Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Local Realtor Helps Families Dodge Foreclosure Bullet.

Local Realtor, Jerry Pilgrim, earns Harris Real Estate University Diploma as a Certified REO Specialist, making him an expert at selling forclosed properties. He has also earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert Designation (CDPE) through the Distresssed Property Institute. As a CDPE agent I have the tools and information homeowners need to avoid foreclosure and move forward with their lives.

A national epidemic is looming. Are you ready? We are in the most challenging real estate market since the Great Depression with no end in site for the immediate future. The government can only do so much to help victums of this situation. That is where specially educated and trained Real Estate Brokers like Jerry Pilgrim are here to help. The key is to take the corrective measures as soon as a mortgage payment can not be made on time. Our Goal is to help homeowners in distress avoid foreclosure and sell their properties. Jerry is a PA broker/owner
and York County Native serving customers since 1984.


Jerry Pilgrim

Professional Realty Associates
"The Pilgrim Team"
717-757-5955
www.PilgrimTeam.com
jpilgrim@pilgrimteam.com

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Toys for Tots

Community Involvement as Toys For Tots Drop off Location

Professional Realty Associates
3921 E. Market Street York, PA 17402
is Sponsoring the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves
Toys For Tots Program again this year!
Help us support them by bringing new unwrapped toys.
Monday thru Friday 9am - 5pm till Dec 15th at the above location.
Make a child Smile This Holiday Season!
http://www.PilgrimTeam.com/

A Happy Thanksgiving of Gratitude

A Happy Thanksgiving of Gratitude!

Do you wait until Thanksgiving Day or Christmas to thank those that you love and those that have helped you? It is important to spend time during these special holidays to be thankful. However, it shouldn't be the only time you demonstrate your love and appreciation to others.

You should have no problem thinking of ones to thank on a daily or weekly basis. If you need some ideas, here are some to get you thinking:

* Your appreciation may have more of an impact when it is done at an unexpected time. Giving thanks during the holidays can be somewhat expected. Surprise someone by showing your gratitude when it is least expected and it will be remembered for a long time.

* It can be done immediately after an event you are most thankful for. That is when it will encourage others the most.

* Your notes and thoughtful comments won't get diluted by those from others trying to catch up for the past year on their thanks.

* You can give more time and personalized attention when showing your gratitude. You will not have to do something for a large list of people in a short period of time.

* True gratitude involves action. Lend a hand, Pitch in, Make a gift, Give your time, or just listen. Give back as often as you can.

Giving thanks doesn't just benefit the other person. You will receive benefits from doing it as well. You will begin to feel happier and more relaxed. In fact, it has been proven in studies that being grateful can have a positive effect on your health. It can reduce your stress and boost your immune system.

Christmas is important. Easter is important. Halloween is important for the kids. But for our own personal happiness, there is nothing like a truly heartfelt Thanksgiving. Why wouldn't you look for every opportunity to show your thankfulness to others? Don't wait for a holiday before you look for opportunities to show your gratitude. Give thanks on a regular basis throughout the year.

Make every day Thanksgiving Day in 2009!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Get Help for Your Home: York County Realtor Becomes a Professional on Distressed Properties

Orlando, Fla.—In today’s market, more and more homeowners are finding themselves in financial distress due to real estate than ever before. If you are a homeowner in danger of losing your home, do not get discouraged—there are many options to get your finances back on the right track. That’s why Jerry Pilgrim, broker of Professional Realty Associates in York, recently became a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) and a member of the Distressed Property Institute.

The CDPE designation is a nationally recognized certification given to agents who have dedicated their time and effort to understanding the issues distressed homeowners are facing. After taking multiple courses and training sessions, the agents are better equipped to deal with entering the distressed property market—REOs, short sales, preforeclosures and working with investors.

