Schuylkill County Real Estate

Schuylkill Women in Crisis Launches E-Newsletter

Erica Ramus - Realty Executives / Pottsville PA Real Estate — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 06:30:36 -0600

Schuylkill Women in Crisis launches E-Newletter

Schuylkill Women in Crisis is a private, nonprofit domestic violence organization that has served the Schuylkill County community since 1983. All services are free, confidential and provided to all victims regardless of sex.

Now SWIC is reaching out via the Internet with its new E-Newsletter. Each month's edition will include topics of special interest to supporters of the local domestic violence agency, as well as special events and fundraisers.

The fall issues include a contest to name the monthly volunteer and community column. The winning entry will receive products from The Grateful Thread, SWIC's weaving shop. The Grateful Thread, a weaving business operated by Schuylkill Women in Crisis, will be open for holiday shopping from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Tuesday, December 1, through Saturday, December 5. Come see many popular items available in seasonal and holiday colors and also the handmade artistry of several consignment artists. The store is located at 20 North Centre Street, Pottsville. And check out The Grateful Thread’s new website and online store at www.gratefulthread.org.

To be added to the mailing list, visit SWIC's Web site at www.s-wic.org or e-mail swicagency@comcast.net.

For more information about SWIC services, call 622-3991.

In addition to assisting victims, Schuylkill Women in Crisis is working to confront the societal issues that contribute to this problem. SWIC is motivated by the belief that all individuals are entitled to live free of the fear and pain caused by emotional and physical abuse. While the agency provides services to all individuals regardless of gender, they acknowledge that women and children are most vulnerable to this problem.

Schuylkill Women in Crisis launches E-Newletter

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Erica Ramus is Broker/Owner of Realty Executives in Pottsville, PA.

If you're looking for a PROFESSIONAL to represent you in all of your Schuylkill County real estate needs, call Realty Executives at 570-622-6006.

We can meet all your buying / selling needs ... and will exceed your expectations. That's what being an EXECUTIVE is all about

Serving all of Schuylkill County ... Pottsville, Orwigsburg, Schuylkill Haven, Auburn, Pine Grove, Frackville, Minersville, Ashland, Shenandoah, Port Carbon, Palo Alto, St. Clair, Barnesville real estate. Click on the link above to search Pottsville PA homes for sale or any Schuylkill County homes for sale. We have all properties listed for sale in the Schuylkill MLS on our website -- free search!

We also operate Schuylkill Appraisal Services, for all your appraisal needs.

Schuylkill County Judicial Sale: November 12, 2009

Erica Ramus - Realty Executives / Pottsville PA Real Estate — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:45:52 -0500

For the first time, Schuylkill County will hold a judicial sale in the evening:

Thursday, November 12, 6 pm at the Schuylkill County Courthouse in Pottsville, PA

The county is hoping the evening hours will draw more bidders than a daytime sale.

NOTE: All buyers should use caution - what you buy is what you get. Caveat emptor.

70 homes in Schuylkill County municipalities will be available.

According to an article in the Pottsville Republican, no promises are made on the homes' conditions, but they come with absolutely no strings attached. There are no mortgages, liens or tax commitments of any kind for buyers. That differs from a county upset sale, when houses that have been delinquent on taxes for at least two years are put up for sale with liens and other payments attached.

For more information, contact the Schuylkill County tax claim bureau at 570-628-1405

Here is the link to the county website: http://www.co.schuylkill.pa.us/

Schuylkill County Judicial Sale: November 12, 2009

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Erica Ramus is Broker/Owner of Realty Executives in Pottsville, PA.

If you're looking for a PROFESSIONAL to represent you in all of your Schuylkill County real estate needs, call Realty Executives at 570-622-6006.

We can meet all your buying / selling needs ... and will exceed your expectations. That's what being an EXECUTIVE is all about

We also operate Schuylkill Appraisal Services, for all your appraisal needs.

How Not to Sell a Haunted House

Erica Ramus - Realty Executives / Pottsville PA Real Estate — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:45:44 -0500

This is an amusing post about a "haunted house" and whether or not you need to disclose it to a buyer. Enjoy!

Erica

Via Claudette Millette - Metrowest Mass Exclusive Buyer Broker (The Buyers' Counsel):

Whether chains are rattling, the floor is shaking or there is simply the knowledge that an evil deed was committed on the premises, you could possibly be dealing with a haunted house, or a "stigmatized property" sale.

Since liability issues on these types of transactions vary from state to state - what is the guiding principal for selling a haunted house?

In 1991, a case in New York provided some legal precedent on the matter.

Stambovsky v. Ackley

The owner of a house, Helen Ackley had reported the existence of numerous poltergeists in her home and had, in fact, publicized these occurrences in Reader's Digest and a local newspaper on three occasions. As a result, the home was placed in a five-home walking tour in the city and received an enormous amount of publicity. She even referred to the home in a article as a "Riverfront Victorian with ghosts."

Some of the interactions Ms. Ackley described to reporters included ghosts waking her each morning by shaking her bed. When spring break arrived she loudly proclaimed to the spirits that she did not have to wake up early anymore. On this, she insisted that they listened to her requests and the bed immediately ceased all shaking.

