Tag Archive for: Realty Network Group

In the realm of home maintenance and improvement, finding a dependable handyman or contractor is akin to striking gold. Whether it’s a leaky faucet or a room in need of a fresh coat of paint, the right handyman can solve problems quickly and efficiently. So, how do you go about identifying this person who will be an asset to your home maintenance efforts? These eight essential steps serve as your roadmap for discovering the handyman who can proficiently deal with your home repair necessities.

Investigate Their Online Persona

Before you even consider hiring a handyman, it’s crucial to investigate their online reputation. Go beyond the first page of search results; dig deep into their social media accounts, check for news articles and look into forums. There’s a treasure trove of information out there and what you find could be the difference between hiring a reliable professional and wasting your money on subpar service.

Embrace Digital Organization

Before the hammer hits the nail, it’s essential to get your ducks in a row. Utilize digital tools to compile, organize and archive all essential documents related to your repair or renovation project. This organizational step helps prevent costly misunderstandings and delays. If you’re looking for a tool to combine your files, plenty of online resources can help you merge PDFs, images and text documents into one organized, easily searchable file.

Don’t Skip the Reference Check

Asking for references should never be an optional step. Reach out to their past clients to get first-hand reviews of the handyman’s work. This will offer you an unfiltered lens into what it’s like to work with them, from punctuality and communication skills to quality of work and cleanup etiquette.

Insist on a Written Financial Plan

Once you’ve done your preliminary research, make sure to ask the right questions (you can find some similar questions you can tailor to contractors in this post). Next, make sure you get a detailed quote in writing. This estimate should break down labor costs, material expenses and provide an approximate timeline for project completion. Not only does this document protect you from surprise charges, but it also serves as a reference point for both parties throughout the process.

Clarify the Timetable

A vague schedule can be the Achilles’ heel of any home improvement project, causing unnecessary delays and stress. To avoid this, insist on a well-defined timeline from your handyman that includes specific milestones and deadlines. A genuinely professional handyman should readily provide such a schedule, demonstrating their commitment to punctuality and efficiency. This approach not only keeps everyone on the same page, but also serves as a mechanism for accountability. By securing a detailed timetable, you pave the way for your project to progress smoothly, free from unwarranted hold-ups.

Cross-Check Credentials

Before any work commences, it’s essential to verify that your prospective handyman possesses all the required licenses and certifications. This not only assures you of their capability but also confirms that they comply with industry standards and legal mandates. These certifications serve as a benchmark, providing evidence of the handyman’s proficiency and expertise. Though Pennsylvania doesn’t have the best safety measures in place to protect customers, skipping this step could risk legal complications that may halt your improvement project.

Discuss Cleanup Services

Post-project cleanup should be a part of your agreement. A truly professional handyman will ensure the work site is as clean as it was before the project started. Clarify what the cleanup process entails, whether it’s removing debris, wiping down surfaces, or even restoring furniture to its original position.

Think Twice About Low Bids

While the allure of a cost-effective option is undoubtedly tempting, it’s crucial to proceed with caution. A lowball offer from contractors can be a red flag, signaling the use of inferior materials or a lack of professional experience. Employing corner-cutting techniques is another downside that may be hidden behind a low quote. Unfortunately, opting for such a low-cost solution could result in future expenses, including costly repairs or even a complete project redo.

 

Choosing the right handyman or contractor extends beyond simple considerations of cost or availability. It involves diligent research, open communication and a keen awareness of all the elements that contribute to a successful home improvement venture. By following these eight critical steps outlined above, you’re doing more than just securing a handyman’s services. You’re actively participating in an informed decision-making process that prioritizes quality and reliability. In essence, you’re making a calculated investment in both your home’s upkeep and its long-term value.

 

[This content is compliments of Fix It Dads.]

