Do We Have Terrific Inventory or What?

Props to our agents in both Philadelphia and New Hope for securing an outstanding inventory of homes. Some of the most recent include:

• A modernist masterpiece in Elkins Park, Pa., listed by Donna Thain in our Philadelphia real estate office. A must-see for the buyer seeking a post-War classic!
• A very formal, historic stone house, re-done by Okie in the early 20th century, listed by Melanie Stecura in our Philadelphia real estate office. Exceptionally well maintained.
• An outstanding stone house in the Poconos on 71+ acres with wonderful distance views and facilities for horses or other animals, listed by Sharon Angle and Brad Bux in our Bucks County real estate office. French country in style and very dramatic inside.
• A superbly designed and built Main Line estate home -- so few people build to this level of taste and quality, it's a true privilege to offer this home.
• An expanded traditional Main Line home with top-quality finishes throughout. Sedate, serene and so stylish.
• Vince Fumo's home in Philadelphia's Art Museum Area. Love him or hate him, you have to give him credit for creating a striking, richly finished home in Center City.
• A modern home in the Bank Building in Center City Philadelphia. Good taste prevails throughout this spacious residence.

There are more to come tomorrow. Check out www.kurfiss.com to see them now.

Slightly Sunny Skies in the Real-Estate Forecast

The National Association of Realtors has released its market forecast for the fourth quarter of 2009 and first half of 2010. Mortgage rates are likely to increase, though not significantly. First-time home buyers are buoying the market, though no one seems quite whether the new tax credit for existing homeowners will affect sales. Here's the complete text from NAR.

First-Time Buyers Have More Time to Shop!

From The Wall Street Journal:

Congress has extended the $8,000 first-time home buyers' tax credit that was set to expire at the end of this month. The credit will apply to all house contracts entered into before April 30, 2010, and closed by June 30. It creates a new $6,500 credit for existing property owners looking to sell their home and buy another during the same period of time.
Both credits have income restrictions limiting their availability.

Hot Real Estate From Around the World!

The new issue of RESIDE from Sotheby's International Realty is now available online!(FlashPlayer required)

Some Homes Have No Comparison

Everyone here in the greater Philadelphia area knows the Main Line area has many, many stunning homes. Recently, we listed a newer house that is absolutely one of the best designed and built residences ever to grace the ground. There is nothing missing in this home's floor plan or materials. Those of you who prefer traditional style will find the taste level impeccable. Check out the slide show here and pass the link along to any high-net-worth individuals who just might want one of the most special pieces of Main Line real estate now available.

Philadelphia Home Exhibits a Green "Savoir-Faire"

Thanks to WABC-TV in New York for recognizing a quality "green" renovation in Center City Philadelphia that just happens to be listed by David Krupp of Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty. The house, located in the 1500 block of Montrose Street, has achieved LEED Platinum certification, a rarity among residential projects. Here's the piece published on the station's "Green Living" section on 7online.com. Here's the house and its slideshow. A sweet and healthy living space, indeed!

Congratulations to Tom Scannapieco

The Sept. 20 Philadelphia Inquirer published a very nice article about Tom Scannapieco and his newest building, 1706 Rittenhouse, in Philadelphia. Notably, this luxury, floor-through condominium building is more than 50% sold even with prices starting at $3.9 million, not too shabby for the Philadelphia real estate market. The penthouse, listed at $12.5 million, has been under agreement for months, Scannapieco notes. Kudos to Scannapieco and his partners, Joseph and Robert Zuritsky of Parkway Corp., for staying the course through the economic downturn.