Visitors to Lancaster County, PA are aware of the popular Amish and tourist areas of the eastern part of the county. Less well known is that there is some beautiful countryside up the Susquehanna River in the northwest corner of the county.
One point of interest that shouldn't be missed is the Nissley Vineyards and Winery Estate in Bainbridge, PA. This is an operating vineyard and winery in a particularly scenic setting, with a stone barn and farmhouse surrounded by the rows of grapes clustered on their vines, shielding the estate from any sign of modern civilization.
The grounds are beautiful in the summer. Every Saturday night through the summer, lawn concerts are held. People bring their own picnic baskets, or gourmet sandwiches, wine and food are available from the concessions onsite.
Some folks bring small folding tables, tablecloths and even candelabras as they eat and await the start of the lawn concerts. Programs run the gamut from soft rock to big band to oldies. There is even an area where couples can get up and dance to the music if they wish!
Dancing under the stars to a big band or more modern music is a special experience not to be missed.
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Brian Schulman offers expert real estate representation for buying and selling homes in Lancaster County, PA. To learn more, visit http://www.FindLancasterHomes.com/ |
With the warm weather upon us, the farmland around Veranda in East Hempfield, Lancaster County, PA has come to life...
Historic barns and farmhouses surrounding Veranda, a lovely community, have been preserved and maintained...
Miles of walking trails run through the community. There's also a wonderful square where community events take place throughout the year.
A pond, stocked with fish, supplies a peaceful, traditional way to pass the time on a summer weekend...
©BrianSchulman2009
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Brian Schulman offers expert real estate representation for buying and selling homes in Lancaster County, PA. To learn more, visit http://www.FindLancasterHomes.com/ |
We recently got a call from an upset seller requesting that the lockbox be removed from her listing, which had just gone under agreement for sale. Of course, we did so immediately. But why was she so concerned? Because - someone had put an ad on Craig's List advertising her home for rent!
Potential renters called us requesting information on the ad, and one young woman actually stopped by the house, asking about the rental. This young woman was thoughtful enough to provide our seller with an email she had received when she responded to the Craig's List rental ad. It had awkward syntax (i.e., "Dearest, I am Pastor Joseph Ebo", etc.), reminiscent of the ubiquitous Nigerian email scams.
It appears that with the ballooning number of vacant homes, rip-off artists have taken to advertising homes for rent which they have no ownership in. Innocent tenants have sent money to spoof addresses that look like the landlord's, moved into these vacant homes, and paid rent until they became evicted when the homes were foreclosed or sold at sheriff sale.
If you are selling a vacant property, make sure someone checks regularly that no unauathorized persons are in the home! It might not even be a bad idea to google for rentals in your area, just to make sure there are no unauthorized ads attempting to rent YOUR property.
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Brian Schulman offers expert real estate representation for buying and selling homes in Lancaster County, PA. To learn more, visit http://www.FindLancasterHomes.com/ |
Early Tuesday morning, 300 real estate professionals from the northeast region meet to network and learn from each other in Philadelphia! Held at the headquarters of the Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors, the event was sponsored by GPAR, Trulia, TastyKake, Zillow, Coldwell Banker, Trend MLS, and a number of others. REBarCamp has brought real estate professionals together at different locations across the country.
Morning rush hour at dawn on the Schuylkill Expressway - sitting in traffic...
Orientation. Brad Carroll in the rear is recording the proceedings for the Internet.
Kim Wood Emcees...
Jeff Geoghan
Brian Schulman
Lunch at Penn Treaty Park - where William Penn signed a treaty with the Indians in 1682...
Adrienne Loughery, Audrey June-Forshey, and Anne Marie Malfi
Brian, Audrey & Jeff
The Ben Franklin Bridge in the misty distance behind Penn Treaty Park...
©BrianSchulman2009
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Brian Schulman offers expert real estate representation for buying and selling homes in Lancaster County, PA. To learn more, visit http://www.FindLancasterHomes.com/ |
Interest rates in Lancaster County PA continue to be quite low by historical standards. According to the Lancaster County Association of Realtors, a poll of local lenders as of April 27, the latest figures available, averaged 5.04% for fixed 30-year mortgages, and 4.71% for 15-year loans.
