Real Estate Information Archive

Five years ago, we repeatedly implored readers to keep the faith: Home prices would cease declining and would recover. We reasoned that 2010 (and 2011) was terrific time to enter the housing market - bargains abounded. You just had to keep your eye on the distant horizon.

The distant horizon is here. Times have certainly changed. Rising prices, not declining prices, is the overarching concern.  Many markets – Denver, Seattle, Washington D.C., Austin, Orange County, for instance – have seen home prices blow past previous highs.

Lack of new construction is a contributing factor to today's higher prices. Builders rightly throttled back after the 2008-2009 recession.  There was a glut of housing at the time; you don't add gasoline to a raging fire.

Today, there is a dearth of housing, which has held back both existing and new home sales.  Unfortunately, builders have yet to fully throttle up. Starts – around one million per year – are still far below the 1.6 million long-term annual average.  Policies more friendly to housing wouldn't be a bad thing at this point. After all, more supply would mean more affordable housing. More affordable housing, in turn, would mean more first-time buyers.

We understand many people don't like change (such as new housing in their neighborhood). But if failure to change means running off young first-time buyers, then failure to change means running off your future. 

 Information provided by Jessica Regan.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

Blow Out Employment Numbers Fail to Blow Up Lending Rates

We've been emphasizing monthly employment numbers for at least the past two years, and for good reason: The employment situation is a key variable in the Federal Reserve's interest-rate calculus. Strong job growth enables the Fed to raise interest rates, which it did last month by raising its range on the federal funds rate.

Job growth remains strong to this day. Payrolls soared 292,000 in December. The number smoked most economists' estimates by a wide margin. What's more, October and November payrolls were adjusted up a total of 50,000. October payrolls were adjusted up to 307,000. eral funds rate.

With payrolls trending ever higher, interest rates should be expected to trend higher as well. Rising payrolls reflect robust business activity and a strong economy.

But the world is never so neat and tidy. Since last Friday, when December's employment numbers were released, interest rates have actually drifted lower. The 10-year U.S. Treasury note yields roughly 10 fewer basis points today than it did last week. Long-term mortgage rates, namely the rates on the 15- and 30-year fixed-rate offerings, are being quoted near a two-month low.

Macro events have taken center stage: China's stock market has tanked to start 2016. Our own stock market isn't fairing much better. The S&P 500 is down 6% year to date.

Deflation, more than anything, has financial markets on edge. Oil recently hit an 11-year low, with West Texas crude trading near $30/barrel. Commodities in general – oil, natural gas, metals, grains – are all selling near multi-year lows. On the other hand, the U.S. dollar remains at multi-year highs against many of the world's currencies (which reflects strong world demand for U.S. assets and investments, including U.S. real estate).

When these events are aggregated, it appears unlikely the Fed will implement another rate hike in the near future. Traders in fed funds rate future contracts are pricing only an 8% chance of another rate increase when Fed officials meet later this month. They're pricing a 43% chance when Fed officials meet in mid-March.

We're skeptical that we'll see another rate increase until the second quarter of 2016. But even if we do see the Fed ratchet the fed funds rate higher that doesn't mean all mortgage rates will ratchet higher.  We've seen some up-drift in short-term mortgage rates since December. Long-term mortgage rates have remained muted.

Inflation is key. If there is no inflation, expect long-term mortgage rates to remain low.  There is such a dearth of inflation these days that we've heard forecasts of the yield on the 10-year Treasury note falling below 2%. If that occurs, you can be sure that quotes below 4% on the 30-year fixed-rate loan will again be the norm.   

 Information provided by Jessica Regan.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

Your shirts may leave the dryer smelling like a mountain meadow, but the process isn’t quite as natural as your nose makes it seem. Laundry duty is water- and energy-intensive, so it can actually put a pretty big strain on ‘ole Mother Earth. In fact, the energy used to heat water for laundry in the U.S. results in 34 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year. That’s equivalent to the total annual carbon emissions of New Zealand.

