Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all! 


Peace, Prosperity and Joy!

Wonderful home in Media PA Vertual Tour

702 Iris Lane Media PA

Buyers - First Three Steps before you start your home search.

 Home Buyers: follow these three steps to save time and potentially a great deal of money when looking for a new home:
1. Find a qualified buyers representative - this professional will be your trusted advisor, valuable guide and a resource through the process of purchasing a new home –
2. Choose a qualified mortgage representative – a reputable and knowledgeable consultant who will help you assess your credit and finances and prepare a pre- approval, find the right mortgage and explain financing options
3. Assess your wants and needs – At the beginning you may not know all that is truly important to you, start small with the things you know and ask your buyers representative for help and guidance
Some important questions you may wish to ask yourself at this time: what kind of a neighborhood do you wish to be in? Are schools important to you? (home page of this blog) Do you wish to be in a community or do you prefer a secluded, private setting? Do you know how far are you willing to travel to work? Are you familiar with the all areas? Is it important to be close to shopping and major routes, is transportation important to you? More about this to follow shortly.
Additional important questions: Ideal price range, type of neighborhood, style of a home, type of a home ( are you open to all - condo / flat, townhome, twin home in some areas called duplex or a single/detached home), age of the house, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, lot size… than add to it as you go along items such as: basement or a garage, do you need an eat-in kitchen or a separate dining room, finishes basement, family room, yard, porch or a deck…? Rate these items from 1-10.
For a great free form with no obligation email me. Best of luck in your home search.

Cost vs. Value - Big-Impact, Low-Cost Remodeling Projects

When planning for your remodeling budget or for sale of your home here is some good information to have:

cost vs. value and how to get big impact with low cost remodeling projects

Interest Rates Predicted to Reach 6%

Valuable information for Buyers and sellers, as you plan your 2010 financial strategy this is a need to know: the interest rates are predicted to reach 6% in 2010. For additional information visit Realtor magazine click  here: 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Delaware County taxes to increase by 7.5%

Sellers and Buyers beware:   Suburban West Realtors Association reports that Delaware County Real Estate Taxes are going to increase by 7.5% and that Montgomery County is still undecided. Chester County Board of commissioner has approved County budget for 2010 without any cuts and without any increases in taxes. Further details.

IRS Sets New Rules for Tax Credit

The IRS has spelled out guidelines for eligibility for the home buyer credit when co-borrowers purchase a property.
When a home-owning parent of an adult child co-signs for a mortgage and both names appear on the note, the IRS says that under some circumstances, the first-time home buyer can qualify for the whole amount.
The IRS says the parent doesn’t qualify for any portion of the credit, but if the child hasn’t owned a home during the three years preceding the current purchase and can qualify based on income, he or she can be allocated the entire $8,000 credit.
When unmarried individuals co-purchase a home and only one of them is eligible for the credit, then the full $8,000 can be allocated to the eligible buyer.
Source: Washington Post Writers Group, Kenneth R. Harney (12/04/2009)

Happy Hanukkah!

Happy Hanukkah.

Some good information about reverse mortgage

Bank Forclosures.

Here are some resources about Bank Forelosures and frequently asked questions: 

• NAR Field Guide on Foreclosures


• Making Home Affordable Program

• Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling

December 10 is Human Rights Day!

Human rights are "basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled." Wikipida states.



This makes me pose and reminds me of how grateful I am for how far we've come, but with further thought just the first page of Google search speaks of how long and steep the road is ahead of us!

Don't Let An Over-priced Home Be a Humbling Lesson

Perhaps the greatest influencer in getting your home sold is entering the market with a home that's priced correctly.


Over-priced homes won't get favorable attention; they lose out to the ones that are reasonably priced.


All sellers are looking for the highest price for their home. That's why some sellers want to start at the highest point, maybe even asking a higher price than what they really believe they can get -- the continued readjustment of price can be a humbling ride down to finding the reasonable price to sell the home.


