Pike/Wayne Real Estate

This meme is here because Jo Soss tagged me.  The last few times I got tagged, I said "Cool, I'll do it later..." and I kind of forgot. 

THIS POST HAS NO IMAGES BECAUSE I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE MAKING ANY, NOR DID I FEEL LIKE GETTING SUED (thanks to TLW and others for that.)

1. Who is your favorite musical artist?
That depends on my mood.  My tastes in music are extremely eclectic and broad.  I love everything from ragtime to blues to swing, to do-wop, country (only till sometime in the early 90's though).  I may listen to Bing Crosby or Judy Garland, Dean Martin or Sammy Davis Jr...  I like stuff from the 70s like The Village People, or the 80s like Queen, Abba, Hall and Oates...CCR, ZZTop, The Eagles, Tony Orlando (and Dawn), BJ Thomas, Barry Manilow, Hank Williams, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Carly Simon, Roberta Flack, Aretha, Johnny Rivers, Bill Haley...get my drift?

Overall though, I guess my top artists are Simon & Garfunkel, Neil Diamond, and late Christian artist Keith Green.  His music is honest, probing, and beautifully sincere.  My favorite female vocalist is without a doubt Twila Paris...I have never heard a more beautiful, sweet, lilting voice in my life.  Like Keith Green did, she writes most of the music she performs.  

2. Who is your favorite artist?
Probably Monet -- my favorite art usually falls under the Impressionist category.  I like anything soft looking - particularly pastels or watercolors.

3. Who is your favorite blogger?  Jennifer Allan, Carnac, TLW, and Broker Bryant.  (I rarely have only one favorite of anything...)

4.  What did you want to be when you grew up?
Everything.  Cop, cruise director, famous soap opera star, famous singer - particularly I wanted to be Conway Twitty's new "Loretta Lynn", my stage name was going to be Texas Austen.  (I can't believe I'm admitting that nonsense.)

5. If you could meet anyone (alive or dead) who would it be and what is the most interesting thing about them?
There are two people I'd like to meet - my biological grandmother, who died from a sleeping pill overdose when my mother was only 8 years old; her name was Elizabeth, which is my middle name.  She emigrated to America with my grandfather from Sweden. 

The second person I'd like to meet is my biological mother, who died when I was 18 months old.  She had two terrible falls in one day (one from a horse, and one from the loft in the barn) and she died on the way to the hospital (ruptured spleen.) 

Though I was adopted shortly after, I have always, always, always felt that a huge part of who I am is missing, and I have an ache that sometimes surfaces that will just never be fulfilled.  I started bowling because my mother was a bowling champ - I didn't inherit that from her.

6. What is the most interesting piece of trivia you know?
That guy started selling mascara after his sister mixed Vaseline and soot - and he named it after the Vaseline and his sister Mabel....Mabelline.  I don't know that it's the most interesting thing, but it was the only off-beat thing I could think of without looking it up on Wikipedia or something.  I am frightfully good at Jeopardy and certain editions of Trivial Pursuit though...

7.  If you could live in any point in history what would it be and why?
1920-1960.  Great music, great clothes, great decor.  Lots of drastic and world-rocking changes.  Love that time period. 

8.  What is the most interesting job you have ever held? Paying or non –paying?
Clearly it is my current career - nothing, I tell you nothing is as unpredictable, scary, exhilarating, exhausting, or rewarding as real estate.  I meet all kinds of people and nearly every day brings something to either challenge, amuse, or terrify me.

Tag, You're It....

Jennifer Allan

Gita Bantwall

Paula Clark

Lindsay Pendleton

Lisa Ryan

Michael Delp

Rob Robinson

Maureen McCabe

If they meme, I'll post their links here.

A meme (meem) is a blog designed to reveal a little about yourself that others probably won't know.  I like reading people's memes and getting to know them more.  After you write yours, you tag others to write something.  Then read their memes, and read the memes of the memes they memed...it's rather viral.

Okay, I couldn't resist.  Here is a picture I took today.

