As a "modern" real estate agent, I take pride in doing things a little differently than most. I understand that every client's needs are unique, and I strive to provide a personalized service that caters to those needs, and am dedicated to providing an efficient, stress-free, and enjoyable buying or selling experience.

Here is how I add value as a modern agent when you buy or sell with me:

⓵ Top-notch customer service: Providing incredible service is a non-negotiable for me. My ultimate goal is to ensure that my clients are satisfied with my service, and I will go above and beyond to make sure they are.

⓶ Utilization of advanced technologies: I use the latest technologies and tools to better serve my clients and make the process of buying or selling a home a smooth and successful experience. From virtual property tours to digital documents, I use the latest tools to streamline the process and make it more efficient for you.

⓷ Revolutionized Marketing Strategies: I use a combination of techniques designed specifically for each property to get the most exposure. This can include a combination of strategies such as home staging, professional photography & videography to showcase your home's best features, targeting specific demographics through online advertising, unparalleled digital marketing strategies on social media, and a more modern approach to open houses to help generate interest and create a sense of urgency among potential buyers.

⓸ Market expertise: I have a deep understanding of the local market trends, property prices, and neighborhood developments, allowing me to provide you with accurate information and advice on how to price, market, and negotiate the sale or purchase of your home, and help you make informed decisions to ensure that you get the best deal possible.

I want my clients to walk away from closing not just happy they have a new home, but thrilled that they have an agent for life that they know they can always count on.

#realestateagent #realestatetips #realestate #realestatelife #househunting #realtorlifestyle #homebuyingtips #firsttimehomebuyer #realtorlife

Thinking of buying a home but don't know where to start? The homebuying process can seem overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be!

I've put together a list of where to start your homebuying journey and a few things you should know before you start looking:

① Find a realtor you trust (and like spending a lot of time with). It's important to work with an agent who can help you navigate the market and find a home that meets your wants and needs. Your agent will be dedicated to finding you the right home and then negotiating all the terms of the transaction on your behalf. Interview and speak with a few agents before making your decision. Remember—this is the largest investment you will likely ever make, and you want to work with someone you feel comfortable with and trust to guide you throughout the process.

② Find a reputable lender and get pre-approved for a mortgage. Getting pre-approved BEFORE you start your home search is crucial because it helps you get an accurate idea of your budget and what you can afford. A mortgage lender will not only tell you what amount you can borrow, but also your projected monthly payment, your closing costs / downpayment needed, and what to expect throughout the mortgage approval process.

③ Come up with your non-negotiables list. Your agent can help you narrow down your search by having a clear idea of what you are looking for.

④ Start looking at homes! Once your agent has you set up on a search, you will be notified when anything new comes on the market, including any homes that may be "coming soon". From there, you can schedule showings to take a look at any of the homes that pique your interest and prepare to make an offer.

How was the Main Line real estate market in January? The average and median sales price were flat at 0.6% and 3.4%, compared to last January. The average price last month was $836K and the median was $657K. Low inventory continues to be issue on the Main Line, as it is in our surrounding areas. There were 22% less listings in January and 18% less sales (87 listings and 92 sales). The total sales volume of 76.4 million was down 18.3%. The days on market was unchanged at 36 days.

So, you feel like it’s time to move, but you keep asking yourself, is now the right time? After all, there’s so much history packed inside those four walls — not to mention all of your stuff. Here are a few reasons you may want to consider making a move this year...

• Your home no longer matches your lifestyle.
  You’ve grown—but your home hasn’t. Outgrowing a home is a natural progression in life… are you expecting a child or even another relative? Do you feel cramped during the holidays, or wish you had space to entertain? Do you feel like you’re busting at the seams, or need more storage? Or, are you happy with your home, but wish it were in a different neighborhood or area closer to friends or family? Whatever your situation, if your home and/or neighborhood no longer fit your needs, the time is probably right to sell and find a new place that’s a better fit for your lifestyle.
  
  
• You have some equity in your home.
  Having a strong understanding of your financial position will help you understand if it’s a good time for you to sell. As home values have risen over the past two years, most homeowners have built a lot of equity. If your home’s sale price would be enough to pay off your mortgage and related selling costs and give you enough money to afford a new place that would fit your needs, it could be a good time to put your home on the market.
  
  
• Your home’s upkeep is too much.
  It may be time to consider downsizing if your to-do list seems too long, or you no longer use most of the rooms in your house. If you are looking for a more manageable home, or just want to have more freedom (and less house to maintain), you could benefit from selling and downsizing to a smaller place.
  
