Looking to Remodel Your Kitchen? 3 Hot Trends for Kitchen Remodeling in 2012

By:  Jamie Goldberg Mulling a kitchen remodel but want to keep costs low? You’re au courant with today’s trends that emphasize options and high-tech wizardry at affordable prices.

Trend #1: Remodeling scales back A new focus on moderation and value has entered the remodeling mind-set. Trends that are likely to show up in your kitchen next year include: You’ll repair your existing appliances instead of replacing them, extending their life with good maintenance and care. If you’re replacing cabinets, you’re likely to build around your current appliances rather than choosing new models. You’re scaling back your cabinetry purchases, with an increased emphasis on kitchen storage and functionality over elaborate decoration. For example, rather than stacked crown moldings throughout the kitchen, you’ll put your money into practical roll-out trays and drawer organizers. Small-scale kitchen projects are big news. Changing out cabinet hardware, replacing a faucet, and refacing your cabinets upgrades your kitchen without major expense. Trend #2: Simpler, warmer styles dominate Fussiness and excess have faded away in favor of pared-back looks that present a more timeless, value-conscious style. Cabinet decoration continues to streamline. For example, massive corbels, once fashionable as undercounter supports, will give way to sleeker countertop supports and cantelivered countertop edges. Stacked moldings will pare back or disappear entirely. Elaborately glazed finishes will yield to simpler paints and stains. Kitchen finishes will continue to get warmer and darker, and feature natural and stained woods. Walnut especially is growing in popularity. Laminate countertops will continue to surge in popularity, especially in contemporary design. The latest European-inspired laminates offer more textured and naturalistic finishes than ever before. While exotic wood kitchen cabinets are out of reach for most home owners, glossy, look-alike laminate versions can be had for about one-third the price. Trend #3: Technology expands its kitchen presence Many of the techno products and trends that relate to your smartphones and tablets have just started making their way into your local showrooms and home centers. Appliances will be equipped with USB ports and digital screens so you can display your family photographs and kids’ artwork. Smart, induction built-in cooktops ($500-$3,000) remember your temperature settings as you move your pans across their entire surface. One light finger touch is all it takes to open the electronically controlled sliding doors of your kitchen cabinets — a boon to people with limited mobilities. You’ll pay 40% to 70% more for cabinets with electronically controlled doors than standard models. You’ll be able to use your smart phones and tablets to control lights and appliance settings from anywhere you have a wi-fi connection, as well as to shop for appliances from major manufacturers. You’ll be opting for LEDs for your recessed lights, under-cabinet task lighting and color-changing accent lighting. You’ll see more LED-powered pendants and chandeliers from major manufacturers as inefficient incandescent bulbs continue their march toward extinction. A wide selection of affordable microwave ovens with convection and even steam features gives owners of smaller kitchen spaces more high-end cooking power. What improvements — big or small — are you planning for your kitchen this year? Visit Houselogic.com for more articles like this.  Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® 

Unit Sales Finish Strong in 2011, Prices Continue to Lag

New Hampshire was home to a 2 percent increase in residential unit sales in 2011, while the median price of those homes fell by 6 percent, according to data released by the New Hampshire Association of REALTORS.

There were 10,714 residential unit sales in 2011, following 10,529 sales in 2010. The year‐over‐year increase was, in part, fueled by an 8 percent jump in December 2011 (923 sales), compared to 2010 (855). The median price of New Hampshire residential home sales, meanwhile, dropped from $215,000 in 2010 to 201,700 in 2011.

“We’re certainly seeing stabilization in terms of the number of sales,” said NHAR President John Rice, a 40‐year veteran of the real estate industry and an agent with Tate & Foss Sotheby’s International in Portsmouth. “On the price side, we have a continued inventory issue. With so many homes available in most New Hampshire markets, buyers are still able to be very selective, and many are reluctant to buy if the price isn’t just right.”

The standard for evaluating inventory is “months supply,” meaning the length of time it would take to sell off the current inventory based on the number of sales in the prior month. Typically, six to eight months is considered a balanced market, while less than that constitutes a sellers’ market and more is indicative of a buyers’ market.

