Whether You are Buying In Gettysburg Pa or Petersburg Va the Tips Apply - 12/31/09 02:24 PM
Whether You are Buying In Gettysburg Pa or Petersburg Va the Tips ApplyBeing a first time home buyer is a daunting enough task, add unscroupulous builders, sellers, agents or any combination of the previous and it could cost you big time. I have put together a list of first time home buyer tips to maybe keep someone from being taken.In no specific order;        Many first time home buyers make the mistake of believing that since the home they are purchasing is new they don't need an inspection. Nothing could be further from the truth. If you feel that an inspection … (1 comments)

Taking a Cue from the Dog - 12/30/09 01:59 PM
Taking a Cue from the DogNow that Christmas is behind us, we can focus our attention on the coming New Years Eve celebration. I think there will be alittle extra celebration in my world this year as this year more than others I am happy to put behind me. This one was a doosey, a real humdinger. Not one for the record books mind you, but more along the lines of a nine year old swallowing medicine. That was AWFUL, but at least it is over and done with.My hopes for this coming year are pretty lofty, well I really don't … (5 comments)

Understanding UFFI (Urea-Formaldehyde Foam Insulation) Part 1 - 12/30/09 01:05 PM
Understanding UFFI (Urea-Formaldehyde Foam Insulation) Part 1
 
Urea-Formaldehyde Foam Insulation was first used as a building product in 1970. Formaldehyde is known to cause cancer in animals, as well a number of conditions in humans including rashes, asthma, eye, and nose and throat irritations. It is a colorless gas that in small enough quantities can go undetected.
 
UFFI was a popular material because its foamy nature made it easy to find hard to reach locations. It was applied by pumping the material into walls. Upon drying the material will harden.
 
The product was banned by the Consumer Product … (5 comments)

Updating or Building a New Kitchen? Some Tips to Keep in Mind to Keep from Losing your Mind. - 12/29/09 08:18 PM
Updating or Building a New Kitchen? Some Tips to Keep in Mind to Keep from Losing your Mind.
 
Doing a remodel or a new building project can be trying at best. It has been known to bring previously solid relationships to a crashing end. Some tips to keep in mind to ensure a happy ending for both the project and the relationship.
 
First and foremost, be sure to get as much cabinet storage space as you can. Whether base cabinet or wall cabinet, be sure to build in an adequate amount of storage space. Be sure to place doors … (5 comments)

Federal Fair Housing Laws: The Same from San Francisco Ca to Gettysburg Pa - 12/29/09 08:07 PM
Federal Fair Housing Laws: The Same from San Francisco Ca to Gettysburg Pa
 
Federal Fair Housing laws are the same no matter where in the United States you are.
Title VIII of the United States Civil Rights Act of 1968 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. This act prohibits refusing to sell or rent, discriminating on terms, discriminatory advertising, and discrimination of provisions of brokerage services, "steering" and "redlining".
 
            Refusal to rent or sell is often a product of landlords or property managers misrepresenting the availability of a … (0 comments)

Asbestos: Know What you are Dealing With - 12/28/09 05:36 PM
Asbestos: Know What you are Dealing With
 
Asbestos is a natural mineral that is used in a myriad of building products, especially in the fireproofing industry. Prior to 1979 asbestos was used widely in the building industry. Studies show that asbestos can cause in humans. Asbestos levels become dangerous when the material is disturbed, making the fibers airborne. Inhaling the fibers into the lungs is the manner in which asbestos becomes a problem. What follows is a list of areas where asbestos is common.
 
Fireproofing materials= almost any product that was used as a fireproofing material contains asbestos.
 
