Brigita's Blog: October 2009

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!!!!

Here are some horse terms I wanted to share with everyone, horsey and non-horsey people.  I think all will enjoy these.

Glossary of Horse Terms

Hock:  Financial condition of all horse owners

Stall:  What your rig does at rush hour in an unfamiliar coty on the way to a big horse show.

A Bit:  What you have left in your pocket after you've been to your favorite tack shop.

Fence:  Decorative structure built to provide your horse with something to chew on.

Horse Auction:  What you think of having after your horse bucks you off.

Pinto:  Green coat pattern found on freshly washed light colored horses left unattended for 2 minutes.

Well Mannered:  Hasn't stepped on, bitten, or kicked anyone for a week.

Rasp:  Abrasive metal tool used to remove excess skin from ones knuckles.

Lunging:  Popular training method in which a horse exercises their owner by spinning them in circles until dizzy.

Gallop:  Customary gait a horse chooses when returning back to the barn.

Nicely Started:  Lunged, but not enough life insurance to even think about riding him.

Colic:  Gastrointestinal result of eating at horse fair stands.

Colt:  What your mare give you when you want a filly.

Easy to Load:  Only takes 3 hours, 4 men, a 50lb. bag of oats, and a tractor with loader to get the horse on the trailer.

Easy to Catch:  In a 10 x 10 stall. 

Easy Rider:  Rides good in a trailer: not to be confused with "ride-able".

Endurance Ride:  End result when your horse spooks and runs away with you.

Hives:  What you get when you receive the vet bill for your 6 horses, 3 dogs, 4 cats, and 1 donkey.

Hobbles:  Walking gait of a horse owner after their foot has been stepped on by their horse.

Feed:  Expensive substance used to manufacture manure.

Dog House:  What you are in when you spend too much money on grooming supplies and pretty halters.

Light Cribber:  We can't afford to build anymore fencing or box stalls for this buzz saw on four legs.

Three Gaited Horse:  A horse that 1- trips, 2- stumbles and 3- falls.

FOR SALE: 11+ acre horse farm in Carbon County near Beltzville Lake, close to Pennsylvania Turnpike, major routes, and shopping.  Located on a quiet road surrounded by horse farms, farm land and woods.

450 Lonesome Lane

Towamensing Township, Palmerton School District, Carbon County

4 bedroom, 3 bath, unique log home

with a detached 3 car garage and a loft with many possibilties.

Home includes a coal/wood stove between the living room and dining area for cozy warmth during the chilly winter nights.

Master Bedroom has a sitting area with doors leading out to a private deck, with a gorgeous view, which also overlooks the barn, pastures and mountains.

Master bath has lots of room and has skylights for added light.

2 year old barn with 4 stalls, wash stall and heated tack room.  Barn includes hot and cold water and electric.

Barn has dutch doors at each stall leading out to the fenced paddock and fenced pastures next to the paddock.

A view from the pasture looking towards the house and the garage.

The property has beautiful views and lots of open space for the nature lover.

Home has a finished full basement, oil heat in addition to the coal.wood stove, air conditioning, hardwood floors, paved driveway leading up to the garage, sidewalks, decks and porch.  This is a MUST SEE for those that are looking for a quiet place to enjoy nature and their horses.

Property is listed at $585,000