Friday, December 02, 2011

York PA 2012 Real Estate Forecast

Looks like things are starting to stabilize here in York County after nearly four years of depreciation in the housing market locally. Looks like on average a 12% drop in prices have hit is this year. The silver lining in this cloud isthat prices have come down enough the the locally employed population can now afford to buy a home, especially with interest rates as low as 4%. For years as people from Maryland migrated here along with the higher wages they earned in Maryland they continued to push up the prices of homes. That trend has all but come to a halt. Maryland buyers use to make up nearly 80% of purchasers back in the pre-bubble days. It appears they are now around 12%.


Now is the time as a buyer to have a broad choice of homes to choose from at very reasonable prices and low mortgage payments. Lenders are loaning out money with as little as no money down with a USDA mortgage, or 3.5% total down paymentfor a FHA mortgage with help coming form the home seller in the form of a cash contribution. There are plenty of programs out there to choose from.

I expect 2012 to provide us with home price stabilization and even possible a slight tick up on prices. If you have been on the fence about buying a home now is the time to jump into the market.

Call the Pilgrim Team of Professional Realty Associates will we will help you to either buy or sell a home in a stress free way.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Visit our Exciting New Community of Ashcombe Farms South

The Pilgrim Team of Professional Realty Associates and Lancaster Home Builders are proud to announce the opening of their newest community known as Ashcombe Farms South. Prices begin in the $170's. It is centrally located near shopping, parks, restuarants and schools. 17 floor plans are available and the builder will customize each plan to accomadate your individual needs. It is a small community consisting of 14 home sites with an average size of just under one-half acre. All utilities are underground as in the other Dover communities that we have built.

This is the fifth community The Pilgrim Team and Jerry Pilgrim has been involved in the area over the last 10 years. The other communities we have now completed were Cranbrook Acres, Ashcombe Farms, Ashcombe Farms West in Dover. Shiloh Farms is located in West Manchester Twp. We also have another community that has been quite successful in Dover Township called Fox Run Creek Estates where prices begin in the $160,s. Stop by our model homes located in Fox Run Creek Estates located off Cardinal Lane on Fountainhead Drive. We do have have a Sunday open house form 1-3pm. If you would like a private showing call or email us and we will be happy to accommodate you.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Make Your Home Search Easy and FAST!!

Have you met a house you liked?

That may sound funny to you. But the longer I'm in the business, the more I find that homes have personalities. To really get to know a home, you need some background. You need a proper introduction to the area, the neighborhood, the features, the amenities, and even some of the challenges.


As you use the Internet to tour unlimited geography, you may need help on a local level. To that end, I can help! Im a professional introducer. Ive seen and know hundreds of homes, so as we clarify what you prefer, its easier to find a match. When you see the right home, there will be a reaction. Youll know the right home when you see it, right?

In the meantime, if there are homes on the market in York Pa and the surrounding area's that you would like to meet, Id love to arrange an introduction. Just give me a call.

Jerry Pilgrim team leader of the Pilgrim Team and Broker of Professional Realty Associates

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

What is a Realtor Worth?

In today’s market what you need to be the most concerned about is what level of marketing you can expect from a Realtor. Secondly the Realtor must have the ability to negotiate not just with the buyers on your property to get the highest price for you, but also there is a high incidence of properties not appraising for the sales price on the contracts. When that happens I then must negotiate with the appraiser to prove to them that the value they came up with is incorrect and that they must change the appraisal. I have made and saved my home sellers thousands of dollars due to my experience and knowledge of the market. Please don’t get caught up on a difference of 1% broker fee when actually a fulltime agent such as me can save you thousands of dollars particularly in today’s market. If you want a fulltime professionals real estate agent in York, PA call me Jerry Pilgrim of the Pilgrim Team of Professional Realty Associates.




Friday, August 12, 2011

Satisfied Short Sale Seller Client

How to Buy a Short Sale Home the RIGHT WAY!

So you want to buy a house and have noticed that the best deals in York PA are typically short sales. Buy you've talked to people and they have told you not to buy one because they have heard stories about how someone they new wanted to buy a short sale and they waited for months and they never did buy it.


