Pike & Wayne County PA Real Estate

I'm Sorry, I Thought Your Home Was FOR SALE

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:48:49 -0600

OR, How NOT To Sell Your Home

Everyone says it’s a tough market. I guess it is - but it seems a lot of sellers out there don’t realize that.

When trying to sell a home in a market with a huge inventory (read: buyers have LOTS to choose from) it behooves a savvy seller to make the home available and attractive to potential buyers, if indeed, selling is the ultimate goal.

Listings requiring 24 hour notice, requiring that the seller or seller’s agent be present, or that are clutter-full bastions of filth and disarray will be much more difficult to sell than homes that are easy to show, and easy to walk through.

Tried to set up a showing the other day for a home that had 24 hour notice required. I called ahead, and was told that no, I couldn’t show the house to my buyers on the desired afternoon. The sellers were not going to be home.

I was asked: Why not bring my buyers back later that evening, or one night during the week? Oh, don’t think about next weekend, as that’s out too. Oh, the buyers are from out of the area? Well, they don’t have to travel too far, an hour and a half is no big deal…tell them to come during the week, and to look at the pictures on the MLS instead.

Huh? Are you seriously trying to sell this house? Are you aware that it’s not really a seller’s market anymore?

Or how about this - “Just look beyond the clutter, it’s a nice house.”

It is? Sorry, but we didn’t SEE the house, just piles and piles of trash that would fill up two 30 yard dumpsters.

Let us know when you’re serious about selling, and we’ll talk.

Are You Really Trying To Sell Your Home?

Or Are You Just Playing "House For Sale?"

Photo Credit: Andrew_J_W, via Flickr
Creative Commons

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Do you have a home in Pike or Wayne County PA to sell? Email me and learn about my innovative marketing plan which will be personalized specifically for your home. Are you interested in Pike or Wayne County PA homes for sale? Visit my real estate website to see all the property for sale in Hawley, Honesdale, Greentown, Lackawaxen, Hamlin, Lake Ariel, and the entire Lake Wallenpaupack region of Northeast PA's Pocono Mountains. Registration is NOT required to search the Pike/Wayne MLS. You may create an account to save your searches and keep track of your favorite listings.

WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Paupack Group Independently Owned and Operated

Karen E. Rice is a real estate agent working in Pike & Wayne County of Northeastern PA in the Poconos. Lake Wallenpaupack is one of Pennsylvania's most popular destinations for vacations, retirement, and purchasing a home.

The Hideout Has A Hideaway for You!

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:35:00 -0600

Affordable Hideout Home For Sale - Lake Ariel PA - $139,900

One of the most common requests I have for home searches is "single level" or "ranch" homes. The second request is for homes that are less than $150,000.

I can fill them both right here in one convenient location!

This home is perfect as a starter home...or a weekender home....or a "downsizing empty-nester" home. Much of the updating has already been completed: the carpets are like new, the kitchen has newer countertops and ceramic tile flooring (along with the dining area), and the interior is warm and friendly with a buttercream yellow color scheme.

The cathedral ceilings give this ranch home the character of a chalet, and genuine feeling of airy openness, which is often lost in typical small ranch style homes. The living room is defined by the brick fireplace (wood burning) and larger windows to let in lots of Wayne County sunlight!

By far, the most charming aspect of this rancher is the completely remodeled bathroom. The ceramic tile floor has an art-deco flair with midnight blue diamond-shaped tiles interspersed with the gleaming white ones. This bathroom does pack a decorative punch!

Rounding out the package are the enclosed sun porch overlooking the woodsy back yard, and the attached one car garage. The coolest part about the garage is the storage loft - hey, if this were my house, that storage loft would be my kids' clubhouse! They would LOVE playing there....but, well, it probably is better served as an AWESOME storage area!

CLICK TO SEARCH FOR MORE HIDEOUT HOMES

View the Virtual Tour (don't forget to look at More Pictures at the end!)

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Do you have a home in Pike or Wayne County PA to sell? Email me and learn about my innovative marketing plan which will be personalized specifically for your home. Are you interested in Pike or Wayne County PA homes for sale? Visit my real estate website to see all the property for sale in Hawley, Honesdale, Greentown, Lackawaxen, Hamlin, Lake Ariel, and the entire Lake Wallenpaupack region of Northeast PA's Pocono Mountains. Registration is NOT required to search the Pike/Wayne MLS. You may create an account to save your searches and keep track of your favorite listings.

WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Paupack Group Independently Owned and Operated

Karen E. Rice is a real estate agent working in Pike & Wayne County of Northeastern PA in the Poconos. The Hideout in Lake Ariel (Wayne County) is one of northeast Pennsylvania's more popular home owner communities for vacations, retirement, and purchasing a home. Read More on The Hideout here.

The Hideout, Lake Ariel PA

DO YOU CRY?

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:18:40 -0600

DO YOU CRY...

When you see Veterans, both young and strong and old and feeble, marching behind the colors?

When you see them stand at attention, saluting our flag?

When you hear the National Anthem, It's A Grand Old Flag, God Bless America?

How about when you hear the Military Branch Songs...

ARMY!

"Over hill, over dale, as we hit the dusty trail...."

