Front entrance off Route 222.

 Views of the pool area - residents swim for free!

The playground, adjacent to the pool house.

 The clubhouse  - residents can use the space on a reservation basis.

 Sand volleyball and plenty of yard space behind the clubhouse.

 The driveway at the main entrance.

Typical tree-lined streets of Green Acres.

About 10 minutes West of Dorney Park and Allentown, just off Route 222 lies Green Acres. The location is within minutes of Interstate 78 and Route 309. The city of Reading is about 30 minutes West, straight down Route 222.  The huge, 500+ home community is well deserving of its name - there is plenty of ”green” space here! Streets are lined with mature trees, home lots are the largest around, and there are grassy common areas throughout the park. Residents enjoy the best of amenities - pool with lounge chairs, tennis courts, playground, basketball, volleyball, and the clubhouse.  Mike and I are regulars at the neighboring Hometown Diner (Mike even has a menu item named after him), and we sometimes treat ourselves to the best ice cream in the Lehigh Valley at Premise Maid Candies, just a couple minutes down Route 222. See available homes for sale in this park on our listings page.

The community is located in a very safe and desirable area of Lehigh County, Upper Macungie Township. The school district is Parkland. The community grounds are very well kept. Most of the streets were repaved just recently. Lot rental in Green Acres is $586-612 monthly (seniors get a $32 discount), and includes water, sewer, trash collection, and all amenities. Dogs are welcome in the park. If you are interested in homes for sale in this community, please contact us.

The community entrance.

Looking from the community toward Snyders Church road.

Home sites facing the large center field have woods in the back. 

A view of the lower end of the community. 

Traveling North on Airport Road, about a mile before Route 248 lies Snyders Church Rd. Take a left and you will find Millers Edgewood about 1/4 mile down on the left. The address is Bath, but I like to tell people it’s somewhere between the towns of Northampton and Bath. The community has been owned and operated by the Miller family since its inception. The community is known for its eye-appealing scenery and quiet, but accessible country location. About 35 homes sit off a single road that circles a very large center field. Most of the home sites are bordered by woods in the rear. Wildlife is plentiful here; I was pleased to see a group of doe and their fawns just yesterday from the porch of one of our homes for sale.

The community is located in Northampton County, East Allen Township. The school district is Northampton. Shopping and other amenities are just minutes away - Bath is close to the East and the Lehigh Valley International Airport is 5 minutes drive South. Lot rental in Millers Edgewood is $350 monthly, and includes water, septic, and trash collection. Dogs under 15 inches are welcome with a $5/month charge.

If you are interested in homes for sale in this community, please contact us.

With the mortgage crisis at our heels, many buyers are finding it harder and harder to get financing from banks. We have seen this first hand in the mobile home loan industry. Applicants credit scores and income must be better than in previous years and these rules are being strictly followed.

Mobile Loan Specialists makes exceptions to the rules with our ability to provide in-house financing. Our banking licenses allow us to give mortgages to individuals with not-so-perfect credit, or those trying to repair credit mistakes made in the past. In-house financing is available on many listings, see our listings section for specific properties. Payments are available from $150/month. And first-time home buyers still qualify for the 2010 tax credit (10% of purchase price, up to $8,000)!

This month’s featured “In-House” finance home is a very cute 2 bedroom, 2 bath home in Green Acres, in Parkland school district. The home is well kept, features a large lot, tip out living area, new windows, custom blinds, work shed, garden, and new kitchen flooring.  See additonal pictures and info on the listing page. Call Jennette at  610-751-3700 for more details.

Mike has been going to horse shows for many years. His daughter showed her Quarter Horse in local horse show circuits so he is very experienced at trailering, grooming, and being an overall “horse show dad.” It wasn’t until he met Jennette that he was introduced to the Arabian breed and began traveling to bigger, breed circuit shows. He prefers to be around horses, (rather that riding them), but thought he might like to try showing horses in halter. (Sort of like how they show dogs.)

So, he decided to try his hand at Arabian halter showing, where the horses are judged on conformation, presence, and type. The handler also needs to learn how to present the horse in the ring to its best advantage. For the last few weeks, Mike practiced working with “Slick,” Jennette’s purebred Arabian gelding. 

We took Mike to a local Arabian show this past weekend and he won his first blue ribbon in his maiden voyage in the show ring!!! Congratulations!

(I say thanks to my buddy Slick for taking good care of him…)

This home must sell ASAP and the owner is willing to consider any reasonable offer. Currently listed at $22,900. Rare 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bathroom doublewide in Green Acres, Parkland school district. Very bright and spacious. Needs some cosmetic TLC, but is a wonderful property for a family looking an economical option in a great area. Awesome potential! Click here to see the full listing and details on our website. Call Jennette to see the home today or discuss financing options. 610-751-3700

The Kemeter’s are somewhat famous on the island for their deep sea fishing skills. They have a limited commercial license, so we take the fish to the market in Key Largo every few days. I am the designated dinner chef, so I am often preparing the days catch of yellow tail snapper and grouper. Here are some pictures from December 2008 that you may enjoy. ~Jennette

Ossie’s Mobile Home park is one of those undiscovered gems in the Valley. It is ideally situated just a minute off Route 309, in Orefield, Pennsylvania. This quaint community is limited to senior residents (55+) and has a clean and quiet reputation. Low lot rent and a great location make this place desirable.

This singlewide is a lightly lived in 2000 Castle. The home is super clean and is being sold with all furniture and contents. This would be a great PA retreat for the winter Florida goers, or as a full-time residence for a senior single or couple. Please see additional pictures and details on the listing page. Contact Mike or Jennette if you have any questions or would like to see the home.

