The House Made Of Bricks - 04/25/10 10:56 AM
I wish this post below, was not true. But it is. I can be cheaper and less hassle to tear down an old building than to renovate it. Many of our old historic properties are not cost effective to renovate and keep, thanks to modern code requirements and officials who make it their business to go line by line on a construction project.
 
I am not saying the codes are not good. I am saying that some officials stick their nose in where it doesn't belong, and in effect DOOM solid structures, oftentimes historic properties--to be abandoned or vacated rather … (3 comments)

Protecting Your Property Rights, Our Day on the Hill - 04/25/10 10:43 AM
Karen Rittenhouse wrote this great piece on how property owners are being affected by legislation in Washington right now. She writes a nice summary of what is up in the legislation.
Some of it just might affect Schuylkill County property owners and investors...
 
 
Via Karen Rittenhouse (Triad Residential Solutions):
I just got back from D.C. where we were working to protect your property rights during a day on the hill, meeting with our Congressmen and Senators or their representatives.
Why? The National Real Estate Investors Association (National REIA) informed our local Triad REIA of some upcoming legislation that could be harmful … (0 comments)

Post 1000: 3 Years Playing in the Rain and What it Means to Me - 04/25/10 09:33 AM
WARNING: LONG, HARD CORE BLOG TALK! This is my 1000th post.
I wanted to write something significant and meaningful about my 3-year journey on ActiveRain.
I have been blogging for a few years now, and can directly attribute blogging hre on ActiveRain and on several other platforms– and using social media in general – for a good chunk of my new business since then. It is the most important part of my marketing mix right now, and I devote at least an hour or two a day to it. Some may walk past my office and see me writing a … (70 comments)

Sharp Mountain Film Festival Kicks Off! - 04/24/10 12:57 PM

 
The Sharp Mountain Film Festival kicks off this weekend in Pottsville, PA.
Named for the mountain range on Pottsville's southern border, the festival brings idependent film and filmmakers to Schuylkill County, PA. The festival will showcase independent films, and also sponsors a "48 Hour" Competition, to inspire new filmmakers.
One of the organizers, Loretta Mestishen, is also a filmmaker. She was quoted in the Pottsville Republican: "We also would like to attract more filmmakers from outside the county to show them what we have here, because I think Schuylkill County is a great place to shoot."
Mesitshen is also … (2 comments)

Single Property Sites: What are You Doing? - 04/23/10 07:44 PM
I am considering taking a new marketing angle and creating a single property site for every one of our listings.

 
 
 
 
We already use postlets, but I am also looking at epropertysites.
Epropertysites looks like it's $10 per site. Has anyone used this program and what do you think?
I want to create a website for every property we have. I also considered creating a wordpress blog or google site for each property. Both of those options would be free.
Looking for suggestions...
 
Thanks!
 
… (13 comments)

Short Sale Legal Issues Affecting Real Estate Agents - Part #1 - 04/23/10 07:01 PM
We frequently work with short sales in Schuylkill County, PA. This is a good post about what we have to work with when handling a short sale.
Via Drew Sygit (The Lending Edge) Real Estate Financing Expert (The Lending Edge):
Short Sale Legal Issues Affecting Real Estate Agents - Part #1
This series of posts is meant to assist real estate agents in recognizing: 
Legal & Tax Issues their clients are exposed to through a short sale. The legal liabilities agents may expose themselves to when representing short sale sellers. How did I come up with this series idea? 
I do a lot … (2 comments)

The HUD property report and appraisal could limit your ability to bid on a HUD home! - 04/20/10 06:29 PM
Richard from Georgia wrote this great piece on HUD properties, but it applies here in Pennsylvania HUD homes as well.
The listed price for a Pennsylvania HUD home is the appraised value--the fair market value.
If you seriously overbid on a home, you may not be able to get a conventional loan. Be careful.
If you are bidding on a Pennsylvania HUD home, make sure you have a HUD broker who knows what they are doing.
 
 
Via Richard Weisser Coweta Fayette Real Estate:
In Newnan Georgia, the competition for HUD properties can be fierce, and sometimes the bidding can get … (1 comments)

Chinese Drywall - The Final Solution - 04/18/10 07:06 PM

Via Jay Markanich (Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC):
Two things have happened in the past few weeks regarding Chinese Drywall.  I have been blogging about Chinese Drywall for two years, long before it hit the media or public conversation.  But two interesting things have happened recently which deserve comment.
In April 2010, in Louisiana, and what is called a "warning shot," and a "bellwether case," Federal Judge Eldon Fallon in New Orleans ordered Taishan Gypsum Co. Ltd., a Chinese concern, to pay seven Virginia families a total of $2.6 million to remediate defective Chinese-made drywall in their homes.  This is the … (6 comments)

Are you a LAIMO? - 04/10/10 09:27 AM
This post follows on the heels (and thanks for the inspiration of a few readers!) of my Are you a BAINO post. That was so well received, here's its evil twin.
A LAIMO is a Listing Agent in Mouth Only. You might be a LAIMO if:
- You ask the seller "How much were you hoping to get for your house??" ... and then list the house at that number without doing a CMA first. You want $400,000 for the house? Sure! We'll try for that!
- You agree to take a seriously overpriced listing, because at least you'll get the … (46 comments)

A Bit of Lightness: Redneck Mailbox Post - 04/09/10 09:34 PM
Things have been PRETTY HEAVY in my neck of the woods lately. A lot of things are going on, both personally and professionally. So I feel that I need a little bit of fun and a little bit of lightness.
I went to show a house this past week and I was sitting in the driveway, and saw this photo op. I soon was grabbing my camera and taking this photo.
The house is relatively new, just a few years old. It is nice, in a great development of professional kind of people. And here is the mailbox. It's not BAD, … (18 comments)

