Many people view our role as a Realtor simply as a door opener. How wrong they are. As I read Buzz Mackintosh post this morning Down to the Wire I realized it is often Realtors who are the ones speaking up and letting people know when and where their property rights are being infringed. Please take a moment to read his post, it is excellent.It is Realtors who speak up to get Flood insurance protection plans passed in congress. It is Realtors who speak up and stand against municipalties who try to block sales of properties with onerous requirements that are costly to home owners through Use and Occupancy inspections and block the issuance over small items from being issued.It is Realtors who proposed sensible systems for sidewalks and lateral sewer inspections, rather than having these only be done for point of sale, which misses most of a township.No, we are far more than just a door opener, and we need to be more vocal about what we do, even in and during a transaction. We often are the ones who notice things going astray due to a mortgage lender not understanding a contract and not meeting deadlines. We often understand and keep our clients in compliance with a contract with inspections, due diligence or obtaining finance and making deposits in time.Every state is different, some have "time is of the essence" clauses, some do not. We help clients moving or relocating from other states to understand their responsibilities so they do not end up in breach of the contract.But, we often also speak out about property rights, standing up for the home owners who probably do not understand what is being proposed by politicians and how it will impact them.So, don't keep quiet, speak out and let everyone know what we do and how we protect their rights. It is not always about the next dollar earned, it is about protecting our clients and potential clients from being harmed.If you are looking to relocate to the Main Line area and Chester County area, or simply sell or purchase property give me a call. I would love to represent you and protect your rights, making sure you have the confidence to make the right decisions through out the transaction. Contact Nick Vandekar, Long & Foster Real Estate Inc., office 610-225-7400, cell or text 610-203-4543, or Nick@VandekarTeam.com. Let's talk about how I can help you acheive your real estate dreams.
Growing up I only knew Ringo Starr as a drummer. We had the opportunity on Sunday after three years of delays and postponments to experience Ringo Starr singing and making music with his All Starr Band at The Met in Philadelphia.This was probably the best concert I have attended, which is not that many I admit. The quality of the musicians and the energy present was really good. Considering Ringo is 82, he had tons of energy and sang a lot of his own music and other Beatle hits. Maybe this will be his last season touring, who knows.However, that did not stop other members of the band from sharing their talents and songs. Edgar Winter sang, played keyboards, sax and a whole lot more. Hamish Stewart from The Average White Band so many classics to enjoy, Colin Hay, Steve Luckather, Warren Ham another very talented musician on multiple instruments and singer, and Greg Bissonette who drummed through out the performance with great energy. It was fun to watch both him and Ringo playing together.My fiance bought these tickets three years ago, before we ever met, and due to circumstances the performance was postponed three times. We wondered if we were ever going to be able to see it. But, it was worth the wait and we had a great time. If you have the opportunity, go, because you will enjoy yourself tremendously.
Moving is hard! First you have to find a home, then you have to sell a home often, and then the packing, moving and unpacking, finding a new home for all the stuff you don't really need.Stressful, indeed. But if you have furry friends, it is also stressful for them. They do not understand all the packing and moving thing at all. Then they are suddenly in a new home, smells are different, and all their favourite walks are gone. Jackie and I discovered Goddard Park nearby, we have been told there are plenty of parks and trails to explore in Nottingham, and White Clay Preserve is nearby, with a creek, Jackie's favourite thing to do, stand in a creek and cool off on a hot day.The photo for this post is of Jackie, exploring the exercise yard at Goddard Park in West Grove where she can be off leash and run around. Which, if you know Jackie is not something she does very much. She is usually behind me acting like a resistance weight with me pulling her along, always with one ear up and one down. There are some pleasant trails to walk, a pond, and some wooded areas to stroll through as well. Plenty of parking and they provide water for the dogs too.She is very cute, and I like the low energy she has. Now Sylvester on the other hand has been running around the house like crazy, chasing flies that get in and threaten his domain.So remember to make time for your pets, give them extra attention, help them with the stress of the move, and make sure they have plenty of water and attention among all the busyness of moving, unpacking etc.Both our pets have adjusted well, and seem to enjoy the new house, with Jackie learning how to cope with stairs after only living in a ranch home it is a whole new adventure going up and down stairs.So, if you need help finding a home suitable for your pets, give me a call and let's get started finding you the perfect home. Nick Vandekar, Selling The Main Line and Chester County with Long & Foster Real Estate Inc. Nick@VandekarTeam.com, office 610-225-7400, cell or text 610-203-4543.
