bucks county: Yeah! My home is SOLD! (Not so fast...) - 07/23/08 11:13 AM
It's one of the best phone calls I get to make as a REALTOR: the call that we've got a deal. It's especially nice to give that news to Sellers, since they're getting beat up just a bit in the current market. Be it a full price offer (yeah, they're … (5 comments)
|
bucks county: "It's Tricky, Tricky, Tricky, Tricky." ~ Beastie Boys - 07/18/08 08:43 AM
My dear Sellers in Bucks County, while educating yourself on how to get a quick sale, you're going to find a lot of articles that tout "creative" ideas for getting your home sold.
Offer the Buyers a Car! A boat! A vacation!
Getting tricky isn't the answer. There are only three … (4 comments)
|
bucks county: Free Summer Fun in Bucks County - Kid's Castle in Doylestown - 07/11/08 01:00 PM
For another of the "Gotta Get Out of the House" days that seem to proliferate my writing, take a trip to Kid's Castle in Doylestown. Located in Central Park on Wells Road, this wonderful park offers all sort of activities: tennis, soccer, picnic pavilions, and walking trails.
The crown jewel … (0 comments)
|
bucks county: Hermit Crabs, Houses, and Happiness - A Parable - 07/08/08 02:50 PM
Once upon a time, there were two relentless children who nagged their mother and father for a pet. They wanted a dog, but since the mother and father had cleaned up as much poop as they intended to clean up in their lifetime, Mother and Father said "No." During a … (5 comments)
|
bucks county: Average Days on Market for Bucks County Jan. through June 2008 - 07/06/08 10:13 PM
"How long will it take my house to sell?"
This is probably the most difficult question for a REALTOR to answer. So many factors play into days on market: pricing, how much competing inventory you have on the market, even seasonal buying trends. However, I've compiled the following data from … (0 comments)
|
bucks county: Free Summer Fun in Bucks County - Free (or Nearly Free) Family Movies - 07/01/08 11:27 AM
I have the best save for all the Moms out there who need a little break this summer. Many area movie theaters are running free or $1.00 movies, which will come in really handy during those "Gotta get out of the house" days where the neverending pleas for "something to do" turn into … (3 comments)
|
bucks county: Things Buyers Will Just Have to Overlook - 06/28/08 08:27 AM
My good friend Kim Brown suggested that I title this post "$%&* Buyers Will Just Have to Learn to Overlook" and add it to my $%&* series, but I'm trying to clean up my image (well, maybe just my language)...So, my previous two posts were some tough love posts for Sellers, outlining … (0 comments)
|
bucks county: The Inspection Series - #5 The Septic Inspection - 06/20/08 07:53 AM
It's the discussion you've all been waiting for! Hold back your excitement, people, today we're talking about
Septic Systems
Fun! A septic system is an on-lot waste water disposal system, meaning everything that goes down a drain: kitchen sink, washer, showers, toilets, goes into the septic system in your back yard. … (0 comments)
|
bucks county: Free Summer Fun - Ringing Rocks - Really! - 06/18/08 01:51 PM
Today, the kids and I visited Ringing Rocks, located on Ringing Rocks Road in Upper Black Eddy, Bucks County. What a neat trip to take! We walked a wooded trail that opened up into a field of boulders. It looks like a hidden lake - of rocks.
Armed with small … (3 comments)
|
bucks county: The Inspection Series #4 - - 06/16/08 09:51 AM
This inspection is usually done when there is a well located on the property. You will have a water testing company come out, take a sample of your water, and test that water for potability. They'll test your water for all the nasties that may be there - choloform, bacteria, and … (1 comments)
|
bucks county: What Buyers DO give a *&%$ About... - 06/12/08 11:27 AM
As promised, here are a few things that Buyers really do care about:
Curb Appeal
The first impression when a Buyer pulls up in front of your home gives them an initial "Ahhh" or "Ewww" to start off the showing. Even if the house is beautiful inside, it's hard to combat … (5 comments)
|
bucks county: Buyers Don't Give a *&%$ About the Following: - 06/06/08 09:14 AM
How much you paid for your house
It has absolutely no impact on the Buyers at all. How much you are making or losing on your house is your problem. Just as a Buyer can't limit your profit, neither is he/she responsible for covering your losses.
How much money you need to … (3 comments)
|
bucks county: Why Wrightstown? The Village Library - 06/04/08 02:01 PM
As a die-hard Wrightstown, PA fan, I'm going to start a series on why you should move to Wrightstown. As a resident, I've got all sorts of goodies to share with you, but I'll start off with this one, because I was there this afternoon and remembered how great it is...
