What’s the deal with those “We Pay Cash for Houses” signs? I’ll explain how these fast-cash companies really work. Looking to sell your Bucks or Montgomery County home? Get a free home value report.
What’s the deal with the “We Pay Cash for Houses” signs?
I’m sure you’ve seen these signs around every now and then. These signs actually target certain types of home sellers: those in financial distress, those who can’t sell, those who are divorcing, those who have trashed or damaged their homes, and owners evicting tenants.
These companies often don’t require a real estate commission. They claim they will save you money and boast about completing their sales in-house.
If you want the most money for your house, hire an experienced real estate agent.
So how do these companies pay for your home?
We used to refer to these homes as EPs, or equity purchase companies. These fast-cash buyers deal solely with your equity position. Their strategy is to negotiate for the lowest possible price for your home.
You have to know what your financial situation is. If these companies are really there to take over a bad situation, they will possibly buy your home for less than it’s worth. These companies are not for conventional home sales.
If you are truly desperate, you may want to go that route. However, if you want to get the most money for your house, stick with a brokerage and an experienced real estate agent.
I am glad to answer any other questions you may have. Just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!
There are some great places in our area to take the family for some fall fun.
When it comes to seasonal festivities, one of my personal favorites is something most people know about: Shadybrook Farm’s PumpkinFest. But, I’ve also got a recommendation that might not be so familiar. Another great place I recommend is Eastburn Farms, located on Dorm Road in Newtown. Eastburn Farms is family operated, and was actually started as a hobby.
The attention to detail that is put into Eastburn Farms is obvious in everything they do.
However, even now that it’s grown into something much bigger than a hobby, you can still expect to be treated with a lot of personal care.
The attention to detail that is put into Eastburn Farms is obvious in everything they do. They’ve got a wide variety and selection of pumpkins, from Jarrahdale to Cinderella to your typical Jack-o’-Lantern style, and more. They’ve also got a variety of squash, which are great for cooking.
I hope all of you have a great time taking advantage of our area’s fall festivities. Happy Halloween!
If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
On the 16th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, I want to pause for a moment to reflect and the day that changed our lives forever.
I also want to take some time to remember those who lost their lives on that tragic day. My thoughts and prayers are with their families, the survivors, and the first responders who rushed in to help.
My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, the survivors, and the first responders today.
The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were the deadliest terror attacks on U.S. soil. 2,977 people died in the attacks, and our community was hit hard by the loss of nine souls from Lower Makefield and 18 souls from Bucks County.
If you are looking for more ways to observe the 16th anniversary, you can go to the Garden of Reflection in Lower Makefield, which is the official Pennsylvania memorial to victims of the 9/11 attacks. There will be a few special events there for the 16th anniversary. For more information on the Garden of Reflection, click here.
At 8:30 in the morning, a remembrance ceremony will mark the chronological events of that tragic day to remember and honor those we lost with music and prayer.
At 7:00 p.m., there will be a candlelight service. As we walk forward together, we work together.
The Garden of Reflection is located at 1950 Woodside Road in Lower Makefield, Pennsylvania. If you are using GPS, you may need to enter “Morrisville,” Yardley,” or “Newtown” to get there.
There is also the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City. You can purchase tickets to attend up to six months in advance.
Again, my thoughts and prayers are with the survivors, victims, first responders, and their families. Thank you for taking a moment out of your day to pause and reflect with me.
Floors require a lot of maintenance if they’re going to last. Today, I’ve brought on an expert, Marty Hackett of Marty’s Carpet Cleaning, to give me the details on how to properly care for a home’s flooring.
Today I’m joined by two special guests: Marty Hackett of Marty’s Carpet Cleaning and my dog Oliver. Both of these guests have a lot to do with today’s subject, which is carpet cleaning.
Oliver is actually one of the major reasons I see Marty as often as I do. Just because I love my pet doesn’t mean I love the messes he can make. However, there are many other factors that can contribute to a dirty carpet as well.
Marty started in this business 31 years ago and has loved it ever since. Throughout those years, he has gained a lot of knowledge and experience about floor and carpet cleaning. This is exactly why I can always trust he will do a good job for me and my clients.
I truly believe that Marty is a step above his competitors. When I asked him what he thinks sets his business apart, he told me he credits his success to conscientiousness and keeping up to date on the latest technology.
“ Maintaining your floors like you would anything else is essential.
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Updates in technology have really made a difference in how carpet is cleaned. Years ago, there was a shampooing method that left behind a lot of soapy residues. Ironically, this meant that carpets actually got dirty more quickly after they had been cleaned. The extraction method that Marty and most other carpet cleaners use today is much more efficient.
Most carpet installation places won’t give you your warranty unless you ask for it. As a result, many people are confused about exactly how often they need their carpet cleaned. Generally, you should clean your carpet around every 16 to 24 months.
This time frame will give you the best performance from your carpet. Between those professional cleanings, people can maintain their carpets by doing one simple thing: vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. Carpets wear because of friction, and friction is increased when a lot of dust is trapped between your carpet’s fibers.
