Mid-Year Check Up

Most people think of a reverse mortgage as a way for homeowners to access the equity they've built in their current home. While that's certainly true, many Realtors are surprised to learn that a reverse mortgage can also be used to purchase a new home. What Is a Reverse Mortgage? A reverse mortgage, also known as a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), is an FHA-insured loan available to homeowners age 62 and older. Instead of making monthly mortgage payments, eligible borrowers can use a portion of their home's equity to eliminate an existing mortgage, establish a line of credit, receive monthly payments, or simply improve cash flow. Borrowers remain responsible for paying property taxes, homeowners' insurance, maintaining the home, and continuing to occupy it as their primary residence. What Is a Reverse Mortgage for Purchase? A HECM for Purchase allows qualified buyers age 55 and older to purchase a new primary residence using a substantial down payment and a reverse mortgage—without the obligation of monthly principal and interest payments.* This program can be an excellent solution for: Buyers looking to downsize. Retirees relocating closer to family. Homeowners moving into a 55+ community. Clients seeking a home that better fits their retirement lifestyle. Buyers who want to preserve more of their retirement savings or investment assets. Instead of paying all cash for a home, buyers can finance part of the purchase through a reverse mortgage, allowing them to keep more of their liquid assets available for future needs. Why Realtors Should Know About This Program A Reverse Mortgage for Purchase can help clients: Increase purchasing power. Improve monthly cash flow. Preserve retirement savings. Purchase a home that better meets their long-term needs. Age in place more comfortably. For many older buyers, this financing option can make the difference between settling for a home and purchasing the one that truly fits their retirement goals. If you work with clients who are 55 or older, a Reverse Mortgage for Purchase may be worth exploring before they write an offer. *Borrowers must continue to pay property taxes, homeowners insurance, maintain the property, and occupy the home as their primary residence. The amount available depends on factors including the youngest borrower's age, current interest rates, and the home's value. Facts, opinions and information expressed in the Blog represent the work of the author and are believed to be accurate but are not guaranteed. The Lancaster County Association of Realtors is not liable for any potential errors, omissions or outdated information. If errors are noted within a post, please notify the Association. Posts represent the author's opinion and are not necessarily the opinion of the Association.

The excitement of a new home is undeniable. Unpacking, decorating, making it your own – it's a fresh start. But amidst the joy, a crucial question often lingers: what's the real story with the water? Whether you've inherited an existing water treatment system or are starting with a clean slate, understanding your water quality is key to a comfortable and confident transition. Think of it as a comprehensive home inspection, but for the water you and your family interact with every day. Beyond the Tap: Understanding Your Water's Potential It's easy to assume your water is fine. But just like any complex system in your home, water quality can vary significantly. Understanding it allows you to make informed decisions. We often encounter situations where: System Efficiency is Questionable: Older or poorly maintained systems might not be performing as expected, leading to less-than-optimal results. Water Composition Varies: Local water sources can contain unique minerals or contaminants that require specific treatment. System Suitability is Unclear: The existing system might not be perfectly matched to your home's needs or your family's preferences. Proactive Maintenance is Key: Just like regular car maintenance, water systems benefit from routine checks to ensure longevity and peak performance. Investing in knowledge about your water is an investment in your home's overall health and your family's comfort. The Power of Professional Water Analysis: Clarity and Confidence A professional water analysis provides a clear, objective picture of your water's quality and your system's performance. It's about gaining valuable insights, not dwelling on potential problems. A qualified expert will: Conduct Comprehensive Testing: Identify the precise composition of your water, highlighting any areas of concern. Perform a Detailed System Evaluation: Assess the functionality and efficiency of your water treatment system. Provide Informed Recommendations: Offer tailored advice on maintenance, adjustments, or upgrades to optimize your water quality. Empower You with Knowledge: Help you understand your water system and make confident decisions for your home. This proactive approach is about gaining control and ensuring you're providing the best possible environment for your family Building a Foundation for Healthy Living: Empower Your Home with Information Don't leave your water quality to chance. Understand your water and your system to create a healthy and comfortable home. A professional water analysis is a valuable tool for any homeowner, whether you're moving in, renovating, or simply seeking to improve your living environment. Gain the knowledge you need to make informed decisions and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your water is working for you. -Copyright © Unlocking Your New Home's Water Secrets: Know Before You Settle In. Jordan Evangelista, HQ Water Solutions . 2025. All Rights Reserved. Facts, opinions and information expressed in the Blog represent the work of the author and are believed to be accurate but are not guaranteed. The Lancaster County Association of Realtors is not liable for any potential errors, omissions or outdated information. If errors are noted within a post, please notify the Association. Posts represent the author's opinion and are not necessarily the opinion of the Association.