  
• A remodel or addition won’t raise the value of your home.
  You’re considering a renovation or adding an addition, but will it increase your value, or price you out of your current neighborhood? It’s always a good idea to determine your future resale value, even if it's down the road.

So you're starting your Main Line house hunting journey... you've set your budget, gotten pre-approved, and discussed your wants and needs, and now it's time for the fun part — going to see the homes you've narrowed down!

However, the universal truth of home buying is that you will never find a house that has every single thing on your "must have" list. So, when walking through houses, it's important that you try and focus on your list of needs... specifically on the things you cannot change.

To help break it down for you, pay attention to:

Location, neighborhood, and distance from your work, shopping, schools, etc.

• Yard size and the view / what is surrounding the home
• Square footage of the home
• The number of bedrooms / bathrooms, the bedroom sizes, etc.
• Your non-negotiables list
• Make sure to look at the condition of major systems like the HVAC and roof (these are not small expenses)

Ignore things like:

• Seller’s style and decor
• Clutter and disorganization
• Poor landscaping

Don't worry about the paint color, and who cares if the house has horrible brass fixtures and ugly carpet? You can change those things in a couple of days, without dropping a ton of money. Try and look beyond the surface, and even the dated kitchen, to see the hidden potential of a home, and you might just check off all of your "must-have" items!

If you're thinking of buying, save this post for later! Have questions about the homebuying process and where to start? Send me a message, I would love to help you get started in your home search!

#mainline #mainlinerealestate #mainlinehomesforsale #mainlinehomes #mainlinehouses #homesearch #homebuying #buyersagent #realtor #realestatetips #realtortips

Low inventory and higher interest rates have impacted the Main Line real estate market, but not as dramatically as the media would have you believe. All real estate is local so national statistics make as much sense as national weather. What really counts is what our local market is doing. Studying one month compared to the same month last year offers a limited view of the market, that's why I've included the year to date (YTD) stats as well, to offer a fuller picture. An 5.8% average increase YTD and median increase of 2.2% YTD are slightly lower than the year-over-year stats from the last five years. What's really changed is our lack homes for sale - we're closing 23% less homes this year vs last YTD (that adds up to 450 less houses selling) when less than 2,000 sold last year. This demand is ongoing, even with the sharp increase in rates. The statistics below are from Bright MLS and include the townships of Lower Merion, Radnor, Tredyffrin, and Easttown.

Every year around this time, many homeowners wonder if they should keep their properties on the market or take them off, or if they haven't listed their homes yet if they should wait until after the holidays, or even the spring to put their homes on the market.

If you're wondering whether or not you should wait until the holidays are over to sell, I've outlined a few reasons why you should consider listing your home NOW, rather than waiting until next year:

• People that are looking at this time of year are usually serious buyers • There is generally much less inventory during this time of year so you have less competition • Homes are very cozy during the holidays • There are always people relocating to the area • Increasing interest rates could decrease buyer demand in 2023.

With interest rates on the rise, homeownership is becoming less affordable. So it's likely that fewer buyers will be in the market for a home.

If you're thinking of selling, send me a message. I would love to grab coffee and discuss how I employ evidence-based marketing strategies to sell your home quickly and efficiently, no matter the time of year.

Selling your Main Line home is a big deal and it's pretty important to have the right people around you (yes, even in a seller's market!). A great Main Line real estate agent can market your home successfully and sell your home quickly and for more money.

The listing appointment is YOUR opportunity to interview agents for the job of selling your largest asset. Here are some important questions to ask agents during the listing appointment to make sure you feel confident putting your trust in them.

• How will we communicate?
• What is your plan for marketing my home?
• Are you full-time or part-time?
• What are your average days on market, and how many homes have you listed in 2022?
• What do I need to do to prepare my home for the market?
• What is your plan on pricing my home?
• Do you work independently or with a team?
• Will someone cover for you in case of an emergency or a vacation? 
• What is your historical ratio of list price to final sale price? 
• How familiar are you with my neighborhood / area? 

Selling your home is a huge financial decision, and the experience can easily become a very stressful situation with the wrong agent guiding you. It's important to find and work with someone you trust, who can make the process of selling as smooth and stress-free as possible (while netting you the most money).

If you've been thinking about selling, send me a message — I would love to interview for the position!

