House report

5388 Chew Ave

3 stories · 1,733 sqft · RSA3 · built 1925

Absentee individual · assessed $186K (2026) · 2027 OPA assessment $192K · sold 3×. On the 5300 block of Chew Ave.

Street view of 5388 Chew Ave
From the street — imagery © Google
From above — imagery © Esri, Maxar
BlockReport AI · cited public records

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Property summary

“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:

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.

Estimated annual Real Estate Tax$2,597/year

2026 taxable assessment $185,500 × 1.3998%. Estimate—not a bill or account balance.

OPA also publishes a 2027 assessment of $192,000; it is not the 2026 billed-year value.

Official current account balanceCheck live

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 122221700
Open Philadelphia Tax Center →Choose “View period balance” to see the tax year and any credit, interest, or delinquency.
Exemption classificationNo exemption shown

2026 taxable assessment equals the full assessed value.

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 record

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 RSA3: one household by right

Single-family attached. 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.

The last transfer used nominal consideration

The latest deed records $100 or less. That is not a usable market-sale price and can reflect a family, estate, gift, correction, or entity transfer. Inspect the deed and order a title search rather than inferring the relationship or chain.

If you’re the landlord

Lead certificate is not optional

Built 1925: every rental unit needs a lead-safe or lead-free certificate on file with the City. Without one: fines up to $2,000/day per unit, tenants may withhold rent, courts can order rent refunded — and no eviction will stand.

Licensed rental — keep it that way

Renewal requires city tax clearance and zero open L&I violations on the property. A lapsed license suspends the right to collect rent or evict.

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.

The investment read

How this house has moved and where it's pointed: every fetched annual City assessment, charted against its block and ZIP; appreciation includes the full-period compound rate and the latest year-over-year change. The 5-year figure simply extends that historical pace. Yield estimates rent-vs-price from area rents. Ask the record to dig into any number.

Assessed value
$185,500
2026 billed-year assessment · 2027: $192,000 · built 1925
Price / sq ft
$111
block $107 · in line w/ block
Appreciation
+74%
+5%/yr since 2016 · 2027 +4% vs 2026
In 5 years (~2032)
~$247K
+5%/yr own pace held 5 yrs — extrapolation, not a forecast
Est. tax bill / yr
$2,597
1.35% effective
Jun 2022 tax snapshot
No match
not proof the account is current
Gross yield
8%
≈$1K/mo rent
Times sold
3
licensed rental

Assessment vs. the block and ZIP · every dated City record marked on the line

$0$125K$250KZIP 19138 median$192K2011201420172020202320262027
Property assessmentBlock median & rangeZIP 19138 medianAssessmentDeed / saleL&I violationPermitInspectionLicense

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 record26 events · exact dates, newest first
  1. PermitAddition and/or Alterations
  2. PermitWall Covering Replacement
  3. InspectionL&I investigation
  4. L&I violationINTERIOR SURFACES
  5. L&I violationELECTRICAL- FIRE DAMAGED
  6. InspectionL&I investigation
  7. PermitAddition and/or Alteration
  8. L&I violationUNSAFE STRUCTURE
  9. L&I violationMASONRY COMPONENTS
  10. L&I violationEXTERIOR WALLS
  11. LicenseRental
  12. InspectionL&I investigation
  13. PermitAddition and/or Alteration
  14. PermitNew Construction
  15. Deed / saleDeed / sale $75K
  16. L&I violationCLIP VIOLATION NOTICE
  17. L&I violationHIGH WEEDS-CUT
  18. LicenseRental
  19. InspectionHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
  20. L&I violationEXT S-CORNICE BARGEBOARD DEFEC
  21. L&I violationINT S-CEILING REPAIR/MAINT SAN
  22. L&I violationCO DETECTOR NEEDED (Carbon-monoxide detector required)
  23. L&I violationELEC-COVER PLATE DEFECTIVE-RES
  24. L&I violationINT S-WALLS REPAIR/MAINT SANI
  25. L&I violationHEAT CONTINUOUS SUPPLY-RES
  26. L&I violationINT-WATER HEATING SYSTEM-RES

The paper trail

built new under a 2019 permit, sold for $75K in 2019.

