George Maynes

Now is a great time to consider buying a home in the Philadelphia. Whether youre relocating, purchasing a vacation house or looking to become a homeowner for the first time, there are certain things you need to do before you even begin to look for a new home. Doing your homework before plunging into the house hunt can save you valuable time and energy.

• Set a time-frame. When do you want to move? When do you want to start looking for homes? If you are renting, when does your current lease expire? How long will it take you to save for a down-payment? It takes about 60-90 days to find a home and prepare for settlement.
• Get preapproved for a mortgage. Talk to the mortgage lender down-payment requirements, closing cost, and figure out an affordable monthly payment. Keep in mind that low down-payment options may be available and we can often negotiate for the seller to pay some or most of your closing cost.
• Determine what you can afford to spend. This may seem obvious, but its a step that can lead to disaster if overlooked, causing you to waste time with homes you cant afford, or sparking arguments with family members about what your budget looks like. Before you begin looking, sit down with all parties involved and set a realistic price range, including the amount of money you can afford to put down.
• Make a list of wants and needs. What type of neighborhood do you have in mind? How many bedrooms do you need? How many bathrooms do you need? How many do you want? Do you need a modern kitchen? Make a detailed list of the absolute necessities versus things you simply want. While both wants and needs are important, knowing the difference will help guide you in your decision making process. It is important to plan and talk about important details in advance. This will enable you to weed out any possible homes that dont meet your criteria.
• Keep your credit in mind. There is nothing more heartbreaking than finding your dream home only to have the bank refuse to give you a loan due to credit. If your credit isnt where it needs to be, spend a few months building it up before you begin hunting. If your credit has really fallen, it can take up to two years to build it back up again. This is something you want to know before you begin searching for a new home.

Whether you are buying or selling a home, George Maynes will always work in your best interest while helping to make your real estate transactions as stress free as possible.

George Maynes and his team are excited to assist you in all of your real estate transactions. Please contact George Maynes for a FREE (no obligation) consultation if you plan to buy and/or sell a home. We will provide you with reliable advice so you can make informed decisions.

www.GeorgeMaynes.com

George Maynes
Prudential Fox & Roach, REALTORS®
2451 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130
George.Maynes@prufoxroach.com
Cell: 215-317-3007
Office: 215-763-2100

Is the condo lifestyle right for you?

Owning a condominium is different from owning a single-family home in many ways.

Here is a list of the basic advantages and disadvantages of condo living to help you make your decision.

Advantages:

• Location: There is often a high concentration of condominiums in center city where land is at a premium. If you want to be in the heart of the city, a condominium may be a good choice.
• Security: Having neighbors around makes it a lot easier to lock up and leave for a vacation or an extended period of time. Also, condominium buildings often have security features, such as buzzers or a security guard service.
• Low maintenance: You dont have to worry about mowing the lawn or shoveling snow. Condo living means someone else takes care the upkeep and maintenance of the common areas of the property.
• Affordability: While condominiums have a wide price range, the lower range is often within the budget of first-time buyers and others who may find single-family houses unaffordable.
• Amenities: Most condominium developments offer a range of amenities in the common areas. This means that you may have access to a swimming pool, gym or tennis courts that you would not be able to afford on your own.
• Condominium association: Every unit owner is a member of the condo association, which also has an elected board. The association serves to enforce bylaws and handles maintenance and repair issues.

Disadvantages

• Community living: Shared walls and common areas mean that you are more likely to hear your neighbors or run into them more often. Also, as part of the homeowners association, you will have to coordinate with neighbors to come to decisions regarding the common areas.
• Fees: Monthly condo fees go toward maintenance and repair of the common areas. There are occasionally additional assessment fees to handle larger repair jobs. Your fees may also be paying for amenities, such as a swimming pool, that you may not use.
• Resale: Condominiums are more sensitive to trends in the real estate market than single-family homes. If the market takes a downturn, condos are usually the first to suffer and the last to recover.
• Rules: Condos are governed by a set of bylaws. This can include restrictions on noise levels, pet ownership, and renovations.
• Condominium association: Because the condo association is made up of homeowners rather than property-management professionals, the association may be weak and inefficient. Also, if you want to make renovations to your unit or rent your unit out, you may have to get approval from the condo association.

Weigh all of the pros and cons before you buy instead of after.

Whether you are buying or selling a home, George Maynes will always work in your best interest while helping to make your real estate transactions as stress free as possible.

George Maynes and his team are excited to assist you in all of your real estate transactions. Please contact George Maynes for a FREE (no obligation) consultation if you plan to buy and/or sell a home. We will provide you with reliable advice so you can make informed decisions.

www.GeorgeMaynes.com

George Maynes
Prudential Fox & Roach, REALTORS®
2451 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130
George.Maynes@prufoxroach.com
Cell: 215-317-3007
Office: 215-763-2100

Each year, Americans spend thousands of dollars on energy in their homes, much of which is wasted. Here are some easy ways to go green and save green at the same time.

• Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs. They use up to 75 percent less energy and can last up to 10 times longer.
• Look for the ENERGY STAR logo when shopping for home appliances. They meet strict guidelines set by the U.S Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency.
• Consider investing in solar powered outdoor lighting. While it may cost more upfront, there are no confusing wires, which means there is no electricity used.
• Seal spaces in your attic and basement to save on heating and cooling.
• Turning your water heater down to 120 degrees or the normal setting.
• When possible, turn off the air conditioning and use ceiling fans since most use less energy than a light bulb.
• Close the blinds and windows to help to keep your home insulated.
• Invest in a programmable thermostat, which can raise or lower the temperature when you are not home. Setting your thermostat to 78 degrees instead of 75 degrees can make a big difference in cost (about 18 percent.)
• Cleaning air conditioning filters and lint traps can also increase efficiency, as well as make your home safer.
• Plug your home electronics into a power strip that you can turn off when they are not in use.
• When not in use, either turn off your computer monitor or set it to automatic sleep mode.

When it comes to energy, every little bit counts. Start conserving energy today and watch your bills dwindle.
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Whether you are buying or selling a home, George Maynes will always work in your best interest while helping to make your real estate transactions as stress free as possible.

George Maynes and his team are excited to assist you in all of your real estate transactions. Please contact George Maynes for a FREE (no obligation) consultation if you plan to buy and/or sell a home. We will provide you with reliable advice so you can make informed decisions.

www.GeorgeMaynes.com

George Maynes
Prudential Fox & Roach, REALTORS®
2451 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130
George.Maynes@prufoxroach.com
Cell: 215-317-3007
Office: 215-763-2100

Price the Home Right

It is this simple. A properly priced home should sell quickly. An overpriced home may not ever sell.

• If your home is priced too high, interested buyers may never even tour your listing.
• A house priced at just below market value piques the interest of real estate professionals and buyers
• An overpriced home turns away potential buyers
• It is true that you can always drop the price, but the first 30 days are the most critical. That is when interest is the highest, and it can be difficult to recapture people's interest later on.
• The longer the property is on the market, the fewer the prospects.

Showcase Your Home

You only get one chance to make a first impression.

• Be sure your home is clean and has a welcoming smell.
• Get rid of any clutter.
• Touch up the paint where needed.
• Clean the carpet.
• Consider some minor home improvements.
• Make any repairs that are needed.
• Hire a professional cleaning service.

Think Curb Appeal

Don't overlook the outside of your property. You don't want a buyer to rule out your home based on the outside appearance.

• The front of the house needs a clean, fresh appearance.
• The lawn should be trimmed, bushes and shrubs pruned, and leaves raked.
• Even the mailbox needs to be attractive and functional.
• Put away bicycles, toys, and other items that may make your property seem cluttered.

Offer Incentives

Offering incentives can be just the drive a potential buyer needs to select your property over competition.

• Include the major appliances with the sale.
• Provide an allowance for worn carpet or paint.
• Purchase a 1 year warranty for the home.
• Offer to pay some of the buyer's closing costs.

Make Your House Showing Friendly

• Use a lockbox.
• Remove your dog for all showings
• Leave the house for all showings.
• Make sure the house is ready to show each morning.

Making the right moves at the beginning of your home selling process can give you the upper-hand you'll need in today's competitive market.

Whether you are buying or selling a home, George Maynes will always work in your best interest while helping to make your real estate transactions as stress free as possible.

George Maynes and his team are excited to assist you in all of your real estate transactions. Please contact George Maynes for a FREE (no obligation) consultation if you plan to buy and/or sell a home. We will provide you with reliable advice so you can make informed decisions.

www.GeorgeMaynes.com

George Maynes
Prudential Fox & Roach, REALTORS®
2451 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130
George.Maynes@prufoxroach.com
Cell: 215-317-3007
Office: 215-763-2100

What is the difference between an appraisal and a home inspection?

What Is A Home Appraisal?

According to the Appraisal Institute, the role of the home appraiser is to "provide a professional opinion, usually an estimate of market value, to be used in making real estate decisions." Typically, appraisers are employed by lenders to estimate the value of real estate involved in a loan transaction. An appraiser hired by a lender works in the best interest of their client, the lender.

What Is A Home Inspection?

A home inspection is an objective visual examination of the physical structure and systems of a house. Home inspectors are usually employed by the prospective homebuyer. A home inspector hired by a buyer works in the best interest of their client, the homebuyer.

A home inspection is conducted by a qualified inspector and they take a more detailed look at the physical structure and systems within a home from the roof to the foundation. The average time for a home inspection is approximately 2-3 hours, while an appraisal inspection is completed in a short time relevant to the home inspection.

According to the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), a home inspection report will examine and review the condition of the home and the following items:

• The heating system
• Central air conditioning system (HVAC)
• Interior plumbing and electrical systems
• Roof, attic, and visible insulation
• Walls, ceilings, floors, windows, and doors
• Foundation, basement, and structural components

Remember, for your protection get a home inspection

Whether you are buying or selling a home, George Maynes will always work in your best interest while helping to make your real estate transactions as stress free as possible.

George Maynes and his team are excited to assist you in all of your real estate transactions. Please contact George Maynes for a FREE (no obligation) consultation if you plan to buy and/or sell a home. We will provide you with reliable advice so you can make informed decisions.

www.GeorgeMaynes.com

George Maynes
Prudential Fox & Roach, REALTORS®
2451 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130
George.Maynes@prufoxroach.com
Cell: 215-317-3007
Office: 215-763-2100