Real estate blog entries tagged with 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 "realtor"

realtor: Should I buy a Fixer-upper or a Move-in-Ready home? - 01/09/25 07:50 AM

In a recent survey, December 2024, our local MLS, Bright MLS found the following results regarding what buyers are looking for in a home.
More than half (56.1%) said that it was “very important” to buy a home that was move-in ready, with no repairs or major improvements needed. Another 37.8% said that buying a home that was in move-in-ready condition was “somewhat important” to them.
As many home buyers know you may have to compromise on what you are looking for with the extremely low inventory of homes for sale. The survey found the following results when asked about what buyers would compromise … (18 comments)

realtor: Closing day for Tom and Hannah - 11/21/24 12:09 PM

It is always exciting to reach closing day, especially when everything has gone smoothly throughout a transaction. I met Hannah and Tom not that long ago when we met to discuss working together and they mentioned they wanted to buy a house before next May. After going over all the details of how the real estate process works in PA, getting approved for a mortgage etc they decided to work with me.
They quickly got approved from a local lender, and we went to look at homes. At the very last minute Hannah texted me one more address to add to our … (20 comments)

realtor: What happens at a home inspection? - 11/12/24 02:00 PM

Buying a home requires multiple steps, one of which is the home inspection, this is generally done after the seller has accepted your offer for their home as one of the contingencies. But, occasionally it is done before if there is time allowing your offer to be stronger waiving the inspection contingency and making your offer in light of what you have found or not.
There are several types of inspections which can be carried out under the term of a home inspection. These include a general home inspection, wood boring insect inspection often referred to as a Termite inspection although it … (17 comments)

realtor: What should I look for in a home? - 11/06/24 06:44 AM

First time buyers starting out on the road to home ownership have many questions. One of the common ones is What should I look for in a home?
Whilst the number of bedrooms and baths is important it may not be the most important thing when looking for a home. This is why I always like to sit down and have a conversation with new clients about their lifestyle, what is important to them, and how they live their lives.
Looking at houses is an art, as a Realtor we look at houses multiple times a week, we notice things other people do … (12 comments)

realtor: First time buyers ask How much do I need for a down payment? - 11/05/24 08:24 AM

For a long time when buying a home people needed and put down about 20% of the cost of the home as a down payment. But, as prices rose lenders came up with different products and means to avoid having to put 20% down.
Today, there are still some programs that require no down payment, especially for Veterans and those using a USDA loan. Then there are FHA loans and even conventional loans that require as little as 3.5% as a down payment.
These lower limits make it far more manageable for buyers to afford a home. Plus for first time buyers there … (18 comments)

realtor: What is the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval? - 10/29/24 08:06 AM

First time buyers have so many questions and all are good. Often the biggest problem is knowing what questions to ask when you do not know what you do not know. This series is tackling different questions many first time buyers have about buying a home and the different steps involved.
We are still tackling questions revolving around mortgages and financing the purchase of a home. When I first sit down with potential clients I discuss with them how they intend to finance the purchase of the home they want to buy. Mostly, buyers are using a mortgage, especially first time buyers.
So, … (13 comments)

realtor: Is now the right time to refinance your mortgage? - 09/18/24 09:15 AM

With the current talk about interest rates dropping refinancing a mortgage can be a smart financial move, but the timing and circumstances need to be right. Here’s a breakdown of the best time to refinance, things to consider, and how your home equity impacts the process:
Best Time to Refinance: Lower Interest Rates: If mortgage rates have dropped significantly since you took out your loan, refinancing could help lower your monthly payments and overall interest costs.
Improved Credit Score: If your credit score has improved since you first took out your mortgage, you may qualify for better rates, making refinancing worthwhile.
Change … (22 comments)

realtor: Confusion reigns - 08/28/24 12:10 PM

Well a couple of weeks into the big change in real estate and we see a lot of confusion. As much training and webinars as were available from every angle and many agents and managers just did not pay attention.
Forms have changed and things need to be done differently, but some people have not made the change or just did not listen. We had a meeting in our office today to discuss what we are all seeing in practice as we represent buyers and sellers. Are agents answering their phones? How are they sharing offers of compensation, if at all?
First, you … (12 comments)

realtor: Nick Vandekar Another 5 star review - 08/13/24 10:12 AM

I generally work with sellers, but earlier this year my phone rang and on answering I was talking with an employee of a friend and the friend of another friend, Quincy.
Quincy explained he was looking for help buying a home and could I help him with that plan. We discussed what he was looking for, why he was buying now after having rented for many years following a divorce as well as his budget. I explained how I work with clients, and we agreed to work together to find a home.
After sending over the relevant paperwork for signature, something we will … (16 comments)

realtor: Five star review for Nick Vandekar - 08/09/24 08:31 AM

It is always satisfying to hear how much your client appreciates your services. I received this five star review from a recent buyer client. I tend to split my business about 60/40 with more sellers and listings than buyers, but always enjoy working with buyers.
Often, I work with first time buyer clients or repeat clients wanting to stay in the same school district or area. I like working with first time buyer clients as it allows me to educate them on the process, and to help them get their first home.
The client above who left the review is actually an investor, … (8 comments)

realtor: Let me remove the fog for you when you move to the Main Line - 06/27/24 08:43 AM

