A Visit to Laurel Hill Cemetery…. History and a Little Phillies Spirit

As mentioned in earlier blogs each month we have company wide sales meetings. These meetings are typically held off site at interesting, sometimes historical locations, throughout Philadelphia and Eastern Montgomery County. We bring together all our agents from our four locations Center City (Rittenhouse Square), Mt Airy, Roxborough and Flourtown. Topics vary but usually include current real estate trends, office production, new inventory and at each meeting we feature a guest speaker or two.

This blog however, not so much to do with our meeting’s agenda but more to do with our meeting locations. We have been to the Historic Cliveden House, the beautiful Morris and Awbury Arboretums, The Old Academy Players(East Falls) to name a few.

With our meeting usually falling on the first Wednesday of the month and November 4th being so close to Halloween we thought it would be a good idea to have our meeting at a cemetery. Not just any cemetery, Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Laurel Hill Cemetery was founded in 1836 along the banks of the Schuylkill River, it stands as one of the only cemeteries in the United States to be honored as a National Historic Landmark. This cemetery is the final resting place for many Statesman, Civil war generals and many of Philadelphia’s rich and famous.

A private tour was arranged for us, however Laurel Hill is open to the public with hours Monday-Friday 8am to 430pm and Saturday and Sunday 930am to 5pm. Our tour was wonderful we saw the graves of several historic figures, including Civil War General Meade, we strolled the Fall draped paths and admired what could only be described as works of art that adorn the graves throughout the cemetery.

I guess because of the timing of our tour, the grave that attracted the most attention was that of Harry Kalas, with the Phillies about to play game six of the World Series we all stood huddled around Harry’s final resting place sending good thoughts out to our Phillies. Harry’s grave is flanked on either side with two seats from Veteran’s Stadium. Some of us, with our tour guides permission of course , had our pictures taken as we sat at Harry’s grave. What a great experience…

Sitting on nearly 78 acres Laurel Hill is open to the public and invites all to come tour, picnic, stroll, or jog on their scenic grounds.
Visit their website at laurelhillcemetery.org for more information.

Posted by Paul Walsh

Home Buyer Tax Credit Update… with a new wrinkle “move up buyers”…

(details may change)

It appears that the we are close to hearing that the Home Buyer Tax Credit will be extended through April 2010. First time home buyers and “move up” buyers will be able to take advantage of the tax credit. The credit will be $8000 for first time buyers(see previous blog dated April 2, 2009 for definition of first time home buyer) and $6500 for “move up” buyers. Move up buyers are defined as Buyers who have lived in their principle residence for 5 years or more. Income limits for the first time home buyer and the move up buyer are $125,000 for single return and $225,000 for joint return. Buyer’s may also be able to take the tax credit from a 2010 purchase on their 2009 return.

The Philadelphia Housing market has continued to grow stronger in 2009. This growth has not only been fueled by low mortgage interest rates and strong inventory, but also Buyers taking advantage of the tax credit. The home buyer tax credit extension along with the addition of “move up” buyer tax credit will allow for continued growth and wonderful opportunity for buyers in the market place between December 1, 2009 and April 30,2010.

Posted by Paul Walsh

Attention First Time Home Buyers

The First Time Homebuyer Credit that I blogged about, all the way back in April, ends in six weeks!

In order to receive the credit, you must close on your purchase by November 30, 2009.  In order to close by November 30, 2009, you need to have our offer complete by the end of October.  In order to have your offer complete by end of October, you need to talk with one of our knowledgeable REALTORS today!

Please call one of our four offices TODAY to see if you qualify!  We can help you buy your home on time!

Posted by Paul Walsh

Latest Tips For Making Your Home Greener and Saving Money!

Well here is my second blog on tips to saving money and being a little greener in our lives. Once again I’m calling on Zeta Cross.  Zeta has been a licensed REALTOR with Elfant Wissahickon REALTORS for a little over ten years and holds NAR GREEN and ECOBROKER designations.

• Install a simple $2 water aerator on the kitchen faucet, which can save you up to 5 gallons of water per day. You can pick up one of these aerators at most hardware stores. This is a simple way to go green while reducing your water bill!
• Get low-flow showerheads. Shower usage accounts for almost 25% of American water usage by individuals. Low flow shower heads provide a quality shower with good water pressure while reducing water consumption.

 

Posted by Paul Walsh

Tips for Making Your Home Greener and Saving Money!

