The first way you can grab attention from potential buyers is to focus on the curb appeal.  There might be snow on the roof or the lawn, but you can use that to your advantage.  People searching for a home during this season will be looking for something that looks cozy and warm underneath the snow.  It’s important to make sure you’re clearing pathways without getting rid of the white blanket on the lawn or roof.

To create a cozier feel you might want to think about hanging a wreath on the door or putting some festive branches in your planters.  Although the holiday has passed, these decorations can last all season as long as they’re kept simple.  Simplicity should be reflected in all parts of your home décor, not just the rooms inside.  Make sure not to go overboard with decorations, or you’ll hide the appeal of the house itself.  Most home buyers won’t be interested in a yard cluttered with inflatable snowmen or a roof covered with Christmas lights.  Just a few special touches should do the trick.

Also, in your home’s listing you should make sure to show photos from both the spring and winter season so home buyers get a good view of the home year-round.  Another way to catch attention is to post photos of the views from the home because they are likely to attract potential buyers.

Whichever way you choose to advertise your home, make sure to showcase its best features.  Happy home selling!

New Hampshire waterfront property owners appreciate a clean beach

Location, location, location is the rule of thumb for much of the national market. However, like politics, real estate is local and here in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire we will place a great emphasis on Clarity, clarity, clarity.

Waterfront property demands its own level of priorities, and a clean, sandy lake bottom with a pleasant swimming area is often at the top of the list. But, New Hampshire is not known as the Granite State for nothing and so the ideal beach is often a rarity. This does not preclude that most beachfronts cannot be improved by what I label “aqua landscaping.’’

The dynamics of each water body should be carefully considered by any buyer: average depth, nutrient recycling capabilities, dissolved oxygen levels, rates of decomposition and water temperature are the primary evaluative tools. Phosphorus is at the root of most beachfront problems; it promotes plant growth and is introduced to a water body by lawn fertilizers, soil erosion, sewage, animal waste and decomposing vegetative matter.

Over the past dozen years impressive technical strides in water treatment have led to effective means of improving or eliminating problem beachfront concerns. Ultrasonic procedures, electric powered mechanical weed rollers, chemical additives and tools that agitate the lakebed are being used effectively without any negative effects to the aquatic life.

The impact of The New Hampshire Shore Land Protection Act by establishing rules for waterfront property owners has become a valuable piece of legislation for maintaining the quality of the way of life for waterfront owners in The Lakes Region. I encourage you to contact our offices and speak with our knowledgeable realtors prior to making your buying decisions.
Jim Ferriman Jferriman@spencerhughes.com 603-520-5385

Reprinted from GREENWorks Ideas for a Cleaner Environment, a publication of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Concord, NH (603) 271-3710.

Summer has arrived, meaning swimming, boating, barbeques, sunshine and summer heat. The summer weather can also bring increased energy use for keeping cool.  No one wants their energy bills to rise with the temperature, and finding ways to stay cool without cranking up the air conditioner saves money – and is better for the environment.

Air conditioners require a lot of energy to operate, and generating power means more air pollution and greenhouse gases being released into the environment.  This contributes to global climate change – and runs up your electric bill. To save a few bucks in the long run – and to reduce your carbon footprint – there are plenty of “green” ways to keep cool this summer.

Easy, Low Cost Solutions

• Fans: Use fans to keep air flowing. Ceiling fans can make a room feel up to seven degrees cooler, and they use less electricity than air conditioners. A medium-sized window AC unit uses 900 watts of energy, while a ceiling fan set at high speed uses just 75 watts. By using a ceiling fan and raising your AC thermostat by just two degrees, you can lower your cooling costs by up to 14 percent. And remember, a fan cools YOU, not the room, so be sure to turn it off when you leave the room.
• Window Coverings: Install window shades, drapes, or blinds to reflect heat away from the house.  Close blinds, shades and drapes facing the sun during the day to keep the sun’s heat out and help fans or air conditioners cool more efficiently.
• Heat Sources: Reduce internal heat sources by turning off lights and computers when you’re not using them. Don’t use a stove or oven to cook – microwave your meals or grill outdoors. Incandescent light bulbs also create heat, so consider replacing them with compact florescent bulbs.
• Air Conditioning: If you use central air conditioning, program your thermostat to work around your family’s summer schedule by setting the temperature higher when no one is home. For any air conditioner, check the air filter regularly and change it when it is dirty, which can save 15 percent of the energy used.  When buying a new air conditioner, look for one that is an ENERGY STAR product.

Longer-Term Solutions

• Plant Trees: We already know trees are great for the environment, but most people probably don’t realize they can also help cut cooling costs. By planting deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves in the winter) on the south and west sides of your house, you can reduce air conditioning costs in the summer by up to 30 percent, and still allow the sunlight to warm the house during the winter.  Planting trees near driveways and patios can also help limit landscape heat load (heat that could otherwise be reflected back toward your house).
• Roofs: Another great way to keep your house cool in the summer is to install a light-colored or reflective roof. Light-colored roofs deflect scorching sunrays that black shingles absorb. This alternative may be pricy, but if you already have plans to renovate, consider opting for a gray or beige roof.
• Windows: Upgrading your windows is another cost-saving renovation to consider. If your windows are due for replacement, ENERGY STAR windows can make your home more comfortable year round.
• In the car: Besides the house, the car is probably where people are most likely to crank the air conditioning to avoid a sweltering commute, but running the air conditioning works your engine harder and cuts down on fuel economy. When traveling slower than 40 mph, it’s more fuel-efficient to roll down the windows.   Reduce inside cabin temperature by parking in the shade, putting a sunshade in the windshield, and always roll down the windows when getting into a hot car.

We’ve already seen some record breaking temperatures this summer, and while it may not be realistic to eliminate the use of air conditioners altogether to keep cool, there are options that use less energy and don’t raise your energy bill quite as much.  So keep yourself cool while saving money — and
the environment!

For more information, contact DES at 271-1370 or the Office of Energy and  Planning at 271-2155.