Long Pond Road, Long Pond PA

SOLD ~ Long Pond land for sale 0.48 ACRES~ RECENTLY REDUCED TO $23,500 FROM $28,500

** Lovely Level Lot** Located on Long Pond Rd, 1 1/2 to 2 miles to I380. Great commuter location, close to Pocono Mt. West High School. Well on property. Far enough away from the hustle and bustle but close enough to make shopping a short trip.

Call Realtor, Bobbie Smith today at 570-972-0129 and about MLS # 09-2481.

REALTOR Sue McShane Joins Commonwealth Real Estate Your Way, LLC

Mt. Pocono,  PA, — (June 18, 2009) – Commonwealth Real Estate Your Way, LLC., in Mount Pocono, PA, has named REALTOR Sue McShane to its team of real estate experts.

McShane holds her associate broker license in two states and has been in area real estate for more than 16 years. Prior to joining Commonwealth, McShane was an associate broker and manager of the Coldwell Banker Phyllis Rubin Real Estate Stroudsburg and Brodheadsville offices before the firm was sold more than 18 months ago.  During her time with the residential firm, McShane was a multi-million dollar sales producer and earned recognition in the Sterling and International Diamond societies, sales levels achieved by small percentages of the more than 126,000 sales associates worldwide in the CB system. As a manager, her office received awards and distinctions such as the Premier Office Award from the Coldwell Banker franchise given only to those offices that achieve outstanding per person production.

McShane has completed extensive coursework in commercial and residential real estate including property management and new construction. In addition to her associate broker’s licensees, she also holds a broker appraiser license and certifications in negotiations, e-marketing, new homes specialist and she earned certification in Nevada for Property management. Currently, she serves as property manager for Coldwell Banker Commercial, Pennco Real Estate in Stroudsburg and offers comprehensive property and assessment management to owners throughout the region with services including reporting and accounting, property inspections, facility management, rent collection and eviction coordination.

What is a short sale?

Q:  “I’ve been hearing lots of buzz about “short sales,” -  what are those?”

A: When an individual is behind on their mortgage payments and the value of their home is less than what is owed, it is often a good idea to pursue a “short sale” situation rather than hold off until a foreclosure is imminent. To do this, communications begin with the lender. The objective is to see if the lender may consider taking less than is owed on the home so the individual can get out of the bad situation without still owing additional funds on the mortgage after the sale. Next, a REALTOR lists the home below the mortgage pay off, with the contingent that the lender approves a “short sale.” This can take months for several reasons. First, a buyer must be found that is willing to wait for lender approval and second, there are so many foreclosures and short sales in the system that the lenders are playing “catch up.”

The good news is that for an individual sitting on some cash, a money market, a cd,  or someone who has been saving for a home, investing in a “short sale” property is an excellent investment and an excellent opportunity. Many homes are below market value and interest rates are at all time lows. And, there are a whole host of additional incentives for the first-time homebuyer.

I recommend finding a REALTOR buyer agent to help you find a bargain.

I can tell you about some Pocono real estate where new construction homes were sold with financing that should not have gone through for some borrowers. In some cases, homes are being sold for six figures less than their actual value. These are new homes in good condition. What a great opportunity for a buyer who waited and can snatch up one of these short sale homes for a “steal.”

Buyer, John Q.

Although buyers come with many different goals, needs, and desires, they do have a few things in common:

John Q. is heavily influenced by his first impression. It takes him just 15 seconds to form that initial impression; he spends the rest of the time viewing your house subconsciously reaffirming that impression — good or bad.

John Q. wants the home he is buying to be better than the home he is leaving. You may need to re-work your existing furnishings and decor to create a space that he’ll fall in love with at first site.

John Q. often sees the seller’s things rather than the home itself. It’s time to neutralize and de-clutter so that his eyes are naturally drawn to the desirable features in your home such as a fabulous fireplace, gorgeous granite countertops, or a handsome hardwood floor.

John Q. looks at the existing furniture to gauge the room’s scale and function. Even though your furnishings may not be for sale, make sure they work hard to reveal each room’s function, focal point, and best use of space (so, yes, you do need to remove the treadmill and playpen from the dining room!).

