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Columbia County, PA Real Estate News

By Keith Landis, Pennsylvania - "Your Pennsylvania Mortgage Source"
(Keystone Home Finance - NMLS#834342 - Conventional - FHA - VA -USDA - Jumbo Programs - Direct Phone 412-726-1654)
Looking to buy a home in Columbia County, Pennsylvania? You might want to make a quick check to see if you and the property are eligible for a Pennsylvania USDA Mortgage, also known as a Pennsylvania USDA Rural Development Loan. Here's Why...  USDA home loans offer a few benefits that other mortgage programs cannot match, including no down payment and financed closing cost. If the home appraisal allows, the closing costs can also be wrapped into the mortgage resulting in no money needed at the closing table. USDA is the only mortgage program that allows for all closing costs to be financed into the loan amount on a home purchase.  Interest rates for USDA mortgages are comparable and often lower than the low fixed rates of Conventional, FHA and VA financing. The USDA Mortgage program doe...
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By House Selling Tips
(DIR-USA.com)
We Buy Houses Fast - Columbia PA: There are certain things that can just turn any buyer around and out the door faster than anything. Especially in this heavily weighted buyer’s market, they can be as fussy as they’d like when they are looking for a home. You can go a long way toward accommodating them.Poor fitting doors are a serious turn off. They should all open and close easily and be straight while doing so. This might just be a matter of you taking a screw driver to the door hinges to tighten them up as they do tend to sag and loosen up over the years. Inadequate electrical outlets can actually shut down a sale. Today’s homeowners use quite a bit of electrical power and will need many outlets to power up their big screens, computers, cell phone chargers, iPods, and more. It is com...
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By House Selling Tips
(DIR-USA.com)
Columbia PA House Buyers: The profit margins for those that invest in real properties these days is much lower than what it was just 5 or 10 years ago. In the heyday of the last decade, one who did a lot of buying, rehabbing, and flipping was making around 20% in profit on average per house.The profit margin today is closer to 10% which isn’t fantastic, but those in the business know that it will go up and down. While its low now, when the market recovers their profit will be better and they will know just that much more about their business. Every transaction or deal is a learning experience and those that continue to work at it through the ups and downs are well versed in all aspects of the market and what is required to keep afloat. When the market returns they are in a position to b...
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By Dorothy B. Rhone, GRI, CRS, ABR, e-PRO, SRS, OA
(Century 21 Covered Bridges Realty, Inc.)
      HOME BUYER TAX CREDIT EXTENDED AND EXPANDED   What are you waiting for?     The awesome opportunity for a first time home buyer to receive $8000 free money from Uncle Sam was due to expire later this month.  On November 6th, the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 was passed which extends the first time home buyer tax credit for buyers entering into a binding contract by April 30, 2009 with settlement completed by June 30, 2009.  In addition, a new progam became effective immediately for move up or repeat home buyers.  These buyers, who have lived in their primary residence for five consecutive years of the past eight years, may be eligible for a tax credit of $6500.  These tax credits are literally "free money" and are not required to be repaid as long as ...
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By Devi Singh
(Villager Realty, Inc)
The Bloomsburg Hospital Annual Wine Tasting benefits Bloomsburg Hospital. This year it will be held at The Barn At Boone's Dam which is located near to Bloomsburg Fairgrounds. It will be held on March 20th, 2010, so, save the date. This year, food will be catered by Susquehanna Chef. Stay tuned for more updates!
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By Dorothy B. Rhone, GRI, CRS, ABR, e-PRO, SRS, OA
(Century 21 Covered Bridges Realty, Inc.)
The last Saturday in April of each year is a special day in downtown Bloomsburg, PA.  For over 20 years, Main Street is closed from early morning until early evening for a street fair.    Renaissance Jamboree is a celebration of Spring where everyone comes out to enjoy lots of food provided by all non-profit organizations, and over 150 crafters selling their unique creations.      In addition, there is plenty of entertainment for all ages.                What a wonderful day in Downtown Bloomsburg!  Make plans to visit the only Incorporated Town in PA, Bloomsburg, for our next Renaissance Jamboree! To see a video of Renaissance Jamboree of 2009, visit my web site at www.DotSellsBloomsburg.com and click on the Area Video Library.  On my web site you can also see videos of our beautiful t...
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By Dorothy B. Rhone, GRI, CRS, ABR, e-PRO, SRS, OA
(Century 21 Covered Bridges Realty, Inc.)
