Happy New Year 2011

Happy Holidays!

Best Wishes to All!

http://preaecards.com/cv/923af896815817b6018d24923036f0fd9a9506aa

Swarthmore Holiday Lights

http://www.thelistingwidget.com/view.cfm?tourID=7735

Green Topics Active Solar Heating

Here is some good information on Solar Heating and the difference between the air and liquid solar heating.

Holiday Lights in Media PA - Old Mill Pointe

Fun and beautiful light displays of Old Mill Pointe
http://www.thelistingwidget.com/viewMLS.cfm?tourID=7716

Delaware County Early Lunar Eclipse

Holiday in Media Pa - Rose Tree Estates

Happy Holidays!

http://www.thelistingwidget.com/view.cfm?tourID=7710

Realtor.org reports on National averages for a midrange home in 2010-11 Home improvement costs and their potential resale value.

National average for additions:

Attic Bedroom $ 51,428 resale value $37,142 or 72.2%

Bathroom $40,710 resale value $21,695 or 53.3%
Two Story $165,243 resale value $107,338 or 65.0%



Mid-Atlantic costs for the same additions are as follows:
Attic $55,218 resale value $38,394 and 69.5%
Bathroom $43,591 resale value $21,150 or 48.5%
Two Story $171,895 resale value $104,286, 60.7%


I find that many of my clients even get better deals locally. Let me know if you need some names of local capable and well priced contractors - recommended by my other clients. branka@brankadoych.com

For a copy of the full report send me an email and I will be glad to share it with you.

Green topics - how to read an "energy label"

Here is a quick overview of energy labels and how to read them.

2010-11 remodeling cost averages and their potential resale value

Realtor.org reports on National averages for a midrange home in 2010-11 remodeling costs and their potential resale value:

National:

Basement 64,519 resale value $45,186 or 70%


Major Kitchen remodel $58,367 resale value $40,126 or 68.7%

Minor Kitchen remodel $ 21,695 or $15,790 for a 72.8% resale value
Mid-Atlantic costs for the same are as follows:
 
Basement $69,106  for the resale value of $40,215 and 58.2%
Major Kitchen $60,710  for the resale value of $38,214 or 62.9%
Minor Kitchen $22,325 for the resale value of $15,246, 68.3%
 
I find that many of my clients get even better deals locally.  Let me know if you need some names of local capable and well priced contractors - recommended by my clients.
 
Also, for a copy of the full report send me an email and I will be glad to share it with you.

Green Topics - appliances how does one know about their efficency?

If you plan on purchasing a new refrigerator or a stove, washer or dryer, check information at this site first before you make your final decision on your new purchase.

Green Topics - How much will you save when properly insulating your home

Green Topics - How much will you save when properly insulating your home?

Home Buyers - mortgage interest rates are climbing!

Home Buyers - Mortgage interest rates are still very low but climbing.  In the last three weeks rates have been for FHA 4.750% and 5.00% and Conventional Rates have been between 5.00% and 5.25%.  Buyers, if you have been thinking of buying a home now is the time to act… expectation is that 6% rates are not far in the future.

Green Topics - Recommended Levels of Insulation

Here is a map of energy star recommended levels of Insulation for your home.

Green Topics - Basement

Have you been thinking of making your basement a more comfortable and free of moisture while making it easier to condition?   Here are some ideas on how to do so!

Green Topics - eco friendly remodel

If you have been thinking of remodeling this information may be of use to you on how to insulate and how to have a proper ventilation for ceilings and attics.

Market Update for Delaware County

Market Update for Delaware County - Single Homes Trend Mls reports in 2009 in November inventory of available homes was 3162 or 8 months worth of inventory while in 2010 there were 3712 homes on the market and they represent 10.6 months cumulative inventory.

What does this mean? This means that if not one home cam on the market starting today, it would take 10.6 months to sell all available homes. Sellers, prepare, prepare, prepare and price your home right!

Green Topics

Here is a link to informative article about wall insulation

Swarthmore Market Statistics

In 2009 average list price of homes in Swarthmore YTD was $419,219 and average sold price in 105 days was $373,107.  In 2010 at the same time average list price was $409,562 and in 116 days average sale price is $369,252. The good news is that number of homes sold in 2009 was 39 and in 2010 53.   (as reported in TRENDmls)

Green information - energy star

Energy star video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=l0MCZNq-LP0

Real Estate Trends in Media PA

Original list price of homes in Upper Providence township and Media Borough PA 2010 year to date has been average of $390,672. Average Sold price is $350,303 or 9.8% lower than the asking price with approximately 106 days on the market. 

Market Statistics for Newtown Square Pa - an increas of 1.5% in sold price!

Year to date in 2009 as Trend-mls reports, in Newtown and Edgemont townships homes listed under one million – were listed at the average price of $392,841 and sold at $353,909–or received 89.8% of the asking price with average 90 days on the market.  2010 in the same period - average home has sold in 87 days with listing price 453,830 which have sold at 414,133 or 91.3% of asking price - an increase of 1.5% in "sold" price.  For a no obligation and a FREE full market report or statistics in your specific market area for a specific price range feel free to call or email me anytime. 

December 2010 Real Estate News Letter by Branka Doych

This Newsletter is full of interesting and useful information that I think you will enjoy whether you are a buyer, seller, homeowner, or renter.

This month's issue includes topics such as:

"Why Buy a Home?";

"Disclosure: Safest Way To Sell A Home";

"Should I Take My Home Off the Market During the Holidays?";

"Tips for an Eco-Friendly Holiday";

"Value in Homeownership";



Plus a roundup of November real estate activity as well as much more advice and information.



I hope you enjoy this monthly newsletter. If you have any comments, please e-mail them to me. Or, if you would like to see a certain topic covered in future months, let me know that too!

Buyers - mortgage worksheet

A mortgage worksheet for buyers

5 Additional things each Seller should know...

5 Additional things each Seller should know before placing a home for sale on the market:

 

 

1. Identify your goals, expectations and priorities

2. Have a well planned strategy for marketing your property

3. Establish a pricing strategy

4. Prepare your property for sale – there is no chance for 1st impression

5. Know your Realtor's resources and their plan for getting you to the settlement table in today’s challenging market.

5 More things a Seller should know...

In addition to Market conditions we spoke about previously, your Realtor should do the following:

 

1. Get to know your property well and its desirable features

2. Have a clear picture for you of other properties which were recently sold in your immediate market area and share it with you.

3. Have a good knowledge of homes on the market presently that are your competition with existing buyers

4. Be knowledgeable of properties which have failed to sell in the recent past in your market area

5. Provide a narrow price range for the price of your home.



 

Happy Thanksgiving - Two nice stories.

No fanfare just some good people doing good things quietly–

My colleague Ann Miller had and extra turkey. Instead of keeping it for herself and her family she wanted to share it with someone else who can use it. One of my client families have several children and live on one salary without any complaints ever. I speak of them because their humble life did not stop them from adopting a special needs child who would not have had a chance of a loving family in his country. When Ann found out about this family she made sure that she added potatoes and other fixings so that they could have a complete meal. Family was happy to receive it, Ann was happy to give it and I was happy to connect the two and make the delivery.


My friend Sharon Edman and her sister each purchased a turkey for their mom, no problem, Sharon taxed me to find out if I know of someone in need. I do. A family of four who is watching every bit of money hoping to buy a home soon and did not plan on purchasing a turkey this year. They were so happy to receive it. Sharon and her family were generous to think of others and take the time out of their busy schedule to make necessary arrangements to make the delivery.

Sharon and Ann, I am glad you are my friends and I thank you.

