John & Sheri Curci's Blog

There is still a growing Market in the Philadelphia neighborhoods that Surround Center city. What’s also an advantage to the Home Buyer is the 10 Year Tax Abatement the can be applied to New Construction or Rehabbed homes that are 95% or more renovated.

You as a Home Owner could save Tens of Thousands. The Ten Year Tax Abatement is also transferable to the next Buyer, should you decide to Sell before the ten Year Period expires or also Assume the Sellers remaining Abatement Period.

Some Neighborhood Areas that are improving and taking advantage of this Abatement are;

1. Phila Art Museum Area

2. Olde City

3. Northern Liberties

4. Fishtown

5. Port Richmond

6. Temple University Area

7. Drexel University Area

8. Graduate Hospital Section

9. Center City

Just to Name a Few.

For More Detailed info?

John + Sheri Curci RE/MAX Properties Newtown

1-866-473-6290 - www.HomeCatch.com

Advice from the Big Guy!

John & Sheri Curci (RE/MAX Properties Ltd) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 07:20:03 -0800

Billionaire Says Now is Time for Residential Investments

Television interview with Warren Buffett

Feb. 27, 2012

By MortgageDaily.com staff

The Oracle of Omaha says that now is the time to invest in residential real estate.

A little more than five minutes into a CNBC interview, Warren Buffett said that single-family homes are a good investment.

"If I had a way of buying a couple hundred thousand single-family homes, and had a way of managing -- the management is enormous, is really a problem because they're one by one, they're not like apartment houses -- but I would load up on them," the billionaire said. "I would take mortgages out at very, very low rates.

"But if anybody's thinking about buying a home, five years ago they couldn't buy them fast enough because they thought they were going to go up."

Buffett noted that borrowing at today's low interest rates is a way to "short" the U.S. dollar since borrowers can get a fixed rate for 30 years and just refinance if rates happen to go lower.

Sheri Made the Papers.... Made the Papers.....

John & Sheri Curci (RE/MAX Properties Ltd) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:13:41 -0800

Sheri Curci + Her Buyers made the Front Page of the Bucks County Courier Times last Sunday Feb 12th 2012 ,

In the Real Estate section Titled "Finding + Buying a Home Together Takes Effort"

Check out our last Sundays Bucks County Courier Times front page Real Estate Section Article. "Finding + buying a home together takes effort"...

or click the link below to view the Article....

http://www.homecatch.com/prepare_120

We are polished for your Needs + We can make you feel very confident in the Move.

Feel free to give us a confidential call?

We can provide out of state referrals to other licensed Realtors too!

All the Best John Curci www.HomeCatch.com

Toll Free 1-866-473-6290 or Direct 215-757-2889

Whats the Buzz on B of A ?

John & Sheri Curci (RE/MAX Properties Ltd) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 20:48:36 -0700

I'm hearing through the Grape Vine that B of A is backing out of the Residential Mtg Industry?

Does any one have any truth to this rumor?

John

Good News on a Spring Market

John & Sheri Curci (RE/MAX Properties Ltd) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 19:28:33 -0700

According to the lastes Spending + Savingtracker from American Express....

More than 41% of Americans said its a good time to Buy. On the other hand....61% agree that a seller's market is at least a year away. Hmmmm Buy Low.... Sell High?

I personally see a small surge of purchase, but we as a Country still need an expanding Productive USA JOB MARKET!

All the Best John Curci RE/MAX Properties. HomeCatch.com

Phila / Bucks County Pa from TREND MLS Percentages.. Looower than Nat Avg.

John & Sheri Curci (RE/MAX Properties Ltd) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 23:37:18 -0800

2/14/2011 ID# 3323 Souteastern Pa, NJ, + Delaware

The Number of distressed Sales within TREND'S coverage area in 2010 remained MUCH Lower than the Nat avg. According to Stats released by NAR. 33% of all sales nationally were considered distressed, which includes bank owned Properties, or REO's + Short Sales.THAT is MORE than DOUBLE the Number of distressed sales in TREND.....Hmmmm

Of the 53,597 sales in TREND, 8,422 of them or 15.7% were considered to be either bank owned properties or Short Sales.

