Some Good News for 2010 - 12/30/09 08:55 AM
 Some Good News for 2010
  
In a bit of good news for the housing industry, a recent survey shows that more U.S. employers plan to hire full-time employees in 2010 than in 2009.
 
According to a Reuters news article, CareerBuilder.com's nationwide survey of hiring managers indicated that 20 percent of employers plan to add jobs this year, up from just 14 percent in 2009. And just 9 percent plan to cut jobs in 2010, compared to 16 percent last year, according to the report.
 
Experts point to unemployment as a primary drag on the overall economy's health, so … (5 comments)

Why Your Credit Score is Even More Important - 12/28/09 12:47 PM
Why Your Credit Score is Even More Important
  
Fannie Mae announced this month that it was raising its credit score requirement for borrowers, even if they have 20 percent as a down payment.
 
Fannie Mae is the government-sponsored entity that purchases loans from banks, making it the leader lenders follow when it comes to home-loan rules. It was announced that even with a 20-percent down payment, borrowers will now need at least a 620 credit score to qualify for a loan. This is up from a 580 score.
 
While it shouldn't come as any surprise that standards are … (1 comments)

"Buying a Home? Time for Negotiation Boot Camp" - 12/28/09 10:07 AM

Via Melissa Zavala Realtor® North San Diego County Homes (Broadpoint Properties):
This morning while I was having my first cup of coffee, I got on the Internet to see what was going on in the world. On the home page for msn, one of the main articles was/is entitled: "Buying a Home? Time for Negotiation Boot Camp."
The article provides some tips and tools in a clever style where a drill sergeant bullies a home buyer into understanding the best tactics to take when buying a home.
While very general and not neighborhood or market specific, this article does present a few … (1 comments)

Exterior Remodeling Best Bang for Your Buck - 12/23/09 10:18 AM
 
The U.S. National Association of Realtors recently released its annual "Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report,"and renovations this past year did not bring the bang for their buck they did in 2008, according to the report.
 
The average remodeling job cost $50,908 in 2009 and added $32,497 to the value of the home, a ratio of 63.8 percent, according to the report. That was down a bit from a cost-to-value ratio of 67.3 percent in 2008, when the average project was $49,866 and the added value was $33,568.
 
Of course, these figures are to be taken with a grain … (2 comments)

You must make purchases you know you can afford when times are not-so-good, too - 12/15/09 11:27 AM
A Lesson from the Dubai Crisis
  
If you've read any news reports about the debt crisis state-sponsored Dubai World is going through, you've seen the pictures.
 
The pictures that accompany almost every news story are of Dubai's man-made islands, shaped like the seven continents. They have been the subject of cable TV documentaries. They are a symbol of the excess that has led to Dubai's dilemma.
 
Built during a commercial real estate boom there, the islands were built largely with borrowed funds. The parent company of the islands, in fact, was the Dubai World subsidiary that was among … (5 comments)

Don't Postpone Joy! - 12/09/09 10:27 AM
Maybe you've heard of H. Jackson Browne. He's an American author who's probably best-known for his "Life's Little Instruction Book," which spent about two years on the New York Times best-seller list.
The book is a compilation of little quotes, tidbits of advice and sayings Browne originally put together for his son when he went off to college. Tiny pieces of it have been excerpted and turned into a poster -- a motivational-type piece you might see in a doctor's office or a classroom.
Some of the instructions on the poster aren't anything super-deep -- "Have a dog," "Say Hello to a stranger," … (4 comments)

Pending home sales up for ninth straight month - 12/08/09 09:43 AM
Pending home sales up for ninth straight month
  
The National Association of Realtors last week announced that U.S. pending home sales were up in October for the ninth straight month.
 
The NAR's Pending Home Sales Index tracks the number of signed contracts each month, providing a forward-looking glance at home sales. The index was up 3.7 percent from September.
 
Many would be quick to attribute the jump to the first-time home buyer tax credit that originally was set to expire at the end of November. However, NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun pointed out that pent-up demand is also … (2 comments)

Holiday Home Safety Tips - 12/03/09 08:37 AM
Holiday Home Safety Tips

It goes almost without fail: Each holiday season, you're likely to read a news story or watch a television report about some kind of house fire.
 
The U.S. Fire Administration reports that, on average, there are 128,700 in the United States each December, accounting for an average of 415 deaths and 1,650 injuries.
 
The leading cause of structure fires is cooking, with 41 percent of house fires involving a mishap in the kitchen. Aside from holiday chefs, however, there are other culprits to watch for holiday fire hazards. Here are the recommendations from the … (3 comments)

What's In Store for 2010 - 12/01/09 09:59 AM
The first time home buyer tax credit has definitely brought buyers into the market and has helped keep the inventory down.  In fact, last year first time home buyers made up 52% of the market up from the usually 40% they made up in years past.  So, the extension of the tax credit and the new $6,500 tax credit for buyers who have lived in their homes for 5 consecutive years out of the last 8 should continue reducing the inventory which in turn helps to stabalize prices.  However, the one concern that many economists have is will there be a … (1 comments)

 
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Dale Cosack

Newtown, PA

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Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors - Newtown

Address: 677 S. State St., Newtown, PA, 18940

Office Phone: (215) 860-4067

Cell Phone: (215) 499-7682

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Updates on the Bucks County Condo & Townhome Communities on a regular basis as well as updates in Newtown Borough where I was raised.


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