Heather's Bucks County Real Estate Blog: Pennsylvania

If you're searching for a home in Bucks County, PA, you may have your "must have," "desirable," and "would be nice but not necessary" lists all typed out.

 Here's my advice - chuck 'em.

Oh, we've all heard about making your lists.  We start our journey armed with a mental picture of our dream house, and then blaze through home search websites, ignoring the 3 bedroom homes, or those without a fireplace, or without a 2 car garage.  

One of my favorite Soulful Sisters Susan Haughton wrote a great blog, entitled, If Buyers are Liars, then I'm the Biggest One of All.    Spawning a surge of posts by like-minded (and awesome) REALTORS like Kim Brown and Jennifer Allan, we've all decided to nod our heads and agree with each other wisely.  

You may think you know, but you have no idea.

Have you ever had a mental picture of exactly what you wanted?  Maybe it was an outfit, or a piece of furniture, or even your new home in Bucks County?  The subsequent shopping trip is usually a lesson in futility, because you can hardly ever find what you've envisioned in your mind. 

Once you start looking at homes in Bucks County, you'll find that those lists you've made are pretty worthless.  You buy a home, not a house, and that's more than the number of bedrooms, fireplaces, and acreage.  When you walk into a home that works for you, it's an emotional connection, a feeling of "This home is GREAT!"  I've recently compared it to this:  You've always had a thing for blonds, however, you haven't been connecting with any of the blonds you've been meeting lately.  Then, WHAMO!  You meet this smoking-hot, charming brunette,  It's love, baby!

So, how do I suggest Buyers search for homes in Bucks County?

• Get a list of every home on the market in your price range / area.
• Take a Sunday drive past every single one and cross out all of them that immediately give you an "I don't like it." feeling.
• Tour the rest.  If it ain't working for you, move on.  Give it a fair shot, but you won't talk yourself into liking a home the longer you stay in it.  You either like it or you don't.  
• Realize that "I don't like it" is an complete answer.  Sometimes, there is no "because."
• As you continue to tour, figure out what you like and don't like.  Haven't found a new development you like after looking at 5 or 6?  Then you can probably eliminate them from your search from now on.  They just don't do it for you.

Tanner Brothers Dairy in Richboro PA offers local homeowners a great place to shop for milk, produce, and most importantly...ICE CREAM.

If you like what you see, there are a few home developments within walking distance of Tanner's.  Visit my website if you'd like to find a home for sale in Richboro.  

Located at the intersection of Almshouse and Hatboro Roads in Northampton Township, near Richboro, PA,  Tanner's has been offering locals families farm fresh milk for over 100 years. 

Our family does a "Tanner's Run" at least once a week.  What do I like about Tanner Brothers?

• The Sweet Corn on the Cob
• The Half and Half
• The Chocolate Milk
• The Butter
• The Snacks

We continue to see stable pricing for homes for sale in Bucks County, PA, as indicated by both the median price and average price for homes in Bucks County year - over - year, June 2010.

Below are the home price statistics for Bucks County, PA:

Median Price is UP 3.4% to $299,900

Average Price is UP 1% to $339,820

Council Rock School District home prices also remained stable:

Median Price is UP 1.4% to $388,000

Average Price is UP 0.5% to $433,595

***FYI, I know that it's nearly impossible to read these charts. That's why you should definitely shoot me an email and let me send you pretty, full-sized .pdf ones.  I can run these reports any way you want, but I usually recommend township & zip or school district.  If you go with a more narrow search, the samples become too small and the results skewed.

Give me a call or email!  Let me run your numbers!

I just won $50,000 today!  (‘Kay, not really, but I did SAVE myself $50,000 over the next 15 years)

15 year mortgage rates are at 4% today. 

I was shocked at how low they were and decided to do a little investigating “just to see” if I could manage converting my 30 year loan to a 15 year one.  If you’ve been in your loan for 5-7 years, and are at an interest rate of 6-7% you should run your numbers and see if a 15 year mortgage can save you a boatload of interest and knock significant years off your loan.  Bet you it can!

Check out the tables below:

For a loan amount of $250,000

Now, lets take a look at these numbers if you’ve had your mortgage for 5 years…

By remortgaging the remaining balance, you’ll have a monthly payment of $1720, save $134,000 in interest, and pay off the original loan in 20  years as opposed to 30 years.

HUH?

I seriously expected you to follow all that?

Let’s do it again for a loan amount of $150,000:

 If you’ve had your mortgage for 5 years…

By remortgaging the remaining balance, you’ll have a monthly payment of $1035, save $73,000 in interest, and pay off the original loan in 20 years as opposed to 30 years.

