NAR’s television show “First-Time Buyer” is back with Season 4 and continues to follow real first-time homebuyers through the homebuying process while highlighting the expertise and guidance that Realtors® provide. “Landing your first home in today’s real estate market is intimidating if you don’t have a winning strategy,” the “First-Time Buyer” site reads. “Watch as determined buyers navigate the complicated journey to homeownership by following the lead of an agent who’s a Realtor® on First-Time Buyer!” The show now has a total of 32 episodes each clocking in at around 15 minutes. It has f ..read more

The average Pennsylvanian’s personal income is 25.08% of the state’s median home price, making it the fifth most affordable state for homebuyers, according to an analysis by BestBrokers. Falling between Ohio and Michigan, the home-price-to-income ratio in Pennsylvania in 2023 was 3.99. The median home price was $271,683 and the state’s personal income per capita (as of Q3 2023) was $68,133. The top 10 most affordable states to buy a home were: North Dakota (home-price-to-income ratio: 3.59) Iowa (3.62) Illinois (3.75) Ohio (3.79) Pennsylvania (3.99) Michigan (4.02) Missouri (4.03) Kansas (4 ..read more

This Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, PAR commemorates the real estate journeys of AANHPI Realtors®. Alexis Cruel, a member of the Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors®, has been a Realtor® for three years and is a current member of GLVR’s Diversity Committee. “I have always been fascinated by real estate investing and thought what better way to get into it than by being a Realtor® and being a resource to the community?” Cruel recalls. “It has given me the opportunity to build generational wealth and teach others how to as well.” What’s Cruel’s favorite part of ..read more

A top priority bill of the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors® was approved by a Senate Committee on April 30. Senate Bill 1173 (Stefano, R-Fayette) was approved by the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee by a 13-1 vote. SB1173 would require a real estate salesperson license in order to conduct residential wholesale transactions in the commonwealth. The legislation is a culmination of efforts of the PAR Legislative Committee and a Wholesaling Task Force of members. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Pat Stefano (R-Fayette), the chair of the Senate Consumer Protection ..read more

Springtime is officially here, and after a particularly snowy winter, some Pennsylvania homeowners may be more than ready for their yards to turn green again. Here are nine garden trends to consider trying this spring. 1. Homegrown Fruits and Vegetables Growing your own produce is more sustainable, can save money and is good for the environment. Many fruits and vegetables can thrive in Pennsylvania and can be planted throughout the spring and summer. 2. Sensory Gardens Sensory gardens are great for relaxation, meditation, mindfulness and self-care. They include sensory features such as bird ..read more

In 2023, permits for new homes fell for the second year in a row, decreasing 11% from 2022, which followed a 5% drop from 2021, according to a report by Point2. Of the 384 U.S. metros, permits last year fell in 266 and increased or stagnated in only 118, meaning 70% of all metros saw a reduction in new permits in 2023. Permits in Pennsylvania decreased by -2% year-over-year, with new authorizations for homes also decreasing by -3% in Philadelphia. However, permits in Pittsburgh surged by 34.47% with a total of 5,423 permits in 2023. Other Pennsylvania metros that saw an increase in permits l ..read more

Many baby boomers are aging in place in older homes that have not undergone updates or renovations, which may not fare well for millennials and Gen Z looking to buy homes soon, according to Leaf Home’s 2024 Generational Divide in Homeownership Report. Aging in Place Aging in place instead of moving in with family, into retirement homes or into assisted living has become a trend with boomers. The report found that 73% of boomer homeowners have lived in their current homes for over a decade, and 55% said they do not have plans to move. Boomers’ plans to age in their homes may raise several con ..read more

The inspection contingency of the Standard Agreement for the Sale of Real Estate (Form ASR) has three options. Boiled down, it’s take it, leave it or negotiate. When it comes to negotiations, “Buyer WILL present all Report(s) in their entirety to seller with a Written Corrective Proposal (“Proposal”) listing corrections and/or credits desired by buyer.” That may sound easy, but there’s a lot that goes into drafting and negotiating a Written Corrective Proposal that works for buyers and sellers. No Napkins. No Texts. Whatever the final negotiated proposal looks like, it should: (a) include so ..read more

The typical household needs to earn nearly six figures to buy a median-priced U.S. home, but Pennsylvania requires the seventh lowest income nationwide to purchase a home in the state, according to an analysis by Realtor.com. In February, the typical household nationwide would have needed to earn an annual income of $99,000 to buy a median-priced home of $415,500. The required income in many states was even higher, with potential homebuyers in 23 states needing incomes over $100,000 to avoid paying more than 30% of their gross income on housing. However, the 2022 U.S. Census reported that th ..read more

Make a plan to get out and vote today in Pennsylvania’s primary election. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Registered voters can find their polling place online or research the names that will appear on their ballot. Voting is one of the best ways for Realtors® to make sure our voices are heard. As Realtors®, we know what’s happening in the real estate industry and in the communities we serve. Our professional expertise combined with our ability to relate to local communities makes our voices especially important when it comes to electing our representatives. Voting for Realtor®-friendly ..read more