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!

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!
 

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

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

"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/

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/

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/

Active Adult Housing Trends - “Lifestyle without Maintenance”

Active Adult Housing Trends - “Lifestyle without Maintenance”

The 50+ market is the fastest growing segment of the housing market and is expected to account for over 100 million by 2012. In Pennsylvania the 55-74 age group accounts for 17% of state population and it is the 4th highest in US.

Our active adults are well informed, well educated, internet savvy and value conscious.

Some of the key reasons “Active Adults” consider moving to a “Life Style Community” are: relief of home owner maintenance, to simplify their life and to have freedom to leave for a trip or a vacation without worry.

Most of the year my first contact is a motivated wife, but about the time the leaf racking and snow removal come around, I get more husbands to make that first call, send that initial email inquiry or visit my Open House.

In our further conversations most often we arrive at the same additional reasons why they wish to move: To simplify their life, to be able to “Lock and Leave” or “Pick up and Go” without much preparation or complications.

Baby boomers are not like the previous generations, they are continuing to update and to renew. They are growing and trying new things; still full of wonder and curiosity; continuing to re-invent themselves; love new adventure and thrive when forced to have a new beginning. Baby boomers are the “sandwich generation” who move when urban sprawl forces them, or when their neighborhood no longer reflects their lifestyle. It is often that baby boomers convert their second home into their first; they move to simplify life. Baby boomers move for family and also they stay for family. They still move for work and health reasons and they do move for “Lifestyle reasons”; many wish to “right size”which does not necessarily mean down size.

When my active adult clients ask for a home most of the time they have clearly defined expectation. In addition to a good value and all financial consideration they wish to have access to a health and fitness facility; an easy access to tennis, walking, running, nature trails, swimming facilities, natural recreation areas and they wish to have the freedom of a worry free lifestyle, to have the ability to pick up and go.

Many 55+ Buyers wish to be in a close proximity to their present location and look for “green” life style as it relates to the value.

This is a discretionary purchase and the decision is made carefully with the advice of the right professional who will assist them through a maze of protocol and procedures and make the process simple and safe. Survey shows that most satisfied “Active Adults” or “Life Style Buyers” are those who have been represented by a well trained, informed and reputable Senior Specialist Realtor.

Branka Doych

Realtor, SRES Senior Real Estate Specialist