With its charming cobblestone streets and impressive array of 18th and early 19th century architecture, Society Hill is one of Philadelphia’s most affluent and desirable neighborhoods.  Listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1971, the neighborhood is currently a charming medley of Federal and Georgian-style townhomes and modern high rises.  The area takes its name from the 18th century Free Society of Traders, who had its offices on nearby Front Street and was developed by William Penn to control commerce with England.  The boundaries are loosely defined as the Delaware River to 8th St. and Walnut St to Lombard St.

Society Hill offers a wonderful array of cultural institutions, entertainment and dining establishments.  Enjoy a show at the Society Hill Playhouse or brush up on your salsa skills at the Society Hill Dance Academy.  Dine out at one of the many unique restaurants, such as Xochitl, Bridget Foy’s or famed restaurateur Jose Garces’ Amada.

Society Hill’s beautious tree-lined streets are rich with history.  Locals and tourists enjoy visiting Independence National Historical Park for a tour of Independence Hall or a glimpse of the Liberty Bell.  Another popular neighborhood spot is Head House Square, a historic area offering charming restaurants and shops, as well as a weekend farmer’s market.

Home prices in this area range from approximately $180,000 to $6,000,000, offering living spaces ranging from 450 square feet to 8,000 square feet.  The average median price for homes in Society Hill over the past year is approximately $412,000. (Society Hill – Average Median Price June 2010 to June 2011)

The neighborhood has much to offer in terms of residential living.  In addition to many charming and restored townhomes, Society Hill is interspersed with upscale condominium high rise buildings, such as Society Hill Towers,  Abbotts Square and The Willings.

View all properties currently for sale in Society Hill and contact me today to schedule an appointment to see any property on the market!

This morning I received an informative email from our chairman and CEO, Larry Flick, about the release of the latest Case Schiller Home Price Index.  I wanted to share this with everyone, as Larry points out that Philadelphia is not part of this index and our prices are not at the level they were in 2000!

Here is a link to the subject article:  June 1 – Wall Street Journal Housing Article

Here are Larry’s comments:  Larry Flick – Our Area Home Prices

I can’t stress enough the importance of pricing a home correctly from the start.

Currently, the average time on the market is 116 days.  Take a look at the active inventory – some properties have been on the market for 6 months to a year!  Properties that are not sold within the first 30 days do tend to linger and, usually, it means they were not realistically priced in line with the market.  If it’s priced too high, the listing is going to look stagnant.

Over the last few months, however, I’ve sold a great deal of my listings within the first 30 days.  These have been listings across all price points, from $150,000 to $1.5 million.  The spring market in Philadelphia is in full swing, but I attribute the recent activity to also being priced accurately and realistically.  Trulia’s Price Reductions Map is an interesting tool for both home buyers and sellers that examines price reduction trends across the nation.

Since the current market is a price war and a beauty contest (I love that saying!), I always tell my sellers to price their homes correctly from the beginning and to also make sure it shows well.  A home must not only be financially appealing to buyers, but emotionally appealing as well!

Winner of the 2009 Preservation Alliance Grand Jury Award for Restoration, 832-36 Lombard St. is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.  This true work of art was renovated by Masada Custom Builders and is bathed in natural light, illuminating every superb detail.

Features include:  a dramatic 54 foot ceiling, a beautiful kitchen designed by La Simone Cuisina, radiant heated marble floors, enormous windows, clear glass railings and parking for 2 cars.  Priced at $3,500,000 the property also includes a 10 year tax abatement.

Please join us this Sunday 4/3 for a special open house from 1:00 to 2:30PM.

Beautiful original features combine with modern upgrades in this lovely town home, located in the highly desirable Rittenhouse Square neighborhood.  420 S Carlisle has  tremendous curb appeal, offering a handsome brick facade with shutters, cornice and a flower box.

Priced at $650,000, this 3-4BD/3BA home has many wonderful features, including a beautifully restored vestibule, decked in rear yard, sun-filled master suite, gorgeous kitchen and a family room with a gas fireplace.

Visit this spectacular property at the open house on Sunday 3/27 from 1:30 to 2:30PM.

I had the pleasure of attending the Prudential Sales Convention 2011 earlier this month in San Diego and had a wonderful time.  Between the educational and inspirational speakers and the social and networking aspect, going to the convention is one of the most energizing things I do each year.  I always come back loaded with knowledge, energy and enthusiasm!

Here’s a link to the video of the Pinnacle Sales Professionals & Teams Awards where my team and I placed #3 for Units sold and #7 for Gross Commission Income!   (You can fast forward to 4:30 to see the Units and then to 10:02 for GCI.)

http://mc.rltools.com/p/e729c2bbef960852877a5bbdce00459a

Thank you to my family, my team and Prudential!

328 N 39th Street, a gorgeous 3BD/3BA  home, built for a Dutch princess in 1904, offers 2700 square feet of living space and has been restored to its original grandeur.  Wonderful features include stained glass windows, teardrop pendant lighting, mosaic tile work, beveled glass, wide baseboards, alligator plated wainscoting and so much more.

Priced at $499,900, this home is an excellent value and is conveniently located close to the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel, shopping and public transportation.

Check it out at the open house this Sunday 3/13 from 1:30 to 2:30PM!

The Philadelphia Flower Show is here once again, from March 6th through 13th at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.  As the largest indoor flower show in the world, it offers many large-scale garden exhibits, great shopping and demonstrations by renowned designers.

Be sure to catch the free gardening presentations and displays for ideas on how to improve your home’s landscaping and curb appeal.  The Gardener’s Studio at the Flower Show is hosting plenty of free lectures and demonstrations.  Topics include flower arranging, landscaping and gardening on your deck and tips for designing a sustainable garden.  It’s a great way to learn to beautify your home inside and out.

While you’re there, enjoy free wine tastings too, brought to you by the PA Wine & Spirits Store!

For more information, visit http://www.theflowershow.com.

 If you’re looking for a quaint and stylish 2 bedroom townhome, look no further than 609 Montrose!

Priced at $350,000, this townhome has both a decked in rear yard and a roof deck, offering plenty of space for grilling and outdoor entertaining!  The finished basement provides great extra space for a den, office or play room.   A spacious 4 piece bathroom features exposed brick and heat lamps.

Click here to view the embedded video.

609 Montrose is located right around the corner from George W. Nebinger Elementary School and just a short walk from the Charles Santore Branch of the Philadelphia Public Library at 932 S 7th Street.

Check it out at the open house this Sunday 3/6 from 12:00 to 1:00PM!

If you find yourself roaming around Center City this weekend, perhaps while attending one of our many Sunday open houses, stop by some of the great Presidents’ Day celebrations going on around town.

The Betsy Ross House, located at 239 Arch Street, is offering discounted admission, activities and craft-making for kids from February 19th-21st.  http://www.betsyrosshouse.org/

Check out the 150th Anniversary Celebration of Lincoln’s Inaugural Journey in Philadelphia, presented by Independence National Historical Park.  The event begins at 8am on February 22nd at Independence hall and will feature a parade, a reinactment of Lincoln’s speech and a question and answer session at the National Constitution Center.  “President Lincoln” will be there too!  http://www.nps.gov/liho/philadelphia-inaugural-journey.htm