Are you considering buying a home in Central Pennsylvania?  Well, here is some positive news that might help influence your decision.  According to Forbes, Lancaster Pennsylvania is one of the best places to grow old in America.  While this seems like an obvious truth for those of us currently living here, the rest of the country is just catching on to benefits of the area.  With the gorgeous rural surrounds, the vitality of Lancaster City, and the proximity of many of the Northeast’s urban hubs, Lancaster truly is a fantastic place to live—both for the young and the old.

Forbes determined their rankings based primarily on three criteria: the percentage of people 65 and older, their median income, and the number of hospitals and elder care facilities per 10,000 people.  With some of the more traditional retirement options in the south becoming cost prohibitive and retirees looking for a different kind of lifestyle, places like Lancaster are garnering more attention. 

Lancaster does have the types of services retirees are looking for—quality health care, plentiful parks and recreation, and a productive local economy.  Not only do these amenities make Lancaster great for older generations, but they also show that this is a well rounded community with lots to offer people in all stages of their lives. 

Please contact Coldwell Banker Select Professionals if your looking for personal service and have questions regarding buying a home in beautiful Lancaster PA, York PA, Harrisburg PA, Lebanon PA, Hershey PA and Cumberland County.  Be sure to connect with one of our agents at www.cbselectpros.com.  We have local offices serving all of Lancaster, Lebanon, York, Hershey, Harrisburg, and Cumberland County PA.  Get started on your search today!

Are you considering listing your home in Central Pennsylvania? With the current mortgage rates and special programs offered by the government, there's a lot to attract buyers, especially first time home buyers.  In order to make your home as appealing as possible, you may be considering some improvements.  Coldwell Banker Select Professionals is posting the following information regarding common mistakes you should avoid.

Do not underestimate how much the improvements will cost you.  You should honestly assess the amount of materials you will need, how much time you or the person you hire will spend on the project, and the fact that there will be some materials wasted.  You will want to make sure you have enough extra in your budget to cover some additional unexpected costs.

Often when you underestimate costs, you end up sacrificing quality.  Avoid this trap so you don’t resort to using cheap materials.  They will not last, and buyers will notice if you tried to cut corners.  You can get higher quality materials if you take some time to shop around—don’t be afraid to negotiate prices. 

Don’t get in over your head.  If you want to perform an improvement that you’re not sure you can handle, think long and hard before you decide to tackle it yourself.  You do not want to create more work than necessary or put yourself in a dangerous situation.

If you decide to hire a contractor for part or all of the work, make sure you do your homework.  You will want to get several written estimates—at least 3—and make sure each contractor knows they have to compete for your business.  Also, confirm that the contractor has the proper licensing and no complaint record.  You can look into this through the Better Business Bureau or a local consumer protection agency.

Finally, do not overestimate the amount of value the improvement will add to your home.  Just because you put a lot of money into improvements does not mean you will get a return on your investment.  You should pay careful attention to what other homes in your neighborhood with similar upgrades are selling for.  You do not want your home to be the diamond among chunks of coal because you will not be rewarded for over-improving.

Please contact Coldwell Banker Select Professionals if you’re looking for personal service and have questions regarding listing your home in Lancaster PA, York PA, Harrisburg PA, Lebanon PA, Hershey PA and Cumberland County.  Be sure to connect with one of our agents at www.cbselectpros.com.  We have local offices serving all of Lancaster, Lebanon, York, Hershey, Harrisburg, and Cumberland County PA.

What does it take to sell a home in a buyers’ market – a fresh coat of paint or a kitchen overhaul?  Lowering your asking price or offering incentives?  From cosmetic to strategic, smart sellers can take advantage of a few simple tips to get the most out of their properties.  Here are six strategies from the professionals at Coldwell Banker Select Professionals to securing a “sold” sign:

1. Boost your curb appeal.  Though they may be obvious, cosmetic upgrades like painting and planting can truly go a long way to forming a fantastic first impression of your home.  And be sure to clean, clean, clean!

2. Make big fixes where you can.  If your budget allows, invest in bigger improvements.  Focus on “make or break” rooms like bathrooms and kitchens, because nothing says “uninviting” like an unattractive cooking space.  If your budget is limited think about smaller home improvements in these areas which could help close the deal.

