{"asOf":"2026-07-31T02:32:37.792Z","block":"1200-1299 MERCY ST","blockUrl":"https://philadelphia.blockreport.homes/block/1200-1299-mercy-st","address":"1238 MERCY ST","parcelNumber":"394270800","source":"https://property.phila.gov/?p=394270800","ownerType":"owner-occupied","kind":"house","isHouse":true,"home":true,"commercial":false,"residential":true,"taxExempt":false,"institutional":false,"buildingCode":"O30","buildingCodeNew":"22","buildingClass":"ROW 2 STY MASONRY","buildingClassNew":"ROW TYPICAL","useLabel":"House","owner":"WALTERS JERALD HUNTER","coOwner":"WALTERS CATHERINE RAE","marketValue":343600,"landAssessment":68720,"improvementAssessment":274880,"livableArea":1104,"yearBuilt":1925,"lastSale":{"price":395000,"date":"2018-08-01T04:00:00Z"},"openViolations":0,"violations":[{"number":"3879558","date":"2016-03-24","code":"PM15-304.1G","title":"EXTERIOR STRUCT UNSAFE COND 7","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null,"latestInvestigationDate":"2016-08-31","underAppeal":false,"noticeUrl":null},{"number":"3879559","date":"2016-03-28","code":"PM15-108.1","title":"UNSAFE STRUCTURE","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null,"latestInvestigationDate":"2016-08-31","underAppeal":false,"noticeUrl":null},{"number":"4516406","date":"2017-11-22","code":"A-301.1/53","title":"PERME- ALTER ELEC INSTALLATION","status":"CLOSEDCASE","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null,"latestInvestigationDate":"2017-11-24","underAppeal":false,"noticeUrl":null},{"number":"4516404","date":"2017-11-22","code":"A-901.13/2","title":"PENALTY- NO ELEC PERM INFO","status":"CLOSEDCASE","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null,"latestInvestigationDate":"2017-11-24","underAppeal":false,"noticeUrl":null},{"number":"4516405","date":"2017-11-22","code":"A-301.1/51","title":"PERME- INST/REPL/REPAIR WIRE","status":"CLOSEDCASE","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null,"latestInvestigationDate":"2017-11-24","underAppeal":false,"noticeUrl":null}],"violationCases":[{"number":"525398","type":"UNSAFE","priority":"UNSAFE","responsibility":"CSU","status":"CLOSED","createdDate":"2016-03-28","completedDate":"2016-09-01","noticeUrl":null,"violations":[{"number":"3879558","date":"2016-03-24","code":"PM15-304.1G","title":"EXTERIOR STRUCT UNSAFE COND 7","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null,"latestInvestigationDate":"2016-08-31","underAppeal":false,"noticeUrl":null},{"number":"3879559","date":"2016-03-28","code":"PM15-108.1","title":"UNSAFE STRUCTURE","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null,"latestInvestigationDate":"2016-08-31","underAppeal":false,"noticeUrl":null}]},{"number":"613241","type":"CONSTRUCTION SERVICES","priority":"CONSTRUCTION SERVICES","responsibility":"DS","status":"CLOSED","createdDate":"2017-11-24","completedDate":"2017-12-07","noticeUrl":null,"violations":[{"number":"4516406","date":"2017-11-22","code":"A-301.1/53","title":"PERME- ALTER ELEC INSTALLATION","status":"CLOSEDCASE","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null,"latestInvestigationDate":"2017-11-24","underAppeal":false,"noticeUrl":null},{"number":"4516404","date":"2017-11-22","code":"A-901.13/2","title":"PENALTY- NO ELEC PERM INFO","status":"CLOSEDCASE","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null,"latestInvestigationDate":"2017-11-24","underAppeal":false,"noticeUrl":null},{"number":"4516405","date":"2017-11-22","code":"A-301.1/51","title":"PERME- INST/REPL/REPAIR WIRE","status":"CLOSEDCASE","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null,"latestInvestigationDate":"2017-11-24","underAppeal":false,"noticeUrl":null}]}],"violYears":[{"y":2016,"n":2,"worst":"EXTERIOR STRUCT UNSAFE COND 7"},{"y":2017,"n":3,"worst":null}],"investigations":[{"caseNumber":"525398","date":"2016-03-24","type":"CSUINITIAL","status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"525398","date":"2016-08-31","type":"CSUINITIAL","status":"PASSED"},{"caseNumber":"613241","date":"2017-11-24","type":"EP_ELEC","status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"613241","date":"2017-12-06","type":"EP_ELEC","status":"CLOSED"}],"inspYears":[{"y":2016,"fails":1,"passes":1},{"y":2017,"fails":1,"passes":0}],"taxOwed":0,"taxSnapshot":{"available":true,"asOf":"2022-06","matched":false},"taxDelinquencySnapshotAsOf":"2022-06","taxDelinquencySnapshotAvailable":true,"lat":39.924387622497996,"lng":-75.1670495797215,"geom":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[-75.167038786,39.92431809],[-75.167088807,39.924327358],[-75.167062334,39.924454914],[-75.167009103,39.924448009],[-75.167038786,39.92431809]]]},"liDistrict":"SOUTH","certifications":[],"cityRecordAvailability":{"violations":true,"investigations":true,"appeals":true,"certifications":true,"permits":true,"licenses":true},"zip":"19148","beds":2,"baths":1,"stories":2,"lotArea":672,"zoning":"RSA5","grade":"C","basement":"A","heater":"A","centralAir":true,"extCond":"2","intCond":"2","garage":null,"homestead":false,"mail":"1238 