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Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 5 HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
he NewMarket Services Information Guide is designed as a valuable
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6 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide www.newmarketservices.com Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ Volume 11 [ Numbers 10
LOCAL INFORMATION The State of Pennsylvania 8 Area Codes, Important Phone Numbers 13 Travel Information 14 Driver License and Vehicle Registration 15 About Philadelphia and South Jersey 9 Weather 10 Historical Background 11 Publisher: NewMarket Services, Inc. Where to Stay 16 President: Patrick Morgan Dining and Nightlife 17 Entertainment 18 Managing Editor: Rebecca Wallace Recommended Tours 20 Executive Editor: Jason Gerali Media 21 Contributing Writer: Amy Tenant MOVING Executive VP Sales & Marketing: Robert Fischer Smooth Transitions 27 Regional Sales Manager: Beth Hurley Choosing a Moving Company 27 Packing Tips 27 Art Department: Sprague Design Staying Organized 29 Graphic Designer: Dean Sprague Settling Into Your New Home 29 NewMarket On-Line: Total Web Design, Inc. What’s All the Talk About? 30 IT and Web Development: Larry Bongiovi Pre-Move Checklist 32 Relocating Your Pet 34 Research Assistant: Stephanie Cooper, Lora Price Circulation: Little Drummer Boy Dist., Inc. MOVING WITH CHILDREN Reinforce the Positives 36 Phoenix Office: Choosing a School 36 PO Box 30534 Selecting Child Care 38 Phoenix, AZ 85046-0534 Education 40 Phone: (602) 923-3415 Fax: (602) 923-0774 FITNESS & HEALTH Toll Free: (866) 595-3791 In the Kitchen 45 Physical and Mental Well Being 46 Chicago Office: Volunteering 48 902 North Ashland Chicago, IL 60622 HOUSING Phone: (312) 226-6288 Making the Right Choice 54 Fax: (312) 226-6290 Choosing the Right Home 56 Toll Free: (866) 595-3792 Home Inspection Checklist 57 Housing Options For Growing Active Adults Demographics 58 NewMarket currently publishes Information Homecare Basics for New Homeowners 60 Guides for 95 North American and 32 International Markets. To order your Security 61 NewMarket Information Guides for $3.50 Home Buyer’s Glossary 62 each, please contact NewMarket Services Take Control of Your Energy Costs 64 toll free at (866) 595-3792. Who’s Who in Building 65 In preparing this publication, every effort Selecting a Builder 66 has been made to assure the accuracy of Selecting a Contractor 67 the information contained herein, but Banking & Mortgage Information 68 authenticity cannot be guaranteed. Listings are subject to omission, error or change without notice. BUSINESS DIRECTORY Business Directory Listings 72 All material in this publication is copyright protected and can only be reprinted with permission of the publisher.
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 7 THE STATE OF NEW YORK
Pennsylvania was one of the thirteen colonies that revolted Syracuse Albany against British rule in the American Revolution of 1776. CANADA Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the U.S. Rochester MA Constitution on December 12, 1787. The Battle of Gettysburg took Toronto place in 1863. Many historians consider this battle the major turning NY CT Westchester County point of the Civil War. Dead soldiers from this battle rest at Gettysburg National Cemetery, site of Abraham Lincoln's Buffalo Gettysburg Address. In the latter half of the 19th century, the U.S. oil industry was born Allentown in western Pennsylvania, which supplied the vast majority of U.S. kerosene for years thereafter. During the 20th century, PA Philadelphia/South Jersey Pennsylvania’s existing iron industries expanded into a major center Cleveland NJ of steel production. Shipbuilding and numerous other forms of manufacturing flourished in the eastern part of the state, and coal OH Pittsburgh mining was also extremely important in many regions. Baltimore Pennsylvania's 2004 total gross state product was $468 billion, MD this ranks Pennsylvania 6th in the nation. Its agricultural outputs are DL dairy products, poultry, cattle, nursery stock, mushrooms, hogs, WV and hay. Its industrial outputs are food processing, chemical products, machinery, and electric equipment. Tourism is a very big ennsylvania's nickname, the Keystone State, is quite apt, industry in the state, ranking as the 7th most visited state in the because the state forms a geographic bridge both between union, and 7th in tourism expenditures with $15.9 billion. Pthe Northeastern states and the Southern states, and Pennsylvania has also been called the snack food capital of the between the Atlantic seaboard and the Midwest. Pennsylvania is world. It leads all other states in the manufacture of pretzels and bisected diagonally by ridges of the Appalachian Mountains from potato chips. The Sturgis Pretzel House introduced the pretzel to southwest to northeast America, and companies like Anderson Bakery Company, Pennsylvania has one of the largest seaports in the U.S. on its Intercourse Pretzel Factory, and Snyder's of Hanover are leading narrow shore, the Port of Philadelphia. In the west the Port of manufacturers in the state. The three companies that define the Pittsburgh is also very large and even exceeds Philadelphia in rank U.S. potato chip industry are Utz Quality Foods which started by annual tonnage, because of the large volume of bulk coal making chips in Hanover, Pennsylvania in 1921, Wise Snack Foods shipped by barge down the Ohio River. Chester, downstream from which started making chips in Berwick in 1921, and Lay's Potato Philadelphia, and Erie, the Great Lakes outlet on Lake Erie in the Chips, a Tennessee company. Hershey is known as the chocolate Erie Triangle, are smaller but still important ports. capital of the world. When first discovered by Europeans, Pennsylvania, like the rest of the continent, was inhabited by groups of American Indians, people of Mongoloid ancestry unaware of European culture. In the Fast Facts early 1600s the English, Dutch, and Swedes disputed the right to STATE MOTTO: Virtue, Liberty, and Independence the region of Pennsylvania. In 1681, Charles II of England granted a land charter to William Penn for the area that now includes POPULATION: 12,429,616 Pennsylvania. Penn then founded a colony there as a place of CAPITAL: Harrisburg religious freedom for the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), and COUNTIES: 67 named it for the Latin phrase meaning “Penn’s woods.” LARGEST CITIES: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Allentown Beginning in the early 1700’s, large numbers of German immigrants began settling throughout Pennsylvania and for many STATE SALES TAX: 6% generations, the German language dominated in many rural areas HOUSING UNITS: 5,385,729 of the state. Individuals claiming German ancestry currently make MEDIAN INCOME: $42,952 up a majority of the ethnic composite of Pennsylvania.
8 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide ABOUT PHILADELPHIA AND SOUTH JERSEY
OVERVIEW
he first thing residents discover about Philadelphia is that it’s a walking town. You’ll find most places are within a mile of City Hall. Stroll on pleasant, tree-lined streets Tthat display a rich mix of architecture ranging from Colonial to Victorian to Bauhaus, sometimes all presented within the same block. Recent years have seen a burst of building activity and there are days when it seems like every street in town is under construction, especially when you’re trying to find a parking space. But because it’s a walking town, residents can leave their cars and wander. Each street connects to smaller and smaller streets and alleyways that hide small groups of houses, clever gardens, footnotes to American history and good coffee spots to take a rest. Getting Around Philadelphia This was the first major city to be designed on a grid system, which means that directions make sense: You can walk from the east end of Market Street to the west end in a straight line. The streets running north to south are numbered from two to 69. On-street parking is generally limited to two hours and some streets have their own peculiar restrictions, so read the signs carefully. There is a lot of construction and street repair going on, but generally these are small projects that only disrupt the traffic flow for a few days at a time in any one spot. There are ample parking garages with rates lower than New York and discounts for all-day parking. The local public transportation, SEPTA, has routes that cover the whole region, including a light rail from the airport. SEPTA passes are available at day, weekly or monthly rates. Cab drivers here are as peculiar as they are anywhere, but they are all licensed and generally very reliable. In Center City, the wait for a cab should be no more than five minutes. A City of Neighborhoods PHILADELPHIA Philadelphia occupies as much land as New York City, but with a smaller population of DEMOGRAPHICS about 1.5 million spread out over the area. Downtown Philadelphia is referred to as Center City. This covers 30 blocks from the Delaware River on the east end to the Schuykill River City Population: 1,517,550 on the west side, as far north as Spring Garden Street and south to South Street. But within Male: 46.46% this area there are even more neighborhoods. Female: 53.54% Start your visit with the neighborhood around Independence Hall. This is where the Median Age: 37.4 Liberty Bell rang out and where the Declaration of Independence, the United States ETHNIC MAKE-UP: Constitution and the Bill of Rights were written and signed. Sit under a tree in the gardens. African American: 43.22% Mail postcards home from Benjamin Franklin’s Post Office (besides everything else, he was Asian: 4.46% the first Postmaster General). This area is Society Hill, where you can tour Independence Hispanic: 8.5% Native American: 0.27% National Park, then do some shopping and have a cocktail at an intimate bar; then head up White/Caucasian: 45.02% the block to a play, concert, or movie; then discuss the show over a late dinner and head Median Household Income: $39,727 out again to hear live music, all within a few blocks. North of Market Street is Old City, which Cost of Living Index: 102.76 is Philadelphia’s version of New York’s Soho, with wonderful restaurants, small art galleries and a growing number of design firms; this is the fashionable young hip scene in all its shades.
continued on page 16
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 9 ABOUT PHILADELPHIA AND SOUTH JERSEY
East of Old City, along the Delaware River, Penn’s Landing is a South Jersey backdrop for outdoor festivals and free summer concerts, as well as Although separated by a state line, when speaking of the fireworks on holidays. Or you can take a ferry across the river to the Philadelphia metropolitan area South Jersey is a vital area. South aquarium. In the summer, open-air clubs north of the Ben Franklin Jersey is a colloquial term, with no consensus definition, covering Bridge take advantage of the breathtaking view. the southern portions of New Jersey between the lower Delaware West of Old City, between 8th and 13th Streets, is Chinatown. River and the Atlantic Ocean. Some people divide New Jersey into These days Chinatown is about half Chinese and half a combination North Jersey and South Jersey; some put Central Jersey between of Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Burmese and Pan-Asian, and rivals them. any Chinatown in the country. It’s also home to the Pennsylvania New Jersey is sandwiched between two large cities: New York Convention Center and the Reading Terminal Market. City in the northeast and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the On the west end of Center City is the fashionable Rittenhouse southwest; Benjamin Franklin called her a “barrel tapped at both Square district, where you can buy great clothing and then wear it ends.” South Jersey is theoretically the area within the Philadelphia to dinner at the place next door. sphere of influence, whereas North Jersey is the area within New Other Areas of Interest York City’s influence. Broad Street, south of City Hall, is the Avenue of the Arts. The South Jersey is the area that grew and expanded with orchestra, the ballet and the Wilma, Merriam, Gershman, Prince Philadelphia, as part of its metropolitan area, as opposed to with and Arts Bank theaters all reside here, interspersed with great New York. Traditionally, the term was used to separate only the very restaurants and jazz clubs. Modeled on Parisian boulevards, the most urban and industrial, northeastern of New Jersey’s counties Ben Franklin Parkway presents a wonderful, tree-lined walk past from the rural rest of the state, as West Jersey separated East Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, several expensive hotels, the main Jersey historically. South Jersey today is comprised of 7 counties, Library and several museums. At the end of the Parkway, atop a hill, with the other 14 now being considered “North Jersey” as they have is the Philadelphia Museum of Art. grown and industrialized due to the outward growth of New York South Philly is where rich Italian history and new communities of more so than of Philadelphia. Vietnamese and Thai make great dining unavoidable. Across the There is no longer any space, or even a line, between the New Schuykill River in West Philly, the University of Pennsylvania and six Jersey and Philadelphia metropolitan areas. They meet in Central other major schools are the centerpiece of a deep blend of Jersey, the counties directly north of South Jersey: Somerset students, immigrants and old neighborhoods. And north of Old City, County, Middlesex County, Mercer County, northern Ocean County, Northern Liberties is the “new frontier” of the hip scene. The Silk and Monmouth County. These counties could be considered City Diner at 5th and Spring Garden is the place to go for a grilled equally part of North Jersey and South Jersey because they have cheese sandwich at 4am Sunday morning or the best huevos shared features with both regions. rancheros for breakfast. The more suburban areas of South Jersey are known nationwide Take the Schuykill Expressway or Kelly Drive for ten minutes to an for their high standards of living. In 2005, Money Magazine named old canal path in Manayunk. Main Street is two miles of terrific Moorestown the “best place to live” in the United States, although restaurants, exclusive stores and a nightclub or two. they stated that a number of adjacent municipalities (particularly Mount Laurel, Haddonfield, and Cherry Hill) could have just as easily been given the distinction.
WEATHER
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Average High 37.9 41.0 51.6 62.6 73.1 81.7 86.1 84.6 77.6 66.3 55.1 43.4
Average Low 22.8 24.8 33.2 42.1 52.7 61.8 67.2 66.3 58.7 46.4 37.6 28.1
Average Precipitation 3.2 2.8 3.5 3.6 3.8 3.7 4.3 3.8 3.4 2.6 3.3 3.4
Temperature in degrees F, precipitation in inches
10 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The Early Years Most Famous Resident When the American colonies were founded in the 1600s the In 1723, Benjamin Franklin arrived from Boston. He eventually guiding principle for the New England colonies was freedom to started his own publishing house, producing several newspapers practice religions not popular in England; for the southern colonies and an annual farm guide, Poor Richard’s Almanac. In his spare the aim was agricultural development extending the holdings of time, he invented the Franklin stove, the glass harmonium and British landowners. There were two exceptions. New York, bifocals. He helped write the Declaration of Independence. He was established by Dutch companies, has always a place for trade. The a founding member of the University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania other exception was Pennsylvania, and the town of Philadelphia. Hospital, the first public library, a fire insurance company, the Post William Penn (1644-1718) arrived in 1681 from a London that Office and the Constitutional Congress. His 1751 book, had recently burned and was just discovering sanitary plumbing. He Experiments and Observations in Electricity, was considered the wanted Philadelphia to be “a greene Country Towne, which will most important scientific work in the world in its time. His name is never be burnt, and always be wholesome.” Founded on Quaker on everything here. principles of tolerance and harmonious living, Philadelphia had a Political Roots religious foundation, like its New England neighbors, but welcomed This is where the Congress met and founded the nation on July other beliefs and races. Like its southern neighbors, it started with 4th, 1776. an agricultural economy, but slave auctions were banned early. A The city is filled with reminders of the colonial period. Fairmount community of ex-slaves grew, centered around the Mother Bethel Park is dotted with colonial homes that were moved there as African Methodist Episcopal Church, the cornerstone of the A.M.E. museums. Elfreth’s Alley is the oldest continually occupied movement. By 1790, there were 300 slaves in Pennsylvania and neighborhood in the country. Old Swede’s Church offers a perfect 7,579 free blacks. By 1860, there were 22,185 free blacks and example of the “public” architecture typical at the country’s Philadelphia was an important stop on the Underground Railroad, founding. Delegates to Congress were astounded at the wealth and the secret network that helped slaves escape from southern slave beauty they saw here. Because of the active seaport, food and states. fabrics from the Indies and China were readily available, even with Instead of sprawling mindlessly, streets were laid out on a grid the difficulty of getting past British warships. There were some of system with five public squares (the present day Washington, the finest examples of colonial silversmith, textile work and furniture Rittenhouse and Franklin Squares, Logan Circle and City Hall). The in the homes. town was built with no fortifications. Indians were welcome. Even Turn of the Century the name of the town demonstrated peace; while most other By the 19th century, the excitement was over. In 1800, the colonial towns were named for founders or expedition sponsors, nation’s capital moved to Washington, DC. New York began to Philadelphia is Latin for “City of Brotherly Love.” overshadow Philadelphia as a financial and cultural center. New Directions War Signals A New Age Of course, when you invite everyone in, there’s the likelihood of By the end of World War II, things were looking up again. Though disagreement. By 1690, scarcely nine years after the first Quaker the heavy industries have moved out, the economy is robust. Meeting House went up, arguments over the direction of the city Always known for its hospitals, medical schools and research had turned into formal ideologies. Philadelphians have been arguing facilities, Philadelphia is leading bioengineering research and ever since. development. The city has become a popular film location. Penn had originally envisioned his colony as a “wholesome” Philadelphia has achieved what older citizens had thought farming community, but the port quickly became one of the most impossible: New Yorkers come for a visit and decide to look for a important trading spots in America, rivaled only by New York. The house. rising merchant class wasn’t terribly interested in the simple Quaker This is possibly the best time to be visiting since 1776, when lifestyle. Pubs, theaters, circuses, dances and races soon entered Congressional delegates were bowled over by the quality and the scene. The tolerant attitude attracted many immigrants. British comfort of this city. Quakers were followed by German immigrants as early as the 1690s. In the 1800s Irish, Polish and Italian immigrants came in waves, drawn by employment on massive projects like the new turnpike system, the canals and the railroad. Coal mining upstate created more jobs and the coal provided steam power for the factories of the Industrial Revolution that made Philadelphia a major manufacturing center. The Centennial Exhibition of 1876 brought 100,000 people to Fairmount Park to see the wonders of industrialism.
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 11 NATIONAL HEALTH ORGANIZATION PHONE NUMBERS
National Health Organization Mental Health The following numbers may be reached by dialing National Alliance for the Mentally Illness (NAMI) 950-6264 1-800 and then the following numbers 1-800-*… National Down Syndrome Society 244-4444 Allergy National Mental Health Association Resource Ctr 969-6642 Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America (AFFA) 727-8462 Neurology Cancer National Alzheimer’s Association 272-3900 American Cancer Society 227-2345 Christopher Reeve’s Paralysis Foundation 225-0292 American Institute for Cancer Research. 843-8114 American Parkinson Disease Association 223-2732 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America 955-4572 Epilepsy Foundation of America. 332-1000 National Cancer Institute (CIS) 422-6237 United Cerebral Palsy Associations (UCPA) 872-5827 Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF) 754-6490 Huntington’s Disease Society of America 345-4372 Children’s Health Brain Injury Association of America Family Hotline 444-6443 American SIDS Foundation 232-7437 National Headache Foundation 843-2256 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) 344-4823 National Multiple Sclerosis Society 344-4867 Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 223-1138 National Stroke Association 787-6537 Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Alliance 221-7437 Patient Care National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation, Inc. 233-7393 Medic Alert Foundation U.S. 863-3425 or 432-5378 Spina Bifida Association of American 621-3141 National Hospice Organization 658-8898 Infectious Diseases Shriner’s Hospital Referral Line 237-5055 AIDS Hotline, CDC National, National STD Hotline 342-AIDS Visiting Nurse Association of America 426-2547 (Spanish) 344-7432 Physical Disabilities (Hearing Impaired) 243-7889 American Council of the Blind. 424-8666 Internal Medicine American Speech/Language/Hearing Association 638-8255 American Diabetes Association 232-3472 National Easter Seals Society 221-6827 American Heart Association 242-8721 or 968-1793 Woman’s Health American Kidney Association 638-8299 Endometriosis Association. 992-3636 American Lung Association 586-4872 Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization. 221-2141 Arthritis Foundation 283-7800 *This is a Toll-Free Number! Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, Inc. 932-2423 This is only a partial list of national health organizations. Lupus Foundation of America 558-0121 Contact the National Health Information Center (NHIC) National Kidney Foundation 622-9010 at (800) 336-4797 for a more complete list. Spondylitis Association of American (SAA) 777-8189
NOTE: This general information is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional as it relates to your specific situation.