… (1 comments)
|
bucks county: The Inspection Series #3 - The Radon Inspection - 06/04/08 08:15 AM
Radon gas is a scary thing. It's a naturally occurring, cancer causing gas that is odorless and colorless. However, it is an easily remedied problem, with radon remediation typically costing between $1,000-2,000. So, what does a radon inspection entail?A house will be under closed house conditions during the test - no … (0 comments)
|
bucks county: Inspection Series #2 - The Wood Destroying Insect Inspection - 06/02/08 11:23 AM
We're going bug hunting today, people! Most people associate this inspection with termites, although it does look for any evidence of wood destroying insects - there are other insects that attack the wood structures of your home.
An inspector will look for evidence of insect activity. For termites, she'll look for … (2 comments)
|
bucks county: The Inspection Series - #1 The Home Inspection - 05/26/08 09:08 AM
When you write an agreement of sale on a property, there are several inspections that you can elect to have. They are:1. Home Inspection2. Wood Destroying Insect Inspection3. Radon Inspection4. Water Inspection (typically when you have a well on the property)5. Septic Inspection (for an on-lot septic tank)I'll be writing a … (0 comments)
|
bucks county: What to Expect When You're Expecting (A Showing) - 05/05/08 07:05 PM
Because you may only sell one house in your entire life, or at least do it so infrequently that everything changes in the years between sales, I thought it would be helpful to tell you what to expect when your house is being shown by a Buyer's Agent.Your REALTOR will install … (3 comments)
|
bucks county: Do you know what you want? Bet you don't... - 05/04/08 07:54 PM
Did you ever have a mental picture of exactly what you wanted? Maybe it was an outfit, or a piece of furniture, or a computer. The subsequent shopping trip is always a lesson in futility, since you can hardly ever find what you've envisioned in your mind. Shopping for homes is … (2 comments)
|
bucks county: Why You Owe it to Yourself to Get Pre-Approved...BEFORE You Start Looking - 04/29/08 07:41 PM
Just about the most fun you can have is to dive into house shopping on the internet. I'm not going anywhere anytime soon, and every once in a while, I do a quick search and get dreamy eyed and excited about houses that are on the market. It's wonderful - all … (7 comments)
|
bucks county: Ah, Spring! Landscaping Dreams and Rural Delights... - 04/17/08 02:27 PM
It's gorgeous out today. I'm blogging from a back patio that I haven't seen since about September, and listening to the happy sounds of mowers and weed wackers. Spring yard cleanup may be the only time I look forward to manual labor. (I don't shirk it, but let's just say it … (4 comments)
|
bucks county: "How's The Market?" - What's it matter? - 04/02/08 02:08 PM
I've gotten a few emails from potential Buyers and Sellers, and they all want to know, "What do you think of the market?"
I think they should forget about the market, and live their lives.
Do you want to sell your house? Price it appropriately, get it sold, and move on … (10 comments)
|
bucks county: Smart Clients are Always a Joy - 03/26/08 08:54 AM
I've begun working with new clients, and they are a complete joy to work with. Why? 'Cause they're so darn SMART!
Here's a few things that they're doing that are going to pay off for them...big time:
They've decided to sell their home first, then buy. They'll know exactly how much money they … (13 comments)
|
bucks county: Keep Your Money in Your Pocket (Until the Tax Man Comes A'Knockin) - 03/16/08 08:12 PM
Geez, I promised a post on impound free mortgages and never delivered! An impound free mortgage is where you DO NOT escrow your taxes every month with your mortgage company. With the crackdown on lending practices, these may be more difficult to get, but here's how it works:Instead of adding 1/12th … (5 comments)
|
bucks county: But...But...But... or "How Sellers and Buyers Really Come to Terms" - 03/09/08 09:56 PM
I put an offer in on a property in a downward trending market today. I included my comps showing that the price that we offered is fair. It's not a "Seriously? That's the Offer?" offer. It does have a basis in reality. The reality is that prices are eroding in the area, and … (11 comments)
|
bucks county: St. Patty's Day Parade in Levittown - March 15th at 10:30 am - 03/07/08 12:49 PM
St. Patty's Day Parade
March 15th, Starting at 10:30 a.m.
