Much of the East Coast is being affected by hurricane Sandy today. For update to date information follow the storm on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/HurricaneSandyOfficialPage
Most people have off today, so no need to travel. Please stay safe!
If your home does get any flooding, here are some tips on what to do within the first 24 hours:
1. Avoid additional risks- turn off water and electrical sources to the home
2. Take pictures- primarily for insurance coverage purposes
3. Protect you health- wear rubber boots and gloves. Throw out any food that's touched the flood water
4. Call your insurance company
5. Find out if your in a disaster area
6. Remove water- use sump pump or wet vac
7. Mitigate mold damage- remove carpet or bedding
8. Secure the property
Get more information and details here
Monday, October 29, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Monday Morning Coffee... con't
I'm bummed, I wrote up my blog at 7am on Monday Morning, published (I thought) and it didn't publish or entirely save!
I wanted to share some fun and affordable Fall decorating tips!
Better Homes and Garden has a list of 20 ideas to get your home in the Fall spirit. Here are some of my favorite:
1. Fall-hue Dining Table- put together some small orange pumpkins as a centerpiece and use red or yellow placemats
2. Double Duty Decor- draping Fall colored or patterned blankets on chairs and couches
3. Seasonal Kitchen Display- input pumpkins and accessories on your open shelving in kitchen or dining room along with your dish ware that is displayed year round
Full list here:
http://www.bhg.com/decorating/seasonal/fall/fall-decorating-ideas/
I wanted to share some fun and affordable Fall decorating tips!
Better Homes and Garden has a list of 20 ideas to get your home in the Fall spirit. Here are some of my favorite:
1. Fall-hue Dining Table- put together some small orange pumpkins as a centerpiece and use red or yellow placemats
2. Double Duty Decor- draping Fall colored or patterned blankets on chairs and couches
3. Seasonal Kitchen Display- input pumpkins and accessories on your open shelving in kitchen or dining room along with your dish ware that is displayed year round
Full list here:
http://www.bhg.com/decorating/seasonal/fall/fall-decorating-ideas/
Monday, October 22, 2012
Monday Morning Coffee
Happy Monday! Hope you had a chance to enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend!
Market News:
Trulia.com just posted a blog on the 5 tops PAYOFFS to close on a home before 2013.
1. Take advantage of the Mortgage Debt Relief Forgiveness Act benefits: set to expire December 31, 2012 this act allows current underwater homeowners to avoid some extreme tax burdens. Obviously, I would suggest speaking to your tax professional for more information and qualification.
2. Reduced competition: Summer is typically a "hot" buyers market. With that said, if you are looking in the Fall and Winter months, you will be competing against fewer buyers.
3. Increased motivation from all parties at the table: Face it, who likes to go treking out in the snow to see a home? If buyers are out looking and sellers are preparing their home for a showing, they are serious. Another benefit is banks and asset managers are eager to get properties off their books before the end of the year= more consideration, responsiveness and speed on their end.
4. Transaction- related tax deductions: Mortgage interest paid in 2012 will be deductible in 2013, that means you need to close by November. There are other tax deductions- check out www.irs.gov
5. Interest Rate certainty: There's an election coming up, which brings some uncertainty. Closing by the end of the year is the only failsafe way to lock in historic low interest rates for the next 30 years.
Full Article
Market News:
Trulia.com just posted a blog on the 5 tops PAYOFFS to close on a home before 2013.
1. Take advantage of the Mortgage Debt Relief Forgiveness Act benefits: set to expire December 31, 2012 this act allows current underwater homeowners to avoid some extreme tax burdens. Obviously, I would suggest speaking to your tax professional for more information and qualification.
2. Reduced competition: Summer is typically a "hot" buyers market. With that said, if you are looking in the Fall and Winter months, you will be competing against fewer buyers.
3. Increased motivation from all parties at the table: Face it, who likes to go treking out in the snow to see a home? If buyers are out looking and sellers are preparing their home for a showing, they are serious. Another benefit is banks and asset managers are eager to get properties off their books before the end of the year= more consideration, responsiveness and speed on their end.
4. Transaction- related tax deductions: Mortgage interest paid in 2012 will be deductible in 2013, that means you need to close by November. There are other tax deductions- check out www.irs.gov
5. Interest Rate certainty: There's an election coming up, which brings some uncertainty. Closing by the end of the year is the only failsafe way to lock in historic low interest rates for the next 30 years.
Full Article
Monday, October 8, 2012
Monday Morning Coffee
Happy Columbus Day! I figured a lot of you may be sleeping in, so your Monday Morning Coffee may be at 12:00 pm, not 7:00 am :)
Fun Facts:
Here are some 5 misconceptions about Christopher Columbus from MSN.com:
1. Columbus set out to prove the world was round.
Ancient Greek mathematicians already proved the earth was not flat 2000 years prior to Columbus. However, Columbus under estimated the Earth's circumference, that is why he set out West to find Asia.