Want to give your laundry an upgrade that would make Captain Planet proud? Here are seven easy, big-impact changes you can make right this instant:

1. Use Green Detergent 

Many store bought laundry detergents rely on chemicals (like phosphates) that can be harmful to your skin, your clothes and nearby water systems. That’s three strikes, so get those hazardous detergents out of your laundry room! When you’re shopping, look for detergents that are made with biodegradable ingredients and don’t contain phosphates. We like Seventh Generation’s Natural Laundry Detergent because it’s also “concentrated.” That means that it comes in a smaller package (better for the environment) and produces less suds (better for your washing machine).

2. Embrace the Power of Cold Water

The Department of Energy estimates that up to 90 percent of the energy used during laundry goes to heating the water! Conserve energy (and save some money) by washing your clothes in cold water.

3. Skip the Dryer

Ok, we’re not going to lie – putting on warm jammies that are fresh out the dryer is pretty sweet. But that heat comes with a hefty amount of carbon emissions. There are more than 88 million dryers in the U.S., and each one emits more than a ton of carbon dioxide each year. So, hang your laundry out to dry when you can! Tip: If the weather outside is frightful, consider adding a hidden clothesline to your laundry room.

4. Watch the Time

If you’re dead-set on using a dryer – and you’re going to be running multiple cycles – keep an eye on the time and try to run them back-to-back. If your dryer is already warmed up, it won’t need to use as much energy to dry that second (or third) load of laundry.  

5. Recycle Carefully

A lot of laundry paraphernalia (such as detergent bottles) come with specific disposal needs. For example, some bottles can be recycled, but the caps need to be thrown out separately. Always check the labels of different packages to make sure that you’re getting rid of them properly.

6. Run Full Loads

Your washing machine uses the same amount of water and energy whether you put in a full hamper or just three shirts and some socks. So make that energy count by running full loads!Note: Don’t go overboard and pack your machine to the brim – that can actually promote bacteria growth.

7. Purchase an Energy Star Washing Machine

An Energy Star appliance will almost always be more efficient than other options, but this is especially true of washing machines. In fact, you can reduce your water and energy usage by as much as 50 percent by upgrading your machine! So if your suds bucket is over-the-hill (anything more than 10 years old), go shopping for an Energy Star upgrade.  

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

Nothing is worse than settling in for a sweatpants Netflix binge on to find the buffer-wheel-of-boredom on your TV instead of your favorite show.

If your home internet is moving at a snail’s pace on a regular basis, there are a few tricks you can try at home to fix the problem. Work through the list sequentially until your beautiful, fast Internet is restored.

Reset Your Modem and Router

Often, your Internet woes can be fixed with a little on-off action. Turn off your modem and router completely by disconnecting the power cords from both, and wait about 10 seconds. Then, switch them back on. This quick electronic voodoo action may do the trick.

Move Your Router

We get that routers are ugly. But if your router is stuffed under a couch or in a cabinet, you’re inhibiting the signal and slowing down your WiFi. Your router should be out in the open, so place it on the kitchen counter or uncovered against a wall. Ideally, you want the router elevated (the attic may be a good spot) and as centrally located as possible.

Password Protect Your WiFi

Do you live in a highly populated area (like a big apartment building)? You may have a thief in your midst. If your Internet isn’t password protected, it’s easy for WiFi pirates to pilfer. They won’t leave a trace, and you’ll be in buffer city. To avoid this issue, always password protect your WiFi. Make it fun! A few of our favorites? “PorqueFi” and “PrettyFlyforaWiFi”.

Put Bandwidth Hogs in Check

If a household member is a big-time gamer, their habit may be slowing down bandwidth for the rest of you. Some applications, like video games or streaming services like Netflix, take up a lot more bandwidth than other applications, like cruising Facebook. If this is the case, first set some ground rules. If that doesn’t work, there is a tool called Quality of Service (QoS) on your router that you can use to prioritize services. Because all routers operate differently, visit your router’s Owner’s Manual to learn how to set up QoS for your family.

Change Your Channel

Just like radios, wireless routers operate on different channels. And if your router is on the same channel as your neighbors, you’re going to have a weaker signal. To find the best channel for your WiFi, use this guide by How To Geek.

