{"asOf":"2026-07-25T14:22:06.987Z","block":"7900-7999 CASTOR AVE","blockUrl":"https://philadelphia.blockreport.homes/block/7900-7999-castor-ave","address":"7956 CASTOR AVE","parcelNumber":"561209000","source":"https://property.phila.gov/?p=561209000","ownerType":"owner-occupied","kind":"house","isHouse":true,"home":true,"commercial":false,"residential":true,"taxExempt":false,"institutional":false,"buildingCode":"B30","buildingCodeNew":"07","buildingClass":"DET W/GAR 2 STY MASONRY","buildingClassNew":"CONVENTIONAL","useLabel":"House","owner":"DONG SHISONG","coOwner":null,"marketValue":415400,"landAssessment":83080,"improvementAssessment":332320,"livableArea":1852,"yearBuilt":1925,"lastSale":{"price":430000,"date":"2022-04-29T04:00:00Z"},"openViolations":1,"violations":[{"number":"644608","date":"2007-08-03","code":"14-1704/10","title":"NON-REGULATED LACKS PERMIT","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null},{"number":"703161","date":"2007-10-12","code":"14-1704/10","title":"NON-REGULATED LACKS PERMIT","status":"COMPEXCP","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null},{"number":"703160","date":"2007-10-12","code":"19-2602.4/1","title":"CAL PROHIBITED CONDUCT","status":"COMPEXCP","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null},{"number":"927402","date":"2008-04-29","code":"CP-312A","title":"HIGH WEEDS-CUT","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null},{"number":"927401","date":"2008-04-29","code":"CP-01","title":"CLIP VIOLATION NOTICE","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":null,"resolution":null},{"number":"VI-2022-032972","date":"2022-05-12","code":"PM15-302.4","title":"EXTERIOR AREA WEEDS","status":"COMPLIED","resolutionDate":"2022-05-27","resolution":"COMPLIED - 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I WAS ATTEMPTING TO HOLD A \"YARD SALE\" ON MY PROPERTY, WHEN L&I SHUT ME DOWN. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO SECURE A PERMIT FOR A \"YARD SALE\" AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY L&I \"THAT THERE IS NO SUCH PERM","status":"OPEN","outcome":"City affirmed","date":"2008-07-02","number":"3898","relatedPermit":null},{"type":"RB_LIRB","grounds":"I DO NOT HAVE A BUSINESS PRIVILEGE LICENSE OR REGISTRATION AND ZONING CERTIFICATE.  I WAS NOT INFORMED SUCH A DOCUMENT WAS NECESSARY FOR A YARD SALE.","status":"OPEN","outcome":"City affirmed","date":"2008-07-02","number":"3899","relatedPermit":"131089"},{"type":"Zoning board appeal","grounds":"PERMIT FOR THE COMPLETE DEMOLITION OF ALL STRUCTURES ON THE LOT FOR THE RELOCATION OF LOT LINES TO CREATE ONE LOT FROM THREE DEEDED LOTS EXISTING IN TWO(2) OPA ACCOUNT NUMBERS(7956, 7968 CASTOR), FOR THE ERECTION OF A DETACHED STRUCTURE , F","status":"OPEN","outcome":"Withdrawn","date":"2018-08-08","number":"33896","relatedPermit":"855905"},{"type":"ZBA Permit Denial - Variance","grounds":"PERMIT FOR A LOT CONSOLIDATION TO CREATE ONE (1) LOT (PARCEL “A”) FROM TWO (2) DEEDED LOTS (7956 AND 7968 CASTOR AVE.), AND FOR THE ERECTION OF A DETACHED STRUCTURE, FOR USE AS A MULTI-FAMILY HOUSEHOLD LIVING (TWENTY (20) DWELLING UNITS) WI","status":"Closed","outcome":"Withdrawn","date":"2023-09-18","number":"39224","relatedPermit":"984531"}],"taxYears":[],"taxNet":0,"taxLien":false,"taxLedgerThrough":2016,"taxLedgerAvailable":true,"timesSold":3,"abated":false,"assessmentExemption":false,"exemptionBasisVerified":false,"valueSeries":[{"y":2016,"v":231400,"taxable":201400,"land":77250,"improvement":154150,"taxableLand":77250,"taxableImprovement":124150,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":30000},{"y":2017,"v":231400,"taxable":201400,"land":43503,"improvement":187897,"taxableLand":43503,"taxableImprovement":157897,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":30000},{"y":2018,"v":231400,"taxable":201400,"land":43503,"improvement":187897,"taxableLand":43503,"taxableImprovement":157897,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":30000},{"y":2019,"v":241400,"taxable":241400,"land":45383,"improvement":196017,"taxableLand":45383,"taxableImprovement":196017,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2020,"v":249300,"taxable":249300,"land":46868,"improvement":202432,"taxableLand":46868,"taxableImprovement":202432,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2021,"v":249300,"taxable":249300,"land":46868,"improvement":202432,"taxableLand":46868,"taxableImprovement":202432,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