  1. 2019 $75KSoldAddition and/or AlterationPermitNew ConstructionPermit
  2. 2020 Inspection passedL&I visit
  3. 2021 3 L&I violations incl UNSAFE STRUCTUREL&IL&I: 1 failed, 1 passedL&I visitAddition and/or AlterationPermit
  4. 2023 2 L&I violationsL&IL&I: 4 failed, 1 passedL&I visit
  5. 2025 Addition and/or AlterationsPermitWall Covering ReplacementPermitAddition and/or AlterationsPermit

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.

Open the City record ↗
Browse 32 dated records deeds, permits, inspections, licenses, violations, certifications & appeals
  1. PermitAddition and/or Alterations

    Permit MP-2025-003264 · Expired

    - For the installation of New Ductwork, Registers/Grills/Diffusers, and Warm-Air Appliances as per attached standards. Deviations from these standards require submission of construction and site plans. Like n kind replacement only. Any ductwork will require building permit.

  2. PermitWall Covering Replacement

    Permit GM-2025-002659 · Expired

    EZ EXTERIOR WALL COVERINGS - For the Applications of Exterior Wall Coverings as per attached standards. Deviations from these standards shall result in permit revocation and require submission of construction and site plans. A separate permit from the Philadelphia Department of Streets is required for any sidewalk and street closures. All means of pedestrian protection required at the site in accordance with the Philadelphia Building Code Chapter 33 shall be in place prior to start of work. Apply three-coat layer (scratch/brown/finish) stucco application to side and back exterior walls using self-furring wire lath backing.

  3. PermitAddition and/or Alterations

    Permit MP-2025-000245 · Expired

    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. Remove old 70000 btu furnace and install new 70000 btu furnace the new furnace is just like the old furnace. NO OTHER WORK PERMITTED ON THIS PERMIT. No penetrations to fire-rated assemblies. NO NEW DUCTWORK proposed on ductwork or common areas

  4. InvestigationL&I investigation

    Case CF-2023-006121 · PASSED

    The cited inspection visit was marked passed.

  5. InvestigationL&I investigation

    Case CF-2023-006121 · FAILED

    The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.

  6. ViolationINTERIOR SURFACES

    Case CF-2023-006121 · Violation VI-2023-005459 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  7. ViolationELECTRICAL- FIRE DAMAGED

    Case CF-2023-006121 · Violation VI-2023-005460 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  8. InvestigationL&I investigation

    Case CF-2021-074318 · PASSED

    The cited inspection visit was marked passed.

  9. PermitAddition and/or Alteration

    Permit RP-2021-014608 · Completed

    MAKE SAFE PERMIT TO COMPLY WITH CASE#CF-2021-74318 TO INCLUDE REPAIRS TO THE DAMAGED FRONT WALL OF AN EXISTING ATTACHED STRUCTURE AS PER APPROVED PLAN AND ENGINEER'S REPORT. ABUTTING SIDEWALK MUST BE CLOSED WITH FENCING A MINIMUM OF 6' IN HEIGHT. SEPARATE STREETS DEPARTMENT PERMIT REQUIRED FOR SIDEWALK CLOSURE. A SEPARATE PERMIT IS REQUIRED FOR ANY ADDITIONAL ALTERATIONS THAT ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSED ON CASE #CF-2021-74318.

  10. ViolationUNSAFE STRUCTURE

    Case CF-2021-074318 · Violation VI-2021-053615 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  11. ViolationMASONRY COMPONENTS

    Case CF-2021-074318 · Violation VI-2021-053617 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  12. ViolationEXTERIOR WALLS

    Case CF-2021-074318 · Violation VI-2021-053616 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  13. InvestigationL&I investigation

    Case CF-2021-074318 · FAILED

    The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.

  14. LicenseRental

    License 856795 · Active

    Bridget Jones (WHP) · Expires 2026-12-03

  15. InvestigationL&I investigation

    Case 636903 · PASSED

    The cited inspection visit was marked passed.

