Dembinski Joins Rinehimer; Company Growth Expected Despite Economy

Earlier this month, Rinehimer Construction Inc. added Michael Dembinski, a seasoned industry pro, to its staff. Dembinski (formerly of Richard Henry Construction) will serve as Rinehimer’s senior VP.  This comes at a time when the Pocono Pines-based custom home builder has plans to expand its physical presence, which will occur this summer, as it opens a new office at Historic Downtown Business Square on Route 940 in Pocono Pines. Says company president Bert Rinehimer, “This will better serve both our clients and Realtor family, and will benefit our local community for years to come. I’m very fortunate to have such a loyal and talented team, that through their many years of service, have made this all possible.”
By the end of this summer, Rinehimer Construction will have renovated the new Sand Spring restaurant, formerly the Homestead Inn on Sandspring Road in Cresco. Dembinski says the decision to expand in an economic recession is part of an overall plan for future success. “We had the vision to build a stronger business for better economic circumstances to come, and that’s what we’re doing,” he says.

Some good news on the horizon

Some good news for the new year.

Fewer Monroe County homes sold during the first quarter of 2010 were in foreclosure compared with last year. And sales of non-foreclosed homes grew.

That’s a reversal of a trend seen in all of last year.

The change was dramatic. While 42 percent of all first quarter 2009 home sales were foreclosures, that number dropped to 29 percent this year. The unit figures fell from 125 in 2009 to 85 in 2010.

The picture was almost as rosy in Pike County, which saw foreclosure sales drop as a percent of total sales, from 24 percent in the first quarter of 2009 to 22 percent in 2010.
read the full story…

Digging for a good contractor: Pocono industry insiders reveal questions to ask

“Eenie meenie miney mo” won’t cut it for this decision.

Finding a contractor who is trustworthy and dedicated to the job — and won’t rip you off — can be a full-time job.

To make it a little easier for you, we asked some experts in the field about the red flags, and what should be investigated before signing on the dotted line. Our expert panel included Scott Elliot, director of public relations for Pennsylvania Builders Association; Andrew Goode, regional vice president of the Better Business Bureau; and Mike Dembinski, director of sales and marketing for Richard Henry Construction in Pocono Pines.

Where is a good place to start when looking for a contractor?

SCOTT ELLIOT: A good start to remove some of the risk in hiring a contractor is the local builders association. They are usually by county and can be found in the phone book or at www.pabuilders.org. If someone belongs to a builder’s association, they are exposed to new regulations and renewing their skills.

ANDREW GOODE: Avoid scams. Companies that go door-to-door taking about the job they are doing up the road is a scam company. Companies that require all the money up front and not offering a three-day right to revision are scam companies. Get referrals from people you trust, but always go through the same process.

What are a few important tips to keep in mind when searching for a contractor?

ELLIOT: Ask for references from other jobs. If he is a good builder, he will be happy to give those. Follow through and find out what past customers thought. Three or four is sufficient. Go to one or two of them to see the quality of the work. Anytime you can see examples firsthand, it’s a huge plus. Always insist on a written contract, and if changes occur, get them in writing, too. Ask for an insurance certificate, proof of worker’s compensation insurance and general liability insurance. This protects you.

GOODE: Get a written contract with descriptions of what is being done. Re-doing a driveway or roof isn’t descriptive enough. It should be pretty particular. Find out what their refund policy is and how disputes are handled. Call references and ask questions such as if the job was done as promised, if there were any problems and if they cleaned up after themselves. Make sure the contractor knows exactly what you want. Write down specific descriptions of what you want and hand that to each contractor you are considering. Get at least three estimates.

MIKE DEMBINSKI: Check for permits and code compliances. It’s important for the builder or contractor to have a good relationship with communities and the township. Request a tour of past work to see the quality of the workmanship. Ask questions and see it firsthand. Check to see that the contractor is involved with the (Greater Pocono) Chamber of Commerce and the Pocono Builders Association. This is one of your biggest investments, so do your homework ahead of time.

When you receive multiple estimates, how do you know which one is the right one?

