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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.
Planting a tree is an investment in the future, according to a Greek proverb: "A society grows great when old men plant trees under whose shade they never expect to sit." But did you know planting trees around your home is also an investment in your real estate value and the value of your neighborhood? Or, that it's one best made not in the season of new life, spring, but in the fall as winter approaches?
Most Americans say they would - and in fact do - pay more for a home with trees in the yard, according to a Wakefield Research survey sponsored by the Alliance for Community Trees, a program of the Arbor Day Foundation. On average, Americans pay 18 percent more for a house with trees in the yard, and 79 percent say they feel trees define their neighborhood's character. Nearly three quarters say they would never move to a neighborhood that didn't have trees.
"The presence of trees in a neighborhood is as important to homebuyers as proximity to good schools, accessibility to shopping and entertainment, and commutability to work," says Dana Karcher, Alliance for Community Trees program manager. "But the value of trees goes far beyond beautifying a neighborhood. Planting trees helps on a local and global scale by reducing air pollution, controlling storm water runoff and even mitigating climate change."
If you're considering planting a tree or two this fall, here are some things to keep in mind:
To learn more about the benefits of planting trees and how to care for your trees, visit www.arborday.org. (BPT)
Freddy Mac reports that mortgage rates staying low. Here are the national averages for mortgage rates during the week ending Oct. 6:
With rates like this, is it time for you to buy a home? If so, just hit reply to get started!
Take a look at how many folks bought homes in our market last month…
Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends for September 2016
2,692 Chester County PA single family homes were for sale in Sept 2016 which is an 7.14% decrease from Sept 2015. 570 homes sold in Sept with a median sales price of $319,000, a 0.31% decrease from Sept 2015.
The supply of inventory was 5.1 compared to 5.65 in Sept 2015 and the Sales vs List Price was 94.8%.
| Date | Homes For Sale |
Months Supply Inventory |
Homes Sold |
Median Sales Price |
Sales Price vs List Price |
| Sept 2016 | 2,692 | 5.1 | 570 | $319,000 | 94.8% |
| Sept 2015 | 2,899 | 5.5 | 587 | $320,000 | 94.9% |
Curious about the value of your home? Get your home's value here!
Check out my new introduction video. Be sure to watch all the way to the end...
The garage - it's that space where you used to just store your car, lawn mower, power tools, bikes, bats and boxes of things you wore in the 90s. But to say a garage is only for storage is like saying a truck is only for hauling dressers and box springs.
From game room to workshop, man cave to hangout - your garage has the potential to be anything you want it to be. So if you're thinking of redecorating or remodeling your house, don't spend all your time picking out kitchen tile and arguing over what type of counter looks best - step into your garage and let yourself dream big.
With the right materials, some creativity and a little work, you can turn your garage into the star of the house. How? TV personality and award-winning interior designer Anitra Mecadon offers the following five ideas to get you excited about all the possibilities.
Toughen Up Your Walls
No matter what you want to do with your garage, first make sure your walls can stand up to real life. There's probably no space in the house more susceptible to scratches, scuffs and accidental holes than the garage - so pick your walls accordingly. Look for PURPLE Hi-Impact XP made by National Gypsum for extra wear and tear to resist everything from car doors opened too close to the wall to the hockey sticks swung a little too hard. This drywall is embedded with fiberglass mesh to make it impact and penetration resistant - and like all PURPLE drywall, it resists moisture, mold and mildew.
Make Your Garage Your Hideaway
Sometimes you need to get away from it all - especially from your "honey do" or project list - and the garage can be where you go, your hangout, an extension of yourself and a definite point of pride. Add a snack machine, fridge, swivel chair or two and big screen TV, and you and your friends will have it made.
Lift It Up
Most people have a lot of stuff to store in the garage in addition to cars, tools and bikes. And let's face it, the more available space you have, the more likely you'll find stuff to fill it. That means you'll need to get creative with storage. In addition to shelves and cabinets attached to the walls, another way to store your stuff is to use a raised lift system which retracts up into the top levels of your garage and comes down with a push of a button when you need something.
