Shelley Kefauver - Your York, PA Realtors

York County and the City of York have a mortgage assistance program that works in cooperation with the local board of Realtors (RAYAC) that most consumers are unaware of. This program provides 2% of sales price towards down payments and at the county level up to 6% towards closing. The city has a scale for which it determines closing cost help based on the sales price. 8% can be obtained on a home less than $40,000 with that dropping to 6% on homes $60,001 or more. Anywhere in between those numbers is 7% closing help. However buyers must contribute both time and a little of their own money in order to be eligible for this program. First, they must participate in first time home-buyers classes which are held three times each month (this class is valid for up to two years). Second, they must contribute at least 3% of the sales price or $1000 (the greater of the two) in order to qualify for the program.

Other things to keep in mind are:

1. The property must pass an inspection.

2. Tenants can not be relocated as a result of the sale.

3. Buyer must use property as their primary residence.

4. The lender must be chosen from program participating lenders.

5. Property must be held for more than five years or the county has the right to recapture the funds.

More information can be found at www.rayac.com which is the Realtors Association of York & Adams County (RAYAC).

March 28, 2008 the Valencia Ballroom in York, PA is hosting the PA Golden Gloves boxing competition. Fighting will be many local boxers such as Steven Weimer Jr., Ignacio Figueroa, James Rapson, Dan Ankers and Cohen Weaver. Michael & I have decided to sponsor this event and have received several VIP tickets available to you for $60. VIP access includes open bar, buffet dinner and balcony seating for the event. Steven Weimer just happens to be Michael's brother and depending on turnout for this event he may be going pro soon afterwards.

If $60 is out of your budget, I'm sure general admission tickets are still available at $20 per person. Ring side has been sold out.

Doors open at 6pm for the VIP(s) and fighting starts at 7:30pm and lasts until the last bout.

Come out and support our York, PA boxers and lets help put it on the map.

Shelley Kefauver

*For more information please feel free to contact me at (717)434-5544

Typically Open Houses in the York, PA area bring in leads for the agent, not a buyer for the home being held open. Instead agents are typically confronted by "nosey neighbors" and others who have just started looking.

I received my real estate license in 2003 and have yet to receive a contract for a home held open by a person who walked through on the day of the open house. I have also done numerous open houses (almost every weekend), two per week if my husband holds open another listing so this is not something I experienced just recently, but the way the York market works.

So what does give you the greatest exposure in this area?? The MLS or multiple listing service. For those consumers who may be wondering what this is; it is simply a compilation of all the homes listed by local companies who pay their dues to our local association in order to have access to this system. Another tool is the internet, and what a big part it plays. After the listing is entered in the local MLS it is put on inyork.com, realtor.com, century21.com, century21heritage.com, trulio.com, etc.... This list is almost endless.

Before sticking that For Sale by Owner sign in your yard and scheduling open houses through your local classifieds, I would highly recommend talking to and interviewing at least three Realtors in the York, PA area. Our value is endless when all you have to do is sit back and relax, leaving all the details up to someone who can get it done.

Your Local York, PA Realtor

Shelley Kefauver

Century 21 Heritage

(717)757-9487 Ext. 370

Cell (717)434-5544