Briarcliff, PA

Briarcliffe PA and Westbrook Park PA continue to be popular and stable housing choices.

Briarcliffe Darby Pa was last visited here back in March. Since that time, the local pricing has actually strengthened although the activity has remained leisurely. The average prices for 2009 have climbed 4% from the early 2009 sales to an average settled price of $144,000. Activity has remained slow with only 26 settlements year to date with an additional 12 under contract, but this activity could surpass the overall 2008 numbers.

Compared to activity to the same date in 2008, prices have risen 1.6% while activity has fallen 33%. These numbers are comparable to what we have been seeing throughout the county. The prices are also a bit higher due to several single family homes entering the mix. If the market remains under pressure, we could see some additional pullback in prices as the year progresses. Inventory remains reasonable with 33 homes currently on the market (twice the level seen in March) with an average list price of $152,000 and an average of 133 days on the market.

Westbrook Park Upper Darby/ Clifton Heights PA has also continued to hold its own. There have been 24 sales year to date 2009 at an average price of $152,000 exactly matching the average for 2008. As seen above sales activity declined 31% from the rate seen at this same time last year. Pricing however has also remained basically stable falling from $153,000 in 2008 at this point to $152,000 this year.

Days on the market have also climbed from 94 days on average in 2008 to 119 average days today. Like Briarcliffe, this rise is not unreasonable, but the trend, should it continue, will lead to solid pressure to reduce prices. There are now 21 homes on the market versus the 14 homes in January. This seems reasonable on a seasonal basis.

Both communities continue to have solid sales and remain within the price range of many first time buyers. The activity could remain solid through the first part of October as potential buyers align themselves to take advantage of the $8,000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit. Pricing after that point will depend on the actions emanating from Washington DC and the overall economic situation.

As always, should you have any questions or need any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me anytime.

(All statistics per the TrendMLS System and believed accurate but not guaranteed.)

Since its construction in the fifties, Briarcliffe (/ Briarcliff) in Darby Township Pennsylvania has always been one of the most popular communities in the area.

This Suburban Philadelphia community with over 2000 homes is centrally located in eastern Delaware County just west of Collingdale, north of Glenolden, and generally southeast of Springfield. Ashland Avenue, which runs through the center of Darby township and the community, provides direct access up to Providence Road or south to MacDade Boulevard. Oak Lane on the eastern edge is a major generally north - south route in the area.

Briarcliff is part of the Southeast Delco School District. The Darby Township School, serving grades 1-8, is located on Ashland Ave within easy walking distance of much of the community. The Kindergarten Center has its own location just off Rively Ave. This is adjacent to the Briarcliff Athletic Association. This great facility includes baseball fields, field house, in-line hockey rinks, snack stand, and all the support facilities required for a strong community sports program. Briarcliffe also has its own Briarcliffe Fire Company on Beech Avenue which has served the Briarcliffe and the surrounding communities since 1954.

Real Estate Values have done very well here over the years and continue to hold up well. After having an average sales price below $100,000 in 2003, prices rapidly appreciated to top out with an average sales price of $148,000 in 2007. Since then, as seen in most areas, prices have drifted down - about 3.4% in 2008 and an additional 3.3% in 2009 with eight properties having settled year to date in 2009 with an average sales price of $138,000, down 6.8% from their peak. There has also been a corresponding drop in activity from 101 homes sales in 2006, to 96 home sales in 2007, and to 65 settled properties through 2008.

Currently there are an additional 15 properties for sale in Briarcliffe at an average list price of $147,000. Nine homes are under contract with an average list price of $154,000 indicating continuing strong demand in the area, particularily for those in move-in condition.

If you are considering a move into the area, need a good central location, and want to be in a strong community, you need to check out Briarcliffe.

If you need any additional information or are considering buying or selling in the area, please do not hesitate to contact me anytime with questions.

(All statistics are from the TrendMLS System and believed accurate but not guaranteed.)