Counties withHIGHEST Rates of REO's in 2010 Counties with HIGHEST Rate of short Sales in 2010

Kent County DE- 16.5% Burlington County NJ - 8.9%

Phila County PA- 15.8% Mercer County NJ- 8.6%

Salem County NJ- 14.2% Camden County NJ- 8,4%

Counties with theLOWEST Rates of REO's in 2010 -- Counties with the LOWEST RATE of Short Sales in 2010

Chester County- 5.5% Berks County PA- 2.8%

BUCKS County- 6.2% Philadelphia County PA - 3.4%

Montgomery County- 6.2% Delaware County PA- 3.5%

Location Location Location! Location, Location, Location

John + Sheri Curci - Serving Philly, Bucks + Montgomery over 15 Years.... one yard at a time...

www.HomeCatch.com

New Listing near Temple U

John & Sheri Curci (RE/MAX Properties Ltd) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 15:31:08 -0800

Polished Plank Hardwoods, Ten Foot Ceilings, New Kitchen + Baths with a Fenced Yard and a Rock Solid Foundation too!

http://www.homecatch.com/property_5831894

SHORT SALE Help

John & Sheri Curci (RE/MAX Properties Ltd) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 14:01:43 -0800

Formally, Sheri + I have been handling the continuing saga of dealing with the poor communication performance from the Banks/Lending Institutions with the repeated duplication of the paper process, redundant phone calls to banks clerks, and the endless cracks + pitfalls from sloppy recording on the Banks end of completing a Short Sale transaction. ( Actually it should be called a LONG SALE :) So.... we have discovered that their are legal firms that are Specializing in the necessary C + D evils of a short sale process. THIS is GREAT! The cost is accepted by the Banks if you get these Short Sale representing Companies in the mix of the transaction at the Beginning of getting Authorization to represent your Seller/Client. Some firms even provide FREE legal advice to your Seller too! Now Sheri + I can continue to do what we do best...... Sell Baby Sell!

Rates R Climbing....Buyers beware!

John & Sheri Curci (RE/MAX Properties Ltd) — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 21:11:30 -0800

Hello all..... well as you experienced Agents all well know.... Its traditional for rates to inch up in the start of the Spring Market.

What's different in this Spring Market are the conditions needed for Mortgage commitment for Buyers.

We see that Wells Fargo is easing up on needed Fico scores from the Buyers, but there are caveat's for the Buyers to get approval with Ficos under 600's.

So..... we are finding that 1st time buyers may be better off with local lenders instead of dealing with the Big 4 when it comes to getting approved.

Hey Big 4..... Wake Up!

We just closed 3 deals with out you!

Energy Star + LEED (Leadership in Energy + Enviromental Design Udate 2-1-2011

John & Sheri Curci (RE/MAX Properties Ltd) — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:13:47 -0800

Hello All,

Sheri + I went to a Energy Star / LEED updated meeting for the 2011 Residential Code Compliance Training in the Phila Naval Yard in Phila Pa, Sponsored by the MaGrann Co.

Most Home Owners can save 10- 30% on their annual home energy bill + lower the environmental impact at the same time.

In Pennsylvania, there are options available to help PAY for qualifying improvements under the KEYSTONE HOME ENERGY PROGRAM.

Visit www.keystonehelp.com for more information on this program.

Also for Builders in New Construction... The Energy Star Energy Code Compliance Certification for 2011 guidelines will become more cost effective for compliance in construction permitting. Builders can see the breakdown at http://www.MaGrann.com that have offices in PA + NJ. or call 1-888-macgrann.

some of the Steps/Process that MacGrann gets you eligible for certification is...

