Wilkins & Associates hires Matt Jacobson as new Real Estate Agent

BUSHKILL – Matthew Jacobson, Realtor ®, has joined Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates as a Licensed Salesperson in the Bushkill Office.

In 1998 Jacobson received a Business Admin, Finance, and Real Estate Degree from Ohio State University. In addition Jacobson was honored with the Neil M. Klatskin Memorial and the Scarlet and Grey Scholarship at Ohio State.

Before getting his Real Estate license Matthew worked as a Mental Health Associate, Algebra Teacher, and a Credit Analyst. Jacobson specialized in everything from working 1-on-1 with patients, teacher and substitute teacher from grades K-12, and preparing loan offerings.

Jacobson, a resident in Bushkill, is a single father and a volunteer concert usher at the Bethel Woods Center for Performing Arts. Jacobson was recruited by Matthew Rubin, Realtor ®, and hired by Dennis Mooney, Vice Pres/Assoc Broker. Matthew will be working out of the Bushkill office under the supervision of Christine Scrofano, Sr. Vice Pres/Assoc Broker. Scrofano said, “I am very pleased to have Matt working for us out of Bushkill, I know he will be a great new addition to my Sales team” Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates offices are open 7 Days a week.

Recently the Wilkins organization opened a third office in Mt Pocono at 102 Pocono Blvd

Despite Fears, Owning Home Retains Allure, Poll Shows

By DAVID STREITFELD and MEGAN THEE-BRENAN

Owning a house remains central to Americans’ sense of well-being, even as many doubt their home is a good investment after a punishing recession.

Nearly nine in 10 Americans say homeownership is an important part of the American dream, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll. And they are keen on making sure it stays that way, for themselves and everyone else.

Support for helping people in financial distress over housing is higher than support for helping those without a job for many months.

Forty-five percent of the respondents say the government should be doing more to improve the housing market, while 16 percent say it should be doing less. On the politically contentious issue of direct financial assistance to those having trouble paying their mortgages, slightly more than half of those polled, 53 percent, say the government should help. And almost no one favors discontinuing the mortgage tax deduction, a prized middle-class benefit that has been featured on some budget-cutting proposals.

President Obama, who has been criticized for both doing too much to help the housing market and for not doing enough, was given poor marks. Only 36 percent of those polled approve of what Mr. Obama has done, while 45 percent disapprove.

In assessing blame for the housing crash, people are increasingly seeing financial institutions as the central culprit. Amid the swirl of recent disclosures about banks following improper and illegal procedures in pursuing foreclosures, 42 percent blame lenders, while 29 percent blame regulators. When the question was asked in early 2008, as the crisis was still building, the numbers were reversed, with 40 percent blaming regulators and 28 percent blaming lenders. Only a handful of respondents at either moment blamed the borrowers themselves for taking loans they could not afford.

“I believe the financial institutions willingly and knowingly allowed people to apply and receive credit at a rate higher than they could afford and this has degraded our economy,” said Steven Goode, an environmental health manager in Las Vegas, in a follow-up interview.

Making an offer for a house, something often done in past generations with little apprehension, is now riddled with worry. Only 49 percent call it a safe investment, while 45 percent feel it is risky. In a market where prices are consistently dropping, there is no easy exit.

“For the average person, it might not be a good idea today to buy,” said another respondent, Beth Lovcy of Troutdale, Ore., who bought a year ago. The value has already shrunk, but Mrs. Lovcy is unfazed. “It works out better financially than renting now because we can claim the interest on the mortgage.”

As the housing market slumped over the last few years with a speed and magnitude not seen since the Great Depression, aspects of homeownership have been debated as never before. There are tough questions about the role the government should take. These include how much of a down payment lenders should demand, whether lenders should be restrictive or expansive in granting new loans, how much assistance to give those on the verge of foreclosure, and whether real estate will ever again be the retirement savings vehicle it once was.