When looking for a new apartment, home or condo/townhome to lease, there are several red flags that might disqualify it from consideration. Does one of these eliminate it from your list? Perhaps not, but when a few of them converge, you should probably look elsewhere. Here are 10 common problems that could make an apartment unsuitable for tenancy:

Persistent pest infestations

Apartments plagued with pests like cockroaches, silverfish or rodents can be a nightmare to live in and are a clear sign of poor maintenance. When viewing a property it’s important to keep your eyes out for nesting materials that rodents might make use of, such as insulation, cotton, shreds of paper, etc. If you discover dead insects of the same species around window sills and door frames, there might be an insect problem on site. Other signs to watch out for include mouse tracks and/or droppings as well as evidence of wood damage (holes and hollow-sounding wooden surfaces).

Safety concerns

Issues like faulty wiring, non-functioning smoke detectors or inadequate security measures pose significant safety risks and should not be ignored. As we like to remind tenants or prospective buyers, we’re not home inspectors nor do we pretty to play one, but sometimes there are clearly visible signs like smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors missing their covers and/or batteries. Another suspicious sight is when an apartment is dotted with exposed wires.

Water damage and leaks

In real estate, we say water is usually our biggest headache. It certainly has the potential to be. Apartments with water stains, musty smells or visible signs of leaks indicate potential mold growth, structural issues and water damage that can affect your health and belongings. Let your nose be your guide as you preview a home. Are there any distinct odors you notice? Does the air in certain rooms or the basement appear to be filled with more moisture? Water can pose a real threat to those occupying a home, so it’s important to stay alert to potential water issues.

Inadequate heating or cooling systems

Apartments lacking proper HVAC systems or with dysfunctional heating or air conditioning units can make living conditions uncomfortable and unpleasant. In Northeastern Pennsylvania, there are winters that can be harsh and quite cold. If the heating system doesn’t appear to have been serviced in some time or looks rundown, the system might not be efficient and the cold months could be somewhat unbearable.

Excessive noise levels

If an apartment is situated in a noisy neighborhood near busy roads, bars or construction sites and doesn’t provide soundproofing measures, it could disrupt your peace and quality of life. We always recommend that our clients, whether they be homebuyers or tenants, visit the neighborhood they’re considering at various points throughout the day (and at night too!). They’ll want to have a good understanding of the traffic situation, both in-person and vehicle traffic. Some of our clients aren’t disturbed by noise, but others find any elevation to be upsetting.

Insufficient storage space

Lack of adequate storage within an apartment can make it challenging to organize belongings and may lead to a cluttered living space. Certain clients or families have a lot of stuff and would rather not rent out a self-storage unit if they don’t need to. Small room sizes, lack of closets or a suitable basement/attic space can really put the damper on attracting tenants who need space for their possessions.

Damaged or worn-out amenities

If shared amenities like elevators, laundry facilities or parking areas are poorly maintained or in constant need of repair, it can cause inconvenience and frustration. In some of our buildings that serve condominums, the condition of amenities can be a game-changer. Even HOAs can play a role in this facet of the rental market. Some people depend on these and are willing to pay for these services, but if these amenities appear to be on the fritz, they would be better resuming their search elsewhere.

Poor management and communication

Frequent communication gaps, unresponsive management or unaddressed tenant concerns indicate a lack of professionalism and may lead to ongoing issues. In our business, a breakdown in communication helps no one. When miscommunication occurs, chances are good if something becomes an issue, it probably snow-balled into something much bigger. Responsive landlords, tenants and agents help to address any potential issues before they might get out of hand.

Accessibility issues

For individuals with mobility challenges, apartments that lack proper wheelchair accessibility features or have many flights of stairs can be impractical or even unsafe. Renters with disability issues can ask for a more accessible unit or request that accommodations be made to their unit. These accommodations should be reasonable and the renter, in most cases, would both cover the cost for the modifications as well as restoring the space to its prior state before those alterations were made. It’s important to know what your rights are as a tenant, if you have accessibility problems and require support.

Unreliable or absent maintenance services

If the apartment complex fails to provide timely maintenance or lacks a dedicated team, it can result in prolonged inconvenience and compromised living conditions. The landlord should be handling any maintenance required on their property, while keeping in mind — great tenants are hard to find. If they notify the landlord of a legitimate, ongoing issue, the owner should be prompt in resolving the matter.

Considering these ten problems can help tenants avoid potential frustrations as they seek safe environments to live.

