Several times a year I am hired by 4 different Realtor Associations to teach a full day on Business Planning . I have each participant introduce them-selves to the class and tell us what either their niche is or Primarily Market is . Through the yearsI’ve been shocked by how many answer by saying -“Wherever My Car Takes Me .”         On Page One of our Seminar I warm up the class with several quotes. Those that fail to plan ,have planned to Fail !  Also , you can not hit a Target that you do not have . Before we get to ourLunch Break, I introduce the concept of being Purpose Driven . I then quote Zig Ziglar from his Timeless Classic -See You at the Top. “ You will never get anywhere as a Wandering Generality, you Must Become a Meaningful Specific !”         To compete with 1,500 A... 01/29/2023

Most tenants are required to provide a Security Deposit.The Security Deposit (SD) is used to protect the Landlord’s interest if the tenants damage the unit or defaults on rental payments.  In PA , the “Landlord Tenant Act” governs all residential SD’s.Here are a few of its provisions: 1. Maximum Amount of SD allowed - 2 Months 2.At the beginning of second year 1 month must be returned 3. From years 2-5   the SD can be increased to match the moly. Rent4. The SD is not to be used as the last month’s rent 5.After tenants vacate and have left a forwarding address the Property        Manager must do one of the following three :     1. Refund the entire SD      2. Partial Refund and send itemized list showing subtractions      3. No Refund , itemized list as why , and submit bill for add’l da... 01/28/2023

     More than a decade ago we moved to a development called Mill Creek in West Lampeter Twp. , Lancaster Co.PA 17602 . One of the deciding factors for me was a walking trail that was 2+ miles of mulched walking path along a tributary of the  Conestoga River . Two of our dogs love this walk and have swam in the River on hot sunny days .      Along our walks we see all kinds of wild life andnative plant species. Some of these are Geese and Ducks in the water and Egrets on the River Bank .Squirrels , rabbits are abundant and often we bumpinto a deer or two . Numerous Bird species are chirping from the trees . Sometimes it’s near impossible to get my Black Lab out of the Woods.       Thanks to West Lampeter Twp. for maintaining this Wood land paradise. 01/26/2023

.    Retirement seems to sneak up on most people. They believe they will live forever . Tragically many Realtors reach the Vocational Finish Line with nothing to sell ! How does this continue to happen to people who have labored 40+ years in their trade ?      There are several Primary Reasons for this failure : 1. They have nothing to sell because they have never harnessed ( organize)their business.  Since 2000 a real estate practice begins with a database.A newbie is taught that a database of 2,000 people will yield 40 closings per year . Most never accomplish this . A major reason for this failure islack of supervision by management, constantly drilling into them the daily practice of Lead Gen and building up this database. This same database is where all of their Settled clients wil... 01/22/2023

        We live along several miles of Woods and a Tributary ( that as wide as a River) . My Black Lab ,Tucker is always ready to navigate his walks into the Woods. We have a well maintained & mulched pathway along the Conestoga River. We see all types of birds, squirrels, deer and egrets . But there’s one character that always lets us know he is there .         You guessed it the Woodpeckers, busy peckingon trees along our trail . The other creatures attempt to stay out of our way , but not Woody . He is determined to make sure we know these are his trees ! Well in late December we had a Cold Wave for 7+ days and stayed out of the Woods . Woody seemed to miss us because I was awakened by himknocking on our Sunroom’s exterior wall ! He continued this for a second day until I got his mes... 01/20/2023

      The Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits discrimination in the lending process and applies for all lease applications. Property Managers need to know and implement the Act into all of their tenant selection activities. Property Managers need to conductthemselves in a consistent and systematic manner . The Property Manager should usethe same Lease Application for every applicant. Additionally if the Property Manager requires a Credit Report from one applicant, they must require them for all applicants .The same can be said about Criminal Background Checks . A Property Manager will use the following when evaluating potential tenants :1. Credit References & Credit Report 2. Criminal Backround Check 3. A Search of the Public Record 4. Information on previous Landlords 5. Employment ... 11/08/2020

