New Lithium Air batteries could extend the range, and lighten Electric vehicles

I just read this article on a new type of battery being developed to lighten the electric vehicle and also extend the range of electric vehicles by using a different type of lithium battery - to read more click here

1617 Earlington Road offers $8000 to a buyer for closing costs

The Estate of Doris Fischbein is offering $8000 to the successful buyer of 1617 Earlington Road.  There needs to be a fully executed agreement before January 31, 2012.  All the floors have been refinished or have new carpet.  The house has been painted, the HVAC is newer and almost all the windows have been replaced.  This will help the qualified buyer negotiate the mortgage for what a loan is costing for this home.

New Jersey Corporate HQ goes Solar

Wine Company Goes Green with Solar Energy  Click this link to read the story

Increase in Solar Power PV forcasted

Is the Use of Solar Power Growing?  This is excerpted from Solar Thermal Magazine



New IDC Energy Insights Forecast Shows Worldwide Solar Photovoltaic Module Shipments Rising from 22.7 GW in 2011 to 43.8 GW in 2015 Global solar photovoltaic (PV) module shipments are forecast to grow from an estimated 22.7 GW in 2011 to 43.8 GW in 2015 according to IDC Energy Insights’ Worldwide Quarterly Photovoltaic Module Tracker. At [...]

READ MORE

Housing an Issue for the 2012 Election

HouseLogic, the consumer website for the National Association of Realtors has released the results from their latest survey. They found that when it comes to the upcoming 2012 election, jobs and housing are at the forefront of voters' minds.


Full Story: http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20111213_election.htm

Energy Saving and Green not always do you need to act right away

Good article - Many of the ideas make good sense - eating further down the food chain, reusing when you can, allowing for less frequent upgrades to wardrobes(fight the fashion industry), upgrading durable goods when they need to be with more energy efficient models.

Excerpt from the article is here
Simple Energy Saving = Money Saving. Don’t think you have to invest expensive home improvements that promise to pay for themselves in energy savings. Always do the math yourself. You will find that many costly energy-saving measures — IE: replacing windows in your home with more-energy-efficient models — often don’t make economic sense unless you’re going to stay in your home for many, many years. In general, it’s smart to upgrade to energy-efficient appliances and other energy saving items only when the time comes to replace a worn-out older model. Most homeowners will save more money and more energy by undertaking simple, inexpensive, do-it-yourself projects first, such as installing low flow toilets conversion, filling gaps around the house that let heat/cooling escape, adding extra insulation in the attic, installing programmable thermostats, and turning down your hot water heater, weather striping and sealing doors and windows, etc… According to the Energy Department, the typical older home has enough easily repairable energy-sucking gaps around windows, doors, etc., to be the equivalent of leaving the front door open all year long! Think about that, and then head out to the garage and get your tool belt and your caulking gun!.

Reaonable fees for yoth sports could be indanger in Radnor

The following is a letter from the president of the sports association to the public and the leaders of both the Radnor Township and the Radnor School Board


The Radnor Youth Sports Groups have been following the developments with respect to the renegotiation of a new grounds maintenance agreement between Radnor Township and Radnor Township School District. We believe that such an agreement is good for our community. However, we understand that the Request for Proposals solicited by the School District has produced some low cost bids which might be a significant cost advantage for the School District’s direct costs associated with grounds maintenance.







We also understand that the current Radnor Township budget reviews are in process and that all costs and revenues associated with a new grounds maintenance agreement have been removed. Also, the Township preliminary budget includes new permit fees for community groups of township residents which are substantial costs to those organizations, and presumably such permit fees do not include any potential School District fees. Consequently, as significant community users of public facilities, Township and School, the leaders of our group have been discussing alternatives to the current grounds maintenance agreement that is scheduled to terminate at the end of next month. There is great concern that the Township and School District are considering adding substantial costs to the community youth organizations despite the input from the leaders of the affected organizations. The use of public facilities should be open to the public without a fee, including non-profit community youth sports programs which are open to all residents and are heavily supported by community volunteers. Fees have never been levied against community youth programs, except for 2010 when the severe economic times led to adding such fees. We have stated that a modest permit fee would be reasonable, something like other townships in the area charge to community youth sports organizations in the range of $100 to $150 per field per season.






The Radnor Athletic Association would like to propose a REPLACEMENT of the current GROUNDS MAINTENANCE agreement with a new PUBLIC USE agreement that does not involve any grounds maintenance services from the Township. Our objective is to establish an agreement with the Township and the School District that preserves and protects public access and public uses of school property, as well as providing for usage of Township property for school events.






This new agreement is intended to benefit the community sports groups, the School District students, the neighbors of the various fields, parks and open space, the Township Recreation programs and all Radnor residents who enjoy recreational facilities and open space.






