What's Happening in Cold Spring Hunt - June 2016

 Here’s What’s Happening in Cold Spring Hunt

(All are 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath unless otherwise noted)

ACTIVE:  

4982 Mead Dr:        A GUTNER TEAM LISTING!!! $574,900, 2,778 SqFt Eaton model with finished basement and in-ground pool. Days on market: 8.

4903 Mead Dr:         Belmont, 2,648 SqFt. $499,500. Finished basement, fenced yard. Days on market 304.

4320 Michener Rd:      An Eaton 2,756 SqFt., w/fin. walkout basement, 3 car garage w/huge sitting room.  Was $509,000, now $524,900. On the market 444 days.

4946 Davis Dr:          Eaton Federal, 2,730 SqFt. $495,000, with fin walkout basement including third bathroom, fireplace in master bedroom and deck. Days on Market: 24.

4230 Leslie Ln:           Haverford Model, $525,000, 3,140 SqFt w/ fin basement and recently updated kitchen including brand new appliances. Days on market: 21.

5020 Cookes Ln:         Eaton, $529,900, 2,814 SqFt w/ unfinished basement, bumped out breakfast room, and roof covered patio. Days on market: 7.

PENDING:

4330 Michener Rd:  A GUTNER TEAM LISTING– Listed and sold in 5 days!!! $529,900, 3,104 SqFt Astor model with upgrades throughout.

4955 Davis Dr:       A GUTNER TEAM LISTING– Listed and sold in 5 days!!!  $479,000 2,636 SqFt Bromley in need of some TLC. Unfinished basement.

4870 Mead Dr:      Belmont, 2706 SqFt $499,900 with finished basement, new driveway and new roof. Days on market: 11.

4937 Davis Dr:         Northampton, 2,564 SqFt with finished basement and pool. Days on market: 1.

What is available as of 3/23/2011 in Cold Spring Hunt

4810 Redfield Rd $519,900
4140 Herbst Dr $529,900
5052 Davis Dr $549,900
4320 Michner Rd $$565,000

All 4 bedrooms 2.5 baths

For more details on any of these properties please click on the address.

November 2010 Newsletter
Here’s What’s Happening in Our Neighborhood:




ACTIVE: 5020 Mead Dr. - an Eaton in perfect condition! 2 full, 2 half Baths, finished basement, granite, greenhouse. A Gutner Team Listing. See the virtual tour at www.gutner.com. NOW $482,500!!!!

4940 Redfield Rd - A Northampton, Granite counters, crown molding, large finished basement with bar. Was $495,000, then $485,000, now $475,000. On the market for 118 days. Just sold last year for $460,000.

4160 Herbst Dr - a Belmont, first floor study with custom built-ins, granite counters, stone gas fireplace,. Originally asking 535,00, reduced to 529,900 and now to $519,900. On the market for 160 days.

4140 Herbst Dr.—A Haverford with master bedroom sitting area and patio. Asking $529,900 for 29 days.

UNDER AGREEMENT: 4810 Redfield Rd, A Gutner Team Listing: Just Listed: The only Dartmouth floorplan in the Hunt! Impeccable condition! Granite and Tile in kitchen, Great Breakfast room, Master Sitting Room. $519,900. See it at www.gutner.com. On the market for 21 days!

SOLD : 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. Sold price :( $515,000! On the market for 115 days.

IN HEARTHSTONE:

ACTIVE: 4819 Green Heather Court—A Gorgeous “Creamery” with master sitting room addition, finished basement, newer hardwood flooring, granite and a great yard! Another Gutner Team Listing!! See the virtual tour at www.gutner.com! $500,000!

3853 W. Brandon Way - a Creamery, fireplace, finished basement, a SHORT SALE. Listed at $429,900 for 288 days.

4976 Melissa Ct - a Creamery, fireplace, unfin, bsmt.. Originally $485,000 reduced to $439,900; listed for 295 days.

3885 W. Brandon—A Creamery w/ pond views. Fin basement. Was $489,900, reduced to $479,000, now $474,000; listed for 119 days.

