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Highlights from the Philly Living Market Action Report, 4th Quarter 2011

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

On the whole, it’s still a good time to buy if you are in the market for real estate in Philadelphia. But some market conditions are beginning to trend more favorably for sellers as well.

That’s our reading of the data in the latest Philly Living Market Action Report.  Our quarterly guide to real estate market trends in Center City and surrounding Philadelphia neighborhoods offers grounds for cautious optimism in the months to come. While sales volume is down for the quarter relative to the previous year, it is up significantly from the previous month and quarter, running counter to the usual end-of-year downturn. The average selling price for homes in Center City and environs rose significantly from last quarter and one year ago, while the median selling price fell slightly in both cases. This suggests that buyers on the whole are still looking for value, even though a few opted for properties at the upper end of the scale.

In terms of prices, the highest prices continue to be commanded in the city’s two most desirable neighborhoods: Rittenhouse Square (19103) and Chestnut Hill (19118). Worth noting, however, is a continued, sustained upward trend in median selling prices in Southwest Center City and Point Breeze (19146), reflecting especially increased activity in the latter neighborhood.

Inventory continues to decline, offering the prospect of better prices for sellers in the months to come, but days on market rose slightly, suggesting buyers are still waiting sellers out. Sale price-to-list price ratio also dropped slightly from last year and last quarter but held steady from the previous month.

For full details on activity in Philadelphia’s neighborhood housing markets, request a copy of the latest Market Action Report at phillyliving.com/report.

Philadelphia street scene by Adam Jones, Ph.D., used under a Creative Commons license

Posted in Art Museum, Articles, Bella Vista, Buying a Home, Center City, Chestnut Hill, East Falls, Fairmount, Fishtown, Graduate Hospital, Loft District, Logan Square, Luxury Homes, Market stats, Northern Liberties, Old City, Pennsport, Philadelphia real estate, Point Breeze, Queen Village, Rittenhouse Square, Roxborough, Selling your home, Society Hill, South Philly, University City, Washington Square, Washington Square West | No Comments »

Real Estate Liability: What to Do if You’re Injured in Someone’s Home

Wednesday, July 27th, 2011

 

Philadelphia Real EstateWhen you’re looking to buy a new home in Philadelphia, it’s an exciting time. First you find a good Philadelphia Real Estate agent, and together you make some appointments. When you start heading out to explore on the weekends, the excitement grows. Finally, if you’re lucky, you’ll set foot inside the home that seems built just for you. But sometimes, the unexpected happens. Maybe you find your dream home in a town you weren’t considering. Or perhaps, out of the blue, you decide to go for an old Victorian home rather than a contemporary one. To a certain degree, you take unexpected turns into consideration when you’re searching for a new home.

Something you may have never considered, however, is suffering an injury during a home viewing. When this happens, it’s often not the victim’s fault. Homes, just like any business or property, can suffer from poor flooring conditions or uneven surfaces and can result in severe injury for either you or a loved one. If you’ve been injured at a home viewing, you may feel as if it was your own clumsy fault. The homeowners may even try and convince you this is the case. Don’t fall for that scheme.

1. The homeowners who are in charge of the viewing have a legal responsibility to provide a safe and clean environment, enabling guests to walk through the home without the threat of personal injury. This responsibility means that all floors, walkways, steps and entryways must be free of dangerous obstructions and other types of surprises (such as loose cobblestones or icy stairs). If a slip and fall accident occurs at a home because of dangerous conditions, the homeowners are legally responsible for any injuries that result from their negligence.

2. As the victim of a slip and fall accident, you have the right to bring a claim against the negligent property owner and seek compensation for your damages, including medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.

3. Proving liability in a case like this is not always easy. Real estate premise liability accidentsConsole & Hollawell can be very complex, which is why it is absolutely necessary to seek legal representation from an experienced and aggressive personal injury attorney when you’ve been injured at a home viewing. At Console & Hollawell, we understand your needs and your concerns. We have 15 years of experience in premise liability accidents, and we are proud that we’ve been able to help so many of our clients recover the compensation to which they are rightfully entitled.

A personal injury sustained on a homeowner’s property is a serious matter. Because they can be complicated, a premise liability case requires the help of a lawyer who is experienced, knowledgeable and dedicated to helping you receive the compensation you deserve.  Then you’ll be ready to continue your quest with Philly Living for that perfect Philadelphia home.

Console & Hollawell are seasoned professionals with a great deal of experience in premise liability accidents. If you’ve suffered an injury in a slip and fall accident in someone else’s home, Philadelphia Real Estatethere are important things you need to know. Be sure to read over the vital information above, then call an attorney.

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Posted in Art Museum, Articles, Bella Vista, Buying a Home, Center City, Chestnut Hill, East Falls, Fairmount, Fishtown, Graduate Hospital, Luxury Homes, Northern Liberties, Old City, Pennsport, Philadelphia real estate, Point Breeze, Points of Interest, Queen Village, Rittenhouse Square, Roxborough, Selling your home, Society Hill, South Philly, Uncategorized, University City, Washington Square | No Comments »

From Showing to Selling Your Philadelphia Home

Thursday, July 7th, 2011

 

By: Rachel Vanderveen

After having spent oodles of time reading my past blogsPhiladelphia Real Estate and carrying out the instructions, your home has now been neutralized, minimized, and shines like a new penny! Listing your home on the Philadelphia MLS is a big decision, and getting to the night before your agent loads it live on the Philadelphia MLS can be a long process. But you’re here, and there’s no looking back. You’re moving! So what do we do when our agent calls us with a showing that is going to be happening in two hours? How do we give the best showing possible and make sure that all of the hard work we have done until now really stands out to potential buyers? That’s what today’s blog is all about. The bulk of your effort has already been exerted on staging your home, but if those people looking to buy Philadelphia Real Estate can’t see the work you’ve done, it really wasn’t worth your time.

