Archive for the ‘Philadelphia Real Estate Blog’ Category

The April issue of Philadelphia Magazine featured an article about the “hottest new neighborhoods” in Philadelphia. I would not characterize these neighborhoods as new, because they are quite established, but anyhoo… My list of the top neighborhoods for 2013 can be found here http://www.centercityrealestate.com/the-top-philadelphia-neighborhoods-to-invest-in-2013-part-1-of-5/

Graduate Hospital

The Graduate Hospital neighborhood of Philly offers convenience and lovely two and three-story Philadelphia townhouses. Known as G-Ho by the locals, Graduate Hospital has it all – clean streets, plenty of restaurant and nightlife opportunities and city living at its best. According to the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, this area is the home of more artists than anywhere in the city. If you’re the creative type, G-Ho could be the ideal new home for you!

Fairmount

Philly’s Fairmount neighborhood offers gorgeous parks, affordable homes and suburb charm. Residents have immediate access to Fairmount Park, river-views and tons of yummy restaurant choices. Whether you’re a young professional or part of a young family, Fairmount has something for you!

Northern Liberties

The city’s Northern Liberties neighborhood, known as NoLibs for short, has seen plenty of gentrification over the last few years. Funky galleries, plenty of restaurants, an exclusive pool, and quick access to Center City are just a couple of the draws to this charming neighborhood.

Rittenhouse

The Rittenhouse neighborhood has always been a coveted area in Philadelphia, but with the recent boom of limited space in University City, more people are turning their eyes to this Center City zip code. With safe streets, beautiful brownstones and access to everything Philly has to offer, Rittenhouse definitely has great attributes!

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

To view every Philadelphia Real Estate Listing, including Philadelphia Condos visit www.CenterCityRealEstate.com

Rounding off the end of February 2013, shows again the Philadelphia real estate market looking strong. According to the Altos market update, both price and inventory levels are beginning to even off. This indicates a great time to watch the market’s activity which will help identify key times for price changes.  For a full overview on Philadelphia’s real estate market as of February 25, 2013 please visit our market update report.

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

To view every Philadelphia Real Estate Listing, including Philadelphia Condos visit www.CenterCityRealEstate.com

Antonio Atacan was quoted in Philly.com for his opposition not to the AVI, but on the extreme property tax hike resulting from it that will be effecting almost 350,ooo Philadelphia Home Owners : http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/U-TURN/How-real-estate-pros-view-AVI-.html.

He suggests that the tax hike be capped, where no singe person’s taxes could increase more than say 10-20%.

The City Controller’s Office (Image) released a statement showing that there were 343,191 LOSERS hurt by this tax increase.

If Philadelphia elected officials can still collect 100s of $1,000 in DROP just not to run for reelection, how is it fair to take to create new taxes for the already over-taxed Philadelphians who chose this city to buy their home???

If you personally had an extreme tax hike, please go to http://www.phila.gov/OPA/Assessments/Pages/Appeals.aspx

to request a 1st level review. This must be requested by March 31st!

Also please contact the MAYOR and your COUNCIL MEMBER and say CAP the TAX!

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District Council Members

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Mark Squilla

District 1
City Hall, Room 332
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3290
(215)686-3458, (215)686-3459
FAX: (215) 686-1931

Kenyatta Johnson

District 2
City Hall, Room 511
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3290
(215)686-3412, (215)686-3413
FAX: (215)686-1932

Jannie Blackwell

District 3 
City Hall, Room 408
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3290
(215) 686-3418, (215) 686-3419
FAX: (215) 686-1933

Curtis Jones, Jr.

