Linda's Blog

Short sale article from my monthly e-newsletter

2008-09-05T18:58:56Z

SHORT SALES
How To Avoid Foreclosure By Selling Fast For Less

As home prices have dropped in some areas of the country, a growing number of homeowners are finding their home is worth less than the mortgage amount still owed to their lender (known as being "under water" or "upside down" in the mortgage). Owners may find themselves in this situation because they purchased their home at the peak of the local market, just before prices began to drop. Or, using an interest-only or payment-option loan, their monthly payments did not reduce the principal owed--and the home's value dropped. Some tapped too much home equity through second loans or lines of credit, even as much as 125% of the home's value.

Those "upside down" mortgage holders who can still make their monthly mortgage payments are safe if they don't need to move. They can wait out the market--perhaps even benefiting from lower property taxes from a lowered tax assessment--until the correction is complete and home prices again begin to appreciate.

Others, however, find themselves caught by escalating mortgage payments and other household expenses they can no longer afford. Although some borrowers can negotiate "workouts" and "loan modifications" with their lenders, others don't have those options. The only choice left to avoid foreclosure is a "short sale"--where the lender agrees to accept, as fulfillment of the borrower's obligation, a sales price lower than the amount still owed on the mortgage.

If you find yourself in this situation, or you know someone else who is, here are five critical factors every short-sale seller must know.

Short Sale Beats Foreclosure On Credit Report
A foreclosure is a court settlement process involving legal action and possible attorney fees. A short sale, on the other hand, is a negotiated settlement with the lender--no attorneys required. Both show up on the borrower's credit profile, but the difference between a foreclosure and a short sale is the difference between broken credit and badly dented credit. The "short sale" consumer has better options sooner in terms of buying another home, qualifying for loans or credit cards, securing reasonable interest rates, finding rental housing, even applying for insurance.

Often Lenders Prefer Short Sales To Foreclosure
Foreclosing is an expensive, time-consuming process for lenders (costing an average $50,000 per property, according to a 2007 report by the Joint Economic Committee of Congress). In a foreclosure, the lender sells the property at auction--which may also result in lower net than the outstanding mortgage--or repossesses and sells the property as "lender owned" real estate, which is a "non-performing asset" that negatively impacts the lender's ability to make loans. In short, lenders want your money not your home.

You Need An Offer To Get Short-Sale Approval
Lenders generally do not "pre-approve" borrowers to conduct a short sale. Instead, the seller-borrower finds a buyer, who makes an offer that is presented as part of a short-sale package for the lender's consideration. The package will include information such as the purchase contract, an estimate of the net from sale, a complete seller's financial disclosure and a hardship letter stating why the seller can no longer make payments. The lender often requires other information as well.

If the lender is open to a short sale, their loss mitigation department orders a Broker's Price Opinion (BPO), asking a knowledgeable real estate professional to render an opinion on the market value of the property (by looking at sold prices of comparable properties, the cost of making repairs and any other factors that might impact the property's value).

Assuming everything is to the lender's satisfaction, if the buyer's offer meets or exceeds the BPO, chances are the lender will accept the short-sale offer and "forgive" the difference between the offer and the outstanding mortgage.

New Law Waives Income Tax On Forgiven Debt
Until recently, mortgage debt forgiven by a lender was considered to be part of the borrower's taxable income, meaning the taxpayer would have to pay income taxes on the forgiven amount. That rule has changed: On December 20, 2007 President Bush signed into law the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007, which excludes forgiven mortgage debt from taxation. The exclusion only applies to a taxpayer's principal residence and to indebtedness forgiven between January 1, 2007 and January 1, 2010. The excludable amount of debt is limited to $2 million. Other restrictions apply; consult a knowledgeable tax professional for all the details.

Short-Sale Process Requires Professional Help
Conducting a short sale is not a simple process, as it requires negotiations with the lender (often more than one lender is involved) as well as the buyer, who may not understand the unique intricacies of the process. That's where our expertise becomes essential. We understand the complexities and critical timing of short-sale procedures and can guide you--whether you want to sell your property as a short sale or you're interested in purchasing a short sale. Please feel free to give us a call for more information. We'll be happy to discuss all your options!

If you would like to receive this kind of information into your email inbox monthly, please vist my website http://www.buckspahomes.com or email me. or Marcie Purcell.

Back to School. Congratulations to these Bucks County Schools for ranking in the top 50!

2008-09-04T11:13:01Z

The Labor Day holiday weekend, which is the unofficial end of summer, is now behind us. Now we are at the beginning of a new school year for many local students. Parents have been busy shopping for school supplies, new clothes and other necessities for their children. Most children are anxious to go back to school and meet their new teachers, see their friends, and possibly learn their way around a new school when they are moving to the next level. (Elementary to Middle School or Middle to High School)

Philadelphia Magazine has recently publish an article ranking the school districts from amongst the local counties. This Counties include most if not all of the schools in Bucks, Mongtgomery, Chester, Delaware and other surrounding areas. I do not know the criteria by which they came up with their ranking but felt is was interesting.