There are many Anns and Sharons out there giving to others every day of the year expecting nothing in return just doing the “right stuff”. Seems appropriate to remember them at Thanksgiving _ Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!


 

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Going Green

Going Green - Save Gas, Save Money

The Pros and Cons of Solar Energy

The Pros and Cons of Solar Energy - what is "energy start"?

Do's and Don'ts for choosing a contractor

The Most Essential Do's and Don'ts for Choosing the Right Contractor

Tips on Evaluating Your Home and Personal Property

Home owners insurance tips and understanding what to look for.

9 Common reasons sellers overprice their property…

Research shows that the sellers overprice their home for sale due to:




1. Lack of facts

2. Over their budget

3. Need to net more money than the property is worth

4. Greed

5. Want to leave room for bargaining

6. Sellers overpaid for property

7. Lack of motivation to sell

8. Testing the market

9. Bad advice

Capable Realtor with his or her knowledgeable and professional assistance will help avoid these pitfalls.

 

What to look for when choosing an air cleaner:

Do air purifiers really work?

5 things that each Seller should know

To price a home accurately for the best financial results seller should ask their Realtor following questions:

1. Is this a “Seller’s Market”?

2. Is this a true “Buyers Market “ in this specific area?

3. Is the cost of financing rising, dropping or remaining stable?

4. What is the average selling time in days?

5. What is the average percent of list to sold price?

Appraisal

What we need to know about appraisals

Change Happens...

Change is a the only constant in today's Real Estate world.

Landscaping plan for 2011

Here are some wonderful ideas for those who are planning for their 2011 garden

Market Review - Sellers

Current Market Review

Buyers and First Time Buyers

What buyers should know:

Best-Bet Home Imporovements

 How to improve your home for best results:

About Real Estate Investing

About Real Estate Investing

Should I buy or should I rent?

Many of the first time buyers are not sure how to proceed?  This may help you with your process of making a decision.  Click here:

Holiday season is a time to think about securing your home even more...

Here are some ideas on how to protect your home

Landscaping for 2011

As this year nears the end some of these tips may be useful for your 2011 landscaping plan.

good ideas about landscaping for four seasons

10 Tips for Creating a Household Budget

Here are some ideas of how to start a budget process for 2011

Happy Veteran's Day

Happy Veteran's Day

7 things to avoid doing when looking to buy a new home:

7 things to avoid doing when looking to buy a new home:

 

1. Don’t change jobs! Stability is a must!
2. Do not make any larger purchase – like an automobile -Your debt to income ratio will be unfavorable.
3. Don’t move money from one bank to another, not even from one account to another – this complicates transaction process, looks like large deposits which need to be explained later 
4. Don’t run credit report online on yourself. It will look like one more inquiry
5. Do not consolidate your bills before speaking with your lender – mortgage person 
6. Don’t purchase furniture which does not need to be paid in two years – no matter what you are told, it will show up as debt on your account and lower your score. 
7. Don’t pack or store your tax and income information so that you have to look through boxes to find what mortgage company needs.

 

When in doubt ask your Realtor and your mortgage broker.

 

Please watch video - Cheerleaders dance for Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Hi everyone,


About 136 former cheerleaders got together to do a dance routine to benefit "Susan G. Komen for the Cure" (Breast Cancer). Each time someone views the video, United Healthcare will make a $.10 donation to the Komen organization. Their goal is to get a million hits, which will lead to $100K raised.

Please can you take a moment to watch the video - and, just as important, pass this link onto your network of friends, family and colleagues? It benefits a very important cause!

Thanks for helping!

Click:
www.KomenPhiladelphia.org/Video

Fall Back Tonight!

Change your clock and the smoke detector batteries! 

Delaware County Real Estate Market Statistics Single Family Homes

Delaware County Real Estate Market Statistics Single Family Homes


Inventory of single homes available for sale in in Delaware County Pa in September 2009 was 3312 in 2010 3842. In 2010 monthly accumulation is 9.9 months vs. 9.2 in 2009.

The good news is that homes in our area are holding their value - the median settled price has moved from $200,000 in 2009 to $220,000 in 2010.

Branka Doych's "November Real Estate Update"

Here is a link to my "November Real Estate Update":

http://realtytimes.com/144/BrankaDoych


This month's issue includes topics such as:

"Knowledge Is Power When You Buy A House";

"Four Questions Help Determine Improve vs. Move";

"Kitchen Remodeling Trends";

"Questions You Should Ask About Property Taxes";

"Eight Out of 10 Still Believe Buying a Home Makes Good Financial Sense";



Plus a roundup of October real estate activity as well as much more advice and information.

I hope you enjoy this monthly newsletter. If you have any comments, please e-mail them to me. Or, if you would like to see a certain topic covered in future months, let me know that too! Branka@BrankaDoych.com

What are the schools in your area? How do they rate?

Most of the time buyers wish to knwo where are the schools in their area of interst and how do they rate?  Here is a link that may answer some of those qestions. 

How long may it take to sell a home in Swarthmore PA?

Presently there are about 35 homes on the market in Swarthmore, average monthly homes sales year to date are 5, and accumulation of inventory of homes for sale is about 8 months.  How to prepare your home to sell sooner is a great question for your Realtor and your Stager. 

Real Estate in Philadelphia area - How we see it!

Here is what local Real Esate Expert says about state of real estate in Philadelphia area:

"Yesterday the Case Shiller Housing Price Index reported a very slight decrease in home prices for the last quarter, but a modest increase over the past year (Q3 2010 over Q3 2009.) The Case Shiller HPI tracks paired real estate sales in 20 major metropolitan areas. Philadelphia is not one of those tracked. The press will most likely generalize this report as if the entire country were one real estate market, but as we know, it does not apply to the PFR/T market area.

Joel Naroff, an economist who consults for PFR/T issued the following statement about the Case Shiller report:

“While the home buyers’ tax incentives may have created some additional demand, what it really did was change the pattern of demand. Sales from later in the year were pulled backward into the spring. That helped firm up prices but also created the let down we saw during the summer. The price change patterns we saw over the spring and summer are essentially worthless. The real issue is not the government-hyped ups and downs but where prices are going from here. Unfortunately, the data we may get over the next few months could also be misleading because of the problems with mortgage documentation. A slowdown in foreclosures could change the distribution of sales and that could affect price measures. My best guess is once the noise is removed from the data, we will see prices rising in most metropolitan areas across the nation and that is not limited to the twenty in the Case Shiller survey. Large parts of the country have already turned the corner and many are places that were not and will not be overwhelmed by the foreclosure crisis. While some of the largest areas are still weak and those areas dominate the data, the smaller and mid-sized metropolitan areas as well as some of the bigger ones (Philadelphia is not included and it is doing just fine, thank you) will continue to get better slowly.” comments by Larry Flick of Prudential Fox and Roach / Trident

How long does it take to sell a home in Media Pa area?

Many times a day I am asked: "In today's market, how long does it take to sell a home in Media area? My answer is: "it depends"!


Most important factors are the condition of your home and the listing price.

Here are some pure statistics, but the rest in up to you and your Realtor.

As reported by TrendMLS, (multiple listing service used by Realtors) in Media, Middletown and Upper Providence PA, in 2010 - year to date there were 391 homes listed for sale and 189 have settled so far. Some homes have been removed from the market.

Presently reported 188 homes are available for sale, which gives us an accumulation of 9 months.
This means that if no new homes came on the market past today, it would take about 9 months or average of 97 days per home to sell.

