Green Revolution Realty

Spotlight on Neighborhoods- Chestnut Hill

emily — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:59:40 +0000

The median sales price for homes in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia for Mar 10 to May 10 was $503,000 based on 13 sales. Compared to the same period one year ago, the median sales price increased 29.6%, or $115,000, and the number of sales increased 18.2%. Average price per square foot for Chestnut Hill was $186, a decrease of 9.7% compared to the same period last year.

There are currently 60 resale and new homes in Philadelphia on Trulia, including 3 open houses, as well as 8 homes in the pre-foreclosure, auction, or bank-owned stages of the foreclosure process. The average listing price for homes for sale in Chestnut Hill was $829,252 for the week ending Jun 16, which represents an increase of 2.6%, or $20,938, compared to the prior week.

Market View for Chestnut Hill

Info

Avg. Listing Price $829,252 Wk ending Jun 16

+$20,938
+2.6%
w-o-w

Median Sales Price $503,000 Mar ‘10 – May ‘10

+$115,000
+29.6%
y-o-y

60	Homes For Sale	3	Open Homes
48	Recently Sold	8	Foreclosures

statistics provided by trulia real estate search

Mortgage Rates Continue to Encourage Home Buyers

emily — Tue, 25 May 2010 14:38:25 +0000

With mortgage rates priced near their most agressive levels of the year, buyers are becoming serious about their house hunting. Even though the tax credit deadline has passed we are seeing an influx of buyers eager to take advantage of the low rates. Since we don’t know how long the rates will continue to stay low, it makes sense to purchase now and lock in a great rate!

Mortgage rates as of 5/25/2010

30 year fixed- 4.58% 15 year fixed – 3.72% 5/1 ARM – 3.42%

Keller Williams Realty Inaugurates “Red Day”

emily — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:07:28 +0000

With corporate bailouts and stratospheric executive compensation dominating the headlines, it’s helpful to be reminded of companies that remain focused on giving back to their communities.

Committed to setting a new standard in business citizenship, on May 13, Keller Williams Realty Center City will devote the day to volunteering at the Jane Addams Place in West Philadelphia for Red Day. ”Red Day” short for “Renew, Energize and Donate,” was created by Keller Williams Realty Inc. to give back to its communities across the United States and Canada. With 73,000 Associates in 690 offices participating in various volunteer efforts all on the same day, the company will unite its regional offices to make an international impact

Each Keller Williams Realty office has picked a one day civic project with the goal of showing that one day can make a difference to a community. Locally, our Market Center will be volunteering at the Jane Addams Place which is a comprehensive emergency center for women and children. On May 13 from 9:30-3:00 local Keller Williams agents will be volunteering their services to improve the facilities, provide landscaping, donate supplies, as well as offer classes on nutrition and home ownership.

Whether donating time at a local shelter, or cleaning up a park, we expect this to be the biggest community service event in the real estate industry and in Keller Williams Realty’s history.

Go Green Tips

emily — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 18:13:41 +0000

Ten Tips to Go Green

1) Turn down the thermostat. Lowering it by just one degree can reduce heating energy costs by about four percent.

2) Use ceiling fans in the summer AND winter. By reversing the direction of the blades, warm air is pushed down, helping to keep rooms warm in winter.

3) Conserve energy by purchasing major appliances with an Energy Star rating. Compared to a 1990 model, an Energy Star-qualified refrigerator would save enough electricity to light a home for more than four and a half months.

4) Repair leaky fixtures: one drop per second from a leaky faucet can waste as mush as 10 gallons of water each week.

5) Install low-flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets. Low-flow faucets reduce water consumption and the cost of heating water by as much as 50 percent; using a low-flow toilet can save Americans 2.1 trillion gallons of water and $11.3 million nationwide every day.

6) Choose carpeting, rugs, window treatments and other textiles made from natural fibers, such as cotton or wool, which are untreated and free of toxins, such as pesticides or chemical cleaners.

7) Ask for flooring products made from rapidly renewable resources, such as bamboo. Bamboo is one of the fasted growing plants in the world, requiring no replanting and little fertilization or pesticides.

Select solid woods harvested from sustainably-managed forests, when possible, for furniture or cabinetry, rather than pressed woods or composites that may contain formaldehyde or other chemicals that may be toxic and hazardous to your health.

9) Eliminate waste by choosing products that are biodegradable or recyclable. Consider the “lifecycle” of furnishings and accessories before purchasing: Are they made of materials that can be reused or recycled when the item eventually wears out or is no longer needed?

10) Recycle packing and shipping materials from any newly purchased items, and safely dispose of paint cans and other containers with contents that could potentially contaminate the ground or water supply. ::National Building Museum

How to easily find Philly Open Houses!

emily — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:43:57 +0000

Check out this great, new website!

greaterphillyopenhouse.com

The newest, most effective way to find open houses in Philly! As well as being easy to search, if you know the MLS# of a property you’d like to see, enter it onto the site and you’ll be notified by email when that property has an open.

