David’s Real Estate Blog
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I have just read an interesting article in RISMedia about GMAC Financial Services, which should be a bit of good news for first-time and low income homebuyers.  Click to read this article.  GMAC will be providing volunteers and financial support to Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Philadelphia, Pa and Camden, New Jersey.  The end result will be the first “low-income, LEED-certified homes in Philadelphia,” For those of you who do not know, LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.  These LEED-certified green homes will be sold to low-income homebuyers through zero-interest mortgages.  Other sponsors of this project include GlaxoSmithKline, JP Morgan Chase, Nationwide, the Patrick J. Monaghan Foundation and USAIR, who are currently finishing seven three-story homes in East Parkside.

GMAC’s ultimate goal is to create safe affordable housing for low-income buyers.  They are convinced that this is a positive step towards “supporting the communities where we live and work, and we know that homeowners play a vital role in building safe, strong and healthy communities.”  With the average cost of a home far beyond the reach of many families in the country, especially first-time and low income buyers, GMAC’s gambit should be very welcomed in the communities where they are working.

Increased affordability through the use of energy efficient building materials and appliances is the vision of GMAC and Habitat for Humanity of Philadelphia.  By utilizing environmentally friendly practices, they hope to foment a change in the way homes are built in Philadelphia and provide high quality cost effective homes.  LEED-certified green homes incorporate innovative building materials and methods in order to save homeowners money over the long term.  Energy efficient appliances and building materials also help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and indoor toxins such as mold and mildew.

However, Philadelphia and Camden are just the beginning.  Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the continent are teaming-up with GMAC Financial Services and GMAC ResCap to provide funds and volunteers to build and refurbish hundreds of homes in the U.S. Canada and Mexico.  This, along with GMAC’s support of literacy and homeownership programs, including foreclosure prevention programs, will go a long way towards helping low-income homebuyers realize the “American Dream”.

Are you currently thinking of buying a home in Delaware County or Chester County, Pennsylvania?  Have you browsed My Featured Listings yet?  I currently have 5 active listings in Briarcliffe, Drexel Hill, Springfield, Greenbriar at Thornbury and Upper Providence Township.  These great homes start as low as 155,900 for a 3 bedroom with 1.5 baths to over $650,000 for a 7 bedroom with 3.5 baths and guest quarters.  My website also features an MLS search option where you can search for just the right home for you and your family.

It is a good time to buy in these areas of Pennsylvania.  Like many areas across the United States, the inventory of homes for sale is currently greater than the number of qualified buyers; as a result, this area is in what is called a buyer’s market.  That is great news for buyers, however, if you want to make sure you get the best deal, it may be a good idea to hire a buyer’s representative with extensive knowledge of local real estate markets.  An experienced buyer’s representative can use their skills to help you find the right home and make sure you do not pay too much.  For more information about real estate in Delaware County or Chester County, Pennsylvania including tips for home buyers, be sure to check out my website, http://davidhillsold.com/.  And, if you need further assistance, or would like to set up an interview to see how I can represent your interests better than the competition, regardless of whether you are buying or selling, please contact me, David Hill.