Real Estate Information and Homes For Sale

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.

As we approach the end of the old year nearly all of us stop to ask, “How will the new year unfold?” Of course, none of us know with any certainty the answer to that question, but it can be insightful (and fun) to ponder. So, how will 2012 unfold, at least as it pertains to the housing and mortgage markets?

Both markets will obviously be influenced by economic growth, which, in turn, will spur job growth. We see a pick up in economic growth and job growth in 2012.The economy has been growing at a sluggish rate for too long now. The United States is unique in that Americans tire of pessimism quicker than most other cultures, and then we do something about it. In our opinion, rising consumer confidence points to a lot of pent-up demand that is waiting to bust loose, and will bust loose in 2012.

A pick up in demand, in turn, necessitates new hires. In fact, a recent survey by CareerBuilder.com found that nearly one in four employers is keen to add new permanent full-time employees. These employers are simply waiting for a clear sign the coast is clear. We think they will get that sign in the first quarter of 2012.

Greater economic activity will obviously impact the housing market. We see accelerated sales volume in both the new and existing home markets. We also expect to see prices stabilize in the first half of the year, and then appreciate perceptibly in the second half.

As for the mortgage market? This is much more difficult to call. The Federal Reserve has stated it intends to hold rates low through 2012. However, all it takes are a few persuasive signs that the economy is back on track, and the Fed could easily backtrack from its stated goals. All we can say is that we would be much less surprised to see mortgage rates 50 basis points higher six months from today than 50 basis points lower.

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.

The news is understandably slow the week between Christmas and New Year's Day. The most notable release was last Friday's news on new home sales, which rose to an annualized rate of 315,000 units in November, a 1.6-percent gain over October.To be sure, we have a long way to go until we reach the normalized construction rate of 1.5-million units per year. Nevertheless, we expect the new-home market to gain pace in 2012. After all, there are only 158,000 units in inventory. Even at the current slow sales pace, this equates to a record low six-month supply.

Over the past three years, new-home construction has fallen far below historical norms and also below the level needed to keep pace with population growth. The fact is our country gains roughly 2.7 million people and one million new households annually.

You might not see supply as a problem. We are all familiar with the glut of distressed properties. Indeed, Bank of America expects eight million distressed homes to come to market over the next four years. These homes, we've so often heard, will continue to depress new home construction.

We view B-of-A's outlook with a skeptical eye. There is a likely prospect that many of these distressed properties will simply go away. Destruction is too frequently overlooked in many supply projections. A house is not a permanent structure. Many are destroyed by fire, wind and flood each year. Many more are lost through simple decay and abandonment. Based on U.S. Census data, 300,000 homes are lost annually. That number will surely rise in years to come.

In short, the math – low inventory plus more households minus more home destruction – suggests to us a rebound in new-home construction. We are not alone in this contention, either. Wells Fargo projects that housing starts will continue to rise each year for the next five years before reaching once again the normalized construction rate of 1.5-million units annually by 2017.

Of course, projections are one thing, betting on those projections is another. Here, we see an encouraging trend. Big money is starting to wager on housing. The Wall Street Journal reports that many large hedge funds are investing billions in housing-related investments. Other investors have followed suit. Shares of homebuilders are up 30 percent over the past three months, making them one of the best performing investments in the market.

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.

 

 

Below is a visual showing why “waiting for prices to drop” doesn’t make sense in this market....

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.

Can we trust the data? Everyone is asking that question after the National Association of Realtors said it would revise its home sales data for the past four years. The revised data are scheduled for release this coming Wednesday with the NAR's monthly report on home sales for November.

The NAR cited several reasons for revising sales. The most notable reason was that the NAR believed it was overcompensating for sales that did not occur on the regional and local real estate listing services from which the NAR extracted data.

The bottom line is that sales and unsold inventory will be revised downward, but monthly percentage changes in sales volumes, months of outstanding inventory, and median home prices will remain unchanged.

Some media outlets have attacked the NAR's revisions from an alarmist or snarky angle. Neither is deserved; the NAR is simply admitting that it needs to be more accurate. What the NAR revisions really highlight is the difficulty in producing national numbers that are meaningful to any local market. If you think about it, is a median national sales price of $167,000 meaningful to a tony suburban enclave in Alexandria , Virginia or to an overbuilt Las Vegas ? We would argue that it isn't.

That said, we will still post and examine the national numbers, because they interest many market participants. The inputs can also be revealing. For example, Corelogic reported that total home prices were down 3.9 percent in October from a year ago, but prices were down by just 0.5 percent when distressed sales are excluded. This tells us that we have two distinct markets at work, which most of us knew anyway, but which much of the lay public doesn't know.

The national numbers can also set the mood and expectations of any one buyer or borrower. It's in our best interest then, and it's also truthful, to highlight the positives in a market dominated by negativity. To that end, we'll mention that Swiss financial services firm Credit Suisse told its clients last week that “ U.S. homes now appear fairly valued compared to median family income.” Credit Suisse's analysis also shows that shadow inventory and mortgage defaults will improve noticeably in 2012.

