Traditions of America

Category: News & Press

The Maverick State: Retirement-Friendly PA

I bet you never thought of a state as a “maverick.” Merriam-Webster defines the term as, “an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party.” Well, when it comes to retirement, Pennsylvania is quite the maverick state. In comparison to its immediate neighbors – New Jersey, New York, and Maryland – all of which rank in the nation’s top five worst states to retire, Pennsylvania truly stands apart from the crowd. Ranked among Kiplinger’s top 14 states to retire in, Pennsylvania has a cost of living below the national average, low health care costs, and is extremely tax friendly for those 65 and older, making it a stellar option for retirees looking to maximize their savings and enjoy a long, care-free retirement. While the Northeast is generally considered a below average region to retire due to its high cost of living and taxes, Pennsylvania is a mighty exception to this rule. So what exactly is up with this retirement-friendly maverick state? Read on for the full scoop:

For starters, Pennsylvania does not tax Social Security income, withdrawals from retirement accounts, or public and private pension income, saving residents potentially thousands annually. In comparison, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland all partially tax withdrawals from retirement accounts. In addition, New York partially taxes private pension income and New Jersey partially taxes both public and private pension income. Maryland also partially taxes public pension income, and fully taxes private pension income.

In New Jersey, property taxes come in with the alarming distinction of highest in the nation. Retiree healthcare costs rank third highest and average $440,299 for a retired couple. The cost of living is the 5th highest in the nation, about 27% above the national average. According to Kiplinger, New Jersey also has the worst ranking for fiscal soundness in the U.S, a major red flag when considering retirement.

Manhattan, with an average cost of living that is 138.6% higher than the national average, is responsible for New York’s high average cost of living, which is about 22% above the national average. In addition, average health care costs for a retired married couple in New York are above average at $433,347.

Maryland ranks 2nd highest in the U.S in average household income for people age 65 and up, yet residents get clobbered by high taxes and costs of living. While Maryland does not tax social security benefits, distributions from individual retirement accounts are fully taxable. Maryland is also one of only two states that has both an estate and inheritance tax, making it one of the least tax friendly states for retirees. Oh – and by the way – the other state that has both is, you guessed it, another one of Pennsylvania’s infamous neighbors – New Jersey!

When considering relocation for retirement, the factors that go into the final decision are different for everyone; proximity to family and friends, weather, hobbies, culture. But one common element weighs heavily for most: where can I live most cost effectively while enjoying a fun-filled and care-free retirement? In considering cost-effective living, Pennsylvania ranks among the best states to retire in the nation. Its tax friendliness, low cost of living, and low healthcare costs make it a clear contender for a long and happy retirement – a true maverick state among its regional peers! With locations all across Pennsylvania, a Traditions of America resort-style community may be a great choice for you!

Sources:
https://smartasset.com/retirement/pennsylvania-retirement-taxes#pennsylvania
https://smartasset.com/retirement/new-jersey-retirement-taxes#newjersey
https://smartasset.com/retirement/new-york-retirement-taxes#q=new%20york
https://smartasset.com/retirement/maryland-retirement-taxes#maryland
https://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/retirement/T006-S001-best-states-for-retirement-2018/index.html

June 26, 2018
Stellar Debut for Traditions of America at Cranberry

This past Sunday, Traditions of America hosted the Cranberry Buying Event, and suffice it to say, it was a smashing success! With 40 total reservations for a 102-lot community made in a single hour, it was abundantly clear that the Cranberry development is something special. Traditions of America at Cranberry is truly the best of both worlds – the site is perched atop a crest in a wooded, lush hillside and boasts unobstructed views of the breathtaking scenery below. On the other hand, hop in the car and two minutes down the road is instant access to shopping, dining, and a whole array of entertainment possibilities. Natural serenity paired with the bustling life of a metropolis – what more could you want!

