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Real Estate Agent
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Nick is a Main Line and Chester County Residential and Commercial REALTOR selling The Main Line, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties. Giving you the confidence to make the right decisions.
Cell: (610) 203-4543
Office: (484) 237-2055
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Real Estate Sales Representative
Susan Mangigian
I love Chester & Delaware County and would love to show you why! If you have been thinking about a move to this area, call or email me.
Cell: (610) 299-6237
Office: (610) 719-1700
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Chester County, PA Real Estate News

By Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543, Selling the Main Line & Chester County
(Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055)
This post is courtesy of WITF a Public Broadcaster in Pennsylvania serving the central part of the State. It is not about your typical railroad station as shown above.Inside Chester County lies Kennett Square, a town known for its mushroom farms. But hidden beneath its surface is a powerful history—one that reveals the courage, solidarity, and risk that defined the Underground Railroad. Today, that legacy lives on through the work of the Kennett Underground Railroad Center (KURC), located at 120 N. Union Street, Kennett Square, PA  19348 where volunteers are striving to preserve a story too long overlooked.“This is a very important item in history, and yet it has been set aside for so many years with no one saying anything about it,” says Debbie Burston, educator and board member of the...
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By David Henke, Realtor, Homes Just West of Philadelphia PA
(Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc)
Happy Easter!Have a great day! David HenkeLong & Foster Real Estate Inc – Wilmington, DE/Devon, PAOffice: 610-225-7400/Direct: 610-618-0808http://www.DelawarePAHomes.com 
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By Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543, Selling the Main Line & Chester County
(Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055)
Stop by and say Hi! this Saturday 4/5 and Sunday 4/6 from 1 -3 pm at 362 Quigley Drive, Malvern, PA 19355.Check out the virtual walk through: Welcome to 362 Quigley Drive, a Kingston II model, a stunning 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath, with a plumbed in bath in the basement, end-unit townhome in the sought-after Spring Oak community of Malvern, PA. Nestled in the award-winning Great Valley School District, this home offers the perfect blend of charm, convenience, and modern luxury. Spring Oak is more than just a neighborhood—it’s a lifestyle. Picture kids riding bikes, neighbors chatting on tree-lined sidewalks, and weekends spent exploring scenic walking trails and bike paths. With low-maintenance living and resort-style amenities, you’ll have more time to enjoy what truly matters. Plus, with eas...
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By Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543, Selling the Main Line & Chester County
(Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055)
People often think home inspections are for reopening negotiations on the price. But this is far from the truth. Check out my quick video for the real reason for a home inspection. Buying a home on the Main Line or in Chester County, contact Nick Vandekar for guidance and representation, Selling the Main Line and Chester County with Realty ONE Group Advocates, office 484-237-2055, cell or text 610-203-4543, email Nick@VandekarTeam.com to set up a complimentary consultation to discuss your needs and find out the process for buying a home in Pennsylvania on the Main Line or in Chester County and surrounding areas.
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By Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543, Selling the Main Line & Chester County
(Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055)
Buying a house can be a long and winding road of ups and downs. But being prepared and knowing the steps can help you weather the emotional storms that invariably come along.Knowing how your credit score is calculated can be helpful to establishing a good strong score which will help you obtain a mortgage for the best rate.The riskier you are to lend money to, the higher the rate of interest will be on that mortgage which can make the cost of the loan prohibitive.1) Payment history, paying your bills on time makes up 35% of your score. Set an alarm in your calendar so that you do not miss any payment dates. This is the largest contributor to your credit score.2) The amount of debt you are carrying makes up 30% of your score, too much debt will affect your score negatively, lenders want ...
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By Susan Mangigian, Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches
(RE/MAX Preferred)
There are currently 7 homes for sale in this popular, over-55 community.  Of the homes currently for sale, prices range from $520,000 to $699,900. Good news for buyers: 4 of the seven have recently reduced their prices. This hasn't happened in the Mill for quite some time!Each village has its own HOA fees and a different capital contribution fund.  However, all villages pay toward a Master Association, making the initial investment into Hershey's Mill something to consider.Hershey's Mill is a gated golf course community, and the villages surround lovely grounds.  You don't need to golf to enjoy the many activities that are available.  You can be as active or inactive as you please!I am happy to provide information if you want to learn more about Hershey's Mill.  I will even take you on ...
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By Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543, Selling the Main Line & Chester County
(Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055)
As Spring rapidly approaches you may be considering is now the right time to sell your home? Kenny Chesney said:“Sunshine and spring bring out the best in everyone.”There are many things that go into deciding if now is the right time to sell your home. What are you trying to achieve? Is it to downsize or buy a larger home due to changes in family circumstances? Are you dealing with a death or divorce situation?Sometimes a time just comes when you know you need or want to move for a variety of reasons. When it is time, that is the time to move and sell your home.There is no right time specifically, it all depends on your situation. People often believe Spring is the best time to sell, however statistics actually show the best prices generally are achieved in the Fall.Anne Bradstreet said...
