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August 15, 2007

An Occupational Hazard for REALTORS®

Filed under: Real Estate: Condominiums — Center City Philadelphia Real Estate Agent @ 2:08 pm

There is something to be said about model homes. I love them. I want to buy everyone I see.  Brand spanking new model homes – versus – character laden, gorgeous, historic homes – which do I choose?!  The great thing about Philadelphia real estate is that there are fantastic properties at both ends of the spectrum.

While I’m a veteran home flipper (my brother and I have bought, rehabbed, and resold 140 + Philadelphia condominiums and townhomes) I have to admit I am intensely attracted to the pretty residential faces of model homes.

It really is an occupational hazard!  I want to move every week. This is in spite of the fact that the Philadelphia loft condo I currently share with my other half has been featured on HGTV.

We rehabbed our circa 1813 Old City condo (with three-car parking inside a really cool, private gated courtyard) from scratch. We chose every material and item in it ourselves. Okay, we grossly overspent. But we also won the 2005 Philadelphia Magazine’s Kitchen of the Year Contest.

But like a lot of you who love historic Philadelphia real estate, I also love model homes. I used to preach the mantra of “With a town that brought you Betsy Ross and Ben Franklin, historic homes sell – well!”  And although I do throw that line out to buyers from time to time, the truth is I’m a sucker for Philadelphia’s new construction model homes. 

Am I a hypocrite? Should I not utter what I covet?

When you see what’s available in terms of model homes, you can’t help seeing the benefits of owning one of these properties.

I am telling you, give me a new construction ranch house, with a driveway, garage, patio, and a ¼ acre yard, in Old City- And I am willing to bet that I would go directly into the intersection of Broad and Walnut Streets, and dance a bit…right there in the middle of the street.  Honest. 

Of course, that ranch house has to be “Model Home” gorgeous. You know, with all the latest designer furniture, wall coverings, hip features and new paint, etc.

It’s all about lifestyle. Getting into a house or Philadelphia condominium that doesn’t require any work so you can sit back and enjoy your new property is a big bonus. I know I would love that type of lifestyle with all my heart.  And never, ever, ever want to leave. That’s right, never.        

Until, of course, the next time I was out showing a buyer a new construction penthouse condominium with gorgeous outside patios. Slowly, but surely, as closet doors are being slid open, rooms explored for the first time, kitchens ogled and bathrooms admired, that feeling will come over me again.

I’ll be struck with the itch to own one of the amazing model homes available on the Philadelphia real estate market. And you’ll find me back in the intersection of Broad and Walnut Streets doing my own crazy version of the model home dance.

Whether you want to buy new construction or a historic beauty, I can help you get the best price and terms.  (I can even help you choose between the two.)  Give me a call today at 215-521-1523 or drop me an email at mark@centercitycondos.com.

Mark Wade
www.CenterCityCondos.com 
Prudential Fox and Roach REALTORS®
530 Walnut St., Phila., PA  19106

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530 Walnut Street, Suite 480
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Direct: 215.521.1523 ~ Office: 215.627.6005
Fax: 215.627.3142
Email: Mark@CenterCity.com
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