Lancaster PA Real Estate Blog» around the house

Planting In Late Fall For Spring Color – with Andrew Landis of Showcase Landscape Services

Jeff — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:08:13 +0000

Today we’re in the Bloomingdale Neighborhood of Manheim Township, an established suburban community in Lancaster County, PA with established landscaping everywhere you look. I “get down and dirty” with Andrew Landis of Showcase Landscape Services to discuss planting now, in late fall, for spring color.

Andrew brought along a bag of Tulip bulbs and the preferred hand tools for planting them. He talked about how to organize your plantings by color, type and locations within your yard. Since we’re having an unseasonably warm late fall, it’s still possible to get out there and do some digging while the temps are over 50 degrees. Andrew mentioned that you can get many bulbs planted in a half hour, so it’s not a big time commitment.

If you want to see a colorful landscape once spring springs in Lancaster County, take the time to “sow the seeds” of color before Christmas!

Read more at http://www.showcasegroup.biz or reach out to Andrew Landis at info@ showcasegroup.biz.

Easy Decor Concepts You Can Do Yourself With Josephine Stoltzfus Of Sprama Design

Jeff — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:58:41 +0000

Today we’re with Josephine Stoltzfus of Sprama Design to talk about getting into décor in your home or apartment. Josephine is an experienced Lancaster PA home designer and talks about layering techniques and using color & patterns to pull things together.

While some aspects of design and decoration are best left to a professional in the field, Josephine was enthusiastic about the possibilities that can be explored even on a tight budget using relatively inexpensive pieces. Creative groupings, offsetting pattern sizes and color schemes that can be replaced as your taste changes are some of the ways she lays out in this video episode.

If you are interested in professional home design services (from décor choices to actual CAD layouts and working with your contractor) reach out to Josephine or her partner Harmony Boore at http://www.Sprama.com or 717-238-1001 anytime.

For tips on desgning for small spaces, check out this episode filmed in Lancaster City:http://www.youtube.com/user/yourlancasterhome#p/f/65/wFbE4TYK7jw
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The Politics Of Housing Recovery

Jeff — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:40:57 +0000

It seems that while everybody is putting forward ideas for a plan to “fix housing,” not much is being done. Considering that several proposals have come from the Republican side of the aisle, it shouldn’t be considered an election-year football.

The latest, presented as a congressional bill Oct. 5 by Sen. Johnny Isakson and Rep. Tom Graves, would create a waiver for the IRS penalty for withdrawing 401(k) savings to pay down delinquent loan amounts in a pending foreclosure. As with all the other plans or ideas put forward in the last two years, this one has its positives and negatives. My fear, however, is that nothing will get done — or even tried — in this tense pre-election atmosphere.

The real losers? All those who legitimately could use a hand and are about to lose their homes.

I am emphatically not a big-government supporter, but I would also contend that since big-government policies caused the housing bubble and placed the housing market where it is today, government needs to craft a policy that would:

Reduce the number of homeowners about to enter foreclosure.
Motivate banks holding foreclosed properties to get them sold.
Create a stable lending environment for mortgage lenders to go out and make good loans on currently distressed properties (most of which currently don’t qualify for FHA or VA loans based on condition).

I’m not necessarily advocating a nationwide “one-size-fits-all” federal policy package — I’d be fine with the FHA putting together liberal guidelines making it easier to get a loan on a distressed property (underwritten second loans, less-restrictive property appraisals …) and handing the states something they can work with.

The bottom-line problem at the moment is that there are untold thousands of properties sitting vacant falling into disrepair around the country with no light at the end of the tunnel for them. I bet you even know of one somewhere near you. All the while it’s harder and harder to get a good home loan, especially if you are one of those folks interested in taking on a distressed property to rehabilitate it. On top of all this, mortgage lenders face stiffening compliance regulations and rising fees to write loans.

