Comments for Philadelphia Realtors http://www.elfantwissahickon.com/blog Real Estate Specialists for Chestnut Hill, Roxborough, and Rittenhouse Square Tue, 16 Oct 2012 01:15:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on Great Day of Service! by Bettina Cardwell http://www.elfantwissahickon.com/blog/2012/01/great-day-of-service/#comment-1534 Bettina Cardwell Tue, 16 Oct 2012 01:15:49 +0000 http://www.elfantwissahickon.com/blog/?p=629#comment-1534 I agree with you Bob, what matters most is you made someone happy. It doesn't really matter how small or how big a gift is, what's important is that made that person happy. It overwhelms your heart when you see someone appreciate's you. I agree with you Bob, what matters most is you made someone happy. It doesn’t really matter how small or how big a gift is, what’s important is that made that person happy. It overwhelms your heart when you see someone appreciate’s you.

]]> Comment on Elfant Wissahickon REALTOR inaugurated as President of GPAR by The Pres http://www.elfantwissahickon.com/blog/2011/02/elfant-wissahickon-realtor-inaugurated-as-president-of-gpar/#comment-15 The Pres Tue, 22 Feb 2011 22:05:06 +0000 http://ewrblog.wordpress.com/?p=259#comment-15 Wow, Thanks Elfant Wissahickon. I had a very productive day as President of GPAR. We coordinated a meeting with Commercial Realtors and PGW to address participation in the LCP. Very interesting dialogue. PGW was very receptive to discussions with GPAR, IREM, Tri-State and BOMA. MLButler Wow, Thanks Elfant Wissahickon. I had a very productive day as President of GPAR. We coordinated a meeting with Commercial Realtors and PGW to address participation in the LCP. Very interesting dialogue. PGW was very receptive to discussions with GPAR, IREM, Tri-State and BOMA. MLButler

]]> Comment on Living the dream . . . by Bob Elfant http://www.elfantwissahickon.com/blog/2008/10/living-the-dream/#comment-11 Bob Elfant Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:16:50 +0000 http://ewrblog.wordpress.com/?p=87#comment-11 Congratulations to Neil, Marilyn and Amir. A real community building event. What a great way to give back while meeting many good, hard working people. I'm proud of you three and of Elfant -Wissahickon. Bob Elfant Congratulations to Neil, Marilyn and Amir. A real community building event. What a great way to give back while meeting many good, hard working people. I’m proud of you three and of Elfant -Wissahickon. Bob Elfant

]]> Comment on Living the dream . . . by Marilyn Silberstein http://www.elfantwissahickon.com/blog/2008/10/living-the-dream/#comment-10 Marilyn Silberstein Tue, 21 Oct 2008 23:41:30 +0000 http://ewrblog.wordpress.com/?p=87#comment-10 My thanks to our brokers for their nice comments, but I feel our participation in this West Oak Lane conference was in perfect accord with the tenor of our whole organization at Elfant Wissahickon. We are educators in the field of real estate and contributors to the neighborhoods in which we work. It was my privilege to serve on the planning committee with Dwight Evans' fantastic staff and other community people. And it was equally exciting to spend a Saturday, meeting and educating people in the West Oak Lane/East Germantown area and being part of this very professional and meaningful conference. Watch for the 7th annual conference at this time next year! Marilyn My thanks to our brokers for their nice comments, but I feel our participation in this West Oak Lane conference was in perfect accord with the tenor of our whole organization at Elfant Wissahickon. We are educators in the field of real estate and contributors to the neighborhoods in which we work. It was my privilege to serve on the planning committee with Dwight Evans’ fantastic staff and other community people. And it was equally exciting to spend a Saturday, meeting and educating people in the West Oak Lane/East Germantown area and being part of this very professional and meaningful conference. Watch for the 7th annual conference at this time next year!

Marilyn

]]> Comment on You can get a mortgage by Craig Smith, Mortgage Master, Inc. http://www.elfantwissahickon.com/blog/2008/10/you-can-get-a-mortgage/#comment-9 Craig Smith, Mortgage Master, Inc. Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:08:42 +0000 http://ewrblog.wordpress.com/?p=76#comment-9 Hi Paul, Yes, you are correct, we still CAN do mortgages for most people. But remember, you must have good credit, sufficient income, and enough cash for a down payment. The days of 100% financing, sub prime loans, and "no doc" financing are pretty much gone. I would happily answer any of your customer's questions. Please have them call me at 215-327-8652. Thanks and good luck. Craig Smith Senior Loan Officer Mortgage Master, Inc. Hi Paul,
Yes, you are correct, we still CAN do mortgages for most people. But remember, you must have good credit, sufficient income, and enough cash for a down payment. The days of 100% financing, sub prime loans, and “no doc” financing are pretty much gone.

