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Philadelphia, PA Real Estate News

By Hannah Williams, Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376
(HomeStarr Realty)
Philadelphia Steals and Deals Gifts Mom Day or Just for Fun This week's choices are for women as Mother's Day is not far off. Maybe you are lucky enough to have a mom or you are a mom. Maybe you are just looking for yourself. So here you go with this week's selection. I stopped getting gel nails and acrylic nails during COVID-19. The pain of letting them grow out was horrid, and I decided that it was time. I tried so many different polishes and promises. It was not until I discovered BeautyGarde, a plant-based formula it works. It is called Rocket Nail Fuel.You put a coat of polish on every day. You can purchase directly from them or Amazon. I do not have the time to sit in a Salon for a manicure. The polish is not cheap, about $32 for a top coat, which you also use as a primer - and a ...
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By Hannah Williams, Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376
(HomeStarr Realty)
Today, I read an article telling buyers that they should fire their Real Estate agent if they own a computer. Usually, when I read something like this, my blood pressure would increase. I would get upset and feel like I had to call someone and vent. Instead, I laughed. I thought about all the for-sale owners there were and how many ended up listing their homes with an agent.  Statistics show that 97% of for-sale by owners list their house with an agent. There was a time when I did very well working primarily with for sale by owners.   They did not feel they needed to pay an agent to help them sell a house. Surprise, surprise, it was not as easy as they thought. Especially as time went by they had many lookers but not any buyers under contract.  Therefore I will sit back and not stress a...
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By Hannah Williams, Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376
(HomeStarr Realty)
Tonight is the first night of Passover and Jewish people all over the World will be sitting down with their families and close friends and having a Seder dinner. What is a Seder, you may ask? It is a meal symbolizing freedom from slavery and bondage from Egypt, and each food has its own meaning. It is a tradition celebrated. The Jewish people left Egypt in haste with no time to make bread; therefore, this is why Matzo is unleavened bread. It is the Story of Exodus and there is a plate on the table that each food/herb has a meaning. You will find the story in the Bible. This is a very condensed version of what a Seder dinner is.    This year with all the turmoil in the Mideast let us hope and pray it will be Peaceful  
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By The Somers Team, Delivering Real Estate Happiness
(The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia)
5 Reasons for Buyers to Get off the Fence ! In the Philadelphia real estate market, I am seeing some substantial opportunity for buyers to procure great deals as well as have teriffic opportunity before them now.  Thus, if you are one of those "on the fence" buyers, it is time to cross over and accomplish your goal ! Here are 5 reasons why: 1.  Mortgage Rates - Mortgage rates are at 2008 lows !  The mortgage officer in my office has been screaming up and down the hallway about this is the time to lock.  A buyer that we have been working with just locked into a 30 year fixed rate of 5.25 !  Are you kidding me ?  This gives buyer incredible purchasing power in addition to being a great deal.  Yes, rates may trend lower but there is no guarantee for how long. 2. Inventory - There is a lot ...
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By Renee Porsia, Agent Genius
(First Team Real Estate)
Posted by Renee Porsia under For Buyers, For Sellers, For Realty Professionals, General Information, RE/MAX, selling, buying, Renee Porsia, NAR, Philadelphia Market Statistics   I can't tell you how many times I called a listing agent to tell them I was going to be writing an offer for my buyer on one of their listings and heard "how much is it" or "I'm expecting 2 offers" or my personal favorite "It better be good because I have 2 other offers."  First of all, expecting offers isn't "having" offers. Also, lets remember that it's not the listing agent's home and therefore the listing agent shouldn't be making comments like "it better be good because I have two other offers." It makes the agent look bad. What they should be saying is "Great, the more the merrier." The agent was hired to...