I moved to the Philadelphia Main Line back in 1990 with my young family. A lot has changed since then, prices are much higher, interest rates fell and have now climbed higher. There has been lots of new construction either as new developments or infill construction using an existing lot and tearing down the current home to make way for something new.
We have all sorts of homes available along and around the Philadelphia Main Line and Chester County. There are apartment building, condos, town homes, small and large, single family homes in all styles, Victorian, Ranch, Cape Cod, Colonial, Mansions and … (12 comments)

realtor: Giving you the confidence to make the right decisions! - 05/09/24 09:14 AM

People buying and selling homes on the Main Line and in Chester County have a choice of agents to use. There are many different reasons why people work with one specific agent. It may be via a recommendation, or a referral from family and friends. They may have found reviews online. Ultimately, you need to like the person you are going to be working with and trust them. So why choose Nick Vandekar? Below I offer up some reasons and follow this up with some past client testimonials.
Concierge Real Estate Services
I make buying and selling Real Estate An Amazing Experience
Full Time … (22 comments)

realtor: As the mist clears! - 05/02/24 08:09 AM

There are mornings like this one, where the mist or fog is so heavy you can hardly see in front of your nose as we say in England. It has felt that way with the multiple lawsuits brought against brokers, NAR and the MLS's in the real estate industry. Then as the sun rises, it slowly clears and before you know it, it is a bright and sunny day.
After decades of homes being sold in a certain way, someone seems to have suddenly had the bright idea to bring a lawsuit and make some money. The people making the most will … (22 comments)

realtor: A little innovation for Jackie at Nottingham County Park - 05/01/24 09:10 AM

Last year our dog Jackie, named after Jackie Robinson, who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers, when my wife got Jackie she knew she wanted a name related to baseball, and as her mother grew up in Brooklyn, there was no way it was going to be Babe, so that is how Jackie got her name.
Anyway, last year Jackie was diagnosed with a shrinking cerebellum, the cerebellum is the back part of the brain and is the center of your balance. We had thought she might have issues with her back as she had made some noise when we were stroking her … (12 comments)

realtor: A video conversation ABOUT INSURANCE - 04/11/24 08:52 AM

I was able to sit down with Shane McIntyre of Comparion Insurance Agency this week and cover several things about home insurance.
Some of the things we covered were:
Are you covered when a neighbor's tree falls in your yard?
Do you need an UMBRELLA Policy and what the heck is that?
How to shop for home insurance?
Who to call before making an insurance claim?
What is happening to rates?
What is an insurance credit score?

Check it out, it is quite long, but time flew, and we covered a lot.
Shane is just one of the many connections I have and offer to my clients when buying or … (4 comments)

realtor: We are very lucky! - 04/11/24 07:41 AM

This is like a coming soon post about a dinner we are attending/hosting this evening.
We are very lucky to have a wide group of friends and to live where we do. Firstly, friends - most people know a small group of people, well Annie is one of those people I discovered when we got married who stays in touch with everyone she knows, I would say 70% of our guests were from her side. Many of those friends are wine collectors, her previous partner who died loved wine and introduced Annie to many of his friends, and they have remained friends. … (12 comments)

realtor: Sometimes you just have to be patient. - 03/09/24 01:00 PM

“Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.”― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
A long, long time ago, it feels that way at least, I dug some holes in our yard and planted several tulip bulbs around our front walkway. Tulips need to be exposed to the cold and have to overwinter in the ground, preferably planted in the fall.
“The two hardest tests on the spiritual road are the patience to wait for the right moment and the courage not to be disappointed with what we encounter.”― Paulo Coelho, Veronika Decides to Die
Well, then you have to wait, and wait, through the end … (36 comments)

realtor: This one didn't last long! Pending Sale 726 Mancill Road, Wayne PA - 02/29/24 01:45 PM

Well, after lots of interest and multiple showings we received an offer and the promise of a second offer. My sellers did not want to be rushed as we had open houses planned for the weekend. However, when an offer meets most of the parameters that a seller wants, then the natural thing to do is to counter that offer.
Having done that, seller and buyer this morning reached terms acceptable to both, and both signed the agreement of sale.
Showings were cancelled along with the Open Houses over the weekend.
My seller is very happy, relieved to know that they are now able … (13 comments)

realtor: What is love? - 02/14/24 12:12 PM

Yes, here we are on Valentine's Day again, it feels a little like Groundhog Day, it just keeps coming round and round. But, have you ever really considered what is love?
Love is an emotion, sure, but we use the word loosely. We love our parents, our lover, our spouse, our kids, our grandkids, our pets, our cars, our home, our favorite food, our favorite book or movie, even our jobs.
Do we love them all in the same way? Certainly not, but we use the same word, love.
Certain songs move us, that we say, I love this song. Here is a Youtube … (21 comments)

realtor: New month, new brokerage, new ideas! - 02/06/24 12:48 PM

So my exciting news for this month is that after 18 years with Long & Foster Real Estate Inc., I have moved my license to a new brokerage. I have joined Realty ONE Group Advocates in Downingtown, PA.
Located at 255 W Uwchlan Avenue Downingtown, PA 19335 this is a great location for me living in West Grove and working along and around the Main Line and Chester County.
I am excited by this move as I believe that Realty ONE Group Advocates offers my clients, buyers and sellers alike options in this ever changing Real Estate Industry. It allows me to be … (23 comments)

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