There are a few reasons for short sale not to be approved by the Lenders.

1. The Realtor who has the listing has NO knowledge of the process and shouldn't have taken it to begin with. Not only did the house did not sell to the buyer but they also may have jeopardized the homeowners chance to keep the house from foreclosure.

2. The Realtor listed the house at a very low price to get an offer from a buyer, knowing full well the offer would most likely be countered back at a much higher price which the buyer will not accept or can't accept because they cannot be approved by their lender to get a mortgage for the property at the higher price. Now the Realtor who listed the property thinks they have an approved price (but they really don't) and re-lists the house at that price and they change the price and now claims it is approved. Wrong! Once another offer comes in the offer must be approved again even if it is the "approved" asking price.

3. The Realtor does not know what the Lenders want during the negotiating process and cannot present a complete short sale package. What happens is the negotiator may totally reject the offer.

4. The Realtor may continue to take back up offers and forward them to the bank. Just in case the 1st offer falls through. This confuses the Lenders negotiator and they stop processing the offer.

5. The offer may contain many contingencies that the Lender does not want to see. There should not be any contingencies to make it a strong offer.

6. Believe it or not some real estate agents will take a listing as a short sale and not even know whether it can even be approved as a short sale based on necessary criteria. So what happens when an offer is submitted to the Lender and it will not even be considered because the seller has the ability to make the payments and nothing has changed that would keep that seller from not making that mortgage payments. The Seller just wants to sell because the house has lost equity, this is not a reason for the short sale to be approved.

Bottom line make sure if you want to buy a short sale use an experienced agent who has successfully negotiated sold short sales and helped buyers buy short sales. The Pilgrim Team is specially trained to help both Sellers and Buyers achieve their home goals. Call Jerry Pilgrim at Professional Realty Associates at 717-757-5955. You will be glad you did!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Free Foreclosure Avoidance Guide


I wanted to get in touch with you about some startling statistics regarding the latest distressed property trends.

In a recent study by Lender Processing Services (LPS), 6.38 million people were at least 30 days late on their mortgage payments. If you or someone you care about is feeling the stress of an unaffordable mortgage, please take the time to review the free foreclosure avoidance guide I’ve place on my website:

[insert your website address]

As a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), I can navigate a homeowner through a variety of options. I’ve listed some of the most common alternatives to foreclosures that homeowners can take advantage of to get back on the path to financial stability.



I would truly appreciate your taking the time to refer any homeowners you know that may need my assistance. I’m sure that they would appreciate it, too! The sooner they contact me, the more time we’ll have to develop a strategy to avoid foreclosure.



With gratitude,

Jerry Pilgrim
CDPE, CRS, e-Pro, Broker/Owner
Professional Realty Associates







Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Break Free From Unaffordable Mortgage Payments!


Break Free From Unaffordable Mortgage Payments!

A recent study in Nevada (a state that holds the nation’s highest foreclosure rate), found that only 5% of distressed homeowners knew they had alternatives to foreclosure, and only 3% took advantage of them. It was also found the 1 in 4 homeowners chose to “strategically default,” or allow their homes to be foreclosed upon on purpose!

The Realtors Association of York and Adams County (RAYAC) and the local Multiple List Service report for York County that there are currently 3236 (Active) properties on the market as of May 24th, 2011.  There are 371 Short Sales included in that total, and there have been 276 Bank Owned Properties that have closed or are pending settlement and 260 properties have sold since January 1st. These numbers represent 536 total distressed properties or 27% of the properties sold.

Clearly, too few distressed homeowners know their options and the fallout of foreclosure. If they did, they’d soon realize that there’s nothing ‘strategic’ about foreclosure, and that avoiding foreclosure is always the best plan to create financial stability.

Millions of Americans feel alone and trapped by mortgage payments they can no longer afford. In fact, 27% of Americans with mortgages now owe more than what their home is worth. However, more and more of them are finding education on the responsible alternatives to foreclosure is helping them move toward financial stability.

Education is key. The more distressed homeowners know about solutions, the more likely they are to overcome their financial challenges. I’ve seen this firsthand.

I can help with the education part—it’s up to you to contact me!




