👋 Good Morning, Lower Merion!

Still riding high from Sunday’s epic victory? Us too! Couldn’t care less about football? No judgement here. There is a wide variety of local happenings to keep you entertained this week!

In the Spotlight:

💡Learn Plant-Based Cooking with Keen About Beans

💡Help Shape the Future of Lower Merion: Take the Community Survey

💡Narberth Quizzo Championship 2025: Join the Fun

💡Book Talk & Wine Tasting with Brian Freedman

💡Calling All Dads of Middle Schoolers in Southeastern PA

Keep on reading to learn more about what’s going on in the area. We hope you find something useful! Stay Warm!

The Lower Merion Spotlight Crew

Are there some local 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

🔍 Your Community: Up Close

📅 Lifestyle and Local Happenings

📝 Community Services and Resources

☀️ Lower Merion Weather

🔗 Find & Share Local Jobs

🏡 How Much Equity Are You Sitting On? It’s Worth The Read!

_{Brought to you by our sponsor, Carolyn Kaufmann, Realtor with Keller Williams Main Line}

1. Rising Home Values

Home prices in Lower Merion have steadily increased due to limited supply and high demand for family-friendly homes in areas like Ardmore, Bala Cynwyd, and Narberth.

• Recent Appreciation: Many neighborhoods have seen values rise 20% to 30% or more over the past five years.

2. Equity Growth

As home values rise and mortgages are paid down, homeowners naturally build equity.

• Example: A home purchased for $400,000 that has appreciated 25% may now be worth $500,000. If $250,000 remains on the mortgage, the homeowner’s equity would be $250,000.

• High-End Homes: In neighborhoods where prices exceed $1 million, equity could be several hundred thousand dollars or more.

3. Recent Market Conditions

• Seller’s Market: Low inventory and strong demand mean homeowners can capitalize on elevated prices and substantial equity.

• Low Mortgage Rates: Many homeowners locked in low rates, helping them pay down their balances faster.

4. Equity = Opportunity

Significant equity offers flexibility for homeowners looking to:

• Downsize or relocate

• Avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI)

• Make larger down payments or invest in homes with better amenities or more space.

In Summary:

• Homeowners in Lower Merion have likely built significant equity over recent years.

• Equity gains could range from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand dollars for those who have owned their homes for a decade or more.

• Thinking about selling? Now is a great time to capitalize on your gains in a market with strong demand and rising prices.

Would you like a deeper look into how specific neighborhoods in Lower Merion have performed, or do you need help with calculating your own home equity? Connect with Carolyn!

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?

Learn Plant-Based Cooking with Keen About Beans

Help Shape the Future of Lower Merion: Take the Community Survey

Narberth Quizzo Championship 2025: Join the Fun

Book Talk & Wine Tasting with Brian Freedman

Calling All Dads of Middle Schoolers in Southeastern PA

Want The Spotlight?

SPECIAL EVENTS

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

• Live Music: Richie Angelucci
  📍 Gypsy Saloon | 🕒 6:00 PM

• No Buy-In Texas Hold'Em
  📍 Great American Pub Narberth | 🕒 8:00 PM

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

• Live Music: Danny Lynch
  📍 Gypsy Saloon | 🕒 6:30 PM

• Open Mic Night
  📍 118 North | 🕒 7:00 PM

• Wine Wednesday Tasting Series
  📍 Local Wine & Kitchen | 🕒 6:30 - 8:30 PM

Thursday, January 30, 2025

• Live Music: Dan Rendine
  📍 Gypsy Saloon | 🕒 6:30 PM

• Live Music: Bloom & Decay Band
  📍 118 North | 🕒 8:00 PM

• Live Music: Grateful Dub
  📍 Ardmore Music Hall | 🕒 8:00 PM

• Quizzo
  📍 Gullifty's | 🕒 8:30 PM

• Live Music: Chris Grunwald
  📍 The Pullman | 🕒 5:30 - 8:30 PM

Friday, January 31, 2025

• Live Music: Jon Ditcher
  📍 118 North | 🕒 4:00 PM

• Live Music: Steve Tesluk
  📍 Gypsy Saloon | 🕒 7:30 PM

• Live Music: Soulive
  📍 Ardmore Music Hall | 🕒 8:00 PM

• Live Music: Tommy Conwell & Houserockers
  📍 118 North | 🕒 9:00 PM

• Quizzo Night
  📍 John Henry's Pub | 🕒 9:00 PM

• Live Music: Rich Lanzilotti
  📍 The Pullman | 🕒 6:00 - 9:00 PM

• Live Music: Gene Smith Band
  📍 Dawson Street Pub | 🕒 Time TBD

RECURRING EVENTS

• 12th Annual A Cappella Sing Off | Hosted by Rotary Club of Ardmore
  📍Penn Valley Elementary School | 📅 February 2nd | Get TIX

• NICKEL BOYS | THE BRUTALIST | A COMPLETE UNKNOWN | A REAL PAIN
  📍Bryn Mawr Film Institue | 🕒 Check Showtimes

• Art Exhibition | The Cut-Up Club

  📍Main Line Art Center | 🕒 Gallery Hours

• Kaiserman JCC

  • Full Event Calendar | 🔍Search offerings

• Wolf Performing Arts Center

  • Auditions | 🔍Search offerings

  • Classes | 🔍 Search offerings

• Main Line Art Center

  • Adult and Youth classes start soon

    🔍 Search catalog

• Playin’ Time Productions
  📍Kelly Music Center | 🔍 Search classes
  

LOOKING FOR A BIGGER ADVENTURE?