A well-maintained carpet can last for years and years. According to Marty, people should get sick of the style or color of their carpets before they ever have to replace them for utilitarian purposes. The quality of the carpet matters too. A higher quality carpet is going to give you the most use, overall.
But no matter how well you take care of your carpet, life happens. So what can be done about removing stains? Despite the impulse to do so, rubbing and scrubbing at a fresh spill or stain is the worst thing you can do.
Marty suggests that you always use a white, cotton towel in a dabbing motion to soak up as much of the stain as you can. Blotting a stain with warm water is another good thing to try. If that doesn’t work, it’s also acceptable to add a very small amount of dish soap or laundry detergent, too.
The problem with using a cleaning chemical is that it can actually set the fibers and make the stain difficult for even someone like Marty to remove. Marty has a good solution to almost any stain but says the trickiest one is red wine.
However, even that can be removed with the right knowledge. All it takes is some cheap white wine to dilute the red wine stain while it’s still fresh. Once you’ve done this, blot the stain and it should lift right up.
But Marty and his business don’t only clean carpets. “If you walk on it, we clean it,” he says. It was primarily when hardwood and stone flooring came back into style that Marty began working more often with those kinds of surfaces.
“ If you walk on it, Marty can clean it. ”
Flooring is one of the most expensive things you can put into a home, so maintaining it like you would anything else is absolutely essential.
If you’d like to contact Marty or learn more about his business, you can visit the Marty’s Carpet Cleaning Facebook page, visit www.martyscarpetcleaning.com, or call him at (215) 968-8878.
If you have any other questions or would like more information on carpet cleaning, click hereor feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Home flipping is usually defined as buying a home and then reselling it soon after for a higher price. 10 years ago, it was a mainstay of the real estate boom that led to the financial crash.
After some years of lower activity, it's back in full force, thanks in part to popular TV shows such as "Flip or Flop" and "Flipping the Block." If you're curious about home flipping, here are three facts you should know right now:
1. Home flipping is more profitable than ever. A recent Waco home that appeared on HGTV's show "Fixer Upper" was originally bought for $28,000. It was thoroughly renovated and is now being listed for $950,000—over 30 times its original price. In 2016, the median flipped home sold for $189,900, which is $62,624 over the median purchase price of $127,276. That's a 49.2% return, the most profitable return since 2000—the first year for which such data is available.
2. Home flipping is caused by different factors than 10 years ago. Back then, many flipped homes were speculations. In other words, investors would buy a home and then just wait, hoping that the price would go up so they could sell. The current flipping trend appears to be a positive response to current market conditions, such as the overall shortage of homes for sale, a lack of new construction, and a steady rise in home prices.
Demand still outstrips supply, for now.
3. Home flipping affects all home buyers and sellers. If you're a buyer, you can clearly benefit from the home-flipping craze. Flipped homes are available at all price ranges, from entry-level to luxury homes.
If you are a seller, then the boom in home flipping means you might face tougher competition when the time comes to sell your home.The good news is that demand still strongly outstrips supply for now. These conditions won’t last forever.
If you have any questions or you're even considering investing in a home you can flip yourself, get in touch with me by giving me a call or sending me a quick email. I’d love to hear from you.
Now that it’s summer, college students are preparing to go back to school in the upcoming months.
While some students may live in dorms, there are actually several benefits to owning the property your college student lives in. One of the primary benefits is stability.
When you own the property your child will be living in during the school year, you can be sure that neither you nor they will be forced to look for a different apartment for them to live in each year.
The price of rent tends to rise; however, ownership means having only fixed housing expenses instead. Owning a property also means not having to pay for a security deposit.
But finances aren’t the only upside to ownership. A property you own will typically include much more storage space for your student and for you. Also, instead of having to constantly move furniture in and out of different apartments each year, owning a property means you can simply leave your student’s items there over the summer rather than shifting them around.
Additionally, ownership is a great investment. There is a chance your property may appreciate. With that in mind as well as the potential tax benefits, owning a property is really an increase in wealth.
Remember that this is a highly personal decision, though, too. Crunch the numbers and make sure they make sense before proceeding with any purchase.
I know from personal experience the feeling of wanting your child to live in a safe, comfortable environment.
I know from personal experience the feeling of wanting your child to live in a safe, comfortable environment.
When I saw what my son would’ve been able to afford on his own when he was looking at places to live during the school year, I simply wasn’t comfortable with the quality of life he would have been experiencing.
So, I took the plunge and it’s worked out great for both of us.
If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
If you can't find the right home, how do you know when it's time to consider remodeling or even building a new home?
Finding a home that's the right fit is difficult. You'll probably find yourself thinking "If I could take this home and combine it in with that home..." However, you'll want to consider a few things before deciding to remodel or build from scratch.
The buying process: To build a home, you need to purchase a lot and get a construction loan, which is a longer process. You could also buy an existing home and pay as you go with remodeling.
