Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Saturday, 4/20 & Sunday, 4/21

Saturday, 4/20/2013:

12:00-2:00 PM: 

MLS#: 6183726 - 2630 Brown St. Philadelphia, PA 19130 - Art Museum Area- $629,000

Sunday, 4/21/2013:

11:00-1:00 PM
MLS#: 6186262 -  2801 Pennsylvania Ave. #A206 Philadelphia, PA 19130 - Art Museum Area- $247,000

11:00-2:00 PM
MLS#: 6200568 - 727 S. Jessup St. Philadelphia, PA 19147 – Bella Vista - $719,000

12:00-2:00 PM
MLS#: 6202103 - 2034 Vista St. Philadelphia, PA 19152 – Rhawnhurst - $165,900

12:00-3:00 PM:
MLS#: 6184979 - 1625 North St. Philadelphia, PA 19130 - Art Museum Area- $719,000

1:00-3:00 PM: 
MLS#: 6183726 - 2630 Brown St. Philadelphia, PA 19130 - Art Museum Area- $629,000

 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!

---

District Council Members

---

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

---

Council Members At-Large

---

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

________________________________

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

With Valentine’s Day only 1 week away, couples are scampering to make last minute reservations for romantic dinners across Philly.  At the time of writing on Open Table.com 59 restaurants were completely booked, but there were 209 with availability, albeit quite early or late.   If you prefer to Bring Your Own Bottle, be sure to check out our list of the Top 114 BYOBS in the city.  Here are our top five picks romantic restaurants that make the perfect V-Day setting.

Victor’s Café

Located at 1303 Dickinson Street in the South Philadelphia neighborhood, this charming Italian restaurant has become a local landmark. Known for its exquisite cuisine, classic ambiance and operatic singers, you and your date will feel like you’ve been whisked away to Italy.

Moshulu

If you want to enjoy your dinner with a side of gorgeous nautical scenery, visit the Moshulu on Columbus Avenue. This historic boat boasts an intimate dining atmosphere with some of the most mouth-watering menu options Philadelphia has to offer.

Rose Tattoo Café

If a dozen roses just won’t do, give her an entire room of flowers! The Rose Tattoo Café, located in the Northern Liberties neighborhood, features decadent dinners as well as their famous Garden Room, which is overflowing with lovely floral arrangements.

Serrano / Tin Angel

Located in Old City, Serrano has been dishing out amazing food since 1985. Decorated with exotic furniture in a cozy setting, Serrano is the perfect date night restaurant. Want a little live entertainment? Head upstairs to the Tin Angel for intimate acoustic performances.

Water Works Restaurant and Lounge 

Get an eyeful of the city at this lovely restaurant in a legendary location. Located in the Art Museum neighborhood, Water Works offers a stunning atmosphere and second-to-none cuisine.

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

Your kitchen can make your break your house. Having an updated and gorgeous looking kitchen is critical if you want your Philadelphia townhouse to be most marketable. If your kitchen is in desperate need of a makeover, read our four tips for updating your kitchen on a budget.

Repaint Cabinets

Sometimes, the simplest way to give your kitchen a mini facelift is to add a fresh coat of paint to the cabinets. If you prefer a white or light colored cabinet instead of a dark one, which are so common in older houses, you can simply sand it and add a new coat of bright and cheerfully colored paint.

Add Molding

There’s nothing that brings character to a lifeless kitchen faster than beautiful molding. You can easily add molding around the ceiling line or even right to the cabinets. For a more affordable wood molding, try medium density fiberboard or MDF material. These look exactly the same as real wood but cost half the price.

Update Appliances

Stainless steel appliances are the crowning jewel of any kitchen, but simply updating your oven or fridge will instantly add appeal to your kitchen.

Install New Lighting

Many aging kitchens look dull due to the old bulbs or insufficient lighting. Add a chandelier, track lighting, recessed lighting or under-counter lighting to brighten up your kitchen. You can also use LED lights to cut back on energy costs.

