Not giving an inch may cost you a mint in a real estate transaction. Back in the 1960's, Tarryton Cigarettes had the saying "I'd Rather Fight Than Switch". Personally, I think I would give up my specific brand of cigarettes than take a solid punch in the face. But fighting is what some folks like [...]
Center City offers a buffet of living arrangements. Almost any Center City condominium, with a smattering of exposed brick, attempts to pass itself off as a loft. Often sought after as an expression of one's own style, loft living has taken off in downtown Philadelphia. Lofts vary in look, layout, and location throughout downtown Philly. [...]
Today's Condo Manta should be: "Association, Association, Association" Condominium Associations Policies Are Playing a Heavier Role In Value Determination. Many condo buyers are dismissing the old adage of "Location, Location, Location" as being the primary determining factor in the value of any given condominium in today's uncertain real estate market. A host of factors- from [...]
A blind man knows when the sun is shining, and even a casual observer can spot a poorly operated condominium association. A lax set of rules and regulations, perceptually poor upkeep, higher than usual percentage of rentals, restrictive pet policies, and an overall lack of cache all can negatively effect an association and may be [...]
Here in Center City Philadelphia, low rise condominiums (LRCs) are numerous and are often favored by many buyers. LRCs are generally characterized by buildings that are less than four stories tall and generally have less than twenty condominium units in that particular association. They can be found in converted brownstone buildings or possibly small warehouse [...]
How might the former affect the latter in a Philadelphia condominium? Pet policies throughout the Philadelphia condominium landscape are as varied as the associations who put forth their rules regarding pets. From exceedingly liberal, to exceedingly exclusionary, pet policies have a way of dividing many associations, and feelings towards pet policies run from hot to mild, as [...]
Every Philadelphia condo association has its own rule governing cats, dogs, giraffes, and other miscellaneous pets. Here in downtown Philadelphia, I find that almost all of these small associations allow dogs and cats. I dunno about giraffes. Rarely are size or breed restrictions in place. Low rise/loft styled condos that may lack an elevator and/or have limited [...]
In many urban condominium markets like Philadelphia, the adage of Location, Location, Location may not be as important as Condition, Condition, Condition. And many segments of any Philadelphia condo market will often attract buyers that have no special home renovation skills, no tools, and no time to perform routine upgrades. I grew up in a [...]
Along (what I have dubbed) the Spruce/Pine corridor here in Center City Philadelphia, there are a variety of low rise/Brownstone styled condominiums that have seemed to perform reliably well over the past decade. From studios to three bedroom units, these condominiums resell fairly well, and have a tendency to NOT sit on the market for [...]
Condo Associations are becoming heavily scrutinized. We have all heard of the difficulties in procuring a residential mortgage - from the need for high credit scores to the down payment requirements. The new qualification paradigm for obtaining a mortgage can shine a bright spotlight on any buyer looking to make a purchase in today's real [...]
