Chester County’s Top 5 Most Expensive Home Sales of 2014

By Ryan Dosen

 

In Chester County, as the temperatures rise, so too does the pace with which “For Sale” and “Sold” signs go up and come down. Most of those sales will happen in a fairly narrow price range. TReND MLS reports that the median price for homes sold in Chester County for April 2014 was $300,000. According to the Suburban West Realtors Association, around 50 percent of this year’s (nearly 1300) residential real estate transactions in Chester County took place in the $200,000-$400,000 range. But what about the 1 percent? What are they buying?

TReND MLS reports that there have been 33 homes sold this year in Chester County in the seven-figure range. Just for fun, let’s take a look at top five most expensive homes sold in our county this year.

 

 

Malvern, PA – $3,650,000

The most expensive home sold in Chester County so far this year was a newly-constructed 5,027 square foot masterpiece in Malvern, PA. This home sits on 8 acres and is designed to look like a significantly upgraded 1700s farmhouse. Despite having the appearance of an historic property, the home is brand new and features loads of special features and cutting-edge conveniences such as geothermal and radiant heat, a detached 3-car garage with lift, an outside kitchen, a saltwater pool, 3 fireplaces, 2 offices, a media room, a greenhouse, and just about all the modern luxury conveniences.

 

 

Newtown Square, PA – $2,700,000

The Duckett Paper Mill was Chester County’s second most expensive residential closing so far for 2014. The Duckett Paper Mill is over 140 years old and sits on 18.5 acres. The Mill features over 9,000 square feet of livable space, including a 5-bedroom stone manor house and a 4-bedroom guest house. The property also features a stone bank barn with 6 stalls, 2 fenced pastures with water and electricity, trout fishing and water rights along Ridley Creek, a pond for skating or fishing, a swimming pool, and a tennis court. Taxes for this property (before the sale) were around $25,000 per year.

 

 

Devon, PA – $2,196,096

The third most expensive home sold this year in Chester County is from the Bentley Homes development of Ashwood Hall in Devon, PA. This Main Line new construction home is about 5,500 square feet, sits on 1 acre of land, and is located about a quarter mile from Route 30. This home is located in the highly-rated Tredyffrin-Easttown School District and is part of a community that features 8 luxury home sites.

 

 

Devon, PA – 1,850,000

The fourth most expensive Chester County home sold in 2014 is also located in Devon, PA. This home sits on 2.7 acres in the Harrison Estate neighborhood overlooking beautiful Waterloo Mills preserve. The home’s interior includes hardwood floors, 3 fireplaces, an elegant master suite with private sitting room, a custom Lancaster County Wood Masters kitchen, and a full-featured, lower level walk-out entertainment area. 2014 taxes on this property were around $20,000.

 

 

West Chester, PA – $1,850,000

West Chester rounds out our list, tying for the fourth most expensive residential transaction in Chester County with the sale of the exquisite 7-plus acre Tudor estate, ThomLynn. Featuring 6 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, and around 18,000 interior square feet, this home sold at a relative bargain with its sub-$2,000,000 price tag. ThomLynn features a master suite with separate his/her baths, a library with fireplace, a study, an entertainment area with game room, a gym, sauna and steam rooms, a wine cellar, and a home theater with plush seating for twelve. ThomLynn’s main house is joined by two additional structures, including a 3-room office studio and a pool house with full service kitchen, bath, and guest suite. Located on Bittersweet Drive, ThomLynn’s relatively sweet price tag came with a relatively bitter aftertaste. Last year’s taxes came in at over $47,000.

 

— Ryan Dosen manages The Wayne Megill Real Estate Team of Keller Williams Brandywine Valley in West Chester. Follow Ryan on Google+. For buyer or seller representation, or for more perspective on the local and national real estate market, please email rdosen@megillhomes.com and visit The Wayne Megill Team blog at www.PAHomesAndRealEstate.com.