Open houses will begin in early November on weekends, but appointments can be arraigned to meet with a representative to tour different floor plans throughout the week. Bring your own house design and we will be glad to work with you.

Fox Run Creek Estates is located in an area of York County wit gently rolling hills with scenic vistas of the Skytop area north of Dover, PA. Parks including Pinchot State Park, Ski Roundtop are nearby. For more information visit us at: Fox Run Creek.

York College, Penn State York, Gettysburg College, HACC, and York Technical Institute are some of the campuses nearby.

The Pilgrim Team can help you find just the right property that could work for you. Contact us to discuss this opportunity further.

July 2009

Homes sold = 407, Total new listings = 859, average list price sold was $189,141 and sold price was $183,511, Average unsold median price was $228,398.

July 2010

Homes sold = 271, Total new listings = 741, average list price sold was $176,203 and sold price was $170,014, Average unsold median price was $370,201. The amount of time it will take the market to absorb the current inventory (3,220) would be 11.88 months.

As you can see that there was a -33% decrease in sales from a year ago. With a total inventory of 3,220 currently unsold homes, properties must be positioned at the correct price or the market (buyers) will reject the over priced properties. Most surprising is the huge jump in the unsold median price of homes ($370,201) which is a indication that the upper price brackets are not selling and continue to build in the inventory of homes. This is an alarming trend that must be reversed sooner rather than later.

With the current interest rates hovering in the low 4's NOW is the time to buy a home at low prices and with potentially low principle and interest payments. I believe the current economic uncertainty must be cleared up and property taxes always on the rise are putting a damper effect on higher end homes. Something must be done in Harrisburg soon or we face a worsening crisis with high end homes.

'What can homeowners do?' Customers who choose to find a new generation company can start by visiting www.papowerswitch.com said Christina Chase Pettis, a spokeswoman with the state's Public Utility Commission.  The PUC Web site walks customers through the process of finding a supplier, she said. By November, the site will be updated to include a list of the generation rates of several licensed companies, she said.  Area residents are likely to be inundated with mailings from companies over the next several months, but it's important to choose a company licensed with the state, she said.  It's also important to read the terms of the contract into which the customer would be entering. Some companies, just like credit cards, offer a low introductory rate that increases after the initial term expires, she said. Some companies also charge a penalty fee for canceling service before the contract expires, she said.  "It's not just as cut and dry as picking the lowest price," she said. "One company might only be cheaper for the first three months."  If a customer finds a rate lower than Met-Ed's and agrees to the terms of the contract, that company becomes the customer's generation supplier.  But customers don't have to do anything.  In that case, Met-Ed will continue to be the default provider, she said.  "The only way you're not going to have (electricity) is if you don't pay your bill," she said.  But customers who choose to stay with Met-Ed are likely to notice an increase on their bills.

'How much will my bill go up?' Though the PUC months ago predicted Met-Ed rates could increase as much as about 30 percent, recent projections show an increase of 9.1 percent.  Met-Ed hasn't committed to a number, but a spokesman said the first three of the four auctions for consumer electricity this year have had rates "about 10 percent higher than the capped rate that is currently in effect." By early November, after the last auction, consumers will know exactly how much of an increase to expect.

• The former residence of a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
• The former residence of a Revolutionary war colonel.
• The headquarters for two American generals.
• Buildings visited by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and George Washington.

Participants will also get a peek at York City as it was through a collection of drawings by Lewis Miller and William Wagner.

The walk begins at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6, and will last about two hours. Participants will be told where to meet after they register.

The fee is $12 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under. A goodie bag filled with coupons and gifts from downtown businesses will be given to each participant.

To register, call (717) 849-2331 or e-mail info@downtownyorkpa.com. When e-mailing or leaving a voicemail message, include your name, phone number and the number of people in your party. Payment will be collected at check-in before the tour begins.

Sonic plans to take down the former Lone Star building before building its new restaurant.

Sonic could open its York location this fall or spring.

