The Trouble with Tribbles or Why Loan Modifications are Failing to Solve the Foreclosure Problem

Welcome Back Readers!  I put up a post the yesterday about how FHA has recently changed their policies to allow loan modifications for qualifying borrowers before they miss a payment .  This is a great policy and I sincerely hope it will help more people stay in their homes.  The problem though is that in many cases it won’t.  Loan modifications nationwide are failing to help avoid foreclosures.  Why is that?  What does it have to do with Tribbles again?  Read on... Read More

A New Year, a New Code of Ethics

Ok, well maybe not entirely new, but there have been some changes the National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics (COE).  This important document governs our conduct with not only the public but also with each other and the standards outlined are what set us apart as an organization and as a profession from other salespeople.  In the interest of space I am not listing all the language specifically so to review the entire COE and understand better the context of these changes,... Read More

Lancaster Inspector’s Corner – January is National Radon Action Month

  Welcome Back Readers!  Thanks for stopping in again for another installment of The Inspector’s Corner with Matt Steger from WIN Home Inspection!  This week starts a series for January on Radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States according to the EPA.  Read on after the jump to learn more! Read More  Read More

It Isn’t a Question of “If” Waiting Will Cost You, but Rather “How Much?”

Waiting.  Sometimes a wise strategy, sometimes a foolish one.  When it comes to home buying, waiting will surely cost you.  There are a number of reasons why, but before I go into that, let’s get one thing clear…. if you aren’t in a positions to buy, if you truly can’t afford it, don’t do it.  But if you are unsure, if you are “thinking about it”, if you are planning to “start looking” in a few months, you need to hop... Read More

HUD Secretary Donovan woke up this morning and got himself a gun……

… and he plans to use it to take out the US Housing Market! I know, very dramatic.  Maybe even a little uncalled for.  On the other hand, there is really no other way to describe how potentially dangerous the policy changes that  HUD Secretary Donovan is proposing this week.  What are those changes? Read More  Read More

Inspector’s Corner – Fall Maintenance Tip 6 of 6 – Warm Coats are Good for Your House Too!

Happy Friday Readers!  Here we go, this is the last in a Series of 6 Fall Maintenance Tips from Matt Steger at WIN Home Inspection.  Don’t worry though, Matt will be back next week with more helpful tips and advice.  This week’s tip deals with the not so glamorous, but ever so important, issue of proper insulation.  The easiest way to lower your heating (and cooling) costs is to have the right amount of properly installed insulation.  Don’t know what... Read More

The numbers are in and they’re…… not that bad!

I know, I know, not the most inspiring title but seriously, when we look at market statistics in today’s ecnomy not that bad is pretty darn good!  Read on to find out more! Read More  Read More

It’s Back! PHFA Allows Buyers to use the First Time/Repeat Buyer Tax Credit to Close!

It’s official!  Today, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) announced that it has allocated funding in the amount of $5,000,000 for the continuation of their Tax Credit Advance (TCA) program!   This is a limited time offer, so take note, once they run out of money it will be too late, so you need to move now if you want to take advantage of it!  Read further for details! Read More  Read More