Week Eight Assignment for the Makeover2Takeover competition is our last one! I might have withdraws... it's been an awesome contest and I'm so honored to be among Desiree Daniels/Brian Block & Midori Miller/Jeanette Neerpat with Missy Caulk in the Top Three!

This week's assignment was to demonstrate with creativity the Value of Using a REALTOR(R). How do you do that in a Single Page Word Document & 3 minute (max) video?

It's not possible. You can't. However, you can do your very best - and go with it. That's what I've done.

Now it's nail biting time until we receive the results at Inman Connect in San Francisco - I hope I'm not sick with anxiety for the announcement. But you know what? I've done my best- and I'd be very happy if any of the remaining teams were crowned the Makeover2Takeover ActiveRain Winners!

"I want a Foreclosure"

I hear this frequently from Buyers, but I don't think its really what people mean. During my round of questions, what Buyers really want is more phrased as follows, "I'd like a steal of a deal that I can get into below market value."

Here are some quick notes to consider:
The deals are out there, rarely does a "steal-of-a-deal" reach the market in the West of Philadelphia Suburbs of Chester County.  Homes are selling for the high 90%'s of the asking price. Exact statistics available upon request.

I know, I know, you've heard the news reports that you can pick up a foreclosure property for pennies on the dollar..... I know, I know, the banks have repossessed so many homes that there are plenty on the market.  This is true in many different areas, Chester County is not one of them. There is not a heavy saturation of foreclosed homes. Again, there are some deals that are out there, and with the right Buyer's Agent working for you to find them - you can get into a property for a great deal right now.

For the homes that have gone through the foreclosure process, the banks usually ask 2-4 Real Estate Agents and/or Appraisers to come in and do a Comparative Market Analysis Report.  They use these numbers to determine their asking price.  Most of time, this is competitive or slightly below the fair market value.

Most foreclosures (I am generalizing) need work.  The occupants that vacated the home were not happy campers.  Many times the homes have sat dormant for quite some time.  I'm usually left with a feeling of "sadness" after viewing these properties, because so often they were just not taken care of.

Purchasing a house to call your home or for an investment can be done at a fair price. When I work for you as your Buyer Real Estate agent, I'm working to get you the very best deal possible.  Whether it be with a foreclosure or not.

Let's say Happy Birthday to Upper Uwchlan (YOU-clen) Township ! 

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Located in the Western Philadelphia Suburbs Upper Uwchlan Township was broken off from Uwchlan Township in 1858 after it was determined to be too large at 22.52 square miles. The township's main access by road is via Rt. 100 and Little Conestoga Rd.

Help Eagle, Downingtown and Chester Springs as they are celebrating 150 years as Upper Uwchlan Township - what a fun day of events are planned!

Saturday, July 19th (raindate is Sunday 7/20)
Village of Eagle

9am-Fun Run & 3K Walk
5pm-Parade
6pm-Local Bands
         Amusements (Pickering Valley School) Featuring Sponge Bob Square Pants

Food Vendors (You can get a $5.00 wristband for food!)

930pm- Fireworks

Chester County was rated one of the best places to raise a family and Upper Uwchlan is no exception!   The neighborhoods in Upper Uwchlan listed from North point, clockwise include: St Andrews, Reserve at Eagle, Windsor Ridge,  Eagle Hunt, Byer's Station, Pickering Springs Farm, Koppenhaver Estates, Hunter's Ridge, Lakeridge, Davenport, Lyndenwood, Marsh Harbour, Heron Hill, Bordeaux Estates, Waynebrook, Somerset, Greenridge, Cannon Woods, and Stonehedge.

If you would like any real estate market activity/statistics/reports from any of the above areas, I'd be happy to email you a copy upon request.

 

What would you look for if you had to chose the best county to live if you are raising a family?

I chose Chester County as the place I wanted to raise my family. For so many reasons.... the schools, the activities, the opportunities, the close proximity to beach/mountains/NYC, and so much more. We moved to Chester County seven years ago, my husband, myself, my daughters (22, 19, and 5) have never looked back!

Zack O'Malley Greenburg with Forbes magazine looked for school districts that have "good" funding (at least half of per-pupil spending comes from property tax) and SAT scores of 1,050+. Then he narrowed down the 97 counties remaining by looking at the following: Cost of Living, Graduation Rate, Standardized Test Scores, Home Price, Property Tax (what percentage of median home price), Percentage of Owner Occupied Homes, Per Capita Income, Air Quality, Crime Rate, and Commute Time.

Here are the results........

1. Hamilton County, Ind.
2. Ozaukee County, Wis.
3. Johnson County, Kan.
4. Geauga County, Ohio
5. Delaware County, Ohio
6. Morris County, N.J.
7. Hunterdon County, N.J.
8. Waukesha County, Wis.
9. Montgomery County, Pa.
10. Chester County, Pa.