NAVY!

"Anchors aweigh, my boys, anchors aweigh..."

MARINES!

"From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Triploi....."

AIR FORCE!

"Off we go, into the wild blue yonder, flying high into the sun...."

COAST GUARD!

"Here's the Coast Guard Marching Song, we sing on land or sea...."

I do.

Tonight was the Veterans Day program for my son's school, the Wallenpaupack North Intermediate School. My heart was bursting with patriotic emotion - pride for the veterans who attended, sorrow for the ones who could not, because they were killed in the line of duty, or have been a POW.

You could hear nothing but the rhythmic steps of the Veterans as they marched together into the gymnasium. You could hear a pin drop as they placed a ceremonial wreath before us, to honor those who have fallen. I could not keep the tears from escaping as the mournful sound of Taps echoed throughout the room.

I could not sing with the audience as we ended the program with God Bless America - but my heart was singing:

GOD BLESS OUR VETERANS.

Thank you for all you have done, for all you have sacrificed, for all you are doing. You are loved and appreciated.

Vietnam Memorial Photo courtesy of hookbrother, Child with Flag courtesy of Jeff Turner, via Flickr Creative Commons.

What's Your Backup Blog Plan?

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 03:03:14 -0600

Remember the featured post from Benjamin Clark last week, "Why Would Anyone Leave Active Rain for Another Blog?"

Many people commented, stating that they were loyal to Active Rain (as am I) and had no interest in creating "another blog."

While I am totally an Active Rain loyalist - I left my first office because the broker told me to quit Active Rain or leave the brokerage - I can see the value in having another blog, even if it's only as a back up plan...especially after the AR outage today.

Like everyone else, I was thrilled to finally log in tonight, and I read A Day Without Rain with about 9,000 other eager 'Rainers, one sentence made me go ..."ooooo, never thought of that..."

Jorgen said: "The fact that it happened on a Sunday without any data loss is a very thin silver lining on this black cloud."

Oh my...what would happen if all of your blogs were gone? Do you have a back up plan? This is why I post on an outside, non-Active Rain blog as well.

So even though I missed the 'Rain today, and I was aggravated that I couldn't post and read and comment like I had planned to - I still have my other blog that is active, alive, and also has good google juice and SEO. So if AR goes down in a really bad way, all of my hard work doesn't have to go down with it.

As many people stated on Benjamin's blog, it is not a good idea to put all of your eggs into only one basket. So if you have a blog elsewhere and don't see a need for Active Rain, think again - what if your non-AR blog goes down? What is your back up plan?

I am not complaining about AR here, this is NOT a slam on AR for this disaster today - this is a call to action to make sure your bases are covered SHOULD the unthinkable happen and the next time, the blogs are lost.

AR is a terrific community, I appreciate and admire the hard work that goes into creating this network free of charge. I just need to know that I've got an ace up my sleeve should something go terribly wrong.

Photo Credit Miss Rogue on Flickr/Creative Commons

Lake Wallenpaupack Snow Survival Tips!

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:52:00 -0500

Monday night, another mom called to ask me if I had heard that the pending field trip to Harrisburg for Tuesday was cancelled...because of snow.

"SNOW?" I bellowed. Softening a bit, I recalled an October day 5 years ago, when we received a dusting of snow. My kids were ecstatic and got the sleds out - but after only two runs down the slope the snow was gone. I came back to the present.

"I doubt they'll cancel it," I said. "How much snow could we get?"

6:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 28. I peeked out the window - whoa - what's this? The ground is covered. I had a sick feeling in my stomach; my son was going to be devastated that yet another field trip will be canceled due to weather.

I turned on the TV and watched in surprise as the school closings scrolled by. I snorted when I saw "Wallenpaupack Area School District - CLOSED TODAY."

Marveling at how quick the schools are to close these days, I was ready to wander down memory lane - remember walking 3 miles uphill both ways in blizzards to get to school? - when my reverie was interrupted by a snapping sound - and the TV went off. Then it came back on - but then it went off again, for good. Along with the lights. Hmmmm.

We were not prepared. The kids had no snow boots yet - I thought I had till at least Halloween before I had to think about snow stuff. We had no bottled water, but we did have flashlights, a kerosene heater, and some oil lamps.

By late morning, I bravely ventured out to Wal*Mart with the kids. Soon, the hubby called to say the power was restored, but I bought some bottled water anyway...along with boots and snow pants. We got some popcorn and movies from Blockbuster.

After a supper of hot tomato soup, we decided not to watch a movie - the power flickered again. I lit the oil lamp, and we got out the Sorry! game. We finished out the evening munching on chips and saying "Sooooorrrry!" without really meaning it.

WINTER IN THE POCONOS - Be Prepared in Case of A Power Outage!

I LOVE my gas range/oven. I can light the burners with a match.
Have a kerosene heater or some other heating device not dependent upon electricity. Some pellet, coal, and wood burning stoves may rely on blowers to radiate heat - which means they rely on electricity.
Have a supply of bottled water on hand.
When a winter storm is predicted, fill your tub with water for flushing toilets.
Oil lamps, flashlights, and batteries are a no-brainer.
Oh yeah, buy your kids their snow-pants and boots before Halloween.