.     Tenants occasionally find themselves in a rental where the Landlord is slow to fix things . Many times that Landlord is actually “milking the property”. They are pocketing the CashFlow the Property is generating , but not investing it back intothe property . Many are renting properties that may not be legally habitable.        So what exactly is the Implied Warranty of Habitability,that is offered to tenants? It’s a warranty contained in every Residential lease promising that the landlord will provide a rental unit that is safe, sanitary , and environmentally healthy.The Landlord must make necessary repair through out the lease period to maintain the unit as “fit to live in” . The right to livable housing can not be waived by the tenant . Some examples of violations:1. Unit is ins... 11/07/2020

    Many Propery Managers are confronted with one more challenge when inspecting a now vacant rental unit . The exiting tenants have left behind Personal Property . What should they do with all of this stuff ?     The “PA Landlord Tenant Act” requires tenants to remove their personal propery from the rental unit when they have relinquished possession. Regardless of why they leave , tenants have 10 days to communicate their intentions ( to the Property Manager) that they want to retrieve their property. The LT Actrequires Landlords To give the tenants notice that all personal property needs to be removed within 10 days of abandoning the property.     If the tenants communicate their intention to collect their abandoned personal property , then the Landlord must safe guard the tenant’s pr... 11/01/2020

     Some investors attempt to improve Cash Flow by eliminating unnecessary operating expenses . And some of these investors quickly learn that a Property Manager is not an expense , but rather a key component to your Investment Team. No business can grow unless the person at the top can Delegate . The true value of a Property Manager quickly becomes obvious when you realize just what they can do better than you ( the owner) . Here’s a short list of services / attributes :1. A Property Manager(PM) will keep a full time eye on eliminating Vacancy 2. A PM has been professionally trained how to Legally screen potential tenants. 3. A PM has ongoing Marketing that produces a pool of potential tenants. 4. A PM uses Legally Approved Leases and documents ( that hold up in court).5. A PM has a t... 11/01/2020

Most tenants are required to provide a Security Deposit.The Security Deposit (SD) is used to protect the Landlord’s interest if the tenants damage the unit or defaults on rental payments.  In PA , the “Landlord Tenant Act” governs all residential SD’s.Here are a few of its provisions: 1. Maximum Amount of SD allowed - 2 Months 2.At the beginning of second year 1 month must be returned 3. From years 2-5   the SD can be increased to match the moly. Rent4. The SD is not to be used as the last month’s rent 5.After tenants vacate and have left a forwarding address the Property        Manager must do one of the following three :     1. Refund the entire SD      2. Partial Refund and send itemized list showing subtractions      3. No Refund , itemized list as why , and submit bill for add’l da... 10/31/2020

A carefully planned trip to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and Amish country for plants at Groff's Plant Farm took me back in time today.    We had to get reservations for the plant farm as they were monitoring how many people were wandering around the greenhouses (I counted 8 greenhouses separated by type of plants).  This was in addition to the open air benches loaded with every plant appropriate for our growing area.  Not only is it great just to see all the hundreds of different types of plants, but just getting to the farm is a delight. I knew I was in Lancaster County the first time I saw fresh "road apples" on the road. Sure enough, there was a driver with his horse and buggy up ahead. This meant slowing down until it was safe to pass this vehicle, doing a max 10 MPH. On the way ... 04/28/2020

    America has always been a Land of Opportunity . From its' beginning you had no guarantees and had to take risk to live here . Those who boarded ships to sail here , knew that 10-20% would not survive the trip . But they came . Once they arrived, many decided to settle in some of the most dangerous parts of the Western territories. They slept with their guns , knowing they could be subject to hostile attack at any  moment . But still they came !      They came for opportunity , and greater freedoms than they had experienced in  Europe (and other parts of the world ) . Clearly they knew that they were risking  their lives and of their families to pursue settlement in America . But they came ! At any time did they have Fear ? Of course they did ! But many also had Faith . They had vis... 04/22/2020

