Harleysville-Lansdale Real Estate and More

Wordless Wednesday - Some Ideas Are Better On Paper...

The Scott Loper Team Lansdale & Harleysville PA Homes (RE/MAX Realty Group) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 10:17:50 -0400

Contact Scott Loper, Associate Broker, Realtor®, RE/MAX Realty Group at 215-513-1333 for help buying or selling a home in Lansdale, Harleysville, Hatfield, Souderton, Skippack, Collegeville, North Wales and the surrounding areas of Montgomery County Pennsylvania. To Search for Homes For Sale in Montgomery County Click Here.

The Scott Loper Team
Scott Loper - Associate Broker
Lisa Loper - Sales Associate
RE/MAX Realty Group
439 Main Street
Harleysville, PA 19438
Ph: 215-256-1200 x-213

More About Historic Souderton Borough

The Scott Loper Team Lansdale & Harleysville PA Homes (RE/MAX Realty Group) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 09:59:13 -0400

Historic Souderton Borough is a wonderful place to live with good schools, shopping and commuter routes nearby. Named a Classic Town of Greater Philadelphia, the Boroughs of Souderton and neighboring Telford provide residents with a small town feel and the ability to walk to many fine restaurants, shops, businesses, parks and the theater. Residents of Historic Souderton Borough attend the award winning Souderton School District.

The areas of Souderton and Telford were originally inhabited by the Lenape Indians; William Penn purchased the land from the Lenape in 1684. The land developed into farming and textile plants with a railroad being established by the late 1800's. With such a long history, the boroughs of Souderton and Telford have a rich and varied architecture including Victorian, Queen Anne and Arts and Crafts.

Univest established its headquarters in the Souderton-Telford area back in 1877. A major bike race, the Univest Grand Prix and Community Expo, comes to the area every September. This coming weekend, September 10-12, the 83-mile race will take place drawing 150 professional riders to the area.

Housing is very affordable in Souderton - to be near the heart of Souderton Borough, check out...

31 N. Front Street, Souderton, PA 18964

4 BR / 1.5 BA twin with brand new Central Air and a completely renovated 3rd Floor with a vaulted cathedral ceiling, new windows, new carpet, and fresh paint.

MLS #: 5748006

Asking Price: $214,900

Click here for a virtual tour of this Historic Souderton Borough Home for Sale!

For more information, to schedule a showing or find other homes for sale in Historic Souderton Borough, please call Scott Loper at 215-513-1333.

Contact Scott Loper, Associate Broker, Realtor®, RE/MAX Realty Group at 215-513-1333 for help buying or selling a home in Lansdale, Harleysville, Hatfield, Souderton, Telford, Skippack, Collegeville, North Wales and the surrounding areas of Montgomery and Bucks Counties of Pennsylvania. To Search for Homes For Sale in Montgomery County Click Here.

The Scott Loper Team
Scott Loper - Associate Broker
Lisa Loper - Sales Associate
RE/MAX Realty Group
439 Main Street
Harleysville, PA 19438
Ph: 215-256-1200 x-213

The Weather is Always Sunny in Southeastern, PA - Well Usually...

The Scott Loper Team Lansdale & Harleysville PA Homes (RE/MAX Realty Group) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:06:53 -0400

In our ongoing blog series, What Is So Great About Montgomery County PA, here in Southeastern PA, we are blessed with four beautiful seasons and seemingly well protected from nature's occasional fury.

As Hurricane Earl threatens the eastern seaboard, we are not too worried here in Southeastern PA. Hurricanes have swept by over the years, but rarely has Southeasten PA ever taken a direct hit from one. Pennsylvania is also just far enough inland that we only seem to get the remnants of hurricanes and the accompanying wind and rain, which will indeed cause some localized flooding but never the devastation from a direct hit - the jet stream is our friend here in Pennsylvania.

So besides hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and wildfires are virtually unheard of here in Southeastern PA.

What about snow and blizzards? Yes, you do need to like snow to live in Pennsylvania, but much to every child's annoyance, we don't always get a ton of snow each winter. Winter varies from mild to downright cold and blustery. But there is not a single child or puppy dog in this state who hasn't completely delighted in the first snowfall of the season. Families in Pennsylvania make lasting memories with snowball fights, sledding, skiing, and best of all THE SNOW DAY - maker of the best impromtu playdates and pot luck dinner parties ever!

