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Bucks County, PA Real Estate News

By Hannah Williams, Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376
(HomeStarr Realty)
I am grateful that I love to shop and find good deals, especially this time of year, as the Holidays will be here before we know it. In my opinion, now is the time to buy, unless you love the mad rush and standing in long lines.  Let's start with Nordstrom Rack. I found the most lovely shoes online by Karl Lagerfeld. They were $158 retail, and I saw them there for $66 with my discount. Amazon had them for $108, and I had been looking for them for quite a while, so it was a no-brainer. Even at the Nordstrom.com site, they were full price $158. I ordered them for pick-up at the closest store near me. They were even nicer in person, with the bows adorned with little rhinestones and the heels at the perfect height making them ultra comfortable . They look adorable with wide-leg or straight-...
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By Hannah Williams, Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376
(HomeStarr Realty)
                          Dream Listings Old Contacts Old stories  My phone rang. An old friend said, "I am moving to a sunny climate and was wondering if you would meet me for lunch as I have something to talk to you about."  My client was also a Real Estate Broker, but he was not very active in other areas except for investing. He owned forty-five rented townhomes in our area, which he wanted to sell as the leases were due within the next few years. He needed someone to collect the rents, and he had people to fix whatever was wrong if something broke or needed repair. He wanted to know if I would be interested, as I was one of the only people he trusted to do the job. I would have to make arrangements to have the houses painted and recarpeted if I saw it was needed. He had a list of v...
Comments 16
By Hannah Williams, Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376
(HomeStarr Realty)
Believe it or not, the holidays will be here before we know it, so I decided it might be time to start Philadelphia Steals and Deals once more. I asked my good friend Kathy Streib  and she agreed, so let's get started. I also thought it could be a good topic to start a podcast about, if I were to start one.   While shopping for a new comforter, the best buy I found this year was again in September and October, as that is when stores typically have the best selections, which I discovered by visiting several stores (I move quickly) when I am on a mission. Ross Dress for Less is $49.99, and if you're over 55 years old, you get 10% off that low price. Shop on a Tuesday for the discount. Name brands, I found an Andrew Marc Faux Fur with Matching pillow Shams. They also carried other name bra...
Comments 25
By Hannah Williams, Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376
(HomeStarr Realty)
I am going to use a million points to open a small second-hand store. I am looking for a partner; if anyone is interested in collaborating with me to find merchandise, please don't hesitate to contact me. You may know the song They Call Me Second Hand Rose because I wear Second-hand Clothes. I have found some very stylish clothes and unique outfits in second-hand stores, including accessories, blouses, pins, scarves, and even a blazer and a skirt with a flowered pin, along with a vest and a jacket.  You might know people who are shopaholics, constantly shopping from one store to another. I have a neighbor who does the same thing. She still has items with tags on them. Many shopaholics buy clothes without trying them on in the store, or purchase Items online and never return them. These ...
Comments 24
By Hannah Williams, Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376
(HomeStarr Realty)
Let's take a drive through Echo Beach in Bensalem. This community has a unique charm. People waved and said hello as we drove through the area, which is rare in many places. It's no wonder that families have made this place their home for generations. Even when sons and daughters move away, they often return to the enchanting atmosphere of Echo Beach. Perhaps it is so close to the water that it is what makes it so magical.   Despite being a hidden gem, many homes in the area have been handed down to family members, and many small and large properties, both old and new, are available. Echo Beach's proximity to I-95, SEPTA trains, and Amtrak makes it an accessible and sought-after location.Let's examine what is available for sale and what has been sold in Echo Beach in the last few months...
Comments 13
By Hannah Williams, Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376
(HomeStarr Realty)
Sunday is Mother's Day, and many wonder what to purchase for Mom. Many of my friends are going to brunch or dinner, and some just plan a visit. Many will receive some perfume or a blouse. Perhaps a gift card will be accepted. Flowers are also very popular and beloved gifts. Today, I quickly stopped at Lou Farm Market for Cherry tomatoes for my pasta salad. Their selections of produce and freshly made food have been awe-inspiring in the last several months, as well as their prices.Their flower baskets, priced at $24.99, were the nicest I have seen this season. The section of lawn statues was exquisite and unique, and it would make a gift that would last many years. So if you want a special gift, check out Lou's Farm Market.    Lou's Farm Mart, located on Bristol Pike (Route 13) in Bensal...
Comments 17
By Hannah Williams, Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376
(HomeStarr Realty)
Back in 2008, when the market tanked, I began using social media. It was free, and money was tight for most agents, as many had not expected what happened. I met a young Real estate mogul and started attending Real Estate Bar Camps, where I learned about a place called Active Rain.  There, I learned about finding a Niche and writing blogs on the Internet. They gave classes on how to write a market report and what people would be interested in. There was a guy Jeff Dowler, CRS who wrote market reports all the time, and I would read his in awe. Another person I learned from was the one who wrote incredible market reportsMichael Jacobs.  Some people say that market reports are boring, well, not to the public. You will receive many calls from buyers and sellers based on market reports.Soon,...
