One of the joys of being a Realtor and working with young first time buyers is discovering the changes in their lives when you check in with them.I had reached out to some past clients and got back some lovely photos of their new baby born in March. A little girl called Quinn. I also heard about one of their dogs needing surgery on a herniated disc and the improvements they are making to the house. Baby proofing it now there is an additional member of the family.It is part of what makes this job worthwhile to hear that the house you helped them find and guided them through the transaction is the perfect place for them as they raise their family.When they bought the house, they were a couple and they added a large deck to the back of the house and used the back yard for their marriage.On... 07/12/2025

I was recently approached to do an interview because of my presence on Active Rain about the real estate market in my area. The article appeared in KeyCrew Journal Below is the articleMain Line Market Dynamics Reveal Sharp Geographic Divides in Philadelphia Suburbs Written by:Steve MarcinukThe Philadelphia Main Line market is experiencing a tale of two realities, where location differences of just one township can mean the difference between multiple offers and weeks on the market. This geographic divide is changing how buyers and sellers navigate one of Pennsylvania’s most sought-after residential corridors.Nicholas “Nick” Vandekar, Licensed Associate Broker at Realty ONE Group Advocates, who has worked the Main Line market since 2004, recently witnessed this phenomenon firsthand with ... 07/11/2025

 While waiting for my client to conduct the final walkthrough before settlement I noticed this large blue heron flying through the neighborhood. I always seem to see Blue Herons, and consider them my Spirit Animal, where ever I go and this reminded me. Those with the Blue Heron spirit animal in the Native American tradition possess innate wisdom and strength that helps them maneuver and co-create their own situations and achievements in life.     Exceptional Support Every Step of the Way! I had a great experience working with Nick. He was incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, and always responsive — even while on vacation! His dedication and professionalism made the process smooth and stress-free. Highly recommend! I just received the review above from a buyer client I had worked with for ... 07/08/2025

I had young clients who were intent on buying a larger home. We looked for a long time, but due to the lack of inventory and their unwillingness to enter into a bidding war we were not being particularly successful.They had purchased a new construction townhome in Spring Oak in Malvern by J.P. Orleans with me several years ago and as their family grew they were now interested in buying a single family home. With four young children in tow we continued looking at homes. I suggested they look at the development they were in and see if the builder had any lots and models that they liked. Initially they were not in favor of this plan.Then suddenly, out of the blue they called me they had been walking past the model home and had gone in to see what sites were available. The site agent knew m... 06/03/2025

This great home settled yesterday, my sellers love the neighborhood so much they bought a single family home in the same development, Spring Oak in Malvern which settles today.We negotiated for them to remain in the house for a few days so they can get the new house painted and the movers can pack everything up and move them next week.The buyers are happy as they moved to be closer to some friends who are now neighbors and for work relocation. This great neighborhood features a wonderful clubhouse and pool.If you need help selling or finding the perfect home, give me a call Nick Vandekar, Selling the Main Line and Chester County with Realty ONE Group Advocates, office phone 484-237-2055, cell or text 610-203-4543, Nick@VandekarTeam.com. 05/30/2025

There is something exciting about buying a new construction home as opposed toa resale. One of these is making decisions on just about everything, the number of lights, fans, where to place connections for TV's, kitchen cabinetry, countertops, etc.For some it is just a matter of choosing the basic package with no upgrades. Other people go to town.Recently I have spoken to two owners who chose to select a home office over a third bedroom. This was an option offered  by the builder. But they just as easily could have used that third bedroom as an office and retained some added value.What the builder did in both cases was to remove the bedroom closet, making an additional closet in  the hallway, and changing the doors of the "office" to glass doors.Now, it is easy to convert these rooms ba... 05/28/2025

Memorial Day 2025   Remember I hope everyone has a great summerDavid HenkeLong & Foster Real Estate Inc – Wilmington, DE/Devon, PAOffice: 610-225-7400/Direct: 610-618-0808http://www.DelawarePAHomes.com 05/25/2025

