gettysburg real estate: Casino in Gettysburg, PA
- 01/24/10 11:02 AM
The Pennsylvania Legislature passed a bill on January 7th that now allows the state Casinos to allow table games. This bill legalizes games like roulette, blackjack, and so forth. The state has reopened the application process for the final "slots resort" license. Local Businessman David LeVan and business partner David Lashinger plan to submit an application for the remaining license. Their plan is to transform the current Eisenhower Inn, into a Casino resort. There are 5 other groups competing for the license. If you're a Gettysburg, PA resident and are concerned about the Casino we should have a pretty good idea … (1 comments)
gettysburg real estate: People Are Getting Into the Action Mode - Holidays Are Over
- 01/09/10 07:43 AM
As expected we were all slow over the holiday season. My business certainly slowed down after the first week of December. I did a few showings between then and now, but all the sudden people seem to be getting into the action mode. The reason I'm saying this is because I've had more showings on my listings this weekend than I did the whole month of December. I think there are a few factors here. Rates moved up a bit. Don't get me wrong they are still fanfreakintastic, but still up a bit from what was becoming the comfort zone in … (5 comments)
gettysburg real estate: Gettysburg, PA Buyers - Don't Wait Any Longer - Rates are Climbing
- 01/05/10 06:55 AM
I've been preaching that rates are going to start to climb for a while now, well guess what, they have. The fantastic rates we were seeing over the past few months are one of the things we are likely going to leave back in 2009. The government is running out of funds to buy mortgage backed securities (mortgages). What does this mean for the consumer? It means that rates are going to climb. When the government was buying the loans they were buying them at very low profit margin. In fact at much lower returns than most investors are willing to … (1 comments)
gettysburg real estate: Buyers Agent - Please Present the Offer and Counter IF Need Be!!
- 01/04/10 01:44 PM
This weekend I submitted what I knew was a very aggressive offer. I explained this to my client before I emailed the offer to the Listing agent. I called to confirm that he had received the offer, and to chat about why we wrote what we did, but he didn't answer. We also included a pre-approval for the amount being offered (A little late due to some New Years switch over at the mortgage company I use). Today I recieved the following email: David I can assure you that this offer will not be viewed as a serious offer by the … (18 comments)
gettysburg real estate: Gettysburg, PA Buyers Agent
- 01/03/10 07:56 AM
A lot of people end up with a real estate agent because they called a number from a sign and someone answered the phone. This person showed them a house had them sign a buyer agency agreement and are now representing them as their buyer agent. This is probably the most common scenario, but what do you know about your agent? Is this agent reputable? How much experience do they have? When choosing a buyer agent considering doing some research, or read blogs like this one. Look for people who proven that they have knowledge in all areas. If you're purchasing … (0 comments)
gettysburg real estate: A New Year in Gettysburg, PA Real Estate
- 01/03/10 06:32 AM
The dropping of the blinking, shining, LED covered New Years ball officially launched us into 2010. This year, more so than any year this decade felt like a sigh of relief as we moved into the new year. There is something in the air. People want change. There is a calm, quiet feel of rising confidence. Younger generations are digging their feet in, not accepting the current economic conditions are refusing to be ruled by old school thought processes. We are technologically savvy, we are educated, and we are driven. We have the ability to effect change, to create new energy … (0 comments)
gettysburg real estate: Radon Gas - Why it's so dangerous? Technical Jargon Inside
- 12/28/09 01:38 PM
According to www.radon.com radon Radon is a colorless chemically-unreactive inert gas. The atomic radius is 1.34 angstroms and it is the heaviest known gas--radon is nine times denser than air. Because it is a single atom gas (unlike oxygen, O2, which is comprised of two atoms) it easily penetrates many common materials like paper, leather, low density plastic (like plastic bags, etc.) most paints, and building materials like gypsum board (sheetrock), concrete block, mortar, sheathing paper (tarpaper), wood paneling, and most insulations. Lets get technical. There are three kinds of particles (without getting crazy). Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. Of these three … (4 comments)
