- Lower Merion Spotlight
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- 💡In The Spotlight: Narberth Appoints New Borough Manager
💡In The Spotlight: Narberth Appoints New Borough Manager
ISSUE #011
👋 Good Morning, Lower Merion!
It’s Thursday, and that means the weekend is right around the corner. That is certainly worth celebrating. If you’re a football fan, we know what you’re doing most of the weekend. And it likely starts with Penn State and Notre Dame.
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In today’s Spotlight:
💡MLK Spotlight Series: Ways To Honor, Celebrate, and Serve
💡New Chapter for Narberth: Maggie Dobbs Appointed Borough Manager
💡Join Lower Merion Police for Community Watch Training
That’s just what we’re spotlighting. To check out everything else happening around Lower Merion and Narberth, keep on reading, we think you’ll find something useful.
The Lower Merion Spotlight Crew
Is there some local news or events we should know about? Click the button below and let us know. It’s your newsletter, after all! 🙂
In this issue of the Lower Merion Spotlight
🏘️ Real Estate and Housing Insights
📅 Lifestyle and Local Happenings
📰 Local News and Community Updates
📝 Community Services and Resources
☀️ Lower Merion Weather
Thoughtful Thursday - Real Estate FAQ’s
🏡 Pre-Qualification vs. Pre-Approval: What’s the Difference?
Understanding the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval is essential when preparing to buy a home. Here’s a quick guide to help:
Pre-Qualification
What It Is:
An initial, informal assessment of your financial situation based on the details you provide.
📋 Process:
You provide basic info about your income, assets, debts, and credit.
Usually done online or over the phone with no detailed financial review.
📊 Outcome:
You receive an estimate of the loan amount you might qualify for.
It’s not a guarantee of loan approval, and there’s no lender commitment.
💡 Purpose:
Helps you understand your budget and narrow your home search.
✅ Pre-Approval
What It Is:
A formal, more detailed evaluation of your financial situation by a lender.
📋 Process:
Submit official documents like pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements.
The lender verifies your finances and performs a hard credit check.
📊 Outcome:
You receive a pre-approval letter specifying the exact loan amount you’re approved for.
Shows sellers you’re a serious buyer with financial backing.
💡 Purpose:
Required when making an offer on a home.
Streamlines the mortgage process once you’re under contract.
⚖️ Key Differences
Aspect | Pre-Qualification | Pre-Approval |
|---|---|---|
Verification | No formal verification | Detailed financial review |
Credit Check | Usually a soft inquiry | Hard inquiry |
Loan Amount | Estimated, not guaranteed | Approved loan amount |
Lender Commitment | No lender commitment | Conditional lender commitment |
🤔 Which One Should You Get?
Pre-Qualification:
Useful early in your home search to determine a general price range.Pre-Approval:
Necessary when you’re ready to make offers and want to show financial credibility to sellers.
ARE YOU:
🤔 Curious about real-time market activity in your neighborhood?
💰 Looking to find out your home’s value in minutes?
📋 Interested in viewing all active and coming soon listings?
🏠 Looking to help someone buy or sell a home in Lower Merion?
 SPONSORED BY: Carolyn Kaufmann, Realtor | If you answered yes to any of the above, CLICK HERE to connect with Carolyn, your trusted local expert for all things Real Estate in Lower Merion! Keller Williams Main Line |
SPECIAL EVENTS
THURSDAY
Live Music: Dan Rendine
📍 Gypsy Saloon | 🕒 6:30 PM on January 9, 2025Live Music: Shakedown Citi (Grateful Dead Tribute)
📍 118 North | 🕒 8:00 PM on January 9, 2025Quizzo
📍 Gullifty's | 🕒 8:30 PM on January 9, 2025Live Music: Rich Lanzilotti
📍 The Pullman | 🕒 5:30 - 8:30 PM on January 9, 2025
FRIDAY
Live Music: Connor Kaufman
📍 118 North | 🕒 4:00 PM on January 10, 2025Live Music: Jared Biddy
📍 Gypsy Saloon | 🕒 7:30 PM on January 10, 2025Live Music: Superunknown: Chris Cornell Tribute
📍 Ardmore Music Hall | 🕒 8:00 PM on January 10, 2025Live Music: Shaman: The Santana Experience
📍 118 North | 🕒 9:00 PM on January 10, 2025Quizzo Night
📍 John Henry's Pub | 🕒 9:00 PM on January 10, 2025Live Music: Chris Grunwald
📍 The Pullman | 🕒 6:00 - 9:00 PM on January 10, 2025Live Music: The Band Joe w/ Have Fun Don't Die
📍 Dawson Street Pub | 🕒 Time TBD on January 10, 2025
SATURDAY
Ardmore Winter Beer Fest: Island Getaway
📍 Ardmore Music Hall | 🕒 12:30 PM on January 11, 2025Live Music: Miss Mandy
