Harleysville Real Estate Has a Long History

More than 300 years ago, Mennonites traveled to America from Germany and Switzerland looking for the opportunity to practice their religion freely. They settled in the area referred to as Penn's Woods and began to look for ways to improve their own quality of life. The community was a rural one that built houses, schools, farms, and businesses across the area. Today, the Mennonite Heritage Center makes its home in Harleysville in order to preserve the area's unique Mennonite influence.

Still small by many standards, the current population of Harleysville, Pennsylvania had grown to just more than 9,000 people n 2007. Home prices were shown to have a median of approximately $499,000 at that same time, which was considerably higher than the national average of $217,200. Approximately 70% of the homes were owned, rather than being rented or vacant. Real estate in Harleysville is obviously a valuable commodity.

The town itself is a part of the larger Montgomery County. This area lies northwest of Philadelphia near where some of the east coast's major interstate highways converge. The result of this advantageous location is a thriving area that offers a suburban environment with an excellent quality of life for the Philadelphia region.

Life in Harleysville, Pennsylvania

Modern Harleysville is small but has a big heart. Many of the town's residents work for one of the "Harleysville Four," the local slang for the four large companies that have set up shop in town. Harleysville Insurance Company has made its home in Harleysville for nearly a century. While they originally offered protection against vehicle theft, the company's reach has expanded to offer a wide variety of options, as well as a major source of employment for its neighbors. Other big employers in the area include Harleysville National Bank and Trust Company, Harleysville Savings Financial Corp, and Met-Pro, Inc.

Some of the most common fields of employment in Harleysville include construction and professional services for men and healthcare and chemicals for women. As of 2007, the median household income of Harleysville was outpacing that of the state at just more than $80,000. Many of those who purchase Harleysville real estate do so because they believe in the quality of life in this area. The median household value in 2007 was nearly double that of the state, coming in at just about $300,000 for houses and condominiums. Nearly 1/3 of residents have a Bachelor's degree or higher, and the unemployment rate was about 1.5%. Children attend one of the four elementary schools or the middle school in town, all of which are served by the Souderton Area School District. There are also preschool and daycare options available for residents with children.

Montgomery County, is a very outdoorsy area, with hiking, jogging, horseback riding, and other similar activities being very popular. There are numerous trails and parks that can be enjoyed by the residents of Harleysville, as well as the larger county. Those who are interested in real estate in Harleysville and the surrounding areas enjoy outdoor recreation all year round, with skiing and hiking being only two options.

Finding Real Estate in Harleysville

Those looking for real estate in Harleysville, Pennsylvania may find that their best resource for information is a trained, professional real estate agent or broker. He or she will be familiar with the Harleysville area and will know the best approach for finding and buying real estate in and around the town.

Of course, there is something to be said for the individual who does research on his or her own in order to enhance the experience of working with a real estate pro. Learning about the community and market can be extremely helpful in making a wise buying decision. From its history to its civic activities, these are the intangible factors that should influence the choice of whether or not purchasing Harleysville real estate is the right choice for you.