District 4
City Hall Room 404
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3290
(215) 686-3416, (215) 686-3417
FAX: (215) 686-1934

Darrell L. Clarke

District 5
City Hall, Room 313
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3290
(215) 686-3442, (215) 686-3443
FAX: (215) 686-1901

Bobby Henon

District 6
City Hall, Room 484
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3290
(215) 686-3444, (215) 686-3445
FAX: (215) 686-1935

Maria D. Quiñones-Sánchez

District 7
City Hall, Room 592
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3290
(215) 686-3448, (215) 686-3449
FAX: (215) 686-1936

Cindy Bass

District 8
City Hall, Room 594
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3290
(215) 686-3424, (215) 686-3425
FAX: (215) 686-1937

Marian B. Tasco

District 9
City Hall, Room 577
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3290
(215) 686-3454, (215) 686-3455
FAX: (215) 686-1938

Brian J. O’Neill

District 10
City Hall, Room 562
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3290
(215) 686-3422, (215) 686-3423
FAX: (215) 686-1939

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Council Members At-Large

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W. Wilson Goode, Jr.

City Hall, Room 316
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 686-3414, (215) 686-3415
FAX: (215) 686-1928

William K. Greenlee

City Hall, Room 508
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3290
(215) 686-3446, (215) 686-3447
FAX: (215) 686-1927

Bill Green

City Hall, Room 312
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3290
(215) 686-3420, (215) 686-3421
FAX: (215) 686-1930

Dennis O’Brien

City Hall, Room 582
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3290
(215) 686-3440, (215) 686-3441
FAX: (215) 686-1929

James Kenney

City Hall, Room 330
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3290
(215) 686-3450, (215) 686-3451
FAX: (215) 686-2013

Blondell Reynolds Brown

City Hall, Room 581
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 686-3438, (215) 686-3439
FAX: (215) 686-1926

David Oh

City Hall, Room 597
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3290
(215) 686-3452 (215) 686-3453
Fax: (215) 686-1925

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Office of the Mayor
Room 215 City Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Contact Info

Phone: (215) 686-2181
Fax: (215) 686-2180
Email: michael.nutter@phila.gov

Starting the 2013 year off on a good note for Philadelphia real estate. According to the Altos market update it’s shows a very strong market for buyers and that inventory should stay fast at current sales prices. This should be a huge advantage for buyers giving them ample choice to find the right property for themselves. For a full overview on Philadelphia’s real estate market as of January 14, 2013 please visit our market update report.

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

To view every Philadelphia Real Estate Listing, including Philadelphia Condos visit www.CenterCityRealEstate.com

 I recently went to the dentist for a cavity. While carrying on a lively conversation with me while my mouth was full of drills, he informed me that if I had waited another month to come in and fix my tooth problem, the cavity would have turned into a root canal.

Like going to the dentist, we tend to put off things until the last minute simply because we don’t want to do them. But these “things” can turn into bigger problems the longer we ignore them. By doing these four real estate tasks early, you’ll be able to save yourself a lot of trouble and time in the long run.

Check Your Credit

Everyone knows that they should check their credit before they decide to buy a house. But what we fail to realize is the real-life turnaround times on rehabbing our credit before bad things happen such as fraudulent entries, errors, or credit accounts you need to build up before you can qualify for a home loan to buy your dream Philadelphia townhouse.

Curb Your Spending

Sure, spending $700 on a pair of designer shoes you simply must have or else your life will be over is a bit dramatic, but overlooked everyday expenses can really add up too. Just think about your morning cup of $5 coffee from Starbucks.

Before you decide to buy a home in Philadelphia, you really need to create a budget for yourself. This will help you make your mortgage payments in a timely fashion and not fall into debt.

Research the Neighborhoods

Do you want to be in the heart of it all or do you love peace and quiet?  Have a car and want street parking or do you think you will be walking everywhere? Have or plan to have kids, then you want a neighborhood with parks and schools and families.  Philadelphia is a City of Neighborhoods and they are so vastly different. Do your homework first and check out and rule out those neighborhoods that just will not work for you.

Speak with a Mortgage Broker

What’s your FICO score? What are the rates? How much monthly payment can you afford or will the bank let you afford? Call a respectable mortgage broker, like Mike Maxwell 215-570-1719 today!

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

To view every Philadelphia Real Estate Listing, including Philadelphia Condos visit www.CenterCityRealEstate.com

In the midst of the busiest holiday shopping time of the year, we began wondering when exactly the two towers at Philadelphia’s Market East station in the Center City neighborhood were going to be built.

Back in 1977, hot on the heels of the opening of the Gallery, a second major phase of the city’s Market East redevelopment plan began to come together.

