6 Marian Circle – Chalfont, PA – Stunning 4-Bedroom Home Close to North Branch Park
6 Marian Circle, Chalfont, PA
This is a must-see 4 bedroom home in Chalfont. Situated on a spectacular, professionally landscaped 1/2 acre lot, it features a 2 story entry foyer, beautiful hardwoods and a gourmet kitchen with granite counters, stainless appliances & a 5 burner gas stove.
Enjoy the open floor plan with a fireplace in the family room that overlooks a backyard with a Koi Pond, fountain and fenced yard. Huge 1st floor, study/den bonus room.
The 4 bedrooms upstairs include a huge master suite with sitting area, large walk in closet and sumptuous master bath with double vanity sink, jacuzzi & tiled shower. 3 plus car garage, with full floor attic above for storage.
Outside offers a large deck off the kitchen that features a powered awning for shade. Lots of large windows for natural lighting. Watch the video tour to see all the amenities of your new home!
6 Marian Circle
Chalfont, PA 18914
* 4 bedroom
* 3 bath
* 3504 Sq. Ft.
* .54 acres
$535,000
MLS# 6069432
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Keep Your Bucks County Home Safe While on Vacation
Are you leaving beautiful Yardley, Newtown or Bucks County, PA to take a well-deserved summer vacation? Don’t forget to safeguard your home for the time that you are away. Here’s a list of 3 easy ways to have a happy return to your home after your trip:
1. Keep home looking lived in - If you reliably get your newspaper every morning at 7 AM, mow your yard every 3 days, and go to bed at 9 PM, then make sure you don’t advertise your home’s emptiness with a pile of old newspapers, unruly grass and the living room light on all night. Have mail and newspapers temporarily stopped, and put your lights on timers that can mimic your usual activity. Better yet, have a friend or neighbor retrieve mail or mow the lawn. The presence of an actual person around the house helps to deter thieves. If you have a pet, consider utilizing a pet sitter, who will also take care of your house, water plants and bring in any door flyers that might also alert to your absence.
2. Secure doors and windows – Almost one third of home break-ins are “no-force” entries, meaning that the thieves simply come in an unlocked door or window. Although a determined thief can enter a locked home, the first line of defense is to make it uncomfortable and time consuming. Check all doors and windows before you leave. Add a metal bar or wood broom handle to the base of sliding glass doors to inhibit entry. Make sure that there is a deadbolt on all exterior doors. Consider adding a double cylinder deadbolt lock (uses a key on both sides of the door), especially for doors with surrounding windows. Most importantly, remove your outdoor spare key. Thieves know all of the good hiding places, like under the mat or in a decorative rock.
3. Don’t promote your vacation – No matter how excited you are about your upcoming trip, keep the information to a minimum, whether it is on your online social media or in person. Facebook “friends” can prove not so friendly, and have been known to burglarize homes of their online acquaintances. Even a discussion in a restaurant or parking lot can be overheard by the wrong ears. Only give out as much information as necessary.
Hopefully, these simple tips will give you better peace of mind on your next vacation, and have your Bucks County home just as you left it when you return.
Continue Reading > Add a Comment |Yardley Canal Fest, 2012
It was a beautiful weekend in Yardley, PA and throughout Bucks County to celebrate the Canal Fest. I had a great time. The boat decorations were very creative this year, and as always, there was music, food, family, friends and fun!
I captured some great video and photos at the festival. Enjoy them below. I hope to see you there next year!
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Delaware Canal Festival Coming to Yardley, New Hope and Bristol
Folks of Yardley and all of Bucks County, get your boat and duck decorations ready! It’s time for the 3-day Delaware Canal Festival, running this weekend, June 22 – 24, 2012.
Join in the fun at four locations; Bristol, Yardley, New Hope and Morrisville. Besides music, food and friendship, there are various participant activities planned at each area, including:
Decorated Boat Parades – Bristol and Yardley will both sponsor decorated boat parades. Let your imagination soar and turn your boat into a floating piece of art. Win cash prizes in categories such as Most Beautiful, Most Humorous and Most Imaginative.
Critter Race – Buy your racing duck and enter it in the race in Yardley Borough. Watch them float from the Letchworth Avenue Bridge to the finish line at Lock 5. Join the fun with a contribution of $5 per duck, or 5 ducks for $20.
