Home for the Holidays

During this time of year, no matter what religion or holiday you observe or how you celebrate, we all have a common theme of gathering at a home and surround ourselves with the ones we love. And don't deny it, we surround ourselves with the food we love too!

Over the years, I've had the pleasure of traveling to my siblings homes or have them here in Pennsylvania for the Holidays. You see, when there's 5 of us and each living all over the US and Canada, it's a rare occassion for us to be together for major events. So when we are, it's big deal! Here are some of my favorite things about my family holidays:

Dallas, Texas 2009 my 3 nephews and niece (we've grown since then!). Having kids around during the Holidays makes it even more fun in my opinion!

Ginger Bread making contest with my mom and sister, Linda. We are a competitive family!










                     

Calgary, Canada in 2011. COLD but beautiful! It's amazing how cold -11 degrees feels. And people (including me) are out playing in it!













Each "home" had their own traditions, decorations and foods which has made the holiday memorable.

A lot of people aspire to have a home of their own to host gatherings and hang up decorations. I work with a lot of people that find personal value over financial gains when deciding to buy a home and I totally understand! A home is more than a roof over your head. It's a tradition and memory.

If you know someone wanting to celebrate the holidays in their own home next year, let me contact them today so we can make that a reality!

Kelly Kneeland Steyn, Realtor®, SRES

Keller Williams Real Estate

(215) 646-2900 Office

(484) 343-2406 Cell

(267) 419-2970 eFax

www.KellyKneeland.com

http://kneelandsellshomes.yourkwagent.com

Email Me

"Like" Me

RE License: PA-RS306853 NJ-1109349

Living in Phoenixville

Growing up in a town next to Phoenixville, I've had the opportunity to see the the area transition into one of the most desirable places to live. From the school system to restaurants and shops, the town has really progressed while keeping it's historical charm. 

Do you know the history of Phoenixville? 

According to  Phoenixville Historical Society; "Manavon was settled in 1732 and incorporated as a the Borough of Phoenixville in 1849. In its industrial heyday early in the twentieth century, it was an important manufacturing center. It was the site of great iron and steel mills such as the Phoenix Iron Works, boiler works, silk mill, underwear and hosiery factories, a match factory, and the famous (and now highly collectible) Etruscan majolica pottery. Like so many American towns and cities, Phoenixville owes its growth to its waterways. 

It is not only situated on the broad Schuylkill River, an historic thoroughfare to Native Americans and early settlers alike, but it is bisected by the fast-flowing French Creek, which was quickly harnessed for waterpower. Phoenixville has the largest registered historic district in Chester County. Many homes have been maintained and improved. Many stores have retained their Victorian facades."

One of the reasons why I love the Philadelphia region is all of the history behind every town. Phoenixville has a great mix of history and fresh new things! Downtown & just outside the main drag is constantly bringing in new restaurants, shops, salons, real estate, etc. 

If you're wanting to be a part of all the fun in Pville, here's a great house currently for sale:

 

 

More Details http://www.kellykneeland.com/listing/mlsid/252/propertyid/64844

Visit the town for a day and you'll be hooked. Here are some sites with helpful information:

http://phoenixvillemenu.com
http://phoenixville.thetowndish.com
http://www.phoenixville.org
http://patch.com/pennsylvania/phoenixville

If you're looking for other houses for sale in Phoenixville, please contact me. I'm here to help!

Finding the right 55+ community

I'm not sure if you're noticed, but there are numerous Active Adult 55+ communities being built throughout the Philadelphia region. The baby boomers are retiring and adult communities are in demand!

Do you know someone that is thinking about moving to an age restricted community over the next couple of years? Here are some questions to think about when choosing the best community:

Location:
Do you prefer living close to family/friends or in a particular area for health or weather reasons? Do you want to live in a development with minimal amenities within a city or prefer a more isolated community that meets all your social needs and includes all the onsite amenities you desire?

Cost:
How much can you invest in your new house and what is your monthly budget for living expenses? Remember to include all Homeowner Association (HOA) fees and any upfront move-in fees if applicable.

