Paul Gornall's Blog Posts

Pa. Housing Market Holds Steady in AugustBy David DeanSeptember 22, 20262 min.Pennsylvania’s housing market held steady in August, as home sales, listings and median home price remained

9 Home Maintenance Tasks You Can Do This WeekendBy Hope Walborn August 26, 2026 Summers are busy, but home maintenance doesn’t need to take a backseat. Before fall begins and the

Homebuying Deal Breakers: What Turns Buyers AwayBy Hope Walborn August 18, 2026 2 min.When looking for a home to buy, some things can make or break the decision to pursue a listing.

94% of Homeowners Planning to DIY This YearBy Hope Walborn July 23, 2026 2 min.12sharesThe majority (94%) of homeowners surveyed by 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty said they had DIY projects

Pennsylvania Housing Market Hits Another Milestone PriceBy David Dean July 22, 2026 2 min.11sharesPennsylvania median home prices hit an all-time high, jumping to $340,000 in June,

9 Insights on Home Renovation TrendsBy Hope Walborn July 14, 2026 2 min.8sharesLast year, more than half (54%) of U.S. homeowners took on renovation projects, according to Houzz, which

Budget Buyers Are Flocking to Hidden ‘Gem City’ on Pennsylvania’s Great Lake ShoreBy Snejana FarberovJuly 13, 2026SeanPavonePhoto / Adobe StockPennsylvania's only Great Lakes port

5 Ways to Save Money on Lawn WateringBy Hope Walborn July 9, 2026 2 min.9sharesMany homeowners take pride in a green and healthy lawn, but watering in the summer months can quickly drive

7 Ways to Keep Homes Safe While on VacationBy Hope Walborn June 24, 2026 4 min.9sharesSummer is about to be in full swing, which means many Americans across the country will soon be

Pa. Median Home Sales Price Continues to IncreaseBy David Dean May 21, 2026 2 min.12sharesThe Pennsylvania median home sales price rose year over year, hitting $315,000 in April. Median

75% of Americans Attempt DIY ProjectsBy Hope Walborn April 29, 2026 2 min.8sharesDo-it-yourself projects rose to 81% during the pandemic, but are people still taking home maintenance

Are Skylights Making a Comeback?By Hope Walborn April 15, 2026 2 min.14sharesA hit window trend of the 1980s might be making its comeback, says Realtor.com.  Skylights

7 Lawn Care Tips for SpringBy Hope Walborn March 24, 2026 3 min.10sharesAfter a snowy winter, many Pennsylvanians are likely looking forward to spring right about now. From 

Realtors® Reveal: 3 Home Tech Features Buyers Most WantBy Hope Walborn February 25, 2026 2 min.13sharesFor many homebuyers, home technology is a big selling point. PAR asked

5 Lighting Trends for 2026By Hope Walborn February 12, 2026 3 min.28sharesDifferent lighting choices can elevate any room in a home. For 2026, here are five trends from .&

77% Believe Green Homes Will Hold Their ValueBy Hope Walborn January 13, 2026 2 min.7sharesWhile 87% agree that green homes cost more than typical homes, 77% believe green homes will

Home Features Supporting Remote Work Popular in ListingsBy Hope Walborn January 8, 2026 2 min.21sharesAlthough some employees have returned to the office since the pandemic, the

5 Holiday Home Hazards to Look Out ForBy Hope Walborn December 11, 2025 4 min.31sharesFrom stringing up the lights to setting the table to celebrating with loved ones, the holiday

Exploring Housing Affordability: Where Mortgage Payments Are Cheaper Than Rent Across the U.S.November 24, 2025Buying vs. RentingBy: Jesse PriddyShareIt's no secret that housing prices have

46% of Americans Have Been Porch Pirate VictimsBy Hope Walborn November 28, 2025 2 min.55sharesThis year, 95% of holiday shoppers will do at least some of their shopping online,

4 Ways Cold Weather Weakens HomesBy Hope Walborn November 26, 2025 3 min.44sharesIt’s no secret that cold weather can wreak havoc, but just how much damage can it do? Here are

5 Tips to Protect Yourself From Home Repair ScamsBy Hope Walborn November 4, 2025 3 min.14sharesLast year, the Federal Trade Commission received 81,925 reports of home

