Harleysville-Lansdale Real Estate and More

If you are considering a relocation, there are many wonderful reasons to live in Southeastern PA.  I am specifically referring to Philadelphia and the surrounding counties of Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, Delaware and Berks. 

Now this could take a thousand blogs to really capture what is so great about our area, but for today we are going to look at the macro view - where we are in relation to the many terrific places in the Mid-Atlantic.

Southeastern PA offers many things to do, but there are also so many places to visit and explore just outside of our area, all accessible by train and automobile (planes not needed). 

Philadelphia is "phantastic," but within a few hours drive (2.5 hour maximum), you can also be in the hustle and bustle of New York City, Washington DC, Baltimore, and Atlantic City. 

You can also get to the quaint and historic towns of Gettysburg, Lancaster, Annapolis, MD, Princeton, NJ and Cape May, NJ. 

You can get lost in the Pocono Mountains, Appalachian Mountains, the many state/national parks and forests, or the Atlantic coastline including the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays.

So if you are deciding between a home in Southeastern PA versus somewhere along Route 66, USA, consider the options and opportunities that await you in Pennsylvania.

 

 

 

 

 

Road trip, anyone?  

~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.

 

What's So Great About Southeastern PA? Copyright © 2010, The Scott Loper Team, All rights reserved.

2700 Fair Oaks Drive, Hatboro, PA  19040 (Upper Moreland Township)

Solidly built and lovingly maintained ranch home with hardwood floors, updated eat-in kitchen and large front porch in the award winning Hatboro Horsham School District.

MLS #: 5749928

Asking Price: $224,900

***  OPEN HOUSE - SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2010 - 12-2PM  ***

Beautiful and well maintained Hatboro ranch home for sale in a very serene setting. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eat-in kitchen with new laminate flooring, freshly painted cabinets, and new countertops to be installed soon.  Large living room with picture window and terrific hardwood floors that extend through the hallway and bedrooms. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The bedrooms offer ample size and closet space and are serviced by a charming hall bath. The full basement has a large workshop area, outside egress, and spacious finished area with full bath that makes a great recreation room or office. Clean and economical gas heat and hot water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pretty back yard with shed for good storage and mature trees to afford privacy. 

 

Great front porch surrounded by many beautiful flowers and ornamental plantings for outdoor relaxation and enjoyment.  A quiet, serene setting but close to schools, work centers, shopping and entertainment. 

A Must See!  Welcome home to 2700 Fair Oaks Avenue!

 

 

 

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.

 

Hatboro Ranch Home for Sale, Hatboro, PA Copyright © 2010, The Scott Loper Team, All rights reserved.

31 N. Front Street, Souderton, PA 18964

4 BR / 1.5 BA twin with brand new Central Air and a completely renovated 3rd Floor with a vaulted cathedral ceiling, new windows, new carpet, and fresh paint.

MLS #: 5748006

Asking Price: $214,900

***  OPEN HOUSE - SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2010 - 12-2PM  ***

Click here to see a virtual tour of 31 N. Front Street.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spacious Souderton Borough twin home for sale with many recent updates and improvements.  Large kitchen with newer appliances, 16" tile floor, ample cabinet/counter space, and huge eat-in area.  The kitchen also boasts large pantry areas and access to an updated powder room.

The adjacent dining room is currently being used as an office area, but is ideally suited for its original purpose with a bay window providing extra seating room.

The living room also features a bay window with a charming window seat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upstairs, the main bedroom has a pretty balcony overlooking a large, fenced-in back yard.  Two other nicely sized bedrooms and an updated hall bath complete the 2nd floor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The remodeled third floor offers an expansive space with a vaulted ceiling and dormers.  This makes a terrific master suite or a family / recreation room.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other updates include new central air, newer windows throughout, and a newer roof. Full basement and newer shed for storage. Great front porch and a large rear patio for outdoor enjoyment. 

Located in the very desirable Souderton School District.  Easy walk to terrific restaurants, shops, and the train station in Souderton Borough.

 

 

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.

Terrific Souderton Borough Twin Home for Sale, Souderton, PA Copyright © 2010, The Scott Loper Team, All rights reserved.