While the debate has been loud, there was little evidence of people’s views that went beyond the anecdotal. This poll offers a window onto widespread opinions at a critical juncture.

Before the crash, housing was widely deemed one of the safest possible investments. Few experts thought there was the possibility of a nationwide downturn. But after it happened, the effects were widespread and painful.

Diane Sherrell, a substitute teacher in North Carolina who retired on disability, traded up to a bigger house four years ago to accommodate an adopted son. “It’s been very difficult since then and we’re barely making it,” she said.

Half of those surveyed say the market’s continuing downward spiral has affected their long-term plans. One in five people say the crisis has prevented them from moving to another city or taking a different job. Nearly one-quarter of homeowners say their home is now worth less than what they owe on their mortgage, a condition known as being underwater. Families in this predicament are much more prone to foreclosure if they suffer job losses or other setbacks.

Over all, people are bleaker about the economic outlook than those surveyed in October. While most still think the current downturn is temporary, those saying it is permanent rose to 39 percent, up from 28 percent.

In the last two years, the stock market has recovered strongly while house prices have gone sideways at best. Yet those polled dismissed stocks as a long-term savings vehicle in favor of a savings or money market account (22 percent), a house (26 percent) or a 401K or individual retirement account (41 percent).

Who should be helped to buy is another contentious issue. Whether buyers need to come up with a 20 percent down payment — the standard for decades, but beyond the reach of many families now — is hotly debated. Fifty-eight percent of respondents say lenders should require this, while 36 percent say they should not.

People who cannot pay their mortgage are foreclosed upon. If they can pay but feel that doing so is pointless on a property that has lost so much of its value, it is called strategic default. While two-thirds of Americans say strategic default is not justified, 28 percent think that it is.

When houses are abandoned for any reason, it causes trouble for the neighbors. Three-quarters of those surveyed say foreclosures are a problem in their communities.

“Our home is worth much less now because houses are foreclosing around us,” said William Mack, an assembly line worker in Taylor, Mich.

Beyond all these ills, however, a persistent belief endures that the market will eventually improve and housing will regain its traditional importance.

Donna Boyd, a transportation supervisor in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, acknowledged “it might take a long time” for property values to go back up.

“But I don’t think I’m throwing my money away,” she said in a follow-up interview. “I rented for years when I was younger, and I just don’t like the idea of putting money in someone else’s pocket for something I will never own.”

The nationwide telephone poll was conducted June 24-28 with 979 adults and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus three percentage points for all adults.

NAPOLI JOINS BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS REAL ESTATE®

Bushkill – Maryann Napoli, Realtor, has joined the Sales Department at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates in their Bushkill office.  Napoli will work under the direction of Christine A. Scrofano, Senior V.P./Assoc Broker and will concentrate efforts in the southern Pike County region of the Pocono Mountains.

Napoli was a Realtor in Sussex County for 9 years and in March of 2011 received her Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson’s license.  Napoli has lived in Dingmans Ferry for the past 2.5 years.

Said Scrofano, Sr V.P., “I’m excited to have Mary Ann handle the Route 739 and south corridor.  There’s a lot of real estate being transacted in developments such as Pocono Ranchlands, Pocono Mtn Lake Estates, Wild Acres and others.  She’s a natural to do well in that area.”

Napoli has been involved in sales for a number of years which includes not only real estate but auto and advertising sales as well.

Napoli was recruited by Dennis A. Mooney, V.P./Assoc Broker/Sales Manager.

Selling homes since 1988, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates services the entire Pocono Mountains, North Pocono/Moscow area, historic Milford and all towns in between. Better Homes and Gardens Realtors handle listing, rentals and sales of primary, vacation and starter homes, as well as estate and farm properties. Buyer services include first and second home buyers, relocation buyers and transferees. They have two offices in the Pocono Mountains and are scheduled to open up a Mt. Pocono office in mid to late June at 102 Pocono Blvd.  All offices are open 7 days a week.  Visit Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates online at www.wilkins1.com

MONIZ EARNS MAY REALTOR OF THE MONTH AT BETTER HOMES & GARDENS REAL ESTATE WILKINS & ASSOCIATES

Stroudsburg – Judi A. Moniz, Associate Broker with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates has earned the title of “Realtor of the Month” according to Dominick J. Sacci, President.

