Real Estate Information Archive

We are always keen to accentuate the positive; we are also keen to accentuate reality. The reality is that a return to 2006-era home prices and transaction activity likely resides in the distant future.

We looked at other bubbles that have burst – the stock market in 1929, the gold market in 1980, the tech market in 2000 – and found that it can take years, if not decades, for the market to return to pre-bubble levels. As we all know, the housing bubble burst in full in late 2007/early 2008 and prices tumbled hard over the subsequent three years.

The good news is that the hard sell-off that marks a bursting bubble is an acute not a chronic event. That means once the sell-off is complete, the healing process begins and markets move forward, thought at a relatively slower pace compared to the pre-bubble pace.

The frustrating aspect of the recovery is that little can be done to accelerate it. To be sure, the housing market is recovering, but it's going to be awhile before it reaches the level of activity we were accustomed to a few years ago. Keeping that fact in mind not only helps mitigate frustration but also helps us stick to our guns as we focus on the long-term trend, which, fortunately, will be up.

Courtesy of 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 really all about the economy at this point. Fortunately, the economy is moving forward, albeit at what too-often seems a plodding pace.

But moving forward we are. The Federal Reserve noted as much in its latest rendering of its Beige Book, a report of anecdotal evidence of economic progress in the dozen Fed districts. The Beige Book states, "Compared with prior summaries, the reports on balance suggest ongoing improvement in economic conditions in recent months, with most districts highlighting more favorable conditions than identified in reports from the late spring through early fall.

”Now, that attempt to say something without saying too much doesn't really enlighten, but it does affirm what we've known all along – the economic recovery is progressing.

Home prices might also be progressing better than the national numbers suggest. Zillow Inc. reports home prices were flat in November, with the average national home price at $147,800. But the housing market is a local market, and local markets appear to be improving better than the national numbers report (which can be skewed by outliers, e.g. Las Vegas ).Of the 165 housing markets tracked by Zillow, 60 percent reported stable or appreciating home values in November. Notable winning locales include Los Angeles, Washington D.C, Miami , San Francisco , and Detroit.

The flow of private money into housing is also encouraging. We've noted over the past month that hedge funds, investing platforms for the wealthy, are directing more funds into housing stocks. In addition, Robert Shiller, co-inventor of the S&P/Case-Shiller Real Estate Index, noted at a recent American Economic Association function that the futures market for real estate (basically bets on the direction of home prices) is pointing to rising prices.

We expect interest in residential real estate to further bloom in 2012. Homes are enticingly affordable these days. U.S. Department of Housing and U.S. Treasury Department data show that home affordability is at a level unseen since 1971. In fact, median-income families today have double the funds needed to cover the cost of owning a home than they did 40 years ago.

Historically low mortgage rates also contribute to the affordability quotient, and rates continue to skim along the bottom, as they have done for the past two months.

But rates aren't the only consideration in the cost of a loan. Fees come into play. Unfortunately, borrowers face higher fees in the near future. The guarantee fee on loans sold to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae is set to increase a minimum of 10 basis points effective April 1. Many industry watchers, though, expect the actual cost to fall within the 20-to-80 basis-point range.

Today, affordability is at a multi-decade high, and mortgage rates are at a multi-decade low. We see few economic reasons for anyone in the market for a mortgage and house not to take the plunge.

Courtesy of 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.

Sales recorded for the Central Penn Multi List decreased by 4% for all homes recorded including Perry County, portions of Lancaster, Lebanon and York Counties.

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.

Housing is still dealing with some difficult issues – namely shadow inventory and negative equity. The former has shown much improvement based on data released during the last quarter of 2011; the latter will be helped by HARP 2.0, which is expected to be fully engaged by March.

The good news is economic and job growth will continue to remove rot from the system; that is, if buyers and borrowers are sufficiently motivated to act. Unfortunately, we see too few buyers and borrowers sufficiently motivated. The one question we field most often these days is, “Are mortgage rates going lower?” Embedded in the question is the belief that rates are going lower, which keeps too many people on the sidelines.

Our wish list for this year includes a stronger economy, more jobs, and more confident consumers. We'd also like to see a ratcheting up of interest rates. That way, borrowers prone to procrastination will be less prone to procrastinate when they realize that any uptick in rates won't be followed by two downticks.

What's more, rising rates will be indicative of the sustained economic growth we all want.

Courtesy of 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.

We've said that strong job growth will be key to a successful 2012. Early signs are encouraging. Automatic Data Processing (ADP) reports that private payroll numbers surged 325,000 in December – more than double expectations for a 160,000 increase.

The news on jobs is definitely good, but it's important to keep expectations tempered. This time last year, ADP reported that private employment jobs increased by 297,000. That bullish number got more than a few economists and pundits thumping for a full-bore recovery. Unfortunately, job growth abated and practically stagnated through the summer months of 2011.