If you really study these numbers, the difference in the monthly payment really isn’t too enormous when compared to the amount of interest you’ll be saving, as well as the years you’ll knock off your loan. 

If you’d like me to run some numbers for you, feel free to shoot me an email, call me out on Facebook, or hit the mortgage calculator yourself! 

Our in-house Mortgage Rep, Tom Fullen, hooked me up today, and always does a great job.  I used Tom even before I started to work for Prudential and he always gets me a great rate, and gets the loans done.

Please join me at my open house and tour this gorgeous 4 bedroom, 3 bath home inWarringtonTownship / Central Bucks School District:

Sunday March 14th from 1-3.

512-C Taylor Ave

Warrington, PA

www.TaylorAve.com

$405,000

So, what's special about this home? A lot. Maybe we'll start there...this home is located at the end of a small dead-end street. Private without being secluded, and no traffic, although you're close to shopping. Come Spring and Summer, you're going to be outside enjoying the newer, expansive deck, the pool, the lighted HORSESHOE PITS! A recent second story addition, and updated throughout, this home offers the feel of newer construction, with the charm of an older home. All 3 full baths have been renovated, themechanicals have all been updated, the kitchen has been updated...there is literally nothing to do to this home. Truly move-in ready.

Located in desirable Central Bucks School District, and in close proximity to Street Road and 611 (and the new Valley Square Shopping Center - with Wegman's!) this home offers a great home, and a fabulous school district, in a convenient location.

Can't wait for the weekend to come to the open house? Take a virtual tour of this property by clicking here.

I'm going to try to do some monthly updates for all of you analytical types out there who need DATA and CHARTS to understand the real estate market in Bucks County and Council Rock School District.  Here's a little secret - I can give you these stats for ANY area, school district, township, even zip code.  Want to know about the real estate market in Pennsbury School District?  Email me and I'll send it right out.  Want to know about the real estate market in Doylestown?  Email me and I'll send it right out.  I've got your numbers, baby, you just need to let me know what numbers you want!

As a Realtor, I know all anyone really cares about is price, and Bucks County Median and Average prices are up from last year.  YAY!  Good news regarding Bucks County real estate prices!  Looking at the chart below (click for a larger view), Bucks County median price is up 4% and the average home price in Bucks County is up 3% from last year.

Council Rock School District also saw an increase in the median home sale price... a considerable increase of 10%.  The average sold home price in Council Rock decreased by 1%.  I think this is due to a softening in the high end price point, which more greatly affects the the averages. 

So, heartening news for home prices in Bucks County and Council Rock School District.  I'm anxious to see how the early Spring selling season we've been enjoying will impact these numbers.

Remember, if you want to see how your little corner of the world is doing, just ask!

The other day, I met a few friends from grade school for lunch in Newtown. (By the way, how magical is Facebook for re-connecting?  You can find me on there right here).  We went back and forth about where to meet, but when one mentioned that she may want to have an...ahem..."adult" beverage, there was only one place to go.

Isaac Newton's

18 South State Street

Newtown, PA

215-860-5100

I got there a little early and sat at the bar to hang out until my girls came.  Everyone is super-friendly and I got to talking with the bartender, Tim Gannon.   We figured out that we used to work together in high school, so if you're local, you might know him.  Tim is wicked-smart about beer, and was able to figure out what I would like, even though I have no idea of what kind of beer I drink (blinks vacantly).  I heard Tim have a whole discussion with another customer about hops, wheat, something-else-that-I-have-no-idea-about.  Smart dude.  He works M-F starting at 11:30.

Check out their on-tap beer list (which is constantly changing):

(You can't see it, but the top right hand beer is Heavy Sea's Holy Sheet Belgian Ale.  Hysterical.)

On top of the beer and mixed drinks, Isaac Newton's has amazing food, and their french fries with what I call "that delicious dipping sauce" are a must.  My husband and I come here with the kids sometimes for dinner, and they do a really nice job with families - huge booths upstairs, fast service so the kids don't lose it, and great kid's meals.  

So, with good food, a great beer selection, and knowledgeable staff, you can imagine Isaac Newton's is a pretty popular place.  If you're in Newtown for the day, or looking for a place to meet up after work or for a casual date, it's a definite "must-try."  I'm not the only one who thinks so...Isaac Newton's was just named the 9th best beer bar nationwide by www.ratebeer.com. 

If Tim's there when you go, tell him I said "Hi," and make sure you get the fries!

I've got a s-weet new listing that hit the market today, and you can be one of the first to view this gorgeous 4 bedroom, 3 bath home for sale in Warrington at the open house on Sunday.

512-C Taylor Ave.

