Contact your state rep to support SB 838
The Pennsylvania Association of Realtors (PAR) is asking all members to contact their state representatives and urge them to vote for SB 838, the Private Licensed School Act amendments. The timing is critical as there are a limited number of session days left for the House to act on the legislation. The bill just needs one final House vote. Without SB 838, real estate and appraiser schools could face new licensing, course approval and fee requirements from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The added costs and requirements could make it harder for smaller schools to stay open and increase the costs of continuing education for Realtors and appraisers. Read more about SB 838 and respond to the call to action on the PAR website.
Source: PAR; 9/16/2026

Fannie and Freddie officially adopt new credit score
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (also known as the GSEs, government-sponsored enterprises) officially released guidance and pricing grids for all lenders to use VantageScore 4.0. In addition, the GSEs mandated the delivery of both FICO and VantageScore for mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and credit risk transfers (CRT) issued to the secondary market. The moves follow years of testing and vetting and will make it easier for all lenders and investors to begin using the new credit score. The change marks a major victory for Realtors, as the National Association of Realtors has long advocated for the introduction of scoring competition and the use of alternative data. The current version of FICO is three decades old and does not incorporate many of the lessons learned through the great financial crisis of 2008, modern modeling techniques or alternative data. The moves will help boost adoption of models using alternative data and could improve access and affordability for some home buyers over the long term.
Source: NAR; 9/10/2026

PA officials urge residents to purchase flood insurance
Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys was joined by state and local officials in Lower Makefield Township to urge homeowners and renters statewide to get flood insurance. Humphreys stressed that coverage is not included in standard policies. Flooding has occurred in all 67 counties in the state, and over 40% of claims have come from outside high-risk zones. The event, held near homes devastated by 2023 flash floods, was part of the state’s Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force's push to make flood coverage more accessible through private and surplus lines insurers, not just the National Flood Insurance Program.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 9/11/2026 

Middletown updates sign rules with potential $500 fines
Middletown Township supervisors have unanimously advanced a revised sign ordinance to comply with a court ruling. A 2024 federal Third Circuit ruling struck down Camp Hill Borough's practice of favoring commercial and "for sale" signs over political and personal-opinion signs, a violation of the First Amendment. Under Middletown’s new rules, all temporary signs — including real estate signs, business ads and personal expression signs — will be treated equally, banned entirely from township rights-of-way, and subject to fines of $500 per day per violation. Political signs will be limited to a 30-day pre-election window and 10-day post-election removal, with size capped at 12 square feet per sign. Township solicitor Jim Esposito noted that enforcement will largely be complaint-driven rather than proactively patrolled, with leniency likely for first-time offenders on private property.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 9/16/2026

Neshaminy Mall in Bensalem to be demolished in December
Neshaminy Mall in Bensalem Township is set to close before year's end, with demolition of most of the roughly 100-acre property beginning in December. The AMC-24 theater, Boscov's, and Barnes & Noble will remain standing. Owners Paramount Realty and Edgewood Properties, who bought the roughly 1.1-million-square-foot mall from Brookfield Properties for $27.5 million in 2024, have not yet released formal redevelopment plans, though officials expect a presentation to Bensalem council soon. Earlier discussions pointed to a possible mix of retail, residential and medical uses, and large chains like Walmart or Whole Foods. Tenants have reportedly been told to vacate by Oct. 31, and only about 15 businesses remain open — most notably a busy Boscov's.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times & Levittown Now; 9/14/2026 

Yardley to swap property, per capita taxes for new 1% wage tax
Yardley Borough Council plans to adopt a new 1% earned income tax at its Tuesday, Oct. 6, meeting while repealing the per capita tax, then follow up in November by cutting 10 mills from its 30-mill real estate tax and eliminating the occupational privilege tax to soften the impact on residents. Councilwoman Martha Howlett, who led the proposal, said the eliminated taxes and millage will cost the borough roughly $372,000, but the new earned income tax should generate about $800,000 next year and eventually $1.6 million annually once fully phased in. The move will give the borough a revenue source that can better keep pace with inflation. People who work in Philadelphia will be exempt since they already pay the city's wage tax, volunteer firefighters may get a credit, and retirees generally won't owe the tax on Social Security or most pension income. Howlett also noted that if Pennsbury School Board later enacts its own earned income tax, Yardley would have to split the 1% rate with the district.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 9/9/2026