Last November, I created a slide show after an overnight snowstorm transformed our area from autumn to winter with a lovely, soft, white blanket of snow. I thought I'd share it again - enjoy!

CLICK HERE - OVERNIGHT "SNOW"-SATION

This was another Wild Card Wednesday post.


WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Paupack Group Independently Owned and Operated

Karen E. Rice is a real estate agent working in Pike & Wayne County of Northeastern PA in the Pocono Mountains. Lake Wallenpaupack is one of Pennsylvania's most popular destinations for vacations, retirement, and purchasing a home.

Lake Wallenpaupack

Scranton PA Toilet Lawsuit: $19,000 Flushed Away!

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:29:19 -0500

Scranton PA: Woman Gets Arrested for Cursing at Her Toilet & Wins a $19,000 Settlement

It’s been a while since I wrote a Wild Card Wednesday blog. Unfortunately, today is Thursday, but this blog fits the category so well, I’m going to put it in there anyway.

I prefer to stay on the subject of real estate in Pike and Wayne County, but sometimes you have to deviate from the norm. Since many residents of northeast PA head to Scranton often (myself included) I thought this would be interesting to my readers.

Indeed, NEPA (as Northeast PA is known) is an interesting and fascinating place.

A while ago, Scranton PA made the news because a woman was arrested for cursing out her own toilet as it overflowed, spreading gross liquid across her bathroom floor and into her kitchen.

Her windows were open, and her neighbors heard her use some unsavory language - and called the police.

That in itself is silly. I do not generally say “bad words.” I don’t like movies riddled with foul language. My dad had a pretty rough mouth. But it never occurred to me to call the cops on a potty mouth.

The next part - the cops arrested her for disorderly conduct. (remember she was inside her own home.) Wow. This is what the citizens of Scranton pay taxes for?

The story doesn’t end there - the ACLU got involved and this lady successfully sued the city of Scranton and won a $19,000 settlement.

Scranton is a hurting city - it made the Forbes list of America’s Fastest Dying Cities. And now, because of something so STUPID, they have to shell out nearly $20,000. More taxpayer dollars, literally flushed down the toilet.

What's concerning me about this, however, is that some people commenting on a local message board are upset over this lady winning a "frivolous lawsuit." I for one am upset that she was arrested over this in the first place.

Read the story from WNEP.com here.


WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Paupack Group Independently Owned and Operated

Pest Control: Tuesday Real Estate Tip

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:57:42 -0500

Mice are such cute little creatures, when they are in a cage, running on their wheel or curled up into a warm, fuzzy ball, asleep in a pile of fluff.

But when they boldly stroll through your kitchen, uninvited and unwanted, brazenly swiping kibble from the dog’s food bowl, and hiding behind the refrigerator, they are no longer cute. They are a menace, they are a nuisance, and they need to be exterminated.

For years, my husband and I purchased those cheap little Victor Mouse Traps, and after scaring the dog by snapping it a few times, we’d smear some peanut butter on the little lever and after a day or two, all of the invaders would be taken care of. We usually had only a few mice in the spring and again in the fall.

This year though, is different. Perhaps due to the foundation repair my husband has been doing, or perhaps because they feel the burden of the collapsed economy, the mice have been relentless.

“ENOUGH,” I cried, after screaming my head off when one little beady eyed creature came about six inches from my foot, and just stared at me.

A quick phone call to Rich at Pocono Pest (570-226-9481 ) brought him and his partner John to the house, and they started spraying for ALL sorts of pests - including these invading rodents. The guarantee is for a year - and it was under $300. No more traps, no more peanut butter, no more bullying mice stealing my dog’s food.

If you have a pest problem - whether it’s recurring fleas (they are nasty and the bombs DO NOT WORK!), mice, hornets and wasps, cockroaches, ants - anything uninvited, basically - why not save yourself the hassle of trying to deal with it yourself?

Calling an exterminator like Pocono Pest can save you lots of headaches, and lots of wasted money. Pocono Pest (RLO Enterprises) covers all of Pike and Wayne County. They are reliable, effective, and affordable. I have personally recommended Pocono Pest for years, and will continue to do so…I first became a customer years ago when the house we purchased was infested with fleas. Haven’t had a flea in my house for over a decade.

Sellers, buyers do not want to buy homes where there is evidence of mice, ants, or other pests. In today’s market, buyers can be as picky as they like. Don’t let something so easily solved hinder the sale of your home.

See other Tuesday Real Estate Tips here.


WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Paupack Group Independently Owned and Operated

Fawn Lake Forest Open Houses

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:29:32 -0500

(This was originally posted on PikeWaynePABlog.com)

This weekend, October 25, 2008, Weichert Realtors Paupack Group will be hosting several Open Houses in Fawn Lake Forest. If you've been thinking about selling your home, and would like to put it on the market, please contact me for a price evaluation and to learn about my unique marketing plan.

The Fawn Lake home that I originally had planned to hold open has a contract pending, so I'm looking for a new home to market and put on display!

It's not too late to get in on the action - I'd love to talk with you and tell you about what Weichert and I will do for you.

Thanks for the Offer....But...

