Aaron Hillegass - Howard Hanna Bardell Realty

09/17/2026

If you’re waiting to buy a house because mortgage rates are “insanely high,” I have some mildly inconvenient news for you:

7% is actually below the long-term historical average.

Mortgage rates have averaged roughly 7.7% since Freddie Mac started tracking them in 1971.

So no, 7% is not some unprecedented financial apocalypse.

The real problem is that everyone got spoiled by 2–3% rates for a year, and now anything with a 6 or 7 in front of it feels like highway robbery.

Those ultra-low rates were the weird part. Not today’s rates.

Now, does that mean housing is cheap? Absolutely not. Prices are high, payments are high, taxes are high, insurance is high… basically everything except my patience when someone tells me they’re waiting for 3% rates to come back 😂

If buying makes sense for your budget, don’t let a historically normal interest rate scare you into sitting on the sidelines forever.

And if rates drop later? Refinance.

The house price, unfortunately, does not come with a refinance button.

09/14/2026

🏡 Buyers aren't touring 30 houses anymore.

NAR data shows that on average, buyers looked at around 7 homes during their search. That means buyers are doing a lot of the eliminating before they ever see the home in person.

Photos, price, condition, location, layout, and especially the way a home is presented online can quickly move a property into either the “worth seeing” pile or the “keep scrolling” pile.

For sellers, that's why the first impression online matters so much.

Good photos help get attention.
Accurate pricing keeps buyers interested.
Condition affects how much work buyers think they're taking on.

You don't necessarily need your home to be perfect, but you do need to give buyers enough reasons to want to see it in person.

📊 Source: National Association of REALTORS®

09/10/2026

🏡 New listing!
📍234 S. Thomas Street, Bedford (MLS #81219)

Move-in ready, updated, and just a short walk from historic downtown Bedford! This 2-bedroom, 1-bath home offers a warm, rustic feel with a long list of recent improvements already taken care of. At this price point, it's the kind of move-in-ready option that's getting harder and harder to find here in Bedford.

The kitchen was extensively updated in 2021 with new flooring, drywall, ceiling and lighting. Additional improvements include new living room lighting, two new dining room windows, updated washer & dryer plumbing, and mini-split systems in the kitchen, living room and bedroom. The bathroom was refreshed in 2025 with a new vanity and lighting.

Outside, the patio and pergola make for a great place to unwind, grill or entertain, and the rear portion of the lot was cleared in 2026 to create more usable outdoor space. Off-street parking adds another valuable convenience.

All kitchen appliances are included, leaving little to do besides move in and make it your own. With shops, restaurants, and downtown amenities within walking distance, 234 South Thomas Street offers an amazing combination of character, updates, affordability and location that is tough to match. Call and schedule your tour today! 📲

Aaron Hillegass
814-977-0363
BedfordPAHomes.com

08/31/2026

Would you rather…

🌳 Have 5 acres of your own for more privacy, more space, fewer neighbors

OR

🏘️ Live within walking distance of downtown for easy access to restaurants, coffee, shops, and events just a few blocks away

If you could only pick one, which are you choosing?

08/28/2026

Congrats Nevette Snider Hostetler for winning the two 2-day passes to BrookeStock this weekend! I’ll be in touch shortly on how to claim your tickets!

08/27/2026

🏡 What do buyers notice in the first 30 seconds of seeing a home?

Usually, it’s not the new water heater or the age of the roof.

It’s the overall feeling of the property.

Before buyers really start analyzing a home, they’re already noticing things like:

• Smells when they walk through the door
• Cleanliness and clutter
• Curb appeal and landscaping
• The front porch and entryway
• Lighting and how bright the home feels
• Whether the home feels well cared for

Those first impressions can shape how buyers view everything else they see during the showing.

That’s why preparing a home for the market isn’t always about making expensive upgrades. Sometimes the biggest difference comes from cleaning, decluttering, improving lighting, and making the entrance feel inviting.

You don’t get much time to make a first impression... especially in real estate.

08/26/2026

🎟️ BROOKESTOCK TICKET GIVEAWAY! 🎶

We’re giving away TWO 2-Day Passes to Brookestock this Friday & Saturday, August 28–29!

Want them?

👉 Like this post
👉 Comment “BROOKESTOCK” below
👉 Follow our page

We’ll randomly select ONE winner Thursday night, so you’ll have your tickets in time for the weekend!

Entries close Thursday, August 27 at 7:00 PM.

Good luck! 🎸🍻

** ⚠️ PLEASE BE AWARE OF SCAM ACCOUNTS: We will announce the winner from this official page only. We will NEVER ask for payment, credit card information, banking information, or any other payment details to claim your prize.

Please do not respond to or click links from accounts claiming you’ve won. There is absolutely no purchase or payment required to win or claim these tickets.**

08/25/2026

I highly recommend these guys!

Hernandez & Sons LLC is officially on Facebook! 👋🏠

Same hardworking crew. Same quality craftsmanship. Now there’s a new place to keep up with our latest construction and landscaping projects throughout Pennsylvania.

Follow the page, share it with your friends, and stay tuned for more of our work!
📞 814-979-2871

08/24/2026

See you guys next weekend at BrookeStock!

08/21/2026

🏡 New Listing by Sean Bardell and me!
📍 417 Forbes Road, Bedford
💰 $1,050,000

This one is something special.

This 5,424 sq. ft. home features 4 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, an attached 2-car garage, and a spacious finished basement.

The home underwent an extensive interior and exterior renovation in 2022–2023, followed by additional basement improvements in 2024. Major updates include multi-zone heat pump heating and central air, along with extensive cosmetic and functional improvements throughout.

And the location? Just a short walk from historic downtown Bedford, with easy access to Bedford Springs and the PA Turnpike.

🛏 4 Bedrooms
🛁 5 Full + 1 Half Bath
📐 5,424 Sq. Ft.
🚗 2-Car Garage

If you’ve been looking for a large, thoughtfully updated home in Bedford Borough, this is one you’ll want to see.

📲 Message me for more information or to schedule a private showing.