After a long Sunday of busy open houses I was delighted to unwind by making pulled pork as the main course for my foodie group. Our "special ingredient" that night was apples! I also made Apple
Pie Ice Cream with spiced rum and we served "Brick Wall" cocktails
made with apple cider syrup. Our guests brought an apple slaw that was simply delicious. I ate the butternut squash, apple soup and apple slaw. Then for desert we topped off our meal with a stove top apple crisp that was to die for!
The best part is we bought all of our apples locally at Linvilla Orchards. A staple in the history of Delaware County no fall season is complete without a visit.
Check them out on the web more info:
http://www.linvilla.com/
Monday, October 22, 2012
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Now is a great time for an investment property!
With the real estate market starting to recover in the U.S. and interest rates so low, now is the perfect time for you to invest in an income property. There's nothing quite like a property that provides recurring revenue. According to real estate Web
site Zillow.com, agent Jill Sjolin, with Windermere Real Estate in Woodinville, Wash., "When the money is cheap to borrow
and the houses are cheap to buy, it's absolutely the best time to
invest." Whether this is your first investment property, or one of many, there are a few important factors to think about before risking your money. One, if not the most important decision to make is who you will use as your agent. Make sure this is a professional with a proven record of success and someone with experience in income producing properties. Next you and your agent need to find what type of property is the best fit for you, this can range from rental apartments, to office buildings and storage complexes. Once you decide what direction you want to go in, you will need to do an in depth analysis of what is the right location for your venture. For example today I was in the Phoenixville area with clients looking at investment properties that we believe will result in cash-on-cash returns of 10% or more!
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Fishtown Hunt
Today I went house hunting in the Fishtown part of Philadelphia. Started out as a cloudy day, but by the end of our search the sun came out and it started to warm up. "Fishtown" a part of the city that got its name from the area's former role as the center of the shad fishing industry on the Delaware River. This area is seeing a large increase in new construction, as well as redevelopment in the past few years. This is quickly changing the look of the architecture as well as the demographic of the area. New modern homes are being built next to 100 year old homes. Along with these changes, the easy parking and quick access to 95 is attracting many groups of homeowners and renters. We didn't find that house we were looking for but did make a stop at the Coffee House Too on 2524 East York Street, known for great coffee and service. Somehow we were able to resist the emanating smell from Whipped Bakeshop on 636 Belgrade Street while walking by. This bakery makes some of the best cupcakes in the city. If you are looking for a place to live that is up and coming with lots of positive changes, then take a walk or drive through Fishtown!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Devil's Alley
Had dinner at Devil's Alley, located at 1907 Chestnut Street in the Rittenhouse Square section of Philadelphia this past Saturday night. I had
the Salmon BLT with sweet potato fries. Shared nachos with smoked
chicken to start. Creamed sweet potatoes with marshmallows that were
served with turkey were sinful as well. Rumor has it their brunch is outstanding too. The atmosphere reflects the comfort food origins of this restaurant by seamlessly fusing a unique design with materials inspired by an industrial theme combined with greenery to soften the space.
http://www.devilsalleybarandgrill.com/
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Mexican Food in West Philadelphia
I was putting a property under contract in West Philadelphia recently and had the opportunity to have lunch at Distrito -- a newer Mexican restaurant at 40th and Chestnut. 
The property was a few blocks West in Overbrook -- a nicely maintained and updated rowhome which will settle for around $100,000 at the end of this month -- but 40th and Chestnut is about the closest culinary experience, inside the City limits worth a trip.
For years the corner of 40th and Chestnut has provided some of the best ethnic food in the city. There have been several Indian, Thai and Mexican restaurants over the years. The current balance of Indian (my favorite being Tandoor India on 40th Street just south of Chestnut) and Thai (my favorite being the Thai Singha House on Chestnut just east of 40th street) restaurants has been signigicantly upgraded with the addition of Distrito, however.
The experience is jarring. Brightly colored woven chairs and ratan benches with cushions surround the tables. Postcards held in clips decorate the walls. The bar sits beneath illuminated white, text-only, signs that promote specials of the house.
The food also challenges. We ordered lunch specials which consisted of two small plates each, plus a beverage. We each ordered yellow tail tacos which were spectacular. Soft tortillas topped with batterd yellow tail, avocado and red cabage were beautiful to behold and magnificent
to taste. My other course was a shrimp ceviche, which was a Mexican version of a shrimp cocktail that included guacamole and a Mex'd up cocktail sauce. We didn't try them, but the margaritas, according to a friend and fellow realtor, are yummy as well.
