If you are thinking of selling your home, you should know that your Realtor will be asking you for some basic information about what it takes to keep the house running; like what maintenance you do and what your annual utility bills are. You want your home to present itself as green and energy efficient and compare well with other homes out there. Basically, you don’t want buyers looking at your monthly costs for heating or cooling and run out the door.

But what can you do to make your home more green and energy efficient prior to putting it up for sale? The most important thing besides looking for obvious ways to conserve is to make a few energy efficient upgrades. And you start by figuring out what is actually sucking the energy out of your home. The highest energy users in a home depend a lot on the weather, the efficiency of your heating system, and other factors. But for most homeowners here are a few places to start:

1. Hot and cold: These are the top users of energy in a home. First thing you can do is turn down your thermostat to 68 degrees in autumn and winter and set it at 76 degrees in the summer (if you have air conditioning). If you want to do more, an upgrade to your heating system may be an answer depending on its age and efficiency level. If you are relying on an old furnace, upgrading to a brand-new Energy Star furnace can save you hundreds off of your current annual fuel bill. This upgrade also appeals to buyers not only for energy savings, but by eliminating the concern about how soon they would have to replace that old furnace.
2. Appliances eat energy: The U.S. Department of Energy’s home energy saver web site states that often those small appliances are the second biggest users of energy next to heating. The list includes televisions, DVD players and game players. What can you do? Make certain they are turned off when not in use and put them on a power strip plug so you can actually turn off the power that continues to feed into the device even when it is “off”.
3. That old refrigerator is not so cool: A refrigerator runs periodically day and night and if it is old it can cost you. Recycle your current model and buy a new Energy Star rated model. This updates your kitchen, an important room to buyers, and saves electricity.
4. You’re in hot water: Many homes have an inefficient hot water tank sitting in the basement or laundry room. There are tax credits available from the Federal Government that you can earn for installing a high-efficiency, tankless water heater. Going tankless saves energy and costs because water is not kept hot around the clock but instead is heated “as needed” off of the furnace. If you can not afford to upgrade to a tankless system, try to insulate your water tank heater so you assist it in staying hot longer.
5. Shine a light on your energy use: Lighting wraps up this list of top energy users in your home. So naturally, make the use of “natural light” by opening drapes and turn off lights when not in use. Replace your incandescent bulbs with CFLs. They cost much less to use and will last you several years. Check with your hardware store about any rebates available through the state on the purchase costs of these bulbs. Many states, including N.H., have ongoing rebate programs for these energy saving purchases.

After taking a good look at what you can do and implementing some upgrades, keep track of your savings month to month and document it to give to your Realtor when you list your home for sale. Not only will the upgrade appeal to buyers but seeing the savings documented in your energy bills will make any buyer smile.

Trying to decide if you would prefer a condo or single family home? The first and sometimes only thing people consider is their budget; but you also have to consider your lifestyle preferences.

If you are a frequent traveler, don’t enjoy yard work, and want maintenance free living, a townhouse or garden style condo might be just right for you.

Do you have a lot of vehicles, sport utility toys? Opposed to lots of rules and regulations regarding your property? Like the outdoors, gardening, playing in the yard? Then a single family home is probably perfect for you.

In addition to considering life style choices, determining what you can afford will also impact your decision making process. A single family home typically costs more and is more expensive to maintain on a long term basis.

However, condominiums have monthly fees and sometimes special assessments to ensure there is enough money in reserves to handle a new roof, leaky plumbing, and any major repairs that might arise (similar to single family home ownership). The maintenance fees typically cover snow plowing, garbage pick up, water, sewer, and occasionally heat and hot water.

Other condominium amenities that are factored into your monthly condominium fee can include a pool, tennis courts, club house, golf courses, and more. The more amenities, the higher the condominium fee is likely to be in order to maintain all the extras.

Considerations such as home security, financing, and relocation will also determine what type of home ownership is right for you. For example, interest rates are usually higher on a condominium purchase than a single family home. Rates fluctuate all the time and the best way to find out what the current rates are is to contact a reputable lender. (Your real estate agent is not a lender, but they can refer you to one).

Hopefully this provoked some thought for you! It’s a great time to buy, whichever option you choose.

Most potential home buyers have an idea of what tops their list of must-haves in a home. And though it may be that the smallest room in the house, the bathroom is often big on the list of importance to buyers. As a seller you may not realize that the first impression your bathroom gives can actually make or break your chances of an offer.

Buyers often look at bathroom as more than just a place to groom themselves. Many feel that bathrooms, especially the master bath, should be personal sanctuary. Ideally they should be able to picture themselves taking a relaxing bath and escaping for a while from the day’s stress. In your bathroom, they will either see that escape or see a bunch of work they would have to complete to achieve it.