I was watching Chef's Table - Pizza the other night and thought it was time to try our local pizza restaurant. Aurora Pizza and pasta in Jennersville Village. Watching the program made the bar high as the pizzas on the show looked incredible. I never knew the best pizza in the US was served in Phoenix AZ. So, whilst not expecting the best pizza, i had hopes it would be tasty.I found the website for the restaurant and was able to order online. I selected the Special Pizza, sausage, pepperoni, onions, olives, mushrooms and other vegetables just to balance it out and make it somewhat healthy. The website told me I could collect it at 7.00 pm and as the shop was only a few minutes drive I relaxed and got in the mood watching the show about pizzas.Who knew that there was so much that goes into makeing the perfect pizza.I went and collected my pizza and drove home, opening the box I was not disappointed by the look at all. I could tell the box was a little damp that the crust was not holding up to the vegetables which had been placed more in the middle. Taste was good, it could have been cooked a little longer, but overall I gave it four out of five stars. As I said the crust was a little soft in the center from the vegetables. Will definitely try other pizzas, and my test for pizza quality included eating it cold the next day as well. It passed that test with a good flavour.They also offer eat in, and the restaurant looked very nice. I did try a bottle of Portuguese style wine made in California which went with it perfectly, a mix of tempernillo and tortuga grapes I believe which I get from Nakedwines.com.I do think if I had not been watching the program, my expectations might have been a little lower, but I also think it was the power of suggestion as to why I ended up eating pizza when the plan had been to have a salad.We also have a local corner cafe, which I have yet to explore for breakfast one morning or lunch. So much to discover.Oh and just for Nina Hollander, Broker here is a picture of Sylvester when he was in a good mood but looking mischevous.
We have just moved to West Grove, about ten minutes west from Kennett Square, home of Longwood Gardens and Winterthur, well Winterthur is in Delaware but nearby.Most people do not like change, they take the same route to work every day, quite content to never explore. But, if you know me at all, you know I like to explore and discover things.So, I am driving around trying different roads, and discovering all sorts of small shops, restaurants etc. These will become part of my blogging as I help others discover new experiences too.Last week I had passed a shop which having just returned recently from Ecuador I realized was a pastry shop, as the writing was all in Spanish. Well, it was filled with Mexican delights. All fresh and delicious. My first visit I bought some of the lemon cake pictured. Well, it was so good I forgot to photograph it to share, so had to take a photo on our second visit.We had a good friend staying with us as we were going to listen to a guitarist and singer who will be playing at our wedding in November. I thought a selection of pastries for breakfast might be worthwhile. Not that I need any pastries at the moment. Well, I was right, firstly they were delicious and secondly they were very resonably priced too. Now my next visit I have to remember to photograph the shop in West Grove so others can enjoy these wonderful pastries as well. It is right next door to a dog grooming salon, just steps away from the library. Of course I took the opportunity to transfer my library card whilst I was there.Lots of wonderful parks and places to discover, watch this space.
A long, long time ago in another country when I was much younger I had the priviledge of knowing someone who worked for the Hearst Empire. He was very generous, being the publisher and invited us to join him for a weekend fishing. Just bring some wine, everything else will be provided he said.We motored down to the Welsh border area to a private estate and met up with friends who had also been invited. The Gilly instructed us of the plans for the weekend. due to heavy rains, we could only practice today, as the river was so muddy, nothing is going to be biting he said.We got dressed, picked up our rods and nets and departed for the river bank. Yes, the river was filthy, very muddy, you could see nothing. But, we could practice casting, and we would have fun.My wife, at the time, cast her line, and immediately something bit, her line ran and she was encouraged to slowly pull whatever it was in. Well it took some time, letting it run and pulling it in. Suddenly, there it was, right in front of us, a large slamon, twisting on the water by the shore. The gilly said, play it a little longer, rather than scooping it up with the net, and lo and behold the next thing it got off the line and swam away.I think he was jealous that a woman, was able to catch a fish in such bad weather and conditions that he could not bring himself to allow her to bring it to land. And boy, it was big! As disappointed as were, dinner was excellent and a fair amount of wine was drunk to soothe the emotion of losing the big one!This was a true story, we never went fishing again, although I would love to go deep sea fishing sometime. Unfortunately, I do not have any digitized photo of the salmon, but I can share one of sharks we saw recently.
