Real Estate Information Archive

There are a lot of kitchen gadgets on the market, and it can be difficult to tell what’s really worth buying and what’s a waste of money. If you want to stock your cabinet full of useful gadgets, invest in these seven pieces:

1. Vegetable Peeler

A veggie peeler can do a lot more than just turn your zucchini into uniform strips. Next time you want some grated cheese, use your peeler! That goes for lemon zest and chocolate flakes, too. If you need to “shave” something in the kitchen, your vegetable peeler can handle the job!

2. Can Opener

So maybe your can opener isn’t a jack-of-all-trades, but he’s really good at what he does. An automatic opener that costs more than $100 is a little excessive, but if you plan on eating canned food at any point in the future, it’s worth investing in a sturdy, hand-held can opener. (Just make sure you disinfect it regularly, they get dirty!)

3. Pizza Cutter

Sure, pizza can be cut with scissors, but pizza cutters do a lot more than slice your favorite pie! If you want to cut dough for pastries, make homemade noodles or slice French toast, a pizza cutter will save you from a lot of hassle.

4. Colander

First, let’s get one thing straight: watery pasta does not taste very good. So a colander is an important tool if you’re a pasta lover. If you’re not a linguini fan, you can still use your colander as a makeshift steamer! Place your vegetables in the colander and place the colander in a large pot with 1-2 inches of water. Simmer the water until it’s boiling and place your lid over the colander. You’ll have steamed veggies in no time!

5. Melon Baller

Melon balls may seem like a waste of time, but what about cookie dough? Or ice cream? Think of your melon baller as a way to perfectly scoop and portion anything soft. You’ll be using it for practically every meal! You can also use this handy little scoop to deseed tomatoes, peppers and winter squash.

6. Tongs

Tongs are basically heat-resistant hand extensions, and make tons of kitchen tasks easier and safer – everything from flipping burgers to tossing salads. Mix pasta and sauce with ease, and rotate burning-hot cake and pie tins in the oven. If you need to grab something that may or may not hurt your hand, grab your tongs first. Better safe than sorry!

7. Cocktail Shaker

If you enjoy a martini every once in awhile, you know the joy of a perfectly shaken cocktail. But did you know that you can use your favorite liquor tool while making breakfeast, too? If you want to beat eggs, skip the whisk and use your martini shaker instead. They'll be perfectly beaten with the flick of a wrist

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Don Roth

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

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

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

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

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

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

Why Do This?

Even if you’ve taken precautions to prevent frozen pipes, it can still happen during single-digit nights. Frozen pipes can lead to expensive water damage, so you want to thaw them as soon as possible. However, hiring a plumber to do this for you can cost $200 or more, so you can save a lot of money by getting it done yourself!

Time: 60 minutes

What You'll Need:

• hairdryer
• patience

How To:

Safety Note: NEVER use an open flame to thaw your pipe! This will permanently damage the pipe and may even start a fire. It’s also best to avoid “thawing machines,” which are expensive and can be dangerous when they’re not operated by a professional.

1. Check the weather forecast. If your pipe froze because of a freak cold snap, but the weather has warmed up since then, the pipe may thaw on its own. If the foreseeable forecast is frosty, you’ll probably need to take action.
2. Locate the main shut-off valve. Before you begin, locate your main shut-off valve to make sure you know how to turn off your water. Once your pipe thaws, leaks are common. So, it’s important to be ready!
3. Turn your hot and cold faucet handles. Check to see if water will come out of your cold water faucet handle, and then do the same for your hot water. If your cold water pipe has frozen, but water is still flowing from your hot water pipe, you’re in luck! Turn on your hot water and let it run for 10-20 minutes. The heat will usually transfer to the frozen pipe and fix the problem.
4. Grab a hairdryer. If that doesn’t work (or your hot water pipe is frozen, too), it’s time to break out the hairdryer. If you can see the frozen area, great. Set your hairdryer to high heat and blast away (holding the dryer a few inches from the pipe) until your water returns. If you can’t see the freeze because the pipe goes into a wall, just aim your hairdryer as close to the problem as possible. Pipes conduct heat extremely well, so even if the freeze is behind a wall, you can usually thaw it out. Just note that this can take 30-45 minutes (sometimes more) to work.
5. Call a professional (optional). If you continue to have trouble, your best bet is to call a professional plumber. If you ask nicely, most of them are willing to talk you through other solutions at no charge.

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 your idea of decking the halls includes a live evergreen heavy with lights and tinsel, you’re not alone. In fact, over 29 million households are getting a real tree this year to adorn their living rooms and twinkle through their front windows. Keep your perfect tannenbaum alive (with its needles intact) by following these easy steps:

Inspect the Needles

When you’re at the nursery picking out your tree, inspect the needles – they should feel flexible, not dry and brittle.

Trim Your Tree

Before you put your tree in its stand, cut off the bottom inch of the trunk to provide a fresh surface for water uptake.

Water the Tree

As soon as possible, get the tree in water. The base of the tree should never dry out, so make sure your water bowl doesn't become empty! A basic rule of thumb is that a typical tree will absorb a quart of water each day for every inch of trunk diameter.

Give 'Em Something Sweet

This is up for debate, but some people swear by adding sugar, aspirin or corn syrup to their tree’s water. While there is no scientific data backing these substances, we say don’t knock it ‘til you try it. If sugar has worked for you in the past, keep on adding the sweet stuff!

