This series of posts on places to hike in and around The Main Line and Chester County can be filled with countless places. I recently moved to West Grove and close by me there is Nottingham County Park, with plenty of space to hike, cook out, and enjoy nature with a pond for fishing and space to ride horses as well. A new PA State park is planned and opening soon Big Elk Creek State Park. But, I cannot miss talking about Valley Forge National Historical Park.Most people have heard of Valley Forge, many erroneously believe a battle was fought there when in fact it was the site of the American Army Camp. Due to a bitterly cold winter and the lack of clothes and shoes many men died. It was here that Washington and his generals forged the American militias into an army to fight the British.... 09/11/2023

This is the second part of a three part series on Hiking in PA, specifically in Chester County and nearby. Today, we are focusing on the George Lorimer Preserve which I usually access from North Valley Road in Paoli. The George Lorimer Preserve, is part of the land conserved by the Open Land Conservancy. There are open fields or meadow as defined on the trail map, wooded areas, pretty flat but with some small hills and plenty of creeks. The distances are not great, but the views are lovely, and you also get to see some of the beautiful homes surrounding the Preserve from a different angle.Jackie our dog loves coming here, dogs must be kept on leash, as there are plentiful smells of other dogs and animals, such as foxes and deer, plus racoons and skunks. It makes for a very interesting w... 09/06/2023

As we enter September, you may be considering some of your January health aspirations and be encouraged to get out there and do some additional exercise. I love walking and hiking, it is easy on the knees but can be so enjoyable, you do not need much in the way of equipment and there are plenty of places to visit and enjoy.Today, I want to share with you White Clay Creek Preserve, this is right on the border with Delaware, about three miles north of Newark where the area is known as White Clay State Park, the big difference between Pennsylvania and Delaware is that you need pay no fee to enjoy the trails and nature around you in Pennsylvania, whereas in Delaware there is an entrance fee.I was introduced to this area a couple of years ago by a hiking group I am a pert of called the PA ch... 09/05/2023

We were very lucky Friday evening to get admission to Longwood Garden to see the fountain show. Since that evening Longwood has been closed due to an escaped murder from the Chester County Jail nearby. There is a major search been going on over the weekend with roads shut down and law enforcement on the ground and in the air searching for this escaped prisoner.That being said, we felt very lucky to have been able to enjoy the display Friday evening. The fountains have recently been renovated and improved with many more lights, techniques for creating different water displays, such as leaping water that looks and reminds you of fireworks being fired all in combination to the music being played. Friday the theme was classic rock, and the music and the water displays were fabulous.What was... 09/05/2023

When I was growing up we purchased our music in the form of records, made of vinyl, that were either played at 45 rpm, revolutions per minute or 33 1/3 rpms. The latter were known as LP's, long play records and the former were singles, usually from an LP.Why am I telling you all this you wonder? Well, we played these on a turntable using a needle to release the sound. Unfortunately, the records often got little scratches, so when you played them, you got this hissing and static sound along with the occasional scratch where the record would either jump, or just keep bouncing back to the same place over and over again.I was thinking how our real estate market reminds me of those days right now. Interest rates keep bouncing around, but steadily rising, yet home prices keep increasing becau... 08/11/2023

Hershey's Mill is one of my favorite over 55 communities in Chester County.  The market is tight in the over 55 community category as well here, with no end in sight.Hershey's Mill is located in East Goshen Township, convenient to major roads, shopping, the popular King of Prussia Mall, and the lovely town of West Chester, with all the cool shops and wonderful dining experiences.There are only 3 active listings at this time, ranging from mid $400,000's to mid $500,000.  Honestly, by the time your read this, there may be none!  That's how fast they are selling.  I've been in real estate since 1985 and I can tell you at any given time in the past there were as many as 20 to 30 active listings in all price ranges!There are 7 properties under contract, ranging from $325,000 to $799,900!Ther... 07/18/2023

Sometimes you have to ask yourself, what is best for my client right now? I had listed the home of my neighbor for sale, 691 Thomas Penn Drive, West Grove, PA 19390 and it is a beautiful home, with lots of upgrades and a wonderful screened porch/deck that everyone in the neighborhood is jealous for not having selected for themselves.However, we were not getting any showings and the open houses were dismally attended with no real interest. One other home, the model had recently been rented for $3,200 a month. I spoke with my seller and let him know that this other home had rented and this was a possible option for him as were we not getting any showings. He said let's do this and get a tenant in there. So, I changed the listing to a rental, withdrew the sale and hey presto in less than a... 06/24/2023

