nick vandekar: Video - long or short form video?
- 07/31/23 11:29 AM
Everybody tells us we need to be using video to stand out from the crowd. Not all agents are the same. For several years I have been using video. If you go to my YouTube channel Selling the Main Line you can see some of those past videos. I have shared some here in the Rain and there are links to two at the end of this post.
However, today, I want to discuss long versus short form video. Long form video is much of what is up on my channel currently. There are some shorts as well, but most of what … (31 comments)
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nick vandekar: Tips and Advice for Making Your First Home a Reality
- 03/29/23 12:14 PM
"First-Time Home Buyers Guide: Tips and Advice for Making Your Dream Home a Reality"
Buying your first home is an exciting and important milestone in your life. However, it can also be a daunting process if you don't know what to expect. Here is a step-by-step guide for first-time homebuyers to help you navigate the homebuying process.
Determine Your BudgetThe first step in the homebuying process is to determine how much you can afford to spend on a home. This involves looking at your income, expenses, and credit score. You'll also want to factor in closing costs, property taxes, and other expenses associated … (18 comments)
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nick vandekar: 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)
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nick vandekar: 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)
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nick vandekar: YouTube Thursday Realtor life video
- 01/19/23 06:41 AM
Every year in January our local board of Realtors installs their Board of Directors, those elected by the membership to serve and represent the local Realtor members.
With COVID I have not attended one of these for some time, however this year i booked a seat for the luncheon, the installation and the program afterwards by Terry Watson. I have seen Terry at Triple Play our three state Realtor conference and program in Atlantic City. Below is one of his famous stories which I found particularly thoughtful at the time I heard it and worth remembering as you deal with real estate … (7 comments)
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nick vandekar: 5 Things I learned from walking the Camino De Santiago
- 12/15/22 09:47 AM
A friend has been encouraging me to write about what I learned from Walking My Camino for some time. I say My Camino because everyone's is different, from the route they take, there are hundreds of routes across Europe, to that individual's personal insights.
I have been thinking about this blog for many weeks, thinking about if I wanted to write it and what I would say. With a new home purchase, the wedding and honeymoon in there as well my mind was pretty occupied.
So, here are five things I learned from Walking My Camino.
Camino means way which is why it is … (27 comments)
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nick vandekar: Excellence in Client Service Award
- 10/26/22 11:48 AM
Nick Vandekar receives the Excellence in Client Service Award 2021 from Homes.com\Homesnap.
In the photo above, Janet Rubino, Manager of the Long & Foster Real Estate office in Devon is seen presenting Nick Vandekar with the Excellence in Client Service Award 2021.
Today, I arrived at the office to discover I have received the Excellence in Client Service Award 2021 courtesy of Homes.com/Homesnap. This attractive award is now sitting on my office windowsill reassuring current and future clients that they will be looked after.
As a buyer representative or listing agent I take my fiduciary responsibilities seriously. I do not do transactions where I am … (11 comments)
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nick vandekar: Open Sunday 12-2 704 Meadowbank Road, Kennett Square
- 07/22/21 09:53 AM
Open 12-2 Sunday July 25 2021 in Kennett Square. 704 Meadowbank Road, come see this center hall colonial, the former model home of Willowdale Crossing. Totally rehabbed.
Cannot wait, then watch our video tour below.
No need to wait for new construction! Here is a former grand model home filled with natural light and has everything you could possibly dream of in a home. Located minutes away from award-winning Unionville Schools and easy access to all major routes, this stunning home is sure to impress!! The classic red brick front with a turned 3-car garage set on a wonderful lot with mature landscaping … (17 comments)
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nick vandekar: Just Listed 704 Meadowbank Road, Kennett Square PA 19348
- 07/20/21 08:32 AM
I just listed this amazing home in Willowdale Crossing in Kennett Square. The former model home it had become a little worn from use and my clients took it in hand and restored it to its former glory or even raised it.
No need to wait for new construction! Here is a former grand model home filled with natural light and has everything you could possibly dream of in a home. Located minutes away from award-winning Unionville Schools and easy access to all major routes, this stunning home is sure to impress!! The classic red brick front with a turned 3-car garage set … (20 comments)
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nick vandekar: New week, new listing coming soon
- 05/31/21 08:24 AM
Coming soon - 1 Princeton Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462.
Virtual Tour
Welcome to the newly remodeled 1 Princeton Rd. This remodeling has held nothing back, with great flow on the main floor, a large formal living room, an open plan dining room and a large kitchen with a peninsula island and eat in breakfast area. Access to the spacious backyard and pool from French doors in the dining area and slider in the breakfast area. Also enter the main floor in-law or au pair suite with full bath from the main-floor breakfast area or direct private entrance from outside, making this home … (4 comments)
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nick vandekar: Homes for sale - new inventory
- 05/29/21 01:41 PM
Everyone is complaining about the lack of inventory and this week we did our bit to help out.
We just listed this 4 bed 3 1/2 bath town home in Coddington View in Pottstown at 192 Stone Hill Drive, priced at $300,000 it has a ton of upgrades selected by the original purchasers.