That said, we remain encouraged. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that unemployment is, for the most part, dropping across the nation. The BLS's data show that 58 metropolitan areas reported jobless rates above 10 percent, but that's down from 112 a year earlier. Another 129 areas reported jobless rates below 7 percent, nearly double the 65 areas reported in November 2010.

So it appears employment is on the rise, which bodes well for improved home sales in 2012. Prices are another reason we should see more sales. Standard & Poor's data show current home prices when adjusted for inflation are at 2001 levels. In other words, homes are very affordable. When homes are very affordable, more homes will be sold and more markets will clear.

We've provided many examples of markets clearing over the past few months. Beleaguered Las Vegas is the latest example. DataQuick reports that home sales increased 11.2 percent year-over-year in November, with sales being driven by below-$200,000 homes. Prices are low in Las Vegas, to be sure, but the days of free-fall depreciation appear to have ended, with the median home price holding at $115,000 for three consecutive months.

Mortgage rates contribute to the affordability quotient. On that front, mortgages remain very affordable. In fact, over the past week the 30-year fixed-rate loan again touched a new low. This should come as no surprise when you see that the 10-year U.S. Treasury note also touched a new low, with its yield dipping below 1.9 percent.

Rates remain low thanks to the ongoing debt crisis in Europe , which continues to draw money to U.S. Treasury securities even though these securities don't yield enough to compensate for inflation. That's good news for borrowers, especially borrowers on the longer end of the spectrum – such as those seeking 30- or 15-year fixed-rate loans.

Is it worth waiting for even lower rates? We didn't expect to see sub 4-percent loans in 2011, so anything is possible. But you have to consider what's probable. With job growth accelerating and consumer confidence rising, it appears the economy is growing sufficiently to suggest any further rate drops will be measured in a few basis points.

At this point, it's really all about risk and reward. Today, the reward is very high, but we think the risk will likely rise with more evidence of improving economic growth.

Courtesy of 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.

Hampden Township in Cumberland County had the lowest property tax rates in the Harrisburg area in 2011, according to a Patriot-News analysis. If you own a home worth about $100,000 there, you would pay $1,077 in school, county and municipal taxes, according to the analysis. Compare that to Harrisburg, where a $100,000 home would set you back $3,194 in taxes, or Highspire, where it would cost you $3,408.

These are 2011 figures. Taxes will be going up in 2012 in many locations.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

CAMP HILL

• Population: 7,888
• Median household income: $58,910
• School tax: 12.96 mills
• County tax: 2.04 mills
• Municipal tax: 3.02 mills
• Total tax: 18.02 mills
• Common level ratio *: 100 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $100,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,802
• Median value house: $187,700
• Assessed value on median house: $187,700
• Tax on median house: $3,382

CARLISLE

• Population: 18,682
• Median household income: $45,074
• School tax: 12.26 mills
• County tax: 2.04 mills
• Municipal tax: 3.06 mills
• Total tax: 17.36 mills
• Common level ratio *: 100 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $100,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,736
• Median value house: $163,700
• Assessed value on median house: $163,700
• Tax on median house: $2,842

EAST PENNSBORO TOWNSHIP

• Population: 20,228
• Median household income: $59,923
• School tax: 10.31 mills
• County tax: 2.04 mills
• Municipal tax: .96 mills
• Total tax: 13.31 mills
• Common level ratio *: 100 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $100,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,331
• Median value house: $155,900
• Assessed value on median house: $155,900
• Tax on median house: $2,075

HAMPDEN TOWNSHIP

• Population: 28,044
• Median household income: $81,498
• School tax: 8.57 mills
• County tax: 2.04 mills
• Municipal tax: .16 mills
• Total tax: 10.77 mills
• Common level ratio *: 100 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $100,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,077
• Median value house: $224,300
• Assessed value on median house: $224,300
• Tax on median house: $2,416

LEMOYNE

• Population: 4,553
• Median household income: $49,609
• School tax: 9.0 mills
• County tax: 2.04 mills
• Municipal tax: 2.10 mills
• Total tax: 13.14 mills
• Common level ratio *: 100 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $100,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,314
• Median value house: $124,700
• Assessed value on median house: $124,700
• Tax on median house: $1,639

LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

• Population: 17,980
• Median household income: $58,486
• School tax: 9 mills
• County tax: 2.04 mills
• Municipal tax: 1.23 mills
• Total tax: 12.27 mills
• Common level ratio *: 100 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $100,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,227
• Median value house: $155,600
• Assessed value on median house: $155,600
• Tax on median house: $1,910

