Inventory is Down

Sales are Up

Prices are Consistent

Sale to List $ is Up

Thinking of a move? The timing may be right for you!

13 HOUSE MAINTENANCE TIPS FOR FALL

1. Check around the windows and the doors for air leaks and seal with weatherstripping; replace windows if necessary
2. Check the flue on your fireplace and make sure it’s closed if you’re not using it. Clean fireplace and chimney regularly
3. Replace the filter on your heater monthly for improved efficiency
4. Service Contract for your HVAC System at least 4 times per year
5. Check on your Hot Water Heater and wrap with insulation (lifetime use is about 9 years-replace if necessary)
6. Get an automatic thermostat with programmable set back feature to adjust when you’re not at home or when you retire
7. Do an exterior inspection and make sure that downspouts clear your foundation preventing water seepage damage
8. Install gutter guard screens to prevent clogs from leaves and potential ice damming
9. Keep leaves and mulch away from the foundation to help reduce potential termite infestation-have Termite Control Service contract
10. Thin trees of dead branches, especially those that cause roof damage
11. Clean debris from sliding door tracks so that they close securely
12. Install smoke detectors change batteries – some townships now require smoke detectors in each of the bedrooms
13. Seal/repair driveways and walkways to prevent freeze/thaw damage

25 Pre-Holiday Weight Loss Tips

This is the time of year when many people gear up to lose weight.....before the holidays begin.  Here are 25 tips that may be of help if you're staring at the scale in dismay. If the list of 25 seems daunting, add them into your routine 5 at a time. Don't overwhelm yourself.

Q: How do you eat an elephant? A: One bite at a time.

1. Set a realistic weight-loss goal. Most experts recommend aiming for half a pound to 2 pounds a week.

2. Keep track. Dieters who keep track of everything they eat lose twice as much weight as those who don't, research shows.

3. Motivate yourself. Get a pair of jeans or pants that are too tight and hang them in the kitchen instead of the closet to keep yourself inspired.

4. Get help from family and friends. Dieters who have support from a partner at home lose more weight than those who don't, studies show.

5. Move it to lose it. Research shows that people who do physical activities such as walking or biking for two to four hours a week during weight-loss efforts lose an extra 3 to 5 pounds over a year.

6. Pay attention to portions. A 3-ounce portion of meat, poultry or fish is about the size of the palm of your hand or a deck of cards; 1 teaspoon of butter or margarine, a standard postage stamp; a cup of cold cereal, berries or popcorn, a baseball; 4-inch pancake or waffle, the diameter of a CD.

7. Clean out your pantry and refrigerator. Get rid of the foods that sabotage your weight loss.

8. Create "a dinner deck." This would include 10 favorite quick and healthful dinners written on index cards. Each card should list the ingredients for the recipe on one side and directions for making it on the other.

9. Avoid hunger. Eat regular meals and snacks. Make sure you have some protein foods such as yogurt, tuna, beans or chicken for most meals. Some research suggests that protein helps you feel full longer.

10. Keep produce on hand. Place a bowl of vegetables such as broccoli, snap peas, cucumbers or carrot sticks in the refrigerator. You can eat them as a snack or when preparing meals to take the edge off your hunger.

11. Stock up on "impulse fruits." Keep things like grapes, clementines, small apples, small bananas and pears around the house. These foods are easy to eat without having to do much cutting and slicing.

12. Make some stealth changes. That will get everyone in the family eating healthier. Buy low-fat 1% or skim milk, low-fat cream cheese and reduced-fat cheese instead of the full-fat versions. Use them in recipes to cut the fat and calories.

13. Cut out liquid calories. Eliminate soda and sugary drinks such as sweetened iced tea, sports drinks and alcoholic beverages. Liven up the taste of water by adding lemon, lime, cucumber or mint.... or my favorite, the new product Mio. Choose skim and 1% milk.

14. Practice the "Rule of One." When it comes to high-calorie foods, you won't go wrong if you allow one small treat a day. That might be one cookie or a fun-sized candy bar.

15. Pace, don't race. Force yourself to eat more slowly and savor each bite.

16. Hydrate before meals. Drinking 16 ounces, or two glasses, of water before meals may help you eat less.

17. Downsize plates, bowls, glasses, silverware. Using smaller versions of your serving ware will help you eat less food naturally.

