City Block Team at Compass RE

06/16/2026

Last week on Around the Block, I'm revisiting a reader favorite from my 20-year real estate retrospective series as I approach 25 years in the business this July.

One of the questions I'm asked most often is: Why did you leave the law to go into real estate?

The answer involves a lifelong love of Philadelphia, a major career change, my first home sale, and the unexpected events that shaped the beginning of my real estate career in 2001.

Read Part 1 on my website or Substack. And stay tuned next week for the story behind how I got the name "City." 🏙️

https://open.substack.com/pub/jeffcityblock/p/20-years-in-philly-real-estate-part?r=559pcu&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

06/08/2026

🍦 This week on Around the Block: an encore presentation.

With summer finally making an appearance, I thought it was the perfect time to revisit one of ATB's most popular posts—a deep dive into Philadelphia's ice cream and water ice scene.

From Franklin Fountain and Bassetts to Tubby Robot, John's Water Ice, and childhood memories of classic Philly favorites, this one is a celebration of the frozen treats that make summer in Philadelphia so much fun. ☀️

And yes, I make the case that Philly might just be the Ice Cream Capital of the World. 🏆

Read the full story: https://open.substack.com/pub/jeffcityblock/p/encore-philly-ice-cream?r=559pcu&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

06/01/2026

A busy week called for an unexpected topic… so naturally, I wrote about Palau. 🌎

Before this week, I knew nearly nothing about this Pacific island nation beyond the fact that it beats Pennsylvania in the alphabetical drop-down. 😅

Turns out, Palau has a fascinating relationship with the United States, uses the US Dollar, and looks like an absolutely beautiful place to visit.

Oh — and their flag? Let’s just say it feels very familiar to our favorite city's. 🔵🟡

A little geography, a little trivia, and a quick trip to Micronesia in this week’s Around the Block.

https://open.substack.com/pub/jeffcityblock/p/a-busy-week-so-a-quick-comment-on?r=559pcu&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

05/11/2026

Most of you know I can talk Philly sports, SEPTA, cheesesteaks, and Center City history all day long. Robotics? That was newer territory for me. 🤖

But thanks to our son Ari, I’ve learned a lot about the incredible world of FIRST Robotics — and this week I wrote about Springside Chestnut Hill Academy’s Team 1218 qualifying for the FIRST Robotics Championship in Houston. A huge accomplishment.

This program is about so much more than robots. Teamwork, creativity, problem-solving, engineering, mentorship, really impressive stuff all around.

And yes, City Block Team is a proud sponsor of SCH Robotics. 💪

Congrats again to Team 1218 on another great season. Full story: https://substack.com//p-196944913

05/05/2026

Philly sports… never boring. 😅

I’m not a “Negadelphia” guy. Never have been. Always glass half full. But even the most patient fan gets tested sometimes (looking at you, Sixers). And yet… here we are. Still in it. Now we face the Knicks, down 1 in the series. GO SIXERS. 🏀

The Flyers? The city is absolutely Flyered Up right now — and they’re battling the Canes with nothing to lose. Love it. 🏒

Birds' offseason has me optimistic, as always. And the Phils… well, a little managerial shakeup and suddenly things get interesting. ⚾️

I also shared one of my all-time favorite Phillies moments involving Pete Rose, pure hustle, and the 1980 World Series.

Full Philly sports rundown in last week’s Around the Block.

https://open.substack.com/pub/jeffcityblock/p/philly-sports-comments-four-for-four?r=559pcu&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Around the Block: 5/1/26

04/27/2026

Twenty-five years ago, I left the practice of law and became a real estate professional. I had no previous sales experience, but I never saw this as a sales job.

I saw it as an opportunity to help people reach their goals, just as I had as an attorney, but in a field that aligned more fully with my passions and personality. Philadelphia and its neighborhoods 🏙️. My understanding of contracts. Being out in the field instead of tied to an office. Researching homes and pricing instead of corporate law. Talking with people about life and family, not just technical legal needs. And most of all, helping clients navigate one of the biggest personal and financial decisions of their lives with less stress and more success.

From day one as a REALTOR®, I knew I had made the right decision.

And now, 25 years later, I love it as much as ever. Check that, even more than ever.

Hope you like the 25th anniversary logos 🎉

04/20/2026

The Flyers are back in the playoffs, and the Philly real estate market is just as energized! Whether you're a die-hard Broad Street Bullies fan or looking for your next home in University City, this week’s "Around the Block" has you covered.

From a deep dive into Flyers history to a fresh batch of new listings across Geater Center City and West Mt. Airy, there is plenty to explore.

Let’s go Flyers! 🏒🧡

Read the blog here: https://cityblockteam.com/blog/ 🏡

03/23/2026

Sometimes you don’t have to go far to find something special… 🇫🇷

Wide sidewalks with café seating, lush greenery, public art, performance spaces — sounds like Paris, right? Well… what if I told you it’s coming to South Broad Street?

This week’s Around the Block dives into AveArts 2.0 — a major transformation already underway that’s set to reshape 10 blocks of Center City into something pretty incredible. 🌿🎭

Is it the Champs-Élysées? Maybe not.
Is it a big step forward for Philly? Absolutely.

Full breakdown (and my questionable French 🇫🇷😅) here: https://cityblockteam.com/around-the-block-3-20-26/

03/17/2026

Spring market energy is real in Philly. Prices are holding strong, rates are (mostly) steady, and buyer demand for single-family homes is still there. Several listings went under contract this week, with more great ones coming soon.

I love the spring market. Go Philly!

Read the full blog —https://cityblockteam.com/around-the-block-3-13-26/ 🏡

03/12/2026

Sometimes things change. And even if you didn’t want them to at first… you eventually come around.

A few months ago, I wrote that the Rocky statue absolutely belonged exactly where it was, at the base of the Art Museum steps. Case closed. No debate.

Well… the city decided to move it anyway.

And here’s the funny thing — now I actually support the move.

Why the change of heart? Part nostalgia, part Philly history, and part realizing that if Rocky moves up the steps, it gives Smokin’ Joe Frazier the spotlight he deserves at the bottom. 🥊

In this week’s blog I explain what changed my mind, plus a few stories involving driving around Eakins Oval, blasting Gonna Fly Now, and embarrassing my kids. 🎶🚗

Joe Frazier. Rocky. Philly.
You can’t beat it.

Read the full story at the link in bio.