Lifestyle:
What types of activities and amenities would improve your quality of life? Do you want a residence close to major cities? Are you interested in a "niche" community of people with the same interests/priorities/beliefs?

Tax and Financial Impact:
Expert advice now could save you thousands and improve your options during retirement. How will the move impact your tax liability, especially for capital gains with you sell your home? If you have to pay a large "up front" fee, will that be returned should you decide to leave?
What are the property taxes in particular areas?

If you'd like a free brochure with some additional tips, contact me directly.

Relocating to Philadelphia

Relocating to a new region, state, or city can be tough. As a child we moved 4 times to 4 different states. We made our way from St. Louis Missouri and ended in Royersford, Pennsylvania over a 20 year span.  Before the internet, I'm impressed how my parents made such a big decision with little research or knowledge. They did a great job though- each town was a wonderful place to grow up!

How do you choose where to live? Where do you begin?
Unlike the 70s, 80s and 90s when my parents moved us around, today we can do so much on the internet to learn about areas, schools and even utilize virtual maps to see certain things.

Here are some tips on how to begin:

First, figure out what's important to help narrow down areas. For example:
School Districts and/or specialty schools
How close (or far) do you want to be to shopping, grocery stores, parks, church, etc
Finalize your Price Point and annual Taxes. This will help narrow down towns you can/want afford

Second, talk to your new colleagues to get "real" opinions. Keep in mind, they are most likely bias opinions, but at least it can offer some advice!

Thirdly, do your online homework,
Here are some helpful websites to check out:
http://www.schooldigger.com/stateuserrankings.aspx
http://www.greatschools.org
http://www.realtor.com
http://www.walkscore.com
http://www.city-data.com/forum/

Check out township websites once you've narrowed those down. A lot of towns have Facebook pages too!

Lastly, do some leg work. Once you've determined a few towns, drive around, go to grocery stores, visit coffee shops, etc. This is the only way to get a good sense of the area. It takes time, but it's worth it.

Even with this accessible information, it's still essential to work with a Realtor. They will provide more details about what's happening in the area in terms of prices, parks, statistics, etc. They usually live and work throughout the area and can provide professional opinions and guidance.

If you know someone moving to the Philadelphia region, I can help! I have my NJ and PA real estate license which comes in handy when helping Philly work based individuals and families. Contact me today! 

Get your Fall Cleaning Started

We all know what "Spring Cleaning" may entail, but what about "Fall Cleaning?" Every season you really should perform a deep clean inside and outside your home. It's a good way to purge junk too! Personally, in the colder months I work on cleaning and organizing my basement. There's not much to do outside, so I might has well work on the inside!

The colder months bring all sorts of things to a property; cobwebs, mice, frozen pipes, etc. Preparing in September will help you enjoy Fall so more much!

Inside:
Replace your window and door screens with storm windows.

Check for drafts and seal them up- replace weather stripping & caulk around doors and windows.

Clean out your pantry: Throw out spices and herbs more than 6 months old or no longer fragrent & stock up on staples such as flour and sugar.

Get your heating system checked & tuned up. Also, remember to change your filter (which I know you do every 1-2 months anyway!)

Outside:
Remove garden hose from outdoor faucets. Leaving them attached could cause water back up in pipes and potential freezing. 

Prune Plants at least 3 feet from your home and wires. This is so moisture won't drip onto roof or siding and prevent damage in high winds. 

Clean and store away patio furniture.

Check and clean out the gutters and downspouts.

Healthy End to the Spring Market

According to Realtor.com, for the first time in 3 years we had price appreciation and inventory increases. This is not only a national trend, it's a local trend in Philadelphia area too. I saw first hand the slow start to the year and then it pick up again once the snow melted!
Here's a snippet from the article:

Montgomery County had a 6.92% decrease in closed units as of July 2014 compared to same timeframe last year, but a 1.24% increase in sale price.
Philadelphia County had a 7.03% decreased in closed units so far, but a 4.49% increase in sale price.
Year to date sales are slightly lower than last year, but again a lot has to do with the slow start. July pending sales are higher than last July so I feel we'll end up similar to 2013.
Berks County had only a 2.22% decrease in closes units and 2.50% increase in sale  price. Personally, I've done more deals in Berks county this year than previous years so this makes sense to me!

