Turn Key Realty Group

10/28/2026

Your house isn't selling as quickly as you hoped. So, should you just rent it out instead? It's a question more homeowners are asking. And the numbers show just how common this backup plan is becoming.

According to Parcl, about 9% of homes currently listed for rent were originally listed for sale.

That's a lot of homeowners becoming landlords when selling didn't go according to plan.

But before you trade your "For Sale" sign for a "For Rent" sign, there's something worth considering.

Being a landlord isn't always the easy passive income opportunity it sounds like.
Landlord insurance typically costs about 25% more than regular homeowners insurance. Property management can eat up around 10% of your rental income.

And that's before unexpected repairs, vacancies, or late-night maintenance calls.
Suddenly, renting might not look quite as simple.

Now, that doesn't mean renting is a bad idea. For some homeowners, it's absolutely the right move.

But if selling is what you really want, don't give up on that plan just yet.
Sometimes, the difference between a house that sits and one that sells comes down to the changing the strategy.

Thinking about renting your house because selling feels harder than expected? Send a message. Let's compare the numbers and figure out which option actually makes the most sense for you.

10/26/2026

Pending home sales just dropped 11.3% compared to last year. But what if that slowdown could actually help you get a better deal on a brand-new home?
Here's why that matters.

When the market slows, homeowners and builders don't always react the same way.

A homeowner who isn't getting the offers they want can decide to stay put and wait. But builders? They've already invested in houses they need to sell. And every completed home that sits unsold costs them money.

That can make builders more motivated to negotiate. And the numbers prove they're already making moves.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, 65% of builders are offering incentives, and 43% are cutting prices. The typical reduction? 6%.
For buyers, that could mean serious savings. Think lower prices, help with closing costs, or even a better mortgage rate.

And the biggest opportunities may be hiding in brand-new homes that are already built and waiting for buyers.

So, before you rule out new construction, let’s see which builders in our area may be ready to negotiate.

10/24/2026

What if you could save $150–$300 a month on your mortgage payment just by choosing a different type of loan?

For some homebuyers, that could be a game changer. And it's one reason adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) are getting more attention.

According to Bankrate, ARM rates recently came in more than a full percentage point lower than traditional fixed-rate mortgages. That's potentially hundreds of dollars in monthly savings on a median-priced home.

And buyers are taking notice. About 1 in 10 mortgage applicants are now choosing an ARM, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

So, what's the catch?

Unlike a fixed-rate mortgage, an ARM gives you a lower introductory rate for a set number of years. After that, your rate can adjust up or down based on market conditions.

That means you could save money upfront, but you'd also need to be comfortable with the possibility of higher payments later.

And here's something worth knowing: Today's ARMs have more borrower protections than the risky loans that made headlines during the 2008 housing crisis.

The bigger takeaway? A traditional 30-year fixed mortgage isn't your only option.
If today's rates are making your homebuying budget feel tight, there may be financing options you haven't explored yet.

Curious whether an ARM could help make your next home more affordable? Connect with a trusted lender who can run the numbers.

10/23/2026

🏢 Investors, this one's for you. A 5-unit brick building in Middletown just hit the market.

Great value-add opportunity with plenty of upside:

🔑 5 apartment units in one classic brick building
📐 About 4,500 sq ft of living area
🏛️ Built in 1900, with all the old-school character that comes with it
📝 Zoned apartment/commercial for flexibility
🚗 Parking lot, plus public water and sewer
💰 Real estate taxes about $2,370 a year

Listed at $349,900 in the Middletown Area School District.

Interested? Reach out:
📞 Mauri Balsbaugh: (717) 903-7027
📧 [email protected]
🏢 Turn Key Realty Group | (717) 775-7000

Five front doors, one smart move. 😉

10/23/2026

🏕️ Buy one lot, get one free! Okay, not exactly, but this Steelton bi-level comes with a bonus .26-acre lot right across the street.

Tucked toward the end of a no-outlet street, this 3-bed, 2-bath home has about 1,588 sq ft of finished space and some seriously fun extras:

🌳 Park-like bonus lot across the street with a pavilion and storage sheds (backyard camping retreat, anyone?)
🛁 Privacy-fenced backyard with a two-level deck and hot tub
🔥 Lower-level family room with a wood stove and walkout access
🍳 Freshly painted open main level with updated flooring, epoxy-coated counters, and stainless appliances included
🛏️ Primary bedroom with its own full bath, plus a 1-car garage, central air, and a heat pump
🛡️ Lorex camera system and a one-year First American home warranty included

Listed at $335,000, just around the corner from East End Park. Open house Saturday, 1 to 4!

Interested? Reach out:
📞 Cathie Heika Team: (717) 554-9655
📧 [email protected]
🏢 Turn Key Realty Group | (717) 775-7000

Two lots, one hot tub, zero excuses not to host. 😉

10/21/2026

National headlines can’t tell you what your home is worth or how much room you have to negotiate. Local data can. If you’re thinking about buying or selling, let’s look at how prices are moving in your area, so you can set your price or make your offer with confidence.

Whether you own a house already or you’re looking to buy one, you probably care about home prices.

10/19/2026

The first home you buy doesn't have to be a single-family house. If affordability has been holding you back, let's expand your search and see whether a condo could fit the price point you're looking for.

When you picture buying your first home, chances are you’re imagining a traditional single-family house with its own yard, maybe a garage, and little extra room to grow. But with affordability still tight, getting everything on that list right away may come with a higher price tag than you’re co...

10/17/2026

Don't let a headline about slowing home sales convince you no one is buying. Homes are still selling every minute of every day.

If you need or want to move, let's talk about what it'll take to make sure yours is one of them.

If you’ve seen headlines saying home sales are slowing down, you may be wondering: is this really a good time to sell?

10/14/2026

In many places right now, inventory is growing and homes are taking a bit longer to sell. And that’s information that should shape the strategy you use going in.

Whether you're buying or selling, let's look at how long homes are taking to sell in your neighborhood, so your offer, or your price, fits today's market.

Mortgage rates being back above 7% isn't exactly the news most people wanted. But it’s changing the market in ways that matter whether you’re buying or selling.

10/12/2026

Don’t let today’s uncertainty make you lose sight of what homeownership can do over time. Most homeowners say they’d make the same choice again. And decades of home-price growth help explain why.
If you’re wondering whether buying makes sense for you right now, let’s look at the numbers together – and what owning a home could mean for you in the years ahead.

With everything going on, it’s understandable if you’re wondering if you’d regret buying right now.