Sotheby's International Realty Affiliation Widens Market Reach for Clients

A beautifully maintained, Ferman Lex-built home in Solebury has the distinction of being our first jointly listed and marketed residence with Princeton-based Henderson Sotheby's International Realty. Diane Johnston of our New Hope office partnered with Julia Fulper Hardt and Laurie Lincoln of Henderson SIR to list and market the traditional, center-hall colonial, pictured at right. The owner was a contact of Laurie's. In order to give the homeowner the best Pennsylvania and New Jersey market exposure, Diane listed it through Kurfiss SIR. Both agents marketed it, with Laurie and Julia promoting it via Henderson SIR's Princeton-area publications and web exposure. Priced at $1,195,000, we are happy to report the house is now sold!

A Work of Beauty: The Residences at Rodin

Despite a flurry of negative news about new residential construction in Center City Philadelphia, we feel extremely optimistic about The Residences at Rodin (pictured at left), a new Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty listing in Philadelphia to be built at 2100 Hamilton Street, overlooking the gardens of The Rodin Museum. Here are a few reasons why:

1. It's the only new luxury condominium to be built in the heart of the Art Museum area.

2. It's a relatively small, boutique building with fewer than 50 residences, on-site deeded parking, concierge services, rooftop pool and lounging area and easy access to all major museums.

3. It's design, with a mansard-style roof line and top-quality materials, is unique among the city's more recent new residential buildings.

See more, including innovative video tours, at this page.

Puttin' Off the Ritz

The Philadelphia Inquirer is on a real tear with its coverage of Center City condominium buildings. This week's story by Alan Heavens concerns the The Residences at Ritz-Carlton, a 270-unit building that was just dedicated by developer Craig Spencer. Eighty units have been sold; 37 sales are pending, but Spencer feels 50% of those might not close due to inability to get financing or buyers being unable to sell their existing homes. According to the article, Mr. Spencer has been unwilling to discount prices, understandable as far as not wanting to undercut the prices early buyers paid, but not understandable given the realities of our present real-estate market. As one reader noted, buyers like to feel like they are getting a bargain, especially when they are able to choose from many competing projects in the city.

Fresh on the Market

It's June and the new listings are still coming. Here's a selection of recent additions to our Bucks County real estate inventory, a fine array of properties to be sure!

• Upper Makefield estate home on 10+ acres: Only three years old, this is simply a stunning residence. Listed at $3,600,000
• 34-acre property: Here's something you don't encounter too often in Solebury Township -- 34 acres of prime land with excellent highway frontage, parking, rental income and more. Listed at $2,400,000
• Doylestown estate home in Fox Valley: A Richard Zaveta-built home with dramatic design elements and luxurious trimmings. Listed at $1,795,000.
• Quintessential Bucks County stone farmhouse: A picturesque setting, big red barn and stone farmhouse on 50+ acres make this a classic! Listed at $1,750,000
• Exciting contemporary home in Solebury: Everyone -- even people who generally don't care for modern design -- falls in love with this house on 11+ acres. Listed at $1,125,000
• Great location in Solebury: Situated just past a pond with only one other house on the cul de sac, this newer home has a well designed floor plan and lovely long-distance views. Listed at $1,074,000.
• Devonshire in Solebury: A great value! Listed at $997,000.
• Stone-front colonial in Solebury: Finely finished and like new, this home is convenient to Princeton, Doylestown, Trenton, etc. Listed at $795,000.
• Rancher in Upper Black Eddy: This house is on a lush 4+ acre parcel and is well suited to full-time living or as a weekender. Listed at $360,000.

To learn more about any of these, please email or call our New Hope office: mailto:info@kurfiss.com or 215.794.3227.

Kurfiss SIR Sale Tops the List

The weekly roundup of Philadelphia real estate transactions in the June 7 Philadelphia Inquirer shows a Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty sale in the No. 1 position at $999,900. The new condominium is in the 2200 Arch Street building and has a wonderful, private rooftop deck with clear skyline views, a hot tub and a plasma-TV hookup. The interior also has great views. Melodie Kahr and Ingrid Levin in our Rittenhouse Square office had the listing. See the complete list here.

Come and Get Your Discounted Condos!

Today's Philadelphia Inquirer had yet another story about a new condominium building with slow sales. This time it's the Murano, a 304-unit, elliptical glass tower at 21st and Market Streets. Approximately 178 units are still unsold. On June 27 at 1:00 p.m. at the Westin Philadelphia on S. 17th St., 40 units will be auctioned with the reserve price set at $250,000. Read more about this in Alan Heaven's article from Wednesday.