Christopher Plant – Real Estate and Lifestyle

The Joy Of Books!!!

and now….

Although this photo has nothing to do with food, it does represent East Falls…and now, East Falls has a new face: Arthur Cavilierre! Please go check out his new joint. I stopped in today and it looks fantastic! Artie is a mercurial fellow and Philly needs more people like him to feed us forever! The restaurant is in the former home of Franco’s directly on Kelly Drive and right next to Ken Weinstein’s Trolley Car Cafe! Things are changing quickly over there in East Falls. Check the PR:

Philadelphia-born chef, Arthur Cavaliere, has teamed up with real estate mogul, Mark Sherman, to open In Riva. Cavaliere has been a part of the always-evolving Philadelphia restaurant scene for 14 years, beginning his career as a line cook for chef Derek Davis in 1996. In the years following, Cavaliere joined the STARR Restaurant Organization and worked alongside Iron Chef Jose Garces in the opening of El Vez and eventually Amada. Cavaliere returned to El Vez in 2006 as Executive Chef and soon after became the Executive Chef of Parc, STARR’s booming French bistro on Rittenhouse Square.

OR

People ask me all the time, “where is the market going”? It used to be so easy to answer this question but that is no longer such the case. The market is in constant flux.  Day to day, street to street. There is no “normal” now. Everyone assumes that the market is terrible but on closer inspection that is not always the reality.

I have sold some investor rehabs recently . I am about to close a commercial deal next week. There is a pending lease for a gym in a commercial space and a recently signed lease for a new gastropub in Mount Airy….so, all hope is not lost.
But, we need to see more people out in the streets. We need more transactions! There are fantastic options for getting fabulous rates on mortgages. In my estimation, there is no better time to be a Buyer.
If you have been on the sidelines for some time, now is the time for action!
Give me a call: 215.740.2339!

It is my son’s 11th birthday this week and I am forcing whatever retrograde measures I can come up with to keep him from getting “teenagery”. So instead of taking him and his pals to see some dodgy sex-mad shoot-em-up….we are going to the new Muppets’ Movie. It is my best intention to keep him trapped in amber like a delicate bug…..while he still shows me a modicum of respect and he is cute as hell!

In a complete surprise to audiences worldwide, it was announced today that John McEnroe will make a new ad in which he is prominently displayed reciting his trademark phrase “are you serious”. This is a complete departure from past advertorials where John was more concerned with his direct legacy. Says Spokesman:

“Our idea was to show the agitation and frustration we believe customers feel toward the high prices of our competitors, as well as the stark disbelief they may experience when confronted with the great values and high level of customer service encountered at any TV America location,” said Edward Bernsen, the retail chain’s marketing director. “We also wanted to use the image of a highly recognizable figure from the world of sports, as sporting events figure prominently in our customers’ television-viewing habits. Clearly, McEnroe and his trademark phrase were the first things that came to mind.”

Source: L’Onion!

On this day in 1980, John Lennon is shot 4 times in NYC outside the Dakota building and dies en route to the hospital. Mark David Chapman ends the life of one of the greatest single individuals to ever grace the planet. Whether you liked or loathed his politics and eccentric life-style, there was no doubting the talent of this great man.
Imagine…..

www.history.com

2105 Barren Hill Road in Conshohocken

I have two great Open Houses this weekend! Both are on Sunday at 1-3Pm. I will be sitting the open on Barren Hill (pictured above) and one of the newest additions to the Elfant family, Kelly McShane, will be sitting the open at 615 W. Phil Ellena! Please come on out and check these awesome homes. If you have any questions about either listing, please feel free to call me direct at anytime: 215.740.2339!

The lovely living room of 615 W. Phil Ellena!

My selection today needs no real introduction. Other than the tragedies of the World Trade Center in 2001, no other single day stands out in modern American history so strongly. My thoughts are with the lost sailors of that day but commingled with the joy of the birth of my first son, 11 years ago today! The happy and the sad.

Hats off to America.

Elfant Wissahickon Realtors entered into a brokerage level partnership with APPCREATORPRO to provide the vast majority of their agents with personalized apps. The company believes very strongly in the APPCREATORPRO message of providing strong Moblie Marketing Tools to stay relevant in today’s market. We are seeking to replicate this model with many different regional brokerages!
Things are moving fast here at ACP!

