Are you planning to buy a home in Berks County and looking for some of the best golf courses in the area? You need look no further than these top golf clubs and courses in Reading. Spring is just around the corner, so now is the time to get out the clubs and get ready for a great season of golf in Berks County. No matter your skill level, there's a course that will test your skills and help you refine your game. You can use our advanced property search to find the perfect home for sale in Reading near any of these courses so you'll be within easy reach of these stunning greens.

Here's some of the top golf courses in Reading PA:

Flying Hills Golf Course

14 Village Center Dr, Reading, PA 19607

Since 1971, this championship course has been challenging golfers with 6028 yards of sloping greens and an overall course rating of 68.2. The Flying Hills Village Center features a number of amenities and businesses for your convenience, including dining, pros shop, preschool, medical, hair styling, and more.

Berkshire Country Club

1637 Bernville Rd, Reading, PA 19601

Founded in 1899, Berkshire Country Club is one of the top rated course in Pennsylvania, featuring golf, tennis, swimming, and a stunning clubhouse, in addition to a beautiful and challenging course. The course features a championship tee yardage of 6,375 and four additional sets of tees, carts and walking programs, driving range and practice facility. There's also a two-ended, 300-yard driving range features all grass tees, target greens, and a short game area with bunker.

Manor Golf Course

153 Bran Rd, Reading, PA 19608

Manor is one of the oldest public golf courses in eastern Pennsylvania at almost 100 years old. This traditional course, designed by the famous Scottish architect, Alexander Findlay, offers a game where "shot making takes precedence over length." They offer junior golf programs, private lessons, leagues, events, and more to make this club all you need to stay in the game.

Reading Country Club

5311 Perkiomen Ave, Reading, PA 19606

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Reading Country Club is also an Alexander Findlay designed course and stands out for being one of the best examples of his work. You'll relive the golden years of golf on this historic course, with almost 100 years of golfing tradition.

Chapel Hill Golf Course

2023 Old Lancaster Pike, Reading, PA 19608

This par 70, 6056-yard championship style golf course will challenge any skill level. They also have a golf simulator that will help you keep your skills in check all year round.

If you need help finding the ideal golf course home in Berks County, we can help. Contact us today to talk about how you can live the ultimate golf lifestyle in Berks County.

Make sure to visit to our blog every week for more real estate advice, along with local Berks County articles. Need help finding the perfect home for sale in Berks County? Our powerful home search tool will help you find the home of your dreams. 

When you sell your home in Berks County, of course you have the right to be involved in every aspect of the sale. But you also need to be careful not to get in your own way.

Real estate professionals know all the ins and outs of selling a house and how to deal with buyers. Most home sellers understandably do not have that experience. It's very easy as a home seller to sabotage your own efforts without even knowing it.

Here are three of the more common mistakes that home sellers make, and how to avoid them.

Making showings difficult

There's a simple rule as home seller when it comes to showing a home - stand back and let the pros handle it.

Oh yes, you lived in that house for years and know every little nook and cranny, and every story about your home as well. But your insight is not what's going to sell your home. The agent you hired will use their years of experience and training to sell your home. After all, this is what they do and how they get paid. They want to sell your home just as much or more than you do.

In fact, you should not be present at all during a showing. Your presence alone is a distraction to the buyer. When a showing is scheduled, have a plan to leave your home during the showing. Get something to eat, go to the mall, run errands, visit a friend, anything to make sure you're not there during the showing.

And when it comes to scheduling showing, do your best not to turn down a showing appointment. You may think the buyer will just come at another time, but usually that's no the case. Every appointment you turn down is an opportunity to sell your home. Don't turn down an appointment unless it's absolutely unavoidable.

Keeping a mess

Is your home clean? Ask your agent and follow their advice. This may mean making some real effort to make sure your home is ready to show to buyers in Berks County. You may have to hire cleaners, or clean it yourself. Make sure you clean your home to the level it takes to sell. No matter how much effort you put into cleaning your home, it will be worth it when your home sells faster and for more money.

