Your Philadelphia real estate & lifestyle guide

On the Menu: Banana Pudding

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With the holidays right on our heels, it’s time to start planning those awesome desserts that are going to be the talk of the family party. This recipe is fun and delicious, as well as quick and simple and will surely be a hit.

Ingredients:
2 bags Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies
6 to 8 bananas, sliced
2 cups milk
1 (5-ounce) box instant French vanilla pudding
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping
thawed, or equal amount sweetened whipped cream

Directions:
Line the bottom of a 13 X 9 X 2-inch dish with 1 bag of cookies and layer bananas on top.

In a bowl, combine the milk and pudding mix and blend well using a handheld electric mixer. Using another bowl, combine the cream cheese and condensed milk together and mix until smooth. Fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture. Add the cream cheese mixture to the pudding mixture and stir until well blended. Pour the mixture over the cookies and bananas and cover with the remaining cookies. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Check out the original recipe HERE

You Will Need to Sell Your Home Twice

by The Dee Greene Hill Team

A recent post on “The Home Story”, a site published by Fannie Mae, explained the difference between the price a seller may get for their home and the value an appraiser might assign the property.

The Sales Price

Of course, most sellers want to maximize the value they get for the house. However, the price they set might not be reflective of the other comparable homes in the neighborhood. As the article stated:

“People tend to view their homes emotionally, and that can become quickly apparent when they decide to sell.”

That doesn’t mean that the home won’t necessarily sell for that price. A seller can set an asking price and actually have a buyer agree to that price. However, that value may not be necessarily in agreement with what most buyers are willing to pay. For example, one person can view a property, determine it is exactly what they are looking for and well worth the asking price, whereas another person could look at the same property and feel the asking price is too high. Steven Corbin, Director of Valuation in Fannie Mae’s CPM Real Estate division gives an example:

“Someone may have driven by the property countless times, and they really want to live in that house. So in reality they may overbid for that property. This would be a situation where the actions of a specific buyer do not represent the actions of a typical buyer.”

The Appraised Value (or Market Value)

Fannie Mae explains what they look for when appraising the house:

“When a contract is established on a property, an appraised value is determined by a professional real estate appraiser. The appraiser works on the lender’s behalf to determine that value by taking many factors into consideration, including the neighborhood, the value of properties of similar size and construction, and even such things as the type of fixtures on the premises and layout of the floor plan.”

Corbin adds:

“From a lending perspective, a bank would want to know the probable price a typical buyer would offer for the property. That’s what an appraiser would set as the market value.”

The Challenge when Sales Price and Appraisal Value are Different

If the appraiser comes in with a value that is below the agreed upon sales price, the lending institution might not authorize the mortgage for the full amount a buyer would need to complete the transaction. Quicken Loans actually releases a Home Price Perception Index (HPPI) that quantifies the difference between what sellers and appraisers believe regarding value. The HPPI represents the difference between appraisers’ and homeowners’ opinions of home values. Currently, there is approximately a 2% difference between what homeowners believe their home to be worth and what appraisers value that same home. On a $300,000 sale that would be a $6,000 difference. That could be a challenge that might prevent the home sale proceeding to the closing table. Quicken Loans Chief Economist Bob Walters recently commented on this issue:

“The more homeowners are in line with appraisers, the easier it will be to refinance their mortgage and easier for those looking to buy a home. If the two are aligned, it eliminates one of the top stumbling blocks in the mortgage process.”

Bottom Line

Every house on the market has to be sold twice; once to a prospective buyer and then to the bank (through the bank’s appraisal). In a housing market where supply is very low and demand is very high, home values increase rapidly. One major challenge in such a market is the bank appraisal. If prices are jumping, it is difficult for appraisers to find adequate comparable sales (similar houses in the neighborhood that closed recently) to defend the price when performing the appraisal for the bank. With escalating prices, the second sale might be even more difficult than the first.

That is why we suggest that you use an experienced real estate professional to help set your listing price.