There is currently an 11‐month supply of housing inventory in New Hampshire. “It’s been as high as 21 months supply within the last two years,” Rice said. “We’re generally trending in the right direction, but we still have a gap between where we are and a balanced market.”

In local markets, December unit sales increased in eight of the state’s 10 counties, including an 8.5 percent jump in Hillsborough County, the state’s largest. Median price fell in all but three counties, Cheshire (22 percent increase), Belknap (22 percent) and Coos (4 percent).

December 2011 data residential

As for condominium sales in New Hampshire, there was a 3 percent drop in unit sales from 2010 (2,635) to 2011 (2,549), while the price of those sales fell 6 percent, from $165,000 in 2010 to $155,000 in 2011.

December 2011 data condo

Source: Dave Cummings, New Hampshire Association of REALTORS® Director of Communications

Coldwell Banker’s Branded Websites Remain the Most Visited among Real Estate Franchises

  • Jan 27, 2012

PARSIPPANY, N.J.  – According to Nielsen and comScore Media Metrix, the two global leaders in digital measurement, Coldwell Banker branded websites had the highest number of unique visitors among all national real estate franchise brands for full-year 2011.  This marks the second consecutive year that the Coldwell Banker brand ranked No. 1 in Web traffic among all real estate franchisors. “The Coldwell Banker brand is clearly top of mind when consumers go online and search for a home,” said Michael Fischer, chief marketing officer, Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.  “Consumers know our great brand and have shown a desire to utilize the suite of online tools seen throughout the Coldwell Banker network at the national and local levels.” According to Nielson, Coldwell Banker websites had 17.5 million unique visitors in 2011, which was more than 28 percent higher than the next nearest franchise brand competitor (13.7 million). Similarly, Coldwell Banker branded websites (26.1 million unique visitors) had the highest Web traffic ranking among real estate franchisors in the comScore Media Metrix full-year ranking for 2011, easily outpacing its next nearest competitor by 21 percent (21.6 million unique visitors). The Coldwell Banker brand continues to place an emphasis on developing its website into a hub for consumers to find and prepare for the home buying and selling process.  Recent additions include the lifestyle search page and first time home buyer resource center. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC accessed the aforementioned information through its subscription to both Nielson and comScore Media Metrix. The rankings encompass all consumer Web traffic (unique visitors) to national and local websites operated by the franchise brands as well as by their franchisees.

Do You Know the Value of Your Home?

Everyone is a real estate expert!

Your house is listed for sale with a REALTOR®. Your neighbor down the street tells you that it is priced way too low and you should certainly be able to get more money than that for it. Or you just sold your house and your brother is telling you that it sold for too little. Sound familiar? When it comes to real estate, everyone has an opinion – from your dentist to your best friend. The reality of it though, is you need to trust what your REALTOR® says. After all, you hired her/him for her/his experience and knowledge of the market. She/he researched the properties sold, the current competition, and understands what the market is doing. Your REALTOR® is your best source of information regarding the sale of your house or land. While it is nice to think that your house is worth more money because your neighbor says so, it is market conditions that really set the value. Family and friends may have good intentions, but they usually don’t have the professional experience to support their opinions.

Give me a call if you would like to work with a REALTOR® that you could trust to give you the best real estate advice available. 603-526-4116; donna@donnaforest.com.

Donna Forest, Broker Associate

Sellers – Don’t Forget the Garage!

When it comes to getting your property ready to go on the market, most of the emphasis is on preparing the home.  The garage is an often-overlooked feature that can have an impact on the sale.  In order to maximize the sale potential, here are a few tips:

  • De-clutter the garage.  Get rid of as much “stuff” as you can.
  • Sort like items together.  Keeping similar things together make the space look more organized.
  • Use storage racks, bookcases, shelving units to organize.
  • Sweep out the garage.  Remove cobwebs, oil spills, etc.
  • Paint the doors if they need it.
  • Add garage door openers – many potential buyers consider this a priority.
  • Make sure your garage is adequately lighted.

Follow these basic guidelines and your garage will become an attractive feature adding value and desirability in the sale of your home. Feel free to give me a call for any of your real estate needs.  As always, I appreciate your referrals!  603-526-4116

Donna Forest, Broker Associate

Have You Found the Right Mortgage Loan for You?