Foreclosure is a devastating financial and emotional process for a homeowner to go through, and in many cases they do so alone and without help. Homeowners who are in the preforeclosure process need to speak with an agent as quickly as possible. If you are a homeowner in distress, Jerry believes the best solution for homeowners is to seek the guidance, counsel and services of an educated and trained real estate agent. Homeowners no longer have to go it alone. Jerry has received the tools, information and tactics to effectively help homeowners through his certification from the Distressed Property Institute.

One of the first options a homeowner has to avoid foreclosure is a loan modification, or loan restructuring, which is simply a permanent change in one or more of the terms of the mortgage loan. If a homeowner runs into temporary financial hardship, the next option is to negotiate for a loan forbearance, which reduces or delays payments for a short amount of time with the understanding that the account will eventually be brought to a current status.

While these two options do serve as practical alternatives to foreclosure, they still leave homeowners with the same burden of debt. The more favorable option, according to real estate experts, which considerably benefits both the homeowner and lender, is a short sale. A short sale is an agreement wherein the lender allows for the homeowner to sell the home at a price lower than the mortgage-debt amount. The lender will then take the proceeds from the sale as a settlement for the mortgage debt. A short sale becomes a beneficial alternative when the homeowner’s mortgage debt is higher than the property’s value.

It’s a complicated market out there, but Jerry Pilgrim, a CDPE professional, is an agent who understands the full range of solutions and is ready to help. Distressed homeowners need an advocate like Jerry—who chose to set himself apart from other agents by receiving formal training to help homeowners in financial crisis.

If anyone would like more information about this topic or to schedule a meeting with Jerry Pilgrim, please call Professional Realty Associates at (717) 757-5955 or e-mail their request to JPilgrim@PilgrimTeam.com. www.YorkShortSales.com

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

York Real Estate Market Favors Buyers, Offers Great Deals

York Real Estate Market Favors Buyers, Offers Great Deals
by Kaitlin Kraft
Although 2007 may have been a bumpy road for many markets and real estate agents, the Pilgrim Team of the Professional Realty Associates has had a different experience. With so many hyped-up stories about the lending crisis and the supposed downfall of the real estate market, how does Jerry Pilgrim, broker/owner, remain positive?
“We expect to have a great year in 2008. The PilgrimTeam actually had a positive increase in volume this year, which we’re very pleased about. We expect that trend to continue in the upcoming year, even though volume maybe down with the competition,” says Pilgrim.
Pilgrim continues that not only did his team fare better in 2007 than the competition, but that the York housing market has also been holding stable. “There hasn’t beena drastic price reduction here as there has been in other parts of the country, or even other parts of Pennsylvania. We have experienced only a slight drop, approximately 5 percent, compared to the 30 – 40 percent decrease some other area markets are feeling,” he says.
Pilgrim emphasizes the importance of knowing whento snatch up a good deal, and right now the market is ripe with good deals. “In the current market, buyers are like kids in a candy store—there are a lot of houses to choose from and the options are endless. Interest rates are low again, so that gives buyers opportunities that they haven’t experienced in the past few years,” he says.
“There are a lot of good buys out there, but don’t wait because that may change in the new year.
”Buyers need not be worried about slightly dipping home values either, according to Pilgrim. “Traditionally, home values always go up. The market may have peaks and valleys, but don’t be hesitant to buy. Even if the market drops slightly, history has proven that home values will always trend up,” he explains.
And now, sellers are working harder than ever to attract serious buyers, says Pilgrim. “A year and a half ago, you couldn’t find today’s properties for the current price, location and amenities that are being offered,” he explains. “Savvy sellers are reducing their prices, offering to pay closing costs and making sure their houses are in excellent, move-in-ready condition for buyers.”
Pilgrim adds that with all these buyer perks, 2008 should prove to be the best year yet for motivated buyers.“We pride ourselves in customer service and do everything we can to help buyers find their perfect home,”he says. He and everyone on the Pilgrim Team are always ready to negotiate a lower price for you and have proven their dedication to their clients year after year.