This is all county data, we must narrow is down to towns for even more accurate information. Are you curious what's happening in your area, neighborhood or county? Email me and I would be happy to send you the stats.  

Eagleville, PA

Do you how "Ville" at the end of town names started? Ville" is the modern French word of Latin origin now meaning "city" or "town", but the first meaning in the middle-ages was "farm" and then "village". The derivative suffix -ville is commonly used in English in names of cities, towns and villages. (courtesy of wiki)

One of our local "Ville" towns is Eagleville, PA.  The town is a 1.6 square mile section of Lower Providence Township.  It's with in the Methcaton School District, which according to SchoolDigger.com, ranks 32nd out of 458 districts in PA! See School Rating Here

Eagleville is a super convenient location. You're within minutes to Collegeville shopping center on route 29, Audubon and Oaks major shopping centers and entertainment (i.e. Arnolds, Sky Zone, movies, etc) and walking distance to parks, stores and restaurants. Evansburg State Park is a very short distance away too and is a beautiful setting for a Saturday morning hike, bike ride or fishing. You can also hunt, camp and horseback ride! 
Learn more about the city statistics below:
http://www.city-data.com/city/Eagleville-Pennsylvania.html

Last week I listed a home for sale in Eagleville. It's one of the most affordable neighborhoods in the Methcaton Schools and is in move-in ready condition!

This is a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath town home asking $172,500. It has hardwood flooring, updated kitchen, custom made closets and a private fenced in backyard. See more photos and information below!

http://www.kellykneeland.com/listing/mlsid/252/propertyid/6435904/

Real Estate Market Update

Mid-year brings many reports outliining how various markets are doing and where they are headed. One of the most common indicators for our economy  is by looking at the real estate market. 

The crazy winter resulted in a slower start to the year, but it seems we are picking up in our local market. 

According to our local Trend MLS real estate reporting, in Montgomery county, PA June Settled Listings edged slightly above sales from last year, increasing 1.4%, while year-to-date sales are down 5.5% through June over last year.

There was a slight increase in Median Price in June as well, with a 0.7% increase. The year-to-date Median Price continues to stay ahead of last year by 1.1%.

Nationally, our foreclosure housing looks positive as well. 

“Nationwide foreclosure activity in June reached an important milestone, dropping to levels not seen since before the housing price bubble burst in August 2006,” said Daren Blomquist, vice president at RealtyTrac....Over the next six to nine months nationwide foreclosure numbers should start to flat line at consistent historically normal levels. June reported a total of 613,874 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings — default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions — in the first half of 2014, a 19 percent decrease from the previous six months and down 23 percent from the first half of 2013. The report also shows that 0.47 percent of all U.S. housing units (one in 214) had at least one foreclosure."

More foreclosure statistics here : http://www.realestateeconomywatch.com/2014/07/the-good-old-days-are-back-foreclosures-fall-to-pre-bubble-levels/

Royersford, PA (aka RoFo)

When I moved to Royersford, PA as a 15 year old coming from Northern Virginia I thought we were truly moving to the country. In 1999 there was no Kohls shopping center or Wawa at the 422 exit, Pope John Paul II high school was only rolling hills and the Spring Ford high school was brand new.
Over the years the area has developed (my family participated in growth by purchasing a new construction home in the area) and become more desirable based on the school ratings and convenience to both work and play.

The boro is being kept alive with stores and restaurants; Try Annamarie's famous breakfast menu or Giovanni's tasty Italian food. Iced by Betsy took over the unused train station a few years ago and continues to thrive as well as Sweet Ashley's Chocolate located right on Main St. Beth Anne's Flower and Calhouns Jewelers are perfect shops for a gifts.