gettysburg real estate: Tax Credits Vs. Tax Deductions - A Basic Overview
- 12/17/09 07:52 AM
Oftentimes you will hear Realtors using tax benefits as a reason why home ownership is better than renting. While there are many other arguments that can support home ownership I have told people that they would be better off renting more than once. My pocket then reaches up and punches me in the jaw, but repeat business and referrals are better than no business. There isn't a Realtor that hasn't posted something up about the first time buyer tax credit whether it be via email, a blog, or on their website. Most buyers have no idea where this money is coming … (1 comments)
gettysburg real estate: Buyers - Focus on the TERMS not the PRICE
- 12/16/09 10:32 AM
The vast majority of buyers in the Gettysburg, pa real estate market will tell you one thing and one thing only. "I WANT A GOOD PRICE." Lets take this statement a bit further... Do you want a good PRICE or a GOOD DEAL or potentially BOTH. There are a lot more factors than price when buying a home. Typically the only thing a buyer will be sure of is that they want a great price on the house. If a home is listed for 220,000 and they get it for 200,000 they got a great price, but did they get … (3 comments)
gettysburg real estate: Foreclosure Buying Advice - What You Should Know
- 12/11/09 09:05 AM
"I want to buy a foreclosure." I hear this all the time, but I often question the motivation. I'm not going to disagree that there are a lot of good deals on the market. Is the reason for the purchase because it's a foreclosure or is it because we automatically assumed that FORECLOSURE = BARGAIN? Let's take a step back and start the process over. "I want to buy a home." To this I say bravo it's a good move for your future and home ownership is part of the American dream. Our home search will include any foreclosed properties that … (7 comments)
gettysburg real estate: Hey Mr. Lender Get Your Dirty Hands Off my Buyer!
- 12/08/09 08:07 AM
Recently one of my buyers found a 3 unit that was a FHA 203K candidate. I've never done one, but what the hell lets forge ahead here and learn something. We had the feasibility study done, and found out that, well, it wasn't feasible. The repairs were going to put us out of appraisal range, and out of my buyers financial range as well. So deal dead, no big deal, we'll find something else that works. Yesterday we head out, look at one property, and It's the one. Love at first site. I agreed the buyer that he couldn't let this … (9 comments)
gettysburg real estate: Roman Inn Pizza And Sub Shoppe, Gettysburg, PA - A Hidden Treasure
- 12/08/09 07:25 AM
Gettysburg, PA is well known for pretty much two things. It's the home of the Battle of Gettysburg, which marked the end of the Civil War. It's also the home of Gettysburg College. With in the borders of Gettysburg there are many hidden treasures. There are a number of small shops also restaurants with great food. Among those hidden treasures is The Roman Inn Pizza and Sub Shoppe. Mr. Mike Frank the owner brought the New Jersey pizza sub shop experience to Gettysburg, PA. He, like many others, came to Gettysburg and realized that the town had a lot to offer. … (2 comments)
gettysburg real estate: The Square (circle) in Gettysburg, PA Decorated for Christmas
- 12/05/09 03:03 AM
The day after Thanksgiving each year, the Gettysburg square is decorated with a large Christmas tree. The nearby streets are decorated with wreathes with red bows and Christmas lights. Our quaint historic town looks very welcoming and festive this time of year. It's really a great time of year to enjoy Gettysburg. It's also a time of year where the town is free of tourist traffic and at some point college students. Our town thrives because of these two income sources, but everything slows down a bit around Christmas time. It's a great time to visit to enjoy the sites and … (3 comments)
gettysburg real estate: Listing your House - CMA or Appraisal - Thoughts?
- 11/30/09 05:50 AM
With the market being a bit tricky these days and with all the new legislation it got me thinking about the CMA's I'm working on. I'm looking for comps that are less than 6 months old, which aren't always easy to find. Then I'm looking for properties that are actually similar besides sq footage, also a difficult task at times. I would like to first say that I don't doubt my ability to do a CMA and price something correctly. I must however ask the question. Would it be beneficial to Sellers to have an Appraisal done prior to listing? … (5 comments)
gettysburg real estate: I'm at the House you have Listed - Can we see it now?
