It's a listing call in a pricey zip code. You get to the house full of anticipation. The front door has seen better days. Inside, there is a lot more than real estate: There is a story...a sad one. And a problem to solve. Philadelphia realtor Rich McIlhenny proves that the best of us are not just about dollars. A lot of times we do much more than sell houses. Inside the once lovely Chestnut Hill, PA house, Rich found an 87 year old lady facing foreclosure. He spent months negotiating with the banks on her behalf, befriending the woman as the months went on. She came to his home for the holidays and for Mother's Day. The house is finally sold but Rich is still on the job: he's looking for an affordable assisted living home for the woman. Good work, Rich. 06/24/2010

Chestnut Hill PA has been named one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation 2010 Dozen Distinctive Destinations. Distinctive Destinations are cities or towns "that offer an authentic visitor experience by combining dynamic downtowns, cultural diversity, attractive architecture, cultural landscapes, and a strong commitment to preservation sustainability, and revitalization." Chestnut Hill is now part of Philadelphia, but it was originally a small town serving the local farming community and later acted as a summer vacation spot for Philadelphians.  It was one of the earliest suburbs of Philadelphia and has a history predating the Revolutionary War.  In 1854, it became part of the City of Philadelphia under the 1854 Act of Consolidation when all government entities within the Coun... 03/22/2010

Chestnut Hill College, a picturesque college in the Northwest Philadelphia neighborhood of Chestnut Hill, recently announced plans to expand its campus from the current 45 acres to a total of 78 acres. It will grow its footprint to include the 32 acre property known as Sugarloaf across Germantown Ave. from the college's current main campus. The expansion project will add 10 new buildings, cost $500 million, and allow the school to expand enrollment from 900 to 1,500 undergraduate students. While some Chestnut Hill residents are wary of the additional traffic and loss of green space that will accompany the school's expansion I think that overall a growing Chestnut Hill College can only serve to bring more life and vitality to what is already one of Philadelphia's most vibrant neighborhoo... 09/16/2009

It's Labor Day, the end of summer, and the one year anniversary of the federal government take over of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Just a year ago the world was on the brink of world wide financial collapse. So, how are we doing now? Client and friend continually ask me about the path we are on in the real estate market. These are my answers. Is the recession over? No. The economy is relatively stable here in Northwest Philadelphia, still there are signs of recession all around. I went to buy something from the pet store on City Ave. and found an empty store with a 'for lease' sign in front. My favorite clothing store in Chestnut Hill has closed, another empty store with another 'for lease' sign. Car wash 'entrepreneurs' are turning up on the streets. Some 'garage sales' have become ong... 09/07/2009