Whether you’re considering the purchase of a new home or ready to prep for a quick sale, you know there are home improvements that can increase your home’s value and appeal.
 
So, which remodeling projects offer the potential for some of the biggest paybacks? Here is the top 10 remodeling projects that provide the best return on investment nationally:
 
Entry Door replacement - 90.7%
Stone Veneer (replacing siding) - 89.4%
Deck Addition (wood) - 77.3%
Garage Door replacement - 75.7%
Minor kitchen remodel - 75.4%
Additional bedroom - 72.9%
Siding Replacement - 72.9%
Window replacement - 71.2%
Basement remodel - 70.3%
Major kitchen remodel - 68.9%

So you decided to sell your home and naturally you want to sell it quickly and for the most money possible.  To maximize your success, here are five common and costly mistakes to avoid when selling your home:
 
1.) Overlooking Repairs - If you know your home is in need of a few repairs, especially if they are noticeable to you everyday, chances are potential buyers will also notice when they tour your home.  This oversight will make it easier for buyers to offer less money for your home.  Consider a pre-inspection before you put your home on the market so you can address any repairs, if needed, in order to get the most money.

2.) Overpricing -   The vast majority of qualified, motivated buyers come through your home in the first two weeks. If you price your home inappropriately in the beginning, you will miss these buyers. Also, if your house sits on the market for longer than 30 days, buyers start to ask themselves what is wrong with it, and this results in you getting less than market value for your home in the end. 
 
3.) Over-sharing with Your Buyers - We all love to talk about our home and how great it is.  But the sale process is NOT the time. Any information, even good-hearted, that you disclose verbally on your own to your buyers, can be used against you, especially when it comes time for negotiations.  You should make every effort NOT to be present during home showings.  Let your agent be your liaison in the process, which in turn, will be less emotionally stressful for you.

4.) Poor Staging - A home that appears cluttered with too many pieces of furniture in one room, too many personal photos, or a refrigerator full of magnets, makes it harder for potential buyers to picture themselves living in the home.  A poorly staged home historically sells for less money, takes longer to sell and attracts demanding, relentless Buyers.  

5.) Attitude - The home sale process can be emotionally stressful at times.  After all, your home is where you and/or your family members made memories.  One important thing to remember is to remain open to suggestions made to you by your agent to help you sell the home fast and for the most money.  Try not to let comments from prospective buyers get you down and keep you from making a deal. 

If you are thinking about selling The Swain Team would welcome the opportunity to discuss the market and how we can net you the most with our innovative marketing techniques.  215-757-7257 or TheSwainTeam@gmail.com 

Understanding how your credit score affects the home buying is imperative. A credit score is a number that lenders use to estimate risk. Experience has shown them that borrowers with higher credit scores are less likely to default on a loan.
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You should find out your credit score early-on so that if it needs to be brought up you have time to raise it.  Your credit score plays an important part in the home buying process and in determining the interest rate that a lender offers.
 
How are credit scores calculated?
Credit scores are generated by plugging the data from your credit report into software that analyzes it and cranks out a number. The three major credit reporting agencies don't necessarily use the same scoring software, so don't be surprised if you discover that the credit scores they generate for you are different.
 
Which parts of a credit history are most important?
The pie chart above right shows a breakdown of the approximate value that each aspect of your credit report adds to a credit score calculation. Use these percentages as a guide:
 
35% - Your Payment History
30% - Amounts You Owe
15% - Length of Your Credit History
10% - Types of Credit Used
10% - New Credit

​Inventory is still low.  But why?  There are two sides to a shortage: supply & demand.  

We understand the demand side…low interest rates, strong economy, increased job growth, yet why aren’t more seller’s selling?

Economists delved deeper to answer this. 
1. It is thought as interest rates creeped up sellers became more hesitant to sell because they became use to low mortgage rates and didn’t want a higher rate on their next home mortgage.
2. Sellers aren’t sure if they would find a home when theirs sold.
3. New construction shortage.  Builders aren’t building entry level new construction anymore.  And we won’t see this till the builders can find a cost productive way to do so.

