Real Estate Information Archive

So you just bought a new home. Congratulations! Break out the bubbly and celebrate.

But, once the champagne flutes are put away, it’s time to get down to business. We know that between daily chores and preventative maintenance, it’s easy to forget a few things when you’re getting in the groove of new homeownership. Let’s refresh your memory!

You found our original list so helpful that we’ve doubled it. The best time to tackle these must-do items is before the ink dries on your mortgage, but they’re worth doing even if you’re a veteran homeowner.

Allen Shulman, custom home builder of 25 years, said, “The biggest mistake homeowner’s make is succumbing to what I like to call the ‘eyes wide shut’ syndrome. They see the problem, they understand that it’s only going to get worse, and then they do nothing in the hope that it will simply go away."

To prevent a costly problem, don't ignore warning signs! 

Shulman adds, "A customer of mine once noticed that there was water in the cabinet under their kitchen sink and just assumed that they had spilled something and it was still wet. They did nothing. A few weeks later, they notice that the wood floor near their kitchen sink was starting to buckle. Long story short, the slow leak from their kitchen faucet caused significant damage to their wood floor costing them thousands of dollars."

If Shulman's customer would have addressed the issue when they first discovered it, they would have nipped the issue in the bud and saved themselves time and money.

Here are 14 tasks that will help you stay on top of homeownership (and prevent a money-sucking disaster): 

1. Save for Unexpected Problems

You can’t stop things like your dishwasher from breaking, but you can set some cash aside to pay for unexpected replacements. As a general rule of thumb, you want to save 1-3 percent of your home’s initial price each year so that you can afford unexpected problems.

2. Form an Inspection Habit

Detecting certain issues early (like a rodent infestation or mold growth) can be the difference between a simple fix and an unaffordable disaster. Take the time to properly inspect your furnace, basement, attic, insulation and roof at least once during that first year. Then, make an annual habit of it! Tip: If you would rather have an annual inspection conducted by a professional home inspector, visit Angie's List to find the best local service provider to fit your needs. 

3. Buy a Bunch of Furnace Filters

Changing your furnace filter regularly is one of the easiest ways you can save money (since your furnace will last longer) and improve your health (since the air you breathe will be cleaner). But remembering to pick up a filter from the hardware store every few months isn’t always so easy. Nip that problem in the bud by purchasing in bulk! Take a look at your furnace and write down the filter size, then order enough to last for a few years (the exact number you need will vary depending on the type of furnace you have). 

4. Get to Know Your Appliances

Just like cars and televisions, the appliances in your home have different life expectancies. For example, furnaces usually last for 15-20 years, but water heaters tend to start wearing down after 10 years. It’s worth figuring out how old each appliance in your house is because then you can plan ahead for their replacements. A new furnace can cost as much as $5,000, so a little heads up can really help!

5. Take Advantage of Tax Credits

Did you know that you can receive credits for things like installing solar panels or purchasing Energy Star appliances? Do some research early on about the different tax credits that may apply to you, and then reap the benefits when tax time rolls around! 

6. Start Keeping Records

Every improvement or repair you make to your home – from adding caulk around your bathtub to installing a new roof – will increase its resale value. Make sure all of your hard work pays off by keeping track right from the start! 

7. Beef Up Your Insurance

Take a good look at your homeowners insurance policy and look for any relevant gaps (this is a situation where professional advice can be really helpful). Two areas of coverage to consider are flood and fire protection, which aren’t always included in standard policies. Tip: It’s also worth taking another look at your car insurance, because you now have a much bigger asset (your home) to lose in the event of a lawsuit. 

8. Change Your Locks

You never know how generous the previous homeowner was with their house keys. To be safe, re-key all locks and change your garage door code. Also check to make sure all windows and slider doors lock properly. For added protection, you may want to consider installing a security system as well.

9. Purchase Fire Extinguishers

If a fire starts at home, are you ready? Fire experts recommend you keep at least one fire extinguisher in your kitchen and one in your garage (if you have one). We recommend keeping one extinguisher on every level of your home, so you can extinguish any fires as fast as possible. Extinguishers can be purchased for as little as $20, so there's no excuse not to have them!