The Buying Event kicked off with a short presentation featuring an awe-inspiring drone video which truly encapsulates the grandeur of the Cranberry site. The panoramic, birds-eye view was a hit with the crowd! However, the only way to really do the site justice is to see it first-hand. For the week leading up to the Buying Event, working around unprecedented rainfall, the Traditions of America staff conducted close to 100 Gator tours of the site. The Gator tours enabled customers to get an up-close look at the entire site – you can only glean so much from looking at a 2-D site plan or squinting up into the distance from the sales trailer below. Not only were the tours informative, but they were quite an adventure, as it was certainly hair-raising to see the massive bulldozers barrel by and to traverse the towering piles of soil that currently occupy the 48-acre parcel.

After showcasing a few more action shots from the Gator tours, including some renderings of Cranberry’s future Clubhouse and amenities, and explaining how Traditions of America will help future homeowners sell their existing home with Traditions Realty, the presentation shifted gears to the moment everyone was waiting for – the lottery drawing for lot selection! As the fish bowl with everyone’s name on folded cards was brought on stage, the anticipation and excitement in the room was palpable. The first lucky couple to be drawn from the bowl received an uproarious applause, as they made their way to the front of the room to place their glimmering golden sticker on the massive site map, claiming their future home site. True pioneers!

Over the next hour, as more names were called and more people selected their lots, the laughter and jubilance in the room continued to build, coming to a crescendo when forty, yes forty, lots were reserved by the end of the hour. Celebratory champagne and hors d’oeuvres were served, and it was truly heartwarming to see our future residents meeting their future neighbors. This successful Buying Event, while it does underscore Cranberry’s desirable location and attest to the hard work of our staff, on a deeper level signals the beginning of life-long friendships among the residents. We cannot wait to watch our pioneers experience the Live Better lifestyle at Traditions of America at Cranberry in the near future – won’t you join us?

June 8, 2018
When Problems Arise, the Traditions of America Team is on it!

Delivering a home that is aesthetically beautiful, defect free and without blemishes is a careful process that Traditions of America takes very seriously. From our Personal Builders and Service Technicians, to our Community Managers, we work hard to address customer complaints. Routine issues that may arise as part of building a home – whether small or large – are taken care of quickly and effectively.

Dave Ebright, Community Manager at Traditions of America at Lititz, explains that “it’s imperative to respond quickly to any and all homeowner complaints…during conversations with homeowners it’s important to practice genuine listening and respond after you’ve heard everything the homeowner has to say.” He instructs his construction and customer service team to “take thorough notes recapping conversations and make sure to follow up on every problem.” He adds that “it’s important to remember that our customers have just bought the home of their dreams and we want to make sure their dreams are also their reality.”

Dave’s philosophy is shared by all of our Community Managers. The entire Traditions of America team strives to deliver dream homes to our customers at each closing. Nonetheless, sometimes things go wrong. A detail can be overlooked, a part may be backordered, misunderstandings occur. In the uncommon event that a snag arises, our team is ready to respond!

Mark Johns, Personal Builder

At one of our Pittsburgh communities, the DiNardo family had designed a fully customized, tile shower: larger than the standard, with a rain-style shower head, no-threshold entrance and travertine corner seat. Some problems arose with the shower after closing. The DiNardos called Mark Johns, the Personal Builder for their active adult community, and he worked closely with them – and the appropriate vendors and tradespeople – to resolve the problem. Theresa DiNardo praised Mark’s attentiveness and added “as soon as they called with a problem, Mark was at their door!”

Dan DeStefano, Community Manager at Traditions of America at Summer Seat, is proud of the customer service his team delivers. It is his number one priority to make sure homeowner problems are handled from start to finish – just as the DiNardos experienced. “We don’t stop working on a problem until we are certain it is resolved,” assured Dan.

Our attention to customer happiness doesn’t stop after closing. The Traditions of America team continues to place homeowner satisfaction as a top priority with the 1-2-10 warranty plan. With this high level of care, it’s no surprise that Traditions of America continues to be the leading active adult builder in Pennsylvania and the surrounding region.

April 18, 2018
Traditions of America at Cranberry – the latest and greatest Community coming to Pittsburgh’s North Hills!

