This week I got to spend some time with Ron Clarke, Senior Vice President PA/NJ/DE Region for Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. Ron spoke at our office meeting last week and I have never heard him be so positive in 5 years about the Main Line and Suburban market. Whether you are buying or selling now is a great time to make a  move. Listen to our interview in our Center City Office on Arch Street, Philadelphia. If you are buying or selling along the Main Line or in Tredyffrin Easttown contact Nick Vandekar, Selling The Main Line, with Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. Office 610-225-7400, cell or text 610-203-4543, email Nick@VandekarTeam.com,  www.SellingTheMainLine.com. I look forward to starting a conversation with you. 10/09/2019

When the Senior Vice president for your region is upbeat, more so than you have seen him in five years it is usually an indication that the housing market is pretty positive.For years we have been warning buyers to act now as interest rates are going to rise and all the indications have been there that this was true. But, for various reasons it has not materialized and we are still in a position when interest rates are extremely low, so much so that people think this is the new normal.So for buyers today things look very positive for purchasing a home, mortgages are available, down payments are reasonable and the only issue is lack of inventory at certain price points.Yesterday, I got time with Ron Clarke, our Senior VP for the PA/NJ/DE Region of Long & Foster Real Estate and asked him ... 10/08/2019

I was reading a post by Kathy Streib this morning Yes Color can Make a Difference and I was thinking about a program I saw on Netflix called ABSTRACT, The Art of Design, which is all about design. Fascinating program from different viewpoints and each program can stand on its own, so you don't need to see the whole series.The first one I watched was from Season 2 about Olafur Eliasson, he begins discussing color, and using a light that removes colour he has a color spectrum behind him which looks monochromatic. Then he pulls a chain switch and the colour spectrum burst into color. He then goes on to discuss how different colors bring different moods, using colr card right up against the screen to change the lighting in your room if you have turned off allother lights as he suggests at t... 10/03/2019

Don't miss this Open House, the sellers have just made a major price adjustment and the home is now priced at $699,500, excellent value.This historic home, has a lovely fenced yard, a wonderful enormous two tier deck excellent for entertaining and enjoying that fenced yard. The home has been updated throughout and is packed with charm and character. Great location, just a short distance away is Pour Richards Coffee House, or Starbucks which is also close to Whole Foods. Devon Station is also near by for those who want to commute to Philadelphia.Check out the video, then stop by and say Hi! I look forward to seeing you.  If after touring this is not the home for you, let's chat and see if we can find you a Main Line or Tredyffrin Easttown home, there is plenty of choice with many new hom... 09/28/2019

407 Old State Road, Berwyn, PA 19312, a delightful center hall Tredyffrin Easttown colonial just settled.This gorgeous home was remodelled in 2015/2016 and the owners would never have been selling except for a job transfer out of the area.At the entrance to a cul de sac with access to a township park, where dogs are allowed to be off-leash, and two homes away from where General Howe stayed when the British army camped in the area during the Revolutionary War.This 4 bed 2 1/2 bath home sold for $720,000. If you are interested in knowing what your Tredyffrin Easttown or Main Line home is worth in today's market contact Nick Vandekar, Selling the Main Line with Long & Foster Real Estate Inc., office 610-225-7400, cell or text 610-203-4543, email Nick@VandekarTeam.com.We currently have list... 07/30/2019

Just Listed Tredyffrin Easttown home in Devon, check out the tour and come to one of the open houses this weekend, Saturday 6/29 and Sunday 6/30, from 2 to 4 pm. This home is gorgeous and full of charm. Great location close to everything you want to be close to on the Main Line. A wonderful traditional updated Devon home in a prime location, close to train station, Devon Yard, coffee shops, Whole Foods and so much more. Enter the home from a driveway with plenty of area for parking of multiple cars, via a wrap around porch. The entrance hall goes through to a  modern kitchen  with an island, stainless steel appliances, plenty of cabinetry and breakfast  area  with window bench. Access a large multi-level Trex deck via French doors, the top deck with attached umbrella looking over the fe... 06/27/2019

Just Listed this lovely home: $715,000. Six bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths in Tredyffrin Easttown School DistrictA wonderful traditional updated Devon home in a prime location, close to train station, Devon Yard, coffee shops, Whole Foods and so much more. Enter the home from a driveway with plenty of area for parking of multiple cars, via a wrap around porch. The entrance hall goes through to a  modern kitchen  with an island, stainless steel appliances, plenty of cabinetry and breakfast  area  with window bench. Access a large multi-level Trex deck via French doors, the top deck with attached umbrella looking over the fenced in private yard. Very large lower level deck with Bilco doors to the basement. Gate access to the large driveway and detached garage which has plenty of additional stor... 06/27/2019

