Every Philadelphia condo association has its own set of rules and regulations in regards to cats, dogs, giraffes, and other miscellaneous pets. The general rule of thumb is as follows:
1) Low Rise and/or Brownstone Style condominiums
Almost ALL of these small associations allow dogs and cats. I dunno’ about giraffes. Rarely are size, or breed restrictions in place. Such is the case at The Garden Condominiums on the 1600 block of Spruce Street. No elevator, and limited common space generally mean more relaxed pet policies. However, there may be a nuisance clause inserted into the condo docs, should your pet be continually yappy, or prone to biting the neighbors.
2) High Rise Condos
All Pre-War buildings on Rittenhouse Square allow dogs and cats. Breed restriction or weight limits may apply. It has been my experience that smaller high rise (and high-end) buildings with limited number of occupants do allow pets- Like 1900 Rittenhouse Square. High rise Philly condo buildings with large populations (Academy House) generally will not allow dogs.
Large condo associations looking to rethink their restrictive pet policies can implement size and breed restrictions to keep disruptions and the “fear factor” out of the common areas of any given association. This idea will probably gain in popularity as associations look for ways to attract, instead of repel potential buyers. In my 20+ year real estate career here in Center City Philadelphia, I have realized that the buying public is about 50 times more likely to purchase a condo with a relaxed pet policy. Most buyers will give up their first choice of condo buildings, before they will give up their beloved pet. I wouldn’t dream of giving away my dog to live in any specific building here in Center City. Would you?
Mark Wade
www.CenterCityCondos.com
Prudential Fox and Roach REALTORS®
530 Walnut St., Suite 260 Philadelphia, PA 19106
Usually accented by very large windows and high ceilings, exposed brick walls bring casual comfort to many Old City lofts and other Center City Condominiums. But the look of those walls need not stay the same again and again.
One option is to varnish, or apply polyurethane to the brick, which controls the brick dust accumulation, and gives the brick a bit of a shine, sort of similar to shiny hardwood flooring.
Another choice, which I personally prefer, is to painted the brick. Though I can rarely convince others to paint their exposed brick, some of the coolest and most hip looks are achieved by painting interior exposed brick finishes.
Of course, once you paint an exposed brick wall, you are kinda’ stuck with the look, unless you go and have the walls sandblasted. Not a process I would wish upon my worst enemy! Messy, to say the very least.
Looking for a cool and hip condo? Let’s take a look at some units together? Maybe a Fitler Square Condo? Give me a call at 215.521.1523 or email me at Mark@CenterCity.com.
Mark Wade www.CenterCityCondos.com
Prudential Fox and Roach REALTORS®
530 Walnut St., Suite 260 Philadelphia, PA 19106
Technically, in the State of Pennsylvania, if you do not obtain mortgage financing, no one is going to force you to buy title insurance on your new Old City or Rittenhouse Square condominium. But as your Realtor, with your best interest in mind, I am going to rant and rave until you agree to buy it.
A mere title search doesn’t always reveal all the flaws that could potentially be a part of the chain of title. And title searches are not free. Not to mention you will need to pay an attorney or title company closing fees and notary fees to complete your transaction if you do not purchase title insurance from them. Closing fees and search fees are usually waived if you purchase the title policy. Since you will need to put out several hundred dollars for these services if you waive title insurance anyway, you might as well pay the difference and protect yourself against the unthinkable.
Here are a just a few scenarios you could encounter without the protection of title insurance:
– Forgery or Fraud in connection with the execution of previously recorded documents
– Incorrect representation of marital status of grantors
– Undisclosed or missing heirs
– Wills that have not been properly probated
– Mistaken interpretation of wills and trusts
– Incorrect legal descriptions
– Unsatisfied mortgages, liens, or judgments not shown on the record
– Deeds executed under expired or false power of attorneys
– Confusion due to similar or identical names
– Unknown rights of ex-spouses or former owners
– Clerical errors in recording legal documents
– Incorrect filing of condominium declarations
Some of these things sound crazy I know. But in my 21 years of selling Philadelphia Real Estate I have come across more than a few of the above situations. So think of it this way:
Paying for a title search and other closing fees to buy your condo without the protection of title insurance – Around $800
Paying for the same search and closing fees including title insurance protection on your $300,000 condo – Around $1600
The peace of mind of having your title company to call and not having to deal with an old lien or back taxes that suddenly show up on your title – priceless!