Of course, these low rates reflect a soft market - but if you are in the market for a home anyway, this is an unusually good time to purchase. And for first time buyers, the $8,000 First Time Buyer Tax Credit is still in effect. (Please feel free to contact me for details on this great program.)
For buyers, I think it would be a mistake to wait until interest rates get any better. It's entirely possible that rates are about as low as they are going to become. In addition, it's quite likely that within the next six months to a year, we will start experiencing a reemergence of inflation, due to the incredible level of government spending.
The government doesn't possess the money it's spending. Much of it is being borrowed, and what can't be borrowed is being printed. In the long run, this can only lead to a devaluation of the dollar. Countries like China and Russia are even hinting about going to an alternative currency in the future other than the U.S. dollar, due to the uncertainty that the dollar will remain strong. An alternate global currency would accelerate even more the devaluation of our dollar as there becomes less demand for it.
What's the result of the devaluation of the American dollar? Prices go up, for one thing. But while it may look like our home values are going up, the impression is deceiving. In fact, the increased number of dollars it takes to purchase a house in times of inflation is not the result of increased value - it's the result of needing more dollars of lower value to purchase the same home.
So how does all this relate to interest rates? When lenders make long term loans, they expect to make their capital value back plus a profit. If they expect that the dollars they lend are going to come back to them with less value, they're going to want more dollars back - which manifests itself in higher interest rates.
Bottom line - for the time being, with inflation low due to the soft economy, interest rates are probably pretty close to as low as they're going to get. When the economy starts strengthening, inflation is waiting in the wings - and with it, higher interest rates.
Don't put off a home purchase because you think interest rates may sink even lower. When the economy comes back - as it inevitably will - higher prices and mortgage rates will make today's seem like a bargain.
©BrianSchulman2009
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Brian Schulman offers expert real estate representation for buying and selling homes in Lancaster County, PA. To learn more, visit http://www.FindLancasterHomes.com/ |
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I focus on YOUR goals. I specialize in Residential Sellers, Buyers, SINGLES, SENIORS, Historic Homes, & Investors. My vision is to build lifelong relationships, one person at a time.
Thirty years of experience in Lancaster County PA real estate have confirmed Brian Schulman's long-held conviction that while the regulations for business in general and real estate in particular are constantly changing, certain basics never change: fairness, honesty, full disclosure, and the need for each person to be heard and respected.
Brian's education includes a New York State Regents Scholarship and a Bachelor of Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology. He has pursued further education on a continual basis, acquiring several professional designations along the way, including ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative), GRI (Graduate of the Realtor(R) Institute), ePRO (Certified Internet Marketing Professional), and SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist).
Seniors Real Estate Specialists are Realtors qualified to address the needs of home buyers age 50-plus. The SRES Council awards the SRES Designation to members who have successfully completed its education program. SRES holders have demonstrated the necessary knowledge and expertise to counsel clients age 50-plus through major financial and lifestyle transitions involved in relocating, refinancing, or selling the family home.
Brian's professional career started as a Marketing Engineer with Texaco, Inc. He was promoted to Credit Manager of Western Pennsylvania, and for several years ran a $25 Million per month Division consisting of customers such as major steel producers, national trucking companies, and large road contractors. Brian was chosen as a local spokesman in Texaco's Speakers Bureau, where he spoke about energy policy and answered questions at many clubs and schools.
Eventually, Brian's love of historic homes and South Central Pennsylvania's ambiance and history led him to take up residence in Lancaster County and start a new career restoring architecturally significant houses. From that beginning, his real estate career developed. Brian is well known for his knowledge of historic homes and American architectural styles, and for his advocacy of protecting and preserving them.
Brian has owned, managed and restored some twenty historic buildings in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, including homes in Lancaster, Marietta, Columbia, Elizabethtown and Mount Joy. He saved two of them from condemnation and demolition: an eighteenth-century log and stone home in Marietta, PA, and the Linden House mansion, built in Marietta by lumber magnate Henry Castle in 1805 (see "Historic Marietta").
