Katie Horch-TriKatieforhomes.com

Open House at 5 Shira Ct.

2010-04-10T09:45:00.005-04:00

Dont miss the open house at 5 Shira Ct on Sunday, April 11, 2010. This is an amazing townhome with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms. A finished basement and multi-tiered deck top of this home. Only $228,000.

For more information visit my website at www.TriKatieforHomes.com

Real Estate 2010: 10 Awesome Neighborhoods To Call Home - Philadelphia Magazine - phillymag.com

2010-03-29T09:34:00.003-04:00

Philadelphia Magazine released its 10 Best Places to Live for First Time Homebuyers, Empty Nesters and Everyone in between. Burlington and Camden Counties made it on the list with Moorestown making the Top 10 and the article mentioned Collingswood as another great place with taxes averaging 45% less than Moorestown. Click the link below to read the article.

Real Estate 2010: 10 Awesome Neighborhoods To Call Home - Philadelphia Magazine - phillymag.com

I work in both of these towns and everywhere in between. If you would like any questions answered, please feel free to give me a call or go to my website www.Trikatieforhomes.com for additional information on many towns in Southern New Jersey.

Home Sales on the Rise!

2010-03-24T11:12:00.002-04:00

The reports just came out today. Home sales are up by 13% from 2009. If you are on the fence about selling your home, now is the time to list!

Top 10 Things First Time Home Buyers Should Know

2010-03-14T12:33:00.001-04:00

#1: Just because it's a buyer's market doesn't mean you should buy right now. Don't let the lucrative market dictate a buying decision if the time isn't absolutely right. Potential homebuyers need to ask themselves if they have a good credit score, if their job is secure and if they can stay in the home for a few years. If the answer to these questions is "no," it might make more sense to wait until life and finances are more stable.

#2: The cost of owning a home is more than just the purchase price. On top of a mortgage payment, there are several monthly fees and expenses any first-time buyer should consider when becoming a homeowner: insurance, property taxes, utilities and maintenance. Think about scaling back the home price in order to better budget for the entire package.

#3: Programs are out there to help first-time buyers. A sizeable down payment is great to have for a home purchase, but not everyone can afford to fork over 20 percent upfront. Fortunately, there are many federal, state and local programs geared toward helping first-time homebuyers with down payments, interest rates and loan terms sure to make the whole process and affordability a bit easier.

#4: Foreclosures and short sales present great deals, but proceed with caution. Buying a foreclosed or short sale home can be a risky proposition for a first-time buyer. Foreclosures are often sold "as-is," while a short sale transaction can be lengthier and more complicated than a typical home purchase. First-timers should consult an agent or attorney with specialization in these areas.

#5: Getting pre-approved for a loan gives you more buying power. Obtaining lender pre-approvals are important because it establishes a homebuyer's maximum purchase price, shows sellers that the buyer is serious about buying a home and lets the homebuyer compare interest rates and terms to find the best deal.

#6: Good school districts boost property value. One of the most important aspects of a home's value is the neighborhood where it's located. Even if the homebuyer does not have kids, buying a home near sought-after schools can help the resale value.

#7: You may be able to access your tax credit upfront. Buyers using FHA-insured mortgages can apply their tax credit toward their home purchase immediately, rather than waiting until they file their income taxes to receive a refund. Prospective buyers who believe they qualify for the credit are also allowed to reduce their income tax withholding, therefore increasing their take-home pay.

#8: Not all real estate agents represent buyers. There are three types of agents: listing agents, who represent sellers and help them get the best price; buyers' agents, who represent buyers and protect their interests; and agents who represent either (or both). Often, first-time buyers prefer to work exclusively with a buyer's agent so there are no possible conflicts of interest.

#9: Doing your homework can help you make a competitive offer. Before buying the home, determine the property's market value by having the realtor conduct a comparative market analysis. This report will show what buyers were willing to pay for similar homes in the area, giving a good idea of what will make a fair offer.

#10: It's important to have a back-out plan. Before signing on the dotted line, make sure to have a contingency plan in case things don't go as planned in the home inspection or appraisal. If the home has a major flaw or doesn't appraise for the purchase price, an escape plan allows the contract to be voided.

www.TriKatieforHomes.com

Zack "The Chef"

2010-03-06T09:09:00.003-05:00

Mexican Lasagna

Zack made a great dinner last night- Mexican Lasagna! This is a quick and easy meal for a teenager to make and it was really good! All four of us liked it. It is definitely a "make again" dish.

