David Henke Realtor (r) Homes Just West of Philadelphia PA

Following the eternal quest to answer the question "What's there?", I have found many of the questions have centered around the various transit stops throughout the area. People are interested in mass transit but aren't ready to commit until they have a better understanding of the areas and "What's there".

Toward that end, over the next few months, I will periodically add videos to the site both to document the various stops and provide you with some additional information on the surrounding areas. In due course, I should be able to cover all the various rail lines that continue through the county into Philadelphia. I will also cover the adjacent areas in Montgomery County and New Castle County, DE. Hopefully, this will provide you with a better feel for the options available as you look around the county and adjacent areas.

The first stop here is the Springfield Mall Trolley Route 101 stop. This stop is located just behind the Springfield Mall in the north east corner at the trolley's Route 320/Sproul Rd underpass. There is no parking directly adjacent to this stop; however, the stop is located just a short walk downhill from the mall itself. There are also stairs directly up to Route 320 and the connecting bus services.

The Springfield Mall itself is currently undergoing some major changes. The former Strawbridges store has now been removed and they are in the process of building a new anchor Target Store on the end closest to the trolley. In addition there are over 70 stores listed in the mall with Macy's anchoring the far end.

BTW: I will work to come up with a consistent format - any suggestions, just let me know.

To All: Have a Prosperous and Happy New Year!

First Light - January 1, 2009 - Upper Providence PA

Quick Market Update:

The top end luxury home market continues at a leisurely pace as we close out the year.

In Delaware County Pennsylvania for the last quarter of 2008 (Oct 1- Dec 31), only eleven sales in the $1+ Million price range were recorded in the TrendMLS Delaware County Market Statistics as of 12/30. Many of these properties were new construction which were placed under contract well before the recent financial market turmoil.

Only two existing homes had settlements during the quarter - both in Radnor Township: Wayne PA 19087 - both settled just above $1.3M

There are currently an additional 155 homes available on the market in this price range reflecting an average asking price of $1,804,000 with an average of 195 days on the market. Last year there were 29 settlements during this same time period.

Looking forward: As interest rates remain low and the financial markets become more stable, we expect there to be increasing activity as we proceed through 2009. Demand appears to be rising due to the below average sales pace. Both buyers and sellers are ready but remain out of the market. I would expect this to begin to correct in the medium term.

(All information per TrendMLS System. Information believed correct but not guaranteed)

Season's Greetings!

To Everyone - Enjoy all the Season has to Offer!

One of the great (and least often appreciated) things about a long established city is its well developed public transportation network. Philadelphia and its suburbs are no exception.

Before the widespread use of the automobile, one of the key advantages that came with city living was its easy access to public transportation both within and around the surrounding area. Philadelphia has always been at the forefront of transportation development. Originally dependent primarily on river transportation, it quickly benefited from early road, rail, and canal development due to its prime East Coast location. This was hastened by the state when Pennsylvania created the Main Line of Public Works which opened in 1834.

Beginning in the 1840s, Philadelphia continued to build on its strong East Coast position, as the Pennsylvania Railroad, headquartered in Philadelphia, developed one of the finest rail systems in the world. This provided easy access for Philadelphians and their businesses to connections throughout the country. The railroad was a major economic force until its eventual demise in the 1970's.

Today, rail remains a critical transportation component both locally and regionally. In Delaware County, the original Main Line still runs across its northern border through Radnor township. Running along its southern border, the all important Northeast Corridor continues to connect the major northeast coastal cities from Boston, through New York, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Baltimore, and down to Washington, DC.

Concurrently with the development and growth of intercity rail, demand grew for local transportation options as well. These were answered by the development of local train, trolley, and other light rail options. The first horse drawn public transportation appeared in 1831, the first passenger train service arrived in 1832, the first electric trolley line arrived in 1892, and the first bus lines followed in 1923. Over time, these merged, went out of business, or were replaced by other forms of transportation until the final consolidation by the government with the advent of SEPTA.

SEPTA was founded in 1964, and by 1983 it had responsibility for all the public transportation systems within the Philadelphia region. Today it is the 5th largest public transportation system in the country. According to SEPTA's web site, the system includes, rail, light rail, bus, and trolley systems spanning 316 stations/bus terminals, 2664 vehicles, almost 9000 employees, and has a 325 million annual ridership. The system covers Delaware County with 2613 Septa stops including 54 rail stops on 3 regional rail lines and multiple trolley/high speed rail lines. These rail connections are concentrated in the eastern, northern, and southern areas of the county while the central and western sections are primarily accessed through bus service.

Today this network provides easy commuting options both within the county and to downtown Philadelphia and continues to be a major benefit and draw for people living, working, and enjoying all that the area has to offer. In the future, I will be highlighting major stops of these rail lines to provide a better feel for the individual communities and their development.