COVID-19 Update, May 19: Majority of state’s deaths came from long-term facilities
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
The Wolf Administration released details about the number of infections and deaths in the state’s long-term care facilities and it shows the majority of the state’s deaths from COVID-19 came at these facilities.
The state redacted info for facilities with less than five deaths (except for two, due to an apparent error) with some 155 facilities...
Home improvement: our twisted idea of fun
By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, The Times
My husband and I have renovated several houses over the course of our twenty four years together. I’m talking top to bottom gut jobs. And, surprisingly, we’ve remained married through it all! I think we work well together during the process because we’re aligned in our “big picture” vision and it carries us through the chaos. We laugh (now) when...
Real estate values may be trickiest aspect to sales
Buyers see prices as too high, sellers too low; sometimes an agent can help bridge this disagreement
By Amy Dettore, Columnist, The Times
“I got a low ball offer.”
I’ve been selling real estate a long time and I always try to put myself in my client’s shoes, to try and understand what they are feeling. Now, I speak from experience and appreciate the disappointment that so...
Can you turn home equity into retirement income?
Don’t forget your home is an investment, too, and can be an option in retirement
By Bronwyn Martin, Columnist, The Times
The long-struggling housing market is finally showing signs of recovery, giving many homeowners more equity in their properties. This encouraging trend is likely prompting more pre-retirees to consider if, and how home equity can be turned into a source of cash to help...
Rising prices mean a real estate recovery
If you’ve waiting to sell, the time might be now
By Amy Dettore, Columnist, The Times
In case you haven’t heard, it’s unanimous…the Real Estate market has improved and continues to do so. The statistics overwhelmingly support this outlook.
Nationally, home prices rose 8.1% in January, the biggest year over year gain in prices since 2006.
Check out this link to an article that...
Real Estate Insider: Shocker! Not enough homes for sale
It may come as a surprise, but there is a shortage of good properties on the market
By Amy Dettore, Columnist, The Times
I think it is safe to say that we are no longer experiencing the doom and gloom of real estate sales. Have you been approached or contacted recently by one of us Realtors?
We are desperately announcing that “THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF INVENTORY PEOPLE!!!!”…now is the...
Sell now? Yes, you might get a better deal
Because of low housing inventories, listing your house now might bring a better price
By Jill Goldman, Special to The Times
Now that we have entered the holiday season you may hear a popular myth that houses don’t sell at this time of year. Not true! In fact, at this time of year we see a surprising number of buyers looking for housing and a predictably low number of homes on the market.
Why?...
Home renovations can help sales, but be smart
Picking the right things to fix up can make all the difference
By Jill Goldman, Special to The Times
Many of you have considered home renovations over the past year, and know that they types and costs of such projects vary greatly. The most affordable renovation is usually the one that provides the biggest benefit when selling, and that is fresh paint. Yes, just fresh paint. Good paint can...
Economy has changed how people live in their homes
By Jilll Goldman, Special to The Times
As we all know, the unfortunate downturn in the economy has caused prices to decline, inventory to soar, and mortgage qualification criteria to become overly burdensome. These factors have had a chilling effect on the housing market. Having said that, our area has stayed afloat better than some, and we are clearly seeing an upturn in prices and a slowing...
Staging your house to sell
Editor’s Note: pinch-hitting in this week’s Real Estate column is Katherine Kosciewicz, owner of Brandywine Staging, to discuss how to set your home up for viewing by potential buyers.
By Katherine Kosciewicz, Special to The Times
Light and bright sells, experts say.
Home staging helps houses sell for the highest price in the shortest time. Staging is all about preparing a home for...
