JG Real EstatePhiladelphia Real Estate: Formats For Auctions –

Philadelphia Real Estate: Auction Options

Ariel — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:47:23 +0000

Philadelphia Real Estate: Different Types of Auctions

After the decline in the economy over the last 10 years, auctions of Philadelphia Real Estate have been occurring more frequently, with a steady rise in foreclosures, etc. I just came across an article describing a couple who is listing their New Jersey million-dollar mansion for sale at an absolute auction. I wanted to distinguish between the different types of auctions you could encounter when searching through Philadelphia real estate.

Different Types of Auctions in Philadelphia Real Estate

For those who are looking to put their Philadelphia real estate on the market, it is important that you know about all of the options. If you are going the auction route, there are a few different options you have: absolute auction, minimum-bid auction, reserve auctions, and foreclosures.

When listing your Philadelphia real estate, you can have an absolute auction. Simply put, this is an auction where the property sells to the highest bidder, no matter what the price is. With this format auction, sale is guaranteed, so there is a heightened sense of excitement and interest in the property, which is beneficial to the seller. Your property will most likely get the most attention than in any other format of auction.
In a minimum-bid auction, there is a minimum listing price set for Philadelphia real estate, and bids are accepted that are above that published price. This can limit interest in sales, because buyers may not want to spend as much as is being asked for, and it limits the negotiation proceedings that you would incur in a normal sale. That being said, there is also a chance that there will be high anticipation from buyers, and that could be greatly beneficial to the seller.
Reserve auctions are another way to sell your Philadelphia real estate. In this scenario, there is no minimum price recorded, and the seller has a specified amount of time to reject or accept the highest bid that he/she has received. In this type of auction, the seller is amounted the most protection, and are not obligated to make a sale at any price if they are not comfortable with it. This may be a deterrent to prospective buyers, as there is no certainty they will walk away with property.
Foreclosures, while they are considered to be an auction, are not voluntarily done by the seller of the property. In Philadelphia real estate, when an owner has defaulted on a loan, etc., there are legal proceedings that force a property to be sold. This is advertised and listed to the general public and a date and time is set for the auction to take place. This type of auction can be extremely detrimental and is least likely to get the market price for the property.

Regardless of the type of auction you are going through as an owner of Philadelphia Real Estate, please make sure you consult professionals (brokers, real estate agents, lawyers, etc.) to help make sure you are making the best personal decision!

Northeast Philly Condo w/ Parking

Gwen — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:31:41 +0000

Available early August: Fully remodeled and well kept two bedroom unit with more closet space than you could ever ask for, located on the second floor in a quiet condominium complex — 2 dedicated parking spots are included in the rent!
This condo has a private entrance which opens into the spacious living room, well lit from the double sliding doors leading to the balcony. Well kept wall-to-wall carpeting are throughout and there is a corner area that would serve perfectly as dining space right off of the galley style kitchen. Kitchen includes new cabinets & counters, refrigerator, microwave, stove, and garbage disposal.
The entire wall of the hallway leading to the bedrooms has closets. A pantry, coat closet, linen closet.. very unlikely that you would run out of storage space!
The first bedroom has a closet which was remodeled to have built-in shelving to utilize the space, while the second bedroom is twice as large with multiple closets, one a true walk-in.
The bathroom has two entrances, one from the larger bedroom and the other from the main hall, and there is also a new stackable washer/dryer in unit for added convenience.
This development is situated closely to I-95, Frankford Ave (Route 13), Torresdale-Frankford Country Club, and the Aria Health Hospital.

How to Better Your Philadelphia Curb Appeal

Ariel — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:27:42 +0000

Philadelphia Curb Appeal – What Is It and How Can You Improve Yours?

Often the phrase “curb appeal” is discussed, but less often it is defined. Simply put, Philadelphia curb appeal is how your house looks from the exterior. This would include everything from the actual facade to the gardening, paint job and color choice, etc. The easiest way for one to envisage this is to imagine pulling into a friends driveway and thinking about the impression they get of their house – this is Philadelphia curb appeal.

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How to Improve Your Philadelphia Curb Appeal

There are some very simple ways to improve your Philadelphia curb appeal. Here are some ideas to help you make your home more attractive in less than a day.

Sweep outside – get rid of any litter that may be around, dispose of any cigarette butts, and remove any twigs or fallen leaves. The cleaner it looks, the more appealing it is to the eye.
Replace old hardware – in terms of Philadelphia curb appeal, this is probably one of the most inexpensive things you can do. Purchase some new, modern hardware pieces to spruce up the outside of your house and draw attention to your place.
Touch up the paint – nothing’s worse than chipping paint or the wrong color palette. Get in there and touch up places that have been stained or experienced some wear and tear.
Clean your windows – wipe them down with some Windex and a paper towel and be shocked at what a difference it’ll make in your Philadelphia curb appeal.
Add an outdoor lighting fixture – whether it be for your home, apartment, condo, etc. you need to make your Philadelphia curb appeal accessible in the evening. Adding a string of lights or an outdoor lamp can do wonders for your property.

Philadelphia Curb Appeal Ideas

If you have any ideas to help spruce up one’s Philadelphia curb appeal, please leave us a comment!

What is a Philadelphia Cooperative?

Ariel — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:33:15 +0000

What is a Philadelphia Cooperative?

I never knew what exactly a Philadelphia cooperative was – was it just people cooperating with another to form a business? What is the benefit to a cooperative versus a condominium? What would be the reason for one becoming involved in a co-op? I went to find out more about these topics, in the hopes that I could bring more awareness to the concept of a Philadelphia cooperative!

What is a Philadelphia Cooperative and How Does It Differ From Other Forms of Real Estate?

A Philadelphia cooperative is an entity that provides products or services and exists to benefit its members, who are also its owners. Member-owners invest in shares of the business, and all profit (after bills and expenses are paid) are then divided among them; shares are accrued depending on the size of your living space, interests, etc. While both developments have common interests, a condominium differs from a Philadelphia cooperative in that, with a condo, you legally own your unit (deed to property), a percentage of the shared space, and you pay your own taxes.

The Principles of a Philadelphia Cooperative

Cooperatives have existed for centuries; societies shared their assets and practices to help improve the group’s chance of survival. Co-ops are based on principles that most of us have learned in elementary school: honesty, responsibility, equality, etc. An easy way to think about this is by comparing it to buying shares of stock in a company. According to Go CoOp, there are seven principles that serve as guidelines for the Philadelphia cooperative structure. They include voluntary membership that is open, a system of democratic control, concern for community, economic participation, autonomy & independence, education & training accessibility, and cooperation from the members of the Philadelphia cooperative. Cooperatives are not motivated by monetary profit, but to serve its members needs.

Five Types of Philadelphia Cooperatives

Consumer-Owned: The most common form of a Philadelphia cooperative, the owners are the people who buy the goods or use the services, i.e., credit unions
Producer-Owned: This type of Philadelphia cooperative is most common in agriculture, and are owner by producers of such agriculture who want to work together to improve performance.
Worker-Owned: These cooperatives are owned and democratically governed by their employees.
Purchasing/Share Services: Usually owned by smaller businesses who join together to enhance their purchasing power.
Hybrid: A hybrid type of Philadelphia cooperative that allows for consumers and producers to come together.

Benefits to a Cooperative

There are some definite benefits to buying into a Philadelphia cooperative. There is a sense of community with a cooperative, there is a democratic system set in place, and you will have relationships with all of your other member-owners. Everyone usually has an equal say in the happenings, and usually the communities are smaller than they would be in the case of a condominium. Co-ops tend to be more exclusive, where potential owners need to be voted into the building – the pro here being that you can pick your neighbors!

Have More Questions?

Please feel free to leave us comments and/or questions regarding Philadelphia cooperatives!