We took time on Sunday to visit one of the many local wineries in our area. It was a Father's Day treat for me and we were able to bring Jackie along with us as we sat outside. Va La Vineyard is a family owned small farm winery. They specialize in small batch wines made from northern Italian and French varieties. The farmer is the winemaker and they only use grapes grown in the vineyard on the hill where the vineyard is located.A small amount of bottles are produced each vintage and there are four varieties.We chose to start with a flight of wines, which came with a selection of cheeses and salami. La Prima Donna 2016 is vintage number sixteen and has a large variety of different grape varieties, including malvasia, bianca, petit manseng, pinot grigio, tocai and fiano. This wine is prod... 06/20/2023

This Sunday June 4th take time out of your day to stop by and see this wonderful Southern Chester County Home, located in Big Elk a 55+ community with swimming pool, clubhouse, and gymnasium and so much more.The home a Calvert Grande model with 3 beds and 3 1/2 baths has had a screened deck added to the rear, wonderful window treatments, includes the washer and dryer and refrigerator, all you have to do is make an offer and then bring your things and move in.This home has main floor living, plus two additional bedrooms and a bath upstairs plus a fully finished basement with another full bath. Two car garage, painted and floor sealed, plus security features for safety.Check out the virtual tour.Even better in person, as it has great views over the Casa Carmen Winery, which has been compl... 05/31/2023

When you move a distance from where you used to live you need to find lots of new providers, contractors, doctors etc.Well, I have always been a believer in Chiropractic Care, but when I am in pain, I know I really do not want to be driving an hour to get to my most wonderful chiropractor Andy Fetterman in Berwyn. I have been going to Andy for many years and he is excellent. But, my back had been uncomfortable for several weeks and a couple of weeks ago it reached the stage where I knew I could not put up with it without an adjustment any longer.If you have ever tried to find a new doctor or chiropractor you know how hard it is. This is a very personal relationship, this person is actually going to be putting their hands and weight upon you. I have been to a couple of chiropractors who ... 05/22/2023

Avon Grove School district covers a variety of different townships, but generally buyers will focus on the school district rather than one particular township when looking for a home.We can see that days on market have dropped as buyers adjusted to the interest rate rises and more inventory came on the market. Current inventory is a little higher than last year, with a median price point of $572,988 compared to $507,450 last year. Inventory accumulation is almost twice what it was last year, but still low overall, anything less than 6 is considered a sellers market.Listings have been steady with about thirty a month, and just less than that pending, with about 13 on average closing. Since the beginning of the year the median price is a little lower than the current month at $435,902. To... 05/15/2023

Many people do not realize when you buy a new construction home there are many additional costs required after you take possession. For example, the new homeowner now has to buy window treatments, lights and fans additional to the few that a builder may include. Often a buyer needs to purchase a washer and dryer and sometimes a refrigerator too. Depending on the house, they may need to have a deck and or a patio installed. A builder may include a basic plantings package, but most homeowners are going to want to plant some additional plantings too. Then of course there is also paint, as builder paint is usually watered down and is very flat and generally a boring color too.Now, a resale may be an older home, but sometimes for one reason or another a new home owner needs to resell their n... 05/10/2023

Saturday May 6 1-3 PM - Sunday May 7 12-2 PMWelcome to 691 Thomas Penn Drive, the best lot in all of the Big Elk 55+ community in West Grove, where you have open views from your backyard overlooking the Casa Carmen Vineyard, along with a grove of trees that further ensures your privacy.This is the first opportunity to purchase a resale home in this fully-sold-out Villa section of Big Elk, a new community that features stress-free living – never mow or clear snow again – and where you can enjoy a Community Center with full-kitchen for events, screen room, a fully-equipped gym and a gorgeous pool to relax in the warm, summer days.Better than new construction, whilst the builder finishes building the Villas that have sold you can move right in to this 3 bed, 3 1/2 bath home that has true m... 05/04/2023