So what can you do to improve your bathrooms first impression? Updating an old looking bathroom is one of the best investments you can make to increase a home’s resale value and give buyers that extra reason to choose your home and place an offer. There are many fixes you can do, some not that costly or labor intensive, which will add impact.

• Replace old out-dated towel racks, toilet paper holder and curtain rods.
• Purchase luxurious-looking towels; replace the shower curtain with a calming solid color that goes with the decor and adding candles around a bathtub.
• If the bathtub is old and stained consider a professional cleaning/resurfacing or a bathtub overlay.

If you are able, put in a little more money and work into your bathroom and make your home stand out and get offers.

• Lighten up: By adding more lighting options in the room, especially around the vanity, you create a space welcoming and inviting. Make getting ready for work seem like it will be easier in your bathroom. This is something that isn’t too expensive and can really highlight the positive aspects of your bath. Adding mood lighting around the tub area is also popular for those relaxing baths your buyer imagining they will take.
• Accent the positive: Tile is big. By adding decorative glass, stone tile or accents, your bathroom will stand out among the other homes that are for sale. Today’s hot trends include extra-wide wall tiles and granite sink/counter tops. If it is possible, create a double sink in the master bath. This is a feature many couples look for and some won’t consider anything less.
• Fix the fixtures: Changing out the old fixtures in a bathroom is less costly than some other upgrades and carries a huge impact. From cabinet handles to faucets, putting beautiful brushed nickel or other metals that are polished and elegant is always a hit.
• Bigger is better: Most buyers will never be put-off by a bathtub being too big or luxurious. This is a top way to create that “sanctuary” feeling in your bathroom. Adding a large tub creates more of a spa-like atmosphere and adding a special shower head adds extra appeal.
• Greener is better: The bathroom is a great place to upgrade to be more environmentally friendly. Buyers like fixtures that save water, such as a low-flow showerhead, a low-flow faucet aerator, and a dual-flush toilet, which can save thousands of gallons of water each year. Since the bathroom windows are usually smaller than other rooms of the house, consider installing energy-efficient windows as another important but easy option.

Buyers are looking for bathrooms with that say comfort and escape and are turn-key. You want yours to have an intimate, contemporary feel as the buyer first sees the room. They will remember how they felt about this room in your home when considering your asking price and which home they ultimately want to place their offer on.

Special Olympics New Hampshire Penguin Plunge 2012

There is something to be said about the drive and determination that some people have when supporting their charity of choice and this coming Sunday, February 5th, you can witness this first hand as a group of dedicated folks plunge into the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean all in support of the Special Olympics New Hampshire.

13th Annual Penguin Plunge

This is the 13th Annual Penguin Plunge and while I admire what they do and have actually enjoyed watching them do it in the past.   I have no desire to jump into the frigid waters off of Hampton Beach myself but rumor has it that a fellow Veranian might actually be plunging on a dare! Who could that be now… any guesses?

Watch the Plunge and be home in time for Super Bowl

The events kick off at 11:15 a.m. with the Costume Parade and at noon the Plunge begins, there will also be a lunch and awards ceremony starting at 12:30, so you can see you’ll have plenty of time to get home in time for the big game… Super Bowl!  Go Pats!

Enjoy!

So you have been thinking about putting your home on the market recently, but you have not gotten past the worry about all the “unknowns” and unwanted stress…

What you should know is that what you’re feeling is both natural and common, but there are solutions to most of the worries that are stopping you from taking that next important step. The best advice is to talk to a Realtor about the process of selling your home, and get an idea of what to expect and get your questions answered.

What is your first step as a potential home seller? Make an appointment with a Realtor (or a couple of Realtors from which to choose) to do a free market analysis on your home and property. This means the Realtor learns a bit about the home from you; like the number of bedrooms, the style of home, the number of baths, square footage, size of your lot and any extras the home has like a garage, finished basement or the updated kitchen.

The agent will then do a market search of recent properties that have sold in your area that are similar in size and amenities. This is called pulling comparables or “comps” as they are referred to in real estate. The agent will then come to your house and take a tour of your home to see in person how the home truly fits into the list of comps. There will be some additions and minuses as your Realtor compares other homes to yours. For example, if a similar home recently sold, but it had a garage and your home does not, a price adjustment for the value of that garage is made in determining your home’s market value. All this information is then analyzed so that the Realtor can recommend a price to list your home that falls within true current market value. He should price the house so that there is a little bargaining room, but so that in the end you get top market dollar for your property in a reasonable amount of time.

