Harrisburg, PA

Why Buy a House in Harrisburg PA: Five Great Things about Homeownership If you've been on the fence about homeownership and if you should buy a house, now is the time to take a leap! Don't let the negative press deter you from one of life's greatest joys.

Take a look at five short and sweet reasons why you should buy a house. Remember, homeownership is great!

You get Equity when you buy a house
When you pay rent, you never see that money again. It is lining the landlord's pocket. Yes, to buy a house you may come with some hefty initial costs (downpayment, closing costs, inspections), but you will make that money back over time in equity built in the home. Historically, homes appreciate by about 4 to 6 percent a year. Some areas are still experiencing normal appreciation rates. For the areas that have seen harder times since the recession, experts feel that the housing market will recover. Homeownership is about building long-term wealth. A home bought for $10,000 in 1960 is most likely worth 10 times that in today's market.

You build Relationships when you buy a house
Renters tend to see their neighbors come and go quickly. Some people sign year leases while others are in the community for much shorter terms. Apartment complexes also tend to have less common shared space for people to meet, greet, and socialize. When you buy a house, however, you are a Homeowners! You'll have yards, walking trails, or community pools and clubhouses where you can get to know each other. Neighbors stay put much longer (at least three to five years if they hope to recoup their closing costs). This means more time to develop relationships. Research has shown that people with healthy relationships have more happiness and less stress.

When you buy a house, you have Predictability
Well, as long as you have a fixed-rate term on your mortgage it's predictable. Most people who buy a house today know that a fixed-rate is the way to go. This means your payment amount is fixed for the life of the term. If your mortgage payment is $500 today, then it will still be $500 a month in 10 years. This allows for people to budget and make solid financial plans. The sub-prime crisis meant many homeowners with adjustable rate mortgages saw their monthly payments rise and then rise some more. Homeownership, though, generally comes with a predictable table of expenditures. Even the big purchases are predictable. You know most roofs last just 15 years (or so). You know that each year you'll need to pay for the gutters to be cleaned, and so on.

When you buy a house, you get "Ownership"
Okay, this is a given. Homeownership means you "own" your home. That comes with some incredible perks, though! You can renovate, update, paint, and decorate to your heart's desire. You can plant trees, install a pool, expand the patio, or do holiday decorating that would rival the Kranks (if the HOA allows!). The bottom line is this is your home and you can personalize it to your taste. Most renters are stuck with the same beige walls and beige carpet that has been standard apartment decor for 20 years. Now is your chance to let your home speak!

Great Deals: It's a great time to buy a house!
Interest rates are at historic lows. We're talking 4.0 percent instead of 6.0 or higher. This means big savings for today's buyers. Home prices have also taken a dip since the recession, which means homes are more affordable than ever. If you have steady income and cash for a downpayment, then be sure to talk to me about what homes in your area could be a fit for you.

Homeownership can be a real joy. It's time to get off the fence, buy a house -  into a home that is right for you!

So... It's February now. Have you kept up with your New Years' Real Estate Resolutions? I'll post this again, just to keep it fresh in your mind! Don't forget the goal: Prepare ahead, so you can sell and/or buy in the Spring!

Considering some Home Improvements in Harrisburg PA?

Here are some suggestions!

Things you should know about Mold in Harrisburg PA: With all the wet weather we had in the summer of 2011, then with the advent of Tropical Storm Lee last September, this "mold" question is popping up more and more. Here are some things to remember about mold.

1. Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposure include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.

2. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.

3. If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.

4. Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.

5. Reduce indoor humidity to 30-60% to decrease mold growth by:

a. Venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside

b. Using air conditioners and dehumidifiers

c. Increasing ventilation

d. Using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning

6. Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.

7. Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles that are moldy may need to be replaced.

8. Prevent condensation: reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces by adding insulation to windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, and floors.

9. In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting – like sinks, or concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation.

10. Mold can be found almost anywhere; it can grow on virtually any substance providing moisture is present. Mold can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.

These are some things you should know about mold. Most importantly it is controllable, if you take a proactive approach.

This wet weather has brought this more to the forefront than in recent years.

Don't let it get the best of your home!

Selling a Home in the Winter in Harrisburg PA - Why Would Anyone Pass up a Great Time to Sell? Why is there such a stigma against selling a home in the cooler months of the year? Sure, it may not be as easy to jump in one’s car and drive over to the next open houses, but if you think about it – there is really no reason why a home couldn’t sell just as easily during the off-peak season as it does in the spring and summer.

One of the most common things we see as Realtors is that homeowners will list their home on the market – and given the state of our market lately – if selling a home within a certain time frame leading up to the winter season does not happen, they proceed to take the property off the market. The general consensus is that there will not as many buyers out there and since the market will be slow, best to wait on selling a home until things pick up again.

This school of thought is contrary to what most real estate agents already know. When you get into the months that end in “er” (September, October, November, December) and onwards, the buyers that are looking are truly serious contenders for the properties that are currently on the market at the time. As a seller, nothing could be better for you when selling a home than knowing whatever offers are coming are solid, quality offers coming from people who have made the effort to seek out the perfect property despite the cooler weather, holidays or lesser inventory.

The single best advantage you will have over others if selling a home during the winter season, is to be able to gain exposure to quality, serious buyers.

Serious Buyers Have Less Homes to Consider

Keep in mind that come early spring when everyone else jumps on the bandwagon and lists their property, there will suddenly be an influx of new listings and equally, if not more, new buyers to go along with it. More competition? Sure. But it also means that you will have a lot more browsers while selling a home, rather than actual prospective buyers.

Fewer Inventory Means Your Home Can Be One of the Better Properties

It goes without saying that the more competition you have, the harder it will be for you to sell a home. When selling a home, if your home is listed during less busy time of the year in terms of real estate, your chances of being a stronger contender are significantly higher. Yours will likely stand out from other properties and you will have the opportunity to have one of the better ones available to buyers looking to close on a deal now.

Market Conditions Are Ripe for Buyers and Buyers Know It

Many potential investors and existing homeowners are seizing the opportunities that present themselves these days when selling a home, given the record low interest rates as well as significantly lower property values. Oftentimes the people seriously looking to buy are either upgrading into a new property or they want a second or subsequent one. These buyers know that the current market conditions will not last forever and they are ready to purchase the right property when it comes along.

Why Not?

Why Would Anyone Pass up a Great Time to Sell? Selling a Home in the Winter in Harrisburg PA? Now, why wouldn’t you want to be among a smaller pool of available top-quality homes? Put your home on the market now– and leave it for sale all winter – and you will very likely sell your home faster than you imagined.