Ken Weinstein of Mount Airy and his cadre of businesses was recently detailed in a great article on the Flying Kite website. Ken is a great friend with a feverish need to do “good”! I patronize the Diner, the Cafe and have even been bludgeoned by his wife Judy’s blistering backhand at the Trolley Car Table Tennis Club (where she beat me 9 times in a row!).
Ken is a great example of what a tireless work ethic will get you. Congrats on the great press!

www.flyingkitemedia.com

www.trolleycardiner.com

428 EAST MOUNT AIRY AVENUE

First Time Home Buyer Alert:

This is one of my favorite listings at the moment. It is completely renovated with five bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, a tremendous oversized eat-in kitchen, completely refurbished floors, new drywall everywhere, new furnace, back deck and W/D on the third floor.
It is listed at $324,000 and the developer wants to sell it by the New Year. Call me to schedule a showing! It really is perfect.

On this day in 1884, the Washington Monument was completed. Standing 555 ft tall, the Washington Monument is a testament to the Nation’s perserverance. The cornerstone was first laid in 1848 and it took 56 years to complete. It was the tallest structure in the world at that time. During the earthquake of August 2011, a large cracked formed near the top of the structure. It is currently closed to the public but renovations and repairs are expected to be completed shortly. I remember the first time I ran up those seemingly endless 900 steps with my brother in the mid-70′s….it is a mighty fine monument.

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history

One of the most popular Realtor Conventions in the US kicks off today in Atlantic City so if you have a hard time getting your Realtor on the phone….you now know where they are!
In reality, this is an important convention that provides well needed products, services and continuing education for Realtors from NY, NJ and PA.
I am heading down later today and will be returning tomorrow afternoon.

The new business I am partnering in was just featured on the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors website this morning in a “new” news article. Check PARJUSTLISTED.com to read for yourself!

www.parjustlisted.com

and you can see our wonderful APP product here for yourself as well:

www.APPCREATORPRO.com

Wow. Our kids are gone for the second week in a row. I am both rejoicing in my various freedoms and lonely at the same time. Take away the responsibilities of caring for your children and you lose a bit of your identidy! But for now, I will enjoy the time with Jessica and friends!

Cheers.

Tomorrow night at the Mann Music Center, the Philadelphia Orchestra (newly solvent) will be playing their first concert of the summer season. I am going and have two extra tickets….anyone care to join me and Jessica?

The new construction over at Devon Village is going up very quickly. It looks great and I wish them the best of luck. This bodes well for the general temperment of the market here in the Northwest. These new townhouses are going to be slightly bigger and slightly more money than the first set that sold very well. I hope to see more new construction in the area very soon.

You might remember from long ago that I was helping to manage a rehab for a buddy of mine. Well, it is almost done and is looking fabulous. We put it under contract before completion which is a great reflection on the work. The 200 block of West Haines is particularly nice and certainly helped seal the deal. Now, we just have to deliver the finished product! More photos to follow!

Over the weekend, I joined some of my Hidden City folks in an unsanctioned tour of the abandoned Henry McIllhenny mansion on Lincoln Drive. I took my children in the hopes of inflicting my “curiousity” disease upon their tender young imaginations! The skull and Jaeger shot is real. I discovered that the most prominent urban explorer in Philadelphia is a guy named GODDOG and he has definitely been in this place. Overall, the place has been unbelievably trashed and we pretty much crossed it off our possible programming list due to it’s condition. I was glad to see it and will help in whatever direction that might be better than what it is currently. My buddy Thaddeus had all kinds of historic photos of the rooms that we were in. Neat stuff.

Check, check, check this amazing listing that I have. This has got to be the best house in all of Philadelphia! I will hate to see it go but this extraordinary estate home is looking for it’s next caretaker. The current owners have completed more improvements that I can list here. A truly wonderful estate home! Call me direct for details!

Check the web at www.copperwoodestate.com!

OK….forgive me. I found, then lost and have refound my posting MOJO. Big thanks to Jenny Sweeney who has consistently asked for more! Newer and bigger and better posts to follow!

8227 Ardleigh Street just listed by MOI for $439,000. This house is totally awesome. Right on WaterTower Park. Three stories, beautiful floors, big kitchen, loads of light, nice-sized bedrooms, new appliances, cool yard, comfy front porch and lots more. This house is very, very nice. Lots of new work and new low VOC paint throughout the entire interior of the house. Call me for a showing. It doesn’t get much better in Chestnut Hill in this price range!

A Fantastic Germantown Special for $179,900!

