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West Chester, PA Real Estate News

By Arleen Pecone
(ReMax Main Line)
There is something to be said for a walk outdoors on a cold and crisp day.  Especially if you have a view of a body of water. Ok, I don't live in a resort area but when I take a walk I get to see the reservoir from the park and it is my waterview "fix".  I love looking over a body of water, it soothes my soul.  this is where I want the picture of the water..  I haven't written in a couple of days and I miss doing it.  Its hard to believe that in a weeks time the schools were closed because of snow and now the bulbs are springing out of the ground because it was 70 degrees. This was a fun week.  We went to the Y http://www.ymcabwv.org/index_WC.htm yesterday.  That place is constantly busy, I guess with it being so cold, we all have the same idea of "working out" to WORK IT OUT..... It wa...
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  There's a theory that has been around for a number of years called CASH FLOW the property.  What that means is when it is cheaper to own rather than to rent the MARKET is poised for improvement. Follow me on this one.  I find a condo in my market are for 180K.  I have saved and saved and I have a down payment of $36,000.  (that's 20% down) I need to borrow $144,000 to live in the house. The payment for a mortgage of $144K at 5.5 % for 30 years is $817.92.  If I try to rent something like this I have to pay $1,000 per month, or if I am lucky I do get it for $900. When it is cheaper to own than to rent it means that the market is poised for improvement.  Here's an idea, you buy a place, it has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths and you can get a roommate for $600.00 per month. What a great thing to be...
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By Susan Mangigian, Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches
(RE/MAX Preferred)
There is a neat little place in West Chester, that I bet you haven't heard about.  I shouldn't bet on that, actually, because this little place is always so crowded for lunch that it would behoove you to call ahead and get a reservation.  I had lunch at Arianna's Gourmet Cafe a few weeks ago with my friend Julie and I had their Gourmet Chicken Salad.  I actually had the soup and 1/2 sandwich lunch special and while the soup was delicious, I would have loved another half of a sandwich that was absolutely sublime.  When I tell you that I have dreamed of this meal since then, I would not be exaggerating. Having the opportunity to meet Jeanie Purcell, the Director of Meals on Wheels of Chester County for lunch, I quickly suggested Arianna's so I could once again delight my taste buds with t...
Comments 15
By Arleen Pecone
(ReMax Main Line)
Couldn't resist, today was the best winter scene snowfall so of course I got outside with my camera. I managed to get bunny footprints first thing, my back yard and the street scene in my neighborhood.      
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When was the last time you thought, I am so blessed to have what I have, live where I live, do what I do......Yes, times are tough but really, we are all in this together, right. The other morning I had the most amazing "gift" (thought,) while I was taking my usual walk with my dog in West Goshen Community Park. In addition to feeling that I was so on top of my game for the fact that I have the ability to take walks, breathe the fresh air, live so close to a great park with a reservoir (where I can view water/frozen ice pond) with ducks and geese..... and be 5 minutes from EVERYWHERE I need to be/go...a Panera Bread, an Acme, a Shop Rite, a KMart, 15 banks, 2 post offices, a small university town.... What a great place to live! But what really inspired me is this.......Two years ago my ...
Comments 1
By Arleen Pecone
(ReMax Main Line)
When you have been in a certain area for over 20 years of your career there comes a time when you reflect on who you know, what you've accomplished and how you can make your mark in the community in which you live.  Ok, I am no one special.  However, I have gotten to know a lot of people over the years, I have gotten to th point that I know what people generally want out of life, what the life "housing progression" is, what neighborhoods are the BEST to live in, what are the prices of neighborhoods, who lives in certain areas of the community......Live long enough and if nothing else, osmosis sets in and you get to know things. I can tell you what happens at different times of your life, when you buy your first house, what you buy when you buy your second house, what kind of house you w...
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By Susan Mangigian, Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches
(RE/MAX Preferred)
I have a lovely older couple that I working with.  We've known each other for quite a while, although they say years, I don't believe it's quite that long.  We first met when they called me about one of my listings.  I met them out at the house, we got along like a house on fire (God, I love that expression), and we have been looking here and there ever since.  They really want to downsize, stay in the area, and have a manageable maintenance fee on a town home or condo.  These people are just the nicest people you want to meet, and I email them regulary with listings, I call them and go see them and I really enjoy them.  Last week, I emailed them the lastest price reduction on new construction in our area, a lovely 55 and older community called the The Arbours at West Goshen.  Now, you ...
