Karen Rice | Lake Wallenpaupack | Pike & Wayne County, Northeast PA Homes

Autumn is in the air in Northeast PA.  Acutally, it's here - the chilly weather came sooner than usual, prompting the leaves to begin their annual transformation from lucious shades of green to more vivid reds, oranges, and yellows.

I do love autumn - I love going to Ritter's for fresh pressed apple cider...every year, we head out to Roba's Family Farm to check out Bunnyville, jump in hay, enjoy the pig races, and of course, wander around the corn maze. We go with our church group and rent a picnic site complete with a firepit for making smores and roasting weenies.

The autumn skies are more brilliantly blue, it seems; everything has a hyper-saturated beauty that comes too soon and doesn't stay long enough.  The earthy smell in the air, the comfortable warm sweaters, pots of steaming soup and piping hot biscuits....there is much to love about autumn in PA.

I just wish it didn't mean winter was around the corner.

Enjoy this collection of autumn pictures - I've posted a similar one in years past, and always got a good response. 

Homes for Sale in Tafton: Tanglwood North, Pike County PA

Pike County Pennsylvania is home many home owner associations / communities (also referred to as developments). These developments are often quite different from one another by way of yearly dues, amenities offered, and lot sizes. I'd like to introduce you to one of the more low-key Pike County communities: Tanglwood North, in Tafton PA.

Located in the Wallenpaupack Area School District, Tanglwood North is built up around a mountain - and a ski area! Lot sizes range from about a half acre to an acre or so in size. The community offers centralized water, but each home will have its own septic system. This community is well suited for those who wish to be in this lovely part of the Poconos without having to pay high community dues for amenities they probably won't be using.

There are a variety of homes for sale in Tanglwood North, ranging from simple chalets to more traditional Colonials as well as contemporary styles. Currently there are around 300 homes in Tanglwood North, with another 435 vacant lots.

The main entrance to Tanglwood North is on Route 390 in Tafton, only a couple miles from Interstate 84 (Exit 26). While the community is not gated, the private roads are for members and their guests only.

Tafton, like many little hamlets in the Poconos of Northeastern PA, is really quite small and rural; nearby Hawley is only about ten minutes away and offers supermarkets, pharmacies, a library, and several shops and restaurants.

HOMES FOR SALE IN TANGLWOOD NORTH

There are currently 17 homes for sale in Tanglwood North (based on the Pike/Wayne MLS). These homes range in price from $134,900 to $339,900.

My favorite one from the pick is this 1600 s.f. gambrel style chalet for only $159,000. It is a warm and inviting home, and it has been very well maintained. The traditional lodge styling makes it appealing for those looking for a mountain home - this is IT!

Among its virtues are the dramatic knotty pine cathedral ceilings, a fireplace, finished basement, garage, wrap around deck, and my personal favorite- a screened porch!

This three bedroom, two bath home is bright and airy inside, with newer carpet and lots of light. It's well worth taking a look...and it's in move-in condition.

You must see it to believe it - the pictures can not caputre the true character of this gem hidden in the woods!

Here is the list of all the homes for sale in Tanglwood North - definitely one of the Pike County communities to consider, when choosing a quiet place for your Pocono Mountain retreat.

In case you're interested in building your own home yourself, here is a list of vacant land lots for sale in Tanglwood North.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Karen E. Rice is a real estate agent working in Pike & Wayne County of Northeastern PA in the Poconos. Lake Wallenpaupack is one of Pennsylvania's most popular destinations for vacations, retirement, and purchasing a home.

Northeastern Pennsylvania Real Estate - Tafton Homes For Sale - Tanglwood North, Pike County PA ©Copyright 2009 by Karen E. Rice. All rights reserved.

The other day while out on caravan, I had a dry throat and coughed.  People cringed even though I did cough into my sleeve (never my hand).  

A few houses later, the dust in the home tickled my nose too much and unfortunately, on our way out the door the dust combined with the pollen in the air was too much - and I sneezed.  People ran.  Well, just joking - nobody ran but my friend Linda ducked and said "You better not have swine flu!"

It's the latest scare on the scene and it has lots of people concerned.

