Don’t buy a house without having a Building Inspection by a professional home inspector. A home inspection can not only educate you on the current condition of the home, but also, can minimize costly surprises in the future.
Here are four things you really need to know about home inspections:
1. Be sure you hire a qualified inspector with an excellent reputation. How long has he been in business? Can he give you referrals? Has he had any formal training? Is he licensed by the State? Does he carry Errors & Omissions Insurance?
2. Request a copy of a sample report. Check that it appears thorough with clear and easy to understand explanations; pictures are really helpful. Also, ask how long it will be before you receive the report.
3. Inspect the other systems and conditions. Some companies will also offer septic system inspections, testing for radon water or radon air, pest inspections, water tests, mold screening, lead testing, or uranium and arsenic testing. As a minimum, inspect the septic and test the water for quality and the presence of radon. Educate yourselves so you can decide if want to do any of the other testing which is available.
4. Be sure to go along on the inspection, if at all possible. (Be wary if the inspector discourages you from coming!) The inspector can be very helpful in explaining how to operate the home’s various systems and will often provide helpful tips on maintenance or energy-saving. Going along on the inspection will also make it that much easier to understand the final report.
Have fun and good luck!
These tips appeared in HouseMaster and appeared in RIS Media in April, 2010.
This very short list of local farms was obtained from a really wonderful web site where you can find out about much more than just apple-picking! Pick Your Own! Visit the site for tons more information!
Apple Hill Farm - Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, black currants, apples & flowers 580 Mountain Road, Concord, NH 03301. Phone: 603-224-8862 Email: applehill@fcgnetworks.net. Open: June-November, varies with picking season. Special Events: Call or email for calendar
Appleview Orchard - apples, pumpkins, raspberries (red), strawberries, other vegetables, already-picked produce (of the pyo crop), gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, Bouncy castle or moon bounce, petting zoo, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours, 1266 Upper City Road, Pittsfield, NH 03263. Phone: 603-435-3553 Email: apples@applevieworchard.com. Open: Daily from 10 am to 6 pm for picking Late August through Late November; Late May to Late November Ice Cream and Gift Shop open Daily! Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: Appleview Orchard is located just over a mile off New Hampshire Route 28, situated atop beautiful Jenness Hill. We are only about 20 minutes from downtown Concord; yet we are a world away from it all!. Click here for a map and directions. New in 2010 Haunted Halloween!. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard.
Carter Hill Orchard - apples, blueberries, pumpkins, raspberries, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), prepicked produce, gift shop, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, school tours, 73 Carter Hill Road, Concord, NH 03303. Phone: (603) 225-2625 Email: carterhillorchard@comcast.net. Directions: From I-93 take Exit 15W, go to the end of the exit and take a right (this is North State Street). At the second set of lights (between the Sovereign Bank and Irving Gas Station) take a left onto Penacook Street. Follow road straight fro approximately 4 1/2 miles. Stay to the left of the V in the road. A half mile later, you'll see Carter Hill Orchard on the left. Click here for a map and directions. Picking updates: Click here for picking updates. Crops are usually available in August, September, October, November. Open: seven days a week; 9 am to 6 pm in September and October, and 9 am to 5 pm from November 1 to December 22; We close for the season at noon on December 23. Click here for current open hours, days and dates.
Gould Hill Orchards - apples, pumpkins, 656 Gould Hill Road, Hopkinton, NH 03229. Phone: 603-746-3811 Email: info@gouldhillfarm.com. Open: Apples from Labor Day to late October - daily 10am to 5pm. Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard, Discover. (UPDATED: March 26, 2010)
You've come to the right place! Great cottage on Lake Kolelemook in Springfield, NH has open concept living area and long lake views. A sandy, shallow beach is just steps away from your door. Visit www.21SandyBeach.com for more photos and details. Offered at $244,000.
New London’s town library has come a long way from its opening in 1897 and in 1900, when it was housed in a single room at the Grange Hall and was supported by a $100 grant from the State of New Hampshire. At that time, there were 312 library cards in use and a circulation of 2,677 volumes. It was in 1900, that local resident Mrs. James Tracy began her long interest in the library by donating subscriptions to a dozen of the leading American magazines.
Mrs. Tracy had earlier purchased the old Morgan Homestead at the corner of South Pleasant and Main Street. This building was used as the Hospital until 1923, when the Hospital moved to its new quarters. Mrs. Tracy then undertook extensive renovations to the old building and transformed it into one of the finest small-town libraries in the country. At the Town Meeting of 1926, the deed to the property passed to the Town, accompanied by a generous gift in trust of $125,000 for the maintenance of the building and library facilities. In its new beautifully renovated quarters and landscaped grounds, the Library became a community center for many kinds of activities.
Since then Tracy Memorial Library has undergone additional refurbishings and renovations, including the “new” Community Gardens at the rear of the building, meant to replicate many of the original gardens. Today, the Library contains 34,400 volumes, circulates 92,066 items per year, and serves a population of 4,438 residents. It is home to many enlightening and fun programs and events; offers a web catalogue; has a wonderful children’s area with special offerings for children of all ages; provides access to innumerable sources of information and continues as an essential part of the New London and area communities.
Visit their website at: Tracy Memorial Library
Have you had to move before your house has sold? Here are some tips if you are in this situation:
- Make sure the house is super clean after everything has been moved out. Dirt, smudges, dirty sinks, etc. really jump out in an empty house. If necessary, arrange for some touch-up painting.
