HUD gives OK to PHFA foreclosure program

HUD gives OK to PHFA foreclosure program

Floodplain remapping affects properties throughout PA

Floodplain remapping affects properties throughout PA

Do Buyers Look At Homes When It Is Zero Outside?

I've had a great week! I showed homes on Monday when it was 13 degrees outside, took a break on Tuesday because of road conditions due to freezing rain, snow and sleet, then was out with the same couple on Wednesday when we had a little warm spell - 23 degrees. Today I was out with a different couple; it was 8 degrees outside. We are going out to look at more homes tomorrow when it is supposed to be zero with way below zero windchill factor.
A lesson to be learned here, my friends. Serious buyers are out looking at homes NOW. Both couples missed seeing some great homes because the driveways weren't plowed, or the driveway was plowed but the walkway wasn't shoveled and the buyers did not want to trudge through snow and ice. Other homes had very brief showings because the home was unheated and the buyers were freezing and wanted to get back to the warmth of the car.
If you are serious about selling your home, you must plow your drive, shovel your walkway, clean off the deck and any steps leading into your home and keep some heat on. The thermostat doesn't have to be set high; most of the vacant heated homes we visited had the heat set at 50 - and it felt warm inside. One home we visited this week was done halfway - it was plowed and shoveled, but the deck wasn't cleared off and I couldn't open the storm door because of the snow and ice build up (despite how much I kicked at it - the snow and ice, not the door!) The buyers didn't get to see that house either.

So let's plow through this winter and get your house sold!

Is Your Home Priced to Sell?

Pricing your home is both an art and a science. Achieving the optimal price is the result both of objective research into comparable properties and a gut feeling about your property and the current market. The right price should attract buyers, allow you to earn the most money possible and help you sell as quickly as possible.


The simple fact is, price is the number one factor that helps homebuyers determine which homes they want to view. And it's important to remember that, although the price is set by you, the value of your home is determined by the buyer. Try to avoid allowing your enthusiasm to impact your better judgement - overpricing is a common mistake that can cost you in the end.

With that in mind, here are some reliable guides to use when pricing your home, all of which come recommended by the Council of Residential Specialists - a select group of REALTORS with significant experience and advanced training in residential sales.

Factors that affect your asking price:

•How quickly you need to sell

•The amount of competition in your price category and area

•The availability, flexibility and affordability of financing

•The sale prices of similar homes sold in your area during the past six months.

Factors that should NOT affect your asking price:

•The original cost of the property; price is determined by today's market

•Any investments you've made in improvements

•The cost to build your home today

•Emotional attachment

•The opinions of friends and neighbors

Problems that can arise from overpricing:

•You might help sell similar homes that are priced lower

•Your home may stay on the market longer

•You could lose market interest and qualified buyers

•You might create a negative impression of the property

•You could lose money by making extra mortgage payments while incurring taxes, insurance and unplanned maintenance costs

•You may have to accept less money

•A ptotential buyer may face appraisal and financing problems as a result of the inflated price

A Certified Residential Specialist like myself can help you price right. With a mix of real world experience and advanced training, a Certified Residential Specialist has the tools necessary to compute the fair market value of your home based on both the marketplace and personal considerations such as your must-sell date. Remember, the right price is the key to a successful sale so price your home accurately the first time.

Winter coat drive

A winter coat drive  for those in need is being held by the Lake Ariel office of CENTURY 21 Select Group. Donations of new or gently worn coats, hats, gloves and scarves can be dropped at their office located at 1226 Hamlin Highway, Lake Ariel. Please call Debbie Kveragas or Rose Sawyer at (570) 698-7845 for more information.

It's a Trifle!

Hello,
That wonderful season of Christmas is upon us once again. Doesn't it seem like we just put away the dishes from Thanksgiving? Maybe you are already busy with the preparations... pulling out old family recipes, getting the decorations out and baking cookies, so I won't keep you. I just wanted to be among the first to wish you and your family the happiest of holidays.

I would like to share with you a recipe for a tradtional holiday English Trifle. Born and raised in England, my mother followed tradition and made a HUGE crystal bowl of English Trifle for our family every Christmas. It was the highlight of our Christmas dinner. Now Mom made homemade custard and homemade cake for her trifle, but I have "Americanized" or "modernized" it for today's busy lifestyle. It is still delicious! Enjoy!

English Trifle (American Version)

1 white or yellow cake mix, prepared as directed on the box
2 large boxes vanilla pudding, prepared as directed on the box
1 or 2 cans of cherry pie filling
1 Container Cool Whip
1 jar Maraschino Cherries
Line a large decorative bowl with cake slices. Put a layer of cherry pie filling over the cake. Add a layer of pudding. Keep alternating layers until the bowl is about an inch from the top (or until you run out!) Cover with a layer of Cool Whip and arrange the maraschino cherries on top. Chill and serve. Yummy!

Selling Your Home During the Holidays

There may be no busier time of the year than the holidays. With all the preparations, decorating, baking, gift buying and wrapping, and holiday parties to attend, many home sellers decide to take their home off the market during the holiday season.


Here are some suggestions for you should you decide to continue marketing your home over the holidays. When it comes to holiday decorations, less is more. Put up your tree, hang a wreath and the stockings and give your home that general holiday glow, but don’t go overboard. You want potential buyers to feel that your home is a warm and welcoming place where they can envision themselves enjoying holidays in the future, but you don’t want so many decorations that your home begins to look smaller than it really is because every nook and cranny has a decoration. Keep it simple, but pretty.


Put out some candy canes or a plate of cookies. Better yet, bake some cookies just before the buyers arrive and leave some on a plate with a note for them to help themselves. Not only will the buyers remember that your home is the one where they got the treats (a real plus if there are children) but they will also remember that your home is the one that smelled so good.


Having your home on the market during the holidays does not mean that you have to let people into your home no matter what. If you are planning a holiday party or having out-of-town guests, simply let your agent know in advance that you need to block out that period of time.



The holidays are a great time to sell your home if you make it available. Everyone is in a celebratory mood, you have less competition and the buyers are serious.