The Philadelphia Real Estate Blog

RE/MAX Access Welcomes Frank Ratka III!

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:47:22 -0600

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.

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3rd Federal Bank - Our Local Neighborhood Bank !

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:20:24 -0600

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:

Rethinking Philly with 21st Century Building Codes

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:03:18 -0600

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.

Local Blog Takes us on a Virtual Tour of Northwest Philadelphia

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:58:58 -0600

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]

What's up with...West Oak Lane

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:20:51 -0600

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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Couch Hunting in Philadelphia

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:47:22 -0600

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

Cole Sofa at HOST Philadelphia

Frank Lloyd Wright sofa from DWR

Couchoid from Blu Dot

Design Within Reach

Rittenhouse Square

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.

Busybee Design Adds Depth to a Small Space

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:29:49 -0600

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.

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

Busybee Design Transforms a Small Space

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:27:47 -0600

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:

PA Ballet with Attitude: Shut Up and Dance 2010

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:21:14 -0600

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.

What's up with...Bella Vista

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:06:12 -0600

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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"Most Realtors are not creators..." but we are good at articulating the obvious!

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 07:52:22 -0600

"Most Realtors are not creators..." but we are "good at articulating the obvious".(That was not meant as a compliment but I will take what I can get !)

We have an auto drip email campaign that sends periodic information pertaining to buying Real Estate. It goes out to people who have requested info from us. It is good info. It is meant to be easy to understand and yes, it shines a positive light on our profession as well as offering items of value in the form of information.

I am used to getting email responses back from people thanking me for these useful tips. I accept their gratitude with a tinge of guilt, knowing the message was not my own creation but a message put together by an anonymous author. But it pleases me that the people who receive these emails were able to glean some good stuff from it.

Well, below is a recent email I received in response to a drip email that reached a consumer. The drip email was abut FSBO's. I'd like to know your thoughts about his comments and my response. I really liked the way he threw in some positives.... They were not meant as a compliment but I will take what I can get from this guy !

BELOW: I underlined a few of the special comments and compliments since they are a little difficult to see and my comments are in [brackets].

"Hello: Christopher & Stephanie [Starts off friendly]

Your recent writing is a great example of [I get an A for..] professional bias and propaganda. The truth is many good deals are possible [I love good deals, especially deals on shoes!] in the FSBO framework. Especially, for buyers and sellers that have more expertise than Real Estate Agents. The spirit of the Internet [Spirits are nice and remind me of angels with fluffy white wings!] involves disintermediation , and FSBO is a prime example of this.

Most Real Estate Agents are not creators, have limited knowledge of Architecture and Design Science, so why should an informed party rely only on such service? [Ouch, I knew I should have gotten those advanced degrees in Architecture and Design Science but I was too busy working my rear end off as an Artist, Teacher, and Consultant for brain injured children over the past 22 years. But hey, thanks for the constructive criticism! ]

Your 6% commission is not always warranted [Which means sometimes 6% is warranted! Yippee. One point for my side!], there are always other options, any informed person will always realize this.

Get real and understand this, besides most of your emails are articulating the obvious (You heard it folks. I am articulate ; ). Although, at least you are not killing trees [That's right. I am no murderer!] with your marketing campaign."

My response:

The email you received was not really created by us personally. Though that may seem like even more propaganda, it is a tool we use to communicate with people when we personally can not. Staying in contact with people is really important to our business and as much as I wish I personally can take the time to write everyone who enters our website I can not.

Cutting out the middle man is good for those who understand the ins and outs of selling or buying a property. I know that we have seen many people make many very bad decisions in Real Estate transactions because they thought they'd save a little money. But I have also seen FSBO that have had successful transactions.

As far as Realtors not being creators, I strongly disagree with you. Everyone can create. It is a human innate characteristic. How sophisticated the creations depends on a variety of things. Formal training and perhaps a natural gift certainly helps. Real Estate practiceis not the practice architecture or design science. It does require creativity. I think my Chris (Chris Somers) is incredibly creative particularly in his ability to negotiate and problem solve some very difficult transactions..

Real Estate is not a lot of things and maybe should be a lot more. If that is your point, then I agree strongly.

I am sorry if you have taken any insult from the message sent to you. Many people do not understand the process. For those people, I can help them and I believe it is better for them to allow me to assist them, than to fall into the hands of someone dishonest.

Your comments make me feel a bit defensive. I never like having to defend myself. But I will take a stab at it. I work very hard for 6%. I'd love to charge more for some transactions but I never do. I often take less if my client is in need or if they are a repeat client. The choice to alter the commission is also mine to make not just the consumer.

It is very clear that this message is not meant for you. (There is an unsubscribe button on our auto email. I am not sure if you saw that there. A lot of people miss it.) But for some people, our message is taken in the spirit in which it was sent. It was not meant insult you or challenge you.

Though we may or may not see eye to eye on the way we try to communicate with prospective clients, I hope this is not the last time we chat. Maybe we'd find some common ground on other subjects.

Sincerely,

Stephanie

Sticks and stones may break my bones but passive aggressive and unwarranted one way discussions will never hurt me. I have not heard back from this person again. I guess he clicked unsubscribe : )

So, how would you have responded ? What are your thoughts ? Would you have responded at all ?

