The market has changed and we are getting a lot of calls from consumers asking point blank, what is your commission?  Sure everyone wants to save when they sell.  But the bottom line is, as a seller, you really want to net the most at the settlement table.  What if we could net you more money at a higher commission? YES you read that correctly.  You will walk away from the settlement table with more money in your pocket.

Think about this… A seller hires an agent at 4% commission.  Consumers tend to think that all agents are created equal and they’re NOT!   (Example – 4% of $300,000 is $12,000).  When you hire an agent at 4% you will NOT have any communication, NO team to guide you, NOT aggressive, NO feedback from showings, NO Negotiation skills, NO professional pictures, minimal number of pictures and NO innovative marketing.  Sure the home may sell in a seller’s market but, I guarantee it won’t for the most money possible because a high level of demand through marketing WAS NOT created. 

When you go with an Expert Team who charges 5% - 6% commission you will get an Aggressive Realtor with Negotiation skills! (What is an extra $3,000 or $6,000 in commission if you could net $10,000 more for your home?) WE GUARANTEE YOU WILL NET MORE!  92% of buyers look online for homes for sale.  So your pictures NEED to be:  professional, create emotion to draw in the buyers, and there needs to be at least 25.   

More showings on your home = Higher Demand. 
Higher Demand = MORE MONEY & Seller Control of Negotiations. 

The Swain Team’s innovative marketing focuses on driving up demand so you can SELL FOR THE MOST.  We do more than just put the home on MLS.  We invest into our homes for sale to NET YOU THE MOST. As an Expert Real Estate Team we employ several strategies to net you the most. Of course we have an innovative marketing strategy that is property specific, we will work with you to create a pricing strategy, and we tailor our communication schedule to meet your needs. 

In the end, your home may sell in this market with a 4% commission but, will you be walking away with the most money in your pocket?  Remember, the total percentage commission is shared between the cooperating agent (buyer’s agent).  In some cases, a buyer’s agent may see the lower commission share rate (1.5 or 2%), and they may be less inclined to push their buyer into making the deal work or would not even bother showing your home to their clients.

We offer a complimentary market analysis of your home where we can discuss your home’s value and The Swain Team’s strategy to sell your home. 

Contact us (215) 757-7257 or TheSwainTeam@gmail.com

If you are in the beginning stages and want to be kept up to date on the market in your area we can send you market updates and keep you informed.  (215) 757-7257 or TheSwainTeam@gmail.com

​Once again, our Keller Williams Langhorne/Bensalem offices are the #1 Real Estate office in Bucks County!  The numbers say it all!  We're top of the County in Total Sales in dollar amounts, Average Listings Sold, Total Buyer Sales, Total Sales Price/Listing Price Ratio, and the Fewest Average number for Days on Market!  

If you or someone you know may be thinking of buying or selling, please give us a call at 215-757-7257 or email: TheSwainTeam@gmail.com and let us know!  We would love to help you, your friends and family, with any Real Estate need!

Coming Soon!...June 19, 2017!

Coming Soon!...June 19, 2017!  To learn more about this home or to schedule a tour in advance, please call 215-757-7257 or email: TheSwainTeam@gmail.com

Meticulously maintained 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath colonial.  Step inside to the foyer accented by wood flooring.  As you enter to the right is the living room which leads to the formal dining room.  Walk through to the remodeled eat-in kitchen with corian countertops and ample cabinet space.  The kitchen opens to the bright and airy family room accented by a brick hearth wood burning fireplace.  Just off the family room for your convenience is a remodeled powder room, ideal for guests.  The two-car garage has been converted to half storage, half garage and work area.  Upstairs hosts four bedrooms and two full baths.  The hall bathroom is remodeled and offers his/her sinks, ceramic tile floor, and ceramic tile shower.  The spacious master suite is sure to please, offering a private full remodeled bathroom featuring ceramic tile floor, ceramic tile shower with glass doors and pedestal sink.  The picturesque rear yard is lushly landscaped and ideal for entertaining with a multi-tier deck.  

Coming Soon...June 19, 2017!

Coming Soon!...June 9, 2017!

Coming Soon!...June 9, 2017!  To learn more about this home or to schedule a tour in advance, please call 215-757-7257 or email: TheSwainTeam@gmail.com.

