What is a Gettysburg Historic Home - 01/31/11 10:46 AM
What is a Gettysburg Historic HomeBeing a  Gettysburg Realtor and specializing Gettysburg historic homes I am often asked "What do specifically consider a Gettysburg historic home?"  The answer depends on really on how old a house you are looking for. Many of the homes here in Gettysburg are pre Civil War homes, however there are full neighborhoods such as Colt Park that were built in the 1950's. You may not consider a home built in the 1950's to be historic but many of todays young home buyers do, those my age may choose the term "nostalgic" home "historic" home. Either way … (3 comments)

Gettysburg Battlefield Little Round Top - 01/30/11 12:41 PM
Gettysburg Battlefield Little Round TopLittle Round Top Is probably the most strategic geographical area on the entire Gettysburg Battlefield. Luckily for Union forces Col. Strong Vincent saw the strategic value of the hill top and made sure that the ground came into and remained in Union hands. Not that the Confederate forces did not try to take the Little Round Top. Two brigades in Maj. Gen. John Bell Hoods division, one under command of Brig. Gen. E.M. Law and another under command of Brig. Gen. J.B. Robertson attacked the western slope of Little Round Top. It is there that the 20th … (4 comments)

Central Penn Business Journal Marcellus Shale Summit - 01/29/11 02:01 PM
Central Penn Business Journal Marcellus Shale SummitThis past Jan. 25th I was fortunate enough to attend the CPBJ's Marcellus Shale Summit. Those who do not live in the area may not be familiar with the Marcellus Shale. The Marcellus Shale is the second largest natural gas deposits in the world.It stretches from north eastern Pa and swings around  and follows into south western Pa. It also stretched into southern NY, eastern OH, northern WV, and western MD, although on a much smaller scale in those surrounding states. The Marcellus Shale has had it's share of controversy regarding the adverse effects that … (4 comments)

Gettysburg Single Family Homes for Sale - List Prices are Up - 01/28/11 11:07 AM
Gettysburg Single Family Homes for Sale - List Prices are UpThe list price for single family homes in Gettysburg Pa are up as you can see from the chart below. In late 2008 the median list price for a single family home for sale in the Gettyburg Pa area was approximately $250,000. That list point reached it's peak in December of 2008, however by December of 2009 the listing price for a single family home for sale in the Gettyburg Pa area had dropped to a low of $200,000. Clearly a $50k drop in a 12 month period reflected the overall … (4 comments)

Eco Smart Restoration Means a Smaller Enviromental Footprint - 01/27/11 01:26 PM
Eco Smart Restoration Means a Smaller Environmental FootprintMany of you who know me know that I am involved in Eco Smart restorations of historic homes in the Gettysburg Pa area. I am a big fan of using the term "Eco Smart" as opposed to "Green". I believe the term green is often misused in the  building world, green really refers to a building material than it does a style of building or renovating or restoring. I will be henceforth referring to Eco Smart renovating. Eco Smart is more of a lifestyle than a material, it is a plan of action. When … (3 comments)

Healthy Living Gettysburg - 01/27/11 12:14 PM
Healthy Living GettysburgOne of the wonderful things about living and working in Gettysburg Pa is that there are abundant opportuinties to get outside and get some exercise. We all know that the easiest and one of the most beneficial forms of exercise is walking. The Gettsyburg Battlefield offers one of the most scenic opportuinties for a healthy walk.. Brisk walking is considered a type of moderate physical activity. 30 minutes of moderate physical activity is essentail to a healthy lifestyle. Some direct benefits of walking include:    reduces the risk of stroke & heart disease    lowers high blood pressure    lowers risk of … (6 comments)

A Kick Out What, When Your Dream House just can't Wait - 01/27/11 10:41 AM
A Kick Out What, When Your Dream House just can't WaitI am currently in a real estate deal here in Gettysburg and it involves a number of dominoes to fall correctly for the deal to go through. I mentioned to my client that we might be able to utilize a kick out clause. The reaction I got clearly told me that they had never heard of such a thing. So being the relieable Gettysburg Realtor that  I strive to be here is an explaination of the "kick out" clause. The formal definition:            A term that refers to a real … (4 comments)

