10 Quick Tips for Showing your home

  10 Quick Tips for Showing your home

1. Clean Everything
2. Maintain the Exterior
3. Brighten Rooms
4. Make Repairs
5. Remove Personal Property
6. Remove Pets
7. Paint Neutral
8. Organize and De-Clutter
9. Hire a Home Inspector
10. Disclose Everything

Final Day of the Contest! Good Neighbor.

 Do you know of a local community member who has gone above and beyond to make our neighborhood a friendly, safer, and more pleasant place? Nominate him or her for a chance to win $100 Visa gift card in EveryHome’s 2013 Good Neighbor Contest…and a chance to score a $20 Starbucks gift card for you!

  Send us a note to volkan.andic@everyhome.com with a brief description of your nominee’s good deeds, along with your name and contact information. We’ll announce the winner on Facebook on December 15th. Thanks for helping EveryHome make our community an even better place, and good luck!

  Details: Contest is open to all Pennsylvania and New Jersey residents. EveryHome agents and their immediate family members are not eligible to enter. Only one nomination per person, please. All entries must be received by midnight on December 11th, 2013.

Help Your Good Neighbor Win $100

Do you know of a local community member who has gone above and beyond to make our neighborhood a friendly, safer, and more pleasant place? Nominate him or her for a chance to win $100 Visa gift card in EveryHome’s 2013 Good Neighbor Contest…and a chance to score a $20 Starbucks gift card for you!

  Send us a note to volkan.andic@everyhome.com with a brief description of your nominee’s good deeds, along with your name and contact information. We’ll announce the winner on Facebook on December 15th. Thanks for helping EveryHome make our community an even better place, and good luck!

  Details: Contest is open to all Pennsylvania and New Jersey residents. EveryHome agents and their immediate family members are not eligible to enter. Only one nomination per person, please. All entries must be received by midnight on December 11th, 2013.

Should You Buy New Construction?

With new construction popping up all over our area, buyers are often faced with the choice of buying a new or pre-existing home. Here's what we're lovin' about each:

  New Homes: Customization! Dreaming about that walk-in closet, finished basement, or upgraded fixture? Many builders will allow the buyer to personalize their new home. Plus, you’re unlikely to have to repair anything in the near future. Bonus points? New homes are often way more energy efficient. Helllooo lowered utility bills!

  Pre-Existing Homes: Speed! Price! Potential! You won’t have to wait for the builder to complete your home like you would with new construction, and you’re likely to pay a bit less overall (though its hard to compare). If you’re handy and in the mood for a project, you can buy a fixer-upper on the cheap! Bonus points? Pre-existing homes also tend to be located in better locations on bigger lots.

  Have a great homebuying story? We'd love to hear from you! Shoot us an email volkan.andic@everyhome.com

4 Tips to Beat Out the Competition

With a lower inventory of homes for sale, we’ve seen many sellers receive multiple offers on their home. While these multiple-offers can be great for the sellers, they can lead to “bidding wars” and quite a bit of stress for the potential buyers involved! Here’s how to beat out the competition if you’re shopping for a well-priced home in a popular neighborhood:

  1. Get your financial ducks in a row. Before getting serious about any homes, be sure to secure a pre-approval letter from a qualified lender. You’ll need a pre-approval letter to submit an offer. Plus, getting pre-approved is easy—it just takes a few minutes over the phone. We know lots of great lenders, and we’re happy to refer you and stay with you every step of the way.

  2. Don’t wait to see a home! Instead of waiting for the open house, be sure to check new listings every single day. (We make this easy for you on our “New Today” section!) If you’re working with an agent, he or she will scour the new listings every market, too. The best homes will often sell before an open house, so time is of the essence! 

  3. “Cash is king” can be true…but not always! Unfortunately, buyers that are getting a mortgage can be beat out by all-cash offers, but there are ways to edge your cash competition. Consider shortening the loan and appraisal contingencies, and have your home inspection immediately. While we understand that it’s not ideal, you might want to consider paying a little extra if you know you’re up against a cash offer.

