Tired of endless Craigs List searches in your quest to find a new rental property to call home??

View details on rental listings in various neighborhoods with just a click below and let me know if need more information or want to schedule a showing.

Rentals in Art Museum

Rentals in Rittenhouse Square

Rentals in Center City

Rentals in Old City

Rentals in Washington Square and Wash West

Rentals in University City

Rentals in Fishtown

Rentals in Bella Vista & Queen Village

Rentals in Grad Hospital

Rentals in Northern Liberties

Rentals in South Philly and Pennsport

Melissa Barrett
CITYSPACE
REALTOR

email myphillyfinds@gmail.com
cell 215-300-4604

Are you the proud owner of the latest new cell phone, color printer, PDA, MP3 player or other dazzling digital device? Now that I have the iphone, I’m committed to Apple for life but I’m still surrounded by constant reminders of my past electronic relationships with all of the chargers, car accessories, batteries and related gizmos and gadgets around the house. Thanks to electronic recycling at Best Buy, I can clean house and focus on my new love, the iphone (just keep me away from the accessories aisle!)

ALL Best Buy stores nationwide offer recycling free of charge for most electronics products including batteries, cell phones, ink cartridges, CDs, DVDs, PDA’s, and even TVs and computers (some small fees do apply on certain items but these are often offset by a Best Buy gift card!) Click here for a list of FAQs on recycling policies and procedures and read all about this eco-friendly intiative here.

Local organizations often accept smaller e-waste items so check with your neighborhood organization. Kudos to the Northern Liberties Neighborhood Association for launching an effort to collect and recycle batteries and cell phones – find out more at NLNA’s website - and use this St. Patrick’s Day to make the world a little greener by taking your e-waste to a recycling center!

Looking for a green home, a place to paint green or a new space that will earn you some green? Check out all local real estate listings by clicking here and have a safe and Happy St. Patty’s Day!

Melissa Barrett
REALTOR, EcoBroker
RE/MAX City Space
cell 215-300-4604
email my phillyfinds@gmail.com

Spring is in the air (or at least it was until the temps dipped back down below 40 but hopefully that’s just a temporary setback!)

Last weekend’s brief burst of fine weather motivated me to prep my backyard space for a season full of out-of-doors fun. What better way to get inspired than to take a trip to the ultra-fabulous Terrain! This gorgeous nursery and cafe, located in Glen Mills, offers a wide selection of beautiful plants, pots and accessories, as well as unique housewares and botanical products. Terrain also offers a full schedule of events (last weekend, we caught Sustainable Garden Design II featuring Jonathan Alderson of Jonathan Alderson Landscape Design Architects, Inc.) Check out the amazing greenhouses spaces housing different varieties of plants, as well as the sprawling grounds, for tons of ideas on how to turn your backyard or deck into the garden of your dreams.

Terrain is also currently offering complimentary landscape design consultations to help you figure out what will work best in your space. I met with designer Matt Sigda, who offered great advice on what tall plants would fill out my built-in flower beds and what would work on my full sun deck that wouldn’t get fried (like all my plants did last year – sigh). Get in touch with the Landscape Design Services Team at 610-459-2400 or click here to read more about their services.

Mosses and other green things on display at Terrain

Check out a few pictures I snapped during my tour of Terrain below and click here to search all local listings to find the backyard space that you can transform into your very own urban oasis!

Orchids, planters and birdhouses at Terrain

Courtesy of Eric Sweeney with RE/MAX City Space, this new listing at 1024 Orianna just arrived just today and is already creating a buzz in No Libs!

Features include:
- 3 beds, 2.5 baths, 1980 square feet of gorgeous new construction
- wooden strand bamboo hardwood floors
- granite countertops and rich espresso cabinets finished with stainless steel hardware
- Electrolux and Jenn-Air energy efficient appliances
- master suite with cathedral ceilings, skylights and a patio leading to a roof deck with city views
- master bathroom offers a jacuzzi tub, rainmaker shower, and floating European vessel sinks
- lots of closet space (2 walk-ins in the master suite alone)
- the finished basement with a bathroom can function as an entertainment roo, guest suite or fourth bedroom
- great No Libs location within walking distance to all neighborhood amenities and hot spots

Want to take a peek for yourself? Email verticalphilly@gmail.com today!

Looking for your dream home but not in Northern Liberties? Search ALL local properties on the current market by clicking here!

Nope, it’s not a typo. Yesterday the Senate passed a housing stimulus package that would provide a $15,000 tax credit to anyone who buys a house by the end of the year, according to Atlanta-Journal Constitution – click here for the full article.

Of course there is some fine print:

“The proposal would let anyone who buys a new or existing home within one year of the enactment of the economic stimulus bill get a credit on his or her tax return of $15,000 or 10 percent of the home’s purchase price, whichever is less. It would only apply to the buyer’s principal residence, and the buyer would have to stay in the home for a minimum of two years.”

Your new house with your $15,000 tax credit!

So homebuyers, get in touch with your Senators and Congressmen-and-ladies (click here for the Senate and here for the House) and while you’re waiting for news on the rest of the stimulus package, take a look at all local listings on the current market. Click here to customise your online search and let me know if you have any questions!

