{"asOf":"2026-07-24T20:41:19.649Z","block":"700-799 JOHNSTON ST","blockUrl":"https://philadelphia.blockreport.homes/block/700-799-johnston-st","address":"720 JOHNSTON ST","parcelNumber":"395041300","source":"https://property.phila.gov/?p=395041300","ownerType":"owner-occupied","kind":"house","isHouse":true,"home":true,"commercial":false,"residential":true,"taxExempt":false,"institutional":false,"buildingCode":"O30","buildingCodeNew":"23","buildingClass":"ROW 2 STY MASONRY","buildingClassNew":"ROW POST WAR","useLabel":"House","owner":"ZHONG JIANWEN","coOwner":"LING JIAN QUN","marketValue":330000,"landAssessment":66000,"improvementAssessment":264000,"livableArea":1116,"yearBuilt":1960,"lastSale":{"price":300000,"date":"2017-06-14T04:00:00Z"},"openViolations":0,"violations":[],"violationCases":[],"investigations":[],"taxOwed":0,"taxSnapshot":{"available":true,"asOf":"2022-06","matched":false},"taxDelinquencySnapshotAsOf":"2022-06","taxDelinquencySnapshotAvailable":true,"lat":39.913923882894814,"lng":-75.16087513420652,"geom":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[-75.160857945,39.913847211],[-75.160861519,39.913830914],[-75.160928016,39.913839363],[-75.160888546,39.914016661],[-75.160821758,39.914008109],[-75.160857945,39.913847211]]]},"liDistrict":"SOUTH","certifications":[],"cityRecordAvailability":{"violations":true,"investigations":true,"appeals":true,"certifications":true,"permits":true,"licenses":true},"zip":"19148","beds":3,"baths":1,"stories":2,"lotArea":1280,"zoning":"RSA5","grade":"C","basement":"A","heater":"A","centralAir":true,"extCond":"4","intCond":"3","garage":null,"homestead":true,"mail":"720 JOHNSTON ST, PHILADELPHIA PA, 19148","mailOut":false,"appeals":[],"taxYears":[{"year":2016,"total":431.2,"principal":312.29,"interest":4.68,"penalty":3.12}],"taxNet":431.2,"taxLien":true,"taxLedgerThrough":2016,"taxLedgerAvailable":true,"timesSold":2,"abated":false,"assessmentExemption":false,"exemptionBasisVerified":false,"valueSeries":[{"y":2016,"v":169400,"taxable":169400,"land":24712,"improvement":144688,"taxableLand":24712,"taxableImprovement":144688,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2017,"v":169400,"taxable":169400,"land":42350,"improvement":127050,"taxableLand":42350,"taxableImprovement":127050,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2018,"v":169400,"taxable":169400,"land":42350,"improvement":127050,"taxableLand":42350,"taxableImprovement":127050,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2019,"v":269200,"taxable":229200,"land":67300,"improvement":201900,"taxableLand":67300,"taxableImprovement":161900,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":40000},{"y":2020,"v":291700,"taxable":246700,"land":69279,"improvement":222421,"taxableLand":69279,"taxableImprovement":177421,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":45000},{"y":2021,"v":250000,"taxable":205000,"land":59375,"improvement":190625,"taxableLand":59375,"taxableImprovement":145625,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":45000},{"y":2022,"v":250000,"taxable":205000,"land":59375,"improvement":190625,"taxableLand":59375,"taxableImprovement":145625,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":45000},{"y":2023,"v":265000,"taxable":185000,"land":53000,"improvement":212000,"taxableLand":53000,"taxableImprovement":132000,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":80000},{"y":2024,"v":265000,"taxable":185000,"land":53000,"improvement":212000,"taxableLand":53000,"taxableImprovement":132000,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":80000},{"y":2025,"v":381600,"taxable":281600,"land":76320,"improvement":305280,"taxableLand":76320,"taxableImprovement":205280,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":100000},{"y":2026,"v":381600,"taxable":281600,"land":76320,"improvement":305280,"taxableLand":76320,"taxableImprovement":205280,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":100000},{"y":2027,"v":330000,"taxable":230000,"land":66000,"improvement":264000,"taxableLand":66000,"taxableImprovement":164000,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":100000}],"taxNow":3942,"familyHeld":false,"lastTransferNominal":false,"permits":[{"number":"659897","date":"2015-12-22","work":"Electrical","type":"EP_ELECTRL","description":"ELECTRICAL PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":null,"scope":"INSTALL 200AMP SERV COMPLETE W/BONDING & GROUNDING, 3-GFI RECEPT, 1-OUTSIDE LIGHT, 6-DEDICATED 20AMP CKT ON ARCH FAULT BREAKER & REPLACE 7-EXISTING RECEPT W/GFI RECEPT & REPLACE 14-SWITCHES AS PER NEC 2008 SOUTH DISTRICT"},{"number":"660931","date":"2015-12-30","work":"Major alteration","type":"BP_ALTER","description":"ALTERATION PERMIT","status":"EXPIRED","completedDate":null,"scope":"INTERIOR PARTITION FRAME 2X4'S. INSULATION WALLS R-13 CEILING R 38. DRYWALL ALL WALL'S & CEILING EZ PERMIT STANDARD 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."