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  • A Taste Of Things for LGBT Homeowners...

    Across America RealEstate affects the lives of hundreds of thousands of people daily, and it pays to be well informed of your choices!

    Most importantly though, is the need to be understood without having to explain your situation or feeling as if your being treated differently.

    As a specialist in Gay Realty and affiliated services, I strive to deliver a service that not only finds you the home you desire but also to make the experience rewarding for you and your partner.

    I'm Jeff Adolph and I look forward to discussing your concerns, concepts, and monumental Real Estate moments as we progress on a Realtor journey across this wide land we call home…

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June 24, 2008

LGBT Zipcodes -- Improvements to Parks Add Value to Homes -- Pennsylvania

By Jeff Adolph

Parks and Recreation

Rendell1 Governor Edward G. Rendell of Philadelphia announced this month that the residential community could look forward to more attractive parkland's and recreational facilities in the future because of a US$1 million investment.

In a PR Wire press release Governor Rendell said, "Green spaces, parks and opportunities to spend time outdoors are critical to the quality of urban areas." Rendell added, "These projects, which were identified as early-action items in the city's open space strategy, will help increase nearby real estate values, make surrounding neighborhoods more livable and offer a place for families to spend quality time together."

Cliveden Park HouseSome of the upgrades are within GayRealEstate USA's gayest zip-codes, such as Mount Airy, and will include: improvements to fencing, drainage and site furnishings at Cliveden Park House. A pavilion will also be installed at Muhammad Park, West Philadelphia, as well as landscaping, and improvements will be made to the Rivera Recreation Center in North Philadelphia, amongst other things.

The improvement grants are issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (OCNR).

Main Story Source: iStockAnalyst (2008) TGovernor Rendell Awards US$1 million for Neighborshood Parks in Philadelphia; available online at http://www.istockanalyst.com

Picture Source: Historical Society Site and etopiamedia.net

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April 21, 2008

Around the Nation -- Residential Real Estate Update - Pennsylvania

By Jeff Adolph

State-by-state

Pennsylvania_2Situated in the Northeastern region of the U.S.A, this state is ranked as the 33rd by land mass and the 6th by population with 12,281,054 people residing in this region.

This states economy relies heavily on manufacturing and agricultural production such as mushrooms, Christmas trees, milk, corn, grapes and nursery stock.

Income tax in this state is set at 3.07% regardless of earnings, and a 6% sales tax is enforced. this state does not collect property tax but each county, school district and municipality does, and this varies from district to district. Property tax is capped and may not exceed 30 mills of assessed property value.

New Hope

New_hope_usa_2Homes are typically sitting on the market for 60-90 days in this region with the median home price hovering around $750,000. The market trend in this area is said to be increasing with the market trend up by 5-10% compared to last year.

Buyers are getting 90-95% of their asking price and the hottest valued market in this region is single-family homes.

LGBT Real Estate Facts: There are approximately 21,166 same-sex couples residing in Pennsylvania making this region the 6th gayest state in America. The gayest zip codes in this locality are 19147 Southwark - Philadelphia; 19144 Vernon Park/ Germantown - Philadelphia; 19146 Schuylkill; 19119 Mount Airy - Philadelphia; 19143 Kingsessing - Philadelphia and 18938 New Hope. -- gaydemographics.com

Main Story Source: House Hunt (2008) Real Estate Market Trends; available online at http://www.househunt.com

Picture Source: wikipedia.org

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November 28, 2007

Local Knowledge is a valuable Resource

By Jeff Adolph

Real Estate Tips and Know How

Phili2On many occasions the out-of-town investor can miss crucial details that are local knowledge when purchasing an investment.

For Example -- Philadelphia offers a university of Pennsylvania-sponsored program to its staff but only if homes fall inside a specific boundary, which ends at 50th Street. Therefore, a duplex on 49th Street worth $210,000 you can guarantee that the same duplex on 52nd Street is worth $30,000 less.

Hence, there are three specific elements that an investor should consider prior to purchasing in a new locality. These are:

Incentives -- many regions offer incentives like tax abatement, especially if the area is trying to encourage capital improvements and a greater population base. Philadelphia offers a 10 year tax abatement, which basically means that the investor who purchases a property for $45,000 and then makes $90,000 worth of improvements will still only be taxed on the original purchase price of $45,000 regardless of the appreciation  the dwelling has incurred. this is fixed for 10 years and once elapsed this property will then have its value reassessed with the tax rate adjusted.