I would happily answer any of your customer’s questions. Please have them call me at 215-327-8652. Thanks and good luck.

Craig Smith
Senior Loan Officer
Mortgage Master, Inc.

]]> Comment on Do I need to hire a real estate agent? by Paul Walsh http://www.elfantwissahickon.com/blog/2008/10/do-i-need-to-hire-a-real-estate-agent/#comment-8 Paul Walsh Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:48:20 +0000 http://ewrblog.wordpress.com/?p=74#comment-8 Larry - great post. I'm extremely proud of the record of service our company has with our local boards: Currently, Mary Louise Butler is in her third year serving as Secretary of GPAR and Chair of the Grievance committee. She has been an active committee member for over 6 years and has also served on the Professional Standards committee. Let's not forget your own contributions, serving as a PAR director since 2002, attending state wide meetings in Harrisburg three times a year, working with the Issues Mobilization and Screening committees. At the local level you're in your second year as co-chair of the Multi-Cultural and Diversity committee and have also served on the Professional Standards committee. Marilyn Silberstein is an active member of the Multi-Cultural and Diversity Committee. Bob Elfant worked successfully on a GPAR task force over the past several years reaching an agreement between Philadelphia property owners and the Philadelphia Gas Works, protecting cooperative owners from being unfairly impacted by tenant generated gas payment delinquencies. Louise D’Alessandro, our Broker of Record, has served on numerous committees of our local association over many years and continues to be active as a past-President of GPAR. Thanks to all of our REALTORS and brokers for Elfant Wissahickon's strong tradition of volunteering! Larry – great post. I’m extremely proud of the record of service our company has with our local boards: Currently, Mary Louise Butler is in her third year serving as Secretary of GPAR and Chair of the Grievance committee. She has been an active committee member for over 6 years and has also served on the Professional Standards committee. Let’s not forget your own contributions, serving as a PAR director since 2002, attending state wide meetings in Harrisburg three times a year, working with the Issues Mobilization and Screening committees. At the local level you’re in your second year as co-chair of the Multi-Cultural and Diversity committee and have also served on the Professional Standards committee. Marilyn Silberstein is an active member of the Multi-Cultural and Diversity Committee. Bob Elfant worked successfully on a GPAR task force over the past several years reaching an agreement between Philadelphia property owners and the Philadelphia Gas Works, protecting cooperative owners from being unfairly impacted by tenant generated gas payment delinquencies. Louise D’Alessandro, our Broker of Record, has served on numerous committees of our local association over many years and continues to be active as a past-President of GPAR. Thanks to all of our REALTORS and brokers for Elfant Wissahickon’s strong tradition of volunteering!

]]> Comment on The first step in Buying A Home by natcity http://www.elfantwissahickon.com/blog/2008/09/the-first-step-in-buying-a-home/#comment-7 natcity Fri, 26 Sep 2008 14:23:57 +0000 http://ewrblog.wordpress.com/?p=70#comment-7 Hi Paul! This is very good info…a big help for first time homebuyers. You can read my blog on the difference between being pre-qualified vs. pre-approved: http://johnconeys.wordpress.com Hi Paul! This is very good info…a big help for first time homebuyers. You can read my blog on the difference between being pre-qualified vs. pre-approved: http://johnconeys.wordpress.com

]]> Comment on Lunch and Learn…what is the FHA Streamlined 203(k) loan program? by Craig Smith, Mortgage Master, Inc. http://www.elfantwissahickon.com/blog/2008/07/lunch-and-learnwhat-is-the-fha-streamlined-203k-loan-program/#comment-6 Craig Smith, Mortgage Master, Inc. Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:28:35 +0000 http://ewrblog.wordpress.com/?p=44#comment-6 Paul, That is a great posting. Yes, I believe the "Streamline 203k", or the regular "203K", or the other "rehabilitation loan programs" are very important programs for the Philadelphia Real Estate market. The issue is that the housing stock is old, and almost every house needs to have something done to it to bring it "up to date". The Streamline 203k allows you to FINANCE those updates (even including APPLIANCES!), without the hassles. The only additional documentation, in most cases, is an "estimate" from the contractor you choose to do the work. Very easy! Contact me for more details at 215-327-8652. I would be happy to further explain the program, and prequalify you for it. Thanks. Craig Smith, Loan Officer, Mortgage Master, Inc. Paul, That is a great posting. Yes, I believe the “Streamline 203k”, or the regular “203K”, or the other “rehabilitation loan programs” are very important programs for the Philadelphia Real Estate market. The issue is that the housing stock is old, and almost every house needs to have something done to it to bring it “up to date”. The Streamline 203k allows you to FINANCE those updates (even including APPLIANCES!), without the hassles. The only additional documentation, in most cases, is an “estimate” from the contractor you choose to do the work. Very easy! Contact me for more details at 215-327-8652. I would be happy to further explain the program, and prequalify you for it. Thanks. Craig Smith, Loan Officer, Mortgage Master, Inc.