This super-cool, super-funky little two bedroom is a perfect starter home. Lots of room for what you are getting. Open floor plan on the first floor with a working fireplace connected to the big kitchen which is right off the spacious yard with the backyard porch swing. Upstairs, they took out a wall to make a great 2nd floor family room. They vaulted the ceiling in the master and added an extra set of windows. Exposed brick in the shower. This place is fun…..and all that for 179,900!

Property Listed by Joanne Colino of Elfant Wissahickon Realtors

This looks like a fabulous house. Its big but not too big. Looks wonderfully remodeled. The price is incredibly approachable. 4300 square feet. 5 bedrooms and 3 full baths. If you would like to take a look, give me a call!

If the goal of starting this blog was to gain exposure and get business….then it is working! The response to what I am working on here has been fabulous. But…then I got so busy that in the last two weeks I have not had much time to post. Well, here I am again and hoping to keep the stream of notices, updates and observations at a more rapid clip. Thanks for hanging in there!

Property Listed by Prudential Fox and Roach

There are 11 properties listed in Chestnut Hill between the price range of 500,000-1,000,000. The most interesting of which is 207 West Gravers listed for $899,000. Lots to offer with six bedrooms and four full baths.

Another interesting house in that range just came back on the market. It is 115 Rex and is listed at $725,000. There is a very similar house on this street that came and went at that price very quickly so I expect this one to move as I am told it is renovated very nicely!

Here is the front pic:

Property Listed by Eichler and Moffly

As always, if you would like to see a house, start the process of thinking about it or have a simple question about real estate then please feel free to give me a call. Also, remember to suggest me to your friends and family.

Property Listed by Coldwell Banker

There is a lot of action in East Mount Airy these days. Check this fantastic looking renovation on Chew Ave (which has been seeing the most action!). I remember when this house was purchased and it looks like they did a fabulous job on the remodel! Call me if you would like to see. Currently listed at $450,000.

In the words of Francesca the Agent:

Tastefully renovated grand stone single on 1/4 acre in Mt Airy!Welcome your guests into this stunning home through the huge enclosed front porch perfect for 3 season living. The layout of the 1st fl is ready for entertaining: spacious LR with high ceilings, decorative stone fireplace, refinished HW floors, molding, formal DR, new powder room, lovely kitchen with mud room that opens to grounds surrounded by fencing, offering great privacy. The 2nd fl houses a huge master suite with a full bath & another enclosed porch which floods the room w/ natural light. Two additional rooms & new bathroom on this fl as well. The 3rd fl has 2 more bedrooms, full bath and ample storage. rear accessed detached garage with a potential studio/workshop above. Many improvements: plumbing, 200 amp electric, heating, cooling, newer windows throughout, new slate roof, first fl laundry room, new baths & more. Walk to parks, library, boutiques, restaurants & regional rails while you live in one of the USs most desireable neighborhood.

It’s time to get it on! Mica is set to open this Friday night. I am trying to get a table but a little late in the game. Table for 4….only at 10pm! Should I take it? This is exciting to have a little bit of buzz in the neighborhood!

BYOB until further notice! So come prepared.

In the “no duh” category of daily posts, I present to you this lovely factoid: Ironhill Brewery is moving to Chestnut Hill. I think this is an extraordinary event for our little ‘burg that seems to be loosing some commercial punch as of late. Ironhill is what you call a “credit” tenant….meaning they have some money. Not just your average “mom and pop” shop. We need more of this. We need people to understand that it is OK to leave your house at night and there will be more competent businesses out there ready to make you food and take your money. What with Mica and the recent announcement of the new venture going into the Solaris space, we are on the culinary move.

I am told that several very cool leases have been inked recently that will light up some of the retail on Germantown Avenue. If we continue this path towards commercial relevancy, we might just suprise ourselves!

Property Listed by Eichler and Moffly

Check this super-cute single in East Chestnut Hill. I love this little area and right down the street from ”Top of the Hill” market…oh yeah! Listed at $550,00 with 4 bedrooms, 1 bath and 1 powder. This feels like the quintessential CH starter home. Give me a call if you would like to check this out!!! Tell your friends!

My son Morgan, 4th Grade at PMFS, just finished the Circus performances last weekend. What a blast it was. Will and Susan did such an amazing job.

Check the Newsworks Article about the Circus and Watch the Video:

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/component/flexicontent/item/15334-circus-math-for-the-fourth-grade

Hello There.

Been a crazy week with lots going on. Sorry to not have given you the info I hope you now crave!