📍 118 North | 🕒 4:00 PM on January 11, 2025Live Music: Jeff & Shay
📍 Gypsy Saloon | 🕒 7:30 PM on January 11, 2025Live Music: Unforgettable Fire
📍 Ardmore Music Hall | 🕒 8:00 PM on January 11, 2025Live Music: Lilly Moss w/ Olivia Love
📍 118 North | 🕒 9:00 PM on January 11, 2025Date Night Workshop
📍 Main Line Art Center | 🕒 6:00 - 8:00 PM on January 11, 2025Live Music: Chris Grunwald
📍 The Pullman | 🕒 6:00 - 9:00 PM on January 11, 2025Live Music: Manayunk Homeboys
📍 Dawson Street Pub | 🕒 Time TBD on January 11, 2025
SUNDAY
Live Music: Jerry Watkins
📍 Gypsy Saloon | 🕒 6:00 PM on January 12, 2025Live Music: Keyon Harrold
📍 Ardmore Music Hall | 🕒 7:00 PM on January 12, 2025Live Music: Socks in the Frying Pan
📍 118 North | 🕒 7:30 PM on January 12, 2025Sunday Funday - Balloon Twisting
📍 Garrett Hill Alehouse | 🕒 12:00 PM
RECURRING EVENTS
WICKED | FLOW | BABYGIRL | A COMPLETE UNKNOWN | A REAL PAIN
📍Bryn Mawr Film Institue | 🕒 Check ShowtimesArt Exhibition | The Cut-Up Club
📍Main Line Art Center | 🕒 Gallery Hours
Kaiserman JCC
Full Event Calendar | 🔍Search offerings
Wolf Performing Arts Center
Main Line Art Center
Adult and Youth classes start soon
🔍 Search classes
LOOKING FOR A BIGGER ADVENTURE?
 | Disney's Free Dining Promotion is Back!Dreaming of a magical Disney getaway? Now’s the perfect time! ✨ Book your 2025 Walt Disney World vacation package with Magic Travel Pros and enjoy Disney’s Free Dining Promotion for select dates. Terms and conditions apply. 📅 Travel Dates:
Have questions? Contact the Pros ([email protected]) to see how you can take advantage of this new promotion! |
👇Want your event or offerings listed in the Spotlight? Let us know. We’re here for you!👇
MLK Spotlight Series: Ways to Honor, Celebrate, and Serve
Cradles to Crayons Donation Drive: Helping Kids Thrive
 | Support children living in poverty by organizing a donation drive for Cradles to Crayons. Gently used clothing, shoes, books, and school supplies are collected and distributed to kids in need across our region. These items help children feel confident and prepared to succeed. Hosting a drive is simple — get your community involved and make a lasting impact! Every donation helps ensure local kids have what they need to learn, play, and thrive. |
♠️Lower Merion High School Athletics♠️
 | Here’s what’s happening midweek for the Aces:Thursday, January 9:
Check the full schedule here for any updates! |
🐏Harriton High School Athletics🐏
 | Here’s what’s on the schedule for the Rams this week:Thursday, January 9:
Check the full schedule here for updates! |
New Chapter for Narberth: Maggie Dobbs Appointed Borough Manager
 | Narberth Borough has appointed Maggie Dobbs as its new borough manager, following Matt West’s departure. Dobbs, who has nearly a decade of municipal experience, previously worked with Narberth as a planning consultant and served as Assistant Manager in two other townships. |
Join Lower Merion Police for Community Watch Training
 | Lower Merion Township Police invite residents to strengthen community partnerships by participating in an upcoming Community Watch Training on January 21st. Learn how to help keep your neighborhood safe through awareness and collaboration with local law enforcement. 📅 When: January 21, 2025 👉 Register here: lmcommunitywatch.org |
LOWER MERION LIBRARY SYSTEM
LUDINGTON: Story Time with Miss Melody
📍 Ludington Library, Large Auditorium | 🕒 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
📚 Categories: Storytimes
👥 Audience: Babies & ToddlersARDMORE: Ms. Dawnita's Story Time
📍 Ardmore Library | 🕒 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
📚 Categories: Storytimes
👥 Audience: Babies & Toddlers
💡Check the full calendar of events by here. 💡
PARKS AND RECREATION
PARK AND REC NEWS
Winter programs START SOON!
Winter 2025 information
All activities calendar
MUNICIPAL HIGHLIGHTS - LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP
UPCOMING COUNCIL/COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Historical Architectural Review Board
📍 Date: January 7, 2025 | 🕒 8:15 AMAd Hoc Nominations Committee
📍 Date: January 8, 2025 | 🕒 9:45 AMHuman Relations Commission
📍 Date: January 9, 2025 | 🕒 7:00 PM
MORE INFO
MUNICIPAL HIGHLIGHTS - NARBERTH BOROUGH
UPCOMING COUNCIL/COMMITTEE MEETINGS
January 9, 2025
🕒 7:00 PM | Environmental Advisory Council MeetingJanuary 10, 2025
🕒 10:00 AM | Public Health and Safety Committee Meeting
MORE INFO
PUT IT ON YOUR RADAR
Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 📅 January 20th | Administration Building and Libraries CLOSED
How did we do in this issue of the Lower Merion Spotlight? |