One of the components of this redevelopment would include two twin office towers rising from Gallery II. The towers would have been 440,000 stories and provided up to 440,000 sq.ft. of office space at the northwest corner of 10^th and Market streets.

After opening in 1983, the Gallery II didn’t attract the anticipated number of shoppers it was supposed to and the office towers were never built, though the structural engineering remains in place.

Now, a new Facebook group is pushing for the towers to be completed and the Market East Strategic Plan released in 2009 by the Planning Commission pointed out potential development above the mall. After three decades after its conception, the only question left to ask is will this project ever be completed?

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

To view every Philadelphia Real Estate Listing, including Philadelphia Condos visit www.CenterCityRealEstate.com

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As humans, we have a tendency to put everything off until the last minute as we concentrate on more important issues (such as getting a fabulous new hair cut at a Philadlephia Salon or checking out the newest Center City restaurant) . If you still have a ton of Christmas shopping to do, check out these awesome locations for great last minute gift ideas.

Philly Power Yoga – Want to give the gift of Zen? Purchase a package of yoga classes for your BFF or sister. Philly Power Yoga, located at 2016 Walnut, has classes for every skill level. Whether you’re trying to lose weight or find peace and wellbeing, you’re bound to find what you’re looking for at this awesome yoga studio.

Fante’s – This mainstay restaurant, located in the South Philadelphia neighborhood, sells gift certificates from $5 to $500. They carry a huge selection of kitchen equipment and gadgets that can even be ordered online. This makes an ideal gift for the foodie in your life.

Urban Jungle – For your loved ones with a green thumb, hop on over to Urban Jungle, located in the East Passyunk Square neighborhood. With tons of indoor plants, fountains and gardening tools to pick from, Urban Jungle is a plant-lover’s dream!

Just Dogs Gourmet – Why not treat your pal and their four legged friend to some delicious food that will get everybody’s tail wagging! Carrying a variety of treats, gifts and confections, your friend and their pooch will both love you for this unique gift!

Urban Outfitters – UO is a great place to shop for hipsters. Featuring a wide variety of chic clothes, accessories and home décor for your Philadelphia townhouse, Urban Outfitters is your one-stop-shop for last minute holiday gifts.

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

To view every Philadelphia Real Estate Listing, including Philadelphia Condos visit www.CenterCityRealEstate.com

Whether you live in a Philadelphia townhouse or Philadelphia apartment, a gorgeous green Christmas tree will make your pad festive and bright. And if you want to go au naturale, then the perfect way to do this is to cut down your own tree.

Picking the perfect pine is only half the fun. Christmas tree farms go all out with holiday lights, festivities, wagon rides and spicy cider, guaranteed to keep you comfy and cozy as you search for that one-of-a-kind tree.

So bundle up in a warm coat, turn up the Christmas tunes, and take a ride to the country side for a memorable day.

Greensgrow Farms

Located in the Fishtown neighborhood, Philly’s own urban farm is a great place to find a gorgeous tree. You can pick up a freshly cut sustainable tree wrapped in environmentally friendly biodegradable netting.

Urban Jungle

East Passyunk neighborhood’s own Urban Jungle helps city-dwellers’ homes stay green year round. You can get fresh wreaths, garland, and lots and lots of Christmas trees.

Shady Brook Farms

Just a quick jet up 95 North, Shady Brook Farms is the ideal Bucks County tree farm to visit. Get a picture with Santa, shop for that picture-perfect tree, and ride through a light show on a horse-drawn carriage.

LinVilla Orchards

For all of your DelCo peeps, pay a stop to LinVilla where you can experience a magical winter hayride through a gigantic Christmas tree farm fragrant with Douglas Firs.

Now that you have that perfect tree, adorn it in your Philadelphia home with all of your favorite ornaments.

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

To view every Philadelphia Real Estate Listing, including Philadelphia Condos visit www.CenterCityRealEstate.com

If you’re still not feeling the Christmas spirit, why not get your cheeks rosy by joining St. Nick in the city’s South Philadelphia neighborhood for the annual East Passyunk Spirits & Suds with Santa Bar Crawl, taking place this Wednesday December 12th!