Below is a list of the Bucks County Schools that were in the top fifty districts and where they ranked:

07. NEW HOPE SOLEBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT

10. CENTRAL BUCKS SCHOOL DISTRICT

15. COUNCIL ROCK SCHOOL DISTRICT

37. QUAKERTOWN COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

38, PALISADES SCHOOL DISTRICT

39. PENNSBURY SCHOOL DISTRICT

40. SOUDERTON SCHOOL DISTRICT (also has students that reside in Montgomery County)

43. PENNRIDGE SCHOOL DISTRICT

44. NESHAMINY SCHOOL DISTRICT

46. CENTENNIAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

If you would like more information on any of these district, please email me and I will send you a school report or visit the school district's website.

If you are considering possibly buying or selling a home in the Bucks County Real Estate market, please contract me (Linda Tremblay) or my partner Marcie Purcell.

Once Team Members, Now partners.

2008-08-26T14:54:53Z

I am please to announce that Marcie Purcell and I have partnered up. Marcie and I have worked together for over 5 years and have been team members since we affiliated with Long and Foster Real Estate. As team members, we have worked together on some things and separately on others. When one of us went away on vacation, the other would step in so that our clients never had to wait to see a home, to put an offer in or to get a return phone call.

This year, due to circumstances we have worked on more together, than not. As per normal, when I went on vacation, Marcie was there for my clients and sold one of my listings. When Marcie went on vaction, I was there for her clients and actually found a new home for one of them. Later, Marcie's dad was hospitalized and I took over for her. Her dad was no sooner released and my dad was hospitalized. Of course, she took over for me.

We had done so much together and actually enjoy working together that we decided to make it an official partnership. So, if you are considering buying or selling a home in the Bucks County Real Estate market, please either call me direct at 215-534-2369 or Marcie Purcell direct at 215-534-2539. We specialize in "You"

Five Guys Burgers and Fries. Yummy!

2008-08-06T14:36:00Z

I was running in between a meeting and an appointment today and needed something in my stomach. I was hungry. I stopped in FIVE GUYS Burgers and Fries, located in the Cross Keys Place shopping Center in Doylestown. I had never eaten in a FIVE GUYS before but I was really impressed with the food.

Their menu is not large but they have Burgers made out of fresh ground beef(never frozen), Hot dogs, Fries (either Five Guys Style or Cajun) and soft drinks or bottled water.

I ordered a cheesburger (actually their chesseburger is a double burger) with mushrooms on a toasted roll , a regular fries (they even give you an extra scoop of fries which are cooked in no cholesterol tasty peanut oil,) and I had a regular size drink. There was more than enough to eat. The burger was one of the best (if not the best) I have ever eaten. It was well done but extremely juicy!!! I will definitely go back.

So if you are looking for a great burger, stop in FIVE GUYS. They are open 11am to 10pm, seven days a week.

If you are looking to buy or sell a home in the Doylestown area, call or email Linda Tremblay or Marcie Purcell. We specialize in helping clients, just like you.

Page one of August 2008 newsletter

2008-08-01T12:11:21Z

Below is the first part of the monthly newletter that gets emailed to my customers and clients. It contains lots of information. If you would like to receive this fact filled newsletter delivered to your inbox, please call or email me.

CREATIVE SELLING
How To Beat Your Neighbor To A Fast Sale

If you're getting ready to sell your home, news reports of foreclosures, a buyer's market or slower home sales may not sound encouraging. The good news? You're not really competing with the entire world-you're competing with your neighbors!

Remember: All real estate is local. What's happening nationally, in other regions or communities, has little relationship to your local real estate micromarket, which has a buyer demand, housing supply, location and amenities that are unique to your area. Even neighborhoods within larger markets can differ a lot in home prices and the pace of sales.

Also understand that buyers typically narrow their sites to a particular neighborhood; then they zero in on the best value among the homes for sale in that neighborhood. Value means more than price-it's a combination of amenities (location, size, style, condition, conveyances, etc.) and financial considerations (price and monthly payment, closing costs, utility bills, taxes and so on).

To sell quickly today at the best price, you must show buyers that your home offers better value than competing neighborhood homes. Accomplishing that in a buyer's market calls for a creative approach. Consider the following strategies.

Price Right From The Start

Many home sellers are tempted to start their home sale with the highest listing price they could hope to get. Unfortunately for sellers, today's buyers are more educated about home values than ever before-and they're comparison shopping. In a buyer's market, a creative strategy is setting your home's price at the lower end of its market-value range, maybe even below neighborhood comparables. This attracts pent-up buyer attention fast and generates competition that could result in a full-price (or higher) offer. We'll be happy to conduct a comparative market analysis (CMA) to determine the best listing price for your home.

Maximize Visual Appeal

We've discussed in previous newsletters how important it is to create curb appeal, clean everything, declutter, remove personal items, paint and recarpet, update fixtures and repair anything that's not working properly. Those are necessary basics to home selling in today's market. Here are some creative strategies to consider:

Hire a professional to "stage" your home. Using proven design techniques, "stagers" rearrange furnishings to best complement a home's unique features. The stager may ask you to place some of your furnishings and possessions in storage or might bring in furniture to create a particular look.
Add fresh flowers for scent and color in rooms throughout the home and, weather permitting, in flowerbeds and pots outside.
Decorate dining tables with beautiful cloths or placemats and full place-settings to emphasize the entertainment possibilities of the space.
Focus on first impressions. Pay special attention to the front-door area outside and the area a buyer first sees upon walking inside.

