Delaware County, Pennsylvania Real Estate Blog

Brookhaven Business Uses Sidewalk Mascot To Get Business

Liberty Income Tax located on Edgmont Ave in Brookhaven, likes to engage the public in the hopes of getting business.  For the past few years they have used a live mascot in front of their business to engage the many people that go by on this very busy road starting in mid January.  Well it is happening again this year.

A few years ago the mascot was Uncle Sam strutting his stuff, pointing his friendly index finger at you when you drove by.  The next year it was a larger Uncle Sam, waving as you went by. 

Last year and now this year it is the Statue of Liberty walking the sidewalk and waving to passersby to hopefully pull in some business, prior to the April 15^th deadline for taxes.  If I recall correctly the State of Liberty last year had a pretty good strut going after a few weeks on the job.

To be honest, it is an enjoyable change of pace to interact with this mascot as I drive by.  The use of such a mascot must be working for Liberty Income tax since she is out there again.  I know it is doing the trick of reminding me where we are in the year regarding taxes.

(Written by Gloria)

Help Those In Need In Delaware County PA - Support Your Local Food Bank

Today in observation of Martin Luther King Jr's birthday, which is a day of service for many in this area, I am reminded of those in need of the basics of life such as food.

With the troubles in our economy and many people now unemployed there is a greater need for food for those who just don't have any other means of getting food to their tables.

One place that is making a difference here in Delaware County is Loafs and Fishes Food Pantry in Prospect Park.  It is a non-denominational, non-sectarian food bank that helps those in need in parts of Delaware County to receive food that helps them survive with balanced meals provided by the generosity of volunteers and with a small percentage of funding from Pennsylvania's Department of Agriculture State Food Purchase Program. 

The founders of this pantry Linda Freeman and Lana Lindenmuth and all the current staff members are volunteers as well. 

If you feel moved to help those in need, please do not hesitate to contact Loaves and Fishes to offer money, food or your time.  It is through the generosity of giving that we can make a difference in this world.

Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry  
Prospect Hill Baptist Church
703 Lincoln Avenue
Prospect Park, PA 19076
Phone: 610-532-9000
Visit Website - Open link here

Ridley Creek after a long stretch of cold and below freezing weather this winter.

Why Should I Give Someone A Seller Assist?  No One Helped Me When I Purchased My House Here In Delaware County Years Ago.

Years ago when a buyer went to purchase a house it was not common practice for the seller to assist the buyer with closing costs.  But in recent years things have changed and it is now more common for a buyer to ask the seller for an assist to help the buyer pay for some or most of their closing costs.  We experience this quite often here in Delaware County.

A buyer, especially a First Time Home Buyer, may be a strong buyer, in that they have a good credit score, have a steady job and pay their bills on time, but the buyer may not have enough money in the bank to cover all their closing costs.  This type of buyer will probably have to use FHA financing, not a conventional mortgage to purchase a house.

FHA or Federal Housing Administration loans allow buyers to ask up to a 6% maximum Seller Assist in order to help them purchase a home.  This assist goes entirely to helping the buyer pay for their closing costs.

If a buyer is cash poor but strong in their bill paying habits, they need a seller's assist to purchase a home.

Allowing a Seller's Assist does not necessarily mean you will get less for your home. 

When an offer comes in on your home and the buyer is asking for an assist, your agent who is working for you will explain ways this can work out for your best interest. 

So do not be surprised when you place your house on the market here in Delaware County that an offer might come in where the buyer is asking you as the seller for an assist.  Even though you did not received help years ago, in this current market if you want to sell your house, you may have to give someone a Seller's Assist. 

(Written by Gloria)

Why Should I Use A Realtor®? 

Now More Than Ever You Need A Realtor® To Help You With Buying And Selling Real Estate.

Buying and selling real estate is not a simple affair.  Sure you can find gobs of information on the Internet, read books on buying and selling real estate or pick the brains of your Realtor® friends, but each situation usually presents something that might not be in that book or have a twist that your Realtor® friend did not explain. 

Before all the trouble in the mortgage lending industry, many things were often over looked by a lender or it was easier to remedy a situation if there was a problem. 

Today the pendulum has swung the other way and the requirements to get qualified for a mortgage are a lot higher and there is much more scrutiny by mortgage lenders to make sure every stone is turned before they will give out money to even strong Buyers.  So going this alone, without the help of a knowledgeable Realtor® could mean money and time lost on your part. 

If you need to do research, research by interviewing your local Realtors® to see who you feel comfortable with and want to be your guide in your journey in the world of real estate. 

