Beware who you are selling to on Craigslist and Ebay!!!! I've heard about this happening to people before but this time I've seen it first hand.  You list an item for sale on ebay or craigslist and someone contacts you through e-mail saying they will mail you a check today for the full amount.  They have a shipping company that will come to pick up the item.  They ask you to remove the item imidiately from the site and consider it sold.  After you provide them your mailing address they send out at cashiers check (its a bogus check).  They then e-mail you and say their secretary accidentally mailed $2500 instead of the $1000 you were asking for the item.  They ask you to Western Union them the difference back.  Its such a scam!   No ones is ever going to pick up your item, the check is a... 12/28/2008

For the past three months the average selling price of a staged home was 19% above the listing price while the unstaged home was only 15%. The 4% difference more than paid the staging cost. Freshen up the home by painting walls a light, neutral color, such as antique white. Lighter colors appeal to a wider range of buyers and make each room look larger. Take a close look at the floor coverings in each room. If you have hardwood floors under the carpet, you will always make money by removing it, even if the floor is not in perfect condition. Allow as much light as possible to enter the room. Open up or remove all draperies, blinds, shades or other window coverings. Removing the clutter of everyday life - all utilitarian items, stacks of paperworks, toiletries, kitchen utensils, electron... 12/16/2008

I'd like to introduce myself, my name is Dan Morse and I work full time as a Realtor for Remax Diversified Realty here in Penn Yan.  I've been involved in real estate for 10 years now, owning rental property.  I have had my License to sell real estate for 2 years and am very successful.  I'm great helping with first time home buyers, investment property.  I've sold all forms of property.  Please feel free to contact me at 315-719-7372 anytime to discuss your real estate questions and needs.  You can also check out my website at www.danmorserealestate.com.  I'm never to busy to answer any questions or to take a referral. Thank you Dan Morse Associate Broker 315-719-7372 dan.morse@yahoo.com 12/03/2008

There was an article recently in the Chronicle Advisor saying Yates County Real Estate sales are on the Rise.  Its nice to see our area making positive news.  With the beauty of keuka lake, our Wineries and our craft market the windmill its no wonder we are still seeing sales.  Our Menonite communitty has really helped us to, they have so many great little shops all around this county that breaths life in little Yates.  I'm happy to see our area make the best out of what we have.  We truely are a wonderful fingerlakes area gem! 12/01/2008

Clothes dryers can be found in 80 percent, or 81.5 million homes throughout the United States.  A full load of wet clothes placed in a dryer contains about one half gallon of water.  As water is removed, lint is created from the clothes. In a properly installed vent, any lint that escapes the dryer's lint filter should be blown outdoors.  Any accumulation which occurs in a dryer's ducting is usually a sign of poor air flow, especially at the location(s) it occurs.  In such cases the vent line should be evaluated to locate and correct any deficiencies it may have. The vent should be as short and as straight and with as few elbows as possible.  The more bends and turns, the greater the reduction in air flow there is and more areas where lint can accumulate.  More bends will also hamper dr... 08/28/2008

With the depressed real estate market, new opportunities have opened up for the professional "scammers".  I read it in the newspaper, I hear the chatter on the radio and see the busy ads on TV.  "Foreclosures are higher than ever, get in on your chance to buy these homes at ridiculously low prices - Call now for your free directory"Even here in the Finger Lakes area, I receive calls and emails from potential clients that only want me to look for REO's  ( real estate owned by the lender through foreclosure) for them.  I do not have a problem with that, because why not.  If an investor is willing to roll up their sleeves and put some physical equity into a home, in a good market, they can make a decent return on their investment.  The problem is when buyers that would normally look around... 04/20/2008

St George Realty of the Finger Lakes is now open for your business, serving the Finger Lakes area.  Our target markets include lakefront homes on Keuka, Seneca and Canandaigua Lakes, as well as unique and distinctive homes.  Our buyers come from all over the country and the world, and of course our sellers come from the Finger Lakes area.  If you have a property or would like to purchase a property that fits this criteria, then we welcome you as a client.Mary St. George the licensed broker of the company is certified as a Resort & Second Home Property Specialist.  This is especially important for sellers or buyers that need to work with a 1031 property exchange.  Knowing how to move your equity from one property to another will save owners substantial capital gains taxes and at the same... 04/13/2008

 When inventories of unsold homes reach a six month supply, real estate professionals generally recognize the beginning of a buyer's market.As the inventories of unsold homes grows, sellers face greater competition than they did a year ago. While it always been essential for sellers to price their properties realistically, it is even more important to do so during times of changing market realities. To get a realistic assessment of the current real estate market, sellers should do their own surveys of comparable homes in their area in addition to asking real estate professionals to suggest an asking price. Sellers should also visit open houses in an effort to identify the competition and make comparisons with their own homes. In the end, sellers should take hard looks st their homes and... 10/24/2007

116-118 Burns Terrace, Penn Yan - 2 Unit side by side in great neighborhood on double lot, close to schools and downtown business district.  3 bedroom apartments with living and dining room, enclosed porch, hardwood floors, new roof, all separate utilities, new furnace on one side.  List Price: $95,000 MLS #: 716973   Contact me 06/15/2007

42 Voak Rd. - Potter - This exceptional ranch has an open floor plan that boasts a stone 2 sided fire place one side faces the dining room the other the large living room.  Many recent renovations.  Electric runs about 200.00 a month. The home is very well insulated. List Price: $159,900 MLS #: 703929 06/09/2007

Penn Yan is in Yates County on the northern end of Keuka Lake. Keuka Lake is unique because of its Y-shape with a center bluff over 700' above lake level and it is the only Finger lake that outlets into another Finger lake, Seneca Lake at Dresden. The shoreline is just under 60 miles long and is one of the cleanest Finger Lakes. Yates County has some of the finest wineries where you can relax, taste, and enjoy the natural scenic views. It also host to the largest farmers market in the state, the Windmill Farm and Craft Market.Open every Saturday from April to December where over 250 vendors and craftsman showcase everything from farm fresh produce to home furnishings.Because of its rural setting and fresh water lake, Yates County enjoys a unique real estate market. Lake front property o... 05/23/2007