Despite the local notoriety, an unknowing buyer, Jeffrey Stambovsky signed a contract to purchase the home. On an agreed upon price of $650,000 he made a $32,500 down payment. Since Mr. Stambovsky was not from the area he claimed to have ignorance of the widely known haunting tales.

When the buyer subsequently learned of the haunting stories, he filed for a request of the rescission of his contract for the sale and also sued for damages citing fraudulent misrepresentation on the part of Ackley as well as the Realtor®.

In ruling on this case, the court stated that since the existence of ghosts in the home had been widely reported, as a matter of law, the house was haunted.

However, the court dismissed the fraudulent misrepresentation action and stated that the Realtor® had been under no obligation to disclose the haunting to any potential buyers. The court affirmed that the law of caveat emptor (let the buyer beware) applied in this case so the buyer did not prevail.

Mr. Stambovsky subsequently appealed the case and won a reversal.

On appeal, the court stated that a "haunting" was not a condition that a buyer could fairly be able to ascertain  through even the most thorough of home inspections. In this case, "the most meticulous inspection would not reveal the presence of poltergeists at the premises or unearth the property's ghoulish reputation in the community."

It further stated that the seller had taken unfair advantage of the buyer's ignorance. Since she had taken it upon herself to inform the community at large of numerous spirits roaming rampantly throughout the home, she owed no less to her perspective buyer.

The judge then rendered a somewhat entertaining opinion using the following phrases:

"In his pursuit of a legal remedy for fraudulent misrepresentation against the seller, plaintiff hasn't a ghost of a chance," I am moved by the spirit of equity," "In this instance - who you gonna call?" and "The notion that a haunting is a condition which can and should be ascertained upon inspection of the premises is a hobgoblin which should be exorcised from the body of legal precedent and quietly laid to rest."

I have no knowledge of whether or not the parties in question had any appreciation of the judge's sense of humor.

However, Mr. Stambovsky was finally let out of the deal and had his deposit fully refunded.

Subscribe to my blog

Copyright 2009 - Claudette Millette, President, TheBuyersCounsel - 800-392-1446  - E-mail

Learn More about Massachusetts Home Buyer Representation - Greater Boston and MetroWest Massachusetts - Serving Massachusetts Home Buyers Since 1992

Ashland, Holliston, Hopkinton, Natick, Newton, Northborough, Framingham, Shrewsbury, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Westborough

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Erica Ramus is Broker/Owner of Realty Executives in Pottsville, PA.

If you're looking for a PROFESSIONAL to represent you in all of your Schuylkill County real estate needs, call Realty Executives at 570-622-6006.

We can meet all your buying / selling needs ... and will exceed your expectations. That's what being an EXECUTIVE is all about

We also operate Schuylkill Appraisal Services, for all your appraisal needs.

10 Commandments Home Buyers Must Follow

Erica Ramus - Realty Executives / Pottsville PA Real Estate — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:13:31 -0500

This list is great! Follow Chantal's 10 commandments and you won't screw up your home purchase.

Via Dr. Chantal Saucier (Keller Williams Realty Acadiana):

These 10 Commandments home buyers must follow may seem like common sense to many. Buyers, however, can sometimes forget with all the excitement surrounding the buying of their new home. In the past couple of weeks, I have heard of two separate buyers who saw their home loan turned down, and their dream shattered, a few days before closing because they had bought furniture for their new home before it actually became their home. Both of them now have beautiful furniture with no home to put them in.

These two buyers were not my clients but it always hurts when I hear of transactions falling apart for reasons that could have been avoided. These 10 commandments are part of the buyer packet I give all my clients when we first meet and I always stress that once they get pre-approved and the process is started, they can't do anything that might affect their credit.

1. Thou shalt not change jobs, become self-employed or quit your job.

2. Thou shalt not buy a car, truck or van (or you may be living in it)!

3. Thou shalt not use credit cards excessively or let your accounts fall behind.

4. Thou shalt not spend money you have set aside for closing.

5. Thou shalt not omit debts or liabilities from your loan application.

6. Thou shalt not buy furniture.

7. Thou shalt not originate any inquiries into your credit.

8. Thou shalt not make large deposits without first checking with your loan officer.

9. Thou shalt not change bank accounts.

10. Thou shalt not co-sign a loan for anyone.

If you are in the process of buying a home, remember that your credit must not change or be affected in any way until you actually sign the paperwork and get possession of your new home. Lenders will not only look into your credit when you first get pre-approved, they will check it again (and sometimes again and again) before they let you sign the mortgage. If you want to buy new furniture for your home or change jobs, just be patient. There will always be time to do it after the closing.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Erica Ramus is Broker/Owner of Realty Executives in Pottsville, PA.

If you're looking for a PROFESSIONAL to represent you in all of your Schuylkill County real estate needs, call Realty Executives at 570-622-6006.

We can meet all your buying / selling needs ... and will exceed your expectations. That's what being an EXECUTIVE is all about

We also operate Schuylkill Appraisal Services, for all your appraisal needs.

WHO Lowers Radon Threshhold to 2.7!