Mark Wade www.CenterCityCondos.com
Prudential Fox and Roach REALTORS®
530 Walnut St., Suite 260 Philadelphia, PA 19106
As a longtime Philly Realtor, I see the value in a good appearance of a given, say Old City Condominium, and a good first impression. One that does not include dirt!
It is one thing if your kitchen has white appliances and Formica counter tops. Buyers can look past that. Most folks can even get passed your vanilla bathroom and maybe even the lack of good natural light. But your dusty brown futon from your college days? Your clear lack of ownership in a vacuum, or a mop? More than any home improvement, if you are looking to increase the value of your condo in Philly, get yourself some Clorox, and get cleaning.
Most buyers are not interested in having your dirt and grime included with the sale. Unless of course, you are looking to kill your resale value.
Mark Wade
www.CenterCityCondos.com
Prudential Fox and Roach REALTORS®
530 Walnut St., Suite 260 Philadelphia, PA 19106
Old City Philadelphia: the neighborhood that was once blighted with unattractive and massive warehouses is now the place to be for many searching for a hip and groovy Philadelphia Condos. Once referred to as the “Warehouse district”, Old City has become the hip urban neighborhood that is much in demand!
Converted factories and lofts dominate the Old City condo set. Though few townhouses are located within Old City, many buyers find the attraction to the variety of loft space a real draw. Old City Condos in the area are many and varied. From studios to larger rambling spaces, the historic fabric and eclectic visuals make Old City a popular buying destination for Philadelphia’s residential condo buyers. 108 Arch, The Moravian condominiums, York Square, Bridgeview Place condos, Wireworks condos, and the National in Old City are some of the big name condos in the area. All of Old City falls within the 19106 zip code. Area boundaries for Old City Philly are: Front St. to the east, 5th St. to the west, and Walnut St. to the south, and Wood St. to the north.
I personally have lived in Old City for 17 out of my 20 years here in downtown Philadelphia, and really enjoy the neighborhood. The charm, history, and area shopping proximity are just a few bonuses to my Old City condo!
Everyone thought Bob and Suzie were nuts to abandon their beautiful suburban oasis, replete with ducks flying to and from the pond, for a 17 foot wide row home in Philadelphia in 1992. A row house with no parking and no more than a small square slab of cement to call a back yard and four stories from basement to top floor. Their move signaled a shift in the residential paradigm. Their parents left the city after World War II, and come hell or high water, they weren’t coming back. But Bob and Suzie think of themselves as far to cool and hip to spend their days in a five bedroom ranch house with a half acre of land, and a basement full of tools and half used accouterments. Remember, they are the generation that said words like “groovy”, and “right on”. The idea of never owning a lawnmower, or a garage full of half used brooms and shovels, appeals to many empty nesters. No more yard work, no more owning more than one car, and no more having to repair the roof. The thought of new surroundings, in a new luxury condominium, with much less responsibility (and therefore more freedom) is again very appealling.
Baby boomers, becoming empty nesters provided the fuel needed for many new projects that have recently been added to Center City’s skyline. Buyers of many luxury Philadelphia condominiums have made wonderful gains in the last twenty years, with respect to their real estate investments. Without the burden of private schools for the kids, the kids, and often during prime earning years it is the Empty Nesters’ turn to treat themselves, and the developers of many condominiums have positioned themselves to take advantage of that market.
The perception that downtown Philadelphia has really come a long way over the past twenty years. Our City is cleaner, safer, and culturally more adept -are all reasons that contribute to the lure of the empty nesters. From friends who have also made the move, to museums, restaurants, shopping, and the bike trails up the Schuylkill river, Philadelphia is shaping up to be a fine residential attraction, and empty nesters have taken notice. And to think that Northern Liberties is now the place to see and be seen. Who would have thought?