 

Over the next few weeks I will be sharing some ideas on how to conserve energy and make your home a little greener.  I will enlist the help of one of my agents Zeta Cross who holds the designations of   NAR Green and EcoBroker.  Here is Zeta’s first tip on conserving energy, saving money and being greener.

  Did you know that a number of appliances in your home use electricity when they are not in use but remain plugged in to an outlet?   This phantom electric load could add up to as much as 10% of your monthly usage.

              Suggestions:
                                 1)   Unplug appliances that are not in use such as coffee makers, toasters, hair dryers,  and cell phone chargers. 
                                 2)   Plug larger items, like your television, home entertainment equipment, computer, printers, and  fax machines , into a power strip and after shutting these items down properly  turn off your power strip.

 Remember if its not in use unplug it! You’ll be conserving energy and saving money!

CHECK BACK FOR MORE MONEY SAVING GREEN TIPS OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

 

Posted by Paul Walsh

4th of JULY WEEKEND STARTS WITH SOME ENCOURAGING NEWS….

As we head into the holiday weekend, the National Association of REALTORS has released the numbers for pending home sales in the month of May. Once again and for the fourth consecutive month the number of pending home sales has risen. The last time there were four consecutive monthly gains was in October of 2004.

In an earlier post this year I talked about how my company seemed to reflect the numbers provided by the National Association Of REALTORS for pending home sales. Looking at my company’s production since then I continue to see a steady rise in pending home sales. The Buyers continue to take advantage of the first time home buyer tax credit and favorable housing affordability. For further information on Buying and Selling please visit our web site at www.elfantwissahickon.com.

Please have a safe and happy 4th of July!

Posted by Paul Walsh

First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Can Be Used for Closing Costs

Back in April I blogged about the First Time Home Buyer tax credit. Well in the last couple of weeks there has been a change for the better with respect to the tax credit. FHA- approved lenders can now create what is called a bridge loan type product which would allow the a qualifying first time home buyer to use the tax credit to reduce their closing cost or increase their down payment. Simply put, the First Time Buyer gets the Tax Credit benefit right at the settlement table. (Though Buyers can not use the tax credit to cover the 3.5 percent minimum down payment.)

With interest rates again moving downward and with the ability now to use the tax credit at time of purchase, I encourage you to talk to a REALTOR find out how today’s market conditions could work in your favor. For further information on the Tax Credit please feel free to contact me or go to realtor.org.

Posted by Paul Walsh

PENDING HOME SALES RISE 6.7 PERCENT IN APRIL

The National Association of Realtors reported Tuesday its index of sales contracts signed jumped 6.7 percent, far exceeding analysis’ forecasts. It was the biggest monthly gain since October 2001. See the article here.

Our numbers certainly reflect what the National Association of Realtors have reported. Elfant Wissahickon agents have been busy for the last few months writing offers on properties. We have seen a marked increase in pending sales since mid March. The factors behind this surge include the First Time Home Buyers Tax Credit and favorable interest rates and home values. These factors combine to make it a great time to invest in real estate.

Please click here for more information about buying or selling a home.

Posted by Paul Walsh

Backyards and Barbecues

It’s the holiday weekend! There’s a great story in today’s Inquirer about a group of neighbors in Germantown combining their backyards to create one big yard. I’ve actually known about these Yards for a while since one of the neighbors is our administrator, Katey McGrath.

Last spring, she and her neighbors pulled up their fences and landscaped the communal space together. She told me about it because our company had a hand in its inception. We listed and/or sold half of the houses in the row!

I’m sure Katey and her friends will be celebrating Memorial Day in the backyard!

It’s a little one-way tree lined street in Germantown, with friendly neighbors and a great story, just like so many others in northwest Philadelphia. Hope you like it! Have a safe and happy Memorial Day!

Building Backyards

Posted by Paul Walsh

Elfant Wissahickon at WXPN tomorrow!

Elfant Wissahickon REALTORS is excited to be supporting WXPN radio in their Spring Fundrive. From 6 to 8 am during the Morning Drive with Michaela Mahjoun, 15 brokers and agents will be answering phones and taking pledges. We’re so excited to be helping out one of our favorite radio stations and Philadelphia institutions.

My partners and I have also made a challenge: if we are able to collect $1000 in pledges during our shift tomorrow, we’ll match it with a $1000 donation of our own! Please join us in our support.

You can listen live at 88.5 fm or www.wxpn.org.

Posted by Paul Walsh