Keller Williams The Holidays

2016

Best of Local Living Real Estate

The Holidays

A Good Time to Sell Your Home

Terese Brittingham Broker/Owner Keller Williams Realty License # RM419528

Your Home. Your Community. Your Life.

Volume 6, Issue 4 locallivingmag.com Fall 2016 Local Living 1

116 Oakwood Lane, Valley Forge, PA 19481 $1,293,930 Situated on the side of Valley Forge mountain is a spectacular miniestate offering ultimate privacy, surrounded by mature woods, located in a peaceful and tranquil valley. The majestic gated entry is befitting the luxury that awaits your visit as you travel the meandering driveway. The homeowners have painstakingly designed this home using stone & wood, a true modern contemporary.

401 Walmere Way, Blue Bell, PA 19422

$1,350,000 This stone manor house in the award-winning Wissahickon School District is on over 4 acres. The 5,100 square feet include 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, temperature-controlled wine cellar, a green house, and in-ground pool with a springhouse and a top-of-the-line kitchen with a butler’s pantry. Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind estate with 5 working fireplaces.

Model Home 2002 General Alexander Dr., Malvern, PA 19355 $1,750,000 Fabulous home on Valley Forge Mountain in the Sterling Heights neighborhood. Amazing views of the beautiful Chester County countryside and a meticulously landscaped lot make this John Diament custom built estate sure to please. With a dramatic two story entry and beautiful woodwork throughout, this luxury property is loaded with premium upgrades.

141 Watkins Lane, Glenmoore, PA 19343 $924,900 This Rotelle-built custom home, the Tisbury, our largest model, offers everything needed for gracious living. Our model home is built and ready for immediate delivery. The open design features an elegant foyer, living room with optional solarium, formal dining room with butler pantry available, and study. The gourmet kitchen with pantry and breakfast room leads into a large, spacious family room.

Coming Soon Spring 2017 - “Stoneschool” 30 Luxury 2 Bed 2 Bath Condominiums. Located in Collegeville/Trappe. Private tours are now being scheduled. Call now for pricing and availability.

Would you like your home featured here?

Call to find out how KW International Collection and our CLHS Designation can help you increase exposure to your luxury home.

702 Kingswood Vale, Perkiomenville, PA 18074 $539,900 Fabulous home on Valley Forge Mountain in the Sterling Heights neighborhood. Amazing views of the beautiful Chester County countryside and a meticulously landscaped lot make this John Diament custom built estate sure to please. With a dramatic two story entry and beautiful wood work throughout, this luxury property is loaded with premium upgrades.

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(610) 574-9271 • (610) 792-5900, Ext: 147 • (610) 792-8131 542 North Lewis Rd Suite 101 • Limerick, PA 19468 License #: RM419528

TERESE BRITTINGHAM & TOM MCCOUCH Owners & Partners Keller Williams Realty Group

Meet Our Team

Jill Blasek

Kimberly Chadwick

David Fitts

Jennifer Sheridan

Joe Groarke

Ruth Work

Kristen Thompson

Delana Korch

Lisa Plank

Mark McCouch

Mary Galpin

Kim Acosta

(610) 574-9271 (610) 792-5900, Ext: 147 (610) 792-8131 542 North Lewis Rd., Suite 101 Limerick, PA 19468 www.kwseven.com License #: RM419528 Stephen Maco

Bill Pratt

Daniel Brittingham

Are The Holidays a Good Time To Sell

W

hile there are many schools of thought on this subject, I do not believe there is a bad time to put your home on the market. When you are ready there are always buyers out there, and making your property available when most will not is smart. With the strong market this year and the low inventory that has been an issue we are seeing a wonderful sellers’ market. Supply and Demand rules apply, when there is an undersupply of homes for sale, and an oversupply of buyers looking you place yourself in a very strong position.

There are many reasons to place your home on the market over the holiday.

Homes tend to look their best with the holiday décor. The warm, inviting aroma of holiday cooking and the expectation of guests keeps the homes in show ready condition. Emotion plays a huge role in which home a buyer purchases, and you can capitalize on that by making your home cozy and cheery during showings. Tasteful decorations and a minimum of clutter will allow buyers to see their own families celebrating the holidays in your home next year.