Sonic has two other York County locations in Hanover and Red Lion.

Starting at 169,900! Fox Run Creek Estates offers a tranquil setting, outstanding mountain views, and nice level lots.  All homes are 4 bedrooms 2.5 baths with 2 car garages.  We have over 14 different floor plans and styles to fit almost anyone’s needs.

This is going to be a really nice neighborhood close to schools, shopping, and major highways.

For more information contact The PilgrimTeam.

With the low prices and low interest rates now, more than ever, is the time to buy.  Forget the first time buyer 8000 tax credit…current buyers can save way more than 8000 over the life of their loan at today’s interest rates…

The principal and interest on a 150,000 loan right now is in the area of only 700 per month!! When it comes to buying ~vs~ renting…it’s a no brainer!

We have a high inventory of homes to choose from and low rates, the timing couldn’t be better. Feel free to use our website www.PilgrimTeam.com to search for homes.

These low rates won’t last forever so don’t wait.

New homebuyers who are preparing to move into their new home will need to do their research and shop around to select a moving company they feel comfortable with. Even if you are moving cross-town or cross-country, many factors such as price, time, and of course quality will need to be considered. You want to find a reputable company who will not only give you a fair price, but also take great care of your belongings. While some moving companies may be better than others, accidents can and will happen. So should you purchase moving insurance?

1. Declared value: The value of your possessions is based on the total weight of the shipment multiplied by a specific amount per pound. For example, if the specific amount is $1.50 per pound, and your household goods weigh 15 000 pounds, the mover would be liable for a maximum of $22,500.
2. Lump sum value or Assessed Value: If your household goods do not weigh much, but are valuable, you can purchase insurance for a specific amount per $1,000 of value. This must be declared in writing in your contract, inventory paperwork o bill of lading.
3. Full value protection: This type of valuation most closely resembles actual insurance, and it includes lost, damaged or destroyed property. Just as with an insurance policy, the coverage will pay for the repair or replacement and deductible will apply.

Eventhough we are still in a sluggish economy and the market is slow, the good news is that

So how do you get your home off the market and into contract? Below are some helpful tips to getting your home sold quickly and the price you’re looking for:

1. Pick the agent who is right for your market. Find an agent that has a good track record with sales in your market range and neighborhood. Good sales stats in your price bracket demonstrate that the realtor knows what buyers are looking for and how to move property similar to yours. A great agent can help you move your home, even in a tough market.
2. Know your market. Understanding the ‘comps’ in your area will help you reach a realistic asking price and get a better handle on the competition. Ask your realtor to provide this information and also take opportunities to visit open houses for homes that are comparable to yours. You can learn a lot about staging, pricing and what is appealing to buyers.
3. Keep up with repairs and maintenance. Don’t hesitate to make necessary repairs and maintenance to your home when you are ready to sell. You don’t have to undergo major remodeling or expense. Simple updates like fixing broken steps, touch up painting and keeping your lawn mowed and flower beds cleaned out will really go a long way in making your home look move-in ready.
4. Be flexible. From having your home ready to show at a moment’s notice to your willingness to negotiate, the key to selling your home in a slow market is flexibility and responsiveness. Going the extra mile for prospective buyers can really make a difference in getting more people through the door ready to make an offer.
5. Add value. Remember that you are competing with short sales and foreclosures, so any extra value you can add to your home can make it more attractive. Whether it’s an appliance, patio furniture or a simple cost concession, small items can add up to big pluses when prospects are evaluating the total value of your home.

In a slow market, you need to get your home noticed quickly and be willing to negotiate so that prospective buyers see a great value in your property. Don’t stop looking for ways to make your home stand apart from the competition.

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The 4th of July weekend is almost here and people all over Yo

York Independence Celebration

Fireworks show: 9:20 p.m. Sunday at York Expo Center, 334 Carlisle Avenue
Show length: 30-40 minutes
Best parking: Free parking at Expo Center.
Other activities: Concert from the York Symphony Orchestra, York Junior Symphony Orchestra, York Youth Symphony Orchestra, and York Symphony Chorus at 7:30 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m.