MECHANICSBURG

• Population: 8,981
• Median household income: $53,716
• School tax: 12.17 mills
• County tax: 2.04 mills
• Municipal tax: 2.58 mills
• Total tax: 16.79 mills
• Common level ratio *: 100 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $100,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,679
• Median value house: $155,800
• Assessed value on median house: $155,800
• Tax on median house: $2,616

MIDDLESEX TOWNSHIP

• Population: 7,040
• Median household income: $53,939
• School tax: 8.57 mills
• County tax: 2.04 mills
• Municipal tax: .998 mills
• Total tax: 11.61 mills
• Common level ratio *: 100 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $100,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,161
• Median value house: $155,000
• Assessed value on median house: $155,000
• Tax on median house: $1,800

MONROE TOWNSHIP

• Population: 5,823
• Median household income: $78,050
• School tax: 8.57 mills
• County tax: 2.04 mills
• Municipal tax: .473 mills
• Total tax: 11.08 mills
• Common level ratio *: 100 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $100,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,108
• Median value house: $191,700
• Assessed value on median house: $191,700
• Tax on median house: $2,124

MOUNT HOLLY SPRINGS

• Population: 2,030
• Median household income: $38,594
• School tax: 12.26 mills
• County tax: 2.04 mills
• Municipal tax: 1.37 mills
• Total tax: 15.67 mills
• Common level ratio *: 100 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $100,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,567
• Median value house: $113,200
• Assessed value on median house: $113,200
• Tax on median house: $1,775

NEW CUMBERLAND

• Population: 7,277
• Median household income: $50,901
• School tax: 9 mills
• County tax: 2.04 mills
• Municipal tax: 2.9 mills
• Total tax: 13.94 mills
• Common level ratio *: 100 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $100,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,394
• Median value house: $148,400
• Assessed value on median house: $148,400
• Tax on median house: $2,069

NORTH MIDDLETON TOWNSHIP

• Population: 11,143
• Median household income: $62,152
• School tax: 12.26 mills
• County tax: 2.04 mills
• Municipal tax: .69 mills
• Total tax: 14.99 mills
• Common level ratio *: 100 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $100,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,499
• Median value house: $152,000
• Assessed value on median house: $152,000
• Tax on median house: $2,278

SHIREMANSTOWN

• Population: 1,569
• Median household income: $46,979
• School tax: 12.17 mills
• County tax: 2.04 mills
• Municipal tax: 1.9 mills
• Total tax: 16.11 mills
• Common level ratio *: 100 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $100,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,611
• Median value house: $158,200
• Assessed value on median house: $158,200
• Tax on median house: $2,549

SILVER SPRING TOWNSHIP

• Population: 13,657
• Median household income: $72,574
• School tax: 8.57 mills
• County tax: 2.04 mills
• Municipal tax: .8 mills
• Total tax: 11.41 mills
• Common level ratio *: 100 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $100,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,141
• Median value house: $193,600
• Assessed value on median house: $193,600
• Tax on median house: $2,209

SOUTH MIDDLETON TOWNSHIP

• Population: 14,663
• Median household income: $67,073
• School tax: 8.93 mills
• County tax: 2.04 mills
• Municipal tax: .17 mills
• Total tax: 11.14 mills
• Common level ratio *: 100 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $100,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,114
• Median value house: $180,000
• Assessed value on median house: $180,000
• Tax on median house: $2,005

UPPER ALLEN TOWNSHIP

• Population: 18,059
• Median household income: $69,722
• School tax: 12.17 mills
• County tax: 2.04 mills
• Municipal tax: 1.29 mills
• Total tax: 15.50 mills
• Common level ratio *: 100 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $100,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,550
• Median value house: $182,300
• Assessed value on median house: $182,300
• Tax on median house: $2,826

WEST PENNSBORO TOWNSHIP

• Population: 5,561
• Median household income: $59,221
• School tax: 12.1 mills
• County tax: 2.04 mills
• Municipal tax: .26 mills
• Total tax: 14.4 mills
• Common level ratio *: 100 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $100,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,440
• Median value house: $149,600
• Assessed value on median house: $149,600
• Tax on median house: $2,154

WORMLEYSBURG

• Population: 3,070
• Median household income: $53,617
• School tax: 9 mills
• County tax: 2.04 mills
• Municipal tax: 3.06 mills
• Total tax: 14.1 mills
• Common level ratio *: 100 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $100,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,410
• Median value house: $146,300
• Assessed value on median house: $146,300
• Tax on median house: $2,063

*Common level ratio compares the market value to the assessed value of a home.