Book Review: Online Marketing Techniques for Real Estate Agents & Brokers by Karen Vieria - 01/26/11 01:04 PM
Book Review: Online Marketing Techniques for Real Estate Agents & Brokers by Karen VieriaRecently I had the pleasure of reading this book by Karen Vieria. I found this book to be especially helpful in that Ms. Vieria has a wonderful ability to communicate usually technical jargon into easy to understand english. While this book is geared towards those in the Real Estate industry, it is adaptable to any business looking to increase it's online presence. It is full of tips on how to generate web traffic, create and improve your online foot print, branding, marketing etc. Ms. Vieria has a wonderful … (5 comments)

Wednesday Morning Welcome - 01/26/11 11:09 AM
Wednesday Morning WelcomeGood morning to all my AR friends, it is a snowy morning here in Gettysburg Pa. While today is a snowy one, the last few haven't been half bad, a bit cold, but the sun has been shining. That sunshine brought out one of my buddies. I have a little buddy that lives next door to my office, he comes over to say hello when he is out and about. Let me introduce to you the one and only FRED.

 Fred is one of the coolest cats I have ever known, he comes by and lets me know … (4 comments)

Whats the Real Reason You are Blogging - 01/24/11 02:27 PM
Whats the Real Reason You are BloggingOver the past couple of days I have seen more and more posts related to the comments section of posts here on AR. What does it mean when I get hardly any comments, can comment stats help improve my blog content, do you get a comment rush when alot of people comment? All valid questions, but it brought me to a thought that really is the heart of the matter. Who is my target audience?Who is your target AudienceSo who are witting to, what's the purpose of the post, and who do you want to … (22 comments)

Gettysburg NiteLife - 01/23/11 10:14 AM
                    Gettysburg NiteLifeLast night it got down to 9 degrees in Gettysburg Pa. It was a Saturday night and I think half the town had the same attitude as my wife and I, let's get out for a bit. Gettysburg has had a mild winter as far as snow is concerned thus far, but it has been cold and those that live in a winter climate understand that "cabin fever" that occasionally sets in . Well apparently there was a mutual consensus among the residents of Gettysburg that last night was the night to cure the fever. A little Gettysburg NiteLife was … (6 comments)

Do I Have to do Anything to get my Home Show Ready - 01/22/11 12:51 PM
Do I Have to do Anything to get my Home Show ReadyThis is a conversation that this Gettysburg Realtor has far too often. More often than one would think home owners who are putting their homes on the market fail to really understand what is involved marketing a home for sale, or what their role in that endeavor consists of. Here in Gettysburg Pa  alot of what needs to be done depends on the season winter, spring, summer or fall. Whether it is a single family home, duplex or rental marketing tips cross over and need to be observed for a … (4 comments)

The Changing Landscape of Gettysburg Real Estate - 01/21/11 12:52 PM
The Changing Landscape of Gettysburg Real EstateRecently I read an interesting post by Mike Perry concerning the changing landscape of Real Estate in Lancaster County Pa. I was a practicing Realtor in California for years before moving to Gettysburg Pa. Almost immediately I completed the requirements to get my Pa Real Estate license. I have been a Gettysburg Pa Realtor since 2004 and Mikes post got to me thinking about the changes that we here in Gettysburg have seen. In 2004 we had a number of big Real Estateshops in town, RE/Max, ERA, Century 21, Jack Gaughen, Coldwell Banker, as well as … (6 comments)

Do I Need to be Present for the Home Inspection? - 01/21/11 12:01 PM
Do I Need to be Present for the Home Inspection?The Initial ProtestOkay the honest answer is no you really don't have to be present, but the real answer is YES you need be there. Can't say how many times I get asked that question. I really don't have time, I walked the inspection when I bought my last house and I just don't understand anything the home inspector talks about. I have heard all the excuses, even having clients ask if I could show up for them. All of these things are simply an attempt to "get of it." I find … (1 comments)

Single Family Homes For Sale in the Gettysburg Adams County Pa area - 01/18/11 11:41 AM
Single Family Homes For Sale in the Gettysburg Adams County Pa areaBeing a Gettysburg Realtor in the Gettysburg Adams County Pa areameans being available to service different area's of Adams County. The Adams County area is a rural community with small towns separated by farm and orchard land. There are many single family homes for sale in a variety of surroundings, whether you like living in a lake community, close to the orchards, or in a mountain setting GettysburgGerry can accommodate your needs. Lets take a look at what single family homes are for sale in the Gettysburg Adams County Pa area. … (1 comments)