2022,"v":249300,"taxable":249300,"land":46868,"improvement":202432,"taxableLand":46868,"taxableImprovement":202432,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2023,"v":324500,"taxable":324500,"land":64900,"improvement":259600,"taxableLand":64900,"taxableImprovement":259600,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2024,"v":324500,"taxable":324500,"land":64900,"improvement":259600,"taxableLand":64900,"taxableImprovement":259600,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2025,"v":381800,"taxable":381800,"land":76360,"improvement":305440,"taxableLand":76360,"taxableImprovement":305440,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2026,"v":381800,"taxable":381800,"land":76360,"improvement":305440,"taxableLand":76360,"taxableImprovement":305440,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0},{"y":2027,"v":415400,"taxable":415400,"land":83080,"improvement":332320,"taxableLand":83080,"taxableImprovement":332320,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":0}],"taxNow":5344,"familyHeld":false,"lastTransferNominal":false,"permits":[{"number":"ZP-2026-001056","date":"2026-02-13","work":"Lot Line Relocation","type":"Zoning","description":"Zoning Permit","status":"Issued","completedDate":null,"scope":"For a lot adjustment of two (2) deeded lots with two premises (Premise \"A\" known as: 7956 Castor Ave & Premise \"B\" known as: 7968 Castor Ave) into two (2) proposed lots (Parcel \"A\" and Parcel \"B\"). Size and location as shown in plan."}],"storyTag":"Improved","storyDelta":1.97,"timeline":[{"y":2008,"k":"insp","w":"Inspection passed"},{"y":2017,"k":"sale","p":310000},{"y":2018,"k":"appeal","w":"Appeal withdrawn"},{"y":2022,"k":"sale","p":430000},{"y":2022,"k":"viol","w":"L&I violation"},{"y":2022,"k":"insp","w":"L&I: 1 failed, 1 passed"},{"y":2023,"k":"viol","w":"L&I violation"},{"y":2023,"k":"insp","w":"L&I: 1 failed, 1 passed"},{"y":2023,"k":"appeal","w":"Appeal withdrawn"},{"y":2026,"k":"permit","w":"Lot Line Relocation"},{"y":2026,"k":"viol","w":"L&I violation"},{"y":2026,"k":"insp","w":"Inspection failed ×3"}],"rented":false,"licenses":[],"licenseActivity":[],"businessLicenseSourceDate":"2026-07-24","signals":[{"kind":"record-pressure","level":"watch","title":"Records to verify together","summary":"More than one separately dated public record deserves a current-status check.","evidence":["1 open L&I violation","failed L&I inspection activity in 2026"],"caveat":"A screening signal, not a foreclosure prediction. Tax entries are historical and must be verified with Philadelphia Revenue."},{"kind":"post-purchase-work","level":"watch","title":"Post-purchase work pattern","summary":"A recorded purchase followed by 1 permit event matches the early part of a renovate-and-resell sequence.","evidence":["purchase recorded in 2022","permit activity in 2026"],"caveat":"This does not show that the property is listed or that a sale is planned."}],"legalChecks":[{"id":"use-occupancy","level":"attention","title":"Zoning approval is not the occupancy file","finding":"Appeal #39224: Closed · Withdrawn; related permit 984531.","why":"Philadelphia says a zoning approval or Property Sales Certification can identify a use without proving that it was established under the Building Code. A change of use, unit count, exits, or fire rating can require a Building Permit and Certificate of Occupancy.","action":"Verify the lawful use, unit count, associated construction permits, and Certificate of Occupancy with L&I.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/services/permits-violations-licenses/get-a-certificate/get-a-certificate-of-occupancy/"},{"id":"violations","level":"attention","title":"1 open L&I violation","finding":"8 violation rows are retained in the City ledger.","why":"Open notices can accrue fees, block permits or license renewal, and move to court or collection. Standard initial notices generally have a 30-day appeal window; unsafe or imminently-dangerous notices have a much shorter window.","action":"Read the notice—not only the summary status—and confirm reinspection, fees, and appeal posture with L&I.","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":"9 failed, 5 passed, and 3 CLOSED investigation outcomes are in the fetched history; the latest dated visit was FAILED on Jun 27, 2026.","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/"}],"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"}]}