 Fall is in full swing and it’s time to pick some pumpkins. I’ve got two suggestions today for places you can celebrate the season. Looking to sell your Bucks or Montgomery County home? Get a free home value report.Looking to buy a Bucks or Montgomery County home? Search all homes for sale.There are some great places in our area to take the family for some fall fun. When it comes to seasonal festivities, one of my personal favorites is something most people know about: Shadybrook Farm’s PumpkinFest.  But, I’ve also got a recommendation that might not be so familiar. Another great place I recommend is Eastburn Farms, located on Dorm Road in Newtown. Eastburn Farms is family operated, and was actually started as a hobby. The attention to detail that is put into Eastburn Farms is obvious in everything they do. However, even now that it’s grown into something much bigger than a hobby, you can still expect to be treated with a lot of personal care. The attention to detail that is put into Eastburn Farms is obvious in everything they do. They’ve got a wide variety and selection of pumpkins, from Jarrahdale to Cinderella to your typical Jack-o’-Lantern style, and more. They’ve also got a variety of squash, which are great for cooking. I hope all of you have a great time taking advantage of our area’s fall festivities. Happy Halloween!If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon. 

Bucks County Real Estate Podcast with Debbie Spaulder

Some Great Fall Festivities in Our Area

 I want to take a moment to pause and reflect on that tragic day that changed our lives forever, and to honor those we lost on 9/11/2001.Looking to sell your Bucks or Montgomery County home? Get a free home value report.Looking to buy a Bucks or Montgomery County home? Search all homes for sale.On the 16th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, I want to pause for a moment to reflect and the day that changed our lives forever. I also want to take some time to remember those who lost their lives on that tragic day. My thoughts and prayers are with their families, the survivors, and the first responders who rushed in to help. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, the survivors, and the first responders today. The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were the deadliest terror attacks on U.S. soil. 2,977 people died in the attacks, and our community was hit hard by the loss of nine souls from Lower Makefield and 18 souls from Bucks County. If you are looking for more ways to observe the 16th anniversary, you can go to the Garden of Reflection in Lower Makefield, which is the official Pennsylvania memorial to victims of the 9/11 attacks. There will be a few special events there for the 16th anniversary. For more information on the Garden of Reflection, click here.At 8:30 in the morning, a remembrance ceremony will mark the chronological events of that tragic day to remember and honor those we lost with music and prayer. At 7:00 p.m., there will be a candlelight service. As we walk forward together, we work together. The Garden of Reflection is located at 1950 Woodside Road in Lower Makefield, Pennsylvania. If you are using GPS, you may need to enter “Morrisville,” Yardley,” or “Newtown” to get there. There is also the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City. You can purchase tickets to attend up to six months in advance. Again, my thoughts and prayers are with the survivors, victims, first responders, and their families. Thank you for taking a moment out of your day to pause and reflect with me. 