Japan has been eating up my brain. I can’t even begin to think about how to begin that recovery effort. Soooo much to do over there.

Me…I have been working on that new Haines rehab effort, Mt. Airy Baseball (which will get it’s own post up in here) has begun and I am coaching both of my kids on one team (we drafted well), digging into plans for the Carpenter warehouse, helping a client get a house staged, helping another client try to market her home before it goes on the market, helping another client whose home I will list next week, trying to get some friends who might be listing their house to list it with me and all the other stuff that a busy guy has to do to keep things going! Now, off to Water Department!

Busy is Good…my Desk does NOT look like this, I promise!

Well….another week flashes by. We have Bachman considering more seriously a semi-serious run for the Whitehouse. Newt proclaims that his love of country led him astray with the ladies….and Japan, I am sorry for you Japan. I hope nothing else comes of these waves.

Here in Philly, its all about the FlowerShow!

For me, it’s all about my son Morgan performing in the Plymouth Meeting Friends School 4th Grade Circus where he will juggle, walk on a largish balance ball and UNICYCLE! On another front, my dear Papa is undergoing chemo treatment for a small tumor recently located in his neck. He is doing well but chemo is, as we all know, a very serious treatment.

So, the world is up and the world is down. Let’s stay optimistic and keep on going! Have a great weekend. I promise more posting next week. Keep telling your friends about the blog and help me make into a reliable resource for information and communication!

Cheers.

 into the future, we must walk!

Property Listed by Prudential Fox and Roach

Your new address: 2210 Rittenhouse! Look at this little chunk of coal waiting to be turned into a diamond! 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and 1 powder room with a roof deck. Needs lots of work and light and labor….but, look at what you get. Just off the square! Property is listed at 625,000! Think about it…..then, let’s go buy it. Give me a call!

Property Listed by Prudential Fox and Roach

This property in East Mount Airy at 6908 Chew is a property that I had watched for a long time. It looked like a good rehab opportunity so I am sorry to have missed it with one of my guys. The condition was not so far gone but it was a big property…which scared most of them off when they began to evaluate it from a price per square foot analysis.

I am going back in if this deal falls apart.

This NPR thing just got BUCKWILD! Dems punk Wisconsin Walker and then get kicked in the nuts by the same gnarly boot. I have not listened to the whole conversation (most of which I agree with) from the lunch that went wrong but am pretty surprised that the NPR Chief stepped down so quickly. I know….know, there is a lot more going on here then what we are getting in the papers and online. It will be interesting to see how this gets played out. It does not look good and I look forward to hearing something from Terry Gross today….

Check the Link:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/10/npr-reels-from-scandals-w_n_833889.html

The population of Philadelphia rose by 8,500 people in the last ten years. I feel like I know half of them. The stats are somewhat surprising to show that 57,000 whites left the City of Philadelphia in the last ten years. That is a lot of people. 29,000 more Asians…again, a lot of people. 59,000 more Hispanic! These numbers point to some serious shifts in demographics.

Check the Patch Article:

http://mtairy.patch.com/articles/phillys-population-increases-for-first-time-in-decades

The Flower Show is back and bigger than ever. This is the first year that Jane Pepper has not been at the helm so expectations are very high for the new stewardship of Drew Becher. Even more interesting at the PHS is the new addition of Katrina L. Wilhelm as Senior Vice President of Business Development. She was always very helpful with the Paines Park Project. Good things are happening!

Theme this year is: Springtime in Paris!

Check the Movie:

http://www.theflowershow.com/movie.html

It appears that Graylock is under contract with Greenwoods Charter School that wants to move from their spot at the Schuykill Center over to this side of the Creek. I am not sure how this is going to get done as I would expect it to generate a lot of opposition but the info on their website is very optimistic. I expect there to be a lot of words regarding this process. There info seems to represent that they will be there in some form by Fall 2011?

Check the Website:

http://www.greenwoodscharter.org/aboutus/move.asp

What do you think?

With the State in charge of the newly expanded component of the Convention Center, public art was left off the docket of necessary elements. This seems like a painful oversight and turns what might be a great opportunity to show our best face to conventioneers into another shining moment in the “blandification” of bringing people together. Check this Newsworks article for more detail:

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/component/flexicontent/item/14539-04pcpubart

Property Listed by Prudential Fox and Roach

I have not yet been in this house but it looks wonderful. One of the original Henry Houston houses, this twin sits very prominently on the intersection. I have long admired it (I think I and most of you drive by it several times a day!). Listed now for $425,000. If you or any one you know would like to see this home, please feel free to give me a call.

