Real Estate Information Archive

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

For this speed clean, you’ll need:

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

Minutes 1 – 5: Clean Your Kitchen Sink

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

Minutes 5 – 7: De-Clutter the Kitchen

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

Minutes 8 – 10: Clean Your Microwave with Lemon

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

Minutes 10 – 12: Clean Under the Fridge

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

Minutes 12 – 15: Clean Your Sponges in the Microwave

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

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

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

Minutes 17 – 20: Wipe Down Counters & Stovetop

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

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

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

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

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

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

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

Whether you’re hosting two guests or twenty, Thanksgiving is a big responsibility. We don’t mean to seem melodramatic, but in more than a few ways, your guests are putting their general wellness in your hands for the day.

Don’t cancel your holiday plans just yet. With a little foresight and an eye for safety, it’s easy to make sure everybody comes out of turkey day in one piece. Here are five ways to make sure your guests survive Thanksgiving.

Clear Your Walkways

An icy, dark walkway is an invitation for a broken wrist (or worse). If you live in an area that’s already seeing below freezing temperatures, buy some rock salt and spread it any place your guests might enter or leave your home. If it’s not that cold yet, at least double check your outdoor lighting to make sure there aren’t any dark spots where someone might trip and fall.

Thaw Your Turkey Properly

There are a number of ways to thaw a turkey, but the safest way is to leave it in a fridge set at 40 degrees (this can take a few days, so hopefully you’ve already started). If you haven’t done so in a while, now is the perfect time to perform a quick fridge inspection to make sure your Thanksgiving feast is safe.

Calibrate Your Oven

Your oven may say it’s preheated to 350 degrees, but don’t believe everything you see. If things are out of whack in oven-town, at best you’ll wind up with a burnt bird, at worst you’ll put your guests at risk for foodborne illness from undercooked meat. Prevent this by taking fifteen minutes to calibrate your oven before the turkey goes inside!

Buy Fire Extinguishers

There are an estimated 2,000 fires every Thanksgiving, which result in an average of five deaths, 25 injuries and $21 million in property loss. The best way to make sure your house isn’t a hazard is by doing a fire-safety onceover and, of course, keeping an extinguisher handy in the kitchen. That way, a grease flare-up turns into an exciting story instead of a tragic accident.

Protect Your Pets

Furry visitors count as guests, too! If you have a pet, or have one visiting for Thanksgiving, there are two major concerns for their safety: turkey skin and bones. Turkey skins are very difficult for dogs to digest, and bones present a choking hazard to all animals (even if they don’t choke on them, the sharp edges can pierce an animal’s digestive track). If pets are celebrating Thanksgiving at your house, keep them safe by keeping leftovers and table scraps out of reach.

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.

Ever heard the phrase “happiness is an inside job”? It’s true. We can all stand to bring a little more joy into our lives, and it turns out our hard-earned cash can help us get there. Yes, that’s right: You can buy happiness. According to a new book called Happy Money: The Science of Smarter Spending by Harvard professor Michael Norton there are ways spending can increase your bliss with cash.

Don’t run out and buy that new X-Box just yet! According to an article in Time magazine about the book, it isn’t the act of shopping that brings joy. Rather, it’s the strategic way you spend, and the mindful reflection on that spending that will bring happiness.

To boost your bliss try one or more of these ideas:

1. Buy Experiences

According to the article, 57 percent of Americans reported that purchasing an experience made them happier than buying something material. It’s not necessarily because the experience is so fun. Rather, this is because you can reflect on and think about your “money well spent” for long after the experience is over.

This is because of a phenomenon called adaptation. No matter how excited you are about your new thing you recently bought, you’re going to get bored of it over time and it will lose its glitz.

So what can you do at home? Well, anything. Here are a few ideas:

Throw a Puzzle Party. Puzzles are making a comeback, particularly interesting puzzles that can parlay into framed art. Buy a puzzle you find interesting (we like this Clementoni Senecio 1000 Piece Paul Klee Jigsaw Puzzle for $21 on Amazon) and invite a few family members or friends to join you. For the 21 and up crowd, bring a few brews or a bottle of wine to the table. Play some music. Have fun! Once it’s complete, consider framing it (this jigsaw puzzle frame is $23).

