We just sold our summer vacation house of 2200 sq ft and bought a really nice 458 sq ft condo up on Cape Cod….and in all honesty- we have never been happier.
The benefits?
Easier to clean
One Level living
Financially- It is a no brainer
I honestly feel like I can breathe a sigh of relief…hard to explain.
When you get to an age where you are looking to downsize to a Philly loft or condo, I am here to tell you that less really is more. More peace of mind…and more to smile about. I feel I shed about 700,000 pounds of fat- and I am feeling free as a bird. Size isn’t everything- especially when you know how to use it. We want for nothing, and aren’t looking back…
Mark Wade
www.CenterCityCondos.com
Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors
530 Walnut St. #260 Phila., PA 19106
If you plan to put your Philadelphia Condo or Home on the market, you have to check out Drew Callaghan Photography. He does great work that will go a long way at showing off your Condo’s Showing Ability! Here are a few of his amazing photos:
You can contact Drew at Drew@DrewCallaghanPhotography.com or 215.431.3384.
Usually accented by very large windows and high ceilings, exposed brick walls bring casual comfort to many Old City lofts and other Center City Condominiums. But the look of those walls need not stay the same again and again.
One option is to varnish, or apply polyurethane to the brick, which controls the brick dust accumulation, and gives the brick a bit of a shine, sort of similar to shiny hardwood flooring.
Another choice, which I personally prefer, is to painted the brick. Though I can rarely convince others to paint their exposed brick, some of the coolest and most hip looks are achieved by painting interior exposed brick finishes.
Of course, once you paint an exposed brick wall, you are kinda’ stuck with the look, unless you go and have the walls sandblasted. Not a process I would wish upon my worst enemy! Messy, to say the very least.
Looking for a cool and hip condo? Let’s take a look at some units together? Maybe a Fitler Square Condo? Give me a call at 215.521.1523 or email me at Mark@CenterCity.com.
Mark Wade www.CenterCityCondos.com
Prudential Fox and Roach REALTORS®
530 Walnut St., Suite 260 Philadelphia, PA 19106
Whether you live or work here in Center City Philadelphia, you know all about The Parking Authority! Here is a short video about how to easily avoid them.
So from avoiding “No Parking” zones in front of the driveway of any given Center City Home, to making sure you do not exceed twenty minutes in the “loading zone” in front of that Philly Condo Building, you can greatly cut your chances of getting a ticket, or even worse, getting towed.
Watch your time in meter spots. The meter folks are only doing their jobs, so be nice to them. Always look out for temporary regulations and read the signs to make sure parking on any given street isn’t cut off after a certain time of day. For example, you can only park on the 600 block of Walnut Street until 3:30PM so they can clear the road for rush hour traffic, which does everyone a lot of good. They will tow you if you are blocking the traffic!
Some streets offer free 2 hour parking, but if you don’t live in a Philly Loft or Home in that neighborhood (with a sticker on your window to prove it), you will be ticketed if you exceed the 2 hour limit OR if you try to sneak back to the same block later in the day. Your license plate number is in the system, so they have no idea if you left and came back. You get 2 hours free on each block each day if you are an out-of-towner! There are tons of lots in Center City if you need to stay longer.
Lastly, don’t park in a Handicap Spot if you don’t have a Handicap plate. It WILL cost you! Follow this simple advice, so you don’t end up featured on the next episode of Parking Wars!
Mark Wade
www.CenterCityCondos.com
Prudential Fox and Roach REALTORS®
530 Walnut St., Suite 260 Philadelphia, PA 19106
The third auction in the Center City condo segment of the market to occur. I would deem it a success. Here is what I understand folks paid.
Here is the breakdown of the prices. These prices are the winning bid prices and do not include the 10% auction premium on each winning bid.
1. $615,000 Unit 601E
2. $600,000 Unit 601W
3. $470,000 Unit 401W
4. $495,000 501E
5. $485,000 501W
6. $455,000 301E
7. $455,000 401E
8. $445,000 201E
9. $435,000 301W
And if you think this is the last Center City Condo auction that is going to take place, I would suggest you are wrong! Keep your eyes open for more future auctions! Call or email me if you want me to comment on these prices! 215.521.1523
Mark Wade www.CenterCityCondos.com
Prudential Fox and Roach REALTORS®
530 Walnut St., Suite 260 Philadelphia, PA 19106
I don’t give a crap- I live in a condo and don’t own a snow shovel…
And I don’t need to stock up on milk and bread with the impending onslaught of a winter storm. I live in Center City, and the little corner grocery stores are always open in any blizzard, as are almost all the restaurants. And who needs to shovel out the cars- there are plenty of taxis that will do my driving for me.
