tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22225324271123871362012-02-10T22:12:27.664-05:00My real estate blogs are to help home sellers, buyers and owners.Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.comBlogger1681100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-4853572677738909162012-02-08T09:00:00.000-05:002012-02-08T09:00:12.663-05:00Today’s housing market makes it tougher to get the price for a home and, often, sellers can’t wait around while their homes are on the market. They may have a new job in a different location, may have already bought their next house or need to move to their new location so the kids can start at their new schools. <br /> <P>If sellers already have a new home, it’s likely that they’ll take all their furniture and leave the property empty during selling process. The U.S. Census Bureau’s most current data shows that more than 2.2 million for-sale houses in the U.S. were vacant in 2008, and that number has risen over the last few years as more homes fell into foreclosure or short-sale status.<br /> <P>Yet it all comes down to perception for buyers, who understand that vacant homes can suffer from a wide variety of ills due to neglect and deferred maintenance. Moreover, vacant houses pose unique challenges for showcasing and selling because many buyers cannot see beyond an empty home. They’re looking to buy a “home,” as opposed to a “house,” and without furniture, wall art, rugs, lighting and décor, there are few emotional connections. <br /> <P>Plus, with no furnishing to focus on, a potential buyer will be on the lookout for imperfections, such as floor scratches, nail pops, chipped grout and other imperfections. <br /> <P>The easiest fix for a vacant home is to bring in a home stager, who can give the property a comfortable, lived-in look, enabling potential buyers to better visualize how they would use the home. <br /> <P>When a home buyer perceives flaws and can’t see a home’s potential, there will be fewer offers, greater price reductions, more days on the market, higher carrying costs and less profit. <br /> <P>A vacant home can also hurt your negotiating power. If buyers know that you are already out and most likely paying another mortgage, they will figure you are more motivated to sell and will likely present a low-ball offer.<br /> <P>By staging a vacant home, you will create a proper vision for the property and achieve a quicker and hopefully more profitable outcome.<br /><br /><br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"></span><br /></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span><br /></div><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />BRER Affiliates Inc. Used under license with no other affiliation with Prudential.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-485357267773890916?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-36181946363955585862012-02-01T08:00:00.000-05:002012-02-01T08:00:15.772-05:00One of the most in-demand requests that real estate agents are getting from those looking for new homes concerns home theaters, or at least the space to add such a multi-media room. <br /> <P>With home-theater technology evolving and prices lowering over the last decade, the concept has evolved from luxury to near necessity for many households. It’s the place where the family comes together to be entertained, and is the most occupied room in the house after the kitchen and family room. It’s become the focal point for entertaining and showcasing expansive, crystal clear flatscreens and impressive components. It’s why many homebuyers are looking for houses with home-theater spaces or extra rooms to create one. <br /> <P>Real estate experts agree that home theatres add value to a home. According to the Home Builders Association, most new homes with a $250,000-plus price come with a home theater or media room.<br /> <P>“Home theater is a way for the homeowner to bring all these cool new pieces of technology together and fit them seamlessly into their lifestyle,” said David Start, vice president of Sacramento, Calif.-based theater-furniture manufacturer California House. “You have Apple, Netflix and now Amazon—all these big tech companies with really fantastic products. Home theater allows you to integrate these products into the way you live.”<br /> <P>There are several ways one can make the home theatre room more appealing prior to showing a home.<br /> <P>Start by cleaning all surfaces, keeping wiring as discrete as possible and storing electronics that may look sloppy due to wires or size. Also, although having lots of seating space is practical in a media room, it may be a good thing to reduce the number of sofas to give a spacious look to the room.<br /> <P>“I think a media room does add value, however, it is truly a personal preference based upon what the buyer wants and/or is looking for in a home,” said Teresa Cwik of Showcase Staging Houston, Houston, Texas. “I have seen a lot of these rooms staged and in my professional opinion I believe the room should be staged with appropriate media room furniture, such as theater seating.”<br /> <P>There are a number of smart furniture choices to make the room look better and create the movie environment that so many desire. <br /> <P>“Customers are looking for furniture that will present their TV in style while concealing many of the other components—DVDs, gaming consoles, speakers—neatly out of sight,” explained David Adams, marketing director for home-theater furniture manufacturer BDI of Chantilly, Va. “Unique features that are integrated into better home theater furniture include hidden wheels, flow-through ventilation, adjustable shelves, built-in media or speaker storage, and integrated cable management systems.”<br /> <P>Indeed, we’re in the golden age of gadgets and components. Rooms focused on technology can be just as appealing to today’s home buyer as a large bathroom or walk-in closet.<br /><br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"></span><br /></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span><br /></div><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />BRER Affiliates Inc. Used under license with no other affiliation with Prudential.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-3618194636395558586?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-5859295151265700432012-01-25T08:00:00.000-05:002012-01-25T08:00:12.623-05:00Past and current military personnel looking for financing in today’s more stringent mortgage environment can take advantage of the VA loan program, which has been available for more than six decades to help members of the military own their own homes.<p><br /> The program, established in 1944 as part of the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, is available for any individual who has served in active duty in any branch of the U.S. military for a minimum of 90 days.<br /> </p><p>“The beauty of this loan is that it allows financing without requiring a down payment,” said Eric Kandell, founder of lowvarates.com. “It also doesn’t allow the mortgage lender to charge the veteran private mortgage insurance.”<br /> </p><p>A VA loan does require the borrower to pay a one-time funding fee on their purchase, which can be paid up front or financed into the total cost of the loan. The funding fee for regular military members is 2.15% of the loan. Reservists pay a fee of 2.40%.<br /> </p><p>Non-active duty personnel, such as individuals in the Army Reserves or National Guard, may apply for a VA-backed mortgage provided they have completed six years of service. Spouses of deceased or missing military members are also eligible if they have not remarried. Those who were dishonorably discharged from any military branch are not eligible.<br /> </p><p>“I’ve closed more VA loans in the past two years than in the past decade,” said Steve Thorne, area manager for First Financial Services, Inc. in Raleigh, N.C. “It really is a great benefit to the veteran in the ‘New Mortgage World.’ The key to getting more veterans to take advantage of this benefit is simply an awareness of the benefit.”<br /> </p><p>Statistics provided by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs show that roughly 25 million people are eligible for a VA loan yet only 10-15 percent of those have taken advantage of it when buying or refinancing.<br /> </p><p>One reason is that for many years leading up to the mortgage crisis, there were many conventional mortgage products that were easier or more economical to the veteran than the VA loan. <br /> </p><p>“In the wild, wild west of mortgage lending from the early 2000s to 2008, 100% financing was common,” Thorne said. “So why pay the VA funding fee just to have 100 percent financing? Not to mention the VA control of the appraisal process, understanding residual income and all the additional disclosures. It was just a more cumbersome process then the ‘come on down, everybody gets a loan’ of the conventional arena.”<br /> </p><p>Many veterans, especially those not so recently discharged, aren’t sure of VA loan benefits or that the program even exists. With the VA loan the veteran can buy a home with little to no money out of pocket.<br /> </p><p>“In the past, veterans were told about other financing on the market and people were more inclined out of ignorance to use non-VA loan financing,” Kandell said. “[The VA loan] is a great loan and you are going to see a massive shift in numbers going forward.”<br /> </p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Talk to a mortgage representative for more on VA financing.</span><br /></div><p><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"></span><br /></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span><br /></div><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />BRER Affiliates Inc. Used under license with no other affiliation with Prudential.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-585929515126570043?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-52032362074961980022012-01-18T08:00:00.000-05:002012-01-18T08:00:03.781-05:00The U.S. Green Business Council recently reported that single-family homes are responsible for a little over 20% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. By living in a green home, people can help reduce the causes of climate change and studies show that more homebuyers are looking to purchase homes that have eco-friendly features.<P><br /> “We put out a homebuyer and seller survey annually and studies show people are more interested in buying green improved homes,” said Michelle Wardlaw, Public Affairs Associate for the National Association of Realtors. “NAR research has consistently shown that there is a considerable growing market for green homes. Many of the consumers today, we find, want homes that are sensitive to the environment.”<br /> <P>Many who think about going green in a home envision solar panels, but those aren’t the best investment for everyone. With solar panels, a home must be in an area with sufficient sunshine and it must be in a location that is eco-friendly minded. <br /> <P>“Solar Panels require an up-front investment but because they are clearly visible from the street they are likely to command a price premium,” said Matthew E. Kahn, Professor at UCLA Institute of the Environment in the Department of Economics. “In preliminary work using data on home sales in Sacramento County [California] I have found that with all else being equal, that homes with solar panels sell for a 6% higher price.”<br /><br /> <P>If you were selling a home in the Midwest, that probably wouldn’t be the case. <br /> <P>While solar panels are clearly seen by a potential homebuyer, this can be the tip of the iceberg in determining whether a home can offer energy efficient savings.<br /> <P>“While a potential buyer will notice whether the home has a swimming pool or a great kitchen, the home’s energy efficiency and ‘greenness’ is harder to see,” said Kahn. “The seller who owns such a home should recognize this point and make his home’s green features well known.”<br /> <P>There are more inexpensive things a seller can do to make their home green prior to putting a house on the market.<br /> <P>Justin Barnes, a policy analyst for the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, said the easiest green fixes deal with appliance replacements.<br /> <P>“There are all kinds of incentives for these and that makes a home attractive,” he said. “Other measures are cost effective and advisable as well, such as replacing windows and doors and finding ways to insulate the home more effectively.”<br /> <P>Some upgrades have more appeal and return on investment than others. Energy-efficient appliances can reduce monthly utility bills, tankless water heaters mean less time and water wasted waiting for water to warm up, and replacing old furnaces can lower a heating bill.<br /> <P>These eco-friendly upgrades may not be a top priority for most buyers, but when pointing it out, you can pique their interest.<br /> <P>“In terms of resale price maximization, the best green initiatives to help sell hinges on whether potential buyers value energy efficiency and are aware of the home's energy efficiency,” Kahn said. “If the seller believes that his home is highly energy efficient due to his past investments and the architecture of the home, then the seller should produce 12 months of past electricity bills to signal to potential buyers that the home has this added bonus.”<br /> <P>Remember, anytime you need to replace something in your home, it’s an opportunity to make an eco-friendly choice, which can help in the resale value later on.<br /><br /><br /> <br /><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"></span><br /></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span><br /></div><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />BRER Affiliates Inc. Used under license with no other affiliation with Prudential.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-5203236207496198002?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-90072424909449280012012-01-16T09:13:00.001-05:002012-01-16T09:13:31.096-05:00<div align="center"><em><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">2011 Real Estate Market Year In Review<br /></span></strong></em></div><em><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"></span></strong></em><p style="text-align: center;">ALL REAL ESTATE MARKETS ARE LOCALIZED!</p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">ARE WE REALLY IN A RECESSION STILL?<p></p></div><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chester County<br /><br /><br /></span><span><span style="font-style:italic;">Settled Units</span><P><br /><br />Year over Year was down 3.5%, a difference of 12 homes, but only down 1.9% for the entire year!<BR><br /><br />That's only 79 less homes sold the entire year and remember the tax credit boosted sales in the beginning of 2010. So being down only 1.9% is actually not bad at all!<BR><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Total Settled Volume</span><P><br /><br />Year over Year is down 10%, a difference of $12M, and only down 4.55% in 2011. $1,457,716,000 in total sales for 2011, which is down $69,418,000.<BR><br /><br />7 months showed an increase in prices but because of that tax credit, April, May and June hurt the overall yearly amounts. September and December were the only other 2 months that had declines which has been the case since 2006.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><p></p><p><br /><br /></p></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">New Castle County</span><P><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Settled Units</span><BR><br /><br />Year over Year is up 19.8%, an increase of 67 more homes, and up 4.25% for the entire year. 174 more homes sold in 2011 than 2010.<p><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Total Settled Volume</span><BR><br /><br />Year over Year is up 8.7% but down 6.84% over 2010. $928,952,000 worth of homes sold in 2010 compared to $997,137,000 in 2010. $681,850,000 difference over 2010 but the 2010 tax credit had a lot to do with the decrease in sales volume. There was a decrease in sales volume for the first 6 months of the year and again April, May and June were the biggest sales dollar losers. Just the opposite of 2010 where the last 6 months of the years were all down.<br /><br /><br /><br /></li></ul><p>I strongly urge you to take a look at the reports straight from TrendMLS (the area's Multiple Listing Service) and determine your own opinion of what the market is truly like. The numbers speak for themselves!</p><p>Please click on your County below for the detailed PDF of your market area. REMEMBER that some of the numbers before June are skewed because of the Federal Tax Credit offered in the first 6 months of 2010.</p><p><br />Interest rates are starting to climb a little. A 30 year fixed rate is about 3.875% and a 15 year fixed rate is around 3.375%. There is a possibility of getting a lower rate with points too. Great time to buy and sell!</p><p><br /><a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/MarketHistory/Market_History_Chester_SingleFamily.pdf" target="_blank">Chester County</a></p><p><a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/MarketHistory/Market_History_Delaware_SingleFamily.pdf" target="_blank">Delaware County</a></p><p><a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/MarketHistory/Market_History_NewCastle_SingleFamily.pdf" target="_blank">New Castle County</a></p><p><a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/YTDMarketSnapshot/2011_12_YTD_Market_Snapshot_SingleFamily.pdf" target="_blank">Tri-State Area Year-To-Date Market Snapshot</a><br /></p><p align="center"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span></p><p> </p><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/V8h5B129qJk" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe></div><p></p><p align="center"> </p><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-9007242490944928001?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-46991592451934959462012-01-11T08:00:00.000-05:002012-01-11T08:00:06.051-05:00Today’s home buyers are often thinking about a home’s technology advantages as much as they are its floorplan, square footage and location. <P><br /> A recent survey by the Consumer Electronics Association of real estate agents showed that home-theater systems, home security systems, home automation management systems and energy management systems are selling faster than they ever have.<P><br /> “There is a strong relationship between home technologies and the real estate market,” said CEA’s Rhonda Daniel in a recent press release. “While the market needs to recover before home technologies play a more important role in home sales, the industry can help prepare real estate agents to be comfortable in discussing these types of systems with their clients.”<P><br /> According to the survey, the number of real estate agents who have been involved in buying, selling or showing a plugged-in home equipped with technology has risen greatly during the last two years. Those showing established systems such as monitored security were calculated at 93%; home theater or home theater-wired systems were 89%; home automation and management systems were 54%; and energy-management systems were 51%.<P><br /> The survey also shows that 68% of REALTORS® believe home technologies will play a more important role in the success of home sales within five years. “Manufacturers and electronic systems contractors should be laying the ground work now to take advantage of the eventual upswing in the real estate market,” Daniel said. “Educating rREALTORS® on the benefits, value and functionalities of installed technologies now will demonstrate that the CE industry can be a trusted partner to equip them with knowledge.”<P><br /> Nearly two-thirds of real estate agents surveyed offered that their clients are excited to see technologies in homes. That means current homeowners looking to sell should consider upgrading their home with some sort of home technology system.<P> <br /> “The ideal goal for the consumer electronics industry is to have knowledgeable real estate agents who are excited and open to promoting technology as a selling feature of homes,” Daniel said. <P><br /> A less expensive way to appeal to technology enthusiasts is to simply make sure there are enough outlets, cable lines and phone jacks at the ready so that someone coming with their own equipment will have an easy time installing them. A home with only one outlet in the family room or media room and no place for a fiberoptic line to be added can be a turnoff.<P><br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Thinking of the future may help you sell your home faster in the present.</span><br /><br /> <br /><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Happy Holidays!</span><br /></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span><br /></div><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />BRER Affiliates Inc. Used under license with no other affiliation with Prudential.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-4699159245193495946?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-78064587268057530262012-01-04T08:00:00.000-05:002012-01-04T08:00:15.708-05:00With winter weather gripping most of the country the fireplace takes on greater importance in the sale of a home.<P><br />The National Association of REALTORS® recently conducted a survey that found nearly two-thirds of homebuyers had a fireplace on their wish list. The fireplace has become a coveted amenity and homes boasting this feature see its benefits during resale.<P><br />“The fireplace is a focal point when people come to see your home,” said Hillary Staats, an interior designer for Sanctuary on Church in Vienna, Va. <br />That’s why it’s important to make sure that the look of your fireplace has been updated and is working properly. An older looking fireplace that seems an eye-sore can be easily updated. <P><br />“There is a lot you can do to enhance the fireplace before a sale. A lot of times, if it has older brick, I will re-stone a fireplace. Other times it could be as simple as changing mantels, adding a fancier screen or placing a beautiful piece of art above it.”<P><br /> Transformation materials that are inexpensive and easy to work with are tile, manufactured stone, granite, marble and wood. Sometimes even painting over old, ugly brick will make a huge improvement. <P><br /> “A masonry fireplace can really set a home apart from the rest and significantly improve resale value,” said Larry Kett, owner of Kett’s Hearth and Home in Grand Rapids, Mich. “Adding a mantel also helps. An engaging fireplace and mantel can provide grandeur for an otherwise ho-hum room.”<P><br /> Keeping the mantel clean and uncluttered is also a must. “You want the fireplace to look inviting but not cluttered, so keep the mantel clear of all photos and knickknacks,” Staats said. “It’s fine to decorate with accessories, but they shouldn’t distract from the fireplace itself.”<P><br /> If you want to add a fireplace to improve your home’s resale value, consider an electric fireplace as it’s often the least expensive option and reasonably easy to install.<P><br /> Gas fireplaces are more common today and easy to use, plus they can be installed just about anywhere. There is no need for a chimney, wood or even matches with this type of fireplace and there is no mess to clean up either. Ceramic log kits are efficient and look like the real deal, without ashes to clean up. <P><br /> Finally, regardless of the season, a fireplace should be kept clean and in working order. “You want your buyer to go home feeling really great about that room and knowing they can move in and sit in front of that wonderful fireplace and hearth,” Staats said. “There are few things as warm and inviting as a burning fire on a wintry day.”<br /> <br /><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Happy Holidays!</span><br /></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span><br /></div><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />BRER Affiliates Inc. Used under license with no other affiliation with Prudential.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-7806458726805753026?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-27712217624700646722011-12-28T08:00:00.000-05:002011-12-26T09:07:56.032-05:00One of the great debates in real estate concerns the prospect of keeping a house on the market during the holiday season. Some argue that the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve is busy enough without the worry of buying a home, while proponents like the prospects since those shopping are generally more serious about buying.<P><br /> A downside for the seller is that the hectic time of year makes it harder to get your home ready at the drop of a hat if a call comes in. People are busy making food, wrapping presents and preparing for a house-full of guests.<P><br /> However, your house will also be decorated with beautiful lights and decorations and will create a festive elegance to a home that will attract buyers.