 

Do you have a home in Pike or Wayne County PA to sell? Visit My Seller Website and learn about my innovative marketing plan which will be personalized specifically for your home. Are you interested in Pike or Wayne County PA homes for sale? Visit my real estate website to see all the property for sale in Hawley, Honesdale, Greentown, Lackawaxen, Hamlin, Lake Ariel, and the entire Lake Wallenpaupack region of Northeast PA's Pocono Mountains.

Please become a Fan of Wallenpaupack Real Estate on Facebook

Karen E. Rice is a real estate agent working in Pike & Wayne County of Northeastern PA in the Poconos. Lake Wallenpaupack is one of Pennsylvania's most popular destinations for vacations, retirement, and purchasing a home.

Pike & Wayne County PA Real Estate - Home Sales ©Copyright by Karen E. Rice. All rights reserved.

Or...Put the Shoe on the Other Foot.  Sorry, after I posted this I thought of a better title!

This has been said before, but I'm going to say it again.  I really think we need to be very careful about how we communicate online, because it is very easy to inadvertantly offend existing and future customers with our blogs.

I first became aware of this potential problem when a home stager wrote a blog about her newest client, and she posted before/after pictures.  Her client was LIVID as she was embarrassed to have her "dirty laundry" so to speak posted on the internet.  Even though the blogger protected her privacy by not naming her specifically, the customer still (rightfully) felt this was a breach of trust.

This is an extreme example - but there are other seemingly harmless ways we can offend our clients.  For example:

I just read a blog with a title naming the property next to her listing as "an eyesore."  Then she goes on to say that after contacting that property owner about cleaning it up, the owner asked her to list the property for sale. She shared that the seller called her son a worthless bum and that she has other issues with her property that really are nobody's business.  This "eyesore neighbor" is now HER CLIENT - what if she or one of her friends finds this blog?

Would YOU be willing to contact an agent who is so willing to share YOUR dirty laundry on the internet?  I think more than one customer would say "I am not going to contact this person, heaven knows what she'll say about ME or MY neighbors!"

Not trying to pick on this one blog either - I've seen it dozens of times on many other blogs.  Friends, I just don't think it's cool to write this way about our clients and potential clients without their express permission.

Yes, it's fun and entertaining to share things like this, and I have lots of crazy stories that I could tell about the funky things I come across day to day - but I feel that to do so would be a bad business move.

I'm a REALTOR, I've got a fiduciary duty to protect my client's interests - not gossip about them online. 

 

Do you have a home in Pike or Wayne County PA to sell? Visit My Seller Website and learn about my innovative marketing plan which will be personalized specifically for your home. Are you interested in Pike or Wayne County PA homes for sale? Visit my real estate website to see all the property for sale in Hawley, Honesdale, Greentown, Lackawaxen, Hamlin, Lake Ariel, and the entire Lake Wallenpaupack region of Northeast PA's Pocono Mountains.

Please become a Fan of Wallenpaupack Real Estate on Facebook

Karen E. Rice is a real estate agent working in Pike & Wayne County of Northeastern PA in the Poconos. Lake Wallenpaupack is one of Pennsylvania's most popular destinations for vacations, retirement, and purchasing a home.

Pike & Wayne County PA Real Estate - Home Sales ©Copyright by Karen E. Rice. All rights reserved.

This is word for word what I posted on my outside blog, http://www.PikeWaynePAblog.com  - It's too late and I'm too tired to condense it, and besides, it's under 500 words anyway.  Trying to blog more like Hemmingway...

DUH - I just realized I never really POSTED it.  It has been a DRAFT since Friday!!!  Wow, what a ditz!!!

WITHOUT FURTHER ADIEU:

5 Notable & Affordable homes for sale in Pike & Wayne County PA.

Last week when I posted my Friday Five (5 Homes Under $150,000) I promised a "double whammy" and said I'd post 5 more later that day. I lied.

Not exactly lied; I just had unrealistic expectations. Since posting a Friday Five on any other day is silly, I simply waited until today. Glad you asked?

Let's get MOVING - preferably to one of these SUPER HOMES FOR SALE!

