Real Estate Information Archive

Things are heating up outside and that means it’s time for backyard BBQ’s!  Summertime is full of fun for all and eating outdoors is one of the fun things you can do during this season.  It is important to keep safety in mind when cooking outdoors.    Here are a few backyard BBQ safety tips that you can use next time you have family and friends over to cookout.   These tips are good for cooking on your grill or in your fire pit. 

• Many times when folks cook out they will do so from their deck.  If you are planning to walk away from your grill for any amount of time you may want place your grill away from the deck so that there is no chance that it can catch on fire.  Perhaps a patio would be a better place for your outdoor cooking.  If you don’t have a patio you can easily build one. 
• It is a good idea to keep your grill clean and free of debris that may have gathered on it over the winter months.  When you pull your grill out for your first BBQ this summer you should clean it thoroughly. 
• Gas propane tanks need to be stored in temperature controlled areas as they are a fire hazard if left in areas where the temperatures can get very high. 
• If you have a fire pit and you choose to use it for your summer barbecuing fun, you need to be sure that it is located at least 10 feet away from your home or any structures. 
• Be sure to use wood that has been dried for at least 6 months in your fire pit.  Also only use a fire starter for fire pits to start the fire.  Never under any circumstance use gasoline to start the fire.  Fire pits are close to the ground and can start a brush fire quite easily if not kept contained and if not careful.
• If it happens to be windy on the evening in which you choose to use your fire pit it may be best to use the grill instead.  As I mentioned already, fire pits are not as easily contained as a regular barbecue grill.

As long as you use a bit of common sense and the tips we have listed here, you should be able to enjoy your backyard barbecue with your friends and family without any issues arising. 

Information provided by Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

If you’re considering selling your home in the near future here are some things to be thinking about. Staging your home most commonly refers to paying attention to how your home shows on the inside to buyers. Curb appeal refers to how it looks to buyers on the outside. Staging and curb appeal are often thought of as separate issues.

However, if you think of them together the results will often be more than just the sum of the parts. The things you do to improve on by staging and curb appeal may even enhance your enjoyment of your  home for the time before you sell. Let’s consider staging for selling in this blog…

There are a of lot things you can do yourself without spending big dollars, especially if you start well ahead of selling. “Streamlining” is a new term that encompasses “de-cluttering.” Things that we all get used to living with do not always make a positive impression on a buyer. So, look around your living environment and be honest about what you could maybe do without, especially for the short term.

You might find that you would enjoy a little less stuff around right now. That includes things that are in storage. If you haven’t used something in 2 or 3 years maybe you could do without it? For the things that you really do want to have handy, is there a better way to store them? Here are some easy staging ideas you can do yourself.

Talk with your favorite Realtor to get some suggestions. They may even know a reasonably priced staging professional who can help. But, if you’re the type to do it yourself there are all sorts of tips on the internet. A good start is to do some planning. Make a checklist for yourself to help organize the effort for the big picture.

Also think about things that can make a big impression. An example of a high impact effort that looks at both indoors and outdoors is dressing up the entry into your home. That idea and 12 other tips are included in an article you can access here. Work your way through your checklist and keep thinking inside and outside together. Over a relatively short period of time you’ll find you are making significant changes toward selling your home.

Information courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

Many families plan for their summer vacation months in advance but did you know that you need to prepare your home for your vacation as well?  Below are a few tips on what you should do to prepare your home for your upcoming vacation.   

• Mow your grass before you leave for your vacation.  I would suggest that you set the mower on the shortest cut you can get so that you don’t have to worry about it growing up while you are gone.  If you are going to be gone for an extended period of time you may want to arrange to have a family member mow your yard at least once while you are gone.  Mowing your yard before vacation makes it look like you are still at home and therefore may keep away potential intruders. 
• Another thing you should do before you leave on vacation this coming summer is to contact the post office and have your mail canceled while you are gone.  You can pick your mail up at the post office once you arrive back home and start your service back up.  This may sound like a huge ordeal but it really is an easy way to keep things neat and tidy while you are away from home.  This simple act will also deter intruders.
• If you don’t want your house to stand out as if no one is home, you may need to install a flood light that is activated by motion outside of your home.  This way if someone walks up to your house that is not suppose to be there the neighbors will be able to see them and can report anything out of the ordinary.  Another thing you can do with lights is to set a few inside lights on a timer so that it looks like you are home.
• Some water heaters have a VAC mode otherwise known as a vacation mode. If you have this setting on your water heater it’s a good idea to use it while you are away.  Doing this is not only a good way to save on your bill but it is also a good way to avoid any type of flooding that may occur while you are gone.  The last thing you want to come home to is a flooded house due to a broken or burst pipe.

