When purchasing a Philadelphia condo as a pied-à-terre, it is important to ensure lenders view this as a second home rather than an investment property, because that opens the door to much better financing.
Buying a pied?à?terre in Center City Philadelphia means deciding whether you want a high?rise with staff or a low?rise with lower fees. For part?time residents, the real question is: how much on?site oversight matters when you’re not in town?
Condo lobbies can either greet you with their splendor or disappoint you with their lack of taste. In no particular order, these are my selections for Center City’s ten most impressive condo lobbies, based on architectural design, functionality, first impressions, and the reactions they consistently generate from buyers.
Co?op boards traditionally prefer buyers who plan to live in the home full?time. Their reasoning is straightforward: they want residents who are deeply invested in the building’s day?to?day life, its long?term upkeep, and its financial health.
After four decades of living in Center City, I can tell you what to expect when buying Philadelphia condos in different price ranges, from studios to trophy penthouses and everything in between.
After four decades of living in Center City, I can tell you the neighborhoods here each have their own personality — and for a pied-à-terre buyer, matching that personality to how you actually use the city matters more than almost anything else. Think concretely about why you're coming to Philadelphia: concerts at the Kimmel, dinners on 13th Street? Walkability isn't a checkbox here — it's the whole point.
Located at 112 & 120 N. 2nd St. (and spanning several addresses like 113 & 133 N. Bread St. in 19106). If you’re looking for a mix of "industrial cool" and gated security, this is your spot. The National Condominiums sit on the historic site of the former National [...]
Choosing between Hopkinson House and Society Hill Towers is the classic Philadelphia real estate dilemma. In my 37 years as a real estate agent in Center City, I haven’t just sold units in these buildings—I’ve personally owned condos in both. I’ve gazed out the windows, navigated the board rules, and watched the market cycles [...]
In my 37 years of navigating the Center City Philadelphia real estate market, I’ve developed a sharp eye for the difference between a high-end investment and a design-heavy disaster. Here is the hard truth most agents are afraid to tell you: you can absolutely "over-design" your way out of a sale.
Which Philadelphia Luxury Condo Building Fits Your Lifestyle? Philadelphia’s luxury condo market has matured into a collection of highly specialized buildings, each offering a very different ownership experience. Two buildings that consistently attract buyers looking for full-service high-rise living are Waterfront Square and The Murano. They both offer luxury amenities, concierge service, parking, skyline views, [...]
