With sweltering Philadelphia hosting the Democratic National Convention this week, we thought it would be a good time to look at the red-hot real estate market in the City of Brotherly Love.
We're not kidding: Housing prices have taken off. The median price for a single-family home has skyrocketed 21.7% from 2015, to its current $143,000, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported in May.
What can home buyers expect to purchase in one of America's oldest cities? Founded in 1682, Philly, with a population of 1.6 million, has a housing stock filled with historic gems updated with contemporary features such as chef's kitchens and large closets.
Plus, it's the place made famous by the " Rocky" movies, the home of the Liberty Bell, and the birthplace of the Philly cheesesteak. (Pat's or Geno's? We're not touching that one.)
From row houses to ritzy mansions, here are some of the must-see listings in Philadelphia right now.
237 S. 18th St., Units 6A & 6B
Price: $7,000,000
Philly perks: Posh and palatial, these two adjacent units on the sixth floor of the Barclay Condominium afford views of Rittenhouse Square Park. An open floor plan with 10-foot ceilings and stark white walls -- perfect for hanging your art -- features custom walnut built-ins, a chef's kitchen, and a snazzy office nook with a cantilevered desk.
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Price: $245,000
Philly perks: Queen Village is a hip hood in Philly, and this one-bedroom, one-bathroom row home -- on a charming cobblestone street -- falls just under $250,000. Inside the three-story unit are a wood-burning fireplace, refurbished hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, and a remodeled kitchen (shaker-style cabinets and subway tile backsplash). Outside, there's a sunken patio with brick inlay.
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Price: $272,500 (under contract)
Philly perks: This three-bedroom home is a mix of modern and traditional, thanks to the dining room's floor-to-ceiling bay window, which floods the home with natural light. In the kitchen are quartzite countertops and a wine fridge. Outside there's a heated sun porch and fire pit -- the perfect elements for a great party, year-round.
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Price: $349,999
Philly perks: Fresh off a renovation (including new electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and windows), this three-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home has exposed brick walls that offer vintage charm, and stainless-steel appliances and granite countertops in the kitchen that bring the home into contemporary times. The backyard features a deck for alfresco living when the weather allows.
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Price: $6,888,000
Philly perks: Tucked along this tree-lined street in Society Hill is a luxe five-bedroom home with five bathrooms and two half-baths. Included are rare urban perks such as parking for six cars, a rooftop swimming pool, an outdoor fireplace, and a greenhouse. The craftsmanship in this place is amazing, particularly the woodwork and stainless-steel railings. The only question we have is: Does the Chihuly fixture come with the house?
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Price: $1,795,000
Philly perks: Perched on 0.69 acres in Chestnut Hill, this seven-bedroom Queen Anne home was built by the Hewitt Brothers in 1916 and boasts 5.5 bathrooms, a detached three-car garage, and a guest suite with its own bathroom. Historic details remain in the home's original stone steps, fireplaces, butler's pantry, and the den's woodwork.
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Price: $925,000
Philly perks: Inside this 10-year-old custom home -- with three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms -- are luxury accoutrements such as Brazilian cherry flooring in the living room, a Viking range in the kitchen, and french doors on the Juliet balcony. The two-story living room boasts a surround-sound system, and a fourth-floor deck flaunts city-skyline views.