Comments 36
By Hannah Williams, Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376
(HomeStarr Realty)
 My car had to get towed for the second time. It just did not feel good after its last fix. Maybe it was me, but the car and I were in synch. Then the air in the car started turning on and off. I decided I was right; something was off. I called the Mercedes dealer and told them I felt unsafe driving it in. So Mercedes had it towed for me free of charge. I was also given a free Lift ride up to $110 to the dealer, but the link disappeared. Getting it redownloaded was a huge problem, so I drove up with a tow truck guy.My neighbor upstairs said he would drive me, and I know other friends would have, but it is a long ride, and I did not want to impose. It was a quiet ride at first, and then, as we were driving, I noticed how many trucks were on the road. He took the turnpike, and I took the ...
Comments 15
By Hannah Williams, Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376
(HomeStarr Realty)
It's time for some Philadelphia Steals and Deals TGIF. Believe me, if you are shopping for bargains these days, they are truly hard to find.I found a few worth writing about for my readers, so let's look.The Dollar Tree If you're looking for a place to shop to get a wide range of products for $1 or $1.25, look no further for bargains. This popular American discount store chain is the perfect place to find great deals on everything from household goods to party supplies. With its vast selection of products and unbeatable prices, Dollar Tree is the go-to destination for savvy shoppers who want to save big without sacrificing quality. So why wait? Head to The Dollar Tree today and start stocking up on all your favorite items at prices that can't be beaten!   Valentine Greeting Cards: they ...
Comments 18
By Hannah Williams, Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376
(HomeStarr Realty)
Are you looking for a 4BR 2.5 Bath single house in Upper Southampton? Here's a great opportunity for you to become a homeowner. This house is priced below market value, but it requires some updates, decoration, and paint. With some loving care, you can make it your dream home. The house features four generously sized bedrooms, including one main bedroom with a sitting room. Additionally, there are two full bathrooms. Don't miss out on this chance to own a lovely home! On the main level, you'll find a formal living room and a formal dining room with custom wood flooring. The kitchen has a breakfast bar where you can relax and enjoy your meal while admiring the unbelievable wooded view. It also opens up into the family room where you can have fun with your loved ones.As you move forward, ...
Comments 14
By Hannah Williams, Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376
(HomeStarr Realty)
Tricks or treats long tails and short tails - no puppy dog tailsBack in 2009 when I first joined AR I would see Blogs about market reports and wonder why people were writing them. One person Jeff Dowler, CRS was always writing about Carlsbad California.  I started to learn about Jeff as he relocated from my area and branded himself the relocation dude. Here is a link to his post   Way back when I also attended several Rain Camps and heard  Bob Steward and Ben Kinney speak. They taught me about the long and short tails. In blogging, it simply meant taking a specific area and choosing a small section/subdivision .. Try to choose a section that is not being worked on by other agents. Blog about this area and do market reports. Blog about events and restaurants in the area. You can even int...
Comments 33
By Marcie Purcell Associate Broker, Realtor, Bucks & Montgomery Co PA
(Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Cassidon Realty)
Water has quite the calming effect on people whether it is sitting on a deck near a river, beach, bay, creek or lake.  It is also a life long dream for people to want to purchase a home with water views.   Let's talk about how Flood Insurance can protect you and what to look for when you are searching for home.  Trust me, I'm not going to talk you out of any dream you have and especially one with water views!  It's is also one of my dreams I'm working to come true!There are different types of flood insurance and flood zones.  FEMA ( Federal Emergency Management Agency)  declares flood zones through the United States.  In the area I live in Pennsylvania the "AE" Flood Zone is when you will need to get Flood Insurance.   There are exception to rules of course but your mortgage lender will...
Comments 3
By Hannah Williams, Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376
(HomeStarr Realty)
Echo Beach is a delightful riverfront community situated in Bensalem, near Station Avenue and State Road. It comprises a variety of custom single-family homes of different sizes, some of which are located right on the river. Despite being a hidden gem, many homes in the area have been handed down to family members, and there are a range of small and large properties available, both old and new. Echo Beach's proximity to I-95, Septa Trains, and Amtrak makes it an accessible and sought-after location.  Echo Beach has a unique charm, perhaps due to its proximity to the Delaware River. As I drove through the area, people waved and said hello, which is rare in many places. It's no wonder that families have made this place their home for generations. Even when sons and daughters move away, th...