Report includes all price ranges. For a specific price range in PA send me an email – no obligation and I am glad to share. Branka@BrankaDoych.com

Bank of America and GMAC - forclosures

Bank of America and GMAC  report that they will resume  forclosure process.  For more details:

What is Philadelphia credit score?

According to reports from Experian Midwest cities rule - Minneapolis has a score of 787, Philadelphia area is at 761. Visit Experian for more information.

2nd big lender stops forclosure process!

GMAC Mortgage was the first big lender to pause foreclosures while it reviews past files.


JPMorgan Chase, is the 2nd large lender that has stopped foreclosures so it can review loan documents for errors.

Expenses that buyers can expect during a real estate transaction...

This is what buyers need to plan for when buying a home:

• Home inspection fee (may include well, septic)


• Termite inspection (depends on state)

• Special inspections such as pool or mold

• Credit report fee

• Appraisal fee

• Closing costs

• Home Warranty

• Moving expenses

Expenses that sellers can expect during a real estate transaction...

Here are Seller Expenses in a Real Estate transaction:


• General clean-up if needed

• Remove trash and debris

• Home staging

• Pre-listing home inspection

• Pre-listing appraisal

• Home inspection repairs pursuant to buyer home inspection

• Termite inspection (depends on state)

• Termite treatment and/or termite damage repairs

• Condominium or HOA documents for buyer or lender

• Home Warranty

• Use and Occupancy

• Tax Certifications

• State and local Real Estate Transfer Tax

• Moving Expenses

Remember this is a "big picture news": Best-Case Scenario for Foreclosure Freeze

Daily Real Estate News

October 13, 2010


Best-Case Scenario for Foreclosure Freeze

Gregor Watson, a principal with McKinley Partners, a development company that buys foreclosed homes, told listeners on a Citi home-builder conference call that there were three potential outcomes from the foreclosure fiasco:



· Best case: These are technical issues that can be resolved quickly so the foreclosure process can continue and the glut of foreclosed homes is cleared from the market.



· Medium case: There is significant litigation that takes years to sort out and this slows the troubled housing market even further.



· Worst case: The market grinds to a halt and title insurers refuse to insure mortgages involving foreclosed homes. “It would be devastating for the resale market if this robo-signer issue spiraled out of control,” Watson says.



Source: The Wall Street Journal, Dawn Wotapka (10/12/2010)

What's Real Estate Weather Like in Philadelphia Area Today?

As a Realtor, I have this love/hate relationship with media. I love to be informed and I strongly object when the information is not accurate and local experts are not consulted. Remember, Real Estate is like weather, it is local and it has cycles.

Great example:  Five years ago, good news about the real estate market was exaggerated. Now the statistics from the worst market in the country are generalized as if they were occurring everywhere.
Here’s a quiz…

TRUE OR FALSE:

1. Home prices have come down over 50%.

2. Over 6% of households are in foreclosure.

3. The suspension of foreclosures by major financial institutions will delay recovery of the real estate market.

The answer for each is – IT DEPENDS.

In Las Vegas, Nevada prices have come down an average of 58%. In the Prudential Fox & Roach market area, prices have declined an average of 7% from the peak of the market until now – a very moderate number.

In addition to having the distinction of experiencing the greatest price declines, Las Vegas also has the highest foreclosure rate at 6.6%. Less than ½ of 1% of households in our market area are in the foreclosure process – one of the lowest rates in the country. Because foreclosures make up such a small percentage of households in our market, if some were suspended the impact would be insignificant.

As our clients in Philadelphia area you must understand that real estate markets are local, that our prices have not taken a nosedive, and that our market is not flooded with foreclosures. You may think differently because you, our clients have been inundated with a continuous stream of negative news from the press because extremes, whether booms or busts, get attention.
Here’s another quiz:

TRUE OR FALSE:

Now is the best home buying opportunity of a lifetime.

The answer for our marketplace is TRUE!

Here’s why:

1. The Market

• We have clearly seen the bottom of the market. Unit sales have dropped after the April 30, 2010 expiration of the home buyer tax credit, but annual sales have been stable for three years.

• Prices have been stable this past year.

• There is a great selection of homes and sellers have become more realistic.



2. Interest Rates

• Interest rates are at generational lows. It is hard to believe they will go much lower, and they will definitely rise as the economy begins to improve. We would normally think of 5.5% as a terrific rate but at the current rate of 4.25% is outstanding. A buyer borrowing $250,000 over 30 years will save $2,700 each year over the life of the loan. That’s a total savings of $68,000!



3. Quality of Life

• It’s not unusual to hear conversations about the rent versus buy scenario. There are some advantages to renting but in reality, the Philadelphia area has never been a rental market. The best communities are made up of owners who care about their properties. Owning a home is one of the best ways to take control of our future.

• Houses are more affordable than they have been in years. Stable prices and incredibly low interest rates allow buyers to purchase more for their money so they can enjoy living in a house that better meets their lifestyle needs.



4. Long-term Investment

• Owning a home has been the best long-term investment in our area, far outperforming the stock market. In the past ten years, the value of Philadelphia area housing rose an average of 91%, while the S&P 500 lost 22.5%.

Right now, many people are carefully considering whether or not to buy a home. Lack of confidence in the economy and the job market are holding them back. But there is only so long to wait before this opportunity ends. If life circumstances dictate a move, it’s best to act now! I can’t imagine that conditions will improve for potential home buyers in this area!

In five or seven years, many of you my clients will look back and either be glad that you bought a home or be sorry that you didn’t. It’s my job to provide you with the expertise and knowledge to make the right choice now, or else you will look back and say, “I should have.”

After all, the true value of what I do goes beyond showing houses or writing contracts. It is in helping people make their dreams come true!

Pumpkin Days at Tyler Arboretum near Media


Pumpkin Days at Tyler Arboretum will take place Saturday Oct 16th and Sunday, Oct 17th from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Enjoy the music of Makin' Music: Rockin' Rhythms Band, authentic Native American Performers, Toni Seaflower and Bart Standing Elk, accompanied by We Dubi Cung Drummers and of course, the Penncrest High School Band. Watch master sculptor, Chuck Field create a masterpiece from sand. Get spooked in the Haunted Barn, a teenage favorite, take a Hayride, bounce on the Wizard's Castle Moon Bounce and Bungee Trampoline, have your cheek painted, enjoy our roving juggling stilt walker, clowns, Wawa Goose and more. Plus: Food Court, make & take crafts, activities, popular Pumpkin Patch, pumpkin painting, games and contests!

Nature's Enchantment: Totally Terrific Treehouses is open through Sunday, October 31. Visit this season's exhibition with 29 interactive structures and displays.

FREE with regular admission; no pre-registration required. Members: $4 for adults, $2 for children ages 3 to 15. Non-members: $9 for adults, $6 for children ages 3 to 15. Kids under 3 admitted FREE.

Tyler Arboretum is located at 515 Painter Road, Media, PA
For additional information, call  610-566-9134 or go to http://www.tylerarboretum.org/

***Turn fallen autumn leaves into compost to save energy and landfill space***

Don;t bag up your fall leaves and put them out for the trash! Instead turn them into compost, and save energy and landfill space. The waste from our yards makes up 20% of your communities' trash that is hauled away and it is the second-largest component of our trash stream (behind paper), according to the EPA. Besides that, trash trucks use a lot of fuel! According to CompostGuide.com, the leaves of one large shade tree can be worth almost $50 of plant food and humus. Your garden and landscaping can benefit from the minerals in dead leaves.
To get the best results in your compost bin, shred leaves up. Layer with other types of materials, especially manure, green weeds or grass clippings, or add a nitrogen supplement like cottonseed meal, bone meal or dried blood. Keep the pile moist and turn it over frequently.