Comments 48
By Susan Mangigian, Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches
(RE/MAX Preferred)
Much to my cat Scat's dismay, it is time to discard the Christmas Tree. Here are the dates for some of the West Chester area Townships with websites that listed Christmas tree pickup dates.  .  To be safe, put the tree by the curb the night before.   East Goshen Saturday, January 10, 2009 According to the website, do not place tree in a plastic bag.  Trees in plastic WILL NOT be picked up.   West Goshen January 24, 2009 West Goshen residents may still opt to drop off their trees at the Municipal Complex between Friday, 12/26 and Sunday, 1/20.   Westtown Township Saturday, January 17, 2009 Please take everything off of the tree and do not put in a plastic bag.  Trees will be composted.   East Bradford Township Saturdays, January 10 and January 17 Place undecorated tree at the curb by 6:0...
Comments 12
By Arleen Pecone
(ReMax Main Line)
Real Estate slows down over the holidays, NOT!! I am meeting with some people who are moving to the area from Vermont tomorrow and the house I am selling has someone looking at it too. I always am amazed when people say it is slow around the holidays.....a self fulfilling prophecy, not me, not ever! I like that the end of year brings new prospects for a new home in the following year.  What more to aspire to, moving in 2009.  With interest rates real low and this being such a great town where there is high quality of life, why not GOOD REAL ESTATE VALUES.  There is lots of shopping, scenery, the ARTS, all within an hour commute to Wilmington, Delaware, Philadelphia, Pa, Lancaster, PA.......tons of Universities and colleges.  There is only a 2 hour commute to New York City, the Jersey Sh...
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By Susan Mangigian, Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches
(RE/MAX Preferred)
Josh Barker at the Chester County Historical Society does a great job getting the word out about all the great things that go on at The Cultural Center at the Chester County Historical Society.  With his permission, here is what is going on tomorrow: The Brandywine Singers will present a concert of a cappella carols and anthems on December 19th, 2008 at The Chester County Historical Society at 7:30pm.  This concert will feature favorite secular and sacred carols presented by Chester County's premier chamber vocal ensemble in an intimate, festive setting.  Tickets are provided through the Historical Society and are $10 and $8 for CCHS members.  Ticket reservations are strongly recommended and can be made by calling 610-692-4800. About The Brandywine Singers:The Brandywine Singers are a 5...
Comments 4
By Susan Mangigian, Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches
(RE/MAX Preferred)
I sit on the board of the Chester County Women's Commission and I have arranged a fundraiser at the local Applebee's.  Applebee's will donate 10% of the days sales to the Commission who in turn will send it to Phoenixville Area Community Services (PACS)257 Church StreetPhoenixville, PA  19460610-933-1105www.pacsphx.org   You're invited to a Dining to Donate special event at Applebee's, West Goshen restaurant, located on West Chester Pike, just east of 202! Please come out and show your support!Just PRINT OUT THIS INVITATION and present it to your server onWednesday, December 17, 2008at Applebee's located at1107 West Chester Pike ~ West Chester, PA Applebee's will donate 10% of your food and beverage purchase* to:CHESTER COUNTY WOMEN'S COMMISSION Chester County Women's Commission Dine-ou...
Comments 9
By Susan Mangigian, Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches
(RE/MAX Preferred)
It was a quiet black Friday around the Mangigian home.  Max and I headed out about 9 AM to go to Waterloo Gardens because they had white pine roping on sale until noon.  Max wanted to exchange some of his old PS2 games to be put toward an XBOX 360.  We fought all the way to the mall, over all of the things he thought he "had to have" in past Christmases and all of the things that have gone by the wayside, not much used, like the 3 bags of PS2 games that probably cost me hundreds of dollars over the years and which he got $98 for today.  He didn't get my message of past abundance in this time when I am wondering how I am ever going to pull Christmas off without credit cards. We pulled through it though, as always and came home to have a nice lunch of leftovers.  My mom spent about 45 min...
Comments 45
By Susan Mangigian, Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches
(RE/MAX Preferred)
My husband Jack was walking through the bedroom today and astounded me by saying it was snowing!  With that, I hear Max's feet hit the floor running... the kid lives for snow.  He went straight to the computer to check out whether or not he had a snow day... Hope springs eternal in the young!  Sadly for him and yippee for me, school was in session!  Mom, where are my gloves... Mom, do you think we'll have early dismissal, Mom.. Mom.. Mom... Seeing the snow through my puppy's eyes this morning brought a smile to my face.  JJ has never seen snow and he was in puppy heaven!  Clumps of snow were sticking out all over his little body.  God, I love this dog.  Honestly, have you ever seen a cuter little face? C Tann Starr recently posted, or commented that someone told her she needed to stop t...