Let’s start with the simplest principle of getting your home to shine: lighting. For every showing that comes through your home, I want every single light you have to be switched on, even if the showing is happening at 9am. I mean everything. I want lamps, work lights, pot lights, puck lights, and under cabinet lights to be switched on and waiting for those buyers to come through. If you have any of those coil-y high efficiency light bulbs in thePhiladelphia Real Estate home, remove them and replace them with regular burning incandescent bulbs. The reason is that those high E bulbs take about a minute or two to actually light up to their full potential, and if lights are being turned on and off by buyers this can be a problem. The second problem—which is worse than the first—is that those bulbs cast a greenish/yellow and almost menacing light on a space. They’re the opposite of warm. They’re cold and … uneasy… is the only word I can think of to describe their light. Now, I know that Al Gore would hunt me down for words like these, but all I’m suggesting is that you take those coil bulbs with you to your next home, which I call recycling! J You probably paid a lot of money for them, so you might as well keep the expensive ones you bought.

Why is light so important? Because nine times out of ten, you can’t renovate-in more natural light, and if you can, it’s a costly endeavor. By making your home appear to be well-lit, you’re adding value and appeal. Most people don’t have all of their lights on at 9am, but buyers don’t tend to notice this. Your home just appears to be well-lit and warm when all the lights are on.

Next, I want you to have some light music playing. I want it to be loud enough so one can hear it clearly, but not so loud that one couldn’t have a comfortable conversation if one was standing close to the source. Now as for music selection, let’s take a look at what you’re selling. Are you selling a single-level apartment in a swanky district? Go for some light jazz. Are you selling a 5000 square foot estate with classic features and conservative design? Light classical music is your best bet. If you’re selling a home that backs onto water, go for something flute-y with maybe some ocean noise in the background.

I know you’ve been told to bake cookies before open houses and showings. If you have the time or the desire, than definitely do it. But I’d say the easiest thing to do is to buy vanilla air fresheners and plug one in to every room. Skip the tropical or perfume-y scents, and stick with vanilla which has universal appeal and offends very few people’s senses. 

If your agent says you have a showing between 5pm and 6pm, you should leave your house at 4:45pm and return at 6:15, just in case the showing arrives early or wants to stay late. No, you may not stay home for the showing. Ever. You must leave the property entirely, and, no, hiding in the basement, garage or backyard does not count. Potential Philly Real Estate buyers want to view your property, not you. Having a homeowner present makes buyers extremely uncomfortable, and those showings are usually cut very short.

Lastly, you may not ever decline a showing. Ever. The only acceptable excuses for declining showings are death (in the immediate family) or sickness (that is on the edge of death). But in all seriousness, if you decline a showing, you could be turning away the people who are going to write that offer on your property. You never know who is going to be the one to love it, and in most cases if the showing is declined, the agent will not rebook.

You are now ready to list your home on the Philadelphia Real Estate Market! It’s been a fun ride! May your offers be many, and your showings be few! Philadelphia Real Estate

Until next time… 

Rachel Vanderveen is a Calgary Christian Realtor and a Calgary home stager. She specializes in Homes for sale in Calgary, Chaparral Homes for sale, Douglasdale Estates Homes for sale , Mahogany Homes for sale , McKenzie Lake Homes for sale , and Auburn Bay Homes for sale .  But more importantly, she is a mother to four adorable children, a lover of Real Estate in Auburn Bay , and an avid writer of Calgary Real Estate  blogs. For more information on Calgary mls.ca, or searching mlslistings.ca, visit her website here.

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Posted in Art Museum, Bella Vista, Buying a Home, Center City, Chestnut Hill, East Falls, Fairmount, Fishtown, Graduate Hospital, Luxury Homes, Market stats, Northern Liberties, Old City, Pennsport, Philadelphia real estate, Point Breeze, Queen Village, Rittenhouse Square, Roxborough, Selling your home, Society Hill, South Philly, University City, Washington Square, Washington Square West | No Comments »

Selling Your Home: Focused Rooms in Your Philadelphia Home

Thursday, June 30th, 2011

 

By: Rachel Vanderveen

Now that you’ve put away all the extras around the house and spiffed-up all around, we’re going to move on to giving each room in your house that extra “wow” factorPhiladelphia Real Estate that attracts those Philadelphia Real Estate Buyers to your humble little castle, and not to the Philly Listing down the street!

The key to a great room that attracts the eye, and brings warmth and comfort is setting up a great focal point. So what is a focal point? A focal point is one place in the room where the eye can naturally rest. Having this point is calming and relaxing to the viewer, even though they may not be aware of what it is that’s drawing them in.

The opposite of a great and relaxed focal point is focal confusion. This can happen when a person gets a hold of a Pier One credit card, and goes a bit nuts. You may have very pretty things everywhere around the room, but there are too many of them, and they cause a scattered and restless feeling to those who are seeking out Philadelphia Homes for Sale.

The best way to explain how to set up a great focal point is by explaining an example. So let’s look at a family room. Typically, the best place to create your focal point here is the fireplace. If you don’t have one, I suggest getting one. You can get a cheap plug-in model from Costco for under Philadelphia Real Estate$500, and the best part is that you can take it with you when you move! You may want to make your fireplace a different color than the wall behind it. Some things you can do to jazz it up are to add an impressive tile surround, or paint an old red-brick fireplace white. Above the mantle, you may want to put a large picture or urn with long sticks in it. Your focal point should be the place where you can have a bit of fun with color, whereas the areas around it should remain neutral both in decor and color.

Once you’ve chosen the pieces to pull together your focal point, you need everything else in the room to highlight, and point towards the display you’ve made. For example, long couches can point towards the fireplace, even the throw pillows can have corners that point to your display. Lines and angles should all highlight what you have set up. You should also be careful not to overshadow your focal points with anything else in the room. Don’t over-decorate anywhere else.

It’s hard to imagine that you can sell a home in Philadelphia for more money by taking this simple step, but it works! If you think about what you remember from being in Philadelphia Showhomes, you’ll easily recall that you don’t see family photos strewn about, or excessive art or accessories. Everything is pointing to a focal point, which is usually a saleable feature of the home.Philadelphia Real Estate

Have fun setting up your spaces this week; it’s the final step in preparing your Philadelphia Real Estate Listing! Check in next week for everything you need to know to give an irresistible showing!

