Archive For September 30, 2016

Spotlight on Eagleview in Chester County with Eileen Carr-Devlin

Spotlight on Eagleview in Chester County with Eileen Carr-Devlin

Nestled in the heart of scenic Chester County in Uwchlan Township, Eagleview is a friendly and popular neighborhood to live, work, and shop.  EveryHome agent Eileen Carr-Devlin is proud to be a resident and loves the community for its charming, Southern feel and friendly neighbors! The neighborhoods are brimming with a variety of new home styles, including…

Why Your Credit Score Matters When Buying a Home

Why Your Credit Score Matters When Buying a Home

It’s common knowledge that borrowers must have an average or above-average credit score to purchase a home.  However, credit scores are far more important when purchasing a home than you might think, as only buyers with the highest scores are eligible for the lowest interest rates. While borrowers with credit scores above 760 are most likely to receive the…

When You Might Want to Get a Survey For Your Home

When You Might Want to Get a Survey For Your Home

A licensed land surveyor can provide you with the exact boundaries of your home and retrace your property lines.  A land survey is not required when buying or selling a home in Pennsylvania, although some buyers choose to add them as an additional protection while purchasing. In addition to buying and selling property, there are a few…

Picture Appeal is the New Curb Appeal

Picture Appeal is the New Curb Appeal

Real estate agents used to focus much of their time and energy on curb appeal, which ensured that the front of the home looked attractive and welcoming as prospective buyers pulled up.  Now, however, this focus has shifted to perfecting the lighting, using professional camera equipment, and decreasing the clutter to showcase each room. Pictures…

Household Incomes Are Finally Rising Faster Than Home Values

Household Incomes Are Finally Rising Faster Than Home Values

Good news for home shoppers! The average household income has finally risen faster than home values, allowing for a greater number of buyers to afford a new home.  Since 2011, we’ve experienced skyrocketing home values but decreasing income levels, creating affordability issues across much of the nation. The Census Bureau recently released the numbers for…

Chester County Towns Top the Nation’s Best Places to Raise a Family

Chester County Towns Top the Nation’s Best Places to Raise a Family

Niche.com recently released their 2016 Best Places to Raise a Family, and three Chester County towns made the top 25! The rankings were based on public schools, crime rates, family-friendly activities and cost of living. Impressively, Devon topped the list for the whole nation! The Main Line community made famous by its annual horse show…

Does Renting-to-Own Make Sense For You?

Does Renting-to-Own Make Sense For You?

If you’re thinking about purchasing a home, but aren’t quite ready for the financial investment, you may wish to consider a rent-to-own (sometimes known as a lease-purchase).  This type of arrangement occurs when a tenant/buyer signs a lease for a home for a specified period of time, as well as an Agreement of Sale to…

What To Do When the Seller Discloses a Wet Basement

What To Do When the Seller Discloses a Wet Basement

Did you know that nearly 50% of all single homes have had a wet basement before? While the idea of a flooding crawlspace or damp basement can be scary to many buyers (and understandably so!), it’s a common issue that can be fixed and prevented in the future. When you’re house hunting, you’ll likely be…

Upgrade to a Smart Home Without Breaking the Bank!

Upgrade to a Smart Home Without Breaking the Bank!

Whether you’d like to control your home’s lighting for security reasons, turn down your thermostat from an app to save energy, or simply stream your favorite music throughout your entire home (because hey, it’s cool!), there is a smart home gadget for you. Of course, we’ve all heard the stories about the billionaires in Silicon…

Homebuilders Stock Tumble as Mortgage Rates Jump Higher

Homebuilders Stock Tumble as Mortgage Rates Jump Higher

Mortgage rates had been stuck around 3.4% for much of the summer, but they finally took their biggest leap in over two months this week.  While they only increased about an eighth of a percent, it was enough to hurt stocks of the nation’s top homebuilders. Significant increases in the average mortgage rate can send shockwaves throughout…

Student Housing is the Latest Craze for Investors

Student Housing is the Latest Craze for Investors

Tiny dorms, communal bathrooms, and economy furniture just aren’t cutting it anymore!  Students around the country (and particularly upperclassmen) are increasingly choosing higher-end off-campus apartments over campus housing, leading to an excellent opportunity for investors and developers. Axiometrics, an apartment research company, anticipates rental growth in this market to remain strong over the next five…

Greater Philadelphia Fall Market Forecast

Greater Philadelphia Fall Market Forecast

It’s been a busy spring and summer for real estate in Philly and the surrounding suburbs, and it looks like the trend will continue well into the fall months.  While it’s common for the market to slow down considerably once school begins in late August, this year has been quite a bit busier than usual….

Pennsylvania Has The Lowest Closing Costs in the Nation

Pennsylvania Has The Lowest Closing Costs in the Nation

When it comes to purchasing a home, there’s far more to it than the down payment!  Buyers also have to shell out a pretty penny for other costs associated with purchasing a home, including appraisals, credit report fees, transfer tax, and title insurance. While these fees can quickly add up, a recent study by Bankrate.com…

What You Need to Know About a FHA Inspection

What You Need to Know About a FHA Inspection

If you’re obtaining a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan to buy your home, you’ll be required to get an FHA inspection.  This is in addition to the standard home inspection, and is designed to insure that FHA borrowers will be living in a safe, livable home.  In order for the buyer to secure the FHA…

This is How Much It’ll Cost to Remove Your Pool

This is How Much It’ll Cost to Remove Your Pool

The early fall months are a popular time of year for homeowners to remove their swimming pools, both in-ground and above-ground. While pools are enjoyed by plenty of families and may add to your home’s value, their maintenance can be expensive and time-consuming.  In some neighborhoods, pools can actually decrease your home’s value. Above-ground pools are…

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