We want to buy a short sale?

We want to buy a short sale. I hear this almost everyday from buyers because they are going to save money if they go this route. The short sale process can be long and frustrating and is not for everyone. The average processing time for a short sale is about 3 months give or take 3 months ( just kidding but not really). The short sale process differs by what bank the loan is held with. You can have a deal that is approved in a month or in 6 months and for this reason a short sale is not for everyone. I know in the beginning when you place the below asking offer in your head you have the patience to wait. As the time wears on this patience turns into frustration and you second guess your decision. Two months have gone by and you want to get out of the deal because of the timing. Now you have most likely already ordered a home inspection, put in a full mortgage application and sat on the sidelines for 2 months. In this time, housing prices could have went up, interest rates, could have went up, and a house that you had interest in could have came and gone. These are things that you must consider when making a decision to buy a short sale. Unless you really do have the time and patience a short sale may look all rosey from outside the process but once you enter you see how time consuming and stressful the process really is. I am in no way telling you to avoid putting an offer in on one (as I have a couple listed myself) but just want you to be realistic when thinking about buying one.

Thanks,
Century 21 Advantage Gold
Brian M. Yoak
office:215-887-4653 x1318
cell:267-303-7380
phillyrealtor@century21.com
www.facebook.com/philadelphiarealtor

We have to list for X amount!!!

When you are on a listing appointment how many times have you heard that we can not list for X amount because we owe this etc. Would having your PAR code of ethics help in this situation? In my opinion is may because according to Standard of Practice 1-3 REALTORS^®, in attempting to secure a listing, shall not deliberately mislead the owner as to market value.

Would showing the client that it is against the code of ethics for you to come in and mislead them with a price either lower or higher than the market is currently dictating would put you in jeopardy of being fined or losing your license help you get the listing for what you originally suggested?  I would hope that any home owner that is looking to sell would feel more comfortable with going with an agent that stands by the code of ethics and would list it with you knowing that you stand by the code and will not take an overpriced listing.

Then again is it against the code to list it for what the client wants?

www.facebook.com/philadelphiarealtor

2010-2011 Costs Vs. Value: Home & Design: REALTOR Magazine

2010-2011 Costs Vs. Value: Home & Design: REALTOR Magazine

For Sale: 3BR/1+1BA Single Family House in Upper Dublin, PA, $159,000

For Sale: 3BR/1+1BA Single Family House in Upper Dublin, PA, $159,000

Toys for Tots

Toys For Tots

Dear Friend,

The holiday season is quickly approaching and CENTURY 21 Advantage Gold is excited to once again participate in this year’s US Marines Toys for Tots program.

The Toys for Tots campaign objectives are to help needy children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation's most valuable natural resources - our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.

Each of our eight offices in the Philadelphia area is a toy drop off point. If you would like to donate to this wonderful cause please make sure all toys are new and unwrapped.

Office Locations:

Corporate Office                   Bensalem                                Castor Gardens

1708 Welsh Rd                       2864 Street Rd.                       7104 Castor Ave

Philadelphia, PA 19115          Bensalem, PA 19020              Philadelphia, PA 19149

(215) 671-4700                       (215) 638-4880                       (215) 722-7170          

Elkins Park                            Horsham                                Northwood

201 Yorktown Plaza               860 Welsh Rd.                         5267 Roosevelt Blvd.

Elkins Park, PA 19027            Maple Glen, PA 19002           Philadelphia, PA 19124

(215) 887-4653                       (215) 643-6870                       (215) 537-0200

Southampton                         South Philadelphia                Palmyra

 494 Second Street Pike           2010 Oregon Ave.                 27 Cinnaminson Ave

 Southampton, PA 18966        Philadelphia, PA 19145          Palmyra, NJ 08065
 (215) 322-7050                       (215) 465-1400                       (856) 499-2163

We would like to thank you in advance for your continued support! If you would like us to stop by and pick up the toys, please don’t hesitate to call. It’s always nice to see our friends! And remember…if you know of anyone considering buying or selling a home…we appreciate your referrals!

Sincerely,

Century 21 Advantage Gold

Brian M. Yoak

cell:267-303-7380

office:215-887-4653 x1318

brian.yoak@c21ag.com

Updated South Philly Row. $170,000.

Brian Yoak | Century 21 Advantage Gold | (267) 303-7380 Clarion, Philadelphia, PA Updated South Philly Row 3BR/1+1BA Single Family House offered at $170,000 Year Built Unspecified Sq Footage 888 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 1 full, 1 partial Floors 2 Parking Unspecified Lot Size Unspecified HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Welcome to this well maintained South Philadelphia row. Walk into your large living room that can be used as a living room / dining room area that boast with natural light. From there enter your updated kitchen with new cabinets and appliances and there is also room for a small kitchen table. Out back is a cozy cemented yard with a garden. Upsatirs you have 3 bedrooms and a center hall bath. The living room and bedrooms contain wood laminate flooring laid on top of 3/4 inch plywood which helps with heating, cooling and also provides a solid floor. The basement is partially finished and contains a laundry area. All of the windows except the basement and front window have been replaced within the last 5 years and come with the guarantee. Ceiling fans in every room. This property is located 1 block off of Broad Street with transportion to Center City or the stadiums. Motivated sellers make your appointment today. see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Living room - Stove/Oven - Basement - Washer - Dryer - Laundry area - inside - Yard ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3 Photo 4 Photo 5 Photo 6 Contact info: Brian Yoak Century 21 Advantage Gold (267) 303-7380 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Oct 14, 2010, 12:25pm PDT

Don't Let Emotions Price Your Home

I would like to share a story of a recent listing appointment I went on. This was a very nice property located in Philadelphia and was in the family for over 50 years and the father just passed. Now I am sympathetic and realize that the property has alot of sentimental value and the father took care of the property and left nothing go unrepaired. After being given a tour of the property, taking notes, and measurements, we sat down at the table to discuss my marketing and pricing strategies. I had exactly 4 comps in the area. Two were priced at lets say $170,000 that were still on the market and completed remodeled from top to bottom. I also had two other comps that were sold for $145,000. These properties properties not only got asking price but 10% over asking and sold in less than 45 days without sellers assist. When presented with the numbers and suggesting a list price between $145 and $155,000 I was looked at like I had two heads on my shoulder. I was told that the property was appraised for $180,000 5 years ago, thats what they want and that the property is comparable to the completey remodeled homes because the father had done all the work and took care of it. This is exactly where sellers are having an issue and not seeing the big picure. The market has changed dramatically since 5 years ago. I could list your property at any price you want but if the market is telling you that property is worth $150,000 how will it sell for $180,000. When an appraiser comes in they are going to take the recent home sales in the area and maybe one pending and sold property. Once the bank sees the comps from the appraiser they will turn down the mortgage and the whole process would have been for nothing. It is funny that people say agents are out to make the most money they can but scoff at the price we suggest that is lower than what they think the property is worth more. We would love for a property to sell for $180k instead of $150k, we would make more money. I  understand that homes grow on people and they are filled with memories, however when selling your property the emotional price is not what you are going to get for it, you will however get market price and start to build new memories in your next home.