nick vandekar: Just Listed - Beautiful Coddington View Town home
- 03/28/19 02:18 PM
The cliche of real estate is Location, Location, Location. The original buyer of this Coddington View home not only took every upgrade they could, GE Stainless steel appliances, granite counters, iron baluster railings, upgraded hardwood floors, tiled bathrooms, 9' ceilings on the main level, trey ceiling in the main bedroom, ceiling fans, a premier sound system throughout the house, piping for central vacuum system. But they also took a premier end unit lot in the Coddington View community right at the highest point giving them the most wonderful views.
On top of that, it is right next to the community playground, with … (6 comments)
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nick vandekar: I cut the strings!
- 03/27/19 10:42 AM
About 10 days ago I was listening to a podcast about digital minimalism. It got me thinking and asking questions about my use of social media and my "smart phone".
Does social media make me more social? Does it help me in business? Am I present when I have my phone with me?
I did not find the answers easy and pondered them and thought about them. I am a people person, so I dived into social media. I post everywhere, I enjoy it, I like reading about others and what they do. I caught up with some old friends through Facebook.
But, did … (38 comments)
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nick vandekar: Are you listening? Tuning out the distractions!
- 03/25/19 07:52 AM
No, this is not about listening to people and understanding what they are saying, although it could be. What I am talking about is are you mindful of all the sounds around you?
As I was walking yesterday I realized several times how quiet it was, just the breath of a wind through the trees and there really was very little wind. The occasional sound of bird song or the flap of a wing beat.
When we are showing homes, people often look at room sizes, views and if the house is close to a major road or train line they mention if the home … (34 comments)
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nick vandekar: What's holding you back?
- 03/21/19 12:04 PM
Many Tredyffrin Easttown home buyers today are frustrated because interest rates are low and they want to buy a home but the number of homes for sale is not keeping up with demand. This being said, many buyers are so used to low interest rates that they are not aware of just how low these rates are and any uptick is making them hold off purchasing as it impacts their buying power.
So let's look at this logically for a minute.
1981 saw mortgage interest rates at 18.63%. Since then they have steadily declined. They hit bottom in 2012 at 3.31% according to … (15 comments)
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nick vandekar: Chester County Antiques Show 2019
- 03/18/19 11:50 AM
The Chester County Antiques Show 2019, was this past weekend, benefiting the Chester County Historical Society it is in its 37th year. Held at the Church Farm School it is a great size show with some excellent dealers from the East Coast, New England and Mid Atlantic region. I got to attend the opening night party as my brother was exhibiting and went back briefly on Sunday morning when there was a little more space to see some of the pieces on display.
I have managed and organized the Main Line Antiques Show for many years and several of the dealers used to … (12 comments)
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nick vandekar: Sharing where you have been
- 03/14/19 01:00 PM
Today I got to share where I have been. I loved my camino and raised $7500 for Surrey Services for Seniors as I walked from Lisbon to Santiago de Compostella and then on to Finisterra via Muxia a distance according to my phone of 532 miles. Although recently on some local hikes my phone seems to under report the mileage according to friends.
Anyway, I love talking about my Camino Portugues and had the chance today to share the Camino with some members and had a lot of fun. We recently put up a sign in our kitchen that says Do More … (12 comments)
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nick vandekar: It's not for sale or is it? Chester County Antiques Show 2019
- 03/13/19 12:16 PM
What is your response when you are told something that catches your eye is not for sale?
As you know my background was antiques, my family were antiques dealers and we exhibited at many shows around the world. We have many stories about sales and things for sale.
Growing up my father had a good friend who was an antique dealer in Dorset, England. He always had stories about a colleague who had a shop across the road from him.
One went like this. The car was loaded with a drop front desk, lying on its back in the back part of a Volvo … (9 comments)
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nick vandekar: Did they mean what you thought you heard?
- 02/26/19 12:29 PM
I have been reading a book by Celeste Headlee, We need to talk. Something I read in there, and I will paraphrase: Do not presume that because you are both speaking English you mean the same things with the words you choose and speak.
My wife is from the Netherlands, so automatically I know she is smarter than me because she speaks English very well, plus German, and some French, and of course Dutch. Unfortunately, many English speakers speak well, English and that is it, oh yes, LOUDER ENGLISH as well, because that will help them to be understood. My mother came … (22 comments)
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nick vandekar: Technology or rapport? What is most important in real estate?
- 02/22/19 08:41 AM
There is a lot of discussion in real estate circles about technology, AI, data, iBuyer programs, etc. and how this is going to change real estate. Lots of people are pouring money into new technology that is going to disrupt the real estate field. I remember when my wife began in real estate many of the agents in her office said the internet was never going to replace the trusted MLS book. I get it we don't like change.
I wrote a little about this last week when a comment blossomed into a bigger answer than I intended. But, I have been … (41 comments)
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nick vandekar: 6 Things to do to sell your Tredyffrin Easttown home
- 02/19/19 08:50 AM
We still have the threat of snow, and usually we get one big storm in March if past history can be relied upon. But we are seeing For Sale signs popping up all over the Tredyffrin Easttown school district.
Because of the lack of inventory that the market has been suffering there is a pent up demand with many buyers ready to make offers. So if priced right and the homes are in good condition these For Sale signs are quickly followed by Sold signs.
So what do you need to do to prepare if you have waited till now to decide to … (1 comments)
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nick vandekar: Old Forge Crossing Devon PA 19333, Sales Data 2018
- 02/13/19 09:48 AM
Old Forge Crossing saw a light year for sales in 2018; with a total of just 23 sales. Of these sales 19 were one bedroom units including those with and without a den, 4 were two bedroom units and 1 was a townhouse. Sales are shown in the table below. For more information look below the table.
