Main Line Homes Blog

One of the things we love about the winter is that we put bird feeders out around our house and we get a large variety of birds come visiting, Finches, Cardinals, sparrows and many more.

This feeder is right outside our living room window, our cat loves to sit on the back of the sofa and it keeps her amused watching the birds, and they seem to realize they are safe from her. This wood pecker has been around recently and is a bit of a bully because when he is feeding he pushes everyone else away.

As pretty as he is, he is a little large so does not end up staying very long as he is obviously uncomfortable on the feeder, letting everyone else have a turn. Most amazing thing is that the feeder is busiest when it is snowing.

Hope you can make it out today to our Open House at 39 Old Forge Crossing in Devon. This is a wonderful updated 2nd story 2 bed 2 bath home, great wood doors, vinyl windows and slider, updated kitchen and baths with really nice tilework in bathrooms and kitchen.

If you cannot make the open house check out the virtual tour it is like a 24 hour open house, with lots of photos and links to other information about the home.

Let it snow, let it snow! Weathermen like economists never get it right. Many projections but few correct, but they still get paid. Today, we were supposed to have a little snow this morning with it changing to rain fairly early, well it didn't, I am sure they will have many excuses why, but having cleared the driveway several times this morning and looking back only to see it full of snow when i had finished was disheartening. However, to come inside and find a nice warm and cozy wood stove...

was really delightful. A nice hot breakfast, hot coffee did the job reviving me.

These little guys though really appreciate the bird seeds.

They are all lined up, sitting on the trellis amid the snow to get their breakfast as well. We see all sorts of birds on this feeder and the other one we have set up, woodpeckers, finches, sparrows, cardinals, etc.

We also saw one of our two resident foxes this morning as well skulking through the snow and leaving his tracks across our driveway in the snow.

Even pruning improves your curb appeal, but it is one of the most diffcult things for gardeners to get right and many are worried about over pruning and damaging a plant or shrub. But if you prune your bushes correctly you can improve the curb appeal of your home, it is just knowing how and when.

Pruning is not that difficult and Jenkins Arboretum on Berwyn Baptist Road are holding a free pruning workshop presented by Maggie Knapp head horticulturist on February 14th at 1.00 PM titled show your shrubs some love.

It does actually help your shrubs to prune them allowing them more light and healthier and better growth, so if this is something you have avoided maybe this event is for you.

Jenkins Arboretum is a wonderful place to visit at anytime of the year, but especially in the Spring when the azaleas and rhodedendrons are blooming. This winter they have had a a special exhbit throughout the grounds of sculptures affected by wind.

Penn State Great Valley has some great local Cultural events coming up in the near future. These are all open to the public, take place in the Musser Auditorium in The Conference Center Building and free as well, although you need to register.

Thursday January 27 Philadelphia: The Great Experiment Screening and Director's Talk 7-8 pm

Thursday February 10 Waste Land: Documentary Screening 6.30 - 8.30 pm

Wednesday February 23 The behind the scenes story of the Chilean Miners Rescue 7 - 8.30 pm

Wednesday March 2 Organic Manifesto Meet the author/Book signing with Maria Rodale 6.30 - 8 pm

Thursday March 10 Brilliant Frugal Living 6.30 -8 pm

Tuesday March 29 Going Native Using Native Plants in Your Garden 7 - 8.30 pm

These look like some interesting events and I definitely will try to get to some if not all of these.

So a couple of days ago I wrote about a couple of foxes in our neighborhood, in Berwyn PA but had been so engaged watching them I forgot to take any photos. This morning once again one of them trotted across our drive. I managed to get my camera out and get a shot, a little obscured of him in the neighbors yard. Trudy then shouted that the second fox had just caught a squirrrel and a few seconds later caught photos of him or the first who must have stolen it in the road at the end of our drive.

Interest Rates and Home Prices have been talked about a lot by economists and how important it was for the interest rates to remain low so that the housing market could recover. Well, the ugly truth is that the government listened and has been keeping interest rates artificially low to spur the economy along, but those days are numbered and that means that if interest rates rise there is a big question about home prices.

If interest rates rise will the housing market collapse? Will home prices go down further? How will this affect sellers, will we see more short sales? Will banks be more adaptable in negotiating with homeowners to keep them in their homes? Will we see 40 and 50 year mortgages proposed by the banks to lower payment amounts and keep homeowners invested in their homes? Along with this relationship is also the change in the population, with younger members willing to rent and have the flexibility to move quickly if they so desire rather than owning a home.

So many questions and so few answers. What we do know is that right now, interest rates are low for 30 year fixed rate loans. Yes, you do need better credit and some savings, but if you have been sensible now is a good time to buy a home as prices have declined. If you are selling, there are buyers looking for homes now before the market changes, so it is a good time to list your home as well. There is plenty of inventory to see, and many foreclosed and bank owned homes in the pipeline, although Chester County has very few defaults and distressed sales compared to other locations.

Another thing to remember is that even if interest rates rise there will still be buyers and sellers out there, so you will need to price accordingly to make your home the best value in the market, which is why prices most likely will drop further if interest rates rise and why the government along with encouraging job growth is paying to keep interest rates low right now.

Yesterday morning we were just getting going, and I see a young red fox trotting down our road among the snow banks. His coat really stands out and although it was cold he looked happy enough and very relaxed in our suburban locale. So we are enjoying watching him and he sits down in our neighbors drive looking down the road just as if he is a domesticated dog. (Of course like an idiot I don't think to take a photo of this as I am enjoying it so much.)

We then see another smaller fox trotting across the road below him and he is watching this second fox, who seems unaware of him. The second fox trots around a third neighbors house into their back yard and down towards the woods and creek behind and the first fox begins to go around our neighbors home, but then suddenly runs across the front yard to the other side of the house and trots around to get a better view of what the second fox is doing and where he is going.

Nice image, just did not capture it on film to share, as we see them fairly regularly I will try to capture one of them in the future on film. very thankful to be able to see this and enjoy it.

Here is the video of this great new listing we have in Old Forge Crossing. It is second floor, great location, with 2 bed 2 bath layout, beautifully updated. Have a look and see, then call us for an appointment.

We have a great new listing in Old Forge Crossing D evon PA coming this week . Second floor, 2 bed 2 bath in a wonderful location, totally updated kitchen and bathrooms, with neutral paint colors. Real "Pottery Barn" feel and look, some great touches in the floor tiles in the kitchen, watch the virtual tour or video.

Priced at just $199,900 this home is great value in todays market, the condo fees cover all your water, gas for your cooking, hot water and for the gas dryer, as well as all the usual maintenance, swim pool and tennis courts. Old Forge Crossing is a wonderful development to live in well located in Devon in Tredyffrin Easttown School district. Originally constructed as apartments in the 60's they were converted to condos in the 70's, they offer personal entrances with laundry facilities in each condo. Old Forge Crossing is an FHA approved condo development, with good reserves to cover maintenance issues.

Great doors through out this unit with plenty of storage as well, large walk in closet in the master bedroom with ensuite updated bathroom. Hall bath with laundry room attached and a second bedroom, windows through the apartment have been replaced along with the slider to the balcony as well.

Call or email us to set up an appointment.