Update Your Hardware

If you’re working with a router circa 2001, your hardware may be the problem. To ensure you’re getting the fastest connection, you should be working with up-to-date technology. Not sure if your equipment is over the hill? Check out LifeHacker’s Router Hardware 101.

Purchase a Range Extender

If your hardware is up-to-date, you can extend the range of your WiFi, and in turn its strength, by purchasing a range extender like this option by NETGEAR. They typically run less than $50 and may be the boost you need to take your speed to the next level.

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

An Inauspicious Start to 2016

Most of us enter a new year with a sense of optimism. The slate has been mentally cleared and we're ready to start anew.

As is often the case, though, reality can have a way of tempering optimism. Here we are less than a week into 2016 and the economic news has been mostly a buzz-kill.

The stock market, for one, leaves much to be desired. Stocks have traded down over the few trading days in 2016. Investors are worried that China's economy will slow, thus reducing demand for goods and services from around the world, including our slice of it. If China's economy slows, the reasoning goes, so will the U.S. economy.

Unfortunately, we already have enough to worry about on the growth front. The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta estimates that fourth-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) grew at just 0.7% on an annualized rate, down from a prior estimate of 1.3%. JP MorganChase recently cut its fourth-quarter GDP estimate in half to 1% from 2%. Looking to 2016, economists at Duetsche Bank scaled back their first-quarter GDP forecast by half a point, to 1.5%.

Because no market is an island, an all-around slowdown in GDP growth wouldn't be good for housing. Sales were already sluggish through the final quarter of 2015. We don't expect to see an uplift to start 2016. Lending activity points to more of the same. In the two weeks ended January 1, purchase application activity was down 15% compared to the prior two weeks, according to Mortgage Bankers Association data.

We do have some good news to report.

Residential construction spending rose 0.3% for a second-consecutive month in November. Spending on new single-family homes rose strongly in 2015, with the year-over-year growth rate expanding to 9.3%. Spending on multi-family homes is up 24.5% year over year. Housing construction and new-home sales are meaningful contributors to GDP growth.

Mortgage rates should remain a back-burner issue, at least for the immediate future. Mortgage rates across the rate spectrum have been staid since the Federal Reserve raised the federal funds rate last month. Longer-term rates did drift slightly higher to end 2015, but we don't expect them to drift much higher, if they drift at all. In fact, given recent price action in the 10-year U.S. Treasury note, we could see the 30-year and 15-year fixed-rate loans drift lower. The yield on the 10-year note is again below 2.2%.

As we explained last week, long-term lending rates are showing little inclination to move higher. This is mainly due to a lack of worldwide inflation. Oil prices hit an 11-year low this week. Most other commodity prices are also at multi-year lows. If we get a whiff of any meaningful inflation, we doubt that it will occur in the first-quarter of 2016. Therefore, we doubt that we will get any meaningful mortgage-rate increases in the first quarter.   

Information provided by Jessica Regan.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

This past week, Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Stanley Fischer said that predictions for four federal funds rate increases this year were “in the ballpark.” Should they occur the range for the fed funds rate would increase to 1.25%-1.5% by the end of 2016. The range is currently at 0.25%-0.5%.

To be sure, a lot can happen over the course of a year, but there is not much happening now to elicit more fed funds rate increases.

Deflation, as we mention above, is an issue. The Fed wants annual inflation running at 2% annually. At the same time, U.S. economic growth is stagnating. Let's also not forget the ultra-strong dollar, which is near a 10-year high against the euro and a five-year high against the Chinese Yan. If you're considering a trip to Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, or some other Latin American hotspot, by all means go. It's been decades since your dollar has gone so far.

If the Fed were to continue to raise the fed funds rate, the dollar would continue to strengthen. Deflation would become even more of an issue. Rates on floating-rate loans would rise, but rates on longer-term fixed-rate loans would likely fall, thus risking a yield-curve inversion.

So, for now, we'll ignore what the Fed says on interest-rate increases. We just don't see it.

