Real Estate Information Archive

Cleaning and organizing books are everywhere these days. And if we're being honest, a lot of them are pretty similar. But The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, a book by Marie Kondo, stands out from the pack. Marie adds a fresh perspective to the age-old clutter struggle by incorporating a decidedly Japanese outlook on the problem.

If your current clutter solutions just aren’t working, we definitely recommend picking up Marie’s book. But in the meantime, we pulled some quick tips from Kondo’s book that you can start doing today.

Start with a Small, Unsentimental Category

When you embark on the ultimate organization session, don’t start somewhere bound to spark memories or tough decisions like your photos or clothes.

Take your first steps by discarding a manageable grouping like your Tupperware or toiletries. Although it may be intuitive to start in an area that you use every day, it could stunt your progression.

Discard Every Time You Tidy

Try getting rid of at least one item every time you set out to de-clutter a space. Ideally, you want to do a full audit of what you own every time you tidy, but realistically, one item is a good start.

Remember, putting everything away only avoids the clutter problem – it doesn’t solve it.

Tidy by Item, Not by Space

The idea here is to organize based on the item and not by the room. For example, audit and organize all your clothes at the same time. That means you’ll have to go through your dressers, closets, coat closets, the outdoor gear in the basement. Do it all!

This way you have a clear vision of what you have and what you really need. You’ll feel more comfortable paring down to the necessities.

Understand Why We Let Things Go

Kondo argues that by having piles of things, we are neglecting the items we love. Learning to let go stems from understanding each item’s purpose and honoring it – whether you are choosing to keep it or to leave it behind. Either way, understanding your relationship with every item will help you know what to keep, and what to toss. 

If you want to continue the Japanese de-cluttering journey, you can grab The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up on Amazon right here.

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 National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index shows homes remain affordable across much of the United States. The NAHB and Wells Fargo found that 62.8% of new and existing homes sold in the fourth quarter of 2014 were affordable to families earning the U.S. median income of $63,900. This is up from the 61.8% in the third quarter.

Last week, we highlighted the advantages of owning versus renting. In many markets, rents continue to push ahead while home-price appreciation has slowed. But recent news from Realtor.com has us wondering if the advantages of owning are dissipating.

Tightening inventory continues to plague many markets. Realtor.com reports that total listings nationwide declined 6.7% in January and are down 8.7% year over year. This suggests that price growth could start trending higher in coming months. At the beginning of the year, we thought price growth would abate in 2015. We still believe it will if the trend (down) in negative equity continues, but it appears less of a sure thing.

That said, it's still a good time to buy. Yes, mortgage rates have moved higher, but they are still very reasonable. But if economic growth is on as solid a footing as the Federal Reserve believes, rates will become less reasonable heading into the second half of 2015.

So we ask, what's the upside to waiting? We really don't see any.

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 Smart Money Telling Us Something About Mortgage Rates?

We don't really know if the money is smart or not, but we know someone's money is saying something about interest rates and mortgage rates.

Over the past week, the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note has climbed over 10-basis points. This continues a trend established late January. Over the past three weeks, the yield on the 10-year note has actually climbed 40 basis points to 2.1% from 1.7%.

As the yield on the 10-year note goes, so frequently goes the rate on long-term mortgage loans. Nationally, Bankrate.com shows the 30-year fixed-rated loan averaged 3.96% this week, while the 15-year fixed-rate loan averaged 3.21%. Both are at 2015 highs.

The Federal Reserve, in its latest meeting minutes , opines that the economy is strong. With a strong economy usually comes higher interest rates, which we've seen in recent weeks. Interestingly, the Fed also highlighted that it was in no hurry to raise the influential federal funds rates for fear the “strong economy” could weaken.

Fortunately, the Fed has some leeway on raising the fed funds rates, because consumer price inflation remains a non-issue. Thanks to falling energy prices – oil and gas in particular – consumer price inflation is running less than 1% annually (the Fed would like to see it run at 2%). Higher interest rates aren't needed to tamp down consumer price inflation, because there isn't any to tamp down.