PERRY COUNTY

DUNCANNON

• Population: 1,522
• Median household income: $41,932
• School tax: 12.2 mills
• County tax: 3.31 mills
• Municipal tax: 3.1 mills
• Total tax: 18.61 mills
• Common level ratio: 100 percent*
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $100,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,861
• Median value house: $102,100
• Assessed value on median house: $102,100
• Tax on median house: $1,900

MARYSVILLE

• Population: 2,534
• Median household income: $45,754
• School tax: 12.2 mills
• County tax: 3.3 mills
• Municipal tax: 2 mills
• Total tax: 17.5 mills
• Common level ratio: 100 percent*
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $100,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,750
• Median value house: $121,300
• Assessed value on median house: $121,300
• Tax on median house: $2,123

NEW BUFFALO

• Population: 129
• Median household income: $41,250
• School tax: 12.2 mills
• County tax: 3.31 mills
• Municipal tax: 1.3 mills
• Total tax: 16.81 mills
• Common level ratio: 100 percent*
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $100,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,681
• Median value house: $126,800
• Assessed value on median house: $126,800
• Tax on median house: $2,132

PENN TOWNSHIP

• Population: 3,225
• Median household income: $49,804
• School tax: 12.2 mills
• County tax: 3.31 mills
• Municipal tax: .57 mills
• Total tax: 16.08 mills
• Common level ratio: 100 percent*
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $100,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,608
• Median value house: $129,200
• Assessed value on median house: $129,200
• Tax on median house: $2,078

RYE TOWNSHIP

• Population: 2,364
• Median household income: $71,801
• School tax: 12.2 mills
• County tax: 3.31 mills
• Municipal tax: .9 mills
• Total tax: 16.41 mills
• Common level ratio: 100 percent*
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $100,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,641
• Median value house: $166,200
• Assessed value on median house: $166,200
• Tax on median house: $2,727

WATTS TOWNSHIP

• Population: 1,311
• Median household income: $53,235
• School tax: 12.2 mills
• County tax: 3.31 mills
• Fire tax: .22
• Municipal tax: .43 mills
• Total tax: 16.16 mills
• Common level ratio: 100 percent*
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $100,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,616
• Median value house: $143,500
• Assessed value on median house: $143,500
• Tax on median house: $2,319

WHEATFIELD TOWNSHIP

• Population: 3,334
• Median household income: $62,333
• School tax: 12.2 mills
• County tax: 3.3 mills
• Municipal tax: .2 mills
• Total tax: 15.7 mills
• Common level ratio: 100 percent*
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $100,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,570
• Median value house: $142,000
• Assessed value on median house: $142,000
• Tax on median house: $2,229

*Common level ratio compares the market value to the assessed value of a home

YORK COUNTY

CARROLL TOWNSHIP

• Population: 5,939
• Median household income: $70,133
• School tax: 14.61 mills
• County tax: 4.15 mills
• Municipal tax: 1.62 mills
• Total tax: 20.38 mills
• Common level ratio *: 84 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $84,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,712
• Median value house: $225,600
• Assessed value on median house: $189,504
• Tax on median house: $3,862

DILLSBURG

• Population: 2,563
• Median household income: $51,045
• School tax: 14.61 mills
• County tax: 4.15 mills
• Municipal tax: 2.37 mills
• Total tax: 21.13 mills
• Common level ratio *: 84 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $84,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,775
• Median value house: $148,500
• Assessed value on median house: $124,740
• Tax on median house: $2,636

FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP

• Population: 16,668
• Median household income: $71,472
• School tax: 11.78 mills
• County tax: 4.15 mills
• Municipal tax: 1.6 mills
• Total tax: 17.53 mills
• Common level ratio *: 84 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $84,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,473
• Median value house: $187,600
• Assessed value on median house: $157,584
• Tax on median house: $2,762

FRANKLINTOWN

• Population: 489
• Median household income: $40,938
• School tax: 14.61 mills
• County tax: 4.15 mills
• Municipal tax: 1.88 mills
• Total tax: 20.64 mills
• Common level ratio *: 84 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $84,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,734
• Median value house: $134,100
• Assessed value on median house: $112,644
• Tax on median house: $2,325

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP

• Population: 4,678
• Median household income: $60,850
• School tax: 14.61 mills
• County tax: 4.15 mills
• Municipal tax: .2 mills
• Total tax: 18.96 mills
• Common level ratio *: 84 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $84,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,593
• Median value house: $174,800
• Assessed value on median house: $146,832
• Tax on median house: $2,784

GOLDSBORO

• Population: 952
• Median household income: $65,865
• School tax: 11.78 mills
• County tax: 4.15 mills
• Municipal tax: .75 mills
• Total tax: 16.68 mills
• Common level ratio *: 84 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $84,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,401
• Median value house: $143,800
• Assessed value on median house: $120,792
• Tax on median house: $2,015

LEWISBERRY

• Population: 362
• Median household income: $66,250
• School tax: 11.78 mills
• County tax: 4.15 mills
• Municipal tax: 1.3 mills
• Total tax: 17.23 mills
• Common level ratio *: 84 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $84,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,447
• Median value house: $154,200
• Assessed value on median house: $129,528
• Tax on median house: $2,232

