ACHIEVEability: Philadelphia Low Income-Housing

ACHIEVEability Provides Philadelphia Low-Income Housing

Established in 1981. ACHIEVEability has been creating Philadelphia low-income housing for low-income and homeless families in the hopes of setting them up to achieve financial independence.  To remain a part of  ACHIEVEability’s Family Self-Sufficiency Program and remain housed in theirPhiladelphia low-incoming housing, parents are required to maintain employment, and their incomes must meet all of their monthly expenses. Not only does ACHIEVEability help the families that have fallen victim to homelessness and strife, they are helping neighborhoods by building these Philadelphia low-income housing in abandoned and run-down buildings. They are headquartered at a new location on South 61st St.

 

If ACHIEVEability inspires you, find out how to volunteer for them, and make a difference to the people and real estate in your community! Touch base with your local Philadelphia Property Management Firmfor more details.

Philadelphia Memorial Day Weekend

As the summer quickly approaches, Memorial Day Weekend is finally upon us and there is tons going on in Philadelphia! Here is a synopsis of the best of the best for this Philadelphia Memorial Day Weekend.

 

PHILADELPHIA MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND: EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY

There are some great restaurant specials and events are going on this Philadelphia Memorial Day Weekend.

Memorial Day Weekend

 

PHILADELPHIA MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND: ARTS & CULTURE

Want to spend this Philadelphia Memorial Day Weekend weekend learning and expanding your knowledge? There are some fabulous events that are happening relating to the fine arts!

 

PHILADELPHIA MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND: MUST-HAVE FIREWORKS

If you’re big into fireworks, this is the Philadelphia Memorial Day Weekend Firework list.

From all of us here at JG Real Estate, we wish you a wondering Philadelphia Memorial Day Weekend!

Happy Memorial Day

Looking to Buy in Philadelphia? Now’s the Time!

For Those Want to Buy in Philadelphia, Mortgage Rates Are Low!

Amy Fontinelle, a writer for Philly.com, wrote an article abut the cost of home loans being, again, at record lows. She proclaims that this “is great news  if you’re beginning a housing search,” especially if you’re looking to buy in Philadelphia. For those of you who are into statistics, an  average fixed-mortgage that is over a 30-year span will cost slightly above 4%. Right now, mortgage rates are at an all-time low, and renting prices are increased. If you buy in Philadelphia, do your research & find low mortgage rates, you will definitely be making a great deal!

Housing Market Recovery

 

DECLINE IN HOME PRICES SLOWS – BUY IN PHILADELPHIA WHILE THE PRICES ARE GOOD

According to Alan J. Heavens, a member of the Inquirer Real Estate staff, it appears that the housing market is rebounding in a small way, with an indication that the price decline in home prices is slowing; for those looking to buy in Philadephia, this means we are seeing ‘more balanced conditions.’ There has been a slight decline in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, and way may see another slight decrease over the next few months. However, this is not bad news; according to Fiserv Case-Shiller, which tracks Philadelphia metro prices on a quarterly basis , “because of several years of declining prices, affordability has reached a 40-year high.”

 

If the question you’re asking is whether or not now is the time to buy in Philadelphia, the answer simply, is YES!

Philadelphia Real Estate: Auction Options

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.

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

How to Better Your Philadelphia Curb Appeal

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 isPhiladelphia curb appeal.

 

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.

 

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?

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.

Shaking Hands

 

FIVE TYPES OF PHILADELPHIA COOPERATIVES

 

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!