Then again, maybe the economy isn't quite as strong as the Fed is projecting. Housing comes to mind. On the national scene, it's a bit disconcerting that activity in the new-home market has backslid.

Housing starts declined 2% in January to 1.065 million units on an annualized rate. More discouraging, starts were down 6.7% for the month compared to December. Disappointing starts were reflected in home builder sentiment. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reports that its housing market index clocked in at 55 in February, down from 57 in January. The good news is a reading above 50 is mostly positive.

Sluggish home sales are reflected in sluggish lending activity. The Mortgage Bankers Association purchase index was down for a fifth-consecutive week last week. To be sure, rising rates have taken some steam out of overall lending activity. But if someone is serious about buying a home, 3.85% on a 30-year loan compared to 3.75% shouldn't keep that person on the sidelines. In short, we'd like to see a few more serious buyers off the sidelines and in the 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.

WHY DO THIS?

Just because a piece of furniture is popular doesn’t mean it needs to be in your house. By eliminating a few unnecessary items, your money will stay out of furniture superstores and in your bank account. Plus, the less furniture you have cluttering your house, the more space you’ll have to work, dance and play! Let the de-cluttering and money-saving begin!

HOW TO:

1. 1

   Dresser. Trust us, you don’t need this! Instead, use fabric shelves that hang from your closet bar. Your clothes will all be in one place and you’ll clear up valuable space in your bedroom. To give your closet a full audit, read: Organize Your Closet.

2. 2

   End Tables. If your end tables are magnets for clutter, toss them. Instead, use your coffee table to hold things like magazines, books and the remote control. Then, keep it all organized by using a catch-all table tray.

3. 3

   Chairs. We don’t suggest you throw out every single chair in your house. Then you’d have nowhere to sit! But, you probably have at least a few old chairs in your dining room or living room that almost never get used. Use this BrightNest rule: If the chair hasn’t seen a butt in the past three months, you probably don’t need it.Note: If you use extra chairs during the holidays, store them somewhere out of the way like your attic or basement when they’re not in use.

4. 4

   TV Stand. Ditch this puppy and hang your TV on the wall. You can find kits at your local electronics store for around $30, which is much less than the cost of a new stand.

5. 5

   Ottoman. If you don’t sit on it regularly, or it doesn’t double as storage, it’s simply taking up space! If you want to hold onto it just in case guests arrive, think about floor pillows instead.

   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.

We recently ran across an intriguing data set on CalculatedRiskBlog.com. We were intrigued because the data show the trends in single-family rentals over the past 15 years.

In 2000, renters' share of the single-family-home market was 15%. By the end of 2014, that number was 21%. Every state except North Dakota has seen an increase in the percentage of single-family renters.

Renters are potential (and likely) owners, especially renters who've lived in a single-family home. We've frequently mentioned that if the choice is between owning and renting, most people opt for owning. After all, we want to properly nest: We want to decorate and paint without worrying about forfeiting a security deposit. If we make a capital improvement, we want to own that capital improvement.

We believe more renters will pursue ownership. This will lead to fewer renters and softening rent rates. If this scenario unfolds, more landlords, in turn, will leave the business. This means more homes will be offered for sale.

But even if our scenario fails to unfold, we still think more single-family homes will be offered for sale. Fatigue will become a greater influencing factor. Many new landlords poured into the single-family-home market over the past five years. We suspect that a growing percentage of these newbies are tiring of their investment. Managing rental property is frustrating and time-consuming work. Entropy naturally sets in over time.

In short, we see more ownership demand and more homes offered for sale. These two trends bode well for sales growth in coming 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.

The Jobs Continue to Roll In

Last week we asked – somewhat rhetorically – whether the recovery was really on. If you were to focus on job growth, you'd be hard pressed not to answer “yes.”

