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Central Pennsylvania Real Estate Report June 2010

Thursday, July 15, 2010
by Don Roth

Have the real estate prices in the Greater Harrisburg market begun to stabilize? The answer right now looks that we, as I have been saying, are getting close; but my only concern is that we need one or two more months of validation. When comparing the number of homes sold in June 2009 vs June 2010, there was a 3% increase in the numbers and a 7% increase in the average sales price to $200,419. The average sales price did increase from previous months average that had been in the $180’s, so we just want to be sure that this is not an anomaly.

There are three primary reasons that one may say caused the gain; 1) the effects and benefit of the Home Buyer Tax Credit; 2) there are perceived values in the market and; 3) mortgage interest rates remain extremely low, such as 4.75% for a thirty year fixed rate mortgage. But something else occurred, the higher end (homes that sold in excess of $300,000) of the market improved substantially and the number of homes over $400,000 had a more dramatic increase on a year over year basis, consisting of 14% of the number of sales in 2010. So one month does not make a trend, but there are positives that are beginning to appear. I will keep updating the movement of the market and if you have any specific real estate questions, please contact me at Don@DonRoth.com. Enjoy your summer.

 

Average Sales Price
West Shore
School District
June 2009
June 2010
Days on Market
Camp Hill
$207,105
$210,822
47/69
Cumberland Valley
$275,774
$274,719
81/99
West Shore
$185,265
$176,950
64/60
Northern
$241,428
$215,042
98/113
Mechanicsburg
$179,917 
$213,903
64/52
East Pennsboro
$222,441
$177,397
81/53
East Shore
Central Dauphin
$175,821
$218,610
63/111
Derry Township
$244,788
 $268,814
86/72
Harrisburg
$ 85,580
$ 75,581
95/102
Lower Dauphin
$233,382
$220,843
58/90
Middletown
$138,847
$178,515
106/130
Steel High
$ 76,880
$ 71,975

153/141
Susquehanna Township
$173,245
$175,716
70/96

When reviewing the yearly comparisons between years for different school districts, there is usually a relatively small number of homes sold and when you have a few higher priced home sell, the month to month variance can be greatly exaggerated, up or down. Again, if you have any questions, please contact me at your convenience.

Estates of Forest Hills Home Sales

Thursday, July 8, 2010
by Don Roth

Estates of Forest Hills

Real Estate Report

July 2010

 

The real estate activity in The Estates for the first six months has improved for the first time in almost two years. Yes, the sales prices in some instances have moderated in comparison to previous years but two homes have sold and there are three pending sales as of the end of June. I would anticipate continued price pressure in the near future but this is an issue on the higher priced homes, over $400,000, in the greater Harrisburg real estate market. The good news is that there appears to be some stability in the lower price ranges and that will eventually work through all the price ranges. Are we going back to the 6-8% appreciation per year that we experienced? Not anywhere in the near future but there will be firming of prices and then some appreciation.

 

Where I see absolutely positive signs right now are interest rates being at almost historic lows. A few lenders have quoted 4.75% and 4.25% for 30 and 15 year mortgages respectively. So if you are planning to remain in your home for a while you may want to consider refinancing you current mortgage and save money – it is better to have it in your pocket rather than the banks in my opinion.  Some examples are;

Per $100,000; 30 year mortgage @6% vs 4.75% the savings is $78 per month and the same dollar amount on a 15 year mortgage @5% vs 4.25% the savings is $38 per month. Naturally every circumstance is different so before any decision is made please consult with your tax advisor.

 

And if you are interested in value, market activity or any real estate related item please contact me at Don@DonRoth.com or call at 717-579-2879. Have a great summer.

 

 

Happy 4th of July to all the men and women who serve and protect.

Friday, July 2, 2010
by Don Roth

 

 

 

 

Happy 4th of July to all the men and women who serve and protect.

 

 

Daddy's Poem
 
 
Her hair was up in a pony tail,

her favorite dress tied with a bow.

Today was Daddy's Day at school,

and she couldn't wait to go.


  


But her mommy tried to tell her,

that she probably should stay home

Why the kids might not understand,

if she went to school alone.


 


But she was not afraid;

she knew just what to say.

What to tell her classmates

of why he wasn't there today.

But still her mother worried,

for her to face this day alone.

And that was why once again,

she tried to keep her daughter home.

 

 


But the little girl went to school

eager to tell them all.

About a dad she never sees a dad

 who never calls.

 

 

  


There were daddies along the wall in 
back, for everyone to meet.

Children squirming impatiently,

anxious in their seats.


 

One by one the teacher called

a student from the class.

To introduce their daddy,

as seconds slowly passed.


 

At last the teacher called her name,

every child turned to stare.

Each of them was searching,

a man who wasn't there.


  


"Where's her daddy at?"

She heard a boy call out.

"She probably doesn't have one,"

another student dared to shout.

 

 


And from somewhere near the back,

she heard a daddy say,

"Looks like another deadbeat dad,

too busy to waste his day."


 

The words did not offend her,

as she smiled up at her Mom.

And looked back at her teacher, who 
told her to go on.


 


And with hands behind her back,

slowly she began to speak.

And out from the mouth of a child,

came words incredibly unique.


  


"My Daddy couldn't be here,

because he lives so far away.

But I know he wishes he could be,

since this is such a special day.


 

And though you cannot meet him,

I wanted you to know.

All about my daddy,

and how much he loves me so.

 

 


  
He loved to tell me stories

he taught me to ride my bike.

He surprised me with pink roses,

and taught me to fly a kite.


 

We used to share fudge sundaes,

and ice cream in a cone.

And though you cannot see him.

I'm not standing here alone.

 

 


"Cause my daddy's always with me,

even though we are apart

I know because he told me,

he'll forever be in my heart"


 


With that, her little hand reached up,

and lay across her chest.

Feeling her own heartbeat,

beneath her favorite dress.

 

 


 

And from somewhere there in the crowd 
of dads, her mother stood in tears.

Proudly watching her daughter,

who was wise beyond her years.


For she stood up for the love

of a man not in her life.

Doing what was best for her,

doing what was a right.


And when she dropped her hand back 
down, staring straight into the crowd.

She finished with a voice so soft,

but its message clear and loud.


 

"I love my daddy very much,

he's my shining star.

And if he could, he'd be here,

but heaven's just too far.


  


You see he is an Canadian Soldier
and died just this past year

When a roadside bomb hit his convoy

and taught us all to fear.


  But sometimes when I close my eyes,

it's like he never went away."

And then she closed her eyes,

and saw him there that day.


  


And to her mother's amazement,

she witnessed with surprise.

A room full of daddies and children,

all starting to close their eyes.

 

 


Who knows what they saw before them,

who knows what they felt inside.

Perhaps for merely a second,

they saw him at her side.


   


"I know you're with me Daddy,"

to the silence she called out.

And what happened next made believers,

of those once filled with doubt.

 

 


  
Not one in that room could explain it,

for each of their eyes had been closed.

But there on the desk beside her,

was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.


 


And a child was blessed, if only for 
a moment, by the love of her shining star.

And given the gift of believing,

that heaven is never too far.


 

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.


   


Send this to the people you'll never forget and remember to send it also to the person that sent it to you. It's a short message to let them know that you'll never forget them.


 

If you don't send it to anyone, it means you're in a hurry and that you've forgotten your friends.


 

Take the time...to live and love.


Until eternity..


 

God Bless


There must be many children in the same boat as this little girl, thanks to our servicemen and their families for the sacrifice they are making to keep our country Free.

The ULTIMATE sacrifice is being left behind.  Don't forget them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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