Hang It Up
There are some things that just don't belong in your house but are perfect for the garage. Just like restaurants that have walls crowded with collectibles such as old soda signs, sea anchors and license plates - garages can follow this same design concept and personalize a space even more. Walls also can serve as anchors for storage systems that hold your tools, bikes, boxes and equipment. And you can rest assured that high-performing drywall, like PURPLE Hi-Impact XP, will stand up to the wear and tear of hanging up and taking down your tools, rakes, bikes and more, day after day.
Do More With Your Floor
Today, garage floors can be anything you want - yellow, red, metallic, acid-washed or made out of heavy-duty vinyl or rubber. And whether you want the grey concrete vintage look of your childhood or something that reflects your more grown-up self, when it comes to garage floors, take a chance and get inventive, because your garage can be your personal and customized sanctuary.
There's a lot you can do with a modern garage, and no matter how you decide to personalize it, the best garage remodel starts at the studs. The right drywall is as important as the right wrench in the toolbox. (BPT)
Millennials are frequently criticized for needing instant gratification, but recent reports point out that they actually have more patience than previous generations. Both the U.S. Census Bureau and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say millennials are delaying getting married and starting a family by almost a decade.
And it's not just life decisions millennials are postponing; this behavior is also prevalent in their financial decisions. According to a recent survey from Bankrate.com, millennials are putting off important financial moves due to high levels of student debt.
"Knocking out debt should be a priority when you are young, but it's also important to balance that with other key financial priorities," says JJ Montanaro, a financial planner with USAA. "Time is your number one ally when planning for the future and delaying now may cost you more in the long run."
Montanaro highlights the three main financial priorities millennials shouldn't hit the pause button on:
Life Insurance
A recent survey found that one in three millennials acknowledge they need additional life insurance coverage. However, most aren't purchasing it because they think it's too expensive or because they have other financial priorities.
While millennials may not immediately reap the benefits of life insurance coverage, locking in the cost of life insurance premiums at a young age can pay off in the future. Montanaro explains that life insurance premiums will only increase with age and additional health complications.
With many life changes likely on the horizon, millennials should find a plan that offers term life event options that allow them to easily increase coverage following significant events such as getting married, having a child or buying a home.
Montanaro also points out that life insurance may not cost as much as buyers anticipate. More than eight in 10 people overestimate the cost of a policy. He says a life insurance calculator is a great place to start to understand coverage needs and estimate costs.
Health Insurance
Regardless of overall health or age, it's important to have health insurance and understand what it covers to avoid additional penalties and plan for the unexpected.
Under the Affordable Care Act, not having a qualified health insurance plan can result in a penalty at tax time. Montanaro points out that this penalty has risen to 2.5 percent of household adjusted gross income in 2016, or a flat rate which is expected to rise in the coming years.
For millennials who may not currently have large medical bills or health issues, Montanaro recommends they look at a high-deductible plan with a health savings account (HSA). An HSA allows account holders to set aside pre-tax money for health expenses and free-up some emergency cash when they do eventually need it.
Retirement Investing
Only one-third of individuals aged 18 to 35 say they invest in the market, according to a recent Bankrate.com survey. Montanaro says sitting on the sidelines with retirement savings may result in millennials missing out on the power of compounding returns and may even extend their retirement timeline.
But retirement investing doesn't have to be intimidating. Montanaro recommends starting small with a low-cost mutual fund, such as a target date fund, that allows a low entry point, requires little maintenance and invests in a portfolio that automatically adjusts as retirement gets closer.
The most important step is to get a foot in the door. While USAA recommends investing 10 percent of your income toward retirement, even earmarking 1 percent for the future provides a foundation upon which to build.
This material is for informational purposes. Consider your own financial circumstances carefully before making a decision and consult with your tax, legal or estate planning professional. (BPT)
Displaying blog entries 1-6 of 6
