Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Richard Strahm, a real estate agent and vice chairman of the Economic Development Committee, said independent thinkers are needed for Lansdale Borough Council, not 'puppets of Jack Hansen.'
Lansdale Economic Development Committee Vice Chairman Richard Strahm has thrown his hat in the ring as a Democratic candidate for Lansdale Borough Council. Strahm, 51, will be challenging Liz Troy and Leon Angelichio in Ward 3 in the May Primary. There are two seats up for grabs in Ward 3; they are currently held by council President Matt West and Dan Dunigan. There are many reasons that Strahm, a real estate agent with Remax Realty Group in Harleysville, is running for candidacy. One main reason: a desire to help keep the momentum that is making Lansdale grow, thrive and prosper a reality. "I have, over the last three years, seen a lot of positive things happening in this borough that I like a lot," he said. "I don’t want to see the …
Thursday, May 17, 2012
The Rally to Protect the American Dream has real estate agents telling Congress that home ownership matters
The National Association of Realtors has a planned event today in Washington, D.C. known as the “Rally to Protect the American Dream.” Most people don’t know about the extra efforts many realtors put forth for their industry, livelihood, and most importantly, clients. Realtors across the country are gathering on Capital Hill to tell members of Congress that home ownership matters to people, to communities and to America. The goal of the rally is to make Congress aware that Realtors are focused on homeownership, housing and real estate issues amidst the election year rhetoric. The aim is to fight obstacles that make it more difficult for people to buy, own, and invest in real estate. The obstacles that many in the real estate industry …
Friday, May 4, 2012
One home hit the market in Harleysville at $759,900. Three homes have reduced in price recently
405 Pierce St., Lansdale — $144,900 — 3 bedrooms, 1 bath. This is a must-see extra large three bedroom updated twin! It features all new replacement windows, new laminate hardwood flooring in the LR and DR with recessed lighting on a dimmer switch. Freshly painted livingroom, diningroom and kitchen with crown molding. The kitchen has new flooring and ceramic tile backsplash and includes a newer refrigerator, electric stove and dishwasher, all in an eat-in-kitchen with an over-sized pantry closet. It offers an extra large master bedroom with brand new carpet, crisp painted walls and a large walk-in closet/storage area. Two more large bedrooms with ample-sized closets including a large linen closet in an updated bathroom complete the …
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Lisa Loper of the Scott Loper Team knows the value of a good home inspector
Just like auto mechanics, dentists, plumbers, financial planners, electricians, attorneys, hair dressers, tailors, Realtors ... you name it: home inspectors are human just like any other service provider. Some are really good, some are not so good, and some are bad. Luckily word of mouth typically drives the bad service providers out of the marketplace … but not always. There are a few universal truths about homes and home inspections: A good home inspector is looking for “material defects.” A material defect is defined as any condition that would have a significant adverse impact on the value of real property. It is important to understand, home inspectors are not looking for cosmetic issues; these are evident at the time of showing …
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Lisa Loper of the Scott Loper Team looks at a decades-old tradition to help ensure a speedy sale of a home
Not too long ago, I was attending a home inspection with the buyers for a house under contract. While in the front yard looking at the foundation, one of our buyers reached down into a flower bed and pulled a statue of St. Joseph out of the ground. "Look at this! It is St. Joseph," she proclaimed. She smiled as she carefully put the statue back where she found it. Now I will admit, I am Catholic, I know all about the saints, and I have seen first-hand the power of prayer in creating "miracles." I have a ton of faith, but I am no holy roller. I believe more in the theory that "God helps those who help themselves." I firmly believe that things happen for a reason and if something doesn't go our way, then it really wasn't meant to be (…
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Seven homes were reduced in price over the past week.
