2026 taxable assessment $273,100 × 1.3998%. Estimate—not a bill or account balance.
OPA also publishes a 2027 assessment of $385,800; it is not the 2026 billed-year value.
House report
1239 S 20th St
3 bd · 2 ba · 2 stories · 1,528 sqft · RSA5 · built 1925
Owner-occupancy signal · assessed $373K (2026) · 2027 OPA assessment $386K · sold 4×. On the 1200 block of S 20th St.
BlockReport AI · cited public records
Ask what this property record means.
Open the research chat with this property already in context. Curated questions are free.
Property summary
Assessment$373,1002026 OPA assessment · 2027: $385,800
Last sale$372KRecorded 2019
Est. tax bill$3,823/year2026 OPA · Homestead-adjusted
Tax delinquencyNo 2022 matchNot proof account is current
Permits7Every fetched City permit
Violations0 open8 historical across 2 cases
“Open” reflects records available then historical records keep their source dates estimates are labeled
Question or correct this record
BlockReport can explain a discrepancy, but it cannot rewrite an official City record. Use the agency that owns the underlying fact:
Property tax
The estimate, live balance, and back-tax record are different.
BlockReport can calculate the annual tax from the City’s taxable assessment. Payments, credits, interest, and a current amount due live separately in Philadelphia Tax Center.
A Tax Center balance is net of bills, payments, credits, interest, and adjustments. A credit—or an amount due—is not automatically “back taxes.”
OPA 3611852002026 OPA removes $100,000 from the taxable assessment through the owner-occupant exemption.
Historical delinquency sources No current conclusion
This parcel did not match the June 2022 delinquency snapshot. That absence does not confirm the account is current today.
For a purchase, refinance, or closing, request the City’s official Property Payoff statement in Tax Center under “More options.”
What stands out
From the public recordPermit between transfers
Record summary$330K transfer in 2016; addition permit in 2019; $372K transfer in 2019 (+313% between recorded amounts).
View supporting records →What to do with this
The record, translated into moves — what a buyer, the owner, and a landlord would each want to check next under Philadelphia's actual rules.
If you’re buying
Built 1925: lead rules apply
Federal law requires a lead-paint disclosure at sale for any pre-1978 home. If it will be rented, Philadelphia also requires a lead-safe or lead-free certificate before a rental license can issue.
Zoned RSA5: one household by right
Single-family rowhouse (the classic Philly row). Converting to a duplex or apartments needs a use variance the zoning board rarely grants — Pennsylvania courts require a physical hardship of the lot itself, and economics alone do not qualify.
Derived from the fetched property records and linked City guidance as of 2026. Assessment treatment is not a substitute for an exemption approval, live balance, title report, license, occupancy certificate, or inspection. Informational only — not legal, tax, or investment advice.
Assessment and tax history
Every fetched annual City assessment for this house, compared with its block and ZIP. The figures show assessment change, the billed-year tax estimate, dated tax records, and recorded transfers. They do not estimate market appreciation or investment return.
Assessed value
$373,100
2026 billed-year assessment · 2027: $385,800 · built 1925
Price / sq ft
$252
block $240 · in line w/ block
Assessment change
+297%
+13%/yr since 2016 · 2027 +3% vs 2026
Est. tax bill / yr
$3,823
1.02% effective
Jun 2022 tax snapshot
No match
not proof the account is current
Times sold
4
Assessment vs. the block and ZIP · every dated City record marked on the line
- OPA assessment · 2016$97K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2017$97K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2018$97K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2019$222K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2020$239K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2021$239K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2022$239K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2023$390K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2024$390K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2025$373K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2026$373K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- OPA assessment · 2027$386K assessed valueOPA’s value on the City tax roll for that year. It is not an appraisal, listing price, sale price, or live tax balance.How Philadelphia property assessments work ↗
- Deed / sale · 2016Deed / sale $330KA recorded real-estate document or transfer event. The amount and date can be useful history, but the underlying deed and transfer-tax filing control the parties, consideration, and legal effect.How to read the recorded document ↗
- Deed / sale · 2019Deed / sale $372KA recorded real-estate document or transfer event. The amount and date can be useful history, but the underlying deed and transfer-tax filing control the parties, consideration, and legal effect.How to read the recorded document ↗
- Permit · 2015-04-09Major alterationA broad legacy permit work category for a substantial building alteration. It can include changed layouts, partitions, fixtures, finishes, structural work, or occupancy-related work, but only the approved scope and plans say what this permit actually authorized; separate trade permits may be required.What Philadelphia building permits can cover ↗
