John Badalamenti, CRS's (jbadale) Blog

It’s time for this Metro Philadelphia real estate observer to tackle the New Year’s roundup of the Year in Real Estate (along with the traditional disclaimer that, since the actual statistics won’t be tallied until 2014, this has to be a lot more sizzle than steak!) But these is one time in the y...

Many landlords are automatically less than enthusiastic when they hear a prospective tenant’s question, “Do you allow pets?” Small wonder. The specter of damage from unsupervised four-footed co-inhabitants is a real possibility (despite the assurances of their doting masters).  Yet that kind of a...

It’s easy to be caught off guard when the mercury drops before winter has even begun. And this year a visit from unusually early icy blasts of cold from up north has been the rule almost everywhere in the country. This Holiday Season, even local home owners who don’t have to worry about their own...

Sometimes what you don’t say in your real estate listing can be as important as what you do. Your marketing will necessarily include all sorts of numerical info your agent enters for the regional MLS – but the main text itself is every bit as crucial. That paragraph has to be more than a summary ...

Interest rates may have been rising, but they are still invitingly low. As a consequence, some homeowners are looking to refinance their mortgages to lock in interest rates while they can. A key element in both refinancing and home sales is, of course, the formal appraisal.  Most homeowners regar...

Energy costs may not be skyrocketing as quickly as some other costs, but property owners continue to watch incoming utility bills with a wary eye. It’s only natural: they remember sudden energy price leaps in the past. One of the ripple effects of high energy prices is the possible impact on anyo...

Luxury home sales often trace a path that differs from the rest of the market. Just as high-end buyers can afford to take their time to find exactly the property they are looking for, luxury homeowners tend to pick and choose when they will market their properties. That's pretty much what happene...

What’s the difference between any home and what is called an “investment home”? Generally speaking, they are properties for sale that are purchased in the expectation that their underlying value will appreciate. Whether you choose to live in an investment home or rent it out, the prospect of grow...

Any numbers of property owners remain on the sidelines even as demand for rentals continues to increase. They hesitate to convert their properties into income-producers — even those that are eminently rentable — because they are already fully occupied with career and family obligations. They simp...

Here’s the good news: Homes are selling faster today, with the National Association of Realtors® reporting that the sale of existing homes in July rose more than 17% from 2012. That, in sales results terminology, qualifies as a ‘spike!’ Better yet, homes are selling more quickly – TOM (Time on Ma...