Joe GonzalezBranch Manager1st Metropolitan MortgagePhone: 610-351-7510Fax: 610-351-7810jgonzalez@1stmetro.netwww.1stmetropolitan.net     When it comes to mortgage loans and interest rates, it's never a good idea to gamble. That's why I typically advise my clients to lock in an interest rate at the earliest opportunity. This is just one step of the standardized system we have put in place to ensure the best possible loan experience for each borrower that we work with.A mortgage loan cannot be closed without a locked-in rate, and there are three main elements to take into consideration: Interest Rate Points or fees Length of the lock Locking in a rate does not obligate the borrower to commit to the loan until the loan is actually closed. The lock is merely a security measure designed... 07/21/2008

    Joe GonzalezBranch Manager1st Metropolitan MortgagePhone: 610-351-7510Fax: 610-351-7810jgonzalez@1stmetro.netwww.1stmetropolitan.net   Finding a mortgage that's right for you should be easy. There are literally hundreds of options to choose from, including Fixed Rate, Adjustable Rate, Hybrids, Interest Only, Monthly Option ARMs, and Pay Select Mortgages, to name just a few. Mortgages are available at rates ranging from an introductory rate of 1.00% to well over 10.00%. You can finance up to 100% of your home's value and, in some cases, your closing costs as well. However, because there are so many options available, it's important to seek advice from an experienced mortgage professional who has your best interest at heart. The first step in determining which program is right for yo... 07/21/2008

    Joe GonzalezBranch Manager1st Metropolitan MortgagePhone: 610-351-7510Fax: 610-351-7810jgonzalez@1stmetro.netwww.1stmetropolitan.net   The Federal Reserve constantly evaluates the US economy and, when necessary, takes steps to address inflationary concerns and avoid economic recession or depression. The mass media, in turn, reacts by providing a wide range of opinions and interpretations of the Fed's monetary policy. This can make it very difficult for consumers to decipher how such actions will influence interest rates in general and mortgages in particular. And although actions of the Federal Reserve can have a direct impact on the Prime rate, mortgage interest rates are dictated by the trading of mortgage-backed securities, which are similar to bonds and trade on a daily basis. ... 07/18/2008

    Joe GonzalezBranch Manager1st Metropolitan MortgagePhone: 610-351-7510Fax: 610-351-7810jgonzalez@1stmetro.netwww.1stmetropolitan.net   1.   Pre-approval - Get pre-approved for a mortgage and know in advance exactly how much house you can afford. Completing this step will also increase your negotiating power since you'll be viewed as a "cash buyer".   2.   Loan Search - Put yourself in the hands of an experienced mortgage professional, someone who will help you to determine which financing options best suit your needs today and in the future.   3.   Loan Application - It's crucial to supply the lender with as much information as possible, as accurately as possible. All outstanding debts as well as assets and income should be included.   4.   Documentation - Paperwork supporting the ... 07/18/2008

    Joe GonzalezBranch Manager1st Metropolitan MortgagePhone: 610-351-7510Fax: 610-351-7810jgonzalez@1stmetro.netwww.1stmetropolitan.net   While it might be tempting to borrow whatever amount of money your lender is willing to give you, it's important to think carefully about how much you'll actually need to borrow in order to purchase a new home. From the down payment to taxes to insurance and interest rates, there are many factors to consider when making this important, life-changing decision. Contrary to popular sentiment, there is no standard formula for accurately calculating the specific dollar amount you should borrow when purchasing a new home. Many websites do offer special borrower calculators that claim to factor in important variables, and yet final results vary vastly from... 07/18/2008

    Joe GonzalezBranch Manager1st Metropolitan MortgagePhone: 610-351-7510Fax: 610-351-7810jgonzalez@1stmetro.netwww.1stmetropolitan.net   Did you know that the major credit bureaus sell your personal information? It's true! Known as "trigger leads", the files of borrowers applying for a home loan are immediately flagged, packaged, and sold by the credit bureaus to the highest bidders. For about $25 to $100 or more, your name and certain specifics about your credit report, including your address, phone number, mortgage history, and even your FICO score range, are sold to unscrupulous mortgage companies which then blindly solicit your business. This results in numerous unwanted phone calls and junk mail offers which are in no way associated with your real estate agent or loan profession... 07/18/2008

    Joe GonzalezBranch Manager1st Metropolitan MortgagePhone: 610-351-7510Fax: 610-351-7810jgonzalez@1stmetro.netwww.1stmetropolitan.net     It's staggering when you think about the cost of living, especially if you're a renter and not a home owner. If you are currently paying $1,000 a month for rented housing, then over the next three years, your property management company will effectively have reaped $36,000 of your hard earned cash! You're paying their mortgage when you could be building equity in your own property.What if I don't have the money to buy a home right now?There are many loan programs available that offer low and no down payment options. Some programs permit gift money as a down payment, and often sellers are willing to make a contribution to your purchase if they want... 07/18/2008

