The recent surge in the real estate market means that it’s a great time for anybody thinking of selling a home. Are you thinking about selling your Central PA home in the next year, or are you curious about how homes are being shown safely amid the ongoing health crisis? If your answer to either question is yes, then I’d love for you to join me at my upcoming home-selling workshop: How to Get Top Dollar in Uncertain Times.
We’ll be hosting this virtual workshop on January 21 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.a live video chat to answer any questions that home sellers are asking in these uncertain times.Nobody knows how long our current conditions will last, but we have historically low inventory and low interest rates for the time being.We will share all of our tips for getting top dollar in today’s and the upcoming spring market.
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Space is limited to the first 20 home sellers who register!
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RJ Harris will start us out with trivia, then we’ll have a lender and a home inspector join me to answer the most common questions about selling your home. If you have other questions, make sure to submit them in advance so I can answer them during the event. Here are a few questions that we will cover:
Is COVID-19 affecting prices?
Are buyers motivated right now?
Can my home be sold safely?
Is now a good time to sell?
Should I pre-inspect my home?
Can I purchase a home before selling my current one?
If you’re thinking about selling your home, preparation is key. Prepare by reserving your spot today at this link. You can also call us at (717) 695-3177 to reserve your spot. Act fast, because space is limited to the first 20 homeowners who register! We look forward to seeing you on January 21 at 6:30 p.m.
If you have any questions about the event or about real estate in general, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Wow, this has been a one-of-a-kind year. I love writer Agnes Pharo’s famous quote: “What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future.” Your celebration this time of year may not be Christmas, but whatever you observe, I want to share my heart with you.
Our homes are important every day but especially at this time of the year. I’ve had over 30 years of experience in real estate, during which I’ve helped thousands of people find a home that is a safe place to celebrate, establish traditions, and make memories with their family and friends. On behalf of my team at the Joy Daniels Group, we are so grateful for the opportunities you’ve given us in 2020. We want to acknowledge each one of you for trusting us with your real estate dreams, allowing us to help you accomplish your goals, and sending us a record number of referrals this year.
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What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future.
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I love Christmas; this time of year I’m surrounded by joy almost everywhere I go. I’m very blessed to be part of a team that is dedicated and ready to serve, and because of you, we’re able to share the joy with our central Pennsylvania community. There are so many worthy charities in our area, and we don’t want to miss an opportunity to help. So we’ve created a Joy Cares link on our website where you can request a donation for a cause that is special to your heart. Simply click “Joy Cares” under the “Links” tab.
If you have any questions for us about buying or selling real estate in Pennsylvania, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email. Have a wonderful and blessed holiday season filled with joy, love, and laughter. We look forward to serving you in 2021!
Real estate is a big part of my life, and I’ve moved many times. I know it’s a nightmare, so today I’m sharing five tips to help ease your moving headaches:
1. Compare the cost of professional movers versus doing it yourself. It’s your choice to hire professionals or move everything yourself. There are pros and cons to each option. A complete moving experience that includes packing, hauling, unpacking, and removal of trash is not affordable for most. The expense is a major drawback. If you do choose to hire a professional moving company, you need a company that is bonded and insured. It’s always good to get multiple quotes, too.
When moving on your own, if you break it, you buy it. Watch for the hidden costs because some truck rentals don’t include unlimited mileage, and you’ll have to pay for things such as gas, packing materials, and boxes. There is also a huge time commitment involved with this route.
2. Plan your packing. Be sure to gather chargers, power cords, extension cords, and basic tools to assemble things in well-labeled boxes. Kitchen essentials are another important box. Don’t forget toilet paper or paper towels!
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There are plenty of tools to help you ease the literal weight on your shoulders.
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3. Purge. Use this opportunity of decluttering your home to create areas for things you’re not taking with you. Donate the stuff you can, and trash the rest.
4. Use the garage as a holding area. You’d be surprised at how much room boxes and packing materials take up in your house. You will need space to maneuver. Rather than having things everywhere, use the garage or spare bedroom for a staging area to make the job easier.
