Many people often miss the boat when it comes to exercising their right to vote. Presidential elections get all the glory, but how important is it to vote in off-years and also in the Primaries? Very! Take your local school board elections, for instance: Members of your school board determine where your property tax dollars are spent, the quality of the education provided to children, AND how much your school district collects from you in taxes!

Election of these people affects homeowners' single biggest yearly/montly expense. Not kind of, sort of, maybe...school board elections affect your pocketbook directly, and in a big way. Here in Monroe and Pike Counties in the Poconos, it is critical that you vote every year, twice a year, in both the Primary and General Elections to be sure you are represented by common-sense, fiscally responsible, accountable members who will provide the highest quality education that the homeowners who pay the bill can afford. 

This year the municipal primary election here is May 21, 2013, and school board elections are the highlight of the ballot in every municipality. Mark your calendar and get out to vote! And if you cannot get to the polls that day, plan ahead and vote by absentee ballot before May 17. 

Monroe County, PA has an excellent summary of polling locations and ballot information here.

Find election information for Pike County, PA here.

Your vote really counts in these local races. Make it happen! :)

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Photo Credit: Scott Ryan, Penn Estates

Let’s face it, our pets are important to us, and keeping them happy, healthy, and safe is a huge factor when we decide where to live. The Board of Directors of the Penn Estates Property Owners Association wisely decided to address the concerns around fences within the community and have approved a new set of regulations which allow property owners to erect fences for whatever reasons, including their precious doggies’ comfort :)

The fencing of your entire property is still prohibited because of aesthetics and safety of the wildlife, but now you may have a fenced in area of your yard as follows:

Fences in the community must be constructed of wood or vinyl in a natural wood or color that matches the house or trim. Chain link, stone, wire, and stockade fencing are all prohibited in order to preserve a natural aesthetic. Fences can be no more than four feet high and have slat separation between two and four inches.

The fence footprint shall only be located in the rear of the house, and shall extend no further than five feet into the side yard. Fence lines shall be generally straight, and shall be adjusted to avoid trees. Tree removal for the purpose of fencing will not be approved.

These are the basics of the new fence rules. I highly recommend you contact the Administration office for the official rules on fencing before you plan your project. And don’t forget that a permit is required to ensure your fence meets the guidelines.

Free Penn Estates home search here via the MLS/IDX

Ok, one more cute dog enjoying the Pocono lifestyle....

Photo Credit: Scott Ryan, Penn Estates

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Penn Estates Market Statistics

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Penn Estates sales data gathered from the Pocono Mountains Association of REALTORS’ Multiple Listing Service on July 17, 2012.

*Pending Sale information reflects only list prices as sold information is not available until the sale is final. YTD Sales are sales that closed since 1/1/12.  Average Sale Price of these sales is $99,258, which is 92.3% of the Average List Price. The Average Price/Square Foot indicated for these closed sales is based on the sale prices.

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THERE IS SOME GOOD NEWS: Year to date sales plus pending sales equal the total sales that occurred last year, so 2012 sales are set to outpace 2011. If this trend continues, it stands to follow that prices should recover. Still, we probably have a few years before we feel any real relief in this regard as the downward spiral reverses itself.

RENTALS: Homeowners have had a couple of good years in the rental market, but this is softening a bit. Average lease prices here in Penn Estates are down about 8% since 2010, and it’s taking about twice as long to find tenants these days. We can hope that this means more tenants are becoming homeowners, right? Search for home rentals in Penn Estates by clicking here.

Check out some of the great home buys available in Penn Estates below. This is a direct Pocono Mountains Association of REALTORS MLS/IDX link, so it is the most current information available.

About the Author: Lisa Sanderson, a 10 year resident of Penn Estates and Past President of PEPOA and the Pocono Mountains Association of REALTORS, is Vice President and Sales Manager of Ritter & Company, a real estate sales and property management company located at 730 Milford Road (Strawberry Fields Plaza) in East Stroudsburg.

National Open House Weekend is a collaborative effort of many State and Local REALTOR Associations intended to kick off the 2010 home selling season with a flourish! We here at the Poconos Real Estate Blog are joining in the fun!!

Please visit these Open Houses this weekend...

Directions: From Mt. Pocono-follow route 611 North then bear R Hemlock-R Pine Valley-R Seneca-R Iroquois-house on R.

WOW, brand new beauty on almost two acres! Was a builder's model, so it's nicely upgraded and landscaped. Generous master suite has adjoining unfinished bonus room available for expansion. Finished walk-out basement, pick your carpet colors. Elec & propane hybrid upgrade heating/AC system for efficiency. A very impressive, bright & spacious home for a bargain price. Stroudsburg Schools.

Click here for more info

Directions: From Route 611 in Bartonsville, take Frantz Road to Ramblebush Road to right in to Wigwam Lake Estates (see big water tower). Right at T to house on left at corner of Woodruff.