Robyn L. Orsargos Keller Williams Real Estate

05/12/2026

My little cormer of the world

04/09/2026

04/03/2026

Our day to give back to the community

03/24/2026

We all would like to avoid them but--

🏡 What Are Property Taxes (in simple terms)?

Property taxes are what you pay to your local government just for owning real estate.

👉 That money funds things like:

Schools
Roads
Police & fire services
Local services in your community
💰 How Are They Calculated?

It’s actually a pretty simple formula:

Property Value × Tax Rate = Your Property Taxes

1. Assessed Value

Your county decides what your home is worth (this is NOT always the same as market value).

In your area, this is handled by Monroe County Assessment Office.

2. Tax Rate (Millage Rate)

This comes from different local entities:

School district (usually the biggest chunk 💸)
Municipality (your town/borough)
County

Each one adds their own rate together.

🧾 When Do You Pay Them?

In Pennsylvania, you usually have:

School taxes → typically due summer/fall
County & municipal taxes → usually spring

(You’ll often see discount periods, then face value, then penalty if late.)

🏦 How Most People Pay (without realizing it)

If you have a mortgage, chances are you’re paying through an escrow account.

👉 That means:

Your lender collects a little each month
They pay the tax bill for you when it’s due

So you don’t get one big scary bill—but your monthly payment includes it.

📈 Why Do Property Taxes Go Up?

A few common reasons:

Your home value increases
The tax rate (millage) goes up
School budgets increase
⚠️ Important for Buyers & Sellers

This is where it really matters in real estate:

👉 Buyers:
Your taxes can change after purchase if the property gets reassessed.

👉 Sellers:
Taxes are prorated at closing—you only pay for the time you owned the home that year.

💡 Quick Example:

If your home is assessed at $200,000 and your combined tax rate is 2%:

👉 $200,000 × 2% = $4,000/year

❤️ Bottom Line

Property taxes aren’t random—they’re based on:
✔️ Your home’s assessed value
✔️ Your local tax rates
✔️ Your location

Robyn L. Orsargos
Your trusted realtor
Keller Williams Real Estate
404 Park Avenue
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
570-421-2890 office
570-807-7627 mobile

03/23/2026

🏡 Why Home Inspections Matter (and Why You Should Never Skip One!)

Whether you’re buying or selling, a home inspection is a big deal. It’s one of the most important steps in a real estate transaction—and here’s why:

🔍 1. Uncover Hidden Issues

A home might look perfect on the surface… but what’s behind the walls?
Inspections can reveal things like:

Roof damage
Plumbing leaks
Electrical problems
Foundation concerns

👉 These are things you can’t always see during a showing.

💰 2. Protect Your Wallet

Catching issues early can save thousands later.
Buyers can:

Ask for repairs
Negotiate the price
Or walk away if it’s too much
🤝 3. Gives You Negotiation Power

Inspection results = leverage.
This is where deals can be adjusted to make things fair for both sides.

🧠 4. Peace of Mind

Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make.
An inspection helps you move forward with confidence—no surprises after closing!

🏠 5. Sellers Benefit Too!

Getting a pre-listing inspection can:

Help you fix issues ahead of time
Avoid last-minute surprises
Make your home more attractive to buyers
🚨 Bottom Line:

Skipping an inspection is a risk you don’t want to take. It’s your safety net in the home buying process.

✨ Thinking about buying or selling? I’m here to guide you every step of the way!
Let’s make sure your next move is a smart one.

– Robyn Orsargos
Keller Williams Real Estate 🏡
404 Park Avenue
Stroudsburg PA 18360
570-421-2890 office
570-807-7627 mobile.

03/20/2026

🌍 How What’s Happening Overseas Affects Mortgage Rates

You may be hearing about the turmoil in Iran and wondering… what does that have to do with buying or selling a home?

Here’s the simple breakdown 👇

When conflict happens, oil prices tend to rise ⛽
When oil prices rise, inflation increases 📈
And when inflation goes up… mortgage rates usually follow

That’s why we’ve seen rates tick up a bit instead of continuing to drop this spring.

🏡 What this means for you:
• Buyers: Waiting may not always mean lower rates
• Sellers: Serious buyers are still out there—but pricing matters more than ever

Bottom line—real estate is local, but rates are global.

If you’re thinking about making a move, let’s talk strategy.

— Robyn Orsargos
Keller Williams Real Estate.
570-807-7627 mobile.
570-421-2890 office.

Send a message to learn more

03/17/2026

🍀 What is a Contingency Period? 🍀

In real estate, a contingency period is a set amount of time after your offer is accepted where certain conditions must be met for the deal to move forward. 🏡

Think of it as your “safety net.”

During this time, buyers can:
☘️ Get a home inspection 🛠️
☘️ Secure financing 💰
☘️ Complete an appraisal 📊

If something doesn’t check out, you may be able to renegotiate… or even walk away without losing your deposit.

It protects you while making one of the biggest decisions of your life!

And yes… even a leprechaun would tell you—never skip your contingencies! 🧝‍♂️✨

Have questions about buying or selling? I’m always here to help!

— Robyn Orsargos
Keller Williams Real Estate.
570-421-2890 office
570-807-7627 mobile