I grew up in the UK, just outside of London, I know I never thought I would not own a home. It just seemed the obvious thing. Even when I left home and rented an apartment it was my brother's who had moved to the States, so I was helping him out by renting, so he could pay the mortgage.As the saying goes, you are either paying your mortgage or the landlords. It costs money to live in an apartment or a house, and we need to understand that, owning a home is a long term way to build wealth,but sometimes if you sell quickly you may have to make a payment at the settlement table as well if the value has not grown enough to cover the costs of selling.As soon as I got engaged I looked for a home to buy, it was small, a row house initially outside of London, after having a baby we realized we ... 06/03/2019

About 10 days ago I was listening to a podcast about digital minimalism. It got me thinking and asking questions about my use of social media and my "smart phone".Does social media make me more social? Does it help me in business? Am I present when I have my phone with me?I did not find the answers easy and pondered them and thought about them. I am a people person, so I dived into social media. I post everywhere, I enjoy it, I like reading about others and what they do. I caught up with some old friends through Facebook.But, did I really have a relationship, or was I just looking in from the outside? Were they really friends?The last few days I made a decision, to delete Twitter from my phone and delete my account.Yesterday, I did the same with Facebook, deleting my business pages and ... 03/27/2019

Many Tredyffrin Easttown home buyers today are frustrated because interest rates are low and they want to buy a home but the number of homes for sale is not keeping up with demand. This being said, many buyers are so used to low interest rates that they are not aware of just how low these rates are and any uptick is making them hold off purchasing as it impacts their buying power.So let's look at this logically for a minute.1981 saw mortgage interest rates at 18.63%. Since then they have steadily declined. They hit bottom in 2012 at 3.31% according to Value Penguin.The real estate world has since 2012 been talking about how rates are going to rise as they realized that the market would push rates up, but it has happened slower than everyone thought for many reasons, global and national.... 03/21/2019

There are plenty of beautiful place stro hike close to Tredyffrin Easttown, but if you are willing to drive a little further you can enjoy even more beautiful vistas and hikes. I drove up to Jim Thorpe area yesterday with a friend. The weather was just gorgeous, clear skies a cool temperatures wonderful weather for hiking. We arrived at Lehigh Gorge State Park and made our way to the head of the Glen Onoko Falls Trail. This is a steep and dangerous hike in places, and there are plenty of warning signs as you head out. Whilst not long it is taxing on your quads and a little bit of skill is needed to clamber up the elevation and over the rocks. A hiking pole is a good aid as are good hiking shoes. We were greeted with snow and ice in parts and I thought this bit looked like a pterodactyl,... 03/20/2019

The Chester County Antiques Show 2019, was this past weekend, benefiting the Chester County Historical Society it is in its 37th year. Held at the Church Farm School it is a great size show with some excellent dealers from the East Coast, New England and Mid Atlantic region. I got to attend the opening night party as my brother was exhibiting and went back briefly on Sunday morning when there was a little more space to see some of the pieces on display.I have managed and organized the Main Line Antiques Show for many years and several of the dealers used to exhibit with us when the show was running. Many had questions for me on Friday night hoping that I had good news for them that the show might run this year. But, not having a date that is workable with other shows and local events th... 03/19/2019

One of the places I like to hike near me is Valley Forge Park. The rolling hills and the open spaces allow you to enjoy the blue skies we so often get, even in the depths of winter. With blue skies, even when cold you get the warmth from the sun. Generally where ever you are in the park, if you are on the walking trail that loops around the park you cannot miss seeing the tower from the Washington Memorial Chapel. I have posted many photos of it over time, on sunny days, foggy days, snowy days as it stands as a beacon above the park.That being said, and having walked past it numerous times this Saturday I had gone for a hike with the intention of looking inside if there was no wedding or ceremony taking place. As I approached I looked up and noticed for the first time below the flag on ... 03/18/2019

