Main Line Homes Blog

Philadelphia School Report

Ten years ago The Philadelphia Inquirer published a report on the area schools for the first time. This past weekend they just published this years report with a photographic review of the prior ten years.

As time has passed the report has become more detailed and of course covers charter schools now which did not even exist ten years ago. Plus with today's access to the internet you can now access the report on line and tailor it to make your own report a wonderful tool for buyers and sellers alike.

If you are selling your own home wouldn't a school report be handy? If you are buying would it not be useful to be able to compare school districts, all this and more is now possible.

The report covers private and public schools in detail, charter schools and technical school with website links, number of students, and fees where appropriate. It compares different grades and covers New Jersey as well as Pennsylvania schools.

There is a lot of depth here for you to analyze the results, and as they say with numbers you can tell any story, but information is useful. As well as in depth results there are handy "at a Glance" tables where you can get an overall impression.

So go and check it out and see how your school district measures up or even possibly your proposed school district with a view of the report.

You can also get a listing of general school information for counties we sell homes in with links to the school district websites on the schools page on our website.

At Valley Forge Convention Center, 1160 First Avenue, King of Prussia, this is billed as Philadelphia's largest home show, it runs for 3 days March 30th, 31st and April 1st, if you go to the show website you can obtain discount coupons for entry. Hours are generous, but check the website for exact times as they vary each day.

If you go to their gallery you can view photos of prior shows. Packed with exhibitors these shows are good for homeowners at all stages of ownership. Get ideas for preparing your home for sale, ideas for your yard such as bringing the indoors out with the latest craze creating an outside room, or simply get some ideas for decorating your home.

Maybe we will see you there!

If you are financially savvy you know and understand when you own a home, you are responsible for repairs and maintenance. Young fisrt time buyers often forget that when they own a home they must pay for the upkeep and don't budget these additional costs into their future payments. It is like coloring outside the lines, it can end up not being a pretty picture and getting very messy. But if you work within suggested guidelines you can end up with a good picture.

According to Michael Eisenberg, a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' Financial Literacy Commission these are the numbers you should keep an eye on and stay within to stay out of trouble.

Home owners should have enough money to be able to pay monthly housing costs, including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance, with no more than 33 percent of their gross income. Adding in credit card debt, student loans, and auto loans should consume no more than 38 percent of their gross income.

Another source Crown Financial, a christian financial advice ministry gives the following figures on their website after tax, 36% for housing, 12% for auto, 5% for insurance and 5% for other debt, so their numbers are a little more generous.

There are plenty of financial advisors and credit counsellors who can help you build a budget and decide what you can afford. I have had several clients who qualified for large mortgages but they were not comfortable with the monthly payment and so bought houses with smaller price tickets that allowed them to have a  mortgage payment they felt they could handle easily.

We tend to be a society that wants everything now and are unwilling to wait for something we feel is our right. Has this led us to the sub-prime mortgage mess because people have been influenceds by advertising and the media to want more than they can afford and want it now. Yes, it is their decision, I do not deny that and I am sure like the crashing housing boom every market and every loan is specific to a situation. Clients often do not listen to advice and if we are unwilling to help they will go elsewhere, but sometimes we just have to say "No! This is not good for you I will not help you"

Well as the weather warms up in these northern climes business is also beginning to pick up. This weekend we listed two homes for sale.

The first priced at $411,000 is in Devon and is a delightful Pennsylvania field stone charmer. 3 beds and 1 1/2 baths it has a great flat lot. You can see more details at 320 Old Lancaster Road. This home has a great location which is perfect for access to all major routes and close to great shopping.

The other home we listed is in Paoli, in Valley Green also a very nice home with a fantastic swimming pool and great landscaping around the home. The inside is not too shabby either with tiled entry way a nice bright kitchen and good size for all the bedrooms. Priced at $609,000 this is great value. Check out the link and come see us at an Open house soon.

We have another listing coming soon in Chesterbrook, a 4 bed 2 full bath and 2 half bath condominium end unit backing up to open space. So if you have a buyer, or if you want a home with a ground floor master keep checking our website for information.

Today I attended a very useful session at my local Realtor Association, Suburban West Realtors Association who have a very good web site for both consumers and Realtors. It was a mock ethics hearing basically to educate us on the process to encourage both us and our customers to use the process as well as satisfying the National Association of Realtors requirement for quadrennial ethics training.

The morning started with an overview of the Code of Ethics both the preamble and the articles. It helps to understand the preamble can be summed up with the "Golden Rule" do unto others as you want to be done unto you. also the code can be broken down into your duties to clients and customers Articles 1 through 9, Duties to the Public Articles 10 through 14 and Duties to Realtors Articles 15 through 17.