Failing to make repairs

If you are told by a real estate professional to make repairs on your home, do it. Sure, you may not want to shell out a lot of money on a home you won't be living in anymore, but you also have to make your home desirable to home buyers in Berks County.

The fact is that most buyers don't want to buy a home with issues. Moving into a new home is hard enough without having to deal with immediate repairs. And if your home needs too many repairs, you may get lower offers. In the end, it's easier for you to take care of any repairs before you put the house up for sale.

There are many things you might do as a seller to get in the way of selling your home. In the end, if you closely follow the advice of your agent, you should do just fine staying out of your own way.

Make sure to visit to our blog every week for more real estate advice, along with local Berks County articles. Need help finding the perfect home for sale in Berks County? Our powerful home search tool will help you find the home of your dreams. 

Valentine's Day is coming up quick! Have you made your plans yet to have a romantic night out with your special someone? If not, don't worry. There's plenty of ways to show your true love how much you care in Berks County. Here's a few special Valentine's Day events coming up this week in Reading.

Valentine’s Dinner at the Reading Liederkranz!

Fri, Feb 14, 6 – 9 PM
Reading Liederkranz | 143 Spook Ln, Reading, PA

The theme is “Pairs and Spares” and is open to both couple and single reservations. Enjoy a special menu for the evening along with music by Maria Damore and Ken Bagonstose.

Valentines Wine Shakes and Wine Floats

Fri, Feb 14, 5:30 – 8:00 PM
Sweet Ride Ice Cream Parlor | 542 Penn Ave, West Reading, PA

How about this sweet twist for Valentine's Day - wine and ice cream! Ridgewood Winery will be at Sweet Ride Ice Cream Parlor for some specialty Wine Shakes and Wine Floats. Bring your registration form to this event and you will be entered into a drawing for a gift certificate to the winery (must be 21 to enter) and Sweet Ride Ice Cream.

Saints or Sinners Valentine's Ghost Tour

Fri, Feb 14, 9:30 PM – Sat, Feb 15, 10:30 PM
Brinton Lodge | 1808 Schuylkill Rd, Douglassville, PA

Were they saints or sinners? Treat yourself to something different this Valentine’s Day, and discover haunting love stories and loveless ghost stories on the Saints or Sinners Valentine’s Ghost Tour! Advance ticket purchase is required. Call 610-572-7121.

Valentine's Day Cupcake & Wine Pairing - Hamburg

Fri, Feb 14, 4 – 7 PM
Lucky Leprechaun Vineyard and Winery | 412 State St, Hamburg, PA

Bring your true love for a special night at the Lucky Leprechaun Vineyard and Winery. You'll get four full-sized gourmet cupcakes from local baker, Lisa Moyer, and four large samples of wine.

Have a Happy and Romantic Valentine's Day in Berks County!

Have you set the goal this year to buy your first home in Berks County? If so, there are some things you should keep in mind to make sure your finances are in shape to make your dream a reality.

1. Avoid Changing Jobs

When you apply for a mortgage, the two big things that lenders look at is employment history and income. There's nothing wrong with getting a new job in itself. But when you time it with buying a home, it can be a warning sign to lenders.

The best scenario is to have a steady job history without any gaps over the past two years at least. Lenders can forecast your future income more easily when you have steady employment.

Of course, you can't always predict when you'll change jobs. So if that happens while looking for a home in Berks County, let your lender know ASAP. This won't spoil the deal, but you may need to provide extra documentation.

One employment change that can help your application is if you go to a salaried position rather than hourly. This will make your paycheck more predictable, which appeals to lenders.

2. Limit monthly subscription services

Are you keeping track of all those monthly services you've signed up for? If you have them connected to your credit card, it could show high credit utilization. Try to go through your subscriptions to see which ones you can do without and cancel them.

