For those who have never seen what a home inspection is, I thought it might be fun, to actually watch some elements of a home inspection, as it is taking place.

I followed a home inspector, Vince Tecce, of the Building Inspector of America, while he inspected a lovely, older home, in Arblorlea, which is a very charming, tree lined street, in Lower Makefield Township, Bucks County.

Click here to watch video and read entire article!

As we approach the heart of the spring season, especially in light of the tax credit, which requires that a contract be in place by April 30th,  one of the most important factors that we can track, to see whether there are any changes in the market, is inventory.  I observed in previous posts, that inventory levels were shrinking in most markets in Bucks County.

I just did an updated review of inventory levels for both Newtown (18940) and Lower Makefield Township (19067), and tracked both a 7 day as well as 90 day inventory review. 

To read entire article including charts, please click here!

I saw a video the other day, done by a local agent, promoting all the reasons that sellers should hold open houses, as an effective marketing tool.

I was asked to do a video that explains the real reasons that agents hold open houses, and to explain why I generally do not think that they are very effective, as a marketing tool.

To read entire article along with video, please click here!

Another in a series of statistical look at the real estate market, this time in Lower Makefield Township, in Bucks County.

I love this very simple to follow chart that we put together, that shows the average price of a home in Lower Makefield, starting in 2000.   This is really easy to follow, and shows very clearly, what the price appreciation and/or depreciation, has done each year.

To see the entire article including chart, please click here.

My most recent video rant, about sellers who make it difficult to show their home. 

Had a buyer today, who is very motivated.  House is sold, and they need to find a home in Yardley, Newtown or close by, by the end of March.  Had 7 houses to show them today. 

Sellers of 4 houses of the 7, decided that this was a bad weekend, bad time, bad morning, bad afternoon, bad month....you get the idea.  Here is a memo to sellers.  No one will buy your house, unless they are allowed in to see it.  I realize that it is not fun, to sell your house.  Why not price it right, make sure it shows as well as possible, improve the condition, wherever possible, and encourage showings.  That way, you won't prolong the agony. 

As a postscript, to my video rant, the buyers did find something they liked, and we wrote an offer.  To the 4 sellers who were too busy, they lost a chance with a very motivated, and realistic buyer.  Is it any wonder that homes are often on the market for months and months and months.

As always, let me know your thoughts.

To view this video click here!

Those who know me, know that I really enjoy working with first time home buyers.  I think I have always been a frustrated teacher. I miss the days when my kids were younger, and I was involved in coaching all of their sports. Over the years, I coached softball for girls, baseball, basketball, soccer and tennis.

When working with first time home buyers, I feel like I am teaching. I especially love making first time home buyers, comfortable with the entire home buying process. I love their excitement, as well as their questions. They are so appreciative, and that makes me feel really good about what I do.

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Winter Festival 2010 is upon us! This year it starts on January 23^rd and goes through January 31, 2010.

There are many of your old favorites along with what will be come your new favorites this year.  The Chili cook-off, the Winter Festival Concert (XPN Welcomes Daniela Cotton), and the Parade, but look for some new and updated offerings such as the Taste of Winter Fest and the Photo Tour.

You will have the opportunity to visit over 30 free events as well as 5 ticketed events. For a complete listing of events and to learn more, click on Events on the Winter Festival site.  Tickets are currently on sale for all of the ticketed events - click on the Tickets link on the Winter Festival site to purchase.  Most events sell out in advance, so be sure to get your tickets early.

To read the entire article click here!

Whenever I put a house on the market, one of the first things we schedule, is an open house for realtors, called a brokers open house.  I created a short video, showing what goes on, at a typical brokers open house.

Realtors attend brokers open houses, so that they are familiar with what is on the market.  Often they are trying to determine whether a particular house will suit the needs of their client. 

My brokers open houses are generally catered, but will always include food.  We invite realtors to join me for lunch, while previewing the house.  This strategy ensures a strong turnout.  Realtors love to eat, and I find that the better the food, the more people come.  The interaction with agents, gives me a good opportunity to get a sense from other realtors, about their reaction to the price, and also to get feedback about any suggestions for improving the way the house shows.  I can often get a very strong indication, just from the brokers open house, whether or not it will take a long time for the house to sell. 

Click here to read entire article!

Pretty much everyone has a cell phone these days. However, I received a note today, from a client of mine, with information about 5 things a cell phone can do, that some of you may find really helpful. Most of these, I was not aware of. Here goes:  

1. Emergency

According to the information I received, the Emergency Number worldwide, for cell phones is 112. If you find yourself out of coverage and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the cell phone will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you. This number can even be dialed if the phone is locked.

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I represented a seller on a house that closed in Lower Makefield Township, recently, that was heated with oil, and had a tank burried in the ground.    I advised the seller, over a year ago, to have the tank removed, prior to listing the house.    

 If you are not familiar with the possible complications of having an oil tank in the ground, you probably wonder why I would suggest that.  The answer is that if oil gets into the ground, it creates a potentially very difficult and expensive, enviornmental issue.   I preferred that the seller deal with the tank, on their own terms, and without the pressure of trying to meet a buyers demands.  

  So, we received an offer on the house, and as part of the home inspection, the buyer included a soil sample to determine whether there was any indication that there was any oil had escaped into the ground.  This is the test that is most often used, to determine whether there are issues, and whether further remediation is necessary, once the tank is taken out of the ground.  Years ago, there was a pressure test that was used, but that test posed some risk that the test itself, could compromise the tank. 

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