MONAGHAN TOWNSHIP

• Population: 2,630
• Median household income: $73,977
• School tax: 14.61 mills
• County tax: 4.15 mills
• Municipal tax: .9 mills
• Total tax: 19.66 mills
• Common level ratio *: 84 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $84,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,651
• Median value house: $210,300
• Assessed value on median house: $176,652
• Tax on median house: $3,473

NEWBERRY TOWNSHIP — DISTRICT 1

• Population (District 1 and 2): 15,285
• Median household income (District 1 and 2): $56,047
• School tax: 11.78 mills
• County tax: 4.15 mills
• Municipal tax: 1.79 mills
• Total tax: 17.72 mills
• Common level ratio *: 84 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $84,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,448
• Median value house (District 1 and 2): $127,500
• Assessed value on median house: $107,100
• Tax on median house: $1,898

NEWBERRY TOWNSHIP — DISTRICT 2

• Population (see District 1): 15,285
• Median household income (see District 1): $56,047
• School tax: 23.72 mills
• County tax: 4.15 mills
• Municipal tax: 1.79 mills
• Total tax: 29.66 mills
• Common level ratio *: 84 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $84,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $2,491
• Median value house (see District 1): $127,500
• Assessed value on median house: $107,100
• Tax on median house: $3,177

WARRINGTON TOWNSHIP

• Population: 4,773
• Median household income: $58,958
• School tax: 14.61 mills
• County tax: 4.15 mills
• Municipal tax: .21 mills
• Total tax: 18.97 mills
• Common level ratio *: 84 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $84,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,593
• Median value house: $177,900
• Assessed value on median house: $149,436
• Tax on median house: $2,835

WELLSVILLE

• Population: 221
• Median household income: $51,250
• School tax: 14.61 mills
• County tax: 4.15 mills
• Municipal tax: .42 mills
• Total tax: 19.18 mills
• Common level ratio *: 84 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $84,000
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,611
• Median value house: $153,800
• Assessed value on median house: $129,192
• Tax on median house: $2,478

*Common level ratio compares the market value to the assessed value of a home.

LEBANON COUNTY

ANNVILLE TOWNSHIP

• Population: 4,767
• Median household income: $51,250
• School tax: 102.76 mills
• County tax: 20 mills
• Municipal tax: 20 mills
• Total tax: 142.76 mills
• Common level ratio: 15.8 percent*
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $15,800
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $2,251
• Median value house: $131,400
• Assessed value on median house: $20,761
• Tax on median house: $2,958

EAST HANOVER TOWNSHIP

• Population: 2,801
• Median household income: $58,840
• School tax: 86.85 mills
• County tax: 20 mills
• Municipal tax: 1.5 mills
• Total tax: 108.35 mills
• Common level ratio: 15.8 percent *
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $15,800
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,712
• Median value house: $170,000
• Assessed value on median house: $26,860
• Tax on median house: $2,910

NORTH ANNVILLE TOWNSHIP

• Population: 2,381
• Median household income: $65,958
• School tax: 102.76 mills
• County tax: 20 mills
• Municipal tax: none
• Total tax: 122.76 mills
• Common level ratio: 15.8 percent *
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $15,800
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,940
• Median value house: $157,700
• Assessed value on median house: $24,917
• Tax on median house: $3,059

NORTH LONDONDERRY TOWNSHIP

• Population: 8,068
• Median household income: $65,000
• School tax: 98.75 mills
• County tax: 20 mills
• Municipal tax: 10 mills
• Total tax: 128.75 mills
• Common level ratio: 15.8 percent *
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $15,800
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $2,034
• Median value house: $192,300
• Assessed value on median house: $30,383
• Tax on median house: $3,912

PALMYRA

• Population: 7,320
• Median household income: $48,750
• School tax: 98.75 mills
• County tax: 20 mills
• Municipal tax: 17.50 mills (includes .5 library)
• Total tax: 136.25 mills
• Common level ratio: 15.8 percent*
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $15,800
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $2,153
• Median value house: $140,000
• Assessed value on median house: $22,120
• Tax on median house: $3,014

SOUTH ANNVILLE TOWNSHIP

• Population: 2,850
• Median household income: $63,289
• School tax: 102.76 mills
• County tax: 20 mills
• Municipal tax: 6 mills
• Total tax: 128.76 mills
• Common level ratio: 15.8 percent*
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $15,800
• Tax on a $100,000 house: $2,034
• Median value house: $166,900
• Assessed value on median house: $26,370
• Tax on median house: $3,395

