to be mentally prepared to up your game when it comes to buying. Contact me if you want expert guidance through every step of your home purchase. 603-526-4116, Donna@DonnaForest.com, www.DonnaForest.com
You’ll be moving in the right direction with Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - The Milestone Team.
If there are two things I would say about the real estate market today, it would be inventory is down and prices are up. This is seen pretty much everywhere in the US as housing inventory decreased 8% from last year (through March) and listing prices are 8% higher. Statewide, NH closed sales are about the same as last year, the median sales price is up 6% to $260,000 and the average days on market was 86 days. Looking at Newbury, New London, & Sunapee combined, sales are about the same as last year through 3/31/18 (25 solds), the average days on market was 192 days and the median sales price increased about 15% to $392,000. Despite fewer homes being on the market, buyer demand is strong enough to keep prices rising for the foreseeable future. New listings will favor higher income buyers making it very challenging to find homes priced under $200,000. Typically, our spring market will bring an influx of new properties for sale – we just need to have spring arrive!! Contact me if you are thinking about buying or selling and want to know how the market impacts you. 603-526-4116, www.DonnaForest.com, Donna@DonnaForest.com
This lovely home on 10 acres with three barns offers a quiet, peaceful setting on a dead end road. Forced hot air oil heat and whole house air conditioning. Heated sun room with windows on three sides serves as an office and/or extra sleeping space. Large master bedroom, full bath and guest room on second floor. Half bath on first floor. Views of Ragged Mountain beyond rolling field. Large barn is three stories with room for hay storage and equipment storage as well as stalls. Garage barn has room for two vehicles plus a workbench and storage above. Small barn is one open room with a lower level currently being used for equipment storage. Paved, level driveway. Less than a half mile to Bradley Lake with public access for swimming and boating. Short drive to Proctor Academy and Andover village. Offered at $359,000. For more photos, visit http://tour.circlepix.com/home/8MXWYK/65-Hall-Road-Andover-NH-4687251
Joan Wallen, Listing Agent, 603-526-4116
New homes are fresh and sparkling, but over time, they begin to show their age. If you want to keep your home feeling like new as each year passes, it’s important to keep up with proper maintenance tasks. Here are a few budget-friendly and DIY ideas to keep your home in fresh condition year after year.
1. Regular Cleaning
Normal cleaning tasks like sweeping, mopping, and dusting are important, but to really keep your home looking shiny and new, it’s important to remember deep cleaning tasks, as well.
Steam clean your carpets at least once a quarter, and don’t forget to vacuum and steam your furniture at the same time. When you dust, reach for areas like ceiling fans, wall corners, and the inside of cabinets. Thorough deep cleaning on a regular basis makes all the difference when you’re trying to keep your home looking fresh.
2. Seal Your Floors
When your floors are first installed, they have a layer of sealant. What most people don’t know, though, is that this sealant wears down over time from regular use and routine cleaning. Instead of replacing your floor, you should strip the finish and apply a new sealant roughly every five to ten years.
Sealants are made for the majority of hard floor surfaces, from tile and hardwood to vinyl and linoleum. Removing the old finish and adding the new one is a labor-intensive process, but the results are well worth the effort.
3. Paint Everything
There are many surfaces in your home that need regular paint touch-ups. Your walls may look outdated after just a few years, while cabinets and trim need updating every decade.
You can paint each room or item on a certain schedule or pay professionals to tackle the whole job at once. To make the colors stay current longer, stick to a neutral palette. It’s easy for bold colors to become outdated quickly. Grays, tans, and beiges fit a variety of design schemes and almost never go out of style.
4. Corral the Clutter
The longer you stay in a home, the more clutter and home decor you’ll unknowingly acquire. Most new homes feel more open and inviting because there aren’t as many items lying around. To keep your home feeling new, keep your belongings culled down and organized. Use space saving methods for an easy storage solution.
There are two ways to keep up with this decluttering task: scheduled or ongoing. You can set a regular schedule and keep to it. Many people choose to clean out twice a year, once after the New Year and once during the fall. Others like to declutter on an ongoing basis. You can organize each Friday, for example, or make a rule that nothing new comes into your home without something old leaving. It doesn’t matter which method you use, just as long as you keep the clutter to a minimum.
5. Maintain the HVAC System
Dust makes a home look old faster than anything else. It accumulates everywhere, and it makes your space smell musty and outdated. Your home’s HVAC system is the biggest culprit when it comes to pushing dust around. To rid this problem, regularly clean your air vents, and replace your filters every month to keep them energy efficient and fully functioning. You should also hire a professional to clean your HVAC system and duct work at least once or twice a year.
The best way to keep your home feeling new is to keep up with ongoing maintenance tasks. If you stick to a regular maintenance schedule with tasks like these, your home will feel fresh and new for many years to come.
Source: www.bhgrelife.com
Buying a home is a multi-step process that can be complicated, particularly for first-time buyers. It is crucial to be aware of each step, as competition can be steep: one misstep and the keys to a dream home could go to another family. Read on to discover the best path to acquire one of the greatest investments to date.