The Lancaster, PA area was recently found to be one the HAPPIEST PLACES IN AMERICA! For anyone that has visited the area recently, this is obvious! Lancaster is growing larger while still holding onto that "small town vibe."  There are excellent restaurants, great shopping, and abundant historical and cultural experiences in Lancaster.  Looking to put down roots in one of the Happiest Places? Take the time to tour 1201 Fruitville Pike, Lititz. This gorgeous home is sure to make you smile with all of its amenities and luxury upgrades. Almost 2 acres of privacy packed full of features- a custom in-ground pool, cabana pool house, spacious open concpet floorplan and SO MUCH MORE!  View Listing     https://www.seniorliving.org/research/20-happiest-us-cities/  12/30/2019

Open House 1-3pm Nearly new 2 Story that's Move In Ready ! Spacious Master Bedroom Suite ,oversized garage and LED lighting throughout . Expandable walkout basementwith Superior Walls in popular Green Hills Estates . Great for outdoor entertaining on one of the largest decks you've ever seen ! Country location , yet convenient toshopping . Don't miss touring this "must see "home ! 05/01/2019

  The society at 1932 Robert Fulton Highway (US Route 222) Quarryville, PA 17566 will host its next program on Saturday February 16 at 1:30 PM. “Revolutionary War Patriots of Chestnut Level” will be presented by Roberta “Bobbi” McMullen, a professional genealogist specializing in the Revolutionary War period.  Admission is free and open to the public. For more information call 717-584-2679. Source: Solanco Advertiser Don HessKW EliteKeller Williams Realty1280 Plaza Blvd.Lancaster, PA 17601717-553-2500 Office717-715-6288 Mobile717-786-7967 Directdonhess39@gmail.com     02/13/2019

    SECA (Southern End Community Association Quarryville, PA) is reminding everyone that registration for coed flag football is Friday February 15Th. Visit http://secarec.org/2019/01/03/co-ed-flag-football to register.  Opportunities are available for adults to volunteer to be coaches. Call SECA at 717-806-0123. Source: Solanco Advertiser Don HessKW EliteKeller Williams Realty1280 Plaza Blvd.Lancaster, PA 17601717-553-2500 Office717-715-6288 Mobile717-786-7967 Directdonhess39@gmail.com     02/13/2019

  Quarryville Library at 357 Buck Road will be showing a movie Friday February 1st at 1 PM. The movie is about a pushy boss who forces her young assistant to marry her in order to keep her visa status in the U.S. And avoid deportation to Canada. Attendees may bring snacks. Source: Solanco Advertiser   Don Hess KW Elite Keller Williams Realty 1280 Plaza Blvd. Lancaster, PA 17601 717-553-2500 Office 717-715-6288 Mobile 717-786-7967 Direct donhess39@gmail.com  01/31/2019

 The club will hold its reorganization meeting on Monday January 14th at 7 PM at the Hoffman Building on the Solanco Fairgrounds in Quarryville, PA. Parents are encouraged to attend the meeting along with their youth as this is the club's sign up meeting. Registration for the club will close on January 14th. No enrollments will be accepted after that date. The club's dues are payable at the meeting. For details or to request accommodations call Hillary Bauer at 717-940-4231.  The club has projects such as: Sewing Foods Rocketry Knitting The club meets on the second Monday of each month from January to August. All 4 H programs are available to all youths who are ages 8 to 18 before January 1st. For more information on joining 4 H call Lori Little at 717-394-6851 or email LancasterExt@psu... 01/07/2019

  The Quarryville Library at 357 Buck Road Quarryville, PA is presenting a film from 1 to 3 PM Friday January 4th. The film takes place in prehistoric times and is about a young man and a wolf that are lost and struggling to find their way home. The boy was separated from his tribe during a buffalo hunt. The wolf is also lost and separated from his pack.  Attendees are invited to bring snacks. Source: Solanco Advertiser Don Hess KW Elite Keller Williams Realty 1280 Plaza Blvd. Lancaster, PA 17601 717-553-2500 Office 717-715-6288 Mobile 717-786-7967 Direct donhess39@gmail.com     01/04/2019

  Happy Thanksgiving to all ! Don Hess 11/22/2018