1) Thermo graphic Envelope testing, Infrared non-invasive look at insulation effectiveness.

2) HVAC Performance - evaluate airflow, pressure, duct leakage, + room by room distribution to identify problems + maximize efficiency + performance.

3) Air Filtratration + Whole House Testing- Blower Door Testing determines the tightness of the building envelope + identifies air sealing opportunities. Zonal Pressure testing helps identify issues related to specific areas of the home.

There are deadline dates required for the different Energy Star Versions mandated by the EPA.

Hope this can Help us in the Residential Industry

Thanks John + Sheri Curci www.HomeCatch.com

Dont Forget the VETS!

John & Sheri Curci (RE/MAX Properties Ltd) — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 19:44:34 -0800

Please Keep in mind when you have a Vet for a client....

what they do to Serve our Country's Security and the Family Sacrifices that they make.

VA Loans are easy to process and dont forget the 100% financing and NO monthly PMI..... Awesome for the troops.

Bring em Home to a Home

John + Sheri www.homecatch.com

Quality solutions for finishing tips on Kitchens and Baths

John & Sheri Curci (RE/MAX Properties Ltd) — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 18:33:51 -0800

We all know that what really sells a home is Kitchens and Baths. This area of repair can also soak up your budget too!

So... a few ideas are small and inexpensive improvements such as Painting + Refinishing the tubs, sinks cabinets and counter tops with enamel paints or veneer countertops. Dont forget to regrout your tile on Kitchens and Shower areas.

Did you know that your shower area gets hammered with approx 85 Gals of water pressure every 5 minutes. No wonder its a an annual maintenance.

All the Best, John @ HomeCatch.com

Some Economic Update- from Wells fargo Senior Economist Mark Vitner

John & Sheri Curci (RE/MAX Properties Ltd) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 23:26:26 -0800

Distressed Home Sales are still Increasing

Sales of Existing Homes rose 12.3 % in December 2010 which was well above expectations.

Gains were broad based with increases in single family + Condo sales

Distressed transactions however still account for a significant portion of total sales at 36%

which is an increase from 33% in November

Investors accounted for 20% of transactions.

All-cash sales also remain elevated at 29%

Over supply of existing homes remains a challenge

Single Family inventories fell

At the current rate of sales, it would take 78 months to clear the supply of homes.

In the coming months existing home sales should continue to increase modestly as private sector employment growth accelerates.

SO....... We need internal infrastructure jobs back in our country and decrease the out sourcing.

Build, Buy + Sell American!

LETS GET IT STARTED IN HERE !!!!!!

John & Sheri Curci (RE/MAX Properties Ltd) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:02:17 -0800

When You Bring You Buyer To one of our HOMECATCH open houses........

Simply have your Buyer Show your Agent Business Card + your REGISTERED......

Simple as That..... We Honor all our Hard Working Agents.

Http://tiny.cc/homecatch

www.HomeCatch.com

STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS TONIGHT WITH OBAMA!!

John & Sheri Curci (RE/MAX Properties Ltd) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 23:50:33 -0800

IF he does what he says on rebuilding our infrastrusture + BRING THE JOBS BACK HOME + Tax the top 1% a 3% Tax increase...

I see a good desire coming back to Middle Class.

Write to your Congressperson and UNITE. Thx J C www.HomeCatch,com

Attention CUSTOMERS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>UPSIDE DOWN WITH YOUR HOME?

John & Sheri Curci (RE/MAX Properties Ltd) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 23:41:11 -0800

UPSIDE DOWN WITH YOUR HOME?.... YOU'RE NOT ALONE..

If you're getting financially squeezed between your income and your homes negative value ..... you may want to think about a Short Sale before you go into Foreclosure.

If your mortgage payments are becoming too steep in comparison to your income then you may want to think about a short-sale rather than waiting for foreclosure. You don't have to be late on your payments to start this Short Sale alternative option

Always seek financial advice before choosing an option, and if you do not qualify for re-financing then a short sale is advantageous to both You + Your Lender.