12 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
City Area Code(s) Government The area codes for Philadelphia are 215, 267 and 994. Better Business Bureau (215) 468-6500 Emergency Chamber of Commerce (215) 545-1234 Passport Information (215) 597-7482 All Emergencies 911 AAA Mid-Atlantic Road Service 1-(800) AAA-HELP (222-4357) Shipping & Postal Service AIDS Hotline (215) 985-AIDS Federal Express (800) 463-3339 Ambulance/Fire/Police 911 Airborne Express (800) 247-2676 Children’s Hospital (215) 590-1000 UPS (800) 742-5877 CHOICE Hotline (maternal and child health) (215) 985-3300 Support Networks Department of Human Services (215) 683-6100 Teen Link (Various Topics) (800) 235-9678 District Attorney’s Office (215) 686-8000 Crisis Pregnancy Center (800) 395-4357 Heat Emergencies 911 PA Department of Environmental Protection (610) 832-6000 Visitor Information PA Homeland Security Criminal/Terrorist Tips (888) 292-1919 Chester County Conference & Visitor’s Bureau (800) 228-9933 PECO/Exelon Gas/Electric Emergency (800) 841-4141 Brandywine Conference & Visitors Bureau (800) 343-3983 Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network (215) 685-9556 Bucks County Conference & Visitors Bureau (800) 836-BUCKS Philadelphia Dept. of Licenses and Inspections Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance (215) 440-8100 (Complaints) (215) 686-2463 Independence Visitors Center (800) 537-7676 Philadelphia Department of Streets (Sanitation) (215) 686-5560 Lancaster County Convention PGW Gas Leak Hotline (215) 235-1212 & Visitors Bureau (800) PA-DUTCH Philadelphia Parking Authority (215) 561-3636 Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (800) 537-7676 Philadelphia Poison Control Center (215) 386-2100 Travelers Aid Society (215) 546-0571 Philadelphia Police Department Valley Forge/Montgomery County Convention Special Victims Unit (215) 685-3251 & Visitors Bureau (800) VISIT-VF Philadelphia Traffic Court (215) 686-1675 Philadelphia Water Emergency (215) 685-6300 Other Useful Numbers Suicide and Crisis Intervention (215) 686-4420 Parks and Recreation Department (215) 686-3600 Women Against Abuse (215) 686-7082 Weather (215) WE6-1212 Women Organized Against Rape (215) 985-3315 Financial Services Automatic Teller Information ATM Locator (800) 248-4286 MasterCrd ATM (800) 424-7787 VISA Plus System (800) 843-7587 Lost or Stolen Credit Cards American Express (800) 233-5432 AT&T Universal Card (800) 423-4343 Diners Club (800) 234-6377 Discover Card (800) 347-2683 JCB (800) 736-8111 MasterCard (800) 826-2181 VISA (800) 336-8472 Lost or Stolen Travelers Checks American Express (800) 221-7282 Thomas Cook MasterCard (800) 223-7373 Travelers Check Customer Service (800) 645-6556 VISA (800) 227-6811
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 13 TRAVEL INFORMATION
Airport Airlines - International Philadelphia International Airport (800) PHL-GATE/ 800-745-4283 Aer Lingus, aerlingus.ie (866) 886 8844 8000 Essington Ave Aeroflot, aeroflot.aero/eng/ (650) 615-9278 Philadelphia, PA 19153 AeroMexico, AeroMexico.com (800) 237-6639 www.phl.org Aerolineas Argentina, aerolineas.com.ar (800) 333-0276 Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) serves as the principal Air Canada, aircanada.ca* (800) 247-2262 gateway for the fifth largest metropolitan population in the United Air China, airchina.com (800) 986-1985 States. Owned by the City of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Airport Air France, airfrance.com* (800) 237-2747 System (comprised of Philadelphia International Airport and Air India, airindia.com Northeast Philadelphia Airport) is operated by the Department of Air Jamaica, airjamaica.com* (800) 523-5585 Commerce’s Division of Aviation. Air New Zealand, airnewzealand.com (800) 262-1234 Located approximately seven (7) miles from downtown Alaska Airlines, alaskaair.com (800) 426-0333 Philadelphia, the Airport is easily accessible from Interstates 76, 95, Alitalia, alitaliausa.com (800) 223-5730 and 476. In addition, rail service to the Airport is available on Asiana, us.flyasiana.com (800) 227-9262 SEPTA’S High Speed Rail Line (R1) train that operates from 5:25 British Airways, british-airways.com (800) 247-9297 AM until 11:25 PM daily, every 30 minutes, with easy connections Cathay Pacific, cathaypacific.com (800) 233-2742 to AMTRAK at 30th Street Station. China Airlines, china-airlines.com (800) 227-5118 Flight information for airlines serving Philadelphia International China Eastern, flychinaeastern.us (800) 200-5118 Airport may also be obtained by calling 800-PHL-GATE. Egypt Air, egyptair.com.eg (800) 334-6787 Airlines-Domestic El Al, elal.co.il (800) 223-6700 AirTran Airlines, airtran.com* (800) 247-8726 Eurofly, eurofly.it (800) 477-6492 Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air, alaskaair.com (800) 252-7522 Eva Airways, evaair.com (800) 695-1188 Allegiant Air, alleginatair.com (800) 432-3810 Iberia, iberia.com (800) 772-4642 American Airlines, aa.com* (800) 433-7300 Japan Airlines, jal.co.jp/en (800) 525-3663 Atlantic Southeast, flyasa.com (800) 282-3424 KLM Airlines, klm.com (800) 374-7747 Comair, comair.com (800) 221-1212 Korean Air, koreanair.com* (800) 438-5000 Continental Airlines, continental.com* (800) 525-0280 LACSA, centralamerica.com/cr/lacsa/lacsa.htm (800) 225-2272 Delta Airlines, delta.com* (800) 221-1212 LOT Polish, lot.com (800) 223-0593 Express Jet, continental.com (800) 523-3272 Lufthansa, lufthansa.com (800) 645-3880 Frontier Airlines, frontierairlines.com* (800) 432-1359 Mexicana, mexicana.com (800) 531-7821 Hawaiian Airlines, hawaiianair.com (800) 367-5320 Philippine Airlines, philippineairlines.com (800) 435-9725 JetBlue Airlines, JetBlue.com (800) 538-2583 Quantas, qantas.com (800) 227-4500 Northwest Airlines, nwa.com (800) 225-2525 Singapore Airlines, singaporeair.com (800) 742-3333 Midwest Airlines, midwestairlines.com (800) 452-2022 Skyservice USA, skyserviceairlines.com (877) 485-6060 SkywestAirlines, skywest.com (800) 453-9417 Swissair, swiss.com (800) 221-4750 Southwest Airlines, southwest.com* (800) 435-9792 TACA, taca.com (800) 535-8780 Spirit Airlines, spiritair.com (800) 772-7117 USA 3000 Y Airlines, usa3000.com (800) 872-3000 SunCountry Airlines, suncountry.com (800) 359-6786 *Airlines providing service to Philadelphia United Airlines, ual.com* (800) 864-8331 Cruises/Resorts US Airways, usairways.com* (800) 428-4322 Disney World Reservations (800) 227-1500 Virgin Atlantic, virgin-atlantic.com (800) 862-8621 Holland America Cruises (800) 426-0327 Princess Cruises (800) 774-6237 Royal Caribbean Intl. (800) 327-6700
14 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide TRAVEL INFORMATION
Hotels/Motels Inter-City Transportation Best Western (800) 528-1234 Amtrak, amtrak.com (800) USA-RAIL, (800) 872-7245 Budgetel Inns (800) 428-3438 America’s national passenger railroad system. Tickets may be Clarion Hotels (800) 424-6423 purchased in person at any Amtrak station, via phone or via the Comfort Inns (800) 424-6423 Internet. Courtyard by Marriott (800) 321-2211 Greyhound Bus (800) 231-2222 Days Inn (800) 329-7466 Service from city to numerous locations throughout the United Doubletree Hotels (800) 222-8733 States. Econo Lodges (800) 446-4777 NJ Transit, within NJ (800) 772-2222 Embassy Suites (800) 362-2779 out of state (973) 762-5100 Fairmont Hotels (800) 527-4727 PATCO High Speedline (856) 772-6900 Four Seasons (800) 332-3442 Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (215) 580-4000 Hilton Hotels (800) 445-8667 The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Holiday Inns (800) 465-4329 provides train service over thirteen commuter rail lines in Howard Johnson Motor Lodges (800) 654-2000 Philadelphia’s northern and western suburbs (and to the airport). Hyatt Hotels (800) 233-1234 Rental Cars La Quinta Motor Inn (800) 531-5900 Car rentals available at the airport. To pick-up your vehicle from Loews Hotels (800) 223-6397 the Airport, please proceed to Zone 2 outside the baggage claim Marriott Hotels (800) 228-9290 area. Meridien Hotels (800) 543-4390 Advantage, advantage.com (800) 777-5500 Omni International (800) 843-6664 Avis, avis.com (800) 331-1212 Quality Inns (800) 228-5151 Budget, budget.com (800) 527-0700 Radisson Hotels International (800) 333-3333 Dollar, avis.com (800) 800-4000 Ramada Inns (800) 228-2828 Enterprise, enterprise.com (800) 736-8222 Red Roof Inns (800) 843-7663 Fox/Payless, foxrentacar.com (800) 225-4369 Ritz Carlton Hotels (800) 241-3333 Hertz, hertz.com (800) 654-3131 Sheraton Hotels (800) 325-3535 National, nationalcar.com (800) 227-7368 Stouffer Hotels (800) 468-3571 Thrifty, thrifty.com (800) 367-2277 Super 8 Motels (800) 800-8000 TraveLodge Motels (800) 578-7878 Westin Hotels (800) 228-3000
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 15 TRAVEL INFORMATION
Opening the new convention center a few years ago caused a Airport hotel building boom that nearly tripled the number of Philadelphia International Airport is 10 to 20 minutes from most accommodations overnight. Everything is available, from five-star destinations. Ample parking, a convenient train stop and affordable luxury suites to family bargains at inexpensive motels. Bed-and- rates make this a popular spot for tourists and business travelers breakfast establishments can put you in a quiet cozy room a few alike. blocks from your destination. Cabs and public transportation make There are many chain hotels here, such as Holiday Inn and cars unnecessary for most places, though many hotels provide Marriott. All airport hotels run shuttle buses to Center City. SEPTA parking. runs a train from the airport to stations at 30th, 15th and 11th Center City - East Streets in Center City. It runs every 20 minutes at a flat rate of $5 Downtown Philadelphia is the destination for most tourists and and connects with all other trains. Cab drivers are not permitted by business travelers. By the Delaware River on the east end of town law to charge more than $20 for a ride from the airport to anywhere is Independence Hall at 6th and Chestnut, the Liberty Bell at 6th in the city limits. and Market and most of the sites and museums of early American University City history are preserved in the Independence Hall National Historic West of Center City is filled with schools and hospitals. This area Park. Along the river is Penn’s Landing, home to the Seaport is popular with visiting relatives, staying in the Penn Tower Hotel or Museum, summer festivals and riverfront entertainment spots. Just Sheraton. Hotels along Chestnut and Walnut Streets, between 34th across the river is the New Jersey State Aquarium, a short (and fun) and 38th, are in the moderate to expensive range. ferry ride away. Other Options In the other direction, the Pennsylvania Convention Center is at The dividing line between the city and the surrounding suburbs 13th and Market, on the edge of Chinatown. Hotels here, such as has become grayer over the years, as more people have opted to the Omni Hotel at Independence Park or the more moderate work in town and live elsewhere. Many moderate-priced hotels and Alexander Inn, cater to families and travelers needing conference bed-and-breakfasts can be found either in the small towns along rooms or fully wired workspace facilities. The Market East train the way, or right off the two major highways that run through town: station at 11th Street links this part of town to anywhere, including I-95 runs north toward New York City, through Northeast a direct trip to Philadelphia International Airport for $5 one way. Philadelphia, New Hope and Washington’s Crossing and south, Center City - West passing the airport to Delaware and Maryland; Route 76 heads From City Hall, head west to Rittenhouse Square or down Broad west out of town to popular local towns such as Narberth, Valley Street to the Avenue of the Arts. Hotels on this side of Center City Forge and King of Prussia. tend to cater to more upscale travelers with luxurious rooms available in the moderate (Latham Hotel) to quite expensive (Ritz- Carlton) range. One thing to note is that since many of these hotels are for business travelers, they frequently have affordable weekend packages available, to fill their slow period.
16 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide DINING AND NIGHTLIFE
If every museum, business, historic site and theater in town Here’s a guide to some local favorites, reflecting the influence of burned down overnight, you could still have a terrific trip to the rich immigrant history in this area. Be warned: Some of these Philadelphia simply by eating. will sound completely unattractive if you haven’t grown up on them. Many of the high-end restaurants are grouped along Walnut They are all worth a try: Street between Broad Street and Rittenhouse Square and are Cheesesteak: Thinly sliced beef is sautéd then served on a soft located in the Old City district around 2nd and Market. Everything is foot-long roll with cheese, onions, peppers, mushrooms and available here, starting with an extraordinary number of Italian and ketchup. There is such demand for these that two places in the Asian restaurants. Philadelphia was also an early center for Italian Market stay open all night to supply the crowds. Discussion American nouvelle cuisine and this has developed into a heritage of who makes the best cheesesteak can be described as either the locals take for granted. For the adventurous traveler with a friendly competition or bitter rivalry. hearty appetite, try the famous Philly cheesesteak for about $4 US. Hoagie: A huge sandwich invented by workingmen on Hog Island Beer for Everybody in the 19th Century. Like the cheesesteak, it begins with a long soft According to recent surveys, Pennsylvania has the third largest roll, this time stuffed with cold cuts, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, number of microbreweries after California and Colorado. And what onions, peppers, oil or mayonnaise and is usually served with a beer! While it is to be expected that some of the microbrews are not thick wedge of pickle, in case two pounds of food is not enough for very interesting, what’s unexpected is the large number of high- you. You will find the hoagie to be similar to a “sub,” but with more quality local beers available in many of the bars and restaurants lettuce and a more varied blend of meats and cheeses. Over the here. Philadelphians take their beer very seriously. There are also years, the basic Italian hoagie has been joined by an American many Irish, British and Belgian pubs where the traveler will find a hoagie (different lunchmeat) and a long list of other variations, large international selection and an informed bartender. Here’s a including vegetarian and even a cheesesteak hoagie. The latest short list of local hot spots, though you could pass a pleasant innovation is the “Rendelli,” named in honor of former Mayor Ed evening searching for your own favorite: Rendell, possibly the first politician in town to finish an entire hoagie Yuengling: This local brewery has been in continuous operation in one sitting in public. since 1823, making it the oldest in the country. The brewers make TastyKake: Locally produced snacks, which include cupcakes a reliable, inexpensive lager and a very good porter, but their big and the “Krimpet,” a small sponge cake topped with butterscotch seller is the Black & Tan, a blend of the lager and porter in equal icing. parts. Yuengling (pronounced “yingling”) is not the greatest beer Birch Beer: Is this local? We don’t know and we don’t care. A you’ll ever have, but it’s such a local favorite that many places stock contribution of the Pennsylvania Dutch, birch beer is similar to root it instead of the more popular national brands. beer except it’s made from birch root instead of sassafras, giving it Victory Hop Devil: Victory produces a whole range of beers, but a more pungent edge and a reddish color. its most popular by far is the Hop Devil. Hops is the flower that gives Water Ice: An Italian contribution. Simply, it is fruit-flavored ice that’s shaved and served in a cup. You will find it to be lighter and beer its sweet overtones; the Hop Devil Ale is made with something more refreshing on a hot day than ice cream. like twice the usual amount of hops (the actual percentage is kept Soft Pretzel: A German contribution. Other cities have soft a secret). It’s a very tasty ale to drink slowly. pretzels too, but locals here like them with mustard. No one seems Dock Street: One of several local microbreweries where all beer to remember how that started. is made fresh on the premises. There’s a sampler available where Scrapple: A Pennsylvania Dutch contribution. There are many seven small portions are brought to your table. This is always a ways to describe scrapple; it’s best to think of it as a cornmeal patty great conversation starter and you just might end up with a new all flavored with beef, pork or turkey, though you could also say it’s time favorite. meat “scraps” held together with cornmeal. Lightly fried, it is served The Local Food as a side dish for breakfast. A friend recently remarked, “If you looked at the local foods here, A Word about State Stores you’d think we lived in a circus town.” It’s true that the homegrown In Pennsylvania, alcoholic beverages must be purchased in state- local cuisine tends to be a bit...unhealthy. It’s true that Philadelphia owned liquor stores. These stores generally open at 9am and close men were recently determined to be the most overweight at 7pm, or 9pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The exceptions to Americans statistically speaking, to a point where the new mayor this purchasing rule are beer and wine coolers, which may be announced he was appointing a Director of Health and Fitness. But purchased at bars, delicatessens and “beer distributors.” Beer is one cannot deny that this food is tasty and traditional. The last not available at liquor stores, though wine coolers are available. mayor has a sandwich named after him.
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 17 ENTERTAINMENT
Philadelphia has a history of introducing new entertainment to the There is a string of clubs along Delaware Avenue on piers jutting rest of the country. Broadway shows used to regularly try out their into the Delaware River. There are more clubs around South Street, material here before moving on to New York. The popular television such as Fluid, a place known as much for its no-right-angles design show, “American Bandstand” originated here and introduced rock as for its techno mix. For swing or Latin, try a place like the Five and roll to millions of American homes. There are still lots of new Spot on Bank Street just off of Second and Chestnut. If you’re plays and touring companies that perform here and this is still a looking for grunge metal, there are events weekly in West Philly. town where they talk about the Philly Sound. Classical: It is possible to find a string quartet, opera or Museums symphony performance every night of the week. With the Curtis One of the world’s best collections of Impressionist paintings is Institute and Settlement Music School, plus the various college the Barnes collection, in the suburb of Merion. All of the pieces here programs, the quality of street performers brightens the parks and are instantly recognizable from reproductions, but only a small sidewalks in the spring. There are two radio stations that broadcast number have ever traveled and then only recently. The Philadelphia classical music: 90.1 programs classics from 6am to 6pm and 106 Museum of Art and its small companion, the Rodin Museum is classical at all hours, but hard to pick up in some parts of town. represent a brief history of world art on the Ben Franklin Parkway: The Philadelphia Orchestra is legendary for conductors like Leopold Ancient Egypt, Impressionism, Expressionism, Cubism and Post- Stokowski, Eugene Ormandy, Ricardo Muti and Sir Simon Rattle. Modernism comes with guided tours and souvenir reproductions Smaller classical groups fill the nights. Many of these include current available in the gift shop. or former Orchestra members. Because of the city’s rich history, there are plenty of museums Theater and Dance chronicling national history, including the multicultural and For nearly a hundred years, Philadelphia was mainly known as a technological innovations that came with democracy. These “tryout” town. New York producers would try out material here museums and historic sites are friendly to children and innovative in before opening on Broadway. These days it’s more likely a play will the way they educate and entertain at the same time. Be warned, originate here. The Wilma Theatre has produced the American however: Like many American museums, the ones in Philadelphia premieres of two Tom Stoppard plays that were hits on London’s generally make few concessions to foreign visitors. It can be hard to West End, but have never played New York. InterAct hosts a new non-English signs or tour materials. But Americans like to be helpful play reading every January which supplies work to regional theaters and it is always advisable to contact a place in advance to see what across the country. Keep an eye out for anything by Brat can be arranged. Productions, a young edgy company that often stages strong Music works in a bar. Every possible sound is available in Philadelphia on Wednesday The first ten days of September, the Philadelphia Fringe Festival through Saturday nights. On other nights, the choices are narrower, takes over the Old City district with a mix of local acts and visiting but if you look carefully there’s always something going on. troupes from the Edinburgh, Toronto and New York. Rock, Pop, Soul: Philadelphia has always been a popular stop for There are still national touring companies that perform big national acts. There are concert halls from the massive stadiums of Broadway musicals at the Merriam and the Forrest, maintaining a the First Union Center and the Tweeter to the comfortably mid-size healthy balance of new and recognized work. Trocadero, Tower, Electric Factory or Keswick, right down to the From the Pennsylvania Ballet to The Philadelphia Dance overheated and cramped rooms of the legendary bars where Company (known as Philadanco), the dance performance scene everyone from Bruce Springsteen to hiphop stars, the Roots paid here is low profile, but substantial. The city often acts as a lab for their dues. companies that are seen and celebrated in New York or Though you’d never know it from the local radio stations, the Washington. Once again, because of the numerous collegiate local talent is worth a listen too. The Roots, Will Smith, Patti LaBelle, dance programs, there are always visiting professional and resident Bruce Springsteen, Teddy Pendergrass, these are the famous performers to see. names, but the range of local talent includes just about everything Film with a healthy mix of soul, hip-hop, Americana, alternative and even The good news is that Philadelphia gets as many blockbuster, electric bluegrass. Some days it seems like everybody you bump independent and foreign films passing through as New York or Los into is in a band. Angeles. The bad news is that sometimes these films pass through Dance Party: From disco to techno with a healthy dose of swing six or eight months later than they appear in those other locations. and mosh pit, there are a large and growing number of places to There is an Omnimax theater at the Franklin Institute with a huge dance in town. Maybe the constantly expanding scene is due to the IMAX-like screen that wraps around the audience. large student population here. Local DJs such as Josh Wink and Robbie Tronco mix so well that they spend half their time answering invitations from place from Miami to London.
18 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide ENTERTAINMENT
Children Many of the larger chain bookstores around town have Saturday If you check under the category “Visiting the City/Children,” you’ll programs for children with readings and performances. The Free see that Philadelphia pays particular attention to its younger visitors. Library often has scheduled activities, including readings, films and The National Park Service provides tours and multimedia, performers. Then there are the children’s theater programs at the interactive, educational displays at Independence Hall. At the Arden and Annenberg. To make your travels more convenient, Please Touch Museum, children are encouraged to put their mitts children under the age of 12 ride free on SEPTA’s buses and on everything and the entire museum is scaled to kids. There are subways on Saturdays. similar setups in the Academy of Natural Sciences and the Franklin Institute. Don’t forget the popular petting pen at the Philadelphia Zoo.
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 19 RECOMMENDED TOURS
Like most cities, Philadelphia has invisible layers of history Art and Design running through the streets. Decide what you’re looking for on a American art sometimes seems to have started late compared to particular day and then everywhere you look it will seem there are its European cousin, but the history of art in Philadelphia is the examples of it to see, like a game of “Where’s Waldo?” that’s put history of art in America. The portrait gallery in the Second National together specifically for you. First, a look at Colonial history tours: Bank building contains a fine collection of 18th-century portraiture. The Revolution that Never Ended The Academy of Fine Arts and the Barnes house famous collections Any historic tour of Philadelphia starts with the new government of American and European Impressionists. The Philadelphia that formed in the rooms of Independence Hall one stifling, sticky Museum of Art and the Rodin Museum on the Ben Franklin summer. This is where the Declaration of Independence, the Parkway, have their collections of 19th and 20th century Constitution and the Bill of Rights were signed. This is where masterpieces by Renoir, Picasso, Matisse, Rodin, Cassatt, Wyeth Benjamin Franklin said, “We must all hang together, or we shall and hundreds more. There’s a strong representation of modern and surely hang separately.” This is where the Liberty Bell cracked as it post-modern work around town. The Museum of Art, the ICA, the rang out the good news. galleries in Old City, even the venerable Academy are frequent stops The Park is a loose amalgamation of buildings and gardens for works by Charles Burns, Laurie Anderson, Richard Serra and throughout the east end of town, centered at Fifth and Chestnut others. Streets where Independence Hall stands. The Visitors’ Center is at Design is strongly represented here as well. The Philadelphia Third and Chestnut. There are also private companies that provide Museum of Art and the Moore College of Art are good sources for tours on foot or by bus, built around a theme: architecture, inspiration. The Foundation for Architecture provides a series of horticulture, the Revolutionary War, even ghost stories. walking tours and lectures on various aspects of Philadelphia Once you’ve been immersed in the broad view of how the United architecture. States began, you’ll begin to seek out your own connection to the For the Family major stream of events: The first African Methodist Church at Sixth Education and art have a lot to offer, but if you’re traveling with and Lombard was the cornerstone of the free black experience in children, you may need something in addition. This is a child-friendly America even prior to the Revolution. The Polish American History town. There is an aquarium, a zoo, three museums designed to let Museum traces the contribution of Polish freedom fighters to the children play with the exhibits (the Please Touch Museum, the American cause even as their own freedom was threatened at Franklin Institute and a section of the Academy of Natural Sciences), home. The cemeteries are filled with graves of the great and the old ships and a submarine at Penn’s Landing, two ice rinks, six unknown who played their part. professional sports teams, plus an Omnimax theater and a Chinatown planetarium at the Franklin Institute. Philadelphia’s Chinatown isn’t quite as big as its more famous Many of the downtown places (and the aquarium) are on the sisters in San Francisco or New York. Nonetheless, the route of the Phlash bus. The fare is a flat rate of $3 for unlimited neighborhood has found a niche in the cultural consciousness of stops all day long. For many of the museums, a CityPass is available the city. Most visitors come to Chinatown for its restaurants. People that provides access to several places with one ticket. have been enjoying Eastern cuisine in Chinatown since the Get Out of Town restaurant Mei Hsian Lou opened in 1870. Today, Burmese, Day trips out of town are easy. Amusement parks such as Japanese, Vietnamese and Thai restaurants have joined the fray of Sesame Place, Six Flags Great Adventure and Dorney Park aren’t Szechuan, Mandarin and Hunan establishments. Take restaurateur far. State parks and the Jersey seashore are one to three hours Joseph Poon’s Wok and Walk tour for Oriental-cooking tips and an away. An hour north on I-95 is New Hope, a pleasant little river town insider’s view on this exotic enclave of the city. filled with restaurants and shops. From there the antique shops of Chinatown is located to the left, right and behind the Lambertville, New Jersey are located right across the Delaware Pennsylvania Convention Center, from 13th and Arch to Eighth River. A half hour south on 202 is the Brandywine region where Street, and up to Vine Street. you’ll find Longwood Gardens and the Wyeth collection at the Brandywine Museum in Chadd’s Ford. New York City is two hours away to the north and Baltimore an hour and a half to the south. Or just get a boat up the Delaware or Schuykill Rivers.
20 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide MEDIA
FM Stations AM Stations 88.5 WXPN University of Pennsylvania 530 WEXP College/sports Philadelphia 89.1 WXVU College Villanova, PA 560 WFIL Religious Philadelphia 89.1 WYBF College Radnor Township, PA 610 WIP Sports Philadelphia 89.3 WRDV Big band 690 WPHE Religious-español Phoenixville, PA 89.5 WDNR College Chester, PA 740 WVCH Religious Chester, PA 89.5 WSJI Religious 800 WTMR Religious Camden, NJ 89.7 WGLS College/alternative Glassboro, NJ 860 WWDB News/talk 90.1 WRTI Public/classical/jazz 900 WURD News/brokered 90.9 WHYY Public/news/talk/NPR 950 WPEN Sports 91.5 WDBK College Blackwood, NJ 990 WNTP Talk 91.5 WSRN College/alternative Swarthmore, PA 1060 KYW News 91.7 WLBS Big band 1110 WNAP Black gospel 91.7 WBMR Religious 1150 WDEL Top forty 91.7 WCUR College West Chester, PA 1210 WPHT Talk 91.7 WKDU Metal 1290 WWTX Sports 94.1 WYSP New and Classic Rock 1310 WEMG CHR-dance/tropical-español Camden, NJ 97.5 WTHK Classic Rock 1340 WHAT Talk 98.1 WOGL Oldies 1360 WNJC News/talk/oldies 98.9 WUSL Urban/Hip-Hop 1370 WPAZ Soft ac 101.1 WBEB Soft Rock 1380 WTMC DelDot traffic Wilmington, DE 102.1 WIOQ Top-40 1420 WCOJ News/talk/oldies Coatesville, PA 102.9 WMGK Classic Rock 1440 WNPV News/talk/sports Lansdale, PA 104.5 WSNI Easy Listening 1450 WILM News/talk Wilmington, DE 105.3 WDAS R&B 1480 WDAS Black gospel 106.1 WJJZ Smooth jazz 1520 WCHE Talk 1540 WNWR Ethnic/multi-languages Local Television 1590 WPWA Gospel Chester, PA Ch 3 CBS 1610 WNAR Standards/entertainment Ch 6 ABC Ch 10 NBC Newspapers Ch 12 PBS Philadelphia Daily News (215) 854-2000 Ch 17 MyTv 400 N Broad St. Philadelphia, PA 19130-4015 Ch 48 WGT Philadelphia Inquirer Ch 51 Religious (215) 854-2000 400 N Broad St. Ch 57 CW Philadelphia, PA 19130-4099 Ch 65 Univision Philadelphia Sunday Sun (215) 848-7864 6661 Germantown Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19119-2299 Philadelphia Weekly (215) 563-7400 1500 Sansom St. Philadelphia, PA 19102-2800 Philadelphia New Observer (215) 545-7500 1520 Locust St. Philadelphia, PA 19102-4403
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26 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide MOVING
SMOOTH TRANSITIONS
Choosing a Moving Company Have at least three movers come to your home and give estimates. Be sure to ask whether the estimates are binding, non-binding or guaranteed not to exceed a certain amount. Obtain each company’s assigned Motor Carrier number and call the USDOT at (202) 358-7000 to determine if they are registered and have the proper insurance on file. Ask your prospective moving company for a copy of the “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” booklet. Relocation to Your New Town If you’re one of the 40 million Americans planning to move this year, you need a strategy. Starting early and staying organized is the key to a painless move. In general, follow the pre- move checklists provided. These lists will help you track the myriad of details needed to facilitate your move. If you are selling your present home and/or buying a new one, refer to the home inspection checklist, choosing a morgage, and the mortgage glossary. If you are planning to rent in your new city, read the article on rental tips. And, if you are undecided, we hope the article entitled “Buying vs. Renting” will help you assess the pros and cons of each. Whatever decisions you face based on your particular circumstances, stay positive, calm and organized. And, don’t forget to make some time just for yourself. It will probably save you a lot of time in the long run! Packing Tips • Sort your belongings. If you don’t use an item, dispose of it. • Label boxes indicating what they contain and in which room they should be placed. • Drain gas and oil from power tools so they will not leak; dispose of all volatile or corrosive chemicals. • After cleaning out the refrigerator and/or freezer, place pieces of charcoal in them to prevent mildew. • Pack important records in easily accessible place. Include medical, dental, school, insurance, credit card and tax records. • Use strong, clean containers with lids secured with twine or tape. • Put no more than 50 pounds in each container. • Place heavy items towards the bottom of the containers; lighter items on top. • Protect all finished surfaces from scratching by wrapping them in paper. • Use plenty of cushioning such as shredded or crumpled paper to protect belongings in boxes. Remember that newspaper ink can rub off and stain items packed with it. • Pack items tightly to avoid shifting during move. • Fragile items, like china, should be packed in reinforced boxes or in special boxes with compartments. • Individually wrap and cushion electrical appliances. • Make sure liquids and foodstuffs are placed in carefully sealed containers. Wrap and pack kitchenware tightly to prevent damage.
continued on page 28
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 27 SMOOTH TRANSITION
• Chests and dressers should not be overloaded since glued where these boxes go. This way, movers will be directed to the furniture joints could collapse. correct rooms if you’re not available to tell them where to put • Unusually shaped or valuable items should be crated or moved each box. by you and not the movers. Easily crushed items should be • Make a detailed floor plan for where you want things to go in your individually boxed and cushioned. new home. Photocopy it so you can tack up copies in every room • You should not remove home fixtures such as window treatment for the movers. hardware, towel racks and electrical fixtures. Unless your sales • Take snapshots of wall units and shelves, so you know how agreement specifically states otherwise, such items are usually things were arranged on them. considered legally part of your residence.Let the moving Settling Into Your New Home company pack furniture, mirrors and artwork to prevent damage. • Start by making the beds. Bedding tends to be bulky and Stay Organized eliminating lots of boxes quickly and easily will be encouraging. Here are some basic tips to help make moving less traumatic: • Unpack and organize children’s belonging’s next. Young children • Pack an “Immediate Box” or an overnight suitcase with the will quickly become restless without familiar things. Remember to necessities you’ll be needing right away. Don’t forget to include position storage hooks and shelves that children will be using medicines and a first aid kit, toilet paper, tissue, and paper within their reach. towels. • Next, tackle the kitchen. This job will go much faster if each box • Pack an “Immediate Kitchen” box including trash bags, the has been specifically labeled as to its contents. Simply labeling coffee pot or tea kettle, toaster, plastic silverware, paper plates, “Kitchen” doesn’t help you prioritize which box to unpack first. styrofoam cups and some non-perishable snacks, such as • Stay positive. Getting settled into your new home can seem crackers, peanut butter, dried fruit. This way, there will be some overwhelming unless you look at it as a series of small projects. instant sustenance while you get organized. • Congratulate yourself! You accomplished a lot today! • Affix colored labels to the moving boxes according to destination. Put the same-color labels or signs on the door of the rooms
28 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide 12/31/11. 30 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide WHAT’S ALL THE TALK ABOUT. YOU PACK, THEY DRIVE MOVING?