PhiliEugene Davey, Philadelphia's Assessment Director said, 'Almost every type of structure that takes out a permit, whether for an addition or construction, can get some type of abatement.'

Regional Boundaries -- Know where the 'good' neighborhoods meet the 'bad', especially in areas of poor growth and avoid purchasing here. While areas like San Francisco have seen so-called good and bad merge because of monetary investment and high demand, other areas are not so fortunate. Typically, a 'bad' district will become increasingly more transient and offer a stark contrast to a more wealthier area.

Increased Risk -- If you're considering development investment make sure you have done your homework before investing or you may find that you've made a costly decision. Understanding past and current local trends will help you predict future ones. Research a locality, find out what is being developed and where, and observe what is happening in the area you're keen on.

Ilya Snyder, a 'microdeveloper' with the Karras Brothers Co., spent 5 years searching for the 'perfect city-center property'. His investment was 'a commercial building in Detroit only a couple of blocks from the river, and in the shadow of planned luxury condo developments.'

'There are pockets of neighborhoods were development is attractive,' Snyder said.

Overall, look at as many aspects of your investment as possible and weigh up all pro's and con's before committing to any contractual agreement, and if in doubt ask. By consulting a professional who specializes in the area you are considering you will save yourself time and money, and possibly from an expensive mistake.

Source: Geller, T (2007) Investing in America's Urban Rebirth; available online at http://www.inman.com

Image Source: www.maso.com

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October 18, 2007

City Charges Scouts $200,000 in Rent Over Gay Ban

By Jeff Adolph

Community Awareness

BsoaThe Boy Scouts of America's ban on allowing gay's in amongst their ranks has cost them dearly, with the City electing to increase their rent up to $200,000 a year.

The 79-year-old landmark headquarters (pictured below) that the organization has been leasing is owned by the Cradle of Liberty Council, who have relinquished the groups $1 a year rent because if their inability to reach a fair compromise.

Boyscouts'It's disappointing, and it's certainly a threat, said Jeff Jubelirer, a spokesman for the Cradle of Liberty Council, implying that the rental increase profoundly effected the scouts' chances of staying on the site.

The rent evidentially would have to be paid from the scouts programs, a cost that they would find hard to meet.

The City's decision was based on the 'scouts long-established policy of not opening membership to atheists or openly gay people,' which officials could not condone.

Source: Slobodzian, J (2007) City Hikes Boy Scouts' Rent By $199,999 Over Gay Ban; available online at http://philly.com

Image Source: www.dwcbsa.org and http://philly.com

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July 20, 2007

Have Your Say On the LGBT Political Front - August 19th 2007

By Jeff Adolph

LGBT Politics

DebateIn a national first, the Democrats are challenging the Republicans by staging a debate that is dedicated to the LGBT community and will answer many of the issues facing Lesbians, Gays, Bi-sexual's and the Transgendered across the nation.

The leading candidates for the Democratic  nomination for presidency will actively involve themselves in this debate on August the 9th, which is being telecast by LOGO, a gay cable network. Alternatively, you may view proceedings on http://www.logoonline.com/ if you are unable to access the network.

Debate1Participants in the debate will include Hilary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards (pictured above), with the moderators being singer Melissa Etheridge and Joe Solmonese, Human Rights Campaign's president.

If you would like to actively participate by lodging questions for the candidates to answer you may do so by logging on to LOGOonline.com as well as on HRC.org.

Source: Demorcrats to Hold Gay Debate (2007) available online at www.wweek.com

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April 18, 2007

Hospital Expansion Levels Homes

By Jeff Adolph

Re-development of Community Services

Phon1The Phoenixville Hospital set its expansion plans into motion with the demolition of three buildings along Nutt Road this week.

The formerly occupied buildings of Puleo Real Estate, Gerald Ginsberg and 'A Cut Above' are the first of many buildings to be leveled during April with two houses on Gay Street to follow soon after.

As Steve Tullman, CEO of Phoenixville Hospital said, 'there is a general schedule of things that are going on now - subject to change of course.'

There are another six homes on Griffen Street that will also be reduced to rubble to make way for the hospitals plans, which include a medical office building; three level parking facility; improved emergency room; surgery expansion; diagnostic image improvement; women's services expansion; additional private patient rooms; and a new bed tower.

Phon2The anticipated finish of the project will be April of 2008 with the patient tower predicted to be completed by April of 2009.