Until Next Time…

Rachel Vanderveen is a Calgary Realtor specializing in Calgary home staging, Calgary Homes for Sale, Homes for sale in Chaparral, Homes for sale in Douglasdale Estates , Homes for sale in Mahogany, Homes for sale in McKenzie Lake, and Homes for sale in Auburn Bay.  But more importantly, she is a mother to four adorable children, a lover of Auburn Bay Real Estate, and an avid writer of Calgary Real Estate  blogs. For more information on Calgary mls.ca, or searching mlslistings.ca, visit her website here.

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Posted in Art Museum, Bella Vista, Buying a Home, Center City, Chestnut Hill, East Falls, Fairmount, Fishtown, Graduate Hospital, Luxury Homes, Northern Liberties, Old City, Pennsport, Philadelphia real estate, Point Breeze, Queen Village, Rittenhouse Square, Roxborough, Selling your home, Society Hill, South Philly, Uncategorized, University City, Washington Square, Washington Square West | No Comments »

It’s Not Personal: De-Personalizing Your Philly Real Estate Listing

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

 

One of the most difficult things that I face as a home stager is trying to find tactful ways to tell people that their personal stuff…has got to go. It’s difficult to explain to clients Philadelphia Real Estatethat I really take no issue with their giant human-size painting of a golden elephant in a bright purple frame. Decorating is about diversity. It’s about showing off what is important to you. But we’re not decorating. We’re un-decorating, and there is a big difference.

Home staging, again, is about creating a neutral scene that is inviting and relaxing for your Philadelphia Real Estate Buyers. Staging is a lot like Shakespeare. The sets are almost blank, and the words and thoughts of the actors are what fill the space and make a great show. You see, because we don’t know if your Philadelphia MLS shoppers have Othello, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, or Romeo and Juliet going on in their lives, we can’t really decorate our home to suit their tastes. But what we can do is decorate our home to suit all of Shakespeare. Meaning, we choose neutral colours, simple, non-descript art, and muted decorations. Quite simply, we are depersonalizing your home today.

So what is de-personalizing? Well, I find the keys that we need to look for are: art, photos, achievements and functional furniture placement. Let’s dive into that, starting with art. As I mentioned above, you may  have very good taste in art; your art may be worth thousands of dollars, but when it comes to staging, the pictures on the wall are only there to make sense with the scene, not to make their own statement. When it comes to staging, it’s not about what you have to say, it’s about what the people who want to buy Philadelphia Real Estate have to say, so make sure that your art isn’t speaking loudly. Stick to landscapes and simple black and whites, preferably with no people in them.

Next is photos. I know we all have pictures up of our kids, grandkids, and even some special memories from ourPhiladelphia Real Estate wedding, but unfortunately, those all have no place in a staged home. Again, here we have a harsh pull-back for buyers who are trying to imagine themselves living in your home. Seeing a picture of Junior when he lost his first tooth, spoils that scene a bit, doesn’t it? I should make mention that now that digital wedding photography is getting so edgy-looking, I almost always get clients who want to know if they can keep their wedding photos up since they’re so beautiful and artsy. The answer is an unfortunate “no.” If there is a picture of a bride and groom, that picture has to come down.

Achievements are things like Junior’s little league trophy, and your law degree from Yale. These things all certainly need to come down. Not only are they very personal, but those who are looking for Philadelphia homes for sale can take one look at that Yale law degree and decide that they’re going to write you a lower offer since you’ve already got money to spare.

Functional furniture placement has to do with the functional way that you’ve arranged your furniture. You’ve probably put couches all around the TV, or put a ton of furniture in a space to accommodate for lots of seating when you have people over. Unfortunately, you’re going to need to take a discerning look at what you have in your home before you list your Philadelphia  property, and decide what can go. You don’t necessarily have to have a couch and a love seat in a family room. You can easily get away with a loveseat and a chair, as long as you can design the whole lot to looking deceptively filling. Remember, the less we have in space the bigger it looks. Function has no place in staging. It doesn’t matter if it’s comfortable or not, all that matters is how it looks and how it sells.

Philadelphia Real EstateRemember, de-personalizing can feel difficult as you purge your home of all things complicated. But remember, simplicity sells!

Until Next Time…

Rachel Vanderveen is a Calgary Realtor specializing in Calgary home staging, Homes for Sale in Calgary, Chaparral Real Estate, Douglasdale Estates Real Estate , Mahogany Real Estate, McKenzie Lake Real Estate, and Auburn Homes for Sale.  But more importantly, she is a mother to four adorable children, a lover of Auburn Bay Realty, and an avid writer of Calgary Real Estate  blogs. For more information on Calgary mls.ca, or searching mlslistings.ca, visit her website here.

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Posted in Art Museum, Bella Vista, Buying a Home, Center City, Chestnut Hill, East Falls, Fairmount, Fishtown, Foreclosures, Graduate Hospital, Luxury Homes, Northern Liberties, Old City, Pennsport, Philadelphia real estate, Point Breeze, Queen Village, Rittenhouse Square, Roxborough, Selling your home, Society Hill, South Philly, Uncategorized, University City, Washington Square, Washington Square West | No Comments »

Philly Real Estate Meets Hot Curb Appeal

Friday, June 10th, 2011

By: Rachel Vanderveen

When I go to meet staging clients for the first time, I often get people who prepare their home for me to arrive. I tell them not to. I tell them I want to Philadelphia Real Estatesee it in its raw state, but many people try their best to “wow” the stager nonetheless. Some are successful and some are not, but what I have noticed is that people with an eye for design or no eye at all, seem to universally forget one aspect of staging their home: curb appeal. It’s always the last thing to get done, for many people it’s somewhat of an afterthought. If you’re in the process of selling your home in Philadelphia, you’ve probably already begun to pound the pavement looking for Philadelphia real estate that better suits your needs. This is going to give you a wonderful opportunity to really see how much of a difference great curb appeal really makes. As you start looking at homes for sale in the Philadelphia area, keep a close eye on which ones really impress you just as you’re driving up.