  16. PermitAddition and/or Alteration

    Permit 1023072 · Expired

    INSTALL NEW SHEETROCK, TAPE AND PAINT, INSTALL NEW KITCHEN CABINETS, INSTALL NEW FRONT DOOR AND SIDE DOOR

  17. PermitNew Construction

    Permit 1028083 · Expired

    INSTALL COMPLET NEW WARM AIR 80% GAS & AC SYSTEM AS PER MANUFACTURERS REQUIREMENTS, FUEL GAS COODE AND EZ PERMIT DUCTWORK & WARM-AIR APPLIANCES- For the installation if New Ductwork, Registers/Grilles/Diffusers, and Warm-Air Appliances as per attached standards. Deviations from these standards require submission of construction and site plans.CONTRATOR RESPONSIBLE FOR CONDITION AND CAPACITY OF EXT'G MASORY CHIMNEY

  18. Recorded transfer$75K transfer

    2019

  19. ViolationCLIP VIOLATION NOTICE

    Case 636903 · Violation 211948287 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  20. ViolationHIGH WEEDS-CUT

    Case 636903 · Violation 211948288 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  21. LicenseRental

    License 679990 · Inactive

    LA SALLE UNIVERSITY · Expires 2017-06-30 · Inactive 2017-08-29

  22. InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)

    Case 266833 · PASSED

    A legacy L&I inspection label. The unit inspected housing for property-maintenance, fire-prevention, and related code compliance; the separate status says how that visit ended. The cited inspection visit was marked passed.

  23. InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)

    Case 266833 · FAILED

    A legacy L&I inspection label. The unit inspected housing for property-maintenance, fire-prevention, and related code compliance; the separate status says how that visit ended. The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.

  24. ViolationEXT S-CORNICE BARGEBOARD DEFEC

    Case 266833 · Violation 2017922 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  25. ViolationINT S-CEILING REPAIR/MAINT SAN

    Case 266833 · Violation 2017923 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  26. ViolationCO DETECTOR NEEDED (Carbon-monoxide detector required)

    Case 266833 · Violation 2017920 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  27. ViolationELEC-COVER PLATE DEFECTIVE-RES

    Case 266833 · Violation 2017924 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  28. ViolationINT S-WALLS REPAIR/MAINT SANI

    Case 266833 · Violation 2017921 · COMPLIED

    City marked this violation complied with; check the resolution date and live case for what was accepted.

  29. InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)

    Case 266013 · PASSED

    A legacy L&I inspection label. The unit inspected housing for property-maintenance, fire-prevention, and related code compliance; the separate status says how that visit ended. The cited inspection visit was marked passed.

  30. ViolationHEAT CONTINUOUS SUPPLY-RES

    Case 266013 · Violation 1976168 · ERROR

  31. ViolationINT-WATER HEATING SYSTEM-RES

    Case 266013 · Violation 1976167 · ERROR

  32. InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)

    Case 266013 · FAILED

    A legacy L&I inspection label. The unit inspected housing for property-maintenance, fire-prevention, and related code compliance; the separate status says how that visit ended. The cited inspection visit was marked failed; later rows may show follow-up or resolution.

What this record suggests

The City file documents 6 permits touching kitchen work. 1 carries a completed, issued, or approved status; that documents the filing, not the present quality of the work.

Flags: active rental license. 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.

Stories
3
Interior
1,733 sqft
livable area
Lot
2,086 sqft
Exterior condition
Average
city code 4
Interior condition
Average
city code 4
Quality grade
C
assessor's grade
Zoning
RSA3
city zoning code

OPA field-assessment attributes. Condition and grade are the assessor's codes, not an inspection.

Run the numbers

What owning 5388 Chew Ave 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.

$192K
20%
6.875%
$1K/mo
Mortgage
P&I · 30-yr fixed
All-in monthly
+ taxes & insurance
Cash to close
down + ~4% costs
Cash flow
rent − all costs · /mo
Cap rate
NOI ÷ price
Cash-on-cash
year-1 return on cash in

Estimates for orientation, not advice. Assumes a 30-year fixed loan, $1,400/yr insurance, 1% of price/yr maintenance; taxes use this parcel's taxable assessment, not a live Tax Center balance.

Block context

5388 Chew Ave sits on the 5300 block of Chew Ave. Open the block report to compare its parcels, ownership and public-record history.

See the whole block →

Next door: 5386 Chew Ave  ·  5390 Chew Ave

Where this comes from

Methodology & freshness

This report was assembled Jul 10, 2026, 11:56 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)