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Philadelphia Wage Tax

November 14, 2018 by Jennifer LeBow Leave a Comment

Philadelphia Main Line relocation — Will you be working in Philadelphia? Learn about the wage tax and how it affects you.

What is the wage tax?

As a relocation specialist, I am often asked about the Philadelphia wage tax. Equally often, I find myself educating unsuspecting buyers about this tax. I don’t want them to be unhappily surprised when they receive a “light” paycheck. While Philadelphia is not the only municipality to levy a wage (or “earned income”) tax, the city’s is higher than most. If you reside and work in Philadelphia, you will pay 3.88% in wage tax. However, if you live outside of the city, but you work in the city, you will still pay 3.46%, as well as the local earned income tax where you live, if there is one. Some municipalities don’t have any (like Lower Merion), while many have between .5 and 1%. The city wage tax has long been an issue of contention. Read here (disregard the outdated figures) for its history.

What other taxes should I consider?

If you are considering where to purchase their new home in the Philadelphia metro area, look carefully at the earned income taxes. Make sure you understand what, if any, your municipality (if living outside the city limits) charges. If you have a choice whether to work in or out of the city, this tax is clearly something to think about. Additionally, our real estate taxes can differ widely from township to township, so pay close attention to the property taxes of different homes you consider. There is state income tax as well as sales tax (a bit higher within the city limits than outside). It’s important to have the full picture of taxes when budgeting.

Mitigating factors

While this city tax certainly affects total take-home income, it’s wise to keep a few things in mind. The most important mitigating factor is that, as a large east coast city, Philadelphia is much more affordable than its peers. The cost of housing is appreciably less than cities like Washington, New York and Boston. As a result, even groceries and other purchases cost less because the businesses supplying them have lower rents. One other bright spot: as the BYOB capital of the country, dining out can be way less expensive than in other cities.

If you are relocating to the Philadelphia/Main Line area, please go to my blog page and search for posts using the relocation tag. Contact me to discuss your Philadelphia area relocation! jen@jenniferlebow.com/610 308-5973

Kitchen Storage Trends

November 12, 2018 by Jennifer LeBow Leave a Comment

Cheap, smart kitchen storage ideas that you can add quickly and without remodeling the whole space.

Sure, you can see plenty of pictures of beautiful kitchens that are enormous and neither storage space nor price is any object when it comes to organizing everything that is housed there. For those of us who do have constraints on our budgets and our space, here are some great solutions (using easily available, inexpensive tools) for storing all kinds of things, from food to plastic containers and lids to mugs. Using hooks, whether attached to the outside of cabinets for hanging pots and pans to the inside of pantry doors to make measuring cups and spoons easier to find is a cheap, easy idea. If the side of your refrigerator is exposed, use a magnet to help you store spices or knives. Baskets are also a good solution for extra dish towels or easy-to-grab snacks; just try not to use too much counter space for them or you’ll defeat the purpose! Another great idea is to “add a drawer” if you have shelves that could be better used. Especially when it comes to storing food, whether in the pantry or in the freezer, the most organized kitchens always use labels. Using clear containers helps, too. I like that most of these ideas don’t require a kitchen redesign or a big investment. You can implement as many or as few of these “hacks” as you like and you won’t need to worry about the design not feeling consistent–these are simple, straightforward storage solutions that could work in any kitchen. Good luck!

Winter Exterior Home Maintenance

November 7, 2018 by Jennifer LeBow Leave a Comment

Before the cold weather hits, you might want to inspect your home’s exterior and pay particular attention to these common problem areas.

Since you spend much more of your time at home inside your house than standing outside looking at it, you may not be as aware of exterior maintenance issues as interior ones. Winter can be rough on a house and a property. Some of the things that you should consider when budgeting for care of the outside of your house include:

Replacement and repair of your roof and gutters

Obviously, an entire roof replacement can be very costly, but, beyond that, a small leak may be caused by missing shingles, improper or damaged flashing or overflowing gutters, Be sure to have your gutters cleaned 2-3 times a year as clogged gutters are the number one cause of roof leaks. Also, if you have skylights, be sure that any caulking or other water barriers are in good condition before the winter cold and snow sets in.

Exterior sheathing–paint, siding, stonework (is power washing needed?)

If your house is painted stucco, does the stucco itself or the painting need attention? If it’s painted wood, is the wood in good repair? Is the paint cracking? If you have vinyl or aluminum siding, is everything firmly attached? Do you have a brick or stone home? Is it well-pointed? Any cracks allow water penetration which, in the cold, becomes ice and expands, making the cracks larger and threatening the integrity of the structure.