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 20 min

Ingredients
3 TBS extra-virgin olive oil
2 lbs ground chicken breast, available in the packaged meats
2 TBS chilli powder
2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained - we did not use these
1 cup medium heat taco sauce
1 cup frozen corn kernels
salt
8 (8 in) flour tortillas
2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar
2 scallions, finely chopped

Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F
Preheat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add 2 TBS extra-virgin olive oil- twice around the pan. Add chicken and season with chili powder, cumin and red onion. Brown the meat 5 min. Add taco sauce. Add black beans and corn. Heat the mixture through, 2 to 3 min then season with salt to your taste.

Coat a shallow baking dish with remaining extra-virgin olive oil, about 1 TBS. Cut the tortillas in half or quarters to make them easy to layer. Build lasagna in layers of meat and beans, then tortillas, then cheese. Repeat: meat, tortilla, cheese again. Bake lasagna 12 to 15 min until cheese is brown and bubbly. Top with scallions and serve.

www.TriKatieforHomes.com

Eric is the chef tonight!!!

2010-03-02T20:04:00.003-05:00

Can I just say that I have the BEST fiancee' ever?! He is totally getting into this cooking thing! Tonight, Eric made Chinese Beef for us and it was delicious. He has been very creative with picking different meals that all four of us would like. He said it was easy to make. We put the beef and veggies over rice and what a perfect meal that was.

Here you go and enjoy!

Ingredients
11/2 lb flank steak
broccoli crowns
red pepper
green pepper
carrots
water chestnuts
bean sprouts
salt
oyster sauce
soy sauce
ginger root
clove of garlic
beef broth
rice vinegar
sugar
corn starch
sesame oil
kraft asian sesame dressing
Uncle Ben's brown rice
butter

Cut Flank Steak into cubes. pour cubes of steak and craft asian sesame dressing into a bowel. mix and let marinate for 2 hours.

Cut vegetables, wash and microwave for four minutes

Make one cup of brown rice for four people.

Make marinade:
1.2 tsp salt
1 tsp oyster sauce
1 tsp soy sauce
press 1 clove garlic
press 1 chunk of ginger
blend ingredients

Make sauce:
1/2 cup broccoli
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp rice vinegar
5 TB oyster sauce
stir until completely dissolved.

Make Thickener
2 tsp cornstarch
add a little water
mix

Heat wok or skillet to high and add 2 TBS sesame oil

Add chunks of beef to skillet. Add marinade. Cook until meat is pink (approx 3-4 min)

Add vegetables and sauce. Cook for additional 1-2 minutes.

Let sauce come to a boil add corn starch to thicken.

I know this looks like a lot, but keep in mind, Eric doesn't normally cook. In fact this is only the third time he has ever, in his whole life, made dinner. You can do it too (or your husband). I am so grateful for my family!

www.TriKatieforhomes.com

Chicken Soup Tonight!

2010-03-01T19:01:00.004-05:00

So, tonight's dinner was made by me. I decided to cook a receipe that has been in the family for a long time. It is our homemade chicken soup and it is delicious! Not to mention it is very easy to make and everyone loves it. Please excuse the lack of measurements. "Aunt Millie" never used measuring spoons.

Ingredients
Whole Chicken cut up, remove skin
soup greens
Onion
salt- use approximately 1 TB of each of the following
black pepper
garlic powder

Fill a large pot with water (approx 1/2 full). Add salt, pepper, garlic, chicken and soup greens. Let boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until chicken falls off of the bone. I usually let it simmer for about 1.5-2 hours and then I take the pieces out and test them. Take the chicken off of the bones in large pieces and leave the soup greens in for another hour. At this point if you also want to cut up carrots or celery or any other vegetable, add it now.

Before serving, remove the soup greens and the whole onion.

Near the end of the cooking time I cook orzo or some other kind of pasta. Spoon the pasta into each bowl and ladel in as much soup as you wish. Enjoy!

www.TriKatieforHomes.com

A Family Meal Plan

2010-02-28T18:52:00.004-05:00

I don't know about you, but planning, preparing and cooking dinners have become too much like a chore. I, like most working mothers, am very busy, so it is difficult to come up with creative, easy meals. I also started becoming resentful that I was the only one that cooked dinner when there were three other people in the house that could help. That is when I came up with the idea of my family helping me. Here is the plan: On night a week, each family member is responsible for cooking dinner, I will cook two nights, one night is left overs and one night is take out. When I say they are responsible, it means selecting the recipe, preparing and cooking the meal. We started it last week and I can't explain how happy it has made me! It is like Christmas has come to my house! This is the greatest gift! This week I decided to write about it in my blog in case other mothers (or fathers) felt the same way that I did.

