Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the 2010 International Builders' Show in Las Vegas Nevada. With over 1000 exhibitors and 175 educational programs this is the largest industry gathering in the states and an incredible gathering of expertise for the home building industry.  It was a chance to see the latest and most innovative products on the market and get a better feel for the directions now coursing through the industry. Several important trends quickly became clear as you perused both the booths and the education courses during the show.  Throughout all offerings, everything is becoming more green.  Almost all producers are trying to use less and consume less of all our natural resources.  There is an increased emphasis on building communities and homes that have easier acc... 01/25/2010

Pennsylvania homebuyers can once again benefit from additional funds being made available by the PA Housing Finance Agency (PHFA). The Tax Credit Advance Loan Program (TCA) allows loans of up to $6,000 for first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who want to upgrade. 2010 Homebuyers will get a zero percent interest loan if they repay the loan by June 2011.  TCA Eligibility highlights: • Available to buyers getting a PHFA first mortgage and who close on their loans by June 30, 2010 (and entered into a sales contract by April 30, 2010). • First-time homebuyers are eligible for the lesser of 10% of the purchase price OR $6,000 for newly constructed homes, $5,000 for existing homes • Non first-time homebuyers are eligible for the lesser of 10% of the purchase price OR $4,000 for newly construct... 01/18/2010

If you live in Delaware County, and make less than $48,000 you could have your income tax returns prepared for free. Congressman Joe Sestak's District Office in Media, PA will be partnering with PathwaysPA, a non-profit organization, to offer free income tax return preparation.  As part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, volunteers from PathwaysPA will be visiting the Congressman's office on Thursday, February 4th and Tuesday, March 16th.  The appointments will last about 30-45 minutes and there are 28 available on each date (2/4 and 3/16) from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM.  The slots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and to qualify for VITA, your yearly income must be less than $48,000.  To reserve a spot an appointment, please contact Chip Ridewood in Congres... 01/15/2010

So how does the Havertown PA real estate market look these days? Currently Havertown has a average active listing price of $337,226. The Delaware county average currently is $341,180. Averaging is tallying all the prices then dividing by the number of houses. The current number of properties on the market in Havertown is 114. The median listing price is $299,916. The median is the middle number when you list all the prices. For Delaware County real estate the total listings are 9,297 and a median listing price of $195,417. This compares to Pennsylvania real estate data, which this week shows a total number of listing properties as 68,127 with a median listing price of $198,583 01/12/2010

A client bought a new home and the realtor wanted to send flowers for the occasion. They arrived at the home and the owner read the card; it said "Rest in Peace". The owner was angry and called the florist to complain. After he had told the florist of the obvious mistake and how angry he was, the florist said. "Sir, I'm really sorry for the mistake, but rather than getting angry you should imagine this: somewhere there is a funeral taking place today, and they have flowers with a note saying, "Congratulations on your new home"! 01/04/2010

(Be sure to check out the Haverford Hill update in July 2011) As we begin a new year, the Haverford Hill Condominiums in Havertown PA have continued to be a popular home choice in the area. Located just east of the Blue Route/ I-476 and south of West Chester Pike off Glendale Rd, the Haverford Hill condos have always been one of the most popular and convenient complexes in the area.  Built in 1967 with over 250 one, two, and three bedroom units, there is a home for almost every situation.  This location is ideal for anyone working in Delaware County offering immediate access to the freeway as well as quick access east or west along West Chester Pike.  There is also access to the SEPTA bus, trolley, and rail lines heading into Philadelphia. Real estate activity and pricing has remained s... 01/01/2010

I came across this article at http://www.cnbc.com/id/34525550?slide=1 which is from a Zillow generated report on the vagaries of real estate markets throughout the U.S. using their "Zestimates". These value shifts are a comparison of 2008 to 2009 figures. Fifteen markets with the most dramatic shifts are highlighted out of 154; 3 good and 12 not so good. If you are in or near these areas, it may help customers that you're working with to understand what is happening immediately around to them. I find that articles from a news source like CNBC.com contain useful information to pass on. 15. Denver, Colorado had a .9% gain 14. Providence, Rhode Island had a 1.8% gain                                                                               13. Tampa, Florida had a -14.9% loss 12. Sacra... 12/23/2009