5. Lift properly. Use your legs, not your back! You don’t want to be moving with back pain. Make sure you stretch beforehand as well to further minimize the risk of injury. There are plenty of tools to help ease the literal weight on your shoulders, including dollies, hand trucks, moving straps, gloves, back braces, furniture sliders, and much more.
If you have questions about making your next real estate move or would like a copy of our packing checklist, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email today. We would love to hear from you.
During the home-selling process, preparation is key. Avoiding these five mistakes will make the process a lot smoother and help you to sell quickly and for top dollar:
1. Picking the wrong agent. If your child needed surgery, you’d want a surgeon who has performed a lot of successful surgeries of the type you need, right? Unfortunately, the vast majority of real estate agents don’t sell a lot of homes. In fact, the average agent only sells about eight houses per year. By comparison, our team sold 677 homes last year. We can give you the advantage of having an agent with their finger on the pulse of the market and a solid marketing plan to get your home sold.
2. Not getting your home ready for the market. No one is saying that you need to remodel your kitchen, but the little things can go a long way in highlighting your property. We can put you in touch with some great vendors and help you prepare your home to take fantastic photos. We’ve built more than 30 years of relationships that you can use to your advantage.
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Our team can be the strong arm you need throughout your sale until closing.
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3. Overpricing your home. These days, homebuyers are well educated and can find out anything they need to know about a home online. That’s why price is everything when it comes to marketing. Most buyers won’t even bother looking at a property if it’s overpriced. There is a magic window of time for selling your home; the longer it sits on the market, the staler it becomes, which will eventually force you to drop the price. We know the Central Pennsylvania market and we study the numbers every day, so we can put our 30+ years of experience to work for you from the moment you hire us.
4. Only considering the highest priced offer. The offer to purchase a home is 14 pages long, and the price is just one item on the document. We work hard to get our clients not only the best price, but also the best terms. Financing, inspections, and closing dates are just as important.
5. Getting too emotional. Always treat your home sale as a business transaction, even if you’re selling to a friend. Lean on your agent for the tough parts of the home sale—our team can be the strong arm you need throughout your sale until closing. I understand if you’re emotionally attached to your home, but when you sell it, you need to think of it as a property.
If making a move in 2021 is one of your goals, let’s have a conversation about how we can help. As always, if you have any questions about this or any other real estate topic, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our listing and buying specialists are ready to help you.
I’m enjoying fall as we head into November and I hope you are too. It’s time for a quick fall market update for the Central Pennsylvania real estate market.
Over the course of 2020, you’ve likely spent more time in your home than in any previous year. Perhaps this sparked the idea of moving in your head. According to the National Association of Realtors, homeowners are living in their homes for an average of 10 years, which is significantly longer than the 6- or 7-year average that was the norm before.
Here are a few market statistics that might help you decide whether now is the time to move:
Inventory is down 46% from last year
Pending home sales are up by 28%, a clear indication that buyers are motivated
The average sale price is up by 10%
There’s no doubt that COVID-19 has created a lot of uncertainty in the world of real estate, but the adage that real estate never stops is still true. Homeowners still need to sell their homes, and buyers are still looking for their next home.
The good thing about real estate is that it is constantly evolving to become more convenient, accessible, and flexible. While certain occupations simply can’t work remotely, real estate professionals are resilient and adaptable. Trained agents were perfectly suited to complete most of their real estate transactions from home.
The consensus among agents is that technology has been an industry life-saver. Our agents are able to help people buy and sell homes even under quarantine. While we were working from home, we continued listing, marketing, and selling homes.
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Trained agents were perfectly suited to complete most transactions from home.
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Our team is committed to making sure our buyers and sellers understand the real estate process and have trust in our ability to guide them through home buying or selling.
If you have any questions about how COVID-19 has affected real estate or you just have any real estate questions in general, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
While many Halloween parades and fall festivities throughout Central Pennsylvania have been postponed or canceled, there is some good news: In many locations, trick-or-treating and other events have only been moderately altered.