ELLIOT: Beware of low bids. Everyone thinks a low bid means you are beating the system. If you get a bid that is really low, it’s a red flag. The contractor could be inadequately budgeting the project.

GOODE: If you get three estimates — $1,000, $5,000 and $20,000, ask the contractor what he plans on doing. $1,000 may only put a top-coat on a driveway. The $5,000 bid may be to rebuild on top of the foundation, and the $20,000 bid maybe to re-do the entire driveway.

DEMBINSKI: Depending on the scope of the project, it never hurts to get more than one quote. Don’t look at the lowest price. Look at the compatibility, quality, references, how the Pocono Builders Association and Chamber of Commerce feel about the contractor. Go with your gut feeling. If all looks good and he has a good track record, good reputation and good working relationship with the community, that will ultimately help you make your decision.

What is the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act?

ELLIOT: A tool to protect consumers from fraudulent contractors. It went into effect July 1, 2009. Contractors must register with the state. If enough consumers complain, they will be reported to the Attorney General’s Office and could lose their registration to work in Pennsylvania. It is another layer of protection.

What does the Better Business Bureau do to help consumers looking at potential contractors?

GOODE: The BBB reports on many contractors. We rate them based on a number of factors — type of business, advertising meeting our standards, complaints, patterns of complaints. We explain why a contractor has a lower rating.

As a builder, what should the initial visit with a potential contractor include?

DEMBINSKI: Some questions to ask include: How long have you been established in business and in the community? How is your relationship with the community, inspection agencies and townships? Ask for references. Make sure you have a level of comfort during the initial meeting. Talk about plan designs, coding and permits. When you decide on a contractor, have an agreement of sale in writing and have it all spelled out with milestones of payments. That way everyone is on the same page.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER

How to choose a reputable contractor, according to Pocono Builders Association:
Is the contractor a member of PBA?
Take your time. Investigate. Spend time before you spend money.
Does the contractor have proof of insurance and carry worker’s compensation insurance?
Incorporate any warranties, guaranties or other promises in your contract. Always insist that change orders will be in writing.
Check references — bank, suppliers, subcontractors.
Have your attorney review all documentation prior to signing.
See the quality of work being performed for yourself.
Does the contractor have a permanent location and phone number?
Check with the Better Business Bureau.
Have specific starting and completion dates. Some delays are unavoidable and beyond the builder’s control.
Beware of unusually low bids or advertised pricing.
Resources:
Better Business Bureau: nepa.bbb.org/ or 570-342-5100
Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General: attorneygeneral.gov or 717-787-3391
Pocono Builders Association: poconobuilders.org or 570-421-9009
Pocono Chamber of Commerce: poconochamber.net or 570-421-4433

Pocono Housing Market Showing Some Signs of Life

Home sales in Monroe County rose during the first quarter of 2010, the first increase in first-quarter sales since 2006.

Although the growth was just 8 percent, that compared to a 24 percent collapse last year.

The boost might be driven by a soon-to-expire tax credit for home buyers, according to Lisa Sanderson, president of the Pocono Mountains Association of Realtors and an agent with Real Living Ritter and Co. Real Estate.

First-time home buyers and those trading up for a more expensive home are eligible for tax credits of up to $8,000, but that is set to expire soon. To take advantage of the incentive, you have to be under contract by the end of April and close by the end of June.

Although there’s been speculation about whether the tax credit would be extended, Sanderson said, “We don’t usually know until the last minute.”

While home sales climbed, prices continued to fall.

The average price of a Monroe County home sold in the first quarter of 2010 was $145,449, down 5 percent over the same period last year.

“There probably won’t be any increases in prices for a while. But having more houses sell is probably the first thing to getting things back on track,” Sanderson said.

Home sales continued to fall for the year in 2009. A total of 1,828 homes sold all of last year, according to Pocono Mountains Realtors Association statistics. That was 7 percent less than 2008.

Sales of foreclosed homes jumped 27 percent last year, following the trend of rising foreclosures. It also is a reflection that the market is clearing out many of those distressed homes from the local inventory.