If anything ever was a bipartisan problem, the housing mess is. Let’s all share with our elected officials that we’d like to see politics set aside and solutions tried.

Jeff Geoghan is a real estate agent and founder of www.yourlancasterhome.com in Lancaster County. He also hosts “YourLancasterHomeTV (tv.yourlancasterhome.com).” He also holds a Green designation from the National Association of Realtors and blogs about homes and green issues.

Arts & Crafts – Craftsman Homes In Lancaster County PA

Jeff — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:40:33 +0000

Today we’re going to talk about the Arts & Crafts movement (also known as Craftsman Style homes) in Lancaster County and Central PA. Homes for sale that were built in the 1920’s and 1930’s can either be all Craftsman or use bits and pieces of the architectural style that was extremely popular at the time.

I shot this episode at my listing at 67 Valley Road in Neffsville, next door to Manheim Township Middle and High Schools. You can see the bright, big photos of this home at http://www.67valley.com

Craftsman homes in Lancaster PA or throughout Central PA were largely constructed out of masonry – that was the common base material at the time and while there are examples of stick-built Arts & Crafts homes in Lancaster County I would say they are few and far between. A major component of the style is the large covered front porch, allowing people to spend time outside in the environment. You can spot a craftsman home by the porch and also by the integrated square columns… no round columns. The column in this home I’m at are perfect craftsman columns.

Also, simplicity and staying true to the original materials (wood, block etc) was key to the craftsman home style. You’ll notice that this porch is very clean, with no extra details in the flooring or millwork. Arts & Crafts homes arose as a response to the overbearing european styling that was heavy on “fluff” in the design – therefore it follows that craftsman period home designers would keep it simple.

You can read more about the period online – it’s a favorite home style of mine and, interestingly, since these homes are a)older and b)smaller than most homes for sale in Lancaster, the price to buy a decent craftsman home can be very affordable! This home in Neffsvile is only $149,000. Keep an eye out for those big porches and square columns…

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Chris Vogt – Post Flood Insurance Suggestions – Manheim PA

Jeff — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 20:33:53 +0000

Today I was in Manheim, Pennsylvania which was particularly hard-hit with the flooding of creeks in the borough. Chris Vogt of Baron Insurance, who are also located in Manheim and actively involved in fielding local insurance questions this week, joined me in one of the affected areas to talk about insurance options to provide different levels of coverage for future water damages.

Chris explained that most homeowners policies don’t cover flood damage. There is an additional piece of coverage called “sewer & drain” backup that can help if the water comes up through the sump, drains or sewer lines. Typically this “rider” coverage costs between $50-100 extra to secure. Actual flood insurance, a separate policy facilitated through the government, can be purchased by owners through Baron or other local agencies. (As a side note, homebuyers can expect to be required to purchase this coverage if their new home is located in a FEMA flood plain). While a floor insurance policy in Lancaster County or Central PA can cost as little as $150, the average cost is more like $600 according to the stats. On the other hand, the average claim upon such coverage is $48,000!

If you’re interested in learning more about water damage coverage options, reach out the Baron Insurance at 717-665-2985 or online athttp://www.baroninsurancegroup.com.

You can read more details about post-flood cleanup tips, FEMA assistance applications and much more at these webpages:
http://www.lancasterparealestateblog.com/2011/09/13/federal-disaster-area-app…

http://www.lancasterparealestateblog.com/2011/09/12/post-flood-damage-cleanup…
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Thanks for watching! Please take a moment to subscribe here athttp://tv.yourlancasterhome.com and pop over to our facebook page to “like” it at http://www.facebook.com/lancasterhomes

Choose Jeff Geoghan for you next home sale or purchase in Lancaster! Thanks.