… (3 comments)

A Helpful Way of Achieving Goals in 2010 - 12/28/09 07:34 AM
A Helpful Way of Achieving Goals in 2010For those of you that are familiar with Goal setting, it is generally believed that writing down those goals has a positive affect and seems to better the odds of achieving them. However there is another little trick that even further increases the impact of achieving goals. Writing the goals in the form of an affirmation and repeating the affirmation out loud to ourselves has a positive impact on how we approach goal setting success and failure.Goals= an aim or desired resultAffirmation= a statement or word indicating agreement

Zig Zigler is quoted as … (7 comments)

Cheap, Frugal, or Financially Responsible? Give me your input… - 12/24/09 01:30 PM
Cheap, Frugal, or Financially Responsible? Give me your input…
 
I am an admitted tech addict that is trying to figure out whether I am cheap, frugal, or just financially responsible. I have written many blogs on a myriad of different subjects, many of which are tech related.
 
Recently I blogged about the virtues and joys of flash drives, how data storage has evolved through the years and where the world of data storage is today. I wrote that blog on my trusty and ancient Compaq Presario 1500 laptop. You see, my computer stable is quite varied, at the … (9 comments)

Floppy Disc to Compact Disk to Flash Drive; Data Storage Evolution - 12/23/09 02:20 PM
Floppy Disc to Compact Disk to Flash Drive; Data Storage Evolution
 
Over the last 10 to 20 years computer technology has come a long way, and data storage devices have followed right along. The first generation of data storage for was known as acomputers floppy disk, the name reflected the devices thin floppy nature. They were a pain to use simply because they were so, well, floppy. The next generation of floppy came with the same name, however they were much easier to work with and transport as they were smaller and an actual “hard” disk. Things moved along smoothly … (1 comments)

First Impressions include your Website - 12/23/09 01:02 PM
First Impressions include your Website
 
As I have noted numerous times in many of my blogs “You only get one chance to make a first impression” notably said by Dale Carnegie, and while we all know he meant this in a personal meeting situation, this also applies to your website. It is vital that you build a website that attracts new clients and keeps existing clients coming back. If you are taking the time to build and promote a website, take the time to do it correctly. Web users are not going to choose you if upon visiting your site … (8 comments)

Blogging Basics Some Tips to Get Started - 12/22/09 12:33 PM
Blogging Basics Some Tips to Get Started
 
Web logs (blogs) are an important tool for today’s Real Estate professionals. It is a great way present yourself to your community, and potential clients. Getting started takes some work, and quite a bit of thought. I am by no means a blogging expert; however I have learned a few things along the way that may help other Realtors learn the virtues and values of blogging.
 
What is the purpose of your blog? Are you looking to interact with other real estate professionals, prospect for new clients, or offer helpful information to … (3 comments)

Presenting Marketable Title at Closing - 12/22/09 11:53 AM
Presenting Marketable Title at Closing
 
Presenting Marketable Title at Closing is required from a seller under contract. At final closing a seller is required to deliver a title free from any significant defects other than those clearly stated in the contract. If significant risk of litigation exists the title is not considered marketable, the buyer cannot be forced to buy the property if risk of a lawsuit accompanies it.
 
An unmarketable title does not necessarily mean the property cannot be transferred, it does however disclose that the title contains certain defects that may restrict its ownership.
 
A marketable … (0 comments)

All this Snow has it Raining Hard in the House; Recognizing Activerain as a Learning Institution - 12/21/09 11:49 AM
All this Snow has it Raining Hard in the House; Recognizing Activerain as a Learning Institution
 
All this snow that has been falling for the past 9 hours has finally given me the time to revisit book marked blog posts for closer viewing. It has become clear to me that I need to treat Activerain as if I am attending a learning institution, at least on a part time basis, say 8 to 10 units. We aren’t talking community college here; Activerain is right up there with the best of the Ivy League institutions. There are rules that can better … (7 comments)

Monday Mornings With Jim Rohn - 12/21/09 10:57 AM
Monday Mornings With Jim Rohn
 
 
This weeks quote:
 
“Ignorance is not bliss. Ignorance is poverty. Ignorance is devastation. Ignorance is tragedy. It all stems from ignorance.”
 
That is a powerful statement. It is no secret that Mr. Rohn was a strong advocate of education. To me it is a reminder that the Real Estate industry is in a state of constant change and I need to commit myself to learning as much as I can about those changes, and to not let myself become ignorant of those changes.
 