3. Let the Internet work for you.  Free online tools like www.cbselectpros.com can assist you in gauging your property value including home improvements you have made to your home. Using online resources allows you to engage in a dialogue with your real estate broker and can assist you in setting the right price for your home.

4. Transparency is golden.  Getting a preliminary professional home inspection and sharing it with potential buyers may help them understand your home’s condition and reinforce your position as a trustworthy and responsible seller.  You should also be clear about recent improvements you have made, and provide estimates on other optional upgrades – especially any for which you would be willing to foot the bill.

5. Go the extra mile.  You can have your home pre-inspected and follow up by making necessary repairs.   Allow potential buyers to see the report and receipts for the work.  Offering a home warranty could also sway a buyer to purchase your home over another.  Buying down mortgage rates or pay points on behalf of the buyer is another suggestion.

6.  Be realistic.  Selling in a buyer’s market takes skill and strategy.  In most markets, increased inventory has given buyers the opportunity to be selective in the home they want and the price they are willing to pay.  Properly priced homes are selling and your sales associate will work with you to determine what that price should be.  Also understand that it normally takes a bit longer to sell a home in buyer’s market than in a seller’s market.

Looking to list your home in Central Pennsylvania? With the current mortgage rates and special programs offered by the government, there's a lot to attract buyers, especially first time home buyers.  In order to make your home as appealing as possible, Coldwell Banker Select Professionals is posting the following information regarding the types of economical interior improvements buyers appreciate most.

Surely you’ve heard that updating your kitchen and bathrooms will markedly increase your home’s appeal.  People spend a lot of time in their kitchens, so they want them to be bright, clean, and modern, but this doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune in remodeling costs.  If your home has dated cabinetry in the kitchen and bathrooms, consider painting them with a fresh coat and adding new hardware—you’ll be surprised how much this adds to the overall look.  Also, you might want to update your faucets, especially if they are leaky.  A spotless sink with new faucets leaves a good impression.

The flooring in your home is also very important—hardwood floors are what buyers want.  Consider removing carpet in rooms where there is hardwood.  If there is no hardwood underneath, make sure the carpeting is as clean and inviting as possible.  Neutral colors will be most attractive to the majority of buyers.  If your home has tile in the entryway, bathrooms, or kitchen, spend some time thoroughly cleaning the grout and replacing damaged tiles.

Finally, a fresh coat of paint on your walls and ceilings will create the kind of first impression you need to sell your home quickly.  When potential buyers are looking at your home, they will analyze the walls and ceilings for any problems, so make sure they are spotless and clean.  If you have outdated wallpaper or wood paneling, you must remove it or paint over it.  Again, neutral tones are the way to go—not only do they brighten instantly, but they are widely appealing to most people.

Hopefully, the above gives you a good starting point on how to create a positive first impression with potential buyers.  Please contact us if you’re looking for personal service and have questions regarding listing your home in Lancaster PA, York PA, Harrisburg PA, Lebanon PA, Hershey PA and Cumberland County.  Be sure to connect with one of our agents at www.cbselectpros.com.  Coldwell Banker Select Professionals has local offices serving all of Lancaster, Lebanon, York, Hershey, Harrisburg, and Cumberland County PA.

Are you considering buying or selling a home in Central PA?  If you are, then you should know about Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) Reports.  This report—along with your insurance score—is what insurers use to determine how much of a risk you and your home are to insure.  Each claim you make—and sometimes even inquires you make regarding your coverage—are included on your report.

The report shows a five year history of any claims you have made including the date of the claim, type of loss claimed, and amount paid by the insurance company.  Insurers use this information because they believe that a person’s history in filing claims will be a good indicator of whether or not they’ll file again in the future. 

If you are a homeowner who wants to access your CLUE report, you have the same rights as you do for accessing your credit score.  You are entitled to a free report every 12 months, you have the right to dispute inaccurate or incomplete data, and you are entitled to a notice when an adverse decision is reached regarding your insurability.   

If you are a buyer who is curious about the claim history on a specific property, you can have your Realtor ask the seller to provide a CLUE report, which will detail any claims made on that property within the previous five years.  This will give you a general idea about what types of issues the home has had, and it will help you make a better informed decision.

If you would like more information on how to get a free copy of your report, contact the consumer reporting agency, ChoicePoint at (866) 312-8076.  You can visit their website at www.choicepoint.com/factact.html.

Please contact Coldwell Banker Select Professionals if your looking for personal service and have questions regarding buying a home in Lancaster PA, York PA, Harrisburg PA, Lebanon PA, Hershey PA and Cumberland County.  Be sure to connect with one of our agents at www.cbselectpros.com.  We have local offices serving all of Lancaster, Lebanon, York, Hershey, Harrisburg, and Cumberland County PA.  Get started on your search today!

Are you considering buying a home in Central Pennsylvania? If you are then you will also need to consider homeowners insurance to protect your investment.  Coldwell Banker Select Professionals is posting the following list of ten tips to consider in order to obtain the most coverage at the best price possible.

1. Think Ahead when Buying Your Home:  Consider the location of the home you want to buy because it will influence what you’ll spend for insurance as well as what type of insurance you need.  For example, if the home is in an area likely to flood you will need additional flood insurance.  On the other hand, you may pay less for insurance if the home has a stone exterior since it is more wind resistant.
2. Increase Your Deductable: A deductable is the amount of money you have to pay out of pocket before your insurance company will begin to pay for a claim.  You can save a significant percentage off your premium by raising the deductible.
3. Maintain Good Credit: Like with so many other major purchases, having good credit can help you get the best insurance rate possible.  Many insurance companies are now using your credit information to price out your quote, so be diligent about maintaining and checking your credit. 
4. Shop Around:  Make sure to research your options—ask your friends and family, check the yellow pages, and search the web.  You will want to look into the service quality of each company by checking for any complaints on the state’s insurance website.
5. Improve Your Home’s Disaster Readiness and Security: You can save on your premium by making your home more resistant to natural disasters and weather.  Also, you can often save money by installing a security system or simply adding smoke detectors or dead-bolts.  Your insurance representative can give you information about the type of measures that will save you the most money.
6. Have the Same Insurer for Your Home and Auto Policies: Frequently, you can get a discount for holding multiple policies with the same company.
7. Loyalty: If you’re happy with your coverage, it will be to your benefit to remain with the same insurer for a number of years.  Long-term policy holders can receive significant discounts, but you should periodically compare your price with other policies.
8. Only Insure the House:  When you bought your home, you paid for the land it was on as well as the structure.  Don’t use the purchase price to determine how much insurance to buy because the land will remain even if the home is destroyed.
9. Think Twice Before Making a Small Claim:  You might be better off paying out of pocket if the total for the repairs is relatively low.  Your insurer will likely report any claim to CLUE (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) which could potentially effect your ability to get good insurance rates in the future.    
10. Check a Home’s CLUE Report: When you’ve found a home you like, ask for a copy of its CLUE report.  This will provide you with a history of the insurance claims on the property, which will give you a good idea of the types of issues the home has had in the past.  

Please contact Coldwell Banker Select Professionals if your looking for personal service and have questions regarding buying a home in Lancaster PA, York PA, Harrisburg PA, Lebanon PA, Hershey PA and Cumberland County.  Be sure to connect with one of our agents at www.cbselectpros.com.  We have local offices serving all of Lancaster, Lebanon, York, Hershey, Harrisburg, and Cumberland County PA.  Get started on your search today!

Looking to buy a home in Central Pennsylvania? Mortgage rates are at historic lows and there's a lot to attract first time home buyers this summer.  You may be ready to own a home but need some assistance with the downpayment and closing costs.  If you live in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon, or York counties, you may qualify for a no-interest second mortgage from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA).

Eligible buyers could get as much as $10,000 in order to help with closing costs or a downpayment.  The minimum loan amount is $1,000.00, and borrowers must have enough for a downpayment of 3% of the purchase price or $1,000.00 with a minimum credit score of 660.  The HOMEstead loan will provide the funds for the remainder of the downpayment and closing costs. 

