Relevant Commentary, all information Philly (real estate and otherwise), Open Houses, Listings, Happenings, and More — by Jeff “City” Block
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Celebrating 3 Years at Compass
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This week marks the City Block Team’s third anniversary at Compass. It has been a fascinating three years, to say the least.
I was at one broker and office space my entire career until I made the move to Compass. From 2001-2018 I was with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach, REALTORS® (formerly known as Prudential Fox & Roach). I think I may have saved about 20 hours over these past three years simply saying or writing Compass instead of BHHSF&R.
At the same time, I have definitely spent that time and then some moving offices. At Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach, I was in the same office space (and actual office) the entire time. The Rittenhouse Hotel was a great place to work. (And right after CBT left, they moved offices as well.) Our first 18 months at Compass was at WeWork at 1601 Market. This was an amazing time. As I have written before, I was a founding member of Compass Philly, and back in 2018, we had only a handful of teams and agents, and the WeWork vibe (at that time) was really energizing. We were a small group of top agents starting a new brokerage in Philly, working out of a really awesome space while we looked for a permanent space. I always think my job is fun, and this period really stands out as one of the best. Looking back, most of the excitement was because of the small start-up feel and new culture we were creating. At the same time, the abrupt change that followed definitely embellished the fond memories of WeWork.
We found a new office space, not our final, but more permanent than WeWork. The move was scheduled for early Spring 2020. What could go wrong? Well, it actually turned out to be the easiest move I ever made. The office was closed, and Compass arranged and completed the entire move for us. We were permitted to schedule a time to go into the office by ourselves and remove personal items. Let me tell you, a WeWork with no people has a much different feel. I appreciate the pre-pandemic time we had there. We are now at 1624 Locust, and as I mentioned before, we have finally found the permanent home for the flagship Compass Philly office. We will move in the first half of 2022 to a really great space with a huge outdoor roof patio on South 15th Street across from Butcher & Singer and Bald Man of Chocolate (aka Max Brenner). And what was that space previously? A WeWork! Not the one we were in, but a space I always liked so much that we used it for a City Block Team photo shoot in 2019 (both inside and out).
The past 18 months at Compass have been a lot different. First, everyone spent a year of it working from home. And then, when the office reopened, it remained mostly empty. I am back, and some others as well. But that capacity is just not there. Ironically, during this time Compass Philly has grown into a Philadelphia and regional powerhouse, just as we knew it would when we joined. This is not a surprise. Compass is out to hire outstanding agents and to provide them with the best support and technology in the industry, by far. This has allowed me the time and resources to focus on what matters most in my business: my clients and providing them with Expert Real Estate Representation.
One thing that has not changed at Compass is the company’s Eight Principles, which are
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Dream big.
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Move fast.
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Learn from reality.
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Be solutions-driven.
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Obsess about opportunity.
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Collaborate without ego.
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Maximize your strengths.
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Bounce back with passion.
All of these have come into play for me over the past three years at Compass.
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I had been at BHHSF&R for 17 years. I had been recruited by the other top Philly brokerages. CBT was already the top team at the best office in Philly, so I had no reason to move. But upon meeting with the Compass team about starting up an office in Philly, I realized how special it was. I Obsessed about the Opportunity and I wanted to be in on the ground floor, so I Moved Fast.
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Two of the reasons I wanted to make the move were to help Maximize My Strengths and to Collaborate Without Ego. My strength has always been my deep knowledge and understanding of Philly real estate. The neighborhoods and houses, the transaction, the agreement of sale. Everything that could help me bring the most value to my clients. What was not my strength was running a real estate team and business. I mean I was fine at it, but nothing compared to my knowledge and passion for the substantive real estate transaction and process. Compass has the support structure and the culture of collaboration that allowed me to help other Compass agents with what I do best, while those that were experts at running teams and businesses helped me to continue to get better at that. And as is always the case, by collaborating, you learn from those you teach as well. So, collaborating without ego has allowed me to maximize my strengths.
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I have Learned from Reality that I need more help to most effectively run my business. I have made some great hires since coming to Compass, including expanding from two full-time admin staff to three, and we are now preparing to hire a fourth. My admin team is Solutions Driven and helps me and all the CBT Agents provide Expert Real Estate Representation all the time.
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Now let’s be real. Not everything always goes smoothly. Not every new agent or employee works out. You don’t get every listing. And sometimes you get a worldwide pandemic that throws a wrench into your whole life. We lost a close family member to COVID-19, the kids were home from school, and there were a lot of bumps in the road. I always keep a positive attitude and Bounce Back with Passion. I love my family and I love helping people with their real estate needs. And as I move into my fourth year at Compass, I am Dreaming Big that I will continue to spend more time with my family while also continuing to provide even better Expert Real Estate Representation to my clients.
I hope everyone enjoys the week.
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City Block Team’s August Closings
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3 Bed | 2 Bath
$1,035,000
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7111 Germantown Avenue #402
(Represented Buyer and Seller)
3 Bed | 2.5 Bath
$937,800
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3 Bed | 3.5 Bath
$864,500
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3 Bed | 2.5 Bath
$730,000
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6 Bed | 2.5 Bath
$630,000
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Here is a list of the other 14 properties the City Block Team sold this August:
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4921 Walton Avenue
Brand New Listing
5 BD | 2.5 BA | Private Front Porch | Rear Deck and Large Rear Yard | $497,500
Located on a tree-lined, neighborly block in Cedar Park, this charming Victorian 5 bedroom 2.5 bath home offers wonderful character including high ceilings, original hardwood floors, original doors, wood trim and moldings. Private front porch, rear deck and large rear yard. Move-in condition.
Enter the home and into a wide foyer with lovely molding, a transom window, and a gorgeous salvaged wood door. The first floor features a large living space with a beautiful, grand, and varnished staircase and gorgeous arched trim woodwork. The spacious living room offers a ceiling fan, coat closet, and recessed lighting. Eat-in kitchen overlooking the rear deck and large recently redone brick patio with garden beds and shrubbery. Plenty of room to garden, play, al fresco dine, or entertain. Built-in kitchen shelving.
The second floor has 3 nice-sized bedrooms and a large modern hallway bath. Ceiling fans in all bedrooms and plenty of light.
The third floor offers 2 large sized bedrooms and a crisp, white bath with wonderful exposure of sunlight. Option to add washer/dryer in third floor bathroom closet.
Big basement for storage and a half bath. Mechanicals and washer and dryer.
Situated in a thriving community close to so many West Philly staples — The Gold Standard Cafe, Dock Street, Green Line Coffee, Clark Park, Mariposa Food Co-op, Bookers, Aksum Cafe, and Black Hound Clay Studio.
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Mount Airy
New Construction
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5 Bed | 2.5 Bath
$610,000
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733 S 12th Street, Unit 200
NEW PRICE
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1704 Delancey Place
NEW PRICE
2 Bed | 1.5 Bath
$545,000
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4921 Walton Avenue
BRAND NEW LISTING
5 Bed | 2.5 Bath
$497,500
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1811 Packer Avenue
NEW PRICE
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777 S 2nd Street
BRAND NEW LISTING
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250 S 13th Street, Unit 8F
BRAND NEW LISTING
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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.
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Some imagery in this e-newsletter was sourced via Visit Philly, UWISHUNU Philadelphia, and Canva.
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