Green Goings-On at Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty's Philadelphia Office

A while back David Krupp, one of the first LEED-certified realtors in Philadelphia and an agent with Kurfiss SIR's Philadelphia office, launched his green properties blog as a companion activity to his more serious pursuits selling "true green" homes and overseeing a major earth friendly renovation of his own property in Philadelphia's Bella Vista neighborhood. Now, as a way of providing a quick reference for all agents in our Rittenhouse Square office, David has put together a hotsheet listing city residences for sale that have green finishes or that are built to LEED standards. If you have an interest in this type of home, you should consider speaking with David as he is super knowledgeable about green construction and finishes, and at a glance he can tell you what's on the market in the "green" category.

"Sotheby's" and "First-Time Buyer" DO Go Together After All

As anyone keeping up with housing data knows, there are a lot of first-time buyers taking advantage of the government's $8,000 tax credit (learn more about the tax credit here.) While many people think Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty is not part of that market because of our association with high-end properties, we are actually quite active in that segment, representing buyers and sellers of homes that are $500,000 or less. In November 2009, almost 100% of our settlements were for properties at that price point or lower. So, if you are thinking of listing your home and concerned that it's "not a Kurfiss property" because it's valued at less than $1,000,000, reconsider and call our New Hope (215.794.3227) or Philadelphia (215.735.2225) real estate offices. Your property will be treated like a million-dollar home, even if its market value is far less.

Digital Edition of RESIDE Magazine Is Here!

Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty is pleased to make available the digital edition of the Fall 2009 issue of RESIDE magazine. The magazine presents properties for sale through Sotheby's International Realty in eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York (upstate and New York City) and Connecticut, plus a few from Florida, Washington, D.C., and other areas.

View the magazine here.

The next edition will be published in May 2010.

Troubled Philadelphia Homeowners Have an Option Besides Foreclosure

The City of Philadelphia wants homeowners who are behind on their mortgages to have an option besides foreclosure.The Nov. 17 edition of the New York Times details a program that brings Philadelphia property owners and lenders together to negotiate deals that enable homeowners to keep their homes. It's loan modification, the difference being that lenders are required to attend the conferences and negotiate in good faith. The program is so successful, that cities around the U.S. are looking at it as a model for their own crop of troubled borrowers. While it also has critics, even they concede it's better than what other cities are doing. Read about it here.

Do We Have Terrific Inventory or What?

Props to our agents in both Philadelphia and New Hope for securing an outstanding inventory of homes. Some of the most recent include:

• A modernist masterpiece in Elkins Park, Pa., listed by Donna Thain in our Philadelphia real estate office. A must-see for the buyer seeking a post-War classic!
• A very formal, historic stone house, re-done by Okie in the early 20th century, listed by Melanie Stecura in our Philadelphia real estate office. Exceptionally well maintained.
• An outstanding stone house in the Poconos on 71+ acres with wonderful distance views and facilities for horses or other animals, listed by Sharon Angle and Brad Bux in our Bucks County real estate office. French country in style and very dramatic inside.
• A superbly designed and built Main Line estate home -- so few people build to this level of taste and quality, it's a true privilege to offer this home.
• An expanded traditional Main Line home with top-quality finishes throughout. Sedate, serene and so stylish.
• Vince Fumo's home in Philadelphia's Art Museum Area. Love him or hate him, you have to give him credit for creating a striking, richly finished home in Center City.
• A modern home in the Bank Building in Center City Philadelphia. Good taste prevails throughout this spacious residence.

There are more to come tomorrow. Check out www.kurfiss.com to see them now.

Slightly Sunny Skies in the Real-Estate Forecast

The National Association of Realtors has released its market forecast for the fourth quarter of 2009 and first half of 2010. Mortgage rates are likely to increase, though not significantly. First-time home buyers are buoying the market, though no one seems quite whether the new tax credit for existing homeowners will affect sales. Here's the complete text from NAR.

First-Time Buyers Have More Time to Shop!

From The Wall Street Journal:

Congress has extended the $8,000 first-time home buyers' tax credit that was set to expire at the end of this month. The credit will apply to all house contracts entered into before April 30, 2010, and closed by June 30. It creates a new $6,500 credit for existing property owners looking to sell their home and buy another during the same period of time.
Both credits have income restrictions limiting their availability.