<P> <br /> Some agents believe that keeping your house on the market will have you appealing to a much smaller inventory of buyers who have very specific needs that your home might not match. Others counter that less inventory over the holidays means less competition and since more people have vacations this time of year, they actually have more time to search for their ideal home. <P><br /> The holidays can provide a breather for homes that have been on the market awhile, as some use the time to remove property from the market in favor of a fresh start in January. However, you risk losing the buyer who may have been looking in December to capture tax benefits that many consider with their need to buy a home.<P> <br /> What’s the best solution? Of course it’s up to individual homeowners and their respective circumstances. Prospective sellers should discuss their holiday prospects in detail with their Prudential Real Estate agent. Working together, they can make holiday wishes come true. <br /><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Happy Holidays!</span><br /></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span><br /></div><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />BRER Affiliates Inc. Used under license with no other affiliation with Prudential.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-2771221762470064672?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-27643574867504176092011-12-21T08:39:00.002-05:002011-12-21T08:41:32.838-05:00In the movie “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” Clark Griswold may have gone a little overboard with his Christmas lights, but if he was selling his house, he may have had the right idea.<br /> <p>“Great decorations really set the tone for the holidays, a time when you can showcase your house in a different way to highlight areas that normally may not stand out,” said Amy Cornwell, President/ Lead Designer for Creative Impressions, which specializes in seasonal decorating.</p><p><br /> By creating a festive atmosphere, a home seller allows perspective buyers to envision what their holidays will be like in the property—complete with a beautiful tree, stockings hung from the fireplace mantels and the smell of Christmas cookies in the air.</p><p><br /> “Buyers associate a sense of ‘home’ through the traditions and memories of holiday décor,” Cornwell said. “It’s a great way to attract buyers.”</p><p><br /> Nighttime is when many perspective buyers are driving around looking at houses, and nothing will slow them down more than a great Christmas light display. “A well-designed display adds festive elegance to a home, and highlights the already-present features of the property,” said Brandon Stephens, vice president of Marketing at The Decor Group, Inc., specializing in interior and exterior holiday decorating.</p><p><br /> In fact, consider holding an open house at night, when you can serve hot chocolate and better show off the Christmas lights, holiday decorations and all that the house has to offer. </p><p><br /> Here are some simple suggestions to ensure your home captures the holiday spirit without interfering in the real estate process:<BR><br /><br />• Keep decorations to a minimum so you don’t block views, make rooms feel smaller and disrupt the natural flow of the home. Consider a smaller tree and store gifts in another room.<BR><br /><br />• Incorporate fresh evergreen or rosemary into your decorating for a classic look and to promote “the Christmas tree smell.”<BR><br /><br />• Make sure light strings and extension cords are tucked away for everyone’s safety.<BR><br /><br />• Eschew religious or cultural decorations to not alienate prospective buyers who don’t share your beliefs.<BR><br /><br />• Leave a plate of holiday cookies and warm cider or cocoa for prospective buyers.</p><p><br />The holidays are emotional times for most people, including home shoppers. Holiday decorations, presented tastefully and sensibly, can help you wrap a bow on your home for just the right buyer. </p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Happy Holidays!</span><br /></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span><br /></div><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-2764357486750417609?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-54489488167753695102011-12-16T11:20:00.006-05:002011-12-16T11:48:40.603-05:00<div align="center"><em><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">"Real Estate is like the weather report. It doesn't matter if Seattle has rain in the forecast if you live in Philadelphia.<br /><br />The Local Real Estate Market is what you should focus on and not the National Averages."<br /></span></strong></em></div><em><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"></span></strong></em><p>When you watch the news and they give you the "National Real Estate Stats" don't let that bother you. Even the Case-Schiller Index doesn't include the best data. If you put garbage in, you get garbage out. ALL REAL ESTATE MARKETS ARE LOCALIZED!</p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">ARE WE REALLY IN A RECESSION STILL?<p></p></div><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chester County<br /><br /><br /></span><span><span style="font-style:italic;">Settled Units</span><br /><br />Year over Year is up 8.3% but down 2.02% year to date<br /><br />(Remember the tax credit jumped sales in 2010. Being down only 2% is actually not bad at all!)<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Total Settled Volume</span><br /><br />Year over Year is up 10.8% but down 4.27% year to date<br /><br />(Take out the tax credit and it's only down about 2.1%)</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><p></p><p><br /><br /></p></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">New Castle County</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Settled Units</span><br /><br />Year over Year is up 21.1% and up 2.66% year to date<br /><br />(Even with the tax credit, Northern Delaware sales are up!)<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Total Settled Volume</span><br /><br />Year over Year is up 5.3% but down 8.31% year to date<br /><br /><br /><br /></li></ul><p>I strongly urge you to take a look at the reports straight from TrendMLS (the area's Multiple Listing Service) and determine your own opinion of what the market is truly like. The numbers speak for themselves!</p><p>Please click on your County below for the detailed PDF of your market area. Please keep in mind that some of the numbers before June are skewed because of the Federal Tax Credit offered in the first 6 months of 2010.</p><p><br />Interest rates are starting to climb a little. A 30 year fixed rate is about 4.125% and a 15 year fixed rate is around 3.125%. There is a possibility of getting a lower rate with points too. Great time to buy and sell!</p><p><br /><a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/MarketHistory/Market_History_Chester_SingleFamily.pdf" target="_blank">Chester County</a></p><p><a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/MarketHistory/Market_History_Delaware_SingleFamily.pdf" target="_blank">Delaware County</a></p><p><a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/MarketHistory/Market_History_NewCastle_SingleFamily.pdf" target="_blank">New Castle County</a></p><p><a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/YTDMarketSnapshot/2011_11_YTD_Market_Snapshot_SingleFamily.pdf" target="_blank">Tri-State Area Year-To-Date Market Snapshot</a><br /></p><p align="center"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span></p><p> </p><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/V8h5B129qJk" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe></div><p></p><p align="center"> </p><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-5448948816775369510?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-21892652696728728722011-12-07T08:30:00.001-05:002011-12-07T08:30:01.047-05:00In this week’s top housing news: a rebound in sales at home improvement stores may bode well for the housing market; home owners get a second chance to refinance with HARP 2.0; and a federal official pushes a new tax credit for veterans.<P><br /><br />After a week of football, scrambling for deals at the mall, and finishing up Thanksgiving leftovers, you might have missed the stories impacting home owners. Strong numbers from Black Friday — especially an increase in sales at home improvement stores — might be an early indicator of a housing market return. <P><br /><br /><a href="http://news.businessweek.com/article.asp?documentKey=1376-LV8AI30UQVI901-46PHL8HRPEICBIDBGD3MOM5ETU%E2%80%A8%E2%80%A8" target="_blank">Bloomberg Businessweek: Stable Housing Seen as Home Depot-Lowe's Lead Market: Retail</a><br><br /><br />Shares of Home Depot Inc. and Lowe's Cos. — the two largest U.S. home improvement retailers — are outperforming other consumer discretionary stocks as the worst of the declines in the housing market may be over.<P><br /><br /><a href="http://http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/30/business/us-widens-scope-of-mortgage-refinancing-program.html" target="_blank">New York Times: A New Shot at Mortgage Relief</a><BR><br /><br />Like millions of other home owners, William D. Compton would like to refinance his mortgage so that he pays less each month for his three-bedroom house. Although he would appear to be a good candidate, Compton has been turned down twice for a federal refinancing program aimed at home owners like him. Still, he has renewed hope. That’s because the government is expanding the Home Affordable Refinance Program, which was meant to help home owners whose mortgages are backed by the government and whose home values have declined sharply — even below what they owe<P><br /><br /><a href="http://www.newsday.com/classifieds/real-estate/real-li-1.812034/should-vets-get-a-credit-to-buy-foreclosures-1.3351136" target="_blank">Newsday: Should Vets Get a Credit to Buy Foreclosures?</a><BR><br /><br />Veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq could in a way serve the country once again — this time stateside for the economy. An official with Federal Reserve Bank of New York thinks there should be incentives for the veterans to buy government-held foreclosures.<P><br /><br /><a href="http://members.houselogic.com/blog/why-home-ownership-matters/housing-market-black-Friday/" target="_blank">HouseLogic: Will Housing Market Benefit from Good News Out of Black Friday Chaos?</a><BR><br /><br />While shoppers were trampling each other to get the season’s hottest stuff, a glimmer of hope emerged for the economy. Does this mean a Christmas miracle for the housing market? 
<P><br /><br /><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jed-kolko/renting-out-governmentown_b_1119060.html" target="_blank">Huffington Post: Renting out Government-Owned Homes is Right Move — But Probably Wouldn't Make Any Difference to You</a><BR><br /><br />The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is considering proposals for selling government-owned homes to investors, who would then sell or rent them. It's hoped this move would help government agencies earn some revenue, boost neighborhood home values by getting buyers or renters into vacant homes, and ease tight rental markets by expanding the supply of rental housing.Will it? <P></p><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-2189265269672872872?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-69864790172753191882011-11-30T08:00:00.000-05:002011-11-30T08:49:46.841-05:00Before you start searching for your dream home, you first need to determine a price range you can afford. According to the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), depending on the consumer’s current debt ratio, most people can typically afford to pay 31 percent of their gross monthly income for mortgage payments. For example, if you earn $50,000 annually, then your monthly income is about $4,167. Thirty-one percent of that is $1,292.<P><br />There are several online tools to calculate a monthly mortgage you can afford using factors such as your current monthly expenses, down payment and the interest rate. You can also work with a lender to get pre-approved for a loan. This estimate will help you gauge how much money you may be able to borrow and the monthly mortgage payments.<P><br />However, the amount you are able to afford for a home loan should not be your only consideration for determining your price range. With homeownership come other housing expenses.<P><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Utilities</span><BR><br />The most obvious of additional housing expenses are utilities—gas, electricity and water. But don't forget about telephone, trash collection, and cable or satellite bills.<P><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Taxes</span><BR><br />As a property owner, you are responsible for property taxes. To get a general idea on how much the tax bill will be for a property, ask the seller for a copy of the previous year's tax assessment. Your real estate professional can help you refine these figures.<P><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Association Dues</span> <BR><br />Another cost you may incur is homeowner association (HOA) dues. Most condominiums and some residential developments/subdivisions/neighborhoods have HOAs, which are legal entities, created to maintain common areas and enforce deed restrictions. As a property owner, you are required to pay the established monthly or annual homeowner association dues. Be sure you factor this cost into your budget.<P><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Maintenance</span> <BR><br />You also need to consider the upkeep of your home. You should budget for seasonal maintenance such as lawn care, pest inspections and carpet cleaning, as well as unexpected repairs. The amount you budget will depend on the age of the home, as older homes tend to require more repairs such as installing a new roof, painting and replacing older appliances.<P><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Insurance</span> <BR><br />Depending on the type of coverage and your area, the costs for homeowners insurance each year can be anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of dollars. And, if you live in an area that has high risks for flooding, earthquakes, hurricanes, etc., you may need supplemental insurance.<P><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Remodeling/Upgrades</span> <BR><br />Unless the home you purchase is picture perfect, you’ll more than likely be adding your personal touch. Therefore, you need add to your housing budget the costs for remodeling and upgrades.<BR><br />Even minor cosmetic fix-ups such as light fixtures, window treatments, carpeting and decorative cabinet knobs can begin to add up.<P><br /><br />By determining all the costs associated with homeownership, you can go into your home search with a reasonable price range that will allow you stay within your budget. </p><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-6986479017275319188?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-59277450918409778742011-11-23T08:00:00.001-05:002011-11-23T08:00:13.843-05:00Turn on any financial news program and at some point you’ll hear the experts extolling the virtues of diversification. Real estate, even through the market downturn, has long been considered a conservative, long-term strategy to growing wealth. <p><br />In fact, that very downturn has created a historic buying opportunity for potential homebuyers and investors alike. The combination of lower home prices across American and historically low mortgage rates, two essential factors that usually don’t trend in the same direction, have triggered a buyer’s market in many areas of the country. <p>For real estate investors who want to rent their properties, this can make the difference in achieving positive cash flow sooner or right off the bat.<p><br />While some seasoned real estate investors make it look easy, to be successful, beginners should follow some basic principles.<br /><br />• Learn all you can. Before committing your cash, you should have a fundamental understanding of real estate. For example, be aware that, in general, investment properties are not liquid investments. Barring exceptional circumstances, real estate does not sell at a moment’s notice. It could take days or months to sell a property, depending on the strength of the market in a particular region.<br /><br />• Consider cash flow. You’ll need to have enough capital on hand to cover any short-term losses due to vacancies between tenants and maintenance costs.<br /><br />• Start small. Look into buying a single-family home or a multi-unit up to 4 units. Leave large apartment buildings and commercial properties to the pros.<br /><br />• Inquire at the local Chamber of Commerce about companies relocating into or out of the area. Company movement is one indicator of demand for rental and/or office space.<br /><br />• Find a property that will be in demand. Look for a moderately priced home with 2 or more bedrooms, storage space and one that sits on a quiet street.<br /><br />• Research the property. The most common way first-time investors lose is by failing to investigate a property thoroughly. Look beyond the front door. Investigate the reputation of the school district, the crime rate, and plans for expanding a nearby highway or developing vacant land. Ask a local real estate professional about the area, its history, and how fast (or slow) properties are moving.<br /><br />• Inspect the home you’re considering for signs of water damage, such as stains on the ceiling and crinkling or gathering wallpaper; open and close every door and window; and check all electrical sockets by plugging in an appliance. Get an independent home inspection, roof inspection and termite inspection. Unexpected repair costs can eat away your cash flow. Because even the best inspection can’t always predict problems, try to set aside some of the rental income for unexpected repairs.<br /><br />• Spend time driving the streets of the neighborhood noting the condition of other properties. Are lawns maintained? Are roofs in good shape? Are homes kept up?<br /><br />• Be ready to make fixes quickly and respond to the renter’s needs. If you’re not prepared to be a hands-on landlord, consider hiring a property management firm.<br /><br />• See your tax advisor for related planning and laws that can affect your investment decisions. <p><br />Remember, investing in a property is much different than living in one, and while emotion and attachment can be prime motivators when it comes to homes, it is return on investment that counts when investing in real estate.</p><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-5927745091840977874?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-2287023077667619902011-11-16T08:00:00.001-05:002011-11-16T08:00:12.134-05:00<div align="center"><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">"The Local Real Estate Market is what you should focus on<br />and NOT the National Averages."<br /></span></strong></div><em><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"></span></strong></em><p>When you watch the news and they give you the "National Real Estate Stats" don't let that bother you. Even the Case-Schiller Index doesn't include the best data. If you put garbage data in, you get garbage data out. ALL REAL ESTATE MARKETS ARE LOCALIZED!</p><p><br />I strongly urge you to take a look at the reports straight from TrendMLS (the area's Multiple Listing Service) and determine your own opinion of what the market is truly like. The numbers speak for themselves!</p><p>Please click on your County below for the detailed PDF of your market area. Please keep in mind that some of the numbers before June are skewed because of the Federal Tax Credit offered in the first 6 months of 2010.</p><p><br />Interest rates are starting to climb a little. A 30 year fixed rate is about 4.0% and a 15 year fixed rate is around 3.5%. There is a possibility of getting a lower rate with points too. Great time to buy and sell!</p><p><br /><a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/MarketHistory/Market_History_Chester_SingleFamily.pdf" target="_blank">Chester County</a></p><p><a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/MarketHistory/Market_History_Delaware_SingleFamily.pdf" target="_blank">Delaware County</a></p><p><a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/MarketHistory/Market_History_NewCastle_SingleFamily.pdf" target="_blank">New Castle County</a></p><p><a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/YTDMarketSnapshot/2011_09_YTD_Market_Snapshot_SingleFamily.pdf" target="_blank">Tri-State Area Year-To-Date Market Snapshot</a><br /></p><p align="center"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span></p><p> </p><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/V8h5B129qJk" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe></div><p></p><p align="center"> </p><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-228702307766761990?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-26398616267655542492011-11-08T08:00:00.000-05:002011-11-08T08:00:23.962-05:00Home sellers spend so much time preparing their interior for the sale that they can easily overlook what’s going on outside of the home. Yet great curb appeal can increase the value of a property by as much as 15-20%. <br /> <P>Mario Garcia, a landscaper in Bethesda, Md. who helps prepare homes for market, says a well-manicured lawn is a magnet for buyers. On the other hand, overgrown trees or large bushes hiding the house are a no-no. <br />“Buyers associate the condition of the exterior and landscape with the condition of the interior,” Garcia explained. “Curb appeal must invite buyers to view the rest of the property.”<br /> <P>Landscaping fixes include adding flowers or sprucing up the property with decorative grasses or Japanese maples. Accent the trees with rocks or boulders for a bold statement. Consider adding a modest fountain to the yard or garden.<br /> <P>In addition, rake leaves, wash windows and skylights, clean gutters and trim shrubs. Add low voltage lighting to highlight the yard, trees and the home’s exterior.<br /> <P>And you needn’t spend a ton of money to make a difference. “Do something as simple as putting up a new mailbox and address decals on your home,” said Anne West, owner of Wilmette, Ill.-based Redesign Doctor. “Also, adding a new welcome mat with a grouping of potted plants by the front door makes things more inviting.”<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><p><br /><br /></p><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-2639861626765554249?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-29338342226530328632011-11-01T08:00:00.000-04:002011-11-01T08:00:08.012-04:00“You never get a second chance to make a great first impression.” <br /> <P>This saying strikes a chord in the real estate industry, where many buyers are quick to jump to a conclusion about a potential home after just one glance. That’s why an increasing number of homeowners are employing professional home stagers to prepare their homes for sale. <br /> <P>“Much of what staging accomplishes happens on a subconscious level,” said Carla Grammatica, a consultant with Stage Setters in New York’s Westchester County. “You are trying to create a positive association between your house and the prospective buyer. Anyone can change a paint color after they move in, but first impressions are difficult to undo.”<br /> <P>With 91% of buyers searching first on the Internet for homes, MLS photos and virtual tours are extremely important in the selection process. Staging, as a priority instead of as a last resort, will give sellers key advantages.<br /> <P>Stagers help eliminate clutter, give advice on adding colors, help in rearranging furniture and bring in various items to help spruce up a home.<br /> <P>“One of the most important things is getting rid of things that look messy,” Grammatica said. “Life can get messy, especially with kids and storage issues, but you have to pretend that’s not how you live. You have to pretend your house is [always] neat and well maintained.”<br /> <P>That means picking up shoes from the hallway, removing papers from tables and furniture and even taking down personal items—such as diplomas, pictures and trophies that clutter the walls.<br /> <P>Professional stagers take into account buyer demographics and buying psychology, and they use design elements in planning out the rooms, space and lighting. <br /><P> “Some people think that staging is simply cleaning and packing up some of your things, but it is so much more than that,” said Linda Barnett, a certified staging professional with Indianapolis–based Home Matters. “Understanding traffic patterns and highlighting the positive attributes of a home while downplaying its negative features, all go into play.”<br /> <P>One tip homeowners can do to stage their home themselves is to pack away unneeded items—such as seasonal clothes and old books—and put them in storage.<br /> <P>It’s also important not to overwhelm potential buyers with wild colors and furniture, even if you think it makes your home “special.”<br /> <P>Remember, making your home look like a model rather than lived-in can make all the difference in selling a home.<br /><br /><br /><br /></p><p><br /><br /></p><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-2933834222653032863?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-36053473210579082142011-10-25T08:00:00.000-04:002011-10-25T08:00:12.542-04:00A stressful part of putting your home on the market is trying to figure out what to fix and upgrade to get the very best price. An experienced agent will recommend projects to consider and ones to avoid. After all, just because you put money into a renovation project doesn’t mean you will recoup the money in a sale.