{"asOf":"2026-07-29T08:38:39.299Z","block":"1200-1299 S 53RD ST","blockUrl":"https://philadelphia.blockreport.homes/block/1200-1299-s-53rd-st","address":"1236 S 53RD ST","parcelNumber":"511231100","source":"https://property.phila.gov/?p=511231100","ownerType":"owner-occupied","kind":"house","isHouse":true,"home":true,"commercial":false,"residential":true,"taxExempt":false,"institutional":false,"buildingCode":"H30","buildingCodeNew":"32","buildingClass":"SEMI/DET 2 STY MASONRY","buildingClassNew":"TWIN CONVENTIONAL","useLabel":"House","owner":"PONGAN LAUREN","coOwner":null,"marketValue":288100,"landAssessment":57600,"improvementAssessment":230500,"livableArea":1470,"yearBuilt":1917,"lastSale":{"price":385000,"date":"2021-12-16T05:00:00Z"},"openViolations":0,"violations":[],"violationCases":[],"investigations":[],"taxOwed":0,"taxSnapshot":{"available":true,"asOf":"2022-06","matched":false},"taxDelinquencySnapshotAsOf":"2022-06","taxDelinquencySnapshotAvailable":true,"lat":39.94189881404896,"lng":-75.2233760214915,"geom":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[-75.223246813,39.941953451],[-75.223459588,39.94180455],[-75.223505484,39.941843088],[-75.223294016,39.941992902],[-75.223246813,39.941953451]]]},"liDistrict":"SOUTH","certifications":[],"cityRecordAvailability":{"violations":true,"investigations":true,"appeals":true,"certifications":true,"permits":true,"licenses":true},"zip":"19143","beds":4,"baths":1,"stories":2,"lotArea":1572,"zoning":"RSA3","grade":"C","basement":"A","heater":"A","centralAir":true,"extCond":"4","intCond":"3","garage":null,"homestead":true,"mail":"1236 S 53RD ST, PHILADELPHIA PA, 19143","mailOut":false,"appeals":[],"taxYears":[],"taxNet":0,"taxLien":false,"taxLedgerThrough":2016,"taxLedgerAvailable":true,"timesSold":2,"abated":false,"assessmentExemption":false,"exemptionBasisVerified":false,"valueSeries":[{"y":2016,"v":62500,"taxable":62500,"land":7389,"improvement":55111,"taxableLand":7389,"taxableImprovement":55111,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2017,"v":62500,"taxable":62500,"land":9375,"improvement":53125,"taxableLand":9375,"taxableImprovement":53125,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2018,"v":62500,"taxable":62500,"land":9375,"improvement":53125,"taxableLand":9375,"taxableImprovement":53125,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2019,"v":74600,"taxable":74600,"land":11190,"improvement":63410,"taxableLand":11190,"taxableImprovement":63410,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2020,"v":80800,"taxable":80800,"land":12120,"improvement":68680,"taxableLand":12120,"taxableImprovement":68680,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2021,"v":80800,"taxable":80800,"land":12120,"improvement":68680,"taxableLand":12120,"taxableImprovement":68680,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2022,"v":80800,"taxable":80800,"land":12120,"improvement":68680,"taxableLand":12120,"taxableImprovement":68680,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2023,"v":138700,"taxable":58700,"land":27740,"improvement":110960,"taxableLand":27740,"taxableImprovement":30960,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":80000},{"y":2024,"v":138700,"taxable":58700,"land":27740,"improvement":110960,"taxableLand":27740,"taxableImprovement":30960,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":80000},{"y":2025,"v":288100,"taxable":188100,"land":57620,"improvement":230480,"taxableLand":57620,"taxableImprovement":130480,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":100000},{"y":2026,"v":288100,"taxable":188100,"land":57620,"improvement":230480,"taxableLand":57620,"taxableImprovement":130480,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":100000},{"y":2027,"v":288100,"taxable":188100,"land":57600,"improvement":230500,"taxableLand":57600,"taxableImprovement":130500,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":100000}],"taxNow":2633,"familyHeld":false,"lastTransferNominal":false,"permits":[{"number":"904556","date":"2018-08-23","work":"Plumbing","type":"PP_PLUMBNG","description":"PLUMBING PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2018-08-24","scope":"REPLACE CURB TRAP AND FAI-PA1#20182344425-\"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":"1036739","date":"2020-01-24","work":"Plumbing","type":"PP_PLUMBNG","description":"PLUMBING PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2020-01-28","scope":"REPLACE CURB TRAP AND FAI-PA1#20193441884-\"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":"EP-2021-002195","date":"2021-03-08","work":"Addition and/or Alteration","type":"Electrical","description":"Electrical Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2021-11-10","scope":"Fishing old-work full rewire with all new outlets, switches, circuit breakers, smoke & co2 detectors as per newest NEC."