• $124,500 is the asking price for 28 Glenwood Lane, Lake Ariel PA. This Wayne County home is in The Hideout community and is a perfect Poconos weekend get-away (it's also appropriate for those wishing to downsize!) The unique layout is a pleasant break from the usual rectangular ranch yet still conveniently on one level. 3 bedrooms, cathedral ceiling, fireplace... BONUS: Comes FURNISHED! Western Wayne Schools.
  Don't wait - email me for more info!

   

  28Glennwood

  
  
  
• $123,900 -WOW, that's all it will take to own 359 Oak Hill Road, Hawley PA, a traditional chalet in Fawn Lake Forest, Pike County. Located down the road from the indoor pool, this home brings to mind Pocono living in a pleasant neighborhood. Cathedral ceilings, 3 bedrooms, rights to powerboat Lake Westcolang and all that Fawn Lake has to offer await you. Wallenpaupack Schools.
  Tickle your fancy? Email me & schedule an appointment!

   

  359OakHill

  
  
  
• $138,500 - Introducing a contemporary home, 174 Oak Hill Road in Fawn Lake Forest. This one is close to the lake, has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and sports sunny windows. A wrap around deck invites you to enjoy the outdoors and unwind after a busy week. The cathedral ceilings (tongue & groove) and stone fireplace are definite hits on the Cute-n-Cozy scale. The property backs up to a green area for extra privacy and more interaction with the squirrels, deer, and chipmunks.
  Early bird gets the house - email me to go see it!

   

  OakHill

  
  
  
• $149,000 - Let's follow Westcolang Road to Masthope, a neighboring association to Fawn Lake. (Masthope is a wonderful place for ski enthusiasts and horse lovers!) On Falling Waters Blvd, this bright home has a nice layout. I'm a sucker for screened porches, & since I brought it up, you know this home has one. In addition, this 3 bedroom/ 2 bath saltbox style home has a master suite, fireplace, and a welcoming front porch.
  You know you want to - email me!

   

  235 Falling Waters Blvd

  
  
  
• $84,900 will get you A FULL ACRE in a very quiet part of Wayne County, just outside of Honesdale. And a pond in the back yard! This well kept mobile home in Ponderosa Pines community in Dyberry is sold furnished and is one of the most affordable homes in the area. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths - and cathedral ceilings give the home an airy feel.
  What are you waiting for? Let's set up a showing!
  

   

  17 Laurel

  
  
  

WARNING: Shameless Self Promotion Ahead

Please subscribe to my blog - don’t miss another 2Tips4-2sDay, WildCard Wednesday, or Karen’s Friday Five.

Have a house to sell? Want to buy a home in Wayne or Pike County? Call or email me.

 

Do you have a home in Pike or Wayne County PA to sell? Visit My Seller Website and learn about my innovative marketing plan which will be personalized specifically for your home. Are you interested in Pike or Wayne County PA homes for sale? Visit my real estate website to see all the property for sale in Hawley, Honesdale, Greentown, Lackawaxen, Hamlin, Lake Ariel, and the entire Lake Wallenpaupack region of Northeast PA's Pocono Mountains.

Please become a Fan of Wallenpaupack Real Estate on Facebook

Karen E. Rice is a real estate agent working in Pike & Wayne County of Northeastern PA in the Poconos. Lake Wallenpaupack is one of Pennsylvania's most popular destinations for vacations, retirement, and purchasing a home.

Pike & Wayne County PA Real Estate - Home Sales ©Copyright by Karen E. Rice. All rights reserved.

THE BLOG ARTICLE BELOW IS FROM 2008. 
CLICK HERE FOR 2009 OUR RELAY FOR LIFE WALLENPAUPCK BENEFIT INFO!  :)

Click HERE to Donate to
Relay for Life
Weichert Walkers Team!

My office, WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Paupack Group, is sponsoring Relay for Life this year.  We have several fund raising events planned (the one I'm looking forward to is the giant yard sale on Memorial Day Weekend, Sat. May 24!)

If you have any items you no longer want and would like to donate them to help raise money for RFL, please call the office at 800-440-8070 

Since I am also the Internet Specialist and interim webmaster for the company website, I was asked to post a blog about the upcoming fundraisers.