John + Sheri can navigate you through the complexities of a Short Sale 1-866-473-6290

Banks are accepting lower FICO Scores from Buyers

John & Sheri Curci (RE/MAX Properties Ltd) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 23:15:56 -0800

FHA lowers credit scores This is great news, and may help past clients for whom were told - could not get approved! Here again are some general guidelines: FHA guidelines for lower credit scores: 580 - 599: max financing - 95%500 - 579 : max financing - 90%All the down payment monies, must come from "own" fundsMax of: 3% seller assistIf computer "approves" loan - 31/43 max ratio'sIf computer "refers" loan - 31/36 max ratio's + 2 months reserves will be needed To fully ensure these loans are going to be approved we suggest: 1. meeting with buyers face to face 2. well document why have credit issues 3. fully gather their income and assets information 4. send file to underwriting for a complete credit approvalIf we follow these steps it will assure all that these more challenged credit buyers will get approved

Nice Short Sale in Bucks County

John & Sheri Curci (RE/MAX Properties Ltd) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:13:43 -0800

http://activerain.com/listings/PA/Bucks%20County/Fairless%20Hills/19030/308-andover-rd

Plenty of time to work with third Party.... seems cooperative.

In an area of 200k + valued homes

Thx John + Sheri www.HomeCatch.com

Middletown Twp in Bucks County Pa trying toreturn the Use + Occupancy Certifications

John & Sheri Curci (RE/MAX Properties Ltd) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 23:48:49 -0800

Update for Middletown Twp Bucks County Homeowners Use & Occupancy Cert

The Township Meeting was December 6th and thanks to all the realtors that came out, Middletown is now reconsidering bringing back the Mandatory Use & Occupancy for all resales. Remember if you are not grandfathered in, your finished basement without the right size window to egress or not having a walk out basement, could fail you if you ever go to resell your home. This now is on the table for renegotiations. Thanks to everyone who turned out.

In response to a very strong turnout of REALTORS at last night's Middletown Township Meeting, the recently proposed "Rental and Housing Inspection" ordinance has been tabled. Middletown Commissioners have requested that the township manager and director of licenses and inspections work with the estate community to create an ordinance that is acceptable to both REALTORS and Middletown.

THANK YOU to each of the REALTORS who were in attendance at last night's meeting. Your comments and presence made a big difference and will help us in our effort to improve the ordinance.

We will keep you posted about progress toward an agreement.

Jamie

SUBURBAN REALTORS ALLIANCE

Banks are accepting lower FICO Scores from Buyers

John & Sheri Curci (RE/MAX Properties Ltd) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 21:40:33 -0800

Wells Fargo looks like the first to reduce acceptance of lower Fico scores for Buyers .... In three years the Banks are easing up on the squeezing of a good Buyer. Check out this Link http://www.homecatch.com/prepare_94

John + Sheri www.HomeCatch.com

Wow we did it!

John & Sheri Curci (RE/MAX Properties Ltd) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 21:04:25 -0800

Hello fellow RE/MAX Associates... I am offering 30% referrals to Our fellow Pros! Fell comfortable in sending us your referrals.... Know they are being served by one of the TOP 20 Agents in the South Eastern Pa Region. We were recently awarded this position by RE/MAX Intl for 2008.... Now I need to reset the Goal Line... Happy Holidays to All.. John & Sheri Curci- RE/MAX Properties- Serving Philly & Bucks County Pa.

Looking to fill One Desk with One Good Agent

John & Sheri Curci (RE/MAX Properties Ltd) — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 15:24:47 -0700

Well, you hear about the market getting slow....but I am fortunate that we will be needing One good Agent to serve the Philadelpgia Area.

We are currently interviewing for a Top Gun who will follow up on our leads!

Shoot me an e-mail- HomeCatch@verizon.net

Thanks John Curci