Click Here To Find Homes On Your Smart Phone FREE!

Or Text CARDANO to 87778!

http://www.abington.org/emergencymgmt/weather_snow.htm

Just a reminder that township ordinances require owners or occupants to have snow and ice removed from sidewalks within 24 hours after the snow has stopped. It is unlawful to push or place snow removed from private property onto public streets.

The United States Department of Education has also named Abington Junior High School as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.

According to statements from the Department of Education, "Blue Ribbon status is awarded to schools that have strong leadership; a clear vision and sense of mission that is shared by all connected with the school; high quality teaching; challenging, up-to-date curriculum; policies and practices that ensure a safe environment conducive to learning; solid evidence of family involvement; evidence that the school helps all students achieve to high standards; and a commitment to share best practices with other schools. These schools also display the qualities of excellence that are necessary to prepare our young people for the challenges of the next century."

Just a few more reasons why Abington is such a great place to live!

For more info: http://www.abington.k12.pa.us/news/awards/blue_ribbon.html

http://www.upperdublin.net/departments/publicworks/snowremoval.aspx

What You Learn At The Class Could Save You Thousands!

This free community service program is designed to answer your questions about home selling. A top industry professional will share insider secreats, answer your burning questions and cover these topics:

-How To Get Top Dollar In Today's Market

-High Tech Marketing Techniques Used By Top Professionals

-Questions To Ask A Realtor Before Hiring Them

-3 Negotiating Tips To Keep Money In Your Pocket

-Steps You Can Take To Net 7-13% More In Proceeds

-Facing Foreclosure? How To Sell A Home Without Hurting Your Credit

-Steps Empty Nesters Can Take To Maximize Their Retirement Dollar

-Detailed Checklists For First Time Sellers

Sign Up Today!

Here's the township website where you'll find a link to a video tour of Abington. Check it out!

http://www.abington.org/

If you remember, Abington has made the cut for several years because of the excellent school system, great parks, shopping and culture and other great aspects of the small town.

Check out the picks this year at: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2009/index.html

Learn How To Take Advantage Of The Tax Credit, Low Interest Rates & Low House Prices! 

We'd like to invite you to the FREE Savvy Home Buyer Workshop on Tuesday, January 12th from 6:30-8pm at the Fort Washington Hilton.

Whether you're thinking about buying a home right away or 6 months from now, you must attend this class!

This is a great opportunity to speak with a loan officer one-on-one, if you choose, and have your questions about qualifying for a home, getting a mortgage and all other questions about financing answered. Tax credits, grants and foreclosures will be discussed in addition to the *restrictions and details on the federal tax credit.

You will also learn what to do first and the step-by-step process of buying a home from the area's #1 Real Estate Team.

This no-pressure workshop is open to the public, and nothing will be sold at this event- the information is free! Registration is requested.

REGISTER ONLINE AT: www.SavvyHomeBuyerWorkshop.com! Directions will be sent upon registration.

Question: My wife and I are considering a move to Arizona. As we have lived in our current townhome for six years, I am sure we would be eligible for the homebuyer credit of $6,500. What I cannot find is any reference about if and when we must sell our current home. Can we buy a replacement home by the cutoff date of April 30, 2010, then sell our current residence later in the year? Or if we make the new house our principal residence, are we required to sell our current residence at all? --John

DEAR JOHN: According to the Internal Revenue Service, you do not have to sell your current house -- which must have been owned and used as a principal or primary residence for at least five consecutive years of the eight-year period ending on the date of purchase of a new home as a primary residence -- in order to take advantage of the new $6,500 tax credit for repeat homebuyers so long as the new house becomes your primary house.

There are, however, some additional limitations. While you do not have to purchase a home that is more expensive than your current home to qualify for the credit, if your new home costs more than $800,000, you are not eligible for that credit.

There are also income limitations. For single taxpayers, you cannot make more than $125,000 annually; for married folks, you cannot earn more than $225,000 if you file a joint tax return. There is a phase-out until your income reaches $145,000 for a single taxpayer or $245,000 for joint tax filers. This means that the credit is reduced proportionately until you reach the ceiling cap.

You cannot purchase the new home from family members, which includes parents, grandparents or children.

And finally, the purchase must take place by April 30, 2010. However, if you have entered into a binding contract before that date, you must settle (go to escrow) by June 30, 2010, or you will lose this credit.

This is my opinion; I suggest you consult your own tax advisors for specific advice.

Taken from http://www.abington.org/refuse/yard_waste.htm

Christmas Tree Recycling Guidelines
Frequently Asked Questions:

When and where are Christmas trees accepted?
We ask that you place your discarded tree curbside on your regular trash day beginning the first trash day of year.  They are collected through the end of the month.   A designated truck will collect the trees.

What materials are included in Christmas tree recycling?
Christmas trees and all greenery are included in this recycling.

Additional information on Christmas tree recycling:
The trees and greenery should be free of all decorations, wires and tree stands. The trees will be taken to the Public Works facility and chipped into mulch for residents' use in the spring. Trees will be collected curbside only, no trees can be taken to the Public Works yard by residents.

Windshield Protector
Scraping a car windshield covered in ice every winter morning is no way to start the day. Next time you park the car outside, drape a tarp over the car. In the morning just pull the tarp off and shake it out. No more ice covered windows. Keep the tarp in the trunk and use it at work too. While everyone else is scraping windows, you'll be on your merry way home.

Frozen Doors
Is there anything more frustrating than being ready to go and not being able to open your car door? This handy winter car maintenance tip will keep you from being shut out of your own car. Spray car door rubber seal with vegetable oil spray or coat it with Vaseline. The oils keep water from dripping in and freezing the door shut.

Frozen Lock
Here's a handy winter car maintenance tip I've used many times. Use a torch or candle lighter to thaw the lock out. If you don't have one of these handy gadgets you can still thaw the lock with the key. Slide some winter gloves on to hold the key with. Heat up the key with a lighter or matches. Slide the key into the lock. Wait a couple seconds and turn the key. Repeat if needed.

Battery Removal
On winter nights when the thermometer takes a dip below zero, use this handy car maintenance tip. Simply remove the car battery at night. Set it on a newspaper in the mud room or kitchen. This winter car maintenance tip keeps the battery from freezing. In the morning, just hook it back up for an easy start. Now go give all your neighbors a jump.

If you forget to use the handy battery tip and your car needs a jump, be sure it's positioned for easy access. This winter car maintenance tip saves you a lot of maneuvering. Rather than pulling the car forward into the driveway or garage, back it up. Now your car is facing forward. Another car can pull right up and give you a jump. Use this tip year round.

Getting Stuck
Keep a bag of cat litter and a small shovel in the trunk of the car. This handy winter car maintenance tip gets you out of the ditch. Shovel snow away from the tires and sprinkle the kitty litter all around for traction. If you're out of kitty litter, use your car mats. Just place them next to the wheels to give tires something solid to grab onto.

Wiper Fluid
If you run out of wiper fluid in the winter, Pull over. Throw snow at the windshield and turn on the wipers. This handy winter car maintenance tip is good for a few miles of better visibility. Make your own streak free homemade wiper fluid for pennies. All it takes is ¾ gallon water, ¼ cup vinegar and ¼ cup rubbing alcohol.

Check out the whole article here: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2213107/handy_winter_car_maintenance_tips_pg2.html?cat=27

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/MoneyInYour20s/9waysToBuildAKillerCreditScore.aspx

An excerpt:

You need to know that the two most important factors in your scores are:

• Whether you pay your bills on time.
• How much of your available credit you actually use.

It's essential that you pay all your bills on time, all the time. Set up automatic payments or reminder systems so that you're never, ever late. All it takes is a single missed payment to trash your credit scores -- and it can take seven years for the effects to completely disappear.

You also don't want to max out any of your credit cards, or even get close. Keeping your credit use to less than 30% of your credit limits (10% is better) will help you get the best possible credit scores -- and should help keep you from getting over your head in debt, as well.

Finally, you don't need to carry a balance on a credit card to have good credit scores. Paying your bill in full each month is the best way to keep your finances in shape and build your credit at the same time.

Learn How To Take Advantage Of The Tax Credit, Low Interest Rates & Low House Prices! Attend A FREE Real Estate Workshop In Your Area!

Imagine you took an evening out of your life now to learn more about buying and selling a home so that you would be able to save yourself thousands of dollars in your next real estate transaction. No kidding!

These no-pressure events are open to the public and nothing will be sold- the information is free, but registration is required!

 Home Sellers Click Here                                   Home Buyers Click Here

 The Seller Workshop- Tuesday, December 15th at 6:30pm at the Fort Washington Hilton

- Staging & Pricing your home to sell quickly and with no hassles!

- Marketing that gets your home on over 2,000 websites!

- Secret Negotiating Tips to keep more $$$ in your pocket!

- First Time Seller Kit with detailed checklists and tips!

- Empty Nester Program to maximize your retirement dollar!

- Foreclosures & Short Sales and how they can affect your value!

Register at www.SavvyHomeSellerSeminar.com!

The Buyer Workshop- Thursday, December 17th at 6:30pm at the Abington Library

- Speak with a loan officer one-on-one, if you choose.

- Have all your questions about financing answered.

- Learn about qualifying for a home and picking the right mortgage for you.

- Discuss advantages and disadvantages of foreclosures and short sales.

- Find out how to use the $8000 tax credit in advance to help you with closing costs.

- Learn the step-by-step process of buying a home from the area's #1 Real Estate Team.

Register at www.SavvyHomeBuyerWorkshop.com!

One of the other great aspects of this time of year is the fact that people will go into their attics and basements to retrieve their collection of decorations. They really pull out all the stops!