SOUTH LONDONDERRY TOWNSHIP

• Population: 6,991
• Median household income: $78,105
• School tax: 98.75 mills
• County tax: 20 mills
• Municipal tax: 10.5 mills (include. 1.5 fire)
• Total tax: 129.25 mills
• Common level ratio: 15.8 percent*
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $15,800
• Tax on a $100,000 house: $2,042
• Median value house: $209,000
• Assessed value on median house: $33,022
• Tax on median house: $4,268

*Common level ratio compares the market value to the assessed value of a home

DAUPHIN COUNTY

CONEWAGO TOWNSHIP

• Population: 2,997
• Median household income: $84,844
• School tax: 18.42 mills
• County tax: 6.88 mills
• Municipal tax: none
• Library tax: .35 mills
• Total tax: 25.65 mills
• Common level ratio: * 73.5 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $73,500
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,885
• Median value house: $228,700
• Assessed value of median house: $168,094
• Tax on median house: $4,311

DERRY TOWNSHIP

• Population: 24,679
• Median household income: $60,635
• School tax: 16.99 mills
• County tax: 6.88 mills
• Municipal tax: 1.1 mills
• Library tax: None
• Total tax: 24.97 mills
• Common level ratio: * 73.5 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $73,500
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,835
• Median value house: $226,500
• Assessed value on median house: $166,477
• Tax on median house: $4,157

EAST HANOVER TOWNSHIP

• Population: 5,718
• Median household income: $58,427
• School tax: 18.42 mills
• County tax: 6.88 mills
• Municipal tax: .36 mills
• Library tax: .35 mills
• Total tax: 26.01 mills
• Common level ratio: * 73.5 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $73,500
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,912
• Median value house: $161,300
• Assessed value on median house: $118,555
• Tax on median house: $3,084

HARRISBURG

• Population: 49,528
• Median household income: $31,676
• School tax: 26.31 mills
• County tax: 6.88 mills
• Municipal tax: 4.78 buildings, 28.6 land
• Library tax: .35 mills
• Total tax: 37.97 mills on buildings, 61.79 mills on land
• Common level ratio: *73.5 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $57,733 buildings, $15,767 land
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $3,194
• Median value house: $78,400
• Assessed value on median house: $45,318 buildings, $12,377 land
• Tax on median house: $2,506

HIGHSPIRE

• Population: 2,399
• Median household income: $37,038
• School tax: 24.84 mills
• County tax: 6.88 mills
• Municipal tax: 14.3 mills
• Library tax: .35 mills
• Total tax: 46.37 mills
• Common level ratio: *73.5 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $73,500
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $3,408
• Median value house: $88,400
• Assessed value on median house: $64,974
• Tax on median house: $3,013

HUMMELSTOWN

• Population: 4,538
• Median household income: $55,888
• School tax: 18.42 mills
• County tax: 6.88 mills
• Municipal tax: 2 mills
• Library tax: .35 mills
• Total tax: 27.65 mills
• Common level ratio: * 73.5 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $73,500
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $2,032
• Median value house: $150,500
• Assessed value on median house: $110,617
• Tax on median house: $3,059

LONDONDERRY TOWNSHIP

• Population: 5,235
• Median household income: $66,742
• School tax: 18.42 mills
• County tax: 6.88 mills
• Municipal tax: 3 mills
• Library tax: .35 mills
• Total tax: 28.65 mills
• Common level ratio: *73.5 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $73,500
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $2,106
• Median value house: $131,800
• Assessed value on median house: $96,873
• Tax on median house: $2,775

LOWER PAXTON TOWNSHIP

• Population: 47,360
• Median household income: $62,855
• School tax: 13.86 mills
• County tax: 6.88 mills
• Municipal tax: .96 mills
• Library tax: .35 mills
• Total tax: 22.05 mills
• Common level ratio: * 73.5 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $73,500
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,620
• Median value house: $166,900
• Assessed value on median house: $122,671
• Tax on median house: $2,705

LOWER SWATARA TOWNSHIP

• Population: 8,268
• Median household income: $60,553
• School tax: 20.99 mills
• County tax: 6.88 mills
• Municipal tax: 2.5 mills
• Library tax: .35 mills
• Total tax: 30.72 mills
• Common level ratio: *73.5 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $73,500
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $2,258
• Median value house: $137,400
• Assessed value on median house: $100,989
• Tax on median house: $3,102

MIDDLETOWN

• Population: 8,901
• Median household income: $47,522
• School tax: 20.99
• County tax: 6.88
• Municipal tax: 5.63
• Total tax: 33.5 mills
• Common level ratio: *73.5 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $73,500
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $2,462
• Median value house: $110,600
• Assessed value on median house: $81,291
• Tax on median house: $2,723

PAXTANG

• Population: 1,561
• Median household income: $56,250
• School tax: 13.86 mills
• County tax: 6.88 mills
• Municipal tax: 10.73 mills
• Library tax: .35 mills
• Total tax: 31.82 mills
• Common level ratio: *73.5 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $73,500
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $2,339
• Median value house: $136,900
• Assessed value on median house: $100,621
• Tax on median house: $3,202