  4. Be sure to work with a highly communicative and accessible agent. You’ll want to trust that he or she is in contact with the seller’s representative and that he or she knows what other offers (if any) are already on the table. Your agent will be guiding you through the whole process, and he or she should be experienced in the local market and help give you an edge in the competitive environment.

source: everyhomerealtors.blogspot.com

Time for Trick or Treat!!!

Atilla The Ninja

Remzi Bat Wayne

The Big Fight

What does the Fox swipe?

Beauty and the Fox

Gretel lost in the woods

Monkey stole the baby

Family of odds

Guess what? I pay You, when you buy a house...

Many of you probably still do not know that at EveryHome Realtors we have a "Cash@Closing" policy.Yes I said it is a policy because Cash@Closing™ is money EveryHome gives back to YOU at Settlement. This money is a portion of EveryHome’s commission which is paid by the seller. 

Cash@Closing™ is NOT the amount of money you need to bring to closing, it’s the money you can leave with.

EveryHome, Realtors® does not spend money on corporate advertising because it does not help achieve our client’s goals. We help buyers purchase their dream home for the least amount of money and stress possible. Satisfied clients are all we need to gain new business. By focusing our efforts only on helping our clients, EveryHome can pass our savings on to you by paying you Cash@Closing™ when you buy a home.

It is actually decent amount of money. You can buy a new appliance or pay for your closing cost with our Thank You gift.

You can see the Cash@Closing™ ( or click here) amounts on our website right under the listing price of the house.

If you want to learn more about our Cash@Closing™ policy please click here.

Buyer's Agency Contract 101

If you’re in the home hunting process and working with an agent, you may have been asked to sign a Buyer Agency Contract (BAC). This contract essentially binds you to the agent you’re working with—that is, if you purchase a home during the term designated on the BAC, your agent is legally entitled to represent you.

  Every real estate agency is different. Some agencies may ask you to sign right away, while others wait until you’re comfortable with your agent (like us!). We like to recommend you wait until you trust your agent and ensure that he/she is who you’d really like to work with. After all, you can only enter a Buyer Agency Contract with one agent at a time! 

  So what happens if you've signed a Buyer's Agency Contract...but you don't wish to work with your agent anymore? If you're with an EveryHome agent, it's easy! We offer 7-day "easy out" contracts, because we understand that situations change. But if you're with a "big box" agency, it might be a little more difficult. The best thing to do would be to consult with your agent, or his or her broker. 

  If you have any further questions, we always like to suggest you consult an attorney. Happy Home Hunting!

Pumpkilicious...

Pumpkin dessert is a very easy-to-make popular and traditional recipe in Turkey. Turks do not celebrate Halloween but that does not stop us enjoying a good pumpkin.
 If you don't have a big company, you can use butternut squash in stead of pumpkin.

What you need for 6-7 people is;

• medium size pumpkin or 2 butternut squash
• sugar
• 4-5 cloves
• crushed walnuts

The ratio of pumpkin to sugar is 1 to 1/2. The ratio is really up to your taste buds.  I used 3 cups of pumpkin and 1 1/2 cups of sugar. Peel the pumpkin, cut it into big chunks, and put in a pot. Put sugar on and let it sit over night. It will release water, so you don't need to add water when you're cooking it. The next day, add 4-5 cloves into the pot and cook on medium until the pumpkin is soft, approximately 30 minutes. Let it cool and garnish with walnuts or pistachios or grated coconut.

Enjoy this yummy dessert.

4 Home Staging Tips for Autumn

It’s no secret that home staging is necessary to showcase your home’s best features to prospective buyers, and these four ideas will keep your home looking warm and cozy!

1.            Curb appeal! Maintaining a beautiful exterior is the easiest way to attract buyers, and fall-specific maintenance is an important part. Rake up unwanted leaves, patch up brown spots in the grass, and consider pressure washing your siding.

 2.            A few decorations can go a long way! Hints of seasonal foliage, a couple of pumpkins, or cornstalks outdoors are a great way to keep your home feeling seasonal, but be careful to not go overboard. Potential buyers want to see your home, and too much extra clutter can be distracting.