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By HGTV My First Place
(HGTV/High Noon Entertainment)
MY FIRST PLACE, HGTV’s hit series, is still casting for our Sixth season and we’re STILL looking for first-time homebuyers in the Greater Philadelphia area RIGHT NOW! AGENTS involved play a significant role in the storytelling methods of the show and will receive nationally televised (HGTV)positive exposure. We are looking for fun, high-energy people who are just starting the home-buying process for their first place! Our goal is to capture all the trials and tribulations of looking for, bidding on and buying your first place.  Ideal candidates will be enthusiastic buyers with a great story to tell and a desire to share their experiences. Singles, couples and families are all invited to apply!  Candidates who are chosen for the show will also receive a unique HOUSEWARMING SURPRISE that...
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By Ralph Millard
(ValueGuard Home Inspections)
7 Tips to Buying Your Home in a Down Economy Buying a home in a "normal" economy is tough enough, but buying in a down market can be particularly daunting. The key to buying a home is identifying your personal financial position, goals and housing needs; however it's equally important that you know what you're buying. Our home buying tips represent a small portion of the overall home buying process because we are home inspectors not financial planners, but hopefully you will find them useful. 1. Find a good deal - with home inventories rising, there are lots of good deals to be found. We suggest starting the process by clearly defining the attributes you are looking for in a home - price, location, number of bedrooms, basement, etc. Pre-planning will go a long way in helping you communi...
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By The Somers Team, Delivering Real Estate Happiness
(The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia)
Black Friday meant Selling Houses like Crazy in Philadelphia for The Somers Team This post was inspired by Midori Miller's "Some Agents End their 2008 Business - are you one of them ?"  where she referred to agents basically taking the rest of the year off for the holidays or agents complaining they have nothing going on yet are going out shopping and decorating !!  I am like Midori where taking 1 or 2 days off each holiday is sufficient. I was beginning to feel guilty about having such a productive day on Black Friday until reading Midori's post.  All in all, I did not have time to take the day off as I was jammed putting 4 (or was it 5 ? ) properties under contract.  Here are the highlights of my black friday:     1.  Listing appointment in Fishtown in the morning - will be a short sa...
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By The Somers Team, Delivering Real Estate Happiness
(The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia)
 Happy Thanksgiving !   Stephanie and I hope that everyone has a great thanksgiving !  There is a lot to be thankful for.  Every day we hear a lot of negative news about the economy, the real estate market, foreclosures, government bailouts...etc and sometimes within all that we may forget that Life is beautiful.  Life is precious, life is short.  There is so much to be thankful for... especially family and friends. My father sent an email to me this morning with a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson:    "For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, For love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends."    Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) ______________________________________________________________________________ Click here to receive our ...
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By Peter Lavelle REALTOR®, Your Home SOLD 4 Times Faster Than MLS Average
(eXp Realty (888) 397-7352 Ext:1148)
Let us remember, not just our friends, family and loved ones, but also those that are abroad and are not able to fellowship with their friends and loved ones. Let us give thanks that we can share our thoughts and gifts.Let us give thanks to the abundance of blessings we receive, and those that we may not think we have received. Let us give thanks that we are able bodied, and are not alone in the dark.Let us give thanks to the one True and Living God, giving us the blessing to live one more day.Let us give thanks to those that have given us their kindness.Let us give thanks to those that have trespassed against us, for without them we would not build character.Let us give thanks to our children, for without them many sacrifices would not be made.Let us give thanks to our spouses, for wit...
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By The Somers Team, Delivering Real Estate Happiness
(The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia)
 RE/MAX Hall of Fame Award Being that it is a tough market, I think it is always important to share successes to show others than success is defintely an option in our current real estate market.  A few weeks ago I was awarded with the RE/MAX Hall of Fame award.  It can be seen on our site under the About Us section - Philadelphia Real Estate.  The info is also shown below.   "Chris Somers is now a member of the prestigious RE/MAX International Hall of Fame. The coveted Hall of Fame Award is only given to Associates with more than $35 million in closed sales volume in real estate transactions since joining RE/MAX. Less than three percent of all RE/MAX Associates worldwide earned this esteemed award this year. Once inducted, the Associate becomes a lifetime Hall of Fame member."     It h...