We recommend the following components in this proposal:






1. Township would provide facilities for school events, if appropriate Township facilities are available, when such facilities are needed for school events and are not otherwise booked for community events. This is nothing new and already exists.






2. Examples under #1 would include use of Township athletic fields when school needs cannot be met on school property, use of Township Building meeting rooms for School Board Meetings or similar public meetings or events, Township police for major events (e.g., July 4th fireworks traffic control).






3. School District would provide public access and public use of recreational facilities located on school property when not in use for school functions. This would be simply a continuation of existing access.






4. Examples under #3 would include tennis courts at Ithan ES, Radnor MS, Radnor HS; running track at Radnor HS; walking paths at Radnor MS, Radnor ES, Ithan ES; outdoor basketball courts at Radnor MS, Radnor HS, Wayne ES; non-scheduled use of athletic fields etc.






5. School District would provide use of school athletic facilities and indoor facilities, including gymnasiums, when such facilities are not needed for school events, for qualified non-profit community groups/programs and township sponsored recreation programs. This is essentially the same as what has been in place for many years.






6. There would be no costs or charges for usage between the Township and the School District, except for certain agreed upon costs that are recovered from user groups. This would be a new arrangement and the details would need to be worked out.






7. Examples under #6 would include the electricity costs for the usage of lights on athletic fields or similar actual added costs that are not normally incurred by the school district for regular school operations, maintenance and repairs.






8. Hours of public use, process for reserving facilities, insurance where needed, etc. would be similar to the current process.






9. Public use and non-profit community users that serve all Radnor residents would have priority over any private or for profit organizations that want to use or rent Township or School District recreational facilities.






9. Scheduling, notices to user groups, costs, fees and other details would be an operational process performed annually or by season. This would be coordinated by one or more administrative people at the School District, Township and representatives of the Radnor Athletic Association, and its member Community Sports Groups, in a similar manner as is coordinated currently. We expect that improvements to coordination could be included as needed to meet the needs and requirements of the user groups, the School District, the Township and the public. We envision a set of written procedures that can be used as guidelines and can be revised as needed, based on experience.






We anticipate that this agreement would not have a significant cost impact on the School district or the Township. It should be structured as a working agreement and allow for input from user groups, particularly the community sports groups. This idea is offered as a beneficial agreement for the community and the public served by Radnor Township and Radnor School District.






We understand that there could be some issues that might need to be aired and addressed for this proposal to be accepted. We would have representatives from the Radnor Athletic Association, and its member Community Sports Groups, meet with officials or administrators to discuss this proposal.






We look forward to the Township’s and School District’s response to this proposal and any suggestions about how to move forward expeditiously.






Bob Miccolis, President


Radnor Athletic Association

FHA Loan limits restored!!!

This news comes from a press release by the National  Association of Realtors
Last night Congress restored the loan limits for the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) for two years.


As you know, in late September the FHA, Fannie Mae; and Freddie Mac loan limits were reduced in 42 states pricing potential home buyers out of the American Dream of home ownership and holding back the housing recovery.

NAR immediately went to work with the goal to get the loan limits restored in Congress. For weeks that goal seemed unlikely.


The reinstated FHA loan limit formula and cap change will help make mortgages more affordable and accessible for hard-working, middle-class families in 669 counties in 42 states and territories, where the average loan limit reduction after the reset last month was more than $68,000. The provision reinstates the FHA loan limits through 2013 at 125 percent of local area median home prices, up to a maximum of $729,750 in the highest cost markets, the floor will remain at $271,050. However, Congress chose not to apply the loan limits restoration to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Fannie-and-Freddie-backed mortgages will remain at 115 percent of local area median home prices up to $625,500

New Market watch Feature Sales in your town by Month October now Available

Main line home sales now available to see.  Let me know if you are interested in receiving one for your town call 610-909-3432 of send me an e-mail using tom@tomlowy.com  

Here is what they look like ran this one for Wayne Pa 19087  This is available for multiple states as well I am told.

Positive news on the Housing Front

Even though real estate is local and the local real estate market here in South East PA has not had the difficulties experienced by other parts of the country this article from the CRS update news passes along some positive news about housing statistics.......Home Prices Continue to Rebound


U.S. home prices edged higher for the fourth consecutive month, according to the latest S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index. Both the 10-City and 20-City Composites rose 0.9 percent in July over June, and 17 of the 20 markets surveyed also posted monthly increases. Only Phoenix and Las Vegas posted home price declines for the month, while Denver remained unchanged.

