Inman News reported that HUD will detail the 4 billion grant program this month. The link to the article is below. HUD details $4 billion grant program The program is called Neighborhood Stabilization and contains specific grants for cities. The program link in spanish is Programa de estabilización de vecindarios (NSP). For the community of Allentown Pennsylvania the allocation for the NSP is $2,113,456. Keep the blue sky up!     10/13/2008

October 2, 2008 Would someone please tell me WHY people in Allentownare STILL renting when they could buy a home with close to 100% financing & a great rate?! WHY WOULD YOU STILL RENT?!!  I JUST DON'T GET IT!!! www.rentingisdumb.com BECAUSE RENTING IS REALLY DUMB!! 10/02/2008

I truely love what I do for a living because: It affords me the opportunity to meet some of the most interesting people known to man. There is something new to learn each and every day. All you have to do is pay attention! I get a RUSH from being able to help someone get a mortgage they felt they might not be able to get. There is no time card to punch, no mandatory work schedule, no pressure from anyone but me. The variety of what I do is endless. Of course variety is the spice of life. Of relationships I have established over 30 years that go beyond business ties. The opportunity to educate people who don't work with mortgages every day. I am the expert in this area! My family has been extended just through the great people I get to work with every day. They are happy, I'm happy. They... 08/20/2008

    Joe GonzalezBranch Manager1st Metropolitan MortgagePhone: 610-351-7510Fax: 610-351-7810jgonzalez@1stmetro.netwww.1stmetropolitan.net   Once your loan application is filled out and sent to the lender for review, the first thing they will look for is your ability to payback the loan you are requesting. My team and I have a streamlined loan process to help you get your ducks in a row prior to this review. A grand slam loan package is in perfect order and answers all the important questions up front. We know what the lenders are looking for, based on long-term relationships with them and extensive knowledge of guidelines for a multitude of loan programs that are available today.What is the lender looking for when they review the loan application?The lender wants to know about your pers... 07/21/2008

Find Out What Your Landlord DOESN'T WANT YOU to KNOW atwww.stoprentingalready.com THREE UNIT IN ALLENTOWN. HOUSE NEAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. NEWER FURNACE, PORCH, NEWER KITCHEN (2nd fl.),AND SOME FLOORS. PLUS THERE IS A DETACHED TWO CAR GARAGE THAT HE USES FOR STORAGE OF HIS BELONGINGS. OWNER WILL LOOK AT ALL OFFERS. AVAILABLE FOR QUICK CLOSING. OWNER PAYS HEAT AND FOR HALL LIGHTS,WATER,SEWER AND TRASH. TENANTS PAY THE REST OF THE UTILITIES. LAST RENTS WERE 675, 650, 625...BUILDING IS VACANT, IF IMPROVED RENTS COULD BRING MORE.  Use our FREE & Easy Purchase Assistant at www.stoprentingalready.net to get pre-qualified for a home today. Don't waste your time - find out EXACTLY what you can afford BEFORE you start looking at homes.  That's www.1stmetropolitan.net   06/06/2008

  703 Chester Street, Allentown, PA 18103   MLS #308206   WHY PAY RENT and put cash in your landlord's pocket? For $69,900 you can own this cozy, 2BR, 1.5 bath twin home close to elementary school, parks and services. New water heater. The refrigerator stays and there's an awning to cover the patio. Seller will provide 13 month HWA Home Warranty. Call to make this home yours. Cathy Mackenzie, ABR The Paragon Real Estate Group, Ltd. 7540 Windsor Drive, Suite 75 Allentown, PA 18195 Office: 610-366-8881 Fax: 610-366-8886 www.CathyMackenzie.com www.ParagonREG.com AB065809 06/03/2008

  New Listings98  Back on Market5  Price Increases5  Price Reductions61  Contingents8  Pendings42  Solds34  Expireds20  Inactives26   Tired of searching for your new home?  We will provide you with a FREE list of homes for sale that match your buying criteria as soon as they come onto the market. The best homes often sell very quickly, often before you even get a chance to see them. To avoid this sign up for the Free House Hunter Program that does all the work for you http://http://www.freehousehunterprogram.com/or call 24/7   877-735-3527  ID # 1071 Buy a home for less than $1200 with Zero Money Down "Now you can realize the dream of owning your own home with zero down payment." The Zero Cash Down Payment Program offers you a way to buy a home with no down payment. That's right zero do... 04/15/2008

