Harleysville-Lansdale Real Estate and More: The Scott Loper Team Lansdale & Harleysville PA Homes (RE/MAX Realty Group)

For a little fun this summer, check out the Philadelphia Movie Scene.  You can take a Philadelphia Movie Sites Tour which is a fun, fact-filled trip (including actual movie clips) around the city to over 50 filming locations of more than 30 movies and TV shows filmed right here in the greater Philadelphia area.

Philadelphia and the surrounding areas have been the backdrop for many major motion pictures.  A favorite of Hollywood director M. Night Shyamalan (he was born in India but raised in suburban Philadelphia), his first movie set in Philadelphia was Wide Awake in 1998.  He went on to film The Sixth Sense, The Village, Signs and Unbreakable all in the area.  His affinity to greater Philadelphia region was shown recently when he and his wife donated $20,000 to the Lansdale Center for the Performing Arts in early March 2010.

Here are a few other well-known movies filmed in and around Philadelphia.  How many of these have you seen? 

Everything You've Got starring Reese Witherspoon, Jack Nicholson, Owen Wilson and Paul Rudd - Tentative release date of Dec. 2010 (Downtown Philly)

Dark Fields starring Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro - 2010-2011 (Downtown Philly)

Law Abiding Citizen - 2009 (Downtown Philadelphia)

The Lovely Bones - 2009 (Norristown, Hatfield)

Transformers 2 - 2009 (Downtown Philadelphia, Bethlehem)

Baby Mama - 2008 (LOVE Park, Downtown Philadelphia)

Marley & Me - 2007 (Downtown Philadelphia, Chester County)

Invincible - 2006 (South Philly)

Jersey Girl - 2004 (Philadelphia)

National Treasure - 2004 (Historic Philadelphia, Society Hill)

Fallen - 1998 (Philadelphia)

12 Monkeys - 1996 (Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia)

Philadelphia - 1993 (Philadelphia)

Mannequin - 1987 (Macy's in Philadelphia)

Witness - 1985 (30th Street Station, Philadelphia, Lancaster County)

Trading Places - 1983 (Philadelphia)

Taps - 1981 (Valley Forge Military Academy)

Rocky - 1976 (Most famously the Philadelphia Art Museum steps, South Philly)

Contact Scott Loper, Associate Broker, Realtor®, RE/MAX Realty Group at 215-513-1333 for help buying or selling a home in Lansdale, Harleysville, Hatfield, Souderton, Skippack, Collegeville, North Wales and the surrounding areas of Montgomery County Pennsylvania. To Search for Homes For Sale in Montgomery County Click Here.

Forget Hollywood! Check Out Philadelphia's Movie Scene Copyright © 2010, The Scott Loper Team, All rights reserved.

We recently had a condo for sale.  It had trouble selling.  The owner was a chain smoker and had numerous health problems.  As a result, she often had to deny showings when she wasn't feeling well.  But even when buyers were able to get in, many complained of the smoke smell in the home.  Finally the seller moved to warmer climates with some help from her family and we were able to get new carpets, fresh paint and a few kitchen upgrades done in her condo.

While we were there taking new photos of the now vacant, transformed condo, I noticed the ceiling fans...  There were three in the unit; all three had a thick layer of dust along the edges of the blades (in some cases, the dust was hanging).  Everything else was beautiful except these last tell-tale signs of the former condition.

What's an agent to do?  I got a ladder, spray cleaner and a whole roll of paper towels and painstakingly cleaned off every blade on each ceiling fan.  It was not a job I enjoyed, in fact I almost threw up as I realized how yellow the towels were becoming from also removing years of nicotine residue.  The whole job took about 20 long minutes.

The result?  A condo we couldn't sell previously at $240,000 now sold in a few weeks at $270,000.  The owner had put in about $15,000 in paint, carpet, and kitchen upgrades (appliances, countertops, and a new floor).  This is a story for another blog about the difference condition can make to a seller's bottom line.

Would the condo still have sold if we left the ceiling fans alone?  Maybe.  Probably.  Maybe not.

Are we glad we took the time to wipe down the ceiling fans?  Absolutely.

Scott and I often find that we have to perform duties outside of our "normal" job descriptions.  Maybe some agents would refuse to do the tasks we have done...  But sometimes a seller simply does not have the means or capability to get some things done.  And while we could bring in a handyman or housekeeper (and in many/most cases we have), sometimes it is just easier, faster, and cheaper to do it ourselves. 