PENBROOK

• Population: 3,008
• Median household income: $36,545
• School tax: 13.86 mills
• County tax: 6.88 mills
• Municipal tax: 9.2 mills
• Library tax: .35 mills
• Total tax: 30.29 mills
• Common level ratio: *73.5 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $73,500
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $2,226
• Median value house: $99,900
• Assessed value on median house: $73,426
• Tax on median house: $2,224

ROYALTON

• Population: 967
• Median household income: $46,719
• School tax: 20.99 mills
• County tax: 6.88 mills
• Municipal tax: 3 mills
• Library tax: .35 mills
• Total tax: 31.22 mills
• Common level ratio: *$73.5 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $73,500
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $2,295
• Median value house: $97,900
• Assessed value on median house: $71,956
• Tax on median house: $2,246

SOUTH HANOVER TOWNSHIP

• Population: 6,248
• Median household income: $87,050
• School tax: 18.42 mills
• County tax: 6.88 mills
• Municipal tax: .46 mills
• Library tax: .35 mills
• Total tax: 26.11 mills
• Common level ratio: *73.5
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $73,500
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,919
• Median value house: $222,700
• Assessed value on median house: $163,684
• Tax on median house: $4,274

STEELTON

• Population: 5,990
• Median household income: $35,048
• School tax: 24.84 mills
• County tax: 6.88 mills
• Municipal tax: 14 mills
• Library tax: .35 mills
• Total tax: 46.07 mills
• Common level ratio: * 73.5
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $73,500
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $3,386
• Median value house: $78,600
• Assessed value on median house: $57,771
• Tax on median house: $2,569

SUSQUEHANNA TOWNSHIP

• Population: 24,036
• Median household income: $58,965
• School tax: 16.43 mills
• County tax: 6.88 mills
• Municipal tax: 2.6 mills
• Library tax: .35 mills
• Total tax: 26.26 mills
• Common level ratio: *$73.5 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $73,500
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,930
• Median value house: $155,900
• Assessed value on median house: 114,586
• Tax on median house: $3,009

SWATARA TOWNSHIP

• Population: 23,362
• Median household income: $54,110
• School tax: 13.86 mills
• County tax: 6.88 mills
• Municipal tax: 2.32 mills
• Library tax: .35 mills
• Total tax: 23.41 mills
• Common level ratio: *73.5 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $73,500
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,720
• Median value house: $145,100
• Assessed value on median house: $106,648
• Tax on median house: $2,497

WEST HANOVER TOWNSHIP

• Population: 9,343
• Median household income: $68,085
• School tax: 13.86 mills
• County tax: 6.88 mills
• Municipal tax: 1.19 mills
• Library tax .35 mills
• Total tax: 22.28 mills
• Common level ratio: *73.5 percent
• Assessed value of $100,000 house: $73,500
• Tax on $100,000 market value house: $1,638
• Median value house: $175,600
• Assessed value on median house: $129,066
• Tax on median house: $2,875

*Common level ratio compares the market value to the assessed value of a home.

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.

Former Yankees catcher Yogi Berra is as well known for his malapropisms as for his catching ability. On the former, Berra once famously quipped, “It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” With that thought in mind, we'll take a shot at predicting the mortgage-rate market for early 2012.

The reflexive response is to say that rates have to remain low. After all, the Federal Reserve has openly stated that it will continue to reinvest short-term securities into long-term securities. The Fed also said that it would keep reinvesting in mortgage-backed securities. Both activities will surely raise the pressure for mortgage rates to remain low.

Now, couple the Fed's resolve to hold long-term rates low with Europe 's ongoing travails and our own sluggish economy and it would appear mortgage rates would have to remain near today's levels at least through the first quarter of 2012.

With all that said, don't overlook or underestimate the “unseen” – the unexpected event that moves markets. Everything seen favors low rates, and few pundits are expecting higher rates. Because of that fact, we think the inevitable “unseen” favors a spike up in rates over a spike down.

Courtesy of 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.

Lower prices and still-low mortgage rates continue to create traction in the existing-home market.The pending home sales index is the latest in a series of recent data releases that prove that economic laws continue to hold: lower prices stimulate demand. On that front, lower prices helped lift the index 10.4 percent to post a 93.3 reading in October. The positive takeaway here is that recent gains portend strong existing home sales for November and December and a positive sales trend heading into 2012.

New home sales have also trended higher in recent months, moving up 1.3 percent to an annualized sales rate of 307,000 units in October. The median price of a new home eased 0.5 percent month-over-month to $212,300, but the year-over-year rate turned positive, at plus 4.0 percent. The news on supply was even more encouraging, with inventory falling to 6.3 months at the current sales rate – the best reading since April 2010 when government tax credits were stimulating sales.