Over the years I've had Mexican at many locations throughout the City, notably El Vez -- great table-side guac -- Tequila, Mexican Post, and not far from Distrito my heretofore favorite Zocalo. It's been a decade since I've been to Zocalo, actually. Located at 36th and Lancaster, they also serve up-scale "Mexico City" mexican and make a mean margarita.
The property was a few blocks West in Overbrook -- a nicely maintained and updated rowhome which will settle for around $100,000 at the end of this month -- but 40th and Chestnut is about the closest culinary experience, inside the City limits worth a trip.For years the corner of 40th and Chestnut has provided some of the best ethnic food in the city. There have been several Indian, Thai and Mexican restaurants over the years. The current balance of Indian (my favorite being Tandoor India on 40th Street just south of Chestnut) and Thai (my favorite being the Thai Singha House on Chestnut just east of 40th street) restaurants has been signigicantly upgraded with the addition of Distrito, however.
The experience is jarring. Brightly colored woven chairs and ratan benches with cushions surround the tables. Postcards held in clips decorate the walls. The bar sits beneath illuminated white, text-only, signs that promote specials of the house.
The food also challenges. We ordered lunch specials which consisted of two small plates each, plus a beverage. We each ordered yellow tail tacos which were spectacular. Soft tortillas topped with batterd yellow tail, avocado and red cabage were beautiful to behold and magnificent
to taste. My other course was a shrimp ceviche, which was a Mexican version of a shrimp cocktail that included guacamole and a Mex'd up cocktail sauce. We didn't try them, but the margaritas, according to a friend and fellow realtor, are yummy as well.Over the years I've had Mexican at many locations throughout the City, notably El Vez -- great table-side guac -- Tequila, Mexican Post, and not far from Distrito my heretofore favorite Zocalo. It's been a decade since I've been to Zocalo, actually. Located at 36th and Lancaster, they also serve up-scale "Mexico City" mexican and make a mean margarita.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Buyers are Ready to Lead Once More
How’s the real estate market? I hear this question multiple times every day – as if the answer could be “great” or “lousy” and there would be some way to quantify it.
The market certainly was slower in 2008 than recent memory. Transaction volume was down 25%-35% in the region, depending on what you’re counting and how you define “region”. I have previously discussed absorption rate (a theoretical concept that calculates the length of time it would take to exhaust all listed real estate in a particular area if no more houses were added to the market inventory) and have noted that in most cases those rates are higher, though across the region the rates vary from municipality to municipality, school district to school district, zip code to zip code and neighborhood to neighborhood. Time on market for listings is increasing in most areas across the region. Prices are either holding steady or slightly declining across the region. But all those statistics really don’t answer the question, “How’s the real estate market?”
Perhaps that’s because I’m not sure we have a market right now. We have houses for sale, but not enough ready, willing and able buyers to really make any statement to determine if prices will start to go back up, or slide some more, or stay the same. For a market to exist, there need to be both buyers and sellers. Those people help determine relative supply and demand, and market they create for the product being sold determines its price.
Many people out there are believing a myth that says there is not enough mortgage money available for buyers right now. That’s just not reality. It is true that for individuals who can not document their income, or haven’t demonstrated a track record of paying their bills, that it’s tougher to get a mortgage. But for the vast majority of bill-paying citizens who work for W-2 issuing employers, mortgage money exists. FHA loans (even for folks with credit scores below 600) are available with just 3.5% money down. I have lenders who can still do 100% financing with low fixed-rate products and even waive Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for first-time buyers. At Weichert Financial Services, there are low rates (5.75% last week) on fixed-rate jumbo loans.
So buyers are able to buy. Many have even sought out pre-approvals from lenders so that they are ready to buy. Pre-approval rates jumped in the month of December and early this year when rates sank to historic lows – where they still are hovering today.
That leaves us with the question are they willing? I think that in this question lies the answer to the bigger question, “How’s the real estate market?” For the last four months, I do not think there have been many willing buyers. Buyers have looked at several properties (since January 1st, I have literally shown more than 100 properties). Many of the properties I have shown are in good condition and priced well. But my ready and able buyers, are reluctant to make offers. There is a collective conscious feeling that there is an uncertainty about the overall economy. This in recent weeks and months has undermined the real estate market.