North Bowl and NLNA Team up for the Annual Winterfest

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 06:34:58 -0600

North Bowl and NLNA Team up for the Annual Winterfest

The Northern Liberties Neighborhood Association (NLNA) slipped on their bowling shoes this past Sunday afternoon, laced up with all of their good friends and admirers, and bowled a really good game at their Annual Winter Fest Fundraiser held at North Bowl in Northern Liberties. I do not know how much money was ultimately raised for the community but the way I was keeping score, this was a perfect game which, by the way, is a score of 300 for those of you who do not play the pins. Fundraisers are very difficult for non profit organizations these days and this one was no lucky strike. So many people participated for a great cause and the afternoon played out as smooth and polished as the pine floors.

If you were not there, here is what you missed. There was flagrant and open socializing with an abundance of giggles and frequent outbursts of hysterical laughter, mostly coming from Matt Ruben and Frank Hyder. There was alley to alley entertainment that engaged every age from infant to infinity. There was a seemingly endless cornucopia of delicious food and drink of which the partaking was shamelessly delightful. There was simply no escaping the multiple floors of fun and games that were enjoyed with reckless abandon by everyone. There was even a flat screen tv for practically every inquiring eye to keep up with the Olympic Hockey competition between the US and Canada. However, it was the servers who were the real Olympians making all of the food appear and the plates disappear, a performance worthy of a Gold Medal. Everyone was grooving to the constant flow of music from the DJ booth manned by DJ Frosty.

Christopher Richetti, a recent addition to the Northern Liberties Zoning committee and a dazzling bowler, zeroed in on what the fundraiser really accomplished. Christopher was surprised by the large turnout and saw a lot of familiar faces. "It was a good mixed crowd with a lot of families, local sponsors, and volunteers. This event revealed all of the things that you want to see in a neighborhood like Northern Liberties. It really showed a snapshot of the neighborhood as a whole."

Some of the sponsors for the fundraiser generously offered raffle prizes whose names included many of our neighborhood favorites such as Voila Home Design, Iron Works Gym, Liberties Restaurant and Bar, One Shot Coffee, Dos Segundos, City Planter , Silk City, Ortliebs, Honeys, Full Plate, Chez Bow Wow, Rustica, and North 3rd Restaurant.

There were some strikes, there were a couple of spares and perhaps even a few gutter balls though from my perspective the entire neighborhood was ultimately the winner. And for the folks who have not sunk their thumb and forefingers into 8 pounds of solid urethane (that is what bowing balls are made of these days) don't fret, North Bowl is open 7 days a week with plenty of lanes, 21,000 square feet offering both plenty of bowling and a nightlife haven.

Our article was also posted in The Spirit Newspapers.

Spring Cocktails at the Franklin Mortgage in Rittenhouse Square

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:47:18 -0600

Cocktail culture is kept alive at Franklin Mortgage and Investment Co., Rittenhouse Square's only speakeasy that we know about.

After a long, busy day in the spring market, you deserve some relaxation. The fittingly-named Franklin Mortgage has just unveiled its spring drink menu, a list of 34 season-ready sippers that will be available starting Monday. All cocktails are $12 and there's absolutely no vodka. Some of the new offerings include:

The Coal Cracker Swizzle - Rye Whiskey, Galliano, Ginger Syrup, Fresh Lemon Juice, Muddled Blackberry, Angostura, Mint, Sasparilla Tincture, Served Tall on Crushed Ice

Destructive Urges - Bermuda and Demerara Rums, Green Chartreuse, Cane, Fresh Lime Juice, Angostura, Served Up

Delores Haze - Barbados Rum, Honey, Fresh Lemon Juice, Muddled Strawberry, Egg White, Peychaud, Served on a Rock

Kensington - Bourbon, Dry and Sweet Vermouth, Peychaud, Orange Marmalade, Served Up

We made the Kensington the other night at home and it remains one of our favorites.

Every Monday night, the classy, sultry hideaway hosts Monday Night School, an evening of liquor-learning and spirits tasting. You may RSVP for this event on their website.

The Franklin Mortgage and Investment Co.

112 S. 18th Street

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What's up with...Rittenhouse Square

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:03:22 -0600

Rittenhouse Square is in Center City, Philadelphia. The major shopping, dining, and business destination is where visitors and locals come together for culture and nightlife. As one of the most convenient areas for commuters to get to by public transportation, many Philadelphians come to Rittenhouse for work, shopping and entertainment. Those that travel end up staying near Rittenhouse Square, due to the variety of hotels that it offers.

Rittenhouse Square itself is akin to Central Park, albeit much smaller, as it attracts dog walkers, musicians, and all types in one common public space. There is a lot to see and do here, whether you're overlooking the square at an outdoor table at Parc or browsing the sales rack at Barneys Co-op. Many of the historic homes that surround Rittenhouse Square have been restored, but still maintain their handsome exteriors.

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

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200 Years of Friendly Vibes at Fishtown's Penn Treaty Park

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:03:59 -0600

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.

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