Contact information for municipalities in Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, Delaware County, PA

Here is the contact information for municipalities in the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District in Delaware County.  If you need to look up the municipality where you live, go to http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/towns/index.html

Nether Providence Township
214 Sykes Lane
Wallingford, PA 19086
Phone: 610-566-4516
Fax: 610-892-2890
Web: www.netherprovidence.org/

Rose Valley Borough
Old Mill Lane
P.O. Box 198
Rose Valley, PA 19065
Phone: 610-566-2040
Fax: 610-892-7275
Web: rosevalleyborough.org/


Rutledge Borough
212 Unity Terrace
Rutledge, PA 19070
Phone: 610-544-1028
Fax: 610-544-1028
Web: http://www.rutledgepa.org/



Swarthmore Borough
121 Park Ave.
Swarthmore, PA 19081
Phone: 610-543-4599
Fax: 610-543-1833
Web: http://www.swarthmorepa.org/

Pumpkinland and Harvest Festival at Linvilla Orchards near Media, PA


Linvilla Orchards' Pumpkinland is up and running.  Larger than life figures and scarecrows illustrate stories and legends.  Run through the straw bale or cornfield maze! Take a hayride, train ride or pony ride. Get your face painted and see the Jack-o-Lantern exhibit.  A huge selection of pumpkins, straw bales, corn shocks, fall decorations, masks, costumes, and toys are available for sale.The Linvilla Grill has food you can eat while you enjoy live music and entertainment.  Linvilla Orchards is located at 137 W. Knowlton Road, Media, PA.

For more information and calendar of events go to http://www.linvilla.com/.

***FREE***Scott Arboretum Fall Festival Lecture in Swarthmore

The Scott Arboretum on the campus of Swarthmore College will feature a lecture by Eric T. Fleisher entitled Gardening for the 21st Century. Fleisher is the director of horticulture at Battery Park in New York City and he created the 37 acre public garden that is maintained completely organically. It is visited by 10 to 12 million people each year. He is helping the Scott Arboretum with developing an organic approach to lawn management. In this lecture he will discuss 21st century gardening topics including feed stock management, composting practices, recipes, compost tea, beneficial bacteria, and the overall web of life in the garden. It is free and open to the public with a reception following the lecture. Attendees will receive a free plant - the Tulip batalinii ‘Bronze Charm’.

When:  Saturday, October 16th at 2 pm
Where:  Lang Music Building, Swarthmore College, 500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA
RSVP: 610 328-8025 or at  http://www.scottarboretum.org/calendar/current.html (scroll to below the calendar to find the event listed under the 16)

BROADWAY SERIES AT THE MEDIA THEATRE - Subscribe now!

MEDIA THEATRE OPENS ITS 2010-2011 BROADWAY SERIES!  The historic Media Theatre in Media, Pennsylvania is located at 104 East State Street, Media, PA 19063.
For information, call 610-891-0100 or go on the website http://mediatheatre.org/
JEKYYL AND HYDE
September 29, 2010 - October 31, 2010

An evocative tale of the epic battle between good and evil, this classic story is about a doctor whose experiments with human personality create a murderous counterpart.


ANNIE
November 23, 2010 - January 16, 2011
Leapin' Lizards! The popular comic strip heroine takes center stage in one of the world's best-loved musicals.


LAST 5 YEARS
February 9, 2011 - February 27, 2011
A twist in time and a boldly contemporary score give fresh perspective to the classic boy-meets-girl tale in this bittersweet musical.


TOMMY
March 30, 2011 - May 22, 2011

Peter Townsend's tale of a young boy's journey from pain to triumph is the most electrifying evening of rock and roll ever to play in a theatre!

CHILDREN'S SERIES SHOWS:

HANSEL AND GRETEL
October 8, 2010 - October 30, 2010


SNOW WHITE
April 9, 2011 - April 30, 2011


ROBIN HOOD
June 4, 2011 - June 25, 2011

Jazz by Night Celebration in Media - Saturday, October 16th

Jazz By Night Celebration will be held in 13 indoor restaurant venues in downtown Media and features a  variety of acts that perform genuine Jazz - from Traditional and Classic to BeBop and Hard Swing, and from Avant-Guard to NuJazz.  This year’s event showcases “The Women of Jazz”.

STATE STREET, MEDIA
7:30 PM to 1:00 AM
RAIN OR SHINE
FREE PARKING!
To order advance tickets ($10) go to: https://ssl.craftech.com/forms/media/statestreetblues/
(Tickets are $15 on the day of the event.)

Denise King Quartet @ Iron Hill Brewery (9:30)

Monnette Sudler Band @ Sligo (9:30)

Melissa Martin Trio @ Plumstead Inn (8:15)

Phyllis Chapell Duo @ Margaret Kuo's (8:00)**

Lynn Riley & The World Mix @ 7 Stones Café (8:15)*

Bootsie Barnes Quartet @ Azie Global (9:00)

SoulFuego @ Joclyn's Deck Bar (9:00)

Hot Club of Philadelphia @ Picasso (9:30)

Dave Wilson Quartet @ Stephen's on State (9:15)

Georgie Bonds Band @ John's Grille (8:00)

Mike Kennedy Quartet @ Towne House Forge Room (8:00)

Brad Litwin Trio @ Coffee Beanery (7:30)*

Bruce Anthony @ Lotus (6:00 - 9:00)*

Eric Stein Duo @ 7 Stones Café (7:00-8:00)*

* All-Ages Stages

** Dinner Seating Only, All-Ages

Branka Doych - "October Real Estate Update"

Here is a link to my "October Real Estate Update":
http://realtytimes.com/143/BrankaDoych

This Newsletter is full of interesting and useful information that I think you will enjoy whether you are a buyer, seller, homeowner, or renter.

This month's issue includes topics such as:

"What You Should Do Now If You Plan On Selling This Fall";

"How Buyers Compete in a Sellers' Market";

"Getting Ready For Your Open House";

"Fall Home Fixes";

"Sell Your Home Faster, Give Your Cabinets a New Look";

Plus a roundup of September real estate activity as well as much more advice and information.

I hope you enjoy this monthly newsletter. If you have any comments, please e-mail them to me. Or, if you would like to see a certain topic covered in future months, let me know that too!

**FREE** GIANT FALL FLEA MARKET at DCCC this Sunday 10/3

Over 150 flea marketers will gather at the Delaware County Community College campus this Sunday, October 3rd from 9 am to 4 pm at the Town Talk Newspaper's Annual Fall Flea Market and Tailgate Sale! There will be tons of items of all kinds for sale at bargain prices.  A variety of food and refreshments will be provided by the Rose Tree Media Optimist Club with proceeds benefiting their programs for youth. Town Talk will collect non-perishable food items to donate to the Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry.
Rain or shine. FREE PARKING & NO ADMISSION!

WHERE?:  Delaware County Community College
                  901 Media Line Rd  (just off Rt 252 btwn Media & Newtown Sq.)
                  Media, PA 19063
For information or to sign up as a dealer ($40), call TownTalk at
                  610-583-4432 ext. 102

Stink Bug Invasion hits our local area!

