Main Line Homes Blog

Berwyn Village, Pennsylvania 2012

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:47:08 -0500

One of the things about living and working in a village is that it is always evolving, and Berwyn, Pennsylvania is no different. Straddling two townships, Easttown and Tredyffrin it is a beautiful place. From when you step off the train having travelled along the famed "Main Line" you can't fail but notice the friendliness of the surroundings.

But don't take my word for it, watch the video and then take some time to come visit.

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Main Line PA Real Estate negotiations

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:44:26 -0500

"We do not want to gain at someone else's loss; we want to gain while helping the other person to also gain."

— Jose Silva:

Many people today want the first part of the quote above, they want to crush the opposition, take no prisoners and be acknowledged as the winner. But in our business and in representing our clients the latter part is far more beneficial. It reminds me of the Zig Ziglar quote about achieving success through helping others achieve what they want.

Negotiations whether in a buyers market or a sellers market are all about helping both sides reach a consensus that the deal works for both, it may not give each side everything they want but it does help each side come to the table and accept the deal they got. You never know when you might need to go back to the other party and burning your bridges does not help you in the future, so keep those avenues of communication open and look to help the other side a little.

I find in the Main Line, PA Real Estate market that helping both parties achieve most of their goals leads to success. If you want help achieving your goals then give me a call now and lets get started moving you towards achieving your goals straight away.

If you are buying or selling on or around the Main Line we can help you, contact us or connect

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Not all needed home repairs are visible!

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:37:14 -0500

One of the big problems facing homeowners is the lateral sewer lines from their property to the road where the sewer authority takes over responsibility for them. Many of these pipes, especailly in older properties, by that I mean over 75-100 year old are simply, are just breaking down. Because of the break down of these pipes it is creating some environmental issues for townships and municipal authorities because of increased use of sewer capacity for cleaning CLEAN water. This increases costs and prevents future development as plants are already rnning at capacity.

This video shows some of the issues and how to solve them if your pipes do need repairing. I know in our area the water authority offers an insurance policy for repairs to water and sewer lines. Even relatively new pipes can get damaged and cause problems.

If you are buying or selling on or around the Main Line we can help you, contact us or connect

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Why you are not seeing my signs!

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:12:28 -0500

The market has been picking up recently and you are not seeing my signs because...

As the sign above shows we have sold all our current listings. Really, we have no listings at the moment, but we have two coming soon, a Town home in Exton and one in Villanova an executive quality home, which has all the bells and whistles. Both will be on our website soon.

We don't expect to have these long, so if you are thinking of listing your home soon, give us a call and find out what makes us different. We are not like everyone else and our success shows that, we sell homes all along the Main Line outside of Philadelphia.

If you are looking to buy a home, we represent buyers as well, for both buyers and sellers we act as a personal expert, a Real Estate Consultant allowing you to made educated and informed decisions about the buying and selling process from mortgage provider, home inspector, to price. So why do the same as everybody else be different and hire your own Personal Real Estate Consultant, give us a call today, the number is on the SOLD sign above.

If you are buying or selling on or around the Main Line we can help you, contact us or connect

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Winter weather calls for a fire in the fireplace but not in the chimney

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:09:26 -0500

We love a fire over the winter months, when it starts to get chilly, there is nothing better than warming the house with a nice cozy fire. We installed a wood stove a couple of years ago and it has helped us to reduce our heating bill quite substantially. But whether you have a wood stove or are lighting a fire in the fireplace you need to take some safety steps to make sure you are not putting yourself at risk.

I was just reading about a fire in the chimney that destroyed a local home this past weekend and our local fire chief has actually posted some safety tips that are worth looking over.

It seems redundant to say have your chimney inspected regularly, but so much advice today is ignored, but this can cost you your life. So please read it over and take the time to get your chimney inspected if you are lighting fires over this winter and note some of thew other safety tips as well like checking your damper and the firebox in your fireplace.

If you are buying or selling on or around the Main Line we can help you, contact us or connect

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Gateway Shops in Devon, a place to get what you need!

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:01:06 -0500

One of the best stores in the Devon area, especially in Gateway Shops close to Chesterbrook is Trader Joe's, people love our Trader Joe's, it is always busy as is Gateway shopping area which is full of other shops and lots of restaurants.

