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The Face Rings A Bell

If you have ever had the experience of returning to an old “stomping ground” after a significant time away, you can appreciate the experience I had this past week. After spending considerable time away from where I used to call “home”, I returned for a visit. While I’m content and excited about my new location, the familiar surroundings and faces that met me on this last visit were a very welcome sight. While new friends, new clients, new scenery and even new mountains are exciting and filled with new potential adventures, it is always nice to come “home”.

My earliest (coherent) childhood memories are from the earliest days of grade-school. We lived in an apartment in Amesbury, MA filled with lots of similar-aged kids. I have visited that location a few times since those early days and was immediately refreshed with loads of fond memories. Skateboarding down the hill to the lower lot, putting baseball cards in the spokes of the bike tires and running around playing tag and dodge ball until the streetlights came on or until we got the call (via voice, not phone!) from mom.

In a similar way, a visit to the beaches of Wells, Maine brings back memories of our house on Ocean Pines Circle. Dad wearing a pumpkin on his head for Halloween, Ben, our black lab, dragging his entire dog house across the street in the name of “love”, and the awful-tasting orange marmalade sandwiches the baby-sitter across the street would serve to my brother and I for lunch. Even a drive along the street that connects to Ocean Pines Circle brings back a flood of great memories and fond feelings of “home”.

After having been away from where I called home for a significant amount of time, the return was bitter-sweet. The familiar faces brought an immediate smile and a sense of belonging that I had not enjoyed in a long time. The relationships themselves, though altered now by distance, are still strong. I’m convinced that this sense of familiarity has the power to bring a smile to our face and even an easing of present stresses. Even if specific memories are not recalled or old stories not re-hashed, the collective snippets in time, from years of shared experiences, make us feel welcome and provide that sense of belonging and comfort. The “bitter” part of the visit was knowing that in a few days those familiar faces would become memories, only to be re-lived in my mind.

There is no question, that same phenomenon is what gives us that immense feeling of relief, relaxation and melted-away stress when we arrive back to our actual home after an extended absence. Even walking through the front door after a long, particularly exhausting day at the office can bring a smile to your face and cause an immediate relieving of the tension throughout the body. The feeling of being “home” is unequalled in its power to make us feel at ease.

They say our sense of smell has the strongest memory “database”. A smell from 20 or 40 years ago can immediately bring back a very specific experience or location. Whether you are aware of it or not, you and your family have a distinct “presence” in your home. This becomes apparent when, after a long absence, you first open the front door and are met with that familiar aroma.

Perhaps that is why real estate agents are taught to bake cookies or light a “cookie” candle when having an open house or a showing. What better way to encourage an offer on a home than to immediately associate with the buyer’s fond memories of fresh cookies or family holidays. “I have found that lots of people, first-time buyers in particular, really tend to relax a bit when I use scents in my showings,” commented Badger Realty agent Karla Badger. She continued, “It simply helps them feel more at ease and allows them to more easily imagine themselves making this house their home.”

I’ll leave you today with two thoughts. First of all, be sure and appreciate those around you. The next time you see a familiar face in the market or on the street, make the extra effort to walk over and say hello. I promise you they will be excited to see you (unless they owe you money!) and you both will feel better for the rest of the day. The feeling of connectedness we share with friends and family simply cannot be replaced.

Second, just take a minute to appreciate that place you call home. It does not make any difference if your “home” is a 4,000 square foot mansion at the summit of Mt. Washington (wouldn’t that be cool?!) or a camper in the parking lot of a big-box store. Your home is (ideally) your respite from the world and a place to be completely at ease. If it’s not, I encourage you to take a few steps to create this rejuvenating environment for yourself and your family. You deserve it.

I’ll see you on the sidewalk.

Just A Little More

It appears that we are successfully (finally) rolling into Spring and even jumped into Summer there for a few days! While the temps are warming, the same is true with the real estate market. On a broad scale, according to the National Association of Realtors, pending home sales are at their highest level since April 2010 and a full 7% higher than this time last year. Applications and refinancing are both up and rates are still ridiculously low; this all points to a stronger market and a solid spring season for Conway NH real estate.

But beyond the normal increase in sales, how do you increase the amount of money you can get (ask?) for your home? In other words, what are those items that buyers are willing to pony up the extra cash for when they are reviewing homes? There are quite a few on our list and a couple that we mentioned a few weeks back when talking about getting the most bang for your buck when doing a remodel. The numbers are from the National Association of REALTORS and represent the average “extra” amount buyers are willing to pay to have that feature already present in a home they are buying.