Note: If you want to keep the fun going, don’t feel pressured to finish the entire thing in one sitting. Twice the parties, twice the fun!

Host a Mashed Potato Social. Throwing a dinner party doesn’t have to break the bank! We love the idea of a mashed potato social, because it’s quirky enough to be memorable, and potatoes currently sell for about $2 per pound. Throw some cream, butter, milk and salt into your grocery cart and whip up a batch of “perfect mashed potatoes.” For the party, lay out a few classic toppings like chives, butter, bacon and cheese buffet style. For a whimsical touch, serve your potatoes in sundae glasses (this set of 12 is only $41!). Friends and family will have fun building their own potato sundae, and you’ll have potato-filled memories to make you smile.

2. Make It A Treat

When it comes to romance, we’ve all heard “distance makes the heart grow fonder.” Well, the same concept is true for purchases. According to the article, knowing you can’t have access to something all the time may help you appreciate it more when you do. (Think holiday treats.) How can you trick yourself into savoring a treat? Make it a special occasion! Here’s an idea:

Sunday Night: Ice Cream Night. If ice cream makes you happy, deny yourself the sweet treat six days a week. Then, fight the Sunday scaries by allowing yourself to indulge in the deliciousness of a cup or cone at home on Sunday evening. You’ll think about the ritual all week long and may even enjoy Sunday nights a little bit more!

Note: If ice cream isn’t your thing, find something that is! Maybe it’s a Sunday night hot wings tradition, or brownie night. Whatever the treat is, make sure it’s something you truly enjoy.

3) Buy Time

According to the article, people with “free time” are more likely to exercise, do volunteer work, and participate in other activities that are linked to increased happiness.

But who has enough time when chores aren’t done, dinner isn’t made and emails aren’t read? We get it. To give yourself some breathing room, hire help! You work hard for your money, and money can be used to buy “free time,” by outsourcing the demands of daily life such as cooking, laundry, cleaning, and even grocery shopping.

Hire a Pro. First, think about the task that makes you die a little inside when you do it. That may be laundry, or it may be cleaning the toilet. (Everyone has a most-hated task!) Then, visit Angie’s List to find a pro that will take that task off of your hands.

The key here is to not waste your newly created free time. Fill the minutes or hours you would have spent doing the deed with something that will make you smile, like volunteering or reading a book to your kid.

4) Pay Now, Consume Later

Thanks to credit cards, many Americans are on the “enjoy now, pay later” train. Switch it up! Delay can enhance pleasure not only by providing an opportunity to develop positive expectations, but also by enhancing what is called the “drool factor.”

Think about bacon and a dog. If you give a dog bacon without any build-up, he’ll enjoy it, sure, but if you wait and hold it out, he’ll drool and beg for it. You want to drool to really experience pleasure.

So, do this:

Save for Something Awesome. This is the one exception to the “don’t buy things” rule. For example, if you’ve been daydreaming about an X-Box, start a savings plan to help you buy it. It doesn’t matter if you have money in the bank that wouldn’t be dented with the purchase right now – the point is to make you wait!

So, say you want the X-Box, which costs about $400. Lay out a savings plan - say $20 a week - and ceremoniously place the $20 in an envelope or special savings account. When you have enough cash, buy the box! The anticipation you’ve felt bringing the item home will make it that much sweeter.

5) Invest In Others

There’s a reason gift-giving is considered a love language. According to the article, people who spend money on others are measurably happier than those who spent money on themselves — even though there were no differences between the groups at the beginning of the day! So make someone else smile and you’ll feel the effects, too.

Here are a few ideas:

Do Their Chores. We love this idea, because it’s free to you! If everyone in your household has different chores, surprise a loved one, roommate or friend by taking care of their task. Don’t let them know it’s happening! Just do the dishes, take out the trash or walk the dog and then casually mention it when they begrudgingly move to do their chore. They’ll be pleased, you’ll feel happy and everyone wins.