John Q. searches for ways to justify a lower offer. Don’t give him any ammunition. Prioritize and complete those tasks that will make the most impact on him before you put your home on the market. When he’s in your house, you’ve got a captive audience. Just make sure you show him that your home is well worth the cost of admission.

by: Tammy Kemp, First Impressions Home Staging and Interior redesign

PA First Time Home Buyers – Get an advance on your tax credit to use for closing

Now there are even more reasons to buy homes in Pennsylvania.

We blogged recently that the federal government gave first-time home buyers incentive to buy a home because they added an opportunity to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act tax credit of up to $8,000 by first-time buyers to use the tax credit as a down payment or for closing costs. (Check out our recent blog post from June 8th – More reasons to buy Pocono Real Estate)

Then, today, the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS announced that Gov. Edward G. Rendell created a plan to award a portion of the $380 million in federal economic recovery funds to assist Pennsylvania home buyers. According news from PAR, nearly 1,000 families will receive thousands of dollars to help make down payments on new homes, more than 5,000 families across Pennsylvania will find affordable housing and jobs will be created for some 3,000 workers.

These down payment and closing cost assistance programs will come in the form of advances on the tax credits and will be administered through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency Tax Credit Advance Loan Program (TCS) and Keystone Assistance Loans (KAL).  Borrowers can use a portion of the tax credit in the form of a second, short-term, low to no interest loan to fund the down payment or closing.

There is plenty of Pocono real estate available. If you have always wanted a home of your own and have never had a chance before, now might be the perfect time.

Commonwealth Real Estate Your Way, LLC, Sees Success, Movement In First 100 Days

Mt. Pocono, Pa., – Open since February 16, 2009, Commonwealth Real Estate Your Way celebrates its first 100 days (May 26) in operation with smiles and a long list of accomplishments and successes.

Since opening their doors in February, this new and innovative style of real estate agency has hired 12 area REALTOR agents each with a specialty area in residential or commercial real estate and all who are considered at the top of their profession.

“These are the most sought after agents in the area and they are all housed here under the Commonwealth umbrella,” said Commonwealth Real Estate Your Way, LLC broker/owner Brockelman. “This wouldn’t work without these individuals. Our mission is to provide innovative, customized services in the area real estate market by applying the Platinum Rule, of treating others the way they want to be treated, in all of our transactions. It’s a whole new way of thinking and of applying the rules of our profession.”

Top performing Commonwealth Real Estate Your Way REALTORS have transacted more than $2 million in closed business and under contract business during the first 100 days.

“We couldn’t be more pleased. Clearly we are giving the customer what they want and probably have wanted for a very long time,” said Brockelman. “It would appear that the newest name in town is fast becoming the people’s choice.”

According to Brockelman, some noteworthy numbers from Commonwealth Real Estate Your Way include: more than 60 listings secured in 100 days with 6 closings and 10 additional properties currently under contract. The company also launched a customer friendly Web site about a month after opening. Reports indicate that in the less than 70 days since going live, the web site has secured nearly 10,000 page loads, with more than 5,000 unique and new visitors combined, which according to the web company managing the site for Commonwealth is an uncommon success.

For more information, visit the Commonwealth Real Estate Your Way, LLC, Web site at www.creYourWay.com, or call 570-839-0411 or toll free at 1-888-333-0464.

More Reasons to Buy Real Estate Now

More reasons to buy real estate now!

It seems that the federal government really wants you to buy a home if you are a first-time buyer. Remember all the buzz about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act tax credit of up to $8,000 for first-time home buyers who buy a home between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009. Qualifying taxpayers could claim the credit on either their 2008 or 2009 tax returns.

Well, if you haven’t already gotten your home, maybe because you didn’t have enough of a down payment or enough for closing….guess what, it was just announced that some states, Pennsylvania included, will allow first-time home buyers to use the tax credit as a down payment or for closing costs. That’s right. Through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency Tax Credit Advance Loan Program (TCS) borrowers can use a portion of the tax credit in the form of a second, short-term, low to no interest loan to fund the down payment or closing.

There is plenty of Pocono real estate available. If you have always wanted a home of your own and have never had a chance before, now might be the perfect time.

Learn more about all of these programs by visiting: www.IRS.gov, www.realtor.org and search for the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act and then visit www.ncsha.org/uploads/tcalp.pdf to learn about your options in Pennsylvania.