Comments 40
By Susan Mangigian, Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches
(RE/MAX Preferred)
I am a spring/summer person.  I get very excited by the coming of spring, the first crocuses, the first daffodils.  I'm over the moon when my forsythia's bloom. The first year I started gardening, in the warmth of a summer afternoon, I was leafing through a spring flowering bulb catalog.  What a great idea, I'll order a couple of hundred bulbs and plant them when fall arrives.  Being a city girl, I never dreamed in a million years that this meant I was going to be digging a couple of hundred holes and putting dead looking things in them on a blustery and overcast fall day.  This was the year I learned that gardeners are also optimists.   To go out on a cold, windy day with something that looks like an onion and expect it to be a gorgeous flower come spring is nothing short of expecting ...
Comments 23
By Susan Mangigian, Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches
(RE/MAX Preferred)
If you are looking for an over 55 community with loads of appeal and a ton of choices, look no further than Hersheys Mill http://www.hersheysmill.org/.  Right now, there are 38 active listings on the market there in a wide variety of price ranges.  The lowest price right now is $219,000 for a two bedroom, two bath unit.  The highest price is $735,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2 full bath a one powder room single.  I deliver Meals on Wheels to a few families in Hersheys Mill every Thursday.  Since this is a gated community, you have to stop at the gatehouse.  The guards are very nice and because I show homes here quite often, we always share a laugh as to whether this is a real estate visit, or my weekly Meals on Wheels delivery.  The landscaping is absolutely breathtaking and the grounds are ver...
Comments 15
By Susan Mangigian, Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches
(RE/MAX Preferred)
Abraham Lincoln is a hero of mine.  I am a Democrat.  Mr. Lincoln was a republican.  The irony of my position is very known to me, so please don't feel the need to point it out.  Every 4 years, my home is a House Divided.  I have very strong beliefs that the Democratic party is the better of the two parties, my love for Honest Abe not withstanding.  My husband, Jack, thinks that the Republicans walk on water and the Ronald Reagan was the best president ever, bar none, except for perhaps Richard Nixon. A house divided against itself can not stand.  Well, every 4 years, we are generally at war.  This year is slightly different because even my died in the wool republican husband can see that old "W" has made a mess of things in the 8 years that he has been president.  But, we still have su...
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By Bill Gero, CRS, CLHMS, REALTOR - Chester County & Main Line o
(RE/MAX Professional Realty - Malvern/Exton/Downingtown/West Chester)
"According to statistics released by TREND Multiple Listing Service, here are the market statistics for West Goshen Township from January, 2008 until October 2008." Market Statistics    Courtesy Of : Bill Gero 610-363-4088 RE/MAX Professional Realty 610-363-8444    Monthly Statistics for the Date Range Selected Date Units Listed Listed Volume Listed Average Pended Units Sold Sold Volume Sold Average Average DOM Oct 2008 15 8,371,750 558,116 9 2 712,000 356,000 45 Sep 2008 16 8,092,156 505,759 7 19 8,635,400 454,494 73 Aug 2008 16 8,122,364 507,647 8 21 9,931,117 472,910 58 July 2008 36 16,800,782 466,688 23 23 8,370,000 363,913 38 June 2008 48 21,090,614 439,387 20 20 8,012,400 400,620 21 May 2008 36 16,589,256 460,812 17 13 4,257,500 327,500 55 Apr 2008 42 20,104,710 478,683 15 8 2,847...
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By Bill Gero, CRS, CLHMS, REALTOR - Chester County & Main Line o
(RE/MAX Professional Realty - Malvern/Exton/Downingtown/West Chester)
"According to statistics released by TREND Multiple Listing Service, here are the market statistics for East Goshen Township from January, 2008 until October 2008." Market Statistics    Courtesy Of : Bill Gero 610-363-4088 RE/MAX Professional Realty 610-363-8444    Monthly Statistics for the Date Range Selected Date Units Listed Listed Volume Listed Average Pended Units Sold Sold Volume Sold Average Average DOM Oct 2008 27 11,334,665 419,802 4 7 2,031,800 290,257 47 Sep 2008 29 12,861,450 443,498 11 11 3,238,175 294,379 54 Aug 2008 34 13,535,200 398,094 16 23 8,503,718 369,726 58 July 2008 36 15,230,740 423,076 18 29 9,575,050 330,174 49 June 2008 39 16,643,793 426,763 23 20 6,749,085 337,454 58 May 2008 27 13,068,987 484,036 16 25 6,424,600 256,984 64 Apr 2008 47 20,014,190 425,833 32 ...
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