The Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

"Free is sure delicious!" Harry Howe uttered through a mouthful of food and a very satisfied grin.

Harry, who works at Bernard's Signs in Old Kensington, is a regular at Murph's Bar. Even the other regulars call him "a fixture". It was our first time at Murph's, and we had just met Harry who was sitting at the long bar partaking in the free food being served that night. We chatted with Harry about the old days in Fishtown as we watched him eat the most delicious looking vegetarian dish made with baked eggplant patties, layered several times over with fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced tomatoes, spinach, and drizzled with a mouthwatering balsamic and honey reduction.

Then Mike Engler stole our attention by graciously offering us some of his crispy baked french fries, lightly seasoned with Old Bay and insanely delicious. Who can say no to guilt-free fries? Mike is a professional Horse and Carriage Rider for the stable in Northern Liberties. He was filmed and televised on the Dr. Phil Show as the romantic rider for the Marriage Carriage episode. We were thrilled to be sharing fries with someone so famous. We were starting to get very hungry watching everyone enjoying the new food selections that will be served now every day at Murph's. Beth Colfer, a very hip and pretty bartender, who has been working the Wednesday night crowd at Murph's for years, told us that people were so excited for the new menu. She waived us over to taste a slice of the shrimp scampi pizza where we met the one and only "Black-out Sundays" bartender Kevin Bonner. Apparently, Sundays with bartender Kevin are so much fun, you might not remember! Kevin was digging an ice cold beer on tap and his favorite, the Beef Brisket sandwich that melts in your mouth. We hear that the 22-hour roasted pork sandwiches on homemade rolls are darn tasty, too.

We had never been to Murph's Bar, located in Fishtown on 220 E Girard Ave, but we heard the news about the new goings on and popped by for the specific purpose of sampling some of the new bar food menu that Chef Charlie Philips was cooking up. Charlie, with a classical French and Italian background, an executive chef for the last 17 years, is a trained pastry chef and he definitely knows his way around a kitchen. As rumor has it, the owner Greg Walton, simply woke up one day and decided to toss the greasy old fryer (nicknamed heart attack) in exchange for a state of the art cooking facility, a trained cook staff, and a variety of scrumptious comfort foods that are lean on the wallet and the waist. Brilliant! The full menu started this past Friday and includes lunch and dinner, specialized vegetarian dishes, gourmet salads and super fresh rolls which are all baked daily.

There is a lot more on the menu but if you want to know more, go stop by for a taste and a beer. Maybe you'll be lucky like us and meet some of the cool regulars, a fixture or two, or even someone famous! That is, if you can you take your eyes off of your plate for a second!! If you go on Wednesday, it is piano bar night and the weekends have live entertainment. I know one thing is for sure - we will be going to Murph's Bar more often, both to hang out and to enjoy a delicious meal!

This article was first published in the Spirit newspaper and at the Somers Team. 

Fishtown's fallen "Treaty Tree" played an important role in history. It was these very branches that William Penn and Lenape Chief Tamanend pledged their friendship at Penn Treaty Park.

The elm tree is still a cause for celebration and this weekend marks the 200th anniversary of the fallen tree.

Tomorrow, there will be a Quaker Meeting with Native Americans to commemorate the Treaty of Friendship at the Arch Street Meeting House at 4th and Arch Streets, from 10:30-12:30 p.m. Dancing, drumming, and refreshments will follow.

Visit Penn Treaty Park on Saturday at 2 p.m. for a memorial bench dedication. Penn Treaty Museum founder Dr. Etta May Pettyjohn and caretaker Henry Kreiss will be honored. There will be a discussion of the park's history with bagpipe music. Historian Kenneth Milano will sign his latest book, The History of Penn Treaty Park. Milano is known for his titles the History of the Kensington Soup Society and Remembering Kensington and Fishtown.

The park has always been a place for friends, from the children bonding in the sunshine to the groups of bike riders catching a breeze off of the Delaware, and the set-in-stone camaraderie between old fishermen with stories to tell. With events like the Fishtown Shadfest and last year's Waterfront Wednesdays, we look forward to racking up the good times with our allies this year.

Explore more about Life in Fishtown. Ready to search for Fishtown properties?