If you’re strapped for cash because of holiday shopping, don’t fret! Five bucks get you in and you can enjoy $3 seasonal craft beer and $4 holiday cocktails, as well as discounted snacks at select locations. Collect a festive Elf hat and a Santa’s Sipping Stamp Card too.

Wind your way around gorgeously lit-up Philadelphia townhouses as you stop into Adobe Café, Birra, Bottle Shop, Cantina, Le Virtu, Lucky 13, Noir, Paradiso, The P.O.P.E., South Philly Bar & Grill, Stateside and Stoagie Joe’s.

Registration for the crawl is at the Urban Jungle from 5:30 – 7:30pm. Stamp cards will be collected at Cantina Los Caballitos by 10pm.

Enjoy a bit of holiday festivities and loose, making Hump Day into Fun Day with Santa!

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

To view every Philadelphia Real Estate Listing, including Philadelphia Condos visit www.CenterCityRealEstate.com

We absolutely love unique and sassy vintage clothing stores. They’re the perfect place to get one-of-a-kind gifts for the holidays and pick up something special for yourself as well. That’s why we were beside ourselves with excitement and we learned one of our favorite pop-up vintage shops, Moon & Arrow, celebrated the grand re-opening of its permanent South Philadelphia neighborhood retail location on Fabric Row in Queen Village.

Founded by local jewelry designer Chelsea Pearce in 2010, the charming boutique features gorgeous, hand-crafted pieces for men and women. Pearce’s customized jewelry mixes reclaimed metals and rough-cut gemstones for a classic look with a modern twist.

Besides awesome jewelry, Moon & Arrow carries vibrant home décor such as hanging air plant sculptures, terrariums grown in recycled fish tanks and colorful houseware.

If you’re in the market for rustic furniture for your Philadelphia home, check out the pieces Moon & Arrow offers from Philly-based furniture company Territory Hard Goods.

Stop by Moon & Arrow, located at 754 South 4^th Street.

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To view every Philadelphia Real Estate Listing, including Philadelphia Condos visit www.CenterCityRealEstate.com

The non-profit research group The Pew Charitable Trusts reports that no other city in recent years has made such significant tax changes ALL at one time, and if there was an overhaul it was due to state mandates or court orders. The Actual Value Initiative (AVI) if adopted in Philadelphia has the goal of taxing all properties at (the city’s perception) of market value.  The attached image indicates the city’s proposed dates for implementation.

1) change the certified market value of every piece of property,

2) alter the way individual assessments are used to calculate tax bills; and

3)reduce the types of tax relief available to property owners. There is no cap on how high the city can increase your taxes.

The report, The Actual Value Initiative: Overhauling Property Taxes in Philadelphia, examines how the city’s property tax assessment system evolved and how other cities have dealt with this situation. It also analyzes the current city proposals designed to mitigate the big spikes in property taxes that will effect many residents.

The main reason why property assessments in Philadelphia have gotten so far out of line with market values is that the  Pennsylvania has not regulated the assessment system. According to the report, Pennsylvania is 1 of only 9 states that impose no reassessment timetables or standard assessment methods on local governments and is 1 of just 3 states to receive a grade of F in “standardized procedures” from the Council on State Taxation, a Washington-based trade group. Moreover, according to the city’s chief assessment officer, Richie McKeithen, Philadelphia has never had a thorough citywide field inspection of every property and its characteristics, until now…

SO ITS NO WONDER WHY EVERY CITIZEN SHOULD BE CONCERNED. Now is the time to write your councilman, congressman and neighborhood civic association.

View the full report.

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To view every Philadelphia Real Estate Listing, including Philadelphia Condos visit www.CenterCityRealEstate.com

While last winter the City of Brotherly Love didn’t see any snow, this year seems to be quite a different story. If you want to transform Philadelphia into your own personal winter wonderland and leave your Philadelphia townhouse for a fun-filled day playing in snow, check out our list of the best sledding hills in Philly.