The fact remains low inventory will not end overnight, yet it will in the future. For now we are still in a seller’s market.  And we want to net our seller’s the most when they sell.  The Swain Team uses advanced innovative marketing techniques to net you the most in the least time.   

We can now advertise your home on TV!  Xfinity introduced a new on demand real estate channel where seller’s can search for homes for sale.  We are one of the few realtors with the ability to feature you home for sale on TV!

As always be on the look out for next month’s market update.  If you hear of a friend or family member looking to buy or sell remember to tell them about The Swain Team.

1.) Overlooking Repairs - If you know your home is in need of a few repairs, especially if they are noticeable to you everyday, chances are potential buyers will also notice when they tour your home.  This oversight will make it easier for buyers to offer less money for your home, if they don't write it off completely from the start.  Consider a pre-inspection before you put your home on the market so you can address any repairs, if needed, in order to get the most money for your home.

2.) Overpricing - We all love our own homes and think they're worth a lot of money.  Sometimes they are.  However; the market doesn't always agree with us.  Any good realtor should tell you that.  The vast majority of qualified, motivated buyers come through your home in the first two weeks. If you price your home inappropriately in the beginning, you will miss these buyers. Also, if your house sits on the market for longer than average (which is likely when you start too high), then buyers start to ask themselves what is wrong with it, and this results in you getting less than market value for your home in the end.  Your agent should provide you with a comparative market analysis as a guideline in selecting a price that is on target with the current market and will generate offers.
 
3.) Over-sharing with Your Buyers - We all love to talk about our home and how great it is.  But the sale process is NOT the time to tell your buyers that the stain on the rug in the living room is from the dog the last time he was sick, or that the neighbor across the street likes to fix up cars and will help them out too.  Any information, even good-hearted, that you disclose verbally on your own to your buyers, can be used against you, especially when it comes time for negotiations.  You should make every effort NOT to be present during home showings or when your buyers are scheduled to be around the home.  Let your agent be your liaison in the process, which in turn, will be less emotionally stressful for you.

4.) Poor Staging - A home that appears cluttered with too many pieces of furniture in one room, too many personal photos on the shelves, or a refrigerator full of magnets and children's artwork, makes it harder for potential buyers to picture themselves living in the home.  A poorly staged home historically sells for less money, takes longer to sell and attracts demanding, relentless Buyers.  Open and airy is the recipe for a quick sale.  

5.) Attitude - The home sale process can be emotionally stressful at times.  After all, your home is where you and/or your family members made memories.  One important thing to remember is to remain open to suggestions made to you by your agent to help you sell the home fast and for the most money.  Try not to let comments from prospective buyers get you down and keep you from making a deal.  Always remember the reason why you want or need to sell the home.    

If you are thinking about selling The Swain Team would welcome the opportunity to give you a free market update which tells you the value of your home.  215-757-7257 or TheSwainTeam@gmail.com 

Coming Soon!...October 13, 2017!  To learn more about this home or to schedule a tour in advance, please call 215-757-7257 or email us at: TheSwainTeam@gmail.com.

Picturesque ranch in highly sought after Langhorne Gardens.  This lovely 3 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom home features a spacious eat-in kitchen with plenty of cabinetry and newer appliances.  Gaze through the bay window in the living room while keeping warm by the built-in heater.   The master bedroom comes with a partial bathroom for your convenience.   Two other nicely-sized bedrooms and an updated full bath complete the main floor.  The HUGE Walk-Out basement offers plenty of space and access to the generously-sized back yard that is perfect for entertaining!  This home will not last long!  ​

Coming Soon!...October 13, 2017!

