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.

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.