Open House Sunday May 30 10-12.
Wonderful end unit town home, with every upgrade they could get, Upgraded flooring, 9' ceilings on main level, main bedroom with trey ceiling, fans throughout the house, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, tiled showers, large step down rear deck 14' by 12' approx. size, … (16 comments)
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nick vandekar: A conversation about mortgages and buyer behaviours
- 02/16/21 11:58 AM
We all know what we should do, most of us though, don't do what we know we should or we even sometimes do the opposite. Where a mortgage is concerned that can be disasterous if you want to buy a home.
I had a conversation with Shawn DeAngelo of Prosperity Home Mortgages this week about some do's and don'ts when applying for a mortgage, watch our video, admittedly a litte long but packed with information and share any that you can think of that might derail a mortgage in the comments.
Interested in buying a Main Line home, contact Nick Vandekar, Selling the … (9 comments)
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nick vandekar: How to make your offer stand out in today's market
- 02/05/21 10:54 AM
We all know that in today's hot, hot buyer's market that an offer needs to stand out and be a little different. Prosperity Home Mortgage has been offering a great product the Propserity Buyers' Advantage; this is a program where buyers get fully approved for a loan, barring the appraisal and the title work. All paperwork from the buyer is reviewed by an underwriter and a commitment is issued with only the purchase details needing to be completed.
I had a great conversation today with Shawn DeAngelo of Prosperity Home Mortgage about this program and some other things about preapprovals and mortgages. … (7 comments)
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nick vandekar: Why your pre-approval is no longer as good as you think it is!
- 01/27/21 09:10 AM
As agents for years we have been telling our prospective clients to speak to a mortgage provider and to get preapproved as the first step in searching for and buying a home.
Most prospective buyers know this and dutifully speak to a mortgage provider and get their preapproval for a mortgage and with this in hand then contact a Realtor to help them buy a home.
But something has happened over the last few years that no longer makes that pre-approval of any value. For the past three years, agents have been talking about the low inventory of homes for resale, as well … (11 comments)
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nick vandekar: 2020 sales in Old Forge Crossing, Devon PA
- 01/21/21 11:49 AM
Old Forge Crossing Sales Data for 2020
This condominium development remains popular and whilst the pandemic slowed things down prices rose and the number of total sales for the year were slightly higher.
At the beginning of the year things were quite slow, and in 2020 we had just a few more sales than in previous years with 25 total sales. This is in line with what we have seen across the Main Line real estate market with a reduced inventory and many buyers ready, willing and able to snap up inventory when it has come on the market. As a result we … (6 comments)
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nick vandekar: 50 Carol Lane, Malvern under contract
- 12/01/20 07:34 AM
Now under contract 4 bed 2 bath Summit Ridge Ranch, located on 3/4 acre lot, but with 1.3 acres of privacy. In ground pool with a new liner and cover, shed, plus propane powered house generator. Recently painted and with custom trim throughout. Enter into the living room, with an open floor plan to dining area, with hardwood floors and kitchen. French doors to deck with awning, deck was recently re-finished, eat dinner overlooking the pool or enjoy a drink as you relax in your own recreational area. Three good sized bedrooms with new carpets on the main floor and a … (9 comments)
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nick vandekar: Video tour of 315 Valley Stream lane, Chesterbrook PA 19087
- 10/21/20 01:41 PM
Our new listing in Chesterbrook at 315 Valley Stream Lane, Wayne PA 19087 goes live in the MLS today. We already have multiple appointments lined up for today, an Open House is planned for Saturday from 1-4 pm and I don't think this 3 bed, 2 bath condo is going to last long, especially as it has the added benefit of a single car detached garage, a west facing patio to enjoy the lingering rays of the sun as it dips below the horizon along with a wonderful kitchen as well.
Take a tour, virtually with our video, and stop by on … (15 comments)
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nick vandekar: 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)
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nick vandekar: 431 Ivy Mills Road - procured and closed for my buyers
- 08/14/20 09:46 AM
Having listings right now is a wonderful position to be in, but that sometimes means you have clients looking for homes in a market where finding inventory is hard and when you do, most likley there is strong competition.
I had been working with some clients and several homes sold as fast as they came on the market. Even homes that they saw that had been on the market a while were selling.
However, they were prepared, had their commitment from the lender, and when the right property popped were ready to make an immediate offer before even seeing it. The seller was … (4 comments)
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nick vandekar: Don't wait! Taking action leads to success
- 07/30/20 09:26 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor e-Pro, CRS, RCS-D, Vets is always encouraging us to Take Action in his posts. This week I got a call from a client who I have been showing homes to for a little while, but all fell short for one reason or another. They had just seen a home they had driven by and wanted to make an offer.
It was a coming soon listing, which meant no showings. They loved the location and the look of the lot from the road. It was an estate selling the home, and they did not want to wait till it … (4 comments)
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Everybody tells us we need to be using video to stand out from the crowd. Not all agents are the same. For several years I have been using video. If you go to my YouTube channel Selling the Main Line you can see some of those past videos. I have shared some here in the Rain and there are links to two at the end of this post.
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