Traditions of America is gearing up for its newest community! We are excited to announce the highly anticipated launch of Traditions of America at Cranberry in Pittsburgh’s bucolic North Hills. This is the first ever 55+ Community in Cranberry Township!

Traditions of America at Cranberry will feature 102 Single Family, low-maintenance homes nestled on 48 acres of serene, rolling countryside. The location is minutes from Cranberry’s first-class shopping, recreation and medical services.

Location, location, location: with interstate highways nearby, and the Pittsburgh International Airport and burgeoning arts, dining and sports scene of downtown Pittsburgh only a short drive away, Traditions of America at Cranberry is perfectly positioned for ease and convenience. Heading in to the city to see the Pirates or Steelers play couldn’t be easier!

Traditions of America at Cranberry will showcase best-in-class architecture and the ability to create your DreamHome with our professional designers and renowned customization program. The 24/7 Clubhouse will feature a brand-new, state of the art design by KTGY Architecture. Among the highlights are a Fitness Center, Exercise Room, Sports Bar & Lounge, Business Center & Café, Seasonal, Heated Pool, and more!

The Clubhouse is the quintessential setting for forging new friendships, exploring new hobbies, getting in shape or hosting a party for friends and family in the catering kitchen. There’s always a reason to come together: book club, Super Bowl, Mardi Gras, Kentucky Derby, your favorite community service project, or just a regular Friday night Happy Hour. You decide!

You are sure to Live Better from day one! Traditions of America at Cranberry – our 25th community – and it just might be our best yet!

April 6, 2018
We Make Buying a Home – and Selling One – Easy!
Whether your team won or lost in the Super Bowl, one thing is generally known to be true: the weeks following the Super Bowl are traditionally considered the “kickoff” for the spring real estate season. If you are looking to make a move, now is a great time! Daunted by that thought? Don’t be!

Traditions Realty’s Vince Salvitti shares 12 things to avoid when selling your home to make the process stress-free AND realize your home’s maximum sales price.
1. OVER-PRICING – Naturally, most homeowners want to maximize the profits on the sale of their home. Research shows over-pricing your home often results in a lower net price than you would have received if it had been listed at the appropriate price from the beginning.
2. EXPECTING SAVINGS BY LISTING YOUR HOME “FOR SALE BY OWNER” OR WITH A “DISCOUNT” BROKER – Simply put, it is difficult to compete with the professionals. Saving money by listing FSBO is a fallacy.
3. LISTING WITH FRIENDS OR FAMILY – Listing your home out of a sense of obligation will almost certainly be detrimental to the sale.
4. GOING TO MARKET IN THE WRONG SEASON – Timing is everything. Determine the peak season for your area and list your home while the market is hot.
5. DEMANDING A SHORT LISTING PERIOD – Is it a buyer’s market? Give them time. Listing periods that are too short often result in a lower sales price for your home.
6. FAILING TO SHOWCASE YOUR HOME OR MAKE NEEDED REPAIRS – First impressions mean everything. Properly staging your home is vital. Ignoring this fact can cost you thousands!
7. HIRING A PART-TIME OR INEXPERIENCED REALTOR – Any agent can show enthusiasm at the listing appointment. But, a truly experienced agent can add value to your home!
8. HARD-SELLING A POTENTIAL BUYER – Buyers typically have a low comfort level when inspecting a potential home while the owner is present. Go to the movies! And, never negotiate directly with the buyer. Show your home often, but be scarce.
9. FAILURE TO DISCLOSE – Knowledge is power. Educate yourself about the law and the obligation of a seller to disclose. Knowing the facts will save you money in the end.
10. FAILING TO PROPERLY QUALIFY BUYER & THE LENDER CHOSEN – Too often, unqualified buyers enter into contracts without the appropriate support of a reputable lender. Do your homework. Unqualified buyers and disreputable lenders can delay and even cancel a transaction.
11. IGNORANCE OF THE RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF A BINDING CONTRACT – Again, do your homework. Being uninformed about these often complex and confusing factors could cost you a considerable sum of money.
12. IGNORANCE OF TITLE, TAX, PAY-OFF AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENFORCEMENT ISSUES – Know the law. Once your home is under agreement, a process begins. Avoid surprises that can cause unexpected expenses or stop a settlement at the last minute!
Traditions Realty has assisted over 1,200 customers since 2008. Its unique services are offered with each sale, whether you are purchasing contingent on selling your existing home or purchasing non-contingent. It’s simply a matter of which program works best for you, HomeFree or HomeAssist. These programs provide an array of services and benefits, all designed with one goal in mind: maximizing the sale price on your existing home & minimizing risk. Visit our website to learn more and discover our active adult communities.
February 15, 2018
Honoring our Veterans: One Community at a Time

