Originally Posted by seand

So I take it you are looking at the one right next to the folklore project. The Italian guy, the half of the couple that rehabbed that house, I chatted with a few times while he was rehabbing the place and he seemed to be a hell of a carpenter. At least I was impressed. You will probably see an attention to detail in the rehab you wouldn't see in a building of that size so you have that going for you. I'm a little sad to see that couple go because they seem like good folks but didn't know them well.

Anyhoo, I wouldn't worry so much about the shells on the 4900 block of Pentridge which I think is that you are actually asking about. Long abandonned houses, clouded titles - they look worse than they actually are. You should probably try to meet the young women who run the Pentridge Children's Garden across the street
http://www.phillyimc.org/en/node/65087

And also the carpenter guy with the dog who has the warehouse across the street - which you probably will anyway since he's kind of a regular at Dock St.

If you do move in, welcome to the neighborhood.