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

:

Three new coffee spots coming to the Rittenhouse Square area. New York’s Joe Coffee Bar is in the process of opening its first place in Philadelphia at 1845 Walnut Street and is set to open as soon as March. In addition, the 222 Rittenhouse building is in the processes of sharing a small area with Cafe L’Aube. If that doesn’t seem like enough,  Metropolitan Bakery at 262 S 19th Street is expanding themselves with an espresso bar. With three new places opening on top of the already favorite La Colombe, the Center City Philadelphia area will be booming with great coffee shops. Your hardest decision won’t be where to find a good cup of coffee, but which fabulous shop do I want to get it from!

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

Philadelphia has launched a new website to appeal parking tickets online. Appellants may upload documents in support of their appeal and browse a user-friendly guide on the appeals process.

The new website  also puts into operation changes to the Traffic Code enacted by a City Ordinance passed earlier this year.

The web site can be found at http://philapark.org/violations

This is a must stop for anyone truly looking for a unique property in the Philadelphia area. Stop by and see this amazing 1850′s firehouse turned single family home on the National Register!

What: Open House

When: Dec. 16th, 2012 from 12:00-2:00 PM

Where: 733 S. 6th Street Philadelphia, PA 19147 (Queen Village)

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

122-124 Chestnut St. 300 Philadelphia, PA 19103 – $254,900 – Old City- Friday, 12/14/12 from 5:00-9:00 PM

 2132 E. Huntingdon St. Philadelphia, PA 19125 – $169,900 – Fishtown - Sunday, 12/16/12 from 12:00-2:00 PM

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

To view every Philadelphia Real Estate Listing, including Philadelphia Condos visitwww.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.

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

According to Kevin C. Gillen, PhD. ever since the bursting of the housing bubble, Philadelphia Real Estate shows only a -15% cumulative decline from where the housing prices peaked (see figure 1). Philadelphia real estate has recovered 1/3 of it’s lost home values (see figure 2).

Figure 1

Figure 2

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

According to Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania, the number of Philadelphia home sales greater than $1 million is the strongest it’s been since 2008 at 44 properties sold. With the average over the past 16 years rounding out around 9 properties, this year’s market shows great improvement and strong surge in the right direction for 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

Come check out two incredible Philadelphia open houses:

2132 E. Huntingdon St. Philadelphia, PA 19125 – $169,900 –Fishtown - 12:00-2:00PM

122-124 Chestnut St. 300 Philadelphia, PA 19103 – $254,900 – Old City- 12:00-2:00PM

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

To view every Philadelphia Real Estate Listing, including Philadelphia Condos visitwww.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.

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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,

The days are getting shorter, people are busting out their winter coats and the holidays are right around the corner. If you want to get into the holiday spirit, fill your calendar with festive parades, twinkling light displays and feel good community celebrations. Here are top 5 favorite ways Philadelphians like to celebrate this special time of year.

Comcast Holiday Spectacular

Running November 22, 2012 – January 1, 2013

If you want to celebrate your holidays in a big way, hop on down to The Comcast Center in Center City to view their Holiday Spectacular, displayed on the innovative Comcast Experience Video Wall. Filled to the brim with sights and sounds of the season, you’ll love seeing the different shows, including Snowman Symphony, including scenes from The Nutcracker Ballet.

The Christmas Village

Nov. 22nd – Dec. 24th @ Love Park

Modeled after traditional German Christmas Village, you will find goods in timber booths, a rich variety of food and holiday items. At the market, you will find Christmas ornaments, arts and crafts, toys, sweets, and hot food and drinks. This is an event at which people can stroll around, meet friends, and enjoy live performances of Christmas music and old course, Old St. Nick.

1600 Block of South 13^th Street

Ready to see some local holiday displays like no other? Walk on down to the 1600 Block of South 13^th Street, in between Morris and Tasker, to check out for their 14^th annual light celebration. The whole block, including the Philadelphia townhouses, trees, and even telephone poles, are lit up with eight tiny reindeer, Santa Clauses, winking candles and more.

Wanamaker’s Macy’s GRAND COURT LIGHT SHOW and DICKENS CHRISTMAS VILLAGE

Running Thanksgiving through New Years

A Philadelphia tradition since 1956 and a source of awe and wonder for children of all ages. The display and Santa should not be missed.

