Certain aspects of a property make it worth more on the real estate market. There are the typical listing specifications such as acreage and square feet, but the margin money can be made on the actual features of the listing. If you are a current homeowner and have a desire to sell in the near or distant future, it’s best to take care of certain parts of a home. Below I list those specific parts, and why it matters.

Floors

A strikingly important and visible component of a property is the floor. Floor material can be tile, hardwood, carpet and marble among options. The point is that the floor of a home is both heavily used and very important when a potential sale is concerned.

The carpet in your house should be regularly cleaned to prevent wear. Similar to the roof principle, cleaning carpet on a regular basis will be much more of a financially sound plan than a complete replacement later on. If you have tile, marble or wood floor be careful to sweep before cleaning and use very pH neutral cleansers.

Priority: Keep your floors clean and both you and a potential home buyer will be more pleased with how they appear. Keeping a home buyer from thinking “Oh no, I will have to replace this whole floor area” can save you thousands and thousands during negotiations.

Roof

A high quality and well maintained roof is a great selling point in negotiations for a real estate sale. For one, it’s a piece of the house that keeps the entire structure together. Not only does it hold practical value, but it’s very visible and the appearance matters.

It is very, very important to maintain your roof. For one, it prevents a complete replacement that can cost well over $10,000 for a decently large house. Secondly, maintaining the layers of the roof can allow you to sell prospective buyers on the idea that they won’t be paying the hefty replacement price either!

Priority: Take care of your roof. You, as well as your future buyers, will both be rewarded. With many things in life maintenance is more cost effective than an entire replacement and when a roof is concerned, it’s no different.

Yard

An aspect that has a surprisingly large influence on home value is the yard, and it’s important that you maintain it when considering a future sale. Maintaining the yard means all grass, bark or gravel as well as landscape. The entire lot outside of your physical property can make a massive financial difference on the closing date.

When a potential home buyer pulls up to your property, the first thing they notice is the yard. A good first impression that enables an onlooker to breathe a sigh of relief could really help your bank account. Aside from the financial, it’s best to maintain a yard for fun if for no other reason. It can’t hurt, and you get outside while doing it!

Priority: Make your yard look nice and be even better. Whether this means installing a complex sprinkler system early on or simply fertilizing the lawn on a regular basis, it will be worth it down the road.

Property specifications like size, style and acreage are the foundation of a real estate transaction. However, certain features of the property can make or break a sale and it’s important to take care of your home. Some areas are more important than others, but the principle is the same. Take care of your home and it will reward you later on.

Buyers are ready for spring and after a long, snowy winter nothing says, “welcome to your backyard” like a beautiful deck.  If you are getting ready to sell, remember that a well-maintained deck is something most buyers are very attracted to. A deck offers more living space to the home, space for entertaining and relaxing, and a place to barbeque. While a deck adds value to the home, realize that not just any deck will do.

All Hands on Deck

Like anything else of beauty and value, decks require maintenance to retain their value and condition.  If your deck is made of wood, it requires a regular cycle of maintenance in order to avoid discoloration and a rough surface prone to splinters. If your deck is not protected with regular staining and sealing it can start to hold in moisture, which leads to rot.  Buyers will take notice of any signs of rot or lack of care, so it is important to understand what you must avoid and to repair any damages before you try to sell the property.

What are Your Deck’s Enemies?

Three things lead the way to deck decay:

• Rain or moisture – Rain water seeps into the wood and causes it to expand and crack when it dries.

• Sunlight – The ultraviolet rays of the sun break down the bonds between wood cells, particularly on the surface.

• Insects that destroy wood – Some bugs eat wood so when building a deck you should choose a wood that is naturally resistant or ensure you use pressure treated wood with an appropriate sealant.

Clean and Reseal for Buyer Appeal

Your first impression only happens once so before buyers come to see your house, get your deck in shape.

1. Clean sweep: Sweep the deck of all large visible debris. Look for loose boards and nails that stick up. If the deck boards are in poor condition, you might need to sand the timber before resealing it.  Make any other necessary repairs.