 On an annual basis, the 10-City and 20-Cty Composites recorded home price declines of 3.7 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively in July 2011 over the same month a year earlier. Eighteen of the markets surveyed also posted declines, with Minneapolis experiencing the biggest annual decline of 9.1 percent. Only Detroit and Washington, D.C., posted home price increases of 1.2 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively. Tue, Sep 27, 2011

Leaf collection in Radnor begins in November

One of the really nice things about living in Radnor township is fall leaf collection.  Unlike our neighbors in Tredyffrin, Easttown, LM or Newtown, we in Radnor township are lucky enough not to have to bag our leaves and/or pay private trash contractors to come and pick them up.  Curbside leaf collection is another wonderful benefit of being a Radnor resident.  Here is a link to the page on the Radnor Township website for you to look up A-what district your street is in and B When is your district's scheduled pick-up

More Environmental Jobs coming to PA

According to Solar Thermal Magazine today there was an award of a 5 million dollar Pennsylvania grant for Becon Power corporation to build an energy storagfe facility in Hazle Township PA

Another Loyal Client

Testimonial for Tom Lowy 8-19-2011


Tom Lowy is the type of realtor who handles his clients with a high degree of professionalism and at the same time incorporates a personal touch to give you that “peace of mind”. Thank you Tom, for taking care of my real estate needs when I needed a true professional who understands the market. Please know that you will be recommended as the “PREFERRED” realtor to all of my family and friends looking to purchase or rent a home.



Edith Walters.

Housing foreclosure rates decline

This article is excerpted from the CRS Weekely on-line news letter:
Foreclosure Activity Continues to Decline


Foreclosure filings, including default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions, were reported on 212,764 U.S. properties in July, a 4 percent decline from June and 35 percent from a year ago, according to the latest data from RealtyTrac, an online marketer of foreclosures. One in every 611 U.S. homes had a foreclosure filing during July, marking the 10th straight month of annual decreases in foreclosure activity and the lowest monthly total since November 2007.

“This string of decreases was initially triggered by the robo-signing controversy back in October 2010, which forced lenders to substantially slow the pace of foreclosing, but the downward trend in foreclosure activity has now taken on a life of its own,” says James J. Saccacio, RealtyTrac’s CEO. “It appears that the foreclosure processing delays, combined with the smorgasbord of national and state-level foreclosure preventions efforts — including loan modifications, lender-borrower mediations and mortgage payment assistance for the unemployed — may be allowing more distressed homeowners to stave off foreclosure,” he says.

Default notices fell 7 percent during the month from June and decreased 39 percent from July 2010. Foreclosure auctions fell 5 percent from June and declined 37 percent from a year ago. While bank-owned properties slipped 1 percent from the previous month, they were 27 percent below July 2010.
For the 55th straight month, Nevada posted the nation’s highest foreclosure rate, with one in every 115 homes receiving a foreclosure filing during the month. California had the nation’s second highest foreclosure rate, with one in every 239 homes receiving a foreclosure filing, followed by Arizona, with one in every 273 housing units receiving a foreclosure filing. Thu, Aug 11, 2011

5 Indoor plants which help air Quality in your Office

This is excerpted from the Ecofriend Web site:

Indoor plants are generally grown for decorative purposes and for refining the air too. According to a research carried out by NASA, some plants serve as better air purifiers than others. Here is a list of some commonly grown indoor plants which serve as natural air purifiers:

1. English Ivy

Botanical Name- Hedera helix

English Ivy is an evergreen plant and has a long life span. It is a trailer and can be grown on the sides of wall and fences. The plant needs indirect sunlight and average to cold temperature for its growth. It prefers cool soil, sufficient moisture and good drainage. Use balanced fertilizers for the soil and guard the plant against mites. The plant proves to be dangerous and can cause skin irritation. So, it is advisable to wear gloves while handling the plant. Also, make sure that the plant is kept away from pets. The plant can be propagated by stem cutting.

English Ivy removes some common pollutants, like benzene, toluene and formaldehyde.

 

2. Spider Plant

Botanical Name- Chlorophytum chlorosum

It is a preferred and suitable house plant. The plant produces long stems as it grows. The leaves along with the flowers give the impression of spiders hanging from the strings. The plant is easy to grow and can tolerate extreme conditions of temperature and moisture. But, sufficient bright light is the prime requirement for the plant. The plantlets can be easily propagated and look beautiful when grown in hanging baskets along with other plants. Do not expose the plant to cold draft.

Pollutants removed by Spider plant - Formaldehyde

 

3. Peace Lily

Botanical Name- Spathiphyllum ‘Mauna Loa’

This is a popular house plant and can grow in little sunlight. Watering can be done just once in a week. Over-watering can cause browning of leaf tips. Peace Lily can be easily propagated and it blooms in early summer. The plant should be fed monthly with liquid fertilizers in summers and spring season. One plant should be grown in an area of 10 meters square and fertilization should be done only in summer and spring season.