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 18:37:13 -0500

Mr. & Mrs. Buyer, I am very pleased that you have picked my client's home out of all the other choices available in the county. It truly is a nice piece of property.

However, after speaking with my seller, they've asked me to tell you that we just can't accept an offer that is more than $100,000 below asking price. Just can't do it...this home is not listed at a grossly inflated price. The sellers are certainly willing to negotiate, but not like this.

I know the market is not the best right now, the economy is, well...it is what it is. But my clients aren't that desperate.

They do want to sell, but not at any cost.

The housing market here in Wayne and Pike County is considerably slower than it was last year - all of the real estate offices have seen their sales volume go down. Some buyers see this as an opportunity to "lowball."

But, there are lowball offerss, and there are lowball offers. Trying to get a good price is one thing...

Sellers ARE willing to negotiate. Many sellers may be more flexible now than they were in the past. But that doesn't mean that buyers should expect to get homes for pennies on the dollar.

Here are a few tips for buyers:

Research the market before making an offer. Ask your agent for recent sold comparables to help guage the value of the home you are going to buy against other recently sold properties.
Check the tax records and look for the sale history. Chances are, unless there is a serious defect in the home, the seller probably isn't going to sell his home for less than he paid for it. Of course there is always that possibility, but except for special circumstances, this is unlikely.
Only look at houses you can seriously afford to buy. Don't get your heart set on something that is waaaay out of your price range, with the hopes of making the deal of the century. If you only have $150,000 to spend, then don't look at homes that are nearly twice that price.

Marketing a Home For Sale: Get Back To Basics

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 07:32:32 -0500

I belong to a message board for real estate agents. Occasionaly, new users sign up and ask for "new" marketing ideas. With the real estate market being as slow as it is, I can understand that.

First thing I suggested was to re-evaluate the price and make sure it matches the market. If the price is lowered then it could automatically alert those who have been looking for a home in a lower price range.

I offered some feedback on this person's website (i.e., I couldn't find any listings without having to register.)

She did remove the registration requirement but then said "I really wanted some different ideas besides the website, MLS, brochures, etc."

But buyers are looking online...more than 80% of buyers are conducting their home search online. Shouldn't that be our main focus?

I revisited her website to see her listings. Hmm.

Most of her listings had five pictures or less
Some of the pictures were very small
Most pictures were poorly exposed

My opinion: rather than look for new gimmicks to market your listing, why not go back to basics and take better pictures?

Buyers have told me, time and time again, that if they don't like the pictures online, they are going to ignore the listing.

Buyers who bought homes I had listed for sale told me that the pictures were what sold them, before they even saw the house in person.

This Wallenpaupack Lake Estates home on the right is a perfect example. It sat on the market for 18 months when the seller contacted me and asked me to list it.

The two previous agents had taken a few uninspiring pictures of this unique contemporary home...one listing had six pictures; the other had seven pictures and a tax map.

There was nothing in the listing or the pictures to say to buyers "I'm unique, I'm interesting...buy me!"

In a community dominated by chalet homes and typical raised ranches, this home stood out and was unusual. But the pictures didn't show that at all.

My marketing plan for this house included more than 20 pictures, showing different angles from outside as well as two or three photos per room.

The buyers told me "We fell in love with the pictures you took of this house. We were calling it 'our house' before we even made an appointment to see it. When we visited the house, it was just as we expected."

Folks, the pictures are the most important part of your listing next to price*. Especially when the market is oversaturated with homes for sale - your home needs to stand out from the crowd in many ways.

*Nothing will sell an overpriced listing - even if Ansel Adams did the photography.

Pike County Home For Sale in Wild Acres

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:40:38 -0500

Wild Acres, located in Dingmans Ferry, is one of the larger homeowner developments / associations in Pike County and has a variety of homes for sale.

For families, there are several appealing amenities: outdoor swimming pools, several lakes for fishing and (non-motor) boating, playgrounds, tennis courts, basketball courts, etc.

Wild Acres has miles of beautiful paved roads, and is accessed only though the security gate. Security patrols are on duty to ensure that speed limits are obeyed and to ensure the general safety and well being of the residents.

The area surrounding Wild Acres is beautiful: it is near the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Childs Park Waterfalls (a breathtakingly beautiful way to spend an afternoon!), nearby historic Milford PA, and thousands of acres of state forest is also nearby.

In addition, Wild Acres is close to the Dingmans Bridge, making it accessible for commuters who work in New Jersey or who want to take advantage of the NJ Transit system (Port Jervis or Dover) to NYC.

Homes for sale in Wild Acres cover a broad range, from under $110,000 to over $400,000 for a new 2000+ square foot home. 31 homes have sold so far in 2008 in Wild Acres, ranging in price from $40,000 for an investment property to $263,000. The average sale price, overall, was around $153,000.

Wild Acres homes are in the Delaware Valley School District. Visit the official Wild Acres website for more information on this community in Dingmans Ferry, PA.

This home for sale is on Mountain Lake Drive (see flyer here) is within walking distance of the lake, boat launch area, pool, playground, and tennis court. It has seasonal lake views, too!

