Concord, NH - The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services has released two new tools to help homeowners better manage water running off their properties during storms (stormwater).
The New Hampshire Homeowner's Guide to Stormwater Management: Do-It-Yourself Stormwater Solutions for Your Home provides fact sheets with step-by-step instructions to install stormwater treatment practices that homeowners can do themselves, such as dry wells and rain gardens. These stormwater treatment practices help protect nearby streams and ponds from water pollution, and help reduce flooding, create wildlife habitat, recharge groundwater, and conserve water resources.
The second tool, The New Hampshire Residential Loading Model, is a modeling tool for homeowners to estimate the amount of nutrients, specifically phosphorus and nitrogen running off of their properties.
As residents add driveways, walkways, home additions, sheds, or garages to their properties, the amount of water that seeps into the ground decreases and the amount of water running off their property increases. This can result in flooding and water pollution as the increased water flow picks up and carries pollutants such as phosphorus and nitrogen to nearby waterbodies or groundwater supplies. This model can help homeowners plan their additions and changes to properties while reducing impacts to water resources.
According to Harry Stewart, DES Water Division Director, "our intent is to provide homeowners and local building officials with a simple tool to identify cost effective ways to offset potential impacts to water resources."
Both resources are available at
http://m1e.net/c?82384231-HPRMth9PvdXmQ%406386493-FG8fge/HKtKqk by entering in "Stormwater Management" in the "search this site" at the top right of the DES home page. For more information please contact Eric Williams at (603)271-2358 or at eric.williams@des.nh.gov."
You'll feel warm and cozy in this classic New England Farmhouse with beamed ceilings, wide pine floors, raised panel doors and more. Wonderful original features throughout. Level, open lot with established gardens and apple and pear trees. Was $424,000., now offered at $375,000. For more photos and details, visit www.27ShakerSt.com.
Simply put, a short sale is when a seller has a hardship (e.g. death, divorce, job loss), needs to sell, and owes more on the mortgage than the home is worth. It is a complicated process for both sellers and buyers and is anything but short when it comes to time frames.
Sellers first should speak to their lender’s short sales specialist (which could entail many phone calls) and submit a financial package. Not all lenders will accept short sales – it may be financially better for them to foreclose. There could be tax consequences if the IRS considers the amount forgiven as income or the lender may still want the difference owed even after the sale. Sellers should speak with a CPA and lawyer.
Buyers need lots of patience! Even if the Seller accepts your offer, it still has to be approved by the lender. This could take months. (It is more complicated with multiple loans on the house.) The National Association of Realtors® report that on average, short sales sell at a 17% discount. A short sale can be a good deal but understand the obstacles and bring plenty of patience.
Keeping my buyers and sellers educated is part of my job. Give me a call if you would like to work with a Realtor® who will always keep you informed, 603-526-4116.
Sales of existing-home sales rose in March, continuing an uneven recovery that began after sales bottomed last July, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Existing home sales which do include condominiums and co-ops, increased 3.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.10 million in March from an upwardly revised 4.92 million in February, but are 6.3 percent below the 5.44 million pace in March 2010. Sales were at elevated levels from March through June of 2010 in response to the home buyer tax credit. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, expects the improving sales pattern to continue. “Existing-home sales have risen in six of the past eight months, so we’re clearly on a recovery path,” he said. “With rising jobs and excellent affordability conditions, we project moderate improvements into 2012, but not every month will show a gain – primarily because some buyers are finding it too difficult to obtain a mortgage. For those fortunate enough to qualify for financing, monthly mortgage payments as a percent of income have been at record lows.” NAR’s housing affordability index shows the typical monthly mortgage principal and interest payment for the purchase of a median-priced existing home is only 13 percent of gross household income, the lowest since records began in 1970. “Although home sales are coming back without a federal stimulus, sales would be notably stronger if mortgage lending would return to the normal, safe standards that were in place a decade ago – before the loose lending practices that created the unprecedented boom and bust cycle,” Yun explained. “Given that FHA and VA government-backed loan programs turned a modest profit over to the U.S. Treasury last year, and have never required a taxpayer bailout, we believe low down-payment loans should continue to be available for those consumers who have demonstrated financial responsibility and are willing to stay well within their budget. Raising the downpayment requirement would unnecessarily deny credit to many worthy middle-class families and veterans,” Yun said. The national median existing-home price for all housing types