Suburban Philadelphia Real Estate News

The Brandywine Festival of the Arts is this weekend in the Brandywine Park near downtown Wilmington DE.

Continuing a tradition spanning 51 years, the Brandywine Festival of the Arts will be holding its event this weekend, the weekend after Labor Day, in Brandywine Park. Located next to the river in the Josephine Gardens across from the Zoo just below the Washington Street bridge, the site is within easy walking distance to downtown Wilmington, Trolley Square, and the north side Brandywine neighborhoods.

This year the Festival will be held from 9-6 on Saturday September 10 and 9-4 on Sunday September 11. Free parking with shuttle service will be available at the Old Wanamaker building on Augustine Cutoff just above the park. Shuttles will be running every 15 minutes.

The Festival will have over 250 artists along with live music, food, and children's activities.The juried artists come from throughout the eastern seaboard representing both regional and national styles and trends. The wide ranging collection of art includes everything from fine art to metal work, jewelry, leather, and wearable art. The music includes both old favorites and new performers in an open air music showcase.

Another great area event during the final days of summer as we prepare to enjoy the great fall season. Come out and enjoy. The event will be held rain or shine.

David Henke
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc
Wilmington DE/Devon PA
Direct:610-618-0808 - Office:302-834-3431
www.DelawarePAHomes.com 

Just a quick reminder that tonight is the last 2011 Family Fun Night at Wilmington's Brandywine Zoo!

Again this year, 93.7 WSTW Family Fun Nights, sponsored by Del-One, are being held at the Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington. Admission is only $1 with kids under 3 FREE. There will be animal presentations, interactive games, and music along with Nancy and Spencer from WSTW.

The final Brandywine Zoo 93.7 WSTW Family Fun night will be held September 1 from 6-8PM at 1001 North Park Drive in the Brandywine Park.

It should be beautiful weather, a good way to begin the Labor Day weekend, and great night to relax with the family. Don't miss your last opportunity this year and ... Enjoy!

David Henke
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc
Wilmington DE/Devon PA
Direct:610-618-0808 - Office:302-834-3431
www.DelawarePAHomes.com 

Don't forget to take some time out this summer to enjoy the Delaware State Parks 2011 Summer Concert Series.

Once again the Delaware State Parks are holding their 2011 Summer Concert Series in five parks throughout the state. This year various concerts will be held in Bellevue State Park north of Wilmington, Killens Pond State Park north of Harrington, White Clay Creek State Park near Newark, Trap Pond State Park near Seaford, and Rockford Park in Wilmington.

In New Castle County, Bellevue has shows on Thursdays and Sundays,White Clay is on Wednesdays, and Rockford is on Mondays. Trap Pondand Killens Pond both hold their concerts on Fridays.  All the events are supported by the generous sponsorship of Inc Now, the Delaware Opthalmology Consultants, and the Delaware Division of the Arts along with Classic Realty, the Trinity Foundation, the Friends of Killen Pond, Trap Pond Partners, and the Friends of White Clay Creek.

This year the concerts began in June and will continue through August. All the concerts are free to the public although park entrance fees may be applicable.

Be sure to take some time and enjoy all the area has to offer!

David Henke
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc
Wilmington DE/Devon PA
Direct:610-618-0808 - Office:302-834-3431
www.DelawarePAHomes.com 

The Newport DE (Zip Code 19804) real estate market is following the trends seen throughout the area with both home prices and activity easing.

Although centered on Newport, zip code 19804 actually encompasses parts of three separate communities with the US Postal Service recognizing Stanton, Newport, and Wilmington as acceptable addresses.  The Zip itself is bounded by the Christina River and White Clay Creek to the south, the old B&O freight railroad line to the north, the City of Wilmington to the east, and includes the Delaware Park Race Track to the west. According to the public records, this area includes over 6200 residential properties.

Newport has a long history beginning with its first land grant in 1641 and was first developed as a port and trading area beginning in the 1730s. This growth took advantage of both its access to the river and its location as a stage stopover on the Old King's Highway. Newport saw the creation of one of the first post offices in the United States and later became a terminus of the Newport-Gap Pike. Newport was formally incorporated as a town in 1873.

Over the years, as Wilmington grew and rail lines developed, Newport's importance in trading declined and development turned to more commercial and manufacturing growth. Over the years, the area has seen a wide range of industry from tanning and fertilizer to automobile and chemical production. GM manufactured cars in the area from 1947 through 2009 at its Boxwood plant, and Fisker announced plans in 2009 to begin electric automobile production at the same facility.