Just outside the boro is Limerick and Upper Providence which offer even more shopping centers and restaurants, as well as schools, parks and one of my favorites- Renningers Farm (located right next to where I grew up) where you can pick your own fresh flowers and purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Since this is my "hometown" I continue to sell homes in the area. Not surprisingly, they tend to sell pretty quickly! Here are two recent listings:

For Sale: Twin home asking $190,000
30-S-5TH-AVE-ROYERSFORD-PA-19468

For Rent: Townhome located in Roboda development asking $1700 a month
15-ROBODA-BLVD-ROYERSFORD-PA-19468

Lansdale Living

What do you look for in a town you want to live in?
Maybe:
- close proximity to work
- good school rating
- convenience to shopping and dining
- near parks or trails

Having sold homes for over 7 years throughout the 5 county Philadelphia area, I've learned that a lot of towns have tons to offer their residents. Recently I've become more familiar with Lansdale, PA. Aside from using the exit on 476 hundreds of times, I didn't do much in Lansdale. I'm learning that the residents have so many things at their fingertips! It's no surprise why it's a popular place to call home for so many.

Spend the day at Fischer's Park with the family then meet up with friends at one of the numerous restaurants such as Osaka or Molly Maguire's Irish Pub. Jump on rte 476 and you'll be in King of Prussia in no time or take keep off the highway and head to downtown Doylestown. Both are less than 30 minutes away. Yesterday I stopped at Merrymead Farm to pick up some fresh, local produce for dinner (I stayed away from the homemade bakery items, but next time I don't think I'll be able to resist...) There are a few other farmer markets too which I personally love!

Did I mention the schools are highly ranked in PA too!
http://www.usa.com/school-district-4217280.htm
http://www.education.com/schoolfinder/us/pennsylvania/district/north-penn-school-district/ 

If you're looking to move in to the area, want low maintenance living at an affordable cost, here is a home that may fit your needs:

More details here:
http://www.kellykneeland.com/listing/mlsid/252/propertyid/6410533/

Newtown Square, PA

I don't think Newtown Square gets enough credit. It's a commuters dream whether heading to the city, KOP or West Chester and has super cute neighborhoods. 

Newtown Township was established in 1681 and is Delaware County's' oldest township! That offers tons of history and pretty historic properties (my personal favorite). 

Fun facts from the Newtown Square Historical Society:

Newtown Township dates to 1681, when William Penn planned two inland “new towns” (the second one is Newtown, Bucks County).  The township was laid out with a straight main road, Newtown Street Road, running south to north and bisecting the Township.  An east to west road – Goshen Road – also bisected the Township  - and intersected with Newtown Street Road.  Penn planned for a Townstead to develop at this intersection.

The original settlers were largely Welsh Quakers, and their livelihood was farming.  For about the next 250 years, Newtown remained a farming community. 

After World War II came the growth of the “suburbs”, and Newtown, well situated for public transit, began to grow into a bedroom community and suburb of Philadelphia, 15 miles to the east.   The trolley line could take you to 69th Street terminal and its connections to the City.   If you preferred, Bryn Mawr and its railroad station were a ten minute car ride away, where the Paoli Local would whisk you to Center City Philadelphia in style and comfort.   The sleepy pre-war Newtown Square of less than 2,000 people grew with each housing development and each decade, and in 2010 had a population of over 18,000.

Today, Newtown Square is a desirable suburb offering great schools, parks and stores. They are even following the trend of local, fresh grocery shopping with their Farmers Market:

http://www.newtownsquarefarmersmarket.com/home.html

Unlike other areas of Delaware County, there is land to expand. New developments are popping up and appealing to many demographics.  

The Grande at Muirwood Hills is a new construction development by D.R. Horton. The community features 3 different townhome floor plans starting in the upper $300's. Luxury, affordability and pretty much maintenance free living right in the heart of Newtown Square!

