I was at the Courtyards at Brandywine this morning with our fabulous photographer, John Martinelli. Seeing the models through his camera lens is amazing and made me focus in on details that I haven't quite seen through the big picture before. John likes to focus on entrances and first impressions. These models in particular each have a stunning entrance, but all in very different ways. Of course, I especially love the Shannon because the open family room - kitchen design was my plan! Will post pictures just as soon as I have them.
I have been very busy with a program at Neshaminy Falls to bring in some new homes there for the first time in many years. We have about 7 new homes available currently and about 5 different floor plans. I truly think we are delighting folks with the opportunity to buy new construction for as low as $89,000. We also have the Turnbridge model from Nittany Glen (click here to see a floorplan) with a beautiful cherry kitchen.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Selling My Home
Hello All,
I am so sorry that it has been so long since I have last written. I have a great story to share with you however that should make up for it.
Early this summer my husband and I decided that it was time to leave our beautiful neighborhood of Queen Village in Philadelphia and move closer to work. I prepped myself for the drama and adventure that I was certain to experience with selling our home in a "down" market.
So, we got to work.
For three days, we pre-packed and cleaned. Tabletops covered with picture frames became tabletops with one or two interesting glass pieces. The books on the bookshelves got packed away leaving a tidy bookshelf with a few books neatly arranged with a vase or two. I went through each closet and pre-packed leaving what I thought I might want for the next 3 to 5 months (that is how long I thought it would take to sell!). A neighbor came by when everything was finished and gave me the advice that homes sell better if you pack your personal photos away. When I showed her that even my closets were staged, she maybe thought that I went a little too far!
We also hired some folks to do some cosmetic work as well. When we had a window leak a year ago we obviously had the windo fixed right away, however, we had lived with the stain and bubbling on the drywall and couldn't expect new buyers to.
Next we discussed pricing with our realtor. In the end we followed the professional's advice and priced our home not at what we wanted the home to be worth, but at what he knew it to be worth based on real-time comps in our neighborhood.
The house went on the market and we had two offers in 7 days!
Now we just have to buy a new house. As I walk from room to room from house to house I cannot believe the range of effort I have seen sellers put into readying their homes.
A few ideas for staging your home that you might not have already thought of:
Pre-pack
Packing up seasonal decor, uncommonly used items, collections and personal mementos will not only help buyers envision living in your home it will also make every room and appear larger AND save you packing time once your home is actually sold. It is also a great time to simply get rid of things.
Extra Rooms
Ask your adult children to come over and remove their childhood belongings from the home. Buyers do not need to see their 15 year old posters of Cindy Crawford and wrestling trophies on the wall. Keep unoccupied bedrooms imple so that the buyer might imagine that room as a home office or nursery.
Get a Second Opinion
Take a very hard look at your home. Possibly even ask a neighbor to do it for you if you think you might not be critical enough. If not, your home could sit on the market for months before anyone tells you that there is a stain on the ceiling that you just do not notice anymore or a pet smell that you have never considered.
Hire Professionals
Make sure that you hire professionals for the hardest of jobs. You might be very happy with our own handiwork, but unless you have experience, a buyer might not be.
Good luck!
I am so sorry that it has been so long since I have last written. I have a great story to share with you however that should make up for it.
Early this summer my husband and I decided that it was time to leave our beautiful neighborhood of Queen Village in Philadelphia and move closer to work. I prepped myself for the drama and adventure that I was certain to experience with selling our home in a "down" market.
So, we got to work.
For three days, we pre-packed and cleaned. Tabletops covered with picture frames became tabletops with one or two interesting glass pieces. The books on the bookshelves got packed away leaving a tidy bookshelf with a few books neatly arranged with a vase or two. I went through each closet and pre-packed leaving what I thought I might want for the next 3 to 5 months (that is how long I thought it would take to sell!). A neighbor came by when everything was finished and gave me the advice that homes sell better if you pack your personal photos away. When I showed her that even my closets were staged, she maybe thought that I went a little too far!
We also hired some folks to do some cosmetic work as well. When we had a window leak a year ago we obviously had the windo fixed right away, however, we had lived with the stain and bubbling on the drywall and couldn't expect new buyers to.