The Halyomorpha halys, otherwise known as the stink bug, is rearing its ugly head in great quantity in many local areas.  The down side, there is no chemical to get rid of them. The good news is the population will decrease after the first frost.  For more information about the stink bug problem, read Gretchen Metz's article in the Main Line Media News site.
http://www.mainlinemedianews.com/articles/2010/09/29/main_line_suburban_life/life/doc4ca264019cbc0775493498.txt

Media Photo Gallery on the Web

Enjoy photos of Media and add your own on this site:  http://www.americantowns.com/pa/media/photos

FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOUR LIFE! - JESSICA'S YOU TUBE VIDEO

This little girl knows how to pump herself up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR3rK0kZFkg

Main Line Today Home & Garden Event Oct. 1 and 2

Main Line Today magazine and the Home Builders Association of Chester and Delaware Counties host their Home & Garden Fall Event on Friday, October 1 from 6 to 9 pm and Saturday, October 2 from 10 am to 9 pm at The School at Church Farm in Exton, PA.  This year’s event offers:


• Over 60 exhibitors featuring a wide array of home and garden products and services including Home Builders - Interior Design - Landscaping - Furnishings - Accessories - Renovations.


• Saturday workshops presented by experts:

1. Angelo Anastasio of Greenable on "Debunking the myths about green building products and why buy green."
2. Steve Buerkle of Signature Solar on "How to save on utility costs through solar installation."
3. Wayne Megill Jr. on "The economic benefits of buying new construction."
4. PECO Energy
5. Dale Smith of Sterling Kitchens on "Kitchen and bath design trends."

• 
“Going Green” demonstrations.

• Products to help consumers save money, save energy and protect the environment.

• Great food from the Bistro at Our Town and Cupcakes Gourmet.

Friday night opening featuring art by well known Chester County artists, fine food, acoustic guitar and home fashion expo. Raffles to benefit The American Red Cross.

For tickets (only $4.00!) go to:
https://today-media-inc.ticketleap.net/main-line-today-s-home-garden-fall-event-10-01-2010-20-0 
Enter HEB or HEB2 for 2-day pass.

Find the Most Walkable Neighborhoods! See how your home scores on the walkability scale.

Check out this great website that shows where the most walkable neighborhoods are.  Type in your address to see how it scores or, view the Walk Score Map which shows walkable locations and distances from the address. You can even check out how far your commute to work will be.

How Walk Score Works:
Walk Score is a number between 0 and 100 that measures the walkability of any address.


Walk Score Description
90–100 Walker's Paradise — Daily errands do not require a car.
70–89 Very Walkable — Most errands can be accomplished on foot.
50–69 Somewhat Walkable — Some amenities within walking distance.
25–49 Car-Dependent — A few amenities within walking distance.
0–24 Car-Dependent — Almost all errands require a car.

Go to http://www.walkscore.com/ and see how your present home scores or where you might like to live next!

How to reach municipalities in Delaware County

Lansdowne Borough
12 E. Baltimore Ave.
Lansdowne, PA 19050
Phone: 610-623-7300
Fax: 610-623-5533
Web: http://www.lansdowneborough.com/

East Lansdowne Borough
155 Lexington Avenue
East Lansdowne, PA 19050
Phone: 610-623-7131
Fax: 610-259-2636
Police Fax: 610-622-5403
Web: http://www.eastlansdowne.org/
 
Upper Darby Township
100 Garrett Road
Upper Darby, PA 19082
Phone: 610-352-4100
Fax: 610-734-7709
Web: www.upperdarby.org/

Norwood Borough
10 W. Cleveland Ave.
P.O. Box 65
Norwood, PA 19074
Phone: 610-586-5800
Fax: 610-586-5802
Web: www.norwoodpa.org

To find contact information for other municipalities in the county, go to http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/towns/index.html

FREE - Community Arts Center's Fine Arts & Crafts Festival at Rose Tree Park this weekend

The Community Arts Center’s FINE ARTS and CRAFTS FESTIVAL will be held on September 25 & 26, 10 am - 5pm (rain or shine) in Rose Tree Park, Media, PA. Original art and craft work will be for sale in ceramics, fiber, jewelry, polymer clay, mixed media, photography, wood, watercolor, oil, acrylic, mosaic, painted furniture, and printmaking. There will be live musical entertainment, fine food, children's activities, and artists' demonstrations. Admission and parking are FREE!

Rose Tree Park is located on Route 252 in Media. It is easily accessible from I-476.. The address is 1671 N. Providence Road, Media, PA. For more information call 610-566-1713 or visit http://www.communityartscenter.org./

Study shows postive affects of owning a home!

According to a new report from the National Association of Realtors®, there are many positive affects that result from owning a home including:

1. Homeowners are more active in their communities.

• Homeowners move far less frequently than renters, and therefore are involved in the same neighborhood and community for longer. People become more connected socially and strong communities are beneficial to all individuals.
• Homeowners are proven to be more politically active and are more likely to vote in local elections compared to renters. In addition, homeowners have a higher membership in voluntary organizations.

2. Homeowners benefit from improved education opportunities.

• The decision by teenage students to stay in school is higher for those raised by parents who are homeowners compared to those whose parents are renters. Access to economic and educational opportunities are also more prevalent in neighborhoods with high rates of homeownership. Furthermore, studies have shown that changing schools frequently due to moving impacts negatively a child’s educational outcome.

3. Homeowners report higher levels of self-esteem and happiness when compared to renters.

• Studies have shown that homeowners say they are more healthy physically and are more likely to believe that they can do things as well as anyone else. The study says that homeoners report higher self-esteem and happiness than renters, which increases their overall health.

Enjoy the long term financial benefit of owning a home and at the same time develop a great sense of community and social ties! Be part of the American dream and buy a home!
 

Contact information for municipalities in Delaware County

If you need information from your borough or township, go to the Delaware County website for contact information:
 http://www.co.delaware.pa.us/towns/index.html

Listed below are Media, Borough, Middletown Township, and Upper Providence Township.

Media Borough

Third & Jackson Streets
Media, PA 19063
Phone: 610-566-5210
Fax: 610-566-0335
Web: http://www.mediaborough.com/

Middletown Township

27 N. Pennell Rd.
Lima, PA 19037
Phone: 610-565-2700
Fax: 610-566-3640
Web: http://www.middletowntownship.org/

Upper Providence Township

935 N. Providence Road
Media, PA 19063
Phone: 610-565-4944
Fax: 610-565-8924
Web: www.upperprovidence.org

FREE TO ATTEND: 31st Annual Chester County Restaurant Festival in West Chester

1. WHAT:  31ST Annual Chester County Restaurant Festival


2. WHEN:  Sunday, September 19th from 12 noon to 5:30 pm
                   (Rain Date- Sunday, September 26th)

3. WHERE: On Gay Street between Matlack & New Streets, West Chester PA

4. WHO:  60+ Restaurants and Food Vendors

                110+ Crafters and Info Booth

                Beer and Wine Garden on Church Street

                Chester County Culinary Challenge:
                          Watch 4 Chefs battle it out to see who is the area's top chef!

                3 Stages with Great Bands:  Barakka * Dirk Quinn Band * New Pony
                                                            North End * Sounds from Atlantis
                                                            Steppin Razor * The National Rifle

FREE TO ATTEND!

Additional Information Website: http://www.west-chester.com/recreation.php

FREE Household Hazardous Waste Collection TODAY 9 to 3 at Rose Tree Park

Household products containing toxic chemicals can be a threat to people and the environment, if improperly discarded. Never discard these materials in the trash as they may harm your sanitation workers or result in a collection vehicle fire. It is also not safe to pour them down a sink or storm drain as they end up in the environment polluting the air, water, and/or soil.
 
