Every year, I say I am going to use my "social computer time" for more constructive purposes, sort of as a New Year's resolution but alas, I get sucked into the world of Facebook. These days, keeping in touch with my circle of friends and acquaintances is becoming a bit more of a daunting task, as much of the social media fodder is centered around politics and everyone's opinions of the state of our union. Politics is indeed, a large part of our daily lives because let's face it, decisions and policies that are being made affect us in so many ways but I don't want to spend any more of my time on line discussing it with anyone! Instead, I would rather talk about something that is near and dear to me... home ownership!!! As a real estate professional, I believe that home ownership is a perfect foundation to building wealth. It's the American dream, the first step to taking control of one of the most basic human needs ~ shelter ~ and most times, the most expensive asset someone ever purchases in their lives. The Poconos is perfectly sandwiched between two of the most major cities in the USA, Philadelphia and NYC, which brings the "city folk" out here to the country for the most perfect leisure and vacation time. Do we ever have enough time to decompress? Weekends are wonderful, aren't they? If you don't have a list of chores and errands at home that will gobble up your precious down time, a weekend away is the perfect reset button. Have you ever thought about owning a vacation home? The Poconos was rated one of the top 10 places to buy a vacation home http://www.marketwatch.com/story/best-places-to-buy-a-vacation-home-2013-08-08. There is a lot to consider when making a purchase of a second home which I spend much of my time discussing with anyone tossing the idea around. It's also possible that if you can't afford a home where you have your primary residence, a weekend home here in the Poconos is within your reach and something to consider. Contact me if you have any questions! I'm always happy to help :)

The Grammys and Remax Rap

How fitting that 24 hours after I post about the wonderful winter here in the Poconos, I find myself unable to leave my house this morning due to school closings, snow and ice fall...well that's ok because I had an opportunity to scan through my TiVo's recording of the Grammy's last night. It's always nice to know a little about the latest buzz instead of being days behind! I don't think I could sit in the audience through such a long awards show although I wouldn't mind the opportunity to see such a dazzling array of artists perform live! I absolutely love the collaborations between artists that could be considered "unusual". My favorite was Lady GaGa and Tony Bennet ~ what a class act, so much fun to see such different styles blend to produce a fabulous rendition of a wonderful song. It's been said that Tony is "taming GaGa" although I love her wild style and spirit! Then there are "questionable moments" that leave me wondering how celebrities of such caliber can possibly STILL be so attention starved? I refer to the antics of Kanye and Madonna. In any case, in honor of the Grammys, I would like to share a fun side of RE/MAX. Enjoy!

Winter is Wonderful in the Poconos

I think it is safe to say that if you live in the Northeast, more specifically, in a rural area like the Pocono Mountains, you must resolve yourself to deal with a hearty winter season. I've heard many people who live around these parts (or in nearby New York and New Jersey) say that they hate the winter and plan to move where there is no such thing someday. This is not so easily done by most, with their livelihoods, family and friends preventing them from moving to warmer climates. I happen to love and appreciate all four seasons , so I don't believe that I can do without any of them completely. Perhaps it would be nice to have a shorter winter season, but that isn't going to happen anytime soon (or ever for th

at matter) here in the Poconos. I haven't skied since high school and have become quite nervous about trying it again although the thought has crossed my mind lately. Maybe if I just stay on the "little slopes" I might be able to overcome my fear, but there is always snow tubing, which I really do enjoy. I live right in the heart of "the tourist area", where Camelback ski mountain, Camelbeach waterpark and soon to be Camelbeach indoor water park will be, Mt. Airy Casino and the Crossings Factory Outlets are located. It might seem strange, but our vacation home is just 25 minutes Northwest, in Lake Harmony. That community is where we found we could take just a short drive and partake in completely different types of activities that aren't right here in town. Lake Harmony is one of the few lakes that allows gas powered vehicles, which nets quite a lively summertime scene, but even more special, a fabulous winter one. People ice fish and ride their snowmobiles around this 150 acre lake as soon as it freezes over. Seeing this for the first time was truly magical, right out of a movie scene. Yesterday, I was confident enough in the fact that the lake was rock solid ice, that I took my son out for a walk on it. I could have stayed there all day. It was like no other setting or feeling I've ever had in winter, a new found wonder of the winter wonderland I live in. If you have never walked out on a frozen lake, I highly recommend it!

