Archive for the ‘Pennsport’ Category
Thursday, February 16th, 2012
Even though the real estate market has been tumultuous for many recently, Philadelphia somehow seems to be doing much better compared to most other parts of the country. The local market has some activity, as in housing is being purchased and seeing increases. Additionally, construction of new single-family homes continues to go up, especially in the suburbs.
One point of prosperity in the Philly real estate market lies in the increase in existing home sales into December. December 2011 took in about five more percent of existing sales than December 2010 did. Sales from the end of last year thus far have been positive. This is something the housing market needs momentously. Thus far in 2012, there hasn’t been a significant increase in homes purchased but there is certainly a growing interest in property expected to take place.
On the seller’s side, there is hope that rising apartment rental rates could drive some potential buyers back into the fold in 2012. The average rental rate for all Philadelphia apartments has gone up nearly eight percent in the last year alone. This equals an increase of nearly $80 in the past year alone. The thought is that those individuals or couples on the fence about renting and buying could take a more serious look at buying, especially with today’s mortgage rates.
Reports have shown that mortgage rates have been hitting record lows throughout the country, as well as here in Philadelphia, which is certainly inviting for potential buyers. Right now, a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is coming with 4.007 APR. With mortgage rates being this low and rentals continuing to increase in price, there is hope that some buyers will begin to see the benefits of buying in early 2012.
Right now, Philadelphia’s top selling areas have remained the northwestern and western areas of Center City. However, other parts of Philadelphia have retained their value attracting buyers and keeping the market going.
Right now, the big issue the city faces is sale prices, specifically for sellers. It is important to note that even though sales prices have dropped in this area, they have not plummeted as much as other cities across the country.
Rittenhouse Square, in western Center City, continues to show strength
In the coming months, there is reason to be optimistic that these prices can get a small pickup. Median prices were down about six percent in December from the previous year, but this could have been expected. The months of November and December are generally regarded as slow months for real estate anyway, but the numbers shouldn’t have too heavy an impact on the rest of the first quarter of 2012.
A glance at the early trends in 2012 Philadelphia real estate is truly a mixed bag right now. Coming off the month of December is usually not pretty for any market; however, the Philly market has looked rather stable in the early part of the year. Regardless, it should remain to be seen if factors such as mortgage rates, rising rental rates and an increase in existing home sales can positively influence the market for both buyers and sellers throughout the first half of 2012.
–By Emma Crawford, special to PhillyLiving.com
Tags: coldwell banker preferred, noah ostroff, Philly Living, Philly Living Blog
Posted in Art Museum, Bella Vista, Buying a Home, Center City, Chestnut Hill, Conventional Loans, East Falls, Fairmount, FHA, Fishtown, Graduate Hospital, Loft District, Logan Square, Market stats, Mortgages, Neighborhood Pages, Northern Liberties, Old City, Pennsport, Philadelphia real estate, Point Breeze, Queen Village, Rentals, Rittenhouse Square, Roxborough, Selling your home, Society Hill, South Philly, Washington Square, Washington Square West | No Comments »
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/reports.
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 »
Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
There are now 76 markets where the real estate picture is expected to look better in the months to come, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index, released Jan. 9. The Philadelphia real estate market is one of those 76.
The addition of 40 metro areas to the monthly list of improving markets suggests that the fitful housing market recovery is spreading beyond the smaller markets that were not as heavily affected by the bursting of the housing bubble in 2008. Last month, there were 41 cities on the list. (Five of those – Anchorage, Alaska; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Canton, Ohio; Scranton, Pa., and Charleston, W. Va. – dropped off the list.)
“While relatively small metropolitan areas continue to dominate the list of improving housing markets, it’s important to note that several major metros in diverse parts of the country have now joined the field as well – including such metros as Dallas, Denver, Honolulu, Indianapolis, Nashville and Philadelphia,”NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe said in a news release. “This is an encouraging sign that gradually strengthening economic conditions are starting to take hold across a broader swath of America.”