👇Want your event listed in the Spotlight? Let us know. We’re here for you!👇

LOWER MERION LIBRARY SYSTEM

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

BALA CYNWYD: Story Time
📍 Bala Cynwyd Library | 🕒 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
📚 Categories: Storytimes
👥 Audience: Kids, Families, Babies & Toddlers

BELMONT: Story Time
📍 Belmont Hills Library | 🕒 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
📚 Categories: Storytimes
👥 Audience: Kids, Families, Babies & Toddlers

LUDINGTON: Story Time with Miss Jackie
📍 Large Auditorium, Ludington Library | 🕒 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
📚 Categories: Storytimes
👥 Audience: Babies & Toddlers

An Inside Look at Working with a Literary Agent: A Conversation with Seth Fishman
📍 N/A | 🕒 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
📚 Categories: Author Event
👥 Audience: Adults

PENN WYNNE: Middle School Meetup (Grades 5–8)
📍 PW Meeting Room, Penn Wynne Library | 🕒 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
📚 Categories: Social Activities
👥 Audience: Teens, Tweens

Gladwyne - Teen Time
📍 Gladwyne Meeting Room, Gladwyne Library | 🕒 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
📚 Categories: Arts & Crafts, Gaming
👥 Audience: Teens, Tweens

Ludington: Film Club
📍 Ludington Library | 🕒 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📚 Categories: Film Discussion
👥 Audience: Adults, Older Adults

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Ludington: Virtual Chair Yoga with Sinclair Brown
📍 Ludington Library | 🕒 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
📚 Categories: Health Literacy
👥 Audience: Adults, Older Adults

PENN WYNNE: Wednesday Morning Book Club
📍 PW Meeting Room, Penn Wynne Library | 🕒 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
📚 Categories: Book Discussion
👥 Audience: Adults, Older Adults

LUDINGTON: Story Time with Miss Ashley
📍 Large Auditorium, Ludington Library | 🕒 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
📚 Categories: Storytimes
👥 Audience: Babies & Toddlers

ARDMORE: Music Playgroup
📍 Ardmore Library | 🕒 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
📚 Categories: Music
👥 Audience: Kids, Families, Babies & Toddlers

Penn Wynne: Crafternoons
📍 PW Meeting Room, Penn Wynne Library | 🕒 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
📚 Categories: Arts & Crafts
👥 Audience: Teens, Kids, Families, Tweens

Gladwyne - Lunar New Year Crafternoon
📍 Gladwyne Junior Room, Gladwyne Library | 🕒 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📚 Categories: Arts & Crafts
👥 Audience: Kids

Gladwyne - Comic Book Club
📍 Gladwyne Meeting Room, Gladwyne Library | 🕒 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
📚 Categories: Arts & Crafts, Basic Literacy, Writing
👥 Audience: Kids

PENN WYNNE: Lego Club
📍 PW Meeting Room, Penn Wynne Library | 🕒 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM
📚 Categories: STEM/STEAM
👥 Audience: Kids

ARDMORE: Teen Dungeons & Dragons Club
📍 ARD Program Room, Ardmore Library | 🕒 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
📚 Categories: Gaming
👥 Audience: Teens

LUDINGTON: Family Game Night
📍 Ludington Junior Room, Ludington Library | 🕒 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📚 Categories: Gaming
👥 Audience: Families

Thursday, January 30, 2025

Gladwyne - Art Exhibition: (Freewheelin' Again)
📍 Gladwyne Meeting Room, Gladwyne Library | 🕒 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
📚 Categories: Civic and Social Literacy
👥 Audience: Adults

LUDINGTON: Story Time with Miss Melody
📍 Large Auditorium, Ludington Library | 🕒 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
📚 Categories: Storytimes
👥 Audience: Babies & Toddlers

ARDMORE: Ms. Dawnita's Story Time
📍 Ardmore Library | 🕒 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
📚 Categories: Storytimes
👥 Audience: Babies & Toddlers

BELMONT: Stitching Social
📍 Belmont Hills Library | 🕒 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📚 Categories: Arts & Crafts
👥 Audience: Adults, Teens, Tweens

💡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

Monday, January 27, 2025
Historical Commission | 4:00 PM

Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Environmental Advisory Council | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Full Calendar HERE

MORE INFO

• The township NEEDS YOUR FEEDBACK! Please take the Five Year Consolidated Plan Survey HERE (January 31st deadline).

• Click HERE for community resources

MUNICIPAL HIGHLIGHTS - NARBERTH BOROUGH

UPCOMING COUNCIL/COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Full Calendar HERE

MORE INFO

• Click HERE for community resources

Weekly Weather Forecast For Lower Merion Township

• Tuesday: ⛅ Mostly Cloudy | High: 37°F | Low: 28°F

• Wednesday: 🌤️ Partly Cloudy | High: 45°F | Low: 24°F

• Thursday: ☀️ Sunny | High: 34°F | Low: 29°F

• Friday: ⛅ Mostly Cloudy | High: 44°F | Low: 30°F

• Saturday: 🌧️ Light Rain | High: 38°F | Low: 30°F

• Sunday: 🌦️ Scattered Showers | High: 42°F | Low: 35°F