According to the Philadelphia Business Journal Pennsylvania's unemployment rate climbed from 7.8% in April to 8.2% in May - an uncomfortably high number to be sure, but significantly below the national average unemployment rate of 9.4%. Another way to look at it is in the year from May 2008 to May 2009 the number of jobs in Pennsylvania shrank by 3.2% compared to 3.9% nationally. One bright spot for Philadelphia is that the healthcare and education sectors, major anchors in Philadelphia's economy, are doing very well relative to other sectors of the economy.
An often-discussed benefit of rising unemployment is an increase in new small businesses and entrepreneurship as laid-off workers decide to become their own bosses. I believe Philadelphia is an entrepreneur's paradise thanks to it's low cost of living, concentration of creative-class professionals, and easy access to a dense and diverse customer base both locally and within the greater Mid-Atlantic/Northeast region. I know numerous artists and entrepreneurs who are able to live very well in Philadelphia but would barely be able to scrape by in more expensive cities such as N.Y., D.C., or L.A. (perhaps two-letter abbreviated cities are just more expensive by default?)
So, what does the Philadelphia region's relatively healthy employment picture and potential to attract new small businesses and entrepreneurs mean for real estate investors? Three of my thoughts to get us started:
1. Local residential rents and vacancies may get through this recession without being severly affected - while unemployment has increased, 91.8% of Pennsylvanians who want jobs still have them and should continue paying their rent. Additionally any laid-off New Yorkers or Washingtonians attracted to Philadelphia's lower cost of living will likely help to pick up any slack in the rental market and they're more than happy to pay top-dollar Philadelphia rents that look like a bargain compared to other Northeast cities.
2. While national retailer bankruptcies are pushing up vacancies for larger, big-box retail properties, the local retail market in Philly is relatively healthy and new boutiques, galleries, coffee shops, bars, and restaurants continue to open regularly in many neighborhoods. Any new entrepreneurs created by this recession will fill in smaller retail spaces in the established and emerging neighborhoods and should eventually push up the values of these properties even as retail property values for larger shopping centers fall along with the fortunes of their national tenants.
3. This recession proves that Philadelphia's claim to have a diversified economy based on recession-resistent 'eds-and-meds' industries is at least partially true. This claim has often sounded more like savvy marketing than fact, but we've seen in this recession that these industries really are fairly stable and do make up a healthy chunk of Philadelphia's employer base.
The New Long & Foster Real Estate Office Open & Selling Homes!!! The Office Is Located At 523 West Broad Street Quakertown, PA 18951. OPEN 7 Days A Week!!! The Hours Are Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-6:00 PM Saturday & Sunday 9:00-4:00
Call Us At 215-536-7070
Stop In or Give Us A Call And Receive Excellent Customer Service And Knowledgable Real Estate Agents To Help You Buy Your Next Or Sell Your Current One!
Linda Tremblay | Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc | 215-348-0000 x8077
3962 Amberton Ct, Doylestown, PA
Price Reduced on Hearthstone Colonial
4BR/2.5BA Single Family House
offered at $464,900
Year Built
1993
Sq Footage
3,145
Bedrooms
4
Bathrooms
2 full, 1 partial
Floors
2
Parking
2 Car garage
Lot Size
.26 acres
HOA/Maint
$29 per month
DESCRIPTION
This stone facade colonial is situated on a cul-de-sac street in the desirable Hearthstone Community. Main level features formal living and dining room, family room with stone fireplace and wall of windows, covered patio with mahogany floor, kitchen with tile counters and backsplash. There is also the master bedroom suite and three bedrooms on the upper level and a finished basement on the lower level.
If you considering buying a home or selling a home in Bucks or Montgomery County, please call Linda Tremblay and Marcie Purcell. We would b very happy to help you with your real estate needs.
Linda Tremblay | Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc | 215-348-0000 x8077
800 Dogwood Ln, Hatfield, PA
Hatfield Township three bedroom ranch available
3BR/1BA Single Family House
offered at $250,000
Year Built
1950
Sq Footage
1,242
Bedrooms
3
Bathrooms
1 full, 0 partial
Floors
1
Parking
3 Covered spaces
Lot Size
14,520 sqft
HOA/Maint
$0 per month
DESCRIPTION
Why rent when you can own this well maintained ranch? First time homebuyer? You may be eligibel for a $8000 tac credit. This home features a formal living room with hardwood flooring a a built in shelf, formal dining room with chair rail and a ceiling fan, kitchen with breakfast bar overlooking the beautifully landscaped yard and spacious deck, three bedrooms with hardwood floors and a partially finished basement.