Heather A. Luklanchuk, REALTOR®
Realty Network Group

We love celebrating our real estate professionals who make us who we are, year in and year out! We have an incredible “team” of agents in our ranks at Realty Network Group, both new and veterans alike. We’re so proud of them. Each one adds something unique to our brand and really accentuates the expertise and diversity we desire to share with our clients, who are looking to purchase a home or investment property or seeking to sell one.

At the half-way point of 2023, a market unlike any other, we’d like to honor our top ten selling REALTORS® aka our top producers. We hope you’ll congratulate them as well!

Ann E. Cappellini — $2,947,613

Top Producers

Maria Muchal Berta — $2,782,450

Top Producers

Ann A. Sheroda — $2,370,000

Top Producers

Scott J. Weiland — $1,734,500

Top Producers

Halle Stevens — $1,623,100

Top Producers

Dana A. DeLeo — $1,533,960

Top Producers

Heather A. Luklanchuk — $878,350

Top Producers

Christina M. Keller — $654,900

Top Producers

Lynn H. Marino — $650,680

Top Producers

Cheryl Gerrity — $647,500

Top Producers

 

 

Seeking the services of a real estate professional? Find your match here.

These numbers reflect these top producers’ sales volume via the Greater Scranton Board of REALTORS® (January-June 2023).

Packing your whole life up into a large truck might be one of the most exhilarating experiences you can have in your lifetime. I mean after you’ve put all that effort into getting your home ready to market, dealt with your fair share of stress while your REALTOR® worked their magic, isn’t the “delight of moving” the next logical step towards sanity? Gearing up for the task of shipping some of your priceless belongings with a group of total strangers is completely normal.

All kidding aside, moving from one residence to another is daunting and has been known to rattle some sellers as they seek to begin a new chapter of their lives. It could be the mental energy we commit to those things, such as moving, which tends to drain us and in some cases, leave us feeling a little desperate. Quite honestly, this is why it’s critical whenever we’re faced with such a task as this, we unplug from our negative past experiences and truly take time to prepare for the move.

You can also find a helpful moving checklist on page eight of our homebuyer’s guide. In this post, we’re covering four ways moving is made easier. Having said that, we in no way want to make light of the experience. I, for one, don’t love the idea of packing up a room into boxes and then unpacking them on the other side, but I’ve always been able to deal with it in a healthy manner. We hope you can too and we feel confident these four tips as well as our checklist will help you navigate your way into your new home with minimal anxiety.

Give Yourself Time

Preparation is important whether you’re buying or selling a home. In fact, we advise many of our clients to give themselves extra time when they’re thinking about a life change. Big decisions can take time, especially getting used to them. Sellers who need to make repairs to their house, should factor in more time than they think to complete those jobs. Heck, even if a professional is making the repairs/updates, you’ll want to pack in additional time. The same can be said for those who are confronted with the challenge of moving.

Moving for some is excruciating, like on the level of public speaking bad. Yet, if you give yourself extra time in anticipation of unforeseen issues arising in the process, you’ll be much better equipped to handle them and stay calm. Our advice is you don’t procrastinate throughout the moving process. Whether you’re moving out of an apartment or a home, whether you’re the buyer or seller, once that switch is activated and your life is headed in another direction, act.

Gather Intel

For some, changing scenery is welcomed, for others there’s apprehension. Whatever flavor the move provides, it’s important you eliminate as much of the unknown as possible. Chances are you’ll erase some of that stress, if you gather information on your new town or neighborhood before setting down new roots. What is your new city/neighborhood like? What places would you like to visit after your move? What are some of the activities you’d like to do once you get settled? The more comfortable you are with your new surroundings ahead of time, the easier this transition will be. Those who put the effort in from day one, are better suited to handle the curveballs which may come their way. Learn all aspects of your particular process – mentally prep yourself.

Moving apps, like Sortly and Updater, have helped others organize their thoughts and well as their possessions. They could potentially aid you as well.