Federal Disaster Area – Applying For FEMA Flood Damage Assistance For The 2011 Pennsylvania Flood

Jeff — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:04:35 +0000

Last evening the president’s office formally declared a “Presidential Disaster Area” for selected counties in Pennsylvania in response to the damage inflicted by the recent storms and flooding. Governor Corbett released a statement this morning as follows:

Governor Tom Corbett Issues Statement Regarding Presidential Declaration of Disaster

Harrisburg – Governor Tom Corbett today issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s major disaster declaration for Pennsylvania, signed late on September 12, 2011.

“Late last night, upon receipt of my request, President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for Pennsylvania in the wake of Tropical Storm Lee. This declaration means federal aid will now be available for our residents who have sustained significant damage as a result of last weekend’s disaster,” Corbett said. “As our residents begin the rebuilding process the state stands ready to act as a partner in ensuring efficient and timely assistance for all affected Pennsylvania residents. We will continue to work with FEMA as well as private and volunteer organizations to provide the services Pennsylvanians need during this trying time.”

Everyone is asking about the FEMA damage assistance and how to do it, so I did some research (so you don’t have to…). Watch this video from Fox43:

FEMA appears to break down residential assistance into “housing” and “other than housing” needs.

“Housing Needs” assistance

Temporary Housing (a place to live for a limited period of time): Money is available to rent a different place to live, or a government provided housing unit when rental properties are not available. Search for information about housing rental resources.
Repair: Money is available to homeowners to repair damage from the disaster to their primary residence that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to make the damaged home safe, sanitary, and functional.
Replacement: Money is available to homeowners to replace their home destroyed in the disaster that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to help the homeowner with the cost of replacing their destroyed home.
Permanent Housing Construction: Direct assistance or money for the construction of a home. This type of help occurs only in insular areas or remote locations specified by FEMA, where no other type of housing assistance is possible.

Specifically, that may be used to repair any of the following:

Structural parts of your home (foundation, outside walls, roof).
Windows, doors, floors, walls, ceilings, cabinetry.
Septic or sewage system.
Well or other water system.
Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system.
Utilities (electrical, plumbing, and gas systems).
Entrance and exit ways from your home, including privately owned access roads.
Blocking, leveling, and anchoring of a mobile home and recon-necting or resetting its sewer, water, electrical, fuel lines, and tanks.

Here’s the link to see if you qualify for housing needs assistance: http://www.fema.gov/assistance/process/qualify_housing.shtm

“Other Than Housing Needs” – money is available for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. This includes:

Disaster-related medical and dental costs.
Disaster-related funeral and burial cost.
Clothing; household items (room furnishings, appliances); tools (specialized or protective clothing and equipment) required for your job; necessary educational materials (computers, school books, supplies).
Fuels for primary heat source (heating oil, gas).
Clean-up items (wet/dry vacuum, dehumidifier).
Disaster damaged vehicle.
Moving and storage expenses related to the disaster (moving and storing property to avoid additional disaster damage while disaster-related repairs are being made to the home).
Other necessary expenses or serious needs as determined by FEMA.
Other expenses that are authorized by law.

Here’s the link to see if you qualify for “other than housing needs” assistance: http://www.fema.gov/assistance/process/qualify_other_housing.shtm

Also, Pennsylvania State has information on post-flood damage guidelines.

FEMA TIPS ON FILING AN INSURANCE CLAIM

If possible, photograph the outside of the premises, showing the any damage or flooding. Also, photograph the inside of the premises, showing the damaged property and the height of the water if your property was flooded.

Call your insurance agent to report your claim. If you have seperate flood insurance, also call your flood insurance agent to report your claim. Your flood insurance agent will prepare a Notice of Loss form and an adjuster will be assigned to assist you.

Separate the damaged from the undamaged property and put it in the best possible order for the insurance adjuster’s examination. If reasonably possible, protect the property from further damage.

When the adjuster visits your property, let him or her know if you need an advance or partial payment of loss. Again, good records can assist your insurance companies and the NFIP in giving you an advance payment. Use your inventory to work with the adjuster in presenting your claim.