Mortgage rates, contrary to our expectations, will also continue to improve. Most financing options moved lower this past week, with the 30-year fixed-rate loan hitting a new low in many markets (though it's worth noting that a new low can be hit with only a couple basis-points move). Our outlook for an improving stock market, which would draw funds out of the bond market, is being negated by Europe's inability to deal with the near-bankruptcy of a few of its Mediterranean countries.

While the sense of urgency to refinance or purchase has been reduced, we still think it's best to lock and take advantage of today's rates. The fact is that most borrowers are less frustrated being locked and wishing they were floating than the reverse.

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.

A few weeks ago, we wrote about changes in the Home Affordable Refinance Program, dubbed HARP 2.0. This latest incarnation of HARP will impact the supply-and-demand dynamics in the mortgage market, namely due to the removal of the 125-percent loan-to-value cap.

More borrowers will qualify for mortgage loans; that obviously means there will be more demand for mortgage loans. What's more, demand could increase sooner rather than later, particularly if borrowers who don't need HARP, but want to exploit today's low rates to avoid the possibility of a delay, ratchet up demand.

To be sure, HARP 2.0 will be a good deal for many mortgagors who have been unable to refinance because of diminished home equity. Many of these mortgagors will benefit, even if mortgages rates were to rise a full-percentage point or more.

Now, we're not forecasting a percentage point rise in rates when HARP 2.0 kicks into gear, but more demand does tend to raise costs, including the cost of mortgage financing. This is something borrowers who don't need HARP but who could take advantage of today's rates should think about, because many of them won't benefit if mortgage rates move significantly higher.

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 tend to view most situations from an optimist's perspective, because optimists are more likely to see solutions that pessimists overlook; therefore, optimists tend to be better problem solvers.

Optimism, we have found, is also usually rewarded. The housing recovery has taken longer than most of us would like, but the market is recovering, and the recovery will likely gain pace as we progress through 2012.

Mortgage delinquencies are one area of continued progress. TransUnion forecasts delinquencies of 60 days or more will peak at 6 percent of all mortgages during the first quarter of 2012, and then fall to 5 percent by year's end. This is actually a continuation of a longer-term trend that has been overlooked: delinquencies this year are expected to fall 7 percent, which follows a 7 percent decline in 2010.

The trend in the National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index is also cause for optimism. According to the index, the number of improving housing markets expanded for a fourth-consecutive month, rising 37 percent to 41 in December from 30 in November. The index states that the expansion in both number and geographic diversity of markets is proof that markets continue to grow more heterogeneous; that is, more dependent on local factors than national ones. This is a point we've been making for the past six months.

The news on pricing was less upbeat. CoreLogic reports that house prices dipped nationally month-over-month in October. Year-over-year, prices have declined 3.9 percent, but only 0.5 percent when distressed properties are removed from the equation.

A recent report by Barclays Capital should help ease pricing concerns. According to Barclays, the housing market will be buoyed by improving job growth and by the fact that prices for non-distressed properties are stabilizing without government support. On price stabilization, Barclays housing analyst Stephen Kim writes, “[W]e are amazed at how little attention it [the recovery in non-distressed homes] has been getting from the media and the street.

”We, on the other hand, are less amazed. We've been hammering the point on stabilizing prices for months, but we also know that bad news always sells better than good news.Speaking of good news, mortgage rates continue to hold steady and near multi-decade lows. We've noticed that the yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes has trended lower most of this past week, which has been something of a surprise, given that the economic news, for the most part, has been positive.

Mortgage rates have been holding steady for the past month or so, but we think upward pressure is steadily building – mostly due to an improving economy and job growth (and for a reason we'll explicate below).

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.

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that home affordability is at its highest level in years; this degree of affordability becomes more apparent when compared to rent prices, which continue to rise across the country.

Meanwhile, ADP 's National Employment Report showed another month of strong job growth, with the private-sector adding 206,000 new jobs for November. Accelerating job growth usually portends a strong (at least stronger) economy.

Accelerating job growth combined with a historically high affordability index suggests to us that this is the near-perfect time to buy or refinance a home, because we doubt that affordability will remain this high at the end of 2012.

The fact is that bloated inventory levels are falling, and falling inventory in many markets has spurred bidding wars. As the economy continues to improve, inventory will become less bloated and prices and financing costs will rise. It's always worth remembering that the best time to buy is when enough clouds remain to permeate the market with at least some pessimism, because the best deals are only found when the future is still clouded by uncertainty. When the clouds clear, so will the high affordability index.

Today, we have low home prices, low mortgage rates, and more job growth. In our opinion, this is the perfect time to buy or refinance, because continued job growth, a rising stock market, and a growing economy means higher home prices and higher lending rates in the future.

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.