It was a beautiful, sunny day October 2--perfect for this long-running Pennsylvania house tour. With 23 homes to choose from, we decided to start with those around Everhart Square in the Borough of West Chester. And what a winner the Paxson house on Union St. was. Built in 1850 and owned by the same family today, it highlighted the talents of the owner.  He builds finials for lightning rods, but has become a self taught cabinet maker, creating doors, paneled walls, wainscoting, and period furniture in the home. One piece I particularly appreciated seemed to be a copy of a high chest by the Dunlap family of New Hampshire which is in the collection of nearby Winterthur Museum. We ran into a friend of the owner outside,and he gave us a tour of the grounds, which extend way back into the ce... 10/04/2021

Nothing beats old Mother Nature at this time of year, but definitely giving her a nudge is Glen Willow Orchards in Avondale, Pennsylvania. Although it takes a few minutes longer to get there than to my regular grocery store, when I need farm grown produce and especially their orange juice, I make a beeline north of my Hockessin, Delaware office to this friendly place.  What a variety of pumpkins and fall decor I found. There was a whole menagerie of animals some crafty person had fashioned out of straw, all looking out towards the fields of veggies.      Also loved the moose family and the chickens with the big feet.  I bought a warty pumpkin and golden pepper plant.        09/27/2021

Currently under contract - 1 Redtail Court West Chester PA 19382 - Welcome to this Move-In Condition Luxury End Unit 3 bedroom 2.5 bath Townhome located in Hunters Run.As you enter 1 Redtail Ct you will find the spacious living room/ dining room is set off by columns and rich molding. This light filled open space is finished with gleaming hardwood floors, plush carpeting, and high ceilings making a perfect entertaining space. Working from home is a breeze with a first floor office space featuring a 12 pane glass door just off the entry area, a convenient first floor powder room, and easy inside access to the 2 car garage.Just beyond, you will find the open kitchen / family room area. The gourmet eat-in kichen features 42" Maple cabinets, a large center island, separate pantry closet, an... 06/14/2021

"Sweet, A Walking Tour of West Chester PA" was the billing for this Chester County History Center tour today.  The History Center, founded in 1893, sponsored this talk led by guides in period costumes.We started out with an explanation of the types of cacao pods, then a demonstration of the beans being ground on a stone metate with a heat source underneath. Looked like a lot of work! We then visited one of the country's top chocolatiers, Eclat, on South High Street. Christopher Curtin, the owner, gave us samples of a truffle (delish!) and a piece of dark chocolate (wow!).  A steady stream of clients pulling up and picking up orders showed just how popular this chocolate is. Another stop was Gemelli Artisinal Gelato, on West Market Street. The owner, Vincenzo (genuine Italian craftsman) ... 05/08/2021

I have been selling real estate since 2004 and lived in this area since 1990. I always knew Chesterbrook was a popular place to live, but it was not till last year that I fully appreciated some of those reasons.When the pandemic hit our area, we were all told to stay at home, not to travel anywhere. I have always been a walker, more so the last few years and this being stuck indoors was very hard.I moved to Chesterbrook in 2019, living on Valley Stream Lane and from there had discovered a path along Valley Creek that took me underneath the Pennsylvania Turnpike right into the heart of Valley Forge Park. This allowed me to walk, to see nature and feel normal and get some much needed exercise too.  I took many photos of the park during this past year, of a beaver which surprised me, of bl... 05/05/2021

Open House Saturday May 8th 11 am - 1 pm and Sunday May 9th 1-3 pm Located in the prestigious and award winning T/E School district, 1549 Maple Avenue sits on 1.5 acres of wooded beauty giving amazing changes through the seasons. A cul-de-sac location provides privacy. This brick built colonial provides good flow through the main floor, large kitchen with space for breakfast table, with access to the spacious deck overlooking the hillside lot. Koi pond to the side of the house with additional water feature provides an elegant space to relax in the shade of an evening. Comfortable library/den area with fireplace, living room and dining room with laundry room and powder room complete the main level. Stairs to the upper floor with a large master, en suite bathroom, balcony and large walk i... 05/04/2021

This week Shawn DeAngelo of Prosperity Home Mortgage and I discuss five things that affect your credit score and your ability to qualify for a mortgage and get a great rate at the same time. Check out the video of our conversation and don't despair if you have some negative events in your life, we discuss those as well and be aware you may still be able to qualify for a mortgage even after a bankruptcy. For mortgage help contact Shawn DeAngelo of Prosperity Home Mortgage at 484-297-2192 or ShawnD@PHMLoans.com. Buying or selling on or around the Main Line, contact Nick Vandekar, Selling the Main Line with Long and Foster Real Estate Inc., office 610-225-7400, cell or text 610-203-4543, or Nick@VandekarTeam.com. 02/23/2021

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 Main Line with Long & Foster Real Estate, office 610-225-7400, cell or text 610-203-4543, Nick@VandekarTeam.com, need a mortgage contact Shawn DeAngelo, email ShawnD@PHMLoans.com or 484-297-2192. 02/16/2021

As of this morning, there are only 38 single family homes for sale in the West Chester Area School District.  38. Out of a total of 75 homes that would include condos and townhomes.  Homes are going way over asking, in bidding wars where buyers are waiving inspections, appraisals, mortgage contingencies!   It's a great time to be a seller.  Prices range from $310,000 to $2,450,000.  If you're curious about the home that's listed at $2,450,000, you can check it out here.  If you're curious about homes at any price in the West Chester area, sent me a quick email and I'm happy to provide information.  You can use the search function on my website by clicking here.If you are thinking of a move but are afraid to list it because you don't know where you'll go, we will need to be creative.  I'... 02/09/2021

