Real Estate Information

Eventhough we are still in a sluggish economy and the market is slow, the good news is that home prices are low and interest rates are the lowest in many years. But, in spite of these benefits for homebuyers, many real esate markets are still slow in several parts of the country. With a surplus of home inventory and existing home sales that are in steep competition with new home foreclosures, many homesellers are needing to know how.

So how do you get your home off the market and into contract? Below are some helpful tips to getting your home sold quickly and the price you’re looking for:

1. Pick the agent who is right for your market. Find an agent that has a good track record with sales in your market range and neighborhood. Good sales stats in your price bracket demonstrate that the realtor knows what buyers are looking for and how to move property similar to yours. A great agent can help you move your home, even in a tough market.
2. Know your market. Understanding the ‘comps’ in your area will help you reach a realistic asking price and get a better handle on the competition. Ask your realtor to provide this information and also take opportunities to visit open houses for Homes for sale in york pa that are comparable to yours. You can learn a lot about staging, pricing and what is appealing to buyers.
3. Keep up with repairs and maintenance. Don’t hesitate to make necessary repairs and maintenance to your home when you are ready to sell. You don’t have to undergo major remodeling or expense. Simple updates like fixing broken steps, touch up painting and keeping your lawn mowed and flower beds cleaned out will really go a long way in making your home look move-in ready.
4. Be flexible. From having your home ready to show at a moment’s notice to your willingness to negotiate, the key to Listing York PA Homes your home in a slow market is flexibility and responsiveness. Going the extra mile for prospective buyers can really make a difference in getting more people through the door ready to make an offer.
5. Add value. Remember that you are competing with short sales and foreclosures, so any extra value you can add to your home can make it more attractive. Whether it’s an appliance, patio furniture or a simple cost concession, small items can add up to big pluses when prospects are evaluating the total value of your home.

In a slow market, you need to get your home noticed quickly and be willing to negotiate so that prospective buyers see a great value in your property. Don’t stop looking for ways to make your home stand apart from the competition.

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The 4th of July weekend is almost here and people all over York, County will be celebrating with fireworks, food and time with family and friends. Our area is offering several patriotic celebrations for everyone to enjoy. Below are a few of the events that are happening in our are. Enjoy your holiday and celebrate America's 234th birthday!

York Independence Celebration

Fireworks show: 9:20 p.m. Sunday at York Expo Center, 334 Carlisle Avenue
Show length: 30-40 minutes
Best parking: Free parking at Expo Center.
Other activities: Concert from the York Symphony Orchestra, York Junior Symphony Orchestra, York Youth Symphony Orchestra, and York Symphony Chorus at 7:30 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m.

Annual Fourth of July "BLAST"

This festive event will be held Independence Day weekend with children's parade, pageants, commercial and community displays, contests, arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, book sale, face painting, dunk tank, silent auction, raffle, games, battle of the bands, entertainment, fireworks and more. See website for more details and vendor forms. For more information call 717-428-1752 or visit their website at www.jacobuspa.com  

Freedom Fest 2010

This music festival at the Mount Hope Estate and Winery features 13 bands, including The Hackensaw Boys, Hoots and Hellmouth, Slimfit, and Toy Soldiers, along with local bands. There will be food vendors and a micro-brewery. Doors open at 11 a.m. Saturday and music starts at 1 p.m. and lasts till 11. Those who wish to may camp overnight until Sunday.
Admission: $10
Notes: Camping is free, but campers must register online. Campers will be served a pancake breakfast in the morning.
Info: http://www.parenfaire.com/

Fireworks Show

10 p.m. Saturday at Lititz Spring Park, 18 North Broad Street
Admission: Adults: $10, $8 in advance; Ages 2-10: $4; Under 2; free
Show length: 30 minutes
Best parking: Warwick High School and Lititz Recreational Center. Best view: Baseball field inside park.
Notes: Fireworks are synched to music. Fireworks can be seen from outside the park, but the music cannot be heard.
Other activities: Festivities start at 11 a.m. and include a zumba demonstration, a 3-legged race, an egg scramble, a candy scramble, sack races, and the 69th Queen of Candles Pageant. Live music by The Rodans, Dooligus, The Green Onions, and Bang Up Battery. At 7:30 p.m., Asbury Fever will perform a Bruce Springsteen tribute concert. Info: http://www.lititzspringspark.org/

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FANNIE MAE HAS COME UP WITH NEW STRATEGY ON HANDLING STRATEGIC DEFAULTS

Homeowners across the country and here in York, PA are hearing about the so called advantages of walking away form their financial obligation (Home Financing) on their home. Fannie mae has decided that they will not take this lightly when a homeowner has the ability to pay their Home Financing, yet deciides not to. Fannie Mae announced they will not allow a homeowner to be eligible for a Fannie Mae backed loan for at least 7 years. They also have said that if a state that allows a deficiency judgement (Pennsylvania does) they will do just that. Fannie Mae is letting homeowners know they will not take this lightly and pursue a claim against these homwowners.

