Bushkill real estate

2254 Bellingham Drive, Bushkill

Bushkill Home for Sale ~ YEAR-ROUND FUN IS YOURS in this move-in condition chalet. Two downstairs bedrooms share a full bath, master-suite loft has versatile sitting area and another full bath. Huge backyard deck, screened porch, plus walk-out crawl space with plenty of room to store your Pocono “toys”. Indoor & outdoor pools & tennis, plus fitness center, restaurant, ski slope, more!

Call Realtor, Karen Wagner today at 570-972-0112 and ask about MLS #10-6393

Bushkill real estate

An Ode to an Agent

It’s always been my belief that five excellent real estate sales associates are better than 100 marginal ones. The good news is that I have always been fortunate to work with excellent people. The bad news is that there are many marginal real estate sales associates out there leaving the public’s perception of the real estate industry in general and agents in particular in a less than positive light.

Here’s what excellent real estate professionals possess that others do not…..

EXCELLENT REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS:
Know their market; Know the market – these two factors are tied together, yet very different.
Knowing their market means being a comprehensive resource about the community in which they do business in order to help buyers and sellers truly understand the marketplace. They must appreciate the many demographic and socio-economic qualities of their community and be able to articulate how and where to get information on school systems and the educational climate as well as cultural and entertainment outlets.
Knowing the market considers that a real estate sales associate knows what type of situation a buyer or a seller is in. They must be able to communicate the situation to customers and be able to develop a plan to help the customer reach their real estate goal.
Have Buckets of Integrity – This is a “no brainer.” Work with people who have a long history in the field, who have been acknowledged for their work, who are professional and have the customer as their focus, not themselves.

Know what they are doing – Real estate is not easy. Whether developing marketing strategies to sell a home or pulling out all of their best negotiating skills when representing a buyer interested in a home, real estate sales associates need to know the entire process from initial contract to popping open the champagne bottle.

Listen to their customers – The cornerstone of our business philosophy at Commonwealth Real Estate Your Way is following the Platinum Rule – of treating people the way they wish to be treated and accommodates the feelings of others. That process starts with LISTENING first.

Have exceptional communication skills – This doesn’t mean they are slick and can “talk a good game.” Having exceptional communications skills means
1) saying what you will do and doing what you say
2) being able to clearly tell a client what to expect in the process
3) staying in touch with the client and keep them up to date
4) taking responsibility for what has been said

Ability to change and adapt – Sales associates who get into the profession in the “good” times often find themselves hurting in the leaner, more difficult times. Why? Because they got in for the wrong reasons. Exceptional sales associates are in it for the customer and are in it for the long haul. The exceptional agent is able to adjust their efforts during different cycles of the real estate process and help their customers regardless of the market situation.

Has an interest in continuous improvement and enhancement of skills – take a look at the credentials a prospective agent has as part of their resume. If they got their license and stopped educating themselves, best move on to another agent. You want to work with an agent who has continued to improve their skills, has gained certifications in specialty areas and who is active in their local REALTOR association. Those are the agents that know all the trends and the newest technologies and strategies to help you with your real estate needs.

Is a Professional – This is right up there with integrity. It’s a “no brainer.” You want to work with an someone that looks professional, acts professionally on your behalf, represents their agency well and represents any of their affiliations like the Association of REALTORS well. No one wants to do business with a sloppy, inexperienced or lazy waiter, accountant, or teacher – why do business with an unprofessional real estateprofessional?
Are REALTORS
You wouldn’t go to a doctor that isn’t backed by the American Medical Association (AMA) – would you? Then why work with a real estate agent that is not a REALTOR? REALTORS adhere to a strict code of ethics, they are constantly updating their skills, they understand the marketplace and use specialized tools to help properly price a house, they are experts in preparing a home for sale and already know active buyers that can be matched with sellers. REALTORS have taken the extra step to ensure you are getting the best of the best.

Bushkill real estate

What are your plans for Feb. 14th ,come to the Pocono Mountains

Couples Night to aid Haitian relief
Ris-K Lingerie is partnering with the American Red Cross to raise funds for Haitian Relief. A Couple’s Night for Valentine’s Day will take place 8 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11.

A door donation of $10 minimum per person will go entirely to the Red Cross to be sent to Haiti.

The event will feature pole dancers, belly dancers, zumba and hooping demonstrators, as well as ladies in lingerie. Many local restaurants will donate food and prizes for the event.

Ris-K Lingerie is at 580 Main St., Stroudsburg. For information, call (570) 422-6900.

