Dianne Burns - Di - An Realty Blog

Single-Family – 46 Seven Sister Rd Haverhill, MA 01830 is now new to the market!

Dianne Burns — Wed, 16 May 2012 21:00:43 +0000

Beautiful VIEWS OF RIVER, MARINA AND GOLF COURSE.Home has high ceilings, polished hardwood floors, granite counter tops, wired for surround sound. Master bedroom suite on first floor with 2 walk in closets and full bath with whirlpool tub. Lower level is completely finished with office, spare room, kitchen area, 1/2 bath and large family room. Patio doors lead directly out to private fenced area with HEATED in-ground pool. Home has 3 full baths and 2 1/2 baths. Beautifully laid out.

This is a Cape/Contemporary style home and features 12 total rooms, 3 full baths, 2 half baths, 5 bedrooms, 0.93 Acres, and is currently available for $606,000.

For complete details click here.

Single-Family – 12 11Th Ave Haverhill, MA 01830 now has a new price!

Dianne Burns — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:03:01 +0000

Spacious Four Square Colonial on tree-lined street. Vinyl Siding, replacement windows, garage, paved drive and fenced yard. Room to roam in this nearly 2,000 square foot living area. Interior has a tiled kitchen with loads of cabinets, granite counter tops, large pantry closet and stainless appliances. Half bath off rear hall. The floors are all hardwood. Bay windows, built in china closet. Loads of light. Beautiful turned staircase to second floor. Full basement with gas utilities,

This is a Colonial style home and features 8 total rooms, 1 full bath, 1 half bath, 4 bedrooms, 0.17 Acres, and is currently available for $239,900.

For complete details click here.

The Benefits of Houseplants

Dianne Burns — Sun, 13 May 2012 11:10:30 +0000

Not only do plants make a beautiful addition to your homes décor but they are also beneficial in oxidizing and refreshing the air you breathe. Oxygen producing plants can be used to both produce oxygen as well as remove harmful chemicals in the air. Not only do plants clean the air we breathe but they also have been proven to reduce our heart rate and blood pressure and reduce muscle tension related to stress.

There are so many different plants that you can bring into your home to help clean the air. Here is a list of just a few.

A popular clean air plant that removes toxins like benzene, trichloroethylene, exylene and toluene from the air is Warneck Dracena. Another good air cleaning plant that is easy to take care of is the Peace Lilly. The Money Plant releases oxygen in the air while removing formaldehyde, this is commonly released by cigarette smoke and adhesives with wood furnishings. The Snake plant also known as Mother-in-Laws Tongue converts CO2 (carbon dioxide) to O2 (oxygen) at night making it an ideal bedroom plant. Other plants to try are Philodendron, English Ivy, or a Spider Plant.

While the plants are busy purifying the air in your home, they also provide a therapeutic effect with their color green. The color green has a soothing green effect and helps people to feel at ease. Here is a quote from plantforlife.info “It may sound surprising but as little as 2 or 3 minutes in the company of plants and trees or natural environments can be enough to provide measurable stress relief!” What a small investment for something that can bring so much beauty and health to your home.

Commercial – 181 Groveland Haverhill, MA 01830 is now new to the market!

Dianne Burns — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:01:09 +0000

Great opportunity to start or move your restaurant to a nice suburban area. Building has been completely gutted and redone. All equipment to remain.

This property features 0.08 Acres, and is currently available for $320,000.

For complete details click here.

Tackling Home Repairs

Dianne Burns — Sun, 06 May 2012 11:07:06 +0000

No matter how sturdy a home is, sooner or later maintenance will be required. When this happens, you will have the choice to do some of this maintenance work yourself, or you could opt to utilize a home repair service to do it for you. This largely depends on how much experience you have in repairing things in your home. For example, hanging a picture on the wall does not take too much knowledge and expertise, as all you would need is a good drill and a little bit of know-how. On the other hand, if you need some major plumbing repairs, then you are better off finding a reputable plumber to do the job for you.

When it comes to painting, it really does depend on whether you have some experience and know-how, and how much you enjoy doing it. For some people, painting can be extremely therapeutic. They will gladly paint every room in their home without any fuss. For others, painting a wall can seem like an extremely messy job, and in most cases, it will be a job badly done. In a situation like this, you are better off using a professional painter.