<br /> <P>You may also want to consult Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report for a breakdown of typical returns on renovation projects large and small. The 24th annual edition published earlier this year contains input from some of the country’s top remodeling professionals and ranked 35 remodeling projects for highest returns. <br /> <P>In many cases, smaller-scale renovation projects recoup more of their initial cost than larger, pricier ones, according to the report. For example, a minor $20,000 kitchen upgrade returns 72.8% of renovation costs, but a more expensive $58,000 kitchen remodel only retains 68.7% of its value on resale. <br /> <P>Surprisingly, the report noted that exterior upgrades recoup more of their costs than interior renovations -- a trend that’s been building for the past five years. What’s the hottest exterior upgrade according to this year’s report? Replacing the front door with a steel entry door, which typically returns more than 100% of its cost.<br /> <P>The report also lists garage doors as a wise investment, returning up to 83% of their original cost when the home sells. Other prudent outdoor renovations include siding and window replacement, returning 80% and 72.4 %, respectively. <br /> <P>Interior improvements retaining the most value include attic renovations and basement remodels, recouping 72.2% and 70%. <br /> <P>“Just like an addition to the home, an unfinished space—such as the attic or basement—will instantly add value and livability to your home, as it increases the square footage and changes the way your family lives in it,” said Will Tomlinson, owner of North Carolina-based greyHouse Inc. Renovation and Remodeling. “You will be transforming a space that likely gets very little use into a fully functional area for your family to enjoy.”<br /> <P>The report also notes that non-essential features have less resale value. Sunroom additions recoup only 48.6% of renovation costs; home office remodels, 45.8%; and backup power generators, 48.5%.<br /> <P>Of course, homeowners’ needs and budgets dictate their choice of home-improvement projects. Still, it helps to know projects’ cost vs. return ratio when making the final decisions. <br /><br /><br /><br /></p><p><br /><br /></p><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-3605347321057908214?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-73729361417714281822011-10-18T08:00:00.000-04:002011-10-18T08:00:16.088-04:00Let’s say that you inherited an old house in a distant location and want to put it on the market. You may not have the time, resources or energy to make it perfect and just want a quick sale.<br /> <P>Or, maybe you had renters at your property who did substantial damage and you don’t have the money to make necessary renovations. <br /> <P>Fear not. Just because the house needs work doesn’t mean you can’t sell it. Many homebuyers today are shopping for deals and want to see the potential in your home. In that case, leave brochures for new cabinets in the kitchen, color palates around the bedrooms and even create computerized images of what updates could look like.<br /><P> In addition, secure bids from licensed contractors on necessary fixes and provide them to your potential buyers. People may overestimate the cost of a new roof, shower stall or drywall repair and fresh paint. Estimates will bring the home into clearer perspective. <br /><P> Work with your real estate agent to make the home as presentable as possible for the least amount of money. Make a room or two inviting so you have the photos that will attract buyers to what you can call “a fixer upper.”<br /><P> Of course, nothing is going to attract people more than a low price. Obviously, you will need to discount the sales price to gain an advantage over comparables in better condition. <br /><P> A down-and-out house doesn’t mean you’re stuck. With small repairs, research and practical pricing, you can turn that “Ugly Betty” into a sale. <br /> <br /><br /><br /></p><p><br /><br /></p><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-7372936141771428182?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-31728769624677973652011-10-14T00:00:00.003-04:002011-10-14T10:58:09.195-04:00<div align="center"><em><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">"Real Estate is like the weather report. It doesn't matter if Seattle has rain in the forecast if you live in Philadelphia.<br /><br />The Local Real Estate Market is what you should focus on and not the National Averages."<br /></span></strong></em></div><em><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"></span></strong></em><p>When you watch the news and they give you the "National Real Estate Stats" don't let that bother you. Even the Case-Schiller Index doesn't include the best data. If you put garbage in, you get garbage out. ALL REAL ESTATE MARKETS ARE LOCALIZED!</p><p><br />Year over year, for Chester County, the number of settled units compared to 2010 are only down by 155 homes! That represents less than a 4.5% decline! The average sales price year to date is $362,000 and this time last year it was $369,000. When the media is saying that homes are off 5%, 10% and, I've even heard, 20% compared to 2010, keep in mind that this $7,000 difference is only a 1.9% decrease. So really what "Doom &amp; Gloom" are we facing?<br /></p><p>I strongly urge you to take a look at the reports straight from TrendMLS (the area's Multiple Listing Service) and determine your own opinion of what the market is truly like. The numbers speak for themselves!</p><p>Please click on your County below for the detailed PDF of your market area. Please keep in mind that some of the numbers before June are skewed because of the Federal Tax Credit offered in the first 6 months of 2010.</p><p><br />Interest rates are starting to climb a little. A 30 year fixed rate is about 4.125% and a 15 year fixed rate is around 3.125%. There is a possibility of getting a lower rate with points too. Great time to buy and sell!</p><p><br /><a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/MarketHistory/Market_History_Chester_SingleFamily.pdf" target="_blank">Chester County</a></p><p><a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/MarketHistory/Market_History_Delaware_SingleFamily.pdf" target="_blank">Delaware County</a></p><p><a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/MarketHistory/Market_History_NewCastle_SingleFamily.pdf" target="_blank">New Castle County</a></p><p><a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/YTDMarketSnapshot/2011_09_YTD_Market_Snapshot_SingleFamily.pdf" target="_blank">Tri-State Area Year-To-Date Market Snapshot</a><br /></p><p align="center"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span></p><p> </p><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/V8h5B129qJk" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe></div><p></p><p align="center"> </p><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-3172876962467797365?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-64647860456750907652011-10-11T08:00:00.001-04:002011-10-11T08:00:05.877-04:00There’s an episode of the hit TV series “How I Met Your Mother” where the characters of Marshall and Lily decide to buy a home in a neighborhood they are unfamiliar with, only to learn later that it sits downwind from a sewer plant. The message is obvious: A buyer must do his or her due diligence on prospective neighborhoods to make the best real estate decisions. <br /><P> For starters, investigate the local school district as good schools boost your property value. Research the closest parks and community centers and consider how busy streets impact the neighborhood.<br /><P> Profiling the perfect neighborhood also involves meeting prospective neighbors. Walk through the area and say hello to people, and ask them for their impressions of the neighborhood. While you’re at it look around. Are there lots of kids on the block? Do people walk or jog through the neighborhood at night? A neighborhood can speak volumes by itself. <br /><P> Don’t forget to map out stores and restaurants in the area. You may be used to a five-minute drive to the local grocery store, only to find out that your new home is 25 minutes away from the nearest place to buy milk. Of course, find out if your potential new home is part of a neighborhood association bearing regular fees, and if your community has lawn or construction restrictions. <br /><P> A good agent can furnish you with a wealth of local information, and will take you on a tour of the closest commerce centers, restaurants and shops. <br />With a little groundwork you can help ensure that your dream house is surrounded by a dream neighborhood.<br /> <br /><br /><br /></p><p><br /><br /></p><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-6464786045675090765?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-45497333351510527952011-10-05T08:00:00.000-04:002011-10-05T08:00:02.187-04:00Mortgage lenders dissect the entire credit history of a potential client with strict attention to income, credit, collateral and assets. Of the four, assets are perhaps the least discussed yet may be the most important in securing credit and buying a home. <P><br /> Simply put, assets include the amount of money needed for the down payment, in addition to closing costs, pre-paid costs such as insurance and taxes, escrow fees and funds that would be available in case of an emergency.<br /> <P>“Assets may be the truest reflection of a borrower’s fiscal strength,” Dean Hartman, regional vice president for Benchmark Lending, Melville, N.Y., in his post on the KCM (Keeping Current Matters) blog site. “Their ability to save and properly budget could be a significant indicator to their future paying habits.”<br /> <P>Common assets considered in a mortgage loan application include stocks, bonds, mutual funds, 401K and retirement accounts, life insurance, cars, boats, antiques, jewelry and other real estate. <br /> <P>The source of the assets is also important. Anyone who has attempted to secure a loan recently knows that restrictions have tightened, and when borrowers are paying off credit cards to get their ratios in line, lenders want to know where the money came from. <P><br /> “For instance, we can obviously see a direct deposit from your employer or a transfer from one account to the next,” says Justin Miller, a mortgage broker for FEMBi Mortgage, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “If we cannot determine this, we will need a letter of explanation and show proof of where it came from. My suggestion is to not make any cash deposits or take any monies from someone personally unless it is going to be a gift from a relative.” <br /> <P>Large and recent savings deposits raise underwriter concerns as they can indicate loans that have yet to appear on borrowers’ credit reports. Borrowing from relatives to boost savings and creditworthiness also doesn’t help. If funds aren’t reflected on income statements and tax returns, they can’t be used to qualify for mortgages.<br /> <P>Indeed, make sure your assets are in order with proper documentation. Your preparation can speed you on the road to homeownership. <br /><br /><br /></p><p><br /><br /></p><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-4549733335151052795?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-18120852130177910962011-09-28T08:00:00.000-04:002011-09-28T08:00:20.564-04:00The ancient philosophy of feng shui, which translates as “the wind and the water,” is the Chinese art of correct placement. In real estate, those who prescribe to feng shui believe that home sales can be better achieved by arranging furniture and décor to establish harmony and energy. <P><br /> “In feng shui we evaluate a house and its property for sufficient qi (pronounced chee), the living energy of all beings, but also for the land and even a house,” says Werner Brandmaier, a consultant at the Institute of Feng Shui & Geopathology in Portland, Maine. “When there’s not enough qi, it means the whole land energy is low or depressed and that influences potential buyers.”<br /> <P>Feng shui promotes well-being by rearranging how qi (energy) flows through a home. Brandmaier recommends before placing your house on the market to find out more about its qi. Is there tension in the house and is the property cluttered? Do people feel exhausted in the house? Are the plants doing well? A careful assessment can make a big difference.<br /> <P>Feng shui begins with the homeseller, who must be at peace with the decision to place the home on the market. Likewise, feng shui is important for many prospective buyers, who seek a home with harmony and balance.<br /> <P>In feng shui, energy enters the house through the front door so it’s important that the entryway stands out with contrasting paint. Add decorative plants and a wind chime, but make sure this space is free from clutter. “The perfect entry is one that is clear of obstruction,” says Robin Andrews, a feng shui expert in Los Angeles. “This includes trimming back all hedges and making sure that the path to your door is clear, open and well defined.”<br /> <P>Bedrooms are considered sanctuaries for privacy and peace. Andrews suggests placing objects in pairs throughout the master bedroom as it’s thought to increase marital harmony and balance.<br /> <P>“You also want to place the bed in the position that has the most commanding view of the doorway, which is considered the gateway of the qi,” Andrews says. “We are in a vulnerable state while sleeping and it is important that this area affords our being safe and supported.”<br /> <P>In the kitchen, where energy is imparted in food, the chef’s station should always face the door for a clear view of those who enter. <br />Throughout the home, remove photos and other personal items so potential buyers can see the property as a clean, fresh start. And since earthy, pleasant aromas enhance feng shui, add cinnamon or pine scents to the home before potential homebuyers’ arrival. <br /> <P>One last thought: It’s also believed that “For Sale” signs are more effective when placed on the right side of the front door, since that is considered the yang, or energetic, side of the house. <br />Feng shui is all about drawing harmony and good health into your life and surroundings. With these simple steps you can bring your home into better balance and broader appeal.<br /><br /></p><p><br /><br /></p><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-1812085213017791096?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-79004137627626824902011-09-21T08:00:00.004-04:002011-09-21T08:00:01.951-04:00One important decision homebuyers face is whether to secure a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage or go for a 15-year one, which carries a lower interest rate.<p><br /> “All things equal, a 15-year mortgage allows you to pay off your mortgage twice as fast while saving a significant chunk of money on interest,” explains Mark Crosby, a mortgage expert in Wilmington, Del. Still, “I think the 30-year mortgage is a logical choice for most people because it has more advantages.”<p><br /> For starters, mortgage payments are less expensive with a 30-year mortgage, enabling more consumers to qualify for home purchases. “With a 30-year mortgage you are almost always free to make additional principal payments necessary to pay off your loan [faster] without penalty,” Crosby says. “With the 15-year loan, you are committed to giving that extra money to your lender each month, whether you can really afford to at the time or not.”<p><br /> Higher payments that come with a 15-year mortgage make little sense if they keep you from building savings or contributing to a 401(k) plan, IRA, and perhaps your kids’ college funds, adds Dan Green, a loan officer with Waterstone Mortgage in Laurel, Md. “You could be needlessly tying up too much of your money into your house.”<p> <br />Green said another reason people favor a 30-year fixed mortgage is the tax benefit that can be achieved. “This is because the amortization schedule of 30-year fixed is back-heavy, with early-term payments big on interest and light in principal,” he explains. “By contrast, the 15-year fixed is always light on interest which lowers its taxpayer benefits.”<p><br /> While it’s true you gain more of a tax break from a 30-year loan, it shouldn’t be the main consideration when deciding on a term. The 30-year borrower pays less in yearly taxes because he or she pays significantly more in interest.<p><br /> So it all comes down to choice and circumstances. Choose the 15-year loan if you have the financial wherewithal to assume the payments. Your interest savings will be substantial and you’ll own your home faster. Opt for the 30-year loan for lower payments and greater flexibility. You can always choose to pay more on your mortgage when the money is available.<br /></p><p><br /><br /></p><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-7900413762762682490?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-78939522485803744092011-09-15T09:52:00.003-04:002011-09-15T09:54:49.659-04:00<div align="center"><em><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">"Red sky at night, sailor's delight. Red sky in the morning, sailor take warning"<br /></span></strong></em></div><em><strong><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"></span></strong></em><p>If you are like me and love to boat and fish, you know how true that saying goes. It even applies to real estate! The red sky mornings are <strong>OVER</strong> and <strong>NOW</strong> it's clear red sky's at night for Chester County!<br /><br />Year over year, for Chester County, the number of units that went pending in August where up 22.5% and the total number of units that settled where up 24.6%! Every market that I service has had an increase in the number of pending and settled units, yet the media is still shouting gloom and doom in this "economic turmoil".<br /><br />I strongly urge you to take a look at the reports straight from TrendMLS (the Multiple Listing Service) and determine your own opinion of what the market is truly like. The numbers speak for themselves!</p><p>Please click on your County below for the detailed PDF of your market area. Please keep in mind that some of the numbers before June are skewed because of the Federal Tax Credit offered in the first 6 months of 2010.</p><p><br />Interest rates are starting to climb a little. A 30 year fixed rate is about 4.125% and a 15 year fixed rate is around 3.125%. There is a possibility of getting a lower rate with points too. Great time to buy and sell!</p><p><br /><a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/MarketHistory/Market_History_Chester_SingleFamily.pdf" target="_blank">Chester County</a></p><p><a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/MarketHistory/Market_History_Delaware_SingleFamily.pdf" target="_blank">Delaware County</a></p><p><a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/MarketHistory/Market_History_NewCastle_SingleFamily.pdf" target="_blank">New Castle County</a></p><p><a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/YTDMarketSnapshot/2011_08_YTD_Market_Snapshot_SingleFamily.pdf" target="_blank">Tri-State Area Year-To-Date Market Snapshot</a><br /></p><p align="center"><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/t10jNaScDA4" frameborder="0" height="190" width="280"></iframe></p><p align="center"> </p><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span></p><p> </p><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-7893952248580374409?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-22260313924346927782011-09-14T08:00:00.000-04:002011-09-14T08:00:12.239-04:00Agents frequently suggest that homeowners paint before placing their homes on the market. Don’t be offended! <P><br />Agents understand “color psychology,” which focuses on color’s effect on human behavior and emotion. Since people’s reaction to color is immediate, color has a tremendous influence on the choices they make every day. <P><br /> “Color choices are very personal and when selling your home, it’s critical to appeal to the greatest number of potential buyers,” said Allegra Dioguardi, president of Styled and Sold Home Staging in New York. “With so many people beginning their search for a home on the Internet today, your home and listing photos must stand out from your competition. Color is one very simple way to do this.”<P><br /> Added Eric Brown, one of the authors of House Selling for Dummies: “Painting your house’s exterior before you put it on the market will give the biggest bang for your fix-up buck, as long as you are using colors that conform to the neighborhood’s decorating norm.”<P><br /> Colors affect human beings in many ways, and by using the principles of color psychology, you can make your home stand out from the competition, sell more quickly, and at a higher price. In short, the stimulus and effect of colors normally cross cultures. Blues will feel cool, reds and oranges feel warm. Deeper shades of color imply intimacy and serenity.<P><br />Your home’s exterior color is the first thing most potential homebuyers see when they drive up or inspect the property on the Web. The correct color may be the most powerful and cost effective design tool at your disposal.<P><br />What is “correct” these days? Brown’s research shows that homes painted in pale yellows with cream or beige accents have sold fastest during the past few years. <br />In general, lighter colors are favored for exterior as they make the property seem larger. Conversely, painting your sideboards with a darker color will make the house seem smaller, though dark colors can draw more attention to home’s details. <P><br /> For those painting an older home, you may want to consider historical accuracy, as this could be a big selling point as well.<P><br /> When choosing interior colors for the home, consider the purpose of each room. Kitchen and dining areas painted in “food colors” such as coffee browns, celery greens and scrambled-egg yellows will make the rooms feel more natural. <P><br /> Hallways are a great place to bring in the exterior colors for overall harmony. <P><br />According to Jeanette Fisher’s book Joy to the Home: Secrets of Interior Design Psychology, since, deeper shades of color imply intimacy and serenity, she recommends painting master bedrooms a medium shade of green or blue for warm selling seasons, and rouge red for cooler weather. Other bedrooms can be painted in creamy tones of green, blue, or a pale shell pink.<P><br /> For your bedroom and bathroom, cool colors can form a relaxing atmosphere with paint. Consider shades of blue, green or even lavender.<P><br /> Of course, common sense should help you with any color choices. You need to match other things in your home and keep a comfortable environment as well.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-2226031392434692778?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-59224452188785982842011-09-07T08:00:00.000-04:002011-09-07T08:00:05.438-04:00One of the most important jobs for your real estate agent is to determine the value of your home by developing a Comparable Market Analysis, which will be used in pricing the home for the right amount. <P><br /> If your property isn’t attracting serious shoppers, your agent may recommend that you invest in an appraiser to get a second pricing opinion, as the appraiser will come in with an independent, unbiased opinion to help ensure your price is correct for the market.<P><br /> “An appraisal is important in today’s market especially, because it’s an objective and unbiased source of information,” says Michael H. Evans, president of Chico, Calif.-based Evans Appraisal Service Inc. “The appraiser is an independent professional who performs a service for a fee rather than for a commission and is therefore not as invested as others are who are making pricing decisions.” <br />Appraisals allow for homeowners and buyers to establish “fair market value.” In addition, an appraisal allows a lender to know how much they can safely lend. <P><br /> “Credible opinions of value can help to stabilize the real estate market,” says Joseph C. Magdziarz, president of Chicago-based Appraisal Institute, a global membership association of professional real estate appraisers. “Appraisers today are doing the same thorough, fact-based research and analysis they have always done.”<P><br /> A home appraiser will compare the condition of your house in relation to the comparable properties in the neighborhood and will give you a reasonably good idea where your house fits in relation to recent sales.<P><br /> According to Evans, a home appraisal can range in length from two pages to more than 100. It will include details about the house, a description of the neighborhood and side-by-side comparisons of similar properties. It will also contain an evaluation of the area’s real estate market, notations of major problems with the property that will affect its value and an estimate of the expected time it will take to sell the property.<P><br /> Earlier this year, the Appraisal Institute released several tips for consumers and guidance for homeowners and buyers seeking to ensure their sales are completed in a timely manner.<P><br />• Make sure the lender hires a qualified appraiser (such as a designated SRA, SRPA or MAI member of the Appraisal Institute). The lowest-priced appraiser does not necessarily equate with the most qualified. This is a time to get the numbers right.