Poconos Real Estate Blog

Concerned About Your School Property Tax Bill? Vote In The PA Primary!

2013-05-06T12:45:41-04:00

Many people often miss the boat when it comes to exercising their right to vote. Presidential elections get all the glory, but how important is it to vote in off-years and also in the Primaries? Very! Take your local school board elections, for instance: Members of your school board determine where your property tax dollars are spent, the quality of the education provided to children, AND how much your school district collects from you in taxes!

Election of these people affects homeowners' single biggest yearly/montly expense. Not kind of, sort of, maybe...school board elections affect your pocketbook directly, and in a big way. Here in Monroe and Pike Counties in the Poconos, it is critical that you vote every year, twice a year, in both the Primary and General Elections to be sure you are represented by common-sense, fiscally responsible, accountable members who will provide the highest quality education that the homeowners who pay the bill can afford.

This year the municipal primary election here is May 21, 2013, and school board elections are the highlight of the ballot in every municipality. Mark your calendar and get out to vote! And if you cannot get to the polls that day, plan ahead and vote by absentee ballot before May 17.

Monroe County, PA has an excellent summary of polling locations and ballot information here.

Find election information for Pike County, PA here.

Your vote really counts in these local races. Make it happen! :)

Stroud Landlords: Register Your Tenants

2013-04-29T17:30:00-04:00

All landlords with residential rental properties in Stroud Township are required to register tenants with the Township every year by May 31. You must also report any tenant changes or vacancies within 30 days. There is no fee for this. Read more about the Tenant Registration Ordinance #5 - 2010 here, and print the required form here.

Don't forget that if your rental property is located in a homeowners association like Blue Mountain Lake or Penn Estates, you most likely have to register your tenants with them as well.

This is probably a good time, too, to make sure your properties are properly marked with the new 911 addresses issued last year.

If you own rental properties in other municipalities in the Poconos, you should check to see if there is a tenant registration requirement. Here is contact information for all municipalities in Monroe County, PA.

Looking for a property manager? Contact us at propertymanagement@realpocono.com

Looking For A House With A View? Consider Saw Creek Estates.

2013-04-26T15:00:00-04:00

Photo Credit: John Beljean, Bushkill, PA

Whether you are looking for wide open vistas or prefer a wooded creekside setting, you may be able to find your perfect home or weekend getaway in Saw Creek. Prices here are pretty reasonable, with properties available in the low $100's and even less. Additionally, Saw Creek's location in Bushkill allows easy access to Bushkill Falls, Shawnee Mountain, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and lots of other Pocono attractions.

Saw Creek Estates boasts amenities that rival any available in the Pocono region, with well-maintained resort-style facilities dispersed throughout the community: several pools, tennis courts, a ski hill, and playgrounds, and more, as well as indoor pools, tennis, raquetball, and weight training facilities. Saw Creek is a fantastic value when you compare association fees and what you get for them.

Find a home with a view in Saw Creek Estates via the Pocono Mountains Association of REALTORS MLS/IDX here

A little more about Saw Creek from the homeowner association's website:

Saw Creek Estates is a private residential subdivision of nearly 3,000 properties, conceived and developed as one of the premier, four-season recreational communities in the Pocono Mountains. Construction of roads, common area facilities and amenities was begun in the mid 1970’s by Lehman-Pike Development Corporation. Sales of year-round and vacation homes continued at a brisk pace throughout the 80’s and 90’s.

Saw Creek Estates Community Association, Inc. was formed for the purpose of managing the rapidly growing community and transitioning full control from the developer to the property owners. All property owners are members of the Association, which is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the membership, and managed by an experienced staff of professionals. The transfer of control was completed in the year 2000 and since that time, the community has continued to grow and flourish.

Today Saw Creek Estates is one of the largest, best managed and most financially sound private communities in the region.

Sunset view from Top of the World Restaurant

One of the coolest things about Saw Creek is that it has its own restaurant, Top of the World, which allows owners and their guests to enjoy casual dining, fine wines and beverages, and weekend entertainment like live music and karaoke. How convenient is that?

Many homes in Saw Creek have beautiful scenic views

Interested in finding out more about Saw Creek? Contact me!

Find a home with a view in Saw Creek Estates via the Pocono Mountains Association of REALTORS MLS/IDX here

You can see for miles from some properties!

A Pocono Weekend: Photos From A Hike

2013-04-22T12:13:32-04:00

See that hawk? Was about the size of a Cessna! ;)

Happy Earth Day!

No matter where you live or stay in the Poconos, you aren't far from outdoor adventures. And now that the weather is breaking, it's time to get out and enjoy it! This weekend I checked out Tumbling Waters Trail, one of six trails at the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC). Getting there is easy as it is a short and lovely drive north on 209 toward Dingman's Ferry from Bushkill. My hiking partner and I have been slowly building up the difficulty of our hikes, using the rich outdoor resources of the Poconos as our personal gym. This is one exercise I actually look forward to doing and do regularly! Had to take a break about half-way through the three mile excursion though:

If you're interested in seeing the route, check out the PEEC Trail Map. Tumbling Waters is the orange trail, and offers a little bit of all of the best Pocono scenery: breathtaking views of the mountains, ponds and streams, waterfalls, woods with foliage and wildlife, and even some ruins:

Chimney ruins: Quite an amazing homesite, no?

