During a use and occupancy inspection, REALTORS can expect Caln Township to strictly enforce the 2006 International Property Maintenance Code. The Suburban REALTORS Alliance met with township officials to discuss the inspection and code enforcement process. REALTORS are encouraged to set up Use and Occupancy inspections with the township thirty days in advance in order to avoid delays in closing. Should you have any issue with a code official, please contact Andy Reczek, the Director of Code Enforcement, at andyr@calntownship.org and Tony Scheivert, Asst. Township Manager, at tscheivert@calntownship.org.

Birmingham Township to change sign ordinance

Birmingham Township has provided amendments to the zoning code which provide additional definitions and regulations pertaining to temporary signs. For open house signs: “The sign shall not be placed until 72 hours before the sale or open house, and the sign shall be located on the lot where the same is conducted, except for open house signs which may be permitted off site by permit issued by the Birmingham Township Police Department pursuant to Section 82-10 of the Birmingham Township Code.” The ordinance also amends the definition of real estate sign as: “A type of Temporary Sign indicating the sale, lease or rental of the property on which it is located, not including “open house” signs.” The meeting to discuss the passage of this ordinance will take place on Tuesday, September 7 at 7:30 pm in the Birmingham Township Municipal Building. Click here for the full text of the ordinance. Please direct any questions or comments to esmist@suburbanrealtorsalliance.com.

Coatesville may restrict rental conversions

At its last meeting on Aug. 23, City Council discussed the possibility of passing an ordinance to limit the conversion of single-family homes to multiple apartments. Coatesville has a high percentage of renter-occupied dwellings, thought to comprise more than 60 percent of the city’s housing, according to information presented at the meeting. Council and the planning commission have expressed concern over conversions in the past, and after Norristown, in Montgomery County, passed an ordinance restricting conversion less than two months ago, the city is considering doing the same. Of particular concern are certain areas of the city where, reportedly, single-family dwellings have been converted into as many as six apartments. Council agreed to direct the planning commission to consider the issue, which Reed said could take two or three months, and to put it on the agenda for the next meeting to give the public the opportunity to comment.

Source: Daily Times; 9/2/10

For sewer rate hike, opposition continues

Residents continued to protest Pennsylvania American Water Co.’s request to triple the average customer’s sewer bill at the last scheduled public input hearings on the matter. Those submitting testimony at the hearing spoke about service issues in the past; previous rate increases; the hardship the rate hike would cause, especially for young families or those on fixed incomes; and the unfairness of what is being called a “poor business decision” by the company.  All of the testimony, including service issues, is considered relevant, according to attorneys from the Office of Trial Staff at the Public Utility Commission and from the Office of Consumer Advocate. Pennsylvania American has requested it be allowed to increase revenues by about $8.2 million after completing a new wastewater facility in South Coatesville at a cost of about $55 million. The Coatesville plant serves 10 municipalities, including Coatesville, Parkesburg, East Fallowfield, Caln, West Caln, West Brandywine, Sadsbury, West Sadsbury, Valley and Highland.

Source: Daily Local; 9/1/10

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So if you, or someone you know, needs real estate advice, is considering buying or selling real estate or is having trouble selling their home, please let us know. It would be our honor to serve them and apply the techniques and guidance that have helped 21 clients do the same in the last 61 days.

The Chris & Caleb Team focuses on helping clients buy and sell real estate in the Chester County, PA and surrounding areas. Both Chris LaGarde and Caleb Knecht are long time residents of Chester County and before they teamed up sold more than 90 homes prior to teaming up. To view homes for sale in the Chester County area, please check out our property search section of our website. You will have access to all homes for sale in the Chester County Area. If you are wondering what your Chester County home may be worth, just take a second to complete our Home Value form and we will be in touch shortly afterward.

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A dip in home sales in December was due in large part to timing.  First time buyers that would have liked to close in December but qualified for the tax credit bumped their timeline up in order to cash in.  News of the credit’s extension reached many of them after their plans to close in December were set.

Interest rates are back below 5% and home prices are up compared to last year. The government continues to attempt to minimize the impact of troubled homeowners by continuing to improve its foreclosure prevention program and  has also taken steps to help foreclosures buyers purchase faster.