The NAHB and title insurer First American base the index on trends in three categories: employment growth from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, house price appreciation from Freddie Mac, and growth in single-family housing construction permits from the U.S. Census Bureau. A metro area that has had six consecutive months of growth from a prior trough in all three areas gets added to the index.
What does this mean for you, the Philadelphia home owner or buyer? If you are in the latter camp, we suggest you accelerate your house-hunting timetable if you can. While home price growth is forecast to be modest for the year ahead, prices are expected to rise, and that means that you are more likely to get the home you want at a great price now than later. If you are a home owner, talk with your Realtor about the ideal time to put your home on the market if you are still weighing your options. Our team of real estate experts can assist you in determining when and how to best take advantage of a rising market.
Tags: buying a home in philadelphia, center city real estate, coldwell banker preferred, living in philly, noah ostroff, philadelphia real estate
Posted in Art Museum, Articles, Bella Vista, Buying a Home, Center City, Chestnut Hill, East Falls, Fairmount, Fishtown, Graduate Hospital, Loft District, Logan Square, Market stats, Neighborhood Pages, 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 »
Thursday, January 5th, 2012
Location: 916 Christian Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147 (North Site); 1242 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147 (South Site)
Enrollment: 775 students in grades K-8 in 2010-11
Student-teacher ratio: 15.3 in 2010
Demographics: African-American, 33.5%; White, 51.4%; Asian, 8.1%; Latino, 6.7%; all others, 0.3%. 66% of Christopher Columbus students came from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in the 2009-10 school year.
Metrics:
Attendance rate (2010-11) 96%.
PSSA performance (2011, percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced):
| Subject |
This School |
District Public Schools |
State |
| Math |
64.5% |
58.6% |
77.1% |
| Reading |
70.8% |
52.0% |
73.5% |
| Science |
65.3% |
34.8% |
60.9% |
| Writing |
82.8% |
51.2% |
75.0% |
Profile: While the Italian-American heritage of the Christopher Columbus Charter School (CCCS) and its neighborhood is reflected in its name, the school itself reflects the increasingly diverse community that surrounds its two buildings near the Italian Market and Passyunk Square. The school’s curriculum is based on Core Knowledge principles, with a strong emphasis on language arts: students are expected to learn at least one foreign language in addition to English. Use of the latest technology is also a core component of the school’s educational program. The school’s staff and faculty have also committed themselves to providing a “safe, orderly, disciplined and caring environment” in which learning can take place. As a Title I school, CCCS offers enhanced academic support to students who are educationally at risk of failing to meet state standards for performance.
Tags: 19147, best places to live, Christopher Columbus Charter School, education, living in philly, philadelphia charter schools, philadelphia real estate, philadelphia schools, schools in philadelphia
Posted in Articles, Bella Vista, Center City, Neighborhood Pages, Pennsport, Queen Village, Schools, South Philly | No Comments »
Tuesday, December 20th, 2011
Contrary to the conventional wisdom on the subject, cities are great places to raise children. In addition to the lessons they learn in class, they get exposure to a host of real-world sights, sounds and experiences that will stay with them for life. Good city schools capitalize on this potential by bringing the community into the classroom through partnerships and special programs.
If you are considering buying a home in Philadelphia, you have many options for educating your child. Greater Center City contains within its borders outstanding public, charter, parochial and private schools, each with their own unique strengths. Our School Report Card series is designed to help you make informed choices about the best places for you to live in Center City if your children are part of the picture.