Annual Fourth of July "BLAST"

This festive event will be held Independence Day weekend with children's parade, pageants, commercial and community displays, contests, arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, book sale, face painting, dunk tank, silent auction, raffle, games, battle of the bands, entertainment, fireworks and more. See website for more details and vendor forms. For more information call 717-428-1752 or visit their website at www.jacobuspa.com  

Freedom Fest 2010

This music festival at the Mount Hope Estate and Winery features 13 bands, including The Hackensaw Boys, Hoots and Hellmouth, Slimfit, and Toy Soldiers, along with local bands. There will be food vendors and a micro-brewery. Doors open at 11 a.m. Saturday and music starts at 1 p.m. and lasts till 11. Those who wish to may camp overnight until Sunday.
Admission: $10
Notes: Camping is free, but campers must register online. Campers will be served a pancake breakfast in the morning.
Info: http://www.parenfaire.com/

Fireworks Show

10 p.m. Saturday at Lititz Spring Park, 18 North Broad Street
Admission: Adults: $10, $8 in advance; Ages 2-10: $4; Under 2; free
Show length: 30 minutes
Best parking: Warwick High School and Lititz Recreational Center. Best view: Baseball field inside park.
Notes: Fireworks are synched to music. Fireworks can be seen from outside the park, but the music cannot be heard.
Other activities: Festivities start at 11 a.m. and include a zumba demonstration, a 3-legged race, an egg scramble, a candy scramble, sack races, and the 69th Queen of Candles Pageant. Live music by The Rodans, Dooligus, The Green Onions, and Bang Up Battery. At 7:30 p.m., Asbury Fever will perform a Bruce Springsteen tribute concert. Info: http://www.lititzspringspark.org/

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Homeowners across the country and here in York, PA are hearing about the so called advantages of walking away form their financial obligation (mortgage) on their home. Fannie mae has decided that they will not take this lightly when a homeowner has the ability to pay their mortgage, yet deciides not to. Fannie Mae announced they will not allow a homeowner to be eligible for a Fannie Mae backed loan for at least 7 years. They also have said that if a state that allows a deficiency judgement (Pennsylvania does) they will do just that. Fannie Mae is letting homeowners know they will not take this lightly and pursue a claim against these homwowners.

Think twice about how this can adversely affect their ability to get new credit and also could cause an potential or even a existing employer to hire or retain that person due to the foreclosure and judgement on the credit report.

Homeowners insurance continues to rise at alarming rates. Additionally, some new

What’s going on with property and casualty insurance?

1. Buyers should be aware of Chinese drywall and other inferior materials. Recently, Consumer Reports has highlighted an issue with faulty Chinese drywall. Bought cheaply, thousands of complaints are stating that the product is not only inferior and likely to fall apart, but is actually a health hazard. The problem is not widespread, but presents enough of a trend that insurers are covering their bases by excluding it from coverage or raising rates as a preventive measure against possible claims.
2. Location, location, location – and if your dream home is on a coastal waterway, be prepared to pay more for your homeowners insurance. What’s more, insurance companies are requiring separate deductibles for coastal property – primary insurance and secondary wind, water or specifically hurricane risk. If you file often, be prepared to go without; frequent claims cause insurers to cancel or not renew.
3. Lower home prices are also driving rates up and replacement or rebuilding coverage down. Even if the value of your home falls, shop around for the best price on covering your home in the event of a disaster, and make sure your coverage is adequate.
4. And if things aren’t bad enough, bad credit scores continue to drive up rates on homeowners insurance (as well as auto and other insurance). People with poor credit are considered to be a high risk for responsible behavior and an indicator of future financial trouble. With unemployment rates high and home prices falling, poor credit is driving up rates across insurance plans.

