EPA revises lead paint disclosure form
On April 24, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized revisions to the Buyer/Seller and Landlord/Tenant Lead-Based Paint Disclosure form. The changes will help agents and consumers fill out the form correctly, standardize responses and reduce errors, thereby reducing agent liability. The changes do not alter what information is required of agents or consumers — the form has been revised to improve and clarify how the information is conveyed. National Association of Realtors staff has reached out to the EPA for any additional guidance on the changes to the form. Read more about real estate disclosure for potential lead hazards here.
Source: NAR; 6/7/2024

Homebuying power has dropped 65% since 1970s in Philadelphia region
According to an analysis of a RealtyHop study, homebuying power in the Philadelphia metro area decreased nearly 65% from 1970 to 2022. Homebuying power is defined as the ratio of annual income to average house price. Housing has become 2.83 times more unaffordable for families in Philadelphia, as home values skyrocketed from $10,600 in 1970 to more than $215,000 in 2022. It’s worth noting that mortgage rates were in the double digits in the 1970s and ’80s, and today hover around 7%. Read more in Axios Philadelphia.
Source: Axios Philadelphia; 6/11/2024

Southeastern PA has state’s 10 highest-paid school superintendents
According to recent salary data from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, southeastern Pennsylvania is home to the 10 highest-paid school superintendents in the state. The collective salaries of about 500 public school superintendents across the state totaled nearly $83 million. Each of the 10 highest-paid, full-time public school superintendents in the state head up districts in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. The highest superintendent salary is in the Philadelphia School District ($340,000), followed by Unionville-Chadds Ford (about $323,000) and Central Bucks ($315,000). Read more here.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 6/13/2024 

Neshaminy Mall has a buyer
Bensalem Economic Development Corp. announced Paramount Realty will purchase the Neshaminy Mall. Opened in the late 1960s, the Neshaminy Mall was a popular shopping destination. Current owner Brookfield Properties put the 1-million-square-foot mall up for sale last February — “as is.” No purchase price was given, nor were Paramount’s plans for the mall disclosed. Paramount Realty owns several shopping centers in Bucks County, including the Marketplace at Neshaminy, the Lincoln Plaza Shopping Center in Middletown, and the recently acquired old Woodhaven Mall site at the Philadelphia/Bensalem border.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 6/18/2024

Plan for Mill Race Inn in Northampton unveiled
A mill dating back to the American Revolution will have a new life. The Mill Race Inn in Northampton Township was abandoned and blighted after repeated flooding. Northampton engaged the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority to condemn the structure, which sits on 2.5 acres of high-profile real estate on Buck Road. Several plans for development fell through because the preservation of the original mill had to be a part of the plan. The plan presented to the township planning commission by Costigan Builders has the inn being gutted and the walls forming the structure remaining around a newly built commercial space. Behind the building will be 33 condominiums overlooking Mill Creek, with each unit being three stories with garage space below, elevating the units out of the flood zone. Township Manager Bob Pelligrino said aside from “a few tweaks” the proposal appears “good to go” ahead for approval.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 6/5/2024

Oxford Valley Mall apartments to open in July
Construction of luxury apartments continues at the Oxford Valley Mall in Middletown Township, with move-in dates available as soon as early July. Applications are now being taken for units at Atlee Square, the 391-unit complex now under construction on the site of the former Boscov's. Several apartment designs are available, including a single-bedroom studio apartment, five differing one-bed/one-bath layouts, and five two-bed/two-bath options. Developers Bozzuto and CornerstoneTracy are working to target Green Globe certifications through the construction of energy-efficient features and two acres of exterior amenity space. Simon Properties, owner of the adjacent Oxford Valley Mall, hopes the apartment project will revive the mall.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 6/17/2024

