Enjoying Summer around Philadelphia

I admit and apologize that I've been slaaaacking with my blog posts. Being a new mom, working during a fierce real estate market and my non-profit obligations are just a few of my excuses. By far my favorite excuse is enjoying motherhood. This life change has given me the opportunity to enjoy the Philadelphia region on a new level. One thing I love doing is taking Madison for walks in various parks around Philadelphia. So here are a few I think you should check out!

1. Upper Merion Farmers Market is every Saturday until mid November. It's located at the old township building and has a wonderful park to walk around after you pick up some locally sourced goodies. What I especially liked about the play ground area is that it's shaded and has turtles!
http://uppermerionfarmersmarket.org

At Upper Merion Park with Madison

2. Sutcliffe park is a convenient spot for walking and enjoying the playground within Conshohocken. There is a covered picnic area and enough to see and enjoy for my 8 month old.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sutcliffe-Park/105565816167337
Mary H Wood park is finally opened and looking forward to visiting later this week!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mary-H-Wood-Park/120509151331403

3. Kelly Drive has always been a favorite of mine. Now I get to enjoy a flat running path with my daughter in her jogger stroller. We don't get there as much as I'd like, but I try to stop when I'm on my way in or out of the city.

4. Wentz Run Park is a place I've driven by for years and for some reason never visited- until recently! What a gem! A good size playground that has shade, volleyball, baseball fields, basketball court and a great walking path. I highly recommend meeting up with a friend and going for a stroller walk here.
https://www.whitpaintownship.org/216/Wentz-Run-Park

Where have you visited? I'd love to hear your recommendations and get some new ideas to take Madison.

2018 Trend

At the beginning of a new year it's natural to reflect on the previous 12 months and look ahead at what's to come. Personally, the last year was my favorite! I became a mother to our daughter Madison and professional I achieved goals and learned a lot. Now politically, well it was even more historic. 

Looking ahead in terms of the real estate, the overall assumption for 2018 is positive. Slight increase in sale prices, only a slight increase in interest rates and economic growth.

Forecasting exactly what the mortgage interest rates will be is tough without a crystal ball. But we can make some educated guesses by watching the Federal Reserve trends. It's predicted rates will go up 3 to 4 times this year, but not to exceed 5%. According to Housingwire recent article, "The MBA predicts rates will increase to 4.6% in 2018, 5% in 2019 and 5.3% in 2020."

What does this mean? If rates increase, home buyers may be priced out of the homes they want. With this threat, it will encourage many buyers that are on the fence to purchase a home sooner than later. This will spur a healthy market in 2018, especially for the 'move up' homeowners. Also, inventory is predicted to remain low, favoring home sellers-again a great opportunity for the 'move up' buyer. However, builders are gradually increasing their construction and their confidence is at an 18 year high according to the National Associations of Home Builders. "NAHB’s Chief Economist Robert Dietz said that the measure of homebuyer traffic increased 8 percent, and “with low unemployment rates, favorable demographics and a tight supply of existing home inventory, we can expect continued upward movement of the single-family construction sector next year,” he added." source: https://www.nahb.org/

Tax reform is a biggie for 2018... 
Definitely speak with your accountant to see how you'll personally be affected. Here are few changes:
1.Generally lower tax rates for individual tax filers. Example; Individual income between $38,700-$93,700 was in 25% bracket. Need law is income between $38,900-$82,500 is 22% and $82,500-157,500 is 24% bracket
2. Itemized deductions for state and property taxes as well as income or sales tax is capped at $10,000
3. Standard deduction for single is $12,000 and $24,000 for joint returns.
Here is more information >>https://www.forbes.com/

Want some good news about taxes? Locally, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties did not include property tax increase for 2018. However, Bucks county approved a 5.4% property tax increase.

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com

Now the important stuff 😀- what is the color of the year to spruce up your home? Try a pop of Ultra Violet! https://www.pantone.com/color-of-the-year-2018