Allentown Brew Works, Check it Out!

Last evening, My wife & I and friends of ours ventured down to the Allentown Brew Works located at 814 Hamilton St. in Allentown. http://www.thebrewworks.com/ It was a pleasant and festive setting, and the food was great. My friend Jim was quite impressed with the special holiday ale from this micro brewery. The pricing of the fare was very reasonable. We were able to dine and have drinks for under $80.00. I was amazed on how this massive building was transformed into a lovely place to enjoy the evening in a smoke free environment. I remember this old building when I was a child growing up in Allentown. I think down town Allentown indeed has another thing to be proud of. I know this is one of the many positive changes happening in the Queen City. I rate this this establishment Five Stars. Feel free to email me : findit@LehighValleyRealty.com

Pocketing Profits When You Sell!

Taxpayers who sell their principle residence can keep tax free up to $500,000 in profit if they file singly. The property must have been owned and used as the principle residence for any of the prior years. Homeowners can shelter the profits on the sale of a home as often as once every two years. If the two-year use and ownership tests are not met, but the home is sold because of special circumstances (for example loss of job or health problems, etc.) the exclusion is prorated. Otherwise, gains above $500,000 or $250,000 are taxed at current capital gains rates, which vary depending on your tax bracket. Homeowners should continue to maintain records of selling and improvement expenses because some states still tax capital gains on home sales. In addition, those expenses can be used to determine your tax basis once you sell your home. Some Real Estate transactions may need additional research, as always consult your CPA or tax preparer. I hope this post was helpful to you. If I can assist you in Real Estate related matters contact me at: findit@LehighValleyRealty.com

House Tip/Keeping it Clean

If you have a jetted/jacuzzi tub, you will have to take a little care in maintaining the internal components of it. About twice a year you should clean the unit out. The 1st. step is to fill the tub with hot water, just enough to cover the intake and jets. Turn the unit on and add 2 tablespoons of automatic dish washing detergent and 4 ounces of bleach. The bleach will kill any mold inside the pump and hoses. Run the tub for about ten minutes and drain. You must refill the tub again with just plain hot water and run for 5 minutes and drain. To go one step further in my illustration to the right, you may want to remove the intake cover, and clean it out with an old toothbrush, as well as the jets. This should help to keep your tub in tip top shape and more important keep you safe from mold & mildew concerns. If you have any questions, email me @ findit@LehighValleyRealty.com

"Missed Opportunity"

I have been in Real Estate for almost 25 years, I have seen all types of markets up, down & flat. I must admit I have seen brighter days in our local Real Estate market. This market is robust and full of opportunity for a purchaser. Case in point, I have been showing a prospect the same home for a least four times. The prospects said they wanted to go forth and make an offer. I prepared all the necessary documents and waited for their arrival to my office. As I waited for them our appointment time has passed and I received a call from them. They informed me that they changed their mind on the purchase. Their main concern was the present Real Estate market conditions. They did inform me that they have been looking for a home for the past 2 years and attended many Open Houses. I tried to explain to them that "NOW" is a great time to make a purchase to no avail. What these people fail to realize, even if the market slips a little more, it does not matter. If you are going to live in the home for at least two years, the market will be on a upswing. I also pointed out when the market does heat up again, they will be competing with other buyers who have been sitting on the side lines. You and your family would be enjoying their new home and enjoy all its advantages. "Missed Opportunity" Feel free to contact me at: findit@LehighValleyRealty.com

Home Inspection Thoughts

Whether you are buying a home or selling one, a home inspection is an essential part of the process. It may identify the need for major repairs or uncover builder oversights, as well as highlight the importance of maintenance to keep the home in good shape. The inspection typically will take place after the agreement of sale is executed. Before you sign, be sure the inspection clause is used in your transaction. This clause should specify the terms and conditions to which the buyer and seller are obligated.

The American Society of Home Inspectors (www.ashi.org) publishes a Standard of Practice ad Code of Ethics that outlines what you should expect to be included in your home inspection report. Generally, it will cover the conditions of the following:
* heating system
* central air - outside temperature permitting
* interior plumbing, and electrical systems
* roof, attic and visible insulation
* walls, ceilings, floors, windows, and doors
*foundation, basement and structural components

Fee for inspections vary from locations and extent scope of inspections. For more info feel free to contact me at findit@LehighValleyRealty.com Have a great day!