Mother’s Day In Philadelphia

Ariel — Fri, 11 May 2012 19:45:33 +0000

Things To Do This Mother’s Day in Philadelphia

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This weekend it is definitely all about the mother’s out there! If you are spending Mother’s Day in Philadelphia, we wanted you to have some ideas for things you can do with the special lady in your life, Mom! A Historical Site

The Betsy Ross House in Old City is hosting a wonderful tea this Saturday, May 12th at 4:00 PM. Tickets are $20. Reservations are required in advance, so buy your tickets now!

Creative Junkie

Mother’s Day in Philadelphia should be all about the creative woman that mom is! Take her to the Clay Studio in Northern Liberties, and enjoy a catered brunch with an added instructional workshop, where mom can make her own beautiful creation!

Classy Lady

Spend Mother’s Day in Philadelphia in the best style at the Loews Philadelphia. They are offering two round of a buffet brunch at this beautiful hotel. The awe-inspiring views are just an added bonus!

Loves Freebies

For the mom who loves to get something for her money, take her to the beautiful Palm Restaurant, where they will offer a gift card to all mom’s that eat their scrumptious food!

Vacation Envy

If you can’t quite give mom the cruise of her dreams, take her out on the Spirit of Philadelphia, a day long cruise that will feature a buffet, DJ, and wonderful views of our gorgeous city!

From all of us at JG Real Estate, we wish all the mother’s out there a fabulous Mother’s Day!!

5BD/2BA House Near Temple Univ

Gwen — Fri, 11 May 2012 19:18:54 +0000

Available early to mid August: This 2-story single family home is one block away from Broad Street and walk-able to Temple University’s main campus and… SEPTA’s Susquehanna/Dauphin subway stop. With over 1600 square feet of living space, plus a full basement, there will be plenty of room!
Two of the bedrooms are off of the main hallway to the right as you enter. Then there is one full bathroom, a door leading down to the full basement, extra hallway closets and then it opens into the kitchen/living room area. There is a coin-operated, full sized washer/dryer in the basement.
The kitchen has a stove, refrigerator and dishwasher, lots of cabinet & counter space and a breakfast bar for an additional dining area. Off of the living room is a door leading to the large, fenced in grass backyard.
The hardwood floors continue upstairs where you’ll find another full bathroom, more hallway closets and three more bedrooms, all are good sized and have double sliding door closets.
View the full walk-through video tour at the tab above or by going here: http://youtu.be/jIqkMBFqVZE

Stay connected for instant updates on other Philadelphia Rentals : facebook.com/JGRealEstate and twitter.com/JGRealEstateLLC

3BD/1BA Fishtown Fresh Rehab

Gwen — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:33:39 +0000

Be the first to live in this brand new rehabbed Fishtown House which will be completed in time for a mid June or July move in. Features will include espresso bamboo hardwood floors, an awesome exposed brick living room accent wall, modern Galley style kitchen, tile kitchen & bath, & full basement with washer and dryer. The kitchen will feature a glass sliding door which takes up most of the back wall, letting a ton of light in. This leads out to large backyard area. The 3 bedrooms in this home vary in size; small, medium & large. The smallest of the three might be better used as an office, but could definitely fit a bed.
More pictures to come as work is completed. This home will rent while still in the construction stage, so schedule your appointment now to walk through the home – we’ll explain the changes which will take place.

Center City Studio – All Utilities Included

Gwen — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:07:32 +0000

Available June 1st: This studio condo in the Arts Condo building has ALL UTILITIES & DirecTV Cable included in the rent! Beautiful hardwood floors throughout which match the wooden kitchen cabinetry. Bathroom is tiled and has a large shower stall.
The Arts Condo building has 24/7 front desk concierge security, a state of the art fitness center, laundry facilities and free wi-fi internet in the lobby with computer terminals for common use.
Conveniently located one block away from Broad Street, SEPTA’s Walnut/Locust subway stop is right on the corner, and PATCO station right across the street! City Hall and some of the best restaurants, galleries, shopping and entertainment are within walking distance.

Stay connected for instant updates: facebook.com/JGRealEstate and twitter.com/JGRealEstateLLC

Riverwest Condo Studio w/ All Utilities

Gwen — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:52:38 +0000

Early to mid-June: Come live in this large studio condo in the Riverwest Condo Building! Complete with a 24/7 doorman and gym, this is Rittenhouse Square living at its best. Although this is a studio apartment, there is a secluded area sectioned off with a door that can be used as a office area (in addition to a walk-in closet). Additionally, unlike most studios there is a full kitchen. Benefits include: – All utilities included in rent – Secluded area to use as an office – Completely free internet access in the lobby – Free DirecTV cable package – 24/7 doorman – Gym (Large Fitness center with flat panel tvs) – Key fob entrance – Parking structure attached to building with very reasonable rates – Business/Media center in lobby.
View full walk-through video tour at the tab above or by going here: http://youtu.be/uUAmkBlG9DM

Stay connected for instant updates: facebook.com/JGRealEstate and twitter.com/JGRealEstateLLC

Center City Apartment w/ All Utilities

Gwen — Fri, 04 May 2012 15:32:48 +0000

Available late August/early September: RARELY offered 1 bedroom Center City apartment in The Arts Condominium. ALL UTILITIES & DirecTV Cable are included in the rent!
This center city apartment has beautiful cherry hardwood floors throughout, stainless steel appliances, recessed lighting and extra closet space. Bedroom and living room are both spacious with extra room for a dining area/breakfast nook and built-in wall-shelving. Large windows overlook Locust Street to the north.
The Arts condo community offers 24/7 security/front desk attendant, fitness center, internet terminals/business center, bike storage, salon/barbershop on site etc.
View the full walk-through video tour at the tab above or by going here: http://youtu.be/N2L3veIWAH0

Looking for another Center City Apartment but don’t think this is the one for you? Let us know what you’re looking for and we’ll find you another.

Stay connected for instant updates: facebook.com/JGRealEstate and twitter.com/JGRealEstateLLC

New Construction House Near Temple

Gwen — Fri, 04 May 2012 15:07:32 +0000

New Construction House – Patio, basement, hardwoods, recessed lighting, spacious rooms — ALL NEW!Available early August, beautiful new construction 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bathroom house just blocks away from Broad Street and Temple University’s campus.
The home features hardwood floors, recessed lighting and modern updates throughout. First floor has living room, dining area and tiled kitchen with gas range stove, microwave, refrigerator. There is also a half bath on the 1st floor, off the dining area. Doorway from the kitchen leads to the private, fenced-in back patio area. There is also an unfinished basement with tons of room for storage and a full sized washer/dryer for your convenience!
On the second floor are the three spacious bedrooms, all have ample closet space and one full bathroom.
View full walk-through video tour at the tab above or by going here: http://youtu.be/D2hAshajaCg

Stay connected for instant updates: facebook.com/JGRealEstate and twitter.com/JGRealEstateLLC

3BDTemple University House

Gwen — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:35:08 +0000

This new construction Temple University House has 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms and is just a few blocks west of Broad Street and within walking distance to Temple University’s campus. It will be available in August (august 3rd at the earliest).
There are beautiful hardwood floors, recessed lighting, new tiling in kitchen & bathrooms and new appliances/fixtures throughout! The first floor has an open floor plan living, dining and kitchen area — enough room for a dining table/breakfast nook right outside of the kitchen. There is also a half bath/powder room.
Unfinished basement has a full-sized washer and dryer; back patio is spacious, great for entertaining or for relaxing in the nice weather and it has wooden fencing all around for privacy.
The three bedrooms upstairs are all nicely sized. The full bathroom upstairs has a full tub with shower head and modern vanity.