Hire A Reputable Mover

Not in all situations, but many moving endeavors do require the assistance of a moving company. Someone once said: “you never know how much you accumulate until you move” [author unknown]. Boy, isn’t that the truth! If you do need to choose a professional moving company, do your due diligence and research which options are best for you and your circumstances as well as your timetable. Prior to contacting movers on the phone, it’s important to make a list of five or more and read testimonials from other buyers and sellers who faced a similar task of having to hire one. What are the good and bad stories people are sharing? Make sure to do your homework and investigate registries like Angi, NextDoor, Yelp, Google, Facebook and others.

After you whittle your list down, make sure to compile a list of questions you’ll want to ask each of the moving companies. Need help creating your own? This is a great place to start. And there may be other factors you’ll need to consider such as special services required like packing/storage services or budgetary concerns or how you want your valuables transported. For starters, you’ll want to ask each company stuff like if they have a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) registration number and how do they estimate costs for a particular job (binding estimates are usually better) and what fees are added on (hidden fees?) and what type of insurance they offer their customers.

Based upon this research and the responses to your questions, you’ll have a better idea of who you’d hire. Let’s face it, in real estate, banking, heck even cuisine, there are many choices… narrowing it down isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If one’s required, finding a reliable moving company should be at the top of your list. We hope these pointers provided you insight into making the right decision.

Soothe Thyself

Throughout the process of packing your life away and dealing with a real estate transaction, it’s vital to take care of yourself. This might sound puffed-up and maybe also a tad holistic, but stepping away from this process when it’s happening is healthy too. The self-care aspects shouldn’t be forgotten at this time. If you love to read first thing in the morning, then continue to do that even if you need to cut back slightly. If taking a walk in the evening in a park or on a trail is your thing, then keep walking. If working out a few times a week makes you feel better, gives you energy and relaxes your nerves, then by all means, do those burpees. If enjoying a glass of wine on your porch helps pacify your mind, then don’t let moving oust you from outdoor happiness.

If you have an area of your home where you and your family really take in life and the room acts like a sanctuary for you, don’t box that up until the last possible day.

Also, it’s important to keep ties to those you might be leaving behind, such as family, friends and neighbors. Set aside time to get together with neighbors and those in the community you’ve enjoyed getting to know, who you might not see again (depending on the distance of your move). Schedule your next return trip with family and friends, which will give you and them something to look forward to.

 

Moving is a trying time, yes, but there are methods we can take, which will help us deal with the challenges ahead. Stay focused on what matters, sure, but give yourself time and try not to beat yourself up when things go sideways. We’re here to help you throughout this process. Call one of our professionals should you want any assistance along the way.

Realty Network Group is expanding into Luzerne county and now further up into Susquehanna county. The Upstate New York-Pennsylvania border isn’t a stretch either with the recent addition of Sonia Hegedty. She’s an outgoing licensed professional who’s eager to serve clients who know what they want in the way of real estate investments in addition to those trying to find their way toward home ownership. She joins our firm with over a year of experience.

“I look forward to connecting buyers and sellers in Susquehanna, Wyoming, Lackawanna and Bradford counties,” exclaims Sonia. “It’s all about bringing value to my clients and helping them reach the places they want to go.” Realty Network Group’s newest addition is a forward-thinker. Her education, her drive to learn more, her networking ability and willingness to help her clients makes her an invaluable resource to them. She understands the power knowledge has in this business – the power to skillfully navigate through transactions with some pretty hefty price tags. She has her eyes set on becoming an Associate Broker over the next four or five years.

“Being part of events in my community is also important to me,” expresses Sonia. In fact, that’s one of the things that led her to a community-conscious company, like Realty Network Group. “This company is a great fit for me,” reveals Sonia. “It’s somewhere I feel comfortable and whose vision matches mine. Realty Network Group has a great network of agents. One of their strengths is the ability to be present and have an up-to-date way of interacting with consumers through technology, social media, while still maintaining that personal touch.” She enjoys working with homebuyers and sellers alike and uses a visual approach, helping them understand their needs. When working with buyers, she loves making suggestions that they may never have considered before: how a room’s layout can function for them or what modifications can transform the house into a home. These strategies inevitably favor sellers too. The visual components of placing a home on the market are some of the most critical when showcasing real estate to potential suitors.

