Does Your Laundry Room Add Value?
Although not one of the most important rooms in the house, a fabulous laundry room can make an impression. You can see some ideas for impressive and functional laundry rooms here: http://www.lowes.com/cd_One+Weekend+and+Done+Laundry_864634023_#laundry.
As an Accredited Home Stager and a full service Realtor, my goal is to provide information to help you improve the value of your property. For a personal home staging assessment, please call.
Patty Cunningham, Realtor®
Coldwell Banker Preferred
Exton, PA 19341
O. 610.363.6006
C. 610.659.4669
Lic #RS294054
Energy Efficiency – Winter Home Improvement Projects
Lowes has created a library of projects you can do to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Many of the suggestions can be found here: http://www.lowes.com/cd_Suggested+Projects_232309804_
Not only can these projects save you money in the short run, but they can improve the equity in your home. As a full service realtor, I am pleased to bring you tips that will help increase the value of your home so when you want to sell, you will realize the highest possible price for your property.
Patty Cunningham, Realtor®
Coldwell Banker Preferred
Exton, PA 19341
O. 610.363.6006
C. 610.659.4669
Lic #RS294054
Shopping for a Mortgage
Even though mortgage rates change minute by minute, comparing interest rates and loan activation fees prior to committing to a lender can save the consumer thousands of dollars over the long term. The right lender can also make the difference between being able to afford a loan and having to wait to purchase a property.
I urge all my buyers to spend a little time shopping for loans. The key questions to ask include:
- What is your current interest rate?
- What additional charges are there for activating the mortgage?
- What credit score is required to qualify for the preferred rate?
- When is my credit pulled and how will that affect my credit score?
- Is there any pre-payment penalty for paying extra or paying early?
- What is the difference between a 15 and 30 year loan – monthly fee and interest rate?
- What is the monthly payment and does that include property taxes?
Almost any lender can provide a pre-approval or pre-qualification letter. These are often the best way to position yourself to be taken seriously by a seller. When a buyer finds the house s/he wants, having a pre-approval letter assures the seller that you are able to complete the proposed transaction and increases the likelihood that your offer will be accepted.
When calling for a pre-approval letter, ask the key questions, but after you have begun to shop for homes, take some additional time to call other banks and lenders to compare rates. If you need the names of reputable lenders, ask your Realtor or call me!
Patty Cunningham, Realtor®
Coldwell Banker Preferred
Exton, PA 19341
O. 610.363.6006
C. 610.659.4669
Lic #RS294054
Need a New Window?
Replacing the windows in your home can improve aesthetics, cut down on heat loss, increase the efficiency of the home and add to its value. To do this yourself, see instructions from the professionals at Lowes here: http://www.lowes.com/cd_Install+a+Replacement+Window_798105703_
As an Accredited Home Stager and a full service realtor, I will be happy to review your property and make specific suggestions for ways you can improve the appeal and saleability of your home.
Patty Cunningham, Realtor®
Coldwell Banker Preferred
Exton, PA 19341
O. 610.363.6006
C. 610.659.4669
Lic #RS294054
Kitchen Renovation Tips
From our friends at Lowe’s, here are some tips for getting ready for a kitchen remodel: http://www.lowes.com/cd_5+Key+Tips+for+Measuring+Your+Kitchen_1280418267_#Kitchen.
Upgrading your kitchen is one of the best projects to add value to your home. Of all home renovations, it traditionally has one of the highest ROI’s, according to the National Association of Realtors. Please call if you would like a personal assessment done of your home. As an Accredited Home Stager and a full service realtor, I will be happy to review your property and make specific suggestions.
Patty Cunningham, Realtor®
Coldwell Banker Preferred
Exton, PA 19341
O. 610.363.6006
C. 610.659.4669
Lic #RS294054
RISMedia reported that in December, builder confidence rose for the third straight month. NAHB Chief Economist, David Crowe, stated that “this is the first time builder confidence has improved for three consecutive months since mid-2009.” While this is not indicative of a major rebound, it signifies a definite upward trend for the economy. Read more here: http://rismedia.com/2011-12-19/builder-confidence-rises-for-the-third-consecutive-month/
From a strictly local vantage point, real estate in southeastern PA continues to recover. While the industry in our area did not “crash”, prices did drop and foreclosures increased. With this new statistic, as well as more optimistic employment numbers, we are anticipating a more robust spring market than we’ve seen for several years. If you have been thinking about it, now may be the perfect time to put your house on the market! Call me for a free, personalized market analysis.
Patty Cunningham, Realtor®
Coldwell Banker Preferred
Exton, PA 19341
O. 610.363.6006
C. 610.659.4669
Lic #RS294054
Happy New Year!
May 2012 bring you health, prosperity, good fortune and love!
Patty Cunningham, Realtor®
Coldwell Banker Preferred
Exton, PA 19341
O. 610.363.6006
C. 610.659.4669
Lic #RS294054
Chester County Lifestyle
This beauty is currently for sale in Chester County – only $12,900,000:
Patty Cunningham, Realtor®
Coldwell Banker Preferred
Exton, PA 19341
O. 610.363.6006
C. 610.659.4669
Lic #RS294054
Winter Sales – As good As Spring?
- Homes listed in winter sell faster: 47 days in winter vs. 55 days in summer
- Homes listed in winter are more likely to sell: 57.3% sell in winter vs. 52.6% sell in summer
These are just two of the statistics uncovered by Redfin and discussed in a blog from early in December, 2011. You can read the entire article here: http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2011/12/should_i_wait_until_spring_to_list_my_home.html
The most important statistic they found was that homes sell for closer to the list price in winter. And that means more money in your pocket!
So if you are thinking to put your home on the market in March or April, why wait? Call your Realtor NOW to take advantage of the most active housing market of the year.
Patty Cunningham, Realtor®
Coldwell Banker Preferred
Exton, PA 19341
O. 610.363.6006
C. 610.659.4669
Lic #RS294054
October Home Sales Up More than 10%
If you are wondering why I didn’t have even one blog entry for all of November it is because I been so very busy helping clients buy and sell houses! And here we are in the beginning of December and the pace is not slowing! Yes, indeed, NAR (National Association of Realtors) reported that October sales were up and this recent activity bodes well for the economy and the many industries related to the housing market. Call me or your local Realtor for details about conditions in your area.
“Pending home sales soared more than 10% in October and remain above year-ago levels, in a hopeful sign for the nation’s housing market, according to the National Association of Realtors.” Read more here: http://www.housingwire.com/2011/11/30/nar-pending-home-sales-surge-in-october.
Patty Cunningham, Realtor®
Coldwell Banker Preferred
Exton, PA 19341
O. 610.363.6006
C. 610.659.4669
Lic #RS294054