Roomy and spacious, it is perfect for a growing family or for those who simply want more room! The finished lower level is perfect for a family room, 4th bedroom, or any way you'd like to use it! The living room is large. The carport can double as a shady party spot in the summer!

Overall, this is a terrific home - with a little bit of help (front porch needs repair, and it needs a deck in the back) it could be just what you're looking for! View the virtual tour below - and contact me if you have any questions.


WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Paupack Group Independently Owned and Operated

Karen E. Rice is a real estate agent working in Pike & Wayne County of Northeastern PA in the Pocono Mountains.

Wild Acres Home for Sale in Dingmans Ferry, Pike County PA © 2008 by Karen E. Rice. All rights reserved. Originally published by the author on PikeWaynePABlog.com - "Wild Acres Home for Sale, Dingmands Ferry, Pike County PA"

Good Faith Estimates -- Knowing the basics - A must read !!!

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 07:18:52 -0500

This is a must read from mortgage expert Jeff Belonger. I recently closed a deal where the other REALTOR and I dropped our jaws at the fees the lender charged the buyers.

I was not the agent for the buyers so I do not know if they knew ahead of time about the $3,000 + fee, but it made me realize that I need to caution my buyers when they are choosing a mortgage professional - GET THE GOOD FAITH ESTIMATE & SHOP AROUND!

Thank you Jeff for allowing others to re-blog your excellent post.

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Via Jeff Belonger -- The FHA Expert.com -- FHA Loans -- FHA mortgages -- Mortgages :

Good Faith Estimates -- Such an extremely vital part when shopping for a mortgage. Yes, rate is some what important, but seems to be the primary focus so many times. Not to sound rude or out of character, but a monkey can quote a rate. And I am dead serious about this.

For any of you in the process of buying a home or refinancing your current mortgage, this is a must read.

I have been in the mortgage industry for over 16 years and this subject has to be my biggest pet peeve out there. I have written about this a few times, which you can read below.

You didn't get a good faith estimate?

Understanding what a good faith estimate is

APR vs mortgage interest rate

Basic information to look for when shopping for a good faith estimate.........

Only compare the lenders fees, which are located on lines 800 to 820.

Do not compare good faith estimates and the truth-in-lending disclosure (TIL) that shows the APR. It's very easy to manipulate the APR. Lenders can leave out certain fees.

Beware of what property taxes the loan officer uses for properties that you are looking at. And make sure that they escrow the correct amount on your good faith estimate, which is on lines 1003 & 1004.

Here is my biggest pet peeve !!!!! You should be given a good faith estimate once your loan officer qualifies you. When your loan officer pulls your credit, takes down your income information, and is able to come back to you with a purchase price, with rate and payment, you are now qualified. If this is the case, they should be able to give you a good faith estimate (GFE) right there and then. Okay, so you called them up. Most of us have e-mail and that loan officer should be able to e-mail you a copy. It doesn't take no longer than 24 hours, no matter how busy they are. Don't allow them to use this as an excuse. And if it takes them 2 days to get you a GFE? Don't even use their services, no matter what. Not unless they tell you when you will be getting one. Things do happen. But the key thing to remember is if you are qualified to buy a property or to refinance, then you should get one within a half hour. People, your information is already in the system. That is the only way to qualify you. Then next step is just to e-mail it to you. That SIMPLE....

One last major point..... as Lenn Harley mentioned in a comment, you need to obtain all the good faith estimates on the same day. Just one day could make a huge difference. Especially in taoday's market, with rates changing drastically within 24 to 48 hours at times. You just don't want to shop yourself out of the market.

2 quick stories.......

-- I have a client right now that is looking to buy a home in Maryland. They first went to Countrywide and was pre-qualified for a home of $250,000. I asked them what payment that they didn't want to go over and they said $2,000 a month. I also asked them what the taxes were on the properties that they were looking at in that range. They said $3,400 to $4,200, so I bumped it up $100 extra per year.

They found me online from a few of my blogs. I work in New Jersey and don't know their area well, but I know what questions to ask, as you can see above. The other lender? She is using taxes of $2,400 a year. I was even shown the GFE. OUCH. You know what, these buyers qualify very easily. But in my worst case scenario, the payment difference is going to be by $150 a month. And you know what, most of the taxes are about $4,100/month. And this lender is local.... There are a few points in this story. A very good loan officer doesn't have to be local. And a very good loan officer needs to ask the right questions, besides knowing how to qualify.

-- 2nd story.... I met a couple two days ago who settled on their home a year ago. It was even a referral from a friend. This loan officer had them bring $2,500 more to settlement, the day of settlement. This is a totally different pet peeve and different subject, which I will write about later. But word to the wise, this is called bait and switch. If your loan officer changes your rate and or costs at the very end, typically the day before or the day of, don't sign the papers if there is a huge difference. Don't let anyone force you to sign, even a lawyer. The only thing that you could lose at that moment is your deposit. But let me tell you something, if you have the right documents, you can take them to court and win in most courses. This is if they won't come back down to what was originally offered. Why can I say this? If anything is ever changed prior to settlement, the lender is suppose to get you to sign a new good faith estimate.

Overall.... choose your mortgage professional wisely and not just based on a great good faith estimate.