Spring is always a welcome relief after a long cold winter. The trees and bulbs flower just before everything turns green. Everyone comes out to play - bikes, baseball, gardening, you name it. You find every and any excuse to be outside.

Summers are typically hot and sunny with lots of flowers, fruits and vegetables. Fireflies are out at night lighting up the trees. The smell of BBQ's fill the air. The days are long and relaxed.

Fall brings a welcome relief after a long hot summer. The kids go back to school. The trees turn brillant colors of red, orange and yellow before they drop their leaves. Hayrides, bonfires, pumpkin carving and football games are on everyone's agenda.

So while many may yearn for tropical breezes year-round, so many people who have tried the move South find themselves returning to Pennsylvania - family, friends, roots and the seasons bring them back home. If you are considering a move to Southeastern Pennsylvania, you may not love the weather on a particular day but you will love the weather year round.

Come, we would be happy to show you around any season!

~Lisa

The Scott Loper Team
Scott Loper - Associate Broker
Lisa Loper - Sales Associate
RE/MAX Realty Group
439 Main Street
Harleysville, PA 19438
Ph: 215-256-1200 x-213

Scott Loper Gets Top Honors from Philadelphia Magazine

The Scott Loper Team Lansdale & Harleysville PA Homes (RE/MAX Realty Group) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:44:25 -0400

We are pleased to announce that Scott Loper was named as a 5-Star Real Estate Agent in the September 2010 issue of Philadelphia Magazine.

There are a few things that make this award very special:

* Less than 2% of the Realtors in the Philadelphia area were given this award.

* Philadelphia Magazine in partnership with Crescendo Business Services conducted an independent survey of consumers, mortgage and title companies to identify potential nominees for this award and then conducted a thorough screening process to idenitfy the actual award recipients.

* There were no fees involved to be included in the screening or to be a final award recipient.

* Real estate agents had to achieve the highest scores in overall consumer satisfaction in order to be included on the final list of award recipients.

We are extremely grateful for this recognition of our commitment to our clients and our profession.

Congratulations to Active Rain members Christopher and Stephanie Somers for also being included on the final list of recipients!

~Lisa

The Scott Loper Team
Scott Loper - Associate Broker
Lisa Loper - Sales Associate
RE/MAX Realty Group
439 Main Street
Harleysville, PA 19438
Ph: 215-256-1200 x-213

Wordless Wednesday - The Pennsylvania Harvest is in Full Swing

The Scott Loper Team Lansdale & Harleysville PA Homes (RE/MAX Realty Group) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:12:31 -0400

New Jersey may be nicknamed The Garden State, but we do okay next door...

I see some amazing chili, gumbo, cobbler, salad, and sauces in our future!

~Lisa

The Scott Loper Team
Scott Loper - Associate Broker
Lisa Loper - Sales Associate
RE/MAX Realty Group
439 Main Street
Harleysville, PA 19438
Ph: 215-256-1200 x-213

Funny Friday - Golfer Jokes

The Scott Loper Team Lansdale & Harleysville PA Homes (RE/MAX Realty Group) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:26:35 -0400

Scott and I are going to take our son golfing today for the first time. I might have to try a few of these on my guys! Have a great weekend.

~Lisa

The 10 Best Caddy Putdowns - EVER!

#10 Golfer: "Think I'm going to drown myself in the lake."
Caddy: "Think you can keep your head down that long?"

#9 Golfer: "I'd move heaven and earth to break 100 on this course."
Caddy: "Try heaven, you've already moved most of the earth."

#8 Golfer: "Do you think my game is improving?"
Caddy: "Yes sir, you miss the ball much closer now."

#7 Golfer: "Do you think I can get there with a 5 iron?"
Caddy: "Eventually."

#6 Golfer: "You've got to be the worst caddy in the world."
Caddy: "I don't think so sir. That would be too much of a coincidence."

#5 Golfer: "Please stop checking your watch all the time. It's too much of a distraction.."
Caddy: "It's not a watch - it's a compass."

#4 Golfer: "How do you like my game ?"
Caddy: "Very good sir, but personally, I prefer golf."

#3 Golfer: "Do you think it's a sin to play on Sunday?"
Caddy: "The way you play, sir, it's a sin on any day."

#2 Golfer: "This is the worst course I've ever played on."
Caddy: "This isn't the golf course. We left that an hour ago."

#1 Best Caddy Reply...

Golfer: "That can't be my ball, it's too old."

Caddy: "It's been a long time since we teed off, sir."