Safety Notice

Since we are approaching the heating season. Please make note that stoves and ovens are intended for cooking use. Using them to heat your home or apartment could result in a dangerous accumulation of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause symptoms ranging from mild headache and nausea to in rare cases, death. Follow the manufacturer's instruction when using fuel-burning appliances and install CO detectors in your home to avoid the dangers of carbon monoxide. For more info feel free to email me at: findit@LehighValleyRealty.com

Mortgage Market Update

I tend to be informed on Real Estate issues. I would like to give you some timely info on the mortgage market. At the time of this post over 100 national lenders have closed their doors. The credit market is experiencing unprecedented turmoil. What does this mean to out Real Estate market?

Sellers can no longer be reluctant to accept offers or reduce prices. Tightening credit and diminishing mortgage products will continue to reduce the pool of qualified buyers. This along with increase in national inventories, means now is not the time to hold out for the "best" price possible.

Buyers with credit issues or who have difficulty providing required documentation can no longer sit on the fence. If the market conditions changes, buyers who qualify for a loan today may not qualify a few weeks from now for the same exact loan. Many lenders have stop offering no Doc loans, and some lenders have even pulled back on all forms of stated loans. As market conditions continue to change, a buyer's pre-approval status can disappear even more quickly, delaying or killing the transaction.

Subprime and Alt-A refi candidates, especially those with ARMs schedule to reset over the next 12 months, need to act now, even those with a pre-payment penalty. ARMs borrowers struggling with monthly payments now might be shocked to know that monthly payments can double in some cases once an ARM resets. I hope this post was informative to you. If you have any questions feel free to email me findit@LehighValleyRealty.com Have a great day!

Fast Facts

81 percent of households 65 and older owned homes in 2006 compared with 43 percent of households younger than 35. Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Natural stone counter tops, which are less expensive than they were a few years ago, are gaining popularity and are expected to last a lifetime. Cultured marble tops have a life expectancy of about 20 years. Source: National Association of Home Builders

Get Ready For Winter

The signs of fall all around. As you prepare for the months ahead - storing summer clothes, checking heating systems and making sure your home is well insulated - don't forget the landscape around your home.

If you've been mowing all spring & summer, it's not time to quit just yet. Continue until the grass stops growing. And speaking of mowing don't forget to take care of your lawnmower. Drain it in late fall, because gas left in the machine will get gummy and may make start up difficult when spring rolls around.

As the temperature drop, so will leaves from trees around your home. It's important to rake lawns regularly. so grass can "breathe." How long can you wait before breaking out the rake? Most gardening experts say you should not go longer than three to four days. however, if the layer of leaves is particularly thick or has been weighed down by rain, the sooner you rake, the better.

If your area gets snow or ice, you'll want to protect deciduous flowering shrubs under a lean-to or similar structure. Begin by building a wire cage that is secured into the ground with poles. Attach chicken wire or heavy gauge wire to the poles and fasten burlap to the sides of the structure to protect the shrubs from damaging wind.

Last but not least, remember your garden hose. Drain it before storing it for the winter and then turn off your outside water supply to prevent pipes from freezing or bursting. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions @ findit@LehighValleyRealty.com Have a great day!

Realtor & Client Relationship

A topic worth exploring is in choosing a Realtor and a Realtor choosing a client. Let's face it, It is like a marriage, and both the Realtor and client must have a good working relationship. From a Realtor perspective it is imperative for the client whether a Buyer or Seller to be honest and motivated. In my my 24 years as a Realtor, I may have had only a handful of clients whom I cared not to work with. The reasons were quite simple, they were unreasonable. I would like to lay the foundation for a sound working relationship, mutual respect and a open line of communication with the same goals in mind "a successful closing". I like to give you a few tips and questions to ask on finding a good Realtor.


1. Find out number of years in the business.
2. Are you a full time Realtor?
3. What designations do you have?
4. Are you familiar with areas of my interest?
5. What other homes have you sold in my area?
6. Do you have past clients I can talk to?
7. Why should I choose you?
8. Do you have a marketing plan?
9. Are you familiar with today's financial climate?
10. Do you return phone calls/emails promptly?
11. Is someone available when you are not?


This will give you some ideas what to look for and ask. Just remember you need to be comfortable, and at ease with the Realtor you choose. Have a great day! For more info feel free to email me at findit@LehighValleyRealty.com

Your Nose!