Central air conditioning topped the list as the most popular item with buyers. Central air is one of those items that are not necessarily a DIY project and not one that many home buyers would be willing to invest in after just buying a home. It makes sense they would be willing to pay more up front to have this great amenity included. While, in NH, we may only “need” air conditioning for those 2 or 3 weeks in August, it is still a treat to flip a switch and stop sticking to the couch.

New kitchen appliances ($1,840) and master bath suites ($2,030) also rose to the top of the heap. Similar to central air, these are not always “simple” DIY projects and buyers would love to have them taken care of prior to moving in. Even if the appliances are not exactly what they may have chosen on their own and the style of the master bath suite is not exactly what they would have picked out, the fact that these are in place and “one less thing” to worry about is apparently worth the extra money.

Speaking of suites, the presence of a walk-in closet in the master bedroom is worth an additional $1,350 to most buyers. Having lived without a closet and subsequently experiencing the bliss of a walk-in closet in my bedroom, I can see the logic here. Since we all tend to have 2 (or more) different “wardrobes”, having access to all of your clothes in one spot is a worthwhile luxury for sure. Even if you don’t have THAT many clothes, the ability to spread out what you do own is great. Coming from a guy who color-coordinates (and hangs) his t-shirts, you can imagine how much I miss that closet!

“We all know that kitchens and baths sell houses, but my experience has also taught me that people love their closets, and that goes for both men and women”, notes Badger Realty agent Maureen Garrette. She continued, “I can’t tell you how many times people have gone right to the master bedroom to inspect the amount of closet space available before walking through the rest of the home. It is certainly a top priority for lots of people.”

Swinging back to the kitchen, we have Stainless steel appliances at $1,850, granite countertops at $1,620 and a kitchen island at $1,370. I can relate to having these already present in a kitchen. The savings of time, energy and mess alone is worth almost any cost. But I’m surprised they made the list considering they are simply “styles” right now and who knows what is coming down the pike. Wouldn’t it be great if those pea-green appliances come back in fashion! All those folks lamenting their 60′s and 70′s era kitchens, all across NH, will be stylish once again!

Lastly were hardwood floors at $2,080. This one makes a lot of sense. Having laid the floor in my house, I can appreciate the amount of work that goes into this project. The strain on the back and knees alone is worth two thousand dollars! And don’t get me started on the mess. Thankfully, I did not have carpet or appliances yet in the house, so the mess was easily cleaned up. I would not want to undertake that project in a fully furnished home while trying to contain the ensuing haze of dust. That sawdust gets everywhere.

The one that tops the list for value, at $5020, is a home less than 5 years old. While this stands far above the rest of the other features in value, it certainly makes lots of sense. The amount of maintenance issues and other potential problems in a newer home are far fewer than those that have seen 10 or more years of weathering or wear and tear. About 40% of buyers noted they would be willing to pay extra for a newer home.

Obviously all of these are subjective. In fact, only the central air conditioning and new appliances ranked as important for more than 60% of respondents. As a seller, it is great information to have and gives you and your agent some data for which items to highlight in your home. As a buyer, you might be able to scoop up a better deal on a home that does not include lots of these items. A basic supply/demand formula will tell you that if you sacrifice a few of these amenities, you might save yourself some money or competition.

Time for Change

Everyone knows Springtime is the season of change. Those nasty brown snow banks are finally waning into the streams and rivers and the fresh flowers and plants are starting to take shape. A very dear friend of mine is also in the midst of a big change. A change that will take him 2,000 miles across the country into a new land, a new town and completely new, albeit beautiful, surroundings.

One of the hardest parts of big changes like these are the social and personal ramifications. Leaving a group of friends, neighbors and family that have known you for years can be an emotional and trying time. This also tends to play into the final decision to move and can sometimes be enough of a draw to keep you home. The comfort and confidence of familiar faces and the warm feeling of being “known” around town can even keep some from making the decision to move on at all. Others will push through and revel in the opportunity to make new friends and new connections.

Making this type of major decision is not unlike the decision to sell your home and buy a new/different one. Granted, this part of most “moves” is inevitable, but the decision making process still holds some of the very same factors. The surroundings of your home have become familiar and have given you and your family that sense of “home” for as long as you have been there. Uprooting that, even temporarily, is not a small undertaking.

My friend has also taken this opportunity to “cull the fat” in his life. This includes many (most?) of those items, that we all have stored somewhere, that clearly do not fall into the necessity column. I tend to go through this process every Summer and Fall. I love going through my closet and removing those items that I have not worn for the past 12 months. The trick is to go through the same process with the “things” in your basement, garage and other storage spots.