Our next stop in the Community Highlight series brings us to West Chester, Pennsylvania. West Chester is a charming town located in the heart of Chester County. It is known for its rich history, diverse culture, and welcoming community. If you are considering relocating to West Chester, there are several reasons why it's a great place to call home.First and foremost, West Chester has a thriving downtown area. The streets are lined with unique shops, restaurants, and cafes. From small boutiques to big-name brands, there is something for everyone. The town also hosts a weekly farmers' market, where you can find locally grown produce, fresh flowers, and handmade goods.West Chester is also home to several parks and outdoor spaces. Everhart Park is a popular spot for picnics, playgrounds, an... 04/30/2023

691 Thomas Penn Drive, West Grove, PA 19390, now for sale.Welcome to 691 Thomas Penn Drive, the best lot in all of the Big Elk 55+ community in West Grove, where you have open views from your backyard overlooking the Casa Carmen Vineyard, along with a grove of trees that further ensures your privacy. This is the first opportunity to purchase a resale home in this fully-sold-out Villa section of Big Elk, a new community that features stress-free living – never mow or clear snow again – and where you can enjoy a Community Center with full-kitchen for events, screen room, a fully-equipped gym and a gorgeous pool to relax in the warm, summer days. Better than new construction, you can move right in to this 3 bed, 3 1/2 bath home that has true main floor living: master bedroom ensuite with o... 04/28/2023

Spring 2023 Real Estate Market UpdateGiving you the confidence to make the right decision Now that we’ve moved forward into Spring, what kind of housing market can we expect? Generally, the Spring Housing Market has been looked on with great anticipation by buyers, sellers and agents, alike. As the season changes from cold to warm, and the early Spring brings fragrant, colorful blooms of magnolias, tulips and daffodils to Eastern Pennsylvania, so have housing inventories bloomed as well, with many of us also looking for a change. This is when we venture out and look forward to a plentiful list of houses to choose from for our next dream home. But, of course, these last couple of years have been anything but ordinary times. Just as we saw in 2022, we can once again expect to see a lower ... 04/21/2023

The Best Listing InfoNestfully listings come straight from the MLS, the ultimate source for fresh and accurate listing data. (It’s where agents get their information!)Search Your WayCustomize a search using tons of available filters to make it simple to find your dream home.Explore the MarketView listing and sales stats to help you make the most informed choices!Find Out How Much Your Home Is WorthSellers, don’t sell yourself short! Get a data-driven estimate of your home’s value on Nestfully.Welcome to the Open MarketplaceThe MLS champions fair and equal access to housing for everyone. Nestfully opens the door to that marketplace and invites you to embark on your best real estate journey ever.Check out Nestfully today!Have questions? I’m always here to help! Nestfully is just one of th... 04/06/2023

As the builder is still building here in Big Elk it may be too soon to expect resales. But people have different reasons for moving and sometimes they realize they might have made a mistake. Whilst this is a 55+ community, and all the homes offer one floor living for the owner, they do include stairs and basements too. All "The Villas", twins have been sold by the builder, so there is now opportunity for owners to resell if they want and hopefully find a buyer who missed out when the builder was selling. You also are not in competition with the builder who can offer incentives to wrap up a deal.I know of two potential villas that might come on the market, so if you are interested in the Villa model which many people have preferred over the single family ranch style homes, then please fe... 04/05/2023

"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 with homeownership.Get Pre-Approved for a MortgageOnce you have a budget in mind, you'll want to get pre-approved for a mortgage. This involves providing your lender with information... 03/29/2023

Ahhh, Spring is in the air. Yes, the winter doldrums are leaving, warm weather is here. Well it was yesterday, not so much today!We get so encouraged to rush out and buy plants to fill our beds around our homes and brighten up our curb appeal. But, it can be a costly mistake if you plant to early.Whilst we get some warm days, we spent yesterday afternoon at Longwood Gardens enjoying seeing the cherry trees and magnolias in bloom. Everywhere you looked there was evidence of life, flowers beginning to bloom and brighten the landscape. We even sat at a table and enjoyed some minutes soaking up the sun. it was amazing how busy it was.Of course, you go home and think, let's get planting, but most plants cannot take a frost. And really until much later the threat of a frost is real and those ... 03/27/2023