Big Elk 55+ community in West Grove, PA, Penn Township is located about a mile from a strip mall Jennersville Village Shops with a large Giant supermarket, Starbucks, 2ESP Pub, Sakura Asian Restaurant, The Corner Cafe, Norman's Hallmark Store, Pets and Friends, a large CVS, Dry Cleaner, Snap Fitness Gym, Hairdresser and Spa, Fajitas Y Salsa Taco restaurant, State Store, Dairy Queen and even an ATT store along with Salad Works, Aurora Pizza and Pasta and a Pack and Ship store as well, just about everything you need nearby including a winery and vineyard Casa Carmen.Right next door to the community, Christianacare is rebuilding a new community hospital and emergency room.In the Big Elk Community there is a club house, with gym holding free weights and a small assortment of exercise machin... 05/21/2025

21 Newport Drive, Chesterbrook, PA 19087 - JUST SOLD! This charming End-Unit, Vineyard Model Townhome in Chesterbrook’s Landmark Development just sold for $745,000, $50,000 over the asking price with four offers and strong buyer demand! 21 Newport Drive, a beautiful located end-unit townhome in the desirable Landmark Development of Chesterbrook, Wayne, PA backing to open space! This spacious home offers three floors of thoughtfully designed living space, plus a fully finished walk out basement—perfect for entertaining, a home gym, or extra storage. Step inside to find a bright and inviting main floor, featuring a central hallway that leads to a well-appointed kitchen, a formal dining room, and a cozy living room with wood fireplace and access to the deck overlooking the open space behin... 05/13/2025

Here is your chance to check out this beautiful home in the Spring Oak community Malvern, PA. Sunday May 4th 1-3 pm come meet our team and hear about our offers.Who wouldn't want to work from home when you have such a stylish office with custom built shelving and French Doors for privacy. This home has tons of upgrades throughout and is well worth a visit.Walk through the home using our video link, then come see for yourself just how wonderful this home truly is and why you should make it yours this weekend. Or call Nick Vandekar, Selling the Main Line ad Chester County, with Realty ONE Group Advocates, office 484-237-2055, cell or text 610-203-4543, or email  Nick@VandekarTeam.com to make a private appointment.The sellers love this community so much they are simply moving within the co... 05/01/2025

Many people do not fully understand what it means to live in a development run by a Homeowners Association (HOA). When I first moved to America I had never experienced a condo or homeowners association before. As we looked for homes I began to form my own opinion as to whether we wanted to live in one with three young boys growing up. I decided that for us at that stage it was not an option. But as I have aged and had different priorities my views have changed. If you're considering moving into a home governed by a HOA, it's important to understand what that means. As your Realtor, I want you to have a clear picture of both the advantages and the potential downsides. Pros of Living in an HOA: Neighborhood Aesthetics:HOAs typically enforce rules about property maintenance, lawn care, an... 05/01/2025

Spring has finally sprung in East Goshen Township, Chester County. The trees are glorious, the grass is green, and the hum of lawn mowers is once again the backdrop to a beautiful summer day. As I sit here, my little cat Dani walks in front of my computer, steps on my keyboard, and generally makes sure she gets some love!  The best part of a home office is being here with my pets!We had a lovely Easter Sunday with my family, including the next generation, my granddaughter, and my great-nephew.  In short, there is a lot to be thankful for.  The sun is shining, I presume the birds are singing (my ears do not pick this sound up), and life is good. Carpe Diem!    04/24/2025

We live outside Philadelphia about 20 minutes south of Longwood Gardens. When we were getting married a friend bought us a membership which we have renewed each year. In the past year Longwood has undergone a large transformation creating a new conservatory and a Bonsai garden display area. As you can see above the Bonsai on display are amazing and they rotate so each time you may see different Bonsai. Some have been trained for over 100 years, others are much younger, but some of the examples are 400 years or older. It is amazing.But our reason for visiting a couple of weekends ago was to catch the Spring display, we were not sure if the tulips would be in full bloom but we were very lucky. You can see below they blended the planting with hyacinths and tulips all in different color blo... 04/23/2025

