First-Time Find: A Solid Start in Mt. Airy for $270K

225 W. Gorgas Ln., Philadelphia, Pa. 19119 | TREND images via Elfant Wissahickon Realtors

You’ll find many row homes like this handsome 1930s stone-front in “middle neighborhoods” all over Philadelphia, though in most cases, they’re faced in brick. Like the Wissahickon schist that used to be quarried in the area and graces many of them, stone homes tend to be more of a Northwest Philly thing.

What you won’t find as often is a row home in a great neighborhood like Mt. Airy that has been thoughtfully kept abreast of the times by an owner with a great feel for mixing contemporary minimalism with traditional design.

The owner of this home is one such, and if you buy it, you will have a strong foundation on which to build for the future.

This should be apparent to you the moment you enter the living room from the bright sun porch entry. The fireplace in the front corner is the anchor for a room whose Scandinavian furniture complements the hardwood floors and gives the room a clean look and feel. (Even the radiator covers match the aesthetic.)

That clean look carries over into the dining room, where a striking modern chandelier hangs over the table.

The kitchen features a newer gas range with a central griddle and plenty of counter and cabinet space.

Upstairs, the three bedrooms all have ample space, and the master bedroom has a walk-in closet. The bedrooms have all been attractively furnished, and the bathroom’s vintage tile floor still looks like new.

Downstairs, there’s a heated garage and a finished basement that has plenty of potential.

Since we’ve gone on about how tastefully this home has been furnished, we should advise you that the furniture’s not included as part of the package. But the way this owner has outfitted the home should serve as an inspiration for you as you bring the home all the way into the present, as many of your Gorgas Lane neighbors have done with their homes recently. As its electrical system is all up to date and its other systems are in good shape, you won’t need to do much heavy lifting to unlock this home’s true value.

THE FINE PRINT

BEDS: 3

BATHS: 1

SQUARE FEET: 1,460

SALE PRICE: $270,000

OTHER STUFF: The location’s also a plus: SEPTA’s Carpenter Regional Rail station lies at the end of your block, and it’s a short and pleasant walk to shopping and restaurants on Mt. Pleasant and Germantown avenues.

225 W. Gorgas Ln., Philadelphia, Pa. 19119 [Jan LeSuer | Elfant Wissahickon Realtors]