Overall home sales activity continued to decline in 2011, but the rate began to recover toward the end of the year. As of January 1 2012, available homes for sale declined slightly as compared to January 1 2011 while homes under contract rose - boding well for the housing market as we enter 2012. In addition, while yearly sales continued to decline to a rate 9% below 2011 and 19% below 2010, the gap in activity began to close as the sales rate began to rise toward the end of the year. (Check out the last Update in July here) As of January 1 each year:Year:  Homes on the Market | Homes under Contract | Homes Sold2012:            :3133                              464                           40722011:            :3210                              414                           44762010: ... 01/20/2012

Haverford Township's Historic Preservation Ordinance In December 2009, the Haverford Township Board of Commissioners passed Ordinance No. 2580-2009, a Historic Preservation Ordinance, in order to balance the Township's rich history with its future. The Ordinance was enacted to preserve Haverford Township's local historical character and valuable resources. Using the Historic Resources Survey prepared in 1994 by the Delaware County Planning Department as the resource listing for the Ordinance, it includes over 100 properties throughout Haverford Township, evaluated for historical and architectural integrity and significance.   The volunteer Haverford Historical Commission has written and printed a brochure describing its duties and includes information on the Historic Resources Survey. F... 10/26/2011

Wednesday, October 12 hearing to focus on Marcellus Shale air pollution The House Democratic Policy Committee, at the request of State Reprsentative Greg Vitali, will hold a hearing at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12 at Delaware County Community College, 901 South Media Line Road, Media, to discuss concerns about air pollution from Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling. The hearing will be held in the large auditorium, Room 2225, in the Academic Building. Air quality is a growing concern as Marcellus drilling expands across the state. The purpose of this hearing is to examine the extent of air pollution associated with drilling and what steps need to be taken to address the pollution. Former Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger, Clean Air Council attorney... 10/05/2011

The 17th Annual Haverford Township Day will be celebrated this Saturday from 8am - 4:30pm. Last year over 16,000 people attended this community event. This Saturday the parade will begin at Manoa Shopping Center on Eagle Road. Haverford School Bands, our local Boy Scout troops, Rotary Club, church floats, Irish Dancers, antique cars and lots more of Haverford Township talent will start walking at 10am. Eagle and Darby Roads will be closed to let the parade march thru. Darby Road will remain closed until 4:30pm from Eagle to Brookline Blvd where games and rides for the kids will be available. Food carts galore, flea market tables, craft tables, etc will be set up along Darby Road. Musicians will be performing in a few different locations, one being in front of the Skatuim. It's a fun day... 09/29/2011

The Haverford Hill condominiums continue to be a popular choice although prices and sales activity have both weakened recently as compared to our last update in January 2010. Throughout the county, home prices and sales activity have continued to be weak as consumers remain wary of the unsettled local, national, and international prospects. Condominiums of existing complexes have seen lowered demand and this weakness is reflected in both the pricing and sales activity seen in the Haverford Hill condominium complex. In 2009, the average price of a 2 bedroom unit was $149,000. This eased to $143,000 in 2010 and $133,500 in 2011.  With an average list price for properties currently on the market of only $133,000, the average price appears to be headed lower for all of 2011. The same trend ... 07/24/2011

"The Impact of the First Amendment on Women Leaders and Social Media" A valuable part of the National Foundation for Women Legislators’ mission is connecting women leaders of today with women leaders of tomorrow. Each year, the NFWL and the National Rifle Association co-sponsor an academic scholarship for seven high school juniors and seniors. Winners receive a $3,000 scholarship award and are given the opportunity to attend this year’s NFWL’s Annual Conference in Des Moines, Iowa. At the conference, the scholarship recipients have the opportunity to learn about public policy, receive leadership training and network with lawmakers from all 50 states. Several past winners have said their experience through the program strengthened their passion for public service. It is important to not... 06/21/2011

Manoa and Upper Darby Post Offices closing As a result of a study conducted last year and continued decline in mail volume, the U.S. Postal Service will close Manoa Post Office, 1411 West Chester Pike, Havertown and 69th Street Post Office, 6901 Market Street, Upper Darby on Friday, June 17, 2011. Local mail delivery will not be affected. Customers wishing to conduct postal business at an office location can continue at Havertown Post Office, 444 E. Township Line Road, Havertown and Upper Darby Post Office, 201 Bywood Ave, Upper Darby. Customers can also use the Postal Service's website, www.usps.com to request package pickup, print shipping labels and purchase stamps. Customers can call 1-800-782-6724 to purchase stamps.   06/14/2011

