Wayne County PA: A Home in the Country For You

Wayne County: A Pennsylvania Home in the Country

If you are looking for "off the beaten path", this is just the home for you. If you are looking for quiet surroundings, pastoral scenery, and the soothing sound of rushing water nearby, you can stop your search.

This is God's Country. It's secluded - without leaving you isolated. Believe it or not, it's within a 15 to 20 minute drive of everything you could need (to some of you city dwellers, with a Walgreen's and Wal*Mart around every corner, 15 to 20 minutes seems long, but it really is not. You are in the country now!)

For fishing enthusiasts, nearby you will find White Oak Pond, a 175 acre lake, which, according to the PA Fish Commission, is home to several species of fish: largemouth bass, chain pickerel, bluegill, pumpkinseed, black crappie, brown and yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.

Another nearby pond is Long Pond (also known as Alden Pond) - which has traditionally been stocked for winter fishing.

15 minutes or so will take you to Honesdale (the county seat for Wayne County, and the biggest town in the county as well), where you will find shopping, Home Depot, movies, fine dining and fast food, a full service hospital, dentists, family doctors, specialized health care, and lots of small town charm.

Go 15 minutes in the other direction and you can hit the slopes at Elk Mountain Ski Resort, one of the leading ski facilities in the area. In the Waymart Boro, you will find more health care services and some other necessities. Scranton & Dickson City PA is just a little further out (roughly 40 minutes or less) and has absolutely everything you could want - there are two malls (Steamtown and Viewmont) with stores like Macy's and Old Navy...in Dickson City you will find Target, Home Depot, and Lowes...tons of national chain restaurants. My favorite movie house is the Cinemark by Montage..(and of course, there's Montage Mountain for skiing as well..)

Many of my clients who initially are looking for a home in the Lake Wallenpaupack area are sometimes surprised at how close together many of the homes are. This very well maintained bi-level home on Creek Drive in Waymart (Mount Pleasant Township, just past Prompton & Aldenville) is perfect for those who are looking for an affordable home with a large yard and lots of space. With about 2 acres of land, you can do a lot of things - plant a garden, do some decorative landscaping, swim in the pool, romp in the grass with kids or pets...or just sit on the deck and enjoy the view.

Across the street, the Lackawaxen River (West Branch) babbles on toward its terminus nearly 40 miles away in Lackawaxen, PA - the last time I was at this property I stood for about ten minutes listening to nothing but the sound of the river. No distracting traffic, no "city sounds." It was almost like a mini-vacation.

The virtual tour of this home speaks for itself. The house is clean and turn-key - ready for you to make it your home. Call me to set up an appointment - it's a slice of heaven, waiting to bring you home.

WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Paupack Group Independently Owned and Operated

Karen E. Rice is a real estate agent working in Pike & Wayne County of Northeastern PA in the Pocono Mountains. Lake Wallenpaupack is one of Pennsylvania's most popular destinations for vacations, retirement, and purchasing a home.

New Construction Homes Have Issues Too

New construction homes seem to draw buyers in like ants to a picnic. Many folks seem to think that by purchasing a new construction home that they will be free from headaches and hassles typically associated with home ownership. That may be true - but let's not forget that new construction homes have problems too.

One couple I know have a new construction home, and while they didn't expect everything to be perfect, they certainly didn't expect the builder to take several months to fix a leaky faucet in the bathroom. Settling cracks can appear and will need to be repaired; there may be other hidden issues with less than stellar workmanship that may crop up.

Let's face it: owning your own home, buying new or pre-existing, means you will need to have repairs done, sometimes sooner, sometimes later....but it's going to happen.

This unique contemporary home in Wallenpaupack Lake Estates is not new - but it is in very good condition.

It is bright and interesting; lovely fireplace, efficient heating system; large living room and large master bedroom; 2000+ square feet (including the full, unfinished walk-out basement.)

On a cul-de-sac, it is within walking distance to Beaver Lake (a very pretty community lake, perfect for quiet enjoyment) and not far from the community pool. Naturally, it has lake rights to Lake Wallenpaupack. The price is very attractive at $169,900 - and on top of that, the seller is offering a 1 Year Home Warranty.