Beginning this year our brokerage, Coldwell Banker Heritage Real Estate, will be proud sponsors of the new Philadelphia Phillies Triple A affiliate minor league baseball team, The Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs!I know exactly what you are thinking....WHAT in the heck is an IRON PIG??From the Official Iron Pigs Website FAQ:How was the team name selected and what is an IronPig? The team name, selected by a public vote from the community, was derived from "Pig Iron" -- the raw iron melted down to make the steel that was once the leading industry here in the Lehigh Valley.     Visit the Official Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs Website For More Information!Get Your Hats and Shirts Today at the Iron Pigs Online Store!Coldwell Banker Heritage Real Estateis looking forward to a great inaugural season from our... 03/18/2008

Hey, all you antique buffs!  A huge antique show will be happening here in the Lehigh Valley, PA.  It will be held at the Merchants Square Mall in Allentown (The exact address is 1901 S. 12th St.)  on Saturday, February 2, 2008 from 10AM - 4PM and Sunday, February 3, 2008 from 10AM - 3PM.There will be over 45 dealers from 3 area states participating.  You will find antiques dating from the 1900's through the 1960's for show and sale.  You will find linens, depression glass, jewelry, pottery, porcelain, vintage books, antique glass and china, Victorian items, furniture and many, many more items.  The cost is $4.00 and children under 12 get in for free.Come out and see, and maybe even purchase, items from the past at the Great Lehigh Valley Antique Show in Allentown, PA.  There's somethin... 01/10/2008

OK, maybe my age or love of Star Wars is showing here, but I do think that there is at least some relevance relating to good vs. evil. The good being the reversion to being a family oriented town with destinations suitable and safe for families, and the bad being the gangs and drug violence that seems to pervade the news stories about Allentown.Last week, Louie Belletieri spoke at the dinner preceding my Lodge Meeting. What he related was a list of things that are being done to attract businesses back to Allentown, and to improve the ease with which people are able to come to town. He also made the statement that comparatively speaking, Allentown's crime rate is lower than the majority of other cities of similar size. He also stated that the majority of violent crimes are criminal on cr... 09/27/2007

*The following is an entry from the Mortgage side of things into the First ActiveRain -- Buyer Challenge ).  There have been some wonderful contributions from some very talented Realtors out there.  I was asked to throw in what financing options potential buyers had.  Here we go.* Tom & Michelle,It was a pleasure speaking with you today about the financing options available to you in your desire in buying a home here in historic Allentown, Pennsylvania.  I want to first thank you both for the chance to earn your business, as you were referred to me by Colleen Kulikowski.  I also want to applaud you in your decision to work with Colleen, as my experience with her has been nothing short of outstanding.  She will prove to be a valuable individual to help you find a home that will meet your... 09/18/2007

Yesterday,  the 155th Annual Great Allentown Fair opened up with preview day.    I could not pass up a chance to take Taliesen.  Located on 51 acres at the Allentown Fairgrounds, on 17th Street between Liberty and Chew, there is plenty to see and do.  Some of the many amusement rides include 3 ferris wheels, the tilt-a-whirl, the zipper, a merry-go-round, swings, a big slide, and the Bear Affair which was Taliesen's favorite. Since my stomach is a little to weak to be spinning in fast circles, he convinced Mariah to take him on.  She made sure that they spun around as fast as possible.  I am impressed that both Mariah and Taliesen could walk a straight line when the got off.   There are animals to see, including a petting zoo.  From now until Labor day, you can see things such as the Cr... 08/29/2007

 Despite what your popular infomercial of the day has to say, it ain't easy giving bad news.  And it's not in my nature to take advantage of it.  I wrote a post not too long ago about a transaction that turned real dead, real fast, after the appraisal came back.  An adjustable rate came due, yet they couldn't do a thing...Adjustable Rates were a popular phenom and always will have their place.  I didn't make them that original loan but I followed up like a madman to try to make sure I'd make them the next, and hopefully, final loan they'd ever need.  This story is like many others though, they were credit challenged and equity poor two years ago, they took a lower rate on adjustable terms to get a lower payment...with the idea of things would turn around.  Things didn't turn around.  St... 07/10/2007

I was reminded of something on a long conversation I had with a lady yesterday and yet again after reading a recent post by David Podgursky.   I spend a large part of my life working....I do Mortgages.CLICK HERE & THEN READ!Let me explain further.  There are only so many hours in a day, only so many days in a week, and only so many weeks in a year.  Yet, a lot of us spend a large amount of those hours, days, & weeks doing what we feel passionate about doing...our chosen occupation.  Sometimes, I forget to explain what I do and why I do it.I've pointed out before that I hardly knew what a Mortgage encompassed before entering this industry 6+ years ago.  Then, I caught the bug.  I became enamored with everything I could help with in other's lives, and there was a monetary benefit and intr... 07/07/2007

