• Waterloo Gardens Pet Night With Santa – December 8, 2011 at the Exton and Devon locations from 6pm to 8pm. Bring your pets and a camera to have their photo taken with Santa. Children’s Photo’s With Santa December 10, 11, 17 and 18th from 1-3pm. Bring your own camera.
• The Longwood Gardens Christmas features a Gingerbread Fantasy this year. Note that tickets must be purchased in advance for a specific day and time. – November 24, 2011-January 8, 2012
• Breakfast With Santa At Longwood – December 10, 11, 17 and 18th 8:30am to 10am at the Terrace Restaurant for a breakfast buffet and a visit with Santa
• Festive Christmas Fountain Shows in the Open Air Theatre at Longwood featuring holiday music. Shows are every hour from 10:00am to 3:00pm and again at 10:00pm except for Sunday’s Show which is 9:00pm
• The annual classic Pennsylvania Ballet production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker is one of the greatest traditions of the holiday season at the Academy of Music – December 10 through December 31st at the Academy of Music 

• The Macy’s Holiday Light Show is a Center City Philadelphia holiday tradition featuring the historic Wanamaker Organ Concert and more than 100,000 lights – November 25th through Christmas Eve from 10am to 5pm. The Dickens Village brings the Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol to life with fully animated characters reenacting  the story.
• A special free call from Santa for your little ones when you enter your information into the Christmas Dialer.
• The Radnor Hotel host the Children’s Holiday Tea December 10 and December 17thy
• The Philadelphia Orchestra presents the Glorious Sound of Christmas Concerts December 15, 16 and 17th 2011 at 7pm. The Messiah will be performed December 18th at 7:30pm, an annual tradition since 1961.
• Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge performs seasonal music of Advent and Christmas Saturday December 17th at 4pm.

Baking holiday breads, many varieties of cookies, gingerbread houses and in December of 2004 we added this fun to decorate and delicious to eat Frosty The Snowman Cake. What’s your favorite family tradition? Know of any other fun things to do in our neighborhood. Add them to the comments or send me an email and I’ll post them here.

Or feel free to call me, Judy Peterson 610-889-5509 with all your real estate questions.

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Tredyffrin 

Median Sold and For Sale Prices Tredyffrin/Easttown Township: 

• Comparing November of 2010 to November of 2011, shows that the Median Sold price was up 14.5% from $380,000 to $435,000 in 2011, while
• the Median For Sale Price was down only .2% from $449,950 to $449,000.
• Our local Tredyffrin Easttown homes under contract compares favorably with the National Pending Home Sales Index for the month of October 2011. Updated stats will be available the end of this month. 

Months Supply of Inventory for homes Under Contract Increased 16.9% from 2010 to November 2011 in Tredyffrin/Easttown:

• 2010 Homes Under Contract was 9.9 months
• 2011 Homes Under Contract was 11.5 months

Months supply of Inventory For Tredyffrin-Easttown Sold Homes dropped 19.6%:

• 2010 Homes Sold MSI 9.6 months
• 2011 Homes Sold MSI 7.7 Months

In the past 12 months, 370 homes have sold in Tredyffrin Township and 133 homes have sold in Easttown Township, which once again illustrates how all real is Local. 7.7 Months for Sold Homes is still a Buyers Market but not as much so as a year ago. 

 Morning Moon Walk :

It was a beautiful, clear day for Daisy’s early morning walk as the sun was beginning to rise. Just as I turned around to follow Daisy, I was startled by the beauty of a silvery moon hovering over the trees. I ran for my camera hoping to capture a bit of the magical light emanating from the sun and the moon being in the morning sky at the same time. Thanksgiving and November – a good time to count blessings and be grateful!

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Gingerbread House Fun at The Easttown Library – Tuesday and Wednesday, November 29th and November 30th 4:15pm – 5:15pm-Pre-registration is $10.00 a person.