Longwood Gardens

Running November 22, 2012 to January 6, 2013

Longwood Gardens is known for their twinkling Christmas lights and amazing lit dancing fountain show. If you want to take a stroll through a holiday wonderland to check out awesome light displays and concerts, take a drive out to this amazing botanical garden in Kennett Square.

NYE Fire Works

December 31s at 6pm and 12am

Head down to Penn’s Landing to see some breathtaking firework displays right on the river. Bundle up in a warm winter coat and take a cab (or bus) to this Olde City hotspot. Be prepared for huge crowds however, and very little parking options, so leave your car at home.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST…

Mummer Parade

Tuesday, January 1, 9am to 7pm

Broad Street, Oregon Ave to City Hall

Philly is the only city in the world where it’s acceptable for full grown men to get decked out in feathers and rhinestones and march down the busiest street in the city. Say hello to 2013 in style but watching the bands and brigades strut down Broad Street. Try standing on the intersection of Broad and Washington to catch a great view of the Fancies.

If you don’t want the party to end after 7pm, head on down to “Two Street” in South Philadelphia for the after party. People throw open the doors to their Philadelphia homes and offer beverages and hardy food to parade goers.

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

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

Check out our market update for Philadelphia Real Estate ending mid November 2012. The median list price comes in around $200,000. There is currently 1375 properties listed on the market on an average of 171 days respectfully.

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

Come check out this one of a kind home in Northern Liberties. Wine, cheese, and Appetizer’s will be provided from Di Bruno Bros

Additional property information please visit: http://www.centercityrealestate.com/listings/northern-liberties/457-reno-st/6028208/

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

Check out the The Altos Report for Philadelphia Real Estate ending October 2012.  For a second time this month The Philadelphia Home Median Price and Price per Square Foot are up. With the inventory of properties listed staying relatively the same, we are looking at a strong buyers market. Click on the image below to access a full market update:

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

Come check out two incredible Philadelphia open houses:

729 Sears St. Philadelphia, PA 19147 - $349,900 - Passyunk Square – 11:00AM-2:00PM

122-124 Chestnut St. 300 Philadelphia, PA 19103 – $254,900 – Old City- 10:00AM-1:00PM

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

Whether you’re curled up under a blanket watching a scary movie or enjoying a midnight stroll through a graveyard during a haunted tour, enjoying all the chills and thrills Halloween has to offer is a great way to spend time with your partner. Philadelphia Halloween Attractions are some of the Best in the country!

Grim Philly – If you’re all about instant gratification, this tour is for you. Located in Center City get a dose of 24 of Philly’s most historical and haunted sites in just 90 minutes. Featuring vampires, ghosts, sex and mystery, this tour is sure to delight. Plus, it was featured on Channel 17’s Philly Hot List.

The Walking Dead Escape at The Wells Fargo Center Complex – If you and your boyfriend/girlfriend want to get a good cardio workout while being scared out of your minds, check out this apocalyptic-themed obstacle course. Based on the popular AMC television show The Walking Dead, this one-time only event will have you dodging and ducking zombies. It’s all going down in South Philly Saturday, October 27^th from 6pm to midnight.

8^th Annual Gravediggers’ Ball – If you want to get glammed up for a good cause, visit the Gravedigger’s Ball on Friday, October 19^th. The monster mash will help support the Laurel Hill cemetery keep creeping you out for years to come.

Spooky Saturday and Fall Fest on East Passyunk Avenue – This South Philly hotspot will host its annual fall fest on Saturday, October 27^th from 11am to 4pm. Featuring a craft fair with local artists, a costume contest for the pooches, and tons of food venders, you and your sweetie can enjoy a festive day outdoors.

Halloween Pub Crawl – If you enjoy all things pumpkin, including delicious pumpkin beer, stop by the Red Zone on South Street for a city-wide pub crawl on Friday, October 26^th.

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

The Altos Report for Philadelphia Real Estate on October 15th shows that the housing market continues to improve.
The Philadelphia Home Median Price and Price per Square Foot are up, while the inventory and days on market continues to drop. In fact, there are about 26% less homes for sale than there were last year at this time.