Two Pennsylvania Homes Featured on HGTV’s Scariest House in AmericaBy Hope Walborn October 31, 2025 3 min.22sharesOn her search for the scariest houses in America, comedian and

5 Ways to Prevent Fires at HomeBy Hope Walborn October 6, 2025 3 min.66sharesThis year, Oct. 5 through 11 is Fire Prevention Week, sponsored by the National Fire Protection

The Final Step: Pre-settlement WalkthroughsBy Paige Perrucci September 26, 2025 6 min.32sharesOne small section in Form ASR that generates an outsized number of questions on

Realtors® Reveal: 7 Best Moving TipsBy Hope Walborn September 17, 2025 4 min.28sharesMoving can be stressful, but Realtors® know a thing or two about the process. PAR asked

Top Architectural Trends in 2025By Hope Walborn September 5, 2025 2 min.92sharesThe year isn’t over yet, but 2025 has already seen some architectural trends worth noting. Here

Pa. Home Market Inventory Continues to IncreaseBy William Lublin August 21, 2025 2 min.71sharesPennsylvania has seen a move toward a more balanced market in the past few months.The

Realtors® Reveal: How Remote Work Impacts HomebuyingBy Hope Walborn August 15, 2025 3 min.14sharesApproximately 34.3 million Americans worked remotely for pay as of April 2025,

93% of Americans Own Smart Home DevicesBy Hope Walborn August 13, 2025 1 min.16sharesThe large majority of Americans (93%) own at least one smart home device, but data privacy remains

Curb Appeal Counts – Increases Offers by Nearly $10,000By Hope Walborn August 7, 2025 2 min.50sharesA home’s exterior appearance can make it or break it, according to a

6 Ways to Take Care of Your Lawn During a Heat WaveBy Hope Walborn August 4, 2025 2 min.35sharesThe end of summer may be in sight, but most Pennsylvanians are familiar with heat waves

Is an Open-Concept Floor Plan Right for You?By Hope Walborn July 9, 2025 3 min.11sharesOpen-concept floor plans have been popular since the mid-20th century. In 2017, a survey by

What Are the Top 5 Neighbor Pet Peeves?By Hope Walborn July 8, 2025 1 min.18sharesA survey of over 1,000 U.S. homeowners found that 1 in 10 neighbors clash over home upkeep, according

54% of Americans Overwhelmed by Utility BillsBy Hope Walborn June 24, 2025 2 min.8sharesFifty-four percent of Americans get overwhelmed by their monthly utility bills, and 1 in 3

House Sharing on the Rise for Older AdultsBy Hope Walborn June 23, 2025 2 min.9sharesIn 2023, a record-high of 6.8 million households shared their housing with unrelated housemates,

How Confident Are Americans About DIY Home Repairs?By Hope Walborn June 3, 2025 2 min.10sharesApproximately 3 in 4 homeowners always try to fix an issue themselves before finding a

Manufactured Homes Serve as Affordable Options for MillionsBy Hope Walborn May 13, 2025 2 min.6sharesManufactured homes provide an affordable supply option for millions of households

7 Flowers for Curb Appeal in PennsylvaniaBy Hope Walborn May 6, 2025 3 min.66sharesAs the weather continues to warm up, homeowners might want to enhance their curb appeal by adding

7 Places in Pa. to See Spring BloomsBy Hope Walborn April 14, 2025 3 min.40sharesFor those ready to get outside and enjoy nature after a cold winter, here are seven places across

Next Week is the Best Week to Sell, Says Realtor.comBy Hope Walborn April 10, 2025 2 min.43sharesSellers with homes on the market right now may find next week to be their lucky

20 Spring Cleaning/Maintenance Tasks to RememberBy Hope Walborn March 19, 2025 4 min.56shares“Spring cleaning has more benefits than you may think,” shares Hippo 

6 Facts About Women in HomeownershipBy Hope Walborn March 18, 2025 3 min.Until 1974, it was technically legal for financial institutions to refuse loans to unmarried women or to

5 Ways to Enjoy Your Backyard This WinterBy Hope Walborn February 3, 2025 2 min.22sharesWinter isn’t always the most ideal time to enjoy your backyard in Pennsylvania, but with

6 Things to Consider When Choosing a SofaBy Hope Walborn December 19, 2024 4 min.12sharesA sofa can completely change the look and feel of your living room. It serves as a natural