Art Museum Steps

26^th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Located in the Art Museum district, these famous steps certainly aren’t a favorite to run up during the summer, unless you’re Rocky. But in the summer, and after a good snowstorm, you can sled down the steps and have a blast. Tip: Sled down the back steps instead. There’s a good stretch of land back there that doesn’t run into a busy road, like the front steps do.

Clark Park

Baltimore Avenue

West Philadelphia residents have a ball every winter riding down the slippery slopes of this acclaimed park. The park is shaped like a bowl and offers the perfect sledding environment for people of all ages.

Walnut Lane Golf Course

The rolling hills of this gold course, located at 700 Walnut Lane, offers plentiful sledding areas for kids and families.

Belmont Plateau

Situated in Fairmount, this steep slope is a great sledding hill for the daring. With plenty of parking available in Fairmont Park, the plateau is located at 2000 Belmont Mansion Drive.

Lemon Hill

Another Fairmount attraction is Lemon Hill, located at Sedgeley and Lemon Hill Drives. You’ll fall in love with the gorgeous scenery and massive hills.

Happy sledding on Philadelphia real estate!

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

To view every Philadelphia Real Estate Listing, including Philadelphia Condos visit www.CenterCityRealEstate.com

Now that Thanksgiving is over, many Philadelphians will start decorating their Philadelphia houses and get their holiday shopping done early. But leaving the comfort of your Philadelphia home to go to the stores can mean crowds, endless lines at the registers, and no space to park. If you want to shop without hassle this year, consider going to one of these five malls, ALL  located less than 30 minutes from Philadelphia and offering tons of gift options.

King of Prussia Mall

Totaling 2.973 million square feet of shopping space, the KOP Mall is the largest shopping mall on the east coast. Anchored by department stores such as Nordstrom, Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, JCPenney and Sears, KOP will have everything you need for everybody on your shopping list. And with more than 400 shops to browse in, you can surely find a treat for yourself as well!

Franklin Mills

Located in northeast Philadelphia, Franklin Mills is a convenient 15-mile drive from Center City. The enclosed mall includes 200 stores, two food courts, a movie theater and seven themed restaurants, allowing you to catch a flick and gobble down some food for a break from shopping.

Cherry Hill Mall

Even though Cherry Hill Mall is over the bridge in New Jersey, it’s only about a 10 minute drive from Center City Philadelphia. The entire mall was revamped a couple of years ago and features many brand new stores, including Nordstroms, Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, H&M, and a Crate & Barrel. This immaculate mall has tons of parking and even if you don’t have a car, you can hop on one of the NJ Transit buses from 6^th and Market and be dropped off right at the mall’s front door.

Deptford Mall

Located in Deptford Township, NJ, Deptford Mall is the seventh largest mall in the state. Its shops include Sears, JCPenney, Macy’s, Boscov’s, and more. If you want to avoid the crowds who are shopping in Center City, head on over the bridge to this great and convenient mall.

Cheltenham Square Mall

Located right off of the PA Turnpike, the Cheltenham Square Mall has been serving the Philadelphia community for more than 30 years. The mall recently was remodeled and now includes restaurants, Target, Lane Bryant, Burlington Coat Factory and more.

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To view every Philadelphia Real Estate Listing, including Philadelphia Condos visit www.CenterCityRealEstate.com

Keywords: Philadelphia real estate blog, Philadelphia real estate listings, Philadelphia condos, Center City real estate, South Philadelphia real estate, Philadelphia home, Philadelphia houses, Philadelphia Area Malls, Best Malls in Philadelphia,

Philadelphia is for lovers. From the 50 Love Letter morals gracing the rooftops and walls of buildings from 45^th to 63^rd Streets in West Philadelphia to Love Park, Philly is definitely a city for the romantic at heart. If you want to enjoy a romantic dinner that is off the beaten path, check out one of our picks for the best Philadelphia restaurants for couples.

Bistro Romano- Sharing pasta in an dimly lit cavernous restaurant is usually hard to find. Not in this Queen Village Staple and it is very affordable, especially on Monday Lobster Night and Tuesday Past Night.

Panorama –The classic romantic restaurant tucked in a small inn in Old City is oh-so intimate. One of those hidden gems where you wish those walls could talk.