3 Bedroom Home for Sale in Fishtown Philadelphia

Call The Somers 215-400-2620, RE/MAX Access, Northern Liberties, Philadelphia

2452 Amber Street and 2454 Amber Street

Beautifully remodeled 3 bedroom w 2 full baths home for sale in Fishtown with so much natural light, you won't believe it!

2454 Amber Street Photo Gallery

Some of the great features of this home include:

• bamboo floors throughout
• an open first floor layout
• large bay windows
• spacious remodeled kitchen with cherry cabinets, granite counters
• mudroom that leads to the rear patio.

The 2nd floor has a huge hall bath and 2 large bedrooms. The third floor is the master bedroom suite. Plenty of closet space throughout and a full unfinished basement.

2452 Amber Street Photo Gallery

Located just off of the Frankford Arts Corridor in the Fishtown/New Kensington neighborhood, this 3 bedroom home for sale in Fishtown has beautiful curb appeal, new replacement windows, central air, and new electric.

We look forward to your visit!

Explore more about Life in Fishtown

TheSomersTeam.com

215-400-2620

Remax Access, Northern Liberties

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If interested in buying or selling properties in Philadelphia, contact Chris and Stephanie Somers at thesomersteam@yahoo.com or 215-400-2612.  For investment properties, check out our new investor site at Philly Investor Hub!  If interested in checking out our new office in Northern Liberties, let us know !

The Somers  Team - Philadelphia Real Estate  

Search the MLS Properties Here in Philadelphia

Areas of specialty include: Northern Liberties, Old City, Center City, Fishtown, Graduate Hospital, Art Museum, Queen Village, Pennsport, Old Kensington, Port Richmond, Bridesburg, Society Hill, Loft District, Spring Garden and more !

Fishtown is a northern residential neighborhood next to the Delaware River. The river ward has changed dramatically in recent years with its proximity to Northern Liberties and has drawn many students and artists to its small, triangular territory of rowhomes. The Market-Frankford line borders the neighborhoood on one side, with the river bounding it on the other side. Penn Treaty Park is one of the largest community spaces here. Johnny Brendas is a popular bar and music venue that is notable throughout the country. Girard Avenue has experienced strong growth in local businesses and dining establishments. On the other side of the neighborhood, the Frankford Arts Corridor is home to many galleries and small businesses.

The neighborhood is made up of rowhomes and small, tight-knit streets where residents come together for block parties and chat with one another from their stoops. You will find artists biking along the avenues or bands meeting up for coffee at a nearby cafe. The First Friday crowd from Old City now stops in Fishtown to check out the galleries and artwork displayed here. 2424 Studios on York Street combines offices, gallery space, and venues to give the community a creative hub.

Read more about Fishtown. Ready to search for Fishtown properties?

Is Fishtown ready for a beer garden from super-productive restaurateur Stephen Starr (Continental, Buddakan, Morimoto, Parc, you name it)? Share your thoughts at the zoning meeting on March 2nd at the Fishtown Rec Center. Residents of Fishtown should bring proof of residence to attend.

Placing a Starr signature in a neighborhood is no small matter. The proposed location is on Frankford Avenue Corridor, next to the Acropolis Diner at Frankford and Girard. The successful pub Johnny Brendas has already helped the intersection to flourish. Developer Roland Kassis has brought many projects to fruition in Northern Liberties and Fishtown.

The garden would have a courtyard and seating for 250, with a kitchen open until 11 p.m. and drinking until 2 a.m. Valet parking would be offered. Parking is one of the major concerns that residents of Fishtown have, with the recent developments that have brought businesses to the neighborhood. Noise is another potential issue, as there are many residences nearby.

Whether or not you are a fan of Starr restaurants, the idea of a beer garden on Frankford Avenue is an exciting one that could be an extra boost for Fishtown. It's already a destination for those looking for some tasty beer. Could it be just the thing for a leisurely summer pub crawl? Starr Restaurants are notorious for opening quickly, staffing appropriately, and responding to customer suggestions. They have a high success rate and draw regular crowds. We think of this as a plus.

The best part about living here? Forget the valet. You could just enjoy a nice walk to and from the garden. For details about the zoning meeting, visit FNA Zoning.

Read more about Fishtown. Ready to search for Fishtown properties?

2 Bedroom Home for Sale in Fishtown Philadelphia

Call The Somers 215-400-2620, RE/MAX Access, Northern Liberties, Philadelphia

2210 Cedar Street

You have found a high-end remodeled 2 bedroom home for sale in Fishtown for under 200K.