<P><br />• Accompany the appraiser during the inspection of the property if possible. The more active of a participant you are in the process, the more you will understand it, and be able to catch any errors. <P><br />• Request a copy of the appraisal report from the lender. Federal law requires that you receive a copy of the appraisal within 30 days. <P><br />• Appeal the appraisal if appropriate. Market conditions do change, especially in these economic times. If you feel that new information may change the appraisal, be sure to speak up.<P><br />• Have your agent ask the lender to order a second appraisal by a qualified and designated appraiser. <P><br />• File legitimate complaints with appropriate state board or professional appraisal organizations.<P><br /> Remember, you needn’t agree with the outcome of an appraisal. You and your agent can work with the figures and determine if you should change the sale price or not. A home appraisal, no matter how scientific, still ends up being the opinion of the appraiser and to some degree is a judgment call.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-5922445218878598284?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-69137566419683500522011-08-31T08:00:00.000-04:002011-08-31T08:00:07.644-04:00Today’s prospective homebuyers are increasingly interested in a property’s outdoor living space as they are its interior. Savvy agents understand this powerful trend and are staging homes on two fronts – the terrific indoors and the great outdoors. <P><br /> The following tips will help ensure that your backyard is as distinctive at your home itself. <P><br />• Make your Backyard Homey: Create a conversation area with some furniture. The area needn’t be elaborate; just two chairs pulled close together with a table between can make even the most basic concrete patio special. Just the idea that an outdoor eating option is possible makes a property more inviting. Adding accessories like a small table, an inexpensive outdoor rug or a few pots filled with flowers will make the area even more attractive. <P><br />• Remember the Kids: If you have an old tree house, fix it up and paint it bright colors or add sporty designs that will make other kids fall in love with it. Just make sure the tree house is safe. Add a tire swing to a tree and keep an orderly basket of balls, flying disks and a jump rope so kids dragged along on the showing can play in the yard. Swing sets that are old and unsightly should be removed or refurbished to look new.<P><br />• Fire is Hot: There’s nothing like sitting around a fire and enjoying the company of friends and loved ones, which explains the growing popularity of fire pits and outdoor hearths. Few home improvements create the “wow” factor that a backyard fireplace will, and many homeowners are adding a fireplace to their outdoor landscape to recreate all the appeal of their home’s interior outside in the backyard.<P><br />• Simple Fixes: You needn’t go overboard with the changes in your yard. Sometimes, the easiest fixes will create a look that people will remember. Do a thorough inspection and replace any damaged boards on your deck or fence, and apply a fresh coat of paint, stain and sealant if the finish requires it. You should also weed and groom your garden and add some perennials for color.<P><br /> Creating a backyard sanctuary is one of the smartest things you can do to make your home stand out, so make your outdoor space a destination to remember.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-6913756641968350052?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-6033060358177033002011-08-24T08:00:00.000-04:002011-08-24T08:00:03.389-04:00A time-honored business principal maintains that consumers generally base their buying decisions on emotion. Only later do they use logic, often to rationalize their emotional decisions. <P><br /> Homesellers, working closely with their agents, will prepare their homes to evoke positive and personal emotions for those who come inside. They should also create “takeaways” that will keep those fond memories resonating in prospective buyers. <P><br /> “One effective takeaway is a personal letter from you describing your experience of falling in love with the home when you were the buyer,” said Kay Steele Faulk, a Lake Village, Ark. freelance writer. <P><br /> The letter, presented on brightly colored stationery, can describe the fun of meeting your new neighbors and the warm friendships you’ve established in the neighborhood. It can also recall joyous holidays around the home, show pictures of your home during special times and list neighborhood activities scheduled throughout the year. <P><br /> “You should recall a memorable moment of coming home, such as after the birth of a child or after a long vacation, because these are all things buyers can relate to emotionally, they will serve to reinforce the positive feelings buyers experienced at your home,” Faulk said. “And to satisfy buyers’ logic—which they will use to justify their emotional connection to your home—also describe the loving care you’ve given the home while there.”<P><br /> Once all the words are in play to touch upon the emotions, then it’s time to write about things that will relate to buyers’ practical sides.<P><br /> Russell Goldstein, a New Jersey-based writer who often helps homebuyers prepare personal letters, stresses that this is the perfect way to say all the little things you can’t always place in advertisements and fliers.<P><br /> “You can list your routine maintenance tasks plus any remodeling, updates or upgrades you’ve done in the years you have lived there,” he said. “Include anything that gives buyers a sense of confidence in your home’s current condition, and be sure to mention any special features you paid high dollar for, such as thicker exterior walls, which have better insulation values. These are your home’s key marketing details that make it a better buy than the competition down the street.”<P><br /> A second effective takeaway is a home brochure created around high-quality color photographs of your home’s interior and exterior. “Use photos that highlight your home’s most appealing features,” Faulk said. “Just be sure each photo has a caption or short description that helps buyers remember. Even with a brochure, you still need that all-important section meant to satisfy buyers’ logic. This can simply be a descriptive sentence followed by a list of your home’s key marketing details and the T.L.C. you’ve given [the home] as owner. To make for easy reading, use bullet points to highlight each item of your list.”<P><br /> If you’re good at writing warm personal letters or if you have the ability to create a professional-looking brochure, it’s quite acceptable to save money by doing it yourself. If not, turn to a professional copywriter to create a compelling takeaway that ensures a lasting emotional connection with buyers. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-603306035817703300?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-29757046875441500252011-08-17T08:00:00.000-04:002011-08-17T08:00:01.279-04:00Good things come in smaller packages. At least that’s the feeling today among many homebuyers, who are increasingly interested in smaller spaces instead of the gaudy, sprawling homes that were popular in the ’80s and ’90s. <P><br /> Many agents believe that smaller homes are more in demand because the Baby Boomer generation is starting to downsize. Boomers no longer need four or five bedrooms and are looking for spaces that are more in tune to their lifestyles as empty nesters. In fact, the latest U.S. Census Bureau reported that a little over 60% of all U.S. households are comprised of just two people or less.<P><br /> While affordability is the No. 1 driver for this trend, other factors do play a role, as buyers are more concerned with how much they will be paying each month on their energy, water and heating bills.<P><br /> “You can add better insulation, new windows and insulated doors, but nothing saves energy like a slightly smaller home,” said Danny Gough, an energy auditor for the consultant firm, Energy Solutions, based in N.C. “We have seen an interest in smaller homes because of this.”<P><br /> Conservation is the new watchword in new-home building and existing home sales, as buyers want to conserve their larger down payments and their future dollars by buying homes they need, not homes that impress the neighbors.<P><br /> According to a recent study by the National Association of Home Builders, by 2015, new homes will not only be greener and packed with more technological features than today’s homes, but they will be 10% smaller. In its report, “The New Home in 2015,” the NAHB points to the economic downturn for a “less is more” mentality. <P> <br /> “People are looking beyond what they pay in principal, interest and taxes and look closer at what they will be paying each month,” said Stephen Melman, director, Economic Services, Economics and Housing Policy for the NAHB. “Buyers, despite excellent prices and low interest rates, are cautious and are going to purchase the home that they need and not necessarily even the home they can afford. They are very careful.”<P><br /> This trend has developed quickly. At the beginning of 2007, the median floor area of new homes started was just over 2,300 square feet. The median floor area of new homes dropped to nearly 2,100 square feet by the end of 2010.<P><br /> “That’s close to a 9% decline in floor area over a very short period,” Melman said. “Total floor area isn’t what’s important there, but the amenities inside the home itself.”<P><br /> Rooms that are falling out of favor in new homes include media rooms, sunrooms, mudrooms and libraries. Echoing entryways, vaulted ceilings and giant pantries are also less popular.<P><br /> The report even said that the living room is dying out and will either vanish, merge with another room or become a smaller parlor. <P><br /> “People are asking what they can truly do without,” Melman said. “Almost 50% of buyers surveyed said they would be willing to give up the living room if affordability is an issue.”<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-2975704687544150025?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-7928342274127794282011-08-15T09:59:00.002-04:002011-08-15T10:05:03.069-04:00<p>We are still slightly down from a year ago, but keep in mind that the numbers were inflated last year due to the rush of first time homebuyers trying to beat the Federal Tax Credit deadline. All around the numbers aren't as bad as the media is making it out to be.<P> <br /> <br /><a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/YTDMarketSnapshot/2011_07_YTD_Market_Snapshot_SingleFamily.pdf" target="_blank">Click Here</a> to see the full report from TrendMLS for Single-Family Homes. Carefully compare your county's real estate market compared to the national stats. You'll be amazed at what you see!<P> <br /> <br />Interested in Condo Sales? <a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/YTDMarketSnapshot/2011_07_YTD_Market_Snapshot_Condo.pdf" target="_blank">Click Here</a> to see what's going on in the condo market. It isn't as pretty as the single-family homes and is generally what happens during market corrections.</p><p>The Year-to-Date Market Snapshot contains statistical information for single-family and condominium listings recorded within TREND. This report is organized by county and contains year-to-date information for sales, prices and percentage changes for each of the last three years, so you can clearly see the annual trends in a particular market. </p><p align="center"> <br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/t10jNaScDA4" frameborder="0" height="190" width="280"></iframe></p><p align="center"> </p><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span></p><p> </p><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span></p> <br /> <br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ></span></p><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635. <br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of <br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. <br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div> <br /> <br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p> <br /> <br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span> <br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-792834227412779428?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-40227590256508143032011-08-10T08:00:00.000-04:002011-08-10T08:00:19.900-04:00Buying a new home can be a huge, complex undertaking, especially when it’s your first time. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced real estate agent guiding you along the way.<P><br /> In a survey conducted earlier this year by Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services (PRERS), a Prudential Financial, Inc. [NYSE:PRU] company, 75% of respondents highlighted the importance of real estate agents in the process of buying or selling their home, with only 24% saying agents are helpful but not imperative.<P><br /> “Americans continue to see real estate agents as having a very important role in helping them price, buy and sell their homes,” said James Mallozzi, PRERS’ chairman and chief executive officer. “Although the data underscores the value real estate agents provide, it also shows that the industry needs to continue to work hard to meet clients’ unique needs.” <P><br /> First-time buyers need to look at their financial situation and crunch the numbers to see if this is the right time to buy. Chances are the numbers they see today will be the best they will see for some time, which is why so many are considering home ownership. <P><br /> Still, understanding the money that goes into a home purchase is important. The biggest mistake new buyers make is underestimating the costs of buying a house and maintaining it over time. <P><br /> Homebuying requires more than a down payment as closing costs and future expenses will figure prominently. Many experts agree that homeowners should have 1%-3% of their homes’ purchase price in savings for improvements and surprise expenses. Mortgage experts also say it’s wise to have at least six mortgage payments in the bank after a closing.<P><br /> While those numbers may not be feasible for everyone, if you are spending above your means on a new home, you may find yourself in financial trouble fast.<P><br /> Inspections are important for the first-time buyer, as they list repairs that will be needed for the home. A buyer should put together a short-term and long-term plan based on the inspection so they know how much money they will need in the months and years ahead.<P><br /> As renters, people are accustomed to paying rent and basic utilities. As homeowners, you’ll also pay for water, sewer and trash collection. Then there are property taxes, homeowner’s insurance and homeowner’s association dues, plus yard care, snow removal and other expenses unique to your location. <P><br /> To be sure, buying a home is one of the largest investments you’ll make and when done wisely, it can be one of the best decisions of your life. Your real estate agent will help each step of the way, first helping you establish a realistic price point for your home purchase and a clear understanding of your monthly expenses.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-4022759025650814303?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-67211253750620082532011-08-03T08:00:00.000-04:002011-08-03T08:00:17.225-04:00Real estate consumers today can find ample value in distressed homes – properties that are under a foreclosure order or up for short sale. In many cases, however, “distressed” speaks more for the condition of the homes than their recent financial histories, as they’ve sat empty for extended periods and have been subject to vandalism and theft.<P><br /> Those considering homes in need of repair and renovation should consider a 203k mortgage, which enables homebuyers to finance both the acquisition and rehabilitation of the property with just one loan.<P><br /> “FHA 203k purchase loans are the perfect financing vehicle for homeowners seeking the value proposition offered by REO homes,” said David Wind, president and board chairman of White Plains, N.Y.-based Guaranteed Home Mortgage Company, in a company statement this June. “Home buyers’ ‘perfect’ home can be purchased in less than perfect condition with a single-close loan product that allows repairs and remodeling.” <P><br /> There are two types of 203k loans: the 203k streamline and the full 203k. The 203k streamline is the most popular among homebuyers and lenders.<P><br /> “The maximum allowable in repairs is $35,000 under the 203k streamline and it does not allow any structural repairs to be done to the home, unless [the repairs are] a result of an unforeseen circumstance,” explained David Krushinsky, a certified mortgage planning specialist for Mesa, Ariz.-based AmeriFirst Financial Inc. “The full 203k allows structural repairs and will allow the buyer to exceed the $35,000 in home repairs. Both loans allow up to $1,500 in swimming pool repairs.”<P><br /> Contractors chosen to perform repairs must be licensed, bonded and insured, and they usually must provide the lender with a resume and two client-reference letters.<P><br /> “After the close of escrow is when all the rehabilitation work begins,” said Krushinsky. “Funds usually aren’t released immediately so it’s important for your contractor to start work in a timely manner. Typically, if they’ve been in business, they have existing relationships with vendors so they can order materials and begin work. If not, the project may take longer than anticipated.”<P><br /> Since the 203k mortgage is based on the home’s potential value after repairs -- not its existing value -- you can be approved for a higher loan amount. The mortgages also carry long-term-fixed rates, are insured as soon as they fund, and include escrow accounts for the scheduled repairs.<P><br /> Loan amounts are capped according to local FHA limits. Only owner-occupied properties of one to four units qualify for 203k mortage financing; homes also must be at least one year old.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-6721125375062008253?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-43637687432654831392011-07-25T15:03:00.002-04:002011-07-25T15:11:53.107-04:00The federal government has given troubled home owners 2 more days to apply for $1 billion in foreclosure-avoidance assistance through the Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program. The program, aimed at unemployed and underemployed home owners, was supposed to stop taking applications on Friday. <P><br /><br />However, the federal government has extended the application deadline for the program until Wednesday for home owners who call the Homeownership Preservation Foundation’s HOPE Hotline (888-995-HOPE). <P><br /><br />“The average EHLP loan is expected to be approximately $35,000, a rather significant amount,” said Colleen Hernandez, HPF’s CEO. “The loan is forgiven if the home owner stays in the home for five years — there would be no additional debt burden, no requirement to repay the money.”<P><br /><br />Home owners can apply for EHLP assistance through the Homeowners’ HOPE Hotline or website until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern) on Wednesday, July 27.<P><br /><br />Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), EHLP is a zero-interest, forgivable bridge loan program designed specifically to help unemployed and underemployed home owners facing significant threat of foreclosure avoid that outcome.<P><br /><br />Qualifying home owners who meet certain income and mortgage delinquency parameters can apply for up to $50,000 of assistance.<P><br /><br /><br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-4363768743265483139?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-15795710721961710572011-07-20T09:00:00.001-04:002011-07-20T09:00:12.729-04:00Tight lending guidelines have weighed on the U.S. housing market during its ongoing recovery. Most lending institutions during the past two years raised their credit score requirements to as high as 650, making it nearly impossible for many people to obtain a loan.<P><br />Wells Fargo made it a little easier for homebuyers this past year, when the lender lowered its credit score requirements on FHA mortgages. <br /> <P>“Under its new policy, Wells Fargo will accept borrowers with credit scores of 500 to 579 if those borrowers can make a down payment of at least 10%,” said Robert Lentini, a mortgage expert who blogs for the website thetruthaboutmortgage.com. “For borrowers with credit scores of 580 to 599, borrowers must put down 5%. Borrowers with credit scores of 600 or higher can make a 3.5% down payment.”<br /> <P>Quicken Loans, Inc. adapted similar policies— dropping to a minimum 580 FICO score. “There are folks who have steady incomes and a solid payment history but were temporarily affected by the economy or a life event in some way. “These challenges can lower their credit score significantly,” said Quicken Loans Inc.’s Chief Economist Bob Walters in a company statement. “We believe that a credit score, on its own, is not the sole arbiter of a person’s credit worthiness. This change will open up credit to a significant group of people and allow them to again have access to purchase or refinance a home.”<br /> <P>Such developments have been welcome news to FHA Commissioner David Stevens, who earlier this year urged lenders to lower their minimum credit score requirements to help the real estate industry as a whole. Stevens said that stringent requirements have constrained home sales by as much as 20% over the past year.<br /> <br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-1579571072196171057?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-59803513654042521522011-07-15T09:14:00.005-04:002011-07-15T09:27:00.086-04:00<p>Remember, the real estate market is like the weather forecast. It doesn't matter if it's raining in Florida or California since it's sunny in Chester County.The local market is what matters, even though the media reports only at the national level. </p><p>Keep in mind that there was a Federal Tax Credit last year which inflated a normal market. That is the main reason the numbers are slightly down in Chester County.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/YTDMarketSnapshot/2011_06_YTD_Market_Snapshot_SingleFamily.pdf" target="_blank">Click Here</a> to see the full report from TrendMLS for Single-Family Homes. Carefully compare your county's real estate market compared to the national stats. You'll be amazed at what you see!<br /><br />Interested in Condo Sales? <a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/YTDMarketSnapshot/2011_06_YTD_Market_Snapshot_Condo.pdf" target="_blank">Click Here</a> to see what's going on in the condo market. It isn't as pretty as the single-family homes and is generally what happens during market corrections.</p><p>The Year-to-Date Market Snapshot contains statistical information for single-family and condominium listings recorded within TREND. This report is organized by county and contains year-to-date information for sales, prices and percentage changes for each of the last three years, so you can clearly see the annual trends in a particular market. </p><p align="center"><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" height="190" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/t10jNaScDA4" frameborder="0" width="280"></iframe></p><p align="center"> </p><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><p> </p><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="line-height: 150%; font-style: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ></span></p><div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:78%;" >Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><p style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-5980351365404252152?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-24868887436934620612011-07-13T09:00:00.001-04:002011-07-13T09:00:00.791-04:00If William Shakespeare financed a home today he’d probably ask on the subject of mortgage points: “To pay or not to pay? That is the question.” <br /> <P>Homebuyers direct the same question to their real estate agents. Here are some perspectives: <br /> <P>In its simplest definition, a point is an additional loan fee that is paid to the lender in exchange for a lower interest rate. It’s called “buying down,” and it allows you to reduce your rate for the life of the loan.<br /> <P>Let’s say you secured a mortgage loan for $500,000 without points, at 4.6% on a 30-year mortgage, your payment would be approximately $2,560 a month. If you paid two points ($10,000), the interest rate in this example would go down to 4.1% and the monthly payment would decrease to around $2,415, a savings of $145 a month.<br /> <P>In this scenario, it would take you about eight years to recoup the money you paid up front, so if you are planning on staying in your home a while, this will save you money in the long-run. <br />Home buyers must answer some key questions to determine if paying points is a wise decision. Specifically:<br />• How long will you keep the home?<br />• Do you have extra money to pay points?