If you are looking for a different Temple University House let us know, we have a few available.
View full walk-through video tour at the tab above or by going here: http://youtu.be/D2hAshajaCg

3BD/1.5BA Temple University House

Gwen — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:03:44 +0000

Flexible move-in date: Definitely ready for early August, but could be earlier. This 2-story, three bedroom… one and a half bath Temple University house has been completely renovated with hardwood floors, new appliances/fixtures and modern updates throughout!
You’ll enter into the spacious living room with a half bathroom off of it. The separate kitchen has a tiled floor, lots of cabinet/counter space with a gas range stove, refrigerator and microwave, tiled backsplash and plenty of room for a small table in the corner.
Off the kitchen is a doorway leading out to the back patio, completely fenced in with lots of space for patio furniture.
There is also an unfinished basement with full sized washer/dryer and plenty of storage room.
The hardwood floors continue to the 2nd floor, which has one full bathroom and three bedrooms. One of the bedrooms is larger than the others, although all are a good size with individual closets. The bathroom had been updated with new tiling/vanity and a full bathtub with shower head.
View full walk-through video tour at the tab above or by going here: http://youtu.be/5EesmaJoAus

Stay connected for instant updates: facebook.com/JGRealEstate and twitter.com/JGRealEstateLLC

Furnished Studio w/ All Utilities

Gwen — Thu, 03 May 2012 20:36:35 +0000

Available June 1st: Beautifully furnished studio condo in The Arts Condominium building with ALL UTILITIES & DirecTV Cable included in the rent!
This furnished studio has a closet that has been extended for extra space! Wall-to-wall carpeting in the studio and tiled floor in bathroom.
The Arts condo community offers 24/7 security/front desk attendant, fitness center, internet terminals/business center, bike storage, salon/barbershop on site etc.
Furnishings include: full boxspring and mattress, bureau with 5 drawers, small flat-screen television, black leather loveseat sofa, small circular cafe table with two chairs for dining area, bedside table with lamp, microwave, mini-fridge, two stovetop electric burners, teapot, coffee-maker and artwork on walls. The furnished studio also includes kitchen utensils such as frying pan, coffee cups, plates/bowls, silverware
Email to schedule your flexible showing time today!

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Philadelphia Phlash

Ariel — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:24:34 +0000

Easy Travel: Philadelphia Phlash

The bright purple trolley, also known as the Philadelphia Phlash, will be running with its summer hours very soon; from Memorial Day to Labor Day it runs every day from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. It is simply one of the best ways to get around center city, with 19 stops, located in key areas of the city. Each ride on the Philadelphia Phlash is priced at a low $2 (as much as the El or Subway), all-day Philadelphia Phlash passes are $10, a family Phlash pass is $15, and children under 5 & seniors are always free! It also is super convenient with running times about every 15 minutes. Click here for a complete list of the stops the Philadelphia Phlash makes.

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Arts Condo Studio – May 1

Gwen — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:40:10 +0000

Available May 1st: Beautiful Arts Condo 14th floor studio in The Arts Condominium building, an ideal center city location one block from Broad Street. ALL UTILITIES & DirecTV Cable are included in the rent!
This unit is in great condition, with wall-to-wall berber carpeting and two large windows letting in lots of light. Move-in date is flexible — can be as early as May 1st but some later move-in dates would work as well
The Arts condo community offers 24/7 security/front desk attendant, fitness center, internet terminals/business center, bike storage, salon/barbershop on site etc.
Pet friendly apartment + building! (a cat or dog would require an additional pet deposit, however, and there are building imposed weight restrictions).
Email to schedule your flexible showing time today!
Stay connected for instant updates: facebook.com/JGRealEstate and twitter.com/JGRealEstateLLC

Rise in Philadelphia Foreclosures

Ariel — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:55:50 +0000

Recent Rise in Philadelphia Foreclosures and Around the Country

While it may seem like the United States is bouncing back from the recent recession, there has been a rise within Metropolitan areas experiencing foreclosures. RealtyTrac, the leading online marketplace of foreclosure properties, shows that about half of largely populated cities saw an increase in foreclosure in the first quarter of 2012. These larger cities were led by our own Philadelphia, with an increase of 49 percent (this is 33 percent higher than it was at the same time last year). This recent rise in Philadelphia foreclosures was shared by other bordering cities like Pittsburgh, Reading, and the Allentown area.

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What is the Cause of the Recent Rise in Philadelphia Foreclosures?

There are mixed opinions on what the cause of the recent rise in Philadelphia foreclosures is. According to Alan J. Heavens of The Philadelphia Inquirer, “Some observers attributed the increased filings in Philadelphia and other Pennsylvania cities to the end of the state’s Home Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program.” This program had formerly assisted the unemployed in avoiding foreclosure for more than 20 years. Other reasons for Philadelphia foreclosures consist of federal funding running out, notice to borrowers are no longer being given out, and counseling is no longer available. Even with some of these cuts, according to Eric Mayes, recently, “Administrative Judge John W. Herron has decided to preserve the city’s nationally known Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Program,” which has allowed thousands of Philadelphia residents to keep their homes. It is clear that no one is able to really pinpoint what it is that is causing the recent rise in Philadelphia foreclosures, but let’s hope this surge doesn’t last for long.

1BD Rittenhouse Square Apartment

Gwen — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:18:33 +0000

This fully renovated one bedroom Rittenhouse Square apartment has hardwood floors throughout and EVERYTHING NEW. You’ll enter into the living/dining room area, with the kitchen around the corner. Hallway off the living room goes to the full bathroom with stackable washer/dryer inside, another hallway closet and the bedroom in the back of the building. There are an additional two more closets in the hall.

Welcome to 2107 Spruce, a brand new 5 unit apartment building; ready for occupancy September 2012. One bedrooms range from $1595 to $1695, there is a stunning bi level 2 bedroom unit with roof deck for $2800, and a spacious bi level 2 bed + den/office unit for $3000. All units have high ceilings, and brand new energy efficient HVAC systems.
Contemporary finishes will include Espresso bamboo hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, modern shaker style cabinetry, Mosaic wall tile and back splash, and much more!
Each unit will have their own stacked washer/dryer & separate utilities. Limited parking spots available (for additional monthly fee) on first come, first served basis.

Luxury Rittenhouse Square Apt

Gwen — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:05:11 +0000

This bi-level, luxury Rittenhouse Square Apartment (on the 3rd and 4th floors) is absolutely stunning and offers a private roofdeck with city skyline views. You will enter into a hall with one full bathroom and the first bedroom off of it (with two separate closets inside) and then the open floor plan living room and kitchen. The kitchen has a large granite countertop island which offers additional seating and overlooks the tree-lined Spruce Street. Private stairway leads to the second level, which has another bedroom and full bathroom, huge closets, skylight window and a stackable washer/dryer unit. This apartment opens up onto a rooftop deck as well with city views

1BD Rittenhouse Square Apartments

Gwen — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:54:23 +0000

#2R is one of a few newly renovated, Rittenhouse Square Apartments available in September. Enter into the open floor plan living room and kitchen area; entryway also has a coat closet for additional storage. The hallway from the living room leads to the spacious full bathroom and bedroom. In one of the bedroom closets is a stackable washer/dryer unit for added convenience

2BD Rittenhouse Square Apartment

Gwen — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:05:35 +0000

This completely renovated, bi-level unit is on the first floor with added living space in the finished basement. You’ll be the 1st to live here! Enter into the spacious living room which has a separate coat closet for extra storage. On the front of this floor is one bedroom, overlooking Spruce Street. The back of the apartment features one full bathroom, a separate kitchen and dining room area, and then a second bedroom with a large closet. The spiral staircase from the dining area goes downstairs to a finished basement with another full bathroom, three more closets, an office/den area, storage space and laundry room with full sized washer and dryer.

Welcome to 2107 Spruce, a brand new 5 unit apartment building ready for occupancy September 2012. One bedrooms range from $1595 to $1695, there is a stunning bi level 2 bedroom unit with roof deck for $2800, and a spacious bi level 2 bed + den/office unit for $3300. All units have high ceilings, and brand new energy efficient HVAC systems.
Contemporary finishes will include Espresso bamboo hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, modern shaker style cabinetry, Mosaic wall tile and back splash, and much more!
Each unit will have their own stacked washer/dryer & separate utilities. Limited parking spots available (for additional monthly fee) on first come, first served basis.