Tonight, my 11 year old daughter made Pita Pizza. Her recipe came from her Family and Consumer Science Class at DeMasi Middle School and it was delicious.

All week, I will provide the wonderful recipes that we make, along with pictures. Try this, you might LOVE it!

Pita Pizza

Ingredients:
1 pita bread round
2 oz Mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup spaghetti sauce
spices (to taste)
veggies (your choice) onions, green pepper, mushrooms, broccoli

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Cover baking sheet with aluminum foil (to catch spills)
3. Crate cheese over waxed paper
4. Place flat side up of whole pita round on baking sheet
5. Top with sauce, spices, grated cheese and vegetables
6. Bake 8 to 10o minutes or until cheese is melted.

1 pita serves one person.

The great thing is also, each person can design their own pizza to fit their preferences.

www.TriKatieforHomes.com

10 Must-Have Features in New Homes

2010-02-23T08:44:00.005-05:00

So what home features are buyers asking for the most in their search for a new home?

AVID Ratings Co., a firm that provides surveys and employee training to home builders across the United States and Canada, conducts an annual survey of home buyer preferences.

The company found the following hot home features reign supreme in today’s market:

1. Large kitchens with an island.

2. Energy-efficient appliances and high-efficiency insulation and windows. (These were the most sought-after “green” features from buyers.)

3. Home office or study

4. Main-floor master suite

5. Outdoor living room

6. Ceiling fans

7. Master suite soaker tubs and oversize showers with seating areas

8. Stone and brick exteriors

9. Community landscaping with walking paths and playgrounds.

10. Two-car garages
Visit www.TriKatieforHomes.com for real estate help and information,

Source: Realtor Magazine

New App for your iphone or ipod touch

2010-02-19T15:16:00.005-05:00

Did you know that you can visit the apple app store and purchase the realtor.com app? This app has MANY great features, but one of the great ones is that if you are a buyer looking for a home, and you find a home you like, you can click a button that will alert your realtor that this is a home you like and want to see.

Go buy the app and select me as your agent- Kathryn "Katie" Horch and I will be alerted when you find a home you like. I would love to help!

My daughter tried this out yesterday afternoon. It is really a great app. She clicked on a button that gave her the option of seeing homes for sale close to where she was. It brought up all homes for sale in Kings Grant.

Visit www.TriKatieforHomes for other great real estate tips or to search for homes.

Great New Website for Homeowners

2010-02-19T15:12:00.003-05:00

HouseLogic Offers Smart Advice to Owners
The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® this week launched HouseLogic, a new, comprehensive consumer Web site designed to help home owners make smart decisions to maintain, protect, and increase the value of their homes. HouseLogic will help consumers take responsible actions pertaining to what is likely the largest investment of their lives.

“Backed by the resources and industry insights of NAR and its REALTOR® members, HouseLogic will engage and involve consumers throughout the lifecycle of homeownership,” said NAR President Vicki Cox Golder. “It makes sense that, as the first, best source for real estate information, NAR should collaborate with today’s consumers to help them make the most out of owning a home. HouseLogic will help us do that.”

The free Web site helps home owners plan and organize their home projects and provides timely articles and news; home improvement advice and how-to’s; and information about taxes, home finances and insurance.

“Unlike other homeownership Web sites, HouseLogic helps consumers view their home through a financial lens and make smart, informed home improvement investment decisions,” said Golder. “Families can set goals for saving money on their home or increasing its value, and easily track the progress they are making on those goals.”

Registered users can save relevant information, create to-do lists, and set project reminders. The Web site can also be customized for individual owners depending on how handy or ambitious they are regarding home projects; how much money they want to spend or save; where they live; and their priorities, such as increasing the value of their home or improving their neighborhood.

HouseLogic also empowers home owners who want to get more actively engaged in shaping community life, advocating on neighborhood and homeownership issues that matter most to them. The site provides users with the tools and know-how to effect change, such as establishing a neighborhood watch program, building a community playground, or participating in city or county planning efforts.

“For more than 100 years REALTORS® have been bringing America home,” said Golder. “HouseLogic takes owning a home to the next level, partnering with consumers to truly help people build their futures through homeownership.”

To check it out visit www.houselogic.com

Visit www.TriKatieforHomes.com for great real estate information or search for homes.

Police and Fire Mortgage Program

2010-02-16T15:13:00.002-05:00

I just got notification today, February 16, 2010 that the Police and Fire Mortgage Program has issued a new interest rate of 4.66% with 0 points. If you are a policeman or fireman and are thinking of buying a home, this is the time to do it!

