STRESS MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUE

Just in case you are having a rough day, here is a stress management technique recommended in all the latest psychological journals.  The funny thing is that it really does work and will make you smile. . . .

       1. Picture yourself lying on your belly on a warm rock that hangs out over a crystal clear stream. . .

      2. Picture yourself with both your hands dangling in the cool running water.

       3. Birds are sweetly singing in the cool mountain air.

       4. No one knows your secret place.

       5. You are in total seclusion from that hectic place called the world.

       6. The soothing sound of a gentle water fall fills the air with a cascade of serenity.

       7. The water is so crystal clear that you can easily make out the face of the person you are holding underwater.

There!!  See?  It really does work...  You're smiling already.  Feel free to forward this if you know others who might benefit from this technique.

It's almost time for Nazareth Days in Nazareth, Pennsylvania. 

What are Nazareth Days? 

Nazareth Days are lots of fun!!

This year, Nazareth Days start July 16th and end July 18th. 

On Thursday, the local shops and businesses have sidewalk sales.  You can find some really great bargains here. 

On Friday, in addition to the sidewalk sales, some of the businesses offer free popcorn and pretzels, ice cream for 10 cents a scoop (WOW!), and hot dogs for a super low price.  I have not seen these prices since I was  little girl.  (Oh, oh!!  I'm showing my age.)  Friday evening is the block party.  The streets downtown are closed off for food, dancing and entertainment.  Lots of fun!

But, wait, there's more!

Saturday is the final day of the sidewalk sale.  In addition to the sales, trolleys take you from downtown Nazareth to the boro park (all FREE), or you can walk it.  What's the big interest in going to the park that day?  Lots of tables of vendors with crafts, paintings, etc.  and a car show in the ball field.  

For the finale, the park will have entertainment and (drum roll, please) a fireworks display for the grand finale! 

I will have a Keller Williams table in the town circle with a couple of other fellow agents, where the food will be located.  (Mmmmmmm!!  I can just smell it now!  I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!)  Come on out to see me and to say hello!  I would love to see you and meet you.  There will be some great prizes to raffle off donated by some of the area businesses. 

It will be lots of fun!!  See for yourself!!  

Here is what's happening in our area:

Recommendation:

If you're buying a home, it is important that you work closely with a highly-motivated agent who understands what's going on with the real estate market and local economy.  He/She will be able to advise you on how to get the most for your money and what homes you may want to avoid, as there are homes on the market that are not priced at their fair market value.

If you're selling your home, it's also important that you work closely with a highly-motivated agent who understands what's going on with the market and local economy.  Your goal is to net top dollar - which you may not achieve if you over price or under price your home.

The real estate figures for June 2009 have just come out for the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, and they are looking great!

The number of sales for June 2009 increased by 33.3%, from 442 sales in May 2009 up to 589 sales.

The average sales price rose by 8%.  The average price recorded for June 2009 was $218,000 where in May 2009 the average price was $202,000.

The average time on the market for a home decreased.  During June 2009 the average market time was 81 days as compared to 83 days in May 2009.

Based on 6 new construction properties sold during the month of June, the average sales price for a new home, consisting of 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths, was $370,000, down from the average price of $464,000 in May 2009.

June Sales Distribution

Sale Price                            Number of Sales

under $70,000                             27
$70,001 - $100,000                     36
$100,001 - $150,000                   98
$150,001 - $200,000                  145
$200,001 - $250,000                  113
$250,001 - $300,000                    69
$300,001 - $350,000                    45
$350,001 - $400,000                    16
$400,001 - $450,000                    18
$450,001 - $500,000                     7
$500,001 - $600,000                    10
$600,001 - $700,000                     1
$700,001 - $800,000                     2
$800,001 and above                     2

Looks like the market is picking up in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania.

Have you ever wanted to watch a polo match?  Or even learn the game?

Well, here's your opportunity! 

The Lehigh Valley Horse Council will be sponsoring a polo demonstration at Edgewood Valley Farm just outside of Nazareth, on Thursday, July 16th at 7PM.  The speaker will be Bob Brosious of the Tinicum Park Polo Club. 

All are welcome!

If you bring your riding helmet, you can even try your hand at it.  Just think, you will actually be able to get on a polo pony and try this sport out for yourself.

Hope to see you there!!

The Lehigh Valley Horse Council is a non-profit organization devoted to promoting equine activites and educating the horse owner and the general public.  They sponsor clinics and lectures that feature experts on every aspect of horsemanship.  All this is offered  FREE to everyone.

This is a great time to buy a home!  Really!

Thanks to the efforts of the National Association of REALTORS, Congress is offering $8,000 tax credit to help first time home-buyers purchase a home.