Windows and screens

Before the cold weather arrives, make sure that there are no cracks in any of the window panes, that they all secure in the closed and locked position and that you don’t feel and air coming through. Any weather proofing or caulking should also be inspected. If the windows or frames are wood, also check the condition of the paint and look for rot or soft wood. Finally, a word about screens–while you won’t be using them in the winter, it’s not a bad idea to inspect them and have any repairs made during the months when you won’t miss them.

Stone patios or walkways (and don’t forget the chimney)

Even if your house is not constructed of stone, you may have a slate walkway or a brick or flagstone patio. You also may have a brick chimney. Be sure to take a walk around and just look for any problems with the stone–remember, when water gets in the cracks, it makes them larger when it turns to ice and expands.

Deck refinishing/repair

While you won’t repair or refinish a deck in the winter, the cold weather and snow can do a good deal of damage to the wood, so it’s wise to verify the deck’s condition at this point so that you are better prepared for what it may look like come spring and summer.

Driveway resurfacing and plowing

Driveways require repaving or resurfacing every once in a while depending on your own taste. If yours is cracked or there are sunken areas or places where tree roots have created raised sections, you might want to get some quotes. Again, this project is not usually done in the winter, but the cold weather often speeds up the decaying process. As far as plowing goes, be sure to budget for a few visits each winter, unless you do your own or don’t need to have the driveway clear.

Sadly, this list is by no means exhaustive, but, rather, meant to be a starting point for thinking about general seasonal exterior maintenance. I hope it’s been helpful from a planning perspective.

Main Line Philadelphia Neighborhoods: Malvern

November 5, 2018 by Jennifer LeBow Leave a Comment

Relocating to the Philadelphia Area: Malvern

Are you considering relocating the the Philadelphia suburb of Malvern? If the western Main Line isn’t too far of a commute for you, this town truly offers “something for everyone”. From its quaint borough to its most rural edges, there are some historic old buildings as well as plenty of brand new homes and shopping centers. There are townhouses, ranches, split level, colonials and even some old farmhouses. Malvern is usually considered the western edge of the Main Line, so, while still being part of that desirable location, it is the also the gateway to more rural areas. It only about 45 minutes to drive to Lancaster County, for example.

To read more about Malvern, click here. If you are interested in learning about other Main Line Philadelphia towns, please see my Main Line Neighborhood Guide.

Please contact me for more information at 610 308-5973 or jen@jenniferlebow.com.

Malvern Overview

Geographically, Malvern is one of the largest of the Main Line towns. The small borough has some old buildings and independent businesses as well as the train station. The northern section, above route 202 tends to be more rural and while there are some small developments, there are few sidewalks and little retail/dining. That northwestern area draws people who are looking for privacy, larger lots and an “away from the hub-bub” kind of feeling. The central portion feels more like the Main Line and the neighborhoods are more suburban. As you move south, the rolling hills offer a totally different lifestyle. Many estates, several with horses, can be found in the this part of Malvern. Fittingly, Malvern Hunt (the oldest foxhunt in the country) sits on 100 acres here.

As the Main Line has spread west, the services to support the increase in residents have followed suit. In Malvern, lots of new retail and service establishments have sprung up recently and residents generally tout the combination of a relaxed, country kind of lifestyle and convenient access to desirable shopping as the perfect blend. Another benefit of living in Malvern is that all three of the school districts that its children attend are very highly rated.

Malvern: What it’s like to live here

Many people who relocate to the Main Line are looking for fairly new homes with modern layouts including two-story family rooms adjacent to the kitchen, large master bedrooms with sitting areas and walk-in closets, home offices and first floor laundry rooms. This kind of layout is difficult to find on the Main Line, but is most prevalent in Malvern. Since it’s the farthest west town, it was developed most recently, so it’s not all that surprising that the newest homes are found here. There are many townhouse/carriage house communities including Malvern Walk, Pickering Crossing and Applebrook and Charlestown Oaks. Some other new neighborhoods offer a combination of single family homes and townhouses. These include Spring Oak and Atwater.

If you are looking for a strictly single family home neighborhood, in addition to Malvern Crossing, which is currently under construction (2018), some established communities include Applebrook, Reserve at Spring Meadow and Deerfield. Rossmore, Tunbridge and Minden also offer fairly modern homes. Slightly older homes can be found on Valley Forge Mountain, which, as the name suggests, is on the mountain and has incredible views. One of the most desirable areas is Radnor Hunt, which is a community of about 275 homes, but of all different vintages and sizes. Some are very old, some are brand new and there are modest sized ones as well as palatial estates on 50 acres!