was $159,600 in March, down 5.9 percent from March 2010. Distressed homes – typically sold at discounts in the vicinity of 20 percent – accounted for a 40 percent market share in March, up from 39 percent in February and 35 percent in March 2010. NAR President Ron Phipps, broker-president of Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I., said some renters are looking to home ownership as a hedge against inflation. “The typical buyer today plans to stay in a home for 10 years, while rents are projected to rise at faster rates over the next few years,” he said. “As buyers gain more financial security, the advantages of home ownership become more obvious. Rents will continue to trend up, especially in comparison with a fixed-rate loan which provides financial stability and gradual accumulation of equity over time.” Total housing inventory at the end of March rose 1.5 percent to 3.55 million existing homes available for sale, which represents an 8.4-month supply at the current sales pace, compared with a 8.5-month supply in February. Single-family home sales rose 4.0 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.45 million in March from 4.28 million in February, but are 6.5 percent below the 4.76 million level in March 2010. The median existing single-family home price was $160,500 in March, down 5.3 percent from a year ago. Regionally, existing-home sales in the Northeast rose 3.9 percent to an annual level of 800,000 in March but are 12.1 percent below March 2010. The median price in the Northeast was $232,900, down 3.0 percent from a year ago. The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. Source: The National Association of Realtors, Washington, DC, April 20, 2011
A true gentleman's farm for those who want space, a beautiful home in tip-top shape all on a spectacular piece of conserved land. This antique home was totally restored/renovated in 2008 and sits on 113 peaceful acres. Views, historic barn. A place you won't want to leave. For more details and photos, visit www.BetweenTheMountainsFarm.com.
Stacey Viandier, Listing Agent
Published: March 25, 2011
Plan to conduct a radon test in your home, if you haven’t already. As the second leading cause of lung cancer, concentrated radon gas is nothing to ignore.
Radon test: Levels to look for
Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that’s emitted as uranium decays in water, soil, and rocks. In the open air, radon gas dissipates harmlessly. Allowed to seep into your home where it builds up, however, and it becomes dangerous.
Excessive radon levels may be found anywhere that your home contacts the ground, such as a first level on a concrete slab or in a basement—especially near sump pumps, cracks in the foundation, and gaps in framing.
If your test results indicate radon gas levels at or above 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter of air), you’ll need to explore options for reducing radon gas. You can view a map of possible radon gas levels in your area.
Home radon test kits
If you are radon testing to evaluate potential risk, a home test kit will do the job, says Brian Hanson, radon specialist at Kansas State University.
Look for test kits online or at home centers and hardware stores, with prices ranging from about $9 to $40. You can also contact your state radon office to find out if they offer a low-cost or free test kit.
Follow instructions carefully for use of the test kit. Typically:
- All doors and windows should be closed for 12 hours prior to testing.
- Place the detector in the lowest livable area of your home and leave it undisturbed for 48 to 96 hours.
- After the appropriate time period, immediately send the detector to its lab, which will deliver the results back to you.
Professional radon test
If you’re in the process of selling your home or want confirmation of radon levels detected by your home test kit, select a professional radon testing service. A testing service ensures that procedures are completed by an impartial professional who’s nationally- or state-trained and certified. To find a qualified company, contact your state radon office.
If testing is done as part of a home inspection, expect to pay an additional $150 above the home inspection cost. If you opt for a radon test separate from the home inspection, you’ll pay about $250 and up.
Counter intelligence
Recently, it’s been noted that some types of granite countertops emit unacceptable levels of radon. You may want to test any areas of your home where stone countertops are present.
With four home renovations to her credit, Jan Soults Walker is a devotee of improvements, products, and trends for the home and garden. For 25 years she’s written for a number of national home shelter publications, and has authored 18 books on home improvement and decorating. Visit Houselogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
Take steps immediately to reduce radon gas buildup if your home tests high. Knowing the available radon mitigation methods and costs will help you make the best choice.
Reducing radon: Simple strategies
If radon test results indicate that levels in your home are only slightly elevated--less than 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter of air):
- Caulk cracks or gaps in the slab, foundation, or framing--wherever your home contacts soil--to inhibit radon gas infiltration. This step also improves the success of other radon reduction strategies.
- Open exterior crawl space vents to increase air flow and dilute radon buildup.
- Install a heat recovery ventilator (HRV). An HVR introduces fresh, air-conditioned air into homes that are otherwise tightly sealed.