I never understood the celebrity culture of bright lights and silver spoons.  I never understood why a lot of them just faded away.  I do understand that a lot of individuals reached their particular heights of greatness without a silver spoon and worked their behinds off to get there.  But, I never understood why one moment you are great, and the next, you fade away.Every once in awhile, I write off the cuff and have no clue of what I'm going to say next.  Mark this as once of those every once in awhile's.As the preliminary fireworks of Independence Day go off in the background of this here part of the U.S.A, it makes me think of every life lived and breathed to make-up our culture, our world, what it is and isn't for that matter.  My neighbors must have plenty of matches because the g... 07/04/2007

Every year, the City of Allentown has a spectacular fireworks display for the 4th of July holiday.  This year is no different. It begins at 2 P.M. on Wednesday at the Liberty Bell Museum.  Pip the Mouse will ring a replica of the Liberty Bell 13 times, in honor of the 13 colonies.  In case you didn't know,  the Liberty Bell was hidden here in Allentown briefly.  Admission is free.At 6 P.M. make your way to J. Birney Crum Stadium.  You can enjoy the sounds of the The Allentown Marine Band.   You will see some skydivers.  Around 9 P.M. the fireworks will begin.  Admission  into the stadium is $2.00 per person or $5 per family.     07/02/2007

Tracy Santrock called me out.  She took it upon herself to MEME me, so once again I'm exposed....1) I'm Directionless-  I mean this literally.  I was driving home from work this evening and the road I typically take was blocked/cut off.  I hear all the time, "You can't miss it!"  My retort, " I can't find it!"  I read somewhere that Einstein would get lost walking home.  I don't have much in common with his genius, but I can identify with that.  So, I have that going for me...2)  Over 3 years ago, I lived in an Attic. There was no heat in the cold, no wind in the warm.  I vividly recall one evening when I awoke and saw a shadow of a winged creature hovering above me.  I pulled the string attached to the light-bulb and my open eyes saw a Bat flying in my general direction.  Doing my best... 06/14/2007

  So this is number 100, the century mark for a post-happy person like yours truly who is blogging his little heart away?  Excellent!  I look back and I've come a long way.  I look forward and know that I have a long way to go.  Evolution is such an intriguing reality.  I wanted to make this one special, then I figured they all should be special....Right?  So, I wanted to talk about POO.  A little bit about POO....POO is important but you really didn't really think I was referring to anything other than Pride Of Ownership in my acronym did ya?  I was thinking about this as I took a meander down the street today.  You see, it is that time of the year.  There are several homes along my street up for sale and it made me think of the small things, those little quirks I see as important if y... 05/27/2007

I don't mind humility.  It is the one trait I feel most of us lack the most.  I'm not talking about getting down on yourself, I'm speaking of reaching out and simply saying, "I live, help me learn."  It is one of the things this forum allows us to do...if we let it, allow it, enforce it, & embrace it.Before I go any further, let me say I've lived in the state of Pennsylvania for 28 out of the 30 years I've lived here on planet earth.  I love the Steelers, have a soft spot for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and am not a huge fan of Philly fans, unless we are talking Professional Wrestling.  As far as the Eagles, Fliers, Sixers, & Phillies Fans...best of luck chaps, but I'll be rooting for the freaking Giants, Rangers, Knicks, &  Yankees if I have too.  I love Bonfires, Keg Parties, Autumn, & Sh... 05/12/2007

Not that the weather is getting warm, it's a great time to be outdoors.  This past weekend, Dorney Park opened.  Wildwater Kingdom will open May 26.  That's "two great parks for the price of one".                                         And with over 200 acres of fun, games, resturants, entertainment, and over 100 rides there is something for everyone.      Dorney Park is owned by Cedar Fair Entertainment, Robert F. Ott 1967-1984, Robert L. Plarr prior to 1967, and, before him, Jacob Plarr. The park originally was founded in 1884 by Solomon Dorney, for whom it is named, as a fish hatchery. Robert F. Ott died March 3, 2007 in Lehigh Valley Hospital. His wife, Sarah E. Sally Plarr Ott died in February.Dorney Park's Wildwater Kingdom, located on the park grounds, is one of the largest wate... 05/07/2007