Get The Word Out

Having your agent include your home in the local multiple listing service is important, of course, but you can do other things yourself to turn up the volume on your home-sale announcement.

If you are considering buying or selling a home in the Bucks County Real Estate market, Marcie Purcell and I would love to help you. Let us know

My past week on vacation in OCMD (aka Ocean City MD)

2008-07-26T15:35:41Z

As we have done for the past 7 summers, we just spent a weeks vacation in Ocean City, Maryland. Ocean City is one of my favorite places to go and you can get there on a tank of gas. There is so much to do here including fishing, the beach, the boardwalk, Jolly Rogers Amusement Park (including a fabulous water park) and fabulous food to eat.

Every year that we go down, we meet people from Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey and we all say the same thing. "What is keeping me from living here?'' Don't get me wrong, Bucks County PA is a great place to live with its covered bridges, quaint towns and beautiful countryside, But I absolutely love the beach and would love to own a property to either visit or eventually live in.

If you are looking for somewhere to go that you can get to on one tank of gas, definitely try to visit Ocean City MD. The beaches are free and clean, you can ride the bus all day for two dollars or ride the tram car on the boardwalk from one end to the other for three dollars.

However if you are looking to buy or sell a home in Bucks County Pa, call or email Linda Tremblay and Marcie Purcell. We specialize in "You"

Market statistics for Quakertown School District Jan-June 2008 vs Jan-June 2007

2008-07-10T14:43:55Z

Below I have posted the market statistics for the first half of 2008 for the areas that are included in the Quakertown Community School District, which includes Quakertown Boro, Trumbauersville Borough, Richlandtown, Haycock Township, Milford Township, and Richland Township. This report includes residential homes (not multi units, commercial or farms) The price range that I have included is between $100,000 and $1,000,000.

Date	Units Listed	Listed Volume	Listed Average	Pended	Units Sold	Sold Volume	Sold Average	Average DOM
June 2008	56	16,607,524	296,562	28	33	8,138,150	246,610	67
May 2008	70	21,326,632	304,666	30	36	9,797,197	272,144	76
Apr 2008	79	22,771,707	288,249	42	48	11,825,144	246,357	80
Mar 2008	73	20,148,147	276,002	38	33	8,754,124	265,276	98
Feb 2008	69	19,443,790	281,794	41	30	7,729,850	257,661	98
Jan 2008	82	27,450,138	334,757	26	23	5,495,750	238,945	100

Totals:	429	127,747,938	297,780	205	203	51,740,215	254,877	85

There have been 203 units sold and settled so far this year. The average listed price is $297,780 and it takes 85 days to sell a home. The average sale price is $254,877. If we compare that to the first half of 2007, we find that the market has definitely slowed and adjusted, but not as bad as other areas of the country. Last year there were 236 homes sold in the same time period. The average list price was $298,253 and it took about 73 days to sell your home. The aver sale price however was $280,469

What does this mean? Well it means that it is a good time to buy especially if you are a first time homebuyer or you are looking to buy a bigger home. If you want to buy a bigger home and you lose a little value in your current home, you will more than make it up with the purchase of your new home. The statistics also show that if you price your home correctly, it will sell. Remember, it does not matter what YOU need to get out of your home, the market value is determined by what a ready, willing & able buyer is willing to pay for your home.

Congratulations to Bucks County resident John Grogan

2008-07-10T10:57:13Z

Part of this post was written by A.B. Albritton who is my team member and a friend of John Grogan who lives in Bucks County with a Coopersburg mailing address. I have not had not had the chance to read the book yet, but my team member Marcie Purcell did and totally enjoyed it.

Congratulations to our friend and neighbor John Grogan of Coopersburg. John wrote the runaway New York Times bestseller "Marley and Me" which was a delightful book about a family and their Labrador retriever. Marley was a lovable hound but often naughty and John captured the love beautifully between the dog and his family. Now, filming is complete on the movie by the same name. It will be released around Christmas and stars Jennifer Anniston and Owen Wilson. Another Bucks County resident makes up proud!

Please click on the link below for a glimpse at the upcoming film: http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809995057/trailer

For more information about Bucks County or the Bucks County Real Estate market, please visit my website or call me.

Spring Meadow Colonial-Freshly Painted, New Rugs & PRICED TO SELL

2008-07-04T17:50:13Z

1425 Sunflower Ct, Quakertown, PA

4BR/2.5BA Single Family House

offered at $294,500

Year Built	2001
Sq Footage	Unspecified
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	2 full, 1 partial
Floors	2
Parking	Unspecified
Lot Size	8,015 sqft
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Priced to sell!!! Great Price and Special Financing Incentives available on this property through Sirva Morgage. This four bedroom, two and a half bath colonial is nestled within Spring Meadow Estates in beautiful Bucks County. Home has a neutral decor with freshly painted walls and new carpet. Other features include a foyer with hardwood flooring, a security system, a spacious great room, formal dining room, a spacious kitchen with breakfast area, gas cooking, built in microwave, and sliding glass doors leading to the large deck overlooking the beautiful yard and wooded area. Outside there is also a paver patio, a firepit, and a play area. Upstairs there is the master bedroom suite with two walk-in closets and a full bath, three additional nicely sized bedrooms, another full bath and the laundry area. The lower level is nicely finished with a large family room and an additional room suitable for an office or playroom.