2. Swab the deck: Clean the deck by hosing it down with an appropriate cleaning solution that removes grime and debris.  The deck should then be scrubbed and rinsed. Let it dry totally before you move to the next step.

3. Seal in the beauty: A sealant can be brushed, rolled, or sprayed on.  Good quality sealants contain ultraviolet sunlight protection to reduce the damaging effects of the sun.  Remember, oil sealants penetrate the wood, while film coatings form a layer on top of the wood.  Oils need to be reapplied every six to twelve months, depending on environmental conditions. If you use a sealant that provides a film coating, they usually last twelve to eighteen months.  Allow the sealant to dry.  Products vary, but up to three coats of sealant may be needed to fully protect your deck.

4. Add décor: Once you have cleaned and sealed the deck it is time to add color and special touches that make it say, “welcome home”.  Consider buying a large potted plant arraignment with colorful blooms and greens.  Always add a fresh new doormat at the entry point to the home. Hanging baskets of flowers or a small bird feeder can be used to add visual interest.  If the deck is large enough, make it into an additional dining space by adding an outdoor table and some chairs, but make certain your deck furniture is in good condition.

This can all be done over the course of a weekend and buyers will be drawn to the additional space and they will start picturing themselves enjoying the deck’s beauty as well as all the possibilities for entertaining in their new home.

Most New Hampshire residents welcome the arrival of spring with open arms. The melting of snow symbolizes new life and new beginnings. When we think of spring, we envision lush green grass, bright colorful flowers and brief but, magical butterfly encounters. Unfortunately, what’s revealed under all that snow is a dull and lifeless yard, damaged by the harsh New England winter.

Although it may take some hard work and dedication, for some, having a beautiful yard to enjoy is well worth it. Creating gardens are the perfect way to brighten up the exterior of your home and provide some curb appeal. Gardening also serves as a way to connect with nature that can be both fun and rewarding.

Here are a few spring garden ideas and trends to help add a splash of color and life to your property:

Spring Flower Garden

 There are a variety of beautiful flowers that can be planted during the season. Some are very easy to maintain and need little attention, while others are very sensitive to their environment and take lots of care to preserve their beauty.

• Annuals: These flowers have a short life span, one to two seasons, but can provide a quick touch of color to your garden. Planting annuals are a great way to be creative since you can always change up your selection and try new varieties. They can be used to decorate borders, fill flower beds, and place in containers or hanging baskets.

• Perennials: Once planted, these flowers bloom year after year. With proper care, some varieties can be enjoyed for up to a decade. Perennials require more attention but the results are well worth the extra effort. By selecting flowers with different bloom times, your garden will always be changing. There’s an array of different perennials to choose from that can actually endure the New Hampshire climate including: Bearded Iris, Basket-of Gold, Astible, Coral Bells, Geraniums (Rozanne), Baptisias, Bleeding Hearts, and Goatsbeard.

Vegetable Garden

Creating a vegetable garden on your property is an enjoyable experience. It’s a rewarding feeling to be able to add your very own home grown produce to all your favorite meals. Before digging into the ground, make sure you find a spot where the sun hits at least 6 hours a day. Placement of your garden is the key to its success.  Find a location far from trees so they do not steal nutrients needed for your vegetables. Also, the closer the garden is to your house, the more likely unwelcomed animals will refrain from turning your vegetables into a snack.

In New Hampshire, there are many seasonal vegetables that can be planted in your garden including: arugula, asparagus, fiddleheads, garlic scapes/green garlic, herbs, lettuce, morels, mushrooms, pea greens, and radishes.

Butterfly Garden

With the population of butterflies declining, every sighting is a magical moment. To help preserve the population in your area, planting butterfly-friendly flowers are extremely beneficial. Flowers like Echinacea, Daisies, and even some Violets give the butterflies a place to rest.  For the beautiful Monarch butterfly, plants like Chives, Green Antelope Horn, Siberian Wallflower, and May Night Salvia are much appreciated.

Any of these gardens will help revive your yard after the cold winter. To compliment your gardens, place colorful pots throughout your yard, deck, or patio to add a personal touch and house some of your plants. A well maintained yard with colorful landscaping is a great way to celebrate the arrival of warm weather and will be sure to increase your property’s curb appeal!

