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Five Things to Consider in a New Neighborhood

Thursday, June 23, 2022
by Scott Darling

In most home buying situations, you are not only purchasing a house, but you are also buying the neighborhood. There are many factors you cannot control, but to avoid regrets, consider these five things while house-hunting: 
 

  • Affordability: The mortgage payment is an important part of your budget, but keep in mind that property tax is normally added to your monthly loan payment. Property tax is based on the assessment value of the property. The assessment value depends on different factors, and the home’s location is number one. Ask your Realtor® for past tax information, but the house may be reassessed after closing.  
     

  • How you live: Satisfaction with your home’s location will depend on the general area. Are you a pet lover with four dogs? You need a pet-friendly community. Is your family a large one with lots of noisy backyard activities? Look for active families in the neighborhood. Do you need close access to theaters, restaurants, or shopping? Your new home does not need to be a long commute to things you love.  
     

  • Schools: Communities in a high-rated school district normally have homes with higher price tags. As a parent, buying a home in a good school district is an investment in your child’s future, and if you do not have children, it is a wise financial investment as your home should at least keep its value as time goes by. 
     

  • Safety: Everyone wants to feel safe in their home. Several websites offer crime stats, but it may be best to contact local law enforcement for current information about the area. 
     

  • Utilities: Is high-speed internet or natural gas available in the neighborhood? Does your water come from the municipal water supply or a well? Your agent should have all of this information for you but asking the homeowner if they are willing to share how much they pay in monthly utilities will help you plan your monthly budget. 

 

Performing some “home” work is probably the best way to learn more about a community. Drive through at different times during the day or take a walk and pay attention to the sights, sounds, and–yes–smells of the neighborhood. You will be spending a lot of time there and being content in your new home is the most important location factor of all! 

 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling. 

Photo credit: RE Express

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Packing for a Move? Make it Green!

Thursday, August 26, 2021
by Scott Darling


It is time to start packing for the move, and the thought of using rolls and rolls of plastic bubble wrap, foam packing materials, or new cardboard boxes that your moving company provides can fill the eco-conscious with dread. Sure, cardboard and paper are recyclable, but what can you do to even save that much? These tips will help reduce the volume of recyclables and throwaways you will need! 

 

  • Use what you have first. If you are already anticipating the move, hold on to any packaging your deliveries have come in. Stack them out of sight if your house is still on the market, or go ahead and pack non-necessities in them and hide them under the bed or storage area. 
     

  • Other items you have on hand to use: suitcases, duffel bags, trash cans, and reusable grocery bags can all be utilized to cut back on cardboard boxes. 
     

  • Produce boxes make great moving containers! They are very sturdy and some come with lids so you will not have to use so much tape to close them. Ask for them at local grocery stores and produce stands. 
     

  • Towels, sheets, and pillows can be used in place of packing material, and towels and sheets can be used for wrapping fragile items as well. Using them is a double win because you will have one less thing to pack! 
     

  • If it is within the budget, consider using an eco-friendly moving company. 

  • Already contracted with a mover? Ask them about any green options they have in place for your move. 
     

  • It only takes a quick search online to find a company that rents clean and ready-to-pack storage containers. Many of them will deliver them to your door, then pick them up at the new house when the containers are empty! 
     

  • Another option is ordering a moving kit or just the boxes from UsedCardboardBoxes. The company “rescues” misprinted or in-almost-perfect-condition used cardboard boxes that are headed for a landfill, and ships them directly to you. 

 

Once your move and unpacking are complete, recycle what you can, or offer the items to someone local who is getting ready to move or needs storage boxes. Your efforts will help cut back on what you throw away and even save a few trees! 

 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.  

 

Photo credit: moving.com

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105 Relocation Tips

Monday, June 15, 2020
by Scott Darling

Areavibes relocation tips infographicThis infographic is brought to you by the team at AreaVibes, a site that helps you find the best places to live. For more relocation advice, check out 105 Tips for a Successful Relocation

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The Quality of RE/MAX Agents Is On Display Once Again

Thursday, October 20, 2016
by Scott Darling

remax

In the 2016 Franchise Times 200 ranking released recently, RE/MAX not lead all real estate brands for the eighth consecutive year, but also climbed to the Top 10 overall – in 8th place ahead of household names such as Marriott, Wendy’s, and Domino's.

