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Plymouth Meeting, PA Real Estate News

By Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543, Selling the Main Line & Chester County
(Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055)
1 Princeton Road in Plymouth Meeting, Montgomery County is now for sale. Open houses Saturday 6/5 and Sunday 6/6 from 10 am to 12 noon. Welcome to the newly remodeled 1 Princeton Rd. This remodeling has held nothing back, with great flow on the main floor, a large formal living room, an open plan dining room and a large kitchen with a peninsula island and eat in breakfast area. Access to the spacious backyard and pool from French doors in the dining area and slider in the breakfast area. Also enter the main floor in-law or au pair suite with full bath from the main-floor breakfast area or direct private entrance from outside, making this home a 6 bedroom, 3 full bathroom gem in a wonderful location. There is additionally a spacious family room with a fireplace that elegantly completes t...
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By Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543, Selling the Main Line & Chester County
(Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055)
Coming soon - 1 Princeton Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462.Virtual Tour  Welcome to the newly remodeled 1 Princeton Rd. This remodeling has held nothing back, with great flow on the main floor, a large formal living room, an open plan dining room and a large kitchen with a peninsula island and eat in breakfast area. Access to the spacious backyard and pool from French doors in the dining area and slider in the breakfast area. Also enter the main floor in-law or au pair suite with full bath from the main-floor breakfast area or direct private entrance from outside, making this home a 6 bedroom, 3 full bathroom gem in a wonderful location.  There is additionally a spacious family room with a fireplace that elegantly completes the main floor.  Home has new roof and gutters, new bathrooms, ...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
There are a lot of people who are working from home for the first time. There are a lot of advantages that come with working from home, such as the opportunity to develop stronger relationships with family members, the chance to save money on gas, and more autonomy over the work schedule. In addition, this could also mean a new home.With many people spending more time at home than they did in the past, they might be thinking about investing in new floorplans, renovating cabinets, and adding a dedicated home office. This could also provide the opportunity to move.Why People Are Thinking About Upgrading Their HomesFor those who continue to commute to work, they might not spend that much time in their homes. As a result, they may not be that invested in the overall layout of the home. As l...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
Currently, this is a great time to be in the market for a new home. The interest rates on mortgages have fallen countless times over the past few years. Even though interest rates have been in the double-digits in the past, there are homeowners today who are able to agree to a mortgage for less than three percent. Despite the low interest rates, it is still important to get the best possible deal. There are a few simple steps that everyone should follow to get the best mortgage deal possible.Know How Much You NeedThe first step is to figure out what type of mortgage is required. Some potential homeowners might be looking for a mortgage they can get with a small down payment. Other potential homeowners might be looking for a mortgage they can pay off quickly.Remember, the goal is to even...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
If you’ve decided to invest in a home, you might be wondering how to make all of the expenses work. From the groceries to your mode of transportation, all of those little things can quickly add up. Fortunately, it’s easy enough to ensure you have the money each month by carefully calculating your expenses and ensuring there’s a little wiggle room in case of leaner times. Here are the details on how to begin with your mortgage budgeting plan.Calculate Your Monthly PaymentWhether you’ve just purchased a home or are trying to determine if your dream home is right for you, it’s very important to establish approximately what your monthly payment will be. It’s critical to have a mortgage cost that is sustainable, so add up your mortgage payment, home insurance, property taxes and any other re...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
There’s often so much enthusiasm that goes along with buying a home that the idea of leaving the old one behind is left in the dust. But, while you may love both your old home and your new home, it can be difficult to leave what’s old behind. If you’re struggling with adjusting to your new dwelling place, here are some tips for how to make it feel like it’s where you belong.Purchase A New PieceIn all likelihood, you’ll be moving a lot of your old furniture into your new home, which means it will have all of the likely associations of your old home. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it’s a good idea to do a bit of a refresh so it can feel truly different. Whether you decide on a new armchair or art piece, the choice is up to you, but make sure it’s something that will compliment ...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