Although the unemployment rate is expected to stay high as jobs increase modestly,  experts expect the economy to continue to grow in 2010.

The Housing Market

Existing Home Sales
After a rising surge for three straight months, existing home sales slowed in December after first-time buyers rushed to meet the original November tax credit deadline and evidenced by first timers accounting for 51% of sales in November compared to 43% in December. “It’s significant that home sales remain above year-ago levels, but the market is going through a period of swings driven by the tax credit,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist. December sales of 5.45 million remain 15 percent above the 4.74 million-unit level last year.

Median Home Price
Existing-home price was $178,300 in December, 1.5 percent higher than December 2008 and 8.2 percent above its low in January 2009. It was the first year-over-year gain in median price since August 2007, attributable to an increase in the number of mid- to upper-priced homes in the sales.

Inventory
The supply of homes continued to shrink, falling 6.6 percent to 3.29 million, representing a 7.2-month supply at the current sales pace. Compared to a year ago, there are now 11 percent fewer homes on the market. This is the lowest level of competing homes on the market since March 2006.

Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates have moved back to less than 5 percent, which have been categorized by industry experts like Freddie Mac chief economist Frank Nothaft as “near a record low.” This move that may help boost home loan demand and lend support to the housing market recovery. On January 28, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 4.98 percent.

Affordability

Affordability remains at record levels, supported by the lowest mortgage rates in decades, low home prices, as well as the first-time buyer tax credit. So far this year, the home price-to-income ratio has fallen well below the historical average of 25 percent. The ratio now stands at 15 percent.

Sources: National Association of Realtors, Freddie Mac

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To appreciate the change that this course had on me, you must understand who I am. I am an artist NOT a sales person. I never wanted to go into sales. I perceived sales people as inauthentic – fake – just wanting to make a buck. I love to help people and please people and as a result my moods were always up and down depending on what was going on in my life.  I have even struggled with depression in the past.

Since completing the BOLD course, my life is very different. Not that BOLD is alone responsible, as I have a deep faith in Jesus Christ that really is the under pinning of all success I have had and will have. But, I do have to say that the coach, Michaelann Byerly, and the course itself helped me gain the skills and mindset that seemed to be unachievable previously. It has affected every area of my life. Not only do I love what I do with a deep passion but my personal life has improved as well. It has made me a better father, a better husband, a better friend and someone who is aiming to contribute to my community in ways that I never imagined.

In short, I literally walked away a different person. So different in fact, that Keller Williams International decided to feature me in an article for their bi-monthly company magazine. They wrote a great article on how the course has effected me and I wanted to share it with you.   I am honestly don’t really like the attention. But since it has been given, I honestly hope that it inspires, not only other real estate agents, but everyone, to take the steps necessary to achieve the goals that they have set for themselves. After all, if an artist who despises sales people can achieve what I have in the Real Estate business, then anything is possible!

Read the entire article from KW’s “Outfront Magazine”: PDF or Online

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Congressman Jim Gerlach contacted Main Street Manager Barry Cassidy on Dec. 15 to confirm that $250,000 was secured for additional funding toward Phoenixville’s downtown streetscape project. The federal grant will be used to do work on the development of the Barto property. Since the Barto property currently does not have on-street parking, the grant will go toward widening the street and adding another lane. When completed, the property will include 38,000 square feet of retail and commercial space, 448 residential units, and structured, shared parking in two 13-story mix-used towers.

Source: Daily Local; 1/1/10

Forum examines Phoenixville Borough’s economic future

Lisa Longo, owner of Earth Mart on Bridge Street in Phoenixville, hosted the Phoenixville forum on Dec. 21.Longo began the informal meeting of state, regional and local government representatives, as well as borough residents and merchants, by defining economic development. She said economic development,  job creation and a reduction in crime can only occur when three key elements are in place, including: education, infrastructure and incentives. Among the concerns brought up at the meeting was poor communication among various organizations in the borough, including the Phoenixville Economic Development Corporation, Phoenixville Area Business Association, the Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Community Development Corp. and Borough Council.