Bring items between 9 am and 3 pm to Rose Tree Park, N. Providence Rd. (Rte. #252) Media, 19063 Upper Providence Twp

For additional information, contact:
Delaware County Solid Waste Authority for disposal suggestions 610-892-9627
Driving Directions can be found by visiting:  www.co.delaware.pa.us/recycle/hhw.html

WHAT TO BRING:

Flammables
• Oil-based Paint
• Paint Thinner
• Spot Removers
• Gasoline
• Kerosene
• Gas / Oil Mixture
• Heating Oil
• Motor Oil

Pesticides

Caustics
• Cleaners
• Solvents

Toxics

   Pool Chemicals
• Rust / Paint Remover
• Antifreeze
• Mercury Thermometers and Switches

Household Batteries
• Rechargeable
• Lithium
• Button Batteries
• Ni-Cad (power tools)

Lead-Acid Batteries

Cell Phones

Free Johnny Appleseed Arts & Music Festival at Linvilla Orchards outside Media

Come to the Johnny Appleseed Arts & Music Festival this Saturday and Sunday, September 18th and 19th.  Local artists and crafts persons will be exhibiting their works - woodcrafts, jewelry, photography, and much more. Live music will be presented on the following days and times:

SATURDAY
10:30 The Broozers
1:00 Run of the Mill String Band
3:30 Zorro Gato

SUNDAY
10:30 The McChords
1:00 Genny and the Westmont Playboys
3:30 The Fair Trade

LOCATION:  Linvilla Orchards, 137 W. Knowlton Road, Media, PA  Telephone #610-876-7117
For more information visit their website at  http://www.linvilla.com/

Easy Fixes for 3 Household Problems!

1. Oil Stains on Garage Floor: 

• sprinkle cat litter to soak up the stain
• clear cat litter and using a stiff bristle brush, scrub with a paste of hot water and dry dish or laundry detergent
• hose area and let dry
• alternate method:  put Spray 'n Wash and dry detergent on stain for 10 minutes
• last option:  spray on some oven cleaner and then wash down thoroughly

2.  Leaky Faucets:

• Use a rubber washer, an O ring, or seals depending on what type faucet.

3.  Squeaky Stairs: (tread or horizontal surface of steps comes loose causing squeaking)

•  If you can get under the staircase, attach an "L" bracket from the underside of the tread to the stringer (the long piece of wood that connects the treads and runs diagonally up the wall)
• If you cannot get underneath the staircase, purchase a squeaky staircase kit which allows repairs to be made from above, even through carpet. Otherwise secure the tread to the stringer with a trim screw.

Free Energy Conservation Workshops in Delaware County

Free educational workshops to help people learn how to save energy and conserve water in their homes and at work will be offered by the Delaware County Conservation District and the Pennsylvania Resources Council. The "Bringing Home Green Energy" workshop will teach homeowners and renters about alternative energy resources like compact fluorescent light bulbs, solar-powered water heaters, insulation, low-e windows, energy Star appliances, and more.  It begins Sept. 16th. A complimentary fluorescent light bulb (CFL) and course materials are included. One participant will win a free home energy audit worth $250.

The "We All Live Downstream" workshop will be scheduled in the spring and will offer information on conserving water (benefits of native landscaping for water conservation, rain gardens and rain barrels), environmentally friendly auto care, and more.

 For more information and workshop dates contact the Conservation District at 610-892-9484 or visit http://www.delcocd.org/.

7 REASONS WHY ACTIVE ADULTS MOVE

1. Move for Lifestyle
2. Move for Work
3. Move to Flee Dissatisfaction
4. Turn Second Home into First
5. Move for Health Reasons
6. Move to simplify life
7. Move for Family

Swarthmore Historic House Tour on Sunday, September 26th

The Swarthmore House tour which takes place every other year is scheduled for Sunday, September 26th from 1 to 5 pm. This year’s tour will showcase some of Swarthmore’s finest homes including four Victorian homes on Park Avenue. Also on the tour is the Courtney C. Smith house, a grand, 3-story Second Empire Style house which is also the home of the Swarthmore College president. It is an example of modern architecture in the Bauhaus tradition. Wister Center, the newest building on the college campus is on the tour as well. Tour tickets are $20.00 before Sept 26th and $22 the day of the tour. They can be purchased at various Swarthmore town center locations. Visit the Swarthmore Historical Society website for more information. http://www.swarthmorehistoricalsociety.org/

24th Annual Great Media Garage Sale this Weekend!!

Two days to find great bargains in the Borough of Media! Come out this Saturday and Sunday, September 11th & 12th between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm for The Great Media Garage Sale. Hundreds of residents within the borders of Media Borough will settle on sidewalks, streets, and front yards to sell their treasures while buyers from around the region flock to find some good deals. Maps will be available as of Sept 10th at Quincy’s (State & Jackson) and Koffee Korner (Jackson & Jasper) for locations that are registered. Otherwise, cruise the streets to find the sales.

Back to School with Mr. Bean on Youtube

Check out this very funny back to school youtube video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghIoTW10qwc&feature=related

Could your home have been purchased from a Sears catalog?

Can you imagine buying your home from a catalog?  From 1908 – 1940 Sears Modern Homes program offered over 500 ready to assemble “designs” from bungalows to mansions.  A quaint, three-room and no-bath summer cottage called the Goldenrod could also be purchased. The outhouse was sold separately. The details of construction and completion of the home was enclosed with a shipping schedule and mailed to the customer. The pre-fab houses were sent by rail and arrived pre-cut with a set of specifications and instructions on how to put it together.
There is a large collection of Sears Modern Catalog Homes still in existence. The Crescent Hills section of Hopewell VA has 44 homes. Elgin, Illinois has the largest known collection of over 200 homes. There are some homes in Pennsylvania as well.
If you want to learn more about these homes go to the Sears Archives website. Sears no longer has records but has suggestions on how to find out if your home might be from Sears. Rosemary Thornton, the author of The Houses That Sears Built offers this “How to Identify a Sears Home Kit” at wikihow.com.

So how's that for some fancy catalog shopping?

"Chase Me Comrade" at the Hedgerow Theatre - last week!

Hedgerow Theatre, the oldest continually running American Repertory Theatre is minutes from the Borough of Media. The Ray Cooney farce, Chase Me Comrade is in its final week. The story is about a Russian ballet dancer who wants to defect to the west. Unfortunately, he ends up at the home of one of England's top Ministry of Defense officials - a man who would turn him in as a defector if he realized who he was.. Everyone including the Minister's daughter, Russian spies and even the local constable gets into the act. Confusion, innuendo, mix ups and misunderstandings all hit the stage at once! What starts sanely instantly ramps up to hyper speed and no one knows who is what or where. Shows are Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 pm, Saturday matinee at 4 pm, Sunday matinee at 2 pm and Wednesday 9/8 at 1 pm. Get your tickets by going to the Hedgerow Theatre website. http://www.hedgerowtheatre.org/

What do buyers and sellers want in a Realtor?

Prudential Real Estate did an online survey of people who own homes and people who intended to buy a home within two years. It found that people are aware that today's real estate market is very complicated and requires greater sophistication. 

• 69% agree that buying a home is a much bigger decision than it used to be.
• 76% agree that buying or selling a home is more complicated than in the past
• 89% agree that previously "any home used to sell" but that marketing a home today must be much more sophisticated. 

Because of this it is no surprise to see that:

• 93% agree that finding an agent and real estate firm they can trust is more important than ever.

Many people are searching for their information online. Unfortunately not all information we see online is reliable, which can hurt buyers and sellers. That's why it is crucial to select a professional Realtor with the knowledge, experience and creativity to guide you through the process. When buying, it is important to have current information about what is on the market. When selling, it's important to understand that buyers are looking for value, and sellers who have their homes in great condition, have them priced right, and use staging techniques will experience success. Prudential Fox and Roach can assist in all of these areas. We are the market leader with a history of trust and integrity dating back to 1866. Our professionals are experts and the consultants of The Trident Group (mortgage, title, and insurance) will make the process easy and convenient while helping you settle on time, with great service and value.