Why is curb appeal so important? Well first impressions do indeed count, and they’re certainly hard to reverse. Even if you think in terms of meeting people for the first time: if they’re slovenly, stinky, and just look like a mess, it’s pretty hard for them to turn around your first opinions, even if they’re a surgeon, lawyer or engineer. What’s on the inside does certainly count, but we want the outside to  be the sort of thing that draws people in looking for more of a good thing.

So where do we start? The simplest thing on your lawn: grass. I want it green,Philadelphia Real Estate green, green. This means you’re going to have to mow, fertilize, and water it more than you ever have before if you want it looking tip-top in a short amount of time. Think somewhere in the neighborhood of at least 2-3 blocks of time per week devoted to lawn care. I also want that grass manicured to absolute perfection. Your lawn should metaphorically look like a New York City socialite.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to have an ornate garden full of rare flowers and detailed bushwork and design. In fact, in many cases, that can be a negative against your home. The fact is that there is a large amount of people looking to buy Philadelphia Real Estate who don’t want to have to worry about garden maintenance, weeding and the like. They can operate a lawn mower…and that’s about it. So keep your garden simple. It should be pretty, and inviting, but it shouldn’t be overly ornate.

Unfortunately, you’re not allowed to keep all the items in the garden that made it personal to you. For example, garden gnomes, giant red and white mushrooms, signs with the family names on them, and the like are all things that unfortunately do not have a place in our neutral staged setting, and do not help to sell your home in Philadelphia. Again, the garden should be simple, plain and extremely well taken-care of.

Your front porch should be power-washed and totally clean, if you have a wooden deck and rail they should be in good repair. Further, I haven’t seen a wooden deck that couldn’t use a fresh coat of paint to wow those potential buyers! Your doorbell should be functioning perfectly and the light outside your door should be cleaned to a high shine. If you cannot clean it to a high shine, I would suggest spray painting it back to its former glory. If that doesn’t work, it never hurts to replace it with a new one.

The front door is so often ignored by sellers. I often find them badly scuffed and marked up with peeling or uneven paint. The problem with the front Philadelphia Real Estatedoor is that it’s not really a place that you can touch up with paint, because you have so much natural light shining on it, nothing stays hidden. For that reason, I usually suggest that sellers repaint their entire door, rather than struggle to scrub off stains and fix peeling paint.

Driveways or sidewalks around the home should be totally clear of dirt and debris. If there is any oil stains or the like on your concrete, you’ll need to try your best to remove it, or make it look better. Exposed aggregate concrete, shows so well with a fresh coat of sealer, which is fairly cheap and easy to apply. The same is true of pattern-stamped concrete.

I often tell my staging clients that they have 5 seconds to make an impression. In other words, those potential buyers of Philadelphia Real Estate often make up their mind about your home, by the time their hand touches the front door handle, and the next 55 seconds after that will seal the deal. You don’t have a lot time to advocate for your home, so let it do the talking for you, and with great curb appeal, you can be sure it will have good things to say!

Until Next Time…

Blessings

Rachel Vanderveen is a Calgary Real Estate Agent specializing in Calgary home staging, Calgary condos for sale, Cranston Real Estate, Copperfield Real Estate , Silverado Real Estate, McKenzie Towne Real Estate, and Auburn Bay Real Estate.  But more importantly, she is a mother to four adorable children, a lover of Auburn Bay Realty, and an avid writer of Calgary Real Estate  blogs. For more information on Calgary mls.ca, or searching mlslistings.ca, visit her website here.

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Posted in Art Museum, Bella Vista, Buying a Home, Center City, Chestnut Hill, East Falls, Fairmount, Fishtown, Graduate Hospital, Luxury Homes, Northern Liberties, Old City, Pennsport, Philadelphia real estate, Point Breeze, Queen Village, Rentals, Restaurants, Rittenhouse Square, Roxborough, Selling your home, Society Hill, South Philly, University City, Washington Square, Washington Square West | No Comments »

Sell Your Philadelphia Real Estate Listing Faster and for More Money!

Wednesday, May 25th, 2011

 

So you’ve decided to list your home in Philadelphia; you’ve found a new place that’s better than the one that you’re in, Philadelphia Real Estateand you want to move, like, yesterday. Boxes have been acquired; packing tape has been purchased, and you’ve got U-Haul on speed dial. You’ve gone out and hired a great Philadelphia Real Estate Agent, and you’ve been told that your home is going live on the Philadelphia MLS in a matter of weeks. You know you need to get top dollar for your home, in order to be able to seamlessly afford the one you bought. You feel fairly confident that your agent has educated you on your home’s value, and you want to hit that mark with ease. Is there a way to make your little piece of Philadelphia Real Estate sell faster and for more money than the guy next door? The answer is a resounding “yes!”

If you have access to HGTV or have watched any one of the numerous shows on home staging, I’m sure you know by now that staging your home prior to selling it makes it sell faster and for more money than your unstaged direct competition! The statistics unanimously support home staging and what it can do for your listing. 

Now as I see it, you have two options for staging your home. (Please note that I have not left room for not staging your home for sale, as I do not see that as an option in today’s market). The first option involves you pulling out your checkPhiladelphia Real Estate book and writing a massive (and I mean massive) check to a home staging company that will come in with their furniture and art, and transform your home into an oasis. This is a wonderful option for people out there who don’t have any concerns with personal cash flow. For both of the readers out there to which this situation applies, you need not read any further. This blog, and the next five blogs that I will be writing as a guest here at phillyliving.com, will be written for the people out there who are like me: willing to put in the hard work that it takes to sell their home faster and for more money than not doing anything at all. Staging really is a lot of work (depending on the baseline of where your home is when you begin), but it really does work! I want you to picture yourself writing a check to yourself for roughly $100-$200/hour for all the work you put into your home before you sell it.