Decorated Duck Contest – Before the race, dress your duck up in its best “permanent marker” attire, and enter it in its own beauty contest. Win cash prizes in categories such as Cutest, Most Ugly Duckling and Most Sophisticated.
Below is a quick summary of this weekend’s activities. Visit the Friends of the Delaware Canal website for detailed information.
Friday, June 22
Bristol Borough, Lagoon Park, 7:00 p.m.
Decorated Boat Parade
Concert
Illuminated Wish Boat Float
Saturday, June 23
Yardley Borough, Along the towpath, 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Food, Music, Games
Decorated Duck Contest
Cardboard Boat Building
Decorated Boat Parade
Critter Race
Saturday, June 23
New Hope, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Canal Crawl – Food and Drinks
Havana
Logan Inn
Villa Vito
Stephan House B&B
** $10 Wrist bands for entry into all 4 establishments
Sunday, June 24
Morrisville, ActorsNet Theatre, 7:00 p.m.
“My Name is Jeremiah,” a canal film for the family.
Poster Contest
Here are some more pictures of the beautiful canal area:
Marty Millner Discusses the Pre-Closing Walk Thru – Bucks County, Yardley, Newtown PA
Many times, I’ve found that first time homebuyers in Yardley, Newtown and Bucks County, PA are not sure about the reason for the pre-closing walk thru. It is so very important, and this video explains why. Watch the video, or read a quick summary below.
Some Items to Check on the Pre-Closing Walk Thru
1. Make sure house is in same condition as it was when offer was originally made. Be sure to look in places where furniture once was for changes or things that may have been missed.
2. Check appliances to confirm that they are still working. Flush toilets, check faucets and look for any plumbing leaks.
3. Check for water in the basement.
4. Check to make sure air conditioner works, especially if it was not able to be checked at the home inspection.
Sometimes, I request that the home inspector come back to confirm that any items that needed attention have been resolved properly. It is the buyer’s right to have the home in the condition that was agreed on, and that any problems are corrected before the buyer purchases and takes possession of the house.
Please contact me if you are planning to buy or sell in beautiful Bucks County, PA. I look forward to working with you.
Continue Reading > Add a Comment |Tax appeal time in Yardley, Newtown & throughout Bucks County
I have written a number of posts about the process of filing tax appeals in Yardley, Newtown and all over Bucks County. From the comments that I get whenever I post about tax appeals, there is a great deal of confusion about the process.
There was an article in the Bucks County Courier Times on June 3rd that mentioned how the pace of assessment appeals has slowed in Bucks County. In fact, according to the article, only about 400 property owners have applied to the Bucks County Board of Assessment thus far, seeking to reduce their tax bills by appealing their properties assessed value. The article further states that appeals filed have slowed throughout Bucks County since 2009.
The actual process for filing an appeal is really quite simple. The biggest challenge that most home owners face, is trying to understand whether they have a case or not.
In Bucks County, every property has an assessment for tax purposes that can be found on your real estate tax bill. The question for the purpose of filing a tax appeal, is whether a particular property is assessed a value that is consistent with its fair market value.
Each year the, “State Tax Equalization Board” establishes a value that, in theory, equates the assessed value of any property in Yardley, Newtown or anywhere in Bucks County, to the fair market value. A couple of years ago, that value was .109.
So, for example, if you had a house whose assessment was 40,000, you would divide the assessment of 40,000 by .109 and the value (in this case, 366,972) would represent the value at which the house was being taxed. If the actual fair market value was lower than that, then that particular home owner would have a case to argue that their assessment was too high.
In general, real estate taxes in Bucks County are unfavorably skewed against newer properties, relative to fair market value.
In order to file an appeal, you have to go to the Bucks County Board of Assessment website at www.BucksCounty.org. For residential properties in Bucks County, the cost to file an appeal is $25.00. The deadline to file an appeal is August 1st.
After filing the appeal, the County will notify you when your hearing is being held. You actually don’t have to go to the appeal; you can send information supporting your case and the hearing will take place without you. However, I normally recommend attending the hearing.
I have found that the best evidence to support your position is an actual appraisal, unless you have recently purchased the house. If you are a recent buyer, you can use your settlement statement as evidence of fair market value, to support your case.
