Ladies Night Out

Designer Handbag Bingo is the perfect night out with the girls!

Saturday, March 24th

6PM Bag Preview               7PM Bingo Begins

William Penn Fire Company

123 Main Street

Hulmeville, PA 19047

$30 per person

Cost includes 2 Bingo cards for 10 games and light refreshments.  Additional cards will be available for $2 each & special games for $5 each.  The winner of each game will        receive a new, authentic designer handbag from Coach, Dooney & Bourke, Vera Bradley and more!  Also, lightly used designer bags will be available for purchase.  Please come prepared – this is a cash only event.

Be a VIP ~ Reserve a table (seats 10) and receive one FREE special games card!  VIP  tables must be purchased in advance by Friday, February 24th.

BYOB ~ Light refreshments will be served, but feel free to bring snacks and drinks to share with your friends or table.  MUST BE 21 TO ATTEND.

For Tickets & VIP Tables Contact Carol:
Phone: 215-431-8705        Email: Carol@SwainSells.com

All profits benefitting Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County &

KW Culture, helping local individuals & organizations in need.

For Sale in Bristol, Pa

Charming  Cape situated in Edgely, Pa with well manicured landscaping.  Step inside to the living room with original molding that extends throughout the home.  Original built in cabinet in   both the living room and kitchen.  Arched doorways add to the character of this lovely home. Upstairs features 3 bedrooms, all with walk in closets.  The main bedroom comes complete   with a sitting area overlooking the staircase.  The walk out basement has bilco doors leading to the rear yard.  Both the heater and hot water heater are newer.  The electric has been updated as well. The attached garage has a newer door and  electric opener.   The home also features a Trex porch, newer concrete, newer driveway, updated electric, newer vinyl windows, and gas heat.

Visit www.SwainSells.com for more info, Email Carol@SwainSells.com or call (215) 431-8705.

Visit me on facebook at:  http://www.facebook.com/swainsells

Visit Back on the Market!  Previous buyers loss is your gain.  Buyer was unable to obtain financing.

Expanded Cape in desirable Pennsbury School district.  Downstairs features a sizeable family room accented by a bay window overlooking the front yard.  The Family Room can be converted back to two bedrooms easily.  The garage has been converted to a dining room with laundry room off the back.  The Dining Room too is highlighted by a bay window.  The kitchen is has been updated with newer appliances.  The spacious living room and half bath complete the first floor.  Upstairs hosts two bedrooms, full bathroom, and ample closet space.   Has FHA 203K possibility.  Being sold as is.

Visit www.SwainSells.com for more info, Email Carol@SwainSells.com or call (215) 431-8705.

Visit me on facebook at:  http://www.facebook.com/swainsells

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high
gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods –
merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor.

This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine
concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at
gift-giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American
hands.  Yes there is!

It’s time to think outside the box, people.  Who says a gift needs to fit in
a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

Everyone — yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut.  How about gift certificates
from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership?  It’s appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some
health improvement.

Who wouldn’t appreciate getting their car detailed?  Small, American-owned
detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a
book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down
the Benjamins on a Chinese made flat-screen?  Perhaps that grateful gift
receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or
driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants — all offering gift
certificates.  And, if your intended isn’t the fancy eatery sort, what
about a half-dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint.  Remember,
folks this isn’t about big National chains — this is about supporting
your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to
keep their doors open.

How many people couldn’t use an oil change for their car, truck or
motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom?  Mom would LOVE the services of a
local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy
who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal.  Local crafts people spin
their own wool and knit them into scarves.  They make jewelry, and pottery
and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner-operated restaurants and leave
your server a nice tip.  And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at
your hometown theater.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese
lights for the house?  When you buy a five dollar string of light,
about fifty cents stays in the community.  If you have those kinds of
bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG
tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that
China can build another glittering city.  Christmas is now about caring about
US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow
their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our
communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn’t imagine.

THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.

While home sales in September were down slightly from a relatively strong month in August, they were up from a year ago, giving encouraging signs of a strengthening market and potential for stabilizing, if not appreciating, home prices. These signs include an increasing demand, shown by the number of people shopping for homes, and the decreasing inventory of homes for sale, in conjunction with some of the lowest levels of new housing construction since 1960s when the Beatles first came to the United States.

Of the homes sold in September, 32% were first-time home buyers. With more and more people entering the market, the persisting obstacle for most is still the restrictive lending environment. In a plea to banks and policy makers, NAR President Ron Phipps said, “We need to remove the roadblocks to a housing recovery—not place more obstacles in the way of financially qualified buyers.”