Tullman added, 'It's exciting that the day is here for the hospitals long-awaited expansion. He also said, 'I am happy for the staff, the employees, the physicians and future patients of the hospital as they'll all benefit from these improvements.'

Source: Wright, D (2007) Demolition Begins: Hospital Starts Demolition by Tearing Down Buildings; available online at http://www.phoenixvillenews.com

Images: Phoenixville Hospital

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March 16, 2007

Mayoral Candidates Address Gay Issues

By Jeff Adolph

Political Connotations

Candidates_2Four of the five mayoral candidates were present at a forum which addressed LGBT issues, but where was the fifth? Candidate Tom Knox was no-where to be found, as 'U.S Rep. Bob Brady (pictured second, left), State Rep. Dwight Evans (pictured top, left), U.S Rep. Chaka Fattah (pictured third, left) and Former councilman Michael Nutter (pictured bottom, left) all discussed how they would support the LGBT community in the future.

Nutter stated he was one of the council members who pushed for domestic- partner benefits.

While Fattah declared that he was against the Defense of Marriage Act - a policy that tried to ban gay marriage in congress.

Evans addressed his recent LGBT agenda, which called for greater community diversity in areas like City Hall and the police department.

And, Brady noted the free work professionals had volunteered to do to the William Way Center because of his efforts.

PhilliHowever, the most important issue they all raised was the fact that they all were willing to 'push for legislation that would allow same-sex couples to be exempt from the real estate transfer tax.'

Though one does wonder why Knox could not make him self available for such an important occasion. And, no he did not even send his apologizes for not making it, more is his loss.

Source: Daly, D (2007) Flanagan's Dream Becomes Reality on St Pat's; available online at http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2007/03/15/news/local/news04.txt

Images: http://www.pics.de

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January 18, 2007

Waterfront and Scenic Mountain View Summer Homes for $250,000: Is this a Possibility?

By Jeff Adolph

Summer Homes

Imagescakrf7buThe holiday getaway, the weekender, and a summer home that takes you away from your daily routine and allows you to escape from reality, for $250,000, surely this is a pipe dream, right?

Hang on...

You are forgetting the waterfront and mountains here, with boating and skiing and those magnificent sunsets, surely this comes at a much hefty price?

Haven't we heard that most waterfront in the states is selling for big dollars these days, and that you should expect to pay a small fortune for even a peek at those waves.

Well it is and it isn't...

You just have to know where to look, and here are several places, within the United States that may just be the location that you and your loved ones holiday home resides in, and all for the investment of $250,000.

For The Water Fanatic

  • The Eastern shores of Maryland may be the place for you if you crave a water-view. For $250,000 you can purchase a 1950's 1,500 sq foot cottage, in St. Michaels and find that the trek from Washington takes only 90 minutes.

Dawn Lendnum, a local Realtor said, 'most buyers of second homes in St. Michaels arrive from Washington, North Virginia, Pennsylvania or New Jersey. We have 600 miles of waterfront and 60-70 restaurants. There is not the beach crowd. There's not even a traffic light in town.'

For the Scenic Mountain Devotee

  • If you are a mountain lover then Staughton in Virginia may be just what your looking for. Laying in central Shenandoah Valley and just 30 minutes away from Shenandoah National Park, the township and people are acclaimed to be super friendly and outdoor orientated, and within easy reach of Washington. Plus for $250,000 you can buy a beautiful historical property.

As Bob Barron, publisher of Prevention Magazine said of the area, 'the people cherish their architecture and that creates a sense of identity. Feeling welcomed as a gay couple was essential to the decision to buy property. People could not have been nicer.'

For the Rural and Outdoor Fanatic

  • For Chicago buyers, Cass County, Michigan has lake-front 1940's and 50's lake-front houses for around $250,000 and is extremely welcoming.
  • Then 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles, on the west-coast is Victorville, California, a rural environment with ranch-styled homes for $250,000. Lake Arrowhead is nearby for boating and Big Bear is 30 minutes away for skiing. Apple Valley a short distance away is also just as popular and in the same price bracket.

Imagescabuut9tSo, that dream of owning a summer home or romantic getaway may not be as elusive as you first thought, and if you are considering the possibility the slow housing market may just create the perfect opportunity for you.

Source: Kelly, C (2007) Where Can you Buy a Second Home for $250,000: available online at http://www.azcentral.com

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January 12, 2007

Home Renovation Projects and Smart Spending

By Jeff Adolph

Real Estate Investment

J0409247_2When renovating your home you not only want to create a better place to live but also  add substantial value to your home, with the emphasis being on home improvement rather than a simple uplift.

