Real Estate Information

Once you have purchased a home, you will need to obtain homeowners insurance. This type of insurance can be costly depending on your coverage and location and company you decide to purchase your policy from.  Below are some things to consider when buying homeowners insurance that can help to save you some money!

1. Shop around

Be sure to do your homework and check with several different companies for the best rates and the value they offer. You can look online for different companies and their rates quickly to compare. Check with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (www.naic.org) for information to help you choose an insurer in your state, including complaints. States often make information available on typical rates charged by major insurers and many states provide the frequency of consumer complaints by company.

Keep in mind that this policy will insure your home and everything you value in it, so don't consider price alone. The insurer you select should offer a fair price and deliver the quality service you would expect if you needed assistance in filing a claim. So in assessing service quality, use the complaint information cited above and talk to a number of insurers to get a feeling for the type of service they give. Ask them what they would do to lower your costs.

2. Increase Your Deductible

Deductibles are the amount of money you have to pay toward a loss before your insurance company starts to pay a claim, according to the terms of your policy. The higher your deductible, the more money you can save on your premiums. Nowadays, most insurance companies recommend a deductible of at least $500. If you can afford to raise your deductible to $1,000, you may save as much as 25 percent. Remember, if you live in a disaster-prone area, your insurance policy may have a separate deductible for certain kinds of damage. If you live near the coast in the East, you may have a separate windstorm deductible; if you live in a state vulnerable to hail storms, you may have a separate deductible for hail; and if you live in an earthquake-prone area, your earthquake policy has a deductible.

3. Make Policy Premium Payments Electronically.

Many companies now charge up to $5 for mailed or phone payments, so have your payments automatically deducted to shave that cost. Sometimes the deductions can come from your credit or debit card, so you don't have to worry if the money is in your bank account when payment time comes.

4. Purchase Multiple Policies From Your Insurer

Some companies that sell homeowners, auto and liability coverage will take 5 to 15 percent off your premium if you buy two or more policies from them. But make certain this combined price is lower than buying the different coverages from different companies.

5. Make Your Home More Disaster Resistant

Find out from your insurance agent or company representative what steps you can take to make your home more resistant to windstorms and other natural disasters. You may be able to save on your premiums by adding storm shutters, reinforcing your roof or buying stronger roofing materials. Older Homes for sale in york pa can be retrofitted to make them better able to withstand earthquakes. In addition, consider modernizing your heating, plumbing and electrical systems to reduce the risk of fire and water damage.

6. Improve Your Home Security

You can usually get discounts of at least 5 percent for a smoke detector, burglar alarm or dead-bolt locks. Some companies offer to cut your premium by as much as 15 or 20 percent if you install a sophisticated sprinkler system and a fire and burglar alarm that rings at the police, fire or other monitoring stations. These systems aren't cheap and not every system qualifies for a discount. Before you buy such a system, find out what kind your insurer recommends, how much the device would cost and how much you'd save on premiums.

7. Seek Out Other Discounts

Companies offer several types of discounts, like senior discounts. Insurance companies have found that retired people stay at home more and spot fires sooner than working people. Older people also have more time for maintaining their Homes for sale in york pa. If you're at least 55 years old and retired, you might qualify for a discount of as much as 10%. Some employers and professional associations administer group insurance programs that may offer a better deal than you can get elsewhere.

8. Review Your Policy Limits

You want your policy to cover any major purchases or additions to your home. But you don't want to spend money for coverage you don't need. If your five-year-old fur coat is no longer worth the $5,000 you paid for it, you'll want to reduce or cancel your floater (extra insurance for items whose full value is not covered by standard homeowners policies such as expensive jewelry, high-end computers and valuable art work) and pocket the difference.

While the real estate market has been struggling for sellers, their are numerous incentives that make this a great time for home buyers. Historically low interest rates, first time homebuyer credits, low home prices and a large inventory of properties make now the perfect time to buy a home.Even with all the positives, some first time homebuyers know that purchasing a home is a big step and may still have some concerns about making one of the biggest purchases of your life. Below are some things that can help you know if you are ready to make the leap into homeownership!

Whether homeownership is for you, however, depends on if you are ready both financially and emotionally for the change. After all, buying a home isn't just about money, lifestyle and commitment and time should also be considered in your decision. 