Source: Daily Local; 1/2/10

Brandywine Valley Y backing $30 million development plan

Brandywine Valley YMCA officials will support the Kennett Area branch’s participation in the $30 million Kennett Square Community Development Plan. Only the Barnard Taylor Library stands in the way of a collaborative effort that planners say will increase commerce in Kennett Square and expand community and recreational services to area residents.  The plan calls for the Kennett Area YMCA, Bayard Taylor Memorial Library, Anson B. Nixon Park and the Borough of Kennett Square to form a partnership that will: build a parking garage at the corner of Race and State Streets; expand the Kennett Area YMCA; keep the library in the borough in a new state-of-the-art facility; and restore historic buildings in the park. The project also includes various road and walkway improvements. Every municipality that surrounds Kennett Square has publicly announced support for the plan. When completed, the revitalization project would bring an additional 75 to 100 new employees to Kennett Square. About 1,000 workers would be employed through construction projects over 10 years.

Source: Daily Local; 1/4/09

Downingtown Borough’s staffing, taxes under review

Downingtown Borough officials unanimously approved a 2010 budget Wednesday night but will likely revisit the budget this month after council reorganizes. Because the borough has new elected officials waiting to be seated, Councilwoman-elect Ann Feldman and Mayor-elect Josh Maxwell, council may reopen budget discussions and make changes.  The budget approved by council Wednesday increased taxes by 0.6 mills, from 6.1 to 6.7 mills. The average homeowner in Downingtown will now pay about $670 per year, compared to $610 in 2009.

Source: Daily Local; 1/5/09

Coatesville City Council places manager on leave

Coatesville City Council placed City Manager Harry Walker on administrative leave and removed Andrew Lehr as city solicitor at Monday afternoon’s annual reorganization. These decisions came after the swearing-in of four newly elected Democratic council members: Jarrell Brazzle, Joseph Hamrick, Ingrid Jones and Karl Marking. Shortly after the vote was taken to remove Lehr, Marking made a motion to appoint attorney John Carnes as solicitor. Carnes is a solicitor in Parkesburg and West Nottingham and was Coatesville’s solicitor for eight years during the Paul Janssen Jr. and E. Jean Krack administrations. Council unanimously appointed Assistant City Manager Kirby Hudson as interim city manager.

Source: Daily Local; 1/5/10

Easttown board approves budget with 12 percent tax hike

Easttown Township’s Board of Supervisors approved a $12.8 million 2010 budget that carries a 12 percent real-estate tax increase. The budget brings the current 3.361 millage to 3.769 mills, or about $3.77 per thousand dollars of a property’s assessed value. The budget also includes a newly adopted Local Services Tax (LST), a $52 flat tax levied on all who work in the township.

Source: Main Line Suburban Life; 12/23/09

Developer is picked for Paoli Master Plan

Development of the Paoli rail yards, 20 acres in Tredyffrin and Willistown Townships, has been a part of the Paoli Master Plan since it was adopted by both townships in 2001. The proposed vision of the Paoli Master Plan, which has a timeline spanning 20 years, involves building a new Paoli Transportation Center (PTC) about 800 feet west of the existing train station. The PTC is planned to include a modern train station and accommodate hundreds of daily riders and a state-of-the-art garage, and it will be housed within a mixed-use development consisting of both retail shops and residential areas. Discussion of this development has been in the works for about 15 years, and now Strategic Realty Investments has been selected as the master developer. For more information on development plans for Paoli, visit www.tredyffrin.org.

Source: Main Line Suburban Life; 12/23/09

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• According the the IRS, about 1.4 Million people have taken advantage of the Credit.
• California was #1 in number of people filing to receive the credit – approximately 160,785.
• Texas was #2 with 131,472, #3 was Florida with 105,865
• While Alaska and Wyoming had the fewest number of claims
• From a “Per Capita” perspective, meaning the percentage of people in that state the numbers are different
• Nevada was #1, Utah #2, and Arizona #3
• An overwhelming percentage of buyers said that the credit was the main driving force in their decision to buy
• 10% of buyers said it was the only reason

Watch this market update video for more information.