3. Build strong credit

Of course, your credit score matters when applying for a mortgage. Paying your credit cards on time shows that you are responsible.

If you don't have a long enough credit history, lenders may look at your records of rent payment, utility bills, student loans, and other debt.

The higher your credit score, the lower your payments will be each month. A higher score also means you can borrow more. Keep a close eye on your credit history and make sure to correct any mistakes you find.

4. Avoid large purchases

Try to avoid going on a big vacation or buying a car when you apply for a loan.

Your debt-to-income ratio, or how much money you make compared to how much debt you have, can significantly affect how much money a lender is willing to give you. Keeping debts to a minimum can help make the home-buying process go a lot more smoothly.

Just like proofreading your resume before you apply for a job, cleaning up your financial resume can help improve your chances of buying a home. Take advantage of online tools and resources, which can help you determine how much home you can afford. 

Make sure to visit to our blog every week for more real estate advice, along with local Berks County articles. Need help finding the perfect home for sale in Berks County? Our powerful home search tool will help you find the home of your dreams. 

Have the holidays left you a little cash-strapped this month? Or maybe you're trying to save money for a down payment on a home for sale in Berks County? If so, there's no reason you have to cut eating out from your budget. There are plenty of great places to eat in Berks County that are easy on the pocketbook, yet big on taste and service. Here's a few of the top places to eat in Berk's County that will help you save a few dollars.

Taste of Crepes

617 Penn Ave, West Reading, PA 19611-1003

Not only will you enjoy the tastiest crepes in the county, you'll get a great meal for less than $10. They have a wide range of crepe flavors that are made fresh to order, from sweet fruit-filled crepes, to meat-filled crepes, and breakfast varieties. Taste of Crepes is a fun dining experience and one of the most popular restaurants in Reading.

Route 61 Diner

3455 Centre Avenue, Reading, PA 19605

This classic diner is a great place to get a square meal for under $10. Yet with their tasty menu, you may be tempted to spend a little more than that. Their generous portions and friendly service make Route 61 a solid deal.

Mi Casa Su Casa

320 Penn St, Reading, PA 19602-1010

Almost every item on Mi Casa's delicious menu is under $10, so you can feel free to dig in even if your wallet is thin. They have a homely feel and great service that adds to the experience. Mi Casa Su Casa is locally owned, and the owners actively give back to the community. So your hard-earned money does more than just fill your stomach.

Let's Taco Bout It

616 Penn Ave, West Reading, PA 19611-1004

For a fun taco eating experience on a budget, Let's Taco Bout It's name says it all. You'll be pleased with the quantity and the quality of their servings. You can even get a cactus taco! Or you can try their delicious corn on the cob. It all adds up to an affordable and tasty taco experience.

Larry's 9th and Union V&S

1558 N 9th St, Reading, PA 19604-1804

For affordable and delicious sandwiches and pizza, Larry's has what you want for a great price.  You can get a large sandwich for only $6.50 and burgers for as little as $3.65. Or you can grab a slice of pizza for only $1.85, or 1 dozen jumbo wings for $7.99. You certainly won't break the bank eating at Larry's.

Make sure to visit to our blog every week for more real estate advice, along with local Berks County articles. Need help finding the perfect home for sale in Berks County? Our powerful home search tool will help you find the home of your dreams. 

Getting your home ready to sell in Berks County can be stressful. You may think that you're going to have to spend big money to get your home up to par to appeal to the most buyers. So here are a few simple and affordable ideas to get your home looking its best without spending too much time and money.

Landscape and Exteriors

We all know the saying about first impressions. If the outside of your home looks neglected, then the buyer may assume that the rest of the home is neglected as well. With just a few hours of work, you can dramatically improve the look of your home by hosing down the exterior, replacing old hardware, and painting the garage door. Also check your downspouts and gutters and replace them if needed. Make sure your yard is mowed and trimmed, along with trimming the hedges. 