This is a very interesting article in the NY Times about a woman who transformed a hunting cabin in the woods into her dream Victorian Home (minus a kitchen, bathroom and heat).  Hard financial times fell on this couple, Sandra and Todd Foster, so they bought a piece of land in the Catskills region of New York State.  They primarily live out of a trailer on the property, but Sandra always dreamed of a cozy Victorian cottage and created her very own space in a small cabin that was existing on the property when they bought it.

What is inspiring about this story is the Foster's quest to find an affordable place they could call home and the path and life-experiences that brought them to the Catskills.  Sandra Foster does have a "real" job on Long Island and makes the long commute each day.  While their choices may not be for everyone, they created their own little slice of heaven and happily raise chickens and tend to their garden. 

"If you don't have a home, you don't have a sense of place, you don't have a life, you don't have a soul."

~Sandra Foster

 

 

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.

Talk About Your Fixer Upper... Finding a Place to Call Home Copyright © 2010, The Scott Loper Team, All rights reserved.

Did you know that your credit score affects the premiums on your homeowner's insurance?

Just when you thought that your credit only affected major buying decisions such as a home or a car, you could be paying much higher premiums for both your homeowner's and auto insurance if you have a poor "insurance score".  An insurance score is a rating system that insurance companies use.  It is based on several "credit related" factors such as:

* Payment history and delinquencies

* Bankruptcy, foreclosure, and collection activity

* Length of credit history

* Debt ratio - Amount of debt in relation to credit limits

* Types of credit in use

* Number of new credit applications

Studies conducted by the insurance industry and several independent sources show that there is a distinct correlation between a person's credit history and the likelihood that a person will file an insurance claim. 

There are hundreds of factors that insurance companies will take into account when determining your premiums.  Insurance companies will consider your claims history, home (or auto) safety features, geographic area, deductibles, and insurance limits to name just a few.

Is it fair or unfair?  Could it be that people with immaculate credit are more likely to take better care of their homes?  Are they more likely to check their sump pump or repair their roof?  Are they less risky by nature and always follow the rules?  Does it indicate they have enough cash on hand that might make them think twice before making a claim?

To boost your credit score:

* Check your credit.  Make sure there aren't any errors or omissions.

* Do not apply for new credit of any kind unless you have no credit.  No credit is the same as bad credit. 

* Do not close credit card accounts or consolidate your debt.  This will raise your debt ratio.

* Do not max out any credit cards.  Try to keep the balances to

* Stay current on existing accounts and continue to use your credit as normal. 

A breakdown of your credit score:  35% Credit History, 30% Debt Ratio, 15% Credit Length, 10% Credit Type, 10% Inquiries

One last thought, if it has been a while since you applied for homeowner's or auto insurance (and you have excellent credit or better credit than when you first applied), it may be worth a call to your agent to rerun a quote for you.  It could save you a bundle!

~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.

What Does Your Credit Score Have To Do With Homeowner's Insurance? Copyright © 2010, The Scott Loper Team, All rights reserved.

Open House, Sunday, June 6th, 1-3pm

133 Brinkley Drive, Sellersville, PA  (Hilltown Township, Bucks County)

Directions:  From Route 113, turn onto Briarwood, make 1st left on Brinkley, house is on the left.

 

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 and Bucks Counties of Pennsylvania. To Search for Homes For Sale in Montgomery and Bucks Counties Click Here.

Open House in Hilltown Woods, Sellersville, PA Copyright © 2010, The Scott Loper Team, All rights reserved.

Homes for Sale in Charlestowne, Harleysville, PA are a perfect fit for working professionals and families who need easy access to work, great schools, shopping, parks, recreation, churches and all the wonderful aspects of suburban Philadelphia living.  Located 25 miles north of Philadelphia, Homes for Sale in Charlestowne are just a minute off the Lansdale exit of the PA Turnpike.  It is only a short drive to the Septa R-5 regional rail's Lansdale train station which runs from Doylestown to center city and major commuter routes such as 73, 202 and 113.