You've got Questions, I've got answers 1. We all go on vacation to get away from it all and have a great time, but I want to know, what vacation day was your worst? Getting deported on my first homeymoon, my then wife worked for KLM and I was told we could go anywhere in the world. I selected Bali, but KLM never stayed over, they landed and took off back to Singapore. So back to Singapore we went and got a visa as required. 2. What would be your bucket list vacation or, if you have already taken it, tell us about it? Pictures encouraged. We went on two bucket list vacations this past year, in the midst of the pandemic we went to the maldives and stayed in a villa over the Indian Ocean. We also just returned from the Galapagos and Ecuador, where we got to see Blue Footed Boobies, large tortoises, howler monkeys and lots of other animals as well including hammerhead sharks. white and black tipped reef sharks and these iguanas in a park. 3. If your ActiveRain friends were to visit you, would you prepare dinner for them or would you take them to the best pizza joint in town? What would you make or where would you go?I would cook of course, depending on the person likes and dislikes, but I am known for using spices very well, that does not necessarily mean hot, but flavorful. 4. We all know that Canadian bacon and pineapple are the best toppings for any pizza. If you can’t have those toppings on your pizza, what would you choose? I love meat on my pizza, but also vegetables. Recently we have been doing sausage and mushrooms. 5. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Pistachio 6. What is your beverage of choice with dinner; beer, wine, iced tea, a cocktail, or …..? Depends on the day, but all of the above other than iced tea have been known to be well appreciated. 7. Do you prefer going to a concert, the theater, or a big sporting event? Who or what would you be watching?Love all three, my fiance is a big concert goer, and we are about to go see Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band in Philly. 8. There are so many great festivals across the country. Is there a special one in your area? Pictures are encouraged. Having just moved to West Grove, I guess we will be attending the Mushroom Festival nearby in Kennett Square 9. What is your greatest sporting accomplishment, hitting a hole in one, bowling a perfect game, hitting the game winning shot, etc.? If you do not enjoy athletics, what is your greatest accomplishment? I played rugby in high school and played for my county back in the Uk as an Under-16 player representing the county, the British equivalent of a State. But I am most proud of completing a marathon. 10. Are you a pet person? If so, names and pictures are a must! My fiance has two pets, a dog, Jackie named after Jackie Robinson because her mom grew upin Brooklyn and she loved the Dodgers, and a bi-polar black cat who can love you one minute and tear you apart with his claws the next. 11. What is your favorite thing to collect, or do you prefer to keep things simple and clutter free? Or what is your decorating style?Mine is minimalist, but having been an antique dealer there are always some old things around to enjoy. My fiance is more eclectic and so we are in the process of combining styles, a work in progress. 12. What job did you have just prior to making the switch to real estate and has it helped you in your real estate career? (Courtesy of Jeff Dowler, CRS)I was working for a company setting up The Palm Beach Antiques Fair, becuase of my background in antiques. It transferred to reale state in that I know what clients are looking for and the whole process is really project management. 13. When you are writing on ActiveRain, who is your audience and why did you choose them for your audience? (Courtesy of Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400)I write to share information about real estate and myself. I want my clients and others to know who I am and to respect me for being who I am. 14. What makes you the real estate agent of choice in your area?I want my clients to have confidence in the decisions they are going to be making during the transaction. So, I make sure they understand the contract and the process of the transaction throughout. They can also reach me at any time with any question. 15. What is the most outrageous action that a client has ever asked you to perform?To submit multiple bids on different homes at the same time. 16. We show a lot of homes in our profession. What is the most interesting home or, item in a home, that you have encountered?I am always looking at the antiques in homes, and sculptures around being used for decoration. I tend to notice the design of things as a result and I love interesting and unique flourishes which I will often point out to clients. 17. What are your three favorite neighborhoods in your area and what makes them special? Are you lucky enough to live in one of those neighborhoods?For many years I lived in Tredyffrin Easttown, recognized by Niche as the leading school district in the country for many years. Generally new clients always want to start looking there for a home, then gravitate out geographically to find a home. I also like the large tracts of land available in Willistown, and Wayne is filled with many beautiful Victorian homes. 