What about you, what does this quote say … (3 comments)

Strengthen the Foundation of your Financial House - 12/18/09 04:29 PM
Strengthen the Foundation of your Financial House
 
Buying a home in today’s real estate market requires a strong financial foundation. If your financial house is not in order your chances of getting a mortgage are slim to none. If your financial  house is in need of repair there are some things you can do to right the ship.
 
Start with the basics, target credit cards one at time. The most effective approach is to target the card with highest interest rate. Put all of your energy and resources into getting that one card paid off, some people like to … (43 comments)

Effective Advertising Strategies in Today’s Internet Business World - 12/18/09 09:54 AM
Effective Advertising Strategies in Today’s Internet Business World
 
Creating and utilizing an effective, cost prudent advertising campaign in today’s fast paced, internet based world can be challenging. Whether you are talking a multi-million business or a small three person operation, how advertising dollars are spent has changed. In the past a few well placed print ads along with maybe some strategically placed signage was all you needed to get the attention of your target audience. The times have changed and so too has how we hit that target audience.
 
A while back I proposed the question “is print media … (1 comments)

Civil War Fun Facts from Gettysburg Pennsylvania - 12/17/09 02:59 PM
Civil War Fun Facts from Gettysburg Pennsylvania
                    
Robert E. Lee had a pet chicken named “Hen”. Hen was kept at headquarters tent and would lay an egg under Lee’s cot each morning. The General would eat the egg each morning for breakfast. Hen did survive the battle of Gettysburg, however it is reported that Hen did not survive the war.
 
It is reported that the wagon train of retreating Confederate troops leaving the battlefield stretched approximately 17 miles long.
 
Union General George Sears Greene the “Savior of Culp’s Hill” was Lee’s professor while Lee attended West … (4 comments)

Enhancing Relationships through Personal Notes is Powerful & Inexpensive - 12/16/09 01:40 PM
Enhancing Relationships through Personal Notes is Powerful & Inexpensive
 
Using hand written personal notes to create stronger personal and professional relationships is powerful and cost effective. Many famous and powerful people have used hand written personal notes as a way of communicating with colleagues, clients, family, & friends. George H Bush is a well known personal note writer, it is said that he writes 10 personal notes per day. The ex-President believes that his note writing directly contributed to his being elected President of the United States.
 
Writing personal notes is an exercise in consistency. Once started it … (7 comments)

Grace Kelly in Downtown Gettysburg Pennsylvania - 12/15/09 06:58 AM
Grace Kelly in Downtown Gettysburg Pennsylvania
 
Downtown Gettysburg Pennsylvania has a new business to add to its resume. Grace Kelly Salon is located at 29 York St, Gettysburg, Pa 17325. As with Unbridled Fine Art, Grace Kelly Salon is owned and operated by a Gettysburg native who has returned to the area to help make Gettysburg a thieving, contemporary destination. Kelly Kaiser opened Grace Kelly Salon in September of 2008 and has strived to make the salon “a downtown salon with an art vibe, and a smart sense of style”
 
Kaiser has certainly achieved the goals of her mission statement. The … (4 comments)

Hauser Estate Winery in the Heart of Adams County Apple Country Pa Introduces It’s First Reserve Wine At Wine Dinner - 12/14/09 01:14 PM
Hauser Estate Winery in the Heart of Adams County Apple Country Pa  Introduces It’s First Reserve Wine At Wine Dinner
 
Hauser Estate Winery nestled in the heart of Adams County Apple Country Pa celebrated it’s first reserve wine in the company of many of their friends, family, and locals at their first wine dinner. 2008 Reserve Chardonnay was the accompanied wine with the first course of cream of asparagus soup topped with luscious crab. Hauser has come along way in a short period of time. As I have stated in earlier posts about the winery, Hauser Estate is housed in … (0 comments)

Monday Mornings With Jim - 12/14/09 07:54 AM
Monday Mornings With Jim
The recent passing of business philosopher Jim Rohn has caused me to become more introspective lately. In light of that I have decided to begin my Monday mornings with a quote from Mr. Rohn and some thoughts of my own.
 
