Poconos Real Estate Blog

No New Sewer Hook-Ups At Arrowhead Lake

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Bad news if you haven't received a sewer hook up permit for your property in the Arrowhead Lake community yet: No new sewer permits will be issued until the the sewer company satisfies the DEP and gets their proper permitting in place. The Administration Office at Arrowhead Lake did not sound interested in divulging many details when I called them today, but I am going to go out on a limb and say that it has to do with the recent expansion of the sewer service area that the community had undertaken in the last several years. You may or may not know that they had been offering sewer tie-in rebate incentives to spur applications and, I assume, revenue. Now it could be a year before things are squared away, the permit moratorium is lifted and lot owners are able to hook in.

I found a few more details on another real estate blog but have not confirmed any of it. I recommend that potential lot purchasers and affected property owners contact the Arrowhead Lake Administration Office to find out exactly where they stand with all this. Obviously those trying to sell property or considering a new build in this Pocono Lake community will be most put out.

A hat tip goes out to Bradley for posting a question on Trulia and bringing this to my attention.

Sooooper-Dooper New Penn Estates MLS / IDX Property Search Page

This picture was taken at the Carnival, which visits Penn Estates every summer. Yes, you may have missed the thrills and chills of the ferris wheel and other spine-tingling rides but, lucky for you, more fun is always in store around here...

You saw it first here on The Poconos Real Estate Blog!

Step right up and check out the revamped search that our MLS provider, FBS, has come out with. There are a couple of shiny-new features, like enhanced mapping and the ability to favorite listings, that will make your property searching so much more fun, productive and organized. Never before have you been able to research the Penn Estates real estate market so efficiently and easily.

Learn about some of the new stuff HERE.

Or, step right up and CLICK HERE to try out the new Penn Estates property listing page

For listings in other areas of the Pocono Mountains Association of REALTORS MLS - IDX, try this link - every search is a winner!

As always, don't hesitate to contact me for help with all of your market research, house-hunting, real estate-y kind of stuff. Email me at info@lisasanderson.com, IM PoconoBuyersRep, or call toll free 888.794.5589 ext 103.

Still the Hottest Location in Penn Estates

Section C - A Distinctive Penn Estates Location

Just off of Stonehenge Drive in the Beacon Hill Section of Penn Estates, there are two cul-de-sac streets, surrounded by green-space (undeveloped land owned by the HOA) and offering some of the best locations in the community. Originally developed in the early 1980's with the discerning vacation property buyer in mind, this area was carefully planned by Cranberry Hill Corp. to cater to the tastes of the well-off second home purchasers who frequented the area when the community was young. Many of these original 'settlers' still maintain homes throughout the community. This particular area of Section C, however, has always maintained its distinctive appeal to those looking for a special setting.

Easy Access to Amenities on Foot or Bicycle

The properties here are centrally located and within walking distance to the main amenity complex (which houses the pools, community center, the basketball & tennis courts, softball field, and the Country Kitchen) and all three lakes. So if sports is your thing, or if swimming, sunbathing, fishing or boating is more your style, check out these properties within close proximity of all this and more!

42 Canterbury Lane is a 1/2 acre wooded lot, the perfect parcel for building your dream home or vacation getaway. Central water and sewer is available, making this one of the most affordable options for new construction in the Stroudsburg School District. Land only $67,500

Home for rent in Section C of Penn Estates.

61Windsor Court is a stunningly beautiful home, not too big and not too small and offering the smartest upgrades like wood floors throughout, central air conditioning, granite counters in the kitchen and much more. Proud owners do not skimp on any maintenance item and have lovingly upgraded the home over the years, so it is in turn-key condition. THIS PROPERTY IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE

For more information on these Penn Estates properties, or for help with any of your Pocono real estate needs, contact me via email info@lisasanderson.com or toll free phone 888.794.5589

Cheap Land in Stroud Township!

Real pretty building lot in Stroud Township (18360) is ideal for a modest ranch or cape, or even a modular home, as these are the types of houses nearby. The neighborhood is generally well kept and very convenient to both Stroudsburgs and all major routes (I80 and Routes 611, 191, 447 & 209).

Stroudsburg School District in the vicinity of Stokes Avenue.

Public water and sewer available at the street.

$49,500

Property next door with mobile home and big garage (which has heat, water & electricity) is also available for sale separately at $75,000.

Download survey.pdf (98.2K)

Zoning: A Beginner's Guide

From the Desk of:
Richard A Hetzel
Architect (NY) & Home Designer (PA)
 

Zoning is simply the regulation of what can be done with land. It regulates land uses in categories such as Residential, Commercial, and Industrial, separating a town or municipality into various zones for those purposes. 

Residential zones may be subdivided into areas with varying minimum lot sizes, and areas where uses are limited to single-family homes, and others to development such as condominiums and townhouses. 

Commercial zones may be subdivided into local or regional shopping uses, and zones where office buildings are permitted. 

Industrial zones may permit factories and warehouses and the like. 

A typical zoning map of a municipality accompanies this article. On it, each individual lot in the town can be seen, as well as the various zones and their boundaries.

Within each zone is a set of regulations that might govern:

§ Minimum lot area

§ Minimum street frontage

§ Front, side and rear setbacks

§ Minimum and/or maximum floor area

§ Building height 

Why are these things regulated? Primarily to protect each owner’s property values, but also to mitigate against property disputes, and often to control growth or for environmental reasons. For example, a lot with a well and a septic system requires much more than a 50 foot by 100 foot area, and may require an acre or more. Areas having steep slopes are often zoned with large lot area requirements. Areas in town with sewers and city water can easily accommodate small lots. 

What happens if you want to put an addition on your house, and the addition would extend into a required side or rear yard? You may have to seek a zoning variance, and to get one, you may be asked to demonstrate that you have no other way to achieve what you’d lie to do. Zoning variances are granted by Zoning Boards, which hear your arguments, hear objections or messages of approval from neighbors, and consider the impact of what you propose on surrounding properties and the neighborhood in general. There are some guidelines that these boards must follow, and they won’t grant you a variance just because they like you. 

How does zoning affect your property? It can regulate how close to the front, side and rear property lines you can build, and it can regulate the minimum and/or maximum floor area of your home, and its maximum height. Often the size of your home is limited by Floor Area Ratio, which is the total gross floor area of your home divided by the lot area. If you have a 3,000 square foot home on one acre (43,560 square feet), the Floor Area Ratio would be 3,000 / 43,560 or a ratio of 0.068. The limit might be something like 0.150. 

As lot sizes get bigger, the required setback distances also become greater, and the Floor Area Ratio maximum tends to get smaller. 

You can find the zoning requirements for your property by asking the local building department, or you can purchase a Zoning Ordinance, which will give you all the requirements for the entire municipality. Zoning Ordinances can cost anywhere from $5 to $50, and I’ve seen one that was $200! Usually for a residential property, asking the building department will get you sufficient information. 

Of course, you need a property survey map in order to determine your setback dimensions and lot area, and the size of your house. 

Zoning is a two-edged sword. On one hand, it protects you against uncontrolled development on adjacent properties, and on the other hand, it limits to a small degree how you can use your own property.

Here is a handy list of links to the Townships and Boroughs in Monroe County, PA. Many of them have zoning regulations and information posted on their websites.