Why Isn’t My Home Selling
Is your home currently on the market in Yardley or Downingtown and not getting many offers? Chances are you’re not sure which direction you should go next.
You should consider the following:
- Your asking price may be too high. If it has been over 30 days since your last offer, you may want to consider reducing the price.
- There isn’t enough advertising or marketing for your home. Where does your agent list your home for sale? There are various websites such as Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com which are searched consistently throughout the day by potential buyers. Other factors can be if enough photos were taken to show off your home to others, if brochures or postcards were distributed, and if a virtual tour was created.
- There are too many personal items throughout your home. It’s hard, but having photos of your family in the hallway makes it tough for someone to imagine their own family in your home. Move your personal items such as photos and even figurines into storage to allow the buyer’s imagination to run wild.
- There may be too many repairs, or the home looks run down. Ensuring that your carpets are cleaned, the walls and flooring is free of stains and discoloration, and the leaky pipe is fixed can entice a buyer to place an offer!
If your home in Yardley or New Hope is currently not selling and has been on the market for quite a while, I encourage you to call me at 215-519-1399 or email Marty@MartinMillner.com.
Continue Reading > Add a Comment |What Is The Best Time to List Your Home?
So you’ve decided to sell your home. You may be asking yourself – is this a good time to list my house? What is the best time to list a home?
Most homeowners want to list their home as soon as possible. They’ve been thinking about it for some time, and now that the decision has been made, they want to put it on the MLS as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, that is not very realistic. The REALTOR® has work to do to gather information and enter it into the MLS. The home must be cleaned and repairs made. Pictures and virtual tours must be taken, signs put up, and a lockbox installed. The home should not go onto the MLS until it is entirely ready to be sold.
So, once all of that is complete, what is the best day of the week to list the home? The best answer is as soon as possible after midnight on Thursday morning. This is because your house is now available for all the Realtors planning their weekend showings, and the house will show 0 days on the market on Thursday, 1 day on the market on Friday, and 2 days on the market on Saturday (and Saturday is the most important day of the real estate week).
The fewer the days on the market, the greater you have of selling your home quickly and attract a full price offer.
Now let’s look at the best season to sell. Opinions vary widely on this. A lot of people think that selling to coincide with the school year is best – so late spring and summer. There are surely more buyers out in warm weather, but there are also usually, double the active listings. In the off months, there are fewer listings and the buyers who are out there are more serious about buying – not just out looking. This means there is less competition and homes that sell in winter sell 1.4% closer to their original listing price.
Research shows that the tail end of winter is an excellent time to list, with March being the best month. Listing your home in March results in it being on the market for the shortest amount of time, with homes listed in October taking the longest time to sell.
In Bucks County, confidence is high and inventory is low right now. Combine that with historically low interest rates, and the result is high buyer activity. Buyers who have been sitting on the fence waiting are now jumping into the market, making this a perfect time to list your home.
A recent listing of mine in Yardley Hunt, sold within days of going on the market for virtually the asking price, and another in Yardley Estates, sold well over the asking price with multiple offers.
As March is rapidly approaching, and you have been considering selling your home, it’s time to make a move. Your window of opportunity to sell your home quickly and for top dollar is almost upon us.
Feel free to contact me if you are looking for a new home in 2013.
There are a lot of great homes in Yardley, Newtown and all of Bucks County.
Continue Reading > Add a Comment |Housing Starts way up in 2012
When the Real Estate market crashed in 2005-2006, new home construction ground to a halt. This occurred all over the country, not just here in Bucks County.
This drag on the Real Estate market and the economy has turned a corner. Growth in this sector is the latest sign that the housing market is gaining strength. In 2012, builders started work on 780,000 new homes – a 28.1% increase from 2011.
A bonus in the recovery of the market is in the jobs market. More new home building equals construction jobs.
For the economy to recover, the housing market needs to recover. Housing starts, along with low mortgage rates, shrinking inventory in the housing resale market are critical to recovery and a step out of the nation’s financial crisis.
In Bucks County, there are currently 39 developments that are building new homes, with prices ranging from the mid $200’s up to $2.4 million. All of this new construction provides more inventory to choose from and is adding jobs to the local economy.
As the chart below shows (for Doylestown), inventory of all homes is down, and prices are going up. It is a perfect time for new home builders to get in the market and bring the inventory numbers up, while still providing affordable homes. The ratio of inventory to price is consistent throughout Bucks County.
