Within the gates of Saw Creek Estates, there are, as of today, seventy-nine homes for sale through the Pocono Mountains Association of REALTORS Multiple Listing Service, ranging in price from $29,000 - $273,000. That is a wide range of values but not unusual for communities in the Poconos which have a variety of housing options, home sizes, locations, etc.
Saw Creek Estates is made up of single family homes but it should be noted that there are two separate townhome Associations inside of Saw Creek, Mill Pond and The Falls, that share some of the amenities of SCE but have their own rules and fees. There really is something for everyone here in this gated, amenity-rich community in the Eastern Poconos.
Here is some interesting home sale data for Saw Creek Estates (not including the townhouse areas). See how the average sale price and the number of homes sold has played out since 2006. Prices have definitely taken a hit due to the national housing decline, and foreclosures and short sales continue to put downward pressure on values. However, we have reached a point where some of the buys are just too good to pass up, and many buyers are finally jumping in and buying that dream home or vacation property.
All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. The listings on this site are displayed courtesy of the IDX program of Pocono Mountains Association of REALTORS and may not be the listings of the site owner
I-80 and the Delaware River from the Appalachian Trail, Delaware Water Gap
The decision to buy a house is a major one and there are a lot of things to think about when selecting where to live and what kind of property to buy. There are obvious things like personal style preferences, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, etc, but anyone who has been in the real estate market lately knows that it's much more complicated than that. Especially for people considering a move to a new area. Here I will outline some of the things that may help you decide if the purchase of a vacation home here or a full-blown relocation is right for you. And if you find that a conversation via phone or email would help get some of your concerns answered, feel free to contact me anytime.
Why come to the Poconos to buy real estate?
This is a key question in my interviews with potential buyer clients when I meet with them to evaluate their needs. Creating the real estate consumer's perfect-home profile is an important step to get us focused on the right properties, as this question really helps hone in on priorities. Answers obviously vary but there are a few answers that come up all the time, and they just might help you make the decision to dive in to the Pocono real estate market:
Location, location, location
Whether they are looking for a primary home to live in full time, a weekend getaway place, or a potential retirement home, people are drawn to the Poconos' location because of its ideal proximity to New York City and Philadelphia, being less than two hours to either city. Those who work in or around either of these places find that commuting from here to their job in their own car or via the commuter bus is very manageable. I find that business owners, entrepreneurs, and self-employed people who need access to the major metropolitan areas only a couple of times a week, especially, appreciate our location and access to major routes such as I80, the Northeast Extension of the Turnpike, and I78 via Route 33.
Breathing room
Living in an apartment in a city has its benefits: close proximity to public transportation, walkability to stores and other conveniences, the energy, the nightlife...lots of pluses! Sometimes people get to a point, though, where they want to spread out. "Space" is one of the most often mentioned priorities of potential homebuyers as they describe what they need in their new home, whether it's living space inside, or space between houses outside. Privacy and space to spread out are very available here in the Poconos. Property sizes here are very attractive to purchasers used to postage stamp sized, or smaller, yards. A quarter, half, or one acre property is normal here. As for inside space, I can't tell you how many times I've showed homes here and buyers look at a closet and say,"that would be called a bedroom in the city!"
Price, value, and affordability
Prices may have come down all over, but the fact remains that a real estate purchase in some areas, such as Upstate New York, is still out of reach for some home buyers. Even if the prices are within reach, many buyers have trouble justifying spending more money somewhere else when we have such values available here. And as prices begin to increase in other areas, we remain affordable. Granted property taxes are not as affordable as they used to be, but our prices reflect that and a bit of savvy shopping with the right professional help can go a long way in finding a good value.
What are YOUR priorities?
Each real estate purchaser has his or her own priorities when it comes to selecting where to buy. The considerations listed above are usually the ones that push buyers to investigate the real estate market in the Poconos, but there are many other considerations in narrowing things down to a specific area, neighborhood, or school district, and in eventually selecting THE house. Your financial situation, the type of mortgage you qualify for, the size of your household and your lifestyle, and myriad other things will determine where you look and what kinds of homes you look at. When the time comes to select a real estate agent to help you, make sure they understand what is important to you and how to guide you toward your perfect house. A keen understanding your needs along with industry and market expertise and local knowledge are invaluable traits of the professional you'll select to help you.
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.
It’s no surprise that the share of homes sold to vacation home buyers and to real estate investors is up. Housing affordability and low interest rates have combined to make investing in real estate a no-brainer for the well-informed purchaser. According to the 2013 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey published this month by the National Association of REALTORS, the share of homes sold in 2012 to investors remained at the second highest level since 2005, and slightly more vacation home buyers made the move to buy a getaway over previous years.
Further, the report found that seventy-eight percent of these buyers agree that now is a good time to purchase real estate and around half of them found the mortgage process to be not difficult or easier than expected.
Granted, these buyers, generally speaking, tend to be financially savvy and have lots of spare cash, but their confidence in real estate as an investment should bolster yours. If you are able to buy, don’t wait. Reports of low housing inventories in some areas, multiple offers, and rising rates mean the the tide is turning.
Here in the Poconos it’s no different. Foreclosures are getting snapped up at a fast pace, with buyers competing for the real ‘steals,’ inventory of the ‘nice stuff’ is low, and rentals are hard to find. It won’t be long before we start to see home prices inch up.
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Wanna chat about whether the time is right for you to get in the real estate market? Give me a shout!
2/19/13 Update: This home has sold. It closed in February of 2012 for $148,000. The seller paid $8,800 toward the buyer's closing costs. If you are looking to buy or sell vacation property in the Poconos, please contact the author :)
This uncommon vacation home is for sale but offers something many others do not...a rental history! Imagine having a place to escape to in the Poconos that pays for itself. This vacation rental home is turn-key ready and perfect for year round or seasonal use.
Ultra sleek, contemporary styling, high quality materials, energy efficient systems - if you've been looking for something special, this could be it. Unique, upscale, beautiful! Everything's been remodeled in the past couple of years - be sure to check the photos. Located in an amenity community near Bushkill Falls with easy access to all the great Pocono attractions.
At 1800 square feet, this bilevel home is the perfect size to be easily maintained, heated and cooled. Three bedrooms, two full baths, a garage and a pretty lot on a quiet cul de sac. $157,500
Interested? Contact me! Your patience is appreciated when scheduling a showing - the nature of an in-demand vacation rental such as this means it may be occupied and unavailable to show sometimes. Plenty of notice is appreciated.