Langhorne votes to fight PennDot's $334 million Route 1 interchange plan
Langhorne Borough Council unanimously approved a resolution urging PennDot to reconsider its $334 million plan for a partial cloverleaf interchange with traffic signals at U.S. Route 1 and PA 413, arguing the design would funnel traffic off Route 1's service roads and into the narrow residential streets of Langhorne and neighboring Lower Bucks communities. The resolution is the latest move in a five-year fight led by residents and officials from Langhorne Borough, Langhorne Manor and Middletown Township under the "No Cloverleaf" banner. State Sen. Frank Farry (R-6) and state Rep. Joe Hogan (R-142) announced in June that PennDot agreed to retain the frontage roads, and opponents argue those roads could become "roads to nowhere" if drivers still must use the cloverleaf to access the highway. Citing PennDot's own projection of 9.2 crashes per year at the interchange's two planned signalized intersections, opponents are pushing the agency to instead consider keeping the service roads intact and controlling traffic with roundabouts. PennDot has said nothing is finalized, and construction on the project — meant to modernize the 1950s-era highway to current safety standards — isn't slated to begin until 2029, pending further environmental review and engineering work.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 9/14/2026

Northampton shifts collection fee to delinquent taxpayers 
Northampton Township supervisors unanimously approved an ordinance appointing the Bucks County Tax Claim Bureau as the township's alternative collector for delinquent real estate taxes, a change that will let the township keep 100% of what it collects instead of the 95% it received under the old system. The shift stems from a new countywide collection process that charges 105% of the face value, interest and penalty on delinquent bills, with the extra 5% covering collection costs and returning the full amount to municipalities that adopt the ordinance. Supervisor Joe Lombardo called it "a winner" since it costs the township nothing to gain the additional revenue. Officials emphasized the change only affects delinquent accounts and has no impact on residents current on their property taxes. The measure passed after a public hearing drew no opposition or comment.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 9/10/2026

Uwchlan considers sprawling Lionville Station Farm development
The fate of a potential mega-development at Lionville Station Farm is now in the hands of the Uwchlan Township Board of Supervisors. The board must decide whether to approve or deny the project within 60 days. Supervisors can also OK a zoning change from Industrial to Planned Residential Development, which would give the go-ahead for developer Rockwell Downingtown LLC to build on 254 acres, as part of two parcels. Rockwell signed a contingency agreement to purchase 237 acres from the Downingtown Area School District for $64 million. Current Rockwell plans call for construction of 462 senior-age-restricted homes, 30 market rate homes, and a 74,000-square-foot natatorium at the former farm. Five hundred parking spaces would serve natatorium users. There would be no more than four large events annually. Plans also include 127 acres for open space.
Source: Daily Local; 9/14/2026

County breaks ground on EV charging station in West Whiteland
Chester County officials gathered at the Chester Valley Trailhead at Exton Park in West Whiteland Township to break ground on one of the 11 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations planned for installation across the county. Chester County has the largest number of registered EVs per capita of any county in Pennsylvania.
Source: Daily Local; 9/12/2026

Kennett Square advances NVF site rezoning
Kennett Square Borough Council voted 4-2 against further delaying a proposed rezoning of the 24-acre former National Vulcanized Fiber (NVF) property, clearing the way for consideration of a $300 million-plus redevelopment that could include 300 housing units. The decision reverses a May vote to wait for a federal Environmental Protection Agency investigation into PCB contamination at the brownfield site. Council members and residents raised concerns about environmental safety, dust control and the proximity of three schools, while others said the borough’s zoning decision and environmental cleanup are separate processes. The proposed rezoning remains under review by the Chester County Planning Commission, and council members said they could revisit the issue later this year.
Source: Daily Local; 9/14/2026

Chester County Planning Commission to host ADU forum
The Chester County Planning Commission will host an Urban Centers Forum on accessory dwelling units (ADUs), bringing together national and local partners to discuss how ADUs can help municipalities address attainable housing needs. The virtual forum will examine what ADUs are, how municipalities can regulate them, potential benefits and challenges, and ways communities can incorporate ADUs into their housing strategies. The forum will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 5 p.m. and will be held online via Zoom. Register here.
Source: Chester County Planning Commission; 9/11/2026

Tredyffrin proposes new student rental licensing rules
Tredyffrin Township is proposing to replace its existing Chapter 151, Property Registration for Student Homes, with a new set of regulations governing “student rental units.” Ordinance HR-499 would shift the township’s current registration system toward a formal licensing program and establish separate duties for property owners and student tenants. The ordinance change would not impact the township’s separate zoning regulations governing student homes, including the existing limit of three student tenants and the requirement for a special exception. The board of supervisors will hold a hearing on Ordinance HR-499 during its regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 21, at 7 p.m. at the Tredyffrin Township Building, 1100 Duportail Road, Berwyn.
Source: Daily Local; 9/7/2026