Come check out the following Philadelphia Real Estate Open Houses this Sunday, October 14th:

• 729 Sears St. Philadelphia, PA 19147 - $359,900 – Passyunk Square - 1:30-3:00PM

• 2834 Cambridge St. Philadelphia, PA 19130 - $219,900 – Art Museum Area -1:00-3:00PM

• 912 Kimball St. Philadelphia, PA 19147 – 379,000 – Bella Vista – 12:00-2:00PM

• 122-124 Chestnut St. 300 Philadelphia, PA 19103 – $259,900 – Old City- 3:00-4:30PM

• 411 S. 9^th St. #3F Philadelphia, PA 19147 – $199,900 –Washington Square -1:00-3:00PM

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

Let’s all please work together and help the City’s Street Committee clean up graffiti attacks. We encourage you all to contact the city directly if you see or know of any graffiti issues. They can be reached 2 different ways:

The  City of Brotherly Love needs you!!!!

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

Specialized opportunities to afford a Beautiful Home in West Philadelphia!

Attention all Pennsylvania & Drexel University affiliates!!!! If you didn’t know already, let me give you some information on 3 magnificent programs that want to help you purchase your home in West Philadelphia! Because both Drexel and UPenn are so committed in helping their employees/students grow, they want nothing but the same with the area around them! By offering two new exciting programs respectfully, they hope to see much growth in the West Philadelphia Area.

1. Drexel’s Home Purchase Assistance Program is offering $15,000 forgivable loan.

For more information: http://www.drexel.edu/hr/benefits/voluntary/homepurchase/

2. Penn Home Ownership Services (PHOS) is offering $7,500 forgivable loan.

For more information: https://cms.business-services.upenn.edu/homeownership/

3. Philadelphia Home Buy Now (HBN) is offering a $4,000 grant.

For more information: http://www.uac.org/philadelphiahomebuynow

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

Come check out the following Philadelphia Real Estate Open Houses this Saturday & Sunday, October 6th & 7th:

Saturday

* 912 Kimball St. Philadelphia, PA 19147 – $379,000 – Bella Vista -1-3pm

Sunday

* 122-124 Chestnut St. 300 Philadelphia, PA 19103 – $259,900 – Old City- 11am-1pm

122-124 Chestnut St. #300

* 411 S. 9th St. Philadelphia, PA 19147 – $199,900 – Washington Square- 2-4pm

411 S 9th ST.

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

Come check out the following Philadelphia Real Estate Open Houses this  Sunday, September 23:

• 729 Sears St. Philadelphia, PA 19147 - $359,900 - Passyunk Square - 2-4pm
• 912 Kimball St. Philadelphia, PA 19147 - $379,000 - Bella Vista -12-3pm
• 1424 S. Orianna St. Philadelphia, PA 19147 - $169,900 - Pennsport - 12-2pm
• 122-124 Chestnut St. 300 Philadelphia, PA 19103 – $259,900 – Old City- 12-2pm
• 210 Locust St. 14G Philadelphia, PA 19147 – $289,000 – Society Hill – 12-2pm

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

August 6, 2012 Philadelphia Real Estate Market Conditions for Philadelphia real estate market, trends in pricing, current level of supply & demand and home price value metrics.

The median list price in PHILADELPHIA, PA this week is $214,900. The 1478 properties have been on the market for an average of 169 days.

Supply and Demand

Home sales have been exceeding new inventory for several weeks.  However because of excess inventory, prices have not yet stopped falling. Should the sales trend continue, expect prices to level off soon and potentially to resume their climb from there. Watch prices as the market transitions from a Buyer’s market to a Seller’s market.

This week prices remained relatively flat. However the recent trends have us pulling back from the market’s high points. The Market Action Index is a good leading indicator for the durability of this trend.

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

Fantastic one bedroom apartment in the heart of Old City. On a quiet cobblestone street you will find this tucked away gem with hardwood floors, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a gorgeous spa-like bathroom. This first floor unit has great closet space, and also direct access to the building’s basement for additional storage. Washer and dryer on-site.

Available August 1st  for $1,600/mo.  Please call 267-496-9407 or email marketing@atacangroup.com for more details.