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Meet Scott Darling Chester County PA Realtor

Thursday, October 20, 2016
by Scott Darling

Meet Scott Darling Chester County PA Realtor

Check out my new introduction video. Be sure to watch all the way to the end...

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Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends for August 2016

Thursday, September 22, 2016
by Scott Darling

homeowner

Being a homeowner means that your home is yours – even the things that need fixing. Is a faucet leaking? Are floor boards squeaky? Is a light-switch not working? Those issues are all yours to tackle. But what projects can you do yourself and what ones require the help of a trained professional? Taking on projects yourself can save you time and money. But taking on the wrong projects can lead to unending amounts of stress or end up costing you more money than if you had hired someone in the first place. NAR’s consumer website, HouseLogic.com, lets you know which projects need a seasoned hand and a beginner can undertake.  

Take a look at how many families decided to become homeowners in our local market in August…

Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends for August 2016

2,641 Chester County PA single family homes were for sale in August 2016 which is an 8.42% decrease from August 2015. 687 homes sold in August with a median sales price of $351,000, a 8.00% increase from August 2015.

The supply of inventory was 5.0 compared to 5.6 in August 2015 and the Sales vs List Price was 96.3%.

Date Homes For
Sale		 Months Supply
Inventory		 Homes
Sold		 Median Sales
Price		 Sales Price vs
List Price
August 2016 2,641 5.0 687 $351,000 96.3%
August 2015 2,884 5.6 683 $325,000 95.1%

 

Curious about the value of your home? Get your home's value here!

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4 Tips For Hiring a Moving Company

Wednesday, September 14, 2016
by Scott Darling

moving company

You have finally found the home of your dreams and you are ready to pack all of your belongings up so that you can move into that home.  Moving doesn’t have to be a dread, rather if you hire the right moving company it can actually be somewhat fun.  Heed the following tips when hiring a moving company  and you are more likely to have a nice experience. 

  1. Check the moving company’s reputation before you hire them to help you move from your old house into your new house.   You can do this by asking your friends and family and/or by checking with the Better Business Bureau.  If folks have had a bad experience with a moving company or any company for that matter they are going to be sure to spread the word. 
  2. Make sure to get any estimates on moving your belongings in writing.  You don’t want to be scammed with the old bait and switch that so many moving companies are getting a bad rap about.  If you have an amount in writing you will be able to dispute if the company tries to change the price for no reason and hold your belongings until you pay the new price. 
  3. Make sure that your belongings are covered in case they get harmed in transit.  It is worth it to get insurance  to cover your belongings if they mean anything to you at all.  Full value insurance is a good idea if you have a lot of valuables that you won’t be able to replace easily if they are damaged during the move.  It may cost a bit more than other insurance but it will be worth it in the long run.
  4. If you want to make sure things are done right by the moving company you can always get in there and help out when they are packing your items up.  You can watch to make sure they do things right if you don’t want to help. 

Again, moving doesn’t have to be a huge hassle, it can be a good time and an exciting time in your life, especially if you are moving out of an old home into your dream home.  Don’t let hiring a less than stellar moving company be an issue for you.  Do your homework and hire a moving company that will do things right the first time. 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling!

 

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You’ve Moved into Your New Home—Now What?

Wednesday, July 6, 2016
by Scott Darling

Congratulations! You’ve survived the process of leaving one home and finding another and the onus of packing everything up and then unpacking the same boxes.  You’ve found a new bank and a new doctor; you’ve investigated trash pick-up times, licensing requirements, and car registration; and your mail is being forwarded on a regular basis.  So far so good, but now that you’re somewhat settled in your home, it’s time to become familiar with your new environment.

The following tips are designed to help you become part of your new community and re-create the sense of belonging you had in your previous location.

  • Go online to learn about the new area and what it has to offer. Look at the city or chamber of commerce website. Research religious facilities, cultural opportunities, parks and outdoor activities, and so much more!
  • Acquire a regional map and drive around. Explore shortcuts and pinpoint the location of shopping malls, medical services, libraries, the post office, city offices, etc.
  • Talk to neighbors. Ask advice about home maintenance companies, babysitters, doctors, or the civic league or homeowners’ organization association. .
  • Take a walking tour of your neighborhood. Introduce yourself to and initiate conversations with neighbors who are outside. Compliment their yard or ask directions, for starters
  • Attend garage/yard sales in the vicinity of your home. Shoppers at these events are generally friendly and gregarious, so talk to them/
  • Read the local newspaper to discover places of interest and happenings in the area. Look for clubs or group meetings that focus on your interests--art, gardening, books, sports, crafts, e.g.
  • Join a recreation center or gym. Attend classes there or work out with a group that you know will share your interests.
  • Volunteer. Check with a church or synagogue, a hospital, library, or school near you. Volunteering is a terrific way to meet people and to make you feel an integral part of the community.
  • Give a house warming party and invite all your neighbors. Such an occasion is a good reason to finish unpacking and decorating your new home and a wonderful way to make friends..