Moving Decisions Save Time and Money Are you faced with an upcoming job relocation? With so many The “you pack, they drive” moving alternative saves you the options for moving your household items, it can be a difficult trouble of driving an unfamiliar vehicle as well as the stress and decision to determine which service best fits your moving needs. difficulty during a long-distance drive. Since the estimates provided Also, with a limited relocation budget from your employer to cover for this service are based on volume (space) and not weight, you will your moving costs, finding a service that complements your avoid unexpected higher moving costs and hidden fees associated pocketbook is important as well. While hiring a professional moving with other full-service moving companies. Unlike a rental truck, the company may be time-saving, the cost for full-service moving could normal moving expenses such as fuel, taxes, tolls, and unexpected be several thousand dollars. A recent trend in the moving industry costs such as flat tires and engine blowouts are covered by the is the do-it-yourself moving option. Most people associate do-it- service provider. yourself with the truck rental option; however, the “you pack, they Loading Service Options drive” moving alternative is becoming increasingly popular. The cost savings of using the “you pack, they drive” service New Moving Alternative largely result from packing and loading your trailer. Some customers With this type of service, you are expected to pack and load your may not have the physical ability or manpower to pack and load items in an adequately-sized commercial trailer. You are given up to their own trailer. This problem is relatively easy to solve—simply two business days to pack and load your goods. The cost of the check with one of the packing and loading companies suggested move is controlled by the customer because this service allows you by the “you pack, they drive” service provider. You can locate to pay for only the spaced used in the trailer. Once you have packing and loading assistance in both your origin and destination completed the packing and loading process, the trailer is picked up cities. By combining the “you pack, they drive” service with local by the local dispatch office. The trailer is then transported by a loading and unloading assistance, you can save money versus professional driver to your destination. You will receive an estimated using a full-service moving company. arrival time for delivery of your goods and will also have the ability to The Choice is Yours track your goods during the transit of your move. Upon arrival at During your search for the best moving option for your upcoming your new home, the trailer is delivered at the appointed time and job relocation, consider the “you pack, they drive” moving option you will unpack and unload your goods. The local dispatch office and know that you are in control of every aspect of your move. You will then come and remove the empty trailer. will not only save time and money, you will experience less stress and headache during an already stressful part of your life.
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 31 PRE-MOVE CHECKLIST
One Month Before Two Weeks Before Take Inventory. Decide what to keep and what to get rid of. Notify Phone Company: Your new local phone company Reserve a rental truck or select a moving company. Look for should be notified of your move no sooner than 30 business rental trucks and moving companies in local brochures, yellow days prior to move, and no later than 5 business days before pages, or through your rental agent/ real estate broker. moving. The service representative will run a quick credit check and assign you a new telephone number. Make a moving file for important documents, such as family medical and dental records, school records, legal documents Notify Utilities: The electric and gas service companies should and titles, banking and financial statements, stock and bond be contacted at least two weeks before your move. The old certificates, tax returns, birth certificates and insurance service will need your move out date and you should request documents. Include all receipts – many expenses are tax the return of any deposits at this time. The new service will deductible. need your move in date to determine when service will be turned on or transferred to your name. You can inquire if they Make any car rental, airline or hotel arrangements. have a billing plan to balance out of season differences by paying a set amount each month. If moving into an apartment, Gather moving supplies such as boxes, tape, bubble wrap and check with the property manager to see if service was left on paper for wrapping. before you call the utility companies. Write down the Post Office: A week before you move, you should stop by your emergency numbers to call in event of a problem or outage. local post office to fill out a change of address cards. Banks: (checking accounts, investments, etc.): Before you Correspondence cards are also available to send to various move to your new city, make sure all existing accounts in your companies such as credit card companies, magazine old bank are closed. Find a new bank to fill your personal publishers and any other organizations that should be needs and open accounts, order checks and obtain direct informed of your move. The mail will be forwarded to your new deposit forms if applicable. home for a full year. After a year, the mail will be returned to the sender with your new address stamped on it. You can get an Find a new doctor and dentist and have your family’s medical official change form at the local post office or on the Internet at records transferred to them. www.usps.gov/movernet. Refill any prescription medications which must be taken Credit Card Companies: Immediately notify all your credit card regularly and arrange to have those prescriptions transferred to companies of your move. Keeping an individual file on each your new city. one makes this process much easier. We suggest using the correspondence cards offered at the post office in addition to Arrange to register your children in their new school(s). Contact requesting in writing that they send you a letter of confirmation. their current school(s) to have their records forwarded. It is also recommended to make a follow up call.
Purchase Insurance: If you are moving from out of state and are insured by a fairly large company, they will most likely have an office in the city you are moving to. If you need to find a new company, it is important to get homeowners insurance at least one month before the move. Those moving to an apartment need to contact the insurance company two weeks before the move. If you have large amounts of jewelry and/or furs coats it’s important to contact the agency as soon as possible since you will be needing additional coverage.
Remember to request the return of any security deposits.
32 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide PRE-MOVE CHECKLIST
One Week Before Moving Day
Confirm any travel plans or reservations. Early on moving day, reserve a large place for the moving truck to park. Mark off an area with cones or chairs. If you need to Finish packing and make sure all boxes are clearly labeled. obtain parking permission from your apartment complex Subscribe to the local newspaper and visit the Chamber of manager or the city, do so in advance. Commerce in your new city for additional community Before work starts, walk through the house with the movers information. and describe the loading order. Show them items you intend to Change of Address Notification: You will need to notify the transport yourself. You should have these items grouped in an Postal Service that you are moving. It is now possible to do so area prior to the movers arriving. Remain on site to answer the without visiting the post office. Go to website listed above. For movers’ questions and to provide special instructions. the fee of $1.00 you may fill out the address change Walk through your home and make sure that everything was information online and receive an email confirmation. Or you loaded. Make sure you have the keys to your new home. may choose to print the form and mail it to your local post office. US Postal Service, www.usps.com Remember that professional movers expect to be paid in full before your goods are unloaded. Check for damage, as items Notify IRS: You will also need to notify the IRS that you have are unloaded and report any problems right away. moved. This will ensure you receive your IRS refund and/or any other correspondence. To change your address with the IRS, Unless the company’s policy prohibits the acceptance of complete a Form 8822 (PDF), Address Change Request. This gratuities, it is customary to tip each mover. $20 is a good is available on the IRS website. IRS, www.irs.gov amount; you may want to tip more or less based on the service you received. One Day Before If you are moving yourself and getting help from friends, make sure you create a task list. Be sure to have everything packed Pick up your rental truck or confirm your move with the moving before your help arrives. It is natural for people to work in pairs, company. but you should consider each person’s physical ability and Make sure you and your movers have the directions to your health status. Plan to provide beverages and food for your new home. Plan your travel so that you will be there to greet volunteers. Load the truck according to the directions your them and unlock your home. Have a backup plan in case one truck rental agency gave you, and make sure that you of you gets delayed. understand how to operate and drive the rental truck before you leave the agency. Obtain the driver’s cell phone number and give him/her yours so you can stay in touch in case one of you is delayed.
Ask what form of payment the movers will accept (check, money order, certified check, travelers checks) and make necessary arrangements.
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 33 RELOCATING YOUR PET
Your coffee is finally brewing after what seemed like an endless best place to begin is simply the NewMarket Services Information search through the boxes left by the moving company. The disk Guide. Location is an important factor, as many pets don1t travel jockey on the radio reads the weather forecast and you learn that it well and, in the case of emergency, distance may be a factor in is -5 degrees outside with an expected high of 0. Welcome to your receiving timely treatment. new city, but at least your company gave you a nice raise for After making a list of local veterinary clinics, take the time to go relocating. visit them. Talk to the staff. Ask about office hours, fees, whether Just as you start thinking that everything is proceeding smoothly appointments are required, and what services are available. Also, and that your new city really does have a lot to offer, you realize ask if it is possible to talk to the doctor so that you can introduce Prince, your four-year old Great Dane, isn’t acting right. Now what? yourself and at least have a first impression to help you make your Is he really sick? Homesick? What’s worse is that you don1t know choice. where the closest veterinarian is located and, of course, he or she Finally, ask your neighbors which veterinarians they take their can’t be as good as Dr. Morris…and Prince just loved Dr. Morris. pets to and why. Then, of course, it’s your decision, but at least you Farfetched? Not really. Pets are probably most overlooked when have gathered some information on which to base your decision. it comes to relocating. Most people just expect their pets to wake All dogs should be vaccinated for the possibly fatal disease up completely adapted to their new surroundings as if nothing Parvovirus. changed. Although this is true for many pets, just as many find Remember to NEVER leave your pet in a car in hot weather, as relocating to be traumatic. Furthermore, most people wait until their heat conditions in cars can quickly become fatal to animals. pet is ill before finding a new veterinarian. What should you do then for your pet when relocating? Actually the place to begin is in your hometown before you move. Speak to your own veterinarian and tell him/her where you are moving and ask his/her advice. In most cases, this alone will be sufficient to find out what is necessary to prepare your pet for transition. Further, people will be surprised how often their veterinarian can recommend someone in the area where they are moving. Whether or not this person will actually become your new veterinarian is not as important as the peace of mind that therecommendation is from someone you trust. Finally, don’t wait until your pet is ill before looking for a veterinarian. This is an extremely emotional time and nothing can be more traumatic than having to find a veterinarian in the midst of a crisis. It is obvious, then, that you should find a new veterinarian before that first crisis occurs so that when the need arises, you will be prepared. How do you go about finding a new veterinarian in a new city? The
34 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide
MOVING WITH CHILDREN
REINFORCE THE POSITIVES
et family members focused on and involved in the process of moving. Hold a family meeting to discuss why, where, when and how the family will move. Encourage Geveryone to ask questions and express feelings. If possible, drive the family to see the new home and take a tour of the new neighborhood schools, shops and parks. Take photos or videotape the new house and neighborhood. Make lists for each older child of things to do to prepare for the move and assign them a special task or two. For example, they can read and inform other family members about the area history, landmarks, special events and amusements. Help children prepare for the move by having them assist with packing. Let them pack a box of special clothes, toys or books they would like readily accessible at their new home. Let each family member help plan how to set up his or her bedroom. Have them help select paint or wallpaper. Let them share ideas how to arrange the furniture. When the move takes place, set up the children’s rooms first. Choosing A School One of the most satisfying experiences a family can have is finding a school that fits its needs. That school will “feel right” because its administrators, teachers, and parents are part of a strong community that shares the family’s educational values. Children are eager to go there because the school program stimulates their curiosity and provides them with outlets for their interests. Parents will be pleased because their involvement in their children’s education will be welcomed and encouraged. In order to find the best school for your child, you should begin by observing your child’s learning habits. Even as preschoolers, children begin to develop different approaches to learning. These inclinations provide strong clues about what kind of school would serve them best. In her book Your Child’s First School, educational consultant Diana Townsend- Butterworth offers these suggestions of things to watch for in determining your child’s orientation to learning: • What does your child enjoy doing? • What excites your child and arouses his or her curiosity? • What seems to be frustrating? • Does your child thrive in a structured environment or seem to prefer one that offers more freedom? • Is your child quiet or rambunctious? • Does he or she prefer to work on projects alone or with other children? • Does he or she have any special interests or abilities?
Make a list of answers to these questions as well as taking note of any other characteristics you notice about your child. As you read more about individual schools, and when you visit the ones that interest you, you will be better able to choose a school that suits your child.
36 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide REINFORCE THE POSITIVES
School District of Philadelphia Education Center (215) 400-4000 • How interested are you in providing a home setting that gives 440 N. Broad Street your child time for homework? Philadelphia, PA 19130 • How important to you is a before-school and after-school www.phila.k12.pa.us program? School District of Philadelphia, the seventh largest in the nation Before beginning a search for a school, parents should reflect on by enrollment, serving a racially and ethnically diverse student these questions, and their expectations for schools. Parents who population. 196,309 as of April 2004 including early childhood choose schools wisely are pleased after their children enroll programs. There are 273 public schools in the School District of because the family and the school work in harmony with a common Philadelphia. Please visit website for enrollment information. set of expectations for the youngsters. Admissions directors at For high school, parents often choose a new school for their schools will gladly connect you with parents of current students so children. This is frequently because their current school goes only you can make an informed choice for your child. through eight grade. As you look for a high school, consider your Most schools believe parents should have a strong role in their child’s learning style as well as his or her interests when deciding children’s education. Being involved in a child1s education upon a school. Also keep in mind your own family goals, which may strengthens the whole family and sends a message to children that involve preparing for college, in making this important choice. education is an important part of their lives. Schools know that the What about family expectations? In order to provide a good way in which parents choose to become active in their children’s match, a child’s school must also meet a family’s needs. Here again, schools varies greatly. They provide many different opportunities for you may want to prepare a list of expectations and use it as a guide parental involvement. Most schools have strong parent associations in the search for the best school for your child: that organize social events, help coordinate volunteer activitied, and • What goal do you have for your child’s long-term education? Is provide an organizes means of communication between parents college preparation a priority? and school. Each of these encounters strengthens the life of the schools and • How important to you is parental involvement in school activities? creates a community of committed adults supporting the goals of • Do you expect the school to have a role in developing a child’s the schools and the students. This feeling of community, with adults character by encouraging respect for adults and peers as well as and students working together for a common purpose, is one of the others in society, including the disadvantaged? distinguishing strengths of a good schools. • How important is it to you that you have a strong relationship and share a philosophy with other parents at the school?
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 37 SELECTING CHILD CARE
When you’re new to a community, locating a person or program In home to provide child care for you is not the easiest of tasks. Due to Some parents may prefer the one-on-one contact an in-home expanding demand, just finding an opening may be difficult. care provider can offer, especially for an infant. The International Pinpointing a place that is not too far or too expensive and, most Nanny Association (INA) recommends that you interview any importantly, a provider whom you trust, may take days or weeks of prospective hire at least twice and that you conduct a criminal persistent phoning and visits. background check, which is usually done by most placement As a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure that your child is agencies. safe and happy in a child care environment that is fun, educational, One key to good child care is whether the caregiver can adapt to and nurturing. You will need to consider many questions. But you the needs of each child and family. Not all children of the same age are not alone — an increasing number of parents rely on quality are at the same level of development; each child has unique child care so that they may work. About 70% of parents place their character traits. A good caregiver understands these personal and young children in some type of daily care. Knowing in advance that developmental differences and creates a program to meet each this is not an overnight process makes it a bit less overwhelming. child’s needs. Types of Child Care Center-Based Care The most popular type because there are so many options for You might like the home-like feel of a family child care home, or children of all ages. You take your child to a place that is organized maybe you want your child to have opportunity to socialize with and staffed specifically to care for a group or groups of children. peers in a larger child care center. You might be looking for after Some types include day care centers, preschool programs, school care for your child, a summer camp experience or a program before/after school programs. that can accommodate his or her special needs. It will help you in your search to learn more about each type of child care setting. Day Care Center If you’re considering a day care center or another group setting, you should spend some time observing the center and talking to parents with children in the center. You should also expect that your child will be assigned to the same caregiver to promote a sense of security and consistency. Inquire about the rate of staff resignations; low staff turnover minimizes the need for young children to repeatedly adjust to new caregivers. Preschool Programs Preschool programs are offered through Head Start, child care centers or local public and private schools. They can be offered as a half-day program for three or four days a week or they can be part of a full day program at a child care center. Before/After School Programs These programs give children additional time and opportunity to engage in hands-on enrichment activities in reading, science, math, art, drama, and specific “safety” topics that include conflict resolution and drug abuse. Most programs offer homework assistance and some offer tutoring. Most also provide supervised physical activity and healthy snacks, or even dinner. School age programs are often provided through local schools, child care centers, churches, or youth-oriented community organizations. Quality features include opportunities for children to make individual and group choices about activities, opportunity to improve academic skills, spaces for children to relax and rest, well supervised spaces where they can be active, nutritious snacks, and parental involvement.
38 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide SELECTING CHILD CARE
Choosing Child Care You may help your child adjust to a new child care arrangement. In addition to the forms of child care, you want to take into Arrange a visit with in-home caregivers while you are at home or account the following factors: when you need child care for a short time. Visit the center or family child care home that you have chosen with your child before • Age and personality of your child. beginning care. Show your child that you like and trust the caregiver. • Child care needs of all the children in your family. Some children like to carry a reminder of home when they go to • Location of your workplace, home and child care facility. child care. A family photograph or small toy can be helpful. Talking • Hours you need child care. to your child about child care and the caregiver is helpful. Being • What you can afford. prepared makes any new experience easier for children. There also When you begin your search, start with the telephone. Plan to are storybooks about child care that you and your child can read spend a few minutes with each call. Describe your needs and ask together. (Check with your local library, another great outing for a about the program, staff, location, other children in care, and what parent and child) is included in the cost. Make an appointment and visit the center, After a child has been in child care, a sudden change in school or home, and plan on spending at least an hour at each caregivers may be upsetting. This can happen even if the new place. Visit once to observe the children in care and at another time caregiver is kind and competent. If you are concerned about your outside of regular structured hours to spend time with provider or child's feelings, you may want to arrange a meeting with the director. caregiver or ask your pediatrician for advice. Parents need to help In any group center, health, safety, and hygiene must be given the caregivers and the child deal with any changes in the child's priority in all settings. All children and staff members should have routine at home or child care. High-quality child care helps children current immunizations; staff should have clear criminal background grow in every way and promotes their physical, social and mental checks. The facility must be child-proof and all staff members development. It offers support to working parents. Your pediatrician should wear disposable gloves when changing diapers. Toys should wants your child to grow and develop with enjoyment in a setting be disinfected on a regular basis and frequent hand washing should that supports you as a parent. be promoted among the staff and children to minimize the spread In the final analysis, locating a child care provider with whom you of infection. are confident is well worth the searching. Why? Your child benefits greatly from such an arrangement, meeting and interacting with Preparing Your Child for Child Care other children and adults. The child learns and grows from Most young infants, up to seven months, adapt to caring adults experience, often times a major step in establishing independence and seldom have problems adjusting to good child care. Older and becoming his or her “own person.” And you feel more at ease infants may be upset when left with strangers. They may feel leaving them. separation anxiety, which is a normal part of development for some For more information you may want to visit the following website: children. They will need extra time and your support to “get to American Academy of Pediatrics, www.aap.org know” the caregiver. Some children show changes in behavior when they start child care. Toddlers may cry, pout, refuse to go to or act angry in other ways. Preschoolers may regress and behave like a younger child. They may be more wakeful at night. This behavior usually goes away after a few days or weeks in high-quality child care, just be sure to monitor.
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 39 HIGHER EDUCATION - WHERE TO GO?
A List to Consider When Making Decisions About College Campus and Residential Life Admissions experts from Baruch College, a senior college in the 7. What’s new at school? It’s been several months since you and City University of New York, offer some tips to help parents cope your child did all that college research. Go back on the colleges’ with the stress of guiding their child through that all-important websites and see what’s up! Schools may be offering new question: Where should I go to college? programs, hosting unique events on campus, renovating facilities, or announcing new faculty appointments— any of Academics which could affect your child’s decision. 1. Remember why your child is going to college in the first place. Now is the time for your child to reflect on what she truly wants. 8. Finding the right fit. Every school has a personality; you don’t Compare her preferences and ambitions to the resources that want to spend thousands of dollars on one that clashes with each school offers. Consider each school’s academics, study your child’s. Visit the campus again—or for the first time if you abroad programs, student life, extracurricular activities, career haven’t been yet! Encourage your child to attend an accepted services, internship programs, etc., and ask how it will further student reception; sit in on a class; go to a sporting event; and your child’s educational and career goals. Reassure your child talk to current students—without you hovering in the that it’s okay to be uncertain about her career ambitions but, if background! Students will speak candidly to each other about she is, a college with flexible academic programs and multiple real-life college issues like the social scene, academic options is probably a good bet. pressures, and drinking on campus— all things your child should be aware of in advance. 2. What happens to people who graduate from this school? Look into what most of the graduates of the schools your child likes 9. Safety first. Let’s face it: sending your child off to college is scary wind up doing. If your child is interested in the fine arts, and the enough without worrying about crime. Take note of a school’s majority of students at a particular school end up working in the location and ask college officials about security: Is there a 24- financial industry, it should give you both pause. hour security team? What kind of campus alert systems are in place? What are the crime statistics for the area? What security 3. The downside of high school success. Sometimes, even a top- precautions exist in the residence halls? While you’re asking performing high school student is surprised by the rigorous questions, explore the college’s mental health and counseling demands of college courses and professors. Even if your child services—college can be stressful for kids as well as parents. was accepted at the school of his dreams, he needs to understand that he’s starting all over once he gets to college; his Coping sterling SAT score won’t matter if he skips class or studying. 10. Breathe deeply and stay calm. Make clear to your child that you Have an honest conversation with your child about the level of are available to talk things through, weigh the pros and cons, ask commitment required at the schools he likes and make sure he’s questions, and visit campuses with her but that, ultimately, the prepared for it. It’s (Almost) All About the Money decision about where to go to college must be her’s. It’s hard to hand over the keys to her future, but when you watch her receive 4. Factor college tuition into family budgeting. Try plugging the her diploma, you’ll realize it was well worth it. estimated cost of attendance (tuition, room and board, books, transportation, student fees) for each school at which your child is accepted into your family’s budget. This will provide you with a better long-term financial plan. And don’t forget about graduate school, if that is in your child’s plans; it’ll be upon you both before you know it. 5. Explore all avenues of financing. Don’t count solely on the college’s financial aid award for help. Learn about scholarships being offered by local businesses, community organizations, and employers; your family could qualify for additional aid monies. 6. Get to know your school’s financial aid team. Most financial aid departments offer free workshops on how to plan for the cost of attending college. Take advantage of such sessions, and don’t be bashful; ask as many questions as occur to you. Now is the best time to consider all your options.
40 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 41 Choose the MBA with mobility.
When your career takes you to new places, it’s good to know that a Keller MBA has the mobility to move with you. With flexible options you need to succeed, you can go from a stressed-out mover to mover and shaker. Our Network of 85+ University Locations An MBA from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management offers the “ility” you need—wherever you are today and wherever you go tomorrow.
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Three locations in the Philadelphia area So, unpack later... Go online now and learn more about Chesterbrook Ft. Washington Philadelphia Keller’s MBA degree program at kelleradvantage.com/mobility. (Valley Forge) (Center City) Or call us at 888.KELLER.0 (888.535.5370) today.
DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org. Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. © 2009 DeVry University. All rights reserved. Program availability varies by location. In New York, DeVry University operates as DeVry College of New York. DeVry is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education of Virginia, 101 North 14th Street, Richmond 23219, (804) 255-2621. AC0060 TYPES OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Community Colleges Nearly 3 million students are believed to be taking online classes Community colleges exist for two major purposes. The first is to at institutions of higher education in the United States this year. That serve as a bridge from high school to college by providing courses number has been growing about 25% a year recently. Now, virtually for transfer toward a bachelor’s degree. Four out of 10 college- all public higher education institutions, as well as a vast majority of bound high-school graduates start their college education this way. private, for-profit institutions, now offer online classes. By contrast, The second function of community colleges is to prepare only about half of private, nonprofit schools offer them. students for the job market by offering entry-level career training as Online schools offer everything from Associate’s degrees to well as courses for adult students who want to upgrade their skills Doctoral programs with available emphases in everything from for the workplace. They often offer programs that are not available Business Administration to Criminal Justice to Nursing. Some at four-year schools, like fashion design. programs require students to attend some campus classes or Liberal Arts Colleges orientations, but many are delivered completely online. Liberal arts colleges offer a broad base of courses in the Online courses generally require a computer with a broadband humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Most are private and connection, but are now a serious option for the busy professional. focus mainly on undergraduate students. Classes tend to be small Public vs. Private and personal attention is available. Public colleges are usually less expensive, particularly for in-state Online Learning residents. They get most of their money from the state or local Recent years have witnessed the rise of online degree programs, government. Private colleges rely on tuition, fees, endowments, and to allow the busy professional a chance to work at their own pace other private sources. Private colleges are usually smaller and can from the comfort of their home on the path to getting a degree. The offer more personalized attention and often more prestige. costs to students are typically the same as for traditional classes— Universities and financial aid is equally available—while the cost to the institution Generally, a university is bigger than a college and offers more can be much less. majors and research facilities. Class size often reflects institutional There are online universities ranging from legitimate distance size and some classes may taught by graduate students. learning systems to fly-by-night degree-mills. It’s important to Upper Division research a particular institution before deciding to enroll in their Upper-division schools offer the last two years of undergraduate system. Generally, brick-and-mortar schools that also offer online study, usually in specialized programs leading to a bachelor’s classes are the safest, though there are plenty of fully accredited degree. Students then generally transfer to an upper-division online universities out there. college after completing an associate degree or after finishing a second year of study at a four-year college.
DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES
Certificate or Diploma Combined Bachelor’s/Graduate Degree (or Joint Degree) These non-degree offerings generally lead to employment in an Complete a bachelor’s degree and a master’s or first-professional occupational field. For example, to enter fields such as computer degree in less than the usual amount of time. In most programs, science or teaching, you may first have to get a certificate or students apply to the graduate program during their first three years diploma. of undergraduate study, and begin the graduate program in their Associate Degree fourth year of college. Successful completion results in awarding of You receive an associate of arts (AA) or associate of science (AS) both bachelor’s and graduate degrees. These are sometimes degree after completing two years of study similar to the first two referred to as “4 +1” programs. years of a four-year college. After earning an AA or an AS, you may Masters Degree transfer to a four-year college to complete the requirements for a These signify more specialized training in a particular field. They bachelor’s degree. The associate of applied science (AAS) degree is are competed after the bachelor’s degree, usually over the course awarded on completion of technological or vocation programs of of 2 years for the full time student. study. Doctorates Bachelor’s or Baccalaureate Degree These generally signify some significant research in the field, and Complete a four- or five-year, full-time program of study (or its are an upper level degree. part-time equivalent) at a college. The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) are the most common.
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 43 PAYING FOR SCHOOL
FAFSA www.fafsa.gov • Federal Student Loans made to parents: Much higher limit, but FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a form payments start immediately that must be filled out annually by university to determine their • Private Student Loans made to students or parents: Higher limits eligibility for federal financial aid (including grants, loans, and work- and no payments until after graduation. study programs). In addition, most states and schools use Getting Your MBA Part-time information from the FAFSA to award non-federal aid. Getting your MBA may be imperative to you and your career. The FAFSA consists of numerous questions regarding the More than 40% of all graduate students are working adults, so it is student’s finances, as well as those of his or her family; these are possible to balance the rest of your life with your desire to continue entered into a formula that determines the Expected Family your education. Contribution. The amount of the EFC can vary widely, depending on You’ll generally spend three to four hours a week with the a number of factors; for example, one such factor is whether a instructor in a 3-credit class. It’s generally recommended that you student has siblings in college at the time. spend about 8 additional hours a week studying and preparing for The best place to look for help before you start filling out your the next classroom session, so 12-15 hrs a week total. FAFSA is at your school’s financial aid office. So where are you going to find an extra 15 hrs a week? It helps Other Sources to journal how you do spend your time during the week, and then FAFSA only scratches the surface of the money available to list priorities. Lower priority items, like watching TV, may take up students for school. There are many state and private scholarships more time than you realize, and can be shelved so you can continue out there. The easiest way to find listings of what scholarships that your education. you may qualify for is by going to a scholarship database online and doing a search. Some handy sites for this are: Re-prioritizing your time is the most crucial step in ensuring you’ll have success on your path to your degree. Make sure you discuss Lunch-money.com your goals with your boss, friends, and family, so they know what to Finaid.org expect as you add this major commitment to your life. Fastweb.com Collegeboard.com It’s not recommended that you participate in any website that &RIENDS 3CHOOL (AVERFORD&RIENDS 3CHOOL (AVERFFOORD asks you to pay a fee to search for a scholarship; there are many Inspiring the Imagination, wonderful free sites available. ChallengingCh ll i theth Intellect I t ll t Types of Financial Aid Financial aid may be classified into two types based on the criteria through which the financial aid is awarded: merit-based or need-based. Merit-Based Merit-scholarships are typically awarded for outstanding academic achievements, although some merit scholarships can also be awarded for special talents, leadership potential and other personal characteristics. Merit scholarships are sometimes awarded without regard for the financial need of the applicant. Athletic scholarships are a form of merit aid that takes athletic talent s #O %DUCATIONAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL into account. s 0RESCHOOL S TO GRADE Need-Based s 1UAKER VALUES Need-based financial aid is awarded on the basis of the financial need of the student. The amount of need based aid is generally s $EVOTED SOLELY TO YOUNG AND based off the criteria on the FAFSA. PRE ADOLESCENT CHILDREN Loans s 2ICH ACADEMIC CURRICULUM While included in the term “financial aid” Higher Education Loans differ from scholarships and grants in that they must be paid back. Call 610-642-0354 for more information They come in several varieties in the United States or visit our website: • Federal Student Loans made to students directly: No payments wwwwww.friendshaverford.org.friendshaverford.org until after graduation, but amounts are quite limited ?LA1.*;n\dEZg^AZo^k_hk]%I:*2)-*?LA 1.* ;n\d EZg^ AZo^k_hk]% II:: *2)-*
44 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide FITNESS AND HEALTH
IN THE KITCHEN
received this recipe in an email from one of my co-workers. Well actually since he will be reading this, I’d better be more precise. He’s my boss! But it’s a summer Friday Iafternoon, so we’re a little relaxed. Anyway, in spite of it being a Friday afternoon, it inspired me to write this article. The avocado (Persea Americana) is a tree native to Mexico. The oldest evidence of avocado use was found in a cave located in Coxcatlán, Puebla, Mexico, that dates to around 10,000 BC. About 95% of United States avocado production – is located in Southern California. Fallbrook, California, claims the title of “Avocado Capital of the World”, I've been there and it's amazing to see all those rows of trees filled with ripe avocados! The Hass avocado is today the most common. It produces fruit year-round and accounts for 80% of cultivated avocados in the world. Hass avocados have ovate fruit with a dark green or black, rough, pebbled skin. All Hass avocado trees are descended from a single "mother tree" raised by a mail carrier named Rudolph Hass, of La Habra Heights, California. Hass patented the productive tree in 1935. Spinks is another type you may be familiar with. Mostly grown in Florida, the fruit is larger Please visit our website, www.NewMarketServices for more recipes. www.NewMarketServices Please visit our website, and rounder, with a smooth, medium-green skin, and a less-fatty, firmer and fibrous flesh. Because it has less oil it often isn't as flavorful. A fun project is to grow your own plant indoors. This is done by removing the pit from a ripe, unrefrigerated avocado. Poke the pit with three or four tooth picks, about one third of the way up. Place the pit in a jar with tepid water. In four to six weeks, it should split and out should come roots and a sprout. (If there is no change by this time discard and try again.) Once the stem has grown a few inches, it is placed in a pot with soil. It should be watered every few days. Avocados have been known to grow large, so be ready to repot the plant several times. Enough about avocados. A small warning about the recipe. If you have been reading my recipes you will notice this one digresses from my normal format. I try to be very precise with my ingredients and directions, leaving nothing to chance. Patrick allows for you to be creative. Tonight Patrick, in Chicago, and I, in Scottsdale will be comparing our creations. I hope you enjoy yours.
Patrick’s Authentic Irish Guacamole*
Ingredients Directions 4-6 ripe avocados, depending on how Cut, spoon out avocado into a bowl. Mash many you people you are serving. them up, we decided we both prefer left About 1/2 or so of a medium to large chunky but you may prefer creamy. white onion, depending on how much Dice onion, jalapeños, add to avocado you like Chop up the cilantro fine – few stems won’t Couple nice tomatoes – plum if you hurt, add Chop tomatoes into small squares, want, depending on what you prefer. add salt and olive oil. 2 jalapenos Cut and squeeze limes into mix Bunch of cilantro Mix all and enjoy with good tortilla chips & 2 limes some hot sauce on the side!!!! Sea Salt *It’s green, therefore Irish. therefore green, *It’s Tablespoon or so of olive oil
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 45 PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL BEING
Choosing a Health Club • Does the club offer instruction in a sport or activity that you might Your move is filled with many new challenges. If your life style want to learn (tennis, squash, swimming, etc.)? includes working out a priority will be to find a club that meets your • Does the club offer a variety of leagues? If you want to compete needs. Or a new move may bring the perfect time to implement - is the club affiliated to the right leagues, and does it have teams those healthy lifestyle changes that were on your New Year’s of the right standard for your competencies? Resolution list for the past several years. • Does the club offer a variety of high-quality weight equipment? It Begin your search before you move. Ask your current club for should include free weights, such as barbells and dumbbells, and recommendations or perhaps they even have reciprocity with a club machine weights, you really need both to get a proper workout. in your new location. If you belong to a national chain, chances are • Does the club offer a sufficient number and variety of programs for good that you will be able to transfer your membership. you to achieve other goals (stress management, weight However if you do find yourself looking for a new club, use this management, smoking cessation, social activities, etc.)? check list to help you find the place that will work best for you. • Are there long lines at the equipment, or crowded aerobics When visiting a club use your own observations and question the classes, at the time that you would be using the club? staff and current members. Be sure your new club will be able to • What are the real costs? Make sure you understand all rates, meet your fitness, social, and safety needs. charges and fees because these can vary widely, and many clubs • Is the club clean and well maintained, especially the locker rooms require contracts ranging from a few weeks to a year or more. Be and the shower areas? sure you’re entitled to use all facilities, such as pools and spas at • Are staff members friendly and helpful? Make sure there is always no extra charge. someone available to answer your questions, to show you a new • Is child care available if you need it? exercise, or how to use a piece of equipment. • Is there adequate parking available if you need it? • Does the location for work for you? It’s best to select a club that’s One way to find out whether a club is right for you is to try it out near where you live or work. for a few days. Some clubs offer a special guest pass for • Do fitness staff members have appropriate educational prospective members. But even if you have to pay for a week to try backgrounds and/or certification from nationally recognized it out, it’s better to spend the money than to make a long-term certifying agencies? commitment to a club that doesn’t work out. Try the club during the • Are new members provided with a club orientation and instruction hours you will normally be using it. It will give you a realistic idea of on how to use equipment? what the club environment while you are there. • What age group do you see while visiting? If you are in your 50’s, It’s important to read health club contracts carefully. Don’t do you really want to work out with a group in their 20’s (and vice assume the club offers classes such as aerobics as part of the versa)? Be sure to visit club at the time you will be normally using membership. While some do, others charge extra. If the health club the facilities. requires a long-term commitment, find out whether you’ll be able to • Does the club have the cardiovascular resistance equipment you get a refund if you need to cancel your membership due to a job want and need to achieve your fitness goals? transfer, an injury or if you simply find that the club isn’t working for • Does the club offer sufficient number and variety of programs for you. you to achieve your fitness goals (aerobic, racquet sports, It’s a fact that of every three people who join a health club, only basketball, etc.)? If classes or group activities help to motivate one will work out there 100 days a year. Find a club that you are you and the health club doesn’t offer the classes you need, comfortable with and you will greatly increase your chances of sticking with your exercise program won’t be realistic. being the one of three people that are there more than 100 days a year.
NewMarket Services wishes you good health.
46 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL BEING
Coping With Change a new community requires finding new sources for familiar services. Did you know that your body and mind sense change as stress? Finding a new hairdresser, barber, drugstore, food market, doctor, Whether you change the place you live or where you work, it all lawyer, cleaner and shoemaker are all necessary. You not only have adds up to stress. The more changes that come at one time, the to locate these services, but you need to determine if you are more stress you experience. satisfied with the quality of the services provided. Forming a Self-Image comfortable working relationship with the service provider adds Your attitudes towards change often depend on your self image more stress to the change itself. and expectations of how difficult it may be. Your self image is the Perhaps your whole lifestyle changes if you are moving from a inner vision of who you are. It is the basis of your every thought, smaller or larger community. With long-distance moves, you will word and action. Moving, with the many changes it entails, offers an have to make new friends and develop a different emotional support excellent opportunity to modify and/or improve your self image system. When these changes are not made through your own through the risks of taking positive action. choices, but are the decisions of a boss or someone in your family, then the stress is even greater. Children have to make changes because of their parents. They need special help and understanding getting settled in school and making new friends. Often, they will have difficulties as they adjust to the new surroundings. Changes produce stress not only within yourself, but also with the people with whom you are close. It may cause you to react differently from your usual behavior. If you are in a relationship or marriage, you may find more tension developing, with less patience or tolerance of the other person. If you live alone, not knowing where to go to make new friends can bring feelings of isolation and loneliness. Creatures of Habit Psychologically, most of us are creatures of habit and quickly develop repetitive patterns that make us feel comfortable and secure. Ever notice that most people find the same seat or section of the commuter train or bus? Drivers usually take the same route every day. We do this in order to reduce stress. The sameness of established behavior develops a sense of control over ourselves and surroundings. By seeking repetitive habits, we save our energy for new events that are either unpredictable or uncontrollable. When change removes the sameness from our lives, we attempt to relieve the tension Some people welcome change as a challenge or an exciting new produced by uncertainty and newness. We look for ways to develop experience. Others may resent the inconvenience and extra effort other familiar patterns. they need to make to re-establish a comfortable routine. Still others Management of Change feel overwhelmed by the unknown and are not sure where to go or To manage change effectively, several simple steps will help you to whom to turn. adjust to the newness and extra effort needed to establish different Often, stress causes old issues, defeats or concerns to patterns in your life. resurface. Perhaps new worries and fears form unexpectedly, or • Organize your time so you can finish the tasks you have planned. you feel tired and fatigued most of the time. Decision making abilities are affected, and you seem to be having less fun and • Have realistic expectations. Do not plan to complete everything enjoyment. These are all telltale signs of stress brought on by within the first few weeks. change. • List your priorities and finish each one before you go on to the When signs of stress affect you, it may be a time of emotional next. transition, indicating old behavior patterns are not as effective as • Provide your body with recreational time and time to relax. they once were. This is often a good time for self-reflection-to look • Trust your first impressions; they are most often right. at what you like in yourself and what you do not like. Periods of change can offer you an opportunity for growth within Stress yourself. Professional consultation may be useful during this period. When you relocate to a new city, all categories of your life are changed. Along with the obvious changes listed above, moving to
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 47 VOLUNTEERING IN YOUR COMMUNITY
One of the best ways to become involved in your new community Many people are reminded of their wish to volunteer during is through volunteering. The benefits of volunteering are many, for holiday seasons, but this is when organizations might have an everyone involved. Ask your employer for advice. Many companies excess of help. If you want to volunteer during the holiday, give employees paid time off to volunteer and will often publicize remember to contact the organization in advance. Otherwise, time their employees’ community service. According to the research your work for the lean season. group Independent Sector, the U.S. volunteer sector is equivalent to Volunteering is fun, leads to learning new skills, meeting 9 million full-time workers. Whether you have an hour or a weekend, interesting people, making new friends, sharing your talents, and if you want to help kids or the environment, there are great keeping in touch with the community in which you live. Whether it is organizations that will excite your particular interest, broaden your important to you to solve a community problem, advance a worthy horizons and fit into your time schedule. cause or to develop as a person, volunteering offers many benefits Don’t forget to include your family. If your children are school age in appreciation for the gift of your time and expertise. chances are there are many opportunities to volunteer at their Once you have chosen an area of interest, how should you go school, or even in their classroom. That is a great way to meet other about involving yourself? See what the Web can do for you. 1-800- parents with children the same age. Clean up a neighborhood park Volunteer.org, a service of the Points of Light Foundation & with your children. Spend a morning at a homeless shelter with your Volunteer Center National Network provides listings of local and children. You’ll find that volunteering is not only a fun family-bonding virtual volunteering as well as contact information for Volunteer experience but a great way to teach children the importance of Centers across the nation. Open the classified section of your local giving back to the community. paper. Check out the bulletin boards in your office. Or just start How you get involved with your community depends on your calling the local agencies you’re interested in. interests, skills and time. Choose something that fits well in to your One of the best ways to make these contacts is to walk right into schedule and makes you excited about working together to help the organization—a library, a shelter, training facility, or a political make a difference. Every person has that capability. Each of us can office—and find out who organizes volunteers. You can tell a lot by right a wrong, fill a plate, visit a shut-in or clean up a park, and that meeting the volunteer coordinator and any volunteers who happen does make the world a better place. to be on duty. While you won’t earn a paycheck for volunteering, There are several things to consider when choosing in what to you will earn valuable experience, a sense of accomplishment, and involve yourself. First of all be selective, think about what matters to the satisfaction that only comes from personally making the world a you, and where you wish to spend your time. If you have certain better place to live. social issues that you feel passionate about, it’s a great place to put your energy. You may have particular skills that will steer you toward a certain organization. Are you willing to explore new opportunities? Volunteering can teach you valuable new skills that you may use in other parts of your life. "You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give." - Winston Churchill
48 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide
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BAYBERRYBAAYYBERRY – A BBLENHEIMLENHEIE M HHOMESOMES CCOMMUNITYOMMUNITY Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 53 HOUSING
MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE...
Rent or Buy? The decision to rent or buy in your new location is dependent upon many considerations unique to your personal situation. Some of the potential factors involve the tax implications, down payment, other investment vehicles, the length of time you are anticipating being in your new location and whether or not your current home has sold. If you decide to buy, should you purchase an existing home or build a new one? Again, many factors have to be considered. Will an existing home need a lot of repair or remodeling to bring it to your standards? What about the difference in the cost of operation and maintenance between new and an existing structure? How should you finance a renovation? Which home will appreciate faster? Will it be difficult to get a construction loan? Is it better to rent for a while to become familiar with neighborhoods in your new city? What about capital gains tax if you don’t close in time? We suggest you seek the advice of a certified financial planner and a realtor to thoroughly clarify your options. These choices can become quite complex. Some Advantages to Renting Whether you’re in your first apartment or a longtime resident, there are many advantages you are afforded by choosing apartment living. Mobility: You enjoy the freedom to move, to accept that better job, to take the vacation you’ve dreamed of. No maintenance: Just relax and delight in the grounds and facilities maintenance technicians keeps attractive for you. Flexibility: You have the ability to increase or decrease your living space without the burden of sales pitches, closing costs, interest rates or the high cost of maintaining a home and property. Location: The choice is yours! Recreation: Chances are, you’ve chosen an apartment community with a swimming pool, tennis court, weight room or sauna. Apartments have the equipment and people to maintain them, which is no small task for the homeowner. No waiting: If you’re like most apartment residents, moving into your apartment was easy and fast. You settled into your new home without lengthy paperwork, a loan approval period or a large financial investment. Your Current Residence As you prepare to move, a big decision may include whether to sell or rent your current property. Ask yourself the following questions as you make this decision. You may also want to ask advice from a real estate agent.
54 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE
Market Inspect kitchen appliances. Check the stove to see if all burners Is it a seller’s market? Signs include low interest rates and work. Does the range have a hood with a fan? Is the oven self- shortage of homes for sale. How long have similar homes been on cleaning? Is the stove gas or electric? If it is gas, you may have an the market and how long are you willing to let your home be on the extra monthly charge for cooking gas. This would also be true if you market? Or is it a good rental market and do rental units have tenant had a gas clothes dryer in your unit. Check out the waiting lists? Is your property in a trendy area? Desirable areas refrigerator/freezer for storage space. Is there enough counter and typically garner higher rents and seldom have vacancies. cabinet space? Don’t forget to keep an eye out for bugs, especially Financial in a high-rise building. Is this property good for rental income? Can you charge more for Inspect the central air conditioning and heating systems. Ask rent than you pay for mortgage, taxes and upkeep? How will selling other tenants if there is enough heat in the winter. It can be costly if affect your federal and state tax situation? Furthermore, if your you have to buy or rent window air conditioning units. property does not sell quickly, can you afford to keep the home Is there enough storage space? Do you have enough closets for vacant while it’s on the market? If not, do you feel you will be able clothes, linens and general items. Are there built-in shelves and to find a renter on a short-term basis? Are you likely to want to move bookcases for books and DVDs? Do you also get a storage space back into the home some day? that is not adjacent to the unit? Rental Tips Does the building have special amenities such as a swimming Apartment experts say that some detective work is needed to pool, game room, barbecue area, and exercise room or tennis conduct a search that finds the most livable rental residence for the courts? Keep in mind that recreational amenities generally will money. After you have weeded out a good apartment complex from increase your rent. You should consider what features you will really many rent signs and/or listings, scanned the neighborhood you like use. for the best rental possibilities, you will be ready to scrutinize each How is the noise level in the complex? Have neighbors been property and landlord for shortcomings. It is easy for a prospective playing music louder than you prefer? Are you located by a major tenant to gather quick clues about the general care, maintenance of airport, freeway or train tracks? the building, and cleanliness of the area overall. Try to talk to the Do you need an apartment that takes pets? If not, do you want tenant who is vacating the apartment you are planning to rent. He to live in an area that does? Do tenants appear to be cleaning up or she can tell you a great deal about the pluses and minuses of after their pets? What is the management policy for pet size and living there. Here are some tips for inspecting the inside of the maintenance? apartment: Rental experts suggest that tenants should tour several Is it clean? Carpet should be cleaned and walls/ceilings should apartment complexes before placing a deposit on a unit. The be freshly painted. Does the apartment have a bad odor? It could minimum deposit to hold a unit is usually $100. Prospective renters be a tip that the prior tenant had a pet or cooked spicy foods. still need to fill out an application and pay an application fee. This Check room sizes with a floor plan. Make sure the furniture that will hold your unit while your employment, credit and rental histories you will be moving will fit. Is the bedroom near the bathroom? Does are being checked out. This process usually takes 7 to 10 days to the dining room adjoin the kitchen? complete.
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 55 CHOOSING THE RIGHT HOME
Making a final decision and determining which house to make an Property Taxes offer on shouldn’t be taken lightly. The decision should be made Property taxes may vary from one neighborhood to another. This rationally and not guided by emotion. You most likely won’t have the can sometimes affect whether you view a community as a desirable luxury of taking your time on deciding which house you’d like to place to live. Higher property taxes often mean newer and more pursue. However, since it is such a major decision you would like to modern schools, well-maintained roads, and bountiful community base it on factual information. Some broad categories to consider services. are: Schools Appreciation If you have school-aged children and plan to send them to public Ask your real estate agent to retrieve sales of homes in the school, you definitely want to consider the reputation of the neighborhood over the past few years. If one neighborhood shows neighborhood school. If you plan on sending your child to a private an annual average 8 percent increase and another is skyrocketing school, how long is the commute? You will likely spend a lot of time at 15 percent, you may have your decision made. driving your child not only during the school day but for extra- Crime curricular events outside the daily school schedule. Which ever Go to the local police or sheriff department and ask about crime school you decide, you can usually find general district information in your specific neighborhood. You might find theft or vandalism to and state standardized test results online. Always plan a visit to the be more prevalent in one area than another. Also please the school and receive the information first-hand from school website, www.familywatchdog.us. When you visit this site you can administrators. You should also talk to teachers and parents. enter your address and a map will pop up with your house as the Sellers’ Situations small icon of a house and red, blue, green, dots surrounding your If you don’t know already, ask your real estate agent how long the entire neighborhood. When you click on these dots a picture of a house has been on the market. Usually the longer a house has been person will appear with an address and the description of the crime listed, the better chance the seller will accept an offer lower than he or she had committed. asking price. Conversely, if the house has been on the market for Drawbacks just a couple days, the sellers will probably wait for a better offer if Rarely will you be lucky enough to find a perfect place. Think you offer less than the listed price. Your real estate agent might also about the cons associated with each house and determine to be able to dig up additional information about the sellers, like why correct them or how much of a negative impact each will have. they’re selling. If it’s a job-related move or a divorce, the sellers likely Neighborhoods want to move as quickly as possible, meaning you have a better If you have kids or pets and being close to a park is important, shot at them accepting a lower price. you’ll want to consider that. How close are shopping, restaurants, Style and Substance churches, and other services? Are the streets maintained? How do The SUBSTANCE are things that cannot be changed such as the your prospective neighbors keep up their property? How long will location, view, size of lot, noise in the area, school district, and floor your commute to work be? plan. The STYLE represents easily changed surface finishes like The House carpet, wallpaper, color, and window coverings. Buy the house with Make a list of the amenities and attributes you want your house good SUBSTANCE, because the STYLE can always be changed to to have. Be specific. Prioritize that list. Then, rate how each house match your tastes. measures up to each need on your list.