PENDING: 3776 Amberton Way—Creamery model with granite, finished basement, side entrance garage, full stone front. Another Gutner Team Listing! Listed at $489,900.

3905 Amberton Way — granite, custom tile backsplash, full finished basement, stone front, fenced yard. Wow! Value priced and only on the market 16 days!!! Listed at $469,900.

SETTLED: None



So . . . What’s Up with your competition? In Buckingham Township alone, looking at homes priced between $450,000 and $600,000, there are 36 homes on the market. Over the past year, an average of 4 homes sell per month. Soooo . . . This means that there is a 9 month accumulation of inventory. In other words, if nothing else came on the market it in this price range, it would take 9 months to clear out the inventory. Same price range, looking at Buckingham, Plumstead and Doylestown, there are 101 homes on the market, 8 sales per month average for an Inventory accumulation of 12 months. If you want to be one of the 8 that sells every month you need to do a few things. Call us, we’ll help you figure out this crazy market!



HOW NOT TO BE ON THE MARKET FOR LONG

If you are thinking that a move is in your future you need to begin NOW. You may think that you don’t have a lot to do to go on the market, but we’ll bet there are things you MUST do that you don’t even know. We are very slow between now and the end of January and if you would like us to help you make your list of to-do’s to get ready for market, feel free to give us a call. We have done this for several people and it will really help you to move your home faster and for a better price.

Still haven’t Re-Financed?


Over the next few months mortgage rates will be at their best. Whenever the market slows down, rates go down and we’re coming into the winter months. If you are staying in your home for 5 more years you should really consider recasting your loan:

Loan Amount: $200,000 Rate: 6.25 Current Payment: $1,714 New Rate: 4.25 New Payment $1,504

$300,000 6.25 $2,572 4.25 $2,256



If you are trying to decide if you should do a 15 year mortgage here’s something to think about:

On a $200,000, 30 year mortgage at 4.5%, you’ll pay $164,813 in interest with a monthly payment of $1,013. Pay down the loan in 15 year (by making prepayments of about $517 per month on the mortgage balance) and your monthly payment would be $1,529 and you’d pay $75,396 in interest. If you went with a 15 year mortgage at 4% instead, you’d pay $66,286 in interest and have a payment of $1,479. So ask yourself if you’d be willing to pay a few thousand dollars more in interest for the flexibility of having an extra $500 a month to cover life’s expenses without tapping home equity. Also assess whether you’re disciplined enough to actually prepay the loan. If the answer is no, then a shorter-term mortgage is a good fit.



Tips to Save $$$$ on Your Utilities

Turn down your water heater. 13% of your home’s electricity goes to heating water. Set it to 130—140 degrees and install an Insulation jacket. Insulate the first six feet of piping that comes off of your heater.

Turn off heat drying on your dishwasher.

Switch to CFL lighting (4X less energy) and look for the new LED lighting options coming to Home Depot soon.

LED bulbs can also save you money in the long term, because an incandescent bulb requires about $300 worth of electricity over ten years of use. The LED bulbs cost $40 (for the 60 watt equivalent Zetalux) and $50 (for the 100 watt equivalent) and their cost to run over ten years is about $38. Multiply that by all the bulbs in your home . . . WOW!

Install a programmable thermostat. Futures markets predict an unprecedented raise in the cost of natural gas this year. In January you will be able to pick an alternative source (other than PECO) and get a more competitive rate. It will still go through PECO for billing and pipes, etc., but you’ll be able to lower your bill a little. YOU CAN DO THIS ON YOUR OWN. Many people are running around selling this but you can do this yourself!!!

Wash your clothes with a full load on cold. 90% of the energy consumed by your washing machine goes to heating the water.

Clean the condenser coils on your refrigerator(s)!! Especially if you have pets! Get out your vacuum and do it NOW! You should do this every 3 or 4 months to cut your energy and prolong the life of your refrigerator.

75% of your energy is from “phantom” users including televisions, VCRs, stereos, computers, phone chargers, etc. Turn them off when not in use!