Hopefully these tips will get you started in the right direction before you set off on your summer vacation and you’ll be able to relax and have fun without worrying about your house! 

Information courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

According to Fannie Mae the top five reasons people buy a home:

• To have a better place to raise their children
• A place where their family can feel safe
• To have more space; Freedom to renovate to their own taste
• Being a homeowner is a better investment.

Does this hold true for you? Well, let’s take a look at these reasons to get a broader perspective…then you decide for yourself about being a homeowner.

To have a better place to raise children and family can feel safe…

This can very subjective and involves a lot of factors. It boils down to community and personal preferences. What is the look and feel of a community where you could see yourself living? The school system and convenience to shopping are important. Local government services provided such as emergency services, hospitals, fire, police, utilities, etc. must be considered. Is there a neighborhood watch, public parks, a community center with activities for everyone in the family, etc.? Try making a list of all the things important to you and use it evaluate where you’re searching for real estate.

To have more space…

This is also somewhat subjective, but can be looked at analytically as well. Much depends on your lifestyle and the size of your family. There are large and small apartments, and large and small houses. Much has to do with how much space you would like to have versus how much you can afford. And this also really flows into the next topic…

Freedom to renovate for your own taste…

Whether you want to add on or simply renovate within existing walls, “freedom” is a huge factor in deciding to buy a house. Buying is not for everyone. Renting is a very good option for a lot of people. But the freedom to do as you please with your home is a powerful motivator. Here’s where lifestyle comes into play. It costs more to own a home than to rent. The money saved by renting can arguably be used to support a different lifestyle, which is also a form of freedom. Only you can decide.

Owning is a better investment…

There is no doubt that at the end of a renting cycle you walk away with no financial benefit except for the money you have saved in the process. How that savings compares with what you have when you sell a house you have owned is the question. And the answer is “It all depends.” Being a homeowner costs money. But, a lot of the money spent owning a home potentially can be recuperated. A homeowner is also building equity every month they make a mortgage payment. In that sense home ownership can be viewed as a huge savings fund.

If freedom is your primary key factor, buying real estate and becoming a homeowner is definitely to be considered!

Information provided by Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

If you’ve officially joined the ranks of the empty nesters, one of the first questions that usually comes to mind is should we downsize our home. The kids are gone and we probably don’t need this big house. But is buying a smaller home right for you? Obviously, there are pros and cons to consider about both your finances and lifestyle before making a decision.

Reasons not to downsize:

• The family is spread all across the country and you want to have a place for everyone to gather for the holidays and vacations.
• You’ve been in your current home for many years and have filled it with mementos you don’t want to part with.
• You’re not emotionally ready to pack up and leave a lifestyle you worked hard to create. Leaving family, friends and familiar surroundings is more than you can bear.
• You enjoy the feelings that go along with your larger home. A smaller home will not feel right for your current lifestyle.

Reasons to downsize:

• The lower (or zero) mortgage payment that comes with a smaller home would give you more discretionary funds to travel and enjoy other recreational activities.
• A smaller home means less to maintain and more time to play.
• You and/or your spouse are not able to navigate the stairs like you use. A single level home is more desirable.
• A smaller, newer home is more efficient and cost effective.
• You need to be closer to a family member who needs assistance and your attention.

If you decide to downsize, make sure the new home fits both your lifestyle and pocketbook. Talk with a real estate professional about how much money you will net from the sale of your current home, as well as the costs of buying another one. Look into how much it would cost to move and to maintain the smaller home. Make sure it really is cheaper to live there. Downsize only once you’re satisfied that the finances make sense.

Buy into your new lifestyle

A smaller house in your current neighborhood could be the right decision if your priority is maintaining close ties to neighbors. Just make sure there are amenities like public transportation and stores nearby if your health begins to deteriorate.