Erica Ramus - Realty Executives / Pottsville PA Real Estate — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:47:26 -0500

I just became aware of the World Health Organization (WHO) press release where the group is lobbying to LOWER the radon cancer deaths each year, by lowering the threshhold when remediation is recommended, from current levels of 4.0 (per the EPA) to 2.7. This is huge!

From the release:

The World Health Organization has released their Handbook on Indoor Radon which strongly validates the worldwide threat of exposure to radon gas. According to handbook, WHO has been studying the effects of radon exposure since 1979. Although radon was classified as a human carcinogen in 1988, it took over 20-years of sound research and real-life studies from all over the world to confirm the true magnitude of the risk radon poses. Based on the results of these studies, WHO now suggests that homeowners take action when radon levels exceed 2.7 pCi/l. This is a much more conservative figure than the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA's) action level of 4.0 pCi/l, which has been the U.S. standard for over 20-years.

Note that in areas of naturally high radon (such as Pennsylvania!) this will majorly affect our transactions. And in my part of Pennsylvania, we regularly see levels much higher than 4.0. The highest level I have personally seen was almost 40.

As of now, we are advised to give consumers the info about radon and still uses the EPA's 4.0 number. But in the future, will this change?

A radon test in my area costs about $100-125. Remediation regularly runs from $800-1400 depending on the complexity of the system.

Go to the website for more details on this press release

You can download a copy of the WHO Radon Handbook here: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2009/9789241547673_eng.pdf

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Erica Ramus is Broker/Owner of Realty Executives in Pottsville, PA.

If you're looking for a PROFESSIONAL to represent you in all of your Schuylkill County real estate needs, call Realty Executives at 570-622-6006.

We can meet all your buying / selling needs ... and will exceed your expectations. That's what being an EXECUTIVE is all about

We also operate Schuylkill Appraisal Services, for all your appraisal needs.

Skype Users? Watch Out! I've been HIJACKED

Erica Ramus - Realty Executives / Pottsville PA Real Estate — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 18:43:09 -0500

Well not me, but my husband. We both use SKYPE and have personal accounts on our computers, and I have a SKYPE phone at the house.

We have many international friends / ex-exchange students who have lived with us who keep in contact with us. If you don't know about SKYPE it's great! We call a student who used to live with us, and we call her 2x a month at least. Skype allows us to talk for PENNIES. And if you are talking computer-to-computer, it is FREE. So if we call her cell phone, we can talk for cheap, and if she's on a computer, it's FREE.

It was great--until this morning. My husband went downstairs in the morning to find his laptop ON and SKYPE open. It was not on last night.

He logged onto skype and was hit with INCORRECT PASSWORD over & over. He was locked out of his account, so he got annoyed and opened a new one.

Meanwhile, Bank of America sent me a Fraud Alert via email. They thought they detected fraudulent activity on his credit card and froze it. They were right. I don't know how they figured this out, but they cut off his card.

I went online and saw a $10 skype charge--accepted.

Then one for $25, and 5 more for $10---all declined. That must have triggered the alert.

Thank god for Bank of Am. They caught this.

If my husband had paid/linked to a debit card or used Paypal--it might NOT have been caught. And paypal would NOT have refunded it.

He's been hacked. I don't know how, but investigating online doing a google search, this happens a lot.

We will contact skype and try to figure out how to get his old ID back and running. But even if we do, I don't know how to stop this in the future.

If you have skype, make sure you're billing a credit card (not debit or PAYPAL please). And if you get a message that your password has been changed and you didn't change it -- you have been hacked!

I love skype and will still use it. But be careful.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Erica Ramus is Broker/Owner of Realty Executives in Pottsville, PA.

If you're looking for a PROFESSIONAL to represent you in all of your Schuylkill County real estate needs, call Realty Executives at 570-622-6006.

We can meet all your buying / selling needs ... and will exceed your expectations. That's what being an EXECUTIVE is all about

We also operate Schuylkill Appraisal Services, for all your appraisal needs.

The $8000 Tax Credit Is A Cherry, Not A Carrot

Erica Ramus - Realty Executives / Pottsville PA Real Estate — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:47:02 -0500

SarahGray makes some GREAT points in this post. My buyers are buying for the resons SarahGray states, not because they are being enticed by the credit. They want to/need to move and the credit is a nice little bonus. But not the MAIN reason they're buying.

Via SarahGray Lamm~REALTOR Broker~ 60K Hours of NC Real Estate Experience~ (Allen Tate Realtors Chapel Hill, NC):

I've worked with more than a dozen "first timers' this year and not one of them brought up the $8000 Tax Credit as a reason that they are in the market! Not a single one!

This is not really surprising if you think about it. Just because we, as real estate professionals, see this as an opportunity, doesn't mean it is making the TOP THREE or even TOP TEN reasons these folks are buying. (Just because MY RSS feeds stream real estate related info 24/7 doesn't mean anyone else's do...)

The top reasons my first time buyers are buying:

They have a new job or a new life and want to live in a house!

They recognize that home prices and interest rates are lower than they have ever seen before.

They can look at homes in towns and neighborhoods that previously were not affordable for them.

The top reasons my non-first time buyers are buying:

They have a new job or a new life and need to move!