With a vista of the fountain garden quietly surrounded by snow, our hike around Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania was very peaceful, with few other visitors present. But the carillon still sounded every quarter hour, the trees reached their leafless branches into the sunny sky, and the water in the grotto still mysteriously poured through a sunlit opening.  There is no specific orchid display in the conservatories as in the past, but Longwood has brought out some of their exotic orchids from their vast greenhouses and growing rooms. We were particularly fascinated by one whose flowers spill from witchy looking horns called Fredclarkeara After Dark.  The Mediterranean area is always beautiful, but had a particularly striking display which complimented the Gothic arches of ... 02/05/2021

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. Enjoy the video below. Shawn's contact details are at the end of the video.If you are looking to make your offer stand out, then contact Nick Vandekar, Selling the Main Line with Long & Foste... 02/05/2021

I just listed this great townhome in the prestigious gated community of Arbordeau in Devon. Sitting behind its own gated patio, landscaped to resemble a Mediterranean landscape area, this 3 bed 2 1/2 bath home has underground parking for two cars as well. No reason to venture out into the cold or wet when you live here. Take a video tour: Arbordeau is perfectly located on the main line, and has the added security of being a gated secure community. Minutes to everywhere important on the Main Line and a short distance from Jenkins Arboretum, Devon or Berwyn Stations. Plentiful supply of excellent restaurants, shops and bars are all nearby.For your private tour contact Nick Vandekar, Selling the Main Line with Long & Foster Real Estate Inc. office 610-225-7400, cell or text 610-203-4543, o... 02/04/2021

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 as the lack of new construction as well. This combined with low interest rates has made it very difficult to buy a home in today's market. The low inventory, combined with low interest rates has created a very strong sellers mark... 01/27/2021

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 have also seen days on market drop to just over 9 across all sales in the year. Prices have strengthened over previous years with a square foot net price of $213.38. Of those 25 sales, 18 were single bedroom units, of which two had dens. Overa... 01/21/2021

I am very happy today to announce the addition to our team of Sindhu Manchester. Sindhu has been hosting my Open Houses at the end of last year and I asked her to join my team after watching her professionalism and style during a very difficult time. Originally born and raised in Zambia, Africa, Sindhu came to New York in 1997 as an international student to pursue a bachelor’s degree in International Business, and later, a higher education in Accounting. Sindhu always knew that she wanted a vocation that would allow her to help others, and found her true calling here, in East Norriton, PA within real estate.  Sindhu recognizes and values the trust our clients place in her, and strives every day to exceed their expectations while guiding them through one of the biggest investments of the... 01/07/2021

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 full bath, with stairs to the finished basement and fourth bedroom with an en suite full bathroom. In addition the basement has the family room with built in entertainment center and recessed lighting, bonus room and laundry ... 12/01/2020

I just listed this great Cape Cod home in West Chester PA yesterday, today it is under agreement and the buyers are very happy as are my sellers. Savvy buyers, got in early, and made a strong offer that my sellers decided was acceptable.  Welcome to 1143 Cardinal Drive, located on a large flat 1 acre corner lot, in Land Grant Farms neighborhood in Westtown on the corner of Overhill and Cardinal, this stone fronted cape style home has been completely updated and expanded, with 5 bedrooms 4 full bathrooms three of which are en-suite, and 2 powder rooms and two car attached garage.Large flat yard with mature trees and shed surrounds the house. The rear of the house with newly renovated deck, and hot tub area. The exterior of the house with new windows, siding and gutters, newer roof, new H... 11/19/2020

I just listed this great Cape Cod home in West Chester PA.  Welcome to 1143 Cardinal Drive, located on a large flat 1 acre corner lot, in Land Grant Farms neighborhood in Westtown on the corner of Overhill and Cardinal, this stone fronted cape style home has been completely updated and expanded, with 5 bedrooms 4 full bathrooms three of which are en-suite, and 2 powder rooms and two car attached garage. Large flat yard with mature trees and shed surrounds the house. The rear of the house with newly renovated deck, and hot tub area. The exterior of the house with new windows, siding and gutters, newer roof, new HVAC systems, one main and one split system are just the beginnings of the updates and remodeling that has been carried out on this 4435 square foot home. Entering the front door,... 11/17/2020

 It was taking a chance, but I really wanted to see the annual Chrysanthemum Festival at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. My friend Brenda, who works there in the Visitor Center, invited me to visit late in the day in the middle of the week, when there were not likely to be many other visitors.    Sure enough, we may have seen less than 20 people there. But it gave me a chance to see some nice fall color before going in out of the rain in the conservatory. I'm glad to see their walkways are covered with leaves, just as mine are.  And it's not the 1000 bloom artificially trained mums I came to see, although there seems to be training and hidden wires behind a lot of the plants, but not as obvious.  On such a gloomy day,  the orchid room looked more colorful than ever. An... 11/12/2020

Yesterday, my girl friend and I went antiquing in Lancaster County. The area got hit by the storm moving up the East coast and so we got pretty wet, being in and out of the car.  We had headed out on Tuesday evening, stayed overnight in Lancaster, had a nice dinner on the main square there and set off to Columbia in the morning to start our hunt.  Whilst we were strolling through one combined dealer shop I came across this lovely old wheelbarrow. I did not see the makers mark initially which is below. I loved the old paint, the strawberry leaf stencil on the side and the eight prong iron wheel. The sides lift off as well, so you can balance larger items on the floor of the barrow. I have seen these before and they make great pieces for people to use filled with flowers, or possibly some... 11/12/2020