Buyer Sues Real Estate agent over second hand smoke

2010-02-16T07:40:00.002-05:00

I just read an article this morning, sent to me by e-mail from the National Association of Realtors that blew me away! A lawsuit is being tried this week in Boston. The suit will decide whether the real estate practitioner who represented the now-unhappy buyer is liable for damages over smoke that is wafting from a neighboring apartment. This is a first for Massachusetts and possibly any state.

When I represent a buyer, I give them as much information as I have about the property that they are considering. I obtain the seller's disclosure, suggest that they drive the neighborhood at different times of the day, we obtain a home inspection. These are all normal and important items to do before you buy a home. Never, have I heard any of my collegues suggest to the buyer that there could be the chance that a neighbor's second-hand smoke could cause damage to the buyer.

It will be interesting to find out how this lawsuit turns out. The outcome of this lawsuit could have broad repercussions.

Winter 2010 on Taunton Lake

2010-02-09T17:13:00.004-05:00

This is my friend's house on Taunton Lake. Gorgeous custom home... not for sale, though. Taunton is a wonderful lake community in Medford, NJ. In the summer my family and I swim, boat and jump on our water trampoline. Great fun and family time! In the winter we ice skate and sit by the fire on our dock.

Adorable Townhome Just Listed

2010-02-08T18:46:00.003-05:00

I just listed this adorable townhome in Eastampton, NJ. First Time Homebuyers, look no further! This adorable 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home has plenty of room for you. Sit on the front porch this spring and enjoy the warm weather. Inside, the wood burning fireplace provides plenty of warmth and comfort in the large family room Entertain guests on the multi-level deck or watch the kids play in the backyard. The master bedroom has a spacious bathroom. the washer and dryer are on the upper level, for convenience. The finished basement is divided into three separate rooms. The main section is large enough for entertaining, a smaller room could be an office or playroom and an unfinished area, perfect for storage. This home has a new furnace in 2007 and a new hot water heater in December 2009.

Are Homes going under Contract in the Northeast?

2010-02-05T14:02:00.003-05:00

In real estate there is something call the Pending Home Sales Index.

The National Association of Realtor's Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) is released during the first week of each month. It is designed to be a leading indicator of housing activity.

The index measures housing contract activity. It is based on signed real estate contracts for existing single-family homes, condos and co-ops. A signed contract is not counted as a sale until the transaction closes. Modeling for the PHSI looks at the monthly relationship between existing-home sale contracts and transaction closings over the last four years.

Great News sellers... in the Northeast the Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) rose 2.3 percent to 76.1 in December and is 14.9 percent higher than December 2008

This shows that people are buying homes!

More Happy Sellers at 128 Kent Rd, Haddonfield

2010-02-03T17:26:00.003-05:00

I just settled an adorable home in Haddonfield, NJ. This home has 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, a basement, gorgeous deck, cathedral ceilings in the family room. The home sold for $243,000 on Monday, February, 1, 2010. It always gives me so much gratification to help families sell their homes. So many times there is a conflict for the homeowner. They are happy to be moving on to a new and different life, however, they are also sad to be leaving the memories and friends they have made. I wish my sellers the best of luck and MANY happy memories in their new life.

Financial Update

2010-01-28T17:07:00.001-05:00

I just wanted to update you on what’s going on with the FED and their recent meeting. As expected, the FOMC left overnight rates unchanged yesterday. Some of the language contained in the release, however, caused rates to move up slightly, and the stock market to improve. "Economic activity has continued to strengthen and that the deterioration in the labor market is abating. Household spending is expanding at a moderate rate but remains constrained by a weak labor market, modest income growth, lower housing wealth, and tight credit. While bank lending continues to contract, financial market conditions remain supportive of economic growth." They believe that inflation is likely to be subdued for some time, and therefore expect to leave Fed Funds near 0% for "an extended period".

Marlton Recreation Spring Registration deadline

2010-01-28T08:33:00.004-05:00

The Marlton Recreation Spring Registration deadline is only about 2 weeks away. I don' know about you, but I have forgotten about registering my kids for their sports in the past. Marlton, NJ does a great job of organizing sports, and making each child feel special and included in their sports team. My children have been playing Rec. sports since for the last 8 years and LOVE it. I highly encourage getting involved in council either by volunteering your time to coach or at the refreshment stands. Here is information and the website to visit.