Warrington, PA

Open House Sunday 1/31 from 1-3 pm

www.TaylorAve.com

$405,000

This home is so special...at least I think so because its location very similar to my own home.  It's tucked at the end of a small dead-end street and the location.....sigh.  I live at the end of a dead-end street, and there is really nothing like it.  Traffic?  Uh, not unless you've invited them!  The home has a yard made for enjoyment, with a 30' x 14' deck, above ground pool, and lighted horseshoe pits.

What is really wonderful is that all this privacy, and you are only minutes away from some seriously good shopping and restaurants.  It's the perfect spot:  privacy without isolation.  You're going to love it...

And then you'll get to tour this great home and enjoy the equally show-stopping interior.  This home underwent a major renovation around 4 years ago, so it feels very much like newer construction.  Roof, siding, heater, Pella windows and doors...everything's been updated.  Large rooms, and an open floorplan really fit today's Buyers.  All this, and Central Bucks Schools. 

I hope you'll visit me at the open house this weekend...I'll be holding one of the best in Bucks County :)  You can find a listing of other open houses in Bucks County by going to Prudential Fox & Roach and clicking on the red "Open House" flag.

Take a look at the photos for 512-C Taylor Ave, and I'm sure you'll be impressed.  See you at the open house!

Springtime in Bucks County usually brings forth the New York and Philadelphia Buyers who are looking to purchase a weekend or vacation home in one of our scenic River Towns in Upper Bucks. Lucky for me, I have one of the most adorable homes for sale at 507 River Road. This quintessential Bucks County Bungalow would make a wonderful vacation/weekend home for many reasons, but here are my top five reasons this is the ultimate vacation home:



1. Proximity! Located just an hour away from Center City Philadelphia, or an hour and a half from New York, you won't waste your time travelling to your weekend home, you'll spend it enjoying it.

2. Scenic Location! This home is located on one of the most famous, scenic roads in Bucks County, but more than that, it's unique hilltop location is the perfect setting in which to spend your downtime in your weekend getaway. Far from the McMansions the pervade our suburbs, this historic cottage offers you something different.

3. Things to Do! In a short drive, you can enjoy shopping, dining and nightclubs in New Hope, taste local wines, tube on the Delaware, or explore Ringing Rocks Park. Head into Lumberville, and eat at the fabulous Black Bass Hotel, or explore Frenchtown, NJ. While there is much to do just a short distance away, this home is located outside the hustle and bustle of town; a perfect combination of solitude without isolation.

4. Low-Maintenance and Low-Carrying Costs! The gorgeous, naturalistic property offers plenty of outdoor living and entertaining space with absolutely no lawn to maintain. Inside, the kitchen and bath have both recently been renovated with energy efficient fixtures and appliances. The home is being sold fully furnished with wonderful, heirloom, eclectic pieces. In the winter there is a fireplace for warmth, and in the summer there is a wooded lot for cooling, making energy bills extremely reasonable. Taxes are only around $185/month!

5. Because of the charm! Honestly, it's the intangible that is the biggest draw to this home. It is so utterly charming and unique: the home, the location, the area itself...I recently took a walk along the canal, and there is just a different feeling to River Living in Bucks County. It truly is a local "vacation." You must visit it to truly appreciate how special this home is.


Oh, and the Seller is offering two new Simmons Natural Care by Danny Seo mattresses, so you'll never have to worry about "Who's been sleeping in my bed?" JACKPOT!

I've been answering questions on Trulia for a while now, and I find the same questions come up repeatedly. One of the most frequently asked (and furiously answered) is:

"How can I find a good Agent?"

Agents, I guess, have a bit of a reputation for being dirtbags...who knew?

I've answered the "How do I find a good agent?" question several times on Trulia: most recently here, got into it a bit with another REALTOR here, and answered it circuitously here.

To break it down to the one critical question you should ask yourself about a real estate agent:

"Do you trust him/her?"

There are a lot of ways for people to be "good agents" and I believe there are many "good agents" here in Bucks County. Some agents think it's being a bulldog during negotiations. Some agents think it's knowing all the numbers. Some agents think it's having good professional practices. While I agree that most of these are necessary (except for the bulldog one - I think that's the absolutely WRONG way to do right by your client...but that's a different post) the bottom line for me is that I want my clients to trust me.

I want them to trust that I'm taking care of them.
I want them to trust that I have their best interests at heart.
I want them to trust that I'll always tell them the truth.
I want them to trust that I know what I'm doing.

If I don't have that level of trust, then I'm not the right woman for the job. Now, trust is earned, and I earn that trust by doing things like: knowing what I'm talking about, actually putting my clients' best interest at heart, telling them the truth, etc.

So, when you're looking for an real estate agent in Bucks County, ask yourself the very fundamental question:

Did this person earn my trust?