Melissa Barrett
REALTOR, EcoBroker
RE/MAX Cityspace
email myphillyfinds.com
web www.myphillyfinds.com

A CHANCE TO HEAL is a non-profit working to prevent eating disorders through education and advocacy. Programming is targeted at training healthcare providers about eating disorders and empowering both youth and adults to have a strong body image and self esteem. Click here to sign up for A Chance to Heal’s newsletter or read more about the organization at their website.

This local organization is hosting three FANTASTIC events in the coming weeks :

BodyTalk: Educating Teens and Tweens in a Body Conscious World
Thursday, February 5, 2009 (Snow Date: February 19th), 3:30-5:30pm
Yarnall Auditorium: Germantown Friends School, 31 W. Coulter Street, Philadelphia PA
Registration: $10 – Register Now, Seating is Limited! Professional CE Credit Available for Educators (Act 48) and Registered Dietitians. Click here for additional details or to register.

Jazzed for a Cure: A Benefit Concert Supporting Eating Disorder Awareness
Saturday February 7, 6:00-10:30
New Hope-Solebury High School, 182 W. Bridge Street, New Hope, PA 18938
Tickets will be available at the door and at Farley’s Bookshop, First National Bank of Newtown-Solebury Branch, and the Doylestown Bookshop. Click here for more information.

One Body Yoga Workshop: A Benefit for a Chance to Heal at Dhyana Yoga. Fundraiser, Body Image Workshop and Yoga Class in One!
February 22, 1:30-4:00 pm. Click here for more information and location.

Please support these informative and fun events!

Melissa Barrett
REALTOR, EcoBroker
myphillyfinds@gmail.com

Visit www.myphillyfinds.com to search current listings in Germantown, New Hope, Center City or ANY local neighborhood!

It’s hard to figure out the perfect time to move on refinancing an existing home or buying a new home, especially as mortgage rates have dipped to historic lows, currently hovering at around 5%. Rates are poised to drop even lower in the coming days and weeks, so keep your eyes open and get in touch with a qualified mortgage professional who can help you determine if now is the right time for you. 

A few tips to keep in mind as you consider a re-fi or a new home purchase:

- Author and advisor Suze Orman cautions consumers to look beyond the lower interest rates to consider the fees associated with a re-fi to determine if the entire cost justifies making a move. She says, “If you’re going to live in that house longer than the months it will take to recover the closing costs, refinance. If, however, you’re not, don’t refinance.”

- Michael Moskowitz, president of lender Equity Now, advises homeowners and buyers to shop around. I’d agree: don’t be afraid to make a few calls to survey the competition, so that you can find the best rates and the best service. Be reasonable but clear about your needs and expectations and ask questions to make sure that the lender you choose is a good fit – don’t be afraid to let potential lenders know that you are doing your homework!

- Carefully consider your timeframe. Are you planning to stay in your new home for 3 years or 30? Make sure that you choose a financing option that works best with your plans. An adjustable rate mortgage may seem great now since rates are low, but if you plan to stay in your home for a decade or more, a fixed rate may be a safer bet. 

Click here to read the full article “Refinancing Tips From the Front Lines of the Mortgage Mess” from ABC News or get in touch with me at myphillyfinds@gmail.com for a list of great mortgage professionals or to chat more about your new home search.

Search ALL local listings by clicking here!

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, why not let the creative juices flow and come out of winter hibernation to attend the Print Love-In, on Saturday 2/1/09 from 11-1:30 or 2-4:30?

Register here to attend the Print Love-In, a one day event where you can learn about printmaking processes while making your very own Valentine’s Day cards using designs by local artists. Or visit Fleisher’s main site to learn more about this fantastic Philadelphia institution, located in Bella Vista (7th and Catharine), that makes art-making more accessible to all!

I can personally vouch for the high quality instruction and affordable classes. So far I’ve taken “Alternative Printmaking” and “Drawing 101″ and while I’m no Picasso, my prints were a hot item on this holiday gift list to friends and relatives. Check out one below (and be gentle with your critiques – I’m trying :o) …

Looking for a new space to hang your masterpieces? Click here to see all kinds of inspiring spaces in Bella Vista or click here to customize your own search for your favorite neighborhood in Philly!

Happy Painting!

Melissa Barrett
REALTOR, EcoBroker
RE/MAX City Space
cell 215.300.4604
email myphillyfinds@gmail.com

We’ve all become more aware in recent years of our impact upon the planet and our ability to make a difference in our carbon footprints with more responsible energy use. But do you know the details of your presidential candidates “green” plan?

Click here to take the 2008 Green Presidential Election Quiz hosted by the Chicago Tribune. It’s a quick and fun way to make sure you are up on the facts before you head off to vote.

Want to check out some local eco-friendly and oh-so fabulous digs? Join us on Friday evening for an open house happy hour at 145-51 West Laurel Street in Northern Liberties from 6-9 pm or email me at myphillyfinds@gmail.com to set up a private tour. See you there!

Thin Flats Open House