The state of the local housing market | Inquirer Greater Media
Plus, a Media native has been named to the U.S. World Cup team.
Hi, Greater Media! 👋
Local homebuyers needed to make nearly 6% more income in April compared to a year ago to afford a typical home. Here’s what that translates to in dollars. Also this week, a Media native has earned a spot on the U.S. World Cup team, Wawa is among the largest family businesses in the nation, plus, the Media Theatre is playing a role in a new biopic.
Inquirer Greater Media
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Local homebuyers needed to make 5.7% more income this April than last April to afford the typical home in Delaware County and Philadelphia, according to a new report from Redfin.
The two areas had the second-largest percentage increase in the income needed to afford the typical home among the 50 most populous metro areas nationwide, falling only behind San Francisco.
🏡 See more on local housing data in our monthly market report below.
💡 Community News
Media native Auston Trusty, who attended Penncrest High School before training at the Philadelphia Union’s youth academy, will sport Team USA colors this summer after being named to the U.S. Men’s World Cup team. Trusty, 27, played with the Nether United Soccer Club in Wallingford in his youth and began his professional career with the Union. He’s been playing with Scottish Premiership club Celtic FC for the past two years.
The Media Theatre is playing an important role in the upcoming independent Vivien Leigh biopic, Vivien & The Florist. Centered on the Hollywood star and her brief time in Philadelphia, the movie was filmed in part at the Media Theatre, which was used as a stand-in for the Forrest Theatre, where Leigh performed in Ivanov, The Inquirer’s Rosa Cartagena reports.
Locally headquartered convenience chain Wawa is among America’s Largest Family Businesses, according to an annual ranking put out by Forbes. The beloved brand comes in at No. 26 for its revenue of about $19 billion.
Last weekend, Swarthmore College held its 154th commencement, graduating 428 seniors with a combined 452 degrees. While we may have missed them at the Swattie Send Off, which was canceled due to rain, you can see stats about the graduating class and their achievements here.
Speaking of Swarthmore College, the school announced this week that it will offer free tuition for students whose families earn less than $200,000 annually starting in the fall of 2027. Tuition currently tops $72,000 a year.
Heads up for drivers: East Knowlton Road in Middletown Township will be closed today from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. between Longpoint Lane and Fox Road for tree removal. Starting Tuesday, there will be a lane closure from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Glen Riddle Road between Brandywine Drive and Springhouse Lane in Middletown Township. Resurfacing work is expected to continue through June 9.
Rutledge is hosting a recycling event Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at borough hall, where you can drop off things like computers, tablets, air conditioning units, and scrap metal.
🏫 Schools Briefing
Rose Tree Media School District’s students have seen improvements in their math and reading scores since 2022, earning them a “district on the rise” designation in a new national Education Scorecard.
In Rose Tree Media School District, there’s a school board meeting this evening, when the 2026-27 proposed final budget is expected to be adopted. It calls for a 3.5% real estate tax increase. There are field days and block parties today and tomorrow, and tomorrow evening is the senior prom. Monday is Penncrest High School’s senior awards ceremony, clap out, and garden party. There are additional clap outs on Tuesday. See RTMSD’s full calendar here.
In the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, there’s an online Q&A this morning for junior parents and an online career and college counseling session this evening for ninth and 10th graders. There’s also a school board meeting tonight. Tomorrow is the senior breakfast and prom, and Monday is Nether Providence Elementary’s student council awards ceremony. See WSSD’s full calendar here.
Tomorrow is the last day for WSSD families to notify the district if they won’t need bus service next school year. Voluntary responses can be submitted here.
🍽️ On our Plate
Heading to Longwood Gardens sometime this summer? The Inquirer’s restaurant critic Craig LaBan recently reviewed its overhauled 1906, calling it “one of the best all-around restaurants I’ve experienced in the Philadelphia suburbs.”
🎳 Things to Do
🎭 Big Fish: The novel-turned-movie gets the stage treatment. ⏰ Select days from Friday, May 29-Saturday, June 13, times vary 💵 $18.50-$30.50 📍 PCS Theater, Swarthmore
🗺️ Passport to Middletown: Middletown Township is hosting a ribbon cutting for the new war memorial at the Roosevelt Community Center after its larger event showcasing some of the township’s history. ⏰ Saturday, May 30, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Middletown Township
🩰 Ballet of Lights: See Cinderella performed by ballerinas decked out in glowing outfits. ⏰ Sunday, May 31, 4 and 6:30 p.m. 💵 $35-$51 📍 Media Theatre
🏡 On the Market
This spacious five-bedroom Middletown Township home has been fully renovated and features a kitchen with a waterfall island, quartzite countertops, and a walk-in pantry. The primary suite has also gotten major upgrades and has a tray ceiling, walk-in closets, heated bathroom floors, as well as its own wet bar, complete with a beverage refrigerator. There’s another bar in the finished basement and a built-in grill by the heated pool and hot tub out back. There are open houses Saturday and Sunday from noon to 2 p.m.
See more photos of the home here.
Price: $1,999,999 | Size: 5,303 SF | Acreage: 1.04
📈 Greater Media market report
Median listing price: $750,000 (up $18,500 from March) 📈
Median sold price: $475,000 (down $159,800 from March) 📉
Median days on the market: 21 (down 10 days from March) 📉
Median listing price: $369,900 (down $49,600 from March) 📉
Median sold price: $370,000 (up $115,000 from March) 📈
Median days on the market: 28 (down 19 days from March) 📉
Median listing price: $627,500 (up $277,500 from March) 📈
Median sold price: $448,000 (down $64,500 from March) 📉
Median days on the market: 21 (down four days from March) 📉
This Greater Media market report is published on a monthly basis. Above is data for April from realtor.com.
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