Still a buyer’s market

Still a buyer’s market

EDITOR:

It’s not all doom and gloom out there. I am a real estate professional and read the Oct. 7 front page article “Credit market slows home sales” which quoted statistics showing 2 of 3 counties down in sales.

The phrase tri-county area is used in many ways. If used in this article it would have read 345 homes sold in September 2008 compared to 342 in September 2007. It’s possible someone in one county bought a home in another. The days on market would be 115 in September 2008 and 114 in September 2007. One more day then a year ago, that’s not too bad all things considered.

The average price is going to be down because there are a number of foreclosed properties on the market. It’s true we’re in a slump, but the up side is that we are nowhere near the country averages. There are 1,400 new Lordstown jobs that will result in home sales. My company is very sound financially with millions of dollars to lend to qualified buyers.

If one were to read this article the way it is written, of course they are going to wait to buy a home. If you are a qualified buyer and can afford to buy a home, why would you wait until the market is up so you can pay more? The money is available and many homes are priced to sell. The Valley is still one of the best buys in the country.

BOB COZZO

Howard Hanna Real Estate

Poland

It’s tough to live the good life without water and power

EDITOR:

I would like to give a heads-up to those planning to relocate to the Girard area. You better be a Boy Scout if you’re going to move here. Their motto is “Always be prepared”. Given the recent utility outages, I think it would be advisable.

There have been numerous power outages and temporary cut-offs of water service recently that have affected large parts of the city. Some of these have lasted days. The real tests of our survival have been the two-day power failure in September and the recent water main break. It never ceases to amaze me that the cause of such outages could be in Liberty but affect Girard. One could travel a matter of blocks and be without power or water. One could go a few more blocks and have full utilities again. It’s ridiculous.

So, if you want to move to Girard, think twice. Bring your flashlights, batteries, candles, matches, and bottled water. Don’t forget the ice and coolers. It’s as close to roughing it as one can get. All that’s missing is the campfire. Then, again, you’re not allowed to burn here.

It is a shame that we as taxpayers are subjected to events like these. More importantly, it is an even bigger shame that we in Girard pay double the rates for water as Liberty, only to receive a fraction of the same services we would otherwise receive. Indeed, it is “survival of the fittest,” as Charles Darwin once put it.

VINCE WILLIAMS

Girard

Getting a head start

EDITOR:

For the most part Clinton and Bush waited until they were in office before shamelessly lying to the American people. Both of the current candidates have jumped the gun and with several weeks to go in the campaign each has told so many whoppers it’s impossible to keep up with them. We can’t be certain what our next president will bring to the oval office, but I’m pretty sure it won’t be integrity.

JOHN ZEDAKER

Poland