There are, of course, plenty of homes in Malvern that are not in “named” developments. While those located closest to route 30 are most likely to have a neighborhood feel, the outer reaches of this large town are much more remote and less suburban in flavor. It spreads over a very large area and the variety of housing options (from age to size to style to neighborhood personality) is quite wide. It might be a great place to begin your search because there are so many different choices.

Real Estate Sales During the Holidays

November 5, 2018 by Jennifer LeBow Leave a Comment

Tips for selling your house during the holidays — Buying or selling a house in November and December is challenging; here are some ideas that might help.

As my manager always says, “Homes sell every day of the year.” While that’s true, there are certainly busier and slower market seasons. Typically, from Thanksgiving through the beginning of January, there is very little activity, at least here on the Main Line. That means few new listings, few showings and few sales. So sellers don’t have a lot of people looking at their listings and buyers don’t have much to choose from. However, there is certainly less competition from other buyers and there are fewer competing listings.

If you are a seller and your property is listed during the holiday season, you may need to get creative. First, beware not to get too crazy with decorations as “over the top” can be a turn off to some buyers. Also, consider the weather: if it’s snowy, it can be challenging to keep the floors clean, so if you do have showings, be sure to wash the floors and put away bulky coats and boots. It’s also a good idea to request that visitors remove their shoes or wear booties to keep it looking nice. Also, remember the days are short and many people come to see houses after work: you want you house as well lit as possible, so make sure all lights have as high wattage bulbs as they can take and that they are all working. Does your neighborhood have any kind of holiday events? If so, be sure to leave information about those happenings with the marketing papers. You may choose to offer an incentive to sell before the end of the year (sometimes, if there’s a “special” with will only be valid for a set period of time, it can motivate a purchase). It could be a closing cost credit, home warranty for the first year, snow plowing for the rest of the winter….think outside the box.

Are you considering buying at this time of year? Keep in mind that, for tax reasons, it is often to a seller’s benefit to sell before the end of December. This consideration can be a potential negotiating tool. Also, find out when the seller would most like to close. Maybe the family would really like to stay in the house to celebrate the holidays–if you can offer a closing date that they like, they might be willing to take a little less money. You could also see if they would like to close before the holidays but have a lease back so they could stay there to celebrate and not feel displaced at this time of year. This timing may also matter for school purposes; if the sellers have children who will need to switch schools, they might prefer a closing date before the kids go back in January.

Main Line Philadelphia Neighborhoods: Paoli

November 5, 2018 by Jennifer LeBow Leave a Comment

Philadelphia Main Line relocation paoli — Looking for a great Philadelphia area suburb? Paoli affords easy train access and variety of housing options.

Relocating to the Philadelphia Area: Paoli

So you’re relocating to the Main Line but don’t know much about Paoli? The Main Line is appealing to lots of people who move to this area because the schools are highly rated and most towns are commutable into center city. Access to the train makes even the western Main Line towns, like Paoli, a possible choice for people working in Philadelphia. Additionally, the charm of the architecture and established neighborhoods attract many transplants. Depending on your lifestyle as well as what style of style you like, how much property you want, the sort of neighborhood you prefer and what your budget is, the Main Line is likely to offer some good choices.

To read more about Paoli, click here. If you are interested in learning about other Main Line Philadelphia towns, please see my Main Line Neighborhood Guide.

Please contact me for more information at 610 308-5973 or jen@jenniferlebow.com.

Paoli Overview

As far as size, Paoli is relatively compact. It takes up only two square miles. Some office parks and commercial buildings as well as Paoli Hospital, which take up a good portion of that land. There are, of course, residential properties as well and they include condos, townhouses and single family homes. As far as architecture goes, there are some contemporary homes and some more traditional ones as well, and colonials as well as split level homes and a few ranches occupy the landscape.

Paoli: What it’s like to live here

One of the major benefits of living in Paoli is the train that travels directly to New York. As a result, many transplants who still work in New York choose to live in Paoli. They reduce their cost of living tremendously and enjoy good schools and a suburban lifestyle with a commute that is often about the same it was before they relocated. In addition to the well-respected Paoli Hospital, the town also offers the Philadelphia Curling Club, for everyone who watches it during the Olympics and wants to give it a try. Paoli also provides an opportunity for a history lesson; the Revolutionary War’s Paoli Massacre is remembered and interpreted each year at the Paoli Battlefield Heritage Day.