President Barak Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into law on February 17, 2009. The Act provides for a “first-time home buyer” tax credit. Below is a series of FAQs regarding the credit:

1. Does the tax credit apply to manufactured homes?

YES!!! Any home that is the buyer’s principal residence will qualify for the credit. Mobile homes placed on both private and in land-leased communities are eligible.

2. Who is eligible for the tax credit?

A first-time home buyer who purchases a principal residence between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009. The purchase date is defined as the date when closing occurs and the title to the property transfers to the home owner.

3. What is the definition of a first-time homebuyer?

A first-time home buyer (FTHB) is a buyer who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the current purchase. For married taxpayers, the law reviews the homeownership history of both home buyer and his/her spouse.

4. How much will I get?

FTHBs are entitled to a tax credit equal to 10% of the home’s purchase price, up to a maximum of $8,000. For instance, a mobile home purchased for $45,000 will qualify for a $4,500 tax credit.

The tax credit will be a reduction in what the FTHB owes to the IRS on his/her 2009 income tax return. If the FTHB owes the IRS $500 on April 15th, but qualified for a $4,500 FTHB credit, the IRS will refund the taxpayer the difference of $4,000.

5. How do I claim the tax credit?

FTHBs should complete IRS Form 5405 to determine their tax amount, and then claim this amount on Line 69 of their 1040 income tax return. No other applications or forms are required, and no pre-approval is necessary.

6. Are there income limits for individuals claiming the tax credit?

Yes. For single tax payers with a modified adjusted gross income over $75,000, the credit is reduced proportionally using a phase-out. For married taxpayers filing a joint return, the reduction begins at a modified adjusted gross income of $150,000.

*Please contact the Mobile Loan Specialists Team if you have questions about the tax credit. We recommend you consult a tax professional to calculate the exact amount you are eligible to receive.

Pet restrictions…..to many of you, this may be just what you are looking for in a mobile home community. For others of us with furry legged friends, this can be a thorn in our side. Communities all over the Lehigh Valley, Quakertown, and Carbon County, vary in their rules concerning pets.

Cats - It is safe to say that most parks do not impose restrictions on house cats, however be careful letting your feline family members roam outside. Mike and I have witnessed several occasions where residents were cited after letting swarms of kitties roam around the community. Also, feeding stray cats can cause friction between neighbors and community management. If you have one or a few indoor cats, chances are you can look for a mobile home in most any park. Check the park rules if you have any questions regarding your feline companions.

 Dogs - Imagine this situation: You have been searching for the perfect mobile home for months and you finally stumble across your dream house! Everything is perfect - price, location, size, the view, the jacuzzi tub…..  The sellers accept your offer and you have been approved for a loan through Mobile Loan Specialists financing. You go to the park management office to fill out a resident application only to find out that dogs are NOT allowed in the community!!!! There is no way you are giving up Fido for any dream house, so you went through all that for nothing!!!

To avoid this frustrating situation, be upfront with the Mobile Loan Specialists team about the number and breeds of dogs you have. We will make sure we only show you home in communities that will permit your canine friends.

Check with community management for specific dog rules. Restrictions are often posted on a bulletin board in the park office. If not, don’t be afraid to ask.

Below is an abbreviated list of area communities and their dog restrictions. *Start here, but always check with the park for changes, before you buy. Many parks have a 1 or 2 dog limit per household.

Dogs OK

Green Acres, Breinigsville ($5/mo for second dog)

Mountain View, Walnutport (no aggressive breeds)

Northside Heights, Lehighton

Highland Estates, Kutztown

Red Maple Acres, Wescosville

GlenCrest, Slatington

Indian Creek Village, Macungie

Terry Hill, Breinigsville

Stone Terrace, Whitehall (18″ or less to ears, $5/mo.)

Millers Edgewood, Bath (15″ or less to shoulder)

Lil’ Wolfe, Orefield

Greenbriar Village, Bath

Keystone MHP, Laurys Station

Hickory Hills, Bath

Blue Mountain MHP, Kunkletown

Whispering Hollow South/North (1 dog, $10/mo)

Valley View (18″ or less with approval, $5/mo)

Lazarus MHP, Coplay ($10/mo)

Melody Lakes, Quakertown

Richland Meadows, Quakertown

Mountain Village, Macungie

Heritage Village, Walnutport

Nis Hollow Estates, Lehighton

Saylors MHP, Allentown

Gilly’s MHP, Allentown

Becker MHP, Walnutport (small dogs only)

Gap View MHP, Walnutport

NO Dogs Allowed

Saucon Valley Crossings, Center Valley

Hi-Point, Wescosville

Lakeview Estates, Coplay

Andel MHP, Kutztown

Countryview MHP, Mertztown

Ossies, Orefield

Heidelberg Acres, Germansville

Three C’s, Wescosville

The Big “O”, Macungie

Schweppes MHP, Easton

Exotics and others - Pennsylvania law prohibits people from harboring many “exotic” animals. If the law says you can’t have it as a pet, mobile home parks are no exception. Fish aquariums, small lizards, guinea pigs, hamsters, etc., are generally permitted in most parks, but again check with management if you are unsure.

Farm Animals - A mobile home community is no place for chicken coops and pig pens. We need not say more……………

Lehigh Valley Mobile Homes office has a new boss! Surprisingly enough, Jennette found this lovable pooch at the Lehigh County Humane Society just a month ago. It’s hard to believe that this cute little lap dog ended up there. We are very curious about her past, but I guess it’s one of those things you will never figure out. Now she spends her time going for car rides to and from mobile home showings and hanging out in the office. She will be the first to greet you if you visit our office, have a seat, and before you know it, she may be in your lap! For all you dog lovers out there, be sure to read my next post which discusses the pet restrictions in most of our area mobile home parks…..