Suburban Philadelphia Home for Sale - in Merion Station, PA

Dyan Nelson Blass (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:20:33 -0800

Originally part of the historic Maple Hall Estate, this is the first time in 60 years this classic Main Line Colonial-Tudor has been on the market. Built in 1928, it is one of three homes built by the original owner of the castle/mansion next door. The story goes that this property was built for the owner's eldest daughter when she married. The house is set on a full half-acre amidst a beautiful setting of mature plantings in a private and oasis-like space, and is situated in the great Main Line neighborhood Narberth, a quaint and friendly place you'll immediately call "home." The home features many of the original architectural elements not found in today's construction, and the updates that make it ready for today's lifestyle. It has been lovingly cared-for by generations of the same family (not the original owners). From the moment you enter the house through the covered porch and enter the Center Hall, you can feel the warmth. There are hardwood floors throughout, some with newer wall-to-wall carpet covering them, and a wood-burning Fireplace in the Living Room. Newer Pella brand windows have also been added to most of the windows. And the great staircase that leads upstairs features an arched window and wonderfully-sized landing. There's a sun-filled Family Room / Library with entry to a slate patio that faces the front of the house. The Dining Room, sized for large gatherings, is adjacent to the newer Eat-in Kitchen. The Kitchen boasts granite counters and island, a ceramic tile floor, and a built-in Banquet, and provides access to the huge, fenced backyard. The main floor also includes an updated Powder Room tucked discreetly under the stairs. The second floor has all hardwood floors, and consists of three bedrooms, including the Master Bedroom with Bath and two walk-in closets, one of which is cedar, and an updated Center Hall Ceramic Bath with Claw Foot tub. Two additional bedrooms and a half-bath (large enough for a tub) are on the third floor. The interior of the home has been freshly painted, and numerous upgrades have been made recently. The outdoor setting is amazing, with an inground pool hidden from open view, and great entertaining space. A detached two-car garage was completely rebuilt in 1998, and offers storage, a small workshop, and is adjacent to a two-tiered deck overlooking the pool and grounds. The town of Narberth is a three block walk, and is something you really need to walk to appreciate, with its sidewalk cafes (weather permitting, of course), and other wonderful shops. The ball field, Library, and elementary school all are within walking distance and extend the oasis-like feeling of the town. The commuter train is also within walking distance and a quick 15 minute commute into Center City. For more information, please contact me personally, and I'll answer all of your questions about the home, the area and more.

Working through Market Challenges

Dyan Nelson Blass (Keller Williams Real Estate) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:15:16 -0800

Well, I think we've done it: we've hit bottom. In fact, I'm 90% sure of it. There is this strange swelling up in my market (Philadelphia and the Main Line), and hopefully, yours, where buyers and sellers are starting to come out of the woodwork, ready to act. No, my phone isn't constantly ringing off the wall, but it's ringing more ... with queries and curiosities about what's on the market, and is now a good time to buy. The hits on my website are up, although just a small percentage, but they are up. And so are showings. Is it a combination of the stock market, holiday good cheer, and pent-up demand? Maybe. Is it the low interest rates that are starting to show up again, the major price reductions that sellers have taken, and the new administration coming into office? Perhaps it's a combination of all of the above. Other agents in my office are starting to feel the same way. Slowing but surely, like popcorn in a microwave, business is beginning to return. I'm waiting for someone to break into "somethin's coming, I don't know what it is, but it is gonna be great" from West Side Story.

I've never been one to give up, and I'm not about to now. So, here it is, a week before Christmas, and I've got my nose to the grindstone. There's a group at my office that I'm a part of where we actively work on generating business. To be sure, I'm still getting "no" when I make those contacts, but I'm also hearing an exhaustion on the part of buyers who want to buy a home, anxious to go forward, and seeing value in homes they are now looking at more seriously. And sellers who want to sell to these now-interested buyers.

Are we going to return to the hey-day of a few years ago? Honestly, I hope not. Our business is being "normalized," and artificial, inflated prices should be a thing of the past ... as should some of these companies and individuals who helped put us here. But if we can stay focused on getting back to the basics of building a strong business, and the mentality to keep it going forward, we will all come out better at the other end.

Dyan Nelson Blass's Blog

Suburban Philadelphia Home for Sale - in Merion Station, PA

Working through Market Challenges