Wednesday, May 11, 2011

New Homes in York, PA from the $160's

Dover, PA

Now you can own a home in the exciting new community of Fox Run Creek Estates located in scenic Dover, Pennsylvania. Prices beginning the the $160's and 17 home plans to choose from. Home styles include ranchers, cape cod's, and two-story's. The model pictures above is our popular Hampshire II that is 2000 sq ft of luxury. many of our standard features and options by other home builders in the area.

All of our homes are 2x6 exterior wall construction with exterior wood sheathing (no foam). The exterior wall has a true R-18 insulation and a R-38 ceiling. All windows are double-hing with wide window sills. The kitchens come complete with hardwood raised panelled cabinetry and include hardware. High grade carpet and padding with your choice of styles and colors.

Lancaster Home Builders and The Pilgrim Team of Professional Realty Associates is also happy to make changes to each floor plan at no additional cost to you. why settle for a plan if we can make changes specific to your own wishes. Let us work for you today to create a design that is truly unique for you. Call one of our New Home Consultants to begin your new home journey.

Please contact for your personal tour anytime during the week or plan to attend or Sunday Open House from 1-3pm.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Stopping Foreclosures One Home Owner at a Time

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information, please contact:

Jerry Pilgrim
717-757-5955
jpilgrim@pilgrimteam.com

Local Agent Takes a Stance Against Strategic Default Online report outlines the realities of “strategic default”—or walking away from a mortgage—and provides solutions for homeowners struggling to make mortgage payments in York County, PA.

York, PA - Local CDPE-designated agent, Jerry Pilgrim of Professional Realty Associates, has developed a website report providing information regarding the truth about a mortgage trend called “strategic default,” where homeowners walk away from their mortgages.
“There is a growing trend of distressed homeowners who have heard that a strategic default may be their best option,” Pilgrim said. “With this report, I’m showing homeowners that there are alternatives to foreclosure that can actually help them move on to a more stable financial future, rather than further damaging their credit, security clearance, or current or future employment.”

This community resource is available at www.YorkShortSales.com and explains the benefits of short sales, or selling a property for less than the current mortgage amount owed. Benefits include less damage to credit scores, and the ability to qualify for a future mortgage more quickly.

In a recent study, the Chicago Booth/Kellogg School Financial Trust Index estimated that 36 percent of Americans would consider walking away from their mortgage if they were “underwater,” or owed more than the property was worth. Now that one in four Americans is currently underwater, Pilgrim sees the need for greater education.

“Individual homeowners as well as our entire community would suffer the consequences of strategic default,” Pilgrim said. “I can share solutions and alternatives that can help preserve the financial stability of distressed homeowners and the values of our neighborhoods.”

The CDPE Designation Pilgrim has acquired provides a specific understanding of the complex issues confronting distressed homeowners. Through comprehensive training and experience, CDPE-designated agents are able to provide solutions for homeowners facing financial hardship in today’s market.

To learn more, visit www.YorkShortSales.com.
For more information about the CDPE Designation, visit www. CDPE.com.

IMPORTANT GOVERNMENT DISCLOSURE: You may stop doing business with us at any time. You may accept or reject the offer of mortgage assistance we obtain from your lender (or servicer). If you reject the offer, you will not have to pay us for our services. The above brokerage is not associated with the government, and our service is not approved by the government or your lender. Even if you accept this offer and use our service, your lender may not agree to change your loan.

Bring your horses and a Contractor!

4 acres in the country! Located in Red Lion School District. 3 stall barn and over 2 acres fenced pasture. Bring your horses! Priced at only $225,000, this property has unlimited potential and is a perfect location for the Maryland commuter. Could go FHA 203K so you can bring this home back to like new condition.






203K Loan - Rehab Program Overview


The Federal Housing Administration (FHA), which is part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), administers various single family mortgage insurance programs. These programs operate through FHA-approved lending institutions which submit applications to have the property appraised and have the buyer's credit approved. These lenders fund the mortgage loans which the Department insures. HUD does not make direct loans to help people buy homes.

