Older Homes Vs. New Homes

When purchasing a home, one of the decisions you will need to consider is whether you want to purchase an older home or a newer one. Some buyers are attracted to the older homes charm and history while others would prefer the modern day conveniences of a newer home. Sometimes the area and your price range can make the decision for you. If you are not sure which is best for you below are some factors to consider.

Older Homes – Advantages

• Construction – Older homes were generally built using stone by experienced craftsmen which some may say you’ll get a more solid house.
• Large Land Lots – Land was much cheaper back then, builders could use larger lot sizes, resulting in more space.
• Character- Original features such as ceiling beams and open fireplaces can be very attractive to many people
• Traditions – many older homes have been owned by the same families for many generations, the houses are passed down through the years, allowing for the development of small communities within the areas

Older Homes – Disadvantages

• Maintenance- With the older homes you can usually expect a little more work such as roof and walls may need updating and many older properties may have old heating systems and wiring which can be expensive to update. Ceilings are also lower in older properties
• Smaller Storage Space – Years ago, possessions were limited therefore people did not require large storage areas. In today’s world storage is an essential requirement for many families.
• More Expensive – Many older properties can also be more expensive due to their location which is usually rural and you will pay for traditional features.

New Homes – Advantages

• Lower maintenance- With new homes modern wiring and heating systems have been installed, walls, roofs, windows and doors will also be brand new.
• Modern Appliances – Many newer homes are sold with fitted kitchens and built in appliances, therefore there is no need to purchase these items separately which can be very expensive
• Incentives – Many builders/property owners will offer incentives such as cash back or pay the closing costs.
• Energy Efficient – In the newer homes, walls and roof are insulated and the heating systems are fitted as standard to the home, in some instances you may also have the option to have solar power installed

New Homes – Disadvantages

• Identical rooms – Most houses on a modern estate will be virtually identical in size and floor plan, this can be a put off for those who prefer a unique home
• Small Land Lots – Land is now more expensive to buy, so builders have to work with much smaller plot plans, therefore newer houses will have smaller lots
• Settling – New houses will settle, this can occur at anywhere regardless of the soil or location resulting in cracks in the foundation, walls and door frames

Clearly there are some advantages and disadvantages with both newer and older properties, in the end it may just come down to personal taste and requirements. Before you buy, try to view both old and new houses, until you find what works best for you and your family.

Real Giving

As part of their “Real Giving “ charity contributions the Sales Associates at Real Living | The Norwood Group Residential Real Estate will be donating their time on July 24^th and 25^th by volunteering for painting services at the Webster House in Manchester, NH.

The Webster House is a private, nonprofit residential facility for New Hampshire’s adolescents, boy and girls between the ages of 8 to 18 who need to live away from home in a supportive environment.

The Associates believe that it is always best to give back to the community. In the past they have sponsored a successful Toys for Tots charity event in which there were over 300 toys donated for the children, they have adopted a family through the Milford Share program and Nashua Pastoral Care and have also sponsored a Food drive for the New Hampshire soup kitchen in which they donated over 7 boxes of food for those in need.

We here at Real Living | The Norwood Group feel it is important to be an integral part of the communities we serve. In our experience the givers are actually more rewarded than those we are helping. It is heartwarming to be a part of this group stated Susan Thornton, Sales Associates of Real Living|The Norwood Group.

It is so important for people to help in any way they can. By volunteering a couple of hours of your time you will not only help in building a better community, you will also put smiles on the faces of those in need.

We would like to thank Charles S. Katis of Universal Décor, Manchester for his generous donation of paint and brushes as well as a donation by Tracy Hawkins of Barrister’s Title.

May Year to Date 2012 New Hampshire Sales

After the release of last month’s 1^st quarter NH Real Estate Market data showing that home sales have begun to increased, the New Hampshire Association of Realtors® (NHAR) recent release on June 12, 2012 has not only confirmed that home sales continued to climb but we are also seeing an increase in median sales prices.

In comparing data for the first 5 months of 2011 to the first 5 months of 2012, reports show a 28% increase in year to date sales. As per the NHAR, the sales spike in May followed increases in January through April totaling 4,440 home sales in 2012 compared to 3670 in 2011.

More than half of New Hampshire’s 10 counties have seen an increase in price, even though statewide May median price saw a 2.4% dip.

Hillsborough County showed 1,183 residential sales in 2012 compared to 965 residential sales for 2011 and 364 Condominium sales for 2012 compared to 326 sales in 2011. Statewide there were 4,440 residential sales in 2012 compared to 3,670 in 2011 and 1,076 condominium sales in 2012 compared to 959 on 2011

Median residential sales prices in Hillsborough County for 2011 YTD were $210,000 and $207,500 in 2012 YTD, and condominium sales prices in Hillsborough County was $138,000 in 2012 compared to $145,000 in 2012. Statewide condominium prices for YTD 2011 was $146,000 compared to $143,950 YTD 2012 and residential was $200,000 YTD 2011 compared to $193,000 YTD 2012.

As per NHAR President John Rice, “these are very solid numbers, in the context of where we have been in recent years, where in the past we have been merely hopeful that things would start to turn, now we appear to have substance to justify that hope”.

How secure is your home?

According to the US Department of Justice a home is burglarized every 15 seconds. A typical homeowner stands to lose approximately $2000 in stolen good or property damage. With the economy at its worse, burglary has become a more common crime. A few simple tips can help your home from being invaded.

1. Bushes, shrubs and trees can offer an intruder a place to hide, trim back any overgrown vegetation so that your home’s windows, porches and doors are visible to neighbors & passerbies.

2. “Window Shopping” is one way criminals choose potential targets, use shades, drapes and other window treatments to keep tempting household items out of view.

3. Putting out boxes from a new flat screen TV, laptop, video game system etc., shows a potential burglar what new and valuable items are now available in your home

4. Have plenty of lighting around your home in the evening such as motion sensing security lighting detector. A sudden change from darkness to bright light will not only startle intruders but also alert the homeowner or neighbor.

5. Use timers that are hooked to outdoor lights as well as radios or televisions, burglars do not want to be confronted by anyone in the home, if they hear sounds of activity they will move on.

6. 60% of all burglaries take place at the ground floor doors and windows. Install deadbolts keyed on both sides on exterior entry doors and protective barriers such as ¼ “Plexiglas over existing glass windows.

7. Do not post on face book or other social media’s that you are going to be away or on vacation.

8. Do not leave vehicles unlocked while parked in your driveway or garage

9. Have someone check on your property if you are going to be away, in many instances your local police department will check on your property.

10. Have someone collect your mail and newspapers; these are other criteria’s burglars use when looking for a home to vandalize.

Most importantly the best form of protection is common sense; lock all doors and windows when leaving your home it’s the simplest and best thing anyone can do to protect your home.