Are you ready to celebrate our independence this weekend in Berks County? Here are a number of events this weekend that will help you celebrate our freedom. 

Kutztown Folk Festival

Jul 2, 1 PM – Jul 10, 8 PM
Kutztown Fairgrounds
450 Wentz St, Kutztown, PA

The Kutztown Folk Festival is America’s Oldest Folklife Festival! The Kutztown Folk Festival is scheduled for July 2 – 10, 2022. With activities and entertainment for the entire family, this nine-day festival, hailed by the Washington Post as a “Must See” festival and named one of America’s Top Celebrations by USA Today, has something for everyone. Every year visitors flock to the Kutztown Folk Festival for Pennsylvania Dutch food of every variety, the largest traditional quilt sale in the nation, craft demonstrations, historical reenactments, traditional music, and dancing. Children enjoy animals, hay mazes, do-it-yourself mural paintings, and their own children’s stage.

July 4th Fireworks Express

Mon, Jul 4, 7 PM
Boyertown, PA

Avoid the traffic and parking and join us for a special July 4th excursion to experience Pottstown's GoFourth! Fireworks Show in Pottstown's Memorial Park! Train departs Boyertown at 7 PM. All Cars have access to our à la carte menu with snacks and beverages available to purchase.

Be sure to bring your lawn chairs and wear appropriate footwear as passengers will be allowed to disembark from the train to enjoy the show from the park. Boarding for return to Boyertown will begin promptly after the show concludes.

The Philly Balloon & Music Festival

Mon, Jul 4, 6 PM
Ludwig's Corner Horse Show
1326 Pottstown Pike, Glenmoore, PA

The skies over Chester County will come alive with 20+ balloons, launching daily (early morning and late afternoon). Enjoy mass balloon ascensions, local food, beer and wine, live music, family entertainment, tethered balloon rides, bounce houses, rock walls, hayrides, balloon glows in the evening, and fireworks!

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. 

Are you planning on tying the knot soon? If so, you might also be thinking about where you and your spouse will live in Berks County. If you plan on buying a home together, you may already be seeing some stress factors. But you can make buying a home with your new spouse an empowering experience that symbolizes your rock-solid foundation and partnership. Here are some tips that will help you get started on the right foot buying a home in Berks County.

Choose the Right Berks County Neighborhood for Your Budget

Kick off your home-buying search by exploring neighborhoods in Reading and surrounding areas that fit your lifestyle and budget. Remember to look beyond what your mortgage and home insurance will cost. Utilities, car payments, student loans, food, furniture, credit card debt and any other fixed expenses should be factored into your budget. Don’t forget to add in costs for annual repairs, as well as just some fun money to actually enjoy your home.

Take a look at the neighborhoods that appeal to you from how long your commute will be to the available recreation. Outdoor lovers and hiking enthusiasts will have completely different criteria than someone who loves the downtown nightlife, and either option will affect your budget.

Right-Size Your Life

Buying your first home in Berks County as newlyweds is full of hope and excitement of the years to come. Soon, you start thinking about how it could be your forever home and hold all the children and guests of your dreams. But in reality, any home you purchase should be right-sized for your current life or the not so distant future.

For example, purchasing a home for the five kids you want is expensive with a lot of upkeep and overhead. You may decide to put off having children for several years or change plans. Instead, focus on the home you need for the next five or six years that can comfortably accommodate the two of you. An extra room for guests, a new baby or an home office can add the needed flexibility to your new home.

Stay Proactive About Safety

Some couples may choose a less than desirable neighborhood to offset mortgage costs. That may work well for your finances, but shouldn’t compromise your safety. Meanwhile, couples moving into safe neighborhoods with little crime activity can lead to complacency. It’s always imperative to protect your home and personal safety regardless of your environment.

Start by installing a security camera system where you can monitor your home from the office, on the road or from your own bedroom. For example, Lorex Technology offers Wi-Fi home security cameras with two-way audio and night vision, as well as complete outdoor security camera systems. Joining your neighborhood watch, or online community groups can help monitor for suspicious activity.