If you are looking to purchase Real Estate in Yardley, Newtown or Doylestown, please visit our Featured Homes section for wonderful properties or search the Multiple Listing Service for all available listings. We’ll help you find your perfect home.
Continue Reading > Add a Comment |The Housing Market is rebounding, both Nationally and in Bucks County!
The Housing Market is rebounding, both Nationally and in Bucks County!
For the first time in almost 6 years, most Real Estate markets experienced increases in home prices in 2012. It is still a long road back to where we were in 2005 and 2006, but the market has stabilized and is now improving.
In the 3rd quarter of 2012, home prices had the biggest home price gains in more than two years – an increase of 3.6% on a National level.
If you look back a year ago to the 3rd quarter in 2011, there was a 3.6% decrease. We’re moving in the right direction.
There are a number of factors helping the market recover – historically low mortgage rates, low inventory in most markets (a lot of this is caused by and investors taking advantage of Short Sale and Foreclosure opportunities), an improving jobs market (slow, but moving in the right direction), and lower than usual construction on new units.
With the kinds of numbers we have seen over the past 6 months, it is safe to say that we are in the midst of a housing recovery, and that things will continue to improve.
Here are what the numbers look like for Buck County:
Metrics obtained from trendmls
If you are looking to purchase Real Estate in Yardley, Newtown or Doylestown, please visit our Featured Homes section for wonderful properties or search the Multiple Listing Service for all available listings. We’ll help you find your perfect home.
Continue Reading > Add a Comment |Inventory Reduction this Past Year – Sign of Market Improvement
REALTOR.com has released September real estate statistics that show a continued strengthening of the national market, with notable inventory reduction and a respectable increase in median sales price since this time last year. These numbers show that overall the market is doing better this year than it was a year before.
You can view the report to see that it has specific statistics for each of 146 U.S. metro areas to get a general idea of our market here in Yardley, Newtown and all of Bucks County. Not all of the regions have shown a substantial change from last year, but on the whole it depicts a positive trend in the national housing market that will soon hopefully be reflected in every neighborhood across the county.
Contact me for more specific information on the state of the Bucks County real estate market. I’ll be happy to perform a market analysis for your home if you are thinking about selling.
Continue Reading > Add a Comment |Tips for Moving with Your Pet
Moving to a new home is stressful enough for humans, who understand what is happening. Pets can only sense that a change to their comfortable life is on the horizon, and they can actually be more anxious about a move than we are. Here are a few tips to make the transition to a new home as smooth and safe as possible for your pet, whether you are moving just across town, out of or into a new Bucks County home, or all the way across the globe.
Vet check – Before the big day, get a complete vet check for your pet. Having your regular vet examine your pet will be more comfortable for your pet, and assure that you can have the safest trip possible. Consider talking to your vet about the potential need for medication for pets who don’t like to travel, or have motion sickness. Be sure to find a vet in your new location before the move, and bring all records with you for a seamless transition.
Travel bag – Like an easy access carry on for yourself, be sure to bring necessities for your pet, including extra food, medications, first aid items, litter and familiar toys. Some pets do well to travel with a shirt worn by their owner the day before, to give them a “scents” of security. Be sure to keep a recent photo of your pet, in case you are separated for any reason on your trip.
New Laws & Regulations – Pet laws and ordinances vary by state, city and even neighborhood. Talk to local police, animal control, humane organizations or your homeowners’ association to learn about leash laws, vaccine requirements, restrictive breed laws, noise ordinances or other regulations that may affect your pet.
Air travel – Air travel with your pet can be an extra stressful way to move with your pet, but sometimes it cannot be avoided. Plan any air travel with your pet as far in advance as possible. Ask the airline about approved carriers and extra costs for your pet. You will need to determine with the airline if your pet can travel with you in the cabin, in the baggage area, or in a temperature-controlled hold area. (In the winter months, it is very important to confirm the temperature of the travel area for your pet.) If you are traveling out of the country with your pet, visit the USDA’s website for any further requirements.
Car travel – Invest in a safe restraint for your pet during your move by car, to ensure a great move day. Cats, who especially dislike car travel, do best in a carrier. You can try a seat harness or restraint for your dog. Give your pet a while to get accustomed to the new restraint, but trying it on short trips around town. Be sure to make advance reservations at pet-friendly accommodations if your move into your new home will take more than one day. You can search online for pet friendly lodging at sites like PetsWelcome.com, but be sure to confirm that your choice of accommodation has not changed its pet policy.