As busy real estate professionals, we juggle multiple memberships, each packed with benefits that can easily slip under our radar. It’s time to take a fresh look at what’s included in your membership—you might discover the perfect tool you need, right at your fingertips! We rely on BrightMLS daily for listing data, searches, client portals, and launching new listings. But did you know your subscription includes powerful tools beyond the basics? Marketing & Listing Tools CubiCasa – Free Floor Plans Quickly generate accurate floor plans using your mobile device. Upload your scan, and within 24 hours , you’ll receive a detailed floor plan at no extra cost. (An enhanced version is available for an additional fee.) For Listing Agents: Enhance your listings with professional floor plans. For Buyer Agents: Create floor plans for buyers when listings don’t include them. Get Started: Download the CubiCasa app today. RentSpree – Rental Management Simplified An award-winning rental software that streamlines the entire rental process. Included Features: Online rental applications & screening (applicant pays a fee) Rental Client Manager Rental Listing Page & Agent Profile Page Optional Upgrades (Monthly Fee): Rent estimator & rent collection Stay Informed RISMedia Subscription – Access real estate industry news, upcoming events, and reports directly from your BrightMLS homepage . Monthly Marketing Kit – Found under the "News" tab , this includes: Infographics for social media Central PA Monthly Market Report Education & Training Customer Success Coach Get personalized training and technical support. Lancaster County’s assigned coach: Jena Burley | 610-205-3317 Schedule an appointment at BrightMLS.com/officehours LCAR Streaming Training (via BrightMLS Collaboration) On-Demand Webinars Access ongoing training at your own pace, covering everything from beginner to advanced topics: Getting Started: Let us take you on a tour of your Workspace! Prospecting in Public Records New Feature: Nestfully App BrightMLS now includes access to the Nestfully App, a free tool to share listings and communicate directly with buyers. Pros: Convenient for buyer communication and listing sharing. Cons: Does not include listing documents or agent remarks—so if that’s essential, stick with the MLS-Touch App. Maximize Your Membership If you’re looking to sharpen your skills, enhance your client services, or manage rental properties more efficiently, take some time to explore everything included in your BrightMLS subscription. You might be surprised at the valuable tools already at your disposal!  Copyright © It's Included: Bright MLS - More Than Just Listings. Lisa Naples, Berkshire Hathaway HomeSale Homeservice Realty . 2025. All Rights Reserved. Facts, opinions and information expressed in the Blog represent the work of the author and are believed to be accurate but are not guaranteed. The Lancaster County Association of Realtors is not liable for any potential errors, omissions or outdated information. If errors are noted within a post, please notify the Association. Posts represent the author's opinion and are not necessarily the opinion of the Association.

Chances are you have had at some point in your career, a client who was interested in buying a property to use as a Short-Term Rental (STR). In recent years the popularity of these types of properties has grown due to a culmination of factors. Landlords realized profit margins are often greater than a standard yearly rental. Or they can help offshoot the cost of a vacation home, with income and tax status, but still leave availability for the owner to use. Travelers have taken a shine to them over hotels, due to the ability to stay with larger groups, affordability, and more comforts like real kitchens and gathering spaces. A problem arose when municipalities realized a significant amount of housing stock was being taken over by such rentals, thereby limiting standard rental housing, which obviously drives up prices. Residents began being priced out of areas due to lack of supply. In response, local governments began cracking down with ordinances and zoning laws. You may have even read about lawsuits in large cities such as New York and Los Angeles. (In NYC new STR regulations went into effect and now the number of legal STRs has gone from 10,800 to just over 800 licensed units at the beginning of December 2023.) A detailed list of each of Lancaster County’s municipalities’ STR rules and regulations would be fairly cumbersome and could easily become outdated. It’s best to either have your client look into the areas they are interested in and do their own research or help guide them along. I would also make the recommendation when buying an existing STR, to caution your client that nothing is written in stone and zoning rules can change. Even people’s travel preferences can change. My clients bought the second longest existing air bnb property in Lancaster City, and were running it as the same, when the city decided to change its STR boundaries. The odd thing was they were still allowed to do short-term over 30-day rentals, so the new law didn’t even seem to address the housing shortage in the first place! They were happily surprised by the demand for over 30-day (it often ends up being a few months rental) housing, many travel nurses and businesspeople booked stays. If your client does their budget on proposed short-term income and then has trouble paying the mortgage when the rules change, no one wins. -Copyright © Short-Term Rental Guidelines, Wendy Jo Hess, Puffer Morris Real Estate. 2025. All Rights Reserved. Facts, opinions and information expressed in the Blog represent the work of the author and are believed to be accurate, but are not guaranteed. The Lancaster County Association of Realtors is not liable for any potential errors, omissions or outdated information. If errors are noted within a post, please notify the Association. Posts represent the author's opinion and are not necessarily the opinion of the Association.

