House report

5401 Catharine St

2 stories · 1,590 sqft · RSA3 · built 1925

Owner-occupancy signal · assessed $206K (2026) · 2027 OPA assessment $257K · sold 3×. On the 5400 block of Catharine St.

Street view of 5401 Catharine St
From the street — imagery © Google
From above · selected parcel outlined; choose a neighboring polygon to open it — imagery © Esri, Maxar
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.

Opens the research chat · 3 custom questions per browser

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$1,485/year

2026 taxable assessment $106,100 × 1.3998%. Estimate—not a bill or account balance.

OPA also publishes a 2027 assessment of $256,900; 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 463090200
Open Philadelphia Tax Center →Choose “View period balance” to see the tax year and any credit, interest, or delinquency.
Exemption classificationHomestead exemption

2026 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 record
Finding

Permit between transfers

Record summary

$75K transfer in 2007; plumbing permit in 2012; $150K transfer in 2013 (+100% 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 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.

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
$206,100
2026 billed-year assessment · 2027: $256,900 · built 1925
Price / sq ft
$162
block $149 · above block
Assessment change
+222%
+11%/yr since 2016 · 2027 +25% vs 2026
Est. tax bill / yr
$1,485
0.72% effective
Jun 2022 tax snapshot
No match
not proof the account is current
Times sold
3

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

$0$250K$500KZIP 19143 median$257K200720112015201920232027
Property assessmentBlock median & rangeZIP 19143 medianAssessmentDeed / saleL&I violationPermitInspection

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 record15 events · exact dates, newest first
  1. Deed / saleDeed / sale $150K
  2. PermitMajor alteration
  3. InspectionBP_BLDG
  4. PermitElectrical
  5. PermitPlumbing
  6. L&I violationPENALTY- NO PLUMB PERM INFO
  7. L&I violationPERMP- INST NEW PLUMBING
  8. L&I violationPERME- INST/REPL/REPAIR WIRE (Electrical permit required for wiring installation, replacement, or repair)
  9. L&I violationPENALTY- NO ELEC PERM INFO
  10. L&I violationDENIED ACCESS INSP BLDG PERMIT
  11. L&I violationPERMB- REV WK GONE BEYOND ORIG
  12. InspectionHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)
  13. L&I violationLICENSE-RES SFD/2FD
  14. Deed / saleDeed / sale $35K
  15. Deed / saleDeed / sale $75K

The paper trail

$75K transfer in 2007; plumbing permit in 2012; $150K transfer in 2013 (+100% between recorded amounts).

  1. 2007 $75KTransfer
  2. 2011 $35KTransferL&I violationL&IL&I: 2 failed, 1 passedL&I visit
  3. 2012 PlumbingPermitElectricalPermit6 L&I violationsL&IL&I: 2 failed, 1 passedL&I visitMajor alterationPermit
  4. 2013 $150KTransfer

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 17 dated records deeds, permits, inspections, licenses, violations, certifications & appeals
  1. Recorded transfer$150K transfer

    2013

  2. PermitMajor alteration

    Permit 367338 · COMPLETED

    EXTERIOR ALTERATIONS TO INCLUDE SIDING AND TRIM REPAIR/REPLACEMENT TO ACCOMODATE THE REPLACEMENT OF WINDOWS FACING THE FRONT PORCH. APPLICANT AGREES TO LIMIT THE CONSTRUCTION TO COMPLY WITH EZ PERMIT STANDARD FOR EXTERIOR ALTERATIONS, DATED JANUARY 2011. DEVIATION FROM THE STANDARD WILL RESULT IN REVOCATION OF THIS PERMIT AND IMPOSITION OF FURTHER PENALTIES.

  3. InvestigationBP_BLDG

    Case 320217 · PASSED

    The cited inspection visit was marked passed.

  4. PermitElectrical

    Permit 406939 · COMPLETED

    5 GFI RECEPTS, LIGHTS IN BASEMENT, 4 HIGH HAT FIX IN KIT, LIGHT AND OUTLET IN REAR YARD AS PER 2008 NEC(SFD)(WES DIST)

  5. PermitPlumbing

    Permit 405113 · COMPLETED

    INTERIOR ALTERATIONS (PLUMBING) - 1ST FLOOR - INSTALLING A NEW WATER CLOSET AND LAVATORY - SECTION OF WASTE/SOIL PIPE

  6. InvestigationBP_BLDG

    Case 320217 · FAILED

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

  7. ViolationPENALTY- NO PLUMB PERM INFO

    Case 320217 · Violation 2425772 · Code A-901.13/3 · COMPLIED

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

  8. ViolationPERMP- INST NEW PLUMBING

    Case 320217 · Violation 2425770 · Code A-301.1/54 · COMPLIED

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

  9. ViolationPERME- INST/REPL/REPAIR WIRE (Electrical permit required for wiring installation, replacement, or repair)

    Case 320217 · Violation 2425769 · Code A-301.1/51 · COMPLIED

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

  10. ViolationPENALTY- NO ELEC PERM INFO

    Case 320217 · Violation 2425771 · Code A-901.13/2 · COMPLIED

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

  11. ViolationDENIED ACCESS INSP BLDG PERMIT

    Case 367338 · Violation 2625222 · Code A-401.1/1 · CLOSEDCASE

    City marked the case closed; that does not mean the original condition never existed.

  12. ViolationPERMB- REV WK GONE BEYOND ORIG

    Case 367338 · Violation 2625221 · Code A-302.10/3 · CLOSEDCASE

    City marked the case closed; that does not mean the original condition never existed.

  13. InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)

    Case 301349 · 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.

  14. InvestigationHCEU INSP (Housing Code Enforcement Unit inspection)

    Case 301349 · 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.

  15. ViolationLICENSE-RES SFD/2FD

    Case 301349 · Violation 2284224 · Code PM-102.3/1 · COMPLIED

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

  16. Recorded transfer$35K transfer

    2011

  17. Recorded transfer$75K transfer

    2007

What this record suggests

The City file documents 3 permits touching electrical work, plumbing, windows. 3 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.

Stories
2
Interior
1,590 sqft
livable area
Lot
1,530 sqft
Basement
Full, finished
city code A
Heat
Hot water / radiators
city code B
Central air
No
Garage
1 space
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 5401 Catharine 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.

$257K
20%
6.875%
$1K/mo

When this house last sold (2013) a 30-year mortgage ran about 3.98% — 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

5401 Catharine St sits on the 5400 block of Catharine St. Open the block report to compare its parcels, ownership and public-record history.

See the whole block →

Next door: 5403 Catharine St  ·  5405 Catharine St

Where this comes from

Methodology & freshness

This report was assembled Jul 11, 2026, 6:01 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)