Open Houses Saturday & Sunday Afternoon! Driveway & Backyard are quietly tucked off Harvard Ave - follow the signs! FANTASTIC NEW PRICE! Magnificent 1900s Swarthmore home with unparalleled charm. Think soaring ceilings, gorgeous hardwood floors, a classic wrap-around front porch, dual staircases and more. Wonderful location—just two blocks from the train and town center and directly across the street from Swarthmore College grounds. This stunning three-story home features six Bedrooms and two versatile Bonus Rooms (currently utilized as an Office and Yoga Room) across the upper floors. Enter through the Front Porch into a spectacular Living Room, complete with a gas fireplace, cozy built-in bench, and oversized diamond-pane windows that flood the space with natural light. A stunning Dining Room follows—big enough for your largest holiday table. The updated eat-in Kitchen with a new Samsung fridge is located at the rear of the home. There is also a Mud Room Suite in this area, offering a Powder Room, Laundry area, and ample storage for coats, boots, and backpacks. Here you will also discover a delightful and spacious Screened Porch—a serene retreat for quiet mornings or summer evening meals. Head up the grand staircase to the second floor where you will find the Primary Suite, offering a walk-in closet and ensuite Bath with a stall shower, jacuzzi tub and dark walnut vanity. On this level there are also two additional Bedrooms plus an Office (with a small balcony!) and a Hall Bath. The third floor offers three more spacious Bedrooms and a dedicated Yoga Room. There is a Hall Bath on this floor too with a tub/shower combination, crisp white subway tile and pretty glass doors that open to a linen closet (and there is a hook up for washer & dryer here too!). The Basement is unfinished, but provides significant storage. Outside, there is a fully fenced in area on the side of the house that was used as a dog run by the previous owners, where you will also find a patio. The driveway and rear of the home are conveniently accessed from Harvard Avenue. (follow the signs!). Walk to town, train, schools, town pool and more from this gem of a home - offering nearly 4000 square feet of space and historic charm. Swarthmore Borough is a small college town located just outside Philadelphia and 15 minutes from Philadelphia Airport. Award-winning schools including Strath Haven High School - which boasts the largest marching band in the state with one out of every three students at the school participating!
Located in the heart of Swarthmore, this nearly 4000 sf Victorian home offers numerous updates, period character and convenient proximity to the benefits of town living. Built just after the turn of the century, the home has show-stopping architectural details such as a wrap-around covered porch, stained-glass windows, soaring ceilings, hardwood floors and pocket doors. Recent improvements include re-wired electrical system, new furnace, updated kitchen with stainless appliances, renovated baths and much more. From the large covered porch, pass through the vestibule into the light-filled living room with gas-fireplace. Next is the grand dining room, built for large gatherings. The back half of the home is a open great room with newer kitchen, breakfast room and family room. At the back door is a mud room and laundry room with a powder room, all tucked away out of sight. exits out back to the large screened in porch with doors that lead to a dog run and also to the level lawn. Two sets of stairs lead to the second level. The master suite has a private bath with Jacuzzi tub and a large walk in closet. There are four more rooms on this floor which can all serve as bedrooms, or a multitude of other purposes such as exercise room, media room and more. The full hall bath has been renovated. On the third floor there are four more rooms - a rec room for games, an office and two more bedrooms plus a newer full bath with laundry hook up. The driveway takes access from Harvard Ave providing ample parking behind the home. Swarthmore Borough is a sidewalk filled and tree line community within the award-winning Wallingford-Swarthmore School District. The town offers a SEPTA station, major bus route, the gorgeous campus of Swarthmore College and a retail district which is host to many community events.
BRIGHT MLS #1008004260
Aug 8, 2016
Listing Removed
—
Apr 8, 2016
Listed
$650,000
$198/sq ft
Public Records
Nov 12, 2003
Sold
$541,000
$165/sq ft
Public Records
Dec 20, 1991
Sold
$193,000
$59/sq ft
Year
Property tax
Land + Additions
Assessment*
2026
$18,312 (+9.0%)
$125,540 + $329,690
$455,230
2025
$16,804 (+2.4%)
$125,540 + $329,690
$455,230
2024
$16,405 (+4.0%)
$125,540 + $329,690
$455,230
2023
$15,769 (+2.7%)
$125,540 + $329,690
$455,230
2022
$15,352 (−38.6%)
$125,540 + $329,690
$455,230
2021
$25,004 (+54.3%)
$125,540 + $329,690
$455,230
2020
$16,207 (+2.6%)
$90,160 + $187,630
$277,790
2019
$15,798 (+1.7%)
$90,160 + $187,630
$277,790
2018
$15,538 (+2.3%)
2017
$15,188 (+4.9%)
2015
$14,482 (+1.6%)
2014
$14,251 (+2.1%)
2013
$13,955 (+2.6%)
2011
$13,599 (+4.1%)
2010
$13,067
Public record
Public record
Zoning
Beds
7
Baths
3.5
Stories
2.5
Lot width
—
Lot depth
—
Lot size
0.44 Acres
Year renovated
—
Finished Sq. Ft.
3,276
Unfinished Sq. Ft.
—
Total Sq. Ft.
3,276
Year built
1905
Style
Single Family Residential
County
Delaware County
APN
43000014000
Parking Spaces
—
Basement
—
Accessible
—
HOA Dues
—
Garage
—
Features
—
Last updated by owner on Aug 19, 2026.
RB
Residential District
The purpose of this chapter is to permit the development of vacant lots and the rebuilding or improvement of structures without altering the existing residential quality of the immediate neighborhood, with preservation of natural features and open space.
Permitted uses
Include but are not limited to:
Housing-Single unit
Housing-Multiple units
Climate risks
1/10 Flood Factor
Minimal risk of a flood reaching the building in the next 30 years
1/10 Fire Factor
Unlikely to be in a wildfire in next 30 years
6/10 Heat Factor
7 days above 103° expected this year, 15 days in 30 years
6/10 Wind Factor
27% chance of strong winds in next 30 years
3/10 Air Factor
2 unhealthy days expected this year, 4 days in 30 years
Provided by First Street
Historical weather
Swarthmore, PA • 19081
Average low and high temperatures (°F)
36
22
41
26
59
37
67
46
73
54
83
64
87
71
80
63
77
61
68
48
56
40
42
28
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sun exposure
97/ 100
Exceptional sunlight
Sunscore
There appears to be minimal shading by surrounding buildings, terrain, and vegetation.
9.9 hrs
5.9 hrs
JuneDecember
Provided by Shadowmap
Redfin Estimate for 212 S Chester Rd
$771,274
$18K under list price of $789K
Nearby comparable homes
The Redfin Estimate uses 6 recent nearby sales, priced between $546K to $1.1M.