Branka's September 2010 Real Estate Market Update

Here is a link to my "September Real Estate Update":
http://realtytimes.com/142/BrankaDoych
August Real Estate Newsletter is full of interesting and useful information that I think you will enjoy whether you are a buyer, seller, homeowner, or renter. 

This month's issue includes topics such as:

"Priced to Sell";

"Most Homebuyers Have No Regrets";

"Staging a Photo Ready Home";

"Handling Neighborly Disputes";

"Social Benefits of Housing";


Plus a roundup of August real estate activity as well as much more advice and information
I hope you enjoy this monthly newsletter. If you have any comments, please e-mail them to me. Or, if you would like to see a certain topic covered in future months, let me know that too!

4th Annual Media Film Festival

The 4th Annual Media Film Festival will be held March 4th and 5th, 2011. Sponsored by the Media Arts Council (MAC), the competition is open to local, national and international filmmakers. Films will be accepted in four categories--Narrative, Documentary, Animation, Experimental, and three lengths--Feature Length (40 to 90 minutes), Short (5 to 40 minutes) and Short-Short (under 5 minutes). Three qualified members of the MAC will judge films based on the following categories: theme, writing, plot, direction, acting, cinematography and music. Respecting the mission of the MAC, Media and Delaware County resident directors, producers and artists will be given a special category of submission. For entry information and fees, go to http://www.mediaartscouncil.org/film_fest/

Low Interest Rates makes NOW the best time to buy a home!

Many buyers rushed to purchase their home by April 30th, 2010 before the $8000 federal tax credit expired. Well guess what? – the even lower mortgage interest rates available make now AN EVEN BETTER TIME TO BUY! Here it is in dollars and cents:


April 29 – interest rate of 5.06% (according to freddiemac.com)
August 17 – interest rate down to 4.42%

SAVINGS WITH LOWER RATE: $154 per month savings on a 30 year fixed rate mortgage of $400,000 and $55,510.00 savings over the 30 year life of the loan!

OR

A home purchased in 2005 with a $400,000 mortgage at an average rate of 5.87% has  payments of $2,365 per month. Refinance now and reduce your monthly payment:

SAVINGS WITH LOWER RATE: $508 per month savings (payment reduced to $1857 per month).

OR keep the payments the same and shorten the length of the loan.

SAVINGS: Tens of thousands of dollars in interest to be saved over the life of the loan.

There has likely never been a better time to buy or refinance! There are lots of homes on the market, and prices and interest rates are low, low, low! Don’t wait to see if prices go down as it is likely that interest rates will inch up! ACT NOW!

Is the McMansion Era Over?

More and more reports can be found that the American Buyers are displaying a preference for smaller sized home. Simply Hired and Trulia shared their opinion.  This report from Turlia speaks of this report in detail.

Media Farmers Market every Thursday thru November 11th

Local farmers, area residents and Media businesses come together every Thursday from 3 to 7 pm at the Media Farmers Market which features fresh food producers and borough shops and restaurants. Media Farmers Market generates appreciation for seasonal agriculture and encourages the support of neighborhood businesses, regional growers, and fair trade establishments. The Market is located in the Media Theater parking lot on the corner of State and Gayley Streets. There are no membership fees.

Linvilla Orchards Tomato and Pear Festival

Linvilla Orchards will hold its Annual Tomato and Pear Festival 9 am to 6 pm Saturday, August 21st. Pick your own tomatoes including the Brandywine and Pineapple variety and the unusual pear-shaped Japanese Black Trifele tomato. Chef Peter Woolsey of Bistro La Minette will perform a free cooking demonstration in the Linvilla kitchen. Numerous activities will be offered as well, including orchard hayrides, face painting, tomato toss, and Piccirillo Science, a program in which science is taught through stories. Pick up some salsa, juice, pie, and other treats made from Linvilla's own tomatoes and pears at the Farm Market and Linvilla Grill. Ice cream sundaes will be available too!

Transition Town Media presents the movie, 'Fresh,'

The movie, Fresh will be presented by Transition Town Media's Food Group on Sunday, September 12th from 1:30 to 3:30 pm at the Middletown Free Library at 21 N. Pennell Road, in Lima (near Media).  Fresh presents personal stories of business people, farmers, and thinkers who are re-inventing our food system by creating healthy sustainable alternatives to the industrial food system. It is an inspiring film featuring one of the most influential leaders of the food security and urban farming movement, Will Allen.  A time of discussion will follow the film.  For information visit http://www.transitionmedia.memberlodge.com/

Nature's Enchantment exhibit at Tyler Arboretum, Media, PA

Explore nearly 30 unique exhibits along a one mile tree- lined route at the Tyler Arboretum in Media. This special make believe world includes adaptations from Tyler's hugely successful Totally Terrific Treehouse exhibit. The exhibit is open rain or shine during regular Arboretum hours and is free with the price of admission. It is available for the enjoyment of children and adults of all ages through October 31st. Capture the magic!  For more information go to the Tyler Arboretum website. http://www.tylerarboretum.org/

Dining under the Stars continues in downtown Media

Every Wednesday night through September 15th, Media Restaurants along State Street set up their tables for outdoor dining along the sidewalk and into State Street, which is closed to vehicle traffic from 5-10 PM. Shops are open and live entertainment enhances this dining and shopping experience. 

4th Annual 'Out of the Ordinary' Photography contest in Media, PA

An annual photography contest, Media ICONS looks for unique photographs from local and regional artists, amateur and professional, with a focus on the town of Media, PA. Photograph may depict any subject matter as long as it was in Media at the time the photograph was taken. One First Place prize of $300, one Second Place prize of $150, and two Honorable Mentions of $75 each will be awarded. All finalists will be included in the October 2nd Saturday Media ICONS Photo Exhibit hosted by the Media Arts Council. Visit the Media Arts Council website for eligibility requirements and registration forms. Deadline to enter is September 3rd.  http://mediaartscouncil.org/icons10/

Prudential Real Estate Affiliates scores the highest in overall satisfaction for Home Sellers

PRUDENTIAL REAL ESTATE AFFILIATES, INC, RECEIVED THE HIGHEST NUMERICAL SCORE AMONG FULL SERVICE REAL ESTATE FIRMS FOR HOME SELLERS IN THE PROPRIETARY J.D. POWER AND ASSOCIATES 2010 HOME BUYER SELLER STUDY.

J.D. Power and Associates announced July 28 that the Prudential Real Estate Network ranked "Highest Overall Satisfaction for Home Sellers among National Full Service Real Estate Firms" in J.D. Power and Associates' 2010 Home Buyer/Seller Study. This marks the second time in three years that the Network ranked highest in seller satisfaction.

The annual study measures customer satisfaction of home sellers and buyers with major national real estate companies. Overall satisfaction is determined by examining four factors for the home-selling experience: agent (44%); marketing (30%); office (15%); and services (11%). Among home sellers, Prudential Real Estate scored highest on a 1,000-point scale and received particularly high ratings from customers in the marketing and agent factors.

PRERS Chairman Jim Mallozzi said the award speaks for the quality and consistency of the Prudential Real Estate Network. "Affiliate to affiliate, our sales professionals are the local-market experts who market and price homes right, while providing attentive service," Mallozzi said.

