Langhorne, PA

There are many financial and personal reasons why you should own your own home rather than rent. The obvious reasons include pride of ownership, building your own equity instead of someone else's, no more landlords, and of course the tax benefits you reap. There are a multitude of other reasons why owning your own home can make your life better.

One of the most overlooked reasons for owning a home is the freedom you get once you have achieved this major goal in life. Many first-time homebuyers find that once they have bought a house, many other aspects of their personal life seem to fall in place. The security and piece of mind that come with home ownership is a great accomplishment in many people's lives, and once they have overcome the obstacles, they find that other goals they had set out to achieve become much easier to attain.

There is a great sense of belonging to the community once you own a home. You begin to feel more attached to the city and its people. You will find yourself more involved with community events - what is happening with the schools, roads and shopping centers in your area. Some new homeowners find themselves getting into local politics in order to create better surroundings, which is something renters seldom do.

Home ownership is a strong anchor for your life. You have something that represents a strong commitment and a sense of stability. Again, the aspect of freedom comes up - you won't have to worry about a landlord telling you it is time for you to move, your children won't have to worry about whether they will have to change schools, and you are blessed with the ability to plan for the future.

By owning a home, you will find yourself in more control of your immediate surroundings. You can change things and decorate to your tastes, and not be limited by the standards of a landlord. You do not have to seek someone else's approval if you decide to remodel or alter the landscaping. Your home truly is your castle.

If you have children, you will find that they feel more secure when coming home to a house that is not owned by someone else. There are no worries that they will be suddenly forced to change schools and reestablish their lives at the decision of someone else. You can also get to know your neighbors, and if they have children, lifelong friendships can be formed because everyone knows that they will be around each other for years and years.

One final aspect that cannot be overlooked is the pride that you feel when you own your own home. You have proven to yourself that you can achieve monumental goals and can give your family the security it needs to move forward in life. Once you have built up equity in your first home, you can leverage your equity to purchase a nicer home later.

To learn more about what I can do for you visit me, Carol Swain at www.swainsells.com . Also check out current homes for sale in Bucks County, Pa and surrounding areas.

Most of us are not aware of the trends and fluctuations of the real estate market. Likewise we don't know the steps necessary to maximize profits on the sale of our home. We rely heavily on the real estate agent to lead us down the path of profits. Considering your home is typically the most valuable asset you possess, doesn't it make sense to list with someone who will be able to generate the most money in a sale?

This report was designed to empower you with critical information necessary to evaluate an agent's qualifications and help you identify the professional that will best serve your needs. The more meticulous you are in your search for an agent, the higher your profits will be.

Start by doing some research. Find out who the most active real estate agents are in your market. Ask friends, relatives and co-workers for referrals, then compile a list and find out how the agent markets his or her listings to sell.

Place a call to each of the agents on your list. Document how quickly they return your call. Remember, they will be returning calls to your prospective homebuyers. Do an initial interview over the phone so when you meet, you will be prepared.

At the meeting, request a step-by-step 30-DAY MARKETING PLAN for your sale including everything from title to escrow so you know exactly what services the agent will provide. Evaluate the team that your potential agent has assembled. Top producers will have established relationships with lenders, title reps, and inspectors. They are there for your benefit. Should any of these people not be prepared to handle any aspect of the sale, then you are not receiving the best possible service.

Request a complete report of your property with ideas for improvements, cosmetic changes or structural repairs that can add value to your property. A small investment up front can pay huge dividends at the time of the sale. Also request detailed information about current market conditions, the competition of other homes for sale and proper pricing. Have your agent educate you on all aspects regarding your sale.

Insist that all potential buyers be pre-qualified to purchase your home. Screen out unwanted prospects before getting to the final stages of negotiating.

Request a complete net sheet, minus commissions and fees, so you know exactly how much money you will profit at the time of the sale.

Insist on a step-by-step marketing plan of how your home is going to be marketed and sold. Look for innovative ways to attract homebuyers. Demand 24-hour advertising, lead accountability, and tracking services. These services do exist and you should make sure they are part of your home's marketing.

Investigate the agent's marketing strategy. Do they waste their time cold calling all day or do they have a MARKETING PLAN in place to attract qualified buyer prospects? Do they contact those leads? Also find out what type of direct mail campaign the agent has in place. Is it professional? Does the mailing generate buyer prospects that would be interested in purchasing your house?

What type of advertising will they use? Insist that the advertising be well written and professional in appearance. They should be advertising, at a minimum, in a homes magazine, in the local newspaper and with yard signs. The quality of the advertising will directly affect how well your home will be perceived.

Have a written and well-conceived negotiating strategy. A sound negotiating strategy can make thousands of dollars of difference when the final sale goes through, so your agent must have a plan in place for this aspect.

Finally, have a written closing checklist. You need to know how to conclude the sale of your home in an orderly and legally sound manner.

A strong, qualified agent must meet all the requirements listed in this report if they are truly going to sell your property for TOP DOLLAR.

To learn more about what I can do for you visit me, Carol Swain at www.swainsells.com . Also check out current homes for sale in Bucks County, Pa and surrounding areas.

Anyone who has ever had a bank account, mortgage, credit card, car loan, or account with a retail store will invariably have a credit rating. Most information in your credit rating comes from companies you have credit with, as well as from certain public records such as tax liens, bankruptcies, judgments and lawsuits. It is important to know and understand your credit rating, how the information is compiled, and how it affects your ability to acquire a loan for your new home.