The Front Door

How does your front door look? If it has cracked or peeling paint, a fresh coat of paint will go a long way. Also make sure your doorbell works and replace or repair if needed.

Interior Doors

Are your interior doors dated or have old hardware? You can replace your doors for just a few hundred dollars. But if you need to save more money, you may be able to just replace the doorknobs and still make a huge improvement.

Clean Carpets and Floors

Cleaning carpets and floors is fairly easy. Carpet cleaners and floor polishers can be rented at a fairly reasonable rate.

Tone Down the Scents

This tip costs nothing. Stay away from using air fresheners and odor eliminators. Buyers may think that you're trying to cover up something, plus they may be allergic to the scent. Try baking cookies. Everyone loves that fragrance.

Fix Wall Blemishes

Taking care of blemishes and marks on your walls will make your home look like it's been cared for. You can paint your walls in a neutral color and cover up any nail holes to make them look new again.

Fix Cabinets and Drawer Tracks

Most buyers will check the kitchen and open drawers and cabinets. If you oil the tracks, tighten screws on the handles and knobs, and replace worn hinges, you can avoid any turn offs that will detract from the appeal of your kitchen. You may want to replace any older knobs and handles, which will not be expensive.

Clean the Appliances

Another cheap fix is to just make sure your appliances are clean. Even older appliances can be appealing if they're not covered in grime. 

If you follow these tips, you can make your Berks County home shine in no time and have a better chance of selling.

Need to learn other ways to sell your home faster in Berks County? Make to visit to our blog every week for more real estate advice, along with local Berks County articles. Need help finding the perfect home for sale in Berks County? Our powerful home search tool will help you find the home of your dreams. 

I hope the New Year in 2020 brings you good health, much happiness, and plenty of prosperity. Thanks to all of my valued clients for giving me the opportunity to do what I love and for helping make this a truly enjoyable, successful, and fulfilling year. 

If you need some help thinking of a new years resolution, here's a few ideas:

• Give one compliment a day
• Do Random Acts of Kindness
• Read a book a month
• Go someplace you’ve never been
• Clear out the clutter
• Volunteer
• Travel on a small budget
• Drink more water
• Talk to yourself with kindness
• Walk to a coworker’s office instead of emailing them

Above all, I hope you resolve to make 2020 the best year ever!

Have a Happy New Year!

Are you planning to buy a home in Berks County? You can rely on our expertise to help you find the perfect home for sale. Visit our blog every week for more local Berks County articles and real estate advice. And always feel free to contact us for expert help with your home search. We look forward to helping you find the perfect home in Berks County.

I'd like to wish all of you a very happy holiday week. I hope you have a great time this week with family and friends.

If you're in need of further Christmas cheer, here's a few events in the Berks County area that will help you stay in the spirit of the season.

Berks County Colonial Candlelight Holiday Reception

Tue, Dec 24, 12:00 AM – 11:59 PM
Beidler House | 1130 Old River Rd, Birdsboro, PA

Bethlehem By Night Christmas Tour

Thu, Dec 26, 3 – 9 PM - Sun, Dec 29, 7 PM
Historic Bethlehem Visitor Center | 505 Main St, Bethlehem, PA

Visit the famous star atop South Mountain, historic highlights in north and south Bethlehem. See the holiday lights, sights and sounds of Bethlehem Historic District. Rides run every 20 minutes.

Holiday Lights at Gring's Mill

Sun, Dec 29, 6 – 9 PM
Gring's Mill Recreation Area | 2083 Tulpehocken Rd, Reading, PA

Walk around the beautiful grounds of Gring’s Mill park to view a spectacular light display highlighting the historic buildings and landscaping around the park. A $5 per car parking donation is requested at the park entrance.

Happy Holidays!

Are you planning to buy a home in Berks County? You can rely on our expertise to help you find the perfect home for sale. Visit our blog every week for more local Berks County articles and real estate advice. And always feel free to contact us for expert help with your home search. We look forward to helping you find the perfect home in Berks County.