{"asOf":"2026-07-31T02:32:37.792Z","block":"1200-1299 MERCY ST","blockUrl":"https://philadelphia.blockreport.homes/block/1200-1299-mercy-st","address":"1242 MERCY ST","parcelNumber":"394271000","source":"https://property.phila.gov/?p=394271000","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":"LASTER NICOLE BETTY","coOwner":null,"marketValue":323600,"landAssessment":64720,"improvementAssessment":258880,"livableArea":980,"yearBuilt":1920,"lastSale":{"price":10,"date":"2026-03-04T05:00:00Z"},"openViolations":0,"violations":[{"number":"VI-2021-068373","date":"2021-09-14","code":"9-3905","title":"VACANT STRUCTURE LICENSE","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2022-09-02","resolution":"COMPLIED - PERMIT OBTAINED","latestInvestigationDate":"2022-09-02","underAppeal":false,"noticeUrl":null},{"number":"VI-2021-068374","date":"2021-09-14","code":"PM15-301","title":"VACANT STRUCTURE & LAND","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2022-09-02","resolution":"COMPLIED - OWNER REPAIR","latestInvestigationDate":"2022-09-02","underAppeal":false,"noticeUrl":null},{"number":"VI-2022-014567","date":"2022-03-04","code":"A-301.1/50","title":"NEW ELECTRICAL WIRING","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2022-04-11","resolution":"COMPLIED - PERMIT OBTAINED","latestInvestigationDate":"2022-04-29","underAppeal":false,"noticeUrl":null},{"number":"VI-2022-014566","date":"2022-03-04","code":"A-301.1/4","title":"ALTER INTERIOR PORTION","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2022-04-11","resolution":"COMPLIED - PERMIT OBTAINED","latestInvestigationDate":"2022-04-29","underAppeal":false,"noticeUrl":null}],"violationCases":[{"number":"CF-2021-095145","type":"NOTICE OF VIOLATION","priority":"STANDARD","responsibility":"PROPERTY MAINTENANCE INVESTIGATOR","status":"CLOSED","createdDate":"2021-09-29","completedDate":"2022-09-02","noticeUrl":null,"violations":[{"number":"VI-2021-068373","date":"2021-09-14","code":"9-3905","title":"VACANT STRUCTURE LICENSE","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2022-09-02","resolution":"COMPLIED - PERMIT OBTAINED","latestInvestigationDate":"2022-09-02","underAppeal":false,"noticeUrl":null},{"number":"VI-2021-068374","date":"2021-09-14","code":"PM15-301","title":"VACANT STRUCTURE & LAND","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2022-09-02","resolution":"COMPLIED - OWNER REPAIR","latestInvestigationDate":"2022-09-02","underAppeal":false,"noticeUrl":null}]},{"number":"CF-2022-017789","type":"NOTICE OF VIOLATION","priority":"STANDARD","responsibility":"BUILDING INVESTIGATOR","status":"CLOSED","createdDate":"2022-03-04","completedDate":"2022-04-29","noticeUrl":null,"violations":[{"number":"VI-2022-014567","date":"2022-03-04","code":"A-301.1/50","title":"NEW ELECTRICAL WIRING","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2022-04-11","resolution":"COMPLIED - PERMIT OBTAINED","latestInvestigationDate":"2022-04-29","underAppeal":false,"noticeUrl":null},{"number":"VI-2022-014566","date":"2022-03-04","code":"A-301.1/4","title":"ALTER INTERIOR PORTION","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2022-04-11","resolution":"COMPLIED - PERMIT OBTAINED","latestInvestigationDate":"2022-04-29","underAppeal":false,"noticeUrl":null}]}],"violYears":[{"y":2021,"n":2,"worst":null},{"y":2022,"n":2,"worst":null}],"investigations":[{"caseNumber":"CF-2021-095145","date":"2021-09-29","type":null,"status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2021-095145","date":"2021-11-29","type":null,"status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2022-017789","date":"2022-03-04","type":null,"status":"FAILED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2022-017789","date":"2022-04-29","type":null,"status":"PASSED"},{"caseNumber":"CF-2021-095145","date":"2022-09-02","type":null,"status":"PASSED"}],"inspYears":[{"y":2021,"fails":2,"passes":0},{"y":2022,"fails":1,"passes":2}],"taxOwed":0,"taxSnapshot":{"available":true,"asOf":"2022-06","matched":false},"taxDelinquencySnapshotAsOf":"2022-06","taxDelinquencySnapshotAvailable":true,"lat":39.92439961859059,"lng":-75.16714629527524,"geom":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[-75.167108251,39.924460881],[-75.167133618,39.924331623],[-75.167184491,39.924338879],[-75.167158835,39.924467453],[-75.167108251,39.924460881]]]},"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":"C","heater":"A","centralAir":true,"extCond":"4","intCond":"2","garage":null,"homestead":false,"mail":"1242 MERCY ST, PHILADELPHIA PA, 19148","mailOut":false,"appeals":[],"taxYears":[],"taxNet":0,"taxLien":false,"taxLedgerThrough":2016,"taxLedgerAvailable":true,"timesSold":2,"abated":false,"assessmentExemption":false,"exemptionBasisVerified":false,"valueSeries":[{"y":2016,"v":175200,"taxable":96600,"land":12768,"improvement":162432,"taxableLand":12768,"taxableImprovement":83832,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":78600},{"y":2017,"v":175200,"taxable":96600,"land":40121,"improvement":135079,"taxableLand":40121,"taxableImprovement":56479,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":78600},{"y":2018,"v":175200,"taxable":96600,"land":40121,"improvement":135079,"taxableLand":40121,"taxableImprovement":56479,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":78600},{"y":2019,"v":225200,"taxable":96600,"land":51571,"improvement":173629,"taxableLand":51571,"taxableImprovement":45029,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":128600},{"y":2020,"v":244000,"taxable":96600,"land":55876,"improvement":188124,"taxableLand":55876,"taxableImprovement":40724,