Real Estate Information Archive

Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends for July 2017

Chester County PA single family homes saw pending sales increase by 8.8% in July 2017 when compared to July 2016. 639 homes sold in July with a median sales price of $350,000, a 2.9% increase from July 2016.  The average sales price increased by 3.8%, and homes were on the market 20 days less.

If you are thinking about selling your home get a free instant home evaluation Learn More. 

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More than 75 percent of Americans are concerned about the security of their home, yet few think about door hardware when it comes to added protection.

In fact, out of those who have ever purchased a new lockset or deadbolt, only 19 percent have done so with the safety of their home in mind, according to a Harris Poll conducted on behalf of the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA). However, when it comes to protecting your home, the right lockset or deadbolt can provide the best first line of defense.

When purchasing new locks, it isn’t simply “one size fits all.” Choosing the right lock or deadbolt for your specific needs can sometimes seem overwhelming. Two in five Americans polled don’t even know what factors to look for when purchasing one.

While many of today’s locks deliver improved security for your home, be sure to follow these easy steps to ensure you’re properly selecting and installing the product that best suits your needs.

1. Look for the BHMA Certified Secure Home label.

The hardware industry has strict standards when it comes to the quality of locks and deadbolts, and BHMA is the only organization accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop and maintain these standards. Each lock or deadbolt that features the BHMA Certified Secure Home label on its packaging has been tested to these stringent standards — the highest performance standards for residential hardware. The label also indicates that the product has been certified in three different areas: security, durability and finish. Products without the Secure Home label are not assured to have been tested and certified by a third-party laboratory.

2. Check the ratings combination.

Once a lock or deadbolt is tested to ANSI/BHMA standards for security, durability and finish, it is given a rating of Good (C), Better (B) or Best (A) in each area based on its performance during testing. The rating system is defined by progressive levels of performance requirements. Be sure to select the lock or deadbolt that is rated highly in the area(s) most important to you. For example, when looking for a new interior lock, you may not require the same rating for security or finish as you would for a lock being installed on your front door.

3. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

After purchasing the lock(s) best suited for your home needs, consult the installation instructions provided by the manufacturer for proper application. A BHMA Certified lock — or any lock, for that matter — cannot function to its expectations if it isn’t installed correctly.

The added protection that locks and deadbolts can provide you and your family is not something to be overlooked. By fitting your doors — both interior and exterior — with certified hardware, using proper installation techniques and being diligent about using your locks when at home or away, you can greatly reduce the likelihood of unwanted company.

To learn more about BHMA Certified locksets and deadbolts, or the BHMA Certified Secure Home label, watch this short video or visit www.securehome.org.

Courtesy of Brandpoint Content.

This is such a spectacular property! And has just about what every homeowner could ever want. The Land, the Trees, the Decks, the Stream, the Privacy, the Architectural Details, the Natural Light, the Neighbors, the Schools, the Convenient Location…  When asked about what the current family loves most about their home, this is what came to mind. This feeling will come upon you when you come for a visit. Nestled off a beautiful country road and yet just a few short miles to the Award-Winning Downingtown West High School and STEM Academy, you’ll find this to be a beautiful blend of convenience and peaceful living. This 5 bedroom home offers very large rooms and such details as French doors, a private study, an upgraded kitchen with double ovens, travertine flooring, lots of recessed and under cabinet lighting, plenty of cabinets and storage space and an island for some of that good old hang around the kitchen family time. The breakfast area offers another great place to enjoy the outdoors with another door to the deck and it even has a work station and additional cabinets. The two-story foyer with an overlooking balcony and ceramic tile greet you as you enter off the expansive front deck. From there the hardwood floors take over thru the living and dining rooms. The first-floor study offers lots of natural light and a door to the deck offering a wonderful place to work, read or just relax. The custom built-ins and ceiling fan complete this room. The family room is highlighted by the French doors to the deck and a stone fireplace with a woodstove ready for a chilly winter day or auxiliary heat as desired. The second floor includes a very large master bedroom with an updated bathroom, soaking tub and separate sink/dressing area as well as a large walk-in closet. The 4 additional bedrooms offer plenty of space for a larger family or lots of guests. The basement is finished and includes a built-in entertainment wall with custom cabinets and a wet bar. And just in case you need storage, there’s a whole house walk up attic, storage shed as well as a 3 car garage. Other features and recent updates include an intercom system, brand new hot water hear, newly paved driveway, fresh paint in a number of rooms as well as the on deck and exterior window sills. One of the bedrooms even features a built-in desk in the closet. This is an oasis just waiting for you to move right in. Come and visit “your new home”.

