Loans up to $402,500.00
Down payment as low as 3.5%
Gift funds allowed
Flexible qualifying guidelines
Fixed or adjustable-rate loans
Low, competitive rates (Source: Countrywide Homes Loans) for more info contact me at: findit@LehighValleyRealty.com
All of look for ways of saving energy in our homes. When it comes to replace existing appliances, try to find appliances that have ENERGY STAR label. These appliances meet EPA & Department of energy efficiancy standards. In 2007 alone, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved enough energy to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 27 million cars. Use modern controls to help systems consume less energy. A programmable thermostat puts your heating and cooling systems on a schedule that reduces energy use by as much as 10 percent a year. Your heating system can gain even more efficiency with an advanced burner control that matches the burner's performance more closely to the home's actual heat loss. Energy use will decrease up to 10 percent, and there will be less wear and tear on your system. I hope you found this of value. Feel free to drop me a line on a subject you would like more info on at: findit@LehighValleyRealty.com
You found the perfect home, signed on the dotted line and are daydreaming about life in your new home. As moving day looms, it is also time to think about packing up your belongings. Have you found enough boxes? How to handle those precious family heirlooms and other breakables? Here are a few tips for making your big day go as smoothly as possible:
Now that old man winter is approaching, it would be a good idea to check your plumbing vents on your roof. As you can see these are new repalcement units. You are looking at a radon and a plumbing vent. After about 10 years in service the rubber gaskets/seals deteriorate, dry out and crack. This will lead to leaks into the living area of the house. This is something that few homeowners ever look at until moisture enters the home. You may want to have your roofer or handyman evaluate yours before the weather turns. If you have any questions contact me at: findit@LehighValleyRealty.com
Many Buyers as of late are on the fence, if they should purchase a home now. I know they have pause for concern. Let me give you some facts, yes credit did tighten up. But it is mostly found in the population that have a low credit score. For the most part you can achieve financing with as little as 3% down payment with FHA or no down with VA financing. These programs are backed by the government and can be achieved with minimum amount of headaches. As a Buyer you may say, I want to wait to see what happens to the market....You can but lets looks at what is going on now. "ROBUST inventory, LOWEST interest rates in years, and MINIMAL competition." So I ask you this if you wait till the market flips, you will be competing against all the others like you waiting on the side lines. So now you can start looking or upgrading to your dream home. It is very seldom that a market has ample inventory, low interest rates and little Buyer competition. Even if the current market slips, Real Estate does always recover. You can now start enjoying your new home and also take advantage of the tax benefits and your future. If you are a 1st. time home buyer, you can take advantage of up to $7,500.00 tax credit for homes purchased before July 1st. 2009. This program is the Housing and Economic Recovery Act 2008. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at: findit@LehighValleyRealty.com .
Our hearts and prayers go out to our East Allentown friends who were affected from tropical storm Hanna which may have sparked a tornado that cut through the neighborhood around Dieruff High School. Pictured are two homes that were damaged on the 800 block of N. Kearney St. Roofs, siding, fencing and numerous tree damage in this area. Dieruff High School was indeed damaged with its flat roofing material tore from its decking. Many numerous mature trees around the school have been damaged and crews are on site to assist on the clean up and repairs. On the 800 block of N. Irving street, some homes also were also damaged with roofs blown off. The damages were estimated around 1.5 million dollars. Thankfully, with all the destruction no one was injured or killed during this storm.
Although homeowners say they are concerned about common environmental health risks, they often do little to protect themselves. A recent survey by pest control company Orkin, Inc., with the assistance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH), found that 70 percent of owners have never had their homes tested or inspected for lead, radon, carbon monoxide or mold even though they are concerned that environmental hazards could affect their health. While nearly all (95 percent) are aware that pests, such as ticks, mosquitoes, roaches and rodents can spread disease, nearly 70 percent reported that they do not consult a pest control professional. The CDC, NCHH and Orkin have launched a public awareness campaign to educate consumers on how to protect themselves against harmful environmental health hazards and close the gap between awareness and action. If you have any questions contact me at: findit@LehighValleyRealty.com Have a great day.
Running a sprinkler for two hours can use up to 500 gallons of water. To figure out the right amount to water, put an empty tuna can on your lawn. When it's full, you've water about the right amount. For more info on how to save around the house contact me at: findit@LehighValleyRealty.com
An estimated 70 million Americans own pets and consider them part of the family. So when it comes time to move or travel, pet owners are faced with a dilemma about how to transport their pets safely and with minimal hassle.For more info contact Jeffrey Burnatowski at findit@LehighValleyRealty.com
Homes with "excellent" landscaping can expect a sale price about 6 to 7 percent higher than equivalent houses with "good" landscaping, while improving landscaping from "average" to "good" can result in a 4 to 5 percent increase. (Clemson University)
For the third consecutive year, home offices are the most popular special - function room among homeowners, according to the American Institute of Architects' Home design Trend survey for the second quarter of 2007. Nearly two-thirds (61 percent) of residential architects surveyed said homeowners are looking for home offices in their new homes compared with 51 percent a year ago. The survey also found that homeowners want more than a desk in the corner of the bedroom; they are looking for accoustic privacy, better natural lighting and, in some cases, a separate entry for clients. Other special -function rooms that are gaining popularity include a media room/home theater, a fitness room and a kid's or guest wing. Rising utility costs and greater enviromental awareness are also prompting an increasing number of homeowners to go green with their home designs, the survey concludes. More homeowners are demanding sustainable designs and energy-efficient products, such as tankless water heaters, geothermal heating and cooling systems, structual insulation panels, and flooring products made of bamboo and cork. I hope you had founfd this informative. Feel free to contact me at findit@LehighValleyRealty.com .
More than a million new households are formed annually, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, with most being adult children leaving home. Among them, single women continue to be the biggest growth category of buyers (making up 22 percent of all buyers in 2006, up from 14 percent in 1995). The share of married folks buying homes fell to 61 percent in 2006 (from 68 percent in 2001). Single male buyers have been holding steady through the decade at 9 percent. If you have any questions feel free to email me at: findit@LehighValleyRealty.com
With so much uncertainty surrounding the mortgage industry, it's no wonder that many consumers are confused about home loans. The National Association of Mortgage Professionals, which was formed in early 2007 to raise the level of integrity and professionalism among mortgage professionals, has launched a free Mortgage Helpline at 888.680.6267 to help borrowers review their mortgage options and resolve problems. When the borrowers call, they can talk to a mortgage representative who provides sound advice and answers to their mortgage questions. If you like more info contact me at findit@LehighValleyRealty.com
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