Staples, TJMaxx are two of the bigger stores, but you can find all sorts of things, we have a cigar shop, beds, vacuum shop, pet store, Five Below and if you need a coffee, close by is a Starbucks in the Barnes & Noble or you can stop by Panera Bread which sits in the corner of Gateway Shops, a great place for a quick lunch or early dinner.

There are lots of other restaurants in Gateway Shops from the Gateway Diner, Kabab Cafe, Salad Works, Five Guys, Mannys

including Outback Steakhouse and others as well.

Just outside of Gateway Shops in Devon is Cafe Winberie's where you can get a wonderful Brunch on a Sunday. After all this you might feel in some need of a little pampering or even some Massage Envy, yes we have that too..

Gateway Shops in Devon is one of the reasons people love to live in this area and one of the reasons why home prices have remained steady throughout the recession in the Devon area.

If you are buying or selling on or around the Main Line we can help you, contact us or connect

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Main Line Homes Inventory dropping

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:25:10 -0500

Last year 2011 the market started off strong and we saw many homes selling in the beginning of January. 2012 seems to be reproducing that phenomenom and the Main Line Homes Invetory for buyers has dropped significantly over the last few weeks.

For example Chester County has seen month on month improvements and is now at 9.4 months, whilst this is not excellent it is much better than the 11.9 months from a couple of months ago. a 6 month level is the sign of a blanced market with buyers absorbing homes at almost the same rate that they comne on the market. Now some of this is because sellers homes have expired in the MLS and they are holding off relisting them for sale, new sellers are waiting for the Spring Market, but also buyers are making offers that are being accepted.

What it can mean for you, if you are selling is that now is a good time to list a home. There is less competition, buyers are looking to buy, with many believing we have hit the bottom of the market and interest rates are still at historically low levels. We have sold all our current listings and our marketing of homes makes them stand out from the other homes for sale attracting buyers and helping you move on to your next home be it locally or out of state.

We have two homes coming on the market soon, a wonderful executive quality home in Villanova and a tonwhome out in Exton. Keep an eye on our website www.VandekarTeam.com for photos and details of both homes.

If you are looking to buy a home along the Main Line we can help, we have saved buyers thousands of dollars through negotiations and our knowledge of the area, contact us now to see how we can help you find yur new home.

If you are buying or selling on or around the Main Line we can help you, contact us or connect

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Names, what to do about them!

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:35:05 -0500

In the Real Estate business getting your clients name right is quite important, especially when completing documents. It is one of the reasons I always write clients names out and check that I have spelled it correctly with them and got any middle names as well.

I have never been a great one for remembering names, but writing them out is a great help. Recently I was contacted by a potential client who was moving from abroad and had chatted with the wife, we shall call her Barbara on the phone and put her in touch with my mortgage provider so he could start getting her pre-approved and let her know what they were going to need to bring with them when they arrived here.

One day unannounced, several months later a few days after arriving in America they were driving past my office and decided to stop off and see if I was in, as it happened I was. The lady sitting at our front desk brought them to my desk and introduced them but got the wife's name wrong calling her Julie. We sat in our conference room and I was jotting down details and automatically put her name down as Julie along with the correct name for her husband which had been correct on the introductions. It was only later after I had called her the wrong name several times, trying to cement it in to my brain for later use that she let me in on the secret and I changed it on my file. But of course now what do I remember when I see them, the wrong name all the time.

People get my name wrong all the time, like Susan Mangigian whose post today Thankful Thursday inspired and reminded me about the problems I had with my client. It is often misspelled, inserting letters into it, replacing letters or trying to split it into parts which in Holland/Netherlands is done but my family always spelled it as one name not three. There is also a similar name in India and I am often mistaken for a different race.

My accent is also an item of interest to many, having grown up in England I don't notice it, mostly I don't hear American accents that much any more other than those from the South, but I am always being asked where I come from, my stock answer is South Philly, but it is hardly believable. I am not sure if being assigned to being Australian, South African, New Zealand and not England is because my English has become lazy or just others also find it hard to differentiate accents. Well it does not matter really as long as we can communicate clearly, once we know and can remember each others names.

If you are buying or selling on or around the Main Line we can help you, contact us or connect

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Just back from Harrisburg

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:04:20 -0500

Just got back from attending the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors Winter meetings in Harrisburg. I always find these meetings interesting and a chance to learn new information and to participate in helping my industry protect private property rights.

