{"asOf":"2026-07-26T05:59:53.537Z","block":"200-299 S MELVILLE ST","blockUrl":"https://philadelphia.blockreport.homes/block/200-299-s-melville-st","address":"249 S MELVILLE ST","parcelNumber":"461154900","source":"https://property.phila.gov/?p=461154900","ownerType":"owner-occupied","kind":"house","isHouse":true,"home":true,"commercial":false,"residential":true,"taxExempt":false,"institutional":false,"buildingCode":"O60","buildingCodeNew":"24","buildingClass":"ROW 3.5 STY MASONRY","buildingClassNew":"ROW PORCH FRONT","useLabel":"House","owner":"FINLEY KATHRYN ROSE","coOwner":null,"marketValue":564900,"landAssessment":112980,"improvementAssessment":451920,"livableArea":2186,"yearBuilt":1915,"lastSale":{"price":700000,"date":"2021-09-29T04:00:00Z"},"openViolations":0,"violations":[],"violationCases":[],"investigations":[],"taxOwed":0,"taxSnapshot":{"available":true,"asOf":"2022-06","matched":false},"taxDelinquencySnapshotAsOf":"2022-06","taxDelinquencySnapshotAvailable":true,"lat":39.953485286061564,"lng":-75.21290858635703,"geom":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[-75.212715924,39.953483344],[-75.212725306,39.953440207],[-75.213102009,39.953487838],[-75.213093009,39.953530323],[-75.212715924,39.953483344]]]},"liDistrict":"CENTRAL WEST","certifications":[],"cityRecordAvailability":{"violations":true,"investigations":true,"appeals":true,"certifications":true,"permits":true,"licenses":true},"zip":"19139","beds":4,"baths":2,"stories":4,"lotArea":1728,"zoning":"RSA5","grade":"B-","basement":"C","heater":"B","centralAir":null,"extCond":"4","intCond":"4","garage":null,"homestead":true,"mail":"249 S MELVILLE ST, PHILADELPHIA PA, 19139","mailOut":false,"appeals":[],"taxYears":[],"taxNet":0,"taxLien":false,"taxLedgerThrough":2016,"taxLedgerAvailable":true,"timesSold":5,"abated":false,"assessmentExemption":false,"exemptionBasisVerified":false,"valueSeries":[{"y":2016,"v":305100,"taxable":305100,"land":54180,"improvement":250920,"taxableLand":54180,"taxableImprovement":250920,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2017,"v":305100,"taxable":305100,"land":45765,"improvement":259335,"taxableLand":45765,"taxableImprovement":259335,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2018,"v":305100,"taxable":305100,"land":45765,"improvement":259335,"taxableLand":45765,"taxableImprovement":259335,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2019,"v":373700,"taxable":373700,"land":56055,"improvement":317645,"taxableLand":56055,"taxableImprovement":317645,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2020,"v":388200,"taxable":343200,"land":58230,"improvement":329970,"taxableLand":58230,"taxableImprovement":284970,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":45000},{"y":2021,"v":388200,"taxable":343200,"land":58230,"improvement":329970,"taxableLand":58230,"taxableImprovement":284970,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":45000},{"y":2022,"v":388200,"taxable":343200,"land":58230,"improvement":329970,"taxableLand":58230,"taxableImprovement":284970,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":45000},{"y":2023,"v":520100,"taxable":440100,"land":104020,"improvement":416080,"taxableLand":104020,"taxableImprovement":336080,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":80000},{"y":2024,"v":520100,"taxable":440100,"land":104020,"improvement":416080,"taxableLand":104020,"taxableImprovement":336080,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":80000},{"y":2025,"v":605100,"taxable":505100,"land":121020,"improvement":484080,"taxableLand":121020,"taxableImprovement":384080,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":100000},{"y":2026,"v":605100,"taxable":505100,"land":121020,"improvement":484080,"taxableLand":121020,"taxableImprovement":384080,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":100000},{"y":2027,"v":564900,"taxable":464900,"land":112980,"improvement":451920,"taxableLand":112980,"taxableImprovement":351920,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":100000}],"taxNow":7070,"familyHeld":false,"lastTransferNominal":false,"permits":[{"number":"479086","date":"2013-06-21","work":"Alteration","type":"BP_ALTER","description":"ALTERATION PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2014-03-05","scope":"ROOF REPLACEMENT (SHINGLE/DIMENSIONAL). SFD"},{"number":"EP-2021-011357","date":"2021-10-11","work":"Addition and/or Alteration","type":"Electrical","description":"Electrical Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2022-02-11","scope":"New Circuit to be installed from upper floor subpanel for the attic, 3rd and 2nd floors, and from the basement panel for 1st floor and basement circuits. Attic 3rd floor front bedroom 3rd floor bathroom 20 amp 3rd floor rear bedroom 2nd floor front bedroom 2nd floor bathroom 20 amp 2nd floor middle pass through sitting room 2nd floor rear bedroom Hallway and general lighting circuit Living room Dining room Kitchen and 1st floor general lighting Basement lighting and interconnected smoke detector circuit(no receptacles outlets to be connected to this circuit to maintain reliability of the fire/co detection system) New Outlets to be installed 3rd floor front bedroom x 6 (rewire 3, add 3) 3rd floor bathroom x 1 GFCI 3rd floor rear bedroom x 4 (rewire 2, add 2) 3rd floor hallway x 1 2nd floor front bedroom x 5 (rewire 4, add 1) 2nd floor bathroom x 1 GFCI 2nd floor middle pass through sitting room x 3 (rewire 2, add 1. Existing AC outlet remains. Additional cost included for rewiring the solid wall outlet with surface mounted wiremold along wall. Fishing down hallway doorframe where possible) 2nd floor rear bedroom x 3 (rewire 1, add 2 for window nook, AC outlet remains) Living room x 5 (rewire 4, add 1 front right wall, existing grounded tv outlet remains) Dining room x 2 (rewire 1, add 1 side wall, existing AC outlet remains) Kitchen x 1 (rewire range hood) Front exterior (Add exterior gfci outlet location for porch) Verify furnace functionality New Light and Switch to be installed Attic replace fixture and repair lighting, rewire as needed. 3rd floor front bedroom x 2 switches for 2 ceiling locations 3rd floor bathroom x 2 for ceiling and wall location 3rd floor rear bedroom x 1 for ceiling location 3way switches from x 4 from 3rd floor to 2nd floor to control 3rd floor light and 3rd floor to 2nd floor to control the 2nd floor light. 3way switches x 4 from 1st floor to 2nd floor to control 2nd floor light and 1st floor to"},{"number":"GM-2023-009775","date":"2023-10-31","work":"Roof Covering Replacement","type":"General Permit Minor","description":"General Permit Minor","status":"Expired","completedDate":"2024-10-07","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":"GM-2023-010268","date":"2023-11-16","work":"Roof Covering Replacement","type":"General Permit Minor","description":"General Permit Minor","status":"Expired","completedDate":"2024-11-07","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."}],"storyTag":"Renovated & sold on","storyDelta":4.83,"timeline":[{"y":2000,"k":"sale","p":120000},{"y":2004,"k":"sale","p":315000},{"y":2005,"k":"sale","p":367000},{"y":2013,"k":"permit","w":"Alteration"},{"y":2015,"k":"sale","p":422000},{"y":2021,"k":"sale","p":700000},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alteration"},{"y":2023,"k":"permit","w":"Roof Covering Replacement"},{"y":2023,"k":"permit","w":"Roof Covering Replacement"}],"rented":false,"licenses":[],"licenseActivity":[],"businessLicenseSourceDate":"2026-07-25","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 2021","permit activity in 2021, 2023"],"caveat":"This does not show that the property is listed or that a sale is planned."}],"legalChecks":[{"id":"permit-status","level":"attention","title":"A permit row needs file-level verification","finding":"2 permits not marked completed: GM-2023-009775 (Expired), GM-2023-010268 (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":"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"}]}