FYI....... If a loan officer doesn't volunteer a good faith estimate right when they qualify you for a mortgage... or it takes longer than 24 hours.... then the loan officer in most cases does't wamt you to see their good faith estimate. It's sad to say, but usually so true. Don't let anyone tell you differently. They don't want you to compare apples to apples. And in all honesty, why should you give them the benefit of the doubt or even consideration still... no matter how nice they sound. It could cost you money in the long run.

- FHA Loans - Conventional Loans - VA Loans -

Experience & Knowledge at its BEST !!!

____________________________________________________________________________________

For more information on FHA loans, please go to this link. The FHA Expert

For more information on how you can obtain your dream home, please click here : Mortgage Financing Options

For important mortgage insight to watch for, please read : Consumers need to be aware of these Red Flags !!!!!

Copyright © 2008 by Jeff Belonger

Pike & Wayne County: Cheap Houses?

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 20:36:02 -0500

Yes, Virginia... There Are Cheap Houses in Pike & Wayne County PA....

BUT.... "How much work does it need?" That's one of the first questions asked when considering cheap homes for sale. Some are surprised at the home prices - even for fixer-uppers- in the Lake Wallenpaupack region of Pike and Wayne County.

Why home values are the way they are:

Pike County is the fastest growing county in the Northeast U.S. (not just PA.) Supply & demand at work.
Lake Wallenpaupack is a major attraction & is the largest powerboat lake in Northeast PA. It is the 3rd largest man made lake in the state (maybe the 2nd largest - more about the controversy here.)
The Poconos offers year round recreation.
Something for everyone: golfing, skiing, boating, hunting, hiking, fishing, camping, museums, great restaurants, waterfront homes, rivers, lakes, woods, waterfalls...you get the idea.
Close to major metro areas; convenient location for commuters.
Lower real estate taxes than New York & New Jersey.
Good school districts (list of schools.)

In a nutshell, there's a lot to love. Even though we're in the mountains and many areas are rural, you'll find the expected modern conveniences: indoor plumbing, electricity (okay, ignore my sarcasm! ) High speed internet and cable TV is available in most areas. Ample health care and shopping is within a 20 to 45 minute radius of Lake Wallenpaupack.

Folks looking for a 2nd home in Pike or Wayne County don't want to spend "too much." They want something "cheap." Doesn't everyone?

"Cheap" is subjective; what's cheap to you may not be cheap to someone else. I define a cheap home as "low priced compared to similar or neighboring homes."

"How much work does it need?" is also quite subjective. To some, "a little fixing up" means applying a fresh coat of paint. To others, it means new carpets, new fixtures, and replacing paneling with drywall.

Everyone has a different perspective.

My husband and I bought a doozy of a fixer-upper 13 years ago, for one reason and one reason only: it was the cheapest home available in an area we wanted.

It had a working roof, furnace, and bathroom. The windows kept out drafts and let in the sun. The house was cheap.

We looked beyond the ugly burnt orange carpeting. The house was cheap.

We looked beyond the hideous purple & black 1950's bathroom tiles. The house was cheap.

We ignored the paneled walls and ceilings. The house was cheap. You may have to decide what you want vs. what you need. Everyone wants a cheap house - but homes are priced according to market value.

Homes that need work are priced at the lower end of the market; those needing less work are priced higher. Typically, the lower the price, the more work is needed.

Either you want a cheap home, or you want a home that doesn't need much work. It's rare to get both in one fell swoop. Unfortunately, watching HGTV for insights into real estate is like reading Harlequin romances for insights into love & marriage. The two have very little connection to the real world.


WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Paupack Group Independently Owned and Operated

Wallenpaupack Lake Estates - More Open Houses!

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:06:13 -0500

I just finished creating this real estate show for this Saturday's "Fall Festival" of Open Houses at Wallenpaupack Lake Estates.

Stop by and see us (12-4pm) - we've got some new listings since our July Open House Extravaganza. I'll be the host at 5 Beaver Lake Drive - a brand new, lakeview chalet!

Here's a map in case you don't know how to get to WLE - someone will meet you at the West Gate (corner of Lakeland Dr. and Goose Pond Road) to give you directions and a map. Hope to see you there!

View Larger Map

Masthope Home For Sale: CHEAP!

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:52:18 -0500

Maybe you've wanted a nice cabin, that is NOT a total dump, er, handyman special, and you don't want to spend much more than $100,000. Sometimes it seems impossible here in this part of Pike County, especially in Masthope where brand new homes are being built left and right, starting in the low $200,000 and going upward. Even most existing Masthope homes that are in great shape are starting around $140,000 and above.

HAVE I GOT A SURPRISE FOR YOU!

This weekender cottage is perfect for vacations (or actually, it will make a terrific starter home, too!). It has two decent size bedrooms and a full bath - and a nice open floor plan, making the home spacious and comfortable, rather than tiny and tight!

It's in great shape, just needs some updating. It's bright and clean (even though it has paneling - the large windows let in lots of Pocono sunshine!)

It's conveniently located very close to Masthope's ski mountain, Big Bear, AND the pool, so you can enjoy of all the Masthope amenities with little effort!