Meticulously rehabbed, this home offers features such as hardwood throughout the 1st fl. from the formal living room to the eat-in kitchen to the rear laundry room.

The kitchen is stunning, perfectly paired with polished granite counters and contemporary wooden cabinets. The laundry room has plenty of natural light and can be used as an office or even a pantry.

Photo Gallery

There is access from this additional room to a nice size rear patio. The basement is dry (sump pump installed), with enough head room to eventually finish which will add value and additional living space.

The 2nd floor offers 2 small bedrooms with closets and a spacious hall bathroom that is expertly detailed. The bath has decorative tiles, jet air tub, modern vanity with plenty of storage and crown molding.

Everything has been completely updated.

This is a beautiful 2 bedroom home for sale in Fishtown that is compact home big on style and located a minute from Rocket Cat Cafe and the Frankford Arts Corridor.

Discover more about Life in Fishtown. 

TheSomersTeam.com

215-400-2620

Remax Access, Northern Liberties

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If interested in buying or selling properties in Philadelphia, contact Chris and Stephanie Somers at thesomersteam@yahoo.com or 215-400-2612.  For investment properties, check out our new investor site at Philly Investor Hub!  If interested in checking out our new office in Northern Liberties, let us know !

The Somers  Team - Philadelphia Real Estate  

Search the MLS Properties Here in Philadelphia

Areas of specialty include: Northern Liberties, Old City, Center City, Fishtown, Graduate Hospital, Art Museum, Queen Village, Pennsport, Old Kensington, Port Richmond, Bridesburg, Society Hill, Loft District, Spring Garden and more !

The Art of Real Estate:  When Luck, Skill, and Coincidence connects Buyers and Sellers

We had a really rewarding settlement this past week where a buyer bought a completely renovated property from a seller in New Kensington.  Every settlement to us is special but this one was a bit more special.  When I look back it is amazing how things come to fruition.  All the little coincidences, all the different directions that things can go, the unexpected twists and turns that required skill and luck (if you believe in luck).  Below is our story that is an illustration of The Art of Real Estate: When luck, skill, and coincidence conspires to connect a buyer and seller making a happy ending for all.

Meet the Buyers:  A couple was interested in moving from Virgina (my home State) to Philadelphia but did not know too much about the city of Philadelphia and all of the neighborhoods. They contacted us from a "fixer upper" in Old Kensington that we had been marketing on-line. They wanted a home that would accommodate a live/work space. One of the Buyers was a successful Artist which thrilled Stephanie who has a BFA degree from Moore College of Art and Design. The other Buyer was a natural heath practitioner and Stephanie's MS was in Natural Health.  Really, what are the odds ? So, Stephanie took them under her wing.  After many showings, many long travel days from Virginia, and one Agreement of Sale they backed away from, these buyers realized that a renovation would be too difficult for them to handle. The buyers were worn down from traveling back and forth from Virginia and needed more time to search for a home. They asked if they could stay short-term in one of our investment properties. As luck would have it, one of our tenants had just moved out of one of our properties in Old Kensington. So we agreed. The timing was perfect !

Meet Mr Seller:  Mr. Seller was a Real Estate Developer who was in the beginning stages or renovating his investment property.  This was not his first renovation, but his first in New Kensington/Fishtown. Mr. Seller needed a skilled and knowledgeable Realtor to discuss how he would move forward in finishing his full house renovation. He needed answers to questions such as what type of layout configuration sells best, what type of finishes appeal to buyers, what would be the best pricing and marketing strategy. As luck would have it, he called us because one of our "for sale" signs was on a house across the street. We had just put that property under contract. We made a Listing appointment to check out his property and we connected immediately. Our knowledge of the area, our solid marketing strategy, and our understanding of how to sell the Mr. Seller's end product was just what he needed. This would be the beginning of great client relationship. Coincidentally, we both graduated from University of Maryland, hung out at the same places back in the day and had many similar interests. We were both Terps !

One day when Stephanie was showing the buyers properties, she introduced them to Mr. Seller's house. They loved the idea that they could be part of the renovation process, choosing their finishings and the like without having to do it on their own.  The beauty was they did not have to buy a fixer-upper after all but a completely renovated property that was hand-crafted by themselves along with the developer. They had the ability to create the live/work space and their dream home in a way they never considered possible. Mr. Seller was very happy because he was able to have his home sold before it was even ready to go on the market !