Don't miss the window of opportunity!  There couldn't be a better time to buy!  Affordable prices, historic low interest rates (as low as the World War II era), and FREE MONEY FROM UNCLE SAM!  That's right...in February the new and improved tax credit expanded the $7500 tax credit (which was similar to an interest free loan because it had to be repaid) to an $8000 tax credit that does not have to be repaid!  Of course, there are some noteable guidelines--income limits for single borrower of $75,000 adjusted gross income and $150,000 for a married couple.  Also, you must own the home for three years, and to qualify as a "first time buyer" you could not have owned a primary residence within the last three years.  Settlement must occur in 2009 BEFORE December 1st, so don't wait until the l...
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By Dorothy B. Rhone, GRI, CRS, ABR, e-PRO, SRS, OA
(Century 21 Covered Bridges Realty, Inc.)
Real estate continues to be the best investment on the planet.  Of course, it is a long term investment where you can build equity and appreciation as well as enjoy the tax benefits of home ownership.  The new stimulus plan that was passed in February 2008 included a tax credit to first time homebuyers.  Any first time buyer (a buyer who has not owned a property in the past three years) is entitled to an $8000 tax credit if they purchase a property in 2009 prior to December 1st (as long as they qualify within the income limitations).  Unlike last year's tax credit of $7500 for those buyers that purchased from April through December in 2008 where repayment was required...the $8000 credit is just that, a credit with no repayment! Mortgage rates continue to be at historic lows, there is an...
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By Dorothy B. Rhone, GRI, CRS, ABR, e-PRO, SRS, OA
(Century 21 Covered Bridges Realty, Inc.)
One weekend each and every July the town of Bloomsburg, PA will be overrun with truck enthusiasts.  The exciting summer 4-Wheel  Jamboree Nationals are hosted at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds.  Over 3,000 custom 4x4 trucks compete in various events including a ride and drive obstacle course, mud drag racing, burnout competition, and show and shine among others.  There is also a spectacular fireworks display on Saturday evening and a bikini contest.   For three days you can see big trucks, bigger trucks, and monster trucks.  Past participants have included the infamous monster trucks, Grave Digger, Bigfoot, and Avenger.  All of the participants and spectators, both young and old, enjoy seeing these incredible rigs.  The hours of operation for this year show are 10am to 6:30 pm on July 11, ...
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By Dorothy B. Rhone, GRI, CRS, ABR, e-PRO, SRS, OA
(Century 21 Covered Bridges Realty, Inc.)
The Progressive Farmer Magazine, published since 1886, has released its fourth annual top ten rankings of the Best Places to Live in Rural America 2008. Their selection is based on school quality, access to health care, low crime, and affordable farmland.  This year they offered extra credit to counties that have successfully protected farmland, controlled pressure from urban areas and struck a balance among agriculture, manufacturing, and modern convenience. Columbia County was listed as #5 on the top ten list, and was named #1 in the Northeast.  This convenient location is only a couple of hours from Philadelphia, New York, and New Jersey, and travel is very easy with I-80 crossing the county from border to border.  The local schools have low student-teacher ratios, and Bloomsburg Uni...
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By Dorothy B. Rhone, GRI, CRS, ABR, e-PRO, SRS, OA
(Century 21 Covered Bridges Realty, Inc.)
 Well the results are in!  My company, Century 21 Covered Bridges Realty, Inc. had a record breaking year in 2007.  We even had three agents break their personal best year.  We again lead the marketplace and outsold our nearest two competitors combined.  According to the multiple listing service of the Central Susquehanna Valley Board of Realtors, the average sale price increased slightly as did the number of days on the market.  My company continued to lead Columbia County in both the number of closed transactions and sales volume.The media continues to dwell on the highest rate of forclosures in history and the weakness of the economy on the verge of a recession.  The doom and gloom in the real estate industry is perceived by everyone to be nationwide.  A friend of mine recently told ...
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By Dorothy B. Rhone, GRI, CRS, ABR, e-PRO, SRS, OA
(Century 21 Covered Bridges Realty, Inc.)
This morning was an ugly day in Bloomsburg.  It had been raining very hard since last evening.  My daughters called me at 9:30 a.m. and asked if I'd like to go along with them to the fall craft show to be held at the Columbia Montour Area Vocational Technical School today.  I think everyone in our town and the surrounding communities were there!  There were more than a hundred crafters displaying and selling their wares.  There were ghosts, goblins, Thanksgiving turkeys, and plenty of Santas and snowmen that were beautifully created and painted, many which were illuminated with sparkling white lights.  In addition there were lovely hand made clothing items,  handcrafted furniture, and decadent chocolates.  A highlight of the show every year is the luncheon that is available that is prep...
