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On the market: A house ‘near everything’ in South Philly for $279,000

“It’s close to the stadiums, close to the Italian Market,” the owner says. “The shopping on Columbus Boulevard is great, and it’s walkable to Center City."

The open-floor-plan house has two bedrooms and one bath, plus a patio.
The open-floor-plan house has two bedrooms and one bath, plus a patio.Read moreKate Devlin

When Jordan Tenenbaum’s landlord in Northern Liberties notified him of a pending rent increase, the decision was obvious: Time to buy.

And the decision on where to move was almost as obvious. His then girlfriend (now fiancée) and his sister both lived in South Philadelphia, and the house between Pennsport and Passyunk Square was perfectly located.

This was four years ago, and Tenenbaum, a financial analyst for a medical supplies company, has enjoyed everything the area offers.

“It’s close to the stadiums, close to the Italian Market,” he says. “The shopping on Columbus Boulevard is great, and it’s walkable to Center City. There’s a great Asian grocery….” Plus Dickinson Square Park is a few blocks away and major hjghways are as well.

The two-bedroom, one-bath house did require a good bit of work, though, and Tenenbaum and his fiancée-elect plunged right in.

“We opened it up, knocked out a wall dividing the kitchen and the living room, made it an open concept," Tenenbaum said. "We had to move some plumbing and electrical, put in granite countertops and new flooring.”

In the rear of the house is a dining room leading to the back patio. Upstairs are a large front bedroom, newer hall bathroom, and a large middle room now used as an office/closet that leads to a rear bedroom.

“I love this house,” Tenenbaum says. “I didn’t want to get rid of it. “

But now it’s time for him and his fiancée to move on.

A friend of Tenenbaum’s is selling his house and made the couple — who are getting married next month — an offer they couldn’t refuse. The new house also will require some work, but it’s larger. And, ironically, it’s in Northern Liberties.

But this time there will be a mortgage instead of rent and — as an added sweetener — the house has a garage, ending the automotive frustrations of both neighborhoods..

The property is listed with Michael McCann and Melanie McConnell at Keller Williams Philly for $279,000.