Preparing Your Home for a Successful Open House.

Chip Plumley

Prudential Fox & Roach REALTORS^®

Buyers are drawn to homes that appeal to their senses. This is important to remember when preparing your home for an Open House. Through sight, sound and smell, buyers should leave your home with a lasting impression. Here are some tips to showcase your home in the best-possible light.

Exterior
Start outside by inspecting the front of your home from across the street. Does it have curb appeal? It should look inviting, with a trimmed lawn and flowerbed and a freshly painted front door. Polish door handles and knockers and replace worn items such as a rusty doorbell. Consider adding a new doormat and flowering plants at the entrance. Do the windows need cleaning? Be sure to remove oil stains from the driveway.
Next check the side and back yards. Add some flowering plants to the back as well. Rearrange the outdoor furniture to look inviting. Put away gardening tools. Tidy around the grill area.

Interior
Now focus on the inside of the home where cleanliness, space, smell and lighting are key. First, get your house in tip-top condition by cleaning and clearing away clutter. Steam clean and vacuum the carpet. Make sure your floors are waxed and shiny. Touch up nicks on walls and make sure the porcelain sinks and tubs and metallic fixtures shine. Your kitchen and bathrooms should pass the white glove test. Be conscious of any lingering odors such as smoke, pets or strong-smelling foods. You may need to air out your home prior to the Open House. Consider grinding fresh lemons in the garbage disposal or even baking chocolate chip cookies. And don't forget to empty all trashcans.
Next, set the mood. You want buyers to be able to picture your home as their own. Consider rearranging the furniture so that rooms look more spacious. Add accessories from rooms with too many furnishings to those that appear bare. Look at your countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms and the tops of your bureaus. Do they seem cluttered? Clear away and store as much as possible. The idea is to make your home appear spacious.
Lighting is also an important factor in creating an inviting atmosphere. Bright lights provide a cheerful environment and make a small space appear larger. Pull back all the drapes and open the blinds. Turn on all the lights. Make sure all the light sockets have working bulbs and install the maximum-wattage bulb that is safe for that fixture. For rooms that you want to have a warm, cozy feeling, use softer lights.
Don't forget little touches such as fresh flowers, lighted candles in the bathrooms, new logs in the fireplace, or a bowl of fresh fruit on the kitchen counter. You may even want to set your dining room table with color-coordinated table settings.

An Open House is a terrific way to show your property to many people in a short amount of time. However, keep in mind that buyers may see seven or eight homes in a single day. The most memorable home will be the one that seemed the brightest, the most spacious and the most cheerful. So, don't rely on buyers to use their imagination. Help them capture it. Work with your real estate professional to get more tips on creating an unforgettable home.

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

1006

Why A Condo May Be Right for You

Chip Plumley

Prudential Fox & Roach REALTORS^®

An option often overlooked by those desiring homeownership is purchasing a condominium or condo. But, the traditional detached single family home is not the ideal situation for everyone. For those just starting out, affordability may be an issue. An empty nester may want to downsize and not have the hassles of yard work and other maintenance. Or it can simply be that the traditional family home doesn't suit your lifestyle.

When you own a condo, you own the title to the space within the walls of your living quarters. Common areas such as hallways, roofs, parking lots, green areas and pools are shared with the other owners in the complex. The more common type of condo is the apartment-style, in which you may have units on either side of you and above and/or below. However, there are other styles. There are units that are designed more like townhomes, with single or multiple levels and one or two common walls with neighbors. You may even find a condo in a building that was a multi-unit apartment converted to condo units.

Condos are attractive to many buyers because they offer them a chance to own their residence and build equity at what is usually a lower cost than a single-family detached home. Of course there are exceptions, such as the luxurious condominiums that many developers are building in downtown and affluent neighborhoods.

One factor to consider is that condominum owners generally must pay a condo association fee monthly. These fees defray the cost of maintenance, repairs and upgrades to the community's common areas as well as the cost for the services of a property management company.

However, if you would rather spend your free time doing something besides mowing the lawn, painting the outside of your home, or waiting at home for the pool maintenance person, then a condo may be for you.