On Saturday, November 11, Traditions of America communities across Pennsylvania honored Veterans in moving ceremonies with the raising of flags that had been flown over the U.S. Capitol and provided by Senator Bob Casey. In addition, each community undertook the commemoration in their own unique and personal style.

At Lititz, nearly 150 people turned out to pay their respects. The day began at the flagpole with the ceremonial raising of a new flag, and retiring the old. Befitting of the tradition, the venerable Vet 21 Salute Honor Guard performed the flag raising and lowering ceremony. The Honor Guard performed a three-round volley – where each member of the 7-member Guard fired a volley of three shots in succession. The flag ceremony was followed by a solemn rendition of Taps. The “Silver Singers” – Lititz’ own singing group – sang patriotic numbers and the “Sew What’s” group presented a commemorative quilt to the Veterans of the community.

Here are some fantastic photos shared by Becky Wise, the Lititz Lifestyle Concierge, that captured the day:

At Summer Seat, the Lifestyle Concierge, Gayle Mayes, engaged the community in a guessing game of sorts! She printed photos of each of the resident Veterans from their days in the service, but purposely omitted their names. During the “Meet & Greet” after the flag raising ceremony, she challenged all in attendance to guess who the veterans were in their service-time photos. It was a fun and engaging day for all!

Here are some photos of our revered Veterans in the Welcome Center and their certificates:

At Saucon Valley, it was a day filled with speeches and stories by the resident Veterans offering the community a special glimpse into the past. It was a wonderful way for neighbors and friends to connect and share their lives. Judy Parrey, Saucon Valley’s Lifestyle Concierge, who helped organize the event, shared some photos from the day, including a photo collage of the Veterans:

And, at Silver Spring a festive ceremony was shared by many family and friends. Jon Evans, the Lifestyle Concierge at Silver Spring, helped arrange the JROTC Color Guard from Cumberland Valley High School to post and retire the colors. Diane Wilburger, a Silver Spring resident, was on hand for patriotic piano playing, while Joan Brodisch, another Silver Spring resident, introduced the Keynote Speaker of the Day: Kathleen Gainey, LTG, Retired.

All across Pennsylvania, the skies were sparkling blue, making the perfect backdrop to honor our extra-special Veterans and the red, white and blue!

November 14, 2017
Lancaster, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Allentown & Harrisburg Ranked Among the Best Places to Retire

When you think of places to retire, what locations pop into your mind? If you said Florida, you’re among many Americans who feel the same. But, you don’t have to move to Florida to live better in retirement! In fact, according to U.S. News & World Report, five Pennsylvania cities ranked exceptionally high among the best places to retire in the U.S.

U.S. News & World Report released its latest ranking of the top places to retire in 2018 and Lancaster ranked an impressive second in the nation, Pittsburgh ranked 8th, Philadelphia ranked 19th, Allentown was 25th, and Harrisburg ranked 38th. Rankings were based on index scores for overall happiness of residents, housing affordability, desirability, retiree taxes, the job market, and health care quality.

Lancaster County ranked highly for housing affordability and health care quality. U.S. News noted that it “offers a balance between natural and commercial spaces that residents appreciate.” Our Lititz community is centrally located in Lancaster County and offers residents easy access to a variety of shopping, dining and cultural options in downtown Lititz and beyond.