18. Adopt the motto "after 8 is too late" for snacks after dinner.

19. Buy a pedometer. Health experts recommend taking at least 10,000 steps a day, which is roughly 4 to 5 miles, depending on your stride length.

20. Treat yourself occasionally. If your chocolate craving is getting to you, try diet hot-chocolate packets. If you need a treat, go out for it or buy small prepackaged portions of ice cream bars. If you love chocolate, consider keeping bite-size pieces in the freezer.

21. Dine at a table. Eat from a plate while seated at a table. Don't eat while driving, lounging on the couch or standing at the fridge.

22. Dine out without pigging out. Figure out what you are going to eat in advance. Get salad dressing on the side. Restaurants usually put about one-quarter cup (4 tablespoons) of dressing on a salad, which is often too many calories. Best to stick with 1 to 2 tablespoons. Dip your fork into the dressing and then into the salad.

23. Get plenty of sleep. Scientists have found that sleep deprivation increases levels of a hunger hormone and decreases levels of a hormone that makes you feel full. The effects may lead to overeating and weight gain.

24. Weigh yourself regularly. That's what successful dieters and those who manage to maintain weight loss do. Some step on the scales once a week. Others do so daily.

25. Reward yourself. When you meet your incremental weight loss goals, say losing 5 pounds, treat yourself to something — but not food. Buy a CD or DVD you've been wanting or go out to a movie with a friend

Most Americans think home buying is a “good financial decision”

Has activity in the housing market increased? Nearly half of Americans in the top 50 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) believe so.

NAR recently released the results of their eleventh Housing Pulse Surveys, which showed 85 percent of Americans think purchasing a home is a good financial decision, with 73 percent “strongly” agreeing.

However, concern about housing costs still exist, but are improving. Of those surveyed, 76 percent say they do not make enough income to make housing affordable, despite a full-time job. Meanwhile, 59 percent are concerned about high rental prices, and 49 percent are concerned about high prices for homes in their area.

College debt still haunts many would-be home buyers. Seventy-eight percent, especially millenials, of those surveyed said their student debt is their biggest obstacle to homeownership.

Of respondents, two-thirds believe that house prices are more expensive than 2015

, which concerns them. Of the top 25 MSAs, 41 percent say the lack of available housing that is affordable is a problem, which is an increase since 2013.

Yet, 61 percent of current renters claim that they would like to eventually own a home, and it’s one of their highest personal priorities. That is an increase of 11 percent from 2013.

And 68 percent believe that it is now is a good time to buy a home. With rents continuing to rise, many renters are feeling the financial strain on their budget. Of millenials, 65 percent are concerned about the high cost of rent on their budget. Eighty-eight percent of respondents believe the housing market will grow, or at least remain the same.

And the top three reasons to own a home, according to the results? Home ownership means the money you spend on housing goes towards building equity, rather than to a landlord; home ownership creates the opportunity to live in a neighborhood that you enjoy; and home ownership provides a stable and safe environment for children and other family members.

CURRENT MORTGAGE RATES FOR BUCKS COUNTY, PA

3 Reasons to List Your Home NOW

When consumers are on a mission to buy something and can’t find what they want, they often encounter that frustrating feeling of slim choices in stores or online. Such is the case with housing inventory as the end of the year draws closer.

With fall in full swing and school underway, this is the time of year sellers typically consider pulling their homes off the market or delay listing it until next year.

With a faster pace of sales in many real estate markets across the country, current and future homesellers might want to rethink that strategy.

Housing choices are more limited right now, which might create pent-up demand as buyers crave new choices. Many buyers are ready to purchase, are actively monitoring property listings for “the one” and will spring into action upon learning about fresh options.

Here are three main reasons why it makes sense to put a home on the market right now:

1. Low inventory

It comes down to “Economics 101:” there are a shortage of homes for sale in many markets throughout the country in relation to buyer demand.

This creates a highly desirable atmosphere to attain the best possible price and terms for a home if sellers prep for sale the right way. Did someone say bidding war?

2. Rising appreciation

After several years of dealing with distressed sales and foreclosure inventory that caused values to decline, home prices are on the rise.

Many sellers are in an enviable position to sell and walk away with a nice profit that they can use on the next place they decide to call home.

3. Low Interest Rates

With interest rates hovering around the 3.5 percent range, the cost of borrowing money remains extremely attractive.

