Latest Posts

What the Market Taught Us?

So, as we slide out of the crazy sellers’ market of the past several years, we have time to catch our breaths and contemplate.  What are the new issues?  What did we learn?  The answer to question one:  none.  The answer to question two:  Hopefully a lot!  Let’s examine. In the crazy market it seemed that prices shot up daily. … Read On

Certificates of Resale

When listing a Property, you will learn quickly whether it is a condominium or in an association subjecting it to special laws requiring that buyers receive certificates of resale.  The purpose of the laws is to assure that buyers know the financial wellbeing of the common entity in which the property is a part.  It also assures that the buyer is not stuck with a financial obligation that should have been paid by the seller… Read On

Why the Deadline?

 Why as listing agents do we say that offers are to be submitted by a specific date and time?  Does that mean your seller will not accept an offer before that cut-off?  Does it mean that at the designated hour the seller will accept the highest/best offer without further negotiation?    The deadline concept was born prior to this market and for the situations where we knew multiple offers were forthcoming. … Read On

A Great Deal – Or Not?

It depends (the universal answer to all questions).  A time-of-listing, cash offer substantially over list price, sight unseen by well-heeled buyers sounds pretty good.  And your experience will likely reinforce that opinion.  But, I’m getting new cases that tell me “great offers” are not always so.  Here are some observations, and the obvious fixes.   First off… Read On

Non-Refundable Deposits

Where the market is hot, buyers will do just about anything to get their offers to stand out.  Big cash and waived contingencies have become routine.  I’m also seeing large, “non-refundable” deposits more than ever before.  What does “non-refundable” mean?  Does it means that the deposit is non-refundable under any circumstance?  What should we expect when the seller terminates the Agreement with no legitimate basis… Read On

Money Belonging to Another

We all know the importance of placing deposit monies in an escrow account.  Most of us know about the “next business day” rule.  And while most of us know that a deposit check can be held until the next business day following seller’s acceptance of an offer, few know why.  If you are weak on anything I’ve referenced above… Read On

When YOU Sell

By “you” I mean you, the person holding the real estate license.  And “sell” refers to the sale of property you own, alone, or with others.  There are a number of issues involving your marketing your real estate, but I want to touch on just a few. We begin with conflict of interest.  Is it a conflict of interest to market and sell your property? … Read On

An Odd Year

If the title is catchy, so be it. But this article is not about strange times. Actually, this article has everything to do with 2022 being an even year. And that means it is license renewal time.  In about 4 months the calls will begin. Some of you reading this, and many more who are not… Read On

GHAR Welcomes New Administrative Assistant

ENOLA (January 17, 2022) – The Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS® (GHAR) recently appointed Nicole Cook as its new Administrative Assistant. The Administrative Assistant role became available as GHAR’s Office Coordinator, Cindy Cuddeford, retired after 25 years of serving GHAR members. In this part time role, Cook will perform a wide variety of administrative responsibilities working directly with the CEO… Read On

Crazy Market Disclosure

Welcome to this unprecedented real estate market. The limited inventory of homes coupled with a great demand is causing fierce competition among buyers. So, put on your armor and grab your sword.  On the battlefield there lays an array of homes that will include your likely objective - some are dumps, some okay, and perhaps there is a gem… Read On