The Willow’s Mansion Antique Gift and Craft Extravaganza 11/18/201 – December 4, 2011- 490 Darby Paoli Road, Villanova – Mon to Fri 10am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm and Sun 10am to 6pm -Holiday Crafts and Gifts will be featured in addition to an Art Gallery and collectibles. Admission is $3.00 484-582-1166

Wayne Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony – Friday, December 2nd – 5:30 to 7:30pm, with face painting, carriage rides and tree lighting at the Wayne Train Station

Wayne Santa Parade, Saturday, December 3rd 10am – Parade begins at the Wayne Acme and Ends at the Wayne Hotel – visit with Santa on the front porch of the Wayne Hotel until 11:30am.

Malvern’s Annual Victorian Christmas – Friday December 2nd (6pm to 9pm) and Saturday December 3rd (10am to 2pm) – Purchase tickets at the Malvern Federal Savings Bank at 100 W King Street beginning 11/16/11, featuring free horse and carriage rides, the Philadelphia Boys’ Choir. Be sure to check the itinerary for dates and times.

Devon December Christmas Tree Sale – December 2nd, 3rd and 4th and December 9th, 10th and 11th in the Devon Horse Show Parking Lot on Route 30 featuring Devon Fudge, Hot chocolate and special treats! Fridays 4:30 to 7:30pm, Saturdays 8:30am to 6pm and Sundays 10am to 4:00pm

A “Seussified Christmas Carol” Presented by The Conestoga High School Drama Club at Tredyffrin Library – Saturday December 3rd 2:00pm and 7:00pm – Admission $3.00 at the Tredyffrin Public Library in Strafford on Upper Gulph Road, or call 610-688-7092.

Downingtown Good Neighbor Christmas Parade – Saturday December 10th 1pm-3pm on Lancaster Avenue beginning at Gable Ave and going East to Whiteland Avenue/Route 113, featuring discounts by local merchants and the award winning Downingtown Marching Band and string bands.

Old Fashioned Christmas Parade in West Chester and the “Jingle Elf Run”, tree lighting ceremony at 6:15pm with a Christmas Parade at 7:15pm

A Brandywine Christmas starts at Brandywine River Museum December 3rd, 9:30am to 4:30pm, with O-gauge model railroad and charming natural “critter ornaments” made by the museum volunteers, plus a new dollhouse display. Ends January 8th.

The Wayne Art Center at 413 Maplewood Avenue in Wayne, 610 688-3553’s “CraftForms 2011” Begins December 2nd through January 21st

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Friday, December 2, 2011 and Saturday December 3rd

The Kimberton Waldorf School presents the 35th Annual Juried Craft Show beginning December 2, 2011 from 6pm–10pm, Adults Only and Saturday December 3rd from 10am-5pm for Adults and Children. Friday December 2nd, there will be fine dining in the Tea Room, Live Music and more! 

 Over 70 Fine Artisans will be presenting textiles, Jewelry, Pottery, Woodwork, Metalwork, Gourmet Foods and Handmade Toys.

 When: Friday, December 2nd 6-10pm Adults Only, $10 Admission and Saturday December 3rd, 10am–5pm, Adult Admission $5, Children Free. Special Children’s Festivities on Saturday feature a Crafters Room and more!

  Where: Kimberton Waldorf School 410 W Seven Stars Road, Kimberton, Pa 19442

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It’s time to look forward to one of my favorite events The 7th Annual Tredyffrin Township Historic House Tour, Saturday, September 24th 12 Noon – 5pm. I always enjoy being an Historic House Tour Volunteer where I get to share some of our rich history with my neighbors on a beautiful Fall Day. Stop and say hello. But get your Tredyffrin Historic House Tour Tickets early since no tickets are sold at the door.

I believe that each of us stands on the shoulders of those who came before us in a way that often inspires a sense of gratitude. My family history has a few threads of it’s beginnings in Chester County and Tredyffrin Township. My Great Grandfather attended the Diamond

Rock One Room School House on Yellow Springs and Diamond Rock Road as a child. And my Grandmother related that she was engaged to be married at the Covered Bridge in Valley Forge Historic National Park, which I believe to be Knox Bridge.

