FHA Update for Lehigh County

New Changes in FHA loan guidelines have created exiting new opportunities for qualified buyers who have been waiting for the right time to buy. These opportunities include:

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

Save some dollars

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

Start Packing The Correct Way

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:
Before you start

• Prioritize your packing list. Consider what you do not need to take with you, what will you need extra packing care and how to best organize your things.
• Estimate how many boxes you will need and get them well in advance of moving day. Save newspapers to line boxes.
• Consider investing in moving insurance, which covers any damages or breakages during the move.
• Start early. Packing always takes longer than you think.
• Begin at the top of the house first and work your way down. Attics are a great place to start sorting.
• Move from room to room, packing and labeling carefully as you go. Clearly mark boxes that contain breakable objects. Be sure to keep all boxes that belong to a certain room together. It will make it easier when you unpack.
• Newspaper can sometimes leave marks, so wrap your valuables in bubble wrap, blankets or pillows to avoid messy newsprint.
• Keep all of your important documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, in the same place for easy reference.
• You likely won't want to shuffle through boxes on your first night in your new home, or you might be traveling a long distance and have your household items show up after you have arrived. Either way, pack an essential box containing a change of clothes and toiletries as well as coffee, tea, snacks, cups, plates etc. A small tool kit, first-aid supplies, pen and paper are also important to have on hand. If you like additional info feel free to email me at: findit@LehighValleyRealty.com