Similarly, Pittsburgh was lauded for offering retirees a better value. Pittsburgh has become a hub for technology and education with ample green space and cultural sites. Residents also have a strong sense of community and independence. We have two 55+ communities in the Pittsburgh area: Summer Seat and Pinnacle at Adams, where retirees are raving about the live better lifestyle.

With Philadelphia ranked 19th and Allentown at 25th, our community at Saucon Valley has the best of both worlds: close proximity to Philadelphia with its eclectic mix of history, sophistication and charm, yet nestled within the Lehigh Valley, with the Blue Mountain range to the north and South Mountain to the southwest. Allentown’s convenient location, commitment to healthy living and celebration of the arts make it a great place for active folks to settle down.

Harrisburg earned its spot on the strength of the variety of outdoor activities, thanks to its proximity to many recreation amenities like the trails along the Susquehanna River and Riverfront Park, the Appalachian Trail, and more. Harrisburg is a metropolitan area with a small-town feel. Our Silver Spring community, in Mechanicsburg, is in Harrisburg’s backyard.

Thousands of homeowners call one of our many Traditions of America communities home. We strive to provide a world of opportunities for enjoying the lifestyle and home of your dreams and for living better. We invite you to discover all that we offer at TraditionsofAmerica.com.

October 16, 2017
Rock on! Celebrating Lititz’ Role in Rock ‘n’ Roll

How could Lititz, America’s “Coolest small town,” get any cooler? By adding a new chapter to its storied rock n roll history!

Lititz recently hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the Hotel at Rock Lititz, a five-story, 139-room hotel that will cater to touring major entertainers and their production crews who are using the Rock Lititz Studio rehearsal space. The new hotel and restaurant is scheduled to open in Fall 2018.

The new Hotel at Rock Lititz is another link in the city’s storied connection to the touring entertainment industry.

Not a lot of people outside the county know about Lititz’ deep connection to rock ‘n roll. Our small town supports some of largest touring acts in the world!

Lititz is known as the epicenter of concert production technology, thanks to the pioneering work in sound amplification by Roy and Gene Clair, stage construction innovators Tait Towers (who has created the stages for industry heavyweights like Bruno Mars, Bruce Springsteen, Lady Gaga, Elton John, Taylor Swift and many more), and scene designers Atomic Design. Every aspect of major concert tours – sound systems, stages, set design, lights and visual effects – are centered right here in Lititz!

Traditions of America’s active adult communities are located within highly desirable (and exciting) locations across Pennsylvania. Each location offers a wealth of shopping, culture and entertainment right in your backyard. For more information on Traditions of America’s active lifestyle communities, we invite you to visit us online at TraditionsofAmerica.com.

September 14, 2017
Charting a Course at Pinnacle at Adams
On June 24th we opened our newest community – PINNACLE at Adams. PINNACLE is the 20th active adult community opening for Traditions of America. Yet, all of us at Traditions were full of jitters. This was something totally new for us.

Over the past 20 years, Traditions of America has enjoyed a remarkable record of successful communities, primarily centered around a few key features. For starters, most of our communities were large – on average 200 to 300 homes. This scale allowed us to develop resort-quality amenities, including premium Clubhouses, swimming pools – outdoor and indoor – racquet sports and walking trails. We staffed the active adult communities with a Lifestyle Concierge and the communities were vibrant, diverse and bursting with social opportunities.

While thousands of people bought homes from us, many did not. They were looking for something different. Here is what they told us:
1. They still wanted a large lot that provided beautiful surroundings and privacy; they just did not want to do the mowing
2. They were not downsizing; their ideal home would be spacious and fully customized – indoor and out
3. They wanted the flexibility of expanding their home’s footprint, including 3 car garages – attached and detached
4. They would forego community amenities for custom backyard pools, spas, expansive patio dining and fire pits, and in-home fitness rooms
5. They valued neighborhood, but preferred a smaller, more exclusive setting.
6. Most interestingly, they all aspired to live surrounded by natural beauty.
With this feedback in mind, the Traditions of America team, along with our planners, architects and designers went to work. We envisioned an entirely new product brand that would help us better serve America’s largest consumer group with wide-ranging tastes.

