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Alan J. Heavens has been writing about real estate and home improvement for the last 14 years. A veteran of 35 years as a reporter, he holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in history.
Heavens cannot make recommendations about contractors, Realtors, mortgage services or neighborhoods.
I often think about old things I'd like to be rid of - like about 40 years between me and my early 20s - but that's not possible until they invent a time machine.
I've grown fond of "Town by Town," the Sunday Business section feature, not only for what it contributes to my understanding of local real estate but also for the ways it expands my knowledge of other things.
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Chadds Ford, By the Numbers
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Population: 3,640 (2010). Median income: $106,342 (2008). Area: 8.7 square miles. Homes for sale: 113. Settlements in the last three months: 29.
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Chadds Ford: The charms of Wyeth country
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One in a continuing series spotlighting real estate markets in this region's communities. Bruce Prabel and his wife, Marianne, crossed Brandywine Creek from their northern Delaware home in 1979 to what was then Birmingham Township, Delaware County, and came upon The Lake.
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Use ammonia to remove coating from glass
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Question: We moved into a home with 20-year-old sliding glass doors that were treated with what appears to be a thin plastic coating or plastic shield for sun glare.
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Too many defaults on modified mortgages
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Considering the hoops that too many borrowers have to go through to obtain mortgage modifications, the news from the Treasury Department wasn't encouraging.
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Merchantville, a place with staying power
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Weichert Realtors agents Joel and Kelly Darland agree to talk about Merchantville, the Camden County borough where they have lived for three years as well as sell houses.
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Tools and techniques for cleaning your deck
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I was looking at my home's back steps, constructed of pressure-treated wood, and decided it was time for the annual get-rid-of-the-mildew-and-seal-them program.
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Many homeowners regret their choice
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There have been times, in the 31 years I have owned houses, that I've suffered from what could be characterized as buyer's remorse.
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Haddington, By the Numbers
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Population: 30,913 (2010) Median income: $29,187 (2009) Area: 0.88 square miles Homes for sale: 95 Settlements in the last three months: 12
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Haddington a growing area in W. Philly
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One in a continuing series spotlighting real estate markets in this region's communities. There was a time 60th Street in Haddington was called "Real Estate Row," because of the 22 realty offices that lined both sides of the thoroughfare.
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Readers offer solutions to persistent problems
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I get the impression that there are a lot of untrustworthy cats in this country from the number of remedies submitted to me on combating urine odors.
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