If you have ever moved, which most of us have, you have had the chance to really see and feel all of the stuff you have accumulated over the years. What better time to eliminate those things that have not been touched in a year… or two… or five. While going through this process, my friend found old tools, random hardware, obsolete exercise equipment, “straight” skis! and even a few pieces of furniture that had never made it into the house. All of these items were either sold or given to friends or charity as part of his “cleansing” process.

Don’t get me wrong. I have enough of that “pack-rat” mentality to hear the voice in my head saying “you never know when you might need that”. But at the end of the day, the feeling of cleansing and organizing far outweigh the “what ifs”. The other advantage to this cathartic flushing is you end up with both less stuff to move and less space needed in the new home.

I remember moving from my 300 square foot cabin to my 2 story cape a couple years ago. The most amazing thing was the home did not feel “empty” with my very limited amount of furniture and “stuff”. In fact, it felt clean, open and spacious. A feeling that I thoroughly enjoy both inside and outside the home. Badger Realty agent Kevin Killourie comments “I find families that have filtered through their belongings, prior to their home going on the market, tend to be more prepared for this change. They are beginning to emotionally detach themselves from the house and it makes the transition much more smooth for everyone.”

If this Spring is a time for new beginnings for you and a move is in your future, I’m excited for you. This is a great opportunity for you and your family to re-evaluate your priorities and apply those to all the stuff in your lives. Embrace the change and the opportunity for a new, fresh beginning. You will likely be less stressed during the process and more mentally ready for the big move. Happy Spring and Happy Cleansing!

Reconsider the Remodel

While the real estate market continues to take strong strides towards a sustainable and stable recovery, there are still those homes that, for whatever reason, just haven’t sold. As we have discussed numerous times before, one of the best ways to highlight the home and hopefully get it sold, is to undertake some sort of remodeling projects.

The NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) has indicated a sharp increase in the number of inquiries and bid requests in the past 12 months. This points to an increased level of consumer confidence in the housing industry. The logic being that an upgrade will either increase the enjoyment of the home for themselves, or increase the sale-ability of the home once it hits the market. According to the NARI, the biggest drivers behind the increased activity was a reviving of postponed projects as well as the continually improving home prices.

There are countless websites and experts available to highlight the projects with the greatest ROI (Return on Investment) as well as those that today’s buyers are most interested in. This weekend, since I’m in the spring sort of mood, we’ll highlight those “green” projects for your home. These are the upgrades and renovations that will increase the efficiency of the home and lessen your consumption of the world’s resources.

One of the easiest steps to take, which even the least mechanical of us can tackle, is to swap out your light bulbs. Going the way of CFL bulbs provides a huge increase in energy efficiency (Using 75% less than traditional incandescent) and longevity (CFLs last up to 6 times longer). Even if you don’t have the motivation to swap out all of your bulbs this weekend, at least go buy a box or two so you are able to start the exchange as the old bulbs burn out. This is a great way to take this step and be easy on the wallet at the same time.

Installing a programmable thermostat is the next great way to not only save yourself some money (about $180/year according to Energy Star), but also offer some convenience. As the days start to warm up a bit and the mornings are not as frosty, you can eliminate the heat altogether. But, waking up to and coming home to a warm house can be achieved with a little adjusting and some quality time with the instructions.

While we’re on the subject of heating (and cooling), I always encourage home builders to install a few ceiling fans around the home. Once you have them, you’ll never want to go without. The obvious benefits of pushing heat back down to the living area in colder months and circulating the hot air in the summer months are reason enough to install these throughout the home. I found, especially with a forced hot air heating system, the ceiling fans were indispensible to a more stable and consistent heat.

Moving from the air to the water, it might be time to replace your tired, old water heater. I will warn you ahead of time, there are loads of options available in order to get hot water to spray out of the faucet. These include tankless units, heat pump water heaters and of course traditional gas or electric “storage” water heaters. The former two are typically about twice as efficient as the latter choice simply because they are only heating the water as you need it. They are not trying to maintain 50 gallons of water at a certain temperature. It is well worth some research on your part and be sure to consider the energy savings each month as you are evaluating them for price.

The last thing to consider are the appliances. I understand this can be a costly endeavor, but this is a great place to increase your home’s efficiency as well as score huge points with the next potential buyers that walk through the door. “Everyone knows kitchens and baths sell the house. If the appliances are upgraded and new it becomes a selling point or, at the very least, they are not a stumbling block for the buyers,” comments Badger Realty agent Kathleen Sullivan Head. She continued, “If they are energy efficient and can save the buyers money in the long-run, that’s just an added bonus.”