The work we are going to do together in these blogs will focus on using the furniture and art that you already have available in your home to make a space that is inviting to Philadelphia Real Estate Buyers. Now, I’m assuming that you have a base-level of these items in your home, but in my work as a Calgary Real Estate agent, and Calgary home stager, I’ve been through a few bachelor pads that were sparse—to say the least. I like to suggest a budget of around $500 for homes with less than 1500 square feet above grade, and about $1000 for homes between 1500-2500 square feet above grade.  However, if you’re living like a bachelor, you may need to tweak that number a little as we go. The best part about doing your own staging, is that you get to keep all the stuff you buy to stage your home!

So before we get to all the good stuff of staging your Philadelphia home for sale, I’m afraid I have to take you through the less desirable part of staging your home. It is both the most difficult and the most important part. Before we do Philadelphia Real Estateanything else, I need you to clean, and when I say “clean,” I want you to think hospital-clean. Baseboards, cabinet faces, tile edges and faces, corners of flooring, hardware and light fixtures all need to be the cleanest they have ever been. I should be able to come into your house and comfortably eat a spaghetti dinner off the bottom of your shower stalls. Just when you think you’ve got it all scrubbed down, I want you to glove-up and scrub some more.

Why is a clean home so important? Well, picture how you would feel going out there and looking to buy Philadelphia Real Estate. If you saw a home that was impeccably kept, what would you think? Especially when you compare it to a home that is slovenly and gross. A clean home says “responsible homeowners.” It says that the people who are selling this house treated it well, and were careful with maintenance. There is certainly value that comes with having a home that is impeccably—and perhaps manically—clean. Having your home be utterly spotless, may just be the most valuable thing you can do in the whole process. If you can’t do it yourself, hire someone, because it has to stay that way for the length of the entire listing, until the day your Philadelphia Realtor hands you a fully executed and unconditional purchase contract.

So grab your rubber gloves, your bottle of Mr. Clean and your Ipod and get moving!

Until Next Time…

Blessings

Rachel Vanderveen is a Calgary Real Estate Agent specializing in Calgary home staging, Calgary condos for sale, Cranston Real Estate, Copperfield Real Estate , Silverado Real Estate, McKenzie Towne Real Estate, and Auburn Bay Real Estate.  But more importantly, she is a mother to four adorable children, a lover of Auburn Bay Realty, and an avid writer of Calgary Real Estate  blogs. For more information on Calgary mls.ca, or searching mlslistings.ca, visit her website here.

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Posted in Art Museum, Bella Vista, Buying a Home, Center City, Chestnut Hill, East Falls, Fairmount, Fishtown, Graduate Hospital, Luxury Homes, Northern Liberties, Old City, Pennsport, Philadelphia real estate, Point Breeze, Queen Village, Rentals, Rittenhouse Square, Roxborough, Selling your home, Society Hill, South Philly, University City, Washington Square, Washington Square West | 1 Comment »

Real Estate: What One Million Dollars Can Buy

Tuesday, May 10th, 2011

$1,000,000.00. Seems like a steep price.

Yet, this asking price is not all that uncommon—especially in real estate.

In the United States, one million dollars can buy luxurious homes, worthy of such high price tags.

In Philadelphia, there are many million dollar luxury homes on the market.

In a previous blog article, we reported to you the five most expensive homes that Philadelphia had to offer. The prices of these homes surpassed the declared “$1,000,000.00″ price tag —and they were nothing short of remarkable. Their features, amenities and location were unmatched.

Today, we want to broaden our search.

We want to sneak a peek at what other markets have to offer —but this time, we will cap the cost of the homes. Today, we will present to you what one million dollars can buy in real estate, across the map. (We think you’ll agree that even with the price cap, these homes are still remarkable).

Here are our noteworthy findings:

Twenty 9th Park Madison | New York, New York – $1,085,000

  • Bedrooms: 1New York City Real Estate
  • Full Bathrooms: 1
  • Partial Bathrooms: 0
  • 785 sq. ft.

Listing Says: Move right in! An uncompromising attention to detail has created an unparalleled world-class experience in this 1BR/1BA home. The finishes reflect a commitment not simply to superlative luxury, but to the sheer exuberance of City living at its most grand. Apartment features include: Teak hardwood floors, An open gourmet kitchen boasts Wenge cabinetry, Crystal white countertops, Wenge wood paneled Sub-Zero refrigerator, Thermador oven and cooktop, and Fisher & Paykel dishwashers. A lavishly appointed bath includes a Wenge wood vanity, Crystal white countertop, soaking tub, and limestone floor. Building features include: State-of-the-art fitness center, 24-hour concierge, yoga room, storage, and a beautiful roof-top lounge offering barbecue grills and stunning panoramic views of Manhattan.

308 Commonwealth Avenue | Boston, Massachusetts – $1,265,000

  • Boston Real EstateBedrooms: 3
  • Full Bathrooms: 2
  • Partial Bathrooms: 0
  • 1,940 sq. ft.

Listing Says: A home that has it all. Renovated, 1940sqft. floor through, 3 plus bedroom, 2 full bathrooms with 3 exposure views in a perfectly located & updated building with an elevator. This magnificent home features grand scale rooms. Living room with pocket doors, 10′ ceilings, fireplace, moldings, top nailed hardwood floors, period details, recessed lights & expansive bow windows with views of the tree-lined Mall. Huge eat-in, gas kitchen, newer appliances with two bright windows, formal wainscoted dining and living rooms with a working fireplace 3 large, bright bedrooms and a study, great closets, central A/C, washer/dryer, extra storage and parking available.

1201 South Prairie #2603 | Chicago, Illinois – $1,230,500Chicago Real Estate

  • Bedrooms: 3
  • Full Baths: 2
  • Partial Bathrooms: 0
  • 1,746 sq. ft.

Listing Says: Spectacular 53-story glass and steel building ready for immediate occupancy! Ultra luxury with full time concierge, indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, exercise room. Each luxury unit ready for your selection. Skyline, lake and Museum Campus views. Private master suite with separate showers. Gourmet kitchens.

