Create an Action Plan for an Easy Move.

Chip Plumley

Prudential Fox & Roach REALTORS^®

The key to an easy move is careful planning. There are many action items that need to be taken prior to the move all the way up to the actual day the first box is loaded on the moving truck. Take time to write down and organize the decisions and activities that will need to be accomplished prior to the move such as securing a mover and changing your address. Ideally, you should try to break up the tasks over a two-month period. By doing so, you won’t overload your schedule, plus it can save you time and money. To get you started, consider using the checklist below as a guide.

Eight Weeks Prior
ü Get estimates from at least three professional movers. If you are going to do it yourself, get estimates on rental trucks.
ü Decide which furniture and household goods you’ll be taking, which needs to be disposed and which needs to be replaced.
ü If you will be moving to a new city, contact the Chamber of Commerce of that town for a new residence packet. Your sales professional may also have information.

Six Weeks Prior
ü Inventory your possessions besides furniture – kitchenware, decorative items, electronics, apparel and so on.
ü Complete a change of address form with the post office. This can be easily done online at www.MoversGuide.com for a minimal cost of $1. Make sure you notify organizations, credit cards companies, and publications to which you subscribe of your new address, too.
ü Obtain copies of all medical, dental, legal, accounting and veterinarian records.
ü If children are changing schools, arrange for transfer of educational records.
ü Itemize moving-related costs with the mover including packing, loading, special charges and insurance.

Four Weeks Prior
ü Make arrangements for packing your belongings. If you will be using professionals, schedule with the company for packing to take place a day or two before the move. If you will handle packing on your own, purchase adequate boxes, packing materials and tape.
ü Arrange for short-term or long-term storage if needed.
ü Make travel arrangements for pets including necessary medical records, immunizations, medication and so on.

Three Weeks Prior
ü Begin packing items you won’t need immediately or that will go into storage.
ü Contact utilities on both ends of the move to order termination or turn-on for occupancy date.
ü Confirm travel arrangements for family and pets.

Two Weeks Prior
ü Terminate newspaper and other delivery services.
ü If necessary, arrange and confirm new bank accounts and local services in your new neighborhood.

One Week Prior
ü Gather important papers, records, and valuables for protected shipment to new home or safe deposit box.
ü Obtain any prescription medications needed for the next few weeks.

Day Before or Actual Moving Day
ü Defrost refrigerator/freezer and give away all perishable food.
ü Keep a box marked “Last Box Packed/First Box Unpacked” for tools, flashlights, first aid kit and so on. On moving day, this should be the last box placed on the truck.
ü Pack items to carry with you such as valuables, financial records, personal papers and so on.
ü Give the movers a telephone number and address to reach you.

To be sure, a detailed action plan can get your move well down the road before you ever depart to your new destination.

Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635. Prudential Fox & Roach is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

ChipPlumley.com

1000

Resolve to Get Your Home Documents Organized.

Chip Plumley

Prudential Fox & Roach REALTORS^®

As a homeowner, you begin to accumulate all sorts of records and papers the moment you made the offer on your home. Loan documents, inspection reports, title insurance policy, home improvement receipts, appliance warranties are just a few of documents that you may at one time or another need. Would you be readily able to locate these items? Are they filed away or in different junk drawers around the house? Knowing where these items are can save you a lot of time and even money in the long run.

Consider investing in a record-keeping system. It doesn't have to be expensive. You can purchase an accordion file and label each flap with a different category. Then use the following tips as a guide to get started.

Contracts and Legal Papers
Keep all the papers signed and/or given to you at the closing together in one place, preferably in a safe deposit box. These documents include the deed, settlement statement, appraisal, disclosures, mortgage note, inspections and any other reports, and title insurance policy. You will need these records again if you decide to refinance or sell your home.

Insurance Policies
Keep a copy of all insurance policies relating to your property together. This may include homeowners, flood and earthquake policies. With these documents, keep a list of insurance agents or companies and copies of correspondence related to claims.

Purchase and House Data
It's also a good idea to keep a copy of the original listing of your house, comparable market analysis, floor plans, blueprints, and historical information. If you own a newly built home, keep a list of contractors and material suppliers as well.

Property Taxes
Keep your tax bills and record of payment for as long as you own the home and possibly even longer. You may need these items if your tax returns are ever audited.

Home Maintenance and Improvements
Records in this category include receipts for repairs or replacement expenses, names of contractors, contracts, and a log of maintenance tasks.

Warranties, Manuals and Receipts
These documents provide you with a proof of purchase date and determine service and parts guaranteed. In addition, the manuals usually provide care information so you can help ensure your household appliances are being properly maintained. You should keep your warranties, manuals and receipts for these items for as long as you own the appliances.

Home Inventory
If you were ever to lose any of your possessions due to fire, burglary, or vandalism, having a home inventory can help you avoid a lot of heartache and make it easier when filing an insurance claim.

Start with a sheet a paper for each room in the house. Go around the room and list every item. Don't forget the attic, basement or other storage places. For each item, write the original cost, purchase date, replacement cost, model number, brand name, where purchased, and a general description. You can also use a computer software system so that you have an electronic copy.

Besides a written inventory, take photos or video of each room for visual documentation. It is also a good idea to arrange valuable collections, silver, jewelry, etc. and take close up photos.

Keep a copy in your home files and the originals in a fireproof safe or safe deposit box. Make sure you update your home inventory photos and list at least once a year.

Organizing your home files may take a considerable amount of time initially, but it will definitely be time well spent in the event you need the documents later on.

Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635. Prudential Fox & Roach is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

ChipPlumley.com

1005

How Does the Escrow Process Work?

Chip Plumley

Prudential Fox & Roach REALTORS^®

One of the stages of the home buying process is escrow. This process begins when the offer is accepted and ends once the financing is approved and the buyer and seller have fulfilled their requirements. So how does it work?

A neutral third party agent of the principals-buyer, seller, lender and borrower-is designated the escrow holder. This agent assists with the transfer of ownership by ensuring that the terms of the transaction are completed including safeguarding all funds (including the buyer's deposit) and documents.

The escrow holder keeps track of obligations of the seller or buyer. For example, if the seller is required to supply a termite inspection, the escrow holder will make sure it is fulfilled before any funds are transferred to the seller. Findings in the termite inspection report must be corrected on or before the close of escrow.

In addition, the escrow holder receives from the title company a complete ownership history of the property and any liens on record in the preliminary title report. Any discrepancies that affect the condition of the title, such as condo liens, judgments, etc., against the buyer and seller, must be addressed prior to close of escrow.

The escrow process can last any number of days depending on what is agreed upon between the buyer and the seller. To assure a timely closing, it is important that each party provide the escrow holder requested information as soon as possible. For example, a lender will not fund a new home without a homeowner's insurance policy. Without the lender's verification that there is insurance, the escrow process may be delayed. An unsecured source of funding, such as a personal check can also delay the process, because it takes longer for those types of funds to clear.

The escrow process is just one step towards fulfilling the dream of homeownership. Your real estate professional can provide more detail on the escrow process, as well as answer other questions you may have about home buying and selling.

Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635. Prudential Fox & Roach is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

ChipPlumley.com

1003

What's the Role of a Title Company?

Chip Plumley

Prudential Fox & Roach REALTORS^®

Title companies provide title insurance services to buyers, sellers, lenders and developers, essentially anyone who has an interest in real estate. Services vary throughout the country, depending on local practices and laws. In many states, title companies handle escrow as well as perform and insure title searches. A title search involves searching public records to ascertain if the seller has the legal right to sell the property. In other states, attorneys conduct title searches.

Title companies conduct a chain of title, which is a review of the owner history of the property, checking for who purchased the property, who sold it, and when. They perform judgment searches to determine whether there are any general liens against the property, as well as tax searches to verify the present status of taxes.

Some title companies conduct on-site inspections to verify lot size, the location of improvements, and evidence of unrecorded easements.

They issue a "Commitment of Title Insurance" to lenders after completion of the title search and they receive instructions and documents for the closing. Title companies also prepare a final Settlement Statement.

If it acts as the escrow holder, the title company receives a buyer's earnest money, which is deposited in an escrow account until the closing, or final settlement.

As a neutral third party agent of the principals-buyer, seller, lender, and borrower-the title company helps with the transfer of ownership by ensuring that the terms of the transaction are completed. This includes safeguarding all funds (including the buyer's deposit) and documents. Once all the details have been settled, the escrow holder disburses the funds and documents to the appropriate parties.

Another important role of the title company is to issue title insurance. Although a title search is conducted, it's nearly impossible to guarantee a title is clear of hidden defects, such as mistakes in interpretation of wills and other legal documents, impersonation of the real owner, forgery, missing heirs, falsification of records and confusion stemming from similar names. Title insurance guarantees the title as reported.

Should hidden defects surface at any time challenging an owner's rights, the title company will defend the title, in court, if necessary, and cover the owner's losses up to the full value of the policy.

Indeed, a title company can be crucial to the process of buying a home, so select a company that's known for service. If you need a recommendation, talk to your real estate professional.

Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635. Prudential Fox & Roach is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

ChipPlumley.com

1002

Wow, What A Site!

YOU ASKED FOR IT AND NOW YOU HAVE IT!
Best of all, IT'S FREE!

www.ChipPlumley.com

My new website offers exclusive features including;

· Active & Sold Property Searches:
Ever wonder what your neighbor's home really sold for? Did you see a new home for sale on the way to work? Now you can get all the information about any property whether it's residential or commercial.

· MLS / IDX Searches with built-in Google Map Search:
Why spend your time searching the internet and making phone calls to real estate offices for more information? Now you can get the same detail as every other real estate agent would get from the MLS.

· Property Watch:
Save Searches, Favorites and even get email notification for new properties for sale.

· Google Live Street Views:
Go right to the street level and look all around the neighborhood, just as you would if you were walking up and down the street.

· Microsoft Virtual Earth:
Up to date aerialviews from satellites. Zoom all the way down to the roof tops!

· Guided Virtual Tours: Take a peek inside every home before you see it in person.

· Open Houses:
Search every open house offered by Prudential Fox & Roach, including our Open House Extravaganza on 3/22/2009.

· Free Custom Reports and Blogs:
I will post weekly Blogs to help answer all of your real estate questions. The site will have free report, news updates and tips.

· SO MUCH MORE:
I will be continually updating the website, keeping you informed of important matters such as the $8,000 1^stTime Home Buyer's Credit.

I understand having high standards in today's on-demand world. That's why my site employs the most current technology to make it a powerful partner for both potential homebuyers and sellers.

I'm working hard to bring innovative tools and information to you on the web. I hope you'll take a few moments to see what the website has to offer. If you have any real estate questions whatsoever, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Chip Plumley, REALTOR

"Oh, by the way, I'm never too busy for your referrals!"