They recognize that home prices and interest rates are lower than they have ever seen before and they want to take advantage of that and move UP!

They can look at homes in towns and neighborhoods that previously were not affordable for them so they want to sell and move UP!

The ONLY thing new in these lists are #2 and #3. Period.

But I'll tell you what the Tax Credit does do!

It makes me look really good when I suggest, while they are basking in the glow of an accepted contract, that they might like to consider ammending their 2008 tax return in order to get some money back from the government! You'd think I had just put a cherry on top of their milkshake!

SarahGray Lamm is a licensed, full time, residential Broker in the Triangle of North Carolina. She specializes in serving the real estate needs of home owners and home buyers in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, SW Durham and Northern Chatham County.

With over 60,000 hours of experience in North Carolina real estate, SarahGray is proudly associated with Allen Tate Realtors, the Carolinas largest independent real estate company. With exceptional relationships all over the Carolinas, SarahGray is able to connect you with other professionals in all areas who will make your home buying or selling experience the best you have ever had!

Use of any content from the Agent Outlier Blog without permission of the owner is a violation of federal copyright laws.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Erica Ramus is Broker/Owner of Realty Executives in Pottsville, PA.

If you're looking for a PROFESSIONAL to represent you in all of your Schuylkill County real estate needs, call Realty Executives at 570-622-6006.

We can meet all your buying / selling needs ... and will exceed your expectations. That's what being an EXECUTIVE is all about

We also operate Schuylkill Appraisal Services, for all your appraisal needs.

First Time Homebuyers - Don't Just Check On The Rate!

Erica Ramus - Realty Executives / Pottsville PA Real Estate — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:10:53 -0500

This post was written by a lender from out of state (NC) but the basic facts are the same here in PA and she makes some excellent points. If you're just shopping the rate, you may be missing the bigger picture. Read on ...

Via Eleanor Thorne, Cary Mortgage Loans (Meridian Residential):

There are tons of first time homebuyers out there negotiating the best deal on their new home, and now it's time to get a mortgage.

Most of them only know how to ask one question: What's the Rate?

We've been in the mortgage business for over 20 years - and the only thing most people know to ask is - "What's the Rate?"

While that's a great question, it's kinda' like going into a shoe store and asking if they have any shoes in a size 9. Just shopping the rate is not necessarily going to get you the best price.

And what is the best price anyway!?! Most of the clients that call us speak to my husband, Steve. The first thing he ALWAYS says is, "hey, thanks for calling! So you were referred to us by (insert name of friend, co-worker, agent, builder)? That's great!

So, tell me a little bit about what you're trying to do."

I share an office with him - and after listening to him say this for like the 90th time I turned and looked at him saying, "THEY WANT TO BUY A FREAKIN" HOUSE!" He wasn't amused.... but once calmed down he explained to me why he askes that question, that way (and why it will help you when shopping for a loan).

Most clients answer the question of what they are trying to do one of these ways...

They want to buy or refinance but keep their payments at a certain amount

They want to buy or refinance but they don't have a ton of cash to work with

They want to buy or refinance but they can't verify all of their income

They want to buy or refinance but they need it to happen in like 5 days

They want to buy or refinance but they think they have some credit issues

Each of these items will help the loan officer determine which mortgage program (like those different kinds of shoes) will work for you! The PROGRAM will then help us get to a mortgage interest rate... and knowing your credit score and how much money you want to part with for closing costs will determine your rate.

So let's assume you figured out which program you are going to use to finance your home - YIPPEE! One more step in the process! Now you can just call loan officers and ask for their rate on that program and those terms with your credit and compare - it's not even that easy!

You want to be certain that you are working with an experienced loan officer. The largest fianancial transaction of your life is far too important to place into the hands of someone who is not capable of doing more than just quoting you a rate.

So here are some other questions for your loan officer:

What's the next Economic Report coming out that might effect the direction of Mortgage Interest Rates? A seasoned loan officer will have this information at their finger tips, and will know, for instance, that the FED says it will stop purchasing Mortgage Backed Securities in October of 2009, which could cause rates to go up...

When Bernanke and the Fed "change rates," what does this mean... and what impact does this have on mortgage interest rates? The answer is not obvious. The Fed has some impact over SHORT TERM rates, like those on your credit cards, however very little actions the Fed takes (especially recently) has created a lower movement of Mortgage Bonds. Because of the "bad name" associated with Mortgage Bonds in the SubPrime market, fewer people are purchasing these bonds... That's why it's important to note that the Fed says it will stop purchasing Mortgage Backed Securities in October (If you have other questions about this just call us!)

Once you believe that you are working with a seasoned loan officer, there are other points to consider... If you talk to 3 lenders who all tell you the rates are at 5.25% and you talk to another person who says they are at 5%... well, you've got to question what that lower priced lender is doing. For the most part, rates are rates. The cost of money is pretty close to even across the board - so, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. There could be extra fees, or they could be quoting a rate that is only good for the next 12 days.

You get what you pay for! If you are looking for the cheapest deal out there, understand that you are placing a highly important process into the hands of the lowest bidder. (If you've ever had a cheap haircolor job or a cheap haircut, cheap pair of shoes that KILLED your feet or fell apart - you know what I mean).