Here are the links for our School District search, with the newest listings first:

Lower Merion School District:
https://bit.ly/LowerMerionSearch

Radnor School District:
https://bit.ly/RadnorSearch

Tredyffrin-Easttown School District:
https://bit.ly/TEsearch

If you have any questions about these listings or would like to see any of them in person, please contact me - 610-256-4435

Thanks,
John

See this Coming Soon listing here.

150 Kennedy Drive in Franklin Station in Media.
Offered at $700,000.

What Does A Main Line Real Estate Agent Do for You?

If you're looking to buy or sell your first house or you're a real estate veteran, you may be wondering what exactly a real estate agent does for you buying or selling a home on the Main Line.

I've been selling real estate on the Main Line for nearly 20 years and have seen the highs and lows of the market. The last three years have been the most challenging in my career with our lack of inventory due to the pandemic and the surge in demand from Millennials. In a difficult market it's even more important to hire the best possible agent to help you navigate the changes in our market.

A good agent will spend the time to educate you on the market and develop a sound strategy in which to buy or sell with the best possible terms in order to protect your interests. Most people think that prices have exploded over the last year on the Main Line, but that's not the case. The average sales price the first half of 2022 was only up 4% from the same period in 2021. The median sales price was exactly the same as last year. We're starting to see some price reductions and longer days on market since the boom ended in late Spring. The days of 30+ offers on a single listing have pretty much come to an end.

When you're SELLING your Main Line house the listing agent's responsibilities include:

• Meeting with you in person to discuss the selling process, learn what your goals are.
• Developing a custom marketing plan designed to sell your home for the best possible price.
• Hiring a stager to meet with you to offer suggestions on how to present the house in the best possible light to maximize value.
• Arrange for professional photography and videography to showcase your home.
• Pre-market your home as a "Coming Soon" listing to build interest in the house before the showings begin.
• Create a Comparative Market Analysis report detailing current and past similar sales to determine the market value for the listing.
• Schedule a Broker's Open so that local agents can tour the house to see if it's right for their buyers.
• Schedule an public Open House (if you're agreeable to having your house open).
• Solicit feedback from agent's who've shown the house and make adjustments to the house (if necessary).
• Negotiate offers received. A good agent will review the advantages and disadvantages of each offer with you so that you understand the differences and make an informed decision.
• Process buyer escrow deposits.
• Negotiate any inspection requests for repairs or credits.
• Coordinate with mortgage company to be sure the buyers are on target to settle on time.
• Coordinate with the buyer's title company to be sure all questions are answers prior to settlement.
• Communicate with conveyancer to be sure the school county, townships, water, sewer payoffs have been made.
• Make sure that the use and occupancy certificate is ordered and completed prior to settlement.
• Request buyer escrow deposit funds be made payable to title company.

When you're BUYING your Main Line house the buyer agent's responsibilities include:

• Meeting with you to discuss your goals, plans, wishes, and timeframe.
• Review the current market conditions including inventory matching your desired criteria, inventory, days on market, etc.
• Design a custom home search that includes instant MLS listings, coming soon listings, private exclusive listings, and off-market homes.
• Monitor the market and update you as the market changes.
• Contact other local agents to see if they have upcoming listings matching your search criteria.
• Previewing new listings for you at weekly Broker Tours and advising you of good fits.
• Scheduling showings for you at times that are convenient to you.
• When you find a house you love, a good agent will create a market value analysis for you to determine if the house is priced correctly or is over/under priced.
• Discussing an offer strategy to increase your changes or winning the bid (if there are other offers). It's not always the highest price that wins in a multiple offer situation. Asking the right questions of the listing agent can be the difference on getting your offer accepted.
• Negotiating the terms and conditions in the offer with the listing agent on your behalf.
• Executing all of the required paperwork so that your fully under contract.
• Scheduling inspections (if they're conditions in the agreement).
• Reviewing the inspection reports and discussing what items to ask for credits or repairs.
• Submitting a Reply To Inspections  to the sellers on your behalf.
• Recommending contractors to obtains quotes for inspection repairs.
• Negotiating the inspection contingencies.
• Ordering a title search for the property.
• Following up with mortgage and title companies to be sure everything is on schedule for settlement.
• Scheduling settlement time and location.
• Ordering any power of attorney or deed packages needed.
• Helping you with mover or contractor recommendations.

If you have any questions about these steps or about buying or selling your Main Line house, please contact me at 610-256-4435. Thank you! John Flanagan.