"Motivation is not enough. If you have an idiot and you motivate him, now you have a motivated idiot".
 
What I personally take away form this quote is to get and keep myself educated. If I get myself all excited to go out and get myself a boat load of listings and don't know anything … (2 comments)

New Good Faith Estimate change Holds Lenders Feet to the Fire! - 12/13/09 01:17 PM
Some great information by way of Charles Galati...thanks Charles
Via 1% Realty, LLC.:
Starting January 1, 2010 all lenders will be required under the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to use a uniform Good Faith Estimate of closing costs. Under this new rule, lenders will no longer be able to charge a laundry list of lender fees such as processing, underwriting, closing, post-closing etc… which in the past was a tactic to squeeze more money from unsuspecting borrowers at the last minute. With this new form borrowers will have a simple way to see exactly what lenders are making. The money … (4 comments)

Important Terms for First Time Home Buyers - 12/12/09 12:24 PM
Important Terms for First Time Home Buyers

Working with first time home buyers can be alot of fun, they are eager to learn and are bundles of excitement. However it is important that don't catch ourselves talking "over" their heads. It is easy for us who use the language everyday to forget that not everyone understands just what we are talking about. Let's take a look at some of the terms that may not be so obvious to the First Time Home Buyer.

PMI = Private Mortgage Insurance is a special insurance protects the top 20% of the loan. … (2 comments)

Is Your Appearance Affecting Your Business? - 12/11/09 03:02 PM
Is Your Appearance Affecting Your Business?
 
We have all heard the sayings, "dress for success" and "dress for the job you want, not the job you have". But how important is all that etiquette junk? Let's take a look. If you don't think that your appearance and your manners don't affect your ability to market your listings as well as yourself, you are wrong. Dale Carnegie once said, "You only get one chance to make a first impression". When taking clients out for a dining experience, there are some basic rules that apply. Besides showing up in clean, unwrinkled, well … (2 comments)

Paying Your Rent Can Help the Environment - 12/11/09 02:30 PM
Paying Your Rent Can Help the Environment
 
There has been a growing trend by property management companies to change the way tenants are paying their rent. It's new, it's streamlined, it's sexy, and it helps the environment to boot. Can you think of another industry that still uses paper checks? Can you think of any generation Y'ers that even owns a checkbook? Every other aspect of the Real Estate industry is making the jump into technology, why should the rental industry be left in the proverbial dust?
 
Not only does this affect the management companies in positive light, it … (5 comments)

Judge Finds in Favor of Management Company in Suit for the Disabled - 12/10/09 11:05 AM
Judge Finds in Favor of Management Company in Suit for the Disabled 
 
A recent court ruling could have major impact on the nation's apartment industry. Washington DC based Equal Rights Center (ERC) filed suit in 2006 against Atlanta based Post Properties. The suit alleges that the management company "designed, constructed, and operated its complexes in a manner making them inaccessible to persons with disabilities in violation of the Fair Housing Act". Law firm partner Christopher Hanback of Holland & Knight, the firm that represented Post countered that ERC had no standing as an organization representing the disabled, and the … (1 comments)

An Important Passing, An Important Remembrance - 12/10/09 10:59 AM
 
An Important Passing, An Important Remembrance
In the last few days America and the entire business world lost one of its foremost business philosophers. On Dec 5th just a few short days ago Jim Rohnpassed away. His passing will be felt deeply by many who attended his seminars and grew by way of his words as well as his life. After establishing himself as a reputable and successful businessman, Mr. Rohn created Jim Rohn International, engaging in personal development, sales, management, and training seminars. If you ever had the opportunity to hear Jim Rohn speak, consider yourself lucky. His wit … (0 comments)

No Good Deed...Goes Unrecorded! - 12/09/09 10:21 AM
 No Good Deed...Goes UnrecordedThere are new homeowners in Adams County Pennsylvania, Gettysburg Pennsylvania to be exact. The recently married couple did their due diligence, worked with a great Realtor and now they own a nice little rancher not far from the famous Gettysburg National Military Park. They have plans of raising their yet to be born children and live a nice little life. Unbeknown st to the blissful couple their dream home is NOT  THEIRS!  See nobody told them to check and make sure that the Deed to property they thought they purchased was not recorded correctly, it has slipped through … (8 comments)

Are You a Deal Breaker...Breaker? - 12/08/09 12:44 PM
Are You a Deal Breaker...Breaker?
 