Pollutants removed by the plant - Benzene, formaldehyde and others.

 

4. Chinese Evergreen

Botanical Name- Aglaonema sp.

This is an ornamental and a long-lasting plant. The plant is easy to grow and requires indirect sunlight and high humidity. Keep the plant in warm condition and in heavy and moist soil. The plant should be guarded against low temperatures as it cannot tolerate cold. If the leaves start turning yellow, it might mean that too much sunlight is falling on it. Immediately remove the yellow leaves and transfer the plant to low light area. Aglaonema can be easily propagated. Make sure that you clean off the leaves regularly.

It is a useful plant and removes benzene, toluene and ammonia from the air.

 

5. Reed Palm

Botanical Name- Chamaedorea sefritzii

Another name of this plant is Bamboo Palm. It is a long-lasting, small or medium sized plant and can grow to a height of six meters. The plant can flourish best in medium light and high humidity. The palm should be planted in a pot which has a hole so that the soil is uniformly moist and continuous drainage takes place. Rain water is best for watering this plant. Palms are easily infected by mites and bugs indoor. The plant should be fertilized regularly during its growing season.
Reed plant purifies the indoor air against trichloroethane, benzene and toluene.

Latest newsletter from Ecofriend is out.

Here is a link to the current Ecofriend website where you can sign up to receive their weekly newsletter.

10 eco friendly gadgets that produce water from air

This was reposed fro the Blog Ecofriend

10 eco friendly gadgets that produce water from air

Posted: 09 Aug 2011 10:52 PM PDT

Balakrishnan Ramachandran:



atmospheric condensationwater vapor in air condenses when it cools below dew point

Water availability has already become a major concern area for humankind. Some UN studies already estimate that some 1 billion people worldwide do not have access to adequate drinking water. Water borne diseases already account for over 50% of preventable human ailments in the poorer regions of the world.Even in the more advanced regions of the world, municipal water supply is no longer considered safe enough to drink. This has spawned a $ 50 billion packaged drinking water industry.

The atmospheric air always has water vapor present in it. This is part of the Hydrologic cycle, where water evaporates from the seas and other water bodies, the vapor is carried by air into the upper atmosphere where it forms clouds which then condense into water as rain or snow. The total water vapor in the atmosphere is so large that it can meet all of human water needs.

Scientists and engineers are attempting to find means to extract water from the air without waiting for the natural rain cycle. The two basic processes to extract water from air are cooling condensation and wet desiccation. Cooling condensation is the familiar sight we see of water droplets forming on the outside of a bottle or glass of any cold liquid. The air in the atmosphere is cooled below its dew point by contact with the bottle or glass,causing the water vapor in the air to condense. Desiccant cooling is illustrated by the fact of common salt in a salt shaker becoming damp by absorbing water vapor from the air.Many commercial air-to-water devices have now become available. Some alternative approaches are also being attempted. An air-to-water industry appears to be developing

Condensation cooling

1. Using natural stone structures for condensation

Examples of condensation cooling exist even from early human civilization. In some parts of Europe and the Middle East, there are 10 meter tall beehive-like stone structures dating from the 19th century, called air walls. The stones cool rapidly in the night. When moist air comes in contact with these stones, the condensation yields water that is collected in troughs inside the structure and used for drinking and washing.In France, these structures were also used in some vineyards.

2. Using water nets for condensation

This is the modern adaptation of the ancient stone walls for water harvesting. At a village named Cabajane in sub-Saharan Africa, a team from the South African Agricultural University helped the villagers string up plastic nets across a mountain pass. The clouds and fog through the pass, condensed water on the nets, which ran down through plastic pipes to be collected in a tank. Several hundred liters of potable water became available to the village from this simple device , where they earlier had to walk over 2 km to the nearest stream. This experiment is now being replicated in other villages in sub-Saharan Africa and also in Chile and in some places in Nepal.

3. Foldable structure for water harvesting

Two Israeli architects, Joseph Cory and Eyak Malka have designed this foldable triangular structure, named WatAir, that is said to imitate the leaves of a tree to condense atmospheric water vapor and collect it into a tank. The structure folds into a a package of 1 meter maximum dimension and 3.5 kg weight, that the designers claim can be erected anywhere, to harvest atmospheric water.

4. Max Whisson’s Gust Water Trap

Dr Max Whisson of Perth, Australia has come up with a wind turbine design that produces water by condensation, instead of electricity. The wind turbine has vertical blades and is mounted on a swivel with a wind vane tail, so that it can turn to face the direction of the wind. When the turbine turns, the wind gets forced into the hollow tower. The air passes over a refrigerant compressor driven by the wind turbine and condenses into water, that flows into tanks at the base of the tower. A company named Water UN Limited has been formed to commercially apply this technology.