In order to apply for this loan, buyers must meet certain income limit and purchase price limit requirements.  Also, not all areas in Central PA qualify for this loan, but if you are in Cumberland PA (Carlisle Boro), Dauphin PA (City of Harrisburg), Lebanon PA, or York PA (City of York) and meet the income and purchase price limits, there is a good chance you can take advantage of this no-interest loan.

Please contact Home National Mortgage for more information on how this program can benefit your unique situation.  If you’re looking for personal service and have questions regarding loans, be sure to connect with one of our mortgage specialists at www.homenat.com. They have local offices serving all of Lancaster, Lebanon, York, Hershey, Harrisburg, and Cumberland County PA.

Coldwell Banker and HGTV are in the middle of a cool sweepstakes that you may not know about...

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Looking for some additional cash to do that remodel?  Finish a basement?  Add that deck? 

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A new benefit for Central PA Homebuyers is the $8,000 first-time buyer tax credit for any home purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.  This is available to any person who has not owned a principal residence during the three years prior to purchase.  For married couples, the home ownership history is checked for both people. 

The credit does not need to be repaid and is equal to 10% of the purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.  This government incentive was created to stimulate and stabilize the housing market, as well as encourage people to participate in the American dream of home ownership. 

One further benefit of the program was announced on May 29, 2009 as a press release on the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website.  According to Shaun Donovan, the HUD Secretary, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will allow 1^st time buyers to apply their $8,000 tax credit toward the purchase cost of a FHA-insured home. 

As long as the home buyer is using an FHA-approved lender, he or she will be able to monetize the tax credit in order to use it as additional down payment or for closing costs.  This will allow a 1^st time buyer to benefit from a lower interest rate. 

The above is a brief overview of some parts of the tax credit program, so you should contact Home National Mortgage for more information on how this program can benefit your unique situation.  If your looking for personal service and have questions regarding loans, be sure to connect with one of our mortgage specialists at www.homenat.com. They have local offices serving all of Lancaster, Lebanon, York, Hershey, Harrisburg, and Cumberland County PA.

Central PA Homebuyers often forget one of the most important steps in the home buying process: arming themselves with a pre-approved mortgage loan before they begin their house hunting.

A pre-approved mortgage loan is a lender’s commitment to lend to the homebuyer, with specifications on the exact loan amount. To get pre-approved, homebuyers need to provide personal financial information -- such as income, debts and assets -- to a lender. Applications are usually approved with certain caveats. However, with the lender committing to the loan amount and interest rate up front, buyers can have confidence that adequate financing is in place before they start shopping for a home.

Home National Mortgage cites numerous advantages of having a pre-approved mortgage loan, which include the following:

Establishing an advantage in a competitive market: Having a pre-approval letter provides the homebuyer with an edge in a multi-offer situation. Sellers prefer working with potential buyers who are pre-approved in order to avoid the threat of a deal falling through because the purchaser cannot get sufficient financing.  An offer with a mortgage pre-approval letter carries far more weight than an offer with only a pre-qualification letter or no letter at all. In fact, sellers often accept offers from pre-approved buyers over buyers with higher dollar offers who have not been pre-approved. 

Finding the best possible type of loan: Working with a mortgage lender before looking at houses allows the homebuyer plenty of time to evaluate what mortgage product works best for their financial goals. Once they decide upon the kind of loan that they want and are pre-approved, homebuyers can then focus on finding their dream home.

Establishing the price range: Getting pre-approved for a mortgage enables homebuyers to determine, prior to house hunting, how much money they qualify for, and how much they can afford to spend. The real estate sales associate and homebuyers can then focus on finding homes in the established price range.

Seeking comfort with the loan amount: By taking the time to seek pre-approval, the homebuyer can select a comfortable loan amount.  In many cases, buyers can qualify for mortgages that are more expensive than what they feel comfortable committing to for the long-term.  Buyers often end up acquiring a more expensive home than they want merely because it works on paper. It’s important for a buyer to purchase a home that they can afford.

Home National Mortgage serves all of Lancaster County, Lebanon County, York County, Dauphin County and Cumberland County with home finance options.