50 Inexpensive Tips to Dramatically Increase the Value of Your Properties - 02/25/10 08:53 PM
A great list with many good ideas when you are considering putting your home on the market.  Thanks to Tai A Desa for putting it together.

Via Tai DeSa (Significa Corporation):
50 Inexpensive Tips to Dramatically Increase the Value of Your Properties
 By Tai A. DeSa, Significa Corporation
Professional landlords and investors involved in property flipping should constantly seek to improve their property value while keeping costs low.  Below is a list of 50 tips that we shared with our property investment club (the Lehigh Valley Real Estate Investors Group). 
Tip #1:  Add a basic alarm system.  The number one concern … (3 comments)

Edgmont PA Delaware County Homes Market Update - 02/19/10 06:48 AM
In recent years, Edgmont PA has been one of the more relatively stable real estate areas of Delaware County.
Situated just to the west of Newtown Township in north-western Delaware County, Edgmont township is the last township in the county as you travel west along West Chester Pike.  Although not strictly oriented north - south, generally Thornbury Township borders Edgemont to the west, Middletown Township to the south, Newtown & Upper Providence to the east, and Willistown Township Chester County to the north.
It is a largely semi-rural suburban area with only the one small village of Gradyville within its boundaries.   It … (4 comments)

7 days and 33" Later - 02/15/10 09:24 PM
For those that happened to see the pictures from the first storm, I went back Saturday morning to take the same pictures.  I know this is not that unusual for other parts of the country, but it was record breaking for this area.  A bit of a difference after a week and 33" of snow:


View of Downtown Swarthmore - Sat Feb 13

Saturday's View from the Warmth of Hobbs Coffee

The Swarthmore PA SEPTA R3 Regional Rail Station

Well - I was standing underneath this pile for the original sothis is the best I could … (9 comments)

Happy Valentines Day! - 02/14/10 10:25 PM
 
Happy Valentines Day!
Relax and Take Time with Your Family and Your Loved Ones.

(and hope for the end of the snows!)
 
David Henke Long & Foster Real Estate Inc - Newtown Square,PA/Bear, DE Office: 610-353-1199/Direct: 610-359-3853/Cell: 610-618-0808 www.DelawareCountyPennsylvaniaHomes.com
… (0 comments)

Improving curb appeal in a Wisconsin (and now Wilmington and Philadelphia area) winter - 02/13/10 05:51 PM
 
Brenda has put together an impressive list of ideas which are now ideal for the homes in this area.
Thank you for the tips!
 
Via Brenda Carus (Towne Square Realty):
The days are growing longer, but we are still in the depths of winter here in Green County. Helping a home to have some curb appeal this time of year is a bit harder than in the summer months with gardens blooming, but it is still possible to do things to help.
Clear your driveway, sidewalks and porches of all snow and ice. Get out there right away after a … (1 comments)

Snow Parking Reminder from Folcroft Borough PA - 02/12/10 09:31 PM
I just wanted to pass along a reminder emailed from The Borough of Folcroft concerning parking during snow storms.
Unlike other areas, Folcroft Borough does not allow you to "reserve" your spots by placing chairs in the street.  The Borough does plow all streets and any chairs will be removed so that they can plow all areas.  If they can remove all the snow, there should be plenty of parking for everyone.
The Highway Department concentrates on the snow emergency routes first and then covers the remaining streets.  It is also the residents' responsiblity to clear the back driveways and front … (2 comments)

Huey Avenue Station Drexel Hill PA on the SEPTA 101 Trolley Line - 02/11/10 10:58 PM
Welcome to the Huey Avenue Station of the SEPTA 101 Trolley in Drexel Hill PA.
Huey Avenue is a small on demand station along the SEPTA 101 Trolley located in southwestern Upper Darby Township.  It is located on Huey Avenue between Edmonds and Mason Ave just 2 blocks north of Garrett Rd.  This location is just a few blocks west of Drexel Park and east of Aronimink.  The line continues directly west to Media and east to the 69th Street Terminal.
This station is the first station located west of Drexel Hill Junction where the 101 and 102 Trolleys split their … (4 comments)

Local Finds: Nifty Fifty's Folsom Ridley Township PA - 02/09/10 11:11 PM
I finally made it to Nifty Fifty's In Folsom Ridley Township PA.
I've heard about it for years.  I've passed it while driving.  I've seen that it's won the Best of Philly 10 times. I know everyone seems to have tried them, but ... I somehow hadn't.  Now I have and I understand what everyone has been talking about.
Nifty Fifty's channels all that 50's feeling from the time you glance at the neon bedecked exterior.  This is only heightened as you enter through the gleaming stainless steel and glass front doors to a classic fifty's diner: lots of neon, red … (4 comments)

