Real Estate Information Archive

Ready for a decor change at home?

No problem! To make a room feel updated, you don’t need a ton of time or a cleaning crew. You just need some flowers. Really! A bouquet of your favorite arrangement is the easiest, fastest and cheapest way to refresh a room.

Flowers are a great low-effort way to update a room for two reasons:

1. They smell great! A little bit of clutter seems like less of an issue when a room smells like roses. One fresh flower is all you need to fill a room with a pleasant aroma. Tip: For the strongest perfume, choose gardenias, roses or lilies.
2. They’ll make you happy. People with fresh flowers in their homes are more likely to feel less worried and less anxious. Buy a bouquet of your favorite flowers to reap the mental health benefits!

Ready to buy some flowers? Check out these tricks to make sure your bouquet rocks:

Choose Unopened Buds. 

It’s actually best to avoid grabbing the prettiest arrangement in the store. Instead, choose one that hasn’t met its full potential yet. If a bouquet has a few unopened buds, it will last longer, saving you money. Note: If there are several tightly shut green buds, skip that arrangement. Green buds mean they weren’t given time to mature before they were cut and will probably die before they open.

Feel the Petals. 

Gently feel all of the petals of the open or bloomed flowers. You want them to be firm and not squishy. Squishy petals mean the flower is farther along in its lifecycle.

Check the Stems. 

Even if you plan on cutting the stems once the flowers are in your home, check out the stems in the store. Choose flowers with white or green stems, which means they’re freshly cut. If the stems are dark, curling or brittle, they’ve probably been there awhile and won’t live as long.

Pamper Your Flowers at Home. 

Once your flowers are home, give them special attention! Prolong the life of your fresh flowers and reap the health benefits longer with these six tips.

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 cost of buying a Harrisburg PA home is going up. What's behind the rise in interest rates? Is now still a good time to buy? Here's an interesting video explaining a little bit about why mortgage rates are rising. There's also a little bit in here about how "staying on the fence" could lead to a higher monthly payment.

Rates are still historically low and it's a great time to buy. Wondering if now is the time for your to buy a Harrisburg PA home? Give us a call! We’ll help lay out your options so you can make an informed decision.

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.

Here are 5 renovations that will increase your Harrisburg PA home's value.

Reno Do #1: Upgrade Your Kitchen

All of our experts agree that a kitchen renovation should be at the top of your list, since it's the heart of a home—the room where families spend most of their time. But where to start? A couple of givens include upgrading to stainless steel appliances and installing countertops made from engineered stone or granite, because these fairly easy changes will improve the aesthetic appeal of the space. Details can also make a difference, like putting shiny knobs on cabinets and purchasing a sparkling new faucet for the sink.

Another wise kitchen upgrade? Knocking down a full or half wall, so you can connect the kitchen to a den or living room. “It makes the kitchen feel more spacious," says Phyllis Rockower, owner of the Real Estate Investors Club of Los Angeles in California. "If you’re cooking, you can still hear what people are saying during a party, or keep an eye on your kids while they’re playing.”

Reno Do #2: Revamp Your Bathroom

A lot of people may say they’ll lend a hand when it’s time for you to move, but when the big day finally arrives, good help can be hard to find. If your friends and family pull a disappearing act on moving day, don’t stress! Most items in your house can be moved with just one person.

Here are six tips for the solo mover:

Safety Note: Don’t try to be a hero! If you don’t feel in control of a heavy piece of furniture, don’t move it! A hospital bill is a lot more expensive than a mover’s fee, and sometimes hiring help is the only safe option. If you’re on a budget, check out these eight ways to cut your moving costs by $100 or more.

1. Strip it. If you struggle to shift your dresser just a few inches, getting it down a flight of stairs can be downright intimidating. But, a lot of heavy furniture can be disassembled, which makes it much lighter and easier to move. Take out drawers, remove cushions, mirror or glass tops, knobs and feet. Basically, anything that’s screwed on can be taken off to lighten the load. Tip: Use an ice cube tray to keep track of small parts during the move.

2. Rent moving gear. One dolly can prevent a lot of sweat and frustration (and possibly a hernia). Plus, the cost of renting a few moving tools for the day is a drop in the bucket compared to hiring professional movers. Visit your local hardware store and check out their furniture jacks, scissor lifts and dollies. They’ll do the heavy lifting for you!

