When you're expecting, absolutely everyone will, unprompted, tell you exactly what to expect when your little bundle comes into the world. But we'll give it to you straight: you'll need space. An inordinate amount of kid-friendly, spacious space. This four-bedroom, one and a half-bath home in Fishtown, asking $349,900, is the definition of kid-friendly: from its high-enough-for-an-IKEA-swing-chair-ceilings, to a few extra bedrooms in which to throw toys, to the "What's for dinner? I'll tell you what's for dinner" chalkboard in the kitchen. But, the 1,625 square-foot abode is also grown-up friendly, too: an iron and glass back wall looks out over a verdant yard from the recently remodeled kitchen. The second floor has two bedrooms and a recently renovated bathroom. The third floor is open layout ("Go run laps upstairs, kids)," and boasts new hardwood flooring, enlarged windows and exposed brick. The top floor has new hardwood floors, exposed brick, and a designed cut-out in the floor (surrounded by safety railings!) which overlooks the third floor. Because everyone knows parents don't really have eyes in the back of their head; they just have to pretend that they do.
· 1232 Marlborough Street [Estately]