Delaware County PA Luxury Home Market Update for February 2010 - 02/07/10 11:01 PM
The Luxury Home Market continues its slow pace as we head into the traditional 2010 sales season.
There have been many changes in the market since our last update in June but most of those have impacted the market at lower price points.  The primary sales activity continues to be first time buyers or lower move up buyers as people continue to take advantage of the 2009 and now 2010 Homebuyer Tax Credits.  At the higher price points, activity is still constrained by the availability of loans with prices remaining fairly flat or trending lower.
In the luxury market, sales have … (2 comments)

Swarthmore PA in Winter - The Great February 2010 Snowstorm - 02/06/10 08:52 AM
Yes - We have snow here...

View of Downtown Swarthmore

The view from the warmth of Hobbs Coffee.

The Swarthmore PA SEPTA R3 Regional Rail Station

We don't usually see drifts blowing through the station.
Just a few additional snow facts compliments of CBS 3:
- Every snow flake has 6 points - There are 6 basic shapes - Dry snow piles up faster - Every State has had snow
Finally just one more thought:  The most snow produced in a single snowstorm was 15.75 ft/ 189" at the Mt Shasta Skibowl in California between February 13-19, … (3 comments)

SEPTA R3 Rail Line Fernwood-Yeadon Station Serving Yeadon, Upper Darby, and East Lansdowne PA - 02/05/10 11:42 PM
Welcome to the Fernwood - Yeadon Station on the SEPTA R3 Regional Rail Line.
The Fernwood - Yeadon Station of the SEPTA R3 Regional Rail Line serves the adjacent communties of Yeadon, Upper Darby, and East Lansdowne PA.  The station itself is located on the border between Yeadon and Upper Darby and is just one block south of East Lansdowne.  This location provides easy access to Church Lane heading north and south and to Baltimore Pike heading east or west.  This is the first rail stop in Delaware County as you head west from Philadelphia.
The platforms are located just below … (2 comments)

2010 Philadelphia International Auto Show - 02/04/10 11:08 PM
Remember that this is the week to visit the 2010 Philadelphia International Auto Show.
It's not too late to visit the Auto Show.  The show will be open Friday from 12:00-10:00, Saturday from 9:00-10:00, and Sunday from 9:00 till the show closes at 6:00 PM. (and the show will run during the originally scheduled hours regardless of the weather)   In addition, kids will be admitted FREE on Sunday from 9-3.  Darryl Dawkins will be visiting from 6-7 PM Friday evening and Eddie Alvarez will be on site from 2-5 Saturday.
The show allows you a great opportunity to visit … (6 comments)

Rutledge PA History and Homes - 02/03/10 07:30 PM
Welcome to Rutledge PA in Delaware County Pennsylvania.
Rutledge is one of the smallest boroughs in Delaware County containing less than 275 residential properties per the tax records and about 860 residents. Occupying about 1 square mile, it was founded in 1885 and incorporated as a Borough in 1885.  The earliest reference to its name was from the Rutledge Mutual Land Improvement Association but the origin of the name is still in question.  It was either named after an early sweetheart of Abraham Lincoln or the novel Rutledge by Miriam Coles Harris.
Today it is a popular Borough conveniently located in … (2 comments)

The EPA's Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RPP) Rule Affects You! - 02/02/10 09:58 PM
I just wanted to pass on a reminder from the Home Builders Association of Chester and Delaware Counties that the new EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting ( RPP ) rule will be effective on April 22, 2010.
From the EPA website:
"Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children.
To protect against this risk, on April 22, 2008, EPA issued a rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices and other actions aimed at preventing lead poisoning. Under the rule, beginning in April … (3 comments)

Forbes Names Minneapolis Area (And the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington Metro Area!) as One of Best Places to Buy Instead of Rent - 02/01/10 09:59 PM
 
Thanks to Jeff Schulz for finding this and I am pleased to note that the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington Metro area is also highlighted as one of the top 10 places to Buy instead of Rent. 
Take a look at the complete Forbes article to see how they did the anaylsis and see the details on the numbers.  This is just one more indication of a stabilizing market in the area.
As always, if you have any questions, just let me know.
 
Via Jeff Schulz (ReMax Action West):
Forbes.com gave the 10 best metro areas to go from renting to buying.  As most people … (0 comments)