BELLEFONTE COUNTRY LIVING AND MINUTES TO EVERYTHING!

Garbrick Rd. Features

* 4 BR 2 Bath
* LARGE COUNTRY KITCHEN
* HARDWOOD AND PINE FLOORS THROUGHTOUT
*GORGEOUS WRAP AROUND DECKS FOR OUTDOOR LIVING
* GAS FIREPLACE
* PARTIALLY FINISHED BASEMENT

VISIT http://www.buybellefonte.com/ for all the details and photo's. This is a completly updated home in a great location adjacent to the Payne Soccer Fields and minutes to Bellefonte schools, Nittany Mall, and Penn State University. Perfect setting for entertaining with the large wrap around decks and lush landscaping. Large country kitchen with warm oak cabinets.

Take the chill off crisp Fall evenings with the gas fireplace surrounded by custom built-in Oak mantle and cabinets.

ATTENTION HOMESELLERS!

WHERE DO BUYERS COME FROM?

OR

WHY DO REALTORS SPEND HUGE DOLLARS IN THE NEWSPAPER?

A recent AP story (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20025015/) highlights the trend of real estate advertising away from print and classified advertising in newspapers. This comes as no suprise to those of us at Keller Williams but I know it may be a shocker to sellers in the local market.

Full page real estate print ad's in the Sunday paper sure look nice and provide sellers with an insurance policy, but the truth is the printed "BLING" does little to actual sell houses. In fact it is little more than comfort food for sellers. They open the paper and feel comforted to know that their Realtor is doing everything they can to sell their home.

The truth is sellers need to start ordering their comfort food from a different menu and the menu is the internet. Statistics show that more than 80% of buyers begin and continue their home search online. Yes, that's 80%. Sellers, the big question you need to ask your Realtor is, "What is your internet strategy and how will the internet sell my house?"

For those sellers that take comfort in opening the Sunday paper to see a photo of your residence, I would hope that photo doesn't lead to a nasty case of indigestion and an unsold home.

Of course, cutting edge Realtors interested in selling homes quickly will be spending advertising dollars in places where the buyers will be spending their time; online. So, don't be too concerned when you open the Sunday CDT and you don't see a full page ad sponsored by Tim Rogers or Keller Williams. Rest assured that we are ahead of the trend and we are selling houses on the internet.

We will leave the printed indigestion to the competition.

Thank you to the United States Armed Forces Around the Globe!

Those of you that know me know that I have the priviledge to coach a boys high school soccer team. When one has the opportunity to spend hundreds of hours with a group of kids during a four year span, you develop a certain bond with most of the kids that transcends sports and school. This morning I was standing in line to pay for a few things at a Convenience store when a tall guy grabbed me from behind. I whirled around to see a Marine in full dress staring down at me. As I turned I heard the words "Hey Coach." I was looking up at a former goalkeeper on our team and now a newly minted U.S. Marine.

What happened to that little boy I knew in youth soccer? Where did the young man go that spent so many hours goofin' on his coaches and teammates? The little guy is now a chiseled United States Marine. After I collected my thoughts I remembered that another member of the same team is now in the U.S. Army and left for Iraq about three weeks ago for a one year tour. I told the Marine to keep his Army teammate in his thoughts and as we departed I spent some time contemplating what a great country we live in. I remembered another teammate of their's that even as a sophomore would run around the field shouting Hoora! Hoora! We would break from the halftime huddle and he would always lead us in a big Hoora. Needless to say, he is now a United States Marine.

What makes America great? Its people I think. Its ideals as well. Without interjecting politics I can't imagine living anywhere else on the planet. We didn't go looking for a fight with terrorists. We didn't invade another country unprovoked. We don't sit around the Pentagon thinking of ways to burn billions of dollars just to see if the war machine still works. (Do we?)

What an amazing country we live in when there are still young people that are willing to volunteer to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States to serve and protect the freedoms of their families, friends and neighbors. They are not just good young men. They are the best kids from the nicest families. They come from all economic backgrounds and incomes. The kids are the cream of the crop. They have VOLUNTEERED to protect us. They are serving so I may take my young son to the wrestling matches he loves. They are serving so my wife and kids can vacation at the beach even if I am working. They are the best kids in America. I know. I've been around them for years.

I would like to thank them all and wish all of them godspeed and a healthy, safe return home.

Thank you all and in your honor I will post St. Crispin's Day to honor the Band of Brothers held so dearly by our soccer team over the years. This is for you.

St. Crispin's Day - Ye Band of Brothers

What's he that wishes so? My cousin Westmoreland? No, my fair cousin; If we are mark'd to die, we are enow To do our country loss; and if to live, The fewer men, the greater share of honour. God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more. By Jove, I am not covetous for gold, Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost; It yearns me not if men my garments wear; Such outward things dwell not in my desires. But if it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive. No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England. God's peace! I would not lose so great an honour As one man more methinks would share from me For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more! Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host, That he which hath no stomach to this fight, Let him depart; his passport shall be made, And crowns for convoy put into his purse; We would not die in that man's company That fears his fellowship to die with us. This day is call'd the feast of Crispian. He that outlives this day, and comes safe home, Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd, And rouse him at the name of Crispian. He that shall live this day, and see old age, Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours, And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian.' Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars, And say 'These wounds I had on Crispian's day.' Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot, But he'll remember, with advantages, What feats he did that day. Then shall our names, Familiar in his mouth as household words- Harry the King, Luke, David, Jake- Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red. This story shall the good man teach his son; And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remembered- We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition; And gentlemen in England now-a-bed Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here, And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to the United States Armed Forces.

Don't miss this family home in the Bellefonte historic district. http://statecollegeparealestate.vflyer.com/1/index.html

Kaboom! Is that the sound of the real estate market imploding? You've heard the stories. You may have seen the numbers. Sales of previously owned homes plunged over the summer to the lowest level in more than two years. The supply of existing homes for sale reached a new record high and is at its highest level since 1993. New home inventory is at a record level of 132,000 unsold homes. New builder optimism is at its lowest level in fifteen years and earlier this week several national home builders announced disappointing results; There is a huge spike in foreclosures up more than 25% this year. The numbers and the stories keep coming and it isn't a pleasant picture.

What are home buyers and sellers to do?

First, and most important to remember in Centre County is that our market highs are never as high and our lows are never as low as the national market (thank you Penn State). The fact remains that homes are still selling in Centre County, albeit, at a slower rate than in previous years. Reasonably priced homes in good condition will sell in good and bad markets. Home sellers, listen to your listing agent when discussing price. The professionals do know what they are talking about and by heeding there advice you won't be disappointed. Buyers, I can’t imagine a better time to buy than right now. The seasonal selling cycle is winding down. Sellers are facing long days on market and many are anxious to sell. But foremost in the decision process is the cost of money. Current interest rates are still very good and provide buyers with the opportunity to buy a nice home at a reasonable cost. Although, in the face of inflation pressure with low unemployment and rising wages, I can’t be certain how long the rates will stay in the low 6% range so now is the time to act. The longer you wait the more expensive it may become.

Buyers, when faced with the decision to wait the market out in hopes of seller price cuts or buy now while rates are still good, I encourage you to buy now. Seller price reductions are occurring almost daily. The most frequently appearing sign in Centre County yards is “Price Reduction.”

That kaboom at the beginning of this story could be the celebration sellers and buyers will have when they complete a satisfactory transaction.