Home Improvements that Yield Big Returns

Home Improvements that Yield Big Returns

Before you invest a lot of money into updates for your home, you should consult us to determine which improvements will most impact your home's sale.

Some renovations not only fail to improve resale profits, but could actually detract from your home's overall value. If you're considering an improvement simply to increase the value of your home, you might consider research from the National Association of REALTORS® and Remodeling Magazine.

The findings? Over-the-top luxury is out, mid-range restraint is in. Boosting living space is in. Put your money where it counts – in first impressions, like replacing the entry door – the only improvement in the cost vs. value survey to return 100% of investment.

Here’s is the list of improvements that provide the most return on investment:

1. Kitchen cabinets
2. Add or replace tile
3. Breakfast bar
4. Granite tile countertops instead of slabs
5. Freshen bathroom
6. Freshen basement
7. Room addition
8. Replace cabinet fronts
9. Replace light fixtures
10. Garage door opener (touchpad)

Sometimes less is more. A little improvement in the right areas can go a long way with buyers, without breaking your budget.

NEW HAMPSHIRE HOME SALES CONTINUE TO CLIMB

May 2012 market data

NEW HAMPSHIRE HOME SALES CONTINUE TO CLIMB

New Hampshire real estate market data for the 1^st quarter was released by the New Hampshire Association of Realtors® (NHAR) shows home sales increased by the most April transactions since 2006.

Recently released statistics of existing home sales (completed transactions which includes single family homes, townhouses, and condominiums) showed a 21% increase in sales for April 2012 compared to April 2011.

In Hillsborough County there were 852 residential sales compared to 705 a year ago and 268 condominium sales compared to 243 sales in 2011. Statewide there were 3,207 residential sales compared to 2,714 and 779 condominium sales compared to 715 sales in 2011. With an 18% increase in year to date sales compared to last year, there are signs that New Hampshire’s housing market is at the start of an uphill climb.

In Hillsborough the Median sales price of residential sales in April of 2011 was $219,500 compared to $210,000 in 2012 and condominium sales were $147,000 in 2011 compared to $129,500 a year ago. Statewide Median home sales price for April 2011 was $199,900 compared to $190,000 in 2012. Pricing is a little bit behind because of market factors but once we begin to see inventory going down, housing prices will start going up.

It is encouraging to see the signs that the housing market is recovering yet it is still too soon to predict a major turnaround. Whether it is new buyers or 1st or 2^nd home sales, the overall New Hampshire sales projections for 2012 look very promising. In the meantime opportunity waits in the marketplace; there really has never been a better time to buy.

Getting Ready for Spring

One thing we never have 100% control over is a buyer’s first impression of a home.  However with a little bit of work, we do have a pretty good ability to showcase what is great about a home.  Simple things like removing clutter and storing away extra stuff can go a long way. Whether you are planning on putting your home on the market for sale or just planning your annual Spring cleaning, below are some tips which may help make the project more manageable.

Wipe Walls and Ceilings: Use vacuum to remove dust.  For stubborn surface grime (especially in the kitchen) use a solvent free degreaser.  When dusting always remember to work from the top of the room down and avoid using dusting sprays.

Floors: Vacuum and shampoo rugs with a rotary shampoo machine remember rugs without backings such as antique rugs may need to be dry clean.  Non wood floors such as Vinyl and linoleum which have lost their shine should be waxed with a polish designed for these surfaces.

Upholstered Furnishing and Book shelves: Take cushions outside and gently beat them to remove dust. Use the vacuums upholstery tool to clean under seat cushions.  Take everything off bookshelves and dust shelves and books with a feather duster; use a vacuum to reach into tight spaces.  Wax wooden furniture by wiping surfaces with a soft cloth dampened with water and mild dish detergent.  Apply paste wax such as Butchers wax with a cotton rag folded into a square pad, let dry and buff with clean cloth.