The code was adopted in 1913 and has been amended 31 times to make it current and relevant to the industry today. Several recent amendments relate to the use of the Internet which as hard as it is to believe even 10 years ago was not such a big feature as it is today.

After this revision of the Code of Ethics we looked at the process of a case. This case was based on actual events reported by the National Association of Realtors. (All names are fictitious)

I also just read today March 29th a great blog entry about this process posted from Colorado, well worth reading, it is titled Code of Ethics Q&A: How Much Responsibility Does a Complainant Really Have?

Initially a complaint has to be made to the Association and it must be in writing. This complaint is then sent to the Grievance Committee who act like a Grand Jury to see decide if there is a possibility of violation of the code of ethics. Also they look to see that the grievance has been filed in due time, 180 days from knowledge of the violation, they also consider if the Association can assemble a panel that is fair to all participants.

This case was as follows:

It basically hung on a member of the public Adele Bleeker seeing a sign on a property belonging to Carl Dean of Iliad Realtors in February 2007 and searching the website of the broker Iliad Realtors and not finding the home on the brokers website searched a little deeper and found Carl Dean the agent's website. The home was shown as available and details about the property made it appealing to Adele. She contacted a relative who was a Realtor, Jack Klinger and asked to see the property. The relative Jack called back later that day to inform Adele that it was no longer available, the listing had expired on January 31st 2007 and he had not been able to find any evidence of it selling or being re-listed.

Jack then offered to find the owner and see if they were interested in selling the property. This he did and a deal was reached. The owner was unaware the sign was still on the property and on Carl Dean's web site.

Adele brought a complaint in that the advertising on Carl Dean's website was misleading as it implied he had a listing which had clearly expired a violation of article 12-8. It was also noticed whilst on his website that he did not mention his broker anywhere on his website, a violation of Article 12-5.

There was also another aspect of the case but to keep this short I will leave that out. It basically was that Carl Dean was recommending "preferred" suppliers who he was charging a fee for links from his website without disclosing that he was receiving this fee.

Anyway after the grievance panel decides if there is a possibility of a violation they refer the case for due process and to a hearing. The Respondent is notified and given 15 days to respond to the complaint.

 Due process demands that there is 1) A Full and fair hearing. 2) The member is judged by his/her peers. 3) Everyone involved knows the charges. 4) The Realtor is entitled to prepare defense with the use of counsel or another Realtor and can bring witnesses or evidence in support of their defense.

The hearing can be anywhere from 30 mins to 3 hours. It is recorded and takes the following outline.

The Chair person introduces all present and lays out the ground rules. Witnesses are present for this introduction but must leave the room until they give evidence. The Realtors broker may attend and in some cases is required to attend.

There is a statement of the articles.

The complainant then lays out their case and can bring in witnesses to support their case, these witnesses can be cross examined by the Respondent or their broker or counsel. The complainant concludes testimony. The complainant is cross examined.

The Respondent replies and can bring witnesses and introduce evidence  to support their position. They can be cross examined by the complainant.

Both summarize their position.

Both complainant and respondent leave.

The panel then decides and rules. A written notification is sent out to all parties by mail.

20 days are given to all parties to appeal the process. If an appeal is made it is heard before the Board of Directors.

I found the morning very interesting for several reasons, one to see the actual process and know that it is fair to all parties. Secondly that knowledge lessened some of the fear of the process, I certainly do not want to have to defend my self but also feel that it is not the end of the world either and you will be listened to. I also believe it is not a hard process for the public to enter into and make a case if they are upset and want to be heard.

In summation, I will definitely read my code of ethics more regularly as it was drummed into us that most cases are ignorance rather than wilful deception. So I encourage each of you to read the code, know it and apply it, I think it will make all of us better Realtors.

Old Forge Crossing is a great community situated just south of route 202 in Chester County, Devon PA. We have listed and sold units here for sellers and also represented buyers as well. We offer very good terms to sellers in Old Forge Crossing which you can view on our website.

It is close to Valley Forge Park, King of Prussia Mall, major routes such as the PA Turnpike, and the Schulykill Expressway giving easy access to down town Philadelphia. There are lots of good restaurants, coffee shops and other shopping close by, including  a variety of supermarkets such as Acme, Genuardis, Superfresh and Trader Joe's some of which allow you to order on line and have it delivered to your home.

The club house and offices are situated in a historical building behind which is the community swimming pool, nearby are tennis courts, a duck pond, and walking trails that cover the over 40 + acres of Old Forge Crossing. The community has an office in the club house and maintenance staff who take care of repairs. The condominium fee covers a wide range including trash, gas for hot water and for dryers, outside maintenance, and snow clearance, pool fee and use of the three tennis courts on site.

