Real NEastate’s Stacey McCarthy has the week off. Today, enjoy a column of hers from this time last year. If we can’t escape this winter without snow, at least make sure you’re prepared.

Q: I am buying a home in Castor Gardens that has a flat roof. My home inspection took place this weekend and my home inspector said because of the snow he could not give me any input on the roof. I have two days left to decide if I even want the house or want the seller to make repairs. And they are calling for more snow! What should I do?

A: Undoubtedly, Philadelphia row homes with flat roofs can collect as many inches of snow on their roof as the ground does during snow storms. Sellers and home inspectors can’t be expected to shovel the roof before an inspection elected by a homebuyer. But I don’t recommend a homebuyer up there shoveling either.

Homebuyers deserve to know everything there is to know about a house before purchasing it, especially if there is a problem that is going to cost them money. If your inspector was not able to draw a conclusion about the roof, don’t just accept it and buy the home not knowing what’s up with the roof. continue reading »

Q: I own a few row homes in Castor Gardens that I rent out to tenants. I am aware there is currently a bill in City Council that would require certification that the property is lead free before a tenant moves in. I am hearing this will be costly, but I am a smart investor, so I will just pass this cost down to the new tenants. My question is will I have to certify the properties currently rented are lead free?

A: There is a public hearing on this bill today at 1 p.m. I believe the legislation that is currently proposed calls for lease renewals, as well. Check Lead Based Paint Ordinance #100011. The bill, as proposed, would also require home sellers to obtain a certification prior to selling a home built before 1978 in the City of Philadelphia. continue reading »

Former Philadelphia City Controller Jonathan Saidel at Take Bake Your Neighborhood meeting Oct. 17.

On Monday, Castor Garden residents met for their monthly Take Back Your Neighborhood meeting to discuss issues within their community. About 30 residents met inside the Max Myers Recreation Center to come together as a neighborhood.

Jared Solomon started the meeting by welcoming new members, and reiterating the organization’s mission, as seen in the video below.

“This organization does not mean getting together and griping about the problems of the neighborhood,” Solomon said. “Our mission is to make tangible improvements to our community.” continue reading »

Q: I am searching for a single-family home for $120,000 somewhere near Bustleton Avenue so I can be near the bus to work. It can be a row home but I need it to have two kitchens – something like an in-law suite. I am having a hard time finding something to fill my needs. Do you have any suggestions?

A: No doubt you are having a hard time finding something. Either two kitchens or an in-law suite, especially in a row home in Northeast Philadelphia, are a rare find. I am not sure if a single-family* row home could even satisfy your needs. continue reading »

Photo by Flickr user echoman.

Castor Gardens residents and the Take Back Your Neighborhood community group have been championing an effort to get Big Belly trash cans along Castor Avenue.

The group is branching out and looking for more volunteers to help solicit signatures for the solar-powered trash cans. TBYN member Sandra Gregg will meet with others every Wednesday on the 6000-block of Rutland Street to collect signatures. Residents interested in volunteering can contact Gregg at sgregg3754 AT yahoo.com. continue reading »

Glenn Segal writes about Oxford Circle and Castor Gardens when he's not working in a real estate office.

Glenn Segal is a man who talks fast. Earnestly and fervently dispensing his opinion and gesticulating animatedly while he discusses his novel series, Devine Intervention, he somehow manages to cover everything from the Grateful Dead to religious fanaticism to gang patrols from his youth in the Northeast in the space of an interview.

He’s obviously very bright, energetic and passionate about his work; he has very evidently poured his heart and soul into his books. Currently working two jobs – as an optician in Huntingdon Valley and at a local Prudential real estate office on Frankford Avenue – he writes constantly in his spare time as he finishes up the third installment of the series, titled Revelations, which

is due out at the end of this year.

Segal was born and raised in the Northeast, using it as a major source of inspiration for his series. continue reading »

Police arrested a suspect wanted in multiple robberies in the 2nd District, Community Relations Officer Mark Mroz confirmed yesterday.

The male, turned in by his mother, was being sought for robberies in and around Castor Gardens. continue reading »

Michele Belluomini tells a story to children at the Northeast Celebration. Photo by George Mai

Saturday, Aug. 27 was the first-ever Northeast Celebration. Organized by the Castor Gardens-based Take Back Your Neighborhood group, the day-long event featured Northeast history lessons, food, music, face-painting and more.

Check out the slideshow below with photos by George Mai. continue reading »

Q: I sold my house in Castor Gardens and I’m moving to North Carolina for a job, but I will still be working here until January. I can’t afford to be saddled down with a year lease here and I have too much stuff to move into an apartment. Can I rent a house for five or six months? I have to be out of my home by the end of the month.

A: If it wasn’t such a good rental market it might be easier to find a short-term lease agreement for a house. Home rentals are in high demand right now and there are few available in the area. You might have to do some searching to find someone who will accept less-than-a-year lease but it’s not totally impossible. You should check with your realtor, newspaper listings or Craigslist for rentals and ask around. continue reading »

It’s rare a mainstream news outlet can find Castor Gardens. Summerdale, Oxford Circle and Lawncrest often get the Castor Gardens label. Or simply, ‘Castor,’ whatever that’s supposed to mean.

When a body was found inside a car on the 800-block of Unruh Avenue, Philadelphia’s mainstream media rushed to report on it. Most came out without embarrassment. continue reading »