Well maintained and tons of space to spread out. This 4 bedroom 3.5 bath colonial has a lot to offer. Neutral décor makes it easy for you to move right in. There’s a spacious and open eat-in kitchen that connects to the family room with a wonderful brick fireplace. There’s also a sliding glass door to a very spacious deck. You’ll enjoy your privacy there as well as the cute little frog pond with waterfall. There is a formal dining room with hardwood floors that also go thru the foyer and kitchen. The formal living room and powder room complete this floor. Upstairs is a large master bedroom with a private bath, a hall bath and 3 other good sized bedrooms. The laminate floors in the bedrooms make it a breeze to keep clean. In the finished basement, you’ll find a wet bar/kitchenette area, a living area, full bathroom and another room to call your home office/study/playroom or maybe even a music room. Located at the end of a cul-de-sac, you’ll enjoy the kid friendly street. There’s also a 1 car garage and parking in the driveway for at least 4-5 more cars. Come take a look. You’ll be impressed.

Do you have a large family or need lots of bedrooms? Well look no further. 258 Lenora Lane in the Award-Winning Downingtown School District is just the place. With 6 full bedrooms and 4 and a half baths AND… a full finished basement, this is just the place you’ve been looking for. Enter this Doutrich built home thru the traditional two-story center hall foyer. You’ll immediately notice the beautiful hardwood floors as they carry thru the formal living room, dining room and eat in kitchen. The family room features a wonderful stone fireplace, beautifully crafted built-ins, recessed lighting and pocket doors. The Paradise Kitchen gleams with its cherry cabinets and breakfast bar. There is also a large first floor study, powder room and laundry room that complete this level. Upstairs is the large master bedroom with a private bath (marble floors, whirlpool tub and separate shower) and 5 (yes 5) additional good sized bedrooms and 2 additional full bathrooms. (Think Nanny, Au-Paire, In-law) The 4th full bath is located in the daylight finished basement that includes a theatre area, a beautiful bar and a very large storage room. There’s also a walkout to the very flat 1.9-acre yard. The current owners with their 5 kids are sad to have to move and just hope another large family can enjoy this home as much as they have.

Set off of Farnum Road in a private village like setting cul-de-sac, this home has so much to offer. Let’s start with the convenient walk into town location. Or maybe a quick walk to Cherry Street Park. Or a quick zip to the train, the Blue Route or Rose Tree Park for a picturesque walk or take in an outdoor concert. WOW! We haven’t even talked about the house yet. This home was totally renovated just a few short years ago. Some of the lovely features about this home are the updated eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances. There’s even a fireplace in the kitchen. The family room is large, open and bright and has exposed beams and radiant heat in the floors. No more chilly toes while watching your favorite movie. The first-floor master bedroom with its updated master bath includes a beautiful ceramic tile shower with dual heads including a rain head…Ahhh. The dining room is just off the kitchen and has a door that leads out to the multi tiered deck, a great place to sit and relax overlooking the level and spacious yard. There is also a second bedroom and another full bath on the main floor and upstairs there’s 2 bedrooms, a full bathroom and a small office or craft room. Each of the bedrooms includes a ceiling fan as well. There are 2 zones for heating and air conditioning so you can “tune in” your desired temperature. This private yet convenient location also includes a security system. Media is the place to be, so come quick. As they say, “Media, Everybody’s Hometown”. Check out Terry Bradshaw’s television spot about Media at http://visitmediapa.com.

