There are a number of little things to look out for when purchasing a new home. Normally the things to consider includes such things as location, wiring, the condition of the house itself, and several other factors. One of these factors that the home buying public is becoming more concerned with is mold. There are […]
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If a messy garage is driving you crazy, here’s how to steer things back on course. 1. Clear the clutter. You may have to haul everything out onto the driveway. Group items into 4 piles: toss, recycle, donate or sell. Get rid of anything you haven’t used in the past year. 2. Make a plan. Now […]
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The U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently launched the first housing discrimination mobile application (app) for iPhone and iPad. Developed by HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) and Hewlett Packard (HP), the app uses the latest technology to provide consumers with a quick and easy way to learn about […]
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Every seller wants their home to sell fast and bring top dollar. Here is how to prep a house and turn it into an irresistible and marketable home. Disassociate Yourself With Your Home. Make the mental decision to “let go” of your emotions and focus on the fact that soon this house will no longer […]
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Kitchens and baths still reign as King & Queen of the home remodel scene and consistently return their value at resale. But, make sure your remodels are done wisely. Visual appeal is often more important over expensive usefulness. Depending on the home and the area, adding a bath or expanding a kitchen is a wiser […]
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Featuring 19 Maison Pl. in Voorhees, NJ 08043 Buying your first home can be an anxious time in your life. But, it need not be with a little prep work and the right guidance to help you through the process. Calling a licensed, experienced, full-time realtor, such as myself, can easily help turn this moment […]
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Claiming your home office on your taxes has been difficult. You’ve needed a separate form, separate receipts, utility estimations and expense estimations just for that room. But, starting in 2014 things might get easier come tax time. There will be a new form option for you to file. Here’s a quick overview: • There will […]
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Featured Property -9 Jodi Ct., Cherry Hill, NJ The taste of Spring-like temperatures earlier this week created images of longer, sunnier days, renewed energy and , of course, house hunting! Right? Well, it should have, because the soon-to-be Spring housing market is gearing up to be one of the best in recent years. As I’ve […]
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Ask me and I’ll tell you that in my 28+ years in real estate, a well kept, well-appointed home will attract more buyers, sell quicker & at a higher price. When a buyer looks around your home and sees that it’s well maintained, they develop a sense of confidence that the things they don’t see […]
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If you are of the fortunate group that waited out the housing slump, then you just might be enjoying a renewed sense of confidence. The kids who have been living with you since graduating college are looking forward to starting new jobs and leaving the nest, again. You also might just have some nice home […]
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You’ve seen the articles. Trulia, The Wall Street Journal, Philly.com and everyone else is reporting that housing inventory numbers dropped 21.6% over the previous year, according the National Association of REALTORS®. It is true locally, too and buyers are getting more frustrated. Here are the key factors in all of this: • While it’s true […]
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This is something we haven’t seen in a long time, really since before 2007. Young adults are now confidently considering their first home purchase. Many factors of the financial recession and loans, lack of employment and rising costs everywhere, kept many from being able to leave their parent’s homes after graduating college. Both rentals and […]
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Many of the design features looking to dominate this year’s kitchen and baths trends remain classic elements, but perhaps with innovative materials and function. Here’s a look at the top trends you’ll see and the homes representing them: Soft Contemporary This is still very much a modern, contemporary look, but with softer lines, warmer color […]
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National Association of Realtors Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun predicted in November that we’d see a 15% growth in housing prices over the next three years, yet he was concerned about the housing affordability in this coming year. Yesterday’s announcement from NAR that housing affordability was up to 194, breaking the previous record of 186 in […]
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While we’ve been spared lunging over the dreaded fiscal cliff, there are several real estate related items of which you need to be aware. Below is a summary of real estate related provisions in the bill and compiled by the National Association of Realtors: Real Estate Tax Extenders • Mortgage Cancellation Relief is extended for […]
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You’re probably well aware by now, that your credit score will influence what kind and how much of a mortgage you can afford. But, did you know your credit score can also affect your home and auto insurance? That’s right. Just as mortgage companies evaluate your credit history to determine whether or not you’re considered […]
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Interesting information from Dian Hymer of Inman News: At the end of the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s, homeowners in many areas cashed in big profits when they sold. This enabled them to trade up to a bigger home, sometimes in a better neighborhood. Homeowners used their homes as piggy banks through the use of home […]
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If your home will be for sale this winter, it is important to master certain seasonal issues that are less significant or even non-existent at other times of the year. Here are a few tips to aid in the successful sale of your home: • Brighten it up: Counter the cloudy days of winter by […]
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The November poll hosted on the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) website queried consumers regarding holiday spending. The results revealed that 50 percent of consumers intend to spend less on holiday purchases this year than last, indicating they are in a worse financial position, while thirty-seven percent plan to spend nothing at all, as […]
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Is all debt created equal? Maybe not. In order to pay down debt faster while paying the least amount of interest, you’ll need to prioritize some debt over others so that you can pay the least amount in the long run–being strategic about which ones you pay off first can save a significant amount of […]
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Family Features—Over half of all Americans will need to make choices about their health insurance by 2014, and already, millions are making decisions about their Medicare drug or Medicare Advantage plans. But many people struggle with choosing the right plans for personal health care insurance, family plans, or deciding on behalf of a loved one. […]
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In the aftermath of Super Storm Sandy, thousands of homeowners along the East Coast are assessing the damage their homes sustained in the storm and will soon begin the rebuilding process. A natural disaster of this magnitude can be daunting, leaving many unsure of where to begin. If your home was affected, read the following […]
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In this segment, we’re going to talk about long-term energy savings and consider a few effective but higher cost efficiency initiatives. While these investments are somewhat larger than that of simply caulking a window, the potential savings are larger as well. These investments include: -Making sure you have good insulation in exterior walls, ceilings with […]
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These days, it seems easy for credit scores to be damaged and difficult to improve your scores even when you’ve done nothing wrong. Because scores can be so important to your buying power and even job fitness, and because every little factor counts in determining your scores, Forbes Magazine finance writer Erik Carter offers seven […]
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All parents want to support their children’s learning process. From algebra to a musical instrument, parents can help their children improve their education through support and encouragement. But what about financial intelligence? According to a recent BMO Harris Bank national survey conducted by Ipsos America, Inc., a leading market research company, nine out of ten […]
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In the wake of last week’s superstorm Sandy and other damaging weather conditions throughout the year, many homeowners have invested in back-up generators to keep their homes humming when the power goes out. According to the Building Performance Institute (BPI), however, generators can pose serious danger to a home’s inhabitants when not used properly, especially […]
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Even if the temperatures are still mild in your neck of the woods, there is no denying that winter is on its way, and it’s time to winterize your home. According to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.), many winter-related disasters can be prevented if people take a few simple steps to protect their home from […]
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Nationwide production and permitting of new homes rose sharply in September to their highest levels in more than four years, according to newly released figures from HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau. A 15 percent gain brought the pace of new housing construction to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 872,000 units, while an 11.6 […]
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Even if the temperatures are still mild in your neck of the woods, there is no denying that winter is on its way, and it’s time to winterize your home. According to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.), many winter-related disasters can be prevented if people take a few simple steps to protect their home from […]
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Nothing turns off prospective homebuyers more than bugs and critters – dead or alive. And when there are visible signs of rodent pellets on the floor, some prospective buyers may even run out of the house screaming. Home sellers need to ensure that bugs and critters don’t turn a potential sale into a lost opportunity, […]
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