So buyers are ready to lead the way back into the real estate market, but lack the willingness. Leading to the ultimate question, “What should be done?” Here, I diverge from my Realtor peers and elected government representatives. I believe that there is no need to “fix” the market. There is no need to buy down interest rates for home buyers – remember, they are at historically low levels already. I believe we do not need to bail out the banks who made bad mortgage loans, nor the buyers that got in over their heads. I believe in the personal responsibility and accountability that our new President Barack Obama spoke of on Tuesday. The answer to our problem is that in their own time, the buyers will start to overcome their fear and lead the way back in to the real estate market and economic prosperity. It is my belief that the first buyers back in will be rewarded by taking advantage of their leverage; that should be stimulous itself!
The first time homebuyer has quite possibly never had the amount of leverage that s/he has today. Amid the gathering storm clouds of economic uncertainty, the buyers are ready to lead once more.
The market certainly was slower in 2008 than recent memory. Transaction volume was down 25%-35% in the region, depending on what you’re counting and how you define “region”. I have previously discussed absorption rate (a theoretical concept that calculates the length of time it would take to exhaust all listed real estate in a particular area if no more houses were added to the market inventory) and have noted that in most cases those rates are higher, though across the region the rates vary from municipality to municipality, school district to school district, zip code to zip code and neighborhood to neighborhood. Time on market for listings is increasing in most areas across the region. Prices are either holding steady or slightly declining across the region. But all those statistics really don’t answer the question, “How’s the real estate market?”
Perhaps that’s because I’m not sure we have a market right now. We have houses for sale, but not enough ready, willing and able buyers to really make any statement to determine if prices will start to go back up, or slide some more, or stay the same. For a market to exist, there need to be both buyers and sellers. Those people help determine relative supply and demand, and market they create for the product being sold determines its price.
Many people out there are believing a myth that says there is not enough mortgage money available for buyers right now. That’s just not reality. It is true that for individuals who can not document their income, or haven’t demonstrated a track record of paying their bills, that it’s tougher to get a mortgage. But for the vast majority of bill-paying citizens who work for W-2 issuing employers, mortgage money exists. FHA loans (even for folks with credit scores below 600) are available with just 3.5% money down. I have lenders who can still do 100% financing with low fixed-rate products and even waive Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for first-time buyers. At Weichert Financial Services, there are low rates (5.75% last week) on fixed-rate jumbo loans.
So buyers are able to buy. Many have even sought out pre-approvals from lenders so that they are ready to buy. Pre-approval rates jumped in the month of December and early this year when rates sank to historic lows – where they still are hovering today.
That leaves us with the question are they willing? I think that in this question lies the answer to the bigger question, “How’s the real estate market?” For the last four months, I do not think there have been many willing buyers. Buyers have looked at several properties (since January 1st, I have literally shown more than 100 properties). Many of the properties I have shown are in good condition and priced well. But my ready and able buyers, are reluctant to make offers. There is a collective conscious feeling that there is an uncertainty about the overall economy. This in recent weeks and months has undermined the real estate market.
So buyers are ready to lead the way back into the real estate market, but lack the willingness. Leading to the ultimate question, “What should be done?” Here, I diverge from my Realtor peers and elected government representatives. I believe that there is no need to “fix” the market. There is no need to buy down interest rates for home buyers – remember, they are at historically low levels already. I believe we do not need to bail out the banks who made bad mortgage loans, nor the buyers that got in over their heads. I believe in the personal responsibility and accountability that our new President Barack Obama spoke of on Tuesday. The answer to our problem is that in their own time, the buyers will start to overcome their fear and lead the way back in to the real estate market and economic prosperity. It is my belief that the first buyers back in will be rewarded by taking advantage of their leverage; that should be stimulous itself!
The first time homebuyer has quite possibly never had the amount of leverage that s/he has today. Amid the gathering storm clouds of economic uncertainty, the buyers are ready to lead once more.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Fishtown Properties Moving
Fishtown is another neighborhood in Philadelphia where property continues to move in a Buyer’s Market; the absorption rate (13.5 months as of today) is among the lowest in Philadelphia. Fishtown is located just to the north and east of the Northern Liberties on the way to Northeast Philadelphia. It’s a short trip down Delaware Avenue to Dave and Busters or any of several Philly entertainment venues. It’s also perhaps the location of a future casino within the City limits.