All too often, you don't know until it's too late that the cheapest isn't BEST. Remember that missed closing dates in NC can now mean a FINE to the buyer. Most "internet companies" do not operate in the State of North Carolina and do not know our laws - or even how we close loans.

If someone mentions closing at the Title Company - you know you're dealing with someone who's not from here, and some delays and differences in quoted closing costs and actual closing costs will likely occur.

Understand that Interest Rates and Closing Costs go Hand in Hand. When someone asks me for a rate - I ask them which one they want. I'm not being sarcastic (well, okay maybe a little) but we have interest rates from 2% to 10%. It depends on the program and the amount of money you want to pay out of your pocket.

Many first time homebuyers want the smallest amount of closing costs (so they can buy a hot new leather sofa!) and will therefore take a slightly higher interest rate - so that the lender pays the closing costs. A professional lender will be able to offer the bst advice and options in terms of the balance between interest rate and closing costs that correctly fits your personal goals.

So our advice is to be smart. Ask questions... but don't just ask what the rate is!

Call Steve and Eleanor Thorne 919-649-5058. We've been mortgage Lenders in North Carolina with the best mortgage rates for decades!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Erica Ramus is Broker/Owner of Realty Executives in Pottsville, PA.

If you're looking for a PROFESSIONAL to represent you in all of your Schuylkill County real estate needs, call Realty Executives at 570-622-6006.

We can meet all your buying / selling needs ... and will exceed your expectations. That's what being an EXECUTIVE is all about

We also operate Schuylkill Appraisal Services, for all your appraisal needs.

Intro to Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania: Where are we?

Erica Ramus - Realty Executives / Pottsville PA Real Estate — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 12:32:49 -0500

Located in eastcentral Pennsylvania, Schuylkill County is only a short drive from many major cities:

30 minutes north of Reading

1 hour--almost equidistant between Harrisburg in the west and Allentown in the east

2 hours northwest of Philadelphia

2.5 hours from New York City

2.5 hours to Baltimore/Washington DC

In fact, Schuylkill County is within 300 miles of one-third of the nation's population. The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce says we're at "the hub of a wheel: the center from which you can venture forth for a multitude of activities. World class shopping, cultural events, restaurants, tourist attractions and recreational activities are all within a few hours' drive from any point in Schuylkill County.

You can go to historic Philadelphia in the Southeast and shop, visit the tourist attractions or attend a sporting event. There is always some type of event going on with Philadelphia being the home of the Eagles (football), Phillies (baseball), 76ers (basketball) and Flyers (hockey). You can spend the day enjoying the city and still be home, safe and snug in your own bed, at the end of the day.

Southwest will land you in Hershey (the sweetest place on earth and home of Hershey Park), the Amish country of Lancaster as well as Harrisburg - our state capital.

Southeast will find you at the malls of the Allentown area, as well as Dorney Park. Just beyond Allentown is Historic Bethlehem. Head to the North and visit the many attractions of the Greater Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area.

One of the best amusement parks in America is only a short trip. Knoebel's Amusement Park is consistently rated as one of the best family amusement parks in America, and famous for their hometown attractions and world class wooden roller coasters, with the Phoenix consistently making the top 10 list of wooden roller coasters.

Just a short drive south and you will be in Hamburg - home of Cabela's - or venture a little further and enjoy the cultural events, food, shopping malls and outlets of the Reading area.

Schuylkill County affords you the opportunity to enjoy the low crime rate and laid back pace of rural living along with the opportunity to enjoy some of the better aspects of metropolitan life.

We ARE in the middle of everywhere - and we like it here. You will too!" www.SchuylkillChamber.com

So geographically, we're at the center of it all. Officially, we're classified as a RURAL county in Pennsylvania, which means you get the best of both worlds: the benefits of a slower, less populated rural area and yet in close proximity to all the benefits that big cities have to offer. We may not have the huge chain stores and shopping complexes that you love to shop at--but in 30 to 60 minutes you can have it all, from discount outlets to big box retailers. And the benefit is that the sprawling acres of macadam are NOT right here in your own back yard.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Erica Ramus is Broker/Owner of Realty Executives in Pottsville, PA.

If you're looking for a PROFESSIONAL to represent you in all of your Schuylkill County real estate needs, call Realty Executives at 570-622-6006.

We can meet all your buying / selling needs ... and will exceed your expectations. That's what being an EXECUTIVE is all about

We also operate Schuylkill Appraisal Services, for all your appraisal needs.

October 1, 2009: Open Mic Karaoke at the Lazy Dog Coffeehouse

Erica Ramus - Realty Executives / Pottsville PA Real Estate — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:09:04 -0500

October 1, 2009 7:00 pm Open Mic / Karaoke at the Lazy Dog Coffeehouse

7-10 pm, Lazy Dog Coffeehouse, 18 East Sunbury St., Minersville.

Everyone is welcome, from seasoned players to first-timers. A great place to test out new material or shake off your first-show jitters. Open mic is open to all performers within the parameters (call or see website for rules). Equipment, props and instruments that can easily be carried on stage and quickly set up are all permitted. If you are planning to attend an open mic session and have any question about what you can and cannot bring, please email them.