1. 1. If you have a lot of old towels and rags lying around your house, whether you use them or not, you might want to get rid of those before you move  into another home.  These types of things can carry bacteria on them and you don’t want to start out in your new place with dirty items when you can purchase new ones once you arrive.   

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2. 2. Make-up is good to have but it does have a shelf life and once that has passed it isn’t really good to keep it around.  Avoid the compulsion to throw all of your old makeup into a box and take it with you.  Although you might perhaps use it once or twice there really is no need for it because it won’t look as nice as a new pallet of makeup.  

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3. 3. Soaps, deodorants, nail polish,  and sunscreen maybe things you use on a regular basis but you really don’t need to take up space in your moving boxes for these types of items.  These things don’t cost a lot of money and can easily be purchased anywhere.  

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4. 4. Once you start packing and you find a ton of USB cables, realize that you don’t need them all and get rid of a few of them.   You may have a friend in need of a USB cable that you can bless with one or two.   

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5. 5. Don’t pack paperwork unless it is absolutely necessary.  Of course you will have to keep important contracts and tax information but most of the paperwork you’ve collected over the years is likely now obsolete and can be thrown out before you head out.   

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6. 6. Last but not least, go ahead and let go of all of the clothes you can no longer fit into.  Donating these types of items can many times be a big blessing to others.   

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Chester County PA Real Estate Market Trends for May 2017

Chester County PA single family homes saw pending sales increase by 12.4% in May 2017 when compared to May 2016. 663 homes sold in May with a median sales price of $333,000, a 5.71% increase from May 2016.  The average sales price increased by 4.8%, and homes were on the market 10 days less.

If you are thinking about selling your home get a free instant home evaluation Learn More. 

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Many of us select plants for the garden at our Chester County PA home based on their visual effect—color, height, size of blooms, etc. And so we should, as the sight of our plantings should be pleasing to our sense of sight. As we plan our garden, however, we should also be aware of the other four senses—and include plants which appeal to each of them.

SMELL: Aromatherapy is a powerful practice. With nothing more than a simple scent, the brain can be triggered to remember long forgotten memories, emotions, and feelings. With that being said, it is important to carefully select the flowers you want in the garden of your Chester County PA home. With a few simple choices, you can create your own "memory lane' or relaxing oasis. In terms of fragrance, it’s hard to beat roses or lavender. Wisteria and jasmine are scented climbers which can really enhance the sensory pleasure of a garden, and amaryllis belladonna and spirea both add pleasant scents.

SOUND: Few of us associate the sense of sound with our garden, but the rustling of long grasses and the chirping of birds add a much-appreciated dimension. To attract songbirds, use fruit-bearing understory trees like dogwoods and service berries and shrubs such as viburnums and hollies and introduce low growing perennials and dwarf shrubs like creeping juniper and cotoneaster. You can also plant vines, ground covers, and sunflowers to increase chirping and tweeting.

TOUCH: Texture in garden design refers to the surface quality of the plant. Plant textures range from delicate and fine to coarse and bold. The feel of the foliage in your Chester County PA home’s garden is not the only element of texture, however, as the texture can change with the play of light and shadow and even with viewing distance. Plants with thread-like leaves call out to be touched, so consider adding cosmos, baby's breath, asters, and grasses. In addition, iris and lamb’s ear will each provide softer tactile experiences.

TASTE: The world of herbs is nearly without limits. Think about basil, chives, rosemary, chamomile, cilantro, mint, and parsley, to name just a few tasty garden additions. Consider, too low bush blueberries or ligonberries. Lesser known, but equally valuable as salad additions are the flowers of the hibiscus shrub, columbine, and daylilies.

Some of the plants you have selected for your garden will serve more than one purpose and will appeal to more than one sense, so be sure to sniff, feel, taste, listen to, and view each of them!

Courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.