The number of home buyers from foreign nations has increased dramatically as the real estate market in the United States has improved over the past few years. These buyers don’t observe the same calendar of events as most Americans. We’ve seen significant upticks in buyer showings and home sales around holiday periods that traditionally were unofficial vacation periods for the real estate industry. When the foreign buyer comes to house hunt, American holidays do not come into play.

Perhaps the best reason to put your home on the

market over the holidays is that you will place yourself in a strong negotiating position. Buyers that are looking over this hectic period of time are doing so out of necessity, whether relocating, moving out of a rental, or finding a home because theirs sold.

Whatever their reason, make it easy for these folks to get a good look at your home by staying flexible with your showing times and being open to negotiating contract terms that work with their schedules.

While shopping for the perfect gift is often done online, so is the search for a home. Many home buyers devote a larger portion of their house hunting time during the holidays to searching online, as opposed to seeing homes in person.

The added convenience of whittling down a list of preferred homes from the warmth of the buyer’s home during bad weather makes real estate website traffic kick up significantly when the overall market sales might be slowing down.

To have your home discovered during this timeframe, it must be on the market. Word-ofmouth, drive-by sightings, and other forms of direct-contact marketing diminish significantly in effectiveness during bad weather periods. Homes advertised correctly online during this time get significantly more exposure than the average home, and those sellers that are taking a break from being on the market are as good as non-existent to the online buyer.

Reaching out to a professional Realtor is essential as they need to understand the benefits and advantages of selling a home over the holidays. The marketing will be key and staging very important.

TERESE BRITTINGHAM Broker, Owner & Realtor Fall 2016

Local Living

5

Holiday Recipes Linzer Cookies

INGREDIENTS 1 bag (8-ounce) pecans 1/2 cup cornstarch 1-1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter (no substitutions), softened 1-1/3 confectioners’ sugar 2 tsp vanilla extract 3/4 tsp salt 1 large egg 2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cups seedless red raspberry jam DIRECTIONS In food processor with knife blade attached, pulse pecans and cornstarch until pecans are finely ground.

In large bowl, with mixer on low speed, beat butter and 1 cup confectioners’ sugar until mixed. Increase speed to high; beat 2 minutes or until light and fluffy, occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula. At medium speed, beat in vanilla, salt, and egg. Reduce speed to low; gradually beat in flour and pecan mixture just until blended, occasionally scraping bowl.

Divide dough into 4 equal pieces; flatten each into a disk.

Wrap each disk with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 to 5 hours or until dough is firm enough to roll.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Remove 1 disk of dough from refrigerator; if necessary, let stand 10 to 15 minutes at room temperature for easier rolling. On lightly floured surface, with floured rolling pin, roll dough 1/8 inch thick.

With floured 2-1/4 inch fluted round, plain round, or holiday-shaped cookie cutter, cut dough into as many cook-

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Local Living Fall 2016

ies as possible. With floured 1 to 1-1/4-inch fluted round, plain round, or holiday-shaped cookie cutter, cut out centers from half of cookies. Wrap and refrigerate trimmings.

With lightly floured spatula, carefully place cookies, 1 inch apart, on ungreased large cookie sheet.

Bake cookies 17 to 20 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool. Repeat with remaining dough and trimmings.

When cookies are cool, sprinkle remaining 1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar through sieve over cookies with cutout centers.

In small bowl, stir jam with fork until smooth. Spread scant measuring teaspoon jam on top of whole cookies; place cutout cookies on top. Store cookies, with waxed paper between layers, in tightly covered container at room temperature up to 1 week or in freezer up to 2 months. (If cookies are stored in freezer, you may need to sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar again before serving.)

Hazelnut - Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

This yuletide yummy is easy to prepare — just make the basic cookie dough and sandwich delectable hazelnut-chocolate spread between two baked cookies.

INGREDIENTS Basic Cookie Dough 1 c. butter 1 c. brown sugar 1 c. sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla 3

c. flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt 1/3 cup hazelnuts, toasted and chopped 3/4 cup hazelnut-chocolate spread DIRECTIONS Prepare basic cookie dough.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. With hands, shape dough by level measuring 1/2 tsp into balls.