Benefits of LEED Certification

emily — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:00:04 +0000

The U.S. Green Building Council is a national nonprofit organization based in Washington D.C. composed of the nation’s foremost coalition of leaders from across the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work.

There are both environmental and financial benefits to earning a LEED Certification.

LEED Certified buildings are designed to:

Lower operating costs and increase asset value
Reduce waste sent to landfills
Conserve energy and water
Minimize strain on local infrastructures and resources
Be healthier and safer for occupants and improve quality of life
Reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions
Qualify for tax rebates, zoning allowances and other incentives in hundreds of cities.
Demonstrate an owner’s commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

Tax Credit for Move-Up & New Home Buyers

emily — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:13:06 +0000

1.First time home buyers qualify for the $8,000 tax credit. Who is eligible for the $6,500 tax credit?
Qualified move-up or repeat home buyers purchasing any kind of home. Both first time and move up home buyers must have a signed agreement of sale on or before April 30,2010 and must settle on the property on or before June 30, 2010.

2. What is the definition of a move-up or repeat home buyer?
A person who has lived in the same home for a least 5 consecutive years of the 8 years prior to purchase date. For married taxpayers the law applies to both spouses. Repeat home buyers do not have to purchase a home that is more expensive than their previous home to qualify for the tax credit.

3. How is the amount of tax credit determined?
It is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $6,500. Purchases of homes priced above $800,000 are not eligible for the tax credit.

4. Are there any income limits for claiming the tax credit?
Yes. The income limit for single taxpayers is $125,000; the limit is $225,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return.

5. What types of homes qualify for the tax credit?
Any home that will be used as a principal residence will qualify for the credit, provided the home is purchased for a price less than or equal to $800,000. This includes single-family detached homes, attached homes like townhouses or condominiums, mobile homes and houseboats.

6. I hired a contractor to construct a home on a lot that I already own. Do I still qualify for the tax credit?
Yes. A principal residence that is constructed by the home owner is treated by the tax code as having been “purchased” on the date the owner first occupies the house.

7. Is there a way to access the tax credit money sooner than waiting to file a 2009 or 2010 tax return?
Yes. Prospective home buyers who believe they qualify for the tax credit are permitted to reduce their income tax withholding. Reducing tax withholding (up to the amount of the credit) will enable the buyer to accumulate cash by raising his/her take home pay. This money can then be applied to the down payment.

If you have more specific questions about the tax credit we strongly encourage you to to consult a qualified tax advisor or legal professional about your unique situation.

Chestnut Hill

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:15:44 +0000

Situated in the northwestern part of Philadelphia about ten miles from City Hall, Chestnut Hill is an official Historic District, and home to more than 100 architecturally significant residences, parks,gardens and museums.

Chestnut Hill is bordered on the northwest by eastern Montgomery County, on the west by the Wissahickon Creek and Fairmount Park, on the northeast by Stenton Avenue and on the southeast by Cresheim Valley Rd. and the Mount Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia. Germantown Avenue runs through the center of town toward Mt. Airy and Germantown. Zip code: 19118

Neighborhood Highlights

Famous architecture including Esherick House, designed by Louis Kahn and the Vanna Venturi House, designed by Robert Venturi
Public Transportation including the R7 & R8 SEPTA lines to Center City
Border includes Fairmount Park, with its recreational areas and trails
Germantown Ave. offers boutique shopping, antiques, art galleries, and fine dining
Morris Arboretum, Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia Cricket Club, Chestnut Hill Farmer’s Market
Cafette, Wine Thief, Solaris Grille, Avenida

Manayunk

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:08:30 +0000

Manayunk is located on the banks of the Schuylkill River and contains the first canal begun in the United States. The area’s name comes from the language of the Lenape Indians. In 1686-dated papers between William Penn and the Lenape, the Lenape referred to the Schuylkill River as “Manaiung”, their word for “river”, which literally translates as “place to drink”; the word was later altered and adopted as the town’s name. Zip code: 19128

Boundaries run west of Kelly Drive, along the North/Eastern banks of the Schuylkill River

Neighborhood Highlights

Steps from Fairmount Park and Kelly Drive, located on the banks of the Schuylkill River along the Manayunk Bike Trail
Famous Main Street features high end shops, artist boutiques, and trendy restaurants and bars
Septa train stop and proximity to Route 76 and Kelly Drive makes commuting a breeze
Manayunk Art’s festival, Manayunk bike race, Main St., Manayunk movie theater, numerous clubs and restaurants

Graduate Hospital

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:05:44 +0000

Boundaries run South of Lombard, North of Washington, East of the Schuylkill River, and West of Broad

Neighborhood Highlights

Steps to the highly desirable neighborhoods of Fitler Square and Rittenhouse Square
Family oriented residential neighborhood with easy access to Route 76
Schuylkill River Park, South Street, Ten Stone, Sidecar Bar