Linda Tremblay, Associate Broker Bucks County, PA Real Estate Services

Cabin Run Estates is a residential development located off Stump Rd in Plumstead Township. It was built in the mid 90s and consists of townhouse and singles. The development offers public water and sewer, sidewalks, streetlights and a bike path. Residents from the neighborhood are part of the desirable Central Bucks School District.

TOWNHOMES: The townhouses in the development were built by Sal Lapio and are not part of any home owners association. They range in size from 1500 to 2000 sq ft of living space. Most are 3 or 4 bedroom models with 2 1/2 baths. There is one home available as of today, October 30, 2009. It is listed for $272,900. Recent sales have ranged between $225,000 to $265,000, depending on size and condition.

SINGLES: The single homes were built by C&M Home Builders. There are 3 or 4 bedroom homes ranging between 1900 and 2600 sq feet and situated on .20 to .40 acres. Currently, there are 3 homes available for sale ranging between $364,900 and $379,900. The recent sales have ranged anywhere $315,000 (three bedroom with a one car garage) and $373,000 (four bedroom with a two car garage)

If you are interested in looking for a home in Plumstead Township or neighboring areas, please call Linda Tremblay and Marcie Purcell. We are kiikuilooking forward to assisting you with all your real estate needs,

Listed below are the third quarter of 2009 market statistics for the Quakertown School District, including Quakertown Borough, Trumbauersville Borough, Richlandtown Borough, Richland Township, Haycock Township and Milford Township. These statistics are for residential properties priced up to one million dollars and do not include commercial sales or sales of multi-units.

During the same time period of 2008, there were 70 houses sold with an average sold price of $257,964. It took approximately 104 days to sell a home.

Prices are still low and there are some great deals out there. Interest rates are still at a historic low. It really is a GREAT time to buy a home. If you decide that now is the time for you to buy, call Linda Tremblay and Marcie Purcell. We are looking forward to working with you and helping you to purchase your new home.

Listed below are the market statiestics for residential resales in the Central Bucks School District during the third quarter of 2009. This includes Doylestown Borough, Doylestown Township, New Britain Borough, New Britain Township, Chalfont Borough, Buckingham Township, Plumstead Township, Warrington Township and Warwick Township. The statistics are for residential resales up to One Million dollars and do not include commercial or multiple unit homes.

Pricing Details of Sold Units for the Date Range Selected

During the same timeframe in the year 2008, there were 337 homes sold for an average sale price of $410,683 and it took approximately 71 day on the market to sell.

Prices are still low although they are easing up. There are some very good deals out there and the interest rate is historically low. It is a GREAT time to buy a home. If you are ready, call Linda Tremblay and Marcie Purcell. We are looking forward to working with you.

The annual Halloween parade that was scheduled for today, October 18 at 2PM has been postponed until next Sunday, October 25 at 2PM. This is always a fun time. There are usually entries from the local fire departments, Miss Cindy's School of dance, local bands, local businesses and even politicians. The parade participants throw lots of candy to the children lining the roads to watch the parade, while businesses give out coupons or information from their business. Marci and I will be handing out some trick or treat bags and hope to see you there.

If you are planning on attending the parade and want to help the community, you can drop off some can goods or other shelf staple foods at the Long & Foster Real Estate, located at 523 W. Broad St. It is the drop off spot selected by the Bucks County Association of Realtors. The donations will be given to the local food banks and shelters.

If you are thinking about moving to, from or within the Quakertown real estate market, call or email Linda Tremblay and Marcie Purcell. We can help with all your real estate needs.

SELLING MISTAKES Article one from my monthly e-newsletter.

If you're intent on selling your home in today's market, you can't afford to make mistakes. After all, there's no shortage of competition from other home sellers who also hope to attract a purchase offer at a reasonable price.

In working with home sellers in today's new market, we've seen what helps sellers accomplish their goal -- and what doesn't. Here are the key issues you should pay attention to so as not to undermine the sale of your home.

1. Overpricing. The first few weeks on the market are critical to your home's sale. Buyers who've been comparison shopping for a home are eager to see new listings, hoping the home they seek (and can afford) will finally materialize. If your home comes on the market at a too-high price compared with other properties in the area, buyers will simply bypass your home. Days or weeks down the road you'll likely have to lower your price, perhaps even below market, to get any attention from buyers.
   