56 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide HOME INSPECTION CHECKLIST
Finding faults in a home doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t Interior buy it. But it will help you to know the type of repair costs that The kitchen and baths are the most expensive rooms to should be anticipated, and sellers often will make adjustments in renovate, so check their condition carefully. A newly-painted interior their asking price on the basis of problems discovered in an may look nice, but it could be hiding something. inspection. Plumbing Inspectors look for the following: Turn on the bathroom sink faucet and shower and then flush the Brick and Concrete toilet. When the toilet starts to refill, does the water pressure Check pavement, driveways and horizontal brick surfaces for diminish? Fill sinks and tub with three inches of water. Do they drain cracks. Is there damage from freezing? What is the condition of the properly? Do faucets leak? Lift up the carpeting. Are there any signs mortar between the bricks? Is any pavement buckling from of flooding or decay? spreading underground tree roots? Roof Electrical Are shingles curling and lifting? Find out how old the roof is, and Open the door on the fuse box or circuit-breaker panel. Is the you will have a pretty good idea of when you will have to replace it. electrical service adequate? The average house should have 100- Termites and Carpenter Ants amp service. Is it wired for 220 volts, which is necessary for electric Look for evidence of termites and carpenter ants on basement dryers and ranges? wood framing. Is there saw dust like wood or paper debris? Can Exterior you find evidence of termite tubes or tunnels? Termites live in earth, Is the house well maintained? Does the roof sag? Are the exterior so make sure that there are no places where earth is closer than six walls out of line? What is the condition of the paint, especially on the inches to wood. Like termites, carpenter ants like wood and wood south and west sides, where sun exposure is greatest? Is there products. adequate drainage away from the house? Water Damage Heating & Cooling Look in the basement for signs of leakage. This could be a result How old is the heating/cooling system? Has it been maintained? of poor drainage around the house. Water damage also is caused Ask to see the owner’s cooling bills for the previous year. This will by seepage through porous basement walls and condensation, give you an idea of its energy efficiency. which frequently is caused by inadequate ventilation. Basement Insulation walls painted a dark color may be an effort to disguise a past Check the attic and crawl space. Is the insulation adequate and problem. Beware of chalky white water stains on foundation walls complete? Has it been properly installed? Does the insulation or partitions; stains on wood and drywall; delamination of paneling obstruct the air vents, preventing the house from “breathing” and and lifting or buckling floor tiles; or a damp, mildew odor. possibly causing wood rot? Does the home have storm windows? Windows and Doors Has the glazing putty dried and shrunk, allowing water and air seepage? Is the wood decayed? Are the window and door frames caulked and weather-stripped?
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 57 HOUSING OPTIONS FOR GROWING ACTIVE ADULTS DEMOGRAPHIC
According to the Administration on Aging, there are nearly 52.4 once they've retired from their jobs. You have more freedom than million people age 60 or older in the United States. By 2030, one in those of us still tied to the world of employment. So should senior every five Americans will be age 60 or older. Individuals who are 85 citizens buy or rent a home or stay where you are currently living and over are the fastest growing group of seniors, with their after retirement? numbers expected to more than triple from 5.4 million to 19 million When comparing renting and owning a home in your retirement between 2008 and 2050. The demographic profile of America’s years, maintenance and renovations need to be taken into older adults will also be more diverse in the years to come. These consideration. You must be able to keep up your home if you want trends will produce challenges as well as great opportunities to to continue living in retirement safely and comfortably. As for renting, harness the talents and energies of older Americans. many renters receive reassurance and security because they are not the one in charge of making or paying for needed repairs and renovations. One downside to renting a home or apartment is cost increase. Your rent can increase at just about any point in time. In most states, unless your lease states otherwise, rent can be increased with 30 days notice. Even so, most leases are only for one year, meaning your landlord can then raise your rent. In fact, your rent may be raised to any amount that they want, even an amount that you cannot afford. A fixed mortgage is just that and you will always know the amount of your mortgage payments. Another factor to consider is your current lifestyle, and the lifestyle you intend to lead in the future. When deciding whether to rent or buy your home, it's important to remember that the sky is the limit. You might want to travel after retirement, seeing the world on your retirement funds, and a mortgage would only serve to strap you to a particular place. You may not be able to spend winters in the Caribbean if the mortgage payments on your new home are too high. The senior housing trend started with senior apartments where Developers and home builders are now listening to those residents were monitored on a daily basis and had access to numbers. Innovative designs and careful consideration of the needs emergency services. That was just the beginning of a now extensive of active adults are now being studied to construct communities list of developments that cater to senior citizens. Many senior that include many services needed by active adults. Retirement communities include access to pools, gyms and clubhouses and villages now come complete with clubhouses for socialization, meal are age restricted. The newest developments enable seniors to own deliveries and transportation options to just name a few. Seniors will a private residence, maintain their independent lifestyles while now have to do their homework to find out which development is having many services available to them when the needs arise. right for them. Before you make a decision about where to live in retirement you need to consider many factors—the daily lifestyle you want; proximity of children, grandchildren, or other relatives and friends; the type of climate you enjoy; and your health or medical needs. Ideally you should consider these personal and lifestyle factors first. Then you need to face reality. What can you afford? As usual, when it comes to financial issues, the Internal Revenue Service enters the picture. The tax impact can be crucial when you’re analyzing the pros and cons of where and how to live. (You may access tax information for this state in another part of the guide.) Once past this process, you will need to think about renting vs. owning. Senior citizens are in a unique position
58 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide HOUSING OPTIONS FOR GROWING ACTIVE ADULTS DEMOGRAPHIC
For many a desirable solution is retirement communities. Called “active adult” or “age- restricted” communities, these developments are especially common in suburban cities and towns where land is more available. The residents often can choose among a few different home styles. There are normally recreational benefits, such as a swimming pool, tennis, golf and a social hall. Some of these 55-plus communities are apartment buildings, condominiums or townhouses. Since an independent living facility is one in which you may live in your own apartment while enjoying more social interaction, you can come and go as you please. This gives you the opportunity to still live like you would have at your previous house, going on vacations or visiting family as you please. At the same time, same general area as their housing needs change over time. There independent living facilities have security services that create a safe is normally the cost of buying a unit in the community as well as community and place to live so there's never a reason to feel like monthly fees that increase as you require higher levels of care. You your personal belongings will not be secure while you're away. may want to consider a CCRC if you’d like to stay in the same Many retired adults choose to move to an independent living facility general facility regardless of your care needs. It also can mean because they no longer desire to take care of that big house that spouses can still be very close to one another even if one requires once housed their larger family. All that space is no longer a higher level of care, a big plus. necessary. In addition to downscaling, many independent living A relatively new concept is the Village Solution. The Village facilities offer cleaning and dining services, on top of landscaping. Solution enables active seniors to remain in their own homes It’ll give you the opportunity to really take advantage of your free without having to rely on family and friends. Members of a “village” time as a retired adult, rather than keeping you chained to daunting can access specialized programs and services, such as household chores. transportation to the grocery store, home health care, or help with household chores, as well as a network of social activities with other village members. As of 2009, there were 50 village organizations across the United States, with many more communities planned worldwide. Each offers different services depending on the local needs of the individual communities. The cost of membership varies according to area and the level of services required, but is often in excess of $500 a year. Thinking about housing arrangements for the future can be a stressful, anxiety-provoking topic for both you and your family. It may seem easier to put off thinking about it until later, but the earlier you face your specific issues, the more choices and control you will have over your future. Even if you are completely independent at this time, circumstances can change. It pays to think a little about your current location and how things will differ if you move. For example, how far will your home be from These provide less privacy, which some people want due to shopping, medical facilities, or other services? If you can no longer safety reasons. Each of these communities also has its own list of drive, what kind of transportation access will you have? Does it regulations on what is and is not acceptable by the homeowners. have a lot of steps, stairs, or a steep hill to navigate? Read everything you can about the housing, talk with other Learn about the different types of senior housing, what choices residents and meet the officers, if there is a board that oversees the may be best for you, and how to navigate the emotional roadblocks facility. that come with choosing senior housing. But most importantly plan Continuing-Care Retirement Communities are a great option. to enjoy each day to the fullest and take advantage of every CCRCs are facilities that include independent living, assisted living, opportunity presented to you! and nursing home care in one location, so seniors can stay in the
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 59 HOME CARE BASICS FOR NEW HOMEOWNERS
You’ve finally done it—you’ve just moved into your brand new Here are some additional tips for properly maintaining specific home. The smell of fresh paint still permeates the air. You’re likely systems in your new home. consumed with unpacking, setting up furnishings, rearranging, Appliances decorating—energized by the blank pallet you have to work with. Remember to read the instruction manual for every appliance in But once you’ve signed the thick pile of closing documents, the your new home. The manuals provide recommended cleaning and moving trucks have left and everything is neatly in its place, what do maintenance schedules and sometimes your warranty will become you do next? It’s time to get a handle on the routine maintenance void if you don’t follow these recommendations. you’ll need to perform in order to ensure that you and your family Driveways live comfortably in your new home for years to come. Here’s some If you have an asphalt driveway, remove oil, gasoline and similar advice to get you started and help save money while you’re at it: substances immediately with soapy water. Maintaining a clean home ensures it will last longer and works To avoid holes in your asphalt driveway, refrain from resting patio better. Dust and dirt, if allowed to accumulate, can harm the finishes furniture or bicycle stands on it. on blinds, cabinets, countertops, floors, sinks, tubs, toilets, walls, Do not burn anything on your driveway. tiles and other items. If dirt does accumulate, make sure to clean it When winter weather produces ice and snow, remove it promptly with a substance that does not scratch or damage the finishes. and avoid gouging your pavement while chipping away at ice. On the outside of your home, make sure that gutters and Use kitty litter or sand for traction on tough patches of ice. downspouts do not get clogged with leaves or other objects. The Thawing and freezing agents using salt and chemicals can damage exterior of your house is built to withstand exposure to the concrete, brick, mortar and asphalt. Salt will kill grass, shrubs and elements, but a periodic cleaning will improve the appearance and, trees as well—and wreaks havoc on leather—soled shoes. in many instances, prolong the life of siding and other exterior Gutters and Downspouts products. Clear away leaves, tree limbs and other debris from gutters and When you bought your home, you probably received a warranty downspouts. from the builder on workmanship and materials. This warranty Downspouts should be turned away from your home’s applies to problems related to the construction of the home, but it foundation. does not apply to problems that arise because of failure to perform routine maintenance. For example, if your roof begins to leak after Every four to six years, paint gutters that not are made of six months because of faulty workmanship, your warranty would aluminum or vinyl to help prevent rust. cover that. If you develop a problem because water backed up in Heating and Cooling Systems clogged gutters that you should have cleaned, the builder is not Late summer or early fall are the ideal time to do an annual responsible for repairs. Also, some items, such as appliances, may inspection and cleaning of these systems. be covered by manufacturers’ warranties and are not the Make sure you change the filters every three months. responsibility of the builder. Keeping your pilot light burning during the summer will help keep You should fully familiarize yourself with the terms of your the furnace dry and prevent corrosion. warranty soon after you move into your home. With all the Registers help regulate the flow of air and maintain the desired excitement surrounding a move into a new home, most people have temperature in your home. Keeping registers closed in rooms you little desire to curl up in front of the fireplace and read a legal don’t use will save on cooling/heating costs. document. Nonetheless, you should not wait to read your warranty Using heat generating appliances in the evening and reducing the until a problem arises. Set aside an hour to learn what your rights number of lights on will help keep the temperature down and save and responsibilities are from the outset. on costs during the summer. Plumbing Every member of your family should know where the intake valves are located. Label each one. If any of your appliances develops a leak, inspect your drain trap. A partially clogged drain can cause overflow. Use a plunger or a plumber’s snake to unclog the drain. If you need to, use boiling water to help unclog a partially opened drain. Call a plumber if these techniques don’t work. A worn washer, a loose part in a faucet or steam in a hot water pipe generally causes a noisy pipe. Do not hesitate to repair the noise because vibrations can follow the noise and lead to leaks.
60 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide SECURITY
Each year more than six million residential burglaries occur Computer Security throughout the United States. That’s one every ten seconds! In Computer security is the process of preventing unauthorized use addition to the worry of home burglaries, we now also need to of your computer. concern ourselves with computer hackers and personal identity • Use of anti-virus software on all Internet-connected computers. theft. Listed below are some things that you can do to reduce your Be sure to keep your anti-virus software up-to-date. chances of becoming a victim. • Use of some type of firewall product, such as a network Home Security Checklist appliance or a personal firewall software package. • Have home security system professionally installed that offers a • Turn off your computer or disconnect its Ethernet interface when 24 hour monitoring system. Make sure to post the home system you are not using it. An intruder cannot attack your computer if it stickers and window decals: this should alert and deter would be is powered off or otherwise completely disconnected from the intruders. network. • Never stop mail or newspaper deliveries, it signals that you are • Use software backup tools if available, and store the backup away. Have a neighbor pick up all deliveries if possible. disks somewhere away from the computer. • When recording your answering machine message, do not state Identity Theft that you are not home or out of town. Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal • When leaving for an extended period, put lights and stereo information without your permission to commit fraud or other /television on a timer to give the appearance that someone is crimes. While you can’t entirely control whether you will become a home. victim, there are steps you can take to minimize your risk. Exterior/Interior Security • Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal • Replace all locks immediately upon moving into your new home information before you discard them. and install deadbolts on all outside doors. • Protect your Social Security number. Don’t carry your Social • Secure your sliding glass doors with pins to prevent all horizontal Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number and vertical movement. Also install security film over the glass on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use panes for additional protection. another identifier. • Remember to lock all doors and windows. • Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the • Provide remote panic buttons for children and/or elderly mail, or over the Internet unless you know who you are dealing residents. with. • Never keep garage door openers in cars that are parked outside • Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead, type in a of your home. web address you know. Keep Your Valuables Safe • Don’t use an obvious password like your birth date, your • Keep your important papers, heirloom jewelry and large amounts mother’s maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social of cash in a safe deposit box. Security number. • Engrave your valuables with your social security number or drivers license number. • Store jewelry, firearms, furs and like in a small closet with a non- hinged solid core door that has a deadbolt. • When purchasing new electronic equipment, breakdown cartons before discarding them. This way you avoid advertising your new purchase to the entire neighborhood and drive-by observers.
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 61 HOMEBUYER’S GLOSSARY
As you start shopping for a new home, you may encounter some Contingency Condition that must be met before a contract is unfamiliar words and terms. The following glossary will help get you binding. through the maze of buying a home. Convertibility Ability to change a loan from an adjustable rate Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM) Loan with an interest rate schedule to a fixed-rate schedule. adjusted according to movements in the financial market. Many Covenant Agreement between seller and buyer on a piece of offer lower-than-market initial interest rates that rise only gradually property, restricting the use of that property. (Also called deed for the first few years. restriction.) Annual Percentage Rate (APR) Annual cost of credit over the life of Deed Legal document representing property ownership. a loan including interest, service charges, points, loan fees, Default When a borrower fails to make the required payments of mortgage insurance and other items. a mortgage contract. Appraisal Unbiased, professional opinion of a property’s value Density The number of homes built on a particular acre of land. based on its style and appearance, construction quality, usefulness Allowable densities are determined by local jurisdictions. and the value of comparable properties. Debt-To-Income Ratio Long-Term debt expenses as a percentage Assessment Tax levied on a property or a value placed on the of monthly income; used by lenders to qualify borrowers for worth of a property by a taxing authority. mortgage loans. Assumption Transaction allowing a buyer to assume responsibility Due-on-Sale Clause in a mortgage contract requiring the borrower for an existing loan instead of getting a new loan. to pay the entire outstanding balance upon sale or transfer of the Broker (Real Estate) Person who receives a commission or fee for property. bringing buyer and seller together and assisting in the negotiation of Earnest Money Sum paid to the seller to show that a potential contracts between them. A license is required in most states. purchaser is serious about buying. Building Code Local regulations controlling design, construction Easement Right-of-Way granted to a person or company and materials used in construction. Building Codes are based on authorizing access to the owner’s land. For example, a utility safety and health standards. company may be granted easement to install pipes or wires. An Buydown Subsidy, usually paid by a builder or developer, to reduce owner may voluntarily grant an easement or can be ordered to grant the monthly payments on a mortgage loan. one by a local jurisdiction. Buyer’s Agent A real estate agent who represents only the buyer Equity Difference between the value of a home and what is owed in a real estate transaction. on it. Callback Request by a homeowner for a builder to handle a service Escrow Handling of funds or documents by a third party on behalf request. of the buyer and/or seller. Cap Limit to the amount an interest rate or monthly payment can Escrow Amount Amount set up by a lender into which periodic, increase for an adjustable-rate loan either during an adjustment usually monthly, payments for taxes, hazard insurance, period or over the life of the loan. assessments and mortgage insurance premiums are made. Funds Certificate of Occupancy Document from an official agency stating are held in trust by the lender who pays the sums as they become the property meets the requirements of local codes, ordinances and due. regulations. Fair Market Value Price at which property is transferred between Chain of Title History of all documents transferring title to a parcel willing buyer and willing seller, each of whom has reasonable of real property, starting with the earliest existing document and knowledge of all pertinent facts and neither being under compulsion ending with the most recent. to buy or sell. Change Order Homebuyer’s written authorization to add, delete or Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Federal agency that insures change an item specified in a contract. mortgages with lower down payment requirements than Closing Meeting to sign documents that transfer from a seller to a conventional loans. buyer. (Also referred to as settlement.) Fixed-Rate Mortgage Mortgage with an interest rate that remains Closing Costs Charges paid at settlement for obtaining a mortgage constant over the life of the loan. loan and transferring a real estate title. Hazard Insurance Protection against damage caused by fire, wind Commission Agent’s fee for negotiating a real estate or loan storms or other common hazards. Many lenders require borrowers transaction, often expressed as the percentage of the sales price or to carry it in an amount at least to the mortgage. mortgage amount. HVAC Common building industry abbreviation for heating, Conditions, Covenants and Restrictions (CC and Rs) Standards that ventilation and air conditioning systems. define how a property may be used and the protections the Index Interest rate or adjustment standard that determines the developer makes for the benefit of all owners in a subdivision. changes in monthly payments for an adjustable-rate loan.
62 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide HOMEBUYER’S GLOSSARY
Infrastructure Public facilities and services needed to support PITI Principal, interest, taxes and insurance: the four major residential development, including highways, bridges, schools and components of monthly housing payments. sewer and water systems. Point One-Time charge assessed by the lender at closing to Inspection Examination of work completed on a structure to increase the interest yield on a mortgage loan. determine compliance with building code and other code Presettlement Walk-Through Final inspection of house prior to requirements. closing, conducted by builder and buyer. Joint Tenancy Form of ownership in which the tenants own a Principal Amount borrowed, excluding interest and other charges. property equally. If one dies, the other automatically inherits the Property Survey Survey to determine the boundaries of a piece of entire property. property. Cost depends on the complexity of the survey. Loan Origination Fee Lender will charge a fee for the cost of Recording Fee Charge for recording the transfer of a property, paid processing the loan, usually calculated as a percentage of the loan to a city, county or other appropriate branch of government. amount. Specifications Contractual document describing in detail the work Loan-To-Value-Ratio Relationship between the amount of a home to be performed; method of construction; standards of loan and the total value of a property. workmanship; quality, type and manufacturer of materials and Lock-In Rate Commitment from a lender to make a loan at a pre- equipment for a particular project. set interest rate at some future date, usually for not more than 90 Tenancy in Common Form of ownership in which the tenants own days. A fee may be charged to “lock-in” a rate. separate but equal parts. To inherit the property, a surviving tenant Mortgage Commitment Formal written communication by a lender would either have to be mentioned in the will or, in the absence of agreeing to make a mortgage loan on a specific property, specifying a will, be eligible through state inheritance laws. the loan amount, length of time and conditions. Title Evidence, usually in the form of a certificate or deed, of a Mortgage Origination Fee Charge for the work involved in preparing person’s legal right to ownership of a property. and servicing a mortgage application. Title Insurance Insurance against any title defects that may exist Permit Document issued by a local government agency allowing prior to the time the title is passed from one owner to the next, and construction work to be performed in conformance with local which may come to light in a future transaction. codes. Work may not commence until permits have been obtained, Veterans Administration (VA) Federal agency that insures mortgage and each permit issuing agency must inspect the work at certain loans with very liberal down payment requirements for honorably specified points during construction. discharged veterans and their surviving spouses.
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 63 TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR ENERGY COSTS
The cost of cooling your house continues to rise . There are a • Close doors to rooms that are not being used. number of ways you can save a significant amount of money on • Run full loads in your washer and dryer, and use “solar drying” your energy bills. In fact, it’s possible to save up to 25 percent on (clotheslines). your power bill by using the following tips. While your results might • Use energy saver option on your dishwasher, allowing dishes to vary, you’re guaranteed to find at least a few ways to save money. air dry. The idea behind all our advice, and in fact our entire conservation • If you A/C unit is on the ground, keep the area around it clean and effort, is to give you the information you need to make the right free of obstructions to maintain air flow. decisions. • Unplug your televisions/VCR when you’re on vacation. Most new These simple steps don’t cost a thing, but can potentially save sets draw power even when they’re turned off. you 10-25% on your monthly energy bill. • Keep lights and lighting fixtures clean, especially if you’re • Turn off lights and appliances when not in use. Don’t forget your reducing the number of lights you use. Dirt absorbs light. Let computer - it can use as much energy as a refrigerator. Most new lights cool before cleaning them and never touch halogen bulbs computers have “sleep” settings. with your bare hands. The oil from your skin can greatly damage • In the cold months, set the thermostat to 68 degrees when the bulbs. Use a small piece of paper to hold the bulb. home, and then back to 58 degrees when sleeping or when you • If your dishwasher has a filter clean it. are not home more than four hours. • Clean the reflectors underneath the burners on stovetops. • In warm months, set the thermostat to 78-80 degrees when home and 5 to 10 degrees warmer at night or when you’re not There are plenty of low cost, easy to do projects or steps you can home. do to save another 10-25% on your energy bill. • Do not turn your air conditioning off in the hot months when • Use compact fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent ones. you’re not home. Your house will store up the heat and you’re This will typically save $1 per bulb changed out (for bulbs running likely to make the air conditioning run for hours to feel 4-6 hours per day) and reduce heat in your home. Regular bulbs comfortable. use most of the electricity to generate heat so use care when • In the winter, open window coverings on the sunny side of your changing bulbs. home to take advantage of “free heat from the sun” Close the • Caulk windows and caulk and weather-strip doors. Keep the coverings on cloudy days or right after the sun sets. outside air out and the inside air in. • In the cooling season, close blinds and drapes during the day to • Install a hot water heater blanket but be careful not to cover vents keep heat out. or temperature settings. • Also, use your dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer, and cook • Install hot water pipe insulation. Do keep the insulation at least six as late in the evening as possible. inches away from the flue (exhaust pipe) of gas water heaters. • Barbecue outside if practical, keeping in mind the heat and effect • Plant trees and shrubs on the south and west side of your of sun on your body. By reducing the heat coming into your home residence. The vegetation acts as insulation and provides from any source, will reduce the load on your air conditioning. shading, reducing thermal gain in a building. • Use pool trippers to reduce the time your swimming pool pump • Fix leaky faucets Install low flow showerheads. runs on—eight to twelve hours a day is plenty in the summer • Use room fans to keep the air moving and reduce the feeling of months, less in the winter months. heat in your home. • Set your water heater to 120 degrees. • Replace furnace and air conditioner filters. Spray the filters with a • Vacuum your refrigerator coils (underneath and in the back) and light coating of lemon furniture polish or vegetable oil cooking don’t obstruct the coils. They need air space to work. spray to help trap dirt in the filter. • Keep the seals (gaskets) on refrigerators and freezers clean. • Check the seals on your refrigerator and freezer. • Keep your freezer as full as possible. You can place containers or • Replace normal thermostats with programmable thermostats. plastic bottles filled with water in the empty spaces. • Make sure food is cool and covered before it goes into the refrigerator.