10. Replace Your Washer Hoses

Check the hoses that came with your washing machine. If they’re rubber, it's a good idea to replace them with steel braided hoses. These cost $5-$10 more than rubber, but last a lot longer and won't split open.

11. Test Your Smoke and CO Detectors

Your new home probably has smoke detectors. (If not, purchase those, too!) Do they work? This is incredibly important, because about 62 percent of home-related deaths occur because the home did not have working smoke alarms.

To test the detectors, locate the "test" or "reset." If you are having trouble finding it, refer to the manufacturer's instructions. Press the button (you may need a paper clip). If it goes off, your detector is working. The test usually runs about 30 seconds. If your detector doesn’t work, try putting in new batteries and repeat.

12. Check for Radon

Radon is an invisible, odorless, and tasteless gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in the ground, so you won’t know that your home has a radon problem unless you test for it. What are the odds? Well, radon problems affect an estimated one out of every 15 homes in the U.S., and causes more than 20,000 deaths annually due to lung cancer. There is good news – a radon test only costs about $30.

If you’d rather not do it yourself, you can hire a qualified tester. Some states maintain a list of radon service providers that are registered, certified, or licensed to test. To learn more about your states requirements for contractors and to find a contractor, click here.

13. Shorten Your Dryer Vent Hose

This one-time fix will cut 20 percent off of your drying time (and save you money in the long run)! Remove the vent hose from the back of your dryer and shorten it using some tin snips, tape and a couple other household items. By decreasing the length of the hose, you reduce the amount of work it takes for your dryer to expel steam and clothes will dry quicker.

14. Check the Size of Your House Numbers

If your home’s address number isn’t visible from the main road (or it’s too small to read), the police and fire department won’t be able to find your house in an emergency. Safety inspectors recommend that your numbers be at least 3-6 inches tall and a color that contrasts with the exterior of your house. Seconds and minutes can make a huge difference in these dangerous situations, so protect your family by making sure your home is easy to identify.

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.

All finished binging on Friends? Yeah, us too. And now we’re ready for something a little more...practical. Care to join us? You’ll get all of the chill-factor with none of the guilt. (Because you’re being “productive,” get it?)

So don your sweatpants, ditch your bra (if you wear one) and chill out to these shows that’ll help make your home awesome:

If You’re Thinking About Going Minimalist...

Tiny: A Story About Living Small

Have you ever felt the urge to sell your stuff and downsize your life? These people actually did just that. Live vicariously and take away some minimalist tips.

If HGTV is Your Jam...

House Hunters Collection  + House Hunters International

It’s the home buying classic you know and love! Follow intrepid couples as they pair up with a realtor and try to find their dream home out in the world.

Flea Market Flip

Do you get a little tingle of excitement every time you pass a yard sale sign or a flea market? Then you’ll dig this show! Laura Spencer and her team scour flea markets looking for furniture and decor they can reinvent.

Property Brothers

This show is all about transforming fixer-uppers into dream homes. It’s fun to watch a family start with a wish list for their home, and watch (some) of it come to fruition.

If You Want to Improve Your Mood...

Happy

Happiness can be elusive, but the director of the award winning film Happy is determined to find out what gives people the feels. Being happier at home is just a click away.

If You Like History, Palaces and Castles...

Secrets of Henry VIII’s Palace

If it’s been awhile since you took a history class, Henry VIII is the one that had six wives beheaded. Do we have your attention now? While this documentary is full of juicy secrets, it’s also full of royal design tips.  

Secrets of Highclair Castle

Downtown Abbey is a real place called Highclair Castle, and it holds more than secrets. In fact, it holds centuries-old Egyptian relics - get this - in its walls. A previous owner bankrolled the expedition that found King Tut’s tomb, and the castle is full of long-forgotten relics and other interesting treasures.

If You Want to Improve Your Cooking...