3BD/2BA University City House

Gwen — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:34:42 +0000

Two story University City House available for rent in West Philadelphia with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, separate living room, dining room and kitchen. There is basement access with washer and dryer.
Property is located on a quiet, tree-lined street and you will enter through the front porch (large enough for small sitting area out front as well). New wall-to-wall carpeting throughout the house. There is a gas fireplace in the living room. The dining room has large bay windows and a beautiful chandelier as its center piece. Around the corner is the kitchen, with a small area for breakfast nook and includes a gas stove, refrigerator and microwave. Off the kitchen is a deck and small backyard.
Up the stairs to the second floor, you’ll find one full bathroom and one bedroom to the left, and a hallway leading to the second and third bedrooms and the second full bathroom to the right. All bedrooms are large enough for Queen sized beds and have ample closet space. One of the bedrooms has another large bay window letting in lots of light.
The basement in unfinished and has a separate entrance from the side of the house.
No dogs allowed. 1 cat is negotiable and would require additional pet deposit.
Tenants responsible for paying all utilities (gas and electric). If tenants choose to use the washer and dryer in the basement, they are also responsible for reimbursing landlord for 2/3rds of water bill.
(*Option for house to remain furnished or come unfurnished. Flexible move-in date. Available for rent as the whole house for $1650/month or as individual bedrooms with 1 tenant already occupying for $550/month per room.)
View video tour at the tab above or by going here: http://youtu.be/DpCIR6639Vg

Stay connected for instant updates: twitter.com/JGRealEstateLLC and facebook.com/JGRealEstate

Earth Day 2012

Ariel — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:54:32 +0000

How to Make Your Earth Day 2012 Count: Tips for Philadelphia Residents

Earth Day 2012 is coming this Sunday, April 22, 2012! Here are some really simple and easy things that you can do this Earth Day 2012 to make a difference. Doing just one of these things will help our earth, and can help you!

One of the easiest things you can do this Earth Day 2012 is turn off the lights when you’re not in the room! It seems silly, but a lot of people tend to keep lights on when they’re not using them. This will help the earth and help your electric bill!
Use cold water when doing your laundry! According to Alexandra Zissu of practicallygreen.com, “About 90 percent of the energy associated with doing laundry involves just heating up the water.” Go invest in some Tide Cold Water or another detergent that works better with cold water and switch the temperature this Earth Day 2012.
B.Y.O.B. in this case means Bring Your Own Bag! When you go food shopping, try to remember a reusable bag or old plastic/paper bag so that you are reducing the amount of waste for Earth Day 2012.
Exercise Junky? Try to exercise outside when you can, reducing the electricity you would use with machines, and get a reusable water bottle! Say “no” to plastic bottles!
On that note, make sure you are using a reusable mug when you take your coffee to work in the morning and pack your lunch in Tupperware. (Hint: If you order food one night, keep the plastic containers they send it in, and you can then wash and reuse for future lunches!)
Earth Day 2012 is just one more reason you should try to recycle and reduce waste. One way to reduce this waste is by reducing the amount of junk mail you receive. Call any company that sends you something you would just otherwise throw away and ask to be removed from their mailing list. You can also opt to receive paperless bills from most of the companies you use for banking, cable, electricity, etc. This is another way you can reduce your waste for Earth Day 2012.
Make Earth Day 2012 a time to talk about the importance of our earth with your children. Do fun activities with them like using recycled paper for artwork, creating a recycling “sort” game where they have to choose which items should be recycled, etc. This is a great way to spend the day and they will have tons of fun!

Final Earth Day 2012 Note

This is a great time for you to think about how you negatively and positively effect our world. Use what you doing on this Earth Day 2012 and make it into a habit; this way, Earth Day will be every day!

Shadfest 2012

Ariel — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:50:05 +0000

It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood – Shadfest 2012

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Come on over to Fishtown next Saturday, April 28, 2012 between noon and 6pm for the Shadfest 2012 (rain date: April 29th). Shadfest is held annually to celebrate the rich historical significance of Fishtown and raises money for a worthy cause, Friends of Penn Treaty Park. This is a great spring day filled with tons of entertainment and fun for kids, adults, and families. There will be food, local music, arts and crafts, and much more. During Shadfest 2012, the 2012 Kenzinger Challenge Run will also be taking place. You can sign up ahead of time for a discounted price, or register the day of. It is a 3-mile, non-competitive scavenger hunt, with runners traveling to different historical points and gathering information along the way! Sounds to me like tons of fun for all! Shadfest 2012 is sure to be a hit! Mark it on your calendar today!

3BD/1BA Southwest Philly House

Gwen — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:46:02 +0000

Available for immediate move-in! This Southwest Philly House (Grays Ferry/Point Breeze neighborhood) has been completely renovated recently. There are beautiful, dark hardwood floors on the first floor and in all three bedrooms, with new carpeting on the stairs and second floor hallway. Tiling in the kitchen and bathroom.
The open floor plan living and dining area as you enter provides plenty of space. There is central air throughout in addition to ceiling fans, for your comfort. The kitchen has been renovated as well, with cherry cabinets, tiled backsplash, granite countertops and new appliances (gas stove and stainless steel refrigerator). In a closet of the kitchen is a new, stackable washer and dryer.
Door from the kitchen leads to the back patio, mostly cemented but also has a nice built-in garden area in the corner. The basement is unfinished but has been cleaned out and would be great for additional storage needs.
Upstairs are the three bedrooms and one full bathroom. All bedrooms have individual closets and dark hardwood floors. Bathroom has new tiling on the floor and walls, full tub with shower head.
Sorry, no pets allowed in this rental. Tenants are responsible for paying all utilities (gas, electric and water).
For a full length walk-through video tour, click the tab above or go here: http://youtu.be/Ojxb1EjlLDI

Stay connected for instant updates: www.facebook.com/JGRealEstate and twitter.com/JGRealEstateLLC

Center City Studio, All Utilities 6/1

Gwen — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:30:27 +0000

Available June 1st: 3rd Center City Studio condo in the Arts building. All utilities+cable TV included in the rent.
The Arts features 24/7 security and front desk attendant, on site fitness center, internet terminals in lobby, bike storage and much more.
Email to reserve your flexible showing time.
For more information on this and other available listings, visit www.jg-realestate.com

Arts Condo Studio w/ All Utilities 6/1

Gwen — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:22:07 +0000

Available June 1st: 3rd floor studio condo in the Arts Condo building. All utilities+cable TV included in the rent.
The Arts Condo building features 24/7 security and front desk attendant, on site fitness center, internet terminals in lobby, bike storage and much more.
Email to reserve your flexible showing time. When emailing, make sure to specify your preferred move in date. I have other units in the building which may match your move in date better.

Stay connected for instant updates: www.facebook.com/JGRealEstate and twitter.com/JGRealEstateLLC

Philadelphia – The City of Brotherly Love

Ariel — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:01:57 +0000

New Construction Plans Solidify Philadelphia’s Role as The City of Brotherly Love

A project that has been in the works for years in the city of brotherly love has finally been approved: one of the country’s first affordable housing complex that is aimed towards the elderly LGBT community! After state tax credits were received, developers announced that construction would begin in the city of brotherly love in an area of the city that is commonly referred to as “The Gayborhood.” Mark Segal, one of the major collaborator’s and proponents of this project, cites multiple reasons for why he feels this is going to make a huge difference in the lives of so many individuals that reside in the city of brotherly love. These reasons, including discrimination from fellow resident’s in retirement communities, partner’s not having the right to stay with one another in nursing homes, to closeted individuals who finally are able to surround themselves with members of their own community, are both heart-wrenching and inspiring. This new complex will house 56 units, all one-bedroom, and will be six-stories high. It is going to be built on 13th Street between Locust and Spruce, and, if all goes the way it should, will be ready in the latter part of 2013. According to Melissa Dribben of Philly.com, “Residents bust be at least 62 – but not necessarily lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender – to live there.” This is a definite way to solidify Philadelphia as the city of brotherly love – how great!