So there you are, contract is signed, inspections are done, no major issues, and you're on your way to closing baby! But oh no, not so fast Mr/Ms Realtor. Whether you are a Realtor from Anchorage Al, or Little Rock, Ark, there can be pitfalls ahead. Dead ends, deal breakers, show stoppers, call it what your will; in the end it means...YOU DON'T GET PAID!
Shall we take a look at some of deal busters that could sabotage your deal, we shall.
 
•-         Sellers all of a sudden are not able to move out by the … (1 comments)

Advise Your First Time Home Buyers Away From These Mistakes - 12/08/09 06:42 AM
Advise Your First Time Home Buyers Away From These Common MistakesOur jobs as Realtors include a fiduciary obligation to our clients. What does that term fiduciary mean. The Oxford Dictionary defines Fiduciary as follows; Fiduciary; involving trust, especially with regard to the relationship between a trustee and a beneficiary. In other words, it is our job to look out for our clients. What we want for our first time home buyers to walk away from the experience with a positive attitude. We as their trusted Realtors can help them avoid the following pitfalls.
Where most first time home buyers get into … (6 comments)

Is Your Listing Breaking the Mold? - 12/07/09 11:06 AM
Is Your Listing Breaking the Mold?
Gettysburg Pa is no different than any other region of the United States when comes to mold. Mold seems to have taken the country by storm so to speak. Mold can be found on everything from food to plants to drywall. Pretty much anything that is organic in nature can be a food source for mold. The Real Estate industry has been learning a great deal about mold over the last few decades. Mostly because of the emergence of black toxic mold. It is important to note that not all mold is toxic, black, white, … (4 comments)

You Can Lead A Realtor to Activerain, but You Can't Make em Think - 12/07/09 06:55 AM
I have been involved with Activerain for about 2 months and greatly appreciate the person that opened my eyes and introduced me to the Activerain network. That network has expanded beyond Gettysburg, Adams County Pennsylvania to now include the entire United States Realtor world. In turn I have invited numerous colleagues to take part in a journey that would surely improve their business, increase their knowledge base, and generally enhance their quality of life, yet many have steered clear. Now why is that? RAYAC (Realtors Association of York & Adams Counties) has thousands of Realtors, yet only 180 are registered here … (9 comments)

Why a Teacher Removed all of the Desks in Her Classroom - 12/06/09 12:43 PM
This wonderful story comes to me by way of Rebecca Gaujot of Lewisburg, WV. It says alot about where as a country are, and are going and I just had to share with you all.
Via Rebecca Gaujot Lewisburg WV Realtor (Coldwell Banker Stuart & Watts Real Estate):
Back in September of 2005, on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a social studies school teacher at Robinson High School in Little Rock, did something not to be forgotten. On the first day of school, with the permission of the school superintendent, the principal and the building supervisor, she removed all of … (2 comments)

Unbridled in Gettsyburg Pa - 12/04/09 11:47 AM
Unbridled in Gettysburg Pa
As you head into Gettysburg by way of route 30 east, across from the post office is one of Gettysburg's finest little gems. Unbridled Fine Art, (which is located where the former Front Porch on Buford called home for many years) brings a hint of class to the Gettysburg area. The gallery offers "contemporary art with a vintage aesthetic" Unbridled Fine Art is owned by Jill E. Zdanow, a Gettysburg native who has recently returned to the Adams County area. Zdanow is one of many returning natives who grew up in the Gettysburg area, moved away to a world … (2 comments)

