Brigita's Blog

The YANKEES Did It!! WooHoo!!!

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:52:59 -0600

THE YANKEES DID IT!!

27th WORLD SERIES WIN!!

Wow!! The Phillies put up a good fight and gave it their best, which made the series a really exciting one. There was never a dull moment in the games.

What better place to win than in your own brand new stadium to end the year.

That's the way to do it!

GO YANKEES!!! 2009 WORLD SERIES CHAMPS!!!

Tax Credit Expanded and Include Current Home Buyers??

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:33:35 -0600

The senate is expected to vote today or tomorrow on a bill that extends the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers.

The credit is due to expire on November 30, and would be extended until April 30 and expanded to include more affluent homebuyers. People who have owned a home for at least five years would also be eligible for a $6,500 credit if they move!

This is great news for the real estate market when the bill passes. The good part is it will include ALL homebuyers.

Sales Lost Forever Due to Incomplete and Incorrect Info

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:32:01 -0600

As I scan the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) on a daily basis, to see what is available for my buyers and to see what listings have expired, I find incomplete and incorrect information.

About half of my clients are looking for horse properties. When I search for a horse property, I scan under the category of farms. Did you know that 1 acre is a farm? I wonder what they are raising on an acre. Maybe guinea pigs?

A buyer called me and wanted to see a farm that sounded like a great deal: 14,530 acres for $200,000. WOW!! That is a great deal! Looking up the listing, I find it is located in town. I don't think there are 14,530 acres available in town. You think maybe it is 14,530 square feet??

How about properties that are listed with 0 square feet or 0 acres of property. In all honesty, I haven't seen a house around that has no land whatsoever around it.

Or how about a description like this: "Impeccable condition! Owner sad to leave this house." This doesn't tell me a thing about the house. Is there anything in the house?

When I scan through the expired listings, I notice some of the homes that I come across I had buyers that may have had an interest in it. So why did the listing expire? It was no where to be found when searched.

I guess there was no interest in selling these listings that have incomplete and incorrect information. If there was an interest, the information would have been double checked to make sure all was correct and complete so that it can be found.

So the next time a listing does not sell, it might not be because of price or location. It could be because no one was able to find it.

Wordless Wednesday - Now That's More My Size!!

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:50:02 -0600

Trexler Nature Preserve Opens for All to Enjoy

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:40:50 -0600

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.

Remember to Change Your Clocks!!

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:01:24 -0500

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 Golf - Funny Friday

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:41:45 -0500

Catholic or not you have to laugh at this one.

A Catholic priest and a nun were taking a rare afternoon off
and enjoying a round of golf.

The priest stepped up to the first tee and took a mighty swing.
He missed the ball entirely and said "S**t, I missed."

The good Sister told him to watch his language.

On his next swing, he missed again. "S**t, I missed."

"Father, I'm not going to play with you if you keep swearing,"
the nun said tartly.

The priest promised to do better and the round continued.

On the 4th tee, he misses again. The usual comment followed.

Sister is really mad now and says, "Father John, God is
going to strike you dead if you keep swearing like that."

On the next tee, Father John swings and misses again.
"S**t, I missed."

A terrible rumble is heard and a gigantic bolt of lightning comes
out of the sky and strikes Sister Marie dead in her tracks.

And from the sky comes a booming voice .......

"S**T, I MISSED!"

Local Hauntings in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:49:58 -0500

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!!

For The Dog Lover In All Of Us

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:38:07 -0500

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

Via Gary Woltal - Associate Broker REALTOR® Dallas Ft. Worth (Keller Williams Realty):

New Dog Breeds

The following breeds are now recognized by the AKC:

Collie + Lhasa Apso = Collapso, a dog that folds up easy for transporting

Spitz + Chow Chow = Spitz-Chow, a dog that throws up alot

Pointer + Setter = Poinsetter, a traditional Christmas pet

Great Pyrenees + Dachshund = Pyradachs, a puzzling breed

Pekingnese + Lhasa Apso = Peekasso, an abstract dog

Irish Water Spaniel + English Springer Spaniel = Irish Springer, a dog fresh and clean as a whistle

Newfoundland + Basset Hound = Newfound Asset Hound, a dog for financial advisors

Terrier + Bulldog = Terribull, a dog that makes awful mistakes

Bloodhound + Labrador = Blabador, not a popular dog with CIA agents

Malamute + Pointer = Moot Point, owned by... oh, well, it doesn't matter anyway

Collie + Malamute = Commute, a dog that travels to work

Deerhound + Terrier = Derriere, a dog that's true to the end

Know What You Want In a Home

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:18:14 -0500

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.

Wordless Wednesday - And They're Off . . . . .

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:51:11 -0500

Nazareth, Pennsylvania Halloween Parade

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:03:26 -0500

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 are the American League Champions!!

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:31:31 -0500

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!!!!

Glossary of Horse Terms - Funny Friday

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:36:41 -0500

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

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:59:09 -0500

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