Still dropping the price sounds like an okay strategy, some sellers think.
Here's the problem, especially in today's current market conditions where numerous sellers are competing for fewer buyers -- adjusting price down may come too late and cost the seller less in gain than if the home were priced correctly from the start.
The majority of buyers use buyers' agents to assist them with purchasing a property. Buyers' agents will help the buyers find a home that's right for them. If their buyers are interested in a particular home and it is priced too high (based on comparable properties sold) then the buyers' agents will find their clients similar more reasonably priced homes to view in the same area.
As a seller's property that's over-priced continues to sit on the market the listing loses its newness. There are typically fewer new listings than existing listings. Agents pay a great deal of attention to what's new on the market. Homes that are priced correctly generate attention, activity and a sale; over-priced homes, on the other hand, sit for long periods, are passed over, and ultimately result in a price reduction.
If a seller has an over-priced home on the market and then chooses to drop the price it sometimes goes overlooked. Because it's not a new listing it'll need a little more attention to get agents and buyers to notice that this same home is now being offered for less.
Flyers, emails, ads, etc. have the challenge of enticing buyers and agents who wouldn't give it a look at the higher price -- to come see it now. Not an impossible battle, but again, the listing is no longer new and may be less appealing even with the price reduction.
Obviously, the longer an over-priced home sits on the market, typically the more financial stress the seller begins to feel. If the seller has purchased a new home or must move to another state, suddenly the desperate seller syndrome sets in and lowball offers may have to be accepted due to financial circumstances.
Pricing a home correctly initially is vital -- otherwise the "we-can-always-drop-our-price" strategy could become a costly and humbling lesson in the end.
Written by Phoebe Chongchua

Labor reports and some ways that they influence real estate

http://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/

Labor department reports that 11,000 jobs were lost in November. Some expected 125,000 jobs to be lost. Chart below shows least number of jobs lost since December of 2007. Unemployment Rate has improved to 10.0% from expected 10.2%


This is actually not a favorable news for Bonds, unlike stocks, therefore the home loan rates are worsening overall.

How Mortgage Management Affects Credit Scores

Your credit score, a numerical rendition of your creditworthiness - or lack thereof - should be at 760 or above if you want the best interest rate, according to FICO, the leading credit scoring system provider.



Mortgage lenders as well as other creditors take a hard look at your credit score when you want to borrow against your home, refinance or buy anew.



If you are struggling financially as a homeowners you may be considering some of the new ways to make your mortgage more affordable, but beware.



Look beyond the savings you can net on a mortgage modification, workout or short sale and carefully consider how those savings could affect your credit score.



According to FICO, if you:





Get a mortgage modification or short sale, expect some negative impact. There are many variables here: how the lender reports the deal; what's already on your credit report (negatives compound), etc. A loan modification or short sale are certainly less damaging than a foreclosure or bankruptcy.

Consumer Reports' Money Advisor suggests that before you enter a mortgage modification or short sale, ask how the lender will report it so you can weigh your priorities. If you need the break, take the deal sooner rather than later, even if it will hurt your credit score. Negatives on your credit file are removed after seven years. The sooner you get the clock ticking, the better.





Are rejected for a loan several times, expect a small negative. It's the inquiries the credit scoring model sees, not the rejections. Too many rejections may indicate you are trying to pile up a lot of credit in a short time and that's deemed risky behavior. Consumer Reports advises loan shop within a 14 to 30 day period. FICO counts all mortgage inquiries within that period as one inquiry. Also consider applying for credit in person so you can ask about the lender's requirements and your chances for approval. If one lender's underwriting standards are too tight, seek a more lenient lender, Consumer Reports also advises.



Have a subprime or adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) on your credit report, expect zero impact. The FICO scoring system isn't privy to the underwriting terms of your loan. Keep making payments on time and or refinance to a lower fixed rate if you can and you'll keep your score intact or boost it over time.



Get debt relief from a credit counselor, expect a ding. That's because you aren't living up to the original terms of the credit agreement. Get the help if you need it, again, the sooner you begin to correct credit problems, the sooner they leave your credit file.

Consumer Reports advises working with certified counselors from the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies or the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. For housing issues, see counselors certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Affairs.





Get a "goodwill correction" from your lender, expect a positive effect on your credit score. If, say, you were late once on your mortgage and never again in several years, it can't hurt to ask your lender to remove the one ding.