(yes, I am temporarily the ghost author for that blog, but not for long) 

Click HERE to Donate to
Relay for Life
Weichert Walkers Team!

 

Do you have a home in Pike or Wayne County PA to sell? Visit My Seller Website and learn about my innovative marketing plan which will be personalized specifically for your home. Are you interested in Pike or Wayne County PA homes for sale? Visit my real estate website to see all the property for sale in Hawley, Honesdale, Greentown, Lackawaxen, Hamlin, Lake Ariel, and the entire Lake Wallenpaupack region of Northeast PA's Pocono Mountains.

Please become a Fan of Wallenpaupack Real Estate on Facebook

Karen E. Rice is a real estate agent working in Pike & Wayne County of Northeastern PA in the Poconos. Lake Wallenpaupack is one of Pennsylvania's most popular destinations for vacations, retirement, and purchasing a home.

Pike & Wayne County PA Real Estate - Home Sales ©Copyright by Karen E. Rice. All rights reserved.

Greetings, my loyal fans - have you been holding your breath, wondering if I was actually going to post a Wild Card Wednesday post today, on time?  I know I've gotten at least twenty emails from my raving followers, begging for this next edition...

Or...not.  *shrug*  What can I say.  I can dream, can't I?  

I've actually been trying to catch up on replying to comments on my blogs and reciprocating.  Plus today I had to earn my keep as a real estate agent.

Last Thursday, I had to travel down to Pocono Springs Estates in Gouldsboro, PA, to do some real estate things.  Along the way, I was amused to see this sign:

FREE MOBILE HOME FOR REMOVAL

My daughter was turned on to it right away.  She said "Mom, can we get the free mobile home?"

Perhaps she was misunderstanding, and thought that it was like an RV that we could take to Missouri to visit Aunt Pam and Uncle Phil - I don't know.  But she was visibly disappointed when I said "No, honey, we can't take the free mobile home...Daddy will be mad."

Well hey, here it is, free for the taking, what are you waiting for?  

Check out my other Wild Card Wednesdays.  If you'd like to BUY a home in Wayne or Pike County, give me a call.  So far, this is the only free one I know about. 

 

Do you have a home in Pike or Wayne County PA to sell? Visit My Seller Website and learn about my innovative marketing plan which will be personalized specifically for your home. Are you interested in Pike or Wayne County PA homes for sale? Visit my real estate website to see all the property for sale in Hawley, Honesdale, Greentown, Lackawaxen, Hamlin, Lake Ariel, and the entire Lake Wallenpaupack region of Northeast PA's Pocono Mountains.

Please become a Fan of Wallenpaupack Real Estate on Facebook

Karen E. Rice is a real estate agent working in Pike & Wayne County of Northeastern PA in the Poconos. Lake Wallenpaupack is one of Pennsylvania's most popular destinations for vacations, retirement, and purchasing a home.

Pike & Wayne County PA Real Estate - Home Sales ©Copyright by Karen E. Rice. All rights reserved.

Welcome to this 2Tips4-2sDay. This edition has tips for both buyers & sellers! This is the "Lite Version" - the full version can be found on my outside blog, PikeWaynePABlog.com

1. SELLERS: Price it Right, Or You Will Wait. The Lake Wallenpaupack market is sure and steady. Not booming like it was but there are buyers out there (look at the page I just finished for the company website if you don't believe me.)

Others may whine, “The market is awful!” Maybe they list homes at prices not supported by The Market. Two of my listings are now under contract (one was snatched up in 14 days.)

In a nutshell, Market Value = The Price A Buyer Agrees To Pay. Some argue that it also includes the price the seller agrees to - but ultimately, if the buyers won’t buy, it’s priced too high.

Experience shows that overpriced homes will be on the market a long time.

• People paying higher prices expect more than overpriced homes can deliver.
• Buyers looking for what that home offers will be stopped by the price.
• Once the price is finally adjusted to the market, the home may now seem "stale."
• Buyers think something is wrong when homes have lots of "Days on the Market". (translate: LOWER BIDS)

When pricing your home, look at the comps. If the market won’t bear the price you want, do not try to sell at this time. I can provide a detailed home analysis showing the current market trends. Just email me and we can get started.