​​Professional Quality Rehab with Open Floor Plan!  This spacious home offers 4 bedrooms and 2 full baths. Step inside to the living room accented by a decorative entry door.  Light floods the living room through the sliding glass door leading to the rear patio.  The gorgeous Eat-In kitchen opens to the family room.  The kitchen features recessed lighting, new cabinets, granite countertops, and all new stainless steel appliances.  Completely remodeled hall bath features ceramic tile, new vanity, new light fixture and ceramic tile bathtub surround with white subway tile accented by glass tile.  The master suite is sure to please with a private sizeable master bath featuring his/her vanity, new light fixtures and custom ceramic tile surround with white subway tile.  The home also features a laundry room, all new plumbing, New electric with new service, New Roof, New siding, New windows, New Six Panels Doors, All new trim, New carpet, New flooring, New Hot Water Heater, New Furnace and New Central Air!

Coming Soon!...June 9, 2017!

This is Christina Swain with your monthly Market update!  Inventory has remained low, and the buyer’s are out in full force.  Summer is creeping up on us and the kids will be out of school which means the buyer’s are ready to purchase!  Low inventory has created a higher demand in the market. Add to that a drastic increase in sales and reduction in marketing period and it is arguable the best time to sell a house. 
So why not capitalize on that demand and drive it up higher to net more? How about netting $10K more?  It is easy, hire expert realtors, like us and we invest in the marketing of your home with Professional Pictures.
 
Pictures are your number 1 marketing tool! Buyers search by pictures online when looking at homes.  92% of home buyers are online searching so your pictures need to be professional.  Rooms need to look as large and bright as possible! 
 
Let’s review how buyer’s search for homes.  Buyer’s start their search by going online and entering in criteria.  Their results pop up and they go through each home by looking at the photos.  You only have about 5-10 seconds to capture a buyer’s attention online.  So your pictures are critical at this point.  It is at this point when a buyer drawn in by your pictures will read the description and further details on your home. 
 
Buyers buy with emotion, and we want your pictures to elicit that emotional response online so we draw the most buyers through the door.  More buyers looking at your home means you are able to net the most. 
 
To summarize, you need AWESOME pictures to get a good number of appointments.  Buyers are less likely to be interested in your home if your pictures don’t do your home justice. 
 
You May Not ready to sell now, so It’s important that you plan ahead for exterior photos.  Now that it’s spring, your home probably looks really good right now.
The Swain Team offers a free Photo Shoot of your home's exterior when your home looks at it's best.  This sets you apart from the competition.  All other sellers have snow, leaves, and dead grass in their pictures you will have a bright sunny day with all the flowers in bloom. This makes your home much more attractive to buyers. If you are arriving home one day and your home is at it's best. Give us a call 215-757-7257.

Ultimately, you should hire your expert Realtor months to years in advance to do this for you. WORK WITH An expert REALTOR WHO UNDERSTANDS HOW TO USE Innovative marketing techinques.
 
If you are ready to buy, sell or just have any real estate questions, contact us today at 215-757-7257 or TheSwainTeam@gmail.com.  We are happy to help!
 

23 Valley View Way, Newtown, PA  18940 

Coming Soon!...June 2, 2017

Coming Soon!...June 2, 2017.  To learn more about this home or to schedule a tour in advance, please call 215-757-7257 or email: TheSwainTeam@gmail.com

Meticulously maintained home situated on premium lot with no homes in the immediate rear, offering expansive views as far as the eye can see.  Step inside to the foyer accented by gleaming hardwood floors that extend through to the dining room, and eat in kitchen.  The bright and airy eat in kitchen has been completely remodeled and is sure to please! The kitchen features SS appliances, newer cabinets, recessed lighting and granite countertops.  The kitchen opens to the bright and airy family room with wood fireplace.  1st floor laundry/mud room and completely remodeled powder room complete the first floor.  Upstairs features four spacious Bedrooms including Master Suite with vaulted ceiling, remodeled Master Bath and large walk-in closet. The 3 remaining Bedrooms, and second full bath area complete the 2nd Floor. The tastefully Finished Basement features open entertaining/play area and separate area for storage. Just minutes from I-95 and the Turnpike. Located in the Council Rock School System this meticulously cared-for home is adjacent to Newtown Boro's quaint shops and restaurants

Coming Soon!...June 2, 2017

Now is the Time to Sell!
Earlier this year we told you it was a good time to sell a house.  Low inventory, strong market demand and an early spring created the right conditions for a strong sellers market.

Inventory and demand have not let up! Add to that a drastic increase in sales and reduction in marketing period and it is arguable the best time to sell a house since the mortgage crisis in 2008

If you’ve been on the fence about selling, now is the time to give us a call,
215-757-7257.

There has been a 16% increase in sales compared to 2016.
Inventory may be low, but that’s not deterring buyers.  Year over year sales have increased 16%.  Increased sales weren’t the only good news.  Median Sold Price on these sales was up 4% compared to March 2016 and has reached a 9 year high. 