Yesterday we heard that some legislature we had been supporting had passed out of concurrence and was on its way to the Governor of Pennsylvania for signing. This deals with Appraisal Management Companies needing to be licensed. Working with several appraisal groups and different legislators in the House and the Senate, including Representative Stevenson who introduced the legislation, The Pennsylvania Association of Realtors over a two year period continued to educate legislators on the need for this. Appraisal Management Companies are the last part of a process where every one else involved, mortgage provider, real estate agent and appraiser is licensed and it seemed only sensible that the Appraisal management Companies be licensed as well. This piece of legislation will protect buyers and sellers making sure those involved in the house buying and selling process and professional and accountable.

Over the last year the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors has reorganized committees and structure under a new strategic plan that made these meetings a little different and we also went paperless, so many of the agendas were online and the use of tablets and laptops was seen throughout the meetings.

There were two interesting general sessions, one on the Marcellus Shale which really showed the importance of using "knowledgeable attorneys" to represent you as part of the process, and another session on making your website ready for use with mobile technology from the new Pennsylvania Association of Realtors partner Barcode Realty.

I serve on three committees, Diversity, Finance and Legislative and the topics covered were interesting. Many people view Diversity as dealing with Racism, whilst this can be a part the real message is that there are many new and growing opportunities out there for Realtors with people who are different to you and if you know how to handle yourself you can find new customers, there is some great information online available to you on the PAR website

All in all a very good set of meetings and well worth the time and commitment it takes to serve on the Board of Directors and the various committees.

If you are buying or selling on or around the Main Line we can help you, contact us or connect

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Open House Sunday 1/29/12 2509 Juniper Ln, Phoenixville, PA 19460 2-4 PM

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:04:39 -0500

First time Open!! 2-4 PM Sunday 1/29/2012

Come Check out the Beautiful Natural Cherry Wood floors in the living room, dining room,powder room. The floors will WOW you. Side Entrance facing Open Space with trees. Spacious End unit in Kimberton Greens with a Garage. Open Floor plan. Bright, Sunny, Spacious Two Story Great Room with Gas fireplace for those cold winter nights. Great room is open to the Kitchen. Kitchen features a Breakfast bar and Breakfast room. Sliding glass doors to Patio. Perfect Place for Grilling in the warmer months. Open Staircase to Second floor. Master Bedroom Suite with walk in closet, additional closet,large bathroom with soaking tub and separate shower and double vanities. Second floor Full Laundry room not just a closet. Ceramic tiled hall bath. Two more spacious bedrooms with large closets. One car garage and driveway parking for 2 cars

If you are buying or selling on or around the Main Line we can help you, contact us or connect

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Berwyn - It's cold out there but spring training is right around the corner

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:34:00 -0500

I was driving by the T/E middle school yesterday and heard on the news we may be getting snow this weekend and right then I see the hope of Spring. Fluttering in the brisk winds and as I pulled down into my collar I see Registration is now Open for Spring Baseball. www.BPALL.org, I am sure there are other leagues in the area also open for registration as well.

But with the threats of snow it is good to know that Berwyn Paoli Little League is ready and set to go in the Spring makes the winter seem just a little bit shorter knowing we have the fun and sounds of summer right around the corner, I can feel the sun on my arms and feel just a little bit better. I can hear the crack of ball on bat and the cheers of the crowd.

So sign up now, don't wait get over to www.BPALL.org and have a great time.

If you are buying or selling on or around the Main Line we can help you, contact us or connect

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It is always satisfying to reach the finish line!

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:49:50 -0500

Another Main Line home in Villanova in Lower Merion Township sold by Nick Vandekar

If you are buying or selling on or around the Main Line we can help you, contact us or connect

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Powers of attorney and other hidden parts of our job

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:08:07 -0500

In real estate there are times where sellers or buyers use a "power of attorney" to have someone act on their behalf. These are usually limited powers of attorney allowing the person to act for that person for a specified act and that act only.

However, there are certain occasions where powers of attorney are not allowed. When an executor has been appointed by the court for an estate, that executor takes on certain responsibilities and agrees to uphold them before the court. They cannot pass those powers over to someone else by a power of attorney.

A real estate transaction can fall apart for many reasons, allowing someone to use a power of attorney when they are not authorized can be one of them and it is important to make sure you have professional legal advice before signing documents and making sure the people on the other side of the transaction are authorized to act for whom they say they are. In the same way, when an agent takes a listing they have to make sure the person signing the documentation is truly the owner and is free and able to sign the listing documents. One of the ways we do this is to ask for a copy of the deed and proof of identity when we list properties along the Main Line outside of Philadelphia.

