Christine Virata - EXP Realtor

Christine Virata - EXP Realtor Christine currently specializes in commercial/investment and luxury sales. Whether you’re looking

Philadelphia Renters Enjoy Lower Housing CostsNoticing a shift in Philadelphia's rental market: median rents for 0–2 bed...
09/25/2026

Philadelphia Renters Enjoy Lower Housing Costs
Noticing a shift in Philadelphia's rental market: median rents for 0–2 bedroom properties have dipped 0.8% to $1,763, following a three-year trend of declines in major metro areas. Yet, rents are still 15.3% higher than before the pandemic. For those weighing options, renting is currently 24.37% more affordable each month than buying. As someone who has spent 18 years guiding clients through both residential purchases and investment strategies, I see how these changes can impact your next move—whether you're considering your first investment property or exploring the best path as a renter or buyer. Understanding these trends is key to making confident, informed decisions in today’s evolving market.


https://www.housing-trends.com/agent-news/christine-57/1969834-Philadelphia-Renters-Enjoy-Lower-Housing-Costs

Philadelphia's New Apartments Average 747 Square Feet; Rent Reaches $2,036 a MonthIt's interesting to see how the landsc...
09/24/2026

Philadelphia's New Apartments Average 747 Square Feet; Rent Reaches $2,036 a Month
It's interesting to see how the landscape of Philadelphia’s rental market is evolving: the newest apartments average just 747 square feet—about 163 square feet less than the national average. Studios and one- to two-bedrooms are tightening up by roughly 100 square feet as well. Yet, even with these more compact footprints, rents now average $2,036 a month. As someone who’s spent 18 years helping clients buy, sell, and invest in Philadelphia real estate, I notice this trend toward efficient, well-designed spaces is reshaping both the living experience and investment opportunities. The focus on smaller units is something multi-unit investors should keep an eye on when considering long-term ROI in our city’s evolving market.


https://www.housing-trends.com/agent-news/christine-57/1976320-Philadelphia%27s-New-Apartments-Average-747-Square-Feet%3B-Rent-

09/23/2026

What Smaller U.S. Homes Could Mean for Buyers
Over the past decade, we’ve seen the average size of newly built single-family homes in the U.S. shrink from 2,700 to 2,400 square feet, even as the price per square foot soared by about 72%. By 2025, one in four new homes sold measured under 1,800 square feet—a significant jump from just one in six ten years ago. At the same time, the proportion of newly built homes at 3,000 square feet or larger dropped from roughly one in three to one in five. Builders are turning to more compact floor plans, aiming to balance rising land, labor, and material costs and keep homes attainable for buyers—especially with mortgage rates hovering between 6% and 7%. For budget-minded and first-time buyers, this trend can translate into lower down payments and more manageable monthly costs, even though the increased price per square foot means affordability is still a challenge. As someone who’s helped clients navigate changing markets for 18 years, I see how strategic decisions—like choosing a smaller home or exploring investment properties—can help buyers make the most of current opportunities.

09/21/2026

Philadelphia Prices Dip 1.3%
With over 18 years in Philadelphia real estate, I keep a close eye on our evolving market so my clients can make informed decisions. Recently, active listings in Philadelphia jumped about 13% compared to last year, giving buyers more options and shifting some negotiation power away from sellers. Even so, new listings only edged up around 1%, so well-priced homes are still drawing attention. The median listing price now sits at $374,900, down about 1.3% year-over-year, which is appealing for those who want solid value compared to bigger metro areas. About 17% of listings saw price cuts—just a slight increase—but sellers continue to hold a relative edge overall. Homes spent a median of 48 days on market, up roughly 9%, yet that’s still a brisk pace versus many other markets. Whether you’re looking for your next home or considering a multi-unit investment, understanding these trends is key to making your move with confidence.