Of course, this was a worthless black hole project unless we found a unique piece of property. Two years later, we were presented the Adams parcel. This 90-acre site is situated in a rural setting, but not too far from the suburban convenience of Cranberry and the culture of downtown Pittsburgh. I will never forget my first walk across this land. Climbing the gradual rise to the summit, through a thick, wooded area, as wild turkeys and their chicks watched our slow progress. Cresting at a clearing atop the hill, we enjoyed the view of rolling green hills in all directions. Across the field we spied a wide trail leading down into a forest of fir trees. Following the pine needle path, we came to a tranquil pond nestled between the hills. On our long walk back, we traversed old rail trails, meadows and more wooded areas. We realized that, with careful planning, these natural areas could be preserved. The Adams parcel was an absolute gem. Adams would be the place to introduce PINNACLE by Traditions of America.

As I write this note, PINNACLE is already half sold out! Our home sites include private lots up to 1.5 acres. Our land plan has preserved 34 acres in its natural state to be enjoyed for generations to come. If you haven’t already, come take a walk in the woods someday soon.
July 10, 2017
Bethlehem, Home to Saucon Valley, Earns Coveted Spot on Forbes Top 25 Places to Retire List

If you are 55+ and call Bethlehem home, you should be giving yourself a well-deserved, congratulatory pat on the back. If you are not a Bethlehem-er, or, in technical denizen jargon, a Bethlehemite, you need to become one, and fast!

Forbes Magazine recently confirmed what those who call Traditions of America at Saucon Valley home already knew, when it unveiled its notorious Top 25 Places to Retire List and the city of Bethlehem – for the first time – was chosen as one of THE BEST places to retire in the United States.

To develop their list, Forbes sifted through data on 550 communities in all 50 states (even Alaska), identifying places that provide the best retirement value—and, not surprisingly, housing costs and taxes weighed heavily in their selections. However, it was a combination of many factors that pushed Bethlehem into the upper echelon of this ranking, including its low cost of living (6% below the national average), a median home price of $152,000 (which is below the national average), good air quality, high walkability index, low crime rate, high physicians per capita ratio, and state income tax benefits (Social Security and most other pension and IRA payouts are exempt from state income tax).

Digging deeper, we learn that Forbes’ review of economic factors is broad. According to the article:

“Since most Americans now say they expect to work for pay at least part-time in retirement, we look for places with low unemployment and a solid, preferably growing economy. That’s a good thing even if you don’t want to work, since it tends to support rising home prices, which will matter should you ever sell your home. So, we take into account both unemployment rates, as compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and future economic growth prospects as gauged by a Milken Institute study of 401 metro areas.”

Forbes strongly considers the tax climate for retirees when creating this list. Fortunately, Pennsylvania stands out as an exception to the norm in this category when compared to its neighbors in the Northeast. In Pennsylvania, social security income is not taxed, withdrawals from retirement accounts (401(k)s and IRAs) are not taxed, and public and private pension income is not taxed. In addition, the average total sales tax rate in Pennsylvania is among the 20 lowest in the country.

It’s hard to quantify the “intangibles” – the cultural attributes and scenic beauty of an area – but to make the Top 25 list, a city must have “something else” going for it besides the numbers. Forbes admits to a slight penchant for college towns, which usually translates into increased cultural and learning opportunities. Not surprisingly, the picturesque gem of Bethlehem, which is lucky to be home to Lehigh University and Moravian College, fit the bill in this category, too!

Across the US, Baby Boomers are fast approaching retirement age – a unique and exciting time because it provides the chance to relocate to a city or town with lower costs and one that better suits a new lifestyle—an ACTIVE lifestyle focusing on recreation, culture, education, volunteering, being closer to family, or even working part time.

Discover for yourself what makes Bethlehem special when you visit our active adult community Traditions of America at Saucon Valley.

See the full Forbes list here.

by Betsy McCarthy, Traditions of America Marketing

May 4, 2017