A retirement community could be perfect if you never want to move again and you want to focus on travel, hobbies and perfecting your golf stroke instead of mowing the lawn. Talk to current residents to see whether they’re happy with the rules and the way things are run. Another option you may prefer is a condominium to eliminate the maintenance but not be locked in for life like many life care communities.

It is a big decision to downsize. So, make it carefully, do not rush, and get professional advice about the real estate and financial aspects of moving.

Information courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

If you’re a seller of a Chester County home you need to understand the complexities of negotiating. This is particularly true if you are attempting to sell your home by yourself. This is known as a “for sale by owner” or FSBO.

Most people understand that selling a home is complicated. But just about the least understood component of being a seller is the need to do a lot of negotiating. Even if you are working with a Realtor it is good to know what is going on, often behind the scenes. Why? So you have an appreciation of what the Realtor is doing for you.

Here are just a few of the types of negotiations you need to be ready to deal with…

• The buyer’s agent whose sole responsibility it is to protect the best interest of the buyer, not yours.
   
• The buyer who wants the best deal possible from you.
   
• The home inspection company which is working for the buyer and almost always finds problems with the property for sale.
   
• The termite company if there are challenges by the buyer.
   
• The buyer’s lender if the structure of the financing requires the seller’s participation.
   
• The appraiser if there is a question of value.
   
• The title company if there are any challenges with permits, certificates of occupancy, or the survey.
   
• The municipal government if there a problems with permits or certificate of occupancy.
   
• The survey company if there any discrepancies or challenges.

Every one of the above participants in a real estate transaction has special interests and specialized knowledge about a different component in the sales process. Each one has to be negotiated with on some level to make sure the sale gets to closing smoothly.

It takes a lot of skill to understand everyone’s interests and how those interests fit into the bigger picture. Some of their interests and intertwined, and some are very specific to a given specialty. Some of the interests are very objective and others are very subjective and emotional.

In addition to all of that, your emotions as the seller tend to run high. It is extremely difficult to remain calm and objective when dealing with other people over the sale of your home. That is because you are not just selling a house and a property…you are selling the home you and your family have lived in. It’s personal.

The primary message is to be very careful about making a decision to go the FSBO route and be very selective when deciding on a Realtor to be your agent of negotiation.

Information courtesy of Chester County Realtor Scott Darling.

The value of home improvements has two primary considerations:

• the tangible dollar value that is added to your home compared to costs
• the intangible value of your enjoyment of the improvement

Most homeowners focus primarily on the costs, and whether they are adding dollar for dollar value to their home for resale. Those are legitimate concerns. Let’s break them down…

The tangible costs of a project have many components to consider:

• The first advice to seek is from a Realtor you know and trust. Ask them for some free advice. You want to know what is the likely increase in value you can expect from a project based on what “comparables” are available. You also want their professional opinion about how the buyers in your market are likely to value the improvement. Lastly, you want recommendations about builders you should talk with.
   
• The next step is to talk with at least two builders/remodelers. Ask them to meet at your home. Describe what you are thinking about doing. Ask for suggests they have and for an estimate of what it is likely to cost. Also ask if they do design work, or do you need an architect?
   
• Here are some general considerations to think about:
  • usefulness of the improvements to a future buyer will effect the value
  • if the house is older consider replacing electric wiring and plumbing
  • make sure everything is done professionally, even if done by the homeowner
  • badly done home improvements can actually detract from the home’s value
     
• Lastly, be very careful about re-purposing a bedroom. It should be able to be re-converted back to a bedroom later. The number of bedrooms has a large impact on the value of a home.

The intangible value of your enjoyment is very important. Try to put a dollar amount on your enjoyment value. What benefits will you and your family gain? How long do you anticipate living in your home? What is your enjoyment worth to you in dollars?

Now you’re in a position to add to the tangible cost estimates you have. Add to the tangible costs the dollar value you place on your enjoyment of the benefits. Then compare that total improvement value to what your Realtor has estimated you can get back at resale. You’re now ready to make a decision whether or not to make the improvements.

Information courtesy of Chester County Realtor Scott Darling.

When it comes to borrowing money, many loans offer benefits beyond simple financing. With that in mind, it’s important to understand how one type of loan may be right for making home improvements, while another may be a better match for financing a wedding. The key is to research the various types of loans, know what services they're designed to provide and then choose the one that best fits your financial needs.