If your Halloween events of years past can’t be properly socially distanced, consider these lower-risk activities as safe alternatives:
Carve or decorate pumpkins outside at a safe distance with neighbors and friends
Decorate your house, apartment, or living space
Put on a Halloween scavenger hunt
Host a virtual Halloween costume contest
Have a Halloween movie night at home
Click here for a list of countywide events happening this year.
As we begin to plan for fall and winter holiday celebrations, the CDC offers valuable information to help protect individuals, their families, friends, and communities from COVID-19.
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While the leaves are falling, home sales are rising.
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Click here to see their recommendations. Mind you, this information is meant to supplement—not replace—state and local guidelines. Preparation is key to keeping our families safe.
Over the course of 2020, you’ve likely spent more time in your home than in previous years, and perhaps now you’re thinking about moving. Whether for work, relaxation, or play, we have all found a need for space within our homes. If you’re a homeowner thinking about moving, now is an excellent time to sell. Inventory and interest rates are historically low at the moment.
While the leaves are falling, home sales are rising. Our team committed early on to make sure that our buyers and sellers understand the real estate process and trust in our ability to guide them as they buy or sell a home, even during the shutdown.
If you have any questions about how COVID-19 has affected real estate, or if you’re interested in learning more about the buying and selling process, please reach out to us. We’d be glad to help you.
Today I’m sharing a list of fun destinations near our Central PA area.
There are so many great spots and adventures within a short drive of our wonderful Central Pennsylvania area. Here are some of my recommendations for fun day trips:
Enjoy art, live music, outdoor dining, and shopping on the first Friday of every month in downtown Mechanicsburg as part of their ongoing “First Friday” tradition.
Hershey Park, ZooAmerica, and Chocolate World are all great local options; don’t forget about Hershey Gardens and the beautiful butterfly house!
Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster and Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg offer tons of fun for the whole family.
Indian Echo Caverns is a mysterious underground world located in Hummelstown, and it offers a mini-golf course and activities like gemstone panning, which your kids will love!
Lake Tobias Wildlife has a petting zoo and an open-air safari tour.
The Pennsylvania state Capitol offers free tours and interactive exhibits. While at the Capitol complex, visit the state museum!
The Gettysburg battlefield offers history for the entire family, and guided tours are offered year-round (consider a drive-through tour for added convenience).
Hike the Appalachian Trail and bike or fish along serene landscapes.
You’re sure to find breathtaking views in so many of our wonderful state parks like Gifford, Little Buffalo, Ricketts Glen, and Trout Creek just to name a few! There are waterfalls, trails, and picnic areas to explore.
Take the seasonal bounty of local farm stands and farmers markets in Lancaster and Lititz. The joyous Sturgis Pretzel Factory in Lititz allows you to make your own pretzel, and the Utz Factory tour in Hanover is an enjoyable experience for potato chip fans.
If you’re looking for something to do without the kids, you can sample beer, wine, cider, and spirits along the Cumberland Valley Beer Trail.
Some of these ideas have an associated cost while others are completely free, but all are great day trip ideas for you and your family! For more information, check out the following links. As always, please reach out by phone or email if you have any real estate questions or needs I can help you with. I look forward to hearing from you soon, and I hope you make the most of your trips!
One of the top questions we’ve received from clients lately has been about the impact of the pandemic on the housing market. Naturally, buyers and sellers are nervous given the present state of the world, so today I wanted to share some of my findings.
Many real estate activities are being conducted either remotely or with limited in-person contact. For those activities that must be done in person, we are prepared to do them safely.
With respect to home prices, many buyers thought that the drop in the stock market, the rate of unemployment, and the lasting effects of COVID were going to create significant price drops. Sellers are afraid that prices will fall or there will be a lack of activity, but that’s just not the current state of our market here in Central Pennsylvania. Buyers haven’t left the marketplace, though, and this ongoing demand combined with low inventory has caused a dramatic increase in the average home sale price here in Central PA. Remember: Real estate is local!
The Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR) recently published some data about how COVID has affected home prices:
As of July 1, it looks as though the monthly number of homes for sale and the number of closed homes has decreased by nearly 50% when comparing May 2020 to May 2019. Many buyers have been shaken by the uncertainty that COVID brought to our sense of public safety, as well as the financial and housing markets.
Inventory decreased by approximately 25% in March, April, and May. New listings added in Central PA decreased from the 3,470 that were added in May 2019 to just 2,319 new listings added in May 2020.
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Any consistently large moves in a particular direction will be critical indicators of where this market is going.
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Why are these trends occurring? Well, when the governor announced the stay-at-home order on March 19, the daily number of new listings plummeted from approximately 110 per day to just 40 per day. Realtors were no longer able to meet with clients in person and all activities had to be performed remotely. This trend continued through the remainder of March, April, and early May. This information is contrasted by the uptick of new listings added in the months of late May, June, and July as in-person activities resumed in Central PA.
We do need to keep in mind, however, that this transactional data tells a story of the market in the past. To get a feel for how the market will look moving forward, we look at indicators like the number of showings our listings are generating as well as the conversations that our agents are having with clients. We need to keep a close eye on the daily inventory and pending/closed numbers; any consistently large moves in a particular direction will be critical indicators of where this market is heading.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions you have or updates you’d like to hear. Our listing specialists are ready to help you safely sell your home during this tumultuous time, and our buyer specialists are ready to help you safely secure your next home. Give us a call or send an email to schedule a free, 15-minute video or phone consultation so we can help you navigate your real estate needs.
There are many causes for concern in our world today, but we also have reasons to be grateful. If you’re a seller, or have considered selling, one of those reasons is the current strong buyer demand in our real estate market. Homebuyers are out there in huge numbers with a voracious appetite to buy. Their only hindrance is our historically low inventory. Also, the national average for homes' days on market is just under 20 days. This is the lowest number of homes and the shortest selling span that has ever been recorded. On top of that, home mortgage rates have hit a 50-year low, but they won’t last forever. Buyers can borrow $250,000 and pay just $1,350 per month right now. These are the lowest interest rates in 50 years. It’s an ideal time to sell your house for top dollar and purchase a property that better suits your needs.
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Homebuyers are out there in huge numbers with a voracious appetite to buy.
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Selling when you have the lowest amount of competition is in your best interest, so be bold! It’s a seller’s market throughout most of Central Pennsylvania, so take advantage of these opportunities! Contract my team via phone or email today and we’ll make sure you benefit from these historic conditions. If you have any questions about our market or real estate in general, feel free to reach out to us as well. We’d love to help you.
What are the biggest changes that have occurred in our market due to COVID-19, and what can you do to take advantage of these adjustments? 1. Interest rates have dropped. In April 2019, rates hovered around 4%, and everyone thought they wouldn’t get any lower. However, now they’ve decreased to about 3%. Though they’re beginning to creep back up, they’re still historically low. Consider locking in a low interest rate now; just because you get approved for a house doesn’t mean you’ll get the lowest rate. They’re predicated on several factors—two of the most crucial are your debt ratio and your credit score.
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You shouldn’t be timing the market; it’s time to be in the market.
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To qualify for a low rate, the best things you can do are improve your credit score and decrease your debt. If you’re currently a homeowner, you can take advantage of the low rates through refinancing. 2. The peak listing season has shifted. Usually, new listings steadily increase from February to May, meaning spring is the peak season. However, due to the pandemic, the peak time for 2020 is June through August. You shouldn’t be timing the market; it’s time to be in the market. Don’t wait until autumn or spring to list. In a traditional market, many real estate agents advise their clients to list in these seasons, but in this environment, you should list now while inventory is so low. This will ensure you’ll have the best home selling options possible. 3. The median price has increased. After more than a decade of decline, the year-over-year price has increased. Over the last year, the median price has risen from $212,000 to $228,000. We don’t know what will happen in the future, so sellers should take advantage of the market now. The best time to buy is whenever you can. The housing market will always increase over time. For example, if you bought a home for $250,000 with a mortgage of $1,500 per month, you’d generate $50,000 worth of equity in just five years. If you rented that same home for that same monthly payment for five years, you would end up paying someone else $90,000. If you have further questions about our 2020 market or any real estate needs, we can help. Email us or schedule a free, 15-minute video or phone consultation, and let us help you navigate your real estate needs. Stay safe out there!
