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Displaying blog entries 11-20 of 288

Home Buying Made Easy

Tuesday, April 26, 2022
by Scott Darling


If you are currently in the market for buying a house, then you are likely already aware of just how difficult it can sometimes be.  There are many stressors throughout the process that can make the home buying process seem anything but easy.  Below are a few ways that home buying can be made a bit easier if you do your part to put them into action.  

 

  1.  The first and most important thing you need to do before looking for a home to buy is to find an agent.  The reason this part is the most important is because buying a home is a huge financial obligation and you want to choose the right person to help you with such a big decision in your life.  A good way to find an excellent Realtor is to talk with your friends and family members that you trust to see whom they have used in the past.  Once they give you a few suggestions, you can meet each one and see which one best matches your personality wishes.  You will be spending quite a bit of time with this person so you want to make sure that you get along beautifully with them. 
          

  1. The next step in home buying made easy  is to find a lender.  Many times you can find out from your Realtor about what lenders they tend to use or who they think can be the best match for you and your particular situation.  If your Realtor doesn’t lead you to the best match, again you can talk to your friends and family for suggestions.   
     

  1. You then need to make sure your credit is as clean as it can possibly be.  Lenders can many times give you a bit of guidance in this area so that you can get approved for a loan.   
     

  1. It is important that you get pre approved for a loan before you go out searching for the home of your dreams.  The lender that you choose will help you to know exactly how much of a house you can comfortably afford before you get your heart set on one.  
     

  1. Lastly, figure out exactly what you are looking for in a house.  Make a list of your wants and desires in order of their importance.  This will help to guide you in your home buying adventure and will help avoid wasting precious time.  
     

These are just a few ideas on how to make the home buying process a bit easier.  Once you do your part to put all of these in motion you will be well on your way to finding the home of your dreams.   

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

Photo credit: Connor Homes

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Common Real Estate Myths

Wednesday, April 13, 2022
by Scott Darling

If you are in the process of buying or selling a home, you may have already come across some of these common real estate myths.  Real estate myths are abundant and are quite prevalent in the real estate world.  Below you will find a few real estate myths to be wary of whether you are buying or selling a home. 

  1. Some folks believe that if you don’t use a real estate agent you are likely to get a better deal.  This is totally false because no matter which one of you have the agent…one of them is going to get the commission be it the buyer’s agent or the sellers agent.  The only way to get around dealing with paying a commission to a realtor is if you sell or a buy a home that is for sale by owner.  If you do decide to purchase or sell by owner, be very careful because there are a lot of things that can and perhaps will go wrong when you try to go it alone.  Real estate agents deserve all the commission they get because they do a lot of work that you don’t have to worry about doing yourself. 
     
  2. Another common real estate myth is that you should set your asking price higher than what you expect to make.  If you price your home too much above the market value you are likely going to be doing yourself an injustice.  Folks are going to pass your home by because they know that it is not in their price range.  Setting your home at a reasonable price is a good way to get buyers to show some interest and not be scared off by sticker shock. 
     
  3. Yet another common real estate myth is that all of the houses listed in the multiple listing systems are all available to look at online.  Most of the houses on MLS are listed online but if you don’t tell your realtor that you want your home listed online he or she may not do so. 
     
  4. Another real estate myth  is that having an open house will basically guarantee that you home will sell.  While open houses are good to get folks out looking at your house, they don’t always bring the buyer to your door.  Typically those that look at your house during an open house are just browsing and likely won’t give you an offer. 

Do your part not to let these real estate myths fool you by knowing them ahead of time before you buy or sell a home.  

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling. 

Photo credit: Realty Leadership

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Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends for March 2021

Wednesday, April 21, 2021
by Scott Darling

Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends for March 2021

Chester County PA single-family homes saw pending sales increase by 36.4% in March 2021 when compared to March 2020. 556 homes sold in March with a median sales price of $415,000.  The average days on the market fell by 29 days. 

If you are thinking about selling your home get a free instant home evaluation Learn More. 

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Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends for February 2021

Thursday, March 25, 2021
by Scott Darling

Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends for February 2021

Chester County PA single-family homes saw pending sales decrease by 16.4% in February 2021 when compared to February 2020. 393 homes sold in February with a median sales price of $369,750.  The average days on the market fell by 27 days. 

If you are thinking about selling your home get a free instant home evaluation Learn More. 

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Do I Need a Home Warranty?