If you have not been out to visit the Lazy Dog Coffeehouse, you don't know what you're missing! It's a cute, New York-style coffeehouse right in the heart of Minersville, Pennsylvania.

Located at 18 E. Sunbury St. Minersville, PA 17954 Ph: 570.544.4800

Located on Sunbury Street (the main street in Minersville), just off the 4-lane highway coming in from Pottsville.

Adjacent to Schuylkill Dental Medicine and the Way-Mart grocery store.

www.lazydogcoffeehouse.com

Here's their upcoming events:

Sept 27-Oct 25: 1st Annual TOP DOG Cabaret Challenge

Saturday Oct 10: Meet the Artists: Allied Artists of Schuylkill County

Saturday Oct 24: Motown Night

Fri/Sat Nov 6-Nov 7: Veterans Weekend

Saturday Nov 21 (Back by Popular Demand): Oldies Night w/ Jeff Krick

Sunday Nov 29: PAZ Designs Jewelry Show & Sale

Sunday Dec 6: Kathy Miller: Storytime, Book Sale & Signing

Thursday Dec 31: New Year's Eve w/ Mr. Z and the Nightshift!

Feb 21-Mar21, 2010: 2nd Annual TOP DOG Karaoke Competition

Open Mic / Karaoke at the Lazy Dog Coffeehouse

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Erica Ramus is Broker/Owner of Realty Executives in Pottsville, PA.

If you're looking for a PROFESSIONAL to represent you in all of your Schuylkill County real estate needs, call Realty Executives at 570-622-6006.

We can meet all your buying / selling needs ... and will exceed your expectations. That's what being an EXECUTIVE is all about

We also operate Schuylkill Appraisal Services, for all your appraisal needs.

Pine Grove, PA Land For Sale: www.pinegrove17963.com

Erica Ramus - Realty Executives / Pottsville PA Real Estate — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:59:08 -0500

Pine Grove, PA Land For Sale: www.pinegrove17963.com

If you are looking to buy land -- for building your dream home, a small hunting cabin, or just to hunt on, there's a new web site we just launched this weekend:

http://www.pinegrove17963.com has information about the area and also houses for sale and Pine Grove, PA land for sale

The site has maps and pricelists for 4 subdivisions in the area:

Edgewood Farms (map at left)--only a few lots left here!

Farmview

Sunrise

and our latest listing, 6 lots on Mountain Road, Pine Grove

1-acre lots start at $38,500 on Mountain Road and $45,900 in the other developments.

Owner financing is possible on the first three areas.

Choose your own builder.

We also have a 35-acre parcel for sale that would make an ideal hunting camp or private retreat for someone looking to get away from it all to the country (see map to the right, just off I-81). Where else can you find 35+ acres for $160,000?

How to find our Pine Grove, PA land for sale: Pine Grove is in southwestern Schuylkill County, PA.

All of these lots are quickly accessible from Interstate 81 (I-81), Route 443 and Route 125.

They are a short commute to Harrisburg, Lebanon/Lancaster, and Reading, PA.

Pine Grove, PA Land For Sale: www.pinegrove17963.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Erica Ramus is Broker/Owner of Realty Executives in Pottsville, PA.

If you're looking for a PROFESSIONAL to represent you in all of your Schuylkill County real estate needs, call Realty Executives at 570-622-6006.

We can meet all your buying / selling needs ... and will exceed your expectations. That's what being an EXECUTIVE is all about

We also operate Schuylkill Appraisal Services, for all your appraisal needs.

My New Community Website: Hyperlocal Is The Plan!

Erica Ramus - Realty Executives / Pottsville PA Real Estate — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 12:03:49 -0500

I have a company website, and a personal blog already. But I saw the success of the hyperlocal contest this summer and thought perhaps I should try a hyperlocal website!

We do a lot of work in the Pine Grove, PA area, which is a very rural part of Pennsylvania. We represent 3 subdivisions (and just added a 4th this week!) and are picking up more and more listings. And we have had great success working in a 55+ community that in prior years has struggled to sell homes. Since concentrating on this development (starting 1 year ago) our company has sold more houses than the community did in prior years and has managed to make a good name in the community.

The new website took me 2 days to create and get up and running. It's a work in progress and I'll be making changes as time goes on (suggestions from you are welcome!)

Here it is!

http://pinegrove17963.com

Check it out and all feedback is welcome.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Erica Ramus is Broker/Owner of Realty Executives in Pottsville, PA.

If you're looking for a PROFESSIONAL to represent you in all of your Schuylkill County real estate needs, call Realty Executives at 570-622-6006.

We can meet all your buying / selling needs ... and will exceed your expectations. That's what being an EXECUTIVE is all about

We also operate Schuylkill Appraisal Services, for all your appraisal needs.

Would Congress Please Extend the First Time Home Buyer $8,000 Tax Credit?

Erica Ramus - Realty Executives / Pottsville PA Real Estate — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:57:37 -0500

We too have seen increased sales this month, due to the threat of this expiring. I'd love to see it extended!