Understand your current homeowners insurance policy and the coverage you are paying for. Shop around – it pays off to compare and switch insurers for better rate plans. And remember, all kinds of market trends can factor in what you pay – and what you get for it.

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Think of it like this, and ask yourself these questions.  Does the corporation have a family to feed? Does the corporation need a place to live? Does it need to have credit in the future to buy a house or even rent an apartment? Does it need a job? If you need any or all of these things STAY AWAY from the idea of a strategic foreclosure. They entice you to milk the system for all it can give you at the time, but remember payback can come back to hit you in a big way.

The only good foreclosue is NO foreclosure. You need an expert with the experience like a CDPE (Certified Distressed Property Expert) who can work closely with the Banks to negotiate a settlement that will not adversely affect you for a very long time such as a foreclosure can. Please go to my web site www.pilgrimteam.com and seach for my CDPE site for additional information that can help you or someone you may know who is struggling with the possibility of foreclosure.

In last few years , it seems that we area always hearing negative news regarding the real estate market but now finally some good news is welcomed. According to National Association of Home Builders (

According to Bob Jones, NAHB Chairman, “Today’s report is very encouraging because it indicates that homeownership continues its more than year-long trend of remaining within reach of more households than it has for almost two decades.”

“With interest rates still hovering at low levels, companies starting to hire new employees and the economy beginning to rebound, this should encourage more home buyers to enter the market and help further stabilize housing and the economy.”

The national median home price for the quarter was $175,000. The NAHB uses a rule that no more than 28% of take-home pay can be used toward housing.

As with all real estate, location is key – Indianapolis and Youngstown, Ohio led the nation in affordability – 95% affordable based on local median income, followed by Dayton, Ohio, Syracuse, New York and Grand Rapids, Michigan.

New York City remains one of the least affordable cities, regardless of income. Still, any good housing news these days is cause for optimism, and home ownership is more than just a dream for many American families whose employment picture is stable.

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Summer is offically still a few weeks away but we are in the swing of lawn and garden season. Taking care of your lawn and garden does not have to be a chore, it can be a pleasure with the right tools. To get prepared, below is what every

1. Lawnmower – Of course this is a necessity! Most of us are familiar with standard rotary mowers – either gas or electric. The blades spin horizontally and often have a bag system for colleting grass clippings. Rotary mowers can be push, propelled or riding style. Reel mowers are push powered only. Falling out of favor to technology, reel mowers are becoming more popular because they are better for the environment and are much cheaper than rotary mowers.
2. Weedeater – string trimmers are almost exclusively referred to by the famous brand name, but there are a number of styles and brands available, electric and gas-powered. They are a must have for flower beds, around trees and for other small tight areas that can’t be mowed.
3. Spreader – these are generally push type, inexpensive buckets on wheels that spread fertilizer, seed or pest control materials quickly and evenly. Like lawnmowers, they also range in style and price depending on the size of your lawn and how much automation you choose.
4. Blowers – also gas and electric, (backpack blowers are gas-powered) these tools blow air directionally to clean sidewalks, walkways, patios, carports and garages. Faster and less back-breaking than a broom, they are especially handy if your lot is heavily treed.
5. Sprayer – sprayers come in various gallon sizes and are used to spot treat weeds or pests with liquid chemicals, allowing you to target troubled areas

Some of the smaller lawn maintenance tools that can be helpful, based on the complexity of your lawn and garden, and your interest in the details of lawn management can include:

• Thermometer
• Rain Gauge
• Soil probe and thermometer
• Trowels and hand tools

As with all tools, it’s a good idea to understand both the use and the care for your lawn equipment – including cleaning and storing them properly for the next use. Enjoy your landscape!

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The

FEMA allows buyers to "assume" the seller's existing policy without having to re-issue it.  The purchase requirement for flood insurance may be met with non-NFIP policies; for instance, Lloyd's of London, Chubb and AIG have offered such insurance, but it can be very expensive and is limited to a certain number of states, with other conditions.

