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

I've been meme'd by Janie Coffie.  Thank you Janie!

OK, here I go!

1. I enjoy sketching.  I used to do a lot of sketching (when I had more time), mostly of animals.  I have had no official training in drawing.  I just seem to have a natural ability for it.  I wanted to major in art in college, but my parents didn't want me to become a starving artist.
2. I learned about horses and bought my first horse as an adult.  I was born and raised in the city and always loved horses.  My parents always thought that it was a phase I would grow out of and, therefore, never really allowed me to learn about horses.  I saved my allowance money to take lessons and when I saw a roadside pony ride, I always bugged my parents to stop.  Well here I am as an adult and I still haven't grown out of horses.
3. I'm a jack-of-all-trades.  Over the years I have had many different jobs.  I started working in a bank in customer service, then I worked in a music store working in the office and giving piano lessons.  I have been a pet groomer, veterinarian's assistant, worked in shipping and receiving, inventory control and several different types of office jobs.  I was also a judge for low level horse shows and held a few barn jobs.  Of course, add Realtor to the list.
4. I play piano.  I took 10 years of piano lessons when I was a child.  Never liked it at the time.  Now I like to play whenever I get the chance.
5. My husband is a construction worker.  This is where I get a lot of helpful info when it comes to checking out homes for flaws.  I have learned a lot from him.

Well, here you have it.  Five things you didn't know about me, but now you do.

Here are the ones I meme'd:

• Cindy Stys
• Lizette Fitzpatrick
• Brian Warden

Tag, your next!

Many parts of the country are seeing developments going in.  It seems like many want new homes and they are using up our open spaces.  I know this is an often talked about topic, but is the development really good for the area?  Now that we have many areas developed, why are we having so many floods?

I guess what I am trying to say is that areas that never flooded before are now flooding out.  Think about it.  When we had the open spaces and farmland, whenever it rained, the water soaked into the ground.  Now that the farmland is disappearing and homes, shopping centers, blacktop and concrete are replacing the soil, where do you think the water is going? 

Before development, these areas never saw flooding.  I know the developers claim it is not their fault because they do construct run offs for the rain water.  Where do you think the run offs lead to?  The nearest creeks, streams and rivers.  Now, with extra water flowing in, they tend to overflow their banks.  And what happens when the banks overflow?  You guessed it.  FLOODING!                  

As we continue to develop our farmlands and open spaces, we are definitely going to see more flooding happen.  Our streams, creeks and rivers are slowly widening.  Those of us living near these waterways are suffering because of the building.  When are they going to realize that they are causing more harm than good with the developments?

I have had many different types of buyers, but take a look at this one.  This one came up to my porch checking out the house I had.  I don't think many of us have dealt with buyers like this one. 

                 "Hmmmmmmm.  Doesn't look like there are any leaks here."

                                                "Nice large yard with some shrubbery."

Unfortunately, I lost this buyer.  Needless to say, he opted to live in the tree in the yard, instead.  What can I say, I tried.  At least I can say that I don't discriminate.

Six years ago today, we all lived through a tragic event, that will stay in our minds for the rest of our lives.  It was the destruction of the Twin Towers in NYC, attack on the Pentagon and a plane crash from a hijacking over PA.  This is not something that we have read in history books.  It is one that has touched us in our hearts in one form or another. 

This was the day some saw and spoke to their loved ones for the last time.  Others were fortunate enough to escape with their lives.  It was a time the country united and became one.  All eyes were focused in disbelief on the tragedy that was happening before us.  No one ever imagined something like this could happen.  Here was a time that we were all comforting each other, helping each other, instead of battling one another.  The world stopped everything and became silent after this tragic incident.

We need remember the heroes of this tragedy that gave their lives and to all that spent many hours to help the survivors.  We should continue this unity and live as brothers and sisters.  Continue to help each other.  It shouldn't be that a tragedy brings us all together.  It should happen ALWAYS.  We must work things out in a civilized manner and live our lives peacefully. 

REMEMBER 9/11

Beautiful, wooded, level 2.8 acre lot on a quiet road.