Pay the mortgage but fall behind on other bills, expect black marks that negatively effect your credit score. FICO doesn't weigh your payment history on one type of loan more than another.

Consumer Reports says there are no "less important" creditors when it comes to your credit score. Call creditors before you get into trouble and try to work something out.





Written by Broderick Perkins

For addtitional help contact Trident Mortgage

Tips for an Eco-Friendly Holiday

It's hard to believe, but according to Robert Lilienfeld, co-author of the book, "Use Less Stuff: Environmental Solutions for Who We Really Are," between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, Americans throw away a million extra tons of garbage each week. During the season of giving, it sure seems like we're taking a lot from Mother Nature. Here are some suggestions of ways to go green this holiday season, and you just might save some green in the meantime.



Start with your gift giving. You may not have ever thought about it before, but some gifts are certainly more eco-friendly than others. Giving an experience, like tickets to a ballgame or an art exhibit, create much less waste than complicated toys and gadgets. And some of the best gifts can be homemade like cookies and cakes, or having guests over for a full home-cooked meal.



As you do begin warping up those presents for family and friends, consider recycling gift wrap. You can easily reuse gift bags, tissue paper, bows and even wrapping paper. For gift wrapping alternatives, think about using reusable items like scarves, handkerchiefs or bandanas. And if you just look around the house you'll probably find old posters, maps, sheet music, wallpaper scraps, magazine and newspaper cutouts, and comic pages which all work very well as wrapping paper.



If you need to ship your presents this year, avoid Styrofoam packing peanuts and try the biodegradable kind instead. You can also use crumpled up newspaper, or even dry, popped popcorn (insert a note inside the box letting the receiver know that they can later treat birds to it).



For many folks, the holidays just wouldn't be the same without a live, fragrant Christmas tree. As you search for that perfect tree, keep in mind that if you purchase a tree from a tree farm you're not damaging forests. Another option is purchasing a potted plant that can be enjoyed year round such as a Norfolk pine, fig or fichus. Artificial trees are also a good choice since they are reused every year and that saves on the gas you would spend driving to the tree farms.



To ignite your family with holiday cheer, be sure to purchase Christmas lights made with light-emitting diodes, or LEDs. These lights have been around since 2001 and are ninety percent more efficient than traditional Christmas lights. They also release little heat and last about 200,000 hours. According to one U.S. Department of Energy study, if all families replaced their conventional holiday light strings with LEDs, at least two billion kilowatt-hours of electricity could be saved in a month. The savings alone would be enough to power 200,000 homes for a year.



Once you've chosen your tree, get creative with the decorations. Give it your family's personal touch by decorating it with memorabilia such as a child's first shoe or grandma's hankie scented with perfume. There's no need to go out and purchase pricey ornaments when cookie cutters, pinecones, stuffed animals and toys, and miniature toy cars work just as well.



And start the New Year off on the right foot try treecycling. By recycling your fresh tree you can make a huge difference in reducing holiday waste. Instead of ending up in a landfill, Christmas trees can be ground into wood chips and be reused as mulch gardens, or to prevent erosion. If you visit Earth911.com, you can search your zip code to find the nearest Christmas tree recycling center near you.





Written by Tara Darby

Should I Take My Home Off the Market During the Holidays?

When you look at your calendar you may find the months already overloaded with seasonal obligations -- shopping, entertaining, children's pageants, charity work, decorating the house, and so much more. If you are also trying to sell your home, you are under extra pressure to keep your home in "showtime" condition. And that could be the last thing you need before the holiday spirit is broken.



It is understandable why you would be tempted to take your home off the market during the holidays. And the list of justifications is long. If you are too busy, buyers may be also, and you may find your efforts unrewarded with not enough showings. And what if you do get an offer? You may be faced with the possibility of packing and moving during the busiest time of the year. Besides, you can give your house a rest, and it will have better momentum after the holidays. Better to just pack it in and start fresh in January, right?



But wait! Most top Realtors agree that taking your home off the market during the Christmas season is a mistake. The house surely isn't going to sell off the market! What is the advantage of that? So you're busy. Let your Realtor do the work. You can leave in the morning, go to work, go shopping, and let your Realtor take care of things.