Reducing radon from unsafe levels
If radon levels inside your home test at 4 pCi/L or higher, enlist the services of a professional contractor who is trained in radon mitigation strategies. Contact your state radon office for a list of contractors in your area who are trained and certified in radon reduction techniques. Obtain several bids.
Professional radon mitigation options
Some of the systems used for reducing radon are:
- Soil suction. A special vent fan draws radon from soil beneath your home through pipes that dispel gas into the open. Negative pressure created by the suction further inhibits the buildup of gas. Fans run 24/7, and are usually guaranteed for up to 10 years of continual operation.
- Sub-membrane suction. Considered the most effective strategy for homes with crawl spaces, sub-membrane suction employs a high-density plastic sheet atop the soil. A fan draws radon gas out through vent pipes located beneath the plastic.
- Passive and active ventilation. Ventilating a crawl space or adding additional vents may also reduce radon gas. Opening vents is passive ventilation; adding a fan is active. When employing either of these methods in a colder climate, you may need to add insulation in a crawl space to prevent pipes from freezing.
Costs for radon mitigation
Prices for radon mitigation vary depending on the extent of the work being done, but range between $800 and $2,500. The average cost nationally is $1,200 to $1,400.
As a rule, a house built on a slab or with a basement requires less labor, resulting in the lowest costs for radon reduction. Radon reduction in a house over a crawl space tends to be most expensive since a vapor barrier may be required.
Homes with any combination of slab, crawl space, and/or a basement fall in the middle range for costs.
Another budget consideration: As you ventilate radon gas from your home, energy costs increase—either from releasing air that’s been heated or cooled, or from you operating a fan full-time. Using an HRV to ventilate helps reduce waste.
With four home renovations to her credit, Jan Soults Walker is a devotee of improvements, products, and trends for the home and garden. For 25 years she’s written for a number of national home shelter publications, and has authored 18 books on home improvement and decorating. Visit Houselogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
Ticket prices have been rolled back to $36 through Sunday, April 10. It looks like a nice days coming up with sunny skies and highs in the low 50’s. All trails are still edge-to-edge. They are operating the Sunapee Express, Sunbowl quad and North Peak triple chair serving 38 trails off those lifts. Don’t forget the sunscreen.
Saturday, April 9 is the 20th Annual Intragalactic Cardboard Sled Race. The most amazing cardboard sleds you have ever seen will be racing down Eggbeater trail and vying to win the most creative design award. Bring the camera or video and join the fun. All entry fees are donated to David's House in Lebanon.
Sunday, April 10 it’s Cares & Shares Day at Mount Sunapee. Anyone who brings five non-perishable food items to the ticket window can ski or ride all day for only $30. Food is donated to local food shelters. Season pass holders and staff are also welcome to bring food.
If you purchase your season pass for next year on or before April 30 you can enjoy big savings on all of our pass products. Plus, if you purchase a Peak Pass by April 30 you receive two free companion tickets that can be used during next season. Where else would you want to make your home mountain? Mount Sunapee has been ranked with the best snow in the East the past five years by SKI Magazine readers.
Mt. Sunapee is planning to close Sunday, April 10. Thank you for making this another great season at Mount Sunapee. See you next year!
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It’s human nature – we put a greater value on things that we already own. This is a well known theory called the “endowment effect” developed by an American economist, Richard Thaler, in 1980. One classic study is done with mugs where Group A, with no mugs, is asked how much they would pay for a mug. The typical answer is $4. Group B is given mugs and then asked how much someone would have to pay for you to part with it. The average response is $8.
I see this happening frequently with sellers when it comes to pricing their homes.
Even though they are shown similar houses sold for less and the competing homes are priced lower, sellers still want to price their house higher. The negative consequences of the endowment effect is that homes take longer to sell, the price ends up “chasing” the market and sellers eventually end up selling for a lower amount than if the house had been initially priced correctly.
Bottom line – sellers should be aware of how the endowment effect impacts their decision-making on price. Don’t go by what you “think” it is worth. Make decisions based on what is actually selling in the market. Give me a call if you need a REALTOR® to help you price your way to a successful sale! Donna Forest, 603-526-4116, email: donna@donnaforest.com, web site: www.donnaforest.com
An exceptional property at an exceptional price! Nicely sited and beautifully landscaped, this home is in the country, yet convenient to the highway, shopping and schools. Many upgraded features throughout. Come take a look--you won't be disappointed! Offered at $298,800. For more information and photos visit www.43RobyRoad.com.