Each Report Card contains data on demographics, attendance, enrollment, student-teacher ratios and academic performance as measured by the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) tests where available. School profiles contain information on areas of academic emphasis, special programs offered, community and parent involvement and extracurricular activities. Use the links below to read about each school:
Elementary Schools
Public Schools: Chester A. Arthur, Bache-Martin, Albert M. Greenfield, Andrew Jackson, Gen. Philip Kearny, Gen. George A. McCall, William M. Meredith, George W. Nebinger, Spring Garden, Edwin M. Stanton, Laura Wheeler Waring
Charter Schools: Christopher Columbus, Folk Arts-Cultural Treasures, Independence, Laboratory Charter School of Communications and Languages, Math, Civics & Sciences, People for People, Russell Byers, Universal Institute
Parochial Schools: Holy Redeemer, Sacred Heart of Jesus, St. Francis Xavier, St. Gabriel, St. Mary Interparochial, St. Peter the Apostle
Private Schools: Friends Select School, The Philadelphia School, St. Peter’s School
Secondary Schools
Public Schools: Academy at Palumbo*, Bodine High School for International Affairs*, Business & Technology*, Constitution*, Creative and Performing Arts*, Benjamin Franklin, Franklin Learning Center*, Horace Howard Furness, Julia Reynolds Masterman*, Parkway Center City*, Science Leadership Academy*, South Philadelphia
(*=citywide magnet school)
Charter Schools: Architecture and Design, Friere, Math, Civics & Sciences, Philadelphia Electrical and Technology, World Communications
Parochial Schools: John W. Hallahan (girls), Roman Catholic (boys)
Private Schools: City Center Academy, Friends Select, St. Joseph’s Prep
–Sandy Smith
Tags: best places to live, buying a home in philadelphia, education, families in center city, kids in center city, living in philly, Philadelphia Kids
Posted in Art Museum, Articles, Bella Vista, Center City, Chestnut Hill, East Falls, Fairmount, Fishtown, Graduate Hospital, Loft District, Neighborhood Pages, Northern Liberties, Old City, Pennsport, Philadelphia real estate, Queen Village, Rittenhouse Square, Schools | No Comments »
Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011
While the market for real estate in Philadelphia lags the national trend for now, nationwide figures from the National Association of Realtors suggest the housing market is ever so slowly yet definitely turning a corner.
While the main attention-grabber in the NAR’s Monday report on existing-home sales for October was an unexpected 1.4% rise in sales from September’s figure, other data in the release show continued improvement in the overall state of the housing market. Annualized sales of existing homes nationwide in October were 13.5% above the pace at this time last year. In addition, the inventory of homes on the market continues to fall gradually. The 3.33 million existing homes for sale in October represent a 2.2% drop from the previous month. At the current sales pace, it would take 8 months to sell all the inventory, down from 8.3 months in September. The real estate industry trade group says that both figures have been trending downward gradually since July of 2008.
And while the national housing market remains a buyer’s market, with the national median price of existing homes 4.7% below last year’s level, sales of distressed properties – foreclosures and short sales – also continue to fall as a share of the total. October’s 28% share was down 2 percentage points from the previous month and 6 from the previous year. Some of that fall may be due to delays in getting foreclosed properties to market, according to NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun: “In some areas we’re hearing about shortages of foreclosure inventory in the lower price ranges with multiple bidding on the more desirable properties,” Yun said. “Realtors® in such areas are calling for a faster process of getting foreclosure inventory into the market because they have ready buyers.”
Yun also noted that relaxation of today’s tighter credit standards would improve both the overall pace of existing-home sales and the absorption of distressed properties. “In addition, extending credit to responsible investors would help to absorb inventory at an even faster pace, which would go a long way toward restoring market balance,” he said.
Sales trends in the Philadelphia real estate market are more in line with those in the Northeast, where NAR data for October show a 5.1% falloff in existing-home sales from last month and a 1.4% rise from one year ago. TREND MLS data for October show sales in Center City Philadelphia and areas immediately adjacent running 35% below last month’s figure and 12% below the same month one year ago.