The holidays are a wonderful selling period. Why? Because most people take off work sometime during the season. The husband and wife are both off and want to see houses. Most agents like the holidays because the buyers have more time, and they can look at homes together.



Before you take your home off the market, consider the following points:





Although buyer activity may appear to slow down, the buyers who are actively looking during the holidays are that much more serious. Agents believe the home market is no more affected at Christmas than during other "busy" periods. If that were so, the market would shut down throughout the year as families concentrate on spring weddings, June graduations, summer vacations, and autumn back-to-school activities.



Many buyers deliberately choose to shop for a home after the busy spring and summer rush. They know that it will be easier to look, and that negotiations will be less stressful. They may not have children, or they may have grown children, so moving to accommodate the school year isn't a consideration. Finding the right home at the right price, however, is.



Relocating families often don't have a choice when they can leave for their new destination. Although 68% of transferring families have children, many families have to transfer during the middle of the school year. These families are that much more motivated to get their families settled in before either the January semester begins, or to arrange for the move during spring break in March. If you sign a contract by New Year's Eve, the timing couldn't be more perfect.



At Christmas time, our culture focuses on family and the home. Preparing for the indoor activities of winter is one of the most enjoyable periods of family life. Allowing buyers to view your home during this most hospitable of seasons lets them better picture their own family life in the attractive environment you have created.



When is your home ever more beautiful and inviting? You have cleaned and decorated, and your home looks like a picture postcard. If the results are good enough for family and friends, they will surely be good enough to impress your buyers. Get the family team on board to do a five-minute blitz pick-up every morning to keep holiday messes to a minimum.



With many motivated buyers in the marketplace, you may find you have more showings than you would if you sold your home during a busier time of the year.



If you do get a contract, you can arrange the terms to suit your needs. If moving during the holidays isn't an option, you can put in the closing date of your choice. Most people can close 30 to 60 days after a contract is written, so there is plenty of time. Possession and closings are very negotiable.


Written by Blanche Evans
 
Additional valuable information visit my monthly market review

How to Tell Mortgage Rates Are Rising?

What are some of the signs that mortgage rates, now at historic lows, are about to go up?

One way is to monitor two important factors in our economy, they are:

• Declining unemployment:

The unemployment rate is sitting just under 10 percent. If lots of Americans go back to work, an increase in interest rates is likely to follow.

• Rising discount rate:

The rate the Fed charges banks that borrow from it directly stands at 0.5 percent. If it rises or the spread between it and the Federal Funds rate widens, then mortgage rate increases won’t be far behind.

For artichles like these go to my monthly market update 
for a mortgage pre-approval contact: Kenton Davidson at Trident Mortgage

Active Adult Housing Trends - “Lifestyle without Maintenance”

Active Adult Housing Trends - “Lifestyle without Maintenance”

The 50+ market is the fastest growing segment of the housing market and is expected to account for over 100 million by 2012. In Pennsylvania the 55-74 age group accounts for 17% of state population and it is the 4th highest in US.

Our active adults are well informed, well educated, internet savvy and value conscious.

Some of the key reasons “Active Adults” consider moving to a “Life Style Community” are: relief of home owner maintenance, to simplify their life and to have freedom to leave for a trip or a vacation without worry.

Most of the year my first contact is a motivated wife, but about the time the leaf racking and snow removal come around, I get more husbands to make that first call, send that initial email inquiry or visit my Open House.

In our further conversations most often we arrive at the same additional reasons why they wish to move: To simplify their life, to be able to “Lock and Leave” or “Pick up and Go” without much preparation or complications.

Baby boomers are not like the previous generations, they are continuing to update and to renew. They are growing and trying new things; still full of wonder and curiosity; continuing to re-invent themselves; love new adventure and thrive when forced to have a new beginning. Baby boomers are the “sandwich generation” who move when urban sprawl forces them, or when their neighborhood no longer reflects their lifestyle. It is often that baby boomers convert their second home into their first; they move to simplify life. Baby boomers move for family and also they stay for family. They still move for work and health reasons and they do move for “Lifestyle reasons”; many wish to “right size”which does not necessarily mean down size.

