From Narberth to West Chester, Houses are Hot

: Draws: Lovingly referred to as the “Mayberry of the Main Line,” Narberth is perfect for buyers looking to ease into suburban life. It’s a mere 20-minute train ride to Center City, and while its main street is compact, there’s plenty to do for couples and families alike.
Availability: Homes don’t stay on the market for long. Owners often get potential buyers approaching them to gauge their interest in selling. Even so, prices vary, says Holly Goodman of Duffy Real Estate. “You can get a twin that needs work for right around $200,000, or you can go up to a $1 million home.”

: Draws: A pair of train stops, a trolley running down the center of State Street, year-round community festivals, the popular Dining Under the Stars event, and much more. “It’s a socioeconomically diverse area,” says Teresa Pointer, a Media resident and realtor with Long & Foster. “It has a wonderful, friendly urban feel.”
Availability: Renting is easy, but the inventory of homes for sale is limited. Even if it’s a fixer-upper, buyers are willing to pay premium. “I sold a twin house that was new construction, and each side sold for close to $500,000,” says Pointer. “We’re seeing more and more rising home values in Upper Providence, which circles the borough. People are buying there and rehabbing.”

: Draws: Last year, the stretch of Lancaster Avenue in Bryn Mawr underwent a stunning resurgence. Empty storefronts have come back to life and are now basking in the marquee glow of the newly expanded Bryn Mawr Film Institute.
Availability: Bentley Homes’ Radnor Walk is within hoofing distance of downtown Bryn Mawr and Rosemont Station. Its brand-new single-family homes start at close to $1 million. Whitehall at Bryn Mawr’s townhomes sold out almost immediately when they debuted two years ago, and they’re experiencing brisk resales. “You can walk to the shops and restaurants, the train and Bryn Mawr Hospital,” says local realtor Stephanie Ellis. “People love them.”

: Draws: The tree-lined streets of this university town offer every amenity, save a supermarket. A drawback is the lack of rail service. “West Chester has a great advantage because it’s the county seat,” says Kit Anstey of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach in West Chester. “Professionals utilize the shops and restaurants downtown. We’ve had a dozen new businesses come to West Chester borough in the last year alone.”
Availability: Developer Eli Kahn has preliminary approval for 22 luxury condos (with underground parking) at the corner of Church and Gay streets. Historic rowhomes sell for up to $400,000, while nearby twins are priced from $325,000 to $500,000. A single-family home on North Matlack Street is listed for $1.5 million.

Fixers on King Street in Malvern are Popular