Sonia was born and raised in Susquehanna county and is a graduate of Elk Lake High School. Her two children attend the same school district as she did. She loves Northeastern Pennsylvania, including the Endless Mountain region and all that it has to offer. She enjoys spending time with her family, golfing and reading.

If you’re in need of a positive, friendly REALTOR®, who understands the value of communicating with her clients in a timely manner, contact Sonia now at shegedty@realtynetwork.net or 570.767.1668 (cell).

Realty Network Group is pleased to announce that Alicia Miles, a REALTOR® serving the Greater Scranton area, has joined their firm. She recognizes this change will provide opportunities for her clients looking to buy or sell. There are challenges ahead in this market for those Alicia is guiding, for sure, but her optimistic-approach bodes well for anyone she’s representing. Her positive demeanor mixed with a hands on, easy going attitude sets the stage for success in addition to building relationships that will last in this business. “I love making dreams become reality,” underscores Alicia. “And this is a distinct possibility when I first encounter customers looking to take that next big step. Understandably so, it can be intimidating, but some are simply unaware of how close they really are. This is where I come in. As their agent, I’m able to guide them in finding the perfect home or selling theirs or both!”

Prior to real estate, Alicia, with experience in masonry and construction, built commercial swimming pools as well as worked as a full-time preload supervisor for UPS. In addition to presently being employed as an independent contractor for FedEx and being a mother of two boys, she enjoys representing homebuyers and sellers throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA). “Whether it’s being an independent contractor for FedEx or Realty Network Group, I want to continue to challenge myself,” maintains Alicia. “In both of my positions, it’s critical that I heighten my attention to detail and go above and beyond for my customers.”

Alicia believed she needed to join a company who would support her in these efforts and provide further training to be successful. That company? “Realty Network Group is a Brokerage where I get a pervading sense of trust from the Broker, Associate Brokers and many of the other agents I’ve interacted with there,” states Alicia. She thinks it’s easy to talk to agents at this company. She reiterated what some have stated in the past – “You feel like you belong. The support goes beyond what you’re provided with at most other Brokerages.” She’s excited to have made the switch. “We’re happy to have Alicia as part of our family and we look forward to many of the amazing things she’ll accomplish in the months and years to come as one of our professionals,” affirms Dianne Montana, Principal Broker of Realty Network Group.

One of the firm’s satellite offices, located in Old Forge, provides her with the perfect place to meet clients. Growing up in Sunbury, a location with a small town vibe, slightly similar to Old Forge, where she currently resides for over the past six years, has helped her appreciate NEPA and all that the area has to offer. She loves the Greater Scranton community. She also enjoys spending time with her family, being involved in the community, going to the gym, her “Jeep life,” camping, cheering on her boys, just to name a few.

If you need a confident real estate professional, who exudes positivity, contact Alicia right away at amiles@realtynetwork.net or 570.556.7987 (cell).

A real estate career is truly unique, unlike any profession you’ll discover. Those who have been connecting buyers and sellers for some time will tell you no two transactions are alike and there are hurdles along the way – many! Realty Network Group’s newest agent, Florence Avvisato, is eagerly awaiting the challenges that will inevitably appear for her seller and buyer clients in 2023. This industry is always changing, in fact there’s never been a time which has mimicked the past three years in real estate. Florence recognizes present opportunities not only for her clients, but also for her personal growth.

We recently sat down with her to find out where she sees herself in five years. Furthermore, we were impressed with her ability, in the first place, to anticipate the skills needed to be successful. “On the surface, real estate is a challenging space, and that appeals to me,” remarks Florence. “Because this industry grants flexibility for originality and possibilities for those willing to pull in the time, there are a variety of ways individuals can thrive. I believe this gives people the ability to excel creatively, and for that reason, real estate will always be stimulating.” Her forward-thinking approach will be an asset to her clients, who can count on her integrity and ambition, as she seeks to go above and beyond to meet their needs.

