Golf Course Views!

Looking for a home that's low maintenance, one floor living and has amazing Golf Course views? Then this home at the desirable Raven's Claw golf course neighborhood is perfect for you!
Click the address below for more information.

207 Masters Drive, Limerick

June Sales Report

June sales reports from Trend.com


Settled units in Montgomery County, PA up nearly 21% in June 2012. Pending units also increased, nearly 13%, to 725, forecasting a strong market ahead.

Single-Family	June '11	June '12
Inventory	5,583	4,674
Settled Units	693	837
Median Price	$275,000	$276,000
Stl Price/Orig Price	91.7%	93.1%

Through June 2012, Montgomery County has settled 3,358 units at an average price of $308,000.


I am reporting Montgomery County statistics. If you would like information on your specific area please contact me. I'm happy to provide anything you need!


kskneeland@gmail.com
484-343-2406 Direct

Throwing a party this Summer?

Here is an excerpt from my teams blog offering some hosting tips for parties this summer:

Whether celebrating a holiday, birthday, or just throwing a barbeque to welcome your friends, you’ll enjoy the easy clean up and lower preparation that comes naturally with hosting a party outdoors.

The following simple tips can help you, as host, deliver a party you can participate in and actually enjoy, as well. After all, your guests are coming to visit with you, not your home or your landscaping.

With that in mind, think about how you can prepare in advance to play an active role at your party.

Things to think about

• Shaded areas to congregate - The sun can be quite hot so if you are planning an event in midday, make best use of areas covered with shade.  Whether under trees, screening, or tents, provide a way for guests to beat the heat.   Better yet, plan your party for the late afternoon or evening.  Remember though, if the party will be after dark, you need to plan adequate lighting to ensure the safety of your guests.
• Choose a theme & music - Even if you just focus on 2-3 colors as your theme, it shows care when you take the time to organize your party’s decor.  You can also choose outdoor oriented themes, such as luaus, pirates, etc. if you are looking for a bit more adventure.  Make sure you have a song playlist prepared so that themed or appropriate music can flow without you having to worry or coordinate it during the party.
• Choose your food & drinks - If you are preparing all of the party food, PLAN AHEAD.  Either with a vendor or hired help who will monitor food safety or by preparing a variety of foods that can be left at room temperature for several hours safely.  Also, make sure there is plenty of it.  The same principle applies to drinks.  You can choose to provide coolers or ice filled buckets of beverages or have an open or attended bar, as long as your provide enough.
• Think about Flow & Activity - Before your party, consider how guests will interact with one another and your home’s environment.  Where can you provide open mingling space and where will your seating and eating take place?  How can you make both areas more inviting?
• One More Consideration - Who will your guests be?  Obviously planning an all-adult party is much different from planning a party for families or children.  Think about how your guests be entertained with each other.  Will it be through conversation or dancing, planned activities or games, or through the use or hired performers?

Please share your tips and comments below!

Get Approved!

Recently I've been referred a couple new buyer clients. One of the first things I recommend to a home buyer is to speak to a mortgage professional to be pre-approved. The common theme between these new clients has been their hesitation to speak to a bank/lender. This has come as a surprise to me! In my experience, clients have understood the benefit of speaking to a professional to understanding their finances, but these new buyers did not initially see the value. 
Because of this, I wanted to reiterate the importance of the initial step in the buying process- Obtain Financial Pre-approval. 
What is the difference between a pre-qualification and a pre-approval?

Pre-qualifying will help you in the following ways:

Generally, interest rates are locked in for a set period of time.  You will know in advance exactly what your payments will be on offers you choose to make. 

You won’t waste time considering homes you cannot afford.

Pre-approval will help you in the following ways:

A seller may choose to make concessions if they know that your financing is secured.  

The Pre-Approval determines:

How Much Home Can You Afford

There are three key factors to consider:  

*The down payment  

*The closing costs associated with your transaction.

                                                *Your ability to qualify for a mortgage 

Down Payment Requirements:

Most loans today require a down payment of between 3.5% and 10.0% depending on the type and terms of the loan.  If you are able to come up with a 20-25% down payment, you may be eligible to take advantage of special fast-track programs and possibly eliminate mortgage insurance.

Closing Costs:

You will be required to pay fees for loan processing and other closing costs.  These fees must be paid in full at the final settlement, unless you are able to include them in your financing.  Typically, total closing costs will range between 2-5% of your mortgage loan.  

Qualifying For The Mortgage:

Most lenders require that your monthly payment range between 25-28% of your gross monthly income.  Your mortgage payment to the lender includes the following items: 

The principal on the loan (P) 

The interest on the loan (I) 

Property taxes (T), 

The homeowner’s insurance (I).  

Your total monthly PITI and all debts (from installments to revolving charge accounts) should range between 33-38% of your gross monthly income.  These key factors determine your ability to secure a home loan: Credit Report, Assets, Income, and Property Value.

Knowing what you can afford both upfront and on a monthly basis makes the buying process a lot more enjoyable. I never like to show a property that is above my clients comfort zone, it's not fair to my client nor the seller. I hope by reading this, you understand the benefit of taking 15 minutes to speak to a mortgage professional.
If you have any questions or would like recommendations, please contact me. I'm happy to help!