Certified Abstract Co., Inc.

06/02/2022

Have you seen the latest Stikman art showing up around Philly? Keep an eye out in the crosswalks for the new yellow-and-blue version of this famous little robot, advocating for peace in Ukraine.

We still may not know who you are, Stikman, but we appreciate the spirit.

https://billypenn.com/2022/05/05/street-art-philadelphia-stikman-ukraine-crosswalks/

Keep your eyes peeled for the little blue-and-yellow robot characters.

05/31/2022

Did you know Philly's neighborhoods were named a “National Treasure” in 2017? We have an incredible architectural legacy! But we’re losing historic buildings to new development every year, and the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia doesn’t have the resources to save them all. You can help.

Anyone can nominate buildings to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. If there’s an architectural gem in your neighborhood you want to save, see this article for a step-by-step guide: https://philly.curbed.com/2017/7/31/15967490/historic-preservation-philadelphia-how-to-nomination-guide

See something historic? Say something. Here’s a beginner’s guide to nominating a building, structure, district, or street for historic designation.

05/26/2022

Great piece from Hidden City Philadelphia on next week's DOCOMOMO US National Symposium. Philly has an incredible legacy of modern design and architecture! Don't miss out on the tours, talks and socializing at this fantastic event, hosted by Docomomo US/Philadelphia.

Tickets are still available here: https://docomomo-us.org/events/national-symposium

Docomomo US comes to Philadelphia to spotlight the city's midcentury pedigree

05/24/2022

Did you know the nation’s largest public art program is in Philly? Mural Arts Philadelphia was founded by artist Jane Golden in the ’80s as part of a citywide anti-graffiti network that helped Philly youth use their artistic talents for good. Since then, murals have been part of the lifeblood of our city, with tons of artists and volunteers creating uplifting artwork—and hundreds of communities on a waiting list for more.

We even got National Geographic's attention: ​​https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/this-city-has-more-than-4000-murals

Here's how Philadelphia, ‘The City of Murals,’ enlists its artists to support conservation and community.

05/19/2022

Tokenized securities and blockchain technology are opening new doors for commercial real estate owners and investors, making capital and assets accessible in ways they never were before. As a blockchain newbie, I asked crypto expert Douglas Borthwick of INX to walk us through it all at a recent Breakfast Club meeting for the PA/NJ/DE Local CCIM Chapter.

Read our latest blog for the scoop: https://certifiedabstract.com/2022/05/tokenized-securities-are-changing-commercial-real-estate/

Huge thanks to Douglas for a great primer on securities tokenization in real estate, and to Jeffrey Hoffman and CCIM for hosting the event!

Learn how the blockchain and tokenized securities are providing new financial avenues for real estate owners and investors.

05/18/2022

A few years ago, JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon put the market for qualified, creditworthy homeownership in minority and underbanked communities at about $1 trillion. Given that home ownership is a primary source of wealth for Americans, expanding access for minorities is crucial for closing the racial wealth gap. This CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) might have an answer: securitization of loans for underrepresented groups.

https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/cdfi-has-a-new-tool-to-boost-minority-homeownership

Q&A: How securitization could make purchasing a home more accessible for borrowers from Black, Latino and low-income communities.

05/13/2022

May is National Historic Preservation Month! There are a ton of events happening around Philly in the next few weeks, from parties and presentations to tours, open studios, festivals and, of course, the Market of the Macabre at Laurel Hill Cemetery.

You don't want to miss this! Attendees learned about past work and future plans for the German Society building during the Preservation Alliance Special Walking Tour at the German Society of Pennsylva

05/03/2022

Yo, Philly! Our city is hosting the Docomomo US National Symposium, *the* event for mid-century modern architecture, May 31-June 5. Sign up for tours, lectures, panel discussions, and socializing to learn about our city’s incredible legacy of modern design and meet others who are helping to support much-needed preservation efforts.

04/28/2022

Here's one for our legal colleagues! Great story with a twist 😆

When my daughter was in college back in the '90s, she knew I was a lawyer specializing in health law. She knew I had left private practice after 20 years to become general counsel of a large statewide hospital system. And she knew I spent my workdays at a desk reading, writing and talking on the pho...

04/26/2022

From launching America's first pretzel factory in 1861 to (supposedly) producing the largest pretzel ever baked, Philadelphia is tied to this twisty treat. We can even thank ex-governor Ed Rendell for declaring April 26 National Pretzel Day.

Just one more piece of Philly history to be proud of...right?

Philly and pretzels? It’s a combo as natural as, um … okay, it’s a little weird. But here’s more than you ever wanted to know about how it came to be!

04/14/2022

This week, mortgage rates averaged 5% for the first time in over a decade. Combine that with inflation, higher home prices and tight inventory, and home ownership is slipping out of reach for many people.

Mortgage rates have increased 1.5 percentage points over the last three months alone, the fastest three-month rise since May of 1994. The increase in mortgage rates has softened purchase activity such that the monthly payment for those looking to buy a home has risen by at least 20 percent from a ye...