The Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

RE/MAX Access Welcomes Frank Ratka III

We are proud to announce that Frank Ratka III recently joined RE/MAX Access.

Frank Ratka III has been a licensed full time real estate agent since 1991 and prior to joining RE/MAX Access worked the last two years for Century 21 Advantage Gold where he was one of the Top Producers in their office.  In addition to his real estate career, Frank is very politically involved locally and at large and currently serves as an Advisory Board Member for District 1201 representing all Trades People within the district and is on the Board of Directors for Olde Richmond Civic Association.

He has also served as the Executive Board Member for SEIU 32BJ for District 1201 School Employee Union for over 3,000 members, served for 6 years on the Board of Directors of a Private Planned Community in the Poconos and 3 years serving as Board President of the Association and its Private Public Utility.

Frank is looking forward to bringing his knowledge and background of working hard for his clients, representing their interests first and making the entire process stress free and enjoyable to RE/MAX Access.

In addition to his commitment to his clients, Frank is dedicated to his wife of 15 years and their 4 year old daughter.  Together they are a Family Team and Ambassadors for the March of Dimes and walk yearly for all babies and especially their team "Team Sarah Jean."

 

We are growing our market share rapidly and are ahead of the curve in technology and innovation and we are proud that Frank chose RE/MAX Access.

Please welcome Frank Ratka III to RE/MAX Access! If you are thinking of buying or selling in the Philadelphia area be sure to contact Frank at 267-228-8497 and via email at FrankRatka2@verizon.net.

3rd Federal Bank - Our Local Neighborhood Bank !

These days I really enjoy going to our new bank - 3rd Federal Bank in Northern Liberties.  It is awesome to have a bank only a few doors down from both our home and our office at RE/MAX Access at the Piazza !

But on top of that, whenever I walk into 3rd Federal Bank, the folks are always friendly and fun.  I really feel at home versus some of the other banks I have used in the past.  When Stephanie and I popped in yesterday, Led Zeppelin was playing on the radio.  The time before it was the Foo Fighters !  How cool is that ?  Definitely not your ordinary bank !  On top of that, there is exposed brick and great art work by a local artist in Northern Liberties.  Below are a couple of photos of the branch right on N 2nd St in Northern Liberties:

 

 

 

One of the most important factors in turning Philadelphia into a more sustainable city is our building codes. Attend PlanPhilly's forum, Cracking The Code: How 21st Century Building Codes Will Make Or Break Our Communities, on March 18 for more information on how these essential codes can influence the shape of our city in years to come. Zoning codes decide what goes where and how it is built. As time passes and the world changes, some of these codes need to be adjusted to ensure a better future. Find out what zoning reform efforts are being made in your community.

Speakers include:

Fran Burns: Commissioner, Department of Licenses and Inspections, City of Philadelphia

Maureen Gutman: Executive Director, the Governor’s Green Government Council, State of Pennsylvania; Committee Member, International Green Codes Council

Patrick McDonald: Owner and Co-Founder, Onion Flats

Don Elliot: Senior Consultant, Clarion Associates

The free event, at 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, runs from 6-8:30pm. Please register if you plan on attending.

We are loving the Northwest Neighborhoods video series, a weekly segment over at uwishunu.com that has us learning more about the treasures in Northwest Philadelphia. The Northwest doesn't get as much attention as Center City and Northern Liberties when it comes to entertainment coverage, but each video highlights galleries, shops, restaurants, and attractions in West Oak Lane, East Oak Lane, Chestnut Hill, and Germantown. Go check out the videos and next time you're looking for something to do in Philadelphia, why not head Northwest for a change?

 

Ready to search for Northwest properties?

 

[Photo credit: Mt. Airy USA]

West Oak Lane is a Northwest neighborhood composed of tree-lined streets. It is close to East Mount Airy, East Germantown, East Oak Lane, and Fern Rock. Large, distinct homes with tree-lined streets give West Oak Lane a look and feel all its own. Every summer, the West Oak Lane Jazz Festival draws many music-lovers and players. La Salle University is nearby.

Ready to search for West Oak Lane properties?

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Time for a new sofa? Moving into a new place or even adapting to a more modern interior can call for upgraded seating that fits the look. Maybe you're transitioning from a minimalist approach to something that's more cozy. There are plenty of options in Philadelphia for all of your settee-shopping needs.

We like Minima in Old City for all things mod and cutting edge. The name says it all. We can see this Showtime sofa from Barcelona Design in the single modernista's airy loft.