Damaged property which presents a health hazard or which may hamper local clean-up operations should be disposed of. Be sure to adequately describe and photograph discarded items so that, when the adjuster examines your losses and your records, these article are included in the documentation.

Good records speed up settlement of your claim. Compile a room-by-room inventory of damaged goods, and include manufacturer’s names, dates and places of purchases, and prices. Try to locate receipts or proofs of purchase, especially for major appliances, and note manufacturers’ names, serial numbers, prices, and dates of purchase.

Post-Flood Damage Cleanup Tips – The Lancaster County Flood Of 2011

Jeff — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:50:41 +0000

I wanted to share some extremely helpful flood information for those grappling with the destruction of the 2011 floods in Central PA and Lancaster County from Tropical Storm Lee. Although homes in Manheim, Mount Joy and Marietta were particularly hard-hit, there were significant flooding all over the region with hundreds (thousands?) of basements and low-lying properties damaged. I know from talking to many of you that there’s tons of carpet to be removed, everything from foodstuffs to furniture to assess whether to keep or throw away… these tips from emergency management will be of use to you I bet. I’ll be posting more resources in another update today, links to agencies and companies that help with restoration etc.

You can download the entire paper “Post Flood Cleanup Tips – PA State” at my website.

FOOD AND WATER SAFETY

Food

When in doubt, throw it out! Throw away food that may have come in contact with floodwater – like:

Home-canned foods.
All foods in cardboard boxes, paper, foil, cellophane (plastic wrap) or cloth.
Meat, poultry, eggs or fish.
Spices, seasonings, extracts, flour, sugar, grain, coffee and other staples in canisters.
Unopened jars with waxed cardboard seals, such as mayonnaise and salad dressing. Also, throw away preserves sealed with paraffin wax.
Throw away any fruits and vegetables that have been in contact with floodwaters – including those that have not been harvested from gardens.
Wooden cutting boards, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples and pacifiers.

You do NOT need to throw away the following items if they have been in contact with floodwater:

Commercially canned foods that came into contact with floodwater and have been properly cleaned by: labeling cans with the name of food in permanent marker; removing labels; washing cans in water containing detergent; soaking cans for at least one minute in chlorine solution; rinsing in clean, cool water; placing on sides to dry (do not stack cans).
Dishes and glassware if they are sanitized by boiling in clean water or by immersing them for 15 minutes in a solution of one teaspoon of chlorine bleach per quart of water.

If electricity at your home has been off for long periods of time, throw away perishable foods (like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, leftovers, etc.) that have been above 40 degrees for two hours or more.

Water

Local authorities will tell you if tap water is safe to drink or use for cooking or bathing.
If the water is unsafe, authorities may issue “boil water advisories” or tell you to use bottled water. Follow boil water advisories exactly to safely disinfect tap water before using it. Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, cooking, food preparation, dishwashing, making ice and coffee, mixing baby formula and brushing teeth.
Thoroughly wash all metal pans, ceramic dishes and utensils that come in contact with floodwater with hot soapy water and sanitize by boiling these items in clean water, or by immersing them for 15 minutes in a solution of one teaspoon of chlorine bleach per quart of water.
If your private water well has been flooded, follow the disinfection instructions found in the flood-related information tab on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s website or call the toll-free number, both of which can be found at the bottom of this fact sheet.

Restaurants

Restaurant and food facilities inspected by the state, and hit by floodwaters, must be inspected by the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Food Safety prior to reopening.

TAKE PRECAUTIONS WHEN REENTERING/CLEANING OUT HOMES AND BUILDINGS

Wear Protective Gear for Cleanup Work

The CDC recommends wearing hard hats, goggles, heavy work gloves and watertight boots with steel toes and insoles (not just steel shank). Wear earplugs or protective headphones to reduce risk from equipment noise.