Property is located in Moore Township in Northampton County close to State Gamelands and Blue Mountain Ski area in a great neighborhood.  It has a panoramic view and is not subdividable.  May build a modular or single family home.  Lot was perced in early 1980's for sand mound.  Allowed to have 1 horse on property. 

Listing price is $125,000      UNDER AGREEMENT 9/28/07          SOLD 10/17/07

For more information, click on http://brigitamlvrealtor.com

I drove from Nazareth down to Bethlehem for an appointment and decided to take a route I haven't used in a while.  It's been a few weeks since I've been this way, and I like to go different routes to my destinations.  This way I can see what's new in the area.  WOW!!!!! Was I in for a surprise!!!!

I'm driving down the road I've driven many times before and I noticed major changes.  I'm looking all around and I don't see anything familiar.  The open spaces and farmland are now construction sites, the homes along the road (especially one rancher that I was fond of) have disappeared, the road is wider and the fields are regraded and ready for new construction.  Am I going down the right road???  This doesn't look at all like the same road I drove down just barely a month ago.  I don't recognize a thing.  I felt like I had moved to another area. 

Unfortunately, this is the scene that is familiar in many parts of the country.  The areas are developing at a fast rate.  These changes are happening not in just one area, but all over the Lehigh Valley.  Residents, that have lived here for all or most of their lives, are getting lost, including myself.  I have taken clients to see listings and en route have gotten lost.  Some roads that have been around for years are gone and many new ones added, some going nowhere, due to development.  No wonder I am not able to find my way around.  And I have lived here most of my life.  The area is changing way too fast.  I just heard on the news today that an area farm will be turned into 557 new residences.  FIVE HUNDRED AND FIFTY SEVEN!!!!!!!!  No wonder I don't recognize the area any more!!! 

I realize we have to be open to progress, but must it be this quick?  With the number of vacant homes and stores on the market, is there really a need for new housing and malls?  (Ever think that maybe that's why the market is slow???)  Driving around, I notice that there are drug stores and convenience stores every few blocks.  Shopping malls are within close proximity to each other.  Do we really need that many stores?  These are all things we need to think about before we lose all of our open spaces.  Once they are gone, they will be gone forever.

Take a stroll down beautiful, Historic Downtown Nazareth and enjoy the special entertainment, demonstrations, delicious food and refreshments and stop in and visit the 21 shops and organizations on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007, from 4:00PM until 9:00PM.  (The raindate is Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007, 1:00PM - 5:00PM.)  The activities are open to everyone and are free.  

Center Square will be holding:

• a demonstration of "18th Century Gun Smithing" sponsored by the Jacobsburg Historical Society
• Art Exhibit
• Boy Scout Troop 78 will have a rope bridge for everyone to try out and dutch oven cooking
• Flag retirement ceremony, where the public can retire their own flags
• Cub Scout Pack 88 will have a "Rain Gutter Ragata".  Public is invited to race the wooden sailboats made by the scouts.
• Karate Demonstration
• Nazareth Big Swing Band

Main Street wil have:

• YMCA Karate
• Ideas will be shared of Downtown Revitalization presented by the Nazareth Downtown Association

Main & Belvidere Streets will be holding:

• Acoustic Entertainment sponsored by the Nazareth News Agency/Java Lounge
• A performance by "Dream Kids".  They are a group of young people who raise funds for the Dream Come True Foundation.  The youth are mostly from the Lehigh Valley area.
• A dancing presentation given by "Pure Country Dancers"

Belvidere Street will have:

• An antique & Classic Car show.  This year's car show is dedicated to the memory of Nazareth Police Chief Bruce Ruch.
• "Spinning the Oldies" music with Diane Lee

The roving entertainment will be "Bandaids and Stitches", a Christian clowning for worship services, Sunday schools, banquets, etc.  You will also be able to purchase T-shirts.

Come join in the fun and enjoy Nazareth's hospitality.

A buyer calls you.  He tells you that he and his wife will be in town for a few days the following week and will be able to look at some homes one day during that time.  You agree to meet the one day and pencil him in, and he promises to call that week with a time.  He calls the following week and says that they have arrived and will be in touch to set appointments to see some of the homes.  The day before the agreed upon date, he calls again, but to tell you that he has been called away on emergency business, but his wife will be staying a couple of extra days.  Therefore, they will not be able to look at any homes.  What would you do in this scenario? 

