Around the Block: 1/13/2023

January 16, 2023 BY JEFF CITY BLOCK

Eagles follow-up, our new and current listings, and Philly happenings. If you’d like to discuss real estate or anything in this newsletter please send me an email: [email protected]. This edition of Around the Block was originally published on Friday, 1/13/23.

1/13/2023

Relevant Commentary, all information Philly (real estate and otherwise), Open Houses, Listings, Happenings, and More — by Jeff “City” Block

Eagles Follow-up

Hey all—as a follow-up to last week’s email… looking good so far.

Most importantly, Damar Hamlin has been released from the hospital and is now resting and rehabbing at home! As of last week’s newsletter, he was still in the ICU at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center after suffering a cardiac arrest during a game earlier that week. By this past Monday, he was in stable condition and transferred to Buffalo General. He tweeted, “Headed home to Buffalo today with a lot of love on my heart. Watching the world come together around me on Sunday was truly an amazing feeling. The same love you all have shown me is the same love that I plan to put back into the world n more. Bigger than football!” Then two days later, after further comprehensive evaluations, he was released. Good for Damar. What a big-hearted guy and a feel-good story. “BIGGER THAN FOOTBALL.”

Then on the local front, I had an Eagles Ticket Lottery. I thank everyone for the great response, but only one ATB reader could be the lucky No. 17 responding “E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES! Go Birds!” And that was Jason Lempieri, a longtime client. I sold Jason and his family a home in Bella Vista way back in 2005!

Wow. Time flies. When Jason purchased that home in 2005, the Eagles had played in the previous Super Bowl! And lost to Tom Brady and the Patriots 24-21. You may remember. Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville was the one where Donovan McNabb threw up in the huddle and Andy Reid inexplicably milked the clock while we were behind late in the 4th quarter. It took over a decade, but the Eagles have since won their first Super Bowl in a 2017 rematch against Tom Brady and the Pats. Two years later Andy Reid won his first Super Bowl, with The Kansas City Chiefs. And Tom Brady is somehow still playing. His Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Dallas Cowboys this coming Monday night. Now I am no Tom Brady fan, but this week… Go Tom Brady! Go Bucs! The Eagles are off this weekend but could very well play the winner of that game next weekend.

2005 was also an incredibly hot housing market. Interestingly, what was the average interest rate in 2005? Right around 6%, and that was considered historically low at that time. Yes, in 2005, a 6% interest rate was historically low. And at that time, we thought housing prices seemed quite high. I think we all wish we could now buy in Bella Vista at 2005 prices.

Anyway, congrats to Jason, who sent me the following—

“Thanks again for the tickets to last Sunday’s game. My brother, Scott, and I had a blast celebrating each first down with the crowd. The Eagles managed the clock well and got points on the board on most possessions. I firmly believe those FG points will be TD points come the 22nd. E A G L E S!”

I totally agree with Jason’s analysis. The Giants played their backups. The Birds were banged up and kept a non-100% Jalen Hurts on a limited game plan. Yes, the final score was close and we had little red-zone success. But we scored five FGs and most weeks, that would typically convert to a few TDs. And did it really ever feel like a game the Eagles could lose? The bottom line is the Eagles did exactly what they had to do, namely, win to secure the bye week and avoid injuries. Mission accomplished on both fronts. Meanwhile, Dallas who had a chance to win the division and possibly the bye was also playing a team resting its starters and with nothing to play for. What did the Cowboys do? Got blown out by a bad Washington Commanders squad.

So, the Birds finished 14-3, the No. 1 Seed in the NFC, a first-week bye, and the most wins in team history. Everyone knows that. But here is the analysis you will only get from the ATB. Ready for this?

These are the four best winning percentages in Eagles History—

1949—11-1 (.917 winning percentage)

1960—10-2 (.833)

2022—14-3 (.824)

2017—13-3 (.813)

2004—13-3 (.813)

In 1949, the Birds won the NFL Championship (it wasn’t called the Super Bowl until 1967).

1960, the Birds won the NFL Championship.

2004—Eagles went to the Super Bowl.

2017—Eagles won the Super Bowl.

2022–??

So, the Eagles went to the championship game in their previous four best seasons and won three of them. Now, they have their most wins ever and two of their three losses were with their backup QB. With Jalen Hurts behind center, they are 13-1—an astounding .929 winning percentage! What does all this mean? That the Eagles have home-field advantage and are favorites to go to the Super Bowl! And hopefully, they will win it.

EAGLES FIGHT SONG. FLY EAGLES FLY!

Have a great weekend.

Warm regards,

Jeff

Spotlight Property

FAIRMOUNT-ART MUSEUM

2832 Ogden Street

New Price

4 BD | 2.5 BA | 1,920 SF | Numerous Updates | Finished Lower

Level | Custom Designed Patio | $630,000

Tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac in the Fairmount neighborhood. An updated, welcoming 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home with garage parking. Steps away from trails, shops, coffee shops, and restaurants. The current owners have modernized the home with tasteful personal touches.

