Devon, PA

Main Line Health, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Horses, Cotton Candy and funnel cakes - OH My! Once a year this unlikely collection of topics will appear in the same sentence as the excitement of The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair begins to build. You know it’s almost that time of year when you see the sign go up at The Devon Fair Grounds letting you know that from May 22 to June 1st our Devon will be host to a world class equestrian event known as The Devon Horse Show & Country Fair.

Even if you know nothing about matters equestrian, invite your favorite child, grandchild, niece or nephew and come to The Devon Fair Grounds, where to everyone’s delight you will find a Midway with a Ferris Wheel, a Carosel to ride, games with prizes, yummy treats like the famous Devon Lemon Sticks, Devon Fudge, popcorn, cotton candy and hot dogs, hamburgers and pizza and Devon Sweet Tea with a hint of mint and lemon. There’s even a Tea Cart with real tea sandwiches or The Devon Garden Cafe if your palette is on a higher plane than cotton candy. Of course, you can find a salad, but, “gee Mom”.

Not to be missed are the many Boutique Shops offering designer fashions and souvenir items. You won’t want to miss the opportunity to visit the stalls and see the horses as well as the dazzling show of remarkable equestrian skill.

What else is special about The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair? Since 1919, it’s been held for the benefit of Bryn Mawr Hospital, now Main Line Health-Bryn Mawr Hospital. You can have fun and do a good deed, an unbeatable combination for $7 for Adults, $5 for Seniors over 65 and $3 for children under 12 general admission.

Read more about the Devon Horse Show which runs until June 1, 2008 by visiting my real estate blog at Main Line Pa Today

The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair - The Horses Are Coming!

Have You Heard? -The Jenkins Arboretum Is In Your Back Yard!

The Jenkins Arboretum , located just off of the Devon 202 Interchange on Devon State Road is one of the Main Line’s secret garden gems. I often pass by The Jenkins Arboretum in my travels about town. A couple of years ago I visited the Spring Plant Sale and enjoyed the company of other would be green thumbs. These unique, charming watering can sculptures were created for a fund raiser.

Check out these upcoming events and share the secret with your other ‘wanna be” green thumb friends. It couldn’t be easier - it’s a great place to walk, it’s free and open 365 days a year!

This is a good time for Sellers to dress up your entrance prior to listing and for Spring pleasure. Contact me for more great ideas if you’re thinking about selling your home. I love to talk about real estate and I have more great ideas to help you get sold.

1. May 3, 2008 @ 9am-3pm - Annual Plant Sale
2. May 4, 2008 @ 11am-3pm - Annual Plant Sale
3. May 11, 2008 @ 1pm-5pm - Mother’s Day Rhododenderon & Azalea Flower Show

4. The Jenkins Arboretum-Help For Your Green Thumb

5. The Spring Bloom Festival continues to the end of May for more events visit Main Line Pa Today

This week brings us the release of only three pieces of economic news in addition to the minutes from the last FOMC meeting. Only one of those three can be considered of high importance to the markets and mortgage rates, so we may see a fairly calm week for mortgage rates.

The first data comes tomorrow morning with the release of April's Leading Economic Indicators (LEI) at 10:00 AM ET. This Conference Board report attempts to measure economic activity over the next three to six months. It is expected to show no change from March's reading, meaning that economic activity is likely to remain flat during the next few months. A decline would be good news for the bond market and mortgage rates, while an increase could cause mortgage rates to inch higher tomorrow.

The second report of the week April's Producer Price Index (PPI) Tuesday morning, which helps us measure inflationary pressures at the producer level of the economy. If this report reveals we aker than expected readings, we should see the bond and stock markets rally. The overall index is expected to show an increase of 0.4%, while the core data that excludes food and energy prices is expected to rise 0.2%. A smaller than expected increase in the core data would be ideal for mortgage shoppers.

There is no relevant economic news scheduled for release Wednesday, but we will get to see the minutes from the last FOMC meeting. Market participants will be looking for how Fed members voted during the last meeting and any comments about inflation concerns in the economy. The goal is to form a guess about what the Fed's next move will be. The minutes will be released at 2:00 PM ET, so if there is a market reaction to them it will be evident during afternoon trading.

The National Association of Realtors will give us the Existing Home Sales report Friday morning. This data tracks resales of homes in the U.S., giving us a measurement of housing sector strength. However, it is not considered to be of much importance to the bond market unless it varies greatly from forecasts. Current forecasts are calling for decline in sales between March and April.

Overall, it may be an interesting week for mortgage rates. We could see little movement in rates if the stock markets remain calm and the week's data doesn't reveal any major surprises. Tuesday's PPI report is the single most important data of the week, but the FOMC minutes may also lead to some volatility in the markets. Also worth noting is an early close in the bond market Friday afternoon ahead of the Memorial Day Holiday Monday. These early closes sometimes lead to additional volatility bond prices as investors prepare for the long weekend and trading thins with many traders starting the weekend early.

If I were considering financing/refinancing a home, I would.... Float if my closing was taking place within 7 days... Float if my closing was taki ng place between 8 and 20 days... Float if my closing was taking place between 21 and 60 days... Float if my closing was taking place over 60 days from now... This is only my opinion of what I would do if I were financing a home. It is only an opinion and cannot be guaranteed to be in the best interest of all/any other borrowers.

Remember that we are your Allentown Experts for mortgage refinance & purchase transactions. Trust your clients to 1st Metropolitan Mortgage!

For the second year running John McClintick a local painter in the Berwyn Area organized a builders competition giving several local builders a chance to contribute to the Hurricane Relief in Louisiana. Last year three teams particiapated and this year that increased allowing more homes to be framed and sent down to Habitat for Humanity to use in building homes for those in need. What is great about the whole process is that it raises funds for the local Habitat for Humanity chapter as well.

The competition has gathered great support from local builders and trades suppliers as well. Times vary for the 12 man teams to frame a house from about 5 hours to just over 2 hours. But here is John Mclintick himself to tell you a little about the competiton: -