Shackamaxon Court in Fishtown is a gated courtyard condo development right at the border to the Northern Liberties. I know them well because I spend several days a month at Open Houses there. While I am definitely biased, I think they are some of the coolest newly offered condos in Philadelphia.
The center landscaped and hardscaped courtyard, flanked by iron security gates designed by local artist Robert Phillips features a 12-foot by 6-foot water wall and additional metalwork art installations by the artist. Bob is noted for several pubic art installations throughout the city, including the dragonflies and butterflies that soar above 31st and Girard (on the other side of the Girard Street bridge from the Philadelphia Zoo) and the unique bicycle racks along Frankford Avenue. He also designed the metalwork on the façade to what was Striped Bass.
The units themselves are distinctive and feature high end finishing. The 12 one-bedroom units are priced from $155,000 to $212,000 showcase granite kitchens with stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, in-unit laundry hook-ups, and custom tile bathrooms (some are tumbled stone, some have glass accent tiles, and some are intricate ceramic tile designs). Some of the bathrooms in the 1-bedroom units include acrylic sinks, and the 3rd floor units have vaulted ceilings, skylights and light tubes.
The six two-bedroom units have at least two full bathrooms and start at 1400 square feet, ranging from $455,000 to $650,000. The units have hardwood floors; granite kitchens with upgraded appliances, 42-inch cabinets, and custom tile backsplashes; living rooms with gas fireplaces and crown molding; tumbled stone bathrooms with cherry vanities and granite countertops. Second and third floor units include custom ironwork Juliet balconies designed by Bob Phllips. Third floor units have private 550-square-foot TimberTech roof decks with panoramic views of Center City Philadelphia and the bridges spanning the Delaware River. All 2-bedroom units include 1-car, on-site, deeded garage parking.
Shackamaxon Court is two blocks away from Johnny Brenda’s, a Fishtown institution that features locally crafted beers, high-end tavern fare, and live music several nights a week. It’s also one block to the Girard Avenue Trolley and four blocks from the Market-Frankford El stop at Girard Avenue – just a 15 minute commute to City Hall!
Shackamaxon Court in Fishtown is a gated courtyard condo development right at the border to the Northern Liberties. I know them well because I spend several days a month at Open Houses there. While I am definitely biased, I think they are some of the coolest newly offered condos in Philadelphia.
The center landscaped and hardscaped courtyard, flanked by iron security gates designed by local artist Robert Phillips features a 12-foot by 6-foot water wall and additional metalwork art installations by the artist. Bob is noted for several pubic art installations throughout the city, including the dragonflies and butterflies that soar above 31st and Girard (on the other side of the Girard Street bridge from the Philadelphia Zoo) and the unique bicycle racks along Frankford Avenue. He also designed the metalwork on the façade to what was Striped Bass.
The units themselves are distinctive and feature high end finishing. The 12 one-bedroom units are priced from $155,000 to $212,000 showcase granite kitchens with stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, in-unit laundry hook-ups, and custom tile bathrooms (some are tumbled stone, some have glass accent tiles, and some are intricate ceramic tile designs). Some of the bathrooms in the 1-bedroom units include acrylic sinks, and the 3rd floor units have vaulted ceilings, skylights and light tubes.
The six two-bedroom units have at least two full bathrooms and start at 1400 square feet, ranging from $455,000 to $650,000. The units have hardwood floors; granite kitchens with upgraded appliances, 42-inch cabinets, and custom tile backsplashes; living rooms with gas fireplaces and crown molding; tumbled stone bathrooms with cherry vanities and granite countertops. Second and third floor units include custom ironwork Juliet balconies designed by Bob Phllips. Third floor units have private 550-square-foot TimberTech roof decks with panoramic views of Center City Philadelphia and the bridges spanning the Delaware River. All 2-bedroom units include 1-car, on-site, deeded garage parking.
Shackamaxon Court is two blocks away from Johnny Brenda’s, a Fishtown institution that features locally crafted beers, high-end tavern fare, and live music several nights a week. It’s also one block to the Girard Avenue Trolley and four blocks from the Market-Frankford El stop at Girard Avenue – just a 15 minute commute to City Hall!
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