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Harrisburg PA Mortgage Market Recap – October 15, 2013

by Don Roth

Was This Much Ado About Nothing?

Political wrangling on the federal debt ceiling and the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) helped to hold mortgage rates in check for another week.

Bankrate.com's national survey reports an average rate of 4.39% on the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. Freddie Mac's survey shows the national average rate at 4.23% on the same loan, which is roughly where it was last week.

Rates have been held at these levels on raised financial market risk. Many market participants are concerned the government slowdown will lead to slower economic growth. The rationale being that furloughed government workers would spend less, and thus the economy would slow.

At the same time, more investors are fearful the government will default on its debt. Most financial institutions and many individuals own U.S. Treasury notes and bonds (either directly or through a mutual fund). These securities are perceived as ultra-safe investments. A default would negate that perception and investors would sell en masse, thus generating huge financial losses.

The fears, quite frankly, are over done. The economy is powered as much by investing and savings as by consumption. To be sure, everything produced is made to consume, but there are vast production stages that generate paychecks and spending that go unnoticed in economic-growth statistics. In short, the furlough workers and the reduced government activity itself isn't having as much of an impact as many believe.

That said, private companies that require government approval to transact business are being hurt – mortgage lenders are one – and that could lead to slower economic growth.

As for defaulting on the natural debt, that's also very unlikely. The federal government brings in roughly $253 billion a month in revenue. Interest on the national debt is around $20 billion, or less than 8% of monthly income. There is plenty of revenue flowing in to pay creditors, as well as to pay people owed money through Social Security and government pensions.

For now, mortgage rates are at levels unseen since mid-June. When the latest political brouhaha began a few weeks ago, we opined that the rate on the 30-year loan would fall within a 4.25%-to-4.50% range. So far, we've been on target.

We seriously doubt rates will go any lower. More likely, they will move higher: Fears of a default have abated and a deal appears imminent on the debt ceiling that will have the government up-and-running in full soon.

In fact, the yield on the 10-year Treasury note is already up over 10-basis points this week. As the 10-year Treasury note goes, so, too, goes the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage.

Yields are moving up despite the high likelihood that the current Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will be be replaced by lead candidate Janet Yellen. Ms Yellen supports continuing the quantitative easing and low-rate interest policies currently in place. Nevertheless, rates are still moving higher.

We believe we are at a bottom in interest rates, which means we see little reason to wait to apply for a mortgage. Admittedly, there are delays in dealing with the federal government to verify borrower information, but it's still worthwhile to get the process started nonetheless.

Courtesy of Jessica Regan.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

Rotate Your Mattress

by Don Roth

Why Do This?

Picture the worst mattress you’ve ever slept on. What were the problems? Lumps? Saggage? Both? More than likely, that abysmal bed never got rotated! Don’t let your precious mattress be the reason behind a bad night’s sleep. Preserve the life and quality of your mattress by rotating it every 3-6 months.

Time: 15 minutes

What You'll Need:

    one strong friend

How To:

Note: Some modern mattresses have either a pillow top or are labeled as “no flip.” For these mattresses you don’t need to perform step #3.

  1. Strip. You can’t flip your mattress while it’s made, so strip your sheets and blankets. Tip: This is a great time to toss them in the wash!
  2. Spin. This is where a strong friend gets involved. Stand on either side of the bed and spin the mattress so that the short side that was at the head of the bed is now at the foot. (Bonus points if you say, “Pivot” the entire time like Ross from Friends.) Once a year, do this step to your box spring, too. Before you spin anything, make sure any lamps and furniture are out of the way.
  3. Flip. After you spin your mattress, it’s time to flip (unless you have a pillow top or no-flip mattress). Flip your mattress over so that the top of the mattress is now the bottom. And, you’re done! Grab your sheets from the wash and make your bed. Note: Never flip your box spring!

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

Has the Housing Recovery Stalled?

by Don Roth

We've been warning that double-digit year-over-year home-price increases would likely end soon.

