Raza Properties’ team holds a belief that we are better when we are surrounded by talented people who challenge, inspire, and teach us something.  Recently, CEO Rahil Raza connected with local superstar Julia Choseed and walked away feeling just that—challenged, inspired, and educated. 

In many ways Julia defies stereotypes and expectations of someone in the field of construction, building, design, and real estate. Her bold personality adds flavor to the work she does coupled with a keen attention to detail and an appreciation for preserving and enhancing architecture.

Julia is new on the scene relatively speaking, but you wouldn’t know it given her impressive record and professional poise.  She is approaching her one year anniversary of “quitting her full-time job, packing her bags, buying a home, and moving her life to Philly (Strawberry Mansion) where she embarked on a new journey of beginning a Real Estate business.”

She shares that initially while getting up and going she “house-hacked,” and got “creative to make enough money.”  That money sustained her to live on and during that time Julia was able to raise private money that would be used to get her “first flip under contract”

As the saying goes, the rest is history. 

Since that start (in only 12 months!) Julia has gone on to become a licensed realtor, as well as a licensed general contractor.  She worked hard to acquire, and secure residents, for two rental properties.  In addition, she rehabbed 3 properties in Brewerytown, and 2 triplex.   Currently, Julia is working with a “few shells in the pipeline” while she works with an aggressive developer to oversee 17 of his projects “from start to finish.”  

It is not uncommon for professionals in this line of work to have multiple projects going at a time however, Julia’s start is remarkable by all measures and has given her a fast, furious name for herself.

Julia shared she is also the owner of Brickhouse Investments which is her “real estate investment & holding company.” Related to that, she also operates Brickhouse Builders—the development aspect of the company which functions to “take on construction projects for Brewerytown home owners and other investors and developers.”

What makes Julia standout more than just her flips, acquisitions, and managing is that she offers custom-built homes with a unique design.  She feels, and others agree, this personal touch is what gives her a competitive edge.  Julia is candid when she describes her efforts: “I do everything I can to preserve the original architecture in a building instead of tearing down and building new like we too often see.” 

Her “ultimate vision is to accomplish two things: develop homes that are a perfect personality fit for first time home- buyers as well as rebuild the neighborhood of Strawberry Mansion within both the real estate market and at a community level.”

Julia would eventually like to steer her attention to create and manage a non-profit based in Strawberry Mansion that “promotes leadership in youth and builds a cohesive and diverse neighborhood.”

All of this and the fact that she is dubbed the “lady-contractor” an impressive title for an impressive woman. Managing construction, designing homes, all while “keeping the needs of the community a priority”—that is the work of the Lady Contractor– Julia Choseed.  

 Proud to work alongside this strong professional in the world of Philadelphia development!