Call for details.

300 N Bowling Green Way | Los Angeles, California – $1,195,000

  • Los Angeles Real EstateBedrooms: 3
  • Full Bathrooms: 3
  • Partial Bathrooms: 0
  • 1,826 sq. ft.

Listing Says: Located two blocks North of Sunset, this home personifies the good life. Original detailing and beautiful updating blend the elements of comfort and sophistication in this Traditional gem. Large Living room w/ Fireplace and bay window opens to dining/family room. Great updated kitchen w/ new SS appliances and French doors open to patio/yard for easy entertaining. The Master Suite has two good-sized closets, 2nd bed is adj. to large bath w/ tub, 3rd bedroom ste is currently an office w/ built-ins and Fr. doors. Versatile upstairs can be used as bdrm/den/gym. Great!

14271 Caminito Lazanja | San Diego, California  - $1,275,000San Diego Real Estate

  • Bedrooms: 4
  • Full Bathrooms: 3
  • Partial Bathrooms: 1
  • 4,260 sq. ft.

Listing Says: Gated Santaluz premier property features the finest materials and architectural style.Complete integration of exterior and interior spaces with multiple courtyards, patios and enclosed loggia.Wall fountain and outdoor fireplaces provide calming environment. Casita is ideal for guests, home office or private bedrm. Chef’s kitchen will not disappoint! Adjacent to famrm it features 2 Bosch DW’s,Thermador 6 burner gas stove,double ovens, 48″ refrig,warming drawer,warmly stained cabinets,brkfst bar+pantry.

11 Island Avenue, Unit #110201 | Miami Beach, Florida – $1,300,000

  • Miami Real EstateBedrooms: 4
  • Bathrooms: 4
  • Partial Bathrooms: 1
  • 3,834 sq. ft.

Listing Says: WOW! Panoramic. 180 Degree VIEWS from this 4 Bdrm., 4 & 1/2 Bth. On Historic Venetian Causeway. Residence combines two corner end units at Luxury Costa Brava. Large rooms are all totally renovated and upgraded with high end fixtures, & open granite kitchen. Finished walk-in closets, 2 terraces, private entry hallway, 2 Parking Spots!

Xtra storage units! 24 Hr. Doorman, Pet-Friendly Bldg.

W/many amenities. Walk to Lincoln Rd. These 2 units also offered for sale separately.

861 Mentelle Drive | Atlanta, Georgia – $1,150,000Atlanta Real Estate

  • Bedrooms: 4
  • Full Bathrooms: 3
  • Partial Bathrooms: 2
  • 5,000 sq. ft.

Listing Says: Rare to find a gated & privately enclosed property with garden walls & trees in the heart of Atlanta. Complete renovation in 2008 & sits on two city lots a few blocks from Piedmont Park. This property feels like new construction with hardwoods and marble flooring throughout. New Viking and Sub Zero kitchen hardly used. Living room with 15′ ceilings and very large art walls and lots of glass. There are 3 master suites with full marble baths and one with a steam shower and bidet, 2 half baths, studio, outdoor dining area, roof top deck, gated & parking for up to 6 cars. Second catering kitchen next to living room for entertaining. Separate dog run.

2500 S Clayton Street | Denver, Colorado – $1,200,000

  • Denver Real EstateBedrooms: 4
  • Full Bathrooms: 3
  • Partial Bathrooms: 2
  • 6,099 sq. ft.

Listing Says: Expansive spaces in open flow design*Bright open kitch w/ss & slab granite*Huge MBR suite w/balcony & 4th BR converted to 2nd closet suite*Garden spa & 4 car gar! Bsmt is sportman’s dream*

Plantation shutters/art niches/french doors/fireplaces add charm.

4325 Southwestern Boulevard | Dallas, Texas – $1,350,000Dallas Real Estate

  • Bedrooms: 4
  • Full Bathrooms: 3
  • Partial Bathrooms: 0
  • 4,999 sq. ft.

Listing Says: Great open floor plan! Notice large dining room. Handscraped wood floors throughout first floor. Wall of french doors open to patio &back yard. Downstairs study is outfitted with builtin desks and shelving.Also a terrific upstairs study between two bedrooms with built in desk.Don’t miss the space for wrapping center!Gamerm has wll of built ins! Front and back stairs, wet bar and butler’s pantry too!

1114 Washington Boulevard | Detroit, Michigan – $1,200,000Detroit Real Estate

  • Bedrooms: 3
  • Full Bathrooms: 2
  • Partial Bathrooms: 0
  • 3,478 sq. ft.

Listing Says: Take Advantage Of This Rare Opportunity To Own A Piece Of Detroit’s Most Luxurious Address At The 4 Star Westin Book Cadillac Residences. 24 Hr Fitness Ctr, Indoor Pool & Hot Tub, Spac, Concierge, Valet, Housekeeping, Laundry, Covered & Secure Parking, 5 Great Restaurants & Bars.

Enjoy City Skyline & River Views. 15 Yr Tax Abatement, Taxes Approx $500/yr!!! Penthouse Living On The 29th Floor!

3801 N. Goldwater Boulevard #406 | Scottsdale, Arizona – $1,150,000

  • Bedrooms: 2
  • Full Bathrooms: 2Scottsdale Real Estate
  • Partial Bathrooms: 1
  • 2,393 sq. ft.

Listing Says: Expansive, unobstructed views from every window of this luxury condo and two large balconies to enjoy them from, too. Camelback, Mummy, McDowells, Four Peaks, Red Mountain and Superstitions all visible from this location! Generously sized condo boasts hand-rubbed wood flooring everywhere except the two bedrooms which are carpeted. Custom built in cabinetry in the great room and office. Custom paint and window treatments throughout. GE Monogram appliances, glazed maple cabinetry, and upgraded granite in the stunning kitchen. Extensive electronics including 60 inch television and individually controlled audio speakers in each room. Great location in the arts district with easy walk to everything downtown Scottsdale has to offer. This is a MUST SEE.