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Taxpayers could see their Chester County property tax bills increase slightly again next year if the commissioners’ proposed 2010 budget is adopted as is. But the three commissioners have vowed to seek further reductions in administrative expenditures to make whatever tax increase less than what is currently foreseen. The combined impact of the downturn in the national economy, a drying up of state and federal revenue, and a stagnant county real estate market has resulted in a proposed property tax rate at the county level of 4.118 mills, an increase of 3.8 percent over the 2009 rate of 3.965. To a homeowner with property valued at a median assessment of $166,495, the proposed increased county property tax rate would mean a tax bill of $25.48 over 2009′s levy. The increase comes despite a continuing effort by the county to cut costs in every department. In fact, the county’s proposed budget will be $427.7 million, a decrease from the $476.6 million that county officials estimate they will spend this year. The commissioners have set Dec. 17 as the date to adopt the budget. The county’s budget can be viewed at www.chesco.org.

Source: Daily Local; 12/02/09

Coatesville presents ideas for Urban Center Revitalization Plan Update

The City of Coatesville presented ideas for its Urban Center Revitalization Plan Update. The original plan was adopted in 1999 and updated in 2002 as an addendum to the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The update will focus on the following objectives: economic development, housing, infrastructure and transportation, public safety, urban open space, streetscapes and cultural projects. The updated plan will include an action plan with a number of specific recommended projects for the future revitalization of the urban community.

Lower Oxford says sewer hookup is mandatory

Homeowners in Lincoln Village will have to connect to a new sewer line. The Lower Oxford Board of Supervisors approved a mandatory sewer connection ordinance that requires everyone with a sewer line in front of their property to make the connection. The homeowners will be given a year to make the connection on their own. A fee of $2,100 will be due two years after a connection is made. If the property owner does not make the connection within a year, the township can come onto the property and do the work. At that point, the owner becomes responsible to pay for the $2,100 connection fee and the township’s cost to do the work. If the payment is not made within six months, the township can lien the property for their costs and connection fee. Currently, homeowners in Lincoln Village have been sent a survey to determine if it is a low income area and eligible for grant money from the state to offset some of the costs.

Source: Avon Grove Sun; 11/26/09

Chester County farm preserved

The Brandywine Conservancy yesterday acquired a conservation easement on the 117-acre Redcay farm in Londonderry Township, Chester County. Preserving the farm has been a priority of the township since voters approved an open space referendum in 2003. With this easement acquisition, approximately 3,770 acres are now preserved in Londonderry Township, representing about 52% of its total acreage. In addition to preventing development and preserving significant views, the Redcay easement contains restrictions to ensure that continued farming does not adversely impact a tributary of the Brandywine River.

Source: Chester County Press; 11/25/09

Sewage expansion causes concerns in South Coatesville

Pennsylvania American Water Co., which operates a large wastewater treatment facility in South Coatesville, plans to expand the plant to treat up to 12 million gallons of wastewater a day. This would effectively quadruple the amount of treated effluent discharged into the west branch of Brandywine Creek. For the past year, the Brandywine Conservancy has been working behind the scenes to influence a process that has widespread implications for water quality and the threat of more suburban sprawl in western Chester County. The Conservancy met with the state Department of Environmental Protection over the last year, making presentations about smart growth and advocating for community wastewater systems and against large, centralized wastewater treatment facilities.

Source: Daily Times; 11/30/09

West Grove abolishes planning commission

West Grove Borough voted to abolish their planning commission. The planning commission was a subcommittee of borough council that reviewed plans for subdivision and land development. Borough officials said the lack of real estate parcels that can be developed in the future was the most important factor in making the decision. The group has had very little activity and it has become difficult to recruit and hold members. The borough council will review any future plans, as will the zoning officer and engineer.

Coatesville codes officer arrested for allegedly selling cocaine

A man who works as a codes enforcement officer with the city was recently arrested for allegedly selling cocaine, according to police. Police charged John Clayton Tinson, 51, of Coatesville, with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, manufacture of a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility and conspiracy following a lengthy investigation that took place during the summer. Tinson was initially hired by the city in October 1994 and held a position in the Public Works department. Tinson’s employment was terminated in July 2005, but he was reinstated as a full-time code enforcement officer last June.

