Real estate blog entries tagged with main line realtor by Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543, Selling the Main Line & Chester County (Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055)

Home : Blogs : Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543 : The Main Line and Chester County Real Estate Blog : Tag "main line realtor"

main line realtor: Why a buyer consultation is VITALLY important! - 04/16/24 08:19 AM

You want to buy a home in the Main Line and Chester County areas. You go on line and search for homes and see some you like, there may even be an Open House you can visit. However, so far, you are unrepresented and not working with an agent who is going to protect your interests.
You know you should have a buyer's agent representing you, guiding you, so you ask some friends and look online. You hope that you can just make a phone call and get an agent to help you. But, this would be a BIG mistake.
When a customer … (20 comments)

main line realtor: How will I pay my buyer agent, I've barely enough for a down payment? - 04/11/24 08:37 AM

There are many options to cover the buyer agent's fee, discover some in this post and what you should be looking for in an agent representing you.
There has been a lot of misleading commentary recently about how the real estate buying and selling processes are going to be changing due to several lawsuits, and how this will save consumers money both as sellers and buyers.
Well, let's discuss some facts.
Originally, both the listing broker and selling broker worked for the seller, that is why listing brokers shared commission with the broker bringing the buyer. That agent/broker was a sub-agent for the seller, … (42 comments)

main line realtor: Is a prelisting home inspection worth doing? - 02/24/23 12:45 PM

In Pennsylvania like many other states a seller completes a seller disclosure form which is intended to help a buyer identify areas where there may be issues they need to inspect further or be aware of if they purchase this home.
If the buyer is likely to be doing a home inspection why would a seller also incur the cost of doing their own home inspection before listing their home for sale?
In the last couple of years the market has been so hot that many buyers have been waiving home inspections along with many other contingencies just to have an opportunity to … (18 comments)

main line realtor: Answering the phone! - 02/23/23 08:48 AM

In the "old days" all we had were phones connected to the wall by a cord. It is laughable to think about it today as we are so used to so called smart phones. I still remember my very first phone number from when I was a child growing up in the suburbs of London, Stonegrove 9171, and we used the first three letters to dial the number.
In those days you used to answer your phone as we didn't have answering machines. If the person you were calling did not answer, you called back. If they were on the phone you … (13 comments)

main line realtor: Who makes the decisions during as real estate transaction? - 02/14/23 08:32 AM

Many people it seems are confused who actually makes the decisions during a real estate transaction, this includes clients and other agents. It definitely is not the tomb warrior in the picture above as wise as he looks.
Many, many times I have clients ask me what I would do, or what they should do? This includes how much to offer, when to make an offer, what to do as a result of a home inspection etc.
There are many decisions the client makes during a real estate transaction. I educate my clients throughout the process, asking questions to make sure they understand … (5 comments)

main line realtor: You also need closing costs - 02/07/23 07:31 AM

People often ask how much money they need to buy a house, and what they mean is how much money do I need to put down beside the mortgage?
However, there are plenty of other costs as well when buying a home. These are referred to as closing costs and you need enough money to cover these as well.
In Pennsylvania, we have transfer tax when real estate is sold, this is generally split equally between the buyer and the seller and depending on the township it can range from 1% each to 2% or more each.
Then you have title insurance, there are … (16 comments)

main line realtor: 7 Things most likely to happen when buying a home! - 02/01/23 09:03 AM

Here are 7 things most likely to happen when buying a home and what not to do!
As much as you want to let all your friends and family know about the purchase of your new home on Facebook and every other social media site - Do not post anything before settlement.
The property might not appraise at what you are purchasing it for. With rapidly rising prices due to very low inventory appraisers who only look backwards in time for their supporting comparable values might not keep up with the market. So be prepared.
You will become irritated by all the demands for … (11 comments)

main line realtor: Meet Rich Filipone - 01/20/23 01:27 PM

I want to introduce you to Rich Filipone. Rich just joined our team at Long & Foster Real Estate in Devon working for Prosperity Mortgage as our in house Mortgage Consultant. Rich has plenty of experience in the Mortgage industry and you will get to hear more from him in the weeks to come as we bring more mortgage information to video.
If you need to get pre-approved as you begin your home search give Rich a call his number is 610-716-3329, or email him at Rich.Filipone@phmloans.com, you can even fill out a loan application on line at www.richfilipone.phmloans.com.
As we have said … (7 comments)

main line realtor: 2023 Winter Main Line and Chester County Market Report - 01/17/23 08:23 AM

Winter 2023 Real Estate Market Update
Giving you the confidence to make the right decision

As we move forward into 2023, what kind of market are we expecting? That 7.1% drop in tax revenue on realty transfer taxes in 2022 is a reflection of significant lower sales volume, although home prices increased significantly.
We expect interest rates to moderate as inflation comes under control -buyers are still active as they are adjusting to the higher rates. We believe interest rates will hover between 6 and 7% during 2023 and may even drop into the 5’s.
Buyers will unfortunately be facing some headwinds as home inventory … (7 comments)

main line realtor: Main Line and Chester County marketing tips for 2023 - 01/09/23 11:17 AM