Via Loreena Yeo - Broker|Realtor(R) of www.Frisco-TX-Homes.com (214) 783-2210 (3:16 team REALTY):

There have been talks about the possibility of asking Congress to extend the First Time Home Buyer $8,000 Tax Credit. I, for one would love to see this pass.

The lower priced range homes in my service areas (greater Frisco TX) less than $300K have been selling as hot cakes. The Sellers are finally pricing their homes correctly. The interest rates have been historically low. This is a perfect heaven for home buying in the greater Frisco TX area. This is definitely helping the housing market like it was intended.

In addition to extending the First Time Home Buyer $8,000 Tax Credit, Congress, please expand the tax credit to include ALL home buyers - not just first time home buyers. This will definitely spur our local economy, and all the related businesses thereof.

Expansion to this tax credit to include:

$15,000 tax credit, not just $8,000

For ALL home buyers, not just first-time

Extension for 1 more year - into December 2010.

There are good deals to be bought here in greater Frisco TX areas. However, with the timing to coincide the current tax credit, buyers are no longer looking at short sales and foreclosure properties for fear that the dateline is not met.

If you are a first time home buyer looking to purchase, you should get in position on a contract by early October unless Congress extends the First TIme Home Buyer $8,000 Tax Credit.

We need as many people as we possible can to take action to ask Congress to extend and expand this First Time Home Buyer $8000 Tax Credit.

Please click here to submit your request for Plea here.

*********************************************************************************************

All contents are original. Consider subscribing to my blog for more real estate commentaries.

Subscribe via Email if you are not an Active Rain member here.

Contact:

Loreena Yeo
Realtor®/ Broker of 3:16 team REALTY
(214) 783-2210
loreena@loreenayeo.com

Super-serving Frisco, Plano, Dallas, McKinney, Allen, Little Elm, Prosper, Celina, Richardson, Dallas M-Streets, Dallas White Rock Lake area communities and other surrounding areas.

Copyright © 2009 by Loreena Yeo (3:16 team REALTY).
Would Congress Please Extend the First Time Home Buyer $8,000 Tax Credit?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Erica Ramus is Broker/Owner of Realty Executives in Pottsville, PA.

If you're looking for a PROFESSIONAL to represent you in all of your Schuylkill County real estate needs, call Realty Executives at 570-622-6006.

We can meet all your buying / selling needs ... and will exceed your expectations. That's what being an EXECUTIVE is all about

We also operate Schuylkill Appraisal Services, for all your appraisal needs.

San Antonio Home Buyers - Why Many Agents Won't Show You A Home "Right Now!"

Erica Ramus - Realty Executives / Pottsville PA Real Estate — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:52:47 -0500

Matt--the agent who originally wrote this post--is from San Antonio. But this advice is universal to all agents and it's very timely. If you're BUYING A HOME in Schuylkill County, PA, or Texas it does not matter. We all need to manage our time, qualify our buyers and worry about our own safety too.

If you are buying a home in SchuylkilL County, Pennsylvania, give us a call. We'd love to talk to you on the phone and meet you in person.

Via Matt Stigliano (RE/MAX Access):

It's a common thing.

Recently SarahGray Lamm wrote a post titled, "ADVICE NEEDED: Blogging Works. Now What..." The basic premise of the post was how to handle the buyer who calls and says "I need to see this house right now." Not a client, but someone you've never met before. Every Realtor® I know gets these calls and everyone I know handles them a little differently, but the outcome is typically the same. I'm hoping to help San Antonio home buyers understand why many agents won't show the home on short notice.

Time Management

To put it simply, we as agents need to manage our time. We don't sit around lounging in the office just waiting for the next phone call to come in. If we did, we'd all be broke. With the internet and cell phones we are much more accessible, but we're not necessarily free at the moment we take that call. We have a daily dose of inspections, paperwork, showings, closings, meetings, prospecting (the act of finding new clients), and the usual things - dinner, family time, rest, etc. Agents have schedules to keep. Even occasionally, I am free at the moment, but know that if I go show houses right this moment, I will miss my next appointment. Time management is a huge part of our daily lives.

Qualifying Buyers.

I know a lot of people that want to buy a house don't like this step. I've had a prospective client ask me "What does it matter to you if I'm not pre-approved, I know I can get the loan." I find this one of the hardest things for a prospective client to deal with. They often feel we are calling them into question - almost as if we were saying "That's great, but I don't trust you." Because we don't know each other yet, there isn't a ton of trust between the two of us. We have to build that overtime. There's a certain amount that we must take as a leap of faith and I am fine with that. But sitting down and qualifying a buyer isn't just about a loan, it's about getting to know the prospective client (and you getting to know your prospective agent) and getting to know what their goals our in buying a home. We want to help you find the right home, not just any home.

Paperwork.

If you like what you're hearing and you'd like to work with me as your San Antonio real estate agent, there is some paperwork we should get out of the way now. Here in San Antonio we use a Residential Buyer/Tenant Representation Agreement. It lays out the rules of our work together and defines our relationship as that of buyer and agent. Making someone your agent creates a situation that allows us to offer you our advice and opinions and binds us to work for you and you to work with us. (I think I'll write an upcoming post on the Buyer Representation Agreement).

Safety.