There were 15,000 more showings this March compared to March 2016.  Combine that with the decrease in inventory and the ratio of showing appointment to active listings was at an all time high of almost 6 to 1.  

Considering not all active listings are appealing to buyers, that ratio is likely much higher when you factor in highly sought after neighborhoods and price ranges.

There are 10% fewer listings compared to 2016.

There were 5,000 fewer listings this March than were available last March.  While that might not sound huge, consider this: listing inventory has not been this low in the peak spring market in over a decade.

The bottom line is: Consumers are ready to buy, they’re willing to pay a higher price, and they’re eager to view more properties.  Now is the time sell! 

To learn how to sell for the most, come to our next Home Selling Seminar at the Sheraton in Langhorne on May 4, at 6:30 pm.  

If you are thinking about selling, contact us today at 215-757-7257 or TheSwainTeam@gmail.com to learn how we can help you sell for the most!

Sold in 1 DAY!  This Pennsbury school district home was placed on the market on a Thursday afternoon and our seller had a FULL PRICE offer the next morning!  The home wasn’t even on the market for a full 24-hours before an offer was received.  The home was priced within 3% of the market just as we advised, to facilitate a sale within 30 days.  Mortgage rates are historically low so the buyers are out there and getting great rates from their mortgage lenders.  The story of this sale proves that with expert Realtors on your side we can get your home sold FAST for the most money.  The Swain Team employs advanced marketing tactics to ensure the highest demand for your home.  The higher demand for your home = More Money!

So, please don’t keep us a secret!  If you or someone you know is looking to buy or sell a home, give us a call at 215-757-7257 or email us at TheSwainTeam@gmail.com.  We’d love to help you with all your real estate needs!  We’re always here to help!

Credit scores for millions of Americans may soon increase due to two major changes in credit scoring.
Starting July 1, the three major credit agencies — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — are dropping certain negative information from credit reports, including tax liens and civil judgments.
​
According to FICO, out of the 200 million Americans with credit scores, 12 million consumers will see them increase in July. However, it may not be by much. FICO projects 11 million consumers will see a score increase of less than 20 points.
"It's good news for the consumer, clearly, because the credit score is used almost ubiquitously across the world of consumer finance, and lenders use it, insurance companies use it, credit carders use it," said John Ulzheimer, a credit specialist who has worked for Equifax and FICO.

If you are interested in buying, contact The Swain Team today for a free Buyer Consultation.  We will review the process with you as well as help you get preapproved and find the best loan program available for you.  215-757-7257 or TheSwainTeam@gmail.com

​Interest Rates are on the rise.  How will this affect the housing demand?

Research shows that Americans are confident in the economy.  In fact, a recent Gallup poll states that Americans view the economy more positively since the election in November than they did in the previous nine years.

The housing market has remained steady, since last spring.  We did not home sales dip in Novemeber, December or January.  Normally, spring is thought to be the optimal time to sell however demand for housing did remain high over the winter. 

Jonathan Smoke, the chief economist at realtor.com, stated in his latest article that “In most markets most years, the optimal time to list is in the spring so that the maximum number of potential buyers view the home. This year, the conventional wisdom of buying and selling may need to change. Inventory levels at the beginning of 2017 are at multi-year lows. Sellers now face very little competition.”

As I am sure you know Interest rates on the rise.

In a recent survey of loan officers that asked them how they thought rising rates will impact demand for mortgages, 16.7% said it would have no impact because there is not enough supply to fulfill current demand. Another 16.7% said rising rates will weaken demand. I agree with that assertion. The vast majority of people moving on—they’re just going to have to pay more.

If you’re a first-time buyer or a seller who’s thinking about buying, you have to take into consideration that if you wait until later in the year, you will have to spend more money. All experts are projecting that interest rates will continue to rise throughout the year.


Let’s take a look at where the experts are projecting rates to be in the next three quarters:

If we look at the average interest rates are going to rise about a tenth of percent each quarter.  So why wait?
I have had clients reach out to me and ask if interest rates go up, will my home value decrease? 
​
In this economy, that does not appear to be the case.  The fact remains that there is low inventory out there and that drives the demand up. 

CoreLogic Chief Economist Frank Nothaft said, “Very low mortgage rates sparked demand, and with inventories low, the result has been a pickup in home-price growth.”

If you have any questions about our market or are thinking about buying or selling a home, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.  (215) 757-7257 or TheSwainTeam@gmail.com.

In the meantime, be on the lookout for my next video market update.