One of the best ways to find a good quality home repair service is by going on the internet, as this allows you to quickly find a specialized repair service within your area with just a few clicks of your mouse. In addition, you are also able to do a little research on the repair service beforehand.

If you would like a local referral I keep a list of professionals. Please call or email me for more information.

Keep This in Mind When Buying Land

Dianne Burns — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 11:06:05 +0000

There are many ways that you can invest in real estate. One way is by purchasing land. This option can be a very lucrative choice, as long as you keep the few important points in mind. The reason why purchasing land could be a viable option is because you get to pick your location, and build a home to your specs. This will allow you to find your own contractors to construct your building for you. By having full control over who you choose and what you pay, it becomes easier for you to save on costs.

Keep in mind that while you do have full control over who you choose to build on your property, it also means that there will be more responsibility hanging over your shoulders. For example, you would need to make sure that you have all the right permits to construct your building, and you also have to make sure that you choose the right contractors; otherwise the whole project can turn into a big catastrophe. Therefore, before deciding to purchase a piece of property that is completely void of any buildings, take some time to do some research, as this will save you a lot of headache in the long run.

Buying land in a down market can also be a great investment. Land is becoming harder to come by, which is creating a higher demand for land and in turn bringing the price up. Buying land now and holding onto to it could bring some great return. Think about it in 10 years from now there will be a lot less land and your lot could be worth a pot of gold. Invest now and reap the rewards down the road. Think of it like a savings account, you deposit money into a piece of land and watch your money grow!

Single-Family – 57 Franklin St Haverhill, MA 01830 now has a new price!

Dianne Burns — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:01:33 +0000

Great starter home for the budget minded. There is a fenced yard. Hardwood floors and nice size rooms. Basement is partially finished with a sink, tub and a toilet.

This is a Colonial style home and features 6 total rooms, 1 full bath, 1 half bath, 3 bedrooms, 0.04 Acres, and is currently available for $89,900.

For complete details click here.

Mortgages Made Easy for the Self-Employed

Dianne Burns — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 11:05:57 +0000

Getting a mortgage these days can be tough and it is even tougher for small-business owners. Potential self-employed borrowers usually have variability in their income streams. Today, banks are requiring more financial documentation from all buyers, and self-employed borrowers tend to face more scrutiny.

Small-business owners may have a smaller income because they are typically knowledgeable about tax deductions and credits. This often reduces the amount of taxable income they have. Reducing the amount of taxable income on your tax returns means to the lender there is less income to qualify for a loan.

There are ways self-employed borrowers can increase their chances of getting a home loan, however. Here are a few tips:

What is the lenders history?

Find out if the lender has a history of working with self-employed borrowers. Self-employed borrowers should focus more on finding a lender that will understand their situation rather than shop the loan rate. There are individual loan officers who will be able to think out of the box or come up with solutions. The lender you choose is key.

Consider portfolio lenders.

Portfolio lenders have more flexibility in originating loans because they don’t have to sell the loan to Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. Portfolio lenders hold their own loans. That makes a big difference in their ability to loan. Another option may to consider credit unions. Many credit unions also keep a good portion of loans on their books.

Boost your income.

Show you make as much money as possible on your tax return. You might need to amend your tax returns. Some lenders will look at a loan application again if they have sent in amended returns to the government. Sometimes by rethinking deductions and credits on income taxes, a borrower can increase his qualifying income. Of course, with this strategy, the borrower would also face a new tax bill.

Beginner’s Guide to Condominiums

Dianne Burns — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 11:06:23 +0000

The condominium market has been rising steadily for the past few years. According to the National Association of REALTORS(R), condo values rose more than 27 percent between 2000 and 2002, and the median value of condos ($163,500) sat just below that of single-family homes ($168,400) in mid-2003. While this trend is not guaranteed to continue, the condo market has regained the momentum and importance it had in the initial condo boom of the 1980s.

According to this article from Lending Tree, condo buyers fall into three main groups: first-time buyers making the jump from renting; people looking to buy a second home that they will use part-time; and retirees who are trading in high-end homes for the low-maintenance lifestyle a condo provides.