Moving day safety – On the day you move out of one house or into another, try to keep your pet in a safe, quiet location. A crate in the bathroom may be the safest and coziest for your pet. Put a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door, and keep a regular feeding and walking schedule to reduce any extra stress of the day.
Get pet used to new home – At your new home, it’s best to keep your pet on leash and watch them when outside. If not moving far from home, pet may try to return to old house. Let new owners know your new contact info and a picture of pet in case. Keep cats in one or two rooms to start out with, with their food, water, toys and litter box with them. Be sure to complete a pet-proofing check of your new home for any potential means of escape or injury.
Update contact info – Get a new Pet ID tag with your new contact information as soon as possible. If your dog is microchipped, make sure to inform the company of your new address and phone number.
Your move can be smooth and exciting for you, your family and your pets. Contact me if you would like more moving day information, including checklists.
Continue Reading > Add a Comment |Sell Your Bucks County Home – 4 Simple Fall Home Staging Tips
Football, beautiful leaves and holidays may be on the minds of many in Yardley, Newtown and all of Bucks County this fall. For homeowners who currently have their Bucks County home on the market to sell this season, attracting buyers is an additional priority. Here are a few quick autumn staging tips to give your home a cozy and warm feel during these chillier months.
Curb Appeal – Fall is the most difficult time of year to keep the outside of your home looking neat and tidy. The beautiful green grass of summer is quickly covered in brown fallen leaves. Be sure to rake up leaves and remove the spider webs that tend to appear in every corner of the porch and eaves. Add some color to your front porch, such as a few festive pumpkins, mums and a fall-colored door arrangement, to enhance the landscape after the colored leaves are gone.
Less is More with Decorations – If Halloween and Thanksgiving bring out the grand decorator in you, consider a less extravagant spread this season if your home is on the market. A few tasteful decorations to celebrate the season can add to the décor of your home, while scary goblins or an overabundance of themed decorations can avert the buyers’ eyes from what you really want them to see…the beauty of the home itself. Opt for a few traditional fall decorations, like a cornucopia on the dining room table or some seasonally colored throws on the sofa.
Make it Cozy – Take advantage of the chilly weather to provide a warm and cozy environment for your buyers as they walk through your home. If you have a fireplace, make it a focal point with inviting colored decorations and warm-colored throws in a basket nearby. (Although, lighting a fireplace may not be the safest idea for showings.) Add comfy quilts to your beds and arrange some furniture in snug displays that promote a feeling of cozy conversation and relaxation over a warm cup of tea. Spend the extra money to keep your home at an inviting temperature that your buyers will notice as they walk in the door.
Scents of the Season – Appeal to your buyers senses with the great scents of the fall season. The aromas of apples, cinnamon, pumpkin and vanilla are great ways to elicit feelings of warmth and comfort. Baking an apple cobbler or pumpkin pie before every showing is not necessary! Consider a cinnamon broom, a carefully placed burning candle or an oil ring on a lamp to convey a feeling of hearth and home to your buyers.
Fall can be a promising time to buy or sell a home in Bucks County. If you would like other home staging ideas for this fall season, contact me directly.
Continue Reading > Add a Comment |
Stunning 4-5 Bedroom Home – Lower Makefield Township, PA
Introducing 1750 Partridge Road
This is an absolutely stunning, upgraded, elegant, light, bright and neutral home in Kimbles Field, situated on a wonderful, cul-de-sac lot. Representing the absolute best value in Kimble’s Field, this home features gleaming hardwood floors, a spectacular 2 story foyer with turned staircase. Gather in the spacious family room, around the custom, full stone fireplace.
The chef of the house will appreciate meal preparation in the wonderfully appointed, center island, gourmet kitchen with granite counters and an abundance of 42″ cabinetry & recessed lighting. The master’s suite is inviting, with sitting room, huge closets, & sumptuous bath with jacuzzi tub.
The lower level is finished, and includes full bath, entertainment space & possible bedroom. French doors from the sun drenched breakfast room, lead to the huge deck, perfect for summer cookouts. Beautiful trim & molding detail, high ceilings and an infusion of natural light, soft and neutral colors make this home uniquely inviting. This home is a tremendous value, and is relocation ready!
1750 Partridge Road
Yardley, PA 19067
We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # 6109771 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.
Find more Lower Makefield Township Homes.