Today I’m joined by Jeff Dapp, senior listing specialist with the Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, to show you a truly amazing home in Mechanicsburg: 318 Southview Drive. The home, which is part of the lovely Meadow View Estates, totals 4,000 square feet and boasts five bedrooms and five-and-a-half bathrooms. It’s a Farinelli-built masterpiece with tons of upgrades, and we’re excited to showcase its unique features! Cited below for your convenience are timestamps that will direct you to various points in the video. Feel free to watch it in its entirety or use these timestamps to browse specific points at your leisure: 1:16 — Introducing George Kunzweiler, project manager at Farinelli Homes 2:00 — Why this home’s structural integrity is a cut above other homes on the market 2:49 — What makes the kitchen so beautiful? 3:52 — George explains the top-of-the-line energy efficiency of the home 4:50 — Getting to know the Meadow View Estates community 5:13 — Wrapping up today’s showcase I hope you enjoyed seeing this one-of-a-kind property and learning more about its top-to-bottom quality. If you’re interested in finding out more, or simply have real estate-related questions, please feel free to reach out to us via phone or email at any time. We look forward to hearing from you!
Are you thinking about selling your Central PA home in the next year, or are you curious about homes being shown in the current market? If your answer is yes to either or both questions, you’re invited to our virtual home selling workshop on June 30 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It’s called “How to Get Top Dollar During Uncertain Times” and we’ll answer all of your home-selling questions. We’ll talk about how to prepare your home in today’s market, and we’ll have a lender and home inspector join us to answer all of your questions. If you have specific questions, please submit them in advance so we can try to answer them during the event. Here are some starter questions we’ll discuss:
Is COVID-19 affecting prices?
Are buyers motivated right now?
Can my home be sold safely?
Are home prices dropping?
Is now a good time to sell?
What mistakes should I avoid?
How do I get rid of my stuff?
How do I attract homebuyers now?
Should I pre-inspect my home?
Can I purchase a home before selling my current one?
If you’re thinking about selling your home, reserve your spot today. Space is limited to 20 homeowners so don’t delay! If you have any questions about the event or real estate, don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email. We look forward to hearing from you.
Great News! It is time to vote for the Central Penn Business Journal Reader Ranking Awards 2020. These awards celebrate and recognize the best our community has to offer. The nominations are in and the response was overwhelming! Only the Top Businesses in each category made it to the final voting stage and JDREG is honored to have made it to the final voting stage and we need your help. It is easy to do:
Click on the link below to vote today – Voting ends May 31st, 2020
Choose the Real Estate Category – Place your vote – Fill in registration form ( You must register to vote)
Winners will be recognized in a special print and online section once voting has finished and the votes tallied and verified
WE’D LOVE TO HAVE YOUR HELP—WITH YOUR VOTE, WE’D BE HONORED TO WIN CENTRAL PENN BUSIENSS JOURNALS READER RANKING AWARD 2020. Our mission is to deliver world-class service to our communities, past clients, neighbors, friends and their families. We look forward to serving our local community here in 2020. Please contact us with any Real Estate questions you have at 717-695-3177 or send us an email at info@JoyDaniels.com. We would love to help.
