Brigita's Blog: November 2008

Nazareth holds many events and activities throughout the year, including Thanksgiving Day.  No, it's not a parade.  It is the Pumpking Pie 5K Race and Scenic Walk sponsored by the Nazareth YMCA.  It will occur on Thanksgiving morning from 9AM to around 10:30AM. 

Main Street in Nazareth will be closed from Belvidere Street through the circle and north to Chestnut Street from 7:15AM until the end of the race.  The course will end in front of the YMCA.

Nazareth residents are encouraged to play music and cheer on the participants.

Click here for more information on this event. 

Never a dull moment in Nazareth, Pennsylvania.

The Nazareth Blue Eagle Marching Band of Nazareth Area High School returned home from a 2 day trip to Maryland.  They were escorted from the township line to the high school by the Nazareth police, fire and ambulance crews.  Hundreds of screaming and waving parents and schoolmates were waiting at the school holding congratulatory signs and balloons and blowing car horns.

What was all the commotion about?

The band had won the U.S. Scholastic Band National Championship (4th division) and Grand National title.  The band competed against 79 other bands with a score of 98.575 out of 100, the highest score ever in the competition's 30 year history.  They also earned the Marine Corps Espirit de Corps award.

What was really amazing was that the Nazareth band defended every title from the previous year.  Winning each and every title back to back is totally unbelievable. 

The band came home with its national award in tow, a 7 foot trophy and banner.

The U.S. Scholastic officials will visit the school to formally present the Grand National Trophy and banner.  No date has been set for this event to date.

All the band members, consisting of 100 middle school and high school students, must certainly be in their glory.

Everyone these days is looking for ways to save money, especially future homeowners.  With rising costs, many buyers have been asking what the utility costs are for a home and/or to see the actual bills, especially in older homes.  Offering something unique and timely can always help sell a home more quickly and possibly closer to the listing price.  Other than the usual home staging techniques, implementing some easy and energy saving options might just do the trick!  They will be impressed at measures taken to reduce those costs.

Here are some small and easy projects that can increase a home's appeal in a time of high energy costs and an extraordinary focus on being green.

• Replace regular light bulbs in permanent fixtures with compact fluorescent light bulbs.
• Install low-flow shower heads.
• Install an ENERGY STAR qualified, programmable thermostat.
• Close the damper on the fireplace.
• Add insulation to the attic.
• Seal basement rim joists.  This is along the top of the basement wall where the cement or block comes in contact with the wood frame.
• Insulate water heater tanks and water pipes for energy savings.
• Repair water leaks in tubs, showers and sinks.
• Perform duct sealing or hire a contractor.

Other visible changes that may attract a buyer are by replacing any worn flooring using renewable sources prior to listing, such as recycled carpeting, bamboo, cork or other flooring from fast-growing wood sources.

What better way to market your home?  Buy this home and you will save on energy costs.

Even if you are not selling a home, these simple features will save money on your utility bills.  I have yet to meet someone who is not for saving money now. 

Once again it is time to find out how the real estate market endured during the previous month.

Comparing the activity from September, 2008 to October, 2008, sales and prices once again declined.  During October, 2008, 413 sales were reported from 445 in September of 2008.  That was a drop of 7.2%. 

The average price of a home dropped by 4.1%.  In September, 2008, the average price of a home was $221,000 as compared to October, 2008, of the average being $212,000.

The average time on the market for properties to be sold was 71 days, up from 67 days in September, 2008.

Here is a chart of the October Sales Distribution:

Sale Price                                               Number of Sales   

under $70,000                                                28
$70,001 - $100,000                                         31
$100,001 - $150,000                                       81
$150,001 - $200,000                                       98
$200,001 - $250,000                                       67
$250,001 - $300,000                                       35
$300,001 - $350,000                                       28
$350,001 - $400,000                                       14
$400,001 - $450,000                                        9
$450,001 - $500,000                                        6
$500,001 and above                                        16

Right now it looks like it is still a buyer's market with declining sales of homes.

Here are some crazy horse laws.  No one has any idea how these got there and no living soul has a recollection of anyone arrested under them.  Happy reading.

In Pattonsburg, Missouri, according to the Revised Ordinances dated 1884:  "No person shall yell, shout, bawl, scream, use profane language, dance, sing, whoop, quarrel, or make any unusual noise or sound in such manner as to disturb the horse."

In Cotton Valley, Louisiana - Beware ice cream lovers!:  "Citizens are not allowed to eat an ice cream cone while on horseback in public places."

In Burdonville, Vermont, it states that:  "No horses are allowed to roam loose between March 1st and October 20th."

If you happen to have an accident in Hortonville, New York, remember this law:  "The rider of any horse involved in an accident resulting in death shall immediately dismount and give his name and address to the person killed."

Here's a misworded ordinance in Wolf Point, Montana:  "No horse shall be allowed in public without its owner wearing a halter."

In Hartsville, Illinois, you can be arrested for riding an ugly horse.

Horses are not allowed to be heard neighing after 10PM in Pocataligo, Georgia.

If you know of any other strange horse laws, feel free to add to these.