Where:

Please Note ‘New’ Pick-up Location for House Tour Tickets:
Montessori Children’s House of Valley Forge-Ivy Hollow Farm
1630 Thomas Road, Wayne, PA 19087
(located in Valley Forge National Historic Park)
House Tour Ticket Pick-Up: 11 AM – 2 PM
House Tour Hours: 12 Noon – 5 PM

When: September 24th 12Noon – 5pm

Benefits: $35.00 Tour Tickets Benefits Restoration of the Jones Log Barn

Contact: Pattye Benson, President  610-644-6759 with any questions.

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Five Realtors will present a Progressive Luncheon Open House Tour featuring 9 Listings in the Old Forge Crossing Condominium Community on Tuesday 8/23/11 from 11am – 2pm. Stop By for light refreshments. I’ll be serving yummy Chocolate Brownies at my listing at 161 Old Forge Crossing in Devon, Pa 19333.

161 Old Forge Crossing on Devon State Rd, first entrance from Rt 202 is a delightful first floor Condominium Home featuring real Hardwood Floors, new upgraded Gas Stove and fresh decorating. The location is ideal with private views, located adjacent to the Tennis Courts, the private Clubhouse and the community Pool. From the 202 entrance, drive straight back past the Clubhouse to “Old Glory” Building #11 on the left.

Thinking About Winning at Real Estate With An Investment Property or Owning Your Own Home?

Do you work at Vanguard, Chesterbrook Corporate Center, Great Valley Corporate Corporate Center or King of Prussia? Take a lunch hour break and stop by and say hello. Follow the balloons, pick up a map of the 9 home tours. Visit one or all. You might just find a new home or a great investment opportunity!

Realtors on Brokers Tour who sign into all 9 featured homes will be entered into a Gas Cards Gift Raffle!

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The meltdown that passed for Summer in Tredyffrin Township broke a few“heat wave” records for all of Philadelphia. Be careful not to miss the belated Summer gift of the popular Cool Beans Band Concert at The Pavilion in Wilson Farm Park. The rescheduled concert will be a welcome transition into the month of September.

Wilson Farm Park is off of Lee Road and Chesterbrook Blvd,Tredyffrin Township, September 11, 2011 at 6pm. Bring a chair or a blanket. See you there! Be sure to say hello. Daisy’s the cute one. Thanks to Horizon, Main Line Health and Paoli Hospital for sponsoring these popular Tredyffrin events.

Call Judy Peterson, Realtor Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors, Devon Home Marketing Center 610-889-5509.

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• Fun Things To Do End of Summer 2011

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It was Shakespeare who said, “All the worlds a stage…”, a pretty good metaphor for real estate in this market. Setting the stage, lights camera action- it should all be done before the curtain goes up. A good Professional Home Stager,  is worth their weight in gold.

The ASP, Association of Staging Professionals reports on the top 12 Home Improvements for Sellers as shown in a national Home Gain Survey including the potential return on investment.

3  Home Staging Mistakes To Avoid:

1. Not Having a Plan – As a Realtor,  I offer staging tips to my Seller in a Pre-listing Consultation, but a Professional Staging Plan includes a written evaluation, and estimates within your budget. Please, always have a contract with any sub-contractors for your protection.
2. Waiting – Waiting to see if the property sells by itself without doing ANY staging is a mistake. If the Buyer doesn’t notice needed updating, the home inspector or the Appraiser will. That equals higher costs or worse, a lost sale.
3. “DIY “– Trying to “Do it all yourself”. Help is available  to lighten the load of cleaning up and cleaning out, painting carpeting, etc.  Save your receipts. Ask your Accountant about “cost of sale” deductions, if allowable in your circumstance.

As a Real Estate Photographer, I know the importance of good staging and good real estate photography to highlight the focal point of each room.  I know what works and what doesn’t.

Since I’m a Realtor not a Professional Stager or Decorator, I especially recall one time a Stager recommended painting rooms yellow.

My first reaction was, “really, yellow?” ugh! But the Stager was right. Light poured into most of the windows and the pale yellow tones created a warm and inviting feeling that’s not easy to achieve when there’s minimal furnishings.