Bring Home a Treat. At the end of a long day, chocolate is always a good idea. Next time you head home from work, grab a sweet treat to surprise a loved one or roommate. It doesn’t have to be expensive - a $1 REESE’S from the gas station will do! Then, as they eat their treat, sit with them and talk about their day. (Or if it has been awhile, their week.) They’ll feel appreciate and you’ll get all of the feels, all for less than the price of a cup of coffee.

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.

According to a recent BrightNest survey, almost 60% of people sleep in dirty linens – they don’t wash their bedding every week.

Doesn’t seem like a big deal? Keep this in mind: You spend 1/3 of your life in bed. Some of those times you’re probably naked. Nakedness leads to excess dust. And excess dust means you could be shacking up with as many as 10 million dust mites.

That’s a little gross in general, but these mites can also ruin a good night’s sleep by triggering allergies. And your bed isn’t the only place in the boudoir collecting dust!

Make sure you always get a great night’s sleep by cleaning the following 8 spots:

1. The Bed

If you do nothing else on this list, get in the habit of washing your sheets every week.

Like we said before, between catching Zs and making whoopee, your bed is a dust mite paradise because they love the dead skin you’re shedding. To keep dust mites at bay, wash your sheets once a week on high heat.

Tip: If once a week is a lot to handle, try lining your bed with a hypoallergenic mattress protector under your regular sheets. This will provide an extra barrier between dust mites and those delicious dead flakes falling off of your body.

2. Houseplants

There are a lot of advantages to having houseplants in the bedroom (Don’t believe us? Here are eight of them!) But, there are also a few drawbacks. Namely: Dust. To keep your plants dust-free, take your plant outside and give it a light, warm shower with the hose every few weeks.

3. Dresser Drawers

Most people have at least one "miscellaneous" drawer. Stuff goes in, but nothing comes out! To keep dust from piling up inside these catchalls, rotate your drawers like the tires of a car every 2-3 months. While the drawers are out, throw out any items you haven't worn (or seen!) in the past six months.

4. Blinds

Fact: Blinds do two things well. Keep out light and collect dust. Blinds can be tricky to clean because they’re ultra-thin. Instead of half-cleaning them with a dry duster, grab a baby wipe. With the wet cloth in hand, rub your hand along the length of the blind. (It helps if you put on a little Beyoncé.) Tip: Check out some more ways you can use baby wipes around the house.

5. Ceiling Fan

Have you checked out the top of your ceiling fan lately? It can turn into a dust haven, especially during the winter. Tip: If your ceiling fan is directly above your bed, take your sheets off of the bed before you dust. That way, you can vacuum any fallen dust off the mattress.

6. Window Screen

If you ever open your bedroom window to air things out, you should also clean your screens every 3-4 months. Nothing crazy: just remove the screens, run the vacuum hose over them, and then wipe both sides down with a damp dust sheet. Tip: If you're vacuuming near a window anyway, why not run the hose over the screens for a mini-dusting?

7. Electronic Devices

Snuggling up in bed to watch Scandal or Game of Thrones on a big TV is all any of us really want, right? The last thing you probably want to do is venture behind that TV to clean. But, lurking among the wires is a lot of dust. To get rid of it, spray into your devices' cooling fans with air spray. Bonus: Not only will you eliminate dust from a problem area, you'll extend the lives of your electronic devices.

8. Closet

Your closet is like dust's cozy hideaway vacation home. During the summer, that heavy coat you’re storing in the closet is basically the equivalent of a Cancun excursion (for dust, anyway). To shoo dust bunnies away, keep your closet organized and store off-season clothes the right way.

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.

Are you familiar with the name Hyman Minsky? We didn't think so, but the name is worth knowing. Minsky was an economist who wrote a short, but influential, monograph titled “The Financial Instability Hypothesis” 20 years ago. In short, Minsky hypothesized that the longer the good times roll, and the stronger the roll is, the likelihood for a catastrophic turnaround increases. Think what occurred to housing around 2008. 

Housing has been on a strong run for the past five years. To be sure, much of the run has been a matter of reclaiming ground lost after the housing bubble burst, but it has still been a strong run.  So, does this mean we're anticipating another housing-market correction? No, we think the market remains healthy. We don't see the speculative fervor that lead to the bubble that formed a decade ago. That said, we think it's a good idea to keep in mind where we are and where we've come from over the past five years. 