Credit card, personal and home equity loans are all great options to help finance purchases and achieve financial goals. Here's a rundown of how each type of loan works:

Credit card – Many people don’t realize that credit cards are actually loans, and users can make those loans as short-term or long-term as they need. Some credit cards provide low- or no-interest, short-term financing as long as the monthly statement is paid in full and on time. Users also have the option to turn their credit card balance into a longer-term loan, which may result in higher interest rates. Some credit cards may also charge an annual fee. Credit card loans can be used for common household expenses like groceries, gas or even to make automated payments for items like a magazine subscription. And if the user's credit limit is high enough, credit cards can be used to fund larger expenses like furniture or electronics.

Personal loan – Having a balance on more than one credit card can be a burden, especially if the rates are high. To help manage their budget, many consumers opt to use a personal loan to consolidate their higher-interest loans. Using a personal loan to pay down debt may save borrowers on interest payments if the rate on the personal loan is lower than on the credit card. Additionally, personal loans can give people more control over the size and timing of monthly payments.

Personal loans can be used to pay for major events or expenses, such as a wedding, a big trip or those unexpected life moments such as a child’s new braces or an emergency car repair. Additionally, approved borrowers can receive their money quickly.

There are also online resources, such as financial calculators, that can help borrowers visualize what their finances will look like when taking on a personal loan.

Home equity loan – Once a homeowner has earned equity in their home, she or he can use that as collateral to get a loan for large expenses. Many homeowners obtain a home equity loan to finance a very costly home repair or home renovation project. This allows them to use their equity to potentially help increase the home’s value, and may increase resale profits. Other uses for home equity loans include consolidating large debt or paying for major expenses like medical bills. Typically, home equity loans have a fixed interest rate, terms and monthly payments. Interest on a home equity loan may be 100 percent tax deductible. Borrowers should consult their tax advisor about any benefits a loan may bring.

Loans can help borrowers regain control of their finances but are not “one size fits all.” Different types of loans should be used for different types of expenses. The key is for borrowers to consider the type of expense they are looking to fund, the available loans and lender offerings, and determine which type of loan is most suitable for them. (BPT)

Information courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

Families can decorate their homes with colorful flowers and bring healthy, home-grown foods to the table with gardens. Gardening, however, can use quite a bit of water, and in states struck by drought it’s important to conserve as much water as possible. However, you can still have a garden if you carefully plan what you plant, how you plant it, and how you give it the water it needs. Here are some water-conservation tips for growing a garden and using the least amount of water possible:

• Choose plants that thrive in drier conditions. Vegetables like corn, spinach, mustard greens and some beans are drought-tolerant, and desert rose and snake plant are beautiful landscaping plants that need less water.
• Water only where it's needed so it doesn't go to waste. When you use a lawn sprinkler to water your garden, much of the spray misses your flowers and vegetables and ends up on the grass, the sidewalk or the neighbor's yard. Make certain the water gets to the roots of your plants via a drip-irrigation system. Drip irrigation uses 70 percent less water than underground sprinklers and frees the user from constantly hauling around hoses because the system stays in your garden all summer long.
• Water at night or in the early morning when the sun is least likely to evaporate the moisture. This allows as much of the water to penetrate to your plant's roots instead of evaporating.
• Build beds that encourage soil to stay damp as long as possible. Some ways to do this include digging the bed deeper to help loosen the soil prior to planting. This gives roots the chance to go reach deeper and gain access to where water might be more available. Also, once planted, cover the bed with a good layer of mulch or compost. This will help keep the soil good and moist.
• Raise vegetable crops during the rainy season. Many areas of the country have a cooler rainy season. Peas, leafy greens, radishes and other vegetables with short growing seasons are great for planting early in the spring and sometimes again late in the fall. Because temperatures are cooler and the early and late seasons tend to produce more rainfall, you can grow vegetables using less water.

Drought affects all areas of the country during different years, so even if you aren't living in a drought situation now, you could experience one next year or several years down the road. It's important to know what steps you can take to be more water conservative when it comes to your garden. Apply these tips to your vegetables and flowers this year to see how successful you can be at reducing the amount of water needed to grow your plants. (BPT)

Information courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.