I want to give you a balanced update on the Central Pennsylvania real estate situation. Of course, there's the elephant in the room: The coronavirus pandemic has had a massive effect on the entire economy and that includes the real estate market. The recent volatility in the stock market is causing additional trouble. Perhaps most importantly, there is uncertainty about the future as the coronavirus situation plays out day by day. That's the bad news. The good news is that we are collectively beginning to adapt to this unprecedented situation in some encouraging ways. In fact, some buyers are eager to buy now more than ever. That might sound surprising, but it's simple economics. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate recently hit 3.29%, the lowest on record since tracking started almost 50 years ago. This kind of low mortgage rate can take tens of thousands of dollars off the effective price of a property, once interest payments are factored into the equation. The massive government stimulus package has given many people hope that the economic impact of the coronavirus will be contained. Finally, once we emerge from this situation, there are reasons for optimism. Unlike previous drops in home sales, like during the subprime mortgage crisis, this is not expected to last nearly as long. Demand for housing was especially strong before the coronavirus hit, and much of this demand is still there. What is undeniable is that we are in a unique situation, and rules are changing each day. If I can help you in any way — whether with real estate advice or anything else — give me a call at (717) 695-3177. If the current situation is showing us anything, it's that we need to work to help each other however we can, and I want you to know I'm here for you.
2020 is a milestone year for the Joy Daniels Real Estate Group. We are celebrating 10 years of business! We opened our doors on April 1, 2010, with three agents and sold 160 homes. 10 years later, we have 36 agents and have sold 898 homes. We have been so grateful for your support over the past decade as we assist you in achieving your dreams of homeownership. Our mission today is the same as when we opened our doors a decade ago: providing professional and personal assistance, giving the best customer service, ensuring our clients’ interests are of the utmost importance, and helping clients accomplish their real estate goals. We believe in continuous improvement and evolving every day to deliver exceptional results and an excellent experience. Many of you have been a big part of our journey and your support has enabled us to become one of the fastest-growing companies in Central Pennsylvania. Thank you! We were recognized locally as “Simply the Best 2019” because you believed in us and our service. We were also recognized as one of the top 100 real estate teams in the country by Wall Street Journal.
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During these uncertain times, I hope you and your family remain safe and healthy.
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We care about the community, and have been privileged to give back through our “Joy Cares” program to many local organizations and charities. The secret to our success is our agents and culture. An organization, no matter how well designed, is only as good as the people who work in it. I want to also thank our staff, our agents, and their families for making this milestone a memorable one. We are not just real estate professionals. We are also your trusted friends and neighbors. I’m proud to share this milestone with you today, and to say I’m grateful is an understatement to describe my thankfulness for those of you who have supported us from the start. We have accomplished a lot over the last 10 years. Thank you for helping me build a fantastic company today and for decades to come. During these uncertain times, I hope you and your family remain safe and healthy. We’re always here to help you or answer any questions you might have. Just give us a call or send us an email today. We look forward to hearing from you.
I’ve got some exciting news to share: You’re invited to our free upcoming seller seminar!
The event will take place at the GIANT Food Store Community Room (3301 E. Trindle Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110) on Thursday, February 27th, 2020 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Navigating today’s dramatically changing real estate market can be challenging, especially when it comes time to try to sell your home.
Listing these days can lead to a lot of confusion, and that’s why my goal for this seminar is to help you overcome this. This seminar will give you the tools, resources, and information you need to make the best decisions for one of your biggest investments.
This seminar will give you the tools, resources, and information you need to make the best decisions for one of your biggest investments.
I’ll explain the necessary steps it will take to achieve your selling goals, and also shed some light on current market conditions. We will also have a panel of expert speakers at the seminar, including a stager, a home inspector, and a mortgage lender—each of whom will offer invaluable insight into their role in the real estate process. Ultimately, I want to set you on the path to success as a seller in today’s buyer’s market. Also, if there are any questions left unanswered at the end of the seminar, I will give you an opportunity before we wrap things up to ask me about them. If you have any other questions, would like more information, or are interested in attending, give my team and me a call at (717) 695-3177 or send us an email at info@joydaniels.com. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming seminar.