Mark Wade
www.CenterCityCondos.com
Prudential Fox and Roach REALTORS®
530 Walnut St., Suite 260 Philadelphia, PA 19106
Get this….23 S. 23rd St- A two bed, two and a half bath condo asking $439,900 Listed by a good friend who sells a lot of Fannie Mae Foreclosures…I just have to tell all my blog readers about this unit….
High end cherry kitchen, with Sub Zero and Viking appliances, Hardwood flooring, high ceiling, close to Penn, and very very cheap rental parking in the building. Doorman building!
97% Financing Available for Owner Occupants!
Curious…Call me! 267.237.3404
Mark Wade
www.CenterCityCondos.com
Prudential Fox and Roach REALTORS®
530 Walnut St., Suite 260 Philadelphia, PA 19106
Whether you live or work here in Center City Philadelphia, you know all about The Parking Authority! Here is a short video about how to easily avoid them.
So from avoiding “No Parking” zones in front of the driveway of any given Center City Home, to making sure you do not exceed twenty minutes in the “loading zone” in front of that Philly Condo Building, you can greatly cut your chances of getting a ticket, or even worse, getting towed.
Watch your time in meter spots. The meter folks are only doing their jobs, so be nice to them. Always look out for temporary regulations and read the signs to make sure parking on any given street isn’t cut off after a certain time of day. For example, you can only park on the 600 block of Walnut Street until 3:30PM so they can clear the road for rush hour traffic, which does everyone a lot of good. They will tow you if you are blocking the traffic!
Some streets offer free 2 hour parking, but if you don’t live in a Philly Loft or Home in that neighborhood (with a sticker on your window to prove it), you will be ticketed if you exceed the 2 hour limit OR if you try to sneak back to the same block later in the day. Your license plate number is in the system, so they have no idea if you left and came back. You get 2 hours free on each block each day if you are an out-of-towner! There are tons of lots in Center City if you need to stay longer.
Lastly, don’t park in a Handicap Spot if you don’t have a Handicap plate. It WILL cost you! Follow this simple advice, so you don’t end up featured on the next episode of Parking Wars!
Mark Wade
www.CenterCityCondos.com
Prudential Fox and Roach REALTORS®
530 Walnut St., Suite 260 Philadelphia, PA 19106
I have been selling real estate in Philly for 22 years. I like to say I have “Seen It All”.
In this market, it is sometimes hard to believe it when a condo you LOVE comes on the market, and quickly sells out from under you. You know, you prepare for a 2nd visit, you get your ducks in a row, and the day prior to your 2nd visit – the property sells.
Yes, even in Mid-November 2010, properties do sell – if they show well, and are priced fairly. It happened to me twice this month…I lost two deals by either being out-bid, or by not getting my buyers to act fast enough to make an offer on a Philly Condo they loved. If you love a property, believe me – I am going to tell the listing agent, and signal that IF he or she gets an offer, please call and let me know. Most Philly Realtors, who work in the best interest of their sellers, will call.
SOME (PERHAPS) SHADY REALTORS JUST IGNORE THE REQUEST AND CLOSE THE FIRST DEAL…POSSIBLY THEIR OWN.
The point is….if you love, love, love it….then buy, buy, buy it. Quickly. The market waits for no one….
Mark Wade www.CenterCityCondos.com
Prudential Fox and Roach REALTORS®
530 Walnut St., Suite 260 Philadelphia, PA 19106
….Yeah, that Link would be in the middle of this article. I think having a building FHA approved is a huge help to buyers who are eyeing your building/thinking about a purchase. It makes a Philly condo building open to more options in terms of buyers financing a purchase within the building. All Good.
In the old days, FHA could approve the buildings on the spot with a quick check of some facts about the composition of the building and the condo association. No longer. A full FHA approval process must be put in place in order for an FHA loan to be used to purchase inside a particular condo building. Here is the Link- Just add the zip code of the building in question and a list of FHA approved buildings in that Zip Code will magically appear:
