Tim and I had the priviledge of dining at a new restaurant in the borough of Ambler last week. “Massa” is a full service, BYOB restaurant, serving Portuguese & Mediterranean cuisine.

The restaurant has a wonderful ambiance and once you are seated, you will immediately begin to unwind. You’ll find the mediterranean decor conducive to a relaxing and enjoyable dining experience.

We found the service and the food to be awesome! I had the chicken breast, Tim had the filet. Both entrees were outstanding-the portions were just the right size. The desserts were also wonderful.

Here are more of the specifics:

The kitchen is run by Chef Peter Alessandrini Jr., formerly of the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia. Everything is made from scratch, including their pastas and gourmet desserts! Check out their menu on the website listed below.

Address: 131-A East Butler Ave., Ambler, PA 19002

Phone 215-641-0900

Website http://www.massabyo.com

Hours:
Mon – Sat: 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
Sun: 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Price Range $$ (10-30)
Food Styles Greek and Mediterranean
Pizza
Seafood
Vegan
Vegetarian

Parking Street and Parking Lot
Public Transit Located 3 blocks from SEPTA Lansdale-Doylestown (Ambler Stop), and full SEPTA bus service 1 block away.

Attire: Casual
Culinary Team: Head Chef from 4 Seasons Philadelphia
Services: Takes Reservations
Walk-Ins Welcome
Good For Groups
Take Out
Waiter Service
Lunch
Dinner
Coffee

Are you considering a bathroom re-do?  You may want to consider what the experts feel is now in demand. 

Granite is slowly beginning to lose some of its popularity in favor of other bathroom vanities, and green–the color, that is–is catching on, as these trends–along with others–gain steam in bathrooms this year, according to a National Kitchen & Bath Association survey of 100 designers. The survey offers insights into the hottest trends in bathrooms for 2011.

Here are four trends to watch in bathroom home design.

  Dupont Zodiaq quart surface in Bianco Carrara; Photo credit: Shadowlight Group

1. Quartz countertops more in demand. While granite still reigns in bathroom vanity tops, it’s popularity is slowly sinking as quartz continues to steal some of the market share, according to NKBA. While 83 percent of designers still opt for granite, that number has gradually been narrowing in recent years as quartz increases in demand (54 percent of NKBA designers opted for quartz). A year ago, 85 percent of NKBA designers used granite, compared to 48 percent for quartz. Meanwhile, solid marble vanities have also been on the decline (from 46 percent to 37 percent), while cultured marble has increased slightly in use among NKBA designers from 12 percent to 19 percent.

  Photo credit: Delta Faucet Co.

2. Bathrooms go “green”–literally. Green color palettes for the bathroom are on the rise. Twenty-four percent of NKBA designers say they are using green colors to spice up bathrooms–up a year ago from 14 percent. However, the three most most common color choices in the bathroom remain: Whites and off-whites, beiges, and browns.

Whites and off-whites, beiges, and browns.

Kohler’s Conical Bell Vessels sink; Photo credit: Kohler Co.

 

3. Sink preferences mount. Under mount sinks continue to dominate newly remodeled bathrooms, but vessel sinks are increasingly becoming a more popular choice. Integrated sink tops are also on the rise, as well as pedestal sinks.

Photo credit: Kohler Co.

4. Satin finishes shine. In following recent kitchen trends, satin nickel faucets in bathrooms are rising in popularity, while brushed nickel faucets are falling out of favor. Other popular faucet finishes in the bathroom include bronze and oil-rubbed bronze, polished chrome, and polished nickel. Meanwhile, stainless steel finishes are becoming less popular in the bathroom.

Article provided courtesy of  Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

As I write this blog, in the northeast we are digging ourselves out of the latest of  yet another snowstorm; this one dropped  10-12 inches in our area. This too shall pass….

Believe it or not, the Spring real estate market is just around the corner and if you are considering selling your home, and currently assessing what you might want to do to prepare it for market, please read the latest on the most cost effective improvements you may want to consider.

As part of the 2010-11 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report, REALTORS® recently rated exterior replacement projects among the most cost-effective home improvement projects, demonstrating that curb appeal remains one of the most important aspects of a home at resale time. “This year’s Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report highlights the importance of exterior projects, which not only provide the most value, but are also among the least expensive improvements for a home,” said National Association of REALTORS® President Ron Phipps, broker-president of Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I. “Since resale value can vary by region, it’s smart for homeowners to work with a REALTOR® through the remodeling and improvement process; they can provide insight into projects in their neighborhoods that will recoup the most when the owners are ready to sell.”

Nine of the top 10 most cost-effective projects nationally in terms of value recouped are exterior replacement projects. The steel entry door replacement remained the project that returned the most money, with an estimated 102.1% of cost recouped upon resale; it is also the only project in this year’s report that is expected to return more than the cost. The midrange garage door replacement, a new addition to the report this year, is expected to recoup 83.9% of costs. Both projects are small investments that cost little more than $1,200 each, on average. REALTORS® identified these two replacements as projects that can significantly improve a home’s curb appeal.

“Curb appeal remains king—it’s the first thing potential buyers notice when looking for a home, and it also demonstrates pride of ownership,” said Phipps. Rismedia

For more information on this Cost vs Remodel report, please click here: http://rismedia.com/2010-12-15/homeowners-recoup-more-with-exterior-replacement-projects-realtors%c2%ae-report/

Until next time, keep warm!

Linda

Check out this estate home I have listed, located just minutes from major motor routes including the PA turnpike and I-476, and the Philadelphia International Airport. This gracious home offers a floor plan perfect for your family and entertaining. The many amenities include a gourmet kitchen complete with all accroutrements to assure you the perfect gathering, a cozy family room with custom built-ins, home office with more custom built-ins plus beautiful views of the property, and a large walk-out basement ready for your exercise or home theater equipment. Other special features include several private suites for your guests and a magnificently landscaped, fenced-in yard of over 1.3 acres. Don’t miss this one! $1,099,000. Call me today for your private showing or more information.

As of April 1, 2010, the rules have been changed by the Federal Trade Commission with regard to free credit reports being offered.

Currently, Federal law permits all US consumers to receive a free credit report annually in order to be aware of their credit record. Under Federal law, the advertising for this free report must now advise consumers that their free annual credit report is only available from authorized sources, AnnualCreditReport.com or by calling 877.322.8228.

The updated law will not permit any of the three credit reporting agencies, Experian, TransUnion and Equifax, to advertise their products or services on AnnualCreditReport.com until AFTER the consumer has received their free report.

This law was modified in order to reduce the confusion consumers experience when responding to offers that are advertised as free but require consumers to spend money on other paid services and products being offered, such as credit monitoring.

If you are considering a buying a home, your credit scores are important. Contact me today to help you find the best mortgage program suited to your situation and circumstances.

There is no question that interest rates will be going up; it’s just a matter of time. But there may be a way to take advantage of today’s low rates down the road.

Government loans, that would be VA and FHA, are assumable mortgages with their existing interest rates, to buyers that qualify. This is nothing new. Back in the 80′s, assumptions were done regularly because rates were on the rise, and no buyer qualifications were necessary, so the lower rate, assumable mortgages were very attractive.

Over the past 20 years or so however, rates have been going down, so the FHA and VA assumable loans became less attractive. Why assume a mortgage with a higher rate than you would qualify for in the current market?

I think it’s fair to assume that rates will be going up and having an assumable mortgage could make for an easier sale down the road, if you ever decided to sell. Who wouldn’t want to assume a mortgage in the 4′s???

Call me to find out more about FHA and VA financing. With the low down payment, generous credit standards, and assumable mortgage, it is an attractive alternative in today’s market when combined with some of the lowest home prices in years.

Well, the news is in;  overall sales in the real estate market for the month of April, 2010, have increased throughout the 12 county area, when comparing residential sales activity with the activity level in April, 2009.  Overall, there was a 26.9% increase in activity according to TRENd, the local multiple listing service.  There were 5323 sales in April 2010, as compared to 4,195 in April 2009. 

Two of the counties reporting the highest percentage increases of  homes SOLD were our own, Bucks and Montgomery Counties. Bucks County reported a 35.8% increase in activity and Montgomery County reported a whopping 44.4% increase!

The sales PENDING numbers are also very positive.  The volume of homes currently pending sale in Bucks County is up, 46.99% higher this April, as compared to April 2009; and pending properties in Montgomery County are up over 47.6% when compared to last April.

Although the activity level has shown a significant improvement, average prices throughout the Bucks County area went up only 3.8%, from April, 2009, through April, 2010;  Montgomery County’s prices went up a little more, 6.84% on average.

This is all good news for our local real estate market. 

Call or email me me anytime for current market information or a personal home evaluation. I’m happy to help with all your real estate needs.

Good morning,

The doom and gloom of the media does not accurately reflect the real estate market in this area.  There are certain areas of the country where real estate markets have been much harder hit than we have been in this area.  We did not have the great highs that some markets experienced and those same markets are now experiencing great lows.  Our swing in this are was more moderate, our market moved with less volatility, and so the downturn has been less dramatic.  Here are the details.

Let me start with Montgomery County, PA, as a whole, and compare the real estate activity this year to the activity levels found during the same time period last year. 

Through February 2010, there have been 703 units sold as compared to 672 units last year; the median sold price this year to date is $250,000 as compared to $237,000 last year; the median days on market this year is 63 vs 76 days on market last year, and the sale price/list price ratio this year is 91.69% vs 90.89% last year, which means that homeowners are getting a little closer to their ask price this year than they did last year.  Now, arguably, homeowners this year may be more realistic in their asking prices than they were during the same period last year and this may be affecting that percentage, but I think we are starting to see an improvement in the market.

From what I see above, there have been more sales, with homes selling for higher prices, selling in less time than they were last year. Sounds like good news to me.

Let me tell you more specifically, about the Horsham, PA real estate market.  There have been 11 homes that settled during the month of February, 5 of them were 3 bedroom homes, and 6 were 4 bedroom homes. 

Four of the homes sold in under 30 days, 4 sold in 61-90 days and 3 took longer.  The 3 bedrooms got 95% of original list price and the 4 bedrooms got 91% of original list price.  The median price of the 3 bedrooms was $270,000 ($271,10 mean price) and the median price of the 4 bedrooms was $450,000 (mean price here was $549,170).

There are currently 122 homes for sale in Horsham. These homes include (11) 1 and 2 bedroom units, (40) 3 bedroom units, and (71) 4 bedroom units.

For more specifics on the market values in your home, contact me for a confidential interview.

Search all homes here:  http://www.Linda.Lindadale.net

Make it a great day!

The National Association of Realtors recently came out with statistics on a  home-buying trends, comparing 1999 to 2009.  Check out some of the details below:

Percentage of U.S. homebuyers who:                          1999                   2009

Bought a single-family home                                       82%                    78%

Bought in a suburban neighborhood                             46%                    54%

Began their home searach online                                 37%                    90%

Were married couples                                                 68%                    60%

Were single women                                                     15%                    21%

Were single men                                                          7%                    10%

Median home values                                                  $137,600           $172,600

Median age of homebuyers                                          39                         39

Conclusion-It appears that more single people are buying attached homes (twins, townhomes and condos) in the suburbs. These homes cost more, nominally, although I’d be curious to know how much more they paid in 2009 when the cost of living adjustment was applied.  These buyers are 39 years old and most of them are started their home search on the internet. 

All of this doesn’t surprise me.  How about you?

Search all homes for sale at http://www.Lindadale.com

Make it a great day!

We have 81 days left to get contracts in place for Buyers to qualify for the First Time Home Buyer tax credit of up to $8000, and for  “Long Term Residents” that qualify, for a tax credit of up to $6500.  A Buyer has to have a binding contract in place by April 30 2010 and has to settle by June 30 2010.

 To qualify for either of these Tax credits, here is the basic criteria for First Time Home Buyers:

* Maximum credit amount up to $8000

* buyer who has not owned a primary residence during the three years up to the date of purchase.

* The full credit will be available to taxpayers with modified adjusted gross incomes (MAGI) up to $125,000, or $225,000 for joint filers. Those with MAGI between $125,000 and $145,000, or $225,000 and $245,000 for joint filers, are eligible for a reduced credit. Those with higher incomes do not qualify.

And here is the basic criteria for “Move Up’ Buyers:

* Maximum credit up to $6500

* Buyer must have owned and used the same home 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.

* The full credit will be available to taxpayers with modified adjusted gross incomes (MAGI) up to $125,000, or $225,000 for joint filers. Those with MAGI between $125,000 and $145,000, or $225,000 and $245,000 for joint filers, are eligible for a reduced credit. Those with higher incomes do not qualify.

* You cannot buy the home from a parent, spouse, or child.

* You cannot acquire the home by gift or inheritance.

* All parties to the purchase must meet eligibility requirements *

* Dependents are not eligible to claim the credit.

* A purchaser must be at least 18 years of age on the date of purchase.

For full information, please visit http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=215791,00.html and contact a Tax professional.

There isn’t much time remaining. Call me and let’s get started. 215.327.9759.