<br />• Could that money be better used for something else? <br /><P>Money managers may suggest that a smarter option is to invest that $10,000 because you could do much better than your $140 savings, but you have to weigh the variables.<br /> <P>“Paying points depends on your career, your interests and all the things that predict your future,” said financial advisor Thomas Watkins of Total Mortgage Services in Milford, Conn. “Points are paid up front while your savings will be spread out into the future. Therefore, you get more benefit if you own your home longer, or if you don’t refinance for a long time.”<br /> <P>The rule of thumb when it comes to points is simple: If you plan to stay in the house for less than three years, do not pay points. If you plan to stay in the house for more than five years, pay 1 to 2 points. If you’ll be in the house for three to five years, paying points doesn’t make a significant difference.<br /> <P>Another important aspect to consider: Since points are interest-payment related, they are fully deductible on your taxes in the year that you close. See your tax advisor for details. <br /> <P>Mortgage points can add up to valuable savings over the course of your loan, but the future isn’t always predictable. Even if you “plan” on staying in your home for 20 years, changes in your career or family life could alter the plan. <br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-2486888743693462061?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-41304590579873692392011-07-06T09:00:00.001-04:002011-07-06T09:00:13.560-04:00When it comes to preparing your home for sale in an environmentally friendly way, Kermit the Frog had it wrong. It is easy being green. <br /> <P>With so many homebuyers seeking green features in the homes they consider, sellers should create an eco-friendly atmosphere for the buyer, and that doesn’t always mean costly fixes. <br /> <P>It’s always nice for a homebuyer who’s been touring houses all day to find water or a snack waiting for them in your kitchen. Instead of leaving the customary bottled water, go the eco-friendly route and have a pitcher of filtered tap water at the ready. Add some organic fruits and vegetables and keep trash minimized. Also, use glassware and plates instead of plastic cups and paper plates. This practice is not only green, it shows class.<br /> <P>Talk with your agent about using recycled paper for all your brochures and advertisements around the neighborhood. Someone who is environmentally conscious will appreciate the effort. <br /> <P>Another way to act “green” is during your de-cluttering stage, when you remove furniture and other items from your home prior to the home’s listing. Instead of simply throwing out all those things you no longer want or need, you can recycle, resell at a garage sale, donate to a charity, or give away the items at the popular website Freecycle.com. <br /> <P>Big fixes around the home can go a long way, too. In this age of global warming and high-energy costs, more buyers are looking for houses that embrace energy conservation. The simplest upgrade is to replace all the light bulbs in the home with CFLs (compact fluorescents), which use a quarter of the electricity as regular bulbs. <br /> <P>To help with heating, make sure cracks are tightly caulked and leaks are sealed. Doing so can reduce your annual heating bill by $100, according to Department of Energy figures. <br /> <P>Justin Barnes, a policy analyst for the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, said some of the easiest green fixes deal with appliance replacement. Most of today’s appliances are highly efficient and will reduce your energy bills. They’re also more attractive than their worn-out predecessors. <br /> <P>Barnes also suggests replacing doors and windows if the budget allows, and looking for better ways to insulate the home. <br /> <P>Also consider tankless water heaters, which are energy efficient and ultimately use less water during the heating process. <br />Don’t be afraid to boast about your green home and any recent enhancements. Working with your agent to highlight your eco-friendly features may just be what makes the difference in completing the sale.<br /><br /><br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-4130459057987369239?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-26594476959298479792011-06-29T09:00:00.001-04:002011-06-29T09:00:14.606-04:00The theory behind short sales seems simple enough: If a homeowner owes more money on a house than the house can sell for, and the homeowner is struggling to pay the mortgage, the lender will allow the house to be sold for less than is owed.<br />For obvious reasons, lenders are not big fans of short sales and often make it a complicated process.<P><br /> In April 2010, The Home Affordable Alternatives Program (HAFA) released new guidelines designed to streamline the short-sale process and allow more delinquent homeowners to sell their homes and move on with their lives.<br /> <P>In its first year, participating servicers initiated 12,266 HAFA agreements and completed 5,447 transactions.<br /> <P>According to the National Association of Realtors, the share of distressed homes—bank-owned properties and pre-foreclosure short sales— in April 2011 dropped to 37% of total sales volume, down from 40% in March and an average of 39% over the first quarter.<br /> <P>HAFA complements the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), a loan modification program designed to reduce delinquent and at-risk borrowers’ monthly mortgage payments by providing alternatives for borrowers who don’t qualify for or don’t complete a trial modification.<br /> <P>“[HAFA short-sale guidelines] are designed to help people who are unable to keep their home under the HAMP loan modification program,” said Jeff Lischer, managing director for regulatory policy for The National Association of Realtors. “Let’s say you can’t keep your property under HAMP, the next step is a short sale, which is better than a foreclosure.”<br /> <P>It’s estimated that lenders lose about 40% of a property’s value on a foreclosure, whereas the figure is reduced to about 19% on a short sale. Moreover, the short sale is a graceful exit from the ownership, which is better for people’s credit scores.<br /> <P>New rules also add incentives for the short-sale process. One incentive helps sellers relocate by providing them with $3,000 for moving expenses. A second incentive is for mortgage servicers, who receive $1,500 from the federal government for each completed short sale. Under new guidelines, homeowners can secure a short sale approval in advance from the bank representing a minimum net amount the bank will accept.<br /> <P>Lenders participating in the HAFA program maintain the following requirements for homeowners considering short sale: The loan must be less than $729,750, made before Jan. 1, 2009, and the home must be the owner’s primary residence. Also, the homeowner must be delinquent and unable to pay the mortgage, and the homeowner’s mortgage payment must be more than 31% of his or her before-tax income. <br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-2659447695929847979?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-79089720748430146342011-06-22T09:00:00.001-04:002011-06-22T09:00:19.318-04:00Homeowners with young children face a common challenge when their house is on the market: How do you keep the home clean and ready for prospective buyers while maintaining a kid-friendly and safe environment? <br /> <P>Keeping that “staged look” as the kids create instant messes can be overwhelming. Your primary focus should be the kids’ bedrooms, according to two home stagers.<P> <br />“Children’s bedrooms are often problematic when getting a home ready to sell,” said Külli Yee, founder and president of Ilus Design Home Staging and Re-design, Port Coquitlam, B.C., Canada. “They tend to have more clutter than most rooms in the form of toys and activities, and out-of-season and hand-me-down clothes and toys are often stored in the child’s bedroom.”<br /> <P>Ye suggests limiting the number of toys and activities that children play with each week and adding and subtracting as the kids get bored. <br /> <P>“Most kids only actively use three or four favorite toys at a time and the rest just sits there collecting dust,” Yee said. “Pack away extra toys, stuffed animals and books. Organize the remaining toys neatly in baskets, boxes and bins and display only a few items on the shelves.”<br /> <P>Alice T. Chan, a Fremont, Calif.-based home stager and author of the book 8 Steps for Creating an Irresistible Market Ready Home that Sells, recommended keeping a child’s bedroom floor and closet free of clutter by lightening the load. <br /> <P>“Reduce the amount of items stored in the closets,” she said. “Pack, store or give away anything that the child doesn’t need for the next two to three months. This is also the perfect time to get rid of unused or broken toys and old clothes.”<br /> <P>For those with infants, a nursery should be kept tidy with all extra diapers, wipes, lotions, baby bottles and clothes hidden away in a dresser. Make sure that the diaper pail is emptied frequently.<br /> <P>Moreover, remove any furniture that doesn’t serve a purpose in the nursery. Anything beyond a crib, dresser, rocking chair, changing table and small accessories should be packed away. <br /> <P>If your kids have their own rooms, consider asking them to share a room for a couple of months until the home sells. This allows you to set up the other bedrooms as a guest room or home office, adding extra value to your home.<br /> <P>Unlike pets, you can’t simply pack up the kids and send them away for weeks at a time. Remind your children that once your current home sells, the new home will bring them exciting new adventures. If that doesn’t make them more cooperative in helping keep the place then there’s always plan B: bribe them with ice cream, outside! <br /><br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-7908972074843014634?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-30243604154516805052011-06-20T08:00:00.002-04:002011-06-20T08:00:12.604-04:00The main area where I conduct the most business is doing just fine according to the May reports just released from the TrendMLS (Multiple Listing Service). Seems like the media has blown the national numbers way out of proportion again!<br /><p><br /><br />The local market is what matters, even though the media reports only at the national level. Remember, the real estate market is like the weather forecast. It doesn't matter if it's raining in Florida or California since it's sunny in Chester County. Keep in mind that there was a Federal Tax Credit last year which inflated the normal May 2010 market. That is the main reason the numbers are slightly down in Chester County.<br /></p><p><br /><a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/YTDMarketSnapshot/2011_05_YTD_Market_Snapshot_SingleFamily.pdf" target="_blank">Click Here</a> to see the full report from TrendMLS for Single-Family Homes. Carefully compare your county's real estate market compared to the national stats. You'll be amazed at what you see!</p><p><br />Interested in Condo Sales? <a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/YTDMarketSnapshot/2011_05_YTD_Market_Snapshot_Condo.pdf" target="_blank">Click Here</a> to see what's going on in the condo market. It isn't as pretty as the single-family homes and is generally what happens during market corrections.<br /><br /></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/t10jNaScDA4" frameborder="0" height="190" width="280"></iframe></p><p align="center"><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" border="0" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-3024360415451680505?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-55389215397046487682011-06-14T09:00:00.000-04:002011-06-14T09:00:11.644-04:00Back in the days before anyone knew better—we’re talking pre-1980—much of the paint used in homes contained lead. Over time, the paint would chip or crumble and the resulting dust caused serious health issues, especially for children and pregnant women. <br /> <P>Lead-based paint was used both inside and outside of homes, most notably on windows, baseboards, trim and doors. Many layers of lead-based paint have been disturbed through the years during remodeling or home repair and it’s necessary for anyone selling a home to be aware of this.<br /> <P>The Environmental Protection Agency issued a report revealing that lead can affect children’s brains and developing nervous systems, resulting in reduced intelligence, learning disabilities and behavioral problems.<br /> <P>In a study released by the Department of Health, the agency reported that about 75% of all homes built before 1978 contain some lead-based paint. Furthermore, it’s estimated that more than 38 million homes in the U.S. still contain lead paint. <br /> <P>So, a chief concern of anyone buying or selling a house should be to address the possibility of any lead paint in the home and it’s vital that anyone dealing with paint in older homes treat it as if it is hazardous material.<br /> <P>Real estate agents and their sellers are required to disclose any presence of known lead paint and lead hazards during the sale or rental of housing. The same holds true for renovation and remodeling contractors, who are required to warn customers of the hazards of lead paint.<br /> <P>Last year, the first federal regulation on the remodeling industry was enacted concerning this important hazard. <br /> <P>To ensure that all lead paint is removed safely and effectively, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s “Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting” rule governing the work of professional remodelers in homes where there is lead-based paint was published in the Federal Register on Earth Day, April 22, 2010.<br /> <P>The law requires that anyone who is paid to renovate a home that was built before 1978 be trained and/or certified to follow lead paint safety practices. The new rule lists prohibited work practices, including open-torch burning and using high-heat guns and high-speed equipment such as grinders and sanders unless equipped with a HEPA filter. It also requires a cleaning inspection after the work is completed.<br /> <P>For homeowners who are unsure about their homes, sometimes it's easier to replace windows, doors, or woodwork than it is to remove the lead-based paint. This way, all traces of any paint will have been removed from the home.<br /> <P>Agents know that there’s no question that a home is worth more if they can say for certain that it contains no lead paint, so for the peace of mind of everyone involved, deal with all lead paint issues as soon as possible.<br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-5538921539704648768?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-88075078629509535492011-06-07T09:00:00.000-04:002011-06-07T09:00:13.616-04:00Most homeowners claim to be eco-friendly and want to help the environment, yet they worry that making changes in their home will be costly or inconsequential. This is especially true for someone who is in the process of selling their home and doesn’t want to make any substantial changes to a place they hope to be leaving soon.<br /> <P>However, making-energy efficient home improvements doesn’t have to mean sweeping changes and, by creating a better carbon footprint for your house, you will attract green-conscious homebuyers. <br /> <P>Recent studies have reported that 80% of homebuyers identify energy savings and comfortable surroundings as key factors when deciding between listings, so more agents today are working with home sellers on innovative energy, environmental and ecological approaches and opportunities for selling the home.<br /> <P>One simple and easy change concerns the lighting in your house. Today’s green lighting isn’t limited to the fluorescent light bulbs to which most people have quickly adapted. There are plenty of other options including LED gaining in popularity as a viable and affordable home-lighting source.<br /> <P>LED is an energy-efficient, semi-conducting light source that started growing in popularity in 2007. In the past, LED lighting appeared as unattractive blue hues but today’s LED lighting offers the same bright white output as incandescent lighting. Plus there is an affordable price tag to go with it and people understand the value of it.<br /> <P>LED lighting can also be used in some areas of the home that will better showcase features when one looks around. From track lighting over the fireplace to under-counter cabinet lighting to can lighting in the hall, LED fixtures can cast dramatic light on your home’s best features.<br /> <P>There are plenty of other benefits as well. LED lighting uses 75% less electricity than the standard incandescent light bulbs, and LED bulbs last 50 times longer than standard bulbs, saving you money.<br /> <P>Energy-efficient lighting should also be used in exterior locals of the home, such as around any deck, pool, patio or garden. These low-energy emitting lights are perfect complements to any outdoor features you want to show off. <br /> <P>Of course, once someone buys a home, they can just make the changes themselves, but a savvy real estate agent will tell you that a homebuyer will judge your eco-friendly actions in a positive light and may be more inclined to deal with you.<br /> <P>Taking advantage of these modern lights will not only let you help the environment, but it may benefit your pocketbook as well.<br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-8807507862950953549?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-53868997157274607072011-05-31T09:00:00.000-04:002011-05-31T09:00:12.279-04:00With spring in the air, the exterior of a home becomes even more important when putting your house on the market because buyers now will spend more time outside looking at your property and envisioning what their summer barbeques and family playtime will look like.<br /> <P>The addition of any amount of usable real estate to a property increases value. Customized decks and personalized outdoor living areas are a hot trend in home improvement upgrades, and a great-looking deck may entice more people to come see your home. <br /> <P>Building or updating an existing deck isn’t simply a great investment; it also provides opportunities to personalize your backyard and customize the look to your taste. And with many families staying home this summer to save money, why not think about creating the perfect location for entertaining?<br /> <P>Deck experts agree that multi-level decks are the most popular now. These are a series of decks connected by stairways or walkways, which are aesthetically pleasing and can be used for different purposes. One level can be used to catch the sun, one level can be positioned for shade and another can be set close to the house for entertaining and barbequing. <br /> <P>Wood decks have always been the most popular, but caring for them is tough. They will rot over time, are subject to insect infestation and require a great deal of maintenance to keep the wood from fading. Accordingly, people are embracing composite materials for their decks, which cost significantly more but will last longer with less maintenance.<br /> <P>For those homes that already have a deck, it’s important to make sure that it’s still in good shape and adds to the attractiveness of a property. You can change your deck’s appearance with interesting balusters to match other decorative accents on your house or in your yard and really add unique touches to make the deck a personal haven. Meanwhile, railings offer a good opportunity to pull in color and ornamental detail that complements the house.<br /> <P>By designing your deck with accents, lights and unique accessories, you can transform your backyard into an outdoor retreat one will never want to leave. Whether you’re catching up with friends over a grilled dinner in the evening or are curled up with a book in a lounge chair on a sunny afternoon, a deck is the perfect place to be.<br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-5386899715727460707?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-47322289409485091022011-05-25T09:00:00.001-04:002011-05-25T09:00:06.698-04:00Spring is in the air and that means that homebuyers are going to be paying just as much attention to the exterior of a home than the interior. Those shopping for a home want to envision their kids playing in the yard, their friends coming over for barbeques and the lazy Sunday afternoon laying on the lawn.<br /> <P>While people are inclined to bring in flowers, paint the deck and work on the curb appeal, often the lawn itself is neglected. The positives of a well-maintained grass yard are many and it’s important to get your grass in tip-top shape before showing your home.<br /> <P>When it comes to growing grass, consistent care is key and failure to invest in long-term turf care can open the window to any number of problems in your lawn. <br /> <P>It’s also important to give your grass the fertilizing lawn care and control treatments it needs based on the season. Lawn care for growing grass as we enter May has different needs than what is expected in late summer and fall. <br /> <P>The way you mow your lawn can either make growing grass easier or harder. In the spring, you need to keep the grass high. You never want to remove more than one third of the total blade height when mowing, or you could chop off the food-producing parts of the grass blade and end up with a brown lawn instead of a green one.<br /> <P>You should also leave grass clippings on the lawn to help recycle important lawn fertilizing nutrients. <br /> <P>Lawn care experts share that growing green plants is the best thing you can do to clean the air and grass is considered to be better than most other plants or trees at removing carbon and other impurities from the atmosphere. Through the process of photosynthesis, grass takes carbon from the air and stores it in the ground. <br /> <P>“A grass lawn enriches the soil by providing a home for beneficial micro-organisms and insects that eat nature’s leftovers—decomposing grass clippings, plant leaves and other vegetation—and recycle nutrients back into the soil,” said Michael McDermott, a lawn care expert. “It also pollinates plants and serves as food for other animals, making grass an important part of nature’s cycle.”<br /> <P>An important component of growing grass is to properly water it, and it is better to water deeply (down to a depth of 6 inches) and less frequently, than lightly and more often. If your lawn dulls in color or begins to wilt, then your lawn needs water. Make sure to sweep any fertilizer that lands on driveways and sidewalks back on to the lawn.<br /> <P>Grass also acts like a natural air conditioner that cools the air as it releases water vapor through its blades. The water evaporates and draws heat, cooling the air in the process. As a result, lawns are a safer surface for children to play on and provide the cool comfort we desire on hot days. Those are selling points that can help any home sale.<br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-4732228940948509102?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-52622404756909014632011-05-18T09:00:00.001-04:002011-05-18T09:00:21.747-04:00Although your home may have been housing a traditional family of a mom, dad and two kids, savvy real estate agents will tell you that in order to attract more buyers, staging your house as one fit for multi-generations is the way to go.<br /> <P>More parents and grandparents are finding a need to move in with family, as many can no longer afford the increasing rates of the adult communities where they once lived. Furthermore, the economic climate is forcing many kids to return home once their schooling is done.<br /> <P>A recent multi-generational study conducted by the Pew Research Center, Washington, D.C., revealed that multigenerational living has been on the rise over the past decade, fueled by demographic and cultural shifts.<br /> <P>“One of the things that struck me about this change is that it’s coming from all directions,” said Paul Taylor, author of the report. “More young adults are moving back home, more elderly are moving in with their middle-age children and more middle-aged children are moving back with their elderly parents.”<br /> <P>Data from the study shows that in the 10-year span between 2000 and 2009, the number of households practicing multi-generational living increased to 33%, with more than 49 million Americans currently living in homes with three or more generations.<br /> <P>Real estate professionals are tending to highlight features such as finished walkout basements and bonus bedrooms today more than ever. That’s why when your agent tells you that switching out your office or transposing the basement play area to one that resembles more of a bedroom is the way to go, you should be listening. <br /> <P>When selling your home, you need to look at the process from the perspective of all buyers, not just yours. Consider how a multigenerational family might use the various spaces available, and give prospective homebuyers options to easily transform from single-family to multigenerational living.<br /> <P>Therefore, any home that contains bonus space is a viable candidate for a multigenerational buyer who’s planning to bring an ill or out-of-work family member back into the fold.