Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

After living in the heart of downtown Center City Philadelphia for 24 years, we have decided it was time to move the hell out of town. Well, at least like 5 blocks out of the heart of town.
I personally spent 18 years in Old City. I love Old City. I lived for six years on and around Rittenhouse Square. I love Rittenhouse Square. But in my advancing years (I just turned 50), I find that a gated community with a guard at my front gate, plus a doorman, and a valet, and on-site pool and huge deck overlooking the river- is getting to be more my speed. I don’t want to be a big brain, but as a Realtor since 1989 in Center City, I KNOW my Real Estate in this town. There are many fine places to live. But I don’t think I could have made a better decision than to live at WaterFront Square.
    The unparallelled views, the service, huge private balcony off my living room, the tax abatement, two car parking, and the ground are really One-Of-A-Kind here in Philadelphia. We have shuttle service into town, and honestly- some of the nicest doormen I have met. And I know ALL the doormen in the Center City condo buildings- I am a Realtor who specializes in condo sales. I have been here a month, and have yet to hear a neighbor. Or meet one. Yippee!
    Most buyers who move to town say they want to be within walking distance of their favorite restaurants or venues. What they really mean- but don’t yet know- Is that they want to be within a taxi ride of their favorite haunts. Mr. and Mrs. Draped in Diamonds and Furs won’t be seen walking home from the Academy of Music at 10pm on a Saturday night- believe me. For the naysayers  who poo-poo the idea of living just on the outskirts of town, I have to say- You don’t know what you are missing. I live in a haven of tranquility and amenities. Two qualities of life you are not going to find en mass around Old City, or even the square.
Mark Wade
Owner – www.CenterCity.com and www.CenterCityCondos.com

Do you think we are new to this planet?

As a realtor in Center City Philadelphia, it really irks me to see some, perhaps dubious, claims made in the Real Estate section of the Sunday paper by various real estate developers. “We have been honored to receive”….”Voted best Priced”, or ” Nominated for Best this or that”. Perhaps some of the “award recipients” are under the assumption that those with the money to buy their products are all just a bunch of morons. Who the hell is giving out these awards? I have never heard of any of these groups.

From claims of prestige, awards, and even square footage calculations on some Center City condos, you may have to take that info with a grain of salt. Not always- but certainly sometimes. And when a developer/his or her sales staff tells you that their new construction building is 70% sold, you might want to check with me for accuracy on those claims.

Did I mention to you that I am now a member of the  JILLION dollar club? 🙂  Yeah right….

Mark Wade
www.CenterCityCondos.com
Prudential Fox and Roach REALTORS®
530 Walnut St., Suite 260 Philadelphia, PA 19106