Prevent Mold Growth

Be careful when entering a flood-damaged building. Loose, wet ceiling plaster is heavy and dangerous, so knock down hanging plaster before moving around.
Clean up and dry out flooded buildings within 24 to 48 hours if possible. Open doors and windows and use fans to speed drying. To prevent mold growth, clean wet items and surfaces with detergent and water. To remove mold growth, wear rubber gloves, open windows and doors, and clean with a bleach solution of one cup of bleach in one gallon of water. Throw away porous items – like carpet, mattresses and upholstered furniture – that cannot be dried quickly.
Everything that floodwater has touched should be disinfected. Scrub down walls and any other smooth, hard surfaces with the same bleach-water solution.
Do not rush to move back into your home. Before a house is habitable, it must be dried and thoroughly cleaned, since floodwaters pick up sewage and chemicals as they travel.

Avoid/Identify Structural Damage

Do not pump the basement until the water has gone down, as pumping a water-filled basement could result in the walls collapsing.
Contact your local code enforcement officer to inspect homes and other buildings for structural damage.
A maintenance company or Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry inspector should inspect:

Flooded buildings with elevators.
Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanks that were under water.
Any boiler that was under water.
Service stations with dispensing equipment (gas pumps, etc.) that were under water.

Safely Dispose of Hazardous Materials

When cleaning up, dispose of chemicals or other hazardous materials safely – never in creeks, streams or rivers. Do not put hazardous materials in large community dumpsters or in your household trash. Follow local municipal authority guidance regarding hazardous material collection points.

Avoid Electrocution

Once inside a flood-ravaged building, turn off the gas and electricity. Wear rubber-soled shoes or boots and rubber gloves and turn off the main switch using a piece of rubber, plastic or dry wood while standing on a dry board to avoid electrocution.
Do not touch downed power lines or other wires, and do not touch any water into which a power line has fallen.

INSURANCE TIPS

Homeowners/Flood Insurance

Call your company or agent as soon as you are back into your home. Keep a diary of all of your conversations with your insurance company.
Insurance company disaster teams are in Pennsylvania now, but be patient and ask for a timeframe on when they can view the damage and help you.
In the meantime, take pictures of the damage and secure the problems so further damage does not occur. Do not make any permanent repairs until your carrier says you can.
Keep all receipts. Be aware that multiple claims in a short time frame could result in a premium increase, so consider taking care of minor repairs on your own.
Avoid contractor scams and anyone who may knock on your door to help you with your clean-up or claims.

Get more than one bid from contractors and ask for references.
Ask for proof of necessary licenses, building permits, insurance and bonding.
Record the contractor’s license plate and driver’s license number.
Never pay upfront for the entire job. You can always go with the contractor and pay for supplies directly.

Flood damage to your vehicle is covered under your auto insurance policy if you have “comprehensive” coverage.
If the first offer made by the insurance company does not meet your expectations, be prepared to negotiate. If you believe you are being treated unfairly, call the Pennsylvania Insurance Department at 1-877-881-6388.

Federal/State Assistance

At this time, there is no federal assistance for homeowners and renters as a result of this flooding incident.

Local, county, state and federal teams will be conducting joint Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA) as soon as it is safe to do so.

PDA teams will be looking at damages for Public Assistance (PA) which applies primarily to infrastructure damages for local, county and state governments and certain non-profits.

PDA teams will also look at damages for Individual Assistance (IA), which is made up of a number of federal programs designed to help citizens get back on their feet.

For applicants who qualify, IA can include funds to repair damages, replace major appliances or pay for temporary housing.

There is no state disaster assistance program.

Right now, citizens should document any flood-related damages with photographs and detailed information on the losses they sustained. The PDA teams need that information if there is a disaster declaration that includes IA.

Citizens are free to begin the repair and recovery process. Make sure to keep copies of any receipts from repairs.

If we get a disaster declaration that includes IA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) will release information with instructions on how to apply.

Citizens will be able to apply over the phone or internet. FEMA will also staff disaster recovery centers (DRC) in the counties included in the IA declaration.