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Walk-in closet
Hardwood floor	Family room	Office/Den
Dining room	Breakfast nook	Dishwasher
Stove/Oven	Microwave	Basement
Washer	Dryer	Laundry area - inside
Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Yard

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

Security System

Finished Basement

Paver Patio with Firepit

Backs to woods

Neutral Decor

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Seller contact info:

Linda Tremblay

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc

215-348-0000 x8077

For sale by agent/broker

My July e-newsletter-why smart buyers are no longer waiting to buy

2008-07-02T14:36:44Z

Below is page one of the newsletter that is emailing monthly to my clients. It has a lot of information on all aspects of real estate from the market, to buying a home selling a home, mortgages, and more. If you would like to receive this newsletter in your inbox, call or email me. For more information about Bucks County Real estate, please visit my website.

MARKET BOTTOM?
Why Smart Home Buyers Are No Longer Waiting To Buy

In today's new real estate market the time for hesitation is past. Now is the time for action. To take advantage of the new market, the reality is clear-don't wait:

If you are ready to move to a home where you would rather live;
If you can afford a conventional fixed-rate loan;
If you plan to live there or own it for several years; now is the right time to move or buy a first home, second home or rental.

Waiting rarely pays off for many reasons. In this issue of our newsletter, we'll share with you what we've learned from experience.

Recent Sales

Homes are selling in our area. Yes, there is more inventory. Yes, time on market is longer. Yes, loan requirements are tighter. Yes, there are more short sales, bank-owned foreclosures and rental bargains that pull average prices lower. But look beyond national headlines. Our local housing market is not a "bust," "collapse," "meltdown," or "crash" of zero sales. In reality, good properties-high-end, middle-market, even low-end-are selling (ask us for the latest area sales figures), especially with more sellers being realistic about their asking prices to compete. Waiting simply misses out on these good values.

New Buyers

Demand is increasing because today's market has attracted "new buyers," such as pent-up "should-have-moved" locals who put off moving in recent years; boomers with equity looking for second homes; international buyers who see properties priced to sell and enjoy favorable exchange rates; first-timers with parent and grandparent support; resized new construction that's smaller, lower-priced; long-term investors with a goal to "buy low, sell high" years from now. These buyers are buying now.

Interest Rates

Even though rates are around historic lows, demand is what makes home prices stabilize, demand makes sellers less willing to negotiate and demand pushes interest rates higher. Higher interest rates eliminate savings from lower prices. For example, if you bought a $218,900 home 12 months ago at 5.5%, your monthly payment (principal and interest) would be $994 (assume 20% down payment, 30-year fixed-rate loan). If you bought the same home today at $197,010 (assume a 10% price drop) at 6% your monthly payment would be $994. In addition, temporary increases of jumbo loan limits to $729,750 (highest-price markets) expire December 31, 2008. By waiting, any savings from a lower price may be offset by higher financing costs.

Bottoms Up?

No one can pinpoint the "bottom of the market"-except historians with hindsight. Why? Housing markets don't "bottom." Instead, after a period of price declines, leading indicators gradually correct: Transaction volumes increase, days on market decline, prices become steady, inventory sells off, the range between list price and sales price shrinks, builders withdraw incentives as land prices and material costs rise. Indicators reflect the rebound as the housing market adjusts-but the best properties are already gone.

Simply put, the best time to buy is now, as long as you're buying the right home, at the right price and on the right terms. Call us.

BUYING TODAY

5 Questions Every Savvy Home Buyer Should Be Asking Now

Is our rent equal to a loan payment? If you can afford to buy, it can give you one bonus that renting cannot-the lucrative tax breaks that come with owning a home:
- Deductions for payments of mortgage interest, loan discount points and real estate taxes.
- Home-office deductions for qualified owners.
- Deductions for expenses if you rent out your property.
- Home-sale capital-gains exclusion-profits up to $500,000 tax-free!
Are prices in our preferred area steady? In many areas of the country-even in areas with high foreclosure rates-there are neighborhoods where homes are holding their value or increasing in value while price decline is slowing.
Will our equity go further where homes cost less? By moving to a place where homes are less expensive-and general living costs are lower-your money will go a lot further a lot longer.
Will we live in this home for several years? Financial planners often advise buyers to think of real estate as you would any other large investment: The longer you hold your home before selling, the higher the probability you'll ride out any downturn and come out ahead on price when you decide to sell.
Is this the perfect home for us? The schools are fantastic. The proximity to your office, gym, favorite stores can't be beat. You love the area and the home, and you won't find another one like it. In a better market, you would most likely have much more competition for that home.