5. Windmill to make water from air

The company Dutch Rainmakers of Netherlands has installed a windmill Surinam to produce water instead of electricity. In their design, the air is forced through a heat pump, where the water vapor condenses. This heat pump replaces the refrigerant compressor. The wind mill is said to produce 5000-7000 liters a day, a real boon in a place where the groundwater is brackish.

6. Refrigerant based condensation

The modern condensation cooling devices, generally use a refrigeration coil to provide the cooling. Many manufacturers worldwide have come up with condensation cooling machines that work on the following principle.Inlet air is filtered to remove dust and suspended particles using fabric filters. This air is passed over coils containing cold refrigerant gases. The condensate water is collected in a stainless steel tank and exposed to ultraviolet light for about 30 minutes to remove bacteria and then filtered through an active carbon filter. The typical cost for a model that produces 20-25 liters a day is about $ 1500 and these machines consume about 500 watts of electricity. These condensation machines are styled like the conventional water coolers installed in offices and public places, and are intended to be used in such locations.

One of the largest companies in this field appears to be Air Water Corporation of Miami Beach, Florida which makes a range of machines from the 25 liter per day single office type capacity to larger 2500 liter per day trailer mounted machines complete with their own diesel power generator that can be installed at a construction site or even in a village as they have done in Jalmudi in India. Air Water Corporation says that its products are sold in 21 countries through local affiliates.

Another company that has targeted the home user with this technology is Element Four Technologies Inc.,of British Columbia, Canada which has launched an attractively packaged product they have named the WaterMill. The home model is dsigned to produce 11 liters of water per day enough to meet the drinking needs of a small family. The air intake and condensation is planned to be mounted outside the home and the potable water tank inside the home ( like a split air-conditioning unit). An upgraded model for 20 liters per day in planned. However, there are many companies with product variants for this market.

7. DRIPS for growing crops with water from air

Two high school students from San Francisco, with mentoring by professors from the University of California, Berkeley, have proposed this system for water harvesting from air. DRIPS stands for Deep Root Irrigation Precipitation System and is made of a 1 foot diameter, or larger, plastic or aluminum conical surface mounted on a hollow tube that is buried 1.5 feet into the ground. The plastic or aluminum surface cools in the night and in contact with air, causes water droplets to condense. This water, by capillary action aided by small ribs on the cone, drains into the ground. The depth of 1.5 feet prevents this water from evaporating back into the atmosphere and helps nourish the roots of plants. This method of water harvesting has been demonstrated to grow potatoes.

8. Fraunhofer Institute’s brine tower

The Fraunhofer Institute of Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology (ICB) in collaboration with the company Logos Innovationen is working on this concept of a tall tower like structure down which hygroscopic brine solution runs down. This brine in contact with air absorbs moisture and runs into a tank at the base of the tower which has a slight vacuum. The tank is heated with solar collectors that causes the brine solution to boil. The vacuum in the tank lowers the boiling point of the brine solution.The water absorbed from the air evaporates and is led out through a tube filled with water. This water column maintains the vacuum in the tank without the need for a vacuum pump. The brine is recovered and pumped up again to flow down the tower.

9.Liquid desiccant for water harvesting from process air

Sciperio Inc., an Orlando, Florida based technology is working on using liquid Lithium Chloride as the desiccant to remove water from air. Their finding is that this is more energy efficient than using refrigerant based water harvesting technology and have proposed using this for water extraction from air in process plants for industrial use, rather than for drinking.

10. Use of solar energy for regenerating the desiccant

One variant of the use of wet desiccation by the company A2WH of Atlanta, Georgia which uses a proprietary desiccant for water vapor absorption. This desiccant is heated by solar energy to expel the absorbed water. The unit, installed outdoors, also has photo voltaic panels to generate the electricity needed for operating the units pumps and valves. A2WH says it has models both for the individual home and for irrigation of farms.

Energy production from the sun

IT feels so good to know our family is harvesting power from the sun each day it is sunny.  In a few short days our power generation will have been more than 1000 kWh generated just from our system  For July our production was :

Green Bicycles and not just using them

10 Green bikes that have non-metallic frames

Greener transportation is at the forefront for many eco-enthusiasts. Walk, bike, take public transport, carpool, anything you can do to help reduce carbon emissions and decrease our reliance on fossil fuels is a positive step toward a more sustainable future. Biking is great because promotes both physical health and the health of the environment. If you’re a cycling fan, check out this article for 10 unique eco-friendly bikes.  Just follow the link from the green page it is the second

This link was obtained from the Go Green Expo LinkedIn newsletter

Local Post office may be closing

Here in Radnor the St Davids Post office is on the list of "endangered offices"  To read the full article from the Radnor Patch click here.  To see the full list of offices on the "endangered list"  click here

Newer Owners Tend to Price Their Homes Higher When Selling

In a study reported by Zillow as relayed by the CRS magazine "Member Connect" a weekly CRS update page,Current home sellers who purchased their homes after the housing boom overprice their homes at a higher rate than those who purchased before or during the boom, according to a recent Zillow survey. Home sellers who purchased their home in 2007 or later overprice their homes by an average of 14.1 percent while those who purchased a home before 2002 price their homes approximately 11.6 percent over market value. Those who bought between 2002 and 2006 price their homes 9.3 percent above market value.

