Thank you

Since facebook got to this faster than I could, this seems a little late but we wanted to thank everyone; our lenders, our title people, our support team, and most of all the customers for making the Sold Team the #1 team for Pennsylvania as awarded by Century 21. Even through the "tough" times we have maintained with all your help our #1 Standing. It is very humbling when we get accolades from you our clients and even more so from the Real estate professionals themselves. so Thanks again and here's to an even greater 2012

Caution

Well in my January blog I alluded to signs of improvement, and it has continued we are seeing more houses sold, less on the market, the short sale fervor has calmed somewhat - the banks are still not handling them as well as they should so buyers have grown tired of the waiting and the process, some banks are doing a better job but we are still seeing 3-5 months in some cases to get an answer back. Rates are still really low even though rates have gone up somewhat due to fees being charged to buyers and refinancers that are being paid to the treasury to make up for payroll taxes but that didnt seem to get a lot or any press and my fear is when they do "fix" payroll tax they wont repeal the fee being charged - they never pull back once they are getting it. but in spite the market has improved lets hope it continues.

2012 New Year

January 2, 2012: well we are still here and see signs of improvement cash buyers, investors, new construction, rentals etc. rates are still unbeleivably low not sure how long that can remain that way. And the distressed properties are finding their way to investors and selling at a decent pace. It is still troubling that some "experts" are telling people you cant offer list price- when the better agents have already taken into account the drop in prices and time frames, the comparables have to be taken into account because in some cases we are seeing artificial drops due to sentiment of no matter what the list is go less... and we still have to work on appraisals there needs to be some continuity... there used to be a guidleline for appraisers for value of certain items i.e. brick, extra garages, level of finish, etc. but all in all we look forward to a great 2012

Moving On

Well the next phase of Century 21 Heritage Realty has arrived, this weekend the move to our new "home" 41 Cinema Dr. York PA 17402. I find I am excited like any buyer even with the bumps and all the hardwor and the worst part the Moving we are excited. Change is of course tough- we wish Hope all the Luck in her new career but welcome Christina in her new role as leader of First Capital Settlement Services LLC., our shiny new office has all the tools we feel we need, wifi, one floor accomodations, easy access, etc., I want to thank alot of people who made this move possible, some in moving, some in helping getting the office up and running, some in construction, etc. Marty couldn't have done it without you, Patty, George, Glen, Wade, Brock & Christina Warner - wow is allI can say over and above. this is just a short list but, also partners, family etc.

Buyer transaction fees

Coming up on 25 years in Real estate seems surreal when I got here they were moving from paper printed comparable books to MLS computers. We went from picking up keys at the listing office to keyed lock boxes, to electronic lock boxes. Some agents had a CB type radio, and beepers were getting the "thing" to have, then car phones installed in cars and ultimately cell phones big heavy "bag" phones. And we as the real estate industry were going to be green and paperless we went from a 5 page document to approx. 30 pages. and the Internet and email??? all of these changes, other than the long tedious contracts, have been pretty much for the good of the industry and the buyers and sellers, some things not so good like the par forms and inspection language but that's for another blog, We have seen transaction fees I while I understand cost cutting and other competition - THE BUYER, YOU THE BUYER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY A TRANSACTION FEE. most people say the sellers pay the commission I beg to differ without the buyer no one pays anything, the seller has no equity unless someone buys, so then to pay a fee to an agent for selling you a property seems unfair. IF YOU ARE PAYING A BUYERS TRANSACTION FEE YOU ARE DEALING WITH THE WRONG AGENT AND COMPANY. I will not get into the legality, BUT WHAT IS RIGHT.

New Office

Heritage Realty has been in existence since 1970, and since then we have continued to grow and advance, starting out in York City and then becoming a Century 21 franchise moved to Waterford Professional Center and then moved from building 1 to 3 as the need for newer technologies and space was required. In the spirit of C-21 being ahead of the crowd Heritage is on the move again. In order to serve the public and our agents better we are moving to a brand new location all on one floor, with the newest technologies: cat 6 wiring, public and private broad band access, access to 3 different streets- Market, Stonebridge, Eastern Blvd. as well as many other advancements and conveniences for our agents and the public. We are truly excited about this newest step in our journey.

how low

It is funny how the real estate market goes, when I first got in the real estate business it seemed that people would not make an offer that seemed "too" low they did not want to offend the seller. But alas things have changed, no matter what price it is at "you should offer less" or so the "experts" on TV say. what i think some people fail to realize is that the better real estate agents actually do comparables when selling a house, because we have to have comps for the banks, etc. appraisers want to use 6 months of sales but in a slow market yo may not have had a comparable house in the last 6months, with in the school district, within 5 miles, etc etc etc. but then you have the agents who fail to understand that when a house that normally sold for 250k is now on the market for 199,980 that is a discount you don't take another 20% off... at a point builders cant build, sellers cant sell, people who add pools etc cant because they cant get an equity loan. and then these agents want to charge a buyers fee on top... hmmmmm