The weekend is upon us, so take this time to pack into the car and drive around oooing and ahhhing at all the colorful decorations! You can check out holiday light displays local to the Philadelphia region by clicking here:

http://www.gophila.com/C/The_Holidays_in_Philadelphia/497/Holiday_Lighting_Displays/643.html

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/dec/08/2010-the-bottom/

Learn How To Take Advantage Of The Tax Credit, Low Interest Rates & Low House Prices! 

We'd like to invite you to the FREE Savvy Home Buyer Workshop on Thursday, December 17th from 6:30-8pm at the Abington Library.

Whether you're thinking about buying a home right away or 6 months from now, you must attend this class!

This is a great opportunity to speak with a loan officer one-on-one, if you choose, and have your questions about qualifying for a home, getting a mortgage and all other questions about financing answered. Tax credits, grants and foreclosures will be discussed in addition to the *restrictions and details on the federal tax credit.

You will also learn what to do first and the step-by-step process of buying a home from the area's #1 Real Estate Team.

This no-pressure workshop is open to the public, and nothing will be sold at this event- the information is free! Registration is requested.

REGISTER ONLINE AT: www.SavvyHomeBuyerWorkshop.com! Directions will be sent upon registration.

Please feel free to forward this email to your friends, family and co-workers who may be interested in attending!

Check Out A Clip From One Of Our Workshops!

We hope to see you there!

Now is a great time to look into your refinancing options for your home. Even if you have a rate in the 6% range, you may be able to lower that rate to somewhere in the 5% range, which helps some people save over $200 a month.

A little more money in your pocket would be a great thing, right?

If you need help determining if a refinance would work for you, give me a call. I can put you in touch with a great mortgage lender who can walk you through your options, and see if it would make sense.

Many of our past clients are considering refinancing right now, and we'd love to continue to help everyone reduce their monthly payments.

Call me at 215-576-8666 to get started!

www.SearchSoldHomes.com

This is the only website of its kind, empowering homeowners to do their own research in determining the value of their home. Now you can find the SOLD price of your neighbor's home- a day after it settles, instead of waiting until the newspaper comes out.

Find the sold price, square footage, room dimensions and much more. Simply log in, and you are able to search by an area, or plug in an mls# or address and find the sales price of sold homes that way.

Check it out!!!

If you’re a cash-challenged home buyer, a lease-to-own agreement may be a way to buy a home and accumulate a down payment. A lease-option also gives you a chance to check out the neighborhood and occupy the home before you decide whether you want to buy it.

What is a lease-to-own or lease-option agreement?
A lease-option agreement is both a lease that allows you to occupy the home and an option that allows you to purchase the home in the future at an agreed-upon price.

A typical lease-option agreement requires you to pay a somewhat higher monthly rent for the home and obligates the owner to credit a portion of that rent toward your down payment. For example, if the owner’s expected market rent were $1,500 per month, he or she might increase that to $1,800 per month and apply $300 per month to your down payment. After one year, you would have a down payment credit of $3,600.

A formal contract is a must
A lease-option agreement should be formalized in a written contract that specifies the monthly rent, the amount of rent that will be credited to the down payment, the sales price and the expiration date of the option. Any contingencies (e.g., your right to obtain a home inspection) or other important terms of the agreement should be stated in the contract as well.

A lease-option allows the owner to sell the home to you without paying a commission to a real estate broker. But keep in mind that the transaction is thus bereft of a broker’s advice, expertise and assistance. Payment of other closing costs such as title insurance and transfer fees is subject to negotiation and should be addressed in either the lease-option contract or a later addendum to that contract.

Lease-option isn’t an obligation to buy
A lease-option doesn’t obligate you to purchase the home; rather, it is simply an opportunity to do so with the advantages of a known purchase price and a rent credit toward the down payment. If you elect not to exercise the option to purchase the home, your credited rent usually is forfeited to the owner. This money is a form of compensation to the owner for the option, which compromises his or her freedom to sell the property to someone else during that time. Reasons why you might decide not to exercise an option include lower property values in the area, an inability to obtain a mortgage, a job transfer or disenchantment with the neighborhood or the home, among others.

Who pays taxes, insurance, repairs?
The owner is responsible for property taxes, insurance, and repairs and maintenance of the property during the lease-option term since you have no ownership interest in the property. Likewise, the owner, not you, would suffer a loss if the property were damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster that occurred during your lease-option term. Nonetheless, you may want to purchase separate renter’s insurance to cover your own personal belongings. Of course, once you purchase the property at the end of the lease-option term, you’ll be responsible for the taxes, insurance, and repairs related to the home.

Because lease-to-own agreements can be complex legal arrangements, we recommend you contact an attorney to make sure your interests are protected.

Taken from:http://ts.realestate.com/blogs/tipsandtools/archive/2007/04/27/buying-a-lease-to-own-home.aspx

We discussed some key secrets of top producing real estate agents in the way of marketing and negotiating. Check back for scenes from the class!

We'll do it again tonight, for buyers. At the Abington Library we'll hold our Home Buyer class and educate over 20 people on the whole process and how to take advantage of the tax credits!