Forget everything you've heard about buying a home in the last two years. The housing market in 2023 is going to be an entirely different affair. Some experts are predicting a more balanced market. But that won't necessarily make homeownership more affordable as interest rates are on the rise.
So, what's a savvy first-time buyer to do? Here are some tips from our real estate agents that will help you bring your homeownership goals to fruition.
Find the right home for you this year around the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Contact us to learn how we can help you navigate the 2023 real estate market.
Buying your first home is such an exciting milestone. But once you're standing in your own empty living room, you realize there's another big step you have to tackle: furnishing that home. When furnishing your Carroll County home, it's important to prioritize the right rooms and items. Take things slowly and embrace your own style. Our real estate agents have a few more specific tips that should prove helpful along the way.
Remember, furnishing a home should be fun. Prioritize your purchases, reuse furniture when possible, and take the time to curate your style. Should you still be looking at Jackson homes for sale or North Conway homes for sale feel free to contact us. We'll help you find a gorgeous space that you can enjoy furnishing and decorating to suit your tastes.
National Bake Cookies Day is a wonderful way to celebrate the impending holidays while you're looking at gorgeous Berlin homes for sale. This delightful day is right around the corner on December 18, so our real estate agents have put together a quick list of their favorite holiday cookies along with a few storage tips.
Let's start with the recipes:
We understand how hard it is not to chow down on an entire cookie platter, especially on National Bake Cookies Day, but we suggest you eat a few of these favorites and store the rest. Here are a few tips to keep cookies fresh for several days:
The best place to make holiday cookies and other treats is in the comfort of your dream home. Contact us today, and our amazing agents can help make that dream a reality.
Moving is stressful in its own right, but when you add holidays to the mix, your anxiety can skyrocket. Unfortunately, sometimes you have no choice. While we may not be able to resolve all of your moving issues, our real estate agents have a few tips to make the process a little easier.
If you're relocating and haven't yet found the perfect house, contact us. Our real estate professionals will be happy to help you find it and will probably have plenty of other tips to make the move as smooth as possible.
If you celebrate Christmas, you know there's nothing like putting up a live Christmas tree for the holidays. Your home is filled with wonderful, fresh scents, and your family can't wait to decorate the tree. Our real estate agents know that a live Christmas tree adds beauty to any home, so we have five tips to keep your tree looking fresh throughout the holidays.
If you're thinking about buying or selling, contact us about available properties and prices in neighborhood communities.
Sell your house! You're bombarded by ads every day. But how do you know if that's the right move for you? Our real estate agents would like to point out some indicators that the time may have come.
No one can predict the future, but if recent trends continue, the time to sell and reinvest in a new home is now. But don't rush into a costly mistake. Take the time to review your finances, gather market data for the area, and weigh your choices thoughtfully. Rather than trying to study the market on your own, contact us for assistance. Our licensed professionals will help you gather the information you need to make the best choice.
The thought of buying your first home is exciting. However, before picking out curtains and decorations, you must consider whether it's the right investment for your future. Our real estate agents suggest you consider the five following considerations before your heart settles on any first home.
Cost of Ownership
Is the home affordable? This is the first and most important question any homebuyer should ask about Berlin homes for sale. Calculating the cost of ownership goes beyond the mortgage, taxes, and down payment. You must factor in all the costs of owning the home, including the cost of renovating the home, homeowners insurance, utility bills, HOA fees, and maintenance. Generally, you never want to spend more than 30% on monthly housing expenses. The lower your ratio, the more comfortable you will be, and the easier it will be for you to maintain the property.
The Condition of the Property
Many homes are in exceptional condition, but some may need some improvements. Always have a home inspected by an insured home inspector. It is imperative to confirm that the foundation, roof, plumbing, and electrical systems are in good condition and don't require extensive repairs or replacement.
The Neighborhood
Before you settle on a neighborhood, consider how close you'll be to the places you visit on a regular basis. Is it close enough to work, school, and stores? Decide how far you're willing to drive to reach these destinations. You'll also want to research long-term property values in the neighborhood you're considering. A home is typically the biggest purchase you'll make, and you want to ensure you make the right choice financially.
Longevity and Lifestyle
Is the home a property you will grow into and out of, or is it somewhere you can see yourself spending the next 30 years? Many homes are built in neighborhoods where neighbors become like family. Similarly, many homes can be remodeled and renovated to fit your needs as they evolve. Considering these aspects can help you determine whether a property is the right fit for your long-term plans.