2. Columbus discovered America.
Columbus actually came across the Bahamas and then the island named Hispaniola, now split into Haiti and the Dominican Replublic. On his subsequent voyages he went farther south, to Central and South American. He never got close to what is now call the United State.
3. Columbus introduced syphilis to Europe.
An outbreak of syphilis occurred in Naples in 1494 during a French invasion, just two years after Columbus's return. However, it probably existed for a millennia in Europe before, but was simply not well understood.
4. Columbus died unknown in poverty.
He wasn't rich when he died, but he wasn't impoverished. He was denied most of his profits of his discoveries, but his heirs eventually secured significant amount of riches.
5. Columbus did nothing significant.
He did establish knowledge about trade winds and was the first European to stay which created a permanent presence of Europeans in both North and South America.
Check out the full article <<here>>
Market News:
September unemployment rate drops to 7.8%- first time it's fallen below 8% since February 2009. In addition, the economy added 142,000 jobs in August.
There's still speculation and need for improvement, but it needs to start somewhere...
Read full CBS News article <<here>>
Weekend Fun:
This weekend if the Junior League of Philadelphia's 3rd Annual 'Taste of Fall' fundraiser! On Sunday, October 14th come out to the Smith Memorial Playground and Playplace for food, drinks, and fun! Bring the whole family!
<<Learn more and buy tickets here>>
Fun Facts:
Here are some 5 misconceptions about Christopher Columbus from MSN.com:
1. Columbus set out to prove the world was round.
Ancient Greek mathematicians already proved the earth was not flat 2000 years prior to Columbus. However, Columbus under estimated the Earth's circumference, that is why he set out West to find Asia.
2. Columbus discovered America.
Columbus actually came across the Bahamas and then the island named Hispaniola, now split into Haiti and the Dominican Replublic. On his subsequent voyages he went farther south, to Central and South American. He never got close to what is now call the United State.
3. Columbus introduced syphilis to Europe.
An outbreak of syphilis occurred in Naples in 1494 during a French invasion, just two years after Columbus's return. However, it probably existed for a millennia in Europe before, but was simply not well understood.
4. Columbus died unknown in poverty.
He wasn't rich when he died, but he wasn't impoverished. He was denied most of his profits of his discoveries, but his heirs eventually secured significant amount of riches.
5. Columbus did nothing significant.
He did establish knowledge about trade winds and was the first European to stay which created a permanent presence of Europeans in both North and South America.
Check out the full article <<here>>
Market News:
September unemployment rate drops to 7.8%- first time it's fallen below 8% since February 2009. In addition, the economy added 142,000 jobs in August.
There's still speculation and need for improvement, but it needs to start somewhere...
Read full CBS News article <<here>>
Weekend Fun:
This weekend if the Junior League of Philadelphia's 3rd Annual 'Taste of Fall' fundraiser! On Sunday, October 14th come out to the Smith Memorial Playground and Playplace for food, drinks, and fun! Bring the whole family!
<<Learn more and buy tickets here>>
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Monday Morning Coffee
My second week of the Monday Morning blog did not go as planned, but better late than never!
Market News:
Two reports today (Tuesday, October 2) confirmed an uptrend in home prices. The S&/Case-Shiller home price index of 20 major cities increased 1.2% in the 12 months ended in July. The Federal Housing Finance Agency reported its measure of U.S. home prices increased .2% in July over June. That rise capped off seventh consecutive monthly gains.
Read full story at WSJ.com
Home Maintenance Tips:
Yahoo.com has a nice article about Top Home Improvement projects to do this Fall. Here is a snippet of ones I think are very beneficial:
1. Roof Repair or Replacement. It's important to have a sturdy, leak proof roof before the winter snow and sleet. Get it checked out now while the weather is more cooperative.
2. Window Replacements. It's easier to install new windows with milder weather, plus new windows provide more insulation which could bring winter heating costs down.
3. Heating Systems Checked. Just like getting your AC checked in the Spring to make sure it works properly, you want to check your heating systems to make sure they are good to go. This is where a service contract comes in handy, but if you feel comfortable you can always check the systems yourself.
4. Concrete and Mortar. Cold air does not work well with concrete or mortar, so if you have cracks in your driveway, repair them now in the warmer months. If it freezes, it won't set properly.
To read more tips and details <<click here>>
Local Fun:
Sunday was the launch for the popular Center City Restaurant week!
Visit OpenTable.com to book your reservations.
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