Other advantages of owning a condo are the amenities that may be part of your complex such as a pool, tennis courts, fitness center or clubhouse. These are some of the perks you might not be able to afford or even have room for if you were to purchase a single-family home.

Of course, as with all things, there are some disadvantages to owning a condominium, such as the lack of privacy that a single-family detached home affords. You are also confined to the rules and laws of the community association, which can run the gamut from how to display a satellite dish to the type of animals you can keep.

Is a condo the right living arrangement for you? Make an informed decision by weighing the pros and cons. Talk with a real estate professional who is familiar with condominiums and the laws that govern them. Preview the various condos in your area to get an idea of how the properties are run. If your real estate professional has sold condos in any of these complexes, find out the type of feedback he or she has received from clients.

Condo living isn't for everyone, but can be an attractive option for those who want to own instead of rent.

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

Do-It-Yourself Moves Not For You? Hire a Professional

Chip Plumley

Prudential Fox & Roach REALTORS^®

Moving into a new home, but don't want to handle the job of packing or transporting your belongings yourself? Then consider hiring a professional mover. Using the services of a professional can allow you to use your time and energy concentrating on other aspects of your move.

When selecting a mover, make sure that you choose a reliable and reputable company. Ask your real estate professional, neighbors, family and friends for a recommendation. In addition, check with your local Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complaints against the moving company.

Once you have narrowed down your selection, ask the following questions:
•· How long has the company been in business?
•· Is the moving agent certified?
•· How long has the estimator been in the industry?
•· Is the company insured? Do they have worker's compensation? If not, and one of their workers is hurt in your home, you may end up having to not only pay for your move, but their medical expenses too!

Next, get an estimate for the costs of the move at least eight weeks before your move. For local moves, your costs are usually based on the number of movers and truck multiplied by the number of hours. For long distance moves your costs are charged mainly on the weight of your items and the distance they need to be moved. In both cases, there may be additional components that will factor into the costs.

To get a more accurate estimate, have a representative from the company come to your home to take an inventory of your belongings. Be prepared to give a description of your new residence. Are there stairs or any restrictions?

Get a written copy of the estimate with the costs components detailed out. Examples of moving cost components are packing (labor and materials), special handling of antiques, art and other fragile items, transportation charges, additional insurance while in transit or storage, and accessory charges including number of stairs, distance from the truck to home, ease of entry, etc. Getting a written estimate does three things. First, it will alleviate any surprise charges after the move is complete. Second, it protects you from a would-be unscrupulous vendor trying to understate costs to get your business. And lastly, in most cases a mover can only collect within a certain percentage of the estimate on delivery.

After you have an estimate of costs, schedule a move date no less than two weeks before the move. However, the earlier the better, especially if you are moving during the busy season, May to September. If your move is across states, you may need to plan extra days into your move. This is because most companies' rates on interstate moves are based on fully-loaded trailers. And unless all of your household goods fill the trailer, there may be other household shipments on there as well, so you have to be flexible on the dates for both loading and delivery.

Make sure the mover gives you an estimated time for arrival so that you can have someone at your new destination to receive your items, otherwise your items will be placed in storage and you will have to pay for storage and for redelivery.

Using professional movers can take the stress out of moving day, but make sure you do your homework first.

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

1006

Selling Your Home In Today's Market.

Chip Plumley

Prudential Fox & Roach REALTORS^®

The media has been full of stories about the slowing housing market - and although this kind of market normalization is commonplace in the real estate industry, there is no question that in many parts of the country, houses are currently on the market a little longer and there is more competition for buyers.

Hire a Professional
If you want to sell your home fairly quickly, now is not the time to go at it alone. You want to make sure that your home gets the maximum exposure and the best marketing strategy. When you work with a qualified real estate professional, your home will be listed on a MLS database that other real estate professionals can access. In addition, you get the benefit of an experienced marketer and negotiator who is familiar with real estate issues in your community.

When selecting someone to represent you, interview at least three real estate professionals who are familiar with your area. Ask questions such as: How will your home be marketed to reach the greatest number of buyers? What price can they get for your home? What's the average time their listings have been on the market? They should be able to back up their answer with a Comparative Marketing Analysis and provide the names of two or three of their most recent sellers who you may contact for a reference.