Source: Daily Local; 12/03/09

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West Chester Council approves preliminary budget
West Chester Borough Council passed a preliminary 2010 budget that calls for a 3.4 percent real estate tax increase. The budget also calls for a 10 percent increase in the borough’s sewer rate. Various Council committees will review the preliminary budget in December, and full council will pass a final budget by the end of the year. It appears that the tax hike, which will result in a $23 increase on average residential tax bills, is a near certainty. The economic crisis has strained the borough’s finances and made a tax increase hard to avoid, borough officials said. West Chester, like most Chester County municipalities, is facing rising pension, salary and employee benefit costs. At the same time, the recession has caused the borough’s earned income tax and real estate transfer tax revenues to decline. The preliminary budget would increase the average borough homeowner’s tax bill to $689, approximately $23 over last year’s average. The average single-family home in the borough has an assessed value of $119,000, and the average tax increase was calculated using this figure.
Source: Daily Local; 11/19/09

No new taxes needed to meet W. Nottingham’s 2010 budget
No new taxes are needed for 2010 to meet West Nottingham Township’s proposed budget, approved at its Nov 17 meeting. The new budget totals $574,550, with the largest areas of expenses being $152,450 for road work and road crew salaries, and $64,200 for police department salaries and equipment. The budget is open for public review, with final approval set for December.
Source: Daily Local; 11/21/09

West Chester Borough allows subdivision of courthouse complex
West Chester Borough Council cleared the way for Chester County to sell a large portion of the historic courthouse complex by voting unanimously to subdivide the complex into two parcels. The first parcel contains the 19th-century courthouse, the fountain behind it, and the Market Street annex to its west. The second parcel contains the annex on North High Street, the annex on North Church Street, and several buildings along the unit block of West Gay Street. It is the second parcel that the county will put on the market. Attorney Don Turner, who represents the county, said that selling this parcel will allow the county to continue to preserve the historic courthouse.
Source: Daily Local; 11/22/09

Easttown real estate taxes may increase 12.1 percent
Easttown Township’s Board of Supervisors voted for a preliminary 2010 budget Monday that calls for a real estate tax increase of 12.1 percent. The average assessed property value in Easttown Township is $330,000. In 2009 an owner of a property with that assessed value would have paid $1,109 in real estate taxes to the township. In 2010, if the preliminary version of the budget is approved, that owner would pay about $1,240. The Board of Supervisors will approve the final 2010 budget at its Dec. 21 meeting. If the budget is approved as proposed, the township’s millage rate would increase from the current 3.361 to 3.769 per thousand dollars of assessed value.
Source: Daily Local; 11/22/09

No new taxes in Kennett Township budget
While presenting the township’s preliminary 2010 budget, Kennett Township Supervisors’ Chairman Robert Hammaker noted no new taxes are being proposed. “The only major change in revenues we expect in 2010 is a decrease in real estate taxes due to the decline in real estate values in general,” he said.

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Facing a forecasted operating deficit of as much as $1 million for 2010, the township has been exploring the implementation of one or more Act 511 taxes (often referred to as “nuisance taxes”) including an Earned Income tax (EIT)—an unpopular revenue-generator in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Many of the 250 residents who attended the last Board of Supervisors meeting told the board that it should consider cuts before raising the existing property taxes or implementing new taxes. The municipality was hit hard in its realty transfer tax revenue this year, which has served as 20 percent of the township’s annual operating revenue.

Source: Main Line Suburban Life; 10/21/09

WCASD tax hike may exceed state cap

Although the state has set the West Chester Area School District’s 2009-2010 Act 1 index to 2.9 percent, taxpayers may see a school tax increase of more than 2.9 percent. The millage increase could be as high as 5.24 percent, according to district officials. Last year, for example, the school district’s Act 1 index was set at 4.1 percent, but the school board, because of exceptions, was able to raise taxes in the Chester County portion of the district by 5.9 percent. This year, the West Chester district had expected to have one exemption, which would have applied to $418,000 of the interest the district pays on the bonds it issues. But on Monday, district officials announced that the district could potentially qualify for two more exemptions: a $1.6 million retirement contribution exemption and a $1.1 million special-education exemption. The Pennsylvania Department of Education must approve these exemptions. If it does, the school board could raise millage by 5.24 percent without first holding a taxpayer referendum, officials said.