Are you a BAINO? - 04/09/10 06:58 PM
Think we have enough acronyms in this business? Here's a new one for you: BAINO.
Buyer's Agent In Name Only.
What the heck is that? It's someone who throws around the term BUYER'S AGENT loosely, and says they represent the buyer, yet their actions say otherwise.
You might be a BAINO if:
- You ask the buyer what they want to offer on a property, without running a CMA for them first (to support the value).
- You write up that offer, and APOLOGIZE to the listing agent for the fact it's not "high enough."
- You tell the listing agent … (75 comments)

Schuylkill County's Natural Life - 04/05/10 09:00 PM
Schuylkill County's Natural Life
Wednesday, April 7 & 14 / 6:30 - 8:30 pm / $25. Location: Schuylkill County AG Center - Rt. 901, Pottsville.
Learn about the local wildflowers and trees, folklore and animals.
Call 570-624-3018 or 1-800-621-6325 to register.
For more information on the Schuylkill County Agricultural Extension, see link here. Penn State Cooperative Extension in Schuylkill County gives local residents easy access to the resources and expertise of the Pennsylvania State University. Through educational programs, publications, and events, cooperative extension agents deliver unbiased, research-based information to Schuylkill County citizens. We can answer your questions on a wide array … (2 comments)

"As Is / Where Is" ... Unnecessary Phrase? - 04/04/10 05:40 PM
I recently took a CE class at another board of realtors and the broker teaching the class was excellent. He was well prepared on the topic, entertaining, and seemed right on top of the current trends. One point he made has me thinking about a phrase we see all the time
"Property is being sold as is/where is"
How many times have we seen this? We know it's written into every bank-owned, REO, HUD, Fannie Mae property (and other foreclosure properties). But WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Well, duh, we ALL know what it means, right? It means you are taking the … (14 comments)

2 Peach St. Pine Grove PA 17963: $77,000 - 04/04/10 05:12 PM
2 Peach St. Pine Grove PA 17963: $77,000 House on very nice lot setting in Pine Grove. The home has an enclosed porch on front of house and nice little deck on the back. Master features a 1/2 bath in suite, and access to attic steps in closet. 3rd bedroom features a bonus storage area. Hot water heater features optional solar panel hookup. Some new windows and a nice coal stove to supplement the electric heat. 1 car garage and 2 story barn also on property. Motivated seller says... Bring on the offers! Listing Agent is BOB SOOY: email bobsooy@hotmail.com … (1 comments)

Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville, PA -- MUSICIANS WANTED - 04/04/10 05:01 PM
Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville PA
April 6, 2010 6:30 pm
Making Music - Let the Music Take You
Tuesday, Apr 6, 13, 20, 27 / 6:30 - 8 pm / $40.
Trinity Lutheran Church - 300 West Arch Street, Pottsville
Calling all singers, songwriters, and instrumental musicians. If you are looking to improve your skills, develop stage presence, communication skills, overcome shyness, and build self confidence then this course is for you!
Call 570-624-3018 or 1-800-621-6325 to register
Also, the church is looking for clothing donations. Attention Spring Cleaners!!! We are looking for new or gently used clothing in all sizes … (0 comments)

Active Rainer NEEDS Your Help PLEASE! - 04/04/10 04:12 PM
 
I am re-blogging this post from Katerina Gasset about fellow Active Rainer Denise Shockey.
 
 
 
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Via Nestor & Katerina Gasset Realtors® Wellington Florida Luxury Homes (International Properties and Investments, Inc.):
Please reblog this post so that we can help get the word out about Denise Shockey's family's tragedies. 
Denise Shockey is very near and dear to my heart. She is one of the agents that I have had the privilage to coach. We even have split short sale deals together. Denise is such a hard and smart worker. She works for Re/Max in Cocoa Beach Florida. 
She had … (0 comments)

Closing Gift Idea: Personalized Stationery/Stamps - 04/03/10 07:09 PM
I just came across an interesting website for a custom stationery store called Expressionery.com
Their stamps are very classy and would make a nice closing gift. Plus, there's a 40% off offer and free shipping until June 30, 2010 (coupon to use is "rsapr" at checkout).
The custom stamps by "Three Designing Women" are especially nice and would make great closing gifts for your buyers.
In this day and age of emails and tweets and facebook, wouldn't it be nice to write -- and nicer to receive -- a hand written note?
Check out the catalog at www.expressionery.com
 
 
… (4 comments)

Making Home Affordable - The banks get another report card - 04/01/10 07:03 PM
Here is a good summary of what's been happening lately with the Home Affordable Loan Modification Program (HAMP).
 
 
Via Aim Real Estate Group, Temecula Realtors®:
According to the most recent Servicer Performance Report, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of loans modified under the Home Affordable Loan Modification Program or (HAMP). The HAMP program is part of the Making Home Affordable Program launched by the Obama Administration in February 2009.
So how are the banks doing? What level of participation are different banks demonstrating?
Let's take a look.
First an overview of the entire program. Here are some … (2 comments)

 
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Erica Ramus - SchuylkillRealEstate.com - Schuylkill County PA Real Estate

Pottsville, PA

More about me…

Erica Ramus - Ramus Realty Group - Pottsville, PA

Address: 300 Mauch Chunk St. Suite A, Pottsville, PA, 17901

Office Phone: (570) 622-6006 x 301

Cell Phone: (570) 449-2131

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