A Seller’s Market… Really?

Bidding wars? Time on market less than 2 weeks? February continued to indicate that the housing market is gaining strength. For the 3rd straight month, both Pending and Settled listings were at a 4-year high. Pending listings were 29% higher than the previous year for the 2nd straight month, while Settled listings were more than 10% higher. Furthermore, the housing affordability index has broken the 200 mark, meaning the typical family has roughly double the income needed to purchase a median-priced home. The problem for Buyers will occur at the peak of the spring market. In most neighborhoods in the Philadelphia suburbs, there will be a few weeks or a month this spring when the greatest flurry of Buyers will be buying. For that period demand will exceed supply. You will know it is happening when every house you look at sells quickly and most have multiple offers on them (already beginning to happen). During that period prices will peak and Buyers will be forced to pay a premium. Good Hunting!

[UNDER CONTRACT] 335 Mulberry Dr, Royersford, PA 19468 (Montgomery County – Spring-Ford School District) 4 Bed, 2.1 Bath, 2-Car Garage, Fenced-in Backyard

We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # 5973469 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.

4 Metropolitan Philadelphia Towns Named to 2011 Money Magazine’s “Best Places to Live”

#25 – West Goshen (Chester County)

One of Philadelphia’s Main Line suburbs, Ardmore is just a few minutes from the city by rail; many residents work there. Many colleges, including Villanova University and Bryn Mawr College, are located nearby, giving residents easy access to still more cultural events. And there’s a growing arts scene right in town, not to mention an historic downtown and lots of shopping. A new park recently opened for residents.

#31 – Horsham (Montgomery County)

Settled by Quakers in the 1600s, this historic town in Montgomery County lies within easy commuting distance of Philadelphia. Two other pluses: Low crime and good schools. Residents are proud of their 25,000-square-foot library, which opened in 2004. One negative: A naval air base here was shut down in 2011, causing some job losses. But the corporate headquarters of several large companies, including Nutrisystem and Toll Brothers, are still here.

#45 – Ardmore (Montgomery County)

One of Philadelphia’s Main Line suburbs, Ardmore is just a few minutes from the city by rail; many residents work there. Many colleges, including Villanova University and Bryn Mawr College, are located nearby, giving residents easy access to still more cultural events. And there’s a growing arts scene right in town, not to mention an historic downtown and lots of shopping. A new park recently opened for residents.

#59 West Norriton (Chester County)

History buffs appreciate that West Norriton is less than five miles from Valley Forge. Commuters appreciate that it is 25 miles northwest of Philadelphia. And parents love that they can let their kids play outside without monitoring their every move: violent crime here is low and property crime unusual. Homes in West Norriton are also affordable for the East Coast: The median price is just over $200,000.

 

Congratulations to the residents, businesses and public officials for making these terrific small towns stand out in the qualities American families care about most – great job opportunities, top-notch schools, safe streets, economic strength, nice weather, plenty to do, and more. What makes your hometown, well, home? Leave a comment below.

County Aaa bond rating confirmed by Moody’s Investor Services

Montgomery County officials have received confirmation of the county’s Aaa bond rating from Moody’s Investor Services, one of the world’s most respected and widely utilized sources for credit ratings, research and risk analysis. The reaffirmation of the county bond rating was requested in anticipation of a $35 million bond issue to refinance existing debt that the commissioners plan to vote on next week. The rating came with the caveat that it could be downgraded due to the federal government’s rating and how that may impact county finances in the future.

Lansdale Borough a ‘Classic Town’

Lansdale Borough has been officially added to the 2011 “Classic Towns of Greater Philadelphia” list by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC). As a member of the Classic Towns program, Lansdale will gain assistance from the DVRPC in local and regional branding as an ideal place to live, work and play. A Classic Town has a commercial main street with a mix of housing in close proximity, plus demographic diversity, sidewalks and easy access to transit. Click here to visit the Classic Towns website.

[UNDER CONTRACT] 1566 Thayer Dr, Blue Bell, PA 19422 (Montgomery County / Wissahickon School District) 4 Bed/2 Bath with 1 Bed In-law Suite

We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # 5948677 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.

Norristown, PA 19401 (Montgomery county/Norristown School District) 3 Bed/1 Bath Twin Foreclosure

We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # 5925704 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.

209 Croft Rd, North Wales, PA 19454 (Montgomery County/North Penn School District) 3 Bed/1.2 Bath Split Level Foreclosure

North Wales North Penn school district 3 Bed 1.2 Bath Split-level. Newer kitchen with bar. Tiled walkout lower level family room to patio and large fenced-in yard. Walk-up attic ready to be finished. ***This is a bank-owned property. Seller makes no representations or warranties as to the condition of the property, improvements or appurtenances. The property will be sold “AS-IS, WHERE-IS”. Sellers disclosure exempt. Corporate addenda applicable. Financing incentives available through GMAC Mortgage for borrowers purchasing this property; call for details.***

103 N Cherry Tree Blvd, Collegeville 19426 (Montgomery County/Methacton School District) 6 Bed/5.1 Bath Custom Mediterranean Foreclosure

We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # 5919518 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.

805 Clearfield Ave, Schwenksville 19473 (Montgomery County/Perkiomen Valley School District) 3 Bed/1.1 Bath Twin Foreclosure

Perkiomen Valley School District Twin with walkout basement and large fenced-in yard on 0.2 acres in Schwenksville. No Homeowners Association. Central Air. 100% USDA eligible. Spacious living room with fireplace, Pergo flooring and recessed lighting. Large eat-in kitchen with slider to elevated deck overlooking large fenced-in backyard, backing up to woods. 3 nice bedrooms with ceiling fans. Large full bath (Jack ‘n Jill style). Pull-down attic access. Full walkout basement, awaiting your finishing touches, opens to patio and large fenced-in backyard. Driveway parking. ***This is a bank-owned property. Seller makes no representations or warranties as to the condition of the property, improvements or appurtenances. The property will be sold “AS-IS, WHERE-IS”. Seller’s disclosure exempt. Corporate addenda applicable upon accepted offer. Financing incentives available through GMAC Mortgage. Please speak with the Listing Realtor for details.*** Note: Carpeting on stairs and 2nd floor scheduled to be replaced.

The data relating to real estate for sale on this website appears in part through the TREND Internet Data Exchange program, a voluntary cooperative exchange of property listing data between licensed real estate brokerage firms in which RE/MAX ADVISORS participates, and is provided by TREND through a licensing agreement.

The information provided by this website is for the personal, non-commercial use of consumers and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing.

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Data last updated: 5/19/12 9:46 AM PDT.

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