Know Your Structural Basics - 12/04/09 09:38 AM
Know Your Structural Basics
Your out with your Pre approved buyers looking for that dream home when you pull up to the ONE. Incredible curb appeal, nice lawn, just the right color, and it even has a yard for the kids with a play set that stays. As a Realtor you are starting to feel it, yup put another one in the books, maybe I will use this commission to buy that new watch or pair of shoes. Then you begin to notice those signs, those signs that say WAIT, take a closer look. While we need to be careful to … (5 comments)

If You Ain’t Givin, You Ain’t Livin ! - 12/03/09 07:06 AM
As many of you know me, or have read any of my blog posts, I am an agent with a small boutique real estate brokerage. We offer all the same services as all the other brokerages large and small, however we here at Community Benefits Real Estate take it just a bit further. While we strive to provide that highest level of service to our clients, we also feel that the community that live and work in deserves that same level of commitment. We consider our community our franchise, donating 7.5% of our gross revenue back to the community through local … (5 comments)

What’s in the Guts of the Best Western Historic Gettysburg Hotel? - 12/03/09 07:05 AM
What's in the Guts of the Best Western Historic Gettysburg Hotel?
McClellans Tavern.... That's What

When visiting historic Gettysburg Pa, one cannot miss the chance to visit McClellans Tavern. The tavern sits in the heart of the Gettysburg Hotel and boasts one of the most interesting items in the town Gettysburg. The Van Tromp Bar was shipped from jolly old Brick Lane England. It is a traditional English style pub bar constructed of solid mahogany. It is the pride of McClellan's Tavern and apparently was the pride of Brick Lane, England as the tavern still receives guests that are from … (1 comments)

Have You Considered a Niche Market? - 12/02/09 06:46 AM
Have You Considered a Niche Market?
Finding new clients is always a challenge in real estate, add in the current market conditions and you've got yourself a real challenge. New agents especially might want to take a look at "niche" marketing. Think about what you do that you enjoy, what interests you, what has your undivided attention. Do you live near the ocean and love surfing, what about golfing, or how about bike riding. There are so many ways to create a "niche" market. Do you live in or near a college or seniors community, you could farm empty-nesters as well … (4 comments)

Do You Have a Mentor, Should You? - 12/02/09 06:22 AM
Do You Have a Mentor, Should You?
Mentoring applies to almost any business or learning situation. The Oxford Dictionary defines the word mentor as follows; mentor noun,1. an experienced and trusted adviser,2. an experienced person in an organization or educational institution who trains and advises new employees or students.
While I believe the second definition is more exact, the first by far says it for me. When I started my real estate career oh those many years ago, I was fortunate enough to have an excellent mentor. He was my first broker who to this day is still teaching me. What I … (5 comments)

Enjoy History in a Fun Atmosphere at O’ Rorkes in Historic Gettysburg - 12/01/09 06:30 AM
Enjoy History in a Fun Atmosphere at O' Rorkes in Historic Gettysburg
No visit to the Gettysburg Battlefield is complete without a visit to O'Rorkes Irish Pub on Steinwehr Ave just steps to the edge of the National Cemetery. O'Rorkes has been a hot spot for some time for not only tourists, but locals as well. The Pub has a relaxed casual atmosphere, with a friendly yet professional staff, (say please, say thank you). When visiting you will know what I mean by that last statement.
 
The Pub is named for the 26 year old Colonel of the 140th New … (0 comments)

Do I Know Where I am Going? Will I Get to Where I Haven’t Been? - 12/01/09 06:24 AM
Do I Know Where I am Going? Will I Get to Where I Haven't Been?
As the holiday season makes it's way across my calendar, at breakneck speed I might add, I am wondering what real estate has in store for myself as well as my colleagues. I would assume that I am not the only one that taking stock, setting goals, re-evaluating what worked this year, and what didn't. It is time to take a look at the commitment that I have put into my business this, was it enough, do I need to increase my level of commitment?

… (3 comments)

 
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Gerry Michaels GettysburgGerry

Social Meida

Gettysburg, PA

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Studmuffin Media

Address: PO Box 127, Cashtown, Pa, 17310

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