64 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide WHO’S WHO IN BUILDING
Builder or General Contractor Surveyor The buck stops with him or her in construction projects. The A professional with the training and equipment to establish or general contractor secures bids for all work and materials; hires, verify property lines. The surveyor also plots and marks the coordinates and oversees subcontractors; files for permits and topography of the site, which is crucial in preparing the site plan. He arranges for inspections; and generally makes the final decisions in or she may also be employed to stake out the building site, setting all construction-related matters. reference marks for foundation excavation, establishing grades for Building Inspector roads or driveways and marking the locations for a septic system One or more local officials who oversee and regulate every phase and water well, if necessary. of residential construction. Regulations vary widely. In most states Architect area home construction meets standards contained in the Uniform Building design professional who has completed all required Building Code. In addition, applicable provisions of the Uniform Fire university training in architecture and passed state licensing exams; & Plumbing/Mechanical & Electrical codes are enforced. Typically, initials A.I.A. and F.A.I.A. indicate membership in a professional permits are issued and inspections are made at key stages of organization, but not licensed status. construction by County and City building code enforcement Building Designer departments. Generally unlicensed professionals (license not required for Construction Manager/Foreman practice) who, by experience, are competent to design homes, The general contractor’s right-hand man. A construction prepare drawings and write specifications; they often work in manager can be on site when the general contractor is not. association with licensed architects. Lender Design/Build Firms The financial institution that provides construction loan financing An organization that provides both architectural planning and during construction and permanent financing for the home buyer general contracting services, and offers a different approach to the after the home is built and there is a property settlement, referred to conventional arrangement in which the designer and builder are in our area as closing. Most lenders make what is referred to as separate entities. “end loans” which is the loan made to the buyer of a new home, and Interior Designer others make both the “end loan” and “construction loan financing” Specialist in decoration and furnishing; special training and which provides funds to pay for costs incurred during construction. licensing not required. Initials A.S.I.D. following individual’s name Title Insurance Company indicate membership in a professional association, for which The entity that conducts a comprehensive search of the public training and passing tests are required. records to make sure that the title received by a buyer of a new Kitchen /Bath Designer home is “free and clear of any liens and encumbrances”. This Specialist in designing these rooms; initials C.K.D. and C.B.D. assures the issuance of a clear or “merchant able” title in favor of indicate certification by a professional association, for which training the buyer of a new home at the closing of the sale of the property. and passing tests are required. License is not required for practice. Owner Builder Landscape Architect An individual or family who finances and manages a home Specialist in landscape and garden planning; primary concerns building project (usually with the assistance of a builder or general include site selection, grading, access, drainage and protection of contractor who is hired to manage all or a particular phase of the existing plant material. License required for practice. construction of the home) with the intention of retaining ownership and residing in the home after completion. Subcontractor A specialist who undertakes responsibility for one phase or trade within the project and reports to the general contractor. In a typical home building project, subcontractors generally include: an excavation contractor who digs foundations and grades the site; a masonry contractor who handles all concrete, block, brickwork and paving; a framing contractor who constructs the shell and interior partitions; a roofing contractor; a heating, ventilation and air- conditioning (HVAC) contractor; a plumbing contractor; an electrical contractor; drywall installers; insulation contractors; finish carpenters who generally handle wood flooring, trim work, and cabinet installation; and a painting contractor.
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 65 SELECTING A BUILDER
Are you shopping for a new home? Start by shopping for a Service After the Sale and Home Warranty professional builder first. Whether you are buying a townhouse, a While you are shopping, ask about the builder’s service after the detached home in a subdivision, or a custom-built house, the sale. Most builders offer some form of warranty. Many builders back construction quality of your new home will be determined by the their own warranties on workmanship and materials, typically for quality of your builder. one year. Other builders offer warranties backed by an insurance Start your builder-search process by calling your local home program. One of the most important criteria for selecting a builder builders association. They can give you the names of reputable is the warranty protection provided on the home. Ask for a copy of builders in your area. Ask friends and relatives about builders they the builder’s warranty. Read the document thoroughly and be sure have dealt with directly, or ask them for the names of acquaintances you understand what protection is provided. If you have any who have recently built a new home. questions about the coverage, talk to the builder prior to finalizing The Interview Process your purchase. Once you have developed a list of builders who are building the Be Thorough type and price range of home you are interested in, research their When selecting a builder, be thorough and ask a lot of questions. reputations and the quality of their work. The best way is to visit Get as many specifics as possible. If you receive the answers homes that they have built and talk to the owners. Ask the builders verbally, take notes. Never hesitate to ask a question because you on your list for the addresses of their recently completed houses, are afraid of sounding “stupid” or uninformed. What seems like a subdivisions, or townhouse communities. At the very least, drive by “stupid” question may yield a very important answer. and see if the homes are visually appealing. Buying a new home is probably the biggest and most important Look at homes that are the same style as you plan to buy. A good purchase you will make in your lifetime. By doing your new “home” time to visit is on a weekend morning when people are outside work to select a builder, you will instill in yourself and your family a doing chores. Introduce yourself and explain that you are sense of confidence and knowledge that you have made the right considering buying a home from the same builder who built their choice. home. If you have additional questions about selecting a builder, contact Ask about their satisfaction with the home and whether the your area’s Builders Association. Ask for a builder list that identifies builder delivered what was promised in a timely manner. Ask if they the price categories and subdivisions in which they build. Be sure to would buy another home from this builder. People will generally tell tour the Parade of Homes in the Fall and Spring. It is an excellent you if they are happy with their purchase. way to get familiar with the housing market in this area as well as Quality and Value individual builder’s products. When examining a home, look at the quality of the construction features: the cabinetry, carpeting, trim work, and paint. In viewing a home, you must determine whether it lends itself to the type of lifestyle you want to lead. Look at the amount of interior living space and how efficiently the space is used. Find out if the builder is incorporating state-of-the-art energy efficiency features, both in appliances and insulation.
66 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide SELECTING A CONTRACTOR
Every year hundreds of families are taken advantage of by 8. Make sure all required permits are secured and inspections are disreputable individuals or companies who represent themselves to made.The contractor should be expected to secure all necessary be reliable, reputable contractors. If you are planning to hire permits. Beware of contractors who want you to secure the someone to repair or make improvements to your property there are permit as the property owner. It is permissible to do so, but it is safeguards you can take to assure the best selection of a contractor very unusual that a reputable contractor will ask you to do this. for you. 9. Make sure you have a written contract with the contractor that Consider the Following details: 1. Hire only licensed contractors. Contractors are required to be a. A full description of all work to be done. licensed to do certain types of work. When selecting a contractor b. A firm date of completion you should make sure the contractor holds a current, valid c. Total cost of the job. license either issued by your city. d. Contractors license number. 2. All contractors do not possess the same expertise.Ask for e. All warranty information. references and check those references to assure yourself that f. Quality of materials to be used. the contractor is qualified to do the type of work you are wanting g. How and on what basis payments are to be made. done. h. How changes and payment for changes will be handled. 3. Check business references. Ask the contractor for a list of 10. Make sure complete architectural drawings are done and business references that you can call and verify that the agreed upon if you are having a room addition added, or relationships with suppliers and subcontractors are good ones extensive remodeling done. Be certain that detailed material and that the contractor pays his bills. specifications are also provided and made a part of the contract 4. Call the Better Business Bureau to find out if there are any you sign. complaints or charges pending against the contractor. 11. Monitor the work being done in accordance with the 5. Call local trade associations for information about selecting a contractual agreement with the contractor. If you have contractor. questions about what is being done or problems with the 6. Ask for proof from the contractor that he has general liability contractor, either ask questions or confront the problem head insurance and workers compensation insurance in order to on when it occurs in order to minimize any conflict and reach a protect you, as the property owner, against any claim in the event satisfactory resolve as quickly as possible. the contractor, his employees, or someone else is injured as a 12. Final payment should not be made until you are satisfied that result of work being done on your property. the job has been completed in accordance with the terms of the 7. Make sure the contractor you are contracting with will be contractual agreement between you and the contractor. personally involved in coordinating the work to be done on your property. “A house is made of walls and beams; A home is built with love and dreams.” - Author unknown
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 67 BANKING & MORTGAGE INFORMATION
Is Your Bank Meeting Your Current Financial Needs? What Will You Do? This page offers a guide to choosing the right bank for your The fist question to ask yourself is what you want to do with your needs, and offers some ideas for starting your checklist. bank account. Do you want to put money in there periodically and With banks offering an increasing number of financial services at watch it grow? Will you move money in and out quickly? You need widely varying fees, choosing one to handle your particular financial to know what your banking behavior will be like in order to find the needs can seem like a difficult and confusing task. Although there right bank. is much to consider, it is best to select a bank the same way you Next, get an idea of how you prefer to do your banking. If your would choose any product or service—first evaluate your needs schedule doesn’t work with most bank schedules, the best bank and then compare costs. You should also consider what is most might just be the one that’s open at convenient times. important to you in a banking relationship. Do you want to develop Free checking accounts get a lot of hype. They get people in the a personal, long-term customer relationship with a bank? Do you door. However, free may not always be the best thing for you. If you travel frequently and need access to branch offices while you are value certain services or conveniences, you may be willing to pay for out of town? If you prefer to do your banking by telephone or online, them. Once you get ahold of fee schedules from competing banks, you'll want to explore the types of electronic services each bank has consider if it’s really going to bother you to pay a few bucks each to offer. Once you have identified your needs, evaluating and month for that “gotta have it” feature or service. Maybe it is, maybe comparing the services and fees is a much simpler task. it isn’t. But you have to do your research, because not all banks offer At first glance, fees might make you favor debit cards in the debit free checking, and if they do, they won’t always tell you about that vs credit competition. The worst fee you'll find in a typical debit card option unless you ask. is a POS fee — charged when you use your debit card at a retailer So go online or make a few phone calls. Find out if the bank has using PIN number. While the tide is shifting away from banks a lot of ATM locations. It doesn’t do you any good to have free charging these fees, they're still around. More importantly, there are checking if you have to spend $2 a pop to use another bank’s ATM more factors than fees to the debit vs credit debate. because you bank only has one branch and it is all the way across Hidden fees are becoming increasingly popular in the banking town. industry. If you're not careful, you might end up wasting significant You may be eligible because of where you live or what type of job amounts of money each year on things that can be easily avoided. you have to join a credit union. Many people like credit unions One place that's full of hidden fees is the ATM. While it is an easy because they offer a lot of free services (like maybe free Money way of obtaining your money quickly and efficiently, ATMs are Orders). But keep in mind that credit unions are often few and far notorious for their service charges. You can end up being charged between, so you may end up with the ATM surcharge problem. every time you use the ATM, if you're not careful. Some banks will charge extra fees if you do not meet certain requirements or do your banking with them. Banks can even charge you to check your balance at the ATM. It depends on the bank. You need to understand the terms of your bank and find the best plan for you. You can check balances, transfer funds and pay bills, all from the comfort and convenience of your home or office computer. Internet banking may also have a price. Depending on the bank, you may have to pay a service charge for this service. It also may not be available at all banks.
68 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide BANKING & MORTGAGE INFORMATION
You may have a difficult time deciding which type of home feature was designed to provide housing and assistance for mortgage is the best for your needs. The world of home finance veterans and their families, and the dream of home ownership offers so many variables and options that it’s often hard to keep became a reality for millions of veterans. VA will guarantee a them straight. The following may help you better understand the maximum of 25 percent of a home loan amount up to $104,250, differences and find a home loan that’s right for you. which limits the maximum loan amount to $417,000. Generally, the Fixed-Rate Mortgages are very popular because the interest rate reasonable value of the property or the purchase price, whichever and monthly payments are constant. Fixed loans are generally is less, plus the funding fee may be borrowed. All veterans must amortized over ten, fifteen, twenty or thirty years. Property taxes qualify, for they are not automatically eligible for the program. and homeowners insurance may increase, but generally your Interest-Only Mortgage is really an interest-only option that works monthly payments will be very stable. During the early amortization with various mortgage types. This option has regular payments, period, a large percentage of the monthly payment is used for typically monthly, for a fixed period of time; however, payments paying the interest. As the loan is paid down, more of the monthly consist of one hundred percent interest. No principal is paid during payment is applied to principal. A typical 30 year fixed rate the interest-only period. When that period ends, the borrower is mortgage takes 22.5 years of level payments to pay half of the obligated to make payments of principal and interest. Because the original loan amount. You may also opt for “biweekly” mortgages, time remaining in the loan term to repay the principal is shorter than which shorten the loan by making a payment every two weeks. it would have been, payments will adjust upward, sometimes (Since there are 52 weeks in a year, you make 26 payments, or 13 substantially. The appeal of interest-only payments is savings. When “months” worth, every year.) principal is not being paid, monthly payments are dramatically Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) is a loan which allows for the lower. On the risk side is potential for loss. If the need to sell arises adjustment of its interest rate according to the terms of the note and and the property value has stayed flat or declined, a borrower might as market interest rates change. With this type of mortgage loan be in a position where the mortgage loan balance is higher than the program the interest rate and payments may be adjusted as market value of the property. frequently as every month. The purpose of the program is to allow Balloon Mortgage Loan generally has a short term, commonly mortgage interest rates to fluctuate with market conditions. The anywhere from 3-7 years. During that term, borrowers make regular initial interest rate for an ARM is usually lower than that of a fixed equal payments of principal – the amount of money borrowed – plus rate mortgage, where the interest rate remains the same during the interest. At the end of the loan term, a “balloon” payment is due for life of the loan. A lower rate means lower payments, which might the entire loan balance. Options for handling the balloon payment help you qualify for a larger loan. Also if you do not plan to keep your include paying off the balance when due or refinancing before the home for more than a few years, the possibility of rate increases payment comes due. Balloon mortgages are usually offered at isn’t as much of a factor. But no one has a crystal ball to predict the lower interest rates than other fixed-rate loans. In addition, fluctuation of interest rates, so it is somewhat of a gamble. payments are calculated using a period longer than the term of the FHA Mortgage Loan is insured by the Federal Housing loan. As a result, balloon loans offer affordability for short-term Administration. FHA is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and circumstances. Borrowers do need to plan ahead so they are not Urban Development (HUD), one of its chief purposes is to help caught unprepared when the balloon payment is due. people obtain financing to buy their homes. The FHA doesn’t make Choosing a type of mortgage is not the only decision you must the loans, but insures loans made by banks, savings and loans, face. Several other criteria are listed below. mortgage companies, credit unions and other approved institutions. Hybrid Mortgage combines features of both fixed-rate and FHA does not originate loans. FHA insures the mortgage and pays adjustable-rate mortgages. A hybrid mortgage loan may start with the lender if the homebuyer defaults on the loan, or fails to repay the a rate that is fixed for a period of time. When that fixed-rate period loan. Almost anyone who has a satisfactory credit record, enough expires, the loan then converts to an ARM. The initial rate for a cash to close the loan, and sufficient steady income to make hybrid mortgage loan is typically lower than prevailing fixed rates. monthly mortgage payments can be approved for an FHA-insured The lower rate enables more buying power up front. On the risk side mortgage. There is no upper age limit and no certain income level is the uncertainty of how high interest rates will be when the fixed- required, although individual mortgage amounts are limited by law. rate period expires. VA Mortgage Loan is similar to the FHA mortgage. The U.S. Lending Institution are used When you’re looking for a home loan, Department of Veterans Affairs guarantees loans made by you might work with an officer at a bank or other lending institution, institutional lenders to eligible veterans. The guarantee helps protect or you might choose to work with a mortgage broker. The loan the lender in the event of the borrower’s default. The VA Loan was officers at a bank, credit union or other lending institution are initiated in 1944 through the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, more employees who work to sell and process mortgages originated by commonly known as the GI Bill of Rights. The GI Bill was signed into their employer. They often have a wide variety of loans types to law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and provided veterans with draw from, but all originate from that specific lender. a federally guaranteed home loan with no down payment. This continued on page 70
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 69 BANKING & MORTGAGE INFORMATION
Mortgage Brokers are professionals who are paid a fee to bring Appreciation is the increase in the property’s value, either by together lenders and borrowers. The mortgage broker working to improvement in the market or improvements made by the owner. secure your loan is earning a fee for that transaction—and the Balloon Mortgage is a loan that acts like a fixed rate but is due in better deal they achieve for a lender, the more they are paid. Don’t three, five or ten years. At that point you must pay the outstanding be too anxious to disclose the interest rate you would be willing to balance in one lump sum. accept, let them tell you what terms they can secure. Shop around Buydown is the process of buying a lower interest rate by paying to make sure the terms are reasonable. more points at closing. There should be little difference between obtaining a loan from a Conventional Mortgage is a loan that is under $ 240,000 and meets broker or a local lending institution. Maybe none, but you should be Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac standards, the largest purchasers of aware of the differences between the two positions. A mortgage home mortgages on the secondary market. broker may find you a lender in another part of the country. The loan Convertible Mortgage is an ARM with the option to convert to a office will likely be able to offer more personal service while your loan fixed rate mortgage as specified in the contract. is being processed and once you are an established customer. FHA Loans are issued by FHA approved lenders. The FHA insures Discount Points are fees paid to a lender at closing in order to its loans so that borrowers can get them with only 3 to 5% down lower your mortgage interest rate. While buying points is sometimes payment. The FHA has certain criteria to qualify for these loans. a good decision, many times the purchase costs you more than it Fixed-rate Mortgages are self amortizing loans with a constant rate saves. The cost of each point is equal to one percent of the loan of interest. These loans are commonly for 10, 15. 20 or 30 year amount. For instance, for a $100,000 loan one discount point periods. equals $1,000. Each discount point paid on a 30-year loan typically lowers the interest rate by 0.125 percent. That means a 5.5 percent Interest Rate is what the lender charges for the use of their money. rate would be lowered to 5.375 percent if you purchase one point. Expressed as an annual percentage of the amount borrowed before Paying for points lowers your interest rate, because the lender financing expenses. receives the income in a lump sum at closing rather than collecting Initial Interest Rate is what lenders charge on an ARM until the first the interest as you make payments on your loan. Whether or not adjustment is made. This rate is usually much lower than fixed rate paying points makes sense for you depends in part on how long mortgages. you plan to keep the loan. Jumbo Mortgages are loans greater than $ 227,150 with an interest rate that is a quarter percentage higher than conventional Helpful Mortgage Terms loans. Adjustable Rate Mortgage is a loan with a rate that adjusts to Lifetime Cap is the same as an annual cap except there is limit on market conditions. The rate of adjustment will be stated in the how high the interest rate can increase over the entire life of the contract. mortgage. Adjustment Index is a guide lenders use to change ARM interest Loan Commitment is a promise by the lender to provide the agreed rates during the life of a mortgage. The specific index to which your amount of money stated on the mortgage to close on a home. The ARM is tied to will be listed in the mortgage contract. commitment also states the interest rate, term of loan, and usually Annual Cap is a limit on how high the interest rate on an ARM can expires within 60 days. rise in a single year. Annual caps are specified in the better ARM Loan Servicing is the institution that handles the administrative programs. processing of your loan such as billing and collecting payments. Annual Percentage Rate Equals the true cost of a loan including Loan-to-Value Ratio is the proportional relationship of the financing charges and fees. mortgage loan to the value of a home, expressed as a percentage. Amortization is the process that reduces the amount owned in a loan. It can be made in a lump sum or periodic installments. Appraisal Value is estimating the property’s worth which is based on comparable properties. Appraisals that are completed by certified professionals, and are used by lenders to verify the home’s value and justify the mortgage commitment.
70 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide BANKING & MORTGAGE INFORMATION
Mortgage Calculator You can obtain your property taxes from the local township office How much do you qualify for based on typical lender and you can contact your insurance agent for homeowner rates. requirements? Generally, the lender will require that your monthly Now, while shopping for your mortgage, you probably have payments not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income. Lets take discovered the current interest rate. Use the chart below; find the a look at how a lender would typically determine your ability to meet column, which applies to that rate. Follow the number down until monthly house payments. you find the number that is closest to your principal and interest First, determine your gross monthly income from all sources. payment. To the left of that you will find the loan amount for which Then multiply that amount by 28% to determine an approximate you probably qualify. If you intend to apply for a 90% loan, divide the allowable monthly payment. This payment includes principal, loan amount by .90 to calculate the price of the house that would interest, taxes and insurance. From this amount subtract taxes and require this monthly payment. insurance to arrive at your allowable principal and interest payment.
The example below illustrates this procedure: Gross Monthly Income $2,500 X 28% = $700 Less: Monthly Taxes & Insurance ($100) = $600 6% Interest Rate for 30 years for $600 = $30,000 $30,000/.90 (Loan to Value) = $33,333 = Estimated Maximum Home Price For Qualification
$ 3% 3.5% 4% 4.5% 5% 5.5% 6% 6.5% 7%
100,000 300 350 400 450 500 550 600 650 700
150,000 450 525 600 675 750 825 900 975 1050
200,000 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400
250,000 750 875 1000 1125 1250 1375 1500 1625 1750
300,000 900 1050 1200 1350 1500 1650 1800 1950 2100
350,000 1050 1225 1400 1575 1750 1925 2100 2275 2450
400,000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200 2400 2600 2800
450,000 1350 1575 1800 2025 2250 2475 2700 2925 3150
500,000 1500 1750 2000 2250 2500 2750 3000 3250 3500
550,000 1650 1925 2200 2475 2750 3025 3300 3575 3850
600,000 1800 2100 2400 2700 3000 3300 3600 3900 4200
650,000 1950 2275 2600 2925 3250 3575 3900 4225 4550
700,000 2100 2450 2800 3150 3500 3850 4200 4550 4900
750,000 2250 2625 3000 3375 3750 4125 4500 4875 5250
800,000 2400 2800 3200 3600 4000 4400 4800 5200 5600
850,000 2550 2975 3400 3825 4250 4675 5100 5525 5950
900,000 2700 3150 3600 4050 4500 4950 5400 5850 6300
950,000 2850 3325 3800 4275 4750 5225 5700 6175 6650
1,000,000 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500 6000 6500 7000
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 71 ACTIVE ADULTS APARTMENTS
Active Adults Heather Ridge Apartments Lincoln Green 453 Heather Drive 4000 Presidential Boulevard The Reserve at Gwynedd Mantua, NJ 08051 Philadelphia, PA 19131 469 Primrose Drive (856) 468-401 (866) 897-4925 Upper Gwynedd, PA 19446 A unique combination of country charm YOUR GATEWAY TO CENTER CITY, (888) 249-1082 with city convenience are the hallmarks of THE MAIN LINE AND MANAYUNK... www.delwebb.com living at Heather Ridge Apartments. These Contemporary-style apartment homes with Pennsylvania's premier active-adult magnificent apartment homes, nestled on computer-controlled access gates, community is approaching sellout! The 33 acres of meticulously landscaped conveniently located at the base of the Carriage Homes at the Reserve at grounds, offer you comfort, quality, and Main Line and ten short minutes from Gwynedd, a gated 55+ adult community affordability with a carefree lifestyle. Center City! located in picturesque Montgomery Located close to shopping, restaurants, County, feature beautiful home designs The Radwyn On The Main Line professional centers, and convenience 275 Bryn Mawr Avenue with 3 to 4 bedrooms, storage rooms, first stores, everything you need is just minutes floor Owner's Suite, spacious 2-car Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 away. Easy access to the New Jersey (888) 269-9163 garages, and 2.5 to 3.5 baths. The Turnpike, I-295, and Route 45, makes for a attached, townhome-style Carriage Homes LIVE ON A MAGNIFICENT 40 ACRE short commute to Philadelphia, MAIN LINE ESTATE. At Radwyn enjoy a start from the mid-$300s and offer Wilmington, or surrounding counties. luxurious amenities including an 8,000 sq. mature landscaped property in the Come and experience the beauty of prestigious country setting of Bryn Mawr. ft. Private clubhouse with a state-of-the-art Heather Ridge. Reserve your apartment fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, From our luxury apartments to the home today. billiards, arts and crafts, sauna and more. abundant conveniences of the Main Line Enjoy a relaxing, maintenance-free lifestyle Hunters Glen neighborhood, at Radwyn enjoy a unique in the rolling hills and meadows of 3001 Route 130 South carefree lifestyle. Minutes from Center City Southeastern Pennsylvania; a short 30 Delran, NJ 08075 with Bryn Mawr train station and the Septa miles to Philadelphia. (888) 925-2054 100 a walk away. We are only minutes We are the only family owned and from Rte. 476. Now offering corporate Airlines operated community in South Jersey that apartments. American Airlines offers you a monthly rent saving/rebate Willowyck Reservations call (800) 433-7300 coupon. It’s simple! We offer you the 1 Marlbrook Lane Flights at your fingertips. For passenger opportunity to save $35.00 per month on a Lansdale, PA 19446-5389 reservations and information call us or your one bedroom or $40.00 per month on a (215) 368-5210 travel agent. two bedroom apartment home. It’s a gift www.thesheltergroup.com from our family owner to you. Qualified Continental Airlines Thirty-three acres of mature landscaping applicants should apply! Ask about this provide the perfect setting for the Reservations call (800) 523-3273 Gold Card Program and find out other Want to be treated with respect, fly the ambience you deserve. Live in a peaceful, reasons our residents prefer staying at suburban atmosphere, yet only minutes safe and courteous skies with Continental Hunters Glen. Don’t settle for just an Airlines. from major highways, SEPTA commuter apartment complex. Visit our Community train stations, and shopping centers. United Airlines at Hunters Glen today. Commute time to Center City or Allentown Reservations call (800) 241-6522 Jacobs Woods Apartments is just an hour, while King of Prussia and Serving more of the nations top 100 100 Jacobs Hall Lane Blue Bell take less than 30 minutes. business centers than any other airline. Lansdale, PA 19446-6811 Residents enjoy our neighborly way of life Small package dispatch, same-day airport (215) 692-1692 in spacious floor plans of more than 1,000 to airport. www.jacobswoods.net square feet. Lease terms are available Apartments JACOBS WOODS, DISTINCTIVE either in furnished (1-12 months) or APARTMENT HOMES OFFERS THE BEST unfurnished (3-12 months). Come see for Alden Park IN SIZE, FEATURES, AMENITIES AND yourself why Willowyck was meant to be 5500 Wissahickon Avenue LOCATION. With over 40 acres of your new home!! Philadelphia, PA 19144 adjoining open space and 100 year old York Village Apartments (888) 299-6507 oak trees, you can feel at home in a 830 West Alvin Street The Jewel of Philadelphia presents the country setting. The elegant Jacobs Hanover, PA 17331 largest historic landmark renovated to Woods Clubhouse includes executive (717) 632-5053 perfection in the country. An boardroom and business center, media www.firstmontgomerygroup.com uncompromising style of living, inside and and gathering rooms and 24-hour fitness Welcome to York Village Apartments. out. Elegance. Tradition. Luxury. The center with sauna and indoor spa. With Our community is quietly nestled in comfort and style of the 20’s together with five distinctive floor plans, you will find your Hanover offering apartment homes and the modern conveniences of the next perfect home at Jacobs Woods. townhomes. Our features included are millennium. central air conditioning, wall to wall carpeting, w/d hookups, extra storage and kitchen pantry. Our onsite management welcomes you to tour our community.
