** COMING SOON - February 10th**  This home is situated on a quiet street in the desirable Harriman section of Bristol.   Enjoy spring evenings relaxing on your enclosed porch.  Step inside to the neutral living room featuring hardwood floors and a wood burning fireplace.  The living room opens to the spacious dining room and remodeled kitchen.  The remodeled kitchen is sure to please with  gas cooking, white cabinets, recessed lighting, newer wood flooring, and newer appliances.  Two bedrooms and a updated full bathroom complete the first floor.  The walk-up attic could easily be finished to add an extra bedroom or living space.  Downstairs is the finished basement featuring a family room area, kids playroom or office space, laundry area, storage and a remodeled half bathroom.   The fenced rear yard is ideal for entertaining with a sizable covered patio and yard. The home also features a 1 car garage with newer roof, driveway for off-street parking,  new entry door, newer windows, newer central air, and water heater (2017).  To learn more about this home or if you would like to schedule a tour, please call 215-757-7257 or email: theswainteam@gmail.com. ​

Welcome to 2020! 
The big question on everyone’s mind is what will the real estate market be like this year.  While we don’t have a crystal ball, there are a few predictions that can be made.  There is one fact that is for sure.  There is little to no inventory currently for sale.  Realtor.com predicts residential property inventory to "evaporate" in 2020. Low mortgage rates will continue, thus giving us a surplus of buyers. That means our market in the area will remain a sellers market.  There is a good possibility that in in 2020, buyers will have fewer homes to choose from than they have in 5 years.  Thin residential housing inventories combined with low rates equals bidding wars.  There is a good possibility that 1 in 4 offers will face bidding wars.  
 
Now, I realize this information can obviously be overwhelming to buyers and sellers.  Let’s first talk about Sellers.  Sellers especially if you do not know where to go when you move.  And I am sure you are probably thinking, what do I do if my home sells and I haven’t found a home?  If you are having these two thoughts, it maybe wise to purchase before you sell.  That way you can take your time and find your dream home.  Don’t become paralyzed by fear, reach out to me and explore your options.  There are financing options available and well as creative ways to structure a sales contract. 

I am an expert realtor with 19 years experience,  whose business is built on referrals.  I am happy to sit down with you for a free, no obligation 30 min consultation. 
Or come out to one of our upcoming Home Selling Seminars in January or February.  (see below)
 
For buyers it will be harder to purchase a home.  So you will need to be prepared in advance and ready to pounce when you find of your dreams.  Make sure you have an experienced, expert Realtor in your corner to advise you.  An agent who is creative and knows how to structure an agreement of sale so that you are the winning bid.  Remember, not all realtors are created equal.  There are several terms included in an agreement of sale and you, as a buyer, should make sure those terms are most appealing the seller.  Remember, it isn’t always about the sales price. 
 
Wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year!

To Schedule a FREE 30 min consultation with me or attend
one of my upcoming home selling seminars - they are also free and with no obligation.
215.757.7257 / theswainteam@gmail.com to schedule your consult or:

All Seminar dates and locations
Tues 1/14 2pm Lower Makefield Community Center
1550 Oxford Valley Rd, Yardley
https://www.facebook.com/events/2886334868147899/

Tues 1/21 6:30pm Northampton Library 
25 Upper Holland Rd, Richboro
https://www.facebook.com/events/2468588400046399/

Tues 2/4 2pm Middletown Senior Center
2142 Trenton Rd, Levittown
https://www.facebook.com/events/2713516005391638/

Thurs 2/13 6:30pm Middletown Township Building
3 Municipal Way, Langhorne
https://www.facebook.com/events/589531135211896/

Tues 2/25 6:30pm Lower Makefield Community Center
1550 Oxford Valley Rd, Yardley
https://www.facebook.com/events/312169353000853

December is hot!

​We have 7 settlements lined up for December.

Winter is a great time to sell! Because, the number of homes coming on the market since mid-November has dropped. Yet, there are a number of buyers still out looking waiting for the perfect home to come on the market making it an ideal time to sell and net the most. If you wait until the spring to list your home, there are more homes for sale, which means there is more competition. Be sure to hire an expert realtor, like myself, with innovative marketing strategies guaranteed to net you the most.