Devil’s Alley Bar & Grille – If you’re a no frills kind of couple, stop in to this casual bar and grille located at 1907 Chestnut Street in Center City. Order a pint of your favorite lager and enjoy a scrumptious burger with your spouse.

Moshulu – If you ever wanted to sail around the world with the one you love, why not do the next best thing and get aboard a boat that’s been converted into a romantic restaurant? Located at 401 south Columbus Avenue in Penn’s Landing, Moshulu features a gorgeous riverfront view of the Delaware as well as AAA four-diamond rated dining services. Tempt your palate with the Hawaiian Ahi Tuna Tartare or a tender duck breast.

Alma de Cuba – Situated at 1623 Walnut Street in Rittenhouse, this Stephen Starr restaurant features a menu of Cuban-inspired cuisine, including lechon asado (roast pork) and varied ceviches (a mix of shrimp, crab, octopus and fluke with coconut leche de tigre, mango and tomatillo covers). Pair your meal with one of the European new-world wines and enjoy a beautiful dining experience.

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

To view every Philadelphia Real Estate Listing, including Philadelphia Condos visit www.CenterCityRealEstate.com

Northern Liberties, best known for its plethora of shops, restaurants and nightlife opportunities, is also the hot, hot, hot neighborhood for Philadelphia families and young professionals. This area, which is close to Fishtown and Port Richmond, is rich in both entertainment and the arts and boasts brand new town houses, Philadelphia apartments and condos and features some of the best blocks the city has to offer! Look at the end of this article for the BEST PRICED HOME FOR SALE IN NORTHERN LIBERTIES!

Liberties Walk – Situated right across 2^nd Street from the Piazza, this designer block is home to some of the most popular new restaurants in Philadelphia, including Sonata. The cobble stone street and twinkling lights strung across the block give Liberties Walk boat loads of character. Nestled above the shops and galleries are Philadelphia luxury apartments that include brand new fixtures, bright, sunny windows and plenty of space for its occupants.

900 Block of North American Street – North American Street is a little side street splitting off of Poplar. Featuring brand new Philadelphia townhouses, complete with private parking amenities, patios, and tons of natural lighting, it makes an ideal living situation for any picky home buyer or renter. North American Street is a close-knit block, and everybody pitches in to keep the street looking immaculate and beautiful. Best of all, it’s only a few blocks away from everything Northern Liberties has to offer!

800 Block of Orianna Street – For all of you dog lovers, the 800 block of Orianna is a stones throw away from the Orianna Dog Park, one of the best public dog parks in the city. This tree-lined block offers three-story brick townhouses, plenty of parking opportunities, and a safe and quiet setting. The block’s homes have spacious backyards, plenty of windows and gorgeous architectural features.

If you are looking to move into a lovely Philadelphia condo for sale or house, look no further than Northern Liberties!  The best deal in the entire neighborhood and possibly even Center City is http://www.centercityrealestate.com/listings/northern-liberties/457-reno-st/6028208

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To view every Philadelphia Real Estate Listing, including Philadelphia Condos visit www.CenterCityRealEstate.com

Philadelphia home owners really love their four-legged canine friends. And nothing makes a dog’s day then a fun-filled romp in a dog park. If you want to get tails wagging, spend the day at one of the city’s best dog parks.

Seger Park – Located on the border of South Philadelphia and Center City along South 11^th Street, Seger Dog Park is a well-maintained pooch park that has easily accessible rules and is close to lovely Philadelphia neighborhoods. Maintained by the Seger Dog Park Owners Association, this fenced-in park has double gated entrances and has plenty of lighting, ensuring a well-lit environment for evening playtime. During the dog days of summer, Rover will love basking near the water fountain.

Mario Lanzo Park- Small, but well shaded park in the heart of Queen Village on the 200 block of Queen. Look for our dog-loving Atacan Group Team member there, David Darami. He will be the one with a Boxer talking about real estate.

Passyunk Square Dog Park – This South Philadelphia dog park, located at 1200 Wharton Street, is like a playground for dogs. Featuring plenty of stumps and logs for your dog to jump or hide under, this fenced-in park is conveniently located close to Columbus Square.