Price It Right
A house priced at just below market value piques the interest of real estate professionals and buyers, while overpricing chases them away. If your home is priced too high, interested buyers may never even tour your listing. It is true that you can always drop the price, but the first 30 days are the most critical. That is when interest is the highest, and it can be difficult to recapture people's interest later on. The longer the property is on the market, the fewer the prospects.

Get Your Home In Show-Condition
Get your home in tip-top shape before any potential buyer views it. Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Get rid of the clutter. Touch up the paint where needed. Clean the carpet. Consider having your home inspected, and make any recommended repairs. (If there are any repairs you decide not to fix, inform the buyers about the condition of your home and discount the repair cost from the selling price).

Curb Appeal
Don't overlook the outside of your property. You don't want a buyer to rule out your home based on the outside appearance. The lawn should be trimmed, bushes and shrubs pruned, and leaves raked. The front of the house needs a clean, fresh appearance. Even the mailbox needs to be attractive and functional. (Believe it or not, a rusty, unhinged mailbox can turn potential buyers off.) And don't forget to put away bicycles; toys and other items that may make your property seem cluttered.

Offer Incentives
Offering incentives can be just the impetus a potential buyer needs to select your property over others. You may want to consider offering a carpet or paint allowance. If the buyer knows up front that there is an allowance for the worn carpet or paint, they may overlook those cosmetic flaws in order to choose their own color. You could pay for a professional home inspection or a home warranty - and, depending on your market and budget, offer to pay some of the closing costs.

Don't be discouraged if there are competing homes for sale in your neighborhood. Making the right moves at the beginning of your home selling process can give you the upper-hand you'll need in today's competitive market.

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

Choosing Retirement Living That Fits Your Needs

Chip Plumley

Prudential Fox & Roach REALTORS^®

For many, retirement is a time when people shift priorities and put their own needs first. One of the most important choices they need to make is where to live in retirement. Choosing the right community and home is an important and challenging decision.

Ask yourself, do you want to:

•§ Remain in the home you occupied before retirement?

•§ Remain close to your present community, but move to a different home?

•§ Move to another county or state, or to a different climate?

•§ Move into your present vacation property?

Where to Live
If you lean toward moving to another region, start reviewing options based on general climate, seasonal changes, lifestyle, and proximity to family and friends.
For example, the Southeast is becoming a popular destination. It has more temperate climates than the Northeast, and golf and outdoor recreation are abundant. The region offers a wide range of living environments from which to choose: coastal, mountain, woodland, rural, and both planned and urban communities. But, while Florida has almost year around sunshine, the Carolinas offer seasonal change.
Many people choose to live where they play. If finances allow it, some may consider the owning two or more homes so they can change their address along with the seasons. This is one of the reasons why second home sales have increased dramatically over the past few years.

When you've narrowed it down to a few possible destinations, compare them on the basis of these factors:

Financial

•§ Estimate the income you'll need to retire in that area

•§ Evaluate your resources and tax consequences

•§ Speak with your financial advisors about how long your retirement resources can last in any given area

Housing

•§ Research average home sale prices and cost of living in areas you like

•§ Factor in costs such as property taxes and utilities.

Climate

•§ Review summer and winter comfort factors, such as high temperatures, humidity, or snow and ice.

•§ Look at psychological factors such as excessive cloudiness or rain or fog.

Personal Safety

•§ Research violent crime and property crime rates in areas you like

•§ Find details in the FBI's Crime Index, and local police departments.

Services

•§ Investigate the supply, availability, and quality of health care, public transportation, and continuing education in each area.

Employment

•§ Evaluate the potential for pursuing a part-time or full-time second career.

Leisure Living

•§ Find out if the area offers the variety and quality of restaurants, cultural events, and recreational activities you want

When researching your options, you may want to start with the Internet, where there is a wealth of information. Other resources include your local library, trade associations such as the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), local organizations in the areas of interest, visitor bureaus, Chambers of Commerce, local newspapers and vacation guides.

Retirement can be the best time of your life. Be sure to plan it wisely.

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

1004