  You can tell it's summer time when many festivals are being held in the area.  One of them is the Blueberry Festival in Bethlehem, PA.  It is a 3 day celebration of blueberries, music, food and family fun.   It will be held from July 18th through the 20th.  The hours are from 2PM - 8PM on Friday, 11AM - 8PM on Saturday and Sunday from 11AM - 7PM.   The event will occur at the Burnside plantation in Bethlehem.  Admission is $8, $7 for senior citizens, $4 for children ages 12 - 16 and children 11 and under get in for free.  An all festival pass may be purchase for $15.  The tickets may be purchased at www.ticketweb.com or at festival admissions.   Plenty of ample parking will be available at the Martin Towers lot on 8th Ave. for $3.  A shuttle will be provided for the handicapped.   For... 07/17/2008

This story appeares courtesy of the Philadelphia Inquirer Sands shifts to Bethlehem casino The slots parlor at the ex-steel plant will be the sole U.S. gambling site bearing the famed name.  Associated Press BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The $800 million slots parlor to be built on the site of the former Bethlehem Steel plant will be named the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, reviving the Sands name for American gamblers. Bethlehem's casino will be the only one in the United States using the Sands name. There is one in China and another under construction in Singapore. "This is a great opportunity to reintroduce the brand in the United States for gaming," casino president Robert DeSalvio said Friday. "All in one, we get a wonderful city, a great brand, and a good locational identifier." The famed Sand... 06/13/2008

Below is an article published in Fortune Small Business Magazine 2008. Bethlehem,Pa No. 58 of 100 Population: 75,448Pro: Business-friendly environment in a university townCon: Vegas comes to Bethlehem? Bethlehem, once the Lehigh Valley's steel capital, is now bustling with tech and biotech startups, thanks to resources stemming from Lehigh University and health centers in the region. The city welcomes new businesses with open arms, offering technical assistance, low-interest "gap" financing, a tax abatement program, enterprise zone incentives, and a loan pool providing up to $2 million for new and existing businesses. In addition, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, an internationally recognized, state-funded program based at Lehigh University, links early-stage technology firms and esta... 06/11/2008

  New Listings90  Back on Market9  Price Increases5  Price Reductions57  Contingents8  Pendings34  Solds18  Expireds25  Inactives21   Tired of searching for your new home?  We will provide you with a FREE list of homes for sale that match your buying criteria as soon as they come onto the market. The best homes often sell very quickly, often before you even get a chance to see them. To avoid this sign up for the Free House Hunter Program that does all the work for you http://http://www.freehousehunterprogram.com/or call 24/7   877-735-3527  ID # 1071 Buy a home for less than $1200 with Zero Money Down "Now you can realize the dream of owning your own home with zero down payment." The Zero Cash Down Payment Program offers you a way to buy a home with no down payment. That's right zero do... 04/11/2008

  New Listings36  Back on Market4  Price Increases1  Price Reductions23  Contingents6  Pendings13  Solds11  Expireds9  Inactives5   Tired of searching for your new home?  We will provide you with a FREE list of homes for sale that match your buying criteria as soon as they come onto the market. The best homes often sell very quickly, often before you even get a chance to see them. To avoid this sign up for the Free House Hunter Program that does all the work for you http://http://www.freehousehunterprogram.com/or call 24/7   877-735-3527  ID # 1071 Buy a home for less than $1200 with Zero Money Down "Now you can realize the dream of owning your own home with zero down payment." The Zero Cash Down Payment Program offers you a way to buy a home with no down payment. That's right zero down... 04/07/2008

CNN's Fortune Small Business is proud to present the top 100 places to "live and launch", a 2008 study by Fortune to find towns with the best mix of business advantages and lifestyle appeal.  I'm proud to say that our own Lehigh Valley city of Bethlehem comes in at number 58!  Below is the full summary of Bethlehem's synopsis and you can see the entire TOP 100 list HERE.  OFFICIAL BETHLEHEM PENNSYLVANIA WEBSITE! 04/04/2008

   New Listings140  Back on Market12  Price Increases8  Price Reductions50  Contingents8  Pendings48  Solds51  Expireds32  Inactives24   Tired of searching for your new home?  We will provide you with a FREE list of homes for sale that match your buying criteria as soon as they come onto the market. The best homes often sell very quickly, often before you even get a chance to see them. To avoid this sign up for the Free House Hunter Program that does all the work for you http://http://www.freehousehunterprogram.com/or call 24/7   877-735-3527  ID # 1071 Buy a home for less than $1200 with Zero Money Down "Now you can realize the dream of owning your own home with zero down payment." The Zero Cash Down Payment Program offers you a way to buy a home with no down payment. That's right zero... 04/02/2008