Few people were imploring people to look at housing to the degree we were post-2008. We still think housing is worth a look today. We just think it's worth being a little more discriminating while looking.

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 Best-Performing Sector in the Economy Today

Home builders are downright spunky these days. Optimism runs rampant. The latest Wells Fargo/NAHB Sentiment Index posted at 64 for October. This is the highest posting since 2005. (A posting above 50 tilts sentiment toward optimism.) Things are good today, and they're good for the immediate future. The current sales component of the index, the most heavily weighted component, rose three points to 70. This means the immediate outlook for new-home sales is strong.

As for the longer-term outlook, it looks like blue skies ahead. The permits component was up seven points to 75. This means home builders are expecting strong starts and sales for the next six months.

As for starts today, they continue to ratchet higher. Starts jumped 6.5% to 1.206 million units on an annualized basis in September. This is nearly double the number of starts we saw four years ago. Multi-family units lead the charge. They spiked 18.3% to 466,000 units for the month. The good news is that we're still seeing gains in the larger and more important single-family component. Here, starts rose 0.3% to 740,000 units.

Now, combine rising construction activity and rising sales volumes with rising stock prices, and it's easy to understand why so many home builders are so optimistic. The S&P Home builders ETF (NYSE: XHB) is up 134% compared to 73% for the S&P 500 Index over the past five years. From the depths of the recession, March 2009, the XHB is up 270% compared to 170% for the S&P 500.

On the financing end, mortgage rates continue to provide a strong tailwind for anyone looking to buy or to refinance a home. Freddie Mac's latest survey shows borrowers across the country are getting sub-3.9% on a 30-year fixed-rate loan. Borrowers who prefer a shorter-term loan are seeing the 15-year fixed-rate loan hover around 3%.

We think rates will hold these levels through November, and possibly through the rest of the year. We're sticking with our January 2015 prediction – no Federal Reserve interest rate hike for 2015. Fed officials meet next week and futures traders are betting only a 5% chance for a rate increase. Looking to December, when the last Fed meeting of the year will occur, traders are betting a 30% chance.

Getting a low-interest rate loan is nice, but it's even nicer when the process gets easier. Fannie Mae recently said that it will allow lenders to use employment and income information from a database maintained by credit bureau Equifax. For loans Fannie Mae buys, this means it won't require the traditional documentation of physical copies of pay stubs and tax data. 

Anyone considering a loan should consider acting sooner than later. Application volume has been volatile lately due to the new lending disclosure rules under TILA-RESPA. Last week, purchase activity spiked 16%, while refinance activity was up 9%. Given the expected rise in new and existing home sales, we expect lending activity to rise too.

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.

What’s better than Thanksgiving Day? You get to kick back, relax, and fill yourself to the brim with turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. Then, you can flip on the football games and embrace the impending food coma. It may be awesome, but this day of indulgence isn’t free! Whether it’s triple-digit calorie counts, rage-inducing airport delays or a big bill from the plumber on Black Friday, you may be spending more than you think on Thanksgiving.

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.

WHY DO THIS?

Starbucks has started serving their Pumpkin Spice Latte, and that means one thing: fall! Take advantage of these final bouts of warm weather before they’re gone and prepare your house for the upcoming winter months by banging out the following tasks around the house.