Let's face it, there are some strange people in this world and there more than a couple of stories about agents going to a showing and being attacked. I'm sure you're not a vicious killer, but let's meet up first just in case.

Experience.

As an agent that started about a year and a half ago in the San Antonio real estate business, I know new agents. I even write about it at AgentGenius. I'm not here to say they're bad agents, I mean, we all have to start somewhere. What I do know is that these are the agents that will typically jump at any chance to go on a showing. Why? Because they're hungry. They have little to no business and will do anything to get more. What usually happens? They wind up chasing their tails and not selling any homes anyway. I know because I've been there. I spent my first few months running after everyone and selling nothing. As we mature a bit as agents we learn more about the other factors I've mentioned and we start practicing "smart" real estate in order to build our businesses and grow our client base.

photo courtesy of TheTruthAbout...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Erica Ramus is Broker/Owner of Realty Executives in Pottsville, PA.

If you're looking for a PROFESSIONAL to represent you in all of your Schuylkill County real estate needs, call Realty Executives at 570-622-6006.

We can meet all your buying / selling needs ... and will exceed your expectations. That's what being an EXECUTIVE is all about

We also operate Schuylkill Appraisal Services, for all your appraisal needs.

Should I Have My House Appraised Prior To The Listing?

Erica Ramus - Realty Executives / Pottsville PA Real Estate — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 12:42:38 -0500

I love this post! It is very valid and well said. This question sometimes come up when we're listing a property.

We have an appraiser in our office (Schuylkill Appraisal Services), and an appraisal generally costs $350 in our part of Pennsylvania. For a pre-listing appraisal, it might cost a little bit less (around $300).

If any Schuylkill County homeowners need an appraisal, go to www.schuylkillappraisals.com and you can read more about Marcy Kleckner's services.

If you choose to do a pre-listing appraisal it is important to note a few things:

1. An appraisal is just a snapshot. 3 or 6 months from now, the appraisal might come in very different. So if your house sits on the market, the appraisal becomes out of date.

2. As the writer below says, an appraisal is just an OPINION. It's an educated opinion, but still it's one person's opinion, not the voice of God.

3. Your buyer's lender will still order their own appraisal. This appraisal is for your own use and your education, not for the buyer's lender to use.

Via Audrey June-Forshey, GRI, Gaithersburg, MD (RE/MAX Realty Group):

This is one of the most popular questions I get when meeting with sellers when they are preparing to put their homes on the market. The answer is, it depends.

Appraisals cost between $400 to $700 in our area. Most of the time your REALTOR'S® market analysis will provide you with much of the same information as an appraisal.

When an agent comes over to talk to you about selling your home, they will most likely, have a market analysis of the current market conditions in your neighborhood and the nearby surrounding areas.   They will compare what homes, similar to yours, listed for and sold for in your area. An appraiser will potentially use the same information, but will go into more depth about each property.

So, how do you decide whether or not to have an appraisal done prior to listing your home?

If you live in a typical suburban neighborhood where the homes are similar in style and square footage, you probably don't need to have the home appraised prior to listing your home. The information on your REALTOR'S® market analysis should be current and give you a very good idea of the market value of your home. If you are still not sure, maybe you should talk to a couple of different agents and see that they are all in about the same price range, that should give you a good number for your home's value.

My advice to a seller would be that you should have a professional appraisal done prior to listing your home if you have a VERY unique property. Maybe something that is on the historical register or something that was built exclusively for you by an architect and there is not another similar home in the area.   If you fit into one of these categories, I would strongly suggest pre-appraising your home.

If you do decide to have your home appraised prior to listing, hear me when I say that the appraised value is one person's opinion. If you hire 3 appraisers, you will probably get 3 different values.   Just because one person's opinion of value is one number, the market value might be a different story.   What someone is willing to pay for the house is the market value and what your home is ultimately worth. Don't let yourself get hung up on what an appraiser says your home is worth. If it takes time for your home to sell, other homes may come on the market and go to closing which will affect the value of your home.

The other thing that is important for you, a seller with appraisal in hand, to know is the appraisal you have is for your own knowledge.   If a purchaser is placing financing on your home, the purchaser and the purchaser's lender will have their own appraisal.

The bank will most likely use an appraisal from an appraiser that is on the bank's approved appraiser list.   They want to make sure that the buyer is not paying too much and that they are not lending too much money for a property.

Now with all of that said, Appraisals are very controversial these days with all of the new lending laws and guidelines. We have appraisers come from out of local areas doing appraisals and it is making the sales and loan process difficult.   I think it is important for sellers to understand that the buyer's appraiser, in most cases, is going to be the appraisal that will be used for financing.

Ultimately it is up to you, if it you believe your home needs to be appraised before listing, you can do that. Just make sure you listen to your professional REALTOR® to tell you how much your home will sell for!!

Original Post Here

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Erica Ramus is Broker/Owner of Realty Executives in Pottsville, PA.

If you're looking for a PROFESSIONAL to represent you in all of your Schuylkill County real estate needs, call Realty Executives at 570-622-6006.

We can meet all your buying / selling needs ... and will exceed your expectations. That's what being an EXECUTIVE is all about

We also operate Schuylkill Appraisal Services, for all your appraisal needs.