New Falls Road in Levittown
Parade will start at St. Joseph the Worker School and go to Wistar Road
Don't miss this annual parade held in Levittown. Bring a chair, a bag for the candy that's thrown to the kids, and some shamrock headbands (optional, … (5 comments)
|
bucks county: Home Shopping with Kids, or "Ode to the Warriors" - 03/02/08 01:41 PM
Aw, yeah! Time for some fun now! Who here has attempted to house shop with kids along for the ride? (Heather raises hand) It's crazy, and chaotic, and quite frankly - kinda sucks. My husband and I shopped with a wild (like REALLY wild) 2 year old and a newborn and … (9 comments)
|
bucks county: For the Love of a Fixer Upper - 02/27/08 12:20 PM
Oh Fixer Upper House, how you make my heart go pitter pat!
The possibilities are endless, the equity abundant. You've been waiting for me your whole life, and Here I AM!
I'll give you a good scrubbing, painting, carpeting, termite treatment, roof and siding and you'll be good as new. I'll gussy … (7 comments)
|
bucks county: Tax Liens - Is your Mortgage Company Bad Pay? - 02/25/08 07:28 PM
An avalanche of tax liens to hit Bucks this weekThe Bucks County Tax Claim Bureau is expecting to notify over 10,000 homeowners of liens placed on their homes as a result of back property taxes owed. The bureau estimates that 80 percent are a result of mortgage companies rather than delinquent … (0 comments)
|
bucks county: What's a U&O and why do I Need to Pay for it? - 02/20/08 08:44 AM
When selling your home in Bucks County, it's a good idea for you or your REALTOR to call your local township and ask if there is a U&O (Use and Occupancy) permit required for residential resales. Many townships have these permits, and the requirements differ from township to township. The permit … (0 comments)
|
bucks county: The Un-Advertised Open House - 02/17/08 08:33 PM
This Sunday, I held an open house at my listing at 122 Elderberry Drive in Levittown. There was an advertising glitch, and while the home appeared in the paper, it did not print with a recently reduced price, or open house. So, I went on-line only, and posted the open house … (5 comments)
|
bucks county: What a Difference a Cookie Makes - 02/16/08 10:40 AM
I was showing homes on Thursday, and I've come to the conclusion that a cookie can make a big difference. We toured several properties in the same neighborhood. The first property we walked into, the Seller had left a small plate of cookies by the brochures. But it wasn't just the … (3 comments)
|
bucks county: Beautiful 5 Bedroom Home in Pennsbury - Open House Sunday 2/17 from 1-3 - 02/15/08 06:21 PM
122 Elderberry Drive
Levittown, PA 19054
Just Reduced to $275,000
Please join me this Sunday 2/17 from 1-3 and tour this newly renovated home. New features include: Siding, Windows, HVAC, Central Air, Doors, Carpeting, Paint, and Landscaping. The new kitchen features maple cabinets, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, tumbled marble backsplash, and tile floor. … (0 comments)
|
bucks county: Prepare for the Weekend Open Houses in Bucks County! - 02/15/08 02:45 PM
OK, ready, Homebuyers?
We're doing Guerrilla shopping on Sunday at Open Houses!
Step 1 - Print out a list of open houses in your price range/area. How do you find them before Sunday? Check out www.realtor.comand look for homes that have "Open House" on the tag. Ask your agent to run … (0 comments)
|
bucks county: Where my Girls At? - 02/07/08 07:38 PM
According to the National Association of Realtors 2007 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers for Pennsylvania, 21% of home Buyers were single females.
Girl Power! (Or is it Grrrl Power?)
Here are a few things to consider when purchasing a home:
Single or condo?
A single is a good choice if you are up … (4 comments)
|
bucks county: January 2008 Market Stats for Residential Real Estate in Bucks County - 02/03/08 10:38 AM
According to TReND, our local multiple listing service, below are the market statistics for residential sales for January 2008, as compared to the 2007 figures:
1149 Homes Currently Listed (Down 47 homes compared to 1/2007 figure of 1196)
$448,000 Average List Price (Up $35,000 compared to 1/2007 figure of $413,000)
313 Homes Settled (Sold) … (0 comments)
|
bucks county: 7 Creative Ways to Appeal to Buyers - 02/01/08 08:53 AM
7 Creative ways to appeal to Buyers:
Pay points on the mortgage to reduce the interest rate on the loan.Pay closing costs to reduce the money a Buyer needs to bring to settlement.Pay the taxes for the year to give the Buyer a year of no tax escrows in their monthly payment.Pay … (0 comments)
|
bucks county: "What's that smell?" and 4 other things sure to run off Buyers - 01/29/08 02:48 PM
Five of the quickest ways to drive Buyers out of your house... 1. Cooking smells, including: tuna fish (blech!), bacon, garlic, deep fry oil, etc. If you can still smell it after you've cleaned up, you shouldn't be making it while the house is on the market. Coffee and cinnamon buns? … (7 comments)
|
bucks county: Prepare for Remorse! - 01/29/08 08:29 AM
I caution all my Buyers:
When you tour the home - you'll love the house.When you put the offer in - you'll love the house.When you're negotiating the offer - you'll love the house.When the offer gets accepted - you won't want the house.I caution all my Sellers...
