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Erie, PA Real Estate News

By Mary Yonkers, Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor
(Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate)
   Erie, PA Real Estate Classes Begin July 13, 14, 27, 28        Real Estate Fundamentals offers comprehensive overview of the technical and legal aspects of Real Estate.  The course includes:  Rights and interests in land How ownership is held Transfer of rights and interests Contract law Mortgages Fair housing laws Pennsylvania licensing laws Erie, PA Real Estate Pre-license Class:  Fundamentals July 13, 14, 27, 28   Location:  3036 West 12th Street Erie, PA 16505    Time:  9:00 - 4:30   $178   Alan Kells School of Real Estate     Erie, PA Real Estate Classes Begin July 13, 14, 27, 28    
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By Mary Yonkers, Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor
(Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate)
My iPad Has Created Love/Hate Relationship I love its flexibility to go where I go whether I am traveling or just watching television is the family room. I even sit on my front porch with my iPad on my lap and glass of wine in my hand. The iPad is so much lighter than my laptop and has no cords. (unless charging)I love its speed.  I can turn it on and have an instant connection.  Not so with laptop or PC.Instead of depending on WiFi my iPad has an internet connection which I highly recommend. It only adds $10 to monthly cell phone bill.Now, let's be honest.  The iPad and Activerain ARE NOT USER FRIENDLY, at least I have not found a solution yet.    I have written several posts recounting my trials,failures and success with photos.  (I think you see that I have been working on uploading ...
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By Mary Yonkers, Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor
(Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate)
Learn the Skills of Success!  Try Toastmasters . . . Erie, PA Interested in improving your public speaking and leadership skills?  Communication is essential for success in so many professions in today’s competitive workplace.  From real estate agents to engineers to teachers to medical personel to ministers to utility workers, Toastmasters can help you further your career. Toastmasters meetings provide a positive atmosphere in which you can develop speaking and leadership skills.  No matter what your current level of speaking ability, Toastmasters has something to offer you.  Feel free to sit in on a meeting.  You will not be pressured to make a presentation or even join.   Join Toastmasters Eriez Club on Second & Fourth Monday Eriez Toastmasters Club Erie, PA Location:  Millcreek Bran...
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By Mary Yonkers, Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor
(Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate)
Look Who Came to Visit . . .   Look Who Came to Visit . . . I just saw these two visitors meandering up my driveway early this morning.  Momma has been here several times in recent weeks, but this is first time we have seen her fawn. Well, Look who stopped by for lunch   Make it a GREAT DAY!!      
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By Mary Yonkers, Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor
(Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate)
  inShare    Lead, Radon, Asbestos, Mold . . . Real Estate Class, Erie/PA   How boring can you get?    How much RISK can you handle? Picture yourself in a school with asbestos flooring, high radon level, and mold spores behind the drywall imported from China.  And, don't let your kids drink from the drinking fountain--lead pipes.  (Lead poisoning)   Okay, now that I have your attention, let's talk about Risk Reduction for our clients, the buyers and sellers.      Risk Reduction:  3 simple rules: Know the basics Know the experts Disclose early & often           Join me:  Real Estate Fundamentals / Dealing with Lead, Radon, Asbestos and Mold July 13, 14, 27, 28  Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate / Mary Yonkers, Instructor Thirty hours pre-license class  (Pennsylvania)  Cost: $178  Call: 1...
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By Mary Yonkers, Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor
(Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate)
D-Lite-ful  ROCK CANDLE from Great Smoky Mountains D-Lite Candles We love the rock candle we purchased from the Great Smoky Mountains D-Lite Candles in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  They function very much like an old fashioned oil lamp.  The glass fuel reservoir is permanently attached to the polished stone, within a hand shaped hardwood base; allowing you to use the candle inside or outside with scented or unscented oil. We bought several candles for Christmas gifts. Great Smoky Mountains D-Lite Candles 170 Glades Rd. #2 Gatlinburg, TN 37738  
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By Mary Yonkers, Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor
(Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate)
Well, Look Who Stopped by for Lunch!!   Well, Look Who Stopped by for Lunch!  I guess the attraction of FREE food was just too much for him.  But, please don't eat my flowers.  Hey, I asked you NOT to eat my flowers.  Ugh! Now of course, the 'happy hunter' who lives in this house is looking forward to meeting our visitor in the woods when calendar turns to fall.   Well, Look Who Stopped by for Lunch!  And my flowers must have been quite tasty.      
