Real Estate Information Archive

Blog

Displaying blog entries 81-90 of 175

Reasons to Purchase a Home Before the End Of 2017

Tuesday, March 7, 2017
by Scott Darling

Now is the time, now is the best time, now is the best time to purchase a home.  Do yourself a favor; don’t wait to purchase your dream home until the end of 2017.  If you have even given a small thought that you might want to move in the next year or so, go ahead and begin looking now so that you might be able to make that purchase today instead of tomorrow.   A few of the reasons why you should purchase your home before the end of the year are listed below for you. 

  1.  One of the many reasons you should go ahead and purchase a home   before the end of 2017 is because interest rates are already beginning to rise.  The current average interest rate is a little above 4 percent but that rate could reach 6 percent by 2019.  Begin looking for the home of your dreams now so that you can purchase one and get moved in while the market is in your favor.
  2. Fewer homes are available as the years go on.  Just a few short years ago there were plenty of homes to choose from; however this list is getting a bit smaller yearly.   Buyers of today will have many more homes to choose from than buyers of tomorrow so get out and get house shopping now!  Call your Realtor today if purchasing a home is on your mind. 
  3. House prices are rising and will continue to rise in the future.  If there ever was a reason to go ahead and purchase a home before the end of the year, this is the one!  You just might be able to get more of a house for your money now than if you waited until later to purchase. 

Again, if purchasing a home has even been on your mind at all and you think you might want to move in the next year or so, get a jump start on your search by starting today.  It can’t hurt to start looking now because you just may be more likely to find it now than later.   Buying a home is a big deal and can cost quite a bit of money so it’s best to start looking now to find the home you have always dreamed of.  

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

Add Comment

Money Saving Ideas for Furniture Shopping

Thursday, February 16, 2017
by Scott Darling

If you have recently purchased a new house and you would like to fill it up with new furniture you have likely found that it can be quite the overwhelming task and an expensive one as well.  There are a few money saving ideas for furniture shopping that can help you out quite a bit in your search for new furniture and those have been listed below.

  1.  One good thing you can do to help you save a bit of money when furniture shopping is to call a few of the stores you are going to be visiting ahead of time.  This way you can find out if they have prices you can afford and also if they have brand names that you are interested in.  This can save you a little bit of time and money so that you don’t waste it traveling long distances.
  2.  Another money saving idea for furniture shopping  is to make sure to look at every piece of furniture that the store has by walking the entire shop.  Many times there are clearance items or items that perhaps are slightly damaged in the store but they are not out for all to see.  Do your due diligence and walk the entire space so you don’t lose out on any good deals. 
  3. Yet another good way to save money when furniture shopping is to purchase consignment furniture.  You can find lots of really nice pieces by shopping consignment. 
  4. If you find a piece of furniture that you have your heart set on do your best to bargain with the seller.  You never know unless you ask.
  5. Shopping estate sales is another way to get good prices on furniture.  Many times you can get pieces at estate sales that are worth much more than you pay for them so you can make your home look very nice. 
  6. Lastly if you want to save a good amount of money on furniture  why not refinish what you already have!  Old furniture can become new again if you are able to successfully refinish it.  

Hopefully this list of money saving ideas on furniture buying has gotten you thinking in the right direction before you begin making your purchases.   Now get out there and save some money and furnish your home with beautiful new furniture.  

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

Add Comment

Glen Mills PA Real Estate For Sale: 4203 Fox Pointe Court, Glen Mills PA 19342

Thursday, February 16, 2017
by Scott Darling

Springhill Farm is your new address… as soon as you walk thru the door, you’ll know this is the place you now will call home. Park right in front of your front door and enter into this well-appointed townhome. The spacious living room, enhanced by the laminate floors provides a warm and comfortable place to relax. The beautiful floors carry through the hall back to the giant eat in kitchen area and dining room. This space is large enough to even add a small couch or a couple chairs. The bright and open kitchen is large enough for a number of your friends to help out or just to congregate. The powder room completes the first floor. Off the back are the French doors to the deck and steps down to the yard. There’s great privacy and views in the back. Upstairs are two very large bedrooms. The master bedroom includes a master bath and a large lighted closet with mirrored doors. The second bedroom is large enough to actually hold two beds. Laundry facilities are also located on this level. Lastly, the lower level is finished with a bar, two large storage closets and an outside entrance to a patio. This is a great area to entertain and watch the big game. Come by for a visit. You’ll be happy you did.

Add Comment

New Year Resolutions to Help You Purchase a Home

Thursday, January 5, 2017
by Scott Darling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are like the rest of us then just a few days ago you made a list of New Year resolutions.   Many of us however do not stick to our plan when it comes to these promises we make ourselves.  If you plan to purchase a home sometime in this New Year you need to make a few related resolutions that will likely help you to attain your goal and dream of home ownership.  Below these resolutions are listed for you. 

