Center City Homes Blog

If you are interested in buying Real Estate in the 19147 zip code, the incredibly priced Hawthorne Lofts might be perfect for you!  This beautiful newly rehabbed 54 unit condo building is located in one of the fastest growing neighborhoods in Center City Philadelphia.   This elevator-equipped condo building has it all, from gated parking with every unit, to granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and strong finishes throughout! The high ceilings and loft style setup really help to add to the uniqueness of this old school building. With low condo fees and even lower taxes, these condominiums from the Rufo Organization are sure to please everyone!  Not to mention the breathtaking views of downtown Philadelphia from it’s massive community roof deck!  If you are looking for Philadelphia Real Estate, drop me an email and let’s go see a few properties! 

Zach Skidmore
CenterCityHomes.com
Zach@CenterCity.com

Parking in Philly is similar to visiting the Dentist, most of us don’t enjoy it but we have to do it anyway.  As many city dwellers know, parking can be a hassle but is still a commodity and something to be heavily valued.  Looking back to where I lived before (Chicago), parking was a breeze compared to Philly.  As a real estate agent here in the city I come face to face with the PPA more than most people want to, so truly understand the value of a guaranteed parking space in the city. 

Buying a house or condo in Philadelphia that has a deeded parking spot is great for everyone, even if you don’t own a car.  You may read this and wonder why in the world would I want parking if I am not going to use it?  There are too many perks to list but the most important being resale value of your property.  It is fair to assume that you can automatically add $20,000-$40,000 to the value of your property if you have a deeded parking spot on the premises.  Not only is the parking spot huge for the resale of your Center City Real Estate, but if you are not using it, you can easily rent the spot out to one of us who aren’t as privileged as you.   Monthly parking rates in Philly tend to run anywhere from $200-$400 depending on where the parking is.  Think if you rented your spot out for only $200 a month, you would put that towards your mortgage or anything else your little heart desires, PLUS you have a major selling point to add to your home!  Anywho, if you can pick a property up here in Philly that has parking and you don’t necessarily need it, don’t cross it off your list just yet.  If you need any help finding a place here in Philadelphia, with or without parking, feel free to drop me an email anytime!

If you have any questions or are looking for real estate in the downtown Philadelphia area, email me at Zach@CenterCity.com!  I look forward to hearing from you.

Zach Skidmore
CenterCityHomes.com
Zach@CenterCity.com

3 Quick Ways to a Positive Showing

The number one way to ensure the sale of your home is to have it priced right, but aside from the obvious there are 3 main ways to increase the value and interest of the buyer.  First, know that 99% of buyers will walk in and immediately get a certain feel about a home.  It is very difficult to change a first impression so make the first one count.  A buyer will normally walk into a home and begin setting up their couch, TV, dining room table, etc. (in their mind of course).  This helps the buyers envision themselves living in the home. Three ways to hook that buyer are: 

The first, which encompasses the next two is, make sure your home shows well.  This may sound like common knowledge, but some home sellers don’t even take this into consideration.  Do a walk-through of your home as if you were buying it all over again.  Bring a friend with you to help with your bias side considering it is your house.  Follow this list of 7 little things you can do before showing your home that will make a big difference:

-Walkthrough with a friend as if you were buying the house yourself.

-Touch up nicks, scrapes, dings or dirt on the wall.  These things can be done in minutes and make a huge difference.

-Replace any burned out light bulbs.

-No dishes in the sink.

-Overall cleaning of the rooms (make beds and pick up laundry).

-Good smell is appealing, so light a candle or buy a bottle of Fabreeze.

-Depersonalize – remove personal items and family photos, etc.

The 2 other ways are more for people looking to increase the value of their home when selling.  Remember that the two quickest ways to increase the resale value of your home are: new kitchens and new bathrooms.  These are not small jobs, but could be worth it when selling a good-sized house in a great location.  The more aesthetically pleasing your home is to the eye, the better your chances of receiving an offer.  If you don’t want to go through the trouble of re-doing your kitchen and bathroom, know that you can go to Home Depot or Lowes and simply give them a facelift for a few hundred dollars.  Remember, anything helps and little things make a big difference!

Hope this little guide helps you to sell your home.  If you have any questions or are looking to list your home here in the Center City Real Estate market, shoot me an email and let’s talk about it!