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

A-Pop

Just watched this video sent to me by another Real Estate Agent. Her daughter (17) created this and it took her 6 months of work. It is worth the 3 minutes it takes to watch it. Happy Holidays.

Do you need a witness?

Good synopsis of the issues whcih could affect your next real estate transaction and why having a witness is not needed, but highly recommended. For those times when somnething does happen.

Do you need a witness?

Get someone on your side you trust and can work with to find a home

I just received a great Holiday present from one of my past clients.  Marty Klein was so pleased with the work I did for him helping to find, negotiate and settle his first house, he hired me again to find him another when circumstances made that necessary.  Here is the video he provided for me expressing his opinion about the quality of my work as a real estate buyers agent.  Click this link

Inexpensive financing available from PHFA

It has come to my attention that for some home buyers the PHFA might be a good source for funding the purchase of your  home.  To see the guidelines and look into it Click here to link to the PHFA website

Study finds - Houses in Radnor worth more because of the Radnor Trail

Today a friend attended ( I had to work) a press conference on the unveiling of an intriguing new study which quantifies the economic value of open space in our region. The study was commissioned by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and Green Space Alliance, paid for by the Lenfest Foundation and DCNR, and conducted by the Pennsylvania Economy League. This report can be an incredibly useful tool for us in Radnor as we continue to consider our open space program.




There will be press about the study in tomorrow’s Inquirer and in this week’s Suburban. One of the five case studies in the study is Radnor (see page 18 of the report), and the PEL concludes that the trail has added an average of $69,000 in value to Radnor homes within a quarter mile of the trail.
The study is available for download (72 pages) by clicking here:
For a brief summary report about the study, click here: I encourage you all to take a moment and check it out – I, myself, have been looking for a report like this for years.

Saving Energy one light bulb at a time

Lowes collects the CFL Bulbs when they burn out.




CFL bulbs are an energy efficient way to save on some of your energy costs while we have more darkness these days. However, they cannot be thrown out in the regular garbage. Instead they must be recycled properly through municipal hazardous-waste collection programs or brought to participating stores, like Lowe's. The EPA offers recycling locations on its website.



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