Willow Stream 2 Bedroom Condo-Priced To Sell

2008-07-02T12:03:58Z

1508 Concord Ct, Quakertown, PA
Willow Stream Condo, Priced to sell!

2BR/1BA Condo

offered at $149,500

Year Built	1995
Sq Footage	1,059
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	1 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	2 Uncovered spaces
Lot Size	Unspecified
HOA/Maint	$137 per month

DESCRIPTION

Priced to sell!! Enjoyable 2nd floor unit, where you have the complete view of the sunset. Home offers a cozy fireplace and vaulted ceilings in the living room, great kitchen with pass through, main bedroom with huge closet, second bedroom also with ample closet space, & aa great size laundry room. Come and enjoy the sunset from your large balcony with 2 storage spaces.

Exterior Front

click on thumbnail to enlarge

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
High/Vaulted ceiling	Walk-in closet	Living room
Dishwasher	Stove/Oven	Laundry area - inside
Balcony, Deck, or Patio

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

Ceiling Fans

Marble Fireplace

Oops we did it again, this time in Quakertown School District.

2008-07-01T10:13:11Z

What did we do? I am happy to announce that our team sold and settled another home in Quakertown. This charming home was located in Haycock Township on Old Bethlehem Rd and was listed by my team member and Haycock Township expert, Marcie Purcell.

Marcie was raised in Haycock and throughly knows the area. She can usually at any given time tell you exactly what homes are on the market and shat homes that have sold since she became a Realtor. Marcie is a hard worker and believes in maximum exposure and communication when she is representing a seller.

This home is a Charming White Brick Home On .44 Acres with a new septic. Freshly Painted Thru Out. Living Room With New Carpets and Arch Door Way. Galley Style Kitchen With New Vinyl Floor, Dishwasher, Built In Corner Cabinet, Double Sinks, Tile Backspash, and Large Eat In Area. Eat In Area is 10 X 10. Three Bedrooms with Random Width Hardwood Floors,& Closets. Bathroom Has Built in Medicine Cabinet, Pedestal Sink, Shower Stall, And New Vinyl Flooring. Pull Downstairs for Attic Access For Storage or Finish Off As A Loft Thur Bdrm. Third Bedroom Is On The Small Side and Could Be A Great Office. Basement Has Room For Laundry. Basement Floor Has Been Refinished. Patio with Stone Wall Surrounding Off Of The Kitchen. Peaceful Backyard with Stone Walkway. Room for Gardening and Picnic

If you are considering buying or selling a home in Haycock Township or any part of the Bucks County Real Estate market, call or email Linda Tremblay and Marcie Purcell. You will be glad that you did. We specialize in "YOU"

Abington Township home sold and settled by Linda Tremblay & Marcie Purcell

2008-06-30T13:21:03Z

We are please to announce that we have sold and had final settlement on our listing that is located on Harrison Ave in the Ardsley section of Abington Township. This cute 3 bedroom one and a half bath home with a detached two car garage had quite a bit of updating done. This charming stucco colonial is situated in the Ardsley section of Abington Township. Home features a formal living room & dining room with hardwood floors, new kitchen with tile floor and a new half bath on the main level. There is a large main bedroom with a large (8 x 5') closet, two additional bedrooms all featuring hardwood floors on the upper level along with a full bath (with new sink and toilet). Outside there is a large deck for your relaxation and a detached garage for your car or storage

If you are looking for a home or thinking about selling a home in Abington, we would love to help you. Call Linda Tremblay or Marcie Purcell today.

Huge Price reduction on Doylestown Township Cape

2008-06-19T10:50:22Z

100 Sandy Wood Dr, Doylestown, PA
Huge Price Reduction on Doylestown modified Cape

4BR/2BA Single Family House

offered at $497,500

Year Built	1964
Sq Footage	2,856
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	2 full, 0 partial
Floors	2
Parking	Unspecified
Lot Size	43,560 sqft
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Enjoy the convenience of first floor living and custom craftsmanship in a mature neighborhood in Doylestown with this custom-built modified cape cod. Located in the "Woods of Pebble Hill," this charming property has 1.37 acres with a gorgeous backyard, tall trees, tasteful landscaping and a beautiful 17' by 13' screened porch with flagstone flooring and a view of the park-like setting. The attention to detail in this home is outstanding with six panel solid wooden doors throughout, hardwood flooring in the dining room and three bedrooms plus solid cherry kitchen cabinets. A brick fireplace in the spacious living room is surrounded by custom designed bookcases. There is a bay window in the dining room and a bow window in the living room. A spacious kitchen has plenty of room for an eat-in area. The large master bedroom and one other bedroom (which could be used as an office or family room) are downstairs and 2 more bedrooms and second bath are upstairs. A portion of the attic is ready for final finishing

Front of Home

click on thumbnail to enlarge

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
Walk-in closet	Hardwood floor	Tile floor
Living room	Dining room	Dishwasher
Attic	Basement	Washer
Dryer	Laundry area - inside	Yard

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

17' x 13' Screened Porch

Built in bookcases

Custom Built

Summertime vegetables grown here in Bucks County

2008-06-19T10:19:55Z

Time to enjoy some summertime for your mouth! There's nothing better than fresh from the farm vegetables grown right here in Bucks County. Here are a few markets open or opening to whet your appetite. Let us know about your favorite roadside markets.