Perhaps we were too pessimistic. CoreLogic’s Pending Home Price Index report for September puts price growth in the 12.7%-range, and shows 0.2% appreciation month over month. This suggest home prices could continue to grow at a double-digit year-over-year rate through the end of the year.

To be sure, home prices could continue to post double-digit gains through 2013, but we doubt they will be sustained much longer than that. Double-digit annual gains are simply unsustainable for an extended period of time.

The good news is that single-digit annual price gains – 3%-to-5% – are sustainable, and we think they will prevail from 2014 on. We say that because there is still plenty of pent-up housing demand, particularly for younger adults who are suffering the most from the current economic malaise.

When the economy finally kicks into gear, and we expect that to occur sooner than later, more buyer demand will hit the market. Home sales volume will improve and prices will continue to appreciate.

We are not alone in our assessment. Goldman Sachs recently released a paper titled “Where is the Pent-Up Housing Demand?” that supports many of the contentions we've made over the past year: namely that lack of job growth, more than anything, is holding back the market. The paper also supports our contention that the vast majority of non-homeowners still aspire to homeownership. We are a buyer, not renter, nation.

So, no, the housing recovery hasn't stalled. We still see price appreciation, and we see substantial sales-volume increases when the long-overdue economic recovery finally arrives.

Courtesy of Jessica Regan.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

 

Harrisburg PA Mortgage Market Recap – October 8, 2013

by Don Roth

Now What?

Things have played out pretty much as we expected: The Affordable Healthcare Act (Obamacare) was implemented on schedule. Congress and the president were unable to reach a budget agreement, hence the federal government shutdown.

Actually, the federal government didn't really shut down. Roughly 30% of the civilian government workforce was simply furloughed. Most government departments continue to function. So “shutdown” isn't the right word; “cutback” is more like it.

Whatever we call it, the furloughs and cutbacks have impacted the mortgage market. Because many IRS employees were furloughed, it's taking lenders longer to verify reported income with the IRS. Without verification, it's impossible to sell mortgage loans on the secondary financial markets. This liquidity is vital to mortgage lending.

Needless to say, delays are proving frustrating to lender and borrower alike, especially in light of lower mortgage rates. In the past weeks, we've opined that interest rates would likely fall with the rise in uncertainty the budget impasse and new healthcare legislation imparts. That's been the case: the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note – a bellwether for long-term mortgage rates – has fallen 15 basis points to below 2.60%.

In turn, mortgage rates have fallen. Our best estimate was that we'd see the rate on the 30-year fixed-rate loan vacillate between 4.25% and 4.50%. Depending on which survey you look at, we are either right or somewhat right. Bankrate.com's national survey puts the average rate at 4.41%, while Freddie Mac's survey puts it at 4.22%.

The frustration on our end is raised because borrowers are having a difficult time exploiting today's lower rates. To be sure, lower rates are a nice relief, but if you're unable to close on a low-rate loan in a timely manner, what's the point?

But don't give up.

Anyone looking to refinance a mortgage or purchase a house shouldn't delay the financing process. If they are concerned about rates rising, they should consider locking their rate for a longer period. Admittedly, rates could go lower, but they could also go higher – and go higher in a hurry should a budget deal be announced.

Of course, none of us knows when that will happen. But with the long-term impetus for rates to rise, the benefits of waiting to capture a significantly lower rate is more than offset by the risk of waiting and being faced with a much higher rate.

Courtesy of Jessica Regan.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

Keep Mice Away: Plug These 5 Gaps in Your Home

by Don Roth

In the winter, your house is warm and cozy. And that’s great! You know who else loves a warm and cozy house? Mice. And sharing your house with a mouse – or a family of mice – is less great. Luckily, you can stop rodent roommates at the door by sealing these five entryways to your home.

Tip: Bring a pencil with an eraser with you as you check these areas. If a hole or crack is wider than a pencil eraser, a mouse can comfortably squeeze through!