Check out one of their homes available for Summer 2014 move-in

209 Clermont Dr. Rainer Model

For more information about the community:

Grande-At-Muirwood-Hill

Multiple offer situations

It's been way too long since I've blogged. I blame the Spring market keeping me busy or maybe my week long vacation to Redondo Beach, CA to visit my sister and brother in-law, but honestly that's really no excuse. So here is my most recent experience that I feel buyers will find helpful in todays real estate market.

While I was away in California, I submitted 2 offers for the same buyers; both of which were rejected for more favorable competing bids. Although it's disappointing and frustrating, my buyers just found a home they both loved (husband and wife didn't always see eye to eye), offer is accepted and we are moving forward with inspections this week. I'm truly a believer in "what's meant to be will be."

*How do you handle bidding wars? How do you beat the competition?*

First a foremost, don't get serious about buying a home without a mortgage pre-approval letter. A seller will not even consider your offer without proof from a bank that you can afford the home.

Secondly, go in strong with the intention of really wanting to the home. Even when there are not multiple offers, make an offer that you believe is fair.
Have your Realtor call the listing agent to get an idea if 1. there are other offers 2. does seller have a settlement preference (it's not always about price, convenience is a negotiating term too) 3. if they would give an idea of where the offers are i.e. low, around asking, over asking, etc.

I'm not going to sugar coat it, usually stronger financing (i.e. 20% down) or cash deals win over FHA or VA financing. Sellers like the stability of a lot of money down. But it's not always the case. One of my sellers chose an FHA buyer over a cash buyer because they felt the young family would enjoy and care for the home more than the other. This is unusual, but it can happen. T.V. shows have showcased buyers writing a letter and that honestly could help.

Third, eliminate or reduce contingencies. I recommend having the mortgage and inspection contingency, but if you can waive certain inspections, that helps.
Also, consider not having an appraisal contingency. Or even reduce the mortgage contingency to 20 days instead of 30 if your lender can do that.

Having an experience buyers agent by your side is priceless in todays market. Multiple offer situations are just one more reason why you need someone representing and fighting for you.
If you have questions or want to start your buying process, contact me today.
Kelly Kneeland Steyn
KSKneeland@gmail.com
484-343-2406
www.KellyKneeland.com

Buying New Construction Important Tips

They invite you in to a beautiful home with perfect landscaping and impeccable interior decorating. It's not difficult to fall in love with everything, it's a model home! Even real estate agents use "Looks like a model home" in their advertisements because people love that look and feel.

If you want a brand new home, here are some things to consider:

You may think you don't need a buyer's agent since there is a sales manager at the community site. This is wrong. You need someone representing YOU and YOUR interests. The sales manager is representing the seller, not you. Just like buying a resale, you don't pay for your buyer agent, the seller does- so have one!

Having personally sold new construction for a builder, I know the right questions to ask and so do other agents who've worked with builders too. Such as; features included ("standard") with homes, upgrades you don't typically think of (i.e. light switch at top & bottom of the stairs may cost extra), lot premiums, understand their complex builder contracts, ect. In general, there are a lot of things to consider when buying "dirt" so it's important to take your time and make sure everything is explained thoroughly.

The process can be long. Some builders are giving a 12 month build time frame, others as little as 6 month. This will depend on builder, location and home. If you want new, it's important to start looking sooner than later.

Pros and Cons:
The biggest advantage, I feel, is you get to design the home to your taste. You choose your flooring, cabinets, countertops, etc to meet your style. Also, everything is new and yours! That can be very exciting!
Another important advantage is new homes are more energy efficient. This will keep your monthly utility costs low as well as your ongoing operating costs over the years.

However, a disadvantage for having all new things is it will result in a more expensive home. You're paying for all those features in the home and at builder cost.
Also, keep in mind when you're in a new development there will be construction for a while. So get use to the dirt and vehicles for a while.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that sometimes settlement gets delayed due to weather and vendor supplies. Don't plan your entire life around their "proposed" settlement date.

Important questions to ask the builder/sales rep:

How long have you been in business?

In what areas have you built?

What sets you apart from other builders?

What type of warranty program do you offer?

What are your fees for building a home (fixed price, costs plus management fee)?