The Mind of a Chef

Have you ever wanted to get inside the head of the food-obsessed? Here’s your chance. Throw in the fact that this documentary is narrated by our boy Anthony Bourdain, and it is basically gold for the foodies out there.

Somm

What’s harder to pass than the Bar, the GMAT and the PRAXIS rolled into one? It’s called the Master Sommelier exam, it’s about wine, and it’s the toughest test to pass in the world. Follow along as three sommeliers try their luck on the test and learn some wine knowledge along the way.

Spinning Plates

Good food can only take a restaurant so far. Success is really made by the people within the restaurant. A kitchen works the same way - think organization and cleaning regimes - so take a page out of these three amazing restaurant owners’ book.

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.

Falling mortgage rates have ignited a mini financing boom. The Mortgage Bankers Association reports mortgage applications were up a whopping 49% in the week ending January 9. Refinances were up 66% week over week. Just as encouraging, purchase applications were up 24%.

Of course, one week does not a trend make, but we like the potential for mortgage (and home sales) activity to rise this year.

First, there is the strength in job grow and economic activity we mention earlier. Second, more households are in a financial position to service more debt. The Federal Reserve reports that household debt and financial obligations as a percentage of personal income is near multi-decade lows. In fact, mortgage debt is only 4.67% of disposable income on average. For comparison, it was over 7% back in 2007.

More people working, more people in a sound financial position, cheap lending rates, and leveling home-price growth all offer persuasive evidence that 2015 could turn out to be a banner year for housing and mortgage lending.

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.

It's All About the Interest Rate

The employment numbers for December were released last Friday. As expected, the economy created another 200,000+ jobs for the month, which has been the case for 11 of the past 12 months. To be specific, 252,000 new jobs were created in December.

December's job gains has dropped the unemployment rate to 5.6% – the lowest it has been in seven years. 2014 turned out to be a darn-good year for anyone seeking a job. In fact, 2014 was the best year for private-sector job growth since 1997.

The economy is obviously doing well. Usually with rising economic output comes rising interest rates. This occurs for a couple reasons: namely rising loan demand and rising inflation risk.

But here we are in the second week of January 2015 and interest rates are very low, and in some cases at an all-time low. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note is down to 1.8%. That's as low as it has been in two years. Meanwhile, the 30-year Treasury bond is down to 2.4%, which is indeed a record low.

Not surprisingly, mortgage rates are also at a multi-year low. Bankrate.com's survey shows the 30-year fixed-rate loan averaged 3.8% over the past week. Freddie Mac's survey has the 30-year loan averaging 3.66%.

Last week, we mentioned that low consumer-price inflation is the principal reason rates remain so low. Falling oil prices are an obvious factor in their being a dearth of inflation. Many consumers are paying less than $2.00 for a gallon of gas these days. Depending on where you live this is $1.00 to $1.50 less than what you paid this time last year. Because oil is so pervasive throughout industry, lower oil prices are helping to keep inflation muted across the economic spectrum.

In Europe, China, Japan, and the United Kingdom, lower oil prices have not only kept inflation at bay, they've darn near extinguished it.

We also mentioned last week that shorter-term German bonds were actually being quoted with negative yields. The same negative yields are being seen in Japan. Given record low yields on many foreign government bonds, the yields on U.S. Treasury notes and bonds look generous in comparison. This means demand for U.S. debt will remain high, which means yields will remain low.

Because of low consumer-price inflation in the States and possible deflation abroad, lending rates are unlikely to move anywhere, except down. We don't expect to see mortgage rates rising anytime soon. That is, we don't expect to see longer-term rates – rates on the 15-year and 30-year loans – rising anytime soon.

But we could see pressure on short-term rates. The Federal Reserve is expected to begin raising the federal funds rate by mid-year. This means short-term loans, particularity the 5/1 ARM and adjustable-rate HELOCs, could see rates rise.

In other words, locking in a longer-term fixed-rate loan appears the least risky, and possibly least expensive, financing option in this market.

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.