Foundation. Inspect your foundation, paying special attention to the areas near windows and doors. If you find a hole or crack that’s larger than a pencil eraser, seal it up! Mice can chew through weak material, so opt for a sturdy material like concrete patch mortar. Follow the instructions on your concrete patch package to ensure that your foundation is properly sealed.

Windows and doors. Mice are most active at night, so if you ever keep your window open while you sleep, triple-check your window screens to make sure there aren’t any holes. Also, check your weather stripping. If it’s loose, repair it! A mouse can sneak underneath loose weather stripping and get into your home.

Garage. Unfortunately, mice have a pretty easy time sneaking around garage doors. That means you need to be extra vigilant with gaps connecting your garage to your house. Check the interior and exterior of your garage walls for any cracks or holes and patch them in the same manner as your foundation. Tip: Pay special attention to the wall that separates the garage from the main house to prevent mice from getting into your warm home.

Chimney. To a mouse, a chimney looks like a hollow tree and seems like a great place to build a nest. This is not ideal. Prevent mice from entering your chimney by installing a mesh-covered chimney cap. As an added precaution, close your damper – the metal hatch located above the firebox – anytime there isn’t a lit fire. 

Utilities and pipes. Mice use your pipes like interstates, to travel into and through your house. Take the time to inspect the places where pipes enter your house. If there’s any space between the pipe and the house siding, seal it up with steel wool and then cover the steel wool with concrete mortar. Otherwise, these cracks are basically like neon lights that say “Come inside!” to mice.

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

Harrisburg PA Mortgage Market Recap – October 2, 2013

by Don Roth

Lower Mortgage Rates Prevail

Mortgage rates can be as difficult to forecast as the flight path of a butterfly, but forecast we do.

Last week, we said we expected to see the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fall after the Federal Reserve announced there would be no tapering of quantitative easing. Our forecast was for the rate on the 30-year loan to fall below 4.5%, and possibly trade in the 4.25%-to-4.5% range for the near future.

It looks like we got it right. Bankrate.com's latest survey shows the 30-year loan averaged 4.47% nationally. Of course, some local markets didn't see quite that much reduction, while others saw more. But all in all, we are seeing rates lower than we've seen in the past four months.

We expect the 30-year loan to hold near today's levels.

The fact is that economic growth remains sluggish. The latest and final revision of 2 nd quarter gross domestic product (GDP) shows less growth than expected. The consensus estimate was for GDP to grow at a 2.7% annualized rate, but the final number shows a 2.48% growth rate. Sluggish GDP growth gives the Federal Reserve reason and room to continue buying $40 billion worth of mortgage-backed securities (MBS) each month.

In addition, concerns over a looming federal government shutdown, due to political wrangling over the debt ceiling, will keep interest in Treasury notes and bonds high. Investors are also pondering what impact the Affordable Healthcare Act (Obamacare) will have on businesses when it's implemented next month.

In short, there's a lot of uncertainty that will keep investors interested in haven securities like Treasury notes and bonds and MBS. Their interest should help hold mortgage rates at these lower levels.

To be sure, we see little impetuous for mortgage rates to move much high. But keep an eye on next Friday's employment report. Should that come in stronger than expected, rates could temporarily spike.

On the flip side, if the employment report comes in weaker than expected, rates will move lower. The past couple employment reports have disappointed, so it's likely most economists have proffered less-optimistic predictions.

Our crystal ball points to job growth meeting or slightly exceeding exceptions. In that case, we could see an uptick in mortgage rates at the end of the week. But with all the other uncertainties baked into the credit markets, we doubt rates would move meaningfully higher.

So we see an extended opportunity to take advantage of lower rates. Keep in mind, though, the long-term bias – an eventual tapering and higher inflation – points to higher mortgage rates down the road.

The risk, as we've said so often, remains in procrastinating.

