West Chester, PA

Support the Goshen Fire Company and come out tomorrow, 1/24/10 from 8 AM to noon to enjoy a Buffet Breakfast or simply to pick up some of the delicious Goshen Fair Donuts.

Station 54

1320 Park Avenue, West Chester

You can even order them via email to donuts@goshenfireco.org. Include your name, address, phone number and your preference for plain, power and/or cinnamon. $5.75 per dozen. Simply the best around. My favorite is the white powder! Yummy!

Wow, where did all the Buyers come from? who opened the flood gates!!!

So good to see that there is a lot of activity and people are starting to think about moving. I know all of my collegues are busy too, I have an offer in for one of my clients and we are competing with two others.

We are seeing a real spark in activity. Lots of great properties for sale, must be priced right for the market with so much competition.

Tonight I am attending an "information session" from a National Builder who has moved into West Chester to build 56 townhomes on the site of the OLD SHANAHAN HIGH SCHOOL in West Chester west of St Agnes Church.

http://www.newhomesource.com/communitydetail/market-0/builder-7524/community-48308

HIGHPOINTE AT SHANAHAN is its name and its in West Chester borough and its all the rage

I think these will "sell like hot cakes" and be especially good for move down Buyers who want in-town walking distance to restaurants etc.

Buying a new home is where it's at......people just need to ask for help in "figuring out how to move" because it isn't something you do all the time and it can be scary.

Additionally, I am selling two properties in West Chester. One in the great neighborhood in town on West Barnard Street and one on W Miner Street, beautiful townhouse and a big single, both which can be seen on www.HomeYours.com

Just a reminder to all East Goshen residents that there is a change in our normal trash days that will start tomorrow, 1/4/10. All residents living north of Paoli Pike and also all residents of Clock Tower (as if this isn't confusing enough) your new trash days will be Monday and Thursday.

All residents on the south side of Paoli Pike, of course with the exception of Clock Tower, will be Tuesday and Friday.

The normal recycling will be the first day of the two, Monday or Tuesday, depending on where you live.

Christmas tree recycling pick-up will be Wednesday, 1/13/10. The township recommends you put your tree at the curb the night before and remove any plastic bag that may be on it.

Bulk trash days for January are 1/14/10 for the homes north of Paoli Pike and 1/15/10 for the homes south of Paoli Pike. See the township website for items that are considered bulk trash.

It's snowing in West Chester, PA! The weather outside is frightful, but my 13 year says it's delightful! His only complaint is that it's not a school day! It is beautiful but what a giant monkey wrench it's throwing into my Christmas shopping schedule!

I woke up to a blanket of snow and the excitement of a hushed snow day. It didn't last long, the hush that is, because shortly after that, everyone else woke up too! The keystone cops routine started with trying to get cars up the driveway and up our street to the store for food we didn't need. I stayed in my jammies while the confusion was sorted out!

I was supposed to work today, I had 6 houses to show but I simply couldn't get my car up the street for my appointment. So now we'll have to reschedule for even closer to Christmas! Not complaining... happy to be working.

I'm a big believer that when life throws you lemons, you make lemonade, so on this particular snow day, I am catching up. I am making a huge pot of soup and baking my Christmas cookies. I may also organize a bit and wrap, but you know what, I may just read too. Uncharacteristically, I haven't opened a novel since the day I left for Atlantic City on 12/8!! I'm starting to miss being lost in a book!

Here's my very favorite photo of my JJ, taken this time last year!

Be safe and enjoy the beauty of the season!

Sleigh bells, lights, family, friends and love!

As many people are now struggling with unemployment we hear about the "real' unemployment rate. The "real" unemployment rate includes people who have given up trying to find work or who have taken part time work and are no longer searching for permanent full time employment. Obviously in this economy the "real" unemployment rate is higher than the 10.00% unemployment rate announced by the U.S. Labor Department on Friday.

The inventory of homes for sale in any market can be looked at in the same way! We have the currently listed homes which is comparable to the current unemployment rate. We have expired and withdrawn listings which did not sell in 2009. These listing are comparable to the people who gave up looking for work. Combine these numbers together and you get the "real" inventory of homes for sale in the market. We should count on the expired and withdrawn listings hitting the market in 2010.

What does that mean for people selling their home today or in 2010? It means that December might be a lot better to sell a home than in the "Spring" market. Beating the rush of homes coming on the market now, may mean beating the glut of homes coming on the market in the coming months. Take a look at the current inventory numbers in your price range and the expired and withdrawn listings from the last few months when you are looking at the market.

Buyers looking in December and January are serious buyers. Tire kickers do not go out in the cold and snow. Interest rates are still historically low, and with the national debt climbing sooner rather than later rates will be heading higher making homes less affordable. And don't forget the new $6,500 move up credit for buyers only lasts 143 more days!

Geoff Wilkinson, Keller Williams Real Estate Exton, PA 610 363-4300