Old and weathered but still standing!

Beware, though...there is one section of the trail called Killer Hill, aka Cardiac Hill. Luckily, you can rest up before you tackle this climb and take in some negative ions at the spot that gave the trail its name, Tumbling Waters Falls:

Can't wait til next weekend!

What It Means To Be A REALTOR

2013-04-19T14:55:00-04:00

This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the National Association of REALTORS, so I thought a little shout out to this document and to my fellow professionals was appropriate. I am so proud of what we stand for as stewards of our industry, our communities, and our Country.

The Code has gone through many iterations over the last hundred years, it’s relevancy ever critical to how we REALTORS conduct ourselves in the world. It really is not just a Code, it’s a way of doing business and living our lives. Every REALTOR has pledged to uphold the standards set forth in the Code and be professional in their dealings. The history and tradition of the Code has as it’s first priority protection of the public and it outlines our duties to clients and customers, as well as to each other. The Code of Ethics existed before any real estate licensing laws and has been the standard that state lawmakers and regulators strive to match. The Code of Ethics guides us in how we conduct ourselves and the commitments we represent.

Take the Preamble to the Code of Ethics for example. It is quite inspiring, presents a big picture vision of our obligations to society, and outlines a lofty ideal. To me, this Preamble is paramount, as it directs us to accept the responsibility of being actively involved in the protection of the rights of home ownership, being stewards and teachers in our industry, and continually striving to be better at what we do. I believe these things to be the foundation of real estate agent professionalism, being committed to all things real estate, in our lives and in our communities:

Under all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization. REALTORS® should recognize that the interests of the nation and its citizens require the highest and best use of the land and the widest distribution of land ownership. They require the creation of adequate housing, the building of functioning cities, the development of productive industries and farms, and the preservation of a healthful environment.

Such interests impose obligations beyond those of ordinary commerce. They impose grave social responsibility and a patriotic duty to which REALTORS® should dedicate themselves, and for which they should be diligent in preparing themselves. REALTORS®, therefore, are zealous to maintain and improve the standards of their calling and share with their fellow REALTORS® a common responsibility for its integrity and honor.

In recognition and appreciation of their obligations to clients, customers, the public, and each other, REALTORS® continuously strive to become and remain informed on issues affecting real estate and, as knowledgeable professionals, they willingly share the fruit of their experience and study with others. They identify and take steps, through enforcement of this Code of Ethics and by assisting appropriate regulatory bodies, to eliminate practices which may damage the public or which might discredit or bring dishonor to the real estate profession. REALTORS® having direct personal knowledge of conduct that may violate the Code of Ethics involving misappropriation of client or customer funds or property, willful discrimination, or fraud resulting in substantial economic harm, bring such matters to the attention of the appropriate Board or Association of REALTORS®. (Amended 1/00)

Realizing that cooperation with other real estate professionals promotes the best interests of those who utilize their services, REALTORS® urge exclusive representation of clients; do not attempt to gain any unfair advantage over their competitors; and they refrain from making unsolicited comments about other practitioners. In instances where their opinion is sought, or where REALTORS® believe that comment is necessary, their opinion is offered in an objective, professional manner, uninfluenced by any personal motivation or potential advantage or gain.

The term REALTOR® has come to connote competency, fairness, and high integrity resulting from adherence to a lofty ideal of moral conduct in business relations. No inducement of profit and no instruction from clients ever can justify departure from this ideal.

In the interpretation of this obligation, REALTORS® can take no safer guide than that which has been handed down through the centuries, embodied in the Golden Rule, “Whatsoever ye would that others should do to you, do ye even so to them.”

Accepting this standard as their own, REALTORS® pledge to observe its spirit in all of their activities whether conducted personally, through associates or others, or via technological means, and to conduct their business in accordance with the tenets set forth below. (Amended 1/07)

This is why you see may see many of us taking active roles in all levels of government and our communities, whether it is actually running for office, attending meetings, offering counsel, supporting candidates and causes, etc. Organizations like homeowner associations, school boards, planning commissions, and city councils, in the Poconos and in every other area in the country, all benefit from REALTORS actively participating.

Sure, we are all in business to earn a living, but the most professional of us, those dedicated to upholding the ideals in the Code of Ethics and the tenets of a thriving, healthy marketplace, continually work to stay current on issues, educate ourselves about our industry, and embrace every aspect of the business. This is not a ‘what’s in it for me’ business. It’s the business of shoring up the foundation of our country by being an actively participating citizen REALTORS. After all: “Under all is the land.”

Read the entire Code here

Audio: Why the Code of Ethics matters to consumers