Weekend Events in Bucks County for Memorial Day weekend, May 24-27
Memorial Day Parades Throughout Bucks County
There are several parades throughout Bucks County this weekend, honoring members of our military. Some of those parades are:
Saturday, May 25 – Hulmeville
Starting 9:00 am at Lincoln Ave and concludes at Penndel Memorial Ball Field
Saturday, May 25 – Tullytown
Starting at 11:00 am on Main Street
Monday, May 27 – Langhorne
Starting at 9:00 am – American Legion Post No. 148
Monday, May 27 – Yardley
Starting at 7:00 am – 21 gun salutes will take place at Slate Hill, Saint Andrews and Saint Ignatius cemeteries
Doylestown 5K
Saturday, May 25
Starts 9:30 am
Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 225 E. Ashland Street , Doylestown
Crowd support is needed at the Doylestown 5K. Cowbells will be distributed to those standing and cheering on our runners. Show them your support! Over 800 runners and walkers will be participating. The race begins at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and ends in the heart of Doylestown Borough.
Annual Vintage Baseball Game
Monday, May 27
Starting at 12:00 Noon
Newtown Strakes vs Flemington Neshanock Base Ball Club
Pickering Field
North Chancellor and Jefferson Streets , Newtown
Return to 1863 for a vintage baseball game on Memorial Day. The game is free to attend, and concessions may be purchased. All proceeds from concession sales will be directed to the Nick Mela Foundation. The game is sponsored by the Council Rock Newtown Athletic Association.
Continue Reading > Add a Comment |Events this week in Bucks County. April 8 – April 12
This is the last week to enjoy the handicraft of many local quilters throughout our area. Peddler’s Village has hosted it’s annual quilt competition and display since January 14th, and the display will end this Wednesday, April 14th. If you have not had the opportunity yet to admire the talents of many throughout our area, I encourage you to visit Peddler’s Village soon!
Flemington, NJ Restaurant Week will be taking place from April 7th through April 13th, and benefits many restaurants throughout the area. All participating restaurants or bakeries will donate a percentage of their profits to the Flemington BID Scholarship Fund, which in turn assists two Hunterdon Central graduating seniors (one male and one female) with college expenses. Those seniors have already identified business as their college major.
Willow Wellness and Chiropractic Care of Doylestown is hosting a free seminar on Wednesday, April 10 starting at 7:00 pm. They will introduce you to all-natural ways to help coughs, upset stomachs, fevers, infections and more through the use of oils and chiropractic care.
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 |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 |The Perfect Offer – Bucks County Real Estate 2013
Have you heard news of the real estate market in Bucks County changing to a “seller’s market”? You may notice home prices are rising again, and competition for homes has increased as well. Competing with another buyer can happen frequently, and sellers have an advantage when this happens.
When the real estate market transitions from a buyer’s to a seller’s market, it’s important to do everything you can as a buyer to improve your chances of having a seller accept your offer. Here are a few offer-writing tips to help solidify a contract on your new home in Yardley, Newtown or anywhere in Bucks County:
* Don’t waste time – When you find the home you want, submit an offer as quickly as possible. Don’t assume that no one else is considering your dream home as well.
* Realistic offer – this market may not be the proper one in which to make “lowball” offers. Be reasonable and submit comparable sales that justify your offer.
* Pre-approval letter – alleviate the seller’s biggest concern that an unqualified buyer will unnecessarily take their home off the market and the seller will miss other opportunities.
* More earnest money – money up front will show that you’re serious, and makes the seller feel more confident that the contract will actually close.
* Minimize contingencies – don’t give the seller too many reasons to think the sale won’t go through. Multiple contingencies lessens the seller’s willingness, because they feel the home is “off the market” with less certainty of closing.
* Shorten inspection period – your agent can help you set a reasonable date, but it helps if you let the seller know you’re willing to close prior to that if possible.
* Write a personal letter to the seller telling them why you want their home – this emotional connection to the seller can make the difference in you getting the home.
A confident seller is one who will be more likely to accept your offer. Following these tips can positively affect negotiations and help you present an offer that is most likely to be accepted. I am happy to assist you with the details of purchasing Bucks County real estate.
Continue Reading > Add a Comment |First weekend of 2013 in Bucks County
Hello, Bucks County friends! The holiday festivities may be over, but there it’s still a good time to relax with friends and family this weekend. Here are a few things happening in the area this weekend:
Sunday, January 6, 11:30 am
Crossing Vineyards and Winery
Washington Crossing, PA
A one-hour yoga class, followed by private wine tasting and tour. Bring your yoga mat and be ready for a relaxing good time.
Saturday, January 5, 12:00 – 10:00 pm
Sunday, January 6, 12:00 – 9:00 pm
Shady Brook Farm
931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley
It’s not too late to see the light show at Shady Brook Farm. Fill up your car and enjoy the lights. This is the last weekend!
Philadephia Flyers Alumni Game
Saturday, January 5, 5:00pm
Bucks County Ice Sports Center
1185 York Road, Warminster
Enjoy a great game with the Flyer alumni vs. Team Berube, and a $10 donation at the door benefits Kids vs. Cancer.
Feel free to contact me if you are looking for a great home this New Year season. There are a lot of great homes in Yardley, Newtown and all of Bucks County.
Continue Reading > Add a Comment |Happy New Year, Bucks County – Marty Millner
Happy Holidays – Enjoying Bucks County, PA
Last minute shopping in Yardley, Newtown or anywhere in Bucks County? Looking to show visitors some holiday traditions that are unique to Bucks County? Are you looking to buy local this year for your holiday shopping? Here are 3 great ways to shop, recreate and support the local economy.