},{"number":"660952","date":"2015-12-30","work":"Plumbing","type":"PP_PLUMBNG","description":"PLUMBING PERMIT","status":"EXPIRED","completedDate":null,"scope":"HOUSE DRAIN PA20153640212 SELF CERTIFICATION NO LONGER ACCEPTED ALL TRENCHES IN EXCESS OF 5 FT MUST HAVE APPROVED SHORING AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION.REPLACE 1 TOILET, 1 VANITY, 1 KITCHEN SINK, 1 WASHING MACHINE"},{"number":"667823","date":"2016-02-04","work":"Plumbing","type":"PP_PLUMBNG","description":"PLUMBING PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2016-02-10","scope":"INSTALL NEW 3/4\" COPPER WATER DISTRIBUTION PIPE PA1#2016-0350057 \"ALL EXCAVATIONS AND PLUMBING TRENCHES IN EXCESS OF 5 FEET IN DEPTH MUST HAVE APPROVED SHORING IN PLACE AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION\""},{"number":"692620","date":"2016-07-28","work":"Plumbing","type":"PP_PLUMBNG","description":"PLUMBING PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2017-05-01","scope":"2 WC, 2 LAV, 1 TUB, 1 KIT SINK, 1 WASHER (SFD)"},{"number":"710977","date":"2016-08-02","work":"Electrical","type":"EP_ELECTRL","description":"ELECTRICAL PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2017-05-30","scope":"COMPLETE RE-WIRE- 45- RECEPTACLES, 15- SWITCHES, 6- SMOKE DETECTORS, 18- HI-HATS, .... IN ACCORDANCE WITH 2008 NEC FOR A ONE FAMILY BUILDING"},{"number":"749016","date":"2017-01-10","work":"Mechanical","type":"BP_MECH","description":"MECHANICAL PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2017-05-01","scope":"INSTALLING NEW LENNOX 90,000 BTU, 95% EFFICIENT HEATER WITH 3 TON A/C UNIT. HEATER TO BE PLACED IN BASEMENT AND A/C TO BE PLACED IN THE BACK YARD, AND INSTALL ALL DUCTWORK THROUGHOUT HOUSE."},{"number":"754712","date":"2017-01-30","work":"Major alteration","type":"BP_ALTER","description":"ALTERATION PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2017-05-01","scope":"INTERIOR ALTERATIONS TO INCLUDE DRYWALL THROUGHOUT, MOISTURE RESISTANT DRYWALL IN THE BATHROOM AND KITCHEN, NEW WINDOWS AND DOORS IN EXISTING OPENING. APPLICANT AGREES TO LIMIT THE CONSTRUCTION TO COMPLY WITH EZ PERMIT STANDARD FOR INTERIOR ALTERATIONS, DATED JANUARY 2011. DEVIATION FROM THE STANDARD WILL RESULT IN REVOCATION OF THIS PERMIT AND IMPOSITION OF FURTHER PENALTIES. SEPARATE PERMITS REQUIRED FOR PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL WORK"},{"number":"777226","date":"2017-04-21","work":"Plumbing","type":"PP_PLUMBNG","description":"PLUMBING PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2017-04-21","scope":"5\" CURB TRAP 4\" VENT PA20171100553 \"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\""}],"storyTag":"Renovated & sold on","storyDelta":0.78,"timeline":[{"y":2015,"k":"sale","p":169000},{"y":2015,"k":"permit","w":"Electrical"},{"y":2015,"k":"permit","w":"Major alteration"},{"y":2015,"k":"permit","w":"Plumbing"},{"y":2016,"k":"permit","w":"Plumbing"},{"y":2016,"k":"permit","w":"Plumbing"},{"y":2016,"k":"permit","w":"Electrical"},{"y":2017,"k":"permit","w":"Mechanical"},{"y":2017,"k":"permit","w":"Major alteration"},{"y":2017,"k":"permit","w":"Plumbing"},{"y":2017,"k":"sale","p":300000}],"rented":false,"licenses":[],"licenseActivity":[],"businessLicenseSourceDate":"2026-07-23","signals":[{"kind":"permit-mismatch","level":"watch","title":"Assessment/permit mismatch","summary":"The assessment jumped 44% in 2025, but no matching permit appears in the property timeline.","evidence":["assessment moved from $265,000 to $381,600","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":"permit-status","level":"attention","title":"A permit row needs file-level verification","finding":"2 permits not marked completed: 660931 (EXPIRED), 660952 (EXPIRED).","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":"homestead","level":"verify","title":"Homestead is tied to owner occupancy and the deed","finding":"OPA shows the Homestead Exemption.","why":"Philadelphia limits Homestead to an owner’s primary residence. The City says a deed change can require a new application or update.","action":"A buyer should apply in their own name and not assume the seller’s benefit continues.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/documents/homestead-exemption-application/"}],"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"}]}