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Author Archives: Erica Ramus

    Home Price Appreciation since 2019

    By Erica Ramus | January 26, 2023

    What is really happening with home prices? If you’re thinking of selling your Pennsylvania home in 2023, recently headlines about home prices may have you questioning that decision. Here’s the context those headlines are missing. Home price growth – year over year – since January of 2019 is illustrated here. While moderating in recent months... Read More

    3 Factors That Affect Home Affordability

    By Erica Ramus | January 25, 2023

    3 Factors That Affect Home Affordability If you’ve been following the housing market over the last couple of years, you’ve likely heard about growing affordability challenges. But according to experts, the key factors that determine housing affordability are projected to improve this year. Selma Hepp, Executive, Deputy Chief Economist at CoreLogic, shares: “. . . with slowly improving... Read More

    What Past Recessions Tell Us About the Housing Market

    By Erica Ramus | January 16, 2023

    It doesn’t matter if you’re someone who closely follows the economy or not, chances are you’ve heard whispers of an upcoming recession. Economic conditions are determined by a broad range of factors, so rather than explaining them each in depth, let’s lean on the experts and what history tells us to see what could lie... Read More

    How smart buyers should approach rising mortgage rates

    By Erica Ramus | November 27, 2021

    Last week, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate from Freddie Mac inched up to 3.1%, and experts project rates will continue rising through 2022: “The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 2.95 in the third quarter of 22021. We forecast mortgage rates to increase slightly through the remainder of the year and reach 3.0%, rising to 3.5%... Read More

    Improve your home and its value

    By Erica Ramus | November 23, 2021

    Improve Your Home and Its Value: 6 high-ROI ideas to increase the value of your house Home upgrades happen for different reasons but enhancing your home’s curb appeal and value are often at the top of the list. These projects can make it easier to enjoy your home knowing they carry a return on investment... Read More

    November 2021 Real Estate Market Update

    By Erica Ramus | November 17, 2021

    Schuylkill & Berks County Real Estate Report NAR just released their September Existing Home Sales report.  Month-over-month sales were up 7% over August numbers but down 2.3% year-over-year. Yes the market is indeed slowing. We felt it in our office since August – that while we were still busy with buyers and putting in lots of... Read More

    Pennsylvania Farmland Preservation

    By Erica Ramus | August 20, 2021

    Pennsylvania Farmland Preservation: Clean & Green Pennsylvania leads the nation in the number of farms and acres permanently preserved for agricultural production.  The program guarantees a future food supply and contributes to a healthier economy.  It also assures a way of life Pennsylvanian’s cherish will continue for generations to come.  The program is a partnership between all levels... Read More

    One Year Into the Pandemic

    By Erica Ramus | March 11, 2021

    The Difference A Year Makes … A year ago,  the world changed and we were shocked with the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Business shutdowns began across the country and much of the world. Pennsylvania was not immune to the pandemic, and real estate here was shut down hard from mid-March through most of May.... Read More

    March 2021 Real Estate Market Update – Schuylkill & Berks

    By Erica Ramus | March 7, 2021

    In today’s housing market, it seems harder than ever to find a home to buy. This is a national trend – and Schuylkill and Berks County real estate is not immune to the problem. Before the health crisis hit us, there was already a shortage of homes for sale. When many homeowners delayed their plans... Read More

    Schuylkill River Trail

    By Erica Ramus | June 9, 2020

    The Schuylkill River Trail is a multi-use trail in Southeastern Pennsylvania with a projected length of almost 130 miles between Philadelphia and Pottsville. There are currently more than 60 miles complete in sections, including a 30-plus mile stretch from Philadelphia to Parkerford. From there, cyclists can follow a 20-mile signed on-road route to Hamburg. In Hamburg, trail... Read More