7 Decorating Hazards to Avoid This HolidayBy Hope Walborn December 6, 2024 2 min.Decking the halls in preparation for the holidays can be exciting for homeowners expecting guests or

9 Tips to Save Money When MovingBy Hope Walborn November 20, 2024 3 min.For new homeowners, moving costs can add up quickly on top of their down payment, closing costs and other

Keystone Specters in Pennsylvania’s Haunted HotspotsBy Hope Walborn October 31, 2024 4 min.As one of the oldest states, Pennsylvania’s storied past brings a wealth of

Pennsylvania Is the Sweetest State of 2024By Hope Walborn October 29, 2024 2 min.Everyone knows Hershey is trademarked as The Sweetest Place on Earth, but Pennsylvania was recently

Mortgage Rates Fall Again—Setting Yet Another 19-Month LowBy SABRINA KARLFull Bio Sabrina Karl has over two decades of experience writing about savings, CDs, and other banking.

Pa. Named 7th Best State to Live in 2024By Hope Walborn September 11, 2024 1 min.When it comes to the best state to live in, Pennsylvania ranks No. 7 overall and No. 3 in quality of

Finances and Family Ties: Benefits of Multigenerational LivingBy Hope Walborn | Aug. 7, 2024 | 2 min. readFifty-five percent of Americans reported currently living in a

Looking for an Alternative Lawn Mower? Pa. Is 6th Best for Animal MowingBy Hope Walborn | July 9, 2024 | 2 min. readEver thought about renting a herd of sheep to mow your

10 Ways to Save on Your Energy Bill This SummerBy Hope Walborn | July 2, 2024 | 4 min. readSummer is heating up, which means it’s time to cool down your home. Here are

10 Spring Lawn Care Tips from LawnStarterBy Hope Walborn | May 16, 2024 | 3 min. readIt’s that time of year when lawn mowing gets added to the to-do list again. Here

Pennsylvania is the 5th Most Affordable State for HomebuyersBy Hope Walborn | May 3, 2024 | 1 min. readThe average Pennsylvanian’s personal income is 25.08% of the

Erie Is the 13th Most Climate-Conscious Small CityBy Hope Walborn | March 13, 2024 | 1 min. readErie, Pennsylvania, is the 13th most climate-conscious small city in the

What Size Yards Do Americans Want in 2024?By Hope Walborn | March 4, 2024 | 2 min. readFor many Americans, having yard space is a must, and about 66% want a big (over a half

2024 Colors of the Year: From Peach to PepperBy Hope Walborn | Jan. 1, 2024 | 3 min. readIn a sea of calming blues and grays, one company’s 2024 color of the year

Outlook Good? Builders More Confident in Single-Family HomesBy Hope Walborn | Jan. 25, 2024 | 2 min. readWith recent mortgage rates under 7%, builder confidence for newly

What Gen Z Homebuyers Look ForBy Hope Walborn | Jan. 17, 2024 | 3 min. readFrom Alexa devices to neutral paint colors, Gen Z’s entrance into the housing market reveals

Long-Term Investments Impact Home ValueBy Hope Walborn | Jan. 9, 2024 | 2 min. readBuying a house is a long-term investment itself, but various factors impact the home&rsquo

Nearly 60% of Home Offers This Year Were Above AskingBy Hope Walborn | Dec. 29, 2023 | 4 min. readAlmost 60% of home offers submitted so far in 2023 were above asking price,

Why People Moved in 2022By Hope Walborn | Dec. 19, 2023 | 3 min. readThe top reasons Americans moved in 2022 included housing, family and employment, according to the 

Americans Want More Living SpaceBy Hope Walborn | Dec. 11, 2023 | 2 min. readThe average living space in the United States is 1,841 square feet, but 51% of Americans want

Why FSBOs Say They Regret Not Using a Real Estate AgentDecember 5, 2023Working With Sellers, Working With FSBOs, Residential Real EstateBy: Melissa Dittmann TraceyShareShareHome

8 Winter Energy-Saving Tips for a Cozy, Efficient HomeThese ideas, categorized from low to high effort, can help you save on utility bills as we enter the colder months.© kupicoo - E+/Getty