Place balls, 2 inches apart, on ungreased large cookie sheet.

Dip bottom of flat-bottomed glass in sugar as needed; use to press each ball into 1-inch round.

Sprinkle half of the rounds with hazelnuts.

Bake cookies 9 to 10 minutes or until edges are golden-brown.

Transfer to wire rack to cool. Repeat.

Assemble sandwich cookies: Spread flat sides of plain cookies with 1/2 tsp hazelnut-chocolate spread.

Top each with a nut-covered cookie, top side up, pressing lightly.

Store cookies in tightly sealed container, putting sheets of waxed paper between layers, at room temperature up to 1 week or in freezer up to 3 months

Coconut Snowballs

INGREDIENTS 1 cup sweetned flaked coconut 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar salt, pinch 6 tablespoons unsalted butter softened 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 4 teaspoons milk DIRECTIONS Grind 1/2 cup of the coconut in food processor.

Chop remaining coconut and set aside.

Add flour, 1/4 cup of the confectioners’ sugar and the salt.

Pulse to blend.

Add butter and vanilla; pulse until dough comes together.

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Roll dough into 1-inch balls.

Place dough balls 1 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet.

Bake cookies until firm but tender, 15 minutes.

Remove to rack, let cool completely.

In small bowl, stir together remaining 1 cup confectioners’ sugar and enough milk until smooth but still thick.

Dip cookies in glaze (about 1/2 t for each), letting it drip down sides.

Dip in chopped coconut and set aside for glaze

Holiday Cut Out Sugar Cookies INGREDIENTS 4 cups sifted all- purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 1/2 cups sugar 2 eggs 3/4 cup butter (1 1/2 sticks) 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Colored Icing, recipe follows

DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a bowl, stir together flour and baking powder. In another bowl, beat butter with sugar until fluffy and light. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture, a third at a time to make a stiff dough. Divide dough into 4 pieces. Roll out a portion of cookie dough to 1/4 inch thick. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters. Place on lightly greased or nonstick cookie sheets. Bake until lightly golden, about 10 minute, rotating baking sheet halfway through cooking time. Cool completely on pans about 5 minutes, transfer to cooling racks and cool completely before decorating.

COLORED ICING 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar 1 1/2 tablespoons water 3 to 4 drops food coloring, plus more as needed Colored sprinkles, optional In a small bowl, mix sugar and water to form a thick, smooth icing. Stir in food coloring to reach desired shade.

Drop icing onto cookies using a small teaspoon and smooth with the back of the spoon. Make additional bowls for additional colors.

Additional multi-colored sprinkles can be added on top of icing before it dries for more decorative cookies, if desired.

Fall 2016

Local Living

7

Holiday Cocktails Go Eclectic

By Michael C. Upton

E

very year there is a new trend in the booze biz for the holiday season. This year cocktails have gone eclectic (and internationally inspired).

Galliano goes Tiki! Just in time for holiday shoppers, Galliano—the complex and herbal Italian liqueur—has released a limited-edition Tiki Gift Set. With its lexicon of classic drinks, Tiki culture never really left the cocktail scene and is riding a new wave of popularity since its peak in the 1970s. Galliano has been an important ingredient in many Tiki cocktails, like the Freddy Fudpucker and the Hurricane. Harvey’s Holiday is a seasonal, easy-to-make, Tiki-inspired spin on the quintessential Harvey Wallbanger.

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Local Living Fall 2016

Galliano Tiki Gift Set – Includes one 375ml bottle of Galliano L’Autentico, one custom ceramic Tiki mug designed and manufactured by Tiki Farm, and seasonal Tiki recipes.

Harvey’s Holiday Ingredients: • 1.5 oz Jamaican Rum • .5 oz Galliano L’Autentico • .5 oz Grenadine • .5 oz fresh lime juice Build in a Tiki mug and swizzle with crushed ice. Garnish with a mint sprig and grated nutmeg Pumpkin is not just for fall! Award winning cocktail creator Chris Chamberlain says pumpkin is versatile enough to last through the holiday season, especially with his mild Holiday Spiced Pumpkin Syrup. Here is the syrup recipe, which produces 10 ounces and can be incorporated into a number of festive cocktails: • 1.5 cups water • .75 cup brown sugar • .25 granulated sugar • .25 cup maple syrup • .5 cup pumpkin puree • 2 tsp ground cinnamon • .5 tsp ground nutmeg • 1split vanilla bean • 4 whole cloves In a medium saucepan, add water, both sugars, and maple syrup and simmer on medium low heat until sugar dissolves (about four minutes). Turn heat to low and whisk in cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and pumpkin puree. Add vanilla bean and simmer for eight minutes. Do not allow the mixture to boil. Remove from heat and strain. Allow to cool.