Step No. 1: Decide on a REALTOR®
A real estate agent and a REALTOR® are different. While both must be licensed to sell real estate, a REALTOR® goes through numerous background checks and must follow a strict code of ethics, which is consistently enforced by local real estate boards. Another distinction between a real estate agent and a REALTOR® is that a REALTOR® is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®. Ask for referrals and read online reviews/testimonials. Interview multiple agents to find the right one. Look for agents who have realistic expectations and are experts in desired neighborhoods.
Step No. 2: Get finances in order
A three-digit credit score and credit report tell financial stories more than bank accounts do. Everyone must carry debt in some form, and the process of paying it can span a lifetime. Paying cash for everything results in a lower score than responsibly carrying debt. A steady job and income can bypass a bad score if prospective clients are willing to put down 10-20 percent. To improve scores, future homeowners should pay all bills on time. A single missed payment can stay on credit reports for seven years, with recent delinquencies impacting scores the most negatively. Additionally, credit limits should not be exceeded, and balances should be kept below 30 percent of the credit limit.
Step No. 3: Apply for pre-approval
A pre-approval letter is a statement from a lender demonstrating that one is a qualified buyer who sellers will take seriously once ready to make an offer. Unless one plans on paying cash, a mortgage pre-approval is a good idea before beginning the home-buying process.
Step No. 4: Know the difference between wants and needs
Real estate agent will not know where to begin if a prospective client does not. Start thinking about must-haves. They can range from location to the number of bedrooms. Wants can include a pool or a guest home. Compromises are the things one is willing to exchange for needs. For example, a great school district can be attainable if the number of bedrooms is reduced.
Step No. 5: Begin the home search
Open houses will become a favorite activity when a real estate agent begins showing homes that fit criteria. This is a fact-finding mission. Take notes and jot down ideas about what is liked and not liked. This will streamline the process and give real estate agents all they need to know to make a happy homeowner.
Step No. 6: Check off mortgage approval
An accepted offer will begin the closing stage of the home-buying process. A lender will give the final approval for the purchase and specify the closing date. This is not the time to celebrate by splurging on big ticket items. Unexpected expenses can show up without warning. Paying property taxes or insurance for the first full year on the closing date might be a noted point.
Step No. 7: Get a home inspection
A good home inspector will audit the house from top to bottom, literally. They will look at the basement and the roof and everything in between, including the heating system, plumbing and windows. Given that purchasing a home is likely one of the largest investments a person will make, don’t skip this critical step. If repairs are necessary, this can be negotiated with the seller before the final sale.
Step No. 8: Prepare to close
Once at the final step in the process, one can pat themselves on the back for a job well done. The closing table is the desired location where the deed will be transferred from the seller to the buyer. John Hancocks should be ready because there could be hours of paperwork. An attorney or settlement agent will most likely be present.
May your new home be the happiest one on the block!
Source: www.bhgrelife.com
Teamwork from the Team that works –Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate - The Milestone Team
Picture this – you’re getting ready to sell or trade-in your old car. What do you do? Common sense says you get rid of the years of accumulated stuff, clean it up and make necessary repairs. Why? First of all, no buyer wants to look at a car full of your things. And secondly, you want to maximize how much you can make on the sale by getting it in good condition. In fact, you may even take it to a car detailer. Well, the same holds true when you are ready to sell your house. In order to attract buyers and get the most money for what is probably your largest investment, you need to de-clutter and de-personalize your home and neutralize your décor. The house should be shiny clean from top to bottom including windows. And everything should be in good working order and up to snuff. Hiring a home stager would up the rewards, just like a car detailer. While it is hard to make the leap from living in your home to living in a house ready for the market, it will be time and money well spent with shorter days on market and more money in your pocket at the end! If you are thinking of selling this spring, contact me for more selling advice. 603-526-4116, www.DonnaForest.com, Donna@DonnaForest.com
Waterfront homes on Lake Sunapee have always been an intriguing and specialized market. Even though Newbury, New London, and Sunapee share the lakefront, the uniqueness of each property along with the fact there really aren't that many homes along the shoreline, seems to determine the overall market. In the past 7 years for example, the total number of waterfront homes sold each year hovered around 10, give or take. In reviewing the sales in the past 3 years, the typical price breakout is about 8-10 houses selling for under $1 million, about 9 selling between $1-$2 million, 3 sales in the $2-$3 million and about one a year over $3 million.
A few more statistics - in the last two years, the median selling price per square ft. was $574/SF. In 2017, the average selling price was 99% of the asking price and in 2016 it was 89%. It took an average of 219 days to sell a lakefront home last year and 185 days in 2016.
As the saying goes, if you are lucky enough to own on Lake Sunapee, then you are lucky enough! If you are looking to capture some of this serenity for yourself, then contact me to work as your buyer's agent! 603-526-4116, Donna@DonnaForest.com, www.DonnaForest.com.
Figures are based on information from the New England Real Estate Network, Inc. for the period 1/1/11 through 12/31/17 and 1/1/15 through 12/31/17.