Couple that with a variety of attractive loan programs, and there have never been more responsible options for buyers at various price points and stages to purchase a property, whether it’s a primary or secondary residence — or investment.

Call me for a FREE MARKET EVALUATION on your property!

Data From 3rd Quarter 2016

9 Habits for a Home That Always Feels Neat and Fresh

THE 5 MINDSETS OF A CHAMPION

You can become a champion in whatever you like whether it be washing the dishes or mastering a new skill. One of the hardest things to win over is your mind, at the end of the day achieving anything usually comes from a strong mental outlook and enthusiasm for what your doing……

1- Stay Present In What Your Doing

The Power of Now!  I am putting this at number one as to me its the most important and the hardest to master. When you are present and fully engaged in what you are doing nothing can get in your way, there is no room for fear, anxiety, or other negative emotions to stop you doing what your doing to your full potential.

You can stay present whatever your doing in life, you just need to realize and acknowledge when your thinking goes out of hand and drags you into the past or future. It can seem very hard at first but eventually it becomes easier and even second nature. 

2- No Regrets Mindset

Look at your past but DON"T STARE!

You can’t changed what’s happened and truth be told whatever you have done or made a decision about was the best you could have made at that given time. If you live with this mindset your life will become far easier and less stressful….

Too many people are tied up with regrets and have their minds stuck in the past and things they may have done wrong. These don’t have to be big things they can be as small and trivial as picking the wrong piece of fruit while grocery shopping, you would be surprised how much these things play on people’s minds.Always tell yourself that whatever you did was the right decision it will save a load of mental clutter and allow you to stay in the moment.

Get into the mindset that you can’t lose with any decision you make, regardless of the outcome!

3- Having a Beginners Mind

This one does not mean dumbing down. Many smart people maintain a beginners' mind in whatever they do. It refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject, even when studying at an advanced level, just as a beginner in that subject would.

Having a beginners mind will allow you to learn new stuff and do things without thinking too much about them, which is key not only to be the best at what you do, but to do whatever you want well!

Sometimes we just need to admit and say “I Don’t Know” this will not only crush your ego which always wants to know best but it will leave you with an open mind which is ready to learn, adapt and evolve.

Living with “I know” is a tremendous handicap that keeps us out of the present, and living in the past. It doesn’t allow us anything new, no surprises, no insights, no discoveries. It doesn’t allow us to unlock and understand any of the mysteries of the present moment, and it keeps us frozen in the judgments of the past.

4- Knowing What You Want

This can be for anything, in order to achieve something you need to know you what you want. For instance if you want to lose weight try and have a mental picture of how you will look once you have achieved your ideal weight or gain some muscle. Try and consider these 3 factors when figuring out what you want

• What do you want to achieve?
• What, When, Where, Who and How?
• What will you see, hear and feel when you’ve achieved your outcome?

If you lay out plans with a certain template like the one above it will allow you to envision exactly what you want making it far more achievable and putting things in perspective.

5- Not Being Dragged Down

People who are good at what they do or even just happy with life, don’t let the small stuff (or small people!) drag them down. If you let what others thing, say or do affect how you feel and act negatively then things have got to change. Remember we cannot change others and need to accept people as they are in order to live a constructive and purposeful life. Truth is there will always be people trying to drag you down.

The same goes for your mental outlook on life, don’t let the chatter box in your head talk you into negative thoughts as soon as you hear them coming, face them realise they are not you but your negative internal dialogue and let the slip or flow like a pebble passing a stream.

The earlier you catch a negative train of thought and reject it the easier life becomes as once they set in and feed on your negative emotions they can be hard to shake.

Don't let other people take up residence in your mind! And don't allow yourself to stay in 'park' when you are there!

Applying The Knowledge

These 5 mindsets can be set towards anything and should be veichles to carry you through all of life’s obstacles. They can also be more specific you could apply them to;

• Getting in Shape
• Suceeding in Your Career
• Starting Your Own Business or changing Careers
• Socializing
• Starting New Relationships
• And Ultimately ...... Finding Peace in Your Mind

“Whatever you hold in your mind will tend to occur in your life. If you continue to believe as you have always believed, you will continue to act as you have always acted. If you continue to act as you have always acted, you will continue to get what you have always gotten. If you want different results in your life or your work, all you have to do is change your mind.” - Anonymous