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.
Over-Designed Luxury May Be Killing Your Philly Condo’s Resale Value
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.
Waterfront Square vs. The Murano
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, [...]
Is THAT new-ish condo building an appreciator or a flat-liner?
If you bought a condo in a newish building about ten+/- years ago, your equity today can tell a tale of two markets. While we expect real estate to always go up, a number of buildings show a 50/50 split: half have appreciated, while the other half are trading at—or even below—their, say, 2016 prices. [...]
To Keep the Value In – You Gotta’ Keep the Noise Out!
A Guide for Philly’s Newest Urbanites Moving from the quiet, tree-lined cul-de-sacs of the suburbs to the vibrant heart of Philadelphia is an exhilarating transition. Whether you are eyeing a luxury condo near the University of Pennsylvania or a sleek loft steps from Jefferson Hospital, the draw is undeniable: world-class dining, culture, and walkability are right at your [...]
Staging Your Philadelphia Condo For Sale
Buyers don't buy bricks and mortar. They do buy feelings and emotions. Staging works. Adding a hint of color, some well-placed artwork, rugs, and furniture can really add that pop of visual excitement that MANY buyers crave.
HGTV Shows I would Like to See
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 [...]
I Hope the Philly Condo I Sell You Smells Like Dog Pee
...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 [...]
Preparing Your Home For The Buyer’s Home Inspection
We have all heard of the things we need to do to sell our home. Get rid of the clutter, clean it up, blah blah blah... But what are some of the more practical approaches one can take to buffer the effects of the buyer's home inspection report?1) Have your HVAC system serviced. Have the [...]