Some home sellers are nervous about having many strangers view their homes - with all the talk of swine flu going around, it's reasonable to be a little scared, especially if someone in the household is suffering from a weakened immune system and is at risk of becoming very ill.

It's not really possible to pre-screen buyers for the flu - I can see the list of questions:

• How much do you have for a downpayment?
• What is your credit score? Are you preapproved?
• When would you like to move?
• Have you been to Mexico lately?
• Have you started sneezing or sniffling?

The problem is, there are all kinds of bugs floating around that could be just as devastating to an at-risk person.  People can be contagious and not even know it, so asking them if they're sick before letting them see the house will probably not be very helpful. 

Short of taking your home off the market, there is always going to be the risk that someone may come into your home, touch the doorknobs, and leave behind germs.

I suggest having a container of Lysol or Clorox wipes handy - and after a showing, wipe down every possible surface someone may have touched - most likely all the door knobs, cabinet and drawer pulls, the counter top, the bathroom fixtures.  It will not eliminate all of the germs - and supposedly, the flu germs do not survive on surfaces very long anyway - but it will help.

This would be a great time to declutter and eliminate a bunch of knick knacks - less surfaces for people to touch and less surfaces for sellers to clean afterward.  Not to mention, the lack of clutter makes your home appear more attractive to buyers...

I for one plan on carrying a bottle of hand sanitizer with me everywhere.  I will not be touching many surfaces in homes I show - just to be safe.  I will be sanitizing my hands often - and you're welcome to share - just let me squirt it into your palm.

Karen E. Rice is a real estate agent working in Pike & Wayne County of Northeastern PA in the Poconos. Lake Wallenpaupack is one of Pennsylvania's most popular destinations for vacations, retirement, and purchasing a home.

Pike & Wayne County PA Real Estate - Real Estate and the Flu, Swine or Otherwise... ©Copyright 2009 by Karen E. Rice. All rights reserved.

Lords Valley Community Church, located in the Mr. Z's Shopping Center in Lords Valley, will host their first Coffee House this Saturday April 25, at 7 p.m.

Please join us for coffee and other refreshments, and the musical talent of Larry Bitterman.

Directions/Map

Contact Lords Valley Church: (570) 493 - 1645

http://www.LordsValleyChurch.com

Photo Courtesy of Flickr.com Creative Commons - Ballistik Coffee Boy

We see this logo in all sorts of sizes on varous websites and advertisements. What does it mean?

Basically, by having it displayed, it means that under Federal Fair Housing Law, I agree to abide by fair housing practice - meaning, that I will not discriminate against my clients and customers based on race, religion, national origin, sex, color, or familial status. Oh, and I'm going to throw in sexual orientation there too, just in case someone was wondering.

But I'm not merely complying with the Fair Housing Act because it's the LAW and I would face serious fines and who knows what else if I violate the law - I comply with it simply because - duh - it's the right thing to do!

I am shocked when I hear stories about real estate agents who have discriminated against customers because of their race or some other reason...it's inexcusable.

I have, on more than one occasion, taken phone calls from potential customers, seeking information about the area. Some are asking sensitive questions, such as "What's the crime like in this area?"

I really can only refer you to news websites, or you can contact the Pennsylvania State Police and question them about crime in the area. Worried about child predators? Click here for the PA Megans Law Website.

Sometimes I am told by customers: "We do not want to live in an area where there are lots of kids...what do you recommend?"

Ouch - I'm sorry, this too is discrimination and I am unable to answer that legally. You may want to visit the area, ask questions of your friends and family members - then YOU decide where you'd like to look for a home to buy.

The most obnoxious question I've been asked - this one I've gotten at least twice - is "I don't want to go in any areas, with, you know, the wrong kind of people, know what I mean?"

Oh, yeah, I know what you mean. (and let's be clear, these questions were not about crime ridden areas, or anything of the sort - it was obvious that racial discrimination was the motivating force behind the question.) And I'm not about to feed your racism - the answer you'll get for me is "I'm sorry, sir, Federal Fair Housing Law prohibits me from making discriminatory judgements such as this."

And with that, I may say "Thank you for calling - have a good day!" and that will be the end of our conversation. I do not want to give even a glimmer of an impression that I "understand" or empathize with this "position."

I have never been able to understand or tolerate racism. AT ALL. And I'm not about to start.