3.            As the days get shorter in the fall, you may want to check that your home is adequately lit. Buyers tend to prefer well-lit homes, and the fall is no exception! Consider adding a few more lights around your home, amping up the wattage, or installing exterior lights to make your home stand out in the evening!

 4.            Appeal to all of the senses by lighting a fall-scented candle, leaving out a bowl of candy corn, and lighting the fireplace for added warmth.

Contact me for more ideas how to prepare your home for the fall market and save money when listing your home with Everyhome.

What are you doing in Bryn Athyn College Charter Day weekend?

CHARTER DAY 2013

Charter Day, Bryn Athyn College's homecoming weekend, is held in October of each year to celebrate the signing of the Charter in 1877.

Charter Day 2013 will be on October 18. Festivities will take place from October 17-21, 2013.

Every year, traditional festivities include reunion events, our men's soccer game, our Charter Day Banquet, and a golf outing fund-raiser for our student aid fund. The weekend begins with a visually-striking procession in which our students march from Benade Hall to a worship service in Bryn Athyn Cathedral, lead by the country flags of our International Student Organization.

Here is the link for the charter day weekend program.

EveryHome Realtors: What If My Spouse’s Credit Score is Too Low?

Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that your credit score is a sparkly 790. And your spouse’s? 620. While 620 isn’t out of the question for purchasing a home, it can definitely negatively impact your rate and other fees. Plus, it can lower your overall approval amount. And unfortunately, lenders base your mortgage amount and rate on the lesser of the two credit scores.

So what are your options? Perhaps the most drastic option is for the spouse with the better credit score to apply for a mortgage on their own. Both people can still be homeowners and listed on the home’s title, but the mortgage will only reflect one name. However, be sure to consider that the debt-to-income ratio is an important component of qualifying for a mortgage. In other words, the qualifying spouse must have a high enough income.

  Another option would be to rehabilitate your spouse’s credit by paying bills diligently on time and in full every month, or by seeking out a credit repair company. Credit repair companies are able to fix any credit-report errors, eliminate disputed accounts, and provide direction for clients looking to boost their scores fast. (Pssst…we love Credit Blueprint of King of Prussia)

Impacts of government shutdown on Real Estate!!!

Consumers who have applied for FHA or VA loans should expect some delays as a result of the government shutdown. But reports that the shutdown could slow the housing recovery may be a bit overblown, according to economist Jim Gaines.

Assuming the shutdown doesn't last more than a week, which it has, Gaines expects the impact to be minimal, creating delays and other nuisances in processing existing transactions that rely on any type of government action.

“But after that, who knows what’s going to happen,” Gaines said.

The worst case scenario is “we basically come to a standstill in the mortgage market,” he said.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said it will continue to process government-backed mortgage applications, but that a limited number of staff would be available.

So if you are planning to apply for an FHA or VA mortgage please be aware of delays and set your dates accordingly.

The Holmes Family's moved into their new house.

After searching for the perfect home for a while this lovely home was the winner.
It is a beautiful home in the woods where kid or KIDS can run around.

We are very happy to be a part of their new life. Enjoy your new beautiful home. 

A little bit laughter for Realtors

Check out this great website where Realtors put terrible picture of the houses they are trying to sell.
What on earth would you put those pictures up for?

Terrible Real Estate Pictures

Dual Agency: Who Represents Who?

You might have heard of “dual agency” as you shop for your new home. The term is just real estate jargon for when the same agent represents BOTH the buyer and the seller in a real estate transaction. It’s kind of a controversial topic throughout the real estate industry (in fact, dual agency isn't

even legal in every state, but it is in PA), and we at EveryHome do not engage in dual agency. Here’s how it works:

 When an agent is representing a seller, it is their fiduciary responsibility to get the highest price possible for the seller. Similarly, when an agent is representing a buyer, it is their fiduciary responsibility to get the highest price possible for the buyer. You can only imagine how messy it can get when the same agent is working with both buyer and seller: ultimately, both parties may end up missing out on the best deal.

 Buyer beware: If you call the number on a “For Sale” sign outside of a home you'd like, you'll likely be represented by the seller’s agent. It might be a better option to just let your agent know the address of the home you like, and they can get you the information and show it to you in person!

