Wendy Benedict ~ Lehigh Valley, PA Real Estate

Families are coming back together again! Experts say with life expectancies increasing, baby boomers retiring, and the shift in the economy we are seeing a nationwide shift in the reuniting of extended families. Many people are faced with the rising cost of caring for aging parents and/or childcare for dual-income homes. Healthcare costs are rising and many retirees simply do not have enough saved for retirement and private living. In addition, '20-somethings' are living home longer or boomerang back and forth.

I am currently seeing the trend in my own business as I am working with both buyers desiring such an arrangement and sellers who have successfully consolidated households.

While this living situation may not be for everyone, many are exploring the option. Those who have made the shift are benefiting from many positives such as stronger family bonds, generations caring for one another, and shared living expenses easing financial burdens.

www.NewburgNeighborNews.com is an interactive community website created for all of my neighbors linked by walking paths to our elementary school, Lower Nazareth Elementary School. If your home is designated as a 'walker' to the elementary school, then this site is for your use and information (whether you have elementary-aged children or not!).

If you have a business, specialty, or service you would like to advertise, please do! Use the site! If you are not sure how-- call me or send me your info and I will do it for you! Feel free to post garage sales, favorite recipes, neighborhood photos, block party announcements, etc... It's FREE!

What better way to help our local economy and establish a stronger sense of community than to support your own neighbors?

Make www.NewburgNeighborNews.com your homepage or visit often as I will be adding/changing content frequently. Monthly, I will be showcasing a local restaurant in Wendy's WhereToDine, and weekly, I will update the real estate section with the latest Lower Nazareth activity in addition to local township and neighborhood news that may be of interest. There are also links to the Morning Call for local news in addition to USA and World News links.

As always, if you have any questions concerning real estate...just call me! Referrals are always appreciated! Your family and friends can always expect the highest level of care, expertise, and professionalism!

Have a fine 2009 and don't forget www.NewburgNeighborNews.com !

Believe it or not, I found this handsome little man at the local animal shelter. He captured my heart and is now the newest addition to our family!

Another unfortunate side effect of the decline in the housing market and economy is the number of family pets that are being left behind in shelters or hard to imagine in vacant homes and on the streets. I have dealt with several foreclosures over the last year and fortunately have not found any abandoned animals in these homes.

There is a misconception among some people that the only animals you find in the animal shelters are nasty and aggressive...but this is really not true. Since I brought Jingles home, he has brought so much delight into our home! He is my faithful companion staying close by my side while I work in my home office. He follows me everwhere! My girls love to hold and brush him, and he is more than willing to sport whatever outfit they decide to dress him in! Even my husband and cats have warmed up to him!

If you are thinking about a family pet, please first consider one of your local animal shelters. They are filling up and would love to hear from you! Search online, as pictures of new arrivals are published frequently along with descriptions and types of homes the animals are most suited for. The shelters evaluate the animals and give you an accurate assessment as far as temperment, age, training, good with small children, how they get along with other animals, etc...You can find the shelters in your area by searching on www.petfinder.com

Give it a try...you'll be happy you did!

If you have been waiting for the perfect time to buy a home, it's here! Interest rates are at all-time lows, there are plenty of choices and sellers are negotiating.

If you are currently renting, you are already paying a mortgage...someone else's! Why not pay your own and gain the benefits of home ownership? Tax deductions, freedoms to have the pets of your choice and decorate as you please.

If you are worried about the size of a down payment needed? You really need to talk to a lender, there are down payment assistance programs and some sellers have the ability to help with down payment and closing costs as well.

Have ideas about your ultimate dream home? Your first home is the best positive first step you can take toward getting to that dream home.

Not enticed yet?? Have you heard about the $7500 tax credit?

It really is a fine time to buy in 2009!

Is your home ready to show? Implement the following checklist to make your home stand out and shine for prospective buyers and maximize your bottom line.

Maximize Your Curb Appeal

1. Move all garbage cans, recycling bins, gardening tools/supplies, shovels, etc.. from the front yard and arrange neatly in garage or shed.
2. Make sure lawn is neatly mowed, weeds are pulled from planting beds, dead or dying plants are removed. Mulch where needed.
3. Sweep all sidewalks, walkways, and steps that lead to the front door.
4. Touch up paint where needed around front door, windows, and garage doors. Dirty, peeling paint will give potential buyers the impression that your home is not maintained well.
5. Replace worn, stained doormats with a fresh new welcome mat.
6. If you have been living with a stubborn lock that needs to be jiggled just so, replace it! Buyers are forming their first impressions at the front door.

Give Potential Buyers the Best View of the Interior

1. Remove all clutter. Remember less is best. Limit decorative objects. Clear, clutter-free surfaces will provide less distractions so that buyers can truly see what they are buying...a home, not your personal belongings. Also, the more of your own personal stamp you remove, the more likely the buyer can visualize themselves and their belongings in the space. Your moving anyway...pack it up!
2. Rearrange or remove extra furniture from the room to highlight the space in a room.
3. Remove or pack away any valuable or breakables.
4. Remove all personal photos - you want the prospective buyer to visualize themselves living in the space and not concentrate on your family. We are all curious and love pictures. You don't want prospective buyers remembering your beautiful wedding pictures, but forgetting about the gorgeous crown molding iand custom built-ins in the house!
5. Clean, organized closets look larger. You don't want prospective buyers forming the impression that there isn't enough storage space in the home.
6. Make sure all lightbulbs are working. A brighter home feels warmer, more inviting and shows the space best.

7. Fix all doors that may stick or not close correctly, remember - each minor inconvenience you live with each day - a buyer is subtracting dollars off the offer price!

8. Clean, Clean, Clean! From the baseboards to the ceiling. Clean windows, floors, baseboards, carpets, sinks, tubs, floors. I can't stress this enough...CLEAN!

9. Make sure each room is attractive and has a FUNCTIONAL use! I can help with this!

SMART STAGING = HIGHER FOR YOU!