–Sandy Smith
Tags: buying a home in philadelphia, center city real estate, coldwell banker preferred, noah ostroff, philadelphia real estate, Philly Living, selling your home
Posted in Art Museum, Articles, Bella Vista, Buying a Home, Center City, Chestnut Hill, Fairmount, Fishtown, Foreclosures, Graduate Hospital, Market stats, 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 West | 1 Comment »
Friday, November 18th, 2011
So you’ve found that new home in Philadelphia you’ve always dreamed of, the one with the huge roof deck with spectacular skyline views, and you want to turn that deck into something really special. Or maybe you already own a piece of Philadelphia real estate with a roof that’s about due for repair or replacement. Here’s an idea that will add value and beauty to your home, cut your energy bills, and help our urban environment all at the same time: Turn that roof of yours green.
Intensive green roof with flowers on a Kater Street townhouse
Green roofs – roofs planted with low-maintenance grasses or plants that absorb and retain water – are a small but important way to help reduce the burden placed on Philadelphia’s sewer system when it rains. By absorbing and holding storm water, green roofs reduce runoff into the city’s sewers, which in turn reduces flooding and sewage pollution in the rivers that provide the city and region with drinking water.
A passive green roof like this one requires very little maintenance
Green roofs are also a component of the Philadelphia Water Department’s comprehensive stormwater management program for the next 25 years, “Green City, Clean Waters.” This plan has won national praise for its innovative approach to the water management issues raised by urban development because it relies on nature more than engineering to reduce storm water flows.
Turn your roof deck into your back yard by going green - it adds beauty and lowers your energy bills
But what’s in it for you? Fruits and vegetables, if you so choose. Or a rooftop oasis where you can relax. Lower energy bills thanks to the added insulation of the soil. And lower maintenance costs in the long run.
Installing a green roof requires you to do some homework first. You will need to find out how much weight your roof can support and how its drainage system functions, for starters. The cost of the installation will vary depending on what type of green roof you choose; the accompanying pictures give examples of the most common types.
For more information about green roofs and to find an installer, visit Green Roofs for Healthy Cities.
The Philadelphia Water Department also has information about green roofs and other stormwater management tools homeowners can use to reduce storm runoff, as well as the role these tools play in the city’s 25-year stormwater management plan. Visit the Green City, Clean Waters website for full details.
–Sandy Smith
Tags: coldwell banker preferred, environment, green roof, Homes for Sale in Philadelphia, philadelphia real estate blog, Philly Living, roof deck, storm water management
Posted in Art Museum, Articles, Bella Vista, Center City, Chestnut Hill, East Falls, Fairmount, Fishtown, Graduate Hospital, Home improvement, Northern Liberties, Old City, Pennsport, Philadelphia real estate, Point Breeze, Queen Village, Rittenhouse Square, Roxborough, Society Hill, South Philly, University City, Washington Square West | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, July 27th, 2011
When 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 accidents
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, 
there are important things you need to know. Be sure to read over the vital information above, then call an attorney.
Tags: coldwell banker preferred, console & hollawell, home viewing, injury attorney, noah ostroff, philadelphia real estate, philadelphiarealestate.com, Philly Living, phillyliving.com, Real Estate in Philadelphia, Showing your Home
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 »
Wednesday, July 27th, 2011
When looking to buy real estate in Philadelphia, there are a lot of factors to consider—and if you’re not just thinking for yourself, but thinking for two, or three, or ten—there are even more factors to mull over when looking to buy.
If you’ve considered buying Philadelphia Real Estate, and you have children to think for, before you commit to anything, you need to know what the city has to offer you… and your little ones.
Whether you’re looking to buy in the Art Museum area, Old City or even Graduate Hospital, it’s important to know what sort of attractions there are in the city—in order to keep your little ones happy and you sane.
We have so much faith in the city; we’ve done the research for you. Below are a few attractions that Philadelphia has to offer on any day.
Join in on an archaeological dig at the Academy of Natural Sciences.
Tour the Betsy Ross House, with an audio tour and scavenger hunt designed just for kids.
Explore historic Philadelphia in an amphibious Duck Tour. 
Walk through the giant human heart model and visit the IMAX theater at the Franklin Institute Science Museum.
Take part in interactive exhibits at the National Constitution Center.