P.S. That listing sold while a couple of other homes on the market at the same time were withdrawn and remain unsold.

Set the stage, keep the right stuff and get sold.

Additional Posts of Interest:

10 Reasons Why Buyers Love Broker Beige

Contact me, whenever you have any real estate questions. I love to talk about how we can make you successful in any real estate market.

.

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Labor Day September 5, 2011 – It’s hard to believe that we’re already thinking about Labor Day. Multiple heat waves made this Summer seem all too short as we hop scotched from air conditioned homes to air conditioned cars, work places and home again.  Soon, the mass exodus from the New Jersey Shore will begin.

Here’s some fun things to do in and around the Philadelphia Main Line Area and Chester County Pennsylvania:

• Tyler Arboretum in Media- Tree House Festival- features kids tree climbing and craft activities 8/6/11 from 11-3pm
• Longwood Gardens – Fireworks and Fountains August 13th and Labor Day September 3, 2011. Dancing fountains and music make these the most spectacular fireworks in the burbs. Probably not for the kids and ALL their friends due to the admission price, but The Indoor Children’s Garden is included in general admission. It will delight your children and you with 17 fun Artisan Fountains like the “Drooling Dragon”. The Bee Amazed Children’s Garden and Castle Tree Houses combine to make a family fun day at Longwood Gardens in Delaware County.
• Linvilla Orchards Peach Festival 8/4/2011-Media, Delaware County, Pa Peach Pies, Puppets, pick up local peaches PLUS a cooking demonstration!
• Ludwigs Corner Horse Show and Country Fair, 2011 - September 3rd, 4th and 5th, 2011. This Chester County Fair is a local winner for some Labor Day Weekend Fun; Horse Show, Rides, Games, Crafts and Shopping on the Midway. What’s not to like?
• The Annual Kutztown Fair August 15 – August 20, 2011 A bit of a drive but this Fair has a 145 year tradition and offers numerous family fun opportunities.
• The Colonial Theater in Phoenixville is a happenin place from Documentary and Cult Cinema to TEDxPhoenixville, to Teen and Children’s Theater- August 9, at 10:30am the Balloon Freak, John Cassidy, seen on the Today Show and Martha Stuart will entertain the little ones. Exciting fun and some relief from the heat and end of Summer, “I’m Bored” comments.
• Swingin Summer Fun in the Boro of West Chester, where there’s always something going on. Still a few Thursdays left in August for you to enjoy. Wraps up September 1, 2011 6:30-9:30pm on Gay Street.
• Washington Memorial Chapel – The Carillon Concert Series, performed in Historic Valley Forge National Park at the Washington Memorial Chapel every Wednesday evening at 7:30pm during July and August.  The concerts are free. Bring a chair or blanket. Refreshments are available at the Chapel Cabin Shop.

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This week I’ll be getting smarter at my Suburban West Realtors Association in Malvern, Pa. Together with my fellow Realtors, we’ll be learning more about “Responsible Real Estate In An Electronic World”.

My real estate business has been online for the majority of my career. And I can tell you that there are ethical choices that come up every day in the life of a Realtor. Sounds like a very informative course.

I confess to being an “early adopter” when it comes to Technology. Some might call me a “Sneezer”. I love to explore and share my tech discoveries. Some might even whisper the nerd word. Nah! . . .well maybe. For example, Blogsy is my new favorite iPad App that I’m using to write this post. If you like to Blog and want to be more mobile, check it out.

There is no doubt that the use of technology and social media (Blogging, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, etc) helps me offer a superior level of service to my clients past, present and future. There are rewards and there are risks. The phenomenal growth of Social Media is a real estate game changer that can be challenging even for us nerds early adopters.I think this is the second class and it will fulfill our NAR 2012 Ethics Course Requirement as well as meeting the SWRA License Renewal requirement for 2011-2012. 

Besides, its Summer, SWRA is air conditioned, and the chicken salad and crispy fries at Nudy’s are calling my name. What’s a Luddite? Kinda like a Troglodyte. Don’t worry. If you’re reading this, you’re probably not one.

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