As we’ve talked about before, doing any type of upgrade to your home is a great idea. Not only will you increase the likelihood of selling in a timely manner, but you also get the benefit of enjoying the remodeling work for as long as you live there.

Avoid the Oops

We have all done it. It hits you on the way home or shortly thereafter. We have bought that item, regardless of how big or small, and been overwhelmed with a feeling of regret. Buyer’s remorse. Of course it is a bit more common with larger purchases such as a new car or expensive jewelry, and real estate is certainly no exception. So rather than placating your remorse with a bowl of ice cream or a big glass of wine, let’s look at some ways you can avoid those feelings in the first place.

You have heard me say this on multiple occasions, but knowledge is key. The more “homework” you do before signing on the proverbial dotted line, the more confidence you will have in your decision. My brother is a car fanatic. Before he purchased his last car, he researched all the vehicles in that class to ensure that this particular model was “the one”. While this is certainly time consuming and, in the end, there really is no “perfect” car, at least he can sleep at night knowing he made the best decision for his particular goals.

That right there, I believe, is one of the most important factors in having confidence in your decision. Knowing what you want. When looking for a new home, it is imperative that you make your list of “must-haves” before you begin your search. This not only relieves some of the post-purchase jitters, but also gives you the confidence to eliminate properties that don’t meet those demands. I also encourage buyers to make this list as concise and specific as possible. If you need or “must-have” a 2-car garage, then don’t settle for a home without one. If you have dogs and they need a back yard to play, don’t assume you will just take them for walks every day and bring them to the park. Set your minimum standard and stick to your guns.

While Ross and Rachel’s infamous “checklist” for dating didn’t work out too well for them, when it comes to your next home purchase, keep emotions out of it as much as possible. Someone’s feelings are not at stake here. This is a big wooden box with a roof within which to store all of your stuff and your family. That’s it. As you are going through this process, make use of the expertise of the agents at Badger Realty and let them help you with your list. Having a third party involved in the process helps you keep a bit of distance between you and the property. If a given house doesn’t make the cut, move on.

It is equally important to take some time to review the finances as well. This may seem like an obvious step, but unfortunately first-time home buyers are frequently surprised at the “true” cost of ownership. With all the computer programs and experts available today, you will have no trouble getting some very accurate numbers regarding the mortgage, taxes, insurance, etc.

Beyond these “fixed” figures, it is also very helpful to get estimates on how you can directly impact your monthly payments. What if you pay an extra $50 per month? What if you come into some money and are able to pay $1,000 directly on the principal. If you utilize an adjustable rate mortgage, how will the fluctuations of the interest rates impact your payments. Getting a handle on all of these variables will help you rest easier in the years following your purchase.

Get a handle on what type of local, not national, real estate market you working within. I have talked at length about the importance of knowing your local real estate market. While nationally, the foreclosure rate might be dwindling and home sales are starting to pick up, what is happening in North Conway, NH? What about Madison or Albany? Every region and every town have their own “micro” real estate market and it is important to understand what is happening on that level. There are even differences between condo complexes in the same town. Get to know your local market and the direction it is heading. This will increase your confidence that you are making the right decision and will also help you in the negotiation process.

Slow down a bit during the buying process and take a closer look at your home inspector. Granted, they are now going to be required to be licensed but not all inspectors are the same. Get some recommendations from trusted friends, relatives or co-workers and make sure you are comfortable with your choice. Also, much like the advice we get when going to the doctor for a check-up, make a list for your inspector before they get there. As you are walking through the home for the first time, you are going to have specific areas of concern. Make note of these and highlight them during the inspection. (You ARE going to be there for the inspection, right?) Also, if you plan to make any renovations, try to coordinate your contractor’s availability during the inspection. What a great opportunity to have two professionals offering insight on the current and future condition of your home.

Lastly, I would simply encourage you to get back in and view the home more than once and bring a second set of eyes with you. A trusted friend or even your contractor can offer a more objective perspective than yours, especially if you have already “fallen” for the home. Typically a second viewing of the home will expose areas of concern that you overlooked the first time through. While this may not be convenient, particularly for vacation home buyers, it is an important step to boost the confidence in your decision.

You have the choice. Hastily make a huge decision and gamble with remorse after the papers are signed, or do your homework up front and move forward with confidence in your choice. Compared to the years of enjoyment in your beautiful new home, the up front work will be quick and painless.