How do you charge for extras?

Who supervises your construction?

How long have your trade people been working with you?

How often will we be updated on the progress of the home?

How often, during the week, are you at the job site?  The superintendent?

Who will I be dealing with during construction?

Like all things, there are pros and cons and being educated helps determine what's best for you.

For more questions or information about buying new construction throughout Philadelphia area, contact me. 

Quick Fixes to sell your home

Home buyers lean towards well-cared for homes, period. 
If you're selling your home this year (and you should because inventory is low throughout Philadelphia!), here are 4 quick and affordable tasks you should do to make your home standout among your competition. 

Clean- It's Spring anyways so get a good deep clean or spend $150-$300 and hire a cleaner to come and really get your home to sparkle. 
Start by purging and putting away unnecessary items. Buyers notice if a home is packed with clutter. The next step is a thorough cleaning. Plan to take a day to scrub countertops and appliances, vacuum and wash floors, dust, clean windows, and scrub bathrooms. Invest in deeper cleaning such as shampooing your rugs, washing curtains, or scrubbing hidden areas like closets if needed. Although you may not think that a messy house will matter to buyers, creating an environment that’s clean and clutter-free will send an important message: that you take pride in your home and it has been well cared-for while you’ve lived there.

Paint Base Boards and Doors
A quick and effective way to refresh is by painting baseboards and doors. Choosing a crisp white paint color will help brighten up and modernize your home. While the process of painting may sound tedious, the results are worth it. 

Replace Cabinet Knobs
While shopping for new hardware, look for a timeless, classic style. Avoid trendy or busy knobs that could turn off certain buyers. This job can be done in a matter of hours and will leave your kitchen looking fresh and new. Remember: kitchens and bathrooms are huge selling points for potential buyers. 

Trim bushes and trees
Don't underestimate the importance of a well maintained lawn. Curb appeal is so important. Potential buyers will drive by your home and will judge the inside by your outside maintenance. 
Trim bushes away from the home and make sure they don't block windows. Get rid of any dead leaves and branches.
Plant a few Spring flowers or place in a container garden on your porch or front steps. 

Weather is warming up so don't hesitate- get your home ready today!

Dreaming of Spring

I know I'm not the only one day dreaming of warmer and brighter days! Especially when there is snow on the ground here in Philly at the end of March!  One of the favorite things my husband and I do in the Spring and Summer is have outdoor picnics. I can't wait for our first one this year (as newlyweds too!).

In the 2014 Residential Landscape Architects Trends survey conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) they surveyed 180 landscape architects asking them to rate the expected popularity for 2014 of a variety of outdoor elements. The most popular outdoor features are: gardens and landscapes (94.2%); outdoor living spaces, such as kitchen and entertainment areas (92.0%); and recreation areas (75.8%). 

I know first hand, both working on the buying and selling side that people love outdoor living spaces. Landscapes add value and the more stylish and eco-friendly, the better! 

Top outdoor design elements

1. Gardens and landscaped spaces
2. Outdoor living spaces (kitchens, entertainment spaces)
3. Outdoor recreation amenities (pools, spas, tennis courts)
4. Sustainable design practices

Top outdoor living features

1. Lighting
2. Seating/dining areas
3. Fire pits/fireplaces
4. Grills

http://www.asla.org/NewsReleaseDetails.aspx?id=42550

A local landscape designer, David Burnett with Keystone Gardens in Wayne, PA (www.keystonegardens.com) provides some additional great Spring Garden Tips!

Tip #1: Landscape Lighting

Exterior lighting is as important as the interior lighting in your home and is often overlooked when homeowners consider their landscape. By adding a few outdoor pathway lights and a couple of accent lights to highlight plants within your garden, you  can create charm and character for your home when your guests arrive during the evening hours. Important Note: Less is more when it comes to lighting and although solar lighting is hassle free, it doesn’t provide sufficient light to create an impact.

Tip #2: Outdoor Planters

It can sometimes be difficult to create colorful spaces within the landscape due to deer, rabbit, shade or water issues! By adding a few colorful containers around a patio or directly within a garden, you can create an instant splash of color with minimal effort.