Historic Sachs Mill Bridge & the Battle of Gettysburg - 01/17/11 03:48 PM
Historic Sachs Mill Bridge & the Battle of GettysburgPennsylvania is considered the "covered bridge capitol of the world" with almost 200 remaining in existence today. None more famous than the historic Sachs Mill Bridge which spans Marsh Creek just outside of Gettysburg Pa.The bridge was built in 1852 by David Stoner. Little did Stoner know the role the cute covered bridge would play in the Battle of Gettysburg.
Confederate troops used the historic bridge to escape complete annihilation in the wake of it's defeat in the Battle of Gettysburg. Gen Robert E. Lee used an unusually heavy thunderstorm to sneak … (7 comments)

I am Interested in Doing a Flip, Is the Market Ready Again, How do I get Financing, & a Hundred More ?'s - 01/16/11 01:28 PM
I am Interested in Doing a Flip, Is the Market Ready Again,  How do I get Financing, & a Hundred More ?'sWhile doing an open house yesterday I had a young man who turned out to be a great lead for future business, once again proving that open houses have a purpose other than selling the listing. The home I was doing the open for is an Eco Smart historic home renovation, and Bob really loved the work that was completed. We got to talking and he mentioned that his family is in the construction industry and that they thought that … (3 comments)

1355 Hilltown Rd, Cashtown, Pa 17310 Open House - 01/14/11 04:50 PM
1355 Hilltown Rd, Cashtown, Pa 17310 Open HouseSaturday January 15th, 1 - 3 pmGettyburg Adams County Pa area Open HouseCheck out this completely renovated 1860's farmhouse. Over 2,100 sq feet of living space. Central Air, Central heat, all new energy star applicances, all new thermal windows, wrap around porch, plenty of parking, two additional finished rooms in attic for office or additional bedrooms. All on 2.76 private acres. Set off from the road for privacy, but close enough for convienence. This historic home in the Gettysburg area is a must see.
Stop on by and step back into history while … (6 comments)

From the Plate of GettysburgGerry - Dining Choices in Gettysburg Pa - 01/14/11 01:25 PM
From the Plate of GettysburgGerry - Dining Choices in Gettysburg Pa It amazes me how often I get contact from people out of the area inquiring about dining choices for their upcoming visit to Gettysburg Pa. Most often I hear from people that have read a blog about a Gettysburg historic home or Gettysburg Battlefieldstory, sometimes one of my blogs, sometimes not, but somehow I have become the Internet food critic for the area. A title I happily accept. One great thing about Gettysburg is that there are some wonderful choices here. Everything from fine dining to take out, all are … (8 comments)

In the Wake of Asbestos, Termites and Toxic Mold - 01/12/11 03:45 PM
In the Wake of Asbestos, Termites and Toxic MoldIs it just me or has all the rage and hub bub over asbestos, termites and toxic mold gone somewhere, swept under the rug. I know the stuff still exists, I know we all couldn't have stayed at Holiday Inn last night. It wasn't too long ago that one of the biggest hurdles we faced as Realtors was to get through the inspection without there being any indication of any of these deal killing monsters. That seemed to be especially true while I was working in California, the mecca of toxic mold and … (3 comments)

Addiction beyond ActiveRain - Is It Real - 01/11/11 10:22 AM
Addiction beyond ActiveRain - Is It RealRecently Pat Kennedy came up with a great idea and wonderful concept in creating a contest to blog about how addicting ActiveRaincan be, and how many of us spend an unusual amount time on the platform. I took the not so serious path in responding to the task, writing about my need for a program. While it was somewhat tongue in cheek as I do spend a large amount of time in front 4 large screens getting way deeper into the workings of websites and crawlers, bots, meta tags, I am hooked. But I digress, … (24 comments)