To be sure, pricing remains a bugaboo for new and existing homes in many markets. Lower prices do clear inventory, but they also tend to hinder participation, as more potential buyers are reluctant to buy what they perceive they are buying a depreciating asset.

But severe discounting remains confined to specific markets, notably Atlanta, Phoenix, and Las Vegas. The latter two metropolitan areas continue to post new lows. For much of the nation, though, the severe discounting that occurred from 2007 through 2009 appears to be a thing of the past. Most of the nation should continue to experience price stability, with only minor to modest discounting in selected markets.

The Federal Reserve made news last week that could impact any discounting of mortgage rates. The Fed, along with the world's major central banks, acted to provide cheap-dollar funding to European banks crippled by the debt crises that plague the Mediterranean European countries. In short, the Fed and its European confreres staved off a possible financial collapse in Europe that could have spread to the United States.

Investors responded to the central bankers' unprecedented action by moving out of U.S. Treasury securities and into stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 4.2 percent on Wednesday to post its biggest gain since March 2009. Treasury yields also moved higher, with the yield on the 10-year Treasury note, the benchmark investment for 30-year fixed-rate loans, rising to 2.1 percent. Mortgage rates, in turn, moved higher across most financing options.

Here's something to keep in mind: Treasury yields and mortgage rates tend to rise with the stock market. If stocks continue to rise, more money will leave fixed-income investments, like Treasury securities, which could pressure mortgage rates to go higher. December tends to be a strong month for stocks, which means December could also be a month for rising mortgage rates.

Courtesy of 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.

News was relatively scarce this past week due to the Thanksgiving Day holiday, but what news was released was, for the most part, encouraging.

The news on existing home sales was particularly encouraging. Sales rose to an annual rate of 4.97 million units in October, which easily beat the consensus estimate for 4.8 million units. The bump up in sales helped drop inventory to an eight-month supply compared to September's 8.3-month supply. Year-over-year, inventory levels have dropped nearly three months.

Existing home sale prices were a little softer than we had expected, with the national median home price easing 2 percent month-over-month to $162,000. Discounting was prevalent in condo sales, but much less so in the single-family detached segment.

Shadow inventory has weighed heavily on prices for the past three years, but this market is also improving. Standard & Poor's, citing improvements in third-quarter default and liquidation rates, lowered its estimate of the time it will take to reduce excess stock to 45 months from 47 months. That's still a lot of inventory, but the goods news is that we are making headway.Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. data also point to an improving distressed-property market. The FDIC reports that inventory held by private banks dropped for the fourth-straight quarter to $50.4 billion worth of properties at the end of September, a 1.5-percent decline compared to the previous quarter and a 5-percent decline from a year ago.

There was some negative news on the economy, but it wasn't as negative as many news outlets led us to believe. Gross Domestic Product was downgraded to 2.0-percent annualized growth from a previously stated 2.5 percent. When we dug into the numbers, we found that the downgrade was much ado about little; the revision was mostly attributable to a $13-billion decrease in inventory investment.Last week, we mentioned the good news that fixed-asset investment is trending higher. This week, we are glad to note that consumer spending continues to trend higher. Personal consumption grew 0.1 percent for October, which might seem insignificant, but October's consumption follows a very strong 0.7 percent increase in September.

We haven't seen much improvement in mortgage rates over the past two weeks, which has resulted in a slowdown in refinance activity. That could be about to change. The recently revamped Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), with higher loan-to-value ratios and appraisal waivers for qualified buyers, is sure to spur refinance demand. In fact, more than 1 million borrowers are expected to benefit from the new HARP.This means a change in the demand/supply paradigm. When demand for borrowing increases, mortgage rates tend to rise, not fall. We advise our clients (especially clients who already qualify for a refinance under the current rules) not to wait for the new HARP rules to kick into gear.

Courtesy of 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.

Rismedia.com reports there are various signals that the real estate market is on the rise. They have recently reported statistics pointing to an industry turnaround, including a 15 percent rise in housing starts in September; a surge in builder confidence in October, an increase in mortgage applications and a slew of regional market improvements across the country.

A recent Marketwatch story written by Amy Hoak points out that housing markets in the Great Plains, including those in North and South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming, Nebraska, Louisiana and Iowa, are showing the most signs of strength these days, according to a recent report from Veros, a risk management and valuation services firm.

Hoak notes that Bismarck, North Dakota., is expected to be the strongest market in the country in the year ahead, with housing values appreciating at a 5.6% clip, according to Veros. Our Harrisburg/Carlisle market is projected to be among the strongest to rebound in 2012 making now a great time to buy!! Get your dream home now before prices start to go up.

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.