I have helped many, many people in Yardley, Newtown and all over Bucks County, with tax appeal questions. If you need help, please feel free to contact me at Marty@MartinMillner.com or 215-519-1399.
Continue Reading > Add a Comment |Unique Pet Furniture Design for Your Home – Bucks County, Yardley, Newtown, PA
Huntsman Architectural Group’s 2012 Petchitecture donation. Photography: Michael Tedesco Photography.
To homeowners in Yardley, Newtown and all of Bucks County, PA: Having a pet in the home doesn’t mean that you have to hide unattractive dog beds and cat jungle gyms when guests come to visit. Fashionable and chic pet furniture that adds to the décor of your home is becoming popular. Some is so beautiful that you might wish that you could use it yourself.
Inman News provided some useful ideas for pet friendly designs that will add to the aesthetic value of your home. Say goodbye to ugly scratching posts and metal dog crates!
Pet owners, contact me if you are looking to put your Bucks County home on the market. I will help you stage and market your pet-friendly home to sell quickly.
Continue Reading > Add a Comment |Bucks County Buyers: Make an Offer They Can’t Refuse
The real estate market has heated up in Yardley, Newtown and all of Bucks County, PA. I was making appointments to show a buyer client of mine 6 houses tomorrow, and 5 of the 6 are under contract and no longer available. Several of my own listings have been on the market for several weeks, and have recently gone under agreement. For buyers, it is important to present the most attractive offer possible, given your particular circumstances. Here are a few tips to put your best foot forward to a seller and still give yourself a great home buying deal.
First Things First – The Offer Price
The first thing sellers will observe on an offer is the proposed sales price. Be realistic with your offer price Try and base your offer on the last six month sale prices in the neighborhood. Make sure your offer per square foot is in the ballpark. Homes do not necessarily sell based upon a common price per square foot, but it is a good idea to check and see if your offer generally matches the average selling price for the area.
Don’t forget to take into consideration the current market climate. Here in the Yardley, Newtown area, and in most of Bucks County, the spring market has been stronger this year than it has been in a number of years. You should keep this in mind, when making offers.
Try to Determine Seller Motivation
You may not always be able to find out why the seller is selling, but there are other ways to interpolate his motivation. Public records can provide information on the home’s last sales price and the seller’s current mortgage amount. These bits of information can help you determine a seller’s mindset as to what price they want or need, and how much of a hurry they are to sell. Often, an unoccupied house with a high mortgage amount may signify a seller who is paying on two houses, and may be more motivated to sell.
Also discover the home’s market history. A home that’s been listed more than once or has spent many days on the market might suggest a seller who is more motivated to get their home sold, and more willing to negotiate.
Don’t Forget the Other Important Elements
Be sure to make the other negotiable items in your offer attractive to the seller. Make realistic financing terms, and be sure to note if you are already pre-approved for a loan. It is more eye-catching to a seller to see that a buyer has done his financing homework.
Also consider the seller’s reaction to other elements of the offer:
Other Contingencies – such as inspection repair terms
Concessions – such as seller-paid closing costs
Conveyances – what extra items are to be included in the sale
Earnest Money – the typical amount common for your area to show the seller good faith that you are a serious buyer
An offer with all of these elements considered can provide the most enticing deal to your sellers. If you are looking to purchase a home in the Bucks County, PA area, I would be happy to work with you. Please contact me for more information on making the best offer in the current real estate market.
Continue Reading > Add a Comment |Martin Millner Talks About Sellers Disclosure – Bucks County, PA, Yardley, Newtown
About a year ago, I asked a home inspector friend, Vince Tecce, to write a post for my blog about the importance of the sellers disclosure. I speak about it in the video below. Click to watch.
The topic of Vince’s guest post is still significant today. He gives real life examples of disclosure related issues that can arise.
How the sellers disclosure affects us in Yardley, Newtown or Bucks County, PA
Pennsylvania law requires that sellers disclose any know material facts about their property to every potential buyer.
If there is a failure to disclose an issue that results in damage or financial loss after the settlement, the buyer can use the failure to disclose to hold the seller responsible for the loss. This can happen even years after the settlement.
Contact me if you have any questions about the sellers disclosures or other real estate questions that may affect the purchase or sale of your home.
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