{"asOf":"2026-07-25T01:29:42.720Z","block":"1600-1699 GERMANTOWN AVE","blockUrl":"https://philadelphia.blockreport.homes/block/1600-1699-germantown-ave","address":"1620 GERMANTOWN AVE","parcelNumber":"888000695","source":"https://property.phila.gov/?p=888000695","ownerType":"investor","kind":"house","isHouse":true,"home":true,"commercial":false,"residential":true,"taxExempt":false,"institutional":false,"buildingCode":"SR","buildingCodeNew":"43","buildingClass":"VACANT LAND RESIDE < ACRE","buildingClassNew":null,"useLabel":"House","owner":"2031 LLC","coOwner":null,"marketValue":319100,"landAssessment":31910,"improvementAssessment":287190,"livableArea":976,"yearBuilt":2022,"lastSale":{"price":595000,"date":"2022-12-09T05:00:00Z"},"openViolations":0,"violations":[],"violationCases":[],"investigations":[],"taxOwed":0,"taxSnapshot":{"available":true,"asOf":"2022-06","matched":false},"taxDelinquencySnapshotAsOf":"2022-06","taxDelinquencySnapshotAvailable":true,"lat":39.9757336234262,"lng":-75.14253175989559,"geom":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[-75.142445732,39.975726212],[-75.142606178,39.975699602],[-75.142617788,39.975741034],[-75.142457341,39.975767645],[-75.142445732,39.975726212]]]},"liDistrict":"CENTRAL EAST","certifications":[],"cityRecordAvailability":{"violations":true,"investigations":true,"appeals":true,"certifications":true,"permits":true,"licenses":true},"zip":"19122","beds":2,"baths":2,"stories":2,"lotArea":653,"zoning":"RM1","grade":null,"basement":"A","heater":"A","centralAir":true,"extCond":"1","intCond":"1","garage":null,"homestead":false,"mail":"21 FESTIVAL COURT, HOWELL NJ, 07731","mailOut":true,"appeals":[{"type":"ZBA Permit Denial - Variance","grounds":"THE RELOCATION OF LOT LINES TO CREATE TWO (2) LOTS PARCEL A AND PARCEL B FROM ONE (1) LOT. FOR THE ERECTION OF TWO ATTACHED STRUCTURES EACH WITH A ROOF DECK ACCESSED BY A PILOT HOUSE. HEIGHT NTE 38’. FOR USE AS TWO FAMILY HOUSEHOLD LIVING. ","status":"Completed","outcome":"Granted with conditions","date":"2020-10-14","number":"1033101","relatedPermit":"1033101"}],"taxYears":[],"taxNet":0,"taxLien":false,"taxLedgerThrough":2016,"taxLedgerAvailable":true,"timesSold":0,"abated":true,"assessmentExemption":true,"exemptionBasisVerified":false,"valueSeries":[{"y":2023,"v":233600,"taxable":35040,"land":35040,"improvement":198560,"taxableLand":35040,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":198560},{"y":2024,"v":233600,"taxable":35040,"land":35040,"improvement":198560,"taxableLand":35040,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":198560},{"y":2025,"v":245200,"taxable":36700,"land":36700,"improvement":208500,"taxableLand":36700,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":208500},{"y":2026,"v":245200,"taxable":36700,"land":36700,"improvement":208500,"taxableLand":36700,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":208500},{"y":2027,"v":319100,"taxable":31910,"land":31910,"improvement":287190,"taxableLand":31910,"taxableImprovement":0,"exemptLand":0,"exemptImprovement":287190}],"taxNow":514,"familyHeld":false,"lastTransferNominal":false,"permits":[{"number":"1033101","date":"2020-10-06","work":"Combined Lot Line Relocation and New Dev…","type":"Zoning","description":"Zoning Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2026-01-05","scope":"FOR A LOT ADJUSTMENT TO CREATE TWO (2) LOTS, PARCEL \"C\" AND PARCEL \"D\" FROM TWO (2) DEEDED LOTS EXISTING UNDER ONE OPA ACCOUNT (ACCT # 18-3-1605-10 / 1618-20 GERMANTOWN AVE). SIZES AND LOCATIONS AS SHOWN IN APPLICATION / PLAN."},{"number":"ZP-2020-008681","date":"2020-11-03","work":"New construction, addition, GFA change","type":"Zoning","description":"Zoning Permit","status":"Cancelled","completedDate":"2024-08-19","scope":"FOR THE ERECTION OF AN ATTACHED STRUCTURE (NTE 38 FT.) WITH ROOF DECK ACCESSED BY A ROOF DECK ACCESS STRUCTURE. SIZE AND LOCATION AS PER PLANS. FOR USE AS TWO-FAMILY HOUSEHOLD LIVING."},{"number":"ZP-2021-000499","date":"2021-01-19","work":"New construction, addition, GFA change","type":"Zoning","description":"Zoning Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2022-07-20","scope":"FOR THE ERECTION OF AN ATTACHED STRUCTURE (NTE 38 FT.) WITH ROOF DECK ACCESSED BY A ROOF DECK ACCESS STRUCTURE. SIZE AND LOCATION AS PER PLANS. FOR USE AS TWO-FAMILY HOUSEHOLD LIVING."},{"number":"RP-2021-001558","date":"2021-03-10","work":"New Construction","type":"Residential Building","description":"Residential Building Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2022-07-20","scope":"FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ATTACHED STRUCTURE WITH CELLAR AND ROOF DECK ACCESSED BY A ROOF DECK ACCESS STRUCTURE. FOR A TWO-FAMILY HOUSEHOLD LIVING. AS PER PLANS. ************ NO UNDERPINNING ON THIS APPLICATION. SEPARATE PERMITS ARE REQUIRED FOR PLUMBING, MECH., OR ELECTRICAL WORK. ******************************************************************* AMENDMENT: For the addition of a full bathroom at the third floor and revisions made to ground floor."