- Permit · 2015-05-06ElectricalThis permit category usually covers electrical installation, alteration, replacement, or repair. The approved scope—not the short category—defines what was authorized, and issuance alone does not prove completion.Philadelphia construction and repair permits ↗
- Permit · 2015-06-03PlumbingThis permit category usually covers water, drainage, fixtures, or other plumbing work. The approved scope—not the short category—defines what was authorized, and issuance alone does not prove completion.Philadelphia construction and repair permits ↗
- L&I violation · 2015-06-03SWO- CONSTR W/O BLDG PERMIT (Stop-work order for construction without a building permit)Stop-work order for construction without a building permitHow L&I violations and orders work ↗
- L&I violation · 2015-06-03PERMB- CONST ADDITIONA dated L&I enforcement row. Read the cited code, required correction, status, and later inspections together; the title alone does not establish the property’s current condition.How L&I violations and orders work ↗
- L&I violation · 2015-06-03PERMZ- CONST REMOV CHANGEA dated L&I enforcement row. Read the cited code, required correction, status, and later inspections together; the title alone does not establish the property’s current condition.How L&I violations and orders work ↗
- L&I violation · 2015-06-03PERMB- REV WK GONE BEYOND ORIGA dated L&I enforcement row. Read the cited code, required correction, status, and later inspections together; the title alone does not establish the property’s current condition.How L&I violations and orders work ↗
- Permit · 2015-07-01MechanicalThis permit category usually covers construction, repair, alteration, addition, or occupancy work. The approved scope—not the short category—defines what was authorized, and issuance alone does not prove completion.Philadelphia construction and repair permits ↗
- Permit · 2019-10-31AdditionThis permit category usually covers construction, repair, alteration, addition, or occupancy work. The approved scope—not the short category—defines what was authorized, and issuance alone does not prove completion.Philadelphia construction and repair permits ↗
- Permit · 2019-10-31ZoningThis permit category usually covers the property’s allowed use, dimensions, occupancy, or site configuration. The approved scope—not the short category—defines what was authorized, and issuance alone does not prove completion.Philadelphia construction and repair permits ↗
- Permit · 2026-04-29AlterationsThis permit category usually covers construction, repair, alteration, addition, or occupancy work. The approved scope—not the short category—defines what was authorized, and issuance alone does not prove completion.Philadelphia construction and repair permits ↗
- Inspection · 2015-09-05BP_BLDGA dated L&I visit or review. Its type describes the inspection program; the separate result and later rows show whether that visit passed, failed, or led to follow-up.What Philadelphia inspections check ↗
- Inspection · 2016-04-29BP_BLDGA dated L&I visit or review. Its type describes the inspection program; the separate result and later rows show whether that visit passed, failed, or led to follow-up.What Philadelphia inspections check ↗
- Inspection · 2019-12-18PRECOURT (likely: pre-court compliance inspection)A follow-up before or during enforcement escalation; confirm the case sequence in the City file.What Philadelphia inspections check ↗
- License · 2004-03-19RentalA City license record tied to an activity or property use. Its issue, expiration, inactive, and status fields—not the category alone—show what was recorded for this date.Philadelphia L&I licenses and property records ↗
- License · 2014-05-12RentalA City license record tied to an activity or property use. Its issue, expiration, inactive, and status fields—not the category alone—show what was recorded for this date.Philadelphia L&I licenses and property records ↗
- License · 2017-08-01RentalA City license record tied to an activity or property use. Its issue, expiration, inactive, and status fields—not the category alone—show what was recorded for this date.Philadelphia L&I licenses and property records ↗
Property assessmentBlock median & rangeZIP 19146 medianAssessmentDeed / saleL&I violationPermitInspectionLicense
Scroll horizontally to move through the years. Each icon sits on its recorded date; records without a day are labeled and centered within their year. Select one to explain the filing.
Highlight
Every dated record19 events · exact dates, newest first
- PermitAlterations
- InspectionPRECOURT (likely: pre-court compliance inspection)
- PermitAddition
- PermitZoning
- Deed / saleDeed / sale $372K
- LicenseRental
- InspectionBP_BLDG
- Deed / saleDeed / sale $330K
- InspectionBP_BLDG
- PermitMechanical
- PermitPlumbing
- L&I violationSWO- CONSTR W/O BLDG PERMIT (Stop-work order for construction without a building permit)
- L&I violationPERMB- CONST ADDITION
- L&I violationPERMZ- CONST REMOV CHANGE
- L&I violationPERMB- REV WK GONE BEYOND ORIG
- PermitElectrical
- PermitMajor alteration
- LicenseRental
- LicenseRental
The paper trail
Permit between transfers$330K transfer in 2016; addition permit in 2019; $372K transfer in 2019 (+313% between recorded amounts).