Money Magazine's Annual Top 100 Places to Live is now Top 100 Places to Live and Launch a business.Bethlehem PA was ranked #58 in the USA and was the highest PA city on the list.  They call it a "Business-friendly environment in a university town".  They note: "Low real estate prices (the median home price hovers around $160,000) make it a popular bedroom community for the larger cities, but also an advantageous spot to launch. Hiking and biking trails wind through several parks, and the Lehigh River provides opportunities for boating and fishing."Speaking from experience, homes under $250,000 are plentiful and sell pretty quickly without much discounting.  There is a limited selections of homes in Bethlehem over $400,000 at this time (people who live there never leave until they really... 03/31/2008

Keeping Kidz Safe.com ProgramAre our kids safe at school?Recent tragic events would lead us to believe No! To the best of my recollection this wasn't even a viable question when I was in school.  What did they mean was I safe - was the hamburger helper lunch for the day fresh? Or what would be the likelihood of my being soaked by a cherry bomb in the restroom toilet. Wow, have things changed!!!!As an Auntie and Uncle of several superstar children, we have been brought into awareness of this nationwide problem. I think, I'm only one person, what can I do to help?  Where would I start? As I sat in my living room contemplating this thought, I realized that maybe it didn't just depend on me. That I could enlist the help of others to make a difference. And that's where YOU come in. My offer ... 01/30/2008

A Little About Me: I grew up in the Lehigh Valley and I absolutely love it here! I am currently engaged and I am planning to get married in the Fall of 2008! I am the oldest of 4 children, 1 brother and 2 sisters. I currently own a home on the Salisbury Township/ South Mountain border. Outside of Real Estate I enjoy spending time with my Fiancé, seeing my family, going on vacation, and getting to the gym.Education High SchoolNazareth Area High SchoolCollegeDrexel UniversityBachelor of Science in Finance.Experience  I am the number #1 Keller Williams agent in Northampton County, and I rank within the Top 10 Realtors in the entire Lehigh Valley! I have reached these high levels of success through; always putting my clients first and understanding this is a Service business, a strong team ... 01/30/2008

   Don, I just wanted to take the time to express how completely satisfied we are with the way both of our    transactions went, you made a dream of ours come true! Your attention to detail and to our feelings went above and beyond our expectations. Not only did you accompany us on endless viewings until we found the house of our dreams, but you successfully had our home sold and closed in 65 days. In the current market conditions, that is exceptional! It is obvious that you take the lives of your clients to heart and we want to,again, thank you for that!                                  --Jessica and David Galligani                                      Don Wenner Keller Williams Real Estate 1660 Valley Center Parkway, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18017 Direct: (484) 542-2868Office: (610) 86... 01/30/2008

We here at the Don Wenner Home Selling Team continuously monitor local real estate statistics to keep our clients informed and ahead of the real estate trends. Below you will find Bethlehem real estate statistic for the 3rd. week of January.Active: 42 Pending: 21 Sold: 13 Other: 0 Total: 76   Bedrooms Bathrooms Square Feet List Price Selling Price Days on Market Minimum 2  1.00  840  $65,900  $119,000  4  Average 3  2.05  1,737  $227,160  $241,108  34  Median 3  2.00  1,455  $201,450  $215,000   8  Maximum 6  5.00  5,552  $749,900  $460,000  156  Total Dollar Value      $3,134,400    Average DOM Breakdown and Average % of List Price received on Solds by Market time:   0-30 Days  31-60 Days  61-90 Days  91-120 Days  120+ Days  No. of Listings  6   3   2   1   1  Breakdown %  46.15   23.0... 01/22/2008

It is the time of year, once again, where thoughts go to Christmas and Holiday shopping.  One place that is great to go Holiday Shopping is Christkindlmarkt in historic Bethlehem, PA.  It will start November 23, 2007 and run until December 31, 2007 and will be open 7 days a week for the first time this year.    Not only does Christkindlmarkt offer many arts, crafts and assorted gift ideas, it offers many exciting attractions.  You can see artists making ice carvings, glass blowers, and many other craftspeople at work.  For the first time this year there will be a liquid fireworks display.  The display are fountains lit up (as it appeared in Superbowl 2007) and set to holiday music.  It will run every half hour to ensure everyone gets to admire it.Christkindlmarkt also offers activities ... 11/19/2007