How Big is the Home
Always factor in the size of the home and your expected needs over the next five to 10 years. Smaller homes are less costly and easier to maintain, they are a great way to save money each month and be used to purchase a larger home when the time comes.
We'd love to help you find the ideal first home for your needs. We encourage you to contact us to learn more about the homes currently on the market and the real estate trends we see emerging in the region.
Our real estate agents know that many sellers go into the process with immediate plans for the money they'll make in their transaction. They may wish to use the proceeds for a new home, so timing is crucial. Or they might have something else in mind that's no less important to them.
Whatever the case may be, there's no time to waste. Jackson homes for sale tend to sell for a higher amount the faster they get on and off the market. There are many things sellers and their agents can do to ensure a property moves quickly.
But there's one factor that's difficult to control: Buyer behavior.
When your house is on the market, you want to meet with serious buyers as soon as possible. Some of the methods used by real estate agents, such as open houses, are especially good for this. But even if a buyer says all the right things at first, there's still a chance they may back out before the end.
Wouldn't it be great if there was a way to be sure your buyer will see things through? While there's no 100% certain method, there is one traditional approach that can be very effective.
Let's talk about earnest money.
When a buyer sticks around long enough to make an offer on a home, it's easy to assume the tough part is behind you. But many issues could come up between that moment and closing day. You may be within days of signing on the dotted line, only for a would-be buyer to back out.
In short, they need some "skin in the game." This is the concept of earnest money.
An earnest money deposit is made when a real estate purchase contract is submitted. Unlike the down payment, which is mainly there to impress the lender, earnest money is for your benefit as the seller.
You've probably heard that a good down payment is about 20%, and maybe even more. But there are no such rules, even informally, when it comes to earnest money. Earnest money can vary from $100 to the whole purchase price. It's ultimately up to you to decide how much earnest money is enough.
When you're thinking about it, consult your real estate agent. Consider the overall market condition, how desirable your home is, and how many other offers you're passing up to follow up with this one. Also bear in mind the buyer's financing may dictate how much cash they have on hand.
You will receive the earnest money if the buyer terminates the sales agreement. If the transaction goes through, on the other hand, the earnest money is returned to the buyer.
But this isn't always the case. The sales contract may have certain stipulations that allow the buyer to walk away "free and clear." You'll have to agree to these for them to be enforceable. For example, a seller may be allowed to exit the deal if an inspection turns up the presence of mold or other issues.
Requiring earnest money is a terrific way to protect your interests. An experienced real estate agent can do the rest. Contact us to find out more or get started.
Our real estate agents know sellers often think for weeks or even months before putting a home on the market. By the time your property joins the ranks of beautiful Littleton homes for sale, you've given lots of thought to what the sale will mean in the context of your goals.
To get the best deal for your home, it's crucial to take the right steps early—before you even list. If you do, you'll have the opportunity to avoid the most common issues that can slow down a sale or stop the property from getting top dollar. That's well worth the effort!
Even if you list a home "as-is," most buyers are required by their mortgage lender to get an inspection done. If the inspection raises serious worries, many buyers will walk away. So, it can be helpful to schedule your own inspection before listing and use it as a guide to potential repairs.
Which repairs should you take on, and which can wait for a new owner? In most cases, "mandatory" fixes are those required to make the property safe for human habitation. Below that threshold, any repair can be considered optional, but some have a bigger impact on buyers than others.
Here are a few ideas that can be helpful:
Contact us to learn more about real estate opportunities in the Western White Mountains area.
Selling your home can cost you money before it pays off. You are probably already counting on paying your agent and the closing costs, but our real estate agents recommend also budgeting for miscellaneous expenses. Each situation is unique, and not all of these costs will apply to every sale, but in many cases, you'll have at least a few miscellaneous expenses to cover before your home sells.
Given the ongoing costs of maintaining your home and keeping it show-ready, you'll want it to sell quickly. Contact us today to get the process started.
Sometimes life sneaks up on you. You weren't expecting that fantastic job opportunity, and you certainly weren't expecting to transfer out of state. Suddenly, without warning, you find yourself in the position of having to find a home in a new place, and you haven't sold the one you're in. How do you manage that balancing act?
Our real estate agents may suggest you consider a bridge loan. But what is that, exactly? Essentially, it is a short-term loan backed by the equity in your existing home that will allow you to cover the time gap between its sale and the purchase of a new house. That may seem simple enough, but the borrower needs to understand this complex transaction with many ins and outs.