- 2015 ElectricalPermitPlumbingPermitMechanicalPermit8 L&I violationsL&IInspection failed ×2L&I visit
- 2016 $330KTransferInspection passedL&I visit
- 2019 Inspection passedL&I visitAdditionPermitZoningPermit$372KTransfer
- 2026 AlterationsPermit
Records behind the chart
Browse the source ledger
The chart above is the primary timeline. This drawer preserves every underlying dated row and its filed status for source-level review.
Browse 23 dated records deeds, permits, inspections, licenses, violations, certifications & appeals
- PermitAlterations
Permit PP-2026-005391 · Completed
Curb trap and vent repair.
- InvestigationPRECOURT (likely: pre-court compliance inspection)
Case 484347 · PASSED
A follow-up before or during enforcement escalation; confirm the case sequence in the City file. The cited inspection visit was marked passed.
- PermitAddition
Permit 1005196 · COMPLETED
FOR ERECTION OF A ROOF ACCESS STRUCTURE (FOR ROOF MAINTENANCE PURPOSES ONLY - NO ROOF DECK) AS PART OF AN EXISTING TWO STORY SINGLE FAMILY STRUCTURE. SIZE AND LOCATION AS PER PLAN.
- PermitZoning
Permit 1005191 · COMPLETED
FOR ERECTION OF A ROOF ACCESS STRUCTURE (FOR ROOF MAINTENANCE PURPOSES ONLY - NO ROOF DECK) AS PART OF AN EXISTING TWO STORY SINGLE FAMILY STRUCTURE. SIZE AND LOCATION AS SHOWN ON THE APPLICATION.
- Recorded transfer$372K transfer
2019
- LicenseRental
License 747389 · Inactive
Wade Gerhardt · Expires 2019-07-31 · Inactive 2019-09-29
- InvestigationBP_BLDG
Case 484347 · CLOSED
City marked the record closed; open the case for the closing reason.
- Recorded transfer$330K transfer
2016
- InvestigationBP_BLDG
Case 484347 · FAILED
The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.
- PermitMechanical
Permit 621475 · COMPLETED
INSTALLATION OF (1) HVAC UNIT, 90,000 BTU, 3-TON A/C (INCLUDING DUCTWORK/ASSOCIATED ACCESSORIES). SFD.
- PermitPlumbing
Permit 614671 · COMPLETED
REPLACE BATHROOM, KITCHEN SINK, NEW SANITARY DRAINS, DOMESTIC WATER PIPING THROUGH OUT AND INSTALL POWDER ROOM - THE INSTALLATION WILL COMPLY WITH THE PHILADELPHIA PLUMBING CODE 2004
- ViolationSWO- CONSTR W/O BLDG PERMIT (Stop-work order for construction without a building permit)
Case 484347 · Violation 4007647 · Code A-504.1/3 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationPERMB- CONST ADDITION
Case 484347 · Violation 4007644 · Code A-301.1/2 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationPERMZ- CONST REMOV CHANGE
Case 484347 · Violation 4007645 · Code A-301.1/64 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationPERMB- REV WK GONE BEYOND ORIG
Case 484347 · Violation 4007646 · Code A-302.10/3 · COMPLIED
City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.
- ViolationPERMB- REV WK GONE BEYOND ORIG
Case 601785 · Violation 3587315 · Code A-302.10/3 · CLOSEDCASE
City marked the case closed; that does not mean the original condition never existed.
- ViolationPERMZ- CONST REMOV CHANGE
Case 601785 · Violation 3587321 · Code A-301.1/64 · CLOSEDCASE
City marked the case closed; that does not mean the original condition never existed.
- ViolationSWO- CONSTR W/O BLDG PERMIT (Stop-work order for construction without a building permit)
Case 601785 · Violation 3587323 · Code A-504.1/3 · CLOSEDCASE
City marked the case closed; that does not mean the original condition never existed.
- ViolationPERMB- CONST ADDITION
Case 601785 · Violation 3587319 · Code A-301.1/2 · CLOSEDCASE
City marked the case closed; that does not mean the original condition never existed.