 Here is a link to the rest of the short article.

Staging your home is it important?

Staging your home is it important?   Barb Schwarz says ...“The investment of Staging your home is less than your first price reduction”

Ran across this article on Coaching your daughter through the friendship swamp

I was reading article on a real estate web site.  Once in a while there is an article on life and family.  Since I have a daughter I found this one interesting.  Article like this apply when you are moving and ghange schools too.

Moving during these Summer Months?

This is excerpted from a coulmn by Amy Velte -Summer Series...


Moving Topic #2: Preparing for Delays Should They Occur

By Amy Velte

It’s a fact: delays happen. During the busy summer months when the moving companies are experiencing very high volumes, and occasionally during non-peak moving times, moves can be delayed for weather related reasons, shortage of trucks, mechanical failure or other unforeseen circumstances. Being prepared for this outside possibility will help you in this event. Here are a few pointers:



• Take things that you cannot afford to be without.

• Bring essentials to make you feel comfortable while you wait for your belongings

• If you are starting a new job, take business clothes with you

• If you are shipping your computer, bring your important files with you

• If you are self employed, take any important work related documents that you may need

• Be sure to have all important personal documents such as passport with you at all times

• If you have children who will be attending school shortly after your arrival, take the things they will need to start school.

• If you have pets, bring dog beds, toys, leashes, litter box etc.

• Bring extra medication with you if needed

• If you have a baby, be sure to pack extra formula, diapers etc.

• Items to keep you occupied: a good book, magazines, radio

Think of it like camping while you are waiting for your delivery. This could be a fun and exciting way to introduce the kids to their new home. Set up a blowup mattress in the living room and have a slumber party. Pack a cooler full of easy to make food and if you are a coffee drinker, bring or purchase a french press.

Through CRS if there is a delay and your shipment is over 3,500lbs., the movers are required to reimburse you for a percentage of hotel and meal expenses. Be sure to save hotel and meal receipts during this time. You should receive a delay claim form from the mover upon your request. This is handled separately from a damage claim and must be handled promptly: the claim must be filed within 30 days of delivery. A delay claim does not pertain to shipments that are delivering to a public/self storage unit or into mover storage or from a mover or public storage facility.

It is not likely that a delayed shipment will occur, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. Being prepared for the unlikely will provide piece of mind during your move and make it less stressful than it needs to be.

10 Measuring Tips for Decorating from Lisa Fury

Answers to Some of Your Most Often Asked Questions

• A 36 inch wide rectangular table is perfect for conversation. A round table with a diameter of 48 inches seats six; a 60 inch round will handle eight standard dining chairs or 10 ballroom chairs.

• To determine the correct size of an overhead light, add the length and width of the room in feet. Whatever the total is, in inches, is your guide for a fixture's diameter. For instance, a 15 by 15 foot room would need a 30 inch chandelier.

• One gallon of paint will cover about 400 square feet of wall.

• Mount curtains as high as possible to give a room more height, and let them break 1 1/2 inches on the floor.

• Kitchen islands should be about 36 inches high - a little taller than countertops - to be comfortable for prep.

• Curtains should be 2 1/2 to 3 times the width of a window. If you are doing two panels, each should be 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 times the window width. Buy a rod that is 20 inches wider than the window to make your window seem larger than it actually is.

• The bottom of a dining room chandelier should hang 36 inches above the table.

• Install light switches 36 inches above the floor and 1 1/2 to 2 inches to the side of the door trim.

• A standard 84 inch sofa with exposed legs and a tight back will require 14 yards of plain 54 inch wide fabric. Add two additional yards if you want to skirt it.

• The distance from the bed to the wall should be at least 24 inches.

• To allow any door to open easily, there should be 36 inches between the bed and the door.

Lisa Furey -
barefoot interior design
610-389-5231

PA Bans Private Transfer Fees

Private Transfer Fees


Pennsylvania became the 36th state to ban private transfer fees. On June 24, Governor Tom Corbett signed HB 442 into law, becoming Act 8 of 2011. Private transfer fees are part of a covenant attached to a property deed that forces the seller to pay 1 percent of the purchase price to a private third-party entity every time the property sells over the next 99 years. These fees would have cost unsuspecting homeowners thousands of dollars in additional closing costs.