Information provided by Jessica Regan.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

There are a lot of kitchen gadgets on the market, and it can be difficult to tell what’s really worth buying and what’s a waste of money. If you want to stock your cabinet full of useful gadgets, invest in these seven pieces:

1. Vegetable Peeler

A veggie peeler can do a lot more than just turn your zucchini into uniform strips. Next time you want some grated cheese, use your peeler! That goes for lemon zest and chocolate flakes, too. If you need to “shave” something in the kitchen, your vegetable peeler can handle the job!

2. Can Opener

So maybe your can opener isn’t a jack-of-all-trades, but he’s really good at what he does. An automatic opener that costs more than $100 is a little excessive, but if you plan on eating canned food at any point in the future, it’s worth investing in a sturdy, hand-held can opener. (Just make sure you disinfect it regularly, they get dirty!)

3. Pizza Cutter

Sure, pizza can be cut with scissors, but pizza cutters do a lot more than slice your favorite pie! If you want to cut dough for pastries, make homemade noodles or slice French toast, a pizza cutter will save you from a lot of hassle.

4. Colander

First, let’s get one thing straight: watery pasta does not taste very good. So a colander is an important tool if you’re a pasta lover. If you’re not a linguini fan, you can still use your colander as a makeshift steamer! Place your vegetables in the colander and place the colander in a large pot with 1-2 inches of water. Simmer the water until it’s boiling and place your lid over the colander. You’ll have steamed veggies in no time!

5. Melon Baller

Melon balls may seem like a waste of time, but what about cookie dough? Or ice cream? Think of your melon baller as a way to perfectly scoop and portion anything soft. You’ll be using it for practically every meal! You can also use this handy little scoop to deseed tomatoes, peppers and winter squash.

6. Tongs

Tongs are basically heat-resistant hand extensions, and make tons of kitchen tasks easier and safer – everything from flipping burgers to tossing salads. Mix pasta and sauce with ease, and rotate burning-hot cake and pie tins in the oven. If you need to grab something that may or may not hurt your hand, grab your tongs first. Better safe than sorry!

7. Cocktail Shaker

If you enjoy a martini every once in awhile, you know the joy of a perfectly shaken cocktail. But did you know that you can use your favorite liquor tool while making breakfeast, too? If you want to beat eggs, skip the whisk and use your martini shaker instead. They'll be perfectly beaten with the flick of a wrist

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

The unemployment rate has dropped to 5% from 10% since Oct. 2009. That sounds good. Unfortunately, the underlying numbers aren't quite as good as the overall unemployment rate appears.

Yes, the U.S. economy continues to add jobs in 200,000 chunks each month, but not everyone is getting in on the action. Millennials, those in the 18-29 age group, continue to suffer from unemployment and underemployment at depressing rates. U.S. Census data show that 40% of U.S. millennials are unemployment. What's more, the number of employed young people making less than $25,000 a year has spiked to the highest level in more than a quarter century.

There's more. The Labor Department sees a decline in workforce participation among prime working-age adults, those between ages 25 and 54. From 1950 through mid-2000, the employment participation rate among this group had trended higher, hitting a high of 84.5%. Since then, it's drifted lower, to below 81%. Unfortunately, most of the decline is concentrated in the younger end of the age range.

We've been saying for the past year that the lack of young first-time buyers is the one variable that could set housing market back. We're not bearish on housing or lending by any stretch, but without an influx of first-time buyers, it will be tough for housing and mortgage lending to maintain the trajectory established in recent years.

Information provided by Jessica Regan.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

One and Done?

Sometimes you have to riff a bit this time of year. Meaningful news is scarce, which is understandable. With the majority of people preoccupied with December holidays and New Year festivities, much of the news falls on deaf ears anyway.

For the engaged minority, substantive topics are still worth discussing. Few are more substantive than the Federal Reserve and interest rates. Admittedly, we've done our fair share of riffing on the Fed and interest rates, and for good reason: The Fed is the gift that keeps giving. Its influence over housing and mortgage lending can't be understated.

Now that the Fed has finally notched its belt with a federal funds rate increase, punditry and interest-rate speculation run rampant. We again join the fray.

