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Tag Archive finance

Zillow Ranks Lancaster County 7th Best Place to Buy a Home!

Welcome Back Readers!  Today we are bringing you some particularly awesome news, Zillow has recently ranked Lancaster County PA as one of the top places in the nation to buy a home 2011!  We hit the list at Number 7, which considering we were competing with literally thousands of places across the nation is pretty spectacular!

The best thing about this ranking?  It takes into account what is happening NOW.  In this economy, with the current unemployment rate, interest rates, affordability levels, etc.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if it’s the right time for you to buy, there are great opportunities out there right now.  Read on after the jump to see why we were included in the list of the Best Places to Buy in 2011!

Home Buyer Incentives for Lancaster Pa Homes for Sale

Welcome Back Readers!   Today we’re talking about Buyer Incentives.  You’ve seen them, buy this house and seller will pay selling agent bonus, seller will include new Cadillac, enter contest to win a Cruise to Bahamas.  Now, not many sellers have been offering these types of incentives in Lancaster, but in new construction we have seen No Mortgage Payments for a Year, $40,000 in Builder Upgrades, buy our home and if yours doesn’t sell we buy yours, etc. 

On the surface, you might think these are all great ideas, but they aren’t.  They are actually terrible ideas.  Read on after the jump to find out why!

SOLD – 8 Blaine Avenue, Leola, Pa 17540 – $209,000 MLS# 172547

Welcome Back Readers!  Today we have a new video tour of 8 Blaine Avenue in Leola Pa!  Just minutes away from major commuter routes, bring your Time Machine & Imagination and this home will shine!   Here are the basic stats, 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 2155 Square Feet,  read on after the jump for more details and check out the video tour in the youtube player!

Is There a National Real Estate Transfer Tax On All Homes Sold After 2012?

Image courtesy of Alan Cleaver via Flickr

Welcome Back Readers!  Thanks for stopping by again!  There’s alot of emails that circulate during an election year, one of the most common ones this year relates to a real estate is that the federal health care legislation (affectionately called Obama-care) passed in March 2010 contains a 4.0% transfer tax on all real estate sold after 2012.  You might be wondering if this is true or not.  Well, in short the answer is no.  There is no national transfer tax on all real estate.  

But like all great myths, this one does have a small grain of truth to it.  There is indeed a tax on certain real estate transactions specified in the bill, read on after the jump to find out more! 

Help with Foreclosure

Welcome Back Readers!   Thanks for stopping by again, I just wanted to take a minute and let you know about a new website from Fannie Mae.  The site, www.KnowYourOptions.com is full of great information regarding forclosure and as the title would suggest, what your options are.  Check it out and if you are thinking of selling your home to avoid foreclosure, call me, I will be happy to help you through!

Is it the right time to buy a house?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/billtex48/886589178/

Photo Courtesy of B&M Photography

To buy a house or not to a buy a house, that is the question.   It’s a big decision, some would say due to the huge impact it can have on your lives it’s the biggets decision you’ve ever made.  Some people will tell you to buy a house right away, others will tell you to wait a few years.  These opinions vary between friends, family members, co-workers, even Mom and Dad might disagree on the right thing for you to do.  Who’s right, what should you do?

Well, the short answer is that it’s completely up to you.  You should rely on the advice of friends and family, their experiences can save you a lot of trouble, but in the end no one can make this decision but you and your spouse.  As a Realtor, I get asked all the time by nervous buyers whether I think they are making the right decision and while I am happy to give advice, my answer is always the same, it doesn’t matter what I think, because in the end YOU will be living in whatever home you buy and YOU will be paying for it.  For that reason and that reason alone, you need to tune out everyone else’s opinions and focus on what you want to do.

Fannie Mae EXTENDS Popular Closing Cost Assistance Program!

Welcome Back Readers!  It’s been a hugely busy month for me in real estate, with the end of the Federal Tax Credit for Homebuyers the Lancaster County real estate market has warmed up with the spring!  Even as we close the door on the tax credit, there are many, many other incentives still available for buyers though as we proceed through summer.

For example, I wrote a post a few months ago about Fannie Mae offering  3.5% closing costs assistance/appliance credits for buyers.  Due to the popularity of this program (according to Fannie Mae that is), they have extended the program through June! 

Click through the “Read More” link after the jump for all the details!

Remodeling Lancaster – Green is Good Color, it’s Even Better in your Wallet!

Welcome Back Viewers!  Thanks for stopping by, today we have the start of our GREEN series in honor of Earth Day!  Matt Blank, from MBC Building and Remodeling, LLC is here to share some tips with you on how being earth friendly can save you lots of money!  You’ll have to watch the video to find out more, but in the meantime don’t forget to call MBC Building and Remodeling at 717-371-5136 for all of your home improvement needs!

The Numbers are In – February was Pretty Good!

Welcome Back Readers!   It’s time for a Market Update, The Lancaster County Association of Realtors® (LCAR) just  released their monthly recap of real estate market activity in February 2010 and there were a few good things to point out.

I’ll tell you what those are after the jump, but in the meantime just a note, March was busier than February, April will most likely be too.  As a reminder, if you are buying a home, as a first time buyer or a repeat buyer, you have 29 days left to place a home under agreement to ensure that you qualify.  Buyers who want to claim the credit must have a home under agreement by 4-30-10 and must settle by 6-30-10.  Call me if you’d like more details, now on the the market report!

The Lancaster Inspector’s Corner – Heat Pump Inspections

 Welcome Back Readers!  Thanks for stopping by again, this week we will be learning about what Home Inspectors look at when inspecting Heat Pumps.  Matt Steger, with WIN Home Inspection will be telling us some more after the jump, don’t forget that Matt is the man I call when my clients need to make sure they are purchasing a problem free home, you should call him too, 717-361-9467.  See you on the other side!