nick and trudy vandekar: I want to get paid by my client!!! - 09/26/11 10:32 AM
I have noticed a trend recently whilst reading different posts that there is a frustration in the industry with agency and if we practice true agency will remove the problems of getting paid by our clients.
I am tired of being paid by the opposition and having my client wondering who I am truly working for and second guessing any advice I give when representing buyers. I am tired of my buyer clients wondering what I bring to the table because so many agents have told them that their services are FREE. I am sorry I am not independently wealthy, although … (3 comments)
|
nick and trudy vandekar: Get ready NOW! - 09/14/11 06:51 AM
Fall is upon us, and although we have had a rough summer with earthquakes, small though they were, storms and torrential rain causing widespread flooding NOW is the time to prepare for winter. Winter may seem a long way off, temperatures may still be hot and humid, but now is the time to start thinking and planning what projects need to be completed before winter arrives.
Your home has probably taken a beating over the summer with al the storms. It may not be leaking right now, but get the roof checked for loose or damaged shingles. Winter storms tend to … (3 comments)
|
nick and trudy vandekar: Old Forge Crossing has FHA approval pending - 08/25/11 02:44 PM
Condos today have a hard time selling as most buyers want to use FHA financing and many approved condo developments have seen their approval expire. Old Forge Crossing in Devon, PA is in the process of waiting for approval, having made application and fulfilled many of the steps required. It is a process not without cost, but as so many of these developments now charge a fee to buyers that goes to the condo association this cost can be recouped when sales of these condos becomes easier as FHA mortgages can be processed.
Currently, there are 7 single bedroom units available … (0 comments)
|
nick and trudy vandekar: What you need to know about that deposit before you buy a home! - 08/17/11 08:52 AM
I was chatting with one of the mortgage providers I know and we got to talking about earnest money deposits when you are buying a home.
Here is just a couple tips to keep in mind when putting down that Earnest Money Deposits that will help the mortgage get processed efficiently:
Personal Checks: make a copy of the front of the personal check and give to your mortgage provder; this is helpful to identify the source of where the deposits are coming from, but the front of the check alone will not satisfy underwriting. The mortgage provider will always need the cancelled check ( … (0 comments)
|
nick and trudy vandekar: Community Development Mortgage Program - 08/11/11 11:41 AM
An alternative to FHA for those buyers with low down payments is the Community Development Mortgage Program. I sat down with Eric May one of the Prosperity Mortgage representatives in our office to discuss some of the benefits of this program.
,
… (1 comments)
|
nick and trudy vandekar: How do you decide what is the market price? - 07/12/11 01:09 PM
Many buyers today want deals, deals and more deals. Which if you believe everything you read is understandable, however, many homes even today receive multiple offers. So how do you decide what is the market price?
A buyer has no interest in what you paid for the home Mr. Seller, how much you owe, or what you think your home is worth. All of this is irrelevant. What does matter is what else is on the market that he can actually see and compare with this home he is interested in? What homes have sold recently, in the last three months but not much … (5 comments)
|
nick and trudy vandekar: What's in a mattress? - 04/21/11 09:51 AM
Maybe if it would have money under the mattress that would be great, but no. Not in our house anyway.
We are on our second mattress in as many years. First all it was Nick's idea to change it. The old one was indeed just that, old, but I guess he wanted to spend his money on something. So we get this huge thick pillow top from Costco. Oh it was a dream, soooo soft, so high, so pillowy. After about 9 months or so sleeping on this thing, I start to get back pain. My lower back. Not so bad … (0 comments)
|
nick and trudy vandekar: Cheap and clever little idea - 04/15/11 07:44 AM
Economical and practical describe me to a tee. So this is what I dreamed up. I didn't know it was a clever idea, until somebody in CVS mentioned it. And then a few days later somebody in Petsmart and then in the Hallmark store.
I put all my "non valuable" store cards and library cards etc. on a little chain. I have punched a hole in them with a single hole puncher put them on the chain and throw them in my handbag. You know what happens: you stand at the check out and they ask for the card, which is all … (4 comments)
|
nick and trudy vandekar: Wine down Wednesday - 04/06/11 08:22 AM
I love friends with good taste in wine and food, especially after a long hard day working in the yard. Last weekend, as you may know if you read our blog, we tackled a long overdue project to chip/shred some branches that have been lying around. It is amazing when you have machinery how tired you get dragging the branches and small trees over to the machine.
Saturday evening we were just sitting back, enjoying some beer when our friends Bill and Nancy called and said they had a chicken they were cooking did we want to join them. As … (2 comments)
|
nick and trudy vandekar: Friday evening - somewhere to go over the weekend - 03/25/11 03:58 PM
We had a wonderful evening at The Paddock at Devon on Wednesday with colleagues from our office. Whilst I did not end up with any "great" wines to enjoy they definitely had some good drinkable house wines. Also the ambiance was pretty good, although the acoustics make it a little loud. So if you are looking for somewhere to go over the weekend why not try The Paddock at Devon.
The bar is large and generally well staffed, you can eat at the bar or sit at a table. Generally well attended the noise level can be a little loud … (1 comments)
|
nick and trudy vandekar: So just how will you make my home stand out? - 03/15/11 06:41 PM
With 3585 homes for sale in Chester County choosing a Realtor who will make your home stand out in the crowd is important.