The Quakertown Veterinary Clinic located on Old Bethlehem Pike is holding its annual Pet Fair this Saturday, June 6 from 10am until 2pm. There is plenty to do for all ages and both admission and parking are free.
For the younger ones, there are free pony rides, a free petting zoo, and a coloring contest for children in kindergarden to fifth grade. In the areana, there are obedience demonstrations, K-9 Police Demonstrations, information on creating a relationship with your pet and much more. There will also be vendors with pet products, rescue agencies and other vendors.
Stop on over and enjoy the pet fair help by Quakertown Veterinary Hospital. They specialize in pet care, pet boarding, doggie day care (my puppy Chance loves it), pet training, or of course baths & nail clipping.
If you live in the Quakertown area and are a pet lover, there will be something there for you. If you are considering a move to the Quakertown area and need a pet friendly home, Linda Tremblay and Marcie Purcell would love to help you find it. Call or email us today.
Lehigh Valleys secret hideway, this "jewel" of a home offers serenity and versatility. Whether you live there as a full time residence or a country weekend escape, you can hear the sounds of nature and smell the fresh air. Home features large,formal living room, dining room wit eye level fireplace, beautiful renovated kitchen, two nice size bedrooms, a loft and a greenhouse with heat and sprinklers.
You've heard the myths about buying and selling real estate. Now it's time to separate fact from fiction. Many things that were true 20, 10, even five years ago are not true today. You can't depend on the old beliefs to serve as accurate guidelines in today's market. Test your know-how with this true-or-false quiz.
Buying
Buying the most expensive home I can afford makes economic sense. True or False? During a period of rampant inflation -- and with it, assured appreciation on your home -- that makes sense. But in days of slower appreciation, buyers should exercise greater caution. If you feel comfortable maxing out on your monthly mortgage payment, that's your decision. Just make sure you don't bite off more, financially, than you can chew. (Answer: True and False.)
I can get a better deal working without a real estate agent. I'll save on the commission. True or False? Long ago, you may have been able to buy a home without professional help. In today's litigious times, however, buying a home without a professional in your corner can be a costly mistake.
There's more to buying a home than just signing the bottom line. Can you be sure what the home is really worth? Who will ensure that you are taken care of in the process? Do you know what disclosures are required? Do you know what the seller's agent is not allowed to tell you that a buyer's agent must tell you?
When you're dealing with the most expensive investment of your life, you should get help from someone who has your best interests at heart. (Answer: False.)
I don't need more than one real estate agent to do a thorough house search. True or False? With today's computerized multiple listing service and cooperation between real estate companies, buyers don't have to work with several agents to get to all the inventory. In fact, today, with buyer representation, agents preview the best properties to their clients first. Buyers who link up with an agent and show loyalty to that agent get better service than the buyer who skips from agent to agent. (Answer: True.)
I don't need an agent. I can get all the information I need on the Web. True or False? There's a difference between information and knowledge. Unless you can decipher the mountains of information on the Internet, all you have are printed pages with addresses and pictures on them. With such an important decision, buyers need to know everything there is to know about a property -- and that includes seeing it firsthand. Your agent's know-how is critical in preparing an offer, negotiating a contract and following through from financing to closing. (Answer: False.)
Selling
Frequent newspaper and magazine advertising isn't the best way to sell a home. True or False? Some home sellers believe advertising their homes two or more times a week brings the best results. Though homes can be advertised effectively, most sales (about 65%) are made either to buyers referred to an office by previous clients or buyers already on tap through individual agents' networking and personal marketing. (Answer: True.)
I should only choose a company and agent who recommends the highest listing price. True or False? Pricing is merely a starting point. The best criteria for choosing who lists your home is not opinion on price, but a firm's reputation for giving home sellers an edge. In addition, you need a neighborhood specialist who can negotiate well because, no matter what price you set, many buyers will want to bargain. (Answer: False.)
I should fix up my home before placing it on the market. True or False? While most buyers will personalize the home they buy, they still need a clean slate on which to plan their ideas. Most buyers simply don't have the time, imagination or money to cope with a run-down, untidy property. Painting and clearing clutter will give your home a fresh look. (Answer: True.)
How did you do on our quiz? If you have more questions, feel free to call Linda Tremblay and Marcie Purcell at your convenience, and we'll be happy to set you on a successful path to a home purchase or sale.