Not only does a paperless system kill clutter and clear up storage space, it can also keep you organized, reduce stress and save time when searching for long-lost documents. Sounds great, right? Well, when you’re staring at a decade’s worth of paper, going paperless can seem daunting and not worth it.

Relax! Say goodbye to paper with this process:

Part One: Deal With Your Current Paper Problem

1. Invest in the Correct Tools

Before you think about incoming mail, deal with the paper you’ve already accumulated. You’ll need two tools: a scanner and Evernote. While the scanner is an investment, Evernote’s Premium will cost you less than a fancy Starbucks latte ($5 / month). And Premium is worth it. With that $5 a month, you’ll be able to scan all of your documents at once for keywords, so you’ll never dig through recipes for that one chicken salad with the pecans again. (But more on that later.)

2. Organize Your Paper Into Three Piles

Take all of your paper, and create three piles: 1) Toss, 2) Scan and 3) Keep.

The "toss" pile will consist of things like the assignments you did in high school, those old pieces of scratch paper and the love letter from your ex. Basically, the trash you hold onto for no good reason.

In the "scan" pile, you’ll put everything you want to hold onto, like bank statements, tax information and favorite recipes. This will be the largest pile.

Finally, in "keep" pile, you’ll place birth certificates, marriage license(s) and passports. This is the pile for the uber-important stuff that you actually need in hard-copy form.

3. Get Scanning

Toss or shred pile number one. Set pile number three aside. Now it’s number two’s turn. Time to get scanning! We recommend scanning everything in the "scan" pile directly into Evernote. This will save you the headache of trying to keep up with a folder organization system on your hard drive. Plus, (like I mentioned before) Premium will scan everything for keywords, so you won’t have to rely on memory to know your organization system. Boom!

It gets even better. Once everything is scanned into Evernote, you can access your documents from your smartphone, tablet or Evernote.com. So, next time you’re pulled over, you’ll know for sure that you have your proof of insurance handy.

4. Ditch the Filing Cabinet

Now, give the "keep" pile some love. This pile should be relatively small, so a big ‘ole clunky filing cabinet is unnecessary. Instead, store your important docs in a firebox or in a bank deposit box.

Part Two: Make a Plan for Paper That’ll Arrive Later

1. Switch to Electronic Bills and Bank Statements

Most companies that send you recurring bills or receipts, such as banks or insurance companies, also offer the option to receive statements online. Take them up on it! Making the switch usually only takes a few minutes. Tip: Drink something with a huge amount of caffeine in it, and do all your accounts at once.

2. Change Your Magazine and Newspaper Subscriptions

What happens after you read your monthly Vogue? What about the Sunday NYT? If the answer is typically “trash,” switch your subscription to online only. You’ll be able to enjoy the same great photos, content and crossword puzzles from your computer, tablet or smartphone.

3. Create a Workflow You’ll Stick With

Mail happens. So do bills. And clipped recipes, and birthday cards, and "save the date" invitations. All of a sudden, your paper situation is bad again. To prevent this from happening, make a plan now! Use a three-tiered paper shelf to stay organized. Remember those piles you made earlier? Assign one to each level of shelf. Then, once a week, take ten minutes to either toss, scan or keep.

4. Ask for Digital Receipts

If you’re a receipt tosser (you know who you are), then don’t even bother - it will save you paper to just decline a receipt. But, if you keep receipts for tax purposes, always ask for a digital receipt before the cashier rings up your items. Create an email account just for digital receipts that’s quick and easy to say. Not only will you never lose a receipt, you’ll have them all in one place when it’s tax time.

5. Download an App for Notes and To-Do Lists

Paper clutter isn’t just about papers. Sometimes, to-do lists and scratch paper get in the mix and makes things really messy. Plan ahead and download a to-do list app like Any.Do or TeuxDeux before you jot down thoughts or activities. With a digital to do list, you’ll be able to search your lists for keywords quickly and reorder your list based on changing priorities.

6. Visit the Library

Calling all bookworms: Sometimes your favorite tomes create clutter. Instead of buying new paperbacks every time you’re itching for a read, visit the library. You’ll save precious shelf space and money.