One of the problems some homes do not sell is the odors in it. A poll by a Canadian real estate company Royal LePage shows that the odor of a home has a huge impact on buyers' decisions about whether to buy a home. According to the poll, 53 percent of buyers said strong odors such as pet and cigarette smells had a stronger impact on their impressions of a home than overall tidiness and cleanliness, strong wall colors or outdated facade and landscaping. Here are some tips for making sure your home has good scents:

1. Don't mask smells with candles or potpourri. Buyers will wonder what odor you are trying to hide.

2. Keep exotic spices and fish to a minimum when cooking the night before a showing. Work toward achieving a "clean" smell.

3. Remove animals and litter boxes from the property.

Getting rid of repellent scents is the first step, but some staging experts also advise using "homey" smells to entice buyers. After all who doesn't love the aroma of freshly baked cookies or pie? For more info contact me at: findit@LehighValleyRealty.com

Keep Your Cool

Want to keep your electric bills from going through the roof this summer? Here are a few steps you can take to keep things cool.



1. Open windows and use portable or ceiling fans instead of operating your A/C. Even mild air movement can make you feel three or four degrees cooler.



2. Use a fan with your window air conditioner to spread cool air through your home.



3. If you find your 2nd. floor is warmer than your first floor, keep the fan selection on your central air thermostat set to the on position. This will blend the both floors and drop the upstairs temperature.



4. Without blocking air flow, shade your outside compressor. Change air filters monthly during the summer.



5. Use a programmable thermostat with your air conditioner to adjust the setting at night or when no one is home.



6. Don't place lamps or TVs near your air conditioning thermostat. The heat from these appliances will cause the A/C to run longer.



7. Install White window shades, drapes or blinds to reflect heat away from the house. Close curtains on south and west windows during the day.



8. Caulking and weather stripping will keep cool air in during the summer.



9. Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use. If you have any other questions feel free to email me at: findit@LehighValleyRealty.com

Watch Your Insurance Claims

Having homeowners insurance is a necessity to protect you for some unforeseen covered losses to your property and personal effects. Your insurance should be used only in extreme circumstances. Let me give you an example. Let's say you have a loss for $1,000.00, your insurance company will cover that loss minus your deductible, and you have a deductible of $500.00. Your insurance company will issue a check for $500.00. Do you feel that was a worthwhile claim? I say not! One reason this claim would not be worth filing, your insurance company will use this claim against you. In the future your insurance premiums will increase. Another good reason when its time to sell your home, it can make it more expensive for the new homeowner to get reasonable premium. Even if your insurance company opens a claim, and you never collect a penny, it will still count against you. Based on what the properties loss experience is, you might say. "What does that matter, I do not have ABC insurance". Guess what, it does matter. All insurance companies have access to this information to determine insurance rates. So in conclusion insurance is designed to protect you against losses. You just need to use it in a prudent fashion, for a significant loss to keep your insurance premiums at the lowest possible costs. This will benefit you and your future buyer of your home. To save even more premium dollars increase your deductible. If you have any questions feel free to email at findit@LehighValleyRealty.com

Resource for Landlords & Investors

Investing in & managing rental properties can be difficult, but the payoff is often well worth it. A new Website, www.completelandlord.com, aims to make managing rental properties more, well, manageable. The site provides valuable tools, information and online community designed to help landlords and investors increase the return on their property investments. Feel free to contact me for more info at: findit@LehighValleyRealty.com

Pre-Listing Appraisal

As the real estate markets are adjusting around the nation - home sellers are increasingly ordering appraisals before putting their homes on the market. Paying around $400.00 to have a home appraisal prior to listing can be a very good sales strategy. Of course I always provide a detailed competitive market analysis to help my clients pick the proper listing price. I strive to get homes sold for as much as possible and within the desired time frame. I use many of the same factors that fee appraisers look at when evaluating a property.

Unfortunately, in these changing times, a price pegged to the current market isn't always as high as the sellers hope for. That is why some sellers are seeking a paid valuation from appraisers - professionals who specialize in providing independent and unbiased valuations based on current market conditions.

Besides confirming the right price at which to list the property, sellers who have an appraisal in hand can use it as a sales tool, to reinforce their asking price. Second, buyers will be more comfortable making an offer on an already appraised home as compared with other homes that lack an appraisal. The appraisal can help assure the buyers that they are not paying too much - especially important in changing markets. Feel free to contact me anytime at: findit@LehighValleyRealty.com