To Lock or not to lock? That is the question;

                 To lock or not to lock: that is the question:
                 Whether 'tis buyer in the mind to suffer
                 The high rates and losses of fortune,
                 Or to take ARMs against a sea of risks,
                 And by opposing end them? To buy: to own now;




"It's a good day to get a mortgage rate," wrote Dan Green, author of The Mortgage Reports blog, immediately following Wednesday's Fed announcement.
But was it a good day for the housing market? What did it really say about the health of the recovery? It's like when you were a kid, and you don't have to go school because you are sick. Great! No school! Except you're still sick. That is exactly what the Federal Reserve's message was to the U.S. housing market.
"An insipid victory for housing markets," tweeted economist Sam Chandan. "Fed doesn't believe rebound can be sustained absent artificially low mortgage rates."
Source: cnbc news article

Best Home Improvements: Cost vs. Value

Thinking of sprucing up your home, but want to be sure that you’ll recoup those costs at the settlement table? Read up on The National Association of Realtors’ 2013 Cost vs Value Report!

Two words: Curb Appeal. Hands down the best value of home improvement is through updating the exterior of your home to keep its first impression looking great year-round. The number one cost vs. value on our list is replacing your current front door with a steel door (85.6). Number two is fiber-cement siding replacement (79.3%), and a wood deck addition (77.3%) comes in third. Garage door replacement (75.7%) is fourth. 

Some of the worst home improvements for cost vs value include a home office remodel, a sunroom addition, and a bathroom addition. Why? These are some of priciest add-ons, and they’re hit or miss with potential buyers.

If you’re about to embark on a home improvement project, we would be more than happy to give you a no-obligation individualized evaluation of how it may impact future buyer behavior. Just let us know at volkan.andic@everyhome.com

How to Find Great Tenants or Become One!

Investment properties can be financially rewarding, and having great tenants is one major key to success. Screening potential tenants can be a tedious process, so some landlords prefer to hire a rental property management company. But if you prefer to keep a little more cash in your pocket, check out these guidelines to keep yourself protected:

1. Develop a comprehensive rental application for all of your prospective tenants (psst…you can find some of these online!). Ask about finances, present/past employment, number of occupants, and lifestyle information. Be certain to mention that by submitting an application they are subject to a credit check and background/criminal record check.

2. We recommend that you actually run the credit check and background check for every applicant. It’ll

give you a clearer picture of their finances, as well as any eviction history, criminal history, and public records. While a late payment or two may not signify a poor tenant, be on the lookout for major delinquencies such as bankruptcy or theft.

3. Consider scheduling a phone or in-person interview with the tenant to get a better sense of their lifestyle. Do they work odd hours? Do they expect to have family stay over often? Do they have pets? Are their pets housebroken? Do they smoke? This can give you a better sense of whether or not they’re a match for your property and the neighbors.

Speaking of pets, did you know that a recent Apartments.com survey found that nearly 75% of renters own a pet? That’s a huge market of renters struggling to find appropriate housing for Fido and Garfield. It’s true! Nearly all of the pet owners surveyed said that pet policies played a major role in their decision of where to live. Pet owners are considered to be “responsible and respectful neighbors” for the most part, so consider easing up on your pet policies to allow the greatest market of potential renters.

Which Type of Loan Works Best For You?

If you’re in the beginning stages of your home hunting process, you’ve probably thought about talking to a mortgage lender. After submitting all of the paperwork, your lender will give you an idea of your budget for a mortgage…and what type of mortgage you can qualify for. The most popular mortgages are FHA and Conventional, and they each have their relative pros and cons.

 

5 Strategies for Pricing a Home to Sell

Once you think you know your home’s value and have a price range in mind, you need to decide the final “list” price. 

In real estate, good old trick of "99" strategy is almost always used. It just looks cheaper to the eye. :) There’s a fair amount of psychology — and strategy — that goes into determining a home’s asking price.

Here are five pricing strategies for sellers.