When my active adult clients ask for a home most of the time they have clearly defined expectation. In addition to a good value and all financial consideration they wish to have access to a health and fitness facility; an easy access to tennis, walking, running, nature trails, swimming facilities, natural recreation areas and they wish to have the freedom of a worry free lifestyle, to have the ability to pick up and go.

Many 55+ Buyers wish to be in a close proximity to their present location and look for “green” life style as it relates to the value.

This is a discretionary purchase and the decision is made carefully with the advice of the right professional who will assist them through a maze of protocol and procedures and make the process simple and safe. Survey shows that most satisfied “Active Adults” or “Life Style Buyers” are those who have been represented by a well trained, informed and reputable Senior Specialist Realtor.

Branka Doych

Realtor, SRES Senior Real Estate Specialist

What's my house worth?

What's my house worth? To get a free value estimate, understand today’s market changes and view comparable homes in your area click here.

Existing home sales figures for different regions in US as reported by NAR

6 General Washington Media PA - For Sale.

NAR reports that existing-home sales are higher in all regions of the United States:



Northeast: Existing-home sales rose 11.6 percent to an annual level of 1.06 million in October, and are 27.7 percent higher than October 2008. The median price in the Northeast was $235,400, down 2.6 percent from a year ago.


Midwest: Existing-home sales surged 14.4 percent in October to a pace of 1.43 million and are 28.8 percent above a year ago. The median price in the Midwest was $146,600, a gain of 1.1 percent from October 2008.


South: Existing-home sales rose 12.7 percent to an annual level of 2.30 million in October and are 25.7 percent higher than October 2008. The median price in the South was $151,100, down 6.3 percent from a year ago.


West: Existing-home sales increased 1.6 percent to an annual rate of 1.31 million in October and are 12.0 percent above a year ago. The median price in the West was $220,200, which is 14.7 percent below October 2008.

For additional information:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid52223491001?bctid=52260567001

Thank you for being in my life.

Hope your Thanksgiving was better than you hoped for. Love this video, thought I'd share it with you.

Staged Home at 6 General Washington Media PA part II

Quality work should be applauded and rewarded in these challenging times.

 Sellers at 6 General Washington Dr in Media PA worked hard to prepare their home for today’s informed and savvy buyers. In an effort to support local talent they have hired some capable individuals to help them with this task.  Today’s Broker’s Open House was a first step and a great success. The response was tremendous and for those in our area we strongly suggest the following business people for your future needs:

Previously mentioned staging services of Ida and Kate of Red Letter Rooms 610.220.8895. and

Harvey the Handyman 610-420-3147

Staged home at 6 General Washington Dr Media PA

Ida and Kate of Red Letter Rooms Design did a great job again with home staging at
6 General Washington Dr. in Media PA. For further information call Ida at 610.220.8895.

FHA Buyers who have been slow to make a decision must read this about FHA financing.

FHA loans were about 3% of all sales at one time and now they lend to about 30% of all buyers requiring mortgage as Washington Post Reports today. Presently Buyers are required to have 3.5% of their own funds for the down payment, this may go up to 5% or even 10%. In addition fee structure may be changed. For further details visit these sites:
Today’s Washington Post   or visit HUD webiste directly. 

Holiday Safety and food safety

At this time of year when we all start to rush about trying to prepare to give our thanks to our family and friends; visit relatives and plan for that perfect “Thanksgiving feast” safety comes to mind and how important is to keep our personal and food safety a priority. I am reminded to plan for some extra time at the food store, at the gas station, in various service counters and always to remember in this time of H1N1 scare that food safety is not just the good thing to do but also a responsibility of any good host. I have found some great articles that may be of interest to you. Some basic reminders of things we all know, and good to remember:

Fire Safety


Food Safety:
FDA

Good Housekeeping:

Gourmet Magazine

White House


HSA

One good way to have a peace of mind…Please check to be sure that your home warranty has been renewed, if not give me a call about it, I can help.

How to buy a bank owned home.