The Tomato Lady: Route 212 in Richlandtown near the Seven-Eleven. Delicious tomatoes, home grown strawberries, beets, asparagus, radishes and white corn. Saturday and Sundays
The Grange Hall. in Plumsteadville on Route 611. Large selection of morning fresh vegetables including tomatoes, potatoes, beans, squash, cauliflower, broccoli, etc. Also great homemade pastry, breads and scones and jams and sometimes fresh pie. Saturdays
Coopersburg Farmers Market. On Route 309 across from the Coopers burg Diner at the baseball fields. Lots of farmers bring their vegetables in for one of the larger markets in the area. All home-grown vegetables with some unusual offerings including okra and sweet and hot peppers, watermelons, tiny gourmet potatoes and more. Saturdays.

This is one of the reasons that Bucks County is a great place to live or visit. If you are considering buying or selling a home in the Bucks County real estate market, let me know. I would be happy to help with your real estate needs.

Surcharge on traffic violations for gas costs?

2008-06-19T09:52:51Z

Yep. That is correct. A very good friend of mine sent me this tidbit of news:

Talk about adding insult to injury! Be careful the next time you're in the tiny town of Holly Springs, Georgia (just north of Atlanta). If you are stopped for speeding, you'll shell out an additional $12.00 surcharge to help defray the cop's gasoline costs. Yep, its a true story. We just hope our friends in this area don't get any big ideas.

Are you considering buying or selling a home in the Bucks County real estate market? If so, I would love to help you with all your real estate needs. Call or email me. We specialize in "You"

Tribute to my faithful friend "Skye" & the vet who prolonged her life.

2008-06-18T11:20:48Z

Today I am writing this as a tribute to my dog and best friend "Skye." Skye was born on July 4 and she has been quite the firecracker for the past 11 years. She was originally purchased by my son for his daughter on her first birthday, however when they moved into a new apartment, they were unable to keep her. Skye than moved into my home when she was a little more than one year old. She has been with me ever since.

Skye is mostly Blue Heeler (also known as an Australian Cattle Dog) and some Eskimo dog which is why she has the longer hair. She has been a great friend and companion to me for almost 10 years now. I can actually read her emotions by the look in her eyes and her ears. If she did something bad, her eyes would be sad and her ears flat like an airplane. When she is happy, her ears stand up and her eyes sparkle.

Unfortunately a year ago, I took her to my previous vet to have a fatty tumor removed as it was getting large enough to start affecting her hind leg. They did blood test and saw something a little funny but . . operated anyway. She almost died and had to be rushed to Quakertown Veterinary Clinic. She was tended to by Dr. Mandy Rodawald Her platelets were so low that she ws bleeding to death and needed a transfusion. They did not know if she would make it but she did. She became their miracle dog.We put her on steroids and finally got her platelet count under control and weaned her off the predisone. I highly recommend them. If your puppy has problems or just needs a check up, Qaukertown Veterinary Clinic is the place to go.

About 6 months ago, she stopped eating and was throwing up. The doctor immediately remembered that her kidney values were a bit off when she had been in for the transfusion. We tested her values and sure enough they were off. We put her back in the hospital for 5 days with IV fluids and then brought her home. Her levels went down but never back to normal. Since then we have been giving her fluids daily under her skin and when getting her checked, she has stayed with levels about the same.

About two weeks ago, Skye started throwing up again. We put her back in the hospital for another days, but this time her values did not come down, they actually went up. We brought her home. Within the last week, she has had good and bad days. She will no longer eat dog food but was still eating people food and drinking. She even went to the park on Sunday with me, my son, and the kids. Since then she has not wanted to go out, and now as of today I can not get her to eat or drink anything.

I will see how she is doing when I get home, but although I feel broken hearted, I can not continue to have her sick and suffering. I think I may have to take her back to see Dr Mandy one more time and say goodbye. I have never had a dog of my own in my life this long and had no idea how devestating this can be. Although this is really hard, I am so glad that she has been part of my life. So I just want to say THANK YOU SKYE FOR YOUR UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. i LOVE YOU

Calvin Ruth art exhibit at the Heritage Center

2008-06-13T18:06:12Z

The Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center has recently announced the opening of Quakertown artist Calvin Ruth art exhibit. The exhibit is titled "Local Landscapes" This exhibit will run now through August 31. The paintings will also be available to buy.

Calvin Ruthhas taught at numerous schools, and for over 27 years, he taught at the Quakertown School District. He is interested in history. conservation, genealogy & gardening. Not only does he have fabulous credentials including a Master of fine art degree from the Stella Elkins Tyler School of Fine Arts of Temple University, but he is truly a nice person. I am very proud to know him.

For more information call 215-679-3103 or visit their website at http://www.schwenkfelder.com . Better yet, go out and see the exhibit. The hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am to 4pm; Thursdays from 9am to 8pm; Saturdays 10am to 3pm; and Sundays from 1pm to 4pm.

As always, if you are considering buying or selling a home in the Bucks or Montgomery County Real Estate market, call or email me or Marcie Purcell

I was super meme'd by Brigita!

