Don Spera, Serving York and Adams County, PA

I Told You So! -

Now more than ever, pricing a listing within reason is a key to your aand our success. This is not to treat anyone elementary, it is to be bold enough to prove to you, our client, the days of the S.W.A.G (Sophisticated Wild Approximated Guess) methodology are no longer valid.

Mr. & Mrs. Seller, we all know you typically will have a sentimental attachment to your home, you put blood, sweat and tears into this home. You designed the home to your taste, you chose items to improve your home to function the way you want them during the time of your ownership. However, value boils down to what the appraiser is going to find as comparable to yours as possible. It will mainly be based on location, square footage and condition. All of the other bells and whistles that you put into the place can and may be thrown out the door for valuation purposes for market value.

Many Sellers have and had a tendency to over improve their homes and are hopeful they will get 100% or more back out when they sell it. This normally will hold true if you increase square footage, but all of the other things will help enhance the saleability when you are up against competition.

Please, listen to your professional Realtor that brings you supportive documentation, as this is what the appraiser is going to be looking at as well. If you do not follow this, then when you do receive a contract and you are listed over and above the market value, then most likely the appraiser is going to cut it down to what the market will bear, and you will have to live or die by that decision.

Be respectable to what the market conditions are and everyone can then move on with their life and diminish the stress levels up front before your expectation levels become non-existent.

As much as we want to tell you Mr. & Mrs. Seller "I Told You So", we restrain from this, trying to give you the benefit of the doubt, not to be critical and unprofessional.

York, PA Festivial of Lights

Sponsored by York County Parks

Christmas Magic is in its 27^th season this year. It began in 1984, the product of the "energy crunch" , when fewer homes were decorating, yet there was still a desire to see Christmas lights locally. In 1984 a small budget allowed for 10,000 lights and props, most produced by the Parks Department. Today, the props are produced commercially and “in-house.” This is the largest program presented by the each year. Over the years since opening, over 612,000 people have passed through the gates.

Christmas Magic is a 0.5 mile long walking trail (accessible to anyone) that meanders through 400,000 Christmas lights, holiday scenes and five enclosed heated pavilions. The spirit of the Holiday is displayed by using animation, displays, Santa Claus, food and G-gauge train display. The trail sits among a mature oak forest nestled on a quiet mountaintop.

In 2009, 400,000 lights will greet Park visitors. Since 2006, LED mini lights and C- 7 bulbs have been introduced to the trail to conserve electric. Each year, additional LED lights are being added to the program. The LED mini lights save about 80% on the wattage while the LED C-7 bulbs save about 33% wattage. Rope lighting and other special lighting will also be used.

For more information on the York, PA Festival of Lights for 2010 and discount coupons, please click here.

I Want to Wait to List My Home Until After the Holiday's

I am sure the majority of us have people right now sitting on the fence not knowing whether to withdraw their home from the market or to list their home from this day forward until after the first of the year.

How are you overcoming this objection? Numerous Sellers don't want people dragging the elements from the outside to the inside and tracking it through the house.

Buyers have a tendency to want to sit back and wait as well, as the time is very hectic and extremely time consuming.

The way I personally see it is that it can be a win win for all concerned.

If a Seller puts their home on the market during this time or keeps it on the market during this time, they will have less competition. If everyone else has that same thought process that I mentioned earlier you home will will be brought to the forefront. Their house will stand out and show very attractively as it will be dressed for the holidays and they can make it much more warm and inviting.

If you are a Buyer, then you will see that the Sellers that do have their homes on the market are much more serious and they won't let the holiday's stop them from marketing their home to the fullest and allow showings as much as possible to accommodate all qualified Buyers.

Don't use the excuse if anyway possible and say that "I Want to Wait to List My Home Until After the Holiday's", as you can lose potential Purchaser's over that time frame.

Do I Really Need a Hold Harmless Agreement?

A Hold Harmless Agreement is where a Buyer and Seller enter into an agreement for the protection of all concerned.

This agreement typically states where one of the parties voluntarily assumes full responsibility for any risks of loss, property damage or personal injury, including death, or loss or damage to a property owned.

This being a written contract, obviously it can be customized for each individual situation.

When a Seller wants to use this agreement, they will typically want to hold over into the property they are selling after settlement, until such time they are able to occupy their next property with a time stipulation. The Seller is still liable for certain things as far as utilities, insurance etc.

When a Buyer wants to use this agreement, they will typically want to occupy the premises with their physical body and/or personal contents prior to settlement. They will usually have all utilities turned over into their name and definitely have an insurance policy in place. They also use this agreement just to do some minor repair or cosmetic work to the property prior to settlement.

This works very well in the cases stated above. I personally would only use this if it is absolutely necessary if all the terms and conditions cannot be satisfied in the negotiating prior to contract ratification. This is normally known up front, but in some cases, it sometimes arises that this may have to be procured due to something holding up the settlement for one reason or another.

So, do I really need a Hold Harmless Agreement? You bettcha, or you are holding yourself out for tremendous liability with no protection.

Be proactive and let it be a win win for all concerned and another happy homeowner is in the books

Did You Winterize Your Vehicle/s Yet?

Don't be left out in the cold, make sure your antifreeze is checked and have enough in the radiator in case Mother Nature really dishes a nasty winter.

Check the tire pressures, as there are different air settings for summer and winter.

Check your battery, as this is the one that will leave you sitting very easily. Carry jumper cables or a portable charger, especially if you service rural areas.

So "Did You Winterize Your Vehicle/s Yet? If not, I think now is the time, because I take what is in the Farmers Almanac cautiously.

It would be nothing worse than getting ready to go on an appointment and your vehicle leave you sitting. It is not only an embarrassment to yourself, but may end up losing you a client or two.

Be proactive, as we do in all aspects of being in the Real Estate Industry, you will be better off for it in the long run.

Do it not only for you, but do it for your loved ones as well.