Verani has teamed up with trashetc.com to help out with New Hampshire’s effort to go Green! This Saturday, April 20th, Verani will celebrate Earth Day with an electronics recycling day. Come on down to Verani Realty’s Londonderry Office from 9a.m. to 2p.m. and get rid of those old closet-cluttering electronics. Everyone who brings an electronic item to recycle will receive a $5 gift card to Play n’ Trade! For any questions please contact TrashEtc at 877-811-8727!

Here are some details on what will be accepted:

Devices that will be Accepted Free of Charge

Devices that will be Accepted with a Recycling Fee

• Computer Monitors – $20
• TVs – $20
• Large Copiers – $20
• Printers – $5

Now that spring has officially begun, longer days and warmer weather stimulate life after a cold, harsh winter. Anxious golfers patiently wait to take to the course, anticipating their first swing of the season. Being surrounded by New Hampshire’s natural beauty provides a priceless experience on the golf course. From the Lakes Region to the Seacoast, the Granite State is home to some of the most beautiful courses in the country.

If you are looking to reunite with nature once again and get back on the golf course, below is a list of New Hampshire’s most scenic golf courses:

1.      Atkinson Resort & Country Club

Located in Atkinson, NH, this beautiful resort provides a one of kind golfing experience amid New Hampshire’s breathtaking landscapes. The public 420 acre course offers one of the state’s finest 72, 18 championship courses and 9-hole, par 3 courses. For beginners or those looking to improve their golfing skills, the Willowcreek Golf Academy is equipped with a 10,000 sq. foot facility and training from PGA professionals. For more information, click here.

2.      Portsmouth Country Club

This unique, semi-private golf club is located in Greenland, NH. With a challenging course and beautiful scenery, this country club is constantly ranked one of the best in New England. The course is bordered by the streams of coastal waters on Great Bay, providing a slight breeze and seacoast fragrance. For more information, click here.

3.      Eagle Mountain House & Golf Club

This Jackson, NH golf course belongs to the historic Eagle Mountain House on the beautiful White Mountains. Next to the lodge, the course was carved out of pasture land once used by grazing farm animals. The 9 hole, 32 par course provides an affordable and casual golfing experience with priceless mountain views from every hole. For more information, click here.

4.      Owl’s Nest Resort & Golf Club

New Hampshire’s four season public golf course is located in Campton surrounded by the White Mountains. The 18-hole course provides a memorable and fun experience with brilliant mountain views and challenging holes. The club was featured in Golf Digest’s “Top Ten NH Golf Courses” and the “Top 100 Must Play Courses in New England.” For more information, click here.

5.      The Golf Club of New England

This premiere private club is a golfer’s paradise, for those who can afford it. The course was perfectly designed to provide a relaxing escape for its elite members. The limited membership ensures a flexible environment and no scheduled tee times. The club is located on 450 acres of beautiful farmland in Stratham near the Massachusetts border. Golf legend, Arnold Palmer, was enlisted to create this one of a kind masterpiece. The heavily forested land surrounding the 7,500 yard course provides a sense of privacy.  At the Golf Club of New England, whether out on a cart or on foot, the scenic paths and exquisite landscaping make for a truly peaceful day out on the golf course. For more information, click here.

Image courtesy of The Portsmouth Country Club

Kick off your spring gardening with a visit to the Amherst Garden Club’s Annual Plant Sale on Saturday, May 11, 2013 from 8:30am to 1:00pm. This is a spring tradition, held in the large front yard of Wilkins Elementary School at 80 Boston Post Road, Amherst, NH. Whether you are shopping for the landscape of a newly purchased home or just updating your gardens this is a one stop garden extravaganza!  Plants get picked up fast so plan on arriving early. The event goes on rain or shine!