Something to do with Blueberries this weekend

As a subscriber to the Radnor Patch  I came across this information for the Linvilla Orchards Blueberry Festival.  Reads like it could be a lot of fun especially if you like blueberries.

Where: Linvilla Orchards, 137 W Knowlton Rd, Media, PA 19063 Date: July 9, 2011 Time: 9:00am Come hungry and join the pie-eating contest featuring Linvilla pies or just watch the contestants.


Events will include appearances by costumed characters, pony rides and face painting.

Don’t forget to leave plenty of time for picking blueberries from the orchard. With 10 varieties to choose from, you should have plenty to make cobblers, pies and jellies.

Rain date July 10.

Features: Families, Free, Kids, Open to All, Outdoor, Seniors, Teens Website: http://www.linvilla.com/events/blueberry_festival.php
 Phone: 610-876-7116
Email: info@linvilla.com  Price: Free

TYwo local establishments make the top pics locally

Two Restaurants as reported by the Radnor Patch have made a local top 50 list Check out the slide show Georges for Gruyere and marinated tomatoes
Vic and Dean's fopr Prosciutto,Roasted Peppers and eggplant

New Green Jobs Training available

Just read an article whic is about Green Jobs training coming to the Philadelphia area.

Home Ownership still has a KEY place in the American DREAM

Home ownership according to a recent survey still plays an important part in the American Dream.  Here is the link to the articel found in RIS Media.

658 Mailin Road just on the Market for the first time in 10 years- Newtown Square post office Radnor Township School District

Radnor Girls Crew Coach sums up the season

Another year for the record books! Every one of our boats had a phenomenal season, leaving a mark on history for RGCC. To have both our freshmen boats in the final at Cities is unheard of and a huge accomplishment. Then, to have two boats win Cities (2V8 and F8) and the other place second was an indication that this small team is truly comprised of a very special and talented group of kids. The win for the V8 at Stotesbury was icing on the cake, but, as a team, having the 2V8 in the final (I believe for the first time) and the F8 placing 2nd solidified the strength of our team.


This team of 40 girls has managed to produce results that are usually only seen of a team with much more depth, and for that I am in awe of these young women. They are a very special group, and losing 10 of them to college will be upsetting, but, nonetheless, I think it’s safe to say these 40 girls have left a mark on Radnor Girls Crew Club unlike any other team before.

Seniors, I want to thank you for the last four years. Personally, you have helped me grow as a coach exponentially. You never let any of my slips turn into falls. Through the good and the bad you trusted me, and for that I am eternally thankful. You have done for this club maybe more than you will ever know, setting the standard for all the future classes at the top of the spectrum, and for that you should be very proud. I am so excited to see what the future holds for all of you. I send all the best wishes in the world with you as you move on in life.

Megan

“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” — Dr. Seuss

Pennsylvania "bvalanced" as far as moves in and out by consumers

The Commonwealth saw 2,192 inbound moves and 2,494 outbound moves in 2010 according to an Atlas Van Lines Migration Patterns study.

Repeal of the Sprinkler Mandate awaiting the Governor's signature

House Bill 377 is awaiting Governor's signature


Governor Tom Corbett is expected to sign House Bill 377 (Everett, Lycoming) into law. This bill repeals the sprinkler mandate in one- and two-family homes. Consumers will now have a choice of whether to install sprinkler systems in new residential constructed homes.

Realtors® sent more than 5,000 emails to the legislature this month. The message was clear: sprinklers should be a consumer choice, not a government mandate. PAR's position on the mandate was supported by extensive polling among registered voters in Pennsylvania. More than 67 percent of respondents said that they prefer a smoke detector system over a mandatory $5,000 sprinkler system if they were to build a new home.

Please take the time to thank your legislators that voted in favor of removing the sprinkler mandate in Pennsylvania.

President's Energy Budget Invests in Innovation

With all of the commotion about the budget, the government stoppage, and the nuclear mess in Japan, I was catching up on some back reading and came across this article on energy and the budget.

Staged Homes sell faster

As excerpted from the StagedHomes.com BLOG this is to other stagers......

A Letter to You from 2011-2012 IAHSP President Jeanne Westmoreland, ASP®, ASPM®, IAHSP®Staging a Home to Sell Faster and for More Money


Home sellers and REALTORS® have two priorities: sell the property fast and for as much money as possible. Market-sensitive pricing and a well-executed marketing plan to get the most attention in the marketplace are of course crucial. Equally important is to make sure a property makes a first great impression. These days, with more than 80% going online to begin their home search, it’s imperative that the first impression not only is made when visiting a home but as important through pictures in web listing.