The syrup will last for one month at room temperature and three months refrigerated.

Holiday Spiced Pumpkin Sour The Holiday Spiced Pumpkin Sour, created by cocktail master Chris Chamberlain, incorporates an easy to prepare spiced pumpkin syrup.

Ingredients: • 1.75 oz Gentleman Jack Tennessee Whiskey • .5 oz DiSaronno Amaretto • 1 oz fresh lemon juice • 1 oz Holiday Spiced Pumpkin Syrup • Egg white Add all ingredients into shaker and dry shake (without ice) vigorously to create foam. Add Ice and shake again.

Strain into rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with grated nutmeg and orange wheel spiked with whole cloves.

Gin, though mostly associated with the British—especially with their propensity toward the gin and tonic—is actually an honored invention of the Dutch. Although its ancient history is hidden in years of folklore, gin is akin to genever, the juniper-flavored national and traditional liquor of the Netherlands and Belgium. It’s

the juniper flavor of gin and genever that makes this classic spirit essential to the holiday season. Silver bells will be ring-a-linging a bit more merrier this holiday season thanks to a new creation from the folks at NOLET’S—a family with 300 years of distilling traditions.

Silver Elderfizz The Silver Elderfizz introduces a different spice to the holiday season with punchy ginger beer.

Ingredients: • 1.25 oz. NOLET’S Silver Dry Gin • 4 oz. Ginger Beer • Bar spoon Pimm’s Blackberry & Elderflower Liqueur Build cocktail in a highball glass over ice. Drizzle a barspoon of Pimm’s liqueur on top. Garnish with two fresh blackberries and sprig of mint.

Michael C. Upton works as a freelance writers specializing in arts and leisure.

He covers subjects ranging from funk punk to fine wine and currently resides in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Fall 2016

Local Living

9

I’m Dreaming of a White ...

By Pattie Krukowski

I

am writing this article from the second floor deck of my family’s timeshare in Vero Beach, Florida. It is 6:15 am and the sun is just starting to peek out from thick billowy clouds as a few early risers walk the endless miles of beach searching for unique shells. I grew up just an hour and a half south of here and always chuckle when I reminisce about my winter holidays as a child in the 1970’s. As I recall, Santa wore swim trunks, aerosol spray snow liberally covered windows and palm tree Menorahs were all the rage.

After moving North, I quickly learned that there is something truly magical about a fresh snowfall during the winter holidays.

All those tiny flakes have a way of illuminating all that they fall upon. Picture the cheery hustle and bustle of shoppers laden with full bags of gifts as they share holiday greetings, that force smiles on even the biggest Scrooges out there, while they make their way through the fluffy white drifts. This holiday season, I encourage you to capture that same feeling indoors by decorating with shades of white. Begin with white pumpkins for Thanksgiving and then really turning up the volume for Hanukah, Christmas and through New Year’s Eve. When I return home to Pennsylvania, I will start to break out accent pieces in shades of white that will carry me through till spring. Outdoor planters will be stuffed with tall branches lightly spray painted for a white washed effect. A white sheepskin rug will be tossed across the back of the softly worn red tufted leather sofa in the front sitting room. A three by five foot off-white shag will be layered on top of the existing area rug in front of the natural wood fireplace to provide a place for both pets and their owners to lounge, while embers crackle and spread warmth on chilly nights. Shades of white gourds piled high in an oversized clear glass vessel will grace the mantle. A large, low flat crystal bowl shows off a mass of tiny white pumpkins providing a simple yet elegant centerpiece in the dining room.