Years from now, Florence envisions many of her strengths, which she learned or fine-tuned in the hospitality and medical fields, creating advantages for her homebuyers and sellers. Her experience in hospitality taught her how to be humble. She learned the importance of punctuality, accommodation, thriving under pressure and attention to detail. Each of these traits are often sorely missed in our business. For instance, her ability to “read the room” and meet people in their present situation in order to effectively communicate is an exceptional quality for a REALTOR® to possess today. Moreover, similar to how customers notice the details of their surroundings (such as a restaurant), buyers notice how a property shows or if their agent is someone they can relate to and trust. If people don’t like what they see, they’re not coming back!

As someone starting a new career in real estate, she believes it’s critical for people to know they can count on her. “I truly care about buyers and sellers, and being their trusted guide through one of life’s most monumental moments,” reveals Florence. “I don’t take a purchase or sale of this size lightly. I knew I wanted to team up with a Brokerage, who supports their REALTORS®, one who provides ample training. Realty Network Group is what I perceive as an incredibly safe space for learning, and learning is my key objective at this point.” She sees the value in a firm that provides excellent training, understanding that the more she knows, the better service she can provide to her clientele. She saw a great reputation in Realty Network Group, one with a strong foundation of integrity and ethical practice.  “The way people perceive you is greatly attributed to how you treat and carry out business with them,” asserts Florence.

She’s lived in Northeastern Pennsylvania, specifically the Wyoming Valley, for over the past two decades, but she’s very familiar with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area. She loves that NEPA allows for a variety of lifestyles and provides so many places to explore. She’s a devoted wife and mother of three and resides in the Back Mountain. She’s an avid outdoorswoman and enjoys doing anything outside, especially gardening or hiking through national parks. She’s currently training to run her second half marathon race in March.

If you’re in need of the services of a real estate professional, someone who has a positive demeanor, who’s highly motivated and energetic, and who tries to see things from other people’s perspectives, then Florence Avvisato is the agent for you! You can reach her directly via 272-446-0407 or favvisato@realtynetwork.net.

Real estate is more than a transaction, it alters lives and creates memories. It’s about helping homebuyers and sellers make the right move at the right time. One REALTOR® who ascribes to this mantra is Halle Stevens. Born and raised in Northeastern Pennsylvania, this passionate, bright and enthusiastic agent is excited for what the future holds. Recently, she made the move to Realty Network Group, a company that embraces many of the ideals she also holds to be true.

“Meeting people and communicating is critical for helping buyers and sellers make the right move,” indicates Halle. “I enjoy learning what my clients need, their wants, then developing a custom plan for the individual or their family, if they’re shopping for a home or investment, or for the property, if they’re looking to sell.” When sitting down with Halle, you understand why she’s successful in this business. What makes her stand out from other agents is her drive, her commitment to her clients in addition to how she’s wired to communicate. Furthermore, she has a strong background in marketing, which is never wasted in our industry.

In her past life, Halle displayed her entrepreneurial mind set when she launched an Instagram page, which quickly became a success. The page focused on the promotion of (national and international) real estate houses for sale. It was during this venture when she discovered how to get the most eyeballs on the listings she was featuring. Now, as she gains more experience dealing with buyers and sellers, homeowners reap the benefits of having an agent who knows how to market their home. And effective marketing is crucial with 51% of buyers now finding the home they eventually purchase online.

Besides her passion and motivation for connecting buyers and sellers, her relationship-forming abilities are a strength too. “My philosophy is simple,” reveals Halle. “My clients come first!” She’s dedicated to providing excellent service, while keeping her clients informed every step of the way. She’s a real estate professional who’s in constant communication with them, available 24/7. Her attention to the transaction, from beginning to end, aids her goal of making it a positive experience for her buyers or sellers.

“Realty Network Group is centered around their agents,” points out Halle. “This allows them to have more tools and knowledge at their fingertips for their clients’ benefit. This firm is a great fit for me, because of the support they provide, their office atmosphere and the positive reputation they have throughout our area. They’re also very involved in giving back to the community, something I’m always striving to do. I’m extremely eager to get started at Realty Network Group. 2023 is my year!”