Valentine’s Dance in East Stroudsburg
The American Legion Auxiliary Post 346 will sponsor a Valentine’s Day dance at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at the American Legion, 201 E. Fifth St., East Stroudsburg.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. There will be complimentary beverages and snacks as well as a cash bar. Entertainment will be provided by The McWilliams Brothers.

For tickets and information, call (570) 897-6442.

Spring St. celebrates Valentine’s Day
Spring Street businesses have a full and varied schedule of events, contests and special offers for Pre-Valentine’s Day, Feb. 13, on Second Saturday.

Main Street, Newton, N.J., is hosting the first Newton Ice Carving Showcase in front of the Fire Museum, 150 Spring St., beginning at noon and featuring Bob Johnson from Decorative Flairs Ice Carving of Denville, N.J.; Jake Dominguez from the Lake Mohawk Country Club in Sparta, N.J.; and Brett McClain from Freehand Custom Carvings in Newton, N.J.

The carvers will begin at noon and will have four hours to complete their carvings and then the sculptures will be relocated along Spring Street in lighted displays until 8 p.m. for the Second Saturday Valentine’s Weekend Sweetheart Walk.

Other activities will include children’s Valentine’s Day crafts, a Word Jumble contest, a wedding day photo contest, a Valentine’s Day raffle and live music with singer-guitarist Omar Mendez playing love songs from 4 to 7 p.m. Several Spring Street eateries and area businesses will offer specials for the day.

For information, call (973) 940-3178.

Mountain View Vineyard Valentine special
Show that special someone just how special they are with an afternoon of sipping wines and sampling “Death by Chocolate” cheesecake and a variety of other treats dipped in chocolate from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, and Sunday, Feb. 14.

There will be an array of gift items available for purchase. This is a free event.

Mountain View Winery is at 1220 Neola Road, Neola. For information, call (570) 619-0053 or visit www.mountainviewvineyard.com.

Valentine Charity Ball
Shepherd’s Maternity House of Monroe County will host its eighth annual Valentine Charity Ball at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, at Ridgecrest at Stroudsmoor Country Inn, Stroudsburg. All proceeds will benefit Sherpherd’s Maternity House.

Featured will be a social hour with hors d’oeurves and a cash bar. During the social hour, Susan Spannagel, a local harpist, will provide entertainment. A four-course dinner will be served at 5 p.m. Throughout dinner and the evening, DJ Mike Carmella will present music for listening and dancing. A silent auction will offer a variety of items donated by local businesses.

Cost is $75 per person or $750 per corporate table of eight, and includes a full-page display in the evening’s program. For information or to make a reservation, call Pat Stys at (570) 730-1163. Reservations must be made by Saturday, Feb. 6.

Music of bygone era at Valentine’s concert
Most people are unaware that Valentine’s Day had its origins in the 19th century, when young men left their homes to join the battle in the Civil War. Much of their longing and despair was expressed in the music of that era, which is the focus of Lehigh pianist Helen Beedle’s show, “A 19th-Century Soiree,” which she brings to Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe on Sunday, Feb. 14.

A professor of music at Lehigh for more than 20 years, Beedle has carved out a niche for herself at concerts and music festivals across the country with an emphasis on the salon music of the Civil War era.

A benefit for the Jim Thorpe Chamber of Commerce, Beedle’s performance begins at 5 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at www.MauchChunkOperaHouse.com or by calling (570) 325-0249.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Booklovers’ Ball
For the fifth consecutive year, the Booklovers’ Ball will be take place at Skytop Lodge on Valentine’s Day, Sunday, Feb. 14. Barrett Paradise Friendly Library in Cresco will be the beneficiary.

The night will begin at 5:30 p.m., with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. A four-course dinner will follow at 6:30 p.m. The eight-piece Doug Smith Band will play contemporary and classic dance numbers for most of the evening.

The highlight of the night will be a live auction. Among the “lots”— all donated by the community — are an original watercolor by John James, an original watercolor of Stroudsburg’s “Sweet Creams Café” by Tim Weaver, a night with Broadway’s “Mamma Mia” on March 24, a Penn State Football Weekend and more.

In addition, a silent auction will offer a variety of special treats, including gift baskets, golf packages, spa treatments, signed Penn State sports memorabilia.

Also, the drawing for the 2010 Heart’s Desire Car Raffle will be held. The holder of the winning ticket will get to choose one of three brand-new 2010 vehicles. Only 500 tickets will be sold, at $100 each. Tickets are available at the library.

The cost is $75 per person, $150 per couple, or $750 for a table of 10. Black tie is optional.