It was not a simple deal to put together but it was an obvious definite match. The seller was thrilled to have a buyer that early in the process, and the buyer was ecstatic to be able to participate in the renovation process.  My wife Stephanie was amazing throughout the deal showing creativity and skill, connecting the buyer and seller, putting together several types of contracts and addendums that protected both clients, and negotiating their way finally to the settlement table.

We are so happy for both clients !  And moving forward, we know they are both very happy with us.  It's a "win-win-win" all the way around. Luckily for us in our State, dual agency allowed us to orchestrate this success story. For those folks that are against dual agency, this deal would probably have never happened otherwise.

The Art of Real Estate is when luck, skill and coincidence conspire so that Buyers and Sellers can connect !

We are seeing it happen more and more frequently. Inspired folks are buying fixer-upper homes in the neighborhoods along the fringes of Philadelphia and they are turning them into unique and amazing properties. The first couple we wrote about a while ago that tackled a rehab project had the help of an FHA 203K Loan. But their story is really about a lot of their own blood, sweat, and tears put into a fixer-upper home located close to Fishtown in a neighborhood called Old Kensington. Ramona and Matt's Place is a fantastic success story and the slide show I put together for them really says it all.

We really like what Erin and Chris of Fishtown did with their fixer-upper. The video game blogger and his artist partner transformed their Fishtown home and were featured on Apartment Therapy -- twice. They turned thir home into two two-bedroom apartments and are planning on adding a green roof. Check out their photos and the article at Apartment Therapy. Hard work is sometimes the only way to have your dream kitchen.

If you're interested in some DIY remodeling, we've got a couple of opportunities to share with you .

If you are not ready for a full rehab you may enjoy reading  26 Tips to Spruce Things Up!

Hey, Fishtown residents, join the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and the NKCDC this Saturday, to learn alternative energy options and incentives for incorporating them into your home. They'll be giving out free recycling bins and CFL bulbs. For more information, visit http://sustainable19125.org/.

Sustainable 19125 is an initiative to make Fishtown, Port Richmond, and East Kensington the greenest neighborhoods in Philadelphia.

For more ways on how to make your home green, check out our eco-friendly home advice and our It Is Not Easy Being Green Or Is It post.

UPDATE: This event was rescheduled due to snow.  The new date is Saturday, Feb. 27th: 10am - 2pm at St. Anne's Social Hall / Memphis & Tucker Streets

Should You Rent or Buy in Fishtown, Northern Liberties or Old City?

The Somers (215) 400-2620, Remax Access, Northern Liberties and all over Philadelphia

We find this question pops up in conversation time after time. I will be so bold as to say that just about every first time buyer has asked should I rent or buy ? But before we answer, let's establish some credibility as experts in the areas we are discussing.

Fishtown, Northern Liberties, Old City

Chris and I live in Northern Liberties after having lived in Old City and we do a lot of business as well as enjoy the local jaunts in Fishtown.  Our office is at the epicenter of these 3 awesome neighborhoods. As investors we have purchased properties in all 3 neighborhoods and understand with extreme clarity the value of our investments and how they may preform in the years to come. We are huge fans of all 3 neighborhoods. That being said, we think we have pretty solid grasp on what makes an excellent investment particularly in these areas and when a person should consider renting over buying. Right now home prices are very attractive throughout Philadelphia. Chris has a great saying that you should keep in the back of your mind, "You make your money when you purchase a home not when you sell."

The answer to the first part of the question, should you rent or buy can be found in one simple word TIME.

1-3 Year Plan

If you are looking to live in your new home for 1-3 years in this current Real Estate market, we’d suggest you consider renting in one of the three subject neighborhoods. If a prospective buyer is looking to stay in their new home for only 1-3 years, the investment is a bit risky because there will not be enough time for the market to increase in value.

4-5 Year Plan

There are great deals to be had for those who are hanging in there for 4-5 years or more. And for those who are looking at a shorter term stay in Fishtown, Northern Liberties, or Old City, enjoy the rental deals that are out there. But to everyone out there renting, buying, or selling, remember this advice, "You make your money when you purchase a home not when you sell it." Timing is everything.

For specific information regarding the value of your home of you are looking to purchase a property in any of these areas, contact Chris and Stephanie Somers at 215-400-2620 .