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By Mary Yonkers, Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor
(Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate)
   iPad Users:  Are You Frustrated Uploading Photos?   So you have an iPad, but you only use it to write comments?  Did you try to upload photos the same way you do from conventional computer or laptop?  FRUSTRATION PLUS, right?   Yes, that was me at first.  Well, really for several months.  Fortunately, I found a few ActiveRain members who were very willing to share their expertise via e-mails and phone calls.   Following their tips and a bit of, 'trial and error,' no really a lot of 'trial & error' I can now say that I am not as frustrated. (That is progress, believe me.) Okay, here's what I have learned so far.        First, it is easiest to upload photos from iPad.       Second, I use Dropbox to get pictures from laptop to iPad (www.dropbox.com) Uploading Photos:  If I am writing an...
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By Mary Yonkers, Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor
(Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate)
  Flowery Test of my iPad Okay, okay, maybe I am getting the hang of posting with my iPad.  Here is my flowery test of technique Margaret Rome shared with me recently.  Upload photo #2 first; then upload photo #1.  For whatever reason we need to upload the photos in reverse order.   After the photos are uploaded you can move them to center or right.  Yes, it would be nice if I could choose left, right or center initially when uploading, but the photo has mind of its own and moves left.  Just go back, highlight the photo then move to center or right as you desire.   Now take time to enjoy the flowers.   ****************************** As I learn more about using the iPad to write posts I will share with my friends.  Have a great weekend.  
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By Mary Yonkers, Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor
(Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate)
Why Do I Teach Real Estate Classes?  Erie, PA      I want to share my love for Real Estate as a profession AND I want you to enjoy Real Estate as much as I have for past 25+ years.     Teaching is in my blood.  Since grade school I planned to be a teacher and never waivered until I burned out teaching middle school science & language arts. After sixteen years I knew it was time for a change, but I didn't know what I wanted to do other than teach.   I turned down a grant to persue an advanced degree in science and teach at the high school level because . . . it didn't feel right at the time. Instead I made the decision to get a real estate license which eventually lead me to a management position recruiting, training and coaching new agents.  I had found my niche in teaching adults rathe...
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By Mary Yonkers, Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor
(Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate)
Presque Isle State Park, Erie/PA Tranquil Getaway Yet So Close My favorite Erie, PA getaway is Presque Isle State Park a.k.a. The Peninsula.  A walk along Presque Isle Bay is my idea of a 'Tranquil Getaway.'  No need to drive hundreds of miles.  Just a quick divert down Peninsula Drive and I am there.  The serenity of seeing the water, sailboats, fishermen and listening to the birds is priceless. Don't forget to stop at Sara's for ice cream cone April-October.  Late fall and winter hike the inner trails or cross country ski.  Bring a picnic or just grab a burger and watch the world sail in front of you.  I love watching the storms roll in over the lake, even the lightening bolts. I feel fortunate to have Presque Isle State Park, Erie/PA Tranquil Getaway Yet So Close in my own backyard, ...
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By Mary Yonkers, Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor
(Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate)
No, No...Do Not Disturb...Stay Away...No Showings till . . .   No, No...Do Not Disturb...Stay Away...No Showings till . . . Babies Arrive.  Yes, momma robin is expecting multiple births.  Let's give her a bit of privacy.         But the bushes need to be trimmed, fertilized and mulched, but that can wait till baby robins arrive & fly away.  How long? 10-14 days to hatch.  More details on Reference.com                 Mr. & Mrs. Robin are being very protective for good reason.  Several weeks ago an egg fell out of their nest.  See Egg Drop Tragedy.   So I will stay away at Mrs. Robin's request.   No, No...Do Not Disturb...Stay Away...No Showings till . . .               No, No...Do Not Disturb...Stay Away...No Showings till . . .
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By Mary Yonkers, Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor
(Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate)
Death by Stage Fright Is Extremely Rare As Real Estate agents we are on stage every time we meet with potential sellers.  Most Real Estate Newbies experience stage fright at their very first listing appointment.  Do you remember your first listing appointment?  I do.  Oh! Do I remember!  I had rehearsed my canned listing presentation so many times that I forgot half of it. Believe it or not, your chances of dying of stage fright in front of a seller are extremely slim. You might feel as if you are dying, but chances are good that your audience, the potential sellers, won’t even notice your wobbly knees and sweating armpits. Even the best listing agents were once terrified novices, feeling the same symptoms as you when facing the sellers. Fear no more! Experience is the best teacher.  Ju...
