Suburban Philadelphia Real Estate News

Boothhurst is a great community of single family homes located  in New Castle DE.

Boothhurst is a community of over 130 homes located just to the west of Route 9 in New Castle Delaware.  It is about midway between I-295 and New Castle and just east of Castle Hills.  This location provides quick access directly into Wilmington as well as easy freeway access toward Baltimore, Philadelphia, and across the Delaware Memorial Bridge into New Jersey.  Old New Castle is just moments away, and the developmment is also close to multiple entertainment and shopping options including the Christiana Mall just down I-95.

Boothhurst was built by Frank Robino with construction beginning in 1997 and largely completed by 2000.  The community contains a nice variety of homes.  Styles range from small 1100 sq ft Ranches to 2 story Colonials with well over 2000 sq ft.  Lots for the most part range from 5200 sq ft to just under 7000 sq ft.

Pricing in the community has followed the trends most often seen throughout the area.  After selling well below $200,000 for years, the first sale above $200,000 occurred in 2005 with prices for the year averaging $201,000 with 9 sales.  This quickly rose to an average price of $232,000 with 13 sales in 2006 and a peak average price of $240,000 with 11 sales in 2008.  Since then prices have moderated to $215,000 in 2008 with 6 sales and $225,000 in 2009 with 5.  Currently there is 1 home on the market for $217,000, one short sale under contract for $175,000, and year-to-date one sale (bank owned) for $165,000.

With its great location, newer construction, and nice variety, Boothhurst is a great option for homes in the area.

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.TwiceTheHouse.com

Castle Hills remains one of the most popular housing choices between downtown Wilmington and New Castle Delaware.

Castle Hills was one of the earliest suburban developments spreading north from New Castle as growth continued after the war.  The community is located west of Route 9 (Wilmington Rd/ New Castle Avenue) just to the north of Rogers Manor Park and east of Moores Lane.  This location provides immediate access to I-295 and the Delaware Memorial Bridge and easy routes for quick commutes into Wilmington, Philadelphia, and New Jersey.  It is also easily accessible from Route 13 by crossing over Boulden Boulevard at the first light south of the Route 13 and I-295 intersection.

Today, Castle Hills is a well established suburban community of over 490 homes.  Development began in the 1950's with the first homes being completed in 1953.  Building began in the south along Moores Lane across from the Castle Hills Elementary School, part of the Colonial School District, and generally spread north and east from there.  Construction in the community was largely complete by 1956, although scattered infill homes have continued to be built.  By far the most popular design built in Castle Hills was the small ranch homes.  These were originally built on concrete slabs and were generally 850 to just over 1000 square feet.  Over time, these tended to grow to average over 1000 sq ft by 1956 and included some two story and split level properties by that time. 

As we have seen throughout the area, pricing in Castle Hills also peaked in the 2006-2007 time frame.  In both years, the sales price averaged $163,000 with 28 sales in 2006 and 15 sales in 2007.  Since that time prices have fallen with 11 sales in 2008 averaging $150,000, 11 sales in 2009 for an average price of $136,000, and 3 sales year to date averaging $133,000.  There are also two pending sales with an average list price of $134,000 and 7 homes currently on the market averaging $171,000.

For potential homeowners, Castle Hills offers the convenience of being close to major transportation routes, solid comfortable homes in a variety of configurations, and a nice active community.  A great choice to call home in the New Castle DE area.

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

Welcome to Swanwyck, Swanwyck Gardens, and Swanwyck Estates conveniently located between Wilmington and New Castle in New Castle County DE.

These three communities are all nestled together south of I-295 and west of Route 9/ New Castle Ave/ Wilmington Rd.  I-295 is immediately accessible with direct access either north or south from Route 9 and there is a slip exit directly off I-295 north into the Swanwyck Gardens section  This location also provides direct routes from Route 9 into Wilmington and New Castle.  Just a short drive west, Route 13/ the Dupont Highway affords additional routes south to the New Castle County Airport and beyond.

Swanwyck was named after the original home in the area that was built in approximately 1819 and has been listed on the National Register of Historic places since 1977.   Very limited development and building began in the late 1930's & early 40's with some 2 story colonials and ranches being built along Landers Lane, Prince Ave, and Queen Ave.  This development was suspended during the war years but resumed in full force after the war with the vast majority of homes then built as ranch style properties during the 1950's.  This later development encompassed most of the area between Landers Lane and I-295 and to the west of the Eisenberg Elementary School and Route 9.  Today, per the public tax records, the three communities encompass over 460 properties.

Like many areas in the county, Swanwyck has seen quite a bit of price variation over the last few years.  Since 2003, the average sales price rose from $129,000 to $139,000 in 2004, $163,000 in 2005, $183,000 in 2006, and $186,000 in 2007.  During this period, activity remained remarkably stable with 24 sales per year in 2003-2006 and dropping to 13 sales in 2007.  In 2008, there were only 14 additional sales with the price pulling back to $173,000.

This year sales have recovered slightly but prices took a hit with an average sales price year to date of $144,000.  The good news is that on a monthly basis the pricing has been rising for much of the year as the overall economy has appeared to be on more solid footing.  Today there are 4 properties currently on the market with an average asking price of $173,000 and one home under contract with a list price of $189,000.

With its great location and solid housing, the three communities of Swanwyck, Swanwyck Gardens, and Swanwyck Estates should continue to be a solid choice in the area.  Prices should remain fairly stable from here supported by the current tax incentives and provided that the overall economy continues to regain some momentum.

As always, if you have any questions or are considering a move in the area, please feel free to contact me anytime.