Old Forge Crossing in 2018 was like much of the market and inventory was light. At this entry point in the market there is usually a good supply of buyers and competition with Drummers Lane and Chesterbrook is common. Overall, prices held up very well … (4 comments)
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nick vandekar: Love is in the air #2
- 02/05/19 05:30 AM
As I have thought back over transactions it is so hard to pick out any of my clients as being special. At the moment, the client I am with is special. They have my attention and I work diligently to make sure they are happy and understand the process of buying or selling.
However, a recent post I wrote helped me select the second of my Love is in the air posts. I realized with a recent call from a potential client I love to work with people who really need my help. They want to live in the Tredyffrin Easttown area but for … (14 comments)
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nick vandekar: Love is in the air #1
- 02/01/19 08:20 AM
Many years ago, I got a call from an elderly customer. She had heard about me through the work I do at Surrey Services for Seniors. She lived on her own in a second floor condo, could I stop by and let her know what she needed to do to get her home sold.
When I arrived, I had expected to meet an elderly single lady, who was most likely a little frail. She had told me she was in her late 70's.
Well, did I get a surprise. Firstly, she had a wonderful attitude, full of energy, spry and very humorous. She was … (24 comments)
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nick vandekar: Frigid, but great weather to look at homes
- 01/31/19 11:57 AM
In cold weather many buyers stay home in the warm. But this is great weather to look for homes and get an advantage over those who don't venture out. But you need a realtor who is not afraid of the cold.
Thursday is hiking day, well every day is hiking day. But Thursdays the Appalachian Mountain Club hosts a hike at Valley Forge Park, 6-7 miles. When I got up this morning, although it was blue skies, the temperature was zero degrees Fahrenheit. I was having second thoughts
I decided to go hiking anyway. So dressed in several layers, put some warmers in my gloves … (11 comments)
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nick vandekar: Jurassic Quest comes to Oaks
- 01/25/19 06:23 AM
If you have kids, no doubt they love dinosaurs. Heck, maybe you love dinosaurs. Well this event over the weekend, just up the road to Tredyffrin Easttown is a must see.
Jurassic Quest!
As their website states experience living, breathing even walking dinosaurs. I know my kids loved dinosaurs. they may not have known the capitals of the states but they knew the names of all the different dinosaurs. I think we even have dinosaur figures still in our basement and my kids moved out years ago.
Opening today January 25 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks PA, just off Route 422 through January … (11 comments)
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nick vandekar: Closing in the Name Of
- 01/24/19 09:27 AM
Thinking of buying a home or 1-4 unit building as an investment in the Main Line or Tredyffrin Easttown area. How do you do that you might wonder? Am I using my own money, or can I borrow the funds to do that?
This post below by Rob Spinosa is an excellent primer on the subject. Watch the video or read the information but it will educate you on how you can take title and how to finance it.
Then when you are ready to proceed call Nick Vandekar, Selling the Main Line with Long & Foster Real Estate Inc., office 610-225-7400, cell … (8 comments)
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nick vandekar: Where can I walk in Tredyffrin Easttown?
- 01/17/19 10:51 AM
Walking is such a basic thing, we can take it for granted. There are many people who suffer disabilities or due to ill health don't have the ability to walk. But for those who do and live in Tredyffrin Easttown you have a lot of options for places to walk. Some of the trails which are paved are also suitable for those who use wheel chairs, some are more rugged and not wheel chair accessible.
It is one of the things we love about the area. Some neighborhoods are better than others for walking. Although we have lived in three homes in the area, since … (7 comments)
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nick vandekar: Waterfront property
- 01/16/19 01:37 PM
Usually the term waterfront property is an attractive term. Here it takes on a whole new meaning.
When I was walking the Camino Portugues last year I passed this house next to a river. My first thought was who would buy a home with water running through or underneath it. It was not the only home I saw with water running underneath it on the walk but it was the most extreme example. There was no indication this was a mill of some sort although it could have been and the mill apparatus was inside.
Buyers need to know everything about a property … (23 comments)
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nick vandekar: Who will tell me not to buy?
- 01/15/19 08:37 AM
This story has been adapted to not reveal those mentioned. It is not located in PA or on the Main Line but it does contain a good moral worth remembering.
A client loved a particular home. They made an offer and their offer was accepted. It was an estate selling the home as is. Home inspections were arranged. Issues arose.
The home was riddled with mold. Water was getting into the basement. It was going to take extensive remediation to fix.There were also potential issues with the electrical wiring and the home inspector called for further investigation by an electrical contractor. However the … (31 comments)
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nick vandekar: New construction homes for sale in Tredyffrin Easttown January 2019
- 01/14/19 01:06 PM
We are always being asked by buyers about new homes in Tredyffrin Easttown. Well it is January 2019 and we thought this quick video showcases three town home developments, all of which are new construction, two have just a few homes left and one, a small development of just five homes has just been listed. These homes are all priced above $600,000 and vary from 3 bed 2 1/2 bath homes to 4 bed 4 1/2 bath homes with attached garages. Call us for help.
Watch the video for a quick review. If your interest is for a single family detached home … (4 comments)
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The cliche of real estate is Location, Location, Location. The original buyer of this Coddington View home not only took every upgrade they could, GE Stainless steel appliances, granite counters, iron baluster railings, upgraded hardwood floors, tiled bathrooms, 9' ceilings on the main level, trey ceiling in the main bedroom, ceiling fans, a premier sound system throughout the house, piping for central vacuum system. But they also took a premier end unit lot in the Coddington View community right at the highest point giving them the most wonderful views.
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