Visit the hands-on petting zoo and Treehouse and ride in the Zooballoon at the Philadelphia Zoo.
Discover one of the world’s best interactive kids’ museums, the Please Touch Museum.
Explore a World War II submarine and Navy cruiser from the 1980s at the The Independence Seaport Museum on Penn’s Landing.
Discover all of Earth’s creepy-crawlers at the Insectarium.
Tour the historic Eastern State Penitentiary – children under 7 are not permitted.
For those spontaneous days, when you need only a little break– and a little fresh air, we’ve mapped out the city’s best playgrounds.
Rittenhouse Square at 18th and Walnut streets has a small playground and space in which to eat and relax.
Schuylkill River Park at Pine and 26th streets, and at 26th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, opposite the art museum.
Nearest Independence Hall, try Delancey, aka “Three Bears,” Park at Delancey between 3rd and 4th streets offers lots of fountains and animal sculptures to climb on.
Starr Garden at 6th and Lombard streets.
The Smith Memorial offers a wooden slide, weird things to climb on, and an indoor playground with plenty of toys to play with and spots to picnic
Franklin Square Park, between 6th and 7th on Race Street, has an old-fashioned carousel, a fountain (ca. 1825), a Philly-themed minigolf course, and a playground. Open daylight hours. The carousel costs $3 for adults and $2 for children. Minigolf costs $8 per adult and $6 per child. When this guide was published, hours were limited to Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
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For those special days when you need to plan a structured, mid-day affair, we’ve researched the best places to keep your little ones entertained for a generous amount of time.
The Arden Theatre at 40 N. 2nd St. (tel. 215/922-1122; www.ardentheatre.org) is one of a dozen companies that produces children’s theater year-round.
The Pennsylvania Ballet puts on matinee performances that make for a perfect early afternoon. Call tel. 215/551-7000 for more information.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art at 26th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway (bus: PHLASH, 21, or 42) has dedicated itself to producing Sunday-morning and early-afternoon programs for children, at minimal or no charge. Your kids could wind up drawing pictures of armor or watching a puppet play about dragons, visiting a Chinese court, or exploring cubism. Call tel. 215/763-8100, or 684-7500 for 24-hour information.
Tags: academy of natural sciences, betsy ross house, coldwell banker preferred, eastern state penitentiary, franklin square park, national constitution center, noah ostroff, philadelphia attractions, philadelphia museum of art, philadelphia real estate, philadelphia zoo, philadelphiarealestate.com, Philly Living, phillyliving.com, the arden theatre, the franklin institute, the smith memorial
Posted in Art Museum, Bella Vista, Buying a Home, Center City, Chestnut Hill, East Falls, Fishtown, Graduate Hospital, Neighborhood Pages, Northern Liberties, Old City, Pennsport, Philadelphia real estate, Point Breeze, Points of Interest, Queen Village, Rittenhouse Square, Roxborough, Schools, Society Hill, South Philly, University City, Washington Square, Washington Square West | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 27th, 2011
Tags: buy a home, buying a home in philadelphia, coldwell banker preferred, noah ostroff, Philadelphia Kids, philadelphia real estate, philadelphia school district, philadelphiarealestate.com, PhillyLiving, phillyliving.com, Real Estate in Philadelphia, Real Estate in Philly, schools in philadelphia
Posted in Art Museum, Bella Vista, Buying a Home, Center City, Chestnut Hill, East Falls, Fairmount, Fishtown, Graduate Hospital, Northern Liberties, Old City, Pennsport, Philadelphia real estate, Point Breeze, Queen Village, Rittenhouse Square, Roxborough, Schools, Society Hill, South Philly, Uncategorized, University City, Washington Square, Washington Square West | No Comments »
Even though the real estate market has been tumultuous for many recently, Philadelphia somehow seems to be doing much better compared to most other parts of the country. The local market has some activity, as in housing is being purchased and seeing increases. Additionally, construction of new single-family homes continues to go up, especially in the suburbs.