Time: Can you wait around for a new build? Sometimes you just don't have the time to wait 10 months or more for your new home.
Floor plan: Can you find the kind of floor plan you're looking for in a remodel job? Sometimes you simply can't move a wall or create that open concept that you're going for.
Location: There are currently 331 lots for sale in Bucks County ranging from 47 acres for $7.7 million to four acres for $5,000. If you're set on a certain location, can you find a home suited for your remodeling goals in that certain area?
Fun: What do you like doing? Would it be more enjoyable to build the home, or are you an HGTV nut who loves the remodeling process?
If you're looking for a home or trying to decide between remodeling or building your next home, don't hesitate to give me a call or send me an email soon. I'm here to help!
If you’re looking to diversify your traditional stock portfolio, you should think about adding real estate. Today I’ll tell you why that’s a good idea.
Today I want to talk to you about how real estate is a good addition to your traditional stock and bond portfolio. Real estate is a good investment because it offers diversification to your portfolio. It is considered its own asset class and can offer generous yields during periods of depressed economic activity and appreciation when economic activity is strong, like it is currently.
Financial advisors consider real estate an alternative investment on the level of commodities. Both are less correlated to bonds and stocks, and can help a well-diversified portfolio smooth out the rough patches. The home is most people’s largest asset, so finding exposure to real estate is typically not a priority.
However, over the long term, as long as household formation continues, real estate will continue to be a viable asset class.
However, over the long term, as long as household formation continues, real estate will continue to be a viable asset class. Additionally, some stock portfolios include allocations to mortgage insurers or real estate investment trusts, which tend to pay healthy dividends.
Furthermore, real estate market health is determined by demographic trends and economic growth. These trends continue to remain favorable, making real estate an attractive option for investors. If you have any other questions or would like to learn about some great investment opportunities, please give me a call. I would love to help you.
You may think this topic is only relevant for the elderly, but estate planning is a topic that all homeowners should seriously consider. Putting your home in a trust has advantages and disadvantages.
The most important advantage to putting your home in a trust is that it allows you to avoid probate by transferring the title of your home to a designated family member. Another advantage is that it gives you future incapacity protection. If you become ill or unfit to manage your finances, another trustee can be selected to manage your trust and protect your home. Putting your home in a trust also gives you the opportunity to save on estate taxes.
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The most important advantage is that it helps you avoid probate.
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One of the major disadvantages of putting your home in a trust is that the process is more complex and more costly than setting up a simplified will. With a living trust, your other assets will also be subject to probate whether or not you have a will. Even modest bank investment accounts made in the trust must undergo the probate process. After you die, the trust must file tax returns and value assets, which means more expenses for your estate that might negate the cost savings of avoiding probate.
Consider each of these factors carefully before making a decision. If you have any questions about living trusts or anything else related to real estate, give me a call or send me an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
When is the right time to sell your home? Should you wait? Actually, now is a great time to put your home on the market and there are a couple of reasons why.
When is the right time to get off of the fence? Should you sell your home now or should you wait?
If you want to sell your home, then this winter offers an incredible opportunity to do so. Current housing inventory is the lowest it has been in years, which means you don’t have a lot of competition on the market. Prices are strong, too.
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Housing inventory is the lowest it’s been in years.
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We’re also in a period of low but rising mortgage rates. Buyers want to be able to get into a new home before rates go up again.
If you would like to know what your home is worth in today’s market, then give me a call. I know the local area very well and I talk to homebuyers every day, so I have a great feel for our current real estate market. Once we discuss the unique characteristics of your home, I will give you my best estimate of how you can get your home sold for top dollar. Now is a great time to sell, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions. I would be happy to help you!
Making a new addition to your home is a great idea for various reasons, but interest rates and property values can change the effectiveness of your investment. If you’re considering building a new addition into your home, consider the following five pieces of information as you make your decision:
1. Cost. When budgeting for your addition, plan for the costs associated with major home improvement projects. The hefty cost is something homeowners should consider closely before embarking on this type of construction. It’s also important to consider the additional costs of utilities and taxes to affect your annual budget.
2. Investment value. Sellers don’t necessarily recoup their entire investment due to variables associated with property values.
3. Enjoyment factor. Cost and investment aren’t always the main concerns of homeowners when they’re making additions. Sometimes they just want to enjoy the added space or have a need to expand their home.
4. Stress. I don’t have to tell you that stress is a con, and can be a temporary problem. Selling your home and buying a new one may prove no less stressful.
5. Design aesthetic. A poor design decision can detract from the appearance of your home. An addition that’s mismatched to the main structure can detract from the home’s visual appearance. This will turn buyers off.
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Consider all the pros and cons before making a decision.
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Consider all the pros and cons when it comes to making a decision about a new home addition. Talking to other homeowners can also help you gather advice and enhance your decision making process. If you have any questions for us or if you know someone looking to buy or sell, give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.
