The Masthope Property Owners Association slammed property owners and real estate agents alike with an abrupt change in policy this week, to take effect immediately. All real estate for sale signs for new listings will require a permit, and Open House Signs will require a permit that carries a $25 fee. The new policy states that a window of 7 - 10 days is required for Open House permits - which means it will be unlikely that Open House signs will be allowed this weekend. Nevertheless, you can visit our open houses; just look for Weichert Realtor's trademark yellow balloons on the front porch!

][ 135 Karl Hope Blvd, Lackawaxen PA 18435 will be OPEN on:

Saturday July 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Sunday July 3 from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Very easy to find/conveniently located, and what a stunning home! You will not believe how gorgeous this contemporary mountain home is. Features include: 5 bedrooms (2 master suites with full baths), 1st floor master, granite kitchen w/ large pantry closet, formal dining room, breakfast nook, front and back decks, central air, garage, full basement (already insulated for future finishing), hardwood floor on the main living area, and an incredible floor to ceiling stone fireplace.

Check out the video by clicking this link or the picture.

Full Listing Info & Map: Click Here for 135 Karl Hope Blvd, Masthope Home for Sale Info

====================================================================

][251 Upper Independence, Lackawaxen PA 18435

BRAND NEW CONSTRUCTION HOME by G. Anderson Homes in Masthope IS NOW COMPLETE and will be OPEN:

Saturday July 2, and MONDAY, JULY 4 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Directions: From Main Entrance (Karl Hope Blvd) of Masthope: Follow Karl Hope and turn RIGHT on Constitution Drive. Then turn LEFT on Upper Independence. LOOK FOR THE YELLOW BALLOONS!

This home has it all - granite kitchen with stainless appliances, beautiful hard wood floors, family room and guest bedroom with full bath in the finished basement, 1 car garage, central air, floor to ceiling stone fireplace in great room, master suite on top floor. 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths total - it's a gem. Furniture package available!!!! It's READY TO GO - get a plug & play VACATION HOME IN THE MOUNTAINS and start enjoying before summer is out!

Click here for info & map.

More New Construction House and Land Packages Available - Masthope, Blue Heron Woods, and Other Areas! G Anderson Homes offers flexibility and options that only a custom builder can provide.

Contact Karen Rice @ 570-647-5170 for info.

Originally Posted By Karen Rice on http://pikewaynepablog.com

Paupackan Lake Cottage for Sale in the Poconos - Near Lake Wallenpaupack. Great Contemporary Decor!

TURN THE KEY & MOVE IN to this Paupackan Lake Charmer! Modest, bright, airy, & inviting ranch home w/ Paupackan Lake rights is big on style yet still very budget-friendly! Come see and you'll agree that it's a perfect vacation/weekend cottage or year round home for those who want something simple and affordable. Modern decor tastefully combines with retro flair, creating a welcoming & fun home (furnishings negotiable.) A large sun deck & screened porch are perfect for parties or times of quiet reflection. Be cradled behind evergreen & silver birches; PRIVACY is yours at a BARGAIN price. Furnishings negotiable.

I was reading The Wayne Independent, one of Wayne County's local newspapers, and read this article about some cases of rabies being found in Lake Ariel PA. How sad for the owners of the miniature horse and the collie dog. I think a lot of people dismiss the reality of rabies and limit it in their minds to scary movies like Cujo or heartbreakers like Old Yeller.

From The Wayne Independent:
312 - Statewide rabies cases reported so far this year from Jan. 1 through Sept. 30.
3 - The number of rabies cases reported in Wayne County between Jan. 1 through Sept. 30: 2 raccoons and 1 horse.
5 - Number of rabies cases in Wayne County in 2009: 2 raccoons and 3 skunks.

Rabies can be avoided, easily and without too much expense. A rabies vaccine is very inexpensive for your pets (including larger animals like horses!) and can save you more money down the road (vaccines given after the fact can cost hundreds), not to mention the heartbreak that goes with putting a beloved pet down due to something that is mostly avoidable.

Do not forget, people can get rabies as well. If you are bitten by an animal that could have rabies, including a stray cat, dog, or someone's pet that has not been vaccinated, seek medical attention immediately. Remember this story? (Link to a rather dry clinical article about it.)

A 15 year old girl in Wisconsin had picked up a bat that had gotten into the church they were attending. She was bitten but did not seek medical attention. Her survival story is an amazing testament to modern medicine but a word of caution to us all: be wary of handling wild animals no matter how cute they are or if they seem to need help. Seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY if you are bitten or scratched by a wild animal or an animal you do not know.

Many people thinking about moving to Pike or Wayne County ask about bears and bobcats while in the process of looking for a new home. I have lived here all my life and never had a negative encounter with either. I don't feed the bears and they just go their merry way - they don't stop and try to get aquainted! :) A more real threat to me would be your beloved pet coming across a raccoon, skunk, squirrel, or other critter that has rabies. This can happen ANYWHERE.

Please have your pets vaccinated and be wary of wild animals or domestic animals you do not know. If you have livestock or other large animals, talk to your vet about vaccinating them as well. It truly is life and death.

In Pike County, the Pike County Humane Society handles all cases of suspected rabies. 570-296-7654.

This was originally posted by the author on http://pikewaynepablog.com/2010/11/04/cases-of-rabies-found-in-lake-ariel/

Recently at an open house, a buyer inquired: "Is the furniture included?"

I'm learning this can be a dangerous question, and requires more probing before giving an answer. I need to ask "Are you looking to purchase a furnished property?" or something. Instead, I said, with energy and enthusiasm:

"The furniture is negotiable, I know the sellers are willing to leave furniture for the new buyers."

The buyer was visibly disturbed.

"Well," he said, "this is REALLY not to my taste." Then to add insult to injury, he said "I'm sure it wouldn't be many others' taste either."

Well! I guess he told me!

I backpedaled, now that I knew he was AFRAID the furniture was included, rather than HOPEFUL. "You can certainly ask the seller to remove all the furniture by closing, if you would like to purchase the home without furniture."

Now the fact is, whether it's a little chalet in The Hideout or a brand-new, professionally staged new construction home in Masthope, my business is in negotiating real estate - not personal property.

Furnishings can be a motivator or a deterrent to purchasing a home - and many a deal has fallen apart over the furniture. If it's dated, stained, and ugly and you don't want it, chances are the new buyers won't want it either...and if it's absolutely adorable and irresistable, chances are the sellers may want to keep it...keep that in mind.

Furniture can not be included as a contingency on the agreement of sale when you are obtaining a mortgage; banks won't lend money for sofas and coffee tables. It must be a seperate deal, with a bill of sale... a supplement to the agreement of sale for the home...and really, it is silly to make furniture a deal breaker.

I know that it is sometimes difficult for sellers to get rid of the furniture from their vacation home. I have a network of folks who can help get rid of the unwanted furniture; sometimes for free; sometimes for a fee if the dump is the final destination. But rest assured, I will never let unwanted furniture kill a deal - it's just one of the services I provide for my clients.