One of Brian's guiding principles is that we are given two ears and only one mouth for a good reason: so we can listen twice as much as we speak! Brian doesn't dispense one-size-fits-all "canned" solutions - he wants to hear what your individual situation and needs are. Then he'll share information and options that fit your unique goals.
Brian has been a member of the Professional Standards Group, Dispute Resolution System of the Lancaster County Association of Realtors (LCAR), and an Alternate State Director, Pennsylvania Association of Realtors(R).
Among Brian's wide-ranging personal passions are historic architecture and restoration, classic cars, antique toys, vintage musical instruments, cats, and humane society issues. He is president of Red Rose Singles, Inc, a support group for single, separated, divorced and widowed persons. He has been known, on occasion, to get out his guitar and regale his listeners with a respectable rendition of a rock and roll song or a finger-picking blues tune!
Brian's team consists of a small group of experienced professionals dedicated to making your real estate experience a positive, successful and rewarding one. The reputation Brian strives for is to be the best Realtor, working with the best clients, and always caring for his clients' needs. Brian Schulman is committed to building strong, lasting and lifelong relationships, one person at a time.
There are several areas in which I have become a specialist:
Seniors (over 55) - Holding the SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) designation, I understand the unique needs of senior sellers and buyers.
Historic Homes - I love historic homes! I am familiar with many architectural periods and styles and have personally restored several historic homes myself. As someone who appreciates history and fine architecture, I can be a great resource to help you purchase or sensitively market your historic property.
First-time Buyers - You need a reliable resource to help you interpret the information overload, guide you through the Lancaster County home-buying process, reduce your risk, represent your interests, and help you achieve your dream of homeownership.
First-time Sellers - I'll help you navigate the complexities of marketing your home, trading up, trading down, or relocating. My ePRO designation tells you that I'm certified in Internet Marketing.
Expired Listings - My many marketing programs can help sell properties that did not sell previously .
Investment Real Estate - Have you ever thought about an extra income stream to supplement your retirement, or to help put your kids through college? I can help you develop a plan that meets your individual needs and helps you build a real estate income. Income from real estate can have significant advantages over earned income.
"Brian, I just want to thank you for all that you have done for my husband and myself. It has been a real pleasure dealing with you. You have responded to all our questions and concerns with promptness, and have given us great advice. We so appreciate all you have done in helping us to buy and sell our rental property. The whole process went very smoothly, and that was because of your great organizational skills and for so being so detailed about making sure everything was done correctly. If in the future you need any recommendations, we would be more than happy to supply them for you. Please lets continue to remain in contact, because we now consider you a friend." Debbie Freed
"Brian Schulman restored our faith in real estate agents. He's worth his weight in gold!" Jay & Cecilia Risser, Mount Joy
"You were such a help and a blessing! What a great experience I had with you! Your website is the best, Brian. I refer to it all the time!" Lori Randolph, Lancaster
"I was eight months pregnant and wanted to be in a home of my own when I had my baby. Brian Schulman helped us find and purchase our first home so quickly and smoothly that when our son was born, we named him 'Brian'!" Yajaira Almonte & Pedro Maria, Lancaster
"beyond the call of duty..."
"...in my twenty years of real estate investing...no other real estate professional has serviced as has Brian Schulman. Mr. Schulman goes beyond the call of duty of service and professionalism. I have grown to trust him with his professional opinions and suggestions. My loyalty is now with him because of his professionalism and manner he conducts himself." Michael Osso, MMR Investments, LLP
"highly recommend you..."
"I want to thank you so much for all you've done! We enjoyed working with you. If we buy another house we will buy it through you. If you need a recommendation, we will definitely highly recommend you to anybody! Debbie & Ron Freed, who bought an investment property
"We trusted Brian from the outset. Brian exceeded our expectations." Maria Mitchell & Guillaume DeSyon, Lancaster
"Our experience with Brian was educational, professional, knowledgeable, enjoyable & interesting. We enjoyed working with him greatly. Our goals were achieved in the most positive manner. Dan & Debbi Herr, Elizabethtown
"You're a cut above other real estate agents!" Ginger Fako, who sold her home through Brian in Lancaster
"We appreciate the time and manner you spent with us, gracious and professional." Maria Pop, NY
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