Before long you will become familiar with your new environment and be comfortable there. Best of all, you’ll “belong” once again!  

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

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Knowing When You've Found Your Dream Home

Wednesday, January 27, 2016
by Scott Darling

dream home

When you are looking to find a mate to marry you may spend years and years before you find the one that is meant for you to be with, however you don’t need to look for years to find “the one” when it comes to house hunting.  There are ways to know when you have found the right house for you but you may need to make a few tweaks in your wish list to make it all possible.  Below are a few ideas to help make finding your dream home  a bit easier. 

  • A good way to get started finding the house that you have always dreamed of owning is to make a list of your expectations.  You should list your must have items in order of how important they are to you.  As you begin house hunting you may want to rearrange your list a little depending on what you find on the market.  It may be helpful to put a star beside the expectations that are most important to you so that you don’t forget something.
  • It’s perfectly alright to look online as much as you want at houses when you are shopping for a home but it may be wise to limit your actual house viewings.  If you visit too many homes during your house search you may find that it becomes a bit overwhelming and you may also realize that you are trying to create the home of your dreams by piecing together bits and pieces of each house you look at.  Narrow down your actual house viewings to about four of your top picks.  This will help you to more easily narrow down your search and to make a final decision more quickly.  
  • If you find that you simply cannot find what you are looking for in the current real estate market, perhaps it may be best for you to stop looking for a month or two and wait to see what may pop up.  You may find that the home of your dreams is only a few short months away from being found. 

Again, you may need to make a few adjustments to your wish list once you start looking for a home but that doesn’t mean you cannot find the perfect home for you and your family.     If the house you choose doesn’t have everything you hoped it would, you can always add things once you move in. 

Courtesy of Chester County PA Real Estate Expert Scott Darling!

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What Realtors Do

Friday, December 18, 2015
by Scott Darling

realtor

Think you know what a real estate agent does on a daily basis?  You might have to think again in order to correctly identify all the responsibilities on the shoulders of your REALTOR (a real estate agent who is a member of the National Board of Realtors).   You most likely would be surprised—and impressed—to discover the wide range and long list of activities undertaken by your REALTOR in your pursuit of buying/selling a home.

A basic job description would include renting, and buying, and selling (oh, my!) real estate for clients, interviewing potential clients, previewing and showing  property, discussing sales conditions, drawing up and presenting offers, holding open houses, and writing contracts—all the while meeting deadlines and hand-holding when necessary.  Oh, but there is so much more for your REALTOR to do, including, but certainly not limited to, the following duties:

  • Staying current with market trends in your area
  • Analyzing comparables
  • Exploring and evaluating mortgage options
  • Finding buyers or properties for clients
  • Scheduling appraisals
  • Keeping up with changing federal/state laws and program
  • Negotiating between parties
  • Preparing MLS listings
  • Promoting properties via ads, web sites, videos, and virtual tours
  • Completing required courses, attending seminars, and the like
  • Coordinating inspections, walk-throughs, and closings
  • Arranging for title searches

But did you know that the National Association of Realtors awards grants to groups of state and local real estate associates who attempt to go above and beyond in promoting and expanding housing opportunities in their communities?  These REALTORS work together to design and implement affordable housing programs and are thus eligible for the NAR grants twice a year.  In addition, the NAR offers programs, training, and resources for these groups.  Click here for details of the Housing Opportunity Program.

Remember, real estate doesn’t sell due to advertising alone. In fact, a large share of real estate sales comes as the result of a practitioner’s contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, and family. When a property is marketed with the help of a REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally pre-screen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.                                                                                

Contact us!  We’re qualified, experienced, and looking forward to assisting you.

Courtesy of Chester County PA Real Estate Expert Scott Darling!

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Displaying blog entries 1-10 of 23

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