Market Report

Here are some commets that Larry Flick of Prudential Fox and Roach offered about market trends:
Trends


There are three important trends that support the fact that our market is recovering:

1. Unit sales are increasing

Unit sales are now surpassing those of last year. More homes went under agreement
during the second half of 2009 than the same time period in 2008.
% Change in Pended Sales 2009 versus 2008 (Market Area)

January - 29%
February - 25%
March - 22%
April - 22%
May - 18%
June + 1%
July + 2%
August + 15%
September + 29% 2

2. Inventory is decreasing

Since February 2009, the rate of inventory decrease has been growing each month.
% Change in Number of Homes for Sale versus Previous Year (Market
Area)

January - 0.8%
February - 0.6%
March - 0.7%
April - 3.5%
May - 6.7%
June - 9.9%
July - 10.6%
August - 10.9%
September - 11.9%

3. Months Supply of Inventory is decreasing

MSI is decreasing. In a balanced market, we would expect MSI to be 5 to 6, so there is
still an oversupply of homes available for sale, especially in the higher price ranges.

September Months Supply of Inventory (Market Area)

2005 4.3
2006 7.7
2007 10.3
2008 11.4
2009 7.6

What about Prices?

I’m also frequently asked how much prices have come down. It’s true that prices have
declined. The following chart of paired sales shows how much prices have dropped in
the past year.

Case-Shiller Index Prices Q2 2009 versus Q2 2008
Camden MSA - 7.66%
Ocean City MSA - 15.34%
Philadelphia MSA - 3.33%
Trenton MSA - 6.14%
Wilmington, DE-MD-NJ MSA - 7.30%

From 2006 when prices peaked until June 2009, prices fell overall from 15% to 17%.
The actual amount depends upon location and price range. In a way, these declines are
positive because they’ve brought our market back to reality. The annual 12- 15%
appreciation experienced during the real estate boom was just not sustainable. And the
resulting improvement in affordability is contributing to our market’s recovery.
When one considers the long term trend, housing remains a good long-term investment.

Median Sales Price Trend - September
Estimate 3% increase in 2010 and 2011

The decrease in the values of homes as noted above has played a role in the decrease in
average sales price as reported by Trend and other MLS services.

September Average Sales Price (Market Area)

2002 $187,000
2003 $212,000
2004 $233,000
2005 $263,000
2006 $265,000
2007 $273,000
2008 $260,000
2009 $245,000

But even more than declining price, it is a change in the mix of business that has caused average sales price to decline.

additonal market report information to follow.

Upper Providence Delaware Co PA taxes to jump 48 percent

Upper Providence taxes to jump 48 percent ( zonning map )


After nine years with only one tax hike of about 2 percent, the Upper Providence Township is proposing a 48 percent increase. The preliminary budget approved by council shows a total tax rate of 4.629 mills, 1.501 mills more than last year. For an assessment of $250,000, taxes rise from $782 to $1,157. Township Manager Edward Cashman presented the preliminary budget, noting the township administration and council expect to have further meetings before the final document comes to the board in December for approval. The township’s transfer taxes (from properties sold) were about $300,000 to date, significantly below the $550,000 budgeted last year and more so from the $750,000 the township received in one recent year. Building permits and interest on all accounts were also much lower than budgeted, all signs of the economic downturn of 2009. Extra budget meetings open to the public will be legally advertised and announced on the township’s Web site here.



Source: Daily Times; 11/12/09

Buyer Alert - Great information for today's buyers provided in simple terms.

To help my buyers cut through the clutter of information I provide a FREE brochure explaining the 10 critical steps in buying a home in today's market.

Email me to receive this REBAC - Real Estate Buyer's Agent Counsil of the National Association of Realtors brochure. 

1. Find a Qualified Buyer Representative
2. Assess Your Credit and Finances
3. Assess Your Wants and Needs
4. Shop for a Home
5. Negotiate Terms
6. Obtain a Mortgage
7. Prepare for the Close (Transfer Ownership)
8. Close
9. Move
10. Celebrate

Happy Veteran's Day and Thank you.

I think that it is important to recognize our Veteran's and Active Duty Military Personnel.


Sacrifices that our Military and their families make on a daily basis it mind boggling. Without their service to our Great Nation, we would not enjoy the freedoms' that we have today.

Let’s make sure that we make a special effort to Thank a Veteran and our Active Duty Military this week.