]]> Comment on Providing Knowledge . . . Delivering Results by Janine Michaelson http://www.elfantwissahickon.com/blog/2008/07/providing-knowledge-delivering-results/#comment-5 Janine Michaelson Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:26:21 +0000 http://ewrblog.wordpress.com/?p=30#comment-5 I wanted to provide a comment about how I prepared my house for sale and we had >15 showings and sold our house in 3.5 weeks!! 1.) Put everything nonessential in storage. We filled a 10 x 10 foot storage room with everything we didn't use everyday, and pretty much emptied out all of our closets. This was important for us because it made our small townhouse appear much larger, and also gave the impression that we were serious about moving. 2.) Brighten things up to make it look more spacious. We added a fresh coat of paint in one room where it was very dark orange to brighten it and make it appear more spacious. We also put new grout between the ceramic tiles in our kitchen. 3.) Emphasize the greatest asset. We had a very awesome covered deck and although we didn't really use it that much, we staged it so that it looked like we used it every day by painting our outdoor furniture and buying new cushions, and added potted plants. We also powerwashed our deck. Good luck! Janine I wanted to provide a comment about how I prepared my house for sale and we had >15 showings and sold our house in 3.5 weeks!!

1.) Put everything nonessential in storage.
We filled a 10 x 10 foot storage room with everything we didn’t use everyday, and pretty much emptied out all of our closets. This was important for us because it made our small townhouse appear much larger, and also gave the impression that we were serious about moving.

2.) Brighten things up to make it look more spacious. We added a fresh coat of paint in one room where it was very dark orange to brighten it and make it appear more spacious. We also put new grout between the ceramic tiles in our kitchen.

3.) Emphasize the greatest asset. We had a very awesome covered deck and although we didn’t really use it that much, we staged it so that it looked like we used it every day by painting our outdoor furniture and buying new cushions, and added potted plants. We also powerwashed our deck.

Good luck!
Janine

]]> Comment on Interest Rates by Louise D'Alessandro http://www.elfantwissahickon.com/blog/2008/06/interest-rates/#comment-3 Louise D'Alessandro Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:45:47 +0000 http://ewrblog.wordpress.com/?p=25#comment-3 Hey Paul – In 1967 I was 21 years old, I was newly married, I did my first shopping for groceries, and immediately calculated as I was leaving the store that my groceries cost me $2.50 per bag. I continued to use that ‘how much did I just spend per bag’ equation through my entire food shopping life. I am now 62. I cannot get out of the grocery store for less than $24 a bag if I’m buying an assortment of everything: meat fish, staples, paper and cleaning goods, a little bit of everything. I better learn how to shop better. My first new car was in 1973. It was a brand new no frills orange VW bug with two baby seats in the back, and it cost me $2800. Today, that car is about $18,000! In 1980 when I started selling real estate, I sold fifty-five $25000 houses in north and southwest Germantown. The interest rates were 17%. The only neighborhood that was hot was Germantown because it was so affordable, and you got so much for the money. A sampling of that same group of homes in 2008, which would include, rows, twins and singles settled in the past 6 months, regardless on condition, averaged in the $120s. Interestingly enough, these properties – in the last 6 months – sold for an average of 111.72% of their asking price. Germantown is one of those neighborhoods that is still tremendously affordable, with beautiful housing stock, is close to CC, has wonderful history, mansions and mill houses – we’re so lucky to sell real estate in northwest Philadelphia. Butter Hey Paul –

In 1967 I was 21 years old, I was newly married, I did my first shopping for groceries, and immediately calculated as I was leaving the store that my groceries cost me $2.50 per bag. I continued to use that ‘how much did I just spend per bag’ equation through my entire food shopping life. I am now 62. I cannot get out of the grocery store for less than $24 a bag if I’m buying an assortment of everything: meat fish, staples, paper and cleaning goods, a little bit of everything. I better learn how to shop better.

My first new car was in 1973. It was a brand new no frills orange VW bug with two baby seats in the back, and it cost me $2800. Today, that car is about $18,000!

In 1980 when I started selling real estate, I sold fifty-five $25000 houses in north and southwest Germantown. The interest rates were 17%. The only neighborhood that was hot was Germantown because it was so affordable, and you got so much for the money. A sampling of that same group of homes in 2008, which would include, rows, twins and singles settled in the past 6 months, regardless on condition, averaged in the $120s. Interestingly enough, these properties – in the last 6 months – sold for an average of 111.72% of their asking price.

Germantown is one of those neighborhoods that is still tremendously affordable, with beautiful housing stock, is close to CC, has wonderful history, mansions and mill houses – we’re so lucky to sell real estate in northwest Philadelphia.

Butter

]]>