Not far from this Revolutionary War battlefield, you can find the other end of the spectrum: brand new construction (2018-19), in the form of Chapel Hill, a 55-unit luxury development of mostly three bedroom homes. There are also new townhouses, like Village Square and Paoli Walk that are conveniently located right off of route 30. If you are looking for more of a cottage feel, you’ll find small, older homes in Paoli Gardens and Paoli Manor. Among the most popular family neighborhoods are Valley Green, which is a quiet neighborhood populated by colonials and split levels and Friendship Hills which offers splits and ranches. If you prefer a contemporary style, the neighborhoods of Pheasant Run or Lexton Woods might have what you’re looking for.

Read more about Paoli on Wikipedia.

Main Line Philadelphia Neighborhoods: Phoenixville

October 29, 2018 by Jennifer LeBow Leave a Comment

Relocating to the Philadelphia Area: Phoenixville

If you are relocating to the Philadelphia area, you’ll need to figure out where to focus your home buying search. What neighborhood you end up in depends on several factors. Where will you need to commute to? What is your budget? How much space do you need? Are you looking for a development kind of lifestyle or perhaps a more rural kind of experience? These questions will help you begin to narrow down your choice of towns. Phoenixville offers enough variety that it might end up on the short list!

To read more about Phoenixville, click here. If you are interested in learning about other Main Line Philadelphia towns, please see my Main Line Neighborhood Guide.

Please contact me for more information at 610 308-5973 or jen@jenniferlebow.com.

Phoenixville Overview

Phoenixville might be a good match if you’re searching the Main Line for a locale with a true, old-fashioned town center. It has been revitalized and has some very popular restaurants and shops. Convenient to both King of Prussia as well as Collegeville and Downingtown, depending on where you work, Phoenixville might be a great choice. As an old borough, there are some historic sections of as well as some much more recently developed neighborhoods and many areas that have larger lots and a rural feel. Valley Forge Park and French Creek Park provide wonderful access to hiking, horseback riding, cycling, etc. Taxes vary quite a lot, so pay attention when you’re looking at listings.

Phoenixville: What it’s like to live here

In recent years, the borough of Phoenixville has seen an increase in foot traffic due to shopping and dining improvements. Additionally, annual events, including the Dogwood Festival, sponsored by the town have become quite popular. While the borough is certainly the heart of Phoenixville, realize that it’s a fairly large area with different sections that have distinct personalities. Also, be aware that with a Phoenixville address, you could be in one of five different school districts. Most of the area lies in the Phoenixville, Owen J. Roberts or Springford districts, but a few homes are in Tredyffrin-Easttown or Methacton.

Inside the borough, there have been a few factory buildings turned into condos and they offer great convenience with the charm of historical architecture. If you’re looking for a townhouse or carriage house, try Northridge, Longford Crossing or Coldstream Crossing. For single family homes, the established Valley Forge Mountain is always popular and many of the homes have great views.If you’re looking for something a bit newer, the Reserve at Providence Crossing and Regency at Providence might suit you. To the north, there is a large Toll Brothers community called Rivercrest, very near the pharmaceutical companies in the Phoenixville/Collegeville area. The homes there are on small lots and are mostly stucco and very similar to each other. In contrast, Valley Park, Maisfield and Sunfield Farms are much smaller neighborhoods with more variety of house styles.

Home-Made Applesauce: So Worth It

October 27, 2018 by Jennifer LeBow Leave a Comment

Jen LeBow’s Applesauce Recipe

Set 12-16 qt. pot on your largest stove burner.

Add:

1 cup water

1/3 cup sugar

1 ½ t cinnamon

Core and peel 22-25 golden delicious apples and add to pot.

Cook on medium heat, stirring so the bottom doesn’t stick.

Once it is simmering, cover, reduce heat to low and stir every 15 minutes or so.

Cook until apples have completely broken down.

Cool for about 15 minutes.

Add in batches to food processor and process til smooth.

Freezes well!

All Posts

What is the wage tax?

What other taxes should I consider?

Mitigating factors

Relocating to the Philadelphia Area: Malvern

Malvern Overview

Malvern: What it’s like to live here

Relocating to the Philadelphia Area: Paoli

Paoli Overview

Paoli: What it’s like to live here

Relocating to the Philadelphia Area: Phoenixville

Phoenixville Overview

Phoenixville: What it’s like to live here

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