Wednesday, February 24, 2021
by Scott Darling


Choosing to purchase a home warranty is something any homeowner, house hunter, and even seller should think about. While different companies offer home warranties, the purpose of a home warranty is generally the same. Let this guide help you decide if you need this service: 
 

  • A home warranty covers what homeowner’s insurance does not. When one of your home’s systems or major appliances breaks down or is damaged from normal wear and tear, a home warranty will help you with the costs. 
     

  • Homeowners pay a monthly fee, on average $300-$600 per year, according to Consumer Affairs. Most service calls through the company will require the homeowner to pay a set service fee to the technician when making a claim. 
     

  • A home warranty can be purchased at any time, which is great for someone who is selling their home.  Sellers can spend a good amount of money prepping the house for sale, and a warranty will help considerably if something breaks down during the selling process. Warranties can be transferred to the buyer, as well! 
     

  • A newer home may not necessarily need a home warranty, so stash an amount equal to a monthly warranty payment into your savings account!  You can build emergency savings and have the funds for unexpected repairs. 
     

  • Research home warranties for prices and coverage available. Your Realtor® will be able to direct you to companies they are familiar with, and you can trust you are working with a reputable home warranty company. 
     

  • Current homeowners who do not have a home warranty can find a company that is registered with the Service Contract Industry Council. Scroll to the “Home Service Contract Companies” for a complete contact list. 

 

There are so many different decisions to make when it comes to homeownership, it can feel overwhelming. Making good decisions depends on how much time you put into researching and asking questions.  Inform yourself by doing your research and having a discussion with your Realtor® and/or warranty agent to help make the best home warranty decision for your home and wallet. 

 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

Photo credit: homewarrantyreviews

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Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends for January 2021

Wednesday, February 17, 2021
by Scott Darling

Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends for January 2021

Chester County PA single-family homes saw pending sales increase by 13.7% in January 2021 when compared to January 2020. 482 homes sold in January with a median sales price of $382,651.  The average days on the market fell by 27 days. 

If you are thinking about selling your home get a free instant home evaluation Learn More. 

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How to Know You Have Found the Right Home

Friday, February 12, 2021
by Scott Darling


Buying a house is a huge commitment and saying it must be “right” is an understatement! Whether you are looking for a new beginning, have a growing family, or are simply buying your first home on your own, buying a house that is not the best choice can have you looking for another or even losing money.  How do you know you have found the one? Here are a few tips to help you with your house-hunting: 

 

  • The listing photos and layout have you wanting to see it in person as soon as possible! When the photos appeal to you in some way and the layout is to your liking, it is hard not to send your agent a “Put this house at the top of my must-see list” text!  
     

  • At the showing, you feel at home when you get out of your car and walk in the door. You know when you feel welcome in a house when you go inside, much like when you visit someone’s home for the first time.  
     

  • As you go from room to room, you can see your belongings in each, and know exactly how you would arrange them.  The outside matters as well, and envisioning your kids playing in the back garden, or wanting to refurbish the flowerbeds are sure signs of the house being the right one.
     

  • Your house-hunting day has ended, and that one property seems to be calling your name, but minor things (like having to remove wallpaper or carpet) have you questioning if that is the house for you. When you are truly smitten, being concerned about a few flaws and having to put in some work once you move in could cost you the perfect home. 
     

  • When the showing is over, and you pause on the outside of the door and have no desire to look at any other houses, it is time to talk to your agent about making an offer. 
     

  • Does the house fit your needs? All the warm fuzzies do not count unless the house has the right amount of space, is in a great community, and, most importantly, within your budget. 

 

House hunting can be tiring, especially if you have looked at several in one day. If all the factors are in line, you may not want to wait to act on making an offer!  Waiting to see if you can find a more perfect house may cause you to lose out on the house that embraced you as you walked in and had you telling friends and family about. Your Realtor® knows about your needs, wants, and budget, and will be ready as soon as you say “I love this house. Let's make an offer!” 

 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

 

Photo credit: shutterstock

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A Guide for the Final Walkthrough

Thursday, February 4, 2021
by Scott Darling


As closing day approaches, it is so exciting to think about the move to your new home! There is one thing that is keeping you in check, however, and that is the final walkthrough. This is the last step in the home-purchase process and should not be skipped. What takes place in the final walkthrough, and what part does the homebuyer play? Here is your guide to this essential step: 

 

Your agent will schedule a time meet at your new house, usually after the seller has moved out and before or on closing day. 
 