},{"number":"FP-2021-001286","date":"2021-08-06","work":"New Construction","type":"Fire Suppression","description":"Fire Suppression Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2022-07-18","scope":"FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM IN ACCORDANCE WITH NFPA 13D, WITH TWO (2), ONE-INCH FIRE SERVICE LINES, FOR A TWO-FAMILY DWELLING, AS PER APPROVED PLANS."},{"number":"EP-2021-010460","date":"2021-09-20","work":"New Construction","type":"Electrical","description":"Electrical Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2022-07-08","scope":"Install 200A service cable with grounding, 3 gang meter socket and wiring throughout for two family dwelling, with receptacles, switches, light fixtures, smoke and carbon monoxide smoke detectors as per NEC 2014"},{"number":"PP-2021-022310","date":"2021-12-22","work":"New Construction or Additions","type":"Plumbing","description":"Plumbing Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2022-07-20","scope":"Rough in 4 toilets, 4 showers, 4 laboratories, 2 kitchens, 2 laundry, 2 water heater, 2 dishwashers Installing 2 1 inch combined fire and domestic water service, 6 inch sewer service cast iron"},{"number":"MP-2021-001280","date":"2022-02-02","work":"New Construction","type":"Mechanical","description":"Mechanical / Fuel Gas Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2022-07-19","scope":"FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ATTACHED STRUCTURE WITH CELLAR AND ROOF DECK ACCESSED BY A ROOF DECK ACCESS STRUCTURE. FOR A TWO-FAMILY HOUSEHOLD LIVING. AS PER PLANS. ************ NO UNDERPINNING ON THIS APPLICATION. SEPARATE PERMITS ARE REQUIRED FOR PLUMBING, MECH., OR ELECTRICAL WORK. *******************************************************************"}],"storyTag":"New construction","storyDelta":null,"timeline":[{"y":2020,"k":"permit","w":"Combined Lot Line Relocation and New Dev…"},{"y":2020,"k":"appeal","w":"Appeal granted with conditions"},{"y":2020,"k":"permit","w":"New construction, addition, GFA change"},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"New construction, addition, GFA change"},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"New Construction"},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"New Construction"},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"New Construction"},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"New Construction or Additions"},{"y":2022,"k":"permit","w":"New Construction"}],"rented":false,"licenses":[],"licenseActivity":[],"businessLicenseSourceDate":"2026-07-24","signals":[{"kind":"permit-mismatch","level":"watch","title":"Assessment/permit mismatch","summary":"The assessment jumped 30% in 2027, but no matching permit appears in the property timeline.","evidence":["assessment moved from $245,200 to $319,100","no permit shown in 2026-2028"],"caveat":"Not proof of unpermitted work; reassessment, corrected data, or a permit under another parcel can also explain it."}],"legalChecks":[{"id":"use-occupancy","level":"attention","title":"Zoning approval is not the occupancy file","finding":"Appeal #1033101: Completed · Granted with conditions; related permit 1033101.","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":"permit-status","level":"attention","title":"A permit row needs file-level verification","finding":"1 permit not marked completed: ZP-2020-008681 (Cancelled).","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":"abatement","level":"verify","title":"A reduced taxable assessment is not a verified abatement","finding":"OPA’s numeric assessment fields show a reduced taxable assessment; BlockReport has no official program determination for this parcel.","why":"The numeric treatment can reflect an improvement abatement or another exemption. It does not identify the ordinance, approval, start or end date, or continuation requirements after a transfer. Once OPA verifies a specific active abatement, many common programs attach the benefit to the property for the remaining term rather than ending automatically at sale, but some require a new-owner filing and continued qualifying use or tax compliance.","action":"Obtain the OPA exemption/abatement determination and history, then underwrite the buyer’s bill from the verified program terms.","url":"https://www.phila.gov/services/payments-assistance-taxes/taxes/property-and-real-estate-taxes/get-real-estate-tax-relief/get-a-property-tax-abatement/"}],"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.","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"}]}