},{"number":"RP-2021-011021","date":"2021-07-21","work":"Addition and/or Alteration","type":"Residential Building","description":"Residential Building Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2021-11-10","scope":"EZ PERMIT STANDARDS 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). ANY WORK/ALTERATIONS TO THE BASEMENT/CELLAR IS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED UNLESS DOCUMENTED AS AN EXISTING HABITABLE SPACE WITH HEIGHTS AND MEANS OF EGRESS PER CONDITIONS OF THE EZ STANDARD. Separate permits required for Mechanical, Electric and Plumbing, ETC. RSA-3 single family proposed renovation to comply with ez permit alterations standards. Engineers letter provided. No exterior work or work on load bearing walls. Engineer report shows picture in basement but cannot determine if it has code compliant heights and egress. Field inspector to determine if alterations to the basement are approved. Interior Demo throughout. Drywall and insulation. Hardwood floors. Windows and exterior doors. Kitchen. Electric and plumbing permits required."},{"number":"PP-2021-013181","date":"2021-07-22","work":"Alterations","type":"Plumbing","description":"Plumbing Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2021-11-10","scope":"1WC 1bt 1lav 1ks"},{"number":"MP-2021-005034","date":"2021-09-14","work":"Addition and/or Alterations","type":"Mechanical","description":"Mechanical / Fuel Gas Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2021-11-10","scope":"EZ PERMIT DUCTWORK & WARM-AIR APPLIANCES - For the installation of New Ductwork, Registers/Grilles/Diffusers, and Warm-Air Appliances as per attached standards. Deviations from these standards require submission of construction and site plans. EACH HVAC UNIT TO BE SELF-CONTAINED WITHIN EACH DWELLING UNIT. NO PENETRATIONS OF RATED ASSEMBLIES. (Ductwork Air Handler 3 ton AC 3 ton 13 SEER On the ground in the back of the house)."}],"storyTag":"Renovated & sold on","storyDelta":4.92,"timeline":[{"y":2011,"k":"sale","p":65000},{"y":2018,"k":"permit","w":"Plumbing"},{"y":2020,"k":"permit","w":"Plumbing"},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alteration"},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alteration"},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"Alterations"},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alterations"},{"y":2021,"k":"sale","p":385000}],"rented":false,"licenses":[{"number":"841601","type":"Rental","status":"Inactive","businessName":"Megan Gibson","legalName":"Megan Gibson","address":"1236 S 53RD ST","revenueCode":"3202","rentalCategory":"Residential Dwellings","units":1,"issuedDate":"2020-05-01","latestIssueDate":"2020-05-01","expirationDate":"2021-04-30","inactiveDate":"2021-06-29"}],"licenseActivity":[{"number":"841601","type":"Rental","businessName":"Megan Gibson","legalName":"Megan Gibson","issuedDate":"2020-05-01","latestIssueDate":"2020-05-01","closureDate":"2021-06-29","expirationDate":"2021-04-30","inactiveDate":"2021-06-29","status":"Inactive","statusLabel":"Inactive","active":false}],"businessLicenseSourceDate":"2026-07-28","signals":[{"kind":"post-purchase-work","level":"elevated","title":"Post-purchase work pattern","summary":"A recorded purchase followed by 4 permit events matches the early part of a renovate-and-resell sequence.","evidence":["purchase recorded in 2021","permit activity in 2021"],"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 108% in 2025, but no matching permit appears in the property timeline.","evidence":["assessment moved from $138,700 to $288,100","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":"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"}]}