Further Reading:  The Market Doesn't Care    Pricing Your Home To Sell 

2. BUYERS: Is The Home You Love Priced Too High? Offer Anyway!

Nobody knows what a seller will say until you ask. The listing agent doesn’t know what the seller will say until it is presented (though they can guess.) Heck, even the seller may not realize what’s “acceptable” until it’s on paper!

• Avoid “pennies-on-the-dollar” lowball offers; your agent should provide recently sold comps to help you make a realistic offer on the home.

I took a call on a property listed at $169,000, and the guy said “Think they’d accept $50,000?” I could honestly say: “No.” (I even kept a straight face!)

• Yes, it's buyer’s market, but let's not get carried away; most of the sellers in the Lake Wallenpaupack region are generally not distressed or desperate.

Don’t worry about “offending” the seller with a lower offer. Chances are you will never meet the seller, and the very that can happen is the seller will say “no.”

WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Paupack Group Independently Owned and Operated

 

Do you have a home in Pike or Wayne County PA to sell? Visit My Seller Website and learn about my innovative marketing plan which will be personalized specifically for your home. Are you interested in Pike or Wayne County PA homes for sale? Visit my real estate website to see all the property for sale in Hawley, Honesdale, Greentown, Lackawaxen, Hamlin, Lake Ariel, and the entire Lake Wallenpaupack region of Northeast PA's Pocono Mountains.

Please become a Fan of Wallenpaupack Real Estate on Facebook

Karen E. Rice is a real estate agent working in Pike & Wayne County of Northeastern PA in the Poconos. Lake Wallenpaupack is one of Pennsylvania's most popular destinations for vacations, retirement, and purchasing a home.

Pike & Wayne County PA Real Estate - Home Sales ©Copyright by Karen E. Rice. All rights reserved.

I just finished posting my latest Friday Five to my outside blog, PikeWaynePABlog.com. This is the LITE version...the full info is available here.

The cool thing is, I have not 5 homes under 150k, but 10 to share - so this Friday Five will be a "Double Whammy" and watch for post Part 2 later on today.

All of these homes are in Wayne County and are fairly close to Lake Wallenpaupack. Four are in the Wallenpaupack School District, and one is in Western Wayne.

• $109,900 - 47 East Road, Hawley PA. Wow, can't believe this price. Ranch home on a double lot (NO DEVELOPMENT) - there's room to build a garage or an addition, or both! If you're looking for a smaller home that is close to town and not far from Lake Wallenpaupack, this is it! Wallenpaupack School District; 1 mile from Lake Wallenpaupack.
  
  

  47 East Road

  
  
  
• $149,900 - 48 East Road, Hawley PA. This doesn't come along every day -maybe you and a friend could buy side by side houses to enjoy the Poconos together, while each maintaining your own personal space! Well, not really side by side; they're across the street from one another. This is a raised ranch and has a fantastic screened porch, good sized deck, and a great yard for lots of play time!
  
  

  48 East Road

  
  
  
• $119,900 - Rt. 6 Hawley PA. Here is a home with a lot of potential - yes, it needs TLC, but hey, it's got river frontage on the Lackawaxen River, has almost an acre of land, is conveniently located between Hawley and Honesdale, and is zoned General Commercial. Wallenpaupack School District. It can be made into two apartments for rental income, or how about a home based business? Great back yard, 1 car garage - being sold AS IS. Investors - come make an offer!
  
  

  TexPalmyraHwy

  
  
  
• $149,900 - 4 Chipmunk Ct., Hawley/Lakeville PA, Paupackan Lake Estates. One of my favorite communities in Wayne County is Paupackan Lake Estates - it's humble, low-key, and quiet. The lake is quiet and serene and is reputed to be an excellent fishing spot. Why not check out this raised ranch that is also a mother / daughter home, complete with 2 separate living spaces. Western Wayne School District.
  