The Scott Loper Team
Scott Loper - Associate Broker
Lisa Loper - Sales Associate
RE/MAX Realty Group
439 Main Street
Harleysville, PA 19438
Ph: 215-256-1200 x-213

1300 Convicted Prisoners Receive $8,000 First Time Homebuyer Tax Credits

The Scott Loper Team Lansdale & Harleysville PA Homes (RE/MAX Realty Group) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 09:18:31 -0400

Unbelievable!

Thanks to Myrl for this information.

Via Myrl Jeffcoat (Real Living Great West Real Estate):

Real Estate Professionals often lament about mortgage lenders that provided liar loans and mortgages to otherwise unqualified homebuyers, and helped kick-start the housing crisis we presently find ourselves in. But how about adding salt to the wound by finding out the IRS actually sent $9 million in First Time Homebuyer Tax Credits to 1300 convicted prisoners across the country!

Ya gotta love Mike Leury of Sacramento TV station KOVR Channel 13. And that's even if you don't live in Sacramento, and are located most anywhere around the country. Mike has a special knack for uncovering outrageous boondoggles - such as this one, which he covers in a news segment titled, "On The Money."

This evening, Leury reported on the government disclosure - an audit by the federal government, which found the 1300 inmates nationwide, collected the millions, which were supposed to help stimulate the economy. Some prisoners were serving life sentences.

Along with the two million folks who bought homes due to the popular First Time Homebuyer program, hundreds of convicted criminals also managed to collect the $8,000 tax credits while sitting in prison.

If folks are scratching their heads and wondering how prisoners were able to receive refunds for homebuyer credits on their tax returns, the federal audit discloses, "It's because Internal Revenue Service prisoner files are incomplete."

The IRS is trying to recapture the $9 million in wrongly collected funds.

For the complete story as presented by Mike Leury, you can access his "On The Money: Inmate Homebuyers?" report.

In another blog, "We Should Be Mad as Hell and We Shouldn't Take it Anymore," which I titled a few days ago, I addressed another of Leury's reports which exposed California State Lands Commission failure to collect rent on 500 acres of land for twelve years from USS-Posco, as well as rents for six years from an oil company on a pipeline crossing state lands - Boondoggles that cost the state California millions in lost revenue.

Real Living Great West Real Estate
(916) 635-0420
http://www.myrljeffcoat.com

The Scott Loper Team
Scott Loper - Associate Broker
Lisa Loper - Sales Associate
RE/MAX Realty Group
439 Main Street
Harleysville, PA 19438
Ph: 215-256-1200 x-213

Time Is Your Most Valuable Asset - Use It Wisely But Don't Be Stingy

The Scott Loper Team Lansdale & Harleysville PA Homes (RE/MAX Realty Group) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:31:12 -0400

Remember college? Remember all the time we had on our hands?

Sure some of the coursework was daunting, but it still seemed in college that we had all the time in the world. I can remember spending a whole day watching movies with my roommates, riding with friends three hours round trip to keep them company when they wanted to get something from their parents' house, or spending a whole weekend helping friends move.

But we had no responsibilities back then. No mortgage payments to make, no kids to drive around, no houses to clean and maintain, no clients calling with requests - all we had was time. And those friendships were great, the kind that last forever, even when life started to get busy and in the way.

One of the most valuable things we can offer our kids, our friends and our clients right now is our time. I know it is precious and you don't want to waste it, but you'd be surprised the rewards that will come if you loosen the reigns just a little bit on your time. Sit down and watch what your kids are watching on tv, help a friend move, have a cup of coffee with a client, spend a little extra time on a thank you note or photographs of a listing, take a little extra time, extra care.

Make the people in your life think they are the only ones that matter, be the friend that you were in college.

~Lisa

The Scott Loper Team
Scott Loper - Associate Broker
Lisa Loper - Sales Associate
RE/MAX Realty Group
439 Main Street
Harleysville, PA 19438
Ph: 215-256-1200 x-213

Home Technology Trends: KVAR Energy Controller

The Scott Loper Team Lansdale & Harleysville PA Homes (RE/MAX Realty Group) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:47:18 -0400

For full disclosure, we don't own a KVAR Energy Controller but it comes highly recommended by another agent in our office who feels that it did make a difference on her electric bill. We are considering a purchase. However, there is controversy over their effectiveness. If you have experience with these units, please share your story. ~Lisa

A KVAR Power Factor Optimization is a patented energy controlling device that can be installed at the main electric distribution panel in your home. It claims to optimize the electric motors throughout your home, saving users on average 6% to 15% on their electric bill.