The membership of the club digs locally grown perennials for the month of April, potting them and labeling for easy selection. If anyone is interested in having their plants divided for the sale please check out our web site for more information or call Marti Warren at 603-673-7054.  Dividing plants is healthier for them, and it gives us the chance to recycle them into another garden. There are well over 2000 perennials, plus shrubs & starter trees offered.  In another area are garden vendors selected by the club to sell their wares. They include vegetable plants, annuals, hanging baskets, garden ornaments, special perennials, hosta plants, heirloom vegetable plants & seeds, rose bushes and shrubs.

There is a little something for everyone. If you are a new gardener and would like more info on what it is all about there is a table of gently used garden books (at very low prices) and another information table with handouts and master gardeners to answer you questions. By all means bring your kids to help carry the plants or pull the wagon (you may bring your own) or let them have some fun potting up some plants for Mother’s Day. Another popular table with kids and adults is the raffle baskets, just waiting to be won. If all this makes you hungry you will want to check out the delicious baked goods, maybe even purchase something yummy to bring home for Mother’s Day.

The Amherst Garden Club, a non profit organization, is one of the largest garden clubs in New England. The money raised at this event goes back into beautification projects around town, monthly speakers (open to the public) and civic projects. For more information on the club, now in its 42 year, check out the web site www.amherstgardenclub.org.

Written by: Marti Warren. Marti is in the web site seat of the Communication committee,  as well as a contributing member to the Nominating, Plant Sale, Programs, and Horticulture Hint committees of the Amherst Garden Club. For further information regarding the plant sale, or Amherst Garden club, you can also visit their blog.

If you are you are prepping your home for sale, you may be considering giving the walls a new coat of paint. Nothing can breathe new life into your home’s look like a fresh coat of paint that catches the eye. But should you change the color?  Can the color of a home make it sell faster than others? The color of your home can make or break the sale, especially if covered with unusual shades. Buyers look for a home that has good curb appeal, which means it looks attractive from the street and makes them want to see more.

But, buyers also look for a house that stands out when compared to the others they’ve looked at. Typically, the best colors to paint your house to sell are Continue reading “The Dos and Don’ts of Exterior Paint Color” »

A dirty mailbox is the 1st thing potential buyers see

As most Realtors® will tell you, spring is an optimum time to sell a home.  A large volume of buyers head out in the warming months of April, May, and June making it an ideal time to put your home on the market. Once the snow has melted however, your property may be left looking a bit weathered and in need of a good spring clean-up before you start showing it.

• Clean your home inside and out: Muddy or snow covered boots have left their mark, so clean tile (bleach dull grout), clean linoleum and hardwood floors (refinish if needed) and have the carpets steam cleaned. Look for stains and get them removed. Polish wood floors to a shine. Sparkle is free, and sparkle sells homes.
• Clean bathrooms and kitchen: Paying extra attention to any dust or grime left behind. Clean any glassware you have on display and remove all clutter.  Clean your oven and refrigerator and polish any stainless steel.
• Clean the windows:  This means inside and outside. A potential buyer will see the difference if windows are spotless and your mirrors reflect sunlight. Cleaning is the first step to preparing your home for sale.
• Get your yard in order: Rake the yard and trim back bushes. Clean out dead leaves and debris.  Once the grass begins to grow, mow diagonally and edge lawn along your driveway and walkways. Diagonally mowed lawns make your yard appear larger. Transplant tulips and daffodils or buy flowers in containers as soon as the weather will allow.  This pop of beauty and color really says, “welcome”.
• Pay attention to the details: After the windows are spotless look at your drapes, curtains or blinds and clean anything that may be dusty or dingy.  Open windows and let fresh air in.
• Get fresh new decor: For a splash of spring color around your house, light colors like yellows, pale blues, lavenders, and sage greens say spring. Layer towels on bathroom towel racks and place rolled washcloths on the counters in a fashionable pyramid. Be your own home “stager”.
• Place a new doormat outside: Each door needs a mat for cleaning shoes.  It will make each entrance appear well cared for and say “welcome” to potential buyers without the winter-worn doormats.
• Repair any damage to your mailbox: Consider placing a large pot of spring flowers near it. It is often the first thing a buyer sees when looking for your property. Curb appeal (as we’ve mentioned in the past) is a key to selling!