mainlinemarketplace.com

506 Saint Davids Ave/ open house!

robertforster — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:12:40 +0000

506 SAINT DAVIDS AVENUE

SAINT DAVIDS, PA. 19087

$1,495,000

*Sellers are offering a $50,000 credit to Buyers with an accepted Agreement of Sale!*

WELCOME TO THIS BEAUTIFUL AND DISTINCTIVE HOME IN HISTORIC ST. DAVIDS. AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF “AMERICAN FOUR SQUARE” ARCHITECTURE, THIS GRACIOUS HOME OFFERS THE CHARM AND QUALITY OF VINTAGE HOMES ENHANCED WITH ALL THE AMENITIES FOR MODERN LIVING. ENJOY THE PLEASURES OF THE SPACIOUS GARDEN, THE WELCOMING FRONT PORCH AND THE CONVENIENCE OF A “WALK TO” LOCATION.

STYLE: 3 story Colonial AGE: 114

EXTERIOR: Brick and stucco LOT SIZE: .80 acre

BEDROOMS/BATHS: 6/3.2 HEAT/COOLING: Gas HA/CA

WATER/SEWER: Public TAXES: $12,104

GARAGE: 2 car detached (as is condition) BASEMENT: Full, unfinished

EXTERIOR: This gracious home sits proudly on a beautiful, open and level yard with circular drive, and welcomes visitors onto the grand wrap around covered porch. The exterior of the home showcases the distinctive characteristics of American Four Square architecture and offers beautifully carved wood trim, symmetrical windows and chimneys, and dormers on front and back.

INTERIOR: The Center Hall with high ceilings and beautiful millwork welcomes visitors into this lovely home. Graced by large archways on either side, the Center Hall opens into a rounded reception area with columns and staircase, and leads to other first floor rooms. The Powder room is also located in the front hall. The formal Living Room (17’x15’) features high ceilings, very large windows, distinctive crown molding and chair rail, recessed lighting and pocket doors into the Family Room. There are 9’ ceilings throughout the first and second floors. The Family Room (28’x15’) is a spacious and inviting room decorated with wainscoting and gas fireplace with carved mantle, and huge windows allow for wonderful natural light. This room opens into the Kitchen and Great Room, and also leads back to the center hall. The Dining Room (18’x14’) is an interesting and irregular shape that offers large windows, a corner fireplace with intricate and ornate carvings and hardwood floors. The butler’s Pantry separates the Dining Room from the Kitchen, and offers lovely old cabinetry, granite counters and beverage sink, and also has an outside entrance to the covered porch. The stunning Kitchen(14’x13’) and Great Room (26’x14’) are the center of family living with a state of the art gourmet kitchen that is open to the vaulted ceiling Great Room. The Kitchen features granite counters with tumbled marble backsplash, recessed lighting, a Wolf 6 burner professional gas range and hood, Kraftmaid antique white cabinets, a sub-zero refrigerator, two Asko dishwashers, a trash compactor, double stainless sink with disposal, ceramic tile floor and a large island with breakfast bar. This room is open to the dramatic Great Room with vaulted wooden ceiling, many built-ins, surround sound speakers, and three sets of

doors that open to the deck and backyard. The Great Room also leads into the Family Room, thus completing the circular flow. There are hardwood floors throughout the house, and several rooms are carpet over hardwood.

SECOND FLOOR: The turned staircase leads to a large central hall with four corner Bedrooms in symmetrical positions. The Master Bedroom (19’x15’) features a double closet and a beautiful new Master Bath with double sinks, corian counter and cherry cabinets. Distinctive tile work and large glass enclosed shower with dual shower heads showcase this bathroom. The three additional Bedrooms are very spacious (14×12)(18×14)(17×14) and bright, with large windows, high ceilings and deep closets. The two front Bedrooms also connect through a half bath that also houses the laundry facility. A very large hall closet backs to this half bath and offers the opportunity for future renovations that could include moving the laundry into this closet and restoring the half bath to a full connecting Bath. The newly renovated Hall Bath on this floor features white subway tiles, a large country sink, glass block windows, and tub/shower with glass enclosure. There are recessed lights throughout the second floor.

THIRD FLOOR: The open staircase continues to the third floor where a large dormer window brings in good natural light. There are three rooms and a bath on this level - two Bedrooms (15×14)(15×14) and a third Bonus room (13×12), currently used as a walk-in closet that could also be used as an office or playroom. The large and renovated Hall bath features updated fixtures, a ceramic tile floor, tub with shower, and wainscoting on the walls.

BASEMENT: Full, unfinished

EXCLUSIONS: The mirrors in the Living Room, Dining Room and Powder room.

