Walk for Those Who Struggle

I'm not real big on talking about charitable acts. I really think that an act of charity is its own reward, and doesn't need to be publicized to make the act better. So I'm a little torn about writing about our company's Annual Participation in Easter Seal's "Come Walk with Me" event.

For the past two years, CENTURY 21 Advantage Gold, has been a corporate sponsor of the Philadelphia, "Walk With Me Event" and both years were the 2nd largest CENTURY 21 fund raiser for Pennsylvania.

This year we will walk again on June 14th at the Philadelphia Art Museum to raise money for those who would find the walk difficult because they are struggling with physical issues that make their lives a challenge every day.

I know that times are tough for many people, but if you can, just for a moment on this holiday weekend, think about these kids, and help us help.

Memorial Day Moment of Silence on YouTube

In the Words of my good friend Cliff Niersbach, "This weekend we honor the men and women who've made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Please remember them, as well as everyone serving on active duty - and their familes. They are the true American heroes."

Could anyone have possibly said this better?

God Bless all of them, and your family, whose right to enjoy their freedom these heroes fought to protect.

The REALTOR Code of Ethics - A Video Introduction

NAR developed a wonderful set of Videos under the direction of the Professional Standards Committee for use by REALTORS, and to inform Consumers.

This is the first in that series. Over the coming weeks, I will continue to add these videos to the blog so that when I comment on individual parts of the Code, readers will have a ready reference to use.

It s A GREAT Time to Buy Real Estate in Philadelphia

Consumers that are bombarded by negative media coverage of the real estate nationally may be missing the boat by not moving forward to buy real estate in the Philadelphia market.

Philadelphia's neighborhoods have perhaps the most efficient housing stock in the nation. The Philadelphia Row house. Though older housing stock, the Philadelphia row house has 2 to 4 bedrooms (mostly three) either one or two full baths, and if the house is less then 60 years old, probably a powder room. If the property is less then 65 years old, there is probably a built in garage.

With low interest rates, and a 9 month supply of real estate on the market prices are good, mortgage rates are affordable, and the opportunities are ripe for buyers, because the basic reasons for buying property are unchanged in our marketplace.

Buyers who purchase a home for their family, will satisfy a need, pay less then it would cost to rent the same property, and will build equity and security, both emotional and financial over the long term (5 to 7 years). This is a hearkening back to the "old" real estate market (pre-2001) where generation after generation of Philadelphians bought a row home, which they later traded for a Semi-detached home, and perhaps, eventually for a single home in the suburbs. We're not even talking about appreciation here, and we don't need to for an individual or a family to receive the benefits of home ownership.

For investors, the row House offers a positive cash flow with as little as 10% down. And even if the property were only to break even each month, over a period of years, your tenant will pay down your loan, and leave you with an asset that can be used to pay for a child's college education, or to help with a wedding, or retirement. In any case, real estate as a long term investment still beats the pants off of everything else , and that with a minimum of risk.

Check out the details for yourself. Everyone has different needs, but there's a lot of opportunity out there, and the time to take advantage of it is now!

I Sell Foreclosures

As you may be aware, I have specialized in selling foreclosed properties for the past 20 years. Its been a good specialty, and one that I believe benefits the community by putting housing stock back in the hands of people that both need it and can maintain it.

A recent article in USA Today headlined the stress surrounding foreclosures, that led to a tragedy that in the Pacific Northwest. I wrote about it at AgentGenius , and as is my policy, rather then re-writing the same post. I have made it available here for you to read, along with some of the comments of real estate professionals who have read it.

As a balance, the next time we talk about foreclosures or short sales, I'll make sure there is some good information that may benefit my readers.