{"asOf":"2026-07-11T06:14:15.008Z","block":"900-999 N 5TH ST","blockUrl":"https://blockreport.homes/block/900-999-n-5th-st","address":"978 N 5TH ST","parcelNumber":"057140600","source":"https://property.phila.gov/?p=057140600","ownerType":"owner-occupied","kind":"house","isHouse":true,"residential":true,"taxExempt":false,"institutional":false,"buildingClass":"ROW 3 STY MASONRY","useLabel":"House","owner":"MCFARLAND CHELSEA","coOwner":"STARR JULIA","marketValue":580400,"livableArea":2290,"yearBuilt":1920,"lastSale":{"price":715000,"date":"2025-06-06T04:00:00Z"},"openViolations":0,"violations":[],"violationCases":[],"investigations":[],"taxOwed":0,"taxSnapshot":{"available":true,"asOf":"2022-06","matched":false},"taxDelinquencySnapshotAsOf":"2022-06","taxDelinquencySnapshotAvailable":true,"lat":39.96873634762389,"lng":-75.14564921647467,"geom":{"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[-75.145483858,39.968743827],[-75.145495254,39.968694678],[-75.145814778,39.968728899],[-75.145802965,39.968778006],[-75.145483858,39.968743827]]]},"liDistrict":null,"certifications":[],"cityRecordAvailability":{"violations":true,"investigations":true,"appeals":true,"certifications":false,"permits":true,"licenses":true},"zip":"19123","beds":3,"baths":2,"stories":3,"lotArea":1620,"zoning":"RSA5","grade":"B","basement":"C","heater":"A","centralAir":true,"extCond":"4","intCond":"4","garage":null,"homestead":true,"mail":"978 N 5TH ST, PHILADELPHIA PA, 19123","mailOut":false,"appeals":[],"taxYears":[],"taxNet":0,"taxLien":false,"taxLedgerThrough":2016,"taxLedgerAvailable":true,"timesSold":4,"abated":false,"assessmentExemption":false,"exemptionBasisVerified":false,"valueSeries":[{"y":2016,"v":286300,"taxable":256300},{"y":2017,"v":286300,"taxable":256300},{"y":2018,"v":286300,"taxable":256300},{"y":2019,"v":479400,"taxable":439400},{"y":2020,"v":495400,"taxable":450400},{"y":2021,"v":495400,"taxable":450400},{"y":2022,"v":495400,"taxable":495400},{"y":2023,"v":538100,"taxable":458100},{"y":2024,"v":538100,"taxable":458100},{"y":2025,"v":602200,"taxable":502200},{"y":2026,"v":602200,"taxable":602200},{"y":2027,"v":580400,"taxable":480400}],"taxNow":8430,"familyHeld":false,"lastTransferNominal":false,"permits":[{"number":"450681","date":"2013-01-31","work":"Plumbing","type":"PP_PLUMBNG","description":"PLUMBING PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2013-04-11","scope":"REPLACE BATHROOM WASTE LINES, REPLACE TOILET AND BASIN"},{"number":"652722","date":"2015-11-17","work":"Major alteration","type":"BP_ALTER","description":"ALTERATION PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2016-03-11","scope":"INTERIOR ALTERATIONS TO INCLUDE REMOVE EXISTING FIRST FLOOR BATHROOM, DEMO NON LOAD BEARING PARTITION WALL AND ALL BATHROOM FINISHES. INSTALL NEW HARDWOOD FLOOR, REFINISH HARDWOOD FLOORS ON 2ND FLOOR, FRAME, DRYWALL AND TILE BATHROOM ON 3RD FLOOR, FRAME DRYWALL NEW CLOSET AND PAINT ENTIRE 3RD FLOOR. 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."},{"number":"657843","date":"2015-12-14","work":"Plumbing","type":"PP_PLUMBNG","description":"PLUMBING PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2016-03-04","scope":"CONNECT 3\" BRANCH FROM EXISTING 4\" STACK ON 3RD FLOOR FOR TOILET, SINK AND SHOWER WITH 3\" VENT THROUGH ROOF"},{"number":"662795","date":"2016-01-11","work":"Electrical","type":"EP_ELECTRL","description":"ELECTRICAL PERMIT","status":"COMPLETED","completedDate":"2016-05-09","scope":"REWIRE OF 3RD FLOOR MASTER BED AND BATH,REWIRE LIVING ROOM,4 OUTLETS, 1 SWS,1 LIGHT,2 BASEMENT GFI ,1 NEW CIRCUIT FOR 2ND FLOOR REAR BED, REWIRE OF 2ND AND 3RD FLOOR HALL LIGHTS AND SWS,REWIRE OF 2ND FLOOR FRONT BED OUTLETS PER 2008 NEC (SFD)"},{"number":"RP-2021-001549","date":"2021-02-18","work":"Addition and/or Alteration","type":"Residential Building","description":"Residential Building Permit","status":"Completed","completedDate":"2021-02-26","scope":"Installing 4 star bolts to existing facade and pointing miscellaneous cracking on facade ( DETAILS AS PER PLAN)"}],"storyTag":"Renovated & sold on","storyDelta":1.83,"timeline":[{"y":2012,"k":"sale","p":253000},{"y":2013,"k":"permit","w":"Plumbing"},{"y":2015,"k":"sale","p":365000},{"y":2015,"k":"permit","w":"Major alteration"},{"y":2015,"k":"permit","w":"Plumbing"},{"y":2016,"k":"permit","w":"Electrical"},{"y":2021,"k":"sale","p":522500},{"y":2021,"k":"permit","w":"Addition and/or Alteration"},{"y":2025,"k":"sale","p":715000}],"rented":false,"licenses":[],"signals":[],"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"}]}