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

Come check out the following Philadelphia Real Estate Open Houses this  Sunday, June 10th:

Sunday

• 130-136 N. Bread St. #234 Philadelphia, PA 19106 – $359,900 – Old City – 12-3pm
• 2834 Cambridge St. Philadelphia, PA 19130 – $224,900 – Art Museum Area – 12-2pm
  
• 1214 N. 2nd St. Philadelphia, PA 19122 – $299,000 – Northern Liberties – 1-3pm
• 1731 Brandywine St. Philadelphia, PA 19130 - $328,400 – Art Museum Area – 12-2pm
• 750 S. 5th St. Philadelphia, PA 19146 – $625,000 – Queen Village – 1-3

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

According to new data being released today, Philadelphia has continued to grow since the 2010 census count.  The Census Bureau estimates the city’s population was 1,536,471 on July 1st which is an increase of 10,465 – 0.7% jump from the official census 2 years ago.

The growth spurt was mainly due to an increase in births.

“This is very good news for the city of Philadelphia,” Mayor Nutter said Wednesday by email. “It shows a continuing trend of population growth, and it’s just one more sign that Philadelphia is a place where people want to live, work and raise a family.” -Mayor Nutter

Check out the article on philly.com for more on this: Growth spurt: City’s population rising, census shows

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

Local housing expert Dr. Kevin Gillen, Vice President of Econsult Corporation has a snapshot of current market conditions from NBC 10.

• 5-10 years for serious recovery.
• Probably won’t lose much more on prices. 3-5% decline. Varies on neighborhood.
• Housing Sector problems are national in nature, employment and credit need to be fixed.
• Local initiatives going on now are reassessed values which currently have a very loose relationship with actual underline property values.
• Transfer tax holiday to provide incentive for people to buy?
• Why rescue someone under water?  Because of spillover in housing market.
• 40% of mortgages financed by Fannie and Freddie, when they tighten up, everyone is affected.
• Seeing a little bit of easing on credit but conditions are still tight!

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

With interests rates as low as they are, lenders have to be extremely strict with loans.  24% of mortgage applications today are denied.  Banks are looking for homeowners with steady income!

So even if you have a great credit score and put down a large down payment, you may not get the loan if your income stream isn’t flowing.  Don’t give up, have thick skin, and hopefully you can find a lender that will give you a loan!

According to LendingTree, the average rate offered to borrowers right now is about 4.32%.  Only about 9% of LendingTree borrowers are getting loans below 4%.

See more on this at CNN.com’s- The 4% mortgage – good luck getting one

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

People in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas felt the effects of a moderate 5.8 magnitude earthquake in Virginia at about 1:45pm this afternoon!  Our building at 1619 Walnut St. was shaking!

Reports say that “tall buildings were being evacuated in Center City, Wilmington and Atlantic City.”  After shocks are expected according to the U.S. Geological Survey.  Also expect early evening rush hour traffic!

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

There is A LOT of fun family stuff going on this weekend! I found a very nice summary of the events at Philly Parent Circle, www.phillyparentcircle.com

Yesterday I blogged about the crack down on cyclists violating traffic laws in Philadelphia.  CBS also reported yesterday that there would be tickets given out to people in Philadelphia walking and texting at the same time.

However, 6abc contacted Deputy Mayor Rina Cutler today who said that this is not true.  The ‘Give Respect-Get Respect’ campaign is only an “educational initiative for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians to be more aware and mindful of each other on Philadelphia’s roads… pedestrians may be reminded to be more aware of their surroundings; however, there are no citations”

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

As a Society Hill resident I am a member of our Civic Association which has been diligently sending out e-mails about the strangulation robberies occurring in the neighborhood since it started in late June. This crime spree just finally made it into the news today, which is where I acquired the above video.

There were several comments on this philly.com article and almost every one is shockingly racist in nature.  An article from earlier in the day, where an apparent copy cat attack took place and the identity of the mugger was described as “white” was free of any sterotypical comments. I feel compelled to add that anyone who thinks that electing a half-black president ended racism in this country is kidding themself.