That's right! Two of the counties that I serve for Real Estate needs made the Top 10 List!!! I'm so proud!

Mr. O'Malley Greenburg has a presentation with maps on each of the featured counties and a description of why it was chosen.

"Located 30 miles west of Philadelphia, Chester County borders Montgomery County along the Schuylkill River. Chester's median home price of $328,400 is a bit pricey, but families are rewarded with a high school graduation rate of 96% and average SAT scores of 1,075." Mr. O'Malley Greenburg stated regarding Chester County, PA.

If you don't think you want to pick a house in the Chester County, PA or Montgomery County, PA area, I have a great network of associates from around the country. I can help you select someone with expertise in the area you chose.

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It's not the most fun thing to think about when you move to a new area, however, knowing where the closest hospitals are located is something you should think about when moving to Chester County, or anywhere else for that matter.

Chester County has five hospitals for General Care:

Brandywine Hospital
201 Reeceville Rd
Coatesville, PA 19320
(610) 383-8000
Licensed Beds: 198

Chester County Hospital
701 East Marshall Street
West Chester, PA 19380
(610) 431-5000
Licensed Beds: 220

Paoli Memorial Hospital
255 West Lancaster Avenue
Paoli, PA 19301
(610) 648-1000
Licensed Beds: 208

Phoenixville Hosp-Univ Of Pa Health Sys
140 Nutt Road Box 809
Phoenixville, PA 19460
(610) 983-1000
Licensed Beds: 175

Jennersville Regional Medical Center
1015 West Baltimore Pike
West Grove, PA 19390
(610) 869-1001
Licensed Beds: 51

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Hopefully it will be a thing of the past, however, as of right now, Chester County does not have a trauma center in the county itself. A Chester County Trauma Center Task Force has been formed with volunteers that are looking into the details about a location and operation of a possible Trauma Center. As the most populated county in Pennsylvania, Chester County right now requires that persons needing trauma service in Chester County have to travel an extra distance, which unfortunately could impact their health. The closest trauma centers to Chester County are:

• Lancaster General Hospital (Lancaster, PA)
• Reading Hospital (Reading, PA)
• University of Pennsylvania Hospital (Philadelphia, PA)
• Abington Memorial Hospital (Abington, PA)
• Crozer Chester Medical Center (Chester, PA)
• Christiana Hospital (Christina, DE)

There are ways that you can help! Probably the easiest being... pass the word!

 

For any information on the Real Estate and Homes in the Western Philadelphia Suburbs of Chester County visit my website at www.KimWood.net

Chester County has eight (8) different options if you are looking to pursue higher education whether you live in the West of Philly Burbs or you are considering a relocation to the Greater Chester County Area. According to the Census 2000, 42.5% of the population in Chester County attained Bachelor's Degrees or higher.

• Cheney University of Pennsylvania; Cheney, PA
• Delaware County Community College; Exton & Downingtown Campuses
• Immaculata University; Malvern, PA
• Lincoln University; Lincoln University, PA
• Penn State; Great Valley, PA
• Troy University; Exton, PA
• Valley Forge Christian College; Phoenixville, PA
• West Chester University; West Chester, PA

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If you would like more information about the Houses for Sale in Chester County, you can reach me directly at (610) 692-6823. I can also provide you with the prices that homes sold for in the Greater Chester County area.

As I was driving to an appointment this morning, I found myself delayed in traffic. I allowed extra time for myself, but not for a traffic delay due to a fire on Rt. 3 in between West Chester & Newtown Square, PA.

I heard on the radio there was a fire. "Deep breath, Kim. There isn't anything you can do, and hopefully no one was hurt." I told myself.

As I approached the scene there were many firetrucks and response teams. I looked over, THE RE/MAX CONNECTION OFFICE!  What? Burned to barely some bits of the walls around the office of the shopping/strip center.

My heart was compassionate before knowing who/what happened after I heard it was a fire. But then, it was a Real Estate Office!  It was a RE/MAX office!  Oh dear!  I remembered the compassion and comaraderie shown when Melissa Grant had her brush with a fire in the family home around Christmas time. I know its a little bit different because we "knew" Melissa.

The documents, the pictures on desks, the files, the computers, the memories.....

I'm not sure what you can do... right now, I'm only aware that you can pray, send good vibes, thoughts their way. People were affected.

RE/MAX CONNECTION 5022 W Chester Pike
PO Box 599
Edgemont, PA 19028

Something like this makes you step back from life for a moment..... be thankful. I'm grateful for being shown to keep my priorities right today.

The story

No pictures, no links, no points please. Just your thoughts....

 

 

Slitting Mill Rd. Glen Mills, PA; 19342

 

Stunningly gorgeous, this 5-year old home will undoubtedly appeal to everyone's tastes! Located on one of the most beautiful roads in Delaware County. Feel the stress and tension leave your body as you drove home to this serene 2.78 AC. setting of peacefulness and privacy.