This happened to me recently, but I was not going to lose this buyer.  Since his wife was staying the extra days, I offered to take her for a tour of the areas they were interested in searching for a home.  She explained that she was not interested in looking at homes, but I told her it was only a drive around to see the area.  She agreed. 

So, at the appointed time, off we went.  As we were driving around, we were able to chit chat about different things.  I was able to find out a little more about the couple and what specifically they were looking for.  Not only that, I was able to see what areas appealed to her most as we were driving.  She in turn asked many specific questions about the areas (about parks, recreation, things to do, etc.)  After the 2 hour tour, I dropped her off at her car and she was so thankful for taking the time out to show her the areas of interest.  When mentioning the name of the area, she was now able to visualize it.  She mentioned that she and her husband would be out in a couple of weeks, at which point they will then look at a few of the homes on the market and will be in touch when they come back out.

This example shows that if you take the extra steps, the clients will remember it.  So, who do you think they will call when they come back to town?  Once you show them that you are there to help them, NO MATTER WHAT, they will come back to YOU.  They will trust you and your name will stick in their minds like glue. 

Have you ever seen an Alpaca up close?  Did you know that you can still buy  fresh milk straight from the cow in Northampton County?  How about checking out the local vineyard or greenhouse?  

You can come see all of this and more during the Open Gate Farm Tour, sponsored by the Northampton County Cooperative Extension.  Come and enjoy the sights, sounds, smells and feel of farming.  Great way for the family to learn about the local agriculture and there is no fee to visit.   You can even bring your cameras.  This annual event will be held Sat., Sept. 29 & Sun., Sept. 30, from noon until 4:00PM, rain or shine.  Dress casually.

The farms that will open their gates for you are as follows:

• Amore Farms, Greenhouses, Vineyard and Winery, Route 512 south of Bath
• Burnside Plantation, 1461 Schoenersville Rd., Bethlehem
• Buzas Greenhouse, 3927 Newburg Rd., Easton
• Clear Springs Farm, 306 Garr Rd., Easton
• Faust Family Produce, 523 Nazareth Pike, Nazareth
• Graver Farms, 2791 W. Scenic Dr., Danielsville
• Juniperdale Farms & Produce Crib, 1015 Browntown Rd., Nazareth
• Klein Farms Dairy & Creamery, 410 Klein Rd., Easton
• Northampton County 4H Center, Bushkill Center Rd., Nazareth (there will be a small fun horse show for the youth and barbequed chicken for everyone) OPEN SUNDAY ONLY
• Purple Haze Alpacas, 790 Slate Belt Blvd., Bangor
• Reeder Farms, 4450 Richmond Rd., Easton
• Seiple Farms LLC, 5761 Nor-Bath Blvd., Bath
• Smith KREKK Alpacas, 7525 Hahn Rd., Bangor
• Unangst Tree Farm, 7317 Bethlehem-Bath Pike, Bath
• Upper Edelman School House, Route 191 in Edelmans OPEN SUNDAY ONLY

If you would like more information on the event, please call Duane Stevenson at the Northampton County Extension Office at 610-746-1970 Ext. 2.

For those of you interested in honing your skills at cross country riding, Burgundy Hollow Farm will be holding a cross country clinic with Jane Cory on September 15, 2007. 

Many of you may be familiar with Jane Cory.  For those of you who are not, Jane Cory used to own and run Pleasant Hollow Farm in Coopersburg, PA.  Back in the 1960's she was short listed for the US Eventing Team.  She taught lessons, gave clinics, taught at Delaware Valley College in PA.  She hosted many recognized events at Pleasant Hollow Farm in addition to many shows (jumper and dressage).  Jane also helped out with the local US Pony Club at her facility for many years.  Pleasant Hollow Farm included the CORT Center, which was a handicapped riding program.  Pleasant Hollow Farm was well known in the area and Jane was known to be honest and very helpful.  She still teaches lessons and clinics, and is a dressage judge. 

If you would like to get more information on the clinic, visit www.burgundyhollow.com