On the Menu: Thai Coconut Soup

by The Dee Greene Hill Team

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Winter is right around the corner and this recipe is an excellent way to spice up the season. With its wide array of flavors, this soup is bound to be the perfect addition to a snowy day.

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
1 stalk lemon grass, minced
2 teaspoons red curry paste
4 cups chicken broth
3 tablespoons fish sauce
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
3 (13.5 ounce) cans coconut milk
1/2 pound fresh shiitake mushrooms, sliced
1 pound medium shrimp – peeled and deveined
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice salt to taste
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:
Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook and stir the ginger, lemongrass, and curry paste in the heated oil for 1 minute. Slowly pour the chicken broth over the mixture, stirring continually. Stir in the fish sauce and brown sugar; simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in the coconut milk and mushrooms; cook and stir until the mushrooms are soft, about 5 minutes. Add the shrimp; cook until no longer translucent about 5 minutes. Stir in the lime juice; season with salt; garnish with cilantro.

CHECK OUT THE FULL RECIPE HERE

Home Sweet Home – Simple Home Organizing Solutions

by The Dee Greene Hill Team

When we think of home improvement some of the things that come to our mind is the cost, the contractors and the length of the project. I have 15 simple solutions that will help you organize your home without the cost of contractors and can be done in a couple of hours.

Clothes Closet

Use a variety of organizers to store belts, scarves and other accessories
Use shelves to store sweaters and tee shirts
Store shoes on racks or in shoe boxes

Linen Closet

Fold bed linens sets as a unit
Stack linens by room
Roll your towels to save space

Hall Closet

Use containers to store small items ( flash lights, batteries, chargers)
Use shoe racks to organize shoes that are kept near entrance
Place hats, gloves and scarves in bins or baskets

Kitchen Cabinet Storage

Mount hooks underneath inside shelf to hang cups
Attach an organizer on the inside of a cabinet door to store sponges, rubber gloves, etc.
Use a lazy Susan in an awkward corner to maximize space

Under the bed

Use storage boxes on wheels to utilize space underneath the bed to store linens or seasonal clothes.

Medicine Cabinet

Designate a shelf for items such as hair care, first aid items, skin and body care.
Periodically check the expiration date on all items in medicine cabinet

Janet M. Taylor is a professional organizer, speaker and author with over 20 years of experience helping people get organized.

If you are ready to get your life visit her website at www.janetmtaylor.com

Time to Get Your Home Office Organized

by The Dee Greene Hill Team

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Are you cramped up in your office? Do you see dozens of pens, outdated electronics, and miscellaneous notepads spread out all over the room?

Follow these 5 simple steps to get your home office in tip-top shape at one fell swoop.

1. Tame the Paper Monster
Paperwork systems can easily get out of whack if they are not efficient. Piles can stack up quickly if the documents are not processed in a timely manner. Address this mess by spending time sorting the paperwork into categories such as receipts, action items, forms to file or review, etc. Recycle paper that isn’t needed, and contain everything that needs to be shredded (which can be done later).

2. Contain Pens, Paper Clips & Rubber Bands
Many have too many writing instruments, paper clips and rubber bands scattered all over their office. Instead of starting out by testing which pens work, just gather all of them in one container. Pick out your favorite few and place them in a pen holder on your desk. You can deal with the rest of them later, deciding which to toss, donate, or store. Usable paper clips and rubber bands can be stored in small containers as well.

3. Streamline Your Office Supplies
Sort through your supplies such as staplers, notebooks, staple removers, and other tools to decide how many you need on your desk and in your drawers. With the leftovers, decide whether you want to donate them or store them in a closet to use for back-ups. If business cards you have collected are spread all around the room, get a business card organizer and categorize the ones you want to keep in it.

4. Let Go of Unnecessary Promotional Swag
If you don’t want your office to appear too cluttered, you may have to part with some office swag that is strewn about. Say goodbye to the desk toys, convention handouts, squeeze balls, old cards, and other similar items that aren’t sentimental. This will also give your office a more “adult” sophisticated look.