Choosing a Great School District

It’s no secret that choosing the right school district is important to every parent. When faced with a big move, the challenge of picking the perfect place to live can be daunting. Here are a few tips to keep your search on track:

1. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Call the local elementary/middle/high school and ask to speak with a principal or guidance counselor. Not only will they appreciate your effort to learn about their school, but you’ll likely get a behind-the-scenes tour of the place where your child will be attending. For even more info, ask for the numbers or e-mail addresses of a few PTA members. They’ll be happy to share their experiences with you! Also you can go to open houses that schools hold.

2. Keep your options in mind! We're lucky to have an abundance of private, public, and charter schools in the Greater Philadelphia area. For detailed info about local private schools, check out www.privateschoolreview.com

3.Consider your budget. It’s no surprise that many of the most highly rated schools are in areas with the priciest homes and the highest local taxes. Help narrow down your lists by searching by school district and price on EveryHome's site! We'll even give you detailed info about the taxes you'll be expected to pay.

4.Rankings are a guideline, not a rule book. If you checked out the article I posted yesterday, you may have read up on some of the most highly ranked high schools in our area. While standardized testing scores, class size, and diversity are all undeniably important, remember to keep your gut feeling (and your budget) in check.

What's a Comparative Market Analysis?

	If you’ve sensed that home prices are rising, you’re right. In fact, home prices are rising at the quickest paces since before the housing bust. This is great news if you’ve been thinking of selling! In order to get the best estimate of value on your home, you can ask a real estate professional (that would be me!)  to provide you with a complimentary Comparative Market Analysis.Comparative Market Analyses (CMA’s) take into account a variety of factors that affect your home’s value. The biggest variables are location, size, and condition…but there are a lot of other things that affect the value, too!

The Pros & Cons of a Homeowners' Association

Pros & Cons

of a Homeowners' Association

Nearly one in five Americans lives in a home governed by a Homeowners’ Association (HOA). Let’s review some of the pros and cons:

		Pros: Homes in HOA-governed communities tend to be well-maintained, attractive and uniform (which generally helps their value). Although it varies by community, the HOA fees will likely cover services such as snow removal, trash pickup, security, lawn care, and exterior maintenance. There may also be some shared spaces, such as clubhouses or pools where all members will have access.
		Cons: Membership can cost a pretty penny and is nearly always mandatory. While some communities are fairly relaxed, others have rigid rules about the appearance of your home. You may have to get permission to paint your front door, plant trees or flowers, get a dog, or install a fence. If you don’t meet their requirements, they have the power to levy a fine.

Here you have couple things to consider when you are in the market for buying a HOA.

Who are EveryHome Realtors?

EveryHome Realtors® is a full-service privately-held real estate company currently servicing Pennsylvania (1999) and New Jersey (2008). EveryHome.com is a user-friendly website that brings you every home for sale, every day with every detail. Pairing this technology with our in-house team of amazing agents has transformed the process of purchasing your dream home from complex, confusing and stressful into an empowering, exciting and joyful experience. EveryHome, Realtors® was created with that idea in mind: Real Estate. Real Easy.™

EveryHome is a company built on family values and we bring those values into our relationships with our agents and our clients. In fact, fourteen of our former clients enjoyed the EveryHome experience so much that they became EveryHome Realtors® themselves. Today, EveryHome has a team of more than 40 agents working to make this vision a reality for our buyers and sellers.

Welcome

Welcome to my 

Real Estate Blog

I have been helping people move up or down in the real estate ladder for years. I take pleasure seeing my clients happy at the end with their real estate purchase process and I do everything I can to keep this happening over and over again.
As a licensed Realtor, I am the adviser, I am the facilitator, I am the go-getter, I am the manager, I am the sales person, I am the cleaner, I am the protector, I am the face of my clients.
I do my best and I love what I do.
I have decided to put my knowledge into writing and share with everyone.
This blog will give you some information about "Buying and Selling Real Estate",  "Latest Local, National and International news about real estate markets" as well as personal stories and experiences.
Please do not hesitate to reach me if you have any questions and concerns about the information on this blog or for your real estate needs.

Thank you for joining me,

Volkan Andic
Realtor, MBA