Moving To Doylestown, PA? Information
About Doylestown
Colonial History ~ Doylestown Boro
The celebrated County Seat of Bucks County, Doylestown, referred to as Doylestown Borough, has a rich and deep history that spans hundreds of years from the Lenni Lenape Indians to Pennsylvanias first "developer", William Penn, to famed authors James Michener and Pearl Buck. From its early beginnings as a tiny crossroads community, Doylestown has evolved into a thriving downtown center, surrounded by a 15.5 sq. mile Township. Both Doylestown Borough and Doylestown Township have, a broad range of attractive and desirable residential sub-divisions, small developments, rural enclaves and villages.
Doylestown Boro Today
In the 1990s, the Borough of Doylestown downtown area rebuilt itself largely by turning to an out-of-town audience. The small Borough experienced a cultural and business Renaissance resulting in an exciting array of restaurants, boutiques, shops, high-end service providers, even a Saturday morning farmers market. Among the many cultural offerings are the Henry Mercer Museum, and The Moravian Tile Works. With charitable support, the art deco County Theater was restored and reopened showing arthouse fare. The James A. Michener Art Museum, whose collection of works by Bucks County artists Redfield, Garber, Lathrop, and Coppedge is world-renowned, and the new main library, were both built around the ruins of the old stone jail, across the street from Mercer's castle.
Doylestown Boro Real Estate Insights
The architectural style of the Borough houses is exceptionally appealing. Within walking distance of the historic downtown district is a wealth of restored and updated homes ranging from quaint Arts & Crafts style cottages to high-style Queen Anne Victorian mansions to charming stone Colonial homes and Colonial reproductions. Starting about 15-20 years ago, prices began to rise and have continued to rise, making property in Doylestown Borough a proven, solid investment. Borough property is always in demand, and inventory is frequently low.
In the month of May, 2009, the average home price in the Boro was $271,800, reflecting a whopping 40% price decrease over the month of May, 2008. The average prices are typically in the $300,000's - $400,000 + range, so this dip isn't really particularly significant, especially since this is a measure of a moment in time (a month). The April 2009 average home price was $393,500. Over the course of the preceding 11 months, for 5 of those months, the average sale price was in the $300,00's. For 5 of the months, average sale price was in the $400,000's. And for one month, the average price was in the $900,000's. There were 180 homes in inventory between May '09 and May '08, and 80 homes sold in the year between May '08 & May '09. In the year between May '08 and May '09, the highest priced home sold for $2,200,000 the lowest priced home sold for $153,500. Current inventory is 69 houses, and with an average monthly sale pace at 6, there are 11 months of inventory.
Doylestown Township Real Estate Insights
Doylestown Township, population, 17,619 (2000 Census) surrounds Doylestown Borough and has a far larger number of homes (50-60 +/- communities), with January 2008 to January 2009 prices ranging from the lowest, a rental at $2,100/mo. to the highest at $1,975,000. In January 2009, the average sold price was $404,928, a 28% decrease over January 2008. In the year between January '09 and January '08, 157 houses were sold. Between the reasonable prices, larger inventory and the new, lower interest rates, now is a great time to buy!
People are drawn to the Doylestown area because of its deep cultural and historical heritage, the proximity of major commuter routes to Philadelphia, Princeton, North Jersey and New York, the Blue Ribbon Central Bucks School District, the highly-regarded Doylestown Hospital, and the local National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, driving and maintaining the active real estate market, in spite of the national trends.
Whether you are a single career person, a young family, empty-nesters or retirees, the Doylestown area offers all the cultural and educational opportunities, and a plethora of amenities for a fulfilling, active and healthy lifestyle. There are many, diverse properties available in Doylestown but you need a local market expert to help you secure the right one for you and your family.
Gail Nagele-Hopkins is a "local", and an experienced real estate professional with substantial buying and selling experience in the Doylestown area, managing and overseeing more than $25,000,000 of real estate transactions in the last half-decade. For true expertise and outstanding service, contact Gail directly at 215-340-3500, Ext. 107.
© Gail Nagele-Hopkins, 5/2009