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By Mary Yonkers, Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor
(Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate)
Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary,  How Does Your Garden Grow?  If you are past a certain age you might remember that little saying, 'Mary, Mary, quite contrary.  How does your garden grow?'  Well, today I am so excited to finally have a new flower garden circle where once a very tall tree grew. Two months ago we had the tree taken down and the stump ground out.  That was just the beginning of our work. First, Dave & I carted away an endless amount of woodchips and sawdust. Then we had topsoil delivered to build a mound.  Add a few (really a lot) of rocks around the circle to keep the soil from washing away during heavy rains. Then came the fun part a visit local garden center.  I had to contain myself as I wanted to buy one of everything but I know these plants will spread out once they take ...
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By Mary Yonkers, Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor
(Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate)
Toastmasters, Speech Contest Winner, Charlie Wilson Speaks in Erie, PA and Meadville, PA   Every year, Toastmasters International holds a competition for the World Championship of Public Speaking.  Between 30,000 and 35,000 members begin competing in February at the Club Level.  The winners there go on to the Area Level and the winners there go on to the Division Level and those winners compete at the District Level.  There are 90 Toastmasters Districts around the world with District 13 covering Western Pennsylvania.  The 90 District winners will compete in semifinal contests to become one of nine final speakers in the WorldChampionship in Cincinnati. The winner of District 13's contest is Charlie Wilson from State College.  He has been a Toastmaster for almost 25 years and has reached...
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By Mary Yonkers, Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor
(Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate)
Tip-Toe amongst the Flowers I still have many items undone on Friday's 'To-do' list but I could not resist the urge to tip-toe amongst my flowers.  Would you like to see a few more?    Irises are so beautiful and delicate and their season is so short.     This iris makes me want to sit here all day & gaze at its beauty.     Perhaps I should forget my 'To-do' list and join my garden friends . . .  
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By Mary Yonkers, Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor
(Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate)
Are You Mentally Prepared for Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam? Yes, you took Real Estate Fundamentals and Real Estate Practice classes.  Yes, you passed both tests.  Yes, you submitted the required paperwork to PSI Exams.  And yes, you have confirmed the test day. Let me ask the question again, "Are You Mentally Prepared for Pennsylvania Real Estate Exam?"   Clear your mind of other distractions Get a good night sleep before test Eat light & healthy meal Do your best to eliminate as many distractions in your life.  Do not stay up all night craming for the test.  Most of us are too old to pull the 'all nighter' studying for an exam as we did in college.  Just go to bed and get a good night sleep.  Last, but not least, eat a light & healthy meal.  Why?  A rich, heavy meal with that extra gl...
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By Mary Yonkers, Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor
(Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate)
Go Ahead Rain on My Head My garden friends seem to be saying, "Go ahead rain on my head.  We are loving it!"  Yesterday I had time to pull a few weeds so my flowers can breathe.  Then Mother Nature decided to let it rain over night. All is well in Mary's garden. Go Ahead Rain on My Head    
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By Mary Yonkers, Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor
(Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate)
Surprise Visitors    Visitors are always welcome at our home including a few surprise visitors at the bird feeders and in the surrounding woods.  Sometimes I am able to capture them on camera.  Other times I just enjoy their company. This female turkey comes almost every day to pick seeds off the ground.  We are waiting anxiously for her babies to arrive.  Did you notice the squirrel in the house feeder?   Two male turkeys fanning to attract attention of female turkey.  Wonder who won?  Well, Dave even 'googled' turkey mating dance but that is his story . . .   These surprise visitors were captured by Dave's stealth camera.    You are welcome to stop by when you are in the neighborhood.      
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By Mary Yonkers, Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor
(Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate)
My Friday Fancy   My Friday Fancy is just enjoying the beauty of my one lone azalea bush. Its passionate red color makes a statement however brief each spring.  Some years we do not have enough rain or it is too cold or too hot.  Other years heavy rain or strong wind destroys the fragile blossoms. This is a banner year! The best view is from my front porch while sipping glass of wine or cocktail late afternoon with Dave who planted the azalea as a wedding gift fourteen years ago.      Will you join us this evening?     My Friday Fancy      
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Erie, PA Real Estate Professionals