The prospect of rising mortgage rates can be a good marketing tool. It motivates potential home buyers and refinances to act now.  We've voiced our opinion that higher rates reside in our future, but now we have to tack back. We've changed our opinion somewhat; not so much because the facts changed, but more because they haven't improved.

Gross domestic product growth (GDP), for instance, continues to languish stubbornly. Yes, GDP growth at 2.0% for the third-quarter allowed the Fed to raise the fed funds rate, but growth for the fourth quarter was recently revised down to 1.3% by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Slower economic growth will give Fed officials reason to pause on an immediate follow-up rate increase.

If you look around the globe, you'll find deflation, not inflation, remains the great concern. Oil prices are near a seven-year low; natural gas prices are at a 14-year low. Many commodity indexes (Bloomberg Commodity Index and Rogers Agricultural Index, most notably) are at multi-year lows. Central bankers are much more keen to cut interest rates, not raise them, in a deflationary environment.

What's more, the U.S. dollar will rise even further against the world's currencies if the Fed continues to hike interest rates. The dollar is already at a multi-year high against many of the world's major currencies. Yes, this is good news for U.S. international travelers and importers, but it's bad news for U.S. exporters. 

With all that said, we still see some possibility of higher mortgage rates, just not across the lending spectrum. You may have noticed that short-term lending rates have drifted somewhat higher, but longer-term rates remain flat, even down, depending on when you asked for a quote. We're seeing a flattening of the yield curve. The spread between short-term rates and longer-term rates has narrowed.

This isn't all that unusual. The fed funds rate will impact the short end of the yield curve first. Because inflation expectations remain low, it's failing to raise rates on the long end of the curve. This suggests long-term rates could remain at current levels for some time to come – through the first quarter of 2016 seems reasonable to us.

But, of course, that outlook could change if the facts change.   

Information provided by Jessica Regan.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

Cleaning the kitchen doesn’t have to be a daunting, time-consuming task. The secret to getting it done in 20 minutes is good preparation and a good system. Have all of your supplies handy and then ready, set, clean!

For this speed clean, you’ll need:

• 1 cup baking soda
• soft cloth
• sponge
• 5 lemon slices
• microwave-safe bowl
• old sock
• rubber band
• broom
• 1 cup white vinegar

Minutes 1 – 5: Clean Your Kitchen Sink

Wet the entire surface of your sink with warm water. Sprinkle baking soda onto the surface and rub it in with a soft cloth or sponge until it forms a paste. Then, rinse! Note: If you have a copper or stone sink, follow these special instructions.

Minutes 5 – 7: De-Clutter the Kitchen

If you’re kitchen is uber-cluttered, you won’t get everything in two minutes. But, you’ll be able to make a big dent by clearing out any surface-level trash like old coupons, takeout bags and anything else that’s lying around your countertops.

Minutes 8 – 10: Clean Your Microwave with Lemon

Put 1 cup of water and 5 lemon slices into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat it on high for 3 minutes, and then let the bowl sit for a full 2 minutes (you can go on to the next step while it sits). When you’re done, the microwave will be clean! Carefully remove the bowl of water and wipe down the inside of the microwave with a warm, damp sponge. Curious how this trick works? Check out our full step-by-step.

Minutes 10 – 12: Clean Under the Fridge

Grab a broom, put an old sock around the handle (fasten it in place with a rubber band) and swab the area out. We call this method the “crack attack.”

Minutes 12 – 15: Clean Your Sponges in the Microwave

Now that your microwave is clean, it’s time to kill the bacteria on your sponge. Microwave a wet sponge on the highest setting for two minutes. Carefully remove the sponge and let it cool before use.

Minutes 15 – 16: Disinfect and De-Stink Your Dishwasher

Pour one cup of distilled white vinegar in the bottom of the empty dishwasher and start a complete cycle on the hottest temperature setting. 

Minutes 17 – 20: Wipe Down Counters & Stovetop

And finally, wipe down the stovetop and counters. Wipe away any residual food, dust or suspicious spots with your cleaning product of choice and a paper towel or soft cloth.

And in less time than it takes to watch a Big Bang Theory episode, you have a clean kitchen. Can you get it done in 20 minutes? Time yourself and tell us in the comments!

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.