72 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide BANKS/FINANCE CONDO/TOWNHOUSE SALES
Banks/Finance to different customers and the definition Car/Truck Rental varies among banks. So what makes a Republic First Bank Avis Rent a Car banking relationship meaningful, purposeful 1601 Market Street and successful? We define our customer Reservations call (800) 331-1212 Philadelphia, PA 19103 relationships by just that: their meaning, Offers low-mileage quality maintained (215) 563-3600 their purpose, and how successfully we GM and other cars. Computerized for fast I Relationships. It’s a word you’re hearing work one-on-one with our customers to service and low rates for day, week, or used more and more lately, especially in help them achieve their goals. long term mini lease. the world of banking. But what does Republic First Bank Budget Rent a Car having “a relationship” with a bank actually Worldwide Reservations (800) 527-0700 mean? Certainly, it means different things 1818 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 Right now, Budget has some great rates to different customers and the definition on some equally great cars and trucks. So varies among banks. So what makes a (215) 564-6380 Relationships. It’s a word you’re hearing don’t let them pass you by. For your local banking relationship meaningful, purposeful or one-way rental choose from Budget’s and successful? We define our customer used more and more lately, especially in the world of banking. But what does World Class Fleet at the airport, or in your relationships by just that: their meaning, neighborhood. their purpose, and how successfully we having “a relationship” with a bank actually work one-on-one with our customers to mean? Certainly, it means different things Budget Rent a Truck help them achieve their goals. to different customers and the definition Worldwide Reservations (800) 527-0700 varies among banks. So what makes a Right now, Budget has some great rates Republic First Bank banking relationship meaningful, purposeful on some equally great cars and trucks. So 1601 Walnut Street and successful? We define our customer don’t let them pass you by. Philadelphia, PA 19102 relationships by just that: their meaning, Hertz Car Rental (215) 564-3300 their purpose, and how successfully we Relationships. It’s a word you’re hearing Reservations call (800) 654-3131 work one-on-one with our customers to Still the biggest, still the best We care used more and more lately, especially in help them achieve their goals. the world of banking. But what does about you. Customer service is the most having “a relationship” with a bank actually Republic First Bank important thing we do. Biggest selection of mean? Certainly, it means different things 233 East Lancaster Avenue low-mileage cars. Ardmore, PA 19003 to different customers and the definition Condo/Townhouse Sales varies among banks. So what makes a (610) 896-9750 banking relationship meaningful, purposeful Relationships. It’s a word you’re hearing Chelsea View and successful? We define our customer used more and more lately, especially in North Harrisburg Ave relationships by just that: their meaning, the world of banking. But what does Atlantic City, NJ their purpose, and how successfully we having “a relationship” with a bank actually (609) 441-9001 work one-on-one with our customers to mean? Certainly, it means different things www.ChelseaView.com help them achieve their goals. to different customers and the definition Nestled in its own quiet peninsula on varies among banks. So what makes a Chelsea Harbor, Chelsea View offers an Republic First Bank banking relationship meaningful, purposeful unparalleled combination of luxury features 1800 Lombard Street and successful? We define our customer and amenities that put this distinctive new Philadelphia, PA 19146 relationships by just that: their meaning, community in a class by itself. Each new (215) 893-6600 their purpose, and how successfully we home will have access to its own boat slip Relationships. It’s a word you’re hearing work one-on-one with our customers to which will allow residents to reach for their used more and more lately, especially in help them achieve their goals. boat shoes rather than their car keys when the world of banking. But what does they have the urge for a nautical jaunt. having “a relationship” with a bank actually Republic First Bank Chelsea View is convenient to beaches, mean? Certainly, it means different things 1408 Old York Road shopping, restaurants, recreational to different customers and the definition Abington, PA 19001 facilities, and major roadways. Residents varies among banks. So what makes a (215) 885-0748 can also enjoy the Atlantic City boardwalk, banking relationship meaningful, purposeful Relationships. It’s a word you’re hearing gaming and nightlife which has made and successful? We define our customer used more and more lately, especially in Atlantic City a recognizable address the relationships by just that: their meaning, the world of banking. But what does world over and one of the most sought their purpose, and how successfully we having “a relationship” with a bank actually after destinations of the Jersey Shore. work one-on-one with our customers to mean? Certainly, it means different things help them achieve their goals. to different customers and the definition Heritage at Lederach Golf Club the Links varies among banks. So what makes a By Heritage Homes Group Republic First Bank banking relationship meaningful, purposeful Harleysville 4190 City Avenue Suite 100 and successful? We define our customer Montgomery County, PA Philadelphia, PA 19131 relationships by just that: their meaning, (215) 513-4390 (215) 477-5410 their purpose, and how successfully we www.heritagehomesgroup.com Relationships. It’s a word you’re hearing work one-on-one with our customers to Heritage’s Elite Collection of grand used more and more lately, especially in help them achieve their goals. estate home plans has been designed for the world of banking. But what does the golf course lifestyle at Lederach. Each having “a relationship” with a bank actually of the stylish and elegant homes will take mean? Certainly, it means different things
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 73 CONDO/TOWNHOUSE SALES EDUCATION maximum advantage of the setting and Montgomery Pointe these opulent townhomes include gas offer a view of the course from virtually 103 Bishop Drive fireplaces, hardwood flooring, chef-grade every room. Lederach Golf Club offers two North Wales, PA gourmet kitchens with granite countertops, distinctive collections of homes, The Links (215) 583-3847 and high-efficiency heating and air and The Fairways. The Links offers lavish www.pulte.com conditioning systems. Community home designs ranging in size from 2,300 Montgomery Pointe luxury townhomes amenities include a clubhouse with a to 3,260 square feet with prices starting in are nestled in a charming suburban fitness center and swimming pool, tennis the high $300’s. As is fitting for such a community just outside of Philadelphia. court, and walking trails. Conveniently prestigious setting, the homes in the Here residents may enjoy relaxing located to Philadelphia, Peddler’s Village, Fairways collection are spacious from amenities including scenic walking trails, a and Doylestown. Located in the highly- 3,600 to 6,100 square feet and attractively bike path, and an adjacent township park. regarded Blue Ribbon Central Bucks priced from the mid $500’s. Standard Just a short distance from major corridors, School District. Quick delivery homes features are bountiful including hardwood the Montgomery Mall and The Shoppes at available. Prices start in the $300’s. flooring in select areas, granite English Village, this is a highly sought after The Villas at Highgate countertops, gas fireplace and high- location for those who crave all the By Heritage Homes Group efficiency heating and air conditioning conveniences of nearby shopping, dining, Breinigsville systems. Heritage at Lederach Golf Club is and entertainment. Models of exceptional Lehigh County, PA minutes from both the convenience of the floor plans are now open for viewing. Each (610) 366-9523 Pennsylvania Turnpike and the charm of stunning townhome features 3 bedrooms, www.heritagehomesgroup.com Skippack Village. All of this and no 2.5 bathrooms, and a two-car garage and Villas at Highgate homeowners will enjoy Homeowner’s Association Fees! For the is priced from $299,990. New low maintenance living, walking trails, golf enthusiasts, Lederach Golf Course homeowners will even receive one recreational fields and Highgate’s was recently ranked by Golf Magazine as complimentary year of Social/Casual Golf unmatched beauty. Homebuyers will be one of the ‘Top 10 New Courses You Can Membership at Talamore Country Club. struck by the variety of designs and Play.’ Quick delivery homes are available. Pembroke North Condominium affordability of these brand new two-story Located in the highly-regarded Souderton Building 231 Iron Works Way townhomes. Prices start in the high School District. Wayne, PA $100’s. The Villas at Highgate offers 3 Legacy at Richland (610) 687-3872 bedrooms and up to 2 1/2 baths. Quakertown PA www.pembrokenorth.com Spacious kitchens with granite (215) 538-8003 Pembroke North offers a singular style of countertops, large family rooms, full www.ryanhomes.com living - a vibrant and comfortable residence basements and attached garages are just The finest in active adult living awaits unlike anything else on the Main Line - in some of the features offered at the Villas at you in Richland Township’s exciting, new condominium homes that offer minimal Highgate. Conveniently located to major community of Hearthstone at Richland. maintenance, sophisticated ambience, roadways including I-78, Pennsylvania Designed especially for those 55 & better, proximity to cultural amenities and Turnpike, Route 100, and Route 222. Ryan’s Classics community offers both convenient transportation access. Single- Located in the highly-acclaimed Parkland elegant design and maintenance-free living. level layouts, elegantly appointed and School District. Quick delivery homes Chores like cutting the grass, shoveling generously proportioned, create room to available. snow and removing trash will be taken spread out in a secure environment of care of for you. Another plus is a beautiful intelligently connected space awash with Education PreK-K wooded setting featuring plenty of open natural lighting. Pembroke North is a JCC Preschool Program space and popular amenities. Right within LEED© (Leadership in Energy and 10100 Jamison Avenue the community, there are walking trails that Environmental Design) Certified community. Philadelphia, PA 19116 provide opportunities for fun and fitness Residences are available now, ranging in (215) 698.7300 and a clubhouse where neighbors can size from 1,555 to 2,202 square feet, The JCCs of Greater Philadelphia offer gather and enjoy a variety of activities. Of priced from the $500s to over $1 million. fully accredited, comprehensive nursery, course, the spacious, carriage-style homes The Townhomes at Heritage Center pre-school, and kindergarten programs at offer sought-after features that contribute By Heritage Homes Group the Kaiserman Branch in the western to an elegant, but easy lifestyle. The 2-level Buckingham suburbs and at the Klein Branch in homes include attractive features such as Bucks County PA northeast Philadelphia. The programs offer partial stone fronts and 2-car garages with 215-794-7632 offer music, art, computers, kindergym, upgraded doors. In addition, homebuyers www.heritagehomesgroup.com and swimming to preschoolers. In addition, can choose custom features such as a Set in beautiful Central Bucks County, the fully licensed kindergarten programs sunroom, fireplace, tray ceilings and a recently opened Heritage Center is a luxury also offer language arts, math, social basement on select homesites. Discover townhome community of 199 total studies, science, and Hebrew. active adult living at its best at Hearthstone townhomes. Heritage Center features 3-4 JCC Preschool Program at Richland! bedrooms, 2 ½ baths and an attached 45 Haverford Road garage. The Townhomes at Heritage Wynnewood, PA 19096 Center are located conveniently to the (610) 896-7770 Pennsylvania Turnpike, Route 202, Route The JCCs of Greater Philadelphia offer 611, and I-95. The standard features of fully accredited, comprehensive nursery,
74 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide EDUCATION EDUCATION pre-school, and kindergarten programs at lifelong love of learning, grounded in an Emphasis is placed on developing verbal the Kaiserman Branch in the western appreciation of that of God in everyone. skills in the pre-elementary grades while suburbs and at the Klein Branch in We provide a learning environment that academic learning, which includes reading northeast Philadelphia. The programs offer challenges and stimulates our students to and writing, takes place in the elementary offer music, art, computers, kindergym, achieve their full potential. We strive to be grades. and swimming to preschoolers. In addition, a diverse school family practicing the the fully licensed kindergarten programs Quaker values of integrity, equality, service, Education PreK-12 also offer language arts, math, social community, simplicity, and peaceful Germantown Academy studies, science, and Hebrew. problem solving. 340 Morris Road Education PreK-5 Our program is rooted in our traditions Fort Washington, PA 19034 of academic learning, child development, (215) 646-3300 Chesapeake Academy intellectual growth, artistic expression, and The oldest nonsectarian day school in 1185 Philadelphia-Annapolis Blvd. service to others. We encourage children’s the United States, Germantown Academy Arnold, Maryland 21012 curiosity, creativity, and joy of discovery as has a long and distinguished history. (410) 647-9612 they grow intellectually, spiritually, Typically the Admission Office receives Chesapeake Academy is the culmination physically, and emotionally. three to five applications for each available of our Founders’ vision to create a school The Miquon School space. Students who manage the with an academically challenging program 2025 Harts Lane curriculum successfully have traditionally within a nurturing climate. This vision Conshohocken, PA 19428 scored above the 90th percentile (national remains the central tenet of Chesapeake. (610) 828-1231 norm) on tests of intelligence and Chesapeake Academy is a unique and The Miquon School is a progressive academic aptitude. Children are grouped exciting place. By combining a nurturing private elementary school serving children according to grade: prekindergarten climate and rigorous academic from nursery through sixth grade. Its children through first graders form the expectations, we are creating tomorrow’s mission is to educate the whole child by youngest grouping; second through fifth scholars and leaders. While always fostering intellectual, creative, emotional, graders are in the oldest group. Each remembering our serious purpose, we also social, and physical development. The group has its own team of supervising strive to ensure our students are happy school employs a caring community of adults, its own facilities, and its own with their todays. teachers, administration, and demands schedule of planned activities. Extended Day fees are in addition to tuition. Education PreK-6 significant parental involvement. Education K-6 Frankford Friends School Education PreK-8 1500 Orthodox Street Perelman Jewish Day School Philadelphia Hebrew Congregation Day School Philadelphia, PA 19124 49 Haverford Road 7401 Park Heights Ave. (215) 533-5368 Wynnewood, PA 19096 Philadelphia, MD 21208-5490 Following the Quaker tradition, Frankford (610) 658-2518 (410) 764-1867 Friends centers on the development of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman Jewish Philadelphia Hebrew Congregation Day whole child with a focus on self-worth. A Day School, a Solomon Schechter Affiliate, School (BHCDS) was founded in 1991 by challenging academic program is used to was founded in 1956 and is affiliated with Rabbi Murray S. Saltzman to be a dynamic develop a thorough understanding of basic and endorsed by the United Synagogue of learning community that cultivates the concepts, clear and logical thinking, and Conservative Judaism. The school serves intellectual, spiritual, moral, and physical the ability to communicate ideas. Jewish students in grades Gan development of each individual. Our goal is Cooperation versus competition is stressed [kindergarten] through six at facilities in to provide students with tools for lifelong on the playground and in the classroom. Philadelphia’s western suburbs at the learning and with an appreciation of their Children are guided through problem Saligman Campus in Wynnewood and on Jewish American heritage. Today, BHCDS solving and offered assistance when the Mandell Education Campus in Elkins is an accredited member of the requested or needed. Small class sizes Park. Association of Independent Maryland (average class is 15-18 students) and an Schools (AIMS), the National Association of Perelman Jewish Day School experienced faculty provide a strong Independent Schools (NAIS), and the 7601 Old York Road educational opportunity. Progressive Association of Reform Day Elkins Park, PA 19027 Friends School Haverford Schools. (215) 635.3130 851 Buck Lane Raymond and Ruth Perelman Jewish Haverford, PA 19041-1228 Education PreK-8 Day School, a Solomon Schechter Affiliate, (610) 642-2334 French International School was founded in 1956 and is affiliated with www.friendshaverford.org 150 North Highland Avenue and endorsed by the United Synagogue of Founded in 1885, Friends School Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 Conservative Judaism. The school serves Haverford is the oldest co-educational (610) 667-1284 Jewish students in grades Gan elementary school on the Main Line. The At the French International School of [kindergarten] through six at facilities in School’s approach is distinctive in its Philadelphia, a dual curriculum in French Philadelphia’s western suburbs at the commitment to early childhood and pre- and English is taught. Students learn Saligman Campus in Wynnewood and on adolescent education. The mission of English with their American teachers and the Mandell Education Campus in Elkins Friends School Haverford is to foster a French with their French teachers. Park.
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 75 EDUCATION HOME BUILDERS/DEVELOPERS
Education K-12 Education 6-12 international business, marketing, and more, so your degree program fits your Springside School Florida Air Academy career goals. You can choose any electives 8000 Cherokee Street 1950 South Academy Drive for which you meet the prerequisites, Philadelphia, PA 19118 Melbourne, FL 32901 including a robust range of course (215) 247.7200 (321) 723-3211 offerings. Our convenient, high-quality The oldest girls’ school in Philadelphia, www.flair.com education is offered onsite, online, or a founded in 1879, Springside is an At Florida Air Academy, Cadets at have combination of both, to help you balance independent, nonsectarian college the opportunity to get a first-rate education work, life and school. A Keller graduate preparatory school enrolling 563 students geared to the learning styles of young men admissions advisor can assist you with any in Pre-Kindergarten through grade 12. and make friends from around the world. admissions requirements and specific Retaining its mission as a girls’ school and The school accepts young men in grades course selections to meet your educational adding co-educational classes with 6 through 12. The Academy boasts a 16- and career goals. neighboring all-boys Chestnut Hill student average class size and college Academy in the upper grades, Springside prep curriculum taught by accredited staff, Home Builders/Developers offers a “best of both worlds” advantage many with advanced degrees. Cadets at Blenheim Company to girls. Florida Air Academy receive leadership 220 Continental Drive, Suite 410 training and an emphasis on community Newark, DE 19713-4367 Education 1-12 service. Other programs include an (302) 254-0100 Girard College excellent sports program, extensive www.blenheimhomes.com computer curriculum and optional flight 2101 South College Avenue Blenheim Homes is not inclined to rest training and SCUBA certification. Philadelphia, PA 19121 on its laurels when it comes to trend- (215) 787.2620 Florida Air Academy is located on setting ideas and forward-thinking design. Girard College is a full-scholarship Florida’s Space Coast and is fully With dozens of Regal Awards from the private boarding school for academically accredited. Contact our Admissions Home Builders Association of Delaware to capable students from qualified families of department for more information on Fall, our credit, we continue to look for new limited financial resources. Spring, and Summer enrollments. ways to redefine excellence in home St. Elizabeth School For additional Information contact: building. 801 Argonne Drive Donna Stratford Director of Finding the right builder is as important Baltimore, MD 21218-1998 Communication (321) 723-3211, Extension as finding the perfect home. And when you (410) 889-5054 30028 begin the new home construction journey, www.stelizabeth-school.org Education Graduate School you want to feel you’re walking with an ally. The Mission of St. Elizabeth School is to The right builder is a partner, someone enable middle and secondary school-age Keller Graduate School of Management who cares enough to be responsive to students, who manifest intellectual Philadelphia (Center City) Center your needs and questions. Someone who limitations and various other disabilities, to 1800 JFK Blvd. Suite 104 communicates honestly and has the develop their full potential as responsible Philadelphia, PA 19103 integrity to honor commitments. At adults. The School is committed to an (866) 863-3879 Blenheim Homes, we have been living up integrated program emphasizing functional www.kelleradvantage.com/nms to those ideals since 1982. We don’t just academics, social/emotional development, At DeVry University’s Keller Graduate answer questions and keep promises, we and occupational preparation and School of Management, our Master of also listen to our homebuyers. And we placement. Growth in these areas is Business Administration (MBA) degree depend on them to be the inspiration considered essential to the individual’s self- program will emphasize the skills and behind some of our most successful esteem and productivity as a member of concepts that today’s corporations innovations in home design. You can the adult community. demand. We work with business leaders to depend on that degree of commitment As each student is considered a unique ensure that your degree is relevant to the from every level of our organization. skills employers seek, so any path you person, an Individualized Educational Bob Meyer Communities Program is designed to address her/his choose can expand your career potential. Our faculty members have industry 150 Himmelein Road strengths and needs. The principles of Medford, New Jersey 08055 normalization and age-appropriateness experience, providing you with practical, advanced learning. Small class sizes mean 609-654-4030 underlie opportunities to learn, grow, and www.bobmeyer.com achieve. A caring, professional faculty joins they can collaborate with you as they teach, and they may even provide For over forty years, the Meyer Family with students and their families to create a has proudly created award-winning homes unique and effective learning environment networking opportunities. As a Keller student, you can acquire the advanced and communities of exceptional quality. that promotes independence and mutual One of South Jersey’s premiere custom respect. A rich network of community knowledge you need to gain your professional edge. home builders, Bob Meyer Communities relations benefits both St. Elizabeth School currently offers unique home designs at and the community. You may also email for Keller offers you the opportunity to select sites in the prestigious communities more information info@stelizabeth- customize your MBA with 15 distinct of Medford, Mount Laurel and The Enclave, school.org concentrations including accounting, in Cape May County, near Stone Harbor. electronic commerce management, general The Bob Meyer team excels in forming a management, health services, HR, IT,
76 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide HOME BUILDERS/DEVELOPERS HOME BUILDERS/DEVELOPERS personal partnership with their clients; in Ryan Homes Hendricks, bought their first parcel of land. creating a vision and making it real; in 533 Fellowship Road, Suite 250 Together they sought to build a company providing service with professionalism Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 with a resounding emphasis on quality, unequaled in the custom homebuilding (856) 722-9950 integrity and honesty. Today, T.H. industry. Bob Meyer Communities builds www.ryanhomes.com Properties (THP) has positioned itself as a homes that deliver a lifetime of enjoyment As one of the top ten home builders and dominant force in the Philadelphia with long-term value and neighborhoods in financial service companies in the United Residential Building market with an which builder and buyer alike can take States, Ryan Homes was started as a enterprise that is rapidly growing. When pride. If you seek a truly unique home in a family business in Pittsburgh and has built you purchase with THP, you can be premiere location, seek out Bob Meyer a successful operation that now spans the assured that its dedicated staff will make Communities by calling the number above Eastern half of the United States. Ryan certain that all questions and concerns are or visiting our web site. Homes now operates in New York, New addressed. THP transforms the process of Cope Homes, Inc. Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ohio, constructing a home into a personal P.O. Box 1004 North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, experience, where you will receive both the Unionville, PA 19375 Virginia, and West Virginia. Our reputation individual attention you deserve and the Established in 1981, Cope Homes Inc. for award-winning designs and quality home of which you have always is a small, family run firm with close ties to unparalleled customer service makes Ryan dreamed. It is attributes like these that the local community and a history of Homes the home builder of choice for have proven that THP has not lost sight of success. Homes are designed with savvy homebuyers. Ryan Homes has been the personal part of buying a home, which consideration and respect for the building quality single-family homes, makes it stand apart from many other environment they inhabit. Each home is townhomes and condominiums to meet homebuilders. In fact, THP offers an carefully placed to maximize views and every lifestyle for over 50 years. unparalleled satisfaction guarantee that enjoyment of the surroundings while Southdown Homes promises if you’re not satisfied with your harmonizing with the natural setting. 55 Country Club Drive, Suite 204 new home, THP will buy it back! With an Owner, Steve Cope establishes a personal Downingtown, PA 19335 assurance like this, THP is confident that relationship with customers to enable him (610) 873-1900 you will be pleased with your new home to accommodate their individual tastes and www.southdownhomes.com and your decision to purchase that home requirements. The goal of Cope Homes Visit any of our fine communities with THP. Inc. is to provide clients with the highest throughout Chester County and capture Tim Schaeffer Communities level of quality and service at a competitive the spirit of a Southdown Homes P.O. Box 560 price. The high resale value of Cope neighborhood. Creating outstanding Berlin, NJ 08009 Homes Inc. homes and the large number communities since 1991, the talented (856) 809-0010 of repeat customers are testimony to the team of new construction professionals at www.timschaeffer.com accomplishment of this goal. Southdown Homes brings you the benefits Tim Schaeffer Communities has been a Heritage Homes Group of big-builder systems with the stringent well-respected South Jersey home builder 865 Easton Road, Suite 250 quality standards, expertise and attention since 1989, with an award-winning Warrington, PA 18976 of a small-builder environment. reputation for delivering outstanding homes (215) 491-4800 It’s not just about the home at and communities throughout South Jersey. www.heritagehomesgroup.com Southdown. It’s about building We offer a variety of new home solutions We are Heritage Homes, a hometown communities that portray a true sense of from single family homes to luxury builder. We’ve built more than 60 neighborhood. Our award winning designs townhomes to rental apartment communities and 4,400 homes right here, set in breathtaking locations throughout communities. Selected ReadyNOW homes in the beautiful Lehigh and Delaware Chester County offer the best of luxury are available at many of our residential Valleys. And while our growth, resources living and convenience. Our homes set locations. and financial strength give you all the higher standards of both quality and value. We also offer ìgreen builtî homes with benefits of a national company, we offer The driving force behind our organization is Energy Star Certification, some with solar you something even more - the personal the satisfied customer. Beautifully designed powered efficiency. Among our home touch that you would expect from a homes, superb construction practices, personalization services is our ACCESS hometown builder. Because we’re local, convenient and attractive settings and Customized Building Program that we’re right there with you, on site, at every impeccable customer service provide a incorporates elements of ìuniversal designî stage of the process. When you decide to unique experience for you while into a home to meet special needs. build your home, choose Heritage. And in Southdown Homes creates a warm, Tim Schaeffer Communities pledges to turn, we’ll offer you plenty of choices - friendly community that will enhance the its home buyers a commitment to quality. prime locations, innovative home designs, quality of your life. Beauty, quality craftsmanship, enduring pricing to suit your needs. We’ll customize, T.H. Properties value and personal service are the change floorplans, move walls - until your 345 Main Street hallmarks of every Tim Schaeffer home becomes the perfect showcase for Harleysville PA 19438 Community home. your family and your lifestyle. Share your (800) CALL-THP Visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, vision with us and we’ll make it a reality. So www.thproperties.com YouTube or at www.timschaeffer.com. when the time comes to select your T.H. Properties was established in 1992, builder, choose Heritage. when brothers and owners, Tim and Todd