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By Reid Rosenthal
(Prudential Fox and Roach REALTORS)
WASHINGTON, November 24, 2008 Existing-home sales declined on the heels of a strong gain in September as uncertainty and economic concerns increased in October, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Existing-home sales - including single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops - fell 3.1 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate1 of 4.98 million units in October from a downwardly revised pace of 5.14 million in September, and are 1.6 percent below the 5.06 million-unit level in October 2007. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said consumer hesitation is understandable. "Many potential home buyers appear to have withdrawn from the market due to the stock market collapse and deteriorating economic conditions," he said. "We have favorable affordability conditions, but w...
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By The Somers Team, Delivering Real Estate Happiness
(The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia)
Listing success in Northern Liberties Have you ever really thought that you would be representing a seller to find out that they listed with someone else ?  Or it was a competitive situation and the seller chose to list with a different realtor ?  In those cases, what do you do ? I know it is very easy to be super upset and angry.  I have heard some agents say "I will never work with so-and-so again ! " .  Or other agents will fall into some sort of depression and mope for a day, or a week ! It is easier said than done but my response when this happens is simple.  "I wish you success with the listing.  If something does not work out or if the property does not sell, feel free to contact me after the fact." Knowing that is much more difficult to get properties sold in this market, it is ...
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By The Somers Team, Delivering Real Estate Happiness
(The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia)
Chez Bow Wow in Northern Liberties Last week we got our cat Charlie shaved and groomed at Chez Bow Wow in Northern Liberties.  Whenever we bring him home, he is like a new cat.  He is more limber and runs around like a mad man.  The first time we brought him home, our other cat Ashley did not recognize for a day !   My wife Stephanie loves it for there is less hair to clean up and less hairballs !  He complains about going in the cat box but we think he really likes it afterwards ! Chez Bow Wow is a relatively new addition to Northern Liberties at Liberties Walk.  The staff is always very pleasant and fun.  There are always a number of other pets there which makes it a fun trip.  The store is certainly a great addition to Northern Liberties and we would recommend to go there for anyone ...
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By The Somers Team, Delivering Real Estate Happiness
(The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia)
Below is a video of some of the most fierce, smartest investors who got caught up in the housing market and their view of what to do now as it relates to the government bailouts ! This is a must see for anyone who follows the housing market - especially historians and economists. A View on The Housing Market ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Philadelphia Real Estate - Chris and Stephanie Somers The Philadelphia Real Estate Blog Click here to receive our Blog updates via email !    
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By The Somers Team, Delivering Real Estate Happiness
(The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia)
  Below is a recent video from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) that suggests that for the millions of folks that bought a house this year, the opportunity for them to build wealth over time is very high. For those of you that have not seen it, View NAR's recent commercial  -  It is only 30 seconds so don't be afraid to watch it ! What do you think of the messaging ?   Do you agree with the message of wealth building ?               We do !!!  Making smart investments over the long term can be the most profitable investment one can make in their life ! If interested in buying your first home in Philadelphia or in picking up investment properties in Philadelphia, contact Chris and Stephanie Somers at 215-400-2612 or thesomersteam@yahoo.com Philly Investor Hub Philadephia Real E...
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By Candis Pressley
(Trinity Real Estate)
You should contact the Philadelphia Metropolitan Board of Realtist for membership information or visit www.PhillyMetroRealtist.org  
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By The Somers Team, Delivering Real Estate Happiness
(The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia)
Old City Real Estate - To stage or not to stage ? Studies and statistics show that staged properties will sell not only faster than non-staged properties but also sell for a higher amount than non-staged properties ! With those facts alone, I'm sold ! However, when I first started in real estate, I was not as sold since the market was stronger.  And often times, properties did not need to be staged since the supply / demand factors greatly benefited the seller.  However, when the market started to turn, I began to learn from my wife Stephanie Somers the importance of having a staged property (neat and clean as a whistle) or at least have a property that was free of clutter. So in the spring, when we sold one of our condos, it was a no-brainer to get it staged.  Sure enough, we sold it f...