Updates include hardwood floors throughout, all new windows, new HVAC in 2022, newer appliances, and a completely renovated rear patio space.

Fantastic location in one of Philadelphia’s most premier neighborhoods—steps away from bustling Girard Ave. A neighborhood offering amazing shops, restaurants, cafes, museums, and grocery stores including Little Pete’s, Zorba’s Tavern, Spot Gourmet Burgers, Brewerytown Bakery & Bagels, and much more. Two blocks away from the entrance to Fairmount Park and connection to the Schuylkill river trail. A perfectly sized home ready for you to move right in and enjoy. Welcome Home!

View full listing here

Philly Fun This Week

Fun Filled Events this Week and Onwards

Enjoy the beauty of Fairmount Park this season during its free, six-week Wintour Scavenger Hunt that showcases the park’s natural lands, 2,050 acres of trails, public art, and landmarks. For more information check out the official website.
Once again the delicious deals are back for Center City District Restaurant Week. Over 85 restaurants will offer discounts including fixed, three-course dinner menus for $40 per person and lunch for $25 (only at some spots). Check out the list of participating restaurants here. And for those who need to park from 4:45 pm to 1 am, you can get spots for $9 or less at these participating lots.

Photograph from thephiladelphiacitizen.org & content courtesy of uwishunu and thephiladelphiacitizen.org.

New Exhibitions and Performances

Visit the historic Glen Foerd Estate to see it transformed into a New Age retreat for the world-premiere staging of Langston Hughes’ 1934 classic The Ways of White Folks. This tour running until January 22nd will take participants through various rooms of the mansion where they will hear the stories of intense and tragic moments between Black and white characters who are affected by systemic divides beyond their control.
This Thursday the Da Vinci Art Alliance opened a new exhibition called Cumulative Threads that features the works of seven different artists from underrepresented communities who participated in a monthlong residency in 2022. This Saturday from 4-7 pm is the opening reception.
Another new exhibition to check out is Figuring Space at The Clay Studio. The exhibition includes works from a dozen of the world’s best ceramic artists. The pieces each capture different issues that relate to American social culture and art, and full-size human figures are included.
Many people are affected by addiction, whether themselves or people close to them. Through January 28th you can see Simpatico Theatre’s A Shadow that Broke the Light at Louis Bluver Theatre at the Drake Theatre. This impactful show features stories from brothers Charlie and Adam DelMarcelle, an actor and printmaker, who talk about the effects of opioid addiction on their late brother and family.
Learn about the experiences and perspectives of enslaved people seeking freedom in North America during the Singing Freedom concert series created in collaboration with Cornell University. This powerful program features three incredible vocalists who are joined by Grammy Award-winning guitarist Rhiannon Giddens and pianist Howard Watkins.

Photograph from @theclaystudiophl on Instagram & content courtesy of uwishunu and thephiladelphiacitizen.org.

Featured Listings

FAIRMOUNT-ART MUSEUM

2832 Ogden Street

NEW PRICE

4 BD | 2.5 BA | 1,920 SF | $630,000

WASH WEST

504 S 11th Street #36

2 BD | 1.5 BA | 1,166 SF | $385,000

MOYAMENSING

1933 S 6th Street

5 BD | 5 BA | 3,250 SF | $599,000

SOCIETY HILL

742 Lombard Street

3 BD | 2 BA | 1,446 SF | $725,000

MOUNT AIRY

7111 Germantown Avenue

New Construction

$340,000 – $1,200,000

UNIVERSITY CITY

632 S 51st Street

4 BD | 1.5 BA | 1,792 SF | $429,000

UNIVERSITY CITY

4215 Regent Square

5 BD | 2.5 BA | 1,710 SF | $685,000

NEWBOLD

1413 S Chadwick Street

3 BD | 3 BA | 2,340 SF | $495,000

UNIVERSITY CITY

4614 Paschall Avenue

4 BD | 4.5 BA | 2,800 SF | $598,000

Experienced real estate agent?

Would you consider joining one of the most respected real estate teams in Philadelphia?

The City Block Team is looking for an experienced agent who wants to provide Expert Real Estate Representation. CBT is committed to helping you build your business and offers excellent coaching and mentoring; solid systems & admin support; leads (quality over quantity); superb team camaraderie; and outstanding team name recognition and regard.

Please contact [email protected] to discuss. All inquiries are confidential. Thank you.

Know Someone Looking to Buy or Sell?

As always, please know that I’m humbled by and appreciative of your introductions and referrals. If you have a friend, colleague, or family member that is in need of Expert Real Estate Representation, please have them contact me.

Be assured, I will do my best to exceed their expectations! Thanks for taking the time to read this issue of Around the Block.

Some imagery in this e-newsletter was sourced via UWISHUNU, thephiladelphiacitizen.org, theclaystudiophl, and Canva.

Office: 212-913-9058

Compass RE is a licensed real estate broker. All material is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description or measurements (including square footage). This is not intended to solicit property already listed. No financial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.

Eagles Follow-up

Spotlight Property

2832 Ogden Street

Philly Fun This Week

Featured Listings

Moving? Discover the value of your home.