2008-06-08T16:07:06Z

Thanks to Brigita, I was chosen for a Super MeMe. Here it goes....

1. Who is your favorite Musical Artist?

I actually like quite a few. First of all, I would have to say my absolute favorite is Elvis. I have liked him since I was a little kid. I actually think I like his ballads better than his fast songs. It showcases his voice more. I also like Neil Diamond, the Beatles, Daughtry, Carrie Underwood. Whitney Houston, etc.

2. Who is your favorite Artist?

That is easy.... Thomas Kincaid.

3. Who is your favorite Blogger?

I enjoy reading numerous blogs. There is so much to learn. I have to admit though that I absolutely read anything by Jason Couch, Fran "The Title Man", Brigita, Gita, and Marcie Purcell. I also enjoy listening to and reading Brian Buffini

4. If you could meet anyone (alive or dead) who would it be and what is the most interesting thing about them?

I was going to say John F. Kennedy Jr. or Princess Diana. I think they both would of continued to help the world. But after careful consideration, I would have to say Jesus.

5. What did you want to be when you grew up?

I actually was not sure until I was in my 20s. Believe it or not, I wanted to be a real estate agent.

6. What is the most interesting piece of trivia you know?

I do not know if it is actually trivia, but I just recently found out that for our country to get out of debt right now, everyone would have to come up with $4000.

7. If you could live in any period in History...when would it be and why?

I actually would like to live back in the fifties, although I love the technology of 2008.

8. What is the most interesting job you have ever had?

Real Estate is by far the most interesting. All the clients are different, the transactions are different and there is always something to learn

My last step is to tag some other bloggers to be super meme'd. Here they are:

Marcie Purcell

Fran "The Title Man" Gaspari

Gita Bantwal

Judi Glamb

Renae Bolton

Joseph Michalski

If you like to ride horses or ponies, try Haycock Stables.

2008-06-05T15:45:46Z

If you are looking for something different to do this summer, why not try renting a horse at Haycock Stables? It only cost 30 dollars for each child or adult for a hour, plus a tip for the guide, of course. You would ride around Nockamixon State Park with a guide and your family. If you enjoy the trail ride, you can get lessons by Abe Moore Jr for 35 dollars a hour or in groups of 5 hours for $25 each. He trains English and Western style riding and will teach beginner to advanced. If you love lessons you can buy a horse or pony from Haycock Stables. They get many different horses and ponies each week that go up for sale so there will be a large selection of horses and ponies for sale! There are 3 horse shows at Haycock Stables each year with English and Western classes.

This blog was inspired and written by Gwen, as seen in the photo riding Sparkles. Sparkles is a 13 hands high pony currenty for sale at Haycock Stables.

Newletter article on 7 reasons that now is time to buy

2008-06-03T13:16:01Z

I subscribe to a service from the Gooder Group. They write and supply monthly news letters. If you are interested in receiving my monthly newlsletter drectly delivered to your email or have other real estate needs in Bucks or Montgomery County, please let me know or visit my website http://www.buckspahomes.com

GOOD TIMING
7 Reasons Why Now Is A Great Time To Buy

Now truly is a great time to buy a home. If you--or someone you know--is ready to move up or become a first-time owner, if you plan to stay a few years and you've been waiting for the perfect time to buy--now is that time.

Here's why. Housing cycles cure themselves. Prices soften, inventories rise, savvy buyers snap up bargains, demand increases, and the market returns to normal. As buyers return that demand pushes home prices up and mortgage rates higher, according to housing economists and past history. Higher prices and higher rates mean waiting today costs you more tomorrow.

The secret is to buy while the headlines are gloomy, secure an affordable fixed-rate loan and enjoy the home you want to live in before the advantage of today's market passes you by. By taking a long-term view--as a home investment should be seen--you can weather temporarily lower prices in the area while the market corrects if you buy now with a fixed payment.

Consider these reasons why our experience shows this is a great time to buy:

Take your pick. Gone are the days when there were more buyers in the market than homes for sale. Then, options were few and many buyers felt they had to take what they could get whether or not it was the ideal home for them. Now, the reverse is true: There are lots of homes to choose from, and buyers can afford to be picky. Also buyers are no longer competing with property "flippers" and other investors in the marketplace.
Do your homework. With more properties on the market, buyers no longer feel pressured to put an offer on a home before another buyer snaps it up. Instead of making a decision on the spot, buyers can actually spend quality time visiting several homes and make a decision on their own timetable.
Make an offer. In the sizzling seller's market, buyers were outbidding one another--sometimes offering amounts thousands of dollars above the list price of the home they wanted. Today, buyers don't have to engage in bidding wars and--bonus--they're finding sellers more willing to entertain their offer.
Negotiation encouraged. In the past, many buyers, striving to gain the upper hand in bidding battles, waived contingencies for home inspection, pest, roof or sewer inspections. Sellers were able to sell their homes "as is" to buyers willing to shoulder the cost of repairs. These days, however, more buyers are shopping for warranties and asking for inspections, and, if problems are uncovered, they can reasonably expect sellers to negotiate to get a closed sale.
You can't beat the location. Want to live closer to work? In a better school district? Near the town center? In a larger--or smaller--home? You may be surprised at the abundance of possibilities out there that are a much better buy these days.
Bargains available. Qualified first-time buyers, down-sizers, second-home buyers, rental investors and others can find bargains today--if you know where to look. Bargains are available from owner short sales, lender-owned foreclosures, builder close-outs, executive relocation properties, estate sales, even tax and condemnation sales. If you are looking for a below-market value, we can help.
Affordable payments. Interest rates on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage have been hovering near 6% this year. Compare that to the average interest rate 10 years ago on a 30-year fixed, which was 6.94%; 20 years ago, 10.34%; and 30 years ago, 9.64%. From an historical standpoint, today's interest rates look terrific. Combine low rates with low prices to get low payments, and you know why now is a great time to buy

