Buyers shopping for a condo in Center City Philadelphia almost always start with the same question: How much is a view worth? The allure of a penthouse skyline view is nothing new. Anyone who remembers Eva Gabor on Green Acres recalls how she “adored a penthouse view.” And today’s condo buyers in Philadelphia often feel [...]
One of the questions I hear constantly from Philly condo buyers and investors is a simple one: “Can I Airbnb this condo?” It’s such a common question that I usually know it’s coming before it’s asked. After more than 35 years of selling condominiums in Center City Philadelphia, I can say with confidence that this may be the single [...]
It is NOT always dollars and cents that prompt a seller to sign an agreement of sale…here are a few tips to sweeten your Philly Condo offer: Shorten your settlement date-especially if the home is vacant. Get a pre-approval from the mortgage company that the LISTING agent uses most. This will allow the listing agent, [...]
Twenty years ago, a Capital Contribution was a very rare line item paid by a buyer to reimburse the seller. Today, a Capitol Contribution is standard for almost any purchase, and the payment now goes to the condo association and not the seller. So WTF is a Capitol Contribution?Quite simply, it is a one-time fee collected from every buyer. [...]
1.) Do I need a lawyer?Legally, no you do not. However, I suggest you hire a REAL ESTATE attorney as they can be helpful. What I do NOT suggest is that you hire your brother's neighbor, and is a personal injury lawyer. That could really do more harm than good, in my opinion. Get a [...]
It is NOT always dollars and cents that prompt a seller to sign an agreement of sale. Here are a few tips to sweeten your offer:*Shorten your settlement date if the home is vacant.*Shorten your home inspection period to 7 days instead of 15 days.*Put more money down (to be held in escrow). A full [...]
A small number of condos in prime Center City zip codes have not appreciated over the past decade+/- In my 33 years of selling Center City real estate, I can tell you that value growth/appreciation is a priority for most buyers when purchasing a Center City condo: Many buyers rank appreciation as a reason to [...]
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. [...]
I like HGTV. I think their shows are timely, relevant, and interesting. A nice combination of education and entertainment centered around a topic that everyone likes to talk about – Real Estate. Here are some ideas I have for TV programs that I would like to see because as a Philadelphia REALTOR®, I encounter a plethora [...]
...and has dirty orange shag carpeting, and faded purple walls. I really do.Buying a cosmetically ugly home is the VERY best way to protect your investment. Our little group of REALTORS® (www.CenterCityCondos.com) have sold over 3,000 homes and one distinction we can brag about is our ability to pinpoint condos which are "diamonds in the rough" and finding condos that [...]
