Faith LaRosse

I'd written a blog some time back about a really fun exhibit that I'd seen at Pottstown's Community Days. It is called Reflections of World War II. It is a large trailer/vehicle that has been converted into the "Home" of a typical family during WWII; from an old icebox, and nostalgic music on the radio to the exact bedroom with chenille bedspread that my own grandparents had, back in the day! The people that "live" in the exhibit are all dressed in the garb of the day...They are true history lovers and are there to make the experience truly real for you and your family. I wanted to include their calendar of events so during the course of this Summer of high gas prices- you might be able to have some fun during what many families are calling their STAY-CATIONS!

If anyone would like any more information about this unique exhibit; I've included their website below the calendar of events...ENJOY!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

August 2 Sunnybrook Dance, Pottstown, Harry James Orchestra

August 10 Let's Dance Orchestra, Gring's Mill, Reading, 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Aug 16/17 "EAA Chapter 122 Salutes Our Veterans" Waggoners United Methodist Church, Carlisle, Pa.
Free supper for re-enactors on Saturday and Sunday Morning Brunch. Dance on Saturday $8.00 per person $15.00 per couple.

August 16 Ice Cream Social at Lititz Springs Park, Lititz with the Moonlighters' from 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Sept 6 Sunnybrook Dance, Pottstown, Walt Wagner band

Sept 20 Sunnybrook Dance,
Pottstown, The Boilermakers

Sept 27 Community Days at Pottstown Airport, Pottstown 9:00am to 3:00pm

Oct 25 Sunnybrook Dance, Pottstown Halloween Party

Nov 8/9 Troops and Trains, Strasburg MORE INFO TO FOLLOW

Nov 15 Sunnybrook Dance, Pottstown, Swing Fever Dance Band (This is their dinner/dance) MORE TO FOLLOW

Dec 13 Christmas in the Air, Reading Regional Airport, Reading (MORE INFO TO FOLLOW)

http://www.geocities.com/reflectionsofww2/re-enactors.html

Coldwell Banker Hearthside

350 W. Main Street, Collegevile, PA 19426 Office: 610 489-7700

My Cell: 610 996-3195

Flashback three years ago.... if you had a home to sell that was clean and in good condition, you could pretty much bank on it selling pretty quickly. As a matter of fact, in many neighborhoods, buyers had to have the speed of light on their side to get an offer placed in time before that average home was snatched up right before their eyes. Buyers were overlooking the little things that they otherwise might be focusing on in a home and going with the idea that they can make those little fixer-upper changes on their own.

Flashforward (is that a real word--I dunno; not sure on that one!) to 2008... your home must not only be clean and in good condition--it really must be virtually flawless and presented impeccably.

Having an agent that has an excellent staging team on board is extremely helpful in getting homes sold in a challenging market. Some sellers have difficulty getting past the idea that "It's only paint-the new owners will probably want to paint it their colors anyway". This is probably one of the biggest mistakes you can make as a seller. Buyers, as I have mentioned in past blogs, make their decision as to whether they like a house or they don't within a few seconds of entering the front door. It is the initial reaction to what they see AND FEEL. If your living room is painted in bright yellow and they hate yellow--your house already has a huge strike against it. Couldn't they just re-paint? Well, of course they could and it's not even an expensive investment on their part. But, it has created in their mind the feeling that maybe this house isn't right "from the start" and they begin to look at and focus on the negatives instead of the positives in the property. This also holds true with clutter and overcrowded rooms. Sellers have the mind-set, "Well, they're not buying my stuff, they're buying the house". Again, some years ago, the buyers would gladly overlook your "stuff" because they didn't want to take the chance of losing the house of their dreams. Today, the buyer has the ability to be more choosy and a clutter free home just presents that warm and fuzzy feeling that they are looking for...not to mention gives your home a more spacious feeling!

So, if you'd like to sell your house as quickly as possible in this market; your best bet is to take the time to make sure your home "Puts it's Best Foot Forward" so to speak. Here's another favorite saying:

You Only Get One Chance to Make a Great First Impression!

I just got a call the other day regarding my series of posts that I did back in the Fall about the very unique restoration of the Historic Advertising Murals of Pottstown. That call prompted me to send out a call to action for all of you looking for something to do in the Pottstown area as the Spring weather approaches:

Why not stop by the Tri County Chamber of Commerce at 152 High Street in Pottstown; they've got brochures with directions/locations of each and every one of the Advertising murals. If you missed my 5 part series on the Historic Advertising Murals of Pottstown-please visit localism Pottstown and check them out!

While you're in Pottstown, why not stop by one of the excellent sandwich shops (I've been hung up on Angelina's across from the Hill School in the East end-I recommend their specialty the awesome roast beef!) pack yourself a great lunch and head down to Riverfront park and find yourself one of the benches along the river and enjoy! Riverfront park has also added a pavillion for "picnicing" (or is it picnicking?) at the southern end of the trail at Hanover St. If you're more of the adventurous type, bring along your bike and do the Mural Tour on bikes then pedal on down to Angelina's, pick up lunch and ride down to the bike path by the river or venture even farther on the Thun Trail into Berks County.

This area is not only rich historically, but there are many "hidden views" that you may not even realize are there! Shhh...don't tell anyone and you can have them all to yourself! Break out the bike, camera and picnic basket and head to Pottstown!