The Wall Street Journal says that home sales drop off as owners stay longer in their home. The average time a homeowner stays in their home has risen nationwide. 13 years is the average, whereas in 2010 it was 8 years. Specifically, for the Philadelphia area people are staying in their home for an average of 14.5 years vs 10.3 years in 2010.

So why do we think that is happening? There are a few possibilities:

Kids who are getting out of college are returning home because they can not afford to purchase. They have college student loan debt. So, mom and dad who would normally downsize or move somewhere warmer are staying put.

Another scenario is that folks have lived in their home for years and their mortgage is paid off. If they move, they would most likely need to get another mortgage and/or pay higher taxes. In this stage in their life it is easier to stay put.

If you have been in your home for years and you are thinking about selling in the future consider attending one of our upcoming home selling seminars in January or February.
​
Wishing you a Happy Holiday Season!

So, we all know how important curb appeal is when selling, yet what most consumers don’t realize is how important the first view of your home is. Meaning what people see upon entry. Whether you enter into the foyer or living room it is pertinent that a buyer first view be pleasing. In fact, you have 5-10 seconds to capture a buyer when they walk in your door before they are mentally off to the next property.

So is your Entry Way…
Bright?
Clear of Clutter?
Pleasant to the nose?
And depersonalized and decorated with minimums in mind? (Remember less is more!)

A buyer needs to be able to picture themselves living in your home. So, allow them to make that emotional connection that you did to the home.

If you are thinking about selling in the future come out to one of our upcoming home selling seminars or reach out to me at 215-757-7257 or TheSwainTeam@gmail.com.

Upcoming Home Selling Seminar Dates:
​January 14, 2020 - 2:00pm @ LMT Community Center
January 21, 2020 - 6:30pm @ Northampton Free Library
February 4, 2020 - 2:00pm @ Middletown Senior Center
February 20, 2020 - 6:30pm @ Middletown Twp. Bldg
Feburary 25, 2020 - 6:30pm @ LMT Community Center

Let's review the common costs associated with the purchase of a home.  Loan costs can vary greatly dependent upon the mortgage company you choose.  Be sure to hire an expert realtor who can advise you on how to choose the best loan and mortgage company for you.  Believe me when I tell you that you need to look beyond the interest rate being charged.
 
Flood Hazard Certificate
Your lender provides certification that the home you are purchasing is or is not in the flood plain. If the home you are purchasing is in the flood plain, you will be required to purchase flood insurance. Paid at closing.
 
Application Fee
This is paid to the lender prior to closing. This fee pays for the house to be professionally appraised. Additionally, the $50.00 credit report required from your lender is paid from this fee.
 
Wire Transfer Fee
This is only applicable to some loans. If the lender has to wire funds to the investor (the company purchasing your loan), this fee will be applied. Paid at closing.
 
Recording Fee
This is the fee associated with recording the transaction at the courthouse. Paid at close.
 
Courier Fee
Sometimes your Lender will be required to courier documents to obtain final signatures. The Lender passes that charge on to you.
 
Lender’s Processing Fee (Varies Slightly)
This is the profit that your Lender makes for putting the transaction together. Also, some of this fee goes to pay the processor for packaging your documents for the investor. Paid at close.
 
Home Inspection
This is paid to the home inspector at the time the property is inspected. Paid prior to closing.
 
Conveyancing Fee
This fee is applied to the processing of documents related to the purchase or sale of your home. All lienable utilities will be placed in your name which normally include water and sewer. As well if the home is in an association ownership will be transferred to you.
 
Title Company’s Closing Fee
This is the fee that the Title Company charges for preparing the closing documents and to actually facilitate the closing of the transaction. Paid at close
 
Title Insurance-Lenders Policy
This insures your Lender that they are lending on a property that is free from legal problems.
 
