...that is if you enjoy TOTAL FRUSTRATION!! Me, I totally dig that so this game is fun. Don't
let the first couple of levels fool you - it gets hard. I got to level 7 and stalled a bit. But as soon as I get a little quiet time, I am soooo beating this thing....
http://www.itsjustabitoffun.com/date/2007/8/7/
This is a question that is asked a lot by Buyers and Sellers at this time of year, especially here in the Poconos where winter conjures up images of being snowed in, huddled around the fireplace, drinking cocoa by candlelight. The fact is, though, that we do manage to live fairly normal lives here in the boondocks, snow and all =) In a normal market, believe it or not, sales through the winter are fairly steady. Traditionally my best income comes in in the second half of the year. I am not sure what makes this so here in Monroe County, but the dead of winter does not mean sales are dead. In a normal market. Honestly I don't know what to expect this year as it has been anything but a normal market in 2007. There are lots of reasons why people may choose to take their house off the market for the holidays and re-list in the spring...probably the main reason is just pure convenience. Selling a home is tough, especially if you live in it. And keeping it in showing condition over the holidays and through the slop of winter can be tough. But, if you are able to stick it out and deal with the hassle, you could be rewarded with a sale, yes, even at this time of year. One of my best-est, favoritest clients sent me this article and I thought it was interesting enough to share (thanks, Bri). Unfortunately, I can't find the source to give proper credit, or a link. If you're the owner, please send me an email so I can give you some link-love! The comments in parentheses are mine: 11 Great Reasons to.... LIST YOUR HOME DURING
THE HOLIDAYS (and through the subsequent Pocono Winter!) 1 - People who look for a home during the holidays are more serious buyers. (Those who finagle their appointments in between January snow storms are serious too! One does not trudge through the snow to look at homes because there is nothing better to do)
CLICK HERE FOR MOOD MUSIC
2- Serious buyers have fewer houses to choose from during the Holidays and less
competition means more money for you. (Truly, even this year when inventory is up there are not all that many really nice listings on the market right now. Those who were listed late summer and fall are now off the market and waiting for spring.)
3 - Since the supply of listings will dramatically increase in January, there
will be less demand for your particular home. Less demand means less money for
you. (Competition is bad, very very bad.)
4 - Houses show better when (tastefully) decorated for the Holidays. (Save the romper room look for your new house.)
5 - Buyers are more emotional during the Holidays so they are more likely to
pay your price. (Nothing like a beautiful new home as a gift for the family!)
6 - Buyers have more time to look for a home during the holidays than during
regular weekdays.
7 - Some people must buy before the end of the year for tax purposes.
8 - January is traditionally the month for employees to begin new jobs. Since
transferees cannot wait until Spring to buy, you must be on the market during
the holidays to capture that market.
9 - You can still be on the market, but you have the option to restrict
showings during the six or seven days during the Holidays. (Keep the restrictions to a minimum if possible, though. As stated previously, buyers out looking at this time of year are pretty serious. So accommodating them can be in your best interest.)
10 - You can sell now for more money and we will provide for (aka negotiate into the contract) a delayed closing
or extended occupancy until early next year.
11 - By selling now, you may have an opportunity to be a non-contingent buyer
during the spring when many more houses are on the market for less money!! This
will allow you to sell high and buy low. (Life doesn't get any better than that, baby!!)
Please support the field hockey team by getting your tree from our stand at Stroudsburg High School. CLICK HERE for more info.
I thought you'd like to see what our awesome Volunteers on the Penn Estates Government Relations Committee are up to. What an energetic, enthusiastic group! Each year our voter turnout gets bigger than the last and this Committee is determined to get the Community to flex its political muscle in order to get the attention of officials in Stroud and Pocono Townships of Monroe County, PA. Call me an optimist but I think it's working!
Both my mother and I have spent countless hours on
the phone being transferred between departments at Capital One. From
one ignorant or unhelpful representative toe the next, each time resulting
in an ultimate transfer direct to their collection agency. Needless
to say, this has become a very stressful and frustrating
situation. These so-called "Customer Service Representatives" either hung
up the phone or refused to transfer our call to a supervisor. When asked to
speak with the fraud department, they asked for the account number of
the credit card, and transferred the call right back to the
collections agency.