Source: Daily Local; 10/23/09

Upper Uwchlan officials appoint new manager

After going more than seven months without a township manager, Upper Uwchlan supervisors unanimously appointed a new manager Monday night. The board selected Cary Vargo to fill a spot vacated in March after the board fired John Roughan Jr. Vargo’s annual salary will be $95,000 for a 90-day probationary period, after which his pay rate would jump to $100,000 a year. Vargo comes to Upper Uwchlan after serving as township manager in Thornbury for more than two years. Prior to that, Vargo served as a Coatesville police corporal. He had served on the force for eight years.

Source: Daily Local; 10/20/09

Chester County lands $4.6 million stimulus grant

Chester County Commissioners Chairman Terence Farrell announced the county has received a $4.6 million federal stimulus grant. The grant will cover the cost of 17 projects intended to make county facilities more energy efficient. The money will be used for energy audits, LED lighting, solar panels and more efficient heating and cooling systems.

Source: Main Line Suburban Life; 10/21/09

West Chester officials recommend council mandate rear house numbers

Three of Borough Council’s committees voted this week to recommend that council pass a regulation that would require borough residents to put their addresses on the back of their properties. Council members said this regulation would make it easier for police, firefighters and drivers of emergency medical service vehicles to identify houses. This is especially true, they said, in the case of homes that have rear alleys where emergency vehicles sometimes need to travel. Rear addresses could also make it easier for the codes department to identify homes with backyard code violations.

Source: Daily Local; 10/17/09

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On Monday, Oct. 19, at 8:00 p.m., the Easttown Township Board of Supervisors will be presented with information on Earned Income Tax and other Act 511 taxes by the Pennsylvania Economy League. The meeting is to be held at the Beaumont Elementary School, 575 Beaumont Road, Devon, and is open to the public. Easttown Township is facing a budget deficit for 2010, in part due to declining real estate transfer tax revenue, salary increases and an increased pension contribution. An ad-hoc budget committee was created at the Oct. 5 Board of Supervisors meeting with the intent of looking at the budget with an independent set of eyes and varied expertise. The members include a forensic accountant, business consultant, marketing professional, Realtor and tax attorney. The committee is seeking people of other professions to assist in reviewing the budget and proposed changes. Click here for the public meeting notice.

Source: Main Line Suburban Life: 10/14/09

“Community Conversation” event opens encouraging dialogue in West Vincent

At a recent “community conversation” at the West Pikeland Township building, nearly 90 residents came to a consensus with township supervisors to “continue to preserve open space and rural values” along with a renewed sense of community. The event, hosted by Chester County 2020, a nonprofit organization that promotes dialogue about planning and growth throughout the county, encouraged residents to list issues that are important to West Vincent. The list was narrowed down to open space preservation and the protection of rural values. Of great importance to the township supervisors was the attendance and interaction with resident who do not typically attend township meetings. The supervisors were encouraged that their vision was shared by the West Vincent community.

Source: The Daily Local News; 10/14/09

Gay Street Bridge to reopen in Phoenixville

The Gay Street Bridge in Phoenixville has received a facelift and a soon-to-be new name – the Veterans Memorial Gay Street Bridge. The bridge, due to be reopened Oct. 16, has been under construction since April 2008. Both pedestrian and vehicular travel will be restored between downtown Phoenixville and North Side.

Source: The Daily Local News; 10/15/09

Smith Farm agreement approved in West Bradford Township

West Bradford supervisors recently approved an agreement for the Smith Farm development plan. The agreement will allow for a 125-home development and preservation of the existing cattle farm. The approved settlement plan will now be taken to court for approval, which would settle current litigation and allow the land development plan to proceed through the township’s normal approval process. Originally a planned subdivision of two properties, the Gray tract and the Smith Farm, many of the initial objections to the plan have been eliminated with the removal of the Gray tract from the plan.

Source: The Daily Local News; 10/15/09

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