If you are ready to think about listing your home for sale, you will be presented with different options for the type of listing agreements. It is important to know the specifics of each one so you can select the agreement that is best for your situation. Below are some options for you to consider when Listing York PA Homes your home. Consult with your real estate professional with any questions you may have and what agreement is best for your situation.

Recently there has been some talk about "strategic foreclosures". Unfortunately there have been some individuals promoting to people who are in financial distress and don't know where to turn when they have fallen behind in their Home Financing payments. They have taken the stand that it is O.K. to just walk away and never look behind them for the consequences that come with such a move.

Just last week Good Morning America had a special about walking away form your commitment. The analogy they used was that if it is good enough for corporate America to do so, it is O.K. for the average homeowner too. It was totally irresponsible reporting and they should be taken to task to promote such a terrible injustice to the public. They did not mention what consequences there are to individuals who actually must work and maintain households, credit ratings and personal reputations if they allow a foreclosure to happen. Obviously they did not realize or even care that with that type of reporting people could be jeopardizing their financial futures including holding on to the job they currently have or a job in the future. Corporations don't have to think about those things as it not part of the business world. So yes, corporations do that sometimes but with different consequences.

Please don't consider a Strategic Foreclosure as you might not be happy what you may end up with. Call me today for a confidential interview and we can set the record straight and get you on the right financial path.

When it comes time to show your home to potential buyers, you only have one chance to make a first impression. Holding an open house will draw potential buyers and allow them to see all of what your home has to offer. You should of course take care of all major repairs before you have an open house, but below are some things you can do to help prepare and make the most of your showing. 

• Be sure to leave the home during the showing.  Potential buyers tend to  feel uncomfortable with the sellers hanging around. You want buyers to get a feel for the home, not feel like they cannot look around.
•  When you leave be sure to take your pets with you. Barking or agressive dogs even confined to a garage will make buyers feel restricted as to where they can look.
• Depersonalize your home. It may feel strange but by removing your personal treasures and photos from the home can help with the sale. You want potential buyers to focus on the best features of your home and you want them to envision their family in the home.
• Remove all vehicles from the driveway. Ask your neighbors to help out by not parking in front of your house.
• Be sure that the home is spotless and free of unpleasant odors prior to the open house. You may want to bake a fresh batch of cookies an hour or two before the open house begins. Not only will the aroma mask any unpleasant smells, but it will create a warm and inviting ambiance.
• Remove all private, and personal/fnancial documents from view. Be sure to also take all medications and valuables with you. While it is rare that you will have a problem it is better safe than sorry. You want to focus on Listing York PA Homes your home not worring about a theft.
• Create a bulletin board of seasonal house photographs so buyers can see what the home would look like at another time of the year. This is especially helpful to showcase gardens during the winter.
• Set out all documents pertaining to the house: Inspection reports, appraisals, major repairs and warranties, blueprints for additions etc.

I am going to cover different loan programs that are being offered as of now ove rthe next few days. With new RESPA rules loan programs have been changing along with how they are offered.

I first will discuss FHA loans as they are known as of today. This is becoming the most popular loan out there today in the York, PA area. The most important factor is the amount of money down that is required by HUD. As a buyer you will need to have at least 3.5% down of your own in the transaction. The Seller can contribute up to 6% of the sale price towards the Buyers closing costs as of today. That will be changing shortly to 3% in april. You can see why it is one of the most popular loans in the market. You can get into a $200,000 house for as little as $7,000! With the rates hovering around 5% +/- and the tax credit of between $6,500 for a current married homeowner or $8,000 for a first time homeowner (not owned a home in the last 3 years) you can practically get in for no money down. Keep in mind there is an up front Home Financing insurance premium that you can add either to the Home Financing amount or pay it at time of settlement. There is also a monthly fee that is added to your Home Financing payment.

For more information call us at Pilgrim Team. 717-757-5955

As a homeowner, once you have purchased the perfect home, you dream of the day you make the final Home Financing payment and truly own your home. Paying off your Home Financing if you are able to is a good idea for the obvious reasons, one being that you will save thousands of dollars in interest. If you obtained a 30 year loan you will most likely pay more than twice the purchase price of the home before you actually own it.