Ever wondered what happens when a fence, shed, or even a tree crosses into a neighbor’s yard? This short but insightful article breaks down real estate encroachments—what they are, why they matter, and how they can affect property value, legal rights, and even mortgage approvals. In this 2-minute read by Victoria Medvedeva, you'll learn the difference between minor and major encroachments, how to resolve disputes, and why a simple land survey can prevent major headaches down the road.

Pennsylvania’s Act 52, effective January 4, has brought significant changes to real estate wholesaling, requiring practitioners to be licensed, disclose their role to both buyers and sellers, and follow standard compensation rules. In this article, Richard Boas III explains what wholesaling is, how the new law reshapes the process, and what it means for industry professionals.

Under the law, buyers’ agents have a general ethical responsibility to advise their buyers that sellers have a legal obligation to provide a “completed property disclosure statement.” Pa. Code §35.284a(b)(1). They are also obligated to assure that a completed property disclosure statement was delivered to the buyers. Pa. Code §35.284a(b)(2). These requirements are set forth in the rules and regulations that were formally adopted by legislature, meaning this is “THE LAW.” There are some important components in these two sentences that I want to unpack for you.

Imagine showing your clients a beautiful home overlooking a serene landscape of neatly plowed fields and contented cows grazing in the distance. As you walk out on the stone patio, you tell them confidently, because you read in the agent remarks notes that the farm was enrolled in the Clean and Green Program, “this land and the amazing view will never be compromised with a housing development or anything else!” Your clients love the expansive openness, and the house, and settle on the property in short order. Then imagine getting a very angry call in three years’ time from these same clients, stating that the farm was sold and ugly mcmansions are about to be littering their landscape and how could you have lied and how could you be so ill informed and we are never going to recommend you to any of our friends, ever again! It feels like the making of a terrible stress dream, but it could easily happen if you don’t do your research into land preservation. There are different agricultural programs in place in Lancaster County and are not all created equal. This fictional farm above was part of the “ Clean and Green ” Program, which was enacted in 1974 as a tool to encourage protection of Pennsylvania’s valuable farmland, forestland, and open spaces. It applies to property ten acres or more and helps the landowner in that it bases property taxes on use values rather than fair market values, which ordinarily results in a substantial tax savings for the landowner. More than 9.3 million acres are enrolled statewide. However, it is not a guarantee that land enrolled in the program will never be changed from its origin. When a landowner, for example, decides to sell his farm to a developer, the party is subject to seven years of rollback taxes at 6% interest per year. The rollback tax is the difference between what was paid under Clean and Green versus what would have been paid, if the property had not been enrolled, plus 6% simple interest per year. So while seemingly substantial, may actually amount to small potatoes in the event the farm is being sold to a developer. A much more serious dedication to preserving land is “ The Pennsylvania Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program ”. It was developed to strengthen Pennsylvania's agricultural economy and protect prime farmland. It enables state and county governments to purchase conservation easements from farmers. The program was approved in 1988, and the first easement was purchased in December of 1989. To date, 6,400+ farms have been approved for easement purchases totaling 645,000+ acres. You undoubtedly have heard of the Lancaster Farmland Trust , which is a non-profit acting in the same manner but by using private funds to preserve farms. To date they have “saved” over 600 farms and they also add value by working with farmers to help implement conservation practices, etc. While it is tempting to assure a client that preserved farmland will never be altered from its present form, I would hesitate to make such a declarative statement that could someday find its way of being undone. In the current climate, it seems long held rules were made to be broken, and nothing is guaranteed. -Copyright © Clean & Green, Wendy Hess, Puffer Morris Real Estate. 2025. All Rights Reserved. Facts, opinions and information expressed in the Blog represent the work of the author and are believed to be accurate, but are not guaranteed. The Lancaster County Association of Realtors is not liable for any potential errors, omissions or outdated information. If errors are noted within a post, please notify the Association. Posts represent the author's opinion and are not necessarily the opinion of the Association.

Chickens are becoming a hot topic…whether it’s the increase in egg prices, or the continuing interest in homesteading, more clients are expressing interest in raising chickens. Spring is approaching fast and adorable fuzzy, chicks will be looking for homes. Even in Lancaster County, it’s not as easy as throwing a coop in the backyard and joyfully collecting eggs.