Things To Do In Gettysburg Pa's Winter Months - 01/10/11 03:07 PM
Things To Do In Gettysburg Pa's Winter MonthsSo here we are, it's cold, it's baron, it's overcast, it is generally not a pretty day in the Gettysburg Adams County Pa area. For most of the borough of Gettysburg businesses the winter months are down time, however for the locals and those willing to brave the cold, the Gettysburg Adams County Pa area is a great place to visit in the winter months. Let's take a look at what the Gettysburg area has to offer.    The Gettysburg National Military Park, yes the park is a wonderful place to visit during the summer, … (13 comments)

Eco Smart Historic Home Restorations In Gettysburg Pa - 01/09/11 02:09 PM
Eco Smart Historic Home Restorations In Gettysburg PaI have been selling Historic homes in the Gettysburg Adams County Pa areafor some time now. One of the issues that invariably comes up is finding that balance between keeping things ascetically pleasing, yet modern and energy efficient.
Often when working with clients that are looking for a historic home in the Gettysburg Pa areathey have two choices. A home that is being lived in that has been somewhat renovated, and a total renovation. In either case I have been fortunate enough to have found the right company for the job. Rick A. Hutchinson … (3 comments)

Open House's in the Gettysburg Adams County Pa Area - 01/08/11 11:49 AM
Open House's in the Gettysburg Adams County Pa Area Open houses in the Gettysburg Adams County Pa area are always a mystery as to attendance. For some reason attendance is spotty and over the years I have found that lowering ones expectations for attendance is a safe bet. However, Realtors in the Gettysburg Adams County Pa area are a hearty lot, not easily dismayed, it takes more than snow, NFL playoffs, and the like to stop us. So this snowy, NFL playoff weekend will kick off Open House's in the Gettysburg Adams County Pa area. There are six school districts in … (4 comments)

Buying a Gettysburg Pa Historic Home and HARB - 01/07/11 11:47 AM
Buying a Gettysburg Pa Historic Home and HARBWhat is a HARB and why do I need one...HARB stands for Historical Architectural Review Board, and if you are buying a home within the Gettysburg Borough Historic District you need to know what HARB is. Whether you are buying a historic Gettysburg home or not, if the home is in the Gettysburg historic district you will have to comply with HARB. A historic district is designated through the U.S. Department of Interior. However, most of the decisions surrounding a historic district came at the local level. Levels of restrictions vary from state to … (5 comments)

ECO Smart Restoration - Historic Gettysburg Home for Sale - 01/05/11 02:31 PM
ECO Smart Restoration - Historic Gettysburg Home for SaleThis historic Gettysburg home for sale witnessed Confederate troops approaching the Battle of Gettysburg in July of 1863. This 3 bedroom, 2 bath Gettysburg historic home sits tucked away from the main road on 2.76 private acres in historic Cashtown Pa. 2200 sq feet of completely eco friendly home for you to enjoy the comforts of modern, green technology while experiencing a historic home.

Features include;    -central air    -central heat    -low e windows    -low VOC paints and carpet    -energy star appliances, furnace    -two additional finished rooms in attic for office or … (4 comments)

A Fun and Fattening Way to Spend New Years Day - 01/04/11 04:16 PM
A Fun and Fattening Way to Spend New Years DayI guess I should start at the beginning, New Years Eve. Normally NYE is not a great big deal any longer in the GettysburgGerry household, gone are the days of banging pots and pans and generally being a NYE reveler. These days NYE we are tucked in bed long before the Times Square ball drops, (great new app to follow that was out this BTW), but this year we really wanted to catch up on sleep and be ready for New Years Day. My wife and I have a ongoing overnight trip … (2 comments)

BofA/Countrywide Settlement - A Step - 01/03/11 09:34 AM
BofA/Countrywide Settlement - A Step BofA has agreed to a settle the still outstanding claims regarding mortgages it sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. BofA paid  $1.28 billion to Freddie Mac, and $1.34 billion to Fannie Mae to cover and settle all claims associated with Countrywide loans, that were poorly underwritten. This action should close the door on any further problems to BofA from it's purchase of Countrywide, which it purchased in Jan of 2008 for 4.1 billion, in an all stock purchase. The purchase came after Countrywide shares fell 15% in a single days trading. The purchase made BofA the … (8 comments)

 
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Gerry Michaels GettysburgGerry

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Gettysburg, PA

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