Remembering Those We Lost on 9/11/2001

 Floors require a lot of maintenance if they’re going to last. Today, I’ve brought on an expert, Marty Hackett of Marty’s Carpet Cleaning, to give me the details on how to properly care for a home’s flooring.Looking to sell your Bucks or Montgomery County home? Get a free home value report.Looking to buy a Bucks or Montgomery County home? Search all homes for sale.Looking for more information? Check out the carpet and rug institute.Want set up a time with Marty? Click here  Today I’m joined by two special guests: Marty Hackett of Marty’s Carpet Cleaning and my dog Oliver. Both of these guests have a lot to do with today’s subject, which is carpet cleaning. Oliver is actually one of the major reasons I see Marty as often as I do. Just because I love my pet doesn’t mean I love the messes he can make. However, there are many other factors that can contribute to a dirty carpet as well.Marty started in this business 31 years ago and has loved it ever since. Throughout those years, he has gained a lot of knowledge and experience about floor and carpet cleaning. This is exactly why I can always trust he will do a good job for me and my clients. I truly believe that Marty is a step above his competitors. When I asked him what he thinks sets his business apart, he told me he credits his success to conscientiousness and keeping up to date on the latest technology. “ Maintaining your floors like you would anything else is essential. ”Updates in technology have really made a difference in how carpet is cleaned. Years ago, there was a shampooing method that left behind a lot of soapy residues. Ironically, this meant that carpets actually got dirty more quickly after they had been cleaned. The extraction method that Marty and most other carpet cleaners use today is much more efficient. Most carpet installation places won’t give you your warranty unless you ask for it. As a result, many people are confused about exactly how often they need their carpet cleaned. Generally, you should clean your carpet around every 16 to 24 months.This time frame will give you the best performance from your carpet. Between those professional cleanings, people can maintain their carpets by doing one simple thing: vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. Carpets wear because of friction, and friction is increased when a lot of dust is trapped between your carpet’s fibers. A well-maintained carpet can last for years and years. According to Marty, people should get sick of the style or color of their carpets before they ever have to replace them for utilitarian purposes. The quality of the carpet matters too. A higher quality carpet is going to give you the most use, overall. But no matter how well you take care of your carpet, life happens. So what can be done about removing stains? Despite the impulse to do so, rubbing and scrubbing at a fresh spill or stain is the worst thing you can do. Marty suggests that you always use a white, cotton towel in a dabbing motion to soak up as much of the stain as you can. Blotting a stain with warm water is another good thing to try. If that doesn’t work, it’s also acceptable to add a very small amount of dish soap or laundry detergent, too. The problem with using a cleaning chemical is that it can actually set the fibers and make the stain difficult for even someone like Marty to remove. Marty has a good solution to almost any stain but says the trickiest one is red wine. However, even that can be removed with the right knowledge. All it takes is some cheap white wine to dilute the red wine stain while it’s still fresh. Once you’ve done this, blot the stain and it should lift right up. But Marty and his business don’t only clean carpets. “If you walk on it, we clean it,” he says. It was primarily when hardwood and stone flooring came back into style that Marty began working more often with those kinds of surfaces. “ If you walk on it, Marty can clean it.”Flooring is one of the most expensive things you can put into a home, so maintaining it like you would anything else is absolutely essential. If you’d like to contact Marty or learn more about his business, you can visit the Marty’s Carpet Cleaning Facebook page, visit www.martyscarpetcleaning.com, or call him at (215) 968-8878. If you have any other questions or would like more information on carpet cleaning, click here or feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.  

Does Carpet Cleaning Increase or Decrease My Home Value?

 Home flipping is all the rage right now. Here’s what you should know if you are thinking about cashing in on this trend.Looking to sell your Bucks or Montgomery County home? Get a free home value report.Looking to buy a Bucks or Montgomery County home? Search all homes for sale. Home flipping is usually defined as buying a home and then reselling it soon after for a higher price. 10 years ago, it was a mainstay of the real estate boom that led to the financial crash.After some years of lower activity, it's back in full force, thanks in part to popular TV shows such as "Flip or Flop" and "Flipping the Block." If you're curious about home flipping, here are three facts you should know right now:1. Home flipping is more profitable than ever. A recent Waco home that appeared on HGTV's show "Fixer Upper" was originally bought for $28,000. It was thoroughly renovated and is now being listed for $950,000—over 30 times its original price. In 2016, the median flipped home sold for $189,900, which is $62,624 over the median purchase price of $127,276. That's a 49.2% return, the most profitable return since 2000—the first year for which such data is available.2. Home flipping is caused by different factors than 10 years ago. Back then, many flipped homes were speculations. In other words, investors would buy a home and then just wait, hoping that the price would go up so they could sell. The current flipping trend appears to be a positive response to current market conditions, such as the overall shortage of homes for sale, a lack of new construction, and a steady rise in home prices. Demand still outstrips supply, for now. 3. Home flipping affects all home buyers and sellers. If you're a buyer, you can clearly benefit from the home-flipping craze. Flipped homes are available at all price ranges, from entry-level to luxury homes. If you are a seller, then the boom in home flipping means you might face tougher competition when the time comes to sell your home.The good news is that demand still strongly outstrips supply for now. These conditions won’t last forever.If you have any questions or you're even considering investing in a home you can flip yourself, get in touch with me by giving me a call or sending me a quick email. I’d love to hear from you.

How Has Home Flipping Become So Popular?

