Suddenly, Modernism Sells in Bucks County

There may be no other area of the United States with as much historic, stone architecture as Bucks County, Pennsylvania. That's what people usually move here for: to experience the richness of life in an antique, fieldstone house. Or not. An agent in our New Hope real estate office, Kevin Steiger, recently made a sage observation: Contemporary homes have been some of the best sellers thus far in 2009.

Kurfiss SIR started the trend in late 2008, selling Chill Hill in Solebury Township, one of the area's finest midcentury homes. Then, Hellen Cannon in our New Hope office arranged a deal for a hilltop contemporary home above Fleecydale Road (one of the area's most scenic roads) in Solebury. Next, a Prudential office put another modernist masterpiece in Solebury underagreement. All of these were priced between $1.4 million and $1.9 million. This is noteworthy in part because there simply are not that many midcentury or contemporary homes in our area.

We're not sure if this trend has legs, but we're happy to report we recently have listed some Dwell magazine-worthy clean-lined houses, including this one set way off the road in Stockton, N.J., and this one in Point Pleasant, Pa. high above the Delaware River.

Bargain Real Estate, Great Food

We here at Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty already are fans of Philadelphia, long ago realizing that there are many attractive neighborhoods with truly affordable housing. Now, many of those same neighborhoods are filling up with terrific eateries, according to restaurant critic Craig LaBan's piece in the May 10 Philadelphia Inquirer. While the city has long been known as a top restaurant town, most of the highly regarded dining spots were in the chi-chi Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. No more, says Mr. LaBan. Chef-owned, innovative eateries are popping up all over. Even traditionally Italian South Philly is getting a bit more variety. With so much good food, we're lucky the City of Brotherly Love is a walkable/bikable town!

Fresh on the Market - April 20, 2009

Apologies for the delay in posting about new listings -- the spring season is upon us and both our Philadelphia and New Hope real estate agents are super busy with new listings and showings. We hope this is the start of an uptick in sales. In any case, many of our newest listings (and existing ones, for that matter) are superb historic properties. We are fortunate to have them in our inventory. Here are some quick links to them, though you can always browse the full list at kurfiss.com:

BUCKS COUNTY and SURROUNDING AREAS

Best historic homestead ever listed by Kurfiss SIR, bar none. It's a bit out of our area, located about 30 mins. from Reading, PA, 2 hours from NYC, but it is truly a rare find: $2,500,000

Picture-perfect, Bucks County gentleman's farm: $1,299,000

Fully restored, exceptionally well maintained Bucks County estate: $2,800,000

New loft-style condo in historic building in Frenchtown, NJ: $475,000

Historic Kenderdine Mill Complex, fully restored within a fantastically landscaped setting in Horsham, PA: $1,950,000

Stone toll house located in the heart of Solebury, Bucks County: $399,900

No doubt there are more to come in this busy season, so check back as we showcase the newest properties being listed throughout southeastern Pennsylvania.

Welcome, Patricia Royston

Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty is thrilled to welcome Philadelphia real estate agent, Patricia Royston. Patricia is a very experienced real estate professional who is exceptionally knowledgeable about Center City Philadelphia real estate. She is a native of England who fell in love with Philadelphia on a visit and decided to make the city her home. Her professionalism and commitment to client service make her a perfect fit with Kurfiss SIR. She lives just a half block off of Rittenhouse Square with her English springer spaniel, Jasper. Email Patricia, or ring her at 215.735.2225.

Two Liberty Place Welcomes Cole and Heidi Hamels!

Several of us here at Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty were lucky enough to be invited to a special housewarming on Monday, April 6, for Cole and Heidi Hamels. He is the handsome and gracious star pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Heidi is his beautiful wife. They have just bought a significant home in Two Liberty Place, the "power tower" where many rich and famous Philadelphians have chosen to live. The super management and concierge team at Two Liberty welcomed them with a special party that featured live music, fantastic food and most of all, those amazing 360-degree views from the building's 57th floor (this is the penthouse level now listed, along with the 56th floor, with Kurfiss SIR.)

Above is a photo from the evening with Kurfiss SIR owner Donald Pearson, Cole Hamels, Melodie Kahr, our broker associate in Philadelphia, and Douglas Pearson, head of ancillary services for Kurfiss SIR.

FRESH ON THE MARKET

Kurfiss Sotheby’s International Realty listings that have recently hit the market:
This 18th-century stone home is in a picture-perfect setting in the historic village of Skippack. This is a little off the beaten path from our usual market in Bucks County, but it’s a property with residential and commercial possibilities that is loaded with authentic details. Skippack has much to offer – check out the village news, events, shops and more at BestofSkippack.com.

Architecture-Music Meet at Philadelphia Event

It was a March night to remember for nearly 100 guests who braved snow and frigid temperatures to tour a classic, restored Delancey Street townhouse. The evening was capped off with a mini-concert in the home’s front parlor by two very talented, very young (under 25 years old) violinists, Josef Špaček and Joel Link (Joel is on the left in the photo), who are studying at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.

Hosted by Melodie Kahr, associate broker, and Patrick Pastella, both of Kurfiss Sotheby’s International Realty’s Philadelphia office, and Rob Volpe, owner of Lily Development Corp., the event showcased the emotional music of composers Béla Bartók and Eugène Ysaye and the drama of the Hewitt Mansion, a c.1869 brick and brownstone home on one of Philadelphia’s most exclusive residential streets. Volpe’s development company restored the mansion’s original architectural details, updated each room, finished the lower basement level and modernized its mechanical systems. The residence is now listed for sale by Kurfiss SIR for $5,995,000. Read more about this event….