Keep Communication Open

Home maintenance, upkeep and ongoing chores can quickly create ripples in a marriage and impact your relationship. Keep the lines of communications open and set expectations early. Divide up who is doing what and become a reliable partner who sticks to their end of the bargain. It’s also crucial to allow for flexibility.

Your partner’s demands at work could exponentially increase, or you may find you loathe the chore you signed-up for. Talk it out and support each other through the ups and downs of maintaining a home together. Don’t let your home become an albatross. At the end of the day, you want your home to be a safe haven for love and communication.

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. 

Summer is upon us, and the temps are rising in Berks County. Of course, that means it's time to beat the heat with some tasty treats to sooth our sweltering days. The good news is that Berks County has plenty of outstanding options for icy treats. Here are some of the tops spots to cool off this summer in Reading.

Carvel
3320 N 5th Street Hwy, Reading, PA 19605

Carvel has every kind of ice cream treat you can imagine: soft ice cream, scooped flavors, toppings, shakes, sandwiches, Sundae Dashers®, take-home treats and their famous ice cream cakes. Pickup only.

Friendly's
1535 Lancaster Ave, Reading, PA 19607

Informal chain serving signature ice cream treats alongside American classics like burgers & melts. Offering takeout and delivery.

Sweet Ride Ice Cream

542 Penn Ave, West Reading, PA 19611

Laid-back ice cream parlor serving scoops in varied flavors alongside soda fountain drinks. Offering curbside pickup and delivery.

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard
1124 Lancaster Ave #30, Reading, PA 19607

Italian ices & frozen custards are the feature at this counter-serve chain with a range of other cold treats. Offering curbside pickup and delivery.

Cold Stone Creamery
2747 Papermill Rd Ste 21A, Reading, PA 19610

This popular ice cream chain offers design-your-own creations hand-mixed on a granite slab, plus shakes & more. Or you can choose from Cold Stone's own creations. Offering takeout and delivery.

Dairy Queen Grill & Chill
820 Kenhorst Plaza, Reading, PA 19607

A wide range of soft-serve ice cream & signature shakes top the menu at this classic burger & fries fast-food chain.

Have a Cool and Safe Summer 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. 

Owning a home in Berks County should give you safety and security, and that includes being financially secure. Before you buy a home, you should calculate how much you can afford for a mortgage and make sure it fits safely withing your budget.

Prepare a Detailed Budget

The standard rule of thumb says that you can afford a home that costs 2 to 3 times your gross income for one year. In other words, if you earn $100,000 in a year, you should be able to afford a home between $200k to $300k.

There is one problem with this rule. It doesn't factor in your monthly expenses and debts. If we use the example of $100k per year income, and you have $1000 monthly debt payments, this leaves you with less money to pay the mortgage.

You should prepare a family budget that takes into account your ongoing monthly bills for everything — credit cards, car and student loans, lunch at work, day care, date night, vacations, and savings.

Now you can see what's left to cover the costs of owning a home, such as your mortgage, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, utilities, and community association fees, if applicable.

Factor in Your Down Payment

Having enough for a down payment is also an important factor to consider. It's simple: the higher the down payment, the lower your monthly mortgage costs will be. If you put down at least 20% of the home’s cost, you may not have to get private mortgage insurance, which protects the lender if you default and costs hundreds each month. That leaves more money for your mortgage payment.

The lower your down payment, the higher the loan amount you’ll need to qualify for and the higher your monthly mortgage payment.

But, if interest rates and/or home prices are rising and you wait to buy until you accumulate a bigger down payment, you may end up paying more for your home.

Consider Your Overall Debt

Lenders generally follow the 43% rule. Your monthly mortgage payments covering your home loan principal, interest, taxes and insurance, plus all your other bills, like car loans, utilities, and credit cards, shouldn’t exceed 43% of your gross annual income.

Here’s an example of how the 43% calculation works for a home buyer making $100,000 a year before taxes:

1. Your gross annual income is $100,000.
2. Multiply $100,000 by 43% to get $43,000 in annual income.
3. Divide $43,000 by 12 months to convert the annual 43% limit into a monthly upper limit of $3,583.
4. All your monthly bills including your potential mortgage can’t go above $3,583 per month.