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By Candis Pressley
(Trinity Real Estate)
  Nationwide Agent Network Candis Pressley-Blackwood Trinity Real Estate 3212-16 W. Cheltenham Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19150 "Trinity Real Estate "Your Realtors For Life" My business philosophy is to treat each & every client as if they are the only clients we have. My goal is to provide prompt, professional service and keep" Phone: 215-381-0774 Email: candis.pressley@trinityrealestate.net October 2008 Vol 2 Issue 22 Download PDF File 6 month Pennsylvania Foreclosure Trends NOD NTS NFS LIS REO Search for Investment Properties> PENNSYLVANIA FORECLOSURE ACTIVITY DOWN 15 PERCENT IN SEPTEMBER Pennsylvania reported 4,189 properties with foreclosure filings in September, a 15 percent decrease from the previous month but 10 percent ahead of the level reported for September 2007, according to th...
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By The Somers Team, Delivering Real Estate Happiness
(The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia)
In Philadelphia, one of the most sensitive topics and decisions for the community is whether to allow the casinos to come to Philly. There are 2 casinos, Sugarhouse Casino and Foxwoods Casino that were awarded licenses and sites on the Philadelphia waterfront: The first is the Sugarhouse Casino which plans on building at the corner of Delaware Ave and Frankford Ave, right where Fishtown and Northern Liberties collides.  The site still has not been awarded all of its permits.  Further, the Fishtown Neighbohood Association as well as the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Association is strongly against this location.  It is such a sensitive issue that it has divided Fishtown as a new community organization was established - Fishtown Action.  The other casino is Foxwoods which was originally...
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By Peter Lavelle REALTOR®, Your Home SOLD 4 Times Faster Than MLS Average
(eXp Realty (888) 397-7352 Ext:1148)
Have you ever stopped in your tracks, taken a deep breath, and just look around? I am just getting back from Center City Philadelphia and felt a need to write this. Me and my son were on 11th and Market when my son looked up at me and said, "Daddy hotdog." "Ok", I replied, "We are going to go through City Hall and when we get to the other side, we will buy a hotdog." As we were walking through the courtyard, I decided to stop in the center and take in what I was surrounded with. Have you ever noticed the zodiac signs and the months inlaid on the ground? What about the massive structure and architechture of the building? I am no stranger to this part of Center City, because the Masonic Temple is just across the street, and I am there several times throughout the month and year. Alright, ...
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By Peter Lavelle REALTOR®, Your Home SOLD 4 Times Faster Than MLS Average
(eXp Realty (888) 397-7352 Ext:1148)
It was a normal day as usual, just another Wednesday, except, I had to have everything accomplished before 5 pm; I have the checkbook for the Lodge and I do not want the Master to give me a call. OK drop my son off at school, run home quick to grab my things, and get to the bus stop. Car? Drive? Not to go to Center City Philadelphia and also having to tend to my 2 year old son that is with me on a daily basis. Yes my son accompanies me to the office and appointments, Real Estate is great.Well, we make it to Center City and do what we have to do before 11:30 am; enough time to grab a hotdog and make it back to pick up my son from school. While sitting on the ledge at Penn Center, my 2 year old son and I were enjoying our "dirty dog", an expression for the hot dogs from the carts, and the...
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By The Somers Team, Delivering Real Estate Happiness
(The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia)
It sold in Fishtown - not an easy settlement !!! This week we had one of those excruciating deals finally settle !! This deal was on the brink of blowing up on several occassions and was even put back on the market briefly, but with the right people involved - the buyers agent, the mortgage professional, the title company, the buyer and seller of course, and lastly ourselves - the listing agent, we made it work.  What is amazing and important to remember is that I really believe without the expertise and the right people to be involved in a successful sales transaction, many deals would never EVER make it to a settlement table.  This is another major reason that illustrates the importance of having a professional and experienced reator represent buyers and sellers.  I believe that gone ...
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