   
2. Selling without representation. Some home sellers are tempted to try the For Sale By Owner (FSBO) route in order to avoid paying a sales commission. While that is certainly understandable, testing the waters as a FSBO works to your disadvantage in the long run.
   
   First, buyers expect FSBOs to be priced lower than homes sold through a real estate broker.
   
   Second, few sellers are able to generate the kind of marketing exposure that brokers and agents (like us!) can give your home. That means a smaller pool of potential buyers and the headaches of marketing your home 24/7 without our professional network to back you up.
   
   Third, if you find you can't sell your home on your own at a price you can live with, your next choice is to contract for a real estate broker to represent you. The buyers who didn't purchase your home at the price you asked while it was a FSBO will certainly not consider your home at a better price simply because you re-market it with a broker.
   
   
3. Poor condition. With so many homes to choose from, buyers quickly cross a home off their list if it is not in good repair or even if it's simply "showing its age." Make sure all systems, the roof, appliances, flooring and other components (windows, doors, lights, fans, electrical outlets, etc.) are in good shape and working properly. Also consider replacing treatments or fixtures that appear worn or out of style; replacing wallpaper with a neutral-color paint; repainting non-neutral-color walls.
   
   
4. Too much stuff. A home filled with too many pieces of furniture and too many knick-knacks feels crowded and messy. Pare your belongings down to declutter flat surfaces, open up traffic patterns, and create space in closets, cupboards and storage areas. (If you're not ready to part with things permanently, store them off the property -- a friend's place, portable storage, self-storage bay, etc. -- until it's time to move.) Be sure to put away personal items that associate you with the property (photos, awards, etc.) so potential buyers can better visualize the home as theirs, not yours.
   
   
5. Uncleanliness. Buyers are quickly turned off by dirt and odors. Give your home a thorough cleaning, top to bottom, inside and out. Then keep it that way. Don't forget the windows!
   
   
6. Unattractive exterior. Curb appeal is critical to getting buyers out of their cars for a look inside your home. A simple, clean, well-maintained look attracts interest. Less is more in most cases -- remove weeds and overgrown shrubs; keep the lawn clipped, edged, watered and fertilized; trim trees and shrubs; remove "yard art" and clutter. (A single pot of flowers and a fresh welcome mat near the front door may be all the decoration you need.) Consider power-washing your home's exterior or giving it a fresh coat of paint, if needed.
   
   
7. Restricting access. The more easily a potential buyer can tour your home, the more showings you are likely to have. Follow the norm in your area, and for your type of home, as far as what days and hours the home is available for showings, whether you request advance notification or that your agent be contacted first, whether to use a lock box, etc. (We'll be happy to make recommendations.)
   
   
8. Being present during showings. Today's buyers often feel uncomfortable examining a home while the sellers are present. Not only does your presence chill their inclination to take a thorough look, they'll also be less likely to verbalize their impressions of your home as they tour it. In addition, it isn't uncommon for sellers to impart information of one sort or another that buyers react unfavorably to or that hurt the sellers when it comes time to negotiate a contract. Even if you just step next door to a neighbor's home, make plans to be elsewhere when interested buyers come to visit.
   
   
9. Misrepresenting your home. Be sure to comply with local disclosure laws (we'll tell you what is required). Hiding a problem (e.g., placing a piece of furniture over a large water stain) only causes problems later, when your buyers have the home inspected or do a final walk-through before closing/settlement.
   
   
10. Being inflexible. It is particularly important at the negotiating table to consider all the elements of a purchase contract presented by the buyers -- and whether together they meet your needs. Resist the urge to get hung-up on small things -- such as which items convey with the property. It may help to assign an actual dollar amount to every item negotiated. For example, if the buyer wants occupancy a month earlier than you want to move, how much would it cost you to fulfill the buyer's request? Is that cost and inconvenience worth it -- given all the terms of the offer -- to get your home sold?

We are ready to help you avoid the kinds of problems that throw a wrench in the process of selling your home. Give us a call and we'll be happy to develop -- at no obligation to you -- a complete marketing plan to get your home sold quickly and at a fair price in today's buyer's market. For assistance with your real estate needs in Bucks and Mongomery Counties, call Linda Tremblay or Marcie Purcell. We are here for you.