Answers by Suzanne Damon

Mortgage points are basically prepaid interest. You pay upfront at closing to “buy down” your interest rate. One point usually equals 1% of the loan amount and lowers your rate by about 0.25%, though it varies. Benefits: If you plan to stay in the home long term, points can save you a lot in interest over time. Drawbacks: They cost cash up front, so if you sell or refinance too soon, you may not break even. Some lenders push points as a way to make monthly payments look more affordable, while others may not offer them depending on their pricing structure or how competitive they want to be.

Great question! Buying a condo is a little different than buying a single-family home. Yes—you still want an inspection. The association may cover the structure, but you’re responsible for the inside, and it’s always smart to know what you’re walking into. Beyond that, the big things are the financial health of the association (do they have reserves, or are you walking into a special assessment?), the rules and restrictions (pets, rentals, renovations), and the monthly fees—what’s included and what’s not. Every condo community has its own personality, so knowing the “fine print” is just as important as loving the unit itself. I break all this down for my buyers so nothing gets missed.

Fees charged do not depend on the value of the home but rather on the policy of the broker/agent/company that you are working with. With that said, the value of the home does impact fees from the standpoint of most fees are based on a % of the sale price. However, fees do NOT have to be based on a % of the sale price. there are so many variables to consider and some companies allow for flexibility, and others may not. Our code of ethics does not allow us to discuss fees between companies so we have little knowledge of how much other companies charge for services or their structure for such. I am a native of Buffalo and would welcome your contact to discuss further if desired.

In New Hampshire, the shut-off is located on the opposite side of the spigot location on the interior side of the home in the basement, usually where the foundation sill meets the foundation wall. Follow the pipes to the shut-off.

Handicap equipt is desirable for those who need it. Those who need it cannot find a home with this equipt in it. With Baby Boomers aging into the likely hood of wanting such a well-equipped home, this will enhance the desirability of that kind of property. Thus, adding the grab bars and ramp will become a desirability issue, not a value issue.

The better your home looks the more "eyeballs" that will be on your property. If you think you have a product that will get all the eyeballs without "staging", go for it! be sure to give your home a professional cleaning before buyers take a look.