18. We all love client testimonials, but is there one that really made you feel special? We would love to see it.Becauseof the trust from these clients, shown in their testimonial: "We have bought 2 and sold 1 house with Nick and it was a pleasure to work with him. We can only recommend to engage with him and let him guide you thru the process(es). He is very responsive and literally always available :-)" 19. What is your favorite volunteer work or charity?Helping Surrey Services for Seniors, they help,people to age in place and remain in their homes. I think that is a benefit for the community as well as the person. 20. What does the flag represent to you?A lot, having had a son who served in Iraq teice and seeing that flag draped over coffins of friends of his who gave their all, I know freedom does not come freely, but there is a heavy cost that allows us to live in liberty. 21. When we discuss life, my dad always says he is not sure what he would like to be when he grows up. He is 77! What do you want to be when you grow up or are you already in your perfect profession? I loved being an antique dealer, and real estate allows me to dabble in antiques and indulge my love of travelling as well. I work so I can enjoy travel and life to the fullest.
Summer 2022 Main Line Real Estate Market UpdateGiving you the confidence to make the right decision Take a look at The Chester County Monthly Statistics. Median home values have risen by almost 15%, inventory available has increased slightly. This is a great example of what we see happening across our neighboring local counties, Montgomery and Delaware Counties too. Let me know if you want to see your local information. The market is cooling off after being incredibly hot for almost two yearsWhen you look at the same week last year: -Closed cases were down 22%,Pending sales were down 23%,Days on market is up by three days,New listings are down 22%,Showing activity is down 27%,Inventory is up 28%.45% of the houses on the market in July in our footprint reduced their priceIf you are thinking of selling, now is the time to see what your home may be worth in today’s market. Or, if you are looking to buy, I have successfully cut through the crowded buyers’ market and settled my clients in the perfect new homes for them. I’ve lived in the Main Line area for over 30 years now, and I know the area well. I relocated here from England with my family when my three boys were young. They all attended Main Line schools, and thanks to the excellent education that this area provided them, I’m proud to say that all three sons have done well. All three are married, and I’m happy to now have five grandchildren – three grandsons and 2 granddaughters! In short, as a realtor with extensive experience in this area, I know what’s most important from a real estate perspective to those who live here or are looking to relocate here. But perhaps even more importantly, as a husband and father, I know the true value of raising a family in the greater Main Line area, a part of the world that reminds me so much of the lovely area where I grew up in suburban London. Please contact me at my website, www.SellingTheMainLine.com. Or you can email me personally at Nick@VandekarTeam.com and call or text me at 610-203-4543. I look forward to assisting you in all of your real estate needs –
When was the last time that you moved? Do you remember all the headaches, struggles, problems you overcame! I bet not, because it is so easy to forget. We remember the good times, the fun times, those moments that make us smile.We do not actively seek out the pain points. But, as a Realtor helping clients move, buy and sell real estate it is good to remember the pain points, so we can warn our clients of the frustrations that can lie ahead and how they can be avoided.For example, mortgage companies can drive you totally crazy with their requests for more information. I warn my clients about this all the time. However, I forgot it when we applied for our mortgage for our new house. I have felt like telling them multiple times to go...well anyway, after a deep breath, I usually comply and send them information I have already sent, or explain what they are asking about, although it is very clear from the information supplied already. For example, I had the processor tell me in an email last week she had no copies of statements from a bank account I use. Now, I knew I had sent her several already. Her very next email she says, she only has January and she needs February and March, which se did already have, but I sent again.Getting your house ready for sale is another headache. Luckily homes have been selling quickly, so having to maintain the unreal situation of every thing in its place for a long time is not required, but this will pass as more inventory comes on the market and higher interest rates cause homes to take longer to sell.As you prepare the house for sale, you might pack things up, let me assure you that no sooner do you move those boxes to a storage locker, than you realize you need what you just packed, and of course you can now not remember which box you put it in.I know in a month or two I am going to forget about all the pain, and be enjoying our new home. As I said it is so easy to forget, but worth remembering, so you can have empathy with your clients and understand their frustrations.What was your worst experience when you moved, if you can remember it?