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.

Ultra-low mortgage rates are making homes more affordable. At the same time, the lending market is becoming more accommodating. Insurance premiums are being reduced on FHA loans. This means even cheaper financing will be available to a wider swath of potential home buyers.

Home-price appreciation is also moderating, and homes are appreciating at a more reasonable rate. Rent-price increases, on the other hand, are making it more expensive for people to rent. Data from Zillow show that rents have grown at twice the pace of income over the past 14 years. Zillow expects rents to outpace home-price appreciation over the next year.

This means homeownership will become even more appealing in 2015.

We've always believed most people prefer to own than rent. There is something about owning a home than can't be replicated by renting. Peace of mind is found in being able to paint the walls and drive a nail wherever you want without worrying about a security deposit. Pride of ownership really does have value.

But more than anything, ownership gets people off the price escalator. Rent never ceases to rise. When a home is bought and financed with a fixed-rate loan, what was paid last year will be paid this year, and years after that (property taxes and insurance aside).

When low lending rates are combined with the comparative advantages of ownership, there is no reason to not like the outlook for housing in 2015.

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.

Is Sub-4% the New Norm?

Nearly everyone believes the Federal Reserve will raise the influential federal funds rates this year. The fed funds rate has been held near zero for the past five years. This rate matters because it influences other lending rates.

With so much chatter about the Fed raising interest rates this year, you would think rates would begin to rise in anticipation of the event. That's hardly been the case. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note has steady declined over the past year, and was recently quoted below 2%.

As the 10-year note goes, so frequently goes the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (and other fixed-rate term loans). Sub-4% on the 30-year loan has been the norm in recent months. Bankrate.com's national survey, which tends to be higher than many local quotes, shows the 30-year loan averaged 3.85% this past week. That's the lowest it has been in 20 months.

Though the Fed might want to see rates rise that simply hasn't been the case, at least for longer-term loans. This is extraordinary when you consider the U.S. economy has produced new jobs at a monthly rate of 200,000+ through 2014.

Consumer-price inflation just might keep all rates low through 2015. Falling oil prices have kept inflation risk at bay. Consumer-price inflation remains below 2% in the United States, and will likely remain below 2% through the first half of 2015.

Meanwhile in Europe, deflation, not inflation, is the overarching worry.

The European Central Bank (ECB) recently admitted that inflation will likely spend a large part of 2015 in negative territory. Eurozone inflation, 2% at the beginning of 2013, has drift lower since. Consumer-price inflation was below 1% for all of 2014.

Today, you can find European bonds that actually pay a negative rate of interest. The two-year German bond is quoted at a negative 0.12%. The price on the five-year German bond has risen to drive the yield down to zero.

If the choice is between a negative interest rate, like in Germany, or a nominally positive rate, like in the United States, many investors will choose the latter. This means more foreign money will likely flow into U.S. Treasury notes and bonds. This flow of money, in turn, will raise prices on U.S. notes and bonds and lower their yield.

We do offer a caveat on our outlook: Interest rates are akin to predicting the flight path of a butterfly. It's impossible to know where it is going at all times. But given recent events, we would not be surprised to see mortgage rates flutter at today's lows through the first quarter of 2015.

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.

The number of homes sold in Central PA and the greater Harrisburg area increased slightly (3%) over the sales results for 2013 continuing a positive trend we have experiencing over the past few years. But the increase is smaller than the approximately 10% increase in sales in 2013 over 2012. But there is also some additional positive news in that the average sales price increased to $187,076 in 2014 and the days on market before a home is under contract now stands below 90 days.

What does 2015 look like? I think the trend will continue to look positive with respect to the number of sales and the average sales price. Although I do not expect these numbers to go off the charts, I am anticipating a steady rise similar to the years prior to the financial crisis. Why?  Some of the increase, I believe, will come from a decision that the federal government (FHFA) made recently to decrease the insurance premium on FHA mortgages that would save a borrower approximately $75 per month on a $180,000 mortgage. And since approximately 15% of all sales in 2013 and 2014 were financed by this type of financing this should provide some stimulus to the sales market. And although higher mortgage interest rates have been called for by the experts for the past year, the current interest rate for a 30 year fixed rate mortgage is between 3.75 – 4.00%, which does positively impact affordability. I do though anticipate mortgage rates to increase, by how much I do not know but it will impact some potential buyers.