For information or to make a reservation, call Marion Weidman, at (570) 595-8909 or Cindy DeLuca at (570) 5957171 by Sunday.

Visit the paranormal on Valentines Day
“Haunted! Mind Mysteries & the Beyond” with supernormalist Dick Brooks will have a special Valentine’s Day showing at 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, at The Houdini Museum Theater.

This Psychic Theater presentation tells the tale of hauntings at 1433 N. Main Ave., Scranton, that were connected to the tragic murder/suicide/electrocution that occurred in the building.

Photos and newspaper articles of the happenings are on display. From notes found in the attic, participants are taken through the seven steps to a successful seance in the haunted building that’s more than 100 years old. Much of the story is based on real people and events including infamous area spiritualist George Valentine, “the man who challenged Houdini,” of Wilkes-Barre.

The performance includes experiments with audience members in mind control, telepathy, clairvoyance, telekinesis, psychometry and sightless vision. The story ends with a dark seance.

The presentation features paranormalist Dick Brooks and psychic investigator Dorothy Dietrich.

The show begins at 8 p.m. Reservations are required and should be purchased in advance. Tickets are $35 by reservation only. The presentation takes three hours or longer.

The Houdini Museum Theater is at 1433 N. Main Ave, Scranton. For information, visit www.Houdini.org or www.PsychicTheater.com or call (570) 383-9297.

Feb 14th has Tradtionally been a day for Lovers.  Start your own Tradition.  Say I love you to all your family and Friends.  What happened to the Secret Valentines?  Enjoy and Have Fun in the Pocono Mountains. 
Happy Valentines Day from the Staff at Commonwealth Real Estate Your Way, LCC

Bushkill real estate

The history of Valentine’s Day.

History of St. Valentine’s Day

St Valentine’s Day was supposedly started in the time of the Roman Empire. In Ancient Rome, the date of February 14 was a holiday to honor the Queen of Roman Goddesses and Gods, Juno. Juno was known as the Goddess of women and marriage. The next day February 15 was the first day of the Festival known as the Feast of Lupercia.

On February 14 is was said that the young boys and girls of the villages would write down the names of every girl and place these names in a jar of which each young man would have to draw a name of a girl and this particular maiden would be their partner for the duration of the festival. Sometimes these parings would last a year and end up in marriage.

These rituals under the laws of Claudius were banned as the Emperor believed that the reasons why men would now go to war were because they did not want to leave their lovers or families. As a result all marriages and engagements were canceled as a result Saint Valentine a Roman priest was said to have married these couples in secret and for this he was executed on the 14th day of February.

While St Valentine was in jail it is said that he fell in love with the jailers’ daughter. By a miracle or some say by the prayers of Valentine she gained her sight and as a last farewell in a note he was to “From Your Valentine”.

Another story as to the origins of Valentine’s Day was that he was a priest who was also a physician and would cure the sick. He was also said to have tried to cure the jailers blind daughter, but, was arrested and on the day of his execution he wrote a note as a final farewell saying “From your Valentine” which some say is what caused her to gain her sight.

It is also said whilst he was in jail awaiting execution that he was sent little notes and flowers from the children whom he had helped when they were sick. This also may have been one of the reasons why he sent a farewell note to the jailers’ daughter and why we send valentines.

St Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14 of each year; the reason why it is celebrated on this day is because this was the day that the Patron Saint of Lovers “St Valentine” was supposedly executed on. On this day lovers all around the world mark this occasion as a day for sending poems, cards, flowers or candy, etc. They might also be a social gathering or ball to mark the occasion.

Another Interesting origin is that St Valentine was the patron Saint of Epilepsy reason was that he was supposedly a sufferer and took a keen interest in those who suffered from this affliction and also that those who suffered this disease were suffering from Valentine’s sickness.

Bushkill real estate

5330 Mink Pond Road, Bushkill PA.

PRICE REDUCED $570,000! Sprawling Ranch on over 80 acres. Pocono Serenity. Pond, stream, in-ground pool just minues off Rt. 80. Formally 160 site campground complete with bath house, showers, maintenance building , small store and more.. Call now! Ask Jeff Peterson about MLS# 09-4395.

View the Virtual Tour

Bushkill real estate

844 Mallard Lane, Bushkill PA.

**EQUESTRIAN ESCAPE** You’ll love your surroundings when you build your new home here. Slightly wooded lot. This gated community offers stables, rinks, pool, clubhouse and more. Come see it today! $13,500. Ask Bobbie Smith about MLS# 09-4174.