From a very young age, Halle has always wanted to be a real estate agent. She loves every aspect of the business and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Her family has been a positive influence in her life as well. Her grandparents instilled in her a strong work ethic and the idea that with hard work anything can be accomplished. They taught her that dreams are only goals you can attain and to never give up.

Are you looking for a fresh start in real estate and need the services of an agent who is locally-connected, who loves what she does, who is always available and who is dedicated to providing you timely, accurate information? Then experience the difference the RIGHT AGENT can make, someone who puts you FIRST. Connect with Halle today at 570-909-6018 (direct) or via hstevens@realtynetwork.net.

Downtown living is a different way of life, especially in Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA). Whether it’s Scranton or Wilkes-Barre, there are arguably more amenities at your fingertips and a different mode of going about your daily activities compared to other areas in the region. Downtown living provides residents options for how they conduct their affairs and how they interact with their community.

Downtown living in NEPA is often perceived as being in sharp contrast to the more rural lifestyle so many from our region experience regularly. Most of our school districts cater to children from bucolic areas. Heck, even some from our communities will joke about how traveling into downtown Scranton is like entering “the big city.” Yet, there are those who migrated in from major metropolitan cities. To them, Scranton is as miniature as you get for downtown living!

The Electric City, as Scranton is also known, once built upon the shoulders of coal-mining families, has evolved into something of legend. On November 30, 1886, the first streetcar system run entirely by electricity, made its debut in America in downtown Scranton. Where there were once strong ethnic concentrated centers of Irish, Italians, Polish, Germans, Jews throughout parts of the city, a melting pot has sprung up giving unique spins on the culture. This is evident in restaurants like Thai Rak Thai or even two in the north side: Casa Bella and Ipanema Grille. There’s a new-found sense of hope for a rebirth movement in this city.

The rebirth of a city plays a role in downtown living done right. Some of the essential features that make for great downtown living are walkable sections of town; commercial space that is of the mixed-used category; gathering spaces for recreation, education and entertainment; a successful residential component; and accessible/affordable parking. While these aren’t the only features that make a downtown thrive, they should be on everyone’s radar. We believe Scranton is building towards something spectacular. Obviously there’s still work to be done, but economic revitalization efforts have been undertaken by the city and organizations, such as Scranton Tomorrow. We simply can’t overstate how vital this volunteer-based organization has been in transforming downtown Scranton, especially in recent years.

Being a walkable community makes for great downtown living. Wide sidewalks, decorative courts/side-streets, greenspaces and removing graffiti/litter are ways to create pleasant spaces for pedestrians. Having a mixed-use mindset is also necessary for any new development and construction that takes place in the downtown area. Pedestrians want to be able to connect to the larger community, which surrounds them, and they want to feel welcomed as they venture around town. Community connection goes beyond commercial businesses. Connecting at events, drinking establishments, performing arts centers, fairs, movie theaters, parks, artisan markets, just to name a few is important for the creation of downtown living, which is a step above the rest. People want downtown living to be their city’s family room, especially in the later hours of the evening. Having affordable and convenient housing as well as parking are also what makes downtown living click.

Since COVID, we’ve experienced a trend in NEPA whenever possible where restaurants and pubs have provided more opportunities for patrons to enjoy food, drink and entertainment outside, in larger upgraded/converted spaces or in semi-covered areas, usually a back patio space or front of a building. Other accommodations have been made at hotels, convention centers, etc., but restaurants seem to have been the most creative to date.

A recent positive trend with respect to downtown living has been a decrease in vacant commercial space. When more businesses are leasing space or renting larger spaces, or when developers start thinking about catering to a person’s balanced lifestyle rather than only one of their aspects, everyone wins. In Scranton, one great example of a business who has done exactly this and has doubled-down on investing in the downtown area is Noteology. For downtown living to be done right, it’s all about a lived experience which is optimized and shared by residents and visitors to the city. Create a story and memories, then some of the first steps toward building a flourishing downtown are realized.

Successful downtowns don’t sprout up overnight. They take time, hard work, cooperation, great minds, forward-thinkers, patience and the like. To produce a “live-work-play” community in Scranton, or anywhere for that matter, takes these things in addition to the attributes described above.

 

* Image courtesy of Discover NEPA

 

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