How Homeowners Can Get Guest-Ready for the HolidaysBy Hope Walborn | Nov. 16, 2023 | 2 min. readThe holiday season is quickly approaching, which means it’s time for

Fall Maintenance Checklist for HomeownersBy Hope Walborn | Oct. 23, 2023 | 2 min. readFall is upon us, which means it’s time for homeowners to make sure their homes

Smart Home Efficiency, Value and PrivacyBy Hope Walborn | Oct. 5, 2023 | 3 min. readSmart home technology is growing more popular each day. From voice assistants to video

It’s the Best Week to Buy a Home, Says Realtor.comBy Hope Walborn | Oct. 2, 2023 | 2 min. readThe best week to buy a house is Oct. 1-7 this year, according to 

Things to Remind First-Time HomebuyersBy Hope Walborn | Sept. 19, 2023 | 3 min. readFirst-time homebuyers are eager to rush into business, but homebuying can be a leap into

PHFA Marks 50th AnniversaryBy Hope Walborn | Sept. 14, 2023 | 2 min. readThis year, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency celebrates its 50th year of helping

Realtors® Share Tales of Items Homeowners Left BehindBy Kim Shindle | Aug. 30, 2023 | 5 min. readFinding the unexpected during a walk-through can challenge Realtors®

Research Shows Media Influences Homeowners’ Design ChoicesBy Kim Shindle | Aug. 8, 2023 | 5 min. readHomeowners’ design choices today are often influenced by

5 Outdoor Projects That Pay Off the MostWhat pays off the most when it comes to curb appeal?Ninety-two percent of REALTORS® recommend that sellers improve their curb appeal before listing their

Residential real estate activity one year change 2022 vs 2023.  1st and 2nd Quarter Statistics from the Greater Board of REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service.  Many Homes in our area are

Buyers Looking for Move-in Ready Homes Study SaysBy Kim Shindle | June 28, 2023 | 3 min. readMany homeowners underestimate the need to upgrade the features of their home

Millennials and Gen Z Hopeful to Become Homeowners in 2023By Kelly Leighton | June 20, 2023 | 2 min. readMore than half of potential homebuyers said they plan to speed up

Housing  Market  Needs More than 300,000 Affordable HomesBy Kelly Leighton | June 14, 2023 | 2 min. readNAR recently released a report stating that the U.S. is

April's Average Sale Price was $194,000.  How has the Market impacted your home's value?  Contact one of Our Professionals for a Market Evaluation.  The time to Sell is Now.  Don

Best Time to Sell Is Right Now, Report SaysBy Leighton, Kelly | May 8, 2023 | 2 min. readHome sellers should see a 12.8% premium on their sale price if they list their homes

In One Pennsylvania City, Homes Are Selling Faster than Last YearBy Kelly Leighton | Apr. 11, 2023 | 2 min. readYear over year homes are lasting 14 days less on the market

Best Time to Sell in 2023? It’s Coming UpBy Kelly Leighton | Mar. 22, 2023 | 2 min. readThe best time to sell this year will be the week of April 16-22, Realtor

PA Median Sales Price Rose Slightly in FebruaryBy Al Perry | Mar. 21, 2023 | 2 min. readIf you take a look at both the January and February housing market reports

Homeowners Remaining in Homes About 12 YearsBy Kelly Leighton | Mar. 9, 2023 | 2 min. readThe typical homeowner has spent 12.3 years in their home in 2022, down from a high

All-Cash Purchases Down on Exisiting Homes, Up on New BuildsBy Kelly Leighton | Feb. 28, 2023 | 2 min. readAll-cash new homes sales hit a record high in the fourth quarter

Average Sale Price Month of June   2018          2019         2020          2021         

New Residential ListingsMay 2020 = 404      May 2021 = 396      May 2022 = 398                      New

                               Average Sale Price By Month and Year             

Memorial Day 2022: Five facts You Need to Know About This American Holiday.The holiday offers a chance to solemnly remember all those who gave their lives in service to our country.1.  The

1st Quarter 2022Closed Sales: 2021 - 580  /  2022 - 542 = -6.6%Active Listings: 2021 - 412  /  2022 - 279 = -32%

Source:  Greater Erie Board of REALTORS® MLSActivity Snapshot:-6.6%  One year Change in Closed Sales-32.2%  One Year Change in Active Listings+6.3%  One Year Change in Median