Tag: real estate

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We were not meant to live alone – especially as we age.

Over the past 10+ years in my real estate career,  I have helped many older people move.  Helping the elderly move is work that I love and work that I am good at!  Through the years, I have come to the conclusion that God did not make us to live alone, especially as we age.  I know this to be true because I have witnessed blossoming transformations in a person after they have moved into a social setting again.

Whether someone moves into a retirement community, assisted living or nursing care or if they have moved in with other family members, it is the social connection with others that change a person.

True story…. I was asked to help an 85+ woman move from her home.   When I met Ruth she looked tired.  She was living alone in a 4 bedroom home that was much too large for her.  It had a big yard, lots of rooms,  there still was a lawn to cut, oil to buy for the furnace, windows to scrape and repaint.  All too much work and upkeep especially at 85+ years old.

After we sold her house and she moved into independent living, I went for a visit.  Ruth’s transformation was astounding!  Her cheeks were literally rosy, her eyes had a bright sparkle and she wore a big smile on her face.  When I asked how was she doing she said, “Oh Diana I’m having so much fun meeting new people everyday.”  When I commented that I thought that she looked so much healthier she smiled and said, “The food is so good here that I think I may have put on some weight.”

We want the people who we love to be happy, healthy and living independently if they that is what they want.  We encourage them to move out of the big home into a place where they can be safe, social again, eat regularly and meet other people.  It can be a big transition sometimes but it is so worth the effort!

I was so happy to see Ruth sparkle with joy.  It made my heart happy to know that I had helped her through her transition.

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“Where does the money go?” …or… “When will they cash my check?”

Many first-time and seasoned home buyers will ask me, “Where does the money go from the first deposit check?” and/or “When will they cash my check?” All money given as a deposit for real estate goes into an Escrow Account with the Listing Broker – unless the contract says that it is going to be held in another location.  Escrow accounts must be managed so that they follow the legal requirements of state and federal banking laws and real estate law.  The escrow money is counted as part of your total deposit and will be returned to you at the settlement. In Pennsylvania, an Earnest Money check is made & submitted with the contract when the offer is made.   The earnest money check is a check that proves that you are “earnest or serious ” about the offer that you have made for the property. If your settlement date is within 30 days of the contract date, your check must be a cashier’s check or bank check.  The listing broker needs to be sure that your check will clear the account before settlement which is why the bank check is requested. The listing broker must deposit the check by the end of the next business day into their escrow account as soon as the contract is executed. Execution of the contract means the time when both buyer and seller have come to an agreement about terms of the contract, price for the property and both parties have signed and initialed all changes that had been made to the contract during negotiation. Once you go to settlement your earnest & deposit money will be returned to you and you will use it as part of the money needed to purchase your new house. Congratulations on your new home! Contact me with any real estate questions that you may have at [email protected]