A Buyer's Market is a Trading Up Market!  Falling home prices are a great opportunity for a savvy homeowner looking to move up.  Eeven though your home sale price may be lower, the smaller loss at the sale can be compensated by greater savings at purchase.   Let's think about it.  If home prices dropped by 5%, here's what it could look like if you decided to trade up:           Home Price = $200,000                                                                  Home Price =$400,000Sell at $190,000 = $10,000 Loss                                                     Buy at $380,000 = $20,000 Savings The smaller loss at the sale will be compensated by greater savings at the purchase, resulting in a significant net gain. To learn more about what I can do for you visit me, Carol Swain at ww... 11/10/2008

1. Quality of Life - a home provides stability and security for you and your loved ones. 2. Pride of Home Ownership - it's your personal haven. 3. Historically low interest rates - around 6.5 percent in the US. 4. Appreciation potential - your home investment can grow in value. 5. Equity buildup and debt pay down - homeowners enjoy an average net worth of approxiately $184,000 versus $4,000 for renters. 6. Leverage - where else can you buy an investement of this magnitude with 5-10 percent down? 7. Tax Deduction Advantages- property tax and mortgage interest write-offs. 8. Tax ememption - up to $500,000 per couple or $250,000 per person upon the sale of a primary residence in the US. 9. The real cost of renting - at $800 per month, with the average 6 percent rental increase per year, yo... 11/10/2008

There are many financial and personal reasons why you should own your own home rather than rent.  The obvious reasons include pride of ownership, building your own equity instead of someone else's, no more landlords, and of course the tax benefits you reap.  There are a multitude of other reasons why owning your own home can make your life better.  One of the most overlooked reasons for owning a home is the freedom you get once you have achieved this major goal in life.  Many first-time homebuyers find that once they have bought a house, many other aspects of their personal life seem to fall in place.  The security and piece of mind that come with home ownership is a great accomplishment in many people's lives, and once they have overcome the obstacles, they find that other goals they h... 11/03/2008

Most of us are not aware of the trends and fluctuations of the real estate market.  Likewise we don't know the steps necessary to maximize profits on the sale of our home.  We rely heavily on the real estate agent to lead us down the path of profits.  Considering your home is typically the most valuable asset you possess, doesn't it make sense to list with someone who will be able to generate the most money in a sale? This report was designed to empower you with critical information necessary to evaluate an agent's qualifications and help you identify the professional that will best serve your needs.  The more meticulous you are in your search for an agent, the higher your profits will be. Start by doing some research.  Find out who the most active real estate agents are in your market.... 11/02/2008

Anyone who has ever had a bank account, mortgage, credit card, car loan, or account with a retail store will invariably have a credit rating.  Most information in your credit rating comes from companies you have credit with, as well as from certain public records such as tax liens, bankruptcies, judgments and lawsuits.  It is important to know and understand your credit rating, how the information is compiled, and how it affects your ability to acquire a loan for your new home. Credit reports are usually divided into five sections: 1. Your credit history. 2. Who has reviewed your credit history. 3. Information you have provided for the credit company. 4. Specific identification information about you. 5. Explanatory notes and comments. Different states have different requirements and it ... 10/31/2008

Whether you just want your house to look better or you are serious about getting your house ready for potential buyers to start viewing your house to purchase, Here are 38 valuable tips to get you on your way:  EXTERIOR: 1. Paint the exterior of your home to make it look cleaner and years younger.  If your home has been painted within the last few months, have the trim painted again. The fresh smell of paint to the buyer shows that the seller has put forth effort to prepare the home for sale. 2. Trim shrubs, especially around walkways. 3. Park extra cars down the street. 4.  Sweep debris from sidewalks, patios, and the front walkway. 5. Put away all toys, skateboards and bicycles. 6. Remove rusted swing sets and worn out patio furniture. 7. Move firewood off the ground and away from the... 10/29/2008

10 Questions to ask a Realtor  - Part 2 of 2 6. Will you give me names of past clients?Interviewing an agent can be similar to interviewing someone to work in your office. Contacting references can be a reliable way for you to understand how he or she works, and whether or not this style is compatible with your own.7. Do you have a performance guarantee? If I am not satisfied with your performance, can I terminate our listing agreement?In the heavily regulated world of real estate, it can be difficult for an agent to offer a performance guarantee. If your agent does not have a guarantee, it does not mean they are not committed to high standards. Typically, he or she will verbally outline what you can expect from their performance. Keller Williams® Realty understands the importance of wi... 10/22/2008