334 Park Ave., Harleysville—Reduced price!—$299,900—Immaculate 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom single with fenced yard, finished basement, two-car garage in Salford Greene. A must see! Listed with Scott Loper, Re/Max Realty Group, 439 Main St., Harleysville. Contact Loper at 215-256-1200, ext. 213. 1503 Berkley Way, Lansdale—New listing—$269,900—Solid 3 bedroom/1.5 bathroom ranch home on a cul-de-sac in a beautiful Towamencin neighborhood. Newer roof, HVAC and siding. Listed with Scott Loper, Re/Max Realty Group, 439 Main St., Harleysville. Contact Loper at 215-256-1200, ext. 213. 505 Heritage Drive, Harleysville—New listing—$184,900—Very affordable 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom townhouse in Towamencin Condos backing to open space. Brick fireplace in …
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Two homes were just reduced in price in Harleysville and Montgomery townships.
517 Woodbridge Circle, Harleysville—Reduced price! $219,000. Terrific twin with 3 bedrooms/1.5 bathrooms in Cheswyck, great use of space, large sunroom, fenced in yard with above ground pool, great location in a nice neighborhood. Listed with Scott Loper, Re/Max Realty Group, 439 Main St., Harleysville. Contact Loper at 215-256-1200, ext. 213. 408 Shipwrighter Way, Lansdale—$389,900. Stunning 4 bedroom/2.5 bathroom Colonial in Grist Mill Run on quiet cul-de-sac, new carpeting, spacious room sizes, immaculate and tasteful throughout. Listed with Scott Loper, Re/Max Realty Group, 439 Main St., Harleysville. Contact Loper at 215-256-1200, ext. 213. 234 E. Fifth St., Lansdale—$229,900. 3 bedrooms/1.5 bathrooms. Thoughtful and tasteful …
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Here's part one of two columns with first-time home buyer tips.
Buying your first home can seem like a complex experience, because, well, it is. In a two-part series, you’ll get a checklist, comments and tips on buying your first home. With interest rates where they are—4.75 percent to 5 percent—you can afford a house more now than when interest rates go up, as they are expected to do so this year. Let’s start at the beginning: Remember, these are applied to the tax-assessed value of the home, not the purchase price of the home. In the next series, I will get into the details of how to search for the ideal home, making an offer, and negotiating and finalizing the deal! For more information on this topic, contact Gina Wherry, 215-256-1200, ext. 322, or visit www.scottloperteam.com.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Two homes were just listed in our list this week: one in Lansdale and another in Upper Gwynedd.
517 Woodbridge Circle, Harleysville—Reduced price! $219,000. Terrific twin with 3 bedrooms/1.5 bathrooms in Cheswyck, great use of space, large sunroom, fenced in yard with above ground pool, great location in a nice neighborhood. Listed with Scott Loper, Re/Max Realty Group, 439 Main St., Harleysville. Contact Loper at 215-256-1200, ext. 213. 408 Shipwrighter Way, Lansdale—$389,900. Stunning 4 bedroom/2.5 bathroom Colonial in Grist Mill Run on quiet cul-de-sac, new carpeting, spacious room sizes, immaculate and tasteful throughout. Listed with Scott Loper, Re/Max Realty Group, 439 Main St., Harleysville. Contact Loper at 215-256-1200, ext. 213. 234 E. Fifth St., Lansdale—$229,900. 3 bedrooms/1.5 bathrooms. Thoughtful and tasteful …
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Lisa Loper, member of the Scott Loper Team at RE/MAX Realty Group in Harleysville discusses why homebuyers should test for radon and how Montgomery County stacks up compared to neighboring counties
Besides a general home inspection and a termite inspection, the next most common test performed by homebuyers is a radon test. It is a simple test where the air quality is measured for the span of 2-3 days (longer term tests are available). The cost typically runs between $100 and $125 and it is money well spent. Radon is a radioactive gas that has been found in homes all over the United States. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water and gets into the air. Radon typically moves up through the ground to the air above and can get into your home through cracks or other holes in the foundation (even if you don’t have a basement). Your home can trap and accumulate radon causing the levels to be elevated …
Richard Strahm
6:27 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Jack, before throwing the phrase “runaway spending” out there, I’m going to ask you to really look at that spending. We are a borough of a little over 16,000 residents. Our 2013 budget is balanced, and we were given a zero tax increase year. I am going to agree that Lansdale residents have low taxes. On average, the real estate taxes attributable to the borough are about $400 per home. Per year. … more ›