MERCY ST, PHILADELPHIA PA, 19148","mailOut":false,"appeals":[],"taxYears":[],"taxNet":0,"taxLien":false,"taxLedgerThrough":2016,"taxLedgerAvailable":true,"timesSold":2,"abated":true,"assessmentExemption":true,"exemptionBasisVerified":false,"valueSeries":[{"y":2016,"v":178700,"taxable":178700,"land":12768,"improvement":165932,"taxableLand":12768,"taxableImprovement":165932,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2017,"v":178700,"taxable":178700,"land":40922,"improvement":137778,"taxableLand":40922,"taxableImprovement":137778,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2018,"v":178700,"taxable":178700,"land":40922,"improvement":137778,"taxableLand":40922,"taxableImprovement":137778,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2019,"v":385000,"taxable":178700,"land":84700,"improvement":300300,"taxableLand":84700,"taxableImprovement":94000,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":206300},{"y":2020,"v":385000,"taxable":178700,"land":84700,"improvement":300300,"taxableLand":84700,"taxableImprovement":94000,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":206300},{"y":2021,"v":385000,"taxable":178700,"land":84700,"improvement":300300,"taxableLand":84700,"taxableImprovement":94000,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":206300},{"y":2022,"v":385000,"taxable":178700,"land":84700,"improvement":300300,"taxableLand":84700,"taxableImprovement":94000,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":206300},{"y":2023,"v":417500,"taxable":188049,"land":83500,"improvement":334000,"taxableLand":83500,"taxableImprovement":104549,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":229451},{"y":2024,"v":417500,"taxable":188049,"land":83500,"improvement":334000,"taxableLand":83500,"taxableImprovement":104549,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":229451},{"y":2025,"v":447000,"taxable":201336,"land":89400,"improvement":357600,"taxableLand":89400,"taxableImprovement":111936,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":245664},{"y":2026,"v":447000,"taxable":201336,"land":89400,"improvement":357600,"taxableLand":89400,"taxableImprovement":111936,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":245664},{"y":2027,"v":343600,"taxable":154763,"land":68720,"improvement":274880,"taxableLand":68720,"taxableImprovement":86043,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":188837}],"taxNow":2818,"familyHeld":false,"lastTransferNominal":false,"permits":[{"number":"827149","date":"2017-10-26","work":"Demolition","type":"BP_DEMO","description":"DEMOLITION PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2018-04-05","scope":"INTERIOR DEMOLITION OF ALL EXISTING NON-BEARING WALLS AND MATERIALS, NEW PARTITION FRAMING THROUGHOUT WITH NEW SHEETROCK, KITCHEN AND BATHROOMS."},{"number":"834967","date":"2017-11-28","work":"Electrical","type":"EP_ELECTRL","description":"ELECTRICAL PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2018-08-09","scope":"INSTALL 100AMP SERVICE COMPLETE WITH METER, PANEL & GROUNDING, WIRE SWITCHES, LIGHTS, RECEPT & SMOKE/CO DETECTORS AS PER 2008 NEC(SOUTH DISTRICT)"},{"number":"855765","date":"2018-03-13","work":"Mechanical","type":"BP_MECH","description":"MECHANICAL PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2018-07-25","scope":"INSTALL 1 HVAC UNIT WITH DUCTWORK (SFD)"},{"number":"856435","date":"2018-03-22","work":"Major alteration","type":"BP_ALTER","description":"ALTERATION PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2019-01-23","scope":"FOR THE INSTALLATION OF TWO (2) INTERIOR STAIRCASES WITH STRUCTURAL REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF DAMAGED FLOOR JOISTS IN AN EXISTING SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING AS PER PLAN, ** NO OTHER CONSTRUCTION WORK PERMITTED IN THIS PERMIT **"},{"number":"866734","date":"2018-04-11","work":"Plumbing","type":"PP_PLUMBNG","description":"PLUMBING PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2018-07-25","scope":"2-TOILETS, 2-LAVS, 1-TUB, 1-KITCHEN, 1-DISPOSAL, 1WASHING MACHINE, THE INSTALLATION WILL COMPLY WITH THE PHILADELPHIA PLUMBING CODE 2004"},{"number":"951620","date":"2019-02-22","work":"Plumbing","type":"PP_PLUMBNG","description":"PLUMBING PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2019-03-04","scope":"CURB TRAP & FAI PA20190530591 \"SELF-CERTIFICATION'S ARE NO LONGER PERMITTED\" - \"ALL EXCAVATIONS AND PLUMBING TRENCHES IN EXCESS OF 5 FEET IN DEPTH MUST HAVE APPROVED SHORING IN PLACE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION\""},{"number":"GM-2022-003506","date":"2022-04-27","work":"Interior Non-Load-Bearing Wall Demo.","type":"General Permit Minor","description":"General Permit Minor","status":"Expired","completedDate":"2023-07-17","scope":"For minor construction work at the subject property in accordance with all applicable provisions of the Philadelphia Code, all references codes and standards, and the attached EZ Standard, where included. Deviation from this standard shall result in permit revocation. A separate permit from the Philadelphia Department of Streets is required for any sidewalk and street closures. All means of pedestrian protection required at the site in accordance with the Philadelphia Building Code Chapter 33 shall be in place prior to start of work."},{"number":"PP-2022-006695","date":"2022-04-28","work":"Alterations","type":"Plumbing","description":"Plumbing Permit","status":"Expired","completedDate":"2023-07-19","scope":"Tub to shower conversion replacement with new valves, fixture, acrylic wall surrounding. Connecting to the existing water line and drain in the same location or within 2 ft. AS PER PPC 2018"}],"storyTag":"Renovated & sold on","storyDelta":0.98,"timeline":[{"y":2017,"k":"viol","w":"3 L&I violations"},{"y":2017,"k":"insp","w":"Inspection failed"},{"y":2017,"k":"sale","p":199000},{"y":2017,"k":"permit","w":"Demolition"},{"y":2017,"k":"permit","w":"Electrical"},{"y":2018,"k":"permit","w":"Mechanical"},{"y":2018,"k":"permit","w":"Major alteration"},{"y":2018,"k":"permit","w":"Plumbing"},{"y":2018,"k":"sale","p":395000},{"y":2019,"k":"permit","w":"Plumbing"},{"y":2022,"k":"permit","w":"Interior Non-Load-Bearing Wall Demo."},{"y":2022,"k":"permit","w":"Alterations"}],"rented":false,"licenses":[],"licenseActivity":[],"businessLicenseSourceDate":"2026-07-30","signals":[],"legalChecks":[{"id":"permit-status","level":"attention","title":"A permit row needs file-level verification","finding":"2 permits not marked completed: GM-2022-003506 (Expired), PP-2022-006695 (Expired). At least one row also carries a completion date, so the City fields conflict.","why":"Issued work is not the same as approved final work. L&I uses final inspections and required certifications to close construction permits; expired, withdrawn, and completed are different City statuses.","action":"Open the permit file and confirm final inspections, holds, and any resulting occupancy certificate.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/inspections-by-permit-type/"},{"id":"violations","level":"attention","title":"An unsafe-building history still deserves the repair file","finding":"The fetched record shows 0 open and 5 historical violations across 2 cases.","why":"The aggregate currently shows zero open violations, so a historical unsafe/imminently-dangerous row is not a current hazard finding. The repair or demolition permit, final inspection, and case closure are the evidence that resolves the former designation.","action":"Review the Make Safe/repair permit, final inspection, and case closure.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/inspections/violation-and-order-types/"},{"id":"investigations","level":"verify","title":"Failed inspections are dated events—not the current condition","finding":"2 failed, 1 passed, and 1 CLOSED investigation outcome are in the fetched history; the latest dated visit was CLOSED on Dec 6, 2017.","why":"A PASSED or FAILED value applies to that inspection visit. CLOSED is a separate source status; none of the three alone proves the parent permit or violation case closed—or describes today’s condition.","action":"Open the parent case/permit for each material failure and confirm its later disposition.