For the past 3 weeks, 2 stocky black males have been targeting women in Society Hill and Washington Square at all times of the day.  Once the woman heads down a small street, which these 2 neighborhoods are full of, one of the two cowards comes from behind and chokes her, usually into unconsciousness, and takes her possessions. At this point, the only motive has been robbery.

I jsut received an email from my association that one of two have been identified and is jail. The other one is still at large.  The actual email from Society Hill Civic Association is below……

On Tuesday, 06/28/11, 11:25 PM, 2 robberies were committed within minutes of each other in the 300 block S. 4^th St. and the 300 block Cypress St. In each, 2 male offenders approached male victims and took their items simulating that they had a weapon. Central Detective Division’s Special Investigation Unit has identified one of the offenders in these 2 incidents. The offender is currently in prison on an unrelated matter and an arrest warrant is in process and the male will be charged. The second offender has not yet been identified. It is not believed that these 2 incidents are connected to the pattern of robberies where female victims are grabbed from behind by the neck and robbed. There are 4 such incidents in the Society Hill area and 1 in the Washington Sq. West area as follows:

Read the rest of this entry »

According to the National Association of Realtors home sales rose sharply in May in all parts of the USA with all regions experiencing gains over 2010, indicating there will be  higher housing activity in the second half of this year

The Pending Home Sales Index,* a forward-looking index based ONLY on signed contracts, it rose 8%  to 88.8 in May from an upwardly revised 82.1 in April and is 13% higher than the 78.3 reading in May 2010. The data reflects contracts but not closings, which normally occur 30-90 days later.

This is the 1st time since April, 2010 when the buyer tax incentive expired that contract activity was above year-ago levels, and the monthly gain was the strongest increase since last year when the index rose 10% in November

NAR noted that this bodes well for home prices because  reduced inventory is the key to price improvement, and this increse indicates home values are stabilizing. Some markets like Hartford, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Houston, and Seattle rose 30% from last year. Detailed information on Philadelphia was not released, but the Northeast region increased 8% as a whole.

While global warming seems to be making winters colder and summers hotter, the cost of energy (heating & cooling your home) is continuing to increase.  Here are some tips provided by Philly.com in today’s Real Estate section to help you save some money:

• Buy an Energy Star-rated programmable thermostat
• Use a ceiling fan to keep air circulating
• Turn on exhaust fan to get rid of hot air while cooking.
• Use your outdoor grill instead of using your oven or stove
• Don’t take really hot showers that create a lot of humid air
• Keep the fridge full; solid foods retain the cold and keeps the refrigerator colder when the door opens and lets hot air in.  (Let hot food cool before putting it in the fridge)
• Try to let dishes air dry
• Line-dry clothes when you can or do full loads with the dryer  and make sure you clean the lint trap before every use.

Check out the article Home Economics: Beating the heat, cutting energy costs from Philly.com for more on this topic.

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

Homeowners spend hundreds of billions of dollars on home improvements each year.  So its important to get what you pay for. Experts say that the best way to achieve that goal is to make sure that everything is put in a contract.

“It’s amazing the number of major remodeling agreements that are based only on a one-page bid sheet or a handshake,” said Bruce Hahn, president of the American Homeowners Foundation in Arlington, Va.

The Remodelers Council of the National Association of Home Builders suggests that all customers should review and sign an agreement that spells out in detail “what, where, how, time span, and cost”.

Home owners should always insist on a contract, even if the contractor says they don’t need one.

Check out more on this topic from Al Heavens’ article on Philly.com: Contract is smart precaution for home improvements.

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

812 S. 12th St.

Bella Vista

This listing just hit the market 4 days ago.  Check out the highlights:

• It’s a new construction, only a few years old
• Soaked with light; skylight on the top floor & plenty of windows
• Built with top notch appliances and materials
• Hardwood floors throughout
• Small back patio

Check out all the details for 812 S. 12th St.

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’s top 10 recommended dishes in Philadelphia!