Statistics gathered by Stagedhomes.com shows that 94.6% of homes Staged by an Accredited Staging Professional® sell within 33 days, compared to an average of 196 days for homes that are not Staged. Homes Staged by Accredited Staging Professionals® stay on the market 83% less time than a home that has not been staged.

Mixed signals for the Main Line Real Estate Market

This is quoted from an article distributed by the Suburban West Relator Association---


Looking back at 2010, the local real estate market showed both good and bad. The following is a snap shot of this past year's local sales and home values (available from TREND) compared both to 2009 local figures and to national statistics reported by the National Association of REALTORS.



• In 2010, sales lagged in each of the three counties from 2009 figures. Chester County sales were off 5.7%, Delaware County was off 11.6% and Montgomery County was off 7.6%. Nationally, home sales in 2010 were down 9.5% from 2009.


• In 2010, home values grew or held relatively steady in the three counties compared to 2009. Chester County values rose 7.3%, Montgomery County values also increased by 4%. Only Delaware County saw a dip in values, 2%. Nationally, the median price remained the same.


Additionally, TREND has released its 4th Quarter Economic and Market Watch Report which goes into more detail about how the county markets are faring. Also in this current report, NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun assesses the factors that will bear watching in 2011 for the market to continue to recover. From employment to consumer confidence to demand, Yun addresses the major factors that will have the biggest impact on 2011 sales. Currently, Yun is projecting an 8% increase in sales nationally. But, he cautions that these numbers will be updated monthly depending on how the economy plays out.

Indoor stair climb to benefit Lung Cancer research

So you think you can scamper up the stairs quickly.  Here is the indoor challange for you

You get to see how fast you can climb the 50 flights of stairs up the Logan Square building.  See you at the top.

Just Sold - 2422 Poplar Road

This house was a gem.  The owner of the last 48 years had just upgraded and cleaned the entire home.  All my client had to do was move in his possessions.  As a thank you for him I created some just moved cards using Shutterfly.  It was very straightforward. 

Kudos and snaps to the Wayne Public Works Department!!!!!

It was observed by local residents

I talked to 2 friends today, one with kids in T/E schools and one with kids in Lower Merion.  Both school districts were closed today, yet Radnor's schools were open.  Both friends remarked how Radnor streets are always cleared quickest and best.  I just ran by Bravo to grab dinner for the family and downtown Wayne was bustling with folks waiting to dine at our local eateries - all parking spaces were cleared and available.  It made me think that while there is certainly lots that can be done better in our township, I'm really grateful for our diligent Public Works Department and I hope we are able to maintain this level of service and keep our township moving.

New NAR field guide stresses the bemnefits of Home Ownership

There is a new field guide available on-line through NAR wich details the benefits to communities and families of Home Ownership.  Here is the link.

Tom Lowy joins Prudential Fox & Roach REALTORS®

It is a pleasure to announce my association with the Prudential Fox & Roach REALTORS® 

 Wayne Home Marketing Center

New contact information

216 E. Lancaster Pike

Wayne Pa 19087

Bus- 610-688-4310

Fax -610-688-1907

Cel - 610-909-3432

e:mail tom@tomlowy.com

http://www.tomlowy.com/

Marty Klein Endorses Tom Lowy as a quality Real Estate Agent.

I was visiting my previous clients the other week and just happen to my video camera with me.  I was speaking with Marty Klein, a past client, and he agreed to speak about his real estate experience using me as his agent.  I thought I would share it with you here.  This is the link.  What do you think?

Money Saving Tips in these times

I was reading through my e-mail and found this article which I thought would be good advice for those readers thinking of saving up for a home or as the article says "stop living pay check to pay check".  Here is the Link  What creative ways are you using to save money? 

Snow is on the Way

An Alert from the Radnor Authorities was just sent out over the Events network.

Here is the link to the announcement

Money flowing to Rail to Trail Project in our area

PennDOT Announces $24.7 Million for Smart Transportation Projects in 41 Communities




1/6/2011-



City of Philadelphia will receive $1,300,000 to facilitate the reuse the Manayunk Railroad Bridge to connect the Schuylkill River and Cynwyd Trails.

Also:

Montgomery County

City Avenue Special Services District will receive $301,145 to improve walkability and safety on Bala Avenue between the Bala and Cynwyd rail-served transit stations in Lower Merion Township.

Wayne Acme to Close after 40 years

As heard today on KYW and other places, the Wayne Acme on Lancaster Ave is scheduled to now be closing.  Some people are sad, some people are happy about it.  Either way it is coming.  Here is a link to the Radnor Historical Society Web site where you can read about the history of the ACME Company in Wayne Here is the Link 

The two versions of the replacement establishments I have heard are:
Panera Bread and 5 Guys or
5 Below and 5 Guys