 

Showtime Sofa from Barcelona Design

Cole Sofa from HOST

 

For something that's more warm and inviting, the Cole Sofa at HOST Philadelphia can be customized in over 1000 fabrics and is available in a four-seat size. You can really make this sofa your own and have it match the rest of your furniture. There are so many choices at HOST, if you're looking for seating that you can really sink into. 

Frank Lloyd Wright sofa from DWR


 

 



Couchoid from Blu Dot

Your plan is to make a real investment, a couch that stands on its own as a real work of art? Head over to Design Within Reach in Rittenhouse Square. The caramel leather Frank Lloyd Wright sofa (originally designed in 1912) is back in production there. Scope the many classic options at DWR, long-lasting designs that leave a real impression.

The aptly named Philadelphia sofa by Matthew Izzo is just one of the many selections you can order from the edgy fashion boutique in Old City. Izzo also stocks a variety of contemporary GUS sofas in vinyl upholstery or the super cool leather alternative Couchoid from Blu Dot. It's worth checking out Fosters down the street for similar designs.

 

Bolla Sofa from CB2

On a budget? We recommend shopping at CB2 online, where you can snag a fun loveseat, sectional pieces, or this hip, tweed sofa for under $1,000.

After some hard work from Busybee Design, our staged property is complete and ready for showings. The small space underwent a dramatic transformation. The challenge proposed by this 1 bedroom condo was its small size. The designer's goal was to show that with strategically placed furniture and accent pieces, that this small space condo has the potential to be fully functional and beautiful simultaneously. Busybee was able to accpmplish this by using artwork on the walls to add depth and expertly placed furniture to give the rooms some extra width. Small details like curtains, kitchen towels, books, vases, and candles pumped some personality into the condo. The dining room had the most impressive new look, with a modern table, chic white chairs, and place settings to envision a future dinner party. Ah, the power of staging. Quite a successful transformation.

After

 

After

Before

After

It doesn't matter what you're selling, whether it is old or new, big or small. Whatever it is, you want to showcase it and make it stand out in the best way possible. Think about it for a second. You wouldn't just place an unfrosted half eaten cupcake in a bare display case and call it a delicious snack for sale. You wouldn't be able to convince anyone that your unwashed car with the broken window and remnants of your kid's happy meal in the back seat is a hot buy. Right? Well, Busybee Design, a Fishtown-based interior design and staging company, can make your property stand out to buyers.

Whether the home be old or new, large or small, staging homes for sale to make them look marvelous is their specialty. Let's face it, it is not always evident that a property has the potential to be your dream home when you can't even visualize where to put your Xbox or Wii. When a home is empty, or quirky, it is a real challenge for many people to picture what it would look like with some thoughtfully placed furniture and decor. Sometimes all it takes is the right sofa, bookcase, colors, or lighting and voila! It can make a big space feel comfortable and inviting, or turn a small room into a spacious one. Staging allows sellers to maximize and highlight a dwelling's strong points.

So, we took an inside peek at the pros in the process. The designers for this staging process had to work with a few small spaces in a 1 bedroom condo near Northern Liberties. We met with Busybee Design of Fishtown (always keeping it local) and had them trick out a property in Old Kensington that we thought could use a designer's touch. Here are some before shots:

 

You've seen the provocative posters and flyers around town. The dancers are posing in barely there scraps of gunmetal gray fabric. This is one ballet event that you can take your hockey-loving significant other to.

It's MANNA's Shut Up and Dance 2010, a one-night-only stand with the Pennsylvania Ballet. The performance raises money for patients with life-threatening illnesses. Each ticket sold will provide 20 meals for one person.

Sometimes, the only thing you can do is shut up and dance. This year's performance will be on Saturday, March 20 at 8pm at the Forrest Theatre in Washington Square West. We expect that it will be edgy and experimental.

Tickets are on sale at MANNA's site. The dancers will also be selling tickets during a pub crawl this Sunday in Northern Liberties. They'll be at Cantina Dos Segundos from 6-7pm and Swift Half Pub from 7:15-8:30pm.

Bella Vista is a vibrant community that stretches south of South Street to Washington Avenue. In this community of friendly locals, you will find the happening Italian Market that has embraced cultural influences from the neighborhood. You can find just about anything there, between the Vietnamese supermarkets, the South Street Whole Foods, and all of the treasures in and around the Italian Market itself.

Sabrina's Cafe is a famous brunch spot known for its stuffed french toast specials and local cafes like Chapterhouse and Creperie Beau Monde also add to the culture. There are many vintage shops and specialty stores in Bella Vista.

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