Those that qualify and purchase a residence before December 1st, 2009, are eligible for the credit.  This allows you to deduct 10% of the purchase price of your home up to $8,000 when you file your taxes. 

What this means is that the home MUST be settled on by this date, at which point the home should be under agreement no later than September 30th, 2009 to allow for inspections, negotiations, etc.

As you can see, there is not much time left.  The timeline allows you a short amount of time to get pre-qualified or pre-approved for a mortgage and then to search for a home.  Rushing will not ensure that you will find a home that is right for you.

Click here for more information, or attend my first time home-buyers seminar to learn more.

This weekend being a holiday weekend and my husband having 3 days off, I decided to take the weekend off.  We did a lot of bicycle riding and hiking.

We started off hiking in Louise Moore Park.  Louise Moore Park is located within 10 minutes of Nazareth, Pennsylvania in Lower Nazareth and Bethlehem Townships.  It offers much for the public. 

There are paved and gravel trails that can be used for hiking or biking.  Along the gravel trail, which happens to be longer than the paved trail, has different stations along the way to stop and do assorted exercises, like crunches, balance beams, sit ups, etc. 

You can also walk the perimeter of the park which is all grassy and also includes a self-guided nature trail.   

All along the route, many trees are labeled, so all can learn and identify the trees native to the area.  Some of these trees are huge.

Louise Moore has areas you can reserve for parties and picnics.  There is also a play area for the children.

We had the pleasure of hiking Jacobsburg State Park, too.  Here you walk through the woods and along the Bushkill Creek part of the time.  If you love nature, this is an ideal place to enjoy all the plants native to the area and the wildlife. 

If it is warm out, you can also wade in the Bushkill Creek in spots.  My husband did and he found out the water was still rather cold.  Brrrrrrrrr.  Maybe next month it will feel better.

Jacobsburg State Park allows pets, as long as they are leashed.  Even some of the dogs have enjoyed a nice swim in the hot weather.

In addition to hiking, the park allows fishing, biking, and horseback riding along the many trails winding through acres and acres of woods.  It is a great place to relax and enjoy. 

Feel like a picnic with the family?  There are even places for that with picnic tables if you wish or just lay down a blanket in one of the clearings and bon apetit. 

These parks are only 2 of the many areas that you can enjoy hiking, biking, horseback riding and picnicing.  Each park has different things to offer for the nature lover.

Many buyers don't seem to know what Title Insurance is all about.  It is paid at settlement and found on your closing cost sheet.

Basically, Title insurance protects the holder from any losses sustained from defects in the title.  It is required by most mortgage lenders.  Here are 5 other things you should know about title insurance.

1.   It protects your ownership right to your home, both from fraudulent claims against your ownership and from mistakes made in earlier sales, such as a mistake in the spelling of a person's name or an inaccurate description of the property.

2.   It is a one-time cost usually based on the price of the property.

3.   It is usually paid for by the sellers, although this can vary depending on your state and local customs.

4.   There are both lender title policies, which protect the lender, and owner title policies, which protect you.  The lender will probably require a lender policy.

5.   Discounts on premiums are sometimes available if the home has been bought within only a few years, since not as much work is required to check the title.  Ask the title company if this discount is available.

Here are some interesting facts about Independence Day that you may not have known!

Did you know:

1. Independence Day commemorates the formal adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.  However, it was not declared a legal holiday until 1941.

2. Fireworks were made in China as early as the 11th century.  The Chinese used their pyrotechnic mixtures for war rockets and explosives.

3. Uncle Sam was first popularized during the War of 1812, when the term appeared on supply containers. Believe it or not, the U. S. Congress didn't adopt him as a national symbol until 1961.

4. There are many precise rules for taking care of the American flag.  And speaking of flag traditions, we're sorry to report that contrary to legend, historical research has failed to confirm that Betsy Ross sewed the first flag.

5. Not all members of the Continental Congress supported a formal Declaration of Independence, but those who did were passionate about it.  One representative rode 80 miles by horseback to reach Philadelphia and break a tie in support of independence.

6. The first two versions of the Liberty Bell were defective and had to be melted down and recast.  The third version rang every Fourth of July from 1778 to 1835, when, according to tradition, it cracked as it was being tolled for the death of Chief Justice John Marshall.

7. The American national anthem, the "Star-Spangled Banner," is set to the tune of an English drinking song ("To Anacreon in Heaven").

8. The iron framework of the Statue of Liberty was devised by French engineer Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel, who also built the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

9. The patriotic poem "America the Beautiful" was published on July 4, 1895 by Wellesley College professor Katharine Lee Bates.

10. Father of the country and architect of independence George Washington held his first public office at the tender age of 17.  He continued in public service until his death in 1799.

Source: MSN Encarta