  1.  Stop opening credit cards.  It is easy these days especially when you are shopping, to open one credit card after the other.  If buying a home is on your to do list this year however, you need to steer clear of opening new credit cards. 
  2. Start paying your student loans on time every time.  Many times when folks get student loans they tend to think they can pay them as they can but that can mess up your credit in no time.  If someone who has good credit and shows they are good at paying bills on time every time puts a bid in on a house you have your eye on and you put a bid on that house as well, it’s likely due to their history that they will win the bid and not you. 
  3. Start paying your credit cards every month and on time.  Even if you can’t afford to pay more than just the minimum payment you need to make sure you pay your credit card each and every month.   This type of diligence will serve you well when you go to make an offer on a house.  
  4. Make sure you have a little bit of a cash reserve in your bank account at all times.  It won’t look good to a mortgage lender when you ask for a loan if you have a zero balance in your bank account. 
  5. Stick with the same job for as long as you can.  Jumping from one job to another during a year is a sure fire way to lose your chance at the home of your dreams.  Lenders want to see stability and staying with the same job for a few years will show them that. 

These New Year resolutions, if you do your best to keep them, will do their part towards helping you to purchase the home you have always dreamed about.  

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

Add Comment

Downingtown PA Real Estate For Sale: 1303 Creagh Knoll Terrace Downingtown PA 19335

Tuesday, January 3, 2017
by Scott Darling
What a wonderful home with a spectacular panoramic view of the valley. This home rests near the top of the development and from standing on the very oversized composite deck, you’ll be able to see for miles. Nearly everything is done and ready to move in. Enter into the foyer and you’ll quickly notice the step-down living room with a gorgeous fireplace. The large dining room has a great view thru the sliding glass doors off to the deck. The kitchen is spacious with lots of cabinets and storage. There’s also a convenient powder room and the door that leads out to the one car garage. The garage also has a set of pull down steps leading to additional storage space. Upstairs are three very good sized bedrooms. The hall bath also has its own entrance to the master bedroom making it very convenient. The walkout basement is finished with a TV/sitting/play area as well as a bar and a laundry/utility room. The sliding glass doors from the basement go right out to the lower level of the monstrous two-tiered deck. This is a great place to relax and also entertain. This home has a lot to offer and is located in the Downingtown School District. Finished basement adds an additional 348 square feet!
 

Add Comment

The Quality of RE/MAX Agents Is On Display Once Again

Thursday, October 20, 2016
by Scott Darling

remax

In the 2016 Franchise Times 200 ranking released recently, RE/MAX not lead all real estate brands for the eighth consecutive year, but also climbed to the Top 10 overall – in 8th place ahead of household names such as Marriott, Wendy’s, and Domino's.

Add Comment

Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends for September 2016

Thursday, October 20, 2016
by Scott Darling

mortgage

Freddy Mac reports that mortgage rates staying low. Here are the national averages for mortgage rates during the week ending Oct. 6:

  • 30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.42 percent, with an average 0.5 point, unchanged from last week. A year ago, 30-year rates averaged 3.76 percent.
  • 15-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 2.72 percent, with an average 0.5 point, also unchanged from last week’s average. Last year at this time, 15-year rates averaged 2.99 percent.
  • 5-year hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages: averaged 2.80 percent, with an average 0.4 point, dropping slightly from last week’s 2.81 percent average. A year ago, 5-year ARMs averaged 2.88 percent.

With rates like this, is it time for you to buy a home? If so, just hit reply to get started!

Take a look at how many folks bought homes in our market last month…

Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends for September 2016

2,692 Chester County PA single family homes were for sale in Sept 2016 which is an 7.14% decrease from Sept 2015. 570 homes sold in Sept with a median sales price of $319,000, a 0.31% decrease from Sept 2015.

The supply of inventory was 5.1 compared to 5.65 in Sept 2015 and the Sales vs List Price was 94.8%.

Date Homes For
Sale		 Months Supply
Inventory		 Homes
Sold		 Median Sales
Price		 Sales Price vs
List Price
Sept 2016 2,692 5.1 570 $319,000 94.8%
Sept 2015 2,899 5.5 587 $320,000 94.9%

Curious about the value of your home? Get your home's value here!

Add Comment

Meet Scott Darling Chester County PA Realtor

Thursday, October 20, 2016
by Scott Darling

Meet Scott Darling Chester County PA Realtor

Check out my new introduction video. Be sure to watch all the way to the end...

Add Comment

Millennials: 3 Financial Priorities That Shouldn't Wait

Monday, October 3, 2016
by Scott Darling

millenials

Millennials are frequently criticized for needing instant gratification, but recent reports point out that they actually have more patience than previous generations. Both the U.S. Census Bureau and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say millennials are delaying getting married and starting a family by almost a decade.

