About Dauphin County, PA

Things you should know about Mold in Harrisburg PA: With all the wet weather we had in the summer of 2011, then with the advent of Tropical Storm Lee last September, this "mold" question is popping up more and more. Here are some things to remember about mold.

1. Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposure include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.

2. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.

3. If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.

4. Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.

5. Reduce indoor humidity to 30-60% to decrease mold growth by:

a. Venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside

b. Using air conditioners and dehumidifiers

c. Increasing ventilation

d. Using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning

6. Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.

7. Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles that are moldy may need to be replaced.

8. Prevent condensation: reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces by adding insulation to windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, and floors.

9. In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting – like sinks, or concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation.

10. Mold can be found almost anywhere; it can grow on virtually any substance providing moisture is present. Mold can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.

These are some things you should know about mold. Most importantly it is controllable, if you take a proactive approach.

This wet weather has brought this more to the forefront than in recent years.

Don't let it get the best of your home!

The Trust Factor Is Why I Got My Real Estate License!

What is trust? By definition it is:

reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.

Every day each of us sit in a chair. How many of us actually test that chair, inspect it, look at the legs and the back, making sure it really can support us. We "trust" that it will hold us based on the last experience we had with that chair.

I want to share the story that led me to my desire to get licensed.

I once purchased a home and asked some very specific questions of the seller. The inspection did not reveal any material defects in the area of concern as it was covered up with vinyl siding. The seller commented they were tired of painting and maintaining the wood so they just covered it up with vinyl, the wood was still in perfect condition. I "trusted" them. After settlement, we removed the vinyl and discovered the wood was in very serious disrepair. Squirrels had almost eaten through the roof. My neighbors on both sides came to me and told me that the seller had been aware of the destroyed wood and the listing agent had told them if they covered that wood, they would yield a higher price. I was quite upset to say the least. I contacted my agent who put me in touch with the right people to start mediation, but my husband informed me he wished not to pursue. That repair cost us just over $30,000. I decided at that moment to get my real estate license and ensure there was a real estate agent in the area that people could trust.

I have turned down listings due to the seller not willing to disclose material defects. I have refused to work with buyers that were not honest concerning their employment or wages. It is imperative we have trust when doing business with one another. I believe the basis of trust is honesty. I will not work with clients that I cannot trust and consumers should not expect to have to work with an agent that they do not trust.

Now, it's difficult to achieve 100% trust in any person, we have our weakness and we fail or make mistakes. But it is important you have a basic trust, reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence. Can you be "Trusted"?

This post is a submission to the ActiveRain / Adobe EchoSign Trust Contest. I could possibly win a prize. You can find out about the contest by clicking here

Selling a Home in the Winter in Harrisburg PA - Why Would Anyone Pass up a Great Time to Sell? Why is there such a stigma against selling a home in the cooler months of the year? Sure, it may not be as easy to jump in one’s car and drive over to the next open houses, but if you think about it – there is really no reason why a home couldn’t sell just as easily during the off-peak season as it does in the spring and summer.

One of the most common things we see as Realtors is that homeowners will list their home on the market – and given the state of our market lately – if selling a home within a certain time frame leading up to the winter season does not happen, they proceed to take the property off the market. The general consensus is that there will not as many buyers out there and since the market will be slow, best to wait on selling a home until things pick up again.

This school of thought is contrary to what most real estate agents already know. When you get into the months that end in “er” (September, October, November, December) and onwards, the buyers that are looking are truly serious contenders for the properties that are currently on the market at the time. As a seller, nothing could be better for you when selling a home than knowing whatever offers are coming are solid, quality offers coming from people who have made the effort to seek out the perfect property despite the cooler weather, holidays or lesser inventory.

The single best advantage you will have over others if selling a home during the winter season, is to be able to gain exposure to quality, serious buyers.

Serious Buyers Have Less Homes to Consider

Keep in mind that come early spring when everyone else jumps on the bandwagon and lists their property, there will suddenly be an influx of new listings and equally, if not more, new buyers to go along with it. More competition? Sure. But it also means that you will have a lot more browsers while selling a home, rather than actual prospective buyers.

Fewer Inventory Means Your Home Can Be One of the Better Properties

It goes without saying that the more competition you have, the harder it will be for you to sell a home. When selling a home, if your home is listed during less busy time of the year in terms of real estate, your chances of being a stronger contender are significantly higher. Yours will likely stand out from other properties and you will have the opportunity to have one of the better ones available to buyers looking to close on a deal now.

Market Conditions Are Ripe for Buyers and Buyers Know It

Many potential investors and existing homeowners are seizing the opportunities that present themselves these days when selling a home, given the record low interest rates as well as significantly lower property values. Oftentimes the people seriously looking to buy are either upgrading into a new property or they want a second or subsequent one. These buyers know that the current market conditions will not last forever and they are ready to purchase the right property when it comes along.

Why Not?

Why Would Anyone Pass up a Great Time to Sell? Selling a Home in the Winter in Harrisburg PA? Now, why wouldn’t you want to be among a smaller pool of available top-quality homes? Put your home on the market now– and leave it for sale all winter – and you will very likely sell your home faster than you imagined.

Shopping in Hershey Pennsyvania - I have some great places you can shop in Hershey if you haven't completed your Christmas Shopping yet! You better hurray - it's coming!

GROCERY: Pronio's Market- 236 West Caracas Avenue, Hershey, PA 17033 (717) 533-2869 Pronio's Market is a wonderful Italian Market.

Karn's Foods- 731 Cherry Drive, Hershey, PA (717) 533-6445 Karn's Foods has fresh meats.

Giant Food Stores-several location http://www.giantfoodstores.com. This is the main grocery chain in this area.

PHARMACY: Hershey Pharmacy & Gifts- 731 Cherry Drive, Hershey, PA 17033-2099 (located beside Karn's Foods)

CVS- 130 Hockersville Rd, Hershey

Rite Aid- 337 West Chocolate Avenue, Hershey

OUTLET SHOPPING: A large variety of stores to get your last minute gifts. There's a store for wrapping paper, a Starbuck's and a Subway too.

The Tanger Outlets at Hershey
46 Outlet Square
Hershey PA 17033
work(717) 520-1236 http://www.tangeroutlet.com/hershey