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By Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543, Selling the Main Line & Chester County
(Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055)
Who doesn't love a deal? I know I do. Having grown up as the son of an antique dealer I heard my father for many years negotiating when purchasing items for stock and when he was selling as well. It made me a better negotiator when I followed him into the business many years later. When every penny counts and it is your business you tend to study how to be a good negotiator.Main Line and Chester County buyers and sellers of real estate want a good deal and using an agent with excellent negotiation skills is a good beginning. But how do you get the best deal?There are many styles of negotiation win-win, win everything etc. But the best way to negotiate is to make sure both sides get most of what they want but probably not everything.For buyers the past few years have been brutal, with of...
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By Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543, Selling the Main Line & Chester County
(Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055)
Professional photography catches the eyes of potential buyers on line, but video can seal the deal. Today more people watch video short and long form than might read the description of a house.Whilst photos can show the rooms, a real video, not one of those tours of stitched together photos, can tell the story. When showing a house for sale, clients walk through the rooms, see the natural light, get a feel for the size and flow of the house. Well video can do the same thing. It can show a Main Line or Chester County buyer if this house might work for them or not; both are excellent results as our aim is to attract serious buyers not just those who want to look at homes.Generally, I want to show how the home flows through a video and pick out any special features. Obviously, with a large...
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By Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543, Selling the Main Line & Chester County
(Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055)
Buying a home can be stressful, but Main Line and Chester County buyers guided by Nick Vandekar, Selling the Main Line and Chester County with Realty ONE Group Advocates have an advantage, and often they have fun as well.Touring homes with the intention of buying one is different to just visiting someone's home. As a Realtor I have toured many, many homes over the 20 plus years I have been selling homes. I used to sell antiques, and when i was out hunting for inventory I often thought about what clients wanted. I found touring homes a similar experience, I walk though a home with an idea of what my clients have told me they want in a home.It is more than just three bedrooms and two baths, I usually sit and talk with clients for a while to discover what makes them tick, to uncover their ...
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By Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543, Selling the Main Line & Chester County
(Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055)
Main Line and Chester County buyers often get confused about how much money they need to buy a house. Many people get confused by the down payment and the amount of money they need to close on a house. Some people get confused between the down payment and the earnest money deposit.The down payment is the equity in the house you are paying for with cash you have in savings or another type of account. The balance of the purchase price if you are not paying cash is paid for with the mortgage.The earnest money deposit is the money you offer with the agreement of sale to show your sincerity in wanting to purchase the house. Typically in our area, The Main Line and Chester County the earnest money deposit is paid in two instalments. One within 5 days of acceptance of the offer, usually an amo...
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By Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543, Selling the Main Line & Chester County
(Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055)
There are many things to consider for buyers of Main Line and Chester County Homes and with the rise in interest rates one of the big questions being asked "Is an Adjustable Rate Mortgage Right for You?"So let's examine this and give you the information so you can feel confident about the decision you will make on what type of mortgage to use.Firstly the fixed rate mortgage is exactly that, the rate is fixed for the duration of the loan. You basically know what you will be paying for the term of the loan, the only part that might adjust is taxes if you pay those through your mortgage company. This is a great product, having come from the UK many years ago where we had floating rates and the mortgage interest rate would rise whenever the bank rate rose and fall when it fell, made for a l...
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By Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543, Selling the Main Line & Chester County
(Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055)
Main Line and Chester County Residents know the market has been hot for the last few years. With little to no inventory and multiple offers many buyers have been making several offers before either putting their house hunt on hold or being successful.Here we are in 2025, interest rates have risen over the last few months to hover between 6 and 7%, house prices have been rising every year and in some cases from month to month, so is that changing the market?For the past few years it has definitely been a seller's market. Sellers have sat back seeing their equity increasing dramatically, and they have come to expect offers without contingencies. No inspections, cash offers often and definitely no home for sale contingencies.But, is the market changing? In the past few weeks we have seen a...
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By Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543, Selling the Main Line & Chester County
(Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055)
Selling a home can be a grueling process, even in a market with low inventory and what has seemed like rising prices for the past couple of years. There are just so many facets to a transaction. Well Main Line and Chester County Residents relax, I am here to explain and help give you confidence to make the right decisions throughout the transaction.When you receive an offer it is made up of many parts, whilst most sellers look to the price first, there are many elements. These are called the terms of the offer. They may include the settlement date, whether the buyer is paying cash or using a mortgage. Is the buyer going to do inspections? Does the buyer have another home that has to be sold to buy your home?These are all types of contingencies. So let's explore what they mean for you as...