It’s always exciting to pack up and get away from your home for the sake of escape, but going on vacation also means leaving your home behind. While a good neighborhood can go a long way towards making sure your home stays safe in your absence, here are some additional tips for how to ensure you’ll be coming back from your trip without incident.Take Care Of Your PropertyThieves will often assume that an unkempt yard and home maintenance issues are a sign of a homeowner that doesn’t care, and this will often attract them to a property. Instead of giving potential trespassers the wrong idea, ensure that your yard is well kept in your absence with no overgrown bushes, maintenance issues or items left out. It’s also important to make sure that no newspaper or mail is piling up at the door, ...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
The idea of embarking on home renovations may strike many homeowners as an expensive one, but there are plenty of ways that you can easily upgrade your home without spending a lot of money. If you’re looking for improvements that will truly (and frugally) improve the value of your home, here are a few do-it-yourself options you may want to consider.Change The LightingThere are few small fixes that will improve the look of your home like lighting, so one of the best things you can do for the overall look of your house is change out some of your bulbs. Instead of going for a light that will look dingy or orange, choose a tone that’s not too bright but will still illuminate your rooms and highlight their best features naturally. Much like a coat of paint, the right light can change everyth...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
From putting your home on the market to finding the lender with the best rates, there are so many things involved in buying a home that the terminology is just one more thing to add to the list. While there may be quite a few words you’ll hear that may be unclear, here are a few you’ll want to watch out for so you’ll be prepared for home ownership.Adjustable-Rate MortgageOften known as ARM, an adjustable-rate mortgage corresponds to the conditions of the market. This means that your interest rate will shift from day to day along with the market, and the amount of your monthly mortgage payment will fluctuate along with it.Fixed-Rate MortgageUnlike an ARM mortgage, a fixed-rate mortgage will offer a predictable monthly interest rate that you can rely on. While this can be comforting for m...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
TOP 3 Things To Consider When Making A Down Payment   One of the challenges you will face when deciding how much money to put down on your new home is whether to put down a larger down payment or to take a bit of money from your down payment and use it to pay "discount points" to lower your interest rate. There are pros and cons to doing both and each borrower's situation will be different so it's important to understand which option is best for your individual need. Some Factors You Should Consider Include: Cost Of Borrowing - generally speaking, to lower your interest rate will mean you pay a premium. Most lenders will charge as much as one percent (one point) on the face amount of your loan to decrease your mortgage interest rate. Before you agree to pay discount points, you need to ...
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By Karen Johnson, Realtor, ABR, "Bucks County PA Homes"
(Addison Wolfe Real Estate )
  Market Report & Homes Sales Plymouth Meeting Real Estate December 2013   The median sales price for homes in Plymouth Meeting PA for September 13 to December 13 was $320,000. This represents an increase of 0%, or $0, compared to the prior quarter and an increase of 32% compared to the prior year.   Sales prices have appreciated 9.2% over the last 5 years in Plymouth Meeting. The average listing price for Plymouth Meeting homes for sale was $394,650 for the week ending December 4, which represents an increase of 4.1%, or $15,591, compared to the prior week and an increase of 0.5%, or $1,862, compared to the week ending November 13.   Average price per square foot for Plymouth Meeting PA was $158, an increase of 4.6% compared to the same period last year.           Plymouth Meeting Summ...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
Are We Seeing Signs Of Economic Growth?   Hi, Joe Gonzalez here of the Hope Mortgage Team of Gateway Funding DMS, L.P. in Plymouth Meeting, PA. I have some interesting news to share with you this week. The minutes of the Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee meeting held October 29 and 30 were released Wednesday. The meeting began with a report from the Manager of the System Open Market Account and included updates on developments within domestic and foreign financial markets. According to the report, no intervention by the Federal Reserve was required on foreign currencies during the period between the last and current FOMC meetings. FOMC: Key Data Delayed by Shutdown The FOMC noted moderate economic growth in the period since its last meeting, but also noted that several fed...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
Top 4 Ways to Save For The Down Payment on Your Mortgage   In order to save up a huge amount of cash for the down payment on your first mortgage, you need a solid savings plan! When you take out a mortgage on your new home as a first time homebuyer, the more you can pay as a down payment the better. The down payment on a mortgage reduces the principle of the loan and means that you will be paying tens of thousands less in interest payments over the life of the loan. Most financial experts recommend that you should save up at least 20% of the value of the home as a down payment. Depending on the value of the home that you want to buy, this can be a serious chunk of money. The conventional saving tricks of skipping your morning latte and eating dinner at home just aren’t going to cut it w...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