Are you ready to shop for one of our lovely Berlin homes for sale now that you're armed with this new financing information? Contact us when you are ready to take the next step.
The White Mountains attract thousands of visitors every single year. As you get close to the area and see the landscape, it's easy to understand why. But, it isn't just the landscape that makes this a wonderful weekend getaway destination. The surrounding cities and towns have dozens of restaurants and activities waiting to be enjoyed.
Let's jump in and take a look at just a few of the best weekend getaway hotspots in the area that our real estate agents adore:
Are you searching for the perfect home in Central NH and the White Mountains? Contact us, and we'll help you find an amazing property.
In our region, it's imperative that those end-of-summer maintenance tasks get done before the chill winds blow. Indoors and outdoors, we can easily find tasks that need doing so we can put our property properly "to rest" for the fall and winter. Naturally, that doesn't mean activity ceases within the home you bought from among Franconia homes for sale, but rather that you're shifting with the seasons, battening down the hatches, so to speak, and ensuring all is ready for colder temperatures.
Our real estate agents hear plenty of stories from our clients about what they wish they'd done to prepare for winter, so here are some of them.
Need more hints on home maintenance, or are you ready to list or buy a home? Contact us today.
If your home is starting to feel a little cramped and uninviting, it may be time to get rid of the clutter. To create a spacious, bright interior, our real estate agents suggest a home makeover that clears out all the household clutter and creates a welcoming home for potential buyers.
Central New Hampshire is full of green mountains, blue skies, and charming Jackson homes for sale that draw buyers to the area. Before you list your home, make sure you create an inviting atmosphere by clearing clutter that makes your home feel smaller, darker, and less appealing. Take a look at some helpful tips to attract potential buyers.
If you're considering a move to the area, contact us to take a look at available homes with great features that fit your lifestyle.
Autumn is here, and the leaves are changing. It's an impressive sight anywhere, but in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, it's something people come to see from miles around. And if you're looking at Holderness homes for sale, then you're in a position to experience the spectacle personally. Here are five ways to see the changing leaves of the White Mountains.
The changing leaves are just the beginning of what Central New Hampshire has to offer. To learn more, or if you're ready to make New Hampshire your new home, contact us. Find your dream home with the help of our real estate agents.
Get ready to raise your glass! September 7 is National Beer Lovers Day, and we happen to think the local craft beer scene here in New Hampshire is something worth celebrating.
In honor of what might just be our new favorite holiday, our real estate agents are excited to share their favorite local craft breweries and brewpubs in Central New Hampshire!
Contact us today to learn more about life in New Hampshire! If you're on the search for your dream home, our real estate agents are dedicated to helping you find it in Central New Hampshire.
Our real estate agents know it's easy to get excited about North Conway homes for sale. As a prospective buyer, however, you should always be careful to take the right steps to protect your interests. One of the most important of these is to hire a home inspector before you go forward on a transaction.
A home inspection job is simple: Document the property's condition from top to bottom and make you aware of any potential issues. A home inspection report is exhaustive, often holding dozens of pages, covering every element of every room (and often, the exterior spaces).
The main issues a home inspector looks for are those that can lead to a large repair bill in the future. If a home inspector finds problems, this can lead to negotiating leverage for potential buyers.
Most conventional home lenders require you to have a home inspection before they come through with funding. Even if you are planning to pay in cash, however, a home inspection is essential. It helps prevent surprises that can complicate homeownership in the future.
Choosing a reputable home inspector who will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision is vital. As the buyer, you usually pay 100% for the home inspection and often have a time limit. Even if time is tight, compare your options before you decide.
Here are some key questions to ask:
Contact us to find out more about White Mountains real estate today.
First impressions are key when attracting potential homebuyers; you want them to envision their lives in your house. Home staging is a standard real estate tactic for selling a home quickly, but many homeowners get it wrong. Our real estate agents have compiled the top staging mistakes they see among sellers:
When you stage a home, you want to provide a lived-in feel but avoid crowding your space with too many personal items. Contact us for more tips to sell your house quickly.
Fajitas are some of the most popular dishes on a Mexican restaurant menu, and they've also found their way onto the menus of grilles and taverns. The delicious dishes are served with marinated meat, grilled onions and peppers, and wrapped in a tortilla, and are often served with additional garnishes and toppings, including guacamole and sour cream.