1. Octopus at Dimitris – Queen’s Village
2. Shrimp Scampi at Dimitris – Queen’s Village
3. Roasted Chicken with reduction sauce at Parc – Rittenhouse Square
4. Classic Burger at Village Whiskey Bar – Rittenhouse Square
5. Abel Sushi roll at Hikaru – Manayunk & Society Hill
6. Sashimi Lunch Combo at Morimoto – Washington Square
7. Gnocchi with Gargonzola Souce at Positano – Old City
8. Porter House Steak at Capital Grill – Avenue of the Arts
9. Macroni and Cheese at Latest Dish – Bella Vista
10. Barbeque Platter at Vietnam – Chinatown & University City

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 are thinking about remodeling or sprucing up your bathroom think about some of these quick and moderately priced upgrades.

• Replace old showerheads with a 2 in 1 model consisting of a hand shower and showerhead combo system with multiple spray selections.
• Shower drain options are evolving. Linear drains offer more design possibilities than the standard circular drains. Some even light up!
• Glass doors have become more popular than ever in stand-alone showers and tub/shower combos for functionality and safety reasons.
• For those who would like to keep their shower curtains, a curved shower rod that bows out from the tub can increase shower space.
• Bathroom tile color schemes still trend toward neutral and warm earth tones.

Check out this article from Philly.com Home & Design.

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 are celebrating Richard C. DeMarco, www.richdemarcoforcouncil.com

A Center City Real Estate Attorney and Business Advocate
for Democratic Candidate for Philadelphia City Council – 2nd District 

TONIGHT AT TABLE 31 @ The Comcast Center

Open Bar and Appetizers 6:30-8:00 PM
DJ starts spinning at 8PM

FRIENDS:$75 Donation ( personal checks payable to “friends of Richard C. DeMarco)
SPONSORS:$150 Donation

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO BRING GUESTS
THE GOAL IS TO RAISE AS MUCH $$$ AS POSSIBLE WHILE HAVING FUN

Anna Verna is stepping down, so please help Rich DeMarco change City Council because he stands for what you stand for:

DROP

• Richard is opposed to the DROP program.  Richard believes that while the program was initiated with good intentions, the DROP program is clearly not working as it was originally intended and is too costly to the City’s Pension Fund to continue.

 Government Reform

• Term Limits: Richard supports the imposition of reasonable term limits for City elected officials and plans to introduce/support legislation to that effect. 
• Richard supports stricter regulation of campaign finance legislation and adequate funding and enforcement powers for the City Board of Ethics. 
• Redistricting-Richard supports the creation of a citizens commission in order to establish fairer and non-partisan redistricting of City Council districts.

 Zoning Reform

• Richard supports the groundbreaking legislation which will emerge from the Philadelphia Zoning Code Commission and will vote to pass the new draft of the Zoning Code if it comes to a vote while he is in City Council.  The new legislation will stimulate the restoration of blighted communites and abandoned properties and also increase public participation in important local development.

 Parking Regulation Reform

• Richard is troubled by the oppressive nature of the Philadelphia Parking Authority, and will immediately introduce legislation to establish 10-15 minute grace periods for parking meters and kiosks, and to lengthen the maximum time limits for parking meters and kiosks within commercial and entertainment areas of the City.

 Neighborhood Development

• Richard is working on a creative and detailed plan to stimulate affordable residential housing development in struggling communities such as Point Breeze and Southwest Philadelphia, which will involve using a combination of private and public financing, taking advantage of local, state and federal programs, such as New Market Tax Credits and Affordable Housing Incentives.

 Tax Policy

• Richard is concerned and troubled that the City has twice raised taxes (the property tax and the sales tax) without sufficient cuts to City Government.  Richard will not – under any circumstances – support any tax increases, and will push to continue the gradual reduction of the City Wage and Business Privilege Taxes which began under the administration of former Mayor Edward G. Rendell, in order to make the City’s economy more competitive in the region.

 Tax Reform

• Richard supports recent legislation, which failed to pass, which would shift the focus of the City Business Privilege Tax on gross receipts and away from net profits, in order to better benefit local businesses and make our local economy more competitive with the Philadelphia suburbs.
• While Richard supports the reform of the City’s real estate tax assessment structure, he will not support any assessment restructuring which will result in significant tax increases for the neighborhoods of the 2nd Council District.

