I’m considering Selling, but not sure what I should do to my house.

Question: I am thinking about putting my house on the market, but am overwhelmed by the idea, as I have accumulated a lot over the past 15 years.  My house is very nice, although I have not done much to it over that time frame, except painting the exterior.  Where do I begin?    -J.S. of Woodsville, NH

Peabody & Smith Sales Associate Michele Penner answers:

It is hard to determine what you should do without actually seeing your home.  A realtor would be happy to visit with you and discuss some ideas, and get you started on the process of listing your home.  Generally though, take a good look around.  Do you have a lot of clutter, knick knacks, etc.?  A lot of family photos and memorabilia ?  De-cluttering is key.  Potential buyers need to be able to see your home, they also need to be able to envision themselves there.  Too many of your personal pictures and touches sometimes make that difficult.    Make sure your home is clean.  The exterior and the front entrance of your home are the buyer’s first impression – are they neat, clean  & inviting?   Consult with your realtor, ask their opinion. 

Michele Penner of Peabody & Smith Realty

Michele Penner, Sales Associate, fell in love with northern New Hampshire and the Bretton Woods area over ten years ago, pursuing her hobbies of skiing, kayaking, gardening and hiking. She now has the opportunity, having sold the wholesale business she ran with her husband, Terry,  to promote the area through Real  Estate Sales. She is fulfilling her dream – relocate to northern New Hampshire and live and work in the community she loves. Michele can be reached in the Littleton office, or by email at: michele@peabodysmith.com

 

Getting Divorced and Keeping the Home.

Question: I am getting divorced and don’t want to lose my house – my kids are dealing with enough change as it is, I’d like to be able to keep them in the only home they have known and in the only school they have known – but I am not certain I will be able to manage on my own.  Do you have any suggestions? -Suzanne, Bethlehem, NH

Peabody & Smith Sales Associate Michele Penner answers:

The New Hampshire Housing  Financing Authority (NHHFA) , which is a non-profit benefit program, has a program designed just for that purpose, called Philip S. Rader Divorced Borrower Initiative..  This program allows  for an eligible borrower with minor children to  refinance and retain their home.  There are some specific criteria that must be met., but  you can contact them  at www.nhhfa.org.  or call 1-800-649-0470 (NH only). Good luck Suzanne, if you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to call.

Michele Penner

 

Michele Penner, Sales Associate, fell in love with northern New Hampshire and the Bretton Woods area over ten years ago, pursuing her hobbies of skiing, kayaking, gardening and hiking. She now has the opportunity, having sold the wholesale business she ran with her husband, Terry,  to promote the area through Real  Estate Sales. She is fulfilling her dream – relocate to northern New Hampshire and live and work in the community she loves. Michele can be reached in the Littleton office, or by email at: michele@peabodysmith.com