Old Forge Crossing consists of one and two bedroom condominiums, some of which are more like town homes than condominiums. These homes have the largest storage I have ever seen, every where you turn there seems to be another cupboard or space for storage. Each has it's own entrance and it's own laundry area inside the unit. no having to take quarters with you to the laundry here. Many overlook tranquil courtyards, quiet spaces where you can sit sheltered by the shade of a tree.

Recent sales of 1 bed units, which often come with a fireplace and or a den have been between $165,000 and $175,000 depending on location, how updated the kitchens or bathrooms have been and exactly what the unit contains. @ bed units have ranged from $197,000 to $223,000 depending as above on features of the unit, town home style units generally bring higher prices. For more information on recent listings feel free to view the Old Forge Crossing page on our website.

Every year a good indication that spring is truly underway is the arrival of the Philadelphia Antique Shows. We have two good shows on the same weekend in April about a month away. So start planning now, many visitors come from out of town to see these shows so don't miss your opportunity to see some of the finest antiques available for purchase.

The main show is The Philadelphia Antique Show held at the 33rd St Armory between April 14th to 17th, this benefits the Universtiy of Pennsylvania Health System and has some of the leading dealers in the country exhibitng, including I have to admit my own brother Paul, who deals in ceramics and furniture and Woolies, art made by sailors with wool of ships, you can view his web site at Paul Vandekar Antiques if you want to see more of his invetory.

The show will also have a loan exhibit of Philadelphia Empire Furniture.

The loan exhibit is a feature of the show and over the years they have had some excellent and interesting exhibits. Prices for the dealers  exhibts are definitely high end with many of the pieces being of museum quality however even with a high end price they may still be good value, just as in real estate. One of the Keno twins Leigh will be exhibitng as well. For a full list of exhibitors and hours go to the show website at Philadelphia Antique Show and support the hospital and the dealers with a visit. Don't forget to say hi to my brother.

The other show in town the same weekend is the 23rd St Armory Show, hosted by Barnstar Productions and the dates are April 13th to the 15th, again you can access their web page at 23rd St Armory Show, to check prices and hours, this show will also have a loan exhibit Celebrating the Garden, Form Function Fabulous curated by Aileen Manor of Maryland.

This show is smaller then the 33rd street armory show, and prices can be more reasonable, but not always.

Enjoy the shows and hopefully the Spring weather, and take time to see our glorious city and enjoy it as well.

I discovered this web site over the weekend. I tried it on my own home and it seemed fairly accurate. But obviously you have to be your own judge. It has been going a little while, Zillow when it first launched was inaccurate and it has steadily got better, this might also have improved.

The site is http://www.rentometer.com/, just enter an address and a rental amount and it gives you a range of the lows and highs in the area and the median.

This would seem a useful site for landlords and renters as well. Hope it helps. If it is accurate for your area you may want to post a link on your web site.

An article in the Local Daily News pointed out that Paoli is working to be pedestrian friendly. The Tredyffrin Board of Supervisors held a public hearing to consider adopting changes to the zoning ordinances aimed at turning Paoli into more of a town center. Supervisors propose creating two zoning districts known as the Transit District and the Town Center District. Both of these districts will encourage high-density residential/commercial development and could include a parking garage and streetscape improvements. The supervisors will review the zoning again in May.

This adds to the overall plan that Tredyffrin and Willistown have for Paoli that includes redevelopment of the Paoli Station which will include homes and offices as well as a new station.

Just west of Paoli O'Neill properties is developing a "Town Center" on the old Worthington Steel plant location, just south of Route 202, but obviously town centers built around actual towns is much better and anything that is pedestrian friendly can only help everyone, from kids to seniors as we are encouraged to walk rather than drive.

These developments will also add to the townships tax coffers as businesses and more residential homes are built helping property taxes for older homes and seniors possibly remain at their current levels or even be lowered.

The linked article was written by E. A. "Sandy" Dixon, Jr. Esquire on Mechanic's Lien Law for the Pennsylvania Bar Association Quarterly; Sandy is a member of the Realtor Lawyer Council of Suburban West Realtors Association.

It may give you too much information, but it is very useful.

 Pennsylvania Bar Association Article

Hope this helps clarify the situation. At our last meeting, it was stated that some adjustments are being made to the law to rectify the situation created, that Title Insurance is not being issued covering Machanics Liens, and these are not being opposed by the proponents of the original bill. As more infomration becomes available I will post updates.