Since I was about 21 I have been self employed most of my life. There has been the occasional bout of working for someone but mostly I was responsible for making things happen in whatever business I was working. I was always a believer in advertising and took out a lot of adverts in different Antiques Magazines around the world. Our family and our business were well known and recognized as a result.
Today, things have changed, everyone talks about branding, and to do this one needs to be authentic, to know who you are and what drives you. Then apply that … (20 comments)

main line realtor: Are you being heard? - 11/10/22 08:08 AM

Listening is hard, very hard, because there are so many distractions. I was in a class the other day and was looking around and noticed how many people were looking at their cell phones as the class was being taught. Our attention is very short, and we reach for stimulation rather than working at listening.
How often do you get introduced to someone and thirty seconds later cannot remember their name? I know I do, because at that initial meeting we are sizing them up, looking at their clothes, making assumptions about them and getting a read. But, we are not listening … (32 comments)

main line realtor: Grateful for feedback - 11/07/22 08:50 AM

These signs are all along the path of the Camino De Santiago de Compostela, they tell you how far you have to go once you real Galicia, before that the signs can be a little hit and miss, but they provide valuable feedback as to whether you are on the right path and going in the right direction. This one is actually at Finisterra on the coast and is the very end of what is known as the Camino de Finisterra which runs from Santiago de Compostella, I walked this extra distance and found this to be the most emotional moment … (19 comments)

main line realtor: Market snapshot for week ending October 16 2022 - 10/18/22 07:27 AM

The Pennsylvania Housing Market is sending some mixed signals, but overall there is a trend.
Compared to a year ago, most indicators are lower, and take into account that number from last year was lower than 2020, so there is definitely a decline mostly due to lack of inventory. In fact this is the only statistic where we are seeing growth slowly, but still lower than previous years. Closed sales down by almost 24%; new purchase contracts down by almost 30%; new listings down by almost 18%; new pending sales per 100 listings down by almost 15%; and showings down by 32%.
However … (17 comments)

main line realtor: Is an ARM right for you when buying a home? - 10/06/22 07:53 AM

Buying a home over the last few years has been extremely challenging. With low inventory, rapidly rising prices, multiple offers, etc. it is amazing anyone was able to not only find a home but able to get an offer accepted.
Right now things are improving, inventory is increasing slowly, prices are levelling off slightly, and buyers are able to make offers again that include inspections and or other contingencies as well.
But, we still have a major hurdle right now. Rising interest rates.So what are buyers to do when interest rates have increased from 2.7% this time last year to approaching 7% for … (16 comments)

main line realtor: Thinking big, thinking small! - 04/26/22 05:59 AM

People think in different ways. Some think small and some think big!
Some people come from a mindset of scarcity and therefore think small, unwilling to take any risks and hence unable to receive any reward.
Then there are those who know there is no scarcity, are always willing to share, and give. They think big, they take chances, and they often get a big payout, what the small thinkers then label as lucky.
Last week I had a phone call from a small thinker. I had been discussing with them about listing their mother's home. The son gave many reasons why they couldn't … (27 comments)

main line realtor: Sold and Closed 744 Moore Avenue, another happy buyer! - 09/29/20 01:57 PM

Finding the right home is not easy at the best of times. Lack of inventory, moving across the country, learning your way around, looking at homes on line and virtually all made it harder for this client.

But, after a couple of weeks or arriving in PA, settling down, renting a short term apartment, finding a new car, getting school established for her son, she was ready.

We took a day to tour, we visited ten homes, many we were able to discount right away. I had her son naming them as we left so they would remember them and ranking them as … (18 comments)

main line realtor: 5 Star review for Nick Vandekar - 04/28/20 09:05 AM

I shared recently how one of my clients asked me to step in when they had made the mistake to use another broker and the home although it sold failed to appraise. On reviewing everything it didn't make sense as the comps were defintiely there for the home.
Anyway, we re-listed the home for a higher price, quickly obtained an offer, navigated our way through inspections, negotiations and the second appraisal for a higher price and settled last week.

Today, my clients posted the following review of me.

"Our experience with Nick has been great! He is very accessible, knowledgeable and very communicative and … (18 comments)

main line realtor: Are you known for your value or your price? - 02/03/20 05:43 AM

What makes us different to any other agent? I have been thinking about this a lot in the last week. People who have used our services before return over and over. I have clients I have represented multiple times in numerous transactions because they know what I bring to the table.
When I speak with someone who hasn't used me before, it is a different situation. Maybe someone referred me to them or they found me online, but where they are coming from is somewhere different to past clients. Often they are only interested in how high can I price my home, and what … (30 comments)

main line realtor: Meet the new Executive director of Jenkins Arboretum in Devon - 01/21/20 05:05 PM

One of the joys of living in the Tredyffrin Easttown part of the Main Line is being able to enjoy Jenkins Arboretum. There is always something going on and the early spring is a wonderful time to enjoy the Azaleas and Rhododendrons for which they are famous.
Recently, a new executive director was appointed, Tom Smarr, and he will be sharing the history of the arboretum at a lecture at Easttown Library, another favourite place of mine located on First Avenue in Berwyn on Tuesday January 28th at 11.00 am. Register here.
The property was originally home to H. Lawrence and Elizabeth Phillipe Jenkins … (4 comments)

main line realtor: Make Your Offer HEFTY HEFTY HEFTY, NOT Wimpy Wimpy Wimpy! - 11/21/19 08:17 AM

This is an excellent post by Candice A. Donofrio from AZ about making offers that are attractive to a seller. Everything in this post is so true that I had to repost it for any Tredyffrin Easttown or Main Line buyers who are not being successful with their purchase offers.
If a house is not selling it is often said it is the price, lower the price and it will sell. Likewise, if your offers are not being accepted, it may be the price, but it also may be the terms you are inserting into the contract. Think like a seller, what is goingto … (6 comments)

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