The Tex-Mex dish has a day devoted to its deliciousness—National Fajita Day, which falls on August 18. Our real estate agents suggest heading out to one of these Grafton County restaurants to treat yourself to a tasty fajita:
Contact us today if you'd like to buy a house and want to see Plymouth homes for sale. Our agents are trained experts who live in the area we serve, and we'll be happy to help you find a new home.
When closing day is right around the corner, it's natural to wonder what to expect. While each closing is a little different than the last, some things are universal to each one. Our real estate agents will help guide you through the process and ensure you're prepared when the "big day" arrives.
After months of pouring through listings for Berlin homes for sale, you finally found the right home. What next? While you may assume it's as simple as handing over a check and taking the keys, a few more steps are involved in closing before you can take possession of your new home (or conclude the sale of your home.)
Once a date and location are agreed upon, sellers and buyers have work to do beforehand. In most cases, the location will be the attorney's office, agent's office, or escrow agent's office. Before closing, sellers must complete any agreed-upon repairs and construction works. Or, in lieu of this, provide confirmation via a contract that the work to be done is scheduled at an agreed-upon date and standard (i.e., scope, materials, contractor selection, etc.)
Sellers will also need to make the home available for a home inspection, and just 24 hours before closing, make the home available for the buyer and their agent to conduct a final walk-through.
Buyers and sellers should bring government-issued photo IDs with them. Passports and driver's licenses are sufficient. Both buyers and sellers have to sign a bevy of documents and forms. Crucially, the buyer will make an earnest money deposit into the escrow account and confirm they have the homeowners insurance and other documents required for the underwriting.
When everything goes to plan, the seller will transfer the deed to the buyer, and the buyer will transfer funds from their financial institution to the seller. Both parties will confirm that the title is free and clear of liens or encumbrances. And your agent, the escrow agent, attorney, and lender will answer any questions either party may have about the sale.
Once the money is transferred, the home is officially sold, the buyers can move in, and sellers can move on. From start to finish, the closing process can take anywhere from two weeks to two months, depending on the sale and any conditions attached to it.
Before closing, sellers should remove their possessions from the property and clean the home so it's tidy when the new owners arrive. It doesn't have to be spotless, but it is a nice gesture.
Sellers will also want to put in a change of address form with the post office and notify creditors, banks, and family/friends of the new address. Sellers should also set aside all the warranties and manuals for appliances, fixtures, HVAC systems, etc. Most homeowners do this by leaving these in a clearly marked bag in the kitchen.
Sellers should also "shut down" the home. This means turning off water valves, adjusting thermostats so the house isn't too hot/cold, and ensuring that all doors, windows, etc., are tight and locked.
We know you have many questions about the closing process, and we're happy to help guide you through the steps and stages. We encourage you to contact us to learn more about the many ways our real estate team can help you find the home of your dreams.
New Hampshire's Grafton County is filled with dozens of cities and towns with gorgeous views, delicious restaurants, outdoor activities, and more. Some of its best locations for both residents and visitors are the charming small towns that often harken back to a simpler time.
To give you an idea of what to expect, our real estate agents have put together a list of our five favorite small towns in the area:
Looking for your dream New Hampshire home? Contact us, and our real estate agents will get started for you today!
Our real estate agents know how important it is to you to sell your home quickly and with minimal fuss. Sellers, like buyers, tend to get the best deals when they move fast—and there are still plenty of people out there looking for the right Plymouth homes for sale.
Although it's important to present your property in the best light possible, there are also rules you need to follow. Your real estate agent is a crucial ally, ensuring your home's listing is accurate. A serious oversight can result in penalties or even legal liability down the line.
Details that absolutely must be communicated to a seller are called disclosures.
Disclosures vary from one place to another. For example, there are some parts of the United States where required disclosures include whether or not a crime has ever been committed in the home or whether it has ever been believed to be haunted. Luckily, this is out of the ordinary.
Disclosure laws are usually easy to understand. Not all states define disclosure rules, known as "Caveat Emptor" states. Here, it's primarily the buyer's responsibility to sleuth out anything that might be wrong with the home. This means the buyer must be especially diligent.
Even though New Hampshire features limited disclosures, sellers still have some obligations.
As a seller in New Hampshire, you must disclose the following:
Have other questions about New Hampshire disclosures? Contact us to find out more or get started.