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/inspections-by-permit-type/"},{"id":"abatement","level":"verify","title":"A reduced taxable assessment is not a verified abatement","finding":"OPA’s numeric assessment fields show a reduced taxable assessment; BlockReport has no official program determination for this parcel.","why":"The numeric treatment can reflect an improvement abatement or another exemption. It does not identify the ordinance, approval, start or end date, or continuation requirements after a transfer. Once OPA verifies a specific active abatement, many common programs attach the benefit to the property for the remaining term rather than ending automatically at sale, but some require a new-owner filing and continued qualifying use or tax compliance.","action":"Obtain the OPA exemption/abatement determination and history, then underwrite the buyer’s bill from the verified program terms.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/services/payments-assistance-taxes/taxes/property-and-real-estate-taxes/get-real-estate-tax-relief/get-a-property-tax-abatement/"}],"closingChecks":[{"title":"Property Sales Certification","body":"The seller must obtain Philadelphia’s certificate showing the base zoning, last use in the zoning record, and open violations. The City warns that it does not prove Building Code occupancy or show zoning overlays.","action":"Obtain the fresh certificate and compare it with the CO, permits, and Atlas overlays.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/services/permits-violations-licenses/get-a-certificate/get-a-property-sales-certification/"},{"title":"Date-effective City Property Payoff","body":"The Tax Center Property Payoff covers Real Estate Tax, Commercial Trash, and L&I abatement-work invoices. Philadelphia says it does not include business-tax debts or liens, water and sewer charges, or fines for code violations.","action":"Request the City statement effective through settlement; read every period and invoice.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/guides/philadelphia-tax-center/what-to-do/"},{"title":"Professional title and water-lien searches","body":"OPA ownership, deed summaries, and a zero tax balance are not clear title. Mortgages, judgments, municipal claims, water liens, easements, heirs, and other encumbrances require separate searches.","action":"Use a Pennsylvania lawyer/title company and obtain owner’s title insurance; order the separate water search/payoff.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/2026-04-07-why-title-insurance-is-your-best-friend-when-buying-a-home-in-philadelphia/","secondaryUrl":"https://www.phila.gov/services/water-gas-utilities/pay-or-dispute-a-water-bill/resolve-water-liens-judgments/"},{"title":"Seller-specific tax relief is not the buyer’s bill","body":"LOOP and low-income or senior Real Estate Tax freezes depend on the qualifying owner and continued program eligibility; a buyer cannot assume the seller’s capped or frozen bill continues. A separately verified property abatement often remains with the property for its remaining term, but program-specific new-owner filing, use, and tax-compliance conditions still must be confirmed—not inferred from the reduced assessment alone.","action":"Have Revenue or OPA identify every current benefit, model the buyer’s bill without seller-specific relief, and confirm any verified abatement in writing.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/services/payments-assistance-taxes/payment-plans-and-assistance-programs/income-based-programs-for-residents/apply-for-the-longtime-owner-occupants-program-loop/","secondaryUrl":"https://www.phila.gov/services/payments-assistance-taxes/taxes/property-and-real-estate-taxes/get-real-estate-tax-relief/tax-freeze/"},{"title":"Seller disclosure and independent inspections","body":"For a covered Pennsylvania residential transfer, obtain the statutory seller disclosure. It reports the seller’s knowledge; it is not a warranty, title search, code review, or substitute for inspections. Because OPA dates this building before 1978, separately obtain the required federal/City lead disclosures and any test results.","action":"Have the agreement and disclosure reviewed for this transaction’s coverage and exceptions.","url":"https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/department-and-offices/bpoa/boards-commissions/real-estate-commission"}]}