10 Questions to Ask Your Realtor about Selling a House - Part 1 of 21. Are you a full-time professional real estate agent? How long have you worked full time in real estate? How long have you been representing buyers? What professional designations do you have?Knowing whether or not your agent practices full time can help you determine potential scheduling conflicts and his or her commitment to your transaction. As with any profession, the number of years a person has been in the business does not necessarily reflect the level of service you can expect, but it is a good starting point for your discussion. The same issue can apply to professional designations.2. Do you have a personal assistant, team or staff to handle different parts of the purchase? What are their names and how will ea... 10/21/2008

Here is some information to think about: Home Warranty Plans Home warranty plans go a long way to alleviate some risks and concerns.  For a modest price, the buyer can have a one-year warranty covering specified heating, plumbing, electrical, water heater or appliance breakdowns.  Coverage under most plans commences at closing.  In all cases, there are important limitations and exclusions (example:  appliances/systems must be operative at commencement of coverage). InspectionsInspections and potential repairs are the number one reason sales don't close. Typically, buyers have a certain number of days in which to inspect the property and accept or reject the property based upon these mechanical and structural inspections. How the Seller Sees the Home        How the Buyer Sees the Home  ... 10/21/2008

Great News!  NAR is reporting that the U.S. is seeing an escalating number of pending homes sales.  Buyers are out there taking advantages of the great deals to be had.  The Pending Homes Sales Index, claims the number contracts signed rose 7.4 percent in August.  NAR then stated the the index is at its highest since June 2007.  These statistics indicate that the housing market is gaining momentum as consumers cash in on the deals.  NAR has projected that next year home prices may increase 2 - 3 % next year.  For the complete story visit: http://www.offplanpropertyexchange.com/news/2008/10/homes-sales-increase-across-us/355 To learn more about what I can do for you visit me, Carol Swain at www.swainsells.com . Also check out current homes for sale in Bucks County, Pa and surrounding are... 10/20/2008

   5.        Make an Offer Now that you've found your dream home, it's time to make an offer. Your real estate agent will help you determine the offer price by reviewing recent sales of homes that are similar in size, quality, and conveniences and amenities. Your real estate agent will advise you on how to create an offer that will have the best chance of being accepted.After consultation with you, your agent will create a written contract with your offer that meets all the local and national legal requirements. This document details what needs to be done by both parties to execute the transaction. It should protect the interests of both parties and will ensure your financial position as the buyer.   6.      Negotiating to Buy Once your offer is made you may need to negotiate with the s... 10/14/2008

1.Define Needs for your Home. Your first step toward buying your new home will be to analyze your needs.  Your real estate agent can help you determine exactly what you want your new home to look like and how it should function for you and your family.  First, write down why you are looking for a new home.  Second, establish a time frame for buying your home. 2. Pre-Approval Vs. Pre-Qualfication There are two ways to go about this: prequalification or pre-approval for a loan. Prequalification is the simpler of the two processes. When you contact a mortgage company, they will ask you for some basic information about your finances? How much money you earn, your debt load, etc. They will take this information and give you a rough estimate of how much of a loan you might qualify for.Pre-app... 10/14/2008

10 Biggest Selling Myths UncoveredSelling a house can be a bit like having a baby -- everyone gives you advice that may or may not be true for you. Here are ten myths uncovered:1. Myth: You should always price your home high and gradually lower it if it doesn't sell.Truth: Pricing too high can be as bad as pricing too low.You may think by listing high you can always accept a lower offer, but if you do, you'll miss the buyers looking in the price range where your home should be. Offers may not even come in, because interested buyers are scared off by the price and won't bother to look. By the time the listing price is corrected, you will have lost a large group of potential buyers. Your real estate agent will offer you a comparable market analysis. This is a document that compares your h... 10/13/2008