New Casino Coming to Philadelphia?

Ariel — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:30:04 +0000

Proposal For a New Casino in Philadelphia

It was just a few years ago when the first casino’s moved into the Philadelphia area. Now, Bart Blatstein, a major real estate developer in Philadelphia, has announced his plans to build a new casino in Philadelphia, on North Broad Street. This new construction would include a brand new casino, hotel, commercial spaces, and parking garages starting at the corner of Broad & Callowhill Streets, with the hotel portion being housed in what is now the “Philadelphia Inquirer” building, another property Blatstein currently owns.

Click For Source

What the New Casino in Philadelphia Means For Residents

According to an article in Metro Philadelphia, which gives more information on the new casino in Philadelphia, “Blatstein said the casino site plans call for retail shops, restaurants, and theater facilities as well as the only casino in the heart of the city.” This has the potential to create tons of new jobs for Philadelphia residents and be a great source of economic development for our city. A new casino in Philadelphia also means potential lower taxes for residents.

Opinions on the New Casino in Philadelphia

It would be interesting to find out of this were something that Philadelphia residents are excited about, or whether they find it to be detrimental. Of course it is going to be one-of-a-kind, since we have nothing like it so close to the center of the city. It will bring visitors and provide much economic growth to our area. However, is this new casino in Philadelphia going to have any negative sides to it? Will there be overcrowding and more gambling problems because of it?

Let us know what you think!

Philadelphia Property Management: Philly Spring Clean-Up Day

Gwen — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:42:21 +0000

photo from phillyspells.org

Philadelphia Property Management: Philly Spring Clean-Up Day

While we are a Philadelphia property management company, we also care about the community surrounding our properties, so we wanted to highlight a city-wide event planned for this Saturday, April 14th — the 2012 Philly Spring Cleanup Day.

Created and organized by the Philadelphia Streets Department, the goal of this event is to “ put an end to litter and illegal dumping – permanently.” Residents from various Philadelphia neighborhoods were able to add “projects” to the day’s planned events; in other words, block captains and other concerned local citizens could decide what area of their particular neighborhood to focus on, create the event on the Philly Spring Cleanup website, and then other residents can officially register to be a part of it.

Today being only a few days prior to the scheduled event, the deadline for creating events has passed. However, there’s still plenty of time to sign up to participate with many of them!

Here is a sample of the many projects

that are still actively accepting volunteers:

“Frankford Ave Clean-up”: Garden Center, 1801 Frankford Ave, Kensington. They will be cleaning the Frankford Avenue corridor from Delaware Ave to Lehigh Ave.
“Fishtown Recreation Center Clean-Up”: 1202 East Montgomery Ave. They will be doing general cleaning of the inside and outside of the Recreation Center
“Washington Square West Clean Streets”: They will be removing trash and cleaning the streets of the Washington Square West neighborhood, which is often littered due to the high amount of pedestrian traffic on a daily basis.
“Chinatown Spring Cleanup”: Cleaning the whole area of Chinatown, 10th Street Plaza (10th & Vine streets), focusing on the commercial core area and on abandoned or vacant lots that are prone to litter
“Save Our Hood”: 55th & Chester, Southwest Philadelphia. “This area contains over grown vacant lots, burned out and boarded-up houses, and a playground-all of which attrach garbage, graffiti, and illegal activity. The hope is that cleaning-up this area will deter crime. There is no formal organizational support, but there is a commitment from the neighborhood youth to particpate in the clean-up and for ongoing litter removal.”

There’s a project scheduled in every neighborhood, so there’s plenty of opportunities to get involved and do your share to help keep our city clean! Get to know your neighbors, meet your block captains, join the neighborhood association, or just spend a day accomplishing something for your own personal goals.

Here’s hoping that we surpass last year’s success!

Philadelphia Property Management: Some statistics from the 2011 Spring CleanUp Day

(The following information is gathered from the Philadelphia Streets Department Program website,

252 Project Sites
12,574 Volunteers
1,240,360 pounds of trash removed
149,860 pounds of material recycled
1,104 city blocks cleaned
3,750 recycling bins distributed
28 parks and 17 recreation centers cleaned

Happy Spring Cleaning, Philadelphia!

New Construction in Philadelphia – Paseo Verde

Ariel — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:58:41 +0000

Paseo Verde – New Construction in Philadelphia

There is new construction in Philadelphia taking place adjacent to Temple University Train Station. Paseo Verde, which translates to “green walk,” will be built by Jonathan Rose Companies at 9th St & Berks St, in an effort to “create a mixed-income, transit-oriented community in a transitioning neighborhood.” The developers of the complex really want to revitalize the neighborhood, making it desirable to outsiders, and use it to revitalize the local community, including Temple Students and the broader spectrum of residents.

Click For Source

What Will This New Construction in Philadelphia Include?

If you want to know what actually will be built at the site of the new construction in Philadelphia, here is a list of what the 206,000 sqft. building will consist of:

30,000 sqft of ground level retail.
120 mixed income apartment rental units, including a mixture of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments ranging in tenant amenities. 111 of these will be apartments and 9 will be townhouses. These apartments will have a series of different terraces, green roods, and more.
67 parking spaces will accommodate the residential portion of the construction.

Click For Source

More About the Complex

State Senator Shirley Kitchen says about the new construction in Philadelphia, ‘What I see this doing is helping with the balance of the neighborhood.. It’s one block fits all, not like in the old days when people had the same basic goals in common. I see this as a balance.’ The complex is scheduled to finish construction in 2013. Cannot wait to see the finished product!

1BD/1BA Center City Arts Condominium

Gwen — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:48:17 +0000

Live right in the center of everything! Gorgeous condo building with attentive staff and well cared for individual units.
Rarely does a full 1 bedroom unit become available in the Arts Condominium building. This second floor apartment has wall-to-wall carpeting in the living room and bedroom, with tiling in the kitchen and bathroom. Hallway closet offers extra storage space in addition to the double sliding door bedroom closet. The kitchen features a breakfast bar overlooking the living area – great for entertaining!
Already have a place you call home? This is an opportunity for instant income as units in the Arts Condominium building are quickly leased out to quality tenants who desire such a centralized and convenient center city location. Condo fees cover all utilities + DirecTV Cable.
Arts Condominium Building amenities include: 24/7 doorman for secured entry, laundry facilities, state of the art fitness center, Internet terminals in lobby with free wi-fi, bike storage room, loading dock with easy access to freight elevators, pet friendly.
Convenient to public transportation – broad street line and PATCO are right outside the building; City Hall and regional rails within short walking distance. This is the perfect location with most of the city’s finest dining, theater and attractions within walking distance from your front door!
Garage parking is available across the street with monthly rates as low as $160 for residents of the Arts Condominium building.
Ready to begin the buying process but don’t think this property is for you? Contact Jared, your local broker, with your needs and he will be happy to assist you. Whether it’s another unit in the Arts Condominium building, or another type of property entirely, we will show you all available options.

Long Island For Sale

Ariel — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:13:04 +0000

When you visit longislandforsale.com, you will have access to homes for sale in Long Island, broken down for you by area. You also will be able to find foreclosures, and a Home Buying Guide. You can sell your home with them, find rental properties, and find someone to help mortgage your property. Check us out in their directory under Pennsylvania real estate!