Clark Park – This generous park located in West Philadelphia isn’t just a favorite sledding spot for locals, it’s also a great place to take your dog. Spanning more than 9.1 acres along Baltimore Avenue and 43^rd Street, Clark Park has plenty of tress, bushes and statues for your dog to sniff, see, and explore. The flat section, aptly called the “Dog Bowl,” located in the center of the park is a great place to play fetch.

Pops Playground Dog Park – For Fishtown dog owners, a great dog park to visit is Pop’s Dog Space, located at Hazard and Collins Streets. The park has a shady space where dogs will get plenty of play and exercise time. Pop’s is a private member’s only park instead of a public place, so be sure to apply for a membership by clicking here.

Wissahickon Valley Park and Beach – Nothing is better than a dip in the Wissahickon Creek during a hot summer day. Located along Kitchen Lane in Wissahickon Park, this beached area features a wooded hiking path as well. Dogs must be kept on six-foot leashes.

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

To view every Philadelphia Real Estate Listings, including Philadelphia Condos visit www.CenterCityRealEstate.com

The only thing Philadelphians love more than savoring delicious food is saving money while enjoying a four course meal. Whether you’re munching on tacos near East Passyunk Square or enjoying a hardy brunch with friends in Bella Vista, these five restaurants are sure to keep both your belly and wallet full and happy.

Taqueria la Veracruzana – Located at 908 Washington Avenue, Veracruzana is as authentic as you can get when it comes to yummy Mexican food. The cozy atmosphere of the restaurant and friendly staff create an enjoyable dining experience, while the menu boasts a wide assortment of traditional Mexican dishes. Load up on free chips and salsa before your meal and wash it all back with a refreshing bottle of Coke. Where else can you get three mouth-watering tacos for under $6 in the city?

Melrose Diner – Whether you want to satisfy your hunger pains after a fun night out on the town or looking for an affordable place to grab a quick bite to eat, Melrose Diner is the place to go. Located at 1501 Snyder Avenue, this retro-looking diner has become a local institution in South Philly. The cushy red booths, charming staff, and never-ending menu of burgers, wraps, platters and breakfast choices make Melrose an irresistible place to go.

Sabrina’s Café – Are you and your friends getting together for a big Sunday brunch? Head over to Queen Village and check out Sabrina’s, located at 910 Christian Street. This adorable joint has the best brunch in town, including continental eggs Benedict Florentine and seasonal pumpkin pancakes!

Grindcore House – If you’re a vegan, then pay a visit to this friendly café nestled in Pennsport at 1515 South 4^th Street. Featuring a strictly vegan and vegetarian menu, you’ll love the large selection of gourmet coffees and nice staff.

P.O.P.E. – The Pub on Passyunk East, lovingly referred to as “The Pope” by locals, serves up more than a wide selection of awesome imported beer. Step inside and be transported into a dimly lit, wooden Irish pub with all of the fixings. Enjoy zesty burgers, fresh salads and more.

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To view every Philadelphia Real Estate Listing, including Philadelphia Condos visit www.CenterCityRealEstate.com

South Philly isn’t just well known for the bright lights of Geno’s and the mouthwatering aromas wafting from the Italian Market. It is also home to some of the prettiest blocks in the city.  The following 3 blocks have some of the prettiest Philadephia real estate around.

1600 Block of 13^th Street – Famous for their annual block wide Christmas light decorations, this block, located between Tasker and Morris streets, is one of the best places to live in South Philly. Not only are the three-story townhomes spacious and airy with large backyards, but the block is well maintained and features plenty of trees. Be prepared to be amazed during the winter season when this block is illuminated with Santa, snowflakes, and eight tiny reindeer.

1600 Block of 4th – Located along Dickinson Square Park, the 1600 block of 4^th Street showcases three-story brownstones that look like they are straight out of a tiny European Village. Each house is larger than the typical Philadelphia row home and overlooks the scenic park landscape. The block is also extremely quiet and neighbors take the time to sweep the sidewalk and decorate the front of their houses with shrubs, potted plants and plenty of flowers. The block is also within walking distance from all of the shops along Columbus Avenue as well as the restaurants and bars on South Street.