If you are looking for a private setting, and a custom home in the Delaware County or Southeast Chester County area. This one should be on your list - it's not just a house, but a home, ready for making your memories!

 

Located on 2.78 acres of privacy with a partial wooded lot, this home offers great views from every window in the house! Master bedroom with amazing views of the property, loads of privacy.

 

 

Four additional Bedrooms (most with walk in closets), and five full bathrooms, plus a powder room.

 

 

 

 

A fully finished walk-out lower level, includes a family room, living room, bedroom and bathroom. Game nights with family or friends with all the treats and snacks right at your finger tips.

 

 

 

 

 

Gourmet, large eat-in Kitchen, a true chefs delight! The heart and soul of the home includes hardwood floors throughout the entire first floor, not just the kitchen and nook.

The detail in the wainscoting is unbelievable.

The custom staircases were built on site!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Huge 4-car garage affords plenty of room to store the cars, trucks, snowmobiles, jet skis, motorcycles, and other toys in the.The garage was designed "free-span" (it doesn't have any poles in the way) provides endless possibilities

The garage is also insulated and comes complete with two custom workbenches!

You can access a finished storage area from a widened stairway in the garage.

 

 

 

 

I'm sure this real estate home tour will help you get a better feel for the home.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now that you have seen the real estate show, would you like to walk through this gorgeous and get a feel for the privacy and ammenities ?

There are also more photographs you can view on Flickr.com. (an online free photo sharing site).

I have set up a personal blog for you to read and add comments to at Slitting Mill Home Information Blog. Feel free to ask me any questions or leave your comments for my sellers.

For your convenience I have provide more information about Delaware County.

• The Colonial Plantation
• Delaware County Chamber of Commerce
• Delaware County History
• Delaware County Library
• Delaware County Natural Lands Trust
• Delaware County Solid Waste Authority
• Delaware County's Brandywine Visitors Bureau
• Edgmont Township
• Ridley Creek State Park
• Rose-Tree Media School District
• Thornbury Township

Contact The Kim Wood Team for a showing, we would love to show you this beautiful home on Slitting Mills Rd !

Offered by RE/MAX Main Line

The Kim Wood Team

Offered at $1,000,000

Call me today to set up your private viewing at 610-692-6823.

I'd like to share with you some memories from growing up on Air Force Bases........... (I hope these still continue).

Before you watch a movie at the base movie theater - everyone stands up during a Music Video with pictures of America and the Star Spangled Banner playing.

At 4:00 pm on every Air Force base, The Star Spangled Banner is broadcast over loud speakers. Military that is outside must stand at attention; Civilians are to stand still; and cars are stopped in the middle of the road until completion of the song.

Happy Birthday, America. I'm proud to be an American ! Living away in other countries was a lovely experience, but my heart grew fonder of the Land that I Love.

"I'm searching for myself"
"I am trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up"

Many of us have gone through this soul searching time of trying to determine our Passion. I've always felt strongly of, "You have to love what you are doing for a living with all of your heart and mind" I have had jobs that I didn't enjoy; or didn't enjoy them with all of me in any case. It didn't feel good. Sometimes I didn't know it didn't feel good until after I discovered....

 My Passion in Real Estate

I love it! I love being a REALTOR®. I love helping people. I love the paperwork. I love the spontaneity. I love the "unknown". I love learning all the time (I learned a long time ago, you will never know it all when it comes to Real Estate). I love getting to know people. I love learning more and more about Greater Chester County Real Estate.  Disclaimer: There are some occasional bumps in the road, but I get through them and move on. You have to like a job enough to do that.

About seven (7) years ago, my family moved back to Downingtown, PA from where we had lived for eleven (11) years - New Mexico. It was then that I really started thinking it was time for a change for me. I was a Travel Agent and enjoyed it immensely, but the travel industry was changing with the internet. I wanted to find my "forever" career; one that I was in charge of my own destiny.

It's not easy to help someone discover their passion, but I spent a lot of time with myself. I remember reading "What Color is My Parachute" many years ago, so I borrowed that from the Chester County Library.  I also found some other books to read about career paths and took some of those career quizzes.

It was my mother (don't they always know best? Mine does) that gently said,

"Kim, have you ever considered Real Estate?"
"No. I don't think I could do that. Don't you have to go to a lot of school and stuff?"
"I don't know. It might not be right for you, it was just a thought. I was out with our REALTOR® looking for houses and I was thinking about you."
"Interesting. Maybe I'll come with you next time and sort of think about it"

You know the rest of the story....  I did take the Real Estate Classes. I passed the Licensing Exam the first time!  And I've enjoyed it immensely since then. I was able to get my foot in the door with RE/MAX Main Line and I've been there ever since. I'm in charge of my destiny!

When you are in a job that services people, make sure you love it with all of you.  If you don't, find something else. It's worth it!  

Another book recommendation if you like to read - one of the best that I've read the last few years, "Success Principles" by Jack Canfield.