Crime

• Richard supports the new reforms brought about by District Attorney Seth Williams and Justices Seamus McCaffery and Ronald Castille, and the re-organization of the City’s Criminal Courts into neighborhood “zone courts.”  Richard wholeheartedly supports the new safeguards to prevent witness intimidation.  Richard also supports proper funding of the City’s Criminal Justice System.

5452 Morse St.

Wynnefield

Check out this 3 bedroom 1 bath in Wynnefield.  Great investment opportunity; located right near St. Joes on a nice tree lined street.  Highlights include:

• Hardwood floors throughout
• Main floor sunroom
• Partially finished basement
• 1 car garage!
• Motivated Sellers!

Check it out 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

Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow and predicted an early spring this morning!

Take that old man winter!

This was the 125th annual weather forecast from the world’s most famous groundhog.  He did not predict who will win this year’s Super Bowl like he did two years ago when he predicted the Steelers to win Super Bowl XLIII.

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

A cool article from Yahoo via The Wall Street Journal describes what Generation Y is looking for as far as homes go.  It’s very different from what their baby boomer parent’s preferences were.

Most Gen Y’s want to walk everywhere so residing in an urban setting and paying more to do so is more desirable.  They don’t want to live in cookie cutter developments.  Outdoor space can be limited to a small area to stick the grill; they don’t want to have to mow the lawn.  They would prefer smaller rooms and less hallways and would like space in front of the TV to eat and play Wii.  They seek certain amenities such as game rooms, fitness centers, party rooms, and “club rooms” to hang out in.

Check out the full Article

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

According to an article on Philly.com by Al Heavens about the Philadelphia Condo Market, Cliff Lee of the Philadelphia Phillies settled on a condo in Center City at 1706 Rittenhouse in Rittenhouse Square.

1706 Rittenhouse is a brand new building, which opened last May, and is considered by many to be the most exclusive residence in all of Center City. The gem of Rittenhouse Square with 29 full floor units; virtually column free space, floor to ceiling windows open to expansive views, 10 to 20 ft. ceilings, two terraces for each unit and the top of the line finishes make this the most desirable address in Philadelphia. Each unit has over 4100 square feet of customizable space. Common amenities include state of the art fitness center with sauna, massage rooms, endless pool, private boardroom and garden. Architecture was done by Cope Linder and Interior Designs are by Karen Daroff of Daroff Design, two of Philadelphia’s best. Included in each unit price is an on-site parking space in the fully automated, state of the art, underground garage.

“It feels great to land back here in Philadelphia. . . . Here I am, I never wanted to leave this place in the first place… It’s exciting. It’s a historic town. I didn’t realize until I got here how interesting the city is.  My family really liked it.” -Cliff Lee philly.com

It’s great to see Philly athletes moving into Center City and calling Philadelphia home rather than moving out to the suburbs or over the river to Jersey.  That says a lot about how great a place it is to live.  Phillies’ second basemen Chase Utley and Eagles’ quarterback Michael Vick both own condos in town as well.  Other Phillies such as Jimmy Rollins, Cole Hamels, and Ryan Howard are often dining at the fine establishments in Rittenhouse Square.

So check out our Exclusive Center City Listings and our extensive Philadelphia Condo Directory and become neighbors with your favorite Philly athletes!

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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

The scenic Schuylkill bank trail in the Art Museum Area that has provided Philadelphian’s with a little haven inside a busy city may be invaded this spring by tourists and a certain bread of big metal duck.  Yes the same duck tour boat company, now infamous for that fatal accident on the Delaware River a few months ago, have their beaks pointed to the Schuylkill.  Duck boat officials have been given the green light by the Nutter administration to dig a huge open air trench through a glade at the north end of the Schuylkill Banks right off Martin Luther King Drive.  The Trench will slope under the trail allowing the duck boats a place to descend into the river.

Private activists have other Schuylkill River plans which include a large water screen and fountains in the middle of the river to be served as a backdrop for video art and images of city attractions.  The project is called Water Magic and the backers have secured $2 million in state money.

Both projects will change the face of the Schuylkill banks by increasing tourism and lessening the sense of community and leisure activity that people have become accustomed to in that area.  Please feel free to comment and tell us how you feel about these plans.

This is brought to you by Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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