Brigita's Blog: Brigita McKelvie - Lehigh Valley, PA, Residential, Rural & Horse Properties (Keller Williams Real Estate)

The Trexler Nature Preserve has opened for all to enjoy in the Lehigh Valley area in Pennsylvania. 

Gen. Harry C. Trexler, who died in 1993 and was Lehigh County's most influential citizen, left more than 1,100 acres in the Schnecksville area to the people of the county to enjoy the great outdoors.  He wanted to help conserve some of our wildlife in the proper setting.  Gen. Trexler loved the outdoors and gave the property to share his love of the outdoors with his fellow people and future generations.

Friday, October 30th, 2009, county and other officials formally dedicated the Trexler Nature Preserve.  It is now open for hiking, walking, biking, horseback riding, bird watching, picnicing, fishing, and bow hunting in season. 

For years, the Lehigh Valley Zoo, located in a small section of the property, was the only accessible part of the land to the public.  A few years ago the county leased the zoo to a private operator.  The county then developed a plan for the preserve. 

The project included removing non-native plants, allowing native brush to grow and animals such as red fox, coyotes, deer, turkey and bluebirds to thrive.

Stream beds were also restored so people could fish.

The Wildlands Conservancy helped in developing the plan.  Community groups such as The Valley Mountain Bikers, the International Mountain Bikers and the Lehigh County Equestrian Council helped build the trails and the Appalacian Mountain Club helped the county parks department with trail mapping.

For more information, click here.

Daylight Savings time ends and Standard time begins tonight.  Remember to change your clocks this weekend!

The clocks are to be turned back so we gain an hour.  2AM will really be 1AM.  I guess this allows us to party an extra hour.

This will be great for those of you that will be having a great time at your Halloween parties or watching the World Series Game tonight between the Yankees and the Phillies.  It will allow you to sleep an extra hour in the morning without any worry about over sleeping. 

Happy November! 

Catholic or not you have to laugh at this one. 

Once again Halloween is upon us with lots of "haunted houses" and parks open to scare us out of our wits. 

Did you know that the Lehigh Valley here in Pennsylvania does actually have haunted buildings?  It's true!

Here are some of the buildings with actual ghost sightings:

1.  State Theaterin Easton

2.  Sun Inn in Bethlehem

3.  Former Carbon County Jail in Jim Thorpe

4.  Inn at Maple Grove in Alburtis

5.  The Widows Tavern & Grillein Stockertown

6.  King George Inn in Allentown

7.  Riegelsville Public Libraryin Riegelsville (of course)

-(Source: Morning Call research)

I'm sure there are many other buildings in the Lehigh Valley that ghost sightings have occurred.  If you have, or know of any, feel free to post it in the comments to share with everyone.

If you want to encounter a real ghost on Halloween, visit one of these buildings, if you dare.  OOoooooooooo.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

I read this post by Gary Woltal and thought it was well worth sharing with everyone.  Just think, they may actually come out with these breeds.

Brigita

I have noticed about half the buyers end up tired of looking at homes.  They have looked at 50 homes and none seem to be the "right" home, although some may be a possibility.

Why?  Simply because the buyer has not come up with a list of their personal needs and wants in a home.  Let's face it, the right house will meet all of your needs, and as many of your wants as possible.  What you want and what you need in a home's features and amenities need to be analyzed before starting your home search.

Here are some of the features and amenities you would want to consider:

Features

• Age: Are historic homes preferable or new construction?
• Style:  Are there special preferences towards ranchers, bungalows, or another style of construction?
• Bedrooms:  How many?
• Bathrooms:  How many?  Are they updated?
• Living and Dining Areas:  What type of floor plan - traditional, formal layout, or a more open, contemporary plan?
• Stories:  How many?
• Square Feet:  How much space?
• Ceilings:  How high?
• Kitchen:  How big?  Recently updated?  Open to other living areas?
• Storage:  Big closets, a shed, an extra large garage?
• Parking:  A garage or carport, on street or off-street?  Room for how many cars?
• Extras:  Attic or basement?

Amenities:

• Office
• Play/exercise room
• Security system
• Sprinkler
• Workshop/ studio
• In-law suite
• Fireplace
• Pool
• Hot tub
• Sidewalk
• Wooded lot
• Patio, deck, or porch
• Laundry room

Remember when making up the wants and needs list of criteria, always include

1.  Location

2.  Size

3.  Condition

4.  Appreciation

5.  Neighborhood

6.  Freestanding or Condo/Townhome, Resale or New Construction

7.  Features and Amenities

8.  Potential for Expansion or Improvement

With a list in hand, it shouldn't be difficult to find the right home.  If it feels comfortable and has all of your needs and your most important wants, it probably is the home for you.  The wants it does not have can always be added to the home later in time, if it is still desired. 

Remember, there is no perfect home.  Make up your list, give it to your agent and you should be able to find the right home for you and your family.

The Halloween Parade for Nazareth, Pennsylvania will be held this coming Saturday, October 31, 2009.

The parade is great to watch.  It has many great floatsput on by area businesses, groups and clubs, bands, some really neat costumes, fire trucks, Rajahs driving their little antique cars, and much, much more. 

There are a number of divisions in the parade and every float is judged in each division.  

The parade usually has a huge turnout. 

The parade was actually supposed to have been held on October 17th, but due to rain, it was postponed until this coming Saturday. 

Come early to get a good seat to see the parade.

Woohoo!!!  The Yankees did it!  They are the American League Champions of 2009!! 

I believe most people in Pennsylvania were hoping to see the Yankees play the Phillies in the World Series this year!  (I knew the Yankees would make it.)  We will finally get to see them play baseball against each other.

Phillies fans, WATCH OUT!  The Yankees are going to beat you!  Of course they will let the Phillies win at least a couple.  This is what will make the series exciting.

GO BRONX BOMBERS!!!!