Phil Stan Knows Bucks County

07/16/2024

A great list of questions to ask before buying a property. Be sure to work with a Realtor who works to get the answers you need to make the right decision. I can help.

A real estate purchase brings up a plethora of questions. The answers are often nuanced.

07/10/2024

There have been expectations for quite some time for the Fed to lower interest rates. Its not going to be at their meeting the end of this month. Tomorrow's inflation numbers will be interesting. Mortgages rates have settled between 6.75% - 7.00% for the past 6 months.

Mortgage rate drops could be on the horizon, but will they happen this July? Here's what experts say.

07/02/2024

Want a fun home project to do over the long weekend coming up? How about painting your kitchen countertops. Yes, it can be done. A much cheaper alternative to counter replacement.

Painting your kitchen countertops can be a budget-friendly way to make over your space, but it takes patience and care. Here's how to do it.

06/26/2024

Without regard to interest rates, there are less homes for sale than a year ago and pricing has hit an all time high.
This is national data, for the Philadelphia area, the pricing is also at a high but there are more properties available.

The median existing-home sales price jumped 5.8% from May 2023 to $419,300 – the highest price ever recorded and the eleventh consecutive month of year-over-year price gains.

06/20/2024

Thinking about buying a home? Talk to me first of course! Top things to consider from a personal finance perspective:
credit score 620+
your debt to income ratio

The lender and the type of loan you choose determine the credit score you need for a mortgage.

06/12/2024

I agree with most of this. The real estate market is going to improve slightly as the year goes on. We are already starting to see it. Interest rates will not change much over the coming months.

06/04/2024

This is an excellent article about the challenges in today's residential real estate market. A lot is written about first time home buyer's issues. This article is from the perspective of those looking for their next home or forever home.

Squeezed by high interest rates and record prices, homeowners are frozen in place. They can’t sell. So first-time buyers can’t buy.

05/31/2024

I am honored and proud to be named to the Executive Committee as Secretary for the Upper Dublin Education Foundation. What a wonderful organization which provides innovation learning opportunities for students. I am excited to continue to help this organization grow.

Enhancing educational experiences for students in the Upper Dublin School District and funding innovative learning opportunities.

05/29/2024

So you think you know a property's current value? Not so easy, especially in today's fast moving market. Most people surveyed in the Philadelphia area were not even close.

Seventy-two percent of Americans underestimate housing prices in their city, according to a survey conducted by All Star Home.

05/22/2024

Many real estate buyers today are paying extra cash at closing (known as points or buydowns) to essentially buy a lower interest rate for their mortgage. Is it the right thing to do? Well, it depends on your situation. I can help you figure this out.

Rising mortgage rates can be a barrier for prospective homebuyers, but seller-paid discount points may help to close the deal.

04/30/2024

Interest rates are going to be around 7% for a little while. Buyers are already used to it. Prices are up 6% from a year ago and the spring market is just tsrtaing.

Nationally, prices rose at an annual rate of 6.4% in February.

04/23/2024

This is the time of year many of us think of home improvements. Make sure you use a licensed contractor and abide by your local building codes. Cheapest is not always best! 🤔

Is your contactor insured, licensed and bonded? You'd better hope so.