Moniz, who recently received her Associate Broker’s license, has been with the Wilkins organization for 17 years. During her tenure with the company, Moniz has won numerous awards and has been recognized for accomplishments not only within the company but the services she provides in the community as well.

Said Dominick J. Sacci, President, “I have known and worked with Judi my entire real estate career. We transacted real estate 16 years ago out of our Mt. Pocono location. I am very proud of my friend and coworker. I was very happy to receive unanimous support when we chose Judi as our Realtor of the Month”.

Selling homes since 1988, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates services the entire Pocono Mountains, North Pocono/Moscow area, historic Milford and all towns in between. Better Homes and Gardens Realtors handle listings, rentals and sales of primary, vacation and starter homes, as well as estate and farm properties. Buyer services include first and second home buyers, relocation buyers and transferees. They have two offices in the Pocono Mountains. All offices are open 7 days a week. Visit Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates online at www.wilkins1.com.

MONIZ EARNS BROKER LICENSE

Stroudsburg – Judi A. Moniz, a Realtor with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates has earned her Pennsylvania Broker’s license.  Moniz completed the required course and passed the examination to receive her accreditation on April 15, 2011.

Moniz has been licensed as a Real Estate Salesperson since 1988 and has been with the Wilkins organization for the past 17 years.

Said Thomas R. Wilkins, CEO, “This is a proud event for both Judi and I.  I know she’s taken her time in getting the Brokers’ license and even though there have been obstacles that have gotten in her way, Judi has persevered and not let that deter her.  We’re very proud to have Judi in our ranks as an Associate Broker.”

Moniz has lived in the Poconos since 1987 and resides in the Big Bass Lake community with her life partner, Dave Young.

Selling homes since 1988, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates services the entire Pocono Mountains, North Pocono/Moscow area, historic Milford and all towns in between. Better Homes and Gardens Realtors handle listing, rentals and sales of primary, vacation and starter homes, as well as estate and farm properties. Buyer services include first and second home buyers, relocation buyers and transferees. They have two offices in the Pocono Mountains.  All offices are open 7 days a week.  Visit Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates online at www.wilkins1.com.

Is your roof ready for spring & summer??

RISMEDIA, March 29, 2011—If your asphalt shingles are curling or your wooden cedar shake shingles have rotted out, it’s time to look for a new roof. This major home improvement investment requires research and an understanding of roofing material options to make the best selection for your home.

“There’s only one type of roof I know of that is backed by a 50-year warranty and helps you save on homeowner’s insurance, and that’s synthetic slate and shake roofing tiles,” says Mark Clement, host of MyFixItUpLife.com radio show and website. “My own home is 100+ years old, so when it was time to replace our shingles, I researched every option available.

“The DaVinciRoofscapes slate roofing tiles I installed look better than natural slate tiles. The look is so realistic that people pass by and can’t tell the difference between them and real slate. They always bet me that these are real slate shingles. I come up a winner every time with these eco-friendly roofing tiles.”

As Clement discovered, synthetic roofing tiles have many advantages over asphalt shingles, cement tiles and even real slate. “I appreciate the thickness and realistic look of the synthetic classic slate for our home’s style, but I could just have easily chosen the Bellaforte snap-fit synthetic slate,” says Clement. “Both are made from 100 percent pure resins and have inorganic colors and pigments infused throughout each tile. The idea that I could get a custom color to match my exterior really got my attention.”

Clement chose the Aberdeen color blend for his roof that includes shades of tans, purples and neutral colors. The free online DaVinci Color Tool located at www.davinciroofscapes.com allows homeowners to create their own customized roofing tile blend from 49 different tile colors. A blend can contain between two and five colors, providing additional detailing and appeal to the home.