Comments 18
By Marcie Purcell Associate Broker, Realtor, Bucks & Montgomery Co PA
(Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Cassidon Realty)
I don't know how 20 years has gone by, but it feels like forever since my first day of training at Weichert, Realtors Fast Track program.    I literally called my manager after the first day and told her I don't think I can do this. They gave me the big black "Doors" suitcase, tons of papers, talked about real estate terms I have never heard of, and told stories about getting homes under contract in their first week of real estate!  I was 21 years old, never rented or purchased a home and  still living at home while working at my job at a daycare to fund my new straight commission job and pay my bills.    My manager told me come to office tomorrow right after training and you will do this. A lot has changed since those early days. My mentor turned into a teammate and partnership which t...
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By Hannah Williams, Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376
(HomeStarr Realty)
As I was driving to the Bensalem Real Estate office today I saw lights flashing and heard sirens. There was a car behind me. It was not a police car. I pulled over some to see if he needed to get by me thinking it might be a volunteer fireman. Nothing he stayed behind me. The light was green so I proceeded to turn. He followed again I moved to the right so he could pass me and he did not. Lights still flashing I became nervous and my heart started pounding as I had seen on the news about women being stopped by cars, not police vehicles, and being cautioned to be aware of the dangers. I knew I was not speeding and had not gone through stop signs or red lights so I continued to the main road where he passed me and signaled me to pull over and I saw he had a uniform.  I explained I thought...
Comments 18
By Hannah Williams, Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376
(HomeStarr Realty)
 The Right House is Screaming "Wait For ME"  Buying a home can be very frustrating. Not only the qualifying first step. You know where you sit down with the mortgage banker with all your information. Your pay stubs, bank statements, and tax forms. You know all the things you had to search for. Hopefully, you did not try to skip this step. Then you figure out the price of the house you can really afford the payment you can live with. Now we are ready to hit the road and find the house of your dreams. The one when we walk into you get that feeling. Oh yes, it is a feeling. It is the feeling that deep inside you know that this is home. You can live here. It may not have everything you thought you wanted but it does feel like home.  It has that this is my house feeling. You decide you are g...
Comments 20
By Hannah Williams, Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376
(HomeStarr Realty)
You are getting ready to sell your house. You called your agent and received a list of things to do to get the house ready for sale. If you are like many people you probably looked and said where do I start?    The closets are a great place to begin. You are going to be moving so let's pack up the closets and clean them up. If it is warm weather and you live in a four-season climate, take your cold-weather clothes and shoes. Pack them away. Let's make room in these closets and make them look big and spacious.  Clean them out. All the closets in the house even the linen closets. If you have not worn clothes in the last year you most likely will not wear them. Bag them up and donate them. There are many books and even videos online to show you how.  Keep only what items are necessary.  No...
Comments 19
By Hannah Williams, Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376
(HomeStarr Realty)
In Pennsylvania, we do not use attorneys in Real Estate transactions. We use forms that attorneys prepare and fill in the blanks. There are times when there are situations when we find it is time for our clients to seek legal advice. We as agents should never give legal advice we are not attorneys.Here is a situation I ran into -  entry March Challenge Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP  and Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist I had a beautiful listing under contract. The owner was looking for a small condo to purchase she was a divorced woman and I was very fond of her. We had been looking and there were a few she liked we had not pinpointed the exact location yet.  One morning I received a call from her. She was going to be a grandmother. I congratulated her and she thanked m...
Comments 28
By Hannah Williams, Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376
(HomeStarr Realty)
Let's take a look at what is going on in the Neshaminy Valley Townhouse Market in Bensalem Township. These townhomes are always in high demand as they are so spacious and there are no HOA or Condo fees. Neshaminy Valley townhomes are owned by Fee Simple and were built in the mid-1970s-1980s by Korman. There are many different sizes and styles to choose from. I lived in one for many years and it always amazes me the additions and customizations that have been made. Many of the two-story model's main bedrooms have a sitting room. The second bedroom is large and if you walk into this room first you may think it was the main bedroom.   There is one active townhouse for sale and I will be surprised if it will last long as it is an end with a custom addition put on with many upgrades and a la...
Comments 15
By Hannah Williams, Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376
(HomeStarr Realty)
Let's Talk about the Coves Townhouses in Bensalem. These townhouses were built in the mid-1970s  and offer a variety of styles that are spacious and some are larger than many single homes you may walk into. The split-level models are very popular also the large straight-through models both feature 3BR and 2.5 bathrooms and lower-level rec rooms. There is also a yard most of them through the years have been fenced.Most of the end units have 4 BR 2.5 baths no lower level and are around 2200 Sq' and have a main bedroom that is larger than many single homes in this price range. I have however found one 4 bedroom end with a lower level. One of the best features of these townhomes is that they are fee simple owned with no association fee. Yes, you heard me right no HOA or Condo fees      Behi...
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