Happy Easter!Have a great day! David HenkeLong & Foster Real Estate Inc – Wilmington, DE/Devon, PAOffice: 610-225-7400/Direct: 610-618-0808http://www.DelawarePAHomes.com  04/20/2025

This post is courtesy of WITF a Public Broadcaster in Pennsylvania serving the central part of the State. It is not about your typical railroad station as shown above.Inside Chester County lies Kennett Square, a town known for its mushroom farms. But hidden beneath its surface is a powerful history—one that reveals the courage, solidarity, and risk that defined the Underground Railroad. Today, that legacy lives on through the work of the Kennett Underground Railroad Center (KURC), located at 120 N. Union Street, Kennett Square, PA  19348 where volunteers are striving to preserve a story too long overlooked.“This is a very important item in history, and yet it has been set aside for so many years with no one saying anything about it,” says Debbie Burston, educator and board member of the... 04/16/2025

Stop by and say Hi! this Saturday 4/5 and Sunday 4/6 from 1 -3 pm at 362 Quigley Drive, Malvern, PA 19355.Check out the virtual walk through: Welcome to 362 Quigley Drive, a Kingston II model, a stunning 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath, with a plumbed in bath in the basement, end-unit townhome in the sought-after Spring Oak community of Malvern, PA. Nestled in the award-winning Great Valley School District, this home offers the perfect blend of charm, convenience, and modern luxury. Spring Oak is more than just a neighborhood—it’s a lifestyle. Picture kids riding bikes, neighbors chatting on tree-lined sidewalks, and weekends spent exploring scenic walking trails and bike paths. With low-maintenance living and resort-style amenities, you’ll have more time to enjoy what truly matters. Plus, with eas... 04/04/2025

People often think home inspections are for reopening negotiations on the price. But this is far from the truth. Check out my quick video for the real reason for a home inspection. Buying a home on the Main Line or in Chester County, contact Nick Vandekar for guidance and representation, Selling the Main Line and Chester County with Realty ONE Group Advocates, office 484-237-2055, cell or text 610-203-4543, email Nick@VandekarTeam.com to set up a complimentary consultation to discuss your needs and find out the process for buying a home in Pennsylvania on the Main Line or in Chester County and surrounding areas. 03/21/2025

Buying a house can be a long and winding road of ups and downs. But being prepared and knowing the steps can help you weather the emotional storms that invariably come along.Knowing how your credit score is calculated can be helpful to establishing a good strong score which will help you obtain a mortgage for the best rate.The riskier you are to lend money to, the higher the rate of interest will be on that mortgage which can make the cost of the loan prohibitive.1) Payment history, paying your bills on time makes up 35% of your score. Set an alarm in your calendar so that you do not miss any payment dates. This is the largest contributor to your credit score.2) The amount of debt you are carrying makes up 30% of your score, too much debt will affect your score negatively, lenders want ... 03/19/2025

There are currently 7 homes for sale in this popular, over-55 community.  Of the homes currently for sale, prices range from $520,000 to $699,900. Good news for buyers: 4 of the seven have recently reduced their prices. This hasn't happened in the Mill for quite some time!Each village has its own HOA fees and a different capital contribution fund.  However, all villages pay toward a Master Association, making the initial investment into Hershey's Mill something to consider.Hershey's Mill is a gated golf course community, and the villages surround lovely grounds.  You don't need to golf to enjoy the many activities that are available.  You can be as active or inactive as you please!I am happy to provide information if you want to learn more about Hershey's Mill.  I will even take you on ... 03/17/2025

As Spring rapidly approaches you may be considering is now the right time to sell your home? Kenny Chesney said:“Sunshine and spring bring out the best in everyone.”There are many things that go into deciding if now is the right time to sell your home. What are you trying to achieve? Is it to downsize or buy a larger home due to changes in family circumstances? Are you dealing with a death or divorce situation?Sometimes a time just comes when you know you need or want to move for a variety of reasons. When it is time, that is the time to move and sell your home.There is no right time specifically, it all depends on your situation. People often believe Spring is the best time to sell, however statistics actually show the best prices generally are achieved in the Fall.Anne Bradstreet said... 03/14/2025