Philadelphia’s Dilworth House Drama

Ariel — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:03:59 +0000

Philadelphia’s Dilworth House

Originally built in the 1950′s for a “mayor who championed the revival of Society Hill,” plans for Philadelphia’s Dilworth house have been a cause for much debate (Jaffe, PlanPhilly). This specific house, located at 223-225 South 8th Street, is part of the Society Hill Historic Preservation District, and sits directly on Washington Square, an extremely attractive area for renters and buyers alike. The current owners of Philadelphia’s Dilworth house, John and Mary Turchi, want to remove a section in the rear of the house to build a 17-floor condominium building.

Debate Over Philadelphia’s Dilworth House

Since 2006, the current owners of Philadelphia’s Dilworth house have been trying to get approved to start new construction and the Historical Commission and community members have been petitioning to have it remain in tact. According to Alan Jaffe of Plan Philly, the current review board disagreed with former approvals, indicating that “there was evidence that just over half of the building’s footprint would be removed, including part of the front facade.” What does this mean for the Turchi’s? Most likely, the couple will have to go back and reevaluate their plans, or try some again with the city’s Zoning Board.

2BD/2BA The Ellington Condo

Gwen — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:23:39 +0000

Available July 1st: Unrivaled 2 bedroom and 2 bath, 14th floor unit in The Ellington Condo building – breathtaking city skyline views. The unit features Brazilian cherry hardwood floors, marble bathrooms, stainless steel kitchen and in unit washer and dryer. Being a corner unit, the views are simply breath taking from all windows! Living room and dining area allow plenty of space. One bedroom is much larger than the other, although both have ample closet space with built-in shelving. There are two separate bathrooms, one attached to the larger bedroom. The Ellington Condo building features a state-of-the-art fitness center, 24/7 concierge, and club room with library and flat panel tv!

Single Family Real Investment vs Multi Family Real Estate Investment

Jared Gruber — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:58:58 +0000

The advantages of investing in single family homes

Easy to manage: Managing a single family home should be familiar to you, as it’s not much different from the day to day management of your own home. Change the HVAC filter, coat your roof every few years, etc.
Simple Construction: Unless there are structural modifications (replacement of joists, building of an addition, etc) you can usually fly through the licenses and inspections permit process with an EZ permit. All that’s required is a description of the work and a small fee. When you are making structural changes, or if your property is commercial, you will certainly need plans stamped by a design professional to accompany your permit application.
Inventory: There are tons of single family homes on the market for sale, and the cash on cash returns can be fantastic depending the areas you are looking in.
Due Diligence: Not much time needs to be spent here…run the comps, have a home inspection if desired, run title….and close.

The Disadvantages of investing in Single Family homes

Scattered Site management: This is perhaps the single largest deterrent, from my experience, to investing in single family homes. Simply put, if you have 30 homes scattered throughout Philadelphia, even if they are all no more than a 20 minute drive from each other, they will be much more difficult to manage than a 30 unit apartment building. Typically an investor will be willing to take a lower return on his investment for a centralized investment vs scattered site.
Separate systems: Piggybacking off of the previous point, each of those 30 homes will have completely separate systems. Each it’s own furnace, roof, AC condenser, electric, plumbing, etc. That means there’s going to be a whole lot more upkeep and maintenance calls.
Administrative work: In addition to each property having it’s own mechanical systems – think about the administrative side of things. Each will have it’s own real estate taxes, utility bills, and mortgage payments. That’s a whole lot of checking writing on a monthly and yearly basis.

My Experience with Single family investment and multi family / commercial investing:

Until this point, I have mostly been a single family investor ; owning a bunch of places throughout Fishtown, Kensington, South Philadelphia, and a couple of condos in center city. Generally speaking the returns having been very good, with cap rates in the 20% range on some properties, while other’s have been more towards 10%. That being said, I’m learning that time truly is money, and that these properties are very demanding on my time. My personal investment strategy and focus has recently shifted to 10+ unit buildings, either existing or development opportunities.

What’s your investment strategy, and where’s it heading?

Easter Weekend in Philadelphia

Ariel — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 18:45:16 +0000

Easter Weekend in Philadelphia: Things to do Around Town

If you’re spending this Easter Weekend in Philadelphia, you may need some fun things to do to keep you occupied. I researched a little and found some holiday inspired events that are taking place in this wonderful city.

Egg Hunts for Easter

Saturday, April 7, there will be a fun egg hunt at the Piazza in Northern Liberties. Taking place from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, there will be egg coloring tables, give-a-ways, and a furry Easter bunny for kids and the whole family to enjoy. You are invited to bring your own camera to document your fun on this Easter weekend in Philadelphia, or there will be a photographer stationed.
Sunday, April 8, the Annual Easter Promenade will take place. The parade will begin at 1:00 PM and starts at Passyunk Avenue and South Street. Afterwards, there will be festivities taking place at Headhouse Square, including contests, music, and even some animal adoption opportunities.

An Adult Version of Easter Weekend in Philadelphia

As an adult spending Easter Weekend in Philadelphia, you need something a little less PG to do. The Philly Zombie Crawl is taking place this Easter Sunday, April 8. It starts at the TLA at 7:30, where there will be official Zombie artists to assist with getting your Zombie face on! From there, venture on to some of the local bars, and end up back at the TLA for the Zombie Crawl Closing Party.

Easter Weekend in Philadelphia, Passover Style

A few of Philadelphia’s restaurants are offering special dinner for those observing the Passover holiday.

Head on over to Zahav and enjoy their Passover prefixed menu between April 6th and 13th for $45 a person.
In the Art Museum area this weekend, try the London Grill’s great prefixed Passover menu. They ever have made Haggadahs available for their patrons!
Fork, located in Old City, will have a prefixed dinner menu April 6th & 7th for those patrons who are observing Passover.

Another special thing going on in Philadelphia during Passover, is the offering of the first-ever evening hours at the Jewish Museum! On April 11th, in honor of Passover, the National Museum of American Jewish History will stay open until 8 PM. They will offer 20% discount on Passover items and serve kosher food for in their cafe for the rest of the holiday. This Easter weekend in Philadelphia, we wish for you the best egg hunts, zombie make up, and matzah!

3BD/2.5BA w/ Garage – NoLibs

Gwen — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:49:37 +0000

Available June 1st: Newly constructed Northern Liberties townhouse with GARAGE PARKING and all the perks! Hardwoods, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, marble floors in bathrooms, new modern fixtures, central air and heat, jacuzzi tub, fireplace, patio and balcony.
Monthly rent is $3,000 and monthly HOA is $100.

Note: photos are of a similar unit. Photos/video of this specific Northern Liberties townhouse will be uploaded as soon as they are available
Walk in the front door and enter into a tiled first floor with an entrance into the private garage, a half bath, and an extra family/living room with sliding doors onto back brick patio with a large, built-in grill. Tiled floors continue on the second floor, which has an open floor plan living, kitchen and dining area. Living area has a fireplace. This kitchen is any chef’s dream — stainless steel appliances (refrigerator, gas range stove, microwave, dishwasher, built-in wine fridge), granite countertops, tons of white wooden cabinets with frosted glass fronts, a red tiled backsplash and huge L-shaped bar for dining or extra cooking/prep space. On the other side of the kitchen is an area that could be used for dining, in front of large window with city skyline views.
Hardwood floors begin on the 3rd floor, which has two bedrooms (both with sizeable closet space) and one more full bathroom with double sink, marble floors, full tub. In between the bedrooms is a large closet with full sized washer and dryer and built-in wall shelving for storage.
Hardwoods continue onto the 4th floor, which consists entirely of the master bedroom. There is a large walk-in closet, an entrance onto a balcony with city views and a master bathroom with large shower (rainfall shower head), double sink and big jacuzzi jetted tub.

E-mail Jared to schedule your flexible showing time!
Stay connected for instant updates: facebook.com/JGRealEstate and twitter.com/JGRealEstateLLC

Low-Cost Housing Coming to Philadelphia?

