1.      Property taxes and qualified interest are deductible on an individual's federal income tax return. 2.      Often, a home is the largest asset an individual has and is considered one of the most valuable investments available. 3.      A portion of each amortized mortgage payment goes to principal which is an investment. 4.      A home is one of the few investments that you can enjoy by living in it. 5.      A REALTORâ can usually show you any home whether it is listed with a company, a builder, or even a For Sale By Owner home. 6.      Working through a REALTORâ to purchase a For Sale By Owner home can be very advantageous because someone is looking out for your best interest. 7.      Your Real Estate professional can provide you with a list of items you'll need to complete your ... 11/24/2008

What is a Real Estate "Closing"?  A "closing" is where you and I meet with some or all of the following individuals: the Seller, the Seller's agent, a representative from the lending institution and a representative from the title company, in order to transfer the property title to you.  The purchase agreement or contract you signed describes the property, states the purchase price and terms, sets forth the method of payment, and usually names the date and place where the closing or actual transfer of the property title and keys will occur.  If financing the property, your lender will require you to sign a document, usually a promissory note, as evidence that you are personally responsible for repaying the loan.  You will also sign a mortgage or deed of trust on the property as security... 11/23/2008

A licensed real estate professional provides much more than the service of helping you find your ideal home.  Realtors are expert negotiators with others agents, seasoned financial advisers with customers, and superb navigators around the local neighborhood.  They are members of the National Association of Realtors and must abide by a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice enforced by NAR.  A professional Realtor is your best resource when buying or selling a home. Let a Realtor Guide br Your Guide: A knowledgeable Realtor can save you endless amounts of money, time, and frustration. A knowledgeable Realtor knows the housing market inside and out and can help you avoid the "wild goose chase." A knowledgeable Realtor can help you with any home, even if it is listed elsewhere or if it i... 11/21/2008

The Cost of Overpricing in a Shifted Market: 1 - Fair market value declines during market shift. 2- Seller hopes a higher intial price will draw a higher offer. 3 - Market Interest is fragile(with high inventory) and wanes quickly. 4 - Salable Price is impacted by declining market values, "staleness," and competition. 5- Small price reductions only "chase down the market." 6- Properties sell when buyers see very attractive prices. 7- The Cost of Overpricing is amplified after; 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 areas. 11/19/2008

West Ferry Road Residents are complaining that there is an excessive amount of traffic on their street for a 49 home community. So the neighborhood has banded together to fight the traffic. They attended the Lower Makefield Board of Supervisors meeting on 11/5/08. The residents informed the board that their street is used as a cut through. The residents conducted an informal study, which found that 197 cars passed through from 4:45 pm to 5:45 pm on 9/15/08. Also more than 5900 cars traveled this road during a three day span in Sept. Of them, 299 were said to be driving in excess of 36 mph. With this much traffic the residents are concerned to let their kids play in their front yards, especially since there are no sidewalks. The residents offered a solution of putting up a barrier to cl... 11/18/2008

Moving into a new home can be one of the most stressful situations that a person can endure, so it is vital that you find ways to make the transition as easy as possible.  There are two distinct types of stress that one faces when changing homes.  First, there is the financial aspect of the move.  Finding the right home at the right price, negotiating the purchase with a seller, filling out the lengthy paperwork involved, and handling the escrow can all take its toll.  Then there is the emotional aspect of the move, and this is often where the greatest amount of stress is felt.  A competent and professional real estate agent can make the financial steps of the process easy, but if your emotional needs are unfulfilled, you may find yourself tired and frustrated and not acting in your own... 11/18/2008

How Much Home Can You Afford? Use the chart below to determine your monthly principal and interest payments at various interest rates for either a 15 or 30 year term. Interest Rate Factors Per $1000 Interest Rate 15 Year Term 30 Year Term       4 7.4 4.77 4.25 7.52 4.92 4.5 7.65 5.07 4.75 7.78 5.22 5 7.91 5.37 5.25 8.04 5.52 5.5 8.17 5.68 5.75 8.3 5.84 6 8.44 6 6.25 8.57 6.16 6.5 8.71 6.32 6.75 8.85 6.48 7 8.99 6.65 7.25 9.13 6.82 7.5 9.27 6.99 7.75 9.41 7.16 8 9.56 7.34 8.25 9.7 7.51 8.5 9.85 7.69 8.75 9.99 7.87 9 10.14 8.05 9.25 10.29 8.23 9.5 10.44 8.41 9.75 10.59 8.59 10 10.75 8.77 10.25 10.9 8.96 10.5 11.05 9.15 10.75 11.21 9.33 11 11.36 9.52 11.25 11.52 9.71 11.5 11.68 9.90 11.75 11.84 10.09             1. Find the appropriate interest rate from the chart above. 2. Look across the... 11/17/2008

There are many factors to consider when selecting a neighborhood that is right for you.  Think about the location in terms of commute time to work, distance from leisure-time activities, and proximity to shopping, schools, or any other places you frequent.  You may think of other factors that are important to you.  Please take some time to write them on your Home Search Criteria Form. Scout out the Neighborhood! It is important that you scout the neighborhood in person. Talk to people who live in there. Drive through the entire area at different times of the day, during the week, and on weekends. Look carefully at how well other homes in the are are being maintained-are they painted; are the yards well cared for; are parked cars in good condition?   Neighborhood Factors to Consider Look... 11/13/2008

The first step to buying is the loan process.  The First Step...in the home buying process is to find an experienced lender at the same time as you find a Realtor.  You begin the mortgage process at the same time as you begin looking, so you know the value you qualify for.  The Swain Real Estate Group can recommend a trusted, qualified lender. The Next Step...The lender begins processing your loan application, ordering credit reports, and performing verifications.  This is the prequalification phase.  Therefore, when you go looking for your dream home, you know how much you can spend for it. We're starting to run now!When you have final lender prequalification, you can seriously concentrate on finding a home that you know you can qualify to buy immediately. You're on the "home" stretch!... 11/11/2008

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 ... 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

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            How the Home Inspector Sees the Home  To learn more ... 10/21/2008

The end of the third quarter gives us the opportunity to review the majority of the year, including the busiest selling season, versus the same period a year earlier.  As of September 30, 2008, average sales price of a single family home in Lower Makefield Township is $495,000.  This is a 2.7% increase over the average of $482,000 at the same time last year.  The attractiveness of the area and it's easy "commutability" to new York, Princeton and Philadelphia have kept the real estate market bubbling in the area. Unit sales and inventories are both down drastically in Lower Makefield with unit sales declining from 285 to 211 (-26%) and units in inventory also declining, from 229 units to 201 this year (-12.2%).  It is certainly understandable that, with less homes on the market, less hom... 10/18/2008

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... 10/16/2008