A few examples of services we have occasionally performed for sellers over the years:

• Trimmed tree branches (all for the sake of a good photo)
• Installed smoke detectors and/or handrails for a Use & Occupancy inspection.
• Replaced a broken garbage disposal.
• Washed a window or two.
• Vacuumed up after new carpeting was installed.
• Restored a kitchen and connected faucets after new countertops were installed.
• Swept patios and kitchen floors.
• Shoveled snow.
• Pulled a few weeds.
• Oiled a squeak.
• Cleared all the magnets and papers off a refrigerator.
• Shop vacuumed a wet basement.
• Played general contractor and have arranged for everything from electicians, plumbers, carpet installers, painters, roofers, house cleaners, landscapers, appliance repair, damage restoration, masons... the list is endless.

Luckily Scott is extremely handy and I am extremely easy going and make a good assistant (kind of like the operating room nurse).

"Screwdriver" - "Yes, Scott"

"1/8" drill bit" - "Right here Scott"

"Can you plug this in for me?" - "Absolutely Scott"

We work well together and when we have had to step out of the norm for a client, we usually have been fast and efficient in getting a job done.  But I have to admit, we have never painted or cut the grass for a client - there is no urgency there and we have to draw the line somewhere!

How far will you go for a client?  Do you have a toolbox in your trunk?

~Lisa

Contact Scott Loper, Associate Broker, Realtor®, RE/MAX Realty Group at 215-513-1333 for help buying or selling a home in Lansdale, Harleysville, Hatfield, Souderton, Skippack, Collegeville, North Wales and the surrounding areas of Montgomery County Pennsylvania. To Search for Homes For Sale in Montgomery County Click Here.

Copyright © 2010, The Scott Loper Team, All rights reserved.

This seemed like good information to pass on.  The emails going around are very inflammatory.  It is better to know the facts.  Thanks Tim for putting this information out there. 

We are thankful that NAR is keeping an eye on the details of this legislation.

~Lisa

 Winter is only five months away!

Contact Scott Loper, Associate Broker, Realtor®, RE/MAX Realty Group at 215-513-1333 for help buying or selling a home in Lansdale, Harleysville, Hatfield, Souderton, Skippack, Collegeville, North Wales and the surrounding areas of Montgomery County Pennsylvania. To Search for Homes For Sale in Montgomery County Click Here.

Copyright © 2010, The Scott Loper Team, All rights reserved.

Scott and I have been on vacation.  Taking a vacation is very difficult when you sell houses because it seems like a 24/7 job most weeks.  The only time clients or other agents don't seem to call or make requests is from 11pm to about 7am - any other time is fair game.

We find that it is vital to get away from work occasionally.  It is a time to recharge, relax and spend uninterrupted time with important people in our lives.  In our case, that would be each other and our two teenage kids - who thankfully still seem to enjoy being with us the most.  And they are a ton of fun too!

There are several other great reasons to take a vacation:

1)  All sorts of clients come out of the woodwork just as you are preparing to leave.  How else would you get that buyer who has been waffling for two years to buy a house?

2)  It forces you to evaluate each and every client on exactly where they stand in the buying or selling process as you prepare for what will go on in your absence.

3)  It reminds you how thankful you are to have an assistant or reinforces one of the many reasons you should get one (if you don't already have an assistant).

4)  It reminds your clients that you are human and have a family, friends and a life outside of real estate.

So if you feel like you are overwhlemed or burned out, plan a vacation.  It doesn't have to be far or expensive, you'd be amazed at how many beautiful places there are within a few hours drive of your own home.  BUT don't stay home.  We find that if we don't leave town, we will just keep on working.

I have to admit, I did have these grandiose ideas that I would keep up with our Active Rain blogging while we were gone....  Well all I can say is we're feeling good and happy to be back!

Got any vacation plans this summer?

~Lisa

Contact Scott Loper, Associate Broker, Realtor®, RE/MAX Realty Group at 215-513-1333 for help buying or selling a home in Lansdale, Harleysville, Hatfield, Souderton, Skippack, Collegeville, North Wales and the surrounding areas of Montgomery County Pennsylvania. To Search for Homes For Sale in Montgomery County Click Here.

Copyright © 2010, The Scott Loper Team, All rights reserved.

A Must See!  Beautiful Home for sale in the North Penn School District!

3+ BR, 1.5 BA, 1/3 Acre, Central Air, Gas Heat/Hot Water, Public Water/Sewer, Low Property Taxes

209 Woodlawn Drive, Lansdale, PA 19446

MLS #:  5735196

Asking Price:  $284,900

To see a virtual tour of this Home for Sale in North Penn School District

One SWEET deal - Excellent combination of space, features, & visual appeal.

A decorative glass entry leads to the warmth & welcome of a living room w/ wood stove, stone surround, and bay window.

The adjacent kitchen has been expanded and boasts updated cabinets, stainless appliances, and a spacious breakfast area w/ its own bay window and glass French door leading to a backyard paradise.