- 11/27/09 09:22 AM
"I'm at the house you have listed on X road, can we see it now? I don't know if I'm a sucker for punishment or what, but I do my best to run out and show properties when this happens. Tonight I was headed home with my freshly made Stromboli when the phone rang. I pulled over because I was about to go into the one section of the Verizon "map" they are advertising on TV that isn't red. I think my house and some place in North Dakota are the only places without service. I take the call, start talking … (15 comments)
gettysburg real estate: DO NOT Abuse your Line of Credit
- 11/23/09 01:45 PM
To preface this I would like to state that I work with mostly very young buyers and sellers. I don't specialize in this, but right now it's just how it's working out. Younger buyers typically mean less money down and very little equity, which can be challenging considering that home prices have dropped considerably the past few years. Now, the reason I'm saying be careful with your line of credit is because it was most likely based on your homes value when you applied for the line of credit. Banks typically want to keep 80/20 or 90/10 Loan to value so … (5 comments)
gettysburg real estate: The Real Meaning of Real Estate Adjectives
- 11/17/09 04:18 AM
I was motivated to write this blog by Chrissy Schultz, a Realtor friend from Frederick, Md. She is in the process of listing a property and can't figure out the right words. We were talking via Facebook chat and it inspired me to put hand to keyboard and discuss this topic a bit. How often do you find yourself sitting behind your computer screen, hands on the keyboard, smoking pouring out the top of your head, wheels spinning trying to find a way to make a bad property sound good. This property is faced with the ugly duckling syndrome. It was … (4 comments)
gettysburg real estate: Tax Credit Looks Like It Will Be Extended AND Expanded Until April 2010
- 10/28/09 01:00 PM
NOTE- I HAVE NOT SEEN FULL CONFIRMATION THAT ITS BEEN EXTENDED. I AM SIMPLY REPORTING THAT IT HAS BEEN AGREED UPON. DO NOT TAKE THIS AS FACT UNTIL THE ACTUAL BILL IS PASSED. OTHER THINGS ARE GROUPED IN THIS PACKAGE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN AGREED UPON SO IT IS NOT TECHNICALLY OFFICIAL. According to the Associated Press, It's looking good for the Tax Credit. It's mixed in with a bunch of other things that are still being haggled over, but it sounds like we are going to be moving forward with this. So the new details would be..... Associated Press … (1 comments)
gettysburg real estate: Interest Rates and Overall Home Expense
- 10/26/09 08:25 AM
Many people don't realize how powerful interest really is. We figure we buy a home for 200,000 we are paying back 200,000 and a little extra. Well that little extra is really a lot extra. While I was doing some reading a few months back I came across this article on www.inman.com. While most of us expect interest rates to jump up at some point few buyers realize how much that really changes the amount of money they pay back over 30 years. So if you are reading this and your sitting on the fence, it might be enough to push … (2 comments)
The Gettysburg Homes and real estate information blog is my way of giving back to Gettysburg's people and my personal sphere of influence. The objective is to provide real time real estate information and it's potential effect on Gettysburg, PA.
The current real estate market is far from what one would call "normal." Changes are constant, which requires professional realtors to be knowledgable and capable of shifting with the market. The governments attempts to stimulate the market has also caused a steep learning curve for most buyers and sellers in the market. An understanding of the policies and procedures is just one way I can help you to the successful sale or purchase of a Gettysburg, Pa property.
I work both as a Gettysburg buyer agent, and a Gettysburg listing agent. I also enjoy the challenge of finding quality investment properties and helping buyers to ensure a desired profit margin.
If I can help you in any way feel free to call or send me an email. Quick response time and great communication are always my goal.
The Pennsylvania Legislature passed a bill on January 7th that now allows the state Casinos to allow table games. This bill legalizes games like roulette, blackjack, and so forth. 
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