Windows and Window Hardware:  Using warm water and a mild dishwashing liquid scrub each screen with a brush and rinse thoroughly. For window hardware liquid polishes work well for medium tarnished surfaces, paste and creams are for heavier areas.  Using newspapers instead of clothes will give your windows a cleaner look.  Many draperies and curtains are machine washable; check labels.  Wipe wooden blinds with a damp cloth; warm water mixed with a mild dishwashing liquid is safe for metal and vinyl blinds.

Bedrooms: Turn over mattress and replace cool weather bedding with warm weather bedding.  Most pillows can be machine washed; this rids them of mold, bacteria and odors

Outdoor spaces: Clean porch ceilings and walls; sweep up cob webs and debris.  Scrub decks, Patios driveways and walkways.  Wash outdoor furnishings with mild dishwashing liquid, water and a soft bristled brush.  Inspect light fixtures; wash covering and inspect for damaged wires and connections

Ensure fire safety:  Change batteries in smoke detectors and make sure that units are all dust free.

Residential home sales: Will 2012 be the breakout year?

 April 23, 2012

Here is some good news. Residential homes sales in New Hampshire are up 17 percent above 2011 and the highest they've been since 2007.  Read the new article from the NH Association of REALTORS


Read The Article...

Stella Demetri Presented with Award

On Tuesday, April 19th, Stella Demetri was presented with an award of $500 for recruiting Derek Gilmore as an agent for our Nashua office. 

Thank you Stella, and welcome Derek!

New Hampshire Housing Market: Current Snapshot

On many levels, New Hampshire’s financial well being is the real estate market.  Not only are our tax revenues derived from the sale and assessment of real estate, our home owners also have a vested interest in what is taking place in the market and where we stand versus years past. The chart below shows the home sales for the first two months of 2012 versus 2011. The trend that was predicted in December of last year has played itself out so far in the first 60 days of the year: many more homes sold at slightly reduced or even pricing.

The trend of move units sold is almost universal across the state while the depreciation (and appreciation) on prices is more volatile. One of the main reasons for the resurgence of the housing market we feel is due in part to interest rate stabilization.

Many Realtors® feel that although we are experiencing some problems, the road to recovery has begun.Home affordability is at an all time high, if you are planning on staying in one place for more than 4 years, you have a steady job, good credit and a good savings than purchasing a home is the right path for you as a home buyer.   Taking advantage of today’s market is the best long term investment a buyer can make.  With interest rates at an all time low a family who was looking for a home a year or more ago can expect lower interest rates today, and their monthly payments may end up being lower as a result. 

Now is the time for home buyers to take advantage of programs such as USDA’s Rural Development  financing programs or NH Housing grants for those who qualify and FHA now qualifying people with as little as 3.5% down.  Also many credit unions and banks are offering special financing in their local communities.

For many families this market is creating an opportunity to purchase a home for much less than before.Many analyst hope that with all these opportunities we may see a positive change to the Real Estate market in the future.

FEELING LUCKY? Did you ever dream of winning the lottery?

So you may have missed the big one last Friday. I know we all bought a ticket… if for nothing else than to just dream of what could be. But we are giving you a second chance at playing the lottery.

 Real Living The Norwood Group is hosting a contest beginning March 27^th thru April 13^th.

“212 Chances to Become a Millionaire in 2012”.   

This campaign will consist of an insert which will be placed in the Amherst Citizen on March 27^th. 

At no obligation/no cost the readers can tear off the bottom sheet and mail it back (postage paid).  All inserts returned will be put into a box. On April 27^th 2012 at 4:00P a name will be picked and the winner will receive 212 lottery tickets for a chance to become a millionaire in 2012. The winner will then be invited to come to the Amherst office to collect their 212 lottery tickets with the hopes of receiving that winning ticket.

Many of the agents of Real Living are extremely active in their community and are excited about the contest as a fun way of giving back. We are looking forward to the contest drawing and meeting the winner.  We would like to wish all the contestants the best of luck.