The National Association of Realtors  has been working with FEMA, FHA, Fannie, Freddie and the VA to provide guidance, similar to what it provided in April, for lenders as to the steps they may take to meet flood insurance purchase requirement during an NFIP lapse. With updated guidance in hand, lenders should have the assurances that they need to continue to close loans. FHA has already issued updated guidance. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the VA, and other lending authorities are expected to release guidance shortly, and NAR will post the guidance at www.realtor.org.

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Most sellers avoid contingency contracts and may pressure you to move quickly and drop contingencies. But what if the property fails to appraise at the right value, or your lender fails to fund your loan? Know what you can include in your contract as a contingency and be prepared to stand firm!

The home inspection provides the opportunity to help you decide if you should walk from a tempting deal. Even properties that look well maintained and in good condition can have hidden flaws. In addition to the basic home inspection, there may be other inspections (for lead, termites, sewer and others) or areas that need to be addressed in your contract. Make sure you know what you are getting into!

The types of contingencies vary from state to state. Here are the top 10 most common contingencies and what be aware of as you make your offer>

Common Purchase Contract Contingencies

• Appraisal. Beware of the possibility that the appraisal may come in low.
• Loan Contingency. Your lender may fail to find your loan as requested, even if pre-approved.
• Home Inspection. One of the top indicators of flaws in the home.
• Lead-based Paint. Federal laws gives all buyers 10 days to inspect for lead-based paint.
• Wood Destroying Pest Inspection. The contract should specify who pays for termite inspection and correction.
• Roof Inspection. Make sure the roof is part of the home inspection, and if not specify a third party inspection for the roof.
• Sewer Inspection. This can be especially important for an older home or home on a septic system.
• Preliminary Title Report. Make sure the seller can transfer a clean title, with no unpaid liens against the property.
• Seller Statutory Disclosures. Some states require sellers to disclose all know material facts about the history of the property.
• Contingent on Selling Existing Home. This is one of the most common contingencies, and sellers usually specify a number of days to perform.

When negotiating your offer and contract, make sure you protect your rights as a buyer and understand your state laws and other requirements necessary to close on your new home!

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If you are planning on selling your home there are different expenes that will come up related to the sale. It is important to know what differnt costs be required as well as what exactly they are. Below is a list of some of the most common costs that come with selling your home.

Closing Costs: Although most of the closing costs are the responsibility of the buyer, the seller is expected to pay the property taxes and insurance up to the date of the closing, even if they're not due yet. In addition, some buyers will ask the seller for help with other closing costs as part of the negotiations.

Realtor Commission: Typically there's a 4 percent to 7 percent commission on the sale price of the house if you opt to go with an agent. Usually this rate is between 5 percent and 6 percent, so be sure to account for this cost when pricing your home and figuring up your expenses that come with selling your home.

Home Inspections: Although the buyer pays for the home and pest inspections, it's a good idea to get your own inspection before putting your house on the market. This way you're aware of any hidden problems before selling.

Legal expenses: Even if you are using a real estate professional and not selling your home yourself, you still may want an attorney to examine the sales contract and assist with closing, which can be complicated.

Prepayment penalty: Many mortgages have prepayment penalties if you pay off the mortgage early. Be sure to examine your mortgage agreement and read the fine print.

Other Fees Negotiated by the Buyer: Buyer negotiated fees are becoming more common in the current real estate market. Some of the most commonly seen buyer negotiated fees might include a home warranty paid for by the seller, the cost of repairs needed to make the sale, and the cost for a home inspection. Keep in mind that nost all parts of the real estate contract is negotiable.

Many homeowners are not aware of the costs involved with selling a home but there are some perks as well. With any home sale you are eligible for a tax write off of up to $250,000 gained in the sale of your home for a single owner, and $500,000 for married couples. This applies for most state taxes as well; check with a tax professional to get all the details of any tax credit that may be available to you and your situation. 

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