The annual Arts Aive Festival will be held on Saturday May 16, 2009 from 10am until 5 pm. A section of Quakertown Borough will be closed to traffic to accommodate the many artists and visitors that are planning on attending. Broad Street will be closed from 4th St to Hellertown Ave. The event will be held rain or shine. In case of rain, the festival will be held at Strayer Middle School on Ronald Reagen Drive.
This annual event offers something for those of all ages. There are local artists showing their work in painting, pottery, glass, sculpture, music crafts and more. Dancers and bands will be performing on the main stage located at 300 West Broad Street and additional performances on East Broad Street. There will be strolling performers, karate demonstrations, and live demonstrations including glass blowing, iron forging and train and antique appraisals.
Children will enjoy activities, such as a moon bounce, a clown, crafts, and face painting. There will also be the Bike man, juggling acts, carriage rides and family activities.
Local stores and restaurants will have special deals for festival attendees. The new Long and Foster Real Estate office in Quakertown will be raffling off a gift basket of goodies. The smell of peanuts, popcorn and other food items will fill the air and entice you to grab a bite to eat. Overall, it will be a fun day for all.
This annual festival is only one of the many community events held in Quakertown. Over the year, there is also Community Day ending with the yearly firework's display, free concerts, the UBCC Business Expo, the annual Halloween Parade and more.
These events are just part of the reason that make Quakertown a great place to live. If you are thinking about buying or selling a home in Quakertown or the surrounding area, contact Linda Tremblay or Marcie Purcell. We would love to help you find your next home.
Well maintained townhouse in Quaker Green with formal living & dining rooms, eat in kitchen with newer flat top electric stove, three nice size bedrooms, & pool, tennis and basketball courts included with $46 monthly association fees.
In real estate, it is common for buyers or sellers that travel on business, or have a family emergency come up, to have a Power of Attorney drawn up for someone to sign for them at settlement. If you've had that honor of being a Power of Attorney for a friend or relative in a real estate transation, your hand will be numb for days. That is a common real estate Power of Attorney need, but not the only one we see in real estate transactions. And if you own a home, you should probably have one in place before you need it.
Sometimes a Power of Attorney is needed due to a change in someone's mental faculties. This happens as people age and begin to have signs of dementia, or any other type of altered state. These are slow approaching illnesses, and often our family members don't see it as an impediment to doing business, like selling a house. But if you're mental state is impaired, and you don't already have a Power of Atttorney in place, it can be difficult to get one together as your judgement is now altered.
Consider that scenario for a moment. Your spouse is declining mentally, but still has ocassional good days. You find that you need to sell your family home to be closer to relatives. However, the listing agent recommends a Power of Attorney. It can be a long process to get that in place if your spouse's faculties are already in question. And if you happen to enter into a contract without that Power of Attorney, a settlement attorney can halt settlement if they suspect that someone is mentally altered, or their mental faculties are impaired. This is not the situation you'd want for your family.
It's not always pleasant to think ahead, but Power of Attorney is something that you really should have in place, before you need it. Be prepared and get one drafted. This is just one real estate scenario, but you can imagine the multitude of other scenarios that a Power of Attorney would be needed. Selling a house does happen as a result of unpleasant circumstances that would warrant this very important legal document.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
Central A/C
You've heard the myths about buying and selling real estate. Now it's time to separate fact from fiction. Many things that were true 20, 10, even five years ago are not true today. You can't depend on the old beliefs to serve as accurate guidelines in today's market. Test your know-how with this true-or-false quiz.
Selling
The annual Arts Aive Festival will be held on Saturday May 16, 2009 from 10am until 5 pm. A section of Quakertown Borough will be closed to traffic to accommodate the many artists and visitors that are planning on attending. Broad Street will be closed from 4th St to Hellertown Ave. The event will be held rain or shine. In case of rain, the festival will be held at Strayer Middle School on Ronald Reagen Drive.
the Bike man, juggling acts, carriage rides and family activities.
Map Satellite Hybrid
Sometimes a Power of Attorney is needed due to a change in someone's mental faculties. This happens as people age and begin to have signs of dementia, or any other type of altered state. These are slow approaching illnesses, and often our family members don't see it as an impediment to doing business, like selling a house. But if you're mental state is impaired, and you don't already have a Power of Atttorney in place, it can be difficult to get one together as your judgement is now altered. 
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