Merry Place cleanup moved to Saturday, April 30th The Darby Creek Valley Association has changed the date of the Darby Creek cleanup from April 23 to April 30 because of the Easter holiday. Here's an update to the schedule I provided earlier. 9 a.m. to noon April 30 -- Merry Place Meet at Glendale Road near the intersection with Burmont Road. Captain: Tim Denny 9 a.m. April 30 -- Haverford Reserve Meet near the Marple Road entrance to the reserve. Captain: Bob Stump See my original posting at: http://activerain.com/blogsview/2245993/darby-creek-cleanup-days-in-haverford-township-pa   04/19/2011

Darby Creek Valley Association cleanup days This spring, hundreds of volunteers will gather throughout the 77 square miles and 31 municipalities in the Darby Creek/Cobbs Creek watershed to remove tires, shopping carts and other accumulated debris from the creek and feeder streams we all share. You can join us at one of the Haverford Township sites: 9 a.m. to noon April 16 -- Grange Estate Bring boots and gloves and meet at the Long Barn behind the parking lot. Latecomers can come to the creek. Captain: Roy Sandstrom, grangest@verizon.net 2:30 p.m. April 16 -- Bryn Mawr Meet on Darby Road by the Blue Route over pass and Ithan Creek in Bryn. Please do not bring small children because of the traffic. Captain: Jan Marie Rushforth, Rushforth@comcast.net 9 a.m. to noon April 23 -- Merry Plac... 04/14/2011

Cybersafe program Monday April 4th at Haverford High SchoolThis program will deal with the issue of one of the dark sides of internet usage. Bullies hiding behind the anonymity of the web. Verizon's Cybersafe Philly program will hold its second free cybersafety summit 7 p.m. Monday, April 4 at the Haverford High School Auditorium. Tina Meier, founder of The Megan Meier Foundation and one of the nation's most sought-after speakers on the topics of cyberbullying and cybersafety, will address the summit. Meier's 13-year-old daughter, Megan, took her life in 2006 after becoming victim to a cyberbullying attack orchestrated by an adult and teenager who lived down the street from her family.This is the second of 10 planned Cybersafe Philly summits across southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey ... 03/30/2011

It's time to pull out the crock pot and slow cook a delicious St. Patrick's Day Dinner of Corned Beef & Cabbage. I'm certain that a quintessential multitasker invented this method so we can come home to the welcoming arms of a hot cooked meal after working all day. Prep: 20 minutes         Cook: 8 hours          Serves: 10 Ingredients:    3 1/2 cups Beef Broth or Beef Stock    1/4 cup cider vinegar    2 medium onions, cut into quarters          5 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters (about 5 cups)    5 medium carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces (about 2 1/2 cups)    1 corned beef or beef brisket (about 3 pounds)    1 head green cabbage, trimmed and cut into 6 wedges (about 2 pounds)    Bouquet Garni  (a bunch of herbs tied together with string removed after cooking is done)  Direct... 03/16/2011

 A touching story in the midst of all the disasters that have befallen Japan. And it's a dog story. A dog rescue story. I have to admit my bias since I'm the proud Mom of 2 black labs.  You go Pearl!!    A floppy-eared homeless pooch turned search and rescue dog has landed in Japan and is actively searching for survivors from the country's devastating earthquake and tsunami. Pearl and her handler, Los Angeles County Fire Captain Ron Horetski, along with five other Canine Disaster Search Teams from the Los Angeles County Task Force 2, arrived in Japan on Sunday, reports The Danville Patch. Last year, the 4-year-old black labrador's shelter-to-hero story was captured in a children's book, A New Job for Pearl. All proceeds from the book, which was illustrated by second graders from Rancho ... 03/15/2011

