Pennsylvania Legislature Does It Again

Well they've done it again.
The latest effort to enact property tax reform has gone down to defeat.

Is anybody surprised?

This is a legislature that claims to have a full time job legislating which only takes neighboring state 90 to 120 days. No property tax reform, no tort reform(which even supposedly liberal California has), no real requirement for automobile liability insurance. No wonder they have to meet all year, they have a large pile to dig through.

Did anybody expect them to improve a system with more local jusridictions than any other state in the country?

Making a Small Room Look Larger

Color:
– Light hues will open up the space, and painting the walls white will definitely maximize that effect.– Go monochromatic. If all white doesn’t work for your lifestyle, try painting the walls, trim and detailing in different shades of one color. Pick from off-white, beige, any pastel or neutral color.– Match the color of the furniture with the color of the walls. Stay away from contrasting colors, especially in big pieces such as the sofa.

Decoration:
– Medium-size furniture pieces work better than a big, prominent one. Avoid having many small pieces scattered all over the room, and arrange furniture at an angle to add visual interest to the place.– Track or recessed lighting works best for small spaces. Use a torchiere lamp to bounce light off the ceiling, and get rid of heavy drapery. Let the natural light come in as much as possible.– Mirrors are also a great way to make a room feel and look bigger. A big wall mirror right in front of a window will reflect light and color; so will a collection of smaller ones, distributed along one wall.

Organization:
– Any small space — even a tiny closet — will look bigger if it’s clutter-free. Get rid of little furniture dispersed all over, and move around pieces that block the view and walkway space.– Designers recommend getting pieces of furniture with open arms and legs, as well as small glass-top tables, so the light can filter through.– Make the most out of the space with multifunctional furniture. Invest in good quality pieces such as drop-leaf or removable-leaf tables and ottomans for storage and sitting purposes, among others

Window of Opportunity Open

Mortgage rates down.
Home selection up.
Window of opportunity open.

With mortgage rates at historic lows and plenty of homes for sale, things can’t get much better for buyers. Plus, South Central PA is a wonderful place to live.
Locally, we have enjoyed relative stability in the market compared with many areas in the U.S.

Yes, this is truly a GREAT time to buy a home!

Please contact me to take advantage of the opportunities available in this market.

Finally Some Good National Housing News

Recent word from National Association of Realtors that the inventory of homes is down. This is sure to include some that will come back on the market but it is good news so let's hope the national media gives this as much exposure as their chicken little reporting of those who had no credit not being able to repay their loans.

Now You and I Get to Pay for the Dummies Again

So Hillary finally does it.

A bunch of consumers bought homes they couldn't afford.

Her solution is to penalize every union pension fund, retiree, and average investor who has actually invested in these loans.

Once again let's penalize those who make a contribution to the nation to bail out those who chose not to make a contribution.

What's next subsidizing fuel purchases for those who bought Hummers and Escalades?

New in Lower Paxton from $300,000

It's been a long while coming but as the market shakes out, their are now brand new 2000 square foot single family homes in Lower Paxton Twp. for $300,000.

Well respected local builder has taken over subdivision from regional builder who didn't succeed in Harrisburg.

A Wish For Pennsylvania - Auto Insurance

A simple wish that the Pennsylvania legislature will pass a requirement that car insurance be mandatory beyond just the day when you apply for your tags.

Currently once you get your tags, you can cancel your insurance and drive merrily on. Of course this means that anyone you hit is out of luck.

When I questionaed the legislature, I was told the insurance industry was opposed.

Now the race gets interesting

After New Hampshire

The Democrats have to decide if the want the same old "no, no,no" or at least a package that looks new. Of course they have to decide what is politically correct not voting for the woman or not voting for the black man.

And on the Republican side so far the religious right has one and the patriot who wants to reward border criminals has one.

Maybe the nest one will bring a candidate who believes that government doesn't need to spy on our boardrooms or bedrooms and that the laws we have should be enforced before we pass another pile.

Harrisburg Bucks National Real Estate News

Average home sale prices in the Harrisburg area continured to go up in 2007.

According to Central Penn Multi-List, the average price was up 2.2 per cent from 2006.

Homes are taking longer to sell and there are more on the market, but there is no collapse here as the national media would have you believe.