Today, Newport lies just to the north of the major I-95 interchange connecting with I-495 to the north and I-295 to the Delaware Memorial Bridge and New Jersey. Route 141 and Route 4 run right through town and it is just moments from the Kirkwood Highway, the Dupont Highway/Route 13 and Route 1 heading toward the beaches. These roads provide immediate access to Wilmington, Newark, and New Castle while also affording easy travel to the beaches, Baltimore, and north into Pennsylvania toward West Chester or Philadelphia.

The 19804 Zip code encompasses a wide range of housing choices.These include single family homes, twins, rows, and apartments of every age and style. As seen throughout much of the area, both housing prices and sales activity have been declining recently.

Prices peaked in 2007 when the average home sales price reached $203,000.  Since then, the average prices fell to $187,000 in 2008, $183,000 in 2009, $171,000 in 2010, and to $149,000 so far this year.

Home sales activity in zip code 19804 has followed the same trend. Activity peaked in 2005 and 2006 when sales reached 273 properties each year.  This activity then fell to 243 completed sales in 2007, 185 in 2008, 168 in 2009, 138 in 2010, and 77 this year to date.  These numbers represent a 26% decline from peak prices and 43% decline from peak sales activity. In detail:

Zip Code 19804 Real Estate Activity:
Year:             Homes      |    Avg Price       |
Active:             112                  $175,000
Pending:          23                    $145,000
Sold 2011:       77                    $149,000
2010:               138                  $171,000
2009:               168                  $183,000
2008:               185                  $187,000
2007:               243                  $203,000
2006:               273                  $192,000
2005:               273                  $175,000

With its ideal central location, Newport and all of Zip Code 19804 should continue to be a prime destination for both home owners and businesses. Combined with its easy access to shopping, entertainment, and all the regional major metropolitan areas, Newport and the surrounding zip should continue to be a great choice for years to come.

David Henke
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc
Wilmington DE/Devon PA
Direct:610-618-0808 - Office:302-834-3431
www.DelawarePAHomes.com 

(All statistics per the TrendMLS System and are believed accurate but not guaranteed)

The Wilmington Flower Market and Winterthur's Point-to-Point are just around the corner.

Pike Creek, Newport, and Elsmere continue to be popular areas for residents in northern New Castle County Delaware with affordable housing and loads of options.

The Friends of the Hockessin Library will be holding their Annual Used Book Sale this Thursday through Sunday.

Be sure to meet this year's General Election Candidates before the vote on November 2!

With the election less than three weeks away, now is an excellent time to take the chance to get out and meet the candidates.  In Delaware, we have the unique advantage of being a small state in which we actually do have the chance to see, meet, and talk to most of our candidates up close and personally.

Locally, in addition to the candidate forums, fundraisers, and debates, two candidates are holding coffees.  Fred Cullis is holding a Saturday morning coffee every Saturday at his campaign headquarters in Elsmere from 8:00-10:00.  Greg Lavelle has been holding coffees every first and third Tuesday morning at in Fairfax for several years.  There are still chances to meet both candidates before the election.

In addition, the Greater Hockessin Area Development Association is holding a Candidate Forum this Monday, October 18 at 5:30, focusing on State and local candidates.  The forum will be held at the Hockessin Fire Co's Memorial Hall.

The Candidate Forum schedule includes:
- 5:30-6:00    NCC County Sheriff Candidates
- 6:00-6:45    State Auditor & Treasurer Candidates
- 6:45-7:30    NCC Council Candidates for District #3
- 7:30-8:15    State Representative Candidates for Districts #20 & 22
- 8:15-9:00    State Senate Candidates for District #7 & 8

There are a wide variety of additional fundraisers, community meetings, updates, and forums scheduled throughout the area before the election.  All the candidates look forward to the opportunity of meeting with their neighbors and hearing their views.  The more they hear and understand the issues, the better and more effective they can be in their new positions.  Take advantage of the opportunity to be heard!

This is an key election at both the State and National level with very clear differences among the candidates.  It is important that every voter take the time to be well informed and vote!

If you ever have any questions or need any additional information, please feel free to contact me anytime!

David Henke
Long & Foster Real Estate Inc - Bear, DE/Newtown Square, PA
Office: 302-834-3431/Cell: 610-618-0808
www.DelawarePAHomes.com

Remember that today, Saturday October 9, is the last day to register to vote in the November General Election. Postmarks are accepted.

For more information visit: http://elections.delaware.gov/services/voter/placestoregister.shtml

To register online visit: https://registertovote.elections.delaware.gov/voterreg/TermsAgreement

Be sure to be heard in November!