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 77 HOME BUILDERS/DEVELOPERS NATIONWIDE TRAVEL
Timberlake Homes most romantic hotel in the world.” pool. 888 Bestgate Road Suite 411 • AAA Five Diamond Award winning resort. • Ten international restaurants including Annapolis, MD 21401 • Nine world-renowned restaurants AAA Five-Diamond award winner Renoir. (866) 608-3489 including Aqua, Prime, and AAA Five • Exotic White Tigers, Lions and a family of www.timberlakehomes.com Diamond Award-winner Picasso. Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins in Seigfried Timberlake Homes has been built on the • “O” by Cirque du Soleil, an extraordinary and Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin same simple principle since its inception in fusion of water, dance and aerobics. Habitat. the 1960’s - demonstrate honesty and • A fire-erupting volcano sparkling lagoons integrity in every aspect of our • Via Bellagio–a collection of the worlds and tumbling waterfalls. homebuilding business, and we cannot most sophisticated boutiques from help but produce a superior result. Our Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Tiffany, and • Dive into interconnected lagoon and mission statement has been: “A Company Hermes. thundering waterfalls at the new Mirage Built on Integrity and Backed by Pride.” We • The Conservatory and Botanical Gardens pool. have never forgotten these words. This charms guests with its natural beauty. New York-New York tradition is found in every home we build • Dancing Fountains cavort on an eight 3790 Las Vegas Blvd. South and is ensured by our personal attention to acre lake. Las Vegas, NV 89109 detail. We take pride in building your new Fairmont Hotels (702) 740-6969 home, so you will take pride in owning it! Toll Free (800) 527-4727 The best of New York City meets the Whether single-family or town home, every www.Fairmont.com best of Las Vegas in one exciting location. Timberlake home is built with Boston, Las Vegas, Dallas, New Be a part of it. uncompromising care and craftsmanship. Orleans, New York, San Francisco & San • ESPN ZONE sports-themed dining and We pledge to work hand-in-hand with you Jose America’s Grand Hotels since 1907. entertainment. through every facet of the home building Hilton Hotels • Live performances nightly from the experience. This is why: “you will never be Award-winning comedy of Rita Rudner. asked to settle on a Timberlake home until Worldwide Reservations you are happy; it’s that simple.” Come join Toll Free (800) 845-8667 • The thrilling Manhattan Express Roller the Timberlake “family” of satisfied www.Hilton.com Coaster. homeowners today! Hilton Hotels, Resorts, Suites, Hilton • COYOTE UGLY Bar and Dance saloon Garden Inn, Conrad International Hotel. and the Dueling Pianos at the Bar at Tim Schaeffer Communities Times Square. P.O. Box 560 MGM Grand Berlin, NJ 08009 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South • New York City’s original Gallaghers (856) 809-0010 Las Vegas, NV 89109 Steakhouse. www.timschaeffer.com (702) 891-1111 • Be the toast of the town in the Big apple Tim Schaeffer Communities is an award- Searching for non-stop action and Bar with live entertainment nightly in “The winning home builder offering single family pulse-pounding excitement? “The City of Greatest City in Las Vegas.” and townhome communities in several Entertainment” awaits your arrival. • ZUMANITY, Another side of Cirque du areas in Southern New Jersey. All locations • La Femme-the sensual French sensation Soleil, the creative climax of sexuality, enjoy convenient access to Philadelphia direct from the original Crazy Horse in humanity and art. Center City, Atlantic City and resort areas Paris. Pan Pacific Resort Hotels in the Pennsylvania Poconos and at the • Tabu - The ultra hip lounge designed to Worldwide Reservations Jersey Shore. New York City, Washington, stimulate and arouse your senses. Toll Free (800) 327-8585 DC and Baltimore Md. are just several • Live the nightclub lifestyle at studio 54sm. Pan Pacific Hotels & Resorts. North hours away by car, bus or rail. Select from • Sixteen masterpiece restaurants including America, Japan, Southeast Asia. a portfolio of outstanding single family celebrated chef Tom Colicchio’s homes priced from the low $300,000s and Treasure Island Craftsteak and Michelle Mina’s NOBHILL. luxury townhomes from the low 3300 Las Vegas Blvd. South $200,000s. For more information, visit our • The king of the jungle overlooks the Lion Las Vegas, NV 89109 website or call toll-free 1-888-331-BUILD. Habitat. (702) 792-5627 • The Grand Garden Arena and Hollywood Enjoy the adventure and romance of this Moving Supplies Theatre feature top name entertainment. engaging resort filled with new-world amenities. Dial-A-Box Mirage Hotel & Casino ® White Plains and The Bronx, NY 3400 Las Vegas Blvd South • AAA Four Diamond Award winning TOLL FREE: (866) 4-DIAL-A-BOX Las Vegas, NV 89109 resort. (866) 434-2522 (702) 791-7111 • World-famous pyrotechnic sea battle www.dial-a-box.com Immerse yourself in this tropical South between the pirate ship, Hispaniola, and Nationwide Travel Sea oasis filled with luxury and excitement! the British frigate, H.M.S. Britania in the • Experience the elegance and middle of the Buccaneer Bay. Bellagio The Resort sophistication of our newly redesigned • Mystere by Cirque du Soleil, a 3600 Las Vegas Blvd South guest rooms. mesmerizing mix of powerful acrobatics, Las Vegas, NV 89109 • Dive into interconnected lagoon and circus skills and dance. (702) 693-7223 thundering waterfalls at the new Mirage • Eight exciting dining options including Experience a world unto itself at “the
78 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide NATIONWIDE TRAVEL NEW HOME DEVELOPMENTS
Kahunaville and Buccaneer Bay Transportation to Philadelphia, you’re The Carriage Homes at Rancocas Pointe Restaurant-fine dining overlooking the always just minutes from shopping, Mt. Laurel NJ explosive battle in Buccaneer Bay. entertainment, and fine dining. As a (856) 222-9051 • A beautifully appointed wedding chapel. resident of Applecross Country Club, you'll www.hovhomes.com • A tropical pool area and lavish spa and be delighted by the countless recreational One of South Jersey’s most distinctive salon. and social pursuits that the private club new communities, these homes are truly has to offer including a Nicklaus design unique finds for the discerning buyer. This New Home Developments 18-hole golf course that presents collection of homes is designed to challenging rounds of play for both experts maximize aesthetic appeal and Amberleigh at the Arbours and recreational players alike, as well as functionality, while minimizing day-to-day Williamstown NJ 08094 breathtaking views of the ponds and maintenance of lawn care, landscaping (856) 262-7414 sparkling lake and Trego’s Restaurant. The and snow removal. These 3-bedroom, Amberleigh at The Arbours is a Grove, the private fitness and social 2 1/2 bath homes from the $550,000’s will wonderful collection of 140 townhomes complex, offers a state-of-the-art fitness make stately first impressions with curb- nestled in charming Williamstown, center, walking trails, tennis courts and appealing facades and showcase 3,100 to Gloucester County, NJ. Townhomes have indoor and outdoor pools. You’ll be 3,700 sq. ft. of meticulously appointed expansive stone fronts, garages, and are impressed with our homes’ well-designed living spaces. Every home is built-to-last by filled with comfort, value and a unique floor plans and exquisite craftsmanship, area-renowned J.S. Hovnanian & Sons. sense of style. Formal dining spaces as each with its own 2 car garage. Homeowners are minutes away from well as a separate breakfast area, a marinas, golf courses, upscale shopping spacious family room and sumptuous Applecross Country Club offers the and major artery Rt. 295. owner’s retreat all make for an appealing following: Townhomes from $239,990 with home. This community is conveniently 3 beds and 2.5 baths, Ranch-style homes Bedminster Square located just minutes from the Atlantic City from $284,990 with 2 to 4 bedrooms and 501 Shoemaker Dr Expressway. 2 to 3 baths, Village Singles from Fountainville, PA 18923 $299,990 with 4 beds and 2.5 baths, (215) 766-7275 Amherst Meadows Carriage Homes starting from $339,990 www.pulte.com 201 Smallwood Drive with 4 beds and 3.5 baths, and spacious It’s no wonder why these gorgeous Mickleton, NJ 08056 Estate Homes from $389,990 with 4 beds single family homes are quickly (856) 241-8628 and 2.5 to 4.5 baths. approaching sellout. Quietly tucked away www.pulte.com in historic Bucks County, Bedminster Amherst Meadows offers a picturesque Augustine Creek Square singles offer families a serene, family setting with its wooded backdrops, Pole Bridge Road natural ambiance with backyards blending natural streams, and tranquil ponds. Middletown, DE seamlessly into lush woodland. The area Though nestled in New Jersey’s historic (302) 449-2522 features a variety of neighborhood parks, farm country, the community is convenient www.blenheimhomes.com trails, and ponds with convenient access to major roadways, shopping and dining, Distinguished by award-winning design, to several major highways and popular centrally located between Philadelphia and community offers minimum half-acre home shopping, dining and entertainment New York, and offers a sought-after school sites—most on cul-de-sac roads. Private opportunities. On-site residents can enjoy district. The grounds here set the stage for rural setting in Middletown, DE, within tennis and basketball courts, 5 tot lots and beautiful half-acre home sites that feature minutes of Del. 1, the state’s major 50 acres of open space. Bedminster classic architectural styling. The interiors commuter artery, and an easy 40-minute Square homes boast unique floor plans, 3 are equally charming with unique floor drive from Wilmington; one hour drive to to 4 bedrooms with 2.5 bathrooms, an plans to meet the needs of any family. southern Delaware beach resorts. The attached two-car garage and start from These 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath homes start 257-acre site is rolling terrain backing to $358,990. from the mid $300’s, offer versatile features woods; more than 50 percent preserved including back-to-back living and dining as open space. Interior drama, Coldwater Crossing rooms, private libraries, and two-story architectural elegance and stately facades 1476 Waterbury Road family rooms. Now approaching sellout, characterize the four luxury single-family Breinigsville, PA 18031 several prime home sites remain. models available, each with 4 bedrooms, (888) 577-8583 2.5 baths and 2- or 3-car garage (most www.pulte.com Applecross Country Club side-entry). Standard features include full The heart of Lehigh Valley is home to 125 Bolero Drive basement, 9-foot ceilings on both first and Coldwater Crossing Single Homes, one of Downingtown, PA 19335 second floor, gas fireplace; kitchens feature Pulte Homes’ most popular, yet affordable, (877) 246-1579 42-inch wall cabinets, center island and family neighborhoods. Located close to a www.pulte.com quality Kenmore appliances. Living space variety of shopping, dining, and The many styles of luxury homes at ranges from 2,600 to 3,600 sq. ft., with entertainment venues, Coldwater Crossing Applecross Country Club embody the options to expand. Energy Star certified; residents will reap the benefits of all of the resort lifestyle. Nestled amid the expansive high-efficiency HVAC. Highly regarded attractions that the surrounding community Brandywine countryside, this lively Appoquinimink School District. Prices: low- has to offer, like the Lehigh Valley Mall, The community combines breathtaking scenery to mid-$400s. Quick-delivery homes Crayola Factory, Bushkill Park, Dorney with unmatched amenities for serene, low- available from mid-$400s to low-$600s. Park, and Wildwater Kingdom. As part of maintenance living. With easy access to this close-knit community, you’ll appreciate the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Public the family-friendly amenities like Private
Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide [ 79 NEW HOME DEVELOPMENTS NEW HOME DEVELOPMENTS clubhouse with fitness center, outdoor design; living space ranges from 1,700 to Pennsylvania Turnpike and the charm of pool, playground and tennis, soccer and 2,500 sq. ft., with options to expand. Skippack Village. All of this and no basketball facilities, and of course, a first- Standard features include volume or 9-foot Homeowner’s Association Fees! For the rate school district. Gorgeous townhomes first-floor ceilings, gas fireplace, and golf enthusiasts, Lederach Golf Course are available starting from $148,900 with 2 complete appliance package. High- was recently ranked by Golf Magazine as to 3 bedrooms and 1 to 2.5 bathrooms. efficiency HVAC; Energy Star certified. one of the ‘Top 10 New Courses You Can Only 1 single-family home remains: our Community amenities include active Play.’ Quick delivery homes are available. Millstone Model Home featuring 4 recreation area with play equipment, picnic Located in the highly-regarded Souderton bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, a morning area and gazebo. A friendly neighborhood School District. room and a finished basement priced at convenient to shopping and to Dover Air The Manors at Highgate $349,900. Force Base. Prices: $239,900–$327,900. By Heritage Homes Group Country Club Estates Immediate- and quick-delivery homes Breinigsville By Heritage Homes Group available (priced from the low $300s) with Lehigh County, PA Limerick $20,000–$30,000 incentives. (610) 395-4027 Montgomery County, PA Estates at Aberdeen www.heritagehomesgroup.com (610) 590-2183 Clayton Boro, NJ Beautiful mountain views and acres of www.heritagehomesgroup.com (856) 863-6736 open space provide a beautiful backdrop Beautifully overlooking Spring Ford www.hovhomes.com of this estate single family home Country Club, Country Club Estates is an Aberdeen is a multi-generational community. Two spectacular entrances at estate single-family home community of neighborhood designed to enrich the Highgate will say ‘You Have Arrived!’ just 42 homesites on oversized 1/2 - 3/4 hometown atmosphere that fills South Starting in the mid $200’s, the homes offer acre lots. Choose from 9 generously sized Jersey’s history. In addition to convenient a spectacular selection of sizes, designs home designs starting at $464,990. access to major artery Rt. 55, this and features. All homes offer 3-5 spacious Features include hardwood floors, gas community features 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath bedrooms, large kitchens and family rooms fireplace, granite countertops, large homes, and provides a rare opportunity to and a grand list of standard features cabinets, and a wide variety of luxurious own a top-quality and value-loaded new including granite countertops, hardwood options. As always, Country Club Estates single-family home starting from the floors and a gas fireplace. This wonderful presents a unique opportunity to $290,000’s. Experience the many ways to community is located within the highly- personalize your new home to your enjoy a relaxed lifestyle in a spacious and regarded Parkland School District. individual needs and tastes. Minutes from well-designed new home. Every home is Conveniently located to major roadways major shopping, highways and built-to-last by a renowned 4-generation and employment areas. Quick delivery employment areas including Philadelphia family builder with a 40-year tradition of homes are available. and King of Prussia. Highly-regarded building excellence. Mews at Oak Ridge Spring-Ford School District. Quick delivery Heritage at Lederach Golf Club East Greenwich, NJ homes available. By Heritage Homes Group (856) 464-3814 Estates at Mill Creek Harleysville www.hovhomes.com Mill Road between Brinton Lake Road & Montgomery County, PA Attractively priced from the $280,000’s, Thornton Road (215) 513-4390 these award-winning 3 bedroom Thornbury Township www.heritagehomesgroup.com townhomes have a special character all (610) 459-0529 Heritage’s Elite Collection of grand their own. Boasting three levels of luxury www.davidcutlergroup.com estate home plans has been designed for living these townhomes feature, finished Single Family & Estate Homes by the the golf course lifestyle at Lederach. Each rec rooms, convenient storage/utility rooms David Cutler Group. Priced from the mid of the stylish and elegant homes will take and 1-car garages. A community $600’s in Delaware County, PA. maximum advantage of the setting and association tends to the time consuming Emerald Pointe offer a view of the course from virtually chores of landscaping and snow removal. McKee Road every room. Lederach Golf Club offers two Homeowners also appreciate the easy Dover, DE distinctive collections of homes, The Links access to major arteries Rts. 676 and 76 (302) 741-2040 and The Fairways. The Links offers lavish into Philadelphia or Atlantic City, and Rt. www.blenheimhomes.com home designs ranging in size from 2,260 295 to Trenton, Princeton and points north. Conveniently located on the north side to 3,270 square feet with prices starting in And, every home is built-to-last by a of Dover, Delaware’s capital city, Emerald the high $300’s. As is fitting for such a renowned 4-generation family builder with Pointe is just minutes from Rt. 13 and the prestigious setting, the homes in the a 40-year tradition of building excellence. primary commuter artery, Del. 1—an hour’s Fairways collection are spacious from Northbrook drive from either Wilmington to the north or 3,600 to 4,620 square feet and attractively Woods Edge Drive Delaware’s celebrated ocean resorts to the priced from the mid $500’s. Standard Boothwyn, PA south. Tree-lined streets and sidewalks features are bountiful including hardwood (610) 361-2770 complement award-winning single-family flooring in select areas, granite www.blenheimhomes.com homes with traditional architecture and countertops, gas fireplace and high- Located in Garnet Valley, PA, on 75- dramatic, innovative interiors. Four featured efficiency heating and air conditioning acre, rolling site along a scenic country models (3 to 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2-car systems. Heritage at Lederach Golf Club is byway, the 184-home community garage) give new meaning to functional minutes from both the convenience of the resembles two villages separated by 30
80 ] Philadelphia/South Jersey Information Guide NEW HOME DEVELOPMENTS NEW HOME DEVELOPMENTS acres of private open space threaded with Springford at Country Club Estates desirable Mt. Laurel, fronting the Rancocas walking trails. Directly across from the 170- By Heritage Homes Group Creek and located off Rt. 295, Rancocas acre Clayton Park (with golf course, playing Limerick Pointe is the area’s best destination for fields and picnic areas), it combines rural Montgomery County, PA luxury townhome living. This award- seclusion with an easy commute to points (610) 590-2183 winning community features 3 bedroom, north and south via the Route 322 access www.heritagehomesgroup.com 2 1/2 bath home designs from the to I-95. Philadelphia airport and downtown Welcome home to Springford at Country $350,000’s that fit every lifestyle. Plus, Wilmington are each only 15 minutes away. Club Estates, a beautiful new community included finished lower levels add Luxury carriage homes from the mid-$300s featuring just 14, 1/2 to 3/4 acre functionality and living space. This one-of- feature contemporary open floor plans, homesites on 2 private cul-de-sacs. The a-kind location is definitely commuter 9-foot ceilings on first and second floor, estate homes offered here range in size friendly, offering great appeal to local dramatic volume spaces and window walls from 2,175 to 2,730 square feet and homebuyers as well as those from Central open to woodland views. Two- and three- feature 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, and two and North Jersey, who have been quick to story designs are characterized by well- car side-entry garages. Included with each recognize a tremendous value not available defined elegance and luxury appointments; home are beautiful hardwood floors, elsewhere! 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1- or 2-car granite countertops, a gas fireplace and The Villas at Highgate garage. Living space up to 2,600 sq. ft. high-efficiency heating and air conditioning By Heritage Homes Group Energy Star certified; high-efficiency HVAC. systems. You have endless customization Breinigsville Highly regarded Garnet Valley School opportunities. Bring us your ideas! Lehigh County, PA District. Quick-delivery homes available Springford at Country Club Estates is an (610) 366-9523 from high-$300s to low-$400s. excellent location to call home! The www.heritagehomesgroup.com Oak Mill community is easily commutable to Villas at Highgate homeowners will enjoy 500 W. 5th Street Philadelphia and King of Prussia, offers low maintenance living, walking trails, Florence, NJ many entertainment and shopping choices, recreational fields and Highgate’s (609) 499-0520 and is located in the highly-regarded unmatched beauty. Homebuyers will be www.centex.com Spring-Ford School District. Quick delivery struck by the variety of designs and Oak Mill is perfect for young families and homes are available. Prices start in the affordability of these brand new two-story first-time homebuyers looking for great high $300’s. townhomes. Prices start in the high value in a quality home. The single-family The Townhomes at Heritage Center $100’s. The Villas at Highgate offers home designs priced from $299,900 at By Heritage Homes Group 3 bedrooms and up to 2 1/2 baths. Oak Mill feature 3 to 4 bedrooms, 2.5 Buckingham Spacious kitchens with granite baths, two-car garage, and a full Bucks County, PA countertops, large family rooms, full basement. The neighborhood is convenient (215) 794-7632 basements and attached garages are just to major roadways like the NJ and PA www.heritagehomesgroup.com some of the features offered at the Villas at Turnpikes as well as Routes 130 and Set in beautiful Central Bucks County, Highgate. Conveniently located to major I-295. Families will love the close proximity recently opened Heritage Center is a luxury roadways including I-78, Pennsylvania to township facilities including a baseball townhome community of 199 total Turnpike, Route 100, and Route 222. field and River's Edge Park, which borders townhomes. Heritage Center features 3-4 Located in the highly-acclaimed Parkland the Delaware River. bedrooms, 2 Ω baths and an attached School District. Quick delivery homes The Shires garage. The Townhomes at Heritage available. 48 Shire Court Center are located conveniently to the Vistas at Green Hills Somerdale, NJ Pennsylvania Turnpike, Route 202, Route 1814 Hemming Way (856) 282-0102 611, and I-95. The standard features of Orefield, PA 18069 www.centex.com these opulent townhomes include gas (877) 785-8316 Accessibility and affordability are fireplaces, hardwood flooring, chef-grade www.pulte.com optimized at The Shires featuring gourmet kitchens with granite countertops, The Vistas at Green Hills is in its final townhomes with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a and high-efficiency heating and air stage of development with just 11 homes one car garage and a full basement priced conditioning systems. Community remaining in a community of 324 homes. from just $199,990. Residents will amenities include a clubhouse with a This award winning neighborhood is a appreciate close proximity to PATCO Train fitness center and swimming pool, tennis blend of single family homes, twins, Station with direct access to Philadelphia, court, and walking trails. Conveniently townhomes and condominiums with NJ Turnpike, Route 130, I-295 and Route located to Philadelphia, Peddler’s Village, generous recreational space consisting of 73. You’ll also find plenty of recreational and Doylestown. Located in the highly- two soccer fields, two basketball courts, a venues in your own backyard, including regarded Blue Ribbon Central Bucks playground and additional green space - all movie theaters, golf courses, parks and School District. Quick delivery homes located in the highly sought after Parkland shopping with the newly renovated available. Prices start in the $300’s. School District. Conveniently located Voorhees Town Center is just one mile The Townhomes at Rancocas Pointe minutes from all major transportation down the road and the Cherry Hill Mall just Mt. Laurel NJ arteries servicing the Lehigh Valley (Routes a short drive away. (856) 866-0042 22, 78, 309 and I-476), the Vistas is also www.hovhomes.com just minutes from popular recreational Built on the last great residential site in facilities such as Dorney Park & Wildwater
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Kingdom, the Bob Rodale Fitness Park, Coca-Cola Park ñ home of the Iron Pigs, Bear Creek Ski and Recreation Area, Blue Mountain Ski Area and numerous area golf courses. Make an appointment to tour our model before we are sold out! Westbury Hunt Winslow Township, NJ (856) 768-6960 www.hovhomes.com Conveniently nestled off Rt. 73 in Winslow Township, Westbury Hunt showcases a portfolio of 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath homes from the $380,000’s. These award-winning homes boast a custom- home flair with non-custom prices. The location is unbeatable: Take Rt. 73 South to Atlantic City, or North to Exit 4 on the NJ Turnpike. Experience the many ways to enjoy your life in your luxurious and well- designed new dream home. And, every home is built-to-last by area-renowned J.S. Hovnanian & Sons, a family builder with a 40-year tradition of building excellence. Whispering Farms 1633 Windmill Lane Breinigsville, PA (866) 385-5558 www.centex.com/ Located in the heart of the Lehigh Valley, Whispering Farms is close to a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment venues. This neighborhood is ideal for young families and first-time homebuyers looking for great quality and value in new construction. The community offers single- family homes from the mid $200’s with 3 to 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, open floorplans, full basements, and two-car garages. Whispering Farms residents will enjoy the sought after Parkland School District and serene landscapes of Breinigsville plus all of the attractions that the surrounding community has to offer: the Lehigh Valley Mall, The Crayola Factory, Bushkill Park, Dorney Park, and Wildwater Kingdom, to name just a few. Models are now open, so make a visit today.
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NEW HOME DEVELOPMENTS NEW HOME DEVELOPMENTS
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