Greetings! Michaelle remains off, so I’m back to talk real estate with you. Let’s get into it.
When I bought my house in 2020, I knew which agent I wanted to hire: a former colleague who’d pivoted to real estate. But without that personal connection, I would’ve been lost trying to pick someone to shepherd the biggest financial decision of my life.
More homebuyers are turning to TikTok and Instagram to find agents, and, in turn, agents are spending a lot more time creating online personas. But is it the best way to choose someone to help you buy or sell?
Keep scrolling for that story and more in this week’s edition:
SEPTA, the landlord?: A new program has the transit agency leasing space to developers.
Society Hill double-wide: Two rowhouses combined give extra space for luxe decor in this week’s home tour.
Your Peco bill: It could go up if the utility company’s request to raise rates is approved.
Saying goodbye to lifeguard HQ: In Strathmere, the 20-year-old house was no match for a brutal winter.
📮 Instead of a question this week, I’m asking for your help. The Inquirer’s video series, “What the F—” with transportation reporter Tom Fitzgerald, is nominated for a Webby award and you can help us win. Vote here.
— Erica Palan
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Do you ever find yourself scrolling Instagram and sucked into a tour of a home you’ll never buy but just can’t stop looking at? I’m guilty.
For some real estate agents, that’s exactly what they want.
More Realtors are using social media to attract new clients, becoming influencers on niche home decor or local housing policy. The hope is that by creating a trustworthy expert persona, potential clients will remember agents’ names and hire them when it’s time to buy or sell.
My colleague Abigail Covington dives into the evolving world of real estate agent influencers.
When I’m not moonlighting as your fill-in newsletter emcee, I am The Inquirer’s transportation and real estate editor — which is why I’m so psyched to share this story that touches both topics.
SEPTA has been working to become ... a landlord.
Yes, you read that right.
The transit agency owns a lot of land around Regional Rail stations. Now, it’s aiming to lease that land to developers to build homes near the train stops. SEPTA gets rent from the developers, and hopefully the new residents will also pay to ride the trains near their homes. Win-win for SEPTA. But some residents in Ambler and Langhorne, where the first projects are slated, aren’t thrilled.
My colleague Tom Fitzgerald has the scoop.
The latest news to pay attention to
A Wilmington real estate developer is buying up properties in Center City Philadelphia.
Can City Hall keep 925 West Philly homes affordable?
The lifeguard headquarters house in Strathmere was demolished over the weekend.
Philly renter protections advance toward final vote after a landlord lawsuit forced a redo.
Iron Hill Brewery is set to reopen soon in Market East.
A West Chester home featured in Marley & Me can be yours for $2.3 million.
How I Bought This House: This couple wanted more space than they had in Newtown Square. They found it in Malvern.
House of the week: A renovated three-bedroom home in Roxborough for $449,900.
True story: When I bought my house, the kitchen was fire engine red. Trust me when I tell you it was not a good lewk, as the kids say.
This week’s home tour has a red kitchen, too — and in this house, it looks swanky.
The Society Hill home is actually two rowhouses combined, giving the family extra wall space for their extensive Welsh and Irish art collection. Don’t miss the giant painting of hawks in the dining room.
Take a look inside the home.
Peco asked state regulators this week to allow an increase in gas and electric prices for its Southeastern Pennsylvania customers.
My colleagues Ariana Perez-Castells and Erin McCarthy break down what that means for you — besides bigger bills.
Didn’t Peco just raise rates?
Yes.
Peco raised rates last year. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) approved the hikes to be split over two years, with electric bills increasing by 10% on average in 2025 and 1.8% this year. Gas customers saw a 12.5% increase beginning last year. Peco was not permitted to apply for another rate increase until March 2026.
Why does Peco want to raise rates for electric and natural gas?
Get the answer to this question and more.
📷 Photo quiz
Do you know the location this photo shows? A hint: This one is not within city limits.
📮 If you think you do, email me back. You and your memories of visiting this spot might be featured in the newsletter.
Congrats to Jane C., Tim G., and Bill L., who are among the folks who correctly identified last week’s photo as the newly reopened on-ramp from Market Street onto I-95 south, along with the statue of Chief Tamanend.
🌸 My colleague Tony Wood says this is the week to enjoy the cherry blossoms. So get out there and take a stroll. I’ll see ya out there.
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