Homes for Sale in Charlestowne have a strong appeal for buyers.  All built within the last 20 years, this very stable development of almost 400 homes all have 3-4 bedrooms, a full basement, and a 1-2 car garage.  Current 2010 prices on these homes range from the low $300K's to the low $400's. 

There are three sections of the Homes for Sale in Charlestowne.   The first is located off of Rittenhouse Road and includes: Candlewood Way, Norwyck Way, Dorchester Way, Cambridge Way and Winchester Way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second section of Homes for Sale in Charlestowne is also off of Rittenhouse Road and includes: Saratoga Lane, Ridgewood Way, Linden Lane, Farm Lane and Hackney Way.

The last section of Homes for Sale in Charlestowne is off of Forty Foot Road and includes: Old Dutch Way, Spring Mill Way, and Green Bank Way.

Residents of Homes for Sale in Charlestowne are citizens of Towamencin Township and attend the well-renowned North Penn School District.  In this community, the students attend General Nash Elementary, Pennfield Middle and North Penn High School.  There are many private and parochial schools in the area if public school is not for you.

Homes for Sale in Charlestowne are surrounded by recreational activities.  Very close by are Fischer Park with great walking trails and fishing, Bustard Road Park, Bustard Road ball fields, Evansburg State Park, and the Mainland public golf course.

 

 

If you are looking for a great community in which to work and raise a family, you should consider the Homes for Sale in Charlestowne.  Please contact me for a complete list of available properties.

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.

Homes for Sale in Charlestowne, Harleysville, PA, Copyright © 2010, The Scott Loper Team, All rights reserved.

This is an Update on the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit specifically addressing some recent reports that the tax credit has been extended.   While some significant steps have been made towards extending the tax credit and even expanding it beyond first-time home buyers, it seems that these reports are a bit premature in claiming this as a done deal.  Here’s what I found out on the subject.

A bill was originated in the U.S. House of Representatives on September 10, 2009 to extend the availability of certain unemployment compensation benefits (totally unrelated to the tax credit or housing in general).  That bill was passed by the House and made its way to the Senate where numerous amendments were made including those related to the first-time home buyer tax credit.  The Senate unanimously passed their version of this bill yesterday, November 4, 2009.  However, there are still significant hurdles that the legislation must clear before becoming law.  Namely, the bill now moves back to the House and the differences must be resolved.  The bill would then move on to the President for signature into law.

So again, it’s a bit premature to count on any tax credit beyond the current expiration date of December 1, 2009.  It is very encouraging, however, that the amended bill passed through the Senate with a unanimous vote showing strong bipartisan support.

Here are a few provisions (as I understand them) of the bill as amended by the Senate:

Time Extensions
The $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers would be extended until May 1, 2010, except that buyers who are under a written contract by May 1, 2010 can even take advantage of the tax credit until July 1, 2010.

Expansion Beyond First-Time Home Buyers
A tax credit of up to $6,500 would be available to “Long-Time Residents” who have owned a home and purchase a new one.   A Long-Time Resident is currently defined as one that has owned a home as their principal residence for any 5-year consecutive period during the 8-year period ending on the date of the purchase of the subsequent principal residence.

Increased Income Limits
The income limits for eligibility of the tax credits would be increased from $150,000 to $225,000 for married persons filing jointly and from $75,000 to $125,000 for other taxpayers.

 

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 © 2009, The Scott Loper Team, All rights reserved. Update on The First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit - Not So Fast, Sparky.

Calling All Home Buyers...

New to the housing market?
Ready to move up?  Downsize?

 Attend our Home Buyer Seminar:

• Learn about opportunities to grab and pitfalls to avoid in today's market!
• This seminar is a MUST for the 1st Time Home Buyer!
• All home buyers are welcome and encouraged to attend!

We’ll cover information on many topics, including:

The Home Buying Process
From the very start of your search for a home through the settlement day, you’ll get a complete understanding of the many steps involved in purchasing a home.  Not only will you gain the knowledge of what to expect in your first home purchase, but we’ll also highlight some pitfalls to avoid and some opportunities that you may be able to capitalize on along the way.

The Home Search
From a Realtor’s MLS search to your own online searches,
learn the best ways to find available homes that meet your
wants and needs.