Keller Williams Coat Drive—WE are working with a Philadelphia organization and collecting coats that you don’t need anymore. If you have a coat or 2 that you are ready to part with, call or email me and I will pick up or you can leave it outside in a bag, or you can drop off to me at my house in Cold Spring Hunt at 4060 Hunt Drive. THANKS!!!







.

Cold Spring Hunt January 2010 Newsletter

January 2010 Newsletter Here’s What’s Happening in Our Neighborhood:

ACTIVE: 4211 Aly, 4 bdrm, 2 1/2 bath, hrdwds, corian countertops, trex deck, hot tub, 3 car garage. Asking $539,900 Reduced to $529,000 for 95 Days
4903 Mead, A Belmont, 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, hardwoods, granite, finished basement, deck, patio. Was Originally Asking $579,000 Reduced to $549,500. Re-listed at $537,900 Reduced to $509,000 for 225 days. total
SOLD 4983 Mead Drive, AND ANOTHER GUTNER TEAM LISTING! An Eaton, 4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bathrooms, Wide Width Hardwoods, 1st Floor Study with Closet and Access to Full Bathroom could be 5th Bedroom, New Granite Kitchen, Stainless Appliances, Nicely Finished Basement, EP Henry Patio. Asking $544,850 Sold in 7 Days! .for $524,000
4972 Davis Drive, ANOTHER GUTNER TEAM LISTING! Expanded Northampton, 4 bdrm, 2 1/2 Bath, Hardwoods, Kitchen w/Cherry Cabinets, Granite and Greenhouse, Master w/Sitting Room, no study Sold for $465,000.
4284 Michener, A Cornell, 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 baths, hardwoods, granite. Was $545,000 Reduced to $499,900 sold for $475,000
In 164 days another Keller Williams listing.
4225 Leslie Drive, A GUTNER TEAM LISTING, A Haverford, 4 Bedroom, 2 1/2 Bath, Hardwoods, New Granite and Tile Backsplash, Cherry Cabinets, Back of the House Study, Master with Sitting Room, Cedar Deck. See the Virtual Tour at www.gutner.com Sold for $500,000 in 71 Days.
Recap of 2009
There were 11 sales last year in our neighborhood. Unfortunately, many of them were on the market at the same time and the most “needy” of sellers reduced and reduced bringing other prices down. As the neighborhood ages we will lose some of the “relo” business—buyers who know they are in and then out and want newer. However, there’s not much “under 10 year old” housing in Buckingham. Buckingham Forest houses took a huge hit over the past year. People who bought in that neighborhood from 2004 and after and need to sell now, are losing anywhere from $30,000 to $120,000. Their prices (same builder, some similar models but generally bigger, some BAD lots) have gone from the 700’s to an average of $568,600 for 9 houses sold in 2009.
Here’s what happened here:
4940 Redfield, Northampton w/finished basement, no study. $460,000
4972 Davis, Northampton, no study, upstairs sitting room. $465,000.
4339 Michener, Belmont w/sunroom addition. $475,000
4284 Michener, Columbia w/finished basement, back staircase. $475,000.
5008 Grundy, Haverford, master sitting room $475,000.
5001 Mead, Haverford w/fin. Basement. $492,000.
5025 Davis, Eaton, Sunroom, Finished basement. $500,000
4973 Mead, Belmont, 3 car garage, screened porch. $504,000.
4983 Mead, Eaton w/finished basement. $524,000.
4809 Redfield, Northampton w/study and sitting room. $530,000 (before all the above went on the market)
5000 Grundy, Columbia, back staircase, 5 full bedrooms, conservatory addition, 3 full baths,
hardwoods first and second floor. $570,000.
Average Price: $497,273. Settled Price to Last Listed Price was 95.02%