Is there anything better than an ice cream cone on a warm summer evening? After enjoying outdoor summer activities in the White Mountains, our real estate agents love wrapping up the day with a sweet treat from one of our favorite local ice cream parlors. Whether you enjoy soft serve, milkshakes, or sundaes, our local ice cream shops have it all. So grab your friends, family, and pets and head on over to one of these awesome local ice cream shops:
With plenty of outdoor fun and plenty of ice cream destinations, living in the White Mountains sure has its benefits. Contact us to explore local listings.
New Hampshire is home to more than 100 waterfalls, enough to keep even the most avid nature lover busy for many years. Our real estate agents are excited to share some of their favorite waterfall hikes in the White Mountains!
Many of New Hampshire's most beautiful waterfalls are easily accessible, mere footsteps away from the highway. Others require some serious trekking. You'll find examples of both on this list, but rest assured that all the waterfalls listed below are accessible to most hikers.
Contact us today to learn more about life in New Hampshire, and be sure to ask our real estate agents how we can help you find your dream home in the White Mountains!
If you're watching the news about rising interest rates, you may be shaking your head and thinking you missed your window to sell your home at a sizable profit. Our real estate agents would like to assure you this is not the case. Here are several reasons why Plymouth homes for sale are still fetching excellent prices.
If you're considering selling your home but still have additional questions, contact us. Our friendly professionals will be happy to guide you toward the best decision for your financial plan.
There are almost as many ways to sell your home as there are Plymouth homes for sale. But if you want to get the job done quickly and effectively, with as little hassle as possible, your best bet is to do it through an agent. Here are six ways an agent makes it easier to sell your home.
If you're ready to sell your home or buy your dream home, contact us. Our real estate agents will guide you through the process, every step of the way, to help you get what you want.
Many sellers are being urged to list their homes without making upgrades based on the current housing market. But our real estate agents can tell you that wise sellers offering Plymouth homes for sale are maximizing their profits by focusing on two specific rooms: the kitchen and the bathroom. They'll be happy to discuss the return on investment potential from budget-mindful improvements to luxury remodels.
A full kitchen remodel can cost anywhere from about $10,000 to $25,000, but cosmetic treatments can cost just a few hundred. Many renovations recoup 60-80% of the investment when the house is sold. Before you invest unnecessarily in expensive upgrades when putting your house on the market, contact us to discuss the pros and cons of your remodeling efforts. We'll help you make the best choices to obtain the sales price you want.
You have to love the outdoor activities when living in a beautiful place like New Hampshire, and fishing is one of the best ways to relax and take in the scenic beauty of our area.
Our real estate agents love to fish around the White Mountains, and thanks to the abundance of fresh water, it's actually considered one of the best places for trout fishing in the US. There are truly dozens of great fishing spots around the White Mountains. If you're looking to cast a line this summer, then go ahead and pack a cooler, grab your pole, and head out to one of our favorite locations.
Enjoying the great outdoors is easy living in the White Mountains area. To explore local home listings, contact us today.
A home inspection is a little like a first date. You might have butterflies in your stomach, frightful thoughts racing through your head, and you'll think of a million things that you forgot to do, or that can go wrong before you open the door. But, as with dating, there are some things you can do to sway the odds of a positive home inspection in your favor. By rolling up your sleeves and following these tips from our real estate agents, you'll pass your home inspection with flying colors.
Home inspections can be nerve-wracking, whether it's your first time or your tenth. Contact us to learn more about the steps we take to help ensure our clients are ready when the date of their home inspections rolls around.
Hidden away amid the gorgeous White Mountains, you'll find the Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves, which certainly rank among the most amazing natural attractions near Woodstock homes for sale. Shaped by natural processes, this attraction provides a window into the past and a beautiful place to explore in the present. Our real estate agents have the inside scoop on what to expect when visiting Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves.
Searching for a home that makes it easy to explore all of the natural wonders of New Hampshire? Our local real estate team is here to help. Contact us to buy and sell homes throughout the White Mountains area.
Summer is here, and it's a great time to get your new house in order. After visiting the Plymouth homes for sale that caught your eye and settling on the one that stole your heart, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get to work. Even if it may not seem like it at first, there are plenty of chores you need to stay on top of as a new homeowner, and the following are 10 tasks you won't want to skip.
Do you know someone who has recently moved into a new home? You may have thought about bringing them a housewarming gift to help them settle in. Our real estate agents love this tradition and think it's a great way to usher people into a bright future in their new space.
Our list of ideas for housewarming gifts in 2022 will help you find the perfect gift for every new homeowner this year.
Want to be the next family to host a housewarming party? Contact us today for more information on any of our listings or to connect with any of our expert staff.