You scroll through the multiple listing information, watch virtual tours, click on Google Earth to check out the street view and everything about the home fits your needs.  Then, you see that number, the "Days on Market" number, and find out the home has been on the market for 160 days!  Your mind races, what's wrong with this house, is it priced too high, why hasn't anyone snagged this great deal?   Its amazing the perceptions that can be created from the number of days a home has sat on the market.  As a buyer its easy to assume the worst, I do it myself.  However, the truth behind this number is much more complex than one might think.  Here's a seasonal and general guide on how to interpret "Days on Market": End of Winter/Early Spring: Expect longer days on Market.  Because winter is... 03/06/2011

Haverford Township Residential Homes SOLD in February 2011 73 homes were newly listed Minimum SOLD Price was $147,500 Maximum SOLD Price was $940,006 Average SOLD Price was $358,395 Average number of Days on Market was 116 29 Properties SOLD in Haverford Township, Delaware County PA in February  (Information from TrendMLS) Haverford Township October 2010 Sales Haverford Township December 2010 Sales Haverford Township January 2011 Sales   03/03/2011

EPA public meeting on the Havertown Superfund Site study EPA will hold a public meeting from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16 at Haverford Township commissioner’s meeting room, 2325 Darby Road, to discuss a study of some homes near the Havertown Superfund being prompted by the discovery of trichloroethylene (TCE) in groundwater. Some residents will be asked to participate in the study and will receive a package in the mail from EPA asking to test their homes at no charge. Only residents who receive the package will be part of the study. If levels of concern are found at the residences participating in the study, additional samples will be taken or a vapor reduction system will be installed in the homes at no cost to the resident. Based on the results, EPA may also expand the study. ... 02/10/2011

  Haverford Township Residential Homes SOLD in January 2011 44 homes were newly listed Minimum SOLD Price was $160,000 Maximum SOLD Price was $960,582 Average SOLD Price was $428,789 Average number of Days on Market was 96 26 Properties SOLD in Haverford Township, Delaware County PA in the month of January   (Information from TrendMLS) Haverford Township August 2010 Sales Haverford Township September 2010 Sales Haverford Township October 2010 Sales Haverford Township December 2010 Sales   02/04/2011

Here in Pennsylvania, especially in Punxsutawney, we really celebrate Ground Hog Day. You can even win lottery money with a Groundhog scratch off ticket. I look forward to watching the movie with Bill Murray for laughs and eating popcorn beside the fire because I'll probably need to sit down after spending a good part of my day shoveling snow. Yes, we're expecting more snow and/or sleeting rain Tuesday into Wednesday. Punxsutawney Phil better stay inside his hole with a BIG bowl of popcorn. Looking forward to the SuperBowl this Sunday to take my mind off the fact I have to stock up on Advil before the next storm hits.  Keep warm, Phil. See you in the Spring.   01/31/2011

Tax-preparation assistance available AARP Tax-Aide is a free program offered by the AARP Foundation together with the IRS. Tax-Aide volunteers are trained in conjunction with the IRS.This tax-preparation assistance program for seniors will be available at the Oakmont Administration Center, 50 E. Eagle Road, Havertown, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. from Feb. 1 through April 14. Free electronically filed tax preparation assistance for Haverford Township seniors will be offered by appointment only. To schedule an appointment time, please call 610-853-5900 ext. 7050. Walk-ins will be accepted only if there is a cancellation. Please keep in mind that this location offers electronic filing only. If you wish to file on paper, this location cannot be used.Senior... 01/15/2011

Main Line Real Estate, Haverford Township Market Report. Haverford Township Market Report for second half of 2010 saw single family homes drop again in price per square foot price to $165, this is the second consecutive price drop for Haverford Township and whilst sales remain strong, 148 homes in the second half of 2010 prices are dropping. Compared to the same time periond in 2009 prices have dropped 9-10% per square foot. Prices realized were 95% of asking price, comparable to local townships and property marketing periond was 91 days, which is pretty good in this market especially compared to other local townships. Townhome numbers are a little skewed by the sales in Haverford Reserve, new construction in the township pushing the square foot price up to $177 per square foot. Propert... 01/14/2011

Pennsylvania Farm Show starts Saturday                                                                                                   The 2011 Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg opens this Saturday, January 8, and will run through next Saturday, January 15. The show is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 8 to Jan. 14 and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. January 15. For a complete schedule, click here. The Pennsylvania Farm Show is the largest indoor agricultural event in the nation, featuring nearly 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits and 290 commercial exhibitors. The show is held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center. Admission is free and parking is $10.   01/07/2011