<br /> <P>Experts agree that intergenerational living is easier when each family subunit has its own space. “Everyone who is going to share the home should have a private area of their own,” said Amy Goyer, a multigenerational expert at AARP. “It is best if there is more than one common area so that children and adults have spaces to relax in without everyone having to spend all their free time in the same room together.”<br /> <P>Multigenerational house design can be applied to just one structure or can be accomplished with two or three units to keep families together while preserving their independence and privacy.<br /> <P>According to Cam Marston, author and founder of the research firm Generational Insight, there are a number of benefits for different generations of a family living together. “It’s less expensive, obviously, but more importantly, they can learn from one another,” Marston said. “Separating generations keeps them aloof from the trends and important things impacting each generation. When they are all under one roof, they can grow up sooner and stay young longer. It works on both ends of the generations.”<br /> <P>Another thing for home sellers to consider when it comes to attracting multigenerational buyers is the home’s accessibility for people who might be living with aging parents who use wheel chairs or walkers.<br /> <P>Creating a complete, accessible living space on one level with safety features can make a home attractive to people of all ages.<br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-5262240475690901463?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-19594526737388615352011-05-16T09:07:00.000-04:002011-05-16T09:08:44.759-04:00I love selling real estate! The main area where I conduct the most business is doing just fine according to the reports just released from the TrendMLS (Multiple Listing Service). <P><br /><br />The local market is what matters, even though the media reports only at the national level.Remember, the real estate market is like the weather forecast. It doesn't matter if it's raining in Florida or California since it's sunny in Chester County.<P> <br /><a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/YTDMarketSnapshot/2011_04_YTD_Market_Snapshot_SingleFamily.pdf" target="_blank">Click Here</a> to see the full report from TrendMLS for Single-Family Homes. Carefully compare your county's real estate market compared to the national stats. You'll be amazed at what you see!<P><br />Interested in Condo Sales? <a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/YTDMarketSnapshot/2011_04_YTD_Market_Snapshot_Condo.pdf" target="_blank">Click Here</a> to see what's going on in the condo market. It isn't as pretty as the single-family homes and is generally what happens during market corrections.<br /><br /><p align="center"><p align="center"><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" height="190" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/t10jNaScDA4" frameborder="0" width="280"></iframe></p><p align="center"><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-1959452673738861535?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-39662508049982546212011-05-11T09:00:00.000-04:002011-05-11T09:00:05.355-04:00They say a picture paints a thousand words and when it comes to selling your home, you want those words to end with “sold.” It’s no secret that better-presented homes get more traffic and more buyer interest, therefore selling faster.<P><br /> That’s why it is essential that you showcase your home through images in the best way possible. <P><br /> According to the National Association of REALTORS®, nearly 90% of all homebuyers begin shopping for homes online. Many flip through photos of the homes and send a list of those they want to see to their agent. In fact, homes with few or no photos are often passed over simply for that reason, even if the home’s description matches a buyer’s ideal listing. <P><br /> Many agents believe that apart from staging, no other marketing investment is as important as professional photography in marketing a property effectively. So, to generate more buyer interest, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of professional real estate photographers in the past few years. <P><br /> The best photographs are most likely to come from someone who has an eye for the underlying beauty of the home’s structure and spaces; has specialized equipment and techniques for lighting and perspective control; and uses workflow processes for post-processing of the images for use on the Web and in publications.<P><br /> Let’s face it, as much as we all like to think we take great photos, a professional has an eye for seeing the best vantage points and lighting options and also has better equipment to make the photos bright, clear and sharp. A professional photographer will most likely use a 10mm lens that can capture up to 85% of a room and lighting that can illuminate the entire room.<P><br /> The same holds true with taking video of your home to add to a website listing. An amateur can show what each room and yard looks like, but a video professional will make the strongest elements stand out and provide a much better video narrative of the home. Plus, you don’t have to worry about any shakiness or dullness that someone not that experienced with a video camera may give you.<P><br /> Before bringing in someone to photograph or video your home, it’s essential that it is clean and de-cluttered so the pictures entice a buyer to want to see the home in person. You don’t want clothes, pets or anything else distracting people from the photo at hand.<P><br /> Indeed, homes showcased with the best photographs and videos will attract more sellers and help speed the home-sale process to a successful conclusion.<br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-3966250804998254621?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-79412443242096597832011-05-04T08:10:00.001-04:002011-05-04T08:11:32.778-04:00Spring is here and for those selling their home or getting ready to put their house on the market, there’s nothing quite as beneficial as doing a great “spring cleaning” job to not only make your home look great, but to get rid of some of that clutter that could distract someone coming to see your home. <P><br /> <strong>Here are five spring cleaning tips that will help you sell your home.</strong> <P><br /> 1: Curb appeal becomes as important as ever when the weather turns nicer and buyers are more likely to spend time outside looking at the exterior of the house and the property. Make sure to have a well-maintained lawn with all the leaves gone, the grass mowed and the hedges trimmed. <P><br />Spruce things up by buying some inexpensive, yet colorful flowers and spread fresh mulch in flowerbeds. Fill in any bare spots on your lawn with sod or seed. Make sure to also clean your gutters, wash your welcome mat and put away any rakes or winter shovels that clutter the yard. <P><br /> 2: The phrase “I don’t do windows” should never apply when selling a home. While a REALTOR® may tell you that homes show better with the blinds or curtains up, this will not be true if the windows are dirty. A clean window brings more light into a room and allows buyers the chance to see what the view will be when they look out of their potential new home. It’s important to clean both the inside and outside of all windows until they are streak free and spotless. This includes all sliding glass doors, garage windows and outside doors. <P><br /> 3: Pay close attention to the “little” things that might draw the eye of a prospective homebuyer. Go around your home with a pad and pencil and inspect each room for things such as small holes in the wall where a painting used to hang, outlets that are missing a cover or doorknobs that are loose and squeaky. Also, be sure to check all of the caulking around sinks, faucets and tubs, as well as any grout in tile counters or bathtubs. As you take the time and the small amount of money to fix these items you reduce the reasons for someone not liking your home. <P><br /> 4: Power wash your driveway, walkway, siding and deck. You don’t need to invest in the money of buying a new power washer as they are easy to rent from stores such as Lowe’s. Power washing removes layers and years of dirt and grime from stone and cement, including mildew stains from the winter. Power washing the porch, a fence or deck clears away all the dirt and debris and makes the home instantly seem cleaner. If the outside of your home looks dingy, you may be setting the impression that you didn’t keep up the home itself well, so make sure to have everything looking top notch. <P><br /> 5: One of the first pieces of advice you will get from your real estate agent is to reduce clutter in your home. Spring cleaning is the perfect excuse to get rid of things you don’t really need. Go through all your closets and bag up all the clothes that don’t fit, are out of style or you simply don’t wear anymore and donate them to a charity. Take your old books, the kids’ toys they no longer play with and those kitchen knickknacks and hold a garage sale. A de-cluttered home is always more attractive to the homebuyer.<br /><br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-7941244324209659783?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-78649591968005988132011-04-27T09:00:00.000-04:002011-04-27T09:00:16.475-04:00Ever heard of an energy efficient mortgage?<br />EEMs, formally introduced by the Federal Housing Administration in 1995, help consumers save money on utility bills by enabling them to finance the cost of energy-efficiency features for their new or existing homes as part of their FHA-insured home purchase or refinanced mortgage.<br /><br /><br /><p>This program was popular when first introduced but it is underutilized today, which has some scratching their heads. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy maintains that an energy-efficient mortgage is one of the most beneficial programs consumers can use to capitalize on today’s real estate market.<br /><br /><br /><p>After all, you can participate without the need to qualify for additional financing because cost-effective energy improvements result in lower utility bills, making more funds available for your mortgage payments. Through the program you can upgrade windows and doors, install active and passive solar technologies, insulating an attic or crawl space, replace older heating and cooling systems and fix or replace chimneys, among many other enhancements.<br /><br /><br /><p>The maximum cost of improvements you can add to your mortgage is either 5% of the property’s value (not to exceed $8,000) or $4,000, whichever is greater based on your property’s value. FHA requires that you make at least a 3.5% cash investment on your property based on the sale price. The total mortgage amount is based on your home’s value plus the projected cost of energy-efficient improvements.<br /><br /><br /><p>Experts believe that an EEM can add an additional 15% of a home’s appraised value to the principal of a new loan or a refinance, often at no additional cost, no compromise in the loan-to-value ratio for the borrower, and sometimes at a better rate. Benefits derived from the EEM will vary from one house to another, and your lender will be your best source on what benefits you may obtain.<br /><br /><p><br />Of course, your home’s energy efficiency becomes an attractive selling point when you place the property on the market.<br /><br /><br /><p>You may apply for an EEM with any HUD-approved lender, such as a bank, credit union or mortgage company. Visit www.hud.com for a list of HUD-approved lenders. An energy consultant or Home Energy Rating System provider will assess your property before financing is approved.<br /><br /><br /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-7864959196800598813?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-86009631263920617842011-04-20T09:25:00.000-04:002011-04-20T09:26:08.497-04:00I love selling real estate! The main area where I conduct the most business is doing just fine according to the reports just released from the TrendMLS (Multiple Listing Service). <P><br /><br />Remember, the real estate market is like the weather forecast. It doesn't matter if it's raining in California since it's sunny in Chester County. The local market is what matters, even though the media reports only at the national level.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/YTDMarketSnapshot/2011_03_YTD_Market_Snapshot_SingleFamily.pdf">Click Here</a> to see the full report from TrendMLS for Single-Family Homes. Carefully compare your county's real estate market compared to the national stats. You'll be amazed at what you see!<P><br /><br /><p align="center"><p align="center"><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" height="190" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/t10jNaScDA4" frameborder="0" width="280"></iframe></p><p align="center"><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-8600963126392061784?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-92064266981166255132011-04-13T09:00:00.000-04:002011-04-13T09:00:08.214-04:00A solid game plan can help you narrow your homebuying search to find the best home for you.<P><br /><br /><strong>1. Know thyself</strong><BR>Understand the type of home that suits your personality. Do you prefer a new or existing home? A ranch or a multistory home? If you’re leaning toward a fixer-upper, are you truly handy, or will you need to budget for contractors?<P><br /><br /><strong>2. Research before you look</strong><BR>List the features you most want in a home and identify which are necessities and which are extras. Identify three to four neighborhoods you’d like to live in based on commute time, schools, recreation, crime, and price. Then hop onto <a href="http://www.chipplumley.com">ChipPlumley.com</a> to get a feel for the homes available in your price range in your favorite neighborhoods. Use the results to prioritize your wants and needs so you can add in and weed out properties from the inventory you’d like to view.<P><br /><br /><strong>3. Get your finances in order</strong><BR>Generally, lenders say you can afford a home priced two to three times your gross income. Create a budget so you know how much you’re comfortable spending each month on housing. Don’t wait until you’ve found a home and made an offer to investigate financing. <br><br /><br />Gather your financial records and meet with a lender to get a prequalification letter spelling out how much you’re eligible to borrow. The lender won’t necessarily consider the extra fees you’ll pay when you purchase or your plans to begin a family or purchase a new car, so shop in a price range you’re comfortable with. Also, presenting an offer contingent on financing will make your bid less attractive to sellers.<P><br /><br /><strong>4. Set a moving timeline</strong><BR>Do you have blemishes on your credit that will take time to clear up? If you already own, have you sold your current home? If not, you’ll need to factor in the time needed to sell. If you rent, when is your lease up? Do you expect interest rates to jump anytime soon? All these factors will affect your buying, closing, and moving timelines.<P><br /><br /><strong>5. Think long term</strong><BR>Your future plans may dictate the type of home you’ll buy. Are you looking for a starter house with plans to move up in a few years, or do you hope to stay in the home for five to 10 years? With a starter, you may need to adjust your expectations. If you plan to nest, be sure your priority list helps you identify a home you’ll still love years from now.<P><br /><br /><strong>6. Work with a REALTOR®</strong><BR>Ask people you trust for referrals to a real estate professional they trust. Interview agents to determine which have expertise in the neighborhoods and type of homes you’re interested in. Because homebuying triggers many emotions, consider whether an agent’s style meshes with your personality. <br><br /><br />Also ask if the agent specializes in buyer representation. Unlike listing agents, whose first duty is to the seller, buyers’ reps work only for you even though they’re typically paid by the seller. Finally, check whether agents are REALTORS®, which means they’re members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. NAR has been a champion of homeownership rights for more than a century.<P><br /><br /><strong>7. Be realistic</strong><BR>It’s OK to be picky about the home and neighborhood you want, but don’t be close-minded, unrealistic, or blinded by minor imperfections. If you insist on living in a cul-de-sac, you may miss out on great homes on streets that are just as quiet and secluded. <P><br /><br />On the flip side, don’t be so swayed by a “wow” feature that you forget about other issues—like noise levels—that can have a big impact on your quality of life. Use your priority list to evaluate each property, remembering there’s no such thing as the perfect home.<P><br /><br /><strong>8. Limit the opinions you solicit</strong><BR>It’s natural to seek reassurance when making a big financial decision. But you know that saying about too many cooks in the kitchen. If you need a second opinion, select one or two people. But remain true to your list of wants and needs so the final decision is based on criteria you’ve identified as important.<p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-9206426698116625513?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-59704639418619976332011-04-06T09:00:00.000-04:002011-04-06T09:19:34.487-04:00When people enter your home they usually look down before up, so that first step is vital for attracting a homebuyer and making a great first impression. This is one reason why more people are installing hardwood floors in their homes.<P><br /><br /> Hardwood flooring enhances the look of any room and can create a classic ambiance that will beautify the interior design of your home. Residential real estate agents agree that homes with wood floors hold their value better, sell faster and fetch higher prices.<P><br /><br /> Last year, 99 percent of real estate agents responding to a national survey conducted by the National Wood Flooring Association agreed that homes with hardwood floors are easier to sell. The survey also found that 82 percent believe that homes with hardwood floors sell faster and 90 percent said they would sell for more money.<P><br /><br /> The American Hardwood Information Center adds that restoring hardwood flooring in the home is one of the best long-term investments to be made.<br><br /><br /> “Hardwood floors are environmentally friendly, forever fashionable, and will last for generations,” said Pembroke Jacobs, president of the Hardwood Manufacturers Association. “Plus, with an expected life span of up to 100 years for certain premium hardwood flooring, you can be assured that that the hardwood really is a one-time investment with a very long-term payoff.”<P><br /><br /> Real estate agents also agree that carpeting does not impress potential buyers, but hardwood floors are always a draw. Engineered wood floors impart warmth, depth and richness to a home’s decor that cannot be matched by carpeting, tile or vinyl flooring. <P><br /><br />Despite the existence of modern architectural trends in flooring, hardwood can still compete with floor tiles and other artificial materials. It comes in a variety of colors and grains; light, medium, or dark shades; and a variety of sizes, styles, finishes and species.<P><br /><br /> Maple, mahogany and oak are the most popular woods, but some homeowners are investing in exotics such as Brazilian cherry and purpleheart.<P><br /><br /> The Environmental Protection Agency has said that indoor air quality is one of the top health threats and wood floors can help contribute to a healthy living environment. In fact, a recent EPA study found that pesticides used in gardens and homes accumulate on floors and other surfaces in the home, but that wood floors greatly reduce the accumulation of such toxins. Hardwood floors also do not trap or harbor dust mites or molds.<br /><P><br /> Though wood floors will probably need to be refinished at some point, when properly taken care of they are much easier to maintain than other floor surfaces.<P><br /><br /> The NWFA recommends regular sweeping of hardwood floors with a soft-bristle broom or dust mop to remove surface dirt and debris. If your floor contains beveled edges, it recommends using a vacuum with a soft bristle brush attachment to remove dirt and debris from between the floorboards.<P><br /><br /> Having hardwood floors could be the difference between selling your home or watching a potential buyer walk out the door on a less-appealing type of flooring.<br /><p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-5970463941861997633?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-11841815325177421362011-03-30T09:00:00.000-04:002011-03-30T09:00:04.952-04:00With April 18th rapidly approaching many are scrambling to complete their taxes. For those who have recently bought or sold a home, there are a number of tax deductions that that may be available to them.<P><br /><br /> Real estate broker’s commissions, title insurance, legal fees, advertising costs, administrative costs, and inspection fees are all considered selling costs and may be used to reduce one’s taxable capital gain by the amount of the selling costs. That could result in a big savings depending on the final sale price.<P><br /><br /> Interest that is paid on a mortgage is also tax-deductible, within limits. A married couple filing jointly can deduct all their interest payments on a maximum of $1 million in mortgage debt secured by a first or second home.<P><br /><br /> Buyers may also be able to deduct some of the interest they paid on a home equity loan or similar line of credit.<P><br /><br /> One deduction that many buyers often overlook is points. Points or origination fees on a home loan that were paid during the purchase of a home are generally tax-deductible in full for the year in which they were paid.<P><br /><br /> Refinanced mortgage points are also deductible but only over the life of the loan – not all at once. Homeowners who refinance can immediately write off the balance of the old points and begin to amortize the new.<P><br /><br /> If your lender required private mortgage insurance, the PMI premiums are tax-deductible for mortgages taken out from 2007 through 2011.<P><br /><br /> Making improvements to property prior to the sale or once one moves in might qualify for an interest deduction on your home-improvement loan. Qualifying capital improvements are those that increase your home’s value, prolong its life, or adapt it to new uses, such as adding a porch or installing energy-efficient windows.<P><br /><br /> Many times during a sale, the seller will send the local tax collector’s office a check for real estate taxes prior to the closing. In many circumstances, however, the buyer will pay a pro-rated portion of the taxes for the year at closing. This tax deduction also gets overlooked.<P><br /><br /> For those working from their new home: If a room is used exclusively for business purposes, they may be able to deduct home costs related to that portion, such as a percentage of your insurance and repair costs, and depreciation.<P><br /><br /> In some instances, if you have moved because of a new job, moving costs may be deducted. These can include travel or transportation costs, expenses for lodging, and fees for storing your household goods.<P><br /><br /> Every year the tax laws change and certain tax deductions become available while others phase out. If you have recently bought or sold a home, it’s probably a good idea to seek out a professional tax consultant to do your taxes as missing deductions that you can legally claim can add up to quite a bit of money.<p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-1184181532517742136?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-54439943026901895972011-03-23T09:00:00.001-04:002011-03-23T09:31:27.663-04:00I love selling real estate! However there is just one thing I can't stand and it's not fair to the consumer. The media reports! Recently the Case/Shiller index announced so much doom and gloom, maybe you're starting to think the world is going to end.<P><br /><br />The main areas where I conduct the most business are doing just fine according to the reports just released from the MLS (Multiple Listing Service). <P><br /><br /><a href="http://www.trendmls.com/Media/Statistics/YTDMarketSnapshot/2011_02_YTD_Market_Snapshot_SingleFamily.pdf">Click Here</a> to see the full report from TrendMLS and carefully compare your county's real estate market compared to the national stats. <P><br /><br /><p align="center"><p align="center"><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" height="190" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/t10jNaScDA4" frameborder="0" width="280"></iframe></p><p align="center"><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-5443994302690189597?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-75683003983191976812011-03-16T08:00:00.002-04:002011-03-16T08:26:39.921-04:00Ask detailed questions about their experience and skills to help you find the right agent for your home sale. <p><br />Working with the right real estate agent can mean the difference between getting prompt, expert representation and feeling like you're going it alone when selling your home. Here are 10 questions to ask when you're interviewing agents. <p><br /><strong>1. How long have you been selling homes?