Wednesday, June 16, 2010

June 2010 Newsletter      Here’s What’s  Happening in our Neighborhood:




ACTIVE: 4965 Grundy Way - a Glenfield, 4 Bdrms, 2 1/2 baths. A Gutner Team Listing. See the virtual tour at www.gutner.com. Hardwoods, granite , back staircase, fireplace, screened sun room, in-ground pool. Asking $582,500, on the market for 65 days.

5020 Mead Dr. - an Eaton in perfect condition! 2full, 2 half Baths, finished basement, granite, greenhouse. A Gutner Team Listing. See the virtual tour at www.gutner.com. Asking $519,900, Reduced to 499,550.

4814 Mead Dr. - a Belmont with finished walk-out basement and large, flat yard with lots of privacy, stainless kitchen, new granite, shadow box moldings. A Gutner Team Listing. See the virtual tour at www.gutner.com. Was $534,900. Reduced to $527,500. On the market for 59 days.

4010 Hunt Dr. - a Columbia w/upgraded culinary kitchen, hardwoods through first and second floor, 2 story family room and Jack-n-Jill bath. Asking $579,900, reduced to 569,900 and now to $554,900. On the market for 54 days.

PENDING: 4950 Redfield - an Eaton, 4 bdrms, 2 1/2 baths, finished basement, side entry garage, Henry patio. Asking 539,900. On the market for 3 days. A Gutner Team Listing!

5051 Mead Dr. - a Haverford, 4 bdrms, 2 1/2 baths, largest dining room available in C.S.H., double wall ovens, finished walk-out basement. New Hardwoods, new paint, new carpet. A Gutner Team Listing. See the virtual tour at www.gutner.com. Asking 559,900, on the market for 59 days

SOLD : No homes settled yet this month.

Dalton Glen:

3781 Newbolt: A Doyle Floorplan with 4 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, Inground Pool, 3 car garage and .69 acres. Asking $599,000.



Our home is one of the oldest in our neighborhood so we’re ahead of many of you with maintenance issues. Our gutters just needed to be re-hung and our patio has settled so that water is heading back to our house. Our air-conditioner MIGHT make it through this year and our baths need updating—always something! If I were 15 years younger I’d be moving to Toll’s newest development, Plumstead Chase. Beautiful, flat, 1/2 acre lots starting at $560,000, some with very low lot premiums. If you are interested in making a move let us know. We are on the Toll Brothers advisory Board and there are many financial benefits to working with us when purchasing one of these homes.



We all watched as Belmont Square was built. They’re the town-homes just south of Dairy Queen on Main Street. In 2006 one of them sold for $739,000. In 2007 two sold; one for $620,000 and one for $569,000. Today there are three on the market. One has been on the market 333 days and is now $479,549. One is $549,000 and the third has been on the market for 330 days, now priced at $559,000. If you like the idea of in-town living there are some great buys out there!

Virtual Tour Inventory WidgetGet Adobe Flash Player

Updating Your Home? Is it a Capital Improvement?
Are you updating your home or repairing a few things? Keep track of what you’re doing and how much you’re spending as some improvements that are structural or that restore an aspect of the home to increase its value are considered capital improvements.
Capital improvements are generally built-in items that you can’t take with you and that often require a permit to install. Repairs are generally expenses to keep the home in good shape.
The importance of capital improvements is that when you go to sell your home, if you stand to profit more than $250,000 for an individual or $500,000 for a couple, capital improvements can be subtracted from the profit. This lowers your capital gains, which may eliminate or lower taxes.
You may think that these numbers are too high for you to ever benefit, but we’re selling homes for people who have been in them for 10 to 15 years and they have paid their mortgages off and have good equity. So . . . Save your receipts! (and always talk to your accountant)!
What qualifies?
New hot water heater, doors, windows, roof.
Installation of a security system, air conditioner, furnace
Insulation
New or updated plumbing and electrical wiring
Adding a room, finishing a basement
New or replacement fences, in-ground pool, driveway, walkways, patios, decks, garage
Installation of built-in microwave, dishwasher, cook top, cabinets, entertainment units.

Making your home Burglar Proof
Make sure all of your locks work and USE them.
If everyone in the ‘hood has a key, it’s time to re-key.
Outdoor lights with motion detectors are a great deterent
LOCK YOUR GARAGE WINDOWS!!!
Lock your car and hide the garage door opener. If your car is parked outside, all they have to do is break in, use the garage door opener and they’re in!
When going away make sure someone brings your papers in. A good trick is large dog bowl filled with water on the front or back steps along with a pair of very large boots. Use a timer for lamps.
DON’T keep your beer or booze in the garage. First, it loses its Umph—and what’s the point of it without UPMH? And secondly . . . It’s just too tempting for teenagers.

What colors will be “HOT” in 2010?


Now, just because I tell you these colors doesn’t mean you should go crazy with it. We’re in very Traditional Bucks County and Beiges and Tans are still what buyers are looking for. But, if you’re staying in your home for a long while and love color, bright yellow is back and so is turquoise. Grey is going to be big and Lavender bedrooms are popular. Before you go painting (if you are going on the market) call me and I’ll “approve” your choices!

Privacy.


I know you’re all sick of me telling you this but it makes a HUGE difference when selling your home. Go to your deck or patio . . . Come on, right now, get up and move. Sit down and tell yourself how many of your neighbors can see you. If that number is higher than Zero, you need to do some plantings. Not many, but a few perfectly placed Arborvitae could do the trick. If you’re at the top of small hill, consider some trees that grow quickly at the back of your property. If you’re at the bottom of a hill, the same thing. If you’re flat and back up to neighbors consider arborvitae or white pines. When someone is standing at your back door, they shouldn’t be able to see the back door of your neighbor. If you have a patio, consider some nice plantings on the edge of your patio so that when you sit there, you are not completely visible. Need help? Call us and we’ll stop by!.

Fabulous interest rates and LOW prices make this a GREAT time to move or buy that second home that someone else needs to dump, or get a local investment property. We can help you with all of your needs. If not here, we have a vast network of Top Producers, like ourselves, to help you elsewhere.
 
It is Time to call The Gutner's 215-262-5480
email henri@gutner.com or jeri@gutner.com