The Weichert Home Protection Plan provides repair or replacement coverage for the operating systems (air conditioning, heating, electric, plumbing) and appliances in the home. It's easy to use the Home Protection Plan. When you experience a problem with a covered item due to normal wear and tear, call the warranty company directly using a toll-free number, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

A local, authorized service contractor will perform the service and you schedule the appointment directly with the service contractor. You pay a minimal trade service call fee directly to the service contractor (usually about $75) and the balance of the cost to repair or replace a covered item is paid directly by the warranty company. That's a great deal - especially if you're looking at an expensive replacement or repair.

Yes, new construction homes are nice, but they're not necessarily easier to own nor are they always the best deal. Don't let this fantastic home get by you because it's not "new."

View the virtual tour below - don't take my word for it. This home is unique and deserves a look!

NOTE: THIS HOME IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONTRACT. Contact me for more homes in WLE or in Wayne or Pike County!

Sleigh Bells Ring...Are Ya Listenin'?

I know that not everyone rejoices at the sight of the cold, white, fluff blanketing everything terrestrial. Some cringe, considering it a four-letter word most foul, while hunkering down woolen-clad, with a comforting supply of hot chocolate and chicken soup in the pantry. There are those with no desire to ski, sled, skate, make impressions of heavenly beings or build rotund snow-people.

Thankfully, lyricist Dick Smith (a Honesdale PA native) found it wonderful, and his fond thoughts on the matter are forever preserved in the song Winter Wonderland. Local legend, bolstered by the opinion of the late Mr. Smith's sister, has it that Mr. Smith wrote this seasonal standard while remembering Honesdale's snow-covered Central Park.

Incidentally, someone with a very overactive imagination and a curious thought process feels that Winter Wonderland is not about light-hearted young people frolicking around making snow-parsons and holding hands; no. No, this song is about teen age rebellion and illicit behavior. What can I say? It takes all kinds...and we're all entitled to our own opinion.

Regardless of what story Mr. Smith was telling with his song, the fact remains that Wayne County truly is a Wonderland, whatever the season. When looking for a Norman Rockwell experience, Honesdale will fit the bill perfectly. The county seat for Wayne County, Honesdale offers everything you expect from a small country town...with the amenities the contemporary world has come to depend on. Step back in time while keeping your feet firmly planted in the present.

Stroll up and down both Church and Main Streets and you will be delighted with the Victorian character. Find all sorts of locally owned and operated shops, diners, and restaurants offering unique gifts, wares, and delicious food; take a break from Wal*Mart & McDonald's. You'll be glad you did.

Perhaps, that while this small town is a great place to visit and shop, it is still too busy for you to take up permanent residence. Maybe you are looking for a more rural Utopia - farms and woodlands are more your style. Well, this can be had only minutes from town!

One such area is Mt. Pleasant Township - a paradise of rolling hills, breathtaking views, and friendly cows by the roadside, welcoming you to the country life. If you're looking for a couple of acres to plant your roots and revel in privacy and quietness without going to Timbuktu, have I got the place for you:

A Lovely Home in Rural Waymart - Close to Town & Elk Mountain Ski Area - Yet Secluded and Serene!

Situated on two level acres, you will have plenty of room for all sorts of things - plant a garden, romp with kids or pets, or take quiet strolls and listen to the comforting sounds of the Lackawaxen River as it ambles on through the countryside.

Only 15 minutes or so from Honesdale, you won't be far from everything you need; Honesdale offers Wal*mart, Home Depot, movies, food, shopping, health care - if you need it, Honesdale probably has it. If not, Scranton is only about a half hour away.

On top of that, ski enthusiasts will love the fact that Elk Mountain is approximately 20 minutes away - say "goodbye" to winter doldrums and hello to rosy cheeks and frosty air!

There's also the Memorial Links Golf Course, only minutes from the house, for the duffers out there...and let's not forget the streams and lakes for fishing. What more could you want?

Click here to view the virtual tour of this 3 bedroom, 1 bath home on 2 beautiful acres. It's a perfect home for those who long for the country.

WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Paupack Group Independently Owned and Operated

Karen E. Rice is a real estate agent working in Pike & Wayne County of Northeastern PA in the Poconos. Lake Wallenpaupack, only 15 minutes from Honesdale, is one of Pennsylvania's most popular destinations for vacations, retirement, and purchasing a home.