Philadelphia, Bucks and Montgomery Counties Real Estate. Tips for home buyers, home sellers by Gita Bantwal,Realtor at ReMax Centre Realtors.

If you visit Bucks County, Pa on September 7, 8, or 9 make it a point to visit Warminster Community Park . The entrance is at Hatboro and Bristol Road.  You can enjoy Carnival rides by Skelley's entertainment,  Play Bingo, watch Clowns, Magicians, and Jugglers and listen to music. There is something for everyone. There will be craft and business vendors. 3 day carnival Ride bands  cost $25/ band  for unlimited rides.  Ride tickets are $10/14 tickets or .75/ride.  Parking is $2/car on Friday and Sunday. There will be fireworks at 9 pm on Saturday. Saturday only there is admission fee $5/ adult and $1/child .

Check out details at www.warminsterdays.org

We need so many tools and gadgets in our business that actually having them in our brief case would be cumbersome. I have some things in the trunk of my car scattered all over and I am thinking of putting them in an empty box. Many of us already have a lap top.I would not leave anything too expensive in the car, like camera,laptop or calculater.

As I accumulate more things they would go in it. Any suggestions might be helpful. Here is my list.

1. Electronic Lock Box.

2. Combination lock box

3.Flash light.

4.Spare batteries for lock box, flashlight etc.

5.Laser tape measure or yard stick.

6. Hammer ( to hammer our signs down.)

7 Directional signs, and open house signs.( The Sale signs are too large .have to be stored at home.

8. Balloons and string.( If the helium tank is empty we can just tie some balloons any way.

9.Booties.( Some times sellers ask to remove shoes and do not provide booties ) We can let buyers use them if we have them available in our car. We can leave some at the house if it is our listing.)

10. Some dollar store items to give out if you decide to drop in at a past clents house if you are in the neighborhood.

Based on information in multiple listing service Trend, ( this does not include sale by owners or houses not listed in Trend) here is some encouraging news about the housing market in Warwick township Bucks County. Houses are selling in less time than in previous months.

In May 2007, a total of 23 houses went under contract with an average price of $341,786 and average  of 67 days on market. Of these 6 are active under contract with an average of 64 days on market.

In the first 2 weeks of June, there are 5 houses under contract with average price of $319,740 and average of 35 days on market.

As the rates have been going up, serious buyers are making up their minds to buy and if sellers are realistic about the price, houses should sell.

I will provide market reports every month. If you would like to read these reports subscribe to my blog or email me at gita01@aol.com. and I will email it to you.

You may look up 1000s of available listings in mls at www.gitabantwal.com

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I was on my way to settlement, and the buyer's agent was going to bring my lock box. It was a vacant house, recently rehabbed. All of a sudden the cell phone rings and I pull over to the side to answer. The buyers had gone to the attic ( it had pull down stairs ) and found a lot of debris from the rehab project were  left in the attic. I had told the seller that it had to be broom clean and he had assured me that it was. They had new paint, new  cabinets etc. It looked immaculate.  I had not thought of pulling down the stairs to attic when I went the previous day. The buyer did not agree to let the seller send any one to clean it out and was looking to get money out of it.The seller could have easily sent someone or postponed the settlement to later in the day, but the buyer was screaming saying she took time off etc and so the seller just gave her credit for cleaning. He had made a profit by rehabbing and did not mind. Now I always remember to tell sellers to check the attic and crawl space.

One time we discovered ash in the fireplace and the seller and I spent some time cleaning it out. It was difficult because there were no cleaning products in the house.You never can tell how long settlement will take, it could be 30 minutes , or it can be all day.

I

It is  disappointing news for Real Estate agents and Home Buyers. The rates for 30 year mortgages rose for the fourth straight week. Rates were  6.53 this  week , up from rate of 6.42 last week. This is the highest  they have been  since August 10,2006 when they were 6.55.

We have seen rates in double digits, but first time buyers have not seen them, and houses were not as expensive compared to income at that time. If rates go up any more, there may not be many buyers . One of the products that might become popular again may  be the 5-1 arm , because most people might be able to refinance in five years if they do not plan on moving.  

A better idea might be to have sellers pay for a 2-1 buy down. This might be a win -win solution, as seller will be able to sell, and buyer can move in at a lower rate and qualify at a lower rate as well. I would rather mention  this program than a negative amortization or interest only loan. When I sell a house, I always worry about what will happen if they call me in a few years and want to sell. Will they have equity ? What negative features will come in the way ?

On a more positive note, according to latest forecast by Senior economist at National Assosiation of Realtors, there will be a gradual improvement and we should see improving activity by year end.

James A Michener Museum is located at 138 South Pine street, Doylestown, Pa 18901 and at 500 Union Square Drive in New Hope.  The museum is an independent non-profit institution. it opened in 1988 . The old Bucks county jail was located on that site. The warden's house and stone walls are still part of the museum.

The museum is dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of Bucks County. Doylestown museum is open Tuesday through Friday 10 am to 4.30 pm, Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday noon to 5 pm.  Admission is free to memebers and children under 6, general admission is $6.50 , Seniors over 60 $6, and students $4/

The museum has world class collection of Impressionist paintings.

Every one is welcome to the 3 day festival at Tinicum Park,  River  Road and Route 32, Erwinna, Pa.  There is a fee of ten dollars per car load.  Trolley tours are $15/person. There will be lots of fun , craft vendors,  live entertainment and  hot air balloon rides. The main event is a walking and trolley tour of five covered bridges.  Proceeds will be used to preserve the historic covered bridges. For details go to www.buckscounty.org   or BucksCountycovered bridgesfestival.org or call 215-822-0552. The festival runs from June 8 through June 10 , 2007.

The walking tour of Erwinna bridge will be at 9.30 am and 1.30pm .Saturday, and 12.30 pm Sunday.Walking tour of Uhlerstown Bridge will be at 11.30 am and 3.30 pm Saturday and at 10.30 am and 2.30 pm Sunday. Trolley tours of the Erwinn, Uhlerstown, Cabin Run and Frankenfield bridges will be on the hour from 10 am through 3 pm saturday and 11 am to 2 pm Sunday.