Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

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Mark Wade
www.CenterCityCondos.com
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox and Roach Realtors
530 Walnut St. #260 Philadelphia, PA 19103
215.521.1523  Mark@CenterCity.com

Every Philadelphia condominium building has it’s own basis for charging condo fees, and the percentage one pays is a reflection of the square footage of their particular condo.

Some potential condo buyers shy away from condo fees…or at least fees that they view to be excessive. But let’s look at what condo fees can cover. This way you can pick and choose which services might be right for you….and which building or building style may be right for you:

Trash Removal                        Common Area cleaning
Management Service               Doormen
Parking                                  Town Car Service
Pool                                        Shuttle/Buse Service
Heat                                       Central Air
Hot water                               Common Electric
Concierge                               Building Maintenance
Landscaping                         Gym
Window Washing                  Elevators
Common Electric                   Security
Bundled Cable                       Water and Sewer
Master Insurance Policy

You can pick and choose your services….Just let me know what your priorities are, and we can find a condo in Philadelphia that is right for you!

Mark Wade
www.CenterCityCondos.com
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox & Roach Realtors
530 Walnut St. #260 Philadelphia, PA 19106

There was an article last week in the Philadelphia Inquirer that suggests more Philadelphia Condos are being rented.  Here is an excerpt from the article:

Because the focus of residential construction during the boom times was on for-sale housing rather than rentals, there aren’t enough high-end apartments to go around now.

“We are finding the high-end rentals to be almost nonexistent, as they rent fairly quickly,” said real estate agent Mark Wade, of Prudential Fox & Roach.

Condos near the University of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson University “have a built-in demand for rentals, and we have seen that equation play out year after year,” Wade said.

Read more here:

http://articles.philly.com/2011-06-01/news/29608739_1_rental-apartments-rental-units-center-city-district/2

Mark Wade
www.CenterCityCondos.com
Prudential Fox and Roach Realtors
530 Walnut St. #260 Philadelphia, PA 19106

Race Street Pier officially opened today! This is the first new public space of its kind located on the Delaware River as part of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation’s ambitious new plan.  The Pier reconnects the City to the River, activates the water’s edge and establishes the pier as a distinctive new public park for the people of Philadelphia. Click to read more about The Race Street Pier.

This is a great new park for Philadelphia condo owners and Philadelphia condo buyers. If you are interested in purchasing a condo in Philly, give us a call at 215.521.1523.

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

We just listed the dozen remaining units at the Winne building at 38-44 N. Front in Old City.

Finally, these units have great prices on them, and they are in the process of being FHA approved. From one to two bedrooms, priced as low as $216k!

Give us a call at 215.521.1523 to make an appointment to see these groovy Philadelphia Condos today!

Mark Wade
www.CenterCityCondos.com
Prudential Fox and Roach Realtors
530 Walnut St. #260 Philadelphia, PA 19106

If you plan to put your Philadelphia Condo or Home on the market, you have to check out Drew Callaghan Photography. He does great work that will go a long way at showing off your Condo’s Showing Ability! Here are a few of his amazing photos:

You can contact Drew at Drew@DrewCallaghanPhotography.com or 215.431.3384.

See more at: http://www.DrewCallaghanPhotography.com/

Mark Wade
Prudential Fox and Roach Realtors
www.CenterCityCondos.com
530 Walnut St. #260 Philadelphia, PA 19106

The spring market is upon us and we have some stunning new listings available. Please come out and stop by our Center City open houses this Sunday, March 27.

Noon-1:00PM
736 Pine St. Unit D – 2-bedroom condo in Society Hill with central air, family room, basement, 2 decks, & parking. Distinctive & delightful! $515,000

1112 Spruce St. Unit 1R – Just Listed! Spacious condo in Washington Square West with wood floors, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, intercom, laundry area, tons of storage, & cute patio $399,000

1:30PM-2:30PM
912 Spruce St. #8 – Cozy 1 bedroom located to the rear of building away from any street noise, high ceilings, stainless steel appliances, low condo fees, move-in condition at an unbelievable price! $229,000

1018 Christian St. – 3BR/2ba in Bella Vista, 2004 renovation, wood floors, lovely details, separate dining area, energy efficient sliding door to brick-paved patio – Reduced to $469,000

103-07 Church St. #2 – Just Listed! Large open 1BR/1.5ba in stunning upscale rehab warehouse building in Old City with gas fireplace, large private brick patio, high ceilings, exposed brick, wood floors $333,900

1100 Vine St. #908 – Freshly painted condo with large closets, 1 bed + large separate den (2nd bedroom), new dishwasher, wood floors, lovely view, 24-hr security desk, tax abatement, great location! $242,500

3:00PM-4:00PM
736 Pine St. Unit F –  Sunny 2 bedroom condo, private entrance, open floor plan, California closets, granite/ss and tax abatement $369,000

918 Spruce St. Unit 1 – 3 bedroom brownstone condo w/2-car tandem parking, 2010 chef’s kitchen-SubZero/Viking appliances, high ceilings, 2 new baths…a true gem! $699,000

1002 Spruce St. Unit E – Just Reduced Match your dreams to this 2BR/2BA condo. Some of the highlights of this distinctive unit are skylights and central air. Celebrity-caliber luxury! $435,000

50 N. Front St. #402 – 1BR condo with fireplace and shared roof deck with views of the Delaware River. Lots of west-facing windows provide great light, tremendous closet space, exposed brick & architectural details $279,000

We hope to see you there! To view all of our Philadelphia Real Estate Listings, including Philadelphia Condos visit www.CenterCityCondos.com.

Mark Wade
www.CenterCityCondos.com
Prudential Fox and Roach Realtors
530 Walnut St. #260 Philadelphia, PA 19106

Selling Philadelphia condominiums has somewhat of a unique issue that may not be relevant to condos in, say, remote parts of Montana or on deserted private islands. And that issue would be – the noise.

Some of the most sought after condo buildings here in Center City are on or very close to lively blocks that are full of activity, or they are on or near bus routes, and can have a close proximity to highways. This is very convenient but can be noisy!

Having constant noise outside your dining room or bedroom could be a big problem. So, I devised a kinda’ cool solution that works like a gem. And in the scheme of things, really doesn’t have to cost a lot.

Here’s the solution: Replace your windows (genius, eh?)!

Depending on where you live in downtown Philadelphia, you may have a fairly strong historic association who mandates the type of window replacement you must use.  However, this does not preclude you from installing another set of windows INSIDE the historical set.

You can add a double paned, inexpensive vinyl clad INSIDE the outer set of historically approved windows, giving you a total of 3 or 4 panes of glass between you and the noise.  This ingenious little set-up demonstrates how you can effectively keep all city noise out of your Philadelphia loft or condo.

You don’t need to live 30 feet from the highway or live in a super luxury condo building to benefit from this idea.  Such insulation also provides extra protection from cold, heat loss, and dirt that gets inside of other single paned windows!

If you’re thinking of buying or selling a Center City condominium and want some more tips, I can help.  Give me a call today at 215-521-1523 or drop me an email at Mark@CenterCity.com.

Mark Wade
www.CenterCityCondos.com
Prudential Fox and Roach REALTORS®
530 Walnut St. 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

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