About Mark Wade

With a BA in business from Bowling Green in Northwest Ohio, Mark began selling in Philadelphia real estate in 1989 and has been in love with it ever since. Mark has lived in almost every Center City Philadelphia neighborhood and he now resides in a high rise condo in the Northern Liberties area. Having been inside countless Philly condos, Mark is intimately familiar with every building in town. He's been quoted about Philly Real Estate in The Inquirer numerous times over the years and writes a blog about the Philadelphia Real Estate market and records podcasts about Philadelphia Condominiums on a regular basis. From Old City to Bella Vista and Society Hill to Rittenhouse Square, Mark knows the ins and outs of every center city Philadelphia neighborhood. The first condo he bought was in Old City. Working w/foreclosures on multi-unit buildings, he began to carve his niche as a condo specialist. He then progressed into helping developers turn apartments into condos. Having been inside countless Philly condos, Mark is intimately familiar with the available properties. He prides himself & impresses others of his vast knowledge & knows which finishes buyers look for...so much so that he's been seen on HGTV's What You Get For The Money, CN-8's Money Matters & was the 2005 winner of Philadelphia Magazine's Kitchen of the Year contest.

CityView vs. The Tivoli: Two Great Buildings – Two Very Different Buys

CityView was originally developed as the Korman Suites hotel and converted to condominiums in 2003. The property consists of two towers — North and South — that share amenities such as the grounds, pool, gym, and library, but operate as two separate condominium associations. There are 532 condos in total across both towers. The Tivoli, at 1900 Hamilton Street, is a different animal entirely. Built in 2007, it represents new construction with high-end finishes including hardwood floors, wood-burning fireplaces in select units, and granite countertops. The complex is made up of a 10-story tower and a separate collection of courtyard townhouses — a distinction that matters enormously depending on which type of unit you're considering.

Ten Rittenhouse and The Rittenhouse Hotel and Condominiums

In the ultra-luxury real estate market of Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square, two addresses consistently dominate the conversation: Ten Rittenhouse and The Rittenhouse Hotel and Condominiums-Let’s compare and contrast these two popular destinations. Having spent 37 years as a veteran Center City real estate agent—and having personally owned and lived in both of these iconic buildings—I can tell you that while they share a name and a neighborhood, they offer two fundamentally different lifestyles. If you are navigating the 19103 market in 2026, here is my "boots on the ground" perspective to help you decide which address truly fits your life.

Never Sell “As-Is”

There’s a disproportionate return on early cosmetic upgrades. The first dollar you spend fixing obvious issues—scuffed walls, worn floors, dated finishes—removes friction. And friction is what holds buyers back.

Why Condos in Center City Sell Differently Than Single-Family Homes — And What Sellers Get Wrong

After 37 years in Center City real estate, the call I dread most is from a seller who accepted an offer — with another agent — and now the deal has just collapsed. Nine times out of ten, it wasn't the price or the market. It was something buried in the building.

Yes, You’ll Need a License to Rent Your Philly Condo

Renting out your condo sounds simple enough — post it, find a tenant, collect rent. But Philadelphia has a compliance process that you cannot sidestep.

Selling One Condo and Buying Another: How Much is it going to cost me?

Many condo owners reach a point where their current home simply no longer fits their lifestyle. Maybe you need a dedicated office, more room for visiting family, or you've decided that now is the time to upgrade to a building with better amenities. Whatever the reason, moving from one condo to another presents a unique challenge: you are simultaneously a seller and a buyer.

Fighting Suburban Isolation

Dream about the transition to Center City as a "Return to Self," focusing on proximity to the Kimmel Center, Rittenhouse dining, and the freedom of lock-and-leave living.

Sell Pretty, Buy Ugly: A Savvy Center City Condo Strategy

Are you a Center City condo owner feeling that your space no longer fits your lifestyle? Knowing when to upgrade or move out is key. Here’s a guide to recognizing the signs and planning your move-up effectively.

Top Ten Center City Buildings for Upgrading

Discover when and how to upgrade your Center City condo. Learn the signs, top buildings, and essential tips for a successful move-up. Keywords: Center City condos, move-up strategy, upgrade your condo, Center City real estate, condo relocation, luxury condos Center City, internal transfers, home staging, real estate tips, condo market trends.

The Move-Up Matrix: When and How to Transition to a New Condo in Center City

Are you a Center City condo owner feeling that your space no longer fits your lifestyle? Knowing when to upgrade or move out is key. Here’s a guide to recognizing the signs and planning your move-up effectively.

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