Spring Sports Registrations:

Roller Hockey - Boys LAX - Girls LAX

Baseball - Softball - Spring Soccer -Track
ONLINE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Closes FEB 15th 2010
After Feb 15th Paper Registration Only & $25 Late Fee Applies

REGISTRATIONS LIMITED, FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED

www.marltonreccouncil.org

Total Homes Sold in Marlton, NJ as reported by Zillow

2010-01-27T08:24:00.003-05:00

Also, here is a graph of the Total Number of single family homes sold in the last year as reported by Zillow.

Total Homes Sold

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Marlton New Jersey Sale Price History

2010-01-27T08:18:00.002-05:00

Zillow has great reports on local towns. Today, I researched Marlton, NJ. The chart below shows the sale price history for the last year for single family homes.

Median Sale Price

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2009 National Association of Realtors Statistics

2010-01-26T12:01:00.003-05:00

The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® surveys home buyers
and sellers annually to gather detailed information about the home
buying and selling process. These surveys provide information
on demographics, housing characteristics and the experience of
consumers in the housing market. Buyers and sellers also share
information on the role that real estate professionals play in home sales
transactions.

Financing the Home Purchase
1. Ninety-two percent of home buyers financed their recent home purchase.
2. The percentage of first-time buyers who financed 100 percent of the
purchase price with a mortgage dropped to 15 percent from 23 percent
last year.
3. Nearly half (47 percent) of home buyers reported they have made some
sacrifices such as reducing spending on luxury items, entertainment or
clothing.
4. One-fifth of first-time buyers reported their mortgage application and
approval process was somewhat more difficult than they expected, and
one-in-ten reported it was much more difficult than expected.

Home Sellers and Their Selling Experience
1. About half of home sellers traded up to a larger size and higher priced
home and slightly more than one-fifth traded down to a smaller and less
expensive home.
2. Eighty-five percent of sellers were assisted by a real estate agent when
selling their home.
3. Recent sellers typically sold their homes for 95 percent of the listing price,
and 60 percent reported they reduced the asking price at least once.
4. Forty-two percent of sellers offered incentives to attract buyers, most
often assistance with home warranty policies and closing costs.
Home Selling and Real Estate Professionals
5. Forty percent of sellers who used a real estate agent found their agents
through a referral by friends or family, and 26 percent used the agent they
worked with previously to buy or sell a home.
6. Ninety percent of sellers reported that their home was listed or advertised
on the Internet.
7. Among recent sellers who used an agent, 81 percent reported they would
definitely (59 percent) or probably (22 percent) use that real estate agent
again or recommend to others.

For-Sale-by-Owner (FSBO) Sellers
1. The share of home sellers who sold their home without the assistance of
a real estate agent was 11 percent. About half of them, 45 percent, knew
the buyer prior to home purchase.
2. The primary reason that sellers choose to sell their home without the
assistance of a real estate agent to a buyer they did not know was that
they did not want to pay a fee or commission (49 percent).
3. Nearly one-third of FSBO sellers took no action to market their home, and
57 percent did not offer any incentives to attract buyers.
4. Eighteen percent of FSBO sellers reported preparing or fixing up the home
for sale was their most difficult task, while 15 percent reported getting
the price right and an additional 15 percent reported understanding and
performing paperwork was the hardest part of selling their home.

Source: National Association of Realtors

10 Big Impact, Low-Cost Remodeling Projects

2010-01-25T15:19:00.000-05:00

Thinking of selling your home? Need to update a few things in your house? Here are some budget-minded enhancements you can do to make your home stand out.

1. Tidy up kitchen cabinets- Buyers are going to open up your cabinets. Make sure it looks neat.

2. Add or replace tile in the kitchen or bathrooms. By retiling very inexpensively, you make a room look a lot cleaner that it was.

3. Add a breakfast bar. Instead of a wall separating the kitchen to another room, cut out an opening to create a breakfast bar. Add a granite countertop, stools and you have a completely updated look.

4. Install granite tile instead of a slab. Tiles are cheaper than slab. All buyers want granite!!!

5. Freshen up a bathroom without retiling. Put a new medicine cabinet, light fixtures, faucet and vanity. Re-grout the tile to clean up the shower area.

6. Freshen up the basement. If you have concrete walls, have a contractor fill in cracks with hydraulic cement and then paint with waterproofing paint. Then add a top coat with color. Even paint the basement floor.

7. Add a room... no not an addition. Put up a wall to separate a large area.

8. Spruce up cabinet fronts- Either recondition or reface your current cabinets.

9. Replace light fixtures- The most important areas to change light fixtures are the foyer, bathrooms and kitchens. This provides a lot of pop for a little money.

10. Tech up the garage-Replace the garage door opener with a remote touch-pad entry system. Small cost. Or replace the garage doors- bigger cost, but can greatly improve curb appeal.