A condominium can be a great purchase under the right set of circumstances, but some people still dismiss them as glorified apartments. If you’re not comfortable living within condo rules and restrictions, and in close proximity to others, then a condo is probably not the place for you. Before you buy a condominium, make sure you understand exactly what is involved in condo living.

What Exactly Is a Condominium?

A condominium development can take the form of apartment-style complexes, townhouses or converted multi-family dwellings. What distinguishes it from other multi-tenant buildings is that the developer has legally declared it a condominium, and individuals can purchase units in the building or complex. In most states, this means that the development falls under specially designated laws and regulations applied to condominiums.

When purchasing a condo, the owner buys the title to his or her individual unit, up to the walls, but not including them. A common description of a condominium is a “box in the air.”

Common areas of the development, such as stairwells, dividing and outer walls, fitness centers and rooftop gardens, are under shared ownership. Each unit owner holds an interest in these spaces. In order to manage the maintenance and repair of the shared common areas, every condo development has a condominium association, also known as a unit-owners’ association. The association is elected by condo owners and makes communal decisions in the interest of the community.

Condo costs include:

Down payment, mortgage and property tax
Condo fees, otherwise known as maintenance fees. Condo fees are paid by every resident to help with the maintenance of the building, pay the salaries of groundskeepers, concierges or handymen, and provide luxury facilities such as a pool, gym or rooftop garden. Condo fees are paid monthly and are subject to change
Special assessment fees. These fees may be requested when an unexpected repair or planned modification exceeds the cost of the condo fees collected

Rules to Live By

Condominiums are governed by a set of rules called Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CC&Rs). The rules vary from one condo development to another. They may impose restrictions on pet ownership, noise levels, remodeling projects, and renting. The CC&Rs are enforced by the condo association. It’s a good idea to read the CC&Rs to make sure that you are comfortable with them before you purchase a condominium.

Condo Associations and Fees

The condominium association budgets and determines the condo fees for all units. Condo fees are typically determined by the size of your unit, how many units are currently occupied, and the projected expenses for building maintenance and repair.

Condo associations vary in their organization and expertise. Some questions you may want to look into are:

Does the association maintain a reserve of funds to pay for unexpected and potentially expensive repairs? This will help you determine whether you are likely to get hit with special assessment fees.
Has the association maintained the building in good repair? Do they handle repairs and maintenance before they become big problems? Before buying, it’s a good idea to get an inspection done on the unit you’re interested in, as well as the entire structure, to identify any potential problems.
Does the association have plans to add any facilities, such as a swimming pool or gym, in the near future? This could cause a sudden increase in your fees. Ask to see the minutes of the last few condo association meetings, which should reveal any such plans.
Does the development have any pending legal actions? Are there any disputes between owners, with developers or with the association that you should know about?
What is the association’s reputation in the building? Talk to other owners for comments or complaints about the association’s activities.

A Word about Developers

Developers do not generally retain a long-term interest in a building, but the work that they put into it is important. A home inspection can turn up major structural flaws in the building, but don’t rely on this alone. You should research the developer’s track record, and find out if there have been any problems with its previous developments. Also find out if the developer is still in business and whether it is financially stable. If the developer is no longer in business, your condo association may have little or no legal recourse if major flaws are discovered in the property.

Single-Family – 68 Silver Haverhill, MA 01832 now has a new price!

Dianne Burns — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:00:51 +0000

Spacious home in country atmosphere with tremendous views. Close to grammar, middle and charter schools. Summer sunsets and breezes from large deck overlooking beautiful yard. Farmer’s porch on front. Security system roughed in. Lovely French doors, 2.5 baths, skim coat plaster walls, whirlpool tub,wood fireplace,large windows, island kitchen,walk-in closet, hardwood floors,12 x 16 deck. Beautifully maintained home with easy access to Rte 495 and historic district. Two finished rooms on 3rd

This is a Colonial style home and features 8 total rooms, 2 full baths, 1 half bath, 4 bedrooms, 0.33 Acres, and is currently available for $261,900.

For complete details click here.