500 Block of Bainbridge Street – South Philadelphia’s Queens Village and Bella Vista neighborhoods are famous for its home’s large bay windows and ornamental and colorful architecture. The 500 block of Bainbridge is no exception and features striking three-story homes with roof decks, big sunny windows, garages and plenty of trees. Each house looks like something from a fairytale book and is painted with vivid colors and detailing. There are also cute cafes along this block and where residents can enjoy the newspaper and a cup of coffee.

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Fall is all about great fashion. It’s about layering your favorite cardigans and statement jackets with a hot pair of skinny jeans. If you want to turn any sidewalk in Philadelphia into your own personal catwalk, it’s all about rocking one-of-a-kind pieces that set you apart from the crowd. In Philadelphia the Locals like to vintage shop at:

Astro Vintage – Located at 702 South 5^th Street in South Philadelphia, Astro Vintage carries a vast array of apparel, accessories and footwear from the 1950’s through the ‘80s. This sunny boutique also is staffed with friendly and knowledgeable employees willing to give you some expert fashion tips. (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Astro-Vintage/95525176337?ref=ts)

Curated Goods – This vintage store, offering men’s and women’s apparel, art, and gorgeous furniture, is located at 421 Fairmount Avenue in the city’s Fairmount district. Walking in, you’ll be overwhelmed at the diverse and unique collection owner Justin has put together.  (http://shopcuratedgoods.com)

Second Time Around – Center City is known for its stylish haunts, but Second Time Around, located at 1728 Chestnut, stands apart from the crowd. Specializing in designer wears, this fashion lover’s paradise offers contemporary and designer labels from some of the best loved names in the industry. If you’re a bargain lover, this consignment shop also has an “under $20 sale room.” (http://www.secondtimearound.net/)

Wilbur Vintage – Nestled amongst the historic Philadelphia townhouses in Queens Village at 716 South 4^th Street, this vintage shop caters to a younger crowd. Featuring vintage dresses, hip jewelry, and edgier apparel, you’ll find everything from Harley tee’s to gorgeous sterling rings. (http://wilburvintage.blogspot.com/)
Sweet Jane Vintage – If you’re looking to rock a mod 60’s mini or a fringe jacket, hop on over to this whimsical store located at 1820 East Passyunk Avenue, which appeals to the flower child in us all. The apparel, for both men and women, is fairly priced and you’ll also find a great record selection here! (http://www.sweetjanevintage.com/)

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West Philadelphia is home to some of the most breath-taking Philadelphia Real Estate.  It’s packed full of history, gorgeous Queen Anne styled houses, delicious restaurants, big front porches, and quiet, tree-lined streets. West Philly is one of the city’s most distinct neighborhoods because of its suburban feel and quick access to Center City.

5200 Block of Osage – One of the best features of West Philadelphia are the house’s large, front porches. The 5200 block of Osage boasts the same kind of lovely architecture, but with a stunning view of Malcolm X Park. The brick-laden sidewalks, stunning bay windows and adornments on the houses, and kind neighbors make a welcoming block to live on. Plus, with one of the largest parks in West Philadelphia being across the street, what more do you need?

4700 Block of Chester – Situated in the West Philadelphia neighborhood known as Squirrel Hill, this block is full of families, college students and young professionals and features multiple housing options, including Philadelphia apartment buildings and townhouses. Residents keep a watchful eye over the block and make sure it’s free of garbage. Plus, one of the best Philly bars, Dock Street, is only a couple short blocks from this location.

4300 Block of Woodland Avenue – West Philadelphia sure loves its parks, and this block, bordering Clark Park, is no exception. The 4300 block of Woodland Avenue features historic Philadelphia homes with Queen Ann style detailing, including columned porches and decorative spindle work. There’s also plenty of dining options around this area, including Millcreek Tavern.

West Philadelphia is full of little gems that are worth checking out. If you want to find a great Philadelphia house to live in, be sure to consider West Philadelphia Real Estate.

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To view every Philadelphia Real Estate Listing, including Philadelphia Condos visit www.CenterCityRealEstate.com