Although the market is cooling, certasin properties are still going strong. Welcome to 358 Devon Way in Hershey’s Mill. This oversized unit with Great Room won’t last long! Centrally located in sought-after Devonshire Village, this comfortable 2-bedroom, 2 full bath ranch-style home sits on a quiet cul-de-sac and offers the best in one-floor living, including a spacious carport with large storage area. This freshly painted home has been extended in the past giving it a spacious feel and added entertaining space. Entering the foyer to your Left from the front door, you see the eat-in kitchen which has access to the Great Room, or you can simply enter the Great Room directly from the hallway. The kitchen features stainless-steel appliances, luxury vinyl planking and solid wood cabinets, plus a pantry and plenty of room for a table and chairs. The L-shaped Great Room can be used in so many ways – this large living space features a wood-burning fireplace, leading to a large, sunny dining area with NEW skylights, recessed lighting, NEW centrally-installed ceiling fan, and sliding glass doors opening to the rear of the property. The entire space features hardwood floors while plenty of natural light bathes this area. The openness of the Great Room makes it an excellent space for entertaining. Entering the front door and heading to your right leads to truly private spaces –well-separated from the main living area. This part of the home features two spacious bedrooms. The recently carpeted master bedroom is at the end of the hall with an ensuite upgraded bathroom that includes a double-vanity, walk-in tiled shower, two medicine chests with double-sided mirrors, and luxury plank flooring. The master bedroom also has a spacious walk-in closet, New ceiling fan and central light. Large windows at one end of the bedroom give plenty of natural light. The second bedroom is also a good size with a California Closet upgrade for easy storage, along with New ceiling fan and central light. The second bathroom, updated in 2022, is across the hall with a tub shower, single vanity sink and luxury vinyl planking. There are two large storage areas off the central hallway – one area is used to house a full-size washer and dryer, along with storage shelves. The other closet features a California Closet upgrade, providing excellent organization for off-season clothing, photos, shoes, etc. The attic is easily accessible from a pull-down door in the 2nd bedroom, providing additional space for your belongings. The energy-efficient heat pump is just 3 years old, with the energy in the home run by a smart, Ecobee programmable thermostat. Forget to change the thermostat setting? No problem – you can do it right from an app on your phone! There is also an existing servicing contract for the heat pump – there are 9 years of annual service remaining in the contract. The house also features a NEW roof, soffits and gutters, all installed in 2022. Hershey's Mill is considered the premier 55+ community in the area for good reason: It is a gated community offering 24-hour security. Other amenities include a large outdoor pool and recreation area that features Tennis, Pickleball and Paddle Ball Courts, Community Center, Bocce Ball, Shuffleboard, Horseshoes, free social membership at Hershey’s Mill Golf Club for the first year (does not allow use of the course, but allows full use of the Hershey’s Mill Golf Club restaurant/ bar and facilities), as well as a greatly reduced membership fee after that, extensive walking/ jogging paths, a Library, along with close proximity to all major arteries (Routes 202, 30, 3, 202, 352 & 10 minutes to the PA Turnpike). The nearby healthcare facilities (Chester County Hospital & Paoli Hospital) are highly rated, and an adjacent shopping center with a Giant supermarket adds to the convenience of life at Hershey’s Mill. HOA fee includes: 24-hour on-site security, water, sewer, grass cutting and snow removal to the front door, HD cable, internet and phone, trash.You are too late for this one, but we can help you find another property when it becomes available. Just contact me to let me know your requirements and we will keep you informed.