This house located in Havertown, Delaware County was in desperate need of an updated look. It had been on the market for months without an offer and lacked buyer appeal. After a realtor change and strong recommendation to stage, I was called in. Working with a limited time frame and budget, I was able to achieve dramatic changes. The seller agreed to remove dated window treatments and oversized furniture as well as replace dated light fixtures and ceiling fans. Initially reluctant to proceed with staging, the seller was sold on the benefits after seeing the transformation and receiving a signed offer within 10 days of listing the newly staged property!                                                              12/17/2009

WMMR's Preston and Steve's Camp Out for Hunger is almost upon us for 2009.  DONATE TODAY! From Monday November 30 through their broadcast on Friday December 4th, Preston and Steve are once again holding their Camp Out for Hunger in the Metroplex Shopping Center in Plymouth Meeting, PA.  Donations will be accepted at the Camp Out from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily until it wraps up on Friday at 10:00 AM.  There will be a wide variety of daily prizes for the largest donations from individuals, businesses, and groups and random prizes throughout the event. All donations will benefit Philabundance.   Philabundance is "the Philadelphia region's largest hunger relief organization.  Their mission is to end hunger and malnutrition in the Delaware Valley by acquiring food and distributing it through ... 11/23/2009

Elections for judicial, county, school district and municipal positions will be held this Tuesday, November 3, 2009. Haverford Township · 1st Ward, 3rd Precinct, Haverford Nursing and Rehabilitation, 2050 Old West Chester Pike (Community Room) · 1st Ward, 4th Precinct, Manoa Fire Company, 115 South Eagle Road (Board Room) · 2nd Ward, 4th Precinct, Manoa School, 201 South Manoa Road (LGI-Cafeteria). Be aware that this is the NEW Manoa Elementary School. Marple Township Note: All three precincts in the third ward for which polling was previously held in the Community Hall on West Chester Pike have new polling locations. · 3rd Ward, 1st Precinct, St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church, 220 Lawrence Road (Pope John Paul II meeting room) · 3rd Ward, 2nd Precinct, St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church, ... 10/31/2009

Darby Creek Valley Association: Celebrating 25 Years of Connecting and Protecting In the Darby Creek Watershed DCVA will be celebrating its 25th anniversary with a Luncheon on Sunday, November 15th, 2009. Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar, former US Congressman for Delaware County, will be a guest speaker at the event. The luncheon will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the McCall Golf and Country Club, 201 North Lynn Boulevard, Upper Darby, PA 19083.  More information about the venue can be found at www.mccallgolf.com. If interested, please reserve a seat by October 31st.  For reservations and more information, please contact Robin Mann at robinlmann@gmail.com (or by phone at 610.527.4598), or Jan Marie Rushforth at rushforth@comcast.net. More information can also be found at http://www.dcva.org.     10/29/2009

  Buy Locally Grown...It's Thousands of Miles Fresher! The Oakmont Farmers Market in the Oakmont section of Havertown PA is a producers-only market featuring locally farmed vegetables, fruit, cheese, eggs and poultry, bison, beef, lamb and flowers. It is located in the Oakmont Parking Lot at 2419 West Darby Road, just one-half block northwest of the Darby and Eagle Roads intersection. In 2009, the market is every Wednesday from 3 to 7 PM, from May 20 to September 2. After Labor Day, from September 9 to November 25 (the day before Thanksgiving) the market will be from 2 to 6 PM. Rain or shine, come out and Buy Fresh, Buy Local! Contact to sign up for weekly updates at oakmontfarmersmarket@gmail.com 10/18/2009

"The Pennsylvania Sunshine Solar Program" will provide $100 Million to fund solar projects for PA homeowners and small businesses. Funding is in the form of reimbursement grants awarded on a first-come first-serve basis to approved applicants. "The Keystone HELP Residential Energy Efficiency Program" will provide low interest loans and rebates to residents for home energy improvements. To qualify the PA applicant's annual household income must be $150,000 or less. To find the complete list of PA programs and their guidelines visit     http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/energindependent/site/default.asp  and click on 'funding'.   07/28/2009