1. Change your linens and move your mattress. Strip and vacuum your mattress and machine wash all of your bed linens, including your comforters, duvets, bed skirts and pillows. Then, turn your mattress front-to-back and end-to-end – flipping your mattress prolongs its life by evenly distributing the wear. For more tips, read:Maintain Your Mattress.
2. Inspect your windows. Start by cleaning your windowpanes, then your drapes or blinds, and finish with the window tracks (a vacuum with a hose attachment works best for this last job). If your windows are older, you likely have weather stripping to help seal your windows and keep cold drafts and moisture at bay. Inspect this weather stripping to see if it’s torn, damaged or needs to be replaced. Proper weather stripping can reduce your energy bills by as much as 30 percent! For a step-by-step guide to cleaning your windows, read: Inspect and Maintain Your Windows.
3. Inspect your exterior doors. For each exterior door, check the weather stripping that runs along the bottom and side of it for any cracks, leaks or wear. Close the door and place your hand along the bottom and sides of it. If you feel a draft coming through, you should replace your weather stripping. For extra insulation, purchase a few draft stoppers, which cost about $5 at your local hardware store.
4. Check your gutters. During the fall and winter, your gutters are filled with leaves, rainfall and snowmelt, so the clearer they are now, the better you’ll fare come winter. Break out a ladder (always practice proper ladder safety) and remove all dirt and debris from your gutters by hand. For a step-by-step guide, read: Gutter Cleaning.
5. Clean and store patio furniture. It’s always a good idea to clean your patio furniture before you store it inside for the winter. Different types of patio furniture require different cleaning techniques, so to learn how to properly clean your type of patio furniture, read: Clean Your Deck / Patio. Tip: Remove any stains from your furniture cushions before putting the chairs into storage, because if a stain sits on the fabric all winter, it’ll be more difficult to get out.
6. Clean light fixtures and dust ceiling fans. It doesn’t take long for dirt to create a film on your light fixtures and a layer of dust to form on the blades of your ceiling fan. To clean your glass light fixtures, denture tablets are actually one of the most effective products. To remove dust and dirt from your ceiling fans you simply need a ladder, canned air and all-purpose cleaner.

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.

If Mr. Bean was going to hide a spare key to his house, here are two spots he’d probably choose: under the door mat, or inside the dead-giveaway plastic rock in the garden.

Don’t be like Mr. Bean. His house is really easy to rob! Instead, take a page out of James Bond’s book and try one these secret-agent worthy places to hide your key. You’ll save yourself from the hassle of getting locked out and the disaster of getting robbed in one fell swoop. 

1. Inside of a Tree

Is there a tree on your property? Then you’ve got a perfect key hiding place. Simply cut out a square chunk from the bark that’s large enough to cover your key. Then trim a bit off the back of the “chunk” so there’s enough space to leave your key in the hollow. Replace the bark chunk, and enjoy your perfectly camouflaged key. Tip: Consider marking the location of the hollow with something like an old nail so that it isn’t too camouflaged and is easy to find.

2. Wedged Between Two Bricks

We’re all for well-maintained brick, but one small chink in the mortar can be good news! Put the brick blemish to good use – if there’s enough space for a key, wedge it in there. Just make sure the key fits in a way so that it’s both inconspicuous and easy-to-remove. Spending an hour trying to dig a key out from between two bricks is almost as frustrating as paying a locksmith to let you back in.

3. Inside of a Wind Chime

Pop quiz: What do burglars hate? Noise! That means that if a potential robber is searching for a spare key, they’re probably not going to go digging inside your wind chimes. Tip: To make this method even more secure, replace the wind chimes’ “knocker” with an entire ring of keys (only one of which actually opens your door). Even if a burglar finds the keys, they’ll have to struggle with the ring of decoys.

4. On Your Car

There are a lot of magnetized lock boxes on the market meant to hide a spare key for your car, but we think these can be used for house keys, too. Think about it: When is a burglar most likely to try and break in? When you (and your car) aren’t at home. There are certainly some flaws to this method (no car, no keys), but it’s still worth considering.

5. With a Neighbor

Okay, this one may not be super-spy clever, but it’s worth mentioning because it is super effective. Leaving a spare key with a trustworthy friend or neighbor means that access to your home is just a knock (or phone call) away. Plus, you’ll never have to worry about a burglar finding it on your property. Again, there are problems – if your neighbor isn’t home, you can’t get inside – but if you have a close friend next door, give this method some consideration. 

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.

"I don't want to save extra money this month," said nobody ever.

Adding a little cushion to your savings is always a good thing! To make your money-saving efforts seem a little less daunting, just pick out a quick, simple task to do each day of the month. Then sit back and count your savings in October.

Want to hang it on your fridge? Click here for the printable version!

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.