What is important to you?

What does the date 7-7-07 and VEGAS have in common? Well, besides a possible connection of 7-7-7 with a big win on a slot machine in VEGAS, the anniversary of my joining RE/MAX of the Poconos was 7-7-07 and the broker/owner of our office has just announced a fabulous incentive he intends to extend to the real estate professionals in my office if we meet the goal he has set forth for us in 2015. Sure, like all sales goals, there is a dollar figure involved, but what is behind that figure is so much more than a number...the number is just a "fact" with no feelings. The REAL deal behind that number is the strengthening of the financial picture for countless home buyers and sellers, who placed the purchase or sale of their biggest investment with a RE/MAX agent from our office. It represents the hours, days, weeks, months and sometimes years that one of my fellow real estate professionals from RE/MAX of the Poconos worked with a buyer or seller client to help them achieve their goals and move on to another chapter of their lives. That figure is proof that RE/MAX is the sign you want and the agent that you need.

The Stats in Today's Pocono Mountain Association of Realtors

The busy season is just around the corner, evidenced by the RAINFALL instead of snowfall happening at present!  It's also a day away from the heavy weekend traffic this tourist area is bound to get, as we do every weekend, with such great attractions such as Camelback, Mount Airy Resort and Casino, The Crossings Outlet Center and The Great Wolf Lodge.  Typically, the weekends are prime time for realtors to meet with their clients.  So, today I just want to give you a quick pic of what our local market looks like going into the weekend...

3,247 residential properties actively on market for sale

25 residential properties "back on the market" meaning they were active for sale on the market, either came off temporarily at owner's request or went under contract and fell through

10 "extensions" meaning the property was active for sale on the market, did not sell within its original listing period, so the owner agreed to a longer listing period with their current listing agent.

7 "expired" listings that did not sell within its original listing period

13 "pended" that had an agreement of sale fully executed

8 "closed" that went to settlement in the last 24 hours

36 "newly listed" meaning they have not been active for sale on the market in the last 90 days, and have come on to the MLS within the last 24 hours


If you know someone that is buying or selling in the Pocono area, please make sure they are finding out the listing history from their buyer's agent before making an offer.  If they are selling, make sure they get an accurate market analysis before choosing a market price.  Nothing is worse than a "shop worn" or overpriced listing!

Enjoy your weekend!  Thanks for being here :)

MY buyer, MY seller

I've always had to question the practice of  REALTORS using the phrases, "MY buyer and MY seller" as if these people were owned property of the real estate professional.  While I wholey agree that representation of a client is something to be declared, it can easily be evidenced when an offer is made, on page one of the agreement of sale in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, where it documents "seller's relationship with real estate agency" and "buyer's relationship with real estate agency".  In conversations between real estate professionals, I think it should be standard practice to simply say, "THE buyer" or "THE seller" or "Mr. Smith" or "Mrs. Smith".  The moment the word "MY" comes into play, I believe it taints the entire transaction with the possibility that issues within the transaction could be taken personally by the real estate professional.  All too many times, I find that negotiations within a transaction are answered by the real estate professional in a knee jerk type reaction before it is even discussed with the actual buyer or seller!  There is a difference between the realtor representing their client's best interest and actually acting as if they are the client....and although it may seem like one in the same, it's very far from it. 

A new approach to real estate

I've never been a big believer in the wonders of technology, mostly, because I didn't know how to use much of it!  But, I am proud to say, after a few years of heartfelt trying, I have really made progress.  I know that in this day and age, a large portion of consumers turn to the internet to get information and accomplish tasks.  I know that real estate consumers want quick access and answers, so here I am with my first blog site ever, to give them that!  I've got a new website, please check it out at http://www.christineharvell.com/ which will allow you to access the entire MLS as well as information about the Pocono area in which I reside and specialize.  Welcome!