Who I am

I’m Karen Rice, a Realtor with Keller Williams Real Estate. I have been selling homes in Northeastern PA full-time since 2007. I cover Lake Wallenpaupack, Lake Ariel, Lackawaxen, and the entire Northern Poconos region as a solo agent, which means the person you talk to, text, and email is also the same person who handles your sale.

My focus is lakefront, waterfront, luxury, cabins, lake houses, and vacation homes primarily in Wayne, Pike, Monroe, and Lackawanna Counties. Occasionally, my clients’ needs take me to Carbon and Susquehanna Counties too. Wherever there are lake houses, that’s where I go. Most of my buyers and sellers have chosen NEPA for a weekend place, a home to rent out on Airbnb, or to make a full-time move to the lake region. I’m here to help make the transition happen smoothly and easily.

Oh…by the way. Meet Daphne, with me in the photo. She is my sidekick, my occasional showing assistant, and a better judge of a good dock than most people.

What you can expect

I’d rather tell you the blunt truth about a property than talk you into it by glossing over the facts. Buying a lake house here comes with nuances that sometimes catch people off guard.

Do you know how Brookfield handles the shoreline and dock permits on Lake Wally? The difference between a boat slip being ‘available’ versus ‘included’? What ‘technical lakefront’ actually means compared to a regular ‘lakefront’ or ‘lake rights’ home?

Every community and POA/HOA is different. I lay all of that out up front, so you know exactly what you’re buying before you fall in love with the view.

From me: no pressure, no cheesy sales scripts, and no calling you eleventy-million times to pester you. I work at your pace. If you have a question, I answer it.

And finally: I am not going to call myself the best agent in the area. I would rather you decide that after we close.

Where I work

The heart of my area is Lake Wallenpaupack, the largest lake in Northeastern PA at roughly 52 miles of shoreline. It is a 5,700-acre motor-boating lake with no horsepower or hull size restrictions. Personal watercraft like Jet-skis and Waverunners are allowed. If you have seen the Booze Cruise episode of The Office, you know it’s famous, but I must share a side note: nobody takes a pontoon on Lake Wally in the winter. That said, many of us locals are still very proud that our beloved lake made it on TV.

Along with ‘the big lake,’ I work in Lake Ariel, Pocono Lake, Lakeville, Tafton, Lacakwaxen, and the surrounding Northern Poconos communities across several counties. That includes places like The Hideout, Arrowhead Lake, Locust Lake Village, Hemlock Farms, Wallenpaupack Lake Estates, Fawn Lake Forest, Tanglwood, Masthope, and dozens more, each with its own amenities, access rules, and POA/HOA setup.

If your search leads to homes in a neighboring county, I can help there too. Finding the best lake home for my buyers is what I do.

A few common questions

How long have you been selling real estate in the Lake Wallenpaupack area?

Since 2007, full-time. This is my only job. I joined Keller Williams Real Estate in 2021 and have been selling lake property throughout the Northern Poconos the entire time.

How many homes have you sold?

I have sold well over 500 homes across the region, consistently helping 25 to 40 buyers and sellers a year. Because I specialize in lake home real estate, my expertise extends across a broad geographic footprint. We have an incredible variety of lake communities across Northeastern PA and the Pocono Mountains, and my wide reach ensures my buyers see every viable option, and my sellers get maximum exposure.

Do you only handle waterfront homes?

Lakefront, waterfront, and vacation property is my primary focus, but not my only focus. I also sell year-round homes, acreage, and community properties throughout Wayne, Pike, and Monroe Counties. If it is in the greater Lake Wallenpaupack/Poconos region, I can help.

I am buying from out of the area. Can you work with me?

Absolutely. In fact, the vast majority of my clients come from the New York/New Jersey metro areas, Philly, and even as far south as Northern Virginia and Washington DC. I am 100% committed to making it as easy for you as possible. I understand that your time is valuable. So, when you do make the drive here, we will maximize your trips by seeing as many of the homes you like as possible. But more importantly, I’ll help you weed out the properties that look great online but won’t work in reality based on your goals. My job is to protect your time and make sure you only fall in love with the right house.

What if I can’t make it to see a house in person?

Although seeing and experiencing a lake house in person is best, I’m ready to do a video tour if a hot property hits the market but you’re not able to tour it right away. And my video won’t be a fluffy marketing piece: I’ll show you the good, the bad, and the ugly while narrating with my candid opinion. Important note: some sellers may not accept an offer if you have not seen the house in person.