Suburban West Realtors Association
Suburban West Weekly
May 15th, 2019
IN THIS ISSUE
Which Home Improvement Projects
Offer the Most Value?

Answer the Call! Volunteers
Needed for RPAC Telethon

Starbucks Morning: On-Lot Sewage
and Septic Systems Do's and Don'ts

Important Supra Billing and Renewal
Information for ActiveKey Holders 
 
ALHS: Accredited Luxury Home
Specialist Course Returns This June

Lower Merion to Consider Sidewalk
Ordinance Amendment

Employment Notice

Calendar of Events 
 



Which Home Improvement Projects Offer the Most Value?

Home improvement projects this year will continue to add more value to homes, an upward trend that continues, according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2019 Cost Vs. Value Report.

However, the cost of these projects has grown, making less of a profit for homeowners. Due to the increasing costs of supplies, project prices have also seen increases. Ultimately, however, the report found that returns are up compared to the 2018 report. This year, the overall cost for home improvement projects was $63,400, with the value for these projects being $37,500, a 66.1% ROI. Last year, the overall cost was $60,000, and the value for these projects was $34,000, for a ROI of 65.8% .

Across the country, outdoor projects gave homeowners a higher ROI. The top project for return on investment for 2019 is again an upscale garage door replacement. Following is a mid-range stone veneer and then a mid-range minor kitchen remodel. Nationally, the three projects that offer the least ROI include an upscale master suite addition, followed by a mid-range backyard patio and an upscale bathroom addition.
In the Middle Atlantic section of the U.S., which includes Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey, the top three projects mirrored the nation’s top three, with comparable prices. The area also had the same three projects with the lowest ROI.

Click here to read the full PARJustListed article, here to access the national data and here to access the Middle-Atlantic report. Please note to gain access to the reports, you will need to enter your name and contact information.

Answer the Call! Volunteers Needed for RPAC Telethon

All Suburban West members are invited to participate in the Annual RPAC Telethon on June 13th (11:00am-3:00pm) at the Association’s office in Malvern.  Our most important RPAC fundraising event annually, it features member volunteers reaching out to fellow REALTORS and Affiliate members to make a financial investment in the future of real estate so homeownership is protected on a national level.

Interested participants are provided a list of members from their office. From this list, you will be asked to make as many calls as possible to solicit investments towards building a more influential RPAC. Participants will be provided talking points for their call and a list of frequently asked questions.

In addition to your critical role in helping protect real estate, we are providing our telethon participants an extra bonus towards increasing their professional knowledge. If you attend the telethon and are able to solicit just 10 pledges from fellow members, you will earn a $75 voucher to the Association of REALTORS School, good towards any course offered between June 13, 2019 through May 31, 2020.  

Questions or interested in volunteering? Contact Steve Farace via 610-560-4800. 

Starbucks Morning: On-Lot Sewage and Septic Systems Do's and Don'ts

Ever wonder what happens to what you put down the drain? Starbucks Morning: On Lot Sewage and Septic Systems Do's and Don'ts (May 29th; 10:00am-11:30am) will include the basic principles of how an on-lot sewage disposal system, or septic system, works, the different systems and components you may encounter on a property, common defects what they are, and what they mean,  as well as the proper care of a septic system.

Often in a real estate transaction a hydraulic load test may be needed. What is that? Why is it needed? Will it damage a system?  Will it make the system fail? All those questions will be considered in this presentation. Click here to register (once logged in, scroll over "Events" then click on "Upcoming Meetings").

Important Supra Billing and Renewal Information for ActiveKey Holders

Please note that if you are an ActiveKey holder, your invoice of $205.56 (not including insurance) is due by Tuesday, May 21st covering the lease period from May 21, 2019 - May 20, 2020. See below for the following options:
  • To submit payment to renew your ActiveKey lease, please call Supra directly at 877-699-6787.
  • If it is your intent to discontinue the use of the ActiveKey, Supra requires you to return the ActiveKey and wall charger by May 21st to the Association office in Malvern. ActiveKey holders also have the option of upgrading to the convenient eKey service by the May 21st deadline. The ActiveKey must be returned to the Association office first in order to upgrade to the eKey service; Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm.
If you are currently an eKey user (utilizing your smartphone to open the iBox) service fees are billed monthly and you do not have to renew a yearly lease. For Supra questions, please contact SWRA Tech Specialist, John Barbone.

ALHS: Accredited Luxury Home Specialist Course Returns This June

The Accredited Luxury Home Specialist (ALHS) Designation Class is returning to Malvern this June (June 25th & 27th; 9:00am-5:00pm) and is intended to provide students with the training, tools, and techniques necessary to provide the highest level of service to both luxury home buyers and sellers.
The course will cover several topics critical to the success of any agent who wishes to work in the luxury home market. Topics include: Defining the luxury home market; Marketing your expertise in luxury homes to the consumer; Preparing and marketing the listing; Qualifying buyers; and Negotiating and managing a luxury home transaction. Click here to register (once logged in, scroll over "Events" and then click "Upcoming Classes").

Lower Merion to Consider Sidewalk Ordinance Amendment

The Board of Commissioners of Lower Merion Township will consider an ordinance to amend Chapter 133, “Streets and Sidewalks,” at a public hearing this evening (May 15th at 7:30pm). The ordinance amendment will require that sidewalks be repaired when there is a difference in elevation between sidewalk blocks, or cracks within a block, of more than one-quarter of an inch, or when a sidewalk crack is more than a half-inch in width, or when a sidewalk block displays a spalling or flaking condition. The full text of the ordinance can be examined on the township's website. Sidewalk inspection is included in Lower Merion Township’s resale certification process.
For more news items from the Suburban REALTORS Alliance, click here to access their Weekly News Briefs.

Employment Notice

A family-owned and operated real estate office in St. Davids, PA is looking for a Full-Time Office Assistant with some accounting experience. The ideal candidate should be an outside the box thinker who is willing to go above and beyond to provide a work environment that produces success. Administrative background required. Must have experience entering data in Microsoft Office. QuickBooks knowledge preferred. This is not a licensed PA real estate sales position. Competitive salary based on experience. Flexible paid time off. Send your resume here and please include a cover letter for consideration.
http://swra.co/events-category/free-seminars/

Calendar of Events

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Suburban West REALTORS Association
1 Country View Road, Suite 201, Malvern PA 19355
P: 610-560-4800 | F: 610-560-4801
Association of REALTORS School
1 Country View Road, Suite 101, Malvern PA 19355
P: 610-560-4900 | F: 610-560-4801
  Equal Housing Opportunity Realtor
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