Once again, rising economic activity produced another 200,000-plus month of new jobs. Specifically, 257,000 new jobs were created in January. At the same time, the unemployment rate inched up to 5.7%. This might seem a paradox – more jobs and a higher unemployment rate – but it isn't. When job creation ramps up, more people enter (or re-enter) the job market.

More good news was found on the wage front. Wage growth has stagnated in recent years, but is moving higher. The average hourly rate bumped up $0.12 to $24.75 in January. More people working and more people earning more is obviously a good thing.

The job numbers were better than most analysts and economists expected. The unexpected nearly always moves markets. Unexpected job growth resonated throughout credit markets. Over the past week, the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note moved nearly 10-basis-points higher. Because the 10-year note serves as a base rate for the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, we were unsurprised the rate on this benchmark mortgage loan also moved 10-basis-points higher.

Mortgage rates are higher, but they're still very reasonable. The 30-year loan remains firmly ensconced below 4%, while the 15%-year loan remains firmly ensconced below 3.25%. We say rates are reasonable because the downward trend in oil prices appears to have ended. Oil prices are moving higher. Rising oil prices could lead to more consumer-price inflation down the road. Rising consumer-price inflation could pressure interest rates to move higher.

The overall rate of home-price appreciation is becoming more reasonable (by historical standards). FNC's Residential Price Index was up 5% year over year in December. Trulia's data show that asking prices for homes rose 0.5% in January, or 7.5% year over year.

Prices continue to rise, but at a rate more aligned to historical norms. Normalcy is what market participants want. No one wants a market running too hot or too cold. The closer we get to that Goldilocks equilibrium, the more vibrant and sustainable the market becomes.

We've mentioned frequently the inability for existing-home sales to sustain growth. We think 2015 could finally be the breakout year. Normalized price-appreciation is a factor, but so is the trend in national home rents. Trulia reports rents were up 6.5% year over year in January. The rental market remains tight. A tight rental market makes owning a more viable and desirable alternative to renting.

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.​

Spring is approaching, and it's time for your clients to start planning their lawn and landscaping strategy. Before they start cutting and fertilizing, it's a good idea to review these common myths and myth-busting tips from lawn and landscaping professionals:

Myth #1: You can water your lawn and landscape any time of day.

Reality: Water is a valuable resource; make every drop count! Watering the lawn in the early mornings or evenings after sunset minimizes evaporation. It’s the best time for water to penetrate deep into the soil.

Myth #2: It’s ok to cut the grass very short.

Reality:  Most landscape professionals advise against cutting more than one-third of the grass leaf at a time. Mowing at a finished cut height of 3 to 3.5 inches throughout the summer is generally recommended. The lawn will need less water, will be more resistant to weeds and will have a deeper, greener color. Use a sharp mower blade to prevent tearing grass blades. A crisp and clean cut will help prevent a “brown tip” appearance.

Myth #3: It’s best to water your lawn every day.

Reality:  Watering your lawn every three days is better than daily watering. Deep, rather than shallow watering of your lawn is recommended to nurture the roots. An inch of water to 12 inches of soil is the preferred ratio for watering actively growing grass.

Myth #4: If you want to replace your lawn, you should do it in the spring when plants get ready to bloom.

Reality:  The best time to sow seed is in the late summer and early fall when the temperatures are more consistent and when highly competitive weeds, like crabgrass, are at the end of their life cycle.

Myth #5: Early spring is the best time to fertilize the lawn.

Reality:  Since different species of grass prefer nutrients at different times of the year, be sure to use the correct fertilizer, at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place. A slow-release fertilizer allows for more even and consistent feeding over a longer period of time than a quick-release fertilizer. And, remember to use fertilizers responsibly by cleaning up any that lands on streets, sidewalks or driveways where they can be washed into lakes, ponds, rivers and streams.

Myth #6: A garden hose is more cost efficient than installing an irrigation system.