The Swell Bubble Gum Factory could become the next site of a YMCA!  While talks are in the preliminary stages, Haverford Township, through eminent domain, has been working on acquiring the existing property and setting up a long term lease with the YMCA.   I personally think it could be a great addition to the area.  I've heard awesome things about the new YMCAs in the region, from great programming for families to reasonable membership costs.  Also, as I'd love to have access to a local indoor swimming facility, this could be a great centrally located option.  We'll see.   Check out this Delco Times Article for the lastest:  http://delcotimes.com/articles/2009/06/24/news/doc4a41976fc9b1c225979227.txt     07/15/2009

Havertown homes are selling!  With 67 units sold at an average sales price of $292,716, June 2009 marks the highest number of units sold in one month since June 2008 (according to Trend Multiple Listing Service Statistics run on July 1, 2009) We've not only seen the the most sales in one month (27 more units sold then May 2009) but also the highest average sales price and the least number of Days on Market (68) for 2009.  While June is typically one of the strongest months for residential sales in our area, this information is encouraging in that the trends still exist in our changed economy. What's Driving the Havertown Market?  First time Home Buyers - 70% of my sales this year have come from first time home buyers taking advantage of great prices, great rates, and the $8,000 tax cred... 07/01/2009

Last night, PA State Rep Greg Vitali held a Green Energy Meeting at the Coopertown Elementary School to update local residents and businesses on new programs and financing available for energy efficiency upgrades. With an audience composed of about one third homeowners, one third contractors, and one third small business owners, the speakers covered various programs currently underway.  They also highlighted resources that are available today for energy consumers in the area. They split the presentation into four sections.  After a brief introduction by Rep Vitali, each speaker had about a twenty minute presentation followed by a lengthy open formal and then informal question and answer period. Dan Griffiths, Director of Energy Technology and Deployment Pennsylvania Department of Enviro... 06/12/2009

Success in buying a home, like many things in life, is all about focus. Everyday, buyers are being buffeted by contrasting news reports saying that its both a great time to buy and that people are losing their shirts in a real estate meltdown.  Well, both views can be correct. The only really important concern is what is right for you. Before you start you really need to consider some key questions: -Where do you want to live? -Is it better to own or rent? -How much home can we afford? -What monthly payments would work with our lifestyle? -How much money can we afford to put down today? -Where are the right schools for our family? -How is the commute?  Which routes could work? -Where do we spend the most time outside work? -What style, size, and amenities would we like in a potential ho... 06/09/2009

Today, we have the opportunity to visit the Ardmore Avenue Station of the SEPTA Route 100 High Speed Line. The SEPTA Rt 100 High Speed Line runs from the 69th Street Terminal in Upper Darby Delaware County to Norristown Montgomery County.  This particular station is located at the crossing of the tracks with Ardmore Avenue just to the north of the Merion Golf Club and south of the intersection of Ardmore Ave with Haverford Road. The station has limited parking so it is better situated as a drop off/walk up station for the local residents.  It is within walking distance of much of the western areas of Ardmore Park and within range of much of the student housing for Haverford College which is located north of Haverford Road and west of Ardmore Ave.  The Haverford station would be a closer... 05/01/2009

(Be sure to check out the Haverford Hill update) If you want to live outside the city but still crave the convenience of condo and town home living, you have a wide variety of options throughout Delaware County.  The area contains a diverse collection of communities ranging from the east with traditional properties such as the Contemporary Village in Glenolden and the Wildman Arms in Lansdowne to the more recent additions to the north and west such as Green Countrie Village in Newtown Square  and Runnymeade Farms in Edgmont Township. With most of the communities under common maintenance, they allow the owners the flexibilty to come and go as they please knowing that their properties will be well tended.  Many owners also look for easy access to primary transportation links.  Two communi... 04/06/2009

Today, we have another of Danielle Mateu's foreclosures but this time located a bit farther north in Havertown, Haverford Township PA in northeast Delaware County.  This twin is located just north of Darby Road and two blocks east of Eagle Rd in central Havertown.  This is an excellent location within easy walking distance of the commercial area along Darby and Eagle Roads and just blocks from the Haverford Middle and High Schools.  It also provides convenient access to the SEPTA Route 100 High Speed Line for commuting toward Norristown or Center City Philadelphia. Hastings Ave is a 4 bedroom 1 bath twin with a partially finished basement and detached two car garage.  The home has a newer kitchen, newer bath, replacement windows, front porch, and rear deck. This property is in better co... 03/09/2009