New Castle, PA

Here it is our first " Winter Wonderland Snowfall " that special snowy day when magic happens. Layers of glistening flakes accumulate by inches on everything in sight. It is like living inside one of those winter snow globes. it is truly a " Currier and Ives " moment. Nothing dramatic...simply a pretty picture.

I just captured these photos of the horse pasture and woods across my driveway,such a tranquil scene. Hope you enjoy..the photos of our beginning winter season in Western Pa.

"In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous"

Aristotle.

Another glorious Autumn weekend in Lawrence County. The second week in October has always been the
" Apple Castle Festival and Craft Fair" The well know landmark has been fifth generation farm since 1861..
It is five minute drive from New Castle located in the heart of the Amish countryside.The Apple Castle features
home grown fruits and vegetable. Their country store delights visitors with their specialty foods like jellies, jams
Amish items, apple butter, cider, candies, cheeses, dried fruits and snacks, local eggs, honey and no sugar items.

An amazing blast of Autumn colors amidst the aroma of fresh apple cider and the " Apple Castle's famous donuts, freshy baked on the spot enticed visitors as they enjoyed the many attractions at the festival including, two horse drawn hay wagons offering free rides through the grounds, live music and entertainment, crafters, food, of course apples..apples...and more apples and even pumpkins and corn stocks and fall decorations of every type.

The farm grows approximately 20 acres of apples, with over 50 varieties of apples throughout the season. The farm also produces around 3 acres of peaches and nectarines along with blueberries, rasberries and blackberries. They also produce 15 acres of sweet corn that is harvested daily. Apple Castle ships apples all over the u.S.A. additional information call

Lyle Johnston at 724-652-3221

enjoy the slide show of the rest of the event and if you missed it this year, make sure it is on your calendar as a must do event. It certainly is a Lawrence County......gotta go there.....

What can I say other the " Apple Castle" must farm hearts on those trees along with their sought after apples because New Castle LOVES the Apple Castle.

Is buying that home just wishful thinking? Is the media closing the door to your dream? You know what they say......You can't believe everything you hear! What you hear may not fit your location or your situation. What do you do first? Know your credit score. What are the benefits of a good credit scorewhen looking to buy a home?

• Lower interest rate

• Speed up loan approvals

• Boost buying power

The most in depth and accurate way to determine your credit score when thinking about buying a home is to talk with your lender's loan officer and ask them to run a merge report. It is free and will pull your credit score from all agencies.

• Transunion

• Equifax

• Experian

The determining factors to how your credit report rates, is based on

• paying your debts on time
  
• the available credit you have available to you

• the amount of debt you have.
  

Make sure you limit your credit cards and limit the use.The higher percentage use of the credit available the lower your credit score will be.Check you credit card interest make sure you are aware of where the interest rate is.

Steve Janoski, loan officer with Countrywide Mortgage keeps the Realtors advised on what is happening in the mortgage arena. It enables us to share his expertise with our clients. Steve e-mailed an update e-mail and I wanted to share part of that with you. It confirms from a loan expert that, now is a perfect time to buy a home. Let your lender and you determine that,.... not the media or what you hear from others. Here is a part of of mortgage advice.

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The $700 billion bailout is a must, believe me. I also think once we're past this election , the economy will take on new light. The consumers are believing what is happening in this country is happening right here in western PA. Sorry to say that if they keep thinking that way, it will hit us harder. Please tell your buyers that it is a great time to buy, regardless of what's happening in the economy. If mortgage rates are hovering around 6%, what's stopping them from buying?

Yes, Congress took away the down payment assistance program but I rarely used it. FHA still works great with maximum seller assist. How about a Rural Housing loan? Granted, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and HUD have tightened up their guidelines for mortgages and that has affected every lender. Still the media talks about how much harder it is to get a loan. Guess what folks, if your credit is bad, it's still hard to get a loan. Those with good credit can still get mortgages regardless of the media saying they can't.