Credit reports are usually divided into five sections:

1. Your credit history.

2. Who has reviewed your credit history.

3. Information you have provided for the credit company.

4. Specific identification information about you.

5. Explanatory notes and comments.

Different states have different requirements and it is important that you check on what applies to you. There are three major credit-reporting agencies, Trans Union, Experian and Equifax.

Your REALTOR can recommend a reputable mortgage lender who has the reputation of providing excellent service and good rates. This lender will be able to immediately pull your credit report for your review and can make recommendations of how to make it better. The better your credit score, the higher your credit rating will be.

Choose your agent wisely. Working with a full-time professional real estate agent is a must. Ask questions of your agent. Find out how knowledgeable he or she is about houses currently for sale in your price range and also of houses that have recently sold. Can your agent recommend a good lender that has the reputation of excellent customer service and low rates? Does your agent ask questions of you to have a full understanding of what you are looking for to help you get the most home for the money?

To learn more about what I can do for you visit me, Carol Swain at www.swainsells.com . Also check out current homes for sale in Bucks County, Pa and surrounding areas.

Whether you just want your house to look better or you are serious about getting your house ready for potential buyers to start viewing your house to purchase,

Here are 38 valuable tips to get you on your way:

EXTERIOR:

1. Paint the exterior of your home to make it look cleaner and years younger. If your home has been painted within the last few months, have the trim painted again. The fresh smell of paint to the buyer shows that the seller has put forth effort to prepare the home for sale.

2. Trim shrubs, especially around walkways.

3. Park extra cars down the street.

4. Sweep debris from sidewalks, patios, and the front walkway.

5. Put away all toys, skateboards and bicycles.

6. Remove rusted swing sets and worn out patio furniture.

7. Move firewood off the ground and away from the house. On a termite inspection, firewood stacked next to the house might be listed as conducive to termite infestation.

8. Make sure the roof is in good condition.

9. Mow the lawn frequently. Weed and plant flowers.

10. Clean all windows and repair any broken panes.

11. Keep pets out of the way.

12. Clean up oil stains on the driveway.

13. Water yard only in the early morning or late evening to avoid water being tracked inside the home.

14. Move trashcans from out front of the house and out of walkways.

15. Clean the gutters.

16. Repair sprinkler heads so that the yard doesn't develop brown spots.

INTERIOR:

17. Put away all dishes, toasters, blenders, etc. from kitchen counters to create the illusion of spaciousness.

18. Organize the laundry room. Clean all clothing or keep it neatly in baskets or hampers.

19. Bathrooms should sparkle. Clean the faucets. If the shower curtain is worn, buy a new one.

20. All flooring should be cleaned and vacuumed.

21. Make the beds.

22. Remove all clothes from chairs or floors.

23. Remove unnecessary furniture items to create space. This will make your rooms appear larger.

24. Keep appliances, air conditioner and heater in perfect working order.

25. Seal or calk windows, tubs, showers and sinks.

26. Clean ashes from the fireplace.

27. Open drapes and blinds, and turn on all the lights.

28. Store away extra clothes and shoes so closets appear larger.

29. Remove knickknacks that look cluttered.

30. Remove potentially offensive posters or paintings.

31. Put toys away in the kids' bedrooms.

32. Move any valuable figurines or artwork that could accidentally get knocked over.

33. Place fresh flowers and plants throughout the home.

34. Keep pet areas clean and odor free.

35. Secure jewelry, cash, and prescription medication out of sight and out of reach.

36. Remove any extension cords or phone cords that might present a walking hazard.

37. Make sure that the temperature inside your home is comfortable during showings.

38. Be sure to place jewelry or any other valuables in a safe deposit box.

To learn more about what I can do for you visit me, Carol Swain at www.swainsells.com . Also check out current homes for sale in Bucks County, Pa and surrounding areas.

10 Questions to ask a Realtor - Part 2 of 2

6. Will you give me names of past clients?
Interviewing an agent can be similar to interviewing someone to work in your office. Contacting references can be a reliable way for you to understand how he or she works, and whether or not this style is compatible with your own.

7. Do you have a performance guarantee? If I am not satisfied with your performance, can I terminate our listing agreement?
In the heavily regulated world of real estate, it can be difficult for an agent to offer a performance guarantee. If your agent does not have a guarantee, it does not mean they are not committed to high standards. Typically, he or she will verbally outline what you can expect from their performance. Keller Williams® Realty understands the importance of win-win business relationships: the agent does not benefit if the client does not also benefit.

8. How will you get paid? How are your fees structured? May I have that in writing?
In many areas, the seller pays all agent commissions. Sometimes, agents will have other small fees, such as administrative or special service fees, that are charged to clients, regardless of whether they are buying or selling. Be aware of the big picture before you sign any agreements. Ask for an estimate of costs from any agent you contemplate employing.

9. How would you develop pricing strategies for our home?
Although location and condition affect the selling process, price is the primary factor in determining if a home sells quickly, or at all. Access to current property information is essential, and sometimes a pre-appraisal will help. Ask your agent how they created the market analysis, and whether your agent included For Sale by Owner homes, foreclosed homes and bank-owned sales in that list.

10. What will you do to sell my home? Who determines where and when my home is marketed/ promoted? Who pays for your advertising?
Ask your real estate agent to present to you a clear plan of how marketing and advertising dollars will be spent. If there are other forms of marketing available but not specified in the plan ask who pays for those. Request samples or case studies of the types of marketing strategies that your agent proposes (such as Internet Websites, print magazines, open houses, and local publications).

To learn more about what I can do for you visit me, Carol Swain at www.swainsells.com . Also check out current homes for sale in Bucks County, Pa and surrounding areas.