If you've been a regular reader of my blog you know I love screened porches, and this cabin has one of those too!

Check out the virtual tour, and then contact me to make an appointment. You won't regret it! This cute little place is just perfect for someone. Could it be YOU?

Click Here for More Info on this Masthope Home for Sale!

MORE INFO ON MASTHOPE HERE.


WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Paupack Group Independently Owned and Operated

Wallenpaupack Lake Estates Chalet: A Shining Star

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 06:11:25 -0500

Bet I know what you're thinking; "Seen one chalet, you've seen them all..."

Nothing could be further from the truth when talking about this super chalet home on Sundew Road in

Wallenpaupack Lake Estates; it's one of a kind!

Sure, some people are a little worried about the steep driveway at first - but it really is all bark and no bite! Two or three times up and down the driveway and you'll be an old pro and wonder what you were concerned about.

Click the picture on the right to view the virtual tour. In the meantime, here's a quick rundown of the fantastic features of this fabulous find!

5 bedrooms
3.5 baths
Open floor plan
Skylights & lots of windows
Large deck
Large screened porch
TWO fireplaces
Lovely views
All the amenities of Wallenpaupack Lake Estates

Because of the nature of the real estate market, prices and listing status often changes. Please contact me for the most up to date price and status of this home.

Dining at the Weichert Buffet!

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 23:30:38 -0500

Judy, the new official Weichert Realtors Paupack Group Office Blogger, shared these photos of Kurt the Dumpster Diving Bear on her FIRST POST yesterday! Yay Judy!

I'd like to invite my friends and readers to wander over to the Paupack Group Blog and say HI. The previous blog posts were written by me, but now it's in Judy's hands - please go and say hello and give her a terrific Active Rain welcome!

Via WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Paupack Group:

Up here in Pike county PA, Kurt the bear has decided to dine regularly at our dumpster. Does anyone have any good deterrents?

We tried a metal bar across the lids, Kurt just ripped the lids up over the bar. Then we put two 2 x 4's under the plastic lids and Kurt jumped on top of the lids until the 2 x 4's splintered like toothpicks! I think he was actually laughing at us!

Fawn Lake Forest Home - Affordable!!!!

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 09:25:25 -0500

If you've been looking for an affordable home in Pike County PA, this house for sale in Fawn Lake Forest is for you! It's one of the nicest homes currently available for less than $120,000!

362 Oak Hill Drive is a gambrel-style chalet home on a level, half-acre lot. It features a good sized front yard, nice back yard, and mature birch and evergreen trees. The driveway is paved and there is plenty of room for parking.

While the large front deck and upstairs balcony (with room for a small table and chairs!) are terrific amenities, my favorite part of this house is the screened porch overlooking the back yard. Screened porches are so practical here in the Poconos - you can enjoy the outdoors in almost any weather during the spring, summer, and fall seasons.

Inside, the living room is comfortable (and imagine a roaring fire in the brick-faced fireplace) - a great place for hot chocolate and a good movie at the end of the day...

There is a good sized dining area off the kitchen; the kitchen and dining area have great potential.

In addition, there is a full bath and bedroom on the main floor; the bonus room at the end of the hall would make a handy laundry area.

Upstairs, there are two HUGE, and I mean HUGE, bedrooms and another full bath. One of the bedrooms has a walk in closet and the other one has the balcony overlooking the front yard.

This home has so much potential - with some cosmetic upgrades, it will be perfect for either a vacation home or even a year round starter home. Enjoy the virtual tour; there are some facts about Fawn Lake Forest below.

Quick Facts

3 Bedrooms
2 Baths
1500 s.f. (approx)
Deck, Balcony, & Screened Porch
Paved Driveway
Taxes: $1,634
Price: $119,900

What about Fawn Lake Forest?

Central water
Paved roads
Security
Beautiful indoor pool
Club house with lounge area, craft area, game room, workout room, banquet hall, etc.
Picnic area overlooking Fawn Lake
Fawn Lake - non-motorboat, great for fishing and relaxing!
Westcolang Lake - allows motorboats, also good for fishing, but also water skiing, jet skis, etc.
Cove Oaks Park - on Westcolang Lake. Features a snack shack, picnic area, beach, playground
New outdoor pool - currently in progress (work has resumed).
Very close to Big Bear Ski Area
Wallenpaupack School District
Abundant wildlife - there's a reason it's called Fawn Lake Forest!

Lake Wallenpaupack: Largest Lake in PA?

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 06:03:09 -0500

Is Lake Wallenpaupack the largest man made lake in PA?

In a word, no, even though you may see it stated as such on local Wallenpaupack real estate websites. Some sites say it's the 2nd largest man made lake in PA, but it's not quite that either.

Lake Wallenpaupack is the 3rd largest man made lake in PA...unless you disqualify the largest lake due to the fact that part of it is shared by Ohio.

Here are some facts:

Pymatuning Reservoir claims to be the largest lake, period, in the Commonwealth of PA...but part of it is also in Ohio.

Constructed in the 1930s (a CCC Project) is 17,088 acres in size. Pymatuning seems to have the market cornered on "the most" - it is the largest State Park in PA, has the most campsites in the PA state camping system, and hosts more visitors than any other state park in PA.

