Hearthstone June 2010 Newsletter

June 2010 Newsletter        Here’s What’s Happening in Hearthstone

All of these are 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath unless stated otherwise

ACTIVE: 3853 W. Brandon Way - a Creamery, fireplace, finished basement, a SHORT SALE. Listed at $429,900 for 128 days.

4976 Melissa Ct - a Creamery, new water heater, fireplace, unfin, bsmt.. Originally $485,000 reduced to $468,000 for 136 days.

3936 Amberton Way - a Durham, wall of windows, butterfly stairs, fireplace, finished basement. Listed at $500,000, reduced to $489,000 for 33 days.

PENDING: 3683 Seneca Ct. - a completely re-done Creamery. New high-end kitchen, full stone front, granite, stainless, finished basement w/powder room and great bar, expensive deck and fabulous lot! Was asking $569,000—under agreement in 9 days.

4870 Green Heather Ct. - an Aquetong, great back yard, mature trees, partially fin.bsmt. $432,500 reduced to 425,000 for 55 days.

3696 W Brandon Way - .83 Acres, finished basement, fireplace, deck, backs to woods. Listed at $549,900 for 94 days.

4924 Stillwater - glass cabinets, concrete patio, unfinished basement. Listed at $498,500 for 25 days.

TEMPORARLIY OFF THE MARKET: 3967 Liz Circle - extra 1/2 bath in full finished basement, granite, wet bar. Listed for $459,000. Reduced to $449,000 for 87 days.

SOLD: Nothing was sold during the past 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.



Cold Spring Hunt:

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.



Thinking of selling in the next few years? It’s never too early to start planning for the upgrades and improvements that can be put on your long-term list. If you need help deciding what “big nuts” and “little improvements” will help your home sell quicker when you’re ready, let us know. We can spend a half hour with you and help you decide where to focus.



BUYERS ARE LOOKING FOR 3 THINGS:

VALUE . . . CONDITION . . . LOCATION



See all of our listings and Virtual Tours at http://www.gutner.com/


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 Widget



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
nstallation 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.
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