Of course paying off your Home Financing gives you the satisfaction of actually owning your home. In addition, the Home Financing payment is typically the highest of a household's monthly expense, so not having to worry about that each month can bring peace of mind, especially in the case of a loss of a job or retirement. 

Some financial advisors do however advise that paying off your Home Financing is a bad financial move. Some arguments that the money should be invested as to gain a  higher return in the long run. While this advise might sound good in theory there is no guarantee that a higher return can be achieved. 

Paying off your Home Financing has many benefits, but the question many homeowners ask is "How?", especially in a difficult economy. Below are some strategies you can use to help you get to your payoff goal!

• Keep an eye on interest rates and, if they fall, consider refinancing. If you can reduce your interest rate, shorten the term of your loan or both, refinancing can be an excellent strategy. 
• Overpay a fixed amount every month. Even if you can afford to pay an 5-20% of your total payment, it can add up to be 1-2 extra payments a year.
• Biweekly Home Financing payment plans. By paying half of your monthly Home Financing payment every two weeks, you end up making the equivalent of an extra payment every year.  Instead of making 12 monthly payments, you’ll make 52/2 = 26 biweekly payments — the equivalent of 13 monthly payments. This will shave years off your Home Financing. Moreover, if you’re paid on a biweekly basis, this approach might match your budgeting process better than monthly payments.

In a difficult economy paying your regular monthly obligations can be difficult, and it can be very challenging to try to make any additional payments. They key is to make an attempt, every little bit counts and gets you closer to your goal!

Home Sellers

Listing York PA Homes a home can be overwhelming but it should always be a smooth process. Clients who list their Homes for sale in york pa with Pilgrim Team receive truly personalized service with unmatched results. Jerry and his Team have extensive knowledge and experience in York real estate, and they can market your home to the right buyer. By constantly adapting to market trends and using first-rate marketing techniques, The Pilgrim Team can target specific buyers who would be interested in purchasing your home.

So Why List With The Pilgrim Team?

• Unmatched Experience with Record Results
• Exceptional Negotiation Skills to Maximize Price
• Large Buyer Client Base including Business from Area Corporations
• Unmatched Internet Exposure
• Cutting-Edge Marketing Techniques and Strategies
• First-Class Support Team – We Are Always There for You!
• State of the Art Technology Integration
• A True Passion for Listing York PA Homes
• Honest, Trustworthy and Sensitive
• An Exceptional Closer who Keeps Your Sale Together and Gets It Done Quickly.

*Sellers Check Out our Guaranteed Sales Program*

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The government is helping homeowners this year who are wanting to buy new energy efficient appliances with a rebate. More than 70% of the energy used in our Homes for sale in york pa is for appliances, refrigeration, space heating, cooling, and water heating. Replacing old appliances and equipment with those that are ENERGY STAR® labeled can help American families save significantly on their utility bills. Each state and territory may select its own set of ENERGY STAR qualified products to rebate. The Energy Star Appliance Rebate program,is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It is aimed to give rebates to consumers who replace certain home appliances with energy-efficient models. The new program is part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to make American Homes for sale in york pa more energy efficient, while helping to support the nation’s economic recovery.

Under this program, the U.S. Government has set aside $300 million and each state will have the authority to handle most of the details separately.  It provides rebates for qualifying energy-efficient appliances.select ENERGY STAR qualified appliances. These appliances may include:

• central air conditioners
• heat pumps (air source and geothermal)
• boilers
• furnaces (oil and gas)
• room air conditioners
• clothes washers
• dishwashers
• refrigerators/freezers
• water heaters

Only purchases of qualified products made during the specific time period established by each state will be eligible for a rebate. The rebate program will continue as long as the states and territories have money to support it. While they have until February 2012 to spend the money, it is likely that the money will go quickly. States and territories must indicate how they intend to notify consumers when the funding for rebate program is exhausted. The U.S. Government has given each State the authority to develop their own government appliance rebate program using the government’s guidelines. Individual states can decide the amounts of the appliance rebates up to $200 (reported) per selected appliance that is Energy Star qualified. Each state develops it’s own rebate program and may choose which appliances to include as long as it is on the list of approved Energy Star appliances that the U.S. Government listed. States will receive formula-based funding in order to start or continue an already established ENERGY STAR appliance rebate program