Here are 6 tips to help find the right loan. Are you in the market for a home loan?  Here are some questions to ask the lenders to help find the right loan.  Knowing the answers to these questions will also make it easier to fill out an offer with the appropriate time frames. 1.  How long will the loan approval process take? 2.  How long is your loan lock-in period (the time that the quoted interest rate will be honored)?  Can I get a lower rate if they drop during this period? 3.  How long does it take to close the loan? 4.  Which type of mortgage is best for us and shy? 5.  What escrow requirements do you have? 6.  Are there any changes or penalties for pre-paying the loan? Feel free to email me or call if you need more professional advice in searching for a loan.  I also have a list of lenders that we have successfully worked with in the past that I would be happy to share.  603-526-4116, Donna@DonnaForest.com.

Donna Forest, Broker Associate

New Listing - Lake Sunapee Access

Beautiful, custom designed home in the Oakledge Community in Sunapee, NH.  Two swimming beaches, 1,400 feet of waterfront, tennis, basketball and sun decks.  3-4 bedrooms, 4 baths, warm and comfortable feel with a flowing floor plan.  Impressive great room with stone fireplace.  For more information and photos, visit www.LakeSunapeeAccess.com.  Offered at $925,000.

Jane Snow, Listing Agent

Sunapee "Harbors" Famous Celebrities!

Many people know Steven Tyler of Aerosmith has a home in Sunapee Harbor, but this Fall Oprah Winfrey came for a visit to interview him. The town was abuzz with the news of Oprah and Steven Tyler riding around Sunapee. Take a look at her visit with the rock star. Steven-Tylers-Tour-of-Lake-Sunapee-Video

Ten Tips for Saving Energy in the Kitchen

By:  Douglas Trattner

Maintaining your large kitchen appliances is part of a smart home energy efficiency plan.
Refrigerator/freezer Energy-efficiency experts tell us to focus our efforts on the biggest energy hogs in the house, and that definitely includes the fridge. Because it cycles on and off all day, every day, the refrigerator consumes more electricity than nearly every appliance in the home save for the HVAC systems. The average refrigerator costs about $90 per year to operate, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The good news is that a few simple adjustments can trim roughly $38 to $45 off those utility bills. 1. Adjust the thermostat. By setting the thermostat colder than it needs to be, you might increase your fridge's energy consumption by as much as 25% on average. Adjust the refrigerator so that it stays in the 37-40 degrees F range. For the freezer, shoot for between 0-5 degrees F. You could save up to $22 per year. If your model doesn't display the current temps, invest in two appliance thermometers (one for the fridge, one for the freezer). They cost roughly $3-$20 apiece at online retailers. 2. Clean the coils. As dust accumulates on the condenser coils on the rear or bottom of the fridge, it restricts cool-air flow and forces the unit to work harder and longer than necessary. Every six months, vacuum away the dust that accumulates on the mechanism. Also, check to see that there is at least a 3-inch clearance at the rear of the fridge for proper ventilation. This routine maintenance can trim up to 5% off the unit's operating cost, says energy savings expert Michael Bluejay, saving you about $4.50 a year. 3. Use an ice tray. Automatic ice makers are a nice convenience, to be sure, but it turns out the mechanisms are energy hogs. An automatic ice maker can increase a refrigerator's energy consumption by 14% to 20%, according to Energy Star. By switching off the ice maker and using trays, you can save about $12 to $18 off your annual electricity bill. Most units require little more than a lift of the sensor arm to switch them off. To reclaim the space remove the entire unit, a simple DIY job on many models. 4. Unplug the "beer fridge." Many homes have an extra fridge that runs year round even though it's used sparingly. Worse, these fridges tend to be older, more inefficient models. By consolidating the contents to the main fridge and unplugging the additional unit, you eliminate the entire operating cost of a fridge. The second-best solution is to make sure the extra fridge remains three-quarters full at all times. The mass helps maintain steady internal temps and lets the fridge recover more quickly after the door is opened and closed, according to the California Energy Commission. Ovens and ranges "Green" cooking all comes down to proper time and space management. By using gas and electric stoves more effectively, you can painlessly save a few dollars a year. 5. Cut the power early. As anybody who's ever bumped a burner on an electric stove can attest, those heating elements stay hot long after they've been switched off. Put that residual heat to work by shutting off the burner several minutes before the end of the cook time. The same technique can be applied to the oven. The savings can add up to a couple bucks every month. 6. Match the burner to pan. When a small pan is placed on a big burner you can practically see the money disappearing into thin air. By matching the burner to the pan, electricity won't be squandered heating the kitchen rather than the food. The reverse is true, too. A small burner will take considerably longer to heat a large pan than would an appropriately sized burner. For gas stoves, don't let the flames lick the sides of the pot. Follow these tips and watch the utility bills shrink by a few dollars a month. 7. Do away with preheating. You can save about $2 a month by not preheating your oven (20 cents per hour to operate electric oven; eliminate 20 30-minute preheats a month). Many cooks agree that the practice is wholly unnecessary for all but a few recipes, namely baking breads and cakes. This approach may add a few minutes to the overall cooking time, but it eliminates all that wait time on the front end. Dishwasher  As with washing machines, most of a dishwasher's energy needs to go to heating the water. Still, says Lane Burt, an energy policy analyst with The Natural Resources Defense Council, a 10-year-old dishwasher can be made nearly as efficient as a newer model simply by knowing when and how to run it. Follow a few simple tips, and you can reduce your annual utility costs by roughly $35-$54. 8. Manage the load. Most dishwashers use the same amount of water and energy whether they're run full or half-full. You can cut your operating costs by one-third or one-half by running the machine only when it's full. It costs about $54 to run a pre-2000 model dishwasher per year, based on government data. Proper load management can save up to $27 each year. 9. Activate energy-saving features. A dishwasher's heated dry cycle can add 15% to 50% to the appliance's operating cost. Most machines allow the feature to be switched off (or not turned on), which can save $8-$27 per year, assuming an operating cost of $54 annually. If your dishwasher doesn't have that flexibility, simply turn the appliance off after the final rinse and open the door. 10. Use the machine. Many homeowners believe they can save water and energy by hand washing dishes. The truth is that a dishwasher requires less than one-third the water it would take to do those same dishes in the sink. By running the machine (when full), you can cut down the operating time of the hot water heater, your home's largest energy hog. Not only will you save a buck per month, you won't have to do the dishes. Visit Houselogic.com for more articles like this.  Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®  