<br /></strong>Mastering real estate requires on-the-job experience. The more experience agents have, the more likely they'll be able to handle any curveballs thrown during your home sale. <p><br /><strong>2. What designations do you hold?<br /></strong>Designations like GRI® (Graduate REALTOR® Institute)and CRS®(Certified Residential Specialist), which require that agents complete additional real estate training, show they're constantly learning. Ask if agents have designations and, if not, why not? <p><br /><strong>3. How many homes did you sell last year?</strong><br /><br />Agents may tout their company's success. An equally important question is how many homes they've personally sold in the past year; it's an indicator of how active and aggressive they are. <p><br /><strong>4. How many days on average did it take you to sell homes?</strong><br /><br />Ask agents to show you this data along with stats from their local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) so you can see how many days, on average, their listings were on the market compared to the average for all properties in the MLS. <p><br /><strong>5. How close were the asking and sales prices of the homes you sold?</strong><br /><br />Sometimes sellers choose their agent because the agent's suggested listing price is higher than those suggested by other agents. A better factor is the difference between listing prices and the amount homes actually sold for. That can help you judge agents' skill at accurately pricing homes and marketing to the right buyers. It can also help you weed out agents trying to dazzle you with a lofty sales price just to get your listing. <p><br /><strong>6. How will you market my home?</strong><br /><br />The days of agents putting a For Sale sign in the yard and hoping for the best are long gone. Look for an agent who does aggressive and innovative marketing, especially on the Internet. <p><br /><strong>7. Will you represent me exclusively?</strong><br /><br />In most states, agents can represent the seller, the buyer, or both in a home sale. If your agent will also represent buyers, understand and consent to that dual representation. <p><br /><strong>8. How will you keep me informed?</strong><br /><br />If you want weekly updates by email, don't choose an agent who plans to contact you only if there's an offer. <p><br /><strong>9. Can you provide references?</strong><br /><br />Ask to talk to the last three customers the agent assisted. Call and ask if they'd work with the agent again and if the agent did anything that didn't sit well with them. <p><br /><strong>10. Are you a REALTOR®?</strong><br /><br />Ask whether agents are REALTORS®, which means they're members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR). NAR has been an advocate of agent professionalism and a champion of homeownership rights for more than a century. <p align="center"><br /><br /><align=center><strong>Other web resources<br /><br /></strong><a href="http://public.findlaw.com/abaflg/flg-4-2a.html">More on choosing an agent</a> </p><p align="center"><br /><a href="http://www.freddiemac.com/corporate/buyown/english/purchasing/hunting/agent.html">Freddie Mac's tips on finding an agent</a> </p><p align="center"><br /><a href="http://www.realtor.org/education/realtor_university/designation">More on REALTOR® designations</a> </p><p align="center"><p align="center"><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" height="190" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/t10jNaScDA4" frameborder="0" width="280"></iframe></p><p align="center"><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-7568300398319197681?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-54574103918739628252011-03-09T09:00:00.000-05:002011-03-09T09:00:13.249-05:00A GFE (Good Faith Estimate) Form is provided by the lender to the buyer and is supposed to show the "true" costs of obtaining the loan. It seems as though the new form maybe causing more harm than good.<P><br /><br /> A year has gone by since The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) instituted the new Good Faith Estimate form in an effort to make a homebuyers’ journey through the mortgage process a bit easier, but many in the mortgage industry are not happy.<P><br /><br /> The form has gone through many different looks through the years, varying from lender to lender and software platform to software platform. Now, it has expanded to three pages and includes one “lump sum” for all lender charges.<P><br /><br /> The new standardized GFE must contain the exact language specified by HUD, which HUD says “consolidates closing costs into major categories to prevent junk fees and display total settlement costs prominently on the first page so the consumer can easily compare loan offers.” <P><br /><br /> The most significant changes to the new HUD-1 Settlement Statement were made with the intention of having consumers be able to easily compare their settlement charges on the GFE with those on the HUD-1.<P><br /><br /> HUD claims that the new regulations, which went completely into effect on April 20, 2010, is saving borrowers an average of $700. However, the goal was to make things clearer and a lot of confusion still exists.<P><br /><br /> One common complaint is that the new GFE does not fully explain to the consumer some of the more vital information the consumer is looking for, such as how much money they need to take to the closing.<P><br /><br /> Another is that the Total Estimated Settlement Charges listed on the new GFE forms does not include the down payment, which inevitably results in thousands of dollars more than what is expected.<P><br /><br /> There’s also a fear that consumers cannot distinguish between mortgage brokers and correspondent lenders.<P><br /><br /> The redesigned GFE also now requires consumers who are shopping for a loan to complete multiple loan applications with multiple mortgage providers, have their credit pulled by multiple mortgage providers, and possibly pay upfront fees to each of these providers. <P><br /><br /> HUD’s goal is to help consumers become better shoppers for settlement services. After all, right on the top of the first page it reads “Only you can shop for the best loan for you. Compare this GFE with other loan offers, so you can find the best loan.”<P><br /><br /> The new GFE goes a long way in doing this by forcing people to not infer general conclusions from their observations but actually apply rules and regulations. <P><br /><br /> While the mortgage industry may have complaints, the process was designed to help those searching for the loan and HUD believes they have done so.<p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-5457410391873962825?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-78885682287224504182011-03-02T09:00:00.001-05:002011-03-02T09:00:06.236-05:00Professional home stagers consult with homeowners on ways to sell their homes quickly and for the most money possible, but often lost in the design process is the fact that men are involved in buying decisions as well.<P><br /> <br /> When having your home staged, it’s important to remember to appeal to both sexes and do some things that will pique a man’s interest just as much as a woman’s.<P><br /> <br /> Professional stagers take into account buyer demographics, buying psychology, and utilize design elements in planning out the rooms and space and the use of lighting and its effect on the space. Don’t be afraid to let them know if the home is leaning too far on the woman’s side.<P><br /> <br /> Women tend to look for cozier settings or rooms that facilitate intimate conversations, while males gravitate toward rooms with gadgets, televisions and electronics. <P><br /> <br /> Open spaces and higher ceilings are also a draw for men as psychologically they have a larger sense of personal space. Professional stagers with men in mind try to create rooms where a man can feel as if he can walk through the house easily without stepping around all sorts of furniture. <P><br /> <br /> When it comes to men, the garage and yard tend to be high up on the priority list, so it’s important to get these areas as perfect as possible.<P><br /> <br /> Garages that have painted walls, clean floors and enough storage for various male-oriented hobbies will impress. Shelf space is almost always looked at as a good thing here and a place to hang tools or a workbench would make a fine addition to attract male buyers. And remember, an empty garage looks much bigger than one with a car parked in it.<P><br /> <br /> With the yard, showcasing a well-maintained lawn will help sell the male. Thick, healthy grass, minimal bushes to trim and easy to clean garden beds will meet the landscaping criterion the male buyer looks for.<P><br /> <br /> Appealing to both sexes when staging and selling a home requires an emotional investment that will pay off in the end for all parties, just don’t forget that men need a connection, too.<p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-7888568228722450418?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-34942789113288754192011-02-23T09:00:00.000-05:002011-02-23T09:00:19.128-05:00Every homebuyer has a vision of their perfect house and the rooms that are most important to them. Because of their relatively small size in comparison to the rest of a home, bathrooms are often overlooked in the staging process, but for many, it could be the most important room in a buying decision. <P><br /> <br /> A bathroom is more than just a place for grooming; it’s a sanctuary. It’s a place one can relax in a hot bath and escape the stresses of daily life for a few moments at a time.<P><br /> <br /> Updating a tired-looking bathroom is one of the best things you can do to increase a home’s resale value and the fixes are not too costly or labor intensive. <P><br /> <br /> Easy fixes include adding new, luxurious-looking towels, replacing the shower curtain and adding candles around a bathtub. However, with a little more money and effort, your bathroom can become a talking point of the house.<P><br /> <br /> <em>Here is a look at five great ways to upgrade a bathroom.<BR></em> <br /> <strong>1.</strong> Beautify: By adding decorative glass, stone tile or accents to the bathroom, it will stand out among the other houses in the neighborhood that are for sale. Extra-wide wall tiles are popular these days and wood cabinets can be beautifully embellished with intricately carved wooden inlays.<P><br /> <br /> <strong>2.</strong> Lighting: Add more lighting options around the room, especially around the vanity to reduce shadows and glaring. This is something that isn’t too expensive and can really highlight the positive features of a bathroom. Mood lighting around the tub area is also increasing in popularity. <P><br /> <br /> <strong>3.</strong> Bath/Shower: It’s not too often you hear someone complaining about a bathtub being too large, and that’s because there’s nothing better than coming home from a hard day’s work and relaxing in a big soothing tub. By putting in a new tub and creating more of a spa-like atmosphere, you will have buyers imagining themselves washing their cares away. Adding a massage element to the showerhead or one that replicates rain showers is also something that will appeal to buyers. <P><br /> <br /> <strong>4.</strong> Update Fixtures: Not as costly as some of the other tips, changing out the fixtures in a bathroom can add a great deal. From cabinet handles to faucets, the addition of brushed nickel or other metals that are polished and elegant are always a huge hit. And if space permits, add a second sink.<P><br /> <br /> <strong>5.</strong> Think Green: The bathroom is a prime place to start putting those environmentally friendly devices to work. Installing fixtures that save water, such as a low-flow showerhead, a low-flow faucet aerator, and a dual-flush toilet, can save thousands of gallons of water each year. Adding energy-efficient windows is another easy option, since the size of bathroom windows are relatively small. Another fix that is both decorative and energy efficient is the addition of natural stone flooring, which helps the bathroom stay cool during the summer, and warmer during the winter.<P><br /> <br /> When buyers walk into a renovated bathroom that exudes quality and offers an intimate, contemporary feel, it’s one of the top things that people will remember about a home.<br /><br /><p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-3494278911328875419?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-6588633808422389422011-02-16T09:00:00.001-05:002011-02-16T09:33:10.759-05:00Do you want to buy that fixer-upper in the neighborhood and renovate it yourself? You can save a lot of money or you could get into a financial nightmare! <p><br />The first thing you should do is figure out how you plan to get a loan and pay for the cost of repairs. If you can get a conventional loan with 20% down, pay closing costs and still have enough money left over, you're doing better than the majority of buyers right now! <p><br />Unfortunately most of the buyers today are looking for small down payments and help with renovation costs. Consider a renovation loan through the Federal Housing Administration's (FHA) 203(k) program, which is designed to help home owners who are purchasing or refinancing a home that needs rehabilitation. The program wraps the purchase/refinance costs and rehab costs into a single mortgage. To qualify for the loan, the total value of the property must be within the FHA mortgage limit for your area. There are 2 types of 203(k) loans, so sit down with your mortgage lender to decide which is best for you. <p><br />You need to figure out what type of repairs must be done and then how to make an offer. <p><br /><strong>Decide what you can do yourself</strong><br /><br />Do you really have the skills to do it? TV shows on HGTV &amp; DIY make home improvement look easy, but in the real world a difficult remodeling job will take you much longer than you think and can lead to an unprofessional look that won't increase the value of the home.<br /><br />Some small tasks like painting are relatively easy, but electrical work done by an amateur is dangerous. You also need to make sure you have the time in your schedule and be able to live in a construction zone for months while the work is being completed. <p><br /><strong>Price in the cost of repairs and remodeling before you make the offer</strong><br /><br />Before you make an offer, maybe during your second showing, have a contractor with you so that they can give you a written estimate on what you want done. Price it according to how the work is being performed. If you're doing the work, just show the price for supplies. If the contractor is doing the work, add in the labor costs.<br /><br />No matter what the final cost for rehab is, add on at least an extra 10% for surprises. <p><br /><strong>Inspection Contingency</strong><br /><br />This is huge! Just because your contractor helped show you renovation costs before you made an offer, doesn't mean he inspected the home. Make your offer contingent on an inspection. An inspector's job is revealing hidden items that need attention. You may want to change out those water pipes, but now you know they are wrapped in asbestos! At the very least, an inspection process should include the home evaluation, radon, pests, and water &amp; sewer if they aren't hooked up to public utilities. <p><br /><strong>Check with the municipality for permits</strong><br /><br />Now we've all seen on TV where construction halts because of a code official not approving any permits. Check with the local officials and see what permits are required and how much they costs. These officials/inspectors might change how you do the work and the timing on permits could be from 1 day to 2 weeks. Also, if you don't get the permits, it could come back to haunt you when you try to resell the home later especially if the town has a Use &amp; Occupancy permit.<br /><p><strong>Time to figure out what to offer<br /></strong><br />This is a very easy step. Take what the fair market value of the property is if it were in excellent condition, subtract the costs of remodeling and repairs and that's typically the fair price of the home. Ask your real estate agent for help on this one. For example, if the comparable homes are selling for $200,000 but this one needs a new kitchen and bath that will cost $40,000, then a fair price for the home would be $160,000. If the seller accepts that price, and after inspections it's revealed that it will need another $5,000 for repairs you can ask the seller to make those repairs or ask them for a credit to do it yourself. Keep in mind that the seller doesn't have to do the repairs or issue a credit and can simple say no. <p><br />You need to make sure you cover all areas of money before, during and after the sale. You need to know upfront what the costs for renovations are, possibly uncover hidden repairs, and STAY ON BUDGET after settlement! <p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-658863380842238942?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-39232108779327227022011-02-09T10:15:00.002-05:002011-02-09T10:17:38.583-05:00Start thinking outside of the box BEFORE you list your home for sale! <p><br /><br />It's the same thing everyday. A seller lists their home with an agent, it gets a sign in the yard, put in the MLS, has some ads run in the paper, has a few open houses and there is little to no activity. I see 5 or 6 homes in one community for sale that were all built the same way 10 years ago and none of them stand out as being better than the other. <p><br /><br />How can you get your home to stand out from your competitors? Let's start from the beginning. <p><br /><br />First, you need to interview a few real estate agents and review their marketing plan and pricing analysis, usually referred to as a Comparable Market Analysis or CMA for short. Once you have chosen a qualified agent, hopefully they have explained a few ways to stand out from the crowd. Below is a plan I have worked out to make your home not only stand out from the crowd, but reduce the stress levels during the home selling process. I call these homes <strong><em><a href="http://chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=text&amp;id=10339">Rock Solid Property Listing</a></em></strong>! <p><br /><br /><br /><strong>Home Inspection:</strong><br /><br />It's not a new concept for a seller to get a property inspection, but it's often thought of as a buyer's right to get one if they so choose. By getting a home inspection done you reduce getting surprised after a buyer's home inspector "picks apart" your home. I have had inspectors even find problems with new construction, so there will almost always be something to make a report about. Look at it as a general guideline for things that should be done to the home. Pennsylvania and Delaware law require a Property Disclosure to be completed by the seller anyway, so why not give a buyer all the facts upfront. <p><br /><br /><strong>Wood Destroying Insects (WDI) Report:</strong><br /><br />This is usually referred to as a termite inspection, but it actually goes a little further than that. Powder post beetles, ants, bees and more are often looked for during the inspection. The cost to have a WDI report done is relatively inexpensive. Some mortgage companies are requiring that the home is inspected for termites before they fund the buyer's loan. <p><br /><br /><strong>Radon Report:</strong><br /><br />Radon is an odorless gas that comes through the ground and possibly into your home. A radon test kit is installed, usually in the basement, for between 24-72 hours and detects any radon that maybe in the home. Most homes have some small levels of radon, so don't expect the report to comeback radon free. Again, this is a small expense and is roughly the same costs as a WDI report. <p><br /><br /><strong>Well Water Testing:</strong><br /><br />If you are hooked up to a public or a community water system, you can skip over this part.<br />There are 2 main types of water tests, pressure and bacteria. The inspector will test the water pressure while he is in the home and will take a water sample to send to the lab where it is tested for common bacteria such as nitrates, nitrites and coliform. <p><br /><br /><strong>Septic System Tests:</strong><br /><br />If you are hooked up to a public or a community sewer system, you can skip over this part too.<br />Depending on the type of septic system will depend on the tests. For today's modern design, generally a Hydraulic Load Test is performed to make sure there is proper flow going into the tanks then out to the drain field. The drain field is probed to make sure it is seeping properly into the ground throughout the entire system. <p><br /><br /><strong>Home Staging:</strong><br /><br />Your style of decorating may be great in your eyes and mine. However it may deter certain buyers away who can't look past that certain style. A home stager would assess your home and come up with a way to make everything flow nicely to appeal to the majority of the people touring your home. If your home is vacant, now is the time to add some furnishings. If someone sees a large dining room table or a king sized bed, now they can start to imagine how theirs will look too. <p><br /><br /><strong>Appraisal: </strong><br /><br />As a real estate agent, my job is to perform a Comparative Market Analysis. A CMA is my opinion of what the home should ultimately sell for. An appraiser also gives their opinion, but it is based on what the home's market value is. By getting an appraisal done, not only are we are getting a second opinion, but possibly eliminating any future financing issues a buyer's lender may have with the home. <p><br /><br /><strong>Home Warranty:</strong><br /><br />A home warranty protects your home against certain things breaking in the house. Instead of paying a repair man out of pocket, you pay a small deductible and that's all! Not every home warranty is the same. Some cover the seller and buyer and others will only cover the buyer. I would recommend getting one that covers you during the listing period and then transfers to the buyer at settlement. <p><br /><br />By doing all of these steps your home will appear to have more value and a buyer is more likely to see the benefit of buying your home versus your competition. By investing a small portion of time and money, you should reduce the time it's on the market and receive offers closing to the asking price rather than someone "beating you up" over price and condition. <p><br /><br />Look at it this way...Would you pay a little more for a used car that was detailed by a professional and has a fresh set of inspection stickers on it, or would you rather take the car that's been sitting in the driveway for 2 years collecting dust with trash in the back seat?<br /><br /><br /><p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-3923210877932722702?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-54171583713709827002011-02-02T09:00:00.002-05:002011-02-02T09:47:23.970-05:00Get 5 smart tips to save big on your game-day party.<P><br /><br />On Super Bowl Sunday, you want your head in the game, not worrying that your party is a drag or your wallet won't recover. HouseLogic has rounded up some smart ways to offset your party-planning expenses without sacrificing the fun come game time.<P><br /><strong>1. Cheer for Charity</strong><BR>Have fun watching the game with friends and family while supporting a good cause--and take a tax deduction too. Here's what to do:<BR><br /><br /> •Choose a charity or cause you love.<BR><br /> •Provide guests with suggested donations. For example, if you want to raise $500, recommend each person donate $25.<BR><br /> •Ask your local liquor store if it would donate a little free product in exchange for free promotion at your event. More often than not, the business is willing.<P><br /><strong>2. Get sponsored</strong><BR><br />Let a brand donate their food and drink to your party. Here's how to get involved:<br /> •<a href="http://www.houseparty.com/events" target=_"blank">HouseParty.com</a> has a host of brands willing to provide free goods and services for your party, including DiGiorno Pizza and Kraft.<BR><br /> •Pick the brand you'd like to host and then complete a questionnaire about yourself and your knowledge of the brand. Your answers help the House Party team know if you're a good fit for the promotion.<BR><br /> •If you're chosen, the brand will supply a host of party goods for you and your friends to enjoy.<P><br /><strong>3. Go green to save green</strong><BR><br />Some NFL stadiums have been taking measures to go green for years now, saving hundreds of thousands in energy costs and recycling everything from straws to cooking grease. Here's how you can conserve at home:<BR><br /> •Use real dishes. Save about $20 and space in a landfill by not buying plastic plates, cups, and silverware.<BR><br /> •Send Evites. Don't send paper invitations. Use free electronic invitations instead.<BR><br /> •Recycle, donate, or sell your big, old TV. Use the big game as an excuse to treat yourself to a sleek, energy-efficient LCD TV. It'll cost you up front, though you may find a pre-game day deal and you'll save on energy in the long run.<BR><br /> •"Hypercook" it. A great way to save energy, and money, is to turn your oven off before your dish is finished cooking. You can also skip preheating or use a smaller cooker like a toaster oven to make some meals.