(Written by Gloria)

Village of Green Tree, A Townhouse Community in Parkside, Delaware County, PA

The Village of Green Tree located in Parkside Delaware County is a community of approximately 97 Townhouses.  They are two story units built in 1977 and are located in the Penn-Delco School District. The local Parkside Elementary School is a block away.

Nestled in a little valley just opposite the Borough of Parkside Woodlot Park, it makes sense why the name of the road these units are built on is call Park Vallei Lane.  Just beyond this park are Ridley Creek, Taylor Arboretum and Chester Park, which offers the opportunity to walk and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.

Stores and public transportation are within walking distance of the Village of Green Tree.  Major highways like 95 and 476 are very close as well as the Philadelphia airport.  This community is roughly half way between New York City and Washington DC.

Each unit offers two bedrooms with one bathroom and a power room on the first floor.  Some units have different amenities but all offer the ambiance of living amongst the trees.  Because there is an association fee, there are fewer things you will have to be responsible for like lawn care and snow removal, which frees up your time to do things you enjoy.

If you are looking to live in a townhouse community in Delaware County, off the beaten track, then take a look at the Village of Green Tree in Parkside.

(Written by Gloria)

A Reminder Of The White Stuff Of Summer......

.....as we were hit last evening with 8 inches of the white stuff of winter.

January is National Blood Drive Month - Donating Blood Is A Great Way To Give

The first month of the year has been recognized as National Blood Donor Month since 1970 according to the American Association of Blood Banks.   This time of year blood banks tend to need more blood to meet the demand that is caused by severe weather conditions. 

Donated blood has a shelf life of only 42 days, which means donations, need to keep coming in to meet the demand by hospitals and emergency centers.

A donor can give blood every 56 days, or up to six times a year.  At the time of a donation you need to be healthy and not using antibiotics.

Consider donating with a friend, a family member or a group of co-workers.  Donating with others is such a great experience and it may be helpful to give with people you know if you have never donated before.

As you donate think of the lives you may be saving.  Up to 4 people can be helped by your one unit of blood. 

Besides helping others, donating blood can also help the donor, especially if you are a male donor.  It has something to do with the removal of excess iron that can reduce the risk of some heart related problems.

If you have never given the "gift of life", as donating blood can be called, please try it, you will be happy you did.  To find out where to give and to read more information related to blood donations please read the following links:

Donation Center Locator

Healthnews.com

Americansblood.org

Benefits of Donating Blood

(written by Gloria)

Song Sparrow in the Snow In Delaware County

There are two types of sparrows that come to feed in our yard during these snowy winter days in Delaware County.  The birds are similar in color and close in size, yet in my observations over the years, are quite different birds in character.  They are the house sparrow and the song sparrow.

The house sparrow travels in large groups, are very aggressive towards each other and other birds.  Yes there is safety in numbers and that can be handy when a hawk is hungry and in the area.  Since house sparrows come with the territory (some areas do not have them) their antics have to be tolerated in order to enjoy the visits of other birds to the feeder.

On the other hand, the song sparrow appears to be a loner.  Yes there are times when there are two of them feeding, but the majority of times it is just the one lone song sparrow pecking away at the ground or scratching the snow with its feet, bringing buried seeds to the surface to eat. 

When this photo was taken, I observed the song sparrow sitting for quite a few minutes on the grapevine fence, puffed out in the cold, looking every which way, checking out the area, making sure the coast was clear.  Then it left the safety of the vine and feed on the ground alone.

The attached video is the song of the song sparrow:  a song sung often in warmer weather.  

(written by Gloria)

Where Can I Buy Bird Feeders and Birdseed in Delaware County, PA?

I enjoy feeding birds and sometimes the subject of feeding birds comes up in my conversations with people and I might be asked where to find bird feeders that are good to keep squirrels at bay and places to find birdseed. 

There are the usual places to find supplies for feeding birds: Ace Hardware, Home Depot or any garden center.  And then there is a local business, one that used to be called Back To Nature (owned by Sharon and Al) and now called Tobin's Feed and Seed (Al and Sharon retired).  It is located just off of Route 352 in the Middletown area and they carry an impressive selection of bird feeders, seed in bags as well as seed by the pound. If you do not find what you need the store owners are very helpful and will order things for your particular needs.

There are other items sold in this store relating to cats, dogs and other livestock.  There are also retail items like cards and gift items relating to birds and other furry critters.  

Tobin's is located at 1176 North Middletown Rd. Media, PA 19064.
For more information call  (610) 459-2305

Sure you may find it easier to go to one of those big stores to shop, but why not support a local business as part of your hobby of feeding birds.

(written by Gloria)