Think twice about how this can adversely affect their ability to get new credit and also could cause an potential or even a existing employer to hire or retain that person due to the foreclosure and judgement on the credit report.

Homeowners insurance continues to rise at alarming rates. Additionally, some new home buyers are facing challenges in finding companies to cover their property at all; and existing homeowners are seeing policies cancelled after years of rate increases.

What’s going on with property and casualty insurance?

1. Buyers should be aware of Chinese drywall and other inferior materials. Recently, Consumer Reports has highlighted an issue with faulty Chinese drywall. Bought cheaply, thousands of complaints are stating that the product is not only inferior and likely to fall apart, but is actually a health hazard. The problem is not widespread, but presents enough of a trend that insurers are covering their bases by excluding it from coverage or raising rates as a preventive measure against possible claims.
2. Location, location, location – and if your dream home is on a coastal waterway, be prepared to pay more for your homeowners insurance. What’s more, insurance companies are requiring separate deductibles for coastal property – primary insurance and secondary wind, water or specifically hurricane risk. If you file often, be prepared to go without; frequent claims cause insurers to cancel or not renew.
3. Lower home prices are also driving rates up and replacement or rebuilding coverage down. Even if the value of your home falls, shop around for the best price on covering your home in the event of a disaster, and make sure your coverage is adequate.
4. And if things aren’t bad enough, bad credit scores continue to drive up rates on homeowners insurance (as well as auto and other insurance). People with poor credit are considered to be a high risk for responsible behavior and an indicator of future financial trouble. With unemployment rates high and home prices falling, poor credit is driving up rates across insurance plans.

Understand your current homeowners insurance policy and the coverage you are paying for. Shop around – it pays off to compare and switch insurers for better rate plans. And remember, all kinds of market trends can factor in what you pay – and what you get for it.

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What is a "strategic foreclosure"?  There has been a lot of talk lately on the news networks such as ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX News, MSNBC and others about these types of forclosures. I have heard the talk that if it is ggod enough for corporate america to walk away from the financial obigations it should be good enough for the private sector to do the same.

Think of it like this, and ask yourself these questions.  Does the corporation have a family to feed? Does the corporation need a place to live? Does it need to have credit in the future to buy a house or even rent an apartment? Does it need a job? If you need any or all of these things STAY AWAY from the idea of a strategic foreclosure. They entice you to milk the system for all it can give you at the time, but remember payback can come back to hit you in a big way.

The only good foreclosue is NO foreclosure. You need an expert with the experience like a CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert) who can work closely with the Banks to negotiate a settlement that will not adversely affect you for a very long time such as a foreclosure can. Please go to my web site www.pilgrimteam.com and seach for my CDPE site for additional information that can help you or someone you may know who is struggling with the possibility of foreclosure.

In last few years , it seems that we area always hearing negative news regarding the real estate market but now finally some good news is welcomed. According to National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and Wells Fargo, for the 5^thconsecutive quarter, nationwide housing is near its highest level of affordability in 19 years  Housing prices and interest rates are still low and 72.2% of both new and existing Homes for sale in york pa are affordable to families who earn $63,800 (the national median income).

According to Bob Jones, NAHB Chairman, “Today’s report is very encouraging because it indicates that homeownership continues its more than year-long trend of remaining within reach of more households than it has for almost two decades.”

“With interest rates still hovering at low levels, companies starting to hire new employees and the economy beginning to rebound, this should encourage more home buyers to enter the market and help further stabilize housing and the economy.”

The national median home price for the quarter was $175,000. The NAHB uses a rule that no more than 28% of take-home pay can be used toward housing.

As with all real estate, location is key – Indianapolis and Youngstown, Ohio led the nation in affordability – 95% affordable based on local median income, followed by Dayton, Ohio, Syracuse, New York and Grand Rapids, Michigan.

New York City remains one of the least affordable cities, regardless of income. Still, any good housing news these days is cause for optimism, and home ownership is more than just a dream for many American families whose employment picture is stable.