Courtesy of Jessica Regan.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

6 Tips For Inspecing Your Air Ducts

by Don Roth

Throughout the year, your heating and cooling system is pumping out air like nobody’s business, which can make your ducts dirty! Clean ductwork translates to better indoor air quality and up to a 40 percent increase in your HVAC system’s efficiency. Make sure your air ducts are clean by doing this quick inspection:

  1. air ductThe next time your heating or cooling system turns on (this generally happens about seven times a day), keep an eye on your air vents. If you notice bits of cobwebs, dust or other debris blowing out of your registers, this is a sign that the ductwork further back (that you won’t be able to inspect from your air vents) may be clogged.

  2. Grab a flashlight and a point-and-shoot camera (a flash is important!). Locate your vent registers (most rooms in your home should have one on the floor or along the lower half of the wall) and remove the screws holding it in place with a screwdriver. Once the grill plate is off of your register, it’s time to get down to business!
     
  3. Reach as far as you can into the duct and take a couple of pictures (you can do this with just a flashlight, but a camera makes it easier to see further into the ducts). If your detective work reveals evidence of dust and debris buildup, your air ducts may need a professional cleaning.
     
  4. Mice infestations (especially in the winter) can be common inside ductwork. Check your photos for signs of a mice or bug infestation. Another peek inside your ducts with a flashlight doesn’t hurt, either. You’re mostly looking for rodent droppings or dead insects. If you see signs of an infestation, call an exterminator to resolve the problem.
     
  5. Check for mold. If you see substantial mold growth inside your air ducts, they may need a professional cleaning. If your air ducts are insulated, the insulation can sometimes get wet or moldy. If this is the case, the ductwork may need to be removed and replaced.
     
  6. If you notice any major problems, contact a qualified professional to have them inspect and clean your air ducts. If you see some build up, but aren’t sure if it warrants a cleaning quite yet, this detailed guide by the EPA can help you decide what to do.
Information provided by BrightNest.com.
 

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

Another Buying Opportunity

by Don Roth

Financing costs are an obvious factor in the decision to buy a home. With mortgage rates rising over the past six months and home prices rising over the past two years, buying a home had become more of a stretch for more people.

Lower mortgage rates will put more homes within reach. A slowing rate of price appreciation will also contribute to continued affordability. On the latter, the National Association of Realtors reports that in August existing home sales were up a strong 4.4% to 5.48 million units on an annualized basis. Sales were driven by higher inventory, and also by slowing price appreciation. The median price of an existing home actually fell slightly to $212,100.

We've reported in recent weeks that we are seeing slowing price appreciation in many markets. But prices are still appreciating, and we expect them to continue to appreciate in most major markets. This is another reason we see risk in procrastinating. Yes, price appreciation is slowly, but prices are still moving higher.

Eventually, rising prices will be coupled with rising lending rates. The home that's affordable today will be less affordable tomorrow, and even less affordable a couple years down the road.

 Courtesy of Jessica Regan.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

Harrisburg PA Mortgage Market Recap – September 24, 2013

by Don Roth

The Federal Reserve's Big Surprise

We should clarify that the “Big Surprise” hit most market watchers and pundits, but not all. Indeed, we weren't surprised at all.

We're referring to the Federal Reserve's decision on tapering – which was not to taper. The Fed has been purchasing $85 billion of Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities (MBS) each month for the past year. Most market watchers had expected the Fed to announce it would reduce these purchases by $10-to-$15 billion each month going forward.

The fallout of tapering would have been higher interest rates. With the Fed reducing its demand – mostly of Treasury notes and bonds – interest rates would rise. This is a key reason why interest rates in general, and mortgage rates in particular, have been rising in recent months. Market participants were anticipating tapering and higher interest rates.

But the Fed announced yesterday it wouldn't taper. It's reasoning for not tapering corroborated the reasons we've given repeatedly: a sluggish economy and anemic job growth.

Fed officials will meet again in late October, and tapering will surely be the lead agenda. Unless the economy and job growth materially improve between now and then, we would expect the Fed to stay the current course.

When the Fed announced there would be no tapering, mortgage rates fell, which is to be expected. According to data from Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.5% for the week ending September 19 – seven basis points lower than the previous week. We expect mortgage rates to fall further in the coming week.