With an increasing demand and shrinking inventory, it is hoped that banks will begin to see the market potential and start to lend to otherwise creditworthy home shoppers, opening the road to a more rapid recovery. While consumer confidence still remains at all-time lows, retail spending increased 1.1% last month, a positive sign of growth fueled by the approaching holiday season, which could propel the U.S. into a promising new year.

Home Sales
in millions

Home sales were 4.91 million in September, down 3.3% from a strong August in which were 5.06 million, but still 11.3% above September 2010. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, states, “affordability conditions have improved to historic highs and more creditworthy borrowers are trying to purchase homes, but the share of contract failures is double the level of September 2010. Even so, the volume of successful buyers is higher than a year ago and is remaining fairly stable—this speaks to an unfulfilled demand.” If lending standards loosen, we can expect to see an increase in home sales.

Home Price
in thousands

Homes prices were down, with a 3.5% drop in September compared to a year ago. The national median price for homes in September was $165,400, with distressed properties, foreclosures, and short sales still accounting for 30% of sales. This is a great opportunity for those potential buyers still thinking about purchasing a home, especially as the housing industry begins to show increasing signs of stability.

Inventory- Month’s Supply
in months

With stronger sales than a year ago, the amount of homes for sale was reduced to 3.48 million units, or an 8.5-month supply at the current sales volume. With the lowest new housing construction in almost fifty years, the inventory of homes on the market is projected to continue to decline, which is a positive sign that prices could begin to climb again.

Source: National Association of Realtors

Interest Rates

Mortgage rates were down again, from 4.35% in September of last year to 4.11% this September. While the Federal Reserve continues to put downward pressure on interest rates to spur sales, Congress’s recent action to lower loan limits has further tightened lending among banks. This had the biggest impact in the Western states, which experienced an 8.8% drop in sales. This was mainly due to the concentration of more expensive properties in California, where buyers rushed to purchase properties in August before loans limits dropped on the October 1 deadline.

Topics For Home Owners, Buyers & Sellers

Did you know that the housing and building industry accounts for nearly 40% of the world’s energy and raw material consumption? Our ability to “green our homes” truly has the ability to change the world. The principles of green are really about understanding priorities for a well-lived life—living healthy, being smart with money, and acting more sustainably.

We typically spend more than 80% of our nonworking or commuting hours inside our homes. Because we spend so much of our lives inside, it only makes sense we make a healthy inside zone the first priority. Here are a few DIY tips from Green Your Home to get you started:

* Cross-Ventilate. An average adult takes in more than 14,000 breaths—or about 3,000 gallons of air—a day! Surprisingly, you are more likely to breathe polluted air inside your home than outside—even in cities like Los Angeles, which aren’t known for air quality. Opening one window won’t cut it… you need cross-ventilation so the breeze actually blows though your home, taking the pollutions back out with it. Open a front door and a back door, or one window upstairs and one downstairs.
* Lighten Up. Simply swapping out the five most commonly used incandescent bulbs for CFLs or LEDs in your home can save you $60 to $100 a year. Combined with well-designed artificial lighting, natural lighting is also a great way to boost efficiency.
* Low Flow. American families use about 400 gallons of water a day, and 70% of that is used inside the home. The majority is used in the bathroom: the average person flushes the toilet 2,500 times a year. Transform your home’s toilet from water-waster to water-miser for cheap. Place a brick or 2-liter plastic bottle filled with water into your toilet’s tank. The volume of these objects means less water will be needed to fill your tank—you’ve just created your own low-flow toilet. Also, be sure and have a leaky or running toilet fixed by a plumbing professional immediately.

For more tips, buy your copy of Green Your Home now at www.kellerink.com/greenyourhome

Contact me,

Carol Swain
Keller Williams Real Estate
(215) 757-7257

http://www.SwainSells.com
http://facebook.com/SwainSells

Great Buy! Beautifully remodeled 5 bedroom, 2 bath Cape with an open and inviting floor plan. Step inside to the remodeled kitchen featuring a center island with storage and seating, newer appliances, newer cabinets, tile inlaid counters, ceramic tile backsplash and sink with Moen faucet. The ceramic tile flooring extends into the spacious dining area. Recessed lighting illuminates the bright & airy living room which is conveniently wired for surround sound. The remodeled downstairs bath offers ceramic tile flooring, newer vanity & sink, ceramic tile tub surround. The second floor has a private rear entrance and hosts two bedrooms and the second full remodeled bath with a custom ceramic tile shower with seat, ceramic tile floor, and newer vanity. The rear yard is highlighted by a decorative stamped concrete patio and walkway that leads to the front of the home. The home also features 6 panel doors, laundry area, Hampton Bay ceiling fans, newer windows, newer carpets, fresh paint, newer roof, new concrete curbs, sidewalks and driveway.