When you have your house … (1 comments)
|
bucks county: What are Your Pricing Cues? - 01/27/08 06:07 PM
Below are two pricing cues that I use to gauge my pricing on listings in Bucks County, PA. In general, I think these are good guidelines to follow for Bucks County. All real estate is local, however, and these standards may be atypical of other areas. But for Bucks County, I look … (0 comments)
|
bucks county: What to do to Keep Your Transaction On Track - 01/25/08 09:17 PM
In my last posting, I warned against some things that implode transactions. Let's take a look at some things that keep transactions on track and moving forward:
1. Follow up. My motto is "I trust everyone to do their job. I just call a lot to make sure." Follow up on your … (0 comments)
|
bucks county: Open House in Levittown 1/27 from 1-3 - 01/21/08 02:49 PM
122 Elderberry Drive
Levittown, PA 19054
$280,000
This gorgeously renovated 1,600 sf home features 5 bedrooms, 2 full baths, formal living room, and great room. Packed with high end fixtures and features not often found at this price-point, this is truly the cream of the crop.
The kitchen features maple cabinetry, granite counters, 16 … (0 comments)
|
bucks county: The 10 Minute Staging - 01/21/08 02:11 PM
I'm baring my soul (and my kitchen) below. How you live in your house, and how you sell your home are two different things. I took pictures of my kitchen exactly how it looks after a frenetic weekend with the kids, and a hectic morning getting them all off to school. … (6 comments)
|
bucks county: What NOT to do in a Real Estate Transaction - 01/19/08 09:43 PM
There are several things that you can do to implode your real estate transaction (whether buying or selling). Here they are: 1. Work with the wrong people. There are many people who have a hand in getting you to the settlement table, including, but not limited to: REALTOR (R), home … (0 comments)
|
bucks county: How to Better Weather the Real Estate Storm in Bucks County... - 01/09/08 11:01 PM
There was an interesting article on MSN Money regarding twelve principles which make a house somewhat "Recession Proof." You can read the article here. If you're looking to purchase, now is a really good time to actually take a look at factors that negatively impact property value, and buy a home … (0 comments)
|
bucks county: Strategies for Short Days on Market - 01/08/08 08:47 PM
My last few listings have had well under the average days on market (the last two were sold in under 30 days). While I don't have a magic bullet, I do have some smart, common sense strategies to get your home sold fast.1. Pricing is key. KEY. You want to have … (1 comments)
|
bucks county: Should I Stay or Should I Go? - 01/04/08 02:04 PM
If you have a property to sell before you buy, many Sellers in Bucks County struggle with whether to buy or sell first. Ideally, you can coordinate the settlements back to back and there is no difficulty in getting the proceeds of your home sale to move forward with your purchase. … (0 comments)
|
bucks county: Why it's OK to Sell Your Home in a Down Market - 01/02/08 11:22 AM
As prices fall, many homeowners are deciding to stay in their homes until the market recovers. However, if you are planning to buy up (move up to a higher price range), it's really ok, and in fact may be a smart move, to move in this market.
Say what?
Although you may have … (0 comments)
|
bucks county: Photos Make a Difference in Your Home Sale - 12/31/07 08:25 PM
Anyone who has been searching online knows the truth in this - pictures matter. We've all seen the terrible house photos: pictures of a bedrooms showing only the bed (Hey, nice linens!), or pictures of the bathroom with the toilet seat up (Gross. Seriously.), or pictures that are blurred, or pictures … (1 comments)
|
bucks county: Great home in Pennsbury School District/Bucks County - 12/12/07 06:17 PM
I have a fabulous new listing in Lower Bucks County. It's a huge 5 bedroom/2 bath home in Pennsbury School District. Newly renovated, it features new: kitchen, baths, windows, siding, doors, HVAC (electric heat pump/Central air).
Check out the website below, and make sure to take the virtual tour (the link … (0 comments)
|
;)
Links;)
Tags (Tag Cloud);)
Archives