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":147400},{"y":2021,"v":244000,"taxable":96600,"land":55876,"improvement":188124,"taxableLand":55876,"taxableImprovement":40724,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":147400},{"y":2022,"v":244000,"taxable":96600,"land":55876,"improvement":188124,"taxableLand":55876,"taxableImprovement":40724,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":147400},{"y":2023,"v":266000,"taxable":266000,"land":53200,"improvement":212800,"taxableLand":53200,"taxableImprovement":212800,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2024,"v":266000,"taxable":266000,"land":53200,"improvement":212800,"taxableLand":53200,"taxableImprovement":212800,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2025,"v":428100,"taxable":428100,"land":85620,"improvement":342480,"taxableLand":85620,"taxableImprovement":342480,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2026,"v":428100,"taxable":428100,"land":85620,"improvement":342480,"taxableLand":85620,"taxableImprovement":342480,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2027,"v":323600,"taxable":323600,"land":64720,"improvement":258880,"taxableLand":64720,"taxableImprovement":258880,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0}],"taxNow":5993,"familyHeld":true,"lastTransferNominal":true,"permits":[{"number":"RP-2022-001373","date":"2022-03-04","work":"Addition and/or Alteration","type":"Residential Building","description":"Residential Building Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2022-05-27","scope":"EZ PERMIT STADARDS ALTERATIONS- For alterations to an Existing One Family Dwelling as per attached standard. Deviations from this standard will result in permit revocation and require submission of construction plans. STRUCTURAL ALTERATION OR REPAIR IS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED UNDER THIS PERMIT. PROHIBITED STRUCTURAL WORK INCLUDES ANY MODIFICATION TO EXTERIOR WALLS, PARTY WALLS, FLOOR/ROOF FRAMING OR FOUNDATIONS; UNDERPINNING AND EXCAVATIONS (I.E. DIGGING IN BASEMENT). NO WORK PERMITED IN THE BASEMENT as per Engineer report."},{"number":"EP-2022-002964","date":"2022-03-25","work":"Addition and/or Alteration","type":"Electrical","description":"Electrical Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2022-05-12","scope":"Rewire with 100 amp panel upgrade. Outlets, switches, lights and smoke detectors as per 2014 nec"},{"number":"PP-2022-005800","date":"2022-04-13","work":"Alterations","type":"Plumbing","description":"Plumbing Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2022-05-27","scope":"Toilet, vanity, tub, laundry, kitchen sink and main drain IN BASEMENT- interior plumbing"}],"storyTag":"Improved","storyDelta":0.25,"timeline":[{"y":2021,"k":"viol","w":"2 L&I violations"},{"y":2021,"k":"insp","w":"Inspection failed ×2"},{"y":2021,"k":"sale","p":204000},{"y":2022,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alteration"},{"y":2022,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alteration"},{"y":2022,"k":"permit","w":"Alterations"},{"y":2022,"k":"viol","w":"2 L&I violations"},{"y":2022,"k":"insp","w":"L&I: 1 failed, 2 passed"},{"y":2022,"k":"sale","p":255000}],"rented":false,"licenses":[],"licenseActivity":[],"businessLicenseSourceDate":"2026-07-30","signals":[{"kind":"post-purchase-work","level":"elevated","title":"Post-purchase work pattern","summary":"A recorded purchase followed by 3 permit events matches the early part of a renovate-and-resell sequence.","evidence":["purchase recorded in 2022","permit activity in 2022"],"caveat":"This does not show that the property is listed or that a sale is planned."},{"kind":"permit-mismatch","level":"watch","title":"Assessment/permit mismatch","summary":"The assessment jumped 61% in 2025, but no matching permit appears in the property timeline.","evidence":["assessment moved from $266,000 to $428,100","no permit shown in 2024-2026"],"caveat":"Not proof of unpermitted work; reassessment, corrected data, or a permit under another parcel can also explain it."}],"legalChecks":[{"id":"investigations","level":"verify","title":"Failed inspections are dated events—not the current condition","finding":"3 failed, 2 passed, and 0 CLOSED investigation outcomes are in the fetched history; the latest dated visit was PASSED on Sep 2, 2022.","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":"deed-chain","level":"verify","title":"The latest nominal transfer is not a market sale—or a title opinion","finding":"The latest deed in the assembled record moved for nominal consideration and appears related-party/family-held.","why":"A $1 or nominal deed can be a valid family, estate, or entity transfer. It does not establish a sale price, clear title, or by itself prove a tangled title.","action":"Read the recorded deed and have the title search confirm every grantor, grantee, estate/probate step, lien, and authority to sell.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/services/property-lots-housing/get-a-copy-of-a-deed-or-other-recorded-document/"},{"id":"violations","level":"clear","title":"No open violation; closed history remains relevant","finding":"The fetched record shows 0 open and 4 historical violations across 2 cases.","why":"A closed case is materially better than an open one, but it does not by itself prove that every altered use, unit, or concealed condition matches today’s approvals.","action":"Use the closed cases to target the inspection and occupancy-file review.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/inspections/violation-and-order-types/"}],"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"}]}