PHA Auctioning Off 13 Brewerytown Properties

**JakeL** · 10-14-2011, 10:13 AM

The PHA is finally starting to release some properties and we're fortunate enough that 13 Brewerytown properties will be auctioned off next month. The location of the 400 properties being sold is in North Philly, while other areas, such as South Philly saw next to nothing. I suspect, and hope, that these auctions will continue, as abandoned PHA properties can get into the hands of neighbors and developers to make them into living homes again. For a listing of the properties and auction details, check here:

400 Philadelphia properties for Auction

Map of listings can be found here:

Philadelphia Housing Authority List - Google Maps

Does anyone know the process for viewing the properties? It's mentioned that there are 'preview property' days, is this just viewing photos at the auction site?

Also, what are the steps we need to take beforehand? Is there a registration process?

Additionally, is there a minimum bid?

**JakeL** · 10-14-2011, 10:36 AM

I am actually somewhat worried about 1424 N 27th St going on the market (1424N27TH STREETPHILA., PA 19121 - Google Maps), as this house is the only house left in the midst of ~18 empty lots on 27th St. At this point, the best use for this house is to tear it down, so that the block can have a cohesive development project. Honestly, it's not a house that should be restored. Being on an empty block, with two party walls with outside exposure, is not going to be a pleasant living situation for whoever moves in. I am all for the other homes being restored, but as for this one, I hope the transfer does not stall a greater development that could happen on this street.

**love to travel** · 10-14-2011, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by JakeL

The PHA is finally starting to release some properties and we're fortunate enough that 13 Brewerytown properties will be auctioned off next month. The location of the 400 properties being sold is in North Philly, while other areas, such as South Philly saw next to nothing. I suspect, and hope, that these auctions will continue, as abandoned PHA properties can get into the hands of neighbors and developers to make them into living homes again. For a listing of the properties and auction details, check here:

400 Philadelphia properties for Auction

Map of listings can be found here:

Philadelphia Housing Authority List - Google Maps

Does anyone know the process for viewing the properties? It's mentioned that there are 'preview property' days, is this just viewing photos at the auction site?

Also, what are the steps we need to take beforehand? Is there a registration process?

Additionally, is there a minimum bid?

Yes their is a registation process go to www.maxspann.com

**Smooth Sailor** · 10-14-2011, 02:10 PM

I want to know what thought process they used when coming up with this list. How many people are going to want to invest in properties in Strawberry Mansion- Tioga? There are plenty of blighted PHA-owned properties in already gentrifying areas that could be put to better use. Check out the block of 17th, not far from Temple's campus, between Jefferson and Thompson (mostly PHA), then compare to 17th between Jefferson and Oxford (mostly private investor-owned properties sold in the past five years) on Google street view. It's a freaking disgrace.

**love to travel** · 10-14-2011, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by Smooth Sailor

I want to know what thought process they used when coming up with this list. How many people are going to want to invest in properties in Strawberry Mansion- Tioga? There are plenty of blighted PHA-owned properties in already gentrifying areas that could be put to better use. Check out the block of 17th, not far from Temple's campus, between Jefferson and Thompson (mostly PHA), then compare to 17th between Jefferson and Oxford (mostly private investor-owned properties sold in the past five years) on Google street view. It's a freaking disgrace.

your right They have one for auction 2916 w. thompson the whole side of the street is empty . Why are they just putting up the one house and not the whole block

**MERKIN** · 10-14-2011, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by JakeL

I am actually somewhat worried about 1424 N 27th St going on the market (1424N27TH STREETPHILA., PA 19121 - Google Maps), as this house is the only house left in the midst of ~18 empty lots on 27th St. At this point, the best use for this house is to tear it down, so that the block can have a cohesive development project. Honestly, it's not a house that should be restored. Being on an empty block, with two party walls with outside exposure, is not going to be a pleasant living situation for whoever moves in. I am all for the other homes being restored, but as for this one, I hope the transfer does not stall a greater development that could happen on this street.

thats john philly's house. he bought that from the PHA 3 years ago. nice guy, rocco his dogs is a sweetheart. i hope there isnt a problem with his house.

**JakeL** · 10-15-2011, 12:51 AM

Originally Posted by MERKIN

thats john philly's house. he bought that from the PHA 3 years ago. nice guy, rocco his dogs is a sweetheart. i hope there isnt a problem with his house.

Knowing the PHA, they probably still haven't processed the paperwork from 3 years ago. On the assessment website it's listed that the last property sale date was May 5, 1969 (OPA Website: Property Search). You may want to let him know that they're auctioning the property!

**Moonraker** · 10-17-2011, 09:58 AM

Over the weekend, I received a mailing from Max Spamm Auctioneers regard the auction. The process moving fast.

We had in intersting discussion on how a neighborhood takes care of itself when it reaches Middleclass status.
The conclusion is that the 400 propereties, focused in the western end of North Philly, could have such an effect in 4-7 years.

**JakeL** · 10-17-2011, 10:50 AM

Reviewing the auction list, it appears that these houses are packaged in bundles, rather than individually. The Brewerytown properties are contained in two packages, asset package 17 and asset package 18 (http://www.maxspann.com/images/aucti...ction-List.pdf).

I am interested in a house near mine in package 18, but am not interested in owning 7 other properties in addition to the one I want. Is there enough interest in the community to form a coalition of interested parties? I would want to make sure that everything is lock-tight legally, and that all expectations are clear upfront, but it seems like a coalition of community members is the only way it would work to get the home you want.

**chudclay** · 10-18-2011, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by MERKIN

thats john philly's house. he bought that from the PHA 3 years ago. nice guy, rocco his dogs is a sweetheart. i hope there isnt a problem with his house.

Yes, his name is really John Philly. His house is a true folk-art construction piece!

**Sharkfood** · 10-27-2011, 05:46 PM

It is very suspicious to me that these properties are being packaged into large bundles.
This puts many properties out of the reach of individual investors and neighborhood residents.

I have suspicions that this is a fixed auction and it is designed so that large community development corporations or affordable housing developers can win many of the bids and the area can be inundated with affordable housing. If CDCs win the bidding, you can look forward to a kenny-gamble like future. Non-development, development in fits and starts, and inappropriate development.

I'm not saying every last package is going to end up this way, but I fear many of them will.

**raider.adam** · 10-28-2011, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by Sharkfood

It is very suspicious to me that these properties are being packaged into large bundles.
This puts many properties out of the reach of individual investors and neighborhood residents.

I have suspicions that this is a fixed auction and it is designed so that large community development corporations or affordable housing developers can win many of the bids and the area can be inundated with affordable housing. If CDCs win the bidding, you can look forward to a kenny-gamble like future. Non-development, development in fits and starts, and inappropriate development.

I'm not saying every last package is going to end up this way, but I fear many of them will.

Wouldn't be surprised.