It doesn’t have direct ramifications out here in the Northwest but in this interesting story, Frank DiCicco has decided not to run again after giving strong impressions that he would. This seems to relate directly to his execution of the DROP program which, in my eyes, is one of the dumbest uses of City monies I have ever heard of. Somehow, elected politicians are able to access their retirement compensation programs AND then return to work. DiCicco obvioulsy felt that this election cycle was going to be pretty ugly for him. I don’t know Grace but I have liked Vern Anastasio in the past. What do you think?

This picture makes me think of nice things. Today isn’t as warm as it looks but it is better weather than we have had for the most part lately.

Spring. It’s time. Call me!

Ya’ll know how I like to enjoy myself!!! So go out and get some!!! Heading out to do some work before the weekend hits….

Check this Invitation and Go to This Event:

Happening at the Home of Ken and Judy Weinstein this Sunday…..

LIFE IS SHORT…EAT DESSERT FIRST
 
PROVIDED BY BREDENBECK’S BAKERY & ICE CREAM PARLOR
 
 
Please join us for an afternoon with
 
 
Jane Golden
Executive Director of the Mural Arts Program
 
 
to talk about a new mural in Chestnut Hill
 
Sunday, March 6th
4:00 to 6:00 PM
 
at the home of Ken and Judy Weinstein
502 West Allens Lane, Mt. Airy, PA
 
RSVP by calling (215) 685-0759

Property Listed by Elfant Wissahickon Realtors

Many of you know of my involvement with rehab projects. One of my investors is going to settle on this project next week, on the 200 block of West Haines (big-ups to K. McGrath!). I am going to document, for the purposes of this blog, the progress of the rehab and provide lots of backround info on how it is going to happen. Look for lots of photos and plenty of detail. Job begins next Thursday.

Property Listed by Prudential Fox and Roach

It is certainly not breaking news that George Perrier had a brief tenure here in Chestnut Hill. His home is currently up for sale on Towanda, note the wonderful photos, and has been on the market for 149 days. It is gorgeous indeed and the price was recently reduced to $2,950,000 from it’s original price of $3,199,000. If you or someone you know is interested in this exclusive home then please, drop everything, and give me a call!

So Forbes calls us the “Dirtiest City” in the US but somehow combines our City with Camden and Wilmington and views this as a single entity. This doesn’t work for me and seems to be part of a larger effort to paint Philadelphia as nothing more than the home of the cheesesteak and the rabidly nasty fan. WE KNOW BETTER. Consider my non-scientific study of the East Coast that marks Northwest Philadelphia as one of the greenest and most-friendly spots in the entire UNIVERSE! So screw Forbes and their crap research and go take a run, go for a hike, shop in our shops and make the world a better place right here in the “dirty” Philadelphia.

Property Listed by Solo Real Estate

OK, it turns out that I am all too human. Sometimes, I miss things. How the hell was this property listed for sale for 90 days and I did not know about it? I am slightly embarrased. So, putting that behind me….who is going to buy this joint!

What a cool opportunity. I love the location. Love the setting. It is small and needs a liquor license but you are buying the bricks. I need to find the person to buy this. Call me or Email me all your suggestions! This is a cool deal at $545,000! Remember all those leisurely nights under the lights with the cool spring breeze…we need to keep that going!

Also…if you have juicy tidbits that need to see the light of day…send them to askplantastic@gmail.com!

Some of you probably know or knew Matt and Gina who used to live in Chestnut Hill. We recently had a piece of mail come to our house that was labeled to a Matt and Gina that were unrelated to this Matt and Gina (at least I think). Regardless, it made me think of Matt and Gina so I am going to find out what they are doing. Last I knew, they were living down in South Philadelphia (right behind one of my favorite restaurants: James) in Bella Vista. I was just on their website which is chock full of gorgeous images!

Check out the site and the blog:

http://www.ginaandmatt.com/ginamatt.html

http://ginatriplett.blogspot.com/

Property Listed by Prudential Fox and Roach

After 256 days….this house finally went under contract. I am very pleased about this as I showed the property several times to different buyers and met the owner on most of those occassions. She is an incredibly sweet individual. This house sits in the Pelham district which is one of my favorite parts of Northwest Philadelphia! Good Luck with the Sale.

Maybe you should buy a house there…..start by calling me!