DRCs are one-stop shopping for citizens. They can get information on every available federal resource in order to recover from this devastating situation.

How To Sand Your Own Wood Floors – Tools To Use

Jeff — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 17:54:38 +0000

In this episode I get “down and dirty” (or dusty at least) to talk about how I sand down hardwood floors.

I prefer renting an orbital floor sander from the local rental shop – the one in this video costs $46 per day ($136 per week… go figure). The sandpaper pads can be rented by the pack, and this rental store in Lancaster PA allows you to return the unused pads for credit after the job is done.

First, you need to pull off the trim and pull all the nails that will catch up your sander. Then you can use wood filler to fill in nail holes or cracks between boards (up to a point, of course).

Second, use the rented sander to hit the large areas. The get along the edges I use a belt sander and orbital sander with heavy grits. After you’ve removed the old finish and high spots, it’s time to use the successively finer grits on the sanders. I finish the whole thing using my orbital and 150 grit. If you’re working on softwood you may need to do some additional sanding and filling to get the floor the way you want. Have fun!

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Fresco Green Scene – New Lancaster City PA Green Focused Shop

Jeff — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 21:32:41 +0000

Today I got a chance to see the inside of Fresco Green Scene, a hot new shop in Lancaster City at 104 West Chestnut Street 1st Floor, right near the corner of Chestnut & Prince in the heart of Gallery Row. This store is the product of the imagination of Rick Frescatore and his team at Fresco, a growing brand that focuses on sustainable living.

A few months ago I interviewed Rick at his first store, located on Commerce Drive in Manheim Township. Here’s the interview:

http://www.youtube.com/user/yourlancasterhome#p/f/39/9xgANb9W2Lw

While the Manheim Township store is primarily geared towards remodelers, building trades and homeowners looking for green product alternatives, the Fresco Green Scene charts new territory for Fresco by focusing on “the things you fill the shelves with” in your newly green built home, as Rick comments. The product line is a wide variety of cleansers, bath oils and soaps (some of which are available at a very cool refill bar, where you can buy the glass dispenser, fill it up and then return when you need refills). In addition Fresco Green Scene has a nice selection of crafted fashion accessories, art pieces and decor, all developed along sustainable lines.

To see the whole story check out http://www.facebook.com/frescogreenscene

They opened on “First Friday” in August and the traffic “was incredible” according to Rick. They will hold a grand opening celebration on First Friday in September, using Art Park across Prince Street to have music and more. Be sure to come out ant support this great addition to the vibrant downtown Lancaster scene!

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It’s About Freakin Time

Jeff — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 15:17:32 +0000

Guest post by Joe Heidler, JV Heidler Roofing

While at the local permit office the other day, my estimator called with some awesome news. In our area several “contractors” had recently been fined for breaking the building codes (some of the fines were up to $10,000.). Some of them never applied for a permit at all. Now I have to admit that I am not a big fan of government interference in business, but what these “contractors” were doing was not only wrong, it was life threatening.

Section 1510 of the International Building Code covers re-roofing applications. It states that “ Roof system removal and replacement, instead of re-cover applications, are required if an existing roof system is wet or has been re-covered. “ There are several reasons for this, but the main one is the additional weight that it adds to the structure. Most structures are not designed for this additional load. This can lead to building collapse under some circumstances.

We try to get a “core cut” of an existing roof when doing an evaluation. This is very important to determine what are the components of the existing roof. The weight of the roof can vary greatly depending on the components and whether or not they are wet. Wet roofing should ALWAYS be removed.

During the economic recession it has often been difficult to convince building owners that spending several thousands of dollars more, is the right thing to do. Certain things remain true….You get what you pay for, and if you cut corners, sometimes, You get what you deserve.

Read this post on Joe’s Lancaster PA roofing blog. Roofing questions? You can reach Joe at www.heidler.com.