If you live in one of our fine suburbs- be it Gladmore, Havernova, or Bala Who-Knows-Where, and are getting tired of having to deal with the weather,or perhaps you own one of those lawnmowing things that I understand are used to cut grass (I have only heard of such contraptions)-Then isn’t it time you simplified and let someone else do the unpleasant tasks in life?
Yeah, I am a Center City Condo snob. I know it, and am kinda’ proud of it. Riding on a train to work, or driving on the Schuylkill isn’t something that is a part of my life….and the business of owning more than one car?! Uh, no thank you.
Want some bragging rights too? Then drop me a note, and lets chat. Lets get you into town, and into a more simple life. Membership into the “I am a Center City Snob” club is free 🙂
Mark Wade www.CenterCityCondos.com
Prudential Fox and Roach REALTORS®
530 Walnut St., Suite 260 Philadelphia, PA 19106
Container gardens are very popular with city dwellers- though rarely do I see a small private outside area and witness plants thriving. It is like a death sentence for any plant that gets purchased by anyone who resides within the confines of Center City. So here are my suggestions for those looking to buy garden plants that basically “thrive on neglect”
Tall Plants- Good Sun Tall Plants-Shade
Bamboo Feather Reed Gras
Small Flowers- Full Sun Big Flowers-Shade
Moss Rose Salvia
So if killing plants is your “thing”, Try these goof-proof plants that can thrive on neglect,
and you may have one of the prettiest gardens in Center City Philadlephia!
Is gardening a priority for your move into Center City? Lets chat about how we can find you a place with some nearby “Greenery”.
Mark Wade www.CenterCityCondos.com
Prudential Fox and Roach REALTORS®
530 Walnut St., Suite 260 Philadelphia, PA 19106
I certainly don’t want to stereotype any particular set of buyers, but it has been my experience that each set or group of buyers assign different values to amenities in Philadelphia lofts and condominiums. From first time buyers to empty nesters, each comes with their own set of wants, needs, and priorities. Here are what I believe to be common amongst the empty nester set:
-Very few stairs
-Very little maintenance
-Parking
-Pet friendly buildlings
-Closet space
-Walking Distance to shopping, dining, and cultural activities
While such niceties as a high floor with great views, hardwood flooring in bedrooms, and exposed brick may be a plus, I see fewer empty nesters in Philly willing to pay for such features. Again, I apologize if I am pidgeon-holing any group of buyers, it has just been my experience that different groups of buyers gravitate towards different amenities – some weighted with a higher value than others, of course.
…ok, don’t answer that…and no, thats not a photo of me.
Top 5 things I can’t get Philadelphia Loft and Condo buyers to believe:
1) It is OK to paint exposed brick
2) Carpeting is OK in your bedroom
3) There is no difference in value between say the 33rd floor, and the 34th floor
4) A super clean older kitchen will sell just as well as a stainless steel, dirty kitchen
5) You will never recoup the costs of a new heater and new central air conditioning system
Don’t believe me? Well, get in line. Most don’t. But it is not like I am employed by the “Painted exposed brick” lobbists, or anything. I am just telling you what I know from my 20 years experience selling Philly real estate.
Mark Wade www.CenterCityCondos.com
Prudential Fox and Roach REALTORS®
530 Walnut St., Suite 260 Philadelphia, PA 19106
Like an early form of caller ID, Ben Franklin invented this interestingly simple device called a busy-body. Attached to a 2nd floor exterior windows sill, this device allows you to stand inside your home, and see who is at your front door, without that guest or visitor know that he is being watched. So if someone is knocking at the front door of your Philadelphia Brownstone, perhaps selling sweepers, or magazine subscriptions, you may see who it is, and choose not to answer. All the while, the person knocking will have no idea that he or she has been seen. The set of 3 mirrors is angled so the image of your front door stoop is reflected directly into a window on the 2nd floor. Again, so you can see who it at your door, without having to answer your door. That Benjamin Franklin was one smart guy!
Mark Wade www.CenterCityCondos.com
Prudential Fox and Roach REALTORS®
530 Walnut St., Suite 260 Philadelphia, PA 19106