Consider the following tips for container gardening:

Tip 1: Choose a brightly colored container and make sure it is large enough to make an impact within your space. A bright yellow, blue or red container are all great choices for your space. Make sure your container has drainage holes to avoid killing your plants. Plants hate “wet feet” and will rot otherwise.

Tip 2: Don’t just choose annual flowers to fill your container. Shrubs and even perennials are great choices to create a lush and full looking container for your outdoor space. Texture and height is just as important as colorful flowers within your containers.

Tip 3: Use fresh potting soil in your container every year and make sure you compact it properly without leaving any air pockets within your container. Air pockets within the soil will make the roots of your plants dry out quickly.

Tip 4: Use Soil Moist. Soil most is a product that you can get at your local garden center. Soil moist is a product that operates the same way as a baby’s diaper. The white Soil Moist crystals absorb moisture and lock it into the soil for when the plant needs it. Soil Moist makes it easier to go away for a weekend without having to worry about your planter dying out when you return.

Tip #3: Spring Cleaning

Just like you would clean out your closet to get rid of clothes you no longer wear or things that no longer fit, it is often a good idea to approach your gardens the same way. Take the time to meander your garden spaces and ask yourself the following questions:

1.       Does this plant look healthy anymore?

2.       Has this plant outgrown its space? If so, can it be transplanted?

3.       Can we reuse this plant in another area?

Sometimes it is better to have blank space than plantings that look bad or overpower an area. Remove unhealthy plants in your garden and keep the ones that look great. A new homeowner would rather see an empty garden than an out of control garden that looks overwhelming!

If you have more questions or need help with your design, please reach out to David! 

David Burnett

Landscape Designer

Keystone Gardens

250 Conestoga Road

Wayne, PA 19087

Mobile: 609-334-7028

david@keystonegardens.com

Spring Clean Your Home

Spring is here! WOOHOO! Did you get your free Rita's water ice yesterday? The sun is shining and the weather is ticking up. Personally, I couldn't be happier!

With the sun shining through the windows, you may notice more dust and dirt around your home. Now is the time to start your spring cleaning and Houselogic.com offers great cleaning tips. Below are you 2 articles to get you started!

• 

  Spring Cleaning List

  Don’t you just love that feeling you get when you check items off a list? Get that adrenaline going with our spring cleaning list. Read

• 

  Cleaning House: Secrets of a Truly Deep Clean

  Deep clean your house and you’ll brighten rooms and help maintain your home’s value. Read

Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this.

Copyright 2014 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Philadelphia Real Estate Market Update

With the crazy weather here in Philly this February, it's no surprise that the number of scheduled showing appointments and pending sales were lower than anticipated.
In Montgomery County, the average sale price increased in February from $240,000 in 2013 to $250,000 which shows strength, although settled units decreased from 611 to 475.

To learn more about Philadelphia area market trends watch this video:

Your offer was accepted, now what?

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! You're one step closer to buying your new home!
Through your buyer consultation meeting and/or when writing an offer you probably (hopefully!) went through the buying steps and process. However, when the time actually arrives you might be asking yourself "what do we do next?"
This is totally understandable as it's a lot of information to consume- plus there are other emotions going on at this time!

One of the things I do for my clients once we are officially under contract is send an email with the "Next Steps" outlined and their due dates specific to our agreement.

I always give my clients a heads up that the next 2 weeks following an agreement are busy. The most important things to accomplish in this window are the mortgage application to comply with the mortgage commitment date and the property inspections.
These tasks include:
1. Submit mortgage application
2. Schedule inspections
3. Go to inspections
4. Submit (more) documents to mortgage lender
5. Property Appraisal
6. Select title company and order title
7. Submit 2nd deposit

It's a lot to do in a small time period, but if everything goes as planned then the next 3+ weeks you can focus on the fun aspect of owning a home (in my opinion)- decorating!

Here is one of my favorite ways to outline the general Home Buying Process
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