2nd Saturday Arts Event in Media, PA - August 14th

Over 30 businesses on and around State Street in Media stay open late on the 2nd Saturday of every month as part of a free arts event. From 6:00 to 9:00 pm, shops, galleries and cafes host local musicians or display the work of local artists. Stroll the friendly streets of Media and use M.A.C.'s map to find music, art and participating shops. Pick up a map at participating businesses on 2nd Saturday; or look for it on the website a few days before 2nd Saturday. For more information, check out the Media Arts Council website:   http://www.mediaartscouncil.org/

Green tip for the day!

Cleaning your dryer's lint filter can slash its energy usage by as much as 30%!

Most people clean the lint from the filter after every load of clothes....or so we think we do. Dryer sheets cause a film over the mesh filter which can burn out the heating unit or cause longer than normal drying times. You can't SEE the film, but it's there. The best way to keep your dryer working for a very long time (and to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out and wash it with hot soapy water and an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six months. Your dryer could last twice as long!

Family movie night in Media

The Media Recreation Board will host another free Family Movie Night 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 14. The film, “The Iron Giant, will be projected on a giant movie screen in Barrall Community Park, State and Edgmont Streets. The audience is encouraged to bring blankets or low back beach chairs for seating. For further information, contact the Media Recreation Board at recreation@mediaborough.com or call 610-566-5210, ext. 255.

8th Annual Fine Arts & Crafts Festival coming to Rose Tree Park

The Wallingford Community Arts Center is planning its 8th annual Fine Arts and Crafts Festival. It will be held from 10 am to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday, September 25th and 26th at Rose Tree Park near Media. The juried festival attracts fine artists who offer only original art in ceramics, fiber, jewelry, mixed media, photography, wood, watercolor, oil, acrylic, mosaic, painted furniture, and printmaking. Visitors will enjoy live music, art demonstrations, and children's activities.  Fine food vendors will offer refreshments. Mark your calendars!

'Peachy' 'Festival at Linvilla

Linvilla Orchard's Peach Festival will be held from 9 am to 6 pm Saturday and Sunday, August 7th and 8th at the farm on W. Knowlton Road in Middletown Township. Children will watch Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey trained Officer Offbeat's stilt walking and juggling act, take a ride on the train or enjoy a pony ride. There will be a magician, contests, and other fun.  The market is featuring peachy treats and the Linvilla Grill will be open for lunch.

Message about Prudential Fox & Roach and our current market

From Larry Flick  August 4, 2010
An Invisible Wall

There are many conflicting signals about the direction of our economy. We have entered into a challenging, fragile time and I expect we will remain here for the next few months. Summer 2010 began without fanfare, but marked an important milestone for our real estate market: it’s been one year since it hit bottom. During this time more buyers and sellers came together as each tax credit expired. But now activity has dropped off quite a bit. It seems as if our market has hit an invisible wall.

It’s always been predicted that the recovery would be slow and choppy; however, it’s clear our economy is in recovery. In the past year, we’ve experienced:

• Employment growth Six out of last eight months

• Private sector employment growth Past six months

• Personal income Seven consecutive months

• Wages and salaries Seven consecutive months

• Real estate sales Twelve months of improvement

The data supports that we are in a recovery, yet many consumers believe we are still in a recession. They are paying down debt and spending less. Businesses are still feeling the sting from the worst downturn since the Great Depression. Their caution has resulted in slow job growth, and banks are lending less.

The benefits of the federal economic stimulus package and real estate tax credits are dwindling. While the financial woes of Greece and other parts of Europe are not a direct threat to us, they have contributed to a significant drop in our stock market. It’s no wonder consumer confidence dropped two months in a row!
Our Local Real Estate Market

As mentioned, we’ve had 12 months of improving real estate sales:

We anticipated that real estate sales would drop after the expiration of the tax credit, but in June and July the decline was more than anticipated. There is a silver lining, however. It appears that the pressure on the high end market has started to ease:

Branka's August Real Estate Update

Here is a link to my "August Real Estate Update":


This Newsletter is full of interesting and useful information that I think you will enjoy whether you are a buyer, seller, homeowner, or renter.
This month's issue includes topics such as:
"Five Keys To Successful Negotiations";

"How to Recognize a Sellers Market";

"Most Neighbors Still Connect The Old Fashioned Way";

"Making Your Home Appealing On A Budget";

"Final Walk-Through Tips";


Plus a roundup of July real estate activity as well as much more advice and information.


I hope you enjoy this monthly newsletter. If you have any comments, please e-mail them to me. Or, if you would like to see a certain topic covered in future months, let me know that too!

Branka's July Real Esate Update

Here is a link to my July Real Estate Update - thank you for your patience, very busy times and I am grateful for it.  http://realtytimes.com/140/BrankaDoych

This Newsletter is full of interesting and useful information that I think you will enjoy whether you are a buyer, seller, homeowner, or renter.



July issue includes topics such as:

"How To Make Buyers Want Your Home";


"Debunking Credit Score Myths";


"Choosing The Best Home";


"Home Warranty FAQs";


"Should You Move Up?";



Plus a roundup of June real estate activity as well as much more advice and information.
I hope you enjoy this monthly newsletter. If you have any comments, please e-mail them to me. Or, if you would like to see a certain topic covered in future months, let me know that too!

Green Topics

For those with interest in green topics:

There is only one week until our first Green-Unplugged event - Communicating Sustainability 2010, June the 7th at the Cavendish Centre, London.


We have an amazing line up of presenters from brand, advertising, communications and marketing disciplines to educate and entertain you about the hows, whys, dos and don'ts of communicating sustainability.

Discover how leading brand are increasing brand value and gaining the competitive advantage by putting sustainability at the heart of their communications strategy.

You can view the days agenda here: http://green-unplugged.com/programme.html

Branka's June Real Estate Update

This Newsletter is full of interesting and useful information that I think you will enjoy whether you are a buyer, seller, homeowner, or renter.
This month's issue includes topics such as:
"Plenty of Reasons to Buy a Home Even After the Tax Credit";

"It's a Good Time For a Home Inspection";

"Appealing Your Property Tax Bill";

"Where is Real Estate Headed?";

"Is Your Home in Tip-Top Shape for Sale?";
Plus a roundup of May real estate activity as well as much more advice and information.
Note from Branka:  I hope you enjoy this monthly newsletter. If you have any comments, please e-mail them to me. Or, if you would like to see a certain topic covered in future months, let me know that too!

Branka's May 2010 Real Esate Update

May 2010 Real Estate Update is now available for your review.

This month's issue includes topics such as:


"Five Key Areas to Pay Attention to When Buying a Home";

"Green Your Home with Cost-Saving Remodeling Tax Credits";

"Common Buyer Fears";

"Top 10 Tips for Staging a Home";

"Seniors Looking to Downsize, Seek Opportunities to Socialize in Urban Living Areas";

Plus a roundup of April real estate activity as well as much more advice and information.

I hope you enjoy this monthly newsletter. If you have any comments, please e-mail them to me. Or, if you would like to see a certain topic covered in future months, let me know that too!

April 2010 Real Estate Update available today.

April 2010 Real Estate Update available today.


This Newsletter is full of interesting and useful information that I think you will enjoy whether you are a buyer, seller, homeowner, or renter.
This month's issue includes topics such as:
"Top 10 Home Buying Mistakes";

"Does Moving Up Make Sense? ";

"Have an Eco-Friendly Home? Make Sure Buyers Know It";

"Pre-Qualifying for Your Mortgage";

"Five Tips for a Successful Home Remodel";
Plus a roundup of March real estate activity as well as much more advice and information.

I hope you enjoy this monthly newsletter. If you have any comments, please e-mail them to me. Or, if you would like to see a certain topic covered in future months, let me know that too!