When the last of the Thanksgiving leftovers are finally consumed, the gourds and pumpkins will be replaced with Christmas balls in a myriad of sizes and finishes; all in hues of white and silver. Some

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Local Living Fall 2016

will be glittering with crystals, while others will be uncomplicated to create layers of interest. The sterling silver star ornaments that I have procured over the years at after holiday sales will be hung in a row across the mantle while creamy quilted felt stockings hang below waiting to be filled. Crystal candlesticks are clustered with basic white pottery candlesticks to proudly support both wide and narrow, tall and short flickering candles.

Fresh rosemary topiary trees adorn each side of the centerpiece bowl of ornaments on the dining table, which is draped in a thick woven oatmeal hued tablecloth. Snow-white plates and starched cloth napkins make the perfect final touch. In my dining room, I have a large rustic wooden framed antique mirror above the sideboard. I hang a square lighted boxwood wreath from a buff hued damask ribbon off the top of the frame, and the result is a beautiful play of reflection throughout the room. A clear crystal, milky white or silver Menorah would be the ideal center of attention to your feast of lights.

Decorate your tree or trees in the same snowy theme. Layer your tree with all white ornaments on the top one-third and bottom one-third. Hang all silver or any other shade of ornaments you choose in the middle one-third for an interesting twist to the ordinary. Create your own indoor forest by choosing three smaller trees of different sizes, heights, and species of evergreen and place on mixed height pedestals. Tie tiny antique white velvet bows all over for an old fashioned feel. Toss several Mongolian fur pillows on your living room couches to snuggle while you watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” for the hundredth time. Present your guests with parting gifts of small white orchids, while sipping the last of your white chocolate dessert martini. Find noisemakers in silver and gold to ring in the New Year. When guests arrive, hang white feather boas on them to amplify the festive feel.

From me to you, may all your days this holiday season be merry and bright!

Pattie Krukowski is an interior decorator for Matott Construction and a freelance writer living in Doylestown, PA.

610.792.3922

corporate NMLS number of 421513

Programs offered: FHA, VA, USDA, PHFA, Conventional, Second Home / Shore Properties

ADAM WALDMAN

Sr. Loan Officer, NMLS #65131 Presidential Bank Mortgage 542 North Lewis Rd., Limerick, PA 19468 Office: (610) 792-3922 • Cell/Text: (484) 686-7529 Adam.Waldman@Presidential.com http://www.pbm-loans.com/Adam

~ TESTIMONIALS ~ I wanted to let you know how pleased I was to have the opportunity to work with you and your team at Presidential Mortgage.The refinance process can be a daunting one but with your assistance, experience and knowledge the process was just about seamless. Thanks again and look forward to working with you in the future.

— Irene G. Presidential Mortgage worked with us and provided financing to allow us to buy our home back in July of 2014. The process was swift, and painless.

The communication with their loan officer and support staff was great.

Always replied to our questions timely. Also, as we were purchasing a property that wouldn’t settle for 10 months, there were many pieces to the puzzle and they helped us navigate easily and with excellent direction. I would highly recommend their services and I do all the time!

— Kim and Barry C.

T hank You for Your Support!

With Your Help We Raised Over $40,000!

Click Here See you next year!

Sept. 19, 2017

TERESE BRITTINGHAM Broker, Owner & Realtor

• Executive Board for the Tri County Chamber • PA licensed Broker • Designated Member of the Institute for Luxury Homes • Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist • Member of the YWCA • Member of Suburban West Realtor Association, Montgomery County • Association of Realtors, Bucks County Association of Realtors, Reading - Berks Association of Realtors • PA Association of Realtors & National Association of Realtors • Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR) • In 2004 Awarded Business Woman of the Year by YWCA • Chairman of the Capital Campaign Fund for the Pottstown Senior Center • Proud Supporter of Alex’s Lemonade Stand, fundraising over $250,000 in the past 5 years.

TOM McCOUCH Owner, Partner & Realtor

• Licensed Realtor since 1993 • Opening Keller Williams Realty Group with partner Terese Brittingham in May 2002 • Mentor of Realtors • Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR) • Member of NAR • Member of PA Association of Realtors

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SEPTEMBER 19, 2017

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(610) 574-9271 • (610) 792-5900, Ext: 147 (610) 792-8131 542 North Lewis Rd Suite 101 • Limerick, PA 19468 License #: RM419528