Smart Girls Own Real Estate Blog

You won't know what you are getting yourself into unless you hire a professional to check out your new home. Make sure there are no hidden costs for repairs you may be buying in addition to your house.

There's a great website to find home inspectors in any area. They are members of the American Society of Home Inspectors, which is a non-profit professional organization that follows an oath of Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics for inspectors.

Go to http://www.ashi.org or visit my website www.StaceyMcCarthy.com for a link to their site.

Forclosures... enticing thought for a new homebuyer. Seems like it would be a no-brainer to pursue a home that is bank owned. If it's a forclosure, that means it's a bargain, right?

Maybe, Maybe NOT.

These days, bank forclosures may or may not cost less than the average home on the market. And they come with many pitfalls that leave them on the market for quite some time.

If the home was not purchased at the Philadelphia Sherrif's Sale...

For more, click here to go my home blog.

Open House! Sunday, August 3, 2008 from 1 to 3 p.m.

52 Liberty Dr
Langhorne, PA 19047

Oxford Crossing End Unit Townhome - largest model here on premium lot. Partially finished walk-out basement. New Roof 2008, Newer Windows, Newer Sliding glass door in Living Room, Newer A/C Compressor, and Newer Gas Range. Huge expanded deck, 20' x 12'6, overlooks private lot and mature trees. Convenient location with easy access to Route 1, I95, and the NJ & PA Turnpikes. Close to Oxford Valley Mall and shopping. $289,900

For directions or for a private showing, contact Joe McCarthy at 267-228-3950

Q&A about Philadelphia Real Estate

Rhawnhurst

Q: Why is this house not selling, its on my block. It started out at 265,000 and has been up for almost a year, it looks like a great deal at 215,900.  The reason I ask is because I plan to start looking at houses in about a year.  I'm concerned that I won't be able to sell my house.

A: Let me say this first: Next year the market will be completely different from this market, so when you decide to start looking again (did you ever stop?), we should evaluate that market. It's tough to say today if your house won't sell next year.  

That said, I believe the reason this house has not sold is that they overpriced it at $274,900 in Oct 2007 and tried to play the "leave room to negotiate" game, which won't work in this market. This is a buyers' market and has been since August 2007. The buyers are so few compared to the abundance of sellers that they won't even look at houses they consider are overpriced. Why should they when there are so many other choices? Plus buyers have to put more money down now.  

Anyone trying to play the "room to negotiate" game is losing and having to reduce their price, keeping them on the market for a longer time than necessary. And you know how buyers feel about a house that has been on the market a long time - they think something is wrong with it. Maybe there is? It got reduced to $239,000 in April, but by then it was already on the market for 210 days. so on June 26, they finally reduced it to $215,000. It's a bargain in my opinion, but a buyer will see that it's been on the market for 280 days and think something is wrong with it, right?  

Added: The Philadelphia Real Estate Market is doing better than many other markets, but houses that aren't priced right are sitting. Houses that are priced right are going FAST! This Question was about a nice, single colonial in Rhawnhurst - not my listing, but priced to sell now at $215,000.

Stacey McCarthy, Realtor
Keller Williams Real Estate

www.StaceyMcCarthy.com : See Philadelphia and Bucks County Real Estate for Sale

SOLD!

This is the great deal you've been looking for!

Low taxes, low monthly payment, newer kitchen, new hot water heater, 100amp service, breezy sunporch, alarm system, and some replacement windows. Refrigerator, 3 Air Conditioners, Washer, Dryer, 2 Ceiling Fans and Microwave all included in as-is condition. 

1602 S. Newkirk St

$59,500

Call Joe at 267-228-3950 for an appointment.

Why Rent when you can Own?

Duplex For Sale:  9504 Fordham Road, Philadelphia, PA 19114

This well-kept Torresdale duplex has it all!

• 2 spacious units, both with 2 bedrooms and plenty of closet and storage space.
• Updated kitchens in both units with new cabinets, new counters and new flooring.
• Unit 2 is freshly painted and has new, neutral carpeting.
• New fixtures in bath and lighting fixtures are all new.
• Parking friendly, with 2-car garage and 2 parking spaces!
• All separate utilities.

Excellent Location - across the street from Aquatic and Fitness Center, quick walk to Holy Family College and Torresdale Country Club. Convenient to shopping, near schools, close to I-95, steps from public transportation and just 5 minutes to the R7 Train to Philadelphia or Trenton. Area units rent for upwards of 800. Nothing to do here! Smart purchase for savvy investor or owner occupant. Will be ready for vacant delivery on July 1.

Virtual Tour

Marketed by:


Joe and Stacey McCarthy

Keller Williams Real Estate

Email Joe and Stacey

www.StaceyMcCarthy.com

Beautifully renovated, large 3-story townhome just minutes from Center City Philadelphia. Everything is neutral with sophisticated and stylish details... New everything!

VIRTUAL TOUR CLICK HERE

• 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms featuring a relaxing jacuzzi tub in hall bath.
• Magnificent master suite, the entire 3rd floor, with a full bath and walk-in closet.
• Brand-new and spacious upscale kitchen w/ solid granite countertops, ceramic tile backsplash, and shiny new stainless steel appliances.
• Fabulous slate patio overlooks sizable yard with an exquisite Casablana-style ceiling fan under the awning, creating the atmosphere for either gardening or garden party.
• New roof,
• New central air,
• New heating system.
• Exposed brick
• Hardwood floors throughout
• Breezy ceiling fans in every room.
• Convenient washer and dryer hook-up on second floor and in basement.
• No need to sacrifice a bedroom, there's an additional office fully wired, ready to go!

Why pay Center City prices? Here's the swanky new digs you've been longing for!

Marketed by:


Joe and Stacey McCarthy

Keller Williams Real Estate

Email Joe and Stacey 

 http://www.staceymccarthy.com/

What is the deal with pricing homes in odd numbers? Am I missing something?

I am showing a listing this week that is $181,888. Is that some secret code or does the seller really need that $88 to move. I always see them listed for $199,900 and I understand that theory. It's quite the QVC tactic that I employ myself "Beautiful twin home just under $200K."

There is an agent in my office that always lists with 865 at the end, as in $359,856. I never asked her why. Does it help it sell faster or is it a secret code?

Wouldn't it be cool if it were a secret code? Like "888" at the end means "seller not moving," or "452" means "gotta sell - make an offer." It would be great if there were some kind of way to find out if the seller is really motivated when a Realtor writes "motivated seller" in the remarks section of their listing. I find that many "motivated sellers" are really not, it's the agent who is motivated, but they can't get their sellers to move on the price when presented with an offer.

If they could just list it at "175,666" I would know that the seller is evil, LOL. Or listing it at "329,757" means the seller is leaving town. I saw one listed at 201,100 last week. It must have meant "this is the 1."

Makes you think...

In most of our markets we are all having to adjust our prices down at this time to some degree or another. It is sometimes difficult to educate a seller about the current market when their neighbors home sold last year for more than homes are selling for now.

Here's an innovative approach that I am lucky to have available to me.

Each Tuesday the Realtors from my office spend two hours visiting each others listings to critique them. This has proven to be a very educational experience for the rookies and a great help to the Realtors whose listings we have visited. It gives the listings much needed exposure and a chance to gain a fresh perspective from the top agents in our office. We share ideas and help each other because we know that together we achieve more.

This is not your typical "Broker's Open." Usually there is nobody home and there is no food. In this video we got lucky with some wine and cheese, but it is usually a pretty dry experience. Watch this five minute YouTube video I edited myself. (It was my first time, so please be gentle!)