- PermitElectrical
Permit 608087 · COMPLETED
INSTALL 200 AMPS SERVICE, OUTLETS,SWITCHES,HARDWIRED SMOKE DETECTORS, LIGHT FIXTURES AND FANS ACCORDING TO 2008 NEC (SFD)
- PermitMajor alteration
Permit 601785 · COMPLETED
INTERIOR ALTERATIONS THROUGHOUT, TO INCLUDE DRYWALL THROUGHOUT, MOISTURE RESISTANT DRYWALL IN THE BATHROOM AND KITCHEN, NEW WINDOWS AND DOORS IN EXISTING OPENING. 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. NOTE: CONTRACTOR IS LISTED AS A "SOLE PROPRIETOR" AND HAS NO EMPLOYEES AND/OR WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE - ALL SUBCONTRACTORS REQUIRE SEPARATE LICENSES AND INSURANCE SEPARATE PERMITS REQUIRED FOR PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL WORK
- LicenseRental
License 628495 · Closed
ALYSSA M TROPEA · Expires 2015-02-28 · Inactive 2015-04-29
- LicenseRental
License 264727 · Inactive
JULIAN TRENT · Expires 2014-02-28
What this record suggests
The City file documents 7 permits touching kitchen work, bathroom work, drywall / interior finishing, electrical work. 7 carries a completed, issued, or approved status; that documents the filing, not the present quality of the work.
Informational only — not investment advice or a consumer report (FCRA).
The property, on paper
The city assessor's field record — the physical spec sheet behind the assessed number.
Bedrooms
3
Bathrooms
2
Stories
2
Interior
1,528 sqft
livable area
Lot
1,104 sqft
Basement
Full, finished
city code A
Heat
Forced hot air
city code A
Central air
Yes
Exterior condition
Average
city code 4
Above averageBelow average
Interior condition
Above average
city code 3
Above averageBelow average
Quality grade
C
assessor's grade
ABCDE
Zoning
RSA5
city zoning code
OPA field-assessment attributes. Condition and grade are the assessor's codes, not an inspection.
Run the numbers
What owning 1239 S 20th St takes, at your price and your rate. Taxes start with an annual estimate from the City’s taxable assessment, not a current bill or balance; rent starts at the area median. Assessed value is not an asking price — set the price slider to the real one.
When this house last sold (2019) a 30-year mortgage ran about 3.94% — Freddie Mac's average that year.
Mortgage
—
P&I · 30-yr fixed
All-in monthly
—
+ taxes & insurance
Estimated cash needed
—
down + 4% planning allowance
Modeled cash flow
—
rent − shown costs · /mo
Modeled cap rate
—
modeled NOI ÷ price
Modeled cash-on-cash
—
modeled year-1 return
Scenario for orientation, not advice. Assumes a 30-year fixed loan, $1,400/yr insurance, 1% of price/yr maintenance, and buyer cash equal to the down payment plus 4%. Taxes use this parcel's taxable assessment, not a live Tax Center balance. Cash flow and returns exclude vacancy, management, utilities, HOA or condo fees, leasing costs, income tax, and unplanned capital work.
Block context
1239 S 20th St sits on the 1200 block of S 20th St. Open the block report to compare its parcels, ownership and public-record history.
See the whole block →Next door: 1237 S 20th St · 1241 S 20th St
Where this comes from
- Assessment, spec sheet & owner — OPA Property Assessments, Office of Property Assessment
- Sales & deed history — Realty Transfer Tax records, Recorder of Deeds
- Permits, violations & inspections — L&I Property History · Atlas
- Tax delinquency snapshot · June 2022 — Real Estate Tax Delinquencies, Dept. of Revenue
- Historical tax ledger & liens · through 2016 — Real Estate Tax Balances, Dept. of Revenue
- Current property-tax balance — Verify with Philadelphia Revenue
- Zoning appeals — L&I & Zoning Board appeals
- Neighborhood income & rents — US Census ACS 5-year estimates
- Historical mortgage rates — Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey, annual averages
- Imagery — Street photo © Google · Aerial © Esri, Maxar
Methodology & freshness
This report was assembled Jul 11, 2026, 2:57 AM ET. Available City datasets are queried from OpenDataPhilly (phl.carto.com) and the cited City ArcGIS feeds; record queries paginate rather than silently taking a first page. For this property: Permits: queried · Violations: queried · Investigations: queried · Appeals: queried · Licenses: queried · Building certifications: queried. “Unavailable” means the source query failed or was not supplied, not “no record.” Reports re-pull on view after seven days and on an overnight rolling schedule; citywide benchmarks recompute weekly. Source dates still govern: the parcel-level tax-delinquency snapshot is June 2022 and the separate detailed tax ledger ends in 2016, so neither establishes today’s balance. The live balance and date-effective payoff must be verified in Tax Center. AI-written passages are grounded in the assembled record and rejected if they state a number the record does not hold.
Official city record ↗ · L&I history ↗ · See the whole block · Download this record (JSON)