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By Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543, Selling the Main Line & Chester County
(Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055)
A quick video I put together today about the changing real estate market. Let me know what you think and if your local markets are also seeing changes? Not much to add here, other than inventory is still at historically low levels, but showings are down, contracts are down, days on market are rising, and sales price to list price ratio is dropping. 
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By Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543, Selling the Main Line & Chester County
(Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055)
Main Line and Chester County sellers looking to sell their homes are finding that professional photography sells their homes faster. As I was preparing to write this post, I wanted to use some non-professional photos, but I have been using a professional photographer for so long I actually could not find any in my files.A professional photographer can offer so many different benefits, from perfect balanced photos, 3D photo tours, drone photography that shows the setting of the home and even real video.Obviously using a professional photographer to provide the list of options above takes time and costs money. But, as an agent I have found the investment well worth the cost. I cover the cost of photography for my clients as I feel so strongly about using a professional photographer.Profes...
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By Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543, Selling the Main Line & Chester County
(Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055)
Overpricing your home can result in it not selling! Then you need to keep reducing the price and you end up in a spiral following the market down.For many years it has been a strong sellers market, with low interest rates and strong demand, sellers have seen multiple offers over asking. But while there is still a problem with low inventory, buyers are being hampered by strong interest rates compared to the last few years.Interest rates are now hovering between 6.5 and 7% and with inflation rising again they may not be dropping for sometime. High interest rates affect what buyers can afford, reducing the amount they can pay for a house.Pricing a home for sale needs to take into account what homes have sold for recently that are similar or as real estate likes to say comparable. Also, we ...
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By Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543, Selling the Main Line & Chester County
(Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055)
There are many things to consider when buying a home and deciding on your "Must Haves and Deal Breakers". But before you consider these it is important to consider where you want to live and this post is going to consider why that is important.Most buyers have their list and they know in the current low inventory market they need to be flexible. And while there may be certain things driving where they want to live there are also a host of intangibles which they may not have considered deeply enough.A young family looking for a home may want to live in a good school district, now that phrase is very subjective to begin with as only they know what they exactly mean by it. What is good for one child may not work for another. Likewise with demanding a safe area, for those coming from a rura...
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By Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543, Selling the Main Line & Chester County
(Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055)
Pricing a home for sale is a science and an art.Finding the right price for a home when listing it is important, overprice it and you may not get any showings. It is very true, buyers look at homes online first and most buyers are savvy enough to know when a home is overpriced as in this low inventory market they may have looked at and made offers on several homes already. Price it too low and buyers may wonder what is wrong with the house.As a seller, you may be thinking I want to use the agent who gives me the highest price to list my home. But, what you really want is to get the highest price and the best terms to match your plans for moving.I had a home for sale and we had multiple offers, my sellers did not accept the highest price offered, but took a lower offer with better terms....
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By Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543, Selling the Main Line & Chester County
(Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055)
Did you know a well staged home can sell faster and for more money? Here's how to make your home irresistible to buyers!Staging a home for sale is not about creating a theatre set, but to allow the buyers to see themselves living in the home. If there is too much personal clutter buyers cannot see past that and get distracted by photos, kids toys, etc. Here are some home staging tips for selling your home fast.Here are some key statistics on how home staging helps properties sell faster and for more money: Homes that are staged sell 3x faster – According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), staged homes typically spend 73% less time on the market compared to non-staged homes. Higher selling price – On average, staged homes sell for 5% to 10% more than homes which are not stage...
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By Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543, Selling the Main Line & Chester County
(Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055)
Curb appeal is that magic component when a buyer or anyone views your home and says to themselves that is cute, gorgeous, lovely or words similar. It is what that first impression generates in their mind and everything else flows from there. If it is a positive vibe then they will be more positive about the house, but, if it is negative then they generally will be looking for things to confirm that first impression.However, good curb appeal can add thousands to the value of your home and Spring is the perfect time to refresh a home's exterior.For example, I was showing a home to buyers and as we walked up to the front door we could all see the flower beds were filled with weeds and the mulch was old and decaying. As we entered the house, the buyers saw how dirty the wainscoting was and ...
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By Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543, Selling the Main Line & Chester County
(Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055)
Many sellers are unaware of the process of selling a home completely as they do it just a few times in their lives with long times in between each sale. And things are not always the same depending on what state you live in. I wrote a post about appraisals from the buyer's perspective and you can read "Why do I need an appraisal?" here. This post is from the seller's perspective.When your home goes under contract there are many different steps that take place. As part of the agreement between buyer and seller in Pennsylvania, there is an understanding that the buyer will make a full mortgage application if using one within the number of days stated in the contract. Once that application is made the mortgage lender will arrange for an appraiser to visit the house to verify the value of t...
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