So . . . What do you do if you have to sell? You call in a Professional Team who has been in the business for 15 years and sold over a THOUSAND homes! Now honestly, how many Realtors can say that? And ALL of ours got to the settlement table except for one buyer, (Henri edited the word I wanted to use), who bought the house without his wife and backed out on settlement day when she said she didn’t like it! The Relo company made the seller whole but we’re allowed 1 out of a thousand. No one we know can match that! Times are tough and it’s all about being aggressive with marketing and price. You control the price (along with the buyer and the appraiser) and your Realtor controls the marketing. Members of the Prestigious Cyber Stars, where entrance is determined on web sites, web presence and volume of business—there are only 200 of us in the whole country!!! Curious? Google us—either Jeri or Henri Gutner and see what you get. Then google someone else. Exposure? That’s what it’s all about! And that’s what we’re all about. Henri and I don’t have another spouse who brings home the bacon or carries the health insurance. We HAVE to sell the house or we pay out bunches of money in marketing and get nothing. 2 kids in college, the desire to retire before we’re in our 80’s . . . You get it!



Tax Assessment Appeal
Thanks to those of you who let us know your savings on the recent Group Tax Appeal we did for you. It was great to put faces to names we see on our mailings! In certain “new” neighborhoods savings exceeded 20%. Of course, since we saved you so much money and cost the township so much money, they will no longer allow group appeals, but you can appeal on your own and we’d be happy to help you. Appeals must be filed by August 31, 2010. Call us in July and we’ll sit down and help you fill out the paperwork if you missed our appeal this year!

Granite Myths:
If you are hesitant to install granite countertops, let’s dispel these myths right now.
1. Granite is absorbent. Granite qualifies as impervious to water and is actually less absorbent than some solid surface (plastic) products.
2. Granite stains easily. Granite is resistant to stains. Generally any liquid spilled on a granite top, if wiped up within a few minutes, will not stain. Liquids that do not evaporate, such as oil, will cause stains only if left to soak into the stone.
3. Granite requires a lot of maintenance. Routine cleaning with a mile soap and water is all that is generally required. Once a year, a reapplication of a penetrating sealer should be performed. It takes only about 15 minutes. Never use abrasive cleaners.
4. Granite’s tiny pores harbor bacteria. Bacteria are found everywhere. If they are on a granite top, then they can also be found on a laminate or solid surface. Use an antibacterial soap to wash your countertop if you are concerned.
5. Granite and marble are essentially the same. Other than the fact that they are both natural stones and can be polished, granite and marble are otherwise very different. Marble is generally a calcareous stone, formed from oceanic deposits and then compressed under pressure. Granite, however, is an igneous rock, essentially molten magma, that is cooled and hardened below the earths surface.

Your natural stone counter top choice will add years of beauty, strength, durability and ease of maintenance to your home. Do it and enjoy it!

Now Could Be the Perfect Time To Buy a Second Home!
If you’re interested in buying a vacation home or investment property, now could be the ideal time. 2008 saw a 30.8% drop in sales of vacation homes and 17.2% decline in sales of investment homes compared with 2007. Less demand has made prices more affordable. By comparison, sales of primary residences dropped 13.2% in 2008 from 2007 (Nationally). In additions, second-home sales comprised just 30% of all home sales in 2008, down from 33% the previous year. Call us to find out how affordable a second home in today’s buyer’s market could be for you—or for a referral to a top-notch Real Estate Professional in the are that interests you.

Not so fun facts:
One Fourth of Borrowers are Underwater. More than 23% of people with mortgage owe more on their properties than they are worth, according to research firm First American CoreLogic.
Another 2.3 million homeowners are within 5% of being underwater, bringing the total of those who are upside down or close to about 28%.
Fun Fact: U.S. homeowners do have home equity and nearly 24 million owner-occupied homes don’t have any mortgage at all!
Need Help With “Stuff” around the House?
People I can’t live without:
My Painter, My HVAC guy,
My Second Husband (our handyman)
My Decorator
My Tree Guy
My Plumber and My Roofer
Need a referral? Call Us!
ZIPS Dry Cleaners—any garment $1.99 (Great for Winter coats and blankets). Men’s laundered shirts are just $1.19. Mention the Gunter's and receive one free garment. 618 York Road in Warminster (across from Arch Bishop Wood HS) 215-442-1471.
AND REMEMBER!!!
Mention the Gunter's at Sherwin Williams for a
very nice discount!
If you are planning to put your home on the market in the next 6 to 8 months,
it’s not too early to start talking to us!