Coming Soon!...October 16, 2017!  To learn more about this home or to schedule a tour in advance, please call 215-757-7257 or email: TheSwainTeam@gmail.com

​Move Right into this Great Townhome in Popular Orchard Hill with sought after Finished Full Basement! It is a great Mixture of Neutral Wall to Wall Carpet and Attractive Wood Laminate. As Soon as You Walk through the Door You are Greeted by a Nice Foyer, Convenient Powder Room & Coat Closet. The Fully Appointed Kitchen has Plenty of Cabinetry, Gas Cooking, a Microwave, SS Sink & D/W. The Adjacent Living Room accented by skylights also Features Sliding Doors to the Back Deck and Peaceful Back Yard. Upstairs are two Nicely Sized Master Suites with Walk in Closets, and Full Private Bathrooms. A Laundry room completes the upper level.  In Addition, you will Find a One Car Garage with Opener all Located in a Wonderful, Beautifully Maintained and Perfectly Located Community. Don't miss this one!

​Coming Soon!...October 16th!

Amazing Buy in Langhorne!  4 Bedroom 2.5 bath Center Hall Colonial situated on a rarely found wooded lot.  Enter into the welcoming foyer.  French doors open to the formal living room accented by chair rail & crown molding.  The family room is highlighted by French doors leading to the rear yard and a wood burning brick fireplace.  The remodeled eat in kitchen features SS appliances.  Light floods the breakfast room through skylights in the vaulted ceiling.  The dining room too offers chair rail & crown molding.  Garage was converted to a huge first floor bonus room is ideal space for recreation by all ages (can be reconfigured to the original 2 car garage very easily). An updated half bath and laundry with large walk in shower complete the first floor.  Upstairs hosts a generously sized master suite complete with sitting room and walk in closet.  The master bathroom is completely remodeled with his/her sinks, ceramic tile, newer vanity, and newer counter.   Three additional bedrooms and a full bath complete the second floor.  Home is being sold as is.  Buyer is responsible for township and repairs needed. The home is in need of a little repairs.  You could easily move in and complete the repairs. 

​Desirable 4 bedroom 2.5 bath home situated on a lush, manicured .46 acre lot with no homes in the rear! Walk up to the picturesque covered porch that leads to the spacious foyer.  Step up to the large living room with bow window overlooking the front yard.  The updated eat in kitchen offers ample cabinet space and opens to the large family room accented by a stone hearth fireplace.  The dining room features chair railing and hardwood floors.  The updated hall bath and laundry room complete the first floor.  Upstairs you find a spacious master bedroom with a walk-in closet and private bath. Down the hall we find another full bathroom and three nice size bedrooms, all with nice size closets, ceiling fans and sunny windows. Below is a partially finished basement ideal for a playroom, office, gym or another area to entertain. The other side of the basement is great for storage! The oversized garage provides plenty of extra storage too!  The tranquil rear yard offers a deck perfect for relaxing and sipping your morning coffee.

Coming Soon...October 6, 2017!  To learn more about this home or to schedule a tour in advance, please call 215-757-7257 or email TheSwainTeam@gmail.com.

Desirable 4 bedroom 2.5 bath home situated on a lush, manicured .46 acre lot with no homes in the rear! Walk up to the picturesque covered porch that leads to the spacious foyer.  Step up to the large living room with bow window overlooking the front yard.  The updated eat in kitchen offers ample cabinet space and opens to the large family room accented by a stone hearth fireplace.  The dining room features chair railing and hardwood floors.  The updated hall bath and laundry room complete the first floor.  Upstairs you find a spacious owner's bedroom with a walk-in closet and private bath. Down the hall we find another full bathroom and three nice size bedrooms, all with nice size closets, ceiling fans and sunny windows. Below is a partially finished basement ideal for a playroom, office, gym or another area to entertain. The other side of the basement is great for storage! The oversized garage provides plenty of extra storage too!  The tranquil rear yard offers a deck perfect for relaxing and sipping your morning coffee.

​Coming Soon!...October 6, 2017!