Ariel — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:15:08 +0000

The Next Era of Low-Cost Housing

I was reading the Metro and stumbled across this article, “Shipping containers: Next frontier for affordable Philly housing?” Naturally, I was inclined to read on as I could not imagine large shipping containers becoming the solution to low-cost housing.

Councilman Jim Kenney’s Solution to Low-Cost Housing in Philly

Jim Kenney’s proposal is both interesting and inspiring; to take recycled shipping containers and use them to create new low-cost housing and create jobs. There are other projects around the world that have employed the same concept. Take, for example, the dormitory built in the Philippines that is made from these shipping containers for lower-income students and workers. As described in an article on springwise.com, “Four shipping containers make up the dorm, which includes separate air-conditioned housing and bathrooms for men and women.” The pricing is very low per month and includes basic utilities.

Click for Source

Taking It to a Whole New Low-Cost Housing Level

Matt Hickman from the Mother Nature Network tells us that “there are more than 300 million shipping containers sitting empty at ports around the world.” People have taken the simple containers and manipulated them to make amazing buildings, including their beach side paradises and multi-bedroom houses.

Click for Source

Are We Ready?

Though “environmentally conscious architecture firms have been using shipping containers in building construction for years,” Metro writer Alex Wigglesworth says, Kenney now wonders if there is enough demand for a large low-cost housing project to work.

What do you think?

3BD/2BA w/ Garage – West Village

Gwen — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:13:52 +0000

Located in the new West Village Community. Gated, secure, and full of green space; this is THE place to live. Special Offer: First Month’s Rent is Now Free!

This is a brand new townhome unit in West Philadelphia featuring stainless steel appliances, hardwood flooring, front loading high efficiency washer/dryer, walk-in closets, and private garage parking.
Walk in through the front door or private garage and you will find yourself in your beautiful new home. The first floor has a good-sized bedroom, with walk-in closets, and a full bathroom. There is also a large closet that will be great for extra storage needs.
Walk upstairs and you will find more closet space and your personal washer and dryer. There is a large kitchen area with brand new stainless steel appliances, which overlooks the spacious living room, making it ideal for entertaining.
Two more bedrooms are at the rear of the apartment, both with huge closets. There is another full bathroom with brand new tiling and other modernized amenities.
Located in close proximity to University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, and other institutions, this apartment is perfectly set in beautiful West Philadelphia.
For more information, follow us on Facebook/JGRealEstate & Twitter/JGRealEstateLLC!
Note: West Village is a 100% brand new gated community featuring 3, 4, and 5 bed townhomes. New units are constantly under construction, we can may be flexible with move in dates depending on construction completion dates.

4BD/2.5BA w/ Garage & Roofdeck

Gwen — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:43:14 +0000

Situated in the beautiful new West Village Community – Gated & Secure.Walk into your new home through the front entrance or private garage.

Special Offer: First Month’s Rent is Now Free!

There is a large living room, spacious kitchen with stainless steel appliances, and dining area. There is a closet for extra storage. A powder room is right next to the kitchen. In the rear of the first floor, there is an enormous bedroom with walk-in closet. There is also a personal bathroom that features double-sink, standing shower, and modern fixtures.
On the second floor, there is a separate closet for your front-loading washer and dryer. In the front of the apartment, there is a massive bedroom with walk-in closet. The second floor also features a spacious bathroom with double-sink and large tub. Continuing to the back of the apartment, there are two sizable rooms, one with walk-in closet. There are separate linen and utility closets.
Note: West Village is a brand new complex currently under construction, we have flexible move in dates available depending on when construction of specific units will be completed. Park benches and green space to be installed in the common courtyard area shortly. There are three, four and five bedroom units available, all have garages. Access to amazing roof deck with Green space may be additional, inquire for details.

5BD/2.5BA w/ Garage & Roofdeck

Gwen — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:35:20 +0000

Situated in a BRAND NEW self contained GATED community called West Village. This environmentally friendly town home offers a front entrance and private-garage entrance. It features hardwood floors throughout the entire space. There are 5 spacious bedrooms, each with sizable closets. Two full baths and one half bath, all with modern fixtures and newly tiled floors. Perhaps the coolest feature of all is ROOF DECK with green space; beautiful views of the city.
The eat-in kitchen has stainless steel appliances, including refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, and microwave. The unit also has high efficiency front-loading stacked washer and dryer.
Located in beautiful West Philadelphia, this apartment is within close proximity of Drexel University, University of Pennsylvania, and many desirable attractions.
View full walk-through video tour at the tab above or by going here: http://youtu.be/C0C1fa9ERbQ
follow us on Facebook/JGRealEstate & Twitter/JGRealEstateLLC!
Note regarding move in date: West Village is a new complex, and units are constantly under construction. Let us know when you’re looking to move in, and we’ll like be able to accommodate you with one of our 3,4, or 5 bedroom units. Roof Decks are only available with 4 and 5 bed units.

Our Philadelphia rental agent services reviewed!

Jared Gruber — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 23:44:19 +0000

Compliments on our rental and property management services

As Philadelphia’s premier rental and property management company, JG Real Estate often receives compliments from happy clients! Recently we helped the owner of a great home in Manayunk lease her home, and she had this to say about us:

“I used Jared and his team to rent out my house in Manayunk recently. I have worked with other property management companies before and they really exceeded my expectations. They were very professional and got thing’s done fast! I would highly recommend them. From getting my house listed quickly, to promptly answering any questions I had.”

Check out all of our google property management, rental, & Leasing reviews here.

3BD/3BA Fishtown Condo w/ Parking

Gwen — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:43:10 +0000

The Rag flats is an 11 unit development in the very HEART of Fishtown. It is an “experiment in specifically “urban” and sustainable forms of dwelling” and features solar panels, a rain collection cistern, and a radiant floor heating system.

Utility Bills are super low due to efficient systems!
This Fishtown Condo has been appointed beautifully with bamboo hardwood floors, slate counter tops and flooring, and energy efficient stainless steel appliances.
The basement has been finished, offering an additional 600 square feet of living space. The roofdeck offers an unrivaled and unobstructed 360° view of Center City.
All Fishtown and Northern liberties attractions are easily accessible including Johnny Brenda’s, Stephen Starr’s new Beer Garden, and The Piazza.
The unit comes with two designated parking spaces. Additionally, there is ample street parking directly outside the community.

For a walk-through video tour, go here: http://youtu.be/nD-Z4PMgQH0

Philadelphia Historical Site

Ariel — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:17:56 +0000

Spotlight: Philadelphia Historical Site

Walking along the streets, you are bound to run into a Philadelphia Historical Site. This city has such a rich history and it is incredibly rewarding to live here. I wanted to do a spotlight on one of these great sites!

Click for Source

Looking For a Great Philadelphia Historical Site? Check Out the Eastern State Penitentiary

Located just blocks from the Art Museum, the Eastern State Penitentiary is one of the most haunting and exciting Philadelphia Historical site. It was built in the early 1800′s and opened its doors in 1829 as a new kind of prison, one that got rid of corporal punishment & poor treatment and embraced solitary confinement. The Penitentiary did not focus so much on punishment, but provided a space for spiritual enlightenment and change. The word “penitentiary” came from the criminals, in their disgust for the crimes they had committed, becoming sorrowful, or penitent. Being one of the most expansive Philadelphia Historical Site, the prison sits on 11-acres of land and had tons of amenities that former prisons did not; running water, flushing toilets, and central heat! Today, this Philadelphia Historical site is best known for its “Terror Behind the Walls” tours, which run from September until November, and are sold out during Halloween weekends!

Upcoming Events at This Philadelphia Historical Site

Friday, March 30, 2012: 2012 Sneak Peek, free all day to view 2012 exhibits and tours
Saturday, March 31, 2012: Life and Death Weekend, a time to celebrate three new tours that the penitentiary is featuring; “The Ruins of Death Row,” “The Operating Room,” and “Families Behind Walls.”
Monday, May 7, 2012: Searchlight Series No. 1, A former prison inmate describes years living in prison as a wrongly convicted criminal set free by the work of the Pennsylvania Innocence Project.