Lower Makefield Township Homes $300,000 – $500,000
Continue Reading > Add a Comment |
Rising Prices Help Underwater Homeowners
While Yardley, Newtown and Bucks County as a whole have not seen a drastic increase in home prices this year (see my recent Sept 4 Market Update), Inman News has reported that national rising home prices have brought 1.3 million homeowners out from underwater. This is a good sign for the national real estate market, and for Bucks County real estate as well.
News of negative home equity (mortgage loans on a home that are higher than the possible sales price), especially in lower-priced homes, has been a continuing blight on the real estate market since the recession ensued. But this spring and summer, increasing prices and low inventory have helped to bring many homeowners back “into the black” and able to sell or refinance. In Nevada, Florida and other states that were hardest hit by the recession, there is the most noticeable increase of home owners out of this underwater situation.
Since our local Bucks County real estate market has not been affected quite as much as others, the news may not seem as exciting or applicable. But with millions of additional homeowners across the nation now in a better position to sell, it can only affect our local market in a positive way.
Contact me if you are interested in more information on the state of Yardley, Newtown and all of Bucks County real estate. I am happy to assist you in the sale or purchase of your next home.
Click to view the Inman News article
Continue Reading > Add a Comment |August 2012 Bucks County Real Estate Market Update – Martin Millner
I want to take a look today at our market conditions, as we enter the fall market season.
I started noticing as early as January of this year that I could sense that my primary market areas, Yardley, Newtown, Richboro, Upper Makefield, Solebury, etc, was changing. Buyers were starting to complain that there wasn’t enough inventory, and my own listings started selling quickly and at prices closer to asking.
If you look at the accompanying charts (links below), that track the Bucks County real estate market, as well as the Lower Makefield Township (Yardley) market, you can see what has happened over the past 7 months.
The number of homes sold in Bucks County, through July this year was 2822. That represents an increase of 13% from what sold through July of last year.
In Lower Makefield Township, there were 175 homes sold through July of 2012 compared with 155 last year at the same time. That represents an increase of 12.9% for Lower Makefield Township.
Inventory of homes for sale is 10.3% lower at the end of July this year, compared with last July, for all of Bucks County.
In Lower Makefield Township, there were 249 houses on the market at the end of July, 2011. At the end of July this year, there were 202 homes for sale! That represents a decrease of 18.9% compared with the same time last year.
At the end of the day, taking all of the emotion out of residential real estate, the real estate market really is a function of supply and demand. Basically, supply has decreased and demand seems to have increased.
Interestingly, the average sold price of a house in Bucks County has actually decreased by 1.9% compared with the end of July last year.
The average price of a home sold in Yardley, is virtually the same as it was last year at the same time.
Average discounts from the asking price, both for Bucks County as a whole, and for Lower Makefield Township, has remained about 8%.
In Yardley, there is currently about an 8 month supply of homes on the market. While this has improved over the past couple of years, that still represents conditions that favor buyers. We consider a real estate market to be balanced when there is about a 6 month supply.
Finally, both for Bucks County and Lower Makefield Township specifically, pending sales at the end of July this year, are better than they were last year at the same time.
I believe that we will continue to see these trends continue, for the remainder of the year.
What this means to you if you are considering selling in the Yardley area: If you price your house competitively, and if it is exposed properly to the market, you have a great chance of getting your house sold. You still need to be realistic about price, but it does appear as though the real estate market in Yardley, and Bucks County, is improving.
Contact me if you have any questions about the current real estate market in Bucks County.
Links to current market statistics:
MarketAppreciationChartBucksJuly2012
Continue Reading > Add a Comment |Chat With Marty
The data relating to real estate for sale on this website appears in part through the TREND Internet Data Exchange program, a voluntary cooperative exchange of property listing data between licensed real estate brokerage firms in which Coldwell Banker participates, and is provided by TREND through a licensing agreement.
The information provided by this website is for the personal, non-commercial use of consumers and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing.
Some properties which appear for sale on this website may no longer be available because they are under contract, have sold or are no longer being offered for sale.
Some real estate firms do not participate in IDX and their listings do not appear on this website. Some properties listed with participating firms do not appear on this website at the request of the seller.
Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than
Information Deemed Reliable But Not Guaranteed
Data from the Zillow, Google Map, and Walk Score modules, is not provided by TREND, and should be considered informative, but not accurate.
© 2013 TREND, All Rights Reserved
Data last updated: 5/25/13 4:20 PM PDT.
This IDX solution is (c) Diverse Solutions 2013.