There have recently been many scams on different websites, Craigslist is one example of homes being offered for rent at ridiculously low prices by people who have nothing to do with the homes. When setting up a showing they tell the prospective tenant they are out of town and they should just walk around the house and look in the windows. Because the rent is so low, these possible tenants then come back and say they are interested and are asked to send a security deposit and first months rent usually to a mail box and the owner will mail the keys to them. Of course, no keys arrive and they are out of pocket.

In the same way as when we list a property for sale on the Main Line, we verify the person arranging to list a rental property to ensure that possible tenants are protected from scams like this.

These are all hidden actions that are part of our job, but are often not noticed or understood but which build up trust in us as agents who can be contacted about listings or rentals along the Main Line without fear of there being any problems because our clients know that we are representing them and protecting them.

If you are buying or selling on or around the Main Line we can help you, contact us or connect

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What makes a home a Colonial?

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:20:16 -0500

Most buyers ask for a Colonial Home when they look for a home. It is probably the most popular home for buyers today regardless of size. It is also the most enduring, the name is not all smoke and mirrors, really the first colonial homes were built back in the 1600's, and even today the style is popular.

This photo of Stourhead House shows a little of the symetrical layout, although the two wings were added later and you can see they are slightly different.

The style was brought over from Europe with the first settlers, people when they build a home pretty much stick with what they know. Many of those original homes reflect where the first immigrants came from be it Wales, Germany, England or France for example. In our area of Pennsylvania you see home styles from Cornwall and Wales in many of the older homes, of course today most have been expanded and it can be hard to see the original layout of the home when it was first built.

So what is "Colonial Style"? Here are some ideas I have, Zillow recently posted ablog on this subject showing homes from around the country and giving their definition of the defining features for a colonial home which frankly inspired me to give you my opinion.

Most Colonial homes have a Georgian style layout to them, they are balanced when you look at them architecturally with the same number of windows each side of the front door. When you enter the living room is to one side and the dining room is to the other side, often with the kitchen behind. There is usually a second floor and the roof sits above this, these rooms are full height without pitched ceilings as in a Cape Cod style home. Roofs have little or no overhang and most colonials will have at least one chimney and fireplace.

A Victorian home may be a colonial, but does not necessarily have to be, many homes along the Main Line are referred to as Victorians, especially in places like Wayne and this relates more to when they were built than the style of the house although the term is used loosely today to reflect a certain style of house.

I often see these housing terms mis-used in home descriptions, for example it is hard to have a split level that is a colonial, but you sometimes see this used and I often wonder what the agent is trying to convey or simply did not know how to describe the house accurately and believed because of the popularity of the colonial home it was better to have this in the description.

Our first home when we came to America was described as a Colonial, although the dining room was behind the living room, however it did meet many of the other criteria with a symetrical design to the front of the house. If you see a colonial home locally why not post a photo?

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Ella's Bistro in Wayne

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:15:44 -0500

Looking for somewhere new to grab a bite, why not try Ella's Bistro in Wayne, right on Sugartown Road in the Acme/Kmart shopping center. As part of the recent development and extension of the shopping center this is a welcome addition.

I stopped by yesterday with a friend for lunch, I was pleased I had booked as the place was packed. It provides a nice alternative to The Paddock of Devon across the road on Lancaster Avenue and is definitely a more upmarket feel with white tablecloths and although I had seen a post about bad service I had no complaints. Quick update on The Paddock is that it closed, yes, gone out of business. To be honest, the food was only average, and the menu somewhat limited, and the sapece very large and numbers of customers has been low when I have been there.

Lunch is a hard meal to asses how good the food is going to be across the board, I had a chilli, and my friend went with a chicken sandwich, but both were tasty and looked great when presented. Service was attentive without being over bearing and there when you needed it.

Well worth a try they are open for lunch and dinner, there is a nice looking bar that I am sure will become another place to meet friends for a quick drink after work not being to large and for those who don't want to go all the way into Wayne is a nice alternative to George's and as stated The Paddock which can feel a little large and noisy at times which is also now closed, good news for Ella's although there really was no comparison between the two because in my opinion ella's was much better.

If you go let me know what you think.

If you are buying or selling on or around the Main Line we can help you, contact us or connect

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