IMPROVEMENTS DURING CURRENT OWNERSHIP:

**Extensive repairs to plaster walls and installation of recessed lighting throughout;

**New custom made windows and storm door;

**New Gas Heater and Central Air;

**New Roof;

**Complete renovation of Kitchen including opening back wall to adjoin new Great Room;

**Created Great Room from small apartment, installed deck and glass doors.

**Upgraded Pantry with granite counters and new floor.

**Enlarged and completely renovated Master Bath;

**Renovations to Hall Baths on 2^nd and 3^rd floors;

**Moved Laundry facility to 2^nd floor;

**Extensive repairs to front porch;

**Installed speakers in several first floor rooms.

**Extensive interior and exterior painting.

Rob Forster and Bebe Forster

Weichert Realtors, Wayne Office

610-687-4400; 610-420-6187; 610-283-2415

www.theforstergroup.com

www.mainlinemarketplace.com

All information, though deemed reliable, is subject to errors and omissions. All representations related to square footage and lot size are taken directly from the Public Records and have not been supplied or verified by Sellers or Listing Broker.

New Listing at 40 Eastwood Road, Berwyn PA,19312

robertforster — Mon, 10 May 2010 19:55:31 +0000

40 EASTWOOD ROAD

BERWYN, PA. 19312

$334,500

WELCOME TO THIS CHARMING AND UPDATED CAPE COD HOME IN THE HEART OF BERWYN, JUST A SHORT WALK FROM THE TRAIN STATION, SHOPS, SCHOOLS AND RESTAURANTS. TUCKED AWAY IN A QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD, THIS HOME IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND OFFERS EASY LIVING IN A CONVENIENT MAIN LINE LOCATION.

STYLE: 2 Story Cape Cod AGE: 57

EXTERIOR: Vinyl Siding LOT SIZE: .21 acre

BEDROOMS/BATHS: 4/2 WATER/SEWER: Public

HEAT/AIR: Gas HA/CA SCHOOLS: T-E School District

BASEMENT: Full, finished, walkout TAXES: $3,458

OPEN HOUSE: Sunday May 16 from 2-4 / for more information click here, www.theforstergroup.com

Beautiful New Listing in Berwyn!

robertforster — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 18:12:01 +0000

1229 Pilgrim Lane,

Meticulously maintained and cared for four bedroom two story colonial on an absolutely beautiful acre plus lot in Berwyn. Set back off of the cul de sac street and up a winding driveway framed with mature plantings you will find this treasure. Updated throughout this home features all hardwood floors, new Pella windows and doors and fantastic flow through the first floor of the house. The kitchen has been opened into the family room creating a wonderful space with a fireplace and huge sliding doors out to the slate patio and wood deck that overlooks the vast back yard. All of the bedrooms are good sized and the master features a walk in closet and large master bath. This is a can’t miss house!

CLICK HERE FOR FOR DETAILS: www.theforstergroup.com

Pre-Owned home sales up

robertforster — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:33:48 +0000

Agreements on pre-owned homes increased in Feb. …the market long term – a massive real estate inventory will significantly decrease…is another piece of bad economic news and/or the end of this tax-credit cycle,” Glick added. Contact real estate writer Alan J. Heavens at 215…

Agreements on pre-owned homes increased in Feb.

From the Philadelphia Inquire

Philadelphia’s most expensive residence

robertforster — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:27:03 +0000

Highest price ever for city residence

From the Philadelphia Inquire

April 11 is National Open House Day!

robertforster — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:41:12 +0000

Go to www.theforstergroup.com to view our Open House Schedule for this Sunday.

New Listing on Daventry Road in Berwyn

robertforster — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:25:08 +0000

558 DAVENTRY ROAD

BERWYN, PA. 19312

$460,000

WELCOME TO THIS BRIGHT AND CHEERFUL RANCH HOME, CONVENIENTLY LOCATED CLOSE TO THE TOWN OF BERWYN WITH ITS ANTIQUE SHOPS, QUAINT RESTAURANTS, TRAIN STATION AND THE AWARD WINNING T-E MIDDLE AND CONESTOGA HIGH SCHOOL

Click here to learn more about this house: www.theforstergroup.com

Philadelphia Area housing stays stable

robertforster — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 18:44:44 +0000

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/business/20100323_In_Phila__area__home_prices_still_stable.html

Great article from the Philadelphia Inquire about Philadelphia area real estate stability through a tough downward trend.

New Listing on Summerhill Drive in Malvern!

robertforster — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:25:43 +0000

1305 SUMMERHILL DRIVE

MALVERN, PA. 19355

$850,000

Welcome to this lovely colonial in the popular Summerhill neighborhood in Tredyffrin Township. Conveniently located with easy access to major highways, trains, shopping and schools, this home offers an easy lifestyle with spacious rooms, open floor plan, wonderful flow for entertaining, an open and level yard for outdoor activities, and the excellent award winning Tredyffrin-Easttown Schools.