This KVAR energy controller (KEC) reduces a home's overall demand for electricity by reducing the electricity that is lost or wasted. It will store what would otherwise be wasted electricity and release it in a way for motors to function more efficiently.

The manufacturer claims that other advantages of a KEC include:

$ It will reduce amperage surges and can serve as a whole house surge protector.

$ It will increase the life of motors and appliances using motors.

$ It will reduce the harmful effects from electromagnetic fields and magnetizing currents in your home.

$ It helps the environment by reducing the electrical demands of your home.

$ The return on investment is relatively quick with the average installed cost around $500.

Some skepticism exists on the internet about the true savings offered by the KVAR energy controller. Before purchasing, discuss the potential benefits with your electrician. And talk with a KVAR rep and see if you can get their guaranteed savings in writing.

The Scott Loper Team
Scott Loper - Associate Broker
Lisa Loper - Sales Associate
RE/MAX Realty Group
439 Main Street
Harleysville, PA 19438
Ph: 215-256-1200 x-213

Call Your Insurance Agent Before Vacating a Short Sale Home

The Scott Loper Team Lansdale & Harleysville PA Homes (RE/MAX Realty Group) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:49:25 -0400

This seems like a very good word of warning for sellers and their agents out there. Not just those involved in short sales, it can happen as homes sit on the market longer and sellers have moved on to their new homes.

Thanks Elizabeth!

Via Elizabeth Weintraub, Sacramento Short Sale Agent, Land Park, Sac 916-233-6759 (Lyon Real Estate):

It happened again. This time to a different short sale and not in Sacramento. This short sale is in Roseville. High demand neighborhood -- such high demand that I received more than a dozen calls within 24 hours of putting this short sale on the market. Several months later, I'm still receiving phone calls and inquiries.

We received short sale approval for an all-cash offer and were headed for closing when a buyer's agent in Roseville called to put me on the alert. Even though this vacant home has been in active short contingent status for a while, agents still show it. I don't know why. But this particular agent noticed the air conditioning unit was missing. That huge component that sits on the side of most homes in the yard.

Turns out not only did thieves steal the A/C unit, but they ripped out the home's entire electrical panel as well. Then, I suspect they set the side yard on fire. The grass looked burned in the photos I received. Where are the neighbors when these things happen, I wonder?

I advised the seller to file a police report and notify his insurance company. However, in this particular instance, I believe that insurance will most likely not cover any damage because the home has been vacant for more than 30 days. So, that leaves me having to ask Bank of America for a price reduction.

Last month, thugs broke into a Natomas short sale and swiped the appliances. Fortunately, they didn't do further damage, and it was just the dishwasher and range that were stolen.

I tell all my short sale sellers to make sure they carry adequate insurance on a vacant home because their existing homeowner's insurance probably won't pay on a claim. But nobody ever thinks anything bad will happen to them. It's always the next guy or the next town over. Of course, the problem with this is rates to insure a vacant house are expensive. If a seller can't make a mortgage payment, a seller probably can't afford a special insurance policy, either.

Steve Poizner, insurance commissioner at the California Department of Insurance, released a statement last week warning homeowners to review their insurance policies and to consider vacancy protection options. Pretty timely advice, I'd say.

---

Elizabeth Weintraub is an author, home buying columnist for The New York Times-owned About.com, a Land Park resident, and a Land Park real estate agent who specializes in older, classic homes in Land Park, Curtis Park, Midtown and East Sacramento. Weintraub is also a Sacramento Short Sale agent who lists and successfully sells short sales throughout Sacramento. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759. Put 35 years of real estate experience to work for you. DRE License # 00697006.

The Short Sale Savior, by Elizabeth Weintraub, available through bookstores everywhere and at Amazon.com.

Photo: Unless otherwise noted in this blog, the photo is copyrighted by Big Stock Photo and used with permission.

The views expressed herein are Weintraub's personal views and do not reflect the views of Lyon Real Estate.

The Scott Loper Team
Scott Loper - Associate Broker
Lisa Loper - Sales Associate
RE/MAX Realty Group
439 Main Street
Harleysville, PA 19438
Ph: 215-256-1200 x-213

Wordless Wednesday - Don't Make Me Do This

The Scott Loper Team Lansdale & Harleysville PA Homes (RE/MAX Realty Group) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 13:32:35 -0400

Not for the faint of heart... The canopy tour at Spring Mountain is tons of fun!