All that said you can see a positive trend has emerged and I anticipate it to continue in 2015. If I can be on any assistance or provide any information please contact me at your convenience.

Don Roth

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 information compiled by me came from our local Multiple List which comprises primarily Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties with some additional info from Lebanon, Lancaster and York Counties.

WHY DO THIS? 

Modern life is high-tech, fast-paced and stressful. It’s a jungle out there! Turning your home into a sanctuary from the always on, always-connected world we live in is not only good for your mind, it’s good for your health! Make your home a relaxation zone with these design fixes.

1. Let in light. Sunlight is nature’s stress-buster, because it positively impacts both physical and mental health. Lift the blinds and lift your mood. If you’re lacking in the natural light department, mirrors can be used to brighten up a room, instead.

2. Dim down at night. While light boosts energy levels, darkness can soothe the soul, so balancing the two is key. In the evening, keep certain spaces (such as your bedroom) low-key by reducing overhead lighting and using a candle or two. The low light will help transition your system to a relaxed state and prepare you for sleep.

3. Frame your loved ones. Remember that fun vacation with those amazing people? You should. Every day. Reliving happy memories breeds an upbeat outlook and framed photos will do the trick. Surround yourself with snapshots of friends, family, places and pets for a daily jolt of positivity.

4. Simplify. Clutter is the enemy of calm. Pick one especially disorderly space in your home (the kitchen, closet or living room are three good options) and spend ten minutes sorting your clutter into three piles: keep, discard and relocate. Eliminate the “discard” pile and move the “relocate” items to their proper places in the house.

5. Add nature. Plants are a great way to make any room feel tranquil and peaceful. Whether you make a statement with a single staghorn fern or scatter jars of wildflowers throughout your home, you can’t go wrong. In addition to the high-traffic display spots, we recommend placing plants in obscure places (like the kitchen, home office or your bathrooms) to keep the natural vibe alive through and through.

6. Power down. The electronics in our lives can drain more than electricity. Surrounding ourselves with screens – computers, TVs, tablets – can take a toll on our sleep habits, too. Hide them if you can, at least an hour or so before bed. The blue light emitted from most electronics actually affects your REM cycle, so you don’t sleep as well. And nothing knocks your stress levels up a notch like a poor night’s sleep!​​​

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 exists in a vacuum. All markets are interconnected to some degree.

Last week, we discussed stocks and housing. Which is the preferable asset? The reality is that the two are not mutually exclusive. It's not an “either/or” scenario. What's more, one can influence the other, and frequently does. Stock market losses can lead to decreased housing demand, or to increased housing demand. Housing can have the same impact on stock prices.

We saw falling home prices lead to falling stock prices in 2008. When housing values plummeted, so did stock prices. Through late 2007 to early 2009, the S&P 500 stock market index lost more than half its value. Interestingly, though, when stock values sank after the bursting of the Internet bubble in 2000, home prices, on average, rose.

Stocks have been on a strong run since early 2009. The S&P 500 has nearly tripled in price. This has no doubt produced a “wealth effect” that has helped the housing recovery. When people feel wealthier – as they do when they see the value of their investments rise – they are more willing to spend. This includes spending on housing.

That said, the stock market is on a six-year bull run. That's long as bull runs are concerned. Therefore, we would not be surprised to see a retreat in stock prices in 2015.

If stock prices retreat, could this lead to falling home prices? Or could it lead to rising home prices?

If stock prices were to retreat, we think the latter scenario – continued rising housing prices – is more likely. We say that because homes are much more reasonably priced today compared to 10 years ago. That said, it will be worthwhile to keep an eye on the stock and housing markets in 2015.

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.