Have any horror stories from Halloween at the Penitentiary or any interesting facts that you’d like to share about this, or any other Philadelphia Historical Site? Please feel free to comment!

Philadelphia Neighborhood Check

Ariel — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:53:01 +0000

Moving? Find Out More About Your Philadelphia Neighborhood!

It is very important, no matter where you move, to find out about the area you’re moving in to. For our residents, we think it is extremely helpful for them to have all of the information needed about their new Philadelphia neighborhood.

Click for Source

How to Find Out About Your Philadelphia Neighborhood

There are some great websites that you can use. By typing in any given address, you can find out the crime that has taken place in any specific Philadelphia neighborhood:

If you have a smartphone you can even download an app from one of these sites, which enables you to gain knowledge about any Philadelphia neighborhood while you’re on the go. Philadelphia is a great place for you to live, but it always good for you to be aware of what is going on around you!

A New Resort is Sure to Have Philadelphia Residents Flocking to A.C. This Summer

Ariel — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:38:16 +0000

Philadelphia Residents: A New Casino to Hit Atlantic City’s Strip This Summer

Ever since Philadelphia opened its grand casinos, we haven’t been hearing too much about new things going on with the Atlantic City strip. Well, get ready for that all to change as Philadelphia residents learn about Revel Resort, having its grand opening Memorial Day Weekend 2012. In size, it “Trumps” all of the other casinos, and looks like it will be a major competitor for the now largely successful, Borgata.

Click for Source

Here Are Some Things Philadelphia Residents Can Expect

If you are a Philadelphia resident who is looking for the perfect vacation spot, this new resort is the place to be. The rooms here look absolutely magnificent!
Are you looking for a place to party? For the Philadelphia resident who is searching for a daytime & nightlife experience, Revel has gone above and beyond by creating an oceanfront day club and 4-level nightclub. Revel also will have a new nightclub experience, created by Ivan Kane, which mixes burlesque dancing with DJs and more.
For the gambling folk, Revel will feature a poker room, slot machines set in a variety of zones, and tables to keep the game-player completely satisfied.
The Philadelphia resident knows a lot about food; we do boast some of the best restaurants in the country. Revel, however, will offer some spectacular dining experiences you will not want to miss!
In terms of entertainment line-ups, Revel has one of the best for the Philadelphia resident. Check out their list of upcoming entertainers, including Maroon 5, The Black Keys, and Beyonce.

Check out their website and be sure to make a reservation for one of the hottest-places-to-be this upcoming summer!

3BD/3BA NoLibs Townhouse

Gwen — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:16:18 +0000

This modern, newly constructed Northern Liberties townhouse with garage parking is within a secure, gated community and has all the perks: floor-to-ceiling windows, hardwood floors, recessed lighting, stainless steel appliances and tons of space, including a rooftop deck and professionally manicured common outdoor areas.
Kitchen boasts stainless steel appliances (refrigerator, stove, microwave, dishwasher), quartz countertops, cabinetry with soft-close drawers, under-cabinet lighting and modern tiled backsplash. The open floor plan offers separate living and dining areas.
Two full bathrooms are ultra modern with double-sinks, tiled floors and amazing rainfall shower heads.
Very large rooftop deck offers city views and extra space for entertaining.
Just north of Spring Garden Street, this Northern Liberties townhouse location is within walking distance to the Piazza. The Market-Frankford el subway stop is just four blocks away and there’s quick, easy access to highway 95 and 676 to the Ben Franklin Bridge.
Nearby attractions include: North Bowl, Honey’s Sit N’ Eat, Union Transfer, Sankhya Yoga School & Wellness Center, Art Star gallery, Ovations Salon & Spa and many others.

Stay connected for instant updates: facebook.com/JGRealEstate and twitter.com/JGRealEstateLLC

If you’re interested in any other Northern Liberties townhouse for rent in Philadelphia, let us know how we can help you find what you’re looking for!

Some Tips to Help Ease Your Move in Philadelphia

Ariel — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 18:25:11 +0000

How to Move in Philadelphia

Whether you’re a renter or homeowner, the most daunting aspect of changing housing locations is the move. You have two options when you move in Philadelphia: you can do it yourself or hire someone to do it for you. Here are some tips and resources to help your move happen quickly and easily.

Move in Philadelphia: The D.I.Y. Route

If you choose to move in Philadelphia and do it yourself there are a few things you should do to make it easier. First, you need to make sure you have the right packing tools. Usually, if you go to any liquor store in the area, they will have unused cartons that they are going to throw away; ask if you can have some. These are great things to pack in and are totally free. Also, when you move in Philadelphia, pack in any suitcases or bags that you already have; they will take up space in the move, so you should use them to your benefit. If you are buying any new furniture that has not been assembled yet, please don’t assemble it until you move into your new place. It is more compact and easier to handle in the box that it came in. Do not purchase big boxes and fill them with books! I know this may seem like a common sense tip, but the bigger the box the heavier it’s going to be, the harder it is going to be to carry, and the worse off you are going to be in an already stressful move.

Ask For Help When You Move in Philadelphia

If you aren’t looking to lug and carry, you can hire a moving company to do it for you. When you move in Philadelphia, the easiest way to find help is to type the phrase “moving company in Philadelphia,” and you will be given a ton of labor services. I weeded through them and found a few that I personally liked.

Broad Street Movers was awarded the “Super Service Award” by Angie’s List in 2010. They offer local and long distance moving services, packing, loading & unloading, deliveries, just to name a few. They also have competitive rates, with truck and without truck, and flat rates for long distance moves.
Old City Movers has been given multiple awards and has fabulous reviews by customers. Like others, they offer competitive rates, and they also sell boxes for you to pack in!

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**MAJOR TIP: When you move in Philadelphia, you may want some help putting together all that new Ikea furniture you just bought. There is a service that provides adorable furniture assembly. From personal experience, I highly suggest you use it! I hope this helps your move in Philadelphia happen more quickly and efficiently. Just remember, we’re rooting for you at JG Real Estate!

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Should You Use a Real Estate Agent to Rent in Philadelphia?

Ariel — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:37:48 +0000

Should I Use a Real Estate Agent to Rent in Philadelphia?

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If you are looking to rent in Philadelphia, a lot of people will automatically go to Craigslist or another real estate listing portal to find all of the places available. This may seem like your best option, to scroll through the thousands of postings to find two options that fit what you’re looking for, but what if I told you that there was an easier way? Now that I have become accustomed with the real estate field, I’ve found that the best way to rent in Philadelphia, to find a place that you want to call home, is work with a real estate agent.

Why Should I Work With a Real Estate Agent When I Rent in Philadelphia?

If you’re wondering why working with a real estate may be beneficial to you, the renter, when you rent in Philadelphia, the answer is simple and easy: searching for places is time consuming, and a real estate agent can help you to cut that time in half. You can decide for yourself, your options being: weeding through all of the places you don’t want in order to find a few you do, or giving someone a list of requirements that you have and receiving a list of multiple options that are exactly what you’re looking for, at no, or little cost to you. I would hope the answer would seem obvious.

The Benefits of An Agent When You Rent in Philadelphia

All you need to do is show up and look at the places the agent finds for you. You don’t have to search at all if you choose not to.
No, or little cost to you.
An agent has access to more postings that any J. Doe will have, so they can see everything that is on the market and find you the best place.
An agent has knowledge of the area that they service, so they will be able to answer most questions you have.

Again, I’ll Ask, Should You Use An Agent When You Rent in Philadelphia?

I would hope that the answer would be clear to this question. In my opinion, using a real estate agent to locate a place for you to rent in Philadelphia is a very smart idea!