If you don’t already have a certain Realtor you would like to do business with, having a few Realtors come out and do this will give you an idea of which one really feels like a good match for you and the sale of your home. Ask questions about how they do business and what you can expect from them. Choosing someone who seems the most knowledgeable and fits your personality will make this business relationship easier and more successful. Keep in mind that if one Realtor stands out because they want to list your home for much more than any other Realtor, this is probably a red flag to avoid. This agent either lacks experience or he may just be trying to win the listing.

Look at the research to back up what the Realtor says. If similar homes did not sell in this price range, he is probably overpricing your home’s value and this hurts your chances of getting a solid offer. Why? Because buyers who could afford your home’s true value may not even look at your house because it is priced too high. Buyers who do view it will go in expecting a lot more than what they will find and quickly realize it is overpriced. And that those first few days when your house hits the market and the usual frenzy of activity that occurs with new listings will probably not happen because other Realtors will see it is overpriced and do not want to deal with the hassle. This is no way to sell a home.

Once you have found an agent and agreed to an accurate listing price, what happens next? The sales agent will present you with a listing agreement, typically one that names them and the agency they work for as representing you in the sale of your home.

Finally, once you are signed on with an agent, you have someone to handle the details for you; advice in negotiations when offers come in, explanations of contract details or real estate terminology and even tips on how to best present your house for showings. Working with a Realtor means you are not in this process alone and with expert guidance the sale of your home can be a manageable and even a pleasant event in your family’s life.

BEDFORD, NH – Are You Okay Program sponsored by the Bedford Police Department

The Bedford Police of NH have a telephone reassurance program that is sponsored by the Bedford Police Department.

If you are a senior citizen, disabled, or feel you would benefit from a daily contact call, then the “Are You Okay” is for you.

When you become a subscriber to the program, you decide what time you want to receive your automated phone message. It will ask you to respond by saying you are OK. If your telephone is busy, no answer, the system will call back twice and if there is no answer the police and emergency response is dispatched.

Interested Bedford residents can pick up an application at the Bedford Police Department or at the Bedford Town Offices. Once an application is filed, a member of the Bedford Police Departmenet will contact you to set up a time to meet and officially enroll you in the program and answer any questions you may have.

If you have any additional questions about how this program works, you can contact the Bedford Police Department at 472-5113.

Annual Great Meredith Rotary Ice Fishing Derby

No need to stay inside during the long winter months this year, just waiting for the sun to come out dreaming about open water and summer fun! Be adventurous, bundle up, get outside, and try fishing in a whole new way – through the ice at the 33rd annual Great Meredith Rotary Ice fishing Derby the weekend of Feb. 11 and 12!

Ice fishing action can be fast and furious with fisherman from all across the country converging on Lake Winnipesaukee to vie for the fantastic prizes. Shawn Marzerka owner of Woods ‘N Water fishing and hunting guide services says “There is nothing like the excitement of seeing the yellow flag go up on your tip-up alerting you to a fish on. You are always imaging that this will be the big catch to get your fish hung up on the wall of fame and winning the grand prize.”

And the $63,000 worth of prizes this year are grand indeed. The 2012 grand prize for the largest Meredith Rotary-tagged rainbow trout is a John Deere XUV 825i Camo, second place pulls in a Polaris 500 Touring ATV, and third place gets an ice fishing package including a portable bob house.

Young anglers and their parents are not left out. The Derby will host a “Let’s Go Fishing” program for kids on Saturday February 11th in conjunction with the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department.

The clinics will be held hourly from 10 AM through 3 PM at the roped-off area behind the Derby Headquarters on Lake Winnipesaukee. A member of the NH Fish & Game Department will demonstrate ice-fishing techniques such as using tip-ups, sounding the hole, and operating a power auger.

And you don’t have to fish to win. Just enter by paying a $30 fee an you could be awarded one of the many cash prizes as well.

One caveat… in 2006, the Meredith Ice Fishing Derby had to be postponed for one week due to weather conditions. For updates and to enter the Derby go to www.meredithrotary.org.

Good luck and stay warm!

Winter Snowshoe Walk & Tour of Colonel Paul Wentworth House 

Sunday, January 29th, 2012, 1:00pm to 3:00pm

Join the Strafford Rivers Conservancy and co-hosts, and the Association for Rollinsford Culture and History (ARCH) for a Winter Walk on the “Scoutland” property in Rollinsford. This conserved land is located on the Salmon Falls River and the walk (on snowshoes or boots depending on whether there is enough snow!) will take you along the Salmon Falls River and through the woods to end at the historic Col. Paul Wentworth House. There you can enjoy hot cocoa or coffee, warm cider (with or without rum!) and other goodies provided by ARCH, SRC board members and volunteers. Families welcome.  Admission is $5 and free for children. To register visit www.straffordriversconservancy.org

So you have heard that the real estate market is making its recovery in New Hampshire, but you’re nervous to take the big leap to home ownership? The question you should be looking at now is what are you paying to rent vs. what would it cost you to own? You may be surprised.

