Real Estate

The Clock is Ticking

A User’s Guide to Meeting the 14 Deadlines in the Agreement of Sale

When a property goes under agreement, Buyers and Sellers typically breathe a collective sigh of relief.  Real estate agents on the other hand know that the true work is just beginning.

If a standard PAR (Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS®) agreement of sale is used in a transaction, there are 14 deadlines that must be met in order for the parties to be in compliance with the terms of the agreement.  Missing any one of these deadlines can have dire consequences to the party that fails to live up to their end of the bargain. Continue reading →

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Lancaster County Real Estate Market Statistics for February 2017

And you thought Old Man Winter had taken a vacation.  I think it was just a coffee break before he decided to really get to work.  Oh well, on to the numbers.

(Click on any of the charts to enlarge and/or download)

2017 02 February Market Stats - Avg Sales Price

A steady rise in average sales price bodes well for the real estate industry.  This past month, the benchmark inched closer to the $200,000 mark and was up 4% over last year at this time.  Homeowners across the board are finding that the equity in their homes that had been lost during the Great Recession, is making a steady comeback.  In fact, according to Core Logic, just over 1 million borrowers moved out of negative equity during 2016, increasing the percentage of homeowners with positive equity to 93.8% of all mortgaged properties, or approximately 48 million homes.  As the economy strengthens, this will only get better.  Continue reading →

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A lot happened in the Lancaster County business world this year that will help shape its future for decades to come.  Real estate made a huge comeback with residential housing leading the way.  More consolidation in the banking industry and new entrants into the market vying for customers’ attention.  Lots of approved expansions in local health care facilities.  And on top of all that, you can now buy your favorite adult beverage at local grocery and convenience stores.

Read the Top 10 business stories of the year here as published by Lancaster Online.

All the best!

 

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Lancaster County Real Estate Market Statistics for September 2016

The month of September is behind us and if you take the time to walk along some of the nature trails in Lancaster County, you’ll soon start seeing a wonderful palette of orange, yellow, and brown leaves that will greet you.  Let’s take a look at the numbers for September – – –

NOTE: Click on any of the charts to enlarge and/or download.

september-2016-market-stats

Increases in the low to mid price ranges are the categories that are fueling the steady assent.  This bodes well for continued strength in the real estate market.   Continue reading →

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Lancaster County Real Estate Market Statistics for August 2016

Where has the year gone?  Kids are now back in school; football season is under way; backyard gardens have been harvested – – – and the August market stats are in.

NOTE: Click on any of the charts to enlarge and/or download.

august-2016-average-sales-price

The average sales price in Lancaster County is up 1% from last year at this time.  Although a small increase, this continues an upward trend that indicates that the overall residential real estate market continues to rebound from the recession. Continue reading →

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But I Thought an Appraisal and Home Inspection Were the Same Thing?

appraisal-vs-home-inspection

I am often asked this question by both buyers and sellers.  Buyers wonder why they are paying for two different reports that they think are the same thing.  Sellers question why an appraiser didn’t find a deficiency in a home that the home inspector did.  The best way to start this discussion is to define the purpose of each document and for whom it is being prepared Continue reading →

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