Philadelphia Inventory Surges While Prices Hold SteadyPhiladelphia’s real estate market is showing some interesting shif...
09/20/2026

Philadelphia Inventory Surges While Prices Hold Steady
Philadelphia’s real estate market is showing some interesting shifts this year. Active listings have jumped 14.7% compared to last year, yet new listings are actually down by 9.0%. Despite these changes, the median list price remains steady at $384,700, and about 17.3% of sellers are making price cuts. Homes are selling in a median of 44 days, which points to a market that’s still highly competitive. With nearly two decades of experience in residential sales and investment properties, I always keep a close eye on these trends for my clients—especially those looking to maximize their ROI with multi-unit investments. Understanding what’s happening beneath the surface can make all the difference when you’re planning your next move in Philadelphia real estate.


https://www.housing-trends.com/agent-news/christine-57/1916403-Philadelphia-Inventory-Surges-While-Prices-Hold-Steady

Smart Tips to Save Thousands on Metro MortgagesIt’s surprising how much extra homebuyers in top U.S. metros are paying—o...
09/19/2026

Smart Tips to Save Thousands on Metro Mortgages
It’s surprising how much extra homebuyers in top U.S. metros are paying—on average, $3,300 more each year in additional mortgage interest and fees. In some coastal markets, that number climbs as high as $8,100 annually. More than 80% of buyers end up overpaying simply because they don’t compare enough lenders. As someone who has spent 18 years navigating the real estate landscape in Pennsylvania, I’ve seen firsthand how shopping around for mortgage quotes can save clients thousands over the life of their loan. Whether you’re purchasing your first home or adding to your investment portfolio, a smart mortgage strategy is just as important as finding the right property. Making informed decisions isn’t just about the home—it’s about your financial future.


https://www.housing-trends.com/agent-news/christine-57/1959549-Smart-Tips-to-Save-Thousands-on-Metro-Mortgages

Philadelphia Inventory Surges but Homes Still Move Faster Than the NationIn the Philadelphia metro area, we're seeing a ...
09/18/2026

Philadelphia Inventory Surges but Homes Still Move Faster Than the Nation
In the Philadelphia metro area, we're seeing a notable shift: active listings are up 13.3% year-over-year, and new listings have edged up by 1.4%. While the median listing price has dipped slightly by 1.3% to $374,900, homes are still selling quickly—moving in a median of just 48 days, which is faster than the national average. After 18 years of helping clients navigate these evolving market dynamics, I know that timing and strategy are key, whether you're looking for your next home or eyeing an investment opportunity. As always, my focus is on guiding you confidently through every step of your real estate journey.


https://www.housing-trends.com/agent-news/christine-57/1970380-Philadelphia-Inventory-Surges-but-Homes-Still-Move-Faster-Th

09/17/2026

More Homes Hit the Market as Demand Cools
We’re seeing a shift in the real estate landscape: for the four weeks ending August 23, new listings in the US rose by 0.4% and total homes for sale increased by 0.5%, marking the highest inventory levels since early Q2. Meanwhile, pending home sales dropped 1.1% for the week—hitting a six-month low—as higher housing costs nudged many buyers to the sidelines even with more homes available nationwide. The median home-sale price climbed 1.9% year-over-year to just above $400,000, while average mortgage rates hovered near 7%, close to a 13-month high.

This combination of rising inventory and softer demand is creating more buyer-friendly conditions. For those actively shopping, there’s increasing room to negotiate on price or request concessions, especially in markets where homes have been listed for several weeks. Sellers, on the other hand, are finding greater success with realistic pricing, rather than aiming for the highs of previous years.

After 18 years helping clients navigate these shifts, I’ve learned that strategic negotiation and an informed approach—whether buying, selling, or investing—can make all the difference in today’s evolving market.

09/16/2026

Philadelphia Apartments Are Getting Smaller
Have you noticed that new apartments in Philadelphia seem to be shrinking? Recent data puts our city at 12th out of 100 US cities for the smallest newly built apartments. Over the last decade, the average size of a new Philadelphia apartment dropped to 747 sq-ft—about 163 sq-ft less than the national average for new units. What’s especially interesting is that studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments each lost roughly 100 sq-ft compared to the previous decade, while three-bedroom layouts actually gained an average of 93 sq-ft. This trend reflects a growing demand for single-person housing and shows how developers are responding by prioritizing compact, efficient living spaces.

As someone who’s spent over 18 years helping clients find the right fit—whether for personal living or investment—I see firsthand how these shifts impact both renters and investors. If you’re considering a move or looking to invest in multi-unit properties, understanding these changes can help you make smart, informed decisions in today’s evolving market.

09/15/2026

Unlock Philly’s Best First-Time Buyer Tips with Christine Virata
Let’s connect and talk about the latest insights in the industry!

Address

Philadelphia, PA

Telephone

+12159001005

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Christine Virata - EXP Realtor posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Christine Virata - EXP Realtor:

Shortcuts

Share

Category