3. Don’t lift, slide. You could rent commercial sliders, but a large blanket or throw rug all work just as well! Lift the legs of your furniture one at a time and put them onto your makeshift sliders. Then, drag! Patience is key – move slowly to avoid damaging your floor, walls or furniture. Tip: If you get the furniture onto sliders, but still can’t move it with your arms, use your leg strength! Lie on your back, place your feet on the furniture and push with your legs.

4. Walk it out. If you don’t have a slider handy, and you’re moving a chair, use it’s legs. It’s time consuming, but you’ll avoid the heavy lifting! Put the chair on its back two legs and “walk” the chair left foot and then right foot. You’ll eventually get it out the door.

5. Remove the hinges. If you ordered some furniture and then had it assembled inside of a room, getting it outside can be tricky! Before you think about sawing that entertainment center in half, try taking the doors off of their hinges. You’ll gain a few inches of wiggle room – which can sometimes be enough to slide that bulky furniture right on out!

6. Beware of the second floor. If you have extremely heavy pieces of furniture on a second or third floor – such as a big sofa or desk – it’s really not safe to move it by yourself. This is because once you angle something down the stairs, gravity will actually increase the weight of the furniture, and it’s very easy to lose control!

Information from 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.

Five years ago Bea Johnson and her husband and two sons were looking for a home closer to the restaurants, shops and school in their coastal California town. 

During the year they spent house hunting, the family of four moved into a small apartment, took only the possessions that were absolutely necessary and left the rest in storage.

“After living with just the necessities, we realized that we had much more time to spend with our family when we weren’t spending it caring for a large house and lots of belongings,” says Johnson.

Then, when they did decide on a house, they chose one half the size of their previous home and simplified by selling most of their old stuff.

Around that time, Johnson and her husband began investigating environmental issues. “We read books, watched documentaries, and what we learned worried us and made us sad for our kids’ futures,” she says. “So we decided to do something about it. My husband quit his job to start a sustainability consulting company, and I tackled greening our house.”

It was then that Johnson devised a system to reduce the family’s garbage—she calls it the Zero Waste Home. She started by swapping everything disposable in their home (paper towels, water bottles, grocery bags) for reusables.

Today, she says, her family’s yearly waste can fit in a quart-size jar.

She spoke with LearnVest about how to get started, her zero-waste strategies and the one sustainable habit she’s just not down with.

Information from 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.

What do a Swiss Army knife and a can of blue paint have in common? They’re both multi-functional! You can probably figure out the knife’s other uses, but what’s up with blue paint? Let’s just say that after you find out, you may start thinking about repainting your porch.

Choosing blue paint isn’t the only design decision that can have hidden benefits. Here are four home décor items that have two (or more) functions you may not know about.

Blue paint can also be ....

Wasp repellant. Few things ruin a relaxing porch session faster than a swarm of angry wasps, and getting rid of them isn’t always easy. Traipsing around with a can of Raid is one option, but here’s another idea: paint your porch ceiling a light blue (like robin’s egg or periwinkle). According to Southern wisdom, the color deters wasps from nesting in your ceiling because it’s a similar hue to the sky. Some people write this off as folklore, but we figure if it works, it works! At the very least, you’ll promote a sense of calmness on your porch.

Solar shades can also be ...

Furniture protectors. If ever there was a décor piece that deserves the Jack-of-all-trades nickname, it’s solar shades. Not only do these puppies create a cool, modern look in any room, they also reduce glare and heat from the sun. Plus, they block out UV rays, which prolongs the life of your furniture. To put your solar-shade excitement over the edge, some designs don’t obstruct your view when they’re drawn. There are a number of options on the market, but the Signature Solar Shades from Blinds.com are extremely popular.

Mirrors can also be ...

Sunlight magnifiers. A full-length mirror’s ability to show you how great your butt looks in those new jeans is well documented. But, depending on the placement of the mirror, it can also be used to brighten up a room! If possible, position a mirror across from a window or other source of natural light – it will reflect the light around the room and brighten things right up.

Sherwin Williams Harmony Paint can also be ...