<BR><br /> •Turn off bar room light displays. You may love your Schlitz Light neon sign but you don't need it, especially when the game should be taking center stage.<P><br /><strong>4. Go coupon hunting</strong><BR><br />There are tons of blogs and websites out there that have the scoop on the latest deals at hundreds of retailers. Save big on everything from food to supplies to electronics just by spending a few minutes doing an online search. Here's what I found:<BR><br /> •<a href="http://www.couponmountain.com/super-bowl-deals-sales.html">CouponMountain.com </a>has deals on electronics, decorations, food, gear, and even tickets to the big game. And sites like <a href="http://bargainbabe.com/">Bargain Babe</a> and <a href="http://dealseekingmom.com/">Deal Seeking Mom </a>also keep tabs on great sales.<BR><br /> •<a href="http://www.safeway.com/IFL/Grocery/Home">Safeway</a> is also helping football fans prepare for Super Bowl parties with a host of party-themed recipes and coupons.<BR><br /> •Also nab that LCD TV for less on sites like <a href="http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/LCD-TVs/12970/subcat.html">overstock.com </a>or catch Super Bowl <a href="http://www.zdnet.com/blog/gadgetreviews/sears-and-best-buy-planning-pre-super-bowl-hdtv-sales/21736">season sales </a>at stores like Best Buy or Sears.<P><br /><strong>5. Get a little help from your friends</strong><BR><br />After all, it's the company that really makes the party special. So rather than breaking your back (and the bank) trying to get everything done by yourself, include your guests and make it fun.<BR><br /> •Have a competitive potluck. Have a cook-off for fans of opposing teams (or let each person fend for themselves). It'll add to the spirit of the day and save you big on groceries.<BR><br /> •Ask for help. Need extra chairs? Ask your friends to bring them instead of buying them. Looking for some preshow entertainment? Ask your friends to bring their favorite games to play. That's what friends are for.<P><br /><strong>Tell us your money-saving tips!</strong><BR>Let other readers know some of your own great money-saving tips for hosting a Super Bowl party on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/marketsnapshot">Facebook Fan Page</a>!<P><br /><br />A little fun fact. Do you know that most home showings are cancelled or denied by the owners on Super Bowl Sunday. <br /><p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-5417158371370982700?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-68854648263812477502011-02-01T12:00:00.001-05:002011-02-02T08:53:00.566-05:00Want to learn more about investing in real estate? Most financial analyst do suggest a certain amount of you portfolio be invested in some sort of real estate.<br /><br />Check out my new blog for investors. I'm going to start with the basics and work up to the fun part of how it can potentially build wealth.<br /><br />I am asked multiple time a day on how to invest in real estate. Some of the most frequently asked questions I get asked are:<br /><br />- How do I get started and when is the right time to jump in?<br />- Do I need money to make money?<br />- What about property management? I don't want tenants calling me at 3:00am about a broken toilet!<br />- Should I fix and flip homes fast or do you make more money owning rental properties?<br />- I see people do it all the time on TV so why can't I seem to do it around here?<br />- I bought "that guy's" program on TV and he said I can make millions with no money down, using other people's money, and/or I only need to work about 2 hours per week in my spare time.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://chip-plumley.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to go to my new blog page!<br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;"></span></em></span></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><em><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></em></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Keep in mind, I'm a Professional Real Estate Agent. I'm not able to give you financial or legal advice. I'm blogging after years of experience in dealing with investors and facilitating transactions. I would advise you to seek your own mastermind group to help reduce any risks just as you would with any type of investment. </span></em></span></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;"><br />Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635. Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-6885464826381247750?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-79019981806714352912011-01-26T10:04:00.000-05:002011-01-26T10:05:20.491-05:00Your home is probably your biggest investment. To manage it, create a financial plan that takes into account repairs, upgrades, mortgages, insurance, and taxes.<br /><br />Do you pay each home-related expense as it comes? If so, you're missing opportunities for upgrades, or much worse, heading into a financial crisis when a slew of surprise maintenance items hit. So take a holistic look at what it costs to operate your house and set up a home financial plan. <p>Use our home financial plan budget worksheet, and start by writing a list of expenses, such as:<br /><br />•Mortgage<br />•Taxes<br />•Home insurance, including liability<br />•Repairs and maintenance, such as new furnace, roof, painting<br />•Voluntary upgrades, such as a swimming pool, a premium range, a new powder room <p>What will you learn from this home financial plan weekend exercise?<br />•How much you have to spend<br />•How much you need to allot in the short- and long-term for necessary maintenance and voluntary improvements <p><br /><br />With this newfound grip on your home's expenses, you can create a home financial plan that'll help you there for years with maximum enjoyment and minimum anxiety. <p><br /><br /><strong>The Mortgage</strong>: Pay it--and then some<br /><br />Yup, you already shell out a lot for your mortgage, but can you pay more? Even a little extra each month can add up to an earlier payoff. Let's say you have $200,000 in outstanding principal and a 20-year fixed-rate mortgage at 5%. Your monthly payment is $1,319.91. But if you can manage to pay another $100 a month, you'll save $14,887 in interest.<br /><br /><a href="http://realestate-calc.com/Mortgage_Calculators/Mortgage_Calculator_Input_Add_Payment.asp">Run the numbers</a> yourself for your home financial plan. <p><br />Advantages of an early payoff:<br /><br />•Less debt means more money to spend later.<br />•It feels darn good to own your house outright as soon as possible.<br />•Minimal tax loss. Toward the tail end of the life of a loan most of your payment goes to the principal, not the interest, so you're getting only a small tax break anyway. <p><br />Of course, if you're still saving for retirement, put the 100 bucks elsewhere:<br />•A retirement plan<br />•An account for the inevitable home repairs<br />•An account for discretionary improvements, which can raise your home's value<br /><br /><strong>Insurance: Protect your property</strong><br /><br />Your vegetable garden is pointless without a fence to keep out rabbits; likewise, your home financial plan will come to nothing without an insurance "fence". <p><em>Homeowner's insurance. </em><br />Basic coverage for your home and everything in it. The average cost is $636 per year but this varies widely by state. <p><br /><em>Liability coverage.<br /></em>Protects you from a lawsuit if someone gets hurt on your property, for example. Your best bet: An umbrella policy. For about $300 a year you can by a typical $1 million policy.<br />Various disaster insurance policies.<br /><br />Optional policies cover flood, earthquake, and hurricane damage. As part of your home financial plan, you have to research to see what disaster coverage, if any, you need in your area, and what your standard policy already covers. For $540 a year you can buy flood insurance, for example. <p>Don't under- or overbuy insurance<br /><br />For your basic policy, get homeowners insurance with full replacement coverage in case your house burns to the ground. <p>That sounds simple, but heads up on calculation. Remember that you own a house as well as the land on which it sits. So even though you bought your home for $300,000, it may cost only $100,000 to rebuild it. Your policy limits should reflect this. This difference will vary widely by region. <p>Another heads up: Don't make the common and potentially disastrous mistake of thinking that because your home has fallen in value you need less insurance. If you bought a $1.2 million townhouse in Florida during the boom, it's true it now may only sell for $600,000. But the replacement cost of the townhouse hasn't changed much, so you can't improve your home financial plan by cutting insurance costs that way. <p>Other ways to cut your insurance budget:<br /><br />•If you make structural improvements, such as adding storm shutters, your insurer may give you a break.<br />•If you belong to certain groups, such as AARP or veterans' organizations, your premiums may be lower. <p><strong>Repairs and renovations:</strong> By choice or necessity<br /><br />You own a home, so you'll be spending money on everything from a new faucet to-surprise!-a new roof. Freddie Mac and other authorities say as part of your home financial plan, you should be prepared to spend 1% to 3% of the market value of the home annually on maintenance. To be extra-prudent, open a savings account and make regular payments until your account reaches 1% to 3% of your home's current value. <p><br /><strong>To help you budget:<br /></strong><br />Start with the inspection report you received when you bought the house. Did the inspector indicate that you would need a new roof in five years? A new furnace in 10?<br /><br />Keep a log of your major appliances' age so you can estimate when they'll need replacing. Some estimated life spans:<br /><br />•Roof: 20-25 years<br />•Heating systems: 15-20 years<br />•Range/ovens: 11-15 years<br />•Water heaters: 8- 13 years<br /><br />Then get estimates on what replacements will cost and start saving. <p>Consider ongoing non-emergency maintenance, too. Do you live in New England? Price a snow blower and get bids from plow services.<br /><br />Resist the siren call of the home equity loan to take care of everything. That just defeats your efforts to pay off the mortgage early. <p>Separate out what you want from what you need. A $50,000 kitchen remodel is nice, but you'll recoup only 76% of the project cost your home's resale, according to Remodeling magazine. <p>If you can afford to redo, go for it. Just don't confuse your necessary repairs (new oil furnace-about $4,000) with your discretionary upgrades (Viking range-$6,000 and up). <p><br /><strong>Taxes:</strong> (Almost) no way around them<br /><br />Even if your lender handles your property taxes from an escrow account, you need to budget for them in your home financial plan. They creep up almost every year, it seems. Take responsibility for tracking the changes in your area: Look over past tax bills to get a sense of how quickly they've risen in the past. <p>Or if your lender handles escrow and you haven't saved your bills, ask for an accounting. The median annual property tax payment is $2,198, but that hides the enormous range in medians from state to state:<br /><br />•New Jersey: $6,320<br />•New York: $3,622<br />•California: $2,829<br />•Alabama: $383<br />•Louisiana: $188 <p>You can generally deduct property taxes on your federal return. A tax pro can tell you how much of a tax break you'll get, to help you fine tune your home financial plan. <p>You may be able to reduce your tax burden by getting a reassessment. Do your homework first: Are comparable houses taxed less than yours? Ask the local assessor what formula is used to set tax rates. You can challenge the assessed value and get yourself a rollback.<br /><br />If you're in a special group, you might get some help from state or local programs. Check around to see what's available in your area. New York State, for example, has its Star Program for giving senior citizens some relief from school-related property taxes.<br /><p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-7901998180671435291?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-23876028650559845392011-01-20T11:00:00.003-05:002011-01-20T11:36:21.739-05:00<strong>2009 - 2010 Market Statistic Reports</strong> <p><br />Now that it appears most of the numbers have been cleared out, here is a look back at the Chester County real estate market and it's conditions. <p>As you'll see we had some great and some ok results. NOTHING Doom &amp; Gloom about it! <p><br />Unfortunately, the information is not able to be viewed on this website due to the size of the chart graphics. Please <a href="http://chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=text&amp;id=10327" target="_blank">click here </a>to view the full article or copy and paste the link below. The link will direct you to <a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target=_blank>my website. </a></p><p>Thanks for your cooperation!</p><p>Chip Plumley</p><p><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=text&amp;id=10327" target="_blank">http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=text&amp;id=10327</a><br /><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-2387602865055984539?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-56591541846919686762011-01-19T09:00:00.000-05:002011-01-19T10:08:32.104-05:00How you manage your home ownership finances affects your credit score--and your ability to refinance later.<P><br /> <br />Your credit score affects how much you'll pay for a mortgage or refinance-or even if you can get one at all. Master the six ways to manage home-related spending to keep your credit score braggingly high.<P><br /><br /><strong>1. Postpone that refinance until your credit is squeaky clean</strong> <BR><br />Even a small blemish on a credit report can cost you at closing. Money expert Denise Winston found that out firsthand: Her husband hadn't paid a $40 pager charge. The unpaid bill was turned over to a collection agency and ended up damaging his credit score.<br /><P><br />Because of that one small unpaid bill, the interest rate on the couple's mortgage was 0.25% higher than if he'd had a clean score. Put another way, that's $13,000 over the life of the loan.<P><br /><br />The lesson? Even small items can damage your financial position. Get your credit report beforehand to see if there's anything damaging. If so, consider postponing a refinance or HELOC (<em>home equity line of credit</em>) until small but potentially costly dings fade over time.<P><br /><br /><strong>2. Pay your mortgage-now</strong><BR><br />Not all late payments are created equal: Almost nothing hits your credit score harder than a late mortgage payment. Payment history generally accounts for 35% of your credit score, which is bad enough, but credit score agencies consider late home payments graver than late credit card or car loan payments.<P><br /><br />In fact, credit score agency VantageScore will knock off more than 100 points beyond what it would do for delinquent auto loans or credit cards.<P><br /><br />But if you think you can improve your credit score with early payments, think again. Geoff Williams, co-author of Living Well with Bad Credit, says it may make a slightly positive impression on today's risk-averse lender, but it won't make a big difference in getting future credit.<P><br /><br /><strong>3. Cool it on second mortgages and HELOCs</strong> <BR><br />Drawing down a second mortgage or HELOC can have a negative impact on your credit score because 30% of your credit score is based on how much you owe to creditors. However, if you pay the loan on time, it should have less of an impact..<P><br /><br />Also, you can mitigate the credit score damage of a HELOC by staying within 30% of the limit.<P><br /><br /><strong>4. Protect your mortgage to protect your insurance rates</strong> <BR><br />Late payments on your mortgage may also affect your home owners and automobile insurance rates, potentially costing you hundreds of dollars a year. Insurers may assume that if you're strapped for cash and pay your bills late, you're more likely to file a claim because you need the money.<P><br /><br /><strong>5. Pay your utility bills and property taxes on time</strong> <BR><br />If you're late on your utility bills and your account is assigned to a collection agency, that agency may report it, causing a drop in your credit score. The good news is that utility companies often don't bother to report late bills to credit bureaus until your delinquency becomes serious.<P><br /><br />Interestingly, late payment of property taxes won't affect your credit score unless you find yourself with a lien on your property. Since liens are public records, they may appear on your credit report and might cause a drop in your credit score.<P><br /><br /><strong>6. Refinancing? Beware of taking out equity, too</strong><br><br />Refinancing your home generally won't have an impact on your credit score as long as you continue to pay your loan on time. However, if you extract equity in the deal, you could marginally affect your credit score because the amount you owe will increase.<br /> <p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-5659154184691968676?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-39533877796313258592011-01-12T09:24:00.000-05:002011-01-12T09:25:55.294-05:002011 opens as a strong buyer’s market so home sellers must be on their toes to give their homes maximum appeal. Not only should sellers complete reasonable home repairs they know must be made, they should also hire a certified home inspector to thoroughly and impartially evaluate their properties. <P><br /><br />If this inspection results in a fix-it list, review the list with your real estate professional to establish necessities and priorities. Depending on your budget and objectives, you may want to repair only items that could cause significant deterioration to your property, such as a leaky roof. Ideally, the closer you can get your home to “move-in-ready” status, the more likely you are to attract today’s cautious and discerning buyers. <P><br /><br />Among the most common repairs and enhancements yielding immediate buyer appeal include:<BR> <br />• Paint inside and outside in neutral colors<br />• Steam clean or replace carpets<br />• Polish or replace hardwood floors<br />• Clean or re-grout kitchen and bathrooms<br />• Replace light fixtures <br />• Change light bulbs throughout and replace wall-switch covers <br />• Repair dripping faucets<br />• Fix sticking doors<br />• Repair broken fencing<P><br /><br />Home sellers wanting to do more should consider the findings of <a href="http://www.remodeling.hw.net/2010/costvsvalue/national.aspx">Remodeling magazine’s 2010-’11 Cost vs. Value Report</a>, released in December 2010. The survey used input from REALTORS in 80 cities to rank home remodeling projects according to those that bring the greatest cost recovered at sale. <P><br /><br />Many of the top projects focus on exterior replacements, as replacements are generally less expensive than other types of projects and they add all-important curb appeal – essential for today’s competitive market or any other.<P><br /><br />The Top Five projects in the Cost vs. Value Report include:<BR><br />No. 1 – Entry door replacement (steel)<br />No. 2 – Garage door replacement (four-section door, reuse existing motorized opener)<br />No. 3 – Siding replacement (fiber-cement siding)<br />No. 4 – Kitchen remodel (minor: new cabinet doors, drawers and hardware, plus new energy-efficient appliances, flooring, counters, sink and faucet) <br />No. 5 – Deck addition (wood)<P><br /><br />When the dust clears and projects are complete, be sure that you and your real estate professional document your repairs and enhancements, and share the report with prospective buyers. Walk prospects through the enhancements and include their costs. <P><br /><br />A home in good condition demonstrates pride of ownership. Taking the time to make enhancements helps ensure your home is presented in its best-possible light, primed for sale.<br /> <p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=findahome.asp&amp;page=search&amp;selected=qck&amp;mode=N" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://content.prudentialfoxroach.com/media/pageobjects/01/searchproperties.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/prufoxroach/modules/agent/agent.asp?p=homeworth" target="_new"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-STYLE: normal"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/200932562243.gif" /></span></span></a></span></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;"></span></p><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText3" align="left"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000000;">Chip Plumley can be reached at (610) 444-9090 or (610) 357-8635.<br />Prudential Fox &amp; Roach is an independently owned and operated member of<br />Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company.<br />Equal Housing Opportunity. </span></em></span></span></div><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000099;"><a href="http://www.chipplumley.com/" target="_new"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">ChipPlumley.com</span></span></strong></a></span></span></strong></p><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px" class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%"><img alt="" src="http://media.reliancenetwork.com/dyna_images/agents/242/134043/2009715164830.gif" /></span><br /></span></span></span></strong></p><strong></strong><strong></strong><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2222532427112387136-3953387779631325859?l=chipplumley.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Chip Plumleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17429051615717301393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2222532427112387136.post-68886136407479283472011-01-05T09:15:00.000-05:002011-01-05T09:16:28.062-05:00An annual check-up on your homeowners insurance can result in a healthier policy and a healthier pocketbook.<P><br /> <br />It's time for your annual check-up. The good news is that for this one, you won't have to don one of those revealing hospital gowns-and you may walk away with a healthier pocketbook. We're talking about a homeowners insurance check-up, a task you should complete once a year, ideally around renewal time. This will ensure your policy still provides the right level of coverage for your family, and your premium isn't costing you more than it should.<P><br /><br />Remember, homeowners insurance is essential. The coverage is designed to protect your home and its contents, as well as shield you from liability for accidents and such on your property. Block out an hour of your time, call an insurance agent, and get answers to these three important questions.<P><br /><br /><strong>What type of coverage do I have?</strong><BR><br />The most effective type of coverage is known as "replacement cost," which covers, up to your policy limits, what it would take today to rebuild your house and restore your belongings.<p><br />"Extended" replacement cost coverage provides protection to your policy limit, say $500,000, and then perhaps another 20% of the cost after that. Percentages vary, but in this example you could recoup up to $600,000 on a $500,000 policy, assuming your losses reach that high. Extended coverage can compensate for any unanticipated expenses like spikes in construction costs between policy renewals. Now harder to find due to the industry shift toward extended replacement coverage, "full" or "guaranteed" replacement coverage covers an entire claim regardless of policy limits.<P><br /><br />A less attractive alternative is "actual cash value" coverage that usually takes into account depreciation, the decrease in value due to age and wear. With this type of policy, the $2,000 flat-screen TV you bought two years ago will be worth hundreds of dollars less today in the eyes of your claims adjuster. Replacement cost coverage is better, unless you can save at least 25% on the premium for going with actual cash value coverage instead.<P><br /><br />Even if you have replacement cost protection for your dwelling and personal property, don't assume everything is covered. Structures other than your home on your property-such as a detached garage or swimming pool-require separate coverage. So too do luxury items like jewelry, watches, and furs if you want full replacement cost because reimbursement for those items is typically capped.<P><br /><br /><strong>How much coverage do I really need?</strong><BR><br />OK, now that you're clear on what type of policy you have, you need to figure out how much policy you truly require in dollar terms. Let's say you purchased your home five years ago and insured it for $200,000. Today, it's worth $225,000. Simply increasing your coverage to $225,000 may nonetheless leave you underinsured. Here's why:<BR><br /><br />The key to determining how much dwelling coverage you need isn't the value of your home but the money you'd have to pay to rebuild it from scratch. Call your local contractors' or homebuilders' association and inquire about the average per-square-foot construction cost in your area.