While Clement—a professional contractor—chose to install synthetic slate tiles, the cedar shake style also caught his attention, as testing shows these roofing tiles last two to four times longer than real cedar shakes. “Given that type of protection for the home, I can’t see why anyone would select a real wood product that is subject to damaging weather conditions, insects and rot,” notes Clement.

The recyclable synthetic roofing tiles are environmentally-friendly and can be requested in EcoBlend colors that actually help make the home more energy efficient. The award-winning EcoBlend products have been rated by the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) to reflect sunlight and heat away from the home.

LEWIS JOINS BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS REAL ESTATE

Stroudsburg – John Lewis has joined Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates as a Salesperson located at their 304 Park Avenue, Stroudsburg office.

Lewis has lived in the Poconos for the past 40 years and resides in Henryville. Lewis was employed in the position of President for 10 years for Lewis Mortgage Service, Inc.

Lewis is experienced in all facets of financing including residential as well as commercial lending.

Lewis was recruited by Dennis Mooney, Company Recruiter.

Selling homes since 1988, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates services the entire Pocono Mountains, North Pocono/Moscow area, historic Milford and all towns in between. Better Homes and Gardens Realtors handle listing, rentals and sales of primary, vacation and starter homes, as well as estate and farm properties. Buyer services include first and second home buyers, relocation buyers and transferees. They have two offices in the Pocono Mountains. All offices are open 7 days a week. Visit Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates online at www.wilkins1.com.

Focus on Customer Satisfaction Earns CENTURY 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE CENTURY 21® System’s National Quality Service Award

Lancaster, Pa (Grassroots Newswire) March 16, 2011 — Century 21 Real Estate LLC, franchisor of the world’s largest residential real estate sales organization, has announced that CENTURY 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE is a recipient of the 2010 CENTURY 21 Quality Service Office award for its commitment to providing quality customer service to its clients.

“Receiving this award is a great honor and a testament to the focus and attention we commit to our clients in ensuring that they understand each and every step of the home buying and selling process,” stated John Fox, owner of CENTURY 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE.  “This award is the collective result of the efforts of each and every member of the CENTURY 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE staff.”

Based on customer feedback received from the CENTURY 21 System’s Quality Service Survey (QSS), the award recognizes those CENTURY 21 System offices nationwide that earn a minimum customer satisfaction index of 85 percent or better on real estate transactions they closed from January 1, 2010 – October 31, 2010.   The Internet-based survey is e-mailed to consumers immediately after the purchase or sale of a home through a CENTURY 21 System office.

“A commitment to quality customer service is crucial in today’s competitive real estate market,” said Rick Davidson, president and CEO, Century 21 Real Estate LLC.

“CENTURY 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE has demonstrated the dedication to the consumer is the hallmark of the CENTURY 21® System’s franchise offices.”

The systems now available have allowed each agent to not only provide more information, but to provide that information in a timely manner. Century 21 Unlimited Real Estate has focused on developing these systems and refining them to produce the best experience possible for both our buyers and sellers. This award is testament to these efforts.

Located at Route 611 in Tannersville, CENTURY 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE is a full service brokerage firm specializing in Residential property listings.

About Century 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE

CENTURY 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE provides outstanding real estate services to the Pocono Mountain region of Pennsylvania, including the mountain villages.  Our award winning offices in both Tannersville and Mountainhome are staffed with licensed Realtors.

© 2011 Century 21 Real Estate LLC. CENTURY 21® Is A Registered Trademark Licensed To Century 21 Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each CENTURY 21 Office is Independently Owned and Operated.

Ongoing Commitment to Service Earns CENTURY 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE Sales Associate Quality Service Pinnacle Award

THAD GILMORE Recognized for Ongoing Commitment to Customer Satisfaction
Tannersville, Pa (Grassroots Newswire) March 15, 2011 — John Fox, owner of CENTURY 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE announced today that Century 21 Real Estate LLC, franchisor of the world’s largest residential real estate sales organization recently recognized sales associate  THAD GILMORE with the  CENTURY 21 Quality Service Pinnacle Producer Award  for 2010.