Firstly, we want to know your reason and motivation for selling your home. Secondly, we want to know your reason for buying your home, what made you put your money down on this home, what rang your bells. We want you to see the home through the eyes of your future buyer. Then we want to craft a way to tell that story using the internet through our website, photos and video. Your buyers today are looking … (1 comments)
|
nick and trudy vandekar: Client Testimonial - 01/08/11 10:33 AM
… (0 comments)
|
nick and trudy vandekar: Sometimes this job is just so worth it! - 10/04/10 09:19 AM
The Thursday before last I had an elderly lady referred to me who needed to sell her condo quickly as she needed to move to another state and purchase a home there to be with a family member. In her development prices have dropped and sales have been sluggish being under pressure from neighboring developments.
I met with her, explained the process and the situation, showed her recent sales and what other condos similar to hers were on the market. Whilst being nervous, and a little overwhelmed, she was full of energy. She listened and she decided on a price to list … (5 comments)
|
nick and trudy vandekar: New restaurant launches in Berwyn - 09/30/10 12:44 PM
Trudy and I stopped by Alfredo last night, a new Italian Restaurant that has opened in the old San Nicola space in Berwyn at 668 Lancaster Ave. The layout of the restaurant has changed from the old San Nicola, it is now a BYO which seems to be the case for many new restaurants nowadays.
The kitchen is based on dishes from the Naples area, which is where the owner comes from. As we walked in we saw friends sitting at a table with their daughter also trying it out. We had a great evening together with good food.
They had … (2 comments)
|
nick and trudy vandekar: Old Forge Crossing Sales Stats for 2008 - 01/08/09 04:55 PM
Old Forge Crossing is one of my favourite developments in the Devon, PA area. Whilst it is now beginning to age and homes need to be updated many unbits that you show still have original bathrooms and kitchens. Painting kitchen cabinets is not updating. Some owners have updated and this year whislt showing homes I have been pleasantly surpirsed to find some lovely kitchens and bathrooms in several units. These have all sold quickly and for better prices than normal.
This having been said number of homes sold dropped to eighteen in 2008, which is down from the twenty-four last year … (0 comments)
|
nick and trudy vandekar: Radnor Township, Wayne 3 bed 2 bath home for sale - 01/07/09 09:30 PM
We just listed a lovely home on a quiet street in West Wayne close to Warren Filipone Park and Wayne Elementary School. We will be holding an Open House this Sunday 1/11/2009 from 2-4 PM and on Tuesday 1/13/2009 from 1-4 PM.
This home has great landscaping with a spacious but easy to maintain back yard, first floor master with recently updated first floor master bathroom as well. The kitchen has views of the front yard, and has granite counters with wood cabinetry and gas cooking. Gas heat and hot water are welcome additions when oil prices rise. Two additional bedrooms and … (0 comments)
|
nick and trudy vandekar: Wayne 3 bed home new listing coming soon - 01/03/09 02:30 PM
Next week we will be posting a new listing in Wayne, PA, Radnor township, Radnor Schools. It is a well laid out three bedroom cape, with nicely landscaped yard in a great location close to Wayne elementary school and local parks, neighborhood has sidewalks and is well located for shops and restaurants are only a few mintues drive away. first Open House will be on Sunday January 11th from 2-4 PM.
… (0 comments)
|
nick and trudy vandekar: Main Line Antiques Show 2008 a big hit - 12/12/08 05:20 PM
The Main Line Antique Show was a big hit this year with several new dealers and a range of new arts being displayed. Once again about $70,000 was raised for Surrey Services for Seniors. My brother Paul Vandekar from New York was exhibiting and made several sales. He had taken three booths and had a large display of porcelain, pottery and sailors woolworks as well as some prints. I ended up helping him over the weekend with my son Jeremy as his stand required a lot of packing to be ready to move out at the end of the show.
… (0 comments)
|
nick and trudy vandekar: West of Philadelphia Market update: Prices drop in last two months - 11/18/08 06:50 AM
Until recently Pennsylvania was doing alright overall in regard to house prices and the Philadelphia area was not suffering along with the rest of the country with sliding prices. Yes, prices had leveled, listings were taking longer to sell and there were less buyers willing to make a decision, but overall this was an adjustment the market needed, to cool off after a very active period, with buyers being pulled into the market early by offers of easy financing.
These buyers have now suffered, and there is a gap in the market as later buyers are not ready to buy due to the new … (2 comments)
|
nick and trudy vandekar: Want something to do this weekend? - 11/17/08 07:37 PM
If you like or love antiques and live close to the Main Line in Philadelphia then this weekend November 22nd and 23rd visit the Main Line Antiques Show and support Surrey Services for Seniors by attending. You also will have the chance to buy some great pieces and have the opportunity to listen to me as I give booth tours on both Saturday and Sunday at 11 am and 2 pm. the show is held in Mellon Hall at Valley Forge Military Academy and College, there is plenty of parking and a shuttle bus if the weather is chilly to … (0 comments)
|
;)
;)
;)