Reality:  Many landscape professionals recommend installing an irrigation system with smart controllers which have sensors that water when needed. Smart irrigation can offer a cost savings of 15–20 percent on water bills. Converting irrigation spray nozzles from sprinklers to rotating nozzles will spread heavy droplets of water at a slower pace, which makes them more targeted and effective.

Myth #7: You have to irrigate to have a healthy and beautiful lawn.

Reality:  Grasses are built to endure long periods of drought by entering a state of dormancy. When temperatures and moisture levels are at their extreme, the growing point of the grass plant, the crown, will shut off the grass blades, turning them brow. In almost all instances, once the heat and drought stresses have gone, the crowns will begin to send up new shoots. There’s nothing wrong with irrigating to avoid dormancy, but “embracing the brown” for a couple of weeks in the summer is just fine too.

Information provided by 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.

Source: "Myths vs. reality: How to get your lawn in top shape this spring," Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), the national trade association representing landscape professionals. Feb. 10, 2015

Renting is…. fine. But there are some drawbacks. First, when you’re signing checks over to a landlord every month, it can feel like you’re throwing money away. Second, if you own your own house, you can paint the walls, switch up the floors and have as many pets as you want without fearing for your security deposit fate.

According to the National Association of Realtors, you’re not alone if you’re lukewarm about renting – they predict 2015 is going to be “the year of the first-time home buyer.”

Don’t run out and call up a realtor just yet! Jumping the gun on buying a home is a recipe for regret and disaster.

Ask yourself the following six questions to determine if you’re really ready to pull the trigger, or if 2016 may be a better bet:

1. How Healthy Are Your Savings?

In order to qualify for a conventional mortgage, you’re expected to put down at least 5% of your down payment up front, plus a few thousand in closing costs (roughly 2-3% of the purchase price) and escrow fees which have to be paid in cold hard cash, and have money in the bank, so you’re not house poor once the deal is done.

If you don’t have the money for a down payment squared away, we recommend focusing on building up that savings account in 2015.

2. How Much Money Can You Afford to Part With Each Month?

If you’re comfortable financially, that doesn’t necessarily mean you can go out and buy a house at any price. Before going Zillow-crazy, get a realistic understanding of what you can spend overall and what that will look like monthly. For a quick breakdown of how much you can expect to spend, you can use this straightforward CNN Mortgage Calculator.

Okay, so now you have your mortgage number. That’s just the start. Unlike the Rent-Life, the Owner-Life includes paying for anything that goes wrong and all ongoing maintenance. To determine how much you should save annually in a house fund, calculate 1–3 percent of what you think your house’s initial price will be. This is the average cost of maintenance every year. So, owners of a $200,000 house should plan to budget $2,000 to $6,000 a year on ongoing upkeep and repairs.

Add the above numbers together. Can you realistically make those payments? Or are you getting over your head? If you’re already freaking out, just head back into the Renter Waters for a spell.

3. Are You Planning on Sticking Around?

If you’ve lived in one city your entire life, your family is there, you love your job and you have no plans of leaving, buying may be a great idea. But if you’re unsure about your city for the long-term, you shouldn’t buy just because a calculator says you’ll pay less than renting.

Experts recommend staying in a home for a minimum of five to seven years to actually get any value out of your real estate because the transaction costs of buying a home are so high. If you skip town in a year or two, there’s a chance you won’t break even on your mortgage and will owe more than your house is worth. Not cool.

4. Are You Preapproved?

Do you have enough cash to pay for a house? Most people don’t. Realtors know this, and most of them may set up a search for you, but they won’t spend a lot of time on wanna-be buyers who aren’t preapproved. If you don’t get preapproved for a mortgage, you’d be wasting both the realtor’s and your own time. Before you get too far into the process, set up a meeting with a mortgage professional to make sure you’re good to go.

5. What is Your Credit Score?

Some numbers, like your weight, your GPA and your credit score just feel private. Unfortunately, when it comes to getting a home loan, you’re going to have to spill the digits. Here’s why it matters: Before you can be approved for a loan, lenders take a look at your credit score to determine if you’re a safe or risky investment.