Now is the perfect time to buy a home with prices stabilized, and more affordable than they have been in years. Interest rates are at a record low, but are expected to rise in the future and since the market’s inventory is now moving, you could be missing out on the home of your dreams. What if you also knew that you might be paying the same or more for rent as you would for that mortgage and actual ownership?

Depending on where you live, renters on average are paying between $1,100 to $1,700 for their apartment or condominium. Size also plays a role in this equation, so if you have more than one bedroom, or more than one bathroom, your costs are on the higher end of this scale or above it.

But with interest rates at an all time low, you could be owning your home for the same cost per month, have larger living space, have the freedom to paint it whatever color you choose and have a yard to call your own.

Just as an example calculation, let’s say you are borrowing $195,000.00 for 30 years and you qualify for a program with an interest rate of 3.500 percent. If your property taxes are $3,900.00 per year and your insurance is $1,500.00 per year, you can expect to be making a total payment of $1,406.89. Broken down: You need to pay $875.64 toward the actual loan, plus $325.00 for real estate taxes and $125.00 toward insurance. These figures are all just an example and loan rates, taxes and insurance costs can vary, but it provides a snapshot of what it could cost per month to own a home and it may be less than the cost of renting.

Key things to consider right now:

• Interest rates are still at a record low and lenders have several programs available to fit the needs of those with little money to put down or even poor credit.
• Home ownership is an investment…and any smart investor knows you buy low and over time are able to sell at a higher value.
• There are a solid number of listings on the market right now, so inventory is good and sellers generally have things priced well in order to get those offers.
• Prices are holding steady or at a slight increase over last year which means buyers today are getting the best price with room to grow equity as the market makes it rebound. In other words, what you buy now should be worth substantially more in ten years time.
• As a homeowner you get tax breaks, such as deducting your mortgage interest, or tax credits if you make energy efficient upgrades.
• When you own, you can control your surroundings. You paint the color you want, you put in the flooring you want, you plant the flowers or garden you want. It is yours!

The average appreciation rate in a normal real estate market is around 6.5 percent a year. That means a home that you buy for $150,000 now could possibly sell around the $240,000 mark ten years from now.

During that time you will also build equity because you are paying down the amount you owe. So even if you still owe $122,000 on your home after 10 years, you will now have $118,000 in equity. Even if you don’t wish to sell, that equity can assist you financially through a loan for home improvements or paying other unexpected expenses.

Overall, if you are renting and considering buying there is no better time than now to proceed. There are first time home buyers programs out there that may fit your needs, the market is on its way upwards which means costs will rise over time and if you already paying a similar amount to rent, this is a perfect investment in your future.

In March of 2011, New Hampshire rolled out a new program to not only improve the marketable skills of the state’s unemployed, but to increase their chances of finding a new job. Part of a three-step plan introduced by Governor John Lynch, The Return to Work Program allows people to continue collecting unemployment while receiving up to 24 hours a week training from a potential employer.

Prudential Verani Realty’s very own Lisa Eaton, now a Londonderry Customer Account Manager, was one of those unemployed individuals who learned about this program from the NH Employment Services and saw an opportunity.

“Presenting my participation in the program seemed like it would be intriguing to my job prospects, since I would appear to be a low-risk candidate, already vetted by the State,” Lisa said. “The job-seeker takes all the initiative in this program in finding opportunities, yet through the program, the State provides a great incentive to employers to provide training. It is win-win.”

“It started with a letter from Lisa who introduced herself and showed interest in working for our company. We set up the interview and really liked what she had to say and thought she may be a great fit for our needs,” said Ruth Palitka, Controller. “For the first six weeks we had her in the office doing orientation and familiarizing herself with our company and how we do business, and the State continued to pay her unemployment wages. She was very diligent with her duties so we put together a job description for a Customer Account Manager position and timeline to fulfill her training.”

And Lisa has met our expectations! She has since passed the NH Real Estate License exam and has been working as a Customer Account Manager in Londonderry ever since!

“Verani was willing to take a chance on me and I am so glad the State allowed them to benefit through the Return to Work Program,” Lisa said. “This has been an amazing opportunity for me. The work program helped me get my foot in the door and I could not be happier that I took advantage of it.”