Looking further afield, we see Freddie Mac's weekly average fluttering between 4.25% and 4.5% going forward. We would be surprised if the average fell much lower, though. We say that because there is still pent-up pressure for rates to rise over the long term.

The point we want to emphasis is that borrowers have been given an opportunity to borrow at a more favorable rate. We recommend not getting greedy. Too often we see borrowers' propensity to extrapolate a developing trend indefinitely.

It doesn't work that way. All it takes is one month of unexpectedly strong economic and job growth data, and talk of taper will once again dominate the credit markets. Should that occur, mortgage rates will very likely head for higher ground.

Since the beginning of the year, we've been warning on the risk of procrastinating. To be sure, mortgage rates are lower this week than they were last week, but we don't think they'll be materially lower next week... or even beyond.

So keep in mind that the long-term imperative is for interest rates to rise, so the risk of procrastinating remains.

Courtesy of Jessica Regan.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

6 Tips For Hiring Movers

by Don Roth

If moving all by yourself sounds downright awful, it’s time to hire a moving company. Professional movers will help make the entire process faster, safer and easier – but only if they’re top-notch! Hiring the right movers is crucial to making sure you have a happy move instead of a horrible one.

moving truckHere is a six-point checklist for hiring a great moving company:

1. Look beyond the hourly rate.

When choosing a moving company, it may be tempting to pick the one with the lowest hourly rate. Resist the urge! If a mover is charging less than the competition, they’re probably going to cut corners wherever they can, which means your furniture could wind up sporting a new scratch or two.

2. Do your homework.

Before you call a company, go online to see if you can dig up any dirt – or at least read positive reviews. Check the moving company’s complaint history, as well as their standing with the Better Business Bureau.

3. Ask for credentials.

Whether you’re moving out of state or just down the road, the moving company should have some type of moving license, period. Always ask to see their proof of insurance and proper licensing. Moving license requirements will vary state by state, but any company that moves across state lines should have a specific Department of Transportation (DOT) number assigned to them. Tip: You can check for a moving company’s license at ProtectMyMove.gov.

4. Get several estimates.

Once you’ve narrowed the search down to a few companies, ask for a written estimate from each. This estimate should be based on an actual inspection of the stuff you want to move. If a business isn’t willing to send a person to your home to do an estimate, cross them off the list! Movers that only offer to give quotes over the phone can often underestimate the total and may try to charge you for the difference.

5. Avoid hidden fees.

Make sure the movers are aware of everything that needs to be moved to avoid any added charges. The cost of your moving fee may increase if any big furniture gets added at the last-minute, so make sure the movers have an itemized list before they show up. Also, if the moving truck has trouble finding parking by your place, they can charge for the extra distance, so plan ahead!

6. Ask questions about the contract.

Take a few minutes and read the moving contract carefully before you sign. It should detail specific rates, liability, delivery dates and claims protection. If you see something that looks suspicious, trust your instincts and ask about it. Once you’ve signed, keep your copy of the contract until the move is complete, and you’ve fully unpacked.

Information provided by BrightNest.com.

Search all Harrisburg PA homes for sale.

When you are buying or selling property in today's Harrisburg PA real estate market, it's important to have confidence in your real estate professional. Don’s commitment as your Harrisburg PA REALTOR® is to provide you with the specialized real estate service you deserve.

When you are an informed buyer or seller, you'll make the best decisions for the most important purchase or sale in your lifetime. That's why Don’s goal is to keep you informed on trends in Harrisburg PA real estate. With property values continuing to rise, real estate is a sound investment for now and for the future.

As a local area expert with knowledge of Harrisburg PA area communities, Don’s objective is to work diligently to assist you in meeting your real estate goals.

If you are considering buying or selling a home or would just like to have additional information about real estate in your area, please don't hesitate to call me at (717) 657-8700, complete my online form, or e-mail me at don@donroth.com.

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