Lifestyles Cumberland Crossings

SPRING 2016

Dining With Diakon Wednesday, April 6 | 6 p.m.

Enjoy a terrific networking event while tasting wonderful recipes from local business and community leaders serving as “guest chefs” for the evening. Guest chefs compete to see who can raise the most financial support for Diakon Youth Services, many located at the nearby Diakon Wilderness Center, with which Cumberland Crossings has had a partnership over the years.

Spring Fling Thursday, April 7 | 2 p.m.

Join us for our annual health fair.

In this issue...w From the desk of

Melissa Woodw Couple believe Cumberland

Crossings is ‘where they belong’

w Coworker’s encouragement leads to long-term career

w Upcoming events

YES, I WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON CUMBERLAND CROSSINGSPlease cut along the dotted line and return to:

Cumberland Crossings Attn: Marketing 1 Longsdorf Way Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17015

Or call: (717) 462-7199

I am interested in:

q Scheduling a visit

q Receiving an informational packet in the mail

q Receiving a phone call to answer some of my questions

q Receiving an e-mail with more information

Name: _______________________________________

Address: ______________________________________

City:_________________________________________

State: _______________ Zip Code: ________________

Phone: ______________ Cell: ____________________

E-mail Address:________________________________

The Cumberland Crossings marketing department works in close association with future residents, their adult children, real estate agents, movers, auctioneers, decorators, and bankers as requested and appropriate to make residents’ move as stress-free as possible.

Independent Living HomesPersonal Care

Nursing & Rehabilitative CareVA Benefits Assistance Service

www.diakon.org/CumberlandCrossings 1 Longsdorf Way Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17015

Non Profit OrgUS Postage

PAIDPermit No. 208Harrisburg, PA

Upcoming EventsFor more information on any of these events, or to rsvp, please call (717) 462-7199.

Many people believe it’s harder to sell your home in winter than summer, but

there are several advantages to selling in the cooler months

As everyone knows, the spring market creates a lot of frenzied action. In the cooler month, markets slow down and sellers can take a little more time to consider offers because fewer homes are on the market.

The things that lead people to buying homes are new-home purchases, new jobs, relocation, growing families and downsizing. This type of activity happens all year-round.

Yes, there are fewer buyers with a smaller inventory, but the buyers who are looking tend to be more motivated as they want or need a home as soon as possible.

Further, inventory is lower in the colder months, which means less competition. It works like supply and demand.

However, you still need to make your home show well to attract favorable buyers. This step means keeping the house well-maintained and using winter curb appeal with proper landscape presentation.

To take advantage of serious buyers, you need to make sure your home is in prime condition. Think quality.

Touching up walls, replacing outdated fixtures, and refinishing hardwood floors are some of the steps you can take to encourage buyers to consider your home.

Selling your home in the Winter

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From the desk of Melissa WoodThis year Cumberland

Crossings celebrates its 25th anniversary of service to the community.

I have heard many stories from both prospective and current residents who remember the sales office for Cumberland Crossings set up in what is now the Wal-Mart shopping center a few miles from our campus. I have seen photos from the days of groundbreaking and construction.

The transformation this community has made during these 25 years is incredible.

In its infancy, Cumberland Crossings had five styles of cottage-homes. Over time many of our residents have made changes to the cottage designs by adding sunrooms, enclosing porches, and having additions put onto bedrooms. In fact, it is very hard to find two completely identical cottage-homes, making us exclusive and versatile in our ever-changing market.

Cumberland Crossings was built with 117 independent living cottages; over the years that number has changed to 111 because of changes in home configurations. In fact, this transition occurred not through demolition but by taking the unique opportunity to combine two existing cottage-homes to

create the Cambridge model, which features a larger, more-open floor plan.

Currently, we are working on another combination unit slightly different from the Cambridge. This unit, which will be our first cottage to have a two-car garage, includes an eat-in kitchen with doors that overlook a patio and back yard.

We believe this exclusive cottage-home will quickly be “spoken for”—its occupancy sold—as have many of the other unique homes in our community.

Among the original residents of Cumberland Crossings are the Murdochs, who we introduce in this issue of our newsletter. We are thrilled they have chosen to call our community home and have watched it change, grow and thrive during these last 25 years.

Throughout the year, we will be holding numerous events to celebrate this amazing milestone and silver anniversary. Please give me a call if you would like to stop in and learn more about our community. Events such as our Smart Seniors, Open Swims (first Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m.), and holiday celebrations are just a few ways to come experience the Cumberland Crossings lifestyle that proves: “This is the Way to Live!”