An air freshener. If you thought paint was only good for adding color to a room, think again. Not only is the Harmony series a zero-VOC paint (good for your health), it also gets rid of house odors (good for your nose). Whether your home-stink comes in the pet, smoke, food or mold variety, Harmony is specifically designed to help freshen things up.

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.

There is a great deal of talk on whether there is a recovery occurring in the real estate landscape or if it just an illusion. In many areas of the country there has been a turn around and markets and home prices are improving, some more than others but there is an improvement after the last five years of nothing but negative news. Each purchaser has their own reasons for buying a Harrisburg PA home, maybe the need for a larger or in many cases a smaller home. Other circumstances may necessitate a move, but if one of the motivating factors to moving to a new home is unbelievably low mortgage rates that are being offered by lenders...now is the time to move!

Today a 30 year fixed interest mortgage is at 3.375% which equates to a monthly principal and interest payment of $663.14 on $150,000. Compare that to 2006 – 2008 when the average rate was approximately 6.15% meaning the payment on the same amount would have been $913.84. And remember everyone wanted to buy a home during that period. Yes, circumstances have changed dramatically in the intervening time frame, but if you are looking to buy for the same amount borrowed you are “saving” $3000 per year in payments. AND most likely you are paying somewhat less for the home you are considering, so there can be a twofold benefit to you. No the real estate market, likes trees, is not going to grow to the sky but I hope this provides some perspective that there are positives in owning a Harrisburg PA home in 2013.

On the other hand, if you plan to stay in your home for a period of time why not consider refinancing at a lower rate than you have at the present time. Knowing each situation is different than the next, look into the possibility of refinancing? I had a quote on a 15 year fixed rate mortgage of 2.75% meaning the payment of the above amount of $150,000 would be $813.25 compared to a payment of $948.97 if you had a remaining term of 20 years left on your mortgage and at an original rate of 4.50%. That is $135 less per month and 5 years less of payments. And guess who saves all that money? You do.

Realizing that all circumstances may be different and the rates may be slightly higher or lower, I think you owe it to yourself to check what is available and put the money in your pocket. If you would like to discuss this further, need the name of a lender or just find out valuations in preparation for 2013 please contact me at Don@DonRoth.com or 717-579-2879.

May you have a happy and prosperous New Year!

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.

Times certainly change. Until early this year, most pundits and commentators were lamenting how housing was a drag on the economy. No more, housing is now looked at in many circles as the savior that will get the economy going. The great investor Warren Buffett, for one, sees housing growth stimulating the economy (and he is investing in housing and banking accordingly).

While its growth has been far from parabolic, housing has been the one constant this year. Equity markets, commodities, Europe, and our own domestic economy have displayed fits of volatility and stagnation. Housing in contrast, has continually pushed forward.

This is very good news, and better than most people appreciate. Residential fixed investment accounted for 0.33% of one percentage point of GDP growth (a sixth of its growth) during the third quarter of 2012, up from 0.19% in the second quarter, and up from 0.03% in the year-ago quarter. Housing is obviously a big contributor to economic growth.

Housing is also a big contributor to consumer confidence. Many people don't understand the stock market or the European debt crisis or the fiscal cliff, but everyone understands housing. As housing goes, so goes consumer confidence. Considering the direction housing is going, that's a strong positive indicator of how things could go in 2013.

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.

In the old days, and we are not talking that old, renting was usually viewed as a cheaper alternative to buying. How times have change. Today, it's actually cheaper to buy than to rent in the major U.S. cities, according to data released by Trulia Research in its Summer 2012 Rent vs. Buy Report.

Trulia's report doesn't simply compare a monthly mortgage payment to a monthly rent payment. It factors in all cost components, including transaction costs, upkeep, taxes, and opportunity costs. With a 3.5% fixed-rate mortgage, itemized deductions at the 25% federal tax bracket, and a seven-year time horizon, home ownership is cheaper than renting in all of the 100 largest U.S metropolitan regions Trulia follows.

We are not talking about small differences either. In fact, in many of the markets Trulia tracks the differences are quite staggering. 

Even in more fashionable districts, the difference remains pronounced: Buying a home is 24% cheaper than renting in Honolulu, 28% cheaper in San Francisco, and 31% cheaper in New York.

If potential clients need another reason why they should consider buying over renting, Trulia's report could prove quite persuasive. If they need another reason, just point to today's ulta-low lending 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.