5. Dust and Disinfect
Finally, it’s time to do the cleaning. You can use a dust cloth, Lysol wipes, dust buster, and air duster (also used to clean computer keyboards) to get all the surfaces squeaky clean.

Finish up by completing any other small tasks that are required to get your office presentable. That’s it!

Enjoy your “new” office space, and make sure to reward yourself for your hard work!

On the Menu: Chicken Cacciatore

by The Dee Greene Hill Team

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Having people over for dinner, but don’t have time for that overly-complicated meal you found in a cookbook? Then try this recipe and impress your friends and family with its deliciousness.

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour for coating
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (4 pound) chicken, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 cup white wine
2 cups fresh mushrooms, quartered
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Combine the flour, salt and pepper in a plastic bag. Shake the chicken pieces in flour until coated. Heat the oil in a large skillet (one that has a cover/lid). Fry the chicken pieces until they are browned on both sides. Remove from skillet.
Add the onion, garlic and bell pepper to the skillet and sauté until the onion is slightly browned. Return the chicken to the skillet and add the tomatoes, oregano and wine.
Cover and simmer for 30 minutes over medium low heat.
Add the mushrooms and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 10 more minutes.

Dee’s Tweaks

Used Perdue SimplySmart lightly breaded chicken cutlets
Seasoned flour and coated frozen chicken cutlets-brown on both sides and remove
Substitute wine for chicken broth. Use about a cup for more sauce
Cook the veggies and add soy sauce and sugar. Cook down for about 20 minutes
Thicken the sauce with cornstarch, then add the chicken back to the pan to simmer for a few minutes
Serve with buttered noodles and garnish with basil

Read the original recipe HERE

Bored with Breakfast?! | JenniferDent.com

by The Dee Greene Hill Team

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It’s time to rethink your traditional breakfast meals.

Banish the bagel.
Oust the oatmeal.
Dismiss the donuts.
Eradicate the boiled egg.
Remove the rice cake.

The average American breakfast is packed with sugar, empty carbs and faux, fruity flavoring. This kind of breakfast can send your blood sugar into a fast downward spiral instead of fueling your body.

In this blog post, I am offering a savory, collection of ten breakfast recipes for you to download. In it, you’ll find some healthier alternatives to the traditional American breakfast, but be prepared to cook. Real food doesn’t come out of a box and “cook” in the microwave in 60 seconds!

Inside you’ll find these delicious recipes:

Kale + Mushroom Frittata
Honey Nut Bars
Wheat Free Pancakes
Berry Bright Chia Pudding
Coconut Flour Biscuits
Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
Clean Green Smoothie
Vegan Blueberry Muffins
Superfood Chocolate Breakfast Bowl
Homemade Breakfast Sausage

I hope you find this mini recipe collection delightful and useful. It will really help you get excited about breakfast again. Drop me a comment and let me know if you plan to make any of these delicious recipes and more importantly, how they tasted!

Bon appétit!

DOWNLOAD RECIPES, HERE

VIEW MORE ABOUT JENNIFER DENT, HEALTH COACH + SUCCESS STYLIST, HERE

On the Menu: Lemon Ricotta Cookies

by The Dee Greene Hill Team

Are you looking for a delicious recipe to add to your Christmas cookie repertoire? These cookies are fresh and delicious and are sure to leave your guests happy and smiling this holiday season.

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Ingredients:

Cookies:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 (15-ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 lemon, zested

Glaze:
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 lemon, zested

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Cookies:

In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In the large bowl combine the butter and the sugar. Using an electric mixer beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating until incorporated. Add the ricotta cheese, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Beat to combine. Stir in the dry ingredients.
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Spoon the dough (about 2 tablespoons for each cookie) onto the baking sheets. Bake for 15 minutes, until slightly golden at the edges. Remove from the oven and let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 20 minutes.

Glaze:

Combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a small bowl and stir until smooth. Spoon about 1/2-teaspoon onto each cookie and use the back of the spoon to gently spread. Let the glaze harden for about 2 hours. Pack the cookies into a decorative container.

Check out the original recipe HERE

On the Menu: Banana Pudding