STYLE: 2 story colonial AGE: 14

EXTERIOR: Vinyl Siding GARAGE: 3 car attached

BEDROOMS/BATHS: 4/3.1 WATER/SEWER: Public

LOT DIMENSIONS: .50 Acre TAXES: $11,191

BASEMENT: Full, partially finished, walk-out HEAT/AC: Gas HA/CA

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE: www.theforstergroup.com

First Time Home Buyer tax credit, times running out

robertforster — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 22:11:02 +0000

By Alan J. Heavens

Inquirer Real Estate Writer

Liv Mansfield is racing the clock, hoping to find and settle, or at least sign a purchase agreement, on a townhouse before the $6,500 tax credit for qualified repeat home buyers expires April 30.

While the credit is not as important as staying in the Wallingford school district, where her younger daughter will enter sixth grade next fall, Mansfield says it will help make expenses associated with the move “a wash.”

“It will help with moving costs, and with getting this house ready for sale,” said Mansfield, who has lived in the five-bedroom split-level Colonial she bought with her former husband nine years ago.

The house, which she says is far larger than what “two people and a small dog need,” will list for under $525,000 and heads for the market Feb. 15.

Current homeowners buying a house between Nov. 7, 2009, and April 30 and who have used the home being sold or vacated as a principal residence for five consecutive years within the last eight can qualify for the $6,500.

It seems less is known about the repeat-buyer credit. This incentive was added when the original $8,000 tax credit for qualified first-time buyers, which expired Nov. 30, was extended.

Houses purchased for $800,000 or less are eligible for repeat buyers. Single buyers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples up to $225,000 may receive the maximum tax credit for both repeat and first-time purchases.

The credit decreases for buyers who earn between $125,000 and $145,000 for single buyers and between $225,000 and $245,000 for home buyers filing jointly.

The amount of the tax credit decreases as his/her income approaches the maximum limit. Buyers earning more than the maximum are not eligible for the credit.

If a binding written contract to purchase is in effect April 30, the purchaser will have until July 1 to close.

The 2009 credit for first-timers helped jump-start the sagging home market in the summer and fall, data show.

Walt Molony, a National Association of Realtors spokesman, said two million existing-home sales in 2009 could be attributed to the $8,000 first-time buyers credit.

Although it is too early to measure the credit’s effect on sales so far this year, Molony said NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun believes it will add 1.5 million sales to the tally.

The repeat-buyers credit was added to appease builders, who said the original did not offer enough time to purchasers of new houses, which take at least six months to build, to close on them.

New homes accounted for only 7 percent of the tax-credit-based sales, Molony said.

The National Association of Homebuilders’ Donna Reichle said, “We hear builders saying they are getting inquiries, but that’s all so far.”

“According to our economists, it’s way too early,” Reichle said. “If you look back at passage of the original $8,000 credit and impact on [housing starts], it took a couple of months, and that was in the spring as well.”

Moody’s Economy.com chief economist Mark Zandi says the credit will boost sales “modestly,” however, by 300,000, with one-third trade-up buyers.

“I don’t expect the credit to be extended again,” Zandi said. “Each time it is extended, it becomes less effective and thus more costly.”

It is easier to gauge the credits’ impact on the Philadelphia area’s market.

David Krieger, senior vice president and general manager of Coldwell Banker Preferred in Philadelphia, says he believes that “a very large increase in our listing inventory in January” is a result of the $6,500 credit.

Still, the $8,000 first-time credit remains the chief reason his company’s home sales were 33 percent higher last month than in January 2009, he said.

Typically, repeat buyers are better off financially than first-timers, so a lot of repeat buyers realize from the start they don’t qualify for the credit, Weichert Realtors agent Alec Schwartz said.

“What they do realize, and what is getting more sellers to list, is that they understand that there are plenty of first-time buyers who qualify for the $8,000 credit out there, and they have a much better chance of selling their house and buying a new one than before,” said Schwartz, who is the agent for Liv Mansfield, the woman looking to buy a townhouse.

This is also true in the region’s new-home market, said Wayne Norris, regional sales manager for Hanley Wood Market Intelligence.

“Builders have experienced increased activity in recent months” attributable to the $6,500 credit and “the fact that many potential buyers were able to sell their houses” to those taking advantage of the [first-time buyers] credit,” he said.

The sense of urgency to make the tax-credit deadline and fears of rising interest rates will push new-home sales higher in the spring, Norris said.

Thirty-year fixed interest rates were 5.01 percent this week, Freddie Mac reports.

Jerome Scarpello of Leo Mortgage in Spring House said many buyers eligible for the credit would pay origination points to lower their interest rate – “justifying that the cost of the points will be recouped with the credit, then still have a lower payment for the life of the loan.”

Builder Bruce Paparone of Bruce Paparone Inc. in Stratford, N.J., said a better understanding of the credit would result in more sales for him.

Still, “the incentive has definitely affected the buying decision of at least five of our last seven sales,” he said.

That said, first-time buyers continue to have a larger presence in all markets.

“Last night, we took a deposit for first-time buyers at $445,000,” Paparone said. “They are insisting that if we do not make closing by June 30 that we will cover them for the $8,000.”

“Fortunately, the house is at foundation and should make the date,” he said.