  
  

  4 Chipmunk Ct

  
  
  
• $144,900 - 12 Fawn Hill Ct. Wallenpaupack Lake Estates. Another great opportunity awaits here in Wallenpaupack Lake Estates, one of the area's most thriving communities. Plenty of stuff to do - motor boating on Lake Wallenpaupack, 3 swimming pools, and so much more. Cozy chalet home has 2 bedrooms and a roomy sleeping loft.
  
  

  12 Fawn Hill Ct

  
  
  

Look for Part 2, With Another Fabulous Five Homes Under $150,000.

WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Paupack Group Independently Owned and Operated

 

Do you have a home in Pike or Wayne County PA to sell? Visit My Seller Website and learn about my innovative marketing plan which will be personalized specifically for your home. Are you interested in Pike or Wayne County PA homes for sale? Visit my real estate website to see all the property for sale in Hawley, Honesdale, Greentown, Lackawaxen, Hamlin, Lake Ariel, and the entire Lake Wallenpaupack region of Northeast PA's Pocono Mountains.

Please become a Fan of Wallenpaupack Real Estate on Facebook

Karen E. Rice is a real estate agent working in Pike & Wayne County of Northeastern PA in the Poconos. Lake Wallenpaupack is one of Pennsylvania's most popular destinations for vacations, retirement, and purchasing a home.

Pike & Wayne County PA Real Estate - Home Sales ©Copyright by Karen E. Rice. All rights reserved.

Frankly, I will be surprised if this gets any notice at all.  But I am compelled to continue.

A few weeks ago, I opened a package of frozen talapia - one of my family's favorite meals.  I bake it in lemon and butter, with salt & pepper, and whatever spices I feel led to sprinkle on top.  Yum.

The fish was served, and I hungrily took my first bite - and nearly gagged.  Everyone else had similar reactions.  I got the fish wrapper out of the garbage to check the date - the date was fine.  What's this?

PRODUCT OF CHINA.

What the heck?  I for one have not gotten over the pet food scare of last summer, the toothpaste scare, the expose reporting of food from China being made with fake filler ingredients.  I just never thought to look at the labels of our FOOD to see that it doesn't come from China.  I falsely assumed that the tainted food is that stuff you get ultra cheap in the dollar stores - get what you pay for and all that.

But more and more of our brand name food items have very murky origins.

Does anyone care?

Probably not.  We're all worked up about the cost of fuel, being green, let's preserve our environment while our bodies are being fed by contaminated food products.

I used to think I only had to watch labels to avoid MSG and aspartame...now it's probably everything we eat.

I've been buying IGA brand products because they clearly say "MADE IN THE USA"

But are they really?  

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19508453/ 

A 2002 Farm Bill passed by Congress mandated country-of-origin labeling for seafood, beef, lamb, pork, fish, fruits, vegetables and peanuts, but the Bush administration has delayed its implementation for everything except seafood until October 2008.

 

How come nobody is worried about this?  We're being distracted by the other stuff that ultimately will mean nothing in the long run if our food is crap.

How long before something serious happens to US - and we end up like the hundreds of pets that died painful deaths due to contaminated wheat gluten?  Contaminated with MELAMINE?   Or what happens if that anti freeze ingredient that was in the toothpaste ends up in Fruit Loops?

Nope, has nothing to do with real estate, except maybe the idea of buying some real estate in Montana and living off the land is sounding mighty good to me now....if the land hasn't been polluted that is... 

 

Do you have a home in Pike or Wayne County PA to sell? Visit My Seller Website and learn about my innovative marketing plan which will be personalized specifically for your home. Are you interested in Pike or Wayne County PA homes for sale? Visit my real estate website to see all the property for sale in Hawley, Honesdale, Greentown, Lackawaxen, Hamlin, Lake Ariel, and the entire Lake Wallenpaupack region of Northeast PA's Pocono Mountains.

Please become a Fan of Wallenpaupack Real Estate on Facebook

Karen E. Rice is a real estate agent working in Pike & Wayne County of Northeastern PA in the Poconos. Lake Wallenpaupack is one of Pennsylvania's most popular destinations for vacations, retirement, and purchasing a home.

Pike & Wayne County PA Real Estate - Home Sales ©Copyright by Karen E. Rice. All rights reserved.