When you are ready to purchase, contact me at 215-757-7257 or TheSwainTeam@gmail.com.  We will work with you to find you the home of your dreams for the best possible price! 

Well appointed carriage home situated in the highly desired 55 Plus community of the Villas at Shady Brook!

Step inside to the open bright and sunny living room accented by a floor t ceiling stone gas fireplace flanked by palladium windows.  Hardwood flooring extends through the living room, dining room kitchen and hallway. The eat in kitchen offers corian countertops, white cabinets, large sun-drenched breakfast room, 42 in cabinetry, double sink and recessed lighting.   Appliances include a refrigerator, gas range, built-in microwave, and dishwasher. Move through the kitchen to a full-sized laundry room with utility sink, closet, and access to the 2-car garage, also with large storage closet.  

The spacious master bedroom suite is sure to please with a walk-in closet, large closet and updated private master bathroom. The master bath has been tastefully updated and offers a shower, soaking tub and a large vanity with a double sink. A second bedroom and a updated hall full bathroom complete the first floor.  Upstairs hosts a third private bedroom and utility area. Convenient location is near restaurants, shopping, medical facilities, towns and easy access to major cities.  Come see quick, and join the sought after community of The Villas at Shadybrook and be part of this wonderful community. Club house and pool and tons of activities for those who are interested!

-Contact us to schedule a showing today at - 215-757-7257 or TheSwainTeam@gmail.com. 

**Coming Soon - November 7**

583 Buck Drive, Fairless Hills, PA 19030
Beautifully kept colonial located in the desirable Fairbridge neighborhood of Fairless Hills. This lovingly maintained home features 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms & 2,500 square feet of living space. Walk in through the spacious foyer with hardwood floors that opens to the formal living room. The updated eat in kitchen boasts SS appliances, tile backsplash, ample cabinet space and slate flooring. The brick fireplace warms the family room accented by a newer porcelain wood style floor and newer Pella sliding glass door leading to the rear patio . Just off the family room is the half bathroom as well as the spacious laundry room. On the second level there are 4 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. The bright and airy master suite is highlighted by skylights and a walk in closet. The master bath too is highlighted by a sky light, custom shower, custom sink vanity, and newer tile floor. Three other bedrooms are generously sized. The lower level is an unfinished basement offering so much potential! Upgrades include a newer shed, newer windows with a lifetime warranty, and gutter leaf guard with a lifetime warranty.

To learn more about this home or if you would like to schedule a tour, please call 215-757-7257 or email: theswainteam@gmail.com.

​November is shaping up to be a busy month. I am talking to a lot of sellers who are preparing for the spring market next year. But wait! Don’t forget that the fall/winter is a great time to sell because we have NO inventory. So there are buyers out there ready to pounce when a great home comes on the market. 

Now we have seen prices increase in the area yet many sellers are starting to overprice their home. So if you see a home sitting on the market for a while it is most likely price. Sellers assume that buyers will look at their home and make an offer even if they price it high. When in reality buyers don't make offers on overpriced homes is because they don't want to offend the sellers. It can be insulting to the seller and embarrassing for the buyer. Buyers also erroneously believe sellers know when their homes are overpriced, and if they were willing to sell for less, they simply would lower their prices. So pricing is key to netting the most when you sell. 

Let’s take a look at the third quarter statistics for our area for 2019 vs 2019 by County: 

In Bucks County we saw a 3.8% increase in the median sales price as the number of homes for sale decreased. 

In Burlington County we saw a 8.4% increase in the median sales price as the number of homes for sale decreased. 

In Montgomery County we saw a 3% increase in the median sales price as the number of homes for sale decreased. 

In Mercer County we saw a 11% increase in the median sales price as the number of homes for sale decreased. 

In Philadelphia County we saw a 2.6% increase in the median sales price as the number of homes for sale decreased. 

Our third quarter stats support that fall/winter will be an ideal time to sell! So if you are thinking about selling contact me, an expert realtor who knows how to get your home sold for the most money, in the least time with the least hassle. 

Be on the look out for our upcoming 2020 home selling seminars dates that will be released shortly.