725 Kapiolani Boulevard #3802 | Honolulu, Hawaii  - $968,000

  • Honolulu Real EstateBedrooms: 2
  • Full Bathrooms: 2
  • Partial Bathrooms: 1
  • 1,957 sq. ft.

Listing Says: Breath-taking penthouse w/300-degree panoramic views. High ceilings, open design layout completely remodeled in 2004 by the Studio Becker Design Team. European designer cabinetry & closet systems, top-of-the-line kitchen appliances, & Bose sound system throughout.

Fantastic panoramic ocean, mountain, city views day or night. 2bdrm, 2 1/2 baths, 3 parking, excel building amenities & security.

90 Rito Guicu | Santa Fe, New Mexico – $960,000

  • Bedrooms: 5Santa Fe Real Estate
  • Full Bathrooms: 5
  • Partial Bathrooms: 0
  • 5,470 sq. ft.

Listing Says: Waterfront Adobe Hacienda! How often do you hear those words in Santa Fe?Compound sits on banks of spring fed pond and adjoins 90 acres of lush reserve in Las Lagunitas.100 year old Cottonwood trees surround the pond.Newly built main house of 5470 sq ft; 3 bd/4ba has never been lived in.Passive Solar Adobe construction-hand troweled diamond finish walls glow with gorgeous light overlooking the pond.Sunny kitchen with Italian tile accents/upgraded appliances; secret door leads into surprise wine room.Eat-in kitchen nook, plus formal dining room. Main level includes master bedroom suite and bbq sundeck.Lower level includes 2bd/2ba;game room & media room,office, large linen/laundry room,with walkout to outdoor fireplace.The historic guesthouse built circa 1840′s,was most likely used as a stage stop/post office. Guest house includes 2bd/kitchen/living room/sunroom.3 car garage and enclosed private gated courtyard complete this idyllic setting with unbelievable pricing.($134/sq ft!)

1315 Irving Street | Philadelphia, PA – $1,095,000

  • Philadelphia Real EstateBedrooms: 3
  • Full Bathrooms: 3
  • Partial Bathrooms: 1
  • 2,871 sq. ft.

Listing Says: This grand and stately home was originally designed by acclaimed architect Frank Furness and completely renovated in 2006 to blend modern day aesthetics and urban living with classic architecture. Enter into elegant foyer and proceed into an amazing open chef~~~s kitchen and massive living room space with sophisticated and rich finishes, a huge 20~~~ wall of exposed brick and towering solid cherry doors and windows decorated with custom cast iron. The stairs sweep upward to the second floor featuring a handsome den with wood-burning fireplace plus guest bedroom with full bathroom. The romantic master bedroom is nestled in the front of the home with open ceiling with exposed beams and custom stone master bath with walk-in closet. The third floor features a generously sized bedroom, large den and wet bar. There is a spectacular two tiered deck overlooking the cityscape and one car garage with attic storage space. You must see this fantastic and architecturally significant home. Tax abatement until 2018.

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Posted in Art Museum, Articles, Bella Vista, Buying a Home, Center City, Chestnut Hill, East Falls, Fairmount, Fishtown, Graduate Hospital, Luxury Homes, Northern Liberties, Old City, Pennsport, Philadelphia real estate, Point Breeze, Queen Village, Rittenhouse Square, Roxborough, Selling your home, Society Hill, South Philly, Uncategorized, University City, Washington Square, Washington Square West | 2 Comments »

Coldwell Banker Preferred Acquires Coldwell Banker Realty Corp.

Wednesday, May 4th, 2011

 

Exciting news for Coldwell Banker Preferred AND for Philadelphia Real Estate! It has been announced Coldwell Banker Preferredthat the sales professionals of the Coldwell Banker Realty Corp. Rittenhouse Square office are bringing their talents to Coldwell Banker Preferred!

Realty Corp. brings more than 130 active listings to Coldwell Banker Preferred- which will increase the market share of the all ready successful company. This will reinforce the companies’ presence in the Philadelphia Real Estate Market exponentially. (Regina Coia, President of Coldwell Banker Preferred).

“The professionals at Realty Corp. strive to provide personalized boutique-style, yet, technology driven, service to their clientele (cbrca.com).” Each agent is extremely motivated and experienced to offer the best service possible for Philadelphia real estate consumers. Over sixty competent agents will join the Coldwell Banker Preferred family. This merger will boost the overall competency of the company and take Coldwell Banker Preferred to another level of success.

This union means great things for Philadelphia and for those looking to buy or sell real estate in the area. More competent real estate agents will be made available to provide the highest degree of satisfaction to the Philadelphia real estate consumers.

This is yet another one of NRT’s acquistions within the Philadelphia Real Estate Market. NRT LLCPhiladelphia Real Estate is the nation’s largest residential real estate brokerage company. This merger will only lead to more success for the company and allow for more Philadelphia Real Estate consumers to be served using NRT’s state-of-the-art tools, technology and training.

At Coldwell Banker Preferred, it is vital to preserve the genuine personal concern to successfully serve the Philadelphia Real Estate consumers- and everyone is confident that this standard will continue with the recent growth.

Noah Ostroff & Associates welcomes the professionals of Coldwell Banker Realty Corp. to the ColdwellPhiladelphia Real Estate Banker Preferred family – and we look forward to better serving those looking to buy or sell real estate in Philadelphia!

We have YOUR best interest in mind!

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Posted in Art Museum, Articles, Bella Vista, Buying a Home, Center City, Chestnut Hill, East Falls, Fairmount, Fishtown, Foreclosures, Graduate Hospital, Luxury Homes, Northern Liberties, Old City, Pennsport, Philadelphia real estate, Point Breeze, Queen Village, Rentals, Rittenhouse Square, Roxborough, Selling your home, Society Hill, South Philly, University City, Washington Square, Washington Square West | 1 Comment »

(Up-to-Date) Five Most Expensive Homes in Philadelphia

Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

 

In August of 2010, we presented to you the “Five Most Expensive Homes in Philadelphia.” These featured homes included: 1706 Rittenhouse Square- priced at $5,398,200, 228 West Washington Square- priced at $5,485,000, the Barclay Condominium- priced at $5,575,000, thePhiladelphia Real Estate Latimer House- priced at $6,200,000 and the city’s frontrunner, the Bergdoll Mansion- priced at $6,995,000.

