The Philadelphia Union is Ready to Rock!

Welcome to the new Philadelphia Union Soccer team as they play their first game ever in Seattle today March 25.

We’ve been waiting a long time but today the Philadelphia Union finally brings Major League Soccer to our area.  They will play their first match in Seattle in about 5 hours.  The Union will arrive in the Philadelphia area with their first home game on April 10.  On June 27, they will finally come to their permanent home now still under construction on the Chester PA waterfront.

In February 2008, it was announced by Major League Soccer that Philadelphia would be the new home of the League’s 16th Franchise.  This was the result of intense effort by the local community to win the team and of continuing efforts to forge ahead with the redevelopment in Chester PA.  With the partnership of the State, County, local supporters, and the City of Chester, a state of the art new stadium was planned for the Chester Waterfront just south of the Commodore Barry Bridge.

Today, all that effort is about to pay off.  The team has been formed and was named the Philadelphia Union by a vote of the fans in February 2009.  The players were assembled in the November 2009 expansion draft.  Now the team plays their first game in Seattle on March 25.  After a week off, they will play their first “home” game in Lincoln Financial Field on April 10.  After four more away games, they will return to South Philadelphia’s Lincoln Field on May 15.  Then after several additional away games, the Philadelphia Union returns on June 27 to their permanent home in the brand new state-of-the-art 18,500 seat PPL Park located on the Chester Waterfront in Chester PA.

Congratulations to the Philadelphia Union, Chester PA, and all the organizations and people that have worked so hard to make this happen.  It should be a great soccer season!

David Henke
Long & Foster Real Estate Inc – Newtown Square,PA/Bear, DE
Office: 610-353-1199/Direct: 610-359-3853/Cell: 610-618-0808
www.DelawareCountyPennsylvaniaHomes.com

Chestnut Hill PA Named A 2010 National Trust Distinctive Destination

Chestnut Hill PA has been named one the National Trust for Historic Preservation 2010 Dozen Distinctive Destinations.

Distinctive Destinations are cities or towns “that offer an authentic visitor experience by combining dynamic downtowns, cultural diversity, attractive architecture, cultural landscapes, and a strong commitment to preservation sustainability, and revitalization.”

Chestnut Hill is now part of Philadelphia, but it was originally a small town serving the local farming community and later acted as a summer vacation spot for Philadelphians.  It was one of the earliest suburbs of Philadelphia and has a history predating the Revolutionary War.  In 1854, it became part of the City of Philadelphia under the 1854 Act of Consolidation when all government entities within the County of Philadelphia were consolidated under the City of Philadelphia government.

Today, “Chestnut Hill is one of Philadelphia’s premier neighborhoods.  It has a long history of preservation beginning in the 1960s and has continued to keep its historic districts largely intact. Germantown Avenue and its adjoining streets have more than 150 boutique shops and restaurants, making them destinations for shoppers and architectural historians alike.”

Residents and visitors to the Chestnut Hill PA area continue to enjoy its history and entertainment options offering a small town feel but still only minutes from all that the City of Philadelphia has to offer.  Congratulations for the designation.

David Henke
Long & Foster Real Estate Inc – Newtown Square,PA/Bear, DE
Office: 610-353-1199/Direct: 610-359-3853/Cell: 610-618-0808
www.DelawareCountyPennsylvaniaHomes.com

USDA Rural Development Loan Program Update

USDA Rural Development Loan Program funding is close to being exhausted.

This is a quick status update from our Lenders that I wanted to pass on.  (Note: The USDA Rural Development Loan Program is not available in Delaware County but it does become applicable as you move further into Chester and Montgomery counties.)

On March 9, the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development (RD) announced that program funding for the Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) will likely be exhausted by the end of April.  With this in mind, some lenders are already no longer accepting USDA Rural Development Loan Applications effective immediately.

As always, if you have any questions or need any additional information, please do not hesitate to let me know.

David Henke
Long & Foster Real Estate Inc – Newtown Square,PA/Bear, DE
Office: 610-353-1199/Direct: 610-359-3853/Cell: 610-618-0808
www.DelawareCountyPennsylvaniaHomes.com

Saturday & Sunday Open House – 59 Penn Blvd East Lansdowne PA – March 20 & 21 from 1-3

This Saturday & Sunday, March 20 and 21, from 1:00-3:00, we will be holding an Open House at 59 Penn Blvd in East Lansdowne PA.  Be sure to take some time, stop by, and visit!  Bring some friends!  From the intersection of Lansdowne Avenue and Baltimore Avenue travel east on Baltimore to a left on Penn.  The home is just to the north on the right hand side.

59 Penn is a classic Delaware County straight through twin.  Conveniently located in the first block north of Baltimore Avenue, the property is just minutes west of Philadelphia and provides easy access on Baltimore Pike west toward Lansdowne, Clifton Heights and the rest of Delaware County.  The R3 SEPTA Regional Rail Line is easily accessible running just south of Baltimore Ave from Philadelphia to Media.  Long Lane along the eastern border of the Borough runs north to Upper Darby, 69th Street Terminal, and the trolley lines throughout the region and south towards the Philadelphia International Airport.

Twins are a popular design throughout the area.  Originally developed in the UK and Australia, twin homes are side by side units with a common center wall.  Although the units are often mirror images when first built, they can be heavily modified over the years since they are separate pieces of property. This allows the owners to customize their units to match their needs.  There are various designs employed but the straight through design provides a more open floor plan and efficient use of space.

59 Penn is a great three-story straight through example with a large living room, dining room, heated porch, and newer powder room on the first floor. It has an updated kitchen with built-in dishwasher, beamed ceiling, and lots of counter and cabinet space with an adjacent separate oversized breakfast room with built-in desk, cabinets, and large closet.  The full basement has an outside entry and separate powder room. There are three bedrooms and full hall bath on the second floor and a full floor fourth bedroom on third floor. Improvements include updated windows, newer roof, newer water heater, and newer heating system.

Please be sure to check out my blog “East Lansdowne PA History & Homes Market Report” for more detailed information on the Borough.  For more pictures check out www.59Penn.com.

As always, if you have any questions or need any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me anytime.  I look forward to seeing you Sunday from 12-2 at 59 Penn!

David Henke
Long & Foster Real Estate Inc – Newtown Square,PA/Bear, DE
Office: 610-353-1199/Direct: 610-359-3853/Cell: 610-618-0808
www.DelawareCountyPennsylvaniaHomes.com