- Leave a rug at the front door to minimize the tracking of dirt & water.
- Don’t leave empty boxes, bags of trash, and unwanted personal items. It gives a more “run-down” feeling to the property.
- Arrange to have the lawn mowed in summer or the driveway plowed and sidewalks shoveled in the winter. Overgrown lawns or sidewalks knee deep in snow are turn-offs for buyers.
- Check with your insurance company to make sure your empty house is covered. Some companies require a different (and unfortunately, more expensive) policy if the house is vacant for a long period of time.
If you are looking for an experienced agent to help sell your house, then give me a call! 603-526-4116
You’ve found the perfect home, but before you close, you will most likely want to have a home inspection. This should include consideration of the possibility of the presence of lead paint in the house. Lead is a highly toxic metal and is especially dangerous to children - their bodies absorb more of the metal. Even low levels of lead reduce IQ & attention span, cause learning disabilities and retard development. Lead poisoning is a major health problem in this country for children. It even impacts adults by increasing blood pressure and damaging the kidneys, nerves, and brain. Any amount of lead is bad. Why am I writing about it? Because about ¾ of the homes built prior to 1978 contain some lead paint. And there are plenty of older homes in this area. The most obvious source of contamination is peeling paint. However another primary source, and one not as noticeable, is contaminated dust created from the friction of opening and closing of windows, doors, scuffing of feet on stairs, renovations, etc. Even though most houses today are completely repainted inside and out, the danger of lead dust still exists. This dust clings to carpets, floors, furniture, and toys. Young children get it on their hands and then put their hands in their mouths. I’m sure I don’t have to delve into the problems with the dust created from renovations. You get the picture. Whether you’re selling or buying a pre-1978 house, you need to be aware of the requirements, disclosures and risk assessments available. Contact me for a free pamphlet “Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home.”
603-526-4116
The real estate market today seems to be a mixture of news. I checked our Multiple Listing Service for the number of houses sold from January to September 1st and compared them to last year in the 9 area towns. Sales have actually increased by 9% – 152 sold homes in 2010, 139 solds in 2009. The average days on market haven’t seen much change; it takes roughly about 5 months to sell a house (keep in mind that is an average – some take longer, some take less time). And so far, homes are selling for an average of 91% of their asking price – same as last year. If sales activity mimics ‘09, this year may end up ahead of 2009 as the last two quarters in 2009 had the highest number of sales. The tempering factor is that right now there are 484 houses on the market. Basically there is a 2 year supply of homes to sell. The good news? We‘re making slow but steady progress. Fortunately, with NH’s lower unemployment rate and more stable economy, our state is poised to take advantage of market increases when they happen. And for buyers, it’s still a great time to be buying with the wide range of choices and low interest rates. If you’d like to know how sales are doing in your specific town, feel free to contact me!
Donna Forest603-526-4116
RISMEDIA, in their real estate magazine, often offers great tips for both buyers and sellers. An article published in early spring summarized these timeless great suggestions for anyone trying to sell their home from Sandra Rinomato, host of HGTV’s popular “Property Virgins” show. Before staging, the first step is to, “Get it clean, clean, clean,” said Rinomato. “If your house isn’t clean, it instantly sends up negative thoughts that the home is not well maintained. If your house is spotless, you’re ahead of the game,” she said. Next, “stage” your house so “…potential buyers can superimpose themselves and their lifestyle on the house.” Here are her tips: 1. Visit model homes and check out magazines for inexpensive decorating ideas which will appeal to the general public. 2. Home improvement can be as simple as spiffing up the outside with a fresh coat of paint, new shiny hardware on the front door and plant some flowers. 3. Declutter everywhere. This will make rooms look larger, and don’t forget closets. 4. Replace light bulbs with energy-saving, but bright, bulbs. Open or remove curtains. “Light, bright rooms give the impression this is a happy place—and everyone wants to move into a happy place,” said Rinomato. 5. Feature only a few pieces of furniture with broad appeal. Pieces pulled away from walls will make rooms look bigger. 6. Make sure a room’s primary use is obvious. 7. Keep kitchen counters clear; the same for nightstands and bureaus. Clean under the sinks in the kitchen. 8. Minimize the presence of your pets. Deodorize thoroughly. 9. Organize storage spaces. It’s even worth renting a storage locker. 10. When you’re done, call in your friends and REALTOR to get an objective opinion. RISMEDIA, March 19, 2010—(MCT)—(c) 2010, The Orlando Sentinel (Fla.).Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
Bright and open home with Mt. Kearsarge views offering 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. Asking price just reduced from $239,900 to $230,000. Kitchen has excellent work & storage space and tile floor. Living room has access to a large deck for entertaining. Brand new Hearthstone Heritage Soapstone woodburning stove for cozy winter nights. Visit www.472KingHill.com for more photos and details.
While New Hampshire is great in any season, Fall foliage season is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular shows of the year. There are many ways to determine the progress of the foliage, what places are the best to hike or camp in and enjoy the views, where the best outdoor recreation opportunities are during this special time. For your convenience, we’ve listed below a number of websites which you will find most helpful if you are considering traveling to New Hampshire for this spectacular show of color. New Hampshire Fall Foliage GuideNH Fall Foliage ReportsFoliage-Visit New HampshireNH Tour GuideVisit NH We hope you’ll enjoy visiting our wonderful state during this time when it’s showing off its colors…and maybe you’ll decide you want to stay!