You might find a lender willing to give you a mortgage with a payment that goes above the 43% line, but consider carefully before you take it.

Use Your Rent as a Mortgage Guide

If you currently are renting, then you can use an online calculator to compare the costs of renting vs owning a home to see which makes the most sense for your financial situation.

If you’re struggling to keep up with your rent, buy a home in Berks County that will give you the same payment rather than going up to a higher monthly payment. You’ll have additional costs for home ownership that your landlord now covers, like property taxes and repairs. If there’s no room in your budget for those extras, you could become financially stressed.

Also consider whether or not you’ll itemize your deductions. If you take the standard deduction, you can’t also deduct mortgage interest payments. Talking to a tax adviser, or using a tax software program to do a “what if” tax return, can help you see your tax situation more clearly.

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. 

There's really no limit when it comes to all the things you can do to improve your Berks County home. But as you can imagine, some home improvement ideas are better than others and more financially smart.

Here are a few home improvement projects that make sense financially and will offer great financial return when you sell your home in Berks County.

Crown Molding

Crown molding is a great way of adding depth to any room. It's both elegant and relatively affordable. There are hundreds of options to chose from. You can stain it, paint it, or just use it strait.

Modern molding also can be found in flexible materials such as foam, making it even easier to install. And if you really want a great effect, you can get molding with built in lighting that casts a soft glow.

If you know how to do it yourself, this will cost about $1.50 per foot. But make sure you already know how to install molding. You can hire a pro for about $8 per foot if you don't have the experience.

A couple of tips about molding:

• Proportions are important. If your ceiling is lower than 9 ft, then go with a simpler style so you don't overwhelm the room.

• Don’t forget entryways, doors, and windows: Bump up the trim around these areas to give rooms a completed and expensive feel.

Hang Quality Ceiling Fans

How old are your ceiling fans? If you can't remember, that means you should thing about modern fans. This is also a great way to update a room and not spend a ton of money.

Some tips about ceiling fans:

• Hang 7 to 8 feet above the floor.

• If you’ve got a low ceiling, buy a hugger ceiling fan that’s flush-mounted.

• Go for the biggest Energy Star-rated fan that will fit the space.

• Choose quality. You’ll get better cooling results, less noise, and good looks at a digestible price point of $200 to $600.

Upgrade Your Insulation

You can't see this improvement, but you will probably feel it. And your wallet will be a little more full as well.

Add Some Creative Storage

Storage is always a good thing. If you think you've found all the places you can in your home for storage, then try to be creative to find your home's hidden storage possibilities.

Here are a few ways to think outside of the toy box:

• Open drywall to create storage cubbies between your wall’s studs.

• Install platform storage that hangs from your garage ceiling.

• Even stairs can give you more storage. One clever mom repurposed an old chest of drawers and created storage within a basement staircase.

Making improvements to your home doesn't have to drain your wallet. You just need to plan it out and think outside the box.

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. 

Debt. That's a word nobody wants to hear and can make people cringe. A mortgage is a good type of debt, but most other types can prevent you from purchasing a home. As a result, you may not even know how to begin paying it down when the time comes. Would you rather focus on paying off one in full than paying a little more towards all of your debts? The following tips will help you get your finances in order so that you can buy a home.

Getting rid of your debt

The word debt isn't just something people don't want to hear; it's also a problem that can wreak havoc on their finances. It is easy to accumulate debt, which makes it a problem. You may not be able to get a mortgage if you have a mountain of debt. A low debt-to-ratio will increase your chances of approval. As it turns out, every avid home buyer can reduce debt in a variety of ways. 

You can begin by refinancing your student loans. Consult your lender to determine if you're eligible to refinance student loans. Student loan refinancing is not available to everyone. Usually, this is due to a low credit score. Most lenders require their applicants to have at least a credit score of 600. Essentially, refinancing is the process of taking all your current debt and combining it into one new loan. By doing this, not only will you be able to manage your debt better, but you will also be able to lower its interest rate.

Another way to reduce your debt is to manage your credit cards effectively. Credit cards can provide you with much-needed financial security. Nevertheless, you should be aware of how you use them and how many you apply for. Don't take on more debt than you can handle. Don't overuse your credit cards and use them sparingly. In addition, you might be tempted to close any credit cards that you don't use. Closing credit cards can, however, affect your credit score.