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Summer is offically still a few weeks away but we are in the swing of lawn and garden season. Taking care of your lawn and garden does not have to be a chore, it can be a pleasure with the right tools. To get prepared, below is what every home owner should have in the tool shed:

1. Lawnmower – Of course this is a necessity! Most of us are familiar with standard rotary mowers – either gas or electric. The blades spin horizontally and often have a bag system for colleting grass clippings. Rotary mowers can be push, propelled or riding style. Reel mowers are push powered only. Falling out of favor to technology, reel mowers are becoming more popular because they are better for the environment and are much cheaper than rotary mowers.
2. Weedeater – string trimmers are almost exclusively referred to by the famous brand name, but there are a number of styles and brands available, electric and gas-powered. They are a must have for flower beds, around trees and for other small tight areas that can’t be mowed.
3. Spreader – these are generally push type, inexpensive buckets on wheels that spread fertilizer, seed or pest control materials quickly and evenly. Like lawnmowers, they also range in style and price depending on the size of your lawn and how much automation you choose.
4. Blowers – also gas and electric, (backpack blowers are gas-powered) these tools blow air directionally to clean sidewalks, walkways, patios, carports and garages. Faster and less back-breaking than a broom, they are especially handy if your lot is heavily treed.
5. Sprayer – sprayers come in various gallon sizes and are used to spot treat weeds or pests with liquid chemicals, allowing you to target troubled areas

Some of the smaller lawn maintenance tools that can be helpful, based on the complexity of your lawn and garden, and your interest in the details of lawn management can include:

• Thermometer
• Rain Gauge
• Soil probe and thermometer
• Trowels and hand tools

As with all tools, it’s a good idea to understand both the use and the care for your lawn equipment – including cleaning and storing them properly for the next use. Enjoy your landscape!

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The National Flood Insurance Program expired May 31, 2010 after three extentions. After May 31, the NFIP will not have the authority to issue new or renewal policies until Congress reauthorizes the program. Although this will not affect existing policies, renewal policies within a 30-day grace period, or policies purchased prior to the program's lapse, any new policies will be effected.

FEMA allows buyers to "assume" the seller's existing policy without having to re-issue it.  The purchase requirement for flood insurance may be met with non-NFIP policies; for instance, Lloyd's of London, Chubb and AIG have offered such insurance, but it can be very expensive and is limited to a certain number of states, with other conditions.

The National Association of Realtors  has been working with FEMA, FHA, Fannie, Freddie and the VA to provide guidance, similar to what it provided in April, for lenders as to the steps they may take to meet flood insurance purchase requirement during an NFIP lapse. With updated guidance in hand, lenders should have the assurances that they need to continue to close loans. FHA has already issued updated guidance. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the VA, and other lending authorities are expected to release guidance shortly, and NAR will post the guidance at www.realtor.org.

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When you’re buying a home, you make investments along the way – everything from earnest money to appraisals, inspections, title searches and the costs to market your existing home. You may think you have all the bases covered in negotiating the terms of your contract, but deals do fall apart – some at the last minute. Protect yourself from additional loss with appropriate contingencies. Accepted contingencies give you the right to walk away from the contract with no penalty (other than some of the incidental costs mentioned above).

Most sellers avoid contingency contracts and may pressure you to move quickly and drop contingencies. But what if the property fails to appraise at the right value, or your lender fails to fund your loan? Know what you can include in your contract as a contingency and be prepared to stand firm!

The home inspection provides the opportunity to help you decide if you should walk from a tempting deal. Even properties that look well maintained and in good condition can have hidden flaws. In addition to the basic home inspection, there may be other inspections (for lead, termites, sewer and others) or areas that need to be addressed in your contract. Make sure you know what you are getting into!

The types of contingencies vary from state to state. Here are the top 10 most common contingencies and what be aware of as you make your offer>

Common Purchase Contract Contingencies

• Appraisal. Beware of the possibility that the appraisal may come in low.
• Loan Contingency. Your lender may fail to find your loan as requested, even if pre-approved.
• Home Inspection. One of the top indicators of flaws in the home.
• Lead-based Paint. Federal laws gives all buyers 10 days to inspect for lead-based paint.
• Wood Destroying Pest Inspection. The contract should specify who pays for termite inspection and correction.
• Roof Inspection. Make sure the roof is part of the home inspection, and if not specify a third party inspection for the roof.
• Sewer Inspection. This can be especially important for an older home or home on a septic system.
• Preliminary Title Report. Make sure the seller can transfer a clean title, with no unpaid liens against the property.
• Seller Statutory Disclosures. Some states require sellers to disclose all know material facts about the history of the property.
• Contingent on Listing York PA Homes Existing Home. This is one of the most common contingencies, and sellers usually specify a number of days to perform.

When negotiating your offer and contract, make sure you protect your rights as a buyer and understand your state laws and other requirements necessary to close on your new home!

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