And it's not just life decisions millennials are postponing; this behavior is also prevalent in their financial decisions. According to a recent survey from Bankrate.com, millennials are putting off important financial moves due to high levels of student debt.

"Knocking out debt should be a priority when you are young, but it's also important to balance that with other key financial priorities," says JJ Montanaro, a financial planner with USAA. "Time is your number one ally when planning for the future and delaying now may cost you more in the long run."

Montanaro highlights the three main financial priorities millennials shouldn't hit the pause button on:

Life Insurance

A recent survey found that one in three millennials acknowledge they need additional life insurance coverage. However, most aren't purchasing it because they think it's too expensive or because they have other financial priorities.

While millennials may not immediately reap the benefits of life insurance coverage, locking in the cost of life insurance premiums at a young age can pay off in the future. Montanaro explains that life insurance premiums will only increase with age and additional health complications.

With many life changes likely on the horizon, millennials should find a plan that offers term life event options that allow them to easily increase coverage following significant events such as getting married, having a child or buying a home.

Montanaro also points out that life insurance may not cost as much as buyers anticipate. More than eight in 10 people overestimate the cost of a policy. He says a life insurance calculator is a great place to start to understand coverage needs and estimate costs.

Health Insurance

Regardless of overall health or age, it's important to have health insurance and understand what it covers to avoid additional penalties and plan for the unexpected.

Under the Affordable Care Act, not having a qualified health insurance plan can result in a penalty at tax time. Montanaro points out that this penalty has risen to 2.5 percent of household adjusted gross income in 2016, or a flat rate which is expected to rise in the coming years.

For millennials who may not currently have large medical bills or health issues, Montanaro recommends they look at a high-deductible plan with a health savings account (HSA). An HSA allows account holders to set aside pre-tax money for health expenses and free-up some emergency cash when they do eventually need it.

Retirement Investing

Only one-third of individuals aged 18 to 35 say they invest in the market, according to a recent Bankrate.com survey. Montanaro says sitting on the sidelines with retirement savings may result in millennials missing out on the power of compounding returns and may even extend their retirement timeline.

But retirement investing doesn't have to be intimidating. Montanaro recommends starting small with a low-cost mutual fund, such as a target date fund, that allows a low entry point, requires little maintenance and invests in a portfolio that automatically adjusts as retirement gets closer.

The most important step is to get a foot in the door. While USAA recommends investing 10 percent of your income toward retirement, even earmarking 1 percent for the future provides a foundation upon which to build.

This material is for informational purposes. Consider your own financial circumstances carefully before making a decision and consult with your tax, legal or estate planning professional. (BPT)

Add Comment

Easy Ideas for Going Green in Your Home

Wednesday, September 28, 2016
by Scott Darling

Going green in your home!

Everyone these days is talking about “going green” and making the world a cleaner place for our children and grandchildren.  You may not think that you can do much towards this green movement but the truth is in fact you can.  There are many ways that are simple and easy to go green inside your own home.   Below is a list of a few of the ways in which you can make your home green, and I don’t mean in color. 

  1. Most homemakers don’t love doing laundry and this little tidbit is going to be music to your ears!  By letting your clothes pile up a bit you are doing the environment a favor.  Running small loads of laundry through your washing machine and dryer is a waste of energy and a waste of water.  In fact one load of laundry used 25 gallons of water regardless of how full the load is.  Why not do your part in going green by only run your washing machine when you absolutely have to.  
  2. Do you enjoy raking up grass cuttings after you mow?  My guess is that you just answered with a loud “no”!  There is great news for you then my friend; leave the trimmings on your lawn and let them do their job of being a natural fertilizer!  This is a great way to go green that doesn’t cost you a dime! 
  3. By adding a lot of live plants around your home you are doing your part towards helping the world be a cleaner place.  Live plants help get rid of some of the pollutants in the air and therefore make the air cleaner for everyone to breathe.  Adding some live plants on the inside of your home is also a great way to help the air be more fresh and appealing. 
  4. Microwave ovens use 50% less energy than your oven.  The next time your family asks for a meal to be prepared, why not zap a meal into the microwave to help save energy.  If your family objects, tell them you are doing your part to make the world a better place for everyone by “going green” and saving as much energy as you can. 
  5. Whenever you purchase sprays and soaps for the house, buy unscented.  This will not only make a difference in the environment but will also be beneficial to your own health as well. 

Hopefully these few easy ways of going green have got you thinking in the right mindset so that you can begin to make your own home a bit greener.

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

Add Comment

Displaying blog entries 81-90 of 175

Syndication

Categories

Archives