Market statistics for Quakertown School District May 2008 vs May 2007

2008-06-02T11:26:54Z

Below are the market statistics for the real estate market within the Quakertown School District. This includes Quakertown Borough, Trumbauersville Borough, Mildford Township, Richland Township and Haycock Township. These are for residential properties (no multi units) in between $100,000 and $1,000,000. Overall for the month, ther were 34 units that were sold and settled. The average sale price was $268,402. It took approximately 62 days to sell a home. These statistics are provided through Trend Multiple Listing Service and are deemed accurate but not guaranteed.

Date	Units Listed	Listed Volume	Listed Average	Pended	Units Sold	Sold Volume	Sold Average	Average DOM
May 2008	68	21,069,770	309,849	27	34	9,125,697	268,402	62

Totals:	68	21,069,770	309,849	27	34	9,125,697	268,402	62

Pricing Details of Sold Units for the Date Range Selected

Minimum Prices	Maximum Prices	Average Prices
Original List Price : $149,880	Original List Price: $795,000	Original List Price: $284,076
Sold Price : $133,000	Sold Price: $775,000	Sold Price: $268,402

During May 2007, there were 43 homes sold. The average sale price was $265,067 and it took 65 days to sell. Market is still appoximately the same. We are not in a bad market like other parts of the country. It is a good time to buy.

If you are considering either buying or selling a home in the Bucks County Real Estate market, please call or email us. W specialize in "YOU"

Another home sold and settled by our team.

2008-05-31T11:54:55Z

My team member, Marcie Purcell, Just Sold A Beautiful Townhouse at 1915 Yorktown S in West Noriton. The Price Was $234,900! This Home Is An Amazing End Unit With A Large Deck That Backs Up To Woods, A Wonderful Walkout Finished Basement, A Living Room With A Fireplace, And Two Bedrooms With 2.5 Baths.

Marcie listed and sold their home in Quakertown last month and spent alot of time with the buyers in order to find them their new home. Our team will leave no stone unturned in order to find you a home that you can be happy in. We specialize in "YOU" If you are considering buying or selling a home in the BucksMont area, give us a call.

Home in Doylestown sold and had final settlement by our team

2008-05-31T11:46:13Z

Oops, we did it again. We listed, marketed and sold a home on Maple Ave in Doylestown Boro. My team member Angela Ciliento was the primary listing agent on this cute home.


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MLS #:	5266389
MLS Area:	10108 Doylestown Boro
City/Zip:	Doylestown/18901-4424
Sb/Nb:	Fairview
SchD:	Central Bucks
Ac/Lot:	0.17 / 50X175
Tax ID #	08-010-024

Gar:	Y	Park:	3+CarParking
FamRm:	N	Firepl:	1 Marble
Kitchen:	Eat-In,Electric
Bsmt:	Full,Unfinshd
Wt/Sw:	PublicWater / PublicSewer
Heat:	Oil C/A: N
SoldCn:

StDt:	05/29/2008
Age:	61
Int Sq Ft:	1,152
Taxes:	$2,403
Assn:
Assn$:
DOM:	76

Public Remarks:This charming 3 BR home in Doylestown Boro defines simplified elegance. Fresh and neutral throughout. Richly appointed bathroom. Gleaming cognac stained hardwood floors. Handsome show stopping fireplace. Spacious backyard awaits your barbeque gatherings.

If you are thinking about buying or selling a home in the Bucks County real estate market, please call or email us.

Happy Memorial Day weekend to all!!!

2008-05-23T14:20:30Z

This weekend will be an extended one due to the Memorial Day holiday being celebrated on Monday. Memorial Day weekend is also know as the unofficial beginning of summer, so many families may be going away.

Here is Pennsyvania, we have some nice choices all within a car ride away. You can go up to the Pocono Mountains and perhaps do some boating, fishing, or walking at one of the beautiful parks or lakes. Locally there is Peace Valley Park or Nockamixon State Park. From Bucks County, it is only about an hour drive to get to Beltsville State Park. If you can drive a little longer, you can go to Lake Wallenpaupak, which is the largest lake in the state. If you don't like mountains or lakes, within 2 hours you can be at one of the beaches in New Jersey. Or if you don't want to travel, you can have a cook out at home.

Remember the many Veterans who have give their life in order for us to have the freedoms that we have. Without them, our life would not be the same. We live in the greatest country in the world.

Happy Memorial Day to you and your family. Have a safe, enjoyable holiday!