The Real Costs of Buying a Home
Avoid the sticker shock when you actually sit down to make an offer.  Learn about closing costs, escrows, and the breakdown of your monthly payment.

Tax Credit for 1st Time Buyers
Uncle Sam wants to bring new buyers to the housing market.  There are true tax refunds of up to $8,000 available for qualified 1st time buyers.  Learn about the requirements and whether you would qualify to receive an $8,000 refund.

Agency – Who is Working for Whom?
Every buyer should know about representation before engaging the services of a Realtor.  If you see a home you are interested in and call the number on the yard sign, who does that agent represent?  Learn the options available to you.

New Construction
If you walk into a new construction site and want to purchase one of their homes, do you know that you may have to work with the salesperson who greets you?  Do you know that these salespersons represent the builder and cannot represent you?  Learn about this and other pitfalls of buying new construction and the opportunities/incentives currently being offered.

Mortgage Pre-Approval
It’s very difficult to buy a home without one.  Mortgage preapproval is a key step toward home ownership.  It will let you know how much house you can afford and help assure that your offer will be taken seriously.

The Loan Application and Approval Process
Mortgage companies will scrutinize your financial well-being to make sure you can afford the home you want to buy.  Knowing ahead of time what type of documentation they will ask for helps you be prepared and avoid scrambling to find the right paperwork.

Free Credit Report
Good credit is an absolute must to get a mortgage.  There are different degrees of “good credit” and your credit score will affect your ability to buy a home and the interest rate that you will be offered.  Learn what factors affect your credit score the most and useful tips to boost your score.  Seminar attendees can receive a free, detailed credit report.

Insurance Issues
What types of insurance should homeowners have?  What levels of coverage are recommended?  Find out more.

Date, Time, & Location
July 21, 2009 at 7pm
Hennings Market
290 Main Street, Harleysville, PA  19438 
Call (215) 513-1333 or email Scott@LoperRealty.com to reserve your spot.

If you are unable to attend this seminar, we would be happy to meet with you at your convenience.  We work as Buyer’s Agents throughout Montgomery County and Bucks County PA and in many surrounding areas.  We welcome your questions.  So, please let us know how we can help you.

Copyright © 2009, The Scott Loper Team, All rights reserved.  Lansdale-Harleysville Home Buyer Seminar.

Q.  How much money do I need to buy a home?  

A.  Typically, home buyers need about 6-7% of the purchase price to buy a home plus whatever down payment they choose to make on the home they are buying.  For example, assume you want to buy a $200K home and put 5% down.  The down payment is $10K plus expect another ~$13K in closing costs which totals $23K.

Closing costs typically include:

• Mortgage Fees ~2.25%
• Tax Escrows ~1.5%
• Transfer Tax ~1.0%
• Miscellaneous* ~0.5-1.0%
• Title Insurance ~0.75%

*Miscellaneous fees include the costs of the home inspections, recording fees, conveyancing fees, and tax reimbursements to the seller. 

In this scenario and assuming a conventional mortgage with a rate of 4.75% over 30 years, your mortgage balance is $195K and the total monthly payment would be $1,244.54.  This includes $991 for principal and interest, $212 for real estate taxes, and $42 for homeowners insurance. 

There is another way to structure this purchase that will require less money at closing.  An FHA (Federal Housing Authority) loan will allow for as little as 3.5% down.  So if you offer $210K and ask the seller to pay $10K in closing costs (seller assist), you will only need ~$7,500 in cash to close. 

Assuming the same mortgage rate (4.75%) over 30 years, your mortgage balance would be $206K and the total monthly payment would be $1,421.89.  This includes $1,076 for principal and interest, $212 for real estate taxes, $42 for homeowners insurance, and $93 for mortgage insurance. 

The key with using a seller assist is that the appraisal done by the lender must support the higher selling price ($210K in this case, not the $200K net selling price). 

Now is a great time for home buyers.  Home prices have come down, interest rates are still at historical lows, and the government is offering the first time home buyer tax credit of $8,000.

Contact Scott Loper, Associate Broker, Realtor®, RE/MAX Realty Group at 215-513-1333 to buy or sell 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.