Residential Home Sales Down 1 Percent in November

After four consecutive months of steady residential sales gains in New Hampshire, November unit sales saw a slight decline compared to the same month a year ago, according to data released this week by the New Hampshire Association of REALTORS (NHAR). The median price of those homes, meanwhile, decreased by 4 percent in November. There were 822 homes sold in November 2011, 2.5 percent behind the 843 sold in November 2010. That came following jumps of 29 percent, 14 percent, 13 percent and 14 percent in the four months prior.  Year to date sales for this year, meanwhile, were 1.2 percent above those through the first 11 months of 2010: 9,790 compared to 9,674. “We would expect to end 2011 a shade ahead of 2010 in terms of the number of residential homes sold,” said NHAR President Tom Riley, a 35-year veteran of the real estate industry and president of Riley Enterprises in Bedford. “This supports our contention that while we are not making huge gains, there seems to be a stabilization underway that we hope speaks to the early stages of a slow recovery, both in the New Hampshire housing market and the broader economy.” The state’s November residential median price dropped from $202,000 in 2010 to $193,450 in 2011. Year to date, the $203,000 median sale price in 2011 is 6 percent below the $215,000 through November of 2010. In local markets, November unit sales increased in five of the state’s 10 counties: 30 percent in Cheshire, 15 percent in Carroll, 14 percent in Belknap, 10 percent in Sullivan and 3 percent in Rockingham. New Hampshire’s largest county, Hillsborough, saw just a 0.5 percent November vs. November decline. Median price fell in all counties other than Rockingham, which saw a dramatic increase in November compared to a year ago: a 52 percent jump, from $159,900 in November 2010 to $242,500 in November 2011. November 2011 data residential As for the number of November condominium sales in New Hampshire, there was a slight increase from 2010 (187) to 2011 (189), while the median price of those sales increased 4 percent, from $160,000 to $166,000. November 2011 data condoSource:  Dave Cummings, NHAR Director of Communications