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By Carey A. Smith, ABR, One America
Last weekend my kids and I came home after I picked them up from Sunday school.  It was such a perfect day outside but we didn't know what to do.  My husband and I decided to take our three little ones to the local farm market for some pumpkin picking and hayrides.  We had such a great time.  The kids loved the hay ride we went on.  The ride was gorgeous with all the trees changing colors.  We rode through the orchard and stopped at the pumpkin patch where the kids got to pick a small pumpkin to take with them.  .We strolled into the store and bought some delicious apples, strawberry jelly and apple cider to take home with us.  The kids climbed on a mountain of hay and ran through a mini hay "maze"       If you have a chance, take a trip out to Rohrbach's Farm Market.  They are very nic...
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By Dorothy B. Rhone, GRI, CRS, ABR, e-PRO, SRS, OA
(Century 21 Covered Bridges Realty, Inc.)
At the end of Main Street on the top of College Hill is the entrance to Bloomsburg University, and since it had been there as long as I remember, it was easy to take it for granted.  Since the early 1800's post high school education was available in the town of Bloomsburg.  The beginning of higher education in Bloomsburg began in 1839 with the founding of an academy.    Later in 1856 the academy was chartered as the Bloomsburg Literary Institute.  Upon the construction of the first building at its current location, the school was established as a state normal school in 1869.  The Commonwealth of PA purchased the school in 1916, and in 1927 it became Bloomsburg State Teachers College.  In 1960, due to a variety of available programs and graduate degrees, the "teachers" was dropped from i...
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By Dorothy B. Rhone, GRI, CRS, ABR, e-PRO, SRS, OA
(Century 21 Covered Bridges Realty, Inc.)
Bloomsburg's earliest development and inhabitants were part of the Indian period of American history. The Susquehannock Indians were the first occupants of the Susquehanna River Valley which was a major route into Central New York State. Today we are reminded of our Indian heritage by the many interesting names of nearby local places such as Susquehanna, Catawissa, Nescopeck, and Shickshinny.The first settlers occupied lands along the river.  In 1772, James McClure came to the area from Lancaster and built a log cabin near the banks of the Susquehanna within the present Town limits. In 1781, a wooden stockade was constructed around the McClure dwelling to protect settlers from Indian attacks. Today, all that remains of the Fort McClure site is a one-room cabin, which is open to the publ...
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By Dorothy B. Rhone, GRI, CRS, ABR, e-PRO, SRS, OA
(Century 21 Covered Bridges Realty, Inc.)
Bloomsburg is located in the heart of Columbia County and is the county seat with a population of nearly 12,000.  Everyone who visits falls in love with the beautiful and quaint downtown, magnificent architecture in the historic district, the gorgeous surroundings by the banks of the Susquehanna River and the scenic mountains and valleys.  One of the focal points of the downtown is the majestic town fountain at the square that was refurbished for the bicentennial celebration in 2002.  Bloomsburg has a strong business community and is further enhanced with the clubs, organizations, and volunteer opportunities for the citizens of the area.  A favorite spot for young and old is the lovely town park.  Along the banks of the Susquehanna, the park has a variety of things enjoyed by all.  The ...
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By Dorothy B. Rhone, GRI, CRS, ABR, e-PRO, SRS, OA
(Century 21 Covered Bridges Realty, Inc.)
Late September of each and every year the town of Bloomburg has many visitors.  Home to Bloomsburg University, this quaint college town is transformed into a popular tourist attraction with an abundance of traffic resembling a metropolitan area and local lodging accommodations filled to capacity.  This year from September 22nd through September 29th  you can again enjoy the awesome Bloomsburg Fair. Daily attendance is usually anywhere from 30,000 to 100,000, depending on the day and the weather.  Local resident's habits and lifestyles change for that special week.  Bloomsburg and Central Columbia School Districts both have school vacations for the entire week, while some surrounding schools have one or two days off to enjoy the fair as well. Started in 1855 as primarily an agricultural ...
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By Andrew Trevino, Wilkes-Barre Homes For Sale
(ADT Real Estate)
Hello all. I just wanted to stop by and invite you all out to the Bloomsburg Fair from the 22nd to the 29th of September. The fair is just a short ride from Wilkes-Barre, PA (about 35 minutes) down Route 11, in Bloomsburg, PA. This is the 153rd annual fair and it just gets better every year!! There are plenty of rides for the thrill seekers, carnival games for the kids (both big and small), live animals (it's a fair after all), great food and plenty of live entertainment. This year you will be able to see Josh Turner, Josh Gracin, Bill Engvall, Ryan Pelton, The Oak Ridge Boys, Gretchen Wilson, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Charlie Daniels Band, Joe Nichols and Taylor Hicks. That's quite a line-up of talent!!So, don't forget to come out and check out the fair. It'll be lots of fun for ...
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