Real Estate Articles and Advice
What Is an HOA and Do I Need One?
By Chris Petry Let’s answer the big question first. What is an HOA? An HOA, or Homeowner’s Association, is an added governmental body that levies additional housing and property rules and standards within a community. I know what you’re thinking: what gives them the right? Well, you do. See, when you purchase a home in the community, you agree to accept the terms and condition
The History of Home Electricity
By Chris Petry As I typed this piece, on a MacBook in the year 2025, I couldn’t help but feel the air of the room exuded a time and place far removed from the technocentric present. It was somewhere in the distant past, where scribes and scribblers of invariable numbers took to rolltop desks with quill pins and dip ink, words faintly illuminated by breeze-kissed candle flame. Of course, w
Hey, It's Arbor Day!
By Chris Petry Arbor Day has a marketing problem. Think about it. Spirit Halloween begins opening their doors in August. Millions phone in dinner reservations and purchase heart-shaped chocolate boxes for their significant others on Valentine’s Day. Americans from the Atlantic to the Pacific and North to the Arctic Circle will let off fireworks on July 4th to celebrate their independence.
What Should First Time Buyers Know?
By Chris Petry Buying a home can be exciting and terrifying in equal measure. Of course, the only real reason to harbor any fear is because, by virtue of being a first-time buyer, it’s something of an unknown and thus frightening. What if I told you there was no reason to be frightened at all? What if I told you that buying a home was much, much easier than it seems? I know what you&rsquo
House Hunting is Just Like Easter Egg Hunting
By Chris Petry I spent the last couple weekends photographing Spring holiday-related events, both in-office and in public venues, sponsored by Berkshire agents. First, of course, there’s the infamous Easter Bunny photo. You know the one. You take your toddler, already wailing and thrashing about like a fish on the dock, and place them onto the lap of a giant anthropomorphic rabbit’s
Why Should You Use the Services of a REALTOR?
By Chris Petry So, you’ve decided to buy a home. Congrats! Or, no, wait. You’re selling? Ah, yes. Time to upgrade! Or downsize. Regardless of your real estate ambitions, having a well-informed REALTOR at your side is a must. The internet has revolutionized the way we shop, date, and do business. It’s tempting to treat a real estate transaction the same way. Which is t
April Showers Bring May Flowers... or Something
By Chris Petry Well, we’ve officially reached the month of April and you know what that means. Yes, it’s time to don a blue pinstriped suit and umbrella like Gene Kelley in “Singing in the Rain” and wrap yourself around a light post. If 1950s musical references are lost on you, let’s just say we’re in for a lot of rain. Probably. Or, maybe not? Despite the ol
It's March Madness!
By Chris Petry March Madness is here! March Madness is here! Wait a second, what is March Madness anyway? In all actuality, it’s the term for a specific NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball tournament, originating back to 1939. The single-elimination tournament is played by 68 teams, mostly during the month of March. Hence the name. Now, let’s talk about another kind of M
Everyone's Talking About Homeowner.ai
By Chris Petry Another day, another app. You’ll love this one, though. We promise! It’s called Homeowner.ai and it’s an amazing organization tool that allows homeowners quick convenient access to all their important home documentation, including warranties, service receipts, appliance warranties, closing documents and more in the MySolutions.ai hub. Additionally, it provides a
Happy St. Patrick's Day PA!
By Chris Petry This year, St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Monday. Ordinarily, the prospect of any holiday falling on a Monday is enough to make anyone recoil in horror and dread. After all, one still needs to report to work first thing Tuesday morning. Then Wednesday, Thursday and Friday before there’s any time to catch up on lost Zzzs. Of course, a lot of people will just ramp up the