Great opportunity to have some fun and support a wonderful local charity FLITE, as well. Watch our local school principals and staff as they take on the Harlem Wizards.    NEW show, NEW comedy, NEW WizardsFriday, March 22nd We're coming baaaaaaaack.....and we're bringing all new fun to T/E! Have you purchased your tickets yet?Your  T/E FLITE Crew team of teachers and staff is taking on the Wizards, led by showman "King" Arthur Lewis, and it's a new show! Only some of the players on this team have ever been to T/E, back in 2016. Meet the Showtime Unit:   https://www.harlemwizards.com/players/showtime-unit/ Make plans to gather up the family and head to the Conestoga High School gym. The fun starts at 7:00 and doors open at 6:00. Cheer on the Home Team! Devon - Principal Parker, Michele ... 03/15/2019

What is your response when you are told something that catches your eye is not for sale?As you know my background was antiques, my family were antiques dealers and we exhibited at many shows around the world. We have many stories about sales and things for sale.Growing up my father had a good friend who was an antique dealer in Dorset, England. He always had stories about a colleague who had a shop across the road from him.One went like this. The car was loaded with a drop front desk, lying on its back in the back part of a Volvo station wagon. It had a blanket loosely thrown over it, not hiding much. The door of the shop was open as was the back of the car. It looked as if the desk was either being unloaded or loaded into the car.Along comes a shopper, they see the desk, and take a clo... 03/13/2019

How do you select an agent when buying or selling a home? Most people according to research by the National Association of Realtors use the first agent they meet, usually without really knowing anything about them or their business practices.A second way many people select an agent is to ask friends and family for a referral. This may get them several names, especially if they use social media to ask for a referral. This often leads to a short listing of agents who the buyer or seller will interview based on an arbitrary list of reasons. I like Sam so anyone he/she suggests must be good, for example.But, before you ever get to this point maybe you should be asking yourself and those people giving you referrals how am I going to or how did you select an agent to represent me/you?A great ... 03/08/2019

I have been reading a book by Celeste Headlee, We need to talk. Something I read in there, and I will paraphrase: Do not presume that because you are both speaking English you mean the same things with the words you choose and speak.My wife is from the Netherlands, so automatically I know she is smarter than me because she speaks English very well, plus German, and some French, and of course Dutch. Unfortunately, many English speakers speak well, English and that is it, oh yes, LOUDER ENGLISH as well, because that will help them to be understood. My mother came from this school, and thought by also speaking more slowly it would help as well, as long as it was louder too.Anyway, what Trudy and I have found is that we don't always understand what the other person is saying. We need to cla... 02/26/2019

There is a lot of discussion in real estate circles about technology, AI, data, iBuyer programs, etc. and how this is going to change real estate. Lots of people are pouring money into new technology that is going to disrupt the real estate field. I remember when my wife began in real estate many of the agents in her office said the internet was never going to replace the trusted MLS book. I get it we don't like change.I wrote a little about this last week when a comment blossomed into a bigger answer than I intended. But, I have been thinking about this as clients call and I think, why?Those of us who are active and have been in real estate for more than a few years know where our business comes from. As Mr. Buffini and any good manager will tell you, your sphere is a pot of gold.Why d... 02/22/2019

We still have the threat of snow, and usually we get one big storm in March if past history can be relied upon. But we are seeing For Sale signs popping up all over the Tredyffrin Easttown school district. Because of the lack of inventory that the market has been suffering there is a pent up demand with many buyers ready to make offers. So if priced right and the homes are in good condition these For Sale signs are quickly followed by Sold signs.So what do you need to do to prepare if you have waited till now to decide to list your home.It depends, no it really does, on what type of home you have and what price point it will fall into. Whilst the scenario above is true for those homes priced anywhere from $150,000, yes we do have condos and apartment homes in Tredyffrin Easttown as well... 02/19/2019

Our weather has been topsy turvy in Tredyffrin Easttown, snow and ice earlier in the week, temperatures of 61 degrees yesterday. So with a nice clear blue sky, a rather brisk temperature of 38 degrees and a little time on my hands I grabbed my hiking boots and visited one of my favourite spots.The George Lorrimer Preserve on North Valley Road in Paoli/Malvern. One of the things I love about our area are all the spaces you can walk and get outside and enjoy nature. Buying a home here allows you to enjoy these spaces,national parks, township parks, state parks, private arboretum, gardens and county trails. I have written about the nature preserve before a space of 87.8 preserved acres open to the public to walk and enjoy. There are multiple other space, all preserved, nearby and accesible... 02/16/2019