Bensalem approves consolidation of six volunteer fire departments
Bensalem Township Council unanimously approved a resolution to consolidate six volunteer fire departments into one unified organization. Two years of planning and collaboration went into the formation of the new public safety organization known as the Bensalem Volunteer Fire Department. Bensalem has six legacy volunteer fire companies: Cornwells, Eddington, Newport, Nottingham, Trevose and Union, some of which have existed for 100 years. Dwindling membership has forced the stations to consolidate as a matter of safety and resources. Bensalem has a paid fire company with eight full-time firefighters who respond to calls between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays, with the volunteer organizations taking over after 5 p.m.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 6/17/2024 & Bensalem Township; 6/18/2024

Middletown supervisors approve expansion of Orchard Square apartments
The existing Orchard Square Apartments in Middletown Township were built in the 1970s. A plan recently approved by supervisors will allow for the expansion of the complex, located at 1801 Old Lincoln Highway near Neshaminy High School. The plan includes 36 one-bedroom, 28 two-bedroom and eight three-bedroom apartments, as well as a clubhouse and pool. As part of the development, property owner Scully Company plans to implement stormwater improvements, including underground basins, and add plantings to serve as a buffer between the new buildings and neighboring properties. Nearby residents voiced opposition based on increased traffic, potential flooding and environmental impact.
Source: LevittownNow; 6/12/2024

Bucks County Register of Wills to visit senior centers
Bucks County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court Linda Bobrin Esq. will embark on a tour of senior centers beginning in July, following a similar inaugural tour last year. Bobrin and members of her staff will give presentations about wills, estate planning and inheritance tax at senior centers across Bucks County. Attendees can expect to learn the basics of what makes a will valid, along with an overview of probate and inheritance tax.
Source: The Reporter; 6/17/2024 

Tredyffrin-Easttown school board approves tax hike
The millage rate in Tredyffrin-Easttown School District will be 28.3372 mills in the 2024-2025 school year, up 1.5788​ mills from the current rate, after the school board adopted its budget. The budget includes $181.1 million in revenues, $185.7 million in expenditures, and a $4.61 million fund balance allocation.
Source: Tredyffrin-Easttown Patch; 6/11/2024

$3.1M in state funding distributed among 11 Chesco community service organizations
Eleven organizations working to prevent homelessness and promote housing affordability in communities across Chester County were awarded more than $3.1 million in total state funding. “When every resident has a safe, healthy place to call home, our economy thrives, public safety improves, and our neighborhoods and municipalities flourish,” said state Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-19), who announced the funding. View the 11 grant recipients here. The funding was approved by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement program (PHARE). The PHARE Fund was established by Act 105 of 2010 to assist with the creation, rehabilitation and support of affordable housing throughout Pennsylvania. The program is funded through the Realty Transfer Tax Fund.
Source: Daily Local; 6/18/2024

Easement protects forest, historical farm in East Nantmeal
Natural Lands announced the preservation via easement of a 95-acre forested landscape in East Nantmeal Township. The Keen property represents the last, largest remaining unprotected woodland tract surrounding the historical Village of Nantmeal. The dense forest provides essential habitat for songbirds and other wildlife and helps to filter rainwater before it flows into the 4,000 feet of Beaver Run Creek that meanders through the property. A conservation easement allows the property to stay in private ownership and will ensure the scenic vistas, rolling terrain, wetlands, streams and woodlands all remain forever. “Being able to stitch together a large swath of protected lands, one project at a time, is incredibly rewarding,” Jack Stefferud, senior director of land protection for Natural Lands, said in a press release. “Contiguous open parcels mean migratory pathways for wildlife, more carbon storage and climate cooling services, and cleaner air and water for us all.”
Source: Natural Lands; 6/11/2024

Uwchlan residents will vote on open space referendum in November
The Uwchlan Township Board of Supervisors has approved an ordinance to hold a referendum on introducing an open space tax. The referendum question will be included in the November general election ballot. If voters approve it, the open space tax would add 0.25% to the earned income tax (EIT), raising it from 1% to 1.25%. The new tax would be paid by township residents only, and the township estimates it would raise between $2.5 million and $3 million each year, which would be used for acquiring, protecting and conserving open space. Read more on the Uwchlan Township website.
Source: Uwchlan Township; 6/3/2024