Just do it!

The Scott Loper Team
Scott Loper - Associate Broker
Lisa Loper - Sales Associate
RE/MAX Realty Group
439 Main Street
Harleysville, PA 19438
Ph: 215-256-1200 x-213

Zip Lining at Spring Mountain Ski Area, Spring Mount, PA

The Scott Loper Team Lansdale & Harleysville PA Homes (RE/MAX Realty Group) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:53:05 -0400

As summer winds down, there is still a lot of fun things to do in Montgomery County, PA. A great place for the adventurous of spirit is zip lining at Spring Mountain Ski Area in Spring Mount, PA.

Spring Mountain has created a canopy tour called the Full Monty that runs through the woods. You take a chair lift to the top of the mountain and then zip line from platform to platform with each zip getting longer and faster. You also must cross several challenging rope bridges (think Survivor) and perform two rappels. The entire course takes a few hours and several guides will ensure a safe and fun-filled time as you "fly" through the woods.

Shorter easier versions of the course called Vertigo and Easy Rider can be done if you don't wish to do the Full Monty.

For those with nerves of steel, you can do the entire course at night, called the Heart of Darkness Uncut. For more information on Zip Lining and Spring Mountain Canopy Tours.

To round out your exhilarating day, other fun activities at Spring Mountain include a 45-foot rock climbing wall and geo-caching.

Spring Mountain also offers the Tiki Bar which is a really fun outdoor restaurant and bar with great views of the mountain. The Tiki Bar has a huge outdoor grill where you grill your own dinner. They offer steaks, chicken, seafood and kabobs. Every meal comes with a salad, bread, and baked potato. For those 21 and over, you have to try at least one of the Tiki Bar's world famous Hurricanes!

So while the weather is still good, make a trip out to Spring Mountain Ski Area. There are tons to do besides ski. And in a few weeks, they will transform the place once again into Scream Mountain, offering a haunted house and haunted hayride!

So grab the family or better yet, get a group of families together and GO!

~Lisa

The Scott Loper Team
Scott Loper - Associate Broker
Lisa Loper - Sales Associate
RE/MAX Realty Group
439 Main Street
Harleysville, PA 19438
Ph: 215-256-1200 x-213

A Funny Video On This Rainy Monday

The Scott Loper Team Lansdale & Harleysville PA Homes (RE/MAX Realty Group) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:03:53 -0400

Attached is a very funny video that is currently on YouTube. It should bring a smile to your face as it parodies the dilemmas, egos, impressions, and realities of the current housing market.

If you or anyone you know is in the process of a loan modification, we would encourage you to contact a real estate agent or broker that you can trust to help you get out of your current situation. We know that not everyone currently behind on their mortgage payments is a social climbing intellectual. And likewise, we are not all blood sucking vampires as the video would suggest.

Blood Sucking Vampire Realtor

Enjoy!

~Lisa

The Scott Loper Team
Scott Loper - Associate Broker
Lisa Loper - Sales Associate
RE/MAX Realty Group
439 Main Street
Harleysville, PA 19438
Ph: 215-256-1200 x-213

Open House in Souderton PA - Sunday, August 22, 2010

The Scott Loper Team Lansdale & Harleysville PA Homes (RE/MAX Realty Group) — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 06:32:22 -0400

31 N. Front Street, Souderton, PA 18964

4 BR / 1.5 BA twin with brand new Central Air and a completely renovated 3rd Floor with a vaulted cathedral ceiling, new windows, new carpet, and fresh paint.

MLS #: 5748006

Asking Price: $214,900

*** OPEN HOUSE - SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2010 - 12-2PM ***

Welcome Home to 31 N. Front Street, Souderton, PA

The Scott Loper Team
Scott Loper - Associate Broker
Lisa Loper - Sales Associate
RE/MAX Realty Group
439 Main Street
Harleysville, PA 19438
Ph: 215-256-1200 x-213

Wordless Wednesday - Takes Your Breathe Away

The Scott Loper Team Lansdale & Harleysville PA Homes (RE/MAX Realty Group) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:20:44 -0400

The Scott Loper Team
Scott Loper - Associate Broker
Lisa Loper - Sales Associate
RE/MAX Realty Group
439 Main Street
Harleysville, PA 19438
Ph: 215-256-1200 x-213