The maximum credit score you can have is 850, but only 10% of people applying for a mortgage have a score over 800. Basically, any score over 700 is seen as safe. Anything below is considered dicey, and mortgage lenders begin to say “No” when they see a score below 640. If you get into the 500 area, you’re basically only eligible for subprime loans, which come with a lot of hidden fees.

There is good news: Credit scores can be fixed! The first step is finding out what your number is right now. (Check out LearnVest for the skinny on how to get that rolling. It's free!) If it’s lower than you expected, you should consider having a conversation with a financial counselor to get back on track.

In the meantime, pay your bills on time and make sure your credit-debt ratio is less than 30% (meaning that you aren’t carrying a balance on a credit card larger than 30% of the total credit limit). And if you’re holding onto any small balances on multiple credit cards, pay them off. It’s better to hold a balance on one card, even if it’s a larger balance, than hold onto multiple small balances.

6. Is Your City a Good Spot to Buy In?

When experts talk about a hot market, that doesn’t necessarily mean your neighborhood is a hot market. In many cities, the market varies from neighborhood to neighborhood. Before you dive head first into homeownership, do your homework. Make sure you’re making a sound financial decision by buying not only in your city, but in the neighborhood of your choice. If you’re still tempted to buy in a “hipster” area and cross your fingers it pays out, read one woman’s tale of buying in an up-and-coming neighborhood.

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 Central Penn Business Journal reported the following real estate sales statistics for January 2015:

When you’re sleeping in an unfamiliar room for the first time, a good night’s sleep can be a little elusive. So how can you make sure your guests are resting comfortably when they come to stay? A few small details can make all the difference.

Here are six tips to make sure your houseguests get the best night’s sleep:

1. Help Control Noise

Sleeping in an unfamiliar place often means hearing unfamiliar sounds, and that can make it difficult to sleep at all! What sounds like background noise to you can feel like Chinese water torture to your guests, so offer white noise to help cancel it out. Add a spare fan to the room, sync up an iPod to play apps like SimplyNoise or Sleep Fan or purchase an alarm clock that plays pink noise and soothing sounds. You can also place disposable earplugs in a nightstand drawer, too.

2. Add Some Night-Lights

Even when you try to find the bathroom at night in your own home, there’s at least a 10% chance of a toe-stubbing event. For guests, it’s way higher! Before your houseguests arrive, add a night-light in the hallway or near the bathroom door to help light the way. No more stubbed toes in the middle of the night!

3. Don’t Skimp on the Pillow Options

We all have our pillow preference – some like extra firm, some like super plush. Unless you wish a terrible night’s sleep on your friends and family, when it comes to pillows, give them more options! Just copy what you see in hotel rooms: offer two medium-to-firm pillows, two medium-to-soft and a reading pillow to help prop up the neck and back for any bedtime reading.

4. Know How Much Light Enters the Room

Since you don’t sleep in your guestroom, you probably aren’t aware of it’s lighting quirks. If your guest area has south- or east-facing windows, you can expect a hearty amount of sunshine in the AM, which will piss some guests off. So make sure your guest room has easily adjustable curtains. You can also provide lightweight, disposable sleep masks (easy to find at the Dollar Store) for added comfort.

5. Change for the Seasons

A good night’s sleep for guests can often be dependent on the time of year. Summertime? Make sure the room has lighter blankets and a cooling fan near the bed. Winter months? Place a few heavy blankets at the foot of the bed and add an electric space heater. Also, if the space where your guests are staying has wood floors, place a cushy rug beside the bed.

6. Bring on the Relaxing Smells

Soothing aromas like lavender or vanilla can help houseguests wind down before bedtime. Provide candles or linen spray (homemade or store-bought) on the nightstand. Avoid any scents that are too overwhelming - sometimes less is more.

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.