The FHA 203k loan program is the Department's primary program for the rehabilitation and repair of single family properties. Basically a home improvement loan. As such, it is an important tool for community and neighborhood revitalization and for expanding homeownership opportunities. Since these are the primary goals of HUD, the Department believes that FHA 203k loan is an important program and they intend to continue to strongly support the program and the lenders that participate in it.



Lenders have successfully used the FHA 203k loan program in partnership with state and local housing agencies and nonprofit organizations to rehabilitate properties. These lenders, along with state and local government agencies, have found ways to combine the FHA 203k loan with other financial resources, such as HUD's HOME, HOPE, and Community Development Block Grant Programs, to assist borrowers. Several state housing finance agencies have designed programs, specifically for use with FHA 203k loan and some lenders have also used the expertise of local housing agencies and nonprofit organizations to help manage the rehabilitation processing.



HUD also believes that the FHA 203k loan program is an excellent means for lenders to demonstrate their commitment to lending in lower income communities and to help meet their responsibilities under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). HUD is committed to increasing homeownership opportunities for families in these communities and Section 203(k) is an excellent product for use with CRA-type lending programs.





FHA 203K Loan - How the Program Can Be Used:



This program can be used to accomplish rehabilitation and/or improvement of an existing one-to-four unit dwelling in one of three ways:

• To purchase a dwelling and the land on which the dwelling is located and rehabilitate it.

• To purchase a dwelling on another site, move it onto a new foundation on the mortgaged property and rehabilitate it.

• To refinance existing indebtedness and rehabilitate a dwelling;

To purchase a dwelling and the land on which the dwelling is located and rehabilitate it, and to refinance existing indebtedness and rehabilitate such a dwelling, the mortgage must be a first lien on the property and the loan proceeds (other than rehabilitation funds) must be available before the rehabilitation begins.



To purchase a dwelling on another site, move it onto a new foundation and rehabilitate it, the mortgage must be a first lien on the property; however, loan proceeds for the moving of the house cannot be made available until the unit is attached to the new foundation.

Monday, January 10, 2011

2505 Tara Lane, York, PA 17404


PRICED TO SELL!

This home was just relisted today and won’t last long at this price. No longer a short-sale, buy this home outright for $26,605.00 less than it was offered just a month ago. This home was on the market just last month for $196,505.00 as a short-sale and is now being offered for $169,900. Now you can buy it with less risk and in less time (with cash or proper financing, in most cases you could settle and be in this home in less than 30 days). Let me show you how!

This two story colonial in Stillmeadow Farms was built in 1993 and offers 4 bedrooms and two and a half baths. Situated on a corner lot with .2859 acre, this home has 2000 sq.ft. of finished area on the first and second floors with another 680 sq.ft. of unfinished area in the basement. Features include things such as Natural Gas Heating, Central A/C, Two Car Garage, Refrigerator, Oven/Range, Built-in Dishwasher, and Built-in Microwave Oven.

Do you commute out of York a lot? You can be on I-83 or US Rt30 in less than two minutes from this home. Shopping is only minutes away as well. Close to tons of stores and restaurants, you’ll save on gasoline costs for sure.

To schedule a private showing and see this home for yourself or for more information on this or any other homes for sale in York, PA, call Dennis Harbold. Dennis is a Buyer Specialist with The Pilgrim Team at Professional Realty Associates. You can reach Dennis on his cell phone any day or evening by calling 717-887-3302 or by emailing him at dharbold@pilgrimteam.com.
This information is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed
Listing courtesy of Morgan-Collins, Inc

Thursday, January 06, 2011

2320 Addison Ct York Pa 17404



New to the market in Manchester Meadows. This 4 bedroom 3.5 bath with over 3500 square feet of living space is competitively priced at 289,900. There is a 3 car garage and open space throughout the community. Located in Central York Schools and convenient to many popular York County shopping destinations and restaurants. Mike Rudacille with The Pilgrim Team can set up a private tour of this home at your convenience. There are many homes for sale in York PA but this one is special.

Most homes for sale, or sold in Central York Schools have held their value more than other areas in York County Pennsylvania. The Pilgrim Team can help you buying or selling a home in York PA. Contact Mike Rudacille at 757-5955 or 318-0991 for further information.
Listing provided courtesy of: Century 21 Heritage Realty