While kitchens and bathrooms add the greatest value, outdoor improvements are becoming increasingly popular also, with 'porches and patios reportedly being the hottest projects.

Two homes are compared with this article so you may evaluated the difference between a minor and major renovation, and the value each adds to the home. Our first house is a farmhouse located in Bucks County, PA and involved a full gut renovation, the second home is a 1948 Cape Cod situated in New York's Hudson Valley, which underwent min or renovations.

Renovations made:-

Porch

Gal_3Bucks County - Constructed a new, enclosed porch and living area = $48,437

Gal_2Hudson Valley - Demolished old porch and built a 12x 15 ft enclosed living area = $14,510

Bath

Bucks County - Newly constructed three sided, two-storied tower (upper and lower storied bathroom) that used the existing farmhouse wall to join the two structures = $66,680

Hudson Valley - Moved wall out 3 ft and added bath and shower = $6,741

Kitchen

Gal_4Bucks County - Built from scratch in lumber-core plywood and stainless steel including appliances = $42,802 (Pictured far left)

Gal_5Hudson Valley - Upgrade of 70's styled kitchen to a more modern look, replaced tiles, counter-top, flooring, cabinets, sink and lighting = $16,097 (Pictured left)

Renovation Summary

Bucks County - $250,000 unrenovated cost

                     $525,000 cost of renovation

                    $ 1.4 million estimated value after renovation

                   $ 625,000 profit made

Realtor Michael Marino said the Bucks County property was, 'outstanding with the bath tasteful and well-integrated and the screen porch was awesome, adding up to $100,000 to the homes value. It's a unique property in a rural area.

Hudson Valley - $339,000 unrenovated cost

                       $140,000 cost of renovation

                      $ 490,000 estimated value after renovation

                     $ 11,000 profit made

Real Estate agent Julia Crowley said the Hudson Valley property was, 'a sopistocated country house with a beautiful kitchen and elegant bath, as well as a relaxed, muti-seasoned porch.'

The contrast between the two properties shows the importance of the renovation suiting the property and how foresight can make you a substantial profit.

Source: Liebman, L (2006) Boosting Value: 3 Great Updates: available online at http://money.cnn.com/2006/05/12/real_estate/reguide_moneymag_renovation_0606/index.htm------------------------------------

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December 19, 2006

Lower Bucks County Earmarked for River Front Redevelopment

By Jeff Adolph

Re-development and Real Estate

Bristol20warfTodays post is on account of Thomas Boffa's comment on 'Where Oh Where Can a Gay Ghetto Be?' Thomas asked if I felt the Bristol Borough area of Lower Buck County, P.A could possibly become a new area for a gay community in the future, and based on my findings I believe Thomas just may have highlighted some substantial new development in this region that may be a draw card for many in the coming years.

With most of the Buck's County riverfront being used almost entirely for industrial purposes the community and government have decided to change this considerably and not only preserve the beauty of this region but also use scenic land tracts for residential establishments in the future, with a massive overhaul of the water front predicted.

At present the water fronts earmarked for redevelopment are Morrisville, Falls Township, Tullytown, Bristol Township, Bensalem, and Bristol Borough. The plans are for luxury apartments and condominiums, parks, shopping complexes, and community walking trails and cultural treks to be constructed.

In Bensalem work has already begun with two residential estates of luxury proportions being constructed along with two major shopping complexes, other projects include a $100 million casino, hotels and a corporate center.

However, the townships in Lower Buck County are mindful of the Upper and Middle regions real estate explosion that has seen gentrification move in and begin to destroy the character and charm of yesteryear, and therefore they will go to great lengths to preserve as much of the Lower Buck region as possible.

The news is outstanding for the Lower Buck's region, as long as they keep tabs on it. The redevelopment will increase the community economy, strengthen the real estate market and see this gay-friendly localities continued growth.

Of the 4.3 million LGBT's who reside in America it is estimated that some 27,000-31,000 of these live in the state of Pennsylvania, with the town of New Hope their main hub.

Obj30geo30pg1p15Could the Lower Buck region and Bristol Borough generate the same amount of interest?

Anything is possible, especially when a water front locality has a huge amount of untapped potential that is just waiting for the real estate fruit to ripen and be plucked from the LGBT tree.

Source: Wikipedia (2006) Lower Bucks County: available online athttp://en.wikipedia.org/Wiki/Bucks_County_Pennsylvania

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