Next we discussed pricing with our realtor. In the end we followed the professional's advice and priced our home not at what we wanted the home to be worth, but at what he knew it to be worth based on real-time comps in our neighborhood.
The house went on the market and we had two offers in 7 days!
Now we just have to buy a new house. As I walk from room to room from house to house I cannot believe the range of effort I have seen sellers put into readying their homes.
A few ideas for staging your home that you might not have already thought of:
Pre-pack
Packing up seasonal decor, uncommonly used items, collections and personal mementos will not only help buyers envision living in your home it will also make every room and appear larger AND save you packing time once your home is actually sold. It is also a great time to simply get rid of things.
Extra Rooms
Ask your adult children to come over and remove their childhood belongings from the home. Buyers do not need to see their 15 year old posters of Cindy Crawford and wrestling trophies on the wall. Keep unoccupied bedrooms imple so that the buyer might imagine that room as a home office or nursery.
Get a Second Opinion
Take a very hard look at your home. Possibly even ask a neighbor to do it for you if you think you might not be critical enough. If not, your home could sit on the market for months before anyone tells you that there is a stain on the ceiling that you just do not notice anymore or a pet smell that you have never considered.
Hire Professionals
Make sure that you hire professionals for the hardest of jobs. You might be very happy with our own handiwork, but unless you have experience, a buyer might not be.
Good luck!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Golfing!
Golfing comes to McKee Builders! This weekend is the grand opening of The Links at Foxfield. The Links are a challenging, 6-hole golf course designed by Ian Scott-Taylor in the Scottish form. Good luck to all of the golfers!
Flex Dollars!
I am so excited to tell you about our current promotions at Spring Arbor, Foxfield, Champions Club and our newest community, Brandywine.
The Flex Dollars program gives you money to customize your new home purchase your way. Receive $30,000 on homes at Brandywine and all single family homes throughout, $15,000 on all carriage homes and $10,000 off of the Villas at Foxfield.
Call your sales counselor for more details.
The Flex Dollars program gives you money to customize your new home purchase your way. Receive $30,000 on homes at Brandywine and all single family homes throughout, $15,000 on all carriage homes and $10,000 off of the Villas at Foxfield.
Call your sales counselor for more details.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
FREE basements
For a limited time only, we are offering FREE finished basements on select homesites at The Courtyards at Brandywine!!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The Models at Brandywine
We recently performed a framing walk-thru at The Courtyards at Brandywine. The Product Development team, interior designers, Director of Construction, Project Manager and President pore through every inch of every model before they are drywalled. That is a lot of hard hats!
We pay great attention to how each space feels. There are many, many considerations and each walk takes hours. Just a few of the questions we ask ourselves: Does each room translate properly from blueprints to frame? Do the kitchen and bathroom layouts make sense? Are the closets big enough?
We did two walk-thrus on the three models at Brandywine and are more excited than ever for the customers that have waited patiently for the job to open. We made minor changes but overall they are moving ahead with construction. I am eager to return to see the changes that were made: a prettier, grander statement staircase in one, an extra linen closet in another, extra soffits and dramatic doors and doorways, and possibly a media room in one of the basements!
We pay great attention to how each space feels. There are many, many considerations and each walk takes hours. Just a few of the questions we ask ourselves: Does each room translate properly from blueprints to frame? Do the kitchen and bathroom layouts make sense? Are the closets big enough?
We did two walk-thrus on the three models at Brandywine and are more excited than ever for the customers that have waited patiently for the job to open. We made minor changes but overall they are moving ahead with construction. I am eager to return to see the changes that were made: a prettier, grander statement staircase in one, an extra linen closet in another, extra soffits and dramatic doors and doorways, and possibly a media room in one of the basements!
Monday, April 6, 2009
MVP
Every quarter, the New Homes Division awards an MVP award to a subcontractor. This subcontractor goes above and beyond to offer the very best in customer service to our homeowners.
Pictured above is Bob Conover of Young Lumber. Young Lumber is McKee's MVP for both the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2008. Thank you, Young Lumber!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)