“The Quality Service Pinnacle Producer Award is an integral part of the CENTURY 21 System’s commitment to excellence and recognizes Thad’s dedication to making each and every client interaction a positive one,” said Rick Davidson, president and CEO of Century 21 Real Estate LLC.

The annual award is based on results from the CENTURY 21 Quality Service Survey (QSS) which is e-mailed to consumers immediately after the purchase or sale of a home through a CENTURY 21 System office.  To earn the CENTURY 21 Quality Service Pinnacle Producer Award, an agent must receive completed customer surveys for at least 30 percent of their transactions from January 1, 2010 – October 31, 2010, with an average survey score of at least 95 percent or better for 2 consecutive years.

“Thad provides His clients with knowledge and advice related to their real estate transaction and offers them peace of mind and confidence during what may be the most significant purchase of a lifetime,” said John Fox, owner of CENTURY 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE.

Gilmore will receive a customized glass trophy, in addition to being recognized at the CENTURY 21 International Convention.

Thad was a million dollar producer in 2010.

CENTURY 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE is a full service brokerage firm headquartered in Tannersville, Pa specializing in Residential property listings.

About Century 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE

CENTURY 21 UNLIMITED REAL ESTATE provides outstanding real estate services to the Pocono Mountain region of Pennsylvania, including the mountain villages.  Our award winning offices in both Tannersville and Mountainhome are staffed with licensed Realtors.

© 2011 Century 21 Real Estate LLC. CENTURY 21® Is A Registered Trademark Licensed To Century 21 Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each CENTURY 21 Office is Independently Owned and Operated.

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates Teams up with trendmls.com

King of Prussia - Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates has joined trendmls.com, an MLS network of more than 28,000 real estate professionals in the Philadelphia and surrounding metropolitan regions.  TREND is an industry leader in MLS services, focusing their products and services on the needs of their members and striving to deliver high-quality, innovative personal and fast service.

The deal for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates to join has been in the making since May 2009.  Effective February 10, 2010, trendmls.com began receiving all of the MLS listings from the Wilkins’ Stroudsburg office.

Said Thomas R. Wilkins, CEO,  “What this does is give us a very big advantage in getting our listings to over 28,000 Realtors and Brokers out of the Philadelphia and surrounding 10+ county area with no further clerical work or inputting on our end.”  Wilkins along with Pocono Mountain Lake Real Estate is being used as test Brokers over the next month.  After that time, the services will be offered for a fee of $552.00 annually to other offices.

Dave Davis, Corporate Relations Executive for TREND and Wilkins worked together in developing the TREND Broker Listing Import program.  It is different than just data-sharing between the brokers via an IDX listing.

“Broker Listing Import, or BLI, allows us to electronically import an entire office’s inventory directly from their primary MLS.  In this case, we are pleased to announce that we are now importing the listings from Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates and Pocono Mountain Lake Real Estate who belong to the Pocono Mountains Association of REALTORS®”. said Davis.

Because BLI will present listings through their entire life cycle, both on- and off-market listings are included in the program.  End result, you will have access to a broader and more inclusive listing database in TREND.

This program and the model that it’s designed after will be used with other MLS systems to further expand the territory that TREND services.  Currently they service Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland.

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates was the first one to spearhead this two year process in the making.

Selling homes since 1988, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates services the entire Pocono Mountains, North Pocono/Moscow area, historic Milford and all towns in between. Better Homes and Gardens Realtors handle listing, rentals and sales of primary, vacation and starter homes, as well as estate and farm properties. Buyer services include first and second home buyers, relocation buyers and transferees. They have two offices in the Pocono Mountains.  All offices are open 7 days a week.  Visit Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wilkins & Associates online at www.wilkins1.com.

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