March 19, 2012

Philadelphia Condos: Non Warrantable Condominiums

Philadelphia Condos: Non Warrantable Condominiums The question of warratability came up twice last week and I’m guessing that most of the real estate buying public doesn’t know what an unwarrantable condo is.  Here’s a post from Jason Griesser’s blog that answers that very question.  If you have a question about financing a particular PPhiladelphia condo feel free to give me […]
March 19, 2012

Philadelphia Mortgage Update March 19, 2012

Philadelphia Mortgage Update March 19, 2012 Here are the latest comments and rate sheet from Jason Griesser: Interest rates have come up out of the 3’s on conventional financing and interest rates across the board have risen this week. The main reason is the Federal Reserve announced Tuesday afternoon that economic activity has picked up and continues to improve. This […]
March 14, 2012

Renting vs. Buying Real Estate

At least once a week I encounter a client who is weighing the pros and cons of renting versus buying real estate in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, there’s no formula or analysis that works for every individual—the decision whether to rent or buy must be made on a case by case basis because the process requires a very subjective weighing of pros […]
March 14, 2012

Ellsworth Kelly Sculpture To Be Displayed At Barnes Museum

Ellsworth Kelly Sculpture To Be Displayed At Barnes Museum Philly.com reports that Ellsworth Kelly’s 40-foot contemporary sculpture named, “The Barnes Totem,” is being installed at the Barnes Museum in Logan Square. The City of Philadelphia Art Commission selected the sculpture unanimously after it was proposed by the Barnes Foundation for its soon to open Museum.  The sculpture, a slender stainless-steel […]
March 14, 2012

Coxe Park Historic Nomination Denied

Coxe Park Historic Nomination Denied The Philadelphia Historical Commission voted last week, in a 7-4 ruling, against historic designation for Coxe Park in Logan Square.  In their decision, the historical commission expressed concerns about using historical designation strategically to settle neighborhood disputes. The dispute involving Coxe Park began when a local neighborhood group (of mostly parents), the Friends of Coxe […]
March 14, 2012

Old Havana Hotel Investment Scam?

Old Havana Hotel Investment Scam? Word on the street is that investors have the opportunity to invest in “O Havana, a 300-room luxury hotel with restaurants, a spa and a nightclub in front of the SugarHouse Casino, boasting retro Cuban flair that has support from the City of Philadelphia, Delaware River Authority and the community.”  The only problem is that […]
March 14, 2012

Eshowings At 12 Month High In February

Eshowings At 12 Month High In February Eshowings At 12 Month High In February Prudential Fox & Roach just released the February Eshowings summary.  The total number of eshowings is at a 12 month high of 3088.  This is significant because the total number of showings for February 2012 is higher than even Spring/Summer 2011 months.  We are seeing pent […]
March 12, 2012

Philadelphia Mortgage Update March 12, 2012

Philadelphia Mortgage Update March 12, 2012 Here’s the latest Philadelphia Mortgage update and rate sheet from Jason Griesser of Trident Mortgage: Overall, the economic data came in pretty close to expectations this week, and Greece successfully reached a debt deal with private bondholders. With a lack of surprises in the economic news, mortgage rates ended the week with little change. […]
March 12, 2012

LOVE Park Getting $20 Million Renovation

LOVE Park Getting $20 Million Renovation Mayor Michael Nutter recently released his 2012 budget which includes $20 million for Love Park renovations. Deputy Mayor Mike DiBerardinis believes that Love Park could become one of America’s most beautiful and best-used downtown spaces. He says it’s a natural extension — a “green connector” — between the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Dilworth Plaza, […]