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Realtor Q&A: Where to Raise Your Family (While Staying Within Driving Distance of the City!)

Photo credit: iStock/Solovyova

Photo credit: iStock/Solovyova

Calm and gloriously green, Flourtown is a welcomed respite for folks who enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city, but prefer to remain within driving distance. This toe-the-line geography means it’s an ideal place for commuters and young families (psst: it’s included in the award-winning Springfield Township School District!), and, thanks to community events and loads of outdoor space, parents are fans, too. 

To help you make the jump from the city, we checked in with three Coldwell Banker Preferred affiliated sales associates, who filled us in on their favorite parts of this local ‘burb.

What’s the average price range for residences in Flourtown?

Jim Romano: Real estate markets are constantly changing. In the case of Flourtown (Springfield Township), over the past six months, the average sales price is about $340,000. This is due to the types of houses in the area. For the most part, you will find three to four bedroom single detached homes with two to three bathrooms.

Eddie Schmidt: There were 53 homes sold in Flourtown in the past year. Prices ranged from $180,000 to $1.4 million.

Who is moving to Flourtown? What attracts them to the area?

Romano: Younger families are moving to Flourtown, additionally a lot of people stay in Flourtown and don’t move due to its highly desirable location and award winning school district. Flourtown itself has a nice variety of restaurants and bars to go to and its proximity to the city is also a big plus.

Schmidt: Flourtown encompasses two townships — Whitemarsh and Springfield — with two school districts, Colonial and Springfield. There are also two private high schools: Mount Saint Joseph’s Academy (for girls) and LaSalle College High School (for boys). Families love their school choices.

[There are also] several major arteries surrounding the town — Route 309, Church Rd. (Rt. 73), Bethlehem Pike ,and Paper Mill Road. [There is] easy access to employment centers in King of Prussia and Fort Washington. First time homebuyers, as well as empty nesters, are moving to Flourtown. This diversity makes it attractive to many demographics.

Flourtown has a great deal of green space. Are there parks or any outdoor community events that take advantage of this?

Roddy Jennings: There is more undeveloped land at Fort Washington State Park, which includes part of Flourtown. It is perfect for outdoor family fun with picnic areas, fishing, hiking and biking along the Green Ribbon Walking Trail. Another outdoor open asset is Erdenheim Farm — part of which is located in Flourtown. This farm encompasses almost 450 acres of land, which is home to sheep, Black Angus cattle and Morgan horses. With help from the Whitemarsh Foundation and the Natural Lands Trust, the majority of this land is protected from future development by a conservation [group].

Romano: There are many parks to take advantage of, including The Dixon Meadow Preserve and Boardwalk. This is a 14-acre preserve that is great for nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers and walkers. There is a lot of history to this preserve, as well. Along with the beautiful setting, there is also a lot of history related to this preserve.

What creature comforts are available in Flourtown?

Jennings: Recent arrivals to Flourtown include Tamarindo’s gourmet Mexican restaurant and the new Movie Tavern in the Flourtown shopping center where you can have a meal while watching the latest movies. There are several pizzerias, Halligan’s Pub, Scoogies Italian Restaurant, along with Starbucks, McDonald’s and Rita’s. For food shopping, there is a Wawa, Acme, a newer Giant and from Thursday through Saturday, the popular Flourtown Farmers Market is open in a newly renovated historic building.

How should potential homebuyers approach the home hunt in Flourtown? What strategies do you implement with your own clients?

Romano: Buyers need to understand that the Flourtown market is a very competitive market. There is low inventory. So when a nice, properly-priced listing comes on the market , they need to move quickly.. The faster you act, the better. If the listing seems very desirable to the buyer at a fair price, odds are that other buyers will feel the same way, so time is of the essence. And when writing an offer, take into consideration the comparable sales. If the property is listed in the same range as the most recent comparable sales, it is best to go in with a strong offer close to or at asking price. Properly priced homes in the area can sell in a matter of days so it is important to understand that and act accordingly.

What kinds and styles of residences should homebuyers expect? Are there any compromises or surprising benefits readers might not know about?

Schmidt: There is a mix of single-family homes, twins and carriage homes.  The majority of homes sold in the last 12 months are single-family, with carriage homes a close second.  The Reserve at Creekside has added an exclusive, new construction, no-maintenance and carriage home alternative to those empty nesters that can easily commute to one of 7 private golf courses surrounding it.  If you are a golfer, Flourtown is perfectly situated.

Jennings: There are charming, affordable Colonials, split-levels and capes, which appeal to first-time buyers and there are also larger Colonials and luxurious estate homes.

How has Flourtown evolved over the last ten years? How do you expect it to change in the next ten?

Schmidt: I think that young families will continue to move into the area when opportunities present themselves to take advantage of the desirable town, location and school district.

Jennings: Flourtown will continue to be desirable for years to come as it offers homes for several types of buyers — first-time buyers, luxury home buyers and retirees. It is unique having substantial undeveloped land so close to Chestnut Hill and Center City.

For more information about buying or selling a home in the communities of the Greater Philadelphia area and the Delaware Valley, including southern New Jersey and northern Delaware, visit Coldwell Banker Preferred online at www.ColdwellBankerHomes.com

These interviews have been condensed and edited for length.