November 2010 Newsletter                                              

Here’s What’s Happening in Patriots Ridge

ACTIVE: 

There are currently 17 homes for sale in your neighborhood. Thirteen of these are 2 bedroom, 1 and 1/2 baths.  They range in price from $194,900 to $229,000. The median sales price is $214,000. The average days on market is 86.

 There is also a foreclosure /short sale 2 bdrm/ 1 1/2 bath for $165,000. I understand it needs some work.

There are four 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath homes for sale. They range in price from $230,000 to $269,900.  The median price is $254,950. The average days on market is 74.

PENDING:

39 21 Captain Molly Cir, 2 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, Asking price $204,900

5085 Rebecca Fell Dr, 2 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, Asking price $207,900

3645 Nancy Ward Cir,  2 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, Asking price $210,000

4625 Louise Saint Claire Dr,  3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, Asking price $259,000

SOLD:

5015 Rebecca Fell Dr, 2 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, Sold for  $201,000

3631 Nancy Ward Cir, 2 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, Sold for $205,000

5033 Rebecca Fell Dr, 2 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, Sold for $205,000

5043 Rebecca Fell Dr, 2 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, Sold for $212,000

4530 Louise Saint Claire Dr, 3 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, Sold for $220,000

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 move your home faster and for a better price.

See all of our listings with “real” virtual tours (not still pictures!) at www.gutner.com

Did you know that over the past year, 34 homes have sold in your neighborhood.

NONE of them had a virtual tour!!!!  Don’t you deserve the same marketing

As a higher priced home???

Call us.  Your home will have a virtual tour in addition to the best coverage available!!!!

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
Loan Amount :$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!!!