Sunday, December 22 and 23, 10am – 2pm
Doylestown Rock Gym
Need more time to prepare for the holidays? Instead of dragging the kids from store to store, or trying to hide things in your shopping cart that they can’t see, or chasing them around the store as they show you all the things they want to buy, simply bring them to the Doylestown Rock Gym. This way you can enjoy your time and they can enjoy theirs. At our drop and shop program, the kids will climb, have lunch and make a cool climbing holiday craft. Ages 5 – 12yo. Call 215-230-9085 or visit the website.
Through January 6, 2013 dusk to 10 pm
Shadybrook Farm
931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley
I’ve mentioned it before, but the Shadybrook Light Show is worth mentioning again! This is a spectacular night time extravaganza of lights, and it gets better every year! Bring a full carload, as they charge by the vehicle!
Wrightstown Farmers’ Winter Mini-Market
Saturday, December 2, 2012 10-11am
Wrightstown Township building, 2203 Second Street Pike
Quick, 1 hour mini market! Get in, get out and get on with the rest of your day! There will be pastured pork and lamb, grass-fed beef and eggs, fresh fair trade organically roasted coffee, honey, mushrooms, prepared foods, baked goods, nuts, applesauce, cider, goat cheese and natural pet foods. Also buy great gifts, like fragrant soaps, lotions, fruit butters and other jarred treats.
I wish you a great holiday season! Feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance to you in any of your real estate needs.
Continue Reading > Add a Comment |3 Quick Holiday Home Safety Tips – Bucks County, PA Homeowners
Most of us in Yardley, Newtown and all of Bucks County have been shopping, decorating and anticipating some holiday vacation time. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there has been a rise in personal injuries and property damage related to holiday home decorating. Don’t forget to keep in mind these 3 quick home safety practices during the holiday season:
1. Fire Proof your Tree – If you are purchasing a live tree for the holidays, be sure to find the freshest one available, with needles that are pliable and do not fall off easily. Be sure to keep water in the tree stand and keep away from heat sources. If you choose an artificial tree, make sure that it is labeled as “Fire Resistant”, which although not completely flame retardant, will be safer for your home.
2. Candle and Fireplace Care – Holidays tend to call for more festive candles and higher fireplace usage. Be sure to have your fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned prior to this winter’s use. Last year’s creosote can be a fire hazard this year. Do not leave holiday candles lit and unattended. Keep them within sight, on a flat heat-resistant surface, and away from pets and children.
3. Decorate Safely – Emergency room visits due to falls and lacerations increase every year during the holiday season. Be sure to have a responsible person hold the ladder for you when putting out lights or other decorations on your home. Assure that your tree is balanced in its stand securely, and recheck after the ornaments have been added, to avoid it falling on someone. Keep breakable ornaments or other decorations out of reach of children and in areas where they will not accidently be knocked over.
I wish my Bucks County friends a wonderful and restful holiday season with your love ones and friends. And I look forward to assisting you with your real estate needs in 2013!
Continue Reading > Add a Comment |Let Your Tenants Finance Your Child’s College
There are many owners of Bucks County real estate who are concerned right now about how to afford one of the larger price tags of parenthood: funding your child’s college education. As homeowners, we have a lot of things to save for and invest in, but not always enough discretionary income after the family essentials have been met. In almost any economy, wise real estate investors have an interesting option…
With a relatively small investment in a rental home, you can create rental income that generates positive cash flows and pay for itself. The borrowed funds create leverage that will earn a return on the total value of the home and not just the amount of cash you have invested.
The strategy is simple. Find a slightly below average priced home that will rent well. Find one in a popular school district, or near other desirable community amenities. It will appeal to a larger group of people while it’s rented and when it’s ready to be sold.
Rent the home and maintain its condition over the years. As the loan amortizes and the value increases, the equity will grow. When your student is ready to start college, you’ll actually have several options.
1. You can sell the property; pay the tax on the gain at a reduced capital gains rate and fund the education.
2. Alternatively, you can refinance the home and take the proceeds to pay for the tuition. This would allow you to continue to own the asset but would free your equity, and under current tax laws is a non-taxable event.
Regardless of whether you’re trying to plan for your children’s education or your own retirement, rental property offers many solid investment opportunities. Contact me if you want more information about purchasing investment property in Yardley, Newtown or anywhere in Bucks County.
Continue Reading > Add a Comment |Holiday Spirit in Bucks County – Weekend Events for December 8-9, 2012
I hope that all residents of Yardley, Newtown and all of Bucks County have had a productive week, and you are looking forward to a restful weekend. Of course, the December holiday events and activities are ramping up in the area. I am happy to keep you posted on a few worth checking out:
David Leonhardt Jazz Group – A Winter Jazz Holiday Concert
Saturday, December 8, 2012 7:30pm
Yardley Community Centre
Enjoy some festive mainstream and modern jazz by the David Leonhardt Jazz Group, an acoustic powerhouse. Get in the holiday spirit!
Saturday, December 8, 2012 9:00am & 11:00am
Temperance House, Newtown
Spend some time with friends, family and the jolly old elf himself! Sponsored by the Newtown Business Association. There are 2 seating times available. You can get your tickets by calling Temperance House at 215-860-9975.
Holiday Festivities in New Hope
Various Times
Ferry Street, New Hope
Celebrate the season with the residents of New Hope. Enjoy the nightly Christmas tree light show, with 15,000 LED lights on their Christmas tree dancing to holiday music. Shows run nightly at 5:00, 7:00 and 9:00pm.
On Saturday and Sunday afternoons, you can catch carolers and dancers outside the Logan Inn on Ferry Street.
Also, this Saturday, December 8 at noon, there will be the Monroe Crossing re-enactment and parade.
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