One of the largest lots in Inglewood Gardens, this home for sale accommodates a gorgeous stamped concrete patio, beautifully landscaped gardens & plenty of remaining open level yard space with perimeter fencing, mature shade trees, horseshoe pits and two large storage sheds. 

Downstairs, the family room has been expanded offering a comfortable media area, another wood stove, and a bar; a great area for relaxing or entertaining.

Upstairs, this Home for Sale in North Penn School District has a master bedroom that has been expanded into what was once the 4th bedroom (and could easily be converted back). The master suite features a rich décor, sitting area, & ample closet space.

Two other nicely sized bedrooms and an updated hall bath complete the upper levels. 

This home for sale in Inglewood Gardens is within walking distance of Inglewood Elementary in the North Penn School District. 

Homes for sale in North Penn School District also provide easy access to the PA Turnpike, Septa's R-5, major area employers, excellent schools and health care.  Close to great shopping, parks, and recreation.

For more information on North Penn School District

For a complete list of Homes for Sale in North Penn School District

Contact Scott Loper, Associate Broker, Realtor®, RE/MAX Realty Group at 215-513-1333 for help buying or selling a home in Lansdale, Harleysville, Hatfield, Souderton, Skippack, Collegeville, North Wales and the surrounding areas of Montgomery County Pennsylvania. To Search for Homes For Sale in Montgomery County Click Here.

Home Sweet Home! North Penn Home for Sale in Lansdale, PA Copyright © 2010, The Scott Loper Team, All rights reserved.

A Must See!  Beautiful home for sale in the Inglewood Gardens section of Lansdale, PA!

3+ BR, 1.5 BA, 1/3 Acre, Central Air, Gas Heat/Hot Water, Public Water/Sewer, Low Property Taxes

209 Woodlawn Drive, Lansdale, PA (Towamencin Township)

MLS #:  5735196

Asking Price:  $284,900

To see a virtual tour of this Home for Sale in Inglewood Gardens

Everything is SWEET about this home - An excellent combination of space, features, & visual appeal - A solid house that has been wonderfully maintained and updated with newer appliances, windows and doors. 

The adjacent kitchen has been expanded and boasts updated cabinets, stainless appliances, and a spacious breakfast area w/ its own bay window and glass French door leading to a backyard paradise.

One of the largest lots in Inglewood Gardens, this home for sale accommodates a gorgeous stamped concrete patio, beautifully landscaped gardens & plenty of remaining open level yard space with perimeter fencing, mature shade trees, horseshoe pits and two large storage sheds. 

Downstairs, the family room with new carpeting has been expanded offering a comfortable media area, another wood stove, and a bar; a great area for relaxing or entertaining.

Upstairs, this Home for Sale in Inglewood Gardens has a master bedroom that has been expanded into what was once the 4th bedroom (and could easily be converted back). The master suite features a rich décor, sitting area, & ample closet space.

Two other nicely sized bedrooms and an updated hall bath complete the upper levels.  

Welcome to Home Sweet Home!

Homes for sale in Inglewood Gardens are within walking distance of Inglewood Elementary in the North Penn School District.  Homes for sale in Inglewood Gardens also provide easy access to the PA Turnpike, Septa's R-5, major area employers, excellent schools and health care.  Close to great shopping, parks, and recreation.

For more information on Inglewood Gardens

For a complete list of Homes for Sale in Inglewood Gardens

Contact Scott Loper, Associate Broker, Realtor®, RE/MAX Realty Group at 215-513-1333 for help buying or selling a home in Lansdale, Harleysville, Hatfield, Souderton, Skippack, Collegeville, North Wales and the surrounding areas of Montgomery County Pennsylvania. To Search for Homes For Sale in Montgomery County Click Here.

Home Sweet Home! Inglewood Gardens Home for Sale in Lansdale, PA Copyright © 2010, The Scott Loper Team, All rights reserved.

Yesterday, Congress extended the deadline for closings from June 30, 2010 to September 30, 2010 for the Home Buyer Tax Credit.  This is great news for the thousands of pending home sales that did not close in time for the June 30th deadline.  Those buyers will still be able to receive the tax credit (up to $8,000 for first time buyers and $6,500 for existing homeowners who buy a new primary residence) as long as they now settle by September 30th.

There are valid reasons why some pending homes sales were unable to close by June 30th.  Because many of these factors were out the consumer's control, Congress wanted to ensure the credit would still be available and buyers would not abandon the process.

1)  Many buyers chose new construction.  Some builders were swamped with new orders and had difficulty meeting the June 30th deadline.  Factors that affect new construction include the weather, availability of supplies, the permitting and approval process, and the coordination of sub-contractors.

2)  Many buyers of short sales are still awaiting 3rd party approval.  If buyers abandon those sales and the transactions fail to close, the alternative is foreclosure which is far worse for the recovery of the housing market.