First-quarter sales in Monroe reached its peak in 2006 with 950 homes sold. That figure has been declining over the past three years, as the economy began to slow and the sub-prime mess threw the housing market into chaos.

Pike and Wayne counties also saw home sales rise during the first quarter. Sales in those two counties are combined by the Pike-Wayne Association of Realtors.

Combined sales in the two counties increased 19 percent, to 232 homes sold in the first quarter. Sales fell 26 percent last year in the same period, to 209.

But the residential real estate market in the Pike Wayne Association of Realtors coverage area had a smaller foreclosure problem, with 19 percent of all homes sold having been foreclosures in each of the first quarters of 2009 and 2010.

The average price of a home sold in that period was $179,893, or about 24 percent higher than in Monroe.

2010 GREATER POCONO HOME SHOW

Saturday April 17 10am – 5pm and Sunday April 18th 11am – 4pm at the Split Rock Resort in Lake Harmony  check out the Pocono Builder’s Association website for more information

Now is the time to buy a home in the Poconos

Potential home buyers who delay have a lot to lose.First-time home buyer and move-up tax credits worth $8,000 and $6,500, respectively, expire April 30. Buyers who qualify get a dollar-for-dollar reduction in taxes or a cash payment if they don’t pay enough taxes to cover the credit.Other factors that should spur buyers:Low mortgage rates. If the Federal Reserve stops buying mortgage-backed securities at the end of March, 30-year rates will almost certainly rise to more than 6 percent.Rising prices. About 30 percent of markets are already experiencing price increases. Prices are falling in 12 percent of markets, says Fiserv (but that only helps if you want to live there).Source: Money Magazine, Beth Braverman (03/02/2010)

If you have been considering Purchasing your first home or A larger home, get out this weekend and take a look at all the great homes for sale in the Stroudsburg ,Mt. Pocono, Blakeslee and all of the surrounding Pocono Region. Home prices, interest rates tax credits are the best ever.
1378 Bush Road, Cresco <http://www.creyourway.com/3943/1378-bush-road-cresco> Posted: 02 Mar 2010 05:49 AM PST <http://www.creyourway.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/front-2.jpg> Equestrian Ranch built in 2005. In the heart of the Poconos. Minutes to Mt. Airy Casino, the Crossings, Camelback skiing and all Pocono Attractions.Open Fields, tall trees, babbling stream on nearly 4 acres. 3000 sq. ft pole barn setup for 4 stall and plenty of room for workshop & several cars. Generator backup, security system and more call now. Call Jeff Peterson 570-972-0139 and ask about MLS# 10-1690.View Virtual Tour

BROKELMAN NAMED LIFETIME MEMBER OF WHO’S WHO

Lifetime inclusion in Cambridge Who’s Who is an honor bestowed by The Cambridge Who’s Who selection committee based on accomplishment, professional achievement, leadership and service. The mission of Cambridge Who’s Who is to ensure that Cambridge members receive recognition, support and credibility to advance their careers.

During the last 3 decades, Brockelman has been a real estate sales professional, associate broker and broker/owner of Coldwell Banker Phyllis Rubin Real Estate, an eight office agency that she built into a powerhouse in the Pocono Mountains area.

As a broker/owner, she strategically managed unprecedented growth increased the REALTOR agent staff from 35 agents to 80 agents average with 100 at peek periods and expanding company gross commission income from $1 million to $9 million annually; a 75 % increase from time of purchase. In 2007, after 15 years as owner, Brockelman sold her franchise at its peak.

Today, Brockelman runs Commonwealth Real Estate Your Way, LLC., a popular agency committed to innovating the real estate marketplace in the Poconos by applying the Platinum Rule (of treating clients as they wish to be treated) to all transactions and offering customized solutions for every client. In 2009, she was named among the top 10 area business women in the Pocono Business Journal’s recent “Women in Business 2009.”

Vickie M. Brockelman, GRI, Epro
Broker/Owner RB#066680
Commonwealth Real Estate Your Way, LLC
26 C Pocono Blvd.
Mt. Pocono, PA
570-839-0411 (office number)
570-839-0415 (fax number)
570-972-0141 (direct line)

Learn more about Vickie Brockelman

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