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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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Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends for July 2021

Friday, August 20, 2021

by Scott Darling

Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends for July 2021

Chester County PA single-family homes saw pending sales decrease by -20.7% in July 2021 when compared to July 2020. 853 homes sold in July with a median sales price of $432,500. The average days on the market fell by 21 days.

If you are thinking about selling your home get a free instant home evaluation Learn More.

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Home Modifications for the Aging-in-Place

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

by Scott Darling

When your elderly father has decided that he would like to live in his home as long as possible, or it is time to make the mother-in-law’s home a little safer, a few changes in the house need to take place. While every family is unique, most needs of our aging parents are the same. How can we make small improvements with a big impact on their safety and comfort? The following tips are a great place to begin:

For the wheelchair-bound person or one who needs to use a walker, add an accessibility ramp to their most-used entry. Contractors who specialize in ADA-compliant improvements can assist with design and added features.
Outdoor lighting is essential for everyone’s safety, but there are many options for adding low-voltage lights to posts along ramps and atop porch rails, as well as pathway lighting along walkways.
Wherever there are steps, handrails are a must, as well as anti-skid treads to minimize slipping.

Change all doorknobs to lever-type handles for ease of opening for those with arthritis or other motor skill issues.
Widening doorways is something that may be necessary if wheelchair use is a possibility in the future. Enlarging them to 36” is the general width for ease of use.
The type of flooring in the home can impact whether it’s a fall risk for someone who has trouble getting around. Low-pile carpeting or secure low-pile area rugs with double-sided carpet tape or non-slip rug padding is best.
A walk-in or wheelchair-accessible shower with a <span class="SpellingError SCXW259056884 BCX0" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-position: left bottom; background-image: url(" data:image="" gif;base64,r0lgodlhbqaeajecap="" 8aaaaaaaaaach5baeaaaialaaaaaafaaqaaaiilgaxcchrtcgaow="=");" border-bottom:="" 1px="" solid="" transparent;"="">curbless entry is a safe choice when remodeling a bathroom. A built-in shower seat and adjustable showerhead are other useful items that can be added to make bathing safer.
If a total bathroom remodel is not affordable, simply installing grab-bars to the shower, bath, and toilet area walls will offer security for moving around in the bathroom.

Changing faucets in the kitchen and bath to a single lever handle or installing motion-sensor or touch-activated units are perfect for ease of use.
Electrical issues to consider: light switches that can be pressed for turning off and on, electrical outlets placed higher than the standard height and adding more interior lighting.

Download this handy publication from AARP for other ideas to assist with setting up your loved one with independent living. Hopefully you and your much-loved senior will look at this stage of life not as a challenge, but rather as a way to keep a distant but watchful eye over them while they maintain their sense of independence and quality of life.

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

Photo credit: Chicago Sun Times

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FAQ for Frist-Time Home Buyers

Friday, August 6, 2021

by Scott Darling

When you read and hear that now is the time to buy a home, but are simply unsure of the process, it may keep you sitting right there in your rental! Let these Frequently Asked Questions help get you moving--to a home of your own!

Does my credit need to be perfect? Not necessarily, but the higher your credit score, the better the loan’s interest rate will be. Lower credit scores could cost thousands over time in higher interest rates. FICO has some tips for improving your credit score.
I am not sure how much house I can afford. Lenders will look at your debt-to-income ratio when deciding to grant a home loan. Get an idea for yourself by using this handy DTI calculator.
How much money do I need for a down payment? That depends! Most lenders require 5-20% for a down payment. USDA and FHA offer no- or low-down-payment home loans. Veterans and servicemembers have the benefit of applying for a no-down-payment VA Home Loan through the Veterans Administration as well.

What is Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) and will I have to pay? For most lenders, PMI is a requirement for homebuyers that do not pay a 20% down payment. The cost is normally included in the mortgage payment.
I am pre-approved for a mortgage. Can I make an offer on a house that I love? Sellers will likely reject an offer that has no lender back-up. Return to the bank and go through the pre-qualification process so you will know just how much you will have to offer on a property.
Are there any tax advantages to owning a home? While there are many costs associated with homeownership that renters do not have, there are tax credits for some of the taxes you pay, as well as for those who use points to get a lower interest rate. And with rent prices rising, your monthly mortgage payment could be lower than rent!
How long does the whole process take? A smooth home-buying transaction takes approximately 30-45 days. The time varies as there are so many aspects to the process, and once in a while, there are hurdles to get through.
Who pays closing costs--the seller or the buyer? In most cases, the buyer pays the closing costs, an expense that can run 3-6% of the cost of the home. In some instances, however, the seller will offer to help with these costs as an incentive to buy the home.

If all of your questions are not answered here, call a Realtor® before you begin your home search or mortgage approval. Their experience in helping you find a lender--not to mention your new home--is invaluable. The best thing about getting assistance from a real estate professional is that their services, in almost all cases, are free to the buyer! Now, what are you waiting for?

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

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Displaying blog entries 1-4 of 4