Melissa Wood is sales and marketing manager for Independent Living at Cumberland Crossings and can be reached at (717) 462-7199 or via email at woodm@diakon.org.

Selling your home in Winter continued from front page

Coworker’s encouragement leads to long-term career

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Couple believe Cumberland Crossings is ‘where they belong’

Coworker’s encouragement leads to long-term career

When Wally and Pauline Murdoch selected their cottage-home at Cumberland Crossings,

they donned construction hats and walked down a bulldozed trail.

“They were just building and there was a set of slabs where the cottages would be,” says Wally of their first visit in 1991. “We chose a slab. We were in the RV mode and wanted to travel. Our only qualification was a swimming pool and a place to park our trailer. They had both [in the plans.]”

Having moved from a farm near Gettysburg, the Murdochs were attracted to the landscape and view from their cottage.

“Our cottage is in a prime spot. It is beautiful here,” Wally says. “One of the things that make it that way is how well they have done to keep the place looking nice.”

The community is a pleasure to drive through because of the beautiful grounds, according to Pauline.

“Maintenance has been the prize of this community,” she says. “Some of the staff members have been here since day one, also. They just couldn’t be any better.”

Until the last few years, the Murdochs spent January through May traveling in their RV, made a summer trip to Michigan and spent two months each fall in the Outer Banks, where they would go fishing and bird watching.

“In 2008 we took our last trailer trip, but we still continued to go to the Outer Banks and rent a house until last year, our 37th consecutive year,” Pauline adds.

While they plan to return to the Outer Banks in the spring to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary, the Murdochs are content to spend their time with family and friends and taking trips to area music concerts.

“We enjoy being able to go to the Harrisburg Symphony, Shippensburg, Hershey,” Wally says. “If you can get five people to sign up to attend an event, Cumberland Crossings will provide a bus and driver to take and return you at no charge. We’ve gone to many events that way.”

Some 20-plus years after making the decision to move to Cumberland Crossings, the couple emphasize that it was the right one.

“We thoroughly enjoy living here,” Wally says. “It is where we belong.”

When Sally McClintock first joined Cumberland Crossings 23 years

ago as a secretary, she had no idea that one day she would serve as its director of community life.

However, thanks to the encouragement of a coworker, she has spent more than half of her career doing just that.

“I was strongly encouraged to become the personal care activity coordinator,

which I was reluctant to do at first,” she says. “However, I am so appreciative of that person seeing that was where my talents would be.”

McClintock served as the personal care activity coordinator and activities coordinator for the campus before accepting her current role, in which she oversees activities staff, wellness events for staff, volunteers and transportation.

“Most of my time is spent on large community events, working with the marketing and advancement teams, and getting prospects on and off campus,” she says. “At the same time, there is a great balance of time that I spend with residents.”

The ability to interact with residents and get to know them personally is one of the reasons she has stayed on campus so long.

“Because we’re small, I get to know every resident on all three levels of care,” she says. “At a larger community, I am sure time constraints do not allow for you to get to know each resident.”

McClintock also enjoys the fact that each day is varied. One day she may help to celebrate a resident’s 100th birthday while the next is spent planning for a large band event, promoting volunteer opportunities, or helping to encourage staff members to take advantage of wellness programs.

“Every day is different,” she says. “Looking back, I can’t think of any other career that would give me as much joy.”

Winter curb appealForemost, you should keep your driveway and

walkways clear of snow and ice; taking this step projects that the home is well-maintained. In addition, keep the house clean and address all minor repairs.

Play up the winter season inside your home as well. Turn the heat up a little to create a more-cozy feel for buyers.

Add a tasteful wreath to your door and consider some outdoor accent lights. In fact, many buyers will view the home in the dark, so light the exterior with clear flood lights to focus on the home’s exterior features. Light the fireplace and turn on all the lights inside so that the home feels bright in the darkness of winter.

Add a festive feel by carefully placing candles for enhanced color or fragrance. Because people are indoors more in the winter, make sure that all windows are clean and remove any salt stains from floors.

Create a photo display of sunnier days. In other

words, show buyers how your home looks in spring summer and fall.

If you have a deck, keep it cleaned and, if possible, keep outdoor furniture on display.

In conclusion, any time can be a great time to sell your home—even in the winter.

If you have been thinking about selling your home, know that there are winter buyers out there for you. You can consult with an experienced Realtor to help you with cost-effective ways to improve your home and advice on things that should not be done.

The key is keeping the home in the value range for you neighborhood, to gain the best purchase price possible.

—Tom Degler, Realtor® Keller Williams Realty Elite Wyomissing, Pennsylvania

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