Block the Sun

Keep your tree away from direct sunlight, heaters and fans because these things will speed up the drying-out process.

Keep It Humid

If you have a humidifier in your house, put it in the tree-room. It will help keep the needles fresher long, as well as reduce the risk of fire.

If all of this seems like too much work, opt for a potted tree instead. You can find them at your local nursery. Bonus: Instead of slowly dying in your living room, potted trees can be donated to the parks department or replanted in your yard come January!

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.

gThe month of January 2013 saw a slight decrease in the number (26) of sold homes in the greater Harrisburg area compared to January 2012. But on the bright side the average sales price increased by 4% and the average days on market for sold homes declined to 100 days when compared to the previous January. Why the decline in the number of sold homes with all the positive news about the housing market? To be honest, I do not know other than January sometimes is a fickle month for sales and this may be the case. But on the other hand the number of homes sold but not settled increased by over 10% compared to the year end 2012.

As anyone who has read my reports know that I do see brighter days ahead and as of now, with still extremely low mortgage rates and a good supply of saleable homes, although decreasing somewhat, the future still is positive for both buyers and sellers for 2013. Below you will see a selected group of school districts in the Harrisburg area and yes we do see great variations when comparing month over month with respect to average sales price and days on market. But I will be more responsive to these facts so hopefully this will assist you in gauging the overall market.

If you are looking for specific communities, you can search all Harrisburg homes for sale here. Or contact me at Don@DonRoth.com.
 

West Shore School Districts

East Shore School Districts

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.

Click Here to View Mortgage Matters.

Home Sale Prices in Central Pennsylvania September 2010

The Greater Harrisburg area real estate market continues to be somewhat of a contraction. The sales number for September 2010 are down 35% compared to September 2009, but the average sales price has increased during the same time frame. So what does that mean to the current buyers and seller of real estate? First, there is plenty of concern about the economy and the impact on personal finances, job security and the values of homes. Second, valuations on many homes are down from the peak of the market but when compared to many areas, this geographic area has held its own and when you are reading about the real estate market many reports give a national versus a local perspective. Third, we will probably never see the year to year appreciation that we experienced, but this region has been relatively stable over the last thirty years and we will begin to see some appreciation, not great, within the next twelve months. So if you are looking to buy or sell, remember valuation is primary and when looking to purchase a home today’s mortgage interest rates, I was quoted 4.125% last Thursday for a thirty year mortgage, are at historic lows. So even if you are not in the market to purchase a home, you may want to seriously consider refinancing your current mortgage and saving some money.

One last important piece of information. If you find yourself in a position of being behind on your mortgage, please click on the following link which provides numerous sources of assistance Mortgage Financing Options That May Save Your Home. And if you need any additional information please contact me at Don@DonRoth.com.

Again, if there is any real estate information you need, please contact me at your convenience.

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.

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.

As we enter the second week of February 2010, there seems to be one subject besides real estate and that is global warming; and that debate whether there is global warming continues incessantly. Who is right or who is wrong on this issue will be determined in the future. With respect to real estate, I think that I am more right than wrong with my opinions in the past and what I see going forward, at least in the Central Pennsylvania marketplace. Comparing January 2009 with January 2010, the number of sales have decreases by 14%, and I know that does not look like a rebounding market that I have characterized in previous letters. But I will say that we experienced a similar result when comparing January 2008 and 2009, and we still were down for the year 2009, though not anywhere near the January numbers and I still anticipate that 2010 will be a positive year, although only slightly. And the January average sales price comparison is much improved over 2009 albeit down 7%.

Why didn’t we see more of an improvement or a continuation of the progress in the latter part of 2009? Three factors: 1) being that the Home Buyer Tax Credit extension didn’t occur until mid November, 2): the holiday season was upon us and in many instances buyers have traditionally slowed down their buying habits during December and January; 3) the weather, need I say anything more after 30+ inches of snow within the last five days!!

Moving forward, what is the most likely scenario that I anticipate? We will see a slow improvement in the number of home sales in the area and a slight increase in the average sales price as we go through 2010. Part of the increase will be due to the tax credit that presently has a date of April 30, 2010, in which buyers can qualify for the tax credit and with a closing date of June 30, 2010. I have been asked about an extension beyond April of this year and my response is that anything is possible in Washington, DC, but it is highly unlikely. Improvement will also come from buyers who do not want to rent any longer, sellers that want to either downsize or need a larger home and those who want to take advantage of the low mortgage interest rate that we continue to experience and we all should be aware that the low interest rate environment cannot continue forever. As I said in one of my recent posts, a 1% difference on a mortgage rate can increase your mortgage payment by almost $90.00 a month on a mortgage of $150,000. Yes, things will improve on a slow and steady pace, and when we see an overall increase in the economic climate the activity will improve even more, but do not anticipate a return to three or four years ago with substantial price appreciation because it is not going to happen.

It is my intent to give you the best of what I see in the market in order to assist you in making a real estate purchase; and please remember each sale is different even though there may be two homes that are exactly alike. Such factors as condition and buyer or seller motivation are two that come to mind. So if you are considering a purchase or a sale please contact me at Don@DonRoth.com or visit my web site www.DonRoth.com and view the search listings tab. Hope that we can say that the past week has been a global warming anomaly and we will see plenty of sunshine for a while.