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Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County claims to be the largest man-made lake that is entirely within the Commonwealth. It is 28 snake-like miles long and is made up of 8,300 acres.

It was created in the late 1960s and early 1970s by the US Army Corps of Engineers as a flood control project.

Like Lake Wallenpaupack, Raystown Lake has part of a village beneath its depths. Maximum depth is about 200 feet.

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Lake Wallenpaupack is 5,700 acres, 13 miles long, and has a maximum depth of about 60 feet. As you probably know, PPL (Pennsylvania Power and Light) owns the lake.

The lake was created in the late 1920s into the 1930s as a hydroelectric project. The lake still generates electricity during high energy demand times.

So, Lake Wallenpaupack is not the largest man made lake in PA, and unless you really want to argue details about borders, it's not even the 2nd largest lake in PA.

Oh well...Lake Wallenpaupack can still be the BEST even if it's not the BIGGEST, right? It is the largest lake in northeast PA, and the nicest powerboat lake around.

I'm sure there's a dock with your name on it - call me to claim it today!


WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Paupack Group Independently Owned and Operated

Lake Wallenpaupack

Greeley PA Home For Sale - Gardener's Delight

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 22:32:47 -0500

One reason people come to the Poconos of Northeast PA is "the country." While many homes in Pike and Wayne county are in developments, many buyers want a privately situated home.

This home, tucked in the woods on over 1.5 acres, fits that bill to a "T."

Located in the Wallenpaupack School District, only minutes from Route 6 and 434, it is perfect for commuters! Travel time to the NJ Transit station in Port Jervis NY is only 35 minutes.

This Pike County property has a huge two car garage, and THREE additional garage/shed storage buildings! For some, the true allure of this piece of northeast PA is the beautiful yards (front and back) that beg you to take your shoes off and walk through the velvety grass and forget all your cares... for just a little while.

There is space for a vegetable garden - and fruit already abounds, as evidenced by the grapevines, small berry patch, and plum trees.

There are many more possibilities for landscaping and gardening, making this property a dream come true for those with green thumbs, or who simply enjoy nature at its best.

The large back yard is perfect for a bonfire; plenty of room for a big party or a small intimate gathering of friends and family - it's perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy life just a little bit more...

Inside, the eat in kitchen with tile counters encourages you to consider staying for a home-cooked meal. A cozy and inviting living room, dominated by a stone fireplace with insert and warm wood floors, begs you to sit and rest a while.

The den/office could serve as a 4th bedroom. The full basement offers more storage space and possibilities.

Now is a great time to move to PA & take advantage of the LOWER TAXES ($1,536 yr based on recent documentation) and the PEACEFUL WAY OF LIFE many seek in Pike County PA.

Because of the nature of the real estate market, price and availability is subject to change. Please contact me for the current price and status of this property; or click here to see this property along with my other listings currently for sale on the MLS.

Want to see more listings? Search Pike & Wayne County Homes & Property for Sale Here !

Lakefront Cabin Pecks Pond: Idyllic Comes to Mind

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:24:53 -0500

When I think of this cabin for sale on Pecks Pond in Northeastern PA, I think of one word:

Idyllic. But that one word conjures up even more:

Definition: pleasing or picturesque in natural simplicity.

Synonyms: carefree, pastoral, peaceful, pleasing, rural, rustic, simple, unspoiled.

Perched on a gentle slope, flanked by Pennsylvania woods, and overlooking one of the prettiest parts of Pecks Pond, this rustic state cabin is alluring yet unassuming at the same time.

Native Pennsylvania bluestones make up the walkway leading to the back yard and the patio. Even though there is an entrance on the enclosed porch, the "back door" is the common entry point.

Inside, the country kitchen offers a peek at the lake, and enough room to prepare meals and snacks. While I'm sure you'd be able to make a hearty feast if you wanted, the idea of heading to the cabin means simplifying your life for a while; perhaps eating supper on the porch while watching the sun go down.

The living room has ample space for a dining room table, a wood stove, and plenty of seating. Before the current trend of "surround sound" became a household word, this cabin was wired with built in speakers and a stereo to provide whatever background music the mood dictates.

The enclosed porch offers near-panoramic views of Peck's Pond - pull up a chair, prop open the windows, and treat your senses to the sights, sounds, and fragrances of lakefront property in Pike County. Since the main feature is the pond (pretty good fishing, I'm told...), the porch has some built in trays to enable porch sitters to enjoy a meal or a snack without losing sight of the water.

There are two bedrooms, plus an ample sleeping loft perfect for the kids or those who are still kids at heart. One of the bedrooms has a shower and vanity, powered by an environmentally friendly gravity-fed plumbing system.

This is a state cabin, on leased PA land. It is for sale, but it is only available to PA residents, and must be purchased with cash (no mortgages are possible.) Buyers could take out home equity loans on their existing homes, of course. Like most state cabins, this one features deluxe outdoor plumbing (hey, the privy is not only decorated with warm knotty pine, but it features electricity and heat as well!) and is close to the community well which is maintained and regularly tested by the state.

State cabins are an affordable way to obtain a mountain get-away...how about you start making your hopes for a lakefront cabin reality?