3)  Mortgage companies have had an enormous volume of work with the end of June settlements brought on by the tax credit.  Many have been unable to meet those deadlines.  Stricter screening of applicants, higher scrutiny of appraisals, new lending guidelines and new RESPA requirements have all contributed to making the loan process lengthier and more complicated.

This extension only applies to home buyers who went under contract to purchase a home prior to April 30, 2010.  There is no talk of renewing the tax credit for future home buyers.

~Lisa

Contact Scott Loper, Associate Broker, Realtor®, RE/MAX Realty Group at 215-513-1333 for help buying or selling a home in Lansdale, Harleysville, Hatfield, Souderton, Skippack, Collegeville, North Wales and the surrounding areas of Montgomery County Pennsylvania. To Search for Homes For Sale in Montgomery County Click Here.

Tax Credit Extended for Pending Sales to September 30, 2010 Copyright © 2010, The Scott Loper Team, All rights reserved.

Contact Scott Loper, Associate Broker, Realtor®, RE/MAX Realty Group at 215-513-1333 for help buying or selling a home in Lansdale, Harleysville, Hatfield, Souderton, Skippack, Collegeville, North Wales and the surrounding areas of Montgomery County Pennsylvania. To Search for Homes For Sale in Montgomery County Click Here.

Wordless Wednesday - Only the Essentials - Fuel, Ice, Water and a Phone Copyright © 2010, The Scott Loper Team, All rights reserved.

This is an ever-relevant question, but a little scarier these days.  Many factors in the current market make this a difficult question, especially for homeowners who are currently at risk for losing their home because they can't afford their current mortgage payments or those that have suffered a loss or reduction of an income stream or those who have an adjustable rate mortgage due to "adjust" in the next few years. 

Mortgage companies have stricter guidelines and even consumers who are current on their payments could have difficulty refinancing their mortgage.

With interest rates still near all time lows, it begs the question for many homeowners whether or not they should refinance their mortgage.  The "right" answer depends on many factors.  And there are now two questions you must ask yourself:

• SHOULD I refinance?
• CAN I refinance?

SHOULD I refinance?  First and foremost, you need to determine if it even makes economic sense to refinance.  One of the most important pieces to this puzzle is the "break even analysis".  For this simple calculation, you'll need to know:

1. The costs to refinance
2. The projected savings of refinancing

The costs of the refinance are any upfront fees that you will have to pay and typically include fees for mortgage application/processing, title search/insurance, and recording fees.  To calculate the refinancing savings, subtract your projected new monthly payment from your current payment. 

Divide the costs by the projected monthly savings to determine the break even period (this is the minimum number of months that you will need to hold your new mortgage in order to recoup the refinancing costs).  The lower the break even period, the more sense it makes to refinance your mortgage. 

If you plan to hold the new mortgage for the foreseeable future, a break even period of 5 years or even more may still make the refinance worthwhile.  If you plan to only be in your home for the next 3 years, however, a 5 year break even period no longer looks attractive.

CAN I refinance?  But now the scary part, CAN you refinance even if you want to?  Important questions to consider: 

• Will you qualify for the new mortgage?  Has your income changed?  Is it documented? 
• How is your credit?  Is your current credit score high enough to qualify for the lowest interest rate?
• What is your house currently worth?  Do you have enough equity in the current market to avoid PMI?
• Are there any foreclosures or short sales in your neighborhood that could further hurt the appraisal of your home?
• Will you need to bring cash to settlement if you refinance?
• Does your current mortgage have a pre-payment penalty or a looming balloon payment? 
• What type of mortgage (fixed or adjustable rate) do you currently have and what type are you able to refinance into? 
• Do you need to get some equity out of your home?  Will the mortgage company allow a cash-out refinance?
• How many years are left to pay on your current mortgage?
• Are there any factors that would cause you to move in the foreseeable future?
• Will you be able to afford the new mortgage if any income streams change?

Refinancing can save you thousands of dollars.  But without a careful analysis, you could actually lose money or worsen your current situation.  In some cases, current economic factors may force you to stay with your current mortgage even if you could benefit from a refinance.

Talk to a real estate agent or a mortgage broker if you are considering a move or a refinance.  They can help guide you on what makes the most sense for your situation.

~Lisa

Contact Scott Loper, Associate Broker, Realtor®, RE/MAX Realty Group at 215-513-1333 for help buying or selling a home in Lansdale, Harleysville, Hatfield, Souderton, Skippack, Collegeville, North Wales and the surrounding areas of Montgomery County Pennsylvania. To Search for Homes For Sale in Montgomery County Click Here.

Is It Time To Refinance Your Mortgage? A Scary Question These Days Copyright © 2010, The Scott Loper Team, All rights reserved.