Students at Neshaminy's Oliver Heckman Elementary School were advised of the dangers of cyber bullying by our former Pa Governor, Mark Schweiker.  "It's got to be an every-moment-thought for you. If something comes across the screen that you feel is not right, you go tell your teacher, principal or parent about what you saw," said Schweiker.  Schwieker is board member of NOVA (Network of Victim Assistance), and actively campaigns against cyber bullying.  Schweiker was accompanied by David Zellis, Bucks County's First Assistant DA, and Verizon representatives.  They too helped the students understand what they need to know to avoid cyber-bullies. Verizon has given NOVA a $24,500 grant to be used to support of Internet safety programs.  NOVA is promoting their new program the slogan, "Thi... 10/08/2008

Selling Steps cont. STEP 7 - SELLING SERVICE PROVIDERSOnce you accept an offer to sell your house you will need to make a list of all the things you and your buyer must do before closing. The property may need to be formally appraised, surveyed, inspected or repaired. Depending on the specifics reached during the negotiations, you may pay for all, some or none of these items. If each procedure returns acceptable results as defined by the contract, then the sale may continue. If there are problems with the home, the terms set forth in the contract will dictate your next step. Depending on the contract, you or the buyer may decide to walk away, open a new round of negotiations or close.   STEP 8 - PRE-CLOSE PREPARATIONA few days before the closing you will want to contact the entity that ... 10/07/2008

Selling Steps Cont.  Part 2 of 3 STEP 4 - MARKETING STRATEGYNow that your home is ready, it's time to put it up for sale and market it. Establishing a marketing strategy with your real estate agent is a must. Your agent will expose your home to the greatest number of potential buyers possible. He or she will use a marketing plan that will bring not only the most buyers, but also the most qualified buyers to your doorstep.There are many different ways to get the word out that your home is for sale. A yard sign, flyers, and direct marketing are just a few of the many options available. If you are in a buyer's market you will have to be extra careful when choosing a plan. You don't want your property to sit unnoticed. You and your agent should structure your marketing strategy so that the ... 10/06/2008

Selling Steps   STEP 1 - DEFINE NEEDSWrite down all the reasons for selling your home. Ask yourself, "Why do I want to sell and what do I expect to accomplish with the sale?" For example, reasons for selling include: a growing business that needs more space or a job opportunity that necessitates a move to another city. Things you want to accomplish with the sale may include the time frame in which you'd like to sell or a particular profit margin. Work with your real estate agent to map out the best path to achieve your objectives and set a realistic time frame for the sale.  STEP 2 - PRICING STRATEGYYour next objective should be to determine the best possible selling price for your house. You will need to take into account the state of the local market, the condition of your home and sa... 10/06/2008

Some Services offered by Carol Swain:  •        Virtual Tour: We will create a virtual tour of your home.  The virtual tour can be e-mailed to potential buyers, advertised, and listed on various websites including REALTOR.Com as well as www.swainsells.com.      A Virtual tour makes your home more searchable for a potential homebuyer on the internet.  Buyers are more likely to search through homes with a virtual tour first.  As a result, the virtual tour ensures your property is at the top of all searches.  •        Talking House: Create a talking home for you.  The talking home gives potential buyers the opportunity to hear prerecorded details on your home. This helps eliminate uninterested buyers as well as help create a buzz about your home.  If someone is interested the Talking Home ... 10/01/2008

Your Interests are Professionally Represented:Enlisting the services of a professional Buyer's Agent is similar to using an accountant to help you with your taxes, a doctor to help you with your health care, or a mechanic to help you with your car.  So the first advantage is pretty obvious.  If you had the time to devote to learning all you need to know about accounting, medicine, and automotive mechanics, you could do these services yourself.  But who has the time?  You probably already have a full-time career to which you are committed.  This is why you allow other professionals to help you in specific areas of expertise.  The Swain Real Estate Group has devoted their time to perfecting a career in real estate service.  Continuous education, market research, and vast experience are co... 09/30/2008

Despite what you hear now is a great time to buy a home.  The interest rates are down and so are the prices of homes.  This is an ideal market for first time home buyers.  You are able to come into the market and purchase a home a low price.   You are sure to reap the benefits of the deal as long as you stay in the home for a few years.  Real Estate has always been an investment that increases.  Prices of homes do not decrease overtime.  They are normally a very solid long term investment.  So if you have the money and are ready to make that step and buy, go for it!    09/22/2008