Save Money for the Down Payment

It's time to start thinking about how you can finance your new home now that you know how to lower your debt. The first step is to save for the down payment. Down payments are a fraction of the house's overall value. It depends both on the mortgage and the lender how much you need to put down. In most cases, you should aim to save at least 20 to 25 percent.

First-time homebuyers with an outstanding credit score might not have to put that much down. Depending on the lender, you may be able to contribute as little as three to five percent to the house. However, this can still be a little challenging. For example, five percent of a $200,000 house is $10,000, so it can take a long time to save that much money. You should also be aware of closing costs. 

You have to pay closing costs so the transaction can be finalized. In most cases, the amount you are required to pay is between two and five percent of the loan. To save money, you could ask the seller to pay off a portion of the closing costs. Having a couple thousand in your pocket will make it easier to get situated in your new home and finance things, like furniture.

Compare Every Rate

You’d be amazed at how comparing mortgage rates can help you save money. Not every lender has the same rates, so you’re not guaranteed a set price. Before creating your budget, make sure to compare the rates you get from each lender. Once you find the rates you deem reasonable, you can factor in the estimate into your budget. It might also help to consult a financial advisor. They’re professionals who are qualified to give sound financial advice for pretty much anything. Financial advisors can guide you through the process to help you make the best decisions.

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. 

The weather is getting warmer and Spring is in full bloom in Reading. So if you're looking for some ways to enjoy the season, here are a few events this weekend in Reading that will help you get outside and get the most out of this beautiful time of year.

Berks County's 3rd Annual Taco Fest

Sat, May 21, 11 AM – Sun, May 22, 9 PM 
Quinta Las Cabanas Grove
91A Bowers Rd, Reading, PA

Get ready to devour the amazing variety of tacos from more than 14 (and counting) Mexican food vendors. Don't forget the delicious Margaritas that will be flowing abundantly!

2022 Spring Craft Festival

Sat, May 21, 10 AM – 3 PM
Kutztown Area Historical Society
212 S Whiteoak St, Kutztown, PA

Outdoor event at the 1892 public school building. Come see handmade crafts, treats and gifts.

Nature Photography for Adults

Sat, May 21, 9:00 – 11:30 AM
Rock Hollow Woods Environmental Learning Center
615 Rock Hollow Rd, Birdsboro, PA

Nature Photography for Adults is a two and a half hour program for adults taught by photographers, Randy and Nancy FitzGerald.

Disconnect to Reconnect: Using Nature to Improve Health & Wellbeing in a World of Distractions

Sat, May 21, 1 PM
Berks Nature/The Nature Place
575 St Bernardine St, Reading, PA

Join us on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 1:00pm for a two hour program where special guest Ryan Benz shares his experience of thru-hiking the entire Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine in a fun, engaging, and inspiring way.

Spring Has Sprung Craft & Vendor Show — Triple Sun Spirits Co.

Sun, May 22, 11 AM – 3 PM
Leesport Farmers Market
312 Gernants Church Rd, Leesport, PA

Get ready to call B-I-N-G-O! Come out to support Relay For Life and win some amazing prizes! Tickets are $20.00 in advance or $25.00 at the door for 20 games of bingo. Raffles, specials, concessions, and more will also be available.

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. 

Burglaries are a major problem in the U.S. Nearly five burglaries occur every minute in North America, or over 2.5 million burglaries annually. Although this number is decreasing, it is still a shockingly high statistic - and one that Berks County homeowners worry about every day. What can you do to improve the security of your home in Berks County?

Locks

Your home should be physically secure first of all. Would a break-in be prevented if your existing locks were secure enough? Locks can be broken in two ways: by picking or by force. This latter method is going to be far more common than the former, as many premeditated break-ins are likely to prefer speed to precision.

Therefore, you will want to choose a set of locks that are secure enough to resist picking but are also robust enough to withstand a kicking. Don't cut costs by only installing locks on the first floor - opportunists and professionals alike will try every entry point possible. 