To those of you who have served, and are serving, we humbly thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Homebuyer Tax Credit Changes Part 2

Congress Passes Homebuyer Tax Credit
The $8,000 homebuyer tax credit for first-time buyers has been extended through April 30 of next year and buyers will have an additional two months, until the end of June, to close. First-time buyers who are in process of making a purchase will no longer need to worry about qualifying for the $8,000 credit if they close after the November 30 deadline.


And the tax credit has been expanded to existing homeowners who have lived in their current residence for five of the prior eight years. The new legislation allows for a $6,500 maximum credit to existing homeowners.


Get all the details by clicking on the links below.

2009 NAR Issue Brief Homebuyer Tax Credit Changes


2009 NAR FAQ Tax Credit Changes



Here's some more positive news that was in the November 9th issue of Business Week

A Housing Recovery with a Solid Foundation

Important Changes 2009 Tax Credit Changes

Detailed 2009 Tax Credit changes are availabel at National Association of Realtors website.  Link is listed below:


http://www.realtor.org/fedistrk.nsf/files/government_affairs_tax_credit_ext_chart_110409.pdf/$FILE/government_affairs_tax_credit_ext_chart_110409.pdf

Special Market Report - Days on Market by Zip Code in Delaware County

Out of 32 zip codes in this analysis the fastest selling went to 19076 where properties only took 61 days to sell versus total Delaware County that took an average of 91 days. (source data : information based on sales of singe family homes in the TrendMLS and/or other MLS services over last 12 months.




For a list of top 32 selling zip codes in Delaware County in the last 12 months contact me by email  Branka@BrankaDoych.com

November Real Estate Update!

Here is a link to my "November Real Estate Update":


http://realtytimes.com/132/BrankaDoych


This Newsletter is full of interesting and useful information that I think you will enjoy whether you are a buyer, seller, homeowner, or renter.


This month's issue includes topics such as:
"Vital Information for First-Time Buyers";

"Relieving the Stress of Packing";

"Making Your Home Age Appropriate Creates Appeal";

"Real Estate Investment Buying Tips";

"Extending Homebuyer Tax Credit Best Tool for Sustaining Housing Recovery";
Plus a roundup of November real estate activity as well as much more advice and information.

Alert: Tax Credit Vote Expected Monday, Nov. 2

Potentially great news for many first time buyers, Tax Credit Vote Expected Monday, Nov. 2



http://www.votervoice.net/Core.aspx?AID=311&IssueID=19718&atid=15543&siteid=0&App=GAC&AdvocID=1229487&target=true&isVisited=false&targetID=37730192

Do you have a home for everything? Holiday Organizing Tips:

Most all of us need help some time with proper organizing of our home. Sometimes we collect items and they take over our garage, our office, our living room, kitchen or even our home. We all get to a point one time or another where we just don't have that time which is needed  to do much about collected "junk" mail, books we've ordered with a strong desire and intention to read soon; or even interesting journals our friends have sent out way...How about just before or after a move into a new home or...we may just need a helping hand to prepare for holidays with ease and without hassle.




All right organizing has helped my clients and my family. Here are some helpful bits of information:



Annette Reyman

Professional Organizer

(908)361-7105
annettereyman@gmail.com

http://www.allrightorganizing.com/

http://www.productiveandorganizedhome.com/2009/10/guest-post-why-are-we-keeping-oversized-and-out-of-season-items-in-easy-to-reach-places-.html

First Time Home Buyer's Alert !

First Time Home Buyers Alert:

$8000 First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit expires December 1, 2009.

If you have just started looking to buy a home or if you need additional information about this amazing gift, please contact me. Here are a couple helpful links:

http://www.prufoxroach.com/taxcredit.cfm

http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/2009/home.html

New feature for Home Search

In my efforts to "go green" I provide my buyers with a great new feature: A Simple Mobile Application is available to help my home buyers with their new home search.

You can now search for your next home with your smart phone. This application is available at http://www.brankadoych.com/ or Text to: 87778 Code: Branka

For video instructions go to: http://www.smarteragent.com/video/?thepage=cvideosa&page=10007100071001310001