What You Need to Know About Private Money Loans   Private Money financing refers to loans collateralized by real estate, where the source of the funds used to close Real Estate transactions come from private investors. The decision by the investors to make a loan is based primarily upon plenty of equity in the real property securing the loan thus reducing the risk of loss. The ability to repay, and the borrower’s character is also considered along with how the borrower will pay the investor back in time. Private Money loans are needed when a borrower or a property falls outside the standard underwriting rules of conventional lending sources like banks or other lending institutions. The Primary Decision For Private Money Is Typically Based On The Simple Three-Four C‘s Of Private Money Le...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
Beware Of Zombie Titles!   With the economic downturn, anyone dealing in real estate quickly became familiar with previously little-known terms such as foreclosure and short sale. Now that the housing market is picking back up and people are moving on, a new term is coming to light — zombie titles. The Zombie Title This is when a home has been vacated because the owners defaulted on their loan and their bank started the foreclosure process. However, for some reason or another the bank never completed the foreclosure and sold the home. So, when the city starts fining someone for the overgrown grass and dilapidated structure, the homeowner who thought they were finished with the property gets the bill. A Home That Keeps Haunting Homeowners think they don’t own the property any longer and ...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
Why is NOW the Time to Refinance Your Mortgage?   Refinancing a mortgage is a golden opportunity to lock in today’s low interest rate for the next 15 or 30 years. While interest rates now are still low, there’s a good chance they will be heading up in the coming months. The Fed won’t maintain the current bond purchasing level forever, and just as rates spiked in September when the Fed hinted the bond purchasing would change, rates will spike even more when purchasing levels actually do change. As interest rates remain very low for 30-year and 15-year mortgages, homeowners can benefit greatly from a refinance. Several types of people in particular should consider refinancing. Carrying A High Rate Anyone with an interest rate well above today’s level should think about a refinance. Unless...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
The Government Shutdown And Its Effect On Existing Home Sales   Existing home sales for September fell by 1.90 percent from August’s revised reading of 5.39 million sales to 5.29 million sales. Economists had expected 5.30 million sales for September, so a slow-down in existing home sales had been anticipated. The National Association of REALTORS cited higher home prices and mortgage rates as factors contributing to fewer sales of previously owned homes. Home Prices Easily Outpaced Income Growth According to Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist, home prices ”easily outpaced income growth.” Consequently, affordability has fallen to a five-year low. Mr. Yun also indicated that a government shutdown was expected to affect home sales in October. NAR also cited a ”notable increase” in federal...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
Housing Market Index - Builders Continue To Have A Positive Outlook   The National Association of Homebuilders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index dropped two points to 55 from September’s revised reading of 57. Builder concerns over labor costs and availability and economic uncertainty related to the federal government shutdown were noted as factors contributing to the lower reading for October.    Key Points Noted In October‘s HMI included:   Builder confidence remains above 50, which indicates that more builders have a positive outlook on housing market conditions than those with negative sentiment. The October HMI cites pent-up buyer demand in markets throughout the US as a positive influence on October’s reading. A spike in mortgage rates lowered builder confidence, but the Federal Re...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
Get The Lowdown On Private Mortgage Insurance   You may have heard the term Private Mortgage Insurance when looking to finance real estate. What is PMI, and how do you know when you need to purchase it? The answer can be hard to find among all the real estate jargon you’re hearing lately. Below is the short version of what you need to know. What Is Private Mortgage Insurance? PMI is an extra insurance required by some lenders to offset their risk of you defaulting on your home loan. When you put down less than 20 percent of the real estate’s value, your lender may tell you that you have to buy PMI. It is usually added into your monthly mortgage payment until the equity in your real estate reaches 20 percent. Under the current law, the PMI will be canceled automatically at 22 percent equ...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
Nail The Final Walkthrough Before Closing By the time you get to the final walkthrough on your property, the home buying process is almost complete. However, it is still important to pay close attention to this final step, as it will be crucial in the success of your home purchase. The final walkthrough is your last opportunity to ensure that everything in the home is in working order and that there are no potential problems waiting for you when you take over ownership of the property. While conducting a final walkthrough of the property, give yourself enough time to look carefully at everything and not be rushed. You are looking for any new issues that might have arisen since the last time you viewed the home. Once you close on the purchase the previous owners will not be obligated for...
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