  • What should you have on hand with you?  

  • - the final contract with all the specifics about the sale 

  • - home inspection report 

  • - any written agreements between seller and buyer 

  • - a notepad and pen 

  • - a camera or use your smartphone camera 

  • - a nightlight to test electrical outlets 
     

  • Inside the house, everything should be in perfect working order: 

  • - Turn on every light switch and check every outlet. 

  • - Check the faucets in the kitchen, bathrooms, outdoor spigots, utility room, and any other room there is running water by turning on each one. Flush all toilets as well. All toilets should flush completely, and drains should flow freely. 

  • - Inspect every area where agreed repairs should have been made. If there have been extensive fixes made, you may want to shell a bit extra out of your wallet to have someone with you that can be certain the job was done correctly. 

  • - Inspect every appliance that is included in the sale to be sure it is running properly. 

  • - Open and close all doors, windows, cabinets, and drawers. 

  • - Pay careful attention to carpets and floorcoverings, every floor and wall for weakness, cracks, mold, mildew and do not forget to look for signs of pests. 

  • - Turn the climate control off and on, and check heat as well as air conditioning. 
     

  • Outside inspection: 

  • - roof, gutters, shutters, or any other structural issues 

  • - garage doors functioning properly 

  • - debris or trash left by the seller 

  • - lawns and landscaping should at least be trim and neat 

 

Hopefully, your final walkthrough will go perfectly, and closing can proceed. If you run into any adverse issues, however, note them, and have your agent contact the seller. Final walkthrough problems are just another reason to have a Realtor® represent you as a buyer, as they can handle the not-so-smooth issues that come with buying a home.  

 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

 

Photo credit: Bankrate.com

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Thinking About Downsizing?

Friday, January 29, 2021
by Scott Darling


When your children are grown-and-flown, or your retirement is on the horizon, it is time for some decisions to be made.  Do you still need all the space you currently own? Do you dream of selling your home and traveling the world? No matter what your reasons are for downsizing, let these tips help smooth the process: 

 

  • Jot down your ideas, and talk with family and/or friends, share your thoughts, and have some of them help you start a Downsize Plan. 
     

  • Think practically before you finalize your decision: 

  • - Do you want to stay in the general area you are currently in or do you want to move across the country? Compare your home’s value to the locations you are interested in, making certain it is financially wise to relocate there. Even a move across town to another neighborhood could cost more in the long run. 
     

  • - Maybe you have dreamed of traveling, and RV-living is more to your liking. If you think this is what you want, it may be a good idea to rent a travel vehicle for a long trip before you make a costly purchase, just to get an idea of RV life. 
     

  • - Are you tired of maintaining the yard and exterior of your home? Maybe a condo or townhome is right for you. 
     

  • If you decide to sell and move to a smaller home, the first step of the moving process is going through your belongings. Sixty&Me.com has some extreme but practical advice to help you start this emotional task. 
     

  • Do your children still have belongings stored in your attic or spare room? Have them pick a date to come over and go through them. They need to be aware that this is their last chance to have their things donated, thrown away, or keep them. Otherwise, you will be making those decisions. 
     

  • With a lifetime of “stuff”, it may simply be impossible to begin the first step on your own, and this is where a pro may help. Professional organizers do not only clean up closets, there are those who specialize in home clean-outs and downsizing.   
     

  • A smaller house means less space for your furniture. Find out if any family members want the pieces you will not take with you or get ready to sell or donate your pieces. Some thrift stores will refurbish the items, and domestic violence or homeless shelters can always use practical pieces in good condition. 
     

  • Once you finalize your decision, get in touch with a real estate agent. They will not only help you sell your home for the best price, but they can also assist with finding your new home! 

 

If you are getting ready for retirement or dreading the thought of the last child leaving home, downsizing can be something to look forward to--a new beginning! Whether you decide to travel the world or settle in a houseboat, your Realtor® will help you through selling your nest, every step of the way. 

 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

 

Photo credit: copyandsend 

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Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends for December 2020

Monday, January 18, 2021
by Scott Darling

Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends for December 2020

Chester County PA single-family homes saw pending sales increase by 15.1% in December 2020 when compared to December 2019. 731 homes sold in December with a median sales price of $385,000.  The average days on the market fell by 15 days. 

If you are thinking about selling your home get a free instant home evaluation Learn More. 

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Displaying blog entries 11-20 of 288

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