But… that’s all in the past. Today, we’d like to present to you the current, five most expensive homes that Philadelphia has to offer. We will count down to the new reigning champ; our city’s most expensive home on the market. We will include property listings, as is, and… price tags. You will see how much the Philadelphia Real Estate Market has changed, in a mere nine months.

So, fasten your money clips… because our countdown begins… right now.

#5 Spot: 130 S. 18th Street 2504, Philadelphia, PA 19103 – $3,650,000

Listing Says: Largest 3 bedroom 4 .5 bath with full Rittenhouse Square views with wrap-around East, South and West views. Living areas feature Cherry Wood Floors. The kitchen opens to 32 ft. long great room with Juliet Bay windows overlooking Rittenhouse Square- and flooded with sun light. Butler’s pantry features Sub Zero Wine refrigerator with plenty of cabinetry for glassware with additional sink and 2nd dishwasher- wonderful for entertaining. Master suite has stunning views of Rittenhouse Square & striking river views from the East- Also, features his/her baths and 2 walk-in closets and separate library/office. The West Wing of this home features 2 guest bedrooms with in-suite marble baths. RESIDENT AMENITIES: 24 hr Doorman, Concierge, Chauffeur-Driven Mercedes, 10 yr Tax Abatement, Fitness Center, Indoor Pool, Yoga Room, Outdoor Garden, Storage Locker, Guest Suite, 1 CAR PARKING INCLUDED and Room Service by SERAFINA!

#4 Spot: 400-26 S. Broad Street 2008, Philadelphia, PA 19146 - $3,899,000

Listing Says: Dramatic & definitely one-of-a-kind. The ultimate condominium, the city’s premier address. An elegant 5100 square ft. of sophistication spanning the full southern hemisphere of floor 20 at 400-26 South Broad StreetSymphony House. Grand main living area with raised level custom bar with granite, custom stone ledge walls & 60″ plasma. Caribbean rosewood floors, multiple floor-to-ceiling window walls. Custom island kitchen with granite, custom Viking appliances including 6-burner gas cook top, 2 ovens, warming drawer & Subzero. Electric shades, custom window treatments, sound system & designer lighting throughout. Beautiful crown & moldings. Handsome executive office with Venetian-plastered walls, built-in cherry cabinets & desk, 42″ plasma. Owner’s Suite w/sitting area, 42″ plasma, over-sized walk-in closet. Spacious 250 square ft. laundry/utility room with custom-built cherry cabinetry. Separate Au Pair Suite with full kitchen, dining, living, bedroom & full bath has its own entrance connected with the main residence. 3 package spaces/4 balconies/extra storage/tax abatement. A rare opportunity 

#3 Spot: 1830 Rittenhouse Square 3A, Philadelphia, PA 19103 – $3,995,000

Listing Says: The home of Raymond and Miriam Klein is a 5377 square foot apartment located in the architectural masterpiece at 1830 Rittenhouse Square. Known as the “Grande Dame” of the Square. 1830 is acclaimed for its gorgeous extraordinary lobby, bay windows, beautiful iron work, a limestone façade1830 Rittenhouse Square and exquisite canopy. This magnificent condominium residence, located on the south side of Rittenhouse Square, is known for its definitive old world services, including staff-operated elevators and twenty-four hour doormen. The spaces in this residence are elegant and the views into Rittenhouse Square are unparalleled. Living Room, Dining Room and Library all face the square. Ceiling height in this elegant home is 10+ feet high. There is a ballroom that seats 75. The master suite has two baths. There is a large eat in kitchen. There are two additional bedrooms with ensuite baths and two additional powder rooms. This is the only full floor in the building. The best views in the city!

#2 Spot: 210 W. Washington Square 10E, Philadelphia, PA 19106 - $5,200,000

Listing Says: Prestigiously Located in The Ayer Condominium. This Meticulously-Detailed residence features 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths. A Grand Gallery entrance perfect for the Art Connoisseur opens into the living room featuring stunning views & an abundance of natural light on 3 sides. A bulthaup Kitchen boasts quartz countertops w/Miele stainless steel appliances, 2 Ovens & dishwasher, huge Island w/double sink & storage & an Integrated Subzero refrigerator. Soaring 11.5 Foot Ceiling Heights enhance the sense of volume in your Living Spaces. 4000 square feet, facing historic Washington Square & the river. East- West-North & South Exposures. The Master suite has all the modern luxuries one desires–large walk –in closets, sitting area, his & her baths, Views of the historic Park & River, Extraordinary Wesley Wei Architect Designed Home office, meditation room with koi pond & media room, Large Balcony, Chauffeured Driven Lexus, Fitness center, Valet Parking, 24 hr Concierge service, doormen. Storage and 2 garage parking spaces.

The winner, our #1 Spot: 1706 Rittenhouse Square 2101, Philadelphia, PA - $5,249,600

Listing Says: Incomparable full floor residence with 360 degree river to river views! Private elevator, 4200 sq ft, 2 balconies, high ceilings, one car garage parking, lush garden and koi pond, fitness center with sauna and lap pool. Live effortlessly with unparalleled service and convenience.

Philadelphia Real EstatePhiladelphia Real Estate

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Posted in Art Museum, Articles, Bella Vista, Buying a Home, Center City, Chestnut Hill, East Falls, Fairmount, Fishtown, Graduate Hospital, Luxury Homes, Market stats, Northern Liberties, Old City, Pennsport, Philadelphia real estate, Point Breeze, Queen Village, Rittenhouse Square, Roxborough, Selling your home, Society Hill, South Philly, University City, Washington Square, Washington Square West | 1 Comment »

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