Safety Lighting

The next step in protecting your property should be to disincentivize potential intruders. This can be achieved with lighting, which catches - and stops - trespassers in their tracks. Often, safety lighting systems use photocontrols, or photoelectric sensors, which turn on halogen lamps when they detect a shift in lighting conditions. A safety light alerts anyone in or near the house that there is a moving body on the property when triggered by motion.

Alarm Systems

There are several types of alarm systems you could use in order to disincentivize trespassing even further - or to alert the neighbors in the event of a forced entry. A perimeter alarm system, which triggers if a trespasser crosses a boundary, or an infrared sensor system may be installed. A conventional domestic alarm system is activated when a door or window is opened and must be deactivated with a keycode.

Security Cameras

Lastly, security cameras are a shrewd investment for any vigilant homeowner. Camera-equipped doorbells are becoming less expensive to buy and install; these services like Ring can let you "answer" the door even when you are away, with a fish-eye lens you can check on throughout the day. The installation of a more sophisticated CCTV system would enable you to monitor your property's perimeter at all times - and in the unfortunate event of a break-in, you would be able to use the video footage to bring the criminal to justice.

In the end, there's no absolute way to prevent property theft. But there are definitely ways to lessen the risk and keep your family safer. It doesn't require spending a fortune either. If you only use one or two of the methods described above, you can help prevent thieves from breaking into your Berks County home.

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. 

You know how it goes. The washing machine quits washing, leaking all over the floor. A stove element stops working just before a big meal. The fridge dies and spoils the food.

These issues can be avoided or delayed with just a few easy DIY maintenance steps. And the good part is, you can do them yourself. Here's a few things to watch out for in taking care of your appliances in your Berks County home and potentially save money.

1. Check Your Oven's Door Seal

Your oven can lose over 20% of it's heat if the door isn't sealing properly, creating a longer to cook time. Open the door and check the rubber or fiberglass gasket that goes around the edge of the door. If you feel any melted, torn, or broken areas, or if you close the door and find any leaks, replace the seal.

2. Check Range Filters

Metal filters can be washed in a dishwasher or by hand. Replace charcoal filters (don't wash them).

3. Clean Stove top Drip Bowls

Clean the drip bowls underneath your burner elements by pre-soaking them for around 5 minutes in cleaning solution. Wash by hand and place them back on the stove top. Try to clean them after spills so they don't get burned in next time the burner is used.

4. Clean Refrigerator Coils

Refrigerator coils can get clogged with dirt, dust and pet hair. This will restrict airflow and make it harder to keep it cool. Gently clean the coils once or twice a year with a vacuum. They can either be found behind the kick plate or in the rear.

5. Change Refrigerator Water Filter 

Old, over used water filters can expose you to harmful water. Make sure you change them every 3 - 6 months, depending on how much water, and brand, you use.

6. Repairing Rusty Dish Rack Tines 

Check your dishwasher racks for rusty tines. If you do find rust, it can easily be repaired with a sealant and replacement tips to cover the tines. This will keep your dishes and silverware from being ruined.

7. Maintain Your Garbage Disposal

Check your garbage disposal for any stuck items. Make sure the power is off and do not use your hands! Pour a combination of ice cubes and salt, or vinegar down the drain, then run cold water for 10 seconds and then turn on the disposal with the water still running. Never run the disposal without water. You can remove odors with citrus peels, or with odor removal packets sold in most stores.

8. Clean Dryer Exhaust

Always empty the lint catcher  between loads. Check for lint in the dryer exhaust by loosening the clamp and pulling the exhaust hose from the back of the dryer. Pull out lint with your hands or gently with a hanger. Vacuum before you re-attach the hose.

9. Check Washing Machine Hoses

You can prevent your washing machine from flooding by checking hoses for leaks. Check for cracks, leaks, or weak spots. As a rule of thumb, replace hoses every 5 years.

10. Clean AC Filters

Cleaning your AC filter every 2 - 4 weeks will increase your AC's life, as well as maintain efficiency. Vacuum reusable filters, and replace disposable ones.

If you follow these tips, you'll be able to avoid costly appliance repairs or replacements.

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.