Steven Janoski
SR Mortgage Associate
724-742-9700 Ext 222
724-612-0561 Cell

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I hope this e-mail from Steve has confirmed that securing a mortgage in our location is available.

If you are ready to finalize that dream of buying a home, let me help you with a list of homes that will fit your needs. We have plenty to choose from and at the best prices, they have ever been in real estate

Give my cell a call if I can be of help 724-730-4571Northwood Realty Services

June Lewis

724-658-6645- ext 16 office

724-730-4571

West Penn Multi-listings in the Mohawk School District- September 29,2008

According to the 2000 census,

the North Beaver Township area has a population of 4,022. ( 1 % urban- 99 % rural )

North Beaver Township covers 43.1 miles

The Mohawk Schools, Elementary and Secondary are the only schools in the Township.

The enrollment is approximately 1839 for the district with 946 High School Students and 893 Elementary Students

The Mohawk High School is now under major renovation of expansion to create additional rooms.

The Elementary School Building is located next to the High School at the end of a long pine tree drive.

For additional information on this shool district visit their web site at

ttp://www.mohawk.k12.pa.us/elementary/default.asp

I wanted to capture some pictures of the renovations of the High School and was fortunate to snap not only pictures of the schools and property but also of football and soccer teams at practice. Check the Mohawk School photos below.

Watch for another school district post soon.

.......Union School District on the horizon........

Looking for a home in North Beaver Township, Lawrence County Check out the listings for sale below.

The following listings were taken from the West Penn Multi-list for the Mohawk Shool District only :

1 home ( horse farm ) at $ 1,250,000 offered with 82 acres and barns

1 home + additional guest home on 3 acres at $ 999,900

4 homes between .....$300,000 to $500,000

5 homes between .....$204,000 to $260,000

14 homes between ...$150,000 to $199,000

6 homes between ....$100,000 to 149,000

17 homes ....above... $59,900

land and building sites also available.....52 listed in the MLS under farm, acreage and land.

The land prices vary from 18 acres for $144,800

35 acres for $ 99,000

4 acres for $ 99,000

3.7 acres for $ 75,000

5 acres for $ 64,900

The building lots vary depending on location of the development and vary from $35,000 to $ 59,000 . Most of these lots are a little over an acre.

There are 3 properties under $ 35,000

Reduced 5 acres at $ 27,000

Reduced 6.7 acres at $34,900

8 acres at $25,000

and. .62 acre at $12,000

* All statistics from the Western Penn Multi List as of September 29

Well .....we are into the first few days of Autumn. Fall in Pennsylvania is nothing less than spectacular.    The color palette is amazing. I wanted to go back to the farm markets to take photos of the different   fall displays. These farmers  takes such precision in creating exciting pumpkin displays. I hope you are  able to take these beautiful Fall days and drive out  to the various markets in the country . It's a beautiful day for a drive.  There are new Fall items corn stalks, gourds, fall decorating items and and still plenty of  fresh picked vegetables. First set of photos---Sperdute Farm Market on Kildoo Road in North Beaver Township, outside New Castle, Pennsylvania.

The next Photos are of the Walker Farm Market and Hand crafted Gift Shop. located on Rt 108 Mt Jackson Road, just outskirts of New Castle, Pennsylvania also in Lawrence County. Check out their flyer below for the Fall Festival at the Walker Farm. The First Annual Fallfest will be on Oct 4, 2008 from 11:00 am to 6:00pm Featuring face painting and a Pumpkin Decorating Contest call 1-330-727-9342 for additional information and to reserve your pumpkin

The last set of photos is from the Leckwart Farm Market. Look what I found among the punmpkins,  a real cutie , just a little pumpkin himself. Thirteen month old " Little Michael Joseph Leckwart."  He is the son of Michael and Karen Leckwart and grandson of Joe and Jean Leckwart.  The Leckwart Farm Market, like the other two featured farms are family owned and the families work together.  Now " Little Michael "  he is just too little yet to work the farm......but he sure loves those pumpkins..The Leckwart Farm Market is on Sunnyside Road just outside of New Castle, Pa in Lawrence County.