Yardley, PA

There are many factors to consider when selecting a neighborhood that is right for you. Think about the location in terms of commute time to work, distance from leisure-time activities, and proximity to shopping, schools, or any other places you frequent. You may think of other factors that are important to you. Please take some time to write them on your Home Search Criteria Form.

Scout out the Neighborhood!

It is important that you scout the neighborhood in person.

• Talk to people who live in there.
• Drive through the entire area at different times of the day, during the week, and on weekends.
• Look carefully at how well other homes in the are are being maintained-are they painted; are the yards well cared for; are parked cars in good condition?

Neighborhood Factors to Consider

• Look for things such as access to major thoroughfares, highways, and shopping.
• Listen for noise created by commerce, roads, railways, public areas, schools, etc.
• Smell the air for nearby industry or agriculture.
• Check with local civic, police, fire, and school officials to find information about the area.
• Research environmental topics such as soil and water quality, as well as floodplain implications.
• Study traffic patterns around the area at different times of the day and measure drive time from the area to work.
• Is the neighborhood near parks, places of religious worship, recreation centers, shopping, theaters, restaurants, public transportation, schools, etc.?
• Does the neighborhood have a Homeowner's Association?

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.

The first step to buying is the loan process.

The First Step...
in the home buying process is to find an experienced lender at the same time as you find a Realtor. You begin the mortgage process at the same time as you begin looking, so you know the value you qualify for. The Swain Real Estate Group can recommend a trusted, qualified lender.

The Next Step...
The lender begins processing your loan application, ordering credit reports, and performing verifications. This is the prequalification phase. Therefore, when you go looking for your dream home, you know how much you can spend for it.

We're starting to run now!
When you have final lender prequalification, you can seriously concentrate on finding a home that you know you can qualify to buy immediately.

You're on the "home" stretch!
Now that you have a home under contract, the lender processes the necessary paperwork. Your agent secures a title company and searches, and processing is complete.

Now your loan is moving!
When your application is completed and verified, the file goes to the Underwriting Department for final approval.

The next step will be into your new home!
With the loan process completed, you are ready to go to your closing to secure the keys to your new home. Your next steps will be over the threshold of your new home.

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.

A Buyer's Market is a Trading Up Market! Falling home prices are a great opportunity for a savvy homeowner looking to move up. Eeven though your home sale price may be lower, the smaller loss at the sale can be compensated by greater savings at purchase.

Let's think about it. If home prices dropped by 5%, here's what it could look like if you decided to trade up:

Home Price = $200,000 Home Price =$400,000
Sell at $190,000 = $10,000 Loss Buy at $380,000 = $20,000 Savings

The smaller loss at the sale will be compensated by greater savings at the purchase, resulting in a significant net gain.

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.

1. Quality of Life - a home provides stability and security for you and your loved ones.

2. Pride of Home Ownership - it's your personal haven.

3. Historically low interest rates - around 6.5 percent in the US.

4. Appreciation potential - your home investment can grow in value.

5. Equity buildup and debt pay down - homeowners enjoy an average net worth of approxiately $184,000 versus $4,000 for renters.

6. Leverage - where else can you buy an investement of this magnitude with 5-10 percent down?

7. Tax Deduction Advantages- property tax and mortgage interest write-offs.

8. Tax ememption - up to $500,000 per couple or $250,000 per person upon the sale of a primary residence in the US.

9. The real cost of renting - at $800 per month, with the average 6 percent rental increase per year, you will pay $126,536 over a 10-year period but have zero ownership of the property.

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.

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.