 Finding the perfect home can seem next to impossible. At what point should you consider remodeling a home or even building a new one?Looking to sell your Bucks or Montgomery County home? Get a free home value report.Looking to buy a Bucks or Montgomery County home? Search all homes for sale.If you can't find the right home, how do you know when it's time to consider remodeling or even building a new home?Finding a home that's the right fit is difficult. You'll probably find yourself thinking "If I could take this home and combine it in with that home..." However, you'll want to consider a few things before deciding to remodel or build from scratch. The buying process: To build a home, you need to purchase a lot and get a construction loan, which is a longer process. You could also buy an existing home and pay as you go with remodeling. Time: Can you wait around for a new build? Sometimes you just don't have the time to wait 10 months or more for your new home.Floor plan: Can you find the kind of floor plan you're looking for in a remodel job? Sometimes you simply can't move a wall or create that open concept that you're going for. Location: There are currently 331 lots for sale in Bucks County ranging from 47 acres for $7.7 million to four acres for $5,000. If you're set on a certain location, can you find a home suited for your remodeling goals in that certain area? Fun: What do you like doing? Would it be more enjoyable to build the home, or are you an HGTV nut who loves the remodeling process?If you're looking for a home or trying to decide between remodeling or building your next home, don't hesitate to give me a call or send me an email soon. I'm here to help!

Should You Remodel or Build Your Next Home?

 If you’re looking to diversify your traditional stock portfolio, you should think about adding real estate. Today I’ll tell you why that’s a good idea.Looking to sell your Bucks or Montgomery County home? Get a free home value report.Looking to buy a Bucks or Montgomery County home? Search all homes for sale. Today I want to talk to you about how real estate is a good addition to your traditional stock and bond portfolio. Real estate is a good investment because it offers diversification to your portfolio. It is considered its own asset class and can offer generous yields during periods of depressed economic activity and appreciation when economic activity is strong, like it is currently.Financial advisors consider real estate an alternative investment on the level of commodities. Both are less correlated to bonds and stocks, and can help a well-diversified portfolio smooth out the rough patches. The home is most people’s largest asset, so finding exposure to real estate is typically not a priority.However, over the long term, as long as household formation continues, real estate will continue to be a viable asset class. However, over the long term, as long as household formation continues, real estate will continue to be a viable asset class. Additionally, some stock portfolios include allocations to mortgage insurers or real estate investment trusts, which tend to pay healthy dividends. Furthermore, real estate market health is determined by demographic trends and economic growth. These trends continue to remain favorable, making real estate an attractive option for investors.If you have any other questions or would like to learn about some great investment opportunities, please give me a call. I would love to help you.

Why You Should Invest in Real Estate

 When is the right time to sell your home? Should you wait? Actually, now is a great time to put your home on the market and there are a couple of reasons why.Looking to sell your Bucks or Montgomery County home? Get a free home value report.Looking to buy a Bucks or Montgomery County home? Search all homes for sale.When is the right time to get off of the fence? Should you sell your home now or should you wait? If you want to sell your home, then this winter offers an incredible opportunity to do so. Current housing inventory is the lowest it has been in years, which means you don’t have a lot of competition on the market. Prices are strong, too. “Housing inventory is the lowest it’s been in years.”We’re also in a period of low but rising mortgage rates. Buyers want to be able to get into a new home before rates go up again. If you would like to know what your home is worth in today’s market, then give me a call. I know the local area very well and I talk to homebuyers every day, so I have a great feel for our current real estate market. Once we discuss the unique characteristics of your home, I will give you my best estimate of how you can get your home sold for top dollar. Now is a great time to sell, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions. I would be happy to help you!

Is Now the Time to Get Off of the Fence?

 Home improvements can greatly add to your home’s value.Looking to sell your Bucks or Montgomery County home? Get a free home value report.Looking to buy a Bucks or Montgomery County home? Search all homes for sale.Making a new addition to your home is a great idea for various reasons, but interest rates and property values can change the effectiveness of your investment. If you’re considering building a new addition into your home, consider the following five pieces of information as you make your decision:1. Cost. When budgeting for your addition, plan for the costs associated with major home improvement projects. The hefty cost is something homeowners should consider closely before embarking on this type of construction. It’s also important to consider the additional costs of utilities and taxes to affect your annual budget.2. Investment value. Sellers don’t necessarily recoup their entire investment due to variables associated with property values.3. Enjoyment factor. Cost and investment aren’t always the main concerns of homeowners when they’re making additions. Sometimes they just want to enjoy the added space or have a need to expand their home.4. Stress. I don’t have to tell you that stress is a con, and can be a temporary problem. Selling your home and buying a new one may prove no less stressful.5. Design aesthetic. A poor design decision can detract from the appearance of your home. An addition that’s mismatched to the main structure can detract from the home’s visual appearance. This will turn buyers off.“Consider all the pros and cons before making a decision.”Consider all the pros and cons when it comes to making a decision about a new home addition. Talking to other homeowners can also help you gather advice and enhance your decision making process. If you have any questions for us or if you know someone looking to buy or sell, give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.

5 Tips for Deciding on a Home Improvement Project

 How can you grow your wealth through homeownership? I’ll go over four different options for you today.Looking to sell your Bucks or Montgomery County home? Get a free home value report.Looking to buy a Bucks or Montgomery County home? Search all homes for sale. One of the major benefits of owning a home is getting to build your wealth. How can you grow your wealth using your home? There are a few different ways: 1. Long-term homeownership builds wealth. When you use a mortgage to buy your home, the longer you own the home, the more of that mortgage you pay off. When you first start paying a mortgage, you are primarily paying interest. Over time, however, you start to pay off more principal, and as the principal adds up, you have more long-term wealth in your property. “By paying off your mortgage, you build long-term wealth.”2. Homeownership lets you claim certain tax deductions which are not available to renters. You can write off your property taxes and the interest that you pay off each month. 3. You can take out a home equity line of credit. You can use that line of credit to refinance your car or student loans or even to make improvements to your home, like adding a new kitchen. You are also allowed to write off the interest from your home equity line of credit. 4. You can take advantage of capital gains. If you are a single person and you have lived in the home as a primary resident for at least two years, then you can make up to $250,000 on your home sale without paying any taxes.  If you are married, that number doubles and you can make $500,000 on your home sale. There are many financial benefits to homeownership. If you have any questions about buying a home or about our local real estate market, give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!

How Owning a Home Increases Your Wealth

 The recent interest rate hike impacts everyone in the real estate market. Here’s how.Looking to sell your Bucks or Montgomery County home? Get a free home value report.Looking to buy a Bucks or Montgomery County home? Search all homes for sale.What does the increase in interest rates mean for you?The Federal Reserve’s interest rate setting committee on Wednesday said that it would raise interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point to between 0.50% and 0.75%. It is only the second time the U.S. central bank has raised interest rates since 2006 when the economy was yet to be hit by the financial crisis.So what does this mean for the real estate market? First, if you’re going to buy a home, chances are that you will opt for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage like most home buyers do. Those loans have become remarkably affordable, especially since the financial crisis, with their interest rates bottoming out at around 3.5%.In general, movement of the Fed’s rate does not have a large, direct impact on long-term mortgage rates. But when the Fed’s rate goes up, banks find ways to pass their higher borrowing costs along to consumers.Because long-term mortgage rates are set in stone, they also factor in the anticipation of future rate increases. That’s part of why mortgage rates have shot up in recent months—the Fed has suggested that interest rates will likely continue rising for years.As mortgage rates go up, people are a little less likely to buy a house, and those with fixed-rate mortgages are less likely to refinance because they probably will not end up with a better deal.“Now is definitely the time to either buy or sell your home.”What does this all mean for you? It means now is the time to either buy or sell your home. The interest rates are still low and you will be able to lock in that rate. If you have any more questions about why now is the best time to buy or sell a home, give me a call or send me an email. I’d be happy to help.

Recent Interest Rate Increases Will Affect Everyone

You should absolutely consider selling your home during this holiday season. There are many factors working in your favor to do so.Looking to sell your Bucks or Montgomery County home? Get a free home value report.Looking to buy a Bucks or Montgomery County home? Search all homes for sale.If you’re a home seller, is it a good idea to list now rather than wait until next year? Absolutely. There are four reasons why: Buyers are highly motivated and serious. They’re not window shopping out there. They need to make a decision and soon. Buyers have fewer homes to choose from. Inventory is lower now than compared to where it will be during spring. As it starts to increase in January, there will be less demand for your home and more competition from other sellers. Houses show better during the holidays. People love to see a lived-in home when it’s been decorated. Mortgage rates are lower now than they probably will be after the first of the year. This means you can buy more home for your buck. There are plenty of other reasons you should list your home now. If you’d like to know what they are, or you’re thinking about making a real estate decision, contact us by phone or email today. We’d love to assist you! 

Are You Better Off Listing During the Holidays?

 Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, so today I wanted to take the opportunity to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving.Looking to sell your Bucks or Montgomery County home? Get a free home value report.Looking to buy a Bucks or Montgomery County home? Search all homes for sale. Today I wanted to take a few minutes to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving. We pray that you, your friends, and your loved ones experience great joy this time of year and have safe travels wherever you’re headed. Make sure that you enjoy your time with your family. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. What we do in my family is take some time to think about what we’re thankful for and tell one another. As our children have gotten older, we’ve started to set more time aside each year to enjoy each other’s company.We hope and pray that you experience the great joy and peace around Thanksgiving this year. We thank you for all you do, from our family to yours. In the meantime, if you know anyone who’s looking to buy, sell, or invest in real estate, please feel free to send them my way. I’d be happy to help! 

Happy Thanksgiving, from Our Family to Yours

How does the local school district affect your home's value? What determines a good school, anyway? I’ll answer all of these questions and more today.  Looking to sell your Bucks or Montgomery County home? Get a free home value report.Looking to buy a Bucks or Montgomery County home? Search all homes for sale.How does the local school district affect your home's value? Neighborhoods with at least one good elementary school have greater home values and higher long-term home appreciation rates than neighborhoods without good schools.  “A good school has an overall test score that is 30% higher than the state average. ”  What determines a good school? If a school has an overall test score that is at least 30% higher than the state average, then it is considered a good school. While good schools are at the top of most home buyers’ checklists because they will improve the quality of life for their kids, you should be aware of the financial benefit of a good school as well. If you are interested in what our school districts are like, give me a call or send me an email. I would be glad to help you!

Why Are Schools So Important to Home Buyers?

Fall is a great time to catch up on maintenance in your home. As you’ll see, it’s also a great time to make your home happy and healthy.  Looking to sell your Bucks or Montgomery County home? Get a free home value report.Looking to buy a Bucks or Montgomery County home? Search all homes for sale.The fall season is finally here. We are here to share some quick tips with you to make sure your home is in tip-top shape this season. A healthy home is one that helps you maintain optimal health. To maintain a healthy home, you’ve got to keep your home dry, clean, well-ventilated, free from contaminants, and pest-free. Good home maintenance can do many things for you. It can:Reduce allergensPrevent illnessReduce injury from accidents“Good maintenance prevents illnesses. ” The fall is also a great time to check the major systems in your home, including:PlumbingHeatingGarageAtticsFoundation MasonryHome exteriorRoofs DoorsWindowsFor more information about what you can do to maintain your home this fall, give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.

Home Maintenance Tips for Bucks and Montgomery County

Looking to sell your Bucks or Montgomery County home? Get a free home value report.Looking to buy a Bucks or Montgomery County home? Search all homes for sale.If you're buying a home in Bucks and Montgomery County, should you buy a new home or an older home? It’s an age-old question for potential homeowners.When it comes to older homes, they are readily available, and come with the added bonus of mature neighborhoods with larger trees and yards generally. Inside the home, kitchens are generally a bit smaller, but sometimes they're remodeled, along with the rest of the house. Here in Bucks County, we don't typically have reassessments, so older homes typically have lower taxes as well.“Do you prefer character and charm, or totally customizable? ”  With new construction homes, you typically have to wait for your home and the prices tend to be a little bit higher. The plus side is, you have many more options. You can customize the floorplan, and you decide what's actually going into the home. You will have some added expenses like landscaping, painting, and window treatments, but those are also